A COMPREHENSIVE
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Dealing with the origin of words
and their sense development thus illustrating
the history of civilization and culture
BY
Dr. ERNEST KLEIN
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver
PROVERBS 25:11
VOLUME I A-K
ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY
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First Published 1965 - First Reprinted 1969
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COVER AND BINDING SUSANNE HEYNEMANN
lam what my MOTHER and my FATHER made of me
THE AUTHOR
DEDICATED TO THESACREDMEMORYOFTHEBEST PARENTS:
MY DEAR MOTHER
WHO AFTER A LIFE OF SELF-SACRIFICE DIED IN SZATMAR IN 1940
AND MY DEAR FATHER,
THE WORLD-RENOWNED RABBI AND SCHOLAR
RABBI IGNAZ (ISAAC) KLEIN OF SZATMAR.
WHO DIED A MARTYR OF HIS FAITH IN AUSCHWITZ IN 1944;
ANDTOTHESACRED MEMORY OF MY WIFE
AND OF MY ONLY CHILD JOSEPH (H AYYI M ISRAEL)
WHO ALSO FELL VICTIMS TO NAZISM IN AUSCHWITZ IN 1944
Preface
To know the origin of words
is to know the cultural history of mankind.
In infinite humility I bend the knee and bow before the Eternal Who gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might increases strength.
Blessed be the Eternal Who granted me life and sustenance and permitted me to write and
complete this etymological dictionary, whose first volume is just leaving the press.
This dictionary is a modest tribute of my devotion to Canada, the country whose citizen I am
proud to be, the country in which the spirit of the Bible has dominion from Sea to Sea, the coun-
try in which the Human Rights are a happy, living reality, a reality called upon to serve as a
shining example to mankind.
On this occasion I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Canada Council, whose
grant made it possible for me to have the manuscript of my dictionary typed in order to pre-
pare it for the press. The generosity of this noble institution will continue to serve for me as a
precious stimulus for further scientific work.
Between 193 1 and 1944, 1 was Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation in Nove Zamky (Czecho-
slovakia), whence I was deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz and, from there, to the concen-
tration camp Allach-Dachau. After the liberation from the latter place by Amerian troops in
1945, 1 returned home to find only the ruins of what had once been the flourishing Jewish com-
munity of Nov6 Zamky. There I learned that my Father, my wife, my only child Joseph and two
of my three sisters had suffered martyrdom in Auschwitz. Of my family, my sister Mrs. Paul
Horvath (nee Elizabeth Klein) and her husband have survived.
After my return I decided to write an etymological dictionary of the English language, the
language which I had loved and admired since my early childhood.
This project materialized in Toronto where I settled together with my sister Elizabeth and
her husband, and where my friends established the congregation Beth Yitshak, which was
named after my Father of blessed memory, and chose me for their rabbi.
It was before all my sister who through her selfless love and infinite dedication, with which
she has taken care of me, made it possible for me to devote my time to my congregation and to
writing this dictionary.
On this occasion I would like to extend my affectionate feelings to two of my closest and
dearest friends in Toronto, whom I love both as if they were brothers to me in the literal sense of
this term : Mr. Arthur Minden, Q.C., whose friendship and love I treasure as one of the greatest
gifts bestowed upon me by Providence and whose zeal and encouragement have been an im-
portant factor in my writing and completing this dictionary, and Mr. Leo Bermann, whose
sincere brotherly affection and friendly devotion have always been and continue to be a grati-
fying source of spiritual joy to me, and who had a decisive role in the history of the publication
of my dictionary.
My abiding gratitude is extended to Mr. Marsh Jeanneret, president of the Toronto Uni-
versity Press, and to Miss F. Halpenny, its editor, for their helpfulness and encouragement,
which were important factors on the way leading to the publication of my work.
VIII
My grateful acknowledgements are also due to the whole staff of the University of Toronto
Library for the facilities extended to me in the use of its books.
May this dictionary, which plastically shows the affinity and interrelationship of the nations
of the world in the way in which their languages developed, contribute to bringing them nearer
to one another in the sincere pursuit of peace on earth — which was one of my cardinal aims
in writing this dictionary.
Toronto, October, 1965
Dr. Ernest Klein
Introduction
Since my youth I have devoted myself to philology, with special regard to etymology.
The reasons inducing me to write 'A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the
English Language' may be summed up as follows :
It is a well-known fact that in the course of the last sixty years philology has attained a high
degree of development. It is so much the more to be regretted that modern lexicography has
remained far behind the achievements of philology. As a rule, even the most authoritative
English etymological dictionaries give such etymologies as reflect the level reached by philology
about half a century ago. In most cases etymologies given up by serious science long ago are
still wandering out of one dictionary into another and continue living with tenacity, appa-
rently ignoring the truths established in the field of philology in the course of the latter decades.
One example may suffice to prove this. Despite the fact that Tocharian (this language extinct
long ago but newly discovered at the end of the Nineteenth Century) occupies a very important
place among the Indo-European languages, Tocharian references appear only quite excep-
tionally in the etymological dictionaries of the English language. This is so much the more strik-
ing, because Tocharian may help us understand the development of many a word in the different
Indo-European languages, inasmuch as the words of the Tocharian language often represent
the transitory form — 'the missing link' — between the Old Indian and the other Indo-European
languages. In this dictionary Tocharian words are regularly referred to together with the other
Indo-European equivalents.
English belonging to the great family of the Indo-European languages, it is quite evident
that in tracing any word to its source, an etymological dictionary must take into consideration
all the important cognates of this word in the other Indo-European languages. If we want to
understand the history of an English word, we must compare this word with as many corre-
spondences as possible.
Most etymological dictionaries do not pay enough attention to this circumstance and there-
fore cite equivalents from the kindred languages quite at random, often enumerating the less
important ones but omitting such as had a decisive influence upon the form of the word treated
or upon the development of its meaning. This dictionary tries to be a dependable guide to the
reader in this respect too, by giving him all the necessary information about the origin, for-
mation and sense development of any word that might interest him.
The scientific value of most etymological dictionaries is much impaired by the circumstance
that their authors are not familiar with the structure of the Semitic languages, a fact thrown
into relief by the inconsistencies of the transliteration of Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic words,
on the one hand, and by the lack of any etymological analysis of these words, on the other. In
this dictionary the words of Semitic origin — about 750 in number — are fully analyzed : they
are traced to their etyma, the cognates are given, the stem is distinguished from the prefixes and
suffixes added to it, etc. In brief: the words of Semitic origin are treated exactly as the Indo-
European words. This is why my dictionary may also serve as a preliminary work for an ety-
mological dictionary of the Semitic languages themselves.
In all etymological dictionaries we frequently come across such words as are declared to be
'of unknown origin', even in cases when the etymology of such words can be established beyond
any doubt. In many other cases the etymology is not given either, but the origin of the respec-
X
tive word is referred to by such vague terms as 'of uncertain etymology', or 'probably of Orien-
tal origin', etc., whereas their provenance is very well known. My dictionary contains the ety-
mology of several hundred such words.
This dictionary gives also the etymologies of personal names and mythological names.
Some other features of this dictionary:
What the elements are to chemistry, what the sounds are to music, are words to language.
However, words are not only the elements of a language but also of the history of the people
speaking it. They are important milestones along the way leading to the majestic Palace of
Human Knowledge.
One of the basic features of this dictionary is that — in contradistinction to other etymolo-
gical dictionaries — its aim is not only to give the history of words, but to give also History in
words. This dictionary is the first attempt to give the history of human civilization and culture
condensed in the etymological data of words. We not only speak but think and even dream
in words. Language is a mirror in which the whole spiritual development of mankind reflects
itself. Therefore, in tracing words to their origin, we are tracing simultaneously civilization
and culture to their real roots.
Another important aim that I set to myself in composing this dictionary was to mirror in it the
history of the humanities and sciences. Since the history of a word is at the same time the history
of the thing denoted or the idea expressed by that word it is obvious that by giving the history
of the technical terms of any branch of science we also give the history of that branch of science
itself. In consideration of this fact one of the goals of an etymological dictionary should be to
deal with the history of scientific technical terms in a manner that would enable the reader to
reconstruct through them the history of the various branches of the humanities and sciences.
This dictionary represents the first attempt to live up to this goal. E.g. in order to know the
important phases of the development of medicine one will only have to look up the medical
terms occurring in this dictionary.
For the illustration of this fact I am quoting here a few entries from this dictionary dealing
with medical terms:
abiotrophy, n., loss of vitality (med.) — Coined by the English neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers
(1845-1915) fr. Gk. d$io<;, 'without life', and -xpoqjii, fr. xpocprj, 'nourishment'. See abio- and
-trophy.
Derivative: abiotroph-ic, adj.
accoucheur, n., a man who acts as midwife. — F., fr. accoucher, 'to go to childbed' ; first used by Jules
Clement in the second half of the 17th cent. See accouchement.
Achilles' tendon. — So called from the myth of Achilles being held by the heel when his mother Thetis
dipped him into the river Styx to render him invulnerable ; first used by the Dutch anatomist Verheyden
in 1693 when dissecting his own amputated leg. See Achilles and tendon.
acrodynia, n., disease characterized by pain in the hands and feet (med.) — Medical L., coined by Char-
don in 1828, and lit. meaning 'pain in the extremities', fr. aero- and Gk. oSuvtj, 'pain'. See -odynia.
actinomycosis, n„ an inflammatory disease caused by the actinomycetes (med.) — Coined by the German
pathologist Otto Bollinger (1843-1909) in 1877 fr- Actinomyces and suff. -osis.
agoraphobia, n., morbid fear of being in open spaces (med.) — Coined by Westphal in 1871, who first
described this morbid condition. The word lit. means 'fear of a public place'. See agora and -phobia.
albuminuria, n., the presence of albumen in the urine (med.) — Medical L., fr. F. albuminuric a hybrid
coined by the French physician Martin Solon (1795-1856) in 1838 fr. L. albumen, 'white of the egg',
andGk. o5pov, 'urine'. See albumen, urine and -ia.
allopathy, n., treatment of disease by remedies that produce effects opposite to those caused by the
disease. — G. Allopathic, coined by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) fr. Gk.
XI
aXkoQ, 'other', and -mx&eia, fr. roi&oc., 'suffering'. See alio- and -pathy and cp. enantiopathy, homeo-
pathy.
Derivatives: allopath-ic, adj., allopath-ic-ally, adv., allopath-et-ic,aA].,allo-path-e1-ical-ly, adv., allo-
path-ist, n.
anaphylaxis, n., exaggerated susceptibility, especially to protein (med. and biol.) — Coined by the
French physiologist Charles Richet (1850-1935) in 1893 on analogy of prophylaxis (q.v.) Anaphylaxis
accordingly means the opposite of what is expressed by prophylaxis; it is formed fr. ana- and Gk.
(jjiiXa^t?, 'a watching, guarding'. See phylaxis.
anarthria, n., inability to articulate words (med.) — Medical L., coined by the French neurologist
Pierre Marie (1 853-1940) fr. Gk. avap^po?, 'without joints' (see anarthrous). For the ending see suff. -ia.
antitoxin, n., a substance neutralizing poisonous substances (immunology). — Coined by the German
bacteriologist Emil von Behring (1854- 19 17) in 1890 fr. anti- and toxin. Cp. autotoxin.
aperient, adj., laxative. — L. aperiens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of aperlre, 'to uncover, open', which
stands for *ap-werire and is rel. to operlre (for *op-werlre), 'to cover, close', and cogn. with OI. apa-
vrndti, 'uncovers, opens', api-vrndti, 'closes, covers', fr. I.-E. base *wer-, 'to enclose, cover'. See weir
and cp. words there referred to. The word aperient was used by Bacon in 1626.
Derivative: aperient, n., a laxative drug.
aphemia, n., a kind of aphasia (med.) — Medical L., coined by the French surgeon and anthropologist
Paul Broca (1824-80) in i860 fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. 9V 7 ). 'voice', which is rel. to cpdvoci, 'to say,
speak'. See fame and -ia and cp. aphasia.
aspirin, n. (pharm.) — A hybrid coined by H. Dreser in Pfliiger's Archiv in 1899. The acetylo-salicylic
acid occurs in the flowers of the plant Spiraea ulmaria. In order to distinguish from this natural pro-
duct the same substance gained chemically, the word aspirin was formed by Dreser from priv. pref.
a-, the above mentioned plant Spiraea, and chem. suff. -in. Hence aspirin prop, means 'acetylo-sali-
cylic acid which is gained not from the Spiraea ulmaria (but in a chemical way)'.
astigmatism, n., defect of the eye that prevents the rays of light from converging to a point on the retina
(med. and optics). — Coined by the English mathematician and philosopher William Whewell (1794-
1866) in 1819 fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. a-uyfia, gen. crTiyu.aToq, 'a prick, puncture, mark'. See stig-
matic and -ism.
athetosis, n., affection of the nervous system marked by involuntary movements of the fingers and toes
(med) — Medical L., coined by the American nerve specialist William Alexander Hammond (1828-
1900) in 1871 fr. Gk. a-S-eTO?, 'not fixed', and suff. -osis. See prec. word.
aureomycin, n., an antibiotic drug resembling penicillin (med.) — A hybrid coined fr. L. aureus, 'golden'
(so called from its color), Gk. u.uxt)<;, 'fungus', and chem. suff. -in; see aureate and myco-. The correct
form would be chrysomycin, in which both elements are of Greek origin (see ehryso- and cp. Aureo-
basidium).
batophobia, n., a morbid fear of being at great heights or passing near high objects (med.) — Medical L.,
compounded of Gk. Pccto?, 'passable', verbal adj. of paCveiv, 'to go', and -<pop£i, fr. tp6(3o<;, 'fear'.
See base, n. and phobia. The association of Gk (3a-:6<; with height is due to a connection of this
word with the second element in acrobat. (Acrobats are used to display their art in the height.)
A more adequate name for this condition is hypsophobia.
bronchiole, n., a minute bronchial tube(ana/.) — Medical L. bronchiola, a diminutive coined by E. Schuhz
fr. L. bronchia (pi.), 'the bronchial tubes'; see bronchia. Cp. Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica,
P-557-
Derivative: bronchiol-ar, adj.
bronchitis, n„ inflammation of the bronchial tubes (med.) — Medical L., coined by Charles Bedham in
1 808 fr. bronchus and suff. -itis; introduced into medicine by P. Frank in his Interpretationes Clinicae
in 1812.
Caesarean section, Caesarean operation. — So called from the belief that Julius Caesar was thus deliv-
ered. This belief is refuted by the fact that the mother ofJ. Caesar was still alive at the time of the Gallic
wars, whereas, on the other hand, we know that in antiquity this operation was never performed on the
living mother.
calciphylaxis, n., increased sensitivity to calcium (med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined by Dr. Hans
Selye (born in 1907), professor of the University of Montreal, fr. calcium, a word of Latin origin, and
Gk. 9iiXa^L?, 'a watching, guarding'. See phylaxis.
Chloromycetin, n., an antibiotic drug of the penicillin-streptomycin family discovered by Dr. Paul
R.Burkholder of Yale University (med.) — Coined fr. chloro-, Gk. [auxtjs, 8 en - u.uxtqto<;, 'fungus'
(see myceto-), and chem. suff. -in.
cirrhosis, n., a disease of the liver (med.) — Medical L., coined by the French physician Rene-Theo-
phile-Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826) fr. Gk. xippo?, 'tawny', which is of uncertain origin ; so called
in allusion to the yellowish color of the diseased liver. For the ending see suff. -osis.
XII
cynanthropy, n., insanity in which the patient believes himself to be a dog (med.) - Formed with suff.
-v (representing Gk. fr. Gk. xuvtb^wcoc 'of a dog-man', which is compounded of xouv, gen.
xuvic 'a dog', and Sv&pcoTro?, 'man'. See cyno- and anthropo-. The name cynanthropy prop, derives
fr. Gk. v6ao 5 xuvav&pu™?, lit. 'dog-man's disease', a name given to this mama by Galen (see Galen,
19, 7«9).
The examples have been taken from among the medical terms beginning with the letter A,
B or C hence such as are contained in the present (i.e. I) volume of this dictionary.
Similarly, in dealing with the technical terms of the other branches of science in this dictiona-
ry one of my chief aims was to show the historic development of science in general and of its
various branches in particular, with special regard to biology, zoology, botany, mineralogy,
geography, geology, history, astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics, grammar, philo-
sophy. The entries treating these branches of science in this dictionary, virtually contain the
most important phases of their history.
Two other characteristic features of this dictionary:
HYBRID WORDS
Scientists are rarely also linguists. This is why many scientific terms are inexactly coined and
often erroneous and misleading in sense. Many of these terms are hybrids, i.e. words made up
of elements from different languages. In this dictionary hybrids are not only referred to as such
but-quite frequently-a new, correctly formed word is suggested instead of the one used
hitherto.
For an example see the entry aureomycin on preceding page.
LOAN TRANSLATIONS
Loan translations are important guideposts on the road on which civilization and culture trav-
eled in the course of centuries from nation to nation. Through them we learn e.g. that the
chief elements of the science of grammar developed in ancient Greece and reached Western
Europe through the medium of the Romans. (The overwhelming majority of grammatical terms
in the modern languages are loan translations of, or derive directly from, Latin words ;, which
themselves are loan translations of Greek words. Cp. e.g. the words subject, verb, adverb, nomi-
native, accusative, genitive, dative in this dictionary.)
In like manner, loan translations are of great importance for the reconstruction of the history
of all the other branches of science as well. This is why, in this dictionary, special attention was
paid to loan translations and their way was traced from language to language.
XIII
Transliteration of Semitic Words
The transliteration for Semitic words contained in the etymologies of this dictionary is such
that it renders exactly every consonant, vowel and diacritical sign. It happens for the first time
that the Hebrew and Aramaic words quoted in an etymological dictionary are transliterated
according to a system which makes it possible to retransliterate these words into their original •
characters, including all the phonetic signs particular to Hebrew and Aramaic. (See the follow-
ing Rules for Transliteration.)
As a rule, in this dictionary the accent in Semitic words (with the exception of the Akkadian,
for which the laws of accentuation are not known), is indicated by the usual accent mark ' placed
over the vowel of the accented syllable.
THE RULES FOR THE TRANSLITERATION OF HEBREW
AND ARAMAIC EMPLOYED IN THIS DICTIONARY
Form of the Letter Its Name
X dleph
3
1
1
n
i
T
n
beth
bheth
gimel
ghiniel
ddlelh
dhdleth
he
wdw or van
zdyin
cheth
Its Transliteration
Not rendered at the
beginning or the end
Its Sounds
Orig. the glottal stop.
Now silent in the
of a word; otherwise middle of words if it has
marked by '
bh
gh
d
dh
no vowel;
otherwise it is pro-
nounced according to
the accompanying
vowel sign.
bh, v
Pronounced like
g in get.
Orig. pronounced —
with a slight aspira-
tion of the sound - -
like gh; now pro-
nounced like g in get.
Orig. pronounced like
ih in litis;
now pronounced d
Pronounced like ch in
Scot, loch
XIV
Form of the Letter
3 ; at the end
of a word
3; at the end
of a word
0; at the end
of a word
3 ; at the end
of a word
57
1
1
D
1
Its Name
teth
yddh
kaph
khaph
Idmedh
nun
sdmekh
'dyin
Its Transliteration Its Sounds
t
y
kh
I
m
An emphatic t
y
kh
A strong guttural
sound; now usually
treated in the pro-
nunciation like an
aleph
3 ; at the end pe
of a word P p
D ; at the end phe
of a word ph J
«, - - - iu- tz: occasionally pro-
at the end tzadhe or sadhe
„ nounced like an em-
ofaword Y ,z „
' phatic s ( - s)
P koph 1 an emphatic k
"1 resh r r
$ shin sh &
sin s s
taw or tdv t '
.. .- ,l Orig. pronounced like
n thaw or thav th e v
th in thing; now pro-
nounced like t (by the
Ashkenazic Jews like
s).
XV
VOWEL SIGNS USED WITH HEBREW CHARACTERS
Vowel Sign
Form Name
Transliteration
Sound
A) Long Vowels
qamatz gddhol a
tzere e
hiriq gddhol i
holdm 6
shuruq u
like a in far
like ai in rain
like / in machine
like o in fork
like u in true
B) Short Vowels
pattdh
s^ghdl
hiriq qdtdn
qamatz qdtdn
qubbutz
like a in far
like e in them
like (' in pin
like o in #one
like u in />«/
C) Half Vowels
schwa (nd') *
hdtdph pattdh a
hdtdph s*ghdl e
hdtdph qamatz o
like e in a^e/if
like a very short
pattah
like a very short
s e "ghol
like a very short
qamatz qatan
A point in the middle of a consonant, called ddghish hdzdq (daghesh forte, 'strong daghesh'),
strengthens (i.e. doubles) the consonant. It is marked by the doubling of the respective conso-
nant.
The sign ddghish qai (daghesh lene = 'light daghesh'), which is formally identical with the
sign of the ddghish hdzdq, is used with the letters D . D , 3 ,"T , 1 , 3 , to indicate their
original hard pronunciation. In this Dictionary fl , Q , 3 , 1 , 1 , 3 , are transliterated
b, g, d, k, p, t, whereas H , D , 3 , 1 . 1 , 3 , are rendered by bh, gh, dh, kh, ph, th.
XVI
RULES FOR THE TRANSLITERATION OF ARABIC
EMPLOYED IN THIS DICTIONARY
Form of the Letter Its Name
dlif
bd'
ta
Its Transliteration Its Sound
Marked by ' at the The glottal stop,
beginning of a word
or when it is pro-
vided with hamza ;
otherwise rendered
by a macron.
thd'
th
(like th in English
thing)
C
C
jtm
hd'
khd'
ddl
kh
J
(a sharp guttural
aspirate;
pronounced like a
strong h with friction
sound)
(like ch in Scot, loch)
dhdl
dh
(like th in English this)
J
zay
XVII
Form of the Letter Its Name
shin
J 9
J;
t
y
3
J
sad
dad
ta
ayn
ghayn
fir
qdf
kdf
1dm
Its Transliteration Its Sound
sh sh
gh
f
an emphatic s; pro-
nounced like ss in
English hiss
palatal d
an emphatic t
an emphatic z
a strong guttural
sound ; cp. Heb. s
a guttural, gargling
sound
/
an emphatic k
ha
ya
XVIII
VOWEL SIGNS USED WITH ARABIC CHARACTERS
Vowel Sign Its Name
A) Short Vowels
J_ fdthaf 1
— kdsra h
J ddmmah
Its Transliteration Its Sound
Pronounced like
a in wan.
Pronounced like
i in pin.
Pronounced like
u in put.
B) Long Vowels
3
Pronounced like a
in father.
Pronounced like i
in machine.
Pronounced like u
in rule.
ORTHOGRAPHIC SIGNS
7 luimza 1 ' (sign of the g,OUal
stop)
«., tashdid. It marks the doubling of a consonant. It is disregarded in the
case of a l5 after an , The assimilation of the J tin the def. art. J ) to the so called solar
letters is not tak-n into consideration (as e.g. in aldea, Aldebaran. Altair). unless this assimi-
lation appears a' o in the European (in most cases Spanish or Portuguese) loan word itself
(as in arrope, l alaya).
Abbreviation of Books and Journals Frequently
Referred to
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF. = Bloch, Oscar, and W. von Wartburg, Dictionnaire etymologique
de la langue francaise, 2nd ed., Paris, 1950.
Boisacq, DELG. = Boisacq, Emile, Dictionnaire etymologique de la langue grecque, 4th ed.,
Heidelberg, 1950.
Dauzat, DELF. = Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire etymologique de la langue francaise, 7th ed.,
1938.
E-M., DELL. = Ernout, A., and A. Meillet, Dictionnaire Etymologique de la langue latine,
4th ed., Paris, 1959.
Frisk, GEW. = Frisk, Hjalmar, Griechisches etymologiscb.es Worterbuch, 1955 — in progress.
Gesenius-Buhl, HWAT. = Gesenius, W., Hebraisches und Aramaisches Worterbuch iiber
das Alte Testament, bearbeitet von Dr. Frants Buhl, 16th ed., Leipzig, 1915.
HEL. = Francis Brown, S. R. Driver and Charles A. Briggs, The Hebrew and English Lexicon
of the Old Testament based on the Lexicon of William Gesenius, Oxford, 1952, corrected
impression.
Hofmann, EWG. = J. B. Hofmann, Etymologisches Worterbuch des Griechischen, Munchen,
1930.
JQR. = Jewish Quarterly Review.
Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS. =-- Kluge, Friedrich, Etymologisches Worterbuch der deutschen Spra-
che, 17. Auflage, unter Mithilfe von Alfred Schirmer bearbeitet von Walther Mitzka, Berlin,
1957-
Meyer-Liibke, REW. = Meyer- Lubke, W., Romanisches etymologisches Worterbuch, 2nd
ed., Heidelberg, 1924.
OED. = The Oxford English Dictionary.
Walde-Hofmann, LEW. = Walde, A., Lateinisches etymologisches Worterbuch, dritte, neu-
bearbeitete Auflage von J. B. Hofmann, Heidelberg, 1938-55.
Walde-Pokorny, VWIS. = Walde, A., Vergleichendes Worterbuch der indogermanischen
Sprachen, herausgegeben von J. Pokorny, Berlin, 1928 ff. (3 volumes).
ZDMG. = Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandischen Gesellschaft.
Other Literature Consulted
J. F. Bense, Dictionary of the Low Dutch element in the English Vocabulary.
Berneker, E., Slavisches etymologisches Worterbuch, vol. i , Heidelberg, 1908-13.
Carnoy, Albert, Dictionnaire etymologique de la mythologie greco-romaine, Louvam.
Devic M Dictionnaire etymologique des mots francais derives de l'arabe, Pans, 1876;
published also in Supplement to E. Littre's Dictionnaire de la langue francaise, Pans, 1884.
Feist, S., Vergleichendes Worterbuch der gotischen Sprache, 3rd ed., Leiden, 1939-
Frankel Siegmund, Die aramaischen Fremdworter im Arabischen, Leyden, 1886.
Gamillscheg E., Etymologisches Worterbuch der franzosischen Sprache, Heidelberg, 1926-28.
Hehn, V., Kulturpflanzen und Haustiere in ihrem Obergang aus Asien nach Griechenland und
Italien' 8. Auflage, neu herausgegeben von O. Schrader, Berlin, 191 1.
Holthausen, F., Etymologisches Worterbuch der englischen Sprache, 3 rded., Gottingen, 1949.
Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner, Lexicon in Veteris Testament! Libros, Leiden, 195 > •
Lewis and Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford, 195 1-
Lewy H Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895.
Lidde'll and Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, in Henry Stuart Jones's recension, Oxford,
1925-40.
Litmann E., Morgenlandische Worter im Deutschen, 2nd ed., Tubingen, 1924.
Lokotsch, K. , Etymologisches Worterbuch der europaischen (germanischen, romanischen und
slavischen) Worter orientalischen Ursprungs, Heidelberg, 1927.
Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Dictionary, Heidelberg, 1956 -
in progress.
J R Partington, The History of Chemistry, London, 1961-62.
Skeat, W. W., An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, New Edition, Oxford,
1946.
Skinner, Henry Alan, The Origin of Medical Terms, 2nd ed., Baltimore, 1961.
Weekley, E., A Concise Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, 2nd ed., 1952.
Yule, H., and A. C. Burnell, Hobson-Jobson, revised by Crooke, 1903.
General Abbreviations
abl.
ablative
Can.F.
Canadian French
acc.
accusative
cap.
capital (initial)
adj.
adjective
Carib.
Caribbean
adv.
adverb
Catal.
Catalan
Aeol.
Aeolic
cca.
circa
AF.
Anglo-French
Celt.
Celtic
Akkad.
Akkadian
cent.
century
AL.
Anglo-Latin
chem.
chemistry \ chemical
Alb.
Albanian
Chin.
Chinese
alg.
algebra
chronol.
chronology
alt.
alteration
class.
classical
Am.
American
CO.
Cornish
anat.
anatomy
cogn.
cognate
Anglo-Ind.
Anglo-Indian
coll.
collective, collectively
Annam.
Annamese
colloq.
colloQuial, colloquially
anthropol.
anthropology
compar.
comparative
anthropom.
anthropometry
conj.
conjunction
antiq
antiauitv
(411 llt^Ul *J
Copt.
Coptic
aor .
aorist
copul.
copulative
Arab.
Arabic
corrupt.
corruption
Aram,
A ra m a 1 c
CD
compare
archaeol.
archaeology
Cret.
Cretan
archit.
architecture
crystallogr.
crystallography
Arm.
Armenian
Cypr.
Cyprian
art.
article
astrol.
astrology
Dan.
Danish
astron.
astronomy
dat.
dative
Att.
Attic
def.
definite
augment.
augmentative
demonstr.
demonstrative
auxil.
auxiliary
dent.
dentistry
Bab.
dept.
department
Babylonian
Deut.
Deuteronomy
bacteriol.
bacteriology
dial.
dialect, dialectal
B.C.E.
before the common era
diet.
dictionary
Berber
dimin.
diminutive
Bibl.
Biblical
Dor.
Doric
Wochem.
biochemistry
Du.
Dutch
biol.
biology
Boeot.
Boeotian
bot.
botany
E.
English
Bret.
Breton
Eccles.
Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastical
Brit.
Britain, British
econ.
economics
Bulg.
Bulgarian
ed.
edition
XXII
EF.
East French rte
h
EFris.
East Frisian nel
minthol
e.g.
exempli gratia (for example) nei
r.
Egypt.
Hi
Egyptian ™
nd.
elect.
• his
electricity nu
>t.
embryol.
. Hi
embryology n]
tt
LI I.
Engl.
„ i Hi
English n '
OS.
entomol.
i H
entomology n
ung.
equiv.
equivalent u >
rdrogr.
esp.
especially
Esth.
Esther lc
:el.
-E.
Ethiop.
Ethiopian j
ethnol.
ethnology ir
nit.
nmunol.
etymol.
etymology ir
Ex.
Exodus j,
Ezek.
Ezekiel - u
ii
nper.
nperf.
mpers.
F.
French (always used in the |'
adef.
sense of Modern French) 1
ndic.
facet.
, i
facetiously
nf.
fern.
. ■ i
feminine
nterj.
f.
. „ ■ i
following
mtr.
ff.
following
Ion.
fig-
figurative
Ir.
Finn.
Finnish
Iran.
Flem.
Flemish
Is.
fort.
fortification
It.
fr.
from
freq.
frequentative
Jap.
Fris.
Frisian
Jav.
fut.
future
Jer.
Josh.
G.
German (always used in the
sense of New High German)
i
Gael.
Gaelic
Lam.
Gaul.
Gaulish
Lapp.
Gaul.-L.
Gaulish-Latin
I.e.
Gen.
Genesis
gen.
genitive
Lett.
geogr.
geography
Lev.
geol.
geology, geological
t a
geom.
geometry
lit.
Gk.
Greek
Lith.
uom.
Gothic
lithogr.
gram.
grammar
Mai.
Hab.
Habakkuk
Malayal.
HaRgai
Mand.
Hebrew
helminthology
heraldry.
Hindustani
history
Hittite
Hosea
Hungarian
hydrography
Icelandic
Indo-European
imitative
immunology
imperative
imperfect
impersonal
indefinite
indicative
infinitive
interjection
intransitive
Ionic
Irish
Iranian
Isaiah
Italian
Japanese
Javanese
Jeremiah
Joshua
Latin
Lamentations
Lappish
loco citato (= in the place
cited)
Lettish
Leviticus
Low German
literal, literally
Lithuanian
lithography
Malachi
Malayalam
Mandaean, Mandaic
XXIII
masc.
llldbL-UllllC
OBrit.
Old British
math.
maineiluil.lv:>
obsol.
obsolete
Muret.
\^iHH1p Tlrptnn
OBulg.
Old Bulgarian
A A f~*r\
JMCO.
MTiHHIp f~"firniviVi
1V11U.UIC V>U1 111311
OCelt.
Old Celtic
AA F^ii
Middle Dutch
OCo.
Old Cornish
MJ3.
1Y11U.UJ.C JC/llgllail
ODan.
Old Danish
mech.
m**r*h animal m pe ri f\ n 1 CS
ODu.
Old Dutch
med.
m pH i r* 1 ti e
OE.
Old English
lvicuncu.
Mpdieval Hebrew
OF.
Old French
ivij_.gypL.
Middle Ftrvntian
OFlem.
Old Flemish
Mcssap.
f* q« a n i ti
IVlCSartJ-'K+l 1
OFris.
Old Frisian
metal.
liicuiiiui g_y
OGael.
Old Gaelic
metath.
metn thesis:
OHG.
Old High German
meteorol.
HlCLCvJl UIU&J'
OI.
Old Indian
Mr.
1V11U.U1C J. AvllVll
Olr.
Old Irish
MUK,
\4iHrl1p Crrppk"
Olran.
Old Iranian
M H\j.
\^i/1rl1p 1-IioV) f~fPrman
lVllUuit- iTLigii vjtiiiian
Olt.
Old Italian
Ml.
AJ[ h
lYlll_.tlll
OL.
Old Latin
mil.
militji rv
llllAlKll J
OLG.
Old Low German
mineral.
mincraiugj'
OLith.
Old Lithuanian
A/tTv
Mir.
IVllULliC J.lli->11
ON.
Old Norse
ML.
iVlCUlCVa.1 LjaUH
ONF.
Old North French
\t I (~L
IVlLu.
rVtiHHlf 1 1 nw Cierman
^VULVJ-vll^ L*/\J W X^rwl lllull
ONorw.
Old Norwegian
IVIOQI-..
\/TnHprn P,nfflish
OPers.
Old Persian
IVlOOr.
OPicard
Old Picard
MOurieo,
OPort.
Old Portuguese
MOQL.
\A Aflprn T atiti
OProvenc.
Old Provencal
ModNorw.
OPruss.
Old Prussian
ModPers.
rVToHprn Persian
IV1UUC111 X Viol-till
orig.
original, originally
IVlOUrOi L.
Modern Portucuese
ornithol.
ornithology
ModProvenc.
XylArlprn Prr*venf*fll
ivj.iju.ci ii r i uvviiyai
ORuss.
Old Russian
iVloaVv .
lVIt>U.Clll *V Cloll
OS.
Old Saxon
mus.
music
OSabinic
Old Sabinic
MW.
Middle Welsh
OSerb.
Old Serbian
mythol.
myinoiugy
OSlav.
Old Slavic
OSp.
Old Spanish
noun
Osset.
Ossetic
n.
IN American
North American
OSwed.
Old Swedish
not l-i ic- +
nai. nisi.
■natural hiQtnrv
OW.
Old Welsh
naut.
fitn itir*Q 1
IlalllLv^al
NE.
North East
paleontol.
paleontology
negaLivc
part.
participle, particip
Neh.
INCIiCIIlidii
pass.
passive
neut.
1 1CL1LCI
pathol.
pathology
NF.
Mnrth Frenrb
l iUi in i. i viUfii
perf.
perfect
nom.
n r»m i rt z\ t i VP
perh.
perhaps
Norw
1>U1 WCgla.ll
Pers.
Persian
^vTi i m l"\pt"c
IN UlllL'Cl 3
Peru v.
Peruvian
"uinism.
nuiiiioiiictiiL.3
pharm.
pharmacy
NW.
North West
philol.
philology
XXIV
philos. P
hilosophy s
am.
Samuel
Phoen. P
hoenician S
avoy.
Savoyard
photogr. P
hotography s
Icand.
oCaHQin a Vlall
phrenol. P
hrenology s
cil.
scilicet (L., unaerbioou,
Phryg. J
'hrygian
namely')
phys. P
ihysics, physical S
!cot.
bcottisn, acoicn
physiol. P
ihysiology s
culp.
sculpture
pi. F
ilural s
leismol.
seismology
PN. I
'ersonal Name; Proper S
Sem.
Semitic
Name '
Sept.
Septuagint
poet. I
joetry ; poetical ;
Serb.
Serbian
Pol. 1
Polish '■
sing.
singular
Port. 1
Portuguese :
Slav.
Slavonic
possess. ]
possessive
s.m.
same meaning
pp. 1
past participle
sociol.
sociology
preceding
Sp.
Spanish
prec.
pred.
predicate, predicative,
specif.
specifically
predicatively
subj.
subjunctive
pref.
prefix
subst.
substantive
preposition
suff.
suffix
prep.
pres. part.
present participle
superl.
superlative
print.
printing
surg.
surgery
priv.
privative
s.v.
sub voce ^ — unuci liic
prob.
probably
word)
pronoun, pronominal
SW.
aoutn wesi
pron.
properly
Swed.
Swedish
prop.
prosody
Syr.
Syriac
pros.
Proven?.
Provencal
Ps.
Psalms
Tarentine
Tarent.
psychol.
psychology
techn.
technical, tecanoiogy
psychopathol.
pSycnupauuJiugj'
Teut.
Teutonic
theatr.
theatrical
quod vide (L., 'which see')
theol.
meoiugy
a.v.
nn V
quae vide (L., 'which see';
Thessal.
1 nessdiuui
qq.v.
Toch.
Tocharian
tr.
transitive
Turk.
Turkish
R.C.Ch.
Roman Catholic Church
typogr.
typography
refl.
reflexive
rel.
relative; related
Ugar.
Ugaritic
relig.
religion
ult.
ultimate, ultimately
met.
rhetoric
T T C A
United States of Americ
Rom.
Roman
U.S.S.R.
United Soviet Socialist
Rumanian
Republics
Rum.
Russ.
Russian
v.
verb
s.
South
var.
variant
S.Afr.
South African
vctcr.
veterinary
S.Am.
South American
VArab.
Vulgar Arabic
XXV
VL. Vulgar Latin WSem. West Semitic
vulg. vulgar WTeut. West Teutonic
Vulg. Vulgate
Zech. Zechariah
W. Welsh Zeph. Zephaniah
W.African West African zool. zoology
Symbols used in this Dictionary
The asterisk (*) indicates a hypothetical form.
The mark called macron (-) is placed over a vowel to show that it is long.
The mark called breve (-) is placed over a vowel to show that it is short.
In this dictionary the quantity of vowels (esp. in Greek and Latin words) is indica d on y
when they are long. The brevity of vowels is indicated only in some special cases (e.g. in Latin
tTJre X ^ to hang', in contradistinction to pendere, 'to hang' (see pendant). Hence
when there is no mark over a vowel it is to be assumed that it is short.
The mark ' after a consonant in the Slavonic languages indicates palatalization
SemaTk - after a syUable or a group of syllables (as in ant-,anti-) indicates that this syllable
"{Z^IS ^ or a group of syllables (as in -ate, -alio* mdicates that this
syllable or group of syllables is a suffix.
A
a, indef. article. — Form of an before a consonant.
a, prep, meaning 'of, as in a clock = of the
clock. — ME., fr. OE. of, 'from, off, of. See of.
a, prep, meaning 'on'. — OE. an, on, 'on'. See on.
a, prep, meaning 'to, at, in'. — F., fr. L. ad, 'to,
toward'. See ad- and cp. a-, pref. corresponding
to L. ad-. Cp. also a la.
a-, pref. meaning 'of, as in akin. — ME. a-,
fr. OE. of. See a, prep, meaning 'of.
a-, pref. meaning 'on'; used to form adverbs
from nouns as in abroad, ashore. — Fr. OE. an,
on. See a, prep, meaning 'on'.
a-, intensive pref. — OE. a-, rel. to OS., OFris.
ur-, or-, Du. oor-, OHG..MHG. ur- (unstressed:
OHG. ir-, ar-, MHG., G. -er), Goth. us-. The
orig. meaning of these prefixes was 'out, away'.
Cp. the pref. in oakum, ordeal.
a-, pref. meaning 'away from, from' (occurring
only before v), as in avert. — L. a-, fr. d, short
form of ab, 'away from, from' ; rel. to Oscan
aa-, Umbr. aha-, 'away from, from'. See ab-.
a-, pref. corresponding to L. ad-, fr. ad, 'to, to-
ward', either directly or through the medium of
OF. a- or F. a. Cp. the pref. in abandon, acknow-
ledge, ascend, ascribe, and see ad-. Cp. also a.
a-, priv. pref. meaning 'not, less, without'. —
Gk. a-, used before a consonant, the form be-
fore a vowel being av-. See an- and cp. the priv.
prefixes in- and un-.
aam, n., a Dutch and German liquid measure. —
Du., fr. L. ama (more exactly hamd), 'bucket',
fr. Gk. &\xf\ (prop. oc(xt)), 'bucket', which is rel.
to a|j.Safl-at, 'to draw, gather', au.viov, 'a bowl
in which the blood of victims was caught'. See
amnion.
aardvark, n., a South African burrowing animal.
— Du., lit. 'earth pig', fr. aard, 'earth', and
vark, 'pig'. See earth and farrow.
aardwolf, n., a South African hyena-like mam-
mal. — Du., lit. 'earth wolf. See prec. word
and wolf.
Aaron, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, the brother of
Moses. — Late L.,fr. Gk. 'Aapuv.fr. Heb. Ahd-
r6n, which is prob. of Egyptian origin. Arab.
Harun is borrowed from Hebrew.
Derivative: Aaron-ic, adj.
Aaron's beard, name of several plants. — So
called because of their resemblance to a beard
■nd with allusion to Ps. 1 33 : 2.
* -ro n's rod, 1) straight molding in architecture;
2 ) popular name of the common mullein. —
80 called with allusion to Nu. 17.
n., name of the fifth Jewish month. — Heb.
**. fr. Akkad. abu.
*^"» Pref. in words of Latin origin, denoting de-
parture, separation. — L. ab-, fr. ab, 'away from,
from; by*. The form ab is regularly used before
all vowels and h; before consonants except h,
ab usually becomes a; before c, q, t, it becomes
abs. L. ab derives fr. orig. *ap (cp. aperio, T
open'), and is cogn. with OI. dpa, 'away from',
Gk. <x7r6, 'away from, from', Goth, af, OE. of,
'away from, from'. See of and cp. a-, 'away
from', apo-, post-.
aba, n., a form of altazimuth instrument. — So
called after its inventor Antoine Thomson
d'Abbadie.
aback, adv. — OE. on bxc. See a-, 'on', and back.
abacus, n., 1) frame with beads for calculation;
2) (archit.) slab at the top of a column. — L.
abacus, fr. Gk. <£pa£, gen. a|3axo<;, 'a square
tablet strewn with dust', fr. Heb. dbhdq, 'dust',
fr. root a-b-q, 'to fly off. The first type of abacus
was a board covered with dust, whence its name.
Abaddon, n., the bottomless pit. — Heb. dbhad-
d6n, 'destruction', fr. abhddh, 'he perished', which
is rel. to Aram, abhddh, 'he perished', Ugar. 'bd,
'to perish', Ethiop. abdda, 'he wandered about',
Arab, dbada, 'it (the animal) fled in fright'.
abaft, adv., astern, aft; prep., behind. — Formed
fr. a-, 'on', and OE. bexftan, fr. be, 'by, at',
and xftan. 'behind'. See be- and aft.
abalienate, tr. v., 1) to alienate; 2) to remove. —
L. abaliendtus, pp. of abaliendre, 'to remove',
lit. 'to make alien from', fr. ab- and aliendre.
See alienate.
abalienation, n., 1) alienation; 2) removal. —
L. abaliendtio, gen. -dnis, fr. abaliendtus, pp.
of abaliendre. See prec. word and -ion.
abalone, n., a mollusk. — Sp.,of unknown origin.
abandon, tr. v., to leave, forsake. — ME. aban-
donee fr. OF. abandoner (F. abandonner), fr. a
bandon in (mettre) a bandon, 'to give up to a
public ban', fr. a, 'to' (fr. L. ad) and bandon,
'power, authority, jurisdiction', fr. Late L. ban-
dum, bannum, 'order, decree', which is of Teut.
origin. See ad- and ban, 'proclamation', and cp.
banish.
Derivatives : abandon, n., abandon-ed, adj., aban-
don-er, n., abandon-ment, n.
abase, tr. v., to lower. — OF. abaissier (F. abais-
ser), 'to bring low', fr. VL. *adbassidre, which
is formed fr. L. ad- and Late L. bassus, 'thick, fat,
low'. See base, 'low', and cp. the second element
in bouillabaisse.
Derivatives : abas-ed, adj., abas-ed-ly, adv., abas-
ed-ness, n., abase-ment, n.
abash, tr. v., to confuse ; to put to shame. — ME.
abassen, abaissen, abashen, fr. OF. esbahiss-,
pres. part, stem of esbahir, 'to astonish', com-
pounded of pref. es- (fr. L. ex; see 1st ex-) and
a derivative of OF. baer (F. bayer), 'to gape',
the change of conjugation (-ir for -er) being
prob. due to the influence of the OF. adj. balf,
abasia
2
'astonished'. The OF. verb baer derives fr. VL.
batare, 'to gape, yawn'. See bay, 'part in the
wall', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: abash-less, adj., abash-less-ly, adv.,
abash-ment, n.
abasia, n., inability to walk (med.) — Medical L.,
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. (Wat;, 'stepping,
step; base', from the stem of (Jaivsiv, 'to go'.
See base, n., and -ia.
abate, tr. and intr. v. — ME. abaten, fr. OF. abatre,
abattre (F. abattre), 'to beat down', fr. VL. *ab-
batere (whence also It. abbattere, Sp. abatir),
fr. ab- and batere (L. battuere), 'to beat, strike'.
See batter, 'to beat, strike', and cp. abatis, abat-
toir, bate, 'to reduce'.
Derivative: abate-ment, n.
abatis, n., a defense made of felled trees (mil.) —
F., 'things thrown down', fr. abattre, 'to beat
down, throw down'. See prec. word and cp.
abattoir.
abattoir, n., a slaughterhouse. — F., fr. abattre,
'to beat down'. See abate. The subst. suff. -air
corresponds to L. -drium, whence E. -ory.
abb, n., the yarn for the woof. — OE. aweb, ab.
See a-, 'on', and web.
abba, n., title of honor. — L., fr. Gk. <xP(3S, fr.
Aram, abba, 'the father; my father', emphatic
state of dbh, 'father'. See abbot, and cp. ab-
bacy, abbey.
abbacy, n., the office or jurisdiction of an abbot.
— Eccles. L. abbdtia, fr. abbas, gen. abbdtis. See
abbot and cp. abba, abbey. Cp. also badia.
abbe, n., a title given in France to a priest. — F.,
fr. Eccles. L. abbdtem, acc. of abbas. Cp. It.
abbate, Sp. abad, 'abbot', which also derive fr.
Eccles. L. abbdtem, and see abbot,
abbess, n. — ME. abbesse, fr. OF. (= F.) abbesse,
fr. Eccles. L. abbdtissa, fem. of abbas, gen. -dtis.
See abbot and cp. It. abbadessa, badessa, and
Sp. abadesa, 'abbess', which also derive fr. Ec-
cles. L. abbdtissa.
abbey, n., a convent headed by an abbot or an
abbess. — ME., fr. AF. abbeie, fr. OF. abeie,
abate (F. abbaye), fr. Eccles. L. abbdtia, fr. L.
abbas. See abbot and cp. abba, abbacy, abbess.
Cp. also It. abbadia, Sp. abadia, 'abbey', which
also derive fr. Eccles. L. abbdtia.
abbot, n. — OE. abbod, fr. L. abbdt-, stem of
abbas, gen. abbdtis, fr. Aram, abbd, 'the father;
my father', emphatic state of abh, 'father', which
is rel. to Heb. abh, 'father'. See Aboth and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also abba, abbacy,
abbe, abbey, abuna, badia.
abbreviate, tr. v., to shorten. — L. abbrevidtus,
pp. of abbrevidre, 'to shorten', fr. ab- and bre-
vidre, 'to shorten', fr. brevis, 'short'. Seebrief,adj.,
and cp. abridge, which is a doublet of abbreviate.
Derivatives: abbreviat-ed, adj., abbreviation, ab-
breviator (qq.v.), abbreviat-ory , adj.
abbreviation, n. — F. abreviation, fr. L. abbrevid-
tidnem, acc. of abbreviate, fr. abbrevidtus, pp.
of abbrevidre. See abbreviate and -ion.
abbreviates, n. — L., fr. abbrevidtus, pp. of ab-
brevidre. See abbreviate and agential suff. -or.
Abderian, pertaining to Abdera. — See Abderite
and -ian.
Abderite, n., i) an inhabitant of Abdera; 2) a
fool. — L. Abderita, fr. Gk. 'ApSiQpfar]?, 'in-
habitant of Abdera', fr."Ap8r)pa (pi.), 'Abdera',
a town proverbial for the stupidity of its in-
habitants. For sense development cp. Gotha-
mite. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
abdest, n., the Mohammedan rite of washing the
hands before prayer. — Pers. dbddst, lit. 'water
for the hand', fr. ab, 'water', and ddst, 'hand'.
Pers. db, 'water', is rel. to Avestic dp-, OI. ipah
(fem. pi.), 'water'; see amnic and cp. the first
element in abkari and the second element in
doab and in julep. Pers. ddst, 'hand', is rel. to
Avestic zasta, 'hand', fr. I.-E. base *ghosto-,
whence also OI. hdstah, 'hand'. See hasta and
cp. hath.
abdicate, tr. v. — L. abdiedtus, pp. of abdicdre,
'to renounce, resign, abdicate', fr. ab- and di-
cdre, 'to proclaim, dedicate, consecrate, devote',
which is related to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See dic-
tion and verbal suff. -ate and cp. dedicate, in-
dicate.
abdication, n. — L. abdiedtid, gen. -onis, 'renun-
ciation, abdication', from abdiedtus pp. of ab-
dicdre. See prec. word and -ion.
abdomen, n., the belly. — L. abdomen (later also
abdumen), 'the lower part of the belly, paunch,
abdomen', which prob. meant orig. 'the hidden
part of the body', and stands for *abdemen, a
derivative of abdo, abdere, 'to hide', which is
formed from ab-, and -dere (used only in com-
pounds), fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, *dli 1 -, 'to put,
place' ; see do and cp. words there referred to.
See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I., p. 3.
abdominal, adj., pertaining to the abdomen. —
Medical L. abdomindlis, fr. L. abdomen, gen.
abdominis. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: abdominal, n., abdominally, adv.
abdomino-, combining form denoting the ab-
domen. — Fr. L. abdomen, gen. abdominis. See
abdomen.
abduce, tr. v., to draw away. — L. abducere, 'to
lead away'. See next word,
abducent, adj., drawing back or away (said of the
muscles); the opposite of adducent. — L. abdit-
cens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of abducere, 'to lead
away', fr. ab-, and ducere, 'to lead'. See duke
and -ent.
abduct, tr. v., to kidnap. — L. abductus, pp. of
abducere, 'to lead away'. See prec. word,
abduction, n. — L. abductid, gen. -idnis 'a leading
away', fr. abductus, pp. of abducere, 'to lead
away'. See prec. word and -ion. As a term of
logic, L. abductid is a loan translation of Gk.
ina.farh, 'a shifting (of the argument)', lit. 'a
leading away', used to denote a syllogism whose
major premise is certain, but whose minor pre-
mise is only probable.
3
abiogenesis
abductor, n. (anat.) — Medical L., name of a
muscle, lit. 'that which leads away', fr. L. ab-
ductus, pp. of abducere, 'to lead away'. See ab-
duct and agential suff. -or.
abeam, adv., at right angles to the keel (naut.) —
Lit. 'on the beam', fr. a-, 'on', and beam.
abecedarian, adj., elementary, rudimentary. —
ML. abeceddrius, 'pertaining to the alphabet',
a word formed from the names of the first fdiir
letters of the alphabet. For the ending see suff.
-arian.
abecedarium, n., an ABC book. — ML., prop,
neut. of the adjective abeceddrius, used as a
noun. See prec. word.
abed, adv., in bed {archaic). — Formed fr. a-,
'on', and bed.
Abel, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, the second son of
Adam and Eve. — L., fr. Gk. "A^eX, fr. Heb.
Hebhel, lit. 'breath, vanity',
abele, n., the white poplar. — Du. abeel, fr. OF.
aubel, albel, fr. VL. *atbellus, 'whitish', dimin.
of albulus, which itself is dimin. of albus,
'white'. See alb.
Abelmoschus, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, habb-al-musk,
in vulgar pronunciation habb-el-mosk, lit. 'grain
of musk'. See hubba and musk,
abelmosk, n., a plant of the mallow family. —
Fr. prec. word.
Abeona, also Adeona, n., the goddess watching
over the first departure of children from the
house (Roman mythol.) — L. Abeona, Adeona,
formed on analogy of mdtrdna, 'matron', from
the stem of abire, 'to go away', resp. of adire,
'to approach'. See abiturient, resp. adit.
aberdevine, n., the siskin. — Of unknown origin.
aberrance, aberrancy, n. — L. aberrantia, fr. aber-
rdns, gen. aberrantis. See aberrant and -ce, resp.
-cy.
aberrant, adj., deviating from what is normal. — ■
L. aberrans, gen. -antis, pres. part, of aberrdre,
'to wander away, go astray', fr. ab- and err are,
'to wander, stray about'. See err and -ant.
aberration, n., — L. aberrdtid, gen. -onis, 'a wan-
dering', fr. aberrdt-(um), pp. stem of aberrdre.
See prec. word and -ation.
Derivative: aberration-al, adj.
•bet, tr. v. — ME. abetten, fr. OF. abeter, 'to
bait', lit. 'to cause to bite', fr. a- (fr. L. ad, 'to')
■nd OF beter, 'to bait', which is of Teut. origin;
cp. ON. beita, 'to cause to bite', blta, OE. bitan,
to bite'. See ad- and bait, bite, and cp. bet
Derivatives : abet-ment, abett-al, abett-er, abett-
or, nouns.
■beto, n., the fir tree called Abies religiosa. — Sp.,
fr. L. abies, gen. abietis, 'the silver fir'. See Abies.
■beyance, n., temporary inactivity. — AF. a-
beiance, 'suspension', formed fr. a- (fr. L. ad, 'to',
»ee «d-), and OF. beer (F. bayer), 'to gape', fr.
L. batare 'to gape'. See bay, 'part in the wall',
■od cp. words there referred to.
•boor, tr. v. — L. abnorrire, 'to shrink away
from', fr. ab- and horrere, 'to bristle, shudder'.
See horror.
abhorrence, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ce.
abhorrent, adj. — L. abhorrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of abhorrere, 'to shrink away from'. See
abhor and -ent.
Derivative: abhorrent-ly, adv.
abide, intr. and tr. v. — OE. dbldan, formed fr.
intensive pref. a- and bidan, 'to remain, await'.
See bide.
Derivatives: abid-ing, adj., abid-ing-ly, adv.
Abies, n., a genus of trees, the true fir (bot.) —
L. abies, 'silver fir', cogn. with Gk. Sfkv (acc.),
'silver fir', 'Afhxr|, name of Southern Russia,
lit. 'a region of firs'. Cp. abeto.
abietic, adj., pertaining to the crystalline acid
CmHm0 2 (chem.) — Formed with suff. -ic fr.
L. abies, gen. abietis, 'silver fir'. See prec. word.
Abigail, fem. PN. ; in the Bible, the wife of Nabal,
later of David. — Heb. Abhigdyil, lit. 'my father
is rejoicing', fr. abh, 'father' and gil, 'to rejoice'.
For the first element see Aboth. The second ele-
ment is rel. to Arab, jdla, 'he went round' and
to Heb. gdldl, 'he rolled, unfolded' ; see gelilah.
The use of the name in the sense of 'waiting
maid' is due to the passage in I Sam. 25 : 35, where
Abigail calls herself a 'handmaid'.
abigeat, n., cattle stealing (civil law). — L. abi-
gedtus, fr. abigeus, 'cattle stealer', fr. abigere,
'to drive away', fr. ab- and agere, 'to drive' ; see
agent. The change of Latin d (in dgere) to f (in ab-
igere) is due to the Latin phonetic law according
to which in the unaccented open radical syllable
of the second element of compounds, original
S becomes i. Cp. accident, adhibit, ambiguous,
ancipital, anticipate, artifice, comfit, conceive,
consilient, constitute, contiguous, council, de-
ceive, deciduous, deficient, delicious, delitescent,
desipient, destine, destitute, difficulty, disciple,
dissilient, efficient, elicit, exhibit, Illicium, inci-
dent, incipient, inhibit, inimical, institute, insipid,
insipient, irritate, 'to make null and void', navi-
gate, obstinate, Occident, occiput, office, partici-
pate, precipice, prodigal,proficient, prohibit, pros-
titute, receive, recidivist, resilient, resipiscence,
restitute, reticent, substitute, superficies, super-
stition, supplicate, transilient.
ability, n. — ME. abilite, fr. OF. ablete, habilite
(F. habilite), fr. L. habilitdtem, acc. of habilitds,
'aptitude, ability', fr. habilis, 'that may be easily
handled or managed, suitable, fit, proper'. See
able and -ity.
-ability, subst. suff. expressing ability, capacity,
fitnzss. — L. -abilitds, forming nouns from ad-
jectives ending in -dbilis. See -able and -ity and
cp. -ibility.
abk>-, combining form meaning 'without life*. —
Fr. Gk. Spioq, 'without life', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and $'io<;, 'life'. See bio-.
abiogenesis, n. supposed production of living or-
ganisms from unliving matter; spontaneous
abiogenetic
4
generation. — Coined by the English biologist
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1870 *>•
Gk. a(3io<;, 'without life', and yhemi, 'origin,
source'. See abio- and genesis and cp. bio-
genesis.
abiogenetic, adj., pertaining to abiogenesis. — See
prec. word and genetic and cp. biogenetic.
Derivative: abiogenetic-al-ly, adv.
abiogenist, n., one who believes in spontaneous
generation. — See abiogenesis and -ist.
abiotrophy, n., loss of vitality (med.) — Coined
by the English neurologist Sir William Richard
Gowers (1845-1915) fr. Gk. fipio?, 'without
life', and -Tpoipta, fr. Tpotpv], 'nourishment'.
See abio- and -trophy.
Derivative: abiotroph-ic, adj.
abiturient, n., one who is preparing for the final
examination of a high school. — G., fr. ModL.
abituriens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of abiturire,
'to wish to leave', a desiderative verb formed fr.
L. abed, abire (neut. pp. abitum), 'to go away,
leave', fr. ab- and ed, ire, 'to go'. See itinerate
and cp. Abeona. For the Latin desiderative suff.
-urire cp. esurient, micturition, parturient, vomi-
turition. For the ending see suff. -ent.
abject, adj., 1) miserable; 2) contemptible. — L.
abjeetus, pp. of abicere (less correctly abjicere),
'to throw away', fr. ab- and jacere (pp. jactus),
'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'. For the change
of Latin d(in jactus) to e (in ab-jectus),see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: abjection (q.v.), abject-ly, adv.,
abject-ness, n.
abjection, n., the state of being abject (rare). —
F., fr. L. abjectidnem, acc. of abjectid, 'dejection,
despondency', lit. 'a throwing away', fr. abjeetus
pp. of abicere. See prec. word and -ion and cp.
dejection, ejection, projection,
abjuration, n. — L. abjuratid, 'a denying on oath',
fr. abjiirdtus, pp. of abjurare. See next word and
-ation.
abjure, tr. v., 1) to renounce on oath; 2) to re-
cant. — L. abjurare, 'to deny on oath', fr. ab-
and jus, gen. juris, 'right'. See jury.
Derivatives: abjure-ment, n., abjur-er, n.
abkari, n., the sale of intoxicating drinks; the
excise duty on such sale (India). — Pers. abkari,
'business of distilling', fr. dbkdr, 'a distiller', fr.
ab, 'water', and kdr, 'doer, maker'. For the first
element see abdest-The second element is related
to Avestic kar-, 'to make', k'r'naoiti, OI. karoti,
krndti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base *q w er-, 'to make,
form'. See corpus and cp. the second element in
Sanskrit and words there referred to.
ablactate, tr. v., to wean. — L. ablactdtus, pp. of
ablactdre, 'to wean', fr. ab- and lactdre. See
lactate.
ablactation, n. — L. ablactdtid, gen. -dnis, 'the act
of weaning', fr. ablactdtus, pp. of ablactdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
ablation, n., removal. — L. ablatio, gen. -dnis, 'a
taking away*, fr. abldtus (used as pp. otauferre.
'to carry or take away'), fr. ab- and Idtus (used
as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands
for *tldtos, fr. *f/-, zero degree of I.-E. base
*tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere,
'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear, support'.
See tolerate and cp. collate and words there re-
ferred to. For the ending see suff. -ion.
ablative, adj. and n. — L. (casus) abldtivus, coin-
ed by Quintilian from the pp. abldtus, 'taken
away', to denote the case expressing direction
from a place or time. Cp. F. ablatif and see prec.
word and -ive.
Derivatives: ablativ-al, adj., ablative-ly, adv.
ablaut, n., vowel gradation. — G. Ablaut, lit.
'off sound', coined by J.P.Zweigel in 1568 fr.
ab, 'off' (which is rel. to OE. of, 'from, of, off'),
and fr. Laut, 'sound, tone' (which is rel. to G.
laut, 'loud'), and popularized by Jacob Grimm.
See of and loud and cp. anlaut, inlaut, auslaut,
umlaut.
ablaze, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. pref. a-, 'on',
and blaze.
able, adj. — ME., fr. OF. able (F. habile), fr. L.
habilis, 'that which may be easily handled or
managed, suitable, fit, proper', fr. habere, 'to
have'. See habit and cp. ability. Cp. also habile,
which is a doublet of able.
Derivatives: able-ness, n., abl-y, adv.
-able, suff. expressing ability, capacity, fitness. —
F., fr. L. -dbilis, fr. d, stem vowel of verbs of the
ist conjugation, and -bilis. See -ble and cp.
-ible. It soon became a living suffix, because of
its supposed connection with the adjective able
(fr. L. habilis, 'handy'), with which it has noth-
ing to do.
Ablepharus.n., a genus of lizards (zool.) — ModL.
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. pXecpapov,
'eyelid'. See blepharo- and cp. next word.
ablepsia, n., blindness. — L., fr. Gk. aplXe^ta,
'blindness', lit. 'lack of sight', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and fJX^rasiv, 'to see'. Cp. (JX&pocpov,
'eyelid', and see blepharo-. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
ablet, n., the bleak (a small water fish). — F.
ablette, dimin. formed fr. able (masc), fr. L.
albulus, 'whitish', dimin. of albus, 'white'. See
alb.
ablution, n., a washing, esp. as a ritual. — L. ab-
latio, gen. -dnis, 'a washing, cleansing', fr. ab-
ldtus, pp. of abluere, 'to wash off', fr. ab- and
luere, 'to wash', which is rel. to lavdre, 'to wash'.
See lave and -ion.
Derivative: ablution-ary, adj.
abnegate, tr. v., to deny, give up. — L. abnegdtus,
pp. of abnegdre, 'to refuse, deny', fr. ab- and
negdre, 'to say no, deny'. See negate.
abnegation, n. — L. abnegdtid, gen. -dnis, 're-
fusal, denial', fr. L. abnegdtus, pp. of abnegdre.
See prec. word and negation.
Abner, n., masc. PN.; in the Bible, commander
of Saul. — Heb. Abknir, lit. 'my father is light',
fr. abh, 'father', and iter, 'light*; cp. the Baby-
5
about
Ionian PN. Abunuri. For the first element see
Aboth, for the second see Menorab.
abnormal, adj. — -A blend of L. abndrmis and
ML. andrmdlis, this latter itself being a blend
of L. andmalus and ndrmdlis. See anomalous and
norm and cp. anormal.
Derivatives: abnormal-ity, n., abnormal-ly, adv.,
abnormal-ness, n.
abnormity, n. — L. abndrmitds, formed with suff.
-itds fr. abndrmis. See prec. word and -ity.
aboard, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and board.
Abobra, n., a genus of plants of the gourd family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Port, abobora, abobra,
'gourd', fr. L. apopores, apoperes (see Isidorus,
XVII, 10, 16), from a Hispanic language.
abodah, n., 1) service in the Temple in Jerusalem ;
2) liturgy; 3) name of the seventeenth bene-
diction of the Shemoneh Esreh, containing the
prayer for the restoration of the Temple (Jewish
liturgy). — Heb. 'abhddhd h , 'service', fr. 'db-
hddh, 'he served, worshiped', which is rel. to
Aram.-Syr. 'dbhddh, Arab, 'dbada, 'he served,
worshiped', Dgar. 'bd, 'to serve, worship', and
to Heb. 'ebhedh, Aram, 'abhdd, 'slave, servant,
worshiper', Arab, 'abd, 'slave, worshiper'. Cp.
Obadiah, Obed.
abode, n., dwelling place. — Formed from the
past tense of abide. See next word.
abode, v., past tense of abide. — ME. abood, fr.
OE. abdd, past tense of abidan. See abide and
cp. prec. word.
abolish, tr. v. — F. aboliss-, pres. part, stem of
abolir, 'to abolish, suppress', fr. L. abolere, 'to
destroy, efface, abolish', prob. a back forma-
tion fr. aboleScere, 'to decay gradually, vanish,
cease', which was prob. formed as the antonym
of adolescere, 'to grow up, grow', a verb
dissimilated fr. orig. *ad-alescere, lit. 'to grow
forward', fr. ad- and alescere, 'to grow up, in-
crease', fr. alere, 'to grow'. See ab-, adolescent
and verbal suff. -ish. The change of conjugation
in F. abolir and the related It. abolire, Sp. abolir,
all verbs of the 4th conjugation (fr. L. abolere,
a verb of the 2nd conjugation), is due to the
influence of the noun abolitid, 'abolition' (fr.
abolere), which was mistaken for a derivative of
the (non-extant) Latin verb "abolire. Cp. abo-
lition.
Derivatives: abolish-er, n., abolish-ment, n.
abolition, n. _ f., fr. L. abolitidnem, acc. of abo-
litid, 'abolition', formed with suff. -ion fr. abo-
pp. of abolere, 'to destroy, efface, abolish'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: abolition ary, adj., abolition-ism, n,
obolition-ist, n.
■•wjla, n., a thick woolen cloak. — L., of Sicilian
origin. Cp. the Sicilian town *Ap6XX<x (now
called Avola).
•bomasum, n., the fourth stomach of a ruminant
(anat.) — ModL., fr. ab- and L. omasum,
'bullock's tripe*. See omasum.
abominable, adj. — F. abominable, fr. L. abdmi-
nabilis, 'deserving imprecation, abominable'.
See next word and -able.
Derivatives: abominab-ly, adv., abominable-
ness, n.
abominate, tr. v., to loathe, abhor. — L. abdmi-
ndtus, pp. of abdmindri, 'to deprecate as an ill
omen; to detest, abominate', fr. ab- and omen,
gen. dminis, 'a foreboding, sign, token, omen'.
See omen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: abominate, abominated, adjs.
abomination, n. — F., fr. L. abdmindtidnem, acc.
of abdmindtid, 'abomination', fr. abdmindtus,
pp. of abdmindri. See prec. word and -ion.
aboriginal, adj. and n. — See next word.
Derivatives: aboriginal-ly, adv., aboriginal-i-
ty, n.
Aborigines, n. pi., the first inhabitants of a coun-
try; natives. — L. Aborigines, 'ancestors', name
of the primeval Romans; formed from the
words 'ab origine', 'from the origin', fr. ab,
'from' (see ab-), and origine, abl. of origd, 'ori-
gin'. See original.
abort, intr. v., to miscarry. — L. abortdre, 'to
miscarry', freq. of aboriri (pp. abortus), 'to dis-
appear; to miscarry', fr. ab- and oriri, 'to rise,
be born'. See orient.
abort, n., miscarriage. — L. abortus, 'miscarriage,
abortion', fr. abortus, pp. of aboriri. See abort, v.
abortifacient, adj. and n., (anything) producing
abortion. — See prec. word and -facient.
abortion, n., miscarriage. — L. abortid, gen. -dnis,
'miscarriage, abortion', fr. abortus, pp. of abo-
riri. See abort, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: abortion-al, adj., abortion-ist, n.
abortive, adj., I) born prematurely; 2) unsuccess-
ful. — L. abortivus, 'pertaining to miscarriage',
fr. abortus, pp. of aboriri. See abort, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: abortive-ly, adj., abortive-ness, n.
Aboth, also Abot, n., i)the Mishnah treatise also
called Pirke Aboth or The Ethics of the Fathers ;
2) name of the first benediction of the Shemoneh
Esreh (Jewish liturgy). — Heb. AbhSth, pi. of
abh, 'father', rel. to Aram, dbh (absolute state),
abba (emphatic state), Ugar. 'b, Arab, ab,
Ethiop. ab, 'father' ; of uncertain origin, possibly
traceable to *ab(a), a child's word for father.
Cp. the first element in Abraham, Abner, Absa-
lom, Abigail, and the second element in Joab,
Moab, Barabbas. Cp. also abbot and words
there referred to. Cp. also borage.
abound, intr. v. — ME. abounden, fr. OF. (= F.)
abonder, fr. L. abunddre, 'to overflow; to a-
bound', fr. ab- and unda, 'wave'. See undate and
cp. redound, surround. Derivatives: abound-er,
n., abound-ing, adj., abound-ing-ly, adv.
about, adv. — ME. abuten, abouten, aboute, fr.
OE. abutan, onbutan, 'on the outside of, formed
fr. a-, 'on', and butan, 'outside', which itself is
formed fr. be, 'by', and utan, 'outside', fr. ut,
'out'. See by and out and cp. but.
Derivative: about, prep.
above
6
above, adv. — ME. aboven, fr. OE. abufan, form-
ed fr. a-, 'on', and bufan, 'above', which itself
is formed fr. be, 'by' (see by), and ufan, 'up-
ward, above'; cp. OE. ofer, 'over' which is the
compar. of ufan, and see over. Cp. also about.
Derivatives: above, prep, and adj.
abracadabra, n., a magic formula. — Late L., fr.
Gk. dppa&iSaPpa, in which word the letter c =
s was misread for k. It was originally written
as a magic formula on Abraxas Stones, whence
its name. See abraxas.
abrade, tr. v., to scrape off. — L. abradere, 'to
scrape off', fr. ab-, and rddere, 'to scrape off,
to shave'. See raze and cp. abrase.
Abraham, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, the first of the
patriarchs and father of the Hebrew nation. —
Heb. Abhrdhdm, lit. 'father of the multitude',
compounded of dbh, 'father', and *rdhdm,
'multitude', which is rel. to Arab, ruhdm, of
s.m.; see Gen. 17: 5. See Aboth and cp. next
word.
Abram, masc. PN.; in the Bible, former name of
Abraham. — Heb. Abhrim, compounded of
dbh, 'father', and ram, 'high, exalted', which is
prop. part, of rum, 'to be high, to be exalted'.
For the first element see Aboth and cp. Abra-
ham. From the second element derive rami! 1 ,
'height' (prop. fem. part, of rum), romdm, 'ex-
tolling, praise; song of praise', mdrdm, 'height',
t l ruma h , 'contribution, offering (for sacred
use)', lit. 'something lifted up, something sep-
arated'. Cp. Aram.-Syr. ram, 'was high', Arab.
rdma prop, 'he rose', hence 'he strove for', and,
in Zanzibar and Oman, 'he was able to'. Cp.
the second element in Hiram.
Abramis, n., a genus of fishes (ichthyol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. appals, 'bream', fr. Egyptian rem,
'fish'.
abranchiate, adj., having no gills. — Formed fr.
priv. pref. a- and branchiate.
Derivative : abranchiate, n.
abrase, tr. v., to abrade. — L. abrdsus, pp. of
abradere, 'to scrape off'. See abrade.
abrasion, n. — Formed with suff. -ion fr. L.
abrdsus, pp. of abradere. See prec. word.
abrasive, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -ive
fr. L. abrdsus, pp. of abradere. See abrade.
abraxas, n., a mystical word used as a charm. —
Gk. ' APpi^a?, according to Irenaeus (in Adver-
sus haereses I, c. 23 and 24) a word formed from
the Greek letters a, |3, p, a, \, a, a, whose numer-
ical value amounts to 365 (a = 1, P = 2,
p = 100, a = 1, f; = 60, a = 1, a = 200), cor-
responding to the number of aeons in Basilidian
gnosticism and to the number of days in a year.
It is more probable, however, that the word
abraxas is an acrostic formed from the initials
of certain consecutive Hebrew words. Cp. abra-
cadabra.
abreast, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on*, and breast
abrenroir, n., an interstice between stones (ma-
sonry). — F., lit. *a watering trough', fr. abreu-
ver, 'to give drink to (animals)', fr. OF. abevrer,
abrever, fr. VL. *abbiberare, fr. ad- and L.
bibere, 'to drink'. See beverage, and cp. It. abbe-
verare, Proven?., Catal. abeurar, Sp., Port, abre-
var, which all derive fr. VL. *abbiberdre.
abridge, tr. v. — ME. abregen, fr. OF. abregier,
abreger (F. abreger), 'to shorten', fr. L. abbre-
vidre, fr. ad- and brevidre, 'to shorten', fr. brevis,
'short'. See brief, adj., and cp. abbreviate, which
is a doublet of abridge.
Derivatives: abridg-ed, adj., abridg-ed-ly, adv.,
abridg-er, n., abridgment (q.v.)
abridgment, abridgement, n. — OF. abregement
(F. abregement), fr. abregier. See abridge and
-ment.
abrin, n., a toxic albumin (biochem.). — Formed
with chem. suff. -in fr. Abrus; so called because
it is found in the shrub Abrus precatorius.
abroach, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and broach.
abroad, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and broad.
abrogate, tr. v., to annul, repeal. — L. abrogdtus,
pp. of abrogdre, 'to annul, to repeal (a law)', fr.
ab- and rogdre, 'to ask; to ask the people about
a law, to propose a law'. See rogation and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: abrogation (q.v.), abrogat-ive, adj.,
abrogat-or, n.
abrogation, n. — L. abrogdtid, gen. -dnis, 'repeal
of a law', fr. abrogdtus, pp. of abrogdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
Abroma, n., a genus of plants of the chocolate
family (bot.). — ModL., formed fr. priv. pref.
a- and Gk. $p&y.a., 'food'. See broma.
Abronia, n., a genus of plants of the four-o'clock
family (bot.) — ModL., for *Habronia, fr. Gk.
<xflp6<;. See Abrus.
abrotanum, n., southernwood. — ML., fr. L.
abrotonum, fr. Gk. dcPpdrovov, 'wormwood',
ixPp6tovov Sppev, 'southernwood', which is of
unknown origin.
abrupt, adj. — L. abruptus, pp. of abrumpere, 'to
break off', fr. ab- and rumpere, 'to break'. See
rupture.
Derivatives: abrupt-ed-ly, abrupt-ly, advs., ab-
ruptness, n.
Abrus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., for 'Habrus, fr. Gk. app6?,
'graceful, delicate*. See habro-.
Absalom, masc. PN.; in the Bible, King David's
son; fig. a favorite son. — Heb. Abhshdldm, lit.
'father is peace', fr. dbh, 'father', and shdldm,
'peace'. See Aboth and shalom.
abscess, n., a swelling in body tissues (med.). —
L. abscessus, 'a going away, departure, abscess',
fr. abcedere, 'to go away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away
from, from', and cedere, 'to go'. See ab- and
cede and cp. cease.
Derivative: abscess-ed, adj.
abscind, tr. v., to cut off (obsol.) — L. abscindere,
'to cut off', fr. ab- and scindere, pert, scidi, pp.
scissus (for *scid-tos), 'to cut, split'. See shed,
and cp. abscissa, icstiadi
7
abstinent
abscissa, n. (math.) — L. (lined) abscissa, lit. '(a
line) cut off', fem. pp. of abscindere, 'to tear
away; to cut off'. (The abscissa of a point P is
the portion of the x axis cut off by the line
drawn through P parallel to the y axis.) See
prec. word.
abscission, n., the act of cutting off. — L. ab-
scissid, gen. -dnis, 'a cutting off', fr. abscissus, pp.
of abscindere. See abscind and -ion.
abscond, intr. v., to depart suddenly and secret-
ly. — L. abscondere, 'to hide, conceal', fr. abs-,
ab-, 'away from, from' (see ab-) and condere, 'to
put together, hide', fr. con-, 'together' (see con-),
and -dere (used only in compounds), fr. I.-E.
base *dhe-, *dh 1 -, *dhd-, 'to place, put, make',
whence also Gk. Tidivai, 'to place', L.facere,
'to make, do', OE. don, 'to do'. See do, v., and
cp. fact, theme. Cp. also Consus, recondite,
sconce, 'metal bracket', scoundrel.
Derivative: abscond-er, n.
absence, n. — F., fr. L. absentia, fr. absens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of abesse, 'to be away from,
be absent'. See absent and -ce.
absent, adj. — F., fr. L. absentem, acc. of absens,
pres. part, of abesse, 'to be away from, be ab-
sent', fr. ab- and esse, 'to be'. See esse and -ent
and cp. sans, senza. Cp. also present, adj.
Derivatives : absent, v. (q.v.), absent-ly, adv., ab-
sent-ness, n., absent-ation, n., absent-ee, n., ab-
sent-ee-ism n., absent-er, n., absent-ly, adv.,
absent-ness, n.
absent, tr. v., to keep (oneself) away. — F. ab-
senter, fr. L. absentdre, 'to cause one to be ab-
sent', fr. absens, gen. absentis. See absent, adj.
absinth, absinthe, n., wormwood. — F. absinthe,
fr. Gk. a<|;tv&iov, 'wormwood', which is of
OPers. origin; cp. ModPers. dspdnd, sipdnd,
of s.m.
absolute, adj. — L. absolutus, pp. of absolvere, 'to
loosen, set free'. See absolve and cp. consolute,
dissolute, resolute.
Derivatives: absolute, n., absolute-ly, adv., ab-
soluteness, n.
absolution, n. — OF. (= F.) absolution, fr. L. ab-
solutidnem, acc. of absolutid, 'an acquittal', fr.
absolutus. See prec. word and -ion.
absolutism, n. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. L.
absolutus. See absolute.
absolutist, n. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. ab-
solutus. See absolute.
absolve, tr. v. — L. absolvere, 'to set free', fr.
ab- and solvere, 'to loosen, set free'. See solve
and cp. assoil. Cp. also dissolve, resolve.
absorb, tr. v. — L. absorbere, 'to swallow up',
fr. ab- and sorbere, 'to suck in, swallow up',
which is cogn. with Arm. arbi (from. *srbh-),
"I drank, Gk. poipeiv (for *apo<peiv), 'to sup
«P\ Alb. gerp (for *serbhd-), 'I sip', OSlav.
*riibati, Lith. surbiu, surbti, srgbiu, srebti, 'to
Mir. srub, 'snout'. Cp. absorption, resorb,
•**t v., and the second element in Sangui-
sorba.
Derivatives: absorb-ed, adj. absorb-ed-ly, adv.,
absorb-ed-ness, n., absorbent (q.v.), absorb-ing,
adj., absorb-ing-ly, adv.
absorbefacient, adj., tending to promote absorp-
tion. — Compounded of L. absorbere, 'to swal-
low up', and faciens, gen. -entis, 'to make, do'.
For the first element see absorb, for the second
see -facient, for the ending see suff. -ent. Cp.
sorbefacient.
absorbency, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
absorbent, adj. — L. absorbens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of absorbere. See absorb and -ent.
absorption, n. — L. absorptid, gen. -dnis, fr. ab-
sorptus, pp. of absorbere. See absorb and -ion.
abstain, intr. v. — ME. absteynen, fr. OF. as-
tenir, fr. VL. *abstenire, corresponding to L.
abstinere, 'to abstain', which is formed fr. abs,
ab, 'away from, from' (see ab-), and tenere, 'to
hold'. See tenable and cp. appertain, contain,
detain, entertain, maintain, obtain, pertain, re-
tain, sustain. Cp. also abstention, abstinence.
The ME. and E. forms have been refashioned
after L. abstinere.
Derivatives: abstain-er, n., abstain-ment, n.
abstemious, adj., moderate in eating and drink-
ing. — L. abstemius, 'sober, temperate', fr. abs,
ab, 'away from, from' (see ab-), and the stem
of temetum, 'intoxicating drink, mead, wine",
which is rel. to temulentus, 'drunken'. See te-
mulent. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
Derivatives: abstemious-ly, adv., abstemious-
ness, n.
abstention, n. — F., fr. L. abstentidnem, acc. of
abstentid, 'the act of retaining', fr. abstentus, pp.
of abstinere. See abstain and -ion.
absterge, tr. v., 1) to wipe away, cleanse; 2) to
purge. — F. absterger, fr. L. abstergere, 'to wipe
away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away from, from' (see ab-),
and tergere, 'to rub, wipe off'. See terse and cp.
words there referred to.
abstergent, adj., cleansing; n., a cleansing sub-
stance. — F. abstergent, fr. L. abstergentem, acc.
of abstergens, pres. part, of abstergere. See prec.
word and -ent.
abstersion, n., a cleansing. — F. fr. L. abstersus,
pp. of abstergere. See absterge and -ion.
abstersive, adj., cleansing. — F. abstersif (fem.
abstersive), fr. L. abstersus, pp. of abstergere.
See absterge and -ive.
Derivative: abstersive-ness, n.
abstinence, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. abstinentia,
fr. abstinens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
abstinent, adj. and n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. absti-
nentem, acc. of abstinens, pres. part, of absti-
nere, 'to refrain from'. See abstain and -ent. The
change of *Latin e (in tenere) to I (in abs-tinere)
is due to the Latin phonetic law according to
which in the unaccented open radical syllable of
the second element of compounds, original e
becomes 1. Cp. assiduous, continent, continuous.
abstract
8
corrigendum, diligent, dimidiate, eligible, indi-
gent, insidious, pertinacious, reside.
Derivative: abstinent-ial, adj.
abstract, adj. — L. abstractus, pp. of abstrahere,
'to draw away', fr. abs-, ab-, 'away from, from'
(see ab-), and trahere 'to draw'. See tract,
'region'.
Derivative : abstract, n.
abstract, tr. and intr. v. — L. abstractus, pp. of
abstrahere. See prec. word and cp. the verbs
contract, detract, distract, protract, subtract.
Derivatives: abstract-ed, adj., abstract-ed-ly,
adv., abstract-ed-ness, n., abstract-er, n., ab-
straction (q.v.)
abstraction, n. — F., fr. L. abstractidnem, acc. of
abstractid, fr. abstractus, pp. of abstrahere. See
abstract, adj., and -ion.
Derivative: abstraction-al, adj.
abstruse, adj., difficult, obscure. — L. abstrusus,
pp. of abstriidere, 'to thrust away, conceal', fr.
abs-, ab-, 'away from, from' (see ab-), and tru-
dere, 'to thrust, push, shove', which derives fr.
I.-E. base *treud-, 'to press, push', whence also
Goth, us-priutan, 'to vex', OE. preatian, 'to
press, afflict, threaten'. See threat and cp. in-
trude and words there referred to.
Derivatives: abstruse-ly, adv., abstruse-ness, n.
absurd, adj. — F. absurde, fr. L. absurdus, 'out
of tune, harsh, rough, incongruous, absurd',
formed fr. ab- and a derivative of the I.-E. base
•swer-, *sur-, 'to sound'. See swarm and cp. surd.
Derivatives: absurdity (q.v.), absurd-ly, adv.,
absurd-ness, n.
absurdity, n. — F. absurdite, fr. L. absurditatem,
acc. of absurditds, 'dissonance, incongruity',
fr. absurdus. See prec. word and -ity.
abulia, n., loss of will power (psychol.) — Medical
L., formed fr. priv. pref. a-, the stem of Gk.
po'iAsa&ai, 'to will', and suff. -ia. See boule,
'senate', and cp. Gk. a^ouXia, 'ill-advisedness'.
abuna, n., the patriarch of the Abyssinian
Church. — Ethiop. abuna, 'our father', fr. ab,
'father', which is rel. to Heb. dbh, 'father'. See
Aboth and cp. abbot and words there referred to.
abundance, also abundancy, n. — ME., fr. OF.
abundance, abondance (F. abondance), fr. L.
abundantia, 'abundance, plenty, fullness', fr.
abunddns, gen. antis. See next word and -ce,
resp. -cy.
abundant, adj. — ME. fr. OF. abundant, abondant
(F. abondant), fr. L. abundantem, acc. of abun-
ddns, 'abounding', pres. part, of abunddre. See
abound and -ant.
Derivative: abundant-ly, adv.
abuse, tr. v. — F. abuser, fr. L. abusus, pp. of
abuti, 'to make use of (for any purpose), to mis-
use, abuse', fr. ab- and uti, 'to use'. See use, v.,
and cp. usurp.
Derivatives: abuse-ee, n., abus-er, n., abusive
(q-v.) r
abuse, n. — F. abus, fr. L. abusus, fr. abusus, pp.
of abuti. See prec. word.
abusive, adj. — F. abusif (fern, abusive), fr. L.
abusivus, fr. abusus, pp. of abuti. See abuse, v.,
and -ive.
Derivatives: abusive-ly, adv. abusive-ness, n.
abut, intr. v. — OF. abouter, 'to touch by the
end', border on' (whence F. abouter, 'to join end
to end'), formed fr. d, 'to' (fr. L. ad; see ad-),
and bout, 'end'. See butt, 'the thicker end of
anything'.
Derivatives : abut-ment, n., abutt-al, n., abutt-er,
n., abutt-ing, adj.
Abutilon, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, aubutilan, a
name coined by the Arab philosopher Avicenna
(= Ibn-Sina).
abysm, n., poetic for abyss. — OF. abisme (F.
abime), fr. Eccles. L. *abismus (whence also
OProvenc. abisme, Sp. and Port, abismo), form-
ed on analogy of words ending in -ismus (fr. Gk.
-iaii.6?; see -ism), fr. L. abyssus. See abyss.
Derivative: abysm-al, adj.
abyss, n. — L. abyssus, 'bottomless pit', fr. Gk
SpuoTO? (scil. Xt(ivT]), 'bottomless, unfath-
omed (pool)', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
(3uaa6q, 'depth, bottom', which is related to
fluS-os, of s.m. Cp. abysm.
Derivative: abyss-al, adj.
Abyssinia, n. — ModL. Abyssinia, Latinized form
of Arab. lidbasha h , 'Abyssinia'. Cp. bubshi.
Derivatives: Abyssini-an, adj. and n.
ac-, assimilated form of ad- before c and q.
-ac, suff., corresponding in meaning to suff. -ic.
— Fr. F. -aque, or directly fr. L. -acus, fr. Gk.
-axo?. , . ■ u
acacia, n. — L. acacia, fr. Gk. dxocxia, snittan
tree', which, like dxaxaXk, 'gall of the Oriental
tamarisk', is of foreign, prob. Egyptian origin.
Both dxaxia and dxaxaXts were prob. influenced
in form by oixavfta, 'thorn, prickle', and other
Greek derivatives of I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp',
academe, n. academy (poetic). — See academy,
academic, adj. — L. academicus, fr. academia.
See academy and -ic.
Derivatives: academic-al, adj., academic-al-ly,
adv.
academician, n., a member of an academy. — F.
academicien, fr. academic See academy and
-ician.
Academus, n., name of a hero from whom the
academy near Athens derived its name. — L.
Academus, fr. Gk. 'AxdSr^os, fr. earlier 'Exd-
8t)u.oc., 'Academus'. Cp. next word,
academy, n. — F. academic, fr. L. academia, fr.
Gk. ' AxaSTjusta (or, less correctly, ' AxxSr (t ua),
fr. earlier 'ExaSruxeia, 'the Academy', a gym-
nasium near Athens where Plato taught. ' Axa-
SVeia °"g- meant ' the olive grove ° f Acade "
mus'. See prec. word.
Acadian, adj., pertaining to Acadia (Nova Sco-
tia). _ Formed with suff. -an fr. Acadia, Latin-
ized form of F. Acadie, former name of Nova
Scotia; prob. so called fr. Micmac akadie, 'fer-
9
acauaai
tile land', which occurs in many place names.
Cp. Cajun.
Acaena, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. dcxouva, 'spike, prick,
goad', which is rel. to axle, 'point, sting', fr.
I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and
cp. words there referred to.
acajou, n., the cashew tree. — See cashew.
acalephe, n„ jellyfish. — Gk. dxaX^T) (also
axaXucp-r)), 'stinging nettle; sea anemone', prob.
a Semitic loan word. Cp. Aram, hil'phd, 'reed',
and Heb. hdliphdth or haldphdth, 'the sharp,
prickly leaves of the spinach', from stem h-l-P,
'to be sharp, cut through, pierce', See H.Lewy,
Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen,
p. 50, and Boisacq, DELG., p. 34- Cp. Acalypha.
Cp. also alfa.
acalycine, adj., without a calyx {bot.). — ModL.
acalycinus, 'having no calyx', formed fr. priv.
pref. a-, Gk. xdXu£, 'cup, calyx', and L. suff.
-inus. See calyx and adj. suff. -ine.
Acalypha, n., a genus of herbs of the spurge
family (hot.) — ModL. fr. Gk. dxaXucpv), secon-
dary form of dxaXr]cpr„ 'stinging nettle'. See
acalephe.
acantha, n., a prickle (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
#xav#a, 'thorn prickle', which is rel. to Axtj,
'point', axle, 'point, sting', fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and cp. acanthus.
Acanthaceae, n., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. Gk. axav#a,
'thorn, prickle'. See prec. word.
acanthion, n., a point at the base of the anterior
nasal spine (craniometry). — Gk. dxdvSiov,
'a small thorn', dimin. of Sxav&a, 'thorn,
prickle'. See acanthus.
acantho-, combining form meaning 'prickly,
spiny, thorny'. — Gk. dxav&o-, fr. axav$a,
'thorn, prickle'. See acanthus.
Acanthocephala, n., a class of parasitic worms
(helminthol.) — ModL., lit., 'spiny-headed',
compounded of Gk. fixxv&a, 'thorn, prickle,
spine', and xecpaXr], 'head'. See acanthus and
cephalic.
Acanthopterygii, n.pl., an order of teleost fishes
(ichthyol.) — ModL., lit., 'spiny-winged'. See
acantho- and pterygium.
Acanthus, n., 1) a genus of plants having large
spiny leaves; (not cap.) any plant of this genus
(bot ); 2) a form of ornament resembling the
leaves of this plant. — L., fr. Gk. &xav»o?,
'bearsfoot, Acanthus mollis', which is rel. to
&«w!>a. 'thorn, prickle'. See acantha and cp.
the second element in Diplacanthus, traga-
canth.
•capnia, n., lack of carbon dioxide in the organ-
ism (med.) — Medical L., formed with suff. -ia
fr. Gk. Sxittvos, 'smokeless', fr. d- (see priv.
pref. a-) and xa7rv6i;, 'smoke', which stands for
*xfa7rv6<; and is cogn. with Lith. kvapas,
'breath, scent, smell, odor', kvipiu, kvepti, 'to
pant, breathe, inhale', and pern, also with OI.
kupyati, 'is agitated', L. cupere, 'to desire'. See
Cupid.
Acarapis, n., a genus of mites (jooA) — ModL.,
compounded of Acarus and L. apis, 'bee'. See
Apis, 'bee'.
acardiac, adj., having no heart. — Fr. Gk. dxdp-
Sio«, 'wanting the heart', fr. a- (see priv. pref.
a-) and xapSioc, 'heart'. See cardiac,
acariasis, n., itch caused by mites. — ModL.,
formed with suff. -iasis fr. Gk. axocpi, 'mite'.
See acarid.
acariatre, adj., bad-tempered. — F., 'contrary,
crabbed, quarrelsome', orig. meaning 'possess-
ed by a demon', formed with pejorative suff.
-dtre, from the name of Acharius, bishop of
Noyon in the 7th cent., renowned for curing
folly. The suff. -dtre derives fr. OF. -astre, fr. L.
-aster; see -aster.
acarid, n., a mite. — Formed with subst. suff.
-id fr. Gk. axapi, 'mite', which is rel. to dxapT)?,
'small, tiny', lit. 'too short to be cut', and in
gradational relationship to xetpeiv (for *xsptew),
'to cut'. See shear and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also Acarina, Acarus, carnal.
acariform, adj., of the shape of a mite. — A hy-
brid coined fr. Gk. dcxocpi, 'mite', and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See^acarjd and form, n.
Acarina, n. pi., an order of the Arachnida, vul-
garly called mites. — ModL., formed fr. Aca-
rus with suff. -ina.
acaro-, combining form, denoting the mites. —
ModL., fr. Acarus (q.v.) *
acarpous, adj., unfruitful (bot.) — Gk. ibtaproic.,
'without fruit, barren', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-)
and xaprcoi;, 'fruit'. See carpel. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
Acarus, n., a genus of small mites. — ModL. fr.
Gk. duiapi, 'mite'. See acarid.
acatalectic, adj., having the full number of syl-
lables or feet (pros.) — Late L. acatalecticus,
fr. Gk. ocxaTaXrjxToq, 'incessant; not catalectic',
i.e. 'not allowing of the omission of a syllable
at the end of a line', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
xotTaX^yeiv, 'to leave off'. See catalectic.
acatalepsy, n., incomprehensibility (philos.) —
Gk. dxaxaXr.tJ/ia, 'inability to comprehend', fr.
d- (see priv. pref. a-) and xaxaXr;t)jta, 'a seizing,
apprehension' (see catalepsy); first used by
Pyrrho the Sceptic to express the view that
the human mind can know nothing with cer-
tainty.
acataleptic, adj., incomprehensible. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. dxaTdXv)7iTO<;, 'that can-
not be reached, incomprehensible', fr. d- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xocTaXr,7rro<;, verbal adj. of
xotT<xXa(ipdveiv, 'to seize with the mind, com-
prehend'. See cataleptic and cp. prec. word.
acatharsia, n., filth. — Gk. dxa&apaioc, 'unclean-
ness, foulness, filth', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-),
xa&ap6;, 'clean, pure', and suff. -ia. See ca-
tharsis and -ia.
acaudal, also acaudate, adj., tailless. — A hybrid
acaulescent
10
coined ft. priv. pref. a-, L. cauda, 'tail', and suff.
-al, resp. -ate. See caudal,
acaulescent, adj., stemless (bot.) — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and cau-
lescent.
acauline, adj., stemless. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ine (representing L. -Inus) fr. ModL. acaulis,
'stemless' (whence also F. acaule, of s.m.), a
hybrid coined fr. Gk. A- (see priv. pref. a-) and
L. caulis, 'stem'. See caulescent and cp. prec.
word.
acaulose, acaulous, adjs., stemless (bot.) — See
acaulescent and adj. suff. -ose, resp. ous.
acca, n., medieval fabric of silk mixed with gold
threads. — ML.,prob.socalledfr. Aiab-'Akka",
'Akkd, fr. Heb. 'Akkd, 'Acre', in Syria (now in
Israel). Accordingly acca orig. simply meant
'material made in Acco'.
Accadian. — See Akkadian.
accede, intr. v. — L. accedere, 'to approach, come
near', fr. ad- and cedere, 'to go, yield'. See cede
and cp. access. Cp. also antecede, concede, in-
tercede, precede, proceed, succeed.
Derivative: acced-er, n.
accelerando, adv. and adj., gradually faster (mu-
sical direction). — It., fr. L. accelerando, abl. of
the gerund of accelerdre, 'to hasten'. See ac-
celerate.
accelerant, i) adj., accelerating; 2) n., that which
accelerates; a catalyst (chem.) — L. accelerdns
gen. -antis, pres. part, of accelerdre. See next
word and -ant.
accelerate, tr. v., to increase the speed of; intr.
v., to increase in speed. — L. acceleratus, pp. of
accelerdre, 'to hasten', fr. ad- and celerdre, 'to
hasten', fr. celer, 'swift'. See celerity and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. decelerate.
Derivatives: accelerat-ed, adj., accelerat-ed-ly,
adv., acceleration (q.v.), accelerat-ive, adj., ac-
celerator, n., accelerat-ory, adj.
acceleration, n. — L. accelerdtid, gen. -onis, 'a
hastening, acceleration', fr. acceleratus, pp. of
accelerdre. See prec. word and -ion.
accelerometer, n., an instrument for measuring
acceleration. — A hybrid coined fr. L. accele-
rdre, 'to hasten', and Gk. (xirpov, 'measure'. See
accelerate and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
accent, n. — F., fr. L. accentus, fr. ad- and can-
tus, 'tone, melody'. See cant and cp. enchant,
incantation. The change of Latin d (in cdntus)
to e~ (in ac-cintus) is due to the Latin phonetic
law according to which in the unaccented and
closed radical syllable of the second element of
compounds, original a becomes e. Cp. concent,
precentor, succentor. Cp. also abject, accept,
adept, ascend, biceps, biennial, centennial, coerce,
commend, concept, confect, confection, confess,
congress, conjecture, consecrate, defect, degres-
sion, deject, descend, discerp, disperse, eject, ex-
cept, excerpt, execrate, exercise, forceps, im-
petrate, incendiary, incense, incentive, incept,
incest, inept, inerm, inert, infect, inject, integer,
intercept, interject, intersperse, novennial, object,
obsecrate, octennial, percept, peregrine, peren-
nial, perpetrate, prefect, prince, profess, progress,
project, quadrennial, quadriceps, quinquennial,
refection, regress, septennium, sexennium, solemn,
subreption, surreptitious, susceptible, traject,
transcend, transgress, triceps, triennial. — L. ac-
centus is prop, a loan translation of Gk. 7tpotj<o-
Sia, fr. TrpoaiSeiv, 'to sing to', fr. 7rp6c, 'to', and
#8eiv, 'to sing' (see prosody).
Derivatives: accent, tr. v., Accentor (q.v.), ac-
centu-able, adj., accentu-al, adj., accentu-al-ly,
adv.
Accentor, n., 1) a genus of small singing birds,
also called Prunella; 2) (not cap) any bird of
this genus, esp. the hedge sparrow. — L. accen-
tor, 'one who sings with another', fr. ad- and
cantor, 'singer'. See cantor. For the change of
Latin d (in cdntor) to e~ (in ac-centor) see prec.
word.
accentuate, tr. v. — ML. accentudtus, pp. of ac-
centudre, fr. L. accentus. See accent and verbal
suff. -ate.
accentuation, n. — ML. accentudtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. accentudtus, pp. of accentudre. See prec.
word and -ion.
accept, tr. v. — ME. accepten, fr. MF. (= F.)
accepter, fr. L. acceptdre, freq. of accipere (pp.
acceptus), 'to take, receive', fr. ad- and capere
(pp. captus), 'to take'. See captive and cp. words
there referred to. For the change of Latin d
(in cdptus) to i (in ac-ciptus, ac-ceptdre) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: acceptable, acceptance, acceptant,
acceptation (qq.v.) accept-ed, adj., accept-ed-ly,
adv., accept-er, n., acceptor (q.v.)
acceptability, n. — Late L. acceptdbilitds, fr. L.
acceptdbilis. See next word and -ity.
acceptable, adj. — F., fr. L. acceptdbilis, fr. ac-
ceptdre. See accept and -able.
Derivatives: acceptable-ness, n., acceptabl-y,
adv.
acceptance, n. — OF. acceptance, fr. accepter.
See accept and -ance.
acceptancy, n. — See prec. word and -cy.
acceptant, adj. — F., prop. pres. part, of accep-
ter. See accept and -ant.
Derivative: accept-ant, n.
acceptation, n., 1) acceptance (archaic); 2) the
meaning in which a word is usually understood.
— F., fr. Late L. acceptdtionem, acc. of accep-
tdtio, 'a taking, receiving', fr. L. acceptdtus, pp. of
acceptdre. See accept and -arion.
acceptation, n., formal remission of a debt
(Roman law); remission of sins (theol.) — L.
acceptildtid, often written in two words : accept!
Idtid, 'formal remission of a debt' (from the
formula acceptum ferd used by the debtor). The
first word is the gen. of acceptum, 'receipt', prop,
neut. pp. of accipere, 'to receive', used as a
noun; see accept. L. Idtid gen. -dnis 'entering
of money paid', lit. 'a bearing, bringing', is form-
11
ed fr. latus (used as pp. oiferre, 'to bear, carry'),
which stands for *tldtos, fr. //-, zero degree of
I.-E. base *tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence
L. Where, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear,
support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
acceptor, n. — L„ fr. acceptus, pp. of accipere.
See accept and agential suff. -or.
access, n., approach. — OF. acces (F. acces), fr.
L. accessus, 'an approach', fr. accessus, pp. of
accedere, 'to come near, approach'. See accede.
Derivatives: access-ary, adj. and n., access-ari-
ly, adv., access-ari-ness, n., access-ory, adj. and
n., access-ori-ly, adv., access-ori-ness, n.
accessible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. accessibilis, fr.
L. accessus, pp. of accedere. See prec. word
and -ible.
Derivatives: accessibil-ity, n., accessibl-y, adv.
accession, n. — F., fr. L. accessidnem, acc. of
accessid, 'a corning near, approach', fr. acces-
sus, pp. of accedere. See access and -ion.
Derivatives: accession, tr. v., accession-al, adj.,
accession-er, n.
accidence, n., that part of grammar which deals
with inflection. — From misspelling of orig.
accidents, fr. L. accidentia, neut. pi. of accidens
(pres. part, of accidere), treated as a sing. fern,
noun. See accident.
accident, n. — F., fr. L. accidentem, acc. of acci-
dens, 'accident', prop. pres. part, of accidere, 'to
fall upon something, happen', fr. ad- and
cadere, 'to fall'. See cadence. For the change of
Latin d (in cddere) to i (in ac-cidere) see abigeat
and cp. words there referred to. As a term of
philosophy L. accidens, 'accident', is a loan
translation of Gk. ou(j.[3e!37)>c6s.
accidental, adj. — F. accidental (now accidentel),
fr. ML. accidentdlis, fr. L. accidens, gen. -entis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: accidental, n., accidental-ity, n.,
accidental-ly, adv., accidental-ness, n., accident-
ia!, adj.
Accipiter, n., a genus of hawks and falcons (orni-
thol.) — L. accipiter fr. orig. *acu-peter, 'swift-
ly-flying', but influenced in form through a con-
fusion with accipere, 'to take, receive'. The first
element lit. means 'sharp' (cp. acu-pedius, 'swift-
footed', lit. 'sharp-footed', and acuere, 'to
sharpen') ; see acute. The second element is cogn.
with OI. pdtram, 'wing, feather', Gk. 7rrep6v,
'wing', OE. feder, 'feather'. See feather. Cp.
Astur, ostreger.
Derivatives: accipitr-al, adj., accipitr-ary, n. (fr.
ML. accipitrarius), accipitr-ine, adj.
accismus, n., feigned refusal (rhet.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dxxio[i6?, rel. to axxi^eaS-at, 'to
affect indifference', and to 'Axxco, nurse of De-
meter, duoco>, 'a vain woman', and cogn. with
OI. akkd, 'mother', L. Acca Ldrentia, name of
the mother of the 12 Arval brothers. All these
words are of imitative origin.
•cdaim, tr. v. — L. acclamdre, 'to cry out at',
fr. ad- and clamdre, 'to cry out'. See claim and
cp. declaim, exclaim, proclaim, reclaim,
acclamation, n. — L. acclamdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
acclamdt-(um), pp. stem of acclamdre, 'to cry
out at'. See acclaim and -ation.
acclimate, tr. and intr. v. — F. acclimater, fr. d
(fr. L. ad), 'to', and climat, 'climate'. See a and
climate.
Derivatives: acclimate-ment, n., acclimat-ion, n.
acclimatize, tr. and intr. v., to acclimate. — See
acclimate and -ize.
Derivatives: acclimatiz-ation, n., acclimatiz-ed,
adj., acclimatiz-er, n., acclimatiz-ing, n.
acclivity, n., a slope. — L. acclivitds, 'an ascend-
ing direction, acclivity', fr. acclivis, 'mounting
upward, ascending', fr. ad- and clivus, 'slope,
hill'. See clivus and -ity.
accolade, n., an embrace, formerly used in con-
ferring knighthood; now, a touch of the shoul-
der with the flat blade of the sword in conferring
knighthood. — F., refashioned, on analogy of
words ending in -ade, fr. OF. acolee, prop,
subst. use of the fem. pp. of acoler, 'to embrace
round the neck', fr. VL. *accolldre, fr. ad- and
L. coltum, 'neck'. Cp. It. accollata and see collar
and -ade. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: accolad-ed, adj.
accolle, adj., collared, intertwined (her.) — F.
accole, pp. of accoler, 'to embrace', fr. OF.
acoler. See prec. word.
accommodate, tr. v. — h.accommodatus, pp. of ac-
commoddre, 'to make fit, adapt', fr. ad- and com-
modore, 'to make fit', fr. commodus, 'fit, suit-
able', which is formed fr. com-, con-, 'with', and
modus, 'measure'. See com- and mode and cp.
commode, commodity. For the ending see verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives : accommodat-ing, a.dj.,accommodat-
ing-ly, adv., accommodation (q.v.), accommodat-
ive, adj., accommodat-or, n.
accommodation, n. — F., fr. L. accommoddtid-
nem, acc. of accommoddtid, fr. accommoddtus,
pp. of accommoddre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: accommodation-al, adj.
accompaniment, n. — F. accompagnement, fr.
accompagner. See next word and -ment.
Derivative: accompaniment-al, adj.
accompany, tr. v. — F. accompagner, fr. a (fr. L.
ad), 'to', and compagne, 'companion'. See ad-
and companion.
Derivative: accompan-ist, accompany-ist, n.
accomplice, n. — F., fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and com-
plice, fr. L. complicem, acc. of complex, 'closely
connected with somebody, confederate', which
is formed fr. com-, con-, 'with', and the stem of
plectere, 'to braid, plait, intertwine', plicdre, 'to
fold'. See ad- and comply, 'to bend', and cp.
complice.
accomplish, tr. v. — ME. acomplissen, fr. OF.
acompliss-, pres. part, stemof acomplir(f. accom-
plir), 'to fill up, complete', fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and
complere, 'to fill up, achieve, perform*. Cp. It.
accomplishment
12
compiere, accompiere, OProvenc. complir, ac-
complir, and see ad-, complete and verbal suff.
-ish. For the change of L. compiere, a verb of
the 2nd conjugation, to OF. acomplir, F. ac-
complir, a verb of the 4th conjugation, cp. F.
tenir, 'to hold', fr. L. tenere (see tenable).
Derivatives: accomplish-ed, adj., accomplish-er,
n., accomplishment (q.v.)
accomplishment, n. — F. accomplissement, fr. ac-
complir. See accomplish and -ment.
accord, intr. v., to agree; tr. v., to grant. — ME.
accorden, 'to agree, admit', fr. OF. acorder (F.
accorder), fr. VL. accorddre, 'to agree', fr. ad-
and L. cor, gen. cordis, 'heart'. See heart and cp.
cordate. Cp. also accordion, acuerdo. Cp. also
chord, 'combination of notes'.
Derivatives: accord-er, n., accord-ing, adj. and
adv., accord-ing-ly, adv.
accord, n., 1) agreement; 2) harmony. — ME.
accord, acord, fr. OF. acord (F. accord), back
formation fr. acorder. See accord, v., and cp.
concord, discord,
accordance, n., 1) agreement; 2) harmony. — OF.
acordance, fr. acorder, See accord, v., and -ance.
accordant, adj., agreeing; corresponding. — ME.
acordant, fr. OF. acordant (F. accordant), pres.
part, of acorder (F. accorder). See accord v.,
and -ant.
accordion, n., a musical instrument. — Formed
from the noun accord in the sense of 'harmony',
with suff. -ion, on analogy of clarion.
accost, tr. v., to address. — F. accoster, fr. VL.
accostdre, lit. 'to come up to a person's side',
fr. ad- and L. costa, 'a rib'. See costal.
accouchement, n., delivery in childbed. — F.,
prop, 'going to childbed', fr. accoucher, 'to go
to childbed, be delivered', which is formed fr. a,
'to', and coucher, 'to lie', fr. L. collocdre, 'to lay'.
See a, collocate, and -ment, and cp. couch.
accoucheur, n., a man who acts as midwife. —
F., fr. accoucher, 'to go to childbed'; first used
by Jules Clement in the second half of the 17th
cent. See prec. word.
accoucheuse, n., a midwife. — F., fern, of accou-
cheur. See prec. word.
account, tr. and intr. v. — ME. acounten, fr. OF.
aconler (F. confer), fr. a, 'to' (see a), and conter,
'to count, tell', fr. L. computdre. (ModF. diffe-
rentiates between compter, 'to count', and conter,
'to tell'.) See compute.
Derivatives: account-abil-ity, n., account-able,
adj., account-able-ness, n., account-abl-y, adv.,
account-ing, n.
account, n. — ME., fr. OF. aconte, acont, back
formation fr. aconler. See account, v.
accountancy, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
accountant, n. — OF. acontant (whence, with
'etymologizing' spelling, F. accomptant), pres.
part, of aconter. See account, v., and -ant.
accouter, accoutre, tr. v., to dress, fit out (esp. for
military service). — F. accoutrer, 'to rig (some-
body) out', fr. VL. *ac-cd(n)-s(u)turdre, 'to sew
together', fr. ad- and * co(n)sutura, 'a sewing to-
gether', fr. L. consutus, pp. of cdnsuere, 'to sew
together', fr. con- and suere, 'to sew'. See suture.
accouterment, accoutrement, n., dress; personal
outfit (esp. mil.) — F. accoutrement, 'dress,
garb', fr. accoutrer. See prec. word and -ment.
accredit, tr. v. — F. accrediter, fr. a, 'to', and
crediter, 'to credit (somebody with a sum)', fr.
credit, 'credit'. See a and credit.
Derivatives: accredit-ation, n., accredit-ed, adj.
accrescent, adj., growing. — L. accrescens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of accrescere, 'to increase'. See
next word and -ent.
accretion, n., growth in size. — L. accretid, gen.
accretidnis, 'an increasing', fr. accretus, pp. of
accrescere, 'to increase', fr. ad- and crescere,
'to grow'. See crescent and -ion and cp. accres-
cent, accrue. For the ending see suff. -ion.
Derivative: accretion-ary, adj.
accroach, tr. v., to usurp. — ME. acrochen, fr.
OF. acrochier, acrocher (F. accrocher), lit. 'to
hook, catch', fr. a, 'to', and crochier, 'to seize
with a hook, to hook', fr. croc, 'a hook'. The
orig. meaning of the verb accroach was 'to take
to oneself. See a and crochet and cp. encroach.
accrue, intr. v., to be added to. — F. accrue, 'in-
crease', prop. fem. pp. of accroitre, 'to increase',
fr. L. accrescere, 'to increase'. See accretion and
cp. crew. Derivative: accru-al, n.
accubation, n., the act of reclining. — L. accu-
bdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a reclining', fr. accubdt-{um),
pp. stem of accubdre, 'to lie near',freq. olaccum-
bere. See next word and -ation.
accumbent, adj., reclining. — L. accumbens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of accumbere, 'to lie near',
fr. ad- and -cumbere (found only in compounds),
fr. *qumb-, nasalized form of base *qub-, 'to lie,
recline', whence cubdre, 'to lie down, recline'.
See cubicle and -ent and cp. decumbent, incum-
bent, procumbent, recumbent, succumb,
accumulable, adj. — See accumulate and -able,
accumulate, tr. v., to heap up; intr. v., to increase
in quantity. — L. accumuldtus, pp. of accumu-
lare, 'to heap up', fr. ad- and cumulus, 'heap'.
See cumulus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: accumulat-ed, adj., accumulation
(q.v.), accumulat-ive, adj., accumulat-ive-ly, adv.,
accumulat-ive-ness, n.
accumulate, adj., accumulated. — L. accumuld-
tus, pp. of accumuldre. See prec. word.
accumulation, n. — L. accumuldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
heaping up', fr. accumuldtus, pp. of accumuldre.
See accumulate, v., and -ion.
accumulator, n. — L., 'one who, or that which,
accumulates', fr. accumuldtus, pp. of accumu-
ldre. See accumulate, v., and agential suff. -or.
accuracy, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff.
-cy.
accurate, adj., 1) exact; 2) precise. — L. accura-
tus, 'prepared with care', pp. of accurdre, 'to
take care of, prepare with care', fr. ad- and
13
Aceratherium
curare, 'to take care of. See cure, v., and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: accurate-ly, adv., accurate-ness, n.
accursed, accurst, adj., cursed. — Prop. pp. of
obsol. accurse, fr. ME. acursien, which is form-
ed fr. intensive pref. a- and cursien, fr. OE. cur-
sian, 'to curse'. See curse, v., and -ed, resp. pp.
suff. -t.
Derivatives: accursed-ly, adv., accursed-ness, n.
accusation, n. — F., fr. L. accusdtidnem, acc. of
accusdtid, fr. acciisdtus, pp. of accusdre. See
accuse and -ation.
accusative, adj. and n. — L. (casus) acciisdtivus,
fr. Gk. aiTiaTiK-f) (7rt-u<Ti,c.), 'accusative (case)',
lit. '(case) expressing cause', fr. alua, 'cause'.
Since akia means not only 'cause', but also
'accusation', aE-nornx-i] JCTfoat? was misinter-
preted as 'case expressing accusation', and was
rendered accordingly in Latin by (casus) accii-
sativus, fr. acciisdtivus, 'pertaining to an accusa-
tion', fr. acciisdtus, pp. of accusdre, 'to call to
account, accuse'. See next word and -ative. The
correct Latin translation would have been casus
causdtivus. For a mistranslation of another
Greek case name cp. genitive.
Derivatives : accusativ-al, adj., accusative-ly, adv.
accuse, tr. v. — ME. acusen, fr. OF. acuser (F.
accuser), fr. L. accusdre, 'to accuse', fr. ad- and
causa, 'cause, lawsuit', which stands for *caud-
td-, and is rel. to ciidere, 'to strike, beat'. See
cause and cp. excuse, recusant, recuse. The
change of Latin au (in causa) to it (in ac-cusdre)
is due to the Latin phonetic law, according to
which in the unaccented radical syllable of the
second element of compounds, au becomes u.
Cp. conclude, exclude, occlude.
Derivatives: accus-ed, adj. and n., accus-er, n.,
accus-ing-ly , adv.
accustom, tr. v. — OF. acostumer (F. accoutu-
mer), fr. a, 'to', and costume (F. coutume). See a
and custom.
Derivatives: accustom-ed, adj., accustom-ed-ly,
adv., accustom-ed-ness, n.
ace, n., the one in dice, cards, etc. — F. as, 'ace
at cards or dice', fr. L. as, gen. assis, 'unity,
unit'. See as, 'Roman coin', and cp. the second
element in ambsace.
-acea, suffix denoting orders and classes in zool-
ogy. — L. -dcea, neut. pi. of -dceus, 'belonging
to, of the nature of ; see -aceous. The neut. pi.
form of suff. -dceus is used because it refers to
L. animdlia ('animals'), pi. of the neuter noun
animal. Cp. -aceae.
"•"ae, suffix denoting orders and families in
botany. — l. -aceae, fem. pi. of -dceus, 'belong-
ln 8 to, of the nature of; see -aceous. The fem.
PL form of suff. -dceus is used because it refers
*° L. plantae ('plants'), pi. of the feminine noun
"""a. Cp. -acea.
-Mean, adj. suff. used in the sense of -aceous. —
I~ -dcednus, compounded of the suffixes -dceus
"td -anus. See -acea and -an.
-acean, subst. suff. used to denote members of
orders of the animal kingdom. — See -acean,
adj. suff.
acedia, n., sloth, lethargy. — Late L., fr. Gk.
dbojSsta, 'carelessness', which is formed fr. a-
(see priv. pref. a-) and xtjSo? (Dor. xSSo?),
'care', rel. to xY]8et5ei.v, 'to take charge of, tend',
x7)Sictto? (superl. formed fr. x?j8oc.), 'most
worthy of one's care, most cared for', fr. I.-E.
base *kdd-, 'ill-humor, hatred', whence also OE.
hete, 'hate', hatian, 'to hate'. See hate and cp.
epicedium.
aceituna, n., a West Indian tree. — Sp., fr. Arab.
az-zaytuna h , 'the olive (tree)', fr. az-, assimilated
form of al-, 'the', and zaytuna h , 'olive tree,
olive', nomen unitatis fr. zaytun, 'olive trees,
olives', fr. zayt, 'olive oil', a word borrowed fr.
Aram, zaythd, zethd, 'olive tree, olive', which is
rel. to Heb. zdyith, 'olive tree, olives'.
Aceldama, n., the potter's field near Jerusalem;
a place of bloodshed. — Gk. 'AxeXSa^a, fr. Syr.
hdqdtd e md, 'the field of blood'.
acemila, n., a pack mule. — Sp., 'pack mule', fr.
Arab, az-zdmila", fr. az-, assimilated form of
al-, 'the', and zdmila n , 'beast of burden'.
aceology, n., therapeutics. — Lit. 'the science of
curing', fr. Gk. icxo;, gen. axeo?, 'remedy', and
-Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a cer-
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. Gk. c£xoc. prob. stands for *yakos and
is cogn. with Olr. Afcc, 'cure, payment', icaim,
'I heal, cure'. For the second element see -logy.
Cp. acology and the second element in An-
drosace.
-aceous, suff. meaning 'belonging to, of the na-
ture of. — L. -dceus, enlarged fr. adj. suff. -ax,
gen. -dcis. This suff. corresponds either to L.
-dcea (neut. pi. of -dceus), in which case it means
'pertaining to such and such an order of ani-
mals', or to L. -aceae (fem. pi. of -dceus), in
which case its meaning is 'pertaining to such
and such a family of plants'. See -ous and cp.
-acea, -aceae.
acephalous, adj., headless. — L. acephalus, fr. Gk.
axe9aXo<;, 'headless', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-)
and xe<paX7), 'head'. See cephalic. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -oc,, L. -us, see -ous.
Acer, n., the maple tree. — L., cogn. with Gk.
icxaaxoi; (for "axapaxoi;), 'maple tree', OHG.,
MHG. dhorn, G. Ahorn, of s.m.
Aceraceae or Acerinae, n. pi., a family of plants
(order Sapindales). — ModL., formed fr. Acer
with suff. -aceae, resp. -inae.
Acerates, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
family (bot.) — ModL. lit. 'hornless', fr. priv.
pref. a- and Gk. xepa;, gen. xEpa-ro?, 'horn'
(see cerate-); so called because its hoods have
no crest or horn.
Aceratherium, n., lit. 'hornless animal', a name
given by Kaup to some mammiferous fossils
resembling the rhinoceros, but differing from it
in being hornless. — ModL., formed fr. priv.
acerb
U
pref. a-, Gk. x£poc<;, gen. xlpaxoz, 'horn', and
■9-y)ptov, 'animal'. See cerato- and therio- and
cp. prec. word.
acerb, adj., sour, sharp, bitter. — L. acerbus,
'harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour', fr. deer,
'sharp' ; see acrid. For the formation cp. super-
bus, 'haughty, proud, excellent' , fr. super, 'above,
over' (see superb).
Derivatives: acerbate (q.v.), acerb-ic, adj., acer-
bity (q.v.)
acerbate, tr. v., to sour, embitter; to aggravate;
to irritate; adj., sour, embittered. — L. acer-
batus, pp. of acerbare, 'to make bitter; to ag-
gravate', fr. acerbus. See acerb and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. exacerbate.
acerbity, n. — F. acerbite, fr. L. acerbitdtem, acc.
of acerbitas, 'harshness, sharpness', fr. acerbus,
'harsh, sharp', See acerb and -ity.
acerdol, n., calcium permanganate, Ca(MnO„) 2
(chem.) — Formed with suff. -ol fr. acerdese,
former name of manganite, fr. Gk. axepSvi?,
'bringing no gain, having no value', fr. a- (see
priv. pref. a-), and x£p8o<;, 'gain', which is prob.
cogn. with Olr. cerd, 'art, trade, handicraft'.
aceric, adj., pertaining to the maple. — ModL.
acericus, fr. L. acer, 'maple'. See Acer and -ic.
acerose, adj., chaffy. — L. acerdsus, 'full of chaff,
chaffy', fr. acus, gen. aceris, 'chaff'. See awn and
adj. suff. -ose.
acervate, adj., heaped up. — L. acervatus, pp. of
acervdre, 'to heap up', fr. acervus, 'heap, pile',
which is of uncertain origin. For the ending see
adj. suff. -ate.
acescence, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff.
-ce.
acescent, adj., turning sour. — L. acescens, gen.
-centis, pres. part, of acescere, 'to turn sour'
inchoative of acere, 'to be sour'. See acid and
-escent.
acetabulum, n. i) a cup for vinegar {Roman an-
tiq.); 2) the cup-shaped socket of the hip bone
(ana't.); 3) a sucker of an octopus, a leech, etc.
(zool.) — L. acetabulum, lit. 'a vessel for vinegar',
formed fr. acetum, 'vinegar', with -abulum, a
suffix used to form names of tools and vessels.
See acetum. For the suff. cp. tintinnabulum.
Derivatives: acetabul-ar, acetabuli-ferous, aceta-
buli-form, adjs.
acetanilide, also acetanilid, n., a crystalline sub-
stance, C,HON (chem.). — A hybrid coined fr.
L. acetum, 'vinegar' (see acetum), and anilid(e).
acetarious, adj., used in salad. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. acetdria (pi.), 'vegetables pre-
pared with vinegar, salad', fr. acetum, 'vinegar'.
See acetum and -ous.
acetate, n., salt of acetic acid (chem.) — Formed
with chem. suff. -ate fr. L. acetum, 'vinegar'. See
acetum.
acetic, adj. pertaining to vinegar. — Formed
with suff. -Ic fr. L. acetum, 'vinegar'. See
acetum.
>wh» tr v to turn into vineear : intr. v., to
become sour. — Compounded of L. acetum,
'vinegar' (see acetum), and -fy.
acetone, n., a colorless volatile liquid, CH 3 COCH,
(chem.) — A hybrid coined fr. L. acetum,
'vinegar', and the Greek suff. See acetic
and -one and cp. ketone,
acetous, adj., pertaining to, or like, vinegar;
sour . — Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. acetum,
'vinegar*. See next word,
acetum, n., vinegar. — L. acetum, 'vinegar', prop.
vinum (acetum), 'wine turned sour, neut. pp. of
acescere, 'to turn sour', fr. acere, 'to be sour',
which is rel. to deer, 'sharp'. See acrid and cp.
acescent, acetic. For sense development cp. Gk.
8!;o<;, 'wine vinegar', which is rel. to 6^?, 'sharp'.
Cp. also eisel and the first element in ester,
acetyl, n., the radical of acetic acid, CH 3 CO
(chem.) — A hybrid coined by the German
chemist Justus von Liebig (1803-73) in 1839 fr.
L. acetum, 'vinegar' (see prec. word) and -yl,
a suff. of Greek origin.
acetylene, n., a colorless hydrocarbon (chem.) —
Coined by the French chemist Marcelin-Pierre-
Eugene Berthelot (1823-1907) fr. acetyl and
suff. -ene.
achaetous, adj., having no bristles or setae. —
A hybrid coined fr. priv. pref. a-, Gk. x<n-rr),
'long flowing hair, mane', and -ous, a suff. of
Latin origin. See chaeto-.
achar, n., pickles (Anglo-Ind.) — Pers. achdr,
'pickles'.
acharne, adj., bloodthirsty, furious. — F., pp. of
acharner, 'to madden, embitter, venom', lit. 'to
flesh', fr. a, 'to', and chair 'flesh, meat*, fr. L.
card, gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See a and carnal,
achamement, n., fury. — F., fr. acharner. See
prec. word and -ment.
Achates, n., in Virgils Aeneid, the armor-bearer
and faithful friend of Aeneas; hence, a faithful
friend. — L. Achates, fr. Gk. ax^nr)?, 'agate'.
See agate, n.
ache, intr. v., to be in pain. — ME. aken, fr. OE.
acan, 'to ache', of uncertain origin. The spelling
ache'is, due to a confusion of this word with Gk.
£x°?> 'P am > distress',
ache, n., pain. — ME. ache, fr. OE. *ce, 'pain*,
fr. acan, 'to ache'. See ache, v.
Derivatives: ach-ing, adj., ach-ing-ly, adv.
acbe, n., parsley (obsol.) — F., fr. L. apium, of
s.m., prop, 'the plant preferred by bees', fr. apis,
'bee'. See Apis, 'a genus of bees', andep. Apium.
ache, n., name of the letter h. — See aitch.
achene, n., a dry carpel containing only one seed
(bot.) — Formed fr. priv. pref. a- and the stem
of Gk. xatvetv, 'to gape', which is cogn. with
L. hidre, 'to yawn, gape*, OE. ganian, ginian, 'to
yawn'. See yawn and cp. hiatus. Cp. also the
first element in Cbaenactis.
Acheron, n., one of the rivers of Hades (Greek
mythology). — L-, fr. Gk. 'A x £p«v. The name
prob. means 'marshlike water' and is rel. to
Avepououx, 'marshlike water', and cogn. with
15
acidulate
OSlav. jezero, 'lake*. The derivation of Gk.
'Ax^peov fr. &x ^ 'woe', is folk etymology.
Acheulean, Acheulian, adj., pertaining to the
paleolithic period preceded by the Chellean and
succeeded by the Mousterian (geology). — F.
Acheulien, from the name of the village St.
Acheul, near Amiens, in France; so called in
allusion to the remains there discovered,
achieve, tr. v. — ME. acheven, fr. OF. (= F.)
achever, 'to accomplish, complete', fr. VL. *ac-
capdre, 'to come to an end', fr. L. ad, 'to', and
*capdre, a verb formed from the stem of L.
caput, 'head'. Cp. OProven?. Sp., Port, acabar,
of s.m., and see a and chief.
Derivatives: achievement (q.v.), achiev-er, n.
achievement, n. — F. achdvement, 'completion,
conclusion', fr. achever. See achieve and -ment
and cp. hatchment.
achill, adv., in a state of chill. — Coined by
William Morris (1834-96) fr. pref. a-, 'on', and
chili.
Achillea, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — ModL., prop, 'the herb of Achilles',
fr. L. achilleos (scil. herba), fr. Gk. ' Ax&Xeio?, 'of
Achilles'; so called because its medicinal pro-
perties are said to have been discovered by
Achilles. See Achilles.
Achilles, n., son of Thetis and Peleus, the bravest
hero in the Trojan war. — L. Achilles, fr. Gk.
'AxtXXsu?, a name of prob. pre-Greek origin.
Achilles' tendon. — So called from the myth of
Achilles being held by the heel when his mother
Thetis dipped him into the river Styx to render
him invulnerable; first used by the Dutch ana-
tomist Verheyden in 1693 when dissecting his
own amputated leg. See Achilles and tendon.
achlamydate, adj., having no mantle (zool.) —
Lit. 'not chlamydate', fr. priv. pref. a- and
chlamydate.
achlamydeous, adj., having no perianth (bot.) —
Lit. 'not chlamydeous', fr. priv. pref. a- and
chlamydeous.
Achras, n., a genus of trees of the sapodilla family
(bot.) — L., fr. Gk. dtxpa?, gen. ^paSo?, 'wild
pear tree', which is prob. rel. to Gk. SxepSo?,
'wild pear tree', and cogn. with Alb. darde,
'pear tree'.
achromat, n., an achromatic lens. — See achro-
matic.
achromat-, form of achromato- before a vowel,
achromatic, adj., colorless; transmitting light
without decomposing it into its component
colors. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. axpeo-
'colorless', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
XP&iix, gen. xp"(J-aTo?» 'color'. See chromatic.
■Aromaticity, n. — See achromatic and -ity.
■*hromatism, n., state of being achromatic. —
See achromatic and -ism.
•Aromatize, tr. v., to deprive of color. — Form-
*d with suff. -ize fr. Gk. &xpto|iaTo<;, 'colorless'.
See achromatic
derivative: achrontatiz-ation, n.
achromato-, before a vowel achromat-, combining
form meaning 'achromatic'. — Gk. &xpa>[i^o-,
dxpcofiocT-, fr. dcxpd>tiocTO(;, 'colorless'. See achro-
matic.
achromatopsia, achromatopsy, n., color-blindness
(med.) — Lit. 'sight without color', compounded
of achromat- and Gk. -0(|a5, fr. oijji?, 'sight'.
See -opsia.
achromatous, adj. having no color. — Gk. &XP&>-
u.a-ro<;, 'colorless'. See achromatic. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -oc,, see -ous.
achroous, adj., colorless. — Gk. #xpoo<;, 'color-
less', formed fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and %p6v.,
Xpotd (for *xpo)F-ia), 'skin, color of the skin,
color', which is rel. to xp&pux, 'color'. See chrome.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc,, see -ous.
acicula, n., a spine, prickle. — L., 'a small pin',
dimin. of acus, 'needle, pin', which is rel. to
acuere, 'to sharpen', deer, 'sharp, bitter'. See
acrid.
acicular, adj., needle-shaped. — Formed with
suff. -ar fr. L. acicula. See prec. word.
Derivative: acicular-ly, adv.
aciculate, adj., needle-shaped. — Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. L. acicula. See acicula.
acid, adj., sour, sharp to the taste. — Either fr.
F. acide or directly fr. L. acidus, 'sour', fr. acere,
'to be sour', whence also acetum, 'vinegar' (see
acetum); introduced into English by Francis
Bacon (1561-1626) in 1626.
Derivatives: acid, n., acid-ic, adj.
Acidaspis, n., a genus of Trilobites. — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. dcxt?, gen. axtSo?, 'pointed
object, point, needle' (fr. axr), 'point'), and
&amq, 'shield'. See acid and aspidistra.
acidify, tr. v., to make sour; intr. v., to become
sour. — See acid and -fy and cp. F. acidifier.
Derivatives: acidif-ic, adj., acidif-ic-ation, n.,
acidifi-er, n.
acidimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of acids. — A hybrid coined fr. L.
acidus, 'sour' and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See
acid and meter, 'poetical rhythm',
acidimetry, n., the measurement of the strength
of acids. — See prec. word and -metry.
acidity, n., the quality of being acid ; sourness. —
F. acidite, fr. L. aciditdtem, acc. of aciditds,
'sourness, acidity', fr. acidus. See acid and -ity.
acidoid, adj., resembling acid. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. acidus, 'sour', and Gk. -oelSyi?, 'like', fr.
sISoq, 'form, shape'. See acid and -oid.
acidophilic, adj., staining easily with acid. — A
hybrid coined fr. L. acidus, 'sour', Gk. 91X01;,
'loving', and suff. -ic. See acid and -phile.
acidophilus milk, milk that has been fermented
by acidophilic bacteria. — See prec. word,
acidosis, n., a morbid condition, caused by an
accumulation of acids (med.). — A Medical L.
hybrid coined by Bernhard Naunyn of Stras-
burg in 1906 fr. L. acidus, 'sour' (see acid), and
-osis, a suff. of Greek origin,
acidulate, tr. v., to make slightly sour. — Formed
acidulous
16
with verbal suff. -ate fr. L. acidulus, dimin. of
acidus. See acidulous.
Derivatives: acidulat-ed, adj., acidulat-ion, n.
acidulous, adj., slightly sour. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. acidulus, 'slightly sour', dimin.
of acidus, 'sour'. See acid. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see -ous.
acierate, tr. v., to convert into steel. — A hybrid
coined fr. F. acier, 'steel', and verbal suff. -ate
(fr. L. -dtus). F. acier derives fr. Late L. acid-
rium, fr. L. acies, 'sharp edge, point', acies
ferri, 'steel' (lit. 'point of iron'). Cp. It. acciaio,
Sp. acero, 'steel', which also derive fr. Late L.
aciarium, and see next word,
acies, n., battle array (Roman antiq.) — L. acies,
'sharp edge, point, the front of an army line
of battle, battle array', rel. to deer, 'sharp,
pointed'. See acrid and cp. prec. word,
aciform, adj., needle-shaped. — Compounded of
L. acus, 'needle' and forma, 'form, shape'. See
acus and -form.
Acineta, n., a genus of Infusoria (zool) —
ModL., fr. Gk. ixfvjj-roc,, 'immovable', fr. d-
(see priv. pref. a-) and xlvrjTo?, 'moved', verbal
adj. of xivetv, 'to move'. See kinesis.
aciniform, adj., clustered (bot.) — Lit. 'having
the form of an acinus', fr. L. acinus, 'berry', and
forma, 'form, shape'. See acinus and form, n.
acinus, n., drupelet; berry (bot.) — L., 'berry,
stone of a berry', of uncertain origin.
-acious, suff. meaning 'inclined to, abounding
in', as in audacious, tenacious. — Compounded
of L. suff. -ax, gen. -acts (whence also F. -ace)
and -ous.
-acity, suff. denoting quality, as in audacity, tena-
city. F. -acite, fr. L. -acitatem, acc. of -dcitds,
compounded of adjectival suff. -ax, gen. -dcis,
and subst. suff. -itds. Accordingly this suff .forms
nouns corresponding to adjectives in -acious.
See -acious and -ity and cp. -icity.
Acipenser, n., a genus of fishes comprising the
sturgeons. — L. acipenser, name of a fish, prob.
'stuigeon'. The first element of this compound
is prob. rel. to L. deer, 'sharp, pointed' (see
acrid). The second element in aci-penser is of
uncertain origin,
acknowledge, tr. v. — Fr. earlier aknowledge, a
blend of the ME. hybrid aknowen and ME.
knowlechen. See a-, 'to', and knowledge.
Derivatives: acknowledg-ed, adj., acknowledg-
ed-ly, adv., acknowledgement, n.
aclastic, adj., not refracting. — Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. oxXaoToc., 'unbroken', fr. d- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xXohjtAc., verbal adj. of xXov,
'to break'. See clastic,
aclinic, adj., not dipping (said of a magnetic
needle). — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. dxXivfc,
'bending to neither side', fr. a- (see priv. pref.
-a) and xXfcveiv, 'to incline'. See clinic,
acme, n., the highest point. — Gk. &x|at), 'point,
edge; the highest point of anything, the flower,
prime of man's age', rel. to ixif), 'point', and
cogn. with L. acies, 'point, edge; battle array',
fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid
and words there referred to, and cp. paracme.
Cp. also acne,
acmite, n., a sodium ferrum silicate (mineral) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. dxu.:?],
'point, edge' (see prec. word) ; so called in allu-
sion to the crystal form.
acne, n., a skin disease caused by the inflamma-
tion of the sebaceous glands (med) — This word
owes its existence to a clerical error, Gk. dx(AT],
'point' (see acme), having been miswritten as
axvT).
Acnida, n., a genus of plants of the amaranth
family. — ModL., lit. 'without nettles', fr. priv.
pref. a- and Gk. >cvi8r), 'nettle', which is rel. to
xvi^siv, 'to scratch'. See cnida.
acnode, n., point of a curve, not connected with
real points of the curve (math.) — A hybrid
coined fr. L. acus, 'needle' (see acus), and E. node.
Acocanthera, n., a genus of African plants (bot.)
— ModL., compounded of Gk. dxcox-fj, 'point,
sting', and dv»v)p6i;, 'flowery'. The first element
is rel. to dxrj, 'point', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp,
pointed' ; see acrid. For the second element see
anther.
Acoemeti, n., pi., name of an order of Eastern
monks. — Eccles. L., fr. Gk. dxot|j.7)Tot, 'the
sleepless ones', from d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
xoijiav, 'to lull to sleep'. See home and cp.
cemetery.
acology, n., the study of remedies. — Compound-
ed of Gk. fixo;, 'remedy', and -Xoyia, fr. -XoyoQ,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See aceology.
acolyte, n., i) an attendant, follower; 2) an altar
attendant. — ML. acolitus, acoluthus, fr. Gk.
dx6Xou»o<;, 'follower', lit. 'having one way', fr.
copul. pref. a-, 'together with' and x£Xeu$o;,
'way, road, path, track'. Copul. pref. a- stands
for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational form of I.-E.
base *sem-, 'one, together'; see same. Gk.
xfeXcu^o? is cogn. with Lith. kelias, 'way',
keiiduju, 'I journey', fr. I.-E. base "qeleu-, en-
largement of *qel-, 'to drive', whence L. celer,
'swift'. See celerity and cp. anacoluthon.
acomia, n., baldness. — ModL. formed with suff.
-ia fr. Gk. axo^o?, 'hairless', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and x6u.Tj. 'hair', whence xou.TjT»)q,
'comet'. See coma, 'tuft of hairs' and cp. comet
aconite, n., the monkshood. — L. aconitum,U.
Gk. axovtTov, which prob. derives fr. dxovi-rt,
'without dust' (scil. of the arena), hence 'with-
out struggle, unconquerable', formed fr. <i- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xovlelv, 'to cover with dust',
fr. xovi?, 'dust', which is cogn. with L. cinis,
'ashes'; see cinerary. The plant was called 'un-
conquerable' in allusion to its deadly poison.
Acontias, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dxovria?, 'a quick-darting serpent', fr.
dx6vriov, dimin. of 4x<ov, 'dart, javelin'. See next
word. . .. . __
17
acontium, n., javelin. — ModL. fr. Gk. dxovuov,
dimin. of Sxwv, 'dart, javelin', fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed', whence also Gk. ix7),'point',L.
deer, 'sharp, bitter'. See acrid and words there
referred to and cp. esp. prec. word.
acopic, adj., removing weariness (med) — Form-
ed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ocxotto?, 'unwearied', fr.
d- (see priv. pref. a-), and xora.?, 'striking, beat-
ing, fatigue, weariness', whence xo7tTei.v, 'to cut,
beat, strike', x6|A[Mi, 'something cut or struck'.
See comma and cp. words there referred to.
acor, n., acidity (med.) — L. acor, 'a sour taste,
sourness', fr. acere, 'to be sour'. See acid.
acorn, n. — ME. akern, fr. OE. mcern, 'acorn',
rel. to ON. akarn, 'acorn', Du. aker, LG. ecker
(whence G. Ecker), 'acorn', Goth, akran,
'fruit'. As proved by Goth, akran, the orig.
meaning was 'fruit', esp. 'fruit of the field'. Ac-
cordingly it is very probable that the above
words are rel. to Goth, akrs, etc., 'field'. See
acre. E. acorn was influenced in form by an
association with corn.
Acorus, n„ a genus of plants of the arum family
_ l., an aromatic plant, prob. 'the sweet
flag', fr. Gk. iexopo?, which is of uncertain
origin.
acosmism, n., the denial of the independent real-
ity of the world as distinct from God. — Coined
by Fichte and Hegel fr. Gk. priv. pref. a-,
xoofios, 'the world' (see cosmos), and suff. -ism.
acosmist, n., one who believes in acosmism. —
See prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: acosmist-ical, adj.
acoryledon, n., a plant without cotyledons (bot.)
— See priv. pref. a- and cotyledon.
acotyledonous, adj., having no cotyledons. —
Formed fr. acoryledon with suff. -ous.
acouchy, n., a species of agouti. — F. acouchi,
of Tupi origin.
acoumeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
sense of hearing — Compounded of the stem
of Gk. dxouetv, 'to hear', and uixpov, 'meas-
ure'. See acoustic and meter, 'poetical rhythm',
-acousia, -acousis, combining forms meaning
'hearing'. — Fr. Gk. Sxoum?, 'hearing', fr.
dxousiv, 'to hear'. See acoustic,
acoustic, adj. — F. acoustique, fr. Gk. dxouo-ixoq,
'pertaining to hearing', fr. &xou<jt6<;, 'heard,
audible', verbal adj. of dxoueiv, 'to hear', which
stands for *dxoum.Eiv, and is prob. formed fr.
copul. pref. d-(see acolyte) and I.-E. base *(s)qeu-,
*(s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe, perceive', whence
also xoetv, 'to mark, perceive, hear', Goth.
hausjan, OE. hyran, 'to hear'. See hear and cp.
*ow. Some scholars explain Gk. dxoueiv as
standing for *ax-oua-teiv, 'to have a sharp
Wr', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp' and *ous, 'ear' ;
** acrid and ear. See Frisk, GEW., I, 57-58.
^derivatives : acoustic-al, adj., acoustic-al-ly,
•dv., acoust-ics, a.
■Quaint, tr. v. — ME. acointen, fr. OF. acoin-
for, acointer, ft. Late L. accognitare, 'to make
known, to acquaint'.fr. L. accognit unacquainted
with', fr. ad- and cognitus, pp. of cognoscere,
'to know'. See cognition and cp. quaint.
Derivatives: acquaintance (q.v.), acquaint-ed,
adj., acquaint-ed-ness, n.
acquaintance, n. — OF. acointance, fr. acointier.
See prec. word and -ance.
acquiesce, intr. v. — F. acquiescer, fr. L. acqui-
escere, 'to become quiet, to rest', fr. ad- and
quiescere, 'to rest'. See quiesce.
acquiescence, n. — F., fr. acquiescent. See next
word and -ce.
acquiescent, adj. — F., fr. L. acquiescentem, acc.
of acquiescens, pres. part, of acquiescere. See
acquiesce and -ent.
Derivative: acquiescent-ly, adv.
acquire, tr. v. — L. acquirere, 'to seek in addition
to, acquire', fr. ad- and quaerere, 'to seek,
search'. See quaere and cp. acquisition, conquer,
conquest, inquire, require, request. The change
of Latin ae (in quaerere) to i (in ac-quirere) is
due to the Latin phonetic law according to which
in the unaccented and open radical syllable of
the second part of compounds, ae becomes i. Cp.
-cide, circumcise, collide, concise, conquistador,
decide, elide, excide, excise, 'to cut out', incise,
iniquity, perquisite, precise, succise.
Derivatives: acquir-ed, adj., acquire-ment, n.,
acquir-er, n.
acquisition, n. — F., fr. L. acquisitidnem, acc. of
acqutsitid, fr. acquisitus, pp. of acquirere, 'to
acquire'. See prec. word and -ion and cp. dis-
quisition, inquisition, requisition.
acquisitive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
acquisitus, pp. of acquirere. See acquisition.
Derivatives: acquisitive-ly, adv., acquisitive-
ness, n.
acquit, tr. v. — OF. aquiter (F. acquitter), fr. VL.
*acquitdre, fr. ad- and L. quietare, 'to appease, "
settle', fr. quies, gen. quietis, 'rest'. See quiet, n.,
and cp. quit.
.Derivatives: acquitment (q.v.), acquitt-al, n.,
acquittance (q.v.), acquitt-er, n.
acquitment, n. — OF. aquitement, fr. aquiter. See
prec. word and -ment.
acquittance, n. — OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See
acquit and -ance.
acr-, combining form. — See aero-.
Acraeinae, n. pi., a subfamily of butterflies of the
family Nymphalidae (entomology). — ModL.,
formed with suff. -inae fr. Acraeus, Acraea, fr.
Gk.'Axpaio?,'Axpaia, 'dwelling on the heights',
epithet of Jupiter resp. Juno, fr. dxpa, 'the end,
point, the highest point, peak, headland', prop,
fern, of dxpo;, 'outermost', used as a noun. See
aero- and cp. acropolis.
acrasia, n., intemperance (med) — Medical L.,
prop, a confusion of Gk. dxpa<ri<x, 'bad mix-
ture' (fr. axpaTOQ, 'unmixed', fr. pref. a- and
the stem of xepawuvai, 'to mix') and dxpaata
(= dxp&Teia), 'want of power, debility'. See
priv. pref. a- and crater, resp. acratia.
Acraspeaa
18
Acraspeda, n. pi., a group of jellyfishes (ichthyol.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. axpactTrESo;, 'without frin-
ges', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and xpaarcsSov,
'edge, border, fringe'. See craspedon. The group
is so called in allusion to the lack of a velum.
acratia. n., weakness (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. dxpdxsia, 'want of power', fr. a- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xpdxo;, 'strength, power,
rule', which is cogn. with Goth, hardus, OE.
heard, 'hard'. See hard and cp. -cracy, -crat. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
acre, n. — ME. aker, fr. OE. secer, rel. to OS.
akkar, ON. akr, Swed. dker, Norw. aaker, Dan.
ager, MLG., MDu. acker, Du. akker, OHG.
achar, MHG., G. acker, OFris. ekker, Goth.
akrs, and cogn. with OI. djrah, Arm. art, Gk.
dyp6<;, L- ager, 'field, land', which stand for
I.-E. *ag-ro-s and orig. meant 'pasture', i.e. 'a
place where the cattle are driven', fr. I.-E. base
*ag-, 'to drive, lead', whence OI. djati, 'drives',
Arm. acem, 'I lead, bring', Gk. ayw, 'I lead,
guide', L. ago, 'I drive, lead'. See agent and cp.
agrarian. Cp. also acorn. For sense development
cp. Heb. mighrdsh, 'common, open land', prop,
'pasture land', i.e. 'a place where the cattle are
driven', fr. gdrash, 'he drove out'; cp. also G.
Trift, 'pasture, common', which is rel. to trei-
ben, 'to drive'.
Derivative: acre-age, n.
acrid, adj. — A blend of L. deer (fern, dcris, neut.
acre), 'sharp, bitter', and acidus, 'sour', which
are both related to L. acus, 'needle', acies, 'sharp
edge, point, the front of an army, line of battle,
battle array', acuere, 'to sharpen', fr. I.-E. base
*ak-, *aq-, 'sharp, pointed', whence also Oscan
acrid ( = L. dcriler), 'sharply', Umbr. per-acri,
'fruitful, fertile', Gk.axpog, 'at the farthest point,
highest; pointed', dbd), 'a point, edge', dxu;, 'a
point', axavft-a, 'thorn, prickle', <5tx<ov, 'a jave-
lin', aV.jxcov, 'an anvil', OI. asrih, 'edge', dsman-,
'stone, rock, sky', Avestic, asman-, of s.m. Lith.
akmud, 'stone', asmud ,'sharpness', OSlav. kamy
(a metathesized form), 'stone', Olr. er (for
*akros), 'high', Arm. as-ein, 'stone' (the force
of the suff. -eln is yet unknown), ON. hamarr,
OE. hamor, hamer, etc., 'hammer'. Cp. Gk.
<xxpooto[xai, 'I hear, listen', prop, 'have a sharp
hearing', in which the first element is rel. to
Sxpo?, 'pointed, sharp'. — Cp. the gradational
variant base *oq-, whence Gk. btfrc,, 'sharp',
oxpii;, 'peak, hilltop', OL. ocris, 'a rugged, stony
mountain', L. mediocris, 'middling, moderate,
indifferent, tolerable' (orig. 'being half-way up
the height of a mountain'), occa, 'a harrow',
OSlav. ostru, Lith. aitrus (for *okro, with in-
serted r), 'sharp', Mir. ochar, W. ochr, ochyr,
'edge, corner, border'. Cp. awn, eager, ear of
corn, edge, egg, 'to urge', hammer. Cp. also
Acaena, acantha, acanthion, acantho-, Accipi-
ter, acerb, acescent, acetum, acid, Acipenser,
acme, acne, Acocanthera, acor, Acreinae, acri-
mony, aero-, acroama, acrobat, acropolis, Ac-
ta ea, Actaeon, aculeate, aculeus, acumen, acus,
acute, aglet, agrito, ague, cute, exacerbate, eglan-
tine, griotte, paragon, tetrakis, Thrinax, triakis,
vinegar. Cp. also mediocre, ocrea, Ocimum, Oxa-
lis, oxy-, oxygen.
Derivatives: acrid-ity, n., acrid-ly, adv., acrid-
ness, n.
acrimonious, adj., harsh, bitter. — F. acrimonieux,
fr. ML. dcrimdnidsus, fr. L. dcrimdnia. See acri-
mony and -ous.
Derivatives: acrimonious-ly, adv., acrimonious-
ness, n.
acrimony, n., harsness, bitterness; asperity. — L.
dcrimdnia, 'sharpness, pungency', formed fr. L.
deer (fern, dcris, neut. acre), 'sharp', with suff.
-mania. See acrid and -mony and cp. words there
referred to.
acrisia, n., condition of disease with no symp-
toms to establish the diagnosis. — Gk. dxpiaia,
'want of judgment', fr. axpixo;, 'not judged',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and xpixog, 'separated,
chosen, decided, judged', verbal adj. of xpfveiv,
'to separate, choose, decide, judge'. Sec critic.
acritical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
Gk. SxpiToi;, 'not judged'. See prec. word.
aero-, acr-, combining form meaning 'pertaining
to the end, extreme'. — Gk. dxpo-, fr. axpo?,
'at the end, at the top, outermost', fr. dxvj,
'edge'; cogn. with L. deer, 'sharp', OSlav. ostru,
Lith. aUtrus, of s.m., Olr. er, 'high'. See acrid
and cp. words there referred to.
acroama, n., oral teaching; esoteric teaching. —
L., fr. Gk. axpoajxa, lit. 'that which is heard
(with pleasure)', fr. dxpodo(iai, 'I hear', orig.
'I have a sharp hearing', fr. *dxp-ouaa, 'a sharp
hearing', compounded of axpoq, 'pointed,
sharp', and Ion., Att. ouq, gen. oOa-roc., cor-
responding to Gk. o3?, gen. <ixo<;, 'ear'. For
the first element see acrid and cp. acropolis. For
the second element see ear, 'the organ of hear-
ing', and cp. oto-. For the ending see suff. -ma.
acroamatic, adj., oral; esoteric. — Gk. dxpoa-
[ia.Tiy.6q, 'pertaining to hearing', fr. dxpoapia,
'that which is heard'. See prec. word and -atic.
Derivative: acroamatic-s, n.
acrobat, n. — F. acrobate, fr. Gk. dxpofJaxoi;,
'walking on tiptoe', fr. Sxpo?, 'at the end, outer-
most, highest', and (3ax-, 'going', from the stem
of flatvEiv, 'to go, walk'. (Cp. |3ax6s, 'passable',
verbal adj. of pWveiv.) For the first element
see aero-, for the second see base, n., and cp.
the second element in aerobatics.
Derivatives: acrobat-ic, adj., acrobat-ic-al-ly ,
adv., acrobat-ics, n., acrobat-ism, n.
acrocarpous, adj., bearing fruit at the end of the
stalk (bot.) — Gk. dxp6xap7ro<;, 'bearing fruit
at the top', compounded of Sxpo?, 'at the end,
outermost, highest', and xapirAr;, 'fruit'. See
aero- and carpel. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
Gk. -oq, see -ous.
acrocephalic, acrocephalous, adj., having a point-
ed skull. — Compounded of aero- and cephalic.
19
Actaeon
acrochordon, n., a kind of wart (med.) — L., fr.
Gk. dxpoxopStiv, which is compounded of
axpoq, 'at the end, outermost, highest' and
XopS^, 'chord, string'. See aero- and chord.
acrodynia, n., disease characterized by pain in
the hands and feet (med.) — Medical L., coined
by Chardon in 1828, and lit. meaning 'pain in
the extremities', fr. aero- and Gk. oSuvtj, 'pain'.
See -odynia.
acrogen, n., a plant growing at the apex, as ferns,
mosses, etc. (bot.) — Lit. 'growing at the top'.
See aero- and -gen.
Derivative: acrogen-ous, adj.
acrolein, n., a colorless aldehyde, C 3 H 4 (chem.)
— Compounded of L. deer (fern, dcris, neut.
acre), 'sharp', and olere, 'to smell'. See acrid
olfactory, and chem. suff. -in.
acrolith, n., a statue having the extremities of
stone and the trunk of wood. — L. acrolithus,
fr. Gk. dxpoXi&o.;, 'with ends made of stone',
which is compounded of axpos, 'at the end,
outermost, highest', and XU*o?, 'stone'. See
aero- and -lith.
acromegaly, acromegalia, n., a disease character-
ized by an enlargement of the head, thorax and
extremities (med.) — Medical L. acromegalia,
compounded of aero- and Gk. \ih{rx.q, fern.
txcyaXr), 'great'. See mega- and the suff. -y,
resp. -ia, which both represent Gk. -ia.
acromial, adj., pertaining to the acromion. — See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
acromion, n., the outer end of the shoulderblade
(anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. dxpcou-tS, 'point
of the shoulder', which is compounded of axpo?,
'at the end, outermost, highest' and &\loq,
'shoulder'. See aero- and omo-, 'shoulder'.
acron, n., the foremost segment of the body of an
insect. — Gk. axpov, 'tip', prop. neut. of the
adjective axpo?, 'at the end, outermost, high-
est'. See aero-.
■cronychal, acronycal, adj., happening or oc-
curring at nightfall (astron.) — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. dxp6vuxo<;, ' at nightfall',
fr. Sxpoz, 'at the end, outermost, highest', and
vOxo? = v\i£, 'night'. See aero- and nycti-.
Derivative: acronychal-ly, adv.
■crooym, n., a word formed from the first letters
of a series of words, as UNO, from United
Nations Organization. — Coined fr. acr- and
Gk. 8vu|xa, dial, form of 6vou,a, 'name'. See
mme and cp. onomato-.
■erophobia, n., morbid fear of high places (med.)
— Medical Latin, fr. aero- and Gk. -<po$ia, fr.
?A0oc, fear'. See -phobia.
* fro P Bon y, n., the use of the pictorial represen-
tation of an object as the phonetic sign of the
initial sound or syllable with which the name of
that object begins. — Compounded of aero-,
*nd Gk. -qxdvta, fr. <pcovr), 'sound, voice*. See
•cropolfa, n., the fortified upper part of an ancient
Gredr city; esp. that of Athens. — Gk. dbcpoTO-
Xi?, fr. fixpos 'at the end, outermost, highest',
and 7coXi<;, 'city' (see aero- and policy, 'method
of government'). This compound developed
from the older form axpa toJXi?, 'the upper or
higher city'. (Homer still prefers axpa tc6Xi<; to
the compound, which he uses only twice,
Odyssey VIII, 494 and 504 ) See Albert
Debrunner, Griechische Wortbildungslehre,
Heidelberg, 19 17, p. 91.
acrorhagus, n., one of the marginal tubercles of
actinians (zool.) — ModL., compounded of
aero- and Gk. pa?;, gen. payo?, 'berry', which
is cogn. with L. racemus, 'the stalk of a cluster
of grapes'. See raceme.
across, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and cross.
acrostic, n., a poem in which the initial letters of
the lines form a word or words. — L. acrostichis,
fr. Gk. axpooxixk, 'acrostic', which is com-
pounded of axpos, 'at the end, outermost', and
oxtxo?, 'row, line, rank, verse', which is rel.
to CTxetx elv > ' to 8°; t0 rnarch in order'. See
aero- and sty, 'to ascend', and cp. hemistich,
monostich, distich, tetrastich, pentastich, hexa-
stich, heptastich, octastich, decasrich, stichich,
ortbostichy, stoichiometry, cadastre.
Acrostichum, n., a genus of ferns of the polypody
family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. L. acrosti-
chis, 'acrostic' (see prec. word); so called from
the position of the sori.
acroterium, acroterion, n., pedestal for a statue
or other ornament, placed at the apex or one of
the corners of a pediment (archil.) — L. acro-
terium, fr. Gk. dxpcoxrjptov, 'extremity, sum-
mit, top', fr. Sxpo?, 'at the end, outermost'.
See aero-.
acrotomous, adj., having a cleavage parallel with
the base (mineral.) — Gk. dxp6xopto<;, 'cut off,
sharp, abrupt', compounded of fixpoq, 'at the
end, outermost', and -xou.0?, which is rel. to
x6^ioi;, 'a cut, piece cut off, section', xou,6<;,
'cutting'. See tome and cp. words there refer-
red to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o?,
see -ous.
act, n. — F. acte, 'action', partly fr. L. actus, 'a
doing, an action' (fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to set
in motion, drive; to do, act'), partly fr. actum,
'something done' (which is prop. neut. of actus,
pp. of agere). See agent and words there re-
ferred to and cp. esp. entr'acte, interact.
Derivatives: act, tr. and tr. v., act-ing, n., and
adj., active (q.v.)
Actaea, n., a genus of plants, the baneberry
(bot.) — L., 'herb Christopher', fr. Gk. dxxea,
'the elder tree', prob. meaning lit. 'the tree with
pointed leaves', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp,
pointed'. See acrid and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Actaeon, n., the hunter who, having seen Artemis
bathing, was changed by her into a stag and torn
to pieces by his own dogs (Greek mythol.) —
L. Actaedn, fr. Gk. 'AxtwIcov, a word of un-
actin-
20
certain etymology. It denoted perh. orig. a
water god and derives fr. olxxt), 'promontory;
beach seashore' (whence also axxcao;, 'on the
shore'), which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See
acrid and cp. prec. word.
actin-, form of actino- before a vowel.
actinic, adj., pertaining to actinism. — See next
word and -ic.
actinism, n., property of ultraviolet rays of caus-
ing chemical change. — Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. ocxxf?, gen. axxivoc, 'ray, ra-
diance'. See actino-.
Actinistia, n., an order of crossopterygian fishes
(paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of actin-
and Gk. Eaxtov, 'web, sail', dimin. of iaroc,,
'web, tissue; ship's mast', from the stem of
icttt)|xi, 'I make to stand'. See histo- and cp.
anhistous. For the ending see suff. -ia.
actinium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) —
ModL., coined by its discoverer, the French
chemist Andre-Louis Debierne(b. 1874) in 1899
fr. Gk. axxt?, gen. axxTvoc, 'ray'. See actinic
and -ium.
actino-, before a vowel actin-, pertaining to rays;
pertaining to actinism. — Fr. Gk. axxfq gen.
axxivoc;, 'ray, radiance', which is cogn. with
OI. aktiih, 'light, ray, night', Goth, iihtwd (for
*nyj' r o), dawn, daybreak', OHG. uhta, of s.m.,
Lith. anksti, OPruss. angstainai, 'early', Cp. the
second element in Chaenactis, diactinic, tetract.
actinogram, n., record made by an actinograph.
— Compounded of actino- and Gk. ypx^a,
'something written'. See -gram.
actinograph, n., an instrument for recording the
actinic power of the sunrays. — Compounded
of actino- and Gk. -ypattpo?, fr. Ypacpav, 'to
write'. See -graph.
Derivatives: actinograph-ic, adj., actinograph-y,
n.
actinology, n., the study of the rays of light. —
Compounded of actino- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-X6yo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
actinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
actinic effect of the sun's rays. — Compounded
of actino- and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: actinometr-y, n., actinometr-ic, ac-
tinometr-ical, adjs.
Actinomyces, n., a genus of parasitic bacteria
(bacleriol). — ModL., compounded of actino-
and Gk. fAuxr,?, 'fungus'. See myco-.
actinomycete, n., any of a group of parasitic
bacteria. — Formed fr. actino- and -mycete.
actinomycosis, n., an inflammatory disease caus-
ed by the actinomycetes (med.) — Coined by
the German pathologist Otto Bollinger (1843-
1909) in 1877 fr. Actinomyces and suff. -osis.
actinon, n., a radioactive gaseous element of the
argon family (chem.) — ModL., formi- 1 fr. Gk.
dbcrts, gen. ixTtvos, 'ray', and -on, Greek
suff. forming neut. nouns and adjectives. See
actino- and cp. actinium,
actinotherapy, n., the use of actinic rays in the
treatment of disease. — Compounded of actino-
and therapy.
Acrinozoa, a class of marine coelenterate animals
(zool.) — Compounded of actino- and Gk. £coa,
pi. of £c«>ov, 'animal'. See -zoa.
action, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. actionem, acc. of
actio, 'action', fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'.
See act, n., and -ion and cp. interaction.
Derivative: action-able, adj.
activate, tr. v. — See active and verbal suff. -ate.
active, adj. — F. actif (fem. active), fr. L. activus,
fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to act'. See act
Derivatives: active-ly, adv., active-ness, n.
activity, n. — F. activite, fr. Late L. dctivitdtem,
acc. of dctivitds, fr. L. activus. See active and
-ity.
acton, n., a quilted garment worn under the mail.
— ME., fr. OF. auqueton (F. hoqueton), fr. Sp.
alcoton, algodon, fr. Arab, al-qutun, 'the cotton'.
See cotton.
actor, n. — L. actor, 'doer, actor', fr. actus, pp. of
agere, 'to do, act'. See act and agential suff. -or.
actress, n. — See prec. word and -ess.
actual, adj. — ME. actuel, fr. F. actuel, fr. Late
L. dctualis, fr. L. actus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'.
See act and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: actual, n., actuality (q.v.), actualize
(q.v.), actual-ly, adv., actual-ness, n.
actuality, n. — ML. dctudlitds, fr. Late L. dctu-
alis (see actual and -ity); prop, a loan trans-
lation of Gk. evepyeta (see energy).
actualization, n. — See next word and -ion.
actualize, tr. v. — Coined by Coleridge fr. actual
and suff. -ize.
Derivative: actualiz-ation, n.
actuary, n., one whose profession is to calculate
insurance rates. — L. actudrius, 'copist, clerk,
registrar', fr. acta, 'events, records', prop. pi.
neut. pp. of agere, used as a noun. See act and
subst. suff. -ary.
Derivative: actuari-al, adj.
actuate, tr. v., to put into action. — ML. dctu-
dtus, pp. of dctudre, fr. L. actus, 'action'. See
act and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: actuat-ion, n., actuat-or, n.
acuerdo, n., resolution of a tribunal; the mem-
bers of a tribunal (Sp. Amer) — Sp., lit. 'reso-
lution', fr. acordar, 'to agree to resolve by com-
mon consent', fr. VL. accorddre, 'to agree'. See
accord, v.
acuity, n., sharpness. — F. acuite, fr. L. acuitdtem,
acc. of acuitds, fr. acuere, 'to sharpen', which
is rel. to acus, 'needle'. See acrid and -ity and
cp. acute.
aculeate, adj., 1) having a sting; 2) furnished with
prickles; 3) pointed. — L. aculedtus, 'furnished
with prickles', fr. aculeus, 'prickle'. See aculeus
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: aculeat-ed, adj.
21
adamant
aculeiform, adj., shaped like a prickle. — Com-
pounded of aculeus, and L. forma, 'form, shape'.
See form, n.
aculeolate, adj., furnished with very small prick-
les, _ Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. aculeolus,
double dim. of acus, 'needle'. See next word.
aculeus, n., a prickle (bot.); a sting (zool.) — L.,
'spine, prickle', dim. of acus, 'needle', fr. I.-E.
base *ak- 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and cp.
words there referred to.
acumen, n., mental sharpness. — L. acumen,
'sharpness, mental sharpness, keenness of in-
telligence', fr. acuere, 'to sharpen'. See acute
and -men.
acuminate, adj., tapering to a point. — L. acumi-
ndtus, pp. of acumindre, 'to sharpen', fr. acumen,
gen. acuminis, 'sharpness. See acumen and adj.
suff. -ate.
acupressure, n., the checking of bleeding by the
pressure of a needle on the bleeding vessel
(surg.) — Compounded of L. acus, 'needle' and
pressura 'pressure'. See acus and pressure,
acupuncture, n., puncture of the ailing part with
a needle to relieve pain. — Compounded of L.
acus, 'needle', and punctura, 'a pricking'. See
acus and puncture,
acus, needle, pin (Rom. antiq.) — L., fr. I.-E.
base *ak-, 'sharp pointed', whence also deer,
'sharp'. See acrid and cp. the first element in
aciform. Cp. also eglantine,
acushla, n., darling (h.) — Ir. a cuisle, 'O pulse'
(in a cuisle mo croidhe, 'O pulse of my heart'),
acute, adj. — L. aciitus, 'sharp', lit. 'sharpened',
pp. of acuere, 'to sharpen', which is rel. to acus,
'needle'. See acrid and cp. cute and ague.
Derivatives: dcute-ly, adv., acute-ness, n.
-acy, suff. denoting quality, state or dignity. —
1) F. -atie, fr. L. -dcia, fr. adjectives in -ax, gen.
-dcis (cp. fallacy); 2) F. -atie, fr. L. -dtia (whence
ML. -dcia), fr. L. -as gen. -dtis (cp. abbacy);
3) ML. -dtia, fr. L. nouns ending in -dtus (cp.
magistracy); 4) ML. -dtia, fr. Gk. -dexeta (cp.
piracy); 5) from English nouns and adjectives
in -ate (cp. privacy). Cp. the suffixes -cy and
-cracy. Cp. also -acious and subst. suff. -ate.
acyclic, adj., not cyclic. — See priv. pref. a- and
cyclic.
acyrology, n., incorrect diction. — L. acyrologia,
fr. Gk. ax'jpoXoyia, 'incorrect phraseology', fr.
AxOpoXoyeu, 'I speak incorrectly', which is
compounded of axOpo?, 'without authority',
and -Xoyii, fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner) ; one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. The first element is formed fr. a- (see
priv. pref. a-) and xopio;, adj., 'having power
or authority over' (whence xupioq, n., 'lord,
master'), fr. xupo?, 'authority'. See church and
cp. words there referred to. For the second ele-
ment see -logy.
•d-, pref. of Latin origin expressing direction to-
ward or addition to. — Ad- appears in this form
before a vowel and before the consonants d, h.
j, m, v. It is simplified to a- before sc, sp, st.
Before c, f, g, I, n, p, q, r, s and t ad- is assimil-
ated to ac-, resp. af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, ac-, ar-,
as-, at-. — L. ad-, etc., fr. ad, 'to, toward', rel.
to Umbr. af-, ars-, Oscan ad-, az (for *ad-s),
'to, toward', and cogn. with Goth, at, OE. set,
'at'. See at and cp. a, pref. a- (corresponding to
L. ad), and a- in abandon.
-ad, suff. used to denote collective numerals, fe-
minine patronymics, families of plant names or
names of poems. — Gk. -as, gen. -a8oq, a suff.
forming femin. nouns.
Ada, fem. PN. (Bible) — Heb. 'Adhd", lit. 'orna-
ment', rel. to 'ddhd n , 'he adorned, ornamented',
whence '&dhf, 'ornament'.
adactylous, adj., without fingers or toes (zool.) —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk.
SaxxuXoi;, 'finger'. See dactyl.
adage, n., proverb. — F., fr. L. adagium, 'adage,
proverb', fr. ad- and the stem of L. aid (for
*agyd), 'I say', which is rel. to prddigium (for
"prdd-agiom), 'sign, omen, portent,prodi gy',
and cogn. with Gk. rjai (for "tjy^O. 'I speak',
perf. av-toya, 'I command', lit. 'I say loudly' (for
this sense of the pref. ava- cp. avaxaXexo, 'I
call loudly'), Arm. asem, 'I say', af-ac, 'prov-
erb'. Cp. prodigy.
adagio, adv., slowly, leisurely; n., a slow move-
ment (music). — It., formed fr. ad- and agio,
'leisure', fr. OProvenc. aize, 'ease, convenience,
leisure', fr. VL. adjacens, pres. part, of adjacere,
'to lie at, to lie near', whence also F. aise, 'ease,
convenience, comfort, leisure'. See adjacent and
cp. ease.
adalid, n., leader, guide. — Sp., fr. Arab. ad-dalflYn.
'the leader', fr. ad-, assimilated form of al-, 'the',
and dalil, 'leader', fr. ddlla, 'he showed the way,
he lead'.
Adam, n., name of the first mas\(B\ble); in a figur-
ative sense it is used to denote 'human nature,
frailty'. — Heb. Addm, lit. 'man', usually with
the def. art., hd-dddm, 'the man', prop, 'the one
formed from dddrnd" (i.e. the ground)'. See Gen.
2:7, 'The Lord God formed man of dust from
the ground'. For the connection between Heb.
dddmd", 'ground, earth', and addm, 'man', cp.
L. homo, 'man', humdnus, 'human', which are
rel. to humus, 'earth, ground, soil', and Gk.
emx&ovtoi., 'earthly ones, men', fr. x$tl>v, 'earth'.
Derivatives: Adam-ic, Adam-ic-al, adjs., Adam-
ic-al-ly, adv., Adam-ite, n., Adam-it-ism, n.,
Adam-it-ic, Adam-it-ic-al, adjs.
adamant, n., a very hard stone; adj., very hard,
unyielding. — ME., 'diamond, magnet', fr. OF.
adamant, oblique case, fr. L. adamantem, acc. of
adamds (whence the OF. nom. adamas), fr. Gk.
<x8a(xa;, 'adamant, the hardest metal, diamond',
lit. 'unconquerable', fr. i- (see priv. pref. a-) and
the verb Sajxav, 'to tame'. See tame and cp. dia-
mond ; cp. also the second element in Hippodamia.
The sense of 'load stone, magnet', arose from a
confusion with L. adamdre, 'to love passionately' .
adamantean
22
adamantean, adj., hard as adamant. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. adamanteus, fr. adamds. See
prec. word.
adamantine, adj., 1) made of adamant; 2) like
adamant; very hard. — L. adamant inus, fr. Gk:
dSajjiavTivo?, fr. aSafiSi;. See adamant and adj.
suff. -ine.
adamite, n., a hydrous zinc arsenate {mineral.) —
Named after the mineralogist M. Adam. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Adam's apple, the thyroid cartilage. — A name
due to the inexact translation of Heb. tapp&ah
hddddm, lit. 'man's projection (in the neck)', fr.
tappaah, 'anything swollen or protruding;
apple', from the base of taphdh, 'it swelled'. The
rendering of this Hebrew term by 'Adam's
apple' is due to two popular beliefs: 1) that the
forbidden fruit eaten by Adam was an apple;
2) that a piece of this apple stuck in Adam's
throat.
adangle, adj., dangling. — Coined by Robert
Browning (1812-89) fr- pref. a-, 'on', and
dangle.
adapt, tr. v. — F. adapter, fr. L. adaptdre, 'to fit,
adjust, adapt', fr. ad- and apt are, 'to fit', fr.
apt us, 'fit'. See apt and cp. adept.
Derivatives: adapt-able, adj., adapt-abU-ity, n.,
adaptation (q.v.), adapt-ed, adj., adapt-ed-ness,
n., adapt-er, adapt-or, n.
adaptation, n. — F., fr. ML. adaptdtidnem, acc.
of adapt at id, fr. L. adapt at us, pp. of adaptdre.
See adapt and -ation.
Derivatives: adaptation-al, adj., adaptation-al-
ly, adv.
Adar, n., name of the twelfth Jewish month. —
Heb. Adhir, fr. Akkad. Addaru, Adaru, lit. 'the
dark or clouded month', fr. Akkad. adaru. 'to
be dark'; see Frd. Delitzsch, Prolegomena,
p. 138. According to Haupt in ZDMG., 64, 705,
Addaru is rel. to Akkad. iddar, 'threshing floor',
and prop, means 'month of the threshing floor'.
Cp. Veadar.
adati, n., a kind of fine cloth exported from Ben-
gal. — Prob. fr. Hind, ddhd, 'half', and lit.
meaning 'of half width'. See Yule-Burnell,
Hobson-Jobson, p. 4.
add, tr. and intr. v. — L. adder e, 'to put to, lay
on, give in addition to, add', fr. ad- and -dere,
fr. dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and
cp. addendum, additament, addition.
Derivatives: add-ed, adj., adder (q.v.), add-
ible, adj.
addax, n., a North African and Arabian antelope
with long spiral horns. — L., according to
Pliny 11, 124, a word of African origin.
addendum, n., something added. — L. neut. of
addendus, 'that which is to be added', gerundive
of addere, 'to add'. See add and cp. reddendum.
For other Latin gerundives used in English cp.
agenda and words there referred to.
adder, n., one who or that which adds. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fx. add (q.v.)
adder, n., a snake. — ME. naddre, addre, fr. OE.
nxdre, 'adder, snake', rel. to OS. nddra, ON.
nddra, MDu. nddre, Du. adder, OHG. ndtara,
MHG. ndter, G. Natter, Goth, nadrs, and cogn.
with L. natrix, 'water snake' Olr. nathir, W.
neidr, OCo. nader, 'adder'. All these words prob.
derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)ne-, 'to wind, twist',
whence also Gk. vijv, L. nere, 'to spin'. See
needle and cp. natrix. The loss of the initial n in
E. adder is due to a misdivision of ME. a naddre
into an addre. For similar misdivisions cp. aitch-
bone, apron, auger, ekename, eyas, ouch, umble
pie, umpire.
addict, tr. v. — L. addictus, pp. of addicere, 'to
award, assign, devote', fr. ad- and dicere, 'to
say'. See diction.
Derivatives: addict, n., addict-ed, adj., addict-
ed-ness, n.
addiction, n. — L. addictio, gen. -dnis, 'an award-
ing, devoting', fr. addictus, pp. of addicere. See
addict and -ion.
Addison's disease. — So called by its discoverer
Thomas Addison of Guy's Hospital in 1 855.
additament, n., addition. — L. additdmentum,
'addition, increase', fr. *additdre, freq. of ad-
dere (pp. additus), 'to add'. See add and -ment.
Derivative: additament-ary, adj.
addition, n. — OF (= F.), fr. L. additidnem, acc.
of additid, 'an adding to, addition', fr. additus,
pp. of addere. See add and -ion.
Derivatives: addition, tr. v., addition-al, adj.,
addition-al-ly, adv., addition-ary, adj.
additicious, adj., increasing. — L. additicius,
'added, additional', fr. additus, pp. of addere. See
add. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
additive, adj. — L. additivus, 'added, anexed',
fr. additus, pp. of addere. See add and -ive.
Derivatives: additive-ly, adv., additiv-ity, n.
addle, n., urine, filth. — OE. adela, rel. to OSwed.
adel, 'urine', MLG. adel, Du. aal, 'puddle'. Cp.
addle, adj.
addle, adj., putrid (said of an egg); confused,
muddled. — From addle, n., 'urine, filth',
whence addle egg, used in the sense of 'an egg
that does not hatch, rotten egg', but lit. meaning
'urine egg' ; a term due to the literal rendering
of L. ovum urinum, 'urine egg', which arose from
the erroneous translation of Gk. ouptov <J>ov,
'putrid egg', prop, 'wind egg', fr. oupto?, 'of
the wind' (fr. o5po?, 'wind'), confused with
oftpio?, 'of urine', fr. oupov, 'urine'.
address, tr. v. — ME. adressen, 'to raise, adorn',
F. adresser, fr. OF. adrecier, fr. a. 'to' (see a),
and drecier (F. dresser), 'to direct'. See ad-
and dress and cp. direct.
Derivatives: address, n. (q.v.), address-ee, n., ad-
dress-er, n., address-fid, adj., address-or, n.
address, n. — A blend of address, v., and F.
adresse, 'address'.
adduce, tr. v., to bring forward; to cite. — L. ad-
dicere, 'to lead to', fr. ad- and ducere (pp.
ductus), 'to lead*. See dake.
23
adept
Derivatives: adduc-er, n., adduc-ible, adj.
adducent, adj., drawing together (said of mus-
cles) ; the opposite of abducent (anat.) — L. ad-
ducens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of addiicere. See
prec. word and -ent.
adduct, tr. v., to draw together (said of the
muscles). — L. adductus, pp. of addiicere, 'to
lead to'. See adduce.
adduction, n., the act of adducing. — L. adductid,
gen. -dnis, fr. adductus, pp. of addiicere. See prec.
word and -ion.
adductor, n., an adducent muscle (anat.) — L.,
lit. 'a drawer to', from adductus pp. of addiicere.
See adduce and agential suff. -or.
-ade, suff. denoting 1) an action as in cannonade;
2) the result or product of an action as in le-
monade, pomade. — F. -ade, fr. Sp. -ada or
OProvenf. or It. -ata, fr. Late L. -dta, prop,
fem. pp. suff. of Latin verbs of the 1st conjuga-
tion; see adj. suff. -ate. The native French form
is -ee (cp. -ee).
-ade, suff. denoting the person or group partici-
pating in an action as in comrade, brigade. —
F. -ade, fr. Sp. or Port, -ado, which is rel. to It.
-ato, fr. L. -at us, pp. suff. of verbs of the 1st
conjugation. Cp. prec. suff. and the suff. -ado.
-ade, suff. denoting a number or a group. — F.
-ade, fr. Gk. -d8a, acc. of -Aq. Cp. decade. This
suff. is identical with, though graphically dif-
ferentiated from, suff. -ad (q.v.)
adeem, tr. v., to revoke (a legacy) (law). — L.
adimere, 'to take away', fr. ad- and emere, 'to
take'. See exempt and cp. words there referred
to.
Adela, fem. PN. — Lit. 'noble'. See next word.
Adelaide, fem. PN. — F. Adelaide, fr. G. Adel-
heid, fr. OHG. Adalhaid, lit. 'of a noble mind',
fr. OHG. adal, 'noble family' (whence G. Adel,
'nobility'), and heit, 'state, rank', which is rel.
to OE. had, 'person, sex, degree, state, nature'.
For the first element cp. Adela, Adeline, Adolph,
Aline, Athelstan, and allerion, for the second
see -hood, -head. Cp. also Alice.
Adelia, n., a genus of American plants of the
olive family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. a8r,Xo<;,
unseen, invisible' (see adelo- and -ia); so called
because of its minute flowers.
Adeline, fem. PN. — F., a word of Teut. origin,
introduced into England through the medium
of the Normans. The name lit. means 'noble'.
See Adelaid and cp. Aline.
•delite, n., a calcium and magnesium arsenate
(mineral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
Gk. SSnjXoc, 'unseen, obscure' (see adelo-); so
J^jled in allusion to the lack of transparency,
combining form, meaning 'not seen, con-
°^kd'. — Gk. o8t)Xo-, fr. SStjXoi;, 'unseen, in-
*»ible', fr. dc- (see priv. pref. a-) and SrjXo?
(Homeric 8£eXoi;), 'visible, clear', which is con-
tacted fr. 'Uyzkoc., and is rel. to 8&xto, 'seemed',
mA cogn. with OI. dtdeti, 'shines'. See deity and
cp. Adelia.
adelpho-, combining form meaning 'brother'. —
Gk. aSeXtpo-, fr. aSzkyoq, 'brother', lit. 'from
the same womb', fr. copul. pref. <&-, 'together
with', and SeXiput;, 'womb'. Copul. pref. d-
stands for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational form
of I.-E. base *sem-, 'one together'; see same.
For the etymology of SeXcpoc see calf and cp.
dolphin. Cp. also the second element in Dia-
delphia, Didelphia, monadelphous, Philadelphus.
For the sense development of Gk. d8sX<p6i; cp.
Gk. aYotoxcop, 'from the same womb', fr. copul.
pref. a- and ycx.artjp, 'belly, womb'.
adempted, adj., taken away (law). — Fr. obsol.
adempt, fr. L. ademptus, pp. of adimere, 'to take
away;. See next word and -ed.
ademption, n., the act of taking away. — L.
ademptid, gen. -dnis, 'a taking away, seizure', fr.
ademptus, pp. of adimere. See adeem and -ion.
aden-, form of adeno- before a vowel.
adenine, n., also adenin, a crystalline base (bio-
chem.) — Coined by the German physiological
chemist Albrecht Kossel (1853-1927) fr. Gk.
aS-rjv. 'gland' (see adeno-), and chem. suff. -ine,
-in; so called by him because it is derived from
pancreas.
adenitis, n., inflammation of a gland or glands
(med.) — Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr.
Gk. ol8t]v, gen. dcSevoc, 'gland'. See adeno-.
adeno-, before a vowel aden-, combining form
denoting 'pertaining to glands, glandular'
(med.) — Gk. dSevo-, aSev-, fr. aSr.v, gen.
d8£vo<;, 'gland', fr. I.-E. *-ng w en, whence also
L. inguen, 'groin, abdomen'. See inguen and cp.
the second element in Dipladenia.
adenoid, adj., gland-like, glandular. — Medical
L. adenoideus, fr. Gk. dSevoeiSr);, 'gland-like',
fr. 4Sr]v, gen. dSevo;, 'gland', and -oeiSr^q,
'like', fr. cISo?, 'form, shape' . See adeno- and -oid.
Derivatives: adenoids, n. pi., adenoid-al, adj.,
adenoid-ism, n.
adenoma, a benign glandular tumor (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -oma fr. Gk. dSrjv,
'gland'. See adeno-.
Derivative: adenomat-ous, adj.
Adeona, also Abeona, n., the goddess watching
over the first departure of children. — See
Abeona and cp. adit.
Adephaga, n. pi., an order of beetles (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. dS^d-ftx, 'voracious (scil. £o>oc,
animals)', neut. pi. of aSr^dyoi;, which is com-
pounded of aSrjv, 'to one's fill', and -(payo;, fr.
<pa-|-Eiv, 'to eat'. Gk. &8r,\i, more correctly <x8r,v
(fr. *saden) is rel. to oelv (for *saein), 'to sa-
tiate', and cogn. with OE. sasd, 'sated, satisfied'
(whence ME. sad, 'sated, full, satisfied, tired').
See sad and words there referred to and cp. esp.
hadro-. For the second element see -phagous.
adephagous, adj., 1) voracious; 2) pertaining
to the Adephaga. — See prec. word and
-phagous.
adept, adj., skilled, proficient; n., an expert. —
L. adeptus, 'reached, attained', pp. of adipisci.
adequacy
24
'to arrive at, reach, attain', fr. ad- and apisci
(pp. aptus), 'to reach, come up with', which is
rel. to OL. *apid, apere, 'to bind, attach', pp.
aptus, 'attached to'. See apt and cp. adapt. For
the change of Latin d (in aptus) to e (in ad-
eptus) see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: adept-ness, n.
adequacy, n. — Formed fr. next word with
stiff, -cy.
adequate, adj. — L. adaequatus, pp. oladaequdre,
'to make equal to', fr. ad- and aequdre, 'to make
equal', fr. aequus, 'equal'. See equal and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adequate-ly, adv., adequate-ness, n.
adermia, n., absence of the skin (med.) — Medical
L., formed fr. priv. pref. a-, Gk. Sepjxa, 'skin'
(see derma), and suff. -ia.
adevism, n., the denial of gods. — A hybrid coin-
ed by Max Miiller on analogy of atheism, fr.
priv. pref. a-, OI. devdh, 'god', and -ism, a suff.
of Greek origin. See deity,
adharma, n., unrighteousness (Hinduism). — OI.
d-dharmah, formed fr. priv. pref. a- and dhdrmah,
'law, right, justice'. See an- and dharma.
adhere, v. — F. adherer, fr. L. adhaerere, 'to stick
to, cling to', fr. ad- and haerere, 'to stick, cling'.
See hesitate and cp. adhesion. Cp. also cohere,
inhere.
adherence, n. — F. adherence, fr. ML. adhaeren-
tia, fr. L. adhaerens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
adherent, adj. and n. — F. adherent, fr. L. ad-
haerentem, acc. of adhaerens, pres. part, of ad-
haerere. See adhere and -ent.
adhesion, n. — F. adhesion, fr. L. adhaesidnem,
acc. of adhaesio, 'a sticking to, adhesion', fr.
adhaesus, pp. of adhaerere. See adhere and -ion.
Derivative: adhesion-al, adj.
adhesive, adj. — F. adhesif (fern, adhesive), fr. L.
adhaesus, pp. of adhaerere. See adhere and -ive.
Derivatives: adhesive-ly, adv., adhesive-ness, n.
adhibit, tr. v., to attach, affix. — L. adhibitus, pp.
of adhibere, 'to hold to, apply to', fr. ad- and
habere, 'to have, hold' (see habit). For the
change of Latin a (in hdbere) to I (in ad-hibere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
adhibition, n. — L. adhibitid, gen. -onis, fr. ad-
hibitus, pp. of adhibere. See prec. word and
-ion.
adiabatic, adj., impassable. — Formed with suff.
ic- fr. Gk. iSiaPaTO?, 'not to be passed', fr.
i- (see priv. pref. a-) and SiafSaToi;, 'to be
passed', verbal adj. of Snx^orivetv, 'to step
across, step over', fr. Sii (see dia-) and
P<xwsiv : 'to go, to pass'. See base, n., and cp.
diabetes.
Adiantum, n., a genus of plants, the maidenhair
fern (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. dSiavrov, 'maiden-
hair', lit. 'unwetted*, fr. dc- (see priv. pref. a-)
and Suxiveiv (for *8ifav£eiv), 'to wet, mois-
ten', which is prob. rel. to Seueiv, 'to wet,
moisten'.
adiaphoretic, adj., preventing perspiration (med.)
— Gk. dSiatpopYjToco?, 'not promoting perspi-
ration'. See priv. pref. a- and diaphoretic.
Derivative: adiaphoretic, n., an adiaphoretic
agent.
adiaphoresis, n., absence of perspiration (med.) —
Medical L. See priv. pref. a- and diaphoresis,
adiaphoron, n. (pi. adiaphora), a thing indifferent
from the ecclesiastical point of view. — Gk.
dSuxtpopov, neut. of a8idc<popo<;, 'indifferent'. See
next word.
adiaphorous, adj., indifferent. — Gk. aSiowpopos,
'not different, indifferent', fr. a- (see priv. pref.
a-) and Sidtpopo?, 'different', fr. Stdc (see dia-)
and tpepav, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to car-
ry', and cp. diaphoresis. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to Gk. -oc., see -ous.
adieu, interj. and n. — F. d Dieu, which is short
of je vous recommande a Dieu, 'I commend you
to God', fr. L. ad Deum, 'to God'. See ad- and
deity.
adipo- before a vowel adip-, combining form
meaning 'fat, fatty'. — From the stem of L.
adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat'. See adipose,
adipocere, n., a waxy substance into which animal
matter is converted under certain circumstan-
ces. — Coined by the French chemist Count
Antoine-Francois de Fourcroy (1755-1809) fr.
L. adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat', and cera, 'wax'. See
adipose and cere,
adipose, adj., fatty. — ModL. adipdsus (= L. adi-
pdtus), 'filled with fat, fatty', fr. L. adeps, gen.
adipis, 'fat of animals', fr. Gk. aXs^a, 'un-
guent, oil, fat', fr. aXetcpsiv, 'to anoint'. The
change of / to d is prob. due to Umbrian in-
fluence. Gk. aAeLtpei-v is rel. to Gk. Xinoq,
'grease, fat', XiTcapo?, 'fat, oily', and is cogn.
with L. lippus, 'blear-eyed', OE. be-lifan, 'to re-
main'. See leave v., and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also synaloepha, aliphatic. For the ending
see adj. suff. -ose. Derivative: adipos-ity, n.
adiposis, n., fatness (med.) — A Medical L. hy-
brid coined fr. L. adeps, gen. adipis, 'fat' (see
adipose), and -osis, a suff. of Greek origin,
adipsia, n., the absence of thirst (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. aSt^o;, 'not suffering from thirst',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and 8i-ya, 'thirst', which
is of unknown origin. Cp. dipsomania, Dipso-
saurus, dipsosis. For the ending see suff. -ia.
adit, n., entrance. — L. aditus, 'approach, en-
trance', fr. adit-(um), pp. stem of adire, 'to ap-
proach', which is formed fr. ad- and ire, 'to go',
fr. I.-E. base *ei-, */'-, 'to go', whence also L.
iter, 'a journey.' See itinerate and cp. aditus.
Aditi, n., the endless heaven, mother of the Adi-
tyas (Vedic mythol.) — OI. dditih, 'boundless-
ness, infinity'. See Aditya and cp. dairya.
aditus, n., an entrance (zool., anal., etc.) — L.
aditus. See adit.
Aditya, n., one of the sons of Aditi (Vedic my-
thol.) — OI. Aditya-, lit. 'the not bound ones',
formed fr. priv. pref. a- (see an-) and dydti,
25
administer
'binds', fr. I.-E. base "de-, *d*-, 'to bind', whence
also Gk. Seeiv, 'to bind'. See desmo- and cp.
prec. word.
adjacency, n. — ML. adjacentia, fr. L. adjacens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -cy.
adjacent, adj. — L. adjacens, gen. -entis, 'lying
at', pres. part, of adjacere, 'to lie at', fr. ad- and
jacere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast one-
self down', fr. jacid, jacere, 'to throw, cast,
hurl'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ent and cp.
circumjacent, interjacent, subjacent, superjacent.
Derivative: adjacent-ly, adv.
adjective, adj. — L. adjectivum (for adjectivum
nomen), neut. oiadjectivus, 'that is added (to the
noun), 'adjective', fr. adjectus, pp. of adicere
(less correctly adjicere), 'to throw or place a
thing near', fr., ad- and jacere (pp. jactus), 'to
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ive and cp.
adjacent. For the change of Latin d (in jactus)
to e in ad-jectus see accent and cp. words there
referred to. L. adjectivum is prop, a loan trans-
lation of Gk. sm&E-rov, lit. 'something added
to', fr. eTUTi9-evat, 'to add to'.
Derivatives: adjectiv-al, adj., adjectival-ly, adv.,
adjective-ly, adv.
adjoin, tr. and intr. v. — ME. ajoinen fr. OF.
ajoindre fr. L. adjungere, 'to join, add, annex',
fr. ad- and jungere, 'to join, unite'. See join and
cp. adjunct. The insertion of the letter d in
ModF. adjoindre and in E. adjoin is due to the
influence of L. adjungere.
Derivative: adjoin-ing, adj.
adjourn, tr. v., to put off to another day; intr. v.,
to suspend a session. — OF. ajorner (whence
F. ajourner), fr. VL. adjurndre, lit., 'to set a day',
fr. ad- and L. diurnus, 'daily', fr. dies, 'day'. See
diurnal and cp. journal, sojourn. The insertion
of the letter d in E. adjourn is due to the in-
fluence of VL. adjurndre.
Derivatives: adjourn-al, adj., adjourn-ment, n.
adjudge, tr. v. — ME. ajugen, fr. OF. ajugier,
ajuger, fr. L. adjudicdre. See next word and cp.
judge. The insertion of the letter d in ModF.
adjuger, and in E. adjudge is due to the influence
of L. adjudicdre.
Derivatives: adjudg-er, n., adjudge-ment, n.
adjudicate, tr. v. — L. adjudicdtus, pp. of adjudi-
cdre, 'to adjudge, decide, ascribe', fr. ad- and
judicdre, 'to judge'. See judge and cp. judicial,
judicious. Cp. also adjudge. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adjudication (q.v.), adjudicat-ive,
adj., adjudicat-or, n., adjudicat-ure, n.
adjudication, n. - L. adjudicdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
adjudicdtus, pp. of adjudicdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
adjunct, adj., added, joined. — L. adjunctus, pp.
of adjungere, 'to join'. See adjoin and cp.
junction.
Derivatives: adjunct, n., adjunction (q.v.), ad-
junct-ive, adj., adjunct-ive-ly, adv.
adjunction, n. — - L. adjunct id, gen. -onis, 'a join-
ing to, an addition', fr. adjunctus, pp. of ad-
jungere. See prec. word and -ion.
adjuration, n. — F., fr. L. adjurdtidnem, acc. of
adjurdtid, 'a swearing to, adjuration', fr. ad-
juratus, pp. of adjurdre. See next word and -ion.
adjure, tr. v., to charge or command solemnly. —
L. adjurdre, 'to swear to, to confirm by an oath'
(whence also F. adjurer), fr. ad- and jurdre, 'to
swear', fr. jus, gen. juris, 'law'. See jury, jus.
Derivatives: adjuration (q.v.), adjur-atory, adj.,
adjur-er, n., adjur-or, n.
adjust, tr. v., 1) to settle, arrange; 2) to fit exact-
ly. — Fr. earlier F. adjuster (corresponding to F.
ajuster), fr. ML. adjustdre, fr. Late L. adjuxtdre,
'to bring near', fr. ad- and L. juxtd, 'near'. See
joust, v., and cp. juxta-.
Derivatives: adjust-able, adj., adjust-er, n., ad-
just-ive, adj., adjust-ment, n.
adjutancy, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
adjutant, n., 1) an officer appointed to assist a
commanding officer; 2) a large stork found in
East India. — L. adjutdns, gen. -antis, pres. part,
of adjutdre, 'to help, assist', freq. of adjuvdre
(pp. adjutus). See next word and -ant.
adjutory, adj. and n., helpful. — L. adjutdrius,
'helping, helpful', fr. adjutus, pp. of adjuvdre,
'to help, assist'. See aid and -ory and cp.
coadjutor.
adjuvant.adj., helping;n., 1) an assistant; 2) (med:)
a remedial substance. — F., fr. L. adjuvantem,
acc. of adjuvdns, pres. part, of adjuvdre. See
prec. word and cp. adjutant.
Adlumia, n., a genus of plants, the climbing fumi-
tory (bot.) — ModL., named after the American
gardener Major J. Adlum (1759- 1836). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
admeasure, tr. v. — OF. amesurer, fr. L. admen-
surare, fr. ad- and mensurdre, 'to measure', fr.
mensura, 'measure'. See measure. The insertion
of the letter d in E. admeasure is due to the in-
fluence of L. admensurdre.
Derivatives : admeasur-er, n., admeasure-ment,n.
adminicle, n., 1) a help; 2) corroborative evidence
(law). — L. adminiculum, 'prop, stay, support',
which prob. derives fr. *adminire, 'to stand out
toward something', fr. ad- and -minire, 'to
stand out'. Cp. e-minere, 'to stand out, project',
and see mount, 'hill, mountain', and -cle.
adminicular, adj., 1) helping; 2) corroborative. —
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. adminiculum. See
prec. word.
adminiculate, tr. v. — L. adminiculate, pp. of ad-
minicular, 'to prop', fr. adminiculum. See ad-
minicle and verbal suff. -ate.
adminiculum, n., help, support. — L. See ad-
minicle.
Derivatives: adminicular (q.v.), adminicul-ary,
adj., adminiculate (q.v.)
administer, tr. v. — OF. aministrer, fr. L. admi-
nistrdre, 'to manage, carry out, attend, serve',
fr. ad- and ministrdre, 'to serve'. See minister, v.
administrant
26
The insertion of the letter d in F. administrer
and in E. administer is due to the influence of
L. administrdre.
Derivative: administer-ial, adj.
administrant, adj. and n. — F., pres. part, of ad-
ministrer, fr. L. administrdre. See prec. word
and -ant
administrate, tr. v., to administer. — L. admini-
stratis, pp. of administrdre. See administer and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: administration (q.v.), administra-
tion-al, adj., administrative (q.v.), administra-
tor (q.v.)
administration, n. — L. administ ratio, gen. -dnis,
fr. administratis, pp. of administrdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: administration-al, adj.
administrative, adj. — L. administrative, fr. ad-
ministratis, pp. of administrdre. See admini-
strate and -ive.
Derivative: administrative-ly, adv.
administrator, n. — L., fr. administratis, pp. of
administrdre. See administrate and agential suff.
-or.
administratrix, n., a female administrator. —
ModL., fr. L. administrator. See prec. word
and -trix.
admirable, adj. — F., fr. L. admirdbilis, fr. ad-
mirdri, 'to admire'. See admire and -able and
cp. Mirabel.
Derivatives: admirable, n., admirabl-y, adv.
admiral, n. — OF. amiral, amiralt (F. amiral),
prob. shortened fr. Arab, amtr-ar-rahl, 'com-
mander of transport, officer commanding a
(transport) fleet', whence also Port, amiralhs,
amirat, It. ammiraglio (It. almiraglio and It., Sp.
and Port, almirante arose from a confusion of
am-, the beginning of the word amir, with the
Arab. art. al-; It., Sp. and Port, almirante were
transformed after the pres. part. suff. -ante,
fr. L. -antem; see -ant); influenced in form by
L. admirdri, 'to admire'. See ameer, amir.
admiralty, n. — ME., fr. OF. admiralte (whence
MF. amiralte, F. amiraute). See admiral and
-ty.
admiration, n. — F., fr. L. admirdtidnem, acc. of
admirdtid, 'a wondering at, admiration', fr. ad-
mirdtus, pp. of admirdri. See admire and -ation.
admirative, adj. — F. admiratif (fem. admirative),
fr. Late L. admirdtivis, fr. admirdtus, pp. of ad-
mirdri. See next word and -ative.
admire, tr. and intr. v. — F. admirer, fr. L. ad-
mirdri, 'to wonder at', fr. ad- and mirdri, 'to
wonder', fr. mirus, 'marvellous', whence also
mirdculum, 'a wonderful thing, marvel'. See
miracle and cp. marvel.
Derivatives: admir-ed, adj., admir-ed-ly, adv.,
admir-er, n., admir-ing, adj., admir-ing-ly, adv.
admissible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. admissibilis, fr.
L. admissus, pp. of admit t ere. See admit and -ible.
Derivatives: admissibil-ity, n., admissible-ness,
a., admissibl-y, adv.
admission, n. — L. admissid, gen. -dnis, 'a letting
in', fr. admissus, pp. of admittere. See admit
and -ion.
admissive. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. admis-
sus, pp. of admittere. See next word.
admit, tr. v. — L. admittere, 'to allow to enter,
let in', fr. ad- and mittere, 'to send'. See mis-
sion and cp. commit, intermit, omit, permit,
submit, transmit.
Derivatives: admitt-able, adj., admitt-ance, n.,
admitt-ed, adj., admitt-ed-ly, adv., admitt-ee, n.
admix, tr. v. — Back formation fr. earlier ad-
mixt, which derives fr. L. admixtus, 'mixed
with', but was mistaken for the pp. of an Eng-
lish verb (i.e. admixt was supposed to have been
formed from the verb admix and the pp. suff.
-0. L. admixtus is pp. of admiscere, 'to add to
by mingling, mix with', and is formed fr. ad-
and miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp. com-
mix, intermix.
admixtion, n. — L. admixtid, gen. -dnis, 'a min-
gling', fr. admixtus, pp. of admiscere. See prec.
word and -ion.
admixture, n. — Formed with suff. -lire, fr. L.
admixtus, pp. of admiscere. See admix.
admonish, tr. v. — ME. amonesten, fr. OF. amo-
nester, fr. VL. admonestdre, fr. L. admonere, 'to
remind, suggest, advise, admonish', fr. ad- and
monere, 'to warn'. See monition and cp. next
word. The insertion of the letter d in OF. ad-
monester and E. admonish is due to the influence
of L. admonere. The use of the suff. -ish is due
to the influence of the numerous English verbs
ending in -ish, in which this suffix corresponds
to OF. and F. -iss and goes back to the Latin
inchoative suff. -iscere. Cp. astonish, distinguish,
extinguish.
Derivatives: admonish-er, m., admonish-ment,n.
admonition, n. — F., fr. L. admonitidnem, acc. of
admonitid, fr. admonitus, pp. of admonere. See
admonish and -ion.
Derivatives: admonition-er, n.
admonitor, n. — L., fr. admonitus, pp. of admo-
nere. See admonish and agential suff. -or.
admonitory, adj. — Late L. admonitdrius, fr. L.
admonitus, pp. of admonere. See admonish and
adj. suff. -ory.
adnate, adj., attached congenitally (bot.) — L.
adndtus, 'born to', pp. of adndsci, 'to be born
in addition to', fr. ad- and ndsci, 'to be born'.
See nascent
ado, inf. and n. — ME. at do, 'to do', from a
Northern E. dialect, of Scand. origin. In ON.
the prep, at was used before infinitives (cp. the
same function of the prep, to in English). See
at and do. For sense development cp. to-do and
F. affaire (see affair).
-ado, suff. occurring in words of Spanish or Por-
tuguese origin. — Sp. or Port, -ado, fr. L. -atus,
hence related to the suff. -ade (in comrade,
brigade, etc.), which is nothing but a Frenchified
form of Sp.-Port. -ado.
27
Adriatic
adobe, n., brick. — Sp., fr. VArab. af-tiba, 'the
brick', fr. Arab, at-, assimilated form of al-,
'the', and VArab. tSba, corresponding to classi-
cal Arab. taba h , 'a (single) brick', which is a
nomenunitatis fr. tub, 'bricks' (collectively). See
Lokotsch, EW., No. 2083.
adolescence, n. — F., fr. L. adolescentia, fr. ado-
lescens, gen. -entis. See adolescent and -ce.
adolescency, n. — L. adolescentia. See prec. word
and -cy.
adolescent, n., an adolescent person. — F., fr. L.
adolescentem, acc. of adolescens. See adolescent,
adj.
adolescent, adj., growing up. — L. adolescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of adolescere, 'to grow
up', which stands for *ad-alescere, fr. ad- and
alescere, 'to grow up', inchoative of alere, 'to
nourish'. See aliment and words there referred
to and cp. esp. adult, soboles. For the ending
see suff. -ent.
Adolph, Adolphus, masc. PN. — L. Adolphus, of
Teut. origin. The name lit means 'noble wolf' ;
cp. OHG. Athalwolf, Athaulf, Adulf, Adolf (G.
Adolf), fr. athal, 'noble', and wolf, 'wolf. For
the first element see Adelaide and cp. words there
referred to. For the second element see wolf.
Adonai, n., a Hebrew name of God. — Heb.
Adhdndy, lit. 'my Lord', the plural of majesty
of Adhdn, 'Lord', with the suff. of the 1st person.
Adhdn prob. meant orig. 'Ruler', and derives
from the base a-d-n = d-w-n, 'to rule, judge'.
Adonic, adj., 1) pertaining to Adonis; 2) per-
taining to a verse called Adonic. — F. adonique,
fr. ML. Addnicus, fr. L. Adonis. See Adonis and
cp. next word.
Adonic, n., a verse consisting of a dactyl and a
spondee or trochee; so called because it was
especially used at the festival of Adonis. — See
prec. word.
Adonis, name of a youth in Greek mythology,
renowned for his beauty and loved by Aphro-
dite. — L. Adonis, fr. Gk. "AStovi?, fr. Heb.-
Phoen. adhdn, 'lord'. See Adonai.
Adonis, n., name of a genus of plants of the but-
tercup family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. Adonis (see
prec. word), who, after his death was changed
by Aphrodite into a plant.
adopt, tr. v. — F. adopter, fr. L. adoptdre, 'to
choose, select, adopt as a child', fr. ad- and op-
tdre, 'to wish, desire'. See option.
Derivatives: adoptable (q.v.), adopt-ed, adj.,
adopt-ee, n., adopt-er, n., adoption (q.v.), adop-
tive (q.v.)
•doptaWe, adj. — Formed fr. adopt with suff.
-aWe; first used by Carlyle. Cp. affordable, dis-
Ukable, forgettable.
adoption, n. — F., fr. L. adoptidnem, acc. of
adoptid. See ad- and option,
adoptive, adj. — F. adoptif (fem. adoptive), fr. L.
adoptivus, 'pertaining to adoption', from the
stem of adoptdre. See adopt and -ive.
Derivative: adopt ive-ly, adv.
adorable, adj. — L. addrdbilis, 'worthy of adora-
tion', fr. addrdre. See adore and -able.
Derivatives: adorable-ness, n., adorabl-y, adv.
adoration, n. — F., fr. L. addrdtidnem, acc. of
addrdtid, 'worship, adoration', lit., 'a praying
to', fr. addrdtus, pp. of addrdre. See next word
and -ion.
adore, tr. v. — F. adorer, 'to adore, worship', fr.
L. addrdre, 'to speak to, entreat, ask in prayer,
worship', fr. ad- and drdre, 'to speak, pray'.
See oration.
Derivatives: adorable (q.v.), ador-er, n., ador-
ing, adj., ador-ing-ly, adv.
adorn, tr. v. — ME. adornen, fr. OF. adorner, fr.
L. addrndre, 'to furnish, provide, decorate,
adorn, embellish', fr. ad- and drndre, 'to deck,
embellish, beautify'. See ornament.
Derivatives: adorn-er, n., adornment (q.v.),
adorn-ing-ly, adv.
adornment, n. — OF., fr. adorner. See prec. word
and -ment.
adown, adv., downward. — ME. adoune, adoun,
fr. OE. of-dune, 'from (the) hill', fr. of, 'off',
and dun, 'hill'. See of and down, adv.
Adoxa, n. a genus of plants, the moschatel (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. &Soi,oq, 'inglorious, obscure,
insignificant', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and 86£a,
'glory', which is rel. to Soxsiv, 'to think, be-
lieve', 86y|xa, 'opinion', and cogn. with L. do-
cere, 'to teach', decus, 'honor, ornament'. See
decent and cp. dogma, doxology.
Adrastea, Adrastia, n., Nemesis. — L. Adrdstea,
Adrdstia, fr. Gk. 'ASpatTTSioc, lit. 'she from
whom there is no escape', fr. SSpaa-ro?, 'not
running away, not inclined to run away', fr. a-
(see priv. pref. a-) and the stem of 8potafj.6i;, 'a
running away', and of -StSpiaxeiv (used only
in compounds, esp. in aTro-SiSp&axeiv, 'to
run away'), fr. l.-E. base *drd-, 'to move quick-
ly', whence also OI. drdti, 'he runs'. From
*drem-, a collateral form of base *drd-, derive
Gk. Spa(j.etv, 'to run', Sp6^oz, 'course'. See
dromedary.
adrenal, adj., near the kidneys ; n., one of the two
ductless glands above the kidneys (anat.) —
Formed fr. ad- and L. rendlis, 'pertaining to the
kidneys', fr. ren, 'kidney'. See renal.
adrenaline, adrenalin, n., a substance secreted by
the suprarenal glands (chem.) — Coined by the
Japanese chemist Jokichi Takamine (1854-1922)
in 1 90 1 fr. ad-, L. rendlis, and chem. suff. -ine,
-in. See prec. word.
Adrian, adj., Adriatic. — See Adriatic and -an.
Adrian, masc. PN. — ■ L. Adridnus, Hadridnus,
lit. 'of the Adriatic'. See next word.
Adriatic, adj. — L. Adridticus, Hadriaticus, fr.
Atria, also called Adria, Hadria (now Atri),
a town in Picenum, fr. dter, fem. dtra, neut.
dtrum, 'black', hence lit. 'the black city' (see
atrabilious and -atic); the town was so called
because it was built on black mud. See Momm-
sen, Inhabitants of Italy, p. 76.
adrift
28
adrift, adj. and adv., drifting; floating about aim-
lessly. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and drift.
adroit, adj., dexterous, skillful. — F., 'dexterous',
orig. 'rightly', fr. d, 'to' (see a), and droit, fr. L.
directus, 'right'. See direct, v., and cp. maladroit.
Derivatives: adroit-ly, adv. adroit-ness, n.
adscititious, adj., supplementary, additional. —
Formed fr. L. adscitus, pp. of adsciscere, 'to
take with knowledge, to approve', fr. ad- and
sciscere, 'to seek to know', an inchoative verb
formed fr. scire, 'to know'. See science and-ious.
Derivative: adscititious-ly, adv.
adscript, adj., attached to the soil (said of serfs).
— L. adscriptus, ascriptus, 'enrolled', lit. 'writ-
ten after', pp. of adscribere, ascrlbere, 'to add
to a writing, attribute, designate, apply'. See
ascribe and cp. script.
aduana, n., customhouse. — Arab, ad-diwdn, fr.
ad-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and diw&n,
fr. Pers. dlwdn, 'register, office, council, custom-
house'. See divan and cp. douane.
adsorption, n., condensation of gases on the sur-
faces of solid bodies. — Formed fr. ad- and L.
sorptid, gen. -dnis, 'a sucking in'. See sorption.
adularia, n., a translucent variety of orthoclase
(mineral) — Named after the Adula mountains
in Switzerland.
adulate, tr. v., to flatter in a servile manner. —
L. adulatus, pp. of adulari, 'to fawn like a dog',
prop, 'to wag the tail', prob. fr. ad- and I.-E.
base *«/-, 'the tail', whence also OI. valah, vdrafi,
'tail', Lith. valai, 'horsehair of the tail'. For
sense development cp. Gk. aatvetv, TCpoaaaiveiv,
'to wag the tail; to flatter', and E. wheedle,
which derives fr. G. wedeln, 'to wag the tail'.
For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adulation (q.v.), adulator (q.v.),
adulat-ory, adj., adulat-ress, n.
adulation, n. — OF. adulacion, fr. L. aduldtionem,
acc. of aduldtid, 'a fawning like that of a dog',
fr. adulatus, pp. of adulari. See prec. word and
-ion.
adulator, n. — L. adulator, 'a low flatterer', fr.
adulatus, pp. of adulari. See adulate and agential
suff. -or.
Adullamite, n. name given to the seceders from
the Liberal party in 1 866. — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Heb. 'Adulldm, name of a cave (see
1 Sam., 22: J-2). The name was orig. given
by John Bright to Horsman who 'had retired
into what may be called his political cave of
Adullam'.
adult, adj., and n. — L. adultus, 'grown up', pp.
of adnlescere. 'to grow up'. See adolescent
adulterant, adj., adulterating; n., an adulter-
ating substance — L. adulterans, gen. -antis,
present part, of adulterdre, 'to defile, corrupt'.
See adulterate and -ant.
adulterate, tr. v., to make impure by admixture;
to corrupt. — L. adulterdtus, pp. of adulterdre,
'to falsify, corrupt; to corrupt a woman; to
commit adultery', dissimilated fr. *ad-alterdre.
lit. 'to change, alter', fr. ad- and alterdre, 'to
change, alter'. See alter, v., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adulteration (q.v.), adulterat-or, n.
adulterate, adj., guilty of adultery. — L. adul-
terdtus, pp. of adulterdre. See adulterate, v.
adulteration, n. — L. adulterdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
adulterdtus, pp. of adulterdre. See adulterate, v.,
and -ion.
adulterer, n. — Formed with agential suff. -er
from the obsol. verb, adulter, which displaced
ME. avouterer, avoutrer, avowterer, from the
verb avouteren, etc., fr. OF. avoltrer, fr. VL.
•abulterdre, a verb formed— with change of
pref— fr. L. adulterdre, 'to commit adultery'.
See adulterate, v.
adulteress, n. — See prec. word and -ess.
adulterine, adj., 1) of adultery; 2) spurious. — L.
adulterlnus, 'bastard, not genuine'. See adulter-
er and adj. suff. -ine.
adulterous, adj. 1) guilty of adultery; 2) relating
to adultery. — See adulterer and -ous.
adultery, n. — L. adulterium, displacing ME.
avoutrie, avouterie, avowtrie, fr. OF. avoutre,
fr. avoutre, 'adulterer', fr. VL. *abultrum, acc.
of *abulter, a word formed— with change of
pref .— fr. L. adulter, 'adulterer', which is a back
formation fr. adulterdre. See adulterate and -y
(representing L. -iurri).
adumbrate, tr. v., to outline, sketch out. — L.
adumbrdtus, pp. of adumbrdre, 'to cast a
shadow, overshadow, to represent a thing in
outline', fr. ad- and umbrdre, 'to shade, sha-
dow', fr. umbra, 'shade, shadow'. See umbra
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: adumbration (q.v.), adumbrat-ive,
adj. t
adumbration, n. — L. adumbrdtid, gen. -dnis, a
sketch in shadow, sketch, outline', fr. adum-
brdtus, pp. of adumbrdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
aduncous, adj., hooked. — L. aduncus, 'hooked ,
fr. ad- and uncus, 'hook'. See uncus. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
adust, adj., burned, parched. — L. adustus,^ pp.
of adurere, 'to set in a flame, burn, singe', fr.
ad- and urere, 'to burn'. See combust and cp.
words there referred to.
advance, tr. and intr. v. — ME. avancen, fr. OF.
avancier, avancer (F. avancer), fr. VL. *aban-
tidre (whence also It. avanzare, Sp. avanzar),
fr. Imperial L. abante, 'from before' (prep.);
'before' (adv.), which is compounded of L. ab,
'from' and ante, 'before'; see ab- and ante-. The
d in advance was inserted about the end of the
16th cent., the initial a in avancen having been
mistaken for F. a, 'to' (see d). See avaunt, interj.,
and cp. advantage. Cp. also avant^ourier, van-
guard and its shortened form van. Cp. also
prance.
Derivatives: advance, n. and adj., advanc-ed
adj., advancement (q.v.), advanc-er, n., ad-
vanc-ive, adj.
29
advocate
advancement, n. — OF. (= F.) avancement, fr.
avancer. See advance and -ment.
advantage, n. — ME. avantage, fr. OF (= F.)
avantage, fr. avant, 'before', fr. Imperial L.
abante. See advance and -age and cp. vantage,
advantage, tr. v. — F. avantager, fr. avantage.
See prec. word,
advantageous, adj. — F. avantageux (fern, avan-
tageuse), fr. avantage. See advantage, n. and -ous.
Derivatives: advantageous-ly, adv., advanta-
geous-ness, n.
advene, intr. v. to come to. — L. advenire, 'to
arrive' fr. ad- and venire, 'to come'. See come
and cp. venue 'arrival'. Cp. also advent, avenue,
event.
advent, n. — L. adventus, 'arrival', fr. advent-
(urri), pp. stem of advenire. See prec. word,
adventitious, adj., casual. — L. adventicius,
'coming from abroad, extraneous, foreign', fr.
advent-iiim), pp. stem of advenire. See advent
and -itious.
Derivatives: adventitious-ly, adv., adventitious-
ness, n.
adventure, n. — ME. aventure, fr. OF. (= F.)
aventure, fr. VL. *adventura, 'a happening', fr.
L. aventurus, 'that which is going to happen',
fut. part, of advenire, 'to arrive, happen'. The
English word was refashioned after L. advenire,
adventurus. See advent and cp. venture. Cp. also
saunter.
Derivatives: adventure, v. (q.v.), adventurous
(q.v.), adventure-some, n., adventure-some-ly,
adv., adventure-some-ness, n.
adventure, tr. and intr. v. — ME. aventuren, fr.
OF. aventurer, fr. aventure. See adventure, n.
Derivatives: adventur-er, n., adventur-ess, n.
adventurous, adj. — ME. aventurous, fr. OF. aven-
turos (F. aventureux), fr. aventure. See adven-
ture, n., and -ous.
Derivatives: adventurous-ly, adv., adventur-ous-
ness, n.
adverb, n. — F. adverbe, fr. Late L. adverbium,
adverb', lit. 'that which is added to the verb',
coined by the grammarian Flavius Sosipater
Charisius fr. ad, 'to', and verbum, 'word; verb'
(see ad- and verb), as a loan translation of Gk.
£-'lppr,!j.a, 'adverb', lit. 'that which is said after-
ward' (see epi- and rhetor).
adverbial, adj. — Late L. adverbidlis, 'pertaining
to an adverb', fr. adverbium. See prec. word
and -ial.
derivative: adverbial-ly, adv.
•dversaria, n. pi., miscellaneous notes. — L. ad-
versaria (scil. scripta), lit. 'writings turned to-
ward one', neut. pi. of adversdrius. See ad-
versary.
*^*ersary, n. — OF. aversier, adversier, fr. L.
"dversdrius, 'opponent, adversary, rival', lit.
* tur ned toward one'. See adverse and subst.
tttS - -ary. The insertion of the letter d in F. ad-
Vrsaire, and E. adversary is due to the influence
°f L. adversdrius.
adversative, adj., expressing opposition or anti-
thesis. — L. adversdtivus, fr. adversatus, pp. of
adversdri, 'to stand opposite to one', fr. adver-
sus. See next word and -ative.
Derivative: adversative-ly, adv.
adverse, adj., opposed; unfavorable. — ME. fr.
OF. avers, later (= F.) adverse, fr. L. adversus,
'turned toward', opposite to; opposed to', pp.
of advertere. See advert.
Derivatives: adverse-ly, adv., adverse-ness, n.
adversity, n., misfortune. — OF. aver site, later
adversite (F. adversite). See prec. word and -ity.
advert, intr. v., to refer to. — F. avertir, fr. L. ad-
vertere, 'to turn toward', fr. ad- and vertere, 'to
turn'. In English, the word has been refashion-
ed after L. advertere. See version and cp. adver-
tise and the second element in animadvert. Cp.
also avert, controvert, convert, covert, culvert,
divert, extrovert, introvert, overt, pervert, subvert,
advertence, n., attention. — OF. avertence, later
(= F.) advertence, fr. Late L. advertent ia. See
advertent and -ce.
advertence, n., advertence. — Late L. advertentia.
See prec. word and -cy.
advertent, adj., attentive. — L. advertens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of advertere. See advert and
-ent and cp. inadvertent.
Derivative: advertent-ly, adv.
advertise, tr. and intr. v. — MF. advertiss-, pres.
part, stem of advertir, which corresponds to OF.
avertir, 'to warn, give notice to', fr. VL. *ad-
vertire, formed with change of conjugation, fr.
L. advertere. Cp. It. avvertire, OProvenc. aver-
tir, Sp., Port, advertir, and see advert.
Derivatives: advertisement (q.v.), advertis-er, n.,
advertis-ing, n.
advertisement, n. — MF. advertissement, cor-
responding to OF. and F. avert issement, fr. ad-
vertir, resp. avertir. See advert and -ment.
advice, n. — ME. avis, 'opinion', fr. OF. ( ^ F.)
avis, formed from a misreading of the OF. term.
ce m'est a vis into ce m'est avis. The former term
itself is an alteration of ce m'est vis, lit. 'this
seems to me', fr. VL. ecce hoc mihi est visum,
which corresponds to L. hoc mihi videtur, 'this
seems (right) to me'. L. visum is neut. pp. of
videre 'to see'. See ad- and vision and cp. de-
vice. Cp. also next word arid avizandum,
advise, tr. and intr. v. — ME. avisen, fr. OF.
(= F.) aviser, fr. avis. See prec. word and cp.
devise.
Derivatives: advis-abil-ity, n., advis-able, adj.,
advisable-ness, n., advisabl-y, adv., advis-ed, adj.,
advis-ed-ly, adv., advis-ed-ness, n., advisement
(q.v.), advis-er, advis-or, n., advis-ory, adj..
advis-ori-ly, adv.
advisement, n. — OF. avisement, fr. aviser. See
prec. word and -ment.
advocacy, n. — OF. advocacie, fr. ML. advocdtia,
fr. L. advocdtus. See advocate and -cy.
advocate, n. — ME. avocat, fr. OF. avocat, fr. L.
advocdtus, 'one called to aid (esp. as a witness
advocation
30
or counsel)', pp. of advocdre, 'to call to (esp. 'to
call to a place for counsel')', fr. ad- and vocdre,
'to call', fr. vox, gen. vdcis, 'voice'. See voice
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. vocation, avouch,
avow.
Derivative: advocate, tr. v.
advocation, n. — L. advocdtid, gen. -onis, 'a cal-
ling to', fr. advocdtus, pp. of advocdre. See ad-
vocate and -ion and cp. advowson, which is a
doublet of advocation.
advowson, n., the right of presenting a nominee
to a church benefice. — ME. avoweisoun, fr.
OF. avoeson, fr. L. advocdtidnem, acc. of advo-
catid. See advocation.
adynamia, n., lack of vital force (med.) — Gk.
a8uv<x(iia, 'want of strength, debility', fr. <x-
(see priv. pref. a-) and 8uvau.i<;, 'power, strength'.
See dynamic and -ia.
adynamic, adj., weak. — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ic.
adytum, n., i) the innermost part of a temple;
2) a sanctum. — L., fr. Gk. icSo-rov, 'innermost
sanctuary', lit. 'a place not to be entered', subst.
use of the neut. of the adj. aSo-ros, 'not to be
entered', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and Sueiv,
'to sink into, plunge into, penetrate into, dive,
enter'; 'to put on' (lit. 'enter into') clothes; 'to
set' (prop, 'to dive into the sea'; said of the sun
and stars), which is cogn. with OI. upd-du, 'to
put on (clothes)', and perh. also with OI. dosd,
'vespertine, western'. Cp the second element in
Anadyomene, Aptenodytes, ecdysis, Endymion,
endysis, ependyma.
adz, adze, n., an axlike tool. — OE. adesa, 'ax',
fr. OF. aze, a secondary form of aisse, 'ax' fr.
L. ascia, 'ax, adz', which is metathesized fr.
*acsia and cogn. with Gk. aSjsrr], 'battle ax, ax',
Goth, aqizi, OE. eax, sex, 'ax'. See ax.
Derivative: adz-er, n.
Aeacus, n., one of the three judges in Hades,
famous for his piety and prayers (Greek mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. A'axA?, a word of uncertain
origin. It is possibly rel. to cx'a^eiv, 'to wail,
lament', which derives from the interj. al, 'ah'.
Aechmophorus, n., a genus of large grebes (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. alxno9opo<;, 'spear bearer',
fr. at/ir?], 'spear', and -<?6poq, 'bearer'. The
first element stands for •aiksmd and is cogn.
with L. icere, 'to strike'; see ictus. For the
second element see -phore.
aecidium, n., the cup-shaped fruit in certain
parasitic fungi (bot.) — ModL. dimin. formed
fr. Gk. aixia, 'injury', which is rel. to aeixir]i;,
poetic a'txYjc, Att. alxyjc;, 'unseemly, shame-
ful', eixwv, 'likeness, image, statue'. IxeXo?,
'like'. See icon.
Aedes, n., a genus of mosquitoes (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. <xt)8t]<;, 'unpleasant, distasteful,
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and rjSii? (for *swadu)
'sweet', which is cogn. with OE. swete, etc.,
'sweet' . See sweet and cp. words there referred to.
aedile, n., an official in charge of buildings {Ro-
man antiquity). — L. aedilis, fr. aedes, 'a build-
ing, sanctuary, temple', orig. 'a place with a
hearth', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to burn', whence
also Gk. at&eiv, 'to burn', at&pa, 'the clear
sky, fair weather', al&rjp, 'the upper purer air,
ether'. See edify and cp. ether,
aegagrus, n., the wild goat. — ModL. fr. Gk.
afyaypo?, 'wild goat', which is compounded
of nXi, gen. atyoc, 'goat', and aypioq, 'wild'.
See aego- and agrio-.
Aegeus, n., the father of Theseus who, believing
his son to be dead, threw himself into the Aege-
an sea (said to have been named Aegean after
him) (Greek mythol.)—!.. Aegeus, fr. Gk. AEyeu?,
which prob. derives fr. alyss, 'waves', a word
of uncertain origin; it is possibly a figurative
use of the pi. of <xt£, 'goat' (see aegis). Cp.
alyiaXoq, 'seashore', and see Frisk, GEW., I,
p. 42 s.v. at? and p. 31 s.v. aiyiaX6?.
aegicrania, n., representation of goats' heads
(Greek and Roman antiq.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
oti£, gen. aly6<;, 'goat', and xpavtoc, pi. of
xpavtov, 'skull'. For the first element see aego-,
for the second see cerebrum.
aegirite, n., a variety of acmite (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite from Aegir, name
of the Icelandic sea-god; so called because it
occurs in Scandinavia.
aegis, egis, n., 1) shield used by Zeus, later by
Pallas Athene (Greek mythol.); 2) used figura-
tively in the sense of protection. — L. aegis, fr.
Gk. aiyk, 'goatskin; the skin shield of Zeus',
fr. <xt£, gen. aiyo;, 'goat'; see aego-. For this
etymology, suggested already by Herodotus, see
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 32 s.v. atyt?. Cp. Aegeus.
Cp. also Giles.
Aegisthus, n., the lover of Clytemnestra, with
whom he killed her husband Agamemnon
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. A?yia»o?, a word
of uncertain origin.
Aegle, n., 1) one of the Hesperides; 2) the mother
of the Graces; 3) the fairest of the Naiads
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. AtyXr), lit. 'ra-
diance, gleam'. The orig. meaning of Gk. alyXr)
was 'quickly moving light'. It is cogn. with OI.
ijati, 'moves about, trembles'.
Aegle, n., a genus of trees of the rue family (bot.)
— Named after the Naiad Aegle. See prec.
word.
aego-, combining form meaning 'goat'. — Gk.
a'yo-, fr. al£, gen. atyoc, 'goat', which is cogn.
with OI. ajdh, 'he-goat*, ajinam, 'skin', Avestic
tzaen'm, 'pertaining to skin', Arm. aic, 'goat',
Lith. ozys, 'he-goat'. Cp. the first element in
aegicrania.
Aegopodium, n., a genus of herbs of the carrot
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. aiyon6Srfi,
'goatfooted', fr. al!;, gen. aty6<;, 'goat', and
Ttoii?, gen. tto86s, 'foot'. See aego- and podo-;
prob. so called from the shape of its small leaves.
aegrotat, n., a certificate that a student is ill. —
L., 'he is sick', 3 pers. sing, of aegrdtdre, 'to be
31
aerobic
sick', fr. aeger, 'sick', which is prob. cogn. with
Toch. B aik(a)re, A ekro, 'sick'.
Aello, n., a harpy (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk.
'AeXXco, lit. 'Stormswift', rel. to &zXKa, 'tempest,
whirlwind', which stands for *afe-X-ia, fr.
*afe-X-oi;, 'blowing', and is rel. to af)[ii (for
*af7][ii), 'I blow'. Cp. W. awel, 'wind' and see
atmo-.
aeluro-, before a vowel aelur-, combining form
meaning 'cat'. — ModL., fr. Gk. caXoupo;, 'cat'.
See Ailurus.
Aeneas, n., the son of Anchises and Aphrodite,
a Trojan hero and mythical ancestor of the
Romans; the hero of Virgil's Aeneid. — L.
Aeneas, fr. Gk. Alvetae., a name of uncertain
origin. It is possibly rel. to aEvo?, 'horrible,
terrible'.
aeneous, adj., bronze-colored. — L. aeneus, 'bra-
zen', fr. aes, gen. aeris, 'brass', which is cogn.
with OI. ayah, Goth, aiz, OE. dr, xr, 'brass',
dra, 'metal'. See ore and cp. words there referred
to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Aeolian, adj., pertaining to Aeolus, god of the
winds; pertaining to the wind. — See Aeolus
and -ian.
Aeolian, n., one of a branch of the Greek people
named fr. Aeolus — Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
Aeolius, fr. Gk. A'ioXioq, 'Aeolian', fr. AfoXo?,
'Aeolus', after whom the ancient district AEoXt;
(Aeolis) in Asia Minor is said to have been
named.
Aeolis, n., a genus of mollusks (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. aEAXo^, 'quick, quick-moving'. See aeon
and cp. Aeolus.
aeolo-, combining form used to denote musical
wind instruments. — Fr. L. Aeolus, name of the
god of winds. See Aeolian, 'pertaining to
Aeolus'.
Aeolus, n., the god of the winds in Greek mythol.
— l. fr. Gk. AloXo;;, lit. 'Rapid', fr. odoXo?,
'quick, rapid', which is of uncertain origin. It
possibly stands for *alfo-Xoi;, and is rel. to
a!cov, 'age, eternity'. See next word and cp.
Aeolis.
aeon, eon, n., a long and indefinite period of
tinv. — L. aeon, fr. Gk. aiuv, 'age, eternity',
which stands for *aifcov and is rei. to Gk. aid
(fo r *alFecrL), 'always, ever', and cogn. with
OI. dyu, 'life', Avestic dyu, 'age', L. aevum,
'space of time, eternity', Goth, aiws, 'age, eter-
nity', aiw, adv., 'ever', ON. xvi, 'lifetime', OHG.
ewa, 'eternity', Du. eeuw, 'age, century', eeuwig,
OF-is. iwich, OS., OHG. ewig, MHG. ewic,
G. '-wig, 'everlasting', OE. a, 'always, ever'. See
aye, 'ever', and cp. wo r ds there referred to. See
also age and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also prec. word.
Aepyornis, n., a gigantic, extinct bird of Mada-
gascar. — ModL., lit., 'the tall bird', com-
pounded of Gk. atmV;, 'tall, very high', a
word of uncertain origin, and of 8pvt<;, 'bird',
for which see ornitho-.
aequor, n., even surface; the sea. — L., 'an even
surface, the even surface of the sea', fr. aequus,
'even, level, flat' ; see equal. L. aequor is a loan
translation of Gk. niXayoQ, 'the open sea, the
unbroken surface of the sea', which is cogn.
with L. plaga, 'hunting net, curtain', and planus,
'level, flat' (see pelagian).
aerarian, adj., fiscal. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. aerdrius, 'pertaining to copper, pertaining to
money' fr. aes, gen. aeris, 'copper, bronze,
money', which is cogn. with OE. dr, xr, 'brass'.
See ore and cp. aes.
aerarium, n., the public treasury kept in the tem-
ple of Saturn in Rome. — L., prop. neut. of the
adjective aerdrius, 'pertaining to money', used
as a noun. See prec. word.
aerate, tr. v., to expose to air. — Formed with
verbal suff. -ate fr. L. der, gen. aeris, 'air', fr.
Gk. arjp. See air and cp. the second element in
saleratus.
Derivatives: aerat-ed, adj., aerat-ion, n., aerat-
or, n.
aerial, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
derius, fr. Gk. aipwc,, 'of air, pertaining to
air', fr. &T}p, 'air'; first used by Shakespeare.
See air.
Derivatives: aerial, n., aerial-ly, adv., aerial-
ness, n.
aerie, aery, n., 1) the nest of an eagle or another
bird of prey; 2) the brood of an eagle or an-
other bird of prey. — ME. aire, fr. OF. (= F.)
aire, fr. Late L. area, nest of a bird of prey'.
(Ducange in Glossarium mediae et infimae
Latinitatis, s.v. area quotes a passage where
area has this meaning; see Skeat s.v.) It is
doubtful whether area in this sense is identical
with L. area, 'vacant piece of ground, open
space' (see area). Cp. eyrie.
aerification, n., the act of aerifying, aeration. —
Compounded of L. der, gen. din's, 'air' (see
air), and -fication.
aeriform, adj. — Compounded of L. der, gen.
dfris, 'air', and forma, 'form, shape'. See air
and form, n.
aerify, tr. v. — Compounded of L. der, gen. aeris,
'air' (see air), and -fy.
aero-, before a vowel aer-, combining form de-
noting the air. — Gk. aepo-, fr. a7)p gen.
dtepoi;, 'air'. See air.
aerobatics, n., acrobatic tricks performed with
aircraft. — Coined on analogy of acrobatics fr.
aero- and the stem of platveiv, 'to go'. See acro-
bat and cp. words there referred to. For the end-
ing see suff. -ics.
aerobic, adj. (biol.), 1) living only in the presence
of oxygen (said of bacteria); 2) produced by ae-
robic bacteria (biol.). — Coined by the French
chemist Louis Pasteur (1822-95) in [863 fr. Gk.
ar]p, 'air', and ptog, 'life'. See aero-, bio- and
-ic and cp. anaerobic. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in microbic.
Derivative: aerobic-al-ly, adv.
aerodone
32
aerodone, n., a gliding machine. - See next word.
aerodonetics, n., the science of gliding flight (aero-
nautics). — Compounded of Gk. <*r) P , 'air , the
stem of Sovelv, 'to shake, drive about', and
suff -ics. For the first element see air. Gk.
Soveiv is rel. to 86vo£, Dor. SoWai 'reed', and
prob. cogn. with Lett, duonis, 'reed, rush'. The
orig. meaning of these nouns prob. was 'some-
thing shaken (by the wind)'.
aerodrome, n., airport. - Coined on analogy of
hippodrome fr. aero- and Gk. Sp6ixo;, 'course .
See dromedary,
aerodromics, n., the art of flying. — See prec.
word and -ics.
aerodynamics, n., that branch of dynamics which
deals with the air and other gases. — Compound-
ed of aero- and dynamics.
aerography, n., description of the air. — Com-
pounded of aero- and Gk. -Ypa<pte> fr. ypa-pciv,
'to write'. See graphy.
Derivatives: aerograph-ic, aerograph-ic-al, adjs.
aerolite, n., a stony meteorite. - Compounded
of aero- and -lite,
aerometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
weight of air and other gases. - Compounded
of aero- and Gk. uirpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
aerometry, n., the science of measuring the air,
pneumatics. - Compounded of aero- and Gk.
-(xcxpla, 'a measuring of, fr. uirpov, 'measure .
Sec -mctry.
aeronaut, n. - Compounded of aero- and Gk.
vaurrj?, 'sailor'. See nautical.
Derivatives: aeronaut-ic, aeronaut-ic-al, adjs.,
aeronaut-ic-al-ly, adv., aeronaut-ics, n.
aerophagia, aerophagy, n., air swallowing (med.)
— Medical L., compounded of aero- and -cpayia,
fr -maYo?. 'eating'. See -phagy.
aerophore, n., an apparatus carrying air for
breathing as used for miners. — Compounded
of aero- and Gk. -<p6 P os, 'bearing'. See -phore
aerophyte, n., an air plant. - Compounded of
aero- and qwov, 'plant'. See -phyte.
aeroplane, n„ an airplane. - F. aeroplane com-
pounded of L. der, 'air', and F. planer, 'to hover,
soar' fr. L. planus, 'level, flat; plain'. See aero-
and plane, 'a flat surface', and cp. airplane,
aerostat, n. - F. aerostat, compounded of Gk.
*rp 'air' and awi;, 'placed; standing. See
aero- and static and cp. gyrostat, heliostat, hy-
drostat, pyrostat, rheostat, thermostat,
aerostatic, adj. — F. aerostatique, compounded
of Gk. ai,p, 'air*, and cTa-woc, 'causing to
stand'. See aero- and static,
aerostatics, n., that science which deals with the
equilibrium of gaseous fluids. - See prec. word
and -ics. .
aerostation, n., the science of operating flying
machines lighter than the air; opposed to avia-
tion. — F. aerostation. See aerostat and -ion.
aeruginous, also aeruginose, adj., pertaining to, or
like, copper rust. — L. aeruginosa, 'full of rust ,
fr. aerugo, gen. -ginis, 'rust of copper , fr. aes,
gen aeris, 'copper'. See ore and -ous and cp. the
first element in esteem. For the formation of L.
aerugo cp. ferrugd, 'iron rust', fr. ferrum, 'iron',
rubigd 'rust of metals, fr. ruber, 'red', albugo,
'a white spot', fr. albus, 'white' {set ferruginous,
rubiginous, albugo).
aery, adj., aerial. — See aerial.
aer y ; n , — The same as aerie,
aes n brass, copper (Roman antiq.) — L. aes,
ge'n. aeris, 'brass'. See ore and cp. aerarium,
aerarian.
Aeschynomene, n., a genus of plants, the sensitive
joint vetch (fort.) — ModL., fr.Gk. aiaxuvojisvr),
'sensitive plant', fem. of aUjxuv6u.evo ? , 'being
ashamed', pass. pres. part, of oua/uvav, to dis-
honor put to shame', fr. atoxW shame ' tr '
aZovo?, 'shame', which stands for *aig»h-s-kos
and is cogn. with Goth, aiwiski, 'shame, con-
fusion', MHG. eisch, 'ugly'. For the suff. -[icvo?
see alumnus and cp. words there referred to. The
plant was called atayuvo^v?), 'the ashamed
one', in allusion to the sensitiveness of its
leaflets.
Aesculaceae, n. pi. a family of trees, the horse-
chestnut (bot.) - Formed with suff. -aceae fr.
L. aesculus, 'the Italian oak'. See Aesculus.
Aesculapian, adj., i) pertaining to Aesculapius;
2) medical. — Formed with suff. -an fr. Aescula-
pius, Latinized from Asclepius, fr. Gk. 'AaxXr)-
m6c 'the god of medicine'. See Asclepius.
Aesculus, n., a genus of trees, the horse-chestnut
(bot ) — L aesculus, 'the Italian oak'. See oak.
Aesir, n. pi., the chief gods of Scandinavian my-
thology. — ON., pi. of ass, 'god', rel. to OE. os,
OS as-, os-, OHG. ans- (in PN.s), Goth, ans,
'god'; possibly of the same origin as ON. ass,
Goth, ans, 'beam'.
Aesopian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling Ae-
sop - Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Aesopius,
'Aesopian', fr. Aesdpus, fr. Gk. Atatono?, the
Greek fable writer.
Aestas, n., the goddess of summer in Roman
mythology. — L. aestas, 'summer'. See eshval.
aesthete, n. — See esthete,
aesthetic, adj. — See esthetic,
aestival, adj. — See estival.
aestivate, intr. v. — See estivate.
aestivation, n. — See estivation,
aether, n. — See ether.
aethogen, n., boric nitrite (chem.) — Lit. produ-
cing heat', fr. Gk. alftoq, 'burning, heat, fire ,
and -vevr,?, 'produced by' (but used m the mod-
ern sense 'producing'). For the first element
see ether and cp. next word. For the second
element see -gen.
Aethousa, n., a genus of plants of the carrot family
(bot ) - ModL., fr. Gk. ortSo'joa, burning,
fiery', fem. pres. part, of at»eiv, 'to light up,
kindle, burn', whence alOo;, 'burning heat,
fire', ottdrip, 'the upper purer air, ether'; see
ether. This genus of plants was prob. called
Aethousa ('the burning or fiery one') in allusion
to the bright leaves.
aetio-. — See etio-.
aetiology, n. — See etiology.
aeto- combining form meaning 'eagle', as in
Aetosaurus. — Gk. Aeto-, fr. ocieto?, Astoq,
'eagle', which stands for *<xf texo?, lit. 'a large
bird', and is cogn. with L. avis, 'bird' ; see aviary.
The suff. -eto-s in *afte-roi; prob. has augmen-
tative force.
Aetosaurus, n., a genus of reptiles of the Triassic
period (paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of
aeto- and Gk. axupo?, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
af-, assimilated form of ad- before/.
afar, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and far.
afeard, afeared, adj., afraid (archaic). — ME.
afered, fr. OE. dfxred, pp. of dfxran, 'to frighten,
terrify', formed from intensive pref. a- andfzran,
'to terrify'. See fear, v. and n.
affability, n. — F. affabilite, fr. L. affdbilitatem,
acc. of affdbilitds, 'courtesy, kindness, affability',
fr. affdbilis. See affable and -ity.
affable, adj., easy to speak to; courteous. — F.,
fr. L. affdbilis, 'kind, friendly, affable', lit. 'he
who can be (easily) spoken to', fr. affdri, 'to
speak to', fr. ad- and fdri, 'to speak'. See fable
and cp. esp. ineffable.
Derivatives: affable-ness, n., affabl-y, adv.
affair, n. — ME., fr. OF. afaire (F. affaire),
from the phrase a faire, 'to do', fr. L. ad, 'to',
and facere, 'to do'. See ad- and fact and cp. ado
and to-do.
affect, tr. v., to act upon. — L. affectus, pp. of af-
ficere, 'to do something to', fr. ad- and facere
(pp. factus), 'to make, do'. See fact and cp.
affettuoso. For the change of Latin a (in factus)
to e (in af-fectus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: affect-ed, adj., affect-ing, adj., af-
fect-ing-ly, adv., affection (q.v.)
affect, tr. v., to make a pretence of; to feign. —
F. affecter, fr. L. affectdre, 'to strive after, aim
at', freq. of afficere (pp. affectus), 'to do some-
thing to'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: affection (q.v.), affect-ed, adj., af-
fect-ed-ly, adv., affect-er, n., affection (q.v.),
affect-ive, adj. (cp. F. affectif fem. affective),
affect-ive-ly, adv., affect-iv-ity, n.
affectation, n. — L. affectdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a striv-
ing after', fr. affectdtus, pp. of affectdre. See
prec. word and -ation.
affection, n., feeling. — F., fr. L. affectidnem, acc.
of affectid, 'a permanent state of feeling', fr.
affectus, pp. of afficere, 'to do something to'.
See affect, 'to act upon', and affect, 'to make a
pretence of.
Derivatives: affection-al, adj., affection-al-ly,
adv., affect-ion-ate, adj., affect-ion-ate-ly, adv.
affection, n., an acting upon. — F., fr. L. affec-
tidnem, acc. of affectid. See affection, 'feeling'.
afleer, tr. v., to confirm (Old English law). — AF.
aferer, corresponding to OF. affewer, afeurer,
'to tax', fr. VL. *afforare, fr. ad- and L. forum,
'public place, market', in VL. also 'market price,
tariff (whence OF. fuer, 'price, tariff, tax). See
forum.
afferent, adj., bringing inward (physiol.) — L.
afferens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of afferre, 'to
bring or carry to', fr. ad- and ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and -ent and cp.
efferent.
affettuoso, adj. and adv., with feeling (mus.) —
It., adj., fr. L. affectudsus, 'full of affection or
love', fr. affectus, 'love, goodwill', fr. afficere
(pp. affectus), 'to do something to, to affect a
person with something'. See affect, 'to act upon'.
affiance, n., trust, faith; promise of marriage. —
OF. afiance 'confidence, trust', fr. after, 'to
trust', fr. ML. affiddre, 'to pledge one's faith',
fr. ad- and L. fiddre, 'to trust', fr. fides, 'faith',
whence fidelis, 'true, faithful', fidelitds, 'faith-
fulness, fidelity'. See fidelity and -ance and cp.
faith, affidavit. Cp. also fiance.
affiance, tr. v., to promise in marriage. — OF.
afiancier, fr. afiance. See affiance, n.
Derivative: affianc-er, n.
affiche, n., poster. — F., formed fr. a, 'to' (see a),
and ficher, 'to drive in (a stake or a nail), to
stick, fix, fasten', fr. VL. *figicdre (contracted
into *ficcdre), freq. of L.figere, 'to fix, attach'.
Cp. It. ficcare, OProvenc. ficar, Sp. hincar, 'to
thrust, drive in', and see fix. Cp. also affix.
affidavit, n., a sworn statement. — ML. affidavit,
'he has pledged his faith', perf. tense of affiddre;
so called from the first word of a sworn state-
ment. See affiance, n.
affiliable, adj. — Formed fr. next word with suff.
-able.
affiliate, tr. v. — L. affilidtus, pp. of affilidre, 'to
adopt as a son', fr. ad- and filius, 'son'. See
filial.
Derivatives: affiliat-ed, adj., affiliation (q.v.)
affiliation, n. — F., fr. ML. affilidtidnem, acc. of
affilidtid, fr. L. affilidtus, pp. of affilidre. See af-
filiate and -ion.
affine, n., a relative by marriage (obsol.) — OF.
affin, fr. L. affinis, 'neighboring, related by mar-
riage', lit. 'bordering on', fr. ad- and /mis, 'bor-
der, end'. See fine 'end', and cp. the second
element in chromaffin, paraffin.
Derivative: affine-ly, adv.
affined, adj. — F. affine, fr. OF. affin, fr. L. af-
finis. See prec. word and -ed.
affinity, n., i) relationship by marriage; 2) close
relationship; 3) similarity: 4) mutual attraction;
5) (chem.) the tendency of atoms of certain ele-
ments to combine. — F. affinite, fr. L. affini-
tdtem, acc. of affinitds, 'neighborhood, rela-
tionship by marriage', fr. affinis. See affine and
-ity.
affirm, tr. and intr. v. — OF. afermer, fr. L. af-
firmdre, 'to make steady, to strengthen, corro-
borate', fr. ad- and firmdre, 'to make firm or
steady, to strengthen', fr. firmus, 'firm'. See
affirmation
firm, adj. F. affirmer and E. affirm have been
refashioned after Latin affirmare.
affirmation, n. — F. affirmation, fr. L. affirmd-
tidnem, acc. of affirmdtio, fr. affirmants, pp. of
affirmare. See prec. word and -ion.
affirmative, adj. — F. affirmatif (fem. affirma-
tive), fr. L. affirmdtivus, fr. affirmatus, pp. of af-
firmare. See affirm and -ative.
Derivative: affirmative-ly , adv.
affix, tr. v. — ML. affixdre, freq. of L. affigere (pp.
affixus), 'to fasten, fix, or attach to', fr. ad- and
figere, 'to fasten, fix'. See fix and cp. afiiche.
Derivatives: affix-al, adj., affix-ation, n.,affix-
er, n., affix-ture, n.
affix, n. — F. affixe, fr. L. afflxum, neut. of affix-
us, pp. of affigere. See affix, v.
afflatus, n., inspiration. — L. afflatus, 'a blowing,
breathing, inspiration', fr. afflatus, pp. of af-
fldre, 'to blow on', fr. ad- and flare, 'to blow'.
See blow, v., and cp. flatus and words there
referred to.
afflict, tr. v., to distress. — L. affilctdre, 'to dam-
age, harass, torment, distress', freq. of affllgere
(pp. afflictus), 'to cast down, throw down, over-
throw', fr. ad- and fligere (pp. flictus), 'to
strike', which is cogn. with Gk. 9Xf(3etv, 'to
press, crush', Lett, blaizit, 'to press, crush,
strike', bliezt, 'to strike', Czech, Pol. bliziia,
'scar', OSlav. blizi, blizu, 'near', W. blif, 'cata-
pult', blifaidd, 'quickly'. Cp. conflict, inflict,
profligate, thlipsis.
Derivatives: afflict-ed, adj., afflict-er, n., afflict-
ing, adj., afflict-ing-ly, adv., affliction (q.v.), af-
flict-ive, adj., afflict-ive-ly , adv.
affliction, n. — F., fr. L. affiictidnem, acc. of af-
flictid, 'pain, suffering, torment', fr. afflictus, pp.
of affligere. See prec. word and -ion.
affluence, n. — F., fr. L. affluentia, 'a flowing to,
affluence, abundance', fr. affluens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce and cp. influence.
affluent, adj., abundant; rich — F., fr. L. affluens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of affluere, 'to flow to',
fr. ad- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
afflux, effluent, influent.
Derivative: affluent, n., a tributary.
afflux, n. — L. afflitxum, neut. pp. of affluere, 'to
flow to'. See prec. word and cp. flux.
Derivative: afflux-ion, n.
afford, tr. v. — ME. aforthen, fr. OE. gefordian,
'to further', fr. pref. ge- and fordian, 'to further'
fr. ford, 'forth'. See forth and cp. further, v. For
the weakening of the OE. pref. ge- into a- in
English cp. aware. The spelling afford (with
double /) is due to a confusion of the Teut. pref.
a- with L. ad-, 'to', and its assimilated form af-
before /. See af- and cp. affright.
affordable, adj. — Formed fr. afford with suff.
-able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adoptable, dis-
likable, forgettable.
afforest, tr. v., to turn into a forest. — ML.
afforestare, fr. ad- and forestdre, fr. Late L.
forestis (scil. silva), 'open woodland'. See forest
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: afforest-ation, n., afforest-ment, n.
affranchise, tr. v. — Fr. F. affranchiss-, pres. part,
stem of affranchir, 'to free, set free, liberate', fr.
a, 'to' (see a), and franc, fem. franche, 'free'. See
ad- and franchise.
Derivative: affranehise-ment, n.
affray, tr. v., to frighten. — ME. afraien, affraien,
formed — with change of prefix — fr. OF. esfreer,
*esfreier (F. effrayer), 'to frighten, terrify', fr.
Gaul.-L. *exfriddre, 'to put out of peace',
fr. L. ex-, 'out of (see ex-), and Frankish
*fridu, 'peace', which is rel. to OE. fridu, OHG.
fridu, 'peace, truce', fr. Teut. base *fri-, which
corresponds to I.-E. base *pri-, 'to be friendly,
to love', whence OSlav. prijati, 'to aid, help',
prijatelji, 'friend', OI. prijd-, 'beloved'. Cp.
OProvenc. esfredar, 'to frighten', which also
derives fr. Gaul.-L. *exfriddre. See free and
words there referred to and cp. esp. defray.
Derivative: affray-er, n.
affray, n. — ME. afrai, affrai, fr. OF. esfrei (F.
effroi), fr. esfreer, *esfreier. See prec. word,
affricate, n. (phonetics). — L. affricatus, pp. of
affricdre, 'to rub against'. See affricate, v.
affricate, tr. v., to rub ; to grate on. — L. affricatus,
pp. of affricdre, 'to rub against', fr. ad- and fri-
care, 'to rub'. See friction and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: affricat-ed, adj., affricat-ion, n.,
affricat-ive, adj.
affright, tr. v., orig. spelled afright. — Meta-
thesized fr. afyrht, fr. OE. dfyhrt, pp. of dfyrhtan,
'to frighten', fr. a- (see intensive pref. a-) and
fyrhtan. See fright, v. For the spelling affright
(with double /) see afford. Derivatives : affright,
n., affright-ed, adj., affright-ed-ly , adv.
affront, tr. v. — OF. afronter (F. affronter), 'to
strike on the forehead', fr. Late L. affrontdre,
'to strike against', fr. ad- and L.frons, gen. fron-
tis, 'forehead'. See front.
Derivatives: affront, n., affront-ed, adj., aff'ront-
ed-ly, adv., affront-ed-ness, n., affront-er, n., af-
front-vie, adj., affront-ine-ness, n.
affronte, adj., facing each other (her.) — F., pp.
of affronter, 'to affront'. See affront,
affuse, tr. v., to pour upon. — L. affusus, pp. of
affundere, 'to pour upon', fr. ad- and fundere,
'to pour'. See fuse, 'to melt' and cp. confuse, in-
fuse, refuse, suffuse, transfuse,
affusion, n. — L. affiisio, gen. -dnis, 'a pouring
upon', fr. affusus, pp. of affundere. See prec.
word and -ion.
afield, adv. — OE. on felda, 'in the field'. See a-,
'on', and field,
afikoman, less exactly atikomen, n., a piece of
matzah broken off from the central of the three
matzoth, used at the end of the meal in the
Seder service (Jewish religion). — Heb. aphi-
qomdn, fr. Gk. e7r1.Kwu.10v, 'festal procession
after the meal', prop, subst. use of the neut. of
the adj. imx.<ZnLioq, 'of, or at, a festal proces-
sion', fr. ejrt, 'on, upon; at' (see epi-), and x£>u.o<;,
'banquet, merrymaking, revel'. See comedy,
afire, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
fire.
aflame, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a- 'on', and
flame.
afheker, adv. and adj., flickering. — Coined by
Browning fr. a-, 'on', and flicker,
afloat, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and float,
aflower, adv. and adj. — Coined by Swinburne
fr. a-, 'on', and flower,
aflush, adv. and adj., flushing. — Formed fr. a-,
'on', and flush, 'a blush',
aflush, adv. and adj., on a level, even. — Formed
fr. a- 'on', and flush, 'level',
afoot, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
foot.
afore, adv. — ME. afore, aforn, fr. OE. onforan.
See a-, 'on', and fore.
a fortiori, adv., all the more. — L., 'from the
stronger (reason)', fr. a, 'from' and abl. of
fortior, compar. of fortis, 'strong'. See a-, 'from',
fort and -ior.
afraid, adj. — Orig. pp. of affray, 'to frighten'.
afreet, n., an evil demon or jinni.— Translitera-
tion of Arab, 'ifrtt (in vulgar pronunciation
'afrtt); name of an evil demon or monstrous
giant in Mohammedan mythology.
afresh, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and fresh.
African, adj. and n. — L. Africdnus, fr. Africa,
fr. Afer, 'African'.
Afrikander, n., a South African native of Dutch
descent. — Formed fr. Du. Afrikaner, 'African',
with d inserted on analogy of Du. Hollander,
Eng lander, etc.
aft, adv. — OE. ssftan, 'behind', rel. to Goth.
aftana, 'from behind', prop, superlatives formed
fr. OE. xf, af, of, resp. Goth, af, 'of, with the
Teut. superlative suff. -ta, which corresponds to
the I.-E. superl. suff. -to (cp. Gk. TrpwToc, 'first',
superl. of np6, 'before', and see proto-). Cp.
the first element in eftsoons and the last element
in abaft. For the orig. comparative form of OE.
af see next word.
after, adv. and prep. — ME. after, efter, fr. OE.
sefter, 'behind in place or time', rel. to ON. eptir,
'after', aptr, 'back', Dan., Swed. efter, OHG.
aftar. Goth, aftra, aftaro, 'behind', and cogn.
with Gk. dcTioj-^p-fj, 'farther off. Suff. -ter has
comparative force (cp. -ther). After orig. meant
'more away', and represents the comparative
form of OE. af, 'off, away', which is cogn. with
OI. dpa, Gk. aTr6, L. ab, 'away from'. See of and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also aft, abaft
after, adj. — OE. seftera, fr. sefter. See after, prep.
aftermath, n., prop, '(grass which springs up) after
(the first) mowing'. — See after and math.
aftermost, adj. — ME. eftemeste, fr. OE. sefte-
mest, seftemyst, superlative formed fr. OE. sef
'of, with the suffixes -re, -me and -st; rel. to
Goth, aftumists (= af-tu-mi-sts), 'the last', a
treble superlative formed fr. af, 'of. The double
superlative suffixes: Goth, -tu-mi- and OE.
-te-me- are cogn. with OI. -ta-ma (e.g. in
sreshfhatamah, 'most brilliant', antamah, 'next'),
Avestic -t e -md (in vahishtdt e md, 'best'), L. -tu-
mus, -ti-mus (in op-tumus, op-timus, 'best', in-
timus, 'innermost'). E. aftermost (fr. ME. efte-
meste) was influenced in form by after and most.
See aft and -most. For the superl. suff. -tumus, -ti-
mus, cp. intimate, posthumous, optimism,ultimate,
maritime. For the Teut. superl. suff. -st (= I.-E.
-isto) see best.
afterward, afterwards, adv. — OE. sefterweard,
compounded of sefter, 'behind', and -weard,
'toward'. See after and -ward, -wards.
ag-, assimilated form of ad- before g.
aga, agha, n., a title of rank, esp. in Turkey. —
Turk, agha, 'chief, master, lord', rel. to East
Turkish agha, 'elder brother'.
again, adv. — ME. agen, agein, fr. OE. ongegn,
ongean, 'against, again', fr. on, 'on', and gegn,
gagn (hypothetic forms), which are rel. to OS.
gegin, 'against', angegin, 'against, again', ON.
gegn, 'straight, direct', igeng, 'against', Dan.,
Swed. igen, 'again', OFris. jen, OHG. gegin,
gagan, MHG. gegen, gein, gen, G. gegen (poet,
also gen), 'against, toward', OHG. ingagan, in-
gegin, MHG. engegen, G. entgegen, 'against, in
opposition to, toward'. Cp. against, gaudy, and
the first element in gainsay, Gegenschein.
against, prep. — ME. ayeynst, ageinest, againest,
formed fr. OE. ongegen, ongean, with the ad-
verbial suff. -es and excrescent -t. See prec. word
and cp. amidst, amongst, betwixt, whilst.
agalloch, n., aloewood. — ModL. agattochum,
fr. Gk. ayaXXoxov, dyaXoxov, 'aloe, aloewood',
which is prob. a loan word fr. OI. aguruh, 'aloe-
wood'. Cp. eaglewood. Cp. also aloe.
agalma, n., statue, image. — Gk. 4yaXu.a, that
in which one delights, ornament; 'statue', fr.
aydcXXeiv, 'to glorify, exalt', which is of un-
certain origin.
agama, n., name of various Indian scriptures
(Hinduism). — OI. dgamah, lit. 'coming up',
from particle a-, 'toward', and the stem of gd-
mati, 'goes'. OI. a- is rel. to Avestic a- and cogn.
with Gk. i- (e.g. in e-deXeiv, 'to will'), tj- (e.g.
in y)-P au ^ ' little > small'), 6- (e.g. in 4-xeXXeiv,
'to run a ship aground') ; cp. the first element in
ananda and the second element in Anopheles and
in samadh. OI. gdmati is rel. to Avestic jamaiti,
'goes', and cogn. with Gk. (3atvo> (for *fSa[x-j.o>,
*pdv-uo), 'I go', L. venid (for *g w mid), 'I come',
Goth, qiman, OE. cuman, 'to come'; see come
and cp. jagat.
Agama, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Sp. agama, which is of Caribbean origin.
Agamemnon, n., king of Mycenae, leader of the
Greeks against Troy. — L., fr. Gk. ' Ayauiu-vow,
which prob. stands for *'Aya-|ji8[ni>v, lit. 'rul-
ing mightily', fr. Syav, 'very much', and uiSwv,
'ruler', prop. pres. part, of the ancient verb
(x^Seiv, 'to protect, rule over', which derives fr.
I.-E. base *mtd-, 'to measure, limit, consider',
agami
36
a -rf-enlargement of base *me-, 'to measure'. See
meditate and cp. Medea, Medusa and the second
element in Andromeda, Diomedes, Ganymede.
agami, n., the trumpeter (a South American
bird). — F., fr. Galibi agamy.
agamic, adj., asexual (biology). — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. ayajxo:;, 'unmarried'. See
agamous.
Agamidae, n., a family of lizards (zool.) — ModL.,
formed fr. agami with suff. -idae.
agamo-, before a vowel agam-, combining form
meaning 'asexual'. — Gk. dya^o-, fr. aya|iO<;,
'unmarried'. See next word.
agamous, adj., cryptogamous (hot.) — L. agamus,
fr. Gk. &ya|xoi;, 'unmarried', fr. d- (see priv.
pref. a-) and yduo;, 'marriage'. See gamo-. For
E. -ous, as equiv. to Gk. -oq, L. -us, see -ous.
agamy, n., absence or non-recognition of mar-
riage relation. — Gk. dya[/ia, 'celibacy, single
estate'. See agamous and -y (representing
Gk. -ia).
Agapanthus, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'flower of love', fr. Gk.
aya^y), 'love', and av&o?, 'flower'. See agape,
n., and anther.
agape, adv. and adj., gaping. — Lit. 'on the gape' ;
coined by Milton fr. pref. a-, 'on', and the noun
gape. Derivative: agape, adj.
agape, n., love feast of the early Christians. —
L., fr. Gk. ayaTTY), 'love', pi. ayctrtai, 'love feast',
fr. ayocrav, 'to love', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. the first element in Agapanthus,
Agapornis.
Agapornis, n., a genus of parrots (ornithol.) —
ModL. lit. 'bird of love', compounded of iyam],
'love', and opvic, 'bird'. See agape, n., and orni-
tho-.
agar-agar, n., a gelatinous substance obtained
from dried seaweed. — Malay.
agaric, n., any fungus of the genus Agaricus. —
L. agaricum, fr. Gk. dyapixov, 'larch fungus',
named fr. Agaria, a place in Sarmatia, abound-
ing in this kind of fungi. Derivative : agaric, adj.
Agaricaceae, n. pi., a family of fungi (hot.) —
ModL. formed from Agaricus with suff. -aceae.
agaricaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Agaricus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. agaricum. See agaric.
Agastache, n., the giant hyssop (bot.) — Gk. dyd-
iTTotx'J?, 'rich in ears of corn', compounded of
ayav, 'much', and nxayyc,, 'ear of corn'. The
first element is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. I.-E. *mga- and is rel. to Gk. iisya;,
'great, large'; see mega-. The second element is
cogn. with ON. stinga, OE. stingan, 'to thrust';
see sting and cp. Stachys.
agastric, adj. having no stomach (zool.) — Form-
ed fr. priv. pref. a-, and Gk. yarrrr,p, 'stomach'.
See gastric.
agate, n., a kind of chalcedony. — F., fr. L.
achates, fr. Gk. d^-nr)?, which is of ncertain
origin. The name of the river Achates m Sicily,
as well as the name of the faithful friend of Ae-
neas, prob. derive from Gk. &-/&Trj<;. See Frisk,
GEW., I, p. 199 s.v.
agate, adv., on the way. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and gate, 'street'.
Agatha, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. aycdW], fem. of
dyadic, 'good'. See agatho-.
Agathis, n., a genus of timber trees of the pine
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. dya*Ki;, 'ball of
thread', which is of unknown origin.
agathism, n., the doctrine that all things tend
toward good. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
dya&o?, 'good'. See agatho-.
agatho-, before a vowel agath-, combining form
meaning 'good'. — Gk. dya&o-, dyaft-, fr
dyaS-o?, 'good' ; of uncertain origin. Cp. Aga-
tha, agathism.
Agathosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'smelling good', com-
pounded of Gk. aya&ot;, 'good' (see agatho-),
and 6<j[xt), 'smell, odor'. See agatho- and
osmium.
Agave, n., the mother of Pentheus (Greek my-
thol.) — L., fr. Gk. ' Ayocur], prop. fem. of dcyauo?,
'illustrious, noble' (of kings), 'brilliant, glorious'
(of things), rel. to yaieiv (for *yaf-i£iv), 'to
rejoice, exult', yaOpo?, 'exulting in something',
ya&eiv = yr ; S-£iv, 'to rejoice', and cogn. with
L. gaudere (for *ga w idere), 'to rejoice'. (The d-
in d-yau6<; has intensive force.) See joy and
cp. gaud.
Agave, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. prec. word.
agaze, adv. and adj., gazing. Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and gaze.
age, n. — ME., fr. OF. aage, eage (F. age), fr.
VL. *aetdticum, fr. L. aetdtem (acc. of aetas,
'age'), whence also It. eta, Catal. edat, Sp. edad,
Port, idade, 'age'. L. aetas is contracted fr. aevi-
tds, fr. aevum, 'space of time, eternity'. See aeon
and cp. eternal. Cp. also coetaneous, coeval,
longevity, primeval, moyen age.
Derivatives: age, intr. and tr. v., ag-ed, adj.,
ag-ed-ly, adv., ag-ed-ness, n., age-less, adj.
-age, suff. forming nouns denoting act, process,
function, condition, dignity or place. — OF. and
F. -age, fr. Late L. -dticum, fr. L. -dtus, pp. suff.
of verbs in -are (i.e. verbs of the 1st conjuga-
tion). See adj. suff. -ate and cp. -atic.
agee, adv., awry (dial.) — Formed fr. a- and dial.
E. gee, 'to turn'.
Agelaius, n., a genus of birds of the family Icter-
idae, comprising the blackbird (ornithol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. dyeXaio?, 'belonging to a herd,
gregarious', fr. dye>.7j, 'heard', lit. 'that which
is led or driven', fr. aysiv, 'to lead', which is
cogn. with L. agere, 'to drive, lead, do, act'.
See agent, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
agency, n. — Late L. agentia (whence also F.
agence), fr. L. agens, gen. agentis, pres. part of
agere. See agent, adj. and n., and -cy.
agenda, n. — L., 'things to be done', neut. pi.
37
aggregate
of agendus, the gerundive of agere. See agent.
For the use of other Latin gerundives or their
derivatives in English cp. addendum, Amanda,
Amandus, avisandum, corrigendum, credenda,
deodand, dividend, girandole, habendum, hacien-
da, horrendous, launder, legend, memorandum,
minuend, Miranda, multiplicand, ordinand, pre-
bend, propaganda, pudendum, radicand, redden-
dum, referendum, repetend, reprimand, reverend,
subtrahend, tremendous.
agent, adj. — L. agens, gen. agentis, pres. part,
of agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead, conduct,
guide, govern ; to do, act', whence agmen, 'army,
troop, band, multitude', lit. that which is lead',
fr. I.-E. base *ag-, 'to drive, lead, act, do', whence
also Gk. Syeiv, 'to lead, guide, drive, carry
off', dylvciv, 'to lead, bring', dycov, 'assembly,
contest in the games', dy<ovi5, 'struggle for vic-
tory, anguish, agony', dyioyo;, 'leader', dycoyr),
'a carrying away, a leading', OI. djati, 'drives',
ajirdh, 'moving, active', Avestic aza'ti, 'drives',
Toch. A dk-, B Sk-, 'to travel, lead', Arm. acem,
'I lead, bring', ON. aka, 'to drive'. Cp. agent,
n. Cp. also abigeat, acorn, acre, act, action, acti-
vate, actor, actress, actuate, Agelaius, agenda,
agile, agitate, agminate, -agogue, agonist, ago-
nize, agony, agrarian, agrestic, agriculture, agrio-,
agro-, agronomy, Agrostis, Agyieus, aisle, ala,
ambages, ambagious, ambassador, ambiguous,
ament, anagogy, antagonist, apagoge, assay,
Auriga, axilla, axiom, axis, axle, cache, chora-
gus, clarigation, coact, coagulate, cogent, cogi-
tate, demagogic, deuteragonist, embassy, epact,
essay, exact, examen, exigent, exiguous, exility,
indagate, intransigent, isagoge, paragoge, para-
gonite, pedagogue, pilgrim, prodigal, protago-
nist, react, redact, remex, stavesacre, strategy,
synagogue, transact, tritagonist, and the second
element in castigate, clarigation, fastigiate, fu-
migate, fustigate, levigate, litigate, mitigate, na-
vigate, objurgate, purge, variegate.
agent, n. — F., in the sense of 'acting force', fr.
ML. agens, in the sense of 'acting person', fr.
It. agente; both these words derive fr. L. agens,
gen. agentis, pres. part, of agere. See agent, adj.
agential, adj. — Formed fr. agency with suff.
-ial.
Ageratum, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL. ageratum, fr. Gk. dyvj-
patTov, neut. of ayrfiaxoc, 'ageless, everlasting',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and y^pa?, 'old age'.
See geronto-.
ageustia, ageusia, n., lack of the sense of taste
(med.) — Gk. dys'jcfTLa, 'a not-tasting, fasting',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and a derivative of Gk.
yeikaSai, 'to taste', fr. I.-E. base "geus-, *gus-,
'to taste, enjoy by tasting'. See choose and cp.
gust, 'relish'. For the ending see suff. -ia.
agger, n., mound, rampart (Roman antiq.) — L.,
'heap, pile, dam, dike, mound, rampart', lit.
things brought together', from the stem of ag-
gerere, 'to bring to (a place), bring together',
fr. ad- and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See gerent
and cp. exaggerate,
agglomerate, tr. and intr. v., to gather into a
mass. — L. agglomerdtus, pp. of agglomerdre,
'to wind into or as into a ball', fr. ad- and glo-
merdre, 'to form into a ball', fr. glomus, gen.
glomeris, 'a ball of yarn'. See glomerate and cp.
conglomerate.
Derivatives: agglomeration (q.v.), agglomerat-
ive, adj., agglomerat-or, n.
agglomerate, adj., gathered into a mass. — L. ag-
glomerdtus, pp. of agglomerdre, See agglome-
erate, v.
Derivative: agglomerate, n.
agglomeration, n. — L. agglomerdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. agglomerdtus, pp. of agglomerdre. See agglo-
merate, v., and -ion.
agglutinant, adj. uniting. — L. agglutindns, gen.
-antis. See agglutinate and -ant.
Derivative: agglutinant, n.
agglutinate, tr. v., to unite with glue or as with
glue; intr. v., to unite. — L. agglutindtus, pp. of
agglutindre, 'to fasten together with glue, to
fasten to', fr. ad- and gliitindre, 'to glue', fr.
gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See gluten, glue and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: agglutin-ated, adj., agglutin-ation,
n., agglutinat-ive, adj., agglutinat-or, n.
agglutinate, adj., united. — Sec agglutinate, v.
agglutinin, n., a substance causing agglutination
(bacteriology). — Coined by the German bac-
teriologist Max von Gruber (1853-1927) from
the stem of L. agglutindre, 'to glue on'. See
agglutinate and chem. suff. -in.
aggrandize, tr. v. to make larger, increase. — F.
agrandiss-, pres. part, stem of agrandir, 'to en-
large', fr. a, 'to' (sec a), and grandir, 'to in-
crease', fr. L. grandire, 'to make great, increase',
fr. grandis, 'great'. See grand. The spelling with
double g is due to the analogy of Latin words
beginning with agg- (for ad-g).
Derivatives: aggrandizement (q.v.), aggrandiz-
er, n.
aggrandizement, n. — F. agrandissement, fr. C
grandir. See prec. word and -ment.
aggravate, tr. v., to make worse. — L. aggra-
vdtus, pp. of aggravdre, 'to make heavier, make
worse', fr. ad- and gravdre, 'to charge with a
load, to make heavy', fr. gravis 'heavy'. See
grave, 'weighty', and cp. grieve, 'to feel grief,
aggrieve.
Derivatives :aggravat-ed, adj., aggravat-ing, adj.,
aggravat-ing-ly, adv., aggravation (q.v.), aggra-
vat-ive, adj., aggravat-or, n.
aggravation, n. — Late L. aggravated, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. aggravdtus, pp. of aggravdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
aggregable, adj., that can be aggregated. — See
aggregate and -able,
aggregate, tr. v. to gather into a mass; to amount
to. — L. aggregatus, pp. of aggregdre, 'to add
to, attach oneself to, follow', lit. 'to bring to the
aggregate
flock', fr. ad- and gregdre, 'to gather into a
flock', fr. grex, gen. gregis, 'flock'. See grega-
rious and verbal suff. -ate and cp. congregate,
egregious, segregate.
Derivatives: aggregat-ion, n., aggregat-ive, adj.,
aggregat-or, n., aggregat-ory, adv.
aggregate, adj., gathered into a mass. — L. aggre-
gates, pp. of aggregdre. See aggregate, v.
Derivatives: aggregate, n., a collective mass;
sum total, aggregate-ly, adv., aggregate-ness, n.
aggress, intr. v., to start a quarrel. — F. agresser,
fr. Late L. aggressdre, freq. of L. aggredi(pp. ag-
gressus), 'to go to, approach, attack', fr. ad-
and gradi (pp. gressus), 'to step, go', ft. gradus,
'step'. See grade. For the change of Latin a (in
gradi) to e (in ad-gressus, ag-gressus) see acce/tf
and cp. words there referred to. For the form
of gressus, pp. of gradi, see congress.
Derivatives: aggression (q.v.), aggress-ive, adj.,
aggress-ive-Iy, adv., aggress-ive-ness, n.,
ior (q.v.)
aggression, n. — F. agression, fr. L. aggressidnem,
acc. of aggressid, 'a going to; an attack', fr.
aggressus, pp. of <w«/r. See prec. word and
-ion.
aggrieve, tr. v., 1) to grieve; 2) to injure in one's
rights. — ME. agreven, fr. OF. agrever, fr. L.
aggravdre, 'to make heavier*. See aggravate.
Derivatives: aggriev-ed, adj., aggriev-ed-ly, adv.,
aggriev-ed-ness, n.
aghast, adj., frightened. — ME. agast, agasted,
pp. of agasten, 'to frighten', formed fr. intensive
pref. a- and OE. gxstan, 'to frighten', fr. gist,
gast, 'spirit'. See ghost and cp. ghastly. Cp. also
the second element in flabbergast.
agile, adj., nimble, active. — F., fr. L. agilis,
'that can be moved easily, nimble, quick', ft.
agere, 'to move, drive'. See agent, adj., and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ile.
Derivatives: agile-ly, adv., agile-ness, n., agili-
ty (Q-v.)
agility, n. — F. agilite, ft. L. agihtatem, acc. of
agilitds, 'mobility, nimbleness, quickness', fr.
agilis. See prec. word and -iry.
agio, n., the discount paid to exchange one cur-
rency for another. — It. aggio, agio, fr. dial. It.
lajje, fr. MGk. dXXiyiov, 'exchange', fr. Gk.
aXXocYT], 'change'; see allagite. The / in lajje
was mistaken for the It. def. article and was
accordingly dropped.
agiotage, n. — F., fr. agioter, 'to be a stockjob-
ber', fr. agio. See prec. word and -age.
agist, tr. v., to take cattle to graze at a certain
prize. — OF. agister, ft. a, 'to' (see a), and gister
(F. giter), 'to lodge, lie', ft. giste (F. gite), 'lying
place, resting place', fr. L. jacita, fern. pp. of
L. jacere, 'to he', used as a noun. See jet, 'to
spirt forth', and cp. gist, 'essence'. Cp. also ad-
jacent, agio.
agistment, n., l) the act of agisting; 2) an agree-
ment to agist; 3) profit made by agisting. —
OF. agistement, fr. agister. See prec. word and
-ment.
agistor, agister, n., one who agists. — AF. agis-
tour, fr. OF. agister. See agist and agential suff.
-or, resp. -er.
agitable, adj. — L. agitdbilis, 'that can easily be
moved', fr. agitdre. See agitate and -able,
agitate, tr. and intr. v. — L. agitdtus, pp. of agi-
tdre, 'to put in constant motion, drive, impel',
freq. of agere, 'to move, drive'. See agent, adj.,
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. cogitate.
Derivatives: agitat-ed, adj., agitat-ed-ly, adv.,
agitation (q.v.)
agitation, n. — F., ft. L. agitdtidnem, acc. of agi-
tdtid, 'motion, agitation', fr. agitdtus, pp. of
agitdre. See agitate and -ion.
Derivative: agitation-al, adj.
agitato, adj. agitated (musical direction). — It.,
pp. of agitate, ft. L. agitdre. See agitate,
agitator, n. — L., fr. agitdtus, pp. of agitdre. See
agitate and agential suff. -or.
Agkistrodon, n., a genus of pit vipers (zoo/.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. #Yxt<TTpov, 'fish-
hook', and oStiv, gen. oSovto?, 'tooth'. The
first element is rel. to Syxoi;, 'a bend, hollow',
ayxwv, 'elbow', lit. 'the bend of the arm', and
cogn. with L. angulus, 'angle, corner'; see
angle, 'corner'. For the second element see
odonto-.
Aglaia, n., one of the Graces in Greek mythol-
ogy. _ L.,fr. Gk. ' AyXata, lit. 'splendor, beau-
ty, brightness', fr. <xyXa6i;, 'splendid, beautiful,
bright', which is of uncertain origin. It pos-
sibly stands for *a-yXaF6<; and is formed fr.
copul. pref. a- and I.-E. base *gl-, zero degree of
base *gel-, 'clear, serene, cheerful, lovely; to
laugh'. Copul. pref. a- (in *a-yXaF6<;) stands
for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational form of I.-E.
base *sem-, 'one, together'; see same. Fr. base
*gel- derive Gk. y<xkrp6$, 'calm, serene', rctXfynr],
'stillness of wind and wave', yeXav, 'to laugh',
'laughter'; see geloto- and cp. words
there referred to.
Aglaspis, n., a genus of Cambian Xiphosura
(paleontol.) — ModL., lit. 'with a glittering
shield', contracted ft. Gk. ayXaos, 'splendid,
beautiful, bright', and dtams, 'shield'. See
Aglaia and aspidium.
agleam, adv. and adj., gleaming. — Formed fr.
a-, 'on', and gleam.
aglet, aiglet, n., the metal tag of a lace. — F.
aiguillette, dimin. of aiguille, 'needle', ft. VL.
*acucula, corresponding to L. acicula, dimin. of
acus, 'needle'. Cp. It. agucchia, OProvenc., Port.
agulha, Sp. aguja, 'needle', and see acus, aiguil-
le. For the ending see suff. -et
agley, adv., awry (chiefly Scot.). — Formed fr.
a- 'on', and Scot, gley, 'to squint'.
Aglossa, n. pi., a suborder of amphibians (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. &f\uaao<;, 'tongueless'. See
next word.
aglossal, adj., tongueless. — Formed with adj.
39
agonothete
suff. -al fr. Gk. SyXoictoc., 'without a tongue',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and yXcoaaa, 'tongue'.
See gloss, 'note', and cp. prec. word,
aglow, adv. and adj., in a glow. — Formed fr.
a-, 'on', and glow.
agmatine, n. , name of the base C 5 H 14 N 4 (biochem.)
— Coined by the German physiological chemist
Albrecht Kossel (1853-1927) fr. Gk. ay^a, gen.
dtyiiaxo;, 'fragment', and chem. suff. -ine. Gk.
«YH.a is rel. to Syvuixi (for *Fa.yv\i[Li), 'I break',
and cogn. with Toch. wdk-, 'to burst, crack', in
the causative form, 'to cause to split, to dis-
tinguish', wdkdm, 'peculiarity'. See Frisk, GE W.,
I, p. 13 s.v. ayvupn.
agmatology, n., the study of fractures in surgery.
— Compounded of Gk. (Syu.cc, gen. Hy^oc,,
'fragment*, and -Xoyia, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See agmatine and -logy.
agminate, agminated, adj., grouped. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed, fr. L. agmen,
gen. -minis, 'multitude in motion, crowd, army',
lit. 'that which moves', fr. agere, 'to set in mo-
tion, drive'; cogn. with OI. djmah, 'path', Gk.
oyixoi;, 'furrow; path'. See agent, adj., and -men.
agnail, n., a hangnail. — OE. angnsegl, 'worn on
the foot', compounded of ang- (used only in
compounds), 'narrow, painful', and nsegl, 'nail'.
The first element is rel. to OE. enge, 'narrow';
see anger. For the second element see nail. Cp.
anbury.
agnate, adj., sprung from the same male ances-
tor. — L. agndtus, 'related by the father's side',
lit. 'born to', pp. of agndsci, 'to be bom in ad-
dition to', fr. ad- and OL. gndsci (whence L.
nasci), 'to be born'. See natal and cp. cognate,
innate.
Derivatives: agnate, n., agnat-ic, adj.
agnation, n., an agnate relationship. — L. ag-
natio, gen. -onis, ft. agndtus. See prec. word
and -ion.
agnathous, adj., having no jaws. — Formed fr.
priv. pref. a- and Gk. yvafto?, 'jaw'. See gna-
thic and -ous.
Agnes, fern. PN. — L. Agnes, fr. Gk. 'Ayvtj, lit.
'pure, chaste', fern, of ocyvo!;. See agnus castus
and cp. Inez. The most frequent ME. forms of
the name Agnes were Annis, Annys. Cp. Nancy.
Agni, n., one of the chief gods of the Vedas. —
OI. Agnih, 'the god of fire', fr. agnih, 'fire', which
is cogn. with L. ignis, 'fire'. See igneous.
agnize, tr. v., to recognize (archaic). — Formed
fr. L. agnoscere on analogy of recognize (fr. L.
recognoscere).
agnoiology, n., the doctiine of ignorance (philos.)
— Coined by J.-F. Ferrier in 1854 fr. Gk. Gtyvoia,
'ignorance', and -Xoyta, ft- -Xoyot;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. Gk. Scyvoia is formed
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and the stem of yiyvco-
oxeiv, 'to know'; see gnostic and cp. agnostic.
For the second element see -logy.
agnomen, n., name added to the surname (Roman
antiq.) — L. agnomen, fr. ad- and OL. gndmen
(whence L. ndmen), 'name'. See name and cp.
nominal. Cp. also cognomen.
agnostic, n., one who professes that the existence
of a First Cause and the essential nature of
things are not and cannot be known. — Coined
by Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1869 on
analogy of gnostic fr. Gk. aYvoKJxo?, 'unknown,
not to be known'. See priv. pref. a- and gnostic.
Derivative: agnostic, adj.
agnosticism, n., the doctrine of agnostics. —
Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ism.
agnus castus, n., an ornamental tree. — L. ; agnus
derives fr. Gk. ccyvcx;, 'a willowlike tree, used
at religious festivals, the chaste tree', which is
of unknown origin. This word was confused
both with L. agnus, 'lamb', and Gk. <xyv6?,
'sacred, chaste', whence arose the name agnus
castus, prop, 'the chaste lamb', and, as a loan
translation of this latter name, G. Keuschlamm,
and E. chaste tree. For the etymology of castus
see chaste. Cp. the second element in Elaeagnus.
ago, adv. — Prop. pp. of ME. agon, 'to go away',
fr. OE. dgdn, 'to go away, pass by', ft. intensive
pref. a- and gdn, 'to go'. See go.
agog, adverb and adj., in a state of excitement. —
F. en gogues, 'mirthful'. Cp. etre en goguette(s),
'to be on the spree', goguenard, 'mocking, ban-
tering'. All these words derive from *gog-, a
base of imitative origin.
-agogue, combining form meaning 'leading, guid-
ing', as in demagogue, pedagogue. — Gk. -ocyo)-
y6;, fr. aycoYoi;, 'leader', fr. ctyeiv, 'to lead'. See
agent, adj.
agomphious, adj., toothless. — Coined by the
German naturalist Ch. G. Ehrenberg (1 795- 1 876)
from priv. pref. a- and Gk. you^o? (scil. iSoiv),
'grinder tooth', fr. you-tpo?, 'bolt, nail'. Seegom-
phosis and -ous.
agonic, adj., not forming an angle. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. Sytovoi;, 'without angles',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and y<ovti, 'angle'. See
-gon.
agonist, n., a contender in public games. — Gk.
aytoviaTT)?, 'combatant; actor', fr. aywv^Ea&ai.
See agonize and -ist and cp. antagonist, deutera-
gonist, protagonist, tritagonist.
Derivatives: agonist-ic, adj., agonist -ic-al-ly,
adv., agonistics (q.v.)
agonistics, n., athletics. — See prec. word and -ics.
agonize, intr. v., to suffer extreme pain; tr. v. to
cause extreme pain, to torture. — F. agoniser,
'to begin death agony', fr. ML. agdnizdre, fr.
Gk. ivov'.'Tsa&o!!, ' ,0 contenfl f° r a P" 7 ^ 10
struggle', fr. 4yo>v 'assembly; contest in the
games'. See agony and -ize.
Derivatives: agoniz-er, n., agonu-ing, adj., ag-
oniz-ing-ly, adv.
agonothete, n., leader of the public games in an-
cient Greece. — Gk. dcyowoSi-nf]?, 'judge of the
contest', formed fr. &y<ov, 'contest', and the
agony
40
stem of -uS-svai, 'to put, place'. See agony and
theme.
agony, n., extreme pain. — OF. (= F.) agonie,
fr. Eccles. L. agonia, fr. Gk. <xy<ovta, 'struggle',
orig. 'struggle for victory in the games', fr. aycov,
'assembly, contest in the games', fr. iysiv, 'to
lead, guide', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to
set in motion, drive, lead'. See agent and -y
(representing Gk. -ta) and cp. agonist,
agora, n., an assembly; the place of assembly;
the market place. — Gk. dyopa, rel. to aysipetv,
'to assemble', ayupi?, 'assembly', ayupTT)?,
'beggar', and cogn. with L. grex, gen. gregis,
'flock'. See gregarious and cp. the second ele-
ment in allegory, category, panegyric, paregoric
agoranome, n., a superintendent of the market
{Greek antiq.) — L. agq^dnomus, fr. Gk. ayopa-
v6u,o<;, 'clerk of the market', fr. ayopa, 'market'
and the stem of veueiv, 'to divide, distribute'.
See agora and Nemesis,
agoraphobia, n., morbid fear of being in open
spaces {med.) — Coined by Westphal in 1871,
who first described this morbid condition. The
word lit. means 'fear of a public place.' See
agora and -phobia,
agouti, aguti, aguty, n., a Central- American and
West-Indian rodent. — F., fr. Sp. aguti, a native
Indian name,
agraffe, n., hook, clasp. — F. agrafe, back forma-
tion fr. agrafer, 'to hook, fasten', fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and OF. grafer, 'to fasten with a hook',
fr. grafe, 'hook', fr. OHG. krdpfo, 'hook'.
See grape.
agraphia, n., inability to write; a form of aphasia
( me d.) — Medical L., formed fr. priv. pref. a-
and -graphia.
agrarian, adj., 1) of the land; 2) of agriculture. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. agrdrius, 'pertaining
to land', fr. ager, gen. agri, 'field, land', which
is rel. to Umbr. ager and cogn. with Gk. iypo?,
'field', Goth, akrs, OE. secer, 'field'. See acre
and agent and cp. agriculture. Cp. also acorn,
agrestic, agrio-, agro-, Agrostis and the second
element in onager.
Derivative: agrarian, n.
agree, intr. v. — ME. agreen, fr. OF. agreer (F.
agreer), 'to receive with favor', fr. a (F. a), "to'
(see a), and gre (F. gre), 'will, pleasure', fr. L.
gratum, neut. of the adjective grams, 'acceptable,
pleasing, agreeable, grateful', used as a noun. See
grateful and cp. the second element in maugre.
Derivatives : agreeable (q.v.), agre-ed, adj., agre-
ed-ly, adv., agree-ing, adj., agree-ing-ly, adv.,
agreement (q.v.)
agreeable, adj. — ME. agreable, fr. OF. agreabie
(F. agreable). See agree and -able.
Derivatives: agreeabil-ity, n., agreeable-ness, n.,
agreeabl-y, adv.
agreement, n. — OF. agrement (F. agrement), fr.
agreer. See agree and -ment.
agrestic, adj., rustic, rural. — L. agrestis, 'per-
taining to the fields', fr. ager, 'field'; see agrar-
ian. Agrestis has been dissimilated fr. *agrestris.
(Cp. campestris, 'relating to the field', fr. cam-
pus, 'field', and terrestris, 'earthly', fr. terra,
'earth'.)
agricolite, n., silicate of bismuth {mineral.) —
Named after the German mineralogist Georg
Agricola (H94-I555)- For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
agriculturalist, n., a farmer. — Formed fr. L.
agricultura (see agriculture) with the suffixes -al
and -ist. Cp. agriculturist.
agriculture, n. — F., fr. L. agricultura, lit. 'culti-
vation of the land', compounded of ager, gen.
agri, 'field, land', and cultura, 'cultivation'. See
agrarian and culture.
Derivatives: agricultur-al, adj., agriculturalist,
agriculturist (qq.v.)
agriculturist, n., an agriculturalist {rare). —
Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. agricultura. See
prec. word.
Agrimonia, n., a genus of herbs {bot.) — ModL.
See next word,
agrimony, n. — L. agrimonia, fr. Gk. apyejiuvT],
'a kind of poppy', which is prob. borrowed fr.
Heb. argdmdn, 'purple' ; influenced in form by
L. ager, gen. agri, 'field'. See Argemone.
agrimotor, n., a machine used in agriculture. —
Compounded of L. ager, gen. agri, 'field' (see
agrarian), and E. motor.
agrio-, combining form meaning 'wild'. — Gk.
aypio-, fr. Sypioq, 'wild', lit. meaning 'living in
the fields', fr. i-{p6q, 'field', which is cogn. with
L. ager, 'field'. See agrarian.
agriology, n. the study of prehistoric human cus-
toms. — Compounded of agrio- and Gk. -Xoyta,
fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See -logy.
agrito, n., name of the plant called scientifically
Mahonia trifoliata. — Sp., fr. agrio, 'sour', fr.
VL. acrus, fr. L. deer, 'sharp', in VL. also 'sour'.
Cp. F. aigre, 'sour', which also derives fr. VL.
acrus, and see acrid. Cp. also eager and the
second element in vinegar.
agro-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
agriculture". — Gk. iypo-, fr. ayp^, 'field',
which is cogn. with L. ager, 'field'. See agrarian.
agronomy, n., the science of crop production;
management of land. — F. agronomie, fr. Gk.
dcypovonos, 'rural', which is compounded of
iypo;, 'field' and the stem of vs|xetv, 'to as-
sign, manage', 'to drive (cattle) to pasture'. See
agrarian and Nemesis.
Derivatives: agronom-ic, agronom-ic-al, adjs.,
agronom-ics, n., agronom-ist, n.
Agropyron, n., a genus of perennial grasses {bot.)
— ModL., lit. 'field wheat', fr. Gk. ayoo?,
'field', and 7r0p6s, corn, wheat'. The first ele-
ment is cogn. with L. ager, 'field'; see agrarian.
For the second element see pyrene and cp. words
there referred to.
Agrostemma, n., a genus of plants of the pink
41
aikinite
family; the corn cockle {bot.) — ModL. lit.
'crown of the field', fr. Gk. ayp6;, 'field', and
CTTE|j.(xa, 'wreath'. See agro- and stemma.
Agrostis, n., a genus of grasses, the bent grass
{bot.) — L. agrostis, 'couch grass', fr. Gk.
fiypwtjTtq, fr. dcypo?, 'field'. See agro-.
agrostology, n., that branch of botany which deals
with grasses. — Compounded of Gk. #ypcocm<;,
'grass', and -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See Agrostis and -logy.
aground, adv. {naut.) — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
ground.
agrypnia, n., sleeplessness {med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. dcypu7rvta, sleeplessness, wakefulness',
fr. aypuTnio?, 'wakeful', which is compounded
of aypo;, 'field', and utzvos, 'sleep'; the orig.
meaning of aypo7rvo.; was 'sleeping in the field'.
See agro- and hypno-.
aguardiente, n., spirituous liquor. — Sp., lit.
'burning water', compounded of agua, 'water'
fr. L. aqua, and ardiente, fr. L. ardentem, acc. of
ardens, pres. part, of ardere, 'to burn'. See aqua-
tic and ardent.
ague, n., malarial fever. — OF. ague, 'an acute
fever', prop. fern, of the adjective agu (F. aigu),
'sharp, acute (scil. fever)', fr. L. {febris) acuta,
'an acute fever', fern, of acutus, 'sharp, acute'.
See acute.
Derivatives: agu-ish, adj., agu-ish-ly, adv., agu-
ish-ness, n., ague-like, adj.
agunah, n., a woman prevented from remarrying
because she has no proof of hei- husband's death
{Jewish religion). — Heb. 'dghund n , lit.'restrained
(from marrying)', passive fern. part, of 'dghdn,
'he restrained, shut up', which is rel. to Arab.
'd'jama, IV (= causative) form of stem '-j-m, 'to
shut up'.
Agyieus, n., a name of Apollo {Greek mylhol.) —
Gk. 'AyjiEu;, lit. 'guardian of the streets', fr.
ayjia, 'street', lit. 'that through which some-
thing is led or driven', fr. ocyeiv, 'to drive',
which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in motion,
drive; to do, act'. See agent, adj.
agynary, adj., having no female organs {bot.) —
Formed fr. priv. pref. a-, Gk. yjvV;, 'woman'
(see gyneco-), and adj. suff. -ary.
ah, interj. — Of imitative origin,
ana, interj. — Of imitative origin.
Ahabah Rabbah, the second of two benedictions
preceding the Shema in the morning prayer
{Jewish liturgy). — Heb. ahdbhd" rabbd", lit.
with great love' (so called from the two first
words of the text of the benediction). Ahdbhd",
love', derives fr. ahdbh, 'he loved', which is rel.
*o Aram, ahdbh, 'he loved', and possibly also
**> Arab, hdbba, 'he was moved'. Rabbd h is fern.
°f rabh, 'great' (whence Mishnaic Heb. rabh,
**»sster'). See rabbi and cp. the first element in
•*roboam.
^ahath Olam, the second of the two benedic-
tions preceding the Shema in the evening prayer
{Jewish liturgy). — Heb. ahabhdth 'dldm, 'with
everlasting love' (so called from the two first
words of the text of the benediction). Ahabhdth
is the state construct of ahdbhd", 'love'; see
prec. word. 'Oldm means 'eternity' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew also 'world') ; see Olam Habba.
Ahasuerus, n., name of a Persian king {Bible);
identical with Xerxes. — Heb. Ahashwerosh (al-
so, in the kethib of the Book of Esther 10:1,
Ahashresh), fr. OPers. Xshaydrshan- (whence
also Gk. Elp^;), 'lit. 'male (i.e. hero) among
kings', fr. xshaya-, 'king', and arshan-, 'male,
man'. The first element derives fr. I.-E. base
*qpe{i)-, *qp e {i)-, 'to rule' ; see check, 'a sudden
stop'. The second element is cogn. with Gk.
apCTTjv, 'male, masculine', OI. [sabhdh, 'bull,
steer', fr. I.-E. base *eras-, *ras-, *eres-, *ers-,
'to flow, wet, moisten', whence also L. ros, gen.
rdris, 'dew' ; see roric and cp. rasa. Cp. Xerxes.
ahead, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
head.
aheap, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and heap.
ahem, interj. — Of imitative origin.
Ahi, a serpent in Vedic mythology, identified
with Vritra. — OI. dhih, 'serpent', rel. to Avestic
azish and cogn. with Gk. £x'?» 'viper', L. anguis,
'serpent, snake'. See anguine and cp. echidna.
ahoy, interj. — A natural sound, compounded of
the interjections a, 'ah', and ho y. See ah and hoy.
Ahriman, n., the spirit of evil in the Zoroastrian
religion. — Gk. 'Apeiu-avtoc. (in Aristotle) or
'Apei|iivY]<; (in Agathias), fr. Avestic afira mai-
nyu, 'the evil (lit. hostile) spirit'.
ahull, adv. {naut.) — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
hull, 'body of a ship'.
ahura, n., a benevolent deity {Persian mythology).
— Avestic ahura-, 'a god, a good spirit', rel. to
OI. dsurah, of same meaning. Sec asura and cp.
the first element in Ormazd.
Ahura-Mazda, n. — See Ormazd.
ai, n., the three-toed sloth. — Tupi at, a word
imitative of the cry of the animal.
aid, tr. v. — OF. aidier, aider (F. aider), fr. L.
adjutdre, 'to help', freq. of adjuvdre (pp. adju-
tus), 'to help', sustain', fr. ad- and juvdre, 'to
help', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. adju-
tant, adjuvant, coadjutor, jocund, jury, adj.
Derivatives: aid-er, n., aid-ful, adj.
aid,n. — OF.(= F.) aide, back formation ix. aider.
See aid, v.
aide-de-camp, aid-de-camp, n. — F. aide-de-camp,
lit. 'camp assistant'. See aid, n., and camp.
aigrette, n., egret. — F. aigrette. See egret.
aiguille, n., 1) a peak shaped like a needle; 2) a
needlelike borer. — F., 'a needle', fr. VL.
*acucula. See aglet.
aiguillette, n., an aglet. — F., dimin. of aiguille,
'needle'. See prec. word and -ette.
aikinite, n., a sulfobismutite of lead and copper
{mineral.) — Named after the English mineral-
ogist Arthur Aikin. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
ail
ail, tr. and intr. v. — ME. eilen, ailen, fr. OE.
eglan, 'to molest, trouble', rel. to Goth, agls,
'shameful', agio, 'distress, oppression', us-agljan,
'to oppress'.
Derivatives: ail-ing, adj., ail-ment, n.
Ailanthus, more correctly Ailantus, the tree of
heaven (bot.) — ModL., fr. Amboyna ailanto,
'tree of the gods', or 'tree of heaven'. The spell-
ing ailanthus is due to a confusion of the end
of this word with Gk. Sv$o<;, 'flower'.
aile, winged (her.) — F., 'winged', fr. aile, 'a
wing*, fr. L. ala. See aisle and cp. aileron,
alar.
aileron, n., hinged flap of the wing of an air-
plane. — F., 'little wing', dimin. of aile, fr. OF.
ele, fr. L. ala, 'wing'. See aisle and cp. words
there referred to.
ailette, n., a steel plate woiji on the shoulders for
protection. — F., 'little wing', dimin. of aile,
•wing', fr. L. ala, 'wing'. See aisle and cp. pre-
ceding word. For the ending see suff. -ette.
ailurophile, ailurophil, n., a lover of cats. — Com-
pounded of Gk. oc'iXoupo;, 'cat', and -cpiXo;,
'loving'. For the first element see Ailurus, for the
second see -phile.
ailurophobia, n., morbid fear of cats. — Com-
pounded of Gk. aXXoupoz, 'cat', and -<po(iia,
'fear of, fr. 96(30;, 'fear'. See prec. word and
-phobia.
Ailurus, n., the genus consisting of the panda
(zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. atXoupoi;, 'cat', which
is of uncertain origin; its derivation fr. Gk.
aloXoq, 'quick moving, rapid', and oupa, 'tail',
is folk etymology. Cp. aeluro-.
aim, intr. and tr. v. — ME. aimen, eimen, fr. OF.
aesmer, which is formed fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
esmer, fr. L. aestimdre, 'to estimate'. See esteem.
Derivatives: aim, n., aim-less, adj., aim-less-
ly, adv.
air, n., atmosphere. — ME. aire, fr. OF. (=■ F.)
air, fr. L. aer (whence also Rum. aer, OProvenc.,
Catal., Sp. aire, Port, air, 'air'), which derives
fr. Gk. <*T)p, gen. i\tpos, Att. gen. depo;, 'air'
(from the Att. acc. aipa is borrowed It. aria,
'air'). Gk. a-r;p (cp. the parallel forms Aeol.
auTjp, Dor. a^p) and the rel. aupa, 'air in
motion, breeze', are of uncertain origin. They
are possibly rel. to detpeiv, 'to lift up, raise',
and lit. mean 'that which rises'. See aorta, and
cp. aerate, aerial, aero-, the first element in
aerostat, and the second element in malaria.
Derivatives: air, v., air-able, adj., air-er, n., air-
ing, n., air-less, adj., air-y, adj., air-i-ly, adv.,
air-i-ness, n.
air, n., melody, tune. — F., fr. It. aria, of s.m.,
fr. L. derea, fern, of the adjective aereus, 'per-
taining to the air', fr. aer, 'air'. See prec. word
and cp. aria.
airplane, n. — Compounded of air and plane.
See aeroplane.
aisle, n . _ ME. He, ele, fr. OF. ele (F. aile),
•wine', fr. L. ala. of s.m., which stands for *ag-
s-ld and is rel. to axilla, 'armpit', and cogn. with
OI. dksah, 'collarbone', Avestic ashayi (dual
gen.), 'of both shoulders', Arm. anut (for *as-
nut'), 'armhole', OHG. ahsala, MHG. ahsel,
G. Achsel, ON. dxl, OS. ahsla, OE. eaxl,
'shoulder'. All these words are formed fr. I.-E.
base *ag-, 'to move, drive', with reference to
the arms moved from the shoulders. See agent,
adj., and cp. aileron, ailette, alar, alate, aliform,
aliped, alula, axil, axilla, axillary, axle, oxter,
and the second element in bezel.
Derivative: aisl-ed, adj.
aitch, also ache, n., name of the letter h in Eng-
lish. — ME. ache, fr. OF. ( = F.) ache, which
is of uncertain origin. It possibly derives— to-
gether with It. acca and Port, agd, of s.m.—
from a form *hakka, which would stand for
orig. ha-ka (for h-k, i.e. h and k (as the con-
sonant following h in the alphabet). The deriva-
tion of the French name of the letter h fr. F.
hache, 'ax' (in allusion to the form of the small
h which resembles an ax) is contradicted by the
fact that whereas the letter h is called acca in It.
and agd in Port., the It., resp. Port, name for
the ax is accia, resp. facha.
aitchbone, n. — Fr. ME. a nache bone, fr. OF. nache,
pi., 'rump', fr. VL. *natica, fr. L. natis, which is
cogn. with Gk. v<5to?,v&tov, 'back'; see nates.
The loss of the initial n is due to a misdivision
of a nache bone into an ache bone. Cp. adder,
apron, auger, ekename, ouch, umble pie, umpire.
ajar, adv., on the turn, slightly opened. — ME.
on char, 'on the turn*, fr. a-, 'on', and ME.
chearr, char, 'a turn', fr. OE. cierr, cyrr. See
char, 'a turn of work', and cp. words there
referred to.
ajar, adv., out of harmony. — Compounded of
a- 'on' and jar, 'creak'.
Ajax, n., in the Iliad, the name of two Greek
heroes of the Trojan war: Ajax the Greater, son
of Telamon, and Ajax the Less, son of Oileus.—
L. Ajax, fr. Gk. ACS;. The name Aia; prob.
denoted orig. an earth god and derives fr. Gk.
ala, 'earth'. See Kretschmer in Glotta 15.1927,
and Frisk, GEW. I, p. 30.
ajonjoli, n., sesame. — Sp. ajonjoli fr. Arab, al-
juljuldn, lit. 'the sesam', altered in Spain into al-
juljulfn (cp. the Sp. variant aljonjoli).
Ajuga, n., a genus of plants of the mint family;
the bugle weed (bot.) — A ModL., hybrid
coined fr. Gk. privative pref. a- and L. jugum,
'joke' (see jugular and yoke); so called from the
seeming absence of the upper lip of the corolla,
akasa. n., the name of space in Sankhya philo-
sophy. — OI. akasa-, 'space', formed fr. em-
phatic pref. a and kdsate, 'appears, shines', prob.
from I.-E. base *q"ek-, *q w eg-, whence also
Avestic (ashman, 'eye', dkasat, 'he beheld', Gk.
•ribtticop, later form Tfotjiap (prob. for *q w ek-
mor), 'sign, token', OSlav. kazo, kazati, 'to
show'. Cp. ukase,
akerite, n., a quartz syenite (petrogr.) — Named
43
alarm
after Aker in Sweden. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
akimbo, adv. and adj. — ME. in kenebowe, prob.
of Scand. origin. Cp. Icel. kengboginn, 'bent into
a curve', and see kink and bow, 'a weapon'.
akin, adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'of, and kin.
akinesia, n., absence of motion in a muscle (med.)
— Medical Latin, fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. xl-
V7]m<;, 'motion', fr. xTveiv, 'to move'. See ki-
nesis and -ia.
Akkadian, also Accadian, adj. and n. — Formed
with suff. -ian fr. Heb. Akkdd (Gen. 10:10),
name of a district and city in Babylonia.
al-, assimilated form of ad- before /.
-al, suff. forming adjectives, as in royal, or sub-
stantives of adjectival origin, as in rival. —
Either fr. F. -al, -el, or directly fr. L. adj. suff.
-dlis. In many cases the suff. -dlis was used al-
ready in Latin both adjectivally and substanti-
ally (cp. L. rivdlis, 'pertaining to a brook; one
who uses the same brook; neighbor; competi-
tor, rival', and see rival). Cp. the suffixes -ial
and -ar.
-al, suff. forming verbal nouns, as arrival, avow-
al. — L. -alia, neut. pi. of -dlis, but in Vulgar
Latin mistaken for the fern. sing. suff. ; formed
either directly from Latin or through the medi-
um of OF., F. -aille (as in OF. arrivaille, etc.).
-al, chem. suff. denoting aldehyde as in broma/,
chloral. — F. , from the first syllable of aldehyde.
ala, n., a wing or anything similar to a wing (anat.)
— L. See aisle and cp. alar.
a la, short for d la mode, 'in the fashion or style
of, as a la francaise, 'in the French fashion or
style'. — See a and file.
alabamine, n., name of a chemical element dis-
covered in 1 93 1 by the American chemist Fred
Allison (1882- ) and his collaborators and
named by them after the Alabama Polytechnic
Institute; now called astatine. For the ending
see chem. suff. -ine.
alabandite, n., manganese sulfide (mineral.) —
Named after Alabanda in Asia Minor. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alabarch, n., title of the chief official of the Jews
of Alexandria during the Grecian period. —
Gk. aXipipxT)?, which lit. means 'ink ruler',
and origin, denoted an official in charge of
the 'written' notes or records. — Gk. aXoc-
(Bapyrji;, is compounded of £Xa(3a, 'ink* (He-
sychius), and ap/o;, 'leader, chief, ruler' (see
-arch). The parallel form dtpaPapx?); is second-
ary and due to assimilation — Most diction-
aries either do not deal with the etymology of
the word alabarch at all, or content themselves
with the stereotypic remark : 'origin unknown' . —
In the Addenda et Corrigenda to Liddell and
Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, new (ninth) ed.
(reprinted 195'), P- 2053a s.v. ' Apa(3apx7)S, the
word 'AXapdtpxi? is explained as dissimilated
fr. 'ApaPapxT)?, 'ruler of the Arabs, emir'. —
The fact is, however, that we must distinguish
between 'Apa(3dpxif]<; in the sense of 'Ruler of
the Arabs', and apafSapx^;, the assimilated
form of aXaPapx^is, title of the chief magistrate
of the Jewish population in Alexandria, a name
which has nothing to do with the Arabs,
alabaster, n., a translucent whitish kind of gyp-
sum. — OF. alabastre (whence F. albdtre), fr.
L. alabaster, fr. Gk. dXdpaaxpo;, dXd[3aaTpov,
fr. earlier aXtkfiaa-zoQ, fr. Egypt *a-la-baste,
'vessel of the goddess Ebaste (= Bubaste). See
Frisk, GEW., p. 62 s.v. dXapaaxo;. Cp. alley
'choice marble'.
Derivatives: alabaster, alabastri-an, alabastr-
ine, adjs.
alack, interj. — Prob. formed fr. ME. a, 'ah',
and lak, 'loss, failure'. See ah and lack and cp.
lackaday.
alacran, n., scorpion. — Sp. fr. Arab, al-dqrab,
'the scorpion' fr. al-, 'the', and 'dqrab, 'scorpion',
which is rel. to Heb. 'aqrdbh, Aram, 'aqrabbd,
Syr. 'eqqarbd, Ethiop. 'aqrab, 'arqab, Akkad.
aqrabu, 'scorpion'.
alacrity, n., eager readiness. — L. alacritds, gen.
-atis, 'cheerfulness', fr. alacer, fern, alacris, neut.
alacre, 'cheerful', which stands for *ala-tlis and
is cogn. with Goth, aljan, 'zeal', OE. ellen,
OHG. ellian, ellen, of s.m. Cp. allegro. For the
ending see suff. -ity.
Derivative: alacrit-ous, adj.
alaite, n., a hydrous vanadium pentoxide (min-
eral') _ Named after the Alai Mountains. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alalite, n., a synonym of diopside (mineral.) —
Named after Ala in Tirol. For the ending see
combining form -lite.
alameda, n., a public walk with poplar trees
(Sp. American). — Sp., fr. alamo, 'poplar'. See
alamo.
alamo, n., poplar (Sp. American). — Sp. alamo,
fr. alno, 'the black poplar', fr. L. alnus, 'alder'.
See alder.
Alan, masc. PN. — ML. Alanus, of Celtic origin,
alanine, alanin, n., aminopropionic acid (chem.)
— Prob. formed from the first syllable of alde-
hyde, the syllable -an (inserted for euphonic
reasons), and chem. suff. -ine. The name was
coined by Strecker, the discoverer of this sub-
stance, in 1849, who, however, gives no expla-
nation for the name,
alar, adj., 1) pertaining to a wing; 2) winglike;
3) in anatomy, axillary. — L. dldris, 'of the
wing', fr. ala, 'wing'. See aisle.
Alaric, masc. PN. — L. Alaricus, a name of Visi-
gothic origin lit. meaning 'all-ruler', fr. Teut.
*ala-, 'all', and •rikja, 'rule'. See all and Reich
and cp. the 2nd element in Roderick, Theodoric.
alarm, n. — F. alarme, fr. It. all'arme, 'to arms'
(lit. 'to the arms'), fr. aile (pi. fern.), 'to the',
fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and le, 'the', fr. L. illae,
'those' (fern.) See ad-, ille and arm, 'weapon',
and cp. alarum. For a similar fusion of the
article with the following word cp. alert.
alarmist
Derivatives : alarm, tr. v., alarm-able, alarm-ed,
adjs., alarm-ed-ly, adv., alarm-ing, adj., alarm-
ing-ly, adv., alarmist (q.v.)
alarmist, n., i) one who starts alarming rumors;
2) one easily frightened. — A hybrid coined fr.
F. alarme (see prec. word) and -ist, a suff. of
Greek origin,
alarum, n. — A poetical variant of alarm,
alary, adj., pertaining to wings. — L. dldrius, fr.
dla, 'wing'. See aisle and -ary and cp. alar,
alas, interj. — F. helas, composed of he, a word
of imitative origin, and las, 'tired, weary', in OF.
also meaning 'unfortunate', fr. L. lassus, 'tired,
weary'. See lassitude and late. E. alas was prob.
influenced in form by alack (q.v.)
Alastor, n., son of Neleus and brother of Nestor
in Greek mythology; fig. used in the sense of an
avenging spirit. — Gk. ' AXacrrcap, lit. 'wanderer',
a derivative of aXac&ou, 'to wander, roam'. See
hallucinate and cp. the first element in Aleo-
chara.
alastrim, n., a mild form of smallpox (med.) —
Port., fr. alastrar, 'to ballast a ship', fig. 'to
cover all over, spread, strew', fr. a (fr. L. ad),
'to', and lastro, 'ballast', fr. G. Last, 'loud, charge,
burden, weight'. See ad- and last, 'burden'.
alate, alated, adj., winged. — L. dldtus, 'winged',
fr. dla, 'wing'. See aisle and adj. suff. -ate and
cp. words there referred to.
alatern, alaternus, n., a buckthorn (Rhamnus ala-
ternus). — L. alaternus, 'buckthorn', of Etrus-
can origin.
Alauda, n., a genus of birds, the skylark (orni-
thol.) — ModL., fr. L. alauda, 'lark', of Gaulish
origin, and prob. literally meaning 'tufted'.
alazor, n., the safflower. — Sp., fr. Arab. al-usfCtr,
in vulgar pronunciation al-'osfdr, fr. al-, 'the',
and 'usfur, resp. osfSr, 'safflower'.
alb, a long white vestment. — ML. alba for L.
alba (vestis), 'while (garment)', fern, of albus,
'white'; cogn. with Gk. 4X965, 'dull-white lep-
rosy', SXcpi, aAtptTOv, 'barley meal', OHG.
albi3, elbi3. OE. elfet, 'swan', lit. 'the white
bird', OSlav., Russ. lebedi, Serb, labud, Pol.
iabedz, Czech labud, 'swan', for orig. *olh-edi,
*olb-edi, *olb-odi, 'the white bird'. Cp. also Arm.
aiauni, 'white pigeon, dove', Alb. el'p, eVbi, 'bar-
ley', Hitt. alpash, 'cloud'. Cp. abele, ablet, al-
bedo, albescent, albino, albite, albo-, Albuca, al-
bugo, album, albumen, albumin, alburnum, al-
phitomancy, aubade, aube, auburn, daub.
albacore, n., a species of tunny (zool.) — Sp. alba-
cora, fr. Arab. albdkra h , 'the young camel', fr. al-,
'the', and the collective noun bakr, 'young
camels', whence bdkra", 'young she-camel', rel.
to bikr, 'virgin, woman having first child', from
the stem of the verb bdkara, 'he rose early, did
something early', and to Heb. b e khor, 'first
born', b e khdrd", 'the right of first born', bikh-
rd", 'young camel', bikkurd h , 'first ripe fig',
bikkurtm, 'first fruits', Ethiop. bakur, 'first
born'.
U
albatross, n. — Port alcatraz, 'cormorant, peli-
can' (whence also F. albatros), a variant of
alcatruz, 'the bucket of a water wheel', fr. Arab.
al-qddBs, 'machine for drawing water; jar', fr.
al-, 'the', and Gk. xaSo?, 'jar', which is a loan
word from Heb. kadh, of s.m. The name was
orig. applied to the pelican as 'the water carrier',
i.e. the bird that carries water in its pouch. For
sense development cp. Arab, saqqd, 'pelican',
lit. 'water carrier'. The alteration of Port, alca-
traz to E. albatross (after L. albus, 'white') was
prob. suggested by the white color of the alba-
tross. ModPort. albatroz has been reborrowed
fr. F. albatros. Cp. alcatras.
Alban, masc. PN. — L. Albdnus, lit. 'of Alba', fr.
Alba, name of the mother city of Rome.
albedo, n., the ratio of light reflected from a sur-
face (astron.) — L. albedo, 'whiteness', fr. albus,
'white'. See alb.
albeit, conj. — ME. al be it, 'all through it be',
compounded of all, be and it. Cp. although.
alberca, n., a waterhole. — Sp., 'sink, pool', fr.
Arab. al-birka h , fr. al-, 'the', and birka h , 'sink,
pool', which is rel. to Heb. b l rekhd n , Aram.
b e rekhtd, 'pool, pond'.
Albert, masc. PN. — F., fr. OHG. Adalbert, lit.
'bright through nobility', fr. adal, 'nobility',
and beraht, 'bright'. Cp. Ethelbert, fr. OE. AZdel-
bryght, which is the exact equivalent of OHG.
Adalbert. For the first element see atheling and
cp. words there referred to. For the second
element see bright and cp. the second element
in the names Egbert, Gilbert, Herbert, Hubert,
Lambert.
albert, n. — Shortened from Albert chain ; named
after Albert, the Prince Consort (1819-61) of
Queen Victoria.
Alberta, fern. PN. — Formed fr. Albert.
albertite, n., a bituminous mineral. — Named
after Albert County in New Brunswick, where
it is found. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
albescence, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ce.
albescent, adj., becoming white. — L. albescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of albescere, 'to become
white', inchoative of albere, 'to be white', fr.
albus, 'white'. See alb and -escent.
Albigenses, n. pi., religious reformers in southern
France between 1020 and 1250. — ML., so
called fr. AM or Albigia, a town in Languedoc
in France where they resided and where their
tenets were first condemned (in 1176).
Albin, masc. PN. — L. Albinus, a Roman cog-
nomen, fr. albus, 'white'. See alb and cp.
Albina.
Albina, Albinia, fern. PN. — Fern, of L. Albinus.
See Albin.
albino, n., man or animal lacking in pigmen-
tation.— Port., fr. L. albus, 'white', orig. applied
by the Portuguese to African Negroes who were
mottled with white spots. See alb.
Derivatives: albin-ic, adj., albin-ism, n.
45
Albion, ancient name of England. — L., fr. a
non- Aryan base *alb, 'mountain', whence also
Alba, Irish name of Scotland, L. Alpes, 'the
Alps'. See alp, 'high mountain'.
albite, n., a white feldspar (mineral.) — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. albus, 'white'. See alb.
Albizzia, n., name of a genus of the mimosa fami-
ly (bot.) — ModL., fr. Albizzi, name of an
Ital. family, one of whom is said to have intro-
duced it into Italy. For the ending see suff. -ia.
albo-, before a vowel alb-, combining form mean-
ing 'white'. — Fr. L. albus, 'white'. See alb.
albricias, n., a gift to the bringer of good news. —
Sp., rel. to Port, alvicaras, Valencian albixeres;
fr. Arab. al-bishdra h , fr. al-, 'the', and bishdra h ,
'tidings, gift for good tidings', rel. to bashira,
'he was glad, joyful', bashshara, 'he gladdened
somebody with good tidings', Heb. b e sdrd h ,
'tidings, good tidings, reward for good tidings',
bissir, 'he brought tidings, gladdened with good
tidings', Ethiop. absdra, Syr. sabbdr (with me-
tathesis), 'he brought good tidings', Ugar. bshr,
Akkad. bussuru, 'to bring good tidings'.
Albuca, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(hot.) — ModL., fr. L. albucus, 'the asphodel',
lit. 'the white plant', fr. albus, 'white'. See alb.
albugo, n., a white spot on the cornea of the
eye. — L. albugo, 'a white spot, a disease of the
eye, a film', fr. albus, 'white'; see alb. For the
suff. cp. aerugo, 'rust of copper' (see aeruginous).
album, n., a blank book for pictures, stamps, auto-
graphs, etc. — L. album, 'a white tablet, on which
various kinds of notices were inscribed'; prop,
neuter of albus, 'white', used as a noun. See alb.
albumen, n., the white of an egg. — L. albumen,
gen. albuminis, fr. albus, 'white'. See alb and cp.
cerumen. Derivatives : albumen-ize, tr. v., albumen-
iz-ation, n.
albumin, n., one of a class of proteins (biochem.)
— See albumen and chem. suff. -in.
albuminoid, adj., resembling albumin, n., pro-
tein. — A hybrid coined fr. albumin, a word of
Latin origin, and Gk. -oeiSrj!;, 'like', fr. elSoi;,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
albuminous, adj., of, like, or containing albumen
or albumin. — Formed fr. albumen with suff.
-ous (as if fr. L. *albumindsus).
albuminuria, n., the presence of albumen in the
urine (med.) — Medical L., fr. F. albuminurie,
a hybrid coined by the French physician Martin
Solon (1795-1856) in 1838 fr. L. albumen, 'white
of the egg', and Gk. o-jpov, 'urine'. See albumen,
urine and -ia.
albumose, n., proteose formed from albumin
(biochem.) — Coined by Mialhe in 1846 fr. al-
bumin and subst. suff. -ose.
alburnum, n., sap wood. — L. alburnum (whence
also OF. aubour, and, with change of suff., F.
aubier), prop. neut. of the adjective alburnus,
'white, whitish', fr. albus, 'white'. See alb and
cp. auburn.
Aka, n., a genus of birds of the auk family (or-
aicnemy
nithol.) — ModL. See auk and cp. Alcedinidae.
alcabala, n., excise. — Sp., fr. Arab. al-qabdla h ,
fr. al-, 'the', and qabdla h , 'act of receiving'.
See cabal.
Alcaic, adj., pertaining to Alcaeus or to either of
the two meters invented by him. — L. Alcaicus,
fr. Gk. 'AXxaixog, 'pertaining to or used by
Alcaeus', fr. 'AXxaTo;, Alcaeus, a poet who
lived in Mytilene about 600B.C. E. For theending
see suff. -ic.
alcaide, n., commander of a fortress; warden of
a prison. — Sp., fr. Arab, al-qd'id, 'the leader'
fr. al-, 'the', and part, of qdda, 'he led (the army)'
Cp. kaid.
alcalde, n. the mayor of a Spanish town. — Sp.,
fr. Arab, al-qddi, 'the judge', formed fr. al-,
'the', and part, of qdda, 'he decided'. See cadi.
alcatras, n., the pelican; the frigate bird. — Port.
alcatraz. See albatross.
alcazaba, n., fortress. — Sp., fr. Arab. al-qdsaba h ,
'the fortress', from al-, 'the', and qdsaba", 'city,
capital, fortress', fr. qdsaba, 'he cut, chopped
up', which is rel. to Heb. qatzdbh, 'he cut off',
Mishnaic Heb. qatztzdbh, 'butcher', Aram.
qatztzabhd, of s.m. (Arab, qassdbh, 'butcher', is
a Hebrew loan word.)
alcazar, n., a castle, a palace. — Sp., fr. Arab.
al-qasr, 'the castle', fr. al-, 'the', and L. castrum,
'fortified place, fort, castle'. See castrameta-
tion and cp. castle.
Alcedinidae, n. pi., a family of birds comprising
the kingfishers (ornithol.) — ModL., formed
with suff. -idae fr. L. alcedd, 'kingfisher', which
is latinized fr. Gk. aXxucov, on analogy of Latin
words ending in -edd. See halcyon.
Alces, n., the genus of the elk (zool.) — L. alces,
'elk', a loan word fr. Teut. *alxis. Cp. ON. elgr,
OHG. elaho, 'elk' and see elk.
Alcestis, n., wife of Admetus, one of the Argo-
nauts ; she offered her life for her husband but
was rescued from the lower world by Heracles
(Greek mythol.) — L. Alcestis, fr. Gk. " AXar^zi^,
lit. 'valiant, courageous', fr. aXxv), 'protection,
help, strength, power, courage'. See Alexander.
alchemist, n. — OF. alqemiste (F. alchimiste), fr.
alqemie. See alchemy and -ist.
Alchemilla, n., a genus of plants of the rose family ;
the lady's-mantle (bot.). — ModL., fr. Port.
alchimelech, fr. Arab, iklil al-mdlik, 'the crown
of the king'. The first element is prob. a loan
word fr. Aram, k'lil, kHild, 'crown'. For the
second element see malik, Mameluke.
alchemy, n. medieval chemistry. — OF. alquemie
(13th cent.), alchimie (14th cent.) (F. alchimie),
fr. ML. alchemia, fr. Arab, al-kimiyd, fr. al-,
'the', and MGk. -/r^da, x r iW-^' prop, 'the art
of the black land (Egypt)', fr. Gk. X/;u.l5c, 'Black-
land, Egypt', fr. Egypt, khem, khame, 'black'.
The derivation from Gk. yrupsii, 'pouring',
from the stem of x^ £lv > ' to P our '. ' s folk et y-
mology. See W. Muss-Arnolt, Transactions of
the American Philological Association, vol.
alcmaeon
46
XXIII, p. 149. Cp. chemical, chemist, chemistry.
Derivatives: alchem-ic, alchem-ic-al, adjs., al-
chem-ic-al-ly, adv.
Alcmaeon, n., one of the epigones (Greek mythol.)
— L. Alcmaed(n), fr. Gk. 'AXxualcov, prob.
meaning lit. 'valiant, brave'. Cp. Gk. aXxjxatos
(Hesychius), 'young man', &Xx[juxp£<; (neut.)
(ibidem), 'strong, powerful'.
Alcmene, n., the mother of Hercules (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'AXx^vy), ' the strong
one', fr. aXx-r,, 'strength, power'. See Alexander.
alcohol, n. — ML., fr. Arab, al-kohl, vulgar pro-
nunciation of al-kuhl, fr. al-, 'the', and kohl,
resp. kuhl, 'antimony (used for painting the eye-
lids)', which is rel. to Heb. kdhdl (Ezek. 23:40);
'he painted the eyelids with antimony', Aram.-
Syr. k e hal, Ethiop. kahdla, of s.m., Aram.
kuhld, Ethiop. kuhel, 'antimony'. (Akkad. guhlu,
'antimony', is prob. a WSem.loan word.)Its mod-
ern sense ('highly rectified spirits') is due to the
analogy of the fineness of this powder. Cp. kohl.
Derivatives: alcohol-ic, adj., alcohol-ic-ally,
adv., alcohol-ism, n., alcohol-ize, tr. v.
alcoholometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the alcoholic strength of liquids. — A hybrid
coined fr. alcohol and Gk. ui-rpov, 'measure'.
See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Alcoran, n. — F. alcoran, fr. Arab, al-qur'dn, 'the
Koran', fr. al-, 'the', and qur'dn, lit. 'reading'.
See Koran.
alcornoque, n., the bark of several trees. — Sp.,
Port, 'cork tree', a hybrid coined fr. Arab, al-,
'the', and L. quercus, 'oak', changed into *quer-
nus. See cork and cp. Quercus.
alcove, n., 1) a recessed section in a room; 2) any
recess. — F. alcove, fr. Sp. alcoba, fr. Arab, al-
qitbba*, fr. al-, 'the', and qiibba", 'arch, vaulted
tent', which is rel. to Arab, qdbba, 'it was bent',
and to Heb. qubbd h , 'vaulted tent', Syr. q e bhd-
bhd, 'vault, vaulted tent', Akkad. qababu,
'shield'. All these words are derivatives of the
Sem. base q-b-b, 'to be bent, crooked, vaulted'.
aldea, n„ hamlet, villa. — Sp. and Port., 'ham-
let', fr. Arab, al-, 'the', and ddya", 'farm, ham-
let'. Cp. aldeia.
Aldebaran, n., a red star in the constellation
Taurus (astron.) — Arab. Al-Dabardn, lit. 'the
following (star)', fr. ddbara, 'he followed'; so
called in reference to its position with regard to
Pleiades.
aldehyde, n. (chem.) — Coined by the German
chemist Justus von Liebig (1803-73) from the
abbreviation of a/cohol dehydrogenatum, 'alco-
hol deprived of hydrogen'.
aldeia, n., hamlet. — Port, aldeia. See aldea.
alder, n., tree rel. to the birch. — ME., formed
with excrescent d fr. OE. alor, which is rel. to
OS. elora, ON. Sir, Dan. elle, el, Swed. al,
MDu. else, Du. els, OHG. erila (fr. earlier
elira), G. Erie, fr. Teut. *aliso; cogn. with
Russ. dttcha (for *alisa-), 'alder*, Pol. olcha, of
s.m., OSUv. jellcha, L. atnus (for *alsnos), Lith.
alksnis (with excrescent k), OPruss. alskande.
All these words possibly derive fr. I.-E. base
*el-, *ol-, 'yellow'. Cp. OHG. elo, 'yellow', and
see elk. See also elm and elder, the tree, and cp.
alamo, alameda, aliso, Alnus. Cp. also F. alise,
'sorb apple', which is a Frankish loan word,
alder, n., head of family, chief. — OE. aldor, eal-
dor, fr. aid, eald, 'old'. See old and -or, -er.
Derivatives: alder-dom, n., alderman (q.v.)
alderman, n. — OE. (e)aldorman, 'prince, chief,
compounded of (e)aldor, 'chief, and man. See
alder, 'chief, and man. Derivatives: alderman-ic,
adj., alderman-cy, n., alderman-ess, n., alderman-
ly, adj., alderman-ry, n., alderman-ship, n.
Aldine, adj., printed by Aldus Manutius (1450-
1515). — Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. Latin-
ization of It. Aldo, an abbreviated form of Teo-
baldo. See Theobald,
ale, n. — OE. ealo, alo, rel. to ON. 61, and cogn.
with L. alumen, 'alum', fr. I.-E. base *alu-,
'bitter'. OPruss. alu, 'mead', Lith. alits, OSlav.
olu, 'beer', are Teut. loan words. Cp. alum,
alumina, aluta, alutaceous.
aleatory, adj., depending on chance. — L. dled-
tdrius, 'pertaining to a gamester', fr. dlea, 'die,
game of hazard', prob. meaning orig. 'mere
chance', and derived fr. Gk. <*Xs6<;, a collateral
form of 7)Xe6?, 'wandering in mind, distraught,
foolish'. See Aleochara and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory.
aleberry, n. — Compounded of ale and ME. bre,
'brewis, broth', fr. OE. brlw. See brew, brewis.
alec, n., herring; fish pickle. — L. al(l)ec, hal-
(l)ec, also allex, hallex, prob. borrowed fr. Gk.
&X(X)?£, a var. of SX(4 'alec, fish pickle',
aleconner, n., an old official who tested the quali-
ty of ale (English hist.) — Compounded of ale,
con, 'to examine', and agential suff. -er.
alectryomachy, n., cock-fighting. — Compound-
ed of Gk. dtXsxTpufiv, 'cock', and ^xr,, 'battle,
fight'. The first element lit. means 'warder off,
fighter', and is rel. to dOi&ew, 'to ward, drive
or keep off, dcXe^P, 'fighter', iXx-nfa, of
s.m. See Alexander and cp. the first element in
next word and the second element in hippalec-
tryon. For the second element in alectryomachy
see -machy.
alectryomancy, n., divination by means of a cock
and grains of corn. — Compounded of Gk.
AXexTpuciv, 'cock', and li-ovreta, 'oracle, divin-
ation'. See prec. word and -mancy.
alee, adv., on or toward the lee (naut.) — Formed
fr a-, 'on', and lee. Derivative: alee, adj.
Alemanni, also Alamanni, n. pi., Suebic tribes,
who settled in Alsace and part of Switzerland.—
L fr Teut. Alamann- which prob. means 'the
aliens', lit. 'foreign men'. The al- in Al-e-manm
Al-a-manm lit. means 'other, foreign', and is of
the same origin as al- in L. al-ius, 'the other , in
the tribe name Al-lobrogi (see AHobrogi), and
el- in else (q.v.) Cp. alias and Alsatia. For the
second element in Al-e-manni, Al-a-mannl see
HI
man. Cp. F. allemand, 'German', which also
derives fr. Teut. Alamann- (see allemande).
alembic, n. — ME., fr. OF. ( = F.) alambic, fr.
OSp. (= Sp.) alambique fr. Arab, al-anbtq, 'the
still', which is formed fr. a/-,'the', and Gk. Sjxpi!;,
'cup, cap of a still, alembic', which is of uncer-
tain, possibly Semitic origin. Cp. It. lambicco,
which is of the same origin as Sp. alambique.
Alenu, n., concluding prayer (Jewish liturgy). —
Heb. 'dlinu, lit. 'upon us', formed fr. 'al, 'on,
upon', with -inu, the pronom. suff. of the 1st
person in the plural. The prayer is so called
from the first words 'dlinu l e shabbe a h, 'it is (in-
cumbent) upon us to praise'. Heb. 'al is rel. to
'dld h , 'he went up'. See aliyah.
Aleochara, n., a genus of rove beetles (entomol.)
— ModL., compounded of Gk. oXsoq, a col-
lateral form of i]Ks6q, 'wandering in mind, dis-
traught, foolish', and x«P«, 'joy'. The first ele-
ment is rel. to &Xa<r§ai, 'to wander, roam' ; see
hallucinate and cp. Alastor, aleatory. The second
element is rel. to x<«p£iv, 'to rejoice', x^P 1 ?.
'grace, kindness'; see Charis.
aleph, n., name of the 1st letter of the Heb. al-
phabet. — Heb. aleph, pausal form of eleph, 'ox' ;
so called in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form
of this letter, representing the head of an ox. Cp.
alpha. For the form cp. daleth, lamedh, samekh.
alepidote, adj., without scales (zool.) — Gk.
aXeTitSwTo?, fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
X£7u8&>t6<;, 'covered with scales', fr. Xents, gen.
XetuSo?, 'scale'. See lepido-, leper.
Derivative: alepidote, n., a fish without scales.
alerce, alerze, n., the sandarac tree. — Sp., 'the
larch tree', fr. Arab, al-arz, in vulgar pronun-
ciation al-erz, fr. al-, 'the', and arz, resp. erz,
'coniferous tree, pine tree, cedar', borrowed fr.
Heb. erez, 'cedar'.
alert, adj., watchful; active, nimble. — F. alerte,
fr. earlier a Verte, a Vairte, fr. It. alVerta, lit.
'on the height', fr. erta, 'height', prop. fern, of
erto, 'steep, precipitous', pp. of ergere, 'to erect,
raise', used as a noun, fr. L. erigere. See erect.
Derivatives : alert-ly, adv., alert-ness, n.
Alethea, fern. PN. — Gk. dXyj&eia, 'truth', fr.
aXvj&Tji;, 'true'. See aletho- and cp. Philathea.
alethiology, n., the science of truth. — G. Alethi-
ologie, compounded of Gk. <xXr|&£ta, 'truth' (fr.
dAV)&T)t;, 'true'), and -Xoyla, fr. -Xoynq, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See aletho- and -logy.
The word was first used by J. H. Lambert in his
Neues Organon (in 1764).
aletho-, combining form meaning 'true'. — Gk.
«Xr,Oo-, fr. aXrj8-r)<:, 'true', lit. 'not concealing',
fr- i- (see priv. pref. a-) and Xtj&t), 'forgetful-
fess, oblivion', which is cogn. with L. latere,
'to lie hid or concealed, to lurk'. See latent and
cp. Lethe, Alethea.
Alethopteris, n., a genus of fossil ferns, found
especially in the coal formation. — ModL., lit.
'having true ferns', coined by Sternberg fr.
aiexipnarmic
aletho- and Gk. 7rrepis, 'fern', which is rel. to
TCT£p6v, 'feather, wing'. See ptero-.
Aletris, n., a genus of plants; the colic root (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. aXe-cpii;, 'a female slave, who
grinds corn', fr. dtXeiv, 'to grind' (see next
word); so called from the mealy appearance of
its blossoms.
aleurone, also aleuron, n., a proteid substance
found in cereals (biochem.) — Gk. iSXeupov,
'wheat flour', fr. aXsTv, 'to grind', which is
cogn. with Arm. alam, 'I grind, pulverize', aleur,
'flour', and prob. also with OI. anuh (for *al-
nuh), 'thin, fine'. Cp. prec. word and the first
element in Aleyrodes.
alevin, n., a young fish. — F., 'fry, young fish',
fr. OF. alevain, fr. VL. *allevdmen, fr. L. alle-
vdre, 'to lift up, lighten, alleviate', in VL. also
'to bring up, rear', fr. ad- and levdre, 'to raise,
lift up'. See lever and cp. elevate. The French
form alevin (fr. OF. alevain) is due to the change
of suff. -ain (fr. L. -amen) to suff. -in (fr. L. -inus).
Alexander, masc. PN. — L. Alexander, fr. Gk.
'AXe^avSpoi;, lit., 'defender of men', fr. AXs^stv,
'to ward off, keep off, turn away, defend, pro-
tect, and avTjp, gen. avSpoq, 'man'. 'AXe^eiv is
desiderative of aXlxEiv, 'to ward off, which is
related to aXxr), 'protection, help, strength,
power, courage', &kx.i.\ioc„ 'strong', and cogn.
with OI. rdksati, 'protects', OE. ealgian, 'to de-
fend', and possibly also with OE. ealh, OS.
alah, Goth, alhs, 'temple', OLith. elkas, alkas,
'sacred wood', Lett, elks, 'idol'. Cp. Alcmene,
alexin, aiexipnarmic, Alexis, Alexius, Alcestis,
analcite. Cp. also lac, 'one hundred thousand'.
For the 2nd element in Alexander see andro-.
alexanders, the meadow parsnip. — Lit. 'the
flower of Alexander (the Great)' ; so called for
its brilliant color suggesting royalty.
Alexandrine, n., a verse of six iambic feet, having
the caesura after the third. — F. alexandrin; so
called because first used by the French poet
Alexandre de Paris (de Bernai) in a poem on
Alexander the Great, dating from the 13th cent.
alexandrite, n., a dark green variety of chryso-
beryl (mineral.) — Named after Alexander II
of Russia. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alexia, n., inability to read (med.) — Medical L.,
formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. Xe£i<;> 'speech',
from the stem of \iyzw, to tell, say, speak'
(see lexicon), but confused in meaning with L.
legere, 'to read'. For the ending see suff. -ia.
alexin, n., a substance which destroys bacteria
(immunology). — Coined by the German bacteri-
ologist Hans Buchner (1850-1902) in 1888, fr.
Gk. aXeEsiv, 'to ward off, keep off, protect'.
See Alexander and chem. suff. -in.
aiexipnarmic, adj. counteracting poison, anti-
dotal. — Gk. iXeiiitpap^axoi;, 'acting as an anti-
dote', fr. aXs^eiv, 'to ward off, keep off, pro-
tect', and tpapjiaxov, 'drug, poison'. See Al-
exander, pharmacy and -ic.
Derivative: aiexipnarmic, n., an antidote.
alexipyretic
alexipyretic, adj., keeping off fever. — Com-
pounded of Gk. d&^Eiv, 'to ward off, keep
off, protect', and nope-roc., 'fever', fr. mip, 'fire'.
See Alexander and pyretic.
Derivative: alexipyretic, n.
Alexis, masc. PN. — Gk. "AXci;ic, fr. iXe^ew, to
ward off, keep off, protect'. See Alexander and
cp. next word.
Alexius, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. 'AX^io?, lit.
'defender, helper', fr. deXs^v. See prec. word.
Aleyrodes, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. dtXeupciSv].;, 'resembling flour',
compounded of SXeupov, 'wheat flour', and
-toS*)?, 'like'. See aleuron and -ode, 'like'.
alezan, n., a sorrel horse. — Sp. alazdn (whence
F. alezan), 'sorrel-colored (horse)', fr. Arab, al-
ftisdn, 'the noble and beautiful horse'.
alfa, n., the esparto grass. — Arab, halfd', rel.
to Mishnaic Heb. keleph, Aram, hil'phd, 'rush,
reed', from stem h-l-p, 'to be sharp, cut through,
pierce'. Cp. acalephe.
alfalfa, n., lucerne. — Sp., fr. Arab. al-fdsfasa\
(Cp. the collateral Sp. form alfalfez, which rep-
resents the intermediate form between Arab.
al-fdsfasa h and Sp. alfalfa.).
alfaqui, n., a Mohammedan scholar. — Sp., fr.
Arab, al-faqih, fr. al-, 'the', zndfagih, 'learned,
intelligent', fr. fiqh, 'knowledge, intelligence',
alfenide, n., an alloy of nickel and silver. — So
called after the chemist Halphen, who invented
this alloy in 1850. For the ending see suff. -ide.
Alfred, masc. PN. — OE. JElfrid, compounded
of self, 'elf, and rxd, 'counsel'. See elf and read,
alfresco, adv. and adj., in the open air. — It. al
fresco, lit. 'in the fresh (air)'. It. al, lit. 'to the ,
is formed fr. a, 'to' (fr. L. ad), and the def. article
il (fr. L. tile, 'that'); see ad- and iUe and cp. al
segno. For It. fresco see fresco,
alga, n. — L., 'sea weed', cogn. with OI. pisdh,
'viscous, sticky', Norw. ulka, 'moldy; slime',
fr. I.-E. base *el-, *ol-, 'to putrefy, rot', whence
also Norw. ul, 'moldy', Swed. ul, 'rancid', L.
ulva, 'sedge'. Cp. Ulva.
Algae, n. pi., a division of plants of the Thallo-
phyta (bot.) — L., pi. of alga. See prec. word,
algalia, n., the abelmosk. — Sp., fr. Arab, al-
gdliya*, 'the civet'; so called in allusion to its
musky seeds.
algarroba, n., 1) the carob tree; 2) the common
mesquite (Prosopis juliflora). — Sp., fr. Arab.
al-kharruba h , 'the carob*, fr. al-, 'the', and
kharruba", 'carob tree'. See carob.
algarrobilla, n., a yellow dye from the seeds and
pods of Prosopis juliflora. — Sp., a dimin.
formed fr. algarroba.
algebra, n. — Fr. Arab, al-jabr (in vulgar pro-
nunciation al-jebr), 'reunion (of broken parts in
equations)', short for al-jabr w'al-muqdbala", 're-
union and comparison', title of a work written
by Mohammed ibn Musa al-Khowarizmi,
great mathematician of the 9th cent. The title
refers to, and the work deals with, the solution
45
of equations, which was the original scope of
algebra. Al-jabr is formed fr. al-, 'the', andM>".
'reunion', which is rel. to the verb ja'bara, 'he
bound together, united'. Cp. algorism.
Derivatives: algebra-ic, algebra-ic-al, adjs., al-
gebra-ic-al-ly, adv., algebmization (q.v.), alge-
braist (q.v.) .
algebraist, n., an expert in algebra. — A hybrid
coined fr. algebra and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
algebraization, n., reduction of algebraic sym-
bols (philos.) — G. Algebraisierung, fr. algebra-
isieren, a hybrid coined by Edmund Husserl
(1 859-1 938) fr. algebra and suff. -isieren, fr.
Gk. -£siv. See -ize and -ation.
algebraize, tr. v. — See prec. word,
algedonic, adj., characterized by the association
of pain and pleasure. — Compounded of Gk.
SXyoc, 'pain, and f,8ovix6<;, 'pleasant', fr. t)Sqvt),
'pleasure'. See algid and hedonic.
Algernon, masc. PN. — Lit. 'with mustaches', fr.
OF als gernons. OF. als (F. aux) stands for a
les, lit. 'to the' (pi.), fr. L. ad- (see ad-) and the
plural of the article le, fr. L. ille, 'that one';
see ille and cp. words there referred to. OF. ger-
non is a collateral form of grenon, 'mustache',
fr. VL. *grandnem, acc. of *grand, a word of
Teut. origin. Cp. OHG. gratia, OE. granu, 'mus-
tache', G. Granne, 'awn, beard', fr. I.-E. base
*gher-, 'to stick out', whence also OSlav. gram,
'point, edge', W. gran, 'eyelid', Mir. grend,
'whiskers'.
-algia, suff. denoting 'pain', as in cardialgia, myal-
gia, neuralgia (med.) — Gk. -aXyia, fr- ^Y°S.
'pain', whence xkyslv, 'to feel pain', apyaXsoc;,
(dissimilated fr. *<iXyaX£o<;), 'painful'; of un-
certain origin. Cp. algio-.
algid, adj., cold; chilly. — F. algide, fr. L. algi-
dus, 'cold', fr. algere, 'to be cold', which is cogn.
with ON. elgiar, Icel. elgur, 'drifting snow'; not
rel. to Gk. aXyeiv, 'to feel pain'. See E. L. Liden,
Studien zur altindischen und vergleichenden
Sprachgeschichte, Uppsala, 1897, P^6. Cp.
algor.
Derivatives: algid-ity, n., algid-ness, n.
algio-, combining form meaning 'pain' or 'per-
taining to pain', as in algiomuscular. — Fr. Gk.
SXfoQ, 'pain'. See -algia.
algo-, before a vowel alg-, combining form de-
noting 'pain', as in algedonic. — Fr. Gk. SXyo;,
'pain'. See -algia.
algoid, adj., resembling algae. - A hybrid coined
fr. L. alga and Gk. -ozM&, 'like', fr. el&os,
'form, shape'- See alga and -oid.
algodonite, n., a copper arsenide (mineral.)
Named after the Algodones mine m Chile. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Algol n a fixed star in the constellation Per-
seus (astron.) — Lit. 'the Demon Star', fr- Arab.
al-ghul, 'the demon', fr. al-, 'the', and ghul,
'demon'. See ghoul,
algolagnia, algolagny, n., the feeling of pleasure
49
in causing or suffering pain (psychopathol.) —
ModL. algolagnia, coined by Schrenck-Notzing
fr. Gk. SXyo?, 'pain', and Xayvot;, 'lustful,
lecherous'. For the first element see -algia. Gk.
Xdcyvoi; is rel. to Xayapo?, 'slack, loose', XTjyeiv,
'to stay, leave off, cease*, and cogn. with OE.
sleac, 'slow, slack'. See slack, adj., and cp. lack,
languid, lax, adj.
algology, n., the study of algae. — A hybrid coin-
ed fr. L. alga and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See alga and -logy.
Derivatives: algolog-ical, adj., algolog-ist, n.
algor, n„ cold; chill. — L„ fr. algere, 'to be cold'.
See algid and -or. For the mode of formation
cp. terror, 'fright', fr. terrere, 'to frighten', albor,
'white color', fr. albere, 'to be white',
algorism, n., the Arabic system of numerals. —
ME. algorisme, fr. OF. algorisme (F. algorith-
me), fr. ML. algorismus, from the inexact trans-
literation of Arab. al-Khowarizmi, 'the man of
Khowdrizm (the modern Khiva), surname of
Abu Jafar Mohammed ibn Musa, great mathe-
matician of the 9th cent. His famous work Al-
jabr w'al muqdbala k ('Reunion and compar-
ison'), introduced the use of Arabic numerals in
Europe, which denoted a turning point in the
history of mathematics. Cp. algebra,
algous, adj., pertaining to algae. — L. algdsus,
fr. alga, 'seaweed'. See Alga and -ous.
alguazil, n., peace officer in Spain. — Sp. alguacil,
fr. earlier alguazil, fr. Arab, al-wazir, fr. al-,
'the', and wazfr, 'vizier'. See vizier,
algum, n. — See almug.
alhacena, n., an alcove. — Sp., fr. Arab, al-khi-
zdna h , 'the store room, the cell', fr. al-, 'the',
and khdzana, 'he stored up'. See magazine and
cp. almacen.
Alhagi, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, al-hdj, 'the camel's
thorn', which is rel. to Talmudic Heb. heghd,
Aram, heghd, heghHhd, Syr. hdghHhd, of s.m.
The primary meaning of these nouns is 'thorns
forming a hedge', from the Semitic base h-y-g,
h-w-g, 'to surround, hedge, fence in'. See
H.L.Fleischer in his Contributions to Jacob
Levy'sNeuhebraischesundChaldaischesWorter-
buch iiber die Taimudim und Midraschim, I,
p. 556, and Immanuel Low, Aramaische Pfian-
zennamen, Leipzig, 1881, pp. 145-47.
Alhambra, n., the palace of the Moorish kings at
Granada. — Sp., fr. Arab. (al-kaVat) al-hamrd',
'the red (castle)', fern, of dhmaru, 'red', rel. to
hdmmara, 'he dyed red', humra h , 'redness', Heb.
hemdr, 'bitumen, asphalt' (so called because of
its reddish color), hdmdr, 'he covered or smear-
ed with asphalt', hdmer, 'mortar, clay' (so called
from its color), Heb. hdmdr, Arab, himdr,
Aram. -Syr. hamdrd, Akkad. imeru, 'ass', lit. 'the
reddish brown animal', Heb. yahmur, Aram.
yahmurd, Arab, yahmur, 'roebuck' (also named
from its color). The Alhambra was called 'the
antorm
red castle', from the color of the sun-dried
bricks of which its outer walls were built.
Alhambresque, adj., made in the style of the Al-
hambra. — A hybrid coined fr. Alhambra and
suff. -esque (fr. It. -esco).
Al Het, the longer confession of sin recited on
the day of Atonement (Jewish Religion). —
Heb. 'al het, 'upon or for the sin'; so called
because each sentence begins with the words 'al
het, resp. v e 'al het ('Forgive us "for the sin" we
have committed by ...').
alias, adv., otherwise called; n., an assumed
name. — L. alias, 'in another way, at another
time, otherwise', fr. alius, 'another', which is
cogn. with Gk. axXo? (for *aXio<;), 'another',
Goth, aljis, 'other', OE. elles, 'otherwise'. See
else and words there referred to and cp. esp.
alibi, alien.
alibi, n., plea that the accused person was else-
where than at the place where the crime was
committed (law). — L. alibi, 'elsewhere', com-
pounded of alius, 'other', and ibi, 'there'. See
prec. word and ibidem.
alible, adj., nourishing. — L. alibilis, 'nourishing,
nutritious', fr. alere, 'to nourish'. See aliment
and cp. words there referred to. For the ending
see suff. -ible.
Derivative: alib-il-ity, n.
Alice, fem. PN. — OF. Aliz, Aaliz, fr. OHG. Adal-
haid, lit. 'of a noble kind'. See Adelaide and
cp. Alison.
Alice blue. — Named after Mrs. Alice Roosevelt,
wife of President Theodore Roosevelt.
alicula, n. a short cloak (Rom. antiq.) — L. 'a
light upper garment', a dimin. formed fr. Thes-
sal. Gk. aXXixa, acc. of aXXi";, 'upper gar-
ment; purple cloak', with suff. -ula (see -ule).
L. alicula is not rel. to L. ala, 'wing'.
alidade, n., indicator of an astrolabe. — F., fr.
Sp. alidada, fr. Arab. al-iddda h , 'the revolving
radius of a circle'.
alien, adj. and n. — L. alienus, 'belonging to an-
other', fr. alius, 'another'. See alias.
Derivatives: alien-able, adj. (cp. F. alienable),
alien-abil-ity, n., alienage (q.v.), alienate (q.v.),
alien-ee, n., alienism (q.v.), alienist (q.v.)
alienage, n., status of an alien. — F. alienage, ir.
aliener, fr. L. alienare. See next word and -age.
alienate, tr. v. — L. aliendtus, pp. of alienare, 'to
make something another's, to take away, re-
move', fr. alienus. See alien and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: alienation (q.v.), alienat-or, n.
alienation, n. — ME., fr. OF. alienation (F. alie-
nation), fr. L. aliendtidnem, acc. of aliendtio,
'transference or alienation of property', fr. alie-
ndtus, pp. of alienare. See prec. word and -ion.
alienism, n., the status of a alien. — Formed fr.
alien with suff. -ism.
alienist, n., specialist in mental diseases. — F.
alieniste, a hybrid formed fr. L. alienus, with
suff. -iste. See alien and -ist.
aliform, adj., wing-shaped. — Compounded of
alight
50
L. ala, 'wing', and forma, 'form, shape'. See
aisle and form, n.
alight, intr. v., to descend, get down. — ME.
alihten, fr. OE. dlihtan, fr. a- (see intensive
pref. a-), and lihtan, 'to alight'. See light, 'to
dismount'.
alight, adj., on fire. — ME. aliht, pp. of alihten,
'to light up'. See a-, 'on', and light, n.
align, tr. v., to range in line; intr. v., to fall into
line. — F. aligner, fr. a, 'to' (see a-), and ligne,
fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line and cp. allineate.
Derivatives: align-er, n., alignment (q.v.)
alignment, alignement, n. — F. alignement, fr.
aligner. See align and -ment.
alike, adv., adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and like, adj.
aliment, n., food. — L. alimentum, 'nourishment,
food', fr. alere, 'to rear, nourish, support, main-
tain', fr. I.-E. base *al-, 'to grow, nourish'. See
old and cp. words there referred to. For the end-
ing see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: aliment-al, adj., alimentary (q.v.),
alimentation (q.v.)
alimentary, adj. — ML. alimentarius, 'pertaining
to nourishment', fr. L. alimentum. See aliment
and adj. suff. -ary.
alimentation, n. — ML. alimentdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. alimentum. See aliment and -ation.
alimony, n., money paid to a wife out of her hus-
band's income during or after separation or
divorce (law). — L. alimdnia, 'nourishment,
sustenance', formed fr. alere, 'to rear, nourish,
support, maintain', with suff. -monia, which is
cogn. with Gk. suff. -fx<ov. See aliment and -mony.
Aline, fem. PN. — F., shortened fr. Adeline. See
Adeline.
aline, tr. and intr. v. — A var. of align,
aliped, adj., wing-footed. — Compounded of L.
ala, 'wing', and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See alar
and pedal.
Derivative: aliped, n.
aliphatic, adj., fatty. — Formed with suff. -ic
from the stem of Gk. SXcitpetp, also SXenpoc,
gen. iXziyonoc, 'oil, fat', fr. aXetipsiv, 'to anoint'.
See adipose and cp. next word.
aliptes, n., the manager in the school for wres-
tlers (Roman antiq.) — L.aliptes,{T.Gk.aXelTiTt)c„
lit. 'anointer'. fr. AXeifpeiv, 'to anoint'; see
prec. word. He was so called because it was his
care to annoint the bodies of the wrestlers with
unguents.
aliquant, adj., not dividing without leaving a re-
mainder. — F. aliquante, fr. L. aliquantus,
'somewhat, some, moderate', compounded of
alius, 'other', and quantus, 'how great'. See
alias and quantum.
Derivative: aliquant, n.
aliquot, adj., dividing exactly, without leaving a
remainder. — L., 'some several, a few', com-
pounded of alius, 'other', and quot, 'how much,
how many'. See alias and quota and cp. the
second element in hidalgo.
Alisma, n., a genus of aquatic plants, the water
plantain (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. &lia\ia, 'the
water plantain'.
Derivative: alism-al, adj.
alismoid, adj., resembling a water plantain. —
Compounded of Gk. Xkia^ac, 'the water plan-
tain', and -oetSif)!;, 'like', fr. zlSoq, 'form, shape'.
See -oid.
aliso, n., any of several plants of the genus Alnus
or their wood (bot.) — Sp., 'alder', fr. Goth.
*alisa, 'alder', fr. Teut. *aliso-. See alder, the tree.
Alison, fem. PN. — F., prop, a dimin. of Alice
(q.v.)
alisonite, n., a variety of covellite (mineral.) —
Named after R. E. Alison of Chile. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
aliunde, adv., from another place. — L., 'from
another place', compounded of alius, 'another'
(see alias), and unde, 'from which place; from
whatever place', fr. orig. *cunde, rel. to the pro-
nominal base *q w o-. See who and words there
referred to and cp. esp. ubiety.
alive, adj. — ME. on live, alive, fr. OE. on life,
'in life'. See on and life, and cp. live.
Derivatives: alive, adv., alive-ness, n.
aliyah, n., i) the act of being called to the alme-
mar to participate in the reading of the Torah ;
2) immigration to Israel. — Heb. 'dliyyd h , 'a
going up', fr. 'dld h 'he went up, ascended', which
is rel. to Ugar. 7v, Arab, 'did, 'he went up,
ascended', Akkad. elu, 'to go up, ascend', Heb.
'al, Aram.-Syr. 'al, Ugar. '/, Arab, 'did, 'on,
upon; against', Heb. 'dle h , 'leaf, lit. 'that which
springs up', 'did", 'burnt offering' (prop. fem.
part, of the verb 'did", and lit. meaning 'that
which goes up'), 'elydn, 'high, higher', ma'dld h ,
'step, stair', md'ld h , 'upward'. Cp. Alenu, Eli.
alizari, n., madder root. — F., fr. Sp. alizari, fr.
Arab. al-'asdra h , 'the juice', fr. al-, 'the', and
dsara, 'he squeezed, pressed', which is rel. to
Heb. 'dtzdr, Aram.-Syr. 'dtzdr, 'he retained'.
alizarin, alizarine, n., a dye (chem.) — F. ali-
zarine, fr. alizari. See prec. word and chem. suff.
-in, -ine.
aljama, n., a Jewish congregation in Spain. —
Sp., fr. Arab. at-jamd'a h , fr. al-, 'the', and ja-
md'a h , 'assembly', fr. jdma'a, 'he gathered to-
gether, assembled'.
aljamia, n., Moorish name of the Spanish lan-
guage. — Sp. aljamia, fr. Arab. al-ajamtya h ,
'the non-Arabic, barbarian (language)', fr. al-,
'the', and fem. oCajamf, 'non-Arabic, barbarian'.
aljofaina, n., wash basin. — Sp., fr. Arab, al-
jufdyna h , dimin. of al-jdfna h (whence Sp. alja-
fana), fr. al-, 'the', and jdfna", 'dish'.
alkahest, n., the universal solvent of the alche-
mists. — F. alcahest, fr. ML. alcahest, a pseudo-
Arabic word prob. coined by Paracelsus.
alkali, n. — F. alcalli (now spelled alcali), fr.
Arab, al-qilt, fr. al-, 'the', and gilt, 'charred
ashes of the saltwort', fr. gala, 'he fried, roast-
ed', which is rel. to Heb. qdld h , 'he roasted,
parched', Aram, q'ld, 'burned', Akkad. qalu,
51
'to burn' ; cp. kali. The word alkali first appears
in the writings of Albertus Magnus (1 2o6?-i 280).
alkalimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of alkalis. — A hybrid coined fr. alkali
and Gk. jxeTpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm'.
alkaline, adj. — A hybrid coined fr. alkali and
-ine, a chem. suff. of Latin origin,
alkaloid, n. — A hybrid coined fr. alkali and
Gk. -oetS^s, 'like', fr. etSos, 'form, shape'. See
-oid.
alkanes, n. pi. , a series of saturated hydrocarbons ;
the methane series (chem.) — Formed fr. a/Ayl
and methane-i.
alkanet, n., the bugloss. — Sp. alcaneta, dimin.
of alcana, fr. Arab, al-hinnd. See next word.
Alkanna, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Sp. alcana, fr. Arab.
al-hinnd', fr. al-, 'the', and hinnd', 'henna'. See
henna.
alkyl, n., any radical of the methane series, as
methyl, ethyl, etc. (chem.) — Formed fr. alkali
with suff. -yl.
all, adj. — ME. all, fr. OE. eall, all, rel. to OS.
OFris., OHG., MHG. al, ON. allr, Dan., Swed.,
G. all, Goth, alls, OHG. ala- (in ala-wdri, 'quite
true'), Goth, ala- (in ala-mans, 'mankind', lit.
'all men'), and cogn. with Lith. al- (in al-vienas,
'every one'). Cp. albeit, withal. Cp. also Alaric,
allodium, alone, Ella.
Derivatives: all, n. and adv., alt-ness, n.
allactite, n., basic manganese arsenate (mineral.)
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. aXXdca-
aeiv, 'to change* (fr. 3cXXo?, 'other'); so called
in allusion to its pleochroism. See else and cp.
alio-, alias. Cp. also allagite, cataUactic, paral-
lactic, trophallax.
allagite, n., a carbonated rhodonite (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. dcXXayr),
'change', which derives from the stem of dXXao-
oelv, 'to change'. See prec. word and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also agio, diallage,
hypallage.
Allah, n., Mohammedan name of the Supreme
Being. — Arab. Alldhu, contraction of al-Ildhu,
fr. al-, 'the', and Ildh. 'God'. See Elohim.
allanto-, combining form meaning 'sausage'. —
Gk. dXXocvro-, fr. aXXag, gen. aXXavro^, 'sau-
sage', a loan word fr. L. dlium, allium, 'gar-
lic', the orig. meaning of Gk. aXXa? being
'garlicky (sausage)'. Ion. <SXXt), glossed by He-
sychius, and rendered by him with Xi/avov
('greens, vegetables'), is of the same origin. See
Allium
■Hantoic, adj., pertaining to the allantois. — See
aUantois and -ic.
■Dantoid, adj., resembling a sausage. — • Gk.
iXXotvroeiS^)?, 'sausage-shaped', fr. aXXou;, gen.
•iXXavros, 'sausage' and -oei^rfi, 'like', fr. eISo?,
form, shape'. See allanto- and -oid.
Derivative: allantoid-al, adj.
allantois, n., a membranous sac in the embryos
of mammals, birds and reptiles (anat.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. itXXavTOEt8Y)i;, 'sausage-shaped'. See prec.
word.
allative, adj., pertaining to a case that expresses
motion toward; n., the allative case (gram.) —
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. alldtus, 'brought to'
(used as pp. of adferre, afferre, 'to bring to'),
fr. ad- and latus, 'borne, carried' (used as pp. of
ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands for *tldtos,
fr. *//-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-, *tol-, 'to
bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise',
tolerdre, 'to bear, support'. See tolerate and cp.
collate and words there referred to.
allay, tr. v., 1) to quiet; 2) to alleviate. — ME.
alaien, fr. OE. dlecgan, is to put down, remit,
give up', fr. d- (see intensive pref. a-) and lecgan,
'to lay'. See lay, 'to place'.
Derivatives: allay-er, n., allay-ment, n.
allegation, n. — F. allegation, fr. L. allegationem,
acc. of allegdtid, 'despatching a mission', fr.
allegatus, pp. of allegdre, 'to despatch, com-
mission, mention, adduce', fr. ad- and legdre,
'to send with a commission, despatch'. See leg-
ate and -ion.
allege, tr. v. — ME. aleggen, 'to bring forward as
evidence', fr. AF alegier, which is formed—
with change of prefix— fr. OF. esligier, 'to free,
disengage, buy, pay, possess', fr. VL. *exliti-
gdre, 'to free from a lawsuit', fr. 1st ex- and
litigare, 'to sue, quarrel'. See litigate.
Derivatives: alleg-ed-ly, adv., alleg-er, n.
allegiance, n. — ME. alegeance, formed fr. a (fr.
L. ad), 'to', and OF. ligeaunce, ligeance, fr. lige.
See ad-, liege and -ance and cp. ligeance.
allegorize, tr. and intr. v. — F. allegoriser, fr. L.
allegorizare, fr. allegoria. See next word and
-ize.
Derivatives: allegoriz-ation, n., allegoriz-er, n.
allegory, n. — F. allegorie, fr. L. allegoria, fr.
Gk. AXXYifopia, 'figurative language', lit. 'a
speaking about (seemingly) something else';
compounded of fiXXo?, 'other' (see alio-), and
aYopeusiv, 'to speak in the assembly', fr. ayopd,
'assembly', which is rel. to ayeipstv, 'to as-
semble', fr. I.-E. base *ger, 'to gather, collect'.
See gregarious and cp. category, panegyric The
word allegory was introduced into English by
Wycliffe.
Derivatives: allegoric (q.v.), allegor-ism, n., al-
legor-ist, n., allegor-ist-er, n., allegorize (q.v.)
allegretto, adj., n., and adv. (music). — It., dimin.
of allegro (q.v.)
allegro, adj., n., and adv. (music). — It. allegro,
'cheerful, gay', fr. L. alacer, fem. alacris, neut.
alacre, 'lively, cheerful, brisk'. See alacrity.
allelo-, combining form, meaning 'one another'.
— Gk. (xXXtjXo-, fr. oXXyjXwv, Dor. aXX&Xtov,
'of one another', fr. *£XX5XX-, *iXXaX-, con-
traction of *<ScXXo<;-£XXov (masc), *<5tXX<x-aXXav
(fem.), etc., lit. 'the other' (nom.)— 'the other'
(acc.), fr. iXXoi;, 'another, other'. See alio- and
cp. diallelon, parallel. •
alleluia
52
alleluia, n. and interj. — L., fr. Gk. dXX7]Xouia,
fr. Heb. hallHu-yAh, 'praise ye the Lord'. See
hallelujah.
allemande, n., name of various German dances.
— F., prop. fem. of allemand, 'German', fr.
Teut. Alamann-, stem of L. Alamannl, Alemanni
(pi.), name of a Suebic people, applied in ex-
tension to all the Germans. See Alemanni.
allergology, n., the study of allergies. — Coined
fr. ModL. allergia and Gk. -Xoyid, fr. -Xoyo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See allergy and
-logy.
Derivatives: allergolog-ic-al, adj., allergolog-
ist, n.
allergy, n., hypcrsensitiveness of body cells to
certain substances {immunology). — ModL. al-
krgia, coined about 1905 by Clemens von Pir-
quet, an Austrian pediatrist (1874-1910), fr. Gk.
aXXo?, 'another' and Ipyov, 'work'. See alio- and
ergon and cp. energy.
Derivative: allerg-ic, adj.
allerion, n., an eagle with expanded wings (her.)
— F. alerion, fr. Frankish *adalaro, correspond-
ing to MHG. adelar (G. Adler), 'eagle', orig. a
compound meaning 'noble eagle'. The first ele-
ment of this compound is rel. to OHG. adal,
'noble family', edili, OE. xdele, 'of noble de-
scent'. See atheling and cp. words there referred
to. For the second element see erne and cp.
ornitho-.
alleviate, tr. v. — L. allevidtus, pp. of allevidre,
a collateral form of allevdre, 'to lighten, alle-
viate', fr. ad- and levdre, 'to lighten, ease', fr.
levis, 'light'. See levity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: alleviat-ion, n., alleviat-ive, adj.,
alleviat-or, n.
alley, n., a narrow passage. — OF. alee (F. allee),
'a going, passage', prop. fem. pp. of OF. aler
(F. aller), 'to go', fr. L. ambuldre, 'to go, walk'.
See amble and cp. purlieu.
Derivative: aliey-ed, adj.
alley, n., a choice marble. — Abbreviation of
alabaster; so called because it was orig. made
of alabaster.
alliaceous, adj., belonging to the genus Allium
(hot.) — Formed fr. Allium with suff. -aceous.
alliance, n. — ME. aliance, fr. OF. aliance (F.
alliance), fr. OF. alter (F. allier). See ally and
-ance.
Alliaria, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. allium, 'garlic'
(see Allium) ; so called with reference to its odor.
allice, allice shad, n. — F. alose, fr. L. alausa,
'shad'. See alose.
alligation, n., relation between the prices of the
ingredients of a mixture and the price of the
mixture; 'the rule of mixtures'. — L. alligdtid,
gen. -dnis, 'a binding to', fr. alligdtus, pp. of al-
ligdre, 'to bind something to', fr. ad-, and ligdre,
'to bind, tie, fasten'. See ligament and cp.
alloy, ally.
alligator, n. — Corruption of Sp. el lagarto.
which is shortened fr. el lagarto de Indias, name
of the cayman, lit. 'the lizard of the (West)
Indies'. Sp. el, 'the', derives fr. L. ille, 'that one',
lagarto comes fr. L. lacertus, 'lizard'. See ille
and lizard.
alligator pear, the avocado. — Formed fr. Na-
huatl ahuacatl through the medium of the Mex.
Sp. forms alvacata, alligato. Cp. avocado,
alliterate, intr. v., to use alliteration. — ML. at-
literdtus, pp. of alliterdre, 'to begin with the
same letter', fr. ad- and L. littera, 'letter'. See
letter and verbal suff -ate.
Derivatives: alliteration (q.v.), alliterat-ive, adj.,
alliterat-ive-ly, adv.
alliteration, n., repetition of the same letter in
several words of a sentence. — ML. alliterdtid,
gen. -dnis, from alliterdtus, pp. of alliterdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
Allium, n., a genus of herbs of the lily family
(bot.) — L. dlium, allium, 'garlic', prob. cogn.
with OI. dluh, alukdm, 'bulb'. Accordingly dlium
would lit. mean 'the bulbous plant'. There is
little probability in Vanicek's suggestion to ex-
plain dlium as 'the strong-smelling plant', by
deriving it from the base *an-, 'to breathe,
smell'. Cp. alliaceous, Alliaria. Cp. also allanto-.
Cp. also the first element in allyl.
alio-, combining form, meaning 'other'. — Gk.
dXXo-, fr. aXXos, 'another, other', which stands
for *dXioi;, and is cogn. with L. alius, 'an-
other'. See alias.
Allobroges, n. pi., a Celtic tribe inhabiting the
north of Gallia Narbonensis (now Savoy). —
L. Allobroges (pi. of Allobrox), lit. meaning 'the
aliens', in allusion to their having driven out the
original inhabitants. The al- in Al-lobroges is
identical both in origin and meaning with al-
ia L. al-ius, 'the other', and in ML. Al-satia, and
with el- in E. else (q.v.) See also Alsatia and cp.
Alemanni.
allocate, tr. v., to set apart; to allot, assign. —
Late L. allocdtus, pp. of allocdre, fr. ad-, and
L. locdre, 'to place'. See locate and cp. allow,
'to assign', which is a doublet of allocate.
allocation, n. — Late L. allocdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
allocdtus, pp. of allocdre. See prec. word and -ion.
allochroic, adj., changeable in color. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. aXXo/pooc, 'changed in
color, fr. aXXoi;, 'another' and /poa, xpota,
'skin, surface, color of the skin'. See alio- and
chrome.
allochroite, n., a sub-variety of andradite. — See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
allochromatic, adj., changeable in color. — Com-
pounded of alio- and chromatic.
allochrous, adj., changing color. — See allo-
chroic and -ous.
alloclase, alloclasite, n., a mineral containing
bismuth, cobalt, arsenic, sulfur and iron. —
Compounded of alio- and Gk. vX&aiq, 'a break-
ing*, fr. xX5v, 'to break'. See clastic and cp.
53
alloxan
words there referred to. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
allocution, n., address. — L. allocutid, gen. -dnis,
'address', fr. allocutus, pp. of alloqui, 'to speak
to', fr. ad- and loqui, 'to speak'. See loquacious
and cp. locution,
allodial, alodial, adj., pertaining to an allodium.
— ML. allddidlis, fr. allodium. See allodium and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: al(l)odial-ism, n., al(l)odial-ist, n.,
al(l)odial-ly, adv.
aliodiality, alodiality, n., the quality of being al-
lodial. — - F. allodialite, fr. allodial, fr. ML. alld-
didlis. See prec. word and -ity.
allodium, alodium, n., land held as absolute prop-
erty. — ML. allodium, Latinized fr. Frankish
*al-dd (whence also ML. alodis, a word occur-
ring in the Salic Law), lit. 'entire property', com-
pounded of *al, 'all' (see all), and* dd, 'proper-
ty', which is rel. to OS. dd, OHG. *dt, OE. Sad,
ON. audr, Goth, auda-, 'possession, property,
wealth', the second element in MHG. klein-dt,
G. Klein-od, 'jewel, gem', lit. 'little wealth'. For
the second element in allodium cp. the first ele-
ment in Edgar, Edith, Edmund, Edwin. — It. al-
lodio, Sp. alodio, OF. alue, aluef (whence F.
alleu), OProvenc. alo, aloe, 'allodium', are
Frankish loan words.
allogamy, n., cross-fertilization (bot.) — Com-
pounded of alio- and Gk. -y<x\xia., fr. yA^ioq,
'marriage'. See -gamy.
allogeneous, adj., of a different kind. — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. Gk. dXXoyevT)!;, 'of another
kind'. See alio- and -gen.
allogeneity, n. — See prec. word and -ity.
allograph, n., a writing made by another person.
— Compounded of alio- and Gk. -ypacpo;, fr.
Ypa9Ei\i, 'to write'. See -graph.
allomerism, n., variation in chemical composi-
tion without change in crystalline form. — Com-
pounded of Gk. aXXo;, 'other' and ulpo?, 'part'.
See alio-, mero- and -ism.
allomerous, adj. — See prec. word and -ous.
allomorph, n. (mineral.) — Gk. dXXofxopcpo?, 'hav-
ing another form'. See alio- and -morph.
Derivatives : allomorph-ic, adj . , allomorph-ism, n.
allomorphite, n., a barite with the qualities of an-
hydrite. — See allomorph and subst. suff. -ite.
allonge, n., a thrust (in fencing) (obsol.) — F., 'a
lengthening', fr. allonger, 'to lengthen', fr. OF.
alongier, fr. a, 'to' (see a-), and long, 'long'. See
long, adj., and cp. longeron, lunge.
allonym, n., the name of another person assumed
by the author of a work. — Compounded of
Gk. icXXoc, 'other' and 6vu[/.oc, dial, form of
5vo(jta, 'name'. See alio- and name and cp. ono-
mato. Cp. also anonymous, antonym, cryptonym,
homonym, metonymy, paronymous, patronymic,
synonym.
allopath, n. — Back formation fr. allopathy,
allopathy, n., treatment of disease by remedies
that produce effects opposite to those caused
by the disease. — G. Allopathie, coined by the
German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-
1843) fr. Gk. aXXo?, 'other', and -KdcS-eia, fr.
Tia&oi;, 'suffering'. See alio- and -pathy and cp.
enantiopathy, homeopathy.
'Derivatives: allopath-ic, adj., allopath-ic-ally,
a.dv.,aIlopath-et-ic, adj. ,allo-path-et-ical-ly, adv.,
allo-path-ist, n.
allophylian, adj., foreign; specif., neither Indo-
European nor Semitic; n., one who speaks an
allophylian language. — L. allophylus, fr. Gk.
(XXX69GX01;, 'of another tribe, foreign' (in the
Septuagint, aXXotpuXoi is the usual rendering of
PHishtim, 'Philistines'); compounded of aXXo?,
'other' and <sf>\y\, 'tribe' which is rel. to cpOXov,
'stock, race'. See alio-, phylo- and -ian.
allot, tr. v. — OF. aloter (F. alloter, allotir), a
hybrid coined fr. a, 'to' (see a), and lot, a word
of Teut. origin. See lot.
allotment, n. — F. allotement, fr. alloter. See prec.
word and -ment.
allotrio-, before a vowel allotri-, combining form
meaning 'abnormal', as in allotriophagy. — Gk.
dXXoxpio-, dXXoTpi-, fr. dXX6-rpio;, 'strange',
which is formed fr. oeXXoc, 'other' (see alio-),
and Tp-, zero degree of the compar. suff. --ep,
for which see -ther.
allotriophagy, n., an unnatural appetite (med.) —
Compounded of allotrio- and Gk. ^ayia, 'eat-
ing of, fr. -cpdyo?, 'eating'. See -phagy.
allotropy, n., the change of physical properties
without change of chemical substance. — Gk.
dXXoTpojria, 'strangeness, variety', fr. dXXoTpo-
tos, 'strange', which is compounded of aXXo;,
'other' and Tporox;, 'turn, direction, way'; in-
troduced into chemistry by the Swedish chemist
Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779- 1848) in 1841. See
alio- and -tropy.
Derivatives : allotrop-ic, allotrop-ic-al, adjs., allo-
trop-ic-al-ly, adv., allotrop-ism, n.
allow, tr. and intr. v. — ME. alouen, fr. OF. aloer,
alouer, 'to place; to let, rent' (whence F. al-
louer. 'to assign, allocate'), fr. Late L. allocdre,
fr. ad- and L. locdre, 'to place' (whence F. loner,
'to let, rent') (see allocate) ; confused in meaning
with OF. aloer, alouer, 'to approve', fr. L. al-
lauddre, 'to extol', fr. ad- and lauddre, 'to praise'
(whence F. louer, 'to praise'); see laud.
Derivatives: allowable (q.v.), allowance (q.v.),
allow-ed-ly, adv., allow-er, n.
allowable, adj. — F. allouable, 'permissible', fr.
allouer, 'to permit'. See allow, and -able.
Derivatives: allowable-ness, n., allowabl-y, adv.
allowance, n. — OF. alouance, fr. aloer, alouer,
'to place; to let'. See allow and -ance.
Derivative: allowance, tr. v.
alloxan, n., an oxidation product of uric acid
(cnem.) — Coined fr. a//antoin and ojcalic; so
called because it contains residues of allantoin
and oxalic acid. The name alloxan was coined
by Liebig and Wohler (see Ann. Chem. Pharm.
XXVI, 256).
alloy
54
alloy, n. — F. aloi, fr. OF. alei, aloi, fr. aleier,
aloier, 'to bind, combine' (whence F. aloyer,
'to alloy'), fr. L. alligare, 'to bind to (some-
thing)', fr. ad- and ligare, 'to bind, tie, fasten'.
See ligament, and cp. alligation.
alloy, tr. v. — OF. aleier, aloier, 'to bind, com-
bine'. See alloy, n.
alloyage, n. — F. aloyage, 'the act of alloying',
fr. aloyer, 'to alloy'. See alloy, and -age.
allspice, n., the berry of the pimento (Pimento
officinalis) and the spice made from it. — Com-
pounded of all and spice; so called because it
is supposed to combine the flavors of several
condiments.
allude, intr. v. — L. alludere, 'to play with; to
refer to', fr. ad- and ludere, 'to play'. See ludi-
crous and cp. collude, delude, elude, illude.
allumette, n., a match for lighting. — F., fr. al-
lumer, 'to light, kindle', fr. VL. *alluminare, fr.
ad- and L. luminare, 'to light up, brighten', fr.
lumen, gen. luminis, 'light'. Cp. It. alluminare,
OProvenc. alumenar, Sp. alumbrar, Port, alu-
miar, 'to light, illuminate', and see luminous.
allure, tr. v., to tempt by a bait. — ME. aluren,
fr. OF. aleurrer, fr. a, 'to' (see a), and leurrer,
'to lure'. See lure.
Derivatives: allure, n., allure-ment, n., allur-er,
n., allur-ing, adj., allur-ing-ly, adv., allur-ing-
ness, n.
allusion, n. — L. allusio, gen. -onis, 'a playing
with, a reference to?, fr. allusus, pp. of alludere.
See allude and -ion, and cp. collusion, delusion,
elusion, illusion.
allusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. allusus
pp. of alludere. See allude and cp. collusive, de-
lusive, elusive, illusive.
Derivatives: allusive-ly, adv., allusive-ness, n.
alluvial, adj. and n. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. alluvius, 'alluvial'. See alluvion.
alluvion, n., i) washing of water against the shore;
2) a flood; 3) alluvium. — F., fr. L. alluvidnem,
acc. of alluvia, 'an overflow, inundation, allu-
vial land', lit. 'a washing upon', fr. alluere, 'to
wash upon or against', fr. ad- and luere, 'to
wash', which is rel. to lavdre, 'to wash'. See lave
and -ion and cp. antediluvian, deluge, dilute,
diluvium, elution.
alluvium, n., matter deposited by flowing water.
— L., neut. of alluvius, 'alluvial', fr. alluere.
See alluvion.
ally, tr., and intr. v. — ME. alien, fr. OF. alier
(F. allier), 'to join, unite', fr. L. alligare, 'to bind
to something', fr. ad- and ligare, 'to bind'. See
ligament and cp. alliance.
Derivative: ally, n.
allyl, n., a univalent radical, C 3 H S (chem.) —
Formed with suff. -yl fr. allium, 'garlic' (see Al-
lium) ; so called because it was first obtained as
a disulfide from garlic (by Wertheim in 1844).
Alma, fem. PN. — Lit. 'nourishing', fr. L. alma,
fcm. of almus, fr. alere, 'to nourish*. See aliment
and cp. Alma Mater.
almacen, n., warehouse, magazine. — Sp., fr.
Arab, al-mdkhzan, fr. al-, 'the', and mdkhzan,
'storehouse', fr. khdzana, 'he stored up'. See
magazine and cp. alhacena.
almaciga, n., the tree Agathis alba. — Sp., a var.
of almastiga, 'mastic', fr. Arab. al-mdstaka h , fr.
al-, 'the', and mdstaka h , 'mastic', ult. fr. Gk.
[iaaxtxT). See mastic.
almadia, n., a kind of boat. — Sp. almadia, fr.
Arab. al-ma'dtya h , fr. al-, 'the' and ma'dtya h ,
'ferryboat', a derivative of the verb, 'add, 'he
passed by', which is rel. to Heb. 'ddhd", Aram.
'Odht, 'ddhd, Syr. 'adhd, Ethiop. 'addwa, 'he
passed by', Heb. 'adh, 'as far as', 'adh, 'eternity'
(lit. 'passing time'), la'ddh, 'for ever'.
almagest, n., 1) the treatise of Claudius Ptolemy
of Alexandria on astronomy; hence 2) any
similar medieval work on astronomy or astrol-
ogy. _ ME., fr. OF. almageste, fr. Arab, al-
majistf, fr. al-, 'the', and Gk. (xeytaTT) (scil.
(riivTa^i?), 'the greatest composition', fem. of
piyiazoq, superlative of ^eyas, 'great' ; see me-
ga-. In their admiration for the great work of
Claudius Ptolemy the Arabian translators
changed the title of his work from MsyaXtj
auvTa^i? (t^s daTpovo[j.ia<;), 'Great work (on
astronomy)', into MeytaTT] crovra^ic, 'the great-
est work'.
almagra, n., red ocher. — Sp., fr. Arab, al-
mdghra", fr. al-, 'the', and mdghra", 'red ocher'.
Alma Mater, one's university or school. — L.,
'fostering mother'. Almus, fem. alma, neut. al-
mum, 'nourishing, fostering', is related to aid,
alere, 'to nourish', and prob. cogn. with the
second element in Gk. (puT-aX^io?, 'producing,
nourishing, fostering', epithet of Zeus and of
Poseidon. See aliment and cp. Alma. For the
second element see mater, mother,
almanac, n., a calendar giving astronomical data
and other useful information. — F. almanach,
fr. ML. almanachus (whence also It. almanacco,
Sp. almanaque, G. Almanach, etc.), fr. Gk.
dX|AeviXiaxa (*?'■)■ 'calendars', which is prob.
of Coptic origin; prob. influenced in form by a
confusion with Arab, al-mandh, 'the gift'. Sp.-
Arab. al-mandkh, 'the almanac', is itself a loan
word fr. ML. almanachus.
almandine, n., a purple variety of garnet (miner-
al.) — F., assimilated fr. earlier alabandine, fr.
L. {gemma) Alabandina, a precious stone, fr.
Alabanda, a town in Caria, an ancient district
of Asia Minor. For the ending see suff. -ine.
ahnemar, n., platform with reading desk in a
synagogue. — Arab, al-minbar, 'the pulpit*, fr.
al-, 'the', and minbar, which orig. denoted 'an
(elevated) seat', and is a loan won* fr. Ethiop.
minbar, 'seat'. See mimbar.
almeriite, n., a hydrous basic aluminium sodium
sulfate (mineral.) — Named after Almeria in
Spain. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
almighty, adj. — OE. ealmihtig, mlmihtig, fr. eall,
•all*, and mihtig, 'mighty'. See all and mighty.
almogavar, n., a light-armed Spanish soldier in
the middle ages. — Sp., fr. Ar. al-mughdwir, lit.
'the raider', fr. al-, 'the', and active partic. of
ghdwara, 3rd conjugation of ghdra, 'he raided,
invaded'.
Almohades, n., pi., members of a Mohammedan
sect, founded by Mohammed ibn Abdallah. —
Lit. 'the unitarians' ; shortened it.*Al-mo\ahides,
from Arab, al-muwahhidun, 'they who profess
the unity of God', fr. al-, 'the', and active part,
of the 2nd conjugation of wdhuda, 'he was alone'
whence also wahfd, 'solitary' ; rel. to Heb. yahid,
'only one, solitary', ydhad, yahddw, 'together'.
almond, n. — ME., fr. OF. almande (F. amande),
fr. VL. amandula, fr. L. amygdala, fr. Gk.
AiiuySAXv), 'almond', which, according to H.
Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechi-
schen, pp. 25-26, is borrowed from Heb. me-
ghedh El, 'divine fruit'. [The ending -ula in VL.
amandula, corresponding to the Gk. ending -<xkt)
in afiuySaXT), was mistaken for the dimin. suff.
(see -ule) and consequently dropped in OF. al-
mande, E. almond, etc.] The n before the d is
excrescent. Cp. amygdalate. Cp. also mandorla.
almoner, n. — OF. almosnier (F. aumdnier), fr.
almosne (F. aumone), fr. VL. "alemosina, fr.
Eccles. L. eleemosyna. See alms.
almonry, n. — OF. almosnerie (F. aumonerie), fr.
almosnier, 'almoner'. See prec. word and -y (re-
presenting OF. -ie).
Almoravides, n. pi., the members of an African
tribe. — Arab. al-Murdbifun, fr. al-, 'the', and
murabitun, lit. 'monks living in a fortified con-
vent', denominated fr. rib&t, 'fortified convent',
fr. rdbata, 'he applied himself to something, de-
voted himself to religious life', 3rd conjugation
of rdbata, 'he bound'. Cp. marabou, marabout,
maravedi.
almost, adv. — ME. almest, almost, fr. OE. eal-
msest, zlmsest, lit. 'mostly, all'. See all and most.
alms, n. — ME. almesse, fr. OE. selmysse, fr.
Eccles. L. eleemosyna, fr. Gk. SX£7][jk>ctuv7),
'pity, mercy', in Eccles. Gk. 'charity, alms', fr.
eXet)|jl<ov, 'pitiful, merciful', fr. iXeoq, 'pity,
mercy', which is of uncertain, possibly imita-
tive, origin. Cp. almoner, eleemosynary, the
second element in frankalmoign, and the second
word in Kyrie eleison.
almuce, n., hood, headdress. — OF. almuce, au-
muce (F. aumusse), fr. VL. almucia. See amice,
'hood, headdress', and cp. words there referred
to.
almud, aim ode, n., a dry measure. — Arab, al-
mudd, fr. al-, 'the', and mudd, 'a corn measure',
fr. mddda, 'he extended, stretched', which is rel.
to Heb. maddd, 'he measured', middd", 'meas-
ure, stature, size", Akkad. madadu, 'to measure'.
almuerzo, n., breakfast. — Sp., fr. almorzar, 'to
breakfast', fr. L. admorsus, pp. of admordere,
'to bite into', fr. ad- and mordere, 'to bite'. See
mordant.
almug, also algum, n., a tree mentioned in the
Bible, prob. the sandalwood (the first form oc-
curs I Kings 10:11-12, the second II Chron.
2:7 and 9: 10-11). — Heb. almuggtm, resp. al-
gummim (pi.). The singular of these words must
be almOgh, resp. algdm, so that the forms
almug and algum are incorrect. They should be
replaced by almog, resp. algom.
alnage, n., measurement by the ell. — OF. aul-
nage (F. aunage), fr. aulne, 'ell', fr. Frankish
*alina, prop, 'forearm', which is rel. to OHG.
elina, OE. eln, 'ell'. See ell and -age.
Derivative: alnag-er. n.
Alnus, n., a genus of plants; the alder (hot.) —
L. alnus, cogn. with ON. obi, OE. alor, 'alder'.
See alder.
alodial, alodium, n. — See allodial, allodium.
aloe, n. — L. aloe, fr. Gk. aX6rj, 'aloe', prob.
borrowed fr. Heb. dhdltm, dhdldth (pi.), which
are perhaps borrowed fr. OI. agaruh, aguruh,
'aloewood', these latter being prob. of Dravid-
ian origin. Cp. agalloch.
aloetic, adj. containing, or of the nature of, aloes;
n., an aloetic medicine. — Formed with suff.
-edc fr. Gk. dXoTj, 'aloe'. See aloe,
aloft, adv. — ON. a lopt, 'in the air', whence arose
the meaning 'on high'. See a-, 'on', and loft,
aloin, n., a bitter crystalline substance (chem.) —
Formed fr. aloe with chem. suff. -in; so called
because it is obtained from the aloe,
aloisiite, n., a hydrous subsilicate of calcium,
ferrum, magnesium and sodium (mineral.) — ,
Named after Prince Luigi (Latinized into Aloi-
sius) Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of the Abruzzi.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alone, adj. — ME. al one, 'all alone', fr. al, 'all',
and one, fr. OE. an, 'one, alone'. Cp. Du. alleen,
MHG. al-ein, al-eine, G. allein, 'alone', and see
all and one. Cp. also lone,
along, adv. and prep. — ME. anlong, along, fr. OE.
andlang, which is compounded of and-, 'against',
and long, 'long'. The first element is cogn. with
Gk. dv-rt, 'against', L. ante, 'before' ; see ante-,
anti-. For the second element see long, adj.
aloof, adv. — Originally a nautical term formed
on the analogy of Du. te loef, 'to windward'.
See loof, luff,
alopecia, n. baldness. — L., fr. Gk. dXcoTrexta,
'mange in foxes, bald patches (on the head)',
fr. aXwTTT)*;, gen. dXcoTrexo;, 'fox', which is perh.
cognate with L. vulpes, 'fox' See Vulpes and cp.
Alopecurus. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Alopecurus, n., the genus of foxtails (bot.) —
ModL., lit. 'fox tail', fr. Gk. dXco7rȣ, 'fox', and
oup6, 'tail' (see alopecia and uro-, 'taillike') ; so
called from the shape of the spike,
alose, n., a small fish, the shad. — F., fr. L.
alausa, a word of Gaulish origin. See G.-D.
Dottin, La langue gauloise, Paris 1920, p. 225,
and cp. aHice.
aloud, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and loud,
alow, adv., below (naut.) — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and low, adj.
Aloysius
56
Aloysius, masc. PN. — ML. Aloisius, fr. OF.
Loots. See Louis.
alp, a high mountain. — L. Alpes, 'the Alps', lit.
'the High Mountains', from non-Aryan base
*alb-, 'high; mountain', whence also Gael, alp,
W. ailp, 'a high mountain' (cp. Albion). The
connection of this word with L. albus, 'white',
is based on folk etymology. SgePokorny in Zeit-
schrift fur Keltische Philologie, 38, 313.
alp, a demon. — G. Alp, 'elf; rel. to E. elf (q.v.)
alpaca, n., a kind of llama and its wool. — Sp.
alpaca, fr. Quechua alpaca, fr. paco, 'yellowish
red'.
alpenstock, n., a long iron-pointed staff used for
climbing mountains. — G., lit. 'Alp stick', com-
pounded olAlpen, 'the Alps', and Stock, 'stick'.
See alp, 'a high mountain', and stock.
alpha, n., name of the 1st letter of the Greek al-
phabet. — L., fr. Gk. itktpoi, fr. Heb.-Phoen.
dleph; see aleph. The final a was added because
a Greek word cannot end with a 9; cp. beta,
gamma, delta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda,
sigma. See Theodor Noldeke, Die semitischen
Buchstabennamen, in Beitrage zur semitischen
Sprachwissenschaft, Strassburg, 1904, pp. 134
and 135, and Eduard Schwyzer, Griechische
Grammatik, Munchen, 1939, I, 140 y.
alphabet, n. — L. alphabetum, compounded of
Gk. &X901 and p^xa, names of the first two
letters of the Greek alphabet. See alpha and
beta.
Derivatives: alphabet, tr. v., alphabet-ar-ian, n.,
alphabet-ic, alphabet-ic-al, adjs., alphabet-ic-al-
ly, adv., alphabet-ics, n. pi., alphabet-ism, n.,
alphabet-is t, n. alphabet-ize, tr. v., alphabetiz-
ation, n., alphabet-iz-er , n.
alphitomancy, n., divination from barley meal. —
Compounded of Gk. aXipixov, 'barley groats',
and (xavTeia, 'oracle, divination'. Gk. &X91.,
aXtpixov orig. meant 'white (grain)' and are rel.
to dXcpo;, 'white', and cogn. with L. albus, 'white' ;
see alb. For the second element see -mancy.
alphitomorphous, adj., of the form of barley meal.
— Compounded of Gk. iiXtpixov, 'barley groats',
and (jio?97), 'form, shape'. See prec. word and
-morphous.
Alphonso, masc. PN. — Sp. Alfonso, fr. OHG.
Adalfuns, which is compounded of adal, 'noble
family, noble descent' (see atheling), and funs,
'ready'.
alphos, n., a form of leprosoy (med.) — Gk.
aX905, 'dull-white leprosy' (whence L. alphus,
of s.m.) ; cogn. with L. albus, 'white'. See alb.
Alpine, adj., pertaining to the Alps. — L. Al-
pinus, fr. Alpes, the Alps'. See alp and adj.
suff. -ine.
Alpinist, n., one who climbs the Alps or other
mountains. See Alpine and -ist.
alraun, n., the mandrake root. — G. Alraun, fr.
OHG. alrikna, fr. Albruna, a name given to
seeresses (see Tacitus, Germania, chapter 8).
The name Albruna lit. means 'having the secret
power of the Albs'; it is compounded of Alb
and runa, 'secret'. See rune,
already, adj. — Compounded of all and ready,
alright, adv. — Compounded of all and right.
Alsatia, n. — ML. Alisdtia, Alsdtia (whence also
F. Alsace), Latinized fr. OHG. eli-sd330 'in-
habitant of the other (bank of the Rhine)',
whence G. Elsafi, name of the province. The
first element in OHG. eli-sd330 is rel. to Goth.
aljis, 'other', OE. elles, 'otherwise' ; see else. The
second element is rel. to OHG. sissan, OE.
sittan, 'to sit, dwell' ; see sit.
Derivatives: Alsatian, adj. and n.
al segno, musical direction to go back to the sign.
— It., 'to the sign'. The first word is formed fr.
a, 'to' (fr. L. ad), and the def. article il (fr. L.
ille, 'that one'). See ad- and iile and cp. alfresco.
The second word derives fr. L. signum, 'sign'.
See sign and cp. dal segno,
alsike, alsike clover, (bot.) — Named fr. Alsike,
near Uppsala, in Sweden.
Alsine, n., a genus of herbs of the chickweed
family (bot.) — L., name of a plant, perh. 'the
chickweed', fr. Gk. aXm\i7).
Al Sirat, n., in the Koran, 'the right way' of faith;
the narrow bridge leading over the fire of hell
(Islam). — Arab, al-sirdt, 'the road', fr. al-,
'the', and sirdt, 'road', fr. Aram. ist e rdtd, isrdtd,
fr. Late Gk. axpaxa, fr. L. strata (scil. via), lit.
'paved way'. See street.
also, adv. — ME. al so, fr. OE. alswd, selswd,
ealswd, prop, 'all so'. See all, so, and cp. as.
alt, n. — L. altus, 'high, lofty, tall; high, shrill
(of voice)'. Altus is the pp. aialere, 'to nourish',
and lit. means 'nourished, grown up'. See old
and cp. aliment. Cp. also haughty, hauteur,
hawser, enhance, exalt, the first element in haut-
boy, oboe, and the second element in rialto.
Altair, n., a first magnitude star, a Aquilae (as-
tron _) — Arab, al-fdir, shortened fr. al-nasr al-
tair, 'the flying eagle', fr. al-, 'the', and fair, part,
of tdra, 'it flew'.
altar, n. — ME. alter, fr. OE. altar, fr. L. altare,
'altar', which is prob. rel. to adoleo, adolere,
'to burn', a verb dissimulated fr. orig. *adaleid;
hence L. altare orig. meant 'a place for burning
(sacrifices)'. It was influenced in form by an er-
roneous association with altus, 'high' (as if al-
tare meant 'a high place'). Cp. ME. auter, fr.
OF. alter, auter (F. autel).
Derivative: altar-ed, adj.
altazimuth, n., an instrument for observing the
altitude and azimuth of a star (astron.) — Com-
pounded of the abbreviation of altitude and
of azimuth.
alter, tr. and intr. v. — F. alterer, fr. Late L. al-
terdre, 'to change', fr. L. alter, 'the other (of
two)', which stands for *aliteros, *alitros, *altros,
and is formed with the compar. suff. -ter fi. base
*ali-, 'there, beyond', whence also alius, 'an-
other'. Hence alter and alius lit. denote 'one
who stands there'; the former— in keeping with
57
alumnus
the sense of the compar. suff. -ter — denotes 'the
other of two', the latter means 'another picked
out of many (at least three) persons'. See alias,
else and cp. altercate, altera, alternate, adulter-
ate, adultery, altruism. For the compar. suff. -ter
see -ther and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: alter-able, adj. alter-abil-ity, n.,
alter-ation, n., alter-at-ive, adj.
altercate, intr. v., to dispute, quarrel. — L. al-
tercdtus pp. of altercdri, to dispute, wrangle,
quarrel*, fr. *altercus, 'disputing', fr. alter, 'an-
other'. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
altercation, n., dispute, quarrel. — F., fr. L.
altercdtidnem, acc. of altercdtid, 'a dispute,
wrangling', fr. altercdtus, pp. of allercdri. See
altercate and -ion.
altern, adj., alternate. — L. alternus, 'one after
the other', fr. alter, 'the other (of two)'. See
alter and cp. subaltern.
alternant, adj. and n. — L. alterndns, gen. -ant is,
pres. part, of alterndre. See alternate and -ant.
alternate, tr. and intr. v. — L. alterndtus, pp. of
alterndre, 'to do first one thing, then another,
to alternate', fr. alternus. See altern and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: alternat-ing, adj., alternat-ing-ly ,
adv., alternation (q.v.), alternative (q.v.)
alternate, adj. — L. alterndtus, pp. of alterndre.
See alternate, v.
Derivatives: alternate-ly, adv., alternate-ness, n.
alternation, n. — L. alterndtid, -dnis, fr. alter-
ndtus, pp. of alterndre. See alternate, v., and -ion.
alternative, adj. and n. — ML. alterndtivus, fr.
L. alterndtus, pp. of alterndre. See alternate, v.,
and -ive.
Derivatives: alternative-ly, adv., alternate-
ness, n.
Althaea, n., a genus of plants of the marsh family
(bot.) — L., fr. Gk. aXSmx, 'marsh mallow',
which is rel. to aXO-aivsw, 'to heal', &\St\,
'growth', (xXStjctxeiv, 'to grow', aXSodveiv, 'to
make to grow, to nourish'; fr. I.-E. base *aldh-,
resp. *ald-, enlarged fr. *al-, 'to nourish, grow'.
See old and words there referred to and cp. esp.
alt.
although, conj. — Compounded of all and though.
Cp. ME. al thagh.
alti-, combining form meaning 'high'. — L. alti-,
fr. altus, 'high'. See alt.
Altica, a genus of beetles of the family Chryso-
melidae (entomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. aXxixos,
'good at leaping', from the stem of <xXXeo$m,
'to leap, jump', which is cogn. with L. salire,
'to leap, jump'. See salient.
altigraph, n., an altimeter recording the altitudes
reached. — A hybrid coined fr. L. altus, 'high',
and Gk. -ypoetpo!;, fr. ypdtqjeiv, 'to write'. See
alt and -graph.
altimeter, an instrument for measuring altitudes.
— A hybrid coined fr. L. altus, 'high', and Gk.
uixpov, 'measure'. See alt and meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. altometer.
altissimo, adj. and n. (music). — It., superl. of
alto, 'high'. See alto,
altitude, n., height. — L. altitudd, 'height', fr.
altus, 'high'. See alt and -tude.
Derivatives: altitudin-al, adj., altitudin-arian,
adj. and n.
alto, n. (music). — It., fr. L. altus, 'high'. See alt
and cp. contralto,
altogether, adv. — ME. altogedere, compounded
of al, 'all', and togedere, 'together'. See all and
together.
altometer, n., a theodolite. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. altus, 'high' and Gk. fjixpov, 'measure'.
See alt and meter, 'poetical rhythm', and cp.
altimeter.
alto-relievo, also alto-rilievo, high relief. — It.
altorilievo, 'high relief. See alt and relief, 'pro-
jection', and cp. mezzo-relievo.
altruism, n., unselfishness/the opposite of egoism.
— F. altruisme, coined by A.Comte in 1830 fr.
L. alter, 'another', on analogy of OF., F. autrui,
'another', whose ending is due to the influence
of lui, 'he'. See alter and -ism.
altruist, n., a person who believes in altruism. —
See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives : altruisl-ic, adj., altruist-ic-al-ly, adv.
aludel, n. a pear-shaped pot open at both ends,
so that a series of such pots can be placed one
above another; used for sublimation. — F., fr.
Sp. aludel, fr. Arab, al-uthdl, 'a pot used for
sublimation', fr. al-, 'the', and Gk. alfraXr,,
'sublimed vapor', a derivative of oafreiv, 'to
burn'. See ether.
Aludra, n., name of a constellation in the zodiac.
— Arab. al-'Adhrd', fr. al-, 'the', and 'adhrd',
'a virgin', from the stem of 'ddharat, 'she was
a virgin'.
alula, n., the bastard wing of birds (ornithol.) —
ModL., dimin. of L. dla, 'wing'. See aisle and
-ule.
alum, n. — OF. alum (whence F. alun), fr. L.
alumen, 'alum', lit. 'bitter salt', cogn. with Gk.
aXiiSoLfio?, 'bitter', OE. ealo, alo, 'ale', ON.
61, of s.m. See ale and cp. alumina, aluta, alu-
taceous.
Derivative: alum, tr. v.
alumin-, form of alumino- before a vowel.
alumina, n., aluminum oxide (chem.) — Fr. L.
alumen, gen. aluminis. See alum.
aluminite, n., a hydrous aluminum sulfate (mi-
neral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
aluminum.
aluminium, n. — The same as aluminum (q.v.)
alumino-, before a vowel alumin-, combining form
for aluminum.
aluminum, also aluminium, n. — ModL., coined
by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(1778-1829) fr. L. alumen, 'alum'. He gave the
new element the name aluminum, but changed
it later to aluminium. See alum and cp. the
second element in duralumin.
alumnus, n., pupil; graduate of a college or uni-
alurgite
58
versity. — L. alumnus, 'a nursling, foster-son,
disciple', for *alo-menos, prop. pass. pres. part,
of alere, 'to nourish' ; see old and cp. alt. For
the suff. *-menos cp. Gk. -\xsvoc,, the suff. of the
med. and pass, part., and L. fe-mina, 'woman',
lit. 'suckling (woman)', and see feminine. Cp.
also the suffixes of the words Aeschynomene,
calumny, catechumen, clement, column, ecumen-
ic, energumen, hapax legomenon, hegumen,
noumenon, phenomenon, prolegomenon.
alurgite, n., a purplish manganese mica (mineral)
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. dXoupY/)?,
'genuine purple dye', lit. 'wrought in or by the
sea', which is compounded of aXc, (fem.), 'sea',
and epyov, 'work'. See halieutic and ergon.
alushtite, n., a hydrous aluminum silicate (min-
eral) — Named after Alushta in the Crimea.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
aluta, n., a kind of soft leather. — L., for alu-ta,
lit. 'leather prepared by means of alum', rel. to
alumen, 'alum'. See alum.
alutaceous, adj., resembling aluta. — L. alutdcius,
fr. aluta. See prec. word and -aceous.
alveolar, adj., pertaining to alveoli. — Formed
with suff. -ar fr. L. alveolus. See alveolus.
alveolate, adj., pitted with small cavities, as a
honeycomb. — L. alveoldtus, fr. alveolus. See
next word and adj. suff. -ate.
alveolus, n., a small cavity. — L. alveolus, dimin.
of alveus, 'a hollow, cavity', which is rel. to al-
vus, 'belly', and cogn. with Gk. auX6;, 'tube,
pipe', Sv-auXo?, 'channel, riverbed', a6X<!>v,
'hollow way, defile, ravine, glen, channel, strait',
OS1. uliji, Lith. aulys, Lett, aulis, 'beehive', lit.
'a trunk hollowed out', OSlav. ulica, 'defile;
courtyard', Lith. aulas, Lett, aule, 'leg of a
boot', OPruss. aulis, 'shinbone', Arm. ul, uli,
'way', yli, 'pregnant'. For the correspondence
of Gk. auXo? and L. alvus, alveus, cp. Gk.
veupov, 'nerve', with L. nervus, of s.m., and
Gk. 7taGpo?, 'little, small', with L. parvus, of s.m.
For the ending see suff. -ole. Cp. carol, hy-
draulic.
alvite, n., a hydrous silicate containing yttrium
and other metals (mineral.) — Named after Alve
in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
alway, adv., always (archaic or poetic). — ME.,
lit. 'all (the) way'. See all and way.
always, adv. — Formed fr. prec. word with adv.
gen. suff. -s.
alypin, alypine, a crystalline compound (pharm.)
— Formed with chem. suff. -in, -ine, fr. Gk.
SXOton;, 'painless', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
X67T7), 'pain', whence Xii7reiv, 'to give pain to,
to pain, grieve', Xu7rr)p6s, 'painful' (rel. to
Xi5Ttp6?, 'wretched, distressed'); so called be-
cause of its anesthetic nature. Gk. Xfj7nr) is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with OI.
lumpdti, 'breaks, hurts, damages'. See leaf and
cp. library.
Alyssum, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. SXuctctov, 'mad-
wort', prop. neut. of the adj. SXuctoo?, 'curing
madness', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and Xuaaa,
Att. XuTxa, 'rage, fury, madness, frenzy'. See
lyssa.
alytarch, n., chief of police at the Olympic games.
— L. alytarcha, fr. Gk. dXuTdpx?]?, fr. dXikai;,
'police officer (esp. at Olympic games)', and
dpxo;, 'leader, chief, ruler'. The first element
stands for *f aXii-Tas, lit. 'staff carrier', and is
cogn. with Goth, walus, 'staff', ON. voir, 'a
round stick', fr. I.-E. base *wal-, *wel-, 'to turn,
bend, twist, roll'. See volute and cp. words there
referred to. For the second element see arch-.
am, v. — OE. eom, earn, am, rel. to ON. em,
Goth, im, for I.-E. *esmi, whence also OI. dsmi,
Hitt. esmi, Arm. em, Gk. Lesbian and
Thessal. tp\d, Dor. tjua, Alb. jam, L. sum
(formed on the analogy of the plural sumus, 'we
are'), OSlav. jesmi, Lith. esmi, OPruss. asmai,
Olr. am, 'I am', fr. I.-E. base *es-, 'to be'. See
esse and cp. are, art, is.
Amabel, fem. PN. — Lit. 'lovable', fr. L. amd-
bilis, fr. amare, 'to love'. See amatory and cp.
the PN.s Amandus, Amanda, Amy.
amadou, n., a spongy substance. — F., fr. Proven?.
amadou, lit. 'loving, amorous', fr. L. amator,
'lover' (see amatory) ; so called from the inflam-
mability of the substance.
amain, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and main,
'strength'.
amalgam, n., i) a mixture of mercury with a
metal or metals ; 2) a mixture, blend. — F. amal-
game, fr. ML. amalgama, dissimil. fr. Arab, al-
malgham, which is formed fr. Arab, al-, 'the'
and Syr. mdldgmd, fr. Gk. (idXaY[ia, 'a soft
mass', fr. |zaXdcmeiv, 'to soften', fr. jxdXaxoi;,
'soft'. See malaco- and cp. Amalthaea.
Derivatives: amalgam, v. (q.v.), amalgam-ate,
tr. and intr. v., amalgam-at-ion, n., amalgam-al-
ive, adj., amalgam-at-or, n., amalgam-ist, n.,
amalgam-ize, tr. v., amalgam-iz-at-ion, n.
amalgam, tr. and intr. v., to amalgamate. — F.
amalgamer, fr. amalgame. See amalgam, n.
Amalthaea, Amalthea, n., the nurse of Zeus
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'AjxaX^cia, which
is prob. rel. to naX»axo?, 'soft, light, weak',
uaXaxoc, 'soft'. See malaco- and cp. amalgam.
Amanda, fem. PN. — Lit. 'worthy to be loved',
fem. of amandus, gerundive of amare, 'to love'.
See amatory and cp. Amabel and names there
referred to. For other Latin gerundives used in
English cp. agenda and words there referred to.
Amandus, masc. PN. — L. See prec. word.
amanuensis, n., a person employed to write from
dictation; secretary. — L. amanuensis, formed
with suff. -ensis from the phrase servus a manu,
'a servant from the hand', i.e. 'a servant writing
from dictation'. See pref. a-, 'from', and
manual.
Amara, n., a genus of beetles, the ground beetle
(entomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Aujipi, 'trench'
which is prob. rel. to fiu.7), 'shovel, mattock'
59
ambages
(whence Sia^av, 'to cut through, clear away'),
and cogn. with OSlav. jama, 'a pit',
amaranth, n., 1) a mythical plant that never fades;
2) any plant of the genus Amaranthus; 3) purple
color. — Gk. d|xdpavTO<;, 'unfading; amaranth',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-), and the stem of (locpat-
veiv, 'to put out, quench, extinguish, to make
to waste away', fr. I.-E. base *mer-, 'to rub,
consume, wear away'; see smart, v., and cp.
marasmus. The ending of amaranth (for amarani)
is due to the influence of plant names formed
with Gk. av&os, 'flower'.
amaranthine, adj., 1) unfading, undying; 2) of
purple color. — Coined by Milton fr. amaranth
and adj. suff. -ine.
Amaranthus, n., a genus of plants (hot .) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dfidpav-ro?. See amaranth.
amargoso, n., the bark of the goatbush. — Sp.,
lit. 'bitter', fr. VL. "amaricosus, fr. L. amdrus.
See amarine.
amarillo, n., any of several tropical American
trees. — Sp., for *ambarillo, fr. Arab, 'anbart,
'amber-colored', fr. 'dnbar, 'amber'. See amber.
amarine, amarin, n., a poisonous compound
(chem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -ine, -in, fr.
L. amdrus, 'bitter', which is cogn. with ON. apr,
'sharp', Swed., Norw., Du. amper, 'sharp, bit-
ter', OE. ampre, OHG. ampfaro, MHG., G.
ampfer, 'sorrel', OI. amldh, ambldh, 'sour';
wood sorrel', Arm. amok', 'sweet, Alb. tamVs,
'(curdled) milk', embk, 'sweet' ; fr. I.-E. *am-ro-,
fr. base *am-, 'bitter', which is rel. to *omo-,
'raw, unripe', in OI. amah, 'raw, unripe, un-
cooked', Gk. to[i.6<;, of s.m. See omo-, 'raw, un-
ripe', and cp. amargoso, maraschino, margosa,
and the second element in picamar. For the -re-
formative element cp. Gk. mx-po?, 'bitter' (see
picric).
amaryllid, n., any plant of the order of Amarylli-
daceae (bot.) — See Amaryllis and -id.
Amaryllidaceae, n. pi., an order of plants. —
ModL., formed with suff. -aceae from the PN.
'AnapuXXi;, gen. 'AjxapuXXiSo?. See Amaryllis,
a genus of plants.
Amaryllis, n., name of a shepherdess in Theocri-
tus' Idyls. — L., fr. Gk. A^txpuXXt?.
Amaryllis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — From
prec. word.
amass, tr. v., to pile up. — F. amasser, 'to accumu-
late, heap up', fr. Late L. *admassdre, fr. ad-
and massdre, 'to heap up', fr. L. massa, 'a lump,
mass'. See mass.
Derivatives: amass-er, n., amass-ment, n.
amastia, n., absence of the breasts. — Medical
L., fr. Gk. SjiocffTO!;, 'without breasts', fr. 4-
(see priv. pref. a-) and (juxot6i;, 'breast'. See
masto- and -ia.
amateur, n. — F., 'lover of something, amateur',
fr. L. amdtdrem, acc. of amator, 'lover', fr. amd-
tus, pp. of amare, 'to love*. See amative.
Derivatives: amateur, adj., amateur-ish, adj.,
amateur-ish-ly, adv., amateur-ish-ness, n.
Amati, n., a violin made by a member of the
Amati family at Cremona (16th and 17th cent.)
amative, adj., pertaining to love, amatory. —
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. amdtus, pp. of ama-
re, 'to love', from the I.-E. infantile imitative
base *ama-, whence also amita, 'father's sister',
amicus, 'friend'. Cp. Gk. dSa^vew, 'to love'
(Hesychius), which is formed fr. Phrygian in-
tensive pref. d8- and *d^veiv, 'to love'. See
aunt and cp. Amabel, amadou, Amanda, Aman-
dus, amateur, amenity, amiable, amicable, amity,
amorous, amour, enamor, enemy, enmity, ina-
morato, inimical.
amatol, n., an explosive containing ammonium
nitrate and trinitrotoluene. — Coined fr. the
abbreviations of ammonium and toluene.
amatory, adj., pertaining to, or showing, sexual
love. — L. amdtdrius, 'loving, amorous, ama-
tory', fr. amdtus, pp. of amdre. See amative and
-ory-
Derivatives: amatory, n., amatori-al, adj., ama-
tori-al-ly, adv., amatori-an, adj.
amaurosis, n., decay or loss of sight (med.) — Gk.
d(jL<xi!>p&)<Tt<;, 'a darkening', fr. d^aopo?, 'dark,
dim, dull, faint'. See Moor and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see suff. -osis.
amaze, tr. v. — ME. amasen, fr. OE. dmasian, fr.
intensive pref. a- and -masian. See maze.
Derivatives: amaze, n., bewilderment (poetic),
amaz-ed, adj., amaz-ed-ly, adv., amaz-ed-ness,
n., amaze-ment, n.
Amazon, n., a member of a race of female war-
riors in Scythia (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk.
' A(ia?o>v, which prob. derives fr. Heb. ammftz,
'strong'. The form of the word 'A(j.a^v was
prob. influenced by the folk etymology accord-
ing to which 'A(xa£cov lit. means 'without
breast', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and \iaX,6q,
'breast' (the Amazons are said to have cut off
their right breasts in order to use the bow with
more ease).
Derivatives: Amazon-ian, adj., and n., Amazon-
ism, n.
Amazon, n., name of the largest river in the world
in volume. — Sp. Amazonas, from prec. word;
so called by Francisco Orellana after his battle
with the Tapuyas (in 1541), in allusion to the
circumstance that the women of the tribe
helped the men in their fight. Cp. next word.
amazonite, n., a green variety of microline (min-
eral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite from the
name of the Amazon River, near which it occurs.
ambages, n. pi., a roundabout way. — L. am-
bages, 'a roundabout way', lit. 'a going round',
compounded of ambi-, 'about', and dg-, length-
ened form of the stem of agere, 'to move, drive'.
See ambi- and agent, adj., and cp. ambiguous.
Cp. also amt, ambassador, embassy. For dg-,
lengthened form of the stem of agere, cp. L. in-
ddgdre, to trace out, investigate', which is form-
ed fr. ind(u)-, 'in', and dg-, lengthened form of
the stem of agere (see indagate).
ambagious
60
ambagious, adj., circuitous. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. ambages. See prec. word.
Derivatives: ambagious-ly, adv., ambagious-
ness, n.
ambassador, n., a diplomat of the highest rank.—
F. ambassadeur, fr. It. ambasciatore, fr. ambas-
ciata, 'embassy'. See embassy.
Derivatives', ambassador-ial, adj., ambassador-
ial-ly, adv.
ambassadress, n. — Formed fr. ambassador with
suff. -ess.
ambatoarinite,n., a carbonate of the cerium met-
als and strontium (mineral.) — Named after
Ambatoarina in Madagascar. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
amber, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) ambre, fr. Arab.
•dnbar, 'ambergris'. Cp. It. ambra, Sp., Port.
ambar, alambar, which all derive fr. Arab, 'dn-
bar. Cp. also amariUo. Cp. also ambrosia and
the second element in next word and in Liquid-
ambar, pomander.
Derivatives: amber, adj. and tr. v., amber-y,
adj.
ambergris, adj. — F. ambre gris, 'gray amber'.
For the first word see amber. F. gris is borrowed
fr. Frankish *gris, which is rel. to Du. grijs, 'gray',
OS., OHG., MHG. gris, 'gray', G. Greis, 'old
man', and prob. also to OE. grseg, 'gray'. See
grizzle, 'gray', and cp. gray and words there re-
ferred to.
amberite, n., an explosive. — Formed fr. amber
with subst. suff. -ite; so called because it re-
sembles amber.
ambi-, before a vowel amb-, combining form
meaning 'both, on both sides'. — L. ambi-, amb-,
'around, round about', rel. to ambo, 'both', and
cogn. with Gk. £u.<pl, 'round about', OI. abhi-
(ah, Avestic aiwi-to, 'on both sides', OE. ymbe,
OS., OHG. umbi, ON. umb, urn, MHG. umbe,
iimbe, G. urn, Gaul, ambi-, Olr. imb-, imm-,
imme-, 'round about, about', and with Gk. aixcpco,
'both', Toch. A dmpi, ampe, B ant-api, OI. ub-
h&u, Avestic uwa, OSlav. oba, Lith. abu, Lett.
abi, OPruss. abbai, Goth, bai, OE. bd, 'both'.
See both and cp. amphi- and the first element in
ambsace, ancile, ancillary, ancipital, umlaut. Cp.
also ember days.
ambidexter, adj., using both hands with equal
facility. — ML. ambidexter, compounded of
ambi- and L. dexter, 'on the right side, right'.
See dexter.
Derivatives: ambidexter, n., ambidexter-ity, n.,
ambidextrous (q.v.)
ambidextrous, adj. — See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: ambidextrous-ly, adv., ambidex-
trous-ness, n.
ambient, adj., surrounding. — L. ambiens, gen.
-entis, 'going round', pres. part, of ambire, 'to
go round, surround', compounded of ambi-,
'about, around', and ire, 'to go'. See ambi- and
itinerate and cp. ambition. Cp. also andante.
ambiguity, n. — F. ambiguitf, fr. L. ambiguitdtem,
acc. of ambiguitds, 'double meaning', fr. ambi-
guus. See ambiguous and -ity.
ambiguous, adj., unclear; doubtful. — L. ambi-
guus, 'having double meaning, shifting, change-
able, doubtful', h.ambigere, 'to wander about',
which stands for *amb-agere, fr. ambi-, 'about,
around', and agere, 'to set in motion, drive' ; see
ambi- and agent. For the change of Latin a (in
agere) to i (in amb-igere) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent
to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: ambiguous-ly, adv., ambiguous-
ness, n.
ambit, n., a circuit. — L. ambitus, 'a going round,
circuit', fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire, 'to go round'.
See ambient and cp. ambition.
ambition, n. — F., fr. L. ambitidnem, acc. of am-
bitid, 'a going round', esp. 'a going round of
candidates canvassing for office', whence 'a de-
sire for honor', fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire,
'to go round'. See ambient and -ion and cp.
ambit.
ambitious, adj. — L. ambitidsus, 'going about in
order to canvass for office', hence 'anxious to
please, ostentatious', fr. ambitid, gen. -dnis. See
ambition and -ous.
Derivatives : ambitious-ly, adv.,ambilious-ness, n.
ambivalence, ambivalency, n., simultaneous con-
flicting feelings (psychol.) — Compounded of
ambi- and valence resp. valency; introduced by
Sigmund Freud.
amble, intr. v., to go at an easy gait. — ME., fr.
OF. ambler, fr. L. ambuldre, 'to go about, walk',
which prob. stands for *amb-al-dre, fr. amb-
(see amb-) and I.-E. base *Sl-, 'to go', whence
also Gk. &M, 'ceaseless roaming', aXSor&ai,
aXouveiv, 'to wander about', aXYj-rr)?, 'beggar',
Lett, aluot, 'to wander about', L. alucinari, 'to
wander in mind'. See hallucinate and cp. am-
bulance, ambulate, funambulist, noctambulism,
somnambulism. Cp. also Alastor, aleatory, Aleo-
chara, alley, 'a narrow passage', exile, puriieu.
Derivatives: amble, n., amble-ing, adj.
amble, n., an easy gait. — ME., fr. F. amble, fr.
OF. ambler. See amble, v.
ambly-, combining form meaning 'blunt'. — Gk.
dcaBXo-, fr. AupX'i;, 'dull, blunt, dim', which
prob. stands for *a-(i.X-u;, and is rel. to [iaX<x-
y.6q, 'soft'. See malaco- and cp. amalgam, Amal-
thea.
amblyopia, n., weakening of the eyesight, the first
stage of amaurosis (med.) — Medical L., com-
pounded of ambly- and Gk. -coma, fr. &if, gen.
WTO?, 'eye, face'. See -opia.
ambo, n., a large pulpit in early Christian church-
es. — ML., fr. Gk. <5c(i[3(ov, 'a ridge', in Middle
Greek also 'pulpit'; of uncertain origin.
ambos, incus (anal.) — G. Ambofi, 'anvil'. See
beat, 'to strike', and cp. beetle, 'mallet*.
amboyna, amboyna wood. — So called from Am-
boyna Island, one of the Moluccas.
ambrite, n., a fossil resin. — Formed fr. amber
61
amen
with subst. suff. -ite; so called because it re-
sembles amber.
Ambrose, masc. PN. — L. Ambrosius, fr. Gk. <m-
$p6aioQ, 'immortal, belonging to immortals' . See
ambrosia.
ambrose, n., the wood sage. — ME., fr. F. am-
broise (now ambroisie), fr. L. ambrosia. See
next word.
ambrosia, n., the food (sometimes the drink) of
the gods in Greek mythology. — Gk. d(if}po<na,
fem. of a(xppoOTo?, a word generally explained
in the sense of 'immortal' and regarded as a
lengthened form of a^po-nx;, 'immortal'. A. W.
Verrall has proved, however, that the true
meaning of ajj.|3p6aio; is 'fragrant'. (For the
exquisite smell of ambrosia cp. Homer, Odys-
sey, 18, 192-3.) 'AjiPpoCTio? is prob. a Semitic
loan word, with the original meaning 'as fra-
grant as ambergris; pertaining to amber', and
a|x(3poata stands for a^[3po<na IScoSr), 'amber-
like food'. Cp. Arab, 'dnbar (pronounced 'am-
bar'), 'ambergris', and see amber. See also
nectar.
Derivatives: ambrosi-ac, adj., ambrosial, adj.
(q.v.), ambrosi-an, ambrosi-ate, adjs.
ambrosial, adj. — Coined by Milton fr. L. am-
brosius, fr. Gk. a[iPpo<jio<;. See ambrosia and adj.
suff. -al.
ambry, n., cupboard; closet (archaic). — ME. al-
mary, aumbry, fr. OF. almarie, armarie (F. ar-
moire), 'cupboard', fr. L. armarium, 'closet,
chest', lit. 'a place where arms are kept', fr. arma,
gen. armdrum, 'arms; tools, instruments, uten-
sils'. Cp. It. and Sp. armario, OProvenc. armari,
and see arm, 'weapon', armory.
ambsace, n., double aces. — OF. ambes as, fr. L.
ambds, fem. acc. of ambo, 'both', and L. as,
'unity, unit'. See ambi- and ace.
ambulance, n. — F., fr. earlier hopital ambulant
lit. 'a walking hospital', fr. L. ambuldns gen.
-antis. See next word and -ce.
ambulant, adj. — L. ambuldns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of ambuldre. See next word and -ant
ambulate, intr. v., to move about, walk. — L.
ambuldt-(um), pp. stem of ambuldre, 'to go
about, walk'. See amble and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. circumambulate, perambulate.
ambulation, n. — L. ambuldtid, gen. -dnis, fr. am-
buldt-(um), pp. stem of ambuldre. See prec.
word and -ion.
ambulatory, adj. — L. ambulatdrius, 'movable',
fr. ambuldt-(um) pp. stem of ambuldre. See am-
bulate and adj. suff. -ory.
ambulatory, n. — ML. ambuldtdrium, a noun
formed fr. L. ambulatdrius, 'movable'. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ory.
am bury, n. — See anbury.
ambuscade, n., ambush. — F. embuscade, Galli-
cized fr. It. imboscata (under the influence of
OF. embuscher), lit. 'a hiding in the bush', fr.
imboscare, fr. ML. imboscdre, 'to lie in the bush*.
See next word and -ade.
Derivatives: ambuscade, tr. and intr. v., am-
buscad-er, n.
ambush, tr. v. — OF. embuscher (F. embucher), fr.
ML. imboscdre, 'to lie in the bush', fr. im-, 'in,
within', and boscus, 'bush'. See bush, 'shrub',
and cp. prec. word. Cp. also boscage, bosky.
Derivatives: ambush, n. (q.v.), ambush-er, n.,
ambushment (q.v.)
ambush, n. — OF. embusche (F. embuche), back
formation fr. embuscher. See prec. word,
ambushment, n. — OF. embuschement, fr. em-
buscher. See ambush, v., and -ment.
ameen, n., official, inspector (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
amin, fr. Arab, amtn, lit. 'trustworthy', fr. dmina,
'he was steady, firm, trustworthy' (whence A'ma-
na, 'he believed'); rel. to Heb. amen, 'verily,
truly'. See amen,
ameer, amir, n., a Mohammedan ruler. — Arab.
amir, 'commander, prince', fr. dmara, 'he com-
manded'. See emir.
Ameiurus, n., a genus of catfishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. pieiou-
poq, 'curtailed', which is compounded of the
stem of [ZEicov, 'smaller, less', and oupa, 'tail'.
See meiosis and uro-, 'tail-',
amelcorn, n. — G. Amelkorn, compounded of
Amel, 'starch', and Korn, 'grain' . The first element
derives fr. L. amylum, fr. Gk. apjXov, 'starch' ;
see amy I. The second element is rel. to E. corn,
'grain' (q.v.) Cp. emmer.
Amelia, fem. PN. — A Teutonic name lit. mean-
ing 'laborious'. Cp. ON. ama, 'to trouble', and
Amal, name of the ruling family of the Ostro-
goths. The name was confused later with the
name of the Roman gens Aemilia (see Emily).
ameliorate, tr. v., to make better; intr. v., to be-
come better. — Formed with verbal suff. -ate
fr. F. ameliorer, which is refashioned after L.
melior, 'better', fr. OF. ameillorer, fr. OF. meil-
lor (whence F. meilleur), 'better', fr. L. melid-
rem, acc. of melior, 'better'. See meliorate.
Derivatives: amelioration (q.v.), amelior-at-ive,
adj., amelior-at-or, n.
amelioration, n., betterment, improvement. — F.
amelioration, fr. ameliorer. See prec. word and
-ion.
amellus, n., name of a flower. — L., 'the purple
Italian starwort', a word of Gaulish origin (see
G.-D.Dottin, La langue gauloise, p. 226). The
derivation of this word from the river name
Mella, as suggested by Servius in his commen-
tary on Virgil 4, 271, is folk etymology.
amen, interj., n., adv. and tr. v. — OE., fr. Eccles.
L. amen, fr. Eccles. Gk. Au,^v, fr. Heb. amen,
'verily, truly, certainly', from stem a-m-n, 'to be
trustworthy, confirm, support', whence also
amdn, 'he supported, nourished', he'emin, 'be
believed', emund h , 'firmness, fidelity', umndm,
omndm, 'verily, truly, emith (for *ementh), sta-
bility, truth'. Cp. the related Syr. ammin, 'strong,
enduring', Aram, hemdnutha, Syr. haymdnuthd,
'faithfulness, truth', Arab, dmina, 'he was safe',
amenable
62
dmuna, 'he was faithful', d'mana, 'he believed',
amtn, 'faithful'. Cp. ameen. Cp. also mammon.
amenable, adj., answerable; willing; submissive.
— Formed with suff. -able fr. F. amener, 'to
lead, or bring up, to', fr. d, 'to' (see a), and
mener, 'to lead', fr. VL. mindre, 'to drive (ani-
mals) by shouting', fr. L. minari, 'to threaten'.
The orig. meaning of L. minari has survived in
Rum. mdna, 'to threaten'. See menace and -able.
Derivatives : amenabil-ity, n., amenable-ness, n.,
amenabl-y, adv.
amend, tr. and intr. v. — OF. ( = F.) amender, fr. L.
emenddre, 'to correct, emend', with change of
suff. (cp. the same change of suff. in It. ammen-
dare and OProvenc. amendar); fr. e-, 'out of
(see e-) and menda, 'defect, blemish', which is
cogn. with OI. mindd, 'physical blemish' (for
*mandd, influenced in form by OI. nindd,
'blame'), Olr. mennar, 'stain, blemish', mind,
'sign, mark', W. mann of s.m. Cp. emend, mend,
mendacious, mendicant.
amendment, n. — OF. (= F.) amendement, fr.
amender. See prec. word and -ment.
amends, n. — ME. amendes, fr. OF. amendes, pi.
of amende, fr. amender, 'to amend'. See amend.
amenity, n., pleasantness; attractiveness. — F.
amenite, fr. L. amoenitdtem, acc. of amoenitds,
'delightfulness, loveliness', fr. amoenus, 'pleas-
ant, delightful, lovely', which is rel. to amdre,
'to love'. See amative and -ity.
ament, catkin. — L. ammentum, less correctly
amentum, 'strap, thong', so called because of its
resemblance to a strap. Ammentum stands for
*ag-mentum, and prop, means 'something to
lead with', fr. agere, 'to lead'. See agent and
-ment.
Derivatives: ament-aceous, ament-al, adjs.
amentiferous, adj., bearing aments. — See ament
and -ferous.
amerce, tr. v., i) orig., to fine; 2) to punish. —
ME. amercen, 'to fine', fr. AF. amercier, fr. OF.
a merci (F. d merci), 'at somebody's mercy'.
OF. a derives fr. L. ad, 'to'; see ad-. For F.
merci see mercy.
Derivatives: amerce-able, amerci-able, adjs.,
amerce-ment, n.
America, n. — Named after Americus Vespucius
(Amerigo Vespucci), an Italian merchant (1451-
1512). The name America was first used by the
German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller
(in 1507).
Derivatives: Americ-an, adj. and n., Americ-an-
ism, n., Americ-an-ize, v., Americ-an-iz-ation, n.
americium, n., name of a radioactive element
{chem.) — ModL., named in 1946 by its dis-
coverer Glenn Theodore Seaborg (1912- )
after the 2 Americas. For the ending see suff.
-ium.
Amerind, n., an American Indian or Eskimo. —
Abbreviation of American Indian; coined by
Major John Wesley Powell (1834-1902), di-
rector of the bureau of American Ethnology.
Derivatives: Amerindi-an, n. and adj., Amerind-
ic, adj.
amethyst, n., violet quartz, used n jewelry. —
ME. ametist, fr. OF. ametiste (F. amethyste), fr.
L. amethystus, fr. Gk. dui&ua-roi;, 'remedy
against drunkenness', prop, an adjective mean-
ing 'not intoxicating', fr. a-, 'not' (see priv. pref.
a-), and [xs&ueiv, 'to be drunken' (whence
[tiSvaiQ, 'drunkenness'), fr. (ii-9-u, 'wine'; see
mead, 'an intoxicating drink', and cp. methyl.
The stone amethyst owes its name to its sup-
posed power of preventing drunkenness.
amethystine, adj. — L. amethystinus, fr. ame-
thystus. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ine (re-
presenting L. -inus).
AMG. — Abbreviation of Allied Military Govern-
ment.
AMGOT. — Abbreviation of Allied Military
Government of Occupied Territory.
Amhaarez, n., an ignoramus. — Heb. 'am hdd-
retz, 'the people of the land'. Heb. 'am, 'people',
derives fr. base '-m-m, 'to join, be united',
whence also 'am, 'kinsman', 'im, 'with'. Cp. the
rel.Aram.-Syr. 'ammd, 'people', Ugar. 'm.'clan',
Arab, 'amm, 'a great crowd', dmma h , 'rabble',
'dmma, 'it comprised, included', 'amm, 'father's
brother', 'dmma", 'father's sister', Aram, 'im,
Syr. 'am, Ugar. 'm, Arab, md'a, dial, 'am,
'with'. Cp. the first element in Emmanuel and
the second element in Jeroboam. Heb. eretz,
'earth', is rel. to Aram. drd\ ar'A, Ugar. 'rs, Arab.
ard, Akkad. irsitu, 'earth'. Cp. Eretz Yisrael.
amiable, adj. — OF. (= F.), fr. Late L. amicdbilis,
'friendly', fr. L. amicus, 'friend'. F. amiable was
influenced in form by aimable, 'lovely', fr. L.
amdbilis, fr. amdre, 'to love'. See amicable.
Derivatives: amiabil-ity, n., amiable-ness, n.,
amiabl-y, adv.
amianthus, n., name of a kind of asbestos. — L.
amiantus, fr. Gk. d(uavTO<; (scil. Xt&o?), lit.
'undented (stone)', fr. dc- (see priv. pref. a-), and
(xiavTo?, 'stained, defiled', verbal adj. of [notivetv,
'to stain, defile' ; see miasma. The spelling th (for
/) is prob. due to the influence of Gk. Sv&o?,
'flower'.
Derivatives: amianth-ine, amianth-oid, amianth-
oid-al, adjs.
amicable, adj., friendly. — L. amicdbilis, 'friend-
ly', fr. amicus, 'friend', fr. amdre, 'to love'. See
amative and cp. amiable, which is a doublet of
amicable. Cp. also enemy, inimical. For sense
development cp. Gk. 91X0?, 'friend', from the
base of (piXeTv, 'to love', and Heb. ohibh,
'friend', which is prop. part, of dhdbh, 'he
loved'.
Derivatives : amicabil-ity, n., amicable-ness, n.,
amicabl-y, adv.
amice, n., vestment worn by the celebrant at
Mass. — ME. amyse, fr. OF. amis, amit, fr. L.
amictus, 'mantle, cloak', fr. amictus pp. of
amiciO, amicire, 'to wrap, throw around', which
is contracted from *am-jaci6, fr. pref. ambi- and
63
amnic
jacio, 'I throw'. See ambi- and jet, 'to spirt forth'.
amice, n., hood, headdress. — ME. amisse, fr.
OF. aumuce (F. aumusse), fr. VL. almucia,
which is formed fr. Arab, al-, 'the', and mus-
taqa h , fr. Pers. mushtd, 'fur cloak'. Cp. Sp. al-
mucio, OProvenc. almussa, MDu. almutse, later
mutse, muts, Du. muts, 'cap', MHG. mutze,
miitze, G. Mutze, 'cap', which all derive fr. VL.
almucia. Cp. also almuce, mozzetta, mutch. For
sense development cp. cap.
amid, prep. — ME. amidde, fr. OE. on middan,
'in the middle', fr. on (see a-, 'on'), and middan,
dat. sing. masc. of midde, adj. See mid and cp.
amidst.
amide, amid, n., a compound obtained by re-
placing one hydrogen atom in ammonia by an
element or radical {chem.) — F. amide, coined
by the French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz
(1817-84) from the first syllable of ammonia and
suff. -ide, -id.
amidin, amidine, n., solution of starch in hot
water {chem.) — Formed fr. F. amidon, 'starch',
fr. ML. amidum, fr. L. amylum, fr. Gk. auuXov,
'starch'. See amyl, 'starch', and chem. suff.
-ine, -in.
amido-, combining form meaning 'containing
the radical NH 2 and an acid radical' {chem.) —
Fr. amide.
amidogen, n., the hypothetical univalent radical
NH 2 {chem.) — Coined fr. amido- and -gen.
amidst, prep. — Formed with excrescent -/ fr.
ME. amiddes (which was formed with adv. gen.
suff. -s fr. amidde, see amid, prep.) For the -t
cp. against, amongst, betwixt, whilst.
amine, amin, n., a compound obtained by re-
placing hydrogen atoms of ammonia by hydro-
carbon radicals (chem.) — Coined from the first
syllable of ammonia and chem. suff. -ine. Cp.
amide and vitamin. Cp. also imine.
amino-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to,
or containing, the radical NH 2 ' (chem.) — See
prec. word and cp. deaminate.
amir, n. — See ameer.
amiss, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
miss, 'failure'.
amity, n., friendship. — F. amitie, fr. OF. amistie,
fr. VL. *amicitdtem, acc. of *amicitds, corre-
sponding to L. amicitia, 'friendship', fr. amicus,
'friend', which is rel. to amdre, 'to love'. See
amative and cp. enmity.
ammeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of electric currents. — Shortened fr.
ampere-meter. See ampere and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Ammi, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — L. ammi, fr.
Gk. &u|u, fr. Aram, ammithd, a secondary form
of hammithd, of s.m.
ammo-, combining form meaning 'sand', as in
ammophilous. — Gk. <i\±y.o-, fr. fiu.fj.oc;, 'sand',
a blend of &\ux&o<;, 'sand', and ij'du.u.oi;, 'sand';
which are both cogn. with E. sand (q.v.)
ammonal, n., a high explosive obtained by a com-
bination of ammonium nitrate and aluminum.
— Formed fr. ammonia and the first two letters
in aluminum.
ammonia, n. — Contraction of sal ammoniac, fr.
L. sal ammdniacum, 'ammoniac salt'. See next
word.
ammoniac, adj. and n. — F., fr. L. ammdniacum,
fr. Gk. a[Xfi(oviax6v, 'a resinous gum', prob.
fr. orig. 'ApjxEviaxov, 'Armenian', through the
intermediate form apfxoviaxov, occurring in the
works of ancient authors beside du.|icoviax6v;
so called because first found in Armenia. See
Pauly-Wissova, Real-Encyclopadie der klas-
sischen Altertumswissenschaft, I, 1861.
Derivative: ammoniac-al, adj.
ammonite, n., a cephalopod mollusk allied to the
nautilus (paleontol.) — Formed with subst. suff.
-ite fr. L. cornii Ammdnis, 'the horn of (Zeus)
Amnion; so called from its shape, which re-
sembles a ram's horn (Zeus Ammon was rep-
resented with ram's horns).
ammonium, n., a basic radical, NH 4 {chem.) —
ModL., fr. ammonia (q.v.)
ammophilous, adj., sand-loving {zool. and bot.)
— Compounded of ammo- and Gk. cpEXog,
'loving'. See -philous.
ammotherapy, n., treatment by means of sand
baths. — Compounded of ammo- and -therapy.
ammunition, n. — F. amunilion, a dialectal form
for munition (see munition). Amunition arose
through a misdivision of la munition intol'amu-
nition.
amnemonic, adj., characterized by loss of me-
mory. — Formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk.
(xviQfxo'jt.xo?, 'pertaining to memory'. See mne-
monic.
amnesia, n., loss of memory {psychiatry). —
Medical L., fr. Gk. du-v/jma, 'forgetfulness', fr.
a- (see priv. pref. a-) and [xvtjctlo^, 'pertaining
to memory', which is rel. to [xvdo(ioa, 'I remem-
ber', fr. I.-E. base "men-, 'to think, remember'.
See mind and cp. next word. Cp. also anam-
nesis, paramnesia. For the ending see suff. -ia.
amnesty, n., general pardon. — F. amnestie, fr.
L. amnestia, fr. Gk. d^v^aTta, 'forgetfulness,
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and [ixrpxic,, 'remem-
brance', which is rel. to fxvdojiai, 'I remember'.
See prec. word.
amnic, adj., pertaining to a river. — L. amnicus,
fr. amnis, 'river', which stands for *ab-nis and
is cogn. with Olr. abann, ab, W. afon, 'river', fr.
I.-E. base *ab-, a collateral form of base *ap-,
'water, river', whence OI. dpah, apdh, Avestic
df-sh, 'water', Gk. "Airta, a name of the Pelo-
ponnesus (so called because surrounded by
water), MeaaSTrta, 'Messapia', a part of Magna
Graecia in Lower Italy comprising Apulia and
Calabria, lit. 'the country between two waters',
L. Ap-ulia, 'Apulia', lit. 'region abounding in
waters', Lith. iipe, Lett, upe, 'water', OPruss.
ape, 'a small river', apus, 'spring, fountain,
well', and prob. also Toch. AB dp-, 'river'. Cp.
amnion
64
the first element in abdest, abkari, Apsaras and
the second element in doab and in Messapian.
For the ending of amnic see suff. -ic.
amnion, n., the membrane enclosing the embryos
of mammals, birds and reptiles. — Gk. afxvtov,
'a bowl in which the blood of victims was
caught; membrane round foetus', rel. to Ajiao-
8-ou, 'to draw, gather', «u,y], prop. ap) (whence
L. hama), 'bucket', and cogn. with Lith. semiii,
semti, 'to draw', sdmtis, 'scoop, ladle'. These
words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *sem-, 'one,
together', whence also Gk. Sjxa, 'together with'.
See same and cp. aam.
amoeba, ameba, n., a microscopic one-celled ani-
mal. — Gk. afXOi(Wj, 'change', rel. to Ajxetpetv,
'to change', fr. copul. pref. -a and I.-E. base
*meig w -, *mig w -, 'to change', whence also L.
migrate, 'to wander' ; see migrate. Copul. pref.
a- stands for I.-E. *sni-, a weak gradational form
of I.-E. base *sem-, 'one, together'; see same.
amoebean, amebean, adj., interchanging. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. Gk. au-oipodos, 'in-
terchanging, alternate', fr. ajioifW). See prec.
word.
amok, adj. and n. — See amuck.
Amomum, n., a genus of plants of the ginger fa-
mily (bot.) — L. amomum, 'a spice plant', fr.
Gk. afxco^xov, which is of Sem. origin. Cp. Mish-
naic Heb. hdmdm, of s.m., and Syr. fiamdmd,
Arab, hamdmd, 'a spice plant', which prob. de-
rive from stem h-m-m, 'to be warm'. See Imma-
nuel Low, Aramaische Pfianzennamen, Leipsic,
1 88 1 , and HeinrichLewy,Die semitischen Fremd-
worter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895, p. 37-
among, prep. — ME., fr. OE. on gemang, 'in a
crowd, into a crowd', formed fr. prep, on (see a-,
'on') and a derivative of gemengan, 'to mingle'.
See mingle and cp. words there referred to.
amongst, prep. — Formed fr. among with adv.
gen. suff. -s and excrescent -t. For this latter cp.
against, amidst, betwixt, whilst.
amontillado, n., a variety of sherry wine. — Sp.,
formed fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and the name of the
town Montilla in the province of Cordova in
Spain. For the pref. see ad-, for the ending see
suff. -ado.
amoraim, n. pi., the teachers who expounded the
Mishna (Jewish literature). — Heb. dmdrd'tm,
pi. of dmord, lit. 'speaker', fr. Aram, amdr, 'he
said, he spoke', which is rel. to Heb. amdr, 'he
said, spoke, commanded', Arab, dmara, 'he
ordered, commanded'. Cp. ameer, emir,
amoral, adj., non-moral; ethically indifferent. —
A hybrid coined fr. Greek a- (see priv. pref. a-)
and moral, a word of Latin origin; first used by
Robert Louis Balfour Stephenson (1850-94).
Derivatives: amoral-ism, n., amoral-ity, n.
amorist, n., a practicer of gallantry, lover. —
Formed fr. L. amor, 'love' (see amorous), with
suflf. -ist.
Amorite, n., any of an ancient people inhabiting
Palestine. — Heb. Emdrt, prob. meaning lit.
'mountain dwellers' (sing, used collectively),
and rel. to amir, 'top, summit'. Akkadian Amur-
ru, in mat Amurru, 'land of the West', is a loan
word whose sense development finds its ex-
planation in the fact that the Amorites lived to
the west of Assyria and Babylonia. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: Amorite, adj., Amorit-ic, adj.
amorous, adj. — OF. (whence F. amour eux), fr.
Late L. amdrdsus, fr. L. amor, 'love', fr. amdre ,
'to love'. See amative and -ous and cp. enamor,
inamorato, paramour.
Derivatives: amorous-ly, adv., amorous-ness, n.
Amorpha, n., a genus of American plants (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. a^opcpo.;, 'deformed' (see amor-
phous); so called because of the absence of four
of the petals.
amorphism, n., absence of crystallized form. —
See amorphous and -ism.
amorpho-, combining form meaning 'shapeless'.
— Gk. <i[xop<po-, fr. a(jLopcpo<;. See next word.
amorphous, adj., shapeless. — ModL. amorphus,
fr. Gk. &!xop90i;, 'without form, shapeless, de-
formed', fr. &- (see priv. pref. a-) and [XOP97),
'form, shape'. See morpho-. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -oq, L. -us, see -ous.
amortize, tr. v., to extinguish (a debt) through a
sinking fund. — ME. amortisen, fr. OF. (= F.)
amortiss-, pres. part, stem of amortir, fr. VL.
*admortire, 'to deaden, extinguish', fr. ad- and
VL. mortus (L. mortuus), 'dead', fr. L. mors,
gen. mortis, 'death'. Cp. It. ammortire, OProv-
enc. amortir, Sp., Port, amortecer, 'to deaden',
and see mortal.
Derivatives : amort iz-able, adj . , amortiz-at ion, n . ,
amortizement (q.v.)
amortizement, n. — F. amortissement, fr. amor-
tir. See amortize and -ment.
Amos, masc. PN; in the Bible 1) the third m the
order of the Twelve Prophets; 2) the Book of
Amos. — Gk. •Au.*?, fr. Heb. 'Amds, lit. 'borne
(by God)', fr. 'dmas, 'he bore, carried', which is
rel. to Phoen. and Ugar. '-m-s, 'to carry', Aram.
'dmas, 'he compressed', Arab, 'dmisa, '(the day)
was oppressive'. 5
amount, intr. v. — ME., fr. OF amonter, 'to raise ,
fr. amont, 'upward', lit. 'up hill', fr. a, 'to' (see
a), and mont, 'hill, mountain'. See mount and
cp. paramount, tantamount.
Derivative : amount, n.
amour, n., a love affair. - F., 'love', fr. L. amorem,
acc. of amor, 'love', fr. amdre, 'to love'. See
amative. .
ampangabeite,n.,acomplexuntalo-niobate(mm-
eral.) — Named after Ampangabe in Madagas-
car For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
amparo, n., a certificate issued to the claimant of
land to serve as protection. — Sp., lit. 'protect-
ion, help, support', fr. amparar, 'to shelter
protect, help', fr. VL. *ampardre, which isformed
fr. L. pref. im- and pardre, 'to prepare'. See im-,
'in', and pare and cp. emperor.
ampelideous, adj., pertaining to the vine family. —
Compounded of Gk. S^TteXo;, 'vine', and elSoc,,
'form, shape'. See ampelo-, -oid and -ous.
ampelo-, combining form, meaning 'vine'. — Gk.
a|XTOXo-, fr- &(jmeXoc, 'vine'; of uncertain, pos-
sibly Mediterranean, origin.
ampelography, n., description of the vine. — F.
ampelographie, fr. Gk. SjxtisXck;, 'vine', and
-ypa<pla, fr. YP« < P Etv > ' to write '- See ampe 10 -
and -graphy,
Ampelopsis, n., a genus of plants of the grape
family (bot) — ModL., lit. 'looking like vine',
compounded of Gk. ajxTCeXoe, 'vine', and Stjji?,
'appearance'. See ampelo- and -opsis.
amperage, n., the strength of an electric current
given in amperes. — Formed fr. ampere with
suff. -age.
ampere, n., unit of force of the electric current. —
F.,named after the French physicistAndre-Marie
Amptre (1775-1836).
ampersand, n., the symbol & (= and). — Cor-
ruption of the partly English, partly Latin
phrase 'and per se and', i.e. 'the sign & by it-
self (equals) and'.
amphi-, before a vowel amph-, pref. meaning
'both, on both sides, of both kinds'. — Gk.
1x^91.-, an<p-,'on both sides, at bothends.around',
fr. <x[A<pi, 'around ; round about', which is cogn.
with L. ambi-, amb-, 'around; round about'.
See ambi- and cp. Amphion.
Amphibia, n. pi., a class of vertebrates. — ModL.
See next word.
Derivatives: amphibian, adj. and n.
amphibious, adj., living both on land and in water.
— Gk. au,9t(3io(;, 'living a double life', viz. 'on
land and in water', fr. 1x5x91- (see amphi-)
and $ioq, 'life'. See bio-. For E. -ous, as equiv-
alent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
amphibole, n., a silicate of calcium, magnesium,
etc. — F., fr. L. amphibolus, 'ambiguous, doubt-
ful', fr. Gk. a(jL9ipoXoi;, of s.m., fr. a^ifiaXXsiv,
'to throw around; to doubt', fr. 4(x<pi, 'around',
and fliXXeiv, 'to throw'. See amphi- and bal-
listic. The name amphibole was given to this
group of minerals by the French mineralogist
Rene-Just Haiiy (1743-1822).
Derivative: amphibol-ic, adj.
amphibology, n., an ambiguous statement. — F.
amphibologie, fr. ML. amphibologia, altered (on
analogy of words ending in -logia), fr. L. amphi-
bolia, fr. Gk. a[x9i[3oXL5„ 'ambiguity', fr. £5x91-
3oXo;. See amphibole and -logy.
amphibolous, adj., ambiguous. — Gk. a[±9i£lo-
Xos, 'ambiguous, doubtful'. See prec. word. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -05, see -ous.
amphibrach, n., a metrical foot consisting of three
syllables, the middle one long and the other two
short (pros.) — L. amphibrachys, fr. Gk. au.91-
Ppaxu;, 'short at both ends', fr. (see amphi-)
and ppax"?. 'short'. See brachy-.
Ampnicarpa, n., a genus of vines (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. an9txap7ro!;, 'having fruits on both
sides', which is compounded of 1*1x91- (see am-
phi-) and xapTO?, 'fruit'. See carpel. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -0?, see -ous. The genus
was called Amphicarpa because it has two
kinds of pods.
amphictyonic, adj., pertaining to an amphicty-
ony. — L. amphictyonicus, fr. Gk. d(X9iXTUovt-
xo<;, fr. &|x9»m>ov(a. See next word and -ic.
amphictyons, n. pi., deputies to an amphictyonic
council. — L. amphictyones, fr. Gk. £u,<pi>tTuovEi;.
See next word.
amphictyony, n., confederation of states in an-
cient Greece, established around a common
center. — Gk. a^ixruovtS, 'the Amphictyonic
League', fr. <x[x9i.>ctuove<;, 'amphictyons', fr.
earlier ^ix-novs?, 'they that dwell round
about'. For the first element see amphi-. The
second element is rel. to Gk. xt^eiv, 'to create,
found', xtlot?, 'a founding, settling', xTotva,
xTotva, 'habitation, township', and cogn. with
OI. kseti, ksiydti, 'abides, dwells', ksitih, 'dwel-
ling place', Arm. shen, 'inhabited' (pp.)
amphigory, amphigouri, n., a nonsense verse. —
F. amphigouri, of unknown origin.
Derivative: amphigor-ic, adj.
amphimixis, n., union of the germ cells of two
individuals (biol.) — Compounded of amphi-
and Gk. (xi^i;, 'mixing, mingling, intercourse'.
See mix.
Amphion, n., son of Zeus and Antiope, king of
Thebes and husband of Niobe (Greek mythol.)
— L. Amphion, fr. Gk. ' A;x9fcov, which is prob.
a derivative of £^91, 'round about'. See amphi-.
Amphioxus, n., a genus of marine animals (zool.)
— ModL., coined by the English zoologist Wil-
liam Yarrell (1784-1856) in 1836 fr. amphi-
and aluq, 'pointed, sharp'. See oxy-. Accord-
ingly Amphioxus lit. means 'tapering at both
ends'.
Amphipoda, n. pi., an order of the Crustacea with
two kinds of feet for swimming, respectively for
jumping (zool.) — ModL. compounded of am-
phi- and Gk. ko'k, gen. -086?, 'foot' (see -poda).
Accordingly Amphipoda lit. means 'having two
kinds of feet'.
Derivatives: amphipod-an, amphipod-ous, adjs.
amphisbaena, n., a serpent having a head at each
end (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. i^ia^va,
'serpent supposed to be able to go both for-
ward and backward', which is compounded of
dc[X9t (see amphi-) and patveiv, 'to go'. See base, n.
Amphisbaena, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) — See
prec. word.
amphiscians, also amphiscii, n. pi., the inhabitants
of the tropic zone. — ML. amphiscii (pi.), fr.
Gr. a^toxio;, 'throwing a shadow both ways'
fr. £1x91 (see amphi-) and oxii, 'shade, shadow'
(see skiagraphy); so called because their shadow
falls toward north at one time, toward south at
another. Cp. antiscians.
amphitheater, amphitheatre, n. — L. amphithed-
trum, fr. Gk. <xfX9i&saxpov, lit. meaning 'having
Amphitrite
66
seats for spectators all round'. See amphi- and
theater.
Amphitrite, n., the daughter of Nereus and Doris
and wife of Poseidon {Greek mythol.) — L., fr.
Gk. 'AjxipiTpfrn), lit. '(waves of the sea) roaring
round (the earth)', prob. fr. du-cpt, 'on both
sides' (see amphi-), and the stem of Tpt^etv,
'to utter a shrill cry, creak', from the I.-E. imi-
tative base *(s)trig-; see strident and cp. trismus.
Cp. W. H. Roscher, Ausfiihrliches Lexikon der
griechischen Mythologie, Leipzig, 1884-86, I,
p.318.
Amphitryon, n., son of Alceus and husband of
Alcmene in Greek mythology; used figura-
tively in the sense of host. — Gk. ' Au-cpixpiitov, a
compound literally meaning 'one who reigns
far and wide'. For the first element of this com-
pound see amphi-. The second element is prob.
rel. to Gk. -rip-awo?, 'lord, master, sovereign,
tyrant' ; see tyrant. The metaphorical use of this
PN. to denote a host is due to the circumstance
that during Amphitryon's absence his wife Alc-
mene was visited and feasted by Zeus in the
shape of her husband. See Pauly-Wissova, Real-
Encyklopadie der klassischen Altertumswissen-
schaft, I, 1967.
amphodelite, n., a variety of anorthite (mineral.)
— Compounded of amph-, and Gk. oSeXo?, a
variant of ofteXoi;, 'a spit' (see obelus, obelisk);
so called in allusion to the twin crystals in which
it occurs. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
amphora, n. — L., 'a vessel with two handles or
ears, a pitcher', fr. Gk. djjicpopeuc, of s.m., which
is contracted fr. *a|i<pL-<popEU(; (see haplology),
lit. 'two-handled', fr. dutpi (see amphi-) and
tpops&q, 'bearer, carrier', fr. cpepetv, 'to bear'.
See hear, 'to carry', and cp. -phore. Cp. also
ampulla.
ample, adj., spacious, abundant. — F., fr. L.
amplus, 'large, spacious', which stands for *am-
los and lit. means 'comprehensive', from I.-E.
base *am- 'to seize, hold', whence also L. ampla,
ansa, 'handle', Lith. -qsd, Lett, uosa, 'loop,
knot', OPruss. ansis, 'pot hook, trammel', Gk.
rjvia. Dor. ivii (for *ansia), 'bridle, reins',
ON. xs, MLG. lese, G. Ose, 'eye, loop', Mir.
esi (pi.), 'bridle'. Cp. amplify, amplitude.
Derivatives: ample-ness, n., ampl-y, adv.
amplification, n. — L. amplificdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
widening, enlarging, extending', fr. amplificdtus,
pp. of amplificare. See next word and -ion.
amplify, tr. v. — F. amplifier, fr. L. amplificare,
'to widen, enlarge, extend', fr. amplus (see am-
ple) and -ficdre, h.facere, 'to make, do'. See -fy.
Derivative: amplifi-er, n.
amplitude, n., spaciousness; abundance; extent.
— F., fr. L. amplitiido, 'wide extent, width', fr.
amplus. See ample and -tude.
ampulla, n., a flask with two handles. — L. am-
pulla (for *ampor-la), 'a globular vessel for hold-
ing liquids', dimin. of amphora, ampora. See
amphora.
Derivatives: ampull-aceous, ampull-ar, ampull-
ar-y, ampull-ate, ampull-at-ed, adjs.
ampulliform, adj. — Compounded of ampulla
and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
amputate, tr. v. — L. amputdtus, pp. of amputdre,
'to cut off, to prune', compounded of am-,
shortened form of ambi-, 'around', and putdre,
'to trim, prune, lop, clean'. See ambi- and puta-
tive and cp. pave and pit. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: amputation (q.v.), amputat-ive, adj.,
amputat-or, n.
amputation, n. — L. amputdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
amputdtus, pp. of amputdre. See amputate and
-ion.
amrita, amreeta, n., the drink of immortality
(Hindu mythol.) — OI. amftdh, 'immortal ; drink
of immortality; immortality', cogn. with Gk.
&[i.(3poTo?, 'immortal'. See priv. pref. an- and
mortal.
amsel, n., 1) the blackbird; 2) the ring ouzel. —
G. Amsel, fr. MHG. amsel, fr. OHG. amsala,
amusla. See ouzel and cp. words there referred to.
Amsonia, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) — ModL.,
named in honor of Charles Amson, physi-
cian of Gloucester, Virginia (iSth cent.) For
the ending see suff. -ia.
amt, n., a territorial division in Denmark and
Norway. — Dan., fr. G. Amt, 'office', fr. MHG.
amheht, ammet, fr. OHG. ambaht, ampaht,
which is of Celtic origin. Cp. Gaulish-Lat.
ambactus, 'servant', and see embassy.
amuck, amok, adj., possessed with a murderous
frenzy; adv., in a murderous frenzy. — Malay
amoq, 'in a frenzy'.
amulet, n. — L. amuletum, 'amulet', prob. orig.
meaning 'food made of amylum (starch flour)',
fr. amulum, amylum, 'starch flour' (see amy-
lum); influenced in sense by a confusion with
dmdliri, 'to carry away, remove'.
Derivative: amulet-ic, adj.
amurcous, adj., foul. — Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. amurca, 'the dregs of olives', fr. Gk.
dfXopYT], of s.m., fr. dfiepyeiv, 'to pluck, pull',
which is perh. related to ofiopyvuvai, 'to wipe
off', and cogn. with OI. mpdti, 'wipes off', L.
mergae, 'a two-pronged pitchfork'. For the
change of Gk. y to c(k) in Latin cp. L. spelunca,
'cave', fr. Gk. nirrihjyL This change is prob.
due to Etruscan influence; see K. v. Ettmayer,
Indogermanische Forschungen, 45, iof., and
E.Vetter, Glotta, 17, 302.
amuse, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) amuser, 'to cause to
muse', lit. 'to cause to gape idly about', fr. a,
'to' (see a), and muser, 'to muse'. See muse.
Derivatives: amus-ed, adj., amus-ed-ly, adv.,
amuse-ment, n., amus-ing, adj., amus-ing-ly, adv.
amus-ing-ness, n., amus-ive, adj., amus-ive-ly,
adv., amus-ive-ness, n.
amusia, n., inability for music (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. txu.oucrt5, 'want of harmony', fr.
Sixouaoe, 'without song, without harmony', fr.
67
anabasis
d- (see priv. pref. a-) and Moutja,'Muse; music'.
See Muse and -ia.
Amy, fern. PN. — OF. Amee, lit. 'beloved', fr.
OF. amee (corresponding to F. aimee), fem.
pp. of amer (F. aimer), 'to love', fr. L. amdre,
of s.m. See amative.
amyelous, adj., lacking the spinal chord. — Gk.
dfjiueXo<;, 'without marrow', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and (/.osXoi;, 'marrow', which stands
for mSs-elo-s, and is rel. to u-ocov (gen. (xi36ivo<;),
'knot of muscles', and to uS? (gen. \jx>6q),
'muscle'. Seemyo- and cp. amyous. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
amygdala, n., a tonsil (anat.) — L., fr. Gk. d(j.uy-
8<xXtj, 'almond'; see almond. The use of the
word in its anatomical sense is due to a literal
translation of Arab, al-lauzatdni, 'the two ton-
sils', lit. 'the two almonds'.
Amygdalaceae, n. pi., the almond or peach family
(bot.) — ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. L.
amygdala, 'almond'. See amygdala.
amygdalaceous, adj. — Formed fr. amygdala with
suff. -aceous.
amygdalate, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
almonds. — Formed fr. amygdala with adj.
suff. -ate.
amygdalic, adj., pertaining to, or designating, the
crystalline acid C^H^O;-, (chem.) — See next
word and -ic; so called because it is formed by
the decomposition of amygdalin.
amygdalin, n., a crystalline glucoside C 20 H 27 NO U
(chem.) — Formed fr. amygdala with chem. suff.
-in ; so called because it occurs in bitter almonds.
amygdaline, adj.. 1) pertaining to, or resembling,
an almond or almonds ; 2) pertaining to a tonsil
(anat.) — L. amygdalinus, 'of almonds', fr.
amygdala, 'almond'. See amygdala and -ine (rep-
resenting L. -inus).
amyl, n., starch (pbsol.) — L. amylum, fr. Gk.
£[u>Xov, 'fine meal, starch', prop. neut. of the
adjective i\xxikaq, 'not ground at the mill', fr.
d- (see priv. pref. a-) and [iajXtj, 'mill'. See mill
and cp. amidin.
amyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical CjH,, (chem.) —
Coined from the first two letters of L. amylum
(see prec. word) and suff. -yl.
amyloid, adj., starchlike; n., a starchlike sub-
stance. — Compounded of Gk. ajzuXov, 'starch',
and -oeiSVji;, 'like', fr. eTSo?, 'form, shape'. See
amyl, 'starch', and -oid.
amyous, adj., wanting in muscles (med.) — Gk.
£u.uos, 'without muscle', fr. A- (see priv. pref.
a-) and \iSjq, gen. \vj6q, 'muscle'. See myo- and
cp. amyelous.
Amyris, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. jripov,
'balsam'. See smear, n.
an, indef. art. (before a word beginning with a
vowel). — ME. an, fr. OE. an, 'one*, whence also
one (q.v.) Cp. a, indef. article,
an. conj. meaning 'if, and if*. — Shortened fr.
and (q.v.)
an-, a-, priv. pref. — Gk. dv-, a-, 'not, without',
rel. to ve-, vr;-, v-, of s.m. (see nepenthe), and
cogn. with OI. an-, a-, L. in-, Goth., OE., etc.
un-, of s.m. See priv. pref. un-.
an-, form of ana- before a vowel.
an-, assimilated form of ad- before n.
-an, suff. meaning 'pertaining to', used in zool-
ogy, chemistry, biology. — Fr. L. -anus, either
directly or through the medium of F. -ain, -en.
Cp. the suffixes -ian and -ain. Cp. also suff. -ana
and ana.
ana-, before a vowel an-, pref. meaning: 1) up,
upward; 2) back, backward, against; 3) again,
anew; 4) exceedingly; 5) according to. — Gk.
dvoc-, dv-, 'up to, upward, up, toward; exceed-
ingly; back, backward; against', fr. ivi, 'up,
on, upon; throughout; again', rel. to avw,
'above', and cogn. with Avestic ana, 'on, upon',
L. an- in anheldre, 'to pant, gasp', Goth, ana,
OE. on, an, OSlav. na, Lith. nu, OPruss. no, na,
'on, upon'; fr. I.-E. base *ano-, 'on, upon,
above'. Cp. on and a-, 'on'. Cp. also the pref.
in anhelation.
-ana, pi. suff. meaning 'sayings of, anecdotes of,
as in Johnsoniana. — L. -ana, neut. pi. of -anus,
'pertaining to'. See -an and cp. ana.
ana, n., collection of memorable sayings of
famous men. — Coined fr. -ana, neut. pi. of
Latin adjectives ending in the masc. sing, into
-anus; abstracted from the ending of names like
Johnsoniana, etc. See -ana.
Anabaena, n., a genus of algae (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dvafSatveiv, 'to go up', fr. dvd (see ana-)
and (Jouvsiv, 'to go'. See base, n., and cp. ana-
bas, anabasis.
anabaptism, n., rebaptism. — ML. anabaptismus,
fr. Late Gk. dva(3aTTTi,cr[x6i;, 'dipping into water
again, re-immersion', fr. Gk. dva-, 'again' (see
ana-) and $xt.t'\C,zvj, 'to dip, baptize'. See bap-
tism.
Anabaptist, n. — ModL. anabaptista, 'one who
baptizes again', fr. ana- and Gk. f3a7iTicrr/;i:,
'one that dips, baptizer". See baptist and cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: Anabaptist-ie,Anabaptist-ic-al,ad')S.,
Anabaptist-ic-al-ly, adv.
anabaptize, tr. v., to rebaptize. — ML. anabap-
tizdre, fr. Late Gk. ivafiaTrri^Eiv, 'to dip into
water again'. See anabaptism and -ize.
Anabas, n., a genus of fishes (ichthyol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dvocfjd:;, gen. &vi r fixvz<jq, aor. part, of
dvaflaivetv, 'to go up, mount, climb' (see next
word); so called by the French naturalist baron
Georges- Leopold - Chretien - Frederic - Dagobert
Cuvier (1769-1832) because the fKhes of this
genus are capable of leaving the water and
climbing trees.
anabasis, n., a military expedition, esp. that of
Cyrus the Younger against Artaxerxes, de-
scribed by Xenophon in his Anabasis. — Gk.
dvafJaaii;, 'a going up, an expedition up from
the coast', fr. dva^aivsw, 'to go up', fr. dva
Anableps
68
(ana-) and iSawsiv, 'to go'. See base, n., and cp.
prec. word and catabasis.
Anableps, n., a genus of S. and Central American
fishes with projecting eyes. — Fr. Gk. dvd(3Xe-
tyiq, 'a looking up', fr. dvd (see ana-) and
[3Xst:elv, 'to look, see', which is rel. to ^Xsipapov,
'eyelid'. See blepharo-.
anabolic, adj., pertaining to anabolism. — Form-
ed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. dva(3oXir), 'that which is
thrown up, mound', fr. dva[3dXXEiv, 'to throw
up', fr. ava (see ana-) and fidXXEiv, 'to throw'.
See ballistic.
anabolism, n.,fhe building up process in the living
protoplasm. — See prec. word and -ism and cp.
catabolism.
anabrosis, n., corrosion of soft tissues (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. dvdppoxji?, 'an eating up',
fr. AvaPiPpuaxsiv, 'to eat up', fr. ava (see ana-)
and pippwaxsiv, 'to eat, eat up, devour'. See
broma and -osis.
anabrotic, adj., corrosive (med.) — Gk. dvappto-
tix6c, 'corrosive', fr. dvappcoTo;, 'eaten up',
verbal adj. of dva^pcoaxsiv. See prec. word.
anacatharsis, n., expectoration (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. dvaxd&aptm;, 'a clearing away (of
rubbish), fr. ava (see ana-) and xd&apmq, 'a
cleansing', fr. xa&aipsiv, 'to cleanse'. See ca-
tharsis and cp. acatharsia.
anacathartic, adj., emetic, expectorant. — See
prec. word and -ic.
anachronic, adj., marked by anachronism. — See
anachronism and -ic.
anachronism, n., an error in chronology. — F.
anachronisme, fr. Gk. avaxpoviajxi;, 'anachro-
nism', fr. avaxpovi^eiv, 'to refer to a wrong
time', fr. ava, 'up, against' (see ana-), and ypovoq
'time'. See chronic and -ism.
anachronistic, adj., marked by anachronism. —
See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: anachronistic-al, adj., anachro-
nistic-al-ly, adv.
anaclastic, adj., pertaining to refraction (opt.) —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. dvdxXaa-roc;,
'bent back, broken, reflected' (said of light),
verbal adj. of dvaxXSv, 'to bend back, break,
reflect', fr. ava, 'back' (see ana-), and xXdv, 'to
break'. See clastic.
anacoluthon, n., a lack in grammatical sequence.
— Gk. dvaxoXouftov, neut. of avay.6Xou0o;,
'inconsequent, inconsistent', fr. dv- (see priv.
pref. an-) and dxoXou&o;, 'following, attending
on', which is formed fr. copul. pref. d- and
xeXe'j&o;, 'way, road, path, track'. Copul. pref.
d- stands for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational
form of base *sem-° 'one, together'; see
same. For the etymology of Gk. xsXeu&oq see
acolyte.
anaconda, n., orig. a name given to a python of
Ceylon; (zool.) any large snake of the boa fam-
ily. _ Perhaps of Singhalese origin.
Anacreontic, adj., written in the style of Ana-
creon; n., a poem written in the style of Ana-
creon. — L. Anacreonticus, fr. Anacredn, fr. Gk.
' Avaxpewv, a celebrated Greek lyrical poet born
at Teos in Ionia (560-478 B.C.E.).
anacrusis, n., unstressed syllable before a stressed
syllable at the beginning of a verse. — Gk.
dvdxpouai?, 'a pushing back', fr. dvaxpoueiv,
'to push back', fr. ava, 'back' (see ana-), and
xpoiieiv (for *xpouaew), 'to knock, strike,
push', which is rel. to Homeric xpoaivew (prob.
for *xpouaav-teiv), 'to stamp, strike with the
hoof, and cogn. with OSlav. su-kruso, su-kru-
siti, Russ. krusit', Lith. krusil, kritsti, 'to smash,
shatter', OSlav. kruchu, 'piece, bit of food'.
anadem, n., a wreath, garland. — L. anadema, fr.
Gk. dvdSijua, 'band, headband', fr. dvaSstv,
'to bind up', fr. ava (see ana-) and SeTv, 'to
bind'. See diadem.
anadiplosis, n., repetition of an initial word (rhet.)
— Gk. avaStTtXwai?, 'repetition, duplication',
fr. ava8i7rXouv, 'to double, fold', fr. ava, 'again'
(see ana-), and SmXoOv, 'to fold, repeat', fr.
SmX6o?, SittXou?, 'double'. See diplo- and cp.
diploma.
anadromous, adj., going up rivers to spawn. —
Gk. avaSpoiio?, 'running upward', fr. ava (see
ana-) and Spojio?, course, race, running'. See
dromedary and cp. catadromous. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -0;, see -ous.
Anadyomene, n., an epithet of Aphrodite (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'AvccS-jouIvt;, lit. 'she
that emerges (out of the sea)', fem. pres. part, of
avaSuea^ai, fr. ava (see ana-) and middle voice
of 8'ieiv, 'to put on (clothes), to enter, pene-
trate, dive'. See adytum and cp. ecdysis, en-
dysis.
anaemia. — See anemia.
anaerobic, adj., capable of living without oxygen
(biol.) — Coined by the French chemist and
bacteriologist Louis Pasteur (1822-95) in 1863
from priv. pref. an- and aerobic.
Anagallis, n., a genus of herbs of the primrose
family (hot.) — L. anagallis, 'pimpernel', fr. Gk.
dvayaXXi;, a word of uncertain origin.
anaglyph, n., an embossed ornament. — Gk.
avayX^tpov, 'wrought in relief, fr. avayX'^civ,
'to carve in relief, fr. ava (see ana-) and yX'jtpeiv,
'to carve', which is cogn. with L. glubere, 'to
peel', and E. cleave, to split (q.v.) Cp. the second
element in hieroglyph, triglyph.
anaglyptic, adj., pertaining to anaglyphs. — Gk.
avaYX'jTT-Lx6 ; , fr. dvayXuTTToc, 'wrought in re-
lief, verbal adj. of avayX'ipsLv. See prec. word
and -ic.
anagogy, n., mystical interpretation of Scrip-
tures. — Gk. dvaycoyr;, 'a leading up', fr.
dvayeiv, 'to lead up', fr. dvd (see ana-) and ayav,
'to lead'; cp. dycoyr), 'a leading'. See agent and
cp. -agogue, apagoge, pedagogue, synagogue.
Derivatives: anagog-ic, anagog-ic-al, adjs., ana-
gog-ic-al-ly, adv.
anagram, n., transposition of the letters of a
word or phrase so as to form another. — ModL.
anagramma, fr. Gk. txvaypa(j.(xaTia(x6;, 'a trans-
position of letters', fr. avaypajxixaxt^eiv, 'to
transpose the letters of a word', which is
formed fr. ava, 'back' (see ana-), and ypduu-a,
gen. ypau.[iaTo?, 'written character, letter'. See
-graph and cp. grammar.
Derivatives : anagrammat-ic, anagrammat-ic-al,
adjs., anagrammat-i-cal-ly, &dv.,anagrammalism
(q.v.), anagrammat-ist,n., anagrammatize (q.v.)
anagrammatism, n., the making of anagrams. —
ModL. anagrammatismus, fr. Gk. dvaypau.u.a-
Tia^o?. See anagram and -ism.
anagrammatize, tr. v., to make an anagram of;
intr. v., to make anagrams. — Gk. dvaypau.fj.a-
tL£sw. See anagram and -ize.
anal, adj., pertaining to, or connected with, the
anus. See anus and adj. suff. -al.
analcite, n., a white zeolite (mineral) — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. dvaXxr)?, 'weak,
feeble', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and dXxr),
'protection, help, strength' ; so called in allusion
to the weak electricity it acquires when rubbed.
Gk. dXxr) is rel. to dXsxeiv, 'to ward off,
whence the desiderative verb dXsSUiv, 'to ward
off, keep off, turn away, defend, protect'. See
Alexander.
analectic, adj., relating to analects. — See next
word and -ic.
analects, also analecta, n. pi., collected writings;
literary gleanings. — Gk. dvaXsxxa, 'things,
chosen', neut. pi. of dvdXex-rot;, 'select, choice',
verbal adj. of dvaXeysiv, 'to pick up, gather
up, collect', fr. avd (see ana-) and Xsyciv, 'to
speak', prop, 'to choose (words)', which is cogn.
with L. legere, 'to read'. See lecture.
analemma, n., an orthographical projection of the
sphere on the plane of the meridional (geom.) —
L., 'a sundial showing the meridian and latitude
of a place', fr. Gk. dvdXv)' t j(j.a, 'sundial', fr.
dvaXajipdveiv, 'to receive, take up, restore',
fr. dvd (see ana-) and Xafjfidveiv, 'to receive'.
See lemma and cp. words there referred to.
analeptic, adj., restorative, tonic (said of a medi-
cine); n., a restorative medicine, a tonic. — Gk.
dvaX'/jTTTix'jC, 'restorative', fr. dvaXafxfidveiv, 'to
receive', take up, restore', fr. dvd (see ana-) and
Xa|i.j3dv£iv, 'to take, grasp, seize; to receive'.
See prec. word.
analgesia, n., absence of pain. — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. dvaXyyjtiia, 'want of feeling, insensibility',
fr. dvaXyT,TO?, 'without pain'. See next word.
Derivatives: analges-ic, adj., and n., analges-
ics, n.
analgetic, adj., producing analgesia; n., a drug
producing analgesia. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. dvaXyvjTo?, 'without pain', fr. dv- (see
priv. pref. a-) and dXyelv, 'to feel pain', fr.
SXyoc, 'pain'. See -algia.
analogical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. analogicus, fr. Gk. dvaXoyixo?, fr. dvaXoyia.
See analogy and -ic
Derivative: analogical-ly, adv.
analogize, tr. v., to explain by analogy; intr. v.,
to reason by analogy or to use analogies. — Gk.
dvaXoyi^scr»ai, 'to reckon up, sum up', fr.
dvaXoyia. See analogy and -ize.
analogous, adj. — L. analogus, fr. Gk. dvdXo-
yot;, 'according to a due proportion, propor-
tionate', fr. dvd (see ana-) and Xoyo?, 'word,
speech, reckoning, proportion'. See logos and
-ous. Derivatives: analogous-ly, adv., analogous-
ness, n.
analogue, n., an analogous thing. — F., fr. Gk.
dvdXoyov, neut. of dvdXoyo?. See prec. word.
analogy, n., similarity. — F. analogie, fr. L. ana-
logia, fr. Gk. dvaXoyia, 'proportion, analogy',
fr. dvdXoyo?. See analogous and -y (represent-
ing Gk. -td).
Derivatives: analogical (q.v.), analog-ist, n.,
analog-ist-ic, adj., analogize (q.v.)
analphabetic, adj., not alphabetic. — Formed fr.
privative pref. an- and alphabetic.
analysis, n., separation of a whole into its com-
ponent parts. — Gk. dvdXum?, 'a loosing, re-
leasing', fr. dvaX'kiv, 'to unloose, release, set
free', fr. dvd, 'up, on, throughout' (see ana-), and
Xueiv, 'to unfasten, loosen, slacken'. See lysis.
analyste, n., a person who analyzes. — F., formed
fr. analyser, on analogy of nouns in -iste (E.
-ist) fr. verbs in -iser (E. -ize). See prec. word
and cp. analyze.
analytic, analytical, adj. — ML. analylicus, fr.
Gk. dcvaXvmxo;, 'analytical', fr. dvaX-jci;. See
analysis and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: analytic-al-ly, adv.
analyze, analyse, tr. v. — F. analyser, formed fr.
analyse, 'analysis', on analogy of verbs in -iser.
See analysis and -ize.
Derivatives : analyz-ation (analys-ation), n., ana-
lyzed (analys-ed), adj., analyzer (analys-er), n.
anamnesis, n., recollection, remembrance. — Gk.
dvdavritju;, 'a calling to mind, reminiscence',
fr. dvaiju^vvjaxsiv, 'to remind, recall to mem-
ory', fr. dvd (see ana-) and fuixvir;ax£iv, 'to
remind', which is rel. to (ivacs^at, 'to remem-
ber', uijxova, 'I remember', fr. I.-E. base "men-,
'to think, remember'. See mind and cp. mnesic,
amnesia, paramnesia.
anamorphosis, n., a distorted image; a gradual
change in form (biol.) — ModL., fr. dvx;aop-
cpucm, 'a forming anew', fr. dv*u.op(poOv, 'to
form anew, transform', fr. dvd, 'again' (see
ana-), and uopcpouv, 'to give form to, form,
shape', fr. (xop^, 'form, shape'. Sec morpho-
and cp. metamorphosis, amorphous.
ananas, n. — Sp. ananas, fr. Peruv. nanas,
'pineapple'.
ananda, n., bliss, one of the three qualities of
Brahma (Hindu mythol.) — OI. ananda-, 'joy,
happiness, bliss', formed from the particle d-
and the stem of ndndoti, 'he rejoices'. For the
etymology of the particle a- see agama and cp.
words there referred to. OI. ndndati is of un-
certain origin.
anandrous
70
anandrous, adj., having no stamens. — Gk. avav
Spog, 'husbandless; unmanly', fr. dv- (see priv.
pref. an-) and avyjp, gen. dvSpot;, 'man'. See
-androus.
Ananke, n., the personification of necessity in
Greek mythology. — Gk. dvdyx7), 'necessity',
of uncertain origin ; perhaps standing for *an-
ank- and cogn. with Olr. ecen, W. angen, 'ne-
cessity, fate', Ir. echt (for *anktu-), 'manslaugh-
ter', OE. dht, MDu. aht, OHG. ahta, MHG.
ahte, aht, G. Acht, 'hostile persecution', Hitt.
henkan, 'destiny, death'.
Ananta, n., the endless, an epithet of the serpent
Shesha in Hindu mythology. — OI. andntah,
'endless', fr. OI. priv. pref. an- (see priv. pref.
an-) and dntah- 'end, boundary, edge', which
is rel. to OI. anti, 'opposite', and cogn. with
Gk. dv-n, 'over against, opposite, before', L.
ante, 'before, in front of. See ante- and cp.
anti-.
anapaest, n., a metrical foot consisting of two
short syllables followed by a long one, a reversed
dactyl (pros.) — L. anapuestus, fr. Gk. dvd-
raitTTo?, 'struck back, rebounding', verbal adj.
of dva7ra(eiv, 'to strike back', fr. dvd, 'back'
(see ana-), and r.aieiv, 'to strike', which prob.
stands for ""ndfieiv and is cogn. with L.pavire,
'to beat, ram, tread down'. See pave.
anapaestic, anapaestical, adj. — L. anapaesticus,
fr. Gk. avaTtaioTixo;, fr. avdroxioTOi;. See prec.
word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: anapaestic-al-ly, adv.
anapaite, n., a hydrous ferrous calcium phosphate
(mineral.) — Named after Anapa on the Black
Sea. For the ending see subst. surf. -ite.
Anaphalis, n., a genus of plants (hot.) — ModL.,
of uncertain origin.
Anaphe, n., a genus of moths (zool) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. ava^T;;, 'impalpable', fr. av- (see priv.
pref. an-) and atpy;, 'touch, grip', from the stem
of cxttteiv, 'to fasten, usually in the middle
voice axTEaO-ai, 'to touch'. See apsis and cp.
words there referred to.
anaphora, n., repetition of the same word or
phrase in successive clauses, (rhet.) — Gk. dva-
9op5, 'a carrying back', fr. dvaipspsiv, 'to carry
back', fr. dvd, 'back' (see ana-), and tptpeiv, 'to
bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -phore.
anaphrodisiac, adj., that which reduces sexual
desire; n., a drug reducing sexual desire. —
Formed fr. priv. pref. an- and Gk. dcppoSima-
v/jc,, 'sexual, venereal'. See aphrodisiac.
anaphylaxis, n., exaggerated susceptibility, es-
pecially to protein (med. and biol.) — Coined
by the French physiologist Charles Richet
( 1 850-1935) in 1893 on analogy of prophylaxis
(q.v.) Anaphylaxis accordingly means the op-
posite of what is expressed by prophylaxis; it is
formed fr. ana- and Gk. <puXa!;ic;, 'a watching,
guarding'. See phylaxis.
anaplasty, n., plastic surgery. — F. anaplastie, fr.
Gk. dva7tXatjT0i;, 'made anew', verbal adj. of
avx7TAaaaeiv, 'to make anew, remodel', fr. dvd,
'again' (see ana-), and rcXdaaeiv, 'to mold, form'.
See plasma.
anaptotic, adj., of languages: characterized — as
English — by a tendency to lose declensional
forms. — Formed fr. Gk. avd, 'back' (see ana-),
and 7tTWTi>t6t;, 'pertaining to cases', fr. tttcoto?,
'fallen', verbal adj. of 7uf7rrciv, 'to fall', which
stands for *m-jrreiv, fr. *pt-, zero degree of
I.-E. base "pet-, 'to fly, to fall'. See feather and
cp. symptom and words there referred to. For
the ending see suff. -ic.
anarch, n., leader in anarchy. — Gk. avapxoc,
'without chief, fr. dvd (see priv. pref. an-) and
dpx<k, 'chief, leader, ruler'. See arch-.
anarchy, n. — F. anarchie, fr. Gk. avocpxidt, 'lack
of a leader, state of being without any leader',
fr. fivapxoq 'without chief. See anarch and -y
(representing Gk. -id.).
Derivatives: anarch-ic, anarch-ic-al, adjs., an-
arch-ic-al-ly, adv., anarch-ism, n., anarch-ist, n.,
anarch-ize, tr. v.
anarthria, n., inability to articulate words (med.)
— Medical L., coined by the French neurologist
Pierre Marie (1853-1940) fr. Gk. avap&po?,
'without joints' (see next word). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
anarthrous, adj., unarticulated. — Gk. avapftpo;,
'without joints', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and
ap#pov, 'joint, limb, organ'. See arthritis. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o?, see -ous.
Anas, n., the genus of ducks (zool.) — L. anas,
'duck', cogn. with Lith. dntis, OPruss. antis,
OSlav. oty, ORuss. utovi, Serb, utva (fr. *ot-),
ON. bnd, OF. sened, MDu. xnt, OHG. anut,
MHG. ant, G. Ente, and prob. also with Gk.
v^aaa, Att. vjj-rTa, Boeot. vaaaa, 'duck', OI.
atih, 'waterfowl'. Cp. Anatidae, Nesonetta. Cp.
also smew.
anasarca, n., a form of subcutaneous dropsy.
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. ava adpxa, ab-
breviation of uSpcoi}' °™<* C! *pxa, 'dropsy through-
out the flesh' ; fr. dvd, 'throughout' (see ana-),
and aap5, gen. aapxo?, 'flesh'. See sarco-.
anaspadias, n., a condition in which the urethra
opens on the upper surface of the penis (med.)
— Medical fr. ana- and the stem of <i7rav, 'to
draw'. See spasm and cp. words there referred to.
Anastasia, fern. PN. — Late L., fern, of Anasta-
sius (q.v.).
anastasis, n., convalescence (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. avdaTocCTiq, 'a standing up', ft. dvtordvai,
'to make to stand up', fr. dva (see ana-) and
ictTavai, 'to make to stand'. See state and cp.
apocatastasis, catastasis, hypostasis, metastasis.
Anastasius, masc. PN. — Late L. Anastasius, fr.
Gk. 'Avaoxdaiot;, fr. avdaxaau;, 'resurrection',
lit. a rising up', See prec. word and cp. Ana-
stasia.
anastomose, tr. v., to communicate by anasto-
mosis. — F. anastomoser, fr. anastomose, fr. Gk.
dvaax6(jiojais. See next word.
71
anchorite
anastomosis, n., intercommunication of vessels in
the animal body or of parts in any branching
system (anat.) — Gk. dvaaT6(j.G>m;;, 'outlet,
opening', fr. dvaoxotxouv, 'to furnish with a
mouth', fr. dvd (see ana-) and ar6fia, 'mouth'.
See stoma, stomach.
anastomotic, adj. — See prec. word and -otic.
anastrophe, n., inversion of the usual order of
words (rhet.) — L., fr. Gk. dvaaTpo<pY), 'a turning
upside down; a turning up or back, inversion',
fr. dvaaTp£<p£iv, 'to turn up or back', fr. dvd
(see ana-) and a-rpetpeLv, 'to turn'. See strophe
and cp. antistrophe, apostrophe, catastrophe.
anathema, n., curse, malediction; a thing or per-
son accursed. — L. anathema, fr. Gk. dvd£teu,a,
'anything devoted', later used in the sense of
'anything devoted to evil, an accursed thing',
a later variant of dvdS-»)(j.a, 'an offering', lit.
'that which is set up', fr. dva-uSivai, 'to lay
upon', which is formed fr. dvd (see ana-) and
Tt^svai, 'to put, place'. See thesis and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives : anathemat-ic, anathemat-ic-al,a.dss.,
anathemat-ic-al-ly, adv., anathemat-ism, n., ana-
themat-ize (q.v.)
anathematize, tr. v. to pronounce an anathema
against; intr. v., to curse. — F. anathematiser,
fr. L. anthematizare, fr. Gk. dva-9-eu.a-rfCsiv, 'to
devote to evil', fr. dvd&eu.a, gen. -S>su.<xtos. See
anathema and -ize.
Derivative: anathemat-iz-ation, n., anathemat-
iz-er, n.
Anatidae, n. pi., a family of birds, the ducks (or-
nithol.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. anas, gen. anatis, 'duck'. See Anas.
anatocism, n., compound interest (law). — L. ana-
tocismus, fr. Gk. dvaToxtti^O!;,, fr. dvd, 'again'
(see ana-), and toxl£eiv, 'to lend on interest',
which is rel. to toxoc. 'childbirth', -roxeus,
'father', in pi. 'parents', and in gradational re-
lationship to texvov, 'child', tixteiv (for *n-
txeiv), 'to bring forth, bear'. See thane and cp.
tecno-, toco-, atocia. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
Anatolia, n., ancient name of Asia Minor. — ML.
Anatolia, fr. Gk. dvaToXr), 'sunrise, east', lit. 'a
rising above (the horizon)', fr. dvaxcXXeiv, 'to
rise', fr. dvd (see ana-) and teXXsiv, 'to ac-
complish, perform; to rise', which is rel. to
xsXoi;, 'end'. See tele- and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: Anatoli-an, adj. and n., Anatol-ic,
adj.
anatomic, anatomical, adj. — F. anatomique, fr.
L. aiatomicus, fr. Gk. ivy.ro{x'.y.6<i, 'relating to
anatomy, skilled in anatomy', fr. dvaTou.la.
See next word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: anatomic-al-ly, adv.
anatomy, n. — F. anatomic, fr. L. anatomia, fr.
Gk. dvaTou.15, ava-rou.7), 'dissection', which is
related to AvaTeu,veiv, 'to cut up', fr. dvd (see
■ ana-) and xeu,veiv 'to cut'. See tome and cp.
acrotomous, atom. For the ending see suff. -y
(representing Gk. -is).
Derivatives: anatom-ism, n., anatom-ist , n., ana-
tom-ize, tr. v., anatom-iz-ation, n., anatom-iz-
er, n.
anbury, ambury, n., a soft tumor or wart on the
neck of a horse or an ox. — A compound prob.
meaning lit. 'a painful berry like tumor'. For the
first element see the first element in agnail. For
the second element see berry.
-ance, suff. — Fr. L. -antia, either directly or
through the medium of F. -ance. L. -antia de-
rives fr. -dns, gen. -antis, pres. part. suff. of the
verbs of the first Latin conjugation, and forms
abstract nouns denoting action, process, state or
quality. See -ant and -ce and cp. -ence. Cp. also
-ancy.
ancestor, n. — A blend of ME. ancestre and an-
cessour. ME. ancestre, derives fr. OF. ancestre
(F. ancetre), fr. L. antecessor, 'predecessor', lit.
'foregoer', fr. antecessus, pp. of antecedere, 'to
go before', fr. ante- and cedere, 'to go'. ME. an-
cessour, 'ancestor', comes fr. OF. ancessor, fr.
L. antecessdrem, acc. of antecessor. See cede
and cp. antecessor.
ancestral, adj. — OF. ancestrel, fr. ancestre. See
ancestor and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: ancestral-ly, adv.
ancestry, n. — OF. ancesserie; refashioned after
OF. ancestre. See prec. word and -y (represent-
ing OF. ie).
Anchises, n., the father of Aeneas; see Aeneas. —
L. Anchises, fr. Gk. 'Ayx^O?. a name of un ~
certain origin.
Anchistea, n., a genus of ferns (hot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dfX^Teii?, 'next of kin', fr. &yyiatoQ,
'nearest', superl. of a-fyj., 'near', which is rel. to
aYx £tv > ' to squeeze, throttle'. "Ayxt prop,
means 'pressed together'. See anger, anxious.
For the sense development of Gk. dyx 1 . 'near',
fr. dYX Etv > ' to squeeze', cp. F. pris, 'near, by',
fr. L. pressus, 'compressed'. The genus was
called Anchistea to intimate that it is related to
another genus of plants called Woodwardia. For
the Greek superl. suff. -lcjtoi; in ay/taxo;; see
-est and cp. Callisto and words there referred
to.
anchor, n. — ME. anker, fr. OE. ancor, fr. L. an-
cora, fr. Gk. dyxupa, 'anchor', which is rel. to
Gk. dyxdiv, 'a bend', Avx-iXo;, 'crooked,
curved'. See angle, 'corner', and cp. ancon,
ankylosis. Cp. also angora.
Derivatives: anchor, tr. and intr. v., anchor-age,
a., anchor-ed, adj., anchor-er, n.
anchoress, n., a female anchorite. — See next
word and -ess.
anchorite, also anchoret, n., hermit, recluse. —
Anchoret is the earlier form. It is a contraction
of still earlier anachoret, fr. L. anachoreta, fr. Gk.
dvax&>pr)t"f)i;, 'anchorite', lit. 'one who has re-
tired', fr. dvaxeopeiv, 'to go back, retire', fr.
Avd, 'back' (see ana-), and x"P s ' v > ' to 8ive
anchovy
72
place, withdraw', fr. y&poc,, 'free space, room'.
See chori-.
anchovy, n., a small, herringlike fish. — Sp. an-
chova, fr. Basque anchu, prop, 'dried fish', fr.
anchua, anchuva, 'dry'.
Anchusa, n., a genus of plants of the borage fa-
mily. — L. anchusa, fr. Gk. ayxouaa, 'alkanet',
which is of uncertain origin.
anchylose, n. — See ankylose.
anchylosis, n. — See ankylosis.
anchylotic, adj. — See ankylotic.
ancient, adj., old. — F. ancien, fr. VL. *antidnus,
'former', fr. ante, 'before' ; see ante-. The -t in
ancient is excrescent and is due to a confusion
of the ending of F. ancien with -en/, the English
equivalent of L. -ens (gen. -entis), the pres. part,
suff. of the 1I-IV. Latin conjugations. Cp. pag-
eant, peasant, pheasant, tyrant.
Derivatives : ancient, n., ancient-ly, adv., ancient-
ness, n., ancient-ry, n.
ancient, n. ensign. — Corruption of ensign.
ancile, n., the sacred shield of Rome. — L. ancile,
'the sacred shield of Rome', said to have fallen
from heaven. — The word prop, means 'cut in
on both sides', and stands for *am(bi)-caid-sli,
from ambi-, 'round about', and caedere, 'to cut,
hew, fell'. See ambi- and cement.
ancillary, adj., pertaining to a maid servant; sec-
ondary, auxiliary. — L. ancilldris, 'relating to
female servants', fr. ancilla, 'a female servant',
dimin. fr. anculus, 'a man servant', which was
misdivided into anc-ulus. In reality, however,
anculus stands for an-culus and is compounded
of pref. am(b)- (see ambi-) and the base of L.
colere, 'to till (the ground), cultivate, dwell, in-
habit'. Sec colony and -ary. Cp. Gk. d|A<pt7roXoi;,
'handmaid of gods, priestess, attendant priest',
which is cogn with L. anculus.
ancipital, ancipitous, adj., having two edges. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous, fr. L. an-
ceps, gen. ancipitis, 'having two heads', fr. an-,
a short form of ambi-, 'on both sides', and caput,
gen. capitis, 'head'. See ambi-, and capital, adj.
For the change of Latin a (in caput) to i (in an-
cipitis) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to.
ancon, n., i) the elbow (anat.); 2) a projection
supporting a cornice; console (archit) — L., fr.
Gk. xvxwv. 'elbow', lit. 'bend (of the arm)'.
See angle, 'corner', and cp. anchor, ankylosis.
-ancy, suff. denoting quality or state. — Fr. L.
-antia, either directly or through the medium of
F. -ance, hence derivatively identical with -ance
(q.v.) Cp. -ency.
ancylostomiasis, n., hookworm disease (med.) —
Medical L., compounded of Gk. dyxuXo;,
'crooked, curved', and axofia, 'mouth'. See
ankylosis, stoma and -iasis.
Ancylus, n., a genus of snails (entomol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dyxuXoi;, 'crooked, curved'. See an-
kylosis.
and, conj. — ME., fr. OE. and, rel. to OS. endi.
ande, OFris. and(a), ande, MDu. ende, enn, Du.
en, OHG. enti, anti, later unta, unti, MHG. unde,
und, G. und, 'and', ON. enn, en, 'and, but', prob.
fr. I.-E. *i}thd-, whence also OI. dthfi, 'then,
and'. Cp. an, 'if, and ampersand.
anadabata, n., a Roman gladiator whose helmet
had no opening for the eyes. — L., a word of
Gaulish origin. The first element of this word
means 'blind', and is cogn. with OI. andhdh,
Avestic anda, of s.m. The second element is of
the same origin and meaning as L. battuere, 'to
beat, strike'. See batter, 'to beat', and cp. words
there referred to.
Andalusia, n., a former province of southern
Spain. — Andalusia (= Sp. Andalucia), fr. Arab.
Andalus, a name denoting the whole peninsula,
fr. Late L. *Vandalicia, prop, 'the country
occupied by the Vandals'. See Vandal.
andalusite, n., a hard silicate of aluminum (Al 2 -
SiO s ) {mineral) — Formed with subst. suff.
-ite fr. Andalusia (see prec. word); so called be-
cause it was first found in Andalusia.
andante, adj., moderately slow; adv., in andante
tempo; n., an andante movement (musical
direction). — It., pres. part, of andare, 'to go',
rel. to Sp. and Port, andar, 'to go'; fr. VL. am-
bitdre, 'to go round', fr. L. ambitus, pp. of am-
bire, 'to go round'. See ambient.
andantino, adj., somewhat quicker (sometimes,
slower) than andante;adv.,in andantino tempo;
n., an andantino movement (musical direction). —
It., dimin. of andante.
andesine, n., a mineral of the group of feldspars.
— Coined by the German geologist Wilhelm
Hermann Abich (1806-86) from the name of the
Andes Mountains. For the ending see chem.
suff. -ine.
andesite, n., name of a family of rocks (petrogr.)
— Coined by the German geologist Baton Chris-
tian Leopold von Buch (1774- 1853) from the
name of the Andes Mountains. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: andesit-ic, adj.
andiron, n., either of a pair of metal supports for
logs in a fireplace. — ME. anderne, aundirne,
aundiren, fr. OF. andier (F. landier), fr. Gaul.
*andero-, 'a young bull' (cp. Ir. ainder, 'a young
woman', W. anner, 'heifer'); so called because
andirons were frequently adorned with the
heads of animals. Andiron was influenced in
form by, but is not related to, iron. Cp. gridiron.
andouille, n., a kind of sausage. — F., fr. VL.
*inductile, neut. of the adjective *inductilis, used
as a noun, fr. L. inductus, pp. of inducere, 'to
introduce'; see induce. Andouille must have de-
noted originally the filling that was 'introduced'
into the sausage.
andr-, form of andro- before a vowel.
Andrew, masc. PN. — OF. Andreu, Andrieu (F.
Andre), fr. L. Andreas, fr. Gk. 'AvSpeS;, which
is rel. to dvSpeioi;, 'manly', fr. dvrjp, gen. avSpo?,
'man*. See andro- and cp. dandy.
73
anemo-
andrewsite, n., a hydrous phosphate (mineral) —
Named after the Irish physicist and chemist
Thomas Andrew (1813-58). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Andrias, n., a genus of fossil salamanders (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gr. ivSpidi;, 'image of a man',
diminutive formed fr. dvrjp, gen. dv8p6<;, 'man';
see andro-. For the diminutive character of the
-«/-formative element see Kretschmerin Glotta,
14, 8 4 f.
andro-, before a vowel andr-, combining form
meaning 'man'. — Gk. dvSpo-, dvSp-, fr. dvrjp,
gen. dvSpo;, 'man', which is cogn. with OI.
ndram (ace), 'man', ndryah, 'virile', Arm. ayr,
gen.-dat. arn, 'man', Alb. n'er, 'man', Umbr.
nerus (pi. acc.), 'men', Sabine-L. Nero, PN., lit.
'strong', W. ner, 'hero', Olr. nert, W., Co. nerth,
'virility'. Cp. Andrew, Andrias, andron, dandy,
'a fop', and the second element in Alexander,
Ardhanari, Dianira, Leander, philander, sundari.
Cp. also the first element in anthropo-.
androcracy, n., rule or supremacy of men. —
Compounded of andro- and -xpatia, fr. xpd-roi;,
'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
androecium, n., the stamens of a flower taken
collectively (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
andro- and Gk. otxtov, dimin. of olxo?, 'house'.
See economy.
androgen, n., a male sex hormone (biochem.) —
Coined fr. andro- and -gen.
androgynous, adj., hermaphrodite. — Gk. dvSpo-
yuvog, 'man-woman, hermaphrodite', fr. dvrjp,
gen. avSpo;;, 'man', and yuvrj, 'woman'. See
andro- and gynaeco-, and cp. gynandrous. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oc,, see suff.
-ous.
Andromache, n., the wife of Hector (Greek my-
thol.) — L., fr. Gk. ' Av§po;j.ax?], lit- 'whose hus-
band excells in the fight', fr. dvr,p, gen. avSpo?,
'man', husband', and (la/r,, 'fight'. See andro-
and -machy.
Andromeda, n., 1) the daughter of Cepheus and
Cassiopeia (Creek mythol.) — Gk. 'AvSpouiSa,
Ion. 'AvSpopisST), lit. 'mindful of her husband',
compounded of dvrjp, gen. dvSpog, 'man' (see
andro-), and uiSeoftai, 'to be mindful of, give
heed to, think on', which is rel. to [^eSwv, aeSs-
cov, 'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part, of the
ancient verb (jieSeiv, 'to protect, rule over'),
Lnr,Sca&ai, 'to devise, resolve, advise', jj.r,S£a (pi.
neut.), 'counsels, plans, device, cunning', uiSiu.-
voc, 'ameasure', fr.I.-E.base *mid-, 'to measure,
limit, consider', which is a -^-enlargement of
base 'me-, 'to measure'. See meditate and cp.
Medea, Medusa and the second element in auto-
medon, Diomedes, Ganymede. Cp. also medical.
Andromeda, n., 1) name of a constellation in the
northern hemisphere; 2) name of a genus of
plants of the heath family (bot.) — From prec.
word.
andron, n., men's apartment in a house (Greek
antiq.) — Gk. dvSpoiv, a collateral form of
dvSpcoviTLi;, 'men's apartment', fr . dvrjp, gen.
dvSpo?, 'man'. See andro-.
androphobia, n., morbid dread of the male sex. —
ModL., compounded of Gk. dvif)p, gen. dv8p6<;,
'man', and -cpopia, 'fear of, fr. 96^01;, 'fear'.
See andro- and -phobia.
Andropogon, n., the beard grass (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of andro- and Gk. 7ro>Y (dV > 'beard'.
See Pogonia.
Androsace, n., a genus of herbs of the primrose
family (bot) — L. androsaces, name of a zoo-
phyte, fr. Gk. dvSpoaocxe?, of s.m., lit. 'man's
remedy', compounded of dvrjp, gen. avSpo?,
'man', and axo;, 'remedy'. See andro-, and
aceology.
androsterone, n., a male sex hormone (biochem)
— Coined fr. andro-, ster(ol) and -one.
-androus, combining form used in botany in the
sense of 'having (a certain number or form) of
stamens (prop, male organs)', as in monandrous,
gynandrous. — Gk. -avSpo;,fr. dvrjp, gen. dvSpoi;,
'man'. See andro-.
-ane, suff., a variant of -an, fr. L. -anus, gener-
ally with differentiation of meaning. Cp. human,
humane, and urban, urbane.
-ane, suff. used to form names of saturated hydro-
carbons (chem); derivatively identical with
prec. suff.
anear, prep, and adv. (poetic). — Formed fr. a-,
'on', and near.
anecdote, n. — F., fr. Gk. dvsxSoTa (neut. pi. of
dvexSoTo;, 'not published'), used as a noun in
the sense of 'unpublished things', fr. dv- (see
priv. pref. an-) and sxSoxa, 'things given out',
neut. pi. of gxSoToi; verbal adj. of Ex§t§o>(zi,
'I give out' (fr. sx, 'out', and reduplication of
base *dd-, 'to give'). See ec- and date, 'point
of time'.
Derivatives: anecdot-age, n., anecdot-al, anec-
dot-ic, adjs., anecdotic-al-ly, adv., anecdot-ist, n.
anele, tr. v., to anoint (archaic). — ME. anelien,
'to anoint with oil', fr. OE. an, 'on', and ME.
ele (fr. OE. ale), 'oil', fr. L. oleum. See a-, 'on',
and oil.
anemia, anaemia, n., deficiency of blood (med)
— Gk. avails, 'want of blood, bloodlessness',
fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and al^oc, 'blood'.
See hemal.
Derivatives: anemi-al (anaemi-al), anem-ic (an-
aem-ic), adjs.
Anemia, n., a genus of plants of the climbing-
fern family (bot) — ModL., fr. Gk. dvEipicov,
'unclad', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and etu.oc,
which corresponds to Dor. fr^a, 'a dress, gar-
ment', and is cogn. with Gk. iaH^for *rza$-r l *),
'clothing', evvuvca ('for *f£avjvai), 'to clothe',
and cogn. with L. vestis, 'covering for the body,
clothes'. See vest and cp. himation.
anemo-, before a vowel anem-, combining form
meaning 'wind'. — Gk. dveuo-, dveu.-, fr.
dvE(xo;, 'wind', which is cogn. with L. anima,
'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life', animus,
anemology
74
'soul, spirit, mind, courage, wish, desire'. See
animus.
anemology, n., the science of wind. — Com-
pounded of anemo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: anemolog-ic-al, adj.
anemometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
velocity of the wind. — Compounded of anemo-
and Gk. [xsxpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm.'
Derivatives: anemometr-y, n., anemometr-ic,
adj.
anemone, n. — Gk. dvcu-tovr), 'the wind flower',
which prob. derives fr. Heb. ndam&n in nite
na'dmantm (Is. 17:10), lit. 'plants of pleasant-
ness', fr. na'em, 'was pleasant'. See Paul de La-
garde in Abhandlungen der Gesellschaft der
Wissenschaften zu Gottingen, XXXV, p. 205,
and Heinrich Lewy, Die semitischen Fremd-
worter im Griechischen, Berlin, 1895, p. 49- For
the etymology of Heb. na'em, 'was pleasant', see
Naaman and cp. words there referred to. Gk.
avsficdvr] was influenced in form by Sveu-o?,
'wind'. For the ending -covy] in dvE[«iv7) cp.
dpyeixtov?), ' a kind of P°PPy'' fr - Heb ' ar Sdm&n,
'purple' (see Argemone).
Anemonella, n., a genus of herbs of the family
Ranunculaceae (hot.) — ModL., dimin. of ane-
mone (q.v.) For the ending see suff. -ella.
anencephalic, adj., having no brain (zool.) — Gk.
dvEyx^aXo?, coined by Galen from dv- (see
priv. pref. -an) and Gk. syxeepaXo!;, 'brain'. See
encephalic.
anent, prep., concerning, about. — ME. anent,
anentis, fr. OE. onefen, onemn, 'near to, close
by', orig. 'on a level with', fr. an-, on-, 'on', and
efe'n, 'even, equal'. Cp. OHG. (MHG., G.) ne-
ben, 'near to, by the side of, shortened fr. in-
eben, fr. in, 'in', and ebani, 'equality'. See on and
even, 'straight'. The final t in anent is excrescent.
Cp. foment.
-aneous, adj. suff. — L. -aneus. See -an and -ous.
anergy, n., lack of energy (med.) — Medical L.
anergia, 'lack of energy', formed on analogy of
energy fr. priv. pref. an- andGk. spyov, 'work'.
See ergon.
Derivative: anerg-ic, adj.
aneroid, adj., containing no liquid (said of a kind
of barometer); n., an aneroid barometer. — F.
aneroide, lit. 'without liquid', compounded of
priv. pref. a- and Gk. vapog, wjpoq, 'flowing,
liquid' (which is rel. to vaetv, 'to flow'), and
-oei8t)c, 'like', fr. elSoe, 'form, shape'. See
Nereid and -oid.
anesthesia, anaesthesia, n., insensibility. — Gk.
dvaio^aia, 'lack of sensation', fr. dcvaiaS7)T£tv,
'to be without sense of something, lack sen-
sation', fr. dtv- (see priv. pref. an-) and ixkj#t)t6<;,
'sensible, perceptible', verbal adj. of <xta*avea-
0ai, 'to perceive'. See esthete and cp. esthesia.
anesthetic, anaesthetic, adj., producing insen-
sibility; n., substance producing anesthesia. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. dvaCaJhj-ro;, 'with-
out feeling', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and
ald-ShjToi;, 'sensible, perceptible'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: anesthet-ist, n., anesthet-ize, tr. v.
anet, n., dill. — F. anet, aneth, fr. L. anethum,
fr. Gk. fivrj&ov, 'dill, anise'. Cp. Gk. Svtaov,
L. anlsum, and see anise.
aneurysm, n., a morbid dilatation of the coat of
an artery (med.) — Gk. dvsopoeJu.6c;, 'dilatation',
fr. dvEupuvstv, 'to dilate', fr. dvd (see ana-), and
Eupiiveiv, 'to widen', fr. eup'i?, 'wide', which is
cogn. with OI. uru(i, 'wide'. The spelling
aneurism (with ( instead of y) is due to a con-
fusion with words ending in -ism.
Derivatives: aneurysm-al, adj., aneurysm-al-ly,
adv., aneurysm-at-ic, adj.
anfractuosiry, n., circuitousness. — F. anfractu-
osite, fr. L. anfractus. See anfractuous and -ity.
anfractuous, adj., circuitous. — F. anfractueux
(fem. anfractueuse), fr. L. anfrdctudsus, fr. am-
frdctus, anfractus, 'a breaking round; a turning,
winding', fr. am-, shortened form of ambi-,
amb-, 'about, around', and frdctus, pp. of
frangere, 'to break'. See ambi- and fraction.
Derivatives : anfractuous-ness, n.
anew, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'of, and new.
angaralite, n., a magnesium aluminum iron sili-
cate (mineral.) — Named after Angara River in
Siberia. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
angaria, n., a system of relays of couriers for dis-
patching official letters in ancient Persia, later
also in the Roman empire. — L., 'service to a
lord', fr. Gk. dyyapEta, 'impressment for the
public service', fr. ayyapoc;, 'mounted courier,
messenger', of Persian, ult. Semitic, origin. See
angel.
angary, n., the right of a warring nation to use
or destroy the property of neutrals. — F. an-
garie, fr. L. angaria. See prec. word.
angel, n. — ME., fr. OF. angele (F. ange), fr. L.
angelus, fr. Gk. ayyeXog, 'messenger, divine
messenger, angel' (whence the verb dyyEXXeiv,
'to bear a message, report, tell'), which is rel. to
&T(aLpoQ, 'mounted courier, messenger'; of
Persian, ult. of Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad. agarru,
'hireling, hired laborer', fr. agdru, 'to hire',
which is rel. to Aram, agar, eggdr, 'he hired',
(whence Arab, djara, of s.m.), Heb. iggereth,
Aram, igg'ri, iggartd, 'letter', prop, 'message'
Cp. angaria, the first element in Ingrain and the
second element in evangel. The sense develop-
ment of Gk. ayyapoi;, resp. 6cyyeXo<;, from a
Sem. noun meaning 'hireling', may be illustrated
by the phases: 'hireling, hired messenger, mes-
senger'. Gk. ccyyeXoi; m tne xnsc o{ ' an S el '> ^
a loan translation of. Heb. mal'&kh, 'messenger,
divine messenger, angel', fr. base l-'-k, 'to send'.
Derivatives: angel-ic, adj., angelica (q.v.), angel-
ic-al, adj., angel-ic-al-ly, adv., angel-ic-ize, tr. v.,
angel-ize, tr. v.
75
Anglican
Angela, fem. PN. — Fem. of L. angelus, 'angel'.
See prec. word and cp. angelica, Angelina.
angelrish, n. — The name is prob. due to the mis-
reading of the Dutch name of this fish zeeegel,
lit. 'sea urchin', as zeeengel, 'sea angel' (cp. its
French name ange de mer), a mistake suggested
by the winglike fins of this fish.
angelic, adj. — V.angelique, fr. L. angelicus, fr. Gk.
dyycXixcK;, 'angelic', fr. ayysXos. See angel and
-ic.
Angelica, fem. PN. — Fem. of L. angelicus, 'an-
gelic'. See prec. word and cp. Angela, Angelina.
Angelica, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
lit. 'the angelic (herb)', fr. L. (herba) angelica,
fem. of angelicus (see prec. word); so called
because of its medicinal properties.
Angelina, fem. PN. — Dimin. of Angela (q.v.).
angelo-, combining form meaning 'angel'. See
angel.
angelolatry, n., the worship of angels. — Com-
pounded of angelo- and Gk. -Xaxpsta, -XaTpta,
fr. XaTpeta, 'hired labor, worship'. See -latry.
angelot, n., 1) a gold coin; 2) a sort of cheese made
in Normandy; 3) a musical instrument. —
OF., dimin. of angele, 'angel'. See angel.
anger, n. — ME., fr. ON. angr, 'sorrow, afflic-
tion', rel. to ON. ongr, OE. enge, 'narrow, pain-
ful', OS. engi, MDu. enghe, Du. eng, OHG. an-
gi, engi, MHG. enge, G. eng, Goth, aggwus,
'narrow', and cogn. with OI. amhu-, 'narrow',
dmhah, 'anguish, need, anxiety', Avestic qzah-,
'distress, oppression', Gk. ayyeiv, 'to squeeze'
(esp. the throat), 'strangle, throttle, hang',
ayyovy], 'strangling, hanging; rope', &fX}>
dy^ou, 'near' (lit. 'narrow'), cttraov (for *&yx-io^),
'nearer', L. angere, 'to press together, throttle,
torment', angustus, 'narrow', Arm. anjuk, 'nar-
row', OSlav. qzp, qziti, 'to narrow, compress',
qzota, 'narrowness', 'qzosti, 'a narrowing, nar-
rowness', qzuku, 'narrow', Lith. ankstas, 'nar-
row', fr. I.-E. base *angh-, 'to narrow, com-
press' ; the corresponding Celtic base is *engh-,
*ngh-, whence Bret, enk, 'narrow', Ir. cumung,
'narrow', Ir., W. ing, 'distress'. Cp. agnail, an-
gina, anguish, anxious, and the second element
in cynanche, quinsy, squinancy, Orobanche.
Derivatives: angr-y, adj., angr-i-ly, adv.
anger, tr. v. — ON. angra, fr. angr, 'anger'. See
anger, n.
angina, n., inflammation of the throat; quinsy. —
L. angina, 'quinsy', prob. a loan word fr. Gk.
dvyovrj, 'a throttling, strangling, hanging'. The
form angina (instead of *ancina) is due to the
influence of angere, 'to throttle'. See anger,
r.., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: angin-al, adj.
angio- before a vowel angi-, combining form
meaning 'covered by a seed or blood vessel', as
'n angiosperm. — Gk. dyyEio-, fr. dyyEiov,
'vessel', fr. (Syyos, 'vessel', a word of uncertain
origin. Cp. the second element in Hydrangea,
sporangium, synangium.
angiology, n., that branch of anatomy which
deals with the blood vessels. — Compounded
of angio-, and Gk. -Xoyioc, fr. -Xoyoc;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic). See -logy.
angioma, n., a tumor consisting of dilated blood
vessels (med.) — Medical L., formed with suff.
-oma fr. Gk. dyyeTov, 'vessel'. See angio-.
angiosperm, n., name of a large class of plants
which has its seeds inclosed in an ovary. —
Coined (in the Modern Latin form Angiosper-
mae) by Paul Hermann in 1 690 fr. Gk. dyyeiov,
'vessel, receptacle' and cmepiAa, 'seed'. See
angio- and sperm.
Derivatives : angiosperm-al, angiosperm-atous,
angiosperm-ic, angiosperm-ous, adjs.
angle, n., corner. — F., fr. L. angulus, 'angle,
corner', which is cogn. with Arm. angiun, anki-
un, OSlav. qg(u)lu, 'corner', OSlav. qkotu,
'hook', Lith. anka, 'loop', OI. dngam, 'limb',
angulih, angurih, 'finger, toe', angusfhdh, 'big
toe, thumb', Avestic angushta-, 'toe, finger', OI.
ankdh, 'hook; bent', dncati, 'bends, curves', Gk.
ayxo?, 'a bend, hollow', dy>«ov, 'elbow', dyxuXo?,
'crooked, curved', SyxOpa, 'anchor', L. ancus,
'crooked, curved', OE. ancleo, ancleow, 'ankle',
OE. anga, OHG. ango, 'hook'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. base *ang-, resp. *anq-, 'to bend'.
Cp. angle, 'fishhook', Angle, anchor, ancon,
angula, angular, ankle, ankylosis, and the second
element in triangle. Cp. also the second element
in sarangousty. The above I.-E. words stand in
gradational relationship to Gk. oyxo?, L. un-
cus, 'hook', Mir. ecath, 'fishhook'; cp. Uncaria,
unciferous, uncinal, uncinate, uncinus, uncus,
aduncus, Redunca.
angle, n., a fishhook. — OE. angel, fr. anga,
'hook', rel. to ON. ongull, OHG. angul (MHG.,
G. angel), 'fishhook', and cogn. with L. ancus,
'crooked, curved', uncus, 'hook'. See angle,
'corner'.
Derivatives: angle, tr. and intr. v., angl-er, n.,
angl-ing, n.
Angle, n., member of a Teutonic tribe that came in
the 5th century from what is now known as
Schleswig-Holstein to Britain and conquered it.
— L. Anglus, pi. Angli, of Teut. origin. Cp. OE.
Angle, Engle, prop, 'the people coming from
Angul (= ON. Ongull), 'a hookshaped district
in Schleswig', fr. angul (= ON. ongull), 'fish-
hook, angle', which is rel. to anga, OHG. ango,
'hook'. See angle, 'fishhook', and angle, 'corner',
and cp. English, Anglican, Anglo-Saxon.
anglesite, n., a mineral containing lead sulfate. —
Coined by the French mineralogist and physi-
cist Francois Sulpice Beudant in 1832; so called
by him in allusion to the fact that it was dis-
covered by Withering in Anglesey (in 1783).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Anglican, adj. and n. — ML. Anglicdnus, fr. An-
glicus, 'English', fr. Late L. Anglus. See Angle
and -an.
anglice
76
anglice, adv., in English. — ML. Anglice, fr. Ang-
licus. See prec. word.
Anglicism, anglicism, n. — Formed with suff.
-ism fr. ML. Anglicus. See Anglican.
Anglicize, anglicize, tr. and intr. v. — Formed
with suff. -ize, fr. ML. Anglicus. See Anglican.
Derivative: angliciz-ation, n.
Anglo-, combining form meaning 'English'. —
Fr. Late L. Angli, 'the English'. See Angle,
Anglo-Saxon.
Anglomania, n., a mania for what is English. —
Compounded of Anglo- and Gk. ujxvla, 'mad-
ness, frenzy'. See mania.
Derivative: Anglomani-ac, adj.
Anglophile, Anglophil, n., a friend of England or
the English; adj., friendly to England or the
English. — Compounded of Anglo- and Gk.
<plXos, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Anglophobe, n., one who fears or hates England
or the English. — Compounded of Anglo- and
Gk. -yofioQ, fr. tp6po?, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Derivative: Anglophob-ic, adj.
Anglophobia, n., fear or hatred of England or the
English. — Compounded of Anglo- and Gk.
-rpopta, 'fear of, fr. <po(3o(;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Derivative: Anglophob-ic, adj.
Anglo-Saxon, n. — ML. Anglo-Saxdnes, fr. ear-
lier Angli Saxdnes, 'the English', fr. L. Angli,
'the Angles', in Late L. 'the English', and L.
Saxdnes, 'the Saxons', in Late L. 'the English'.
Accordingly the term Anglo-Saxon is tautolog-
ical, inasmuch as both elements of this com-
pound denote 'the English'. See Angle and
Saxon.
angola, n. — Corruption of angora.
angora, n., 1) an Angora cat; 2) Angora wool or
anything made of it. — Named from the town
Angora (now Ankara) in Asia Minor, fr. L. An-
cyra, fr. Gk."Avxupa, fr. ayxopa, 'anchor'. See
anchor.
angostura, n., a bitter aromatic bark. — Short-
ened fr. angostura bark, lit. 'bark of the tree
growing at Angostura', now Ciudad Bolivar, in
Venezuela, on the narrows of the Orinoco River;
so called fr. Sp. angostura, 'a narrow pass', fr.
angosto, fr. L. angustus, 'narrow'. See anguish,
n., and -ure.
angrite, n., a meteorite stone. — Named after
Angra dos Reis in Brazil. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
angry, adj. — Formed fr. anger with suff. -y (re-
presenting OE. -ig).
Derivatives: angri-ly, adv., angri-ness, n.
angstrom unit, angstrom, n., unit of length equal
to one hundred-millionth of a centimeter; used
to measure the wavelengths of light. — Named
after the Swedish physicist Anders Jonas Ang-
strom (1814-1874).
Anguidae, n. pi., a family of lizards (zool.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. anguis,
'serpent, snake'. See anguine.
Anguilla, n., a genus of fishes, the common eel
(ichthyol.) — L. anguilla, 'eel', prop, 'the snake-
like fish', fr. anguis, 'snake' ; see next word. Cp
the cognate Gk. SyxeXus ( see Encelia), OPruss.
angurgis, Lith. ungurys, OSlav. *qgori (appear-
ing in Russ. ugori, Pol. wegorz), 'eel', which all
mean derivatively 'the snakelike fish'. It. an-
guilla, F. anguille, Sp. anguila, Port, enguia and
prob. also OSlav. qgulja, jegulja, 'eel', derive fr.
L. anguilla.
anguine, adj., pertaining to a serpent. — L. an-
guinus, fr. anguis, 'serpent, snake', which is cogn.
with Arm. auj, dj, Lith. angis, OPruss. angis,
Lett, iiodze, Russ. az, Pol. wqz, and prob. also
with OI. dhih, Avestic azish, 'snake', Gk. ir/ic,,
'viper'. See echidna and cp. Anguidae, Anguilla,
Anguis. Cp. also Ahi, Encelia, ask, 'water newt'.
For the ending see suff. -ine (representing L.
-inus).
anguineous, adj., serpentlike. — L. anguineus, fr.
anguis, 'serpent' ; see prec. word. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Anguis, n., a genus of lizards, the blindworm
(zool.) — L. anguis, 'serpent, snake'. See an-
guine.
anguish, n. — ME. anguise, angoise, fr. OF. an-
guisse, angoisse (F. angoisse), fr. L. angustia (in
classical Latin used mostly in the pi.), 'narrow-
ness, deficiency', fr. angustus, 'narrow', fr. an-
gere, 'to throttle, torment'. See anger and words
there referred to and cp. esp. angostura.
anguish, tr. and intr. v. — OF. anguissier, an-
goissier (F. angoisser), fr. anguisse, angoisse. See
prec. word.
Derivative: anguish-ed, adj.
anguishous, adj., causing anguish; anguished;
anxious, (obsol.) — OF. angoissos, fr. VL. *an-
gustidsus, fr. L. angustus, 'narrow'. See an-
guish, n.
Derivative: anguishous-ly, avd.
angula, n., a measure in ancient India, corre-
sponding to 1.05 inches, lit., 'finger'. — OI.
angulah, 'finger', rel. to angulih, ahgurih, 'finger,
toe; angusthdh, 'big toe, thumb', dhcati, 'he
bends, curves', and cogn. with Gk. ayxcov, 'el-
bow', L. ancus, 'crooked, curved', angulus,
'angle, corner'. See angle, 'corner'.
angular, adj. — L. anguldris, 'having corners or
angles', fr. angulus. See angle, 'corner', and -ar.
Derivatives: angular-ity, n., angular-ly, adv.,
angular-ness, n.
angulate, adj. — L. anguldtus, pp. of anguldre,
'to make angular', fr. angulus. See angle, 'cor-
ner', and adj. suff. -ate.
angaria, n., the gourd ; the watermelon. — ModL.,
fr. Late Gk. ayyoipiov, 'watermelon', which
derives fr. Pers. angdrah. See gherkin.
Angus, masc. PN. — Scot., rel. to Ir. Aonghus,
a compound whose two elements are cognate
with E. one, resp. choice.
anhelation, n., panting, asthma (archaic). — F.
anhelation, fr. L. anhelatidnem, acc oianheldtio,
'difficulty of breathing, panting', fr anhelatus.
77
animism
pp. of anheldre, 'to breathe with difficulty' , which
is prob. compounded of pref. an-, 'up, upward'
(see ana-), and heldre, 'to breathe', which prob.
stands for *anslare, fr. I.-E. base "an-, 'to blow,
breathe'. See animus and cp. exhale, inhale. For
the ending see suff. -ation.
anhistous, adj., with no recognizable structure
(biol.) — Formed with suff. -ous fr. priv. pref.
an- and Gk. Jcrro?, 'tissue', which stands for
*<riaT6i; and lit. means 'that which makes to
stand', from the stem of Mrr/jfju (for *almr\\n),
'I make to stand'. See histo- and cp. the second
element in Actinistia.
anhydride, anhydrid, n., an oxide which is capable
of forming an acid, if added to water (chem.) —
Formed with suff. -ide resp. -id, fr. Gk. avuSpoi;,
'waterless'. See anhydrous.
anhydrite, n. , anhydrous calcium sulfate (mineral.)
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. otvuSpo;,
'waterless'. See next word and cp. prec. word.
anhydrous, adj., containing no water (chem.) —
Gk. avuSpo?, 'waterless', fr. iv- (see priv. pref.
an-) and (iSup, 'water'. See hydro-. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to Gk. -0$, see suff. -ous.
ani, n., any of certain black birds of the cuckoo
family. — Sp. ani, Port, ani, fr. Tupi ani.
anicut, annicut, n., a dam (Anglo-Ind.) — Tamil
anai kattu, 'dam building'.
anigh, adv., new (pseudo-archaic). — Formed
on analogy of afar, etc., fr. a-, 'on', and
nigh.
anights, adv. (archaic) — Formed fr. OE. on
nihte; see a-, 'on', night, and the adv. suff. -s.
anil, n., 1) a West Indian shrub, from which in-
digo is made; 2) indigo. — Port, anil, fr. Arab.
an-nil, assimilated fr. al-ntl, fr. al-, 'the', and
nil, 'indigo', fr. Pers. nila, ult. fr. OI. nill, 'indi-
go', fr. nilah, 'dark blue'. Cp. lilac.
Derivatives: anil-ic, adj., anil-ide, n., aniline
(q.v.)
anile, adj., like an old woman. — L. anilis, 'per-
taining to an old woman', fr. anus, gen. anus,
'old woman', from the I.-E. imitative base "an-,
whence also Hitt. annash, 'mother', hannash,
'grandmother', Gk. iwi:, 'grandmother',
Lith. anyta, 'mother-in-law', OPruss. ane, 'old
mother', OHG. ano, MHG. ane, an, 'grand-
father, great grandfather', OHG. ana, 'grand-
mother, great grandmother', G. Ahnen, 'ances-
tors', OHG. eninchili (whence MHG. eninkel,
enenkel, G. Enkel), 'grandson', prop, dimin.
of OHG. ano, 'great grandfather'. Cp. the first
element in Olaf.
Derivative: anile-ness, n.
aniline, also anilin, n., an oily, poisonous liquid,
QH S NA 2 (chem.) — Coined by C. J. Fritzsche
in 1 84 1 fr. anil and chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in.
Derivative: aniline, anilin, adj.
anility, n., quality of being anile. — L. anilitds,
'the old age of a woman, anility', fr. anilis. See
anile and -ity.
animadversion, n., criticism; blame. — L. ani-
madversid, gen. -dnis, 'perception, observation,
attention', fr. animadversus, pp. of animadver-
tere. See animadvert and -ion.
Derivative: animadversion-al, adj.
animadversive, adj., percipient. — Formed with
suff. -ive fr. L. animadversus, pp. of animadver-
tere. See next word.
Derivative: animadversive-ness, n.
animadvert, intr. v., to criticize, blame, censure.
— L. animadvertere, contraction of animum ad-
verlere, 'to direct one's mind, attend', fr. ani-
mum, acc. of animus, 'mind', and advertere, 'to
turn toward'. See animus and advert.
animal, n. — L., lit. 'a living being', fr. animdle,
neut. of animdlis, 'of air, living', fr. anima,
'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life' ; see animus
and adj. suff. -al. For sense development cp. Gk.
££>ov, 'animal, which is rel. to ^oyj, 'life', and
OE. deor, 'a wild animal', lit. 'a breathing being',
which is cogn. with OSlav. duchu, 'breath,
spirit', dusa, 'soul'. Cp. also Heb. hayyd", 'wild
animal, beast', which is rel. to hdyd", 'he lived',
hayyim, 'life'.
animal, adj. — L. animdlis, 'of air, living, ani-
mate'. See animal, n.
animalcular, adj. — Formed with suff. -ar fr. L.
animalculum. See next word.
animalcule, n., a very small animal, esp. one per-
ceptible only by a microscope. — Late L. ani-
malculum, dimin. of L. animal. See animal, n.,
and -cule.
animalism, n., animal character; the doctrine that
man is a mere animal. — See animal and -ism.
animalist, n., 1) one who believes in animalism;
2) an artist representing animals. — See animal
and -ist.
annualize, tr. v., to make like an animal. — See
animal and -ize.
Derivative: animaliz-ation, n.
animate, tr. v., to give life to, to enliven. — L.
animdtus, pp. of animate, 'to fill with air or
breath, to animate', fr. anima. See animus and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: animat-cd, adj. animat-ed-ly, adv.,
animat-er, n., animat-ing, adj., animat-ing-ly ,
adv., animation, animatism (qq.v.)
animate, adj., living. — L. animdtus, pp. of ani-
mdre. See animate, v.
Derivatives: animate-ly, adv., animate-ness, n.
animation, n., life; vivacity. — L. animdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'an animating', fr. animdtus, pp. of ani-
mdre. See animate and -ion.
animatism, n., the primitive belief that the inani-
mate is regarded as if it were animated. —
Coined by Maretti in 1899 in contradistinction
to animism. See animate, adj. and -ism.
animatistic, adj. — See prec. word and -istic.
anime, n., any of various resin?. - - F fr. Sp.
anime, which is a Tupi loan word.
animism, n., a word of many meanings, but used
esp. in the sense of 'theory of the universal ani-
mation of nature' (Sir Edward Burnett Tylor's
animist
78
definition in Primitive Culture, chapter ii). —
Coined by the German physicist and chemist
Georg Ernst Stahl (1660- 17 34) and re-intro-
duced by E. B. Tylor in 1 87 1 . See animus and -ism
and cp. animatism.
animist, n., one who believes in animism. — See
animism and -ist.
Derivative: animist-ic, adj.
animosity, n., ill will; enmity. — F. animosite, fr.
L. animdsitdtem, acc. of animdsitds, 'boldness,
vehemence', fr. animdsus, 'bold, vehement', fr.
animus. See next word, adj. suff. -ose and suff.
-ity.
animus, n., 1) intention; 2) animosity. — L.,
'soul, spirit, mind, courage, wish, desire', rel. to
anima, 'breath of air, air, breath, soul, life', and
cogn. with Gk. avsiAo?, 'wind', fr. I.-E. base
*an-, 'to blow, breathe', whence also OI. dni-ti,
dna-ti, 'breathes', dni-lah, 'breath', Olr. anal, W.
anadl, MBret. (with metathesis) alazn, 'breath',
Olr. animm, Co., Bret, eneff, 'soul', Goth, uz-
anan, 'to exhale', ON. anda, 'to breathe', andi,
6nd, 'breath, soul, spirit', OE. edian (for *an-
pjan), 'to breathe', OSlav. vonja, 'smell', Alb.
Gheg a j, Tosk In, 'I swell', Toch. A anrna, Arm.
anjn, 'soul'. Cp. animadvert, animal, animal-
cule, animate, animosity, equanimity, exanimate,
exhale, inhale, longanimity, magnanimous, mag-
nanimity, pusillanimous, pusillanimity, unani-
mous, unanimity. Cp. also ahura, anemo-, an-
helation, asthma, asura, prana.
anion, n., a negatively charged ion (physical
chem.) — Gk. aviov, neut. of avtaw, pres.
part, of dcviivai, 'to go up', fr. ava (see ana-)
and Uvea, 'to go', which is cogn. with L. ire,
'to go'. See itinerate. The word anion was in-
troduced into electricity by the English physi-
cist and chemist Michael Faraday (1791-1867);
cp. ion, cation.
Derivative: anion-ic, adj.
anis-, combining form. See aniso-.
anise, n. — F., fr. L. anisum, fr. Gk. ecvlaov,
'anise, dill'. Cp. Gk. ivYj&ov, L. anethum, and
see anet.
Derivative: anis-ic, adj.
aniseed, n. — Contraction of anise-seed.
anisette, n., liqueur flavored with aniseed. — F.,
dimin. of anise. For the ending see suff. -ette.
aniso-, anis-, combining form meaning 'a deri-
vative of anise' (chem.) — Gk. dcvlo-, avI<ro-,
fr. fivtaov, 'anise'. See anise.
aniso-, anis-, combining form meaning 'unequal,
unsymmetrical'. — Gk. iviao-, fr. ivi/jo?, 'un-
equal', fr. ctv- (see priv. pref. an-) and Igoq,
'equal'. See iso-.
anisomerous, adj., not isomerous (bot.) — Formed
fr. priv. pref. an- and isomerous.
anisotropic, adj., not isotropic (physics). — Form-
ed fr. priv. pref. an- and isotropic.
anker, n., a liquid measure. — Du., rel. to G.
Anker, Swed. ankare, fr. ML. anceria, ancheria,
'keg, vat', which is of uncertain origin.
ankh, n., a tau cross (T) with an oval at the top,
the Egypt, symbol of life. — Egypt, ankh, 'life'.
anklet, n., a ring for the ankle. — Contraction of
ankle and dimin. suff. -let.
ankle, n. — ME. ancle, ankle, prob. of Scand.
origin ; cp. ON. bkkla (for *ankula), Dan., Swed.
ankle. The collateral ME. form anclowe derives
fr. OE. ancleo, ancleow. Cp. MDu. anclau, enkel,
Du. enkel, OHG. anchldo, anchal, enchil, MHG.,
G. enkel, 'ankle'. All these words are diminu-
tives formed with suff. -el, -/(see dimin. suff. -le),
from the Teut. stem appearing in MHG. anke,
'joint', G. Enke, 'ankle'. OI. ahgam, 'limb',
angulih, 'finger', and L. angulus, 'angle, corner',
are cogn. with these Teut. words; see angle,
'corner', and cp. angula.
ankus, n., an elephant goad. — Hind., fr. OI.
ahkusah, rel. to OI. dhcati, 'bends, curves', and
cogn. with L. ancus, 'curved, crooked', angulus,
'angle, corner'. See angle, 'corner', and cp.
prec. word.
ankylo-, before a vowel ankyl-, combining form
meaning 'crooked'. — Gk. afxuXo-, arpcSk-,
fr. ayxuXo;, 'crooked, curved'. See ankylosis.
ankylose. anchylose. tr. v., to affect with anky-
losis; intr. v., to be affected with ankylosis. —
Back formation fr. ankylosis.
ankylosis, anchylosis, n., stiffening of the joints.
— Medical L., fr. Gk. ocyxuXoxju;, fr. ayxuXouv,
'to crook, bend', fr. ayxuXoc;, 'crooked, curved',
which is rel. to ayxo?, 'bend, hollow; mountain
glen'. See angle, 'corner', and cp. anchor, ancon,
Ancylus, ankus.
ankylotic, anchylotic,adj. — See prec. word and -ic.
anlace, n., a dagger with tapering blade. — Meta-
thesis of OF. alenas, alesne (F. alene), 'dagger',
fr. OHG. alansa, a derivative of dla, 'awl'.
See awl.
anlaut, n., initial sound. — G. Anlaut, fr. an, 'on,
at', and Laut, 'sound, tone', G. an is rel. to E.
on (q.v.) G. Laut, 'sound, tone', derives fr. taut,
loud'; see loud. Cp. ablaut, auslaut, inlaut,
umlaut.
Ann, Anna, Anne, fern. PN. — L. Anna, fr. Gk.
"Awx, fr. Heb. Hann6 h , lit. 'grace', from the
base of hdndn, 'he was gracious, showed favor'.
See Hannah.
anna, n., an Indian penny. — Hind. and.
Annabel, Annabella, fern. PN. — The name is
usually interpreted as a compound of Anna and
Bella. It is more probable, however, that it arose
from a misreading of the name Amabel for Ana-
bel. Cp. Arabel, Arabella.
annabergite, n., a hydrous nickel arsenate (min-
eral) — Named after Aimaberg in Saxony. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
annalist, n., a writer of annals. — F. annaliste, fr.
annates, 'annals - , fr. L. annates. See next word
and -ist.
annals, n. pi. — L. annates (scil. li'jri), 'chroni-
cles', lit. 'yearly (books)', pi. of anndlis, 'per-
taining to a year', fr. annus, 'year'. See annual.
79
annulation
annates, n. pi., first fruits of an ecclesiastical
benefice payable to the Pope. — ML. annata,
'income of a year', fr. L. annus, 'year'. See
annual.
anneal, tr. v., to temper by heat; to temper. —
ME. anelen, fr. OE. anielan, 'to burn, kindle',
fr. an, 'on (see a- 'on'), and Stan, 'to kindle,
burn', which is rel. to OE. at, 'fire', Sled, 'fire,
firebrand'. ME. anelen and E. anneal were in-
fluenced in form by an erroneous association
with OF. neeler (whence F. nieller), fr. VL. *ni-
gelldre, 'to blacken', fr. L. nigellus, dimin. of
niger, 'black'.
annelid, adj., pertaining to the Annelida; n., one
of the Annelida. — See next word.
Annelida, n. pi., a phylum of segmented worms
(zool.) — ModL., fr. F. annelide, a hybrid
coined by the French naturalist, J. B. P. Lamarck
(1744-1829), fr. L. dnellus, dimin. of dnutus, 'a
little ring', and Gk. elSo;, 'form, shape'. See
annular and oid.
annerodite, n., a pyroniobate of uranium, yttrium,
etc. (mineral.) — Named after Annerod in Nor-
way. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
annex, tr. v. — F. annexer, fr. L. annexus, pp. of
annectere, 'to bind to, tie on, annex', fr. ad-
and nectere, 'to bind, join, fasten'. See nexus.
Derivatives: annex-ive, adj., annex-ment, n.
annex, n. — F. annexe, fr. L. annexus, pp. of an-
nectere. See annex, v.
annexation, n. — ML. annexdtid, gen. -onis, 'the
act of annexing', fr. annexdtus, pp. of annexdre,
which is formed fr. L. annexus, pp. of annectere.
See annex, v., and -ation.
Derivative: annexation-al, adj.
annexion, n. — F., fr. L. annexidnem, acc. of an-
nexid, 'a binding to', fr. annexus, pp. of annec-
tere. See annex, v., and -ion.
annihilate, tr. v. — L. annihildtus, pp. of anni-
hildre, 'to bring to nothing, annihilate', fr. ad-
and nihil, 'nothing'. Sec nihil and verbal suff. -ate.
annihilation, n. — F., fr. annihiler, 'to annihilate',
fr. L. annihildre. See prec. word and -ion.
annihilationism, n., the doctrine that the wicked
will be annihilated at the end of this life (theol.).
— A hybrid coined by Edward White in Eng-
land fr. prec. word and suff. -ism.
annihilationist, v., a believer in annihilationism.
— Coined fr. annihilation and suff. -ist.
anniversary, n. and adj. — L. anniversdrius, 're-
turning every year', compounded of annus, gen.
anni, 'year', and versus, pp. of vertere, 'to turn'.
See annual, version and -ary.
annona, n., the yearly produce (Roman antiq.) —
L.annona, fr. onrwt, 'year'; see annular. For the
suff. cp. pomona, 'fruit trees, fruit', fr. pdmum,
'fruit', and mdtrdna, 'a married woman', fr.
mater, 'mother' (see Pomona and matron).
annotate, tr. v. — L. anno tat us, pp. of annotdre,
'to note down', fr. ad- and notare, 'to mark,
note*, fr. nota, 'mark, sign'. See note, n., and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. connotate.
Derivatives: annotation (q.v.), annotat-ive, adj.,
annotator (q.v.), annotat-ory, adj.
annotation, n. — L. annotdtid, gen. -onis, fr. an-
notdtus, pp. of annotdre. See prec. word and
-ion and cp. connotation.
annotator, n. — L., fr. annotatus, pp. of anno-
tdre. See annotate and agential suff. -or.
announce, tr. v. — ME. anounce, fr. OF. anoncer
(F. annoncer), fr. L. annuntidre, 'to announce,
relate', fr. ad- and nuntidre, 'to relate, report',
fr. nuntius, 'messenger'. See nuncio and cp.
annunciate.
Derivatives: announce-ment, n., announc-er, n.
annoy, n. — ME. anoi, anui, fr. OF. enui (F. en-
nui), 'worry', back formation fr. enuier, 'to
worry, vex, annoy'. See annoy, v.
annoy, tr. v. — ME. anuien, fr, OF. anoier, en-
noier (F. ennuyer), fr. VL. inodidre, 'to hate',
fr. L. in odid, 'in hate, in aversion'. See in, prep.,
and odium and cp. ennui, noisome. Cp. also It.
annoiare, OProvenc. enojar (whence Sp. enojar),
'to vex, annoy', which also derive fr. VL.
inodidre.
Derivatives: annoy-ance, n., annoy-er, n., annoy-
ing, adj., annoy-ing-ly , adv., annoy-ing-ness, n.,
annoy -ous, adj.
annual, adj. — OF. annuel, fr. Late L. annudlem,
acc. of annudlis, corresponding to L. anndlis,
'continuing a year, annual', fr. annus, 'year',
which stands for *at-nos and is cogn. with Goth.
apnam (pi. dat.), 'to the years', and with OI.
dtati, 'goes, moves on, wanders'; cp. also Osco-
Umbr. akno, 'year, holiday time'. Cp. annalist,
annals, annate, and the second element in bien-
nial, triennial, quinquennial, septennial, centen-
nial, millennium, perennial, solemn.
Derivatives: annual, n., annual-ly, adv.
annuitant, n., one who receives an annuity. —
Formed fr. annuity with suff. -ant.
annuity, n. — F. annuite, fr. ML. annuitdtem, acc.
of annuitds, fr. L. annus, 'year'. See annual
and -ity.
annul, tr. v. — ME. annullen, fr. OF. anuller (F.
annuler), fr. Late L. annulldre, fr. ad- and L.
nullum, 'nothing', neut. of nullus, 'none'. See null.
Derivatives: annull-er, n., annul-ment, n.
annular, adj., 1) pertaining to a ring; 2) ring-
shaped. — L. annularis, correctly dnuldris, 'per-
taining to a ring', fr. annulus, correctly dnutus,
'ring', dimin. of anus, 'ring, iron ring for the feet,
anus'. See anus, -ule and -ar and cp. Annelida.
annulary, adj., annular; n., the ring finger. — L.
annuldrius, correctly dnuldrius, 'pertaining to a
ring', fr. dnuldris. See prec. word and adj. suff.
-ary.
annulate, adj., furnished with rings. — L. annu-
Idtus, correctly dnutdtus, fr. dnutus, 'ring'. See
annular and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: annulat-ed, adj.
annulation, n., a ringlike formation. — Formed
with suff. -ation, fr. L. annulus, correctly dnutus,
'ring'. See annular.
annulet
80
annulet, n., a little ring. — Formed with dimin.
suff. -et fr. L. annulus, correctly anulus, 'ring'.
See annular.
annuloid, adj., ring-shaped. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. annulus, correctly anulus, 'ring', and Gk.
-oEiSri?, 'like', fr. elSoq, 'form, shape'. See annu-
lar and -oid.
annulose, adj., ringlike. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ose, fr. L. annulus, correctly anulus, 'ring'. See
annular.
annunciate, tr. v., to announce. — L. annuntiatus,
pp. of annuntiare. See announce and verbal
suff. -ate.
annunciation, n., announcement. — F. annon-
ciation, fr. L. annuntiatidnem, acc. of annuntidtid,
fr. annuntiatus, pp. of annuntiare. See announce
and -ation and cp. prec. word.
ano-, combining form meaning 'upward'. — Fr.
Gk. ocvto, 'upward', which is rel. to dvd, 'up,
on'. See ana-.
anode, n., positive electric pole. — Gk. avoSo;,
'way up', fr. dvd (see ana-) and 6S6<;, 'way'.
See odograph and cp. words there referred to.
The term anode was introduced into electricity
by the English physicist and chemist Michael
Faraday (i 791 -1867); cp. cathode, electrode.
Derivatives: anod-al, anod-ic, adjs., anod-ic-
al-ly, adv.
Anodonta, n., a genus of mussels (zool.) — ModL.,
lit. 'the toothless ones', formed fr. priv. pref. an-
and Gk. oScov, gen. 686vto<;, 'tooth'. Seeodonto-.
anodyne, adj., relieving pain (med.) — L. ano-
dynus, fr. Gk. avtoSuvo?, 'free from pain, al-
laying pain', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and
08'ivrj, 'pain', which prob. meant orig. 'that
which eats up, devours, bites', and is cogn. with
OI. -advan-, 'eating', Lith. edzioti, 'to devour,
bite', edzidtis, 'to suffer pain', Arm. erkn, gen.
erkan (for *edwon or *edwen), 'labor pains', fr.
I.-E. base *ed-, 'to eat', whence also L. edere,
'to eat'. See eat and cp. odonto-.
anodyne, n., anything that relieves pain. — Gk.
dvcoS'jvov, neut. of the adjective dvcoSuvo?. See
anodyne, adj.
anoetic, adj., unthinkable. — Formed with suff.
-ic. fr. Gk. avo'OTo?, 'not thought on, unheard
of, fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and vor,To;, 'per-
ceptible by the mind, mental', verbal adj. of
voeiv, 'to perceive', fr. vooc, voG?, 'mind'. See
nous and cp. noetic,
anoint, tr. v. — OF. enoint, pp. of enoindre, fr. L.
inunguere, 'to anoint', fr. in-, 'in, on', and un-
guere, to smear'. See unguent and cp. ointment.
Derivatives: anoint-ed, adj., anoint-er, n., anoint-
ing, n., anoint-ment, n.
anomalo-, before a vowel anomal-, combining
form meaning 'anomalous'. — Gk. dvwixaXo-,
avfo;jueX-, fr. dvojiaaXo;;, 'uneven, unequal, irreg-
ular*, fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and oujxXos,
'even', fr. 6[x6?, 'one and the same', which
derives fr. I.-E. base *sem-, 'one, together'. See
same and cp. words there referred to.
anomalous, adj. — L. andmatusjr. Gk. dv<V a> -°?>
'uneven, irregular'. See anomalo-. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o?, see -ous. Derivatives:
anomalous-ly, adv., anomalous-ness, n.
anomaly, n. — L. anomalia, fr. Gk. dvco(J.aXla,
'inequality', fr. dvwiiaXo?, 'unequal'. See ano-
malo- and -y (representing Gk. -la).
Derivatives: anomal-ism, n., anomal-ist, n., ano-
mal-ist-ic, anomal-ist-ic-al, adjs., anomal-ist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
anomo-, combining form meaning 'irregular'. —
Fr. Gk. ocvofxo.;, 'without law', fr. d- (see priv.
pref. a-), and vojxo?, 'law'. See nomo-.
anomy, n., lawlessness. — Gk. dvo(xlS, fr. avo^o?.
See anomo- and -y (representing Gk. -IS),
anon, adv., soon. — ME. , fr. OE. on an, ME. anoon,
anon, lit. 'in one (instant)'. Sec on and one.
anonym, n. — F. anonyme, fr. L. andnymus, fr.
Gk. dvcovu^oq, 'without a name', fr. dv- (see
priv. pref. an-) and 6vu(xa, dial, form of ovo[j.a,
'name'. See name and cp. onomato-. Cp. also
antonym, autonym, homonym, synonym.
Derivatives: anonym-ity, n., anonymous (q.v.)
anonymous, adj. — Gk. dvuvj^oi;. See prec.
word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq,
see -ous. Derivatives: anonymous-ly, adv., anon-
ymous-ness, n.
Anopheles, n., a genus of mosquitoes (entomol.)
ModL., fr. Gk. dvcocpsXr)*;, 'useless, hurtful,
harmful', fr. dv- (see priv. pref. an-) and ScpeXoc,
'use, help, advantage', whence otpeXXeiv (for
♦otpeXiEiv), 'to increase, enlarge', oq>eX|xa, 'ad-
vantage'. "OtpeXo; prob. meant orig. 'increase',
and stands for o-<peXo;, fr. pref. 6- (see agama)
and *<peXo!;, which together with OI. phdlam,
'gain, success", derives fr. I.-E. base *phel-, 'to
swell'. This base is a collateral form of base
*bhel-, 'to swell', whence L.follis, 'bellows'. See
follicle and cp. Aphelandra, Aphelinus.
anorexia, n., loss of appetite (med.) — Medical
L., formed fr. priv. pref. -an and Gk. ope£i;,
'appetite', from the stem of ope-yeiv, 'to stretch
oneself, reach, reach after, long for, desire',
which is cogn. with L. regere, 'to keep straight,
guide, lead, rule'. See regent, adj., and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
anormal, adj., not normal. — ML. anormdlis.
See abnormal,
anorthoclase, n., a triclinic potash-soda feld-
spar. _ Coined by the German mineralogist
Harry Rosenbusch (1836-1914) in 1885 fr. priv.
pref. -an and orthoclase (q.v.)
anosmia, n., lack of the sense of smell (med.) —
Medical L., fr. priv. pref. an- and Gk. oiur;.
'smell, odor'. See osmium and -ia.
another, adj. and pron. — Formed fr. the indef.
article an and other,
anoxemia, anoxaemia, n., abnormal condition of
the body due to the lack of oxygen in the blood
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. priv. pref. an-,
the first two letters of oxygen, Gk. alyut, 'blood'
(see hemal), and suff. -ia. Accordingly the word
anoxemia lit. means 'the lack of oxygen in the
blood'. Derivative: anoxem-ic, anoxaemic, adj.
anoxia, n., oxygen deficiency. — Medical L.,
coined fr. priv. pref. an-, the first two letters of
oxygen and suff. -ia.
Anselm, Ansel, masc. PN. — L. Anselmus, fr.
OHG. Ansehelm, lit. 'having a divine helmet',
compounded oiansi, 'god', and helm, 'helmet',
For the first element cp. Astrid, for the second
see helmet.
Anser, n., a genus of birds, the goose (ornithol.)
— L. anser, 'goose', for *hanser. See goose and
cp. the second element in merganser.
anserine, adj., 1) pertaining to, or resembling, a
goose; 2) stupid. — L. dnserinus, fr. anser. See
prec. word and -ine (representing L. -Inus).
answer, n. — ME. andsware, answere, fr. OE.
andswaru, 'a reply', lit. 'a swearing against', fr.
and-, 'against', and swerian, 'to swear' ; cp. OS.
antswdr, ON. andsvar (Dan., Swed. ansvar),
OFris. ondser. The first element is cogn. with
Gk. dvrl, 'against', L. ante, 'before'. See ante-
and cp. anti-. For the second element see
swear.
answer, tr. and intr. v. — ME. andswerien, fr. OE.
andswarian, andswerian, fr. andswaru. See
answer, n. Derivatives: answer-able, adj., an-
swer-er, n., answer-ing, adj.
ant, n. — ME. amete, ante, fr. OE. xmete, xmette,
rel. to OHG. amei^a, MHG. amei^e, G. Ameise,
'ant', lit. 'the animal that cuts (i.e. bites) off',
fr. Teut. a, 'off', and *maitan, 'to cut' (whence
Goth, maitan, ON. meita, OHG. mei^an, 'to
cut', ON. meitill, OHG. meisil, MHG. meisel,
G. Meifiel, 'chisel'). Cp. emmet. Cp. also mite,
'a small arachnid'.
ant-, form of anti- before a vowel.
-ant, adj. and subst. suff. denoting an agent or
an instrument. — OF. and F. -ant, fr. L. -an-
tem or -entem, acc. of -ans, resp. -ens, pres. part,
suff. of verbs pertaining to the I., resp. II. or III.
conjugation. This Latin suffix is cogn. with OI.
-ant, Gk. -cjv (fem. -ouaoc, neut. -ov). Cp. the
ending of Gk. yepwv, 'old man' (see geronto-).
Cp. also -ent, -ance, -ancy, -ence, -ency, and
pres. part. suff. -ing. Cp. also tooth.
anta, n., pillar, pilaster (archit.) — Sing, of L.
antae, gen. -drum, 'pillars, pilasters' (in Latin
the word is used in pi. only); cogn. with OI.
dtdh (pi. of dta), 'doorframe, enclosure', ON.
bnd, 'ante-room', and Arm. dr-and, 'doorpost,
threshold' (see Hiibschmann, Armenische Stu-
dien, 1,19).
antacid, adj., counteracting an acid (med.) — A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. dvrl, 'against', and L.
acidus, 'sour'. See ant- and acid.
Derivative: antacid, n.
Antaeus, n., a giant of Libya, slain by Heracles
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Avraios, fr.
dvraToi;, 'opposite, opposed to, hostile', fr. aVra,
'face to face', which is rel. to dvrl, 'opposite,
against'. See anti-.
antagonism, n., opposition, hostility. — Gk. dv-
TaY<oviCT(i.a, fr. dvTaytovlSea&ai, 'to struggle
against'. See antagonize and -ism.
antagonist, opponent, enemy. — L. antagdnista,
fr. Gk. dvTaY&)viCT-n/)<;, 'competitor, opponent,
rival', fr. dvrixYoavlCsa&ai, 'to struggle against'.
See next word and -ist and cp. deuteragonist,
protagonist.
Derivatives : antagonist-ic, antagonist-ic-al, adjs.,
antagonist-ic-al-ly, adv.
antagonize, tr. v., to oppose, bring into opposition.
— Gk. dvTaY<avl?e<J$ai, 'to struggle against',
fr. dvxl (see anti-), and dYMvlCsa&ai, ' to struggle',
fr. dY"v, 'contest'. See agony and -ize.
Derivatives: antagoniz-ation, n., antagoniz-er,n.
antalkali, n., a substance that neutralizes alkali-
nity. _ Formed fr. ant- and alkali.
Derivatives: antalkal-ine, adj. and n.
antaphrodisiac, adj., counteracting sexual desire;
n., a drug counteracting sexual desire. — Form-
ed fr. ant- and aphrodisiac.
antarctic, adj., pertaining to the South Pole or
regions near the South Pole. — Prop, 'opposite
to the north', fr. Gk. dv-rt, 'opposite' (see anti-),
and fipxTos, 'bear ; the constellation of the Great
Bear'. See arctic.
Antares, n., a large red star, the brightest in the
Constellation Scorpio. — Gk. ' Av-rdp?]?, lit. 'op-
posite (the planet) Mars', fr. dv-rl, 'opposite',
and "Ap»]<;, 'Mars'. See anti- and Ares.
ante-, pref. — Fr. L. ante, 'before, in front of,
which is cogn. with OI. anti, 'opposite', Toch.
B ente, 'opposed to', Arm. e nd, 'opposite', Gk.
Svtoc, av-rrjv, 'opposite', dvrl, 'over against,
opposite, before', OLith. anta, Lith. ant, 'on
to', Goth, and, anda, 'along', ON., OS., OE.
and- 'against', OHG., MHG., G. ant-, OHG.
int-, MHG., G. ent-, 'along, against', Hitt. hanti,
'opposite', hantezzish, 'the first'. Cp. anti-. Cp.
also Ananta, antiae, enantio-, the first ele-
ment in ancestor, antique, antiquity, and the
second element in Rosinante and in Vedanta.
Cp. also end, un-, pref. expressing reversal, and
the first element in along and in answer.
antecede, tr. and intr. v. — L. antecedere, 'to go
before', fr. ante- and cedere, 'to go'. See cede
and cp. precede.
antecedence, n. — L. antecedentia, fr. antecedens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
antecedent, adj. and n. — F. antecedent, fr. L.
antecedentem, acc. of antecedens pres. part, of
antecedere. See antecede and -ent.
Derivative: antecedent-al, adj.
antecessor, n., a predecessor. — L. See ancestor,
antechamber, n. — F. antichambre, formed on
analogy of It. anticamera, which is compounded
of anti, 'before' and camera, 'chamber', fr. L.
ante, 'before', and camera, 'vault, arch". See
ante- and chamber.
antechapel, n. — Formed fr. ante- and chapel,
antedate, n. (rare), — Formed fr. ante- and date,
antediluvian
82
'point of time'. Derivative: antedate, tr. v.
antediluvian, adj., relating to the time before the
Deluge. — Coined by the English physician
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-82) fr. ante- and L.
diluvium, 'flood, deluge', fr. diluere, 'to wash
away'. See dilute and cp. diluvial, deluge. For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: antediluvian, n.
antefixa, n. pi., small ornaments concealing the
ends of the tiles at the eaves of the roofs {class,
archit.) — L., neut. pi. of antefixus, 'fixed in
front', formally corresponding to the pp. of
*antefigere, fr. ante- an&fixus, pp. of figere,' to
fix'. See fix, 'to attach'.
antelope, n. — OF. antelop, fr. ML. ant(h)alopus,
fr. MGk. avdoXo^, name of a fabulous
animal, which prob. means 'flower eye', fr.
Gk. avSoc,, 'flower', and odj, 'eye'. See anther
and optic. F. antilope has been reborrowed fr.
E. antelope.
antemeridian, adj., pertaining to the forenoon.
— L. antemerididnus, 'in the forenoon', fr. ante
meridiem. See next entry and -an.
ante meridiem, before noon. — L., fr. ante, 'be-
fore', and acc. of meridies, 'midday, noon'. See
ante- and meridian and cp. post meridiem,
antemundane, adj., existing or happening before
the creation of the world. — Formed fr. ante-
and mundane. Cp. premundane.
antenatal, adj., previous to birth. — Formed fr.
ante- and L. ndtus, 'born', pp. of ndsci, 'to be
born'. See natal,
antenati, n. pi., persons born before a certain
event (law). — Formed fr. ante- and L. ndti, pi.
of ndtus, 'born'. See prec. word,
antenna, n. — ModL., feeler or horn of an in-
sect', fr. L. antemna, antenna, 'sail yard' .which is
of uncertain origin. It is perh. a contraction of
*an(a)tempnd, 'that which is stretched, extend-
ed', fr. l.-E. base *temp-, 'to stretch, extend'. See
temple, 'place of worship', and cp. next word.
Derivative: antenn-al, adj.
Antennaria, n., a genus of herbs, plants of the
thistle family (bot.) — ModL., fr. antenna; so
called because the pappus resembles the anten-
nae of insects.
antenuptial, adj., prior to marriage. — Formed
fr. ante- and nuptial. Cp. postnuptial.
antepenult, n. — Abbreviation of next word.
antepenultima, n., the last syllable but two. —
L. antepaenultima (scil. syllaba). See ante- and
penultima. Derivative: antepenultim-ate, adj.
anteprandial, adj., before dinner. — Formed fr.
ante- and prandial. Cp. postprandial.
anterior, adj. — L., 'former", compar. of ante,
'before'. Cp. F. anterieur and see ante- and -ior.
Derivatives: anterior-ly, adv., anterior-ness, n.
anteroom, n., A hybrid coined fr. L. ante, 'be-
fore' (see ante-), and room. The word lit. means
'a room in front'.
antetype, n., a prototype. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. ante, 'before' (see ante-), and Gk. -nj7to<;, *a
blow, a stamp'; see type. The correct form is
prototype, in which both elements are of Greek
origin.
anth-, form of anti- before an aspirate.
anthelion, n., a kind of halo. — ModL., fr. Gk.
avJWjXiov, neut. of dcvS-TjXioi;, 'opposite the sun',
fr. avTi- (see anti-), and i]Xioq, 'sun'. See helio-.
anthelmintic, adj., destroying or expelling intest-
inal worms. — Formed fr. Gk. dv-rf, 'against'
(see anti-), and eXjxiv?, also £Xu.k;, gen. eXu.iv-ro;,
'worm'. See helminthic.
anthem, n. — ME. antefne, antem, fr. OE. antefn
(orig. identical in meaning with antiphony), fr.
ML. antiphona, fr. Gk. dcvTi9tova, neut. pi. of
avxttpcovo;, 'sounding in answer to', which was
mistaken for fern. sing. See antiphon.
Derivative : anthem, tr. v.
Anthemis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family; the camomile (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
av&euii;, 'a flower resembling the camomile',
fr. Sv&os, 'flower'. See next word,
anther, n., that part of the stamen which contains
the pollen. — F. anthire, fr. ModL. anthera, 'a
medicine extracted from flower', fr. Gk. av-
*h)pa, fem. of avfty]p6<;, 'flowery', fr. Srj&oq,
'flower', which is cogn. with OI. dndhas, 'herb'.
Cp. antho-, Anthus, -anthus, antheridium, Anthyl-
lis, the first element in antelope, Anthemis,
Anthesterion, anthology, Anthrenus, Anthurium,
and the second element in Chrysanthemum,
clinanthium, colcothar, enanthema, exanthema,
hydranth, isanthous, perianth, polyanthus.
Anthericum, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. dcvftepixo?, 'the as-
phodel', which is rel. to ocv&epi!;, 'blade', a^Hjp,
'chaff, barb of a weapon' ; of unknown etymo-
logy. Cp. Anthriscus, atherine, atheroma, and
the first element in Atherosperma.
antheridium, n., the male organ in ferns, mosses,
etc . _ ModL., formed with the Greek dimin.
suff. -tSiov fr. dtv^poi;, 'flowery', fr. &\i§oq,
'flower'. See anther and -idium.
Anthesterion, n., name of the 8th month of the
Attic calendar (corresponding to the second
half of February and the first half of March). —
Gk. 'Av&eaTr,pi.<jv, lit. 'the month in which
Av&ea-rrjpia, "the Feast of the Flowers", was
celebrated', fr. Sv&o;, 'flower'. See anther,
antho-, before a vowel anth-, combining form
meaning 'flower'. — Gk. ocv£o-, av-9-, fr. av^o?,
'flower'. See anther,
anthodium, n., the head of a composite plant
( oot ) _ ModL., fr. Gk. av»(dSr ;! ;, 'flowerlike',
which is formed fr. fiv&o?, 'flower', with suff.
-ciSr^, 'like'. See anther, -ode, 'like', and 1st
-ium.
antholite, n., a fossil flower. — Lit. 'flower stone'.
See antho- and -lite.
anthology, n. — Gk. av^oXoyii, 'a flower gath-
ering', fr. (xv&oX6yo<;, 'gathering flowers', fr.
fiv&os, 'flower', and Xiyeiv, 'to gather'. See
anther and -logy.
83
anthropomorphous
Derivative: antholog-ic-al, adj., antholog-ic-al-
ly, adv., antholog-ist, n., antholog-ize, tr. v.
anthophyllite, n., a magnesium and iron silicate
(mineral) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
ModL. anthophyllum, 'clove', fr. Gk. dcv&oi;,
'flower', and <puXXov, 'leaf (see antho- and
phyllo-); so called in allusion to its clove-brown
color.
Anthoxanthum, n., a genus of grasses of the
family Poaceae (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'the yellow
flower', fr. fiv&os, 'flower', and £avMs, 'yellow'.
See antho- and xantho-.
Anthozoa, n. pi., a group of Coelenterata (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. &v&oq, 'flower', and £cpa, pi.
of ££>ov, 'animal', hence Anthozoa lit. means
'flower animals'. See anther and -zoa and cp.
Zoanthus. Derivatives: anthozo-an, adj. and n.,
anthozo-ic, adj., anthozo-id, n.
anthracene, n., a hydrocarbon C 14 H, (chem.) —
Formed with suff. -ene fr. Gk. Sv&pa^, 'coal'.
See next word.
anthracite, n., a kind of hard coal. — L. anthra-
cites, 'a kind of bloodstone', fr. Gk. avSpaxt-rrjc,
'a gem', prop, subst. use of an adj. meaning 're-
sembling coal', fr. Sv&pa^, gen. SvOpaxo?, 'coal'.
See anthrax and subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: anthracite, tr. v., anthracit-ic, adj.,
anthracit-ism, n.
anthraconite, n., a coal-black marble of limestone
(mineral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
Gk. av&pa^, 'coal', and xovia, 'dust, ashes;
lye, soap powder; lime'. For the first element
see anthrax. Gk. xovia derives fr. xovt?, 'dust',
which is cogn. with L. cinis, 'ashes'; see cine-
rary.
anthracosis, n., coal-miner's disease (med.) —
Medical L. lit. 'disease caused by coal', formed
with suff. -osis, fr. Gk. av&pa^, gen. 4v{^paxoc,
'coal'. See anthrax.
anthrax, n., a malignant disease of cattle and
sheep. — L., fr. Gk. Svftpoc^, 'coal; carbuncle,
malignant pustule', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. Arm. ant'el, 'a glowing coal'. — Coal is
first mentioned about 370 B.C.E. by Theo-
phrastus in his treatise 'On Stones', under the
name XtStx; Sv&paxo? (i.e. 'coal stone').
Anthrenus, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. £v&pT)vir], 'wild bee, hornet',
contraction of *&v&o-&pr l vr l (see haplology), lit.
'flower bee'. For the first element see antho-.
The second element is rel. to Tcvftprjvy;, 'bee,
wasp', *ptivS5, 'drone'. See drone.
Anthriscus, n., a genus of plants of the family Am-
miaceae (bot.) — L. anthriscus, 'the wild chervil',
fr. Gk. Av&pioxos, which is possibly rel. to a&ifjp,
'chaff'. See Anthericum.
anthrop-, form of anthropo- before a vowel.
■■thronic, adj., pertaining to man. — Gk. dtv-
*P<i>7nx6c., fr. Sv&ptoTroc., 'man'. See anthropo-
and -tc.
anthropo-, before a vowel anthrop-, combining
form meaning 'of man, pertaining to man'. —
Gk. av#po>7ra-, avftpa>Tt-, fr. av&po>7to<;, 'man',
which is perh. a dialectical variant of *av8p-
(07toi;, a compound of dvrjp, gen. avSpo;,
'man', and 641, gen. dynoc,, 'eye, face', and lit.
means 'he who has the face of a man'. See
andro- and -ops and cp. the second element in
cynanthropy, Eoanthropus, lycanthrope, mis-
anthrope, philanthrope, Pithecanthropus, theri-
anthropic.
anthropocenrric, adj., regarding man as the
center. — Compounded of anthropo- and centric.
anthropogeography, n., the study of the geo-
graphical distribution of man. — G. Anthropo-
geographie, coined by the German geographer
Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) m 1882 fr. anthro-
po- and G. Geographie, fr. L. geographia (see
geography).
anthropography, n., that part of anthropology
which deals with the physical characteristics of
the human race. — Lit. 'the description of man'.
See anthropo- and -graphy.
anthropoid, adj., manlike; n., an anthropoid ape.
— Gk. av&poitoEtSrji;, 'like a man, resembling
a man', compounded of avOponot;, 'man', and
-oeiSifc, 'like', fr. elSo?, 'form, shape'. See an-
thropo- and -oid.
Derivatives: anthropoid-al, anthropoid-an, adjs.
anthropolatry, n., the worship of a human being.
— Compounded of Gk. av&pomo;, 'man', and
-Xaxpeia, -Xaxpia, fr. XotTpeia, 'hired labor;
worship'. See anthropo- and -latry.
anthropology, n., the science of the natural his-
tory of man. — The word lit. means 'the science
of man' ; it is compounded of anthropo- and Gk.
-Xoyia, fr- -Xoyoq, 'one who speaks (in a cer-
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See anthropo- and -logy.
Derivatives: anthropolog-ic-al, adj., anthropo-
log-ic-al-ly, adv., anthropolog-ist , n.
anthropometry, n., measurement of the human
body. — Compounded of anthropo- and Gk.
-(isxpia, 'measuring of, fr. ^erpov, 'measure'.
See -metry. Derivatives: anthropometr-ic, an-
thropometr-ic-al, adjs., anthropometr-ist, n.
anthropomorphic, adj., pertaining to or having
the nature of anthropomorphism. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. av&pojTropiopcpo;, 'of a hu-
man form'. See anthropomorphous.
Derivative: anthropomorphic-al-ly, adv.
anthropomorphism, n., conception of God under
a human form. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
av^poTCOfiopcpo!;, 'of a human form'. See anthro-
pomorphous.
anthropomorphist, n. — See prec. word and -ist.
anthromorphize, tr. and intr. v. — See next word
and -ize.
anthropomorphous, adj., having the form of a
man. — Gk. avftp<i)7r6fj.opcpoc, 'of a human
form', compounded of jtv&poTtcx;, 'man', and
u.op<p7], 'form, shape'. See anthropo- and mor-
pho-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq, see
suff. -ous.
anthropopathy
84
anthropopathy, n., ascription of human feelings to
God. — Gk. av^pco7to7ta9£ia, 'humanity', lit.
'human feelings' fr. avfl-pcoTuoi;, 'man', and
-Tra&sia, fr. 7ra&eTv, 'to suffer'. See anthropo-
and -pathy.
Derivatives: anthropopath-ic, a.dj. ,anthropopath-
ic-al-ly, adv.
anthropophagi, n. pi., cannibals. — L., pi. of
anthrdpophagus, fr. Gk. dv9-p&>7ra9dyo<;, 'man-
eater, cannibal', fr. av#pco7to<;, 'man', and the
stem of rfwytiv, 'to eat'. See anthropo- and
-phagous.
anthropophagous, adj., cannibalistic, Gk. dv&pto-
TTOtpayoi;, 'man-eater, cannibal'. See next word.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o?, see -ous.
anthropophagy, n., cannibalism. — F. anthropo-
phagie, fr. Gk. dvDpco7ra9ayta, fr. dv&ptoTratpd-
yoc. See prec. word and -y (representing Gk.
-ia).
Derivatives: anthropophag-ic, adj., anthropo-
phag-ist, n., anthropophagous (q.v.)
Anthurium,n., a genus of plants of the arum fam-
ily (hot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. av-
#o;, 'flower', and oupd, 'tail'. See anther and
uro-, 'tail-'.
Anthus, n., a genus of birds, the pipit; the titlark
(ornithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. om&oc;, 'flower'.
See anther.
-anthus, suff. used in botany to form generic
names as in Dianthus, Galanthus. — ModL., lit.
'flower', fr. Gk. av9o;. The masculine form of
this suff. is based on the erroneous supposition
that Gk. avSk)? is masculine, whereas it is of
the neuter gender. This error was suggested by
the fact that the overwhelming majority of
Greek nouns ending in -o; are masculine.
Anthyllis, n., a genus of plants (hot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. dwS-uXXts, a plant name derived fr.
iv&oq, 'flower' ; see anther. The name dvS-oWi;
was first used by Dioscorides.
anthypophora, n., reply to a supposed objection
(rhet.) — Gk. a\i&u7T0<popa, formed fr. dvxi,
opposite, against' and Wxpops, 'allegation',
lit. 'a carrying down' fr. ur:otpepeiv, 'to carry
down', fr. utto, 'under, below', and (pspeiv, 'to
carry'. See anti-, hypo- and -phore.
anti-, before a vowel ant-, pref. meaning 'op-
posite, against, instead'. — Gk. dvxi-, dvx-,
fr. dvxt, 'over against, opposite, before, in-
stead of, which is cogn. with L. ante, 'before,
in front of. See ante-.
antiae, n. pi., forelocks (zool.) — L. antiae (gen.
antidrum), rel. to ante , 'before, in front of, and
cogn. with OHG. andi, endi, ON. enni, 'fore-
head'. See ante- and cp. anti-, end.
antiar, n., poison from the resin of the Upas tree.
— Jav. antjar.
antibiotic, adj.. tending to destroy life; n., a sub-
stance that inhibits or destroys microorganisms.
— Medical L. antibioticus, coined fr. anti-, Gk.
pios, 'life', and suff. -ic (see biotic); first used
by the physician Selman Abraham Waksman
(1888- ), the discoverer of streptomycin, in
I94I-
Derivative: antibiotic-al-ly, adv.
antibody, n., substance developed in the blood as
an antitoxin {Immunol.) — A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. dvxi, 'against (see anti-), and E. body,
antic, adj., odd, grotesque. — It. antico, 'ancient',
fr. L. antiquus, 'old'. See antique.
Derivatives: antic, n., a trick, antic-ly, adv.,
antic-ness, n.
antichrist, n. — Late L. antichristus, fr. Gk.
a.vi[yji\.aTOQ, fr. dvxi, 'against', and Xpta-ro;,
'Christ'. See anti- and Christ,
antichristian, adj. — Formed fr. anti- and
Christian.
anticipant, adj. and n. — L. anticipdns, gen. -an-
tis, pres. part, of anticipdre. See next word
and -ant.
anticipate, tr. v. — L. anticipdtus, pp. of anti-
cipdre, 'to take beforehand, anticipate', fr. ante,
'before', and -cipdre, fr. capere, 'to take'. See
ante-, captive and verbal suff. -ate. For the
change of Latin a (in capere) to i (in anti-clpdre)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: anticipation (q.v.), anticipat-ive,
adj., anticipat-ive-ly, adv., anticipat-or, n. ( anti-
cipat-ory, adj.
anticipation, n. — L. anticipdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
anticipdtus, pp. of anticipdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
anticlerical, adj. — Formed fr. anti- and clerical
Derivative: anticlerical-ism, n.
anticlimax, n., the opposite of climax {rhet?) —
Coined by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) fr. anti-
and climax.
anticlinal, adj., leaning in opposite directions. —
Formed fr. anti- and Gk. y.Xfveiv, 'to cause to
slope'. See clinical,
anticline, n., a fold of rock in which the layers
slope down from the axis in opposite directions
(geol.) — See prec. word.
anticyclone, n. — Coined by the English scientist
Sir Francis Galton (1 822-191 1) fr. anti- and
cyclone.
Derivative: anticyclon-ic, adj.
antidote, n., a remedy counteracting poison. —
L. antidotum, fr. Gk. dvxiSoxov, 'a remedy',
lit. 'given against', fr. av-ri (see anti-) and Soxov,
neut. of Soto?, 'given', verbal adj. of SiSovai,
'to give'. See donation and cp. dose. Cp. also
epidote.
Derivatives: antidote, tr. v., antidot-al, adj.,
antidot-al-ly, adv., antidot-ic-al, adj., antidot-ic-
al-ly, adv.
antifebrile, adj., reducing fever; n., a remedy re-
ducing fever. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. dvxi,
'against' (see anti-), and Late L. febrilis, 'per-
taining to fever', fr. h.febris, 'fever' (see febrile).
The correct form is antipyretic (q.v.), in which
both elements are of Greek origin.
antigen, n., a substance that causes the produc-
tion of an antibody {immunology). — Coined fr.
85
anti- and Gk. yevvav, 'to produce'; see -gen.
Accordingly antigen lit. means 'something pro-
duced against something'.
Antigone, n., daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta
{Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'AvxiyovY), lit.
prob. meaning 'in place of a mother', fr. av-u,
'opposite, in place of (see anti-), and yovrj,
'womb' ; childbirth, generation', which is rel. to
yovsu?, 'father' (in the pi. yoveT?, 'parents'). See
genus.
antigorite, n., a variety of serpentine {mineral.) —
Named after the Antigorio valley in Piedmont.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
antihelix, n., the rounded piece of cartilage inside
and in front of the outer rim (helix) of the ear,
{anat.) — Erroneous formation instead of *an-
thelix, for Gk. dv-9iXi£, 'inner curvature of the
ear' (first used by Rufus Ephesius in this sense) ;
formed fr. dvxi, 'before' (see anti-), and eXii;,
'coil, spiral'. See helix.
antilobium, n., the tragus {anat.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. dvxiXo|3iov, 'the upper edge of the ear',
fr. dvxi, 'opposite, in front of (see anti-), and
Xo|36<;, 'lobe of the ear'. See lobe.
antilogarithm, n., the number corresponding to a
logarithm (math.) — Formed fr. anti- and lo-
garithm.
antilogous, adj., contradictory. — Gk. dvxUoyo;.
See next word. For B.-ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-0;, see -ous.
antilogy, n., contradiction. — Gk. dvxiAoyia,
'contradiction', fr. dvxiXoyoi;, 'contradictory',
fr. dvxUeyav, 'to contradict', fr. dvxi- (see
anti-) and >iyav, 'to say, tell, speak', which is
cogn. with L. legere, 'to read'. See lecture.
antimacassar, n. — Orig. 'cloth used for protecting
backs of chairs from macassar oil'. See anti-
and macassar.
antimony, n., a brittle metallic element {chem.) —
ML. antimonium, prob. fr. Arab, al-uthmud,
al-ithmid, from al-, 'the', and uthmud, ithmid,
'stibium', which prob., derives fr. Gk. oti[X(xi,
'stibium'. See stibium and -y (representing L.
-ium).
antinomian, n. — See next word.
antinomianism, n. (Eccles. hist.) — A term in-
troduced by Martin Luther. See antinomy, -ian
and -ism.
antinomy, n. — L. antinomia, fr. Gk. dvxtvou.ia,
'ambiguity in the law', fr. dvxi (see anti-) and
v6u.o;, 'law'. See nomo- and -y (representing
Gk. -ii).
Derivatives : antinom-ic, antinom-ic-al, adjs.
Antiope, n., the mother of Amphion and Zethus
(Greek mythol.) — Gk. 'Avxi67T7j, lit. 'oppo-
site, facing', fr. dvri (see anti-) and 6^, gen.
otto;, 'eye, face'. See optical.
antipathy, n. — L. antipathia, fr. Gk. dvxiTtd&Eta,
fr. dcvTiraxTWji;, 'having opposite feelings', fr.
ivri (see anti-) and 7td&o;, 'a feeling, suffer-
ing'. See -pathy and cp. apathy, empathy,
sympathy.
Derivatives: antipath-etic, adj., antipath-etic-al-
ly, adv.
antiphlogistic, adj., tending to counteract inflam-
mation (med.) — Formed fr. anti- and phlo-
gistic.
Derivative: antiphlogistic, n.
antiphon, n., a versicle sung responsively. — F.
antiphone, fr. ML. antiphdna, fr. Gk. dvxitpfova,
neut. pi. of dvxiepcovo.;, 'sounding in answer
to', mistaken for fem. sing.; fr. dvxi, 'over
against, in response to' (see anti-), and 9covr;,
'voice, sound' ; see phone, n. Cp. anthem, which
is a doublet of antiphon.
Derivatives: antiphon-al, adj., antiphon-al-ly,
adv., antiphonary (q.v.), antiphon-et-ic, adj., an-
tiphon-ic, antiphon-ic-al, adjs., aniiphonon (q.v.),
antiphon-y, n.
antiphonary, n. — A collection of antiphons. —
ML. antiphdndrium. See antiphon and subst.
suff. -ary.
antiphonon, n., an antiphon. — Gk. dvxiipuvov,
neut. of dvxiqjcovo?, 'sounding in answer to'.
See antiphon.
antipodal, adj., pertaining to the antipodes. - -
Formed fr. antipodes with adj. suff. -al.
antipodes, n. pi., opposite places of the earth. —
L. antipodes, fr. Gk. dvxircoSet;, pi. of dvxircout;,
'having the feet opposite', fr. dvxi (see anti-)
and 7TOUC, gen. noSoc, 'foot'. See foot and cp.
-pod.
antipope, n. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. dvxi,
'against', and ME. pope, 'pope'. See anti- and
pope.
antipyretic, adj., reducing fever; n., a remedy
reducing fever. — Formed fr. anti- and pyretic.
antipyrine, antipyrin, n., a crystalline compound
used as an antipyretic. — G. Antipyrin, coined
by the German chemist Ludwig Knorr (1859-
1921) fr. antipyretic and chem. suff. -in.
antiquarian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. antiqudrius. See next word.
antiquary, n. — L. antiqudrius, 'pertaining to an-
tiquity; an antiquarian', fr. antiquus, 'old'. See
antique and -ary.
antiquate, tr. v., to make old or obsolete. — L.
antiquatus, pp. of antiqudre, 'to render obso-
lete', fr. antiquus, 'old'. See antique and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: antiquat-ed, adj., antiquat-ed-ness,
n., antiquation (q.v.)
antiquation, n. — Late L. antiqudtid, gen. -onis,
fr. L. antiquatus, pp. of antiqudre. Sec anti-
quate and -ion.
antique, adj. — F., fr. L. antiquus, amicus, 'old',
fr. ante, 'before'. See ante-.
Derivatives: antique, n. (q.v.), antique, tr. v.,
antique-ly, adv., antique-ness, n., antiquity (q.v.)
antique, n. — F., fr. antique, adj. See antique,
adj.
antiquity, n. — F. antiquite, fr. L. antiquitdtem,
acc. of antiquitds, 'ancient times, antiquity', fr.
antiquus. See antique and -ity.
Antirrhinum
86
Antirrhinum, n., a genus of plants of the flgwort
family ; the snapdragon (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
dvxLppTvov, 'snapdragon', fr. dvxi, 'opposite;
like', and pic, gen. pivoq, 'nose'. See anti- and
rhino-.
antiscians, also antiscii, n. pi., those who live on
the same meridian, but on opposite sides of the
equator. — L. antiscii, fr. Gk. dvxicrccioi, pi. of
dvxtaxtoc., 'throwing a shadow the opposite
way', fr. dvxt (see and-) and <m&, 'shade,
shadow'. See skiagraphy and cp. amphiscians.
anti-Semitism, n. — G. Antisemitismus (see and-,
Semite and -ism). The word Antisemitismus was
first used by Wilhelm Marr (in 1880).
antiseptic, adj. and n. — Formed fr. anti- and
septic.
Derivatives: antiseptic-al-ly, adv., antiseptic-
ism, n., antiseptic-ist, n., antiseptic-ize, tr. v.
antiserum, n. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. dvxi,
'against', and L. serum, 'whey'. See anti- and
serum. The correct form would be antiorus, fr.
Gk. dvxi, 'against', and opo;, 'whey'.
antisocial, adj. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. dvxi,
'against', and L. socidlis, fr. socius, 'companion'.
Sec anti- and social.
antistrophe, n. — L., fr. Gk. dvxi<rxpo<pr), 'a turn-
ing back', fr. avxiaxpscpELv 'to turn back or
against', fr. dvxi (see anti-) and axpEtpstv, 'to
turn'. See strophe.
antithesis, n. — L., fr. Gk. avxl-Semc., 'opposi-
tion', lit. 'a placing against', fr. dvxmflivat,, 'to
set one thing against another, to oppose', fr.
dvxi (see anti-) and xiOivoci, 'to place'. See
thesis.
antithetic, antithetical, containing an antithesis.
— Gk. dvxii>£XLx6c., 'setting in opposition', fr.
dvxifl-exoc,, 'opposed', verbal adj. of dvxm#evat.
See prec. word and -etic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: antithetical-ly, adv.
antitoxic, adj., pertaining to an antitoxin. —
Formed fr. anti- and toxic.
antitoxin, n., a substance neutralizing poisonous
substances {immunology). — Coined by the Ger-
man bacteriologist Emil von Behring (1854-
1917) in 1890 fr. anti- and toxin. Cp. autotoxin.
antitragus, n., the eminence of the external ear
(anal.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. dvxtxpayo?., ut -
'the part opposite the tragus'. See anti- and
tragus.
Derivatives: antitrag-al, antitrag-ic, adjs.
antitype, n. — Gk. dvxix-jTroc., 'corresponding
in form', lit. 'struck back', fr. dvxi (see anti-)
and -r'moc,, 'a blow, a mark'. See type and cp.
antetype and prototype.
antler, n. — ME. uuntelere, fr. OF. antoillier (F.
andouiller), fr. VL. * anteoculare , neut. adj. used
as a noun and lit. meaning '(the horn) growing
before the eyes', fr. L. ante oculos, 'before the
eyes'. See ante- and ocular. For sense develop-
ment cp. G. Augensprossen, 'antlers', lit. 'eye
sprouts'.
Derivative: antler-ed, adj.
antlerite, n., a copper sulfate (mineral) — Named
after the Antler mine in Arizona. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Antonia, fem. PN. — L. Antdnia, fern, of An-
tonius. See Antony.
antonomasia, n., use of an epithet for a proper
name or vice versa (rhet.) — L., fr. Gk. dvxo-
vou.ama, fr. dvxovou-d^eiv, 'to name instead, to
call by a new name', fr. dvxi, 'instead of (see
anti-), and ovofid^siv, 'to name', fr. Svouoc,
'name'. See antonym.
Antony, also Anthony, masc. PN. — L. Antdnius,
name of a Roman gens. The spelling Anthony
was suggested by the numerous Greek loan
words beginning with antho-, fr. (Sv&oc, 'flower'.
Cp. Antonia.
antonym, n., opposite in meaning to another
word. — Formed fr. Gk. dvx<ovu[iia, 'a word
used for another, a pronoun', fr. dvxi, 'instead
of (see anti-), and ovuua, dialectal form of
ovo[A0t, 'noun'. See name and cp. anonym and
words there referred to.
antro-, before a vowel antr-, combining form
meaning 'antrum, cavity' (anat.) — Gk. dvxpo-,
dvxp-, fr. Svxpov. See next word.
antrum, n., a cave or cavity. — L., fr. Gk. Svxpov,
'cave, cavern', which is prob. cogn. with Arm.
ayr, 'cave'.
antrustion, n., a voluntary follower of Frankish
princes — F., fr. ML. antrustidnem, acc. of an-
trustid, lit. 'in fidelity', which is formed fr. pref.
an-, en, 'in' (see in-, 'in, on'), OHG. trost,
'fidelity', Latinized into trust is, and suff. -ion.
See trust.
Derivative : antrustion-ship, n.
Anubis, n., a jackal god, son of Osiris (Egypt,
mythol.) — L. Anubis, fr. Gk. "Avoupic, fr.
Egypt. Anepu, Anpu.
anus, n., inferior opening of the alimentary canal.
— L. anus, 'a ring, an iron ring for the feet;
anus (so called because of its form)'. For sense
development cp. Gk. SaxxtiAioc, 'ring, signet;
felloe of a wheel; anus', fr. Sdx-ruXoc., 'finger'.
L. anus is cogn. with Olr. dnne, dinne, 'ring,
rump'. See annular.
anusim, n. pi., Jews converted to another faith
by force; specif, the marranos. — Heb. dnustm,
'those compelled (to give up their faith)', pi. of
anas, pass. part, of anas, 'he compelled, con-
strained', which is rel. to Aram, dnds, Syr. e~nas,
of s.m.
anvil, ME. anvelt, anfilt, fr. OE. anfilte, 'anvil',
rel. to MDu. anvilt, anevilte, aenbelt, dnebelt,
Du. aanbeeld, aambeeld, OHG. anafalz, Dan.
ambolt, 'anvil', G. falzen, 'to fold' (whence
Falz, 'groove, furrow'), OHG. vilz, OE. felt,
'felt' ; see felt L. pellere, 'to strike', is prob. not
cognate with the above Teut. words.
Derivative: anvil, tr. v.
anxiety, n. — L. anxietds, gen. -at is, 'anguish,
anxiety', fr. anxius. See next word and -ity.
anxious, adj. — L. anxius, 'solicitous, uneasy', fr.
87
aper
angere, 'to press together, throttle'. See anger and
cp. words there referred to. For E.-ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: anxious-ly, adv., anxious-ness, n.
any, adj. and pron. — ME. mniy, ami, any, eny,
ony, fr. OE. xnig, which is formed fr. OE. an,
'one', with suff. -ig; rel. to OS. enig, enag (fr. en,
'one'), ON. einigr (fr. einn, 'one'), Du. enig (fr. een,
'one'), OHG. einag, MHG. einec, G, einig (fr.
ein, 'one'). See one and -y (representing OE. -ig).
Anychia, n., a genus of plants of the whitlowwort
family, the forked chickweed (bot.) — ModL.,
aphetic for Gk. Ttxpcovuxia, 'whitlowwort'. See
paronychia.
Anzac, n., a member of the Australian and New
Zealand Army corps. — Acrostic formed from
the initials of the words Australian (and) New
Zealand Army Corps.
Derivative: Anzac, adj., pertaining to the An-
zacs.
aorist, n., a past tense of Greek verbs. — Gk.
dopiaxoc., 'indefinite' (short for dopiaxoc. xpovoc.,
'the aorist, i.e. indefinite tense'), fr. d- (see priv.
pref. a-) and opiaxoc,, 'limited, defined', verbal
adj. of opi^siv, 'to limit, define', fr. opo?, 'bound-
ary, limit, border'. See horizon. As a grammatic-
al term dipiaxoc, was introduced by Dionysius
Thrax.
aorta, n. — ModL., fr. Gk. aopxr), 'the great
artery', fr. deipEiv, 'to lift, raise up, bear',
which is rel. to the second element in ixeTTjopo?,
Att. |x£xea>po<;, 'raised from the ground, high',
of uncertain etymology. Cp. artery and the
second element in endaortic and in meteor. Cp.
also air, 'atmosphere'.
Derivatives: aort-al, aort-ic, adjs.
aortico-, combining form meaning 'aortic'. —
See aorta and -ic.
aosmic, adj., having no smell (med.) — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. &oay.o<;, 'having no smell',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and 6au.-r], 'smell, odor'.
See osmium.
Aotus, n., a genus of American monkeys, the
night ape (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Stoxoc, 'ear-
less', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and ou<;, gen. wx6?,
'ear'. See oto-.
ap-, form of apo- before a vowel.
ap-, assimilated form of ad- before p.
apace, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and pace.
apache, n., a Parisian gangster. — F., from the
name of the North American Indian Apaches.
apagoge, n., reductio ad absurdum (logic). — Gk.
dbraYWYT), 'a leading away', fr. d7rdyeiv, 'to
lead away', fr. &no (see apo-) and Syeiv, 'to
lead', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in
motion, lead'. See agent, adj., and cp. -agogue,
anagogy, pedagogue, synagogue.
apanage, n. — See appanage.
•parithmesis, n., enumeration (rhet.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. draxpU*u,T)<jK;, fr. A7tapi&(jusTv, 'to count
over', fr. dm6 (see apo-) and dpi$u£iv, 'to
count', fr. ipi*(x6c, 'number'. See arithmetic.
apart, adv. — F. a part, fr. L. ad partem, 'to the
one side or part', fr. ad, 'to' (see ad-) and par-
tem, acc. of pars, 'part'. See part, n., and cp.
next word and apartment.
apartheid, n., the policy of racial segregation and
discrimination against the native Negroes and
other colored peoples in South Africa. — S.
African Dutch, 'apartness', formed fr. Du. apart,
'separate' [fr. F. d part (see apart)], with Du.
suff. -heid, which corresponds to E. -hood (q.v.)
apartment, n. — F. appartement, fr. It. apparta-
mento, prop, 'a separated place', fr. appartare,
'to separate', fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and parte (fr.
L. partem, acc. of pars), 'part'. See apart and
-ment.
A pa tela, n., a genus of moths (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. d7rax7jX6c., 'illusory', fr. a7taxav, 'to
cheat, deceive', fr. Andnrrj, 'deceit', which is of
uncertain origin. Cp. apatite.
apathic, adj. — F. apathique, fr. apathie. See next
word and -ic.
apathy, n. — F. apathie, fr. L. apathia, fr. Gk.
drat-ft-sia, 'freedom from suffering, impassibil-
ity', fr. dTtaS-rjc,, 'without suffering, impassible',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and tox&oc, 'feeling, suf-
fering'. See -pathy and cp. antipathy, empathy,
sympathy.
Derivatives: apath-ism, n., apath-ist, n., apath-
ist-ic-al, adj.
apatite, n., calcium phosphate fluoride (mineral.)
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. drcdxY),
'deceit' (see Apatela); so called because it has
been mistaken for other minerals.
ape, n. — ME., fr. OE. apa, rel. to OS. apo, ON.
api, Du. aap, OHG. affo, MHG., G. affe; ac-
cording to O. Schrader borrowed fr. OCelt.
dppavac,, a word glossed by Hesychius. It is more
probable, however, that OE. apa, etc., are Slav-
onic loan words. Cp. ORuss. opica, Czech
opice, 'ape'.
Derivatives: ape, tr. v., ape-ry, n.
apeak, adv., in a vertical position (naut.) — F.
d pic, 'vertically', fr. d, 'to' (see a), and pic, 'ver-
tex'. See peak, 'sharp point', and cp. peak, 'to
raise vertically'.
apeiron, n., the boundless mass postulated by
Anaximander as the first principle. — Gk.
6t7reipov, neut. of aTiEipoc., 'boundless, infinite',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and 7t£tpxp (gen.
7tEipaxo<;), 'completion, achievement', which is
rel. to 7reipEiv, 'to pierce, run through', nopo<i,
'ford, ferry', prop, 'means of passing a river',
and is cogn. with L. porta, 'gate', portus, 'har-
bor'. See port, 'harbor', and cp. words there
referred to.
apepsia, apepsy, n., indigestion (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. anemia, fr. foe7rxoc, 'undigested',
fr. d- (see pref. a-) and tce-xoc., 'cooked', ver-
bal adj. of 7re7xxEiv, 'to cook'. See pepsin.
aper, n., the wild boar. — L., rel. to Umbr. apruf,
abrof, 'the boars' (acc.), and cogn. with OE.
eofor, 'wild boar', OHG. ebur, MHG., G. eber,
apercu
88
of s.m., ON. jdfurr, 'prince', and with OSlav.
vepri, Lett, vepris, 'wild boar'. The a in L. aper
(inst. of *eper) is prob. due to dissimilation un-
der the influence of caper, 'he-goat'. Cp. the
first element in Everard.
apercu, n., sketch, rapid survey. — F., prop. pp.
of apercevoir, 'to perceive', used as a noun, fr.
a, 'to' (see a), and percevoir 'to perceive', fr. L.
percipere. See perceive and cp. apperception.
aperient, adj., laxative. — L. aperiens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of aperire, 'to uncover, open', which
stands for *ap-werlre and is rel. to operire (for
*op-werire), 'to cover, close', and cogn. with
OI. apa-vj-nSti, 'uncovers, opens', api-vfttdti,
'closes, covers', fr. I.-E. base *wer-, 'to enclose,
cover'. See weir and cp. words there referred to.
The word aperient was first used by Bacon in
1626.
Derivative: aperient, n., a laxative drug.
aperiodic, adj., not periodic. — Formed fr. priv.
pref. a- and periodic.
Derivative: aperiodic-al-fy, adv.
aperitif, n., appetizer. — F. See next word.
aperitive, adj. aperient. — F. aperitif (fern, ape-
ritive), 'opening' (said of a drug), fr. L. aperi-
tivus, fr. aperire, 'to open'. See aperient and -ive.
apert, adj., open. — OF., fr. L. apertus, pp. of
aperire, 'to open'. See aperient and cp. pert,
malapert.
aperture, n., an opening. — L. apertura, 'an ope-
ning', fr. apertus, pp. of aperire. See aperient and
-ure.
Derivatives: apertur-al, apertur-ed, adjs.
apetalous, adj., having no petals (bot.) — Formed
fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk. 7t£xaXov, 'thin plate
of metal; leaf. See petalon and -ous.
Derivative: apetalous-ness, n.
apex, n., the highest point of something, top,
summit. — L., 'top, summit, the extreme end of
a thing; the small rod at the flamen's cap', lit.
'something joined or fastened to', formed with
suff. -ex fr. apio, apere, 'to join, fasten' ; see apt
For the formation of apex fr. apere, cp. vertex,
'top, summit', fr. vertere, 'to turn'. Cp. peri-
apical.
aph-, form of apo- before an aspirated vowel.
aphaeresis, n., loss of a letter or syllable at the
beginning of a word (gram.) — L., fr. Gk.
a9<xip£(j!.?, 'a taking away', fr. d^ocipeiv, 'to
take away', fr. drcS (see apo-) and aipelv, 'to
take'. The word aphaeresis was introduced into
English by Sir James Murray (1837-1915). See
heresy and cp. diaeresis, synaeresis.
Aphanes, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. a^airfj?, 'unseen, un-
noticed', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and the base
of qjatveiv, 'to make visible'. See phantasm.
aphanite, n., name of certain dark rocks (petrogr.)
— Lit. 'unseen', fr. Gk. &<pavr)<;. See prec. word
and subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: aphanit-ic, adj., aphanit-ism, n.
aphano-, before a vowel aphan-, combining form
meaning 'invisible'. — Fr. Gk. aipav^?. See
Aphanes.
aphasia, n., loss of the faculty of speech (med.) —
Medical L., fr. priv. pref. a- and tpaai?, 'speech',
from the base of ipavai, 'to speak', which is rel.
to <pr\\xr\, 'voice, report, rumor', and cogn. with
L. fama, 'talk, report, rumor'. See fame and
-ia and cp. aphemia.
Derivatives: aphasi-ac, adj. and n., aphas-ic,
adj. and n.
Aphelandra, n. 1 genus of plants of the acanthus
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
AtpsX-rji;, 'even, simple', and the stem of dvr]p,
gen. dvSpiii;, 'man'. Gk. dttpsXT)? prob. means
lit. 'without protuberances' and is formed fr.
a- (see priv. pref. a-) and *tp£Xoi;, 'swelling,
protuberance' (whence also 9eXXeii<;, 'stony
ground'). See Anopheles and cp. next word and
Aphelinus. For the second element in Aphelandra
see andro-. The genus was called Aphelandra in
allusion to the one-celled anthers.
Aphelenchus, n., a genus of nematode worms
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. afpeXif]?,
'even, simple' (see prec. word), and 8yX°?>
'spear', a word of uncertain origin.
Aphelinus, n., a genus of small flies (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. dcpeXT)?, 'even, simple'. See
Aphelandra.
aphelion, n., that point of the orbit of a celestial
body which is farthest from the sun (astron.) —
Grecized fr. ModL. aphelium, which was coined
by Kepler on analogy of apogaeum (see apogee)
fr. Gk. drc6 (see apo-) and -^Xto?, 'sun'. See
helio-.
apheliotropic, adj., turning away from the sun
(said of certain plants). — Formed fr. Gk. draS
(see apo-), 15X10;, 'sun', and -rpomxiS;, 'turning,
relating to a turn'. See apo- and heliotropic.
aphemia, n., a kind of aphasia (med.) — Medical
L., coined by the French surgeon and anthro-
pologist Paul Broca (1824-80) in i860 fr. priv.
pref. a- and Gk. fruii], 'voice', which is rel. to
9<xvai, 'to say, speak'. See fame and -ia and cp.
aphasia.
aphesis, n., gradual aphaeresis (gram.) — Gk.
&peoi(;, 'a letting go', fr. d<pi£vou, 'to send
forth, let go', fr. fibr6 (see apo-) and Uvea, 'to
send', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
with L.jacire, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth',
and cp. diesis. The word aphesis was introduced
into English by Sir James Murray (1837-1915)-
aphetic, adj., pertaining to, or resulting from,
aphesis. — Gk. dhperocis, 'letting go', fr. ficpe-
to;, 'let loose', verbal adj. of dt(pi£vai, 'to let go'.
See prec. word and -etic
-aphia, combining form meaning 'touch', and
referring to a specified condition of the sense of
touch (med.) — Medical L. -aphia, fr. Gk. &tfn,
'touch'. See apsis and cp. words there referred to.
aphid, n., a plant louse. — See next word.
Aphis, n., a genus of plant lice (zool.) — ModL., of
uncertain origin.
89
apivorous
aphlogistic, adj., flameless. — Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. (&9X6yi(jto<;, 'not inflammable, flame-
less', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-), and 9X0YWT6;, 'in-
flammable'. See phlogiston.
aphonia, n., the loss of voice (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. dtpoivta, 'speechlessness', fr. a9<ovo<;,
'voiceless, speechless', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-)
and 9cavr), 'sound, voice'. See phone and -ia.
aphonic, adj., having no sound, voiceless. — See
prec. word and -ic.
aphorism, n., 1) a short definition; 2) a maxim. —
F. aphorisme, fr. ML. aphorismus, fr. Gk. £90-
piafxo;, 'definition', fr. d9opt^Eiv, 'to define',
fr. &n6 (see apo-) and opt^ew, 'to bound, limit',
fr. opoq, 'boundary'. See horizon and -ism and
cp. aorist.
aphorist, n., a writer of aphorisms. — See prec.
word and -ist.
aphoristic, aphoristical, adj. — Gk. d9opi<mx6i;,
'delimiting, aphoristic', fr. d90pi£etv. See aphor-
ism and -ic, resp. also -al.
aphotic, adj., lightless. — Formed with suff. -ic fr.
Gk. &<f>cnQ, gen. i&p&iToi;, 'without light', fr. d-
(see priv. pref. a-) and <p&>c;, gen. 9COT65, 'light'.
See phosphorus.
Aphra, fem. PN. — The name arose from a mis-
understanding of Vbheth 'Aphrd h , 'in the house
of Aphrah' (Mi. 1 : 10), 'Aphrah having been mis-
taken for a feminine personal name. In reality
'Aphrd h , in the above verse is the name of a
town which was identified by most commen-
tators with 'Ophrd h in Benjamin (see Josh. 18:23).
The name prob. means 'hind'.
aphrite, n., a variety of calcite (mineral.) — Form-
ed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. d9p6;, 'foam',
(see aphro-) ; so called from its appearance.
aphrizite, n., a variety of tourmaline. — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite from the stem of Gk. d9pi-
^Etv, 'to foam', fr. 4<pp6i;, 'foam' (see next word) ;
so called from its appearance when heated.
aphro-, before a vowel aphr- combining form
meaning 'foam'. — Gk. d9po-, d9p-, fr. d9p6;,
'foam'; of uncertain origin. Cp. the prec. two
words.
aphrodisia, n., sexual passion. — ModL., from
the fem. of Gk. ' Aypo&taioc,, 'pertaining to
Aphrodite', fr. ' A9po8fnf], the Greek goddess of
love. See Aphrodite.
aphrodisiac, adj., producing or increasing sexual
desire. — Gk. d9poSTmax6i;, 'sexual, venereal',
fr. 'A9poSf<Jtoi;. See prec. word.
Derivative: aphrodisiac, n., an aphrodisiac drug.
Aphrodite, n., name of the goddess of love in
Greek mythology (corresponding to Venus in
Roman mythology). — Gk. ' A<ppoStrr\, prob.
a popular alteration of *'A9&op7){b], *'Atto-
PtjSt) (a change due to the influence of Gk.d9p6<;,
'foam'), fr. Heb.-Phoen. 'AshtSreth, 'the god-
dess of love', which is rel. to Akkad. Ashtarte,
Ishtar; cp. Frisk, GEW., I, pp. I96f. s.v. ' A9P0-
8fTr).Theexplanationofthename'A9po8fnri by
Hesiod as '(the goddess) born of the foam (of
the sea)' is folk etymology. For the change of sh
to 9, cp. Heb. shum, Arab, thum, VArab.
fum, 'garlic', Heb. gddtsh, Arab, jddath, VArab.
jddaf, 'mound, tumulus', and the Russian PN.
Feodor, which derives fr. Gk. ©s68<opo; (see
Theodore). Cp. Ashtoreth, Astarte, Ishtar. Cp.
also April.
aphtha, n., a children's disease, also called
'thrush'. — L., fr. Gk. &p&<x, 'inflammation,
eruption', fr. 'to fasten; to kindle'. See
apsis.
aphthous, adj., caused by aphthae. — See prec.
word and -ous.
aphyllous, adj. having no leaves (bot.) — Gk.
&9uXXoq, 'leafless', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
9iiXXov, 'leaf. See phyllo-.
aphthitalite, n., a potassium sodium sulfate (min-
eral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
£9*kT0<;, 'undecaying, imperishable; unchange-
able', and otX;, 'salt' ; so called because it is un-
changeable in air. Gk. is formed fr.
d- (see priv. pref. a-) and verbal adj. of 9<Mveiv,
'to decay'; see phthisis. For the etymology ofdX;
see halieutic.
apiarian, adj., pertaining to bees or beekeep-
ing; n., an apiarist. — • Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. apidrius, 'relating to bees', fr. apis. See
Apis, a genus of bees.
apiarist, n., one who keeps bees. — Formed fr.
next word with suff. -ist.
apiary, n., a place where bees are kept. — L. api-
drium, 'beehouse, beehive', fr. apis. See Apis,
a genus of bees,
apicitis, n., inflammation of the apex of an organ
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.
apex, gen. apicis (see apex) and -iris, a suff. of
Greek origin,
apiculture, n., rearing of bees. — Compounded
of L. apis, 'bee', and cultiira, 'tending, care'. See
Apis, 'a genus of bees', and culture,
apiece, adv. — Orig. written in two words: a
piece.
apiology, n., the scientific study of bees. — A hy-
brid coined fr. L. apis, 'bee', and Gk. -XoyiS,
fr. -X6-fo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
Apis, a genus of bees, and -logy.
Apios, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. demo?, 'pear tree, pear',
which is a loan word from an unknown source,
whence also L. pirum, 'pear' (cp. pear) ; so called
from the pearlike form of the tubers.
Apis, n., an Egyptian god represented as a man
with the head of a bull (Egypt, mythol.) — L.,
fr. Gk. "Amc, fr. Egypt. Hdpi.
Apis, a genus of bees. — L., 'bee', of unknown
etymology. Cp. Apium, ache, 'parsley'.
Apium, n., a genus of plants of the carrot family.
— L., 'parsley', lit. 'the plant preferred by bees',
a derivative of apis, 'bee'. See prec. word.
apivorous, adj., bee-eater. — Compounded of L.
apis, 'bee', and -vorus, from the stem of vordre.
apjohnite
90
'to devour'. See Apis, a genus of bees, and
-vorous.
apjohnite, n., a hydrous aluminum and manga-
nese sulfate (mineral.) — Named after the Irish
chemist James Apjohn (1796-1886). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Aplectrum, n., a genus of plants of the orchid
family, the puttyroot (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'with-
out spurs', formed fr. priv. pref. a- and Gk.
7rWjxTpov, 'spur', lit. 'an instrument to strike
with', fr. 7rXr)a(j£iv, Att. tcXtjtteiv, 'to strike';
see plectrum. The puttyroot has no spur, whence
its scientific name.
aplomb, n. — F., 'perpendicularity', whence 'self-
possession', fr. a plomb, 'perpendicular', fr. a,
'to' (see a), and plomb, 'lead'. See plumb.
aplome, n., a variety of andradite (mineral.) —
Gk. anXcoixa, 'that which is unfolded', fr.
aTtX6oi;, omXou?, 'simple'. See haplo- and cp.
diploma.
Aplopappus, n., a genus of plants (tor.) —ModL.,
fr. Gk. <xtcX6o<;, ocnXouq, 'simple', and ncmnos,
'pappus'. See haplo- and pappus.
Apluda, n., a genus of grasses (boi.) — L. apluda,
'chaff', which is of uncertain origin. Perh. it is
formed fr. ab, 'away from, from', and plaudere,
'to strike, beat', and lit. means 'that which is
beaten off*; see ab- and plaudit. See Walde-
Hofmann, LEW., I, 58 s.v. apluda.
aplustre, n., the curved stern of a ship with its
ornaments (Greek and Roman antiq.) — L., fr.
Gk. &pXaaTov; as shown by the suff. -stre, the
word came into Latin through the medium of
the Etruscans. For the change of Greek a. (in
&9Xa<JTov) to u (in L. aplustre) cp. L. scutula,
'wooden roller', fr. Gk. axu-raXT), 'stick, staff',
L. crapula, fr. Gk. xpai7i£X7], 'debauch', L. pes-
sulus, fr. Gk. TraooaXoc, 'bolt', L. triumphus,
'triumph', fr. Gk. &pia^o<;, 'a procession (made
in honor of Bacchus)' ; (see crapulence, pessulus,
triumph).
apnea, apnoea, n., suspension of breathing (med.)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. itrevoia, 'absence of res-
piration', fr. itivtooQ, &7tvou<;, 'without breath-
ing', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and ttveco, tweiv,
'to breathe'. See pnetuna.
Derivatives: apne-al, apnoe-al, adj., apne-ic,
apnoe-ic, adj.
apo-, ap- (before a vowel), aph- (before an aspi-
rated vowel), pref. meaning 'from, away from,
asunder, separate' . — Gk. arco-, dm-, dip-, fr. ami,
'from, away from', cogn. with OI. dpa, 'away
from', L. ab (orig. *ap), 'away from, from',
Goth, af, OE. of, 'away from, from'. See of and
cp. a-, 'from', ab-, post-.
apocalypse, n., revelation. — Eccles. L. apoca-
lypsis, fr. Gk. dmoxixXuijju;, 'revelation', fr.
<x7TOxaXuTTTEi.v, 'to uncover, disclose, reveal', fr.
a.r.6 (see apo-) and xaXiiTrreiv, 'to cover', which
is rel. to KaXut}«i>, Calypso, a sea nymph,
xaXiipij, 'cabin*. See Calypso and cp. calybite,
calypter, calyptra.
apocalyptic, adj., pertaining to a revelation. —
Gk. aTraxaXuTrnxiq, fr. a7raxaXu7TTeiv. See prec.
word and -ic.
apocalyptist, n., the writer of the Apocalypse
(rare). — See apocalypse and -ist.
apocatastasis, n., restoration (med. and astron.)
— Gk. dmoxaTaaTaaiq, 'restitution, restoration',
fr. aTraxoc&ia-ravai, 'to restitute, restore', fr.
om6 (see apo-) and xa&ia-rtivat., 'to set in order,
array, appoint', lit. 'to set down', fr. xctxd,
'down', and Eaxdtvoa, 'to make to stand, to
stand'. See cata- and state and cp. catastasis.
apocha, n., receipt for the payment of money
(law), — L., fr. Gk. dmo/if), 'a receipt', fr. ani-
Xcini, 'to keep off, keep away, to receive in full',
fr. dmo (see apo-) and ex £ w, 'to have, hold'.
See hectic and cp. epoch.
apocopate, tr. v., to cut off. — ModL. apocopatus,
pp. of apocopdre, 'to cut off', fr. Gk. omoxoTtr),
'a cutting off'. See next word and verbal suff.
-ate.
apocope, n., the omission of the last letter or syl-
lable of a word (gram.) — L., fr. Gk. aTtoxoTyr),
'a cutting off', from the stem of djioxoTrreiv, 'to
cut off', fr. dm6 (see apo-) and xo7rreiv, 'to cut',
whence x6[/.|jia, 'a piece cut off'. See comma and
cp. pericope, syncope.
Derivative: apocop-ic, adj.
Apocrypha, n. pi., books excluded from the num-
ber of the sacred books of the Bible. — Eccles.
L., neut. pi. of apocryphus, fr. Gk. anoxputpo?,
'hidden away, kept secret', fr. d7TOXp<S7rrEiv, 'to
hide away', fr. d7t6 (see apo-) and xpu7nrsiv, 'to
hide'. See crypt.
Derivative: Apocryph-al, adj.
Apocynaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the dog-
bane family (bot.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-aceae fr. Apocynum (q.v.)
apocynaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Apocynum, n., a genus of plants; the dogbane
(hot ) — ModL., fr. Gk. dmoxuvov, 'dogbane',
fr. dTc6 (see apo-) and xucov, gen. xov6s, 'dog'.
See cyno-.
apod, apode, n., an animal that has no feet. —
Gk. fcrou?, gen. &tto8o<;, 'footless', fr. 4- (see
priv. pref. a-) and ttou?, gen. tto86?, 'foot'. See
-pod.
apodal, adj., having no feet. — See prec. word
and adj. suff. -al.
apodictic, apodeictic, adj., clearly demonstrated.
— L. apodicticus, fr. Gk. d7ro8eixTix6<;, fr. cbro-
Seixt6?, verbal adj. of dc7roSEixvuvai, 'to show
by argument', fr. dm6 (see apo-) and Seixvuvou,
'to show'. See deictic and cp. epideictic.
Derivative: apod(e)ictic-al-ly, adv.
apodosis, n., the consequent clause (gram.) — L.,
fr. Gk. dfcjrASoai?, 'a giving back', fr. Aro>8i86vai,
'to give back', fr. a:i6 (see apo-) and 8i86vai,
'to give'. See donation and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
apodons, adj., footless. — See apodal and -ous.
apogee, n., the point at which the moon (or an-
91
apoplexy
other celestial body) is at the greatest distance
from the earth (astron) — F. apogee, fr. L. apo-
gaeum, fr. Gk. dmoyociov, prop. neut. of the
adjective dmoyaioi;, 'far away from the earth',
but used by Ptolemy as a noun for dmiyoaov
ctx)(xslov, 'the sign far away from the earth', i.e.
'apogee'. 'Airoyaio? (also dcTtoyEio?) is formed
fr. txTto (see apo-) and ycaa, -p), 'earth'. See geo-
and cp. perigee.
apograph, n., a copy, a transcript. — Gk. dm6-
ypacpov, fr. arcoypdcpEiv, 'to write off', fr. octto
(see apo-) and yp<x9£iv, 'to write'. See -graph.
apolar, adj., having no pole. — Formed fr. priv.
pref. a- and polar.
apolaustic, adj., devoted to pleasure. — Gk.
aTOuXauCTTixo?, fr. obraXauaTOf;, verbal adj. of
dmoXauEiv, 'to enjoy', fr. arcS (see apo-) and
I.-E. base *lau-, */«-, 'to profit, gain', whence
also L. lucrum, 'profit, gain'. See lucre and cp.
-lestes. For the ending see suff. -ic.
Apollinarian, adj. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
Apollindris, 'belonging to Apollo', fr. Apollo,
gen. Apollinis. See Apollo.
Apollinaris water. — From G. Apollinaris-Brun-
nen ('Springs of Apollinaris'), near Remagen in
Germany.
Apollo, n., one of the most important Olympian
divinities, the god of music, poetry, medicine,
etc., later identified with Helios, the sun god
(Greek mythol.) — L. Apollo, gen. -inis, fr. Gk.
' AmSXXcov =Dor. ' AkeXXcov, which, accordingto
Usener, is rel. to an obsolete Greek verb mean-
ing 'to drive away (scil. evil)', and cogn. with L.
pellere, 'to beat, strike; to drive'. See pulse
'throb'.
Derivatives: Apollinarian (q.v.), Apoll-ine, adj.,
Apollonian (q.v.), Apollon-ic, Apollon-ist-ic,
adjs.
Apollonian, adj. — Formed with suff. -an fr. Gk.
'AttoXXcovioi;, 'belonging to Apollo', fr. 'AmiX-
Xtov. See prec. word.
Apollyon, n., the destroying angel of the bottom-
less pit, the equivalent of Heb. dbhaddSn (see
Abaddon). — Gk. aTOXXutov, pres. part, of
dmoXXuEiv, 'to destroy utterly', fr. am (see
apo-) and oXXueiv, 'to destroy', which is rel. to
BXE&po?, 'destruction, ruin'. Cp. Olethreutidae
and the second element in Azolla.
apologetic, adj., 1) apologizing; 2) defending in
writing or speech. — F. apologetique, fr. L. apo-
logeticus, fr. Gk. dmoXoyriTtxo;, 'fit for de-
fense', fr. d7roXoycLadai, 'to speak in defense',
fr. dmoXoyia, 'defense'. See apology.
Derivatives : apologetic, n., apologetic-al-ly, adv.,
apologet-ics, n.
apologist, n. — F. apologist e, fr. apologie. See
apology and -ist
apologize, intr. v. — This verb corresponds for-
mally to Gk. dt7roXoYxSe<j$oti, which, however,
means 'to give an account', fr. AroSXoyoi;, 'ac-
count' (see next word). In reality, however, E.
apologize is a new formation fr. apology and
-ize and answers in sense to Gk. dt7roXoyEi<jftai,
'to speak in defense, defense oneself.
Derivative: apologiz-er, n.
apologue, n., moral truth. — F., fr. L. apologus,
fr. Gk. dmiXoyoi;, 'story, tale, fable, apologue,
account', lit. '(that which comes) from a speech',
fr. aTcS (see apo-) and X6y<S?, 'word, speech,
discourse, account'. See logos.
apology, n. — F. apologie, fr. L. apologia, fr. Gk.
dbraXoyta, 'a speech in defense', fr. dm6Xoyo(;,
See prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -ta).
apomorphine, n., name of a drug, C^HnNOa
(chem.) — Changed fr. earlier apomorphia, a
name coined by the chemists Mathieson and
Wright fr. apo- and morphine. They gave the
drug this name because it is obtainable from
morphine.
apopemptic, adj., valedictory. — Gk. a7T07TE[j,TTTi.-
x<k, 'pertaining to sending away, valedictory',
fr. a7TOTr£|x7T£tv, 'to send away, dismiss', fr.
dbr6 (see apo-) and 7CE(i.7reiv, 'to send', which
stands in gradational relationship to to^ky), 'a
sending, solemn procession'. See pomp.
apophasis, n., mention of something we feign to
deny (rhet.) — ModL., fr. Gk. dbr6cpaai<;, 'an-
swer, denial', fr. dmoqjdcvai, 'to speak out, say
no, deny', fr. dbio (see apo-) and <pdcvai, 'to
speak', which is rel. to 9^u.t], 'voice, report,
rumor', and cogn. with L. fama, 'talk, report,
rumor'. See fame and cp. aphasia, aphemia.
apophthegm, n. — See apothegm.
apophyge, n., a curve in a column, with which
the shaft 'escapes' into its base (archit.) — Gk.
dmcKpuyr), 'escape', fr. dcTTtxpsuyEiv, 'to flee away,
escape', fr. dmo (see apo-) and 9Eiiyeiv, 'to flee',
which is cogn. with L. fugere 'to flee'. See fu-
gitive and cp. hypophyge.
apophysis, n., process on a bone (anat.) — Medi-
cal L., fr. Gk. a7r6(pu(ji?, 'prominence, process
of a bone', fr. dbrc^ueiv, 'to produce', fr. an6
(see apo-) and <pi>Eiv, 'to bring forth, produce,
make to grow'. See physio- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also zygapophysis.
Derivatives : apophys-ate, apophyse-al, apophysi-
al, adjs.
apophysitis, n., inflammation of the apophysis
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -itis.
apoplectic, adj., 1) pertaining to, or causing, apo-
plexy; 2) having apoplexy; 3) liable to apoplexy.
— F. apoplectique, fr. L. apoplecticus, fr. Gk.
d7to7rX-r)XTix<Si;, 'disabled by a stroke, crippled',
fr. i7r67tX7]XTOS, verbal adj. of anonkt)csaevv, 'to
cripple by a stroke'. See next word and -ic.
apoplexy, n., sudden loss of consciousness caused
by the breaking of a blood vessel in the brain
(med.) — ME. apoplexie, fr. OF (= F.) apo-
plexie, fr. L. apoplexia, fr. Gk. inonX-r]li6L,
'apoplexy, paralysis', fr. aTroTiX-rjooetv, 'to crip-
ple by a stroke', fr. dm6 (see apo-) and rcXTjaoEiv,
'to strike', which is rel. to nkrpp), Dor. 7tXayd,
'stroke' ; see plague and cp. words there referred
aposiopesis
92
to. The Latin translation of Greek anoTikr&a.,
'siderdtid', lit. 'disease caused by a constellation',
shows that AramX?^* °rig. must have denoted
the condition of being struck (<x7TO7rX7)>tTO<;) by
the stars (cp. sideration).
aposiopesis, n., a sudden breaking ofT in the
middle of a sentence {rhet.) — L., fr. Gk. Atto-
aicoKYjai?, 'becoming silent', fr. ano (see apo-)
and CTicoTTY), 'silence', which is prob. rel. to Mes-
sapian oinra', 'be silent!, and perh. cogn. with
Goth, sweiban, 'to cease', OHG. gi-swiftdn,
'to become quiet'. Cp. swifter, swivel.
apostasy, n., desertion of one's faith, principles,
e t c . — ME. apostasie, fr. L. apostasia, fr. Gk.
aTOaTaata, a later form of dc7t6<jTaaic., 'revolt,
defection', lit. 'a standing off', fr. Ajroor^vai,
'to stand off, revolt', fr. Airo (see apo-) and
oTTjvoci, 'to stand'. See state and -y (representing
Gk. 45), and cp. stasis. The word apostasy was
introduced into English by Wycliffe.
apostate, n., a person guilty of apostasy; adj.,
guilty of apostasy. — ME., fr. OF apostate (F.
apostat), fr. L. apostata, fr. Gk. AttocttAt/;?,
'rebel, deserter', lit. 'a person standing off', fr.
dt7to<jTTjvai, 'to stand off, revolt'. See prec.
word.
apostatic, apostatical, adj., apostate. — L. apo-
staticus, fr Gk. ajrocrraTocos, 'pertaining to re-
volt', fr. a7tooTa-a);. See prec. word and -ic, resp.
also -al.
Derivative: apostatical-ly, adv.
apostatize, intr. v., to become an apostate. —
ML. apostat izdre, fr. L. apostata. See apostate
and -ize.
aposteme, n., an abscess (med.) — MF., fr. OF.
aposteme, fr. L. apostema, fr. Gk. aTrotJTY^a,
'abscess", lit. 'a standing off', fr. d^oa-r^vai, 'to
stand off'. See apostasy and cp. impostume.
a posteriori, i) from effect to cause; 2) induc-
tively; 3) from experience (philos.) — a poste-
riori, 'from what comes after', fr. a, 'from' (see
a-, 'from'), and posteriori, abl. of posterior, corn-
par, of posterns, 'coming after'. See posterior,
apostil, also apostille, n., note, esp. on the text
of the Bible. — F. apostille. See postil.
apostle, n. — OF. apostle, apostre (F. apotre),
'apostle', fr. Eccles. L. apostolus, fr. Gk. AttA-
aToXoc, 'one sent, a messenger, an envoy', fr.
i-oaTsXXeiv, 'to send forth', fr. dmo (see apo-)
and ctteXXeiv, 'to set in order, dispatch, send'.
See stall and cp. stele, stole, 'garment', epistle.
Derivative: apostle-ship, n.
apostolate, n. — Eccles. L. apostoldtus, fr. aposto-
lus, fr. Gk. aTToaToAoq. See prec. word and
subst. surf. -ate.
apostolic, apostolical, adj. — F. apostolique, fr.
Eccles. L. apostolicus, fr. apostolus, fr. Gk. an6-
otoaoq. See apostle, -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative : apostolic-al-ly, adv.
apostrophe, n., a sign (') indicating the omission
of a letter or letters. — F., fr. L. apostrophusjt.
Gk. dbr6aTpo<po<;, 'apostrophe', lit. 'a turning
away', fr. ouma-piyziv, 'to turn away', fr. Airo
(see apo-) and orpe^eiv, 'to turn'. See strophe
and cp. next word. Cp. also anastrophe, anti-
strophe, catastrophe, epistrophe.
apostrophe, n., a turning aside from the subject
(rhet.) — L., fr. Gk. ATroaxpocpTj, 'a turning
away', fr. AnoaTpEtpEiv. See prec. word.
Derivatives: apostroph-ic, adj., apostroph-ize,
tr. v.
apothecary, n. — OF. apotecarie (F. apothicaire),
fr. ML. apothecdrius, orig. 'storekeeper', fr.
apotheca, 'storehouse', fr. Gk. Atto&tixt), lit. 'a
place wherein to lay up a thing', fr. AromSivcet,
'to put away',fr. omo (see apo-) and -n#£vai,'to
put, place, set down'. See theme and -ary and
cp. next word and apothem. Cp. also bodega,
bottega, boutique.
apothecium, n., the ascocarp of lichens (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. *dbro&T)x lov > dimin. of Atto1W)X7),
'a storehouse'. See apothecary.
apothegm, apophthegm, n., a pithy saying, a
maxim. — Gk. A7T6<p*£Y|j.a, 'a terse saying, apo-
thegm', lit. 'something uttered', fr. Aroxp&EyyEC-
Soci, 'to speak one's opinion plainly', fr. <x7ro
(see apo-) and 9»£yy£<J&oa, 'to speak' (whence
pSiyfjux, 'voice, speech'), which stands in gra-
dational relationship to cp^oyyog, 'a sound, a
voice'. Cp. the second element in monophthong,
diphthong, triphthong.
apothem, n., perpendicular drawn from the center
to any of the sides of a regular polygon (geom.)
— Formed fr. apo- and Gk. #s[xa, 'that which
is placed', from the stem of xiflivca, 'to place'.
See theme.
apotheosis, n., deification. — L., fr. Gk. A7to#sco-
ot?, 'deification', fr. Atto^eouv, 'to make some-
one a god, to deify', fr. dmo (see apo-) and ^soq,
'god'. See theo- and -osis.
Derivative: apotheos-ize, tr. v.
apotropaion, n., an amulet, a charm, anything
supposed to avert evil. — Gk. A-rraTpoTraiov,
neut. of dTTOTpoTTaioc;, 'that which averts', fr.
ocTwiTp^TCELv, 'to turn away, avert', fr. Atto (see
apo-) and xpeTreiv, 'to turn'. See trope.
apozem, n., a decoction (pharm.) — F. apozeme,
fr. L. apozema, fr. Gk. A^Eaa, 'decoction',
fr. Azc^eiv, 'to boil till the scum is thrown off',
fr. ami (see apo-) and £eT\i, 'to boil'. See ec-
zema and cp. words there referred to.
appall, tr. v. — ME. appallen, apallen, 'to make
pale, become pale', fr. OF. apallir, 'to grow
pale', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and pallir,palir(F.pdlir),
'to grow pale', fr. pale (F. pale). See pallor and
cp. pale, pallid.
Derivatives: apall-ing, adj., apall-ing-ly , adv.
appalto, n., a monopoly. — It., 'contract', of
uncertain origin. It stands perh. for 'appacto,
fr. L. "appactum, fr. ad, 'to', and pactum, 'agree-
ment, contract, pact'; see ad- and pact. Rum.
apalt is an Italian loan word. See Meyer-Liibke,
REW., No. 533.
appanage, apanage, n., provision made by kings
93
appendix
and princes for their younger children; per-
quisite. — F. apanage, fr. OF. apaner, 'to nourish,
support', fr. ML. appdndre, 'to provide with
bread', fr. ad- and L. pdnis, 'bread'. Cp. OProv-
enc. apanar, 'to nourish', and see pastor and
-age.
Derivative: appanage, tr. v.
apparatus, n., instruments serving a specific task.
— L. apparatus, 'preparation,' fr. apparatus, pp.
of appdrdre, 'to make ready', fr. ad- and pardre,
'to make ready, prepare'. See pare and cp.
parade, prepare.
apparel, n. — ME. appareil, apareil, fr. OF. apa-
reil, (F. appareil), 'preparation', fr. apareillier,
(F. appareiller), fr. VL. *appariculdre, fr. L. ap-
pardre, 'to prepare', lit. 'to make ready for', fr.
ad- and pardre, 'to prepare'. Cp. It. apparecchi-
are, OProvenc. aparelhar, Sp. aparejar, Port.
aparelhar, 'to prepare', which all derive fr. VL.
*appariculdre, and see pare. Cp. also prec. word.
apparel, tr. v. — ME. aparailen, fr. OF. apareil-
lier. See apparel, n.
apparent, adj. — OF. aparant (F. apparant), fr.
L. appdrentem, acc. of appdrens, pres. part, of
appdrere, 'to appear'. See appear and -ent.
Derivatives: apparent-ly, adv., appar-ent-ness,n.
apparition, n. — F., fr. L. appdritidnem, acc. of
appdritid, 'service, attendance' fr. appdrit-(um),
pp. stem of appdrere, 'to appear'. See appear
and -ition.
apparitor, n., an officer in attendance of a Roman
magistrate (Roman antiq.); an officer who exe-
cutes orders. — L., 'an attendant, a public ser-
vant', fr. appdrit-(um), pp. stem of appdrere. See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
appeach, intr. V. to impeach, accuse (obsol.) —
ME. apechen, formed, with change of suff., from
OF empechier (F. empecher), 'to hinder, im-
pede'. See impeach.
appeal, tr. and intr. v. — ME. appeien, apelen,
fr. OF. apeler (F. appeler), 'to address, entreat,
call', fr. L. appelldre, 'to address, accost, appeal
to, apply to, summon, call, name', fr. ad- and
-pelldre (found only in compounds), fr. pellere,
'to drive', whence also appellere, 'to drive to'.
The sense development of appelldre, 'to ad-
dress, accost', etc., fr. pellere, 'to drive', may
be illustrated by the following phases : 'to drive,
push on, incite, warn, admonish, summon, call,
address'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. repeal. Cp.
also compel, dispel, expel, impel, propel, repel.
Cp. also push. The change from the 3rd con-
jugation (pellere, appellere) to the 1st (appel-
ldre) is due to the iterative sense of appelldre.
Cp. interpelldrc, 'to intsrrupt in speaking', which
is formed fr. inter- and -pelldre, and also has an
iterative meaning (see interpellate). For other
Latin iterative verbs of the 1st conjugation form-
ed from verbs of other conjugations cp. inter-
poldre, 'to give a new form to, to polish, fur-
bish ; to change, vary; to falsify; to insert, inter-
polate', fr. inter- and polire, 'to smooth, polish,
furbish' (see interpolate), and occupdre, 'to seize,
take possession of, fr. capere, 'to catch, seize,
take' (see occupy).
Derivatives: appeal, n. (q.v.), appeal-able, adj.,
appeal-er, n., appeal-ing, adj., appeal-ing-ly, adv.
appeal, n. — ME. appel, apel, fr. OF. apel (F. ap-
pel), back formation fr. OF. apeler. See ap-
peal, v.
appear, intr. v. — ME. apperen, aperen, fr. OF.
aparoir (F. apparoir), 'to appear', fr. L. appd-
rere, fr. ad- and pdrere, 'to come forth, appear,
be visible', which is prob. cogn. with Gk. kz-kol-
petv (aorist inf.), 'to display, manifest'. Cp.
peer, 'to appear'. Cp. also apparent, apparition,
apparitor, transparent.
appearance, n. — ME. aparaunce, fr. OF. apa-
rence (F. apparence), fr. L. appdrentia, fr. ap-
pdrens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of appdrere, 'to
appear'. See prec. word and -ance.
appease, tr. v. — ME. apaisen, apesen, appesen,
fr. OF. apeser (F. apaiser), 'to pacify, appease',
fr. OF. pais, a collateral form of paiz (F. paix),
fr. L. pdeem, acc. of pax, 'peace'. See peace.
Derivatives: appeas-able, adj., appeas-er, n., ap-
peasement (q.v.), appeas-ing, adj., appeas-ing-ly,
adv., appeas-ive, adj.
appeasement, n. — F. apaisement, fr. apaiser. See
appease and -ment.
appellant, adj., appealing. — F., fr. L. appellan-
tem, acc. of appelldns, pres. part, of appelldre,
'to call'. See appeal, v., and -ant.
Derivative: appellant, n.
appellate, adj., pertaining to appeals. — L. appel-
Idtus, pp. of appelldre, 'to address, call'. See
appeal and adj. suff. -ate.
appellation, n. — L. appelldtid, gen. -dnis, fr. ap-
pelldtus, pp. of appelldre. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivative: appellation-al, adj.
appellative, adj. — L. appelldttvus, fr. appelldtus,
pp. of appelldre. See appeal, v., and -ative.
appellee, n., a person appealed against (law). —
F. appele, pp. of appeler, 'to call, address'. See
appeal, v., and -ee.
append, tr. v., to attach; to join. — OF. apendre
(F. appendre), fr. L. appendere, 'to hang some-
thing on', fr. ad- and pendere, 'to cause to hang'.
See pendant.
Derivatives: appendage, n., appendag-ed, adj.
appendant, adj. and n. — F., pres. part, of ap-
pendre. See prec. word and -ant.
appendectomy, n., removal of the appendix (sur-
gery). — A hybrid coined fr. L. appendix and
Gk. -exTouLia, 'a cutting out of, fr. extou,-/;, 'a
cutting out'. See appendix and -ectomy.
appendicitis, n., inflammation of the vermiform
appendix. — A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.
appendix (see next word) and -itis, a suff. of
Greek origin.
appendix, n. — L., 'something hung on, some-
thing appended', fr. appendere. See append.
Derivative: appendix, tr. v.
apperceive
apperceive, tr. v. — ME., fr. OF. aperceivre (F.
apercevoir), fr. a, 'to' (see a), and perceivre, 'to
perceive', fr. L.percipere. See perceive and cp.
next word. Cp. also apercu.
apperception, n. — F. aperception, coined by the
German philosopher Baron Gottfried Wilhelm
von Leibniz (1646-1716) as the noun corre-
sponding to the verb apercevoir, on analogy of
the noun perception (which corresponds to per-
cevoir). See prec. word and -ion.
appertain, intr. v. — ME. aperteinen, apertenen,
fr. apertenen, fr. OF. apartenir (F. appartenir),
fr. L. appertinere, 'to pertain to', fr. ad- and
pertinere, 'to pertain'. See pertain and cp. ap-
purtenance.
appetence, appetency, n., a strong desire. — F.
appetence, 'longing, covetousness, appetence',
fr. L. appetentia, 'longing after something', fr.
appetens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of appetere, 'to
seek or long after', fr. ad- and petere, 'to rush at,
seek, request'. See petition and -ence.
appetent, adj., eagerly desirous. — L. appetens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of appetere. See prec. word
and -ent. Derivative: appetent-ly, adv.
appetite, n. — ME., fr. OF. ape tit (F. appetit),
fr. L. appetitus, 'appetite', lit. 'a longing after',
fr. appetitus, pp. of appetere. See appetency.
Derivative: appetit-ive, adj.
appetize, tr. v. — Irregularly formed fr. L. appe-
titus (see prec. word) and suff. -ize.
Derivatives: appetiz-er, n., appetiz-ing, adj. ap-
petiz-ing-ly, adv.
Appian Way. — The road between Rome and
Capua is so called because it was begun by the
consul Appius Claudius Caecus (during his con-
sulship in 302 B.C.E.).
applaud, intr. and tr. v. — L. applaudere, 'to clap
the hands in approbation; fr. ad- and plaudere,
'to clap the hands in approbation, approve,
applaud'. See plaudit and cp. next word.
Derivatives: applaud-able, adj., applaud-abl-y,
adv., applaud-er, n., applaud-ing-ly, adv.
applause, n. — L. applausus, pp. of applaudere.
See applaud,
applausive, adj. — ML. applausivus, fr. L. ap-
plausus. See prec. word and -ive.
apple, n. — ME. appel, eppel fr. OE. seppel, spl,
rel. to OS., OFris., LG., Du. appel, ON. eple,
epli, Dan. xble, Swed. apple, Norw. eple, OHG.
apful, afful, MHG., G. apfel, Crimean Goth.
apel, and cogn. with Gaul, avallo (pi.), 'fruit',
Olr. ubull, 'apple', aball, 'apple tree', W. afall,
of s.m., afal, Co., Bret, aval, 'apple', Lith.
dbalas, dbuolas, Lett, dbuolis, OPruss. woble,
'apple', OSlav. abluko, jabluko, 'apple'. Cp. L.
Abella (now Avella), name of a town in Cam-
pania, lit. 'Apple town'.
Derivative: apple, intr. v.
apple pie bed, a bed in which the sheets are
doubled so as to prevent the user from stretch-
ing his legs. — Apple pie in the above term
is folk etymology and stands for F. nappe pliie.
94
'folded sheet', pronounced nap-pe pliee. See
napery and ply, 'to bend',
appliance, n. — Formed fr. apply with suff. -ance.
applicable, adj. — Formed with suff. -able fr. L.
applicdre. See apply.
Derivatives: applicabil-ity, n., applicable-ness,
n., applicabl-y, adv.
applicancy, n., quality of being applicable. —
Formed fr. next word with suff. -cy.
applicant, n., one who applies for something. —
L. applicdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of applicdre.
See apply and -ant.
applicate, adj. 1) inclined; 2) applied. — L. ap-
plicdtus, pp. of applicdre. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ate.
application, n. — F. fr. L. applicdtidnem, acc. of
applicdtid, 'an attaching oneself to', fr. appli-
cdtus, pp. of applicdre. See apply and -ation and
cp. prec. word.
applicative, adj., practical. — Formed with suff.
-ive fr. L. applicdtus, pp. of applicdre. See apply.
Derivatives: applicative-ly, adv., applicative-
ness, n.
applicator, n., an applier. — Formed as if fr. L.
•applicator, fr. applicdre. See apply and agential
suff. -or.
applicatory, adj., applying. — Formed with adj.
suff. -ory. fr. L. applicdtus, pp. of applicdre. See
prec. word.
applique, adj., applied, attached; n., an applique
work. — F., pp. of appliquer, 'to apply', fr. L. ap-
plicdre. See apply.
apply, tr. and intr. v. — OF. aplier (F. appliquer),
fr. L. applicdre, 'to fasten or attach to, to place
near to, to devote oneself to', fr. ad- and plicdre,
'to fold, bend*. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. ap-
plique.
Derivatives: appli-able, adj., appliable-ness, n.,
appli-abl-y, adv., appli-ance, n., appli-ant, adj.
appoggiatura, n., a grace note (music). — It., lit.
'a support', fr. appoggiare, 'to lean, rest, sup-
port', fr. VL. *appodidre, 'to support', fr. ad-
and L. podium, 'elevated place, balcony'. See
podium and cp. appui.
appoint, tr. v. — ME. appointen, fr. OF. apointier,
apointer (¥. appointer), 'to arrange, settle, place'
fr. VL. appunctdre, 'to bring to a point', fr. ad-
and L. punctum, 'point'. See point.
Derivatives: appoint-ee, n., appoint-er, n., ap-
point-ive, adj., appointment (q.v.), appoint-or, n.
appointment, n. — F. appointement, fr. appointer.
See prec. word and -ment.
apport, n., an object appearing at a seance with-
out visible physical agency (spiritualism). — F.,
lit. 'anything brought', back formation fr. ap-
porter, 'to bring', fr. L. apportdre, 'to bring,
carry to', fr. ad- and portdre, 'to carry'. See
port, to carry', and cp. rapport.
apportion, tr. v., — OF. apportionner, fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and portionner, 'to divide into portions',
fr. portion, 'share, portion'. See portion, n.
Derivatives: apportion-er, n., apportion-ment, n.
95
approximate
appose, tr. v. — F. apposer, fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
poser, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to.
apposite, adj., appropriate. — L. appositus, pp. of
appdnere, 'to put near', fr. ad- and pdnere, 'to
put, place'. See position and cp. postiche.
Derivatives: apposite-ly, adv., apposite-ness, n.
apposition, n. — L. appositid, gen. -dnis, 'a placing
before', fr. appositus, pp. of appdnere. See prec.
word and -ion.
appraisal, n. — Formed fr. appraise with subst.
suff. -al.
appraise, tr. v. — OF. apreisier, apreiser (F. ap-
precier), fr. L. appretidre. See appreciate and cp.
apprize, 'to appraise'.
Derivatives: appraise-ment, n., apprais-er, n.,
apprais-ing, adj., apprais-ing-ly, adv., apprais-
ive, adj.
appreciable, adj. — F. appreciable, fr. apprecier,
'to appreciate'. See next word and -able.
Derivative: appreciabl-y, adv.
appreciate, tr. v. — L. appretidtus, pp. of appre-
tidre, 'to value, appraise', lit. 'to set a price to',
fr. ad- and pretium, 'price'. See price and cp.
prize. Cp. also appraise, depreciate.
Derivatives: appreciat-ing-ly, adv., appreciation
(q.v.), appreciat-ive, adj., appreciat-ive-ly, adv.,
appreciat-ive-ness, n., appreciat-or, n., appreciat-
ory, adj., appreciat-ori-ly, adv.
appreciation, n. — F. appreciation, fr. apprecier,
'to appreciate', fr. L. appretidre See prec. word
and -ion.
apprehend, tr. v., 1) to arrest; 2) to understand;
3) to fear. — Fr. F. apprehender or directly from
L. apprehendere, 'to seize, take hold of, appre-
hend', fr. ad- and prehendere, 'to seize'. See
prehensile and cp. apprentice, apprise.
Derivatives: apprehend-er, n., apprehend-ing-
ly, adv.
apprehensible, adj. — L. apprehensibilis, 'that can
be seized', fr. apprehensus, pp. of apprehen-
dere. See apprehend and -ible.
Derivatives : apprehensibil-ity, n., apprehensibl-y ,
adv.
apprehension, n. — F. apprehension fr. L. appre-
hensidnem, acc. of apprehensid, fr. apprehensus,
pp. of apprehendere. See prec. word and -ion.
apprehensive, adj. — ML. apprehensivus, whence
also F. apprehensif (fern, apprehensive), fr. L.
apprehensus, pp. of apprehendere. See apprehend
and -ive.
Derivatives : apprehensive-ly, adv., apprehensive-
ness, n.
apprentice, n. — ME. aprentis, fr. OF. aprentiz
(F. apprenti), fr. aprendre CF. apprendre). 'to
learn, teach', fr. L. apprehendere, 'to seize, take
hold of, grasp, apprehend', whence also It. ap-
prendere, OProvenc. aprendre, Catal. apendrer,
Sp., Port, aprender, 'to learn'. See apprehend.
Derivative: apprentice, tr. v.
•Ppreteur, n., dresser. — F. appreteur, lit. 'pre-
parer', fr. appriter, 'to prepare, get ready*, fr.
VL. *apprestdre, fr. ad- 'to', and *prestus, fr. L.
praestd, 'at hand, ready'. VL. *prestdre'accoTd-
ingly lit. meant 'to place into somebody's hand'.
See presto and cp. the second element in culprit,
apprise, also apprize, tr. v., to notify. — F. ap-
pris, fem. apprise, pp. of apprendre, 'to learn'.
See apprehend,
apprize, also apprise, tr. v., to appraise. — OF.
aprisier, fr. L. appretidre. See appreciate and cp.
appraise.
approach, intr. and tr. v. — ME. approchen, fr.
OF. aprochier (F. approcher), fr. Late L. ap-
propidre, 'to come near to', fr. ad- and propidre,
'to come near', fr. L. prope, 'near', which stands
for *pro-q w e- (whence also the superl. proximus,
for *pro-csimos, 'nearest'). See propinquity and
cp. proximal. Cp. also prochein, rapprochement,
reproach.
Derivatives: approach, n., approach-abil-ity, n.,
approach-able, adj., approach-able-ness, n., ap-
proach-er, n., approach-ing, adj.
approbate, tr. v., to approve. — L. approbdtus,
pp. of approbdre, 'to approve'. See approve and
verbal suff. -ate.
approbation, n., approval. — F., fr. L. approbdtus,
pp. of approbdre. See prec. word and -ion.
approbative, adj., approving. — F. approbatif
(fem. approbative), fr. L. approbdtivus, fr. appro-
bdtus, pp. of approbdre. See approbate and -ive.
Derivative: approbative-ness, n.
approbator, n., one who approves. — L., 'an ap-
prover', fr. approbdtus, pp. of approbdre, 'to ap-
prove'. See approbate and agential suff. -or.
approbatory, adj., approving. — Formed with
adj. suff. -ory fr. L. approbdtus, pp. of appro-
bare. See approbate.
appropriate, adj. — L. appropriate, pp. of appro-
pridre, 'to make one's own', fr. ad- and propri-
dre, 'to appropriate', fr. proprius, 'one's own .
See proper and adj. suff. -ate and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: appropriate-ly , adv., appropriate-
ness, n.
appropriate, tr. v. — L. appropridtus, pp. of ap-
propridre. See appropriate, adj.
Derivatives: appropriation (q.v.), appropriat-
ive, adj. appropriat-ive-ness , n., appropriat-or, n.
appropriation^. — L. appropriatid, gen. -dnis, 'a
making one's own', fr. appropridtus, pp. of ap-
propridre. See appropriate, adj. and v., and -ion.
approval, n. — Formed fr. approve with subst.
suff. -al.
approve, tr. and intr. v. — ME. aproven, fr. OF.
aprover (F. approuver), fr. L. approbdre, 'to as-
sent to as good, regard as good', fr. ad- and
probdre, 'to try the goodness of, fr. probus,
'good'. See probate adj. and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: approv-ed-ly , adv., approv-er, n.,
approv-ing-ly, adv.
approximate, adj. — L. approximdtus, pp. of ap-
proximdre, 'to come near, approach', fr. ad- and
approximate
96
proximus, 'nearest' (see proximal and adj. suff.
-ate); introduced into English by Sir Thomas
Browne (1605-82).
Derivative: approximate-ly, adv.
approximate, tr. and intr. v. - VL. approximate,
pp. of approximdre. See approximate, adj.
Derivatives: approximat-ion, n., approximat-ive,
adj., approximat-ive-ly, adv., approximat-ive-
ness, n., approximat-or, n.
appui, n., support. - F., back formation ft.ap-
puyer fr. OF. apuier, 'to support', fr. VL. ap-
podiare (whence also It. appoggiare, Proven?.
apoiar, Catal. apuiar, Sp. apoyar, Port, apoiar)
'to support', fr. ad- and L. podium, 'an elevated
place, balcony'. See podium and cp. appoggia-
tura. . „
appulse, n., approach, impact. - L. appulsus, fr.
appulsus, pp. of appellere, 'to drive to', fr. ad-
and pellere, 'to push, strike, drive'. See pulse,
'throb'.
appurtenance, n., that which appertains; appen-
dage- accessory. — ME. apurtena(u)nce, fr. At.
apurtenance, fr. OF. apartenance (F. appurte-
nance), fr. apartenant (F. appurtenant), pres.
part, of apartenir (F. appartenir). See appertain
and -ance.
appurtenant, adj., appertaining. — Mb., tr. At.
apurtenant, fr. OF. apartenant, pres. part, of
apartenir. See prec. word and -ant.
apricate, intr. v., to bask in the sun; tr. v., to
expose to the sun. — L. apricatus, pp. of apri-
cari 'to bask in the sun', fr. apricus, 'exposed
to the sun', contraction of *apericus, fr. aperire,
'to open', hence prop, meaning 'lying open, un-
covered'. See aperient and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: aprication, n.
apricot, n. — F. abricot, fr. Port, albricoque fr.
Arab, al-barqdq fr. al-, 'the', and upoux6xiov,
Grecized form of L.praecoquum, 'apricot', neut.
of praecoquus = praecox, 'early ripe', for
which see precocious. See also cook. For the
interchangeability of -c (= -k) and -t cp. havoc
(fr. OF. havoi), bat (fr. orig. bakke), and the
words milt and m/Hc, 'milt of fishes'.
April n — L. (mensis) Aprilis, lit. 'the month of
Aphrodite', fr. Gk. 'A<pp<i, a short form of
' A-ppoSfrr). See Aphrodite. Cp. L. mensis Maws,
'the month of May', prop, 'the month of Jupiter
Maius' (see May).
Derivative: April-ine, adj.
a priori, 1) from cause to effect; 2) deductively;
3) not derived from experience (philos.) — L.
a priori, 'from what comes first', fr. a, 'from'
(see a-, 'from'), and priori, abl. of prior, 'first'.
See prior, priiis. .... r
apron, n. — ME. napron (through misdivision of
a napron into an apron), fr. OF. naperon, dirmn.
of nape, nappe (F. nappe), dissimilated fr. mappa,
'tablecloth, napkin'. See map and cp. nappe,
napkin, naperon. For similar misdivisions cp.
adder and words there referred to.
rwrivatives: apron, tr. v., apron-ed, adj.
apropos, adv., opportunely. — F. a propos, ^ to
the purpose' (= U ad propositum), fr. a, to
(see a), and propos (fr. L. propositum), 'purpose .
See purpose and cp. malapropos, malapropism.
Apsaras, n., one of the nymphs of India's heaven
(Hindu mythol.) — OI. Apsardh, lit. 'moving in
the waters', compounded of ap-, fr. apah (pi.),
'water', and sdrati, 'flows, runs fast'. The first
element derives fr. I.-E. base ap-, 'water, river';
see amiuc. The second element is cogn. with
Gk. 6p6? (for *<Jop6<;), 'whey', 6 Pi xav, 'to urge,
stimulate', L. serum, 'whey, watery fluid'; see
serum. ,
apse, n., 1) a semicircular extension at the end ol
a church; 2) apsis. — L. apsis. See apsis,
apsidal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
apsis, gen. apsidis. See apsis,
apsis, n., apogee or perigee of the moon; aphe-
lion or perihelion of a planet (astron) — L.,
'arch, vault', fr. Gk. &<]>k, Ion. tyU, 'a fastening,
felloe of a wheel' (whence otiva^i?, 'contact,
point or line of junction'), from the stem of
torreiv, 'to fasten, to kindle', usually in the
middle voice fijrreoftai, 'tp grasp, touch,
whence also <x<j>Ti> 'a touching, handling', owpotM,
'to touch, handle, feel', 'knot, noose' ; of
uncertain etymology. Cp. -aphia, aphtha, hap-
teron, haptic, hapto- and the second element m
Anaphe, chirapsia, paraphia, periapt, Pselaphi-
dae, synapnea, synapse.
apt, adj., fit. — L. aptus, 'fitted, suited', prop. pp.
of obsol. apere, 'to fasten', rel. to apisci, to
reach after, attain', and cogn. with OI. apnoti,
'he reaches, attains', Hitt. epmi, 'I seize'. Cp.
adapt, adept, apex, aptitude, attitude, inept,
lariat, reata.
Derivatives: apt-ly, adv., apt-ness, n.
Aptenodytes, n., a genus of pinguins (ornithol.) —
ModL., lit. 'wingless diver', fr. Gk. ktrrry,
'wingless', and Wmjc, 'diver'. The first element
is formed fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and a collat-
eral form of 7TT7)v6<;, 'flying, winged', fr. *pta-,
zero degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly'; see
ptero-.The second element derives fr. Gk. Sueiv,
'to dive' ; see adytum and cp. words there referred
apterous, adj., without wings (zool.) — Gk. &n-
■repo?, 'wingless', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
,n:ep6v, 'wing'. See ptero-, and cp. next word.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -o?, see -ous.
apteryx, n., the kiwi. - Lit. 'without wings', fr.
priv. pref. a- and uxepui 'wing', which is rel.
to TTxcpov, 'wing'. See ptero- and cp. prec. word,
aptitude, n., fitness. - F., fr. Late L. aptitudd,
'fitness', fr. L. aptus. See apt and -rude and cp.
attitude, which is a doublet of aptitude.
aptote, n., an indeclinable noun. — L. aptotum,
fr Gk. Stttutov, neut. of 'having no
eases, indeclinable', fr. *- (see priv. pref. a-) and
Krorrfe 'fallen', verbal adj. of icferuw, to
fall', which stands for •irf-Trreiv, fr. *pt-, zero
degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall . See
97
feather and cp. symptom and words there re-
ferred to.
Derivative: aptot-ic, adj.
apyretic, adj., without fever (med.) — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ATroperos, 'without fever',
fr. A- (see priv. pref. a-) and mpcroq, 'fever,
feverish heat', fr. m>p, 'fire'. See pyretic and cp.
apyrexia.
apyrexia, apyrexy, n., absence of fever (med.) —
Medical L. apyrexia, fr. Gk. Ajtupe!;l5, fr. A-
(see priv. pref. a-) and izupiaoziv, 'to be fever-
ish', fr. rojpETO!;, 'fever'. See prec. word and -ia.
aqua, n., water. — L. See aquatic.
aquacade, n., an aquatic entertainment. — A
modern word formed fr. L. aqua, 'water' (see
aquatic), on analogy of cavalcade (q.v.) See
also -cade.
aqua fortis, nitric acid. — L., 'strong water'. See
aquatic and fort.
aquamarine, n., a transparent bluish-green variety
of beryl (mineral.)— h. aqua marina, 'sea water',
fr. aqua, 'water', and marina, fem. of marinus,
'of the sea'. See aqua and marine.
aqua rcgia, mixture of concentrated nitric and
hydrochloric acid (chem.) — L., lit. 'royal
water' ; so called from its power to dissolve gold,
'the king of metals'. See aquatic and regal.
aquarelle, n., a water color painting. — F., fr. It.
acquerella, 'water color', dimin. of acqua, 'wa-
ter', fr. L. aqua. See aquatic.
Derivative: the hybrid aquarell-ist, n.
aquarian, adj., pertaining to an aquarium. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. aquarium.
aquarium, n. — L. aquarium, neut. of the adjective
aqudrius, 'pertaining to water', used as a noun.
See aquatic.
Aquarius, n., a constellation and the eleventh
sign of the zodiac (astron.) — L., 'water carrier',
prop, the adj. aqudrius, 'pertaining to water'.
See aquatic and cp. prec. word. L. Aquarius as
the name of one of the signs of the zodiac is a
loan translation of 'TSpo/oot;, 'the water-
pourer' , the old Greek name of this constellation.
aquatic, adj. — F. aquatique, fr. L. aqudticus,
'found in the water, watery', fr. aqua, 'water',
which is cogn. with Goth, aha, 'river, waters,
OHG. aha, OFris. a, e, ON. 0, OE. ea, 'water',
OHG. auwia, ouwa, MHG. ouwe, G. Au, 'mead-
ow watered by a brook', ON. AEgir, name of
the god of the sea, ON. ey, OE. leg, 'island',
Hitt. akw-anzi, 'they drink'; cp. the Russian
river name Oka, and the second element in
Sca(ri)din-avia. See island and cp. eagre, 'tidal
wave', ewer, eyot. Cp. also aquacade, aquatint,
aqueduct, aqueous, aquiline, Aquilo, gouache,
Scandinavia. For the ending see suff. -atic.
Derivatives: aquatic-al, adj., aquatic-al-ly, adv.
aquatint, n., a kind of engraving with aqua fortis.
It. acquatinta, fr. L. aqua tincta, 'dyed water',
fr. aqua, 'water', and tincta, fem. pp. of tingere,
'to dye*. See aquatic and tinge.
aqua tofana, a poisonous liquid, probably of ar-
senic. — L., 'water of Tofana' , name of a Sicilian
woman, who lived in the 17th cent, and invented
this poison, using it for criminal purposes.
aqua vitae, 1) alcohol; 2) brandy. — L., 'water of
life'. See aquatic and vital. For sense develop-
ment cp. F. eau-de-vie, 'spirits, brandy', lit.
'water of life', and E. usquebaugh and whisky.
aqueduct, n. — L. aquae ductus, 'a conduit', lit.
'a conveyance of water', fr. aquae, gen. of aqua,
'water', and ductus, 'a leading', fr. ductus, pp.
of ducere, 'to lead'. See aquatic and duke and
cp. the second element in viaduct, ventiduct.
aqueous, adj., watery; like water. — Formed fr.
L. aqua, 'water', on analogy of F. aqueux, the
English suff. -eous having been substituted for
its usual French equivalent -eux. F. aqueux,
however, goes back directly to L. aqudsus,
'abounding in water', whence also E. aquose.
See aquatic.
Derivatives: aqueous-ly, adv., aqueous-ness, n.
Aquila, n., the genus of eagles (zool.) — L. aquila,
'eagle'. See aquiline.
Aquilegia, n., a genus of plants, the columbine
Q, ot ^ — ModL., called also aquileia, fr. L. aqui-
la, 'eagle'. See next word.
aquiline, adj., 1) like an eagle; 2) like an eagle's.
— L. aquilinus, 'of, or pertaining to, the eagle',
fr. aquila, 'eagle', prob. lit. 'the dark-colored
(bird)', fem. of aquilus, 'dark-colored', prop,
'water-colored', fr. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -Inus) and cp.
eagle. For the form of the word cp. L. nubilus,
'cloudy', fr. nubes, 'cloud'.
Aquilo, n., the north wind (Roman antiq.) — L.
aquilo, 'north wind', lit. 'the dark one', fr.
aquilus, 'dark-colored' [cp. aquila, 'eagle',
prop, 'the dark-colored (bird)']; sec prec. word.
For sense development cp. Gk. xoaxioc?, 'north
east wind', lit. 'the dark one', cogn. with L.
caecus, 'blind' (see Caecias).
aquose, adj., aqueous. — L. aqudsus, 'abounding
in water', fr. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic and cp.
aqueous.
ar-, assimilated form of ad- before r .
-ar, subst. suff. denoting an agent, as in vicar. —
Fr. L. -drius (either directly or through the me-
dium of OF. -ier, -er, of F. -ier). Cp. -ary (re-
presenting L. -drius).
-ar, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to, of the na-
ture of, as in insular. — Fr. L. -dris (either
directly or through the medium of OF. -ier, -er,
or F. -air, -ier). L. -dris is a secondary form of
-dlis (see adj. suff. -al) and is used when the syl-
lable preceding the suff. has an /. So e.g. L.
*dl-dlis, *consuI-dlis, *insul-dlis, *lun-dlis, *re-
gul-dlis, *simil-alis, *sol-a!is, *ste!l-dlis became
dl-dris (see alar), resp. consul-dris (see consular),
insul-dris (see insular), lun-dris (see lunar), regul-
dris (see regular), simil-dris (see simil-ar), Sol-
aris (see solar), stell-dris (see stellar). The change
of suff. -dlis to -dris is due to dissimilation. Cp.
-ary (representing L. -drius).
-ar
98
-ar, a rare variant of the agential suffixes -er, -or.
Cp. beggar, liar.
ara, n., altar. — L., prob. denoting orig. 'a
parched place', fr. I.-E. base *&-, 'to burn,
parch', whence also L. arere, 'to be dry', dridus,
'dry, withered, parched', ardere, 'to burn'. See
ash, 'powdery substance', and cp. ardent, arid.
Arab, n. — F. Arabe, fr. L. Arabem, acc. of Arabs,
fr. Gk. "Apa^, gen. "Apapo?, fr. Arab. 'Arab,
which lit. means 'inhabitant of the desert', and
is rel. to Heb. 'drdbhd h , 'desert', and to Ethiop.
'dbra, 'was dry, was waste'. For sense develop-
ment cp. Arab, badawt, 'Bedouin', lit. 'desert
dweller', fr. badw, 'camp, desert' (see Bedouin).
Cp. Mozarab.
Derivatives: Arabesque (q.v.), Arab-ian, adj. and
n., Arabic (q.v.), Arab-ic-ism, n., Arab-ic-ize,
tr. v., Arabis (q.v.), Arab-ist, n.
Arabe!, Arabella, fem. PN. — This name of Scot-
tish origin prob. arose from the blend of the
name Annabel(la) with the ethnic name Arab.
arabesque, n. — F., It. arabesco, fr. Arabo,
'Arab'. See Arab and -esque.
Derivatives: arabesque, adj. and tr. v., arabes-
que-ly, adv.
Arabic, adj. — OF., fr. L. Arabicus, 'Arabic', fr.
Arabs. See Arab and -ic.
Derivative: Arabic, n.
Arabis, n., a genus of clustering plants containing
the rock cresses. — ML. Arabis, 'Arabian', fr.
L. Arabs. See Arab.
arable, adj., suitable for plowing. — F., fr. L.
ardbilis, fr. ardre, 'to plow' (whence ardtrum,
'plow'), fr. I.-E. base *ard-, 'to plow', whence
also Gk. dcpoOv, OSlav. orjq, orati, Lith. ariu,
drti, 'to plow', Lett, afu, 'I plow', Goth, arjan,
OS., OE. erian, W. arddu, 'to plow', Mir. airim,
'I plow', Gk. icpo-rpov, Cret. Sparpov, Arm.
araur, Mir. arathar, OSlav. ralo, Lith. drklas,
ON. arpr, Toch. AB are, 'plow', Gk. fipoupot,
'arable land'. See ear, 'to plow', and -able and
cp. Arval.
Araceae, n. pi., the arum family (bot.) — Formed
fr. Arum with suff. -aceae.
araceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
arachnid, n., any member of the Arachnida. —
See next word.
Arachnida, n. pi., a class of arthropods, the spider
(entomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. lipaxvT], 'spider;
spider's web', which prob. stands for *ar i -k-snd,
and is cogn. with L. ardnea, 'spider; spider's
web'. Cp. araneid. The word Arachnida was
first used by the French biologist Jean-Baptiste-
Pierre-Antoine de Monet de Lamarck (1744-
1829) in 1815.
arachnitis, n., inflammation of the arachnoid
membrane (med.) — Medical L., formed with
suff. -itisfr. Gk. dpaxvr), 'cobweb'. See Arachnida.
arachnoid,adj . , cobweblike : arachnoid membrame,
the thin membrane that covers the brain and
the spinal cord (anal.) — Gk. ApaxvoeiiWjs,
'cobweblike', compounded of AoAxvrj, 'cobweb*,
and -otiSriz, 'like', fr. eTSo?, 'form, shape'; first
used by the Greek surgeon and anatomist Hero-
philus. See Arachnida and -oid.
aragonite, n., a variety of calcium carbonate (min-
eral.) — Named after Aragon in Spain. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
arakawaite, n., a hydrous copper zinc phosphate
(mineral) — Named after the Arakawa mine
in Japan. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Aralia, n., a genus of shrubs and trees (bot.) —
ModL., of uncertain origin.
Aramean, Aramaean, adj. and n. — Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Aramaeus, fr. Gk. 'ApajxaTo?, fr.
Heb. Ardm, 'Syria, Mesopotamia', which is
prob. related to Heb. and Aram, rum, 'to be
high', and orig. meant 'Highland'.
Aranea, n., a genus of spiders, the garden spider
(entomol.) — L. ardnea, 'spider', cogn. with Gk.
apa/vf), 'spider'. See Arachnida.
araneid, ri., a member- of the order Araneida. —
See next word.
Araneida, n. pi., an order of spiders of the class
Arachnida (entomol.) — A ModL. hybrid coined
fr. L. ardnea, 'spider' (see Aranea), and -ida,
a suff. of Greek origin. The correct form is
Arachnida, in which both the primary word and
the suff. are of Greek origin.
araneology, n., the study of spiders. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. ardnea, 'spider' (see prec. word),
and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -\6yoc,, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See Aranea and -logy. The cor-
rect form would be arachnology, in which both
elements are of Greek origin.
Araucaria, n., a genus of trees of the pine family
(bot.) — ModL., named after the province
Arauco in Chile, whence also Araucania, name
of a district in central Chile.
arbalest, n., a crossbow. — ME. arblaste, fr. OF.
arbaleste (F. arbaldte), fr. VL. arbalista, fr. Late
L. arcuballista, 'catapult', which is compounded
of L. arcus, 'bow', and ballista, 'a machine for
projectiles, ballista'. MDu. armborst and MHG.
(= G.) armbrust are OF. loan words, but have
been influenced in form by folk etymology. See
arc and ballistic.
arbalester, n., a crossbowman. — ME. arblastere,
fr. OF. arbalestier (F. arbaletrier), fr. arbaleste.
See prec. word and agential suff. -er (represent-
ing OF. -ier).
arbiter, n., judge in. a dispute. — L., 'spectator,
hearer, witness, judge', rel. to Umbr. afputrati,
'by arbitration'; prob. formed fr. ad, 'to' (see
ad-), and baetere, betere, bttere, 'to go', and lit.
meaning 'one who goes to something'. For the
change of ad to ar in arbiter cp. Marsian L.
apor = L. apud, 'at, near, by'.
arbitrable, adj. — Formed with suff. -able fr. L.
arbitrdri. See arbitrate.
arbitrage, n., arbitration. — F., fr. arbitrer, 'to
arbitrate, judge', fr. L. arbitrdri. See arbitrate
and -age.
yy
arbitrament, n. — F. arbitrement, fr. arbitrer. See
prec. word and -ment.
arbitrary, adj. — L. arbitrdrius, 'of arbitration, de-
pending on the will, arbitrary', fr. arbiter. See
arbiter and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: arbitrari-ly, adv., arbitrari-ness, n.
arbitrate, intr. v. — L. arbitratus, pp. of arbi-
trdri, 'to make a decision, be of opinion', fr. ar-
biter. See arbiter and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: arbitration (q.v.), arbitrat-ive, adj.,
arbitrator (q.v.)
arbitration, n. — OF. arbitracion, arbitration (F.
arbitration), fr. L. arbitrdtidnem, acc. of ar-
bitrdtid, 'judgement, will', fr. arbitratus, n., of
s.m., fr. arbitratus, pp. of arbitrdri. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: arbitration-al, adj.
arbitrator, n. — L., 'a spectator, hearer, witness,
judge', fr. arbitratus, pp. of arbitrdri. See ar-
bitrate and agential suff. -or.
arbor, arbour, n., a shady retreat. — Fr. earlier
arber, fr. ME. herbier, 'a garden of herbs', fr.
OF. (= F.) herbier, fr. L. herbarium, of s.m.,
fr. herba, 'herb'. See herb and cp. herbarium.
For the change of e (in ME. herbier) to a (in
arber) cp. carve, harbor. The change of arber
to arbor, arbour is due to a confusion with L.
arbor, 'tree'.
arbor, n., tree. — L., of uncertain origin. Cp. ar-
borescent, arboretum, arbuscle, arbuscule, ar-
bustum.
arboraceous, adj., treelike; wooded. — Formed
with suff. -aceous fr. L. arbor, 'tree'. See prec.
word.
arboreal, adj., 1) of a tree or trees; 2) living in
trees. — Forrned with adj. suff. -al fr. L. ar-
boreus, 'pertaining to a tree or trees', fr. arbor.
See arbor, 'tree'.
arborean, adj., arboreal. — Formed fr. arbor,
'tree', with suff. -ean.
arboreous, adj., 1) abounding in trees; 2) living
in trees. — L. arboreus, 'pertaining to a tree or
trees', fr. arbor. See arbor, 'tree'. For E.-ous,
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
arborescence, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ce.
arborescent, adj., 1) treelike; 2) branching. — L.
arborescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of arbores-
cere, 'to grow into a tree', formed fr. arbor,
'tree', with the inchoative suffix -escere. See
arbor, 'tree', and -escent.
arboretum, n., a garden of trees. — L. arboretum,
'a place grown with trees', fr. arbor, 'tree'. See
arbor, 'tree'.
arboriculture, n., cultivation of trees. — Com-
pounded of L. arbor, 'tree', and cultura, cul-
tivation'. See arbor, 'tree', and culture.
Derivatives : arboricultur-al, adj . , arboricultur-ist.
arborize, tr. v., to give a treelike appearance;
. intr. v., to assume a treelike appearance. —
Formed fr. arbor, 'tree', with suff. -ize.
Derivative: arboriz-ation, n.
arbor vitae, n., an evergreen tree of the genus
Thuja. — L., 'tree of life'; a name given by the
French physician and botanist Charles de Le-
cluse, latinized into Carolus Clusius (1525-
1609), to trees of the genus Thuja. See arboreal
and vital.
arbuscle, n., a dwarf tree. — Late L. arbuscula,
dimin. of L. arbor, 'tree'. See arbor, 'tree', and
-cle.
arbuscule, n., a tuft of hairs (zool.) — See prec.
word and -cule.
arbustum, n., a copse; an orchard. — L., 'a place
where trees are planted ; an orchard', prop. neut.
of arbustus, 'planted with trees', used as a noun,
which stands for *arbos-to-s, fr. arbds, arbor,
'tree'. See arbor, 'tree'.
Arbutus, n., 1) a genus of evergreen trees of the
heath family; 2) (not cap.) a tree of this genus.
— L., 'the strawberry tree', of obscure origin,
arc, n. — OF. (= F.) arc, fr. L.arcus, 'bow, arch',
which is cogn. with Goth, arbazna, 'arrow', OE.
earh, ON. or, of s.m.; but Russ. rakita, Czech
rokyta, 'willow', and Gk. apxuq, 'net', are not
cognate. Cp. arcade, arch, arrow, and the first
element in arbalest, arciform, arcuate, arculite,
arquebus.
area, n., a chest. — L., fr. arcere, 'to enclose'.
See arcanum and cp. Arcella.
arcade, n. — F., fr. It. areata, a derivative oiarco,
'arc', fr. L. arcus, of s.m. See arc and -ade.
Derivative: arcad-ed, adj.
Arcadia, n., a district in ancient Greece, pro-
verbial for the rural life of its inhabitants. —
L., fr. Gk. 'ApxaSia, fr. 'Apxa?, gen. 'ApxaSo?
= Areas, the founder of Arcadia.
Arcadian, adj., and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Arcadia. See prec. word.
arcanum, n., secret, mystery. — L. arcanum, prop,
subst. use of the neut. of arcdnus, 'shut up,
secret', orig. 'enclosed in a chest', fr. area, 'chest,
coffin', which is rel. to arcere, 'to enclose, keep
away, ward off', and cogn. with Gk. dpxEiv, 'to
keep off', apxos, 'defense', apxtoc, 'safe, sure'.
Arm. argel, 'obstacle', argelum, 'I lock in', and
possibly also with Lith. raktas, 'key', rakinti, 'to
shut lock'. These words stand in gradational
relationship to Orcus, name of the god of the
infernal regions in Roman mythology. Cp. area,
Arcella, ark, coerce, exercise, Orcus. Cp. also
askari, lascar, autarchy, 'self sufficiency'.
Arcella, n., a genus of protozoans (zool.) —
ModL., dimin. of area, 'chest, box' (see area);
so called from the boxlike shape of the shell.
Arceuthobium, n., a genus of parasitic plants
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. £pxEu$oc,
'the juniper', and [sioc;, 'life', so called from
its parasitism on conifers. Gk. apxcuS-ot: is prob.
rel. to apxu;, 'net'. For the etymol. of pto? see
bio-.
arch, n., a curved structure. — OF. (= F.) arche,
fr. VL. 'area, fr. L. arcus, 'bow'. See arc.
Derivative: arch, tr. v.
arch
100
arch, adj., chief, principal. — See pref. arch-.
Derivatives: arch-ly, adv., arch-ness, n.
arch-, pref. meaning 'chief, principal', as in arch-
duke, archbishop. — ME. arche-, fr. OE. arce-,
-erce, fr. L. archi-, arch-, fr. Gk. dpyi-, dpx~,
which is rel. to dpxos, 'leader, chief, ruler', from
the stem of apysiv, 'to begin, rule' (whence al-
so ipyji, 'beginning, first cause, origin, first
principle, office'), and in gradational relation-
ship to fip/ajic.!;, 'leader, chief. Cp. arch, 'chief,
-arch. Cp. also archaeo-, archaic, archaism,
arche, architect, archon, -archy.
-arch, suff. meaning 'a ruler', as in ethnarch, oli-
garch. — See pref. arch-.
Archaean, also Archean, pertaining to the oldest
geological period. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
Gk. apxxios, 'ancient', fr. apx^i, 'beginning'. See
arch- and cp. archaic.
archaeo-, before a vowel archae-; also archeo-,
resp. arche-, combining form meaning 'ancient,
primeval, primitive. — Gk. apxocto-, apxai-, fr.
apxatoq, 'ancient', lit. 'from the beginning', fr.
dpX^i 'beginning'. Sec arch-.
archaeological, archeological, adj. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. dpxatoXoyt.x6?, 'per-
taining to archaeology', fr. dpxouoXoyta. See
next word.
Derivative : archaeological-ly, archeological-ly,
adv.
archaeology, also archeology, n. — Gk. apx«io-
Xoyta, 'the study of ancient things', compound-
ed of dpyoao- (see archaeo-) and Gk. -Xoyla, fr.
-Xoyoc,, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives : archaeological (q.v.), archae olog-ist
or archeolog-ist, n.
Archaeopteryx, also Archeopteryx, n., a genus of
extinct reptilian birds (paleontol.) — ModL.,
compounded of archaeo- and Gk. rap-j^;, 'wing'.
— See pterygo-, ptero-.
archaic, adj., old-fashioned, antiquated, obso-
lete. — Gk. apyjx'Cxo;, 'old-fashioned, anti-
quated', fr. oLpyiiot;, 'ancient', fr. dp/r„ 'be-
ginning'. See arch- and cp. Archaean.
Derivative: archaic-al-ly , adv.
archaism, n., use of an obsolete word. — Gk.
ip/ortajzoc, fr. isyof'siv, 'to be old-fashioned,
copy the ancients in language', fr. dpyaio;, 'an-
cient'. See prec. word and -ism.
archaist, n., one fond of using archaisms. —
Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk. dpyjxio;, 'ancient'.
See archaic.
Derivative: archaist-ic, adj.
archaize, tr. v., to make archaic; intr. v., to use
archaism*. — Gk. dpyauU'.v. See archaism and
-ize.
archangel, n. — Late L. archangelus, fr. Gk.
dpyayyEXoc, 'chief angel', fr. apy- (see arch-)
and ayyeXoi;, 'angel'. See angel,
archangelic, adj. — Late L. archangelicus, fr. Gk.
apxayyeXixos, fr. dpxdyyeXoi;. See p c. word
and -ic.
archbishop, n. — ME. archebischop, fr. OE. arce-
biscop, fr. Eccles. L. archiepiscopus, fr. Eccles.
Gk. apxietirotorros, lit. 'chief bishop', fr. Gk.
apxi- (see archi-) and emaxoTO;, 'bishop'. See
bishop.
archbishopric, n. — ME. archebischopriche, fr. OE.
arcebiscoprlce. See arch- and bishopric and cp.
prec. word.
archdeacon, n. — OE. arcediacon, fr. Eccles. L.
archidiaconus, fr. Eccles. Gk. dpxtSidxovoi;, lit.
'chief deacon', fr. dpyi- (see archi-) and Sidxovo?,
'servant, minister of a church'. See deacon.
arche, n., the first principle {Greek philos.) — Gk.
dpyT], 'beginning, first cause, origin, first prin-
ciple'. See arch-.
Archean. — See Archaean.
archegonium, n., the female sex organ in ferns
and mosses (hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ap-yiyovoq,
'first of a race', fr. dpx- (see arch-) and -yovo?,
which is rel. to yew], 'offspring, race, family,
generation', fr. I.-E. base *gen-, 'to produce,
beget'. See genus.
Archelon, n., a genus of extinct turtles. — ModL.,
shortened fr. Gk. oipx(<ov x)eX<ovt), 'ruler tor-
toise'. Gk. apxwv, 'ruler', is pres. part, of apXEiv,
'to rule' ; see arch- and cp. archon. Gk. xeXcovr]
is rel. to yjOAq, 'tortoise', lit. 'the yellow animal',
fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, 'yellow' ; see yellow.
archenteron, n., the primitive enteron of a gas-
trula (zool.) — Formed fr. arch- and Gk. Ivxepov,
'intestine'. See enteric,
archer, n. — OF. archier (F. archer), fr. L. ar-
cdrius, fr. arcus, 'bow'. See arc and subst. suff.
-er.
archery, n. — OF. archerie, fr. archier, 'archer'.
See prec. word and -y (representing OF. -ie).
archetype, n. — L.archetypum,fr. Gk. dp/ET-jTrov,
'pattern, model', prop. neut. of the adjective
as/ETUTroc;, 'stamped first', used as a noun, fr.
ipy.E- (= ipyi-), 'first', and t-j-oc, 'a blow, mark
of a blow'. See arch- and type.
archi-, pref. meaning i) 'chief, as in archidia-
conal; 2) 'primitive, original' as in archiplasm. —
Gk. ipyi-, rel. to dpyo;, 'leader, chief, ruler',
apye'.v, 'to begin, to rule'. See arch-.
archiater, n., the chief physician at the court of a
Greek king or Roman emperor (Greek and
Roman hist.) — Gk. apy.iTpc;, 'court phy-
sician', fr. apyi- (see archi-) and li-poc, 'physi-
cian'. See iatric.
archidiaconal, adj., i) of an archdeacon; 2) of an
archdeaconry. — Compounded of archi- and
diaconal.
archil, orchil, n., dyestuff obtained from lichen.
— ME. orchcll, fr. AF. orchel, which is rel. to
earlier F. orsolle, F. orseille, It. orcella; of un-
certain origin. Cp. Roccella.
archimandrite, n., in the Greek Church, head of
a monastery or of a group of monasteries. —
ML. archimandrila, fr. MGk. dtpyiu-ocvSpfTY)?,
fr. dpyj.-, 'chief (see archi-), and [xdvSpa, 'fold,
stable', which is prob. cogn. with OI. manduri.
101
ardella
'stable', mandirdm, 'room, house, palace,
temple'.
Archimedean, adj., pertaining to Archimedes. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Archimedeus, 'of Ar-
chimedes', fr. Gk. 'Apxi^St)?, Archimedes, the
celebrated mathematician (2877-212 B.C.E.).
archipelago, n., 1) the Aegean Sea; 2) a sea stud-
ded with many islands; 3) a group of islands. —
It. arcipelago, lit. 'the chief sea', compounded of
arci-, 'chief, fr. Gk. dpxi- (see archi-), and Gk.
TTeXayo?, 'sea' (see pelagic). In ancient and me-
diaeval Greek, the word dpxi7t£Xayo<; does not
occur, in modern Greek it is an Italian loan word .
The fact that archipelago orig. denoted the Aege-
an Sea may help us find the origin of this word,
which is a real crux etymologorum. It. arcipelago
very probably arose from a mistaking of Gk.
Alyaiov 7t£Xayo(;, 'the Aegean Sea', for dpyi-
TOXayo;, 'the chief sea', a confusion suggested by
the numerous Greek words beginning with dpyi- .
archiplasm, n., 1) primitive protoplasm; 2) ar-
choplasm. — Compounded of archi- and -plasm.
Derivative: archiplasm-ic, adj.
architect, n. — F. architecte, fr. L. architectus, fr.
Gk. dpyiTexTov, 'master builder', fr. apyi-,
'chief, and text<ov, 'carpenter, builder', which
is rel. to texvt), 'art, skill, craft'. See archi- and
text and cp. technic, tectonic.
architectonic, adj. — L. architectonicus, fr. Gk.
dpxiTEXTovixoi;, 'pertaining to a master builder',
fr. dp/iTEXTdiv. See prec. word and -ic.
architectonics, n. — See prec. word and -ics.
architecture, n. — F., fr. L. architect lira, fr. ar-
chitectus. See architect and -ure.
Derivatives: architectur-al, adj., architectur-al-
ly, adv.
architrave, n., the lowest part of the entablature
(archil.) — It. architrave, fr. archi- and trave,
'beam', fr. L. trabem, acc. of trabs. See trabeate.
archive, n., generally used in the pi. — F. archives,
fr. L. archivum, archium, 'the archives', trans-
literation of Gk. dpyetov, 'official building', pi.
-ra dp/Eia, 'public records, archives', fr. dpy^j,
'beginning, origin, first place, office'. See arch-
and cp. arche.
Derivatives: archive, tr. v., archiv-al, adj.,
archiv-ist, n.
archivolt, n., a curved molding on the face of an
arch (archit.) — It. archivolto, lit. 'an arched
vault', fr. arco, 'arch', and volta, 'vault'. See
arch and vault.
archo-, combining form meaning 'rectal' (med.)
— Fr. Gk. dpyoq, 'rectum', which is of un-
certain origin.
archon, n.. one of the nine chief magistrates in
Athens (Ancient Greek hist.) — Gk. 4pX"v,
'ruler', prop. pres. part, of apyeiv, 'to rule'.
See arch- and cp. the first element in Archelon.
-archy, combining form meaning 'rule', as in an-
archy, monarchy, — L. -archia, fr. Gk. -apxtS,
'rule', fr. dpx<k> 'leader, chief, ruler'. See -arch
and -y (representing Gk. -ta).
arciform, adj., having the form of an arch. —
Compounded of L. arcus, 'bow', and forma,
'form, shape'. See arc and form, n.
arctic, adj., pertaining to the North Pole or the
regions near it. — L. arcticus, fr. Gk. dpx-nxoc,
'of a bear; of the Great Bear; northern', fr.
apxTO? (also apxo?), 'bear'; the constellation
of the Great Bear; the north', which is cogn.
with OI. [ksah, Avestic ar e shd, Arm. arj. Alb.
art, 'bear', L. ursus (for *urksos), Olr., Gael.
art, W. arth (for *arkt), 'bear'. Cp. LIrsus. Cp.
also Arctium, arcto-, Arcturus, antarctic, Arthur,
Nearctic.
Arctium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family,
the burdock (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. apxTO?,
'bear'. See prec. word.
arcto-, before a vowel arct-, combining form
meaning 'bear', or 'the north'. — Gk. dpx~o-,
dpx-r-, fr. Spxxo?, 'bear; the north'. See arctic.
Arctogaea, Arctogea, n., a zoogeographical
realm, comprising North America, Europe, Asia
and Africa. — ModL., compounded of arcto-
and Gk. y^, 'earth'. See geo- and cp. Neogaea,
Notogaea.
Derivatives: Arctogae-al or Arctoge-al, Arcto-
gae-an or Arctoge-an, Arctogae-ic or Arcloge-
ic, adjs.
Arctostaphylos, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family, the bear berry (bot.) — ModL., com-
pounded of Gk. apxxo;, 'bear' and aTxpuXv),
'bunch of grapes'. See arctic and staphylo-.
Arcturus, n., the brightest star in the constella-
tion Bootes (astron.) — L., fr. Gk. 'ApxToOpo?,
lit. 'the Bearguard', fr. apx-ro;, 'bear' and oOpo;,
'watcher, guard, ward'. See arctic and ware,
'alert'.
arcuate, arcuated, adj., bent like a bow. — L.
arcudtus, pp. of arcudre, 'to bend like a bow',
fr. arcus, 'bow'. See arc.
Derivative: arcuate-ly, adv.
arcuation, n. — L. arcudtid, gen. -dnis, fr. arcudtus
pp. of arcudre. See prec. word and -ion.
arculite, n., a bow-shaped crystallite (mineral.) —
Compounded of L. arcus, 'bow' (see arc), and
combining form -lite.
-ard, -art, suff. It orig. had an intensive force;
now it is often used in a pejorative sense. —
OF., fr. OHG. -hart, which is rel. to OHG. har-
ti, 'hard'. See hard. For the force of this suff.
cp. coward, dastard, dotard, drunkard, sluggard.
Ardea, n., a genus of herons (ornithol.) — L. ar-
dea, 'heron', cogn. with Gk. epcoSio;, 'heron',
Serb., Croat, roda 'stork', ON. arta, OSwed.
drta, 'creek duck'. Cp. Erodium.
ardeb, n.. a measure of capacity used in Egypt. —
Arab, irddbb, in vulgar pronunciation arddbb,
ardebb, fr. Gk. dpTafir;, name of a Persian
measure. See artaba.
ardella, n., any of the small apothecia of some
lichens (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. apSciv, 'to wa-
ter, pour forth', a word of unknown etymology.
Cp. Arethusa.
ardency
102
ardency, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff. -cy.
ardent, adj. — ME. ardaunt, fr. OF. ardant (F. ar-
dent), fr. L. ardentem, acc. of ardens, pres. part,
of ardere, 'to burn', which stands for "dridere,
fr. dridus, 'parched, dry', and is rel. to drere,
'to be dry', fr. *dsere, fr. I.-E. base *&s-, 'to
burn, glow', whence also OI. dsah, 'ashes, dust',
Toch. A dsar, 'dry', Arm. azazem, 'I dry up',
aciun, 'ashes', Gk. a£etv (for "azd'ein), 'to dry
up, parch', &i<x, 'dryness; dirt, mold', iZ,aXioQ,
'dry, parched', Czech ozd, 'malt drier', ozditi,
'to dry (malt)*, Goth, azgd, OE. asce, &sce,
'ashes'. See ash, 'powdery substance', and cp.
ara, ardor, area, arid, arson, asbolite, Azalea.
Cp. also the second element in aguardiente.
Derivatives: ardent-ly, adv., ardent-ness, n.
ardennite, n., a vanadosilicate of aluminum and
manganese (mineral.) — Named after Ardennes
in Belgium. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ardhanari, n., a form of Siva in which he is rep-
resented as half male and half female (Hindu
mythol.) — OI. drdha-ndri-, 'half woman', fr.
drdhah-, 'half, part, side', and narl-, 'woman'.
OI. drdhah- is rel. to OI. rdhak, 'especially', Aves-
tic ar'da-, 'side', OI. fte, 'besides, except', fr.
I.-E. base *er-, *(e)re-, 'loose; to split, separate,
be rare', whence also L. rdrus, 'thin, loose', see
rare, 'thin'. OI. ndri-, 'woman', prop, means
'pertaining to a man', and is rel. to OI. ndram
(acc), 'man', and cogn. with Gk. dwjp, 'man';
see andro-.
arditi, n. pi., Italian volunteers serving in storm
troops in World War I. — It., pi. of ardito,
'brave, audacious', fr. F. hardi, prop. pp. of OF.
*hardir, 'to render courageous', lit. 'to make
hard', fr. Frankish *hardjan, fr. *hart, 'hard',
which is rel. to OHG. harti. OE. heard, 'hard'.
See hard.
ardor, ardour, n. — ME. ardeur, fr. OF. ardour
(F. ardeur), fr. L. arddrem, acc. of ardor, 'heat',
fr. ardere, 'to burn'. See ardent and -or.
arduinite, n., a zeolite (mineral.) — Named after
the Venetian geologist Giovanni Arduino. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
arduous, adj. — L. arduus, 'high, lofty, steep', fr.
I.-E. base *eredh-, *erdh-, 'to grow; high',
whence also Avestic e r f dva-, 'high', Olr. ard,
'high', Alb. ril, OSlav. rastp, 'I grow'. Cp. I.-E.
base *weredh-, 'to grow; high', whence OI.
urdhvdh, 'high', vdrdhate, 'causes to grow, in-
creases', Gk. 'jp»6c (for *fop§F6q; cp. Dor.
pop 5>o-), 'straight, right, erect'. See ortho- and
cp. vriddhi. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
Derivatives: arduous-ly, adv., arduous-ness, n.
are, v., pres. pi. indicative of be. — ME. aren,
later arc, fr. OE. (Northumbrian) aron, rel. to
ON. eru, '(they) are', for I.-E. *es-en, whence
also Dor. svti, Att. elm, OI. sdnti, L. sunt,
Umbr. sent, Goth., OE. sind. All these words
are derivatives of I.-E. base *es-, 'to be'. See
esse and cp. am, art, is.
are, n., a square unit. — F., formed in 1795 by a
decree of the French National Convention, fr.
L. area, 'vacant piece of ground'. See next word
and cp. the second element in hectare.
area, n. — L., 'vacant piece of ground, building,
plot', rel. to arere, 'to become dry', hence area
orig. meant 'a place burned down, a dry, bare pla-
ce' ; see ardent and cp. areola, debonair. For sense
development cp. G. Esse, 'chimney, forge',
which also derives fr. I.-E. base *&s-, 'to burn'.
Areca,n., a genus of palms of Asia and the Malay
Archipelago (bot.) — ModL., fr. Port, areca, fr.
Malayalam ddakka, fr. Tamil ddaikdy, lit.
'having close clusters of nuts', fr. ddai, 'close
arrangement of the cluster', and kdy, 'nut'. See
OED. and Yule-Burnell, Hobson-Jobson, p. 35.
Arecaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the palm
family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -aceae.
arecaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
arena, n. — L. harena, arena, 'sand, sandy place,
seashore; place of combat (lit. 'place strewn
with sand'), prob. of Etruscan origin. Cp.
Arenaria.
arenaceous, adj., sandy. — L. arendceus, 'sandy'.
See prec. word and -aceous.
Arenaria, n., a genus of herbs of the chickweed
family; the sandwort (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'the
sandwort', fr. Late L. harendrius, arendrius, 'of
sand', fr. L. harena, arena (see arena) ; so called
because many representatives of this species
grow in the sand.
arend, n., bearded vulture (S. Afr.) — Du.,
'eagle', fr. MDu. arent, rel. to ON. dm, OE.
earn, OHG. aro, 'eagle'. See ern(e).
areo- combining form meaning 'of, or pertaining
to, Ares or Mars', used in astronomy. — Fr.
Gk. "Apeo? or "Apsw;, gen. oi'AptiQ, 'Ares'.
See Ares and cp. Areopagite.
areola, n., a small area; esp. the pigmented ring
surrounding the nipple (anat.) — L. areola,
'small area', dimin. of area, 'a vacant piece of
ground' (see area) ; introduced into anatomy by
the Swiss anatomist and botanist Caspar Bauhin
(1560-1624) in 1605.
Derivatives: areol-ar, areol-ate, areol-at-ed,
adjs., areol-ation, n.
areole, n., a small space (bot.) — F. areole, fr. L.
areola. See areola.
areolet, n., a small areola (zool.) — A dimin. of
areola, hence a double dimin. of area. For the
ending see suff. -et.
areology, n., the study of the planet Mars. —
Compounded of areo- and Gk. -Xoyla, fr.
-Xoyo;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -togy.
Derivatives: areolog-ic, areolog-ic-al, adjs., are-
olog-ic-al-ly, adv.
areometer, n., a hydrometer. — Compounded of
Gk. dpaiis, 'thin, rare', and uirpov, 'meas-
ure'. The first element is of uncertain origin;
it originally began with digamma (f = w).
103
argue
hence cannot be cognate with L. rdrus, 'thin,
rare' (see rare, 'thin'). For the second element
see meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: areometr-ic, areometr-ic-al, adjs.,
areometr-y, n.
Areopagite, n., member of the Areopagus. — Gk.
' ApstoTOXYf""]?, fr- 'Apei6raxyos. See next word.
Areopagus, n., name of a hill west of the Acro-
polis in Athens and of the tribunal situated on
it. — L., fr. Gk. 'Apet67tayo<;, for "Apsio?
toxyos, 'hill of Ares (= Mars)', resp. y\ BouX-i)
7] If; 'Apsiou niyou, 'the council of the hill of
Ares'. See next word. For the etymol. of toxyos,
'rocky hill', see pact.
Ares, n., the Greek god of war, identified by the
Romans with Mars (Greek mythol.) — L., fr.
Gk. "Apyj? (gen. "Apso; or "Apecoc;), lit. 'injurer,
destroyer', fr. dtprj, 'bane, ruin', which is rel.
to dpeiY), 'a cursing, menacing', and prob.
cogn. with OI. irasyd, 'ill will', irasydti, 'bears
ill will', Arm. her, 'anger, envy', OE. eorre, yrre,
'angry'. Cp. areo-, Areopagus, Antares.
arete, n., virtue (Greek philos.) — Gk. apeT7j,
'virtue', prop, 'that which is good', rel. to
dpeUov, 'better', apia-ros, 'best' (whence dp«r-
-roxpa-rfa, 'the rule of the best'), apecnceiv, 'to
make good, conciliate'. See aristo-.
arete, n., sharp crest of a mountain. — F., 'fish-
bone; ridge', fr. L. arista, 'ear of grain', which
is prob. of Etruscan origin. Cp. arista, Aristida,
arris.
Arethusa, n., nymph of a fountain near Syracuse
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Ap£#ouaa, a col-
lateral form of fipSouaa, 'waterer', fern. pres.
part, of ctpSeiv, 'to water'. See ardella.
Arethusa, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the nymph Arethusa. See prec. word.
arfvedsonite, n., a basic metasilicate (mineral.) —
Named after the Swedish chemist Johan August
Arfvedson (1792-1841). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
argala, n., the adjutant bird. — Hind, hargitd.
argali, n., a large wild sheep of Asia (Ovis am-
nion). — Mongolian.
argand lamp. — Named after its inventor Aime'
Argand, a Swiss physicist (1755-1803).
Argemone, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
family (bot.) — Gk. apyeu.cov7], 'a kind of pop-
py', prob. fr. Heb. argam&n, 'purple'. Cp. Ak-
kad. argamannu, of s.m. Cp. also agrimony. For
the ending -covt) in dpYeu-tovr), cp. 4veu,civr,, 'the
wind flower' (see anemone).
argent, n., silver (archaic). — F., fr. L. argentum,
'silver', which is cogn. with Gk. Spyupoc., 'silver',
prop, 'the white (metal)', fr. dpyo? (dissimil-
ated fr. *dpfp6?), 'shining, bright, white'; fr.
I.-E. base *arg-, 'to shine', whence also OI.
rjrdfi, 'shining, glowing, bright', rajatdm, Aves-
tic l r*zata, 'silver', OI. drjunaht, 'shining, white',
Toch. A aria, 'white' (said of teeth), drkyant,
'silver', B drkwi, of s.m., arkwinne, 'light color',
Hitt. harkish. 'bright, clear', Thracian 4pytXo<;,
'mouse' (lit. 'the white colored animal'), Arm.
arcat\ 'silver', Olr. argat, W. arian(i), Co.,
MBret. argant, Bret, arc'hant, 'silver', L. ar-
guere, 'to make clear, prove'. Cp. argil, Argo,
argue, Argus, argyria, argyrodite, arjun, and the
second element in litharge, Pelargonium, Po-
darge, pygarg.
argentiferous, adj., containing silver. — Com-
pounded of L. argentum, 'silver', and the stem
of L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See argent and
-ferous.
argentine, adj., resembling silver. — L. argen-
tlnus, 'of silver', fr. argentum, 'silver'. See argent
and -ine (representing L. -inus).
argentite, n., silver sulfid, Ag 2 S (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. argentum,
'silver'. See argent.
argil, n., potter's clay. — F. argile, 'clay', fr. L.
argilla, 'white clay, potter's earth', fr. Gk.
SpYiXXo?, of s.m., which is rel. to dpyo;, 'shin-
ing, bright'. See argent.
argillaceous, adj., resembling clay. — L. argilld-
ceus, fr. argilla. See prec. word and -aceous.
argilliferous, adj., rich in clay. — Compounded
of L. argilla, 'white clay' and the stem of ferre,
'to bear, carry'. See argil and -ferous.
Argive, adj., of Argos; (by extension) of Greece.
— L. Arglvus, fr. Gk. 'Apyeioq, 'of Argos', fr.
"Apyo?, 'Argos', name of the capital of Argolis
in the Peloponnesus.
Derivative: Argive, n.
Argo, n., 1) name of the ship in which the Argo-
nauts sailed to Colchis, whence 2) name of a
constellation. — Gk. 'Apyd>, lit. 'the Swift', fr.
dpy6c;, 'swift'. This word is identical with apyo;,
'shining, bright'. Cp. its OI. cognate rjrdh, which
also unites these two meanings, and see argent.
Cp. also Argonaut.
argon, n., an inert chemical element. — ModL.,
fr. Gk. £py6v, neut of dpyo?, 'idle, inert', con-
traction of Aspyi?, lit. 'not active', fr. tic- (see
priv. pref. a-), and gpyov, 'work'. See ergon
and cp. the second element in lethargy. This ele-
ment, discovered by the British chemists Sir
William Ramsay (1852-1916) and Morris Wil-
liam Travers (1872-1961) in 1894, was so called
by them because it does not readily unite with
other elements.
Argonaut, n. pi., one of the heroes led by Jason
in the ship Argo to fetch the golden fleece in
Colchis. — L. Argonauta, fr. Gk. 'ApyovauTir)<;,
'sailor of the Argo', which is compounded of
'Apyco (see Argo) and vauTr,?, 'sailor, seaman'.
See nautical.
argonaut, n., the paper nautilus (zool) — Fr.
prec. word.
argosy, n., a large ship; a fleet of large ships. —
Earlier ragusye, arguze, lit. 'ship from Ragusa'
fr. It. Ragusea, 'ship of Ragusa' .
argot, n., slang, esp. the slang of Paris. — F., of
uncertain origin.
argue, intr. and tr. v. — ME. arguen, fr. OF.
argument
104
(= F.) arguer, fr. L. argutdre, freq. of arguere,
'to make clear, prove', which is rel. to argentum,
'silver' (arguere orig. meant 'to make as white
as silver'). See argent.
Derivatives: argu-able, adj., argu-er, n.
argument, n. — F., fr. L. argumentum, fr. arguere,
'to argue'. See prec. word and -ment.
argumental, adj. — L. argumentdlis, fr. argumen-
tum. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
argumentation, n. — F., fr. L. argumentdtidnem,
acc. of argumentdtid, 'an adducing of proof, pp.
of argumentari, 'to argue', fr. argumentum. See
argument and -ation.
argumentative, adj. — F. argumentatif (fem. ar-
gumentative), fr. argument. See argument and -ive.
Derivatives : argumentative-ly, adv., argumenta-
tive-ness, n.
Argus, n., a giant with a hundred eyes (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. "Apyo?, lit. 'the bright
one', fr. dpyo?, 'shining, bright' (see argent);
so called in allusion to his hundred eyes. Cp. his
epithet flavore-a)?, 'all-seeing, all eyes'.
argute, adj., sharp, quick. — L. argutus, pp. of
arguere, 'to argue'. See argue.
Derivatives: argute-ly, adv., argute-ness, n.
argyr-, form of argyro- before a vowel.
argyria, n., discoloration of the skin (med.) —
Medical L., fr. apyupo?, 'silver'. See argyro-
and -ia.
argyrite, n., argentite (mineral.) — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. apyupo;, 'silver'. See
argyro- and cp. argentite.
argyro-, before a vowel argyr-, combining form
meaning 'silver'. — Gk. dpyupo-, dpyup-, fr.
Spyupo?, 'silver', which is cogn. with L. ar-
gentum, 'silver'. See argent and cp. the second
element in hydrargyrum.
argyrodite, n., a steel gray mineral containing sil-
ver, geranium and sulfur (mineral.) — G. Ar-
gyrodit, coined by its discoverer the German
chemist Aloys Auer von Welsbach (1858-1929)
fr. Gk. dpyupcoSvji;, 'rich in silver' (fr. apyupo?,
'silver', and -io8i);, 'like'), and suff. -fri);. See
argyro-, -ode and subst. suff. -ite.
Argyrol, n., a trademark for silver vitellin
(pharm.) — Coined by its inventor Albert
C. Barnes fr. argyr- and suff. -ol, a var. of -ole.
aria, n. (music). — It., 'air'. See air, 'melody',
and cp. arioso.
-aria, subst. suff. meaning 'related to', or 'con-
nected with', as in Utricularia (bot. and zool.) —
ModL. -aria, fr. L. fem. sing, or neut. pi. of
-drius. See adj. suff. -ary.
Ariadne, n., daughter of Minos, king of Crete
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. ' ApioSvrj, a name
of uncertain origin.
Arian, adj. and n. — L. Aridnus, 'pertaining to
Arius', fr. Arius = Gk. "Apeio?, presbyter of
Alexandria (died in 336).
Derivatives: Arian-ism, n., Arian-ist-ic, Arian-
ist-ic-al, adjs., Arian-ize, intr. and tr. v., Arian-
iz-er, n.
-arian, suff. forming adjectives from nouns end-
ing in -ary. — Compounded of the suffixes -ary
(representing L. -arius) and -an (representing L.
-anus).
aricine, n., an alkaloid found in cusco bark. —
Named after Arica, in Peru. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ine.
arid, adj., dry. — L. dridus, 'parched, dry', whence
ardere, 'to burn'. See ardent.
Derivatives: arid-ly, adv., arid-ness, n.
aridity, n., dryness. — F. aridite, fr. L. dridi-
tdtem, acc. of driditds, 'dryness', fr. dridus. See
prec. word and -ity.
ariel, n., a gazelle. — Arab, dryil, a vulgar variant
of dyyil, 'stag', which is rel. to Heb. dyil, 'ram',
ayydl, 'stag', Aram.-Syr. ayld, 'stag', Akkad.
ayalu, 'ram', fr. Sem. base '-w-l, 'anything
strong', whence also Heb. eydl, 'strength', eld",
alld h , 'terebinth; oak', allon, Akkad. alldnu,
'oak', prop, 'a strong tree'.
Aries, n., 1) a constellation; 2) the first of the
signs of the zodiac (astron.) — L. aries, gen.
arietis, 'lamb', cogn. with Arm. or-oj (assimil. fr.
*er-oj), 'lamb', Gk. gpi-cpo?, 'kind', Olr. heirp,
'kid', Mir. earb, of s.m.
aright, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and right.
aril, n., an accessory covering of seeds (bot.) —
Late L. arillus, 'dried grape'.
arioso, adj., melodious; adv., in a melodious
way (mus.) — It., formed fr. aria, 'melody', with
suff. -oso (corresponding to L. -dsus). See aria
and adj. suff. -ose.
Arisaema, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.). — ModL., lit. 'blood of arum', fr. Gk.
apt?, 'a kind of arum', which is rel. to apov,
'cuckoopint', and atu.a, 'blood' (see Arum and
hemal); so called from the red-spotted leaves of
some species.
arise, intr. v. — OE. drisan, rel. to OS. arisan,
Goth, urreisan. See a-, 'on', and rise.
arista, n., an awn. — L. See arlte.
aristarchy, n., government by the best men. —
Gk. dpusTocpxta, compounded of dcpicTo;, 'best',
and -apxta, 'rule', fr. dpx<k, 'leader, chief, ruler'.
See aristo- and -archy.
Aristida, n., a genus of grasses (bot:) — ModL.,
fr. L. arista, 'awn'. See arista and -ida.
aristo-, before a vowel arist-, combining form
meaning 'best'. — Gk. dpLOTo-, dp«TT-, fr.
ipiazoc,, 'best', superl. to dpeiov, 'better', rel.
to aperf), 'virtue', dpsaxeiv, 'to make good, con-
ciliate', fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join', whence also
Gk. ap&pov, 'a joint', L. artus, 'joint, limb', ars,
'art', arma (pi.), 'implements of war, weapons'.
See arm, 'weapon', and cp. arete.
aristocracy, n. — MF. aristocracie (F. aristocra-
tie), fr. L. aristocratia, fr. Gk. dpia-roxpa-rta,
'government, rule of the best', which is com-
pounded of apia-ros, 'best' and -xpomi, 'rule
of, fr. xpaTo?, 'strength, power, rule' . See aristo-
and -cracy.
aristocrat, n. — F. aristocrate, back formation fr.
105
arm
aristocratie. See prec. word,
aristocratic, adj. — F. aristocratique, fr. Gk.
dpia-roxpaTixo?, 'pertaining to the rule of the
best', fr. dpia-roxpa-aa. See aristocracy and -ic.
Derivatives: aristocratic-al, adj., artistocratic-
al-ly, adv.
Aristolochia, n., a genus of plants, the birthwort.
— ModL., fr. Gk. dpia-roXoxia, 'birthwort', lit.
'that which is the best for childbirth', fr. apic-ro?,
'best', and Xo/Eia, 'childbirth', fr. X<$x°<;, of s.m.
See aristo- and lie, 'to recline'.
aristology, n., the science of dining. — Com-
pounded of Gk. apurrov, 'breakfast', and -Xoyia,
fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The first
element lit. means 'morning meal'. It is formed
fr. dpi-, which is rel. to r,pi, 'early', and cogn.
with OE. xr, 'soon, formerly' (see ere, early),
and fr. -axo (for *d-to), zero degree of root eS-,
'to eat', whence also Gk. £8siv, laMsiv, L. edere,
'to eat' (see eat). For the second element in
aristology see -logy.
Derivatives: aristolog-ic-al, adj., aristolog-ist, n.
Aristotelian, adj., pertaining to the Greek phi-
losopher Aristotle (384-322); n., a follower of
Aristotle; an adherent of Aristotle's teachings. —
Formed with suff. -ian fr. Gk. 'Apia-ro-reXT]?,
'Aristotle'.
Derivative: Aristotelian-ism, n.
arite, n., a variety of niccolite (mineral.) —
Named after montagne d'Ar in the dept. Basses
Pyrenees, in France. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
arithmetic, n. — ME. arsmetike, fr. OF. aris-
metique, fr. L. arithmetica, fr. Gk. dpi^(iT)Tix7]
(scil. te/vt;), *the art of counting', fr. dpi&-
|ieiv, 'to number, count, reckon', fr. dpi-O^oc;,
'number', fr. I.-E. base *rt-, 'to count, number',
whence also Gk. yri)-pi-toq, 'numberless', OE.,
OHG. rim, 'number', Olr. rim, 'number', do-
rimu, 'I count, number, enumerate', L. ritus,
'religious custom, usage, ceremony'. Base *rf-,
'to count, number', is prob. an enlargement of
base *ar-, 'to join', whence L. arma, 'weapons',
ars, 'art', Goth, arms, OE. earm, arm, etc., 'the
upper limb'. See arm, 'the upper limb', arm,
'weapon', and cp. rhyme, rite. The d- in dpift^oi;
is prosthetic and due to the fact that the Greek
(as well as the Armenian) never begins a word
with primary r. Initial p in Greek words goes
back either to *sr- or *wr- (see red). The 5 in OF.
arismetique is the phonetic rendering of L. th =
Gk. the ME. forms arismetric, arsmetrik
were developed from ME. arsmetike, which was
associated erroneously with L. ars metrica, 'the
art of measure'. ModF. arithmetique and E.
arithmetic have been refashioned after the Greek.
Cp. aparithmesis and the second element in
logarithm.
arithmetician, n. — ■ F. arithmeticien, fr. arith-
metique. See arithmetic and -ian.
arithmo- combining form meaning 'number*. —
Gk., fr. dpi&u.o-, fr. dpiS-(x6;, 'number'. See
arithmetic.
arithmogram, n., the sum of the numerical values
of the letters in a word or phrase. — Compound-
ed of arithmo- and Gk. ypdu.u.a, 'something
written'. See -gram.
arithmograph, n., a kind of calculating machine.
— Compounded of arithmo- and Gk. -ypacpoi;,
fr. ypdtpeiv, 'to write'. See -graph.
arithmography, n. — Compounded of arithmo-
and Gk. -ypaqna, fr. ypdipsiv, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
arithmometer, n., a calculating machine. — Com-
pounded of arithmo- and Gk. fzexpov, 'meas-
ure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
-arium, subst. suff. meaning 'a place for, or a-
bounding in, something', or 'a thing pertaining
to something'. — L. -arium, prop. neut. of the
adjectival suff. -drius, used to form nouns. The
regular English equivalent of this suff. is -ary.
arizonite, n., a ferric metatitanate (mineral.) —
Named after Arizona in the U.S.A. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
arjun, n., an Asiatic tropical tree (Terminalia ar-
juna). — Hind, arjun, fr. OI. drjunah, 'white',
which is cogn. with Gk. dpyo?, 'bright, white',
apyupo?, 'silver', L. argentum, 'silver'. See
argent.
ark, n. — OE. arc, earc, 'Noah's ark, box, coffin',
fr. L. area, 'chest', whence also OHG. arahha,
arka (MHG., G. arche), 'ark'. (OSlav. raka,
'burial cave, rakev, 'coffin', are Teut. loan
words.) See arcanum and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
arles, n. pi., earnest money (Scot.) — OF., fr. L.
*arrhula, dimin. of arrha, 'pledge'. See arrha
and cp. words there referred to.
arm, n., the upper limb. — ME., fr. OE. earm,
arm, rel. to OS., Dan., Swed., MDu., Du.,
MHG., G. arm, ON. armr, OFris. erm, OHG.
arm, aram, Goth, arms, 'arm', and cogn. with
OI. irmdh, Avestic ar e ma-, 'arm', Arm. armukn,
'elbow', Osset. arm, 'palm of the hand', Gk.
dp|xo?, 'a joint', L. armus, 'shoulder', OSlav.
ramo, OPruss. irmo, 'arm'. All these words de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join', and lit. mean
'joint', whence also L. arma (pi.), 'weapons',
prop, 'implements of war', artus, 'joint, limb',
ars, 'art', are OI. ardh, 'spoke (of a wheel)',
Avestic ratav-, 'epoch; judge', Toch. AB drwar,
drwer, 'ready, prepared', Hitt. dra, 'suitable,
good', Arm. y-armar, 'fitting, appropriate',
afnem, 'I make', Gk. SpSpov, 'a joint', apjioc, 'a
chariot', dpaptaxetv, 'to join, fasten, fit together',
dp£<rxELv, 'to make good, conciliate', dpettov,
'better', apia-ros, 'best', aps-nf), 'virtue', dp(xaXia,
'allotted sustenance', dpfxo^etv, 'to fit together,
adapt, accommodate', apuoc, 'a joining',
dpixovla, 'joint, proportion, concord', (xp-ri,
'just', ipxioc,, 'complete, perfect of its kind,
suitable; even' (said of a number), dpTueiv,
dpTiiveiv, 'to arrange, prepare, make ready'. Cp.
arm
106
arm, 'weapon'. Cp. also ambry, arete, aristo-,
armilla, art, Artamus, arthro-, article, articulate,
artillery, artisan, artist, artiste, harmony, inert,
inertia, the first element in Artiodactyla and the
second element in Homer. Cp. also arithmetic,
ration, read, reason,
arm, n., usually in pi. arms, weapon. — ME.
armes (pi.), fr. OF. armes (pi.), fr. L. arma, 'im-
plements of war, weapons', neut. pi. mistaken
in VL. for fern, sing., fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join',
whence also L. armus, 'shoulder', Goth, arms,
OE. earm, arm, 'arm'. See arm, 'upper limb',
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also alarm,
alarum, armada, armadillo, armament, arma-
ture, armet, army, inerm and the last element in
gendarme.
arm, tr. v., to furnish with weapons. — F. armer,
fr. L. armare, fr. arma, 'weapons'. See arm,
'weapon'.
Derivatives: arm-ed, adj., arm-ing, n.
armada, n., a fleet of warships; specif, the fleet
of warships sent against England by Philip II
of Spain in 1588, called the Spanish or Invin-
cible Armada. — Sp., 'fleet, navy', fr. L. armata,
fem. pp. of armare, 'to furnish with weapons',
used as a noun, fr. arma, 'weapons'. See arm,
'weapon', and cp. army.
armadillo, n., an American burrowing mammal.
— Sp., dimin. of armado, 'armed', fr. L. armdtus,
pp. of armare (see prec. word); so called in al-
lusion to its hard bony plates resembling armor.
Armageddon, n., scene of a great battle. — Late
L. Armagedon, fr. Gk. 'ApfiayeSStov, 'Apu.a-
yeScov, fr. Heb. Har MegiddS, 'mountain (dis-
trict) of Megiddo'.
armagnac.n., a superior kind of brandy. — So cal-
led because it is made in the department of Gers
in France, a district formerly named Armagnac.
armament, n. — L. armdmentum, 'implement', fr.
armare, 'to furnish with weapons', fr. arma,
'weapons'. See arm, 'weapon', and -ment and
cp. F. armement.
armature, n., armor. — L. armatura, 'armor', fr.
armdtus, pp. of armare. See prec. word and -lire
and cp. armor, which is a doublet of armature.
armet, n., a medieval steel helmet. — F., dimin.
of arme. See arm, 'weapon', and -et.
armiger, n., an esquire. — L., 'a weapon bearer',
compounded of arma, 'weapons', and the stem
of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See arm, 'weapon',
and gerent.
armigerous, adj., possessing arms. — Formed fr.
L. armiger (see prec. word) with suff. -ous, on
analogy of adjectives in which this suff. corre-
sponds to OF. -ous, -eus (F. -eux), representing
L. -dsus.
armilla, n., a bracelet. — L. dimin. formed fr.
armus, 'shoulder'. See arm, 'the upper limb'.
armillary, adj., 1) pertaining to a bracelet; 2) con-
sisting of rings. — Formed with adj. suff. -ary
fr. L. armilla. See prec. word.
Arminian, adj., pertaining to the Dutch theo-
logian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) or his
doctrines. For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Arminian-ism, n.
armipotent, adj., mighty in arms. — L. armi-
potens, gen. -entis, compounded of arma,
'weapons', and potens, 'mighty, powerful'. See
arm, 'weapon', and potent.
armistice, n., truce. — F., fr. ModL. armistitium,
lit. 'a standing (still) of arms', formed, on ana-
logy of the juridic term justitium, 'suspension of
jurisdiction', fr. L. arma, 'weapons', and -sistere,
pp. stem -stit-(um) (used only in compounds),
fr. sistere, 'to cause to stand still', fr. stare, 'to
stand'. See state and cp. words there referred to.
G. Waffenstillstand, 'armistice', lit. 'a standing
still of weapons', is a loan translation of F. ar-
mistice.
armlet, n. — Formed fr. arm, 'the upper limb',
with dimin. suff. -let.
armor, armour, n. — ME. armure, fr. OF. ar-
meiire, armure (F. armure), fr. L. armatura. See
armature.
Derivative: armored, armoured, adj.
armorer, n. — OF. armeurier, armurier (F. ar-
murier), fr. armeiire, armure. See armor and
agential suff. -er.
armory, n., the science of heraldry. — OF. ar-
moierie, fr. armoier, armoyer, 'to blazon', fr. L.
arma, 'weapons'. See arm, 'weapon', and cp.
next word.
Derivative: armori-al, adj.
armory, n., armour collectively. — A blend of
OF. armoierie, 'coat of arms', and OF. almarie,
armarie, 'a place where arms are kept'. See
armor and ambry.
army, n. — F. armee, fr. L. armata, fem. pp. of
armare, 'to furnish with weapons'. See armada
and -y (representing F. -ee).
Derivative: armi-ed, adj.
Arnebia, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.) — Arab. arnabtya h , name of a plant,
lit. 'hare plant', fr. drnab, 'hare', which is rel.
to Heb. arnebheth, Arm. arnabhtd, Syr. ar-
n'bhd, Ugar. 'nhb. Akkad. annabu, 'hare'.
arnica, n., 1) (cap.) a genus of plants of the thistle
family; 2) tincture made from the root of the
plant. — ModL. , prob. corruption of ptarmica, fr.
Gk. jtrapjiixT), 'sneezewort', fem. of 7tTap|xixo?,
'causing to sneeze', fr. 7rrapvuvai, 7rratpeiv, 'to
sneeze', from the I.-E. imitative base *pster-
(eu)-, whence also L. sternuere, 'to sneeze'. See
sternutation.
Arnold, masc. PN. — G., fr. OHG. Arenwald,
lit. 'having the strength of an eagle', fr. OHG.
aro, 'eagle', and wald, 'power', from the base
of waltan, 'to have power'. For the first element
see ern(e) and cp. arend, for the second see
wield and cp. words there referred to.
Amoseris, n., a genus of plants of the chicory
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'lamb chicory',
fr. Gk. Apv6s, 'lamb', and aipu;, 'chicory'.
The first element is rel. to dcpTjv gen. dpvo;.
107
arriba
'lamb', and to Homeric and Ion. Gk. stpo?,
'wool'; see erio-. The second element is of un-
certain, prob. foreign, origin.
aroint, intr. v. (used only in the imper.), begone!
(obsol.) — Of uncertain origin.
aroma, n., odor. — L., fr. Gk. apa>[za, 'fragrance,
odor, spice', of uncertain origin.
aromatic, adj. — F. aromatique, fr. L. aromaticus,
fr. Gk. apwjAcmxoi;, fr. apcojxa, gen. apto^axoq,
'fragrance'. See prec. word and -atic.
aromatize, tr. v., to render aromatic. — F. aro-
matiser, fr. L. ardmatizdre, fr. Gk. dpujjtaTtsetv,
fr. Spcofxa. See aroma and -ize.
aromo,n.,thehuisache. — Sp. aroma, fr. L. aroma,
fr. Gk. apco(j.a, 'fragrance, odor'. See aroma.
arose, past tense of arise. — ME. aroos, fr. OE.
dras, 'arose' fr. drisan. See arise.
around, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. a- 'on',
and round.
arouse tr. v. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and rouse.
Derivatives: arous-al, n., arous-er, n.
a rovescio, a musical direction indicating imita-
tion by contrary motion. — It., lit. 'upside
down', fr. a (fr. L. ad), 'to', and rovescio, 're-
verse, wrong side', fr. L. reversus, 'turned back',
pp. of revertere. See ad- and revert.
arpeggio, n., the playing of the notes of a chord
in rapid succession instead of simultaneously;
a chord on which the notes are so played
(mus.) — It., fr. arpeggiare, 'to play upon the
harp', fr. arpa, 'harp'. See harp.
arpent, n., an old French land measure. — F.,
fr. VL. *arependis, alteration of L. arepennis,
a Gaulish word of uncertain origin.
arquebus, n. — See harquebus.
arrack, in the East, a strong alcoholic drink made
from rice or molasses. — Fr. Arab, 'draq, 'sweat,
juice of fruit'. Cp. rack, 'arrack', and borage.
arraign, tr. v., to call to account; to bring before
a law court. — ME. areinen, fr. AF. areiner,
fr. OF. araisnier, aresnier (F. arraisonner), fr.
VL. 'arrationdre, fr. ad- and *rationdre, 'to
reason', fr. L. ratio, 'reckoning, calculation;
reason'. See reason and cp. deraign.
Derivatives: arraign, n., arraign-er, n., arraign-
ment (q.v.)
arraignment, n. — OF. araisnement, fr. araisnier.
See prec. word and -ment.
arrange, tr. and intr. v. — OF. arengier, arangier,
(F. arranger), fr. a, 'to' (see a), and rengier, ran-
gier (F. ranger), 'to put into line'. See range and
cp. derange.
Derivatives: arrange-ment, n., arrang-er, n.
arrant, adj., 1) wandering (obsol.); 2) unmitigated;
notorious, infamous. — A variant of errant.
Derivative: arrant-ly, adv.
arras, n., pictured tapestry. — Fr. Arras, former-
ly capital of the province of Artois (now capital
of the department Pas de Calais), from L. Atre-
bates, a tribe of the Belgae (whence also the
name Artois. Cp. artesian.
arras, n., property contributed by the husband
to the wife (Sp. law). — Sp., fr. L. arrha, 'earnest
money'. See arrha and cp. earnest, 'pledge', and
words there referred to.
arrastre, n., a drag-stone mill for grinding ores.
— Sp., 'dragging, haulage', fr. arrastrar, 'to
drag along', fr. ad-, ar- (fr. L. ad), 'to', and
rastrar, 'to drag', fr. rastro, 'rake, harrow', fr.
L. rdstrum, 'a toothed hoe, a rake', which stands
for *rdd-trom, 'instrument to scrape with', fr.
rddere, 'to scrape'. See raze.
array, tr. v., 1) to arrange; 2) to dress, clothe. —
ME. arraien, fr. OF. araier, areier, areer, aroier,
fr. VL. *arreddre (whence also It. arredare),
which is formed fr. L. ad, 'to', and Teut. *raid-
jan, 'to place in order', whence OE. rxde,
'ready, mounted', Goth, garedan, 'to attend to,
provide for', garaips, 'fixed, appointed, or-
dained'. See ad- and ready and cp. raiment.
Derivatives: array-al, a., array-er, n., array-
ment, n.
array, n., 1) order, arrangement; 2) dress, gar-
ments. — ME. arrai, fr. OF. arret, aroi, arroi
(F. arroi), 'array, equipage', fr. OF. areier,
areer. See array, v.
arrayan, n., name of various trees. — Sp. arraydn,
fr. Arab, ar-rayhdn, fr. ar-, assimilated form of
al-, 'the', and rayhdn in rayhdn al-qub6r, 'myrtle'
(lit. 'sweet-smelling plants of the tombs'), a
deriv. of rih, 'odor', which is rel. to Heb. r&h,
'odor', prop, 'breath', Heb. ru a h, Aram.-Syr.
ruhd, 'breath, wind, spirit', Arab, ruh, 'soul,
spirit'.
arrear, n. — ME. arere, fr. OF. arere (F. arriire),
'behind', fr. VL. *ad retro (L. = retro), 'back-
ward'. See ad- and retro- and cp. reredos.
arrearage, n. — ME. arerage, fr. OF. arerage
(F. arrerage). See prec. word and -age.
arrect, adj., erect. — L. arrectus, pp. of arrigere,
'to set upright', fr. ad- and regere, 'to keep
straight, stretch'. See regent and cp. erect.
arrest, tr. v. — ME. aresten, fr. OF. arester (F.
arreter), fr. VL. *arrestdre (whence also It. ar-
restare, Sp., Port, arrestar), fr. ad- and L. res-
tare, 'to stop', fr. re- and stare, 'to stand'. See
state and cp. rest, 'to remain'.
arrest, n. — ME. arest, fr. OF. arest (F. arret),
back formation fr. arester (F. arreter). See
arrest, v.
Derivatives: arrest-er, n., arrest-ing, arrest-ive,
adjs., arrestment (q.v.)
arrestment, n. — OF. arestement, fr. arester. See
prec. word and -ment.
arrha, n., earnest money. — L. arrha, arra, short-
ened fr. arrhabd, fr. Gk. dppocpkov, 'earnest
money', fr. Heb. 'erabhSn, 'pledge, surety', fr.
'drdbh, 'he pledged'. See earnest, 'pledge' and
cp. words there referred to.
arriba, n., a variety of cacao from Ecuador. —
Sp. arriba, 'up, above', formed fr. ad-, ar- (fr.
L. ad), 'to' and ripa, 'bank of a stream' (see ad-
and riparian and cp. arrive); so called from an
upland district in Ecuador.
arride
108
arride, tr. v., to please {archaic). — L. arridere,
'to laugh at, laugh with', fr. ad- and ridere, 'to
laugh'. See risible.
arriere-ban, n., summons to war issued by the
king to his vassals. — R, fr. OHG. hari-ban,
(whence also G. Heerbann), lit. 'proclamation
to the army', fr. OHG. hari, heri (whence G.
Heer), 'army', and ban (whence G. Bonn), 'pro-
clamation'; see harry and ban. F. arriere-ban
was influenced in form by a confusion with F.
arriere, 'behind' (see next word).
arriere-pensee, n., mental reservation — F., lit.
'a thought behind', fr. arriere, 'behind', and
pensee, 'thought'. For the first word see arrear.
F. pensee is prop. fem. pp. of penser, 'to think',
fr. L. pensdre, 'to weigh out carefully, ponder,
examine'; see pensive and cp. pansy.
arriero, a muleteer. — Sp., a collateral form of
harriero, fr. arrear, harrear, 'to drive or push
on', from the interjection harre, fr. Arab, harr,
the cry used to drive on camels.
arris, n., a sharp ridge, an edge. — OF. areste
(F. arete), fr. L. arista, 'ear of grain'. See arete
and cp. arista, Aristida.
arrival, n. — ME. arrivaile, fr. AF. arrivaille, fr.
OF. arriver. See next word and subst. surf. -al.
arrive, intr. v. — ME. ariven, fr. OF. arriver,
ariver (F. arriver), 'to arrive', fr. VL. *arripare,
'to touch the shore', fr. ad- and L. ripa, 'shore,
bank'. See river and cp. arriba. Sp. arribar also
derives fr. VL. *arripdre, but It. arrivare, is a
French loan word.
Derivatives: arrival (q.v.), arriv-er, n.
arroba, n., a Spanish weight. — Sp. and Port.,
fr. Arab. ar-rub', in vulgar pronunciation ar-
rob', 'the quarter' (scil. of the weight al-qintar),
fr. ar-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and rub'
{rob'), 'quarter', from the stem of arbat (masc),
drba'a h (fem.), which is rel. to Heb. arbd'
(masc), arbd'd h , (fem.), Aram, arbd' (masc),
arb''d (fem.), Ethiop. arba' (masc), arbd'tu
(fem.), Akkad. arba'u (masc), irbitti (fem.),
'four'. (The masc. forms are used with fem.
nouns, the fem. ones with masc. nouns).
arrogance, n. — F., fr. L. arrogantia, fr. arrogans,
gen. -ant is. See next word and -ce.
arrogant, adj. — F., fr. L. arrogantem, acc. of
arrogans, pres. part, of arrogdre. See next word
and -ant.
Derivative: arrogant-ly, adv.
arrogate, tr. v. — L. arrogdtus, pp. of arrogdre,
'to claim as one's own, to arrogate to oneself,
fr. ad- and rogdre, 'to ask'. See rogation and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. abrogate.
Derivatives: arrogation (q.v.), arrogat-ive, adj.
arrogation, — L., fr. arrogdtus, pp. of arrogdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
arrojadite, n., a phosphate of natrium, ferrum,
sodium, etc. — Named after the Brazilian geo-
logist Dr. Miguel Arrojado of Lisbon. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
arrondissement, n., an administrative district of
a department in France. — F., lit. 'a rounding',
fr. arrondir, 'to make round, to round off', fr.
a, 'to' (see a), and rond, 'round'. See round, adj.
and -ment.
arrope, n., must boiled down to a sirup. — Sp.,
fr. Arab, ar-ritbb, ar-, assimilated form of al-,
'the', and rubb, 'juice of the fruit boiled down',
arrow, n. — ME. arewe, fr. OE. arwe, earh, rel.
to ON. or, gen. orvar, Goth, arhazna, and cogn.
with L. arcus, 'bow, arch'. See arc.
Derivative: arrow-y, adj.
arroyo, n., a watercourse; the dry bed of a
stream. — Sp., 'rivulet, small stream', fr. L. ar-
rugia, 'shaft or pit in a gold mine', which is
prob. formed, fr. ad- and ruga, 'wrinkle'; the
orig. meaning was 'a digging out'. See ruga,
arse, n., the buttocks (now vulgar). — ME. ars,
ers, fr. OE. ears, sers, rel. to OS., OHG., MHG.
ars, ON. ars (also metathesized into rass), MDu.
sers, e(e)rs, Du. {n)aars, G. Arsch, 'buttock',
and cogn. with Gk. oppo; (for I.-E. *orsos),
'tail, rump, base of the spine', oupd (for *6paFd),
'tail', Hitt. arrash, Arm. of, 'buttock', Olr. err
(for *ersd), 'tail'. Cp. uro-, 'tail-',
arsenal, n., a place for manufacturing and storing
ammunition and weapons. — It. arsenate (Olt.
arzanale), 'dock', borrowed — prob. through the
medium of MGk. apa-rp/akrjt; — fr. Arab, ddr-
as-sind'a h (whence also Sp. ddrsena and It. dar-
sena, 'dock'), lit. 'house of construction', fr. ddr,
'house', as-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and
sind'a h , 'construction, art', fr. sdna'a, 'he made'.
For the ending of arsenal see adj. suff. -al.
arsenic, n., a chemical element. — OF. (= F.)
arsenic, fr. L. arsenicum, arrhenicum, fr. Gk.
dptrEMixov, dppsvixov, 'yellow orpiment', fr.
MPers. *zarnik, 'gold, golden ; orpiment'(whence
ModPers.-Arab. zarnikh, 'orpiment'), through
the medium of a Semitic language; cp. Mish-
naic Heb. zarnikh, Syr. zarnikhd, 'orpiment'.
Cp. Avestic zaranya, Pers. zar, 'gold', and the
first element in zermahbub, and see yellow and
words there referred to. Cp. also jargon, 'a
variety of zircon'. Gk. dpasvixov, dppEvtxov,
'orpiment', was influenced in form by apaevixo?,
appevixoc, 'male', fr. apar)v, app?;v, 'male'. For
the sense development of MPers. "zarnik, cp. L.
auripigmentum, fr. aurum, 'gold' (see orpiment).
Derivatives: arsenic, arsenic-al, adjs.
arsenious, adj., containing arsenic. — See ar-
senic and -ous.
arsis, n., the unaccented part of a foot in pro-
sody. — L., fr. Gk. dtpots, 'a raising, lifting',
fr. asipetv, afpeiv, 'to raise, lift'. See artery,
arson, n. — OF., fr. Late L. arsidnem, acc. of
arsid, 'a burning', fr. L. arsus, pp. oiardere, 'to
burn'. See ardent,
arsonium, n., the radical AsH 4 (chem.) — ModL.,
compounded of arsenic and ammonium.
art, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. ortem, acc. of ars,
'skill, handicraft, trade, occupation, art', which
is rel. to L. artus, 'joint', and cogn. with OI.
109
article
rtih, 'manner, mode', Gk. apxi, 'just', SpTio?,
'complete, perfect of its kind, suitable; even
(said of a number), dcp-rf^eiv, 'to prepare',
dpxuEiv, dpxuvciv, 'to arrange, prepare, make
ready', Lith. arti, 'near', MHG., G. art, 'man-
ner, mode'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.
*art-, at- enlargement of base *ar-, 'to join',
whence L. annus, 'shoulder', arma, 'weapons'.
See arm, 'upper limb', and arm, 'weapon', and
cp. Artamus, article, articulate, artifice, artil-
lery, artisan, artist, artiste, coarctation, inert.
Derivatives: art-ful, adj., artful-ly, adv., art-
ful-ness, n., art-less, adj., art-less-ly, adv., art-
less- ness, n.
art, 2nd pers. pres. ind. of be. — OE. eart, fr.
Teut. base *ar-, corresponding to I.-E. base *es-,
'to be'. See are, v., and words there referred to.
artaba, artabe, n., a Persian and Egyptian meas-
ure. — Gk. dpxagr,, prob. of Egyptian origin.
Cp. ardeb.
Artamus, n.,a genus of oscine birds (ornithol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. apxajio?, 'butcher, cook',
which — according to Eusthatios — is a contract-
ion of el? apxia xe|jlv<i>v, 'he who cuts artist-
ically'. Accordingly apxa[io? stands for *dpxi-
xafiot; (see haplology), and is compounded of
apxi, 'just', orig. 'joining, order', and of the
stem of te(xve'.v, 'to cut'. See art, n., and tome.
Artemis, n., the goddess of hunting in Greek
mythology; identified by the Romans with
Diana. — L., fr. Gk. "Ap-re^i?, a name of un-
certain origin. Cp. next word.
Artemisia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — L., 'mugwort', fr. Gk. dpxe-
fxima, fr. "ApTejii;, the Greek goddess of hunt-
ing. See prec word and -ia.
arterial, adj. — F. arterial (now arteriel), fr. L.
arieria. See artery and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: arterial-ly, adv.
arterialize, tr. v. to change into arterial. — F.
arterialiser. See prec. word and -ize.
Derivative: arterializ-ation, n.
arteriasis, n., degeneration of an artery (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -iasis fr. Gk.
apx7;p(a. See artery.
arterio-, combining form meaning 'arterial'. —
Gk. ipx^pio-, fr. apxv;pia, 'windpipe, artery'.
See artery.
arteriole, n., a small artery. — ModL., dimin.
of L. arieria. See artery and -ole.
arteriosclerosis, n., thickening of the walls of
the arteries (med.) — Medical L., lit. 'hardening
of the arteries'; compounded of Gk. apxr,pLa,
'windpipe, artery', and avXifaaic, 'hardening,
induration'. See arterio- and sclerosis.
arteriosclerotic, adj. — See arterio- and sclerotic.
arteriotomy, n., the cutting open of an artery
(med.) — Late I., arteriotomia, fr. Gk. apx^pio-
~o\jX5l, fr. dpxv;pi.oTO[iEiv, 'to cut an artery'. See
artery and -tomy.
arterious, adj., arterial. — Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. arteria. See artery.
arteritis, n., inflammation of an artery or of ar-
teries (med.) — Medical L., formed with suff.
-iris fr. Gk. dpxYjpta. See next word.
artery, n. — L. arteria, fr. Gk. dpxrjpia, 'wind-
pipe, artery*, prob. contracted from *depxyjpia,
which is a derivative of dsipEiv, atpsiv, 'to
lift, raise, bear'. See aorta and cp. arsis and the
second element in meteor.
artesian, adj. — F. artesien, 'of Artois'. fr. OF.
Arteis (F. Artois), fr. L. Atrebates, a people that
lived in the NW. of Gallia. Cp. arras. For the
ending see suff. -ian. — Artesian well owes its
name to the circumstance that the first such
wells were established by Belidor (1698- 1761)
in the province of Artois, who therefore called
them puits artesiens.
artha, n., purpose (Hindu philos.) — OI. drtham,
later drthah, 'purpose, aim, work, object', which
is rel. to rnoti, fnvdti, 'rises, moves', rcchdti,
'goes toward a thing, reaches', Avestic e r e naoiti,
'moves', and cogn. with Gk. Spv'jjjii, opvuvai,
'to stir up, rouse', L. orior, oriri, 'to rise'. See
orient, and cp. words there referred to.
arthritic, adj., pertaining to arthritis. — L. art-
hriticus, fr. Gk. dpftpixixoe, fr. dpS-ptxi;. See
next word and -ic.
arthritis, n., inflammation of a joint (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. dp-9-pixii; (scil. voaoq), 'dis-
ease of the joints', prop. fem. of the adjective
dtpS-pfxY]?, 'pertaining to the joints', fr. ap&pov,
'joint'. See next word and -itis and cp. diar-
throsis, enarthrosis, synarthrosis.
arthro-, before a vowel arthr-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the joints'. — Gk.
dp#po-, dp#p-, fr. apS-pov, 'joint', which is a
derivative of base *ar-, 'to join'. See arm, 'the
upper limb', and cp. arthritis and words there
referred to. Cp. also article.
arthrology, n., the study of the joints. — Formed
fr. arthro- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoc, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
arthroplasty, n., formation of (artificial) joints. —
Formed fr. arthro- and --axcttix. See -plasty.
arthropod, adj., pertaining to the Arthropoda;
n., one of the Arthropoda. — See next word.
Arthropoda, n. pi., the phylum of invertebrate
animals with jointed limbs (entomol.) — ModL.,
lit. 'those with jointed feet' ; coined by the Ger-
man anatomist and zoologist Karl Theodor
Ernst von Siebold (1804-85) in 1845 fr. arthro-
and -poda.
Arthur, n., masc. PN. — ML. Arthurus, Arturus,
fr. W. arth, 'bear', which is rel. to MIr. art, of
s.m. and cogn. with Gk. Spxxoc, L. ursus 'bear'.
See arctic and cp. words there referred to.
artichoke, n. — Northern It. articiocco, altered
fr. It. carciofo, fr. Sp. alcarchofa. fr. Arab, al-
karshaf, fr. al-, 'the', and karshtf, 'artichoke'.
F. artichaut, and G. Artischocke are also bor-
rowed fr. It. articiocco.
article, n. — F., fr. L. articulus, dimin. of artus,
articular
110
'joint', which is rel. to ars, gen. artis, 'art'. See
art, n., and cp. articular, articulate. For the end-
ing see suff. -cle.
Derivatives: article, tr. v., articl-ed, adj.
articular, adj. — L. articuldris, 'pertaining to the
joints', fr. articulus, 'joint'. See prec. word
and -ar.
Articulata, n. pi., a division of animals compris-
ing invertebrates with jointed limbs (now called
Arthropodd). — ModL., coined by the French
naturalist baron Georges-Leopold-Chretien-
Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier (i 769-1 832) fr. L.
articulatus, 'jointed', pp. of articuldre. See next
word.
articulate, tr. and intr. v. — L. articulatus, pp. of
articuldre, 'to separate into joints; to utter dis-
tinctly', fr. articulus, 'joint'. See article and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : articulat-ed, adj., articulation (q.v.),
articulat-ive, adj., articulat-or, n., articulat-ory,
adj.
articulate, adj. — L. articulatus, pp. of articuldre.
See articulate, v.
articulation, n. — F., fr. L. articuldtionem, acc.
of articulatio, 'separation into joints', fr. arti-
culatus, pp. of articuldre. See articulate, v., and
-ion.
artifact, n., anything made by human art (pale-
ont.) — Compounded of L. ars, gen. artis, 'art',
and facere, 'to make, do'. See art and fact and
cp. next word.
artifice, n., 1) skill; 2) trickery. — F., fr. L. arti-
ficium, 'handicraft, skill, ingenuity, dexterity;
craft, cunning, device', fr. artifex, gen. artificis,
'craftsman', which is formed fr. ars, gen. artis,
'art', and -ficere, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See
art, n., and fact and cp. artifact. For the change
of Latin & (in facere) to 1 (in arti-fic-, the stem
of arti-fex) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivative: artific-er, n.
artificial, adj. — L. artificidlis, 'pertaining to art,
artificial', fr. artificium. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: artificial, n., artificial-ity, n.,arti-
ficialize (q.v.), artificial-ly, adv., artificial-ness, n.
artillery, n. — OF. (= F.) artillerie, fr. artiliier,
'to provide with engines of war', fr. ML. arti-
cula, 'engine of war', dimin. of L. ars. gen. artis,
'art'. See art, n., and cp. words there referred to.
For sense development cp. engine, fr. L. ingenium,
'nature, disposition, capacity'.
Derivative: artiller-ist, n.
artinite, n., a hydrous magnesium carbonate
{mineral.) — Named after the Italian mineral-
ogist Ettore Artini (1866-1928). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Artiodactyla, n., an order of mammals (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'having even-numbered toes', fr. Gk.
Sp-rio?, 'even', and SAxtuXo?, 'finger, toe'. For
the first element see art, for the second see
dactyl.
artisan, n. — F., fr. It. artigiano, fr. VL. *arti-
tidnus, fr. L. artitus, pp. of artlre, 'to instruct
in arts', fr. ars, gen. artis, 'art'. See art. For the
ending cp. partisan.
artist, n. — F. artiste, fr. It. artista, which is
formed fr. L. ars gen. artis, 'art'. See art and -ist.
artiste, n. — F. See prec. word.
artistic, adj. — F. artistique, fr. artiste. See prec.
word and -ic.
Derivative: artistic-al-ly, adv.
artistry, n. — Coined by Browning fr. artist and
suff. -ry.
Arum, n., a genus of plants; (not cap.) any plant
of this genus (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. Jcpov, 'the
cuckoopint', a word of Egyptian origin. See
Plinius, Historia Naturalis, 19, 96, and cp.
Araceae.
Aruncus, n., a genus of plants, the goat's beard
(6 0f .) _ l. aruncus (a word used by Pliny), fr.
Gk. fyuyyos, Dor - &puYY ?> 'goatsbeard'. See
Eryngium.
Arundinaria, n., a genus of bamboo grasses (bot.)
ModL., fr. L. arundo, gen. -inis, 'reed'. See
Arundo, adj. suff. -ary and suff. -ia.
Arundo, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) — L. arundo,
harundd, 'reed', of uncertain origin.
arupa, adj., without form (Hindu religion). — OI.
arupah, formed fr. priv. pref. a- and rupab,
'form'. See priv. pref. an- and rupa.
Arval, adj., pertaining to the Fratres Arvales
(Rom. relig.) — L. arvdlis, 'pertaining to a culti-
vated field', fr. arvum, 'arable field, cultivated
land', which is rel. to ardre, 'to plow', and cogn.
with Gk. dcpouv, 'to plow', ipoupa, 'arable land'.
See arable and adj. suff. -al.
arvej6n, n., the chickling vetch. — Sp., h. arvejo,
'bastard chick-pea', rel. to arveja, 'vetch', fr. L.
ervilia, 'the chick-pea', which is rel. to ervum,
'the bitter vetch'. See Ervum.
-ary, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to, connected
with', as in arbitrary. — ME. -arie, -arye, de-
rived fr. L. -drius, fern, -aria, neut. -drium, either
directly or through the medium of OF. -ier,
AF. -er or F. -aire. Cp. adj. suff. -ory.
-ary, subst. suff. meaning 'a man belonging to,
or engaged, in something', as in emissary, no-
tary, _ L. -drius, prop, identical with adj. suff.
-drius. See adj. suff. -ary.
-ary, subst. suff. denoting 'a place for, or abound-
ing in, something', as in aviary. — L. -drium,
prop. neut. of the adj. suff. -drius, used to form
substantives. See prec. suffixes and cp. -arium,
and -er in the sense 'receptacle for'.
-ary, adj. suff., meaning 'pertaining to', as in
exemplary. — L. -am.TheregularEnglishequiv-
alent of L. -dris is -ar (q.v.)
Aryan, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
OI. dryah, 'noble', which is rel. to OPers. ariya,
'noble' (whence Pers. Iran, 'Persia'). Cp. Iran-
ian. As a synonym for 'Indo-European' the
term Aryan was introduced by the German
philologist Friederich Max Miiller (1823-1900).
111
Asclepias
Derivatives: Aryan-ism, n., Aryan-ize, tr. v.,
Aryan-iz-ation, n.
aryballus, n., a bottle with a short neck and glob-
ular body (Greek antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. dtpiip<xX-
Xos, 'bag or purse; globular bottle for hold-
ing oil', prob. a North Balkanic loan word. See
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 156.
arytenoid, adj., pertaining to two small cartilages
in the larynx (anat.) — Gk. apuToavoeiS-fe/shaped
like a pitcher', coined by Galen fr. dcpuTouva,
'a pitcher' and -osiSfjC,, 'like', fr. sXSoq, 'form,
shape'. The first element is rel. to Apu-rjjp,
'ladle', fr. Apiieiv (Att. apuxetv), 'to draw' (water,
wine, etc.) which prob. stands for *Fapueiv, and
is rel. to eupioxsiv, 'to find' ; see heuristic. For
the second element see -oid.
Derivatives: arytenoid, n., arytenoid-al, adj.
as, adv. — ME. as(e), als(e), also, al swa, fr. OE.
ealswd, slswd, alswd, prop, 'all so', rel. to
MHG. als, dlse, also, 'so, as, than', G. als, 'as,
than'. See also.
Derivatives: as, conj., pron., prep.
as, n., Roman copper coin. — L. as (for *ass),
gen. assis, prob. lit. meaning 'square piece of
metal' (such was the original form of the coin),
and orig. identical with assis, axis, 'plank, disc',
which is rel. to asser, 'pole, stake, post'. See
ashlar and cp. the second element in ambsace.
as-, assimilated form of ad- before s.
asafetida, asafoetida, n. — A ModL. hybrid
coined fr. asa (fr. Pers. aza, 'mastic') and L.
foetida, fern, of foetidus, 'stinking'. See fetid.
asana, n., seat; sitting. — OI. dsanaft, formed
from the stem of dste, 'he sits', which is cogn.
with Hitt. esa, esari, 'he sits', eszi, 'he causes
to sit', Gk. ^[xai, 'I sit'.
asarabacca, n., the wild ginger (bot.) — Com-
pounded of L. asarum, 'hazelwort', and bacca,
'berry'. See Asarum and bacci-.
asaron, n., a crystalline compound, found espe-
cially in the oils of plants of the genus Asarum.
— Gk. diaapov, 'hazelwort' of uncertain, possibly
Sem. origin. Cp. next word.
Asarum, n., a genus of herbs of the family Aristo-
lochiaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. asarum,
'hazelwort, wild spikenard', fr. Gk. fiaapov.
See asaron.
asbestine, adj., pertaining to asbestos. — L. as-
bestinus, fr. Gk. ac^ea-rivo?, fr. fia|3eaTo<;. See
next word and adj. suff. -ine (representing L.
-wus).
asbestos, n. — L. asbestos, fr. Gk. SctPecttoi;, lit.
'unquenchable, inextinguishable', fr. A- (see
priv. pref. a-) and opeari?, verbal adj. of
aPewijvai, 'to quench, extinguish', which derives
fr. I.-E. base *g w es-, 'to quench, extinguish',
whence also Lith. gestu, gisti, 'to go out, be
extinguished', OSlav. gaSo, gasiti, of s.m., Hitt.
kishtari, 'is being put out', Toch. A kas-, B kes-,
kas-, 'to go out, be extinguished'.
asbolite, n., a mineral containing oxide of cobalt.
— Formed with subst. suff. -Ite fr. Gk. &a$6kt).
'soot', which is perhaps rel. to Gk. 5t£a, 'dry-
ness', #£eiv, 'to dry up, parch', and cogn. with
Goth, azgo, 'ashes', L. drere (for *dsere), 'to be
dry', ardere, 'to burn'. See ardent and cp. ash,
'powdery substance'.
Ascaridae, n. pi., a genus of Nematoda or thread-
worms. — ModL., fr. Gk. aaxapi?, hen. -iSo?,
'worm in the intestines', which is rel. to axa-
pi^siv, Att. acwapi^stv, 'to jump', axaipsiv, 'to
skip, dance', axipTav (freq. of axoupeiv), 'to
leap, bound', axApos, 'the parrot fish' (lit. 'the
leaping one'), fr. I.-E. base *sqer-, 'to leap,
bound'. See Scarus and -idae.
ascend, tr. and intr. v. — L. ascendere, 'to climb
up, mount', fr. ad- and scandere, 'to climb'. See
scan and cp. descend. For the change of Latin
a (in scandere) to e (in as-cindere) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
ascendance, ascendence, n. — Formed fr. ascend-
ant resp. ascendent, with suff. -ce.
ascendancy, ascendency, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -cy.
ascendant, ascendent, n. — F. ascendant (adj. and
n.), fr. L. ascendentem, acc. of ascendens, pres.
part, of ascendere. See ascend and -ancy, resp.
-ency.
ascension, n. — F., fr. L. ascensidnem, acc. of as-
censid, 'ascent', fr. ascensus, pp. of ascendere.
See ascend and -ion and cp. descension.
Derivative: ascention-al, adj.
ascensive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
ascensus, pp. of ascendere. See ascend and cp.
descensive.
ascent, n. — Formed fr. ascend on analogy of
descent (fr. descend),
ascertain, tr. v. — OF. acertener, fr. a, 'to' (see a),
and certain. See certain.
Derivatives : ascertain-able, adj., ascertain-er, n.,
ascertain-ment, n.
ascetic, adj., self-denying, austere. — Gk. dta-
x7)-rat6(;, 'practiced, laborious, athletic', fr.
acrxT)Trji;, 'one who practices any art or trade',
fr. aoxeiv, 'to form by art, to practice gym-
nastics, to practice, exercise', which is of un-
certain origin. The word ascetic was introduced
into English by Sir Thomas Brown (1663- 1704).
Derivatives: ascetic, n., ascetic-al-ly, adv., as-
cetic-ism, n.
ascidian, n., a sea squirt (zool.) — Gk. dicmiSiov,
dimin. of imcoq, 'leather bag'. See ascus.
ascites, n., accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal
cavity (med.) — Gk. acncf-nr)?, 'a kind of drop-
sy', short for doxfTirji; uSpoiJ', lit. 'a baglike
dropsy', fr. aoxoi;. See ascus.
Asclepiadaceae, n. pi., the milkweed family (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. next word with suff.
-aceae.
Asclepias, n., a genus of plants, the milkweed. —
L. asclepias, name of a plant, fr. Gk. a<rxXr)mct?,
fr. 'AaxXr)7ri6i;, name of the god of medicine;
see next word and -ad. Asclepias orig. meant
'the plant dedicated to Asclepius'.
Asclepius
112
Asclepius, n., the god of medicine in Greek my-
thology. — Gk. 'AraXTjTuot;, of uncertain ori-
gin. Cp. Asclepias, Aesculapian.
asco-, combining form meaning 'bladder'. —
Gk. dcaxo-, fr. txaxo?, 'leather bag, wine skin'.
See ascus.
ascospore, n., a spore formed in an ascus (for.) —
Compounded of asco- and a-Kopoq, 'a sowing'.
See spore.
ascribe, tr. v. — L. ascribere, 'to add to in a
writing', fr. ad- and scribere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
Derivatives: ascrib-able, adj., ascrib-er, n.
ascription, n. — L. ascriptid, gen. -onis, fr. ascrip-
tus, pp. of ascribere. See prec. word and -ion.
ascus, n., a sac in certain fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. aaxoq, 'leather bag, wine skin' ; of un-
certain origin. It is possibly cogn. with OI.
dtkah, 'covering garment'. Cp. ascidian, ascites,
askos.
Ascyrum, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. foxupov, 'St. John's wort', which is of
unknown origin,
-ase, suff. denoting enzymes (biochemistry). —
The ending of diastase (q.v.), the first enzyme
isolated, became the regular suffix for forming
nouns denoting enzymes. Cp. -ese.
aseity, n., being by itself (philos.) — ML. dseitds,
'state of being by itself, fr. L. a se, 'from, or of,
himself. See a-, 'from', sui and -iry.
asepsis, n., absence of sepsis (med.) — Medical
L., formed fr. priv. pref. a- and sepsis,
aseptic, adj., pertaining to asepsis, not producing
sepsis (med.) — Formed fr. priv. pref. a- and
<jY)7tTi,x6i;, 'putrefactive'. See septic.
Derivatives: aseptic-al-ly, adv., aseptic-ism, n.,
aseptic-ize, tr. v.
aseptol, n , an antiseptic preparation (pharm.) —
Coined fr. aseptic and suff. -ol (representing L.
oleum, 'oil'),
asexual, adj., not sexual. — A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. a-, 'not' (see priv. pref. a-), and sexual, a
word of Latin origin.
Derivatives: asexual-ity, n., asexual-ly, adv.
ash, n., usually in pi. ashes, a powdery substance
that remains after burning anything. — ME.
asche, fr. OE. asce, sesce, rel. to ON., Swed. aska,
Dan. ask, OHG. asca, MHG., G. asche, Goth.
azgd, 'ashes' (whence Sp. and Port, ascua, 'red
hot coal"), fr. l.-E. *as-gdn, *as-ghdn, 'ashes',
fr. l.-E. base *Ss-, 'to burn, glow', whence also
L. drere (for *dsere), 'to be dry', ardere, 'to
burn'. See ardent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: ash-en, adj., ash-ery , n., ash-y,
adj.
ash, n., any tree of the genus Fraxinus. — ME.
asch, esch, fr. OE. xsc, rel. to ON. askr, OS., Dan.
Swed., OHG. ask, MDu. esce, Du. es, MHG.
asch, esche, G. Esche, and cogn with Arm. haci,
'ash', Alb. ah, 'beech', Gk. o£ua, o^ui),
'beech', and — with -n-formative element — with
Russ. jdsen', Olr. uinnius, W., OCo. onnen (fr.
base *onnd, for *o sna), 'ash' , L. ornus (for *osinos),
'the wild mountain ash'. The original I.-E. base
*dsis appears in Lith. uosis, Lett, uosis, OPruss.
woasis, 'ash'.
Derivative: ash-en, adj.
ashamed, adj. — Pp. of obsol. ashame, fr. ME.
aschamien, fr. OE. dscamian, 'to put to shame',
which is formed fr. intensive pref. a- and
scamian, 'to put to shame'. See shame.
Ashamnu, n., the shorter of the two alphabetical
confessions of sins recited in the liturgy of
Yom Kippur (Jewish religion). — Heb. Asham-
nu, 'we have trespassed', fr. dshdm, 'he has tres-
passed', rel. to dshdm, 'offence, guilt, guilt of-
fering', and to Arab, dthima, 'he has sinned',
ithm, 'offence'.
Asher, n., i) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) a son
of Jacob; b) the tribe descended from him. —
Heb. Asher, lit. 'happy' (see Gen. 30: 13), rel. to
ishsher, 'he pronounced happy', osher, 'happi-
ness', ashri, 'happy is', and prob. also to Arab.
ydsara, 'was gentle, easy, happy'. Cp. the PN.
Felix, fr. h. felix, 'happy',
asherah, n., a Canaanitish and Phoenician god-
ess; a sacred tree or pole. — Heb. dsherd", of
uncertain origin.
Ashkenaz, n., the eldest son of Gomer (Gen.
10:3); also name of a people mentioned in Jere-
miah (51:27); in the Middle Ages applied to
Germany. — Heb. Ashkenaz. Cp. Euxine.
Ashkenazim, n. pi., the Jews of Germany, central
and northern Europe. — Heb. Ashkenazztm,
pi. formed fr. Ashkenaz. See prec. word,
ashlar, n., 1) a squared building stone; 2)masonry
of squared stones. — ME. ascheler, fr. OF. ais-
selier, fr. L. axillaris, fr. axis, 'board, plank', a
collateral form of ass is, of s.m., which is rel. to
osier, 'pole, stake, post'. Axis, 'axle', is not rel. to
axis in the above sense. Cp. as, n., atelier. For
the ending see suff. -ar.
Derivatives: ashlar-ed, adj., ashlar-ing, n.
ashore, adv. — Formed fr. a- 'on', and shore,
ashrafi, n., name of various gold coins, esp. a
gold coin in Persia. — Pers., fr. Arab.
dshraf, lit. 'noble ones', pi. of sharif, 'noble',
fr. shdrafa, 'he was exalted, he was noble'.
See shereef and cp. words there referred to.
ashrama, n., hermitage (Hinduism). — OI. dsrd-
mah, fr. adnominal pref. d- and srdmah, 'effort,
toil, fatigue', whence srdmyati, 'he becomes
tired', which is rel. to OI. kldmyati, kldmati, 'he
slackens, languishes' and cogn.^ with OSlav.
kromiti, 'to tame', chromu, 'lame'.
Ashtoreth, n., a Canaanitish goddess, identical
with Astarte. — Heb. 'AshtSreth, rel. to Ugar.
'strt, Akkad. Ishtar. Cp. Ishtar, Astarte, Aphro-
dite, and the first element in Atargatis. Cp. also
April.
Ashura, n., name of the Mohammedan fast ob-
served on the 10th day of the month Muhar-
ram. — Arab. 'Ashurd', lit. 'the tenth', Arabized
fr. Heb. 'asSr, 'the tenth day', which is rel. to
'asdrd" (fem.), 'ten'. The Arabic word shows
Aramaic influence; the ending -a represents the
Aramaic article. See asor.
Asia, n. — L. Asia, fr. Gk. * Aota, 'Asia', fr. Ak-
kad. dsu, 'to go out; to rise' (said of the sun),
which is rel. to Heb. yatzd\ 'went out; rose'
(said of the sun), Aram. y e 'a, 'went forth; burst
forth, bloomed', Ethiop. wadda, 'went out',
Arab, wddu'a, 'was or became beautiful, neat
or clean'. Accordingly Asia orig. denoted 'the
Region of the Rising Sun', in contradistinction
to Europe, which orig. meant 'the Region of the
Setting Sun' (see Europe). Cp. hamotzi. Cp. also
wudu.
Asian, adj. and n. — L. Asianus, fr. Gk. ' Aaioevo?,
fr. 'Acta. See prec. word and cp. next word.
Derivatives: Asian-ic, adj., Asian-ism, n.
Asiatic, adj. and n.— L. Asidticus, fr. Gk. 'Aoi5-
Tixos, fr. *Aota, 'Asia'. See Asia and cp. prec.
word.
Derivatives: Asiatic-al-ly, adv., Asiatic-ism, n.,
Asiatic-ize, tr. v.
aside, adv., prep., and n. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and side.
Asilidae, n. pi., a family of flies (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. L. asilus. See next word and -idae.
Asilus, n., a genus of flies (zool.) — L. asilus,
'gadfly, horsefly', prob. of Etruscan origin. See
A.Ernout in Bulletin de la societe de linguisti-
que, 30, no 2 .
Asimina, n., a genus of trees, the North American
papaw (bot.) — ModL., fr. Can. F. assiminier,
'papaw tree', fr. Illinois Indian rassimina.
asinego, n., a little ass, a fool. — Sp. asnico, di-
min. of asno, 'an ass', fr. L. asinus, of s.m. See
next word.
asinine, adj., like an ass; stupid. — L. asinlnus,
fr. asinus, 'ass, dolt, blockhead'. See ass and
cp. words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
-asis, suff. used in medical terminology to
denote a state or condition. — Medical L.
-asis, fr. Gk. -act;, formed from the aorist
of verbs into -do, -co (inf. -aeiv, -av). Cp. -esis,
-osis, -iasis.
ask, tr. and intr. v. — ME. asken, axien, fr. OE.
ascian, desian, rel. to OS. escon, Dan. seske,
Swed. aska, OFris. askia, MDu. eiscen, Du.
eisen, 'to ask, demand', OHG. eiscon, heiscdn,
'to ask (a question)', MHG. eischen, heischen,
G. heischen, 'to ask, demand', and cogn. with
OI. icchdti (for *is-ske-ti), 'seeks, desires', Arm.
aic (for *ais-skd-), 'investigation', OSlav. iskati,
'to seek', Lith. ieskau, ieskoti, 'to seek', OI.
ismdh, 'spring, god of love', prob. also with
Gk. t^Epo; (for* ioy.spoc,), 'longing, yearning,
desire'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*aish-, 'to wish, desire, seek'.
Derivatives: ask-er, n., ask-ing, i., ask-ing-ly,
adv.
ask, n., water newt. — ME. aske, corruption of
OE. apexe, which is rel. to OS. egithassa, MDu.
haghedisse, Du. hagedis, OHG. egidehsa, MHG.
egedehse, eidehse, G. Eidechse. The first element
of these words is prob. cogn. with L. anguis,
'serpent, snake', Gk. iyic,, 'viper' ; see anguine
and cp. echidna. The second element is prob.
rel. to MHG. dehse, 'spindle'. For sense develop-
ment cp. Russ. weretenica, 'lizard', fr. wereteno,
'spindle'. Cp. asker.
askance, adv. — ME. askaunce; of uncertain
origin.
askari, n., a native soldier of East Africa. —
Arab, 'askari, 'a soldier', fr. 'dskar, 'an army',
fr. Late Gk. s5epxr,Tov, ultim. fr. L. exer-
citus, 'army', fr. exercere, 'to train, drill'. See
exercise and cp. lascar.
askew, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and skew,
asker, n., a newt (dial.) — Formed fr. ask, 'newt',
with suff. -er.
askos, n., a vase resembling a wine skin (Greek
antiq.) — Gk. atrok, 'leather bag, wine skin'.
See ascus.
aslant, adv. — Formed fr. a- 'on', and slant,
asleep, adv. and pred. adj. — Formed fr. a-,
'on', and sleep,
aslope, adv. and pred. adj. — Formed fr. a-,
'on', and slope.
Asmodeus, n., an evil spirit, the prince of the
demons. — L. Asmodaeus, fr. Gk. 'Aa^oSatoc,
fr. Talmudic Heb. Ashm e ddy, fr. Avestic Aesh-
ma-dseva, lit. 'Aeshma, the deceitful',
asocial, adj., not social. — A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. 4-, 'not' (see priv. pref. a-), and social, a
word of Latin origin.
asomatic, adj., incorporeal. — Formed with suff.
-ic fr. L. asdmatus, fr. Gk. aaco(jtaTot;, 'disem-
bodied, incorporeal', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-)
and Gk. <rw[ia, 'body'. See somatic,
asomatous, adj., incorporeal. — Gk. cxac^a-roc.
See prec. word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-os, see -ous.
asor, n., a Hebrew ten-stringed instrument. —
Heb. 'dsdr, fr. 'eser (masc), 'asdrd" (fem.),
'ten', which is rel. to Aram, 'dsdr (masc), 'asrd
(fem.), Ugar. 'shr (masc), 'shrh (fem.), Arab.
'ashr (masc), 'dshara h (fem.), Ethiop. 'ashru
(masc), 'ashartu (fem.), Akkad. eshri (masc),
eshertu, esherit (fem.), 'ten'. (The masc.
forms are used with fem. nouns, the fem.
ones with masc. nouns.) In the Sem. lan-
guages the orig. meaning of 'ten' seems to
have been 'gathering, collection, union'. Cp.
Arab, 'dshara, 'he formed a community', 'a-
shtra h , 'a tribe', 'ashir, 'kinsman', md'shar, 'a
group of men, assembly'. Cp. Ashura.
asp, n., a snake of the viper family. — OF. aspe,
fr. L. aspidem, acc. of aspis, 'asp', fr. Gk. xv-lz,
gen. acrriSo?, of s.m., which prob. derives fr.
Heb. tzepha', 'basilisk'.
Derivative: asp-ish, adj.
asp, n. — Poetic form of aspen.
Derivative: asp-en, adj.
asparagus, n. — L., fr. Gk. aCTTrapayot;, Att
Aspasia
114
dtatpapayo?, 'asparagus,' which prob. means lit.
'a sprout', and is rel. to amxpyav, 'to swell, be
ripe', fr. I.-E. base *sper{e)g, *spher(e)g-, 'to
sprout, swell, burst', whence also L. spargere,
'to scatter'. See sparse and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also asperges and sparrow-
grass.
Aspasia, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. 'Aorraaloc, fem.
of aaTtaaioc,, 'welcome', which is rel. to acrrax-
£ea&ai, 'to welcome'; of uncertain origin.
aspect, n. — L. aspectus, 'glance, sight, appear-
ance, countenance', fr. aspectus, pp. of aspicere,
'to look at', fr. ad- and specere, spicere 'to look
at'. See species and cp. conspectus, inspect, in-
trospect, perspective, prospect, respect, retro-
spect, suspect.
aspect, tr. v. — L. aspectdre, freq. formed fr.
aspectus, pp. of aspicere. See aspect, n.
aspen, n., a variety of poplar. — Orig. an adj.
formed with suff. -en (cp. ashen, oaken) fr. asp,
'the aspen', fr. ME. aspe, asp, fr. OE. sespe, sesp,
seps, 'aspen, white poplar', which is rel. to ON.
dsp, Dan., Swed. asp, MLG., MDu. espe, Du.
esp,OWG. aspa, MHG. aspe, G. Espe, and cogn.
with Lett, apsa, OPruss. abse, Lith. apuse, Russ.
osina (for *opsina).
asperate, tr. v., to make rough. — L. asperdtus,
pp. of asperdre. See asperity and verbal suff. -ate.
asperges, n., the ceremony of sprinkling (R.C.Ch.)
— L. asperges, second person sing. fut. indie,
of aspergere, 'to sprinkle upon' ; see asperse. The
ceremony is called asperges from the opening
words of the Vulgate, Ps. 51:9 Asperges me
hyssopd, rendering Heb. t e hatt e eni bh e ezdbh
('purge me with hyssop'),
aspergillum, n., a small brush for sprinkling
(R.C.Ch.) — ML., 'a small brush for sprinkling',
a diminutive formed fr. L. aspergere. See prec.
word.
Aspergillus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
a diminutive formed fr. L. aspergere. See
asperges.
asperifoliate, also asperifolious, adj., having rough
leaves. — Compounded of L. asper, 'rough',
and folium, 'leaf. See next word and foliate.
asperity, n., roughness. — F. asperite, fr. L. as-
periidtem, acc. of asperitds, 'unevenness, rough-
ness', fr. asper, 'uneven, rough', which is of un-
certain origin. Cp. Asperugo, Asperula, Aspredo,
exasperate. For the ending see suff. -ity.
asperse, tr. v., 1) to besprinkle {now rare); 2) to
slander. — L. aspersus, pp. of aspergere, 'to
sprinkle upon', fr. ad- and spargere,' to scatter,
sprinkle'. Sec sparse and cp. asperges, disperse.
For the change of Latin a (in spargere) to e (in
a-spergere) see accent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: aspers-ed, adj., aspers-er, n., aspers-
ive, adj., aspers-ive-ly, adv.
aspersion, n. — L. asper sid, gen. -dnis, fr. asper-
sus, pp. of aspergere. See prec. word and -ion.
Asp;rug3, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.) — L. asperugo, 'a plant with prick-
ly leaves', fr. asper, 'rough'. See asperity.
Asperula, n. a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) — ModL., a diminutive formed fr.
L. asper, 'rough'. See asperity.
asphalt also asphaltum, n. — F. asphalte, fr. Late
L. asphaltus, fr. Gk. S«r<paXTo?, which is of un-
certain, possibly Sem., origin. See Heinrich
Lewy, Die semitischen Fremdworter im Grie-
chischen, Berlin, 1895, p. 53.
Derivatives: asphalt, tr. v., asphalt-ine, asphalt-
ic, adjs.
asphodel, n. — L. asphodelus, fr. Gk. aayoHzkoc,,
a foreign word of uncertain origin. Cp. daffodil,
which is a doublet of asphodel.
asphyxia, n.. suspended animation (med.) —
Medical L. fr. Gk. dcacpui;la, lit. 'pulselessness',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and a<pu!;i;, 'pulsation',
which is rel. to a<puY|i6<;, 'pulsation', acpii^eiv
(for *a(piJY-isiv), 'to beat, pulsate'. See sphyg-
mus and -ia.
asphyxiant, adj., asphyxiating; n., an asphyxiat-
ing agent. — See prec. word and -ant.
asphyxiate, tr. v., to suffocate. — See asphyxia
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative : asphyxiat-ion, n.
aspic, n., asp. — OF. (= F.) aspic, which is prob.
a blend of OF. aspe, 'asp' (see asp, 'snake'), and
OF. (= F.) basilic, 'basilisk', fr. L. basiliscus
(see basilisk), two names that are often asso-
ciated with each other.
aspic, n., a savory meat jelly. — F., the same as
aspic, 'asp' ; so called from the varied colors of
this jelly.
Aspidistra, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-the-
valley family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'star shield',
fr. Gk. aura?, gen. aaruSoc., 'shield', and acTpov,
'star'. See next word and aster.
aspidium, n., the shield fern (bot.) — ModL., Lit.
'little shield', fr. Gk. aamSiov, dimin. of aortic.,
gen. dcamSoc., 'shield', which is of uncertain
origin.
aspirant, adj. — F., fr. L. aspirantem, acc. of as-
p'trans, pres. part, of aspirdre. See aspire and -ant.
aspirate, n. — L. aspirdtus, pp. of aspirdre. See
aspire, and adj. suff. -ate.
aspirate, tr. v. — L. aspirdtus, pp. of aspirdre.
See aspirate, n.
Derivatives: aspirat-ed, adj., aspiration (q.v.),
aspirat-or, n., aspirat-ory, adj.
aspiration, n. — L. aspirdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. as-
pirdtus, pp. of aspirdre. See next word and
-ation.
aspire, intr. v. — F. aspirer, fr. L. aspirdre, 'to
breathe or blow upon; to aspire', fr. ad- and
spirdre, 'to breathe'. See spirit and cp. con-
spire, expire, inspire, respire.
aspirin, n. (pharm.) — A hybrid coined by H.
Dreser in Pfliiger's Archiv in 1 899. The acetylo-
salicylic acid occurs in the flowers of the plant
Spiraea ulmaria. In order to distinguish from
this natural product the same substance gained
115
assert
chemically, the word aspirin was formed by
Dreser from priv. pref. a-, the above mentioned
plant Spiraea, and chem. suff. -in. Hence aspirin
prop, means 'acetylo-salicylic acid which is
gained not from the Spiraea ulmaria (but in a
chemical way)'.
Asplenium, n., a genus of ferns (bot) — ModL.,
fr. L. asplenum, 'miltwort, spleenwort', fr. Gk.
aorcXY)vov, fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and (ttcXtjv,
'spleen' ; see spleen. The plant was so called for
its healing qualities. The name ScttlXtjvov lit.
means 'a remedy against (the diseases of) the
spleen'.
Aspredo, n., a genus of catflshes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., fr. L. aspredo, 'roughness', fr. asper.
See asperity.
asquint, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and squint.
ass, n. — ME. asse, fr. OE. assa, fr. Olr. assan,
fr. L. asinus, 'ass, dolt, blockhead', a word bor-
rowed from a language spoken in the South of
Asia Minor, whence also Gk. ovoc, (for orig.
*osonos), 'ass', Arm. esh (collective pi. ishan-k"),
of s.m. Cp. asinego, asinine, easel, onager.
assagai, assegai, n., a hardwood spear. — Port.
azagaia, fr. Arab.-Berb. az-zaghdya", fr. az-,
assimilated form of al-, 'the', and zaghdya", 'a
spear'. Cp. lancegay.
Derivative: assagai, assegai, tr. v.
assai, adv., very (musical direction). — It., fr. L.
ad, 'to', and satis, 'enough'. See assets.
assai, n., the assai palm. — Port, assai, fr. Tupi
assahy.
assail, tr. v. — ME. assailen, fr. OF. asalir, as-
sailir (F. assaillir), fr. VL. assalire, fr. ad- and
L. salire, 'to leap, spring'. Cp. L. assilire, 'to
leap upon', and see salient. Cp. also assault.
Derivatives: assail-able, adj., assailant (q.v.),
assail-er, n., assail-ment, n.
assailant, n. — F. assaillant, pres. part, of as-
saillir. See assail and -ant.
assart, n., the act of grubbing up trees, bushes,
etc. (Old English law) — Formed— with change
of prefix— fr. OF. (= F.) essart, 'the grubbing
up of trees', fr. VL. exsartum, fr. L. ex, 'out of
(see ist ex-), and the stem of sarire (also spelled
sarrire), 'to grub, hoe', whence also sarculum,
(for *sart-lom), 'hoe'; cogn. with OI. sfnf,
'sickle', s/-nih, 'elephant goad'. L. sarire is rel.
to sarpere, 'to cut off, lop, trim'. See sarmentum.
assart, tr. v. — OF. essarter, 'to grub up trees',
fr. essart. See assart, n.
assassin, n., murderer. — F., fr. It. assassino, fr.
Arab, hashshdshin, 'drinkers of hashish 1 , fr.
hashish, 'hemp' ; see hashish. The first assassins
were the fanatic followers of the Shaykh-ul-
Jabal (the Old Man of the Mountains), who
committed their murders under the intoxication
of hashish. The plural suff. -in in assassin was
mistaken for part of the word. Cp. Bedouin.
Derivatives: assassin-ate, tr. v., assassin-at-
ion, n.
assault, n. — ME. asaut, fr. OF. asaut (F. as-
saut), fr. VL. *assaltus, fr. ad- and L. saltus,
'a leap', fr. salire, 'to leap, spring'. See salient
and cp. assail.
assault, tr. v. — OF. assauter, fr. VL. assaltdre,
fr. ad- and L. saltdre, freq. of salire. See as-
sault, n.
Derivative: assault-er, n.
assay, n. — ME., fr. OF. assai, which was form-
ed — with change of prefix — from OF. essai,
essay (F. essai), fr. L. cxagium, 'a weighing',
fr. exigere, 'to weigh, measure, examine', lit.
'to drive out', fr. ist ex- and agere, 'to drive'.
Cp. It. saggio (with the loss of the initial
syllable) and the verb assaggiare (with the same
change of pref. as in English). See agent, adj.,
and cp. essay. Cp. also exigent, exiguous.
assay, tr. v. — ME. assayen, fr. OF. assayer, a
collateral form of essaier, essayer, fr. assai,
resp. essai, essay. See assay, n.
Derivatives: assay-able, adj., assay-er, n., assay-
ing, n.
assecuration, n., insurance (law). — ML. asse-
curdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. ad- and L. seciirus, 'free
from care, careless'. See secure.
assecurator, n. (law). — See prec. word and agen-
tial suff. -or.
assemblage, n. — F. assemblage, 'gathering, as-
semblage', fr. assembler. See next word and
-age.
assemble, tr. and intr. v. — ME. assemblen, fr.
OF. (= F.) assembler, 'to gather, assemble', fr.
L. assimuldre, 'to make like, think like', in later
sense 'to gather at the same time', fr. ad- and
simuldre, 'to make like, imitate', fr. simul,
'together'. See simulate.
Derivative: assembl-er, n.
assembly, n. — ME. assemblee, fr. OF. assemblee
(F. assemblee), prop. fem. pp. of assembler, 'to
assemble', used as a noun. See prec. word and
-y (representing OF. -e, -ee).
assent, intr. v. — ME. assenten, fr. OF. asenter,
assenter, fr. L. assentdri, 'to agree with', freq.
formed fr. assentire, assentiri, fr. ad- and sentire,
'to feel'. See sense and cp. consent, dissent,
resent.
Derivatives: assentation (q.v.), assent-er, n.,
assent-ive, adj., assent-ive-ness, n.
assent, n. — ME., fr. OF., back formation fr. as-
senter. See prec. word.'
assentation, n. — L. assentdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
flattering assent', fr. assentdtus, pp. of assen-
tdri. See assent, v., and -ation.
assentient, adj., assenting; n., one who assents. —
L. assentiens. gen. -entis, pres. part, of assentire.
See assent, v., and -ent.
assert, tr. v. — L. assertus, pp. of asserere, 'to
claim, maintain, affirm', lit. 'to join to oneself,
fr. ad- and serere, 'to join together, connect,
combine'. See series and cp. dissert, insert.
Derivatives: assert-er, n., assertion (q.v.), assert-
ive, adj., assert-ive-ly, adv., assert-ive-ness, n.
assertion
116
assertion, n. — L. assertio, gen. -onis, fr. assertus,
pp. of asserere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: assertion-al, adj.
assertory, adj. — L. assertdrius, 'pertaining to an
assertion, assertive', fr. assertus, pp. of asserere.
See assert and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: assertori-al, adj., assertori-al-ly,
adv.
assess, tr. v., to evaluate for taxation. — ME.
assessen, fr. OF. assesser, fr. Late L. assessdre,
freq. formed fr. L. assessus, pp. of assidere, 'to
sit by or near; to assist in office', fr. ad- and
sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary and cp. assiduous,
assize. Cp. also cess, 'tax', which is an aphetic
form of assess.
Derivatives: assess-able, adj., assess-ee, n., as-
sess-ment, n., assessor (q.v.)
assessor, n. — ME. assessour, fr. OF. assessour
(F. assesseur), fr. L. assessdrem, acc. of assessor,
lit. 'a sitter by', fr. assessus, pp. of assidere. See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: assessor-ial, adj.
assets, n. — Orig. a singular noun fr. OF. asez
(pronounced asets) (whence F. assez), 'enough',
fr. VL. *ad-satis, 'in sufficiency', fr. L. ad, 'to' (see
ad-), and satis, 'enough'. Cp. OProvcnc. assatz,
'enough', It. assai, 'much', which also derive fr.
VL. *ad-satis, and see satis, sad.
asseverate, tr. v., to affirm. — L. asseverdtus, pp.
of asseverdre, 'to act with earnestness, to assert
strongly' (said of speech), fr. ad- and severus,
'serious, grave, strict, austere'. See severe and
cp. persevere.
Derivatives: asseverat-ive, adj., asseverat-ive-ly,
adv., assever-at-ory, adj.
asseveration, n., affirmation. — L. asseverdtid,
gen. -onis, 'vehement assertion', fr. asseverdtus,
pp. of asseverdre. See prec. word and -ion.
assibilate, tr. v., to make sibilant. — L. assibi-
latus, pp. of assibildre, fr. ad- and sibildre, 'to
hiss'. See sibilant.
Derivative: assibilat-ion, n.
assiduity, n. — L. assiduitds, gen. -tdtis, 'con-
tinual presence', fr. assiduus. See next word
and -ity.
assiduous, adj., i) constant in application; 2) dili-
gent. — L. assiduus, 'busy; incessant, continual,
constant', lit. 'sitting by (one's work)', fr. assi-
dere, 'to sit by', fr. ad- and sedere, 'to sit'. See
ad- and sedentary. For the change of Latin e
(in sedere) to 1 (in as-sidere), see abstinent and
cp. words there referred to. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives :assiduous-ly, adv., assiduous-ness, n.
assiento, asienro, n., contract or convention. —
Sp. asiento, fr. asentar, 'to adjust, settle, estab-
lish', lit. 'to place on a chair', formed fr. a
(fr. L. ad, 'to'), and sentar, 'to place on a chair,
set, set up, establish', fr. L. sedens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of sedere, 'to sit'. See ad- and seden-
tary.
assign, tr. v. — ME. assignen, fr. OF. aligner, as-
signer, fr. L. assigndre, 'to assign, allot, distrib-
ute', lit. 'to mark out', fr. ad- and signdre, 'to
mark', fr. signutn, 'mark, token, sign'. See sign,
n., and cp. design.
Derivatives: assign-able, adj., assignabl-y, adv.
assign, n., one assigned. — F. assigne, pp. of as-
signer. See prec. word and cp. assignee,
assignat, n., paper money issued by the French
revolutionary government (1789-96). — F., fr. L.
assignatum, neut. pp. of assigndre. See assign, v.
assignation, n., appointment to meet; assignment.
— ME. assignacion, fr. OF. assignacion (F.
assignation), fr. L. assigndtionem, acc. of assig-
ndtid, 'allotment', fr. assigndtus, pp. of assig-
ndre. See assign, v., and -ation.
assignee, n., an assign. — F. assigne, pp. of as-
signer, fr. L. assigndre. See assign, v., and cp.
assign, n.
assignment, n. — ME. assignement, fr. OF. as-
signment, fr. assigner. See assign, v., and -ment.
assimilate, tr. and intr. v. — L. assimildtus, pp.
of assimildre, 'to make like, liken', fr. ad- and
simildre, 'to make similar to', fr. similis, 'like, re-
sembling'. See similar and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. assemble.
Derivatives: assimilation (q.v.), assimilat-ive,
adj., assimilat-or, n., assimilat-ory, adj.
assimilation, n. — L. assimildtid, gen. assimild-
tionis, 'likeness, similarity', fr. assimildtus, pp.
of assimildre. See assimilate and -ion.
assist, tr. and intr. v. — F. assister, 'to stand by,
help, assist', fr. L. assistere, 'to stand by', fr. ad-
and sistere, 'to cause to stand, put, place; to
stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base of
stare, 'to stand'. Cp. OI. tisthati, Avestic hish-
taiti, 'stands', and Gk. ictt7)[xi, 'I cause to stand,
place; I stand', which stands for *en-aT7j[xi,
and see state. Cp. also consist, desist, exist,
insist, persist, resist, subsist.
assistance, n. — F., fr. assistant. See next word
and -ce.
assistant, adj. and n. — F. assistant, adj. and n.,
prop. pres. part, of assister. See assist and -ant.
assize, n. — ME. assise, fr. OF. asise, 'session'
(whence F. assises, 'the assizes'), prop. fem.
pp. of asseoir, 'to cause to sit, to set', fr. L. as-
sidere, 'to sit by'. See assess and cp. size.
Derivatives: assize, tr. v., assize-ment, n., assiz-
er, n.
associable, adj. — F., fr. associer, fr. L. associare.
See next word and -able.
Derivatives: associabil-ity, n., associable-ness,n.
associate, tr. and intr. v. — L. associdtus, pp. of
associare, 'to join to, unite with', fr. ad- and
socidre, 'to join together, associate', fr. socius.
'companion'. See sociable and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. consociate, dissociate.
Derivatives: associat-ed, adj., association, asso-
ciative (qq.v.)
associate, adj. — L. associdtus, pp. of associare.
See prec. word.
Derivative: associate, n.
117
-aster
association, n. — F., fr. ML. associdlidnem, acc.
of associdtid, fr. L. associdtus, pp. of associare.
See associate, v., and -ion, and cp. consociation,
dissociation. Derivative: association-al, adj.
associative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive from
the verb associate; first used by Coleridge.
Derivatives: associative-ly, adv., associative-
ness, n.
assoil, tr. v., to absolve (archaic). — ME. assoi-
len, fr. OF. assoile, pres. subjunctive oiassoldre
(F. absoudre), 'to absolve'. See absolve, which
is the doublet of assoil.
Derivative: assoil-ment, n.
assoilzie, tr. v., to acquit (Scot. law). — Formed
fr. prec. word.
assonance, n. — F., fr. assonant. See next word
and -ce and cp. sonance and words there re-
ferred to.
assonant, adj. — F., fr. L. assonantem, acc. of as-
sondns, pres. part, of assondre, 'to sound to, res-
pond to',fr. ad- and sondre, 'to sound'. See sound,
'voice', and cp. sonant and words there referred to.
assonate, intr. v. — L. assonatus, pp. of assondre.
See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
assort, tr. and intr. v. — OF. assorter, 'to assort,
match', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and sorte, 'sort, kind,
species'. See sort, v. and n. The change of con-
jugation in F. assortir, of s.m., is due to the in-
fluence of the verb sortir, 'to go out'.
Derivatives: assort-ative, adj., assort-ed, adj.,
assort-er, n., assort-ive, adj., assort-ment, n.
assuage, tr. v., to mitigate; to soothe. — ME.
asuagen, fr. OF. asuager, assouager, assouagier,
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and L. sudvis, 'sweet'. See
sweet and cp. suave.
Derivatives: assuag-er, n., assuagement (q.v.)
assuagement, n. — OF. assouagement, fr. assou-
ager. See assuage and -ment.
assuetude, n., custom, habit (med.) — L. assue-
tudo, fr. assuetus, pp. of assuescere, 'to accus-
tom', fr. ad- and suescere, 'to become used or
accustomed', fr. I.-E. base *swedh-, 'to make
one's own'. See custom and cp. consuetude. For
the ending see suff. -tude.
assume, tr. and intr. v. — L. assumere, 'to take
to (oneself), take up, adopt, usurp', fr. ad- and
sumere, 'to take' ; which is compounded of sub-,
'under', and emere, 'to take'. See exempt and
cp. consume, presume, resume, subsume. Cp. also
redeem.
Derivatives: assum-ed, adj., assum-ed-ly, adv.,
assum-ing, adj., assum-ing-ly, adv.
assumption, n. — L. assumptid, gen. -onis, 'a tak-
ing, receiving', fr. assumptus, pp. of assumere.
See prec. word and ->on and cp sumption and
words there referred to.
assumptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
assumptus, pp. of assumere. See assume and cp.
prec. word.
assurance, n. — OF. aseiirance (F. assurance),
fr. aseiirer. See assure and -ance.
assure, tr. v. — OF. aseiirer (F. assurer), fr. Late
L. assecurare, fr. ad- and L. securus, 'safe'. See
secure, sure.
Derivatives: assur-ed, adj., assur-ed-ly, adv.,
assur-ed-ness, n., assur-er, n., assur-ing, adj., as-
sur-ing-ly, adv.
assurgent, adj., rising. — L. assurgens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of assurgere, 'to rise up', fr. ad- and
surgere, 'to rise'. See surge and cp. insurgent.
Assyria, n. — L. Assyria, fr. Gk. ' Acroupta (short
for 'Acroupia -ffi, 'the Assyrian land'), fem. of
'Aacripto?, 'pertaining to Assyria', fr. Akkad.
Ashshur. Cp. Heb. Ashshiir, Gen. 10:10. Cp.
also Syria.
Derivatives: Assyri-an, adj. and n., Assyri-an-
ize, v.
Assyriology, n., the study of the history and
language of Assyria. — Compounded of As-
syria and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: Assyriolog-ic-al, adj., Assyriolog-
ist, n.
-ast, agential suff., identical in meaning to -ist. —
F. -aste, fr. L. -asta, fr. Gk. -acjTYjt;, which stands
for -an-TTf, and is formed fr. -aa- (the ending
of the stem of the verbs in -a^ew) and agential
suff. -Tr);. Cp. -ist.
Astarte, n., a Phoenician goddess, identical with
Greek Aphrodite. — L., fr. Gk. 'AaTap-o;, fr.
Heb.-Phoen. 'Ashtoreth. See Ashtoreth and cp.
Aphrodite.
astatic, adj. (electricity) — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. itCTTaxo;, 'not steadfast', fr. d- (see priv.
pref. a-) and otoctA;;, 'standing', verbal adj. of
lcty)pli, (for *ai-aTT)(jiO, 'I cause to stand, place;
I stand'. See static.
astatine, n.,name of a radioactive element (chem.)
— Formed with chem. suff. -ine, fr. Gk.
aaTaTo;, 'unstable'. See prec. word.
asteism, n., genteel irony. — Gk. daTelajioi;,
'wit, witticism', fr. daTeiog, 'of the town', fr.
Sa-pj, 'town, city', esp. 'the city of Athens', fr.
orig. f daT'j [cp. Arcadian faaaxui"/ 01 (gen. of
f ocaaTuo/oi;), 'protecting the city (of Athens)',
epithet of Pallas Athene], which is cogn. with
OI. vdstu, 'dwelling place', vdstu, vastu, 'seat,
place, thing', Toch. A wast, 'house', fr. I.-E.
base *wes-, 'to dwell'. See was and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the first element in
Astyanax. For the ending see suff. -ism.
Aster, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — L. aster, 'star', fr. Gk. dcmr;p ; so called
from the radiate heads of its flowers. See star
and cp. asterisk, Astraea, astrology, astrono-
my, disaster.
-aster, combining form meaning 'star, starlike',
as in Ciypeaster. — See prec. word.
-aster, suff. expressing incomplete resemblance,
usually of dimin. and depreciativc force. — L.
-aster, fr. Gk. -a<T-r/)p, a suff. orig. forming
nouns from verbs ending in -d^ew, later gene-
ralized as a pejorative suff. Cp. mx-zpaivriip, 'he
asteria
118
who plays the father', fr. raxxvjp, 'father'. The
Gk. suff. -aoT7)p was adopted by the Latin,
whence, in the form -astre, -dtre, it came into
the Old French, resp. the French. Cp. the words
medicaster, oleaster, pinaster, poetaster. Cp. also
-ster.
asteria, n., a gem reflecting a six-rayed light
(Greek antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. doxepid, 'a pre-
cious stone', prop. fem. of aa-zipioq, 'starred,
starry', used as a noun, fr. dox-rjp, 'star'. See Aster.
asterisk, n., the figure of a star (the printing
mark *). — Late L. asteriscus, fr. Gk. doxEpwrxo?,
dimin. of daxr)p, 'star'. See Aster.
asterism, n., a system of stars, a constellation. —
Gk. a<JT£pi<jjx6g, fr. daxrjp, 'star'. See Aster and
-ism.
astern, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and stern.
asteroid, adj., starlike. — Gk. daxEpoEiSi]?,
compounded of daxrjp, 'star', and -oei8»]s,
'like', fr. sISos.'form, shape'. See Aster and -oid.
Derivative: asteroid, n.
Asteroidea, n., a class of echinoderms, the starfish
(zool.) — ModL. See asteroid.
asthenia, n., weakness (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. dafreveiot, 'weakness', fr. daS-EVTji;, 'weak',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and o9ivo;, 'strength'.
See sthenic and cp. sthenia.
asthenic, adj., weak (med.) — Gk. da&evixoi;, fr.
da&evr;;, 'weak'. See prec. word and -ic.
asthma, n., a chronic disorder characterized by
difficulty in breathing. — Gk. <Xa{>u.oe, 'hard-
drawn breath', which prob. stands for *dvcr!>u.a
and derives fr. I.-E. base *an-, 'to blow, breathe',
whence also ave[io<;, 'wind', L. animus, 'breath
of air, air, breath'; see animus. See Frisk, GEW.,
I, pp. 161-62 s.v. i£a9-[xa.
asthmatic, adj. — L. asthmaticus, fr. Gk. da&fxa-
xixoc, fr. 5<j&fxa. See asthma and -atic.
Derivative: asthmatic-al-ly, adv.
astigmatic, adj., pertaining to, or suffering from,
astigmatism (med. and optics). — See next word.
astigmatism, n., defect of the eye that prevents
the rays of light from converging to a point on
the retina (med. and optics). — Coined by the
English mathematician and philosopher Wil-
liam Whewell (1794- 1866) in 18 19 fr. priv. pref.
a- and Gk. axiyixa, gen. artyfj.<xxo<;, 'a prick,
puncture, mark'. See stigmatic and -ism.
Astilbe, n., a genus of plants of the saxifrage
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'not shining', fr.
priv. pref. a- and axtX(3eiv, 'to shine'. See stilbite.
astir, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and stir.
astomatous, adj., having no mouth. — Formed
fr. priv. pref. a- and -stomatous.
astonish, tr. v. — Obsol. astony, fr. ME. astonien,
astonen, which is formed with change of pref.
fr. estoner (whence F. etonner), fr. VL. *exto-
ndre, lit. 'to strike with thunder', fr. 1st ex-
and L. tondre, 'to thunder'. See thunder and cp.
astound. The verb astonish was influenced in
form by English verbs ending in -ish, in which
this suff. is the equivalent of OF. and F. -iss,
and goes back ultimately to the Latin inchoative
suff. -iscere. Cp. admonish, distinguish, ex-
tinguish.
Derivatives: astonish-ed-ly, adv., astonish-er, n.,
astonish-ing, adj., astonish-ing-ly, adv., astonish-
ing-ness, n.
astound, tr. v. — ME. astoned, astouned, pp. of
astonien. See astonish.
Derivatives: astound-ing, adj., astound-ing-ly,
adv., astound-ment, n.
astraddle, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
straddle.
Astraea, n., the goddess of justice in Greek and
Roman mythology. — L., fr. Gk. 'Aaxpaia, lit.
'starry', fem. of dcrxpaux;, fr. dcrrjp, 'star'. See
Aster.
astragal, n., a convex molding (archil.) — L. as-
tragalus, fr. Gk. daxpdyaXcx;, 'one of the ver-
tebrae of the neck, anklebone, molding', assim-
ilated fr. *6axpdyocXoi;, which is rel. to oaxpa-
xov, 'oyster shell, potsherd', fiaxsov, 'bone', and
cogn. with L. os, 'bone'. See os.
astragalus, n., the ball of the ankle joint (anat.)
— L. See prec. word.
Astragalus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — L. See astragal.
astrakhan, astrachan, n., the fur of still-born or
young lambs from Astrakhan. — From As-
trakhan in Russia. The name of the city lit.
means 'star of the caravanserai'. See astral and
khan, 'caravanserai'.
astral, adj., pertaining to the stars. — F., fr. L.
astrdlis, fr. astrum, 'star', fr. Gk. &axpov, which
is rel. to daxr)p, 'star'. See Aster and adj. suff.
-al.
Derivative: astral-ly, adv.
astrapophobia, n., morbid fear of lightning (med.)
— Medical L., compounded of Gk. daxpa7rrj,
'lightning', and -<po(3l5, 'fear of, fr. <j>6f}o<;, 'fear'.
Gk. dcoTpaTCT] is a collateral form of d<7XEpo7r*),
CTTepo7rf), and lit. means 'the eye of a star', fr.
aoTspo;, daxrjp, 'star', and stem on-, 'to look'
(whence also otxt), 'an opening, hole', o^i?,
'sight'). See Aster and optic. For the second ele-
ment see -phobia.
astray, adv. and adj. — For on stray, fr. pref. a-,
'on', and the noun stray,
astrict, tr. v., 'to bind, constrict. — L. astrictus,
pp. of astringere, 'to draw tight, bind', fr. ad-
and stringere, 'to draw tight'. See stringent.
Derivatives : astriction (q.v.), astrict-ive, adj.
astriction, n. — L. astrictid, gen. -onis, 'a drawing
tight', fr. astrictus, pp. of astringere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Astrid, a fem. PN. — A Norse name rel. to
OHG. Ansitruda, which is compounded of ansi,
'god', and trut, drut (whence MHG. trut, G.
traut), 'beloved, dear'. For the first element cp.
Arise lm, for the second see true and cp. the
second element in Ermentrud and in Gertrude,
astride, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
stride.
119
asymptote
astringe, tr. v., to bind, constrict. — L. astrin-
gere, 'to draw tight'. See astrict.
astringency, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy. Cp. stringency.
astringent, adj., that which contracts, severe. —
L. astringens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of astrin-
gere, 'to draw close, tighten, contract'. See
astringe and -ent.
astro-, before a vowel astr-, combining form
meaning 'star'. — Gk. daxpo-, dcrxp-, fr. ocaxpov,
'star', which is rel. to daxvjp, 'star'. See Aster.
astrocyte, n., a star-shaped cell (anat.) — Com-
pounded of astro- and Gk. xuxoi;, 'a hollow
vessel'. See -cyte.
astrography, n., the mapping of the stars. — Lit.
'description of the stars', fr. astro- and Gk.
-ypatpta, fr. ypd<pEiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivative: astrograph-ic, adj.
astrolabe, n., an obsolete astronomical instru-
ment. — ME., fr. OF. astrelabe, fr. ML. astro-
labium, fr. Gk. daxpoXd(3ov (scil. opyavov), lit.
'startaking (instrument)', fr. Soxpov, 'star', and
the stem of XajipdvEiv, 'to take'. See astro-
and lemma.
astrologer, n. — See astrology and agential suff
-er.
astrologic, astrological, adj. — Gk. daxpoXoyixoi;,
fr. daxpoXoytd. See astrology and -ic, resp. al-
so -al.
astrology, n. — F. astrologie, fr. L. astrologia,
fr. Gk. doxpoXoytd, 'astronomy', later 'astrol-
ogy', fr. doxpoX6yo(;, 'astronomer', later 'astrol-
oger', which is compounded of ocaxpov, 'star',
and -Xoyos, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See astro- and -logy.
astrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
brightness of stars. — Compounded of astro-
and Gk. fiixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
astronaut, n., one who flies through space; one
concerned with space flight. — Compounded
of astro- and Gk. vauxT);, 'sailor, seaman'. See
nautical and cp. cosmonaut.
astronautics, n., the science of space flight. —
Compounded of astro- and nautics. Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also cosmonautics.
astronomer, n. — See astronomy and agential suff.
-er.
astronomic, astronomical, adj. — F. astronomique,
fr. L. astronomicus, fr. Gk. daxpovo^utoi;, fr.
doxpovoixfa. See next word and -ic, resp. also
-al.
Derivative: astronomical-y, adv.
astronomy, n. — OF. astronomic, fr. L. astro-
nomia, fr. Gk. daxpovo(j.ta, 'astronomy', fr.
doxpovou.oc;, 'an astronomer', lit. 'star-arranger',
fr. Soxpov, 'star', and -v6(xo;, 'arranger', which
is rel. to vsfZEiv, 'to deal out, distribute'. See
Nemesis and cp. nomo-.
astrophysics, n. — Lit. 'astronomical physics'.
See astro- and physics.
astucious, adj., astute. — F. astucieux (fem.
astucieuse), fr. astuce, 'astuteness', fr. L. astutia,
'dexterity; cunning, subtlety', fr. astutus. See
astute and -ous.
Astur, n., the genus of the goshawks (zool) —
ML.,fr. L. acceptor, secondary form ofaccipiter,
'falcon' (see accipiter), whence also OSp. aztor,
Port, acor, Tt. astore, OProvenc. austor, OF.
ostoir, ostour, F. autour, 'goshawk'. Cp. ostreger.
astute, adj., shrewd, cunning, crafty. — L. astu-
tus, 'artful, drafty, cunning', fr. astus, 'clever-
ness, craft, cunning', which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: astute-ly, adv., astute-ness, n.
Astyanax, n., the son of Hector and Andromache
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Aaxudva^, lit.
'king of the city', fr. aaxu, 'city' (see asteism),
and ava£, orig. *Fdva£, 'chief, lord, master', a
name given to him in reference to his father.
Cp. Andromache.
asunder, adv. — OE. on sundran. See pref. a-, 'on',
and sunder.
asura, n., a god, a good spirit; later an evil spirit
(Hindu mythol) — OI. dsurah, prob. rel. to OI.
dsuh (for *nsu-), 'breath of life', fr. I.-E. base
*an-, 'to blow, breathe', whence also OI. dni-ti,
dna-ti, 'breathes', L. anima, 'breath of air,
breath, soul, life', animus, 'soul, spirit, mind,
courage, wish, derive'. See animus and cp. ahura
and sura, 'spirit, demon'.
Asvins, n. pi., two Vedic gods, twin brothers, the
Dioscuri of Vedic mythology. — OI. Asvinau
(dual), lit. 'horse owners', fr. dsvah, 'horse',
which is rel. to Avestic aspa-, and cogn. with
Gk. itttco?, L. equus, 'horse'. See equine.
asylum, n. — L. asylum, fr. Gk. aouXov, 'refuge,
sanctuary', prop. neut. of the adjective aauXo;,
'free from plunder, inviolable', used as a noun,
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and 06X75, cruXov, 'the
right of seizure', whence aOXdv, 'to strip, plun-
der'. Accordingly SoOXov lit. means 'an invio-
lable place'.
asymmetric, asymmetrical, adj. — Formed with
suff. -ic, resp. also -al, fr. Gk. dcrufi^P ?- See
asymmetry.
Derivative: asymmetrical-ly, adv.
asymmetry, n. — Gk. dau(x(x£xpia, 'incommen-
surability', fr. daVfiexpoq, 'incommensurate;
disproportionate', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
<ru(j.(XExpo;, 'commensurable'. See symmetry and
cp. dissymmetry.
asymptote, n., a straight line continually ap-
proaching but never meeting a curve (math.) —
Gk. dcrVrcxuTo;, 'not falling together', formed
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-), auv. 'with' (see sym-,
syn-), and Trxuxo?, 'fallen', verbal adj. of 7ti7txEiv,
'to fall', which stands for *7u-7txei.v, fr. *pt-,
zero degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall'.
See feather and cp. symptom and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: asymptot-ic, asymptot-ic-al, adjs.,
asymptot-ic-al-ly, adv.
asyndetic
120
asyndetic, adj., using asyndeton. — See next word
and -ic.
Derivative: asyndetic-al-ly, adv.
asyndeton, n., omission of conjunctions (rhet.) —
Gk. dauvSexov, neut. of dauvSexo?, 'uncon-
nected', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and aovSexcx;,
'connected', verbal adj. of auv8s.iv, 'to bind
together, connect', fr. uiiv, 'with' (see syn-), and
8eiv, 'to bind'. See diadem and cp. polysyn-
deton.
at, prep. — OE. set, rel. to ON., OS., Goth, at,
OFris. et, at, OHG. az, and cogn. with L. ad,
'to, toward', Olr. ad-, W. add-, Phryg. aS-,
af}-, 'to'. Cp. ad-.
at-, assimilated form of ad- before t.
atabal, n., kettledrum. — Sp., fr. Arab, at-tabl,
'the drum', fr. at-, assimilated form of al-, 'the',
and tab!, 'drum'. Cp. timbal.
atacamite, n., a basic copper chloride (mineral)
— Named after the province of Atacama, in
Chile. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
atajo, n., a drove of mules (Amer. Sp.) — Sp.,
'separation', fr. atajar, 'to separate', fr. a- (fr.
L. ad), 'to', and tajar, 'to cut', fr. VL. *talidre,
'to cut'. See ad- and tailor.
Atalanta, n., daughter of King Schoeneus, famous
for her swiftness in running (Greek mythol.) — ■
L., fr. Gk. ' AxoeXdvx-/) (fem. of dxdXavxoi;),
'having the same value (as a man)', from copul.
pref. d- and xdXavxov, 'balance, weight, talent,
value'. Copul. pref. d- stands for I.-E. *sm-, a
weak gradational form of I.-E. base *sem-,
'one, together'; see same. For the etymology
of xdXavxov see talent.
atalaya, n., a watchtower. — Sp., fr. Arab, at-
taldyi', 'the sentries', fr. a/-, assimilated form of
al-, 'the', and faldyi', pi. oitall'a h , 'sentinel', but
mistaken for a singular. See Dozy-Engelmann,
Glossaire des mots espagnols et portugais de-
rives de l'arabe, 2nd edition, pp. 209-10. Arab.
talt'a h derives fr. tdla'a, 'he rose'.
ataman, n., a Cossack commander. — Russ., fr.
Pol. hetman. See hetman.
ataraxia, n., calmness, impassiveness. — ModL.,
fr. Gk. d-rapa^ia, 'calmness, impassiveness,
calmness', lit. 'imperturbability', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and the stem of xapaaoeiv, 'to trouble,
disturb', which is rel. to S-pitrociv, of s.m., and
cogn. with ON. dregg, 'dreg'. See dreg.
Atargatis, n., Syrian goddess of fertility. — Gk.
'AxapyaTL!;, fr. Aram. 'Attfir, 'Astarte', which
is rel. to Heb. 'AshtSreth (see Ashtoreth), and
Palmyrene 'Athe, name of a goddess (cp. Der-
ceto).
ataunt, adj., fully rigged (naut.) — F. autant, 'so
much, as much as possible', fr. earlier altant,
which is compounded of the OF. pron. al,
'something else', and tant, 'so much'. The first
element derives fr. VL. *ate, which is shortened
fr. *alid, corresponding to L. aliud, neut. of alius,
'another'; see alias, else. The second element
comes fr. L. tant us, 'so great, so much', for
which see tantamount. Cp. taunt, 'very tall',
atavic, adj., of a remote ancestor. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. L. atams. See next word,
atavism, n., reversion to a remote ancestral type.
— Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. atavus, 'father
of a great-grandfather, ancestor', fr. pref. at-,
'beyond', and avus, 'grandfather'. See uncle and
cp. avuncular.
atavistic, adj., pertaining to atavism; tending to
atavism. — Formed with suff. -istic fr. L. atavus.
See prec. word. See atavism.
Derivative: atavistic-al-ly, adv.
ataxia, n., irregularity of bodily functions (med)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. dxa^ta, 'want of order',
fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and xd!;^;, 'arrange-
ment, disposition, order', from the stem of
xdaaEiv, 'to arrange, put in order'. See tactic.
ataxic, adj. — Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-ic.
ate, past tense of eat. — ME. ate, formed on the
analogy of brake, spake.
Ate, n., the goddess of infatuation and evil in
Greek mythology. — Gk. "Axi), fr. Sttj, 'in-
fatuation, bane, ruin, mischief, which stands
for *df dxrj and is rel. to dd&i, 'I hurt, damage',
d-daxog, 'unhurt, uninjured'; of uncertain ety-
mology.
-ate, suff. forming participial adjectives (as in se-
date, ornate) and adjectives (as in chordate, stel-
late). — L. -dtus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first
conjugation.
-ate, verbal suff. — L. pp. suff. -dtus, hence deriv-
atively identical with adj. suff. -ate (q.v.) Its
original use consisted in the formation of verbs
from participial adjectives in -ate. So e.g. from
the participial adj. separate arose the verb to
separate.
-ate, subst. suff. expressing office, dignity, rank,
honor. — L. -dtus (gen, -dtus), a suff. formed
from the participial suff. -dtus. Cp. e.g. consulate
and see adj. suff. -ate.
-ate, subst. suff. forming names of salts from
acids whose names end in -ic, as nitrate, fr.
nitric acid (chem.) — L. -dtum, neut. of pp. suff.
-dtus. See adj. suff. -ate.
atelectasis, n., incomplete expansion of the lungs
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of Gk.
dTeXTji;, 'incomplete', and ex-raaic, 'extension,
expansion'. The first element is formed fr. d-
(see priv. pref. a-) and xeXo?, 'end' ; see teleo-.
For the second element see ectasis.
atelier, n., workshop, studio. — F., fr. OF. aste-
■' lier, fr. astelle, 'shiver of wood', fr. Late L. as-
tella, fr. L. astula, which is prob. a blend of
assula, 'shiver of wood' and hastula, 'a little
spear'. Assula is a dimin. of assis, 'board, plank' ;
see ashlar. Hastula is a dimin. of hasta, 'spear';
see hastate."
Athanasius, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. ' A&avdaioi;,
fr. dftdvaxoi;, 'immortal'. See next word.
athanasy, n., immortality. — Gk. d&avauta, fr.
d&dvaxo;, 'immortal', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-)
121
-atic
and ^dvaxoc, 'death'. See thanato- and cp.
euthanasia. For the ending see -y (representing
Gk. -id).
athanor, n., the self feeding furnace of the al-
chemists. — F., fr. Arab, at-tann&r, 'the oven',
fr. at-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and tanniir
'oven', borrowed fr. Heb. tanniir, which is rel.
to Akkad. tinniiru, 'oven'.
Atharvan, n., name of a fire priest, the eldest son
of Brahma (Vedic mythol) — OI. atharvan,
'fire priest', rel. to Avestic d&ravan-, 'fire priest',
dtarsh, 'fire', dtrya-, 'ashes', and cogn. with L.
dter, 'black, dark'. See atrabiliary.
atheism, n. — F. atheisme, formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. a^so;, 'without god', fr. d- (see
priv. pref. a-) and fl-so?, 'god'. See theism.
atheist, n. — F. atheiste. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: atheist-ic, athest-ic-al, adjs., athe-
ist-ic-al-ly, adv.
atheling, n., a noble, a prince. — OE. sdeling,
'a noble', fr. sedele, 'noble', which is rel. to
OFris. ethele, OS. edili, OHG. edili, MHG.
edele, G. edel, 'noble'. The orig. meaning of
these adjectives was 'noble by birth'. Cp. odal
and the first element in Albert, allerion, Alphon-
so, Athelstan, Audrey, edelweiss, Ethelbert,
Etheldred, Ethelinda, Ulrica.
Athelstan, masc. PN. — OE. Mdelstane, lit.
'noble stone', fr. sedele, 'noble', and stan, 'stone'.
For the first element see atheling and cp. words
there referred to. For the second element see
stone.
Athena, Athene, fem. PN., the goddess of wis-
dom in Greek mythology, identified by the
Romans with Minerva. — Gk. 'AiHjvv), a pre-
Hellenic name of uncertain origin.
Athenaeum, n., the temple of Athena at Athens;
whence athenaeum 1) a Roman school of law;
2) a literary club. — L., fr. Gk. 'AO-qvatov, the
temple of the goddess Athene fr. 'A&rjvr). See
prec. word.
atherine, n., any of the fishes of the family Ather-
inidae (ichthyol.) — ModL. atherina, fr. Gk.
d&epfvy;, 'smelt', fr. dO-Tjprj, 'gruel, porridge',
which is rel. to d&r)p, 'awn, chaff, barb of a
weapon', dv&spixoc;, 'the asphodel'. See An-
thericum and cp. atheroma.
Atherinidae, n. pi., a family of fishes (ichthyol.)
— ModL., fr. atherina. See prec. word and
-idae.
athermancy, n., impermeability to heat. — Form-
ed with suff. -cy fr. Gk. d9-Epu.avxo<;, 'not
heated', fr. d (see priv. pref. a-) and ^Ep^avxoi;,
'capable of being heated', verbal adj. of &Ep-
(xaiveiv, 'to warm, heat'. See therm and cp.
diathermancy.
athermanous, adj., not transmitting radiant heat.
— Formed fr. priv. pref. a-, the stem of Greek
dep(i.atveiv, 'to warm, heat', and suff. -ous.
See therm and cp. diathermanous. The use of
the suff. -ous is due to the analogy of joyous
and other similar adjectives in which -ous corre-
sponds to OF. -ous, -eus (= F. -eux), fr. L.
-dsus.
atheroma, n., a kind of encysted tumor (med.) —
L., fr. Gk. d&T)pci>[i<x, 'a tumor full of gruel-like
matter', fr. dS-rjpT). See atherine and -oma.
Atherosperma, n., a genus of trees of the boldo
family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Gk. d<H)p,
gen. d&spo;, 'awn, chaff', and ansptxa., 'seed'.
See atherine and sperm.
athetize, tr. v., to reject. — Formed with suff.
-ize fr. Gk. d&Exciv, 'to deny, disprove, reject',
fr. S&sxoi;, 'not fixed', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-)
and -Stexo?, 'placed, set', verb. adj. of xl&evcci,
'to put, place', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place'.
See theme and cp. words there referred to.
athetosis, n., affection of the nervous system
marked by involuntary movements of the fingers
and toes (med.) — Medical L., coined by the
American nerve specialist William Alexander
Hammond (1828-1900) in 1871 fr. Gk. fidexoi;,
'not fixed', and suff. -osis. See prec. word.
athirst, adj. — ME. ofthurst, fr. OE. ofpyrsted,
pp. of ofpyrstan, fr. of- (see of) and pyrstan,
'to thirst'. See thirst, v.
athlete, n. — L. athleta, fr. Gk. dftX^xTj?, 'com-
batant, champion', fr. d&Xlu, 'I contend for a
prize', fr. d&Xo?, contracted fr. Se&Xoi; (with
the exception of Odyssey, 8, 160, this latter
form alone is used by Homer), for orig. &Fe-
•9-Xcx;. The first element of this word is perh.
cogn. with OI. vd-yati, 'he fatigues himself; the
second element is of unknown origin. Cp. the
second element in pentathlon, hexathlon, de-
cathlon.
athletic, adj. — L. athleticus, fr. Gk. d&X7)xix6i;,
fr. dS-XY)XT)i;. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: athletic-al-ly, adv., athletic-ism, n.,
athlet-ics, n.
afhrepsia, n., debility of children caused by lack
of food (med.) — Medical L., lit, 'condition
caused by the lack of nourishment', fr. Gk.
(t&pzmoc,, 'ill-nourished, underfed', fr. d- (see
priv. pref. a-) and &pettx6(;, 'fed, nourished',
verbal adj. of xps9eiv, 'to feed, nourish' (whence
also dpE^tq, 'nourishment'). See trophic and cp.
thrombosis. For the ending see suff. -ia.
athrill, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and thrill.
athrob, adv. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and throb.
athwart, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and thwart.
athymy, also athymia, n., despondency. — • Gk.
d&5u.ld, 'faintheartedness, despondency', lit.
'lack of spirit', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
&0(jl6i;, 'spirit, mind, soul'. See thio- and cp.
thyme.
-atic, adj. suff. of Greek origin, meaning 'per-
taining to; of the nature of, as in dramatic,
grammatic. — F. -atique, fr. L. -dticus, fr. Gk.
-dxuto?. Cp. -etic.
-atic, adj. suff. of Latin origin meaning 'per-
taining to; of the nature of, as in erratic,
aquatic. — F. -atique, fr. L. -dticus. This suff.
-atile
122
arose from a misreading of -dt-icus (= pp.
suff. of verbs of the ist conjugation and
suff. -icus) into d-ticus. [Cp. e.g. L. ven-dt-
icus, 'pertaining to the chase', (fr. vendtus, pp.
of vendri, 'to chase'), misread into ven-d-ticus.]
Accordingly suff. -atic is a compound of the
adj. (orig. pp.) suffix -ate and of suff. -ic.
Later the suff. -atic was also appended to nouns.
Cp. -age.
Derivative: -atic-al.
-atile, adj. suff. expressing possibility. — F. -atile,
fr. L. -dtilis, prop. suff. -His added to -dtus, pp.
suff. of verbs of the first conjugation. See adj.
suff. -ate and -ile.
atilt, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
tilt.
-ation, subst. suff. denoting action, process, state
or condition. — Fr. F. -ation, (or directly) fr. L.
-dtidnem, acc. of -alio, a suff. forming nouns of
action fr. -dtus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first
Latin conjugation. See adj. suff. -ate and cp.
suff. -ition. For the sense of suff. -ation cp. -osis.
-ative, adj. suff. meaning 'tending to'. — F. -atif
(fern, -ative), fr. L. -dtivus, prop. suff. -ivus add-
ed to -dtus, pp. suff. of verbs of the first Latin
conjugation. Accordingly suff. -ative is a com-
pound of adj. suff. -ate and suff. -ive.
atlantes, n. pi., figures of men supporting an en-
tablature (archit.) — L., fr. Gk. "AxXocvxe;, pi.
of "AxXi?. See Atlas.
Atlantic, adj., pertaining to the Atlantic Ocean
or to Mount Atlas. — L. Atlanticus, fr. Gk.
'AxXavxixo?, fr. "AxXa?, 'the Atlas mountains'.
See Atlas and -ic.
Atlas, n., one of the Titans, son of Iapetus and
Clymene, supporting the heavens on his shoul-
ders; later, a king of Mauretania, changed by
Perseus into Mt. Atlas (Greek mythol.) — L.
Atlas (gen. Atlantis), fr. Gk. "AxXS<; (gen. "Ax-
Xocvxoi;), which stands for "A-xX5<; and lit. means
'the Bearer (scil. of Heaven)', fr. copul. pref. a-
and the stem of xXSjvoa, 'to bear' (cp. ttoXu-
tXS;, 'much-enduring'). Copul. pref. i- stands
for I.-E. *sm-, a weak gradational form of I.-E.
base *sem-, 'one, together' ; see same. Gk. xXTjvoci
derives fr. *tj-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*tal-, *tol-, 'to bear, lift, suffer', whence xaXa?,
gen. tcxXocvo<; and xaXavxo?, 'bearing, suffer-
ing', xaXaaoai (aor.), 'to bear, suffer', L. tol-
lere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear, sup-
port'. See tolerate and cp. atlas, name of the
first vertebra, atlantes, Atlantic, Atalanta,
talent.
atlas, n., a collection of maps bound into a book.
— First so called by the geographer Mercator
because the figure of Atlas supporting the world
was frequently put on the front page of such
collections. (The first part of Mercator's Atlas,
sive cosmographicae meditationes defabrica mun-
di appeared in 1 585.) See prec. word.
atlas, n., name of the first vertebra (anal.) —
From Atlas (q.v.); so called because it bears the
skull. This name was given to the first vertebra
by the Belgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius
(1514-64). See Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia
anatomica, Vienna, 1880, p. 59.
atlas, n., silk-satin. — Arab, atlas, lit. 'wiped
smooth', fr. tdlasa, 'he wiped, smoothed away'.
atle, atlee, n., the tamarisk salt tree. — Arab.
dthla h , 'a species of tamarisk', prop, unit name
of athl, rel. to Aram, athld, Heb. ishel, 'tama-
risk tree'.
atman, n., the supreme soul, the principle of life
(Hinduism). — OI. dtmdn, prop, 'breath, soul',
orig. 'cover, body', cogn. with OHG. dtum,
MHG. dtem, G. Atem, MDu. ddem, OFris.
ethma, OS. dthom, OE. sedm, 'breath'. Cp. the
second element in mahatma.
atmido-, before a vowel atmid-, combining form
meaning 'vapor'. — Gk. dixu.180-, axjnS-, fr.
axu.t;, gen. dtxuiSo?, 'steam, vapor', rel. to ax[xo<;,
of s.m. See atmo-.
atmidometer, n., an atmometer. — Compounded
of atmido- and Gk. jxsxpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
atmo-, before a vowel atm-, combining form
meaning 'vapor'. — Gk. dtxjio-, dcxu.-, fr. axu.6<;,
'steam, vapor', contraction of fitexu.61;, which
prob. stands for *aFs-i-y.6-z and is rel. to
6eeXXa (for *&F e-X-ia), 'tempest, whirlwind', and
to Srjjxi (for *dcf7)u.i), 'I blow', fr. I.-E. base
*we-, 'to blow', whence also OI. v&ti, 'blows',
Goth, waian, OE. wdwan, 'to blow'. See wind,
'air in motion', and cp. Aello.
atmology, n., the study of the laws of aqueous
vapor. — Compounded of atmo- and Gk. -Xoyia,
fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
-logy.
Derivatives: atmolog-ic, atmolog-ic-al, adjs., at-
molog-ist, n.
atmolysis, n., separation of mixed gases. — Com-
pounded of atmo- and Gk. 'a loosing;
dissolution'. See -lysis.
atmometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
rate of evaporation. — Compounded of atmo-
and Gk. [i£xpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Derivatives: atmometr-ic, adj., atmometr-y, n.
atmosphere, n. — Compounded of Gk. axu.6?,
'steam, vapor', and <j9atpoc, 'ball, sphere'; see
atmo- and sphere. The word atmosphere was first
used by the English bishop and scientist John
Wilkins (1614-72) in 1638 with reference to the
moon (which in reality has no atmosphere).
Derivatives : atmospher-ic, atmospher-ic-al, adjs.,
atmospher-ic-al-ly, adv., atmospher-ics, n.pl.
atocia, n., sterility of the female (med.) — Medi-
cal L., fr. Gk. axoxia, 'sterility', fr. Sxoxo.;,
having never yet brought forth', fr. 4- (see priv.
pref. a-) and xoxos, 'childbirth, parturition',
which is rel. to xoxet!*;, 'father', in the pi.,
'parents'. See -tocia, toco-, and cp. anatocism.
atoll, n., a coral island. — Malayalam.
123
atom, n. — F. atome, fr. L. atomus, fr. Gk. axo[i.oi;,
'atom', prop, 'uncut, indivisible', fr. a- (see
priv. pref. a-), and -xo(jto?, fr. xefivetv, 'to cut'.
See tome and cp. anatomy. The word axou.o<;
was first used by the Greek philosopher
Leucippus.
Derivatives: atom-ic, adj., atom-ic-ity, n., atom-
ism, n., atom-ist, n., atom-ize, tr. v., atom-iz-
ation, n., atom-iz-er, n.
atomy, n., skeleton. — From misdivision of ana-
tomy into an atomy. See anatomy.
atomy, n., pygmy. — L. atomi (pi. of atomus,
'atom'), mistaken for a singular. See atom.
atone, intr. v. — Short for 'to be at one'.
Derivatives: atone-ment, n., aton-ing-ly, adv.
atonic, adj. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
(itxovoi;, 'not stretched, slack; without tone',
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and xovoq, 'tone'. See
tonic and cp. diatonic.
atony, n., want of tone. — ML. atonia, fr. Gk.
axcma, 'slackness, debility', fr. axovo?. See prec.
word and -y (representing Gk. -15).
atopic, adj., pertaining to atopy (med.) — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ihoizoq, 'out of place; un-
usual', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and xottoi;,
'place'. See topic.
atopite, n., calcium antimonate (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. axorax;.
See atopic.
atopy, n., allergy. — See atopic and -y (represent-
ing Gk. -ioi).
-ator, subst. suff. — L. -ator, forming masculine
agential nouns from verbs of the first conjuga-
tion. Accordingly the suff. -ator consists of -a-,
the characteristic vowel of the first conjugation,
and suff. -tor (q.v.)
atrabiliary, adj., melancholy, hypochondriac. —
Medical L. dtrabilidrius, 'suffering from black
bile', fr. L. dtra bilis, 'black bile, melancholy',
loan translation of Gk. |jiXaivoc x°Xy) (see me-
lancholy). Atra is fern, of dter, 'black, dark', rel.
to Umbr. atru, adro (neut. pi.), 'black', and
prob. cogn. with OI. dtharvan-, Avestic d&ra-
van-, 'fire priest', dtarsh, 'fire', dtrya-, 'ashes',
Arm. airem, 'I light up, kindle'. Cp. atrocious.
Cp. also Atharvan. For the etymology of L. bilis
see bile. For the ending of atrabiliary see adj.
suff. -ary.
Derivative: atrabiliari-ous, adj.
atrabilious, adj. — Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
dtra bilis. See prec. word.
Dcrivatives:atribilious-ly,&dv.,atrabilious-ness,ii.
Atractaspis, n., a genus of African burrowing
vipers (zool.) — ModL., lit. 'arrow snake', fr.
Gk. £xpaxxo<;, 'spindle, arrow', and icmit;,
'serpent, snake', The first element is cogn. with
L. torquere, 'to twist, bend' ; see torque. For the
second element see asp, 'snake'.
Atragene, n., a genus of trees of the buttercup
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ASpaybrri, 'tra-
veler's joy', compounded of S&pou;, 'chariot',
and -Yevrj, 'of a certain kind'. The first ele-
Atropos
men^dands for *fA(v)$pac and is cogn. with
OI. vandhurah, 'a hamper (made of wicker-
work)', fr. I.-E. base *wendh-, *wndh-, 'to turn,
twist', whence also ON. vinda, OE. windan,
'to wind, twist'; see wind, 'to turn'. The
second element is rel. to Gk. ybtoc,, 'race,
descent, gender, kind'; see genus and cp. -gen.
atresia, n., occlusion of a natural passage of the
body (pathol.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. axpTjxo?,
'not perforated', fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and
xprjxo?, verbal adj. of xexpaiveiv, 'to pierce,
perforate', which is rel. to xetpsiv (for *x!pjeiv),
'to rub, rub away, wear away', fr. I.-E. base
*ter-, 'to bore, pierce, rub'. See throw and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
Atreus, n., a son of Pelops and father of Aga-
memnon and Menelaus (Greek mythol.) — L.,
fr. Gk. 'AxpEii?, a word of uncertain origin.
atrip, adv. (naut.) — Formed fr. a- 'on', and trip.
Atriplex, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (bot.) — L. atriplex, 'orach', fr. Gk.
dxpd9<xi;u<;, which is of unknown origin. Cp.
orach.
atrium, n., 1) the central, courtlike room of the
ancient Roman house; 2) (anat.) cavity in the
heart or in the ear. — L. atrium; according to
Varro, De Lingua Latina 5, § 161, a word of
Etruscan origin and rel. to the Etruscan town
Atria, as the place of origin of this kind of ar-
chitecture. The connection of atrium with dter,
'black, dark', is folk etymology.
atrocious, adj., extremely cruel or wicked. —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. atrox, gen. atrdcis,
'cruel, fierce', prop, 'dark-looking, gloomy',
and compounded of dter, 'black, dark', and
-ox, gen. dcis, 'looking'. For the first element see
atrabilious. The second element is cogn. with
Gk. gen. 107165, ' eve > sight'. See -ops and cp.
the second element in ferocious, velocity.
Derivatives: atrocious-ly, adv., atrocious-ness.
atrocity, n., atrociousness. — F. atrocite, fr. L.
atrdcitdtem, acc. otatrdcitds, 'cruelty', fr. atrox.
See prec. word and -ity.
Atropa, n., a genus of plants of the potato family
(bot) — ModL., fr. Gk. Sxporox, 'the deadly
nightshade', which is rel. to "AxpoTioi;, name
of one of the Fates. See Atropos.
atrophy, n., a wasting away through lack of
nourishment (med.) — F. atrophie, fr. L. atro-
phia, fr. Gk. axpcxpta, 'want of food', fr. Sxpo-
90?, 'not nourished, ill-fed', fr. &- (see priv.
pref. a-) and -xpo<poq, fr. XP097), 'food, nourish-
ment'. See trophic and cp. athrepsia. Cp. also
dystrophy, hypertrophy.
Derivatives: atrophy, intr. and tr. v., atroph-ic,
atrophi-ed, adjs.
atropine, also atropin, n., an alkaloid poison
extracted from belladonna. — Formed with
chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in, fr. Gk. ocxpoTta, 'the
deadly nightshade*. See Atropa.
Atropos, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythol-
attach
124
ogy. — Gk. "Atpotco?, lit. 'not to be turned
away, inflexible', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
the stem of Tplneiv, 'to turn', tpotoc, 'a turn'.
See trope and cp. Atropa, atropine,
attach, tr. and intr. v. — ME. attachen, fr. OF
atachicr, attachier (F. attacker), lit. 'to tack or
fasten to', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and tache, 'a nail,
hook', a word of Teut. origin. See tack, 'a small
nail', and cp. tache, 'a buckle', detach. Cp. also
attack, which is a doublet of attach. Cp. also
next word.
Derivatives: attach-able, adj., attach-ed, adj.,
attach-ed-ly, a.dv.,attach-er, n., attachment (q.v.)
attache, n., a member of the diplomatic staff at-
tached to an embassy. — F., lit. 'attached', pp.
of attacker, 'to attach'. See prec. word.
attachment, n. — F. attachement, fr. attacker. See
attach and -ment.
attack, tr. v. — F. attaquer, fr. It. attaccare, prop,
'to attach, join', whence 'to begin', attaccare bal-
taglia, 'to begin a battle', whence elliptically
attaccare, 'to attack' ; a doublet of attach (q.v.)
Derivatives: attack, n., attack-able, adj., at-
tack-er, n.
attacus, n., a kind of edible locust. — Late L.
(Vulg., Lev. 1 1 : 22), fr. Gk. dtTT<xx6;, mentioned
by Philo (cp. aTTaxrjs, Sept., Lev. 11:22).
attagen, n., the Pallas's sand grouse. — L., name
of a kind of bird, possibly the francolin, fr. Gk.
aTTayyjv (also axTxya;, a-rray^?); of uncertain,
possibly imitative, origin.
attain, tr. and intr. v. — ME. atteinen, attainen,
from the stem of OF. ataindre, ateindre (F. at-
teindrc), fr. VL. *attangere, corresponding to
L. attingere, 'to touch, to arrive at', fr. ad- and
tangere, 'to touch". See tangent and cp. attain-
der, attaint, attinge.
Derivatives: attain-abil-ity, n., attain-able, adj.
attainder, n., the extinction of the civil and legal
rights of a person sentenced to death or out-
lawed (law). — OF. infinitive ataindre, ateindre,
'to attain; to accuse, condemn', used as a noun.
For the subst. use of Old French infinitives —
esp. in legal terminology — cp. avoirdupois,
cesser, demurrer, detainer, disclaimer, estovers,
joinder, misnomer, ouster, oyer, rejoinder, re-
mainder, retainer, tender, 'offer', terminer, user,
'right of use', waiver.
attaint, n. — OF. ataint, pp. of ataindre (see at-
tain) ; confused with taint.
Derivatives: attaint, n., attaint-ment, n., attaint-
ure, n.
attar, n., also otto, volatile oil. — Pers. 'alar, fr.
Arab, 'itr, 'perfume',
attemper, tr. v. — OF. atemprer (F. attemprer),
fr. Late L. attemperare, 'to fit, adjust', fr. ad-
and L. temperdre, 'to divide duly; to temper'.
See temper, v.
Derivatives: attemper-ed, adj., attemper-ment , n.
attemperate, tr. v. (obsol.) — Late L. attemperdtus,
pp. of attemperare. See prec. word and cp.
temperate.
Derivatives : attemperat-ion, n., attemperat-or, n.
attempt, tr. v. — OF. atenter, also atempter (F.
attenter), fr. L. attentdre, attemptdre (whence
also It. attentare, OProvenc., Port, attentar, Sp.
atentar), 'to attempt, try', fr. ad- and tentare,
temptdre, 'to put to the test, try'. See tempt and
cp. attentat.
Derivatives: attempt, n., attempt-able, adj., at-
tempt-er, n.
attend, intr. and tr. v. — OF. atendre (F. atten-
dre), 'to expect, wait for', fr. L. attendere (ani-
mum), 'to stretch one's mind to', fr. ad- and
tendere, 'to stretch, extend'. Cp. It. attendere,
OProvenc. atender, which are of the same ori-
gin. See tend, 'to move in a certain direction',
and cp. tend, 'to attend'. Cp. also contend, in-
tend, portend.
Derivatives: attendance, attendant (qq.v.), at-
tend-er, n., attend-ing-ly, adv.
attendance, n. — OF. atendance, fr. atendant (F.
attendant), pres. part, of atendre. See next word
and -ce.
attendant, adj. — F., pres. part, of attendre. See
attend and -ant.
Derivative: attendant, n.
attent, adj., attentive (archaic). — L. atlentus,
pp. of attendere. See attend.
attent, n., attention (obsol.) — OF. atente (F. at-
tente), fr. VL. *attendita, n., prop, subst. use
of the fern, of *attenditus, pp. formed fr. L. at-
tendere. See attend.
attentate), n., 1) a criminal attempt (obsol.); 2) in
law, a proceeding in court of judicature after an
inhibition is decreed. — F. attentat, 'criminal
attempt', fr. L. attentdtum, neut. pp. of attentdre,
'to attempt'. See attempt.
attention, n. — F., fr. L. attentidnem, acc. of at-
tentid, 'attention, attentiveness', fr. atlentus, pp.
of attendere. See attend and -ion.
Derivative: attention-al, adj.
attentive, adj. — F. attentif (fern, attentive), fr.
VL. *attenditus. See attent, n., and -ive.
Derivatives: attentive-ly, adv., attentive-ness, n.
attenuant, adj., attenuating, diluent; n., an at-
tenuating substance, a diluent. — L. attentions,
gen. -amis, pres. part, of attenudre. See next
word and -ant.
attenuate, tr. v., to make thin; to make less; intr.
v., to become thin; to become less. — L. at-
tenuates, pp. of attenudre, 'to make thin, atte-
nuate', fr. ad- and tenudre, 'to make thin', fr.
tenuis, 'thin'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
direction', and verbal suff. -ate and cp. tenuis,
thin.
attenuate, adj.,. attenuated. — L. attenudtus pp.
of attenudre. See attenuate, v.
attenuation, n. — L. attenudtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
attenudtus' pp. of attenudre. See attenuate, v.,
and -ion.
atter, n., poison. — OE. dt(t)or, rel. to OFris.
dt(t)er, OS. ettar, ON. eitr, 'poison', Swed., Du.
etter, OHG. eittar, eitar, MHG., G. eiter, 'pus',
125
and cogn. with Gk. oTSfAcc, olSoq, 'a swelling',
oESav, oESeiv, 'to swell'. See edema.
Derivatives: atter-n, atter-y, attr-y, adjs.
attest, tr. and intr. v. — F. attester, fr. L. attes-
tdri, 'to bear witness to, attest', fr. ad- and
testdri, 'to bear witness', fr. testis, 'witness',
See testament and cp. contest, detest. Derivatives :
attestation (q.v.), attest-er, attest-or, n.
attestation, n. — F., fr. L. attestdtidnem, acc. of
attestdtid, 'an attesting, testimony', fr. attes-
tdtus, pp. of attestdri. See attest and -ation and
cp. contestation, detestation.
Attic, adj., of, or pertaining to, Attica. — L. Atti-
cus, fr. Gk. 'Atti>c6?, 'of Attica'.
attic, n. — F. attique, 'attic', lit. 'Attic (story)'.
See Attic.
atticism, n., Attic style, elegant diction. — Gk.
'ATTixiCTjxoi;, fr. 'Attixo?. See Attic and -ism.
atticize, tr. v., to adapt to the dialect of Attica;
intr. v., to imitate Attic style. — Gk. 'Attou-
£eiv, fr. 'At-ux6<;. See Attic and -ize.
attinge, tr. v., to touch upon (obsol.) — L. attin-
gere. See attain.
attire, tr. v. — ME. atiren, fr. OF. atirier, atirer,
fr. a Here, a tire, 'into a row', fr. a, 'to' (see a), and
tiere, 'row, rank, series'. See tier, 'row, series'.
Derivatives: attire, n., attir-ed, adj., attir-er, n.
attitude, n. — F., fr. It. attitudine, 'aptness,
promptitude', fr. ML. aptitudinem, acc. of ap-
titiidd; see aptitude. The word attitude was in-
troduced into English by the diarist John Evelyn
(1620- 1 706).
Derivatives: attitudin-al, adj., attitudinarian,
attitudinarianism, attitudinize (qq.v.)
attitudinarian, n., one who attitudinizes. — Form-
ed with suff. -arian fr. It. attitudine. See attitude.
Derivative: attitudinarian-ism, n.
attitudinize, intr. v., to strike an attitude; to pose.
— Formed fr. It. attitudine (see attitude) with
suff. -ize.
attorn, intr. and tr. v., 1) orig., to transfer homage
from one feudal lord to another; 2) to agree to
become a tenant under a new landlord (law). —
OF. atorner, 'to direct, attorn', lit. 'to turn to',
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and torner (F. tourner), fr. L.
torndre, 'to turn'. See turn, v. and cp. attorney.
attorney, n., solicitor. — Lit. 'one authorized to
act for another', fr. OF. atorne, pp. of atorner,
'to turn to'. See prec. word and -ee.
attornment, n., 1) a turning over, assignment;
2) acknowledgment of the new landlord. — OF.
atornement, fr. atorner. See attorn and -ment.
attract, tr. v. — L. attractus, pp. of attrahere, 'to
draw to, attract', fr. ad- and trahere, 'to draw'.
See tract, 'region', and cp. attrahent. Cp. also
contract, detract, protract, subtract.
Derivatives: attract-er, n., attraction, attract-
ive (qq.v.)
attraction, n. — F., fr. L. attractidnem, acc. of
attractio, 'a drawing together', fr. attractus, pp.
of attrahere. See prec. word and -ion.
attractive, adj. — F. attractif (fern, attractive),
Aubrietia
fr. ML. attractivus, fr. L. attractus, pp. of attra-
here. See attract and -ive.
Derivatives : attractive-ly, adv., attractive-ness, n.
attrahent, adj., that which attracts. — L. attra-
hens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of attrahere. See
attract and -ent and cp. contrahent, subtrahend.
Derivative: attrahent, n.
attribute, tr. v. — L. attributus, pp. of attribuere,
'to add, assign, bestow, give, impute, attribute',
fr. ad- and tribuere 'to assign, allot, bestow,
give, grant'. See tribute.
attribute, n. — L. attribiitum, 'anything attri-
buted', neut. of attributus, pp. of attribuere.
See attribute, v.
attribution, n. — F., fr. L. attributidnem, acc. of
attributio, 'assignment, attribution', fr. attri-
butus, pp. of attribuere. See attribute, adj., and
-ion.
attributive, adj. — F. attributif (fem. attributive),
fr. attribut, 'attribute', fr. L. attribiitum. See
attribute, n., and -ive.
Derivatives: attributive, n., atlributive-ly, adv.,
attributive-ness, n.
attrite, adj., worn away by rubbing. — L. attrl-
tus, pp. of atterere, 'to wear away', lit. 'to rub
against', fr. ad- and terere, 'to rub'. See trite.
attrition, n. — L. attritio, gen. -dnis, lit. 'a rubbing
against', fr. attritus, pp. of atterere. See prec.
word and -ion.
attune, tr. v. — Formed fr. at- and tunc.
atwain, adv. (archaic). — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and twain.
atween, adv. (archaic). — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and -tween (in between).
auantic, adj., atrophic. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. auavTTj, 'a wasting, atrophy', fr. oaiot'.-
veiv, 'to wither, be dry', fr. aikiv, 'to dry', fr.
a5oq, 'dry', which stands for *sauso-s and de-
rives fr. I.-E. base *saus-, *sus-, 'dry', whence
also OE. sear, 'dry', OHG. soren, 'to become
dry'. See sere, adj., and cp. austere.
aubade, n., morning serenade. — F., fr. Proven?.
aubada, fr. auba, 'dawn', fr. L. alba, fern, of
albus, 'white', used as a noun. See alb and -ade.
aubain, n., alien, foreigner. — F., orig. written
aubene, fr. Frankish *aliban, lit. 'belonging to
another ban'. The first element of this word is
rel. to Goth, aljis, 'other', and to E. else (q.v.)
The second element is rel. to E. ban, v. (q.v.)
See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 43 s.v. aubain.
aubergine, n., the eggplant. — G., fr. Catal. al-
berginera, alberginia, fr. Arab, al-badinjan, 'the
eggplant', fr. al-, 'the', and bddinjdn, 'eggplant',
fr. Pers. badin-gan, fr. OI. vatin-ganah. Cp.
berengena.
aubin, n., canter. — F., fr. earlier hobin, fr. hauby
(15th cent.), fr. E. hobby (q.v.)
Aubrey, masc. PN. — F. Auberi, fr. G. Alberich,
lit. 'ruler of elfs'. For the first element cp. ON.
alfr, OE. self, 'elf, and see elf. For the second
element see rich and cp. words there referred to.
Aubrietia, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
auburn
126
family (bot.) — ModL., named after Claude
Aubriet, painter of flowers and animals (1668-
1743). For the ending see stiff, -ia.
auburn, adj., reddish-brown. — ME. auburne,
'whitish', fr. OF. alborne, auborne, fr. VL. al-
burnus, 'whitish', fr. L. albus, 'white'. The sense
development of the word was influenced by a
confusion with brown. See alb and cp. alburnum.
Derivative: auburn, n.
auchenium, n., part of a bird's neck (ornithol.)
— ModL., formed with suff. -ium fr. Gk. aux^v,
'neck, throat', which is rel. to Aeol. &w<)\>, of
s.m., and cogn. with Arm. auji-k', 'necklace'.
auction, n. — L. audio, gen. -dnis, 'an increase;
a public sale, auction', fr. auctus, pp. of augere,
'to increase', fr. I.-E. base *aweg-, *aug-, 'to
grow, increase', whence also Lith. dugu, dugti,
Lett, augu, aiigt, 'to grow', Lith. dukstas, Lett.
augsts, 'high, of superior rank', OPruss. auck-
timmien, 'chief, aucktai-rikyskan, 'authority',
Lett, audzet, 'to bring up', Goth, aukan, 'to
grow, increase', OE. eacian, 'to increase' ; see
eke and cp. augment, augur, august, author. Cp.
the related base *aw(e)ks-, *auks-, *weks-,
*uks-, 'to grow, increase', whence OI. vaksdyati,
'causes to grow', uksati, 'grows strong', Gk.
afeSeiv, ae^eiv, au^av, au^aveiv, 'to increase',
L. auxilium, 'help, aid', Goth, wahsjan, OE.
weaxan, 'to grow'. See wax, v., and cp. auxiliary,
auxano-, auxesis, auxetic, auxo-.
Derivatives: auction, tr. v., auction-eer, n., auc-
tion-eer-ing , n.
aucupate, intr. and tr. v., to go fowling. — L.
aucupdtus, pp. of aucupdre, later aucupdri, 'to
go fowling', fr. auceps, 'fowler; spy, eaves-
dropper', for *avi-cap-s, fr. avis, 'bird', and
capere, 'to catch, seize, take, receive'. See auspice
and captive.
audacious, adj., daring, bold. — F. audacieux
(fern, audacieuse), fr. L. auddcia, 'daring, bold-
ness, courage, intrepidity', fr. auddx, gen. au-
ddcis, 'daring, bold, courageous, intrepid', fr.
audere, 'to dare', which stands for *avidere, 'to
be eager', fr. avidus, 'eager'. The meaning 'to
dare' first arose from the negative form: non
audere orig. meant 'to wish or to have a mind
not to do something', whence it came to denote
'not to risk or dare to do something'. L. avidus
is a derivative of avere, 'to wish, desire, long for,
crave', whence also avdrus, 'greedy'. See avid
and cp. avarice.
Derivatives: audacious-ly, adv., audacious-
ness, n.
audacity, n., daring, boldness. — Formed with
suff. -ity fr. L. auddx, gen. -dcis, "bold', fr. au-
dere, 'to dare'. See prec. word and -ity.
audible, adj. — ML. audibilis, fr. L. audio, audire,
'to hear', which prob. stands for *awis-d-id, fr.
I.-E. base *awei-, *au-, 'to perceive', whence also
OI. dvifi, Avestic avish, 'openly, evidently', Gk.
ala$dcvo[xoci (for *4fi<T-$-avou.ai). 'I perceive',
atto (for *i?ita), 'I hear' (lit. 'I perceive by the
ear'), OSlav. ave, jave, 'open, public', aviti,
javiti, 'to reveal'. Cp. obedient, obeisance, obey,
oyer, oyez.
Derivatives: audibil-ity, n., audible-ness, n.,
audihl-y, adv.
audience, n. — F., fr. L. audientia, 'a hearing,
audience', fr. audiens, gen. -entis, pres. part, o
audire. See audible and -ence.
audient, n., a hearer, listener. — L. audiens, gen.
-entis. See prec. word and -ent.
audile, adj., auditory. — Formed with suff. -ile
fr. L. audire, 'to hear'. See audible.
Derivative: audile, n., a person whose imagery
is chiefly auditory (psychol.)
audiology, n., the science of curing defective hear-
ing. — A hybrid coined fr. L. audire, 'to hear',
and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See audible and -logy.
Derivative : audiolog-ist, n.
audiometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
intensity of sounds. — A hybrid coined fr. L.
audire, 'to hear', and Gk. [xexpov, 'measure'. See
audible and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: audiometr-y, n., audiometr-ist , n.
audiphone, n., an instrument for helping the deaf
to hear. — A hybrid coined fr. L. audire, 'to hear' ,
and Gk. cpwvr), 'sound'. See audible and phone.
audit, tr. v. and n. — Back formation fr. auditor
(q.v.)
audition, n. — L. auditid, gen. -dnis, 'a hearing',
fr. auditus, pp. of audire. See audible and -ion
and cp. auditor.
auditive, adj. — F. audit if (icm. auditive), fr. L.
auditus, pp. of audire, 'to hear'. See audible.
auditor, n., a hearer. — AF. auditour, corre-
sponding to F. auditeur, fr. L. auditdrem, acc. of
auditor, 'a hearer', fr. auditus, pp. of audire. See
audible and agential suff. -or.
auditorium, n., a building or part of a building
assigned to the audience. — L. auditorium,
'lecture room, hall of justice', prop. neut. of the
adjective auditdrius, 'relating to hearing', used
as a noun, and lit. meaning 'the place where
something is heard', fr. auditus, pp. of audire.
See next word and cp. auditory, n.
auditory, adj., pertaining to hearing. — L. audi-
tdrius, 'relating to a hearer or hearing', fr. audi-
tor, 'hearer'. See auditor. and adj. suff. -ory.
auditory, n., an audience. — L. auditorium, 'lec-
ture room'. See auditorium and subst. suff.
-ory.
Audrey, fern. PN. — Shortened fr. Etheldreda,
latinization of OE. Edeldryd, lit. 'noble might',
fr. sedele, 'noble", and dryd, 'strength, might'.
For the first element see atheling. The second
element is rel. to OHG. triuwen, 'to flourish',
trouwen, 'fo grow', MHG. druo, 'fruit', ON.
pro-ask, 'to thrive', proskr, 'strong'. Cp. tawdry.
Augean, adj., pertaining to Augeas, king of Elis,
whose stable remained uncleaned for thirty
years until Hercules cleaned it in a day {Greek
127
aulaco
mythol.) — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Augeas,
fr. Gk. Auysia?, 'Augeas*.
augelite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate (min-
eral.) — Lit. 'the bright stone', formed with
combining form -lite fr. Gk. auyvj, 'light of the
sun, brightness'. See augite.
auger, n. — ME. auger, earlier nauger, fr. OE.
nafugdr, which is compounded of nafu, 'nave of
a wheel' and gar, 'spear' ; see nave and gore, 'a
triangular piece of land'. The loss of the initial
n is due to a misdivision of ME. a nauger into
an auger. For similar misdivisions cp. adder and
words there referred to.
Derivative: auger-er, n.
aught, n. — ME. auht, fr. OE. dwiht, dwiht, lit.
'ever a whit', fr. a, d, 'ever, always', and wiht,
'creature, thing'. See aye, 'ever', and wight and
cp. naught.
augite, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.) — L.
augites, fr. Gk. auyh-yj?, fr. auyr], 'light of the
sun, ray, brightness, dawn, daybreak', which is
cogn. with Alb. agdj, 'to dawn', agume, 'dawn',
and prob. also with OSlav. jugu, 'south', lit.
'the place where the sun shines', jutro, 'morn-
ing'. Cp. augelite. Cp. also the first element in
Yugoslav.
augment, tr. v., 1) to cause to increase; 2) to pre-
fix the augment to (see next word). — F. aug-
menter, fr. L. augmentdre, 'to increase', fr. aug-
mentum, 'increase', fr. augere, 'to increase'. See
auction and -ment.
Derivatives: augment-ed, adj., augment-ed-ly,
adv., augment-er, n.
augment, n., a prefixed vowel or the lengthening of
the initial vowel to form the past tense in Greek
and Sanskrit (gram.) — F., fr. L. augment urn,
'increase', fr. augere, 'to increase'. See aug-
ment, v.
augmentation, n. — F., fr. VL. augmentdtidnem,
acc. of augmentdtid, 'an increasing', fr. L. aug-
mentdtus, pp. of augmentdre, 'to increase'. See
augment, v., and -ion.
augmentative, adj. — F. augmentatif (fern, aug-
mentative), fr. L. augmentdtus, pp. of augmentdre.
See augment, v., and -ive.
Derivative: augmentative-Iy, adv.
augur, n., in ancient Rome, a priest who foretold
events by interpreting omens. — L., 'augur, di-
viner, soothsayer; a member of the college of
priests in Rome, who foretold the future', trans-
formation of OL. *augos, gen. *augeris, 'in-
crease' (with assimilation of the e to the u of
the first syllable), rel. to augere, 'to increase'.
For the change of the neuter gender (in OL.
*augos) to the masculine fin L. augur), cp. L.
vetus, 'old', which derives from the noun *wetos,
'year', and orig. meant 'of (many) years' (see
veteran). The usual derivation fr. "avi-ger (avis,
'bird', and gerere, 'to bear, conduct') is folk
etymology. Cp. inaugurate.
augur, tr. and intr. v., to foretell; to prophesy. —
L. augur art, 'to perform the functions of an
augur; to foretell by auguries; to foretell; to
prophesy', fr. L. augur. See augur, n.
augural, adj., pertaining to augurs or augury. —
L. augurdlis, 'belonging to augurs, relating to
soothsaying', fr. augur. See augur, n., and adj.
suff. -al.
augurate, n., the office of an augur. — L. augu-
rdtus, 'the office of an augur', fr. augurdtus,
pp. oiaugurdri. See augur, v., and subst. suff. -ate.
augury, n. — OF. augurie, fr. L. augurium, 'di-
vination; profession of an augur'. See augur, n.,
and -y (representing L. -ium).
august, adj., majestic, venerable. — L. augustus,
'majestic, venerable, august', lit. 'that which is
made to increase', rel. to augere, 'to increase';
cp. Lith. dukstas, Lett, augsts, 'high, of superior
rank'. See auction and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: august-ly, adv., august-ness, n.
August, n., name of the eighth month of the
year. — L. Augustus; named after Augustus
Caesar, the first Roman emperor, lit. 'venerable,
august'. See august. For sense development cp.
Sebastian.
Augusta, fem. PN. — L., fern, of Augustus. See
Augustus.
Augustan, adj., 1) of, or pertaining to, Augustus
Caesar or his times ; 2) of, or pertaining to, any
age resembling that of Augustus Caesar. — L.
Augustanus, 'of, or relating to, Augustus', fr.
Augustus. See August and -an.
Augustine, Augustin, Austin, masc. PN. — L.
Augustinus, lit. 'of, or pertaining to, Augustus',
fr. Augustus. See next word and -ine (representing
L. -inus).
Augustus, masc. PN. — L., fr. augustus, 'vener-
able, august'; the name was first applied to
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. See august and
cp. August.
auk, n. — Scand. Cp. ON. dlka, Dan. alke,
Swed. alka, which prob. derive from the I.-E.
imitative base *el-, *ol-, 'to shout, cry', whence
also L. olor (for *elor), 'swan', MIr. ela, 'swan',
and possibly also Gk. ilia, 'a marsh bird',
eXtoptoi;, 'a water bird'. Cp. Alca.
auklet, n., any of small species of auks. — Form-
ed fr. prec. word with dimin. suff. -let.
auksinas, n., a money of account in Lithuania. —
Lith., lit. 'gulden', fr. duksas, 'gold', fr. OLith.
ausas, of s.m., which is rel. to OPruss. ausis and
cogn. with L. aurum, of s.m.; see aureate. See
Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, p. 86 s.v. aurum.
aula, n., a large hall. — L., 'the front court of a
Grecian house', fr. Gk. ociXr,, 'open court, court,
hall', fr. I.-E. base *au-, 'to rest', whence also
Arm. ag-anim, 'I pass the night', Gk. Eauco (for
•E-af -«o), 'I sleep', and prob. the second element
in Gk. evia'jxog, 'year'. Cp. oriel.
aulaco-, before a vowel aulac-, combining form
meaning 'furrow'. — Gk. ocuAaxo-, auXax-,
from the stem of aiXaf; (gen. auXaxoq), 'fur-
row', which stands for *<x-FXax-s and is cogn.
Aulacomnium
128
with OSlav. vlekg, vlesti, Lith. velku, vilkti, 'to
draw, drag'.
Aulacomnium, n., a genus of mosses (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. aSXaS;, gen. aSXa-
xo?, 'furrow' (see prec. word), and jxvtov, 'moss',
which is cogn. with Lith. miniava, 'close-mown
turf'.
auld, adj., old. — OE. aid; a dial, variant of old
(QV.)
aulic, adj., pertaining to a court. — F. aulique, fr.
L. aulicus, fr. Gk. auXixoc, fr. ata.7), 'court'. See
aula and -ic.
Derivative: aulic-ism, n.
aumbry, aumery, n. — Variants of ambry,
aumil, n., a native revenue collector in India. —
Hind, 'dmil, fr. Arab, 'am/7, 'worker, agent',
partic. of 'dmila, 'he worked, labored, made',
which is rel. to 'dmal, 'work, toil', and to Heb.
'dmdl, Aram.-Syr. 'dmdl, 'he worked', Ethiop.
md'mal, 'tool', Akkad. nlmelu, 'gain, possession'.
Cp. omlah.
aumildar, n., a revenue collector in India. —
Hind, 'amalddr, lit. 'one holding an office', a
hybrid coined fr. Arab, 'dmal, 'work' (see au-
mil), and the Persian agential suff. -ddr, meaning
'holder, possessor', which is rel. to Avestic
ddrayeiti, 'holds, supports', OI. dhdrdyati, of
s.m., fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to hold, support',
whence also L. firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable,
strong'. See firm, adj., and cp. the first element
in Darius. Cp. also the second element in baha-
dur, chobdar, chokidar, dizdar, dufterdar, en-
amdar, foujdar, havildar, jaghiredar, jemadar,
killadar, ressaldar, silladar, sirdar, subahdar,
tahsildar, talukdar, thanadar, zemindar,
auncel, n., a weight used in England in the Middle
Ages. — AF. auncelle, fr. It. lancella, dimin. of
lance, 'balance', fr. L. lanx, gen. lands, 'plate,
dish; scale of the weighing machine'. See bal-
ance. The loss of the initial / in E. auncel is due
to the circumstance that the initial / in It. lan-
cella was mistaken for the It. def. art. /' and
consequently dropped.
aunt, n. — AF. aunte, fr. OF. ante (F. tante), fr.
L. amita, 'father's sister', which is formed with
-ita, a suff. of prob. Etruscan origin, from the
infantile imitative base *am(ma), 'mother, grand-
mother, nurse'. Cp. Gk. du^i, a^a?, du,uXa,
'mother', ON. amma, 'grandmother', OHG.
amma, 'mother, nurse', MIr. ammait, 'old hag'.
The base occurs also in the Semitic languages;
cp. Heb. em, Aram.-Syr. em, Arab, umm, imm,
Ethiop. em, Akkad. ummu, 'mother'. Cp. also
the second element in begum.
aura, n. emanation; aroma. — L., 'breeze, wind,
air', fr. Gk. a'jpoc, 'air in motion, breeze', which
is rel. to «rjp, 'air'. See air and cp. soar.
aural, adj., of, or pertaining, to the ear. Formed
with adj. surf, -al fr. L. auris, 'ear'. See auricle.
Derivative: aural-ly, adv.
aural, adj., pertaining to an aura. — Formed fr.
aura with adj. suff. -al.
auramine, auramin, n., a yellow dyestuff (chem.)
Coined fr. L. aurum, 'gold' (see aureate), and
amine.
aureate, adj., golden (rare). — L. auredtus, fr.
aureus, 'golden', fr. aurum, 'gold', lit. 'the shin-
ing metal', fr. I.-E. base *awes-, 'to shine',
whence also OLith. ausas, Lith. duksas, OPruss.
ausis, 'gold', and possibly also Toch. A was, of
s.m. See aurora and cp. auksinas, auramine, au-
relia, aureole, aurin, dorado, El Dorado, loriot,
moidore, or, 'gold', ore, oriflamme, oriole,
ormolu, oroide, orphrey, orpiment.
aurelia, n., butterfly chrysalis. — ModL., fr. It.
aurelia, prop. fem. of aurelio, 'shining like gold',
fr. L. aurum, 'gold'. See aureate and cp. Aurelia.
Derivative: aureli-an, adj.
Aurelia, fem. PN. — L., fem. of Aurelius (q.v.)
Aurelius, masc. PN. — L., the name of a Roman
gens, rel. to aurum, 'gold'. See aureate.
Aureobasidium, n., a genus of basidiomycetes
(6 0f .) _ a ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. aureus,
'of gold, golden', and basidium, a word of Greek
origin. The correct form would be Chrysobasi-
dium, in which both elements are of Greek ori-
gin (see chryso- and cp. aureomycin).
aureole, n., celestial crown. — L. aureola (corona),
'golden crown', fem. of aureolus, 'golden', di-
min. of aureus, fr. aurum, 'gold'. See aureate
and cp. oriole.
aureomycin, n., an antibiotic drug resembling
penicillin (med.) — A hybrid coined fr. L. au-
reus, 'golden' (so called from its color), Gk.
IX'jxy)?, 'fungus', and chem. suff. -in; see aure-
ate and myco-. The correct form would be
chrysomycin, in which both elements are of
Greek origin (see chryso- and cp. Aureobasi-
dium).
auri-, combining form meaning 'gold'. — Fr. L.
aurum, 'gold'. See aureate,
auri-, combining form meaning 'ear'. — Fr. L.
auris, 'ear'. See auricle,
aurichalcite, n., a basic copper zinc carbonate
(mineral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L.
aurichalcum, 'yellow copper ore', popular alter-
ation of orichalcum (as if related to aurum,
'gold'), fr. Gk. opel/aXxo:;, 'a kind of copper',
later 'brass', lit. 'mountain copper', fr. opo;,
'mountain', and yaXxo?, 'copper'. See oro-,
'mountain', and chalco- and cp. orichalc. For
the change of the Greek masculine gender to
Latin neuter cp. Gk. xaaat-repo;, 'tin', whence
L. cassiterum (see cassiterite).
auricle, n., i) the external ear; 2) chamber of the
heart. — L. auricula, 'the external ear', dimin.
of auris, 'ear', which stands for *ausis, fr. I.-E.
base *awei-, *au-, 'to perceive'. See ear, 'the or-
gan of hearing', and cp. aural, 'pertaining to the
ear'. For the ending see suff. -cle.
Derivative: auricl-ed, adj.
auricula, n., the Alpine primula (bot.) — Lit. 'a
little ear'. See auricle.
Derivatives: auricular (q.v.), auricul-ate, adj.
129
Auster
auricular, adj., 1) pertaining to the ear; 2) per-
taining to an auricle. — ■ ML. auriculiiris, fr. L.
auricula. See auricle and adj. suff. -ar.
auriculo-, combining form meaning 'auricular'.
— Fr. L. auricula. See auricle.
auriferous, adj., containing gold. — Compounded
of L. aurum, 'gold', and ferre, 'to bear, carry'.
See aureate and -ferous.
auriform, adj., earshaped. — Compounded of L.
auris, 'ear', and forma, 'form, shape'. See auricle
and -form.
aurify, v. , to turn into gold. — See aureate and -fy.
Auriga, n., the Charioteer (astron.) — L. auriga,
'a charioteer, driver', compounded of aureae
(pi.), 'bridle of a horse', and -iga, 'driver'. Aureae
stands for dreae (pi.), a derivative of ds, gen. oris,
'mouth' ; -iga derives fr. agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead'. See oral and agent, adj.
aurigal, adj., pertaining to a charioteer. — L.
aurigdlis, fr. auriga. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
Aurignacian, adj. and n. (archaeol.) — Named
from Aurignac, in the department of Haute-
Garonne in France, a place where many uten-
sils of primeval man were first discovered. For
the ending see suff. -ian.
aurilave, n., earcleaner. — Compounded of L.
auris, 'ear', and lavdre, 'to wash'. See auricle
and lave.
aurin, n., a poisonous red synthetic dye, — Form-
ed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. aurum, 'gold'.
See aureate.
aurist, n., ear specialist, otologist. — ■ A hybrid
coined fr. L. auris, 'ear' (see aureate), and -ist, a
suff. of Greek origin.
auro-, combining form meaning 'gold'. — Fr. L.
aurum, 'gold'. See aureate.
auro-, combining form meaning 'wind'. — Fr.
Gk. aupa, 'breeze'. See aura.
aurochs, n., the European bison. — G. Auerochs,
fr. MHG. ur(ohse), fr. OHG. ur(ohso), rel. to
ON. iirr (gen. urar), of s.m., ON. ur, 'fine rain,
drizzle', ON. urigr, OE. (trig, 'wet', and cogn.
with Gk. oupov, L. urina, 'urine', but OI.
usrdh, 'ox', is not cognate; see urine. For the
second element in aurochs see ox. L. urns,
'aurochs', is a Tcut. loan word; see urus.
aurora, n., the dawn of day; (cap.) the goddess
of dawn in Roman mythology, identified with
the Greek Eos. — L. aurora, 'dawn', for *au-
sdsa (for the form cp. L. Flora, 'the goddess of
flowers', fr. fids, gen. fldris, 'flower'), fr. I.-E.
base *awes-, 'to shine', whence also Gk. stoq,
Homeric yjcoj; (for *dusds), 'dawn', OI. usuh,
Lith. ausrd, 'dawn', L. auster, 'south wind'. ON.
ausir, OE. east, 'east'. See east and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also L. aurum, 'gold',
which also derives fr. I.-E. base *awes-, 'to
shine', and lit. denotes the shining metal (see
aureate and cp. words there referred to). Cp.
also the first element in Ostrogoth.
aurora australis, the Southern Lights. — L., lit.
'southern dawn'. See aurora and austral,
aurora borealis, the Northern Lights. — L., lit.
'northern dawn'. The term was introd'A^y
Gassendi in 1621. See aurora and bortf^jP
aurum, n., gold (term of chemistry). — L. See
aureate.
auscultate, tr. and intr. v., to examine by aus-
cultation. — L. auscultdtus, pp. of auscultdre.
See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: auscultation (q.v.), auscult-at-ive,
adj., auscultat-or, n., auscultat-ory, adj.
auscultation, n., a listening to the sounds in the
human body. — L. auscultdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
auscultdtus, pp. of auscultdre, 'to hear with at-
tention, listen to'. L. auscultdre was prob. form-
ed with metathesis fr. *aus-clutdre, fr. *aus-
clutos, 'heard with one's (own) ears', fr. *aus-is
(whence auris), 'ear', and *clutos, 'heard '(cp.
in-clutus, 'celebrated, famous'). See auricle and
loud. Accordingly auscultdre lit. means 'to hear
with one's (own) ears'. Cp. Gk. coTaxoua-rctv, 'to
hearken, listen to', fr. (iTocxouaTTjc;, 'hearkener,
listener', which is compounded of ouc,, gen.
(oto?, 'ear', and dcxoueiv, 'to hear', hence is
analogous to L. aus-cultdre both in sense and
form. Cp. scout, 'spy'.
auslaut, n., final sound. — G. Auslaut, fr. aus,
'out of, and Laut, 'sound, tone', G. aus derives
fr. MHG. «j, fr. OHG. mj, which is rel. to Goth.,
ON., OE. lit; see out. G. Laut, 'sound, tone',
comes fr. laut, 'loud'. Sec loud and cp. ablaut,
anlaut, inlaut, umlaut.
Ausonia, n., a poetic name for Italy. — L. Au-
sonia, fr. Ausones (Gk. Aiiaovs;;), 'the Auson-
ians', ancient inhabitants of Middle and Lower
Italy; of lllyrian origin.
Derivative: Ausoni-an, adj. and n.
auspicate, tr. v., to predict. — L. auspiedtus, pp.
of auspicdri, 'to take auspices', fr. auspex, gen.
auspicis. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
auspice, n., an omen (usually a favorable one). —
F., fr. L. auspicium, 'divination by observing the
flight of birds', fr. auspex, gen. auspicis, 'diviner,
augur', lit. 'bird seer', fr. avis, 'bird', and the
stem of specere, spicere, 'to see, look at, watch'.
For the first element see aviary and cp. auscul-
tation, for the second see species and cp. spy.
auspicious, adj. of good omen, favorable. —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. auspicium. See prec.
word. Derivatives: auspicious-Iy, adv., aus-
picious-ness, n.
Auster, n., the south w ind. — L., of uncertain
origin. It is perh. cogn. with ON. austr, n.,
'east'; adv., 'eastward', OHG. dstar, "to the
east' (whence dstar-rihi. G. Osterreich, 'Aus-
tria'), Lett. *austrs, 'eastern' in austrums, 'east',
OSlav. ustru, 'pertaining to summer', Avestic
ushas-tara, 'eastern', and with OHG. dstan, OE.
east, 'east'; see aurora and cp. austral; cp. also
east. However, on the basis of this etymology,
it is difficult to explain why L. auster denotes the
'south wind' (and not the 'east wind'). See
austere
130
Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, p. 87, where also an
attempt is made to explain the meaning of L.
auster.
austere, adj., stern, severe; very simple. — OF.
austere (F. austere), fr. L. austerus, 'dry, harsh,
sour, tart', fr. Gk. auax7]p6c., 'harsh, rough,
bitter', fr. aueiv, 'to dry', fr. aooc., 'dry'. See
auantic.
Derivatives: austere-ly, adv., austere-ness, n.,
austerity, n. (q.v.)
austerity, n., the quality of being austere. — OF.
austerite (F. austiriti), fr. L. austeritdtem, acc.
of austeritds, fr. austerus. See prec. word and -ity.
Austin, masc. PN. — Abbreviation of Augustin
(qv.)
austral, adj. southern; southerly. — L. australis,
'southern', fr. auster, 'south wind'. See Auster
and adj. suff. -al and cp. next word.
Australia, n. — Lit. 'southern land', fr. L. austra-
lis, 'southern', in Terra Australis, 'the Southern
Land'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: Australi-an, adj. and n., Australi-
an-ize, tr. v., Australi-an-iz-ation, n.
austro-, combining form meaning 'south'. — Fr.
L. auster, 'south wind, the south'. See Auster.
aut-, form of auto- before a vowel,
autarchy, n., absolute sovereignty. — Gk. auxap-
-/ta, fr. auxap/siv, 'to be an absolute ruler',
which is compounded of aux6s, 'self', and
ipxsiv, 'to rule'. See auto- and -archy.
autarchy, n., autarky. — See next word ; influenced
in form by prec. word.
autarky, n., self-sufficiency. — Gk. auxapxeta,
fr. auxapxcTv, 'to be self sufficient', compound-
ed of auxo;, 'self, and apxeiv, 'to suffice'.
For the first element see auto-. Gk. apxeiv is
cogn. with L. arcere, 'to enclose, hold'; see ar-
canum.
auth-, form of auto- before an aspirate,
authentic, adj. authoritative; reliable; genuine. —
OF. autentique (F. authentique), fr. Gk. au$cv-
xix<k, 'original, genuine, principal', fr. au&evxY);,
auTo-£vT7]<;, 'absolute master, ruler; murderer',
lit. 'one who does a thing himself', compounded
of aux6;, 'self ('see auto-), and *&/rr)<;, 'one
who does (a thing) himself, which is rel. to
ivuco, Att. ocvuco, 'I accomplish', and cogn. with
OI. sandti, 'wins, gains', perhaps also with Hitt.
shanh-zi, 'he seeks, strives'. Cp. effendi.
Derivatives: authentic, n., authentic-al-ly, adv.,
authenticate (q.v.), authentic-it y, n., authentic-
ly, adv., authentic-ness, n.
authenticate, tr. v., to make authentic, verify. —
ML. authenticate, pp. of authenticare, fr. Late L.
authenticus. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : authentic-ation, n. , authentic-ator,n.
author, n. — ME. autour, authour, fr. OF. autor
(F. auteur), fr. L. auctdrem, acc. of auctor, 'he
that brings about, master, supporter, leader,
author', an agential noun formed fr. auctus, pp.
of augere 'to increase*. See auction and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also octroi.
Derivatives: author, tr. v., author-ess, n., author-
ial, adj., author-ial-ly, adv., authority (q.v.),
authorize (q.v.)
authority, n. — F. autorite, fr. L. auctdritdtem,
acc. of auctdritds, 'invention, advice, opinion, in-
fluence, command', fr. auctor, 'master, leader'.
See prec. word and -ity.
Derivatives : authorit-arian, adj. and n., authorit-
ative, adj., authorit-ative-ly, adv., authorit-ative-
ness, n.
authorize, tr. v. — OF. autorizer (F. autoriser),
fr. ML. auctdrizare, fr. L. auctor. See author
and -ize.
Derivatives: authoriz-able, adj., authoriz-ation,
n., authoriz-ed, adj., authoriz-er, n.
autism, n., morbid admiration of oneself {psy-
choid — g. Autismus, coined by the Swiss psy-
chiatrist Eugen Bleuler (1857-1939) fr. Gk.
aux6<;, 'self, and suff. -ismus. See auto- and
-ism.
autist, n., one who morbidly admires oneself
(psychoid — Coined fr. Gk. aux6?, 'self, and
suff. -ist. See prec. word.
Derivative: autist-ic, adj.
auto, n. (colloq.) — Short for automobile,
auto-, before a vowel aut-, before an aspirate
auth-. — Gk. auxo-, aux-, au$-, fr. aux6g, 'self,
same', of uncertain origin,
autobiographer, n. — Compounded of auto- and
biographer.
autobiography, n. — Compounded of auto- and
biography ;first used by the English poet and prose
writer Robert Southey (1774- 1843) in 1809 with
reference to the autobiography of the Portu-
guese painter Francisco Vieira (in Quarterly
Review, I, 283).
Derivatives: autobiographic-ic, autobiograph-
ical, adjs., autobiograph-ical-ly, adv.
autocade, n., a procession of automobiles. — A
modern word formed fr. auto on analogy of ca-
valcade (q.v.) See also -cade and cp. the syno-
nym motorcade.
autocar, n., an automobile. — A hybrid coined
fr. auto and car.
autocephalous, adj., having its own head or chief.
— Compounded of auto- and Gk. xeqraX-/;,
'head'. See cephalic and -ous.
autochthon, n., an aboriginal inhabitant. — L.
autochthon, fr. Gk. aux6y$ov, 'from the land it-
self, which is compounded of auxo- (see auto-)
and x&aw, gen. x&°v6i;, 'earth, soil'. See chthon-
ian.
Derivatives: autochthon-al, autochthon-ic, au-
tochthonous, adjs., autochthon-ism, n.
autoclave, n., a container used for sterilizing and
cooking. — F. , lit. 'self-locking', a hybrid coined
fr. Gk. a6r6q, 'self, and L. cldvis, 'key'. See auto-
and clavicle,
autocracy, n., supreme political power; dictator-
ship. — F. autocratic fr. Gk. auxoxpaxeia, fr.
oturoxpa-rric. See next word and -cracy.
autocrat, n., a ruler with supreme power; dicta-
131
autopsy
tor. — F. autocrate, fr. Gk. auxoxpaxr)?, 'ruling
by oneself, which is compounded of auxo- (see
auto-) and xpaxos, 'strength, power, rule'. See
-crat. Derivatives: autocrat-ic, adj., autocrat-
ic-al-ly, adv.
auto-da-fe, n., the sentence passed by the Inquisi-
tion. — Port., lit. 'act of faith', fr. L. actus de
fide, 'an act concerning faith'. L. actus derives
fr. actus, pp. of agere, 'to do, act'. L. fide is the
abl. of fides, 'faith'. See act, de- and fidelity.
autodidact, n., one self-taught. — Gk. auxo-
SiSaxroi;, 'self-taught', fr. auxo- (see auto-) and
8i8axx6<;, 'taught', verbal adj. of SiSaoxstv, 'to
teach'. See didactic.
Derivative: autodidact-ic, adj.
autoecious, adj., passing through all stages of
growth on the same host [said of certain fungi]
(bot.) — Compounded of auto- and Gk. o!xo<;,
'house'. See economy.
autogamous, adj., self-fertilizing (bot.) — Com-
pounded of auto- and Gk. y<xu.o<;, 'marriage'.
See -gamous.
autogamy, n., self-fertilization (bot.) — Com-
pounded of auto- and Gk. -yauia, fr. yau.o<;,
'marriage'. See -gamy.
autogenesis, n., spontaneous generation. — Com-
pounded of auto- and genesis.
autogenetic, adj., pertaining to autogenesis. —
Compounded of auto- and genetic.
Derivative: autogenetic-al-ly, adv.
autogenous, adj., self-generated. — Coined by the
English biologist Sir Richard Owen (1804-92)
in 1846 fr. Gk. auxoyevr)?, 'self-produced', fr.
auxo- (see auto-) and the stem of yevvav, 'to
produce'. See -genous.
Derivative: autogenous-ly, adv.
autogeny, n., autogenesis. — See autogenesis and
-geny.
autograph, n., signature. — L. autographum, fr.
Gk. aux6ypa<pov, neut. of aux6ypa<poi;, 'written
with one's own hand', compounded of auxo-
(see auto-) and -ypa<po<;, fr. ypacpciv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivatives: autograph-y, n., autograph-ical,zc\).
autogravure, n., a kind of photogravure. — A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. auxo;, 'self and F. gra-
vure, fr. graver 'to grave'. See auto-, grave, v.,
and -ure.
autogiro, n., a type of airplane. — Sp., compound-
ed of auto- and Gk. yupog, 'ring'. See gyre.
autointoxication, n., self-poisoning (med.) —
Compounded of auto- and intoxication.
automatic, adj. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
aux6u.axo<; (see automaton); first used by the
English physician and philosopher David Hart-
ley (1705-57) in 1748.
Derivatives: automatic, n., automatic-al , adj.,
automatic-al-ly, adv.
automation, n., a method in which manufacturing
processes are automatically performed by self-
operating devices. — A hybrid coined by D. S.
Harder, a vice-president of the Ford Motor
Company, fr. automatic and suff. -tion.
automatism, n., the state of being automatic; in-
voluntary action. — Gk. auxou.axiau.6;, 'that
which happens of itself, fr. aux6fi.axo<;. See next
word and -ism.
automaton, n., 1) any automatic device; 2) any
living being that acts automatically. — Gk.
aux6u.axov, neut. of auxojjiaxoi;, 'acting of one's
own will, happening of itself, compounded of
auxo- (see auto-) and I.-E. *mntds > 'thinking',
fr. base *men-, 'to think', whence also Gk.
uivxcap, 'adviser'. See mind and cp. mentor.
Automedon, n., a friend and charioteer of Achil-
les (Greek mythol.) — Gk. AuxofieSoiv, lit.
'ruling by himself, compounded of auxo- (see
auto-) and uiSuv, [isSeoiv, 'guardian, ruler'
(prop. pres. part, of the ancient verb uiSsiv,
'to protect, rule over'), fr. I.-E. base *mld-, 'to
measure, limit, consider', which is a -rf-enlarge-
ment of base *me-, 'to measure'. See meditate
and cp. the second element in Andromeda and
in words there referred to.
automobile, adj. and n. — Lit. 'moving of itself,
a hybrid coined fr. Gk. auxoc,, 'self, and L.
mdbilis, 'movable' ; see auto- and movable. The
modern Greek calls it auxoxtvTjxo, 'moved of
itself (see cinema).
Derivatives: automobile, n. and intr. v., auto-
mobil-ism, n., automobil-ist, n.
automotive, adj., self-moving; automobile; per-
taining to automobiles. — A hybrid coined fr.
Gk. auxo?, 'self, and L. mdtivus, 'moving'. See
auto- and motive.
autonomic, adj. — See autonomous and -ic.
autonomist, n. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
oa>x6vou.oi;. See next word.
autonomous, adj. self-governing. — Gk. auxo-
vou-og, 'living by one's own laws', compounded
of auxo- (see auto-) and v6u.oi;, 'law'. See nomo-.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
autonomy, n., self-government. — Gk. auxovopiia,
'independence', fr. auxovojio;. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -iS),
autonym, n., a person's own name. — Lit. 'one's
own name', formed fr. auto- and Gk. ovujix,
dialectal form of ovo^a, 'name'. See name and
cp. onomato-. Cp. also antonym and words there
referred to.
autonymous, adj x --- See prec. word and -ous.
autonymy, n., a word used as a name for itself. —
Compounded of auto-, Gk. fivuu.*, dialectal
form of 6vou.a, 'name', and suff. -y; introduced
by Rudolf Carnap (born in 1891). See autonym
and -y (representing Gk. -ta).
autoplasty, n. (surg.) — Compounded of auto-
and -plasty. Derivative: autoplast-ic, adj.
autopsy, n., post-mortem examination of a body.
— Gk. auxotjjCa, 'a seeing with one's own eyes',
compounded of auxo- (see auto-) and
'sight'. See -opsis.
Derivatives: autopsy, tr. v., autops-ic, autops-ic-
al, adjs.
autoptic
132
autoptic, adj., based on personal observation. —
Gk. x'j-roTtTixo?, fr. ctu-zomrfc, 'seeing oneself',
which is compounded of avko- (see auto-) and
the stem of 6i>ou.oc'„ 'I shall see', o+is, 'sight'.
See -opsis and cp. prec. word.
autosuggestion, n. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
auTo;. 'self, and L. suggestid. See auto- and
suggestion.
autotelic, adj., doing something for its own sake.
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. auTOTeXr)?,
'ending in itself, which is compounded of au-ro-
(see auto-) and tIXo?, 'end'. See tele-.
autotoxin,n., toxin formed within the body(m«/.)
— Compounded of auto- and toxin,
autotype, n., a facsimile. — Compounded of
auto- and type.
autotypography, n., a process of drawing designs
on gelatin. — Compounded of auto- and typo-
graphy.
autumn, n. — OF. autompne (F. automne), fr. L.
aiitumnus, which is prob. of Etruscan origin. Cp.
It. aiiltmno. Rum. toamnd, Provenc. autom, Sp.
otono, OPort. atuno, Port, outono, 'autumn',
which all derive fr. L. aiitumnus. Cp. also
ratoon.
autumnal, adj. — L. autumndlis, fr. autumnus.
See autumn and adj. suff. -al.
autumnity, n., the quality of autumn. — L. autum-
nitas, 'the season of autumn', fr. autumnus. See
autumn and -ity.
autunite, n., a hydrous uranium calcium phos-
phate (mineral.) — Named after Autun in
France. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
auxano-, combining form meaning 'increase,
growth', as in auxano meter. — Gk. au^avo-, fr.
xicavsiv, 'to increase', which is rel. to ai£eiv,
of s.m., and cogn. with L. augere, pp. auctus, 'to
increase'. See auction and cp. auxesis, auxetic,
auxo-.
auxanometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the growth of plants. — Compounded of auxa-
no- and Gk. jjixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poeti-
cal rhythm'.
auxesis, n., amplification, hyperbole (rhet.) —
Gk. x-'jir,c;. from the stem of ocj;av£'.v, 'to in-
crease'. See auxano-.
auxetic, auxetical, adj., pertaining to auxesis. —
Gk. a'j;r,T'.zo;, fr. au;r,T(k, 'that may be in-
creased', verbal adj. of ocj^ivsiv. See auxano-.
Derivative: auxeiical-Iy, adv.
auxiliary, adj. — L. auxilidris, 'helpful', fr. auxi-
lium, 'help, aid, assistance, support', which is
rel. to augere, pp. auctus, 'to increase'. See auc-
tion and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: auxiliary, n.
auxin, n., a substance that stimulates stem growth
(biochem.) — Coined fr. Gk. au£siv, 'to increase'
(see :<uxo-), and chem. suff. -in.
auxo-, combining form meaning 'stimulating
growth'. — Gk. ocu£o-, fr. au^etv, 'to increase*.
See auxano-.
avail, intr. and tr. v. — ME. availen, fr. OF. a,
'to' (see a), and vail-, the pres. stem of valoir, 'to
be worth', fr. L. valere, 'to be well, be strong,
be worth'. See valiant.
Derivatives: avail, n., avail-abil-ity, n., avail-
able, adj., avail-able-ness, n., avail-abl-y, adv.,
avail-ing-ly, adv.
aval, n., endorsement on a bill. — F., fr. It. avallo,
of s.m., fr. Arab. hawala h , 'money order', fr.
hila, 'he changed'.
avalanche, n., mass of snow sliding down a moun-
tain. — F., fr. dial. Swiss avalantse, formed un-
der the influence of F. a val, 'downhill', avaler,
'to descend', fr. Savoy, lavantse, fr. VL. *labanca,
'avalanche', which is prob. of pre-Latin origin
(cp. the suff. -anca in *labanca, which is of Li-
gurian origin). Cp. OProvenc. lavanca, 'ava-
lanche', which also derives fr. VL. *labanca. For
another related word of pre-Latin origin see
moraine. The derivation of VL. *labanca fr. L.
labl, 'to glide down', is prob. folk etymology,
avale, tr. v., to cause to descend. — F. avaler, fr.
a val, 'downhill', lit. 'to the valley', fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and val, 'valley', fr. L. vallis, 'valley'.
See vale, n., 'valley', and cp. vendaval.
avant-courier, n., a herald. — For F. avant-cour-
rier, 'forerunner'. See avaunt and courier,
avarice, n., greed. — OF. (= F.) avarice, fr. L.
avdritia, 'greed', fr. avdrus, 'greedy', which is
rel. to avere, 'to long eagerly for, wish, de-
sire'. See avid and -ice.
avaricious, adj., greedy. — F. avaricieux (fern.
avaricieuse), 'greedy', fr. avarice, 'greed'. See
prec. word and -ous.
Oen\a.lives:avaricious-ly,-ddv.,avaricious-ness,n.
avast, interj., hold! stop! (naut.) — Prob. cor-
ruption of Du. houd vast, 'hold fast'. Sec hold,
v., and fast, adj.
avatar, n., descent of a Hindu deity {Hindu my-
thol.) — OI. avatdrah, 'descent', fr. ava, 'down',
and tdrati, 'crosses over'. The first element is rel.
to OI. avuh, 'down, downward', Avestic ava,
'down', and cogn. with Gk. au- (in ctj/xttelv,
'to go back, retire'), L. au-, 'away' (in auferre,
'to carry away", etc.), Lith., Lett., OPruss. priv.
pref. au-, OSlav. u, 'at, with', Olr. o, ua, 'down,
from'; cp. the first element in vesania and in
vesper. OI. tdrati derives fr. I.-E. base *ter-,
'to pass beyond, cross over'. See term and cp.
words there referred to.
avaunt. interj., begone. — F. avant, 'forward', fr.
L. ab ante, 'from before', whence also It. avanti,
OSp., Port, avante, Catal. avant, OProvenc.
avans. See advance and cp. ci-devant. Cp. also
the first element in vambrace, vamp, 'front part
of a boot', vamplate, vanguard, vanward.
ave, interj., i) hail! ; 2) farewell! ; n., the salutation
ave. - L. ave, in vulgar speech have, 'hail, fare-
well', fr. Phoen. -Punic, hdwi, corresponding to
Heb. hdyi", imper. sing. masc. of Phoen. -Punic
liawd, resp. Heb. hdyd", 'he lived'. Cp. Plautus,
Poenulus, 994, 998, tool, and see Walde-Hof-
mann, LEW., I, pp. 80-8 1 . — The identity of the
133
aviary
Semitic bases h-w-h (h-w-') and h-y-h is illustrat-
ed in Gen. 3 : 20, 'And the man called his wife's
name Eve (Hawwd' 1 ), because she was the mother
of all living (hdy)\ See Eve. For sense de-
velopment cp. Heb. y e hi adhont hammelekh
Ddwidh I'dldm: 'Let my lord king David live for
ever!' (I Kings 1:31; cp. Dan. 2:4 and passim),
E. 'Long live the King!', F. 'Vive le roi', etc.,
all used as formulas of greeting.
(The origin of L. ave being thus established, we
shall be able to find the exact meaning of the
words with which the gladiators greeted the
emperor : 'Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant'
(see Suetonius, Claudius 2 1). The usual rendering
is: 'Hail, Emperor, who are about to die salute
you'. In fact, however, the Latin words express
a perfect antithesis. According to my opinion,
their original meaning was: 'Live, Emperor!
They who are about to die salute you.')
avellan, avellane, adj . , pertaining to, or resembling,
a filbert or hazel. — Fr. L. avelldna, 'filbert',
shortened from nux avelldna, lit. 'nut of Avella',
fr. Avella, Abella, name of a town in Campania,
abounding in nuts. See apple.
Avena, n., a genus of grasses; the oat grass (bot.)
— L. avena, 'oats', prob. formed fr. orig. *avig-
snd, but influenced in form by the ending of
arena, 'sand'; cogn. with OSlav. ovisu, 'oats',
Russ. oves, Lith. avizd, Lett, duza, OPruss.
wyse, of s.m. Cp. avener.
avenaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
oats. — L. avenaceus, 'of oats, oaten', fr. avena.
See prec. word and -aceous.
avenalin, n., a globuline occurring in oat kernels
(biochem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -in fr.
L. avena, 'oats'. See Avena.
avener, n., a chief officer of the stable who had
the charge of the provender for the horses (hist.)
— OF. avenier, fr. L. avendrius 'pertaining to
oats', fr. avena. See Avena and agential suff. -er.
Derivatives: aven-ary, aven-ery, n.
avenge, tr. and intr. v. — OF. avengier, fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and vengier (F. venger), fr. L. vindicdre,
'to lay claim to, avenge, punish'. See vindicate
and cp. vengeance, revenge.
Derivatives : aveng-er, n., avenge-ful, adj., aveng-
ing, adj., aveng-ing-ly, adv.
avens, n., a plant of the genus Geum (bot.) —
ME. avence, fr. OF. avence.
aventail, n., ventail. — Formed — with change of
pref. — fr. OF. esventail, fr. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out
of (see 1st ex-), and ventail.
aventurine, n., a kind of Venitian glass. — F., fr.
It. avventurino, fr. avventura, 'chance', fr. VL.
adventura (see adventure) ; so called because the
filings used in the fabrication of this glass are
thrown over the melting glass at random.
avenue, n. — F., prop. fern. pp. of avenir, 'to come
to', fr. L. advenire, fr. ad- and venire, 'to come'.
See venue, 'arrival', and cp. advene, advent.
aver, tr. v. — F. averer, fr. OF. averer, fr. a, 'to'
(see a), and voire, 'true', fr. L. virus, 'true'. Cp.
OProvenc. averer, aveirar, It. averare, and see
very.
average, n., 1) loss incurred by damage at sea;
2) an equitable division of such loss among all
the parties interested; 3) an arithmetical mean.
— F. avaric, 'damage to ship', fr. It. avaria,
fr. Sp. averia, fr. Arab, 'awdrtya", 'merchandise
damaged by sea water', fr. 'awdr, 'rent, tear;
flaw; damaged goods'.
Derivatives: average, adj. and tr. v.
average, n., feudal service (Old English law) —
ME., fr. ML. averagium, fr. ML. avera, fr. OF.
oevre, ovre (F. ceuvre), 'work', fr. L, opera. See
opus and cp. opera. ML. avera was prob. in-
fluenced in form by OF. aver, aveir, 'property',
prop. inf. used as a noun, fr. L. habere, 'to have'
(see habit).
averah, n., transgression, sin (Jewish religion). —
Heb. 'dbherd n , 'transgression', lit. 'a passing
over', fr. 'dbhdr, 'he passed over'. See Hebrew.
averment, n. — MF. averement, fr. averer (F.
averer). See aver and -ment.
Averroism, n., the teachings of the Arab philo-
sopher Averroes (= Ibn Rushd) (1126-98). For
the ending sec suff. -ism.
averruncate, tr. v., to avert. — L. dverrunedtus,
pp. of dverruncdre, 'to avert, remove', fr. a
'away from', and verruncare, 'to turn', which is
rel. to verrere 'to sweep'. See a-, 'away from',
verricule and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: averruncat-ion, n., averruncut-or, n.
averse, adj. — L. dversus, 'turned away", pp. of
dvertere. See avert.
Derivatives: averse-ly, adv., averse-ness, n.
aversion, n. — F., fr. L. dversionem, acc. of dver-
sid, 'a turning away', fr. dversus, pp. of dver-
tere. See next word and -ion.
avert, tr. v., to prevent, ward off. — L. dvertere,
'to turn away', fr. a, 'away from', and vertere,
'to turn'. See a-, 'away from', and version.
Derivatives: avert-ed, adj., avert-ed-ly, adv.,
avert-ible, adj.
Aves, n. pi., the class of birds (zool.) — L. aves
pi. of avis, 'bird'. See aviary.
Avesta, n., the sacred books of the Parsees. —
Pers., earlier form Avistdk, lit. 'text'. Cp. Zend-
Avesta.
Derivatives: Avest-an, Avest-ic, adjs.
aviarist, n., one who keeps an aviary. — See next
word and -ist.
aviary, n., a place in which birds are kept. —
L. avidrium, 'a place where birds are kept, an
aviary', fr. avis, 'bird', which is cogn. with OI.
vih, vgfi, Avestic vish, 'bird', OI. vdyas-, 'fowl,
bird', Gk. otteTo;, Att. Setoc (for *irie-oc),
'eagle', and prob. also with Arm. hav, 'bird'.
(For the insertion of the h cp. Arm. hot 'odor',
which is cogn. with L. odor, and hum. 'raw',
which is cogn. with Gk. u>\if,-l) Cp. aviation,
avion, the first element in aucupate, auspice,
aviculture, bustard, ocarina, ostrich, and the
second element in pettitoes. Cp. also ovum, egg.
aviation
134
aviation, n. — F., coined by G. de la Landelle (in
his Aviation ou Navigation aerienne, Paris, 1863)
fr. L. avis, 'bird' (see prec. word), and suff.
-ation.
aviator, n. — Refashioned after F. aviateur. See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
aviatress, aviatrix, n., a woman aviator. — For-
med fr. aviator with suff. -ess, resp. -trix.
Avicennism, n., the teachings of the Arab, philo-
sopher Avicenna (= Ibn Sina) (980-1037). For
the ending see suff. -ism.
aviculture, n. — Compounded of L. avis, 'bird',
and cultura, 'cultivation, culture'. See aviary
and culture.
avid, adj., eager. — F. avide, fr. L. avidus, 'long-
ing eagerly for; desirous, eager', fr. avere, 'to
long eagerly for, to wish, desire', which is prob,
cogn. with Co. awel, awell, 'wish, desire', W.
ewyll, 'will, volition', OI. dvati, 'wishes, favors,
protects', avitdr, 'protector', Gk. bi-rfyc, (for
*b)-a.Trf), 'benevolent, affable'. Cp. avarice,
audacious.
Derivatives: avid-ly, adv., avid-ious, adj., avid-
ious-ly, adv., avidity (q.v.)
avidity, n., eagerness. — F. avidite, fr. L. avidi-
tdtem, acc. of aviditds, 'eagerness, avidity', fr.
avidus. See prec. word and -ity.
avidya, n., relative knowledge. — OI. avidyd, lit.
'non-knowledge', fr. pref. a-, 'not', and vidyd,
"knowledge'. See priv. pref. an- and vidya.
avifauna, n., all the birds of a region, regarded
collectively. — Compounded of L. avis, 'bird'
(see aviary), and fauna,
avion, n., an airplane. — F., coined by the French
engineer Clement Ader (1841-1925) in 1875 fr.
L. avis, 'bird'. See aviary,
avital, adj., ancestral. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. avitus, 'pertaining to a grandfather,
ancestral', fr. avus, 'grandfather', whence avun-
culus, 'uncle on the mother's side'. See uncle,
avitaminosis, n., lack of vitamins in one's food
(biochem.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. priv.
pref. a-, vitamin and suff. -osis.
avizandum, n., consideration (Scot. law). — ML.,
gerundive of avizdre. See advise. For other Latin
gerundives used in English cp. agenda and
words there referred to.
avocado, n., a tropical pear-shaped fruit. — Sp.,
fr. aguacate, fr. Nahuatl ahuacatl. Cp. alligator
pear.
avocation, n., business; occupation; hobby. — L.
avoedtid, gen. -onis, 'a calling off', fr. dvoedtus,
pp. of dvocdre, 'to call off', formed fr. a, 'away
from', and vocdre, 'to call'. See a-, 'from', and
vocation and cp. advocate.
avocet, avoset, n., a bird with webbed feet (genus
Recurvirostra). — F. avocette, fr. It. avocetta,
which is of unknown origin.
avogadrile, n. , fluoborate of potassium and cae-
sium (mineral.) — Named after the Italian phy-
sicist Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
avoid, tr. v. — ME. avoiden, formed — with
change of pref. — fr. OF. esvuidier, 'to empty',
fr. pref. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of, and OF. voit,
voide, dial, forms otvuit, vuide (F. vide), 'empty',
fr. VL. *vocit-(um), for *vacit-(um), for L.
vacdt-(um), pp. stem of vacdre, 'to be empty'.
See 1st ex- and void, adj.
Derivatives: avoid-able, adj., avoid-abl-y, adv.,
avoid-ance, n., avoid-er, n., avoid-less, adj.,
avoid-ment, n.
avoirdupois, n., a system of weights. — Incorrect
for ME. avoir de pais, fr. OF. aveir de pois,
'goods of weight'. OF. aveir, 'goods', is prop,
the inf. aveir (F. avoir), 'to have', used as a
noun, fr. L. habere, 'to have'; OF. (= F.) de,
'from, of, derives fr. L. de, 'from, away from' ;
OF. peis, pois (F. poids), 'weight', comes fr. L.
pensum, 'weight', which is prop, the neut. pp.
of pendere, 'to weigh'. See habit, de- and poise.
For the subst. use of the infinitive cp. attainder
and words there referred to.
Derivative: avoirdupois, adj.
avouch, tr. and intr. v. — ME. avouchen, fr.
OF. avochier, fr. L. advocdre, 'to summon to a
place', fr. ad- and vocdre, 'to call'. See vouch,
avoue, n., lawyer, solicitor. — F., 'solicitor', fr.
L. advoedtus, 'advocate', prop, 'one called to
aid', pp. of advocdre. See next word,
avow, tr. v. — OF. avoer, avouer (F. avouer), fr.
L. advocdre, 'to call to ; to summon to a place',
fr. ad- and vocdre, 'to call', which is rel. to vox,
gen. vocis, 'voice'. See voice and cp. advocate,
advowee, avoue.
Derivatives: avow-able, adj., avow-al, n., avow-
ed, adj., avow-ed-ly, adv., avow-ed-ness, n., avow-
er, n., avowry (q.v.)
avowry, n. — ME. avoerie, fr. OF. avoer, avouer.
See prec. word and -ry.
avulsion, n., a pulling away; a part torn off. — L.
dvulsid, gen. -onis, 'a tearing off, a plucking off,
fr. dvulsus, pp. of dvellere, 'to tear off, pluck off,
pull away', fr. a, 'away from', and vellere, 'to
tear, pull, pluck'. See a- 'away from', and velli-
cate. For the ending see suff. -ion.
avuncular, adj., pertaining to an uncle. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. avunculus, 'uncle
on the mother's side'. See uncle and cp. words
there referred to.
await, tr. v. — ME. awaiten, fr. ONF. awaitier,
fr. a, 'to' (see a), and waitier, 'to watch'. See
ad- and wait,
awake, tr. and intr. v. — Partly fr. ME. awaken,
fr. OE. dwacan (fr. a, 'on', and wacan, 'to arise,
awake'), partly fr. ME. awakien, fr. OE. dwacian
(fr. d, 'on', and wacian, 'to be awake, watch').
See a-, 'on', and wake, v.
awake, adj. — ME. awaken, earlier pp. fr. OE.
dwsecnan. See awaken,
awaken, tr. and intr. v. — OE. dwsecnan, fr. a-
'on', and wsecnan, 'to waken'. See waken.
Derivatives: awaken-er, n., awaken-ing, adj. and
n., awaken-ing-ly, adv.
135
/\xminster
award, tr. v. — AF. awarder, formed — with
change of prefix — fr. ONF. eswarder, which
corresponds to OF. esgarder (MF. egarder), 'to
regard, examine', fr. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of, and
warder, resp. garder, 'to observe'. See 1st ex-
and ward, v., and cp. guard, v.
Derivatives: award, n. (q.v.), award-er, n.
award, n. — AF. award, fr. ONF. eswart, which
corresponds to esgart, fr. esgarder. See award,
v.
aware, adj. — ME. iwar, ywar, fr. OE. gewxr,
which is formed fr. pref. ge- (see y-) and wser,
'aware, cautious'. See ware, 'alert'.
Derivative: aware-ness, n.
awaruite, n., a natural alloy of iron and nickel
(mineral.) — Named after Awarua Bay in New
Zealand. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
awash, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
wash.
away, adv. — ME. away, aweie, fr. OE. on weg,
lit. 'on the way'. See a-, 'on', and way.
awe, n. — ME. aghe, awe, fr. ON. agi, rel. to OE.
ege, 'fear', OHG. agiso, 'fright, terror', Goth.
agis, 'fear, anguish', prob. also to OHG. z-agen,
MHG., G. zagen, 'to fear, hesitate', and cogn.
with Gk. &x°?> 'P a in> grief, &xoy.a:i, 'I am af-
flicted', Olr. -dgor, 'I fear'.
Derivatives: awe, tr. v., awe-less, adj., aw-ful,
adj., aw-ful-ly, adv., aw-ful-ness, n.
aweather, adv. and adj., on the weather side;
toward the wind (naut.) — Formed fr. a-, 'on',
and weather.
awhile, adv. — ME., fr. OE. dne hwile. See a-,
indef. art., and while.
awkward, adj. — ME. awkwarde, lit. 'turned the
wrong way', formed fr. auk-, awk-, 'wrong, con-
trary', and suff. -warde (see -ward). ME. auk-
is borrowed fr. ON. ofugr, 'turned backward,
wrong, contrary', which is a derivative of af,
'of, off. See of, off.
Derivatives: awkward-ly, adv., awkward-ness, n.
awl, n. — ME. al, alia, alle, fr. OE. sel, rel. to
ON. air, MLG. al, Du. aal, OHG. dla, MHG.
die, G. Ahle, fr. Teut. *eld, corresponding to
I.-E. *eld, whence OI. drd, 'awl'. Lith. yla, Lett.
Hens, OPruss. ylo, 'awl', are borrowed fr. Goth.
*ela. Cp. anlace.
awn, n. — ME. awne, agune, fr. ON. dgn, pi.
agnar, which is rel. to OE. egenu, OHG. agana,
MHG. agene, G. Ahne, Goth, ahana, and cogn.
with OI. asdni-, 'arrowhead', Gk. &yyn\ (for
*ak-s-nd), 'husk of wheat, foam, froth', pi.
*x va i> 'chaff, dbtoa-rr), 'barley', lit. 'the awny
one', OL. agna (for *ac-na), 'ear, straw', L.
acus, gen. aceris, 'chaff, OPruss. ackons, 'awn,
beard', Lith. akuotas, Lett, akudts of s.m., fr.
I.-E. base *ak-, *aq-, 'sharp'. See acrid and cp.
ear, 'corn'. Cp. also acerose.
Derivatives: awn, tr. v., awn-ed, adj., awn-er, n.,
awn-less, awn-y, adjs.
awning, n. — Of uncertain origin ; perhaps formed
with suff. -tag fr. F. auvent, 'shed, pent roof.
which is rel. to OProvenc. amban, anvan, 'a kind
of parapet'.
awoke, past tense of awake. — See awake and
woke.
awry, adv. and adj. — Formed fr. a-, 'on', and
wry-
ax, axe, n. — OE. eax, sex, rel. to OS. accus, acus,
ON. ex, ox, ox, Dan. ekse, Norw. 0ks, Swed.
yxa, OFris. axe, OHG. ackus, MHG. ackes,
G. Axt, Goth, aqizi, and cogn. with Gk. iSJ-vr^
'ax', L. ascia (for *acsid-), 'ax; mason's trowel'.
All these words are prob. of Sem. origin; cp.
Akkad. has(s)innu, Aram.-Syr. fiatzind, 'ax'. Cp.
axinite, adz.
Derivative: ax, tr. v.
axial, adj. pertaining to an axis. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. axis. See axis and cp. the
second element in coaxial, uniaxial.
axil, n., upper angle between a leaf, branch, etc.,
and the stem (6or.) — L. axilla, 'armpit'. See
aisle and cp. words there referred to.
axile, adj., pertaining to an axis (bot.) — Formed
with suff. -ile fr. L. axis. See axis.
axilla, n., armpit (anat. and zool.) — L. See axil.
Derivative: axill-ary, adj. and n.
axinite, n., a borosilicate of aluminum and cal-
cium (mineral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite
fr. Gk. dc^fvr], 'ax'. See ax.
axiom, n. — F. axiome, fr. L. axioma, fr. Gk.
a^to)(ia, gen. a|cco(jtaTo?, 'that which is thought
worthy', fr. d^iotiv, 'to think worthy', fr. a^toq,
'worthy', prop, 'weighty', from the base of
Syciv, 'to lead', used in the sense of 'to weigh',
which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead'. See agent, adj., and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also the second element in
chronaxy. For the ending see suff. -oma.
axiomatic, axiomatical, adj. — Gk. a^wna-uxo;.
fr. a|tw(ia, gen. a^icifxaxoc;. See prec. word and
1st -atic.
Derivative: axiomatical-ly, adv.
axis, n. — L., axletree, 'axle, chariot, wagon,
axis', cogn. with Gk. a*uv, 'axis, axle, wagon',
Gk. a(jL-a5a, 'carriage', prop, 'that which has
one axle', OI. dksah, 'axis, axle', L. axilla, 'arm-
pit', dla (for *acs-ld), 'wing', OSlav. osi, Lith
ails, OPruss. assis, Lett, ass, 'axle', Ir. aiss,
'cart', W. echell, 'axle', OE. eax, OFris. axe,
OS., OHG. ahsa, MHG. ahse, G. Achse, ON.
bxull, 'axis, axle'. All these words are deriva-
tives of I.-E. base *ag-, 'to lead'. See agent,
adj., and cp. axilla, axle, axon, ala, aisle, ailer-
on, axial.
axle, n. — ME. axel in the compound axeltre,
fr. ON. oxul-tre, 'axletree', rel. to ON. 6x1, OE.
eaxl, OS. ahsla, OHG. ahsala, G. Achsel, 'shoul-
der', and cogn. with L. axilla, 'armpit'. See prec.
word and cp. aisle.
Derivative: axl-ed, adj.
Axminster, n., name of a kind of carpet. —
Named after Axminster, England, where it was
orig. made.
axo-
136
axo-, before a vowel ax-, combining form mean-
ing 'axis'. — Gk. a^o-, AE,-, fr. a^wv, 'axis, axle'.
See axon.
axolotl, n., any of several salamanders. — Sp., fr.
Nahuatl, lit. 'servant of the water'.
axon, n., axis of the vertebrate body. — ModL.,
fr. Gk. ci^ojv, 'axis, axle, vertebra', which is
cogn. with L. axis, 'axis, axle'. See axis.
Axonopus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Poaceae (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
&Z,o>v, 'axis', and ttouc;, gen. 7ro86<;, 'foot'. See
axon and podo-.
axunge, n., lard. — Earlier F. axunge (F. axonge),
fr. L. axungia, 'axletree grease, grease, fat',
which is compounded of axis, 'axletree, axis',
and ungere, 'to grease'. See axis and unguent.
ay, aye, interj., yes. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: ay, aye, n.
ayah, n., a native Hindu nurse. — Hind, aya,
aya, fr. Port, aia, 'nurse, governess', which, to-
gether with Sp. aya, of s.m., derives fr. L. avia,
'grandmother', used in the sense of 'an aged
woman who takes care of the children'. L. avia
derives fr. avus, 'grandfather', whence avunculus,
'uncle on the mother's side'. See uncle and cp.
words there referred to.
ayah, n., a verse (in the Koran). — Arab. dya h ,
lit. 'a sign', contraction of *dwaya h , rel. to Hcb.
6th, Aram. -Syr. dthd, 'sign'.
aye, ay, adv., ever, always. — ME. ei, ai, ay, fr.
ON. ei, which is rel. to OE. a, 6, OS. eo, 'always,
ever', OHG. eo, later io, MHG. ie, G.jc, Goth.
am, 'ever' and cogn. with Gk. c/id, Cyprian,
Phocian, I.ocrian cdFel (for *xlr£ai), 'always',
Gk. alcjv (for *aifcov), 'age. eternity', L. aevum,
'space of time, eternity'. See aeon and cp. each,
ever, the first element in either and the second
element in nay. Cp. also Aeolus, age, eternal.
aye-aye, n., a small rodent (Daubentunia mada-
gaseariensis). — F.. fr. Malagasy aiai, imitative
of the animal's cry.
ayin, n., name of the 1 6th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. 'dyin, 'eye'; so called in al-
lusion to the ancient form of this letter. Cp.
Aram, 'aynd, 'end, Syr. 'aynd, Ugar. '/;, Arab.
'arn, Ethiop. 'ayn, Akkad. emi, 'eye'.
az-, form of azo- before a vowel.
Azalea, n.. a genus of plants of the heath family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. i"y./io;, 'dry', fr. a"a,
'dryness, mold', rel. to yZv.v, 'to dry up', fr.
L-E. base *ds, 'to be dry, to be hot', whence also
Goth, azgd, OE. cisce, A-sce, 'ashes'. See ash,
'powdery substance", and cp. the first element
in Azolla. This genus of plants was called Azalea
(lit. 'dry plant") because it grows best in a
dry soil.
azam, n., Persian title of respect. — Arab, d'zam,
'greater', al-a'zam, 'the greatest', elative of
'aztm, 'great', fr. 'dzuma, 'was great", rel. to 'azm,
Ethiop. adm, 'bones', Heb. 'dtzdm, 'was migh-
ty', 'etzem, 'bone', Aram.-Syr. 'afmd (in Baby-
lonian Aram, weakened into afmd), 'thigh',
Akkad. esemtu, 'bones', esenseru, 'backbone,
spine'.
Azariah, masc. PN. (Bible) — Heb. 'Azaryd' 1 , lit.
'God has helped'. See Ebenezer and cp. Ezra.
azarole, n., fruit of the Neapolitan Medlar (Cra-
taegus Azarolus); the tree itself. — F. azerole,
fr. Sp. acerola, fr. Arab, az-za' rtira h , 'the med-
lar', fr. az-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and
za'rura'', name of unity fr. za'rur, which is rel.
to Mishnaic Heb. 'uzrdr, 'medlar'.
Azazel, n., place to which the scapegoat was sent
(Bible). — Heb. 'Azazel; in the Talmud
(Yoma 67b) explained as a compound of 'az,
'firm, rough', and el, 'strong'. (Cp. Gesenius-
Buhl, HWAT., p. 576a.)
azedarach, n., the China tree and its bark. —
F. azedarac, fr. Pers. dzad dirakht, 'free (i.e.
noble) tree'.
Azilian, adj., pertaining to one of the transition
periods of the Old Stone Age. — From the name
of the village Mas d'Azil in the French Pyre-
nees, where remains were found. For the ending
see stiff, -ian.
azimuth, n., distance of a star from the North or
South point of the meridian (astron.) — F. azi-
mut, fr. Arab, as-sum&t, pi. of as-samt, 'the way',
fr. as-, assimilated form of al-, 'the', and saint,
'way'. See zenith and cp. altazimuth.
azo-, before a vowel az-, combining form de-
noting the presence of nitrogen (chem.) — Short-
ened fr. azote (q.v.) Cp. dlazo-, thiazine.
azoic, adj., without life. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. aCcooc, 'without life', fr. a- (see priv.
pref. a-) and £cot„ 'life'. See zoo- and cp. azote.
Azolla, n., a genus of plants of the salvinia family
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. dc"et,v, 'to
dry', and oXX'jvoa, 'to destroy'. For the first
element see Azalea, for the second see Apollyon.
azonic, adj., not pertaining to a particular zone.
— Gk. aZwvw.oc, fr. otscovoc, 'not confined to
a zone", fr. d- (see priv. pref. a-) and £covr,, 'belt,
zone'. See zone and -ic.
azorite, n., a variety of zircon (mineral.) —
Named afterthe /fzoicy.Fortheendingsecsubst.
sufT. -itc.
azote, n., nitrogen. — F., lit. 'without life';
coined by the French chemist Antoine-Laurent
de Lavoisier (1743-94) in 1776 fr. priv. pref. a-
and Gk. Icor,. 'life' (see zoo- and cp. azoic): so
called by him because this element is incapable
of supporting life.
Derivatives: azot-ic, adj., azotite (q.v.), azol-ize,
tr. v.
azote, n., a whip. — Sp., fr. Arab, as-saut, lit.,
'the whip', fr. as-, assimilated form of al-, 'the',
and saut, 'whip', which is rel. to Heb. shot,
Aram, shotd, Syr. shuts, Ethiop. saut, 'whip',
Heb. shiis, 'to rove about', Akkad. shdtu, 'to
drag'.
azotea, n., a flat roof. — Sp., fr. Arab, as-sath,
lit. 'the roof, fr. as-, assimilated form of al-,
'the', and safh, 'roof, fr. sdtaha, 'he spread out*,
137
azyme
which is rel. to Heb. shatah, Aram.-Syr. sh'tah,
'he spread out'.
azotite, n., salt of nitrous acid (chem.) — Formed
fr. azote with subst. suff. -ite.
azulene, n., blue hydrocarbon (chem.) — Formed
with suff. -ene fr. Sp. azul, 'blue'. See next word.
azure, adj. — ME. asur, fr. OF. azur, fr. Med.
Lat. azura (whence also Ital. azzurro, Sp. azur,
azul, Port, azul), fr. Arab, al-ldzaward, fr. Pers.
Idjwdrd, 'lapis lazuli' ; so called from Lajward,
a place in Turkestan, mentioned in Marco
Polo's Travels. The initial / was mistaken for the
definite article and consequently dropped in the
Romanic languages. Cp. azulene. Cp. also
lapis lazuli.
azurite, n., hydrous carbonate of copper (min-
eral.) — Formed fr. azure with subst. suff. -ite;
so called from its color.
azygo-, combiningformmeaning 'azygous". — Gk.
a£i)Y0-, fr. &Z,uyoc,. See azygous.
azygous, adj., odd. — Gk. S^uyo?, 'odd. not
forming a pair', fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and
£uy6v, 'yoke'. See zygo-, yoke. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -oq, see suff. -ous.
azyme, azym, n., unleavened bread. — Late L.
azymus, fr. Gk. a^o?, 'unleavened', formed
fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and ftju.^ 'leaven'.
See zyme.
Derivatives: azym-ic, azym-ous, adjs.
B
baa, intr. v., to bleat. — Imitative of the cry of
the sheep.
Derivative: baa, n.
Baal, n., the name of many deities of the Semitic
peoples. — Heb. Bd'al (pi. B^dltm), lit. 'owner,
master, lord', fr. bd'dl, 'he took possession of,
he married', rel. to Akkad. Belu (whence Heb.
Bel, Gk. BijXos), name of Marduk (lit. 'Ruler'),
balu, 'rule', Arab, bd'ala, 'he possessed (esp. a
wife)', ba'l, 'husband', Ethiop. ba'dla, 'he mar-
ried'. Cp. Bel and Beulah and the first element
in Beelzebub.
Bab, n., title given to the founder of Babism. —
Pers. bdb, 'door, gate', fr. Arab, bdb, of s.m.,
fr. Aram, bdbh, bdbhd, fr. Akkad. bdbu, 'door,
gate', which is shortened fr. *nebdbd, lit. 'hole,
aperture', from Sem. stem n-b-b, 'to make hol-
low, to hollow out', whence also Heb. n e bhubh,
'hollowed', Aram. -Syr. abbubhA, Akkad. imbubu,
'flute', Arab, anbub, 'part of reed between
knots'. Cp. Babel.
Derivatives: Bab-ism, n., Bab-ist, n.
babacoote, n., a Madagascan lemur (zool.) —
Malagasy.
Babbitt, babbitt, n., a conventional businessman.
— So called after George Babbitt, the title
character of a novel by Sinclair Lewis (1922).
Derivative: Babbit-ry, babbit-ry, n.
Babbitt metal. — Named after its inventor Isaac
Babbitt (1799-1862).
babble, intr. and tr. v. — ME. babelen, from the
I.-E. imitative base *bab-, whence also ON.
babba, Swed. babbla, Norw. babble, LG. bab-
beln, Du. babbelen, G. babbeln, 'to prattle', L.
babulus, 'babbler', F. babiller, 'to stutter, stam-
mer' ; cp. babe, baboon, bauble. Cp. the related
imitative base *balb-, whence L. balbus, 'stam-
merer' ; see balbuties, booby. Cp. also the related
imitative base *barb-, 'to stammer', whence Gk.
fiipfixpoc,, 'foreign, barbarous'; see barbaric,
brave.
Derivatives: babble, n., babbl-er, n., babbl-ing,
n. and adj., babbl-ing-ly, adv., babbl-ish, adj.,
babbl-ish-ly, adv., babbl-ish-ness, n., babbl-y, adj.
babe, n. — ME., of imitative origin. See prec.
word and cp. baby. Cp. also boy.
Babel, n., name of the capital of Babylonia. —
Heb. Bdbhel, fr. Akkad. Bdb-ilu, lit. 'the gate of
God', prop, a literal translation of Sumerian
Ka-dingir. Akkad. Bdb-ilu is compounded of
bdb, 'gate', and ilu, 'god'. The first element is
rel. to Aram, bdbh, bdbhd, 'door, gate' ; see Bab.
For the second element see EL Cp. the second
element in Zerubbabel. Cp. also Babylon.
babiroussa, babirussa, n., a species of wild swine.
— Malay, compounded of bdbi, 'hog', and
riisa, 'deer'.
baboo, n., Master, Mr. — Hind. bdbu.
baboon, n. — ME. baboin, fr. OF. babuin, ba-
bouin (F. babouiri), a blend of babine, 'the pen-
dulous lip of certain animals, esp. monkeys' (the
baboon has prominent lips), and baboue, 'wry,
ugly face'; both babine and baboue are of imi-
tative origin. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 49
s. v. babouin. MDu. baubijn (whence Du. baviaari)
is an OF. loan word. G. Pavian is borrowed fr.
Du. baviaan.
Derivative: baboon-ery, n.
babouche, n., a heelless Oriental slipper. — F.,
fr. Arab, bdbOsh, fr. Pers. pdpush, lit. 'foot-
covering', fr. pa, 'foot', and the verb pushiden,
'to cover'. Pers. pd is rel. to Avestic pad-, 'foot' ;
see foot. The change of p to b proves that the
word came into Europe through the medium of
the Arabic, which having no p, regularly chan-
ges the p of foreign words into b.
baby, n. — Dimin. of babe.
Derivatives: baby, adj. and tr. v., baby-hood, n.,
baby-ish, adj., baby-ish-ly, adv., baby-ish-ness,n.
Babylon, n., the capital of Babylonia. — L., fr.
Gk. Ba|3uXtiv, fr. Akkad. Bdb-ildni, 'the gate
of the gods', fr. bdb, 'gate', and Hani, pi. of ilu,
'god'. Compared with Akkad. Bdb-ilu (see
Babel), Bab-ildni is a later form, occurring in
texts dating from the Neo-Babylonian period.
Babylonia, n. — L., fr. Gk. BafJuXcovia, fr. Ba-
[3uXa>v. See prec. word.
Derivatives: Babyloni-an, adj. and n.
bacalao, n., a West Indian fish, Mycteroperca
falcata. — Sp., 'codfish', fr. L. baculum, 'a stick,
a staff', whence also ODu. bakeljauw. See bacil-
lus and cp. cabilliau. For sense development
cp. stockfish.
Bacbuc, n., name of the Holy Bottle in Rabelais'
Pantagruel. — Heb. baqbuq, 'flask', a word of
imitativeorigin ; so called from the gurgling sound
of emptied liquid (cp. Arab. bdqbaqa h , 'gurgling
noise'). Cp. Syriac buq, 'a two-handled vase or
jug', and see beaker.
baccalaureate, n., the academic degree of bach-
elor. — ML. baccalauredtus, fr. baccalaureus,
fr. baccaldrius, 'the holder of a small farm; a
young man', which is of uncertain origin; influ-
enced in form by L. bacca, 'berry', and laureus,
'of laurel', fr. laurus, 'laurel'. Cp. bachelor. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ate.
baccara, baccarat, n., a gambling card game. —
F., of unknown origin.
baccate, adj., bearing berries. — L. bdcdtus, bac-
cdtus, fr. bdca, bacca, 'berry'. See bacci- and
adj. suff. -ate.
Bacchae, n. pi., the female attendants of Bacchus.
— L., fr. Gk. Bdixx ", P 1 - of B<fat 3CT> fr - Edx/os.
See Bacchus.
13?
oaaenum
bacchanal, adj., pertaining to Bacchus; pertaining
to a reveler. — L. bacchdndlis, fr. Bacchus. See
Bacchus and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: bacchanal, n., a reveler.
Bacchanalia, n. pi., the orgies of Bacchus; revel-
ry. — L., neut. pi. of bacchdndlis. See prec.
word.
Derivative: Bacchanali-an, adj.
bacchant, n., a devotee of Bacchus. — L. bacchdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of bacchdri, 'to celebrate
the festival of Bacchus', fr. Bacchus. See Bacchus
and -ant.
baccharis, n., name of an aromatic plant. —
ModL., fr. baccar, 'plant with a fragrant root',
prob. identical with Gnaphalium sanguineum
L., fr. Gk. (Jdxxapi?, which is a Lydian loan
word. See Scholia Aristoph. Pers., p. 42.
Bacchic, adj., pertaining to Bacchus. — See
Bacchus and -ic.
Bacchus, n., the god of wine in Greek mythology.
— L., fr. Gk. Bax/oi;, 'the god of wine', orig.
prob. 'the god of grapeberries', and cogn. with
L. bdca, bacca, 'berry'. See next word.
bacci-, combining form meaning 'berry'. — L.
bad-, bacci-, fr. bdca, bacca, 'berry', which prob.
meant orig. 'grape*, and is cogn. with Gk.
Bdxxo?- See prec. word and cp. asara bacca, ba-
gasse, bagatelle, bay, 'the laurel'.
bacciferous, adj., bearing berries. — Formed
with suff. -ous (as if fr. L. *bacciferus) fr. L.
bacdfer, which is compounded of bacca, 'berry',
and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bacci- and
-ferous.
bacciform, adj., berry-shaped. — Compounded
of bacci- and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
baccivorous, adj., berry-eating. — Compounded
of bacci- and -vorous.
bache, n., stream, rivulet (dial. E.) — OE. baec,
rel. to OS. beki, ON. bekkr, Dan. bxk, Swed.
back, MDu. beke, Du. beek, OHG. bah,
MHG., G. bach, and cogn. with Mir. bual (for
*bhogld), 'flqwing water', OI. bhahgdh, Lith.
bangd, 'wave'. Cp. beck, 'brook'.
bachelor, n. — ME. bachelere, fr. OF. bacheler,
'squire, a young man aspiring to knighthood;
a young man' (whence F. bachelier, 'bachelor'),
fr. ML. baccaldris (the usual form is baccald-
rius). See baccalaureate.
Derivatives: bachelor-dom, n., bachelor-hood, n.
bacillary, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
bacilli. — Formed fr. L. bacillum (see bacillus)
with adj. sufl". -ary.
bacUliform, adj., shaped like a bacillus. — Com-
pounded of bacillus and L. forma, 'form, shape'.
See form, n., and cp. baculiform.
bacillus, n. — Late L. bacillus, 'a little staff', di-
min. of baculus, var. of L. baculum, 'stick, staff',
which stands for *bac-thm and is cogn. with
Gk. pdx-rpov, 'staff', (taxTTjpiov, 'a little staff'.
See bacterium and cp. baculus, baguette, bail,
'crossbar', debacle, imbecile. As a term of bac-
teriology the word bacillus was introduced by
the German botanist Ferdinand Conn (1828-98)
in 1853.
back, n., the hinder part of the human body. —
ME. bak, fr. OE. b£c, rel. to OS., ON., MDu.
bak, OHG. bah, 'back', OHG. bahho, 'ham,
haunch', MHG., G. backe, 'buttock'. Cp. bacon.
Derivatives: back, tr. and intr. v., adj. and adv.,
back-ed, adj., back-er, n., back-ing n., back-ward,
adj., backwardation (q.v.), back-wards, adv.
back, n., vat, tub. — Du. bak, fr. F. bac, fr. VL.
bacca, 'water vessel', whence *baccinum, 'basin'.
See basin.
back formation (philol.) — Coined by the English
lexicographer and linguist Dr. (later, Sir James)
Murray (1837-1915).
backgammon, n. — Prop, a game, in which the
pieces are put back; compounded of back, 'the
hinder part of the body', and gammon, 'game'.
backsheesh, backshish. — Variants of baksheesh.
backward, backwards, adv. — Formed fr. back,
adv. (see back, 'the hinder part of the body'),
and -ward, resp. -wards.
Derivative: backward, adj.
backwardation, n., postponement of delivery
(London Stock Exchange). — A hybrid coined
fr. backward and -ation, a suff. of Latin origin.
bacon, n. — ME., fr. OF. bacon, bacoun, fr. ML.
bacdnem, acc. of baco, fr. OHG. bahho, 'ham,
haunch'. See back, 'the hinder part of the body'.
Baconian, adj., pertaining to Lord Verulam Bacon
(1561-1626) or his philosophy. For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Bacopa, n., a genus of plants of the figwort fam-
ily; the water hyssop (bot.) — ModL., of
American Indian origin.
bacteria, — The pi. of bacterium.
Bacteriaceae, n. pi., a family of rod-shaped bac-
teria (bacteriol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-aceae fr. L. bacterium. See bacterium.
bacterial, adj., pertaining to bacteria. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. ModL. bacterium. See
bacterium.
bactericide, n., a substance destroying bacteria.
— A hybrid coined fr. Gk. (iaxTTjpiov and L.
-clda, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See bacterium
and -cide.
bacterio-, before a vowel bacteri-, combining form
meaning 'bacteria'. — See bacterium.
bacteriology, n., the study of bacteria. — Com-
pounded of bacterio- and Gk. -Xofti, fr. -X6yoi;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: bacteriolog-ical, adj., bacteriolog-
ist, n.
bacteri oscopy, n., investigation of bacteria. —
Compounded of bacterio- and Gk. -axoma, fr.
<jxo7retv, 'to look at, examine'. See -scopy.
bacterium, n., in the pi. bacteria. — ModL.,
coined by the German naturalist Christian Gott-
fried Ehrenberg (1795-1876) in 1838 fr. Gk.
(3<xxT»)piov, 'a little staff', which is rel. to pdx-
Tpov, 'staff', fr. I.-E. *bak-, 'staff', whence also
bacteroid
UO
L. baculum, 'rod, staff'. Olr. bacc, 'hook, cro-
sier', is prob. a loan word fr. L. baculum and
derived from it through back formation. See
Frisk, GEW., I, p. 211-12 s.v. paxxvjpta. Cp.
bacalao, cabilliau, Kabbeljaws.
bacteroid, adj., resembling bacteria. — Com-
pounded of bacterium and Gk. -oei8r)<:, 'like', fr.
eTSo?, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Derivatives: bacteroid, n., bacteroid-al, adj.
Bactrian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Bactria, lit. 'the Eastern province', fr.
Persian bakhtar, 'the east'. For sense develop-
ment cp. Levant.
Bactris, n., a genus of plants of the palm family.
— ModL., fr. Gk. paxTpov, 'staff'. See bac-
terium.
baculiform, adj., rod-shaped. — Compounded of
L. baculum, 'a rod', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See next word, and form, n., and cp. baciUiform.
baculus, n., a rod, esp. as an emblem of authority.
— L. baculus, also baculum. See bacillus.
bad, adj. — ME. bad, badde, prob. fr. OE. bxddel,
'hermaphrodite'. Cp. OE. bxdling, 'effeminate
person'.
Derivatives: bad, n. and adv., badd-ish, adj.,
badd-ish-ly, adv., badd-ish-ness, n., bad-ly, adv.,
bad-ness, n.
baddeleyite, n., zirconium dioxide (mineral.) —
Named after its discoverer Joseph Baddeley. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bade, v., past tense of bid. — ME. bad, bade, fr.
OE. bmd, fr. biddan. The ME. form bade prob.
developed fr. orig. bad, on analogy of spake.
badge, n. — ME. bage, bagge, of unknown origin.
badger, n,, the animal. — Earlier bageard, prob.
formed fr. badge with the suff. -ard, lit. 'the
animal with a mark', and so called in allusion
to the white mark on its face. For sense develop-
ment cp. F. blaireau, 'badger', which derives fr.
OF. blcr, 'marked with a spot'.
badger, tr. v., to worry. — Lit. 'to treat like a
badger'; formed fr. prec. word.
badger, n., a huckster. — ME. bager, perh. re-
lated to bag.
badia, monastery, abbey. — It., aphetic fr. Eccles.
L. abbatia, 'abbey', fr. abbas, abbdtis, 'abbot".
See abbacy, abbot.
badian, n., the Chinese anise. — F. badiane, fr.
Pers. badian, 'anise'.
badinage, n., banter. — F., fr. badiner, 'to jest,
joke', fr. OProvenc. badin, 'simpleton, fool', a
derivative of badar, 'to gape', fr. VL. batare, 'to
gape'. See bay 'part in the wall', and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -age.
Derivative: badinage, intr. v.
badminton, n., name of a game played with
shuttlecocks. — Fr. Badminton, seat of the Duke
of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, England,
bactulus, n., a meteorite (antiq.) — L., fr. Gk.
Pod-raXo?, a sacred meteoric stone, fr. Heb.
beth El, 'house of God' ; see bethel. The form
Pai-ruXo? shows that the name came to the
Greeks through the medium of the Phoenicians
who pronounced it bet-iil. See Muss-Arnolt,
Semitic words in Greek and Latin, in Trans-
actions of the American Philological Associa-
tion, 1892 (volume XXTTI), pp. 5 1-52, and p. 52,
Note 1.
baetyl, n., a baetulus. — Gk. [JatTuXoc. See prec.
word.
Derivative: baetyl-ic, adj.
baff, tr. and intr. v., to beat, strike. — Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. the next two words.
baffle, tr. v. — Prob. rel. to OF. beffler, 'to ridi-
cule, mock at', bafouer, 'to set at nought", dial.
E. baff, 'useless', G. baff in baff machen, 'to
astound, flabbergast'. All these words seem to
be derivatives of the I.-E. imitative base *baf.
Cp. prec. and next word.
Derivatives: baffl-er, n., baffl-ing, adj., baffl-ing-
ly, adv., baffl-ing-ness, n.
baffy, n., a wooden golf club. — Formed from
the verb baff with suff. -y.
baft, bafta, n., a course kind of cotton cloth. —
Pers. bafta, 'woven', rel. to Avestic ubdaena,
'woven fabric', OI. urna-vdbhih, 'spider', fr.
I.-E. base *webh-, 'to weave'. See weave, and
cp. words there referred to.
bag, n. — ME. bagge, fr. ON. baggi, of Celtic
origin. The word was brought to England by
the Normans. See J. M. D. Meiklejohn,The Eng-
lish language, its grammar, history and literat-
ure, London, 1923, P-I34- Cp. badger, 'huck-
ster', baggage.
Derivatives: bag, tr. v., to inclose in a bag; intr.
v., to swell like a bag, bagg-er, n., bagg-y, adj.,
bagg-i-ly, adv., bagg-i-ness, n.
bag, tr. v., to cut (grain, weeds). — Of uncertain
origin.
bagasse, n., sugar cane crushed in the mill. —
F., fr. Sp., bagazo, 'dregs', derivative of baga,
'pod, husk', fr. L. baca, 'berry'. See bacci- and
cp. next word. Cp. also megas, megasse.
bagatelle, n., a trifle. — F., fr. It. bagatella, of s.m.,
dimin. of L. baca, 'berry'. For sense develop-
ment cp. It. bagattino, 'a kind of small coin',
which is of the same origin. See bacci- and cp.
prec. word.
baggage, n. — F. bagage , fr. OF. bague, 'bundle',
which, together with OProvenc. baga, of s.m.,
is prob. borrowed from Teutonic. See bag, n.,
and -age.
Derivative: baggag-er, n.
bagnio, n., a bath. — It. bagno, fr. L. balneum,
whence also F. bain, 'bath'. See balneal and
cp. baignoire.
baguette, n., a small molding. — F., prop, a
small rod', fr. It. bacchelta, dimin. of bacchio,
'rod', fr. L. baculum. See bacillus,
bahadur* n., a title given to European officers in
India. — Hind, bahadur, 'hero', which accord-
ing to Benfey (in Orient und Occident I 137,
quoted in Hobson-Jobson 49a) derives fr. OI.
bhaga-dhara-, 'happiness-possessing'. The first
141
balalaika
element is cogn. with Gk. <payeiv, 'to eat' ; see
-phagous and cp. baksheesh. For the second ele-
ment see aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
Bahaism, n., the teaching of the religious sect of
the Bahaists. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Pers.
bahd, 'splendor', fr. Arab. bahd\ of s.m.
bahar, n., a weight. — Arab, bahdr, a weight used
in India, ultim. fr. OI. bhdrah, 'load, weight',
which is rel. to bhdrati, bhdrate, 'carries', and
cogn. with Gk. tplpeiv, L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. words there
referred to.
bahur, n., young man, youth, unmarried man. —
Hebrew bdfrar, 'young man', rel. to Akkad.
bahulati, 'warriors'.
bahuvrihi, n., name of a class of compounds
(Old Indian gram.) — OI. bahuvrlhih, 'having
much rice', compounded of bahuh, 'much,
numerous, abundant', and vrihih, 'rice'. The
first element is rel. to Avestic bazah-, 'height,
depth', and cogn. with Gk. Tzoc/iz, 'thick'; see
pachy-. For the second element see rice.
baignoire, n., box at a theatre. — F., 'bath, bath-
tub; box at a theatre', fr. baigner, 'to bathe', fr.
bain, 'bath', fr. L. balneum. See balneal and cp.
bagnio.
baikalite, n., a dark-green variety of hedenbergite
(mineral.) — Named after Lake Baikal in Si-
beria, near which it was first discovered. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bail, n., security. — OF. bail, 'custody' (whence
F. bail, 'lease'), fr. baillier, 'to seize, carry, give',
fr. L. bdjulare, 'to bear a burden', fr. bajulus,
'porter', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. bail,
'to dip water', and bailiff.
Derivatives: bail, tr. v., bail-ee, n., bail-er, n.
(law), bail-ie, n., baili-er-y (also baili-ar-y) n.,
bail-ment, n.
bail, n., fortification; crossbar. — ME., fr. OF.
bail, 'stake; palisade', which prob. derives fr.
L. baculum, 'rod, staff'. See bacillus and cp.
bailey.
bail, also bale, n., a bucket used to dip water out
of a boat; tr. v., to dip water out of; intr. v., to
dip out water. — F. bailie, 'bucket', fr. ML.
*bdjula (aquae) lit. 'porter (of water)', used in
the sense of 'water jar'; *bajula is the fern, of
bajulus. See bail, 'security'.
bailey, n., walls, resp. courts of a feudal castle. —
ME. variant of bail. See bail, 'fortification'.
bailiff, n. — ME. baillif, fr. OF. baillif 'custodian,
magistrate', fr. ML. bdjulivus, fr. L. bajulus,
'porter'. See bail, 'security', and -ive.
Derivative: bailiff-ry, n.
bailiwick, n., the district of a bailiff. — ME.
baillifwik, compounded of baillif (see prec.
word) and wick, 'village'.
baillone, adj., holding a staff in the mouth (her.)
— F. bdillonne, lit. 'gagged', pp. of bdillonner,
'to gag', fr. bdiller, 'to gape, yawn', fr. VL. bata-
culdre, fr. batare, 'to gape, yawn'. Cp. OProv-
enc. badalhar, It. badigliare, sbadigliare, 'to
yawn', which also derive fr. VL. bataculdre, and
see bay, 'part in the wall',
bain-marie, n. double pan for holding food. —
F., 'water bath', fr. ML. balneum Mariae, lit.
'bath of Mary (sister of Moses)', to whom var-
ious works dealing with alchemy were attributed.
See balneal.
Bairam, n., the name of two Mohammedan fes-
tivals following the fast of Ramadan. — Turk.
bairam.
bairn, n. (Scot) — OE. beam, barn, child', rel.
to bear, 'to carry' (q.v.)
Derivative: bairn-ish, adj.
bait, tr. v. — ME. bait en, bey ten, fr. ON. beita,
'to cause to bite', causative of bita, 'to bite' ; rel.
to bxtan, 'to bait', OS. betian, OHG. beizzen,
'to bait'. MHG. beitzen, 'to bait; to hawk', G.
beizen, 'to hawk; to cauterize, etch'. OE. bx-
tan, OS. betian, etc., are causatives of OE. bxtan,
resp. OS. bitan, OHG. bi^an, etc., and lit. mean
'to cause to bite'. See bite and cp. words there
referred to.
bait, n. — ON. beita, 'food', beit, 'pasture', fr.
beita, 'to cause to bite' (see prec. word) ; in some
meanings derived directly fr. prec. word,
baize, n., a coarse woolen cloth. — F. bales, pi. of
baie, prop. fem. of bai, 'bay colored'. See bay,
'reddish'.
Derivative: baize, tr. v.
bake, tr. and intr. v. — ME. baken, fr. OE. bacan,
rel. to ON. baka, Swed. baka, Dan. bage,
MDu. backen, Du. bakken, OHG. bahhan,
backan, MHG., G. backen, fr. I.-E. base *bhdg-,
'to warm, roast, bake', whence also Gk.cpwysiAi,
'to roast'. Cp. batch, batz and the second ele-
ment in zwieback. Base *bhog- is a -^-enlarge-
ment of base *bhe-, 'to warm' ; see bath.
Derivatives: bake, n., bak-ed, adj., baker (q.v.),
bak-ing, n., bak-ing-ly, adv.
bakelite, n., synthetic resin. — Named after its
inventor Leo Hendrik Baekeland (1 863-1944).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
baker, n. — ME. bakere, fr. OE. bzcere, fr. bacan,
'to bake'. See bake and agential suff. -er and
cp. baxter.
Derivative: bak-ery, n.
baksheesh, n., a gratuity ; a tip. — Pers. bakhshish,
lit. 'gift', a derivative of the verb bakhshidan, 'to
give', fr. I.-E. base *bhag-, 'to distribute, share
out', whence also OI. bhdjati, 'assigns, allots,
apportions, enjoys, loves', bhdgah, 'allotter, dis-
tributor, master, lord', Gk. 9ay£iv, 'to eat'.
See -phagous and cp. Bhaga and the first ele-
ment in Bhagavadgita, and in bahadur.
Balaena, n., a genus of whales, the Greenland
whale. — L. ballaena, balaena. See baleen.
balaghat, balaghaut, n., tableland above the pas-
ses (Anglo-Ind.) — Formed fr. Pers. bald,
'above', and Hind, ghat, 'a pass'.
balalaika, n., a Russian stringed instrument with
a triangular body. — Russ. balalaika, which,
according to Erich Berneker, Etymologisches
balan-
H2
Worterbuch der russischen Sprache, I, p. 40,
Heidelberg, 1908-13, is rel. to Russ. balabdlit',
'to chatter, babble', from the I.-E. imitative base
*balb-, whence also L. balbus, 'stammering'. See
booby and cp. words there referred to.
balan-, form of balano- before a vowel.
balance, n. — OF. (= F.) balance, fr. L. bi-,
'two, twice', and VL. *lancia, fr. L. lanx, gen.
lands, 'plate, dish; scale of weighing machine',
which prob. stands for *l l nk-s, fr. I.-E. base
*HSq-, 'to bend', whence prob. also Gk. Xlxo?,
Xexavr), 'dish', Xi/pioi;, 'slanting, crosswise',
Xo^?, 'slanting, crooked, bent'; see Walde-
Hofmann, LEW., I, p. 761 s.v. lanx. See bi- and
loxo- and cp. the second element in auncel. Cp.
also Lecanium, Lecidea, lekane. The first a in
balance is prob. due to an association of this
word with F. bailer, 'to dance', fr. Gk. paXXeiv,
'to throw' (see ballistic).
Derivatives: balance, tr. v., balanc-ed, adj.,
balanc-er, n., balanc-ing, adj.
balaniferous, adj., acorn-bearing. — Compound-
ed of L. balanus, 'acorn', and 'L.ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See balano- and -ferous.
balano-, before a vowel balan-, combining form
meaning 'acorn'. — Gk. [JaXavo-, [3aXav-, fr.
(3aXavo;, 'acorn', which is cogn. with L. gldns,
gen. glandis, 'acorn'. See gland and cp. the
second element in myrobalan.
balanoid, adj., acorn-shaped. — Compounded of
balan- and Gk. -oeiS-fe, 'like', fr. eZSo?, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
balas, n., a variety of spinel ruby. — F. balais,
fr. Arab, bdlakhsh, fr. Balakhshdn, fr. Pers.
Badhakhshdn, name of a region in Central Asia
(near Samarkand), where this variety of spinel
ruby is found.
balatron, n., jester, buffoon. — L. balatro, gen.
-dnis, of Etruscan origin; not related to L.
blaterd, 'babbler'.
balaustine, n., the pomegranate tree. — Formed
with sun", -ine fr. Gk. (3ocXau(mov, 'flower of
the wild pomegranate', a word of Sem. origin.
Cp. Aram, baldtz, said of the blossoming of the
pomegranate tree. For the correspondence of
Greek if to Semitic s, tz, cp. Gk. a-nipa!;, fr.
Heb. tzdrt (see styrax). Cp. baluster.
balbriggan, n., a cotton fabric used for hosiery. —
Prop, 'fabric made in Balbriggan (in Ireland)'.
balbuties, n., stammering (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. L. balbutire, 'to stammer', fr. balbus, 'stam-
merer', from the I.-E. imitative base *bal-, 'to
stutter'. See booby and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
balcony, n. — It. balcone, formed with the aug-
mentative suff. -one fr. balco, 'scaffold', which
is borrowed fr. OHG. balcho, 'beam' (whence
MHG. balke, G. Balken, 'beam'). See balk,
'beam'.
bald, adj. — ME. balled, orig. 'white', fr. I.-E.
base *bhel-, 'to shine', whence also OI. bhalam,
'brightness; forehead', Gk. 90X65, 'white',
9aX6ip<k, 'having a patch of white', ipaXapt?,
'coot' (so called from a white spot on its head),
L. fulica, 'coot', Alb. bah, 'forehead', OSlav.
belii, 'white', Lith. bdlnas, bdltas, Lett, bals,
'pale', OE. bxl, 'a blazing fire, a funeral pyre',
OHG. belihha, MHG., G. belche, 'coot'. Cp.
balefire, Beltane, beluga, blaze, 'flame', Fulica,
full, 'to thicken cloth', Phalaris, phalarope.
Derivatives: bald-en, tr. and intr. v., bald-ish,
adj., bald-ly, adv., bald-ness, n.
baldachin, n., canopy. — F. baldaquin, fr. It. bed-
dacchino, fr. Baldacco, 'Bagdad', fr. ML. Bal-
dac. It. baldacchino orig. denoted richly woven
silk stuff brought from Bagdad. Cp. baudekin.
balderdash, n., 1) nonsense; 2) a poor mixture of
liquors. — The first element is prob. identical
with Dan. balder, 'noise, clatter', the second is
the English word dash. Dan. balder is rel. to
Dan. baldre, dial. Norw. baldra, dial. Swed.
ballra, MLG., earlier Du. balderen, Dan. buldre,
Swed. bullra, 'to make a noise, rattle*, MHG.
buldern, G. poltern, 'to knock, rattle, bluster'.
These words derive from a dental enlargement
of I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to sound', whence OE.
bellan, bylgan, 'to bellow'. See bellow, 'to make
a loud noise', and cp. words there referred to.
baldric, n., a belt worn over one shoulder. —
ME. baldric, baudric, baudry, fr. OF. baldre,
baldrei, baldroi, (whence F. baudrier and MHG.
balderich), fr. L. balteus, 'belt'. See belt and cp.
words there referred to.
Baldwin, masc. PN. — OF. Baldoln (F. Bau-
douin), of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG. Baldawin, lit.
'bold friend', fr. OHG. bald, 'bold', and wini,
'friend'. For the first element see bold and cp.
the second element in Theobald. OHG. wini,
'friend', is rel. to OE. wine, ON. vinr, 'friend',
and to OE. winnan, 'to strive, struggle, fight'.
See win and wish and cp. the first element
in Winfred and the second element in Edwin.
bale, n., bundle, package. — ME., fr. OF. bale,
balle (F. balle), fr. OHG. balla, 'ball'. See ball
'a round body'.
Derivatives: bale, tr. v., bal-er, n.
bale, n., misfortune. — ME., fr. OE. bealu, bealo,
balu, 'injury, calamity', rel. to OS. balo, 'evil',
ON. bbl, 'misfortune', OFris. bealu, 'evil', OHG.
balo, 'destruction', Goth, balwjan, 'to torment',
balweins, 'pain, torture', balwa-wesei, 'wicked-
ness'.
Derivatives: bale-ful, adj., bale-ful-ly, adv., bale-
ful-ness, n.
bale, n., bucket, v., to dip water. — See bail,
'bucket'.
bale, n., balefire. — OE. bsel. See balefire.
baleen, n., whalebone. — ME. balene, baleyne,
'whale, whalebone', fr. OF. baleine, of s.m., fr.
L. balldena, 'whale', which was borrowed fr. Gk.
9dcXXociva, of s.m., through the medium of the
Illyrian language, a fact which explains the tran-
sition of Gk. 9 into L. b (instead of p). Gk.
9aXXawa is related to 9<xXX<5i;, 'penis', fr. I.-E.
143
balm
base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See ball, 'a round body',
and cp. Balaena, balinger.
balefire, n. — OE. bselfyr, 'funeral fire', com-
pounded of bxl, 'a blazing fire, a funeral pile',
and fyr, 'fire'. The first element is rel. to ON. bdl,
'a great fire', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to shine'; see
bald. For the second element see fire.
balinger, n., a whaleship (pbsol.) — OF. balen-
gier, 'whaleship', fr. baleine, 'whale'. See baleen.
balk, also baulk, n., ridge of land left unplowed
between furrows : a beam. — ME. balke, 'beam',
fr. OE. balca, 'ridge between furrows, beam,
rafter', rel. to OS. balko, ON. bjdlki, Dan. bjelke,
Swed. bjalke, OFris. balka, OHG. balko, balcho,
MHG. balke, G. Balken, 'beam, rafter' (cp.,
with vowel gradation, OE. bolca, 'wooden
gangway of a ship'), ON. bob, 'trunk of a tree';
fr. I.-E. base *bhel e g-, 'beam, plank', whence
also Gk. <p<xXixy5, 'trunk, log; line of battle,
battle array', 9aXx7]<;, 'beam', L. fulcire, 'to
prop', fulcrum, 'bedpost', Lith. balziena, 'cross-
bar', Lett, balziens, 'prop, stay'. Cp. balcony.
Cp. also block, bole, 'trunk', bulk, 'projection',
debauch, ebauchoir, fulcrum, phalange, phalanx,
planch, planchet, plancier, plank.
Derivatives: balk v. (q.v.), balk-er, n., balk-ing-
ly, adv., balk-y, adj.
balk, also baulk, tr. v., to hinder, thwart; intr.
v., to refuse. — Formed fr. prec. word and lit.
meaning 'to put a beam in the way'. Cp. bilk.
Balkanize, tr. v. — Coined by the English jour-
nalist and editor James Louis Garvin (1868-
1947) in allusion to the political condition in the
Balkans in 19 12-13.
ball, n., a round body; a sphere. — ME. balle,
fr. ON. bdllr, which is rel. to OHG. ballo, balla,
MHG. balle, bal, G. Ball, fr. I.-E. base *bhel-,
'to swell'. See belly and cp. Balaena, bale,
'bundle', baleen, balinger, balloon, ballot, bil-
low, bulk, 'size', and the first element in bill-
berry and in pall-mall.
Derivatives: ball, tr. v., to form into a ball,
ball-er, n.
ball, n., a party for social dancing. — F. bal, fr.
OF. bailer, 'to dance', fr. VL. balldre, fr. Gk.
fiaXX^eiv, 'to dance', which prob. derives fr.
fJaXXew, 'to throw'. See ballistic and cp. ballad,
ballerina, ballet, bayadere,
ballad, n., 1) a sentimental or romantic song; 2) a
narrative song. — ME. balade, prop, 'a song
written for a dance', fr. OF. balade (F. ballade),
fr. OProvenc. balada, lit. 'dance', later used in
the sense of 'dancing song', fr. balar, 'to dance'.
See ball, 'party for dancing',
ballade, n. a poem with three stanzas of eight or
ten lines each and an envoy of four. — F. See
prec. word.
balladry, n., ballad poetry. — Formed fr. ballad
with suff. -ry.
ballast, n., heavy material used to steady a ship.
— Dan. and Swed., assimilated fr. earlier bar-
last lit. 'bare load'. The first element of this
compound is rel. to the E. adjective bare; the
second is rel. to last, a unit of weight.
Derivatives: ballast-er, n., ballast-ing, n.
ballerina, a woman ballet dancer. — It., fr. bal-
lare, 'to dance'. See ball, 'party for dancing'.
ballet, n. — F., fr. It. balletto, dimin. of ballo,
'dance'. See ball 'party for dancing', and -et.
Derivative: ballet, tr. v.
ballista, n., an ancient military engine {Roman
antiq.) — L., lit. 'a throwing machine', fr. Gk.
PaXXeiv, 'to throw'. See next word
ballistic, adj., pertaining to projectiles. — Formed
with suff. -istic fr. Gk. fWXXeiv, 'to throw',
which stands in gradational relationship to
(3oXt|, p6Xo?, 'a throw', (3£Xo?, 'bolt, arrow,
dart', lit. 'something thrown', fr. I.-E. base
*g w el-, whence also OI. apa-gurya-, 'swinging',
Avestic ni-yrd-'re, 'they are being hurled down',
Toch. AB kid-, 'to fall', and perhaps also OI.
gdlati, 'trickles', OHG. quellan, MHG., G. quel-
len, 'to well up'. Cp. ball, 'party for dancing',
ballista, amphibole, amphibology, anabolism,
belemnite, Belostoma, bolide, bolometer, boule,
'council', catabolism, devil, diabolic, discobolus,
Eblis, ecbolic, Elaphebolion, emblem, embolism,
emboly, hyperbola, hyperbole, metabolism, pa-
rable, parabola, parlance, parley, parliament,
parlor, parol, parole, periblem, problem, scy-
balum, symbol, Tribolium, Tribulus.
ballistics, n., the study of projectiles. — See prec.
word and -ics.
ballonet, n., an auxiliary gas or air bag in a bal-
loon or airship. — F. ballonnet, lit. 'a small
balloon', fr. ballon. See next word and -et.
balloon, n. — F. ballon, fr. It. pallone, which is
formed with augment, suff. -one fr. palla, 'a
ball', a word of Teut. origin; see ball, 'a round
body', and -oon. The b in F. ballon (fr. It. pal-
lone) is due to the influence of F. balle, 'ball'.
Cp. pallone.
Derivatives: balloon, tr. and intr. v., and the
hybrid noun balloon-ist, n.
ballot, n. — F. ballotte, fr. It. ballotta, 'little ball',
dimin. of balla, 'ball' (see E. ball, 'a round
body'); so called in allusion to the small balls
formerly dropped into the voting um.
Derivatives: ballot, intr. and tr. v., ballot-age
(q.v.)
Ballota, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. (3aXXo>Tr), 'the black
horehound'; of unknown origin.
baUotage, n. — F. ballottage, fr. ballotter, 'to bal-
lot', fr. ballotte. See prec. word and -age.
ballyhoo, n., 1) outcry; 2) noisy advertising
(slang). — Of uncertain origin; possibly fr.
Ballyhooly, a village in County Cork, Ireland.
Derivative : ballyhoo, tr. and intr. v.
ballyrag, tr. and intr. v. — A variant of bullyrag.
balm, n. — ME. basme, baume, fr. OF. bausme,
baume (F. baume), fr. L. balsamum, 'gum of the
balsam tree, balsam', fr. Gk. (SdtXaa(j.ov. See
balsam and cp. embalm.
Balmoral
Derivatives: balm-y, adj., balm-i-ly, adv., balm-
i-ness, n.
Balmoral, n., name of various objects. — Named
after Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
balneal, adj., pertaining to baths. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. balneum, balineum, 'bath', fr.
Gk. paXavEiov, of s.m., which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. bagnio, baignoire and the first ele-
ment in bain-marie.
balneo-, combining form meaning 'bath'. — Fr.
L. balneum, 'bath'. See balneal.
balneology, n., the study of bathing. — Com-
pounded of balneo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyoc,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives : balneolog-ic-al,adj., balneolog-ist, n.
balsam, n. — L. balsamum, 'gum of the balsam
tree, balsam', fr. Gk. [iaXaau.ov, fr. Heb. bdsdm,
which is rel. to Heb. bOsem, Aram, busmd, Syr.
besmd, Arab, bashdm, 'balsam, spice, perfume'.
Cp. balm, embalm.
Derivatives : balsam, tr. v., balsam-er, n., balsam-
ic, adj. and n., balsam-itic, adj., balsam-ize,
tr. v.
Balsaminaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL. See next word and -aceae.
balsamine, n. the garden balsam. — F., fr. Gk.
[iaXaajiivY), 'the balsam plant', fr. (WXaoc^ov. See
balsam and -ine.
balteus, n., girdle or belt worn by ecclesiastic
dignitaries. — L., of Etruscan origin. Cp. belt,
baldric.
Balthasar, masc. PN. — F., fr. L., fr. Gk. BaX-
-riaap, fr. Heb. Belthhatztzdr (Dan. 10 : i), fr.
Babyl. Baldt-shar-usur, lit. 'save the life of the
king'. In Hebrew the name has been assimilated
in form to that of Belshatztzdr (see Belshazzar).
baluster, n., support for a railing. — F. balustre,
fr. It. balaustro, fr. L. balaustium,fr. Gk. [JxXao-
g-t'.ov, 'flower of the wild pomegranate', a
word of Syrian origin (see balaustine); so called
from the shape of the capital. Cp. next word
and banister.
Derivatives: baluster-ed, adj., balustrade (q.v.)
balustrade, n., a row of balusters. — Prop, 'a set
of balusters', fr. F. balustrade, fr. It. balaustrata,
lit. 'provided with balusters', fr. balaustro (see
prec. word and -ade); introduced into English
by the diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706).
Derivatives: balustrad-ed, adj., balustrad-ing,n.
bam, tr. and intr. v., to bamboozle. — Abrevia-
tion of bamboozle,
bambino, n., a little child; an image of the infant
Jesus. — It., 'baby', dimin. of bambo, 'simple',
which is of imitative origin,
bamboo, n. — Malay bambu. Cp. Bambusa.
Derivative: bamboo, tr. v.
bamboozle.tr. v., 1 ) to hoax; 2) to confuse, puzzle.
— Of uncertain origin.
Bambusa, n., a genus of bamboos (bot.) — ModL.
See bamboo,
ban, tr. v., to prohibit; to curse (archaic). — ME.
1U
bannen, fr. OE. bannan, 'to summon, proclaim,
command', rel. to ON. banna, 'to forbid, pro-
hibit', OHG. bannan, 'to command or forbid
under threat of punishment', MHG., G. bannen,
'to put under the ban, banish, expel, curse';
formed with -n- formative element fr. I.-E. base
*bhd-, 'to speak, tell, say', whence also Gk.
<ptxvca, L. fori, 'to say', Arm. ban, 'word', Olr.
bann, law'. See fame and cp. ban, 'edict', banish,
banal, bandit, banns, abandon, aubain, boon, n.,
contraband.
ban, n., edict. — ME., partly fr. bannen, 'to sum-
mon, proclaim' (cp. ON. bann, 'prohibition',
OHG. ban, 'commandment or prohibition under
threat of punishment, jurisdiction', MHG. ban,
G. Bann, 'public proclamation, jurisdiction, ban,
ostracism, curse*, which derive fr. ON. banna,
resp. OHG. bannan, MHG., G. bannen); partly
fr. OF. (= F.) ban, 'public proclamation', fr.
Frankish *ban, which is rel. to OHG. ban
(see above). See ban, v.
ban, n., a governor of Croatia. — Serbo-Croatian
ban, 'lord, master, ruler', fr. Pers. ban, 'prince,
lord, chief, governor' (prob. through the medium
of the Avars). As a suff. -ban (var. -wan) means
'keeper, guardian'. Pers. ban, is rel. to OPers.
pd(y)-, 'to guard, protect', OI. pdti, 'guards,
protects', pand-, 'guarding, protecting' (see
P.Horn, GrundriB der neupersischen Etymo-
logie, StraBburg, 1893, No. 176). See food and
cp. banat and the second element in durwaun
and in satrap.
Bana, n., son of Bali, a thousand armed giant
(Hindu mythol.) — OI. Bdndh, lit. 'arrow', prob.
a loan word fr. Austroasiatic.
banal, adj., trite, commonplace. — OF. banal,
fr. ban, 'proclamation'. See ban, 'edict'. Banal
orig. meant 'compulsory', whence it came to
denote 'common to all, commonplace'.
banal, adj., pertaining to a ban or the banat. —
Formed fr. ban, 'governor', with adj. suff. -al.
banality, n., 1) triteness; 2) a platitude. — F. ba-
nalite, fr. banal. See banal, 'trite', and -ity.
banana, n. — Sp. and Port., fr. earlier Congo-
lese banam.
banat, also banate, n., the district governed by a
ban. — A hybrid coined fr. ban, 'governor' and
suff. -ate (fr. L. -dtus). Cp. G., F. banat, which
are of the same meaning and origin.
banausic, adj., proper for an artisan; trivial. —
Gk. pavaijciy-oq, 'relating to artisans', fr. (iava'j-
aia, 'handicraft', fr. ^ivauaoc;, 'artisan', which
is of uncertain origin. The usual explanation
that fiivauao; is a dissimilated form of *J}-xu-
vauaoi;, and compounded of (iauvoc;, 'furnace,
forge', and auew, 'to dry', is folk etymology.
Banbury cake. — Named after Banbury in Ox-
fordshire.
banc, n., bench, esp. bench on which judges sit. —
F. See banco,
banco, n., bank. — It., fr. Teut. *banki-. Cp. ME.
banke and see bank, bench. Cp. also banc and
the last element in charabanc, mountebank,
saltimbanco.
band, n., a tie. — ME., fr. ON. band, rel. to OS.,
Swed., Du., G. band, OHG., MHG. bant, Goth.
bandi, lit. 'that which binds', fr. I.-E. base
*bendh-, 'to bind', whence also OI. bandhdlf, 'a
tying, fastening; band, bandage', Mir. bainna,
'bracelet' ; F. bande, 'band', is a Teut. loan word.
See bind and cp. bend, bond. Cp. also bandage,
bandanna, bandhava, bandhu, bandoleer, and
the second element in ribband, ribbon, roband,
seerband.
Derivatives: band, tr. and intr. v., band-ed, adj.,
band-er, n., band-ing, n.
band, n., troop. — F. bande, fr. OProvenc. banda,
fr. Goth, bandwa, bandwd, 'sign, signal'. See
banner and cp. disband.
bandage, n. — F., fr. bande, fr. OF. bende, fr.
ML. benda, 'a band', fr. Goth. *binda, which is
rel. to E. band, 'tie' (q.v.) For the ending see
suff. -age.
Derivatives: bandage, tr. v., bandag-er, n.,
bandag-ist, n.
bandanna, bandana, n., a colored and spotted
handkerchief. — Hind, bdndhnu, 'a mode of
dyeing in which the cloth is tied in various
places to prevent these places from receiving
the dye', rel. to bandhdh, 'a tying, fastening;
band, bandage'. See bind and cp. band, 'tie'.
Cp. also bandhu, pandal.
bandeau, n., a narrow band, fillet. — F., fr. earlier
bandel, dimin. of bande, 'band, ribbon', of Teut.
origin. See band, 'tie'.
banderilla, n., a small dart with a streamer thrust
into the bull by the banderillo. — Sp., dimin. of
bandera, 'banner'. See banner and cp. next word.
banderole, banderol, n., a small streamer at-
tached to a lance. — F. banderole, dimin. of
bandiire, banniere, 'banner'. See banner and
cp. prec. word.
bandhava, n., a kinsman (Hindu law). — OI.
bdndhavah, rel. to bdndhuh 'relationship, kins-
man'. See next word.
bandhu, n., related through females. — OI. bdn-
dhuh, 'relationship, kinsman', rel. to bandhdh, ' a
binding; band, tie', fr. I.-E. base *bendh-, 'to
bind'. See band, 'tie'.
bandicoot, n., a kind of a large rat. — Telegu
pandi kokku, lit. 'pig rat'.
bandit, n. — F., fr. It. bandito, prop. pp. of ban-
dire, 'to banish', which arose from a blend of
Frankish *bannjan, 'to banish' (whence F. ban-
nir, E. banish), and Goth, bandwa, 'sign, signal'.
See banner.
banditi, n. pi., sometimes used as sing., bandits;
bandits collectively. — It., pi. of bandito. See
prec. word.
bandog, n., a dog kept tied up as a watchdog or
because of its ferocity; a mastiff or bloodhound.
— Contracted fr. band-dog (see hand, 'a tie',
and dog). For sense development cp. F. limier,
'bloodhound; sleuthhound', lit. 'a dog held
with a leash', fr. Hem, ancient form of lien,
'band'.
bandoleer, also bandolier, n., a shoulder belt. —
F. bandouliire, fr. Sp. bandolera, fr. banda,
'scarf, sash', which is a Teut. loan word. See
band, 'tie'.
Derivative: bandoleer-ed, bandolier-ed, adj.
bandore, n., a stringed musical instrument. —
Port, bandurra, fr. ~L.pandura, fr. Gk. iravSoupa,
'a musical instrument of three strings'. See pan-
dore and cp. banjo. Cp. also mandolin.
bandy, tr. v., to toss. — F. bander, 'to bind, bend,
bandy', of Teut. origin. See bend, 'to curve', and
cp. next word.
bandy, n., 1) a form of hockey; 2) the bent stick
used in this game. — F. bande, pp. of bander.
See prec. and cp. next word.
bandy, adj., bent, crooked, bandy-legged. — De-
rivatively identical with prec. word.
andy,n., bullock cart or carriage. — Telugu bandi.
bandy-legged, adj. — Compounded of bandy,
adj., leg and suff. -ed.
bane, n. — OE. bana, 'murderer, slayer', rel. to
OE. benn, 'wound', OS. bano, OFris. bona.
OHG. bano, 'murderer', OHG. bana, 'murder',
ON. bani, 'murderer, murder, death', ben.
'wound', Dan., Swed. bane, 'death, murder'.
Goth, banja, 'stroke, wound', and cogn. with
Avestic banta, 'ill', bqnay l n, 'they make sick'
Derivatives: bane-ful, adj., bane-ful-ly, adv.,
bane-ful-ness, n.
bang, tr. and intr. v. — Of. Scand. origin. Cp.
ON. banga, 'to hammer', Swed. bdnga, to make
a noise', Icel. banga, Dan. banke, 'to beat', Cp.
also Lith. bungdt, 'to nudge in the ribs', MHG,
bunge, 'drum', G. Bengel, 'cudgel; a clumsy
fellow, a fool', Du. bengel, 'a naughty boy'.
All these words are of imitative origin. Cp.
bungle. Cp. also whang, whiz-bang.
Derivative: bang, n.
bang, interj. — Of imitative origin. See prec.
word.
bang, n. — A variant of bhang.
bang, n., hair cut across the forehead. — Of un-
certain origin.
bangle, n., a ring-shaped bracelet. — Hind
bangri.
bangy, banghy, n., a shoulder yoke for carrying
loads. — Marathi bangi, fr. Hind, bahangi, fr.
OI. vihangamd, vihangikd. See Yule-Burnell,
Hobson-Jobson, p. 60b.
banian, n., a Hindu merchant. — Hind, vdnija.
'a trader', fr. OI. vdnij, 'merchant'. Cp. bany-
an tree.
banish, tr. v. — ME. banishen, fr. OF. baniss-.
pres. part, stem of banir, 'to proclaim ; to banish'
(F. bannir, 'to banish; to expel'), fr. Frankish
*bannjan, which is rel. to Goth, bandwjan, 'to
make a sign, to signal', whence It. bandire.
OProvenc. bandir, 'to proclaim; to banish'. See
banner and cp. band, 'troop'. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ish. OF. banir, etc., were influenced
banister
146
in meaning by a confusion with OF. ban, 'public
proclamation' (see ban, 'edict'). See Bloch-
Wartburg, DELF., p. 55 s.v. bannir and Dauzat,
DELF., p. 72 s.v. bannir.
banister, n. — Corruption of baluster.
banjo, n., a musical instrument. — Fr. earlier
banjore, banjer, banshaw, Negro alterations of
bandore (q.v.)
Derivatives : banjo, intr. v., banjo-ist, n.
bank, n., the edge of a river. — ME. banke, of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. bakki, 'river bank, ridge',
and next word, and see bench. Cp. also bunk,
'sleeping berth'.
Derivative: bank, tr. and intr. v., to pile up in
a bank.
bank, n., a bench. — ME. banck, prob. fr. OF.
banc, 'a bench', which is of Teut. origin. See
bench and cp. prec. word and banc, banco.
bank, n., an institution for the custody of money.
— F. banque, fr. It. banca, orig. 'bench, table,
counter' (scil. of a money changer), which is
of Teut. origin. Cp. bank, 'the edge of a river',
bank, 'bench', and see bench. Cp. also bankrupt,
bunco, embankment.
Derivatives: bank, intr. v., to keep a bank; to
keep money in a bank; tr. v., to keep (money)
in a bank ; bank-able, adj . ,bank-er,n.,bank-ing,n.
banket, n., the conglomerate in the Witwaters-
rand gold district in the Transvaal. — S. Afr.
Du., lit. 'sweetmeat', fr. F. banquet. See banquet.
bankrupt, n. and adj. — Refashioned after L.
rupta, fr. F. banqueroute, fr. It. banca rotta, lit.
'a broken bench', fr. banca, 'bench', and rotta
(fr. L. rupta), fern. pp. of rompere, 'to break',
fr. L. rumpere, (see bench and rupture); so called
from the habit of breaking the bench of bank-
rupts.
Derivatives: bankrupt, tr. v., bankrupt-cy, n.,
bankrupt-ly, adv.
bankshall, n., 1) a warehouse; 2) the office of a
harbor master (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, bangsdl,
'store room', prob. fr. OI. bhdndasdla-, 'store-
house'. See Yule-Burnell, Hobson-Jobson,
p.6ib.
Banksia, n., a genus of Australian evergreen
t rees . — Named after the famous English na-
turalist and traveler, Sir Joseph Banks (1743-
1820). For the ending see suff. -ia.
banner, n. — ME. banere, fr. OF. baniere (F. ban-
niere), which is prob. a blend of WTeut. "banda,
corresponding to Goth, bandwa, bandwo, 'sign,
signal' (whence also It., OProvenc. banda, 'band,
troop', Late L. bandum, 'banner', banderia, ba-
neria, 'place where the banner is set up', OPro-
venc. bandiera (whence It. bandiera, F. ban-
diere, Sp. bandera), 'banner', and of OF. ban,
'public proclamation'. Goth, bandwa, prob. de-
rives fr. I.-E. base *bendh-, 'to bind'. See band,
'tie', and cp. band, 'troop', banderilla, banderole,
banish, pandour. For the etymol. of OF. ban see
ban, 'edict'. MHG. banier(e) (whence G. Banner
and Panier), 'banner', is an OF. loan word.
Derivatives: banner, tr. and intr. v. \(obsol.),
banner-ed, adj., bann-er, n. (obsol.), banneret
(q.v.)
banneret, n., order of knighthood; orig., a knight
who could lead his men into battle under his
own banner. — ME. baneret, fr. OF. baneret
(F. banneret), a derivative of baniere (F. ban-
niire). See banner.
banneret, bannerette, n., small banner. — OF.
banerete, dimin. of baniere (F. banniere). See
banner and -et, -ette.
bannerol, n., banner borne at a funeral and placed
over the tomb. — A variant of banderole.
bannock, n., a thick flat cake. — OE. bannuc,
'cake', fr. Gael, bonnach, of s.m.
banns, bans, n. pi., public announcement of a
marriage. — PI. of ban, 'edict'.
banquet, n. — F., fr. It. banchetto, dimin. of ban-
co, 'bench'. See bench and -et and cp. banc,
banco, banket, banquette.
Derivatives: banquet, v., banquet-er, n.
banquette, n., the foot bank of a trench (fort.) —
F., fr. Languedoc banqueta, dimin. of banc
'bench'. See prec. word and -ette.
banshee, n., a female spirit supposed to warn
families of the death of a member. — From Ir.
bean sidhe, lit. 'woman of the fairies'. Bean
comes fr. OE. ben, which is cognate with E.
quean and queen.
banstickle, n., the stickleback. — Compounded
of ME. ban, 'bone', and stickle (in stickleback),
'prickle'. See bone and stickleback,
bantam, n., a kind of small fowl. — Fr. Bantam,
name of a town, west of Jakarta in Java,
banter, tr. and intr. v. and n. — Of unknown
origin.
Derivatives: banter-er, n., banter-ing-ly, adv.,
banter-y, adj.
banting, n., a system for reducing weight. —
Named after William Banting (1797-1878), its
inventor and propagator.
Derivatives: banting-ism, n., banting-ize, intr. v.
bantling, n., a brat; a bastard. — G. Bdnkling,
'bastard', lit. 'conceived on a bench', fr. Bank,
'bench'; see bench and subst. suff. -ling. For
sense development cp. bastard.
Bantu, n., a group of African languages com-
prising most of those spoken south of the Equa-
tor. — Coined by W. H. I. Bleek fr. native
Ba-ntu, fr. plur. pref. ba- and ntu, 'a man, a
person', hence Ba-ntu lit. means 'the men, the
people, mankind'.
banyan, n. — See banian.
banyan tree, also banyan, n. — Orig. 'the tree
under which the banyans (= Hindu merchants)
settled near Gombroon (now called Bandar
Abbas); see banian. See Yule-Buinell, Hobson-
Jobsen, p. 65.
banzai, interj., form of greeting addressed to the
Emperor of Japan. — Jap. 'may you live ten
thousand years'. Cp. Chin, wan, 'myriad', sui,
'year'.
14/
baobab, n., name of an African tree. — Native
name.
bap, n., a small roll of bread (Scot.) — Of un-
certain origin.
Baphia, n., a genus of trees and shrubs of the pea
family, (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. pacfrf), 'a dip-
ping, a dyeing', which is rel. to Pa7rreiv, 'to
dip, dye', (Ja7rrf£et.v, 'to dip'. See baptism and -ia.
Baptisia, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. pairaau;, 'a dipping',
fr. pairri^eiv, 'to dip' (see next word) ; so called
from the use of some species for dyeing. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
baptism, n. — ME. bapteme, fr. OE. baptesme
(F. bapteme), fr. Eccles. L. baptisma, fr. Gk.
PareTio^a, 'a dipping in water', in Eccles. Gk.
'baptism', fr. Poctct^siv, 'to dip', in Eccles. Gk.
'to baptize', fr. Pootteiv, 'to dip, steep, dye,
color', which is rel. to p<x<p-r], 'a dyeing', and
cogn. with ON. kvefja, 'to plunge', OSwed. kvaf,
'a deep place'. For sense development it should
be borne in mind that baptism orig. consisted
in immersion. E. baptism has been refashioned
after Eccles. L. baptisma, Gk. ^&nzia[icn. For
the ending see suff. -ism. Cp. Baphia, Baptisia,
baptist, baptistery, baptize and the second ele-
ment in phlobaphene.
Derivatives :baptism-al, adj., baptism-al-ly, adv.
baptist, n. — OF. (= F.) baptiste, fr. Eccles. L.
baptista, fr. Gk. |3a7maTr)c;, 'one who dips'. See
baptism and -ist.
baptistery, baptistry, n. — OF. baptisterie (F. bap-
tistere), fr. Eccles. L. baptisterium, fr. Gk. P<xtc-
TiaTYipiov, 'bathing place', in Eccles. Gk., bap-
tistery'. See baptist and -ery, resp. -ry.
baptize, tr. and 1 intr. v. — ME. baptisen, fr. F.
baptiser, fr. Eccles. L. baptizdre, 'to baptize', fr.
Gk. (3<x7m£Etv. See baptism and -ize.
bar, rod of metal or wood. — ME. barre, fr. OF.
(= F.) barre, fr. VL. *barra, a word of Gaulish
origin. See forum and cp. barrier, barrister, bar-
rulet, debar, disbar, embargo, embarrass.
bar, tr. v. — ME. barren, fr. OF. barrer, fr. barre.
See prec. word and cp. barrage.
Derivatives: barr-ed, adj., barr-er, n., barr-ing,
n. and prep., barr-y, adj.
bar, n., the maigre (Sciaena aquila). — F. bar, fr.
MDu. ba(e)rse, which is rel. to OS., MHG. bars,
G. Barsch and E. barse (q.v.)
Barabbas, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. BapappSi;, fr.
Aram, bar abba, 'son of the father, son of the
master', fr. bar, 'son', which is rel. to Heb. ben,
'son', and fr. Aram, abbd, 'the father', emphatic
state of abh, which is rel. to Heb. dbh, 'father'.
For the first element see ben, 'son', and cp. bar
mitzvah and words there referred to. For the
second element see Aboth and cp. Abba, abbot.
barad, n., the unit of pressure in the centimeter-
gram-second system (physics). — Fr. Gk. p<xpo<;,
'weight'. See baro-.
barathrum, n., 'pit, gulf', esp. that near Athens
into which criminals condemned to death were
thrown. — L., fr. Gk. papaftpov, 'pit, gulf,
cleft', rel. to Homeric pepeftpov, of s.m., fr. I.-E.
base *g w er-, 'to devour', whence also Popo?,
'voracious', (JpSfjux, 'food', lit. 'that which is
eaten', L. vorare, 'to devour'. See voracious and
cp. words there referred to.
barato, n., money given to bystanders by a winner
at the gaming table. — Sp., from the adj. barato,
'cheap', fr. baratar, 'to barter, traffic', which
prob. derives fr. Gk. npa-crew, 'to do, perform*-
See practical.
barb, n., beard, a beardlike appendage. — OF.
(= F.) barbe, fr. L. barba, 'beard', which is cogn.
with OE. beard. See beard and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: barb, tr. v., to supply with a barb;
barb-ed, adj.
barb, n., name of a breed of horse. — F. barbe,
shortened fr. Barbaric, prop, 'horse introduced
from Barbary in North Africa'.
Barbara, fem. PN. — L., prop. fern, of barbarus,
'strange, foreign, barbarous', fr. Gk. (Bappapo;.
See barbaric.
Barbarea, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., named after St. Barbara.
barbarian, n. and adj. — Formed with suff. -ian
fr. Gk. papPapo?. See barbaric.
barbaric, adj. — OF. barbarique, fr. L. barbari-
cus, 'foreign, strange, outlandish', fr. G. pap-
Papixo?, fr. pippapoi;, 'non-Greek, foreign,
barbarous', which is cogn. with OI. barbarah,
'stammering (designation of the non-Aryan
nations), from the I.-E. imitative base *barb-,
'to stammer, stutter; unintelligible'. Cp. brave.
Cp. also Berber and the second element in rhu-
barb. For *balb-, a collateral base of *barb-, see
balbuties, booby. For the imitative base *bab-
see babble.
Derivative: barbaric-al-ly, adv.
barbarism, n. — F. barbarisme, fr. L. batbarismus,
ir. Gk. pappapiajj.6;, 'unintelligible speech', fr.
pipPapo?. See prec. word and -ism.
barbarity, n. — See barbaric and -ity.
barbarize, tr. and intr. v. — Gk. pappapi^siv,
'to speak like a barbarian', fr. pappapo:. See
barbaric and -ize.
Derivative: barbariz-ation, n.
barbarous, adj. — L. barbarus, fr. Gk. pippapo;.
See barbaric. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-oq, see -ous.
Derivatives: barbarous-ly, adv., barbarous-
ness, n.
Barbary, n., the countries in North Africa west
of Egypt. — OF. Barbarie, fr. L. barbaria, 'a
foreign country', fr. barbarus, 'strange, foreign,
barbarous'. See barbaric and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
Barbary ape. — Lit. 'ape of North Africa', fr.
Barbary.
barbasco, n., the wild cinnamon. — Sp., fr. L.
verbascum, 'mullein', a word of Ligurian origin.
Cp. Verbascum.
barbate
U8
barbate, adj., i) bearded; 2) (bot.) having hair-
like tufts or awns. — L. barbdtus, 'bearded',
fr. barba, 'beard 1 . See barb, 'appendage', and
adj. suff. -ate and cp. barbituric.
Derivative: barbat-ed, adj.
barbecue, n., an animal roasted whole; a social
gathering at which animals are roasted whole.
— Sp. barbacoa, orig. 'a framework to sleep on;
a framework for roasting meat', fr. Taino bar-
bacoa.
Derivative: barbecue, tr. v.
barbel, n., a large fish, Barbus fluviatilis. — OF.
(F. barbeau), fr. VL. *barbellus, dimin. of Late
L. barbula, which itself is dimin. of L. barbus,
'barbel' (whence OHG. barbo, MHG., G. barbe,
of s.m.), fr. L. barba, 'beard'. See barb, 'beard'.
barber, n. — ME. harbour, fr. OF. barbeor (as
if fr. VL. *barbStor), fr. L. barba, 'beard'. Cp.
F. barbier (fr. VL. *barbdrius) and see barb,
'beard'.
barberry, n., any plant of the genus Berberis. —
OF. barbere, barberis, fr. ML. berberis, barbaris,
fr. Arab, barbaris, in vulgar pronunciation ber-
beris, 'barberry'. Cp. Berberis.
barbet, n. — F., fr. L. barbdtus, 'bearded'. See
barbate.
barbette, n., mound for mounting guns (fort.) —
F., dimin. of barbe, 'beard' (see barb, 'beard',
and -ette) ; so called from a fanciful comparison
of the mounted guns with a beard.
barbican, n., outer defense of a city or castle. —
ME. barbecan, fr. OF. barbacan, barbican (F.
barbacane), which prob. derives ult. fr. Pers.
bdla-khdna, 'upper chamber, balcony on the top
of a house', lit. 'a high house', fr. bdla, 'high',
and khdna, 'house'. The first element is rel. to
Avestic b e r e zant-, OI. brhdnt-, 'high'; see
borough. The second element derives fr. stem
khan-, 'to dig'.
barbicel, n., a little process on the barbule of a
feather. — ModL. barbicella, dimin. of barba,
'beard'. See barb, 'beard'.
barbiton, n., an ancient many-stringed instru-
ment resembling a lyre. — Gk. flapfk-rov, earlier
form fSdpg'.To;, a loan word from a foreign,
prob. the Phrygian, language.
barbituric, adj., designating, or pertaining to, a
crystalline acid, CH 2 (CO.NH)jCO (Am.) —
Coined fr. L. barbdta (in ML. Usnea barbdta,
lit. 'bearded moss'), and uric. L. barbdta is fern,
of barbdtus, 'bearded' ; see barbate. (ML. usnea
derives fr. Arab, ushna", 'moss').
barbule, n., a minute barb; a process at the edge
of the barb of a feather. — L. barbula, 'a little
beard', dimin. of barba. See barb 'beard', and
-ule and cp. barbicel.
barcarole, barcarolle, a song sung by Venetian
boatmen. — F. barcarolle, fr. It. barcarola, fr.
barcarolo, 'gondolier', a derivative of barca,
'boat'. See bark, 'vessel'.
bard, n , a Celtic minstrel-poet. — C 'el. bard,
fr. Gaul. *bardo-, 'singer', whence ilso Gk.
PapSo;, L. bardus, 'bard', bardala, 'the copped
lark' (lit. 'the singer').
Derivative: bard-ic, adj.
bard, also barde, n., armor for the breast and
flanks of a warhorse. — F. barde, 'armor for
horses', fr. Sp. barda, 'horse armor', albarda,
'packsaddle', fr. Arab. (al-)bdrdaa" , '(the) stuffed
packsaddle of an ass'.
bardash, n., a catamite. — F. bardache, fr. It.
bardascia, fr. Arab, bdrdaj, 'slave', ult. fr. Pers.
bardah, of s.m.
bardolater, n., a worshiper of the Bard, i.e. Shake-
speare. — Formed fr. bard, 'poet*, on analogy of
idolater.
bardolatry, n., worship of Shakespeare. — Form-
ed fr. bard, 'poet', on analogy of idolatry.
Bardolph, masc. PN. — OHG. Berhtolf, com-
pounded of beraht, 'bright', and wolf, 'wolf. See
bright and wolf.
bare, adj. — ME. bare, fr. OE. bser, rel. to OS.,
OHG., MHG., G. bar, ON. berr, Du. baar,
(fr. Old Teut. *baza-), and cogn. with Arm. bok
(for*bhos-ko-), 'naked', OSlav. bosu, Lith.Mms,
Lett, bass, 'barefoot'. Cp. the first element in
ballast.
Derivatives: bare, tr. v., bare, n., bare-ly, adv.,
bare-ness, n., bar-er, n.
barege, barege, n., 1) a gauzelike fabric; 2) a min-
eral water from Bareges. — F. barege, so
called fr. Bareges, a village situated in the
department of the Hautes-Pyrdnees in France.
baresark, adv., without shirt. — Alternation of
berserk (as if deriving from bare sark, i.e. 'bare
shirt'). See berserker.
baret, n. — A var. of barret.
bargain, n. — ME. bargayn, fr. OF. bargaigne,
fr. bargaigner. See bargain, v.
bargain, intr. and tr. v. — OF. bargaignier (F. bar-
guigner), 'to waver, be irresolute', orig. 'to bar-
gain', prob. fr. Frankish *borganjan, 'to borrow,
to lend', which is rel. to OHG. borgen, OE.
borgian, 'to borrow, to lend'. See borrow.
Derivative : bargain-er, n.
barge, broad, flat boat. — OF., fr. OProvenc.
barca, fr. L. barca, 'a small boat, bark', short-
ened fr. *bdrica, fr. Gk. pipit;, fr. Copt, ban,
'boat'. Cp. bark, 'sailing ship', and words there
referred to.
Derivatives : barge, intr. v.
bargeer, n., a trooper who is riding another man's
horse (Anglo-Ind.). — Pers. bdrgir, lit. 'burden
taker', fr. bar, 'burden', and -gir, stem of girif-
tdn, 'to seize, take',
barite, n., barytes (mineral.) — See barytes.
baritone, barytone, n., a male voice between bass
and tenor. — F. baryton or It. baritono, fr. Gk.
papuTovo?, 'heavy-toned, low-toned', which is
compounded of Pap'i;, 'heavy' (see bary-), and
t6vos, 'tone'. See tone.
Derivative : barytone, baritone, n.
barium, n., a metallic element (chem.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. Papus, 'heavy', which is rel. to (Wpos,
U9
oaroque
'weight'; see baro-. The element was so called
by its discoverer, the English chemist Sir Hum-
phrey Davy (1778-1829) because of its presence
in barytes or heavy spar.
bark, n., rind of a tree. — ME. barke, fr. ON.
barker (whence also Dan., Swed. bark), which is
rel. to LG. borke (whence G. Borke). According to
Petersson (in Indogerm. Forschungen 23,403),
these words derive from a -^--enlargement of
I.-E. base *bher-, 'to cut', for which see bore,
'to pierce' and words there referred to. For
sense development cp. L. cortex, 'bark of a
tree', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut' (see cortex).
Derivatives: bark, tr. v., bark-en, tr. and intr. v.,
bark-en, adj. (poet), bark-er, n., bark-er-y, n.
bark, n., a kind of sailing ship. — F. barque, fr.
It. barca, fr. L. bdrca, 'a small boat, bark'. See
barge, 'boat', and cp. barkentine, barque, de-
bark, disembark, embark.
bark, intr. v., to cry as a dog. — ME. berken, fr.
OE. beorcan, rel. to ON. berkja, 'to bark' ; prob.
imitative.
Derivatives: bark-er, n., bark-ing, adj. and n.
barkentine, barquentine, n., a kind of three-
masted vessel. — Formed fr. bark, resp. barque,
"sailing vessel', on analogy of biigantine.
barkevikite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.)
— Named after Barkevik, on the Langesund
fiord, in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
barley, n. — ME. barly, fr. OE. bxrlic, orig.
an adjective meaning 'like barley', fr. bere,
'barley', and -lie, 'like'. The first element is rel.
to ON. ban, 'barley', Goth, barizeins, 'of bar-
ley', and cogn. with L. far, gen. farris, 'coarse
grain, meal'. See farina, farrage, and cp. barn,
barton. For the second element see adj. suff. -ly
and like, adj.
barm, n., yeast. — ME. berme, fr. OE. beorma,
rel. to Du. berm, MLG. berm, barm, LG. barme
(whence G. Barme), and cogn. with L. fermen-
tum, 'substance causing fermentation', fr. I.-E.
base *bher-, 'to boil, seethe', whence also OI.
bhurdti, 'moves convulsively, quivers', Mir.
berbaim, 'I boil, seethe'. Cp. brand, bread, brew,
broil (in both senses), broth. Cp. also ferment.
bar mitzvah, a male person who has completed
his thirteenth year, when he reaches the age of
religious responsibility (Jewish religion). —
Heb. bar mitzvd", lit. 'son of command', fr. bar,
'son', which is rel. to Heb. ben, and mitzvd h ,
"command, commandment', which is rel. to'tziv-
vd h , 'he commanded'. For the first element see
ben, 'son', and cp. the first element in Barabbas,
Barnabas, Bartholomew. For the second element
see mitzvah.
barn, n. — ME. bern, fr. OE. bern, shortened fr.
orig. bere-ern, lit. 'barley house', fr. bere, 'bar-
ley' and em, sern, 'house'. For the first element
see barley. The second element is a metathesized
form of *ran(n) (for *rasn), 'house', and rel. to
ON. rann, Goth, razn, 'house', and to OE. rest,
rsest, 'resting place'. See rest, 'repose', and cp.
the first element in ransack.
Barnabas, n., a surname of Joseph, the Levite of
Cyprus (Acts 4: 36). — Eccles. L., fr. Gk. Bap-
vapas, lit. 'son of exhortation', fr. Aram, bar,
'son', and ndbha, 'prophecy, exhortation'. For
the first element see bar mitzvah and cp. words
there referred to. The second element is rel. to
Heb. nabht, 'prophet', n e bhu'd", 'prophecy'. See
Nebiim.
barnacle, n., an instrument for pinching a horse's
nose. — ME. bernak, bernacle, bernakile, fr. OF.
bernac, which is of uncertain origin.
barnacle, n., i)the barnacle goose; 2) shellfish. —
Bret, bernic, 'shellfish' (whence also F. bernkle,
'barnacle goose; shellfish'), prob. fr. Olr. bern,
'cleft, crack, fissure' (according to popular
belief, the goose was supposed to be born from
the shellfish).
baro-, before a vowel bar-, combining form de-
noting the pressure of the atmosphere. — Gk.
Papo-, fr. pdcpo?, 'weight', rel. to papu?, 'hea-
vy', fr. I.-E. base *g w er-, 'heavy', whence also
L. gravis. See grave, 'weighty', and cp. bary-,
Briareus, and the second element in centrobaric,
charivari.
barograph, n., a recording barometer. — Com-
pounded of baro- and Gk. -ypa<po<;, fr. Ypacpe'.v,
'to write'. See -graph.
Derivative: barograph-ic, adj.
barology, n., the study of weight or gravity. —
Compounded of baro-, and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-Xiyoq, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
barometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
pressure of the atmosphere. — Compounded of
baro- and Gk. jjixpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'. The term barometer was prob.
used first by the English chemist and physicist
Robert Boyle (1627-91) in 1665.
Derivatives: barometr-ic, adj., barometr-y, n.
baron, n. — ME. baron, barun, fr. OF. baron,
oblique case of ber, fr. ML. bard, gen. -dnis,
which is of Teut. origin; cp. OHG. baro, 'man',
prop, 'warrior', which is rel. to ON. berjask,
'to fight', and cogn. with OSlav. horjg, boriti,
'to fight'. All these words prob. derive fr. l.-E.
base *bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry".
Derivatives: baron-age, n., baron-ess, n., baron-
et, n. and tr. v., baron-et-age, n., baron-et-cy, n.,
baron-etic-al, baron-ial, adjs., barony (q.v.)
barony, n., 1) a baron's domain; 2) dignity or
rank of a baron. — OF. baronie (F. baronnie),
fr. baron. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
baroque, adj., pertaining to an artistic style char-
acterized by grotesque forms. — F., not fr.
Port, barroco, 'irregularly shaped pearl', as
generally assumed, but from the name of the
founder of the baroque style, Federigo Barocci
(1528-1612).
Derivative : baroque, n.
baroscope
150
baroscope, n., an instrument showing the changes
of the pressure of the atmosphere. — Compound-
ed of baro- and Gk. -mtdmov, fr. axo7reiv, 'to
look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivatives: baroscop-ic, baroscop-ical, adjs.
Barosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'of a heavy smell', fr. baro-
and Gk. 6<j[x^, 'smell, odor'. See osmium.
barosmin, n., diosmin (pharm) — Formed fr.
Barosma with chem. suff. -in.
barouche, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. — ■
G. Banttsche, fr. It. baroccio, a collateral form
of earlier biroccio, fr. VL. *birrotium, 'a two-
wheeled carriage', fr. L. birotus (for bis-rotus),
'two-wheeled', fr. bis, 'twice', and rota, 'wheel'.
See bi- and rota and cp. britska.
barque, n. — A variant of bark, 'sailing vessel'.
barquentine, n. — See barkentine.
barracan, n., an Oriental fabric, camlet. — F., fr.
Arab, barrakdn, 'camlet', which is of Persian
origin.
barracks, n. pi., soldiers' lodgings. — F. baroque,
fr. Sp. barraca, orig. 'hut of bricks', a derivative
of barro, 'clay', which is prob. of Iberian origin.
barracuda, also barracouta, n., a large sea fish. —
Sp. barracuda, of uncertain origin.
barrage, n., dam. — F., fr. barrer, 'to bar, ob-
struct'. See bar, v., and -age.
barrage, n., curtain fire (mil.) — Fr. F. tir de
barrage, 'curtain fire'. See prec. word.
barranca, n., ravine. — Sp., fr. barranco, 'pre-
cipice, ravine', fr. VL. barrancus, fr. Gk. cpdpay!;,
gen. ^apayyoi;, 'deep chasm, ravine, gully',
which is rel. to 9apuy$, 'throat, chasm, gulf,
(papEiv, 'to cleave, part', and cogn. with L.
fordre, 'to bore', OE. borian, 'to bore'. See bore
'to pierce', and cp. pharynx.
barrandite, n., a hydrous phosphate of iron and
aluminum (mineral) — F., named after the
French geologist Joachim Barrande (1799- 1883).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
barrator, n., one guilty of barratry. — ME. bara-
tour, 'a quarrelsome person', fr. OF. barateor,
'deceiver, swindler', fr. barater, 'to deceive,
barter'. See barter.
barratrous, adj., tending to barratry (law). — See
barratry and -ous.
Derivative: barratrous-ly, adv.
barratry, n., fraudulent breach of duty (marine).
— See barrator and -ry.
barrel, n. — ME. barel, fr. OF. (= F.) baril,
'barrel, cask', which is of Gaulish origin. The
word came to Britain through the medium of
the Normans; it is not related to F. barre, 'bar'.
Cp. It. barile, OProvenc. and Sp. barril, which
are of the same origin and meaning as OF. baril.
Cp. also barricade, barrico, breaker, 'a small
cask".
barren, adj. — ME. barain, barein, fr. OF. bre-
haigne, baraigne, which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: barren-Iy, adv., barren-ness, n.
barret, n., a small cap, esp. a biretta. — F. bar-
rette, fr. It. barretta (now berretta). See biretta.
barricade, n. — F., fr. MF. barriquer, 'to barri-
cade', fr. barrique, 'a large barrel', fr. baril,
'barrel'; see barrel. Barricade orig. meant 'an
obstruction made with barrels'. It. barricata,
usually regarded as the etymon of F. barricade,
is in reality a French loan word.
barricade, tr. v. — F. barricader, fr. barricade.
See barricade, n.
barrico, n., a keg. — Sp. barrica, fr. barril, 'a
barrel'. See barrel.
barrier, n. — ME. barrere, fr. F. barrUre, 'ob-
stacle', fr. barre, 'bar'. See bar, 'rod of metal
or wood'.
barrister, n. — Formed fr. bar, 'rod of metal or
wood', with suff. -ster.
barrow, n., mountain, mound. — ME. barewe,
berewe, fr. OE. beorg, 'mountain', rel. to OS.,
Swed., Norw., OFris., Du., OHG., G. berg,
'mountain', ON. bjarg, 'rock', Dan. bjerg,
MHG. berc, 'mountain', fr. I.-E. base "bhergh-,
'high'. See borough and cp. the second element
in iceberg.
barrow, n., a castrated boar._ — OE. bearg, rel. to
OS., OHG. barg, barug, ON. -borgr, MDu. barch,
barech, Du. barg, MHG. bare, G. Barch, and
cogn. with OSIav. bravu, fr. earlier borvii, 'cas-
trated young pig; wether', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
'to cut, bore'. See bore.
barrow, n., a handcart. — ME. barewe, fr. OE.
bearwe, 'basket, barrow', fr. beran, 'to carry'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. bier.
barrulet, n., a small bar (her.) — Formed with
dimin. suff. -et fr. VL. *barrula, dirnin. ot*barra.
See bar, 'rod of metal or wood'.
barry, adj., traversed by an even number of bars
(her) — F. barre, pp. of barrer, 'to bar', fr.
barre. See bar, 'rod of metal or wood'.
barse, n., the common perch. — OE. bssrs, 'perch',
rel. to MDu. ba(e)rse, Du. baars, OS., MHG.
bars, G. Barsch, 'perch', G. barsch, 'rough'; fr.
Teut. base *bars-, 'sharp'. See bristle and cp.
bass, 'perch', bar, 'maigre'.
barter, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bartren, fr. OF.
barater, 'to deceive, barter', fr. barat, 'cheat,
deception', which is of uncertain, possibly
Celtic, origin. Cp. Ir. brath, 'treachery', Gael.
brath, 'to betray'. Cp. also barrator.
Derivatives: barter, n., barter-er, n.
barthite, n., a hydrous arsenate of zinc and cop-
per. — Named after Barth, a mining engineer
at Guchab, SW. Africa. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Bartholomew, masc. PN. — OF. Barthelemieu (F.
Barthelemy), fr. L. Bartholomaeus, fr. Gk. Bap-
&oXo[xa!o?, fr. Aram, bar Talmdy, 'son of Tal-
mai'. Aram, bar, 'son', is rel. to Heb. ben, of
s.m. ; see ben, 'son', and cp. words there referred
to. Talmdy, a Heb. name occurring already in
the Bible (e.g. Nu. 1 3 : 22), is rel. to Heb. telem,
'furrow'.
Derivative: Bartholome-an, adj.
151
oasiuium
bartizan, n., a small tower for defense — First
used by Walter Scott who mistook the real
meaning of Scot, bartisene, which is nothing but
the corrupted spelling of bratticing, 'timber-
work', fr. brattice (q.v.)
barton, n., barn. — ME. berton, fr. OE. beretun,
'threshing floor, barn', lit. 'barley enclosure', fr.
here, 'barley', and tun, 'enclosure'. See barley
and town.
Bartonia, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) — ModL., named in honor of
Benjamin Smith Barton of Philadelphia (died
in 1 815). For the ending see suff. -ia.
baruria, n., an abnormal condition in which the
urine has a very high specific gravity (med.) —
Medical L., compounded of Gk. fictpuq, 'heavy',
and oOpov, 'urine'. See bary-, uro-, 'of urine',
and -ia.
bary-, combining form meaning 'heavy'. — Gk.
plap'j-, fr. papii?, 'heavy', rel. to fSapoi;, 'weight'.
See baro-.
barycenter, barycentre, n., the center of gravity.
— Compounded of bary- and center.
Derivative: barycentr-ic, adj.
barysilite, n., a lead silicate. — Coined fr. bary-.
silicate and subst. suff. -ite.
baryta, n., barium monoxide (chem.) — From
next word.
barytes, n., native barium sulfate, BaSO,; heavy
spar (mineral.) — Coined by the Swedish chem-
ist Karl Wilhelm Scheele (1742-86) ft- Gk.
jiapiii;, 'heavy', which is rel. to (3apo<;, 'weight'.
See baro- and cp. barium, barite.
barythymia, n., melancholia (med) — Medical
L.. compounded of bary- and -SKijio;, 'spirit,
mind, soul'. See thio- and -ia and cp. thyme. Cp.
also the second element in lipothymia, para-
thymia.
barytic, adj., pertaining to baryta. — Formed fr.
baryta with suff. -ic.
barytone, n. — See baritone.
basal, adj., relating to the base; basic. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. base, n.
Derivative : basal-ly, adv.
basalt, n. — L. basaltes, explained by most lexi-
cographers as a word of African origin. (This
explanation is based on Pliny, Historia 36, 58.)
In Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, s.v. basanites,
several editions are quoted, in which basaltes
stands for basanites. We may, therefore, assume
that the original form is basanites, which was
later shortened into basaltes. L. basanites (lapis)
comes fr. Gk. (J<x<Tavt"nr)c, (Xidoi;). I tentatively
suggest that {Jaoavtrr;; derives fr. Baaiv, 'Bash-
an' (Bocadv is the transliteration of Heb.
Bashan in the LXX), to which the suff. -fxr)?
was added (see subst. suff. -ite). Accordingly,
(laaavfrrrie. Xtdo; lit. means 'stone of Bashan'.
This etymology is supported by the fact that
Bashan, this well-known region east of the Jor-
dan, first mentioned in the Bible as the Kingdom
of Og, is especially rich in basalt. Cp. basanite.
basan, n., tanned sheepskin. — F. basane, fr.
OProvenc. basana, fr. Sp. badana, fr. Arab.
bifdna h , lit. 'lining', fr. bdtana, 'he hid, covered' ;
fr. batn, 'belly, interior'. See wad, 'soft material'.
basanite, n., touchstone. — L. basanites (lapis),
fr. Gk. (foaavos or paaavforj? (Xi&o.;), 'touch-
stone'. See basalt.
basaree, n., a Hindu flageolet (music). — Hind.
basree, fr. OI. vamsdh, 'bamboo', which is cogn.
with Mir. feice, Ir. feige (for *vankia), 'lintel,
rafter'; L. vacerra, 'log, stock, post', however,
is not cognate.
bascule, n., an apparatus based on the principle
of the seesaw. — F., 'seesaw', from orig. basse
cule, altered from earlier bacule under the in-
fluence of basse, fem. of bos, 'low'. Bacule is
composed of the imper. of battre, 'to strike',
and cul, 'posterior'. See batter, 'to beat', and
culet.
base, n., bottom; foundation, pedestal. — F., fr.
L. basis, fr. Gk. $<kau;, 'a stepping, step, pede-
stal, foot, base', from the stem of fiaivco, 'I go',
which prob. stands for *(3dvj,co, fr. *pd|x-iw,
fr. l.-E. base *g w em-, 'to go; to come', whence
also L. venid (prob. for *g u -mio), 'I come', Goth.
qiman, OE. cuman, 'to come'. See come and cp.
venue, 'arrival'. Cp. also basis, abasia, acrobat,
aerobatics, amphisbaena, Anabaena, anabas, ana-
basis, -bates, bathmism, batophobia, bema, cata-
basis, diabase, adiabatic, diabetes, ecbatic, gyno-
base, hyperbaton, metabasis, Odobenus, Ori-
batidae, parabasis, presby-, stereobate, stylobate.
As a term of chemistry base was introduced by
the French chemist Guillaume-Francois Rou-
elle (1703-70) in 1754-
Derivatives: base, tr. v., to form a base for;
intr. v., to be based (on or upon something);
base-ment, n.
base, adj. — ME. bas, fr. OF (= F.) bos, 'low',
fr.Late L. bassus, 'thick fat, stumpy' (in classical
L. occurring only as a cognomen); of un-
certain origin. Cp. abase, bass (music), basset,
basso, bassoon, debase.
Derivatives: base-ly, adv., base-ness, n.
bash, tr. v., to strike violently. — Of imitative
origin. Cp. Swed. basa, Dan. baske, 'to strike'.
bashaw, n. — A variant of pasha (q.v.)
bashful, adj. — Aphetic for abash-ful. See abash
and -ful.
Derivatives: bashful-ly, adv., bashful-ness, n.
bashi-bazouk, n., a Turkish irregular soldier. —
Turk, bdshi-bozuq, lit. '(one whose) head is
turned'. Cp. the first element in bashlyk and the
second element in bimbashee.
bashlyk, also bashlik, n., hood covering the cars.
— Turk, bashlyq, 'any kind of headgear'.
basic, adj. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. base, n.
Cp. the second element in monobasic, di-
basic.
Derivative : basic-al-ly, adv.
basidium, n., a form of sporophore characteristic
of the fungi of the class Basidiomycetes (bot) —
basil
152
ModL., fr. Gk. pdroit;, 'base'. See base, n., and
cp. Aureobasidium.
basil, n., any of a group of aromatic plants of the
mint family. — OF. basile (whence F. basilic),
fr. Late L. basilicum, fr., Gk. fia<stXi>c6v (scil.
tpuTov), 'basil', neut. of the adjective jiaaiXixo?,
royal'. See basilica.
basil, n. — Corruption of basan.
Basil, masc. PN. — L. Basilius, fr. Gk. BaatXeto?,
lit. 'kingly, royal", fr. fictaiksbq, 'king'. See basi-
lica and cp. basil, the plant.
basilar, adj., pertaining to the base; basal, basic,
fundamental. — ModL., irregularly formed fr. L.
basis, fr. Gk. [Sooti;, 'a stepping, step, pedestal,
foot, base'. See base, 'foundation', and adj.
suff. -ar.
Derivative: basilar-y, adj.
basilic, royal. — F. basilique, fr. Gk. paatXixo?.
See next word.
basilica, n. — L., 'a public hall with double co-
lonnades', fr. Gk. [3xat.XixT) (scil. oxoa), lit.
royal colonnade', fem. of jSaaiXixo?, 'kingly,
royal', fr. PxaiXsu?, 'king', which is of un-
certain origin. It is possibly a loan word from
a language of Asia Minor; cp. Lydian P<xtto<;,
king'. Cp. basil, the plant, basilisk.
basilic vein (anat.) — ML. vena basilica, fr. Arab.
al-bdsiltq, fr. al-, 'the', and bdsilfq, a word of
uncertain origin, which was confused by the
Translators of Avicenna with Gk. pocaiXixo?,
"royal' (see prec. word). The term vena basilica
appears for the first time in a translation of Avi-
cenna by Gcrardus Cremonensis. See Joseph
Hyrtl, Das Arabische und Hebraische in der
Anatomic, VVien, 1879, pp. 74-77.
basilisk, n., a mythical serpent, cockatrice; a
Central American lizard. — L. basiliscus, fr. Gk.
SaoiXiaxoi;, 'princelet, chieftain, basilisk', di-
min. of (ixcriXE'j?, 'king'; so called after Pliny,
Naturalis Historia, 8, 33, from ist 'crown', i.e.
.1 white spot on its head. See basilica and cp.
ihc second element in aspic, 'asp'.
basin, n. — ME., fr. OF. bacin, bassin (F. bassin),
fr. VL. "baccimtm, fr. bacchinon (cited by Gre-
gory of Tours as a vulgar word), fr. *bacca,
'a water vessel' (whence F. bac, 'vat'). See
back, 'vat', and cp. next word.
basinet, n., a light steel helmet, later made with
a visor. — ME., fr. OF. baciner, bassinet (F. bas-
sinet), dimin. of bacin, bassin (F. bassin), 'basin'.
See prec. word and -et, and cp. bassinet.
basis, n. — L., fr. Gk. £ioi$. See base, n.
bask, intr. and tr. v. — ME. basken, fr. ON. bada-
sk, a reflexive verb lit. meaning 'to bathe one-
self, fr. bada, 'to bathe' (see bathe), and reflex,
suff. -sk.
basket, n. — ME., fr. L. bascauda, 'a brazen ves-
sel', referred to by the Roman poet Martial as an
OBrit. word; cogn. with L. fascis, 'bundle, fag-
got' ; see fasces. The orig. meaning of bascauda
was prob. 'wicker basket'.
bason, n. — A variant of basin.
Basque, n. and adj. — F., fr. Sp. vasco, adj., fr.
vascon, a., fr. L. Vascones, name of the ancient
inhabitants of the Pyrenees. According to Wil-
helm von Humboldt, the name Vascdnes orig.
meant 'Foresters'. Cp. Gascon.
bas-relief, n., low relief. — F., fr. bas, 'low', and
relief, 'raised work', fr. relever, 'to raise'. F. bas-
relief is a loan translation of It. bassorilievo.
See bass, adj., and relief and cp. basso-rilievo.
bass, n., any of various perchlike fishes. — Alter-
ation of barse.
bass, adj. and n. (mus.) — It. basso, fr. Late L.
bassus, 'low'. See base, adj., and cp. bassoon
and the second element in contrabass.
bassanite, n., an anhydrous calcium sulfate {min-
eral.) — Named after F. Bassani, professor of
geology in Naples. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
bassarid, n., a maenad (Greek mythol.) — Gk.
paaaapii;, gen. -1S6?, fr. (3aaaapa, 'fox', a word
of unknown etymology; so called because their
dresses were made of foxskins.
basset, n., a variety of small hound. — F., formed
with dimin. suff. -et fr. bas, 'low'. See base, adj.
bassetite, n., a phosphate of calcium and uranium
(mineral.) — Named after the Basset mines in
Cornwall.
bassinet, n., cradle. — Usually derived fr. F. bas-
sinet, 'a little basin', dim. of bassin, fr. OF. bacin
(see basin). This derivation, however, does not
account for the sense of the English word. Ac-
cording to my opinion, E. bassinet is a blend of
F. barcelonnette, 'a little cradle' (a collateral
form of bercelonnette, fr. bercer, 'to rock'), and
F. bassinet, 'a little basin'.
basso, n., a bass voice. — It. See bass (mus.).
bassoon, n., a woodwind instrument. — F. bas-
son, fr. It. bassone, fr. basso. See bass (mus.)
and -oon.
bassoonist, n., player of a bassoon. — A hybrid
coined fr. bassoon and suff. -ist.
basso-rilievo, n., bas-relief. — It. See bas-relief
and rilievo and cp. cavo-relievo.
bast, n., the inner bark of the linden tree. — ME.,
fr. OE. b&st, rel. to ON., OS., MDu, OHG.,
MHG., G. , 'bast', OUG.besten, 'to sew with bast',
and prob. cogn. with L. fascis, 'bundle', see fas-
ces. OE. bxst, etc., orig. meant 'that which serves
for binding'. OF. bastir (whence F. bdtir), 'to
build', is a loan word fr. Frankish *bastjan, and
orig. meant 'to sew or bind with bast'. Cp. baste,
'to sew loosely'. Cp. also bastille, bastion, and
the second element in bundobust. For sense de-
velopment cp. G. Wand, 'wall', which is rel. to
wenden, 'to turn, twist' (see wand).
bastard, n., an illegitimate child. — OF. (F. bd-
tard), identical in meaning with fits de bast,
'acknSwledged son of a nobleman, born out of
wedlock', prop, 'son of concubinage', fr. bast,
'concubinage', which prob. derives fr. Teut.
*bansti, 'barn' (cp. Goth, bansts of s.m.); ac-
cordingly, OF. bastard lit. meant 'child born in
153
batnos
a barn'. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 60 s.v.
bdtard.
Derivatives: bastard, adj., and the hybrids
bastard-ize, tr. v., bastard-iz-ation, n.
baste, tr. v., to soak, moisten. — Orig. pp. of a
verb formed fr. OF. basser, 'to soak'; of un-
certain origin.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
baste, tr. v., to sew loosely. — OF. bastir (F.
bdtir), 'to build', fr. Frankish *bastjan 'to sew
or bind with bast', which is rel. to OHG. besten,
of s.m., fr. bast, 'bast'. See bast.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
baste, tr. v., to beat. — ON. beysta, 'to beat', rel.
to OE. beatan. See beat.
Derivative: bast-ing, n.
bastille, n., a castle or fortress; specif, an ancient
prison of Paris, destroyed by the revolutionaries
July 14, 1789. — F., formed with change of suff.
fr. OProvenc. bastida, fr. bastir, 'to build'. See
baste, 'to sew loosely', and cp. bastion.
bastinado, n., beating with a stick on the soles of
the feet. — Sp. bastonada, 'a beating, cudgeling,'
fr. baston, 'stick', See baston and -ado.
bastion, n., a work projecting outward from a
fortification. — F., variant of bastillon, dimin.
of bastille. It. bastione, is a French loan word,
whereas It. bastia is a back formation fr. bas-
tione. See bastille.
Derivatives: bastion-ary, bastion-ed, adjs.
baston, n., a stick, staff. — OF. baston (F. baton),
formed with the augment, suff. -on fr. Late L.
bastum, of s.m. This word is prob. borrowed fr.
Gk. "JiaaTov or *£ia<rra, 'support', which is a
back formation fr. LateGk. *|iacTrav (cp. Mod-
Gk. Paa-co), fr. Gk. paaxai^iv, 'to lift up, raise,
carry', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. It. bas-
tone, Sp. baston, and see -oon. Cp. also basti-
nado, baton, and batten, 'timber'. Cp. also the
first element in bathorse, batman.
bat, n., the club used in cricket, etc. — ME. batte,
bat, fr. OE. batt, 'cudgel', prob. rel. to F. batte,
'beater, beetle', back formation fr. battre, 'to
beat'. See batter, v., and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: bat, intr. v., to use a bat, batt-ing,n.
bat, n., a nocturnal mammal. — A dialectal form
of ME. bakke, a word of Scand. origin. Cp.
Swed. natt-backa, natt-batta, 'bat' (lit. 'night
bat'), Dan. aften-bakke, 'bat' (lit. 'evening bat').
For the change of k (in ME. bakke) to t (in E.
bat) cp. apricot (from orig. apricock), havoc (fr.
OF. havot), and the English words milt and milk,
'milt of fishes',
batata, n., the sweet potato. — Sp. See potato,
batch, n. — ME. bacche, lit, 'a baking', OE. ba-
can, 'to bake'. See bake. Batch stands to bake as
match, 'one of a pair', stands to make.
Derivatives: batch, tr. v., batch-er, n.
bate, n., a solution used in tanning. — Rel. to
Swed. beta, 'soaking, tanning', and to E. bait,
bite (qq.v.)
bate, v., to reduce. — Aphetic for abate.
Derivative: bat-ed, adj.
bate, intr. v., to beat the wings, nutter. — F. bat-
tre, 'to beat' (in the term battre des ailes, 'to beat
the wings'), fr. L. battuere, battere. See batter, v.
bate, n., strife (obsol.) — Aphetic for debate.
-bates, combining form meaning 'treading on . . .'
as in Dendrobates, Hylobates. — Fr. Gk. pixr,?,
'one that treads', from the stem of (Jaiveiv, 'to
go'. See base, n.
bath, n. — ME. bath, fr. OE. bsed, rel. to OS.
bath,ON.bad, MDu., MHG. bat, OHG.,G.,Du.
bad. The final dental sound corresponds to
Teut. -pa (= I.-E. -to) and is added to the Teut.
base appearing in OHG. ba-jan (whence MHG.
bxn, bxjen, G. bd-heri), 'to foment', correspond-
ing to I.-E. base *bhe-, 'to warm'. Hence OE.
bzd, etc., orig. meant 'that which warms'. Base
*bhdg-, 'to warm, roast, bake', a -^-enlargement
of base bhe-, 'to warm', appears in Gk. cptiyEiv.
'to roast', and in E. bake (q.v.)
Derivative: bath, tr. v.
Bath, brick, chair, etc. — Named after Bath, a
town in Somerset, England.
bath-, combining form. — See batho-.
bathe, tr. and intr. v. — ME. bathien, fr. OE.
badian, rel. to ON. bada, MDu. baden, Du. baden,
OHG. badon, MHG., G. baden, and to OE. bxd .
etc., 'bath'. See bath.
Derivatives: bathe, n., bath-er, n., bath-ing, n.
bathkol, n., a heavenly voice. — Heb. bath qdl,
lit. 'the daughter of a voice', fr. bath, 'daughter',
and qui, 'voice'. Bath stands for *banth, fr. orig.
*bint , fem. of ben, 'son' ; rel. to Aram, b'rath,
emphatic case b l ratta, Syr. (emphatic) band
Arab. bint. Ethiop. bant, 'daughter', See ben,
'son' and cp. the first clement in Bathsheba. For
the second element see cowle.
bathmism, n., the growth force (biol.) — A name
coined by the American paleontologist Edward
Drinker Cope (1840-97) fr. Gk. |3a{>u.o;, 'step,
threshold', from the stem of paiveiv, 'to go',
whence also fi&au;, 'a stepping, pedestal, foot,
base'. See base, n., and words there referred to.
For the ending see suff. -ism.
batho-, bath-, combining form meaning 'depth'.
— Gk. paOo-, fr. f}a»oc, 'depth'. See bathos.
bathometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
depth of water. — Compounded of batho- and
uiTpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm".
bathorse, n., a horse that carries baggage. —
A hybrid coined fr. F. bat, 'packsaddle' and E.
horse. F. bat derives fr. OProvenc. bast, fr. VL.
*bastum, 'the act of carrying', back formation
fr. *bastdre, 'to carry', fr. Late Gk. *|3acjTav,
'to carry', fr. Gk. pao-ra^eiv. See baston and cp.
words there referred to.
bathos, n., anticlimax, a descent from the sublime
to the ridiculous. — Gr. pldc&o;, 'depth', rel. to
pa9~i;, 'deep', and prob. also to plv&o;, 'depth'
— which seems to have been formed on analogy
of 7rev&o?, 'grief — and] to pijaaa (for *pJ5t&-
Bathsheba
154
ia), 'glen'; prob. cogn. with OI. gdhate, 'dives
into', gdhdh, 'deep place', Avestic vi-ga&, 'ra-
vine', Olr. bdidim, 'I cause to sink, drown'. The
word bathos was first used in the above sense
by Pope in his Dunciad. Cp. bathy-, benthos and
the second element in isobath.
Bathsheba, fem. PN.; in the Bible, the wife of
King David and mother of Solomon. — Heb.
Bathshebha' , lit. 'daughter of the oath'. For the
first element see bathkol. The second element is
rel. to sheva', 'seven'. Cp. nishbd' ,'he swore',
orig. 'he bound himself by the sacred number
seven'. See Shabuoth and cp. the second element
in Elizabeth.
bathy-, combining form meaning 'deep' — Gk.
(3tx&u-, fr. (3a&6;, 'deep', which is rel. to (3a&o<;,
'depth'. See bathos,
bathy bias, n., a slimy substance dredged up from
the Atlantic (zoo/.) — ModL., coined by the
English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-
95) in 1868 fr. Gk. (3a#ui;, 'deep' and pto?,
'life'. See bathy- and bio-,
bathyscaphe, n., a diving apparatus for reaching
great depths. — Compounded of bathy- and
Gk. axaipT], 'boat'. See scapho-.
bathysphere, n., a spherical diving apparatus for
the observation and study of the depths of the
sea. — Compounded of bathy- and Gk. atpatpa,
"ball, globe, sphere'. See sphere,
batik, n., a method of coloring designs on cloth.
— Javan. batik, 'spotted, speckled'.
Derivatives: batik, tr. v., batik-er, n.
batiste, n. — F., named after its first maker, Bap-
tiste of Cambrai, who lived in the 13th cent,
batman, n., an officer's servant. — A hybrid
coined fr. F. bat, 'packsaddle', and E. man. See
bathorse.
barmoney, n., allowance to an officer. A hybrid
coined fr. Canarese bhatta, 'rice' (see batta),
and E. money.
baton, n., a stick, staff. — F. baton. See baston.
batophobia, n., morbid fear of being at great
heights or passing near high objects (merf.) —
Medical L., compounded of Gk. PaT6?, 'pass-
able', verbal adj. of patveiv, 'to go', and
-<po(it5, fr. 96(30?, 'fear'. See base, n. and -pho-
bia. The association of Gk. |3<xt6<; with height
is due to a connection of this word with the
second element in acrobat. (Acrobats are used
to display their art in the height.) A more ade-
quate name for this condition is hypsophobia.
Batrachia,n.,pl.,the amphibians (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. (BaTpaxeio;, 'pertaining to a frog', fr.
(3i7pa-£o;, 'frog', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: batrachi-an, adj.
barracho-, before a vowel batrach-, pertaining to
frogs. — Gk. (3aTpocxo-, Paxpay-, fr. (3dcTpaxo<;,
'frog'. See prec. word.
batta, n., allowance to an officer. — From Cana-
rese bhatta, 'rice', prob. through the medium of
Port. Cp. barmoney. For sense development cp.
salary, orig. 'salt money*.
battalion, n. — F. bataillon, fr. It. battaglione, fr.
battaglia, 'battle'. See battle and -ion and cp.
pulton.
battel, n., college accounts (at the University of
Oxford). — Of uncertain origin.
batten, intr. v., to grow fat. — The orig. meaning
was 'to become better', fr. ON. batna, which is
rel. to OE. batian, OFris. batia, MLG., Du. baten,
OHG. basen, Goth, ga-batnan, 'to become bet-
ter, avail, benefit', and to OE. bet, 'better' (adv.),
betera, 'better' (adj.) See better, best.
batten, n., timber used in flooring. — F. baton,
'stick, staff'. See baton.
Derivative: batten, tr. v., batten-ing, n.
batter, tr. and intr. v., to beat violently and rapid-
ly. — ME. bateren, batteren, fr. OF. batre,
battre (F. battre), 'to beat, strike', fr. L. bat-
tuere, later also battere, 'to beat, strike', which
is of Gaulish origin; fr. I.-E. base *bhat-, 'to
beat, strike', whence also L. con-futdre, 'to
check, suppress', re-futdre, 'to repel, refute', and
prob. also fatuus, 'stupid', lit. 'struck silly'. See
beat and cp. next word, abate, abattis, abattoir,
bascule, bat, 'club', bate, 'to reduce', bate, 'to
flutter', battalion, battle, battledore, combat, de-
bate and the second element in andabata. Cp.
also confute, refute. Cp. also fade.
Derivatives : batter-ed, adj., batter-er, n.
batter, n., a mixture of flour, eggs and milk bea-
ten up together. — ME. bature, batour, fr. OF.
bature, 'a beating', fr. batre, 'to beat'. See prec.
word.
batter, n., slope of a wall. — Perhaps fr. batter,
'to beat'.
Derivative: batter, intr. v., to slope backward
(said of walls).
battery, n. — F. batterie, fr. battre, 'to beat'. See
batter, 'to beat', and -y (representing F. -ie).
battle, n. — ME. bataile, fr. OF. (= F.) bataille,
fr. L. battudlia, battalia, 'fighting and fencing
exercises of soldiers and gladiators', fr. battuere,
battere, 'to strike, beat'. See batter, 'to beat'.
battle, tr. and intr. v., to fight. — ME. batailen,
fr. OF. bataillier, batailler (F. batailler), 'to
fight', fr. bataille. See battle, n., and cp. em-
battle, 'to prepare for battle'.
battle, tr. v., to equip with battlements (archaic
or poetic). — OF. bataillier, 'to equip with
battlements, fortify', fr. batailles, 'battlements',
pi. of bataille, 'battle'. See battle, n.
battledore, n., a wooden instrument with a long
handle and a flat board used to strike a shuttle-
cock. _ ME., prob. fr. OProvenc. batedor, 'an
instrument for beating', fr. L. battuere, battere,
'to beat, strike' (see batter, 'to beat'); influenced
in form by beetle.
battlement, n. — ME. batelment, fr. OF. bataille-
ment, fr. bataillier, 'to equip with battlements,
to fortify'. See battle, 'to equip with battle-
ments', and -ment and cp. embattle, to provide
with battlements'.
Derivatives : battlement,\t.y .,battle-ment-ed, adj.
155
baysalt
battology, n., superfluous repetition in speaking
or writing. — Gk. (JarroXoYta, 'a speaking
stammeringly', compounded of *[JaTTo<;, 'stam-
merer' (cp. BaTTO?, name of a stammerer in
Herod. 4,155; Pa-crap^Eiv, to stutter, stam-
mer'), and -Xofia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. The first element is of imitative
origin. For the second element see -logy.
Derivatives: battolog-ical, adj., battolog-ist, n.
battue, n., 1) beating of woods to drive game out;
2) the game thus shot. — F., 'beating', prop. fem.
pp. of battre, 'to beat'. See batter, 'to beat'.
batz, n., a small coin, formerly current in Swit-
zerland. — G. Batz, Batzen, orig. meaning 'a
thick piece, lump', rel. to the verb batzen, 'to be
sticky, be adhesive', which is contracted fr.
*backezen, freq. of backen, 'to bake; to stick
together', but influenced in form by G. Batz,
Petz, pet form of Bar, 'bear', the animal repre-
sented in the arms of Bern. See bake and bezzo.
bauble, n., jester's stick. — ME. babel, fr. OF.
baubel, babel, 'toy' ; related to E. babe, baby.
baud, n., (a term in telegraphic signaling) one dot
per second. — Named after the French inventor
Jean Baudot (1845-1903).
baudekin, baudkin, n., baldachin (a kind of bro-
cade). — ME., fr. OF. baudequin, fr. It. baldac-
chino. See baldachin.
bauson, n., badger (archaic). — ME. bausen, 'bad-
ger', fr. OF. baucant, 'piebald' (whence also F.
balzan, 'horse with white stockings'), fr. VL.
*baltednus, 'provided with girdles', fr. L. bal-
teus, 'girdle', whence also Rum. bait, 'girdle',
bdltat, 'spotted, piebald'. See belt and cp.
bauxite.
bausond, adj., having white spots or stripes (dial.
E.) — OF. baucant. See prec. word.
bauxite, n., a claylike hydrate of aluminum (min-
eral) — F., fr. Les Baux, near Soles in France,
where this compound was first found. The name
Les Baux, fr. Provenc. Li Baus, lit. means 'the
precipices'. Proven?, baus derives fr. L. balteus,
'girdle', whence also Rum. bait, 'girdle', It. bal-
zo, 'shelf', balzare, 'to spring, jump'. See belt
and subst. suff. -ite and cp. bauson.
bavenite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (min-
eral.) — Named after Baveno in Italy. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bavette, n., a child's bib. — F., dimin. formed fr.
bave, 'drivel, slaver', fr. baver, 'to drivel, slob-
ber' (whence bavarder, 'to babble, prattle'); of
imitative origin. Bavette lit. means 'slobbering
bib'. For the ending see suff. -ette.
bawbee, n., 1) sixpence; 2) halfpenny. — Named
after the Laird of Sihebawby, a mintmaster of
Scotland in the 16th cent.
bawd, n., procurer, procuress. — ME. bav/de,
'joyous, merry', prob. fr. OF. baude, baud, 'bold',
which is of Teut. origin. Cp. OE. bald, beald,
'bold', and see bold.
Derivatives: bawdry (q.v.), bawd-y, adj.
bawdry, n., obscenity. — ME. bawdery, prob. fr.
OF. bauderie, 'boldness', fr. baude, baud. See
prec. word and -y (representing OF. -ie).
bawl, intr. and tr. v., to howl, bellow. — Prob.
fr. ML. bauldre, 'to bark', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. Icel. baula, 'to low', ON. baula,
'cow', lit. 'the lowing animal'. Cp. also bellow.
Derivatives: bawl, n., bawl-er, n.
baxter, n., a baker (Scot.) — Orig. 'a female
baker', fr. OE. bsecestre, fem. of bascere, 'baker'.
See baker and -ster.
bay, n., inlet. — ME. baye, fr. F. bale, fr. Sp.
bahia, which is prob. of Basque origin. See
Meyer-Lubke in Zeitschrift fur Romanische
Philologie, 32, 492. Cp. embay.
bay, n., part in the wall. — OF. baee (F. baie),
'an opening', prop. fem. pp. of baer (whence
F. bayer, beer, 'to gape'), taken as a noun, fr.
VL. baddre or batdre, 'to gape, yawn', a word of
imitative origin, whence also It. badare, Prov-
en?, badar, of s.m. Cp. abeyance, abash, badi-
nage, baillone, beagle, bevel.
bay, adj., of reddish brown color. — OF. (= F.)
bai, fr. L. badius, 'chestnut-brown', which is
cogn. with Olr. buide, 'yellow'. Cp. baize,
bayard.
Derivative: bay, n., an animal of bay color,
esp. a bay horse,
bay, intr. and tr. v., to bark. — ME. abayen,
bayen, fr. OF abaier, baier (F. aboyer), 'to bark',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. It. abbaiare.
Cp. also Gk. pocii^eiv, L. baubdri, 'to bark', lit.
'to utter bau'.
Derivative: bay, n., barking,
bay, n., the European laurel tree. — Orig. 'berry',
fr. OF. (= F.) baie, fr. L. bdca, bacca, 'berry',
See bacci-.
baya, n., the weaverbird (Ploceus baya). — Hind.
baid, baya.
bayadere, a female dancer. — F. bayadire, fr.
Port, bailadeira, 'ballet dancer', fr. bailor, 'to
dance', fr. VL. balldre, 'to dance'. See ball,
'party for dancing'.
bayard, n., a bay horse. — OF., fr. bai. See bay,
adj. and -ard.
Bayard, n., a gentleman of great courage and in-
tegrity. — From the name of Pierre du Terrail,
seigneur de Bayard (1473-1524), the celebrated
'Chevalier sans peur et sans reproche' ('knight
without fear and without reproach').
bayberry, n. — Compounded of bay, 'the laurel',
and berry.
bayonet, n. — F. bayonnette, balonnette, fr.
Bayonne in Southern France; so called because
the first bayonets were made at Bayonne. For
sense development cp. bilbo, Toledo.
Derivatives: bayonet, tr. and intr. v., bayonet-ed,
adj., bayonet-eer, n.
bayou, n., a creek. — Amer. F., fr. Chocktaw
bayuk.
baysalt, n. — Fr. Bai, place in France (near Nan-
tes), renowned as a shipping port for sea salt in
bazaar
156
the 15th century. Cp. MDu. bayesout, G. Bai-
salz, which are of the same meaning and origin.
bazaar, n., a market place. — Ult. fr. Pers. bazar.
'market', which is rel. to Pahlavi vacdr, of s.m.
bazooka, n., a weapon consisting of a metal tube
and used for launching an explosive rocket;
first used in World War II. — Fr. bazooka, name
of a kind of wind instrument invented and
named by the American comedian Bob Burns
(died in 1956).
bazzite, n., a silicate of scandium, etc. (mineral.)
— Named after the Italian enigineer Alessandro
E. Bazzi (died in 1929). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
bdellium, n., 1) a substance mentioned in the
Bible, Gen. 2:12 and Num. 11:7; 2) a gum
resin. — L., fr. Gk. ^SeXXtov, 'a fragrant gum',
fr. Heb. b*d6lah.
be, intr. v. — ME. been, beon, fr. OE. beon, 'to
be', rel. to biom, OS. bium, OHG. bim, OHG.,
MHG., G. bin, 'I am', and cogn. with L. fui,
'I have been', fueram, 'I had been', fuerd, 'I shall
have been', fu-turus, 'about to be', Oscan/its/,
'will be', L. fid, 'I become', Gk. tpiieiv, 'to make
to grow', cpum;, 'nature', OI. bhdvati, 'be-
comes, happens', bhutdh, 'been', bhavitram,
world', bhumih, bhfiman-, 'earth, world', Alb.
buj, 'I dwell, spend the night', bote, 'earth,
world', ban(e), 'dwelling place', OSlav. byti, 'to
be', bylu, 'was', Lith. buti, 'to be', buvo, 'was',
Olr. biu, 'I am', buith, 'to be', bdi, 'was', OE.,
OS., OHG. buan, ON. bua, Goth, bauan, 'to
dwell', Dan., Swed. bo, 'to dwell', Lith. biitas,
"house', bukla, 'dwelling place', Ir. both, 'hut'.
All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *bheu-, *bhu-,
to be, exist, grow'. Cp. bhava, bhumi-devi, bhut,
big, 'to build', bond, 'serf, boor, booth, bound,
adj., bower, 'cottage', bower, 'the knave in
cards', build, busk, 'to prepare', byre, the first
element in bylaw, and the second element in
neighbor. Cp. also fiat, future, phyle, physic,
physio-, -phyte, and the second element in du-
bious, eisteddfod, prabhu, probate, prove, superb,
Symphytum, tribe, tribune, tribute,
be- pref. with transitive or intensifying force. —
OE. be-, toneless form of bi (see by); cp. OS. be,
resp. bi, MHG., G. be-, resp. bei, Goth bi,
(used both as a pref. and an adverb; in the
latter case it means 'round about, by'). See by.
beach, n. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: beach, tr. v., beach-y, adj.
beacon, n. — ME. beekne, fr. OE. beacen, becen,
'sign, signal', rel. to OS. bdkan, OHG. bouhhan,
MHG. bouchen, OFris. bdken [whence MLG.
bake, G. Bake, MDu. bdken, Du. baak, baken,
ON. bdkn, Dan. bavn, Swed. (fyr)bdk], 'beacon',
fr. Teut. *baukna-, which is prob. borrowed fr.
L. bucina, 'a crooked horn or trumpet, signal
horn'; see Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., p.45 s.v.
Bake. See buccinator and cp. beckon, buoy.
Derivatives : beacon, tr. and intr. v., beaconage, n.
bead, n. — ME. bede, 'prayer; prayer bead', fr.
OE. bed, gebed, 'prayer', rel. to OS. beda, gibed,
OHG. beta, 'request', gibet, MHG., G. gebet,
'prayer', Du. bede, 'prayer, request', gebed,
'prayer', G. Bine, 'request, entreaty', Goth, bida,
'prayer, request', OHG., MHG., G. bitten, 'to
ask, request', OHG. beton, MHG., G. beten, 'to
pray', Goth, bidjan, OE. biddan, 'to ask, pray'.
See bid.
Derivatives: bead, tr. and intr. v., bead-ed, adj.,
bead-ing, n., bead-y, adj.
beadle, n. — ME. bedel, fr. OF. bedel (F. bedeau),
a Teut. loan word. Cp. OE. bydel, OS. budil,
MLG. bbdel, boddel, MDu. buel, Du. beul,
OHG. butil, MHG. biitel, G. Biittel, which are
formed fr. OE. beodan, OS. biodan, etc., 'to an-
nounce, proclaim', with agential suff. -el, -il.
See bid and agential sulf. -le.
Derivatives: beadle-dom, n., beadle-ship, n.
beagle, n„ a small hound used in hare hunting. —
ME. begle, prob. fr. OF. beegueule, fr. VL.
batata (or badata) gula, 'open throat', fr. fem.
pp. of batdre or baddre, 'to open,' and gula,
'throat'; so called with reference to its bark.
See bay, 'part in the wall' and gullet.
Derivative : beagl-ing, n.
beak, n. — ME. bee, fr. OF. (= F.) bee, fr. VL.
beccus (whence a so It. becco) said by Suetonius
(De vita Caesarum, 18) to be of Gaulish origin.
Cp. OE. becca, 'pickax', MHG. bickel, of s.m.,
OHG. bicchan, 'to sting' Cp. also becasse and
the first element in beccafico.
Derivatives: beak-ed, beak-y, adjs.
beaker, n. — ME. biker, fr. ON. bikarr, fr. VL.
bicarium [whence also OS. bikeri, OHG. beh-
hdri (MHG., G. becher), It. bicchiere], fr. Gk.
Pixo?, 'earthen wine vessel'; prob. derived fr.
Syr. buq, 'a two-handled vase or jug', a word of
imitative origin. Cp. Heb. baqbuq, 'bottle' and
see bacbuc. Cp. also pitcher,
beakiron, n., the horn of an anvil; a bickern. —
Folk-etymological alteration of bickern (as if
compounded of beak and iron. See bickiron.
beam, n. — ME. beem, fr. OE. beam, 'tree, beam,
column of light', rel. to OS. bom, MLG., NLG.
bom, MDu., Du. boom, OHG., MHG. bourn, G.
Baum, 'tree', OFris. bam, 'tree, gallows, be^m',
Goth, bagms, OSwed. bagnand prob. also to ON.
badmr, 'tree' ; of uncertain etymology. Cp. boom,
'pole', and the first element in bumboat.
beamish, adj., beaming. — Coined by Lewis Car-
roll (1832-98) fr. beam, in the sense of 'ray of
light', and adj. suff. -ish.
bean, n. — ME. bene, fr. OE bean, rel. to OS.,
OHG. bona, ON. baun, Dan. benne, Norw.
bauna, Swed. bona, OFris. bane, MLG., MDu.
bone, Du. boon, MHG. bone, G. Bohne; prob.
derived from the child's word bha-, 'something
swelling', whence also Gk. <paxo?, 'lentil'. Cp.
L.faba, 'bean', OSlav. bobu, Russ. bob, OPruss.
babo, 'bean', which prob. derive from the I.-E.
child's word 'bhabhd, 'bean', reduplication of
*bha-; see Fabaceae.
157
beauteous
Derivative : bean, tr. v. , to hit on the edge (slang).
beano, n., beanfeast (slang). — Fr. prec. word.
bear, n., the animal. — ME. bere, fr. OE. bera,
rel. to MDu. bere, Du. beer, OHG. bero, MHG.
ber, G. Bar, ON. bjorn, lit. 'the brown animal',
fr. I.-E. *bhero-, 'brown', whence also Lith.
beras, Lett, ftg rs, 'brown', L. fiber, OE. beofor,
'beaver', lit. 'the brown animal'. Cp. beaver, the
animal, and brown. Cp. also the first element in
Bernard.
Derivatives: bear, tr. v., bear-ish, adj., bear-ish-
ness, n.
bear, tr. and intr. v., to carry. — ME. beren, fr.
OE. beran, rel. to ON. bera, OFris. bera, Du.
baren, OHG. beran, 'to bear, carry', Goth.
bairan, 'to bear, carry, give birth to', OHG. gi-
beran, MHG. gebern, G. gebdren, Goth, ga-
bairan, 'to give birth to', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
whence also OI. bhdrati, 'bears', bhdrman, 'sus-
tenance, care, burden', Arm. berem, 'I bear,
carry, bring', befn, 'burden', Gk. <pspeiv, 'to
bear, carry', <p&>p, 'thief, L. ferre, 'to bear, car-
ry', fur, 'thief, Alb. mbar, bar, 'I carry, drag',
bir, 'son', OSlav. berg, birati (for earlier birti),
'to bring together, collect, take', breme, 'bur-
den', su-boru, 'assembly', Olr. biru, 'I carry',
W. cymeraf, 'I take', Toch. AB par, 'to
bear, bring, fetch', and prob. also Toch. B
prdri, 'finger'. Cp. bairn, baron, barrow, 'moun-
tain', barrow, 'handcart', berth, bier, birth, bore,
'tidal wave', borough, burden, 'load', burly. Cp.
also adiaphoresis, adiaphorous, afferent, am-
phora, anthropophora, Berenice, bhat, breba,
brehon, cataphora, circumference, confer, cumber,
defer, deference, differ, difference, differentiate,
efferent, -fer, feretory, -ferous, ferret, the animal,
fertile, fortuitous, fortune, furtive, furuncle, in-
fer, metaphor, offer, opprobrium, paraphernalia,
periphery, phoradendron, phoresis, Phormium,
-phorous, phosphorous, phosphorus, prefer, prof-
fer, refer, scirophorion, semaphore, Sobranje,
suffer, transfer, varnish, vernix caseosa, Vero-
nica, vociferate.
Derivatives: bear-able, adj., bear-er, n., bear-
ing, n.
beard, n. — ME. fr. OE. beard, rel. to OFris. berd,
MDu. baert, Du. board, OHG., MHG. G. ban,
'beard', fr. I.-E. base *bhar-dhd, 'beard', whence
also L. barba (assimilated from original *farbd,
for *bhardhd), OSlav. brada, Russ. borodd,
OPruss. bordus, Lett, bdrda, Lith. barzdd (this
latter was influenced in form by Baltic *barzdd,
'furrow'). I.-E. *bhar-dhd- prop, means 'bristle'.
Cp. OE. byrst, 'bristle', and see bristle. Cp. also
barb, 'beard', barbate, barbel, barber, barbet,
barbette, barbicel, barbule and the second ele-
ment in halberd, Langobard, lombard.
Derivatives : beard, tr. v., beard-er, n., beard-ing,
n., beard-less, adj., beard-less-ness, n., beard-y,
adj.
beast, n. — ME. beste, fr. OF. beste (F. bite),
fr. L. bestia, 'beast, wild animal', which is of un-
certain origin. Cp. bestial, bestiary, bicho, the
first element in beche-de-mer and the second ele-
ment in hartebeest.
Derivatives: beast-ly, adj. and adv., beast-Ii-
ness, n.
beat, tr. and intr. v. — ME. beten, fr. OE. bea-
tan, rel. to ON. bauta, beysta, MLG. boten,
OHG. bd33an, MHG. bd3en, 'to beat', and to
the second element in OHG. anabds (whence
MHG. anebd3, G. Ambofi), 'anvil', fr. I.-E. base
*bhat- y 'to beat, strike', whence also L. con-
futdre, 'to check, suppress', refutdre, 'to repel,
refute', and prob. also fatuus, 'stupid', lit. struck
silly'. Cp. batter, 'to beat', and words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also baste, 'to beat', beetle, 'mal-
let', boss, 'protuberance', boterol, boutade, butt,
'to strike', butt, 'the thicker end of anything',
butt, 'aim', button, and the second element in
ambos.
Derivatives: beat, n., beaten (q.v.), beat-er, n.,
beat-ing, n.
beat, adj., exhausted. — ME. bete, prop, short
form of beten, pp. of beten, 'to beat'. See beat, v.
Beata, fem. PN. — Lit. 'happy', fem. of L.
bedtus. See beatitude and cp. Beatrice,
beaten, adj., prop. pp. of the verb beat. — ME.
beten, fr. OE. beaten, pp. of beatan, 'to beat'.
See prec. word,
beatific, beatifical, adj., making blessed. — Late
L. bedtificus, whence bedtificdre. See beatify and
-lie, resp. also -al.
Derivatives: beatifical-ly, adv., beatific-ate,\r.
v., beatification (q.v.)
beatification, n., process of making or becoming
blessed. — F. beatification, fr. beatifier. See
next word and -ation.
beatify, tr. v., — to make blessed;to make happy.
— F. beatifier, 'to beatify', fr. post-classical L.
bedtificdre, 'to make happy', which is com-
pounded of L. bedtus, 'happy, prosperous', and
-ficdre, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. Bedtus is prop,
pp. of bedre, 'to make happy, to bless', which is
prob. rel. to bene, 'well', bonus, 'good'. See
bene-, bonus, and -fy and cp. next word, beati-
tude, Beatrice.
beatille, n., tidbit, dainties. — F., orig. 'work
done by nuns', fr. beate, fem. of beat, 'blessed,
devout', fr. L. bedtus. See beatify.
beatitude, n., blessedness, happiness. — F. beati-
tude, fr. L. bedtitiidinem, acc. of bedtitiido, 'hap-
piness, blessedness, coined by Cicero fr. bedtus.
See beatify and -ude.
beatnik, n., a person behaving and dressing in an
unconventional manner. — A hybrid coined
from the adj. beat and -nik, a suff. of Yiddish,
ult. Slavic origin (see nudnik).
Beatrice, fem. PN. — F. Beatrice, fr. L. bedtricem.
fem. of bedtrix, 'she who makes happy', fr. bed-
tus, 'happy', prop. pp. of bedre, 'to make happy'.
See beatify and cp. Beata.
beauteous, adj., beautiful. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. OF. beaute (F. beaute). See beauty.
beaujolais
15S
beaujolais, n., a type of burgundy. — Named
from the Beaujolais district in the department of
the Lyonnais in France.
beaune, n., a type of burgundy. — ■ So called fr.
the Beaune district in the department of the
Cote d'Or in France, where it is produced.
beautiful, adj. and n. — A hybrid coined fr. beau-
ty, a word of French origin, and English full;
first used by Tyndale.
Derivatives: beautiful-ly, adv., beautiful-ness, n.
beautify, tr. v. — See beauty and -fy.
beauty, n. — ME. bealte, beaute (F. beaute), fr.
L. bellitdtem, acc. of bellitas, 'prettiness, charm,
loveliness, beauty', fr. bellus, 'pretty, handsome,
charming, fine, lovely, beautiful', which stands
for *dwenelos, *dwenlos, and is rel. to L. bene,
'well', bonus, earlier *dwenos, 'good', prob. also
to bedre, 'to make happy', bedtus 'happy' and
cogn. with OI. duvas-, 'gift, honor, respect',
duvas-ydti, 'honors, respects'. Cp. bonus, and
words there referred to. Cp. also beatify, bel-
dam(e), belladonna, belle, belles-lettres, Bellis, bel-
vedere, clarabella, embellish, Christabel, Rosabel.
beaver, n., a rodent of the genus Castor. — ME.
bever, fr. OE. beofor, rel. to ON. bidrr, OS. bifar,
OHG. bibar, MHG., G. biber, 'beaver', and
cogn. with L. fiber, OSlav. bebru, Lith. bebrus
(also dissimilated into vebrus, debrus), Lett.
bebrs, bebris, OPruss. bebrus, W. befer, Bret.
bieuzr, Avestic bawra, 'beaver'. All these words
lit. denote 'the brown animal'; they derive fr.
I.-E. *bhe-bhru-s, 'very brown', whence also OI.
babhruh, adj., 'brown'; n., 'the larger ichneu-
mon'. I.-E. *bhe-bhru-s is reduplication of base
*bhero-, 'brown'. Both the bear and the beaver
are called after their color. See bear, n., and
brown.
beaver, n., the lower, movable, part of the hel-
met. — ME. baviere, fr. OF. baviere, lit. 'a bib',
fr. baver, 'to drivel, slobber', which is of imi-
tative origin. Cp. bavette.
beaverite, n., a hydrous sulfate of copper, lead,
iron and aluminum {mineral.) — Named after
Beaver County in Utah. For the ending see
subst. sun", -ite.
becalm, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and calm.
became, past tense of become. — See become
and came.
becasse, n., the woodcock. — F., formed fr. bee,
'beak', with the augment, suff. -asse. See beak,
because, adv. — ME. bi cause, fr. bi, 'by', and
cause, 'cause'. See by and cause,
beccafico, n., any of various migratory birds. —
It., prop, 'fig pecker', compounded of beccare,
'to peck' and fico, 'fig'. It. beccare derives fr.
becco, 'beak', fr. VL. beccus; see beak. It. figo
comes fr. h.ficus; see fig.
bechamel, n., a rich white sauce. — F. bechamel,
fr. the name of Louis de Bechamel, a steward
of Louis XIV.
bechance, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. be- and
chance.
blche-de-mer, n., sea slug, trepang. — F., altered
fr. Port, bicho-do-mar, lit. 'sea worm'. Port. bi-
cho, 'animal, worm', derives fr. VL. bestius,
'animal', whence also Sp. bicho, 'insect'; see
bicho. Port, do, 'of the', is a contraction of de,
'from, of (fr. L. de, 'from, away from'), and the
masc. def. art. o, fr. earlier lo (fr. L. ilium, acc.
of ille, 'that'); see de- and flle. Port, mar, 'sea',
derives fr. L. mare, of s.m.; see mare, 'sea'.
beck, n., sign, nod. — Fr. obsol. beck, v., short-
enend fr. beckon (q.v.)
beck, n., a vat. — See back, 'vat'.
beck, n., a small stream, a brook. — ME. bek,
fr. ON. bekkr. See bache.
becket, n., a device used for fastening loose ends
of ropes, oars, tackle, etc. {naut.) — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative : becket, tr. v.
beckon, tr. and intr. v. — ME. beknen, bekenen,
fr. OE. beacnian, 'to make signs, point out', fr.
beacen, 'a sign'. See beacon.
Derivatives: beckon, n., beckon-ed, n., beckon-
ing, n., beckon-ing-ly, adv.
become, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bicumen, becu-
men, fr. OE. becuman, 'to come to, meet with,
happen', rel. to Du. bekomen, MHG. bekomen,
G. bekommen, 'to suit, agree' (in G. said only
of food), Goth, biqiman, 'to come upon one',
and to OE. gecweme, ME. iqueme, queme, OHG.
biqudmi, MHG. bequxme, G. bequem, 'con-
venient, fitting, suitable'. See be- and come.
bed, n . — OE. bedd, bed, rel. to OS. beddi, bed,
ON. bedr, Dan. bed, Swed. badd, MLG., MDu.
bedde, Du. bed, OHG. betti, MHG. bette, bet,
G. Belt, Goth, badi, 'bed', prop, 'a couch dug
into the ground', fr. I.-E. base *bhedh, *bhod-,
'to dig, pierce', whence also Hitt. beda-, 'to pier-
ce, prick*, Gk. p6£upo<;, 'pit', L. fodere, 'to dig',
fossa, 'ditch', Lith. badau, badyti, 'to pierce,
prick', bedit, besti, 'to dig', Lett, badu, badit, 'to
pierce, prick', Lith. bedre, Lett, bedu, best, 'to
dig', bedre, 'pit', OPruss. boadis, 'prick', OSlav.
bodp, bosti, 'to prick', bodli, 'thorn', W. bedd,
Co. bedh, Bret, bez, 'grave'. G. Beet, 'garden-
bed', is a variant of Bett, 'bed'. Cp. bothrium,
fosse, fossil.
bed, tr. v. — ME. beddien, bedden, fr. OE. beddian,
'to place in a bed, to bed', fr. bedd, 'bed'. See
bed, n.
Derivatives: bedd-ed, adj. bedd-er, n.
bedding, n. — OE., fr. bedd. See bed, n., and subst.
suff. -ing.
bedeck, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and deck, v.
bedeguar, bedegar, n., a mossy growth on rose-
bushes. — F. bedeguar, bedegar, fr. Pers. bdda-
ward, lit. 'wind rose', fr. bad, 'wind', and ward,
'rose'. The first element is rel. to Avestic vdta-,
'wind', vditi, 'blows', OI. vdtah, 'wind', vditi,
'blows'; see wind, n. For the second element
see rose.
bedel, bedell, n. — Variants of beadle,
bedevil, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and devil.
I 3V
bedew, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and dew.
bedight, v., to adorn. — Formed fr. be- and dight.
bedikah, n., examination, required by Jewish
religious law. — Mishnaic Heb. b l dhiqd h , 'exam-
ination, inspection, search', verbal noun of
bddhdq, 'he examined, tested, scrutinized', fr.
Biblical Hebrew, bddhdq, 'he mended, repaired',
which is rel. to Biblical Hebrew bedheq, 'fissure,
rent, breach', Aram. b l dhdq, 'he examined, ex-
plored', bidhqd, 'fissure, rent, breach'.
bedim, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and dim.
bedizen, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and dizen.
bedlam, n., a lunatic asylum. — From Bedlam,
fr. ME. Bedlem, fr. earlier Bethlem, fr. Betle-
hem (q.v.) ; originally name of a hospital in Lon-
don, converted later into a lunatic asylum.
Derivatives: bedlam-ism, n., bedlam-ite, n., bed-
lam-ize, tr. v.
Bedlington terrier, bedlington, n. — From Bed-
lington, town in Northumberland, England,
where it was first bred.
Bedouin, n. — F. bedouin, fr. Arab, badawtn, lit.
'desert dwellers', pi. of badawt, fr. badw (in vulgar
pronunciation bedu), 'camp; desert'. The plural
suff. -in in Arab, badawtn was mistaken for part
of the word. Cp. assassin.
bedraggle, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and draggle.
bedridden, adj. — ME. bedrede, fr. OE. bedrida,
lit. 'bed rider' (in contradistinction to a 'horse
rider'), formed fr. bed and ridan, 'to ride'. See
bed, n., and ride.
bee, n. — ME. bee, fr. OE. beo, rel. to OS.,
OSwed. bi, ON. by, Dan., Swed. bi, MDu. bie,
Du. bij, OHG. bia, OS. bini, OHG. bina, MHG.
bin, G. Biene, fr. I.-E. base *bi-, whence also
OSlav. bilela, Lith. bite, bids, Lett, bite, OPruss.
bitte, 'bee', OW. bydaf, 'beehive'.
beech, n. — ME. beche, fr. OE. bice, rel. to bde,
boc-treo, 'beech tree', OS. boke, ON. bok, Norw.
bek, Swed. bok, Dan. beg, MDu. boeke, Du.
beuk, OHG. buohha, MHG. buoche, G. Buche,
and cogn. with Gk. (p^yo?, 'oak', L. fagus
'beech', Russ. buzind, 'elder'. Cp. Kurdish buz,
'elm'. Cp. also book, buckwheat. Cp also Fagus
and the first element in Fagopyrum and in
Phegopteris.
Derivatives: beech, beech-en, beech-y, adjs.
beef, n. — ME. boef, beef, fr. OF. boef, buef (F.
bteuf), fr. L. bovem, acc. of bos, 'ox'. See bovine
and cp. next word. Cp. also biffin.
Derivatives : beef-ish, adj., beef-ish-ness, n., beef-
y, adj., beef-i-ness, n.
beefeater, n. — Compounded of beef and eater
and lit. meaning 'one who eats another's beef .
For sense development cp. OE. hlaf-xta, 'ser-
vant', lit. 'loaf eater'.
Beelzebub, n., i) a Philistine god worshiped at
Ekron; 2) the chief devil. — L., used in the Vul-
gate to render Heb. bd'al z'bhiibh, god of the
Ekronites (II Kings 1 : 2), lit. 'lord of flies', fr.
Heb. bd'al, 'lord' and z'bhiibh, 'fly*. See Baal
and zimb.
been, pp. of be. — ME. ben, fr. OE. beon, 'been',
pp. of beon, 'to be', See be.
beer, n. — OE. beor, rel. to OS., OHG. bior, ON.
6;or>-,OFris.War,MLG.,MDu. ber,T>u., MHG.,
G. bier, fr. Eccles. L. biber (pi. biberes), 'drink,
beverage', fr. L. bibere, 'to drink'. See beverage.
Derivatives: beer-ish, adj., beerish-ly, adv., beer-
y, adj., beer-i-ly, adv., beer-i-ness, n.
beestings, biestings, n., first milk of a cow after
calving. — ME. bestinge, fr. OE. bysting, fr.
byst, beost, which is rel. to OS., OHG. biost,
MDu., Du., MHG., G. biest, 'beestings', and in
vowel gradation to Norw. budda (for *buzda),
'beestings', fr. I.-E. base *bhdu-, *bhu-, 'to swell'.
See belly.
beet, n. — ME. bete, fr. OE. bete, fr. L. beta,
'beet', which is of Celtic origin. See Ettmayer
in Zeitschrift fur neufranzosische Sprache und
Literatur, vol.32, pp. 1 5 3ff . Cp. Beta.
beetle, n., any insect of the order Coleoptera. —
ME. betel, fr. OE. bitula, prop, 'little biter',
formed from the base of bitan, 'to bite', with
suff. -el. See bite and dimin. suff. -le.
beetle, n., a heavy wooden mallet. — ME. betylle,
fr. OE. betel, bitel, 'mallet', rel. to LG. hotel,
of s.m., MHG. boe^el, 'cudgel'. These words lit.
mean 'beater'. They are formed fr. Teut. base
*baut-, 'to beat, strike', with instrumental suff.
-el, -le. See beat and instrumental suff. -le.
Derivatives: beetle, tr. v., beetl-er, n.
beetle, intr. v., to project; adj., projecting. — Of
uncertain origin; possibly rel. to beetle, 'insect'.
Cp. next word.
beetle-browed, adj. having projecting eyebrows.
— ME. bitelbrowed, compounded of bitel, 'pro-
jecting' (see prec. word), and the adj. browed,
which is formed fr. brow with suff. -ed.
befall, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bifallen, fr. OE.
befeallan, 'to fall into (a habit)', fr. be- and
feallan, 'to fall'. See fall, v.
befit, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and the verb fit.
Derivatives: befitt-ing, adj., befitt-ing-ly, adv.,
befitt-ing-ness, n.
befog, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and fog.
befool, tr. v. — ME. befolen, formed fr. be- and
fol, 'fool', See fool.
before, prep. adv. and conj. — ME. beforen, bi-
foren, fr. OE. beforan, biforan, fr. be-, 'by' and
adv. foran, 'in front', fr. fore, 'before'. See be-
and fore and cp. former.
befoul, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and foul.
befriend, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and friend.
befurred, adj. — Formed fr. be- and pp. of the
verb fur.
beg, tr. and intr. v. — ME. beggen, back forma-
tion fr. AF. begger, fr. OF. begard, began, "beg-
gar', fr. MDu. beggaert, 'mendicant'. Cp. beg-
gar. Cp. also Beguine, biggin, 'cap'.
Derivatives: begg-ing, n. and adj., begg-ing-ly,
adv.
beg, n., a bey. — The same as bey. Cp. beglerbeg.
and begum.
began
160
began, past tense of begin. — ME. began, vr. OE.
begann, fr. beginnan. See begin,
beget, tr. v. — ME. bigiten, fr. OE. begitan, be-
gietan, 'to get', fr. be- and gitan; rel. to Goth.
bigitan, OHG. pige^an, 'to get, obtain'. See get.
Derivative: begett-er, n.
beggar, n. — ME. beggar, beggere, fr. OF. be-
gard, begart. See beg, v.
Derivatives: beggar, tr. v., beggar-ly, adj., beg-
gar-li-ness, n., beggar-y, n.
begin, tr. and intr. v. — ME. beginnen, fr. OE. be-
ginnan, rel. to OS., OHG. beginnan, MDu. be-
ghinnen, MLG., Du., MHG., G. beginnen, OFris.
bijenna, Goth, du-ginnan, 'to begin', fr. Teut.
*bi-ginnan, fr. bi- (see be) and *ginnan, which
is prob. cogn. with Alb. ze and zq, 'to touch,
begin'. Cp. gin, 'to begin'.
Derivatives: beginn-er, n., beginn-ing, n.
begird, tr. v. — ME. begyrden, fr. OE. begyrdan,
fr. be- and gyrdan, 'to gird'. See gird, 'to en-
circle'.
beglerbeg, n., formerly, governor of a province in
the Ottoman empire. — Turk., lit. 'bey of beys',
fr. begler, pi. of beg, 'bey', and beg, 'bey'. See
bey and cp. beg, n., begum.
begnaw, tr. v. — OE. begnagan, fr. be- and gna-
gan, 'to gnaw'. See gnaw.
begone, intr. v. and interj. — Prop, two words:
be gone [i.e. the imper. be (see be) and the pp.
of go].
begonia, n. — F., named by the botanist Plumier
(1646-1706) after Michel Begon (1638-1710),
governor of Santo Domingo, a patron of bo-
tanical study. For the ending see suff. -ia.
begot, past tense of beget.
begotten, pp. of beget.
begrime, tr. v. — Of LG. origin; cp. MDu. be-
ghemcn, begremen. See be- and grime, v.
begrudge, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and grudge.
Derivative: begrudg-ing-ly, adv.
beguile, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and guile.
Derivatives: beguile-ment, n., beguil-er, n., be-
gui!-ing-ly, adv.
Beguine, n., name of the members of certain lay
sisterhoods founded in the 13th cent. — F. be-
guine, prob. fern, of beguin, 'monk, friar', a var.
of begard, fr. MDu. beggaert, 'mendicant'. See
beg, v.
begum, n. — Turk., a hybrid coined fr. beg and
Arab, umm, 'mother', and orig. meaning 'moth-
er of the bey'. For the first element see bey. The
second element is rel. to Heb. em, Aram.-Syr.
em, Ethiop. em, Akkad. ummu, 'mother'.
begun, pp. of begin.
behalf, n. — ME., in the phrase on mibehalfe, 'on
my side', fr. OE. be healfe, 'by the side', fr. be,
'by', and healfe, 'half, part, side'. See be- and
half.
behave, tr. and intr. v. — ME. behaven, fr. OE.
behabban, 'to restrain', formed fr. be- mdhabhan,
'to have' (see have). The orig. meaning was 'to
have (oneself) under one's control'.
behavior, behaviour, n. — Irregular formation fr.
behave, owing to a confusion with havior, 'pos-
session'.
behaviorism, n. (psychoid) — Coined by the Ame-
rican psychologist John Broadus Watson 1878-
1958) in 1913 fr. behavior and suff. -ism.
behaviorist, n. — See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: behaviorist-ic, adj., behaviorist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
behead, tr. v. — ME. bihefden, biheden, fr. OE.
beheafdian, fr. be- and OE. heafod, 'head'. See
head.
beheld, past tense and pp. of behold.
behemoth, n., a huge beast, probably the hippo-
potamus. — Heb. behemoth, used in the sense
of a plural of intensity of b e hemd", 'beast' (see
Job 40 : 1 5-24). The assumed connection of Heb.
behemoth with Egypt, p-ehe-mau, 'ox of the
water', was justly rejected by W.Max Miiller.
behen, n., the plant Centaurea behen. — Arab.
bdhman, in vulgar pronunciation behmen, fr.
Pers. bahman, a kind of root resembling a large
radish.
behest, n. — ME. behest, bihest, fr. OE. behxs,
'promise, vow', fr. behatan. See next word and
cp. hest.
benight, tr. v., to entrust, commit. — The orig.
meaning was 'to promise, vow'; ME. bihalen,
fr. OE. behatan, 'to promise, vow', fr. be- and
hdtan, 'to command'. See hight and cp. prec.
word.
behind, prep, and adv. — ME. behinden, fr. OE.
behindan, fr. be- and hindan, 'behind'. See hind,
adj.
Derivative: behind, n.
behold, tr. v. — ME. beholden, fr. OE. beheatdan.
behaldan,'tohold by, possess', fr. be- and healdan.
haldan, 'to hold'. See hold, v.
Derivatives: beholden (q.v.), behold-er, n.
beholden, adj. — Prop. pp. of behold, used in its
earlier sense as 'held by, attached to',
behoof, n. — ME. behof (chiefly in the dat. behove
with the prep, to, 'for the use of), fr. OE. behof
'profit, benefit, advantage, need', rel. to OFris..
MLG. behof, Du. behoef, MHG. behuof G.
Behuf 'benefit, use, advantage', Dan. behov,
Swed. behof, 'need, necessity', and in gradational
relationship to E. have and heave,
behove, tr. and intr. v. — ME. behoven, fr. OF.
behofian, 'to need, require', fr. behof See prec.
word.
beige, n., 1) undyed and unbleached wool fabric;
2) its grayish brown color; adj. grayish brown.
— F., 'of natural color, undyed' (said of wool),
of uncertain origin; not fr. It. bambagia,
'cotton".
being, n. — Formed fr. be with subst. suff. -ing.
bejewel, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and jewel,
bekah, n., half a shekel. — Heb. beqa\ lit. 'frac-
tion, part', from the base of baqa\ 'he cleaved,
broke through', which is rel. to Aram. b e qd\
Syr. p e qd\ of s.m., Mishnaic Heb. pdqd\ 'split,
161
belles-lettres
sprang off, p'qd'ath, 'coil, ball', Arab, fdqa'a,
vulgar faqa'a, ba'aqa, ba'aja, of s.m., Ethiop.
abqdwa, 'he opened wide his mouth'.
Bel, n., the god of the earth in Babylonian my-
thology. — Akkad. Belu (whence Heb. Bel, Gk.
ByjXoi;), lit. 'owner, master, lord', rel. to Heb.
Bd'al. See Baal.
bel, n., a unit for determining in logarithms the
ratios of power. — From the name of Alexander
Graham Bell (1847-1922), the inventor of the
telephone.
belabor, belabour, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and
labor.
Belamcanda, n., a genus of plants of the iris
family (bot.) — • ModL., of East Indian origin,
belated, adj. — Formed fr. be-, late and suff. -ed.
Derivatives: belated-ly, adv., belated-ness, n.
belaud, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and laud,
belay, tr. and intr. v. — ME. beleggen, fr. OE.
belecgan, 'to lay round', fr. be- and lecgan, 'to
lay'. See lay, v.
belch, intr. and tr. v., to erect. — ME. belchen,
fr. OE. bealcian, prob. rel. to LG. and Du. bal-
ken, 'to shout, bellow'.
Derivative: belch-er, n.
belcher, n., a kind of handkerchief. — Named
after the English prizefighter Jim Belcher
(1781-1811).
beldam(e), n., an old woman; esp. a hideous old
woman . — OF. beldame (F. belle dame), ' beauti-
ful lady', formerly used in the sense of 'grand-
mother'. See beauty and dame and cp. bella-
donna.
beleaguer, tr. v. — Du. belegeren, 'to besiege',
formed fr. pref. be-, which corresponds to E.
be-, and leger, 'bed; camp; army'. See leaguer
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: heleaguer-er, n., beleaguer-ment, n.
belemnite, n., name of a tapering fossil of a
cephalopod resembling the cuttlefishes (paleon-
wl.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
SeXejavov, 'dart', fr. fiekoq, 'dart', which stands
in gradational relationship to [iaXXsiv, 'to
throw'. Accordingly, belemnite prop, means
'dart-shaped'. See ballistic.
belfry, n., a bell tower. — ME. berfray, fr. OF.
berfrei, berfroi (F. beffroi), fr. MHG. berevrit,
'watchtower', fr. OHG. bergfrid, lit. 'that which
watches over peace', fr. OHG. bergan (whence
MHG., G. bergen), 'to save, cover', and OHG.
fridu (whence MHG. vride,G. Friede), 'peace' .The
first element is rel. to OE. beorgan, 'to save, pre-
serve'; see bury. The second element is rel. to
OE. fridu, 'peace'; see free. It. battifredo, 'bel-
fry', is a loan word fr. F. beffroi, but was in-
fluenced in form by an association with It.
batter e, 'to strike' (see batter, v.) E. belfry was
influenced by bell, with which, however, it is not
connected derivatively. Cp. the first element in
frankpledge.
Belial, n., 1) worthlessness, wickedness; 2) Sa-
tan. — Heb. b'liyyd'al, lit. 'uselessness', com-
pounded of bHt, 'without', and yd'al, 'use, use-
fulness'.
belie, tr. v. — ME. belien, fr. OE. beleogan,' ir .
be- and leogan, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to tell an un-
truth'.
belief, n. — ME. bileafe, formed (with change of
pref. ge- into bi-) fr. OE. geleafa, 'belief ', which
is rel. to OS. giloVo, Du. geloof OHG. giloubo,
MHG. gelou.be, gloube, G. Claube, Goth, ga-
laubeins, 'belief, and to E. lief and love (qq.v.)
Cp. next word.
believe, tr. and intr. v. — ME. bileven, fr. OE.
belifan, belefan, rel. to gelyfan, gelefan, OS. gi-
lobian, Du. geloven, OHG. gilouben, MHG. ge-
louben, glouben, G. glauben, Goth, galaubjan,
'to believe', and to OE. geleafa, 'belief. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: believ-able, adj., believ-er, n., be-
liev-ing, adj., believ-ing-ly, adv.
belike, adv., probably (archaic). — Formed fr.
be- (in the sense of by) and like,
belittle, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and little,
bell, n., a hollow vessel of metal. — ME. belle,
fr. OE. belle, rel. to MLG., MDu. belle, Du. bel,
ON. bjalla, 'bell', and to OE. bellan, 'to bellow,
cry'. See bellow and cp. next word.
Derivatives: bell, tr. v., to furnish with bells,
bell-ing, n.
bell, intr. v., to bellow (as the stag in the rutting
season); to roar. — ME. belien, fr. OE. bellan.
See bell, n.
Derivative: bell, n., a bellow (as the cry of the
stag in the rutting season); a roar.
belladonna, n., 1) a poisonous plant ; 2) a drug ex-
tracted from this plant. — It. (whence F. bella-
done), lit. 'a beautiful woman', from bella, fern,
of bello (fr. L. bellus), 'beautiful', and donna,
'woman, lady' (fr. L. domina) (see beauty and
dame and cp. beldame); so called in allusion to
the cosmetic once made from it.
Bellatrix, n., a star in Orion (astron.) — L. belld-
trix, 'a female warrior', fern, of belldtor, fr.
belldre, 'to wage war', fr. bellum, 'war'. See
bellicose and -trix.
belle, n., a beautiful woman. — F., adj. used as
a noun, fern, of beau, 'beautiful' fr. L. bellus.
See beau, and cp. embellish.
Belle, fern. PN. — Fr. prec. word.
belleric, n., the fruit of the plant called Terminalia
bellerica. — F. belleric, fr. Arab, balllaj, in vul-
gar pronunciation, belilaj, fr. Pers. balilah.
Bellerophon, n., a Greek hero, son of Glaucus
and Eurymede (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk.
BeXXepovciv, more frequently BeXXtpo^'jvT/;;,
which prob. means lit. 'the killer of a demon
called Bellerus', fr. BcXXEpo::, 'Bellerus', name
of a demon and -povTr.i;, 'killer of, fr. cpovoc,
'murder'; see defend. The identification of the
first element with a king of Corinth supposedly
called Bellerus is folk etymology.
belles-lettres, n. pi., literature. — F., lit. 'fine
letters', fr. belles, pi. of belle, fern, of beau, 'fine,
belletrist
beautiful', and lettres, pi. of lettre, 'letter . See
beauty and letter,
belletrist, n., a student of belles-lettres. — Formed
fr. prec. word with suff. -ist.
Derivative: belletrist-ic, adj.
bellicose, adj., warlike, hostile. — L. bellicdsus,
'warlike', fr. bellicus, 'pertaining to war', fr.
bellum, 'war', fr. OL. dvellum, duellum, which
is of uncertain origin. Duellum in the sense of
'duel' is Medieval Latin (see duel). Cp. Bellona,
rebel, revel. For the ending see adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives : bellicose-ly, adv., bellicose-ness, n.
bellicosity, n., hostility. — See prec. word and -ity.
bellied, adj. — Formed fr. belly with suff. -ed.
belligerency, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
belligerent, adj., i)atwar; 2) warlike; n., a person
or nation engaged in war. — F. belligerant, fr.
L. belligerantem, acc. of belligerans, pres. part,
of belligerdre, 'to wage war', fr. belliger, 'waging
war', fr. bellum, 'war' and gerere, 'to bear,
carry'. See bellicose and gerent.
Bellis, n., the genus of daisies (bot.) — L., 'daisy',
prop, 'the handsome flower', formed on anal-
ogy of Greek nouns ending in -15 fr. L. bellus,
'pretty'. See beauty and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Bellona, n., the goddess of war in Roman mythol-
ogy. — L., fr. OL. Duelldna, fr. duellum, 'war'.
See bellicose. For the suff. -na cp. L. Ldtd-na
(fr. Dor. Aoctc!), Gk. Ar)xa>) and mdtrd-na, 'ma-
tron' (fr. mater, 'mother') ; see Latona, matron.
bellote, n., the edible acorn of the holm oak. —
Sp. bellota fr. Arab, balluta", in vulgar pronun-
ciation bell6(a, 'acorn'.
bellow, intr. v., to make a loud noise, to roar. — ■
ME. belwen, fr. OE. bylgian, rel. to OE. bellan,
'to bellow', MDu. bellen, OHG. bellan, MHG.,
G. bellen, 'to bark' and E. bell, 'to bellow' ; fr.
I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to make a loud noise, to
sound, ring, roar', whence also OI. bhasd-,
'barking', bhdsate, 'speaks, talks'. Cp. bawl,
bell, 'metallic vessel', boulder, the first element
in balderdash and in poltergeist, and the second
element in dubash.
Derivatives: bellow, n., bellow-er, n.
bellows, n. pi. — ME. bely; prop, a variant of
belly (q.v.)
belly.n. — ME. Mi, bely, fr. OE. bxlg, belig, belg,
'bag, belly, bellows', related to ON. belgr, 'bag,
bellows', Swed. balg, 'belly, bellows', Du. balg,
'belly', OHG. balg, MHG. bale, G. Balg, 'bel-
lows', Goth, balgs, 'wineskin', OE. -belg (in
beanbelg, 'bean pod'), OHG. belgan, 'to swell',
ON. bylgja, 'billow', bolstr [for *bul(h)stra],
'bolster', lit. 'something swelled', fr. Teut. base
*belg-, which corresponds to I.-E. base 'bhelgh-,
'to swell', whence OPruss. bahinis (for *bhol-
ghi-nos), 'cushion', Lett, pabdlsts, 'pillow*,
Serbo-Croat, bldzina (for *bolzina), 'pillow',
Olr. bolgaim, 'I swell', bolg, 'bag', W. bol, bota,
boly, 'belly', Bret, bolc'h, 'flax pod'. (L. bulga,
'leather knapsack', is a Gaulish loan word.) Cp.
bellows, bilge, billow, bolster, budge, 'fur', bud-
get, bulge. Base *bhelgh-, is an enlargement of
base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See bull, 'male of the ox',
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : belly, intr. v., belly-er, a., betty-ful,
adj.
belong, intr. v. — ME. belongen, fr. longen, 'to
concern', fr. lang, long, fr. OE. gelang, 'at hand,
attainable, dependent on', which is rel. to MDu.
belanghen, Du. belangen, G. belangen, 'to con-
cern; to belong to' (whence Du. belong, resp.
G. Belong, 'concern, interest, importance'), and
to OE. lang, etc., 'long'. The orig. meaning of
the above verbs prob. was 'to be alongside of.
See long, adj., and cp. along.
Derivatives: belong-er, n., belong-ings, n. pi.
Belostoma, n., a genus of aquatic bugs (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'arrow-mouthed', fr. Gk. (3eXo?,
'arrow, dart', and OT6u,a, 'mouth'. The first
element stands in gradational relationship to
fJaXXeiv, 'to throw'; see ballistic. For the se-
cond element see stoma.
belove, tr. v. ; now only in the passive. — ME.
biluven, formed fr. bi- and luven, 'to love'. See
be- and love, v.
beloved, adj. — • Prop. pp. of belove.
below, adv. and prep. — Formed fr. be- and the
adj. low.
Belshazzar, n., the last Chaldaean king of Baby-
lon (Bible). — Heb. Belshatztzdr, contraction
of Akkad. Bel-shar-usur i.e. 'Bel, protect the
king'.
belt, n. — ME., fr. OE., rel. to ON. belti, OHG.
bah, fr. L. balteus, 'girdle', a word of Etruscan
origin. Cp. balteus, baldric, bauson, bausond,
bauxite.
Derivative: belt, tr. v.
Beltane, n., an ancient Celtic festival on May
Day. — Gael, bealtuinn, a compound lit. mean-
ing 'blazing fire'. For the first element see bale-
fire. The second element is rel. to Olr. ten, 'fire'
(for I.-E. *tepnos), and cogn. with L. tepere, 'to
be lukewarm', tepidus, 'lukewarm'. See tepid
and cp. words there referred to.
beluga, n., a kind of dolphin. — Russ. be~luga, fr.
be~liy, 'white', which is rel. to OSlav.Mu, 'white',
Lith. bdltas, 'white', Lett, bah, 'pale', and cogn.
with OE. bxl, 'a blazing fire', ON. bdl, 'a great
fire'. See balefire and cp. the first element in
Beltane.
belvedere, n., a turret, giving a fine view; a sum-
merhouse. — It., lit. 'a beautiful sight', fr. bello,
bel, 'beautiful, fine', and vedere, fr. L. videre, 'to
see'. See beauty and vision.
bema, n., platform, stage {Greek antiq.) — Gk.
Police, 'step, platform', from the stein of flalveiv,
'to g»', whence also (Wai?, 'a stepping, pedestal,
foot, base'. See base, n.
bemoan, tr. v. — ME. bimenen, fr. OE. benuenan,
'to lament', fr. be- and msenan, to moan'.
See moan.
163
benign
bemuse, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and muse.
Derivative: bemus-ed, adj.
ben, adv., within (Scot.) — OE. binnan (rel. to
OFris. binna, MDu., Du., MHG., G. binnen),
'within' ; contraction of bi-innan, be-innan. See
be- and in, prep,
ben, n., the inner room (Scot.) — From prec.
word.
ben, n., son. — Heb. ben, 'son', rel. to Arab, ibn,
Aram.-Syr. bar, 'son', Akkad. binbinni, 'grand-
son'. Cp. Benjamin, B'nai B'rim, boanerges. Cp.
also Barabbas, bar mitzvah, Barnabas, Bartho-
lomew. For the feminine correspondences Heb.
bath, 'daughter', etc., see bathkol and cp.
Bathsheba.
Ben, masc. PN. — Dimin. of Benjamin (q.v.)
bench, n. — ME., fr. OE. bene, rel. to ON. bekkr,
Dan., Swed. bank, OS., OFris., MLG., Du.,
OHG., G. bank, MHG. banc, 'bench', ON.
bakki, 'elevation'. Cp. bank, banket, bankrupt,
banquet, charabanc, mountebank, saltimbanco.
Derivatives: bench, tr. and intr. v., bench-ing, n.
bencher, n., any of the members of the Inns of
Court. — Formed fr. bench with agential suff.
-er. Cp. disbench.
bend, tr. and intr. v. — ME. benden, fr. OE.
bendan, 'to stretch a bow; to bend, bind', rel.
to bind (q.v.) Cp. next word and bent. Deriva-
tives: bend, n. (q.v.), bend-ed, adj., bend-er, n.
bend, n., a knot. — Orig. meaning 'band, bond',
fr. OE. bend, fr. bendan (see bend, v.); prop, a
variant of band, 'a tie' (q.v.)
bend, n., a diagonal bend (her.) — OF. bende,
bande, 'a bend', a Teut. loan word. See band,
'a tie', and cp. prec. word.
bendy, adj., divided by bends (her.) — OF. bende,
bande (F. bande). See bend (her.) and -y (rep-
resenting OF. -e, F. -e).
bene-, combining form meaning 'well'. — L. bene,
'well', fr. earlier *dwene, rel. to bonus, earlier
*dwenos, 'good', bellus, earlier *dwenelos, *dwen-
los, 'beautiful'. See bonus, beauty.
beneath, prep, and adv. — ME. benethe, bene-
othen, fr. OE. beneopan, fr. be-, 'by', and neopan,
'below, beneath'. See be- and nether and cp.
underneath.
Benedicite, n., the canticle beginning with the
words 'Benedicite, omnia opera Domini, Do-
mino' (in English 'O all ye works of the Lord,
bless ye the Lord'). — PI. imper. of benedicere,
pp. benedictus, 'to bless'. See benediction.
Benedick, n., a confirmed bachelor who marries.
— From a character in Shakespeare's Much Ado
About Nothing. For the origin and meaning of
the name see benediction.
Benedict, n., masc. PN. — L. benedictus, 'blessed',
pp. of benedicere. See benediction.
Benedicts, fern. PN. — L. benedicta, fern, of bene-
dictus, 'blessed'. See prec. word.
Benedictine, n., a monk of the order founded
in 529 by St. Benedict. — F. benidictin,
fr. Eccles. L. benedictimis, fr. Benedictus (= St.
Benedict), name of the founder of this order,
benediction, n. — L. benedictid, gen. -onis, fr.
benedictus, pp. of benedicere, 'to bless', lit. *to
speak well of, to praise', fr. bene, 'well', and
dicere, 'to say, tell'. See bene- and diction and
cp. benison, which is a doublet of benediction.
Cp. also bennet, bensh.
benedictory, adj., pertaining to a blessing. — ML.
benedictdrius, fr. L. benedictus, pp. of benedicere.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ory.
benefaction, n., a good deed, donation. — L.
bene/actio, gen. -onis, fr. bene/actus, better writ-
ten in two words bene factus, fr. bene, 'well', and
factus, pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See bene-
and faction and cp. benefit.
benefactor, n., one who confers a benefit. — L.,
'who performs an act of kindness', fr. bene-
factus. See prec. word and factor.
benefactress, n. — See prec. word and -ess.
benefice, n., a church living. — F. benefice, fr. L.
beneficium, 'generosity, kindness, benefit', fr.
beneficus, 'generous, kind, beneficent, obliging',
which is formed fr. bene, 'well' and -ficus, from
the stem of -ficere, unstressed form of facere,
'to make, do'. See bene- and fact.
Derivative: benefic-ed, adj.
beneficence, n., the quality of being beneficent,
kind, charitable. — Either fr. F. beneficence or
directly fr. L. beneficentia, 'kindness, generosity,
beneficence', back formation fr. beneficentior.
See next word and -ce.
beneficent, adj., doing good, kind, charitable. —
Back formation fr. L. beneficentior, compar. of
beneficus. See benefice and -ent.
Derivative : beneficent-ly, adv.
beneficial, adj., helpful, advantageous. — F. be-
neficial, fr. L. beneficidlis, 'pertaining to a favor',
fr. beneficium. See benefice and -ial.
Derivatives : beneficial-ly, adv., beneficial-ness, n.
beneficiary, n., one who receives benefits. — L.
beneficidrius, 'enjoying a favor, privileged', fr.
beneficium. See benefice and subst. suff. -ary.
benefit, n. — ME. benefet, benfet, fr. AF. benfet
(rel. to OF. and F. bienfait), fr. L. benefaction,
bene factum, 'well done'. See benefaction.
Derivatives: benefit, tr. and intr. v., benefit-er,n.
benevolence, n., kindliness. — OF. benivolence,
fr. L. benevolentia, 'good will, kindness', fr.
benevolens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
benevolent, adj. wishing to do good, kindly. —
OF. benevolent, fr. L. benevolens, gen. -entis,
'wishing well, benevolent', fr. bene, 'well', and
volens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of void, velle, 'to
will, wish'. See voluntary and -ent and cp.
malevolent.
Derivative: benevolent-ly, adv.
benight, tr. v. (rare) — Formed fr. be- and night.
Derivative: benight-ed, adj.
benign, adj., kindly. — ME. benigne, fr. OF. be-
nigne (F. benin, fern, benigne), fr. L. benignus,
'kindly, kindhearted, friendly', orig. 'of good
nature', compounded of bene, 'well' and *gno-s
benignant
164
'born, of a certain nature', fr. I.-E. base gn-,
'to beget, bear, bring forth', whence also L.
gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring forth', W. geni,
'to be born'. See bene- and genus and cp. malign.
Derivative: benign-ly, adv.
benignant, adj., kindly. — Formed fr. benign on
analogy of malignant. For the ending see stiff,
-ant.
Derivative: benignant-ly, adv.
benignity, n., kindliness. — ME. benignite, fr. OF.
henignite, fr. L. benignitdtem, acc. of benignitds,
fr. benignus. See benign and -ity.
benison, n., blessing, benediction. — ME., fr. OF.
beneison, fr. L. benedictidnem, acc. of benedictid.
See benediction.
benitoite, n., a barium titanosilicate {mineral?) —
Named after San Benito River in California.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Benjamin, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, Jacob's young-
est son. — Heb. Binydmtn, lit. 'son of the right
hand', fr. ben 'son', and yamtn, 'right hand*;
see Gen. 35: 18. For the first element see ben,
'son'. Heb. yamin means also 'south' (lit. 'the
right hand, the right side', i.e., if one faces east).
It is rel. to Aram.-Syr. yammtn, Ugar. ymn,
'right hand', Arab, ydman, 'right hand, right
side, south', ydmana, 'he was happy', lit. 'he
turned or went to the right' (the right side was
regarded as auspicious), Ethiop. yaman, Akkad.
immi, 'right hand, right side'. Cp. Yemen, mai-
mon, monkey.
benjamin, n., gum benzoin. — Corruption of ben-
join, an earlier form of benzoin (q.v.)
bennet, n., a herb. — ME. herbe beneit, 'the bless-
ed herb', fr. F. benoite, prop. fern. pp. of OF.
beneir (F. benir), 'to bless', fr. L. benedicere.
See benediction.
bensh, tr. and intr. v., to bless; to say grace. —
Yiddish benshen, fr. dial. OF. *bencheir (OF.
beneir, F. benir), fr. L. benedicere. See benediction.
bent, adj., curved. — Pp. of bend.
bent, n., inclination. — Fr. prec. word.
bent grass, also bent, n. — OE. beonot- (in place
names), rel. to OS. binut, OHG. binu3, MHG.
hin(e)3, bins, 'rush'. G. Binse developed fr. early
MHG. bintz(e), pi. of MHG. bin(e)3.
Benthamism, n., utilitarianism, as taught by
Bentham f philos.) — Named after Jeremy Bent-
ham (1748-1832), founder of the English Util-
itarian School of Philosophy. For the ending
see suff. -ism.
Benthamite, n., a follower of Bentham. — See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
benthos, n., the fauna and flora of the bottom of
the sea. — Gk. °,h&oq, 'depth of the sea', prob.
rel. to [iiOoc, 'depth', but influenced in form
by ttsvOo;. 'grief. See bathos.
bentonite, n., a porous clayey mineral. — Named
after Fort Benton in Wyoming, U.S.A. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
benumb, tr. v. — ME. binomen, pp. of biniman,
fr. OE. beniman, 'to deprive', lit., 'to take away',
formed fr. be- and niman, 'to take'. See nimble,
numb.
Derivatives: benumb-ed, adj., benumb-ed-ness,
n., benumb-ing, adj., benumb-ing-ly, adv.
benz-, form of benzo- before a vowel,
benzene, n. — Fr. Benzin, a name coined by the
German chemist Eilhardt Mitscherlich (1794-
1863) in 1833 ; so called by him because he ob-
tained it through the distillation of benzoic acid
with lime. The spelling benzene is due to A.W.
Hofmann. See benzoin,
benzine, benzin, n., a volatile, inflammable liquid.
— See benzene and chem. suff. -ine, -in.
benzo-, before a vowel benz-, combining form
meaning 'relating to benzene'. — See benzene,
benzoic, adj., pertaining to benzoin. — See ben-
zoin and -ic.
benzoin, n., a balsamic resin. — F. benjoin, fr.
Sp. benjui, which is shortened fr. lo-benjui (the
first syllable having been mistaken for the def.
article), fr. Arab, lubdn jawi, 'frankincense of
Java' (Java is the former name of Sumatra).
For the etymology of Arabic lubdn see leban.
benzol, n., benzene. — Altered fr. Benzin by the
German chemist Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-
73) in 1834. — See benzene and -ol (representing
L. oleum, 'oil'),
benzoyl, n., a univalent radical, QH 5 CO, found
in benzoic acid. — Coined by the German chem-
ists Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-73) and
Friedrich Wohler (1800-82) fr. benzo- and -yl.
bepaint, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and paint,
beplaster, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and
plaster.
benowder, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and
powder.
bequeathe, tr. v. — ME. biquethen, fr. OE.
becwepan, 'to say, bequeathe', which is formed
fr. pref. be- and cwepan, 'to say'. See quoth and
cp. next word.
Derivatives: bequeth-al, n., bequeath-er, n.
bequest, n. — ME. biqueste, a blend of ME. bi-
quide and queste (see quest). ME. biquide is
formed fr. pref. bi- (see be-) and OE. cwide,
'a saying, declaration', which is r^l. to OE.
cwepan, 'to say'. See quoth and cp. prec. word.
berakah, n., blessing, benediction. — Heb.
b s rakhd", 'blessing', from the stem of herdkh,
'he blessed', which is rel. to Aram, barikh,
Arab, bdraka, Ethiop. bdrdka, 'he blessed',
Akkad. kardbu (a metathesis form), 'to bless',
Ethiop. mekrdb (metath.), 'temple'. Cp. cherub,
griffin.
Berber, n. — Arab, bdrbar, 'the people of Bar-
bary', perhaps derived fr. Gk. fidppapoi;, 'bar-
bar' (see barbaric).
Berberidaceae, n. pi., the barberry family (bot.)
- Formed fr. Berberis with suff. -aceae.
berberidaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Berberis, n., a genus of plants, the barberry (bot.)
— ML. berberis, barbaris, 'barberry', fr. Arab.
165
berry
barbaris, in vulgar pronunciation berberis, 'bar-
berry'. Cp. barberry,
berceau, n., cradle; bower. — F., 'cradle', fr.
bercer, 'to rock' (cp. OProvenc. bresar, Catal.
bressar), from the Gaulish base *bertd-, 'to
shake'. Cp. Ir. bertaim, 'I shake',
berceuse, n., a cradlesong. — F., 'a woman who
rocks an infant; cradlesong', fr. bercer, 'to
rock'. See prec. word.
Berchemia, a genus of vines of the buckthorn
family (bot.) — ModL. , named after M. Berchem,
a French botanist of the 17th century. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
bereave, tr. v. — ME. bereven, fr. OE. bereafian,
fr. pref. be- and reafian, 'to plunder, ravage'. See
reave.
Derivatives: bereav-ed, adj., bereave-ment, n.
bereav-ed, n.
bereft, adj. — Prop. pp. of bereave.
berengelite, n., a resinous material. — Named
after San Juan de Berengela, a province of Peru.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
berengena, n., the eggplant. — Sp., fr. Arab.
bddinjdn (in vulgar pronunciation bedinjen), ult.
fr. Persian. See aubergine.
Berenice, fern. PN. — L. Berenice, fr. Bepsvfxi],
Macedonian var. of Gk. <X>Ep£v£>a;, lit. 'bringer
of victory', fr. ipepeiv, 'to bring', and vtxvj,
'victory'. See bear, 'to carry', and Nike, and cp.
Veronica. Cp. also varnish.
Bereshith, n., 1) the creation ; 2) the first book of
the Pentateuch (= Gk. Genesis, lit. 'origin'). —
Heb. B f reshfth, shortened fr. Sipher ma i dsi h
b e reshhh, 'the Book of the creation'. Since
Wreshtth happens to be the first word of the
Pentateuch, it was erroneously assumed that
the first book of the Pentateuch was called
Bereshith from the first word of its Hebrew
text. This erroneous belief gave rise to the
custom of naming Hebrew books (also the other
four books of the Pentateuch) from initial
words of the text. — Heb. b e reshith lit. means
'in the beginning'. It is formed fr. pref. b 1 -, 'in',
and reshith, (for *r e, eshith), 'beginning', a
derivative of rosh, 'head', which is rel. to Aram.
resh, Akkad. reshu, Arab, rd's, Ethiop. res,
'head'. Cp. race, 'tribe', rais, reis, resh, Rosh
Hodesh, Rosh Hashanah.
beret, n., a flat round cap. — F. beret, occasion-
ally written also berret, fr. berret, a word of the
dialect of Beam, fr. Old Gascon berret, 'cap',
fr. Late L. birrus, also birrum, 'large cloak with
a hood'. See biretta and cp. barret, burnous.
bergamot, n., the tree Citrus bergamia. — Fr.
Bergamo, a city in Lombardy, Italy.
bergamot, n., kind of pear. — F. bergamot, fr. It.
bergamotta, fr. Turk, beg armudi, lit. 'pear of
a bey', influenced in form by the Italian place-
name Bergamo. See bey.
bergander, n., sheldrake (obsol.) — Prob. a blend
of Du. bergeend, 'sheldrake', lit. 'mountain
duck' (see barrow, 'mountain', and Anas), and
E. gander. Cp. goosander.
berger, n., a long curl hanging down from the
nape of the neck to the shoulder. — F. bergere,
'shepherdess; style of dressing the hair', fern, of
berger, 'shepherd', fr. VL. berbicdrius, 'shep-
herd', fr. berbex, corresponding to L. vervex,
'wether', which is cogn. with Homeric and Ion.
Gk. elpoc, 'wool', which stands for *zpr oq, dis-
similated fr. *fepfo?. See erio- and cp. next
word.
bergere, n., 1) a shepherdess; 2) a style of sofa;
a style of armchair (both in vogue Li the 1 8th
century. — F., 'shepherdess; a large and deep
armchair'. See prec. word
beri-beri, n., a disease characterized by wasting.
— From intensifying reduplication of Singha-
lese beri, 'weakness'.
berith, n , circumcision of the male child (Jewish
religion). — Heb. b e rith, 'covenant', rel. to Ak-
kad. baru, 'to bind' (whence biritu, 'fetter, cov-
enant'. Cp. B'nai B'rith. Berith in the above
sense is the abbreviation of berith milah, 'cov-
enant of the circumcision', so called in allusion
to Gen. 17: 1 off. and to Mishnah Nedarim, 3: 11.
Berkeleian, adj., pertaining to George Berkeley
or his philosophy. See next word and -ian.
Berkeleianism, n. — The idealistic system of
philosophy taught by George Berkeley (1685-
'753)- For the ending see suff. -ism.
berkelium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) —
ModL., named after Berkeley in California,
where it was discovered. For the ending see suff.
-ium.
berlin, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. —
F. berline, named after Berlin, Germany,
whence this kind of carriage was imported
into France in the second half of the 17th
and in the first half of the 1 8th century.
berline, also berlin, n., an automobile body with
a glass partition at the rear of the driver's seat.
— F. berline. See prec. word.
berlinite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate
(mineral?) — Named after N. H. Berlin, Professor
of the University of Lund. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
berloque, breloque, n., a drumbeat. — F., a word
of imitative origin.
berm, also berme, n., a narrow ledge. — F. berme,
fr. Du. berm, fr. MDu. baerm, which is rel. to
ON. barmr, 'brim', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'edge,
point; to bore, pierce'. Cp. the related base
*bhre-m-, of s.m., whence E. brim (q.v.)
Bernard, masc. PN. — F., fr. G. Bernhard, lit.
'bold as a bear', fr. OHG. bero, 'bear', and
harti, 'hard, bold'. See bear, the animal, and
hard.
berrugate, n., the fish called scientifically Verru-
gato pacificus. — Fr. Sp. verruga, 'wart', fr. L.
verruca. See verruca and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
berry, n. — ME. berie, fr. OE. berige, berie, rel.
to OS., OHG. beri, ON. ber, Dan. bser, Swed.
bersagliere
166
bar, MHG. ber, G. Beere, Goth, basi (in weina-
basi 'grape'), Du. bes, bezie, 'berry', and prob.
to OE. basu, 'purple', and cogn. with Mir. base,
'red'. Cp. anbury.
Derivatives: berry, intr. v., berri-ed, adj., ber-
ri-er, n.
bersagliere, n. any of a corps of riflemen in the
Italian army. — It., 'sharpshooter', fr. bersaglio,
'mark', rel. to OF. berser, 'to shoot with the
bow', ber sail, ber sage, 'target'; of uncertain
origin.
berserker, n., a Norse warrior. — ON. berserkr,
a word lit. meaning 'bear's skin', and referring
to the warrior's garments. For the first element
see bear, the animal, for the second see sark.
Berteroa, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family {bot.) — ModL., named after the Italian
botanist Carlo Giuseppe Bertero (1789-1831).
berth, n. — The orig. meaning of this word was
'convenient sea room'. It is formed with subst.
suff. -th from the stem of the verb bear, hence
derivatively identical with birth.
Derivatives: berth, tr. v., berth-er, n., berth-
ing, n.
Bertha, fern. PN. — G., fr. OHG. Berahta, Pe-
rahta, name of a female deity, lit. 'the bright
one', fr. OHG. beraht, 'bright,' which is related
to OE. beorht, 'bright'. See bright.
bertha, n., a kind of broad collar. — From
Bertha, a woman's name.
Bertillon system, a system of anthropometry as
a means of identifying persons. — Named after
its inventor Alphonse Bertillon, a French anthro-
pologist and criminologist (1853-1914).
Bertram, masc. PN. — OHG. Berahtram, lit. 'a
bright raven', fr. beraht, 'bright', and hram, a
collateral form of hraban, 'raven'. See bright and
raven and cp. the second element in Ingram.
bertrandite, n., a beryllium silicate (mineral.) —
Named after the French mineralogist E.Ber-
trand, who first analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Berula, n., a genus of plants of the parsley family
(bot.) — L. berula, 'water cress', dissimilated fr.
*beruva, a word of Celtic origin. Cp. W. berwr,
Mir. biror, bilor, 'water cress'.
beryl, n. — ME., fr. OF. beryl (F. beryl), fr. L.
beryllus, fr. Gk. fWjp'jXXo;, fr. Prakrit veruliya,
transposed fr. veluriya (whence OI. vaidurya-),
which prob. derives from the name of the city
Velur (now called Belur). Cp. G. Brille, 'spec-
tacles', from the pi. of MHG. bril, of s.m., which
derives fr. MHG. berille, 'beryl', fr. L. beryl-
lus (the first spectacles were made from beryl).
Cp. also brilliant, the first element in besiclo-
meter and the second element in chrysoberyl.
beryllium, n., a metallic element, called also
glucinum (chem.) — ModL., fr. L. beryllus (see
beryl); so called because it was first obtained
through isolation from beryl (by the French
chemist Nicolas- Louis VauqueUn in 1797). For
the ending see suff. -ium.
berzelianite, n., copper selenide (mineral.) —
Named after the Swedish chemist Baron Jons
Jakob Berzelius (1779- 1848), who first analyzed
it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
berzelite, n., arsenate of calcium, magnesium and
manganese (mineral.) — Named after the Swed-
dish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-
1848). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bescreen, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and screen.
beseech, trans, v. — ME. besechen, fr. be-, and
sechen, seken, 'to seek'. See seek and cp. G.
besuchen, 'to visit' (fr. be- and suchen, the equi-
valent of E. seek).
Derivatives: beseech-ing, adj., beseech-ing-ly,
adv.
beseem, impers. v. — Formed fr. be- and seem.
beset, tr. v. — ME. besetten, fr. OE. besettan, 'to
set on, adorn', rel. to Du. bezetten, OHG. bi-
sazjan, G. besetzen, Goth, bisatjan. See be- and
the verb set.
Derivatives: besett-er, n., besett-ing, adj.
beshrew, tr. v. — ME. beschrewen, 'to pervert',
fr. be- and schrewen, 'to curse'. See shrew, 'to
curse'.
besiclometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the forehead to establish the exact size of the
spectacles. — A hybrid coined fr. F. besides
(pi.), 'spectacles', and Gk. uiTpov, 'measure'.
The first element is an alteration of OF. bericle,
fr. L. beryllus, 'beryl'. The ending of OF. bericle
was prob. suggested by the synonym escarboucle,
'carbuncle'; see beryl. For the second element
see meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
beside, prep. — ME. besiden, beside, fr. OE. be
sidan, 'by the side', fr. be, 'by', and dative of
side, 'side'. See by and side.
besides, adv. — Formed fr. prec. word with the
adv. gen. suff. -s.
Derivative: besides, prep.
besiege, tr. v. — Formed with change of pref. fr.
OF. asegier (F. assieger), fr. VL. *assedicdre,
fr. ad- and *sedicum, 'seat', fr. L. sedere, 'to sit'.
See be- and siege.
Derivatives: besieg-er, n., besieg-ing, n., besieg-
ing-ly, adv.
beslaver, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and slaver.
besmear, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and smear.
besmirch, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and smirch.
besom, n. — ME. besum, fr. OE. besma, besema,
rel. to OS. besmo, OFris. besma, MDu. besem,
bessem, Du. bezem, OHG. besmo, besamo, MHG.
besme, besem, besen, G. Besen. The original
meaning is 'something bound or twisted', fr.
I.-E. base 'bheidh-, 'to bind, twist'. See fisc
Derivatives: besom, tr. v., besom-er, n.
besot, tr. v., to make sottish. — Formed fr. be-
and sot.
Derivatives: besott-ed, adj., besotted-ly, adv.,
besott-ed-ness, n.
besought, past tense and pp. of beseech. — ME.
besdht(e), fr. besechen. See beseech and cp.
sought.
167
betray
bespangle, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and spangle.
Derivative: bespangl-ed, adj.
bespatter, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and spatter.
Derivative : bespatter-er, n.
bespeak, tr. v. — ME. bespeken, fr. OE. be-
sp(r)ecan, 'to speak about', rel. to Du. bespreken,
G. besprechen. See be- and speak,
besprent, adj., sprinkled (archaic). — ME. be-
spreynt, pp. of besprengen, fr. OE. besprengan,
'to besprinkle', rel. to Du. and G. besprengen,
of same meaning. See be- and sprinkle and cp.
next word.
besprinkle, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. be- and
sprinkle.
Bessemer process, Bessemer steel. — So called
after Sir Harry Bessemer, engineer and inventor
(.1813-98).
best, adj. — ME., fr. OE. best, dissimilated fr.
betst, rel. to ON. beztr, Du. best, OHG. be33isto,
MHG., G. best, Goth, batists, 'best', OE. batian,
'to become better', bot, 'remedy, cure, improve-
ment, compensation', and possibly cognate with
Ol.bhadrdh, 'favorable, good', A\estic hubadra-,
lucky'. Cp. better. Cp. also batten, 'to grow
fat', boot, 'advantage'. For the dissimilation of
OE. betst into best cp. last, adj.
bestead, adj. — ME. bestad, 'placed, situated',
formed fr. be- and stad, 'placed', fr. ON.
staddr, 'placed', pp. of stedja, 'to place, fix'. See
stead.
bestead, tr. v., to help. — Formed fr. be- and
stead, v., which derives fr. stead, n.
bestial, adj. — F., fr. L. bestidlis, 'like a beast',
fr. bestia, 'beast'. See beast and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: bestial-ly, adv., bestiary (q.v.),
bestial-ize, tr. v.
bestiality, n. — F. bestialite, fr. bestial, fr. L. bes-
tidlis. See prec. word and -ity.
bestiary, n., a medieval collection of fables about
beasts. — ML. bestidrium, 'a treatise on beasts',
prop. neut. of the L. adjective bestidrus, 'per-
taining to beasts', and as a noun, fr. bestia,
'beast'. See beast and subst. suff. -ary.
bestir, tr. v. — ME. bestiren, fr. OE. bestyrian,
'to heap up', fr. be- and styrian, 'to set in mo-
tion'. See stir.
bestow, tr. v. — ME. bestowen, fr. be- and
stowen. See stow.
Derivatives: bestow-al, n., bestow-er, n.
bestrew, tr. v. — ME. bestrowen, fr. OE. be-
streowian, 'to bestrew, cover', fr. be- and
streowian, 'to strew'. See strew,
bestrewn, pp. of bestrew.
bestride, tr. v. — ME. bestriden, fr. OE. bestridan,
'to mount a horse', fr. be- and stridan, 'to stride'.
See stride.
bet, n. — Prob. aphetic for the ME. noun abet, fr.
OF. abet, fr. abeter, 'to incite, bait', lit. 'to cause
to bite'. See abet
Derivatives: bet, tr. and intr. v., better, n.
(q.v.), bett-ing, n., bett-or, n.
bete, n., name of the 2nd letter of the Greek al-
phabet. — Gk. (Jf)T<x, fr. Heb.-Phoen. beth; see
beth. The a was added because a Greek word
cannot end with a t ; cp. alpha and words there
referred to.
Beta, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (bot.) — L., 'the beet'. See beet.
betake, reflex, v. — ME. bitaken, 'to entrust', fr. bi-
(see be-) and taken, 'to take'. See take.
betatron, n., a device for accelerating the velo-
cities of electrons or beta rays. — Coined fr.
beta (rays) and (elec)tron.
betel, n., the leaf of the pepper called Piper betel.
— Port, betel, betle, betre, fr. Malayal. vettila,
fr. veru ila, 'simple leaf.
beth, n., name of the 2nd letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. beth, lit. 'house'; so called
in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. See bethel and cp. beta.
bethel, n., a house of worship. — Heb. beth El,
'the house of God'. Beth is the state construct
of bdyith, 'house', and rel. to Aram, baythd,
betha, Ugar. bt, Arab, bayt, Akkad. bitu,
'house'; cp. beth, beta. Cp. also Basque baita,
'house'. For the second element see El. Cp.
baetulus, baetyl.
Bethesda, n., a pool at Jerusalem; a chapel. —
Gk. B-fj&eaSdt, fr. Aram, beth hesdd, 'house of
mercy'. See bethel and Hasidim and cp. beth,
beta.
bethink, reflex, v. — ME. bethenchen, fr. OE.
bepencan, 'to consider', formed fr. be- and pen-
can, 'to think'. See think and cp. Du. and G.
bedenken.
betide, intr. and tr. v. — ME. betiden, formed fr.
be- and tiden, 'to happen', fr. OE. tidan. See
tide.
betimes, adv. — Formed fr. be- and adv. gen. of
OE. tlma, 'time'. See time and -s.
betoken, tr. v. — ME. betacnien, fr. be- and OE.
tacnian, 'to signify, betoken', for tacn, 'sign,
token'. See token.
Derivative : betoken-er, n.
beton, n., a kind of concrete. — F., fr. L. bitumen,
'mineral pitch', later used in the sense of 'mud,
sand'. See bitumen.
Betonica, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — L. betonica, 'bettony'. See next word.
betony, n., a plant of the genus Betonica. — F.
betoine, fr. L. betonica, var. of vettonica, named
from the VettSnes, Vectdnes (pi.), a tribe living
near the Tagus (now Tajo) in Lusitania (now
Portugal). Vectdnes is prob. a derivative of ve-
here, 'to draw, carry', and lit. means 'carriers'.
See vehicle.
betray, tr. v. — ME. betraien, a hybrid coined
fr. be- and OF. tralr (F. trahir), 'to betray',
which was formed — with change of conju-
gation — fr. L. tradere. Cp. It. tradire, OProv-
enc. trair, 'to betray', and see tradition. Cp. al-
so traitor, treason.
Derivatives: betray-al, n., betray-er, n., betrav-
ment, n.
betroth
168
betroth, tr. v. — ME. betreuthen. See be- and
troth, truth.
Derivatives : betrolh-al, n.,betroth-ed, adj. andn.
better, adj. — ME. bettere, bettre (adj.), bet (adv.),
fr. OE. betera (adj.), bet (adv.), rel. to ON. betri
(adj.), betr (adv.), Dan. bedre, Swed. battre, Du.
beter (adj. and adv.), OHG. besyro (adj.), ba$
(adv.) G. besser (adj. and adv.), Goth, batiza
(adj.) See best and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: better, v. (q.v.), better, adv. andn.,
better-ing, n., better-ment, n.
better, tr. and intr. v. — OE. beterian, fr. betera,
'better'. See better, adj.
better, n., one who bets. — Formed fr. bet with
agential stiff, -er.
betty, n., flask of oil; crowbar, etc. — From
Betty, pet name of Elizabeth.
Betula, n., the genus of the birches (bot.) — L.
betula, betulla, 'birch tree', fr. Gaulish betu-,
'bitumen' (found in PN.s); cp. Mir. beithe,
'box tree', W. bedwen, 'birch tree'. According
to Pliny the birch tree was called betu-la, i.e.
'bitumen tree', because the Gauls extracted tar
from it; see bitumen.
between, prep, and adv. — ME. bitweonen, bi-
twenen, bitwene. fr. OE. betweonum, fr. be-, 'by',
and tweonum, dative pi. of tweon, 'double,
twain', which is rel. to Goth, tweihnai, 'two
each', fr. twa, 'two'. See be-, twain, two, and
cp. next word.
betwixt, prep, and adv. — ME. betwixe, fr. OE.
betweox, betweohs, betwux, betwyx, fr. pref. be-,
'by', and a form of twa, 'two'; cp. OHG. zwisk,
zwiski, MHG. zwisc, 'twofold', OS. twisk, 'be-
tween', Du. tussen, G. zwischen, of s.m. See
between. For the final -t cp. against, amongst,
etc.
Beulah, fem. PN. — Heb. b l 'iild h , 'married wom-
an', fern. pp. of bd'dl, 'he married', rel. to bd'al,
'lord, ruler, husband'. See Baal.
beurre, n., butter. — F., 'butter', fr. earlier burre,
fr. L. butyrum, fr. Gk. Pouxupov. See butter.
beurre, n., any kind of pear with soft flesh. — F.,
pp. of beurrer, 'to butter', fr. beurre, 'butter'.
See prec. word.
bevel, n., inclination of a surface. — OF. *baivel
(whence F. beveau, biveau), 'bevel rule', fr. OF.
baif, 'with an open mouth", fr. baer, beer, 'to
gape'. See bay, 'part in the wall', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: bevel, tr. v. bevel(l)-ed, adj., be-
vel(l)-er, n.
beverage, n. — OF. bevrage, bovrage (F. breu-
vage), fr. beivre, boivre (F. boire), 'to drink', fr.
L. bibere. See bibulous and -age and cp. bevy,
abreuvoir.
bevue, n., error, blunder. — F. bevue, 'blunder,
mistake, slip', fr. OF. bes-viie, lit. 'an erroneous
vue', fr. pejorative pref. bes-, which derives fr.
L. bis, 'twice' (see bis-; for sense development cp.
OF. bes-torne, 'badly turned', lit. 'twice turned*),
and fr. vue, 'sight', prop. fem. pp. of voir, 'to
see', fr. L. videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp.
words there referred to.
bevy, n., i) a flock of birds; 2) a company, esp. of
women. — F. bevee, 'a flock of larks or quails',
fr. It. be va. The orig. meaning was prob. 'a com-
pany of drinking birds', fr. It. bevere, 'to drink",
fr. L. bibere. See bibulous and cp. prec. word.
bewail, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and wail.
beware, intr. and tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and
ware, adj.
bewilder, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and wilder.
Derivatives: bewilder-ed, adj., bewilder-ed-iy,
adv., bewilder-ed-ness, n., bewilder-ing, adj., be-
wilder-ing-ly, adv.
bewitch, tr. v. — Formed fr. be- and witch.
Derivatives: bewitch-ed, adj., bewitch-ing, adj.,
bewitch-ing-ly, adv.
bewray, tr. v., to reveal, divulge {archaic) —
ME. bewreien, bewreyen, 'to reveal', fr. be- and
OE. wregan, 'to accuse', which is rel. to OS.
wrogian, OFris. wrogia, OHG. ruogen, MHG.
riiegen, 'to accuse', G. riigen, 'to censure', Goth.
wrohjan, 'to accuse', ON. roegja, 'to slander, de-
fame', Du. wroegen, 'to prick' (said of con-
science), OE., OS. wroht, OFris. wrdgie, MHG.
ruoge, riiege, Goth, wrohs, 'accusation'. G. Riige,
'censure', ON. rog, 'quarrel, slander'.
bey, n., 1) governor of a district in Turkey; 2) a
Turkish title of honor. — Osmanli equivalent
of Turk. beg. Cp. beg, 'bey', begum.
beylic, beylik, n. — Turk., formed fr. bey and
-lik, a suff. expressing quality. Cp. pashalik.
beyond, adv. and prep. — ME. biyeonde, biyonde,
fr. OE. begeondan, 'beyond', fr. be- and geond,
'yond, yonder'. See yon, yond, yonder.
Derivative: beyond, n.
bezant, n., a gold coin. — Orig. 'coin of Byzan-
tium', fr. OF. besan, besant, fr. L. byzantius.
short for Byzantius nummus, 'Byzantine coin".
See Byzantine.
bezel, n., a sloping edge. — OF. bezel (F. biseau),
'a sloping edge, bevel, prob. orig. meaning 'a
stone with two angles' ; fr. VL. *bis-dlus, 'hav-
ing two angles', fr. L. bis, 'twice', and dla, 'wing,
side'. See bis- and ala.
bezesteen, n., a bazaar. — Pers. bezestan, formed
fr. bez (whence Arab, bazz), 'flax, linen clothes',
and -stdn, a suff. denoting place, which is rel.
to Avestic stdna- (in compounds), 'place', lit.
'a place where to stand'. See Hindustani.
bezetta, bezette, n., a dyeing material made by
dipping linen rags into certain coloring matters.
— It. pezzetta, dimin. of pezza, 'piece of cloth*,
a word of Gaulish origin. See piece and -ette.
bezique, n., a card game. — F. besigue, of un-
known origin.
bezoar, n., orig. a term for antidote; later used
for concoctions found in the stomach or in-
testines of certain animals and thought to have
antidotal properties. — F. bezoard, fr. Sp. be-
zoar (cp. Port, bezuar), fr. Arab, bddizdhr, often
shortened into bazdhr (see Freytag, Lexicon
169
Dime
Arabico-Latinum, I, 79a and b), ult. fr. Pers.
bddzahr, pddzahr, 'counterpoison, bezoar stone',
lit. 'protecting (against) poison', fr. pad, 'pro-
tecting, guarding; guardian, lord, master', and
zahr, 'poison'. For the first element see padi-
shah. The second element is rel. to Pers. zehre,
'gall, bile', Pahlavi zahr, 'poison', Avestic zdra-,
'gall, bile', and cogn. with Gk. x ^! 'gall, bile'.
See choler.
bezonian, n., knave, rascal. — Formed with suff.
-ian, fr. It. bisogno, 'want, need', which is rel. to
F. besogne, 'work, task, job', besoin, 'want,
need', OProvenc. bezonh, 'want', bezonha, 'want,
work, task'. These words prob. derive fr. Fran-
kish *bisunnia, which is formed fr. bi-, 'by', be-
side' (see be-), and *sunnia (rel. to OS. sunned),
'care', whence Oft. sogna, F. soin, OProvenc.
sonh, sonha, 'care'. See Dauzat, DELF., p. 85
s.v. besogne.
bezzle, tr. v., to plunder, consume; intr. v., to
revel {dial. English). — OF. besillier, 'to tor-
ment', freq. of beser, 'to be scared, be startled'
(said of cows stung by gadflies), fr. OHG. Wj-
jan, 'to bite, sting'; see bite and cp. embezzle.
See R. Grandsaignes d'Hauterive, Dictionnaire
d'ancien francais, Paris, 1947, p. 62 s.v. besillier.
bezzo, n., name of a small Venetian silver coin. —
It., fr. G. Batz, Batzen, name of a small Swiss
coin, orig. meaning 'a thick piece', and rel. to
the verb batzen, 'to be sticky, be adhesive'. See
batz.
Bhaga, n., a god of wealth (Vedic mythol.) —
OI. Bhdgah, lit. 'allotter, distributer, master,
lord', fr. bhdjati, 'assigns, allots, apportions, en-
joys, loves', rel. to Avestic baya, OPers. baga,
'master, lord, god'. See baksheesh and cp. next
word. Cp. also pagoda.
Bhagavad-Gita, the celebrated dialogue between
Krishna and Arjuna inserted in the Maha-
bharata. — OI. Bhdgavadgitd, 'the song of the
Sublime One', compounded of Bhaga, suff.
-vant (corresponding to Gk. -fev-r-, -evt-) and
gi-td, 'song', prop. fem. pp. of gdyale, 'sings,
calls', from the I.-E. imitative base *ga-, *gi-,
whence also Avestic gd&d, Pers. gdh, 'song',
Lith. giedoti, 'to sing", giesme, 'song', Lett.
diesma, 'song'.
bhang, n., the Indian hemp. — Hind, bhang, fr.
OI. bhangd, 'hemp', which is cogn. with Russ.
penika (whence Pol. pienka), 'hemp'.
bhat, n., 1) a bard; 2) a title of respect. — Hind.
bhdt, fr. OI. bhat;ah, a title, prob. rel. to bhart-
fih, 'bearer, supporter, master', from the stem
of bhdrati, 'he bears', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
bear, carry". See bear, to carry".
bhava, n., becoming, birth, origin, world, health.
— OI. bhavdh, rel. to bhavitram, 'world', bhumih,
bh&man-, 'earth, world', from the stem of bhd-
vati, 'becomes, happens', fr. I.-E. base *bheu-,
*bhu-, 'to be, exist', whence also Gk. ly'Seiv, 'to
make to grow', <?\)<n<;, 'nature', L. fid, 'I be-
come', fui, 'I have been', OE. beon, 'to be'. See
be and words there referred to and cp. esp.
Bhumi Devi, bhut.
bheesty, n., a water carrier. — Hind, bhisti, fr.
Pers. bihistl, 'one from Paradise', fr. bihist,
'Paradise', which is rel. to Avestic vahishta-,
Pahlavi vahisht, OI. vdsisthah, 'best'.
Bhrigu, n., one of the aerial class of gods in Vedic
mythology. — OI. Bhfguh, lit. 'shining, re-
splendent', rel. to bhrdjate, 'shines', fr. I.-E. base
*bhleg-, 'to shine', whence also Gk. tpXeysiv,
'to burn', <pX6E;, gen. 9X0YOC, 'flame of fire", L.
ftagrdre, 'to burn'. See flagrant and cp. phlegm.
Bhumi Devi, the earth goddess in Hindu myth-
ology. — -OI. bhumih, 'earth', and devf, 'goddess'.
For the etymology of the first word see bhava,
for that of the second see Devi.
bhut, n., a demon, a ghost. — Hind, bhut, fr. OI.
bhutdh, lit. 'a being, creature', rel. to bhtimih,
bh&man-, 'earth, world'. See bhava.
bi-, pref. meaning 'two'. — L. bi-, 'twice, double',
fr. bis, 'twice', cogn. with. OI. dvi-, Gk. 81-
(for Sfi-), OE. twi-, 'twice, double'. See bis and
cp. di-, 'two', dis-, twi-, two. Cp. also binary,
combine, barouche, breba.
biangular, adj., having two angles. — Formed fr.
bi- and angular.
biannual, adj., occurring twice a year. — Formed
fr. bi- and annual.
Derivative: biannual-ly, adv.
Bianca, fem. PN. — It., prop. fem. of bianco
'white', rel. to F. blunc, fem. blanche, 'while'.
See blank and cp. Blanch.
bias, n., 1) slant; 2) prejudice. — F. biais, 'slope,
obliquity, bias', prob. fr. OProvenc. biais, which
prob. derives fr. Gk. STUxapmoi;, 'slanting,
oblique' [through the medium of VL. *(e)bigas-
sius]. Gk. inmipaioq is formed fr. era, 'at,
upon' (see epi-), and xsp, 'head', which is rel.
to xipi, 'head'. See carotid.
Derivative: bias, tr.v.
biaxial, adj., having two axes. — Formed fr. bi-
and axial.
bib, n., a piece of linen, worn by children over the
breast. — Prob. fr. bib, 'to drink' Cp. biberon.
bib, tr. and intr. v. to drink. — L. bibere. 'to
drink'. See bibulous and cp. imbibe.
Derivatives : bibb-er, n., bibb-ing, n.
biberon, n., infant's feeding bottle. — F., fr. L.
bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and cp. bib,
'piece of linen',
bibitory, adj., pertaining to drinking (rare). —
ModL. bibitdrius, fr. Late L. bibiror, 'drinker,
toper', fr. bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and
-ory.
Bible, n. — ME. bible, fr. OF. (- F.) bible, fr. L.
biblia, fr. Gk. fkpxia, 'collection of writings',
pi. of fiipXtov, 'paper, scroll, book'. This is the
dimin. of pipXoi;, (iu^Xo?, 'the inner bark of
papyrus; book', fr. B'ipXoi;, Greek name of the
famous Phoen transit port, whence the Greeks
obtained the Egyptian papyrus, Gk. Bu(3Xo<; has
been assimilated fr. G'bhdl, the Heb.-Phoen.
Biblic
170
name of the city (lit. 'frontier town'; cp. Heb.
g f bhul, 'frontier, boundary', Arab. jdbal, 'moun-
tain', and see javali). Cp. Jubayl, the actual
Arabic name of ancient Gebhal. (Jubayl prop,
is a dimin. formed from the original name of the
city.) For the sense development of Bible fr.
Byblos cp. parchment.
Biblic, adj., Biblical. — See next word.
Biblical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ML. biblicus, fr. L. biblia. See Bible.
Derivative: Biblical-ly, adv.
biblico-, combining form meaning 'Biblical'. —
Fr. ML. biblicus. See prec. word.
biblio-, combining form, meaning 'book'. — Gk.
(JifSXio-, fr. {JtfSXtov, dimin. of $$koq, 'book'. See
Bible.
bibliographer, n. — Formed with agential suff. -er
fr. Gk. pifJXioypacpcx;, 'writer of books, trans-
criber, copyist'. See next word.
bibliography, n. — Gk. pipXioypatpta, 'writing of
books', compounded of fkpXtov, 'little book',
and -ypacpia, fr. ypc^eiv, 'to write'. See biblio-
and -graphy.
Derivatives : bibliograph-ic, bibliograph-ic-al,
adjs., bibliograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
bibliolater, n., a worshiper of books. — See next
word and -later.
Derivative: bibliolatr-ous, adj.
bibliolatry, n., worship of books; worship of the
Bible. — Compounded of biblio- and Gk.
-Xaxpeia, -XctTpta, fr. Xa-rpeta, 'hired labor, wor-
ship'. See -latry.
bibliomancy, n., divination by opening a book,
esp. by opening the Bible. — Compounded of
biblio- and Gk. [xavxeta, 'oracle, divination'.
See -mancy.
biblomania, n., book madness. — Compounded
of biblio- and Gk. fxccvia, 'madness, frenzy'. See
-mania.
biblomaniac, adj. — Compounded of biblio- and
ML. maniacus, 'maniac'. See maniac.
bibliophil, bibliophile, n. a lover of books. — F.
bibliophile, 'lover of books', compounded of
biblio- and Gk. 91X0;, 'friend'. See -phil.
Derivatives: bibliophil-ic, adj., bibliophil-ism, n.,
bibliophil-ist , n., bibliophil-y , n.
bibliopole, n., bookseller. — L. bibliopola, fr. Gk.
f3i(JXi.o77coXr ( (;, 'bookseller', which is compounded
of [kfSXtov, 'book' (see biblio-), and 7r<oX-r]c,
'merchant, seller', which derives fr. I.-E. base
*pel-, 'to sell, purchase, barter, gain'. See
monopoly.
bibliotheca, n., a library. — L. bibliotheca, fr.
Gk. BiSXioB-rjxT], lit. 'a case for books', which
is compounded of (iipxtov, 'book', #t]X7), 'case,
chest, sheath'. See biblio- and theca.
Derivative: bibliothec-al, adj.
bibliothecary, n., a librarian — L. bibliothecdrius,
fr. bibliotheca. See prec. word and subst. suff.
-ary.
Derivative: bibliothecar-ial, adj.
bibulous, adj., fond of drink; spongy. — L. bi-
bulus, 'drinking readily', fr. bibere 'to drink',
assimilated fr. *pibere, which is cogn., with OI.
pibati, 'drinks', Olr. if, 'drink!', OW. iben, 'we
drink'; from the reduplication of I.-E. base *pi-,
*pd(i)-, 'to drink', whence OI. pdti, 'drinks',
paydyati,pdyate, 'gives to drink', p&nam, 'bev-
erage', Arm. e mpem, 'I drink', Gk. 7rfveiv, 'to
drink', 7r6<n<;, 'a drink', 716x0?, 'a drinking, a
drinking bout', L. pdtdre, 'to drink', polio, 'a
draft, drink', OSlav. pijg, piti, 'to drink'. See
potion and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
abreuvoir, beverage, bevy, bib, 'to drink', bib,
'piece of cloth', biberon, imbibe, imbrue. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: bibulous-ly, adv., bibulous-ness, n.
bicameral, adj. having two chambers (said of
legislative bodies). — Formed fr. bi-, camera
and adj. suff. -al.
bicarbonate, n. (chem) — Formed fr. bi- and
carbonate.
bice, n., blue or green pigment. — F. bis, 'brown,
tawny', rel. to OProvenc. bis, It. bigio; of un-
known origin.
bicentenary, adj., pertaining to a period of two
hundred years; n., a bicentennial. — Formed
fr. bi- and centenary.
bicentennial, adj., 1) occurring every two hundred
years; 2) lasting for two hundred years; n., the
two hundredth anniversary or its celebration. —
Formed fr. bi- and centennial.
bicephalous, adj., two-headed. — A hybrid coined
fr. bi-, a pref. of Latin origin, Gk. xetpaX^,
'head' (see cephalic), and -ous, a suff. of Latin
origin.
biceps, n., name of various two-headed muscles,
esp. of that on the upper arm (anat.) — L., 'two-
headed', fr. bi-, 'twice, two' and caput, 'head'.
See bi- and capital, adj. For the change of Latin
<J (in caput) to e (in bi-ceps) see accent and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. bicipital, triceps,
quadriceps.
bichir, n., a fish (Polypterus bichir). — A name of
Arabic origin, introduced into zoolog. nomen-
clature by the French naturalist Geoffroy Saint-
Hilaire (1772-1844).
bichloride, n. (chem.) — Formed fr. bi- and
chloride.
bicbo, n., the chigger. — Sp., 'animal, small ani-
mal', fr. VL. bestius, fr. L. bestia, 'beast'. See
beast.
bicipital, adj . , having two heads (anat.) — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. biceps, gen. bicipitis.
See biceps.
bicker, intr. v., to squabble, quarrel. — ME. bi-
keren, of uncertain origin; possibly formed with
suff. -er fr. base *bik-, a collateral form of *pik-,
whence the verb pick.
bicker, n. — Scot, form of beaker.
bicuspid, adj., having two points. — Formed fr.
bi- and L. cuspis, gen. cuspidis, 'point'. See cusp
and cp. tricuspid.
bicycle, n. — F., lit. 'two-wheel', a hybrid coined
171
bigamy
fr. the L. pref. bi- and Gk. xuxXoq, 'a wheel'.
See cycle.
Derivatives: bicycle, intr. v., bicycl-ing, n., bi-
cycl-ism, n., bicycl-ist, n.
bid, tr. and intr. v. — Prob. a blend of ME. bid-
den (fr. OE. biddari), 'to ask', and ME. beden
(fr. OE. beodan) 'to announce, proclaim, offer'.
OE. biddan is rel. to ON. bidja, OS. biddjan,
OHG., MHG., G. bitten, Goth, bidjan, 'to ask',
and to E. bead, and stands in gradational rela-
tionship to OE. bxdan, ON. beida, OHG. beiten,
Goth, baidjan, 'to command, force, compel'. All
thesewordsderivefr.I.-E.base *bheidh-, *bhidh-,
'to persuade, compel; to trust', whence also Gk.
ttei&eiv, 'to persuade', mem? (for *Trt&-aTii;),
'faith', L. fidere, 'to trust, confide in', foedus,
'compact treaty', Alb. be (for *bhoidhd), 'oath',
OSlav. bSda (for *bhoidha), 'need', bezdg, bediti,
'to compel, incite'. Cp. bide, faith, fidelity, pis-
tology. — OE. beodan is rel. to ON. bjoda, OHG.
biotan, MHG., G. bieten, 'to offer', OE. on-
beodan, OS. an-biodan, OHG. in-biotan, Goth.
ana-biudan, 'to order, command', OE. forbeo-
dan, Goth, faur-biudan, 'to forbid', fr. I.-E.
base *bheudh-, 'to offer, present', whence also
OI. bodhati, budhyate, 'is awake, is watchful, ob-
serves, understands', buddhdh, 'awakened, en-
lightened', Gk. TtEU&ea&ai,, mjv&aveaSm, 'to
learn by inquiry', OSlav. bljudo, bljusti, 'to ob-
serve', buidg, budeti, 'to be awake', buidg, bu-
diti, 'to awake', budru, 'watchful', Lith. budeti,
'to be awake', Lett, budrus, 'watchful', Lith.
baudziu, bausti, 'to chastise', Olr. buide,
'contentment, thanks', ro-bud, 'a warning'. Cp.
beadle, bode, forbid, Buddha.
Derivatives: bid, n., bidd-able, adj., bidd-er, n.,
bidd-ing, n.
bidden, pp. of bid.
Biddy, fem. PN. — Pet form of Bridget (q.v.)
biddy, n., an Irish maid. — From prec. word.
bide, intr. and tr. v. — ME. biden, fr. OE. btdan,
'to remain, continue, wait', rel. to ON. bida,
OFris. bidia, OHG. bitan, Goth, beidan, 'to
wait' and cogn. with Gk. 7tet$eiv, 'to persuade',
L. fidere, 'to trust, confide in'. See bid and cp.
abide.
Bidens, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. bidens, 'two-toothed'.
See next word.
bident, n., an instrument with two prongs. — L.
bidens, gen. -entis, 'two-pronged', formed fr. bi-
and dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See dent and cp.
prec. word.
bidree, bidry, also biddery, n., an alloy of tin,
zinc and copper. — Hind, bidri, from Bidar, a
town in India.
Biedenneier, adj. — After Gottlieb Biedermeier,
the imaginary author of poems written by Lud-
wig Eichrodt (1827-92).
biennial, adj., lasting for two years; occurring
every two years; n., a plant living for two years.
— Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. biennium.
'space of two years', fr. bi- and annus, 'year'.
See annual and cp. words there referred to. For
the change of Latin a (in annus) to e (in bi-
ennium) see accent and cp. words there refer-
red to.
bienseance, n., propriety. — F., lit. 'well-becom-
ingness', fr. biensiant, 'well-becoming', fr. bien
(fr. L. bene), 'well', and seant, pres. part, of
seoir, 'to sit', fr. L. sedere. See bene-, sedentary
and -ce.
bier, n. — ME. bere, fr. OE. bier, rel. to OS.,
OHG. bdra, ON. barar (pi.), OFris. bere, MLG.,
MDu., MHG. bare, Du. baar, G. Bahre, 'bier',
fr. I.-E. *bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry', and words there referred to and cp. esp.
barrow, 'handcart'. E. bier was influenced in
form by F. biire, 'bier'.
biere, n., beer. — F., fr. Du. bier, which is rel. to
ON. bjorr, OE. beor. See beer.
bifarious, adj., 1) twofold (rare); 2) arranged in
two rows (bot.) — L. bifdrius, 'twofold, double',
prob. orig. meaning 'that which can be expres-
sed in two ways', and compounded of bi- and
fas in the sense of 'utterance, expression, mani-
festation', which is rel. to fan, 'to speak, say'.
See fame and cp. fasti, fate. Cp. also multifar-
ious, nefarious, omnifarious, trifarious. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
biff, v., to strike; n., a blow. — Of imitative
origin. Cp. buff, 'a blow'.
biffin, also bcerin, n. — Variants of orig. beefing,
fr. beef; so called from the color of this variety
of apple.
bifid, adj., split into two equal parts. — L. bi-
fidus, 'split into two parts', fr. bi- and fid-, the
stem of findere (pp. fissus), 'to split'. See fissile
and cp. trilid, quadrifid, multihd.
bifocal, adj. having two foci. — Formed fr. bi-
and focal.
bifoliate, adj., having two leaves (bot.) — Formed
fr. bi- and foliate.
bifurcate, adj., divided into two branches. — ML.
bifurcatus. See bi- and furcate,
bifurcate, tr. and intr. v., to divide into two
branches. — See prec. word,.
Derivatives: bifurcat-ed, adj., bifurcat-ion, n.
big, adj. — ME. bigge, big, of uncertain origin,
big, bigg, tr. v., to build. — ME. biggen, fr. ON.
byggja, 'to build; to dwell in', which is rel.
to bua, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. boor, booth,
biga.n., a two-horsed chariot (Roman antiquities).
— L. bigae (pi.), contraction of *bi-jugae, lit.
'two (horses) yoked together', compounded of
bi-, 'twice' and jugum, 'yoke'. See bi- and yoke
and cp. join,
bigame, n., a bigamist (obsol.) — OF., fr. ML. bi-
gamus (corresponding to Gk. 8iya|io?), 'twice
married', a hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi- and
Gk. -yapioi;, fr. yafio?. See next word,
bigamy, n., the state of having two wives or two
husbands at the same time. — OF. (= F.) bi-
gamie, fr. bigame (see bigame), fr. Eccles. L.
bigarreau
172
bigamia, a hybrid coined fr. L. bi- and Gk.
Yafxo?, 'wedding, marriage', which is rel. to
yau-eiv, 'to take to wife, to marry', Yau.(3p6<;,
'son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-law', fr.
I.-E. base *gem(e)-, 'to marry', whence also OI.
jdmih, 'brother, sister', jama, 'daughter-in-law',
jdmd-tar, Avestic zdmd-tar, 'son-in-law', h.gener
(for *gemer), 'son-in-law' (for the change of m
to n see gener). Cp. Gamelion, gamete, gamo-,
-gamy. For the difference in meaning between
bigamy and digamy see digamy.
Derivatives: bigam-ist, n., bigam-ous, adj. bi-
gam-ous-ly, adv.
bigarreau, n. , a variety of cherry. — F., fr. bigarre,
'variegated', fr. OF. garre 'variegated', which is
of uncertain origin; so called from its color.
Big Ben, name of the bell attached to the clock
at Westminster. — Named after Sir Benjamin
Hall, first commissioner of works, under whose
supervision the bell was cast. For Ben, dimin.
of Benjamin, see Ben.
bigg, big, n., the four-rowed barley (dial.) — ME.
big, bigge, fr. ON. bygg, 'barley', rel. to OE.
beow, 'grain, barley', OS. beo, bewod, 'harvest'.
biggin, n., cap, hood. — F. beguin, fr. beguine,
name of the members of certain lay sisterhoods
(see Beguine); so called from caps originally
worn by them.
biggin, n., a coffee percolator. — So called from
the name of its inventor.
bight, n., i) a bending; 2) a loop in a rope; 3) a
bay. — ME., fr. OE. byht, 'a bend', rel. to MLG.
bucht (whence G. Bucht, Du. bocht, Dan., Swed.
bught, 'bight, bay'); prop, abstract nouns formed
fr. OE. biigan, resp. MLG. bugen, 'to bend'.
See bow, 'to bend', and cp. obsol. E. bought,
'a bend, turn, curvature'.
Derivative: bight, tr. v.
Bignonia, n., a genus of vines (bot.) — ModL.,
named by the botanist Tournefort after his friend
the Abbe Jean-Paul Bignon (1662-1723),
librarian at the court of Louis XV. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Bignoniaceae, n.pl., the Bignonia family (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
bignoniaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
bigot, n. — F. bigot, 'over-devout', of uncertain
origin. It possibly derives fr. Sp. hombre de bi-
gotes, 'a man wearing mustaches', whence 'a
man of a serious, solemn cast of mind'.
Derivatives: bigot-ed, adj., bigot-ry, n.
bijou, n. — F., 'jewel, gem', fr. Bret, bizou, 'finger
ring', fr. biz, 'finger'.
bijouterie, n., articles of jewelry. — See bijou
and -ery.
bike, n. and v. — Colloq. abbreviation of bicycle,
bikh, bish, n., aconite poison (Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind., fr. OI. visdm, 'poison', which is cogn.
with Gk. fo? (for *f\aoc,), L. virus (for *visos),
'poison'. See virus,
bilabial, adj., formed with both lips. — Lit. 'made
with both lips', fr. bi- and labial.
bilabiate, adj., having two lips. — Formed fr.
bi- and labiate,
bilateral, adj., having two sides. — Formed fr.
bi- and lateral.
Derivatives: bilateral-ity, n., bilater-al-ly, adv.,
bilateral-ness, n.
bilberry, n. — Dan. bellebxr, lit. 'ball berry'. See
ball, 'a round body', and berry,
bilbo, n., a kind of sword. — Sp., fr. Bilbao, town
in Spain. For sense development cp. bayonet,
Toledo.
bildar, n., an excavator, digger (Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind., fr. Pers. belddr, 'a spade wielder'.
bile, n. — F., fr. L. bilis [for *bis(t)-lis], 'gall,
bile', which is cogn. with W. bustl, OCo.
bistel, Bret, bestl, 'gall'. Cp. biliary, bilious, and
the second element in atrabiliary.
bilge, n. — A var. of bulge.
Bilharzia, n., a genus of worms, parasitic in the
blood (zool.) — ModL., named, at the sugges-
tion of the English biologist T.S.Cobbold, after
the German physician Theodor Bilharz, dis-
coverer of this parasite. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
Derivatives: bilharzi-al, bilharz-ic, adjs., bil-
harzi-asis, n.
bili-, combining form denoting the bile. — L.
bili-, fr. bilis, 'bile'. See bile,
biliary, adj., pertaining to the bile; bilious. —
F. biliaire, 'pertaining to the bile', fr. L. bilis.
See bile and adj. suff. -ary.
biliate, tr. v., to treat with bile. — Formed with
verbal suff. -ate fr. L. bilis, 'bile'. See bile.
Derivative : biliat-ion, n.
bilinear, adj., of, or pertaining to, two lines. —
Formed fr. bi- and L. linea, 'line'. See linear,
bilingual, adj. — Lit. 'of two languages'. See bi-
and lingual.
bilious, adj., 1) related to, or caused by the bile;
2) peevish. — F. bilieux, fr. L. bilidsus, 'per-
taining to the bile', fr. bilis. See bile and -ous.
Derivatives: bilious-ly, adv., bilious-ness, n.
bilk, tr. v., to balk, deceive. — Prob. a var. of
balk, 'to hinder'.
Derivatives: bilk, n., a bilking; a swindler, bilk-
er, n., bilk-ing, n.
bill, n., an ancient weapon; a halberd. — ME.
bil, fr. OE. bill, 'sword, chopping tool', rel. to
OS. bil, 'sword', MDu. bile, Du. bijl, OHG.
bihal, MHG. bihel, later bil, G. Bed, ON. bilda.
'hatchet', ON. bildr, 'instrument for letting
blood', fr. I.-E. base *bhei-, 'to cut', whence
also Arm. bir, 'cudgel', Gk. eptTpot;, 'block of
wood, log', OSlav. biti, 'to strike', bici, 'whip",
Russ. bilo, 'mallet', Olr. biail, 'ax', benim (for
*bhinami, 'I cut, strike'. Cp. bill, 'beak'. Cp.
also boyar. For *bheid-, a -(/-enlargement of base
*bhei-, see bite and cp. words there referred to.
bill, n., document. — ME. bille, fr. AF. bilte, fr.
Anglo-L. billa, fr. ML. bulla, 'seal affixed to a
document, sealed document, document', fr. L.
bulla, 'bubble, boss, knob', later 'seal', fr. *bu-l-.
173
bind
an -/-enlargement of the I.-E. imitative base
*bu-, 'to blow; to swell'. See buccal and cp.
billet, 'note', boil, v., bolas, boule, 'a game',
budge, bulb, bull, 'edict', bullet, bulletin.
Derivative: bill, tr. v., to make out a bill; to
announce by bills,
bill, n., beak. — ME. bille, fr. OE. bile, 'beak',
rel. to OE. bill, 'sword, chopping tool'. See
bill, 'halberd'.
Derivative: bill, intr. v., to touch bills; to caress.
billet, n., document, note. — F. billet, fr. OF.
billette, which is a blend of bille, 'ball', and OF.
bullette, dimin. of bulle, 'bill', fr. L. bulla. See
bill, 'document'. Cp. also habiliment.
Derivative: billet, tr.v.
billet, n., stick, log. — OF. billete (whence, with
change of suff., F. billot), dimin. of bille, 'block
of wood', fr. VL. bilia, a word of Gaulish origin.
Cp. Ir. bile, 'tree trunk'. Cp. also billiards, bil-
lon, bullion.
billet-doux, n., love letter. — F., lit. 'sweet note',
fr. billet, 'document, note', and doux, 'sweet',
fr. L. dulcis, of s.m. See billet, 'document', and
dulcet.
billiards, n. — F. billard, first denoting 'a bent
stick', then 'a stick to push balls' (whence its
modern sense), from bille, 'log'. See billet,
'stick, log'.
billingsgate, n., abusive, blasphemous language.
— Prop, 'the language used at Billingsgate', fish-
market in London.
billion, n., 1) lit. (and still so in England and Ger-
many) a million millions, (i.e. 1 followed by 1 2
zeros); 2) in the United States and France, a
thousand millions (i.e. 1 followed by 9 zeros). — ■
F., a hybrid formed on analogy of million (q.v.)
fr. L. pref. bi-, fr. bis, 'twice'. See bi- and cp.
trillion, quadrillion, quintillion, sextillion, sep-
tillion, octillion, nonillion, decillion, centillion.
Derivatives: billionaire (q.v.), billion-th, adj.
and n.
billionaire, n. — Formed fr. billion on analogy of
millionaire.
billon, n., an alloy of silver with a preponderating
amount of copper. — F., 'lump', fr. bille, 'block
of wood'; prop, a variant of bullion (q.v.)
billow, n. — Fr. ON. bylgja, 'billow', rel. to
MHG. bulge, 'billow, bag', fr. Teut. base *belg-,
'to swell'. Accordingly billow lit. means 'any-
thing swelling', whence 'a swelling wave'. See
belly and cp. bolster.
Derivative: billow-y, adj.
billy, n. — In all its senses: fr. Billv, pet form of
William.
billycock, n. — Altered fr. bully-cocked (hat),
which lit. means 'cocked as hats worn by bul-
lies'. See bully and cock.
bilobate, adj., having two lobes. — Formed fr.
bi-, Gk. Xo|36i;, 'lobe of the ear' (see lobe), and
adj. suff. -ate.
biltong, n., sundried meat (S. African). — S.
African Du., compounded of Du. bil, 'rump',
and tong, 'tongue' (see tongue); so called because
the strips are tongue-shaped,
bimanal, bimanous, adj., having two hands (zool.)
— Formed fr. bi-, L. manus, 'hand' (see manual),
and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
bimastism, n., condition of having two mammae
(anat.) — A hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi-, Gk.
(xaaxoi;, 'mamma', and Gk. suff. -ics^o?. See bi-,
masto- and -ism.
bimbashee, n., a Turkish military officer. — Turk.
bing-bdshT, lit. 'head of a thousand'. The second
element of this word forms the first element of
the compound bashi-bazouk (q.v.)
bimestrial, adj., bimonthly. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. bimenstris, bimestris, 'lasting two
months', fr. bi- and mensis, 'month'. Cp. L.
menstruus, 'pertaining to a month, monthly',
intermenstris, intermestris, 'between two months' ,
and see month. Cp. also menses.
bimetallic, adj., 1) composed of, or pertaining to,
two metals; 2) pertaining to, or based upon,
bimetallism. — F. bimitallique, coined by the
Italian economist Enrico Cernuschi (1821-96)
in 1869 fr. pref. bi- and metallique, 'metallic'.
See bi-, metal and -ic.
bimetallism, n., the use of two metals, usually
gold and silver, as standard money. — F. bi-
metallisme, coined by Enrico Cernuschi in 1876.
See prec. word and -ism.
bimetallism n., an advocate of bimetallism. — See
prec. word and -ist.
bimonthly, adj., happening once in two months.
— A hybrid coined fr. the L. pref. bi- (see bi-)
and English monthly (see month).
Derivative: bimonthly, n.
bin, n., receptacle. — ME. binne, fr. OE. binn.
fr. L benna, 'a two-wheeled cart with a body
of basket work', a word of Celtic (Gaulish)
origin; cp. W. benn, 'cart'. L. benna stands for
*bhentnd and is cogn. with Gk. -nraftvyj, Att.
qja-rvr), 'manger, crib', fr. I.-E. base *bhendh-,
'to bind', whence also E. bind (q.v.) OE. bdsig,
'cowstall', and dial. E. boose, 'crib', are prob.
cogn. with W. benn, 'cart'.
Derivative: bin, tr. v.., to place in a bin.
binary, adj., dual. — L. bindrius, 'consisting of
two', formed fr. bini, 'two each, two at a time',
which stands for *dwis-ni, and is rel. to duo,
'two', OL. dvis (whence L. bis), 'twice'. See bi-,
bis, and adj. suff. -ary and cp. combine and the
first element in binocle, binocular.
binate, adj., double (bot.) — Formed with adj.
suff. -ate fr. L. bini. See prec. word.
Derivative : binary, n.
bind, tr. and intr. v. — ME. binden, fr. OE.
bindan, rel. to OS., Goth, bindan, ON., OFris.
binda, OHG. bintan, MHG., G. binden, fr. I.-E.
base *bhendh-, 'to bind', whence also OI. badh-
ndti, later form bandhati, 'binds', bdndhuh,
'kinsman', Gk. 7rcv*>ep6<;, 'father-in-law', prop,
'bound (through marriage)', TOia^a (for "mbO-
au.a), 'cable*, KaOvi), Att. qpaxw] (for *bhndh-nd).
bine
174
'manger, crib' (lit. 'place where the animal is
tied up'), L. of-fend-lx, 'a band', Lith. bendras,
'common, joint', as a noun 'partner', Lett.
biedrs, 'companion, comrade'; see R.Traut-
mann, Baltisch-Slavisches Worterbuch, p. 30.
Cp. band, 'a tie', bandhava, bandhu, bandoleer,
bend, besom, bin, bine, bond, bend, bund, bundle,
bandal, the first element in bundobust and the
second element in cummerbund, sebundy.
Derivatives: bind, n., bind-er, n., bind-er-y, n.,
bind-ing, n. and adj.
bine, n., any climbing stem. — A dialectal form
of bind, n. (see prec. word).
bing, interj. — Imitative.
binnacle, n., case for a compass on a ship. —
Corruption of earlier bittacle, fr. Port, bitacota,
which is formed by aphesis fr. L. habitdculum,
'little dwelling' (whence also F. habitacle), a
derivative of habitdre, 'to dwell'; see habitat.
The form of the word binnacle was prob. in-
fluenced by E. bin.
binocle, n., a telescope adapted for the use of
both eyes at the same time. — F., fr. L. binl,
'two at a time', and oculus 'eye'. See binary
and ocular.
binocular, adj., using both eyes at the same time.
— See prec. word and cp. monocular.
Derivative : binocular, n.
binomial, adj., consisting of two terms (alg.) —
A hybrid coined from the L. pref. bi- (see bi-) on
analogy of monomial, (q.v.)
Derivative : binomial, n.
binominal, adj., having two names. — Formed fr.
bi- and nominal.
binturong, n., an animal resembling the civet cat.
— Malay.
bio-, combining form meaning 'life'. — Gk. (3io-,
fr. (3io?, 'life', dissimilated fr. *pifo;, fr. I.-E.
*g w iwos; cogn. with Goth, qius, OE. cwicu,
'living'. See quick, and cp. vital, zoo-. Cp. also
biosis, biotic, and the second element in aerobic,
amphibious, bathybius, cenobite, microbe, hy-
giene, Limnobium, Lithobius, macrobiotic, ne-
crobiosis, Rhizobium, symbion, symbiosis.
biochemistry, n., chemistry dealing with animal
and plant life. — See bio- and chemistry.
biogen, n., a protoplasmic unit (Wo/.) — Coined
by the German physiologist Max Verworn
(1863-1921) in 1903 fr. bio- and -gen.
biogenesis, n., the theory that living organisms
can only arise from pre-existing living matter
(biol.)— Coined by the English biologist Thomas
Henry Huxley (1825-95) in 1870 fr. Gk. pto«,
'life', and yevectic, 'origin, source'. See bio- and
genesis and cp. abiogenesis.
biogenesist, n., one who believes in the theory of
biogenesis. — See prec. word and -ist.
biogenetic, biogenetical, adj., pertaining to bio-
genesis. — See biogenesis and -etic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: biogenetic-al-ly, adv.
biogeny, n., biogenesis. — Compounded of bio-
and -geny.
biograph, n., a cinematograph. — Lit. 'living des-
cription', fr. Gk. (3tos, 'life', and -Ypatpo?, fr.
YpaipsiM, 'to write'. See bio- and -graph and cp.
next word.
biographer, n. — See next word and agential suff.
-er.
biography, n. — Late Gk. (Jio-fpacpia, 'description
of life', fr. Gk. ptos, 'life', and -fpacpta, fr.
YpdcipEiv, 'to write'. See bio- and -graphy.
Derivatives: biograph-ic, biograph-ic-al, adjs.,
biograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
biology, n. — Lit. 'the study of life', suggested by
the German naturalist G. Reinhold Treviranus
as a modern coinage fr. Gk. pto?, 'life', and
-XoyiS, fr. -Xoyoc, 'one who speaks (in a cer-
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic) (see bio- and -logy); introduced as a
scientific term by the French biologist Jean-Bap-
tiste-Pierre-Antoine de Monet de Lamarck
(1744-1829) in 1802 (in his Hydrogeologie).
Derivatives: biolog-ic, biolog-ic-al, adjs., biolog-
ic-al-ly, adv., biolog-ist, n.
biometry, n., the calculation of the notable dura-
tion of human life. — Compounded of bio- and
-metry.
bionomics, n., ecology. — Formed fr. bio- on
analogy of economics.
bioplasm, n., living protoplasm (biol.) — • Com-
pounded of bio- and Gk. 7rXdc<T[ia, 'something
molded'. See plasma.
bioplast, a particle of bioplasm (biol.) — Com-
pounded of bio- and Gk. -nXaatoc,, fr. TtXaairoc,
'molded, formed'. See -plast.
bioscope, n., a biograph. — Compounded of bio-
and Gk. -oxomov, fr. tootoiv, 'to look at,
examine'. See -scope.
biosis, n., vitality (biol.) — Gk. pltcocru;, 'way of
life', fr. pioi;, 'life'. See bio- and -osis.
biosterin, n., product from cod-liver oil. — Coined
fr. Gk. ptoc, 'life' (see bio-), cholesterol and
chem. suff. -in.
biotic, biotical, adj., pertaining to life. — Gk.
pkomx6<;, fr. ptoq, 'life'. See bio-.
biparous, adj., bringing forth two at a birth. —
Formed fr. bi- and L. -parus (in viviparus, 'bring-
ing forth its young alive'). See -parous.
bipartite, adj., divided into two parts (bot.) —
L. bipartitus, pp. of bipartire, 'to divide into
two parts', fr. bi- and partitus, pp. of partiri,
'to divide'. See partite.
biped, n., an animal with two feet; a man; adj.,
two-footed. — L. bipes, gen. bipedis, 'two-
footed', fr. bi- and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See
pedal.
biplane, n., airplane with two planes. — Formed
fr. bi- and plane, 'airplane'.
Bipontine, adj., relating to the edition of ancient
classics at Zweibriicken. — Lit. 'relating to the
town Zweibriicken (= Town of the 'two brid-
ges') in Bavaria, whose name was Latinized into
Bipontium. See bi- and pons. For the ending see
adj. suff. -ine.
1/3
Di5iro
biquadrate, n., the fourth power, the square of
the square (math.) — Formed fr. bi- and qua-
drate.
Derivative: biquadrat-ic, adj. and n.
birch, n. — ME. birche, fr. OE. bierce, beorc, rel.
to OS. birka, berka, ON. bork, Dan. birk, Swed.
bjd'rk, Norw. bjerk, MDu. berke, Du. berk, OHG.
birihha, birka, MHG. birche, birke, G. Birke,
'birch', and cogn. with Osset. barz, OSlav. breza,
Lith. berzas, Lett. beTza, OPruss. 6er.se, Russ.
bereza, OCzech bfieza, OI. bhurjdb, 'birch', L.
farnus,fraxinus, 'mountain ash'. All these words
lit. mean 'the white (or bright) tree' and derive
fr. I.-E. base *bhereg-, 'to shine, be white'. See
bright and cp. Fraxinus, fraxinella.
Derivatives: birch, adj. and tr. v., birch-en, adj.,
birch-ing, n.
bird, n. — ME. brid, bird, fr. OE. bridd, 'young
bird', of uncertain origin ; possibly in gradational
relationship to breed, brood.
bireme, n., a galley having two banks of oars. —
L. biremis, formed fr. bi- and remits (for *res-
mos), 'oar', which is cogn. with Gk. spcaceiv,
Att. EpsTTetv, 'to row', spsir/]?, 'rower', ipciy.6i,
spexuov, 'oar', OI. aritdr-, 'rower', aritrah, 'oar',
OE. rowan, 'to row', roder, 'rudder'. See row,
'to propel a boat', rudder, and cp. the second
element in unireme, trireme, quadrireme, quin-
quereme. Cp. also remex.
biretta, n., a square cap worn by the Roman
Catholic clergy. — It. berretta, fr. Late L. birrus,
also birrum, 'large cloak with a hood', which is
of Gaulish origin ; cp. Mir. berr, W. byrr, 'short'.
Cp. barret, beret, burnous.
birr, intr. v., to whir. — Of imitative origin.
birrellism, n., style resembling that of Augustine
Birrell (1 850- 1933). — For the ending see
suff. -ism.
birth, n. — ME. burthe, birthe, fr. ON. byrd, rel.
to OE. gebyrd, OS. giburd, OFris. berd, Du.
geboorte,OHG. giburt, MHG., G. geburt. Goth.
gabaurps. Derivatively these words correspond
exactly to OI. bhftih, 'a bringing, maintenance',
and to L.fors, gen.fortis, 'chance', fr. I.-E. base
*bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and
cp. berth.
bis, adv., twice. — L. bis, fr. OL. dvis, cogn. with
OI. dvih, Avestic bish, Gk. 8k, MHG. zwis,
'twice', Goth, tvis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvis-
tra, 'to divide'. See bi- and cp. two, twi-, twist.
Cp. also the first element in bevue and the second
element in tete-beche.
biscuit, n. — F. biscuit, fr. L. bis cactus, 'twice
cooked' (whence also It. biscotlo), fr. bis,
'twice' (see prec. word), and coctus, pp. of co-
quere, 'to cook'. See cook, n., and cp. bisque.
bise, n., a dry and cold north wind. — F., fr.
Frankish *bisa, which is rel. to OHG. bisa, G.
Bise, 'bise', OHG. bisdn, 'to run about' (said
of cattle attacked by gadflies), OSwed. bisa, 'to
run', Dan. bisse, 'to run in agitation' ; not re-
lated to breeze.
bisect, tr. v., to cut in two. — Formed fr. bi- and
L. secdre, pp. sect us, 'to cut'. See section.
Derivatives: bisect-ion, n., bisect-or, n.
bisexual, adj. — Formed fr. bi- and sexual.
bishop, n. — ME. biscop, bischop, fr. OE. bis-
ceop, biscop, fr. L. episcopus, 'overseer, super-
intendant', in Eccles. L., 'bishop', fr. Gk. inl-
oxoTto;, 'overseer', fr. errf, 'on, over', and 0x07161;,
'watcher'. See epi- and -scope and cp. episcopal.
Cp. also obispo.
Derivative: bishop, tr. and intr. v.
bishopric, n. — OE. bisceoprice, biscoprice, com-
pounded of bisceop, biscop, 'bishop', and rice
'dominion'. See prec. word and Reich.
bismite, n., bismuth trioxide (mineral.) — Coined
fr. next word and subst. suff. -ite.
bismuth, n., name of a metallic element (chem.) ■ —
G. Bismuth (now spelled Wismut), Latinized by
Georgius Agricola (in 1530) into bisemutum.
The origin of the word is uncertain. It is not
connected with Arab, ithmid, 'antimon', as most
lexicographers would have it.
bismuto-, bismutho-, combining form meaning
'bismuth'. — See prec. word.
bisnaga, n. a kind of cactus. — Port, bisnaga (cp.
Sp. biznaga), fr. Arab, bisndj, secondary form of
bastinij, fr. L. pastindca, 'parsnip'. See parsnip.
bison, n., wild ox. — F., fr. L. bison, fr. OHG.
wisunt (MHG., G. wisent), which is rel. to OE.
wesand, ON. visundr, and cogn. with OPruss.
wis-sambrs, 'aurochs', and with L. vissio,
'stench'. The bison is named after the peculiar
odor of musk emitted by it during the rutting
season. See weasel.
bisporous, adj., having two spores (bot.) — A
hybrid coined fr. L. pref. bi-, 'twice', and Gk.
OTcopS, 'sowing, seed' (see bi- and spore). The
correct form is disporous in which both elements
are of Greek origin. For the ending see suff. -ous.
bisque, n., unglazed porcelain (ceramics). — Cor-
ruption of biscuit.
bissextile, adj. and n., intercalary (year). — F.
(annee) bissextile, fr. Late L. (annus) bissextilis,
'a year containing an intercalary day', fr. (dies)
bissextus, the intercalary day (of the Julian
calendar), lit. 'the twice sixth (day)', i.e. the
sixth day before the calends of March, which
is reckoned twice in a leap year. See bis-, sext
and suff. -ile.
bister, bistre, n., a dark-brown pigment. — F.
bistre, of unknown origin.
bistort, adj., a plant (Polygonum bistorta). — F.
bistorte, lit. 'twice twisted', fr. L. Wj, 'twice', and
torta, fern. pp. of torquere, 'to twist' (see bis and
torque). The plant was so called from its twisted
root.
bistoury, n., a small surgical knife. — F. bistouri.
of unknown origin.
bistro, n., 1) a wine seller; 2) a wine shop (slang).
— F., 'winemerchant, restaurantkeeper, restau-
rant', fr. bistraud, 'a little shepherd', a word of
the Poitou dialect, fr. biste, 'goat*.
bit
176
bit, n., a morsel. — ME., fr. OE. bita, 'a bite,
bit, morsel', lit. 'something bitten off', rel. to
OS. biti, ON. bit, OFris. bite, MDu. bete, Du.
beet, OHG. M330, MHG. bi33e, G. Bissen, 'bit,
morsel', and to OE. bit an, 'to bite'. See bite and
cp. next word.
bit, n., mouthpiece of the bridle of a horse. —
ME. bit, bitt, fr. OE. bite, 'a biting', rel. to OS.
biti, ON. bit, G. Bifi, and to OE. bitan, 'to bite'.
See bite and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: bit, tr. v.
bit, past tense of bite. — ME. bit, from the stem
of the OE. pp. biten. See bite and cp. bitten.
bitartrate, n., an acid tartrate (chem.) — See bi-
and tartrate.
bitch, n., female dog. — ME. bicche, fr. OE. bicce,
rel. to ON. bikkja; of uncertain origin.
bite, tr. and intr. v. — ME. biten, fr. OE. bitan,
rel. to OS. bitan, ON., OFris. bita, Swed. bita,
Dan. bide, MLG., MDu. biten, Du. bijten, OHG.
bi33an, MHG. bisen, G. beifien, Goth, beitan, 'to
bite'. The orig. meaning was 'to cleave, split', fr.
I.-E. base *bheid-, whence also OI. bhinddmi, 'I
cleave', L. findere, 'to cleave, split', and prob.
also Gk. <pet8ea$ca, 'to spare' (orig. 'to cut
oneself off from somebody'). Cp. bit, 'morsel',
bit, 'mouthpiece', bait, bate, 'solution used in
tanning', abet, bezzle, embezzle, bitter, adj., vent,
'slit', giblets. Cp. also fissile and words there
referred to. Cp. also bill, 'halberd'.
Derivatives: bite, n., bit-er, n., bit-ing, adj., bit-
ing-ly, adv.
bitt, n., timber fastened to the deck of a vessel. —
Prob. fr. ON. biti, 'beam', which is rel. to ON.
beit, 'boat', Du. beeting, 'bitt', MHG. bizze,
'wooden wedge'. — F. bitte, 'bitt', is of the same
origin. See boat and cp. bitter, n.
bitten, pp. of bite. — ME. bitten, fr. OE. biten,
pp. of bitan. See bite.
bitter, adj. — ME. biter, fr. OE. biter, bitor, rel.
to OS. bittar, ON. bitr, Du. bitter, OHG. bittar,
MHG., G. bitter, Goth, baitrs, 'bitter', orig. 'of
a pungent taste' and rel. to OE. bitan, 'to bite'.
Sec bite and cp. embitter.
Derivatives: bitter-ly, adv., bitter-ness, n.
bitter, n., turn of the cable about the bitts (naut.)
- See bitts.
bitterling, n., a small fish (Rhodcus amarus). —
Formed from the adjective bitter with suff.
-ling; so called from its bitter flavor.
bittern, n., a heronlike bird. — ME. bitour, fr.
OF. (== F.) butor, fr. VL. *buti-taurus, a com-
pound of L. buted, bulid, 'a kind of falcon or
hawk', and taurus, 'ox', L. bated derives fr.
hiitire, 'to cry like a bittern', which is of imi-
tative origin and lit. means 'to utter the sound
hi'/'. Cp. L. habere, a synonym of bt'ttire and
bubo, 'owl', and see Buteo, Bubo. For the second
element in VL. *bati-taurus see Taurus. The
reason why in VL. *buti-taurus the bittern is
compared with an ox, may be best explained by
a passage in Pliny (10,42), in which the author
relates that in Gaul the bittern was called taurus
(i.e. 'ox') because of its voice suggestive of the
bellowing of oxen. For the suffixed -n in bittern
cp. marten.
bittern, n., the bitter liquid remaining after the
crystallization in saltworks. — A derivative of
bitter, adj.
bitters, n. pi., bitter liquors. — The adj. bitter,
used as a noun.
bitumen, n., 1) asphalt ; 2) an inflammable mineral
substance. — L. bitumen, 'mineral pitch', an
Osco-Umbrian loan word (the genuine Latin
form would have been *vetumen, fr. *gwetu-
meri) of Celtic origin; cogn. with Ol.jdtu, 'lac,
gum', ON. kvada, 'resin', OE. cwidu, cudu,
'mastic, cud'. See cud and cp. beton. Cp. also
Betula.
Derivatives: bitumin-ize, tr. v., bitumin-ous, adj.
bivalence, bivalency, n. (chem.) — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
bivalent, adj. having a valency of two (chem.) —
Formed fr. bi- and L. valens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of valere, 'to have power'. See valiant and
cp. -valent, valence.
bivalve, n., a mollusk with a double shell. —
Formed fr. pref. bi- and valve.
bivouac, n. — F. bivouac, variant bivac, fr. earlier
biwacht, fr. Swiss G. biwacht, which is equiva-
lent to G. Beiwacht, a collateral form of Bei-
wache, 'a keeping watch', fr. bet, 'at, by', and
Wache, 'watch, guard'. See by and wake, 'to be
awake'. It. bivacco, 'bivouac', is a French loan
word.
Derivative: bivouac, intr. v.
bixbyite, n., an iron mangenese oxide (mineral.)
— Named after Maynard Bixby of Utah, its
discoverer. For the ending see subst. suff. -itc.
bizarre, adj., strange. — F., fr. It. bizzarro, 'ca-
pricious', fr. Sp. bizarro, 'gallant, brave', fr.
Basque bizar, 'beard'. The sense development
of the word is due to the strange impression
made by the bearded Spanish soldiers upon
the French.
blab, n. — ME. blabbe, rel. to ME. blaberen.
See blabber.
Derivative: blab, tr. and intr. v.
blabber, intr. and tr. v. - - ME. blaberen, of imi-
tative origin. Cp. ON. blabbra, Dan. blabbre,
'babble', OHG. blabbizon, MHG. blepzen, G.
plappcrn, 'to babble'.
Derivative: blabber, n.
black, adj. — ME. blak, blakke, fr. OE. fctec.rel.
to ON. blakkr, 'dark', OHG. blah, 'black',
Swed. black, 'ink', Du. blaken. 'to burn', fr.
I.-E. base *bhleg-, 'to shine, gleam', whence
also Gk. 9>ivstv, 'to burn, scorch', cpXey^*,
'heat, inflammation', ?Xo;, gen. tpXoyoi;, 'flame,
Maze', tpXoyfio;, of s.m., L. flamma (fr. *flag-
md), 'flame', flagrdre 'to blaze, glow, burn',
fulgere, 'to shine', fulgur, 'lightning', fulmen (fr.
*fulg-men), 'lightning, OI. bhrdjate, 'it shines',
bhdrgah, 'gleam', bhfgavah, 'demi-deities rep-
resenting the lightning', Lith. bldgnytis, 'to
brighten' (intr.). Cp. blanc, blank, blink, bream,
'a fish'. Cp. also flagrant, flambeau, flame, flam-
mule, fulgent, fulgara, fulgurant, fulminate,
Phlegethon, phlegm, phlegmon, phlogiston, Phlox.
Derivatives: black, n., and tr. v., black-ing, n.,
black-ish, adj., black-ish-ly, adv., black-ish-ness,
n., black-y, adj. and n.
blackamoor, n., a Negro. — Compounded of black
and Moor.
blackguard, n. — Prop, a black guard, a name
orig. given to the lowest menials employed in
the kitchen of a great household.
Derivatives: blackguard, adj. and intr. and tr. v.,
blackguard-ism, n., blackguard-ly, adj. and adv.
blackjack, n., a large leathern vessel. — Com-
pounded of black and the personal noun Jack.
blackmail, n. — Compounded of black, used
figuratively in the sense 'illegal', and mail, 'rent,
tax'. For this meaning of black cp. the modem
term black market.
Derivatives: blackmail, tr. v., blackmail-er, n.
bladder, n. — ME. bladre, bledder, fr. OE. blxdre,
blsddre, 'blister, bladder', rel. to OS. bladara,
ON. bladra, Swed. bldddra, OHG. blattara,
MHG. blatere, G. Blatter, Du. blaar; formed
fr. Teut. base *ble-, 'to blow, inflate', corre-
sponding to I.-E. base *bhld-, *bhle- (see blow,
'to puff'), with suff. -dm, which corresponds to
Gk. -xpo, L. -tro (see rostrum). Cp. the second
element in isinglass.
Derivatives: bladder, tr. and intr. v., bladder-y,
adj.
blade, n. — ME. blad, blade, fr. OE. blsed, 'leaf;
blade (of an ear)', rel. to ON. blad, OS., Dan.,
Swed., Du. blad, OHG., MHG. Mat, G. Blatt,
OFris. bled, 'leaf ; prop. pp. of OE. bldwan, etc.,
'to bloom, flower', fr. I.-E. base *bhlo-, *bhle-,
*bhld-, 'to sprout, bloom; leaf, whence prob.
also Toch. pdlt, 'leaf. See blow, 'to bloom', and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: blade, tr. and intr. v., blad-ed, adj.,
blade-let, n., blad-er, n., blad-ing, n., blad-y, adj.
blae, adj., dark-blue, livid (obsol.) — ME. bio,
bla, fr. ON. Mar, which is rel. to OE. Maw,
blxw, 'blue'. See blue.
blaeberry, n., bilberry. — • Compounded of blae
and berry.
blah, interj. and n. (U.S. Slang) — Of imit. origin.
Wain, n., a pustule. — ME. bleine, fr. OE. Megen,
rel. to Dan. blegn, Du. blein, fr. I.-E. base
*bhlei-, 'to swell', an enlargement of base
*bhel-. For other enlargements of base *bhel-
see belly, bloat, bulge, phlebo-.
Derivative : Main, tr. v.
Make, adj., pale (obsol.) — ME., fr. OE. bide,
'bright, white ; pale', rel. to ON. blikja, 'to appear,
shine, glitter'. See bleach and cp. words there
referred to.
blame, tr. v. — ME. blamen, fr. OF. blasmer (F.
bldmer), fr. VL. blastemdre, 'to blame', which is
formed — prob. under the influence of L. aesti-
mdre,'to estimate' — fr. Late L. blasphemdre, 'to
blaspheme, blame', fr. Gk. pXat^TjjiEiv, 'to speak
profanely, speak ill'. Cp. Catal. blastemar, Port.
lastimar, Rum. blestetnd, 'to abuse', and see
blaspheme.
Derivatives: blame, n. (q.v.), blam-able, adj..
blam-able-ness, n., blam-abl-y, adv., blam-ed,
adj., blam-er, n., blam-ing, adj., blam-ing-ly, adv.
blame, n. — ME., fr. OF. blasme (F. blame),
back formation fr. blasmer. See blame, v.
Derivatives: blame-ful, adj., blame-ful-ly, adv.,
blame-ful-ness, n., blame-less, adj., Mame-less-h ,
adv., Mame-less-ness, n.
blanc, n., a French coin. — Prop, 'a white coin',
fr. F. blanc, 'white'. See blank,
blanch, tr. v., to make white; intr. v., to turn.
pale. — ME. blanchen, fr. OF. (= F.) blanchir
'to make white', fr. blanc, fem. blanche, 'white'.
See blank and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: blanch-er, n.
Blanch, Blanche, fem. PN. — F. Blanche, lit.
'white', fr. blanche, fem. of blanc, 'white'; of
Teut. origin. See blank and cp. blanch. Cp. also
Bianca.
blancmange, n., a kind of dessert. — F. blanc-
manger, lit. 'white food', fr. blanc, 'white', and
manger, 'food', fr. manger, 'to eat'. See blank
and manger.
bland, adj., 1) gentle, pleasant; 2) mild, soothing.
— L. blandus, 'smooth-tongued, flattering, pleas-
ant', of uncertain, possibly imitative origin.
Derivatives: Mand-ly, adv., bland-ness, n.
blandish, tr. v. — ME. blandissen, fr. OF. blan-
diss-, pres. part, stem of blandir, 'to flatter', fr.
L. blandiri, 'to caress', fr. blandus. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: blandish-er, n,, blandish-ing, adj.,
Mandish-ing-ly, adv.
blank, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) blanc, fem.
blanche, 'white', fr. Frankish *blank, 'shining,
bright', which is rel. to OHG. blanc, blanch,
MHG. blanc, G. blank, 'shining, bright', OE.
bianca, ON. blakkr, 'white horse', fr. I.-E. base
*bhleg-, 'to shine, gleam'. See black and cp.
blanc, blanch, Blanch, blanket, Bianca.
Derivatives: blank, n., blank-ly, adv., blank-
ness, n.
blanket, n. — OF. Mankette, blanquette, dimin.
of blanc, 'white', orig. meaning 'a white cloth'.
See blank, adj., and -et, -ette.
Derivatives: blanket, tr. v., blanket-ing, n.
blanquilo, n., a fish of the genus Caulolatilus. —
Sp., dimin. of bianco, 'white'; which is a Teut.
loan word. See blank, adj.
blare, tr. and intr. v., to sound loudly. — ME.
blaren, bloren, 'to cry, weep', of imitative origin.
Cp. MDu. Meren, Du. blaren, bleren, 'to bleat,
cry', MLG. blarren, 'to weep', LG. bliiren, 'to
whine', MHG. Meren, G. plarren, 'to bleat; to
bawl, blubber, whine'. Cp. also Gk. [}XT]yr;, 'a
bleating', pXv)x5<r&ort, 'to bleat', L. bdldre,
OSlav. bleju, ble"jati, Lett, bleju, Met, Russ. Me-
blarney
kat', MHG. bleken (G. blokeri), 'to bleat', which
are all imitative. Cp. blatant, bleat, blurt.
Derivative: blare, n.
blarney, n., flattery. — From Blarney, name of a
village and a castle near Cork, Ireland, con-
taining the Blarney stone, which is said to make
anyone that kisses it a persuasive speaker.
Derivative: blarney, tr. v.
bias, n., supposed influence of the stars (obsol.) —
Coined by the Flemish physician and chemist
Jan Baptista van Helmont (i577-i644). prob.
after MDu. blues, 'wind', which is rel. to LG.
bias, 'breath', and to E. blast (q.v.) For another
word coined by Helmont see gas.
blase, adj., surfeited. — F., pp. of blaser, 'to
blunt, cloy, surfeit', fr. Du. blazen, 'to blow',
which is rel. to ON. blasa, OHG. blasan, 'to
blow', and to E. blast (q.v.) F. blast orig.
meant 'puffed up under the effect of drinking'.
blaspheme, tr. v., to speak impiously of; intr. v.,
to utter blasphemy. — ME. blasfemen, fr. OF.
blasfemer (F. blasphimer), fr. Late L. blasphe-
mdre, 'to blaspheme', fr. Gk. |3Xa<j<p7)[iETv, 'to
speak profanely, to speak ill', fr. px<4a<p7][io<;,
'speaking ill'. The first element of this compound
is of uncertain etymology. The second element
is rel. to 97)^.7), 'report'; see fame.
Derivatives: blasphem-er, n., blasphemous, blas-
phemy (qq.v.)
blasphemous, adj. — Late L. blasphemus, fr. Gk.
(3X<x<J97][io<;, 'speaking ill'. See prec. word. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives : blasphemous-ly, adv., blasphemous-
ness, n.
blasphemy, n. — ME. blasfemie, fr. OF. blas-
femie, fr. Late L. blasphemia, fr. Gk. pXaa<pT)|x(a,
'a speaking ill', fr. pkaaynv-oc,. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -ia).
blast, n. — ME., fr. OE. blsst, 'blowing, blast',
rel. to ON. bldstr, OHG. blast, 'a blowing,
blast', ON. blasa, OHG. blasan, MHG. blasen,
G. blasen, Goth, blesan, 'to blow'; formed —
with s formative element — fr. I.-E. base *bhld-,
*bhle-, 'to swell'. See blow, 'to puff', and cp.
bias, blase, blaze, 'to make known', blister.
Derivatives: blast, intr. and tr. v., blast-ed, adj.,
blast-er, n., blast-ing, n., blast-ment, n., blast-y,
adj.
-blast, combining form denoting an embryonic
cell or a germ layer as in ectoblast, mesoblast
(biol.)— Fr. Gk. $\a<s-i(>q, 'bud, sprout, shoot',
a word of uncertain origin. Cp. blastema, -bias-
tic, blasto-.
blastema, n., the basis from which an organ is
formed (embryol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. px<xaTir)u.a,
'offspring, offshoot', from the stem of (3Xaa-
Tavetv, 'to shoot forth', fr. (}XaaT6<;. See -blast.
Derivatives : blastem-al, blastem-atic, blastem-ic,
adjs.
-blastic, combining form meaning 'sprouting', as
in homoblastic, heteroblastic: connected with
nouns ending in -blast. — Formed with suff. -fc
fr. Gk. -pXa<jT6?, fr. pXa<rc6?. See -blast.
blasto-, before a vowel blast-, combining form
meaning 'bud, germ', as in blastoderm. — Gk.
pXaa-ro-, pXaa-r-, fr. pXaari!;. See -blast.
blastoderm, n., a layer of cells arising from the
segmentation of the ovum {embryol.) — Com-
pounded of blasto- and Gk. §£p[xa 'skin'. See
derma and cp. words there referred to.
blatant, adj., offensively noisy. — Coined by Ed-
mund Spenser (in his 'Faery Queen'); prob.
suggested by L. blatire, 'to babble', which is of
imitative origin; not rel. to E. bleat.
Derivatives: blatan-cy, n., blatant-ly, adv.
blather, blether, intr. v., to talk nonsense. —
ME., fr. ON. bladra, 'to talk nonsense', fr.
bladr, 'nonsense', which is of imitative origin.
Derivatives: blather, blether, n., blather-er,
blether-er, n.
Blatta, n., a genus of cockroaches (entomol.) —
L. blatta, 'cockroach', of unknown origin.
Ward, Watty, n.,the plant Sonneratia acida (An-
glo-Ind.) — Hind., lit. 'the foreign plant', cor-
ruption of bildti, bilayati, 'foreign', fr. Arab.
wildyat, 'kingdom, province'. See vilayet and
cp. Blighty, vail.
blauwbok, blaubok, n., a name given by the Dutch
in South Africa to a large kind of antelope. —
Du. blauwbok, lit. 'blue buck'. See blue and
buck.
May, n., the bleak. — ME., fr. OE. blxge, rel. to
MLG., MDu. bleie, Du. blei, G. Bleie, Bleihe,
and to E. bleak (q.v.) The litteral meaning is
'shining, white, silvery'.
blaze, n., flame. — ME. blase, fr. OE. blxse,
blase, 'torch, fire', rel. to OS. bias, 'white, whit-
ish', MHG. bias, 'bald', orig. 'white, shining'
(whence G. blafi, 'pale'), OHG. blas-ros, 'horse
with a white spot', OHG. blassa, MHG. blasse,
MLG. bles, blesse, 'white spot', MDu., Du. bles,
G. Blesse, 'white spot; an animal (esp. a horse
or a cow) with a white spot', ON. bles-dttr,
'marked with a white spot', OE. blysa, 'torch,
flame', blyscan, 'to blush', fr. I.-E. *bhles-, 'to
shine, glitter', enlargement of *bhel-, a base of
the same meaning. See bald, blaze, 'white spot',
and cp. blazon. Cp. also blemish, blizzard, blush.
Derivatives: blaze, intr. v., blaz-y, adj., to burn
with flame, blaz-er, n., blaz-ing, adj., blaz-ing-
ly, adv.
blaze, n., a white spot. — Prob. fr. MLG. blase
(in blasenhengsf), 'white spot', which is rel. to
MLG. bles, blesse, of s.m. See prec. word.
Derivative: blaze, tr. v., to make a blaze on
(trees).
blaze, tr. v., to make known. — The orig. mean-
ing was 'to blow with a trumpet', fr. ON. blasa,
'to blow'. See blast and cp. blase. Cp. also em-
blaze, 'to emblazon'.
blazer, n., a light, bright-colored, coat. — Lit.
'that which blazes', so called in allusion to its
color. See Maze, 'flame*, and -er.
blazon, n., a coat of arms. — ME. blason, fr. OF.
blason, 'shield' (in Mod. French 'coat of arms'),
of uncertain origin ; not rel. to OHG. blasan,
etc., 'to blow', nor to OE. blxse, blase, 'torch,
fire' (see blaze, 'flame'). It. blasone and Sp. bla-
s6n, 'coat of arms', are French loan words. Cp.
emblazon.
Derivatives: blazon, tr. v., blazon-ry, n.
bleach, tr. v., to whiten. — ME. blechen, fr. OE.
bkecan, fr. bide, 'bright, white; pale', rel. to OS.
blek, ON. bleikr, Du. bleek, OHG. bleih, MHG.,
G. bleich, 'pale', ON. bleikja, Du. bleken, OHG.
bllhhan, MHG. bliken, G. bleichen, 'to bleach',
and pern. cogn. with OSlav. bliskati (for
*bligskati), 'to sparkle, glitter', blesku, 'gleam,
splendor'. Cp. Make, bleak, adj. and n.,
blight.
Derivatives: bleach, n., bleach-ed, adj., bleach-
er, n., bleach-er-y, n., bleach-ing, n.
bleak, adj. — ME. bleke, fr. ON. bleikr, 'pale'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: bleak-ish, adj., bleak-ly, adv.,
bleak-ness, n., bleak-y, adj.
bleak, n., the blay. — The word lit. means 'the
white, silvery (fish)', and is rel. to Swiss G.
blicke, Swab, blecke, and to E. blay and bleak,
adj.
blear, adj. and tr. v. — ME. bleren, 'to dim (the
eyes)'. Cp. LG. bleer-oged, 'blear-eyed'. Cp. al-
so blur.
bleat, intr. and tr. v. and n. — ME. bleten, fr. OE.
blxtan, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. blaten, OHG.
blazon, 'to bleat'. Cp. also ME. blaren, 'to cry,
weep', and see blare.
Derivatives: bleat-er, n., bleat-ing, adj., bleat-
ing-ly, adv.
bleb, n., a vesicle, blister; a bubble. — Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. blob, blubber, 'the fat of the
whale'.
bled, past tense and pp. of bleed. — ME. bledde,
resp. (y)bled, fr. OE. bledde, resp. gebledd, ge-
bled, past tense, resp. pp. of bledan. See next
word.
bleed, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bleden, fr. OE. ble-
dan, fr. blod, 'blood'. See blood.
Derivatives: bleed-er, n., bleed-ing, n. and adj.
blemish, tr. v. — ME. blemissen, blemisshen, fr.
OF. blemiss-, pres. part, stem of blemir, blesmir
(F. blemir), which prob. derives fr. Frankish
*blesmjan, 'to make one grow pale', from the
Teut. base seen in G. blass, 'pale'. See blaze,
'flame'.
Derivatives: blemish, n., blemish-er, n.
blench, tr. v., to make pale; intr. v., to turn pale.
— A var. of blanch.
blench, intr. v., to shrink. — ME. blenchen, fr.
OE. blencan, 'to deceive', prob. causative of
blink, and orig. meaning 'to make to blink'.
(Blench stands to blink as drench to drink.) Cp.
also OE. cwencan, causative of OE. cwincdn, 'to
disappear' (sec quench), so that quench prop,
means 'to cause to disappear'.
Mend, tr. and intr. v., to mix. — ME. blenden, fr.
ON. blanda, which is rel. OE., OS., OHG.
blantan, Goth, blandan, MHG. blenden, 'to mix'
(cp. G. Blendling, 'bastard, mongrel'), fr. I.-E.
base *bhlendh-, 'to mix; to confuse', whence
also Lith. blandus, 'troubled, turbid, thick',
OSlav. bledo,blgsti, 'to go astray', blqditi, 'to err',
Lith. blandytis, 'to lower (the eyes)', blisti, 'to
become thick, turbid' (said of water). Cp. blend,
'to blind'. Cp. also blond, blunder.
blend, tr. v., to blind (obsol.) — OE. blendan, rel.
to OFris. blenda, MLG., MHG., G. blenden,
OHG. blentan, 'to blind', and prob. to OE.
blandan, 'to mix'. See blend, 'to mix', and cp.
blind, adj. and v. Cp. also blende.
blende, n., an ore of zinc, sphalerite. — G. Blende,
back formation fr. blenden, 'to blind; to de-
ceive'; so called because though it resembles
lead, it yields no lead. Cp. the second element in
pitchblende.
blenheira orange. — Named after Blenheim, seat
of the duke of Marlborough, in Oxfordshire,
England.
blenheim spaniel. — See prec. word; so called
because originally bred at Blenheim.
blenno-, before a vowel Menn-, combining form
meaning 'mucus'. — Fr. Gk. J3Xevvo<; or pxlvva,
'slime, mucus', of uncertain etymology; (3X£vvo<;
possibly stands for *\jl£8-a-voq, and is rel. to
|jiX8ei\i, 'to melt', and cogn. with L. mollis (for
*moldwis),'sofV. See mollify and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also blenny.
blennorrhea, blennorrhoea, n., excessive discharge
of mucus (med.) — Medical L., compounded of
blenno- and -rrhea.
blenny, n., a small seafish. — L. blennius, fr. Gk.
px£vvo?, name of a fish, fr. pXevva, 'slime', lit.
'slime fish'; so called from the mucus which
covers its skin. See blenno-.
blepharo-, before a vowel blephar-, combining
form meaning 'eyelid'. — Gk.fSXe^apo-.pXe^ap-,
fr. [iXe9apo\i (Dor. yX^apov), 'eyelid', which is
rel. to (3Xe7tetv (Dor. vkimi-j), 'to look, sec' ; of
uncertain etymology. Cp. Ablepharus, ablepsia,
anableps.
blepharospasm, n., contraction of the eyelids
(med.) — Compounded of blepharo- and Gk.
<j;raa[AOS, 'spasm, convulsion'. See spasm.
Blephilia, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — ModL., contraction of Gk. pXet^apU,
'eyelash' (which is rel. to pX^apov, 'eyelid'),
and L. cilium, 'eyelid' (see blepharo- and cilia);
so called because of its fringed bracts and calyx
teeth.
bless, tr. v. — ME. blessen, fr. OE. bledsian, blet-
sian, 'to bless, consecrate', rel. to OE. blod.
'blood'; see Mood. The orig. meaning of bless
was 'to sprinkle or consecrate with blood' (said
of the sacrificing priest).
Derivatives: bless-ed, adj., bless-ed-ly, ads.,
bless-ed-ness, n., bless-ing, n., bless-ing-ly, adv.
blew, past tense of blow. — ME., fr. OE. bleow,
past tense of bldwan. See blow, 'to puff'.
blight
180
blight, n. — Prob. related to OE. blicettan, 'to
glitter', ME. blickening, 'pallor' (often used as
the English equivalent of L. rubigd, 'mildew'),
and to E. bleach (q.v.) Cp. blitzkrieg.
Derivatives: blight, tr. v., blight-ed, adj., blight-
er, n., blight-ing, adj., blight-ing-ly, adv.
Blighty, n., England, home (British army slang).
— Hind, bilaiti, a word used in India to de-
note England or Europe, fr. Arab, wildyat,
'kingdom, province', a derivative of wdliya, 'he
reigned, governed'. See vilayet and cp. blatti,
vali.
blimp, n., a nonrigid (limp) dirigible (colloq.) —
Contraction of B limp, one of the 2 types of the
small nonrigid airship (the other type is called
A limp). See limp, 'relaxed',
blind, adj. — ME., fr. OE. blind, rel. to OS., Du.,
G. blind, ON. blindr, OHG., MHG. blint, Goth.
blinds, 'blind', OE. blendan, etc., 'to blind', prob.
fr. I.-E. base *bhlendh-, 'to confuse; to mix'.
See blend, 'to mix', blend, 'to blind'.
Derivatives: blind, n., 'screen, cover', blind-ling,
n., blind-ly, adv., blind-ness, n.
blind, tr. v. — The OE. equivalent is blendan, 'to
blind' ; see blend, 'to blind*. The E. verb has been
influenced in form by the adj. blind (q.v.)
Derivatives: blind-ed, adj., blind-ed-ly, adv.,
blind-er, n., blind-ing, adj. and n.
blink, intr. and tr. v. — ME. blinken (rel. to Du.
and G. blinken, 'to gleam, sparkle, twinkle'), a
nasalized variant of the base appearing in OE.
blican, ME. bliken, 'to shine, glitter', OHG.
blihhan, 'to bleach'. See bleach and cp. blench.
Derivatives: blink, n., blink-ard, n., blink-ed,
adj., blink-er, n. and tr. v., blink-ing, n., blink-y,
adj.
bliss, n. — ME. blis, fr. OE. blis, contraction of
OE. blids, 'joy, happiness', fr. Hide, 'gay, happy'.
See blithe.
Derivatives: bliss-ful, adj., bliss-ful-ly, adv.,
bliss-ful-ness, n.
blister, n. — ME. blister, blester, fr. OF. blestre,
fr. ON. bldstr, 'a swelling', fr. bldsa, 'to blow'.
See blast and cp. bluster. ,
Derivatives: blister, intr. and tr. v., blister-y,
adj.
blite, n., any of various herbs of the goosefoot
family. — L. blitum, fr. Gk. pxi-rov, 'a vege-
table used as a salad ; orach' ; of uncertain ety-
mology. According to some philologists (JXitov
stands for *\OA-vi and prop, means 'the soft-
leaved plant' , fr. I.-E. base *mel-dh-, whence also
OE. melde, OS. maldia, Swed. mall, Du. melde,
OHG. melta, molta, multa, MHG., G. melde,
'orach'. Base *mel-dh- is an enlargement of
base *mel-, 'to rub, grind'. See meal, 'edible
grain', and cp. Blitum.
blithe, adj., joyous; cheerful. — ME., fr. OE.
blide, 'joyful, kind, gentle', rel. to OS. Midi,
'bright, happy', ON. blidr, 'mild, gentle', Du.
hlij(de), 'glad', OHG. blidi, 'gay, friend' ', Goth.
bleips, 'kind, friendly, merciful'. Cp. liss.
Derivatives : blithe-ly, &dv.,blithe-ness, n., blithe-
some, adj., blithe-some-ness, n.
Blitum, n., a genus of herbs of the family Cheno-
podiaceae (the goosefoot family). — L. blitum.
See blite.
blitz, n., a sudden overwhelming attack (colloq.)
— Short for blitzkrieg (q.v.)
blitzkrieg, n., a sudden, overwhelming warfare.
— G., lit. 'lightning war'. G. Blitz, 'lightning',
derives fr. MHG. blicze, 'lightning', fr. bliczen,
'to flash, to lighten', rel. to OHG., MHG. blic,
'lightning', G. Blick, 'a glance', and to OE. bli-
cettan, 'to glitter' ; see blight. G. Krieg, 'war',
comes fr. MHG. kriec, 'effort, resistance, com-
bat', fr. OHG. chreg, 'stubbornness, obstinacy',
which is rel. to MLG. krlch, 'combat'.
blizzard, n. — Fr. earlier blizz, 'rain storm', which
is prob. cognate with blaze, 'burst of flame'.
For the ending see suff. -ard.
Derivatives: blizzard-ly, blizzard-y, adjs.
bloat, tr. v., to cause to swell; intr. v., to swell. —
OE. *bldtian, 'to swell', cogn. with Gk. cpXuSScv,
'to swell, overflow with moisture, be ready to
burst', Lett, blidu, blizt, 'to become thick', fr.
I.-E. base *bhlei-d-, enlargement of base *bhlei-,
'to swell', whence OE. blegen, 'blain'. See Wain
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: bloat, n., bloat-ed, adj., bloat-ed-
ness, n., bloater (q.v.)
bloater, n., a soaked flat herring or mackerel. —
Formed fr. bloat with agential suff. -er.
blob, n., a small drop. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
bleb, blubber, bubble.
Derivative: blobb-y, adj.
block, n. — ME. blok, fr. OF. (= F.) bloc, 'block,
mass', fr. Du. bloc, 'trunk of a tree' which is rel.
to OHG. bloh, MHG. bloch, G. Block, and
cogn. with Olr. blog, 'fragment'; not rel. to
balk. Cp. en bloc.
Derivative : block-ish, adj .
block, tr. and intr. v. — F. bloquer, fr. bloc. See
block, n.
Derivatives: hlock-ade, n. and tr. v.
blodite, also blodite, n., hydrous sulfate of mag-
nesium and sodium (mineral.) — Named after
the German chemist Carl A. Blode (died in
1820). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bloke, n., a man (slang). — Of unknown origin.
blond, blonde, adj. — F., 'fair of complexion', rel.
to It. biondo, Sp. blondo, OProvenc. blon; of
Teut. origin. Cp. OE. blonden-feax, blanden-feax,
'gray-haired', fr. blondan, blandan, 'to mix', and
see blend, 'to mix'.
Derivatives: blond, n., blond(e)-ness, n., blond-
ine, n. (fr. F. blondine).
blondine, n. — F., fr. blonde, fem. of blond. See
prec. word and -ine (representing L. -ina).
blood, n. — ME. blod, fr. OE. blod, rel. to OS.,
OFris. blod, ON. blod, Dan., Swed. blod, MDu.
bloet, bloed, Du. bloed, OHG., MHG. bluot,
G. Blut, Goth, bldp, bldpis, fr. I.-E. "bhldto-, pp.
of base *bhld-, 'to bloom'. See blow, 'to bloom',
181
bluestocking
and cp. bleed. Cp. also bless. The I.-E. bases de-
noting 'blood' proper (like L. cruor and sanguis)
were regarded by the Teutons as taboo and ac-
cordingly given up.
Derivatives: blood, tr. v., blood-ed, adj., blood-
less, adj., blood-less-ly, adv., blood-less-ness, n.,
blood-y, adj., and tr. v., blood-i-ly, adv., blood-
i-ness, n.
bloodguilty, adj. — Coined by Miles Coverdale
(1488-1569), English translator of the Bible,
from blood and guilty.
Derivative : bloodguilti-ness, n.
bloom, n., flower. — ME. blome, fr. ON. bldm,
bldmi, which is rel. to OS. blomo, Du. bloem,
OHG. bluoma (fem.), bluomo (masc), MHG.
bluome (masc. and fem.), G.Blume (fem.), Goth.
bloma, 'flower, blossom', OE. blostm, blostma,
'blossom', and cogn. with Olr. blath, 'bloom,
flower', L. fids, 'flower', florere, 'to blossom,
flourish'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*bhlo-, 'to sprout, bloom'. See blow, 'to bloom,
blossom', and cp. blossom. Cp. also flower.
Derivatives: bloom, intr. v., bloom-ing, adj.,
bloom-ing-ly, adv., bloom-ing-ness, n., bloom-y,
adj.
bloom, n., rough mass of wrought iron. — OE.
bloma, 'a lump of metal', of uncertain origin,
bloomer, n., a costume for women. — Named
after the inventor Mrs. Amelia Jenks Bloomer of
New York (in 1851).
bloomer, n., a blunder. — Of uncertain origin,
blossom, n. — ME. blosme, blossem, fr. OE.
blostm, blostma, blosma, rel. to MLG. bldsem,
Du. bloesem, MHG. btuost, G. Blust, fr. I.-E.
*bhlos-, enlarged form of base *bhld-, 'to sprout,
bloom'. See bloom, 'flower'.
Derivatives: blossom, intr. v., blossom-ed, adj.,
blossom-ry, n., blossom-y, adj.
blot, n., a spot. — ME. blot, blotte, fr. MF. blotte,
'a clod or clot of earth', fr. OF. bloste or blostre,
which are of uncertain origin,
blot, tr. and intr. v., to make spots, to blur. —
MF. blotter, fr. blotte. See prec. word.
Derivatives: blott -er, n., blott-ing, adj., blott-
ing-ly, adv.
blot, n., 1) in backgammon, an exposed man; 2)an
exposed point. — Prob. rel. to Dan. blot, Swed.
blott, LG. blutt, MDu., Du. bloot, MHG. U03,
G. blofi, 'bare, naked', OHG. M63, 'proud', ON.
blautr, 'soft, tender', and possibly cogn. with Gk.
9Xu8av, 'to overflow', 9Xu8ap6<;, 'soft, flabby',
h.fluere, 'to flow*. See fluent and cp. words there
referred to.
blotch, n. — A blend of blot and botch.
Derivatives : blotch, tr. and intr. v., blotch-y,ndj.
blouse, n. — F., fr. ML. pelusia, 'Pelusian gar-
ment' ; so called because during the Middle Ages
blouses were manufactured in Pelusium on a
large scale.
Derivatives: blouse, intr. v., blous-ed, adj.,
blous-ing, n.
blow, intr. and tr. v., to puff. — ME. bio wen, fr.
OE. bldwan, rel. to OHG. blaen (for *bldjan),
MHG. blsejen, G. bldhen, fr. I.-E. base *bhld-,
*bhle-, *bhl e -, 'to blow', whence also L. flare,
'to blow'. Cp. bladder, blast, blaze, 'to make
known', blister, bluster. Cp. also flatus and
words there referred to. Cp. also fluent. For a
secondary meaning of base *bhlo- see blow, "to
bloom', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: blow-er, n., blow-ing, n. and adj.,
blow-y, adj.
blow, intr. v., to bloom, blossom; tr. v., to cause
to bloom. — ME. btowen, fr. OE. bldwan, to
flower, bloom, flourish', rel. to OS. bloian, O-
Fris. bldia, OHG. bluoen (for *bluojan), MHG.
bliien, bliiejen, G. bliihen, fr. I.-E. base *bhld-,
*bhle-, 'to sprout, bloom', whence also L. fids,
gen./7ora, 'flower', Mir. blath, 'bloom, blossom',
W. blawd, of s.m. See flower, and cp. blade, blood,
bloom, blossom. Cp. also folio and words there
referred to. For the original meaning of base
*bhld- see blow, 'to puff'.
Derivatives: blow, n., blow-er, n., blow-ing. n.
blow, stroke, n. — ME. blewe, rel. to OS. bleu-
wan, MDu., Du. blouwen, OHG. bliuwan,
MHG. bliuwen, G. bleuen, Goth, bliggwan,' to
strike', fr. Teut. *bleuwan; of uncertain ety-
mology.
blown, pp. and adj. — ME. blowen, fr. OE.
bldwen, pp. of bldwan. See blow, 'to puff',
blubber, n., the fat of the whale. — The orig.
meaning was 'bubble, foam'; of imitative origin.
Cp. bleb, blob.
Derivatives: blubber-ous, blubher-y, adjs.
blubber, intr. v., to weep loudly. — Of imitative
origin.
Derivatives: blubber-er, n., bluhber-ing, n., bhib-
ber-ing-ly, adv.
bluchers, n. pi., old-fashioned boots. — Named
after the Prussian field marshal Bliicher (1742-
1819). For sense development cp. Wellington.
bludgeon, n., a short club. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bludgeon, tr. and intr. v., bludgeon-
ed, adj., bludgeon-er, n.
blue, adj. — ME. blew, fr. OF. (= F.) bleu, fr.
Frankish *blao, which is rel. to OE. blow, blSw,
OS., OHG. bldo, Dan. blaa, Swed. bid, OFris.
bldu, MDu. bid, Du. blauw, MHG. bid, G. blau,
'blue', ON. bldr, 'dark blue, black', and cogn.
with Olr. bldr, W. blawr, 'gray', L. flatus, 'yel-
low'. See flavescent and cp. blae, blaeberry,
blauwbok, bluet.
Derivatives: blue, n., blue, tr. v., blu-ing, blue-
ing, n., blu-ish, adj., blu-ish-ness, n.
bluebird, n. (ornithol.) — Compounded of blue
and bird.
blue bird, symbolic name of the quest for hap-
piness. — From the play-romance VOiseau
bleu (The Blue Bird'), written by the Belgian
dramatist and poet Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-
1949) in 1909, which symbolizes the quest for
happiness.
bluestocking, n., a pedantic lady boasting of her
bluet
182
erudition. — About 1740 a literary circle used
to assemble at Lady Elizabeth Montague's home
in London. Benjamin Stillingfleet, one of the
leading members of the circle, regularly attend-
ed those meetings, wearing blue stockings, a
circumstance which gave occasion to admiral
Boscawen to deride The blue stocking society;
hence the name bluestocking, and its loan trans-
lations: F. bas-bleu, Du. blauwkous, G. Blau-
strumpf, etc.
bluet, n., the name of various plants with blue
flowers. — F. bleuet, bluet, dimin. formed fr.
bleu, 'blue'. See blue and -et.
bluff, adj., presenting a broad, flattened front. —
Of LG. origin. Cp. MLG. blaff, 'smooth, even',
MDu. blaf, 'fat, broad', blaffaert, 'a man having
a broad face'.
Derivatives: bluff, n., bluff-y, adv., bluff-ness, n.
bluff, tr. v., to deceive. — MLG. vorbluffen, 'to
baffle', (whence Du. verbluffen, 'to stun', G. ver-
bliiffen, 'to amaze'); prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: bluff, n., deception, bluff-er, n.
blunder, intr. and tr. v. — ME. blunder en, 'to con-
fuse', rel. to blend, 'to mix' (q.v.)
Derivatives; blunder, n., blunder-er, n., blunder-
ing, adj., blunder-ing-ly, adv.
blunderbuss, n., a short heavy gun with a broad
muzzle. — A blend of Du. donderbus, of s.m.,
lit., 'thunder box', and E. blunder. See thunder
and box, 'case', and cp. blunderhead.
blunderhead, n. — Alteration of dunderhead. Cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: blunderhead-ed, adj., blunderhead-
ed-ness, n.
blunt, adj. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: blunt, n. and v., blunt-er, n., blunt-
ly, adv., blunt-ness, n.
blur, v. and n. — Prob. in gradational relation-
ship to blear.
Derivatives: blurr-ed, adj., blurr-ed-ness, n.,
blurr-er, n., blurr-y, adj.
blurb, n. — Coined by the American journalist
Frank Gelett Burgess (1 866-1 951) in 1907.
blurt, tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. Scot, blirt
and E. blare.
Derivative : blurt, n.
blush, intr. v. — ME. bluschen, 'to shine; to be
or grow red', fr. OE. blyscan, 'to grow red,
blush', fr. blysa, 'torch.flame, fire', which stands
in gradational relationship to Du. blozen, 'to
blush', andto E. blaze, 'flame'.
Derivatives: blush, n., blush-ing, adj., blush-
ing-ly, adv.
bluster, intr. v., to be boisterous. — Rel. to LG.
bliistern, blistern, 'to blow', and to E. blister
(q.v.)
Derivatives : bluster, n., bluster-er, n., bluster-ing,
adj. bluster-ing-ly, adv.
B'nai B'rith, a Jewish fraternal organization
founded in New York City in 1843. — Heb.
b'ni b'rth, 'sons of the covenant', fr. b*ni,
state construct of bantm, pi. of bin, 'son', and
b l rith, 'covenant'. See ben and berith and cp.
the first element in Boanerges,
bo, interj. — Imitative.
Boa, n., a genus of snakes, the New World Con-
strictor. — L. boa, 'a large serpent', of uncertain
origin. Cp. Boidae.
Boanerges, n., a name applied to the sons of Ze-
bedee (see Mark 3: 17); used figuratively to de-
note a clamorous orator. — Galilean dialectal
corruption of Heb. b'ne reghesh, 'sons of thun-
der', fr. b'ne (see B'nai B'rith) and reghesh,
'commotion, tumult, throng', from the stem of
rdghdsh, 'he was in commotion or in tumult',
which is related to Aram, r'ghash, 'he trembled,
was agitated', and to Arab, rdjasa, 'he made
a vehement noise',
boar, n. — ME. bar, bore, boor, fr. OE. bar, rel.
to OS. ber, Du. beer, OHG. ber, dial. G. Bar,
'boar' (not to be confused with G. Bar, 'bear'),
board, n., table, plank. — ME. bord, 'table,
plank', fr. OE. bord, rel. to ON. bord, 'plank',
Goth, fotu-baurd, 'footstool', lit. 'foot board',
Du. bord, 'board, blackboard', OE., OS. bred,
MLG., OHG., MHG. bret, G. Brett, 'plank';
fr. I.-E. *bhftdm, resp. *bh[et-6m, fr. base
*bherd-, 'to cut', a -^-enlargement of base
*bher-, 'to bore, pierce, perforate'. See bore,
'to pierce', and cp. board, 'side of a ship', and
the second element in gar board. Cp. also bord-
age, bordar, bordel, border, berm, brelan, brim,
predella.
Derivatives: board, v., to cover with boards,
board-er, n., board-ing, adj. and verbal n.,
board-y, adj.
board, n., side of a ship. — OE. bord, 'border,
edge; side of a ship', rel. to OS. bord, LG.
bo(p)rd (whence G. Bord), Du. boord, OHG.
bort, ON. bard, bord, 'border, edge; side of a
ship', and to OE. bord, etc., 'table, plank' (see
prec. word); influenced in sense by F. bord,
'edge, margin, border, shipboard'. See board,
'table, plank', and cp. border and the second
element in larboard.
Derivatives: board, tr. and ir.tr. v., board-er, n.,
board-ing, adj. and n.
boast, n. — ME. boost, bost. See next word.
boast, tr. v. — ME. boosten, bosten, fr. boost, bost,
n., rel. to OS. bost, MLG., MDu. bose, Du. boos,
'evil, wicked, angry'. OHG. bosi, 'worthless,
slanderous', MHG. boese, G. bose, 'evil, bad,
angry', Norw. baus, 'proud, bold, daring', fr.
Teut. base *baus-, which lit. means 'to blow up,
puff up, swell'. This base is an enlarged form
of I.-E. *bhdu-, *bhu-, 'to swell', for which see
bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivatives: boast-er, n., boast-ful, adj., boast-
fuj-ly, adv., boast-ful-ness, n., boast-ing, adj. and
verbal n., boast-ing-ly, adv.
boat, n. — ME. boot, fr. OE. bat, 'ship, boat',
whence ON. batr, D. boot, G. Boot, Sp. batel,
F. bateau, It. batto, battello, 'boat'; rel. to ON.
bite, 'beam', hence orig. meaning 'boat made
183
Bohemian
from one piece of timber, monoxylon'. See bitt.
Derivatives: boat, tr. v., boat-able, adj., boat-
age, n., boat-ing, n.
bob, n. , a knot of hair. — ME. bobbe, bob, 'bunch,
cluster', prob. of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
Derivative: bobb-ed, adj.
bob, intr. and tr. v., to move rapidly to and fro,
to jerk. — Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: bob, n., a jerky movement, bobb-
ish, adj.
bob, tr. v., to cheat, deceive. — ME. bobben, fr.
OF. bober, 'to purse one's lips, pout, deceive',
imitative of the movement of the pursed lips.
bob, n., trickery. — OF. bobe, fr. bober. See
prec. word.
bob, n., a shilling {British Slang). — Prob. fr.
Bob, dimin. of Robert. Cp. bobby.
bobbery, n., a squabble (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
bdpre, 'O father'.
bobbin, reel, spool. — F. bobine, 'a grotesque fi-
gure, a wry face; a reel', from the imitative
base *bob- (see bob, 'to deceive'); so called from
its cylindric form.
Derivative : bobbin, tr. v.
bobby, n., a policeman (slang). — Dimin. of Bob,
itself dimin. of Robert; so called after Sir Robert
Peel (1 788- 1 850). Cp. peeler.
bobolink, n., a migratory bird of North America.
— So called from its cry suggestive of boblincoln
(for Bob Lincoln).
bocaccio, n., the rockfish called scientifically Se-
bastodes paucispinis. — It. boccaccio, fr. boccac-
cia, 'a big mouth', augment, of bocca, 'mouth',
fr. L. bucca, 'mouth'. See buccal.
Boche, boche, n., a German. — F. slang, short-
ened fr. Alboche, a slangy alteration of Alle-
mand, 'German', through the intermediary form
Al{le)moche, used in the east of France. The
change of m to b is due to an association with
caboche, 'pate, noodle, nob' (see cabbage).
bock, bock beer, a kind of beer. — G. Bock,
shortened fr. Ambock, Oambock, Munichian
dialectal words for Einbeck, name of a town in
Germany. Hence bock lit. means '(beer made
at) Einbeck'.
hocking, n., a coarse woolen material. — Named
fr. Bocking in England.
bocking, smoked herring. — Du. bokking, fr.
MDu. buckinc, a derivative of buc, boc, 'buck' ; so
called from its odor. See buck and cp. buckling.
For the ending see subst. suff. -tog.
bode, tr. v. — ME. bodien, fr. OE. bodian, 'to
announce, foretell', fr. boda, 'messenger', which
stands in gradational relationship to OE. beodan,
'to announce, proclaim, command'. Cp. ON.
bodi, OHG. boto, MHG., G. bote, 'messenger',
and see bid.
Derivatives: bode-ful, adj., bod-ing, adj., bod-
ing-ly, adv., bod-er, n.
bodega, n., a wineshop. — Sp., fr. L. apothica,
fr. Gk. inofMpcr), 'any place wherein to lay
up something; magazine, storehouse*. See
apothecary and cp. bottega, boutique,
bodice, n. — Prop. pi. of body, in 'pair of bodies'.
— For formation cp. stays, pence.
Derivative: bodic-ed, adj.
bodikin, n., an obsolete oath. — Prop, 'a small
body', formed from body with suff. -kin.
bodkin, n., a small dagger. — ME. boydekin,
'dagger', of unknown origin.
bodle, n., a small Scottish copper coin. — Prob-
ably corruption of the name of Bothwell, a
Scottish mintmaster.
body, n. — ME. bodi, fr. OE. bodig, rel. to OHG.
botah, of uncertain origin. Cp. bodice, embody.
Derivatives: body, tr. v., bodice (q.v.), bodikin
(q.v.), bodi-ed, adj., bodi-er, n., bodi-less, adj.,
bodi-ly, adj. and adv.
Boedromion, n., name of the 3rd month of the
Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to August-
September). — Gk. Bo7)8po(xKov, fr. Boi)Sp6[ua
(pi.), 'the games in memory of the aid given by
Theseus against the Amazons', fr. povj8p6u.oi;,
'running to aid', lit. 'running on hearing a cry',
fr. po-fj, 'a cry, shout', and -8p6[xoi;, 'running',
which is rel. to. 8p6[zo<;, 'a running'. For the
first element see reboant and cp. Boethusian, for
the second see dromedary.
Boenmeria, n., a genus of plants of the nettle
family (bot) — ModL., named after G.R.
Boehmer, professor at Wittenberg (1723-1803).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
Boer, n. — Du. boer, 'peasant, farmer'. See boor.
Boethusian, n., a member of a Jewish sect rel. to
the Sadducees. — Heb. Baylust, 'follower of
BaytOs (= Boethus)', fr. Gk. povjfto? (whence
L. Boethus), name of a priest, whose son was
made high priest by Herod the Great. See Jo-
sephus, Antiquitates, 19, 5. § 3. Bo7)$6i; lit.
means 'assisting, helpful'. It is a derivative of
Pot;, 'a cry, shout'; see Boedromion.
bog, n. — Gael, or Ir. bog, 'soft', whence bogach,
'bog'.
Derivative : bog , tr. and intr. v.
bogey, bogie, n., ghost, bugbear. — See bogle
and cp. bogy,
boggle, intr. v. and n. — See bogle,
bogie, n. — A. var. of bogey,
bogje, n., a truck. — Of uncertain origin,
bogle, boggle, n., — a specter. Scot, bogle, bogill,
'goblin, specter', rel. to bug, 'bugbear', bogey,
bogy.
bogus, adj., sham. — Of uncertain origin.
bogy, n. — Another spelling for bogey.
bohea, n., a kind of Chinese black tea. — Named
after the Wu-i hills in China.
Bohemia, n. — The word derives from L. Boi-
haemum (see Tacitus, Germ., 28), which lit.
means 'home of the Boii' (a Celtic nation, ex-
pelled from this region by the Marcomans about
the beginning of the 1st cent.) The second ele-
ment in Boi-haemum is a Teut. loan word mean-
ing 'home'. See home.
Bohemian, adj. and n. — F. bohemien, 'gypsy',
Boidae
184
orig. 'inhabitant of Bohemia', where the gyp-
sies were supposed to come from. See Bohemia
and -an.
Boidae,n.pl., a family of snakes (zool.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. L. boa. See Boa.
boil, n., inflammation, tumor. — ME. bile, fr. OE.
byle, byl, rel. to OFris. bele, OS., OHG. bulia,
MHG. biule, G. Beule, Goth, ufbauljan, 'to
puff up', Tcel. beyla, 'hump', and cogn. with
Olr. bolach, 'pustule, pimple', Serb, buljiti, 'to
protude one's eyes, to stare'. All these words
derive, with -/-formative element, fr. I.-E. base
*bhou-, *bhii-, 'to swell' . See buck, 'the body of a
wagon'.
boil, intr. and tr. v., to bubble up. — ME. boilen,
fr. OF. boillir (F. bouillir), fr. L. bullire, a col-
lateral form of bulldre, 'to bubble', fr. bulla,
'bubble'. See bill, 'document', and words there
referred to and cp. the second element in
parboil.
Derivatives: boil, n., boil-er, n.. boil-ing, n., resp.
adj., boil-ing-ly, adv., boilery (q.v.)
boilery, n., a place for boiling, — Formed, on
analogy of F. bouilhrie, fr. boil, v. For the end-
ing see suff. -cry.
boisterous, adj., rough; noisy. — ME. boistrous,
a var. of boistous, which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: boislcrous-ly, adv., boisterous-ness,
n.
bola, also bolas, n., an implement used by the
Gauchos. — PI. of Sp. bola, 'ball', fr. L. bulla,
'boss, knob'. See bill, 'document'.
bold, adj. — ME., fr. OE. bald, beald, rel. to OS.,
OHG. bald, 'bold, swift', OHG. baldo, 'boldly*,
MHG. balde, 'boldly, quickly' (whence G. bald,
'soon'), ODu. baldo, 'with confidence', Goth.
balpei, 'boldness', balpaba, 'boldly', ON. ballr,
'frightful, dangerous', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to
swell'. It. baldo, OF. and Proven?, baut, 'bold,
daring, fearless", are Teut. loan words. Sec ball,
'a round object', and belly and cp. billow. Cp.
also ba»d, the first element in Baldwin and the
second element in Leopold and in Theobald.
Cp. also bulk, 'size".
Derivatives: bold-ly, adv., bold-ness, n.
bole, n., trunk of a tree. — ME. bole, fr. ON.
bolr, 'trunk of a tree', rel. to MLG. bole, bolle,
G. Bohle, "plank", MDu. bolle, 'trunk of a tree'.
See balk, n., and cp. words there referred to.
bole, n., red earthy clay. — L. bolus, 'clay, mor-
sel', fr. Gk. JicoXo;, 'lump, clod of earth'. See
bolus.
bolection, n., a molding (archit.) — Of unknown
origin.
boleite, n., chloride of lead, copper and silver
(mineral.) — Named after Boleo in Lower Cali-
fornia. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bolero, n., a kind of Spanish dance. — Sp., prob.
fr. bola, 'ball', fr. L. bulla. See bowl, 'a ball'.
Boletaceae, n. pi., a family of fungi (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Boletus with suff. -aceae.
boletaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Boletus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — L. boletus.
fr. Gk. [3co"Mt7]<;, 'mushroom, fungus', which
possibly derives fr. fi&Xoi;, 'lump'. See bolus.
bolide, n., a brilliant meteor. — F., fr. L. bolis,
gen. bolidis, fr. Gk. (3oXi?, gen. (3oXt8o<;, 'a bril-
liant meteor', which is rel. to fioXr), (3oX6c. "a
throw', and in gradational relationship to
piXXstv, 'to throw'. See ballistic.
bolivarite, n., a hydrous aluminum phosphate
(mineral.) — Named after the Spanish entomol-
ogist Ignacio Bolivar. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
boll, n., a round seed vessel. — • ME. bolle, fr. OE.
bolla, 'bowl'. See bowl, 'vessel', and cp. the
second element in thropple.
bollard, n., a post, around which a mooring rope
is fastened. — Prob. formed fr. bole, 'trunk of a
tree', with suff. -ard.
bolo, n., a kind of large knife. — Sp.
Bolo, also bolo, n., a traitor. — Named after
Paul Bolo, a French traitor, executed for treason
in April 1918.
Derivative: Bolo-ism, bolo-ism, n.
bolometer, n., an instrument for measuring ra-
diant heat. —Compounded of Gk. $oki\, 'throw,
blow, stroke', and (jixpov, 'measure'. The first
element stands in gradational relationship to
paXXsw, 'to throw'; see ballistic. For the sec-
ond element see meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Bolshevik, bolshevik, n., 1) orig. (from 1903) a
member of the more radical faction of the Rus-
sian Social Democratic Party; 2) later (since the
revolution of Nov. 7, 1917) a member of the
Russian Communist Party. — Russ., lit. 'one
of the majority' (i.e. bolsheviki), fr. bolshe,
'more, larger'; so called with reference to the
party that took over the supreme power in Rus-
sia in 19 1 7, and used in contradistinction to the
mensheviki, i.e. 'those of the minority' (see
Menshevik). Russ. bolshe is rel. to OSlav. bol-
jiji, 'larger', and cogn. with OI. bdlam, 'strength,
force', Gk. fizkztav, 'better'. See debile.
Derivative: Bolshevik, bolshevik, adj.
Bolshevism, bolshevism, n., the doctrines and
policies of the Bolsheviki. — See prec. word and
-ism.
Bolshevist, bolshevist, n. and adj., Bolshevik. —
See Bolshevic and -ist.
Derivative: Bolshevist-ic, bolshevist-ic, adj.
Bolshevize, bolshevize, tr. v., to make Bolshe-
vic. — See Bolshevic and -ize.
bolster, n. — ME. bolster, fr. OE. bolster, rel. to
ON. bolstr, Dan., Swed., MLG., Du. bolster,
OHG. bolstar, MHG., G. polster, fr. Teut.
*bul(h)stra- ; formed with suff. -stra fr. Teut. base
*belg-, 'to swell', which corresponds to I.-E.
base *bhelgh-\ hence bolster, etc., lit. mean
'something swelled'. The above words are cogn.
with OPruss. balsinis, Lett, pabdlsts, Serbo-
Croat, bldzina (for *bolzina), 'pillow'. See belly
and cp. billow, budget, bulge.
Derivatives: bolster, tr. v., bolster-er, n.
185
bonne
bolt, n., a bar. — ME., fr. OE. bolt, rel. to ON.
bolti, Dan. bolt, Swed. bult, MDu. boute, bout,
Du. bout, OHG., MHG. boh, G. Bolzen, fr. I.-E.
base *bheld-, 'to knock', whence also Lith. beldu,
bdldau, 'I knock, rap', baldas, 'pole for striking'.
Derivatives: bolt, tr. and intr. v., bolt, n. (a
rapid run), bolt-er, n.
bolt, tr. v., to sift. — ME. bulten, fr. OF. buleter
(F. bluter), fr. MDu. biutelen, 'to bolt, sift',
which is rel. to MDu. biidel, Du. buidel, 'bag,
pouch'. See bud.
Boltonia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., named after James Bol-
ton, an English botanist of the 1 8th cent. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
bolus, n., a large pill. — L. bolus, 'clay, morsel',
fr. Gk. pcoXo?, 'lump, clod of earth', which is
perh. rel. to (3oXp6?, 'onion'. See bulb, and cp.
bole, 'clay', Boletus.
bomb, n. — F. bombe, fr. It. bomba, 'explosive
shell', fr. L. bombus, 'a hollow, deep sound, a
humming, a buzzing', fr. Gk. (36(j.fio(;, of s.m.,
which is of imitative origin. Cp. bum, bump,
boom. Cp. also Bombus, bound, 'to leap'.
Derivatives: bomb, tr. and intr. v., bombard
(q.v.), bomb-er, n.
bombard, n., 1) an early kind of cannon; 2) a
former musical instrument. — F. bombardc, lit.
'that which hums or buzzes', fr. L. bombus. See
prec. word and -ard.
bombard, tr. v. — F. bombarder, fr. bombarde.
Sec bombard, n.
Derivatives: bombard-er, n., bombard-ment , n.
bombardier, n. — F. , lit. , 'one who throws bombs'.
See prec. word and -ier.
bombardon, n., a musical instrument. — It. bom-
bardone, augment, of bombardo, fr. bombardare.
See bombard, n., and -oon.
bombasine, n. — See bombazine.
bombast, n., high-sounding speech. — From
Bombastic, lit. 'in the style of Bombastus Para-
celsus' (1493-1 541). The PN. Bombast comes fr.
ML. bombdeium, fr. Gk. |3au,@axiov, 'cotton'.
See Bombyx.
Derivatives: bombast-ic, adj., bombast-ic-al-ly,
adv., bombast-ry, n.
bombazine, bombasine, n., twilled silk cloth with
worsted or cotton. — F. bombasin, fr. ML. bom-
bdeium, fr. Gk. Tiaixjixxiov, 'cotton'. See Bom-
byx.
bombiccite, n., a hydrocarbon mineral. — Named
after the Italian geologist L. Bombicci. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Bombus, n., a genus of insects, the bumblebee
(entomol.) — ModL., fr. L. bombus, 'a hum-
ming or buzzing'. See bomb.
Bombyx, n., a genus of moths, the silkworm moth
(entomol.) — L. bombyx, 'silkworm', fr. Gk.
J}6u,(3o£, fr. (3<x[i.|3dcxiov, assimilated form of
7ra|x[J4xiov, 'cotton', fr. Pers. pixnba, 'cotton'.
Cp. bombast, bombazine.
bona fide, in good faith. — L. bona fide, abl. of
bona fides, 'good faith'. See bonus and fidelity
and cp. mala fide.
bonanza, n., a rich vein of ore; hence, colloq., a
source of wealth. — ■ Sp., lit. 'fair weather, pros-
perity', fr. VL. *bonacia (whence also It. bo-
naccia, OProvenc. bonassa, F. bonace, 'fair
weather at sea'), alteration of L. malacia, 'calm
at sea', which derives fr. Gk. [AaXaxioi, 'soft-
ness', but was mistaken for a derivative of L.
malus, 'bad', and accordingly changed into
*bonacia, fr. L. bonus, 'good' (see bonus).
bonbon, n., sweetmeat. — F., reduplication of
bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus, 'good'. See bonus and
cp. bonny.
bonbonniere, n., a small box or dish for bonbons.
— F., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -i&re;
cp. -ery.
bond, n., anything that binds. — ME. bond, a
var. of band. See band, 'a tie', and cp. the first
element in bonspiel.
Derivatives: bond, tr. v., bond-ed, adj.
bond, n., serf (archaic). — ME. bond, 'husband,
householder', fr. OE. bonda, 'householder', fr.
ON. bdndi, for buandi, 'householder', lit. 'dwel-
ler', fr. bua, 'to dwell, build'. See be, build, and
cp. Boer, boor, booth, bound, adj., bower, 'ar-
bor', byre, and the second element in husband.
bondage, n. — ML. bonddgium, fr. OE. bonda,
'householder'. See bond, 'serf, and -age.
bondman, n. — Compounded of bond, 'serf, and
man.
bone, n. — ME. ban, bon, fr. OE. ban, 'bone', rel.
to OS., OFris. ben, ON. bein, Dan., Swed. ben,
MDu., Du. been, OHG., MHG., G. bein, 'bone'.
Cp. the first element in bonfire and in banstickle.
Derivatives: bone, tr. v., bon-ed, bon-y, adjs.
bonfire, n. — ME. bonefire, bancfire, orig. 'fire
made of bones'; see bone and fire. — Cp. Ri-
chard Broxton Onians, The Origin of European
Thought, Cambridge, 1951, p. 268, Note 1.
Derivative: bonfire, tr. and intr. v.
bongo, n., a large antelope. — Native name.
bonhomie, n., good nature. — F. bonhomie, com-
pounded of bon, 'good', and homme, 'man'. See
bonus and homage.
Boniface, masc. PN. — L. Bonifdcius, Bonifdtius,
fr. bonifdtus, 'lucky, fortunate', lit. 'of a good
fate', fr. bonus, 'good', and fdtum, 'fate'. See
bonus and fate and cp. the second element in
mauvais. In the sense of 'innkeeper, hotel own-
er', the name Boniface is used in allusion to Will
Boniface, a character in George Farquhar's play
Beaux' Stratagem (1707).
bonitarian, adj ., beneficial (Roman law). — Formed
with suff. -arian fr. L. bonitds, 'goodness',
fr. bonus, 'good'. See bonus and -ity.
bonito, n., any of various fishes. — Sp. bonito,
prob. lit. 'the good or fine one', and identical
with the adjective bonito, 'pretty good', a deri-
vative of bueno, 'good', fr. L. bonus, of s.m.
See bonus.
bonne, n., a child's nurse. — F., fern, of the ad-
bonne bouche
186
jective bort, 'good', fr. L. bonus, of s.ra. See
bonus.
bonne bouche, a titbit. — F., 'a good taste', fr.
fem. of bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus, and bouche,
'mouth', fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See bonus and
buccal and cp. bouche.
bonnet, n., a head covering. — ME. bonet, bonet-
te, fr. OF. bonet, bonnet (F. bonnet), fr. ML.
abonnis, occurring in the Salic Law, a word of
uncertain origin.
Derivative: bonnet, tr .v.
bonny, adj., beautiful; fine. — ■ ME. boni; formed
with sufF. -y fr. OF. (= F.) bon, 'good', on anal-
ogy of adjectives like jolly, etc. See bonus.
bonspiel, n., grand curling match. — Du. bon-
spel. The first element is prob. identical with
Du. bond, abbreviation of verbond, 'league, al-
liance' ; see bond, 'anything that binds'. Du. spel,
'game', is rel. to E. spell, 'to take the place
of (another) at work'; see spiel and cp. the
second element in glockenspiel, kriegspiel.
bonte, goodness; civility. — F., fr. L. bonitatem,
acc. of bonitds, 'goodness', fr. bonus, 'good'.
See next word and -ity.
bonus, n. — L. bonus, 'good', fr. OL. dvenos,
dvonos, rel. to L. bene, 'well', beilus, 'handsome,
charming, fine'. See beauty and cp. bene-, bene-
diction, benefactor, benefit, benevolent, benign,
bonanza, bonitarian, bonito, bonne, bonte, boon,
bounty, bunt, 'to sift', bunting, 'cloth', debonair,
embonpoint, magnum bonum.
bonze, n., a Buddhist priest. — F., fr. Port, bonzo,
fr. Jap. bonzo, 'Buddhist priest', fr. Chin, fan-
seng, 'religious person'.
bonzery, n., a Buddhist monastery. — F., fr.
bonze. See prec. word and -ery.
boo, intr. v. and n. — Imitative of the sound
made by a cow.
booby, n., an awkward fellow; name of various
seabirds. — Sp. bobo, fr. L. balbus, 'stammering',
from the I.-E. imitative base *balb-, whence also
OI. Balbuthdh, a name (lit. 'the stammerer'),
Czech bib, 'booby', blblati, 'to stammer', Ser-
bian blebitati, 'to blabble', OI. balbald-karoti,
'he stammers', Russ. balabdliti, 'to chatter,
babble', Bulg. blabdVu, 'I chatter, babble'.
*Barb-, a collateral base of base *balb-, ap-
pears in OI. barbarah, 'stammering' (desig-
nation of the non-Aryan nations), Gk. p<xp(3a-
pos, 'non-Greek, foreign, barbarous', Slovenic
brbrati, brbljati, Serbian brboljiti, 'to mumble,
mutter', Lith. bifbti, 'to buzz, hum'. Cp. babble,
babe, baby, balalaika, balbuties, barbaric, bauble.
Derivative: booby-ish, adj.
boodle, n., money (slang). — Prob. fr. Du. boe-
del, 'estate, possession'. Cp. caboodle.
boohoo, intr. v. and n. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. boo.
book, n. — ME. boke, book, fr. OE. boc (pi. bee),
rel. to OS., ON., OFris. bok, Swed. bok, Dan.
bog, Du. boek, OHG. buoh, MHG. buoch, G.
Buch, 'book', Goth, boka 'letter (of the alpha-
bet)', pi. bdkos, 'books', and to OE. boc,
bece, 'beech' (see beech). The connection be-
tween book and beech (cp. G. Buch, 'book',
Buche, 'beech') is due to the Teutonic custom
of writing runic letters on thin boards of beech.
Derivatives: book, tr. and intr. v., book-ed, adj.,
book-er, n., book-er-y, n., book-ing, n., book-
ish, adj., book-ish-ly, adv., book-ish-ness, n.,
book-let, n., book-y, adj.
boom, intr. and tr. v., to hum, buzz. — Of imi-
tative origin; cp. Du. bommen, 'to drum', ME.
bommen, 'to hum'. Cp. also bomb, bum and
bump.
Derivatives : boom, n., humming, buzzing, boom-
er, n., boom-ing, n. and adj.
boom, n., a long pole (naut.) — Du. boom, 'tree,
beam, pole', rel. to E. beam (q.v.) Cp. the first
element in bumboat.
boomerang, n., Australian throwing stick. — Na-
tive Australian name.
boon, n., request, favor. — ME. bone, 'petition',
fr. ON. bon, which is rel. to OE. ben, 'prayer,
petition', and in gradational relationship to
OE. bannan, 'to summon', ON. banna, 'to for-
bid'. See ban, v., and cp. words there referred
to.
boon, adj., gay; convivial. — ME. bon, fr. OF.
bon, 'good', fr. L. bonus. See bonus.
boor, n. — Du. boer, 'peasant, farmer', fr. earlier
geboer, prob. fr. LG. gebur, which is rel. to
OHG. giburo, MHG. gebure, G. Bauer, OE.
gebur, 'peasant', lit. 'one who dwells with others',
fr. ge-, 'with' (see y-, 'with'), and bur, 'a dwel-
ling', which is rel. to bua, 'to dwell, build'. See
be and cp. Boer. Cp. also bower, 'cottage', and
the second element in neighbor.
Derivatives: boor-ish, adj., boor-ish-ly, adv.,
boor-ish-ness, n.
boost, tr. v. and n. — Of unknown origin.
Derivative: boost-er, n.
boot, n., a leather covering for the foot. — ME.
bote, fr. OF. bote (F. botte), which is rel. to F.
bot, 'club-footed' ; prob. of Teut. origin.
Derivatives: boot, tr. v., boot-ed, adj., boot-ee,
n., boot-er, n., boot-er-y, n., boot-ing, n.
boot, n., advantage. — ME. bot, bote, fr. OE.
bot, 'remedy, cure, improvement, compensa-
tion', rel. to OS. bot, bota, ON. bot, OFris. bote,
Du. boete, OHG. but>3, buo3a, MHG. buose,
G. BufSe, 'penance, atonement', Goth, bota,
'advantage'. These words lit. mean 'a making
better'. See better and cp. bote.
Bootes, n., the Wagoner (a constellation). — L.
Bootes, fr. Gk. £ocI>-n;;, 'plowman', fr. (3ocoTeTv,
'to plow', fr. (Jou?, gen. P06;, 'ox', which is
cogn. with L. bos, gen. bovis, 'ox'. See bovine.
booth, n. — ME. bothe, borrowed fr. ODan.
both; rel. to ON. bud, 'a dwelling', MDu. boede,
MHG. buode, G. Bude, ON. bua, OE., OHG.
buan, 'to dwell', and cognate with Lith. butas,
'house', Olr. both, 'hut'. See be, build and cp.
boor, bothy, bound, 'ready', bower, 'cottage',
187
busk, 'to prepare', byre, the first element in by-
law and the second element in neighbor,
bootleg, tr. and intr. v. — The word orig. meant
'to carry prohibited alcoholic liquor in the leg
of a high boot.
Derivatives: bootleg, adj., bootlegg-er, n., boot-
legg-ing, n.
booty, n. — F. butin, fr. MLG. bate, 'share,
booty' (whence also Du. buit, MHG. biute,
G. Beute, 'booty'). E. booty was influenced in
form by an association with boot, 'advantage'.
The ending -y (inst. of -in) is due to the analogy
of other nouns in -y, -ty. Cp. the second element
in freebooter, filibuster.
booze, intr. v., to drink to excess (colloq.) — A
var. of bouse (q.v.)
Derivatives: booz-ed, adj., booz-er, n., booz-y,
adj., booz-i-ly, adv., booz-i-ness, n.
bo-peep, n., a childish game. — Formed fr. bo
and peep.
bora, n., a cold northeast wind. — It., a dialectal
form of borea, 'north wind', fr. L. boreas. See
boreal.
Borachio, n., name of a drunkard in Shakespeare's
Much Ado About Nothing. — Sp. borracho,
■drunk, intoxicated', fr. L. burrus, 'red' (see
burro); so called in allusion to the red com-
plexion of intoxicated people,
boracic, adj., boric. — See borax and -ic.
borage, n., a blue-flowered plant used in salads.
— ME., fr. OF. borrace (cp. its variant burage
and F. bourrache), fr. ML. borrdgo, ult. fr.
Arab, aba 'drak, lit. 'father of sweat', so called
by the Arab physicians because of its sudorific
effect. See abbot andc p. arrack,
boragjnaceous, adj. — Formed with suff. -aceous
fr. ML. borrdgo, gen. borrdginis. See prec. word,
borate, n., salt of boric acid (chem.) — See boron
and chem. suff. -ate.
borax, n., a white crystalline salt used as a flux
and an antiseptic. — F., fr. Arab, bauraq
(VArab. boraq), fr. Pers. burah.
bordage, n., the tenure of a border (Feudal sys-
, em ). — ML. borddgium. See next word and -age.
bordar, n., tenant (Feudal system). — ML. bor-
ddrius, fr. borda, 'cottage', fr. OF. borde, which
is a Teut. loan word. See board, 'table, plank',
and cp. border.
Bordeaux, bordeaux, n., claret. — From Bor-
deaux, name of a city and seaport in Southern
France; so called because the wine is shipped
from Bordeaux. The name of the city derives fr.
F. (la ville au) bordd'eaux, '(the city at) the edge
of waters' (see border and Eau de Cologne).
bordel, n., a brothel. — F., fr. Proven?., bordel,
'brothel', fr. OF. bordel, 'a poor hut, hovel',
dimin. of borde, 'hut', fr. Frankish *borda, 'hut
made from planks', fr. *bord, 'plank', which is
rel. to OE. bord, ON. bord, 'plank'. See board,
•table, plank',
border, n. — OF. (= F.) bordure, fr. border, 'to
border', fr. bord, 'a border', fr. Frankish *bord.
'border, edge; side of a ship', which is orig.
identical with *bord, 'plank'. See board, 'side of
a ship', and cp. bordage, border, bordure. Cp.
also prec. word.
Derivatives: border, v., border-ed, adj., border-
er, n.
bordure, n., a border around a shield (her.) —
F. See prec. word.
bore, tr. and intr. v., to pierce. — ME. borien, fr.
OE. borian, rel. to ON. bora, Swed. bona, Dan.
bore, OS., OHG. boron, MDu., Du. boren,
MHG. born, G. bohren, fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
cut with a sharp point; to bore, pierce', whence
also Arm. beran, 'mouth' (prop, 'opening'), Gk.
<papaw, <pap6<o, 'I plow', <p<4po<;, 'plow', <papay5,
'cleft, chasm', <pdcpuyC, 'throat, chasm, gulf, L.
ferire, 'to strike, smite', fordre, 'to bore, pierce',
OSlav. bar jo, brati (for *bor-ti), 'to strike, fight',
Lith. bdras, Lett, bars, 'swath', Lith. burnd,
'mouth', Russ. borond, 'harrow', Mir. bern,
berna, 'cleft, opening', Alb. brims, 'hole'. Cp.
bark, 'rind of a tree', barranca, barrow, 'castrated
boar', board, 'table, plank', board, 'side of a
ship', Boris, brackish, broom, burin, foralite,
foramen, interfere, perforate, pharynx, and the
second element in Dukhobors.
Derivatives: bore, n., bor-ed, adj., bore-dom, n.,
bor-er, n., bor-ing, adj., bor-ing-ly, adv., bor-
ing-ness, n.
bore, n., tidal wave. — ME. bore, 'wave, billow',
fr. ON. bdra, 'wave', lit. 'that which is borne
or carried', rel. to ON. bera, 'to bear'. See bear,
'to carry'.
bore, past tense of bear. — ME. See bear, 'to
carry'.
Boreades, n., pi. the wind gods Zetes and Calais,
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. BopcaSai, lit. 'the
sons of Boreas', fr. Bop£a?. See Boreas.
boreal, adj., pertaining to Boreas; northern. —
L. boredlis, fr. boreas. See next word and adj.
suff. -al.
Boreas, n., the god of the north wind in Greek
mythology. — L., fr. Gk. Bop£ag, fr. (Jop£a$,
'north wind', which is of uncertain origin. It
possibly stands for I.-E. *g w ore-yds and orig.
meant 'mountain wind', and is cogn. with OI.
girxh, Avestic gairi, 'mountain', Alb. gur, 'rock',
OSlav. gora, 'mountain', Lith. gire, 'forest'. Cp.
bora, Boreades, boreal and the second element
in Hyperborean. Cp. also Croat.
borecole, n., kind of cabbage. — Prob. fr. Du.
boerenkool, lit. 'peasant's cabbage'. See boor
and cole.
boric, adj., pertaining to, or containing, boron
(chem.) — See boron and -ic.
Boris, masc. PN. — OSlav., lit. meaning 'fight',
rel. to OSlav. barjg, brati (for *bor-ti), 'to fight',
and cogn. with L. ferire, 'to strike'. See bore,
'to pierce'.
born, borne, pp. of bear. — ME. boren, fr. OE.
boren, pp. of beran. See bear, 'to carry',
borne, adj., narrow-minded. — F., lit. 'limited'.
boron
188
pp. of borner, 'to limit', fr. OF. (= F.) borne,
'limit', fr. earlier bodne, a word of Gaulish
origin. See bourn and bound, 'limit'.
boron, n., name of a non-metallic element (chem.)
— Originally called by the English chemist Sir
Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) boracium, because
drawn fr. boracic (== boric) acid. See borax.
The ending -on in boron is due to the analogy
of carbon, where, however, the ending -on be-
longs to the stem.
borough, n. — ME. burgh, burwe, fr. OE. burg,
burh, burg, rel. to OS., OFris., burg, 'castle',
ON. borg, 'wall, castle', MDu. burch, borch,
borcht, Du. burcht, burg, OHG. burg, burc,
buruc, 'fortified place, citadel', MHG. burc,
G. Burg, 'castle', Goth, baurgs, 'city', OE. beorg,
etc., 'mountain'. These words prob. derive fr.
I.-E. base *bhergh-, 'high', whence also Arm.
berj, 'high place', OSlav. bregu, 'bank (of a
river)', W. bera, 'stack, pyramid', Mir. bri, acc.
brig, 'hill', Toch. A parkas, 'long', Hitt. parkush,
'high', OI. bfhdnt-, Avestic b e r e zant-, 'high',
OCeltic Brigantes, lit. 'the high ones' (cp. Bur-
gundians, fr. Late L. Burgundiones, lit. 'high-
landers'), prob. also OL. forctus, 'good', L.
for/is (fr. OL. forctis), 'strong', see Walde-Hof-
mann, LEW.,I,pp.535-36,s.v./of^.y,and Kluge-
Mitzka, EWDS., p. 67, s.v. Berg. Cp. barrow,
'mountain, mound', bourgeois, burgage, burgess,
burgh, burgrave, Burgundy, canterbury, faubourg,
gaussbcrgite, ghetto, Hapsburg, hauberk. Cp. al-
so Brahma, fort, and the second element in bar-
bicane. Cp. also the suff. -bury in English place
names, which comes fr. OE. byrig, the dative
sing of OE. burg. Base *bhergh- is prob. an en-
larged form of base *bher-, 'to carry, lift'. See
bear, 'to carry'.
Borrichia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (boi.) — ModL., named after the Danish
botanist Olof Borrich. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
borrow, tr. and intr. v. — ME. borwen, fr. OE.
borgian, 'to lend; to borrow', fr. borg, 'pledge,
security', rel. to ON. borga, 'to become bail for,
to guarantee', MDu. borghen, 'to protect, guar-
antee', OHG. boragen, borgen, 'to beware of ;
to spare ; to remit a debt', G. borgen, 'to bor-
row; to lend', biirgen, 'to become bail for, to
guarantee', OE. beorgan, OHG. bergan, 'to hide,
save'. See bury.
Derivatives: borrow-er, n., borrow-ing, n.
Borstal system. — So called fr. Borstal, a town
in Kent, England, in allusion to the reform
system adopted in its prisons.
borzoi, n., the Russian wolfhound. — Russ.
borzoy, lit. 'quick, swift', rel. to Czech brzy,
Serbo-Croat, brzo, 'quickly', and cogn. with
Lith. bruzdeti, bruzgeti, 'to hurry', burzdus,
'mobile, agile', and cogn. with the first element
in Avestic berez-cachra, 'having fast-moving
wheels'.
Bos, n., a genus of quadrupeds (zool.) — L. bos,
gen. bovis, 'ox'. See bovine and cp. the second
element in Ovibos.
boscage, n., a thicket. — OF. boscage (F. bocage),
'grove', fr. ML. boscus, 'wood'. See bush and
-age, and cp. bosquet, bouquet.
Boselaphus, n., a genus of antelopes, the nilgai
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of L. bos, 'ox',
and Gk. eXacpos, 'deer'. See Bos and eland,
bosh, n., empty talk, nonsense. — Turk. bosh.
bosk, n., a thicket. — ME. bosk, a var. of busk.
See bush, 'shrub', and cp. busk,
bosky, adj., bushy. — Formed fr. bosk with adj.
suff. -y.
bosket, bosquet, n., a thicket. — F. bosquet,
'grove, thicket', fr. It. boschetto, dimin. of bosco,
'wood', fr. ML. boscus, of s.m. See bush, 'shrub",
and cp. boscage, bouquet.
bosom, n. — ME., fr. OE. bosm, rel. to OFris.
bosm, OS. bosom, MDu. boesem, Du. boezem,
OHG. buosam, MHG. buosem, buosen, G. Bu-
sen; of uncertain etymology. For the suff. -om
cp. besom. Cp. embosom.
Derivatives: bossom-ed, adj., bossom-er, n.,
bossom-like, bossom-y, adjs.
bosquet, n. — See bosket.
boss, n., a protuberance. — ■ ME. boce, fr. OF.
boce (F. basse), which is perh. of Teut. origin.
Cp. OHG. bd33an, 'to thrust, beat', and see beat.
Cp. also emboss. Cp. also botch, 'a swelling",
cabbage, n., cabochon.
boss, n., master (colloq.) — Du. baas, 'master',
fr. MDu. baes, rel. to Fris. baes; not rel. to
OHG. basa (whence MHG. base, G. Base), 'aunt".
Derivative : boss, tr. and intr. v.
bostangi, bostanji, n., a gardener. — Turk, bos-
tanji, formed fr. bostan, 'garden', fr. Pers. bos-
tan, of s.m., with Turk. suff. -ji, which denotes
occupation or trade. Pers. bostan lit. means
'place of fragrance', fr. bo, 'smell, odor, fra-
grance', which is rel. to Avestic baoiSi-, of s.m.,
and -stdn, a suff. denoting place, which is rel. to
Avestic -stana (in compounds), 'place', lit. "a
place where to stand'. See Hindustani.
boston n., 1) a kind of valse; 2) a breed of dog. —
In both senses, named from Boston in Massa-
chusetts (U.S.A.)
bostonite, n., a kind of igneous rock (petrogr.) —
Named fr. Boston in Massachusetts, because
found at Marblehead Neck, near Boston. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Bostrychidae, n. pi., a family of beetles (entomol.)
— ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. {Joa-
-rpux°;. 'lock of hair, curl, foliage; a winged
insect', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
stands for *gwostruchos and orig. meant 'some-
thing twisted', and is cogn. with OSerb. goozd,
'forest', Czech hvozd, 'mountain', MHG., G.
quoit, quaste, 'tuft, knot', Alb. ge&, 'foliage,
branch'.
BosweU, n., admirer of a person. — Named after
James BosweU (1740-95), admirer and bio-
grapher of Dr. Johnson.
189
bottomry
Derivatives: Boswell-ian, adj., Boswell-ism, n.,
Boswell-ize, intr. and tr. v.
bot, bott, n., an insect larva. — Of unknown
etymology.
botany, n. — F. botanique, fr. Gk. f3oTavix7] (km-
o"C7)u,t)), lit. '(knowledge of) botany', prop. fem.
of po-ravwcd?, 'pertaining to herbs', fr. poTavq,
'pasture, fodder', which is rel. to p6ai<;, Pookt),
'food, fodder', (Waxeiv, 'to feed, nourish, tend',
lioaxot;, 'herdsman', (36(rx7]u,a, 'cattle', lit. 'that
which is fed'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *g w d-, 'to
feed', whence also Lith. guotas, 'herd', gaujd,
'herd, flock', guju, gititi, 'to drive'. Gk. po-ra-
vixy) emcjTTjuT) orig. meant 'the science of
fodder'. The ending -y in E. botany is due to the
influence of words like astronomy, etc. Cp. the
second element in Hippoboscidae, proboscis,
sybotic.
Derivatives: botan-ist, n., botan-ize, int. v.,
botan-iz-er, n.
botch, n., a swelling. — ONF. boche, correspond-
ing to OF. boce. See boss, 'protuberance'.
Derivatives: botch, tr. v., botch-y, adj., botch-
i-ly, adv., botch-i-ness, n.
botch, tr. v., to mend; intr. v., to do mending. —
ME. bocchen, 'to patch, mend', of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: botch, n., botch-ed, adj., botch-er,
n., botch-ery, n.
botfly, n. — Compounded of bot and fly, n.
bote, n., compensation. — ME. form of boot,
'advantage' (q.v.) Cp. the second element in
haybote.
boterol, boteroll, n. {her.) — F. bouterolle, fr. bou-
ter, 'to beat, push' (later 'to put, place'), fr.
Frankish *bdtan, 'to beat, strike', which is rel. to
OHG. bd33an and ON. bauta, of s.m. See beat
and -ole.
both, adj., pron. and conj. — ME. bathe, bothe,
fr. ON. bapir, which is rel. to OS. bethia, OFris.
bethe, Du. beide, OHG. beide, bede (masc), beido
(fem.), beidiu (neut.), MHG. beide, bede (masc.
and fem.), beidiu (neut.), G. beide, Goth, bajops,
'both'; formed fr. Teut. *ba-, 'both', and the
def. article (see the). The first element in both,
etc., is rel. to OE. begen (masc), ba (fem. and
neut.), Coth. bai (masc), ba (neut.), 'both', and
cogn. with the second element, in OI. u-bhdu
(masc), u-bhl (fem.), Avestic u-wa (masc), u-be
(fem.), 'both', Toch. Aam-pi,am-pe,Bant-api,
Gk. #[i-9&>, 'both', aji-cpi, 'round about', L.
am-bo, 'both', am-bi-, 'around', OSlav. o-ba,
Lith. a-bu, Lett, a-bi, OPruss. ab-bai, 'both'. Cp.
ambi-, am phi-.
bother, tr. and intr. v. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bother, n., botheration (q.v.),
bother-er, n.
botheration, n., bother (colloq.) — A hybrid
coined from the verb bother and -ation, a suff.
of Latin origin.
bothrio-, combining form for bothrium. — See
bothrium.
Bothriocephalus, n., a genus of tapeworms (zool.)
— ModL., lit. 'having heads resembling little
pits', fr. Gk. (36&piov, 'a little pit', and xetpaX/;,
'head'. See next word and cephalic.
bothrium, n., a sucker (esp. on the head of a tape-
worm; zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. (36&piov, 'a
little pit', dimin. of p6-&poq, 'pit, ditch, trench',
which is prob. cogn. with h.fodere, 'to dig', fossa,
'ditch'. See bed and cp. fosse. Cp. also the sec-
ond element in Cyclobothra.
bothy, n., a hut. — Of Celtic origin. Cp. Olr.
both, 'hut', and see booth.
botone, botony, adj., having a trefoil at the end
(her.) — F. boutonne, pp. of boutonner, 'to bud ;
to button', fr. bouton, 'bud; button'. See button.
bo tree. — Singhalese bo, fr. Pali bodhi, shortened
fr. bodhi-taru, 'bo tree', lit. 'tree of wisdom or
enlightenment', fr. bodhi, 'wisdom, enlighten-
ment', and taru, 'tree'. Pali bodhi is rel. to OI.
buddhdh, 'awakened, enlightened'. See Buddha.
Borrychium, n., a genus of plants, the moonwort
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. fSoTpu/oi;, 'grapestalk',
which is rel. to p6xpu<;, 'a cluster of grapes' (see
next word) ; so called because its sporangia form
a cluster resembling that of grapes. See next
word.
botryo-, before a vowel botry-, combining form
meaning 'cluster, clusterlike'. — Gk. -PoTpuo-,
fioTpu-, fr. p6rpui;, 'a cluster of grapes', of
uncertain origin. Cp. prec. word.
bottega, n., shop, workshop. — It., fr. L. apo-
theca, 'storehouse (esp. of wine)', fr. Gk.
a7ro{W)x7], 'any place wherein to lay up some-
thing; magazine, storehouse'. See apothecary
and cp. bodega, boutique.
bottle, n. — ME. hotel, fr. OF. botele (F. bou-
teille),fT.\h. butticula, dimin. of Late L. buttis,
'cask', fr. Gk. mcrfvT), 'flask covered with plaited
osier' (through the medium of Tarent. |3urtvr), of
s.m.). Cp. butt, 'barrel', butler. For the change of
Gk. 7t to L. b cp. ML. buxida, fr. Gk. 7rj^tSa, acc.
of m&JLc,, 'box' (see box, 'tree', and box, 're-
ceptacle').
Derivatives: bottle, tr. v., bottl-ed, adj.
bottom, n. — ME. botme, botome, fr. OE. botm,
'lowest part, depth, bottom', rel. to OS. bodom,
ON. botn, OFris. boden, 'soil', Du. bodem,
OHG. bodam, MHG., bodem, G. Boden,
'ground, soil, earth', and cogn. with OI. budh-
ndh, Gk. ttuS-^v, 'foundation, bottom', L.
fundus (metathesis for *fudnos), 'bottom; piece
of land, farm', Olr. bond (metathesis for *bodn),
'sole of the foot'. Cp. found, 'to establish', foun-
der, v., fund, fundament, profound.
Derivatives: bottom, adj. and v., bottom-less,
adj., bottomry (q.v.)
bottomry, n., bond by which the vessel is hypo-
thecated for the loan of the money advanced
on the security of the ship. — A blend of bot-
tom, in the sense of 'ship', and Du. bodemerij,
'bottomry', fr. MLG. bodmen, verbodmen, fr.
bodem, 'bottom; to lend a ship and its cargo',
botulism
ITU
Cp. F. bomerie, 'bottomry', which also derives
fr. Du. bodemerij.
botulism, n., sausage poisoning. — G. Botulismus,
coined fr. L. botulus, 'sausage', and suff. -ismus.
See bowel and -ism.
bouche, n., mouth (obsol.) — F., 'mouth', fr. L.
bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and cp. bonne bouche.
boucle, n., a kind of yarn having small curly
loops. — F., lit. 'buckled, curled', pp. of bou-
cler, 'to buckle, curl', fr. boucle, 'buckle, curl'.
See buckle.
boudoir, n., a woman's private sitting room. —
F., lit. 'sulking or pouting room', fr. bouder,
'to sulk, pout', which is of imitative origin. Cp.
pout.
Bougainvillaea, n., a small genus of woody vines.
— Named after the French navigator Louis
Bougainville (1729-1811).
bough, n. — ME. bogh, fr. OE. bog, boh, 'arm,
shoulder, bough', rel. to ON. bdgr, 'shoulder;
bow of a ship', OHG. buog, MHG. buoc, G. Bug,
'shoulder, hock, joint', fr. I.-E. 'bhdghus-, 'el-
bow, arm', whence also OI. bahuh, Avestic bdzu,
Arm. bazuk, 'arm', Gk. 7rijx u <;> Dor. rax"?,
'elbow', Toch. A poke, B pauke, 'arm'. Cp. bow,
'the fore part of a ship'.
bought, past tense and pp. of buy. — ME.
boht(e), fr. OE. bohte, resp. (ge)boht. See buy.
bougie, n., 1) a wax candle; 2) a surgical instru-
ment used to dilate a body canal. — F., 'wax
candle', fr. Bougie, Bugia, a town of Algeria.
The orig. meaning was 'fine wax candles
brought from Bugia', and only at a relatively
later period did the sense of the word develop
into 'candles brought from Algeria', and 'can-
dles' in general.
bouillabaisse, n., a kind of fish stew. — F., bor-
rowed fr. Provenc. bouiabaisso, prop, a com-
pound of the imperatives of two verbs, cor-
responding to F. bous-abaisse and to Engl, boil-
abase (this latter taken in its original sense 'to
lower'), expressing, in a joking way, the rapidity
of the cooking. See boil, v., and abase and cp.
bouilli, bouillon.
bouilli, n., boiled meat. — F., prop. pp. of bouil-
lir, 'to boil'. See boil, v., and cp. next word.
bouillon, n., a strong broth. — F., 'broth', fr.
bouillir, 'to boil'. See boil, v., and cp. prec. word
and the first element in bouillabaisse,
boulder, n., a large stone. — Short for boulder
stone, fr. ME. bulderstan, prob. of Scand. ori-
gin; cp. Dan. buldre, Swed. bullra, 'to roar,
rattle', dial. Swed. bullersten, 'a large stone in
a stream'.
boule, n., council in ancient Greece. — Gk.
flouXT], 'counsel, deliberation, decree, council',
rel. to fJo\iXE<j$oa, 'to will, wish'. The orig.
meaning of this verb was 'to throw oneself upon
something' (in a spiritual sense). It stands in
gradational relationship to (JaXXeiv, 'to throw' ;
see ballistic. See Frisk, GEW., I, pp. 258-59 s.v.
boule, n., a game. — F., 'ball', fr. L. bulla, 'any
round object, bubble, boss'. See bill, 'document'.
boulevard, n. — F., earlier boloart, boulevert,
balouart, belouart, orig. meaning 'work of forti-
fication', fr. MDu. bolwerc. See bulwark.
boulter, n., a long line for fishing, with hooks
attached. — Of unknown origin.
bounce, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bunsen. Cp. LG.
bunsen, Du. bonzen, 'to beat, thump'. Cp. also
jounce.
Derivatives: bounce, n., bounc-er, n., bounc-ing,
adj., bounc-ing-ly, adv.
bound, n., limit. — ME. bounde, fr. earlier bunne,
fr. OF. bonne, fr. earlier bodne, 'limit, boun-
dary', fr. ML. bodina, which is prob. of Gaulish
origin. Cp. borne.
Derivatives: bound, tr. v., to set a limit to,
intr. v., to have a boundary, boundary (q.v.),
bound-less, adj., bound-less-ly, adv., bound-less-
ness, n.
bound, intr. v., to leap. — F. bondir, 'to rebound,
resound, echo', fr. VL. *bombitire, formed—
prob. on the analogy of VL. "tinnitire (whence
OF. tentir, F. retentir), 'to resound'— fr. L.
bombire, 'to resound', fr. bombus, 'a hollow,
deep sound'. Cp. Late L. bombitdre, 'to buzz,
hum', another derivative of L. bombire. See
bomb and cp. bombard, rebound.
Derivatives: bound, a leap, bound-ing, adj.,
bound-ing-ly, adv.
bound, adj., 1) ready (obsol.); 2) ready to go,
going. — ME. boun, bun, 'prepared, ready', fr.
ON. buinn, pp. of biia, 'to dwell, prepare'. See
be and cp. boor, bower, 'cottage', booth, bothy.
The d in bound is excrescent. Cp. pound, 'to
beat', round, 'to whisper', sound, 'noise',
horehound.
bound, past tense and pp. of bind. — ME. bun-
ded), past tense, resp. pp. of binden. See bind.
boundary, n. — A blend of bound, 'limit', and
ML. bonndrium, 'piece of land with a fixed
limit', fr. OF. bonne, 'limit'. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ary.
bounden, adj. — ME. bounden, fr. OE. bunden,
pp. of bindan, 'to bind'. See bind.
bounder, n., an ill-bred person. — Formed fr.
bound, 'to leap', with agential suff. -er.
bounteous, adj., 1) generous; 2) abundant. —
ME. bountevous, formed with suff. -ous fr. OF.
bontif, fern, bontive, fr. bonte (F. bonte). See
bounty. Derivatives: bounteous-ly, adv., boun-
teous-ness, n.
bountiful, adj. — Compounded of bounty and
-ful.
Derivatives; bountiful-ly, adv., bountiful-ness, n.
bounty, n. — OF. bonte (F. bonte), fr. L. boni-
tdtem, acc. of bonitds, 'goodness', fr. bonus,
'good'. See bonus and cp. It. bontd, Rum. bund-
tate, Engadine bundet, OProvenc., Catal. bon-
tat, Sp. bondad, Port, bondade, 'goodness',
which all derive fr. L. bonitdtem. For the endi.
see suff. -ty.
bouquet, n., 1) a bunch of flowers, nosegay;
2) aroma. — F., orig. meaning 'grove, thicket',
dimin. formed fr. ML. boscus, 'wood', whence
also F. bois, 'wood, forest'; see bush and cp.
bosket. For the original sense of bouquet cp.
bouquet d'arbres, 'group of trees, grove'.
Bourbon, n., a member of the royal family in
France which reigned 1589-1792 and 181 5-
1848. — F., from Bourbon l'Archambault, chief
town of a lordship in central France. The place
name Bourbon is traceable to Borvo, name of a
thermal deity. See burbot.
Derivatives: Bourbon-ism, n., Bourbon-ist, n.
bourdon, n., pilgrim's staff. — F. bourdon, fr.
ML. burddnem, acc. of burdd, fr. L. burdus,
'mule'. For sense development cp. chevron, ram,
sawbuck, sawhorse.
bourdon, n., a drone bass. — F., fr. ML. bur-
ddnem, acc. of burdd. See burden, 'refrain'.
bourette, n., a kind of silk linen or cotton yarn
with knots. — F. bourrette, dimin. of bourre,
'flock (for stuffing or padding); floss silk', fr.
Late L. burra, 'a shaggy garment' wich is cogn.
with Gk. (kppov, 'thick with hair, shaggy'. See
bureau and -ette and cp. burel, burl, burlesque.
bourgeois, adj., characteristic of the middle class;
middle-class; n., one of the middle class. — ■
F. , fr. bourg, 'small town', hence prop, meaning
'inhabitant of a bourg'; of Teut. origin. See
borough and cp. burgess. Cp. also burgee.
bourgeois, n., a size of printer's type (print). —
Named after Bourgeois, a French type founder.
bourgeoisie, n., middle class. — F., fr. bourgeois.
See bourgeois, 'middle class'.
bourn, bourne, also burn, n., a stream. — ME.
burne, borne, fr. OE. brunna, burna, rel. to OS.,
OHG. brunno, ON. brunnr, Norw. brunn, brynn,
Dan. br0nd, Swed. brunn, OFris. burna, MLG.,
MDu. borne, Du. bron, MHG. brunne, brun,
G. Brunnen and Born, Goth, brunna, 'well,
spring', and cogn. with Gk. <ppsap, 'well, spring',
Arm. albeur (gen. alber), 'source', Russ. brujd,
'current', bruit', 'to stream with force'. For
more cognates see barm, brand, bread, brew,
broil (in both senses), broth, and fervent, phreatic.
bourn, bourne, n., a limit. — F. borne, fr. earlier
bodne. See bound, 'limit'.
bourree, n., an old lively French dance. — F.,
prop. fem. pp. of bourrer, 'to cram, to stuff (a
chair, etc.)', fr. Late L. burra, 'a shaggy gar-
ment', which is rel. to L. birrus, 'a kind of cloak' ;
see burnous. The dance was prob. so called from
its rude and uncouth movements.
bourse, n. — F., 'purse, exchange', fr. Late L.
bursa, 'purse' (see purse). The sense develop-
ment of the word is due to the following facts.
In the 13th cent, a famous family of merchants
living in Bruges (Belgium) was called Van der
Burse (in allusion to the three purses contained
in their coat of arms). The place before their
house became a celebrated meeting center of
merchants and bankers. This is why the Ex-
change of Antwerp built after the pattern of
that in Bruges was called Bourse. Later this word
became the general name denoting exchange.
See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 81. Cp. bur-
sar, disbourse.
bouse, n., a drink. — ME. bous, fr. MDu. buse,
'cup'. See next word.
bouse, intr. and tr. v. to carouse. — ME. bousen,
fr. MDu. biisen, 'to carouse', rel. to MHG. bus,
'act of swelling, inflation' ; of uncertain origin.
Cp. booze.
Derivatives: bous-er, n., bous-y, adj.
boustrophedon, n., an old form of writing, in
which lines run alternately from right to left and
from left to right. — Gk. poucTpofpvjSov, 'turn-
ing as an ox turns in plowing', compounded of
^oOs, 'ox', and aTpsqjeiv, 'to turn'. See bovine
and strophe.
bout, n., a contest. — Fr. earlier bought, 'bend',
from the base of bow, 'to bend', and in gradation-
al relationship to bight.
boutade, n., whim, caprice. — F., fr. bouter, 'to
beat, push', fr. Frankish *bdtan, 'to beat', which
is rel. to OHG. bd33an, OE. beatan, of s.m. See
See beat and -ade and cp. boterol, butt, 'to strike'.
Bouteloua, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Spanish botanist Claudio
Boutelou (1774-1842).
boutique, n., a shop. — F., fr. OProvenc. botica
(also botiga), fr. Gk. &.no§r l x.T i , 'any place
wherein to lay up something; magazine, store-
house', whence also L. apotheca. See apothecary
and cp. bodega, bottega. The vowel i (for e) is
due to the MGk. pronunciation of 7] as /.
bouts-rimes, n. pi., rhyming words to which ver-
ses are to be composed. — F., lit. 'rhyming
ends'. See butt, 'the thicker end of anything'
and rhyme.
bovate, n., a measure of land (obsol.) — ML.
bovdta, fr. L. bos, gen. bovis, 'ox'. See next word.
bovine, adj., pertaining to the ox. — Late L. bo-
vinus, fr. L. bos, gen. bovis, 'ox', which stands for
*g w 6us, and is rel. to Umbr. bum, 'the ox'
(acc.), and cogn. with OHG. chuo, OE. cu,
'cow'. See cow and cp. words there referred to.
For the ending see adj. suff. -ine.
Bovista, n., a genus of gasteromycetous fungi. —
ModL., fr. G. Bovist (also Bofist), 'puffball',
dissimulated fr. earlier vohenfist, fr. MHG. vohe,
'vixen'; see fox. The second element is cogn.
with OI. picchord, 'pipe, flute', OSlav. piskati,
'to whistle', fr. the I.-E. imitative base *peis-,
'to blow'.
bow, intr. and tr. v., to bend. — ME. bugen,
bogen, howen, bugen, fr. OE. bugan, 'to bow
down, stoop, bend, turn; to flee', rel. to OS. bu-
gan, MLG. bugen, MDu. bughen, Du. buigen,
OHG. biogan, MHG., G. biegen, Goth, biugan,
'to bend', ON. boginn, 'bent', beygja, 'to bend',
Dan. bugne, beie, Swed. buga, bdja, 'to bend', fr.
I.-E. base *bheug(h)-, 'to bend', whence also OI.
M«/<fr/','bends, thrusts aside' ,bhuktdfi, 'bent' .Base
bow
19Z
*bheug(h)-, 'to bend', is identical with base
*bheug-, 'to flee', which prop, meant originally,
'to bend one's course away from a place',
whence Gk. tpsuyziv, L. fugere, 'to flee', Lith.
bfigstu, bugti, 'to be frightened'. For sense de-
velopment cp. OE. bugan, 'to bow down, stoop;
to bend, turn; to flee'. Cp.bow, 'anything bent',
bight, bout, buxom, akimbo. Cp. also fugitive
and words there referred to.
Derivative: bow, n., inclination of the head,
bow, n., anything bent; rainbow; weapon. —
ME. bowe, fr. OE. boga, rel. to ON. bogi, OFris.
boga, Du. boog, OHG. bogo, MHG. boge, G.
Bogen, 'bow', and to OE. bugan, etc., 'to bend',
and cogn. with Ir. fid-bocc, 'wooden bow'. See
bow, 'to bend', and cp. elbow, embow.
Derivatives: bow, intr. v., to use the bow, bow-
ed, adj., bow-ing, n.
bow, n., the fore part of a ship. — Of Scand.
origin. Cp. ON. bogr, Dan. bov, Swed. bog,
'shoulder; bow of a ship'. See bough,
bowdlerize, tr. v., to expurgate. — Formed with
suff. -ize from the name of Thomas Bowdler,
who in 1818 published The Family Shakespeare,
expurgating from it, according to his own
words, 'whatever is unfit to be read by a gentle-
man in a company of ladies'.
Derivative: bowdler-iz-ation, n.
bowel, n. — ME. bouei, bouele, fr. OF. boel (F.
boyau), fr. L. botellus, dimin. of bolulus, 'sau-
sage', fr. I.-E. base *gwet-, *geut-, *giit-, 'to
vault', whence also L. guttur, 'throat', Goth.
qihus, OE. cwid, 'belly, womb', ON. kvidr,
'belly', MHG. kutel, G. Kutteln, 'guts, bowels;
tripe; chitterlings'. The above base is a dental
enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch'. See 1st cove and cp. botulism, boyau, chit-
terling. Cp. also bitumen, cud, guttural.
Derivatives: bowel, tr. v., bowel(l)-ed, adj.
bowenite, n., a variety of serpentine (mineral.) —
Named after G.T.Bowen, who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bowe.-, n., one who, or that which bows. —
Formed fr. bow, 'to bend', with agential suff. -er.
bower, n., an anchor carried at the bow of a ship.
— Formed fr. bow, 'the fore part of a ship', with
suff. -er.
bower, n., cottage. — ME. bour, 'chamber', fr.
OE. bur, rel. to ON. bur, 'chamber', Swed. bur,
'cage', OHG. bur, 'dwelling, chamber', MHG.
bur, 'chamber, cage', G. Bauer, 'cage'. These
words lit. mean 'lodging', and are rel. to ON.
bua, OE. Man, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. boor,
byre. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: bower-y, adj.
bower, n., the knave in cards. — G. Bauer,
'peasant', fr. MHG. gebure, fr. OHG. giburo,
which is rel. to bur, 'a lodging'. See prec. word,
bowie knife. — Named after its inventor Colonel
James Bowie (1799-1836).
bowl, n., a hollow vessel. — ME. bolle, fr. OE.
holla, rel. to ON. bolle, OHG. bolla, MHG. bolle.
'a round vessel', G. Bolle, 'bulb', OHG. bolon,
'to roll', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to swell'. See ball,
'a round body', and cp. boll and the second
element in rocambole.
Derivatives: bowl-er, n., round felt hat, bowl-y,
adj., bent.
bowl, n., a wooden ball. — F. boule, fr. L. bulla,
'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and cp. bolero.
Derivatives : bowl, tr. v., to roll (bowls) ; intr. v. .
to roll rapidly, bowler (q.v.), bowl-ing, n.
bowler, n., one who bowls. — Formed from prec.
word with agential suff. -er.
bowler, n., a hard round hat. — Formed with
suff. -er fr. bowl, 'hollow vessel',
bowline, n., a rope used to keep the sail taut
( waHf .) _ ME. bouline, fr. OF. bouline, which is
of LG. origin. Cp. MDu. boech-lme (whence
Du. boeglijn), 'bowline', and see bow, 'the fore
part of a ship', and line,
bowls, n. pi., name of a game. — PI. of bowl, 'a
wooden ball'.
bowly, bowry, n., a well with steps leading down
to the water (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, baoli, bdori.
'a well'. Cp. OI. vavrdh, 'hole, well',
bowsprit, n., the spar extending from the bow of j
a ship. — ME. bouspret, prob. fr. MLG. bdeh- \
spret, fr. bdeh, 'bow' (which is rel. to ON. bog) ;
'bow'), and spret, 'pole' (which is rel. to OE.
spreot, 'pole'). Cp. Du. boegspriet, Dan. bug-
spryd, Swed. bogsprbt, G. Bugspriet. F. beaupre \
is a Dutch loan word. See bow, 'the fore part of i
a ship', and sprit. >
bowwow, n., and intr. v. — Of imitative origin,
bowyer, n., maker, or seller of bows. — Formed ,
fr. bow, 'weapon', with suff. -yer.
box, n., the tree. — ME., fr. OE. box, fr. L. buxus
(whence also It. bosso, F. buis), fr. Gk. tvjIoq,
'box tree', which is perhaps a loan word of
Thraco-Phrygian origin. Cp. next word, bushing,
Buxus, and pyx. Cp. also the second element in
arquebus, blunderbuss. For the change of Greek
tt to b in Latin— which is prob. due to Etruscan
influence — cp. burro, carbasus and sbirro.
box, n., case, chest. — ME., fr. OE. box, orig. 'a
receptacle made of boxwood', fr. L. buxum,
'anything made of boxwood', fr. buxus, 'box
tree' ; see prec. word. Cp. MDu. bosse, busse and
OHG. buhsa (whence MHG. buhse, G. Biichse),
which derive fr. VL. *buxem, contraction of
*buxidem, acc. of buxis, which corresponds to
Classical L. pyxis, 'box of boxwood', fr. Gk.
to^lc, of s.m., fr. ttj?o;, 'box tree'. Cp. also
OF. boiste (whence F. hoile), which comes fr.
VL. buxida, acc. of buxis. Cp. also Boxing day
and bush, 'metal lining',
box, a blow. — ME., of uncertain, possibly imi-
tative, origin.
Derivatives : box, intr. v., boxer{q.v.), boxing, n.
boxer, n., a person who fights with his fists. —
Formed fr. prec. word with agential suff. -er.
Boxer, n., a member of a Chinese secret society.
— Loan translation of Chinese / he cKuan,
193
'righteous, uniting fists', a phrase originating in
the misunderstanding of the original name
/ he fuan, 'righteous harmony band'.
Boxing day, name given to Dec. 26th. — See box,
'case, chest'. Dec. 26th was so called from the
custom of distributing on this day the contents
of the Christmas box, i.e. the box (placed in the
church for charity and) opened on Christmas day.
boxwallah, n., a native peddlar in India (Anglo-
Ind.) — Hind, bakaswdld, a hybrid coined fr.
bakas = English box, 'case', and Hind. suff.
-wdld; see wallah. For sense development cp.
Scot, packman, 'peddlar'.
boy, n.— ME. boi, rel. to the OE.PN. Bofa, OFris.
boy, 'a young gentleman', MDu. boeve, Du. boef,
'knave, villain', the OHG. PN. Buobo, MHG.
buobe, G. Bube, 'boy', and in vowel gradational
relationship to E. babe, baby (qq.v)
Derivatives : boy, tr. and intr. v., boy-hood, n.,
boy-ish, adj., boy-ish-ly, adv., boy-ish-ness, n.,
boy-ism, n.
boyar, n. , a member of an order in Russian aristo-
cracy. — Russ. boyarin, fr. boji, 'struggle', in
gradational relationship to OSlav. bijo, biti,
'to strike', bicl, 'whip', Russ. bib, 'mallet', fr.
I.-E. base *bhei-, 'to cut'. See bill, 'sword'.
boyau, n., trench; zigzag. — F., lit. 'gut, bowel',
fr. L. botellus, 'a little sausage', dim. of botulus.
See bowel and cp. botulism.
boycott, tr. v., to combine in refusing to deal
with. — Fr. Captain Charles Boycott, landagent
at Lough-Mask in the county of Mayo, Ireland,
who was the first to be so treated (in 1880).
Derivatives: boycott, n., boycott-age, n., boy-
cott-er, n.
brab, n., the Palmyra tree. — Corruption of Port.
brava (which is short for palmeira brava, 'wild
palm'), fern, of bravo, 'wild', fr. L. barbarus.
See brave.
brace, n., clasp, buckle. — ME. brace, fr. OF.
brace, brasse, 'the two arms' (whence F. brasse,
'fathom, armful'), fr. L. brachia, 'the arms', pi.
(of the neut. noun brachium) mistaken for a fern,
sing, noun, fr. Gk. fipx/tcov, 'arm', which de-
rives fr. Ppayj?, 'short', and prop, means 'that
which is shorter (than the forearm)'. See brachy-
and cp. bracelet, brachial, brassard, braza, em-
brace, bretzel, and the second element in vam-
brace.
brace, tr. v., to encompass. — ME., fr. OF. bra-
cier, 'to embrace', fr. brace, 'the two arms'. See
brace, 'clasp'.
Derivatives: brac-ing, n. and adj.
brace, n., rope attached to the yard of a vessel
(nam.) — From F. bras in bras de vergue. 'tackle
for trimming a yard', fr. L. brachium, 'arm'. See
brace, 'clasp'.
bracelet, n. — OF. (= F.), formed with the
double dimin. suff. -elet, fr. braz (F. bras),
'arm'. Bracelet lit. means 'a little arm". See
brace, 'clasp, buckle', -el and -et.
Derivative: bracelet-ed, adj.
bracer, n., armor for the arm (archaic). — ME.,
fr. OF. brasseure, formed fr. braz (F. bras),
'arm' (see brace, 'clasp, buckle'), with suff. -eure,
ure, which was changed in English to -er.
brach, n., a bitch hound (archaic). — ME. brache,
'a scenting hound', fr. OF. brache, which is of
WTeut. origin; cp. MDu. bracke, OHG. brac-
cho, MHG., G. bracke, 'hound, setter'. It.
bracco, Provenc. brae, of s.m., are Teut. loan
words; F. braque is borrowed either fr. Italian
or fr. Provencal. The above Teut. words are
rel. to MHG. brxhen, 'to smell', and cogn.
with L. fragrdre, 'to smell sweetly'. See fra-
grant.
brachet, n., a little brach. — F. brachet, 'scenting
hound', dimin. of OF. brache. See prec. word
and -et.
brachi-, form of brachio- before a vowel.
brachial, adj., pertaining to the arm. — L. bra-
chials, fr. brachium, 'arm'. See brace, 'clasp',
and adj. suff. -al.
brachiate, adj., having branches arranged in
pairs. — L. brachidtus, 'having branches that
resemble arms', fr. brachium, 'arm'. See brace,
'clasp', and adj. suff. -ate.
brachio-, before a vowel brachi-, combining form
meaning 'arm' (anat.) — Gk. fipoiyw-, ?P«X l ~>
fr. Ppayjcov, 'arm'. See brace, 'clasp'.
brachy-, combining form meaning 'short'. — Gk.
(Bpayu-, fr. ppa/ii?, 'short', which is cogn. with
L. brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj. and cp. brace,
'clasp'. Cp. also the second element in amphi-
brach, tribrach.
brachy cephalic, also brachycephalous, adj., short-
headed (anthropometry). — Formed fr. brachy-,
Gk. xccpaAT), 'head' and suff. -ic, resp. -ous. See
cephalic. Cp. Gk. [ipayj^aXo;;, name of a fish,
lit. 'short-headed'. The word was first used in
anthropometry by the Swedish anthropometrist
Magnus Gustaf Retzius (1842-1919).
brachylogy, n., a concise phrase or expression,
brevity in speech. — Gk. Ppa/uXoyii, 'brevity
in speech', compounded of ^pay i;, 'short', and
-'koyii, fr. -Aoyoc,, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See brachy- and -logy.
bracken, n., a coarse fern. — ME. broken, prob.
of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. broken, 'fern', and
see brake, 'a fern'.
bracket, n. — F. braguette, 'codpiece', dimin. of
brogue, 'breeches', a loan word fr. OProvenc.
braga, 'clout', in the pi. bragas, 'breeches', fr.
L. brdca, pi. hrdcae, 'breeches', whence also It.
brache (pi.), "trousers', Catal., Sp., Port, braga,
'clout', in the pi. bragas, breeches', V. braie,
'clout', in the pi. braies, 'breeches'. Sec breeches
and cp. brail.
Derivatives: bracket, tr. v., bracket-ing, n.
brackish, adj., salty, fresh. — Formed with adj.
suff. -ish fr. obsol. brack, 'salty', fr. MDu. brae,
'salt water' (whence Du. brak water, G. Brack-
wasser, Swed. brakvatten, Dan. brakvand); fr.
bract
194
I.-E. base *bher-, 'to cut', whence also E. bore,
'to pierce' (q.v.)
Derivative: brackish-ness, n.
bract, n., a small leaf at the base of a flower
(bot.) — L. bractea, 'a thin metal plate', of un-
certain origin. The correct form is brattea.
bracteal, adj., pertaining to bracts. — Formed fr.
L. bractea (see prec. word) with adj. suff. -al.
bracteate, adj., having bracts (bot.) — L. brac-
teatus, 'covered with thin plates', fr. bractea. See
bract and adj. suff. -ate.
brad, n., a small wire nail. — ME. brod, 'spike,
headless nail', fr. ON. broddr, of s.m., which is
rel. to OE. brord, 'point; spire of grass', OHG.
brort, 'point; edge; crown'. Cp. broider, prod,
bradawl, n. — Compounded of brad and awl.
Bradbury, n., an English treasure note for £ I
or i os., signed by John Bradbury, secretary to
the Treasury.
brady-, combining form meaning 'slow'. — Gk.
[ipaSu-, fr. (ipaStii;, 'slow', which stands for
*g K jdus and is cogn. with Lith. gurdiis, 'tardy,
negligent', Lett, gurds, 'tired'.
brae, n., slope, river bank (Scot.) — ON. bra,
'eyelash', rel. to OE. brxw, 'eyelid', OFris. bre,
'eyebrow', OHG. brdwa, 'eyebrow', orig. 'eye-
lash, eyelid', MHG. brd(we), G. Braue, 'eye-
brow', Goth, brafvaugins, 'moment', fr. I.-E.
base *bherek-, 'to shine', whence also OE. breg-
dan, 'to move quickly, brandish; to weave'. See
braid. E. brow is not related to brae.
brag, intr. v. — ME. braggen, fr. OF. braguer,
'to brag', fr. brague, 'bragging', which is of un-
certain origin.
Derivatives: brag, n., braggart (q.v.), bragg-er,
n., bragg-ing, adj., bragg-ing-Iy , adv.
braggadocio, n., a braggart. — A hybrid coined
by Edmund Spenser (1552-99) in his Faerie
Queen, fr. E. brag, and It. pejorative suff. -occio.
braggart, n., a boaster; adj., boastful. — OF.
bragard, fr. braguer. See brag and -ard.
bragite, n., a variety of fergusonite (mineral) —
Named after Brage, the Norse god of poetry.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Brahma, Brahaman, n., 1) the impersonal world
soul ; 2) the chief member of the trinity Brahma,
Vishnu and Siva (Hindu religion). — OI. brah-
man- (neut.), 'prayer, the universal soul, the Ab-
solute' (in this last sense exceptionally treated
as masculine), Brahman (masc), 'the chief god
of Hindu religion', of uncertain origin; possibly
related to OI. brhdnt-, 'high', fr. I.-E. base
*bhergh-, 'high'. See borough.
Derivatives: Brahma-hood, n., Brahma-ic, adj.,
Brahman, n. (see next word)
Brahman, n., a member of the highest priestly
caste among the Hindus. — OI. brahmana-, fr.
brahman-, 'prayer'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: Brahman, adj., Brahman-ic, adj..
Brahman-ism, n., Brahman-ist , n., Brahman-ist-
ic, Brahman-y, adjs.
Brahmanee, Brahmani, n., a Brahmin woman. —
OI. brahmani, fem. of brahmana-. See prec. word.
brahmapootra, usually shortened to brahma, n.,
name of a large species of fowl. — From Brah-
maputra, name of the great river in India.
Brahmin, n. — A var. of Brahman.
braid, tr. v. — ME. breiden, braiden, fr. OE. breg-
dan, 'to move quickly, brandish; to weave', rel.
to ON. bregda, 'to brandish, turn about, braid',
OS. bregdan, 'to weave', Du. breien, 'to knit',
OHG. brettan, MHG. bretten, 'to draw, weave,
braid'. The orig. meaning of these words was
'to move suddenly to and fro'. They ult. derive
fr. I.-E. base *bherek-, 'to shine', whence also
OI. bhrdsate, 'flames, blazes, shines', Gk. qopxos,
'white, gray'. Cp. brae, bream, a fish, bridle,
broider, upbraid. Cp. also bright and words
there referred to.
Derivatives : braid, n., braid-ed, adj., braid-ing, n.
Braidism, n., hypnotism. — Named after
James Braid in Manchester (died in i860). For
the ending see suff. -ism.
Braidist, n., a hypnotist. — See prec. word and
-ist.
brail, n., rope used for hauling in a sail before
furling. — ME. brayle, fr. OF. braiel, 'breech
girdle', fr. braie, 'breeches', fr. L. brdcdle, of
s.m., fr. brdca, pi. brdcae, 'breeches'. See
breeches and cp. bracket.
Derivative: brail, tr. v., to haul in with the
brails (usually with up).
Braille, braille, n., system of writing for the
blind. — Named after the inventor Louis Braille
(1809-52), himself blind from the age of three,
and teacher of the blind.
Derivatives: Braille, braille, tr. v., Braill-ist,
braill-ist, n.
brain, n. — ME., fr. OE. br£gen, rel. to MLG.
bregen, OFris., Du. brein and cogn. with Gk.
Ppeyjj.6; (also ppeYfio;, PpsYP"*. Ppext Aa > Pp°X"
jjLoq), 'the front part of the head'.
Derivatives: brain, tr. v., -brain-ed, combining
form; brain-er, n., brain-less, adj., brain-less-ly ,
adv., brain-less-ness, n., brain-y, adj.
braise, tr. v., to cook (meat) slowly in a covered
dish. — F. braiser, 'to stew', fr. braise, 'glowing
charcoal', fr. WTeut. *brasa; cp. It. bragia,
brace, OProvenc. and Sp. brasa, which are of
the same origin. See braze and cp. breeze, 're-
fuse from charcoal or coke'.
brake, n., a kind of fern. — ME. brake, 'fern'. See
bracken.
brake, n., an instrument for breaking flax. —
ME., fr. MLG. brake, 'instrument for breaking
flax', re!, to Du. braak, G. Breche, of s.m., and
to Du. breken, OE. brecan, 'to break'. See break.
brake, n., a contrivance for retarding or stop-
ping the motion of a wheel. — From prec. word.
Derivative: brake-age, n.
Bramah press. — Named after its inventor, the
English mechanician Joseph Bramah.
bramble, n. — ME. brembil, fr. OE. brxmbel,
brembel, fr. earlier brxmel, bremel (the second
195
b in brxmbel, brembel, is intrusive); rel. to Du.
braam, OHG. brama, bramo, MHG. brame,
'thorny bush, bramble', OE. brom, 'broom (the
plant)', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'point, edge; to cut
with a sharp point; to bore, pierce'. See bore
and cp. broom. For the ending see dimin. suff.
-le.
Derivatives: brambl-ed, adj., brambling (q.v.),
brambl-y, adj.
brambling, n., the mountain finch. — Formed fr.
bramble with subst. suff. -ing; cp. G. Bramling,
Bramling, of same meaning,
bran, n. — ME., fr. OF. bren (F. bran), which is
of Celtic origin. Cp. brennage.
Derivative: bran, tr. v.
brancard, n., a horse litter. — F., 'stretcher, litter',
a Norman loan word with the original meaning
'thick branch', a derivative oibranque, the Nor-
man equivalent of F. branche. See next word
and -ard.
branch, n. — ME. branche, braunche, fr. OF.
(= F.) branche, fr. Late L. branca, 'paw, claw',
a Gaulish word, which is cogn., with OSlav.
rqka, Lith. rankd, 'hand'. Cp. brank, brank-
ursine. embranchment.
Derivatives: branch, intr. and tr. v., branch-age,
n., branch-ed, adj., branch-er, n., branch-ing, n.
and adj., branch-y, adj.
branchia, n., a gill. — L., fr. Gk. ppayxra (P 1 ),
'gills' (the sing. (3paYX l0V means 'fin'), rel. to
ppoyxo?, 'tracheal artery'. See bronchi and cp.
branchiate.
Branchiata, n. pi., a name denoting groups of
animals having gills (zool.) — A ModL. hybrid.
See next word.
branchiate, adj.; having gills (zool.) — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. (3payx la ( see branchia) and adj.
suff. -ate (representing L. -dtus).
branchiform, adj., resembling a gill. — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. (3par/ la ( see branchia) and L.
forma, 'form, shape' (see form). The correct form
would be branchiomorph (fr. Gk. ppay/t* and
[loptp-yj, 'form, shape').
brand, n. — ME. brand, brond, fr. OE. brand,
brond, 'firebrand, fire, torch, sword' (the mean-
ing 'sword' is derived from the flashing of the
blade), rel. to ON. brandr, 'firebrand, blade of
sword', OHG., MHG. brant, OFris. brond, of
s.m., Dan., Swed., Du., G. brand, 'firebrand,
fire' ; formed from the base of OE. beornan, etc.,
'to burn' (see burn, v.), with suff. -pa ( =■ I.-E. -to).
Cp. OF. brant, 'blade of a sword, sword', It. bran-
do (poet.), 'sword', F.brandon, 'firebrand, torch',
which are Teut. loan words. Cp. also brandish,
brandy, brindled, the first element in brandreth
and the second element in Hildebrand.
brandish, tr. v. — ME. braundisen, fr. OF. bran-
diss-, pres. part, stem of brandir, fr. brant,
'blade of a sword, sword'. See brand and verbal
suff. -ish.
Derivatives: brandish, n., brandish-er, n.
brandling, n., name of a worm. — Formed fr.
brand with suff. -ling; so called from the red
marking.
brandreth, n., gridiron. — ME., fr. ON. brandreid,
'firegrate', compounded of brandr, 'brand' and
reid, 'vehicle'. Sec brand and ride.
brandy, n. — Shortened fr. earlier brandwine,
brandewine, fr. Du. brandewijn, lit. 'distilled
wine', fr. branden, 'to burn', whence 'to distil',
and wijn, 'wine'. For the first element see burn,
v., and cp. brand, for the second see wine. Cp.
G. Branntwein, 'brandy'. Cp. also Czech pdlenka,
'brandy', and its equivalents in the other Slavic
languages, fr. pdliti, etc., 'to burn'.
Derivative: brandi-ed, adj.
brandypawnee, n., brandy and water (Anglo-
Jnd.) — A hybrid coined fr. E. brandy and Hind.
pdni, 'water'.
brangle, intr. v., to wrangle (archaic). — Prob.
a var. of wrangle. Cp. embrangle.
Derivative : brangle, n.
branks, n. pi., a sort of bridle ; an instrument used
formerly to punish noisy women. — Norm. F.
branques, the equivalent of F. branches,
'branches'. Sec branch, brancard,
brank-ursine, n., the bear's breech (Acanthus
mollis). — Fr. branche ursine, fr. ML. branca
ursina, lit. 'bear's claw', fr. Late L. branca,
'claw' and fem. of the L. adjective ursinus, 'be-
longing to a bear' ; so called from the shape of
its leaves. Sec branch and ursine,
branle, n., an old French dance. — F., fr. brawler,
'to shake, swing' (whence ebranler, of s.m.),
shortened form of brandeler, which is rel. to
brandir, 'to wave'. See brandish,
brannerite, n., a complex uranium titanatc (mine-
ral) — Named after the American geologist
John Casper Branner (1850-1922). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brant goose, also brend goose, n., — Cp. Swed.
brandgds, G . Brandgans, and see brand and goose ;
prob. so called from its dark color.
Brasenia, n., a genus of plants of the watershield
family (hot.) — ModL.. a name of uncertain
origin. For the ending see suff. -ia.
brash, n., rubbish. — Prob. fr. F. breche, 'breach,
breccia', fr. OHG. brehha. 'breach', fr. brehhan.
'to break'. See break and cp. breccia.
Derivative: brash-y, adj.
brash, n., eructation. — Prob. identical in origin
with prec. word. For sense development cp. G.
brechen, 'to break; to vomit',
brass, n. — ME. bres, bras, fr. OE. br.TS, prob.
borrowed from the same Semitic source as L.
ferrum, 'iron'. See farrier and cp. brassie,
brazen.
Derivatives: brass, adj. and tr. v., brass-y, adj.
brassage, n., a charge for coining money. — F.,
fr. brasser, 'to stir up, agitate', fr. OF. bracier,
fr. VL. *bracidre, fr. L. braces, quoted by Pliny
as a Gaulish word meaning 'spelt'. Cp. W. bt ag,
'malt'. Cp. also brassery.
brassard, brassart, n., armor for the arm. — F
brasserie
196
brassard, fr. bras, 'arm', fr. L. brachium. See
brace, 'clasp', and -ard.
brasserie, n., brewery. — F., fr. brasser, 'to stir
up, agitate'. See brassage and -ery.
Brassica, n., a genus of plants including the cab-
bage, the turnip, the mustard, etc. — L. bras-
sica, 'cabbage'; cp. Gk. pparoa) (Hesychius),
'cabbage'; of uncertain etymology.
Brassicaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the cab-
bage family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -aceae.
brassie, brassy, n., a wooden club with a brass
plate. — Formed fr. brass with subst. suff. -ie,
resp. -y.
brat, n., bib, apron. — OE. bratt, 'a covering,
mantle', fr. Olr. or Gael, bratt, 'cloak, cloth'.
brat, n., child. — Prob. fr. prec. word.
Derivatives: brat-ling, n., bratt-ish, adj.
bratsrvo, n., brotherhood. — Russ., etc., formed
with suff. -stvo (corresponding in meaning to E.
-hood), fr. Russ., Pol., Slovak, brat, etc.,
'brother', which is cogn. with Goth, bropar,
OE. brodor, 'brother'. See brother.
brattice, n., a partition. — ME. bretasce, 'bar-
tizan', fr. OF. bretesche (F. breteche, bretesse),
'brattice', fr. ML. (turris) brittisca, 'British
tower', fr. OE. Brittisc, 'British'. See British and
cp. bartizan.
Derivatives: brattice, tr. v., brattic-er, n., brat-
tic-ing, n.
braunite, n., a basic manganese silicate (mineral.)
— Named after M. Braun of Gotha. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bravado, n., ostentatious show of courage. — Sp.
bravata, bravada, fr. It. bravata, 'boast, bluster',
whence also F. bravade, E. bravado was influ-
enced in form by the erroneous analogy of
Spanish words ending in -ado, as e.g. renegado.
See next word.
Derivative: bravado, intr. v.
brave, adj. — F., fr. It. bravo, orig. meaning
'wild, savage', fr. L. barbarus, 'foreigner'
(through the intermediate forms *brabarus,
*brabus); with change of meaning from 'wild'
to 'courageous'. See barbarian and cp. brab.
Derivatives: brave, n., brave, v. (q.v.), brave-
ry, n.
brave, tr. v., to defy; intr. v., to boast. — F.
braver, 'to dare, defy', fr. brave. See brave, adj.
Derivatives: braver, n., brav-ing, n.
bravo, n., brigand. — It. bravo, fr. L. barbarus.
See brave, adj.
bravo, interj., well done! ; n., the shout 'bravo'. —
It. bravo, 'the brave man', used in applauding
actors, etc. ; the fern, form brava is used in ap-
plauding a woman, the pi. bravi in applauding
several people. See brave, adj.
bravoite, n., an iron sulfide containing nickel
(mineral.) — Named after Jose J. Bravo, of
Lima, Peru. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
bravura, n., I) boldness, spirit; 2) in music, a
brilliant passage. — It., 'bravery, spirit', formed
fr. bravo, 'courageous, brave', with suff. -ura.
See brave, adj., and -ure.
brawl, intr. v. — ME. braulen, 'to scold, quarrel',
fr. braule, 'scold, quarrel', rel. to Du. and LG.
brallen, 'to brag'.
Derivatives: brawl, n., brawl-er, n., brawl-ing, n.
brawn, n. — OF. braon, braion, 'piece of flesh',
which is of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG. brdto, 'tender
meat' (whence — with sense influenced by the un-.
related MHG. braten, G. braten, 'to roast' —
MHG. brdte, G. Braten, 'roast'), ON. brad, 'raw
meat', OE. brxd, 'flesh'.
Derivatives: brawn, tr. and intr. v., brawn-ed,
adj., brawn-ed-ness, n., brawn-er, n., brawn-y, adj.
braxy, n., a disease of sheep. — Prob. rel. to OE.
brsec, 'rheum', prop, 'a breach', from the stem
of brekan, 'to break'. See break,
bray, tr. v., to crush. — ME. braien, fr. OF. breier
(F. broyer), 'to crush, pound', fr. W. Teut. *bre-
can, 'to break', whence also OProvenc. bregar.
See break.
bray, intr. v., to utter a cry (said esp. of the ass).
— ME. brayen, fr. OF. braire, 'to cry' (whence
F. braire, 'to bray'), fr. VL. *bragere, 'to whine,
cry' (whence also OProvenc. braire, 'to cry,
sing'), which prob. derives from the Celtic
imitative base *brag-, 'to cry'. Cp. Gael, braigh-,
'to shriek, crack, crackle'.
Derivatives: bray, n., bray-er, n.
braza, n., a Spanish measure of length, fathom.
— Sp., fr. L. brachia (pi. of brachium, 'arm'),
taken as a fern. sing. Cp. F. brasse, 'fathom', and
see brace, 'clasp'.
braze, tr. v., to solder. — F. braser, 'to solder,
braze', fr. braise, 'glowing charcoal'. See braise
and cp. brazier, 'a pan for holding hot coals;
brazil, breeze, 'cinders', embracer, 'one who at-
tempts to corrupt a jury', embrasure.
braze, tr. v., to cover with brass. — OE. brsesian,
fr. brass, 'brass'; see brass. Cp. the verb glaze,
from the noun glass.
brazen, adj. — ME. brasen, fr. OE. brassen, 'of
brass; bold", fr. brass, 'brass'. See brass and adj.
suff. -en.
Derivative: brazen, tr. v.
brazier, n., one who works in brass. — ME. bra-
siere, fr. bras. See brass and -ier.
brazier, n., a pan for holding hot coals. — F.
brasier, fr. braise, 'glowing charcoal". See braze,
'to solder'.
brazil, brazilwood, n., — ME. hrasil, fr. Sp. or Port.
brasil, name for a red dye-wood from the East
Indies, fr. F. bresil, of s.m., a derivative of OF.
breze (whence F. braise), 'glowing charcoal',
which is of Teut. origin. See braze, 'to solder'.
The wood was called brasil from its emberlike
color.
Brazil, n. — The country was so called from the
brazilwood-found in it.
brazilite, n., a variety of baddeleyite (mineral.) —
So called because found in Brazil. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
197
breed
breach, n. — ME. breche, partly fr. OE. bryce,
'a breaking', which is rel. to brecan, 'to break',
partly fr. F. breche, fr. OHG. brehha, 'a
breaking', fr. brehhan, 'to break'. See break.
Cp. G. Bresche, 'breach', which was reborrowed
fr. F. breche. Cp. also breccia and brash, 'rub-
bish'.
Derivatives: breach, v., breach-er, n., breach-y,
adj.
bread, n. — ME. breed, brede, fr. OE. bread,
'morsel, crumb, bread', rel. to OS. brod, ON.
brand, Dan. bred, Swed. brod, OFris. brad, MDu.
brot, broot, Du. brood, OHG., MHG. brdt, G.
Brot, fr. Teut. *brauda, lit. 'bread leavened with
barm' ; cogn. with Thracian Gk. Ppuxoc; (PpoOxoi;
in Hesychius), (3p5-rov, 'fermented liquor made
from barley', L. de-frutum, 'must boiled down'.
These words are formed with the I.-E. pp. suff.
-to fr. base *bhreu-, *bhru-, 'to boil, ferment',
whence also OE. breowan, ON. brugga, 'to
brew'. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: bread, tr. v.
breadth, n., — ME. bredethe, formed on the ana-
logy of ME. lengthe, etc., fr. OE. brsedu,
'breadth', fr. brad, 'broad'. See broad and subst.
suff. -th.
break, tr. and intr. v. — ME. breken, fr. OE.
brecan, rel. to OS. brecan, OFris. breka, Du.
breken, OHG. brehhan, MHG., G. brechen,
Goth, brikan, and cogn. with L. frangere, past
tense fregi, 'to break', OI. (giri)-hhrdj, 'breaking
forth (out of the mountains)', fr. I.-E. base
*bhreg-, 'to break'. A parallel base *bheg- ap-
pears in OI. bhandkti, 'he breaks', Arm. be-
kanem, 'I break', bek, 'broken', Olt. com-boing,
'he breaks'. The disappearance of the r in this
secondary base is prob. due to the nasalization
of the base. Cp. brake, 'instrument for breaking
flax', brake, 'contrivance for stopping motion',
brash, braxy, bray, 'to crush', breach, breck,
brick, bricole, brioche, brook, n. Cp. also
fraction and words there referred to.
Derivatives: break, n., break-able, adj., break-
agen, n., breaker (q.v.), break-ing, n.
breaker, n., one who, or that which, breaks. —
Formed fr. break with agential suff. -er.
breaker, n., a small cask. — Sp. barrica, 'cask.
See barrel and cp. barricade.
breakfast, n. — Prop, 'the meal that breaks the
fast. Cp. F. dejeuner, 'to breakfast', fr. L. dis-
jejundre, 'to break the fast' (see dejeuner, dinner).
bream, n., a fish. — ME. breme, brem, fr. F.
breme, fr. OF. braisme, fr. Frankish *brahsima,
which is rel. to OHG. brahsima, of s.m. ; prob.
fr. Teut. base *brehwan, 'to shine', which is rel.
to I.-E. *bherek-, 'to shine, be white'. See braid.
bream, tr. v., to clean a ship's bottom. — Du.
brem, 'furze, broom'. See broom.
breast, n. — ME. brest, fr. OE. breost, rel. to OS.
briost, ON. brjost, OFris. briast, and to OFris.,
OHG., MHG., G. brust, MLG., MDu., Du.
borst , Goth, brusts, 'breast', and cogn. with MIr.
bruasach, 'having a broad, strong breast', Olr.
bruinne (for *bhrusnio-), 'breast', bru (for
*bhrusd-), 'abdomen, belly'; fr. I.-E. base
*bhreus-, 'to swell'. Cp. brisket, browse.
Derivatives: breast, tr. and intr. v., breast-ed,
adj., breast-er, n., breast-ing, n.
breastsummer, n., a large beam. — Compounded
of breast and summer, 'beam',
breath, n. — ME. breeth, breth, fr. OE. brse p, brep,
'odor, scent, breath', rel. to OHG., brddam,
MHG. bradem, G. Brodem, 'breath, steam', fr.
I.-E. base bher-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: breath-less, adj., breath-less-Iy,
adv., breath-less-ness, n., breath-y, adj.
breathe, intr. and tr. v. — ME. brethen, fr. breth.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: breath-ed, adj., breath-er, n.,
breath-ing, verbal n. and pres. part.
breba, n., fig of the first crop. — Sp. breva, meta-
thesis of bevra, of s.m., fr. L. bifera, fern, of
bifer, 'bearing fruit twice a year', which is com-
pounded of bis, 'twice', and ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bi- and bear, 'to carry'.
breccia, n., a rock composed of angular pieces
(petrogr.) — It., 'a kind of marble consisting of
angular pieces', fr. OHG. brecha, 'a breaking',
whence also F. breche. See breach.
Brechites, n., a genus of mollusks (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. (Bpeyeiv, 'to wet', which is cogn.
with Lett, merguot, 'to rain softly', merga, 'a soft
rain', Russ. morosif, 'to rain softly'. Cp. em-
brocate.
breck, n., a breach (obsol.) — Related to break
(q.v.)
bred, past tense and pp. of breed. — ME. bredde,
bred(d), fr. OE. bredde, resp. gebredUl). past
tense, resp. pp. of bredan, 'to breed'. See breed.
bredbergite, n., a variety of iron garnet (mineral.)
— Named after B. G. Bredberg, who analyzed
it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brede, tr. v., to roast (obsol.) — OE. br&dan, 'to
roast', rel. to OHG. brdtan, 'to roast', fr. I.-E.
base *bher-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp. words
there referred to.
brede, n., breadth (dial.) — OE. brsdu, 'breadth',
rel. to brad, 'broad'. See broad.
brede, tr. and intr. v., to broaden (dial.) — OE.
brxdan, 'to broaden', rel. to brad, 'broad'. Cp.
OS. bredian, ON. breida, Du. ver-breden. OHG.,
MHG., G. breiten, Goth, braidjan, 'to broaden',
and see broad.
breeches, n. pi. — ME. brech, fx. OE. brec, pi. of
broc, rel. to ON., OS., OFris. brok, Dan. brog,
Swed., Norw. brok, Du. broek, OHG. bruoh,
MHG. bruoch, G. Bruch, 'breeches'; of uncer-
tain etymology. L. brdca, pi. brdcae, 'breeches",
is a Gaulish word borrowed fr. Teut. Cp.
bracket, brail, brogue, 'shoe'.
Derivatives: breech, tr. v., breech-ed, adj.,
breech-ing, n.
breed, tr. and intr. v. — ME. breden, fr. OE. bre-
breeze
198
den,'to cherish, keep warm, nourish', rel. to Du.
broeden, OHG. bruoten, MHG. briielen, G. brii-
ten, 'to brood, hatch', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to
boil'. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: breed, n., breed-er, n., breed-ing, n.,
breed-y, adj.
breeze, n., a light wind. — F. brise, prob. fr. Sp.
brisa, 'north-east wind'; not related to F. bise,
'dry and cold north wind' (see bise).
Derivatives: breeze, intr. v., breez-y, adj., breez-
i-ly, adv., breez-i-ness, n.
breeze, n., refuse from charcoal or coke. — F.
braise, 'cinders, live coal'. See braise,
bregma, n., front part of the head (craniometry).
— Gk. Ppeyjia, 'front part of the head', rel. to
fipzyuoq, of s.m., and cogn. with OE. brxgen,
'brain'; see brain. The name bregma was intro-
duced into craniometry by the French surgeon
and anthropologist Paul Broca (1824-80).
Derivatives: bregm-ate, bregm-atie, adjs.
brehon. n., one of a class of judges in ancient Ire-
land. — Ir. breitheamh, fr. Olr. brithem, gen.
brithemon, 'judge', fr. breth, 'a bearing; judg-
ment', which is rel. to biru, 'I bear', and cogn.
with L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry'.
breislakite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.)
— Named after the Italian geologist S.Breislak
(1748-1826). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
breithauptite, n., nickel antimonide (mineral.) —
Named after the German mineralogist J.F. A.
Breifhaupt (1791-1873). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
brelan, n., name of a gambling game. — F. bre-
lan. fr. OF. brelens, pi. of brelenc, 'table, gam-
bling table', whence 'a kind of gambling game",
fr. OHG. bretling, 'small plank', dimin. of bret,
'plank' (in G. slang, Brettling denotes 'table').
For the etymology of OHG. bret see board,
'lable', for the ending see suff. -ling.
breloque, n., a charm for a watch chain. — F.,
a word of imitative origin. Cp. berloque.
breme, adj., famous iobsol.) — ME., fr. OE.
breme. 'famous'.
Brengun. n., often shortened to bren. — Coined
from the first two letters of Brno, a city in
Czechoslovakia, and the first two letters of En-
field near London. The patent for the gun was
purchased in Brno; the gun was manufactured
at Enfield.
brennage, n., payment made in bran to feed the
lords' hounds (feudal law). — OF. brenage, fr.
bren, 'bran'. See bran and -age.
brent goose. — See brant goose.
Brenthis, n., a genus of butterflies (entomol.) —
ModL., lit. 'the arrogant (insect)', fr. Gk.
ppsvftoc, 'pride, arrogance', which is of un-
certain origin.
bressummer. — See breastsummer.
bretelle, n., strap, braces. — F., fr. OHG. brittil,
'bridle', which is rel. to bridel, of s.m. See
bridle.
brethren, n. — Archaic pi. of brother.
Breton, adj. and n. — F. See Briton and cp. the
first element in next word.
Bretwalda, n., a title given to some of the earlier
Anglo-Saxon kings. — OE., lit. 'ruler of the
Britons'. See Breton and wield and cp. the first
element in Walter and the second element in
Oswald.
breve, n., 1) a writ or brief (law); 2) a curved line
(") placed over a vowel to indicate its shortness
(gram.) ; 3) a note equal to two whole notes or
the sign for it (\a\) (mus.) — In the legal sense, fr.
ML. breve, 'letter', prop. neut. of the L. adjective
brevis, 'short' ; in the grammatical sense, fr. F.
breve, prop. fern, oibref, 'short', used as a noun,
fr. L. brevis; in the musical sense, fr. It. breve,
which also derives fr. L. brevis. See brief, adj.
and n.
Derivative: breve, tr. v. (obsol.), to write down,
brevet, n., a commission giving an army officer
nominal higher rank. — F., dimin. of bref,
'brief, document'. See brief, n., and -et and cp.
prec. word.
Derivative : brevet, tr. v.
brevi-, combining form meaning 'short'. — L.
breve-, fr. brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj.
breviary, n., a short prayer book used by priests
in the Roman Catholic Church. — L. brevid-
rium, 'summary', neut. of the adjective brevi-
drius, 'abridged', used as a noun, fr. breviare,
'to shorten, abbreviate', fr. brevis, 'short'. See
brief, adj., and subst. suff. -ary and cp. brevet,
abbreviate. Cp. also brimborion.
brevier, n., a size of small type, between bour-
geois and minion (typogr.) — Lit. 'the breviary
type' (cp. G. Brevier, 'breviary'); so called be-
cause this type was used originally in printing
breviaries.
breviped, adj., having short feet. — Compounded
of L. brevis, 'short', and pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'.
See brief, adj., and pedal.
brevipennate, adj., having short wings. — Com-
pounded of L. brevis, 'short', and penna, 'wing'.
See brief, adj., and pennate.
brevity, n., shortness of time. — L. brevitds,
'shortness', fr. brevis, 'short'. Cp. F. brievete,
of s.m., fr. L. brevitdtem, acc. of brevitds. See
brief, adj., and -ity.
brew, tr. and intr. v. — ME. brewen, fr. OE. bre-
owan, rel. to OS. breuwan, ON. brugga, Dan.
brygge, Swed. brygga, Norw. brugga, bryggja,
OFris. briiiwa, MDu. brouwen, bruwen, Du.
brouwen, OHG. briuwan, MHG. bruwen, brou-
wen, G. brauen, 'to brew', MLG. broien, MDu.
broeyen, MHG. bruejen, briien, G. briihen, 'to
scald', fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhrii-, 'to
boil, ferment', whence also OI. bhurv-anih, 'wild,
turbulent', bharnih, 'violent, passionate', Arm.
albeur (gen. alber), 'source', Gk. cpopuveiv,
ipopiioaeiv, 'to knead together, soil, bespatter',
(fpiip (gen. q>p£a-ro<;), 'well, spring' Thracian
Gk. Pputos ({JpouToi; in Hesychius), (3pO-rov,
199
bnet
'fermented liquor made from barley, beer', L.
defrutum, 'must boiled down' ', fervere or fervere,
'to boil, glow, foam', Alb. brum, brume, 'leaven',
Russ. brujd, 'current', bruif, 'to stream with
force', Olr. bruth, 'heat', MIr. berbaim, 'I boil,
seethe'. Base *bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhru- represents
enlargement forms of base *bher-, 'to boil, fer-
ment', which appears e.g. in L.fermentum, 'sub-
stance causing fermentation'. Cp. brewis. Cp.
also barm, Bourbon, bourn, 'stream', brand,
bread, breath, brede, 'to roast', brindled, broil (in
both senses); brood, broth, burbot, burn, n. and
v. Cp. also ferment, fervent, fry, 'to cook in fat'.
Derivatives: brew, n., brew-age, n., brew-er, n.,
brew-er-y, n., brew-ing, n., brewster (q.v.)
brewis, n., beef broth. — ME. broues, brouet,
brouis, 'broth', fr. OF. (= F.) brouet, of s.m.,
derivative of breu, 'broth', which is of Teut.
origin. See brew and cp. words there referred to.
brewster, n., a brewer. — Formed fr. brew with
suff. -ster. The word denoted orig. a female
brewer.
briar, n. — See brier.
Briareus, n., a hundred-handed giant (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Bpidcpsox;, fr. ppiap6?,
'strong', fr. base (Jpi- (cp. the compound (3pi-
TfjTtuoi;, 'loud-shouting'), whence also (JpTSu?,
'heavy', ppl&eiv, 'to be laden, to be heavy', fr.
I.-E. base *g w er-, 'heavy', whence also Gk.
(Japii?, L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, adj., and
cp. baro-. Cp. also Bridget, Brigit.
bribe, n. — OF. bribe, 'crumb, piece of bread', esp.
'piece given to a beggar', fr. briber, brimber,
'to beg', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: bribe, tr. v., brib-able, adj., brib-ee,
n., brib-er, n., brib-er-y, n.
bric-a-brac, n., odds and ends of furniture, artist-
ic objects, etc. — F. bric-a-brac, 'odds and ends,
curiosity shop'; of imitative origin.
brick, n. — F. brique, 'brick', fr. MDu. bricke,
of s.m., lit. 'a broken piece', rel. to E. break
(q.v.) Cp. briquette.
Derivatives: brick, adj. and v., brick-y, adj.
bricole, n., a catapult. — F., 'catapult; driving
belt, strap, rebound of a ball, zig-zag'. The word
derives fr. OProvenc. bricola or It. briccola,
'machine of war', fr. Longobard *brihhil, re-
constructed fr. MHG. brechel, which lit. means
'that which breaks', fr. brechen, 'to break'. See
break.
bridal, n., ceremony of marriage. — ME. bridale,
fr. OE. brydealu, 'bride-ale, bride feast'; (see
bride, 'newly married woman', and ale). Later
the second element of ME. brid-ale was prob.
confused with the suff. -al in synonymous words
(cp. espousal, nuptial).
Derivative: bridal-er, n.
bridal, adj., 1) pertaining to a bride; 2) pertaining
to a wedding. — Either fr. adjectival use of bri-
dal, n., or formed fr. bride with adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: bridal-ly, adv.
bride, n., a newly married woman. — ME. bride.
bryde, fr. OE. bryd, rel. to OFris., breid, 'bride',
OS. brM, ON. brudr, OFris. breid, Du. bruid,
OHG., MHG. brut, G. Braut, 'bride', Goth.
brups, 'daughter-in-law'. L. Frutis, a name for
Venus, is not cognate with the Teut. words quot-
ed, but with Gk. Ttpu-r-avi;, jtpoT-avt?, 'prince,
lord, president' (see prytany). Cp. burd.
bride, n., loop, tie. — F., 'bridle, bridle rein', fr.
MHG. bridel, which is rel. to E. bridle.
bridegroom, n. — ME. brudgume, bridegome, fr.
OE. brydguma, rel. to OS. brudigumo, ON. brud-
gumi, OHG. brutigomo, MHG. briutegome, G.
Brdutigam, 'bridegroom'. For the first element
in bridegroom see bride. The second element
arose through the substitution of groom (q.v.)
for OE. guma, 'man', which is rel. to OS. gumo,
gomo, ON. gumi, OFris. goma, OHG. gomo,
Goth, guma, 'man', and cogn. with L. homo,
'man'. See human.
bridewell, n., house of correction, prison. —
From Bridewell in London, a house of correc-
tion. The name has been altered fr. St. Bride's
Well, and this fr. St. Bridget's Well. See Bridget
and well, 'spring'.
bridge, n., structure spanning a river, etc. — ME.
brigge, brig, etc., fr. OE. brycg, bricg, rel. to
OS. bruggia, ON. bryggja, brii, Dan. bro, Swed.
brygga, OFris. brigge, bregge, Du. brug, OHG.
brucca, G. Briicke; prob. orig. 'bridge of beams',
and derived fr. I.-E. base *bhru-, *bhreu-, 'beam,
log', whence also Gaulish briva, 'bridge', OSlav.
bruvuno, 'beam', Serb, bfv, 'footbridge'.
Derivatives: bridge, tr. v., bridg-ed, adj., bridg-
ing, n.
bridge, n., a card game resembling whist. ■ — First
mentioned as Biritch or Russian Whist; of un-
known origin.
Bridget, fem. PN. — From Ir. Brighid, name of
the Irish fire goddess, a derivative of brigh,
'strength', which is cogn. with Gk. ppT&u?,
'heavy', flp&siv, 'to be laden, to be heavy',
Ppiap6q, 'strong'. See Briareus and cp. Brigit
and the first element in bridewell.
bridle, n. — ME. bridel, fr. OE. bridel, brigdels,
rel. to Du. breidel, OHG. brittil, MHG. bridel,
OHG. brittil, MHG. bridel, and to OE. bregdan,
'to move quickly, brandish; to weave'. See
braid and cp. bride, 'loop', bridoon, debride-
ment. Cp. also bretelle. For the ending see di-
min. suff. -le.
bridle, tr. and intr. v. — ME. bridlen, fr. OE.
bridlian, fr. bridel. See bridle, n.
Derivatives: bridl-ed, adj., bridl-er, n., bridl-
ing, n.
bridoon, n., snaffle and reins of a military bridle.
— F. bridon, dimin. of bride, 'bridle'. See bride,
'loop'.
Brie cheese, often shortened to brie. — From
Brie, name of a district in the department Seine-
et-Marne in France, renowned for its cheese.
brief, adj., short in duration. — ME. bref, fr.
OF. (= F.) bref, fr. L. brevis, 'short', which
brief
200
prob. stands for *mregh-w-i-s, brehvis, and is
cogn. with Sogdian murzak, 'short', the first ele-
ment in Avestic m l r l zu-jiti, 'shortlived', Gk.
(Upaxu? (for I.-E. mrghiis), 'short', Goth. *maur-
gus, 'short' (only in the compound gamaurgjan,
'to shorten'), OHG. murg, murgi, 'short', OE.
myrge, 'pleasing, delightful, merry' ; see merry,
adj. For sense development cp. G. Kurzweil,
'pastime', lit 'a short time'. Cp. brief, n. Cp.
also brachio-, brachy-, brace, 'clasp', brevet,
brevi-, breviary, brevier, brevity, brume, abbre-
viate, abridge.
brief, n., a summary. — ME. bref, fr. OF. (= F.)
bref, fr. ML. breve , prop. neut. of L. adj. brevis,
'short', used in the sense of 'short writing, letter,
document'. Cp. It. breve, of s.m., G. Brief, 'let-
ter'. See brief, adj., and cp. breve.
Derivatives: brief, tr. v., brief-less, adj., brief-
less-ly, adv., brief-Iess-ness, n., brief-ly, adv.
brier, briar, n., a prickly plant. — ME. brere, fr.
OE. brxr, brer.
brier, briar, n., heath. — F. bruyere, 'heather,
heath', fr. VL. *brucaria, *brugdria, fr. brucus,
'heather', a word of Gaulish origin. Cp. Olr.
froech (for *vroiko-s), 'heath', which is cogn.
with Gk. cpsbo), sptxr, (for *f£peixa), 'heath',
Lith. viriis, Russ. vires, of s.m. Cp. also brisk,
brusque, Erica.
brig, n., a two-masted square-rigged vessel. —
Abbreviation of brigantine.
brigade, n. — F., fr. It. brigata, fr. brigare, 'to
fight', fr. briga, 'strife', which is of Gaulish ori-
gin. Cp. Gael, brigh, W. bri, 'power'. Cp. also
brigand.
Derivatives: brigade, tr. v., brigadier, n. (q.v.)
brigadier, n., an officer commanding a brigade. —
F., fr. brigade. See prec. word,
brigand, n., bandit. — F., fr. It. brigante, fr.
brigare, 'to fight". Sec brigade.
Derivatives: brigand-age, n. (fr. F. brigandage),
brigander, n., brigandine (q.v.), brigand-ish, adj.,
brigand-ish-iy, adv., brigand-ism, n.
brigandine, n., body armor. — F., fr. It. brigan-
rina, fr. brigare, 'to fight'. See prec. word,
brigantine, n., a two-masted square-rigged ship.
— F. brigantin, fr. It. brigantino, 'piratical (lit.
'fighting') vessel', fr. brigante 'brigand'. See
brigand.
bright, adj. — ME. briht, fr. OE. beorht, bryht,
rel. to OS. berht, ON. bjartr, Norw. bjerk,OWQ.
beraht, MHG. birlit, Goth, bairhts, 'bright', fr.
I.-E. base *bhereg-, 'to shine, be white', whence
also OI. bhrdjate, 'shines, glitters', Lith. breksta,
breksti, 'to dawn'. W. berth, 'bright, beautiful'.
Cp. birch. Cp. also Bertha, the first element in
Bardolph, Bertram, and the second element in
Albert, Cuthbert, Egbert, Ethelbert, filbert, gil-
bert, Herbert, Hubert, Lambert, Robert. I. -E . base
*bhereg- is rel. to base "bherek-, 'to shine, be
white' ; see braid and cp. words there referred to.
Bright's disease, chronic nephritis. — So called
after the English physician Richard Bright (i 789-
1858), who first described this disease (in 1827).
Brigit, fern. PN. — From Ir. Brighid, name of the
Irish fire goddess. Sec Bridget,
brill, n., a flat fish allied to the turbot. — Cp. Co.
brilli, 'mackerel', contracted fr. brithelli, lit.
'streaked'.
brilliance, brilliancy, n. — Formed fr. next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
brilliant, adj. — F. brillant, lit. 'shining', pres.
part, of briller, 'to shine', fr. VL. *berylldre, 'to
shine like a beryl', fr. L. beryllus, fr. Gk. |3r;-
puXAo;, 'beryl'. See beryl and -ant.
Derivatives: brilliant, n., brilliant-ly, adv., bril-
liant-ness, n.
brilliantine, n., an oily liquid used to make the
hair glossy. — F. brillantine, fr. brillant, 'shin-
ing'. See prec. word.
brim, n. — ME. brimme, brim, rel. to ON. barmr,
MHG. brem, 'bordering edging', Late MHG.
verbremen, G. verbrdmen, 'to border, edge',
OHG. brdmberi, MHG. brdmber, G. Brom-
beere, 'bramble, blackberry', OE. brdm, 'broom'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
*bhre-m-, 'edge, point; to bore, pierce', an en-
largement of base *bher-, of s.m., whence berm,
board, 'table', board 'side of a ship', bramble,
broom.
brimborion, n., nonsense. — F., 'knick-knack,
bauble, gewgaw', fr. earlier briborion, breborion,
fr. Eccles. L. brevidrium, 'breviary'. See breviary.
brimmer, n., a vessel filled to the brim. — Formed
fr. brim with suff. -er.
brimstone, n. — ME. brinston, brenston, fr. brin-
nen, 'to burn', and ston, 'stone', hence the word
lit. means 'burnstone' ; rel. to ON. brennisteinn,
'brimstone'. See burn and stone.
Derivative: brimston-y, adj.
brindisi, n., a rhymed toast. — It., fr. G. (ie/i)
bring' dir's, lit., '(I) bring it to you', used in the
sense of 'I drink your health'. Cp. G. jemandes
Gesimdheit ausbringen, 'to drink one's health'.
brindled, adj., streaked with a dark,esp. brown or
tawny, color. — Formed — prob. after kindled —
fr. archaic bl inded, fr. ME. brended, which is rel.
to brand.
brine, n. — ME., fr. OE. bryne, rel. to MDu. brine
(whence Du. brijn).
Derivatives: brine, tr. v., brin-er, n.
bring, tr. v. — ME. bringen, fr. OE. bringan, rel.
to OS. brengjan, OFris. brenga, MDu. brenghen,
Du. brengen, OHG. bringan, MHG., G. bringen,
Goth, briggan, fr. Teut. base "bhrenk-. Outside
Teut. cp. W. he-brnwg, 'to send', MCo. hem-
bronk. 'we lead'.
Derivative: bring-er, n.
brinjarry, also binjarree, n., a dealer in grain and
salt (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, banjdrd, lit. 'one who
carries on trade', fr. OI. vanijyd, 'trade, traffic'
(fr. vanij, 'merchant'), and kdrah, 'doer', which
is rel. to k^noti, 'he does, makes, accomplishes'.
See Sanskrit and cp. Chamar. The word brinjarry
was influenced in form by Pers. birinj, 'rice'.
201
brochure
brink, n. — ME. brink, of Scand. origin. Cp.
Dan. brink, 'steepness, brink, precipice', ON.
brekka, 'projection, slope', which are rel. to
MDu. brink, 'edge, shore'. All these words de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *bhreng-, 'to project', whence
also Lith. brinkti, 'to swell'.
brio, n., vivacity. — It., of uncertain origin, per-
haps aphetic for L. ebrius, 'drunk, intoxicated'.
See ebrious.
brioche, n., a kind of bun. — F., a derivative of
brier, 'to knead the dough', Norman form of
broyer, 'to grind, pound', which comes fr.
WTeut. *brekan, 'to break'. See break.
briquette, n., brick made of coal dust. — F. bri-
quette, dimin. of brique. See brick and -ette.
brisance, n., shattering effect of explosives. —
F. brisance, fr. brisant, pres. part, of briser, 'to
break, smash, shatter', fr. VL. brisare, a word of
Gaulish origin; cp. Olr. hrissim, 'I break', brisc,
'brittle', Bret, bresk, of s.m.; fr. I.-E. base
*bhres-, 'to break, crush, crumble'. See bruise,
and cp. debris. For the ending see suff. -ance.
brisk, adj. — A doublet of brusque (q.v.)
Derivatives: brisk, tr. and intr. v., brisk-en, tr.
and intr. v., brisk-ly, adv., brisk-ness, n.
brisket, n., animal's breast. — ME. bruskette, rel.
to MHG. brusche, G. Brausche, 'bruise on the
head', ON. brjdsk, Dan. brusk, 'gristle', and to
E. breast (q.v.) F. brechet (fr. earlier brichet,
bruchei) is an English loan word.
brisling, bristling, n., a small seafish resembling
sardines. — Of uncertain origin.
brisque,n., a card game. — F.,of uncertain origin.
bristle, n. — ME. brustel, brostle, bristel, formed
with dimin. suff. -//, -el, -le, fr. OE. byrst, 'bris-
tle', which is rel. to OS. bursta, ON. burst, Du.
borstel, OHG. burst, MHG., G. borste, 'brush,
bristle', and cogn. with OI. bhrstih, 'point, spike',
and prob. also with h.fastigium (for *farstigium),
'top, summit', Lith. barsstis, 'carrot'. Cp. bur.
Cp. also bar, 'maigre', barse, bass, 'perch', beard,
'device for cleaning'. Cp. also fastigiate.
Derivatives: bristle, intr. v., bristl-y, adj.
brisure, n., a break in the direction of a parapet
(fort.) — F., fr. briser, 'to break'. See bris-
ance and -ure.
brit, n., sing, and pi., the young of the herring. —
Dial. Co., prob. meaning lit. 'speckled', and
rel. to Co. bruit, 'speckled'.
Brit, Brett, n., a Briton; adj., British (English
hist.) — OE. Bret (pi. Brettas), of Celtic origin.
Cp. British, Briton, Brython.
Britain, n. — ME. Bretayne, Breteyne, fr. OF.
Bretaigne (F. Bretagne), fr. L. Britannia, earlier
Briltdnia, fr. BritannI, resp. Brittdni, 'Britons',
fr. Brittd. See Briton.
Britannic, adj. — L. Britannicus. See Britain,
Briton. For the ending see suff. -ic.
b'rith, brith, n. — Variant spellings of berith.
British, adj. — OE. Brettisc, Bryttisc, fr. Bret.
See Brit and adj. suff. -ish.
Derivative : Brilish-er.
Briton, n. — ME. Breton, fr. OF. (= F.) Breton,
fr. L. Brittdnem, acc. of Brittd, a member of the
tribe of the Britons. E. Briton corresponds to
Britd, an erroneous variant of L. Brittd. See
Brit and cp. Breton,
brittle, adj. — ME. brutei, britel, fr. OE. breotan,
'to break', rel. to ON. brjdta, Swed. bryta, 'to
break', OHG. brddi, 'fragile'.
Derivatives: brittle-ly, adv., brittle-ness, n.
britska, britzka, n., a long, open carriage. — Pol.
bryczka, prob. fr. It. biroccio. See barouche.
Briza,n.,agenusof plants of the family Poaceae
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. [3pC£a, name of a kind
of rye.
broach, n. — ME. broche, fr. OF. (= F.) broche,
'spit; spindle', fr. VL. brocca, prop. fem. of L.
broccus, 'projecting' (said esp. of teeth) a word of
Celtic origin; cp. Olr. brocc, Co., W. broch,
'badger'. Cp. also brocade, brocatel, broccoli,
brochure, brock, brocket, broker, brooch. Cp. al-
so bronco.
broach, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) brocher, fr. broche.
See broach, n.
Derivative: broach-er, n.
broad, adj. — ME. brod, fr. OE. brad, rel. to OS.,
OFris. bred, ON. breidr, Dan., Swed. bred,
Norw. hreid, brei, MDu. breet, breed, Du. breed,
OHG., MHG., G. breit, Goth, braifrs; of un-
certain origin. Cp. breadth.
Derivatives: broad, n., broad-en, intr. and tr. v.,
broad-ly, adv., broad-ness, n.
broadloom, adj., woven on a wide loom. — Com-
pounded of broad and loom.
Brobdingnag, 'the Land of giants'. — Coined by
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) in his Gulliver's
Travels.
Derivatives: Brobdingnag-ian, adj. and n.
brocade, n., a rich figured, woven fabric. — Sp.
brocado, fr. broca, fr. ML. broccare, 'to prick,
emboss', fr. L. broccus, 'projecting' (said esp.
of teeth). Cp. It. broccato, F. brocart, and see
broach, n. For the ending see suff. -ade.
Derivatives: brocade, tr. v., brocad-ed, adj.
brocard, n., a law maxim. — F. brocard, fr. ML.
brocardus, of s.m., fr. Brocardus, fr. Burchardus,
G. Burckard, bishop of Worms, who in the 1st
half of the 1 ith cent, compiled an ecclesiastical
canon.
brocatel, brocatelle, n., a heavy, figured silk used
in upholstery. — F. brocatelle, fr. It. broccatello,
dimin. of broccato, 'brocade'. See brocade.
broccoli, n., a kind of cauliflower. — It., pi. of
broccolo, 'sprout', dimin. of brocco, 'stalk,
splinter', which is rel. to F. broche, 'spit;
spindle'. See broach.
broch, n., a prehistoric round tower in the North
of Scotland. — Fr. ON. borg. See borough.
brochantite, n., a hydrous basic copper sulfate
(mineral.) — Named after the French mineral-
ogist Brochant de Villiers (1 772-1 840). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brochure, n., a small pamphlet or tract. — F., 'a
brock
202
small book stitched and covered with a wrap-
per', fr. brocher, 'to stitch (a book, etc.)'. See
broach, v. and n,, and -ure.
brock, n., a badger. — OE. broc, of Celtic origin.
Cp. Gael, and Ir. broc, W., Co., Bret, broch,
'badger', and see broach.
brocket, n., a stag two years old. — ME. broket,
fr. F. brocard, 'fallow deer a year old', a dialectal
word formed from broque, 'tine of an antler'
(corresponding to OF. broche, 'something point-
ed; spit; tine of a antler'), with suff. -ard. The
name refers to the small spike of the horn. See
broach, n.
broggerite, n., a crystallized variety of pitchblende
(mineral.) — Named after the Norwegian min-
eralogist Waldemar Christofer Brbgger (1851-
1940). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brogue, n., a kind of rough shoe worn by the
Irish. — Gael, and Ir. brog, fr. ON. brok, 'hose'.
See breeches.
brogue, n., accent. — Prob. fr. Ir. barrdg, 'a hold',
esp. 'a hold on the tongue'.
broider, tr. v., to embroider (archaic). — F. bro-
der, fr. OF. brosder, it. Frankish *brozddn,
which is rel. to Lombardic "brustan (whence
It. brustare), 'to embroider', and to OE. brord,
'point; spire of grass'. See brad and cp. em-
broider.
Derivatives: broider-er, n., broider-y, n.
broil, tr. and intr. v., to fry. — ME. broilen, fr.
AF. broiller, fr. OF. broueillier (F. brouiller), 'to
mix together, embroil, confuse', which is prob.
a blend of breu, brou, 'broth' (whence F. brouet,
'thin broth, brewis'), and fooillier (whence F.
fouiller), 'to rummage, ransack'. OF. brev, brou,
is of Teut. origin. Cp. MLG. broien, MDu.
broeyen, MHG. brueyen, briien, G. bruhen, 'to
scald', ME. breie, MDu. broeye, Du. brui,
MHG. briieje, G. Bruhe, 'broth', fr. I.-E. base
*bheru-, *bhreu-, *bhru-, 'to boil, ferment'. See
brew and cp. brewis, broth. Cp. also broil, 'to
confuse'. F. fouiller derives fr. VL. *fodiculdre,
fr. L. fodicdre, freq. of fodere, 'to dig'. See fosse.
Derivatives: broil, n., broil-er, n., broil-ing, adj.
broil, tr. v., to confuse (obsoi); intr. v., to quar-
rel. — F. brouiller, 'to mix together, confuse'.
See broil, 'to fry', and cp. embroil, imbroglio.
Derivative: broil-er, n.
broke, past tense of break. — ME. broke, from
the pp. broke(n). See broken.
broke, archaic pp. of break; adj. (slang), penni-
less, bankrupt. — See prec. word.
broke, intr. v., to deal (rare). — Back formation
fr. broker.
Derivative: brok-ing, n.
broken, pp. of break. — ME. broke(n), fr. OE.
brocen, pp. of brekan, 'to break'. See break.
Derivatives: broken-ly, adv., broken-ness, n.
brolly, n., an umbrella (slang). — Corruption of
umbrella.
brokenhearted, adj. — Compounded of broken,
pp. of break, and -hearted ; first used by Tyndale.
Derivatives: brokenhearted-ly, adv., broken-
hearted-ness, n.
broker, n. — AF. brocour, fr. ONF. brokeor,
fr. ONF. brokier, 'to broach', lit. 'to open a
cask of wine', fr. ML. broccdre, fr. L. broccus,
'projecting' (said esp. of teeth); see broach, n.
The broker was orig. 'a broacher of wine casks',
whence developed the meanings 'wine retailer;
retailer; second-hand dealer; agent'.
Derivatives: broker-age, n., broker-y, n. (obsol.)
brom-, form of bromo- before a vowel.
broma, n., food. — ModL.,fr. Gk. j3poiu.a, 'food',
which is rel. to |3op&, 'food', giflpcoaxsiv, 'to eat,
eat up, devour', fr. I.-E. base *gwor-, *gwer-,
whence also L. vordx, gen. vordcis, 'hungry,
greedy'. See voracious and cp. Abroma, Bromus,
Brosimum, anabrosis.
broma], n., a colorless, oily fluid, CBr 3 COH
(chem.) — Abbreviation of bromine and alcohol.
bromate, n., a salt of bromic acid (chem.) — See
brom- and chem. suff. -ate.
brome, n., also brome grass. — Gk. fipojxoc, 'wild
oats'. See Bromus.
Bromelia, n., a genus of American plants (bot.) —
ModL., named after the Swedish botanist Olaf
Bromel (1639-1705). For the ending see suff. -ia.
Bromeliaceae, n. pi., the pineapple family (bot.)
— Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
bromic, adj., pertaining to, or containing, bro-
mine (chem.) — Formed fr. bromine with suff.
-ic.
bromide, n., a compound of bromine (chem.) —
See bromine and -ide.
Derivatives: bromid-ic, adj., bromidic-al-ly, adv.
bromine, n., name of a nonmetallic element be-
longing to the halogen family (chem.) — Formed
with chem. suff. -ine fr. F. brome, 'bromine',
which was coined by its discoverer, the French
chemist Antoine Jerome Balard (1802-76) fr.
Gk. jiptojxoi;, 'noisome smell (see bromo-); so
called by him in allusion to the unpleasant odor
of the fumes.
Derivatives: bromin-ate, tr. v., bromin-ation, n.,
bromin-ism, n., bromism.
bromism, n., bromine poisoning (med.) — See
bromine and -ism.
bromite, n., salt of bromous acid (chem.) — See
bromine and chem. suff. -ite.
bromize, tr. v., to treat with bromine or a bro-
mide. — See bromine and -ize.
Derivatives: bromiz-ation, n., bromiz-er, n.
bromo- before a vowel brom-, combining form
meaning 'containing bromine'. — Gk. Ppaiu.0-,
[JpcojA-, fr. j}p<I>u.oc,, more exactly pp6u.oc., 'noi-
some smell', identical with ppo^oc,, 'any loud
noise', which is rel. to [lp£u.eiv, 'to clash, roar',
(3pov-rT) (for *ppo[x-Ta), 'thunder', fr. *brem-, a
variant of I.-E. base *bhrem-, whence L. fre-
mere, 'to roar, resound, murmer, W. brefu, 'to
roar', OHG. breman, MHG. bremen, MHG., G.
brummen, 'to growl, buzz', OE. brimsa, OHG.
bremo, brimissa, G. Breme, Bremse, 'horsefly,
203
gadfly', OI. bhramardh,'bee' . Cp. Brontes, Bron-
tosaurus. Cp. also fremitus.
Bromus, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. bromos, fr. Gk. pp6(xoc, 'wild oats', which
is prob. related to EJpoS[j.a, 'food', £SifSpcia>cav,'to
eat, eat up', (3op«, 'food'. See broma and cp.
brome.
bronchia, n. pi., the bronchial tubes (anat.) —
Late L. bronchia, gen. -drum, fr. Gk. Ppoy/ia,
fr. PpoYX°?> 'windpipe'. See bronchus.
bronchiole, n., a minute bronchial tube (anat.) —
Medical L. bronchiola, a diminutive coined by
E.Schultz fr. L. bronchia (pi.), 'the bronchial
tubes'; see bronchia. Cp. Joseph Hyrtl, Ono-
matologia anatomica, p. 557.
Derivative: bronchiol-ar, adj.
bronchiolitis, n., inflammation of the bronchioles
(med.) — Medical L. formed fr. bronchiola with
suff. -Wis. See prec. word.
bronchitis, n . , inflammation of the bronchial tubes
(med.) — Medical L., coined by Charles Bed-
ham in 1808 fr. bronchus and suff. -itis; intro-
duced into medicine by P.Frank in his Inter-
pretationes Clinicae in 1812.
broncho-, before a vowel bronch-, combining form
denoting relation to the bronchi. — Gk. flpoyxo-,
fSpoy/-, fr. (ipoy/os, 'windpipe'. See next word.
bronchus, n., each of the two forked branches of
the windpipe. — Medical L., fr. Gk. ppoyxo;,
'windpipe', which is prob. rel. to fJpox$o<;,
'throat', gppo^E (aor.), 'he swallowed up',
(ipayxtov, 'gill', and cogn. with Olr. brdgae,
'neck', W. breuant, 'throat, gullet', Lith. gur-
klys, 'crop, maw', ME. crawe, 'craw'. See craw
and cp. branchia. The above words prob. de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *g w rdgh-, a -^-enlargement
of base *g u 'er-, 'to devour', whence Gk. [iopa,
'food', Ppoi(xa, 'food', L. vordre. See voracious
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: bronchi-al, adj., bronchi-al-ly, adv.
bronco, n., a rough horse of Western North Ame-
rica. — Sp. bronco, 'rough', fr. VL. *bruncus,
'block, log, lump', which seems to be a blend
of L. truncus, 'trunk of a tree', and broccus,
'projecting'. See trunk and broach.
Brontes, n., one of the Cyclopes (Greek mythol.)
— L„ fr. Gk. BpovTT,.;, fr. ppovrr;, 'thunder'.
See bronto-.
bronto-, before a vowel bront-, combining form
meaning 'thunder'. — Gk. ^povro-, fipov-:-, fr.
ppovTYj (for *Ppoa-Ta), 'thunder', which is rel.
to [Bponos, 'any loud noise', fipe^stv, 'to clash,
roar'. See bromo- and cp. Brontes and the first
element in Brontosaurus.
Brontosaurus, n., a genus of American dinosaurs
(paleontol.) — ModL., coined fr. Gk. (Jpovrrj,
'thunder', and aaOpo?, 'lizard'. See bronto- and
saurian.
bronze, n. — F., fr. It. bronzo, bronzino, ult. fr.
Persian birirtj.
Derivatives : bronze, tr. and intr. v. (cp. F. bron-
zer), bronze, adj., bronz-ify, tr. v. (rare), bronz-
ing, n., bronz-ite, n. (mineral), bronz-y, adj.
brooch, n. — A var. of broach.
Derivative: brooch, tr. v.
brood, n. — ME. brod, fr. OE. brod, lit. 'that
which is hatched out by warmth', rel. to Du.
broed, MHG. bruot, G. Brut, 'brood', and to
MLG. brdien, MDu. broeyen, MHG. brueyen,
briien, G. bruhen, 'to scald'. See brew and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: brood, v. and adj., brood-er, n.,
brood-ing, adj., brood-ing-ly, adv., brood-y, adj.
and n.
brook, n., a small stream of water. — ME. broc,
fr. OE. broc, rel. to LG. brok, Du. broek,
OHG. bruoh, MHG. bruoch, G. Bruch, 'marshy
ground', and to E. break. Brook orig. denoted
'that which breaks out of the earth'.
Derivative: brook-y, adj.
brook, tr. v., to endure. — ME. bruken, fr. OE.
brucan, 'to enjoy', rel. to OS. brukan, OFris.
bruka, OHG. bruhhan, MHG. bruchen, G. brau-
chen, Goth, brukjan, 'to use', L. fruor, frui, 'to
enjoy', whence fructus, 'enjoyment, the means
to enjoyment, produce, fruit'. See fruit.
brookite.n., titanium dioxide (mineral.) — Named
after the English mineralogist Henry James
Brooke (1771-1857). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
broom, n. — ME. brome, fr. OE. brom, rel. to Du.
braam, 'blackberry', OHG. brdma, brdmo, MHG.
brdme, 'broom (the plant)', OHG. brdmberi,
MHG. bramber, G. Brombeere, 'blackberry';
fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'point, edge; to cut with a
sharp point, to bore, pierce'. See bore, 'to pierce',
and cp. bramble, bream, v., brim. For the sense
development of broom cp. brush, scrub.
Derivatives: broom, tr. v., broom-er, n., broom-
y, adj.
brose, n. — The same as brewis.
Derivative: bros-y, adj.
Brosimum, n., a genus of trees of the mulberry
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. [}p<i(unoe,,
'edible', rel. to ^poi(xa, 'food', p\[3pcoaxeiv, 'to
eat, eat up, devour'. See broma.
broth, n. — ME., fr. OE. brod, rel. to OHG. brod,
fr. Teut. base *brauda-, lit. 'anything leavened',
cogn. with Thracian Gk. (3p0-roc; (fJpouTo; in
Hesychius), JJp'jTov, 'fermented liquor made
from barley, beer', L. defrutum, 'must boiled
down', Mir. embruthe, 'broth', bruith, 'to boil',
ModW. brwd, 'hot', ModBret. broud, of s.m.;
fr. I.-E. base *bhreu-, "bhru-, 'to swell', which
is enlarged fr. base *bher-, 'to boil'. See brew
and cp. bread, brood.
brothel, n. — ME. brothel, 'worthless person,
prostitute', derived fr. OE. broden, pp. of
breodan, 'to destroy' ; confused in meaning with
OF. bordel, 'hovel' (for which see bordel).
brother, n. — ME., fr. OE. brddor, rel. to OS.
brothar, ON. brddir, Dan., Swed. broder, OFris.
brother, MDu., Du. broeder, OHG., MHG. bru-
oder, G. Bruder, Goth, brdpar, and cogn. with
Brother Jonathan
204
OI. bhrdtar-, Avestic brdtar-, Toch. A pracar,
B procer, Arm. elbayr (in Armenian, br became
ib), Gk. (ppaTYjp, cppSrcop, 'member of a clan',
L. frater, 'brother', Oscan fratrum, fratrom, 'of
the brothers' (pi. gen.), OSlav. bratru, bratii,
'brother', Russ., Pol., Slovak brat, Czech bratr,
OPruss. brdti, brote (voc), 'brother', bratrikai,'
'brothers', Lith. broterelis, 'little brother',
whence — through back formation — brolis, Lett.
bralis (voc), 'brother', Olr. brdthir, OW.
broder, W. brawd, Bret, breur, 'brother'. Cp.
bratstvo, fraternal, friar, phratry. Cp. also pal.
Derivatives: brother, tr. v., brother-ly, adj. and
adv., brother-li-ness, n.
Brother Jonathan, a sobriquet for the United
States. — Generally derived fr. Jonathan Trum-
bull, governor of Connecticut (1740-1809), to
whom George Washington often referred as
Brother Jonathan.
brougham, n., a closed four-wheeled carriage. —
Named after the first Lord Brougham (1778-
1868).
brought, past tense and pp. of bring. — ME.
brought(e) fr. OE. brohte (past tense), resp. ge-
broht (pp.), fr. bringan, 'to bring'. See bring.
brow, n. — ME. browe, fr. OE. brii, rel. to ON.
brun, 'brow', and cogn. with OT. bhruh, Toch.
A parwam (dual), Avestic brvat-, ModPers. abru,
bru, Gk. otpp'j?, OSlav. bruvi, Lith. bruvis,
'brow', OPruss. wubri (metathesis fr. *brwi),
Olr. brii, 'edge', Mir. briiad, 'brow'. OE. brsew,
'eyelid', is not related to brow (see brae).
brown, adj. — ME. broun, fr. OE. brim, rel. to
ON. brunn, Dan., Swed. brun, OS., OFris.,
OHG., MHG. brun, MDu. bruun, Du. bruin,
G. braun, 'brown', and cogn. with Russ. bron,
'white, variegated', Gk. <pp>jvo;, cppwr], 'toad',
(prop, 'the brown animal'). These words have
been enlarged — with -n-formative element —
from I.-E. base *bher-, 'shining, brown', whence
also Lith. beras, Lett, bfrs, 'brown', OE. bera,
'bear' (prop, 'the brown animal'), OE. be(o)for,
'beaver' (lit. 'the brown animal'). See bear, the
animal, beaver and cp. bruin, brunette, brunis-
sure, Bruno, burnet, burnish, Prunella.
Derivatives: brown, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
brownie (q.v.), brown-ish, adj.
brownie, n., a good-natured goblin. — Formed
fr. brown with dimin. suff. -ie; so called from its
supposed color.
Browning, also browning, n. — Named after its
inventor John M. Browning (1 855-1926).
browse, tr. and intr. v., to feed on; to graze. —
From the obsolete noun browse, 'shoots, twigs'
(often used as cattle food), fr. MF. broust
(whence F. brout), 'sprout, shoot' (whence MF.
brouster, F. brouter, 'to browse'), fr. OF. brost,
of s.m., fr. Teut. *brustjan, 'to bud', lit. 'to swell',
fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, 'to swell'. See breast.
Derivatives: brows-er, n., brows-ing, n.
brucine, n., a poisonous alkaloid found in the
seeds of nux vomica (chem.) — Named by the
English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820)
after the Abyssinian traveler James Bruce (1730-
94). For the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
brucite, n., magnesium hydroxide (mineral) —
Named after the American mineralogist A.
Bruce. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
brugnatellite, n., a hydrous ultrabasic carbonate
of magnesium and iron (mineral.) — Named
after the Italian mineralogist Luigi Brugnatelli
(1859-1928). For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
bruin, n., name of the bear in fairy tales. — Du.
bruin, 'brown'. See brown. For sense develop-
ment see bear, the animal.
bruise, tr. and intr. v. — ME. brisen, brusen, a
blend of OE. brysan, 'to crush, bruise', and OF.
bruisier, 'to break'. Both OE. brysan and OF.
bruisier derive fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, *bhres-,
'to break, crush, crumble', whence also Olr.
bronnaim (for *bhrusndmi), 'I wrong, hurt', bris-
sim, 'I break', brisc, 'brittle', Bret, bresk, of
s.m., brezel, 'war', VL. brisare, 'to break', a
word of Celtic origin (whence F. briser, of s.m.),
Mir. bruim, 'I crush', OE. berstan, OS., OHG.
brestan, etc., 'to burst', and prob. also L. frus-
tum (fr. *bhrus-to-), 'piece', Alb. bresen, 'hail'.
Cp. I.-E. *bhrousmen, whence OS. brosma,
OHG. brosama, brosma, MHG. broseme, bros-
me, G. Brosam, Brosame, 'crumb'. Cp. debris,
debruise. Cp. also burst. Cp. also frustum.
Derivatives : bruise, n., bruis-er, n., bruis-ing, n.
bruit, n., noise; rumor (archaic). — F. 'noise',
orig. pp. of bruire, 'to rustle, rumble', used as a
noun. F. bruire derives fr. VL. *brugere, which
is a blend of L. riigire, 'to roar', with VL. *bra-
gere, 'to whine, cry' (whence F. braire, 'to bray'
(see bray, 'to cry'). L. riigire (whence VL. *rii-
gere), 'to roar', is cogn. with Gk. ^puyeiv, 'to
bellow, roar', 6p-j(j.aySo?, 'a loud noise', p<j£etv
(for *pijy!.£iv), 'to growl, snarl', OSlav. rykati,
ryknoti, 'to roar, bellow', OE. ryn (for *ruhjari),
OHG. rohon, of s.m.
Derivatives : bruit, tr. v., bruit-er, n.
Brumaire, n., name of the second month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
October 23rd to November 21st). — F., lit., 'the
foggy month', coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in
1793 fr. brume, 'fog', fr. L. bruma. See brume
and -aire.
brumal, adj., pertaining to winter. — L. brumdlis,
fr. bruma, 'winter'. See brume and adj. suff. -al.
brume, n., mist, fog. — F., 'mist, fog', fr. L.
bruma, 'winter', lit. 'the shortest day of the year',
contraction of *brevima, *breuma, superl. of
brevis, 'short'. See brief, adj.
brummagem, adj., counterfeit; cheap and showy;
n., anything cheap and showy. — A vulgar var.
of Birmingham, orig. meaning 'any article made
at Birmingham'.
brumous, adj., misty, foggy. — F. brumeux (fern.
brumeuse), fr. brume, 'mist, fog'. See brume
and -00s.
205
buccal
brunch, n., breakfast and lunch combined. —
A blend of breakfast and lunch,
brunette, n., a woman with dark hair and eyes. —
F., fem. of brunet, 'brownish', dimin. of brun,
'brown', of W. Teut. origin; cp. OHG. bruno,
'brown' and see brown. OProvenc. brun, It.
bruno, 'brown', are of the same origin. For the
ending see suff. -ette. Cp. burnet.
brunissure, n., a plant disease characterized by
the browning of the leaves (plant physiol.) — F.,
lit. 'a browning', formed with suff. -ure fr.
bruniss-, pres. part, stem of brunir, 'to brown',
fr. brun, 'brown' See prec. word.
Brunnichia, n., a genus of vines of the buckwheat
family (bot.) — ModL., named after M.T.Brun-
nich, a Norw. naturalist of the 18th cent. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Bruno, masc. PN. — OHG., lit. 'brown', fr. brun,
'brown'. See brown,
brunt, n. — ME., of uncertain origin.
Derivative: brunt, tr.v.
brush, n., shrubs. — ME. brusche, fr. OF. broche,
broce, brosse, 'brushwood; brush' (whence F.
brosse, 'brush', in the pi. brosses, 'brushwood',
and broussaille, 'brushwood'), fr. VL. *bruscia,
'shoots of a plant', fr. L. bruscum, 'excrescence
of the maple tree', which is prob. cogn. with
Gk. (Jpiisiv, 'to swell'. (3puov, 'moss'. See bryo-
and cp. the next three words.
brush, n., implement used for cleaning. — ME.
brusshe, fr. OF. broisse, brosse (F. brosse),
'brush'; of the same origin as prec. word. The
usual derivation of E. brush in the above sense
fr. Teut. *burstja, 'bristle' (see bristle) cannot
be accepted, owing to the fact that the first
brushes were made not of bristle, but of coach-
grass, brier, and other plants. For sense de-
velopment cp. broom, scrub.
Derivative: brush-y, adj.
brush, tr. v., to use a brush on. — ME. bruschen,
brusshen, fr. brusche. See prec. word.
brush, intr. v., to hurry ; to rush. — ME. bruschen,
'to rush', prob. fr. MF. brosser, 'to go through
underbrush', fr. brosse, 'brush'. See brush,
'shrubs'.
Derivative: brush, a short, quick fight,
brusque, adj., rough. — F., fr. It. brusco, 'rough,
sharp, not ripe', orig. a noun meaning 'butcher's
broom'; a blend of L. ruscum, of s.m., and VL.
*brucus, 'heath, heather'. See brier, 'heath', and
cp. brisk, which is a doublet of brusque.
Derivatives: brusque, tr. and intr. v., brusque-ly,
adv., brusque-ness, n.
brut, adj.. dry (said of wines, esp. of champagne).
— F., 'raw, crude'. See brute,
brutal, adj. — See brute and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: brutal-ity, n., brutal-ize, tr. v.
brute, n. — F. brut, fem. brute, 'raw, crude', fr.
L. brutus, 'heavy, dull, stupid', which is cogn.
with Lett, gruts, 'heavy', OI. guruh, Gk. papu?,
L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, adj., and cp. baro-,
Briareus.
Derivatives: brute, adj., brutal (q.v.), brut-ish,
adj., brut-ish-ly, adv., brut-ish-ness, n.
bryo-, combining form meaning 'moss'. — Gk.
Ppuo-, fr. (Jpuov, 'moss, catkin', rel. to jipueiv,
'to swell', Ppua^eiv, 'to swell, teem', SjxjJpuov,
'young one, embryo', and prob. cogn. with OS.
krud, MDu. cruut, Du. kruid, OHG., MHG. krut,
G. Kraut, 'herb', Goth, quairu, 'stake, prick,
prickle', perh. also with L. veru, 'spit'. Cp. em-
bryo. Cp. also brush, 'shrubs', the first element
in verumontanum and the second element in
choucroute, sauerkraut.
bryology, n., the study of mosses. — Compound-
ed of bryo- and Gk. -Xoyioi, fr. -Xoyo;, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: bryolog-ical, adj., bryolog-ist, n.
Bryonia, n., a genus of vines of the cucumber
family (bot.) — L. bryonia, fr. Gk. ppuoma.
See next word and -ia.
bryony, n., any plant of the genus Bryonia. —
Gk. ppucovla, 'bryony', fr. (Bpuetv, 'to swell',
which is rel. to ppuov, 'moss'. See bryo-.
Bryophyta, n., a division of plants including the
mosses and liverworts (bot.) — ModL., com-
pounded of bryo- and Gk. <p'jtov, 'plant'. See
-phyte.
Bryozoa, n. pi., a class of aquatic animals (zool.)
— ModL., compounded of bryo- and -zoa.
Brython, n., a Briton ; a Welshman. — W. Brython,
of the same origin as L. Brittd. See Briton, Brit.
Derivatives: Brython-ic, adj. and n.
bubaline, adj., pertaining to a certain group of
antelopes. — L. bubalinus, fr. bubalus, 'ante-
lope' (or 'buffalo'). See buffalo and cp. next
word.
bubalis, n., a large kind of antelope. — ModL.,
fr. Gk. poiifJaXu;, 'an African antelope', which
is rel. to {3ou(3aAoi;, 'an African antelope; buf-
falo'. See buffalo.
bubble, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bobelen, of imi-
tative origin. Cp. Dan. boble, MLG. bubbeln,
Du. bobbelen, 'to bubble'. Cp. also Dan. boble,
Swed. bubbla, Du. bobbel, 'a bubble', E. blob,
and the second element in hubble-bubble. Cp.
also burble.
Derivatives: bubble, n., bubbl-ing, adj., bubbl-
ing-ly, adv., bubbl-y, adj.
Bubo, n., a genus of owls (ornithol.) — L. bubo,
'owl, horned owl', from the I.-E. imitative base
*bu-. See Buteo.
bubo, n., a swelling in the groin (med.) — Late L.,
fr. Gk. po'Sfidtv, 'groin, swelling in the groin',
which is prob. cogn. with OI. gavinf, 'groin',
bubonic, adj., characterized by swelling in the
groin. — See prec. word and -ic.
bucca, n., cheek. — L. See next word,
buccal, adj., pertaining to the cheek. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al, fr. L. bucca, 'cheek', from the
I.-E. imitative base *bu-, 'to blow; to swell'. Cp.
Bubo, buckle, bull, 'edict', debouch, disembogue,
embouchure, pocket, poke, 'a bag', pox, puck.
buccan
206
Cp. also the related base *buq-, 'to roar, bark',
in OI. buk-kdrah, 'lion's roar', biikkati, 'barks',
Gk. Puxtt);, 'roaring' (said of the wind). Cp.
also bud.
buccan, n., a wooden frame for smoking meat. —
F. boucan, 'frame for smoking meat', fr. Tupi
mocaem (so called in a Port, report fr. 1587);
initial b and m are interchangeable in the Tupi
language. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 77.
s.v. boucan.
buccan, tr. v., to smoke on a buccan. — F. bou-
caner, fr. boucan. See prec. word.
buccaneer, n., one who smokes meat; a pirate. —
F. boucanier, fr. boucan. See buccan, n.
buccinal, adj., like a trumpet. — See next word
and adj. suff. -al.
buccinator, n., a flat thin muscle in the cheek
(anat.) — L. bitcindtor, buccinator, 'trumpeter',
fr. bucindtus, buccindtus, pp. stem of bucinare,
buccinndre, 'to blow the bucina\ fr. bucina, buc-
cina, 'crooked horn, trumpet', which stands for
*bou-cana, lit., 'that which is made from (the
horn of) the ox for blowing', fr. bos, gen. bovis,
'ox' (see bovine), and cand, -ere, 'to sing, sound,
blow' (see cant, 'slang of beggars'). OHG.
buchina (MHG. busine, busune, G. Posaune),
'trumpet, trombone' is a loan word fr. L. bu-
cina. Cp. Posaune.
Derivative: buccinator-y \ adj.
bucco-, combining form meaning 'buccal and'. —
Fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal.
Bucellas, also bucellas, n., a white wine. — Named
after Bucellas, a small town near Lisbon.
Bucentaur, n., a fabulous monster, half bull, half
man. — Compounded of Gk. Pou;, gen. P06;,
'ox', and xsvTocjpo;, 'centaur'. See bovine and
centaur.
Bucephalus, n., name of Alexander the Great's
favorite horse. — Gk. Bouxi^aXo;, lit. 'oxhead',
fr. pou;, gen. pooc, 'ox', and xctpotX?;, 'head'. See
bovine and cephalic.
Buceros, n., the genus of hornbills (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. pouxepco;, 'horned like an ox',
compounded of po5;, gen. poo;, 'ox', and x£pa;,
'horn'. See bovine and cerato-.
Buchloe, n., a genus of plants of the family Poa-
ceae (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'buffalo grass', con-
tracted fr. Gk. po-jfiaXo;, 'buffalo', and yX^.
'young green shoot'. For the first element see
buffalo. The second is related to /X60;, 'greenish-
yellow color', /Xwpo;, 'greenish yellow'. See
chlorine.
buchu, n., leaves of the plant Barosma betulina
and related species (bot.) — Zulu buchu, bucu,
lit. 'mixture'.
buck, n., the body of a wagon (dial.) — OE. buc,
'body', rel. to ON. bukr, Swed., Norw. buk,
Dan. bug, OFris. buk, MDu. buuc, Du. buik,
OHG. buh, buhhes, MHG. bitch, G. Bauch,
'belly, abdomen', fr. I.-E. base *bhdu-, *bhu-,
'to swell', whence also boil, 'inflammation'. Cp.
bucket. Cp. also the second element in sillabub,
trabuco, trebuchet. Cp. also bulk, 'size' buire,
burette.
buck, t.v., to soak in lye. — ME. bouken, rel. to
MLG. biiken (whence Swed. byka, Norw. bykja,
Dan. byge), G. bauchen, beuchen, and to beech
(q.v.); lye was orig. made of beech ashes.
buck, n., male deer, stag; dandy. — ME. bucke,
fr. OE. bucca, 'he-goat', bucc, 'male deer', rel.
to OS. buck, MDu. buc, boc Du. bok, OHG.,
MHG. boc, G. Bock, ON. bokkr, bukkr, Dan.
buk, and cogn. with Avestic bitza, 'buck', Pers.
buz, 'buck, goat', Arm. buc, 'lamb'. Olr. bocc
and W. bwch are prob. Teut. loan words. Cp.
butcher. Cp. also Docking, 'smoked herring', and
the second element in kleeneboc, gemsbok, grys-
bok, springbok.
Derivatives: buck, intr. and tr. v., buck-er, n.,
buck-ish, adj., buck-ish-ly, adv., buck-ish-ness,n.
buckaroo, also buckayro, n., cowboy (W. Ameri-
can slang). — Corruption of Sp. vaquero, 'cow-
boy', fr. vaca, 'cow', fr. L. vacca. See vaccine.
buck basket, n., a laundry basket. — See buck,
'to soak in lye'.
buckeen, n., an Indian woman (in Guiana). —
Formed fr. buck, 'male deer; dandy', with suff.
-een.
bucket, n. — ME., fr. AF. buket, dimin. formed
fr. OE. buc, 'body, belly, pitcher'. See buck,
'body of a wagon', and -et.
Derivative: bucket, tr. v.
buckle, n. — ME. bokel, fr. OF. boucle, 'boss of a
shield' (whence F. boucle, 'buckle, ring'), fr. L.
buccula, dimin. of bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal
and cp. buckler, boucle.
Derivatives: buckle, v. (q.v.), buckl-ed, adj.
buckl-er, n.
buckle, tr. v., to fasten with a buckle. — Fr. prec.
word. Cp. F. boucler, 'to fasten with a buckle',
fr. boucle, 'buckle'.
buckle, tr. v., to bend. — F. boucler, 'to buckle;
to bulge' (said of a wall). See prec. word.
buckler, n., one who, or that which, buckles. —
Formed fr. buckle, 'to fasten with a buckle',
with agential suff. -er.
buckler, n., a large shield. — ME., fr. OF. bocler
(whence F. bouclier), fr. boucle, 'boss of a
shield'. OF. bocler lit. means 'that which is pro-
vided with a boss', fr. VL. *bucculdris, fr. L.
buccula. See buckle, n.
buckling, n., a smoked herring. — G. Buckling,
alteration of MHG. bucking (owing to a con-
fusion of suff. -ing with -ling) fr. MDu. buckinc
(whence Du. bokking), fr. buc, boc, 'buck'; so
called from its odor. Sec buck, 'male deer',
bocking.
buckram, n., a coarse linen. — ME. bokeram, fr.
OF. boquerant (F. bougran), fr. Bukhara (Bok-
hara), name of a town in Turkestan (now the
chief city of Uzbek, U.S.S.R.) Cp. It. bucherame,
OProvenc. bocaram, Sp. bucardn, 'buckram'.
The orig. meaning of these words was, 'linen
brought from, or manufactured in, Bukhara'.
207
Bufo
buckrams, n., ramson. — See buck, 'male deer',
and ramson.
buckwheat, n. — Compounded of dial. E. buck,
'beech', fr. OE. boc (see beech), and wheat (cp.
Dan. boghvede, Swed. bohvete, MDu. boecweit,
Du. boekweit, G. Buchweizen); so called be-
cause its seeds resemble the nuts of the beech
tree.
bucolic, adj., pertaining to shepherds, pastoral.
— L. biicolicus, fr. Gk. pooxoXixA;, 'of herds-
men', fr. poux6Xo;, 'herdsman', which is com-
pounded of pou;, gen poo;, 'ox', and -xoXo;,
'keeper'. For the first element see bovine. The
second element stands in gradational relation-
ship to Gk. 7t£Xeiv, 'to be; to become', and is
cogn. with L. colere, 'to till (the ground), culti-
vate, dwell, inhabit'; see colony. Cp. Mir. btia-
chaill, W. bugail, 'shepherd', which are the exact
Celtic equivalents of Gk. pouxoXo;. Cp. also
Gk. abr6Xo; (for *aty-7t6Xos), 'goatherd'.
Derivative : bucolic, n.
bucranium, n., an ornament representing the skull
of an ox. — L., fr. Gk. pouxpdviov, 'oxhead',
fr. pou;, gen. poo;, 'ox', and xpavtov, 'skull'.
See bovine and cranium.
bud, n. — ME. budde, rel. to Du. bot, 'bud', OS.
budil, 'bag, purse', MDu. budel, Du. buidel,
OHG. butil, MHG. biutel, G. Beutel, of s.m.,
fr. I.-E. base *b(h)u-, 'to swell'. See buccal and
cp. buddy. Cp. also bolt, 'to sift'. Cp. also
boil, 'inflammation'.
Derivatives: bud, intr. and tr. v., budd-er, n.,
budd-ing, n.
Buddha, n., incarnation of deified religious teach-
ers, esp. of Gautama Siddharta (563-483). —
OI. buddhdh, 'awakened, enlightened', pp. of
bSdhati, budhyate, 'is awake, observes, under-
stands', fr. I.-E. base *bheudh-, 'to offer, present'.
See bid and cp. bo tree.
Derivatives: Buddh-ic, adj., Buddh-ism, n.,
Buddh-ist, n., Buddh-ist-ic, Buddhist-ic-al, adjs.
Buddleia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.) — Named
after the English botanist Adam Buddie (died
in 1 71 5). For the ending see suff. -ia.
buddy, n., chum, companion, former soldier (col-
loq.) — Orig. the noun buddy was an affection-
ate term for a child and is etymologically iden-
tical with the adj. buddy, 'full of buds, resembling
a bud'. See bud and adj. suff. -y.
budge, intr. and tr. v., to stir, move. — F. bouger,
fr. VL. *bullicare, 'to bubble, boil up, seethe',
hence 'to be agitated, to be in movement', fr.
L. bullire, 'to bubble'. Cp. It. bulicare, 'to
bubble, seethe', and OProvenc. bolegar, 'to stir,
budge', which are of the same origin as F.
bouger, and see boil, v.
budge, n., a kind of fur. — ME. bouge, 'bag', fr.
OF. boge, bouge, 'leather bag, wallet', fr. L.
bulga, 'leather wallet'. See bulge and cp. budget.
Cp. also belly.
budget eegah, n., the Australian parakeet. — Na-
tive Australian.
budgerow, n., a keelless barge (Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind, bajrd.
budget, n. — F. bougette, 'a little trunk of wood',
dimin. of boge, bouge, 'leather bag, wallet'. See
budge, 'fur', and -et.
Derivatives: budget, tr. and intr. v., budget-ary,
adj., budget-eer, n., budget-er, n.
budmash, n., a worthless fellow, rake (Anglo-
Ind.) — A hybrid coined fr. Pers. bad, 'evil',
and Arab, ma'dsh, 'means of livelihood', fr.
'dsha, 'he lived'. Cp. the first element in next
word.
budzat, n., an evil fellow. — A hybrid coined fr.
Pers. bad, 'evil', and Arab, dhdt, 'essence, per-
son, individual'. Cp. the first element in prec.
word.
buff, n., a blow; tr. and intr. v., to strike. —
ME. buffe, fr. OF. buffe, 'blow', which is of
imitative origin. Cp. buffet, puff.
buff, n., skin of the buffalo. — From earlier buffe,
'buffalo, buff', fr. F. buffle, 'buffalo'. To account
for the loss of the ending -le, I would suggest
that it was mistaken for the diminutive suffix
and accordingly dropped.
Derivative: buff, tr. v., to polish with a buff; to
make as smooth as buff leather.
buffalo, n. — Port, bufalo, fr. L. bufalus, a col-
lateral form of bubalus, fr. Gk. poupaXo;, 'an
African antelope', later 'buffalo', which is prob.
rel. to pou;, 'ox'. See bovine and cp. prec. word
and buffle. Cp. also bubaline, bubalis and the
first element in Buchloe.
buffer, n., one who, or that which, buffs or
strikes. — Formed from the verb buff, 'to strike'
(see buff, 'a blow'), with agential suff. -er.
buffer, n., a device, esp. at the end of a railroad
car. — Derivatively identical with prec. word.
Cp. Puffer of s.m.
buffer, n., a fellow. — Orig. identical with buffer,
'one who buffs'; influenced in meaning by
buffoon.
buffet, n., a blow. — OF., dimin. of buffe, 'blow'.
See buff, 'blow', and dimin. suff. -et.
Derivatives: buffet, tr. and intr. v., buffet-er, n.
buffet, n., refreshment bar. — F. buffet, of un-
certain origin.
buffle, n. (obsol.), 1) buffalo; 2) a bufflehead (ob-
sol.) — F., 'buffalo', fr. Port, bufalo. See buffalo.
bufflehead, n., a small North American duck. —
Compounded of buffle and head.
buffoon, n. — F. bouffon, buffon, fr. It. buffone,
fr. buffa, 'joke, jest, pleasantry', which is rel. to
buffare, 'to blow'; of imitative origin. Cp. buff,
'to blow'. For the ending see suff. -oon.
Derivatives: buffoon, intr. and tr. v., buffoon-
ery, n.
Bufo, n., a genus of toads (zool.) — L. bufo, 'a
toad', an Osco-Umbrian loan word, prob.
standing for *g K 6bho and cogn. with OPruss.
gabawo, 'toad', OSlav. zaba (for *g K ebhd),
'frog', MLG. kwappe (whence G. Quappe, Kaul-
quappe), 'tadpole'.
bug
208
bug, n., an insect. — ME. bugge, 'scarecrow', of
uncertain origin.
bug, n., a bugbear. — W. bwg, 'ghost, bugbear'.
bugbear, n. — Compounded of prec. word and
the noun bear.
bugger, n., i) a sodomite; 2) a fellow, a chap. —
OF. (= F.) bougre, fr. ML. Bulgarus, 'a Bul-
garian; heretic; sodomite'. See Bulgarian.
Derivative: bugger-y, n.
buggy, n., a light vehicle. — Of unknown origin.
bugle, n., a buffalo (pbsoi); a horn. — OF. 'ox,
buffie', fr. L. buculus, 'young ox', dimin. of bos,
gen. bovis, 'ox'; see bovine. F. bugle, 'a wind
instrument', is an English loan word. OF. bugler
(whence F. beugler), 'to blow the horn', derives
fr. OF. bugle.
Derivatives: bugle, intr. v., to sound a bugle;
tr. v., to summon by blowing a bugle; bugl-er, n.
bugle, n., an ornament. — Possibly fr. bugle,
'horn', and orig. denoting little horns and horn-
like ornaments.
bugloss, n., name of a plant. — F. buglosse, fr.
L. biiglossa, fr. Gk. (-.oiiyXcoaaoi;, 'ox-tongued',
fr. fiovq, gen. po6?, 'ox', and yXcoaaa, 'tongue'.
See bovine and gloss, 'interpretation'. The plant
was so called from the shape of the leaves.
buhl, n. decoration of furniture inlaid with brass
and tortoise shell. — G., from the name of the
French cabinetmaker Charles-Andre Boulle
(1642- 1 732).
Derivative: buhl, adj.
build, tr. and intr. v. — ME. bulden, bilden, fr.
OE. byldan, rel. to OE., OFris. bold, 'a building,
a house', OE., OHG. buan, ON. bua, 'to dwell',
fr. Teut. base *bu-, corresponding to I.-E. base
*bhu-, 'to dwell'. See be and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: build, n., build-er, n., build-ing, n.
buire, n., jug, pitcher. — F., 'bottle', a secondary
form of huie, from Frankish bitka, alteration of
*huk, "belly', which is rel. to MDu. buuc, etc.,
'belly'. See buck, 'the body of a wagon', and
cp. burette.
bulb, n. — F. bulhe, fr. VL. bulbu,s 'bulb, bulbous
root, onion', fr. Gk. (ioXfioc;, of s.m., which
was formed from the reduplication of the I.-E.
imitative base *bol-\ prob. not rel. to L. bulla
(seeiw//, 'edict';. I_.ith.W6e, 'potato', is borrowed
fr. Poi. bulba, which is a Latin loan word.
Derivatives: bulb, intr. v., bulb-ar, adj., adj.,
bulb-ed, bulb-ous, bulb-y, adjs.
bulbul, n., a songbird of Persia, prob. the nightin-
gale. — Pers. bulbul, a word of imitative origin.
Bulgarian, adj. and n. — ML. Bulgaria, 'Bul-
garia', fr. Bulgari, 'Bulgarians', lit. prob. mean-
ing 'the men from the Bolg( = Volga)', so called
because they came from the banks of the Volga
where they had lived till the 6th cent. — Volga
is a word of Sarmatian origin and denotes 'the
great river'. For the ending see suff. -an. Cp.
bugger.
bulge, n. — OF. boulge, bouge (F.bouge), 'leather
bag, wallet', fr. L. bulga, 'leather knapsack',
which, according to Festus, is a word of Gaulish
origin. Cp. Olr. bolgaim, 'I swell', bolg, 'bag',
W. bol, bola, boly, 'belly', Bret. bolc'h, 'flax
pod', which derive fr. I.-E. base *bhelgh-, 'to
swell'. Bulga prop, means 'swelled skin of ani-
mal'. See belly and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: bulge, intr. v., bulg-er, n., bulg-
ing, adj.
bulimia, n., morbid hunger (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. fJouXTuia, 'ravenous hunger', lit. 'ox
hunger', fr. pou;, gen. poo;, 'ox', and XI[i6i;,
'hunger'. See bovine, loimic and -ia.
bulk, n., size, volume; cargo of a ship. — ME.
bulke, prob. a blend of ON. bulki, 'carge', and
OE. bite, 'body, belly'. ON. bulki, is rel. to ON.
bollr, 'a ball', fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to swell';
see bull, 'the male of a bovine animal', and cp.
ball, 'a round body', bold. For the etymology
of OE. buc see buck, 'the body of a wagon'.
bulk, n., projection from a shop. — ME. balk,
bolk, fr. OE. balca, 'beam'. See balk and cp.
next word.
bulkhead, n. — Compounded of bulk, 'projection',
and head.
Derivative: bulkhead, tr. v.
bull, n., the male of a bovine animal. — ME. bule,
bole, fr. OE. bula, 'bull', rel. to ON. boli, MDu.
bul(le), Du. bul, G. Bulk, of s.m., OE. bulluc,
'little bull', beallue, 'testicle', ON. bollr, 'ball',
fr. I.-E. base *bhel-, 'to swell', whence also Gk.
9«XXo5, 'penis', cpiXXaivx, fpxXXv;, 'whale', L.
follis, 'a pair of bellows'. Cp. bullock. Cp. also
baleen, ball, 'a round body', bold, bulk, 'size',
follicle, phallus. For derivatives of base *bhelgh-,
an enlargement of base *bhel-, see belly, bud-
get, bulge.
Derivative: bull, intr. and tr. v., bull-ish, adj.
bull, n., an edict of the pope. — ME. bulk, fr. OF.
bulk, fr. It. bulla, fr. ML. bulla, 'seal affixed to a
document, document', fr. L. bulla, 'bubble, boss,
knob', fr. I.-E. *bu-l-, whence also Lith. bule,
bulls, 'buttock', MDu. puyl, 'bag', MLG. pull,
poll, 'pod, husk' (with p for b). I.-E. *bu-l- is
an -/-enlargement of base *bu-, 'to blow; to
swell', whence L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and
cp. bill, 'document', bullet, bulletin. Cp. also
poll, 'head'.
bull, n., a comical blunder. — Of uncertain origin.
bulla, n., boss, knob. — L. bulla, 'bubble, boss,
knob'. Sec bull, 'edict'.
bullace, n., a wild plum. — ME. bolace, fr. OF.
beloce, 'sloe', of unknown origin.
bullate, adj., blistered. — L. bulldtus, fr. bulla,
'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and adj. suff. -ate.
bulldog, n. — Compounded of bull, 'male of a
bovine animal', and dog; so called because orig-
inally used for baiting bulls.
bulldoze, tr. v., to intimidate; to bully {colloq.)
— Of uncertain origin.
bulldozer, n., 1) one who bulldozes; 2) a kind
209
bungle
of tractor. — Formed fr. prec. word with agential
suff. -er.
bullet, n. — F. boulet, dimin. of boule, 'ball', fr.
L. bulla, 'bubble'. See bull, 'edict', and -et.
Derivative: bullet-ed, adj.
bulletin, n. — F., fr. It. bullettino, dimin. of bulla,
'an edict of the pope'. See bull, 'edict'.
bullion, n., uncoined gold or silver. — Du. buli-
oen, 'alloy of gold and silver', fr. F. billon, 'lump,
ingot, alloy of silver with a preponderating
amount of copper', fr. bille, 'block of wood'.
See billet, 'a stick'.
bullock, n. — OE. bulluc, 'little bull', dimin. of
bull. See bull, 'male of a bovine animal', and
-ock.
bully, n., adj. and tr. v. — Of uncertain origin.
Cp. billycock.
Derivatives: bully-ing, adj., bully-ing-ly, adv.
bulrush, n. — ME. bolroysche, bulrysche. See bole,
'trunk of a tree', and rush, the plant,
bulwark, n., 1) rampart; 2) protection. — ME.
bulwerk, fr. MLG. (= Du.) bolwerk, which is rel.
to MHG. bolwerk, G.Bollwerk, Swed. bolverk.
These words lit. mean 'bole work'. See bole,
'trunk of a tree', and work and cp. boulevard.
Derivative: bulwark, tr. v.
bum, intr. v., to make a humming sound. — Of
imitative origin. Cp. boom, bump.
Derivative: bumm-er, n.
bun-bailiff, n., a bailiff serving writs, making ar-
rests, etc. — Compounded of obsol. bum, 'rump,
buttocks', and bailiff; so called because he used
to be close behind.
Bumble, n., a self important, petty official. —
From Mr. Bumble, name of a pompous beadle
in Dickens's Oliver Twist.
Derivative: Bumble-dom, bumbk-dom, n.
bumblebee, n. — Compounded of ME. bumlen,
bumblen, 'to hum', and bee. The first element is
of imitative origin; cp. boom, bum, bomb, bump.
Cp. humblebee.
bumbo, n., a drink made of sugar, water, spirits
and spice. — It. bombo, a child's word for drink,
bumboat, n., a boat used to convey stores, etc.,
to a ship. — LG. bumboot, lit. 'boat hewn from
a tree trunk', fr. bum, 'tree', and boot, 'boat'.
See beam and boat.
Bumelia, n., a genus of the family Sapotaceae
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. (..ou^eX-a, name of a
kind of ash, compounded of pouc, gen. |Jo6g,
'ox', and u..X.a, 'ash tree'. See bovine and Melia.
bummalo, n., the Bombay duck. — Corruption of
Marathi bombil.
bump, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
boom, bum, bomb. Cp. also bumptious.
Derivatives: bump, n. (q.v.), bump-er, n., bump-
y, adj., bump-i-ness, n.
bump, n., a blow; swelling, protuberance caused
by a blow. — Fr. prec. word. Cp. bunch.
bumpkin, n., a rustic, a lout. — Prob. fr. Du.
bommekijn, 'a little cask'. For the ending see
suff. -kin.
bumptious, adj., arrogant, obtrusive. — A jocular
word, formed from bump on analogy of face-
tious, fractious, etc.
Derivatives: bumptious-ly, adv., bumptious-
ness, n.
bun, n., a small cake. — ME. bunne, of uncertain
etymology. It is perh. of Celtic origin (cp. Gael.
bonnach) or derives fr. OF. bugne, buigne, bigne,
'a swelling; fritter', whence buignet, bignet, F.
beignet, 'fritter' ; so called from its swollen shape
Cp. bunion.
bun, n., the tail of a rabbit. — Of uncertain ori-
gin. Cp. bunny.
bunch, n. — Prob. fr. bump, in the sense of 'swel-
ling'. For the connection of bump with bunch
cp. clump and clunch, hump and hunch, lump
and lunch.
Derivatives : bunch, tr. and intr. v., bunch-y, adj.,
bunch-i-ly, adv., bunch-i-ness, n.
bunco, bunko, n., swindling at cards; tr. v., to
swindle at cards. — Cp. Sp. banco, 'bank',
banco, 'a game of cards', which are rel. to It.
banca, 'bank'. See bank, 'an institution for the
custody of money'.
buncombe, n. — A spelling var. of bunkum.
bundle, n. — ME. bundel, fr. MDu. bundel, a
collateral form of bondel, dimin. of MDu. bont
(whence Du. bond), 'bundle', rel. to Du. binden,
'to bind'. Cp. MHG., G. bundel, 'bundle', di-
min. of MHG. bunt, resp. G. Bund, 'bundle',
and OE. byndele, 'a binding', and see bind. For
the ending sec dimin. suff. -le. Cp. bunt, n.
Derivatives: bundle, tr. and intr. v., bundl-er, n.
bundobust, n., regulation, settlement (Anglo-
Ind.) — Hind, and Pers. band-o-bast, lit. 'tying
and binding'. Hind, band derives fr. OI. band,
'a tying', fr. OI. bandhati, 'he ties up, binds';
see bind. For Pers. bast, 'a binding', see bast.
bundook, n., a rifle. — Hind., fr. Arab, bunduq,
'missile', orig. 'weapon made in Venice', fr.
Bunduqtya h , the Arabic name of Venice, the city
once so famous for its manufacture of cross-
bows and small arms. This etymology is corro-
borated by the circumstance that bunduqiya h
means also 'musket, rifle". Cp. also Al-Bandu-
qdnt, 'the man of the crossbow', a surname of
the caliph Harun-al-Rashid.
bung, n., a large stopper. — MDu. bonghe, fr. F.
bonde, fr. Gaul, "bunda, whence also OProv-
enc. bonda. Cp. Olr. bonn, Gaelic and Ir. bonn,
W. bon, 'base, sole of the foot'. MHG. bunt
punt, spunt (whence G. Spund), 'bung', are
Romance loan words. See Bloch-Wartburg,
DELF., p. 75 s.v. bonde.
Derivative: bung, tr. v.
bungaloid, adj., resembling bungalows. — A
hybrid coined fr. bungalow and Gk. -oziS^z,
'like', fr. sl&oz;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
bungalow, n. — From Hind. Bangla, 'belonging
to Bengal, of Bengal", used elliptically for 'house
of Bengal'.
bungle, intr. v., to act clumsily; tr. v., to make
bunion
210
clumsily. — Of Scand. origin. Cp. OSwed.
bunga, 'to strike', bangla, 'to work ineffec-
tively', which is related to Swed. b&nga, 'to make
a noise', MHG. burtge, 'drum', MDu. benghel,
MHG. bengel, 'cudgel', G. Bengel, 'cudgel; rude
fellow'. All these words are ult. of imitative
origin. See bang.
Derivatives: bungle, n., bungl-er, n., bungl-ing,
adj. and n.
bunion, n., a swelling on the first joint of the
great toe. — Fr. MF. bugne, 'a swelling'. See
bun, 'small cake'.
bunk, n., a sleeping berth. — Prob. related to
bank, 'edge of a river', and to bank, 'bench'.
Cp. bunker.
Derivative: bunk, intr. v.
bunk, n., nonsense. — See bunkum,
bunker, n. — Scot, bunker, 'bench', prob. rel. to
bench.
Derivative : bunker, tr. v.
bunkum, buncombe, often shortened to bunk, n.,
speechmaking for effect; insincere talk; hum-
bug. — From Buncombe, name of a county in
North Carolina, one of whose representatives
was said to have spoken frequently in Congress,
merely to impress his constituents.
bunny, n., pet name for a rabbit. — Formed fr.
bun, 'rabbit', with dimin. suff. -y.
bunodont, adj., having tubercles in the teeth (ap-
plied to the pig and the hippopotamus). — Com-
pounded of Gk. pouvo?, 'mound, hill', and
68<iv, gen. 686vxo<;, 'tooth'. The first element is,
according to Herodotus, 4,199, a Cyrenaic loan
word. For the second element see odonto-.
Bunsen burner. — Named after its inventor, the
German chemist Professor Robert Wilhelm
Bunsen (181 1-99).
bunt, n., a disease of wheat; smut. — Of unknown
origin.
bunt, n., the bagging part of a fishing net. — Rel.
to Dan. bundt, Swed. bunt, MDu. bont, MHG.
bunt, G. Bund, Biindel, 'bundle', and to E.
bundle (q.v.)
bunt, tr. v., to sift. — ME. bonten, 'to sift', formed
— through the medium of OF. — fr. VL. *boni-
tdre, 'to make good', fr. L. bonitds, 'the good
quality of a thing, goodness', fr. bonus, 'good'.
See bonus and cp. bunting, 'cloth'.
bunt, tr. and intr. v., to strike with the head
or horns, to butt. — Cp. butt, 'to strike'.
bunting, n., any of various small birds. — ME.,
of unknown origin.
bunting, n., cloth used for patriotic decoration,
— The orig. meaning prob. was 'cloth used for
sifting', fr. ME. bonten, 'to sift'. See bunt, 'to
sift', and subst. suff. -ing.
bunyip, n., a fabulous animal. Hence: a humbug,
an impostor. — Native Australian,
buoy, n. — MDu. boeye, boye (Du. boei), fr. OF.
boye (F. bouee), fr. Teut. *baukn, 'signal'. Cp.
OHG. bouhhan, OFris. bdken, and see beacon.
Derivatives: buoy, tr. v., buoy-age, n., buoy-
ance, n., buoy-ancy, n., buoy-ant, adj., buoy-ant-
ly, adv., buoy-ant-ness, n.
Bupleurum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. (3ou<;, gen. fJoo;,
'ox', and TtXeupov, 'rib'. See bovine and pleura.
Buprestis, n., a genus of beetles (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. pou7rpr]o-Ti<;, 'apoisonous beetle',
lit. 'burner of cattle', compounded of pouc,, gen.
Poo?, 'ox', and np^siv, 'to blow out, swell out,
blow into flame' ; so called because this beetle,
if eaten by cattle, causes them to swell up and
die. For the first element see bovine. The second
element is rel. to 7U|XTcpdvai, 'to burn, burn up',
and prob. cogn. with Hitt. pardi-, 'to blow into
a flame, to kindle', OSlav. parna, 'smoke, va-
por', Russ. preju, pret', 'to sweat, boil', ON.
frees, 'a blowing'.
bur, also burr, n., the prickly seed vessel of certain
plants. — Lit. 'the bristly one'; rel. to Dan.
borre, 'burdock', and to E. barse and bristle
(qq.v.) See also fastigiate and cp. the first ele-
ment in burdock.
Derivative: bur, burr, tr. v.
burble, intr. v., to make a bubbling sound. — Of
imitative origin. Cp. bubble.
Derivatives: burble, n., burbl-er, n., burbl-y,
adj.
burbot, n., a fresh-water fish of the cod family. —
F. bourbotte, fr. bourbe, 'mud, mire', fr. Gaulish
*borva-, a form reconstructed from Borvo, name
of a thermal deity (whence the place name
Bourbon), rel. to Olr. berbaim, 'I boil, seethe',
fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, 'to boil'. See brew and cp.
F. barbote, 'eelpout', barboter, 'to dabble about
in mud or in muddy water', which are related
to bourbe, 'mud, mire'. Cp. also Bourbon.
burd,n., lady. — ME. byrd, burd, prob. metathesis
of OE. bryd, 'bride'. See 1st bride.
burden, n., a load. — ME. burden, birden, birthen,
fr. OE. byrden, rel. to ON. byrdr, OS. bur-
thinnia, OHG. burdi, MHG., G. biirde, Goth.
baurpei; lit. 'that which is borne', fr. I.-E. base
*bher-, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry' and
cp. burthen.
Derivatives: burden, tr. v., burden-er, n., burden-
some, adj., burden-some-ly , adv., burden-some-
ness, n.
burden, n., refrain. — F. bourdon, 'drone, drone
bass, humblebee', fr. ML. burddnem, acc. of
burdo, of s.m., which is of imitative origin. Cp.
bourdon, 'drone bass'.
burdock, n., the plant Arctium Lappa. — Com-
pounded of bur, 'prickly seed vessel', and dock,
the plant; so called for its burs and because of
its large leaves resembling those of the dock.
Cp. hardock.
bureau, n. — F., 'desk, writing table, office', fr.
OF. burel, dimin. of bure (F. bourre), 'coarse
woolen cloth', hence bureau orig. meant 'table
covered with a coarse woolen stuff.' OF. bure,
comes fr. VL. *bura, corresponding to Late L.
burra, 'flock of wool', which is cogn. with Gk.
211
Burmannia
JSeppov, pippo5> 'thick with hair, hairy'. Cp.
bourette, burel, burl, burlesque,
bureaucracy, n. — F. bureaucratie , a hybrid coined
by the French economist Jean Claude Marie
Vincent de Gournay (1712-59) fr. bureau and
Gk. -zpaTia, fr. xpocTOC, 'strength, power, rule'.
See -cracy.
bureaucrat, n. — F. bureaucrate. See prec. word
and -crat.
Derivatives : bureaucral-ic, bureaucrat-ic-al, adjs. ,
bureaucrat-ic-al-ly, adv., bureaucrat-ism, n., bu-
reaucrat-ist, n., bureaucrat-ize, tr. v., bureaucrat-
ization, n.
burel, n., a kind of woolen cloth (history). — ME.,
fr. OF. burel. See bureau.
burette, n., a graduated glass tube for measuring
small quantities of liquid. — F., 'cruet, flagon',
dimin. of buire, a secondary form of buie,
'bottle', See buire and -ette.
burgage, n., a former form of privileged tenure
of land (law). — F. bourgage, fr. ML. burgagium,
'municipality', fr. Teut. *burg, 'town'. See
borough and -age.
burgee, n., a small pennon used by yachts and
merchant vessels for identification. — Orig.
'owner's pennon', fr. OF. burgeis (F. bourgeois)
in burgeis (F. bourgeois) d'un navire, 'owner of
a ship'; see bourgeois. In English, the s of OF.
burgeis was mistaken for the plural suff. For
other words similarly treated see pea.
burgeon, n., bud. — ME. borjoun, burjon, fr. OF.
burjon (F. bourgeon), fr. VL. *burrionem, acc. of
*burrid, fr. Late L. burra, 'flock of wool' (see
bureau); so called because the buds of many
trees have a hairy, shaggy appearance.
burgess, n., citizen of a borough. — OF. burgeis
(F. bourgeois), fr. Late L. burgensis, fr. Teut.
*burg, 'town'. See borough and cp. burgher. Cp.
also bourgeois.
burgh, n., 1) a borough; 2) in Scotland, an in-
corporated town. — A var. of borough (q.v.)
Derivatives: burgh-al, adj., burgher (q.v.)
burgher, n . , 1 ) freeman of a burgh ; 2) a cit izen . —
Prob. fr. Du. burger, 'citizen', fr. MDu. burgher,
fr. MHG. burgxre, burger (whence G. Burger),
fr. OHG. burgdri, fr. OHG. burg, 'castle, cit-
adel, city'; influenced in form by E. burgh. Sec
borough and agential suff. -er.
burglar, n. — ML. burguldtor, burgldtor, a
hybrid lit. meaning 'town thief. The first ele-
ment is a Teut. loan word (see borough), the
second is traceable to L. latrd, gen. -dnis, 'thief,
robber' ; cp. OF. ler, lerre, acc. laron (whence F.
larrnn), and see larceny.
Derivatives: burglar-ious, adj., burglar-ious-ly,
adv., burglar-ize, tr. v. (eolloq.), burglar-y, n.,
burgle (q.v.)
burgle, intr. v., to commit burglary; tr. v., to
burglarize. — Back formation fr. burglar.
burgomaster, n. — Formed fr. Du. burgemeesler,
with the assimilation of the second element to
E. master (q.v.) For the first element see bo-
rough. Cp. OFris. burgamdstere , Dan. borg-
mester, Norw. borgemester, Swed. borgmdstare,
MHG. biirge-, burge-, burger-, burgermeister,
G. Burgermeister.
burgonet, n., a light helmet. — F. bourguignotte,
prop, 'helmet of Burgundy', fr. Bourguignon,
'man of Burgundy', fr. Bourgogne, fr. ML. Bur-
gundia. See Burgundy.
burgrave, n., in German history, the lord of a
castle. — G. Burggraf, lit. 'count of a castle',
fr. Burg, 'castle', and Graf, 'count'. See borough
and grave, 'count'.
Burgundy, n. — ML. Burgundia, fr. Late L.
Burgundidnes, lit. 'Highlanders'. See borough and
cp. burgonet and burgundy.
burgundy, n., wine of Burgundy.
burial, n. — ME. buriels, fr. OE. byrgels fr. byr-
gan, 'to bury", rel. to beorgan, 'to cover'; see
bury. The ending -s in OE. byrgels, ME. buriels,
was mistaken for the pi. suffix and consequent-
ly dropped.
burin, n., engraver's cutting tool. -- F., fr. It.
burino (now bulino), a Teut. loan word. Cp.
OHG. boron, 'to bore', and see bore, v.
burke, tr. v., to murder by smothering. — From
the name of William Burk, executed in Edin-
burgh in 1829 for murdering several persons in
order to sell their bodies for dissection.
Derivatives: burk-er, burk-ite, n.
burkundauze, also burkundaz, n., an armed re-
tainer, an armed policeman (Anglo-Ind.) — A
hybrid coined fr. Arab.-Pers. barq-anddz, 'light-
ning,thrower\ fr. Arab, barq, 'lightning' and
Pers. anddz, 'thrower'. Arab, barq is rel. to Heb.
bdrdq, Aram. b e rdq, barqd, Akkad. birqu, 'light-
ning', Arab, bdraqa,' it lightened', Akkad . bardqu,
'to lighten', Aram, b f rdq, Ethiop. bardqa, 'it
lightened'; cp. Egypt, brq, 'to shine, glitter',
Copt, ebreje, lightning'.
burl, n., knot, lump. — OF. burle, dimin. of bure
(F. bourre), 'coarse woolen cloth'. See bureau
and cp. burlesque.
burlap, n., a coarse cloth made of hemp, flax or
jute. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: burlap, tr. v., to cover with burlap.
burlesque, adj., comic. — F., fr. It. burlesco, fr.
burla, 'jest', fr. VL. *burrula. *bfirula, dimin. of
Late L. burra, 'flock of wool', used in the plural
in the sense of 'trifles, nonsense'. For the ety-
mol. of L. burra see bureau.
Derivatives: burlesque, n. and tr. v., burlcsque-
ly, adv., burlesqu-er, n.
burly, adj. — ME. borlich, burli, 'lofty', prob.
fr. OF. horlice, 'excellently, exactly, very', rel.
to OHG. burlih, iofty, exalted', burjan, 'to raise,
lift', prob. fr. I.-E. base bher-, 'to bear, carry';
see bear, 'to carry'. For sense development cp.
Heb. nds'd, 'he lifted, carried".
Burmannia, n., a genus of plants of the burmannia
family (hot.) — ModL., named after the Dutch
botanist Johannes Burmann (1706-79). For ihe
ending see suff. -ia.
Burmanniaceae
212
Burmanniaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (pot.) —
Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
burmanniaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
burn, n., a brook, water (Scot, and dial. Engl.) —
ME. burne, fr. OE. brunna, burna. See bourn,
'stream'.
burn, tr. and intr. v. — ME. birnen, bernen,
brennen, fr. OE. beornan, biernan, brinnan (intr.),
bzrnan(lc.), rel. to ON. brenna, brinna (intr.),
brenna (tr.), MDu. bernen, Du. branden, OS.,
OHG. brinnan, MHG. brinnen (intr.), OHG.
breiman, MHG. brennen (tr.), G. brennen, Goth.
brinnan (intr.), brannjan (tr.), 'to burn' ; fr. I.-E.
base *bhreu-, 'to boil'. See brew and words there
referred to and cp. esp. bourn, burn, 'brook',
brand, brindled.
Derivatives : burn, n., burn-able, adj., burn-er, n.,
burn-ing, adj.
burnet, n., any plant of the genus Sanguisorba.
— OF. hurnete, metathesis of brunete, brunette,
dimin. of brune, fern, of brun, 'brown'. See
burnish and -et and cp. brunette.
burncttize, tr. v., to impregnate with zinc chloride
solution. — Lit. 'to impregnate according to the
process patented by Sir William Burnett', physi-
cian to the King (1779-1861). For the ending
see suff. -ize.
burnish, tr. v., to polish. — ME. burnischen, bur-
nisscn, from OF. burniss-, pres. part, stem of
burnir, metathesis of OF. (— F.) brunir, 'to
make brown', fr. brun, 'brown', fr. WTeut.
*brun-, 'brown'. Sec brown and cp. brunette,
burnet. For the ending see verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: burnish, n., burnish-er, n., burnish-
ing, adj., burnish-ment, n.
burnous, n., a long cloak worn by the Arabs. —
Arab, bitrnus, fr. Gk. pippo:, 'large cloak with
a hood", fr. Late L. birrus. See biretta and cp.
barret, beret.
burr, n., prickly seed vessel of certain plants. —
The less usual spelling of bur in the same sense.
Derivatives: burr-er, n., burr-y, adj.
burr, n.. guttural pronunciation of the /'. —
Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: burr, intr. and tr. v., burr-ed, adj.
burra khana, a banquet (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
bard khana, 'a big dinner'.
burrito, n., any of several grunts of America.
(zool.) — Sp., dimin. of burro, 'ass'. See next word.
burro, n., a donkey. — Sp., rel. to borrico, of
s.m., fr. Late L. burrieus, buricus, 'asmall horse",
whence also F. bourrique, 'she-ass ; donkey', fr.
burrus. 'red', fr. Gk. -re-jopo;, 'flame-colored,
yellowish red", assimilated fr. *7rjpa6c, fr. rrOp,
gen. — jpoc, 'fire'. See fire and cp. words there
referred to.
burrow, n. — A var. of borough, used in the sense
of 'shelter'.
Derivative: burrow, tr. v., lit. 'to make a burrow',
bursa, n., a saclike cavity (anat.) — Late L. bursa,
'bag'. See burse.
bursar, n., 1) a college treasurer; 2) in Scotland,
holder of a scholarship. — ML. bursdrius, fr.
Late L. bursa. See burse and -ar.
Derivatives: bursar-ial, adj., bursar-y, n.
bursautee, also bursattee, n., a disease of horses
(Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, barsdti, 'pertaining to
rain', fr. barsdt, 'the rains'. The word orig. de-
noted 'a disease caught in, or owing to, the
rain'.
bursch, n., a German university student. — G.,
lit. 'living from the same purse', fr. Late L. bursa,
'purse'. See next word.
burse, n., 1) a purse; 2) in Scotland, a scholar-
ship. — F. bourse, fr. Late L. bursa, 'leather-
bag, purse', fr. Gk. (Mpaa, 'hide, leather',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. bourse, bursch,
disburse, imburse, reimburse. Cp. also Byrsa.
bursiform, adj., shaped like a purse or poach. —
Compounded of Late L. bursa, 'purse', and
L. forma, 'form, shape'. See burse and form, n.
bursitis, n., inflammation of a bursa (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -itis. fr. Late L.
bursa, 'purse'. See bursa.
burst, intr. and tr. v. — ME. bersten, bresten, fr.
OE.berstan, rel. to OS., OHG. brestan, ON.
bresta, Swed. brista, OFris. bersta, MDu. barsten,
bersten, borsten, Du. barsten, MHG. bresten,
MHG., G. bersten, 'to burst', and cogn. with
Olr. brissim (in which i\s stands for orig. rf),
fr. I.-E. base *bhreus-, *bhres-, 'to break, crush,
crumble'. See bruise and cp. brisance.
burst, n. — OE. byrst, 'injury, loss', fr. *bursti,
which is rel. to berstan. See burst, v.
burthen, n. — A var. of burden, 'load'.
burton, n., a tackle (naut.) — Of unknown origin.
bury, tr. v. — ME. burien, berien, fr. OE. byrgan,
'to bury', rel. to OE. beorgan, OS. bergan, ON.
bjarga, Dan. bjerge, Swed. berga, MDu. berghen,
Du. bergen, OHG. bergan. MHG., G. bergen,
Goth, bairgan, 'to save, preserve', fr. I.-E. base
*bhergh-. 'to preserve, save', whence also OSlav.
brego, 'I preserve, guard'. Cp. the first clement
in belfry and the second element in habergeon,
harbor, harbinger, hauberk, scabbard.
Derivatives: burial (q.v.), bury-ing, n.
bus, n. — Shortened fr. omnibus.
busby, n., fur hat worn by hussars in full parade.
— Of unknown origin.
bush, n., shrub. — ME. bussh, bosch, busk, rel. to
OS., OHG. busc, MLG. busch, busk, Du. bos,
MHG. busch, bosch(e), G. Busch, fr. WTeut.
*busk-, 'bush, thicket'. Dan. busk, Swed. buske,
and ML. boscus (whence It. bosco, OProvenc.
bosc, F. bois) are WTeut. loan words. Cp.
boscage, bosket, bouquet, busk, 'strip of steel',
the first element in Bushman and the second
element in ambush, hautboy, tallboy.
Derivatives: bush-y, adj., bush-i-ness, n.
bush, n., metal lining. — Du. bus, 'box'. See box,
'case, chest'.
bushel, n. — ME. buschel, fr. OF. boissiel (F. bois-
seau), fr. boisse, 'the sixth part of a bushel', fr.
Gaul.-L. *bostia, 'a handful', fr. Gaul. *bosta,
reconstructed after Ir. bass, boss, Bret, boz, 'the
hollow of the hand'. See Bloch-Wartburg,
DELF., p. 74 s.v. boisseau.
Derivatives: bushel, tr. v., bushel(l)-er, n.
bushido, n., the code of moral principles in feudal
Japan. — Jap., lit. 'warrior's way'.
bushing, n., metal lining. — Formed with subst.
suff. -ing fr. bush, 'metal lining'.
Bushman, n. — Alter, of S. A. Du. Boschjesman
(Du.Bosjesman), lit. 'man of the bush', fr. boschje
(Du. bosje), dimin. of bosch (Du. bos), 'bush,
thicket', and man, 'man'. See bush, 'shrub', and
man.
business, n. — Formed fr. busy with suff. -ness.
busk, n., strip of steel, formerly of whalebone,
placed in front of a corset. — F. busc, fr. It.
busco, lit. 'a stick of wood', which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. OHG. busc, 'bush', and see bush,
'shrub'.
busk, tr. and intr. v., to prepare. — ME. busken,
fr. ON. biiask, 'to prepare oneself, formed fr.
bua, 'to dwell; to prepare', and -sk, contraction
of the ON. reflexive pron. sik. See be, boor and
suff. -sk and cp. bustle, 'to hurry about'.
Derivative: busk-er, n.
buskin, n., a half boot. — Prob. fr. OF. brose-
quin, 'buskin' (whence F. brodequin, under the
influence of F. broder, 'to embroider'), fr. MDu.
broseken, 'a little shoe', which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: buskin-ed. adj.
buss, n., a small vessel used in herring fishing. —
ME. busse, fr. OF. busse, buce, fr. ML. buza,
bucia, whence also ON. buza, 'man-of-war,
merchantman', OHG. b&zo, 'pirate ship',
MHG. bfize, 'man-of-war, merchantman', G.
Biise, 'buss'.
buss, n., a kiss. — Of imitative origin. Cp. G.
Busserl, dimin. of dial. G. Buss, 'kiss', bussen,
'to kiss', W. and Gael, bus, 'kiss'.
bust, n. — F. bustle, fr. It. busto, fr. L. bustum,
lit. 'the burned body', prop, neuter pp. of *bu-
rere, for urere, 'to burn'. The initial b in *burere
is due to a misdivision of L. amburere (i.e. amb-
urere), 'to burn around, scorch', into am-burere.
See combust.
bust. — Slang for burst.
bustard, n., a large bird related to the crane. —
A blend of OF. bistard and oustarde (whence F.
outarde), both fr. L. avis tarda, lit. 'slow bird'.
Cp. OProvenc. austarda, Sp. avetarda, 'bust-
ard', and see aviary and tardy.
bustee, n., a village, slum (Anglo-Ind.). — Hind.
basti, lit. 'an inhabited place', fr. OI. vasati,
'dwells', which is cogn. with Gk. iaTiav, 'to re-
ceive at one's hearth', Goth, wisan, OE., OHG.
wesan, 'to be'. See was and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
buster, n., something big (slang). — Lit. 'that
which 'busts', formed fr. bust, 'to burst', with
suff. -er.
bustle, intr. and tr. v., to hurry about. — Fr. ob-
sol. buskle, freq. of busk, 'to prepare'.
Derivatives: bustle, n., hurry, bustl-ing, adj.,
bustl-ing-ly, adv.
bustle, n., framework worn by women to support
the skirt. — Of uncertain origin.
busy, adj. — ME. busy, bisy, fr. OE. bysig, bisig,
rel. to LG. besig, Du. bezig; of uncertain origin.
Derivatives : busy, v. (q.v.), busy-ness, n.
busy, tr. v. — OE. bysgian, bisgian, fr. bysig,
bisig. See busy, adj.
Busycon, n., a genus of marine snails (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. (3ou<juxov, 'a large coarse fig';
so called from the fancied resemblance of the
shell to a large fig. Gk. fiouauxov is formed fr.
augment pref. (Jou- and avixov, 'fig'. The pref.
(3ou- is rel. to pouc, 'ox', and orig. meant 'as big
as an ox'. See bovine and Sycon.
but, prep. — ME. butan, bute.n, bute, fr. OE. bit-
tan, 'without, except, besides', fr. be-utan,
which is compounded of be, 'by', and utan, 'out,
outside, except, without', fr. iit, 'out'. See by
and out and cp. about.
Derivatives: but, conj., adv., n., tr. and intr. v.
but, n., the outer room of a cottage. — Fr. but,
adv. See prec. word.
butane, n., either of two hydrocarbons in the
methane series (chem.) — Formed with suff.
-ane from the first three letters of L. butyrum,
'butter'. Sec butter,
butcher, n. — ME. bocher, boucher, fr. OF.
bochier bouchier (F. boucher), 'butcher', lit.
'one who slaughters bucks', fr. bouc, 'buck". See
buck, 'male deer', and -er (representing OF.
-ier).
Derivatives: butcher, tr. v., butcher-ly, adj. and
adv., butcher-li-ness, n.
butchery, n. — ME. bocherie, fr. OF. bocherie,
boucherie (F. boucherie), fr. boucher. See but-
cher and -y (representing F. -ie).
Butco, n., a genus of hawks, the buzzard. — L.
buted, 'a kind of falcon or hawk', rel. to butire,
'to cry like a bittern' (lit. 'to utter the sound
bit'), from the I.-E. imitative base *bu-, whence
also L. bubo, 'owl, horned owl'. Cp. Bubo. Cp.
also bittern, buzzard.
butler, n. — ME. buteler, fr. AF. butuiller, cor-
responding to OF. botillier, bouteillier, fr. botch,
bouteille, 'bottle'. See bottle.
Derivatives: butler-age, n., buttery (q.v.)
butlery, n. — ME. botelerie, fr. OF. bouteillerie,
or directly fr. butler.
Butomaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (hot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Butomus witn suff. -aceae.
butomaceous, adj. — Sec prec. word and -aceous.
Butomus, n., a genus of plants (hot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. 30'i-rojjLoc, 'a kind of plant, sedge", com-
pounded of $<j~jc (gen. pvk), 'ox', and Toao;,
'a piece cut off'. See bovine and tome.
butt, n., a barrel for liquor. — OF. bout (F.
botte), fr. Late L. buttis, 'cask'. See bottle
'vessel'.
butt
214
butt, n., the thicker end of anything. — ME. but,
butte, prob. rel. to MDu., Du. hot, LG. butt,
'blunt, dull', and to ON. bauta, OE. beatan, 'to
beat'. See beat and cp. butt, 'aim', butt, 'to
strike', buttock.
butt, n., aim, goal. — ME., fr. F. but, 'goal', prob.
fr. Frankish *but, 'stump, stock, block' (cp. ON.
biitr, 'log of wood'), taken in the sense of 'mark,
goal"; rel. to butt, 'the thicker end of anything',
and to butte. Cp. debut.
butt, also but, n., flatfish. — ME. butte, but, fr.
LG. butte or MDu. botte, butte, hot, but (Du.
bot), rel. to G. Butte, Butt, OSwed. tbrnbut
(whence E. turbot, q.v.), Swed. butta, Dan. botte
and to MDu. bot, LG. butt, 'blunt'. See butt, 'the
thicker end of anything' and cp. the second
element in halibut.
butt, tr. v., to strike, thrust. — ME. butten, fr.
OF. boter, buter, 'to strike, push; to put, place'
(whence F. bouter, 'to put, place'; OF. bot,
'a blow; end, extremity', resp. F. bout, 'end,
extremity', are back formations fr. OF. boter,
resp. F. bouter). OF. boter is of Teut. origin;
cp. LG. boten, 'to beat', and see butt, 'the thicker
end of anything'. OProvenc. botar, It. buttare,
Sp. botar, 'to cast, throw', are French loan
words. Cp. boutade, bouts-rimes, buttress, rebut,
sackbut.
Derivative: butt-er, n.
butte, n.. an isolated hill in the western U.S. —
F., fr. but, 'goal, target'. See butt, 'aim, goal'.
butter, n. — OE. butere, buttor-, fr. L. butyrum
(whence also OFris., OHG. butera, Du. boter,
MHG. bitter, G. Butter, It. burro, OF. burre,
F. beurre). fr. Gk. [iouTupov, 'butter', lit. 'cow
cheese", which is compounded of (BoOc, 'ox,
cow', and tOcoc, 'cheese'. See bovine and tyro-.
Derivatives: butter, tr. v., buttcr-y, adj.
butterfly, n. — ME. butter/lie, fr. OE. buterfleoge.
See butter and fly. Butterfly prop, means 'the
flying /)«r/("/colored thing'.
butteris, n., an instrument for paring the hoofs
of horses. — A variant of buttress, from which
it is differentiated in meaning.
buttery, n., a storeroom for liquor. — Lit. 'a place
where butts or barrels of liquor are stored', fr.
OF. boterie, 'place for keeping bottles or butts',
fr. bout. See butt, 'barrel', and -y (representing
OF. -ie) and cp. bottle, 'vessel', and butler.
buttock, n. — Formed fr. butt, 'thick end', with
the dimin. surf. -oek.
button, n. — OF. boton (F. bouton), 'bud', later
"button", fr. the verb bouter, "to push', fr. Frank-
ish *bdtan. 'to beat". Cp. LG. boten, of s.m.,
and see butt, 'to strike'.
Derivatives: button, v. (q.v.), button-ry, n.
button, tr. and intr. v. — OF. botoner (F. bou-
tonner), fr. boton. See button, n.
Derivative: button-ed, ;>dj.
buttress, n., a structure supporting a wall. —
ME. boterace, butrasse, fr. OF. bouterez (pron.
bouterets), pi. of bouteret, 'support', fr. bouter.
'to push; to put, place'. See butt, 'to strike' and
cp. butteris.
Derivative: buttress, tr. v.
butty, n., a middleman. — Of uncertain origin.
butyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical, C 4 H, (chem.) —
Formed from the first three letters of L. buty-
rum, 'butter', and fr. Gk. uXtj, 'material, stuff'.
See butter and -yl.
butyraceous, adj., resembling butter. — Formed
with suff. -aceous fr. L. butyrum, 'butter'. See
butter.
butyrate, n., a salt of butyric acid {chem.) —
Formed with chem. suff. -ate fr. L. butyrum,
'butter'. See butter.
butyric, adj., pertaining to butter. — Formed fr.
L. butyrum, 'butter' (see butter) and suff. -ic.
butyric acid (chem.) — So called by its discoverer,
the French chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul
(1786-1889) because it occurs in butter. See
prec. word.
Buxaceae, n. pi., the box family (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Buxus with suff. -aceae.
buxom, adj. — ME. buhsum, buxum, 'pliable,
obedient', rel. to Du. buigzaam, G. biegsam,
'flexible, pliable'; derived fr. OE. bugan, resp.
Du. buigen, G. biegen, 'to bend'. See bow, 'to
bend'. For the ending see 1st -some.
Derivatives: buxom-ly, adv., buxom-ness, n.
Buxus, n., the genus of the box tree (bot.) — L.
buxus, 'the box tree'. See box, the tree,
buy, tr.v. — ME. buggen, biggen, bien, fr. OE.
byegan, rel. to OS. buggian, buggean, ON. bygg-
ja, Goth, bugjan, 'to buy'.
Derivatives: buy, n., buy-able, adj., buy-er, n.
buzz, intr.v. — Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: buzz, n., buzz-er, n.
buzzard, n. — ME. busard, fr. OF. bus-ard,
formed, with change of suff., fr. OF. buis-on,
bus-on (a regressive derivative of which is F.
base, 'buzzard'), fr. L. buteonem, acc. of bitted,
L a kind of falcon or hawk'. See Buteo and cp.
bittern.
by, prep, and adv. — ME. bi, by, fr. OE. bl; the
toneless form is be- (see be-); rel. to OS., OFris.
bl, MDu. bie, Du. bij, OHG., MHG. bi, G. bei,
'by, at, near', Goth, bi, 'round about, by'. These
words are cogn. with the second element in OI.
a-bhi, 'toward; to', Gk. dtpL-ept., 'around, about",
L. am-bd, 'both'. See ambi-, amphi-, and cp. the
first element in but. Cp. also the second element
in about, above.
bye, n., something secondary. — Fr. by, prep.
bye-bye, n., bed; sleep. — A childish word.
bye-bye, interj., good-by. — A childish word.
bygone, adj. — Formed from the adv. by and
gone, pp. of go.
bylaw, n. — ME. bilaw, prob. meaning lit. 'vil-
lage law', and derived fr. ON. *bylbg, which is
compounded of byr, 'village' (which is rel. to
bua 'to live'), and log, 'law'. See be and law and
cp. boor, bower, 'cottage', booth, bound, 'ready
for a journey', byre.
*i ■>
byre, n., a cow shed. — ME., fr. OE. byre, rel.
to bur, 'dwelling', buan, 'to dwell'. See be and
cp. prec. word and words there referred to.
Byronic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Lord
Byron (1788-1824).
Byronism, n., characteristics of Lord Byron. See
prec. word and -ism.
Byrsa, also Bursa, n., name of the citadel of Car-
thage. — Metathesized from Phoen.-Heb. Botz-
ri h (cp. Botzrd h = Gk. B6aoppa, later BocsTpa,
name of the capital of Edom), lit. 'enclosure;
citadel', fr. bdtzdr, 'he cut off, made inaccessible
(a technical term of fortification work), but con-
fused with Gk. piipaoc, 'hide' (see burse), whence
arose the well-known legend concerning the
foundation of the citadel of Carthage.
byssine, adj., made of byssus. — L. byssinus,
'made of byssus', fr. Gk. Puaaivo?, fr. [Maaot;.
See next word and adj. suff. -ine (representing
Gk. -ivo?).
byssus, n. — L., fr. Gk. fluaaot;, 'fine white linen',
a Semitic loan word. Cp. Heb. butz, of s.m., fr.
Sem. *b-w-s (*b-w-tz), 'to be white, to surpass
in whiteness', whence Heb. betzd h , Arab. bdyda h ,
'egg'. Cp. W. Muss-Arnolt, Semitic words in
Greek and Latin, in Transactions of the Ameri-
can Philol. Association, 23, 80, Note 19.
Derivatives: byss-al, adj., byss-in, n., byssine
(q.v.)
Byzantine, adj., pertaining to Byzantium. — L.
Byzantinus, fr. Byzantium, name of the capital
of the Eastern Roman Empire. Cp. bezant. For
the ending see suff. -ine (representing L. -Inus).
Derivative: Byzantin-ism, n.
c
cab, n., a Hebrew dry measure. — Heb. qabh.
rel. to Aram.-Syr. qabbd, Arab, qabb, name of a
measure of capacity, from the Sem. base *q-b-b,
'to be hollow',
cab, n., carriage. — Abbreviation of cabriolet.
Derivative : cab, intr. v.
cab, tr. v., to crib {slang). — Short for cabbage,
'to pilfer'.
cabal, n., a secret intrigue. — F. cabale, fr. Late
L. cabbala, fr. Mishnaic Heb. qabbdld h , 'recep-
tion; doctrine received', fr. Heb. qibbel, 'he re-
ceived, accepted', rel. to Aram, q^bhil, q°bhe%
'before', Syr. men q e bhdl, 'opposite', Aram.-
Syr. qabbel, 'he received, accepted', Arab, qdbila,
'was in front of, qdbala, 'he received, accepted',
Ethiop. qabdla, 'he went to meet, accepted',
Akkad. qablu, 'fight, encounter'. Cp. cabala,
alcabala, gabella, kabyle, kiblah.
Derivative: cabal, intr. v., to conspire.
cabala, n., a system of Jewish mystical interpre-
tation of the scriptures (Jewish literary history).
— Mishnaic Heb. qabbdld h , 'reception', in the
sense of 'teachings received'. See cabal.
cabalist, n., a student of cabala. — A hybrid
formed fr. cabala with suff. -ist.
Derivative: cabalist-ic, adj.
cabaret, n. — F., a loan word fr. MDu.
cabret, denasalizcd fr. cambret, camret, fr.
OPicard cambrete, dimin. of cambre, 'chamber,
room', which is rel. to F. chambre, of s.m. See
chamber and -er.
cabas, n., a flat basket. — F., 'frail, basket', fr.
OProvenc. cabas, 'basket of sedge', fr. VL. *ca-
pacius, fr. I.. capdx, gen. capdeis, 'that can con-
tain much, capacious, spacious', fr. capid, ca-
pture, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'. See captive and
cp. cabbage, v.
cabbage, n., plant of the order Brassica. — ME.
caboche, fr. ONF. (= F.) caboche, 'head', fr.
OF. caboce, formed fr. pejorative pref. ca- and
boce (F. bosse), 'a swelling'. See boss, 'a pro-
tuberance', and cp. Boche, cabochon.
Derivative: cabbage, intr. and tr. v.
cabbage, tr. and intr. v., to pilfer. — F. cabasser,
'to steal', fr. cabas, 'basket'. See cabas.
cabby, n., a cabman (colloq.) — Short for cabman.
caber, n., a beam. — Gael, cabar, 'pole, beam'.
cabildo, n., the chapter of a cathedral. — Sp.,
metathesized fr. L. capUulum, 'head of a col-
umn', dimin. of caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. chapter.
cabilliau, n., a codfish. — F. cabillaud, fr. Du.
kabeljauw, fr. MDu. cabbeliau, fr. ML. cabbel-
lauwus, altered fr. Sp. bacallao, 'codfish', fr. L.
baculum, 'stick, staff. See bacterium and cp.
bacalao. For sense development cp. stockfish.
cabin, n. — ME. cabane, fr. F. cabane, fr. Late
L. capanna, which is of Illyric origin. It. capan-
na, Sp. cabana also derive fr. Late L. capanna.
F. cabine and It. cabino are English loan words.
Cp. caboose. Cp. also cuddy, 'cabin in a ship'.
Derivative: cabin, tr. v.
cabinet, n. — It. gabinetto, prob. dimin. of gabbia,
'cage', fr. L. cavea. See cage and -et.
Derivative: cabinet-ry, n.
Cabiri, n. pi, a group of Greek gods (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KaPeipoi, fr. Heb. kabbfr,
'great, mighty', fr. base *k-b-r, 'to be great, to
be much, many'. Cp. their title MeydtXoi ■9-eoi,
'the great gods', which corroborates the above
etymology.
cable, n. — ME. cable, cabel, kable, fr. F. cable,
fr. Port, cable, which is a blend of Arab, habl,
'rope, cable', and VL. cap(u)lum, 'a halter for
cattle', fr. capid, capere, 'to catch, seize, take,
hold'. Arab, habl is rel. to hdbala, 'he bound',
Heb. hebhel, 'rope, cord', Ethiop. habal, 'rope',
habdla, 'he bound', Akkad. nahbalu, 'rope,
snare', Aram, habhld, 'cord, rope'. For the ety-
mology of L. capere see captive.
Derivatives: cable, v., cabl-ed, adj., cabl-er, n.,
cabl-ing, n., cabl-et, n.
cablegram, n. — A blend of cable and telegram.
cabob, n., roast meat (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
kabdb, fr. Pers. kabdb.
Derivative: cabob, tr. v.
cabochon, n., a polished but uncut precious
stone. — F., fr. caboche, 'head, pate, noddle,
nob'. See cabbage.
Cabomba, n., a genus of aquatic plants (hot.) —
ModL., a name of American Indian origin,
caboodle, n., group, lot (slang). — Corruption of
kit and boodle. See kit, 'wooden tub', and
boodle.
cabook, n., laterite (Ceylon). — Port, cavouco (al-
so cabouco), short for pedras de cavouco, 'quarry
stones', fr. cavo, 'concave', fr. L. cavus, 'hollow,
concave'. See cave, n.
caboose, n., i) a ship's galley; 2) the trainmen's
car on a goods train. — Du. kabuis, fr. MLG.
kabuse, a compound word, the first element of
which is prob. rel. to cabin. The second element
in MLG. kabuse was perh. orig. identical with
MLG. hus (= Du. huts); see house. Hence
MLG. kabuse and Du. kabuis would prop,
mean 'cabin house'.
caboshed, adj., showing the animal's head full-
faced (affronte) and without the neck (her.) — ■
Formed with suff. -ed fr. F. caboche, 'head'. See
cabbage, n.
cabotage, n., .coasting trade. — F., fr. caboter,
'to coast', fr. Sp. cabo, 'cape, promontory', fr.
L. caput, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. cape,
'promontory'.
217
cacology
cabrerite, n., a hydrous arsenate of nickel, cobalt
and magnesium (mineral) — Named after the
Sierra Cabrera in Spain. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
cabrilla, n., any fish of the genus Serranus. —
Sp., dimin. of cabra, 'she-goat', fr. L. capra, of
s.m. See cabriolet,
cabriole, n., a form of leg (furniture). — Prob.
fr. F. cabriole, 'leap of a goat, caper'. See next
word.
cabriolet, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. — F.,
fr. cabriole, 'leap of a goat, caper', fr. cabrioler,
caprioler, 'to leap like a goat, to caper', fr. It.
capriolare, fr. capriuolo, 'roebuck', fr. L. capre-
olus, dimin. formed fr. caper, 'he goat', whence
capra, 'she-goat', which is rel. to Umbr. kabru,
kaprum (ace), 'he-goat', and cogn. with Gk.
xdtTrpo?, 'boar', OE. hsefer, ON. hafr, 'he-goat',
G. Habergeiss, 'goatsucker' ; so called from its
easy motion. Cp. caper, v. Cp. also cab, 'carriage',
cabriole, Capella, Caprella, capreol, Capreolus,
capri-, capric, Capricorn, caprification, caprine,
capriole, cheverel, chevron, chevrotain.
cac-, form of caco- before a vowel
Cacalia, n., a genus of plants, the Indian plan-
tain (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xaxaXia, name of
a plant.
cacao, n. — Sp., fr. Nahuatl caca-uatl, 'cacao
seed'. See coco.
cachalot, n., the sperm whale. — F., fr. Sp. ca-
chalote, fr. Port, cacholotte, lit. 'thick-headed',
fr. cachola, 'head, pate', which is perh. a dimin.
of cacha, 'handle of a razor', fr. VL. capula,
pi. of capulum, corresponding to L. capulus,
'handle, hilt of a sword', fr. capere, 'to catch,
seize'. See captive.
cache, n., hiding place. — F., 'hiding place', back
formation fr. cacher, 'to hide', fr. VL. *codcti-
cdre, 'to press together', freq. fr. L. codctdre,
itself freq. fr. edgere, pp. codctus, 'to press to-
gether, force'. See co- and act and cp. coact,
cogent. Cp. also cachet.
Derivative: cache, v.
cachectic, adj., pertaining to cachexia. — Gk.
xaysxTixoi;, fr. xa/ex-rr,:;, 'in a bad habit of the
body', fr. v.iv.oc, 'bad', and £/eiv, 'to have'. See
cachexy and -ic.
cachet, n., a distinguishing mark of quality or
authenticity. — F., 'seal, stamp', fr. cacher, 'to
hide'. See cache.
cachexia, cachexy, n., bad general state of health
(med.) — L., fr. Gk. xaye^ta, lit. 'bad habit', fr.
xatxdi;, 'bad', and eEi;, 'state, condition, habit'.
For the first element see caco-. The second ele-
ment derives fr. s/siv (for *e/.eiv, cp. the fut.
e^to), which is cogn. withJOI. sdhate, 'he masters',
sdhah, 'victory', Goth, sigis, OE. sige, 'victory'.
See scheme and cp. words there referred to.
cachinnate, intr. v., to laugh loudly. — L. cachin-
ndt-(um), pp. stem of cachinndre, 'to laugh
loudly*, of imitative origin. Cp. OI. kdkhati,
kakkhati, khakhati, 'laughs', Gk. xoejca^eiv, later
form xaxx^eiv, 'to laugh loudly', OHG. ka-
chazzen, of s.m., Arm. xaxank' , 'violent laugh-
ter', which are all imitative,
cachinnation, n., loud laughter. — L. cachin-
ndtid, gen. -dnis, 'violent laughter', fr. cachinndt-
(um), pp. stem of cachinndre. See prec. word
and -ion.
cacholong, n., an opaque variety of opal. — F.,
fr. a Kalmuck word meaning 'beautiful stone'.
cachou, n. — F. See cashew, catechu.
Cachrys, n., a genus of herbs of the carrot family
(bot.) — Gk. xaxp'->s, 'parched barley, catkin',
prob. rel. to xfyxpo;, 'millet'. Cp. Cenchrus.
cachucha, n., a Spanish dance. — Sp., lit. 'reci-
pient', fr. cacho, 'saucepan', fr. VL. *cacculus,
'an earthen pot for cooking'. See cockle, 'stove'.
cacique, n., a West Indian chief. — Sp., from a
Haitian language.
cachunde, n., a pastil (pharm.) — Sp., fr. cachii.
See cashew, catechu.
cack, intr. v., to void excrement (dial.) — ME.
cakken, fr. L. cacdre, which, like Gk. xaxxav,
Russ. kdkat', Mir. caccaim, etc., derives from
the I.-E. child's word *kakka, 'to void excre-
ment'. Cp. Cagot.
cackle, intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. Du.
kakelen, 'to chatter, gabble'. Cp. also quack
and gabble.
Derivatives: cackle, n., cackl-er, n., cackl-ing, n.
caco, n., a bandit. — Sp., 'thief, fr. L. Cdcus =
Gk. Kaxoc, son of Vulcan; he terrified the
country round about Mount Aventinus by his
robberies and was slain by Hercules.
caco-, before a vowel cac-, combining form
meaning 'bad, ill, poor'. — Gk. xaxo-, xax-, fr.
xxxo;, 'bad, evil', prob. orig. a word from the
child's language. Cp. the first element in ca-
chexy, kakistocracy, and the second element in
stomacace.
cacodyl, n., a poisonous, malodorous radical
As(CH 3 ) 2 (chem.) — Lit. 'ill smelling matter';
coined by the Swedish chemist Baron Jons
Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) from Gk. xaxciS^t;,
'ill smelling', and suff. -yl. Gk. xxxo'jS/;; is com-
pounded of xaxo- (see caco-) and the stem of
o'Cei-j, 'to smell'. See ozo-, odor.
cacoepy, n., bad pronunciation. — Gk. xxxo-
ette'.je, 'bad language', compounded of xaxo-
(see caco-) and -ir.ziz, fr. £-0:, 'word'. See
epos and cp. orthoepy.
Derivatives: cacoep-ist, n., cacoep-ist-ic, adj.
cacoethes, n., a bad habit. — Gk. xaxo^Se;, neut.
of the adj. vaxsA^r^, 'of ill habits', used as a
noun; compounded of xxxo- (see caco-) and
rfioc, 'habit'. See ethic,
cacography, n., bad writing. — Compounded of
caco- and Gk. -ypacpia, fr. ypacpciv, 'to write'.
See -graphy and cp. calligraphy,
cacology, n., bad speaking; bad pronunciation.
— Compounded of caco- and Gk. -Xoyii, fr.
-\6yoc,, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
caconym
218
caconym, n., a bad name. — Compounded of
caco- and Gk. ovu^a, dialectal form of ovojxa,
'name'. See,j>ame and cp. onomato-.
Derivative: caconym-ic, adj.
cacoon, n., the tropical bean. — Of uncertain
origin.
cacophonous, adj., ill-sounding. — Gk. xocxo-
cpcovo?, compounded of xocxo- (see caco-) and
tptovY), 'sound, voice'. See phone. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -o?, see suff. -ous.
cacophony, n., a harsh or discordant sound. —
Gk. xaxo9&)vta, fr. xaxotpwvoi;. See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -(a) .
Cactaceae, n. pi., the cactus family (60/.) —
ModL., formed fr. cactus with suff. aceae.
cactaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
cactiform, adj., resembling a cactus in form. —
Compounded of Cactus and -form.
cactus, n. — L., 'a prickly plant', fr. Gk. xaxTo?,
of s.m., which is prob. a pre-Hellenic word of
unknown origin.
cacuminal, adj., 1) pertaining to the top; 2) in
phonetics, pronounced with the tip of the tongue
turned upward; cerebral. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. cacumen, 'top, summit', which is
cogn. with OI. kakubh-, 'peak', kakud-, 'peak,
top', kakud-, 'mouth-cavity, palate'; from a
dental enlargement of the reduplication of I.-E.
base *qeu-, 'to bend', for which see cubit, high.
L. cacumen prob. developed fr. orig. *kakud
under the influence of acumen, 'sharpened
point' (see acumen).
cacuminate, tr. v., to make pointed or sharp. —
L. cacumintitus, pp. of cacumindre, 'to point',
fr. cacumen, gen. cacuminis. See prec. word and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: cacumin-ation, n.
cacuminous, adj., pointed (said of the top of
a tree). — See cacuminal and -ous.
Cacus, n., son of Vulcan, a giant, slain by Her-
cules in his cave in the Aventine (Roman my-
thol.) — L. Cacus, of uncertain etymology.
cad, n. — Shortened fr. caddie, caddy.
Derivatives: cadd-ish, adj., cadd-ish-ly, adv.,
cadd-ish-ness, n.
cadamba, n., an East Indian tree. — Kanarese
kadamba-. Cp. OI. kadambdh, 'Nauclea cadam-
ba', which is prob. of Dravidian origin (see
Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymol. San-
skrit Dictionary I, 144 and 149).
cadastral, adj., pertaining to a cadaster. — F.,
fr. cadastre. See cadastre and adj. suff. -al.
cadastre, cadaster, n. — F. cadastre, 'register of
the survey of lands', fr. OProvenc. cadastre, fr.
It. catastro, catasto, fr. Olt. catastico, fr. Late
Gk. xaTdaTi/ov, 'register', lit. 'by the line',
formed fr. Gk. xaxx (see cata-) and <jtI/_o;,
'row, line'. See acrostic.
cadaver, n., a dead body, a corpse. — L., 'a dead
body, a corpse', fr. cadere, 'to fall'; see cadence.
For sense development cp. Gk. Tr-ra^a, 'corpse',
which is rel. to -trr-rsiv, 'to fall* (perf. tcctttcoxx).
and Heb. n'bhela", 'carcass, corpse', fr. ndbhSl,
'it decayed, withered', which is rel. to naphdl,
'he fell'. Cp. ptomaine.
Derivatives: cadav-er-ic, adj., cadaverous (q.v.)
cadaverous, adj., looking like a corpse; pale. —
L. cadaverdsus, 'corpselike', fr. cadaver, 'a dead
body, corpse'. See cadaver and -ous.
Derivatives: cadaverous-ly, adv., cadaverous-
ness, n.
caddie, caddy, n., a person who carries one's golf
clubs, etc. — F. cadet. See cadet and cp. cad.
Derivative: caddie, caddy, to act as a caddie.
caddis, n., 1) worsted yarn (obsol.); 2) lint. —
Prob. fr. OF. cadaz, cadas, also cadarce, fr.
OProvenc. cadarz, which is of uncertain origin;
confused with F. cadis, 'light woolen serge'.
See next word.
caddis, n., a kind of cheap serge. — F. cadis,
'light woolen serge', fr. OProvenc. cadis, prob.
fr. Sp. cadiz, of s.m., which apparently comes
from the name of the city of Cadiz and orig.
meant 'material made at Cadiz'.
caddie, n., the larva of the caddis fly. — Of un-
certain origin.
caddy, n. , a small box ; orig. used only in the sense
of tea caddy. — Fr. earlier catty, prop, 'a box
containing a catty of tea', fr. Malay kdti, a
weight of 1 1/3 lb. Cp. catty.
cade, n., a small barrel. — F., fr. L. cadus, 'bottle,
jar, jug', fr. Gk. xa8o<;, fr. Heb. kadh, 'pitcher',
prop, 'a rounded vessel', fr. base *k-d-d, 'to be
round'. Cp. cadus.
cade, n., a juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus). — F.,
fr. OProvenc. cade, fr. Late L. catanus, 'cedar
juniper', which is prob. a loan word fr. Sabine
catanus, 'a plant with pointed leaves', fr. Sabine-
L. catus, 'sharp, pointed'. See hone.
-cade, suff. denoting a group or the contest of a
group. — Adopted fr. the suff. -cade in caval-
cade (q.v.); accordingly this suff. is the equi-
valent of L. -(i)cdtus. See 2nd -ade and cp. aqua-
cade, motorcade and subst. suff. -ate.
cadence, n. — F., fr. It. cadenza, fr. VL. *cadentia,
a fern, noun, fr. L. cadentia, neut. pi. of cadens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of cadere, 'to fall', which
is cogn. with OI. sad-, 'to fall down', Arm. cac-
num, 'to fall, become low', and possibly also
with It. casair, W. cesair, Co. keser, 'hail'. Cp.
chance, which is a doublet of cadence. Cp. also
accident, cadaver, cadenza, caducity, cascade,
case, 'condition', casual, cheat, chute, coincide,
decadence, decay, decheance, deciduous, escheat,
incident, occasion, Occident, parachute, recidivist.
Derivatives: cadence, tr. v., cadenc-ed, adj.,
cadenc-y, n.
cadenza, n., an ornamental nourish (music). —
It., fr. VL. "cadentia; prop, 'a flourish before
the cadence', whence its name. See cadence.
cadet, n., 1) a younger son or brother; 2) a stu-
dent at a military or naval school. — F., fr.
Gascon capdet, which corresponds to OProvenc.
capdel, 'chief, fr. VL. *capitellus, dimin. formed
219
caesura
fr. L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. cad, caddie,
cadge, v., to beg. — Back formation fr. cadger.
For similar back formations cp. peddle, swindle.
cadger, n., a hawker. — The word orig. denoted
'one who brought in a cadge or basket eggs,
poultry etc. from the country to the market'.
Cadge derives fr. F. cage in the sense of 'basket'.
See cage.
cadi, n., a minor Mohammedan judge. — Arab.
qddi, 'judge', prop, partic. of qdda, 'he decided',
rel. to Heb. qdtzin, 'judge, prince, leader'. Cp.
alcalde.
cadjan, n., palm leaves for thatching or matting.
— Malay kdjdng, 'a matting of palm leaves'.
Cadmean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Cad-
mus. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cadmeus,
fr. Gk. KaSixsio;, 'Cadmean', fr. KaS|io<;, 'Cad-
mus'. See Cadmus.
cadmia, n., calamine. — L. cadmia. See next
word.
cadmium, n., a white metallic element (chem.) —
ModL., coined by its discoverer, the German
chemist Friedrich Strohmeyer (1776-1835) in
1 817, fr. L. cadmia, 'calamine', fr. Gk. xaS|j.sia,
of s.m., which stands for KaSfieta (scil. y?j), lit.
'Cadmean (earth)', fr. K<x8(i.o<;, 'Cadmus'. See
next word.
Derivative: cadm-ic, adj.
Cadmus, n., son of the Phoenician king Agenor
and founder of Thebes (Greek mythol.) — L.,
fr. Gk. KaSjioc, a name of Sem. origin, prop,
denoting 'the man who carne from the East'.
Cp. Heb. qedem (fr. base qadm-), 'East', qiddt'm,
'he was in front, met', qadmdn, 'eastern; an-
cient', Ugar. qdm, 'front', Arab, qddama, Ethiop.
qaddma, 'he preceded', Akkad. qudmu, 'front;
former time'. Cp. cadmium, calamine, camillus.
For other mythological names of Hebrew origin
cp. Danae, Danaus, Niobe.
cadre, n., frame, framework; framework of a
regiment. — F., fr. It. quadro, fr. L. quadrus,
'square'. See quadri-.
caduceus, n., the wand of a herald, specif., the
wand of Hermes (Mercury). — L. caduceus,
'herald's staff', fr. Dor. Gk. xipOxsiov (corre-
sponding to Att. y.7;p'jxeiov), of s.m., fr. xipO*;
(resp. xyjp'j';), 'herald', whence -/.xp^aaziv (resp.
xr,p'!)CTCT£iv), 'to proclaim' (said of a herald); rel.
to Gk. xoepxatpeiv, 'to resound', and cogn. with
OI. carkarti, 'mentions with praise', carkrtih,
'praise, glory', kdruh, 'singer, poet', OHG.
-hruod, -ruod (in compounds), ON. hrodr, OE.
hred, 'fame, glory'. Cp. kerygma. Cp. also
rummer.
caducity, n., perishableness. — F. caducite, 'per-
ishableness, frailty', fr. caduc, 'perishable, frail',
fr. L. caducus, 'falling, fallen, inclined to fall',
fr. cadere, 'to fall'. See cadence and -ity.
caducous, adj., perishable. — L. caducus. See
prec. word. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see suff. -ous.
cadus, n., a large vessel for liquids. — L., fr. Gk.
xdSo?. See cade, 'a small barrel',
caecal, adj., pertaining to the caecum (anat.) —
Formed fr. caecum with adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: caecal-ly, adv.
Caecias, n., personification of the northeast
wind. — L. caecias, fr. Gk. xouxiac, 'northeast
wind', lit. 'the dark one', cogn. with L. caecus,
'blind'; see next word. For sense development
cp. Aquilo.
caecum, n., the blind gut (anat.) — L., neut. of
the adj. caecus, 'blind', in ML. colon caecum,
'blind gut', a medical term traceable to the
definition of the blind gut as too Ivxepou TutpXov-
ti (lit. 'some blind part of the intestine'), given
by Aristotle in his work De partibus animalium,
3, 14. L. caecus is cogn. with Gk. xoctxla<;,
'northeast wind', lit. 'the dark one' (cp. L.
Aquilo, 'north wind', fr. aquilus, 'dark'), OI.
kekaraft, 'squinting', Olr. caech, 'one-eyed',
MIr. let-chaech, 'squinting', W. coeg, 'empty',
coeg-ddall, 'one-eyed', Goth, haihs, 'one-eyed'.
Cp. Caecias, cecity, and the second element in
pichiciago.
Caeoma,n.,a form genus of rusts (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xcaeiv, which prob. stands for y.ar-iziv,
'to burn', whence xauaxoi;, 'burnt', xauaxix6i;,
'capable of burning' (see caustic); so called
because of its fiery-red color.
Caesar, masc. PN. — L., of uncertain origin. Cp.
czar, kaiser.
Derivatives: Caesar-ism, n., Caesar-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
Caesarean, adj., i) pertaining to Caesar; 2) per-
taining to the Caesarian section. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Caesareus, fr. Caesar. See
Caesar.
Caesarean section, Caesarean operation. — So
called from the belief that Julius Caesar was
thus delivered. This belief is refuted by the fact
that the mother of Caesar was still alive at
the time of the Gallic wars, whereas, on the
other hand, we know that in antiquity this
operation was never performed on the living
mother.
Caesarian, adj., Caesarean. — L. Caesaridnus,
fr. Caesar. See Caesar, Caesarean.
Caesarism, caesarism, n., an absolute govern-
ment resembling that of Caesar; imperialism. —
F. cesarisme, coined by the French man of let-
ters and dramatist Auguste Romieu (1 800-1855)
fr. Cesar (fr. L. Caesar) and suff. -isme. See
Caesar and -ism.
caesious, adj., grayish blue. — L. caesius, 'bluish
gray', of uncertain etymology. It possibly de-
rives fr. *qaid-to-, or *qait-to-, 'bright, shining',
and is rel. to caelum, 'ceiling'. See celestial and
cp. words there referred to. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
caesium, n. — See cesium.
caesura, n., break in a verse (pros.) — L., 'a cut-
ting', formed fr. caesus, pp. of caedere, 'to cut'.
cafard
220
See cement and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : caesur-al, caesur-ic, adjs.
cafard, n., a hypocrite. — F., 'hypocrite', fr.
Arab, kafir, 'infidel', part, of kdfara, 'he blotted
out, covered; he denied', with substitution of
the French pejorative suff. -ard for the unusual
ending -ir. See Kaffir and -ard.
cafardise, n., hypocrisy. — F.. 'hypocrisy', for-
med fr. prec. word with suff. -ise.
cafe, n., i) coffee; 2) coffeehouse; restaurant. —
F., fr. It. caffi, fr. Turk, qahve, fr. Arab. qdhva h ,
'wine; coffee'. See coffee.
cafeteria, n., a restaurant at which the patrons
serve themselves from the food displayed at a
counter. — Mexican Sp., meaning 'retail coffee
store'. Cp. F. cafetidre and see prec. word.
caffeine, caffein, n., an alkaloid obtained from
coffee and tea (chem.) — F. cafeine, fr. cafe,
'coffee'. See coffee and chem. suff. -ine, resp. -in.
cafila, n., a convoy of travelers, caravan. — Arab.
qdfila h , fem. used as a collective noun fr. qdfil,
'one who returns from a journey', part, of qd-
fala, 'he returned from a journey'.
cafiz, n., a measure of capacity. — Sp., fr. Arab.
qafiz, a measure for corn.
caftan, n., a long-sleeved garment worn in Tur-
key, Egypt, etc. — Turk, qaftdn, fr. Arab, qaftdn,
fr. Pers. khaftdn.
cage, n. — F., fr. L. cavea, 'an excavated place,
a hollow, cavity; enclosure for animals, cage',
fr. cavus, 'hollow'. Cp. It. gabbia, 'basket for
fowls, coop', gaggia, 'basket', OProvenc. gabia,
'prison', Sp. gavia, 'a place where madmen
are confined', which all derive fr. L. cavea, and
see cave, n. Cp. also cabinet, cadger, cajole,
decoy, gabion, jail.
Derivatives: cage, tr. v., cag-er, n.
Cagot, n., one of an outcast race in southern
France. — F., 'bigot, hypocrite', from cagot,
'leper', a word of the Beam dialect, derived fr.
L. cacdre, 'to stool' (see cack), used in a pejora-
tive sense to denote the leper, the hypocrite,
the deceiver, etc.
cahier, n., a number of sheets of paper stitched
together, a report. — F., fr. OF. quaer, caer, caier,
fr. VL. quaternum, 'four sheets of paper', fr. L.
quaterni, 'four together, four each'. See quire,
'sheets of paper'.
cahnite, n., a hydrous calcium boroarsenate
(mineral.) — Named after L. Cahn, of Colorado
(U.S.A.) For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
caiman, n. — See cayman.
Cain, n., in the Bible, the oldest son of Adam and
Eve. — L., fr. Gk. Kaiv, fr. Heb. Qdyin, lit.
'created, creature', from stem q-y-n, 'to form,
fashion', whence also qdyin, 'weapon', lit. 'that
which is formed by the craftsman'. The same
base appears in Aram, qena'd, Syr. qenaya,
'worker in metal', and in Arab, qayn, 'craftsman,
worker in steel or another metal, smith'. These
words are rel. to Heb. qand", 'he created, formed
made' (for this meaning see Gen. 14: 19 and 22,
Deut. 32:6, Ps. 139:13, Prov. 8:22), whence
developed the meanings 'he got, acquired; he
bought'. This relationship between the name
Qdyin and the verb qand* accounts best for the
fact that in Gen. 4 : 1 Eve explains the name
Qdyin with the word qdnithi. This word is usually
translated, T have gotten', but it is more prob-
able that its sense here is T have formed', T
have made'. See U.Cassuto, A Commentary on
the Book of Genesis, Part One, From Adam to
Noah, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1961,
pp. 196-202. Cp. Elkanah, kinah.
caique, n., a light rowing or sailing boat, used
esp. on the Bosporus. — F., fr. It. caicco, fr.
Turk, kayik.
caird, n., a wandering tinker (Scot.) — Gael., Ir.
ceard, 'tinker', rel. to. Olr. cerd, 'smith; poet',
W. cerdd. 'song', and prob. cogn. with Gk.
x£p8o<;, 'gain, profit'.
cairn, n., a heap of stones. — Gael, earn, gen.
cairn, 'heap', rel. to W. and Ir. cam, of s.m. Cp.
the first element in cairngorm.
cairngorm, n., a yellow crystal. — From the name
of the Scottish mountain Cairngorm, where it is
found. This name is compounded of cairn and
Gael, gorm, 'blue'.
caisson, n., box, chest. — F., fr. It. cassone, which
is formed with the augment, suff. -one fr. cassa,
fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box, receptacle'. See case,
'chest', and -oon and cp. capsule.
Derivative: caisson-ed, adj.
caitiff, n., a mean person, a coward; adj., mean,
cowardly. — MET caitif, 'captive, miserable', fr.
ONF. caitif, which corresponds to OF. chaitif,
'captive; wretched' (whence F. chetif 'weak,
sickly; miserable, wretched'), fr. L. captivus,
'prisoner' (see captive). Caitiff represents the
early borrowing, its doublet captive is a later
scholarly form; both came into English through
the medium of French.
caja, n., a cashier's office. — Sp., 'box, chest,
cashier's office, fr.L. capsa, 'box, chest', fr. capere,
'to catch, seize, take, receive, hold'. See case,
'box', and cp. cash,'ready money'. Cp. also cajeta.
cajaput, cajeput, n. — Variants of cajuput.
cajeta, n., a small chest. — Sp., dimin. of caja,
'box, chest'. See caja.
cajole, tr. and intr. v. — F. cajoler. The word orig.
meant 'to chatter like a jay in a cage' and is an
alteration of gaioler (a word used in the 16th
cent.), fr. Picard gaiole, 'cage', fr. Late L.
caveola, 'cage', dimin. of L. cavea, 'cage' ; see
cage. The change of gaioler to cajoler is due
to the influence of F. cage.
Derivatives: cajole, n., cajole-ment, n., cajol-er,
n., cajol-er-y, n., cajol-ing, adj., cajol-ing-ly,adv.
Cajun, n., a native of Louisiana, supposed to be
of Acadian French descent. — Corruption of
Acadian. "
cajuput, n„ an East Indian tree. — Malay kdyu-
putih, lit., 'white tree', fr. kayu, 'tree', and
piitih, 'white'.
221
calceate
cake, n. — ME., fr. ON. kaka, rel. to MDu. kdke,
Du. koek, its dimin. koekje, OHG. chuohho,
kuocho, MHG. kuoche, G. Kuchen; prob. of
imitative origin. The a-o gradation of these
words testifies to their Teut. origin (cp. ON.
taka, 'take', tok, 'took'). They are not related
to cook. Cp. cooky, kuchen. Cp. also Cockaigne.
Derivatives : cake, v., cak-y, adj.
Cakile, n., a genus of plants of the mustard family
(bot.) — F., fr. Arab, qdqulld, also qdqulla h ,
name of a plant.
Calabar bean. — Named after Calabar on the
west coast of Africa,
calabash, n., a tropical tree of the bignonia
family and its gourdlike fruit. — F. calebasse,
fr. Sp. calabaza, corruption of Arab. qdr'a A
ydbisa h , 'dry gourd'.
calaber, n., a kind of squirrel fur. — Fr. Calabre,
French name of Calabria, the southeastern
peninsula of Italy.
calaboose, n.,npnson(Southernpartofthe U.S.A.)
— Sp. calabozo, 'prison, cell', prob. fr. VL. *ca-
lafodium, which is compounded of pre-Latin
*calar, 'a protected place, cave', and L. fodere,
'to dig'. See fosse.
Caladium, n., a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) — ModL., coined by Rumph in 1750 fr.
Malay kalddi, 'a kind of arum'.
Calamagrostis, n., the reed bent grass (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xaXxpicx;, 'a reed',
and aypcooTK;, 'a grass'. See Calamus and
Agrostis.
calamanco, n., a woolen cloth. — Cp. ML. cala-
macus, calamancus, Sp. calamaco, G. Kalamank,
Kalmank ; of uncertain origin.
calamander wood, calamander, n., wood of a tree
growing in Ceylon. — Corruption of Coroman-
del, name of part of the eastern coast of
southern India.
calamary, n., squid. — L. calamdrius, 'pertaining
to a pen', fr. calamus, 'reed, pen', fr. Gk. xaXa-
(xo;, prob. an assimilated form of orig. *xoXx-
[ioc, and, accordingly, cognate with L. culmus,
'stock, stem'. See culm, 'stem of grasses', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the first
element in calamint, caramel.
calamine, n., a kind of zinc ore. — ¥., fr. ML.
calamina, fr. L. cadmia, fr. Gk. xa8[ie!.a, 'cala-
mine', fr. KaSuo;, 'Cadmus', the founder of
Thebes ; so called because this mineral was found
first in the vicinity of Thebes. See Cadmus,
cadmium.
calamint, n., an aromatic plant. — ME. calament,
fr. OF. calament. fr. ML. calamentum, fr. L. cala-
minthe, fr. Gk. xocXxfitvJb; , which is compounded
of xaXau.o?, 'reed', and (iLMfb;, 'minth'. See
calamary and mint, 'an aromatic herb'. For the
contraction of *xaXa[xo-u.t.v9-7) into xaXafitvSrj
see haplology.
calamitous, adj., producing calamity, disastrous.
— F. calamiteux (fem. -ease), fr. L. caldmitdsus,
haplological contraction of *calamitatosus, fr.
caldmitds. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: calamitous-ly, adv., calamitous-
ness, n.
calamity, n., misery; disaster. — F. catamite, fr.
L. caldmitdtem, acc. of caldmitds, 'damage, in-
jury, loss, misfortune', with the primary mean-
ing 'blow', rel. to in-columis, 'unimpaired, un-
injured', fr. I.-E. base *qel(d)-, *qol(d)-,'to strike,
beat', whence also Gk. xXav, 'to break', xX?jpo<;,
Dor. xXSpo?, prop, 'little piece of wood lopped
off (used for casting lots)', hence 'a casting of
lots'. See holt and cp. words there referred to.
calamus, n., reed. — L. See calamary.
calando, adv. and adj., growing slower (mus.) —
It., fr. calare, 'to let down, lower', fr. L. ca-
lare, chaldre, 'to let down', fr. Gk. x a ^« v > ' to
let down, loosen'.
Calanthe, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xaXoq, 'beautiful', and
&v&oq, 'flower'. See calo- and anther.
calapite, n., mass found in coconuts. — Fr. Malay
kalapa, 'coco tree'.
calash, n., a kind of carriage. — F. caliche, fr.
Czech kolesa, 'wheels, carriage', pi. of koleso,
'wheel', fr. kolo, 'wheel', which is rel. to OPruss.
kelan, 'wheel', and cogn. with Gk. xuxXo;,
'circle', OE. hweogol, hweol, 'wheel'. See wheel
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: calash, tr. v.
Calathea, n., a genus of plants of the arrowroot
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xaXado?, 'bas-
ket' (see next word); so called from the shape
of the flowers.
calathus, n., a basket (Greek antiq.) — L., fr. Gk.
xaXa#o;, 'basket', prop, meaning 'a plaited
basket', and rel. to xXt!>&eiv, 'to spin'. See Clotho
and cp. Clostridium.
calcaneum, n., one of the bones of the tarsus
(anat.) — L. calcaneum (rarely calcaneus),
'heel', a derivative of calx, gen. calcis, of s.m.
See Calceolaria, and cp. calk, 'to stop up the
seams of a ship with oakum'.
calcaneus, n., one of the bones of the tarsus (anal.)
— See prec. word.
calcareous, adj., pertaining to, or containing,
lime or calcium. — L. calcdrius, 'pertaining to
lime', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'limestone, lime,
pebble', a loan word fr. Gk. yi'Aii,, 'small stone,
pebble', which prob. derives fr. I.-E. *(s)q(h)e-
liq-, enlargement of base *(s)qel-, 'to cut, cleave,
split'. See colter and cp. silica. Cp. also calcine,
calculate, calculus, calx, cauk, causeway, causey,
chalk, chaussee. — The right spelling of the word
would be calcarious (a form now obsolete), the
English correspondence of L. -drius being
-arious (or -ary).
Derivatives: calcareous-ly, adv., calcareous-ness,
n.
calceate, adj., shod (said of members of religious
orders). — L. calcedtus, pp. of calcedre, 'to
furnish with shoes', fr. calceus. See Calceolaria
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. discalceate.
calced
222
calced, adj., calceate. — Formed with suff. -ed
fr. L. calccus, 'shoe'. See next word.
Calceolaria, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. cakeoldrius, 'shoe-
maker', fr. calceolus, 'a little shoe', dimin. of
calccus, 'shoe', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel', which
is rel. to calcar, 'spur', caliga, 'military shoe or
sandal', inculcare, 'to tread down', calcitrdre,
'to kick, be stubborn', and cogn. with OSlav.
kluka, 'knee', Lith. kulnas, kulnis, 'heel', Lith.
kulse, kulsis, OPruss. culczi, 'hip', Lith. kul(k)-
sis, kulksnis, 'ankle, hock'. All these words
prob. meant orig. 'something bent' and derive
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qel-, 'crooked, bent', whence
also Gk.xcoXea.y.w^, 'thighbone', xuXov, 'limb,
member'. See colon, 'punctuation mark', and
cp. calcaneum, caliga, calk, 'to stop up the
seams of a ship with oakum', calk, 'to copy',
calkin, caltrop, cockatrice, discalceate, incul-
cate, recalcitrate. This genus of plants was called
Calceolaria from the slipperlike appearance of
the flower.
Calchas, n., son of Thestor, soothsayer of the
Greeks before Troy (Creek mythol.) — L. Cal-
chas, fr. Gk. KaX-/ac, a name of uncertain ety-
mology.
calci-, combining form denoting 'lime' or 'cal-
cium'. — L. calci-, stem of calx, gen. calcis,
'lime'. See calcareous.
calcic, adj., pertaining to lime or calcium. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. calx, gen. calcis,
'lime'. See calcareous.
calciferous, adj., containing carbonate of lime. —
Lit. 'lime-bearing', compounded of calci- and
L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See -ferous.
calcification, n., conversion into chalk; petri-
faction, ossification. — Sec calci- and -fica-
tion.
calcify, tr. v., to make calcareous; intr. v., to
become calcareous. — F. calcifier. See calci-
and -fy.
calcination, n., the act or process of calcining. —
F. , fr. calciner, 'to calcine'. See next word and
-ation.
calcine, tr. v., i) to reduce to calx by heat; 2) to
burn to ashes. — F. calciner, fr. ML. calcindre,
'to reduce to lime', fr. L. calx, gen. calcis, 'lime'.
See calcareous.
calciphylaxis, n., increased sensitivity to cal-
cium (med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined by
Dr. Hans Selye (born in 1907), professor of the
University of Montreal, fr. calcium, a word of
Latin origin, and Gk. yjXav.c, 'a watching,
guarding'. See phylaxis.
calcite, n., native calcium carbonate (mineral.) —
G. Calcit, a hybrid coined by the Austrian
mineralogist and geologist Wilhelm Karl von
Haidinger (1795-1871) fr. L. calx, gen. calcis,
'lime', and surf, -it, fr. Gk. -i-r/;?. See calcareous
and subst. suff. -ite.
calcium, a metallic element (chem.) — ModL.,
coined bv the English chemist Sir Humphrey
Davy (1 788-1829) fr. L. calx, calcis, 'lime'. See
calx, calcareous,
calculable, adj. — F. calculable, fr. calculer, 'to
compute, reckon, calculate', fr. L. calculdre. See
calculate and -able.
Derivatives: calculabil-ity, n., calculabl-y, adv.
calculary, adj., pertaining to calculi (med.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -ary fr. L. calculus, 'stone,
pebble; stone in the bladder or kidneys'. See
calculus and cp. L. calculdrius, 'pertaining to
calculation'.
calculate, tr. v. — L. calculdtus, pp. of calculdre,
'to reckon, compute, calculate', fr. calculus, a
small stone, pebble, stone used in reckoning,
reckoning', dimin. of calx, gen. calcis, 'small
stone, pebble, stone used in gaming, counter'.
See calculus and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: calculat-ed, adj., calculat-ing, adj.,
calculation (q.v.), calculat-ive, adj., calculator
(q.v.), calculatory (q.v.)
calculation, n. — L. calculdtio, gen. -dnis, 'reck-
oning, calculation', fr. calculdtus, pp. of calcu-
ldre. See calculate and -ion.
Derivative: calculation-al, adj.
calculator, n., 1) one who calculates; 2) a cal-
culating machine. — L. calculator, 'a computer',
fr. L. calculdtus, pp. of calculdre. See calculate
and agential suff. -or.
calculatory, adj. — L. calculdtdrius, 'pertaining
to reckoning', fr. calculdtus, pp. of calculdre.
See calculate and adj. suff. -ory and cp. prec.
word.
calculus, n., 1) a method in calculation (math.);
2) a stonelike concretion in the body (med) —
L. calculus, 'small stone, pebble, stone in the
bladder or kidneys: counter used in playing
drafts; stone used in reckoning', dimin. of calx,
gen. calcis, 'small stone, pebble, stone used in
gaming, counter'. See calcareous and cp. cal-
culate.
caldarium, n., the hot room in the Roman bath. —
L., prop. neut. of the adj. caliddrius, caldarius,
'pertaining to warming', used as a noun, fr.
calidus, 'hot'. See next word,
caldron, cauldron, n. — ONF. cauderon, caudron
(corresponding to OF. chauderon, F. chaudron),
formed fr. OF. caudiere (F. chaudiere), fr. Late
L. calddria, 'caldron', fr.L. caliddrius, caldarius,
'pertaining to warming', fr. calidus, caldus, 'hot',
fr. calere, 'to be warm', which derives fr. I.-E.
base *&<?/-, 'warm', whence also Lith. s[lu,silti, 'to
become warm', siltas, 'warm', silus, more exact-
ly silius, 'August' (lit. 'the warm month"), W.
clyd, 'warm' (whence MW. claer, cluyar,
'warm'), OI. sardd-, 'autumn', Avestic sar ( 6,
'year', ModPers. sal, of s.m. Cp. It. caldaia,
Rum. caldare, OProvenc. caudera, Catal. cal-
dira, Sp. aatdera, Port. cald?ira, 'caldron', which
all derive fr. VL. calddria. Cp. calefacient, ca-
lenture, calescence, callant, calorcscencc, calo-
ric, caudle, chafe, chaldron, chauffeur, chawdron,
chowder, rechauffe, scald, nonchalant. For prob.
223
calicular
derivatives of base *kleu-, enlargement of base
*kel-, 'warm', see lee.
Caleb, n., masculine PN.; in the Bible, one of the
twelve men sent by Moses to spy out the land
of Canaan. — Heb. Kdlebh, prop, 'like a dog',
fr. kelebh, 'dog'. Cp. Noldeke in ZDMG., 40,
p. 164, Note 1. Cp. Aram, kalbd, Ugar. klb,
Ethiop. kalb, Akkad. kalbu, 'dog'.
calefacient, adj., producing heat, heating (med.)
— L. calefaciens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of cale-
facere, 'to make warm', compounded of calere,
'to be warm', and facere, 'to make, do'. See
caldron and fact.
Derivative : calefacient, n.
calefactory, adj., making warm. — Formed with
adj. suff. -ory fr. calefactus, pp. of calefacere, 'to
make warm'. See prec. word.
calembour, n., pun. — F., of uncertain origin.
calendar, n. — L. calenddrium, 'an account book',
fr. calendae, kalendae, 'the first day of the
month' (see calends). The account book was
called calenddrium, because it contained the first
days of the months, on which the accounts were
due.
Derivatives: calendar, tr. v., calendar-er, n.,
calendar-ial, adj., calendar-ian, adj. and n.,
calendar-ic, adj.
calender, n., a mendicant dervish. — Pers.
qalender.
calender, n., machine with rollers for pressing
cloth. — F. calandre, 'calender, roller, mangle',
fr. earlier *colandre, fr. VL. *colendra, fr. Gk.
xuXivSpoi;, 'roller, cylinder'. See cylinder.
calender, tr. v. — F. calandrer, fr. calandre. See
prec. word.
Derivative : calender-er, n.
calends, kalends, n. pi., the first day of the an-
cient Roman month. — ME. kalendes, fr. OE.
calend, 'month', fr. L. calendae, kalendae, 'the
first day of the month', fr. caldre, 'to call, pro-
claim', which is rel. to Umbr. karetu, kafitu,
carsitu ( = L. caldtd), 'thou shalt (or he shall)
call', and cogn. with Gk. xocXeoi, 'Icall'.xeXaSo;,
'noise, din', xsXap'j^eiv, 'to rush, purl', xeXtop
(Hesychius), 'sound, voice', Lett, kaluot, 'to
chatter', OHG. haldn, 'to call', hellan, 'to re-
sound', hell, 'resounding', Olr. cailech, W. cei-
liog, Co. chelioc, Bret. kiVek, 'cock', Lith. kalba,
'language', kalbasyti, 'to chatter', Lett, kalada,
'shouting, noise', OPruss. kaltzd, kelsdi, 'it
sounds', the second element in OI. usd-kalah,
'cock', Toch. B kal(n)-, AB kdl(n)-, 'to resound'.
All these words are derivatives of the I.-E. imi-
tative base *kel-, *kal-, 'to shout, resound'. Cp.
calendar, Calendula, intercalary, conciliate,
council. Cp. also claim, v., clear, ecclesia. Cp.
also low, 'to make the sound of a cow'.
Calendula, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. calendae, hence
lit. meaning 'the plant blossoming at the time
of calends'. See prec. word and -ule.
calenture, n., tropical fever. — Sp. calentura, fr.
L. calens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of calere, 'to be
hot'. See caldron.
Derivatives: calenture, tr. v., calentur-al, adj.
calepin, n., a dictionary. — Named after Am-
brogio Calepino (1435-1 51 0, author of a famous
Latin-Italian dictionary.
calescence, n., increasing heat. — See next word
and -ce and cp. calorescence.
calescent, adj., growing warm; increasing in
heat. — L. calescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
calescere, 'to grow hot', inchoative of calere,
'to be hot'. See caldron and -ent and cp. in-
calescent, recalescent.
calf, n., young of a cow, etc. — ME. calf, kalf,
fr. OE. cealf, rel. to OS., MDu. calf, ON. kalfr,
Dan. kalv, Swed., Du. kalf, OHG. chalp, kalb,
MHG. kalp, G. Kalb, Goth, kalbo, 'calf, OHG.
kilbur (neut.), kilburra (fern.), OE. cilforlamb,
ceolforlamb, 'ewe lamb', fr. I.-E. base *g w elbh-,
*g w olbh-, 'womb; young of an animal', whence
also OI. gdrbhah, Avestic gar l wa-, 'womb', Gk.
SeXtpu?, 80X96; (in Hesychius), 'womb', d-
SeXtpi?, 'brother' (lit. 'from the same womb'),
Avestic g e r e bush, 'the young of an animal'. Cp.
adelpho-, dolphin, and the second element in
dagoba. Cp. also chilver.
calf, n., the fleshy part of the leg. — ON. kdlfi,
'calf of the leg', generally supposed to be rel. to
kalfr, 'young of a cow', hence derivatively iden-
tical with prec. word, but prob. not related to
it, but cogn. with OI. gulphds, 'ankle (bone)'.
Caliban, n., a brutal man. — Fr. Caliban, a char-
acter in Shakespeare's Tempest. The name is
prob. a blend of Cariban and cannibal. The
association between these two words is so much
the more natural because the latter is a deriv-
ative of the former.
Derivative: Caliban-ism, n.
caliber, calibre, n., the diameter of the bore of a
gun. — F. calibre, fr. It. calibro, fr. Arab, q&lib,
'mold, model', fr. Gk. xtcXotoSiov, 'shoemaker's
last', dimin. of xaXoirouc, gen. xaXoTroSo;;, of
s.m., lit. 'a foot of wood', fr. xxXov, 'wood', esp.
'wood for burning', and -o-'jc,, gen. rroSoi;, 'foot',
Gk. xSXov is contracted fr. *y.ir-z'lo-v or *xif-
aXo-v, a derivative of zaieiv (for *xaf lav), 'to
burn'; see caustic. For the second element see
foot and cp. -pod. Gk. xaXox&Siov came into
Arabic through the medium of the Aramaic.
calibrate, tr. v., to determine the caliber of. —
A hybrid coined fr. caliber and -ate, a suff. of
Latin origin.
Derivative: calibrat-ion, n.
calicle, n., a small cup-shaped cavity (zool.) —
L. caliculus, 'a small cup', dimin. of calix, gen.
calicis, 'cup'. See calyx and cp. calycle, calyculus.
calico, n., cotton cloth. — Named after Calicut in
the East Indies whence it was first imported.
Calico orig. meant 'cotton cloth from India',
calicular, adj., shaped like a calicle. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. caliculus, 'a small cup'.
Se< calicle.
californium
224
californium, n., a radioactive element (chem.) —
ModL., named after the University of Califor-
nia. For the ending see chem. suff. -ium.
caliga, n., a heavy military shoe (Roman aniiq.)
— L., rel. to calx, gen. calcis, 'heel', calcar,
'spur', calceus, 'shoe'. See Calceolaria.
caliginous, adj., dim, dark. — L. caligindsus, fr.
cdligo, gen. cdliginis, 'darkness', fr. I.-E. base
*qdl-, 'black, spotted', whence also Gk. xv)Xf<;,
Dor. xaXls, 'stain, spot, blemish', zifjXa; (in
Hesychius), 'cloud wanting water', OSlav. kalu,
'mud, dirt', Olr. caile, 'spot', but OI. kulah,
'black; cuckoo', kail (fern.), 'black color, night',
are not derived from this base (see Albert
Thumb, Handbuch des Sanskrit, II, p. 202). Cp.
the related base *qel-, 'black, spotted', whence
Gk. xeXaivo;, 'black'. See Celaeno and cp.
Columba, columbine. For the ending see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: caliginous-ly, adv., caliginous-
ness, n.
caliginosity, n., dimness, darkness. — Formed
with suff. -ity fr. L. caligindsus. See prec. word,
caligo, n., dimness of sight (med.) — L. cdligo,
'darkness'. See caliginous.
caliology, n., the study of birds' nests. — Com-
pounded of Gk. xocXIa, 'hut, nest', and -Xoyta,
fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The
first element is rel. to xaXopY), 'hut, cabin',
zaXunTew, 'to cover, hide, conceal', and cogn.
with L. cella, 'storeroom, granary', celdre, 'to
hide, keep secret', occulere, 'to cover, conceal';
see cell and words there referred to and cp. esp.
kalidium. For the second element see -logy.
Derivatives: caliolog-ic-al, adj., caliolog-ist, n.
calipash, n., the edible greenish substance found
next to the upper shell of a turtle. — Prob.
alter, of carapace,
calipee, n., the edible yellowish substance found
next to the lower shell of a turtle. — Prob.
alter, of calipash,
caliper, calliper, n. — Variant spellings of
caliber. Derivatives: cal(l)iper, tr. and intr. v.,
cal(l)iper-er, n.
caliph, calif, n., title of the successors of Moham-
med. — ME. caliphe, califfe, fr. F. caliphe, fr.
Arab, khalifa", 'successor", fr. khdlafa, 'he suc-
ceeded', which is rel. to Heb. hdldph, 'he passed
on, passed away, changed', Aram, hdldph, of
s.m., Syr. hdldph, 'he changed, substituted',
F.thiop. khaldfa, 'he passed by, passed across'.
Cp. Collybia.
caliphate, n., office of a caliph. — Not the trans-
literation of Arab, khildfa", but a hybrid coined
fr. prec. word and -ate, a suff. of Latin origin.
Calista, Callista, fern. PN. — Lit. 'most beauti-
ful', fr. Gk. x.a/j.LTTr,, fern, of xiXXiaTo:;. See
Callisto.
calisthenic, callisthcnic, adj., pertaining to, or
promoting, calisthenics. — See next word and
-ic.
calisthenics, callisthenics, n. pi., 1) light gymnas-
tics tending to promote grace and health; 2) (con-
strued as a singular) the art of such gymnastics.
— Compounded of Gk. xaXXos, 'beauty', and
a9ivo?, 'strength'. Gk. xaXXo; derives fr. xaX<5<;,
'beautiful'; see calo-. For the second element
see sthenic and cp. asthenia, neurasthenia. For
the ending of calisthenics see suff. -ics.
calk, caulk, tr. v., to stop up the seams of a ship
with oakum. — The original meaning was 'to
tread', fr. ME. cauken, fr. ONF. cauquier, corre-
sponding to OF. cauchier, chauchier (F. edeher),
'to tread', fr. L. calcdre, 'to tread', fr. calx, gen.
calcis, 'heel'. See Calceolaria and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: calk, tr. v., calk-er, a., calk-ing, n.
calk, caique, tr. v., to copy. — F. calquer, 'to
trace, make a drawing', fr. It. calcare, lit. 'to
trample, tread', fr. L. calcdre, 'to tread', whence
also OF. cauchier, chauchier. Accordingly calk,
'to copy', is derivatively identical with calk, 'to
stop up with oakum' (q.v.)
calk, n., projections at the ends of horseshoes to
prevent slipping. — Back formation fr. calkin.
calkin, n., calk (in the sense of prec. word). —
OF. calcain, fr. L. calcdneum, 'heel', fr. calx,
gen. calcis, 'heel'. See calcaneum.
call, intr. and tr. v. — ME. callen, fr. OE. ceal-
lian, 'to shout', rel. to ON. kalla, 'to shout,
sing', Du. kallen, 'to talk', OHG. kalldn, 'to
call', and cogn. with Mir. gall, 'glory; swan',
W. galw, 'to call', OSlav. glasu (for *golsu),
'voice', Czech and Slovak Mas, of s.m., OSlav.
glasiti, 'to cry, announce', Czech hldsiti, Slo-
vak hldsit\ of s.m., OSlav. glagolu, 'word',
Czech and Slovak hlahol, 'loud talk', OSlav.
gtagolati, 'to speak', Czech hlaholiti, Slovak
hlaholir', 'to sound'. Cp. Glagolitic.
Derivatives: call, n., call-able, adj., caller (q.v.),
call-ing, n.
Calla, n„ a genus of plants of the arum family
(hot.) — ModL., fr. L. calla, calsa, name of a
plant.
callant,n., boy (Scot.) — Du. kalant (now klant),
'customer', fr. NF. caland, corresponding
to OF. chalant (F. chaland), 'customer', fr. OF.
chaloir, 'to be interested in', fr. L. calere, 'to be
warm', in VL. meaning also 'to be overheated,
become interested' (cp. It. calere, Sp. caler, 'to
import, matter'). See caldron and cp. noncha-
lant.
caller, n., one who calls. — Formed from the
verb call with agential suff. -er.
caller, adj., fresh (Scot.) — Of uncertain origin.
Callicarpa, n., a genus of plants of the vervain
family (hot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xiXXoc, 'beauty', and xap-6?, 'fruit'. The first
element derives fr. za/.o;, 'beautiful'; see calo-.
The second element is cogn. with L. carpere, 'to
pluck'; sec carpel.
Callicebus, n., a genus of South American mon-
keys (zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xaXXos, 'beauty' (fr. xocXoc, 'beautiful'), and
225
calon-
xYj(3o;, x^tco;, 'a long-tailed monkey'. For the
first element see calo-, for the second see
cowhage.
calligraph, n., a specimen of calligraphy. — Gk.
xaXXiypacpoi;, 'a calligrapher'. See calligraphy.
Derivative: calligraph-er, n.
calligraphic, adj. — Gk. xaXXtypacpixo?, 'pertain-
ing to calligraphy', fr. xaXXiypoetpia. See next
word and -ic.
Derivatives: calligraphic-al, adj., calligraphic-
al-ly, adv.
calligraphy, n., beautiful writing. — Gk. xaXXi-
ypatpia, fr. xaXXiypacpo?, 'a calligrapher', which
is compounded of xaXXo?, 'beauty' and -ypatpo?,
fr. ypotipeiv, 'to write'. The first element derives
fr. xaXo;, 'beautiful' ; see calo-. For the second
element see -graphy.
Calliope, n., the Muse presiding over epic poetry
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KaXXtoTrrj, lit. 'the
beautiful- voiced one', compounded of xaXXo?,
'beauty', and 6i}>, gen. bnoz, 'voice'. The first
element derives fr. xaXo?, 'beautiful' ; see calo-.
The second element stands for fr. *F6<\i, fr. I.-E.
*woq w -s, whence also Gk. Ijzoc, (Cypriote Fzkoq),
'word', L. vox, 'voice, sound, tone, call'. See
voice and cp. epic, epos,
calliper, n. — See caliper.
Callirrhoe, n., 1) the wife of Alcmaeon; 2) the
name of a sea nymph (Greek mythol.) — L., fr.
Gk. KaXXtppoY], fern, of xaXXippoo?, 'beautifully
flowing', compounded of xaXXo?, 'beauty' (fr.
xaXo;, 'beautiful'), and por), 'a flowing stream,
river', which is rel. to p£siv (for "apefeiv), 'to
flow', fr. I.-E. base *sreu-, 'to flow', whence al-
so—with inserted t— OE. stream, 'flowing;
river'. See calo- and stream.
Callirrhoe, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.) — Named after the nymph Callir-
rhoe. See prec. word,
callisthenic, adj. — See calisthenic.
callisthenics, n. — See calisthenics.
Callisto, n., a nymph, mother of Areas by Zeus
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KaXXicrrco, fr. xaX-
Xicttoc, superl. of v.yX6r„ 'beautiful'; see calo-.
For the Greek superl. suff. -ioto? cp. (iy/iaxo;,
superl. of %x/}, 'near' (see Anchistea), xxxkito;,
superl. of xxxot;, 'bad' (see kakistocracy), 7tpco-
tkjto;, superl. of Kpcoxo;, 'first' (see protista).
For the cognates of this suff. see superl. suff.
-est.
Callitriche, n., a genus of aquatic weeds, the water
starwort (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xaXXiTpi/o;,
'beautiful-haired', which is compounded of
xiXXo?, 'beauty', and ftptS, gen. xpi/o;, 'hair'.
The first element derives fr. xaXo?, 'beautiful',
see calo-. For the second element see tricho-.
callosity, n., callousness. — F. callosite, 'harden-
ing of the skin', fr. L. calldsitdtem, acc. of cal-
Idsitds, fr. callus, callum, 'hardened skin', which
is prob. cogn. with OI. kinah (for *krnah), 'cal-
losity', Olr. and MIr. calath, calad, W. called,
'hard', OSlav. kaliti, 'to cool, harden', Lett.
kdlst, kdlstu, 'to dry up'. For the ending see
suff. -ity.
callous, adj., hardened. — L. calldsus, 'hard-
skinned', fr. callus, callum, 'hardened skin'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: callous-ly, adv., callous-ness, n.
callow, adj., unfledged; immature. — ME. ca-
lowe, fr. OE. calu, 'bare, bald', rel. to MDu. calu,
Du. kaal, OHG. kalo, kalawer, MHG. kal,
kalwer, G. kahl, of s.m., and cogn. with OSlav.
gold, 'naked', OSlav. glava, Lith. galva, OPruss.
gallu, 'head'.
Derivatives: callow, n., callow-er, n.
Calluna, n., a genus of plants of the heath family
(bot.). — ModL., fr. Gk. xaXXuveiv, 'to brush,
sweep', lit. 'to make beautiful', fr. xaXXog,
'beauty', fr. xaXo?, 'beautiful' (see calo-); so
called because its twigs were used as brooms.
callus, n., hardened skin (med.) — L. see cal-
losity.
calm, n. — F. calme, 'tranquil, quiet', fr. It. cal-
ma, 'absence of wind, tranquillity', fr. Gk. xau-
u.a, 'burning heat of the sun', whence arose the
meaning 'tranquillity of the sea during oppres-
sive heat'. Gk. xaOu.a derives fr. *xaf-, the stem
of xcaeiv, 'to burn'. See caustic and cp. words,
there referred to. Cp. also chdmage.
Derivatives: calm, adj. and v., calm-er, n., calm-
ly, adv., calm-ness, n.
calmative, adj., calming. — F. calmatif (fern.
calmative) ; see calm and -ative. This is a hybrid
word (a suff. of L. origin having been added to
a word of Gk. origin); it should be superseded
by sedative.
calo-, combining form meaning 'beautiful'. —
Gk. xocXo-, fr. xaXo?, 'beautiful', which is cogn.
with OI. kalyah, 'healthy'. Cp. calisthenics, Ca-
lista, Callicarpa, Callicebus, calligraphy, Cal-
listo, Calluna, calomel, caloyer, Hemerocallis,
Hymenocallis, kaleidophone, kaleidoscope.
calomel, n., mercurous chloride, HgCl (chem.) —
F., prop, 'beautiful (i.e. white) substance de-
rived from black', fr. Gk. xxX-k, 'beautiful, fair',
and uiXa;, 'black'. See calo- and melancholy.
Calonyction, n., a genus of plants of the morning-
glory family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
calo- and Gk. vix-rio;, 'nightly', fr. vu;, gen.
vuxto?, 'night'. See night and cp. nycti-.
Calophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the balsam-
tree family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
calo- and Gk. <p\>XXov, 'leaf. See phyllo-.
calorescence, n., transference of heat rays into
light rays (phys.) — Coined by the British physi-
cist John Tyndall (1820-93). The word is in-
correctly formed. The correct form would be
calescence, fr. L. calescens, pres. part, of cale-
scere, 'to grow hot', inchoative of calere, 'to be
hot'. See caldron and -escence and cp. cales-
cence and calori-.
calori-, combining form meaning 'heat'. — L.
calori-, fr. color, 'heat', fr. calere, 'to be hot'.
See caldron.
caloric
226
caloric, n., the principle of heat. — F. calorique,
fr. L. calor, 'heat'. See calori- and -ic.
Derivative: caloric-ity, n.
calorie, also calory, n., unit of heat. — See calori-.
calorifacient, adj., heat-producing. — Com-
pounded of calori- and -facient.
Derivative: calorifacient, n.
calorific, adj., heat-producing. — F. calorifique,
fr. L. calorificus. See calori- and -fie.
Derivative: calori fic-at ion, n.
calorifics, n., the science of heat. — See prec.
word and -ics.
calorimeter, n., an apparatus for measuring heat.
— A hybrid coined fr. L. calor, 'heat', and Gk.
jxsTpov, 'measure'. See calori- and meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm".
calotte, n., a small skullcap. — F., fr. It. callotta,
fr. L. calautica, 'a kind of female headdress
with pendent lappets', a word of foreign origin.
A connection between calotte and Gk. xaXuicTpoi,
'woman's veil', as suggested by many lexico-
graphers, is impossible for phonetic reasons.
Cp. caul.
caloyer, n., a monk of the Eastern Church. —
F., fr. MF. calogere, fr. ModGk. xaXoyEpo; (y
being pronounced >•), 'a monk', lit. 'a handsome
old man', fr. Gk. xaXo;, 'beautiful', and vspwv,
old man'. See calo- and geronto-.
calpac, calpack, n., a kind of cap. — Turk, qal-
paq. whence also Hung, kalpag, 'calpac, head-
gear', kalap, 'hat'.
Caltha, n., a genus of herbs of the crowfoot fam-
ily (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. caltha, 'pot marigold",
fr. supposed Gk. *xaX!>v;, prop, 'the yellow
flower", from I.E. *ghldha, rel. to *ghelwos,
'yellow', whence L. helms, 'light bay". Sec yellow
and cp. helvite.
caltrop, n., an instrument with four iron spikes
used in medieval warfare. — ME. calketrappe,
fr. ONE. cauketrape, corresponding to OF.
chancetrape (F. chausse-trape), which is formed
from the imperative of chauchier, 'to tread,
trample", and trape, 'trap, snare'. Accordingly,
OF. chanchetrapc lit. means 'tread upon the
trap'. OF. chauchier derives fr. L. calcdre, 'to
tread", fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'. See Calceo-
laria and cp. the first element in cauchemar. For
the second clement see trap, 'snare'.
calumba, n., formerly columbo, root of a plant
(pharm.) — From kolombo, its name in Mo-
zambique.
calumet, n., a pipe with long stem, smoked by
North American Indians, esp. in token of
ix-i'.v.-. -- Can. F., fr. NF., corresponding to
F. chahtineau (with change of suff.), fr. L. ca-
lamus, 'reed". See calamary.
calumniate, ir. v., to slander. — L. calumnidtus,
pn. of calunmiari, 'to accuse falsely', fr. calum-
nia. See calumny and verbal stiff, -ate.
De r i v a ' i ves : culuniniat-ion, n . , calumniator
fq.v.)
calumniator, n., slanderer. — L., fr. calumniatus.
pp. of calunmiari. See prec. word and agential
suff. -or.
calumnious, adj., slanderous. — L. calumniosus,
fr. calumnia. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: calumnious-ly, adv., calumnious-
ness, n.
calumny, n., slander. — F. calomnie, fr. L. calum-
nia, 'trickery, artifice, pretense, evasion, false
accusation, false report', for *calvomnid, from
*calvomnos, archaic pres. part, of calvi, 'to de-
vise tricks, deceive', which is prob. cogn. with
Gk. xvjXeiv, 'to bewitch, seduce, beguile', Goth.
hdldn, 'to deceive', ON. hoi, 'praise, flattery",
OE. hoi, 'slander', hdlian, helian, 'to slander'.
Cp. challenge. Cp. also cavil. For the form of
the pres. part. * calvomnos cp. alumnus.
Calvary, the place of the crucifixion of Jesus; re-
presentation of the crucifixion of Jesus. — L.
calvdria, 'skull', translation of Gk. xpoiviov in
the Gospels, rendering Aram, gulgulthi, 'skull'
(= Heb. gulgoleth), a name given to a hill near
Jerusalem (so called from its shape; see Gol-
gotha). L. caivdria is a derivative of calvus,
'bald', which is cogn. with the second element
in OI. dti-kulvah, dti-kurvah, 'utterly bare",
Avestic kaurva-, ModPers. kal, 'bare'. Cp.
Calvatia, calvities.
Calvatia, n., a genus of fungi (hot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. calvus, 'bald'. See Calvary and -ia.
calve, intr. and tr. v. — ME. calven, fr. OE.
cealfian, fr. cealf, 'calf. See calf, 'young of a
cow'.
Calvinism, n., the religious doctrine of John Calvin
(1509-64). Cp. chauvin. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
Calvinist, n., a follower of Calvin. — See prec.
word and -ist.
Derivative: Calvinist-ic, adj.
calvities, n., baldness (med.) — L., 'baldness', fr.
calvus. See Calvary.
calx, n. (chem.), 1) lime (ohsol.); 2) ashy sub-
stance left after a mineral or metal has been
calcined. — L. calx, gen. calcis, 'stone, lime'.
See calcareous.
Calycanthus, n., the Carolina allspice (hot.) —
ModL., compounded of xaX'jE, 'cup, calyx", and
av&o;, 'flower'. See calyco- and anther.
calyci-, before a vowel calye-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to, or resembling a calyx'.
— Fr. L. calyx, gen. calycis. See calyx.
calycle, n., an epicalyx (hot.) — L. calyculus, 'a
small flower bud', dimin. of calyx, gen. calycis.
See calyx and cp. calicle.
Calycocarpum, n., a genus of plants of the moon-
seed family (hot.). — ModL., compounded of
y.a>.'4, gen. xaXuxo;, 'cup, calyx'., and xapro;,
'fruit'. See calyco- and carpel and cp. the second
element in Callicarpa.
calyculus," n., a small cup-shaped cavity. — L.
See calycle.
Calypso, n., a nymph, daughter of Atlas (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KaX'j^i.'), from the stem
227
camelry
of xaXv>7TT£t.v, 'to cover, hide, conceal'. See next
word. For sense development cp. Circe.
calyptra, n., a covering (pot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
xaXuTTTpa, 'a covering, veil', fr. xccXotteiv, 'to
cover, hide, conceal', which is rel. to xaX'jpT],
'hut, cabin', xccXia, 'hut, nest', and cogn. with
L. cella, 'storeroom, granary', celdre, 'to hide,
keep secret'. See cell and cp. caliology, Calypso,
apocalypse, Eucalyptus, kelyphite.
calyx, n., the outer whorl of leaves (bot.) — L.,
fr. Gk. xdtXu5, 'the cup or calyx of a flower',
which stands in gradational relationship to
xuXt£, 'cup, drinking cup', and is cogn. with L.
calix, 'cup, goblet, drinking vessel', Umbr.
skalce-ta, scalse-to, 'out of the dish or saucer',
OI. kaldsah, 'pot, cup', kalikd, 'bud'. OE. celic,
cxlic, cxlc, 'cup', is borrowed fr. L. calix. Cp.
chalice, cylix.
cam, n., a device for changing regular rotary mo-
tion into irregular. — Du. kam, 'comb', fr.
MDu. cam, rel. to OE. cdmb, whence comb(q.v.)
Derivative : cam, tr. v.
camaieu, n., a cameo. — F., fr. OF. camaheus,
fr. ML. camahutus. See cameo.
camail, n., a piece of chain mail protecting the
neck. — F., fr. OProvenc. capmalh, lit. 'chain
mail for the head', fr. *capmalhar, 'to cover the
head with a chain mail', which is compounded
of cap, 'head' (fr. L. caput, of s.m.), and malhar,
'to put on a coat of mail', fr. malha, 'coat of
mail', fr. L. macula, 'spot, mark'. See capital,
adj., and mail, 'armor'.
camara, n., chamber. — Sp. cdmara, fr. L. camara,
camera, fr. Gk. xafiapa. See camera, chamber.
camaraderie, n., comradeship. — F., fr. camara-
de, 'comrade'. Sec comrade and -ery.
camarilla, n., a small meeting room. — Sp., dimin.
of cdmara, 'chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault,
arched roof, arch'; see camara. In its special
sense 'a private audience chamber in the royal
palace; political clique', it was first used in
France about 1830, to designate the absolutist
party during the reign of Charles X.
camas, camash, cammas, n., any plant of the
genus Camassia. — Fr. N. American Indian
quamash, 'bulb'.
Camassia, n., a genus of plants with edible bulbs
(bot.) — ModL., from prec. word. For the end-
ing see suff. -ia.
Cambarus, n., a genus of crayfishes (zool.) —
ModL., rel. to L. cammarus, fr. Gk. xaptaapoc,
'lobster', which is cogn. with ON. humarr, 'lob-
ster' [whence F. homard and LG. humarr
(whence G. Hummer)}, and with OI. kamathah,
'tortoise'. These words derive fi. I.-E. base
*qam-, *qem-, 'to vault', and lit. denote an ani-
mal with a vaulted covering. See camera and cp.
Gammarus, Homarus.
camber, n., a slight convexity. — OF. cambre,
'curved, bent", fr. L. camur, which is rel. to
camera, 'arch, vault'. See camera.
camber, tr. and intr. v., to curve slightly. — F.
cambrer, 'to curve, bend', fr. camerdre, of s.m.,
fr. camera. See prec. word,
cambial, adj., pertaining to cambium. — Late L.
cambidlis, fr. cambidre, 'to change, exchange'.
See cambium and adj. suff. -al.
cambio-, combining form for cambium. — See
cambium.
cambist, n., an expert in the theory and practice
of exchange. — F. cambiste, 'changer', a hybrid
coined fr. Late L. cambium and -iste, a suff. of
Greek origin. See cambium and -ist.
cambium, n., formative tissue between bark and
wood (bot.) — Late L., 'exchange', fr. cambidre,
'to change, exchange', which is a Gaulish loan
word. See change, v.
Cambrian, adj., 1) pertaining to Cambria or
Wales; 2) pertaining to the first geological pe-
riod in the Paleozoic Era. — Lit. 'of Cambria',
i.e. 'of Wales', fr. L. Cambria, ML. name of
Wales, fr. Celtic, Cymru, 'Wales'. See Cymric
and -an.
cambric, n., a fine white linen fabric. — A blend
of Kamerijk, Flemish name of a town in France
(formerly in Flanders), with Cambrai, the
French name of the same town; so called be-
cause it was first manufactured in Cambrai.
Cp. chambray.
came, n., a grooved lead bar used to hold to-
gether panes of glass. — Of uncertain origin.
came, past tense of come. — ME. cam (prob. on
the analogy of ME. nam, past tense of niman,
'to take'). Sec come.
cameist, n., 1) one who makes or collects cameos;
2) an expert in cameos. — A hybrid coined fr.
cameo and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
camel, n. — ME. camel, cameil, chamel. chcunail.
fr. OE. camel, fr. ONF. camel, corresponding to
OF. chamel (whence F. chameau), fr. L. camc-
lus, fr. Gk. xairr;Xoc, fr. Heb. and Phoen. gdmul,
'camel', which is rel. to Arab, jdmal, of s.m.
Cp. gamma, gimel.
cameleer, n., a camel driver. -— Formed fr. camel
with suff. -eer.
Camelidae, n., a family of ruminants (zool.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. camelus.
See camel.
Camelina, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'dwarf flax', fr. Gk.
yau,at, 'on the ground' (in botany used in the
sense of 'dwarf'), and Xivov. 'flax'. See chamae-
and line, 'flax'.
camellia, n. — Named by the Swedish naturalist
Karl von Linne after the Jesuit traveler George
Joseph Kamel (italianized into Camelli), who
first described this flower. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
camelopard, n.. the giraffe. — Lit. 'camclpard".
fr. L. cametopardus, fr. Gk. v.yLrX',—y.c,H-x"/.ii,
which is compounded of Gk. xa!jtr,Ao;, 'camel',
and TiapSaXu;, 'pard'. Sec camel and pard and
cp. leopard.
camelry, n., — Formed fr. camel with suff. -ry.
Camembert
228
Camembert, n., a soft, rich cheese. — From Ca-
membert, name of a village near Argentan in
Normandy.
cameo, n., a carved gem. — It. cammeo, fr. ML.
camahutus, ult. fr. Pers. chumdhdn, 'agate',
through the medium of the Arabic. Cp. camaieu.
Derivative : cameo, tr. v.
camera, n., a chamber. — L., 'vault, arched roof,
arch', fr. Gk. xocfxoipa, which is rel. to xajjuvo?
(whence L. caminus), 'furnace', and cogn. with
L. camur, camurus, 'curved', fr.I.-E. base *qam-,
*qem-, 'to bend, vault'. Cp. It., OProvenc.,
Catal. camera, Sp. cdmara, Port, cdmara, F. cham-
bre, OHG. chamara, OS. camara, OSlav. komora,
Lith. kamard, Olr. camra, which all derive fr.
L. camera. Cp. chamber. Cp. also camara, Cam-
barus, camber, chimney, comrade, concamerated.
For derivatives of a-ft-enlargement of base *qam-
see change. Cp. cant, 'slope'. Cp. also heaven,
camerlengo, camerlingo, n., the papal chamber-
lain. — It., a hybrid coined fr. camera (see ca-
mera) and the Teut. suff. -ling. Cp. chamberlain.
Cameronian, n., a follower of Richard Cameron
(died in 1680). For the ending see suff. -ian.
Camilla, n., a girl of noble birth employed in reli-
gious offices. — L., fern, of camillus (q.v.)
Camilla, fern. PN. — Fr. prec. word,
camillus, n., a noble youth employed in religious
offices (Roman antiq.) — L., fr. Etruscan Ca-
millus, 'Mercury', fr. Gk. KaSjjttXo? (whence
KaoizTXo?), name of one of the Cabiri in Samo-
thrace. KaS^IXoc is prob. related to Ka§|xo<;,
'Cadmus', hence of Hebrew origin; see Cad-
mus. The Hebrew origin of Gk. KaSiziXoi; is sup-
ported by the fact that the name Kafisipoi it-
self (whence L. Cabin) also derives from He-
brew (see Cabiri).
camisado, camisade, n., a night attack. — F. ca-
misade, fr. OProvenc. *camisada (fr. camiza,
'shirt'), prop, a night attack in which the at-
tackers wore shirts over their armour, for the
sake of recognizing one another; cp. It. cami-
ciata, 'camisado', fr. camicia, 'shirt'. See che-
mise and -ado and cp. next word.
camisc. n., a light shirt. — Arab, qamts, fr.
Late L. camisia. See chemise.
camisole, n., a woman's loose jacket. — F., fr.
OProvenc. camisola, 'mantle', dimin. of camisa,
fr. Late L. camisia. See chemise and cp. prec.
word.
camlet, n., cloth made of camel's hair and silk
or of wool and silk. — F. camelot, fr. Arab.
khdmlat, 'plush', the stuff having been fabricated
originally in the Fast. The French form of the
word is due to an erroneous association with the
word chameau, 'camel'. The ending -at (in
Arab, khdmlat) was mistaken for the suff. -at
and substituted by the more frequent French
suff. -ot (in English this latter suff. became -et).
Derivatives: camlet, adj. and tr. v.
camomile, n., an aromatic plant. — F. camo-
mille, fr. Late L. camomilla, fr. earlier chamae-
melon, fr. Gk. xa|i.oafi.r]Xov, lit. 'earth apple', fr.
X<x.\uii, 'on the ground', and fi,7jXov, 'apple'. See
chamae- and Malus, 'genus of the apple trees',
and cp. Chamomila.
Camorra, n., name of a secret society at Naples.
— It., fr. camorro, 'a person in failing health;
a troublesome person', prob. fr. Port, cha-
morro, 'with shaven head, bald', which is of
uncertain, possibly Basque, origin.
Derivatives: Camorr-ism, n., Camorr-ist, n.
camouflage, n., concealment of troops, ships, etc.,
from the enemy; disguise. — F., fr. camoufler,
'to disguise', fr. It. camuffare, 'to disguise', con-
traction of capo muffare, 'to muffle the head'.
See capital, adj., muffle and -age.
Derivatives: camouflage, tr. and intr. v., ca-
mouflag-er, n.
camp, n. — F., fr. It. campo, 'camp', fr. L. cam-
pus, 'flat space, plain field' (whence also F.
champ, 'field, battlefield'), fr. I.-E. base *qamp-,
'to bend', whence also Gk. xapLm), 'bend, turn,
winding of a river', xocu-tctsiv, 'to bend, curve,
turn', xdt|jn}jtq, 'a bending, turning', Lith. kampas,
'corner, region', Lett, kampis, 'a crooked piece
of wood', Lith. kumpas, 'crooked', kumpti, Lett.
kumpt, 'to become bent, to curve', Goth, hamfs,
'mutilated', OHG. hamf, 'crippled' (lit. 'curved'),
OE. hofer, 'hump, swelling'. Cp. campaign,
campane, campanile, Campanula, camper, cam-
pion, campo, campus, campylo-, champaign,
champignon, champion, decamp, encamp, gamb,
gamba, schanz, sconce, 'cover', the first element
in Camponotus, Camptosorus, champerty, and
the second element in elecampane, Kulturkampf.
Cp. base *(s)qamb-, *(s)qemb-, whence Gk.
GY.a.\x$oq, 'crooked, bent', Olr. camm, 'crooked,
curved', MIr. cimb, 'tribute', cimbid, 'prisoner',
Gaulish cambita, 'felloe' (whence F. jante, of
s.m.); see change,
camp, intr. v., to pitch a camp. — F. camper, fr.
camp, 'camp'. See camp, n.
Derivative: camp-er, n.
campagna, n., open country. — It., fr. Late L.
campdnia. See next word,
campaign, n. — F. campagne, 'open country;
campaign', fr. It. campagna, fr. Late L. cam-
pania, 'plain, open country' (whence also Sp.
campaha, Port, campanha), fr. campdnius, a var.
of campdneus, 'pertaining to the open country',
fr. L. campus, 'flat space, plain, open field'. Cp.
L. Campdnia, name of a province of Italy about
Naples, lit. 'the plain or level country", and see
camp, n. Cp. also campagna, champaign. Cp.
also next word.
Derivative : campaign-er, n.
campane, n., a bell (her.) — F., fr. Late L. cam-
pdna, orig. 'a metal vessel made in Campania',
fr. L. Campdnia. See prec. word and cp. cam-
panero, campanile, Campanula,
campanero, n., the bellbird of South America. —
Sp., lit. 'bellman', fr. campana, 'bell', fr. Late
L. campana. See prec. word.
229
campaniform, adj., bell-shaped. — Compounded
of Late L. campana 'bell', and L. forma, 'form,
shape'. See campane and form, n.
campanile, n., a bell tower. — It., fr. campana,
'bell', fr. Late L. campana (see campane) ; intro-
duced into English by the diarist John Evelyn
(1620- 1 706).
campanist, n., an expert in bells. — A hybrid
coined fr. Late L. campana (see campane) and
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
campanology, n., the study of bells. — A hybrid
coined fr. Late L. campana and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-Xoyoc, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See cam-
pane and -logy.
Derivative : campanolog-ist, n.
Campanula, n., the bellflower (bot.) — ModL., di-
min. of Late L. campana, 'bell' (see campane and
-ule); so called from the shape of the corolla.
Campanulaceae, n. pi., the bluebell family (bot.)
— Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
campanulaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
campanulas adj., bell-shaped. — Formed with
suff. -ar fr. Late L. campanula, dimin. of cam-
pana, 'bell'. See campane and -ule.
campanulate, campanulous, adj., campanular. —
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate, resp. -ous.
Campephagidae, n., a family of birds, the cuckoo
shrike (ornithol.) — ModL., lit. 'caterpillar
eaters', formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. xau.7n),
'caterpillar', and the stem of 9ay£iv, 'to eat'. For
the first element see hippocampus, for the second
see -phagous.
Campephilus, n., a genus of woodpeckers (orni-
thol.) — ModL., lit. 'lover of caterpillars', fr.
Gk. xiu.Tzr„ 'caterpillar', and cpiXoc, 'lover,
friend'. See hippocampus and philo-.
camphene, n., a hydrocarbon, C 10 H 16 (chem) —
Formed from the abbreviation of camphor and
suff. -ene.
camphine, n., purified oil of turpentine (chem.) —
Formed from the abbreviation of camphor and
chem. suff. -ine.
camphire,n., i)camphor (obsol. or dial); 2) henna
(see Authorized Version, Song of Songs 1 : 14).
— A var. of camphor.
camphor, n. — F. camphre, fr. ML. camphora, fr.
Arab, kdfur, fr. OI. kappurah, assimilated fr.
earlier karpQrah.
Derivatives: camphor, tr. v., camphor-aceous,
adj., camphor-ate, tr. v., camphor-aled, cam-
phor-ic, camphor-y, adjs.
campion, n., any plant of the genus Lychnis. —
Perhaps fr. L. campus, 'field'. See camp, n.
campo, n., a field. — It., Sp. and Port., fr. L. cam-
pus. See camp, n.
Campodea, n. pi., a genus of insects (entomol.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk . xau.Tr/), 'caterpillar',
and -a>8?);;, 'like'. See hippocampus and -ode.
Camponotus, n., a genus of ants (entomol.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xairrri), 'a bending',
and vwxo?, 'back'. See camp, n., and noto-.
campoo, n., camp (Anglo-Ind.). — Hind, kampu,
fr. Port, campo, 'camp', fr. L. campus, 'field'.
See camp, n.
Camptosorus, n., a genus of ferns of the polypody
family, the walking leaf (bot.). — ModL., lit.
'with flexible fruit dots', compounded of Gk.
xafiTTToi;, 'flexible', verbal adj. of xau.7t-eiv, 'to
bend', and atopog, 'heap of corn, heap'. See
camp, n., and sorus.
campus, n., college grounds. — L., 'field'. See
camp, n.
campylo-, before a vowel campyl-, combining
form meaning 'bent, curved'. — Gk. xx(j.-oXo-,
xcc'tXToiX-, fr. xafATtuXo?, 'bent, curved', fr. xaarcr;,
'a bending'. See camp, n.
camus, camuse, adj., short and flat (said of the
nose) (obsol.) — F. camus, fern, camuse, 'flat-
nosed, snub-nosed', formed from pejorative
pref. ca- and the base of museau, 'muzzle, snout'.
See muzzle.
camwood, n., wood of an African tree (Baphia
nitida). — The first element of this compound
is a W. African loan word. For the second ele-
ment see wood.
can, aux. v — ME. cunnen, fr. OE. cunnan, rel.
to ON. kunna, OS. kunnan, Du. kunnen, OHG.
kunnan, MHG. kunnen, kunnen, G. konnen,
Goth, kunnan, 'to be able', OE. endwan, OHG.
bi-chndan, ir-chnaan, 'to know', ON. knd, T can',
fr. I.-E. base *gene-, *geno-, 'to be able men-
tally, to know', whence also Ol.jdndti, 'knows',
jndtdh, 'known', Toch. A knd n , 'to know', d-
knats, B a-kndtsa, 'ignorant', Arm. caneay,
'I knew', ancan, 'unknown', Gk. yiyvwaxeiv, 'to
know', yvcioi;, 'knowledge, wisdom', yvco^T), 'a
means of knowing, judgement, opinion, maxim',
•p«i(i.a>v, 'one who knows, a judge; the gnomon
or index (of the sundial)', OL. gndscere, L. nds-
cere, 'to know', Alb. neh, 'you know' (sing.),
noh, 'I know', OSlav. znajo, znati, Lith. zinau,
zinoti, 'to know', OPruss. po-sinna, 'I confess',
Olr. ad-gninim, '1 know, recognize', gndlh,
'known, accustomed', W. gnawd, 'custom'. See
know and cp. canny, con, 'to peruse', could,
cunning, keen, ken, 'to know', ken, 'range of
sight', kith, kithe, uncouth. Cp. also acquaint,
agnoiology, cognition, diagnosis, gnome, 'maxim',
gnomic, gnomon, gnosis, gnostic, ignoble, ignore,
incognito, jnana, narrate, noble, normal, note,
notice, notion, notorious, quaint, recognize,
reconnoitre.
can, n., vessel. — ME. canne, fr. OE. canne, rel.
to OS., ON., Swed. kanna, MDu. kanr.e, Du.
kan, OHG. channa, MHG., G. kanne, 'can',
borrowed fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane; small vessel,
tube', which is of Sem. origin. See cane and
cp. canal.
Derivatives: can, tr. v., to put into a can, cann-
ed, adj., cann-er, n., cann-ery. n., cann-ing, n.
Canaan, n., the Promised Land of the Israelites.
— L. Chanaan, fr. Gk. Xavaav, fr. Heb. K'-
canaba
230
nd'an, which is of unknown origin.
Derivatives: Canaan-ite, adj. and n., Canaan-
it-ic, adj., Canaan-it-ish, adj.
canaba, also cannaba, n., a hovel, hut (Roman
antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. xav(v)a(3o<;, 'wooden frame-
work', fr. xawa, 'reed', which is of Sem. origin.
See cane.
Canada, n., a Portuguese liquid measure. — Port.
Canada, n., a deep valley — Sp., fr. VL. canna,
'canal', fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane; tube'. See cane
and cp. can, 'vessel'.
canaille, n., rabble. — F., fr. It. canaglia, lit. 'a
pack of dogs', fr. cane, 'dog' ; cp. OF. chiennaille,
which is of the same origin and meaning as It.
canaglia. See canine,
canal, n. — F., fr. L. canalis, 'water pipe, chan-
nel, canal', prop, subst. use of an adj. formed fr.
canna, 'reed, cane ; small vessel, tube'. The short-
ening of the double n is due to the phonetic law,
according to which before a stressed syllable,
a double consonant becomes short. Cp. L.
nirulis, 'pertaining to a chariot', fr. currus,
'chariot' (see cunile), and mamilla, 'breast', di-
min. of mamma, 'breast' (whence this phonetic
law is called 'mamilla law'; sec mammilla). See
cane and adj. stiff, -al and cp. channel, cannel,
kennel, 'gutter', which are doublets of canal.
Derivatives: canal, tr. v., eanal(l)-er, n., canal-
ize, ir. v., canal-iz-atinn, n.
canalicular, adj., pertaining to, or like, a canali-
culus or canaliculi. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ar fr. canaliculus (q.v.)
canaliculate, canaliculated, adj., channeled. —
L. candliaildliis, 'channeled', fr. canaliculus.
Sec next word and adj. sulT. -ate, resp. also -ed.
canaliculus, n., a small canal (anal.) — L., dimin.
of canalis. See canal and -cule.
Canangium, n., a genus of trees of the custard-
apple family (hoi.) — ModL., fr. Malay kendn-
ga, prob. a nasalized form of OX.kdnakam. For
the ending see suff. -ium.
canape, n., food served as an appetizer. — F.,
orig. 'a canopy o\er a couch to keep off in-
sects'. See canopy,
canard, n.. a duck: a hoax. — F., 'duck; drake',
fr. OF. cunartjr. Of. cancr, 'to cackle", which is
of imitative origin. The sutT. -art iV.-ard) isduc to
the influence of OF. maslart, 'duck; drake', fr.
masleif. male), 'male'. See -ard and cp. cancan,
canary, n., — F. canari, canarie, fr. Sp. canario,
'canary bird', lit. 'of the Canary Islands', fr. L.
insula Canaria, 'one of the Canary Islands', lit.
'Dog Islands', fr. canis, 'dog' (see canine). The
islands were so called from their large dogs,
canasta, n.. a card game originating from Ar-
gentina. — Sp. canasta, 'a basket', fr. canasto,
a secondary form of canaslro, 'a large basket',
fr. L. canistrum, 'wicker basket', fr. Gk. xava-
orpov; see canister. The game was so called
from the basketful of cards used in it.
canaster, n., a kind of coarse tobacco. — Sp. ca-
naslro, 'a large basket'. See prec. word.
canaut, also conaut, n., side wall of a tent (Anglo-
Ind.) — Hind, qandt, fr. Pers. qandt, fr. Arab.
qand h , 'cane'. See cane.
cancan, n., a kind of extravagant dance. — F.,
prob. fr. cancan, childish name of the duck
( = F. canard) ; so called from the waddling gait.
See canard.
cancel, tr. and intr. v. — F. canceller, 'to cancel',
fr. L. cancelldre, 'to enclose with a lattice',
hence 'to cross out; to cancel', fr. cancel!! (pi.),
'enclosure, crossbar, lattice', dimin. of cancer,
'lattice, dissimilated fr. career, 'an enclosed
place; prison'. See incarcerate and cp. career,
chancel.
Derivatives: cancel, n., cancel-ed, adj., cancell-
ale, adj. (q.v.)
cancellate, adj., marked with crosslines. — L.
cancelldtus, pp. of cancelldre. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: cancellat-ed, adj., cancellat-ion, n.
cancellous, adj., having a spongelike structure
(said of the spongy part of bones). — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. cancelli (pi.), 'lattice'. See
cancel.
cancer, n., a malignant growth. — L., 'crab, ul-
cer, cancer', dissimilated fr. *carcro- and cogn.
with Gk. xapxCvo?, 'crab', lit. 'the animal with
the hard shell', fr. I.-E. base *qarq-, *qraq-, 'to
be hard', whence also OI. karkatabt, karkah,
'crab', karkarah, 'hard'. Cp. OSlav. rakii, 'cray-
fish', OPruss. rakis, of s.m., which were prob.
dissimilated fr. *krak- \ cp. also W. crach, 'crust',
craig, 'rock', Mir. crach, 'hard', fr. *qraq-. Cp.
also I.-E. base *qar-tu-, 'hard, strong', whence
Gk. xpa-ruc, 'strong', Goth, hardus, OE. heard,
'hard'. See hard and cp. canker, carcinoma,
chancre. Cp. also kunkur.
Derivatives: cancer-ous, adj. ,cancer-ous-ly, adv.,
cancer-ous-ness, n.
cancriform, adj., crablike. — Compounded of
L. cancer, gen. cancri, 'crab', and forma, 'form,
shape". See cancer and form, n.
cancroid, adj., like a crab; like a cancer. — A
hybrid coined fr. L. cancer, gen. cancri, 'crab',
and Gk. -osiSr^, 'like', fr. eISoc, 'form, shape'.
See cancer and -oid.
candelabrum, also candelabra, n., a branched
candlestick. — L. candelabrum, 'candlestick',
fr. candela. See candle and cp. chandelier,
candent, adj., glowing, white. — L. candens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of candere. See candescent,
candescence, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff.
-ce.
candescent, adj., glowing. — L. candescens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of candescere, 'to begin to
glow', inchoative of candere, 'to shine, glow',
whence also candidus, 'glowing, white'. See next
word and -escent, and cp. incandesce.
Derivative r candescent-ly, adv.
candid, adj., impartial; frank, sincere. — F. can-
dide, 'open, frank, ingenuous, sincere, candid',
fr. L. candidus, 'glowing, white; pure, honest,
upright', fr. candere, 'to shine, glow, be white',
which is cogn. with Gk. xavSapo;, 'glowing
coal', OI. candrdh, 'shining glowing', candana*,
'sandalwood' (lit. 'wood for burning incense'),
Alb. Gheg hqne, Tosk hene, 'moon' (lit. 'the
white one'). All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qand-, *(s)qend-, 'to shine, glow'. Cp. W.
cann, 'white, bright', OBret. cant, 'white',
MBret. cann, 'full moon', which, according to
Pedersen, are not cognate with L. candidus, but
loan words fr. VL. *candus, contraction of can-
didus (see haplology). Cp. candle, candelabrum,
candidate, chandelier, chandler, Cicindelidae,
incandescent, incense, sandalwood, sandarac,
sanders, santal.
Derivatives: candid-ly, adv., candid-ness, n.
candidate, n., one who seeks an office, etc. — L.
candiddtus, 'one aspiring to office', prop. pp. of
candiddre, 'to make bright or white', fr. can-
didus, 'glowing, white' ; so called because a can-
didate for office was clothed in a white toga.
See candid and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: candidat-ure, n.
candle, n. — ME. candel, fr. OE. candel, fr. L.
candela, 'candle made of wax or tallow', fr.
candere, 'to shine, glow, burn'. See candid and
cp. candelabrum, chandelier, chandler.
Candlemas, n. — ME. candelmasse, fr. OE. can-
delmxsse, compounded of candel, 'candle', and
mxsse, 'Mass'. See candle and Mass.
candlestick, n. — ME. candlestikke, fr. OE.
candelsticca, compounded of candel, 'candle',
and sticca, 'stick'. See candle and stick, n.
candor, candour, n., impartiality, frankness. —
L. candor, 'whiteness; sincerity, candor', from
the stem of candere, 'to be white'. See candid
and -or.
candy, n., crystallized sugar. — Shortened fr.
sugar candy, fr. F. (sucre) candi, fr. It. (zucchero)
candi(to), 'sugar candy', fr. Arab, qdndi, "crys-
tallized, candied', adj. formed fr. qand, 'cane
sugar', which, like OI. khandakah, 'candy', is
prob. of Dravidian origin. Cp. Tamil kanlu,
'candy', kaftu, 'to harden, condense'.
candy, tr. and intr. v., to crystallize into sugar. —
Formed fr. prec. word, on analogy of F. candir,
'to candy', back formation fr. candi, 'sugar
candy', which was mistaken for a past participle.
Derivative: can-di-ed, adj.
candytuft, n., name of a plant. — Compounded
of Candy, obsolete form of Candia, 'Crete',
and tuft. Hence candytuft lit. means 'tuft of
Crete'.
cane, n. — ME. cane, canne, fr. OF. cane, canne
(F. canne), fr. OProvenc. cana, fr. L. canna,
'reed, cane, small vessel, tube', fr. Gk. xiwtx,
'reed', which is of Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad.
qanu, Heb. qane h , Aram.-Syr. qanyi, Arab.
qand h (whence Pers. qandt), 'reed, cane', Ethiop.
qanot, 'a goad'. Cp. can, 'vessel*, canaba, Canada,
canal, canasta, canaster, canaut, caneila, can-
ions, canister, Canna, cannel, cannelure, can-
nikin, canon, 'rule', canonical, canyon, and the
first element in canephorus, caramel.
Derivatives: cane, tr. v., can-er, n., can-ing, n.
caneila, n., cinnamon. — ML., dimin. of L. can-
na, 'reed, cane'. See cane and -ella.
canephorus, n., a basket bearer (Greek antiq.) —
L., fr. Gk. xavTjcpopoc, 'basket bearing', com-
pounded of xaveov, xavouv, 'wicker basket",
and -<p6po;, 'bearing, carrying". The first ele-
ment is rel. to xawa, 'reed'; see cane. For the
second element see -phore.
canescent, adj., growing grayish or white. — L.
cdnescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of cdnescere,
'to grow gray or white', inchoative of cdnere,
'to be gray or white', fr. cdnus, 'gray, hoary,
white', which stands for *cas-nos, and is rel. to
cascus, 'old', lit. 'gray with age', and cogn. with
OHG. haso, OE. hara, 'hare', lit. 'the gray ani-
mal'. See hare and -escent.
cangue, n., a board worn round the neck by Chi-
nese criminals. — F., fr. Port, canga, 'yoke', fr.
Annam. gong, of s.m.
Derivative: cangue, tr. v.
Canicula, n., Sirius (astron.) — L. canwula, lit.
'the Dog Star', dimin. of canis, 'dog'. See canine
and -cule.
canicular, adj., i) pertaining to Sirius; 2) per-
taining to the dog days. — L. caniculdris, fr.
canicula. See prec. word and -ar.
Canidae, n. pi., the family of dogs, wolves, foxes
and jackals (zool.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae, fr. L. canis, 'dog'. See next woid.
canine, adj., pertaining to the dog. - L. canimis,
fr. canis, 'dog', which is cogn. with Gk. x'icov,
gen. x>jv6s, Goth, hunds, OE. hund, 'dog'. Sec
hound and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ine (representing L. -inns).
Derivative: canine, n.
canions, n. pi., ornamental rolls attached to
breeches. — Sp. canon, in the sense of "tube".
See canyon.
Canis, n., the genus including the dog, the wolf,
the fox and the jackal (zool.) — L. canis, 'dog".
See canine.
Canis Major, Sirius (astron.) — L., 'the larger
dog'. See canine and major.
Canis Minor, Procyon (astron.) — L., lit. 'the
lesser dog'. See canine and minor,
canister, n., a small box. — L. canistrum, 'wicker
basket', fr. Gk. xavacrrpov, fr. xawa, 'reed'.
See cane and cp. canasta, canaster.
Derivative: canister, tr. v.
canities, n., grayness or whiteness of the hair. —
L., 'grayish white color', fr. cdnus. See canescent.
canker, n., an ulcerous sore. — ONF. cancrc (cor-
responding to F. chancre), fr. L. cancer, 'crab,
ulcer, cancer'. See cancer and cp. chancre.
Derivatives: canker, tr. and intr. v., canker-ed,
adj., canker-ous, adj.
Canna, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — L. canna,
'reed, cane'. See cane,
cannabic, adj., pertaining to hemp. — Formed
Cannabis
232
with suff. -ic fr. L. cannabis. See next word.
Cannabis, n., a genus of plants, the hemp (bot.) —
L. cannabis, 'hemp', fr. Gk. xavvafk<;. See canvas,
cannel, n., a gutter; kennel. — ME. canel, fr.
ONF. canel, fr. L. candlem, acc. of canalis,
'pipe'. See canal and cp. kennel, 'gutter',
cannel coal, a bituminous coal. — Corruption of
candle coal.
cannelure, n., a groove. — F., fr. It. cannellatura
(now scannellaturd), fr. cannellare, 'to groove',
fr. cannella, 'a small tube', dimin. of canna,
'cane, reed', fr. L. canna. See cane and -ure and
cp. canal.
cannibal, n., a person who eats human flesh. —
Sp. caribe, caribal, canibal, fr. Carib. galibi,
'Caribs, Caribbeans', lit. 'strong men'; so called
because the Caribs were eaters of human flesh.
Cp. Carib, Caliban. The word cannibal was in-
fluenced in form by Sp. can, 'dog', fr. L. canis.
Derivatives: cannibal, adj., cannibal-ly, adv.,
cannibal-ic, adj., cannibal-ism, n., cannibalist-
ic, adj., cannibal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv.
cannikin, n., a small can. — A hybrid coined fr.
can, 'vessel', and suff. -kin (fr. MDu. -kin,
-kijri).
cannon, n., gun. — F. canon, fr. It. cannone? lit.
'a large tube', augment, of canna, 'tube', fr. L.
canna. See cane and cp. canyon.
Derivatives: cannon, intr. v., cannon-ed, adj.,
cannon-ry, n.
cannon, n., a stroke in billiards. — Corruption of
carom.
cannonade, n., discharge of artillery. — F. canon-
nade, fr. It. cannonata, fr. cannone. See cannon
and -ade (representing It. -aid).
Derivative: cannonade, tr. and intr. v.
cannula, n., a small tube (surg.) — L., 'a small
reed', dimin. of canna. See cane and -ule.
Derivatives: cannul-ar, n., cannul-atc, adj. and
tr. v., canmd-at-ed, adj.
canny, adj., i) careful; 2) shrewd. — Lit. 'know-
ing', rel. to the auxiliary verb can (q.v.) Cp.
cunning.
canoe, n. — F. canoe, fr. Sp. canoa, a word of
Caribbean origin.
Derivatives: canoe, intr. and tr. v., canoe-ing,
n., canoeist (q.v.)
canoeist, n. — A hybrid coined fr. canoe and
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
canon, n., rule. — ME. canun, canoun, fr. OE.
canon, fr. L. canon, 'a measuring line, rule,
model", in Eccles. L. 'canon', fr. Gk. xxvcov,
'rod, bar, ruler, rule, model', fr. xavva, 'reed',
which is of Sem. origin. See cane and cp. words
there referred to.
canon, n., a dignitary of the church. — ME. ca-
nun, canoun, fr. ONF. canoine, corresponding
to OF. (= F.) chanoine, fr. Eccles. L. canonicus,
lit. 'one subject to the canon', fr. Gk. xavovLxo;,
"belonging to a rule', fr. xavoiv, 'rule'. See canon,
'rule', and cp. canonical.
canon, n. — See canyon.
canoness, n. — Formed fr. canon, 'dignitary',
with suff. -ess.
canonical, adj. — ML. canonicdlis, fr. Late L.
canonicus, 'according to rule' (in Eccles. L. 'per-
taining to the canon'), fr. canon, 'rule'. See ca-
non, 'rule', and the suffixes -ic and -al.
canonicity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
canonicus. See prec. word.
canonist, n., one skilled in canon law. — Formed
fr. canon, 'rule', with suff. -ist.
Derivatives: canonist-ic, canonist-ic-al, adjs.
canonize, tr. v., to put in the canon of saints. —
F. canoniser, fr. Eccles. L. canonizdre, fr. canon.
See canon, 'rule', and -ize.
Derivatives: canoniz-ation, n., canoniz-er, n.
canonry, n., the office of a canon. — Formed fr.
canon, 'dignitary', with suff. -ry.
Canopic, adj., pertaining to Canopus, a town of
ancient Egypt.
canopy, n. — F. canape, fr. ML. canopeum, dis-
similated fr. L. conopeum, fr. Gk. xovcoTietov, 'a
bed with mosquito curtains', fr. xcovcoi}', gen.
x<ivco7roc, 'gnat, mosquito', a word of uncertain
origin. It. canapi is a French loan word. Cp.
canape and the first element in Conopophagidae.
Derivative : canopy, tr. v.
canorous, adj., melodious. — L. candrus, 'melo-
dious, harmonious", fr. canor, 'melody, song',
fr. canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars'.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff.
-ous.
Derivatives: canorous-ly, adv., canorous-ness, n.
cant, n., slang of beggars. — The word orig. de-
noted the whining of beggars. It derives fr.
ONF. cant (corresponding to OF. and F. chant),
fr. L. cantus, 'singing, song', fr. cant-(um), pp.
stem of canere, 'to sing', whence also carmen
(dissimilated fr. *can-men), 'poem, verse'. L.
canere is cogn. with Toch. kan, 'melody, tune',
Gk. xavaaoeiv, 'to give a gurgling or ringing
sound', xtxvay?), 'a gurgling or ringing sound',
r/i-xavoq, 'cock', lit. 'singer of the dawn' (the
first element of this word is shortened fr. tjoio;
(Att. eoSoc), 'early' (see eo-), Russ. kdnja, 'kite',
Olr. canim, 'I sing', Mir. cetal, 'song', Goth.
nana, OHG., OS. hano, MLG., MDu., MHG,
Dan., Swed. hane, Du. haan, G. Hahn, ON. hani,
OE. hana, 'cock', lit. 'the singing bird'. See hen
and cp. accent, buccinator, canorous, cantabile,
cantata, cantatrice, canticle, cantillate, canto,
cantor, cantus, canzone, canzonet, chanson,
chant, chantage, chanter, chanticleer, chanty,
charm, 'spell', concent, concert, descant, enchant,
disenchant, incantation, incentive, Oscines, pre-
centor, recant, succentor.
Derivatives: cant, intr. v., to whine, cant-ing,
adj., cant-ing-ly, adv., cant-ing-ness, n.
cant, n., a slope. — ONF. cant (corresponding to
OF. and F-. chant), 'corner', fr. L. cantus, can-
thus, 'the iron ring round a carriage wheel, a
wheel, felloe' (whence Gk. xav$6<;, 'tire of a
wheel'), which is of Gaulish origin (cp. Gaulish
233
canyon
kantem,kantena,kanten,qaotedby G.-D.Dottin,
La langue gauloise, p. 241). Cp. also W. cant,
'bordering (framing, setting) of a circle, tire,
edge', Bret, cant, 'circle', Mir. cete (for *kantyd),
'meeting, fair'. Cp. also Gk. xav&6?, 'corner of
the eye', OSlav. *kqtu, Russ. kutii, 'corner'. All
these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. *qan-t(h)o-, an
enlargement of base *qam-, 'to bend'. See came-
ra and cp. canthus, cantle, canton, decant, and
the first element in chamfer, contline.
Derivative: cant, tr. v., to cause to slant; intr. v.,
to slant.
cantabile, adj., melodious. — It., lit. 'singable',
fr. cantare, 'to sing', fr. L. cantdre. See cantata
and -able.
Derivative: cantabile, n.
Cantabrigian, adj., pertaining to Cambridge, Eng-
land, or its university. — Formed with suff. -an.
fr. ML. Cantabrigia, 'Cambridge'.
cantaloup, n. ( a kind of melon. — F., fr. It. canta-
lupo, fr. Cantalupo, name of a castle in the
province of Ancona, in Italy, where these me-
lons were first grown.
cantankerous, adj., ill-natured. — Prob. formed
fr. ME. contekous, fr. contek, contak, 'strife',
but influenced in form by the ending of words
like cankerous, rancorous.
Derivatives: cantankerous-ly, adv., cantanker-
ous-ness, n.
cantar, n. — See kantar.
cantata, n., a musical composition for solo, cho-
rus, etc. — It., lit. 'that which is sung', fr. can-
tare, 'to sing', fr. L. cantare, freq. of canere, 'to
sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and cp. next
word.
cantatrice, n., a female singer. — F., fr. It. canta-
trice, 'female singer', fr. cantare, 'to sing'. See
prec. word.
canteen, n., 1) store in a military camp; 2) a
small tin vessel. — F. cantine, fr. It. cantina,
'wine cellar, cantine', which is of Gaulish origin.
canter, n. an easy gallop. — Shortened fr. Canter-
bury pace or Canterbury gallop; so called in al-
lusion to the gait of pilgrims riding to Canter-
bury. See next word.
Derivatives: canter, intr. and tr. v., canter-er, n.
canterbury, n., a stand with divisions for music. —
From Canterbury, name of a city in England,
which derives fr. OE. Cantwarabyrig, lit. 'the
fortified town of the Kentish people'. See Ken-
tish and borough and cp. canter.
canth-, form of cantho- before a vowel.
canthal, adj., pertaining to a canthus (anal.) —
Formed fr. canthus with adj. suff. -al.
Cantharellus, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
lit. 'a little cup', dimin. of L. cantharus, fr. Gk.
xav&ocpo?, 'a kind of beetle worshiped in Egypt;
a drinking cup', which is prob. a pre-Hellenic
word; so called from the shape of these fungi.
Cp. chanterelle.
cantharides, n. pi., dried blister beetles (used in
medicine). — L., pi. of cantharis, a kind of
beetle', fr. Gk. xav&apiq, gen. -L8oc, 'blister
beetle', a derivative of xdv9-apo<;. See prec. word.
cantho-, before a vowel canth-, combining form
denoting the canthus — See next word.
canthus, n., either of the corners of the eye (anal.)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. xav&6<;, 'corner of the
eye'. See cant, 'slope'.
canticle, n., a short hymn. — L., canticulum, 'a
little song', dimin. of canticum, 'song', fr. can-
tus, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of canere,
'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and -cle.
cantilever, n., a projecting bracket. — Prob. com-
pounded of cant, 'slope', and lever.
Derivative: cantilever, tr. v.
cantillate, tr. v., to chant. — L. cantilldtus, pp. of
cantillare, 'to sing low', dimin. of cantdre, 'to
sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: cantillat-ion, n.
cantle, n., the hinder part of a saddle. — ONF.
cantel, corresponding to OF. chantel, 'corner,
piece' (whence F. chanteau, 'hunch of bread'),
dimin. of ONF. cant (corresponding to OF. and
F. chant), 'corner'. See cant, 'slope'.
cantlet, n., a small cantle. — Formed fr. prec.
word with dimin. suff. -et.
canto, n., chief division of a long poem. — It.,
'song', fr. L. cantus, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp.
stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of
beggars'.
canton, n., a district. — F., prop, 'corner of land',
fr. It. cantone, augment, of canto, 'corner',
which is rel. to OF. cant, of s.m., whence E.
cant, 'slope' (q.v.)
Derivatives: canton, tr. v. (cp. F. cantonner),
canton-al, adj., canton-ed, adj., cantonment (q.v.)
cantonment, n., a camp for troops. — F. canton-
nement, fr. cantonner, 'to divide into cantons',
fr. canton. See prec. word and -ment.
cantor, n. — L., 'singer, precentor', fr. cant-(um)
pp. stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of
beggars', and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: cantor-al, cantor-ial, adjs.
cantus, n., a song. — L., fr. cant-(um), pp. stem
of canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars'.
Canuck, n., in Canada: a French Canadian; in
the U.S.A. : a Canadian (slang). — From Indian
corruption of F. Canadien or E. Canadian.
canvas, n. — OF. (= F.) canevas, prop, a blend
of Picard canevach and OF. chenevas, lit. 'made
of hemp, hempen', fr. OF. chaneve (F. chanvre),
'hemp', fr. L. cannabis, 'hemp', fr. Gk. xavva-
$iq. See hemp and cp. canvass.
Derivative: canvas, tr. v.
canvass, tr. v., to discuss; intr. v., to solicit votes.
— Fr. canvas. To canvass orig. meant 'to sift
through canvas'. Cp. OF. canabasser, 'to exam-
ine carefully', lit. 'to sift through canvas', fr.
OProvenc. canabas, 'canvas', which is rel. to
OF. canevas.
Derivative: canvass-er, n.
canyon, canon, n., a narrow valley between cliffs.
canzone
234
— Sp. canon, 'deep, hollow gorge', augment, of
cafio, 'tube', fr. L. canna, 'reed, cane, tube'. See
cane and cp. canal, cannon.
Derivative: canyon, canon, tr. and intr. v.
canzone, n., a song. — It., fr. L. cantidnem, acc.
of cantio, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of ca-
nere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars', and
cp. next word. Cp. also chanson.
canzonet, n., a short song. — It. canzonetta, di-
min. of canzone, 'song'. See prec. word and -et.
caoba, n., mahogany. — Sp., fr. a Caribbean na-
tive word.
caoutchouc, n. — F., a Tupi loan word (prob.
through the medium of Sp. caucho).
cap, n., a covering for the head. — ME. cappe, fr.
OE. cxppe, 'hood, cap', fr. Late L. cappa. See
cape, 'cloak', and cp, words there referred to.
Derivatives: cap, tr. v., capp-ed, adj., capp-er,
n., capp-ing, n., capp-y, adj.
capable, adj. — F., fr. L. capdbilis, 'able to grasp
or hold, capable', fr. capere, 'to catch, seize,
hold'. See captive and -able.
Derivatives: capabil-ity, n., capable-ness, n.,
capabl-y, adv.
capacious, adj., holding much. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. capax, gen capacis, 'capable to
grasp or hold', fr. capere. See prec. word and
cp. cabbage, 'to pilfer'.
Derivatives : capacious-ly, adv., capacious-ness,n.
capacitate, tr. v., to render capable. — See next
word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: capaci/at-ion, n.
capacity, n., ability to hold; ability. — F. capa-
cite, fr. L. capdcitdtem, acc. of capdcitas, 'capa-
bility of holding much', fr. capax, gen. capacis.
Sec capacious and -ity.
cap-a-pie, adv., from head to foot. — OF. (de)
cap a pie, 'from head to foot', fr. L. caput, 'head',
ad, 'to', and pedem, acc. of pes, 'foot' (see capi-
tal, adj., ad-, and pedal). The F. equiv, is
de pied en cap, lit. 'from foot to head'.
caparison, n., ornamented covering for horses;
outfit, equipment. — OF. caparasson (F. capa-
racori), fr. Sp. caparazon, 'caparison', fr. OPro-
venc. caparasso, 'a mantle with hood', fr. capa,
'hood', fr. Late L. cappa. See cape, 'cloak'.
caparison, tr. v., to cover with caparisons. — F.
caparaconner , fr. caparacon. See caparison, n.
cape, n., a sleeveless cloak. — F., fr. OProveng.
capa, fr. Late L. cappa, 'hood, mantle', which
is of uncertain origin. Cp. It. cappa, Sp. capa,
'cloak', which also derive fr. Late L. cappa. Cp.
cap, caparison, capeline, capuche, Capuchin,
chape, chapeau, chapel, chapelet, chaperon,
chaplet, cope, 'a long cloak', escape, kepi,
schapska.
cape, n., a promontory. — F. cap, fr. It. capo,
fr. L. caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.
capelin, n., a fish (Mallotus villosus). — F. cape-
Ian, capelin, lit. 'a beggarly priest', fr. OProvenc.
capelan, 'chaplain; fish'. See chaplain.
capeline, n., i) a small skullcap of iron worn by
soldiers in the Middle Ages ; 2) (med.) a bandage
for the head. — F., fr. It. cappellina, dimin. of
cappella, itself dimin. of cappa, fr. Late L. cappa,
'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak', and cp. words
there referred to.
Capella, n., name of a star; Alpha in the Con-
stellation Auriga (astron.) — L., 'she-goat', di-
min. of capra, 'she-goat', fern, of caper, 'goat'.
See cabriolet and cp. Caprella.
caper, n., a prickly shrub (Capparis spinosa). —
ME. caperis, caperes, fr. L. capparis [whence
also It. cappero [whence OF. caspres, F. cdpre)
and G. Kaper], fr. Gk. ximrapic, (whence Arab.
kabbdr, ModPers. kdbdr); of unknown etymo-
logy. The -s in ME. was mistaken for the pi.
and was consequently dropped,
caper, intr. v., to dance about, to prank. —
Shortened fr. capriole (q.v.)
Derivatives: caper, n., caper-er, n., caper-ing,
suff. adj., caper-ing-ly, adv.
caper, n., a privateer; its captain (hist.) — Du.
kaper, fr. kapen, 'to seize', which prob. derives
fr,. Fris. kupia, 'to buy', used euphemistically in
the sense 'to take away', fr. kap, 'purchase', a
euphemistic term for 'piracy'. Fris. kap is rel.
to MDu. coop, Du. koop, OHG. kouf, ON. kaup,
etc., 'purchase'. See cheap, n.
caph, kaph, n., name of the nth letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. — See kaph.
capercailzie, also capercaillie, n., the largest
grouse, Tetrao urogallus. — Gael, capulcoille,
lit. 'horse of the woods', fr. caput, 'horse' and
coille, 'wood'. Gael, capul is borrowed fr. L.
caballus, 'horse'. See cavalry,
ca phar, n ., a toll levied by the Turks upon travelers
for protecting them (obsol.) — Fr. Arab, kha-
fdra h , 'protection', fr. khdfara, 'he protected',
capias, n., a writ of arrest (law). — L., 'thou
mayest take', 2nd person sing. pres. subjunctive
of capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive,
capillaire, n., the maidenhair fern. — F. capil-
laire, fr. L. herba capilldris, 'the maidenhair', fr.
capilldris, 'pertaining to the hair', fr. capillus.
See capillary,
capillarity, n., the property of exerting capillary
attraction. — F. capillarite, fr. L. capilldris. See
next word and -ity.
capillary, adj., hairlike; n., a very thin blood
vessel. — L. capilldris, 'pertaining to the hair',
fr. capillus, 'hair', which is prob. rel. to caput,
gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.
capistrate, adj., hooded. — L. capistrdtus, pp.
of capistrdre, 'to halter', fr. capistrum, 'halter',
fr. capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive and
adj. suff. -ate and cp. capstan,
capital, adj. — F., fr. L. capitdlis, 'pertaining to
the head, capital, chief, first', formed with suff.
-dlis, fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head', fr. I.-E.
*qap-ut, whence also OI. kaput-, 'head', in ka-
pucchalam, 'hair of the hind part of the head',
Goth, haubip, OE. heafod, 'head'. Cp. I.-E.
*qap-elo- in OI. kapilam, 'skull, potsherd, dish,
235
capreoi
lid', kapali-, 'mendicant's bowl'. See head andcp.
capital, 'principal', capital, 'head of a column',
and chief. Cp. also achieve, ancipital, biceps,
cabildo, cabotage, cadet, camail, camouflage, Ca-
pita, cap-a-pie, cape, 'promontory', capitan, ca-
pitation, capitellum, Capita, Capitol, capitulate,
caporal, capot, caprice, captain, cater, 'to provide
food' ; cattle, caudillo, cavesson, chabot, chapiter,
chapter, chef, chevet, chieftain, corporal (mil.), da
capo, decapitate, kerchief, mischief, muscovado,
occiput, precipice, precipitant, precipitate, quadri-
ceps, sinciput, triceps. Cp. also capillary.
Derivatives: capital, n. (q.v.), capital-ly, adv.
capital, n., stock of money, principal. — Late L.
capitate, 'property', prop. neut. of the Latin ad-
jective capitdlis, 'pertaining to the head, chief,
first'. Cp. It. capitate, F. capital, G. Kapital,
'capital, principal', and see capital, adj. For
sense development cp. cattle.
Derivatives: capital-ism, n., capital-ist, n., capi-
tal-ist-ic, ad).,capital-ize, tr.v., capital-iz-ation, n.
capital, n., head of a column. — L. capitellum,
'little head', dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'.
See capital, adj., and cp. caudillo.
capitan, n., captain. — It. capitano, fr. Late L.
capitdneus, 'head, chief, fr. L. caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. captain,
chieftain.
capitate, adj., head-shaped (bot.) — L. capitdtus,
fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: capitat-ed, adj.
capitation, n., tax payable by each person. — Late
L. capitdtid, gen. -dnis, 'poll tax', fr. L. caput,
gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and -ation.
capitellum, n., a little head, a knob (anat. and
zool.) — L., dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'.
See capital, adj., and cp. chapter.
Capita, n., a genus of fishes, the South American
barbet (ichthyol.) — L. capito, 'a large-headed
fish', lit. 'large head', augment, of caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj., and cp. chabot.
Capitol, n., the temple of Jupiter on one of the
seven hills of Rome (on the Mons Capitolinus).
— L. Capildlium, a derivative of caput, gen.
capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.
capitoline, adj., pertaining to the Capitol in Rome
or to the hill on which it stood. — L. Capito-
linus, fr. Capitdlium. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
capitular, adj., pertaining to a chapter. — ML.
capituldris, fr. L. capitulum, 'a small head, chap-
ter', dimin. of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See
capital, adj., and -ar and cp. chapter.
capitulary, adj., pertaining to a chapter. — See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
capitulary, n., a collection of decrees. — ML.
capituldrium, fr. capitaldris. See capitular and
subst. suff. -ary.
capitulate, intr. v., to surrender on terms. — ML.
capituldtus, pp. of capituldre, 'to draw up the
heads of an agreement', fr. L. caput, gen. capitis.
'head'. See capital, adj., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative : capitulat-ion, n.
capon, n., a castrated cock. — ME., fr. OE. capun,
fr. L. cdpdnem, acc. of capo, 'castrated cock'
(whence also Gk. xa7T<ov, of s.m.), which is cogn.
with Gk. xotttsiv, 'to strike, cut, cut off', xottoc,
'a striking; toil, suffering, pain',x6[X[j.a, 'a piece
cut off; a short clause', xotuc, 'chopper, cleaver,
billhook', xoTteui;, 'chisel', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qip-,
*(s)qlp-, *(s)qdp-, 'to cut', whence also Lith.
kapdju, kapdti, Lett, kapaju, kapdt, 'to hew,
hack', OSlav. kopajg, kopati, 'to dig', OE. ha-
melian (whence obsol. E. hamble), ON. hamla,
OFris. hamelia, OHG. hamaldn, 'to mutilate',
OHG. hamal, 'mutilated' (whence MHG. hamel,
G. Hammel, 'wether'), MLG., MDu., Du. hamel,
'wether'. Cp. F. chapon, 'capon', fr. VL. *cappd-
nem, acc. of *cappd, corresponding to classical
L. capo. From the above base — with initial j —
derive also Gk. <jxa7rre[.v, 'to dig out', axaroxvrj,
'spade, hoe', 0x1x97), 'boat', lit. 'something dug
out',axe7rapvo<;, 'carpenter's ax', ax.6ns>,OQ, 'high
rock, peak', OSlav. skopiti, 'to castrate', sko-
pici, 'eunuch', Czech skopec, 'wether' (whence
MHG. schope3, G. Schops, of s.m.), Lith. ska-
piil, skopti, 'to dig out, hollow out (a spoon)'.
Cp. hatchet. Cp. also apocope, comma, Coptis,ko-
peck, syncope. Cp. also scabble, scapho-, scapula,
scopelism, scyphus.
Derivatives : capon, tr. v., caponier (q.v.), capon-
ize, tr. v., capon-iz-er, n.
caponier, n., a construction placed across a ditch
(fort.) — F. caponniere, fr. Sp. caponera, prop,
'a coop or enclosure to fatten capons', applied
facetiously to a place affording shelter. See
prec. word and -ier.
caporal, a kind of tobacco. — F., lit. 'corporal'
(see corporal, n.); so called because it is superior
in quality to the common soldier's tobacco (as
the corporal is to the common soldier).
capot, n., the winning of all the tricks at the game
of piquet. — F. capot in faire capot, 'to win all
the tricks at the game of piquet', adopted from
the sea term faire capot, 'to capsize, upset';
capot prob. derives fr. Provenc. cap, 'head',
(fr. L. caput). For sense development cp. F.
chavirer, 'to capsize, upset', which derives fr.
Provenc. cap virar, 'to turn the head (of a
ship)'. See capital, adj.
Derivative: capot, v.
Capparidaceae, n. pi., the caper family (bot.) —
Formed fr. next word with suff. -aceae.
Capparis, n., a genus of plants of the caper family
(bot.) — L., fr. Gk. xirapi;, 'caper'. See caper,
'a prickly plant".
Caprella, n., a genus of Crustacea (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'a little she-goat', dimin. of capra,
'she-goat'. See cabriolet and cp. Capella.
capreoi, capreole, n., a tendril (bot.) — L. capre-
olus, 'wild goat; tendril', fr. caper, 'goat'. See
cabriolet and cp. prec. and next word.
Derivative: capreol-ate, adj.
Capreolus
236
Capreolus, n., a genus of mammals, the roe deer
(zool.) — L., 'the wild goat', augmentative for-
med fr. caper, 'goat'. See cabriolet and cp. prec.
word.
capri-, combining form meaning 'resembling the
goat'. — L. capri-, fr. caper, gen. capri, 'goat'.
See cabriolet,
capric, adj., pertaining to a goat. — Formed with
surf, -ic fr. L. capra, 'goat'. See cabriolet,
capric, adj., pertaining to a fatty acid, Ci H 2 o0 2
(chem.) — See prec. word; so called from its
smell. Cp. caproic.
capriccio, n., a kind of free composition (mus.) —
Tt., whence F. caprice. See next word,
caprice, n., a whim. — F., fr. It. capriccio, 'a
shiver, sudden start, a whim', which is prob.
compounded of capo (fr. L. caput), 'head' and
riccio (fr. L. ericius), 'hedgehog'. See capital,
adj., and urchin,
capricious, adj. — F. capricieux, fr. It. capriccioso,
fr. capriccio. See capriccio, caprice and -ous.
Derivatives: capricious-ly, adv., capricious-
ness, n.
Capricorn, n., a constellation represented by the
ancients in the form of a goat. — F. capricorne,
fr. L. Capricornus, lit. 'having horns similar to
those of a goat', compounded of caper, 'goat',
and cornu, 'horn', prop. loan translation of
Aiyoxepco?, the old Greek name of this constel-
lation. See cabriolet and horn and cp. corn,
'hardened skin'.
capritication, n., artificial pollination of figs by
means of the stings of insects. — L. caprifiedtid,
gen. -dnis, 'ripening offigs (by the stinging of gall-
insects)', fr. caprifiedtus, pp. of caprificdre, 'to
ripen figs', fr. caprificus, 'wild fig', lit. 'goat fig', fr.
caper, 'goat', and ficus, 'fig'. See cabriolet, fig and
-ation.
caprifig, n., the wild fig. — A hybrid coined fr. L.
caprificus and E. fig. See prec. word.
Caprifoliaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the
honey-suckle family (bot.) — ModL., formed
with suff. -aceae fr. ML. caprifolium. See
Caprifolium.
caprifoliaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Caprifolium, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ML.,
compounded of L. caper, 'goat', and folium,
'leaf, See cabriolet and folio.
Caprimulgidae, n. pi., a family of birds, the goat-
suckers (ornithol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae, fr. L. caprimulgus. See next word.
Caprimulgus, n., a genus of birds {ornithol.) —
L. caprimulgus, 'a milker of goats', also the
name of a bird, compounded of caper, 'goat'
(see cabriolet), and mulgere, 'to milk', which is
cogn. with Gk. dixcXyeiv, 'to squeeze out, to
milk', Goth, miluks, OE. meolc, 'milk'. See milk.
caprine, adj., pertaining to a goat. — L. caprlnus,
fr. caper, 'goat'. See cabriolet and adj. suff. -ine
(representing L. -inus) and cp. capric.
capriole, n., a leap, caper. — F., cabriole, capri-
ole, fr. It. capriolare, 'to leap like a goat, to
caper', fr. capriuolo, 'roebuck'. See cabriolet.
Derivative: capriole, intr. v.
caproic, adj., pertaining to a fatty acid, C 6 H 12 2
(chem.) — Formed with suff. -oic fr. L. caper,
'goat'; so called from its smell. See cabriolet,
and cp. capric.
capsa, n., a repository, a box (esp. for books). —
L. See capsule.
Capsella, n, a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., dimin. of L. capsa,
'box, receptacle'. See capsule and -ella.
Capsicum, n., a genus of plants of the potato fa-
mily (bot.) — ModL., irregularly formed, fr. L.
capsa. See case, 'box', and cp. capsa, capsule.
capsize, tr. and intr. v., to overturn; to upset. —
Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: capsize, n., capsiz-al, n.
capstan, n., a device for hauling up anchors. —
F. cabestan, fr. OProvenc. cabestan, fr. cabe-
stran, pres. part, used as a noun, fr. L. capist-
rdre, 'to tie with a halter', fr. capistrum, 'halter',
fr. capere," 'to catch, seize, hold'. Cp. F. chevetre,
'halter', which also derives fr. L. capistrum. See
captive and words there referred to and cp. esp.
capistrate.
capsule, n. — L. capsula, 'a small box or chest',
dimin. of capsa, 'repository, box, chest, case'.
See case, 'box', and cp. Capsa, Capsella, Cap-
sicum. For the ending see suff. -ule.
Derivatives: capsule, tr. v., capsul-ar, capsul-ate,
capsul-at-ed, adjs., capsul-at-ion, n., capsul-er, n.
captain, n. — ME. capitain, fr. OF. (= F.) capi-
taine, fr. Late L. capitdneus, 'head, chief, fr.
L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. capitan.
Derivatives: captain, tr. and intr. v., captain-cy,
n., captain-ry, n., captain-ship, n.
captation, n., the reaching after something. — F.,
fr. L. captdtidnem, acc. of captdtid, 'a reaching
after, a catching at', fr. captatus, pp. of captare,
'to catch, seize; to strive after', freq. of capere
(pp. captus), 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive
and -ation and cp. next word. Cp. also the sec-
ond element in mercaptan.
caption, n., 1) the act of taking; 2) heading. —
L. captid, gen. -dnis, 'a catching, seizing, hold-
ing', fr. captus, pp. of capere. See captive and
-ion and cp. prec. word. Cp. also usucaption.
captious, adj., faultfinding, carping. — F. cap-
tieux (fern, captieuse), fr. L. captidsus, 'falla-
cious', fr. captid, gen. -dnis, 'a seizing, deception,
fallacious argument, sophism', fr. captus, pp. of
capere. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: captious-ly, adv., captious-ness, n.
captivate, tr. v., to capture the attention of ; to fasci-
nate. — Orig. 'to capture', fr. L. captivdtus, pp.
of captivdre, 'to take captive, to capture", fr.
captivus. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: captivat-ing, adj., captivat-ing-ly,
adv., captivat-ion, n., captivat-or, n.
captive, adj. and n. — F. captif (fem. captive).
237
caratch
fr. L. captivus, 'caught, taken prisoner', fr. cap-
tus, pp. of capere, 'to catch, seize, take hold of,
take, receive, hold, contain', whence L. capsa,
'repository, box, chest, case', capulus, 'sarco-
phagus, bier' ; fr. I.-E. base *qap-, 'to seize, hold,
contain', whence also Gk. xoctttciv, 'to swallow
greedily, gulp down', xa7TY], 'manger', xcotty),
'handle, handle of an oar, haft', Alb. kap, 'I
take, seize', kam, 'I have', Lett. kdmp(j)u, kampt,
'to seize', Goth, hafjan, OE. hebban, 'to raise,
lift', Goth, haban, OE. habban, 'to have',
and prob. also OI. kapati, 'two handfuls'.
See heave and have and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also accept, anticipate, apperccive, apper-
ception, aucupate, cabas, cabbage, 'to pilfer',
cable, cachalot, caisson, caitiff (which is a dou-
blet of captive), caja, cajeta, cajole, capable, ca-
pacious, capacity, capias, capistrate, capsa, Cap-
sella, Capsicum, capstan, capsule, captation,
caption, captious, captor, capture, Carpocapsa,
case, 'box, chest', casement, cash, catch, chara-
banc, chase, conceive, concept, conception, cop,
'to catch', Copepoda, deceipt, deceive, deception,
disciple, discipline, emancipate, except, excipient,
forceps, imperceptible, incept, inception, inter-
cept, intussusception, mancipate, mercaptant,
municipal, nuncupative, occupy, participate, per-
ceive, percept, perception, precept, preceptor,
prince, principal, principle, purchase, recado, re-
ceipt, receive, recept, receptacle, reception, re-
ceptive, recet, recipe, recover, recuperate, sus-
ceptible, usucapion,
captivity, n. — F. captivite, fr. L. captivitdtem,
acc. of captivitds, fr. captivus. See prec. word
and -ity.
captor, n. — L., 'a catcher', fr. captus, pp. of
capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'. See captive and
agential suff. -or.
capture, n. — L. captura, 'a seizing, taking', fr.
captus, pp. of capere. See captive and -ure.
Derivatives: capture, tr. v., captur-er, n.
capuche, n., a hood; a cowl. — F. capuche, ca-
puce, fr. It. cappuccio, 'cowl', dimin. formed fr.
cappa. See cape, 'cloak'.
Derivative: capuch-ed, adj.
Capuchin, n., a monk of a Franciscan order found-
ed in 1526. — F. capucin, earlier also capuchin,
fr. It. cappuccino,, dimin. of cappuccio, 'cowl'
(see prec. word); so called from the pointed
cowl worn by the members of this monastic
order.
capybara, n., a South American rodent (Hydro-
choerus capybara). — A Tupi word. Cp. Cavia,
cavy.
car, n. — ME. carre, fr. ONF. carre, fr. VL.
carra, a word of Celtic origin; cp. Olr., MW.
carr, 'cart, waggon', Bret, karr, 'chariot', L.
carrus, of the same origin and meaning, gave
birth to ONF. car, F. char. L. currus, 'chariot',
is independent of the above Celtic words, but
cognate with them. See course and cp. career,
cargo, caricature, cariole, cark, caroche, car-
roccio, carry, carriage, charabanc, charge, chariot.
Derivative: car, tr. and intr. v.
carabao, n., water buffalo. — Sp., from Philip-
pine native name.
Carabidae, n. pi., a family of beetles (entomol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. xfipa|3oc;,
'horned beetle'. See scarab and cp. Caridea.
carabineer, n., a mounted soldier armed with a
carbine. — F. carabinier, fr. carabine, 'carbine'.
See carbine.
carabinieri, n. pi., the Italian police. — It., pi. of
carabiniere, fr. F. carabinier. See carabineer,
caracal, n., a kind of lynx. — F., fr. Turk, qarah
qulak, 'black ear',
caracara, n., a kind of large South American
bird. — A Tupi word of imitative origin,
carack, n. — See carrack.
caracole, n., half-turn in riding. — F., fr. Sp.
caracal, lit. 'snail', which is prob. a blend of
L. scarabaeus, 'a beetle', and conchylium (fr. Gk.
xoy/uXiov), 'a shell fish'. See scarab and cockle,
caracole, intr. v., to make a caracole. — F. cara-
coler, fr. caracole. See caracole, n.
carafe, n., a glass bottle. — F., fr. Sp. garrafa, fr.
Arab, gharrdf, 'drinking jug', fr. ghdrafa, 'he
drew water',
carambole, n., a carom (billiards). — F., fr. Sp.
carambola. See carom.
caramel, n., burnt sugar. — F., fr. OSp. caramel
(now caramelo), a blend of ML. cannamella,
'sugar cane', (see cane and melliferous) and Sp.
caramillo, 'reed', fr. L. calamellus, dimin. of
calamus, 'reed' (see calamary).
Carangidae, n. pi., a family of fishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae, fr. ModL.
Caranx, name of the type genus, fr. Sp. caranga,
name of a kind of flatfish, a word of unknown
origin.
carangoid, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
Carangidae. — A hybrid coined fr. Sp. caranga
(see prec. word) and Gk. -os'-St;;, 'like', fr. stSoc,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
Caranx, n., the type genus of the Carangidae
(ichthyol) — ModL. See Carangidae.
carapace, n., the covering of the back of certain
animals, esp. the upper shell of the turtle, crab
etc. — F., fr. Sp. carapacho, which is of un-
known origin. Cp. calipash, calipee.
carat, n., unit of weight for precious stones and
pearls. — F., fr. ML. carrdtus (whence also It.
carato), fr. Arab, qirdt, 'fruit of the carob tree ;
weight of 4 grains', fr. Gk. xepSTiov, 'a little
horn; fruit of the carob tree; carat', dimin. of
y.ip'xc, gen. xscaToc, 'horn'. See horn and cp.
corn, 'hardened skin'.
caratch, n., formerly, a tribute imposed by the
Arabs and Turks upon their non-Mohammedan
subjects. — Arab, khardj, kharj, 'tribute', bor-
rowed fr. Aram, kargd, 'tribute', through the
medium of Persian (Aramaic was the official
language of the Persian kingdom for many
centuries).
caravan
238
caravan, n. — F. caravane, fr. Pers. karwan,
'company of travelers, caravan', which is rel.
to OI. karabhdh, 'camel, young camel, young
elephant'.
Derivatives: caravan, tr. and intr. v., caravan-
eer, n.
caravanserai, n., Eastern inn, esp. for caravans.
— F. caravanserai, fr. Pers. kdrwdnsardi, fr.
karwan (see caravan) and sarat, 'mansion, inn',
which is prob. rel. to Avestic ftrdyeihti, 'they
protect', Ol. trAyate, 'protects'.
caravel, carvel, n., any of various kinds of light
vessels. — F. caravelle, fr. Sp. carabela, dimin.
formed fr. cdrabo, 'a small vessel', fr. Arab.
qdrib, 'bark', which is traceable to Gk. xJpaPoi;,
'horned beetle; crayfish; a light ship'. See scarab.
caraway, n., a plant with aromatic seeds. — ME
carawai, fr. OSp. (= Sp.) alcaravea (whence
Sp. carvi), fr. Arab. al-karawiy&\ fr. al-, 'the',
and karawiy&\ fr. L. carum, careum, fr. Gk.
xxpov, xapsov, 'caraway', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. skirret.
carb-, form of carbo- before a vowel.
carbamate, n., a salt of carbamic acid (chem.) —
See carbamic and -ate.
carbamic, adj., pertaining to the organic acid
CONH 2 OH (chem.) — Formed with suff. -ic
from the abbreviation of carbonic and amide.
See carbon and amide.
earbasus, n., lint. — L., fr. Gk. xxpTraaoc, 'flax,
cotton", which is prob. borrowed fr. OI. kar-
pdsah, 'cotton brush, cotton', whence also
ModPers. kirpds, Arm. kerpas, Arab, kirb&s,
Heb. karpds (Esther 1:6), 'cotton, fine linen'.
See Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymo-
logical Dictionary, I, p. 174 s.v. karp&sah. Ac-
cording to Porzig in Zeilschrift fur Indologie
und Iranistik, 5, 272 ff., both OI. karp&sah and
Gk. xapTraco; derive from a language of the
Mediterranean or Asia Minor.
carbide, 11., a compound of carbon with an elec-
tropositive element (chem.) - - See carbo- and -ide.
carbine, n., a short rifle. — F. carabine, 'carbine',
fr. carabin, 'carabineer', fr. MF. calabrim, fr.
ML. Culabrinns, 'of, or pertaining to, Calabria'.
Accordingly the original meaning of F. carabine
is '(rifle) made in Calabria". For the ending sec
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
carbinol, n., methanol or any alcohol derived
from it (chem.) — Coined by the German or-
ganic chemist Hermann Kolbe (1818-84) in 1868
fr. carbin (see carbon), a name used by him to
denote the methyl radical, and -ol, a suff. de-
noting an alcohol.
carbo-, before a vowel carb-, combining form for
carbon (chem.) — See carbon.
carbohydrate, n , (chem.) — Compounded of
carbo- and hydrate.
carbolate, n., a salt of carbolic acid (chem.) —
See carbol- and chem. suff. -ate.
carbol-, combining form denoting the presence
of carbolic acid (chem.) — See next word.
carbolic, adj., pertaining to carbon and oil. —
Compounded of L. carbo, 'coal', and oleum,
'oil'. See carbon, oil and -ic.
carbolize, tr. v., to sterilize with carbolic acid
(chem.) — Formed fr. carbol- and -ize.
carbon, n., a nonmetallic element (chem.) — L.
carbo, gen. -dnis, 'coal, charcoal', prob. standing
for *car-dhd and derived fr. I.-E. base *ker-,
'to singe, burn, glow'. See hearth and cp. cre-
mate. Cp. also carbonado, Carbonari, carbuncle.
Derivatives: carhon-ic, adj., carbon-ize, tr. v.
carbonaceous, adj., i) coaly; 2) pertaining to, or
containing, carbon. — Formed with suff. -ace-
ous fr. L. carbo, gen. -dnis, 'coal'. See prec. word.
carbonado, n., a broiled piece of meat. — Sp. car-
bonado, prop, subst. use of the fem. pp. of car-
bonar. See next word.
Derivative: carbonado, tr. v.
carbonado, n., an opaque kind of diamond. —
Sp., lit. 'carbonated', pp. of carbonar, 'to car-
bonate', fr. carbon, 'coal', fr. L. carbdnem, acc.
of carbo. See carbon and -ado.
carborundum, n., silicon carbide (SiC), an abra-
sive. — Coined fr. carbon and corundum.
carboxyl, n., a univalent radical, containing car-
bon, oxygen and hydrogen (COOH) (chem.) —
Compounded of carbon, oxygen and -yl.
Derivatives: carboxyl-ate, n. and tr. v., car-
boxyl-ation, n.
carboy, n., a large glass bottle. — Pers. qardba.
Cp. Arab. qirba h , 'a large leathern bottle'.
carbuncle, n., 1) formerly, a red gem; now a gar-
net with a convex rounded surface; 2) a painful
inflammation under the skin. — ME., fr. ONF.
carbuncle (corresponding to OF. charboncle,
charbucle), fr. L. carbunculus, 'a small coal; a
bright, reddish kind of precious stone; a kind
of tumor', dimin. of carbo, gen. -dnis, 'coal'.
See carbon and cp. escarbuncle.
Derivative: carbuncl-ed, adj.
carbuncular, adj. — Formed with suff. -ar fr. L.
carbunculus. See prec. word.
carburet, tr. v., to combine with carbon (chem.)
— Formed fr. carbon on analogy of sulfuret.
Derivatives: carburet-ant, n., carburet-ion, n.
carburetor, carburettor, n., an apparatus for car-
bureting gas or air. — Formed fr. prec. word
with agential suff. -or.
carcanet, n., an ornamental chain. — Dimin. of
F. carcan, 'iron collar; necklace, carcanet; pil-
lory", fr. ML. carcannum (whence also OProv-
enc. carcan, 'necklace'), which is of uncertain
origin. For the ending see suff. -et.
carcass, n.. a dead body. — F. carcasse. fr. ear-
lier charcois, carcois, of uncertain origin. It. car-
cassa, of s.m., is prob. a French loan word.
carcel, n., a French unit of illuminating power. —
Prop, 'the illuminating power of the light of a
Carcel lanTp', which is named after the French
clockmaker Bertrand-Guillaume Carcel ( 1 750-
181 2), its inventor.
career, n., prison. — L. Sec incarcerate.
239
cardoon
Carcharias, n., a genus of sharks (ichthyol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. xocp/apiac, 'a kind of shark',
lit. 'the fish with the sawlike teeth', fr. xapyapo?,
'sawlike, jagged, pointed, sharp', which is cogn.
with OI. khdrah, 'rough, sharp, hard', and prob.
also with Toch. A tsar, 'rough, sharp'.
Carchariidae, n. pi., a family of sharks (ichthyol.)
— ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-idae.
carcinoma, n., a form of cancer (med.) — L. car-
cinoma, fr. Gk. xapxlvcoua, gen. xapxivcoptaTo;,
'ulcer, cancer', fr. xapxwoQ, 'crab, cancer'. See
cancer and -oma.
Derivative: carcinomat-ous, adj.
carcinomatoid, adj., having the shape of a car-
cinoma (med.) — Compounded of Gk. xap-
xivcou.a (see prec. word) and -osiSrjc, 'like', fr.
etSoc, 'form, shape". Sec -oid.
carcoon, n., manager, clerk (Anglo-Ind.) — Ma-
rathi karkun, fr. Pers. kdr-kun, 'manager', lit.
'doer of what is to be done'.fr. I.-E. base *q w er-,
'to make, form, shape'. See Sanskrit and cp.
words there referred to.
card, n., a machine for combing hair, wool, etc. —
F. carde, 'chard, teasel, card', fr. OProvenc. car-
do, back formation fr. cardar, 'to card', fr. L.
carduus, 'thistle', which is related to carrd, car-
rere, 'to card (wool)', from a basic form *carri-
dus, 'that which scrapes', fr. I.-E. base *qars-,
'to scrape, scratch, rub'. See harsh and cp. car-
doncillo, cardoon, Carduus, Carex, carline thistle,
carminative, carrizo, chard.
card, tr. v., to comb with a card. — F. carder,
fr. carde. See prec. word.
Derivatives: eard-ed, adj., card-er, n.
card, n., a piece of pasteboard for playing. — F.
carte, fr. Late L. carta, 'a leaf of paper; paper',
fr. L. charta, 'a leaf of the Egyptian papyrus;
papyrus; paper', fr. Gk. yiprr^, of s.m., a
foreign word, possibly of Egypt, origin. Cp.
carte blanche, carte de visite, cartel, cartoon,
cartouche, cartridge, cartulary, chart, charter,
ecarte, skat.
Cardamine, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. cardamina, fr. Gk.
xxpSxixivr,, 'a kind of cress', a word formed by
Dioscorides fr. xxpSotfxov, 'cress', which is of un-
certain origin. Cp. next word.
cardamom, cardamum, n., an aromatic fruit. —
F. cardamome, fr. L. cardamdmum, fr. Gk. xxp-
8au,aiur,v, which is compounded of xipSau.ov,
"cress", and xu,co;jt.ov, 'a spice plant". See Carda-
mine and Amomus. The contraction of the two
elements into xapSauoiiov from *xapSx;j.dqi.o:>-
'jlov is due to haplology.
Cardanic, adj., Cardan joint, Cardan shaft, Car-
dan's solution. — Named after the Italian mathe-
matician and physician Geronimo Cardano
(1501-76).
cardiac, adj. (anal.), 1) pertaining to the heart;
2) pertaining to the upper part of the stomach.
— F. cardiaque, fr. L. cardiacus, fr. Gk. xap-
8ixx6?, 'pertaining to the heart', fr. xapSia,
'heart'. See cardio- and -ac.
Derivative: cardiac-al, adj.
cardialgia, n. (med.), 1) pain in the region of the
heart; 2) heartburn. — Medical L., compound-
ed of Gk. xapStx, 'heart', and SCkyoq, 'pain'.
See cardio- and -algia.
cardigan jacket, cardigan. — Named after James
Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan
(1797-1868).
cardinal, adj. — F., fr. L. cardindlis, 'principal,
chief, fr. cardd, gen. cardinis, 'hinge of a door,
pivot; that on which something turns', which is
of uncertain origin. Perh. it derives fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qerdd-, 'to turn, swing; leap, jump, bound',
whence OI. kfirdati, 'leaps, hops', Gk. xpaSr),
'quivering spray at the end of a branch', xpaSato,
xpxSaivM, 'I brandish, shake', perh. also xop8a5,
'dance in a comedy'. Base *(s)qerdd- is a -d-en-
largement of base *(s)qer-, 'to leap, jump,
bound', whence Gk. axxtpco, T leap, skip,
bound'. See Scarus and cp. coruscate, horse,
rathe, rather.
Derivatives: cardinal, n. (q.v.), cardinal-ly, adv.
cardinal, n. — F., fr. Eccles. L. cardindlis (short
for cardindlis ecclesiae Romdnae, orig. applied
to various dignitaries of the church), fr. L. car-
dindlis, 'principal, chief. See cardinal, adj.
cardinalate, n., the rank of a cardinal. — F. car-
dinalat, fr. Eccles. L. cardinaldtus, fr. cardindlis.
See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
cardio-, before a vowel cardi-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the heart'. — Gk. xxpSw-,
xapSi-, fr. xap&ia, 'heart'. See heart and cp.
cardiac, carditis. Cp. also the second element in
dexiocardia, diplocardiac, endocardium, epi-
cardium, megalocardia, pericardium, myocardia.
cardiogram, n., the tracing made by the cardio-
graph. — Compounded of cardio- and Gk.
Ypaiijxx, 'that which is written". See -gram.
cardiograph, n., an instrument for recording the
movement of the heart. — Compounded of
cardio- and Gk. -■fpy.'foc, fr. ypxtpsiv, 'to write".
See -graph.
cardiology, n., the study of the heart. — Com-
pounded of cardio- and Gk. -Xoyli, fr. -aoyoc,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cardiolog-ical, adj., cardiolog-ist, n.
Cardiospermum, n., a genus of plants of the soap-
berry family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
cardio- and Gk. a-spixot. 'seed, sperm'. See sperm.
carditis, n., inflammation of the heart (med.) —
Medical L. , coined by the French physician Jean-
Nicolas Corvisart (1775- 1821) fr. Gk. xxpSii,
"heart" (see cardio-), and suff. -itis.
cardoncillo, n.. a kind of cactus. — Sp., dimin.
of cardan, 'teasel', fr. Late L. carddnem, acc. of
cardd, 'thistle". See next word.
cardoon, n., the globe artichoke. — F. cardan,
fr. Provenc. cordon, prop, 'thistle', fr. Late L.
carddnem, acc. of cardd, 'thistle', which is rel. to
Carduus
240
L. carduus, 'thistle'. See card, 'machine for comb-
ing' and cp. words there referred to.
Carduus, n., a genus of prickly herbs (bot.) —
L. carduus, 'thistle'. See prec. word.
care, n. — ME. care, fr. OE. cam, cearu, 'anxiety,
sorrow, care', rel. to OS. kara, 'sorrow', OHG.
chara, 'lament', Goth, kara, 'sorrow', OS. {mod)
karag, 'anxious, sad, sorrowful', OE. cearig,
MDu. carich, 'sad, sorrowful', Du. karig,
'scanty, frugal', OHG. karag, 'anxious', MHG.
karc, karg, 'shrewd, clever', G. karg, 'stingy,
scanty'; fr. Teut. *karo, 'sorrow, care'. These
words are cogn. with Gk. y^P u ?> Dor. yapuq,
'voice, sound', Arm. cicafn, 'swallow', cicarnuk,
'nightingale', Ossetic zar, 'song', zarun, 'to sing',
L. garrlre, 'to chat, talk, chatter', W. garm,
Olr. gdir, gairm, W. gawr, 'noise, cry', Toch.
kdrye, 'care'. All these words derive from the
I.-E. imitative base *gSr-, 'to shout, cry'. The
sense development of Toch. kdrye, 'care', E. care
and the related Teut. words may be illustrated
by the following stages: cry — lamentation —
grief. Cp. chary, cur, garrulous, Gerygone. Cp.
also German.
Derivatives : care-ful, adj., care-ful-ly, adv., care-
ful-ness, n., care-less, adj., care-less-ly, adv.,
care-less-ness, n.
care, intr. v. — OE. cearian, rel. to OS., Goth.
kardn, 'to sorrow', OHG. chardn, 'to lament',
and to OE. caru, 'anxiety, sorrow, care'. See
care, n.
careen, tr. and intr. v., to cause (a ship) to turn
aside. — F. cariner, carener, lit. 'to expose a
ship's keel', fr. carine, carene, 'keel of a ship',
fr. dial. It. carena, fr. L. carina, of s.m., orig.
'shell of a nut', which is cogn. with Gk. xap\mv,
'nut, walnut', xap'ia, 'the walnut tree', and prob.
also with OI. kdrakah, 'coconut; water vessel
made from coconut'. Cp. Carya, karyo-, and
the first element in gillyflower. Cp. also carina.
For the sense development of L. carina cp. E.
hull, 'the body of a ship', prop, figurative use of
hull, 'husk'.
Derivatives: careen, n., careen-age, n., careen-
er, n.
career, n., a running, course; course through life.
— F. carriere, 'racecourse, career', fr. It. car-
riera, 'wagon', fr. Late L. carrdria via, 'road for
vehicles', fr. carrus, 'a four-wheeled wagon'. See
car and cp. chariot, carry, carriage.
Derivatives: career, intr. v., career-er, n., career-
ist (q.v.)
careerist, n., a person interested chiefly in his
career. — A hybrid coined fr. career and -ist.
a suff. of Greek origin.
caress, n., an act of endearment. — F. caresse,
back formation fr. caresser. See caress, v.
caress, tr. v., i) to touch endearingly; 2) to flat-
ter. — F. caresser, fr. It. carezzare, lit. 'to cher-
ish', fr. caro, 'dear', fr. L. carus, of s.m. See
charity and cp. cherish.
Derivatives: caress-ing, adj., carress-ing-ly, adv.,
carress-ive, adj., carress-ive-ly, adv.
caret, n., the mark \ used in writing to show
where something is to be added. — L. caret, 'it
is without, is wanting', fr. carere, 'to be with-
out, be wanting, be free from, abstain from'.
See chaste.
Carex, n., a genus of plants including the sedge
family {bot.) — L. carex, 'rush, sedge', possibly
rel. to carrere, *cdrere, 'to card', so that carex
would have orig. denoted 'the scratching plant'.
See card, 'machine for combing', and cp. car-
rizo.
carfax, n., place where four roads meet. — ME.
carfourkes, fr. OF. carreforcs, pi. of carreforc
(F. carrefour), 'crossroads', fr. Late L. quadri-
furcum, of s.m., prop._neut. of the Latin adj.
quadrifurcus, 'having four forks'. See quadri-
and fork.
cargo, n. — Sp., 'load, burden', fr. cargar, 'to
load', fr. VL. carricdre, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon'.
See charge and cp. car, cark.
Carib, n., Cariban, adj., Caribbean, adj. — Carib-
bean galibi, 'strong men'. See cannibal.
caribou, n., the N. American reindeer. — A Cana-
dian F. word of Algonquian origin; cp. Mic-
mac khalibu, lit. 'pawer, scratcher, shoveler'.
caricature, n. — F., fr. It. caricatura, 'a load,
overloading', fr. caricare, 'to load, charge', fr.
VL. carricdre, 'to load a car', fr. L. carrus, 'car'
(see car and charge, v.) Accordingly caricature
prop, means 'an excess in drawing or painting'.
For the ending see suff. -ure.
Derivatives: caricature, tr. v., caricaturist (q.v.)
caricaturist, n. — A hybrid coined fr. It. cari-
catura (see caricature) and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
Caridea, n., a group of crustaceans {zool.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idea fr. Gk. y.api?,
gen. xxpiSot;, 'shrimp, prawn', which is prob.
rel. to xapa^oq, 'horned beetle'. See scarab and
cp. Carabidae. Cp. also Epicarides, Syncarida.
caries, n., decay (med.) — L. caries, 'decay, rot-
tenness', fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to hurt, hit',
whence also Gk. y.r,p, 'death, destruction',
ixTjpaTo^, 'unhurt', xepit^eiv (for *v.zpir'\Z,zvj),
'to lay waste', y.spa'jvo? [for *xepa-."(e)v6;],
'thunderbolt, lightning', lit. 'smasher, crusher'.
OI. srnati, 'breaks, crushes', siryate, sirydte,
'falls asunder', Olr. ar-a-chrinim, 'I fall to
pieces', irchre, 'fall, ruin', crin, 'withered, faded'.
Cp. cerauno- and the second element in sincere.
carillon, n., musical bells. — F., 'peal of bells',
fr. OF. quarregnon, carignon, fr. VL. quadrini-
dnem, acc. of *quadrinid, refashioned on anal-
ogy of words beginning with quadri- (see qua-
dri-), fr. L. quaternid, 'a group of four things'
(here used in the sense of 'a group of four
bells'). See quaternion.
carina, n.,"a keel-like part (anat., bot. and zool.)
— L., 'shell of a nut ; keel of a ship'. See careen,
carinate, adj., shaped like the keel of a ship. —
L. carlndtus, pp. of carinare, 'to supply with a
241
shell', fr. carina, 'shell of a nut, keel of a ship'.
See careen and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: carinate, n., carinat-ion, n.
cariole, carriole, n., a small light carriage. — F.
carriole, fr. OProvenc. carriola, dimin. of carri,
fr. VL. *carrium, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon'. It. car-
riola is also borrowed fr. OProvenc. carriola.
See car and -ole.
carious, adj., decayed. — L. caridsus, 'decayed,
rotten', fr. caries. See caries and -ous.
Derivative: carious-ness, n.
cark, intr. v., to be anxious. — ME. carken, fr.
ONF. carquier, corresponding to OF. chargier
(F. charger), 'to load', fr. VL. carricdre, 'to put
a load on". The orig. meaning of cark was 'to
load'. See charge.
Derivatives: cark-ing, adj., cark-ing-ly, adv.
cark, n., anxiety. — ME., fr. AF. carque, karke,
fr. ONF. carche, corresponding to OF. (= F.)
charge, fr. ONF. carquier, resp. OF. chargier.
See prcc. word,
carl, n., a fellow (Scot.) — ON. karl, 'a man', rel.
to OE. ceorl, 'a man of low degree'. See churl
and cp. Carl, Charles.
Carl, masc. PN. — G. Karl. See Charles and cp.
carl.
carline, n., an old woman (Scot.) — ON. ker-
ling, fern, of karl, 'man'. See carl and cp. Carl,
Charles. Cp. also carling.
carline thistle. — F. carline, fr. ML. carlina, for
cardina, fr. L. carduus, 'thistle'. See card, 'ma-
chine for combing', and cp. words there referred
to. ML. carlina was influenced in form by Char-
lemagne (Carolus Magnus), with whom this
plant was associated by legend.
carling, n., one of the timbers running length-
wise (naut.) — F. carlingue, fr. ON. kerling, lit.
'an old woman'. See carline, 'an old woman'.
Carlovingian, adj.,Carolingian. — F.carlovingien,
a blend of carolingien and merovingien. See
Carolingian and Merovingian.
carmagnole, n., i) jacket (worn by the French
Revolutionaries in 1793); 2) a revolutionary
dance. — F., fr. Carmagnola, name of a dis-
trict in Piedmont, Italy. The word orig. denoted
a coat worn in Carmagnola and brought to
France by workmen from Piedmont.
Carmelite, n. and adj. — L. Carmelites, fr. Gk.
Ky.zrLr/j-r^, 'an inhabitant of Carmel', fr. Kap-
iiV.o:, 'Carmel', fr. Heb. Karmel. '(Mount) Car-
mel", lit. 'garden', derived fr. kerem, 'vineyard'.
The mendicant order of the Carmelites owes
its name to the circumstance that about 12 10
Benhold, a crusader from Calabria, and ten
of his companions, became hermit;, on Mount
Carmel.
carminative, adj., expelling flatulence. — Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. carmindtus, pp. of carmi-
ndre, 'to card wool', hence 'to cleanse, purify'.
L, carmindre derives fr. carmen, gen. carminis,
'a card for wool or flax', which is rel. to carrere,
'to card'. See card, 'machine for combing', and
-ative. (Carmen in the above sense is not rel. to
carmen, gen. carminis, 'song'.)
Derivative: carminative, n., a carminative drug.
carmine, n., a purplish-red color; adj., of pur-
plish-red color. — F. carmin, fr. ML. carminium,
a blend of Arab, qirmiz, 'worm' and L. minium,
'cinnabar, red lead, vermilion', which is of
Iberian origin. See crimson, and miniature.
carnage, n., slaughter, massacre. — F., fr. It. car-
naggio, fr. VL. carndticnm, fr. L. card, gen.
carnis, 'flesh, meat'. See carnal and -age and cp.
carrion, charnel.
carnal, adj., pertaining to flesh, fleshly, bodily',
of the body; sensual, sexual. — L. carndlis,
'pertaining to the flesh, fleshly, carnal', fr. L. card,
gen. carnis, 'flesh, meat', orig. 'a piece (of flesh)',
rel. to Umbr. karu, 'part, piece', Oscan carneis
(gen.) 'of a part', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut',
whence also L. cortex, 'bark', corium, 'skin,
hide, leather', scortum, 'skin, hide', OI. kfndti,
krnSti, 'hurts, kills', Gk. xsipsiv (for *xepieu>),
'to cut, shear', a.y.'xprfi, 'small, tiny' (lit. 'too
short to be cut'), OE. sceran, scieran, 'to cut,
shear'. See shear and adj. suff. -al and cp.
carnage, carnification, carnivorous, carrion,
caruncle, acharne, acharnement, cenacle, chair,
'flesh color', charnel, incarnadine, incarnate. For
derivatives of *(s)qer(e)p-, a -p-enlargcment of
base *(s)qer-, see carpel, harvest, scurf, sharp.
Cp. also certain and words there referred to.
Derivatives: carnality (q.v), carnal-ize, tr. v.,
carnel-ly, adv.
carnality, n., fleshliness. — Late L. carndlitds,
fr. L. carndlis. See prec. word and -ity.
carnation, n., 1) formerly, flesh color; 2) any of
the cultivated varieties of the clove pink. — F.,
'flesh tint, flesh color, carnation', fr. It. car-
nagione, 'flesh, flesh tint', fr. came, 'flesh, meat',
fr. L. carnem, acc. of card, of s.m. See carnal
and -ation.
carnelian, n., a red variety of chalcedony. — A
blend of cornelian and L. card, gen. carnis,
'flesh' (see carnal); so called in reference to its
flesh-red color.
carnification, n., the act or process of turning
into flesh. — Compounded of L. card, gen. car-
nis, 'flesh, meat' (see carnal), and -fication.
carnify, tr. v., to turn into, or become, flesh. —
See prec. word and -fy.
carnival, n. — F. carnaval, fr. It. carnevale, fr.
ML. came, vale, 'O flesh, farewell'.'. See carnal
and vale, interj.
Derivative: carnivalU)-er, n.
Carnivora, n. pi., an order of mammals (zool.) —
ModL., neut. pi. of L. carnivorus; see carni-
vorous. The term Carnivora was introduced into
zoology by the French natural ist, baron Georges-
Leopold-Chretien-Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier
([769-1832).
carnivore, n.. a flesh-eating mammal. — F., fr.
L. carnivorus. See next word,
carnivorous, adj., flesh-eating. — Formed fr. L.
carob
carnivorus, 'feeding on flesh', fr. card, gen.
carnis, 'flesh, meat', and the stem of vordx, gen.
-dcis, 'hungry, greedy' (see carnal and vora-
cious); first used by Thomas Browne.
Derivatives: carnivorous-ly, adv., carnivorous-
ness, n.
carob, n., a tree {Ceratonia siliqua); its seed pod.
— F. carou.be, fr. ML. carrubia, carrubium, fr.
Arab. kharraba h , fr. Aram, hdriibhd, 'carob tree,
carob', which is rel. to Heb. hdrabh, of s.m. Cp.
algarroba.
caroche, n., a kind of carriage used in the 16th
and 17th centuries. — Earlier F. carroche, fr.
It. carroccia, caroccia, a collateral form of car-
rozza, carozza (whence F. carrosse), fr. carro,
'car, carriage'. See car and cp. carroccio.
Carol, masc. PN. — ML. Carolus. See Charles
and cp. Carl.
Carol, fem. PN. — Abbreviation of Caroline (q.v.)
carol, n., a joyful song. — ME. carol, carole, 'a
dance in a ring, a joyful song, fr. OF. carole,
'a dance in a ring', fr. L. choraula, a collateral
form of choraules, 'flute player, who accom-
panied with a flute the chorus dance', fr. Gk.
yopocuk^q, which is compounded of x°P°S>
'dance in a ring, chorus', and auXetv, 'to play
on the flute', fr. axikoc,, 'flute'. For the first ele-
ment see chorus. The second element is rel. to
Gk. auAwv, 'a hollow between hills, a channel',
and cogn. with L. alvus, 'belly', alveus, 'a hol-
low, cavity' ; sec alveolus.
carol, intr. and tr. v., to sing joyfully. — F. caro-
ler, fr. carole. See prec. word.
Derivative: carol(l)-er, n.
Caroline, adj., belonging to the time of Charles I
or 11 of England. — Formed fr. ML. Carolus,
'Charles', with suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
See Charles and cp. Carol.
Caroline, fem. PN. — F., fr. It. Carolina, orig. a
fem. adj. derived fr. ML. Carolus, 'Charles', and
lit. meaning 'of, or pertaining to, Charles'. See
Caroline, adj.
Carolingian, adj., pertaining to the dynasty of
Charlemagne. — Formed fr. ML. Carolus
(Magnus), 'Charlemagne' (i.e. 'Charles the
Great'). See Charles and -ian and cp. Carlo-
vingian.
Derivative: Carolingian, n.
carom, n., in billiards, a shot in which the cue
ball hits two other balls. — F. carambole, 'the
red ball (in billiards)', fr. Sp. carambola, 'fruit
of the carambola tree' (which is round and
orange-colored); 'the red ball' (in billiards), ult.
fr. Malay karambil. Cp. cannon, 'stroke in bil-
liards', and carambole.
carotid, adj., designating either of the two arteries
that conduct the blood from the aorta to the
head: n., a carotid artery (anal.) — Fr. Gk.
x.apcoTiSe;, 'the great arteries of the neck', prop,
'the great arteries of the head', fr. xxpx, 'head',
which is cogn. with L. cerebrum, 'brain'. See
cerebrum and cp. cranium. The usual derivation
of xapomSsa;, fr. xdcpoi;, 'heavy sleep, torpor',
which itself is rel. to xapa, 'head', arose from
the erroneous belief that drowsiness was caused
by the carotids.
carousal, n., a carouse. — Formed fr. next word
with adj. suff. -al.
carouse, n., a drinking bout. — OF. carous, fr. G.
garaus, 'all out', in the phrase garaus trinken,
'to drink right out', fr. gar, 'altogether', and
aus, 'out'; see yare and out and cp. rouse,
'carousal'. Carouse was orig. an adverb and
used only in phrases like 'to drink carouse', but
it became later a noun.
Derivatives: carouse, intr. v., carous-er, n.,
carous-ing, adj., carous-ing-ly, adv.
carp, intr. v., to find fault. — ME. carpen, 'to
say, speak', fr. ON. karpa, 'to chatter, boast';
influenced in meaning by L. carpere, 'to pluck'
(see carpel). Derivatives: carp-er, n., carp-ing,
adj., carp-ing-ly, adv.
carp, n., the fish Cyprinus carpio. — OF. (= F.)
carpe, fr. OProvenc. carpa, fr. Late L. carpa,
which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. MDu. carpe,
carper, Du. karper, OHG. karpfo, MHG. karpfe,
G. Karpfen, 'carp'. Cp. also It. carpa, carpione,
Sp., Port, carpa, Rum. crap, which derive fr.
Late L. carpa. Lith. kdrpis, Lett, karpe, karpa,
Russ. karp and korop are Teut. loan words.
carp-, form of carpo- before a vowel.
carpal, adj., pertaining to the carpus or wrist. —
Formed fr. carpus with suff. -al.
carpale, n., a bone of the carpus (anat.) — Medic-
al L., fr. carpus.
Carpathian Mountains. — Thracian Gk. Kap-
7raTr,q opot;, lit. 'the Rocky Mountain', rel. to
KapTtoi, name of a Thracian tribe, lit. meaning
'the inhabitants of rocky regions', and cogn.
with Alb. karpe, 'rock'. See next word,
carpel, n., a simple pistil (bot.) — ModL. car-
pellum, dimin. formed fr. Gk. xapxo;, 'fruit',
lit. 'that which is plucked', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-
(e)p-, 'to cut ; to pluck', whence also OI. krpdnah,
'sword', Hitt. karp-, karpiyd-, 'to gather, take',
Alb. karpe, karme (for *karp-n), 'rock, crag',
skrep, krep, 'rock, slope', Thracian Gk. Kap-
izizTjC, opo;, 'Carpathian Mountains' (see prec.
word), Gk. xpfimo;, 'scythe', L. carpere, 'to
pluck, cull, gather', Mir. corrdn, 'sickle' cirrim,
'I beat off, mutilate', Lith. kerpii, kifpti, 'to cut
with scissors, shear', Lett, cqrpu, cirpt, of s.m..
dial. Russ. cerp, 'sickle'. For Teut. cognates of
the same base see harrow, harvest, scurf, sharp.
Cp. carp, intr. v., carpet, Carpinus, acarpous,
acrocarpous, amphicarpic, cremocarp, Crepidula,
Crepis, discerp, endocarp, epicarp, excerpt, mt-
ricarp, mesocarp, monocarpic, pericarp, scarce,
schizocarp, syncarp, xylocarp. I.-E. *(s)qer(e)p-
is an enlargement of base *(s)qer-, 'to cut',
whence Qk. xeipe-.v (for Vipteiv), 'to cut, shear',
L. card, 'flesh, meat'. See carnal,
carpenter, n. — ME., fr. ONF. carpentier (corre-
sponding to F. charpentier), fr. Late L. carpen-
243
cartel
tdrius, 'wagonmaker', fr. L. carpentum, 'wagon,
carriage', which is of Gaulish origin. Olr. car-
pat, 'wagon', was re-borrowed fr. L. carpentum,
MW. kerbyt, 'coach', is an Irish loan word.
Derivatives: carpenter, intr. and tr. v., carpent-
ry, n.
carpet, n. — ME., fr. OF. carpite, fr. ML. carpita,
'a kind of thick cloth', prob. fr. L. carpere, 'to
pluck' (see carpel); so called because the cloth
is made of shreds.
Derivatives: carpet, tr. v., carpet-ing, n.
Carphophis, n., a genus of snakes (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xapipo?, 'dry straw,
dry stick', and 0915, 'snake'. The first element
derives fr. I.-E. base *{s)qerebh-, 'to curve, con-
tract, shrink'. See corf and cp. ramp, v. Cp. also
Crambe, crambo. For the second element see
ophidian.
Carpinus, n., a genus of trees of the birch family
(bot.) — L., 'the hornbeam'; cogn. with Lith.
skirpstas, 'elm', OPruss. skerptus, of s.m., Lith.
skirpstiis, 'copperbeech', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-
(e)p-, 'to cut', whence also L. carpere, 'to pluck,
cull, gather' (see carpel); so called from the
double-serrate leaves of the hornbeam.
carpo-, before a vowel carp-, combining form de-
noting the carpus (anat.) — Gk. xapiro-, xapir-,
fr. xapTro?, 'wrist'. See carpus.
carpo-, before a vowel carp-, combining form
meaning 'fruit'. — Gk. xap-o-, xaprc-, fr. xap-
Tioq, 'fruit'. See carpel.
Carpocapsa, n., a genus of moths (entomol.) —
ModL., compounded of carpo-, 'fruit', and
xa^ii;, 'a gulping, devouring', from the stem of
xdreTEtv, 'to swallow greedily, gulp', which is
cogn. with L. capere 'to catch, seize, hold'. See
captive.
Carpodacus, n., a genus of finches (ornithol.) —
ModL., compounded of carpo-, 'fruit', and Gk.
Sxxoq, 'a biting animal', which is rel. to Sxxvew,
'to bite', and cogn. with OI. dds'ati, 'bites', OE.
tang, tange, 'tongs' (lit. 'that which bites'). See
tongs.
carpology, n., the study of the structure of fruits.
— Compounded of carpo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-Xoyot;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy,
carpophore, n., prolongation of the axis of a
flower (bot.) — Lit. 'fruit bearer', fr. Gk.
xap7ro!;, 'fruit', and -<popo:, 'bearer'. See carpel
and -phore.
carpus, n., the wrist (anat.) — L., fr. Gk. xxp-o;,
'wrist', which stands for *xfxp7:o; and lit.
means 'that which turns', from I.-E. base
*k' l erp-, 'to turn, revolve", whence also OE.
hweorfan, 'to turn about, go, move', hwerf, 'dam,
bank', prop, 'a place for turning about'. See
wharf and cp. the second element in metacarpus.
carrack, carack, n., a merchant ship. — ME., fr.
OF. car(r)aque, fr. Sp. carraca, fr Arab, qaraqir,
pi. of qurqur, 'merchant ship', fr. Gk. xepxovipo;,
'boat, pinnace', fr. xspxog, 'taii', and oupix, 'tail;
stern of a ship'. See cercus and uro-, 'tail-'.
carrageen, n., an edible seaweed. — Short for
carrageenmoss; named from Carragheen in Ire-
land, where this seaweed is found.
carriage, n. — ONF. cariage, 'that which is car-
ried', fr. carter, 'to cart, carry' (corresponding to
F. charriage, 'cartage, haulage', fr. charrier, 'to
cart, carry'), fr. L. carricdre, fr. L. carrus, 'wa-
gon, carriage'. See carry and -age.
Derivative: carriage-able, adj.
carrick bend (naut.) — Prob. rel. to carrack.
carriole, n. — See cariole.
carrion, n., the dead flesh of an animal. — ME.
caroin, carion, fr. ONF. caroigne (corresponding
to OF. charoigne, F. charogne), fr. VL. *caronia,
fr. L. card, gen. carnis, 'flesh, meat' (see car-
nal). It. carogna, OProvenc. caronha, Sp. ca-
rroha, 'carrion', also derive fr. VL. *cardnia.
Derivative: carrion, adj.
carrizo, n., reed grass. — Sp., fr. L. cdrex, gen.
cdricis, 'reed grass', whence also It. carice. See
Carex.
carroccio, n., the car on which the standard of an
Italian city was borne into battle during the
Middle Ages. — It., dimin. formed fr. carro,
'car', fr. L. carrus. See car and cp. caroche.
carronade, n., a kind of short naval gun. —
Named from Carron in Scotland, where this
kind of gun was first made.
carrot, n. - F. carotte, fr. L. cardta, fr. Gk.
xapcoTov, prob. a derivative of *xxpoc, 'head',
and rel. to xapa, 'head'. See cranium and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: carrot-y, adj., currot-i-ness, n.
carrousel, also carousel, n., a merry-go-round. —
F. carrousel, fr. It. carosello, prob. fr. Arab.
kurraj, 'a play with wooden horses', fr. Pers.
kurtd(k), 'foal'.
carry, tr. and intr. v. — ME. carien, fr. ONF. ca-
rter (corresponding to F. charrier), 'to cart,
carry', fr. VL. carricdre, fr. L. carrus, 'wagon,
carriage'. See car and cp. carriage.
Derivatives: carry, n., carri-er, n.
carry-all, n., a kind of light carriage (U.S.A.) —
Corruption of F. carriole, 'a light car', based on
folk etymology. See carriole.
cart, n. — ME. carle, cart, prob. fr. ON. kartr,
which is rel. to OE. erst, 'cart, chariot', MDu.
cratte, 'a woven mat, hamper', Du. krat, 'basket',
and to OE. cradol, 'cradle'. See cradle.
Derivatives: cart, tr. and intr. v., cart-age, n.,
cart-er, n.
carte, quarte, n., a position in fencing. — F.
quarte, prop. fem. of quart, 'a fourth", fr. L.
quartus, 'fourth; a fourth'. See quart,
carte blanche, blank paper. — F., lit. 'white
paper'. See card, 'a piece of pasteboard", and
blank.
carte de visite, a portrait mounted on a small
card. — F., lit. 'visiting card'. See card, 'a piece
of pasteboard'.
cartel, n., 1) a written challenge; 2) a written
Cartesian
agreement between belligerents as to the treat-
ment and exchange of prisoners; 3) an associa-
tion of industrialists. — F., fr. It. cartello, 'pla-
card', whence, 'written challenge', dimin. formed
fr. carta, 'paper, writing', fr. Late L. carta.
See card, 'piece of pasteboard', and cp. chart,
charter. In the sense 'association of industri-
alists' cartel derives fr. G. Kartell, which itself
comes fr. F. cartel (see above).
Cartesian, adj., pertaining to Descartes; n., fol-
lower of Descartes. — Fr. Cartesius, Latinized
form of Descartes. Cp. next word and see -ian.
Cartesianism, n., the philosophy of Rene Descar-
tes (1596-1650). For the ending see suff. -ism.
Carthamus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, qirtim, qurtum,
in vulgar pronunciation qdrfom, qdrtam, 'saf-
flower', fr. Aram. qurt e ma, of s.m., literally 'that
which is lopped', fr. Heb. qirtim, 'he lopped',
enlarged form of qdtdm, of s.m. ; so called be-
cause the flowers are plucked off as soon as they
begin to wither.
Carthusian, n., a monk or nun of the order found-
ed at Chartreuse. — ML. Cartusidnus, from the
place name Chartreuse in France, where the
first monastery of this order was built. Cp.
charterhouse.
Derivative: Carthusian, adj., pertaining to the
Carthusians.
cartilage, n. — F., fr. L. cartildgo, which is rel.
to L. crates, 'wickerwork'. See crate and -age.
cartilaginoid, adj., resembling cartilage. — A
hybrid coined fr. cartilage and Gk. -octSr,?,
'like', fr. elSoc, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
cartilaginous, adj. — F. cartilagineux (fern, carti-
lagineuse), fr. L. carlildgindsus, 'full of carti-
lage', fr. cartildgo, gen. -inis, 'cartilage'. See
cartilage and -ous.
cartograph, n., a map. — A hybrid coined fr. F.
carte, 'playing card', and Gk. -vpayoc, fr. ypa-
'to write'. Sec card, 'a piece of paste-
board', and -graph.
Derivatives: cartograph-er, n., cartograph-y, n.
cartomancy, n., divination from cards. F. car-
tomancie, a hybrid coined fr. F. carte, 'playing
card", and Gk. ijixvtslS, 'oracle, divination'.
See card, n., 'a piece of pasteboard', and -mancy.
carton, n., a cardboard box. — F. See next word,
cartoon, n., 1) a drawing on strong paper; 2) a
comic strip. — F. carton, 'pasteboard', fr. It.
cartone, augment, of carta, 'paper'. See card,
n., 'a piece of pasteboard'.
Derivatives: cartoon, v., cartoonist (q.v.)
cartoonist, n. - A hybrid coined fr. cartoon and
-ist, a suff. of Greek origin,
cartouche, n., 1) a scroll-like ornament; 2) an
oval figure containing the name or title of an
Egyptian deity or king. — F., fr. It. cartoccio,
lit. 'a roll of paper', fr. carta, fr. Late L. carta.
See card, 'a piece of pasteboard', and cp.
next word.
cartridge, n. — Fr. earlier cartrage, corruption of
244
F. cartouche, 'cartouche, cartridge'. See prec.
word.
cartulary, n., a chartulary. — See chartulary.
carucate, n., formerly, a measure of land in Eng-
land. — ML. carruedgiurn, 'tax on plow or
plowland', re), to carracutium, 'a two-wheeled
coach', fr. L. carruca, 'a four-wheeled coach',
in Gaulish-Latin, 'plow', fr. carrus, 'wagon'.
See car.
Carum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xapov, 'caraway'. See
caraway.
caruncle, n., a fleshy excrescence. — L. caruncula,
'a little piece of flesh', dimin. of card, 'flesh'.
See carnal.
caruncula, n., a caruncle (anat.) — L. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: caruncul-ar, caruncul-ate , caruncul-
at-ed, caruncul-ous, adjs.
carve, tr. and intr. v. — ME. keruen, fr. OE. ceor-
fan, 'to cut, carve', rel. to OFris. kerva, Du.
kerven, MHG., G. kerben, 'to cut, notch', fr.
I.-E. base "gerbh-, 'to scratch', whence also Gk.
ypatpeiv, 'to scratch, engrave, write', OSlav.
zrebu, irebiji, 'lot' (orig. 'a notched stick'),
OPruss. girbin, 'number' (lit. 'a notch'). Cp.
graph, -graph, graphic. Cp. also kerf. For the
change of ME. e to E. a cp arbor, 'a shady re-
treat', harbor.
Derivatives: carv-er, n., carv-ic, adj.
Carya, n., a genus of trees, the hickory (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. xap'Sa, 'the walnut tree', rel. to
xap'jov, 'nut, walnut', and cogn. with L. carina,
'shell of a nut; keel of a ship'. See careen and
cp. Caryota.
caryatid, n., a draped female figure supporting a
column (archit.) — L. Caryatides, fr. Gk. Kapj-
StiSe;, 'priestesses of Artemis ( = the Roman
Diana) at Caryae', sing. Kap'jxTi;; so called fr.
Kxp-jai, 'Caryac', a town in Laconia (prob. in
allusion to the dance of the virgins at the festival
held in the temple of Artemis Caryatis at Caryae).
Caryocar, n., a genus of trees of the family Cary-
ocaraceae (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xapvov, 'nut, walnut', and yAf, 'head'; so
called in allusion to the large fruit. See careen
and cranium and cp. Carya.
Caryophyllaceae, n., the pink family {hot.) —
ModL., fr. Caryophyllus, name of the genus, fr.
Gk. zap'jo^'j/.AOM, 'clove tree', fr. xapjov, 'nut,
walnut', and !fj>.>.ov, "leave". See careen and
phyllo- and cp. prec. word. For the ending see
suff. -aceae.
caryophyllaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
caryopilite, n., a hydrous manganese silicate (min-
eral.) — Compounded of caryo-, Gk. tzTisjc,,
'felt', and >.tf)oc, 'stone" (see pile 'hair', and
-lite); so called in allusion to the felty appear-
ance.
Caryota, n., a genus of palms of the family Are-
aceae (bot.) — ModL.,fr. Gk. xapycoxo? cpoivii;,
245
casseroie
'date palm', lit. 'a palm with walnutlike fruit',
fr. xdpuov, 'nut, walnut'. See careen and cp.
Carya.
cascabel, n. — The same as cascavel.
cascade, n., a waterfall. — F., fr. It. cascata, fr.
cascare, 'to fall', fr. VL. *cdsicdre, freq. formed fr.
L. casus, pp. of cadere, 'to fall' (see cadence);
introduced into English by the diarist John
Evelyn (1620-1706).
Derivative: cascade, intr. v.
cascara sagrada, n., a laxative drug. — Sp., lit.
'sacred bark'. Sp. cascara, 'bark', comes from
cascar, 'to break', from VL. quassicdre, freq.
of L. quassdre, 'to shake violently', itself freq.
of quatere (pp. of quassus), 'to shake' ; see quash,
'to make void', and cp. casco, cask. Sp. sagrada
is fern, of sagrado, fr. L. sacrdtus, 'sacred', pp.
of sacrdre, 'to consecrate' ; see sacred,
casco, n., the hull of a ship. — Sp., 'potsherd,
shell, skull, helmet, cask; hull of a ship', fr.
cascar, 'to crack, burst', fr. VL. quassicdre. See
prec. word.
cascavel, n., the rattlesnake called scientifically
Crotalus terrificus. — Port., 'rattle, rattlesnake",
fr. Sp. cascabel, of s.m., lit. 'sleigh bell, jingle',
fr. OProvenc. cascavel, fr. ML. cascabellus,
dimin. of cascabus, which is prob. an alteration
of Late L. cac(c)abus, fr. Gk. xxx(x)x3o:;, of
s.m., a word of prob. Sem. origin. Cp. Akkad.
kukubu, 'vessel'.
case, n., condition, instance; a modification in
the inflection of a noun, etc. (gram.) — ME., fr.
OF. (-= F.) cas, fr. L. casus, 'fall, occurrence',
fr. cds-(um), pp. stem of cadere, 'to fall, fall out,
happen'. Sec cadence. In its grammatical sense
L. casus, 'case', is a loan translation of Gk.
r.roiaic,, "a falling, fall', which is rel. to -itttsiv,
'to fall'.
case, n., box, chest. — ME. casse, fr. ONF. casse
(F. chdsse), 'a box", fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box,
repository', fr. L. capere, 'to catch, seize, hold'.
See captive and cp. capsa, Capsella, Capsicum,
capsule, caisson, cash, 'ready money', casket,
cassone, chassis, encase. See also chase, 'iron
frame', which is a doublet of case.
Derivatives: case, tr. v., cas-er, n., cas-ing, n.
casein, n., a phosphoprotein that forms the basis
of cheese (chem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -in
fr L. cdseus, 'cheese'. See cheese.
casemate, n., a bomb-proof room (fort.) — F.,
fr. It. casamatta, apparently fr. Gk. yia^x-.y.,
pi. of /aaixa, 'chasm, gap'. See chasm and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivative: casemat-ed, adj.
casement, n., a hinged window. — Shortened fr.
MF. encassement, a var. of MF. encha.ssement
(F. enchdssement), 'frame', fr. enchasser (F. en-
chdsser), 'to enchase'. See enchase and -ment.
caseose, n., a soluble product formed during the
digestion of casein (biochem.) — Formed fr.
casein and subst. suff. -ose.
caseous, adj., like cheese. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. cdseus, 'cheese'. See cheese and cp.
casein.
casern, caserne, n., barracks. — F., fr. OProvenc.
cazerna, lit. 'a place for four watchmen', fr. VL.
*quaderna, fr. L. quaterni, 'four each'. See
quarter and cp. quaternion and words there re-
ferred to. It. caserma, 'caserne', has been in-
fluenced in form by L. arma, 'weapons'.
cash, n., ready money. — F. casse, fr. It. cassa,
'chest, box, money box', fr. L. capsa, 'chest, box,
repository'. See case, 'chest'.
Derivative: cash, tr. v.
cash, n., a small coin used in East India and
China. — Tamil kdsu, 'a small coin'.
cashew, n., a tropical American tree yielding
kidney-shaped nuts. — F. acajou, fr. Port, aeaju,
cajti, fr. Tupi acaju. Cp. acajou, cachou, catechu.
cashier, n., a person in charge of money. — Not
derived fr. cash but fr. Du. kassier, fr. F. cais-
sier, fr. caisse, 'cashbox'. See cash, 'money'.
cashier, tr. v., to dismiss. — MDu. kasseeren, fr.
F. casser, 'to break, annul, set aside'. Sec quash,
'to make void'.
cashmere, n., a soft woolen fabric. — From the
Vale of Kashmir. Cp. cassimere, kerseymere.
Casimir, masc. PN. — Pol. Kazimir, lit. "pro-
claimer (or preacher) of peace', fr. kazac, 'to
proclaim, preach', and mir, "peace". See ukase
and mir.
casino, n., 1) a small country house; 2) an amuse-
ment hall. — It., lit . 'a little house', dimin. formed
fr. casa, 'house', fr. L. casa, 'hut, cottage'.
See chasuble and cp. cassino.
cask, n. — Sp. casco, 'potsherd, shell, skull, hel-
met, cask', fr. cascar, 'to break', fr. VL. quas-
sicdre, freq. of quassdre, 'to shake violently',
itself freq. of L. quatere (pp. quassus), 'to shake'.
See quash, 'to make void', and cp. casco, casque.
casket, n. -- Not a dimin. of cask, but corruption
of F. cassette, dimin. of casse, 'chest, box'. See
case, 'box, chest'.
Caslon, n., a style of type (print:) — Short for
Caslon type; named after the printer William
Caslon (1692-1766), who designed it.
casque, n.. a helmet. — F., 'helmet', fr. Sp. casco.
See cask.
Derivative: cusqu-cd. adj.
Cassandra, n., daughter of Priam, king of Troy.
Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy, but later
decreed that no one should believe her prophe-
cies (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KacraxvSpx, a
word of uncertain etymology.
cassation, n., annulment. — F., fr. casser. fr. Late
L. cassdre, fr. L. quassdre, 'to shake violently'.
See quash, to make void", and -ation and cp.
cask, and the second element in fricassee.
cassava, n., a West Indian tree. - F. cassave, fr.
Sp. casabe, cazabe, fr. Haiti casavi.
casserole, n., 1) a baking dish; 2) a dishlike mold
of rice. — F., 'saucepan', fr. ONF. casse, fr.
OProvenc. cassa, fr. VL. cattia, 'trowel, frying
pan', dissimilated fr. *ciattia, fr. Gk. xuxfHov,
Cassia
246
dimin. of xiiaSkx;, 'ladle', fr. xuav, xueiv, 'to
swell*, whence also xu^oc, 'anything swelling or
swollen'. See cave, n., and cp. cyma. Cp. also
cassolette.
Derivative: casserole, tr. v.
Cassia, n., a genus of plants of the senna family
(hot.) — L. casta, cassia, 'a tree with aromatic
bark', fr. Gk. xamS, xaaata, 'cinnamon, cassia',
fr. Heb. q*tzVA h , 'cassia', which derives from
the base of qdtzd\ 'he scraped off', and is rel.
to Arab. qudd\ 'fine dust', lit. 'dust scraped
off'.
Cassida, n., a genus of tortoise beetles (entomol.)
— ModL., fr. L. cassis, gen. cassidis, 'helmet'.
See Cassis.
cassimere, n., a twilled woolen cloth. — Earlier
form of cashmere (q.v.)
cassino, n., a game at cards. — It. casino, 'a little
house', dimin. of casa. See casino.
Cassiopeia, n., the mother of Andromeda; after
her death she was changed into a constellation
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. KaomoTrn, Kaa-
aitnv.x; of uncertain etymology.
Cassis, n., a genus of motlusks (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. L. cassis, 'helmet', which prob. stands for
*kadh-iis, fr. I.-E. base *kadh-, 'to guard,
watch', whence also OE. hod, 'hood', hsett, 'hat'.
See hood, hat and cp. Cassida.
cassiterite, n., native dioxide of tin, Sn0 2 (chem.)
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xxaai-re-
p'j;, 'tin', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. Elamitic *kassi-ti-ra, 'from the land
of the Kassi (i.e. Cosseans)', hence orig. mean-
ing 'metal occurring in the land of the Kassi'.
cassock, n., a long ecclesiastical garment. — F.
casaque, fr. Pers. kazcigand, 'a kind of jacket".
The ending -and of the Persian word was mis-
taken for a suff., and consequently dropped.
Cp. F. casaquin, 'jacket', in which the supposed
suff. -and was substituted by suff. -in.
Derivative: cassock, tr. v.
cassolette, n., a box for holding perfumes. —
F., fr. OProvenc. casolela, dimin. of casola, it-
self a dimin. of cassa. See casserole and -ette.
cassone. n., a large chest, usually carved and
painted. It., augment, of cassa, 'chest', fr.
L. capsa. See case, 'box'.
cassowary, n., a large ostrichlike bird of Australia
and New Guinea. — Fr. Malay kasudri, through
the medium of Dutch. See F. Bense, A Diction-
ary of the Low-Dutch Element in the English
Vocabulary, p. 39.
cast, tr. and intr. v. — ME. caslen, fr. ON. kasta,
'to throw', of uncertain origin. There is no con-
nection between this word and L. gerere, pp.
gestus, 'to carry' (see gcrent).
Derivatives: cast, n., cast-er, n., cast-ing, n.,
castor (q.v.)
Castalia, n., the spring of the Muses on Mount
Parnassus (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Koca-
Derivative: Castali-an, adj.
Castalia, n., the water nymph (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. prec. word.
Castanet, n., usually in the pi., a pair of hollowed
pieces of hard wood or ivory used as an ac-
companiment to music. — F. castagnette, fr.
Sp. castaneta, dimin. of castaiia, 'chestnut' (see
chestnut and -et, -ette) ; so called from its shape.
caste, n., a distinct social class. — Port, casta,
'race', prop. fern, of the adj. casto, 'pure, chaste',
used as a noun, fr. L. castus. See chaste.
castellan, n., governor or warden of a castle. —
ONF. castelain, corresponding to OF. chaste-
lain (F. chdtelain), fr. L. castelldnus, 'pertaining
to a castle', fr. castellum, 'castle'. See castle and
cp. chatelain, which is a doublet of castellan.
Cp. also Castilian.
castellated, adj., built like a castle. — ML., cas-
telldtus, 'built like, or resembling, a castle', fr.
L. castellum. See castle and the adj. suffixes
-ate and -ed.
castigate, tr. v., to punish severely, chastise. —
L. castigatus, pp. of castigdre, 'to correct, chas-
tise', prop, 'to induce to moral purity', com-
pounded of castus, 'clean, chaste, morally pure',
and agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do,
act'. For the first element see chaste and cp.
chasten, chastise. For the second element see
agent and cp. the second element in fastigiate,
fatigue, fumigate, fustigate, levigate.
Derivatives: castigation (q.v.), castigat-ive, adj.,
castigator (q.v.)
castigation, n., severe punishment. — L. casti-
gdtid, gen. -onis, 'a correcting, chastising', fr.
castigatus, pp. of castigdre. See prec. word and
-ation.
castigator, n., one who castigates. — L. castigator,
'one who corrects or chastises', fr. castigatus,
pp. of castigdre. See castigate and agential
suff. -or.
castigatory, adj., punitive. — L. castigdtdrius,
'reproving, censuring', fr. castigatus, pp. of cas-
tigdre. See castigate and adj. suff. -ory.
castile, n., a fine kind of soap. — Short for Cas-
tile soap; so called from Castile, a province in
Spain, fr. Sp. Castillo. See Castilian.
Castilian, adj. — Sp. castellano, fr. Castillo,
'Castile', a name rel. to Castillo, earlier castiello,
'castle, fort', fr. L. castellum (see castle); so
called from the numerous forts erected on its
frontiers to serve as defense against the Moors.
Cp. castile. For the ending see suff. -an.
Castilleja, n., a genus of herbs of the figwort
family (bot.) — ModL., named in 1781 after the
Spanish botanist Domingo Castillejo.
castle, n. — ME. castel, fr. ONF. castel, corre-
sponding to OF. chastel (F. chateau), fr. L. cas-
tellum, 'citadel, fortress, stronghold', dirnin. of
castrum, 'fortified place, fort, castle', castra
(pi.), 'camp'. See castra metation and cp. alcazar,
castellan, Castilian, chateau.
Derivatives: castle, tr. and intr. v., castl-ed,
adj.
247
catachresis
Castor, n., one of the Dioscuri (Greek mythol.) —
L., fr. Gk. Kaaxcop, lit. 'the Bright one', from the
stem of xsxaau.ai, 'I distinguish myself, which
is cogn. with OI. perf. sdsadiih (part, sdsaddnah),
'to distinguish oneself, to shine'.
castor, n., 1) beaver; 2) substance obtained from
the beaver, castoreum. — F., fr. L. castor, fr.
Gk. xasTcop, of s.m., fr. Kdcaxop (see Castor); so
called because the secretion of the beaver was
used as a remedy for diseases of the womb and
Kaaxcop was known as a preserver (acyrr;p) of
women.
castor, n. (of pepper, etc.) — Fr. earlier caster,
lit. 'thrower', formed fr. cast with agential suff.
-er, resp. -or.
castor, caster, n., a small wheel fixed below a
chair leg. — Formed fr. cast in the obsolete
sense 'to turn'. See prec. word,
castor, n., callosity on a horse's leg. — Prob. a
corruption of ME. castane, castanie, fr. ONF.
castaine which corresponds to OF. chastaigne
(F. chdtaigne), lit. 'chestnut'. See chestnut,
castoreum, n., castor (a secretion of the beaver).
— L. fr. Gk. xaaxoptov, fr. xaaxcop, gen. xaa-
xopo?, 'beaver'. See castor, 'beaver'.
Castoridae, n. pi., a family of rodents, the beavers
(zool.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. castor, 'beaver'. See castor, 'beaver',
castorite, n., a variety of petalite (mineral.) —
Named after Castor, 'one of the Dioscuri' ; cp.
pollucite. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
castral, adj., pertaining to a camp. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. castra, 'camp'. See
next word.
castrametation, n., the laying out of a camp
(mil.) — F. castrametation, fr. ML. castrametd-
tidnem, acc. of castrametdtio, fr. L. castrametd-
tus, pp. of castrametdri, 'to pitch a camp', which
is compounded of castra, 'camp', and metdri,
'to measure, mete'. Castra is the plural of cas-
trum, 'a fortified place, fort, castle', orig. 'that
which has been cut out', fr. *kastrom, 'a cut-
ting tool'. See next word and cp. alcazar. L.
metdri is rel. to metiri, 'to measure' ; see mete.
castrate, tr. v., to remove the testicles of. — L.
caslrdlus, pp. of castrdre, 'to cut, geld', fr. *kas-
trom, 'a cutting tool'; prob. cogn. with OI.
sdsati, sdsti, 'cuts', sastrdm, 'knife', Gk. xeiseiv,
'to split', and perh. also with OSlav. kosa,
'sickle'. L. castrum, 'a fortified place' (in the pi.
'camp'), carere, 'to be without, be wanting, be
free from, abstain from', castus, 'pure, chaste',
are prob. related to castrdre. See chaste and cp.
caret. Cp. also castle and the first element in
castrametation. For the ending see verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: castrat-er, n., castration (q.v.),
castrat-or, n.
castration, n. — F., fr. L. castrdtidnem, acc. of
castrdtid, fr. castrdtus, pp. of castrdre, 'to cut,
geld'. See prec. word and -ion.
casual, adj., accidental. — F. casuel, fr. L. cdsu-
dlis, 'accidental, fortuitous', fr. casus, 'case'.
See case, 'condition', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: casual-ly, adv., casual-ness, n.,
casual-ty, n.
casuist, n., a person who resolves questions of
right and wrong. — F. casuiste, fr. Sp. casuista,
orig. 'an expounder of cases of conscience', a
hybrid coined fr. L. casus (in its ML. sense 'case
of conscience') and -ista, a suff. of Greek ori-
gin. See case, 'condition', and -ist.
Derivatives: casuist-ic, casuist-ic-al, adjs., ca-
suist-ic-al-ly, adv.
casuistry, n., the resolving of questions of right
and wrong. — Coined by the English poet
Alexander Pope (1688- 1744) fr. casuist and
suff. -ry.
caswellite, n., an altered mica (mineral.) —
Named after the American mineralogist John H.
Caswell. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
cat, n. — ME., fr. OE. catt, catte, rel. to ON. kdttr
(masc), ketta (fem.), Du. kat, OHG. kazza,
MHG., G. katze. Cp. Olr., Gael, cat, W. kath,
OCo. kat, Bret, kaz, 'cat'. Both these Teut. and
Celtic words are of uncertain origin. They derive
perh. fr. Late L. catt us (masc), catta (fem.), when-
ce W.gatto, Sp. gato, F. chat. Late L. cattus and
catta are possibly loan words from an African lan-
guage; cp. Nubian kadis, 'cat'. The Balto-Slavic
names for the cat: OSlav. kotuka, kotel'a, Lith.
kale (whence Finnish katti) are perh. of the
same origin as L. cattus. Cp. Arab, gift, 'tom-
cat', qltfa", 'cat', which may be from the same
source. Cp. also chatoyant and the first element
in caterpillar, caterwaul. Cp. also kitling, kit-
ten, kittle, 'to bring forth kittens', kitty, 'kitten',
and the second element in meerkat.
Derivatives: cat, tr. v., catt-ery, n., catt-ish, adj.,
catt-ish-ly, adv., catt-ish-ness, n., catling (q.v.),
catt-y, adj., catt-i-ly, adv., catt-i-ness, n.
cata- (before consonants), cat- (before vowels),
cath- (before aspirated vowels), pref. meaning
'down, downward; against; in accordance with,
entirely, completely'. — Gk. xa-ra-, xax-, resp.
xa$-, fr. xaxa, 'down from, down to; against;
over,along; according to', cogn. with WM.katta,
'down, downward, at, with, under', and prob.
also with Gaul, canta-, OW. cant, Olr. cet-,
'with'.
catabasis, n., the decline of a disease (med.) —
ModL., lit. 'a going down', fr. Gk. xaTxpxaic,
fr. xatTapatveiv, 'to go down', fr. xaxa (see cata-)
and (ialveiv, 'to go'. See basis and cp. anabasis.
catabolism, n., destructive metabolism (hiol. and
physiol.) — Lit. 'a throwing down', fr. Gk. xxrx-
(3oXt), fr. xaxafJiXXeiv, 'to throw down', fr.
xaxa (see cata-) and J3xXXeiv, 'to throw'. See
ballistic and -ism and cp. ana holism, metabolism.
catachresis, n., incorrect use of a word. — L., fr.
Gk. xaTaxP 7 ) 01 ?' 'excessive use, misuse', which
is compounded of xaxa, 'against' (see cata-), and
XPTjat?, 'use, employment', from the base of
XP^i, 'it is necessary', ypao(j.ai, inf. xp^a&ai -t °
catachrestic
248
make use of, to use'. See chrematistic and cp.
the first element in chrestomathy and the second
element in polychrestic.
catachrestic, adj., incorrectly used, misapplied. —
Gk. xaTa/pyjaTixo?, 'misused, misapplied', fr.
xaTaxprj<i$ai, 'to misuse', fr. xaxa, 'against' and
/pyja&ai, 'to use'. See prec. word. For the ending
see suff. -ic.
Derivatives: catachrestic-al, adj., catachrestic-
al-ly, adv.
cataclasm, n., a breaking down. — Gk. xaxaxXaa-
ua, 'a breaking down', fr. xaxxxXxv, 'to break
down', fr. xaxx (see cata-) and xXav, 'to break',
whence xXaai;, 'a breaking'. See clastic and
cp. words there referred to. For derivatives of
I.-E. *qelad-, a -^-enlargement of base *qela-,
see dado-, holt.
Derivative: cataclasm-ic , adj.
cataclysm, n., a great flood; in geol., a violent
upheaval. — F. cataclysme, fr. Gk. xaxaxXua-
ijio;, 'deluge, flood', fr. xaxaxXu^Eiv, 'to dash
against, break over, inundate', which is formed
fr. xxxi, 'against' (see cata-), and xX'j^eiv, 'to
wash, dash against, break over', whence also
x>.'ja|j.a, 'liquid used for washing out; surf,
xXuaxvjp, 'clyster pipe, syringe', xX-iScov, 'wave,
surge'. Gk. xX'i^eiv is cogn. with L. cloaca (fr.
earlier clovaca), 'sewer, drain', OL. cluere, 'to
purge'. See cloaca and cp. clyster.
Derivatives: cataclysm-al, cataclysmat-ic, adjs.,
cataclysm-ist, n.
catacomb, n., an underground cemetery. — F.
catacombe, fr. Late L. catacumba, dissimilated
fr. *cata tumbas, 'beside the tombs' (prob. under
the influence of L. -cumbere, 'to lay oneself
down, to lie'). See cata- and tomb.
catacumbal, adj., resembling a catacomb. —
Formed fr. Late L. catacumba (see prec. word)
with adj. suff. -al.
catadioptric, adj., involving both reflection and
refraction (physics). — Formed fr. cata- and
dioptric. Cp. catoptric.
catadromous, adj., going down rivers toward the
sea to spawn. — • Formed fr. cata- and Gk.
Sporj.oc, 'course'. See dromedary and -ous and
cp. anadromous.
catafalque, n., a temporary structure used at fu-
nerals. — F., fr. It. catafalco, fr. VL. *catafali-
cum (whence also OF. chafaud, F. echafaud,
'scaffold'), which is formed fr. cata- and L.fala,
'a wooden tower (from which missiles were
thrown into a besieged city); scaffolding", a
word of Ftruscan origin. Cp. scaffold.
Catalan, adj.. pertaining to Catalonia in Spain or
its language.
Derivative: Catalan, n., the language of
Catalonia.
catalectic, adj., lacking part of the last foot of
the verse (pros.) — Late L. catatecticus, fr. Gk.
xaxaXr.xxixoc, 'leaving off ; having the last foot
of a verse incomplete', fr. xaxaX/jyEiv, 'to leave
off, stop', fr. xaxa (see cata-), and X-fjyeiv 'to
leave off, cease from', lit., 'to grow tired or
weary', which is related to Xayapo*;, 'slack, hol-
low, sunken', and cogn. with L. languere, 'to
faint, weary', laxus [for *(s)l l g-sos], 'wide, loose,
open', fr. I.-E. base *(s)l£g-, *(s)l e g-, 'to be
slack". See slack, adj., and cp. lax and words
there referred to.
catalepsy, n., a condition in which consciousness
is temporarily lost and the muscles become rigid
(med. and psychol.) — Gk. xaxaXTj^n;, 'seizure',
fr. xaxxXau.(3avELV, 'to seize upon', fr. xaxi (see
cata-) and Xa[j.flav£iv, 'to take, grasp, seize'. See
lemma and cp. words there referred to.
cataleptic, adj., pertaining to, or having, cata-
lepsy. — Gk. xaxxX^Ttxixoc; fr. xaxaX-^TCxog,
'capable of being seized', verbal adj. of xaxa-
Xau.fJav£iv. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: cataleptic, n., a person subject to
catalepsy.
catallactic, adj., pertaining to exchange. — Fr.
Gk. xaxaXXiaasiv, 'to change, exchange', fr.
xaxi (see cata-) and xXXiaaEiv, 'to change', fr.
aXXoc, 'other', which is cogn. with L. alius,
'other'. See else and cp. alio-, alias. Cp. also al-
lactite and words there referred to.
Derivative: catallactic-al-ly, adv.
catalogue, catalog, n. — F. catalogue, fr. Late
L. catalogus, fr. Gk. xaxiXoyoc, 'a counting up,
enrollment", fr. xxxaAEysiv, 'to count up', lit.
'to count down", fr. xaxa (see cata-) and Asysiv,
'to pick out, reckon, count, tell, speak'. See logos.
Derivatives: catalogue, catalog, tr. v., catalogu-
er, catalog-cr, n.
Catalpa, n., a genus of plants of the trumpet-
creeper family (hot.) — ModL., a name of Caro-
lina Indian origin.
catalysis, n., chemical change caused by an agent
which itself remains unchanged (chem.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. xaxi'/.Maic, 'a dissolving', fr.
xaxaX'jstv, 'to dissolve' fr. xaxi (see cata-) and
X'kiv, 'to loose, loosen'. See -lysis.
catalyst, n., a catalytic agent (chem.) — See
prec. word.
catalytic, adj., producing catalysis (chem.) — Gk.
xxxaX'jxtx'jc, 'able lo dissolve', fr. xxxaX'jEiv.
Sec catalysis and -ic.
catalyze, tr. v. — Back formation fr. catalysis.
Derivative: catalyz-cr, n.
catamaran, n., I) a raft of logs; 2) a boat formed
from two parallel hulls. — Tamil kattumaram,
compounded of kattu, 'binding', and maram,
'tree, wood*.
catamenia, n., menstruation (physiol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xx xxxx;rrv.a, which is compounded of
xaxi, "according to' (see cata-), and u.v;v, gen.
[it^'jz, 'month'. See meno- and cp. emmenic.
catamite, n., a boy used in pederasty. — L.
Catamitus, a corrupt collateral form of Gany-
medes, fr. Gk. ravjaYjSTjq, 'Ganymede', name of
Jupiter's cupbearer; see Ganymede. The change
of Greek 8 to L. / is due to Etruscan influence.
Cp. sportula.
249
catchup
Derivatives: catamit-ed, catamit-ing, adjs.
catamountain, cat-a-mountain, n., the European
wild cat. — Lit. 'cat of the mountain'.
catapasm, n., a medicinal powder to be sprinkled
upon the skin. — Gk. xaxaTcacr|AX, 'powder', fr.
xxxarciaosiv, 'to besprinkle with', fr. xaxa (see
cata-) and r;icFaEt,v, 'to sprinkle, besprinkle',
which is of uncertain origin.
cataphora, n., lethargy (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. xxxacpopdi, 'lethargic attack', lit. 'a bringing
down', fr. xaxxcpEpEa&ai, 'to be brought down',
passive of xaxxcpEpEiv, 'to bring down', fr. xaxi
(see cata-) and cpspsiv, 'to bring'. See bear, 'to
carry', and cp. -phore.
cataphract, n., a coat of mail. — L. cataphractes,
fr. Gk. xaxa9paxx/;;, 'coat of mail', fr. xaxi-
(ppaxxo?, 'covered up', verbal adj. of xaxx-
tppaaaav, 'to fortify', fr. xaxa 'down, entirely'
(see cata-), and 9paa<mv, 'to fence round, en-
close, defend', which stands for *9pix-t£i\i and
is rel. to 9pxyu.a, 'defence', and prob. cogn.
with L.farclre, 'to fill, stuff \frequens, 'crowded'.
See frequent.
cataphyll, n., a rudimentary leaf (bot.) — Lit.
'down leaf, compounded of cata- and Gk.
ifiXXov, 'leaf. See phyllo- and cp. the second
element in hypsophyll and in sporophyll.
Derivative: cataphyll-ary, adj.
cataplasm, n., a poultice (med.) — F. cataplasme,
fr. L. cataplasma, fr. Gk. xxxx-Xxaij.x, 'plaster,
poultice', fr. xaxa-Xiaaeiv, 'to plaster over', fr.
xaxi (sec cata-) and -Xiaasiv, 'to form". See
plasma and cp. words there referred to.
catapult, n., an ancient military engine for hur-
ling stones, spears, etc. — L. catapulta, fr. Gk.
xaxx~£Xxr,c, 'engine for hurling bolts, catapult',
fr. xaxi (see cata-) and the stem of ttxXXeiv, 'to
hurl", which stands in gradational relationship
to tteXeui^e'.v, 'to shake, cause to tremble',
-oXeuoc, "war". See polemic and cp. words there
referred to.
cataract, n., a waterfall. — L. cataracla, 'water-
fall", fr. Gk. xxxxpixx/"':;, xxxxppixxr,::, fr. xaxa-
piariEiv, xaxappiaaE'.v, 'to dash down, break in
pieces", fr. xaxi (see cata-) and apiacE'.v, 'to
smite, break in pieces", which is prob. of imitative
origin ; cp. ±pxy-$r,v, 'with a rattle". The spelling
xaxappixxr,; (with double p) is prob. due to a
confusion with xxxxppr.yvivai, 'to tear in pieces'.
Derivatives: cataract, tr. and intr. v., cataract-
al, n.
cataract, n., an eye disease. — L. cataracta, 'wa-
terfall' (see prec. word), substituted for aqua,
"water", which was used as a loan translation
of Arab. ma\ 'water; cataract (the eye disease)'.
See Walt Taylor, Arabic Words in English, in
S.P. E. (= Socieiy for Pure English), Tract
No.XXXVIII, p.597-
catarinite, n., an iron meteorite (mineral.) —
Named after Santa Catarina, name of a state
and its capital in southern Brazil. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
catarrh, n., inflammation of the mucous mem-
branes. — F. catarrhe, fr. L. catarrhus, fr. Gk.
xxxippoo;, 'cold in the head', lit. 'a running
down', fr. xxxappsiv, 'to flow down', fr. xaxi
(see cata-) and pstv, 'to flow'. See stream and
cp. rheo-.
Derivatives: catarrh-al, adj., catarrh-ai-ly, adv.
Catarrhina, n. pi., a division of the order Pri-
mates, including the gorilla, orangutan and
chimpanzee (zool.) — ModL., lit. 'with nos-
trils downward', fr. cata- and Gk. piQ, gen.
plvoc,, 'nose'. See rhino-.
catarrhine, adj. and n. — See prec. word.
Catasetum, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) — A
ModL., hybrid coined fr. cata- and L. saetum,
'bristle'; see seta. The correct form would be
Caiachaetttm (fr. cata- and Gk. /xixy;, 'long
flowing hair'), in which both elements are of
Greek origin (see chaeto-).
catastasis, n., the part of a drama, in which the
action is at its height. — Gk. xxxiaxami;, 'settle-
ment, appointment, state, condition', fr. xaSH-
axava',, 'to set down, set in order', fr. xaxa
(see cata-) and laxxvxi, 'to place'. See state.
catastrophe, n. — L. catastropha, fr. Gk. xaxx-
axprj97), 'overturning, overthrowing', fr. xaxa-
(TTp£9£iv, 'to upset, overturn, overthrow', lit.
'to turn down', fr. xaxa (see cata-) and axp^siv,
'to turn'. See strophe.
Derivatives: catastroph-ic,catastroph-ic-al,ii<i'}S.,
catastroph-ic-al-ly, adv., catastroph-ism, n.,
catastroph-ist, n.
catatonia, n., a severe form of dementia praccox
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. xaxixovoc, 'a
stretching down; depression', fr. xxxxxsimeiv,
'to stretch down', fr. xaxa (see cata-) and rzi-
ve'.v, 'to stretch", which is cogn. with L. tenuis,
'thin, slight', tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to
move in a certain direction', and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Catawba, n., a kind of grape and wine. — Named
after the Catawba River in the Carolinas.
catch, tr. and intr. v. — ME. cacchen, fr. ONF.
cachier, corresponding to OF. chacier, F. chas-
ser, 'to hunt", fr. VL. *captiare, fr. L. capture,
'to strive to seize", freq. of L. capere (pp. cap-
tus), 'to catch, seize, hold". See captive and cp.
chase, which is a doublet of catch. Cp. also
ketch, 'a kind of small vessel".
Derivatives: catch, n., catch-er, n., catch-ing,
adj.. catch-ing-ly, adv., catch-ing-ness, n., catch-
ment, n., catch-y, adj.
catchpole, catchpoll, n., a sheriff's officer whose
duty was to make arrests for debt; taxgatherer,
bumbaiiiff. — ME. cacchepol, from an ONF.
equivalent of OF. chacepol, lit. 'chase-chicken',
fr. ML. caccpullus, chassipullus, fr. *cucere,
*chacere, *chassere, 'to chase', and L. pullus,
'chicken" (see catch, chase and pullet, poult);
so called because taxgatherers used to confis-
cate poultry.
catchup, catsup, n. — See ketchup.
cate
250
cate, usually in pi. eates, n., dainties, delicacies.
— Aphetic for acate, fr. ONF. acat, fr. acaler,
'to buy, purchase'. See cater.
catechesis, n., instruction by word of mouth. —
Gk. y.aTrix r i al ^> 'instruction by word of mouth',
fr. xaTYi^eiv. See catechize.
catechetic, catechetical, adj., pertaining to cate-
chesis or a church catechism. — Gk. xax7)X r r
tixo;, 'pertaining to instruction by word of
mouth', fr. xaTTjyew. See catechize.
Derivatives : catechetical-Iy, adv., catechet-ics,r\.
catechism, n., instruction by questions and ans-
wers. — F. catechisme, fr. Eccles. L. catechis-
mus, fr. Gk. xaTY]xto[xoi;, fr. xarrjx^eiv. See
catechize and -ism.
catechist, n., one who instructs by questions and
answers. — Eccles. L. catechista, fr. Gk. xotT7)-
Xid-rr,?, fr. xocttjx^siv. See next word and -ist.
Derivatives: catechist-ic, catechist-ic-al, adjs.,
catechist-ic-al-ly, adv.
catechize, tr. v., to instruct by questions and ans-
wers. — Eccles. L. catechizdre, 'to teach by
word of mouth', fr. Gk. xaTrjx^eiv, fr. xan)-
xetv, 'to resound', hence 'to sound (a thing) in
one's ears; to teach by word of mouth', fr. xa-ra
(see cata-) and tjx e ' v ' ' t0 sound, ring, peal',
fr. t)x"> 'sound'. See echo and -ize.
Derivative: catechiz-er, n.
catechu, n., a stringent substance obtained from
the wood, fruit or leaves of several Asiatic trees.
— Malay kachu (cp. Tamil kdsu, Kanarese
kachu), fr. Hind, kath, fr. OI. kvdthati, 'he de-
cocts', which is cogn. with Goth, hapjan, 'to
foam', hapo, 'foam', OSlav. kvasii, 'leaven',
and L. cdseus, 'cheese'. See cheese and cp. F.
cachou (whence E. cashoo, a variant of catechu)
and It. cateeu. Cp. also cutch.
catechumen, n., one receiving instruction in the
elements of Christianity. — F. catechum&ne, fr.
Eccles. L. catechumenus, fr. Gk. xa-nr)x°'V EV0 ?'
'instructed by word of mouth', pass. pres. part,
of xaT7)xeiv, 'to teach by word of mouth'. See
catechize. For the pass. pres. part. suff. -\t.^o^
see alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
categorematic, adj., capable of being used alone
(as e.g. the predicate of a sentence). — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. xa-rr.YOpTjjia, gen. xaxrj-
yoprnj-ctzoQ, 'accusation, charge; predicate', fr.
xaTTjyopEtv. See category.
categorical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
Late L. categoricus, fr. Gk. xax^yopixoc, 'accu-
satory, affirmative, categorical', fr. xxT/jyopia.
See next word.
Derivatives: categorical-ly, adv., categorical-
ness, n.
category, n. — L. categoria, fr. Gk. xaTrjyopia,
'accusation, predication, category', fr. xa-rrjyo-
psiv, 'to accuse, signify, indicate, affirm, pre-
dicate', fr. xxtt.yo?');, 'accuser', lit. 'one who
speaks against somebody before an assembly',
fr. xoexix, 'against' (see cata-), and the stem of
dyopeueiv, 'to harangue, assert', lit. 'to speak in
the assembly', fr. dcyopfi, 'assembly', which is rel.
to avstpeiv, 'to assemble', and cogn. with L.grex,
gen. gregis, 'flock'. See gregarious and cp. agora,
allegory. Cp. also categorematic.
catena, n., a chain. — L., 'chain'. See chain.
catenarian, adj., pertaining to a chain. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. catenarius, fr. catena. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ary and cp. con-
catenate.
catenary, adj. and n. — See prec. word.
catenate, tr. v., to link together. — L. catendtus,
pp. of catendre, 'to chain together', fr. catena.
See catena and verbal suff. -ate.
cater, intr. v., to provide food. — From the ob-
sol. n. catour, 'buyer, caterer', aphetic for aca-
tour, fr. ONF. acatour, corresponding to OF.
achatour (F. acheteur), 'buyer', fr. OF. achater
(cp. the forme acheder, occurring in Jonas,
ioth cent.), fr. VL. *accapitdre, 'to add to one's
capital', fr. ad, 'to' (see ad-), and a verb formed
from the stem of L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'
(see capital, adj.). The usual derivation fr. VL.
"accaptdre, 'to try to take, seize', cannot be ac-
cepted because of phonetic reasons. The change
of t to d in OF. acheder and OSp. acabdar could
not be accounted for, if it had been preceded
originally by a consonant.
cater, n., the four at cards or dice. — Orig. 'four',
fr. F. quatre, 'four', fr. L. quattuor. See quart.
cateran, n., a highland robber. — Gael, ceathair-
neach, 'marauder', fr. ceathairne, 'common
people, peasantry', rel. to Ir. ceatharn, 'a band
of soldiers'. See kern, 'lightarmed foot soldier'.
caterer, n. — ME. catour, 'caterer' (whence cater,
v. (q.v.) Accordingly the suff. -er in caterer is
redundant. Cp. fruiterer, poulterer, sorcerer,
upholsterer.
caterpillar, n. — ONF. catepelose, corresponding
to OF. chatepelose, fr. Late L. catta pilosa,
'hairy cat'. For the etymology of Late L. catta
see cat. L. pilosa is fern, of pilosus, 'hairy', fr.
pilus, 'hair'; see pile, 'hair'. The ending of the
English word was influenced by piller, 'one who
pills' (see pill, 'to rob').
Derivative: caterpillar, intr. v.
caterwaul, intr. v. — ME. caterwrawen, cater-
wawen, fr. LG. katerwaulen, 'to cry like cats',
fr. kater, 'male cat', and waulen, 'to cry'. The
first element is rel. to MLG., MDu. katte, 'cat';
see cat. The second element is rel. to E. waul,
a variant of wail (q.v.)
Derivatives: caterwaul, n., caterwaul-er, n.,
caterwaul-ing, n.
catgut, n. — Compounded of cat and gut; so
called although made from the intestines of
sheep.
Catharist, n., a member of any of various sects
aiming at purity (Eccles. hist.) — ML. Catha-
rista, fr. Eccles. Gk. xa&apto-nf)<;, fr. Gk. xa#a-
p6?, 'pure, clean'; cp. Gk. xaS-apiaTYji;, 'tree
pruner', and see next word. For the ending see
suflf. -ist.
251
Cattleya
catharsis, n., i) purgation (med.); 2) purification
of the emotions by art. — ModL., fr. Gk. xcW>ap-
ai.q, 'cleansing, purification', from the stem of
xoo&cdpELv, 'to cleanse, purify; to prune (a tree)',
fr. xa*ap6:;, 'clean, pure', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. cathartic, Catherine, acatharsia.
cathartic, cathartical, adj., cleansing, purifying.
— Gk. xocftapTixoi;, 'fit for cleansing', from the
stem of xa&atpsiv. See prec. word.
Derivatives: cathartical-ly, adv., cathartical-
ness, n.
Cathay, n., poetic name of China. — ML. Ca-
taya, fr. Khitai, the name of a Tatar kingdom
(the kingdom of the Khitan Tatars). Cp.
Khitan.
cathedra, n., the seat of a bishop. — L., fr. Gk.
xocS-sSpa. See chair and cp. ex cathedra,
cathedral, n. — ML. cathedralis, short for ecclesia
cathedralis, 'church pertaining to the seat of a
bishop', fr. cathedra. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
Catherine, Catharine, also Katherine, Katharine,
fern. PN. — F. Catherine, fr. L. Ecaterina, Kate-
rina, fr. Gk. AExaxepivr) (whence also Russ.
Ekaterina). The later L. spelling Katharina is
due to a connection with Gk. xa&apoq, 'pure',
the supposed origin of the name.
Catherine wheel. — So called from the spiked
wheel with which St. Catherine of Alexandria
was tortured.
catheter, n., a surgical instrument used to draw
off fluid from body cavities. — Late L., fr. Gk.
xa&ETTjp, 'something let down; surgical instru-
ment for emptying the bladder', from the stem
of xafksvoci, 'to send down', fr. xa-ra (see cata-)
and tsvoa, 'to move forward, throw, send',
which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn. with
L.jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and
cp. synesis.
Derivatives: catheter-ism, n., catheter-ize, tr. v.,
catheter-iz-ation, n.
cathode, kathode, n., negative electric pole (phy-
sics and chem.) — Gk. xi&oSo?, 'way down,
descent", fr. xa-ra (see cata-) and oSo<;, 'way'.
See odograph and cp. words there referred to.
The term cathode was introduced into electricity
by the English physicist and chemist Michael
Faraday (1791-1867); cp. anode, electrode.
Derivatives: cathod-al, cathod-ic, adjs., cathod-
ic-al-ly, adv.
catholic, adj. — F. catholique, fr. Eccles. L. catho-
licus, fr. Gk. xa&oXixoc;, 'general, universal', fr.
xa&oXo-j = xoc$' 6\o'j, 'on the whole, in general',
fr. xotTdt, 'according to' (see cata-), and Sao;,
'whole', which stands for *5Xf oq, fr. I.-E. base
*sol-wos, whence also L. salvus, 'saved, pre-
served, safe'. See safe and cp. holo-. Cp. also
catbolicon.
Derivatives: catholic, n., catholic-al, adj., catho-
lic-al-ly, adv., catholic-ism, n., catholic-ize, tr. v.,
catholic-iz-er, n., catholic-ly, adv.
catholicity, n., 1) the quality of being catholic;
2) universality; 3) (usually cap.) Catholicism. —
Coined by Coleridge fr. catholic and suff. -ity
on analogy of F. catholicite which was coined
by Theodore-Agrippa d'Aubigne (1552-1630)
fr. catholique, 'Catholic'.
catholicon, n., a remedy for all diseases. — Gk.
xa&oAixov, neut. of xaS-oXixo?, 'general, uni-
versal'. See catholic.
Catholicos, n., title of primate of the Armenian
church. — Gk. xaftoXixo;, 'general, universal'.
See catholic.
cation, n., a positive ion moving toward the ca-
thode (physics and chem.) — Gk. xaxtov, neut.
of xomtov, pres. part, of xaxievoa, 'to go down,
descend', fr. xaxdc (see cata-) and levca, 'to go',
which is cogn. with L. ire, 'to go'. See itinerant.
The word cation was introduced into electricity
by Faraday (see cathode); cp. ion, anion.
Derivative: cation-ic, adj.
catkin, n., a tassellike spike of flowers, an ament.
— Du. katteken, dimin. of katte, 'cat', so called
because of its resemblance to a cat's tail. See
cat and -kin.
Derivative: catkin-ate, adj.
catling, n., 1) a kitten (rare); 2) catgut (rare);
3) a double-edged knife used in amputations. —
Formed fr. cat with suff. -ling.
catlinite, n., a red clay; pipestone (petrogr.) —
Named after the American traveler George
Catlin (1796-1872). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
cato-, combining form meaning 'down'. — Gk.
xaxu, 'down, downward', rel. to xaxa, 'down
from, down to'. See cata-.
catoptric, catoptrical, adj., pertaining to the re-
flection of light. — Gk. xaxoTCxpixog, 'pertain-
ing to a mirror', fr. xxxoTrrpov, 'mirror', fr.
xx-rd, 'against' (see cata-), and the stem of onrnq,
'seen; visible', 6tttix6;, 'pertaining to the eyes
or sight'. See optic and cp. dioptric.
Derivatives : catoptrical-ly, adv., catoptrics (q.v.)
catoptrics, n., that part of optics which deals
with the reflection of light. — See catoptric and
-ics and cp. dioptrics.
catoptromancy, n., divination by a mirror. —
Compounded of Gk. xxxoTrxpov, 'mirror', and
ij.avT£ta, 'oracle, divination'. See catoptric and
-mancy.
Catostomidae, n. pi., a family of fresh-water
fishes, the suckers (ichthyol.) — ModL., formed
with suff. -idae fr. cato- and Gk. axo^x, 'mouth'.
See stoma.
cattle, n. — ME. catel, fr. ONF. catel (corres-
ponding to OF. chatel), fr. Late L. capitate,
'property', prop. neut. of theL. adjective capi-
tdlis, 'pertaining to the head, chief, principal',
from caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj., and cp. the noun capital in the sense of
'principal'. Cp. also chattel, which is a doublet
of cattle.
Cattleya, n., a genus of American orchids. —
ModL., named after the English botanist Wil-
catty
252
liam Cattley (died in 1832).
catty, n., a weight used in China and the East
Indies. — Malay kail, a weight of \\ lb. Cp.
caddy.
Caucasian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -ian
fr. L. Caucasus, fr. Gk. Kauxtxai!;, fr. Scythian
Kpoo-xxai?, 'Caucasus', a compound meaning
lit. '(the mountain) shining with ice'; see Walde-
Hofmann, LEW., I, pp. 295-96, s.v. crusta. The
first element of this compound is a derivative of
T.-E. base *qreu-, 'to be icy'. For derivatives of
*qrus-, an enlarged form of base *qreu- see
crust, crystal. The second element is rel. to Gk.
xoasiv (for *xif isiv), 'to burn' ; see caustic.
cauchemar, n., incubus. — F., a hybrid coined
from the blend of OF. chaucer and Picard cau-
quer, 'to trample' (both derived fr. L. calcdre,
of s.m., fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'), and fr. MDu.
mare, 'incubus'. See Calceolaria and mare, 'in-
cubus', and cp. the first element in caltrop.
caucus, n., private meeting of the leaders of a poli-
tical party. — A word of Algonquian origin, lit.
meaning 'counselor'.
Derivative: caucus, intr. and tr. v.
Cauda, n., tail (zoo/, and anal.) — L. See next
word.
caudal, adj., pertaining to the tail. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cauda, 'tail', prob. orig.
meaning 'a piece cut, or to be cut, off", and rel.
to caudex, 'a block of wood'; Lith. kuodas,
'tuft', is not cognate with L. cauda (see Walde-
Hofmann, LEW., 1, p. 185). See hew and cp.
coda, codetta, coward, cue, queue. Cp. also
caudex and words there referred to.
caudate, adj., having a tail. — Formed with adj.
suff. -ate fr. L. cauda, 'tail'. See prec. word.
caudex, n., the stem of palms and ferns (hot.) —
L. caudex, codex, 'trunk of a tree', lit. 'a tree cut
off', rel. to eudere, 'to strike, beat, pound". See
hew and cp. codex, code, codicill. Cp. also cau-
dal, cause and the first element in cockboat.
caudilio, n . , commander, ch ief , leader of an armed
troop; chief, leader. — Sp., a collateral form of
cabdillo, fr. L. capitellum, 'a little head", dimin.
of caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. capital, 'head of a column".
caudle, n., a hot drink. - ONF. caudel, cor-
responding to OF. chaudel (F. chaudeau), fr.
VL. caideUum, dimin. formed from the Latin
adj. calidus, caldus, 'hot', fr. calere, 'to be hot'.
See caldron and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also coddle.
Derivative: caudle, tr. v.
caught, past tense and pp. of catch. — ME. cauh-
te, formed on the analogy of lauhte, fr. lacchen
(whence E. larch), 'to catch'. See catch.
cauk, cawk, n., chalk; barite (dial. E. and Scot.)
— Northern var. of calk.
caul, n.. a membrane enclosing the fetus and
sometimes covering the head of a newly born
child. — MF. (= F.) cale, 'cap', back formation
fr. MF. (= F.) calotte. See calotte.
cauldron, n. — See caldron.
Caulerpa, n., a genus of marine green algae (hot.)
— ModL., compounded of Gk. xauXoc,, 'stem,
stalk', and spr:Eiv, 'to creep'. See cole and
herpes.
caulescent, adj., having a visible stem. — Formed
fr. L. caulis, 'stalk, stem', with the inchoative
suff. -escent, on analogy of arborescenr. See
cole and cp. next word. Cp. also acaulescent.
cauliflower, n. — Refashioned after L. caulis,
'stem', and E. flower fr. earlier colyjiory, fr. F.
chou-fleuri, chou-fleur, which is formed on ana-
logy of It. cavolo fiore, 'cauliflower', fr. L. caulis,
'stem, stalk', and fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
cole.
cauline, adj., pertaining to, or growing on, a stem.
— Formed with suff. -ine (representing L. -xnus)
fr. L. caulis, 'stem, stalk'. See cole and cp.
acauline.
caulis, n., the stem or stalk of a plant (bot.) — L.
See cole and cp. prec. word.
caulk, v. — A var. of calk.
caulker, n. — A var. of calker.
caulome, n., the stem of a plant (bot.) — Formed
fr. Gk. xauXoc,, 'stem, stalk' (see cole), with suff.
-ome, on analogy of rhizome.
Caulophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the bar-
berry family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'stem leaf, fr.
Gk. xxuXk, 'stem', and tpjXXov, 'leaf (see cole
and phyllo-); so called because the stem seems
to form the stalk of the great leaf.
Caurus, n., the northwest wind. — L. caurus,
corns, cogn. with Lith. siaurys, 'north wind",
sidure, 'north', siauriis. 'raging, stormy', OSlav.
severii, 'north wind', Goth, skiira (windis),
'storm', OE. scur, 'shower'. See shower.
causalgia, n., a burning sensation (med.) — Medi-
cal L., lit. 'a burning pain', coined by the Ameri-
can physician Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914)
fr. Gk. xxOao;, 'burning heat' (which derives fr.
the stem of xaisiv, 'to burn'), and tkyac,
pain'. See caustic and -algia.
causate, tr. v., to cause. — ML. causdtus, pp. of
causdre, 'to cause". Se; cause, v. and n., and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: cuusat-ion, n., causut-ion-al, adj.,
causat-ive, adj., and n., causat-ive-ly, adv., cau-
sat-ive-ness, n.
cause, n. — F., fr. L. causa, 'cause, reason, pur-
pose', which is of uncertain origin. It stands
perh. for "caud-td and orig. meant 'a striking',
hence is rel. to eudere, 'to strike, beat, knock', fr.
I.-E. base *qdu-, "to strike, beat'. See hew and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also accusa-
tive, accuse, causerie, coze, excuse, kickshaw,
recusant. For sense development cp. L. decidere,
'to cut off ; to decide' (see decide).
Derivatives: caus-al, adj. and n., caus-al-ity, n.,
caus-al-ly, adv., cause-less, adj., cause-less-ly,
adv., cause-less-ness, n.
cause, tr. v. — F. causer, 'to cause', fr. ML. cau-
sdre, 'to cause' (cp. L. causdri, 'to plead, to
253
cave
debate a question'), fr. L. causa, 'cause'. See
cause, n.
Derivative: caus-able, adj.
causerie, n., a conversational article in a period-
ical or newspaper. — F., 'talk, conversation', fr.
causer, 'to talk', fr. L. causdri, 'to plead, dispute,
to discuss a question', fr. causa, 'cause, reason,
purpose' (see cause and -ery); named after
Sainte-Beuve's Causeries du lundi ('Monday
Talks').
causeway, n., a raised road. — A blend of cau-
sey and way.
Derivative : causeway, tr. v.
causey, n., a causeway (dial.) — ME. cauce, fr.
ONF. cauciee, corresponding to F. chaussee,
'causeway', fr. VL. (via) calciata, lit. 'a road
paved with limestone', fern. pp. of calcidre, 'to
pave with limestone', fr. L. calx, gen. calcis, 'lime,
limestone'. See calcareous and cp. chaussee.
caustic, adj., burning, corrosive. — F. caustique,
fr. L. causticus, fr. Gk. xocuaTixoc, 'capable of
burning, corrosive', fr. xxucttoc., 'burnt', verbal
adj. of xaieiv, which stands for *xaf-isiv, 'to
burn, set on fire', fr. I.-E. base *keu-, *ku-, 'to
burn, heat', whence also Lith. kule, 'blight, mil-
dew', kiileti, 'to become blighted'. Cp. caeoma,
caliber, calm, catacaustic, Caucasian, cautery,
diacaustic, encaustic, holocaust, hypocaust, ink,
Nausicaa.
Derivatives: caustic, n., caustic-ize, tr. v., caus-
tic-ly, adv., caustic-ness, n.
cautel, n., caution; precaution. — OF. cautele
(F. cautele), fr. L. cautela, 'caution', fr. cautus,
'wary, careful, heedful', pp. of cavere, 'to be
on one's guard'. See cave, interj.
cautelous, adj., cautious. — F. cauteleux (fern.
cauteleuse), fr. cautele. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: cautelous-ly, adv., cautelous-ness,n.
cautcr, n., a hot iron for cauterizing. — F. cau-
terc, fr. L. cauterium, fr. Gk. xco-rv;pi.ov, 'brand-
ing iron', fr. v.wzrfi, 'burner'. See next word and
cp. cautery.
cauterize, tr. v., to burn with a hot iron or a
caustic substance. — F. cattteriser, fr. Late L.
cauterizdre, fr. Gk. xx-jT^pixteiv, 'to sear with
a hot iron', fr. xaurr,p, 'burner', rel. to xxxTrk,
verbal adj. of xais'.v, 'to burn'. See caustic and
-ize.
Derivative: cauteriz-ation, n.
cautery, n., a cauter. — L. cauterium. See cauter.
caution, n. — F., fr. L. cautidnem, acc. of caulio,
'wariness, carefulness, heedfulness", fr. cautus,
'wary, careful, heedful", pp. of cavere, 'to be on
one's guard, take heed". See cave, interj.
Derivatives: caution, tr. v., caution-ary, adj. and
n., caution-er, n.
cautious, adj. — Cp. L. cautus, 'careful, heedful',
and see caution and -ous.
Derivatives: caurious-ly, adv., cautious-ness, n.
cavalcade, n., a procession of horsemen. — F., fr.
It. cavalcata (with the Piemont pronunciation
cavalcada), prop. fern. pp. of cavalcare, 'to ride
on horseback', used as a noun, fr. Late L. cabal-
licare, fr. L. caballus. See cavalry.
Derivative: cavalcade, intr. v.
cavalier, n., a horseman; a gentleman serving as
a lady's escort. — F., fr. It. cavaliere, orig.
'horse-soldier', fr. Late L. caballdrius (whence al-
so Proven?, cavalier, Sp. caballero, Port, caval-
leiro), fr. L. caballus. See cavalry and cp. cheva-
lier, which is a doublet of cavalier.
Derivatives: cavalier, adj., cavalier-ly, adv.
cavalla, n., any of various fishes of the genus
Carangus. — Port, cavalla, rel. to Sp. caballa,
prop, a feminine form of Port, cavallo, resp. Sp.
caballo, 'horse', fr. L. caballus. See cavalry,
cavalry, n. — F. cavalerie, fr. It. cavalleria, fr.
cavallo, 'horse', fr. L. caballus, 'an inferior
horse, a nag', which is prob. a loan word from
a language of Asia Minor or the Balkan pen-
insula. Cp. Gk. xa^aXX^, 'horse', the Gaulish
PN. Caballos and OSlav. kobyla, 'mare', which
also derive prob. from the same language as L.
caballus. Mir. (= Ir.) capall, Bret, cavul, W.
ceffyll, 'horse', are Latin loan words. Cp. chival-
ry, which is a doublet of cavalry. Cp. also caval-
cade, cavalier, cavalla, cheval-de-frise, cheval
glass, chevalier, capercailzie.
cavatina,n.,ashortsongor melody (mus.)— It., fr.
cavara, prop. fern. pp. of cavare, 'to hollow(out),
dig (out)', fr. L. cavdre, of s.m. See next word,
cave, n. — F., fr. L. cava, fern, of the adjective
cavus, 'hollow, concave', used as a noun. L. cavus
prob. stands for *cowos and is cogn. with Gk.
xooc (Hesychius), 'chasm', k«o;, 'prison' (lit.
'a hollow place'), xeoSeia, 'poppy head', xoIXo;
(for *x6f 1X0;), 'hollow', x\>ap, 'eye of a needle;
orifice of theear'.OIr. cua, 'hollow', cuass, 'cave',
Bret, keo, 'cave', Ol. svdyate, 'swells', sundh,
'swollen', sdvas-, 'strength, heroism', sdvirah,
surah, 'strong', Gk. x'jelv. vJivm, 'to become or
be pregnant', y~jil%, 'anything swollen; a wave'.
y~>pr,:, 'authority', y/jp«;. "lord, master". All
these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *kew(e)-,
*kewd-, *ku-. 'to vault", whence developed the
further meanings 'to bend inward, be hollow or
concave", on the one hand, and 'to bend out-
ward, swell out, be convex' on the other. See
Waldc-Hofmann, LEW., 1. pp. 191-92 s.v.
cavus, Boisacq, DELG., p. 481 s.v. y.a\.X'k and
Frisk, GEW., p. 38 s.v. x'jap. Cp. cabinet, ca-
book, cadger, cage, casserole, cavatina. cave ne,
cavity, church and words there referred to, co-
deine, codon, coelo-, concave, cumulus, cyma,
decoy, excavate, excavation, gabion, hound
(nam.), jail. Cp. the related base *kei/-. "to swell ;
hollow", for the derivatives of which see hole.
Derivatives: cave, tr. and intr. v., cav-ing. n.
cave, interj., beware! — L. cave, impcr. of cavere,
'to be on one's guard, take care, beware', which
stands for *co\ere and is cogn. with Gk. y.oeto
(for *xc.-eco), T mark, perceive', fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qeu-, *(s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe', whence
also OE. sceawian, 'to look, see, behold'. See
caveat
254
show and words there referred to and cp. esp.
caution. Cp. also next word,
caveat, n., i) notice that no action is to be taken
(law); 2) a warning. — L., 'let him beware', 3rd
p. sing. pres. subj. of cavere. See prec. word,
cavendish, n., tobacco pressed into cakes. — Prob.
so called from the name of the producer or
exporter.
cavern, n., a cave. — F. caverne, 'cave', fr. L.
caverna, fr. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n. For the
Latin suff. -erna, which is of Etruscan origin,
cp. cistern, tavern.
cavernous, adj., full of caverns or cavities. — L.
caverndsus, fr. caverna. See prec. word and -ous.
cavesson, n., a kind of noseband for a horse. —
F. cavefon, fr. It. cavezzone, 'halter with a nose-
band', augment, of cavezza, 'halter', fr. VL.
*capitia, fr. L. capitium, 'a covering for the
head', fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj.
Cavia, n., the genus of cavies, the guinea pig
(zool.) — ModL., fr. F. cabiai, from a Carib-
bean native word. Cp. cavy, capybara.
caviar, caviare, n. — F. caviar, fr. It. caviaro (now
caviale), fr. MGk. xapiapiov, fr. Turk, khdvidr,
fr. Kaffah ( = Theodosia), name of a trading
town on the SE. shore of the Black Sea.
cavicorn, adj., hollow-horned. — Compounded
of L. cavus, 'hollow', and cornu, 'horn'. See
cave, n., and horn and cp. corn, 'hardened skin'.
Cavicornia, n. pi., another name for Bovidae
[zool.) — Lit. 'hollow-horned'. See prec. word.
cavil, intr. v., to find trivial faults, to carp. —
OF. caviller, fr. L. cavilldri, 'to jest, joke, make
captious objections, to cavil at', fr. cavilla, 'jest,
quibble, trick', dissimilated fr. *calvilla, and
rel. to calvi, 'to devise tricks, use artifice', calum-
nia, 'false accusation, chicanery'; see calumny
and cp. challenge. For the suff. cp. L. favilla,
'glowing ashes, embers' which is rel. to fovere,
'to warm, keep warm'.
Derivatives: cavil, n., cavillation (q.v.), cavill-
er, n., cavil(l)-ing, adj., cavil(l)-ing-ly, adv., ca-
vil(l)-ing-ness, n.
cavillation, n., a cavil, caviling. — F., fr. L. cavil-
lationem, acc. of eavilldtid, 'a jesting, scoffing,
quibbling, shuffling', fr. cavilldtus, pp. of cavil-
ldri. See prec. word and -ation.
cavity, n. — F. cavite, fr. L. cavitdtem, acc. of
cavitds, fr. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n., and
-ity.
cavo-relievo, n., hollow relief. — It. cavorilievo.
It. cavo derives fr. L. cavus, 'hollow'; see cave,
n. For It. rilievo see rilievo and cp. basso-rilievo.
cavort, intr. v., to prance about. — Prob. a blend
of curvet and snort.
cavy, n., a guinea pig. — See Cavia.
cay, n., a small island. — Sp. cayo, fr. Taino
cayo, 'small island'. Cp. key, 'small island'.
caw, n., the natural cry of the crow and raven;
intr. v., to utter this cry or imitate it. — Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. chough.
cawk, cauk, n., chalk, barite. — Dialectal vari-
ants of chalk.
Derivative: cawk-y, adj.
cawney, cawny, n., a measure of land used in
Madras. — Tamil kdni, 'property', lit. 'that
which is seen or known', fr. kan, 'to see'.
caxon, n., a wig {archaic). — Prob. fr. the surname
Caxon.
Caxton, n. — any book printed by William Cax-
ton (died in 1491).
cayenne, n., also cayenne pepper. — Tupi kyinha,
quiynha, 'capsicum', lit. 'of the isle of Cayenne'.
cayman, n., any of Central and South American
kinds of alligators. — Sp. caiman, fr. Carib-
bean acayouman.
cazimi, n., the center of the solar disk (astrol.) —
Arab, jismjesm, 'body', in the term 'a/a jismi'sh-
shamsi, 'on the disk of the sun'. See Devic's
Supplement to Littre's Dictionary, p. 13.
-ce, suff. used to form abstract nouns. — Fr. L.
-tia, either directly or through the medium of
F. -ce. See -ance, -ence.
Ceanothus, n., a genus of plants of the buckthorn
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xeavco^o;, 'a
kind of thistle'.
cease, intr. and tr. v. — ME. cassen, fr. OF.
(= F.) cesser, fr. L. cessdre, 'to delay, loiter',
freq. of cedere (pp. cessus), 'to withdraw'. See
cede and cp. cessation, decease, incessant.
Derivatives: cease, n., cease-less, adj., cease-
less-!}', adv.
cebolite, n., a hydrous calcium aluminum silicate
(mineral.) — Named after Ceboila Creek in
Colorado. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Cecil, masc. PN. — Fr. L. Caecilius, name of a
Roman gens, a derivative of caecus, 'blind'. See
cecity.
Cecilia, Cecily, also Cicely. — L. Caecilia, fern,
of Caecilius. See prec. word.
cecity, n., blindness. — F. cecite, 'blindness', fr.
L. caecitatem, acc. of caecitds, of s.m., fr. cae-
cus, 'blind', which is cogn. with OI. kekarah,
'squinting', Goth haihs, 'one-eyed', Olr. caech,
of s.m., Mir. leth-chaech, 'squinting', W. coeg,
'one-eyed'. Gk. xatxia;, 'the northeast wind',
is cogn. with these words and lit. means 'the
dark (wind)'. For sense development cp. L.
aquild, 'the north wind', which is related to
aquilus, 'dark' (see Aquilo). Cp. caecum, Cae-
cias, Excoecaria. Cp. also Cecil. For the ending
see suff. -ity.
Cecropia, n., a genus of trees of the mulberry
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Cecrops (q.v.) For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Cecropia moth, a large silkworm moth (Samia
cecropia). — ModL. cecropia. See prec. word.
Cecrops, n., a legendary king of Attica and foun-
der of Athens. — L., fr. Gk. Ksxpcn];. The name
Kspcpo^ is prob. metathesized fr. *xspxoy and
lit. means 'face with a tail', fr. xfpxo^, 'tail',
and 6<\i, gen. imoq, 'eye, face'. For the first ele-
ment see cercus. The second element is rel. to
£33
Gk. Sfyu;, 'sight', ottto?, 'seen, visible', otctixo?,
'pertaining to the eyes or sight'; see optic.
cedar, n. — ME. cedre, fr. OF. cedre (F. c&dre),
fr. L. cedrus, fr. Gk. xe8po<;, 'cedar', which prob.
denoted orig. 'a tree whose wood was used for
burning sacrifices', and derives fr. Heb. qdtdr,
'it exhaled odor, smoked'; see Heinrich Lewy,
Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen,
Berlin, 1895, p. 35. For sense development cp.
Gk. &u(a, name of an African tree, prop, 'a tree
whose wood was burnt for sacrificial purposes',
fr. flueiv, 'to sacrifice', prop, 'to cause to smoke'
(see Thuja). Heb. qdfar [whence qHdreth, 'odor
(of burning sacrifice), smoke, incense'] is rel. to
Arab, qdtara, 'it exhaled odor, smoked', qutdr,
'exhalation, smoke', etc. Cp. Cedrela, cedrine,
Cedrus. Cp. also citron.
Derivatives: cedar, cedar-ed, cedar-n, adjs.
cede, tr. v. — L. cedere (pp. cessus), 'to go, go
away, yield, give up, withdraw', prob. for *ce-
zdere, from the demonstr. particle ce- and
T.-E. base *sed-, 'to go', whence also Gk. 686<;,
'way', OSlav. chodu, 'a walking, going', choditi,
'to walk, go', OI. a-sad-, 'to go, approach', ut-
sad-, 'to step aside, disappear'. See he and odo-
graph and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
abscess, accede, access, ancestor, antecede, cease,
cession, cesspool, concede, concession, decease,
exceed, excess, intercede, intercession, necessary,
precede, predecessor, procedure, proceed, pro-
cess, procession, recede, rctrocedc, secede, suc-
ceed, success. — I.-E. base *sed-, 'to go', is prob.
identical with *sed-, 'to sit', the original sense of
the base having been 'to place (either the seat in
order to sit down, or the foot upon the ground
in order to go'). See sedentary.
cedilla, n., a graphic symbol put under the letter
c in some French and Spanish words. — Sp.,
spelled also zedilla, lit. 'a little z\ from the name
of the Greek letter zeta (Q; so called because
orig. the letter z was added to c (e.g. F. leczon =
lecon), to indicate that it has not the usual sound
of k, but that of p (in Spanish), resp. that of 5
(in French). See zeta.
Cedrela, n., a genus of trees of the mahogany
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Sp. cedrelo, dimin. of
cedro, 'cedar'. See cedar.
cedrine, adj., pertaining to cedar. — L. cedrinus,
fr. Gk. xsSpivoc, fr. xcSpoq, 'cedar'. See cedar
and -ine (representing Gk. -Ivo?).
Cedric, masc. PN. — This name, which was first
used by Walter Scott ('Cedric the Saxon' is one
of the characters in Ivanhoe) prob. stands for
OE. Cerdic and owes its form to a mistake of
Scott's.
Cedrus, n., a genus of trees of the pine family
(bot.) — L., 'cedar'. See cedar.
cedilla, n., in Spanish countries; order, certi-
ficate, security. — Sp. cedula, fr. L. schedula.
See schedule.
ceil, tr. v., to overlay, cover. — F. ciel, 'sky,
canopy', fr. L. caelum, 'sky'. See celestial.
Derivatives: ceil-er, n., ceil-ing, n.
celadon, n., pale green color. — F. celadon, fr.
Celadon, Astree's lover in Honore d'Urfe's
novel Astree. Honore d'Urfe formed this name
from the Latin PN. Celadon occurring in Ovid's
Metamorphoses.
celadonite, n., a green silicate of iron, magnesium
and potassium (mineral.) — Formed with subst.
pref. -ite fr. celadon (q.v.); so called in allusion
to its color.
Celaeno, n., one of the Harpies (Greek mythol.) —
L., fr. Gk. KcXaivco, lit. 'the Black one', fr.
xeXcuvo;, 'black', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, *qol-,
'black, spotted', which is rel. to base *qdl-, of
s.m., whence L. cdllgd, 'darkness'. See caliginous.
celandine, n., the swallowwort. — ME. celydoine,
fr. OF. celidoine (F. chelidoine), fr. L. chelido-
nium, fr. Gk. /eaiSovlov, fr. ^sXtStiv, gen.
XeXiSovo?, 'the swallow', which is rel. to xtxXrj,
'the thrush', and cogn. with OE. gellan, 'to yell,
shriek', galan, 'to sing'. See yell and nightingale
and cp. chelidonium.
Celastraceae, n. pi., the staff-tree family (bot.) —
Formed fr. Celastrus with suff. -aceae.
celastraceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Celastrus, n., a genus of trees, the staff-tree (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. x-rjXaaTpo;, 'a kind of ever-
green', a loan word from an Aegean language,
whence also Basque gorostri.
-cele, suff. meaning 'tumor, hernia', as in hydro-
cele, variocele (med.) — Fr. Gk. y.rjkt) (Att. X&X7]),
'tumor, hernia', which is cogn. with OSlav. kyla,
ON. haull, OE. heala, OHG. hdla, 'hernia'.
celebrant, n., one who celebrates. — L. celebrdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of celebrdre. See next
word and -ant.
celebrate, tr. v., to perform (a rite) in a public
and solemn manner; to observe, commemo-
rate; intr. v., to observe a holiday, anniversary,
etc. — L. celebrdtus, pp. of celebrdre, 'to fre-
quent, repeat, praise, honor, celebrate', fr. cele-
ber (masc), Celebris (fem.), celebre (neut.),
'crowded, much frequented, renowned', which
prob. derives fr. I.-E. base *oe/-,'todrive', whence
also Gk. xsXXeiv, 'to drive on, push', L. celer,
'swift'. See celerity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: celebrat-ed, adj., celebrat-cd-ness,
n., celebration (q.v.), celebrat-ive , adj., celebra-
tor (q.v.), celebrat-ory, adj.
celebration, n. — L. celebrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'con-
course, festal celebration', fr. celebrdtus, pp. of
celebrdre. See prec. word and -ion.
celebrator, n. — L., fr. celebrdtus, pp. of cele-
brdre. See celebrate and agential suff. -or.
celebrity, n., fame, a famous person. — L. cele-
britds, 'multitude, festal celebration', fr. celeber.
See celebrate and -ity.
celeriac, n., a variety of celery. — Formed fr.
celery.
celerity, n., speed. — F. celerite, fr. L. celerita-
tem, acc. of celeritds, 'swiftness', fr. celer,
'swift', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to drive', whence
celery
256
also y.zXXziv, 'to drive on, push ; to run (a ship)
to land', zsXeaflai, 'to urge on, exhort', xeXsusiv,
'to urge on, exhort, order', Y.zkr^, 'race horse;
small fast boat', OI. kaldyati, 'he urges on', and
prob. also Goth, haldan, 'to tend (orig. prob.
to drive on) the sheep', OE haldan, 'to hold'.
See hold and cp. acolyte, anacoluthon, celebrate,
clonus, proceleusmatic. For the ending see suff.
-ity.
celery, n., a plant with edible leafstalks. — F.
celeri, fr. Lombardic It. selleri, pi. of sellero
(corresponding to It. sedano), fr. L. selimtm, fr.
Gk. cl/.ivov,' parsley". See parsley and cp. words
there referred to.
celesta, n., a musical instrument. — F. celesta,
fr. celeste, 'heavenly', fr. L. caelestis. See ce-
lestial.
celeste, n., sky-blue color. — F. celeste, fr. L.
caelestis. 'heavenly', fr. caelum. See celestial.
Celeste, fern. PN. — F. Celeste, fr. L. caelestis,
'heavenly'. See prec. word.
celestial, adj. — OF. celestial, celestiel, fr. L. cae-
lestis, 'pertaining to the sky, heavenly, divine',
fr. caelum, which is of uncertain origin. It
stands perhaps for *caid-(s)lom, and derives fr.
l.-E. base *(s)qdit-, *sqdid-, 'bright', whence also
OI. kctiih, 'brightness, light", citrdh, 'bright, ap-
parent, obvious'. Lith. skaidii/s, 'shining, clear',
skdistas. skaistiis, 'shining', Lett, skaidrs, of
s.m., ON. Itch), 'clear sky'. OE. hddor, OHG.
heitar, MHG., G. heiler, "clear, shining, cloud-
less". Cp. caesious, ceil, ceiling, cerulean, Selina.
Cp. also -hood and words there referred to. —
The suff. -slis in L. caelestis is related to stare.
'to stand". See slate. Derivatives: celestial, n.,
celcslial-ity. n.. celestial-ly, adv.
celi-, combining form. — A variant spelling of
coeli-.
Celia. fern. PN. — It., fr. L. Caelia, fern, of
Caeliits, name of a Roman gens. Cp. F. Celie
and Sheila.
celiac. — See coeliac.
celibacy, n.. unmarried state. — Formed with
suff. -ce fr. L. caelibdtus. See celibate.
celibatarian, adj.. advocating celibacy: n.. one
who advocates celibacy. — Formed with suff.
-arian fr. L. caelibdtus. See next word.
celibate, adj., unmarried: n., an unmarried per-
son. -— Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. caelcbs,
'unmarried, single", which is of uncertain ori-
gin. It perh. meant orig. 'living alone", and is
formed fr. I.-E. *qaivelo-. 'alone' (whence also
OI. kfvalah. 'belonging exclusively to a single
person, alone", see kevalin). and *lib(h)-. "living",
which is prob. traceable further to base "leip-, 'to
stick, adhere; to remain, persevere, continue,
live' (w hence Goth, liban, OE. libban, lifian, etc.,
'to live'). I.-E. *qaiwelo- is an enlargement of
*qai-wo-, which is rel. to *qai-Io, appearing in
Lett, kails, OE. hdl, whole, uninjured, healthy".
See whole and cp. words there referred to. For
derivatives of I.-E. *leip- see leave, v., and cp.
esp. life, live. Derivative: celibat-ic, adj.
celio-, combining form. — A variant spelling of
coelio-.
cell, n. — ME. celle, fr. OF. celle, fr. L. cella,
'storeroom, granary, bee's cell, hut, cot', fr.
I.-E. base *kel-, 'to hide, conceal', whence also
L. celdre, 'to hide, conceal', oc-culere, 'to cover,
conceal', OI. said, 'hut, house, hall, stable",
sdldh, 'hedge, enclosure, wall', Gk. xaXIa, 'hut,
nest', xaX'j|3-r,, 'hut, cabin', y.aX'jTTTEiv, 'to cover,
hide, conceal', x^XOcpoc, 'sheath, case', xoXso?,
'sheath', Mir. cul, 'defence, shelter', culaid,
'cover', Olr. atile, 'cellar, magazine', OE. heall,
hall, 'hall', hel, hell, helle, 'hell', helan, 'to cover,
hide', Goth, huljan, of s.m., hulistr, 'covering,
veil', huhmdi, 'cave', OE. heolstor, 'that which
veils, hiding place, darkness'. Cp. cella, cellar,
cellule and the second element in Paludicella.
Cp. also caliology, calyptra, cilia, clandestine,
color, conceal, dharmsala, Eucalyptus, hall, hell,
helmet, holster, hull, kalidium, kelyphite, kil-,
occult, superciliary, Valhalla.
Derivatives: cell, tr. and intr. v., cell-ed, adj.
cella, n., the inner part of a temple in ancient
Greece or Rome (archil.) L. See prec. word.
cellar, n. — ME. ccller, fr. OF. eclier (F. cellier),
fr. L. celldrium, 'a receptacle for food, pantry',
prop. neut. of the adjective cellarius, 'pertaining
to a storeroom', used as a noun. fr. cella. Cp. It.
cellaio, OProvenc. celier, Catal. celler, Sp. cillero
and Port, celleiro, 'storeroom', and see cell.
Derivatives -.cellar, \r. \ ., cellar-age, r\.,cellar-er,r\.
cellaret, n. — Diminutive formed fr. cellar with
suff. -et.
celliform, adj., having the form of a cell. — Com-
pounded of L. cella and forma, 'form, shape'.
See cell and -form.
cello, n. — Short for violoncello.
celloidin,n., a solution of pyroxylin used for em-
bedding. — Formed from cell, -oid and chem.
suff. -in.
cellophane, n., a flexible transparent material. — A
hybrid coined by the Swiss chemist Jacques
E. Brandenberger (born in 1872) from the
first syllable of cellulose and the stem of Gk.
cpxivs'.v. 'to show"; see phantasm.
cellular, adj. — F. cel/ulaire, fr. cellule. See next
word and -ar.
Derivative: celht/ar-ity, n.
cellule, n. — F., lit. 'a small cell", fr. L. cellula,
'a small storeroom', dimin. of cella. See cell
and -ule. Derivatives: cellular (q.v.), cellul-ate,
cellul-ated. adjs.
celluloid, n. and adj. — A hybrid coined by the
American inventor John Wesley Hyatt (1837-
1 900) fr. cellulose and -oid, a suff. of Greek origin.
cellulose, n. (chem.) — F., coined by the French
chemist Anselme Payen (1795-187O fr- L. cel-
lula (see cellule) and suff. -ose, which was soon
taken over to form many other chemical terms
(see subst. suff. -ose).
cellulose, adj., containing cells. — Formed fr. L.
257
censorious
cellula (see cellule) with adj. suff. -ose.
Celosia, n., a genus of plants of the amaranth
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xrjXeo;, 'burn-
ing', contracted fr. *x-r)faXeo?, fr. *xaf-, the
stem of xaieiv, 'to burn', whence also xauoxcw;,
'burned', xxutraxoc,, 'capable of burning' ; see
caustic and cp. words there referred to. The
name Celosia, 'burning', was suggested by the
color of the leaves.
celt, n., a chisel of stone. — Late L. celtis, sl loan
word of unknown origin.
Celt, Kelt, n. — F. Celte, fr. L. Celtae, 'Celts', fr.
Gk. KiXxoa, earlier KsX-roL Cp. celtium.
Celtic, Keltic, adj. — L. Celticus, fr. Celtae. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: Celtic-ism, n., Celtic-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
Celtis, n., a genus of plants of the elm family
<b of ) — ModL., fr. L. celtis, name of an African
species of lotus, a loan word of uncertain origin.
celtium, n., a supposed chemical element. —
ModL. celtium, lit. 'the Celtic (element)', fr. L.
Celtae. See Celt and chem. suff. -ium.
Celtologist, n., a student of the Celtic languages
or of the history of the Celts. — Compounded
of Celt and -logist.
Celtomaniac, n. — Compounded of Celt and
maniac.
cement, n. — ME. cyment, ciment, fr. OF. (= F.)
ciment, fr. L. caementum, 'rough stone, stone
chippings', for *caid(s)mentom, fr. caedd, cae-
dere, 'to cut, hew, lop', whence also caelum [for
*caid-(s)lom], 'chisel', which is cogn. with OI.
khiddti, skhiddti, 'thrusts, tears', khidd, 'ham-
mer, mallet', khedayati, 'molests, tires, fatigues',
MHG., G. heiei 'mallet, rammer'. Cp. ancile,
caesura, cespitose, cestus, 'cover for the hand',
chisel, -cide, circumcise, concise, decide, de-
cision, excide, excise, 'to cut out', excision, in-
cise, precis, precise, sallet, scissors, succise. For
the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: cement, tr. v., cement-ation, n., ce-
ment-er, n.
cemetery, n. — Late L. coemeterium, fr. Gk.
xotar ( TT;ptov, 'sleeping room, burial place', fr.
xowxv, 'to put to sleep', which is rel. to xot-rr;,
'place to lie down in, bed', xot-ro;, 'place to lie
down in, bed; sleeping, sleep', xoltcov, 'bed-
chamber', x£i(iaL, '1 lie down, lie asleep', xw(xr,,
'village', fr. I.-E. base *kei-, 'to lie, rest', whence
also Goth, haims, 'village', OE. ham, 'home,
house, dwelling'. See home and cp. city, civil.
Cp. also the second element in neossine.
cenacle, n., a dining room. — F. cenacle, fr. L.
cendculum, "dining room', fr. cena, 'dinner',
which stands for *qert-snd (cp. Oscan kersnu,
of s.m.), lit. 'portion*, fr. I.-E. base *qert-, 'to
cut', whence also OI. kfntdti, 'cuts', Lith. kertu,
kifsti, 'to hew', Arm. k'ert'em, 'I skin, flay', and
prob. Hitt. karsh-, 'to cut off'. Base *qert- is
an enlargement of base *qer-, 'to cut', for which
see carnal.
Cenchrus, n., a genus of grasses, 'the sandbur,
the burgrass' (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xeyXP ?'
'millet'. See Cachrys.
-cene, combining form denoting certain periods
in geology, as in Eocene. — Introduced by the
British geologist Sir Charles Lyell (1 797- 1875)
fr. Gk. xaivoc, 'new', which is cogn. with L.
recens, gen. -entis, 'new'. See recent and kainite.
cenobite, coenobite, n., a member of a religious
order living in a community. — Eccles. L. coe-
nobita, 'a cloister brother', fr. coenobium, 'a con-
vent', fr. Gk. xoivoptov, 'life in community,
monastery', fr. xotvo?, 'common', and (3io<;,
'life'. For the first element see coeno-, for the
second see bio-.
Derivatives: cenobit-ic, cenobit-ic-al, adjs., ceno-
bit-ic-al-ly, adv., cenobit-ism, n.
cenoby, n. — See coenobium.
-cenosis, combining form meaning 'discharge'
(nied.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. xevwan;, 'an emp-
tying', fr. xsvo;, 'empty'. See cenotaph.
cenosite, n., a hydrous silicate and carbonate of
calcium, yttrium, etc. (mineral.) — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xotLvoi;, 'new, novel, un-
usual' (see -cene); so called in allusion to its
composition.
cenotaph, n., an empty tomb in honor of a dead
person who is buried elsewhere. — F. ceno-
taphe, fr. L. cenotaphium, fr. Gk. xsvo-racpiov,
'an empty tomb', compounded of xsv^g, 'emp-
ty', and Tcttptov, neut. of Tdtfpioi;, 'pertaining to
a grave', fr. -racpot;, 'burial, grave, tomb'. The
first element is cogn. with Arm. sin, 'empty' ; cp.
keno-, kenosis. The second element is rel. to Gk.
admTEiv, 'to bury', t&ypoc;, 'ditch', and cogn.
with Arm. damban, dambaran, 'grave, tomb'.
Cp. Taphrina and the second element in epitaph,
tritaph.
Cenozoic, adj., designating the geological period
extending from the beginning of the Tertiary to
the present. — Compounded of Gk. xaiv6;,
'new, recent', Cot), 'life', and suff. -ic. See -cene
and zoo-.
cense, tr. and intr. v. — Aphetic for incense.
censer, n. — Aphetic for incenser, fr. OF. en-
censier (F. encensoir), fr. Eccles. L. incensdrium,
fr. incensum, 'incense', lit. 'that which is burnt",
neut. pp. of L. incendere, 'to set fire to, burn'.
See incense, 'smoke of burning spices'.
censor, n. — L. censor, fr. censere, 'to reckon, as-
sess, estimate, value, deem, judge', cogn. with
OI. sdmsati, 'recites, praises', samsdyati, 'an-
nounces', sdsd, 'song of praise', Toch. B cdn-
maya, 'he has been proclaimed'. Cp. census,
excise, 'duty', recension.
Derivatives: censor, tr. v., censor-ial, adj., cen-
sorious (q.v.)
censorious, adj., inclined to censure; critical. —
L. censorius, 'pertaining to a censor', fr. censor.
See prec. word and -orious.
Derivatives: censorious-ly, adv., censorious-
ness, n.
censure
258
censure, n. — F. censure, fr. L. censura, 'judg-
ment, criticism', fr. census, pp. of censere. See
censor and -ure.
censure, tr. and intr. v. — F. censurer, fr. censure.
See censure, n.
Derivatives : censur-able, adj., censur-er, n.
census, n. — L. census, 'rating of property, re-
gistration of citizens and their property', fr. cen-
sus, pp. of censere. See censor.
Derivative: census, tr. v.
cent, n., a hundred (used in certain phrases only).
— F., 'a hundred', fr. L. centum, 'a hundred'.
See hundred and cp. next word, centenarian,
centner, century, percentage.
cent, n., the hundredth part of a dollar. — Ab-
breviation of L. centesima (scil. pars), 'the hun-
dredth part', fern, of centesimus, 'the hundredth',
fr. centum, 'a hundred'. See prec. word and cp.
mill.
cental, n., a unit of weight, hundredweight. —
Formed fr. L. centum, 'a hundred', with adj.
suff. -al, on analogy of quintal.
centaur, n., i) one of a mythical race in ancient
Thessaly, conceived as monsters, half man, half
horse (Greek mythol.); 2) (cap.) = Centaurus
(astron.) — L. Centaurus, fr. Gk. Ksvxaupoi;,
which is of uncertain origin.
Centaurea, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. centaureum or
centaurium. See centaury.
Centaurium, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. centaureum or
centaurium. See centaury and -ium.
Centaurus, n., a southern constellation between
Hydra and Cross (astron.) — L., 'centaur'.
See centaur.
centaury, n., any of a group of plants of the
gentian family. — ME., fr. ML. centauria, fr.
L. centaureum, centaurium, fr. Gk. xsvxaupEiov,
xsvxaupiov, lit. 'Centaur's plant', fr. K£vxaupoi;,
'centaur'. According to Pliny (see Nat. Hist. 25,
66) the Centaur Chiron, wounded by an arrow
shot by Heracles, heals his wound with this plant,
whence its name xEvxaupsiov or xsvxocupiov,
'Centaur's plant' (see centaur). In Latin, folk
etymology altered the foreign word into the
compound of the Latin words centum, 'hundred',
and aurum, 'gold'. As a loan translation of L.
centaureum in this mistaken sense, arose G.
Tausendgiildenkraut, 'centaury', lit. 'thousand-
golden-herb'.
centenarian, adj., pertaining to a period of a
hundred years ; n., a person one hundred years
old. — L. centendrius, 'relating to a hundred', fr.
centeni, 'a hundred each', fr. centum, 'a hun-
dred'. See cent, 'a hundred', and -arian and cp.
centner, kantar.
centenary, 1) adj., pertaining to a century'; per-
taining to a period of a hundred years; 2) n.,
a century ; a period of a hundred years. — L.
centendrius, 'relating to a hundred*. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ary.
centennial, adj., of a hundred years; happening
once in a hundred years ; one hundred years old ;
n., the hundredth anniversary; the celebration
of the hundredth anniversary. — Formed, on
the analogy of bi-ennial, fr. L. centum, 'a hun-
dred', and annus, 'year'. See annual, biennial.
Derivative: centennial-ly, adv.
center, centre, n. — F. centre, fr. L. centrum, fr.
Gk. xevxpov, 'point, prickle, spike, ox goad,
point round which a circle is described', from the
stem of xevxelv, 'to prick, goad', whence also
xEVTwp, 'a goader, driver', xe<tx6i; (for *xevx-
xo?), 'embroidered', xsaxpa, 'pickax', xovx6i;,
'pole', fr. I.-E. base *kent-, 'to prick', whence
also Bret, kentr, Olr. cinteir, 'a spur', OHG.
hantag, 'sharp, pointed', Lett, sits, 'hunter's
spear', situ, sist, 'to strike', W. cethr, 'nail'. Cp.
centrifugal, centripetal, concentrate, eccentric,
Dicentra, paracentesis. Cp. also cestrum, cestus,
'girdle', kent, 'a pole', quant, 'a pole'.
Derivatives: center, centre, intr. and tr. v., cen-
tering, centr-ing, centre-ing, n.
centesimal, adj., counting by hundredths. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. centesima(pars),
'a hundredth (part)', fr. centum, 'a hundred'.
See cent (in both senses).
centi-, combining form meaning 'one hundred',
or 'a hundredth part'. — L. centi-, fr. centum,
'a hundred', See cent, 'a hundred'.
centigrade, adj. — Compounded of centi- and
gradus, 'degree'. See -grade.
centigram, centigramme, n. — F. centigramme,
compounded of centi- and gramme, fr. Gk.
Ypa|x(xa, 'that which is written'. See centi- and
-gram.
centiliter, centilitre, n. — F. centilitre, compound-
ed of centi- and litre. See centi- and liter.
centillion, n. — Formed fr. centi- on the analogy
of million (q.v.) See also billion.
centime, n. — F., formed fr. cent, 'a hundred', on
the analogy of decime, 'one tenth (of a franc)',
fr. L. decima (pars), 'tenth (part)', fr. decern,
'ten'. See cent, 'a hundred', and decimal.
centimeter, centimetre, n. — F. centimetre, com-
pounded of centi- and metre. See centi- and
-meter.
centipede, n. — F. centipede, fr. L. centipeda,
'centipede, many-footed insect', compounded
of centum, 'a hundred', and pes, gen. pedis,
'foot'. See centi- and pedal.
centner, n., commercial hundredweight. — G.,
fr. L. centendrius, 'relating to a hundred'. See
centenarian and cp. kantar.
cento, n., a composition made up of selections
from different works. — L. cento, 'patchwork',
cogn. with OI. kanthd, 'patched garment', OHG.
hadara, MHG., G. hader, 'rag' [cp., with -/-
formative element, MHG. hadel (whence F.
haillon), 'rag']. Gk. xsvxptov, 'piece of patch-
work', is a loan word fr. L. cento, and was in-
fluenced in form by xevxptov, 'one that deserves
the goad (= xevxpov)'. Cp Centunculus.
central, adj. — L. centralis, 'pertaining to a cen-
ter', fr. centrum; first used by the philosopher
of the Cambridge Platonist school, Henry More
(1614-87), in 1647. See center and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: central, n., central-ism, n., central-
ist, n., central-ist-ic, adj., central-ity, n., central-
ize, tr. and intr. v., central-iz-ation, n., central-ly,
adv., central-ness, n.
centric, centrical, adj. — Gk. xevxpixd?, fr. xev-
xpov. See center and -ic and cp. anthropocentric,
egocentric, geocentric, heliocentric, paracentric.
Derivatives: centrical-ly, adv., centric-ity, n.
centrifugal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ModL. centrifugus, 'fleeing from the center',
which was coined by Sir Isaac Newton from L.
centrum, 'center', and fugere, 'to flee from'. See
center and fugacious and cp. centripetal.
Derivatives: centrifugal, n., centrifugal-ize, tr.v.,
centrifug-al-ly, adv.
centrifuge, n., a rotary machine. — F., fr. centri-
fuge, 'centrifugal', fr. ModL. centrifugus. See
prec. word.
centripetal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ModL. centripetus, 'tending toward the center',
which was coined by Sir Isaac Newton fr. L.
centrum, 'center', and petere, 'to fall upon,
move toward, seek'. See center, petition and cp.
centrifugal.
Derivative: centripetal-ly, adv.
centro-, combining form meaning 'center, cen-
tral'. — L., fr. Gk. xEvxpo-, fr. xevxpov, 'cen-
ter'. See center.
centrobaric, adj., relating to the center of gravity.
— Fr. Gk. xa x£vxpo|3apixa, title of a treatise
of Archimedes on the center of gravity, com-
pounded of xevxpov, 'center', and flapo.;,
'weight'. See center, baro- and -ic.
Centrosema, n., name of a genus of the family
Fabaceae (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xevxpov, 'spur', and ct7)u.cx, 'sign, standard'. See
center and semantics.
centrosome, n., a minute body occurring in the
cytoplasm (biol.)— Coined by the German zool-
ogist Theodor Boveri (1862-19 15) in 1888 from
Gk. xevxpov, 'center', and acojxa, 'body'. See
centro- and soma, 'body'.
centumvir, n., one of a court of one hundred jud-
ges or jurors (Roman hist.) — L., compounded
of centum, 'a hundred', and vir, 'man'. See cent,
'a hundred', and virile.
Centunculus, n., a genus of the primrose family
(bot.) — L. centunculus, 'bindweed, knotweed,
patch', formed fr. cento, 'patchwork', with di-
min. suff. -unculus. See cento and -uncle.
centuple, adj., a hundred times as much, a
hundredfold. — F., fr. L. centuplus, 'a hundred-
fold', lit. 'folded a hundred times', formed fr.
centum, 'a hundred', with suff. -plus, 'fold', on
analogy of du-plus, 'double', fr. duo, 'two'. See
double.
Derivatives: centuple, tr. v., centupl-y, adv.
centuplicate, tr. v., to make a hundredfold. —
L. centuplicdlus, pp. of centuplicare, 'to increase
a hundredfold', fr. centuplex, gen. centuplicis,
'a hundredfold', which is compounded of cen-
tum, 'a hundred', and -plex, gen. -plicis, '-fold',
from the stem of plicare, 'to fold, bend'. See
ply, 'to bend', and cp. plicate.
Derivative: centuplicat-ion, n.
centuplicate, adj. and n., a hundredfold. — L.
centuplicdtus. See prec. word.
centurion, n., a captain commanding a hundred
men in the Roman army. — L. centurid, gen.
-dnis, 'commander of a century', fr. centuria.
See next word and cp. decurion.
century, n. — L^ centuria, 'a parcel or division
of a hundred things of one kind'; formed fr.
centum, 'a hundred', on the analogy of decu-
ria, 'a company of ten' (fr. decern, 'ten'). See
cent, 'a hundred', and cp. decury.
ceorl, n., a churl. — OE. See churl.
cephal-, form of cephalo- before a vowel.
cephalalgia, cephalalgy, n., headache (med.) —
L., fr. Gk. XE9aXaXyta, which is compounded
of xEipaX-r;, 'head', and SXyoq, 'pain'. See cephalic
and -algia.
Cephalanthus, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xEipaXy], 'head', and SvS-o?, 'flower'. See cephalic
and anther.
cephalate, adj., having a head. — See cephalic
and adj. suff. -ate.
cephalic, adj., pertaining to the head. — F. ce-
phalique, fr. L. cephalicus, fr. Gk. xecpaXix6?,
'pertaining to the head', fr. xstpaXifj, 'head', dis-
similated fr. *xe<paXr), fr. I.-E. base *ghebH-,
whence also Toch. A spdl-, 'head', Goth, gibla,
ON. gafl, 'gable', OE. gafol, 'fork'. See gable
and -ic and cp. Acanthocephala, acephalous,
acrocephalic, anencephalic, autocephalous, bi-
cephalous, Bucephalus, dolichocephalic, Draco-
cephalum, encephalic, encephalon, Enchelyce-
phali, hydrocephalus, isocephalic, macrocephalic,
megacephalic, mesocephalic, microcephalous,
orthocephalic.
cephalic vein (anat.) — ML. vena cephalica, fr.
Arab, al-qifal, fr. al-, 'the', and qifdl, a word of
uncertain origin, which was confused by the
translators of Avicenna with Gk. xe9aX-f ( , 'head'
(whence xE<paXix6?, 'pertaining to the head, see
prec. word). The word cephalic in its above
sense appears first in a translation of Avicenna
by Armegandus Blasius de Montepessulano in
1564. See Joseph Hyrtl, Das Arabische und
Hebraischeinder Anatomie.Wien, 1 879, p. 96-98.
cephalo-, before a vowel cephal-, combining form
meaning 'head, with reference to the head'. —
Gk. xe9<xXo-, xeipaX-, fr. xetpaXv), 'head'. See
cephalic.
cephakrid, adj., shaped like a head. — Gk. xe<pa-
XoeiSt)?, fr. xeipaXr], 'head', and -osiStji;, 'like',
fr. tZSo;, 'form, shape'. See cephalic and -©id.
cephalopod, n., one of the Cephalopoda. — See
next word.
Cephalopoda
260
Cephalopoda, n. pi., a class of mollusks, including
the cuttlefish, squid, octopus, etc. (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of xetpaXyj, 'head', and
7ra'ic, gen. toSo?, 'foot'. See cephalic and -pod.
cephalothorax, n., the united head and thorax
(of spiders and crustaceans) (zoo/.) — See ce-
phalo- and thorax.
Cephalotus, n., a genus of Australian plants (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. XEcpaXwri?, 'having a head,
headed', fr. xscpaX-rj, 'head'. See cephalic,
cephalous, adj., having a head. — See -cephalous.
-cephalous, combining form meaning 'having
(such and such) a head'. — Gk. -x.iya.Xoq (as in
[laxpox EcpxXog, 'long-headed'), fr. x£<pa>.Y),'head' .
See cephalic. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-oc, see -ous.
cer-, form of cero- before a vowel,
ceraceous, adj., waxy. — Formed with suff.
-aceous fr. L. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
cerago, n., beebread. — Formed fr. L. cera, 'wax'.
See cere, n.
ceral, adj., pertaining to wax. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
Ceramiaceae, n. pi., a family of algae (bot.) —
ModL., formed with suflf. -aceae fr. Ceramium.
ceramiaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
ceramic, adj., i) of pottery; 2) of ceramics. —
Gk. y.Epajxtxo;, 'of pottery, made of earthen-
ware', fr. xepau.0?, 'earthen vessel, jar, potter's
clay, pottery', a pre-Hellenic word derived from
a language of Asia Minor and not cognate with
L. cremdre, 'to burn'. See Kretschmer, Glotta,
11, 284, and Schrader, Reallexikon der indo-
germanischen Altertumskunde IP, 694. Cp.
Ceramium, and the second clement in Inoce-
ramus.
ceramics, n., 1) the art of making pottery, earth-
enware, of porcelain, etc. ; 2) objects made of
any of these materials. — See prec. word and -ics.
Ceramium, n., a genus of red algae (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. xspa^iov, dimin. of xEpajio?,
'earthen vessel, jar'. See ceramic.
cerargyrite, n., a synonym of hornsilver. — Com-
pounded of Gk. x£poc;, 'horn' (see cerato-),
ipvjpo;, 'silver' (see argyro-), and subst. suff.
-ite.
cerastes, n., the horned viper (zool.) — L. cerastes,
'a horned serpent', fr. Gk. xEpao-n)?, 'horned;
a horned serpent', fr. xspa?, 'horn'. See cerato-.
Cerastium, n., a genus of plants of the chickweed
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. y.epiaz-^c,
'horned' (see prec. word); so called from the
shape of the pod.
cerate, n., a kind of ointment consisting of wax,
lard, oil and other ingredients. — L. ceratum,
prop. neut. pp. of cerdre, 'to cover with wax',
fr. cera. See cere, n., and adj. suff. -ate.
ceratcd, adj., waxed. — Formed with suff. -ed fr.
L. cerdtus, pp. of cerdre, 'to wax', fr. cera. See
cere, n.
cerato-, kerato-, before a vowel cerat-, kerat-,
combining form meaning 'horn, horny'. — Gk.
xspa-ro-, xepaT-, fr. xspa<;, gen. xEpaxot;, 'horn',
which is cogn. with L. cornu, 'horn', fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, 'the uppermost part of the body,
head, horn, top, summit'. See horn and cp.
carat, cervine, crio-, keratin. Cp. also Acera-
terium, Acerates and the second element in
Dicruridae, Dinoceras, Megaceros, rhinoceros,
Triceratops.
Ceratodus, n., a genus of fishes, the barramunda
(ichthyoid — ModL., compounded of Gk. x£pa?,
gen. xspaxoi;, 'horn', and -oSobq, '-toothed',
fr. 6§wv, 'tooth'. See cerato- and odonto-.
Ceratophyllaceae, n. pi., the hornwort family
(bot.) — Formed fr. Ceratophyllum with suff.
-aceae.
ceratophyllaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Ceratophyllum, n., a genus of plants, the horn-
wort (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'with hornlike leaves',
fr. Gk. XEpa?, gen. xspaxo?, 'horn', and cpuXXov,
'a leaf (see cerato- and phyllo-); so called be-
cause the sessile leaves are divided into hard,
threadlike, parts,
cerauno-, kerauno-, a combining form meaning
'thunderbolt'. — Gk. xspauvo-, fr. xspauvot;,
'thunderbolt, lightning', which stands for *x£pa-
F(e)v6c;, lit. 'smasher, crusher', rcl. to xspca^Eiv
(for *xEpaf i^eiv), 'to lay waste', and cogn.
with L. caries, 'decay, rottenness'. See caries
and cp. the second element in sincere,
ceraunograph, keraunograph, n., an instrument
for recording thunderstorms and lightnings. —
Compounded of cerauno- and Gk. -ypacpo?, fr.
ypatpEiv, 'to write'. See -graph.
Cerberus, n. (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Kip-
fiepoq, which is prob. cogn. with OI. karbardh,
sdrvaraft, sabdlati, 'spotted, speckled' (whence
Sabdlah, name of one of the two dogs of Yama).
cercaria, n., a larval stage of trematode worms
(zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xfpxo?, 'tail'. See
cercus and -aria and cp. next word.
Cercis, n., a genus of shrubs and trees, the red-
bud, the Judas tree (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
xEpxt;, 'weaver's shuttle; the Judas tree', which
is prob. a dimin. of xspxoc, 'tail'. See cercus.
Cercopithecus, n., a genus of long-tailed mon-
keys (zool.) — L. cercopithecus, fr. Gk. xspxo-
7ufty;xoc, 'a long-tailed monkey', which is com-
pounded of xspxoc, 'tail', and tti^xo;, 'mon-
key'. See cercus and Pithecanthropus,
cercus, n., either of a pair of anal appendages
found in many insects (entomol.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. xspxoc, 'tail', which is of unknown origin.
Cp. cercaria, Cercis, the first element in carrack
and in Cercopithecus, and the second element in
cysticercus. Cp. also the first element in Cecrops.
cere, n., a waxlike protuberance at the base of the
bill of some birds. — F. cire, fr. L. cera, 'wax',
which is a loan word fr. Gk. xif)p6c,, 'beeswax,
wax', whence XTjptov, 'honeycomb'. Gk. xTrjpoc.
is of uncertain etymology. It is perh. cogn. with
Lith. korys, 'honeycomb', Lett, kdre, 'honey in
261
cernuous
the comb'. Cp. cere, v., cerement, Cereus, Ce-
rinthe, Cerion, cerumen, ceruse, cierge, ciruela,
Kerite, and the second element in adipoceres,
meliceris, ozocerite, tricerion.
cere, tr. v., to wrap in a cerecloth. — F. cirer, 'to
cover with wax', fr. cire, 'wax', fr. L. cera. See
cere, n.
Derivative: cer-ed, adj.
cereal, adj. and n. — L. Ceredlis, dissimil. fr.
*Cererdlis, 'pertaining to Ceres', fr. Ceres, gen.
Cereris, 'Ceres', name of the Italian goddess of
agriculture, prop, 'goddess of growth', fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence also L.cre-
scere, 'to grow', credre, 'to create', Oscan. carta,
'bread', Gk. xopsvvuvoa, 'to satisfy, fill with a
thing' (whence xopoc,, 'one's fill, satiety'), Arm.
serm, sermn, 'seed, shoot, sprout', serem, 'I prod-
uce', Alb. &jer, 'acorn', &jer£, 'lentil' (lit.
'food'), Lith. seriu, serti, 'to feed', OPruss. ser-
men, 'funeral repast', OHG. hirsi, hirso, 'millet'.
Cp. herd. Cp. also Ceres, accrue, create, cre-
ature, Creole, crescendo, crescent, decrease, ex-
crescent, increase, increment, procreate, recreate,
recruit. Cp. also cerium. For the ending see adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: cereal-ian, cereal-ic, adjs., cereal-
ism, n., cereal-ist, n.
cerebellum, n., the hinder part of the brain (anat .
and zool.) — L., dimin. of cerebrum. See
cerebrum.
cerebr-, form of cerebro- before a vowel.
cerebral, adj., pertaining to the brain. — F. cere-
bral, fr. L. cerebrum. See cerebrum and adj. suff.
-al.
cerebrate, intr. v., to use one's brain; to think. —
See cerebrum and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: cerebrat-ion, n.
cerebric, adj., pertaining to the brain. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. L. cerebrum. See cerebrum,
cerebro-, before a vowel cerebr-, combining form
denoting the brain. — Fr. L. cerebrum. See
cerebrum.
cerebrose, n., galactose obtained from cerebro-
sides (biochem.) — Formed fr. cerebrum with
subst. suff. -ose.
cerebroside, n., glucoside occurring in brain and
nerve tissue (biochem.) — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ide.
cerebrum, n., the main part of the brain (anat. and
zool.) — L. cerebrum, 'brain' (prob. for *ker e s-
rom), fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost part
of the body, head, horn, top, summit', whence
also OI. siras, 'head, summit', sirsdm, 'head',
Avestic sarah-, ModPers. sar, 'head', Arm. sar,
'top', Homeric Gk. xSp, 'head', Ion. xapr,, Att.
xapa, xpac, (poetic form for xapa), Ion. xapr;vov,
Att. and Dor. xdcpSvov, 'head', Gk. xpavtov,
'skull', ON. hjarni, Du. hersenen, OHG. hirrti,
MHG. hirne, G. Hint, Gehirn, 'brain'. Cp.
cranium and words there referred to. Cp. also
cernuous, cervical, cheer, coryphaeus, the first
element in cervelat, charivari, sarangousty,
saveloy, seerband, seerpaw, serang, seraskier,
sircar and the second element in mahseer. Cp.
also horn and words there referred to.
cerecloth, n. — Compounded of cere, v., and
cloth.
cerement, n., a shroud. — Orig. 'waxed shroud',
fr. F. cirement, 'a waxing', fr. cirer, 'to wax',
fr. cire, 'wax'. See cere and -ment.
ceremonious, adj. — F. ceremonieux (fem. cere-
monieuse), fr. Late L. caerimdniosus, fr. L.
caerimonia. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: ceremonious-ly, adv., ceremonious-
ness, n.
ceremony, n. — OF. ceremonie (F. ceremonie), fr.
L. caerimonia, 'sacred usage, ceremony', prob.
orig. meaning 'the rites performed by the Etrus-
can pontiffs at Caere (near Rome)'. See Sexti
Pompei Festi de verborum significatu quae su-
persunt cum Pauli epitome, Lipsiae, 1880. For
the ending see suff. -mony and cp. words there
referred to. The word ceremony was introduced
into English by Wycliffe.
Derivatives: ceremoni-al, adj. and n., ceremoni-
al-ism, n., ceremoni-al-ist, n., ceremoni-al-ize,
tr. v., ceremonious (q.v.)
Ceres, n., Italian goddess of agriculture, iden-
tified with the Greek goddess Demetcr (Roman
mythol) — L. Ceres. See cereal.
Cereus, n., a genus of cacti (bot.) — L. cereus,
'wax candle', fr. cera, 'wax' (see cere, n.); so
called from the shape suggestive of a wax candle.
cerevis, n., a small cap worn by German students.
— G., fr. L. cervisia, cervesia, 'beer', a word
of Gaulish origin. See cervisia.
eerie, adj., containing cerium (chem.) — Formed
fr. cerium with suff. -ic.
Cerinthe, n., a genus of plants of the borage
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. cerintha, cerinthe,
'the waxflower', fr. Gk. xr)pi.vj}oc,, 'beebread',
which was prob. formed fr. xrjpoc, 'wax', with
suff. -iv&oc. See cere, n.
Cerion, n., a genus of snails (zool.) — Gk. xr,piov,
'honeycomb', fr. xr^poq, 'beeswax'. See cere, n.
ceriph, serif, n., a horizontal line at the top or
bottom of a capital letter. — Prob. fr. Du.
schreef, 'stroke, dash', which is rel. to schrijven,
'to write', fr. L. scribere. See scribe and cp.
sanserif.
cerise, n., cherry color. — F. cerise, 'cherry'. See
cherry.
cerite, n., a hydrous silicate of cerium (chem.) —
Formed fr. cerium with subst. suff. -ite.
cerium, n., a metallic element. — ModL., con-
tracted fr. cererium, a name coined by the Swe-
dish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius (1 779-
1848) after the asteroid Ceres, discovered in
1 80 1, which was called after the Roman goddess
Ceres. See Ceres. For the ending of cerium
see chem. suff. -ium.
cernuous, adj., bowing downward (said of the
bell or cup of flowers) — L. cernuus, 'with the
face toward the earth', standing for *kers-n-
cero
262
owos and rel. to cerebrum, 'brain'. See cere-
brum. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
suff. -ous.
cero, n., a fish of the mackerel family. — Cor-
ruption of Sp. sierra, 'saw, sawfish', fr. L. serra,
'saw'. See serra.
cero-, before a vowel cer-, combining form mean-
ing 'wax, waxy'. — Gk. x7)po-, xTjp-, fr. xv)p6?,
'beeswax, wax'. See cere, n.
cerograph, n., a writing or painting on wax. —
See next word.
cerography, n., the art of making cerographs on
wax. — Gk. *T]poYpa<pta, fr. x7]poYpa9£?v, 'to
write or paint on wax', fr. xrjpo?, 'wax', and
ypatpeiM, 'to write'. See cere, n., and -graphy.
Derivatives: cerograph-ic, cerograph-ic-al, adjs.,
cerograph-ist, n.
cerolite, n., a hydrous magnesium silicate (min-
eral) — Compounded of cero- and -lite; so
called in allusion to its waxy appearance.
ceroplastic, adj., pertaining to modeling in wax.
— Gk. xTjpoT&aorutoc., 'pertaining to molding in
wax', fr. x7]p6TCXaa-ro?, 'molded in wax', fr. ki\-
p6;, 'wax', and TtXaaaetv, 'to mold'. See cero-
and plastic.
ceroplastics, n., the art of modeling in wax. —
See prec. word and -ics.
cerous, adj., containing cerium (chem.) — Formed
fr. cerium with suff. -ous.
cerrero, adj., wild (said of horses). — Sp., fr.
cerro, 'neck of an animal', fr. L. cirrus, 'curl,
lock, the hair on the forehead of a horse'. See
cirrus.
cerris, n., a kind of oak, the Turkey oak. —
ModL., fr. L. cerrus, a word of Hamitic origin.
See Schuchardt, Sitzungsberichte der Akademie
der Wissenschaften in Wien, 1 88, 4. Abhand-
lung, 18 f.
certain, adj. — ME., fr. OF. certain, certein (F.
certain), fr. VL. *certdnus (whence also Olt.,
OSp. certano, OProvenc. certan), fr. L. certus,
'determined, resolved, sure, certain' (whence
OF., OProvenc. cert, It. certo, Sp. cierto,
'certain'), which stands for *cri-tos and is rel.
to cernd (= *crind), cernere, pp. cretus, 'to
separate, sift, distinguish, discern, understand,
decide', and cogn. with Gk. xpfveiv (*for xpf-
vieiv), 'to separate, pick out, decide, judge',
xpiTo?, 'picked out, chosen, excellent' (prop,
verbal adj. of xpfveLv), xpixr;;, 'judge', xpim;,
'a separating, putting apart, a decision', L.
cribrum (for *qrei-dhrom), 'sieve', discrimen,
'distinction, difference, interval', excrementum,
what is sifted out, refuse', W. gogrynu, 'to
sift', gogr, gwagr, 'sieve', Mir. crith, 'division',
crich, 'border, boundary', OE. hridder, hriddel,
'sieve', Goth, hrains, OHG. hreini, MHG. reine,
G. rein, ON. hreinn, OS. hreni, 'clean, pure'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
*(s)q(e)re(i)-, 'to separate'. See riddle, 'sieve',
and cp. acrisia, ascertain, certify, certitude, con-
cern, crayon, cribriform, crisis, criterion, critic,
decern, decree, decretal, diacritical, discern,
discriminate, eccrinology, endocrine, excrement,
excrete, garble, hypocrisy, hypocrite, recrement,
secern, secret. Base *(s)q(e)re(i)-, is an enlarge-
ment of base *(s)qer-, 'to cut', whence Gk. xei-
psw (for *x£p-ietv), 'to cut', L. card, 'flesh, meat',
orig. 'a piece'. See carnal.
Derivatives: certain, n., certain-ly, adv.
certainty, n. — OF. certainete, fr. certain. See
prec. word and -ty.
certes, adv. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) certes, fr.
VL. certds, corresponding to L. certo, 'certain-
ly', fr. certus. See certain.
certificate, n. — F. certificat, fr. ML. certificatum,
neut. of certificate, pp. of certificare. See certify
and adj. suff. -ate.
certificate, tr. v. — ML. certificatus, pp. of certi-
ficare. See prec. word.
certification, n. — F., fr. ML. certificdtidnem,
acc. of certificdtid, fr. certificatus, pp. of certi-
ficare. See certify and -ation.
certify, tr. v. — F. certifier, fr. ML. certificare,
'to certify', lit. 'to make certain', compounded
of L. certus, 'sure, certain', and -ficdre,ir.facere,
'to make, do'. See certain, and -fy.
Derivatives: certifi-able, adj., certifi-able-ness,
n., certifi-abl-y, adv., certifi-ed, adj., certifi-er, n.
certiorari, n., a writ from a superior to an in-
ferior court, calling up the records of a case
(law). — L. certiorari, pass. pres. infin. of cer-
tidrdre, 'to certify, inform', lit. 'to make more
certain', fr. certior, compar. of certus, 'sure,
certain' (see certain and -ior); so called from
the word certiorari occurring in the Latin text
of the writ (certiorari volumus, 'we wish to be
certified').
certiorate, tr. v., to certify. — L. certiorate, pp.
of certidrdre. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
certitude, n. — F., fr. Late L. certitudinem, acc.
of certitudd, fr. L. certus, 'sure, certain'. Cp. It.
certitudine, OProvenc. sertetut, Catal. certitut,
Sp. certidumbre, and see certain and -rude.
The word certitude was introduced into French
by Nicole Oresme, bishop of Lisieux (about
1330-1382).
cerulean, adj., sky-blue. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. caeruleus, 'dark blue, azure', prob. dis-
similated fr. *caeluleus and lit. meaning 'sky-
color', fr. caelulum, dimin. of caelum, 'sky'. See
celestial.
cerumen, n., earwax (physiol.) — Medical L.,
coined by the Swiss anatomist Gaspard Bauhin
(1 560-1 624) fr. L. cera, 'wax' (see cere, n.), on
analogy of albumen, 'white of the egg' (see al-
bumen). Cp. J. Hyrtl, Onomatologia ana-
tomica, p. 104.
Derivative: cerumin-ous, adv.
cerumini-, combining form meaning earwax. —
See prec. word.
ceruse, n., white lead. — F. ceruse, fr. L. cerussa,
which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. bor-
rowed fr. Gk. *x7)p6eooa (fern.), 'waxen', taken
263
cetene
in the sense of 'white-colored', fr. xyjpoi;, 'bees-
wax'. See cere, n.
cerussite, n., lead carbonate (mineral.) — Formed
fr. L. cerussa (see prec. word) with subst. suff. -ite.
cervantite, n., an antimony oxide (mineral) —
Named after Cervantes, a town in Spain. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
cervelat, n., a saveloy sausage. — Fr. earlier F.
cervelat (F. cervelas), fr. It. cervellato. See
saveloy.
cervical, adj., pertaining to the neck. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cervix, gen. -icis, 'neck'.
The first element of this word is prob. rel. to
cerebrum, 'brain', and the second, to the base of
vincire, 'to bind'. Accordingly L. cervix lit.
means 'that which binds or fixes the head'. See
cerebrum and vinculum.
cervicitis, n., inflammation of the cervix uteri
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. cer-
vix (see prec. word) and -iris, a suff. of Greek
origin.
cervico-, before a vowel cervic-, combining form
meaning 'cervical'. — Fr. L. cervix, gen. cervi-
cis, 'neck'. See cervical.
cervid, adj., pertaining to the Cervidae. — See
next word.
Cervidae, n. pi., a family of mammals, the deer
(zool.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L.
cervus, 'deer'. See next word.
cervine, adj., pertaining to the deer family (zool.)
— L. cervinus, 'pertaining to the deer', fr. cervus,
'deer', prop, 'the horned animal'. Cp. Gk. xepati;,
L. cornu, 'horn', and see Isidores, Etymologiae,
12, I, 18: cervi dicti dbro ™v xepd-rcov ('called
cervi from their xepaxa, i.e. 'antlers'). See cerato-
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also serval
and the second element in Rucervine. Cp. also
hart. For the ending of cervine see -ine (repre-
senting L. -inus).
cervisia, n., beer. — L. cervisia, cervesia, 'beer', of
Gaulish origin; cp. MIr. coirm, cuirm, 'beer'.
Cp. cerevis.
Derivative: cervisi-al, adj.
Cervus, n., the genus of deers (zool.) — L. cervus,
'deer'. See cervine.
cesarevitch, n., title of the eldest son of the czar,
or of the heir to the Russian throne. — Russ.
tsesarevitch, fr. tsesar, earlier form of tsar,
'czar'. See czar and cp. czarevitch.
cesium, also caesium, n., a rare alkaline metal
(chem.) — ModL. caesium, coined by Robert
Wilhelm Bunsen (181 1-99) and Gustav Robert
Kirchhoff (1824-87) in i860 fr. L. caesius,
'bluish gray* (see caesious); so called by them
in allusion to the two blue lines of its spectrum.
cespitose, adj., turfy. — Formed with adj.
suff. -ose from L. caespes, gen. caespitis, 'turf,
sod cut out, knot, knob; clump'. The orig.
meaning seems to have been 'something cut off',
which makes a connection between caespes and
L. caedere, 'to cut', very likely; see cement. See
Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, p. 134.
cess, n., a tax. — Fr. earlier sess, which is aphetic
for assess.
Derivatives : cess, tr. v., cess-er, n.
cessation, n., a ceasing. — F., fr. L. cessdtidnem,
acc. of cessdtid, 'a tarrying, delaying', fr. ces-
sdtus, pp. of cessdre, 'to tarry, delay'. See cease
and -ation.
cesser, n., a ceasing of liability (law.) — OF.
cesser, infin. used as a noun, fr. L. cessdre, 'to
cease'. See cease. For the subst. use of the in-
finitive cp. attainder and words there referred to.
cession, n., a ceding. — F., fr. L. cessid, gen.
-dnis, 'a giving up, surrendering', fr. cess-(um),
pp. stem of cedere, 'to go away, yield, give up'.
See cede and -ion.
cessionary, n., an assignee. — ML. cessidndrius,
fr. L. cessid, gen. -dnis. See cession and -ary.
cesspool, n., a receptacle for refuse. — Compound-
ed of cess (which is prob. aphetic for recess)
and pool.
cesta, n., a basket. — Sp., fr. L. cesta, 'chest, box',
fr. Gk. xicttt), of s.m. See chest.
Cestoda, n. pi., a class of worms, the tapeworms
(zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xecttoi;, 'girdle', and
-coSr)?, 'like'. See next word,
cestode, cestoid, n., tapeworm. — Formed with
suff. -ode, resp. -oid, fr. Gk. xeaxo;, 'girdle'. See
cestus, 'girdle'.
cestrum, n., a graving tool. — L.,fr. Gk. xsaTpov,
which stands for *xevr-Tpov, from the stem of
xevretv, 'to prick, goad'. See center.
Cestrum, n., a genus of plants of the potato
family (Solanaceae) (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
xEdxpov, 'betony'.
cestui, pron., 'he, the one', used in legal phrases
(as in cestui que trust or cestui qui trust, the
beneficiary of a trust). — AF. and OF. cestui,
'that one', fr. VL. *ecce istui, 'behold this one'.
For the etymology of ecce see ecce homo. VL.
*istui corresponds to L. isti, dat. of isle, 'this
one', which is compounded of is, 'he, the same'
(see idem), and the pronominal base *te-.
cestus, n., a covering for the hand used by Roman
boxers (Roman antiq.) — L. caestus, for *caed-
stus, lit. 'strap for striking', fr. caedere, 'to
strike'. See cement.
cestus, n., a girdle (Greek and Roman antiq) —
L., fr. Gk. x£<tt6;, 'embroidered; girdle', which
stands for *xevt-to<;, from the stem of xevxeiv,
'to prick, goad'. See center and cp. next word.
Cestus, n., a genus of ribbon-shaped jelly fishes
(ichthyol.) — ModL., fr. prec. word.
Cetacea, n., pi., an order of aquatic mammals,
the whale, porpoise, etc. (zool.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -acea fr. L. cetus , 'whale' , fr. Gk.
xt)to<;, which is of uncertain origin. Cp. the
second element in spermaceti.
cetacean, cetaceous, adj., pertaining to the order
of Cetacea; n., an animal pertaining to this or-
der. — Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -an,
resp. -ous.
cetene, n., unsaturated hydrocarbon (chem.) —
cetin
264
Formed with suff. -ene fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See
Cetacea.
cetin, n., a crystalline fat forming the chief com-
ponent in spermaceti (chem.) — Formed with
chem. suff. -in fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See Cetacea.
cetology, n., that part of zoology which deals
with the whales. — Compounded of Gk. jajxcx;,
'whale' (see ceto-), and -XoyiS, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cetyl, n., a univalent radical, C 16 H 33 , occurring
in spermaceti, beeswax (chem.) — Formed with
suff. -yl fr. L. cetus, 'whale'. See Cetacea.
chabazite, chabasite, n., a hydrous silicate (mi-
neral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk.
5(oepd£i£ (occurring in the poem Ilepi. X[&wv
ascribed to Orpheus), an erroneous reading for
yaXaZie, vocative of yaik&Xj.oq,, name of a pre-
cious stone, lit. 'resembling hailstone', fr. ydlaZa,
'hail, hailstone'. See chalaza.
chablis, n. , light, white Burgundy wine. — Named
from Chablis, a town in the Department of
Yonne in France.
chabot, n., the fish called miller's thumb (her.) —
F., 'miller's thumb', also 'bullhead', fr. earlier
cahot, fr. OProvenc. cabotz, 'a large-headed
(fish)', fr. VL. *capoceus, fr. L. caput, 'head'. See
capital, adj., and cp. Capito.
chabouk, chabuk, n., a long whip. — Pers. chdbug,
'a whip'. Cp. chawbuck, sjambok.
cha-cha, also cha-cha-cha, n., a dance in 3-beat
rhythm. — Amer. Sp. cha-cha-cha.
chacma, n., a South African baboon. — Hot-
tentot.
chaconne, n., a slow Spanish dance. — F., fr. Sp.
chacona, a kind of Spanish dance, prob. fr.
Basque chucim, 'pretty'.
Chaenactis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
y-Avzvi, 'to gape, yawn' and dx-rtc, 'ray'. The
first element is cogn. with L. hiare, 'to gape,
yawn', OE. ganian, 'to yawn'; see yawn and cp.
achene, chama. For the second element see
actinic.
Chaenolobus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
/aivEtv, "to gape, yawn', and Xo,3o!;, 'lobe'. See
prec. word and lobe.
Chaenomeles, n., a genus of plants of the apple
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
/aivsiv, 'to gape, yawn', and ;j.r,Xov, 'apple'.
See Chaenactis and Malus.
chaeto-, before a vowel chaet-, combining form
meaning 'spine' or 'bristle'. — Fr. Gk. yxi-rr t ,
'long flowing hair, mane', which is cogn. with
Avcstic gaesa-, 'curly hair', Ir. gaoisideach,
'hair'. Cp. achaetous and the second element in
spirochete, Coleochaete, Oligochaeta.
Chaetodon, n., a genus of fishes having spiny fins
(ichthyol.) — ModL., compounded of chaet-
and Gk. oScov, gen. 686vto;, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
chaetopod, adj., pertaining to the Chaetopoda;
n., a chaetopod worm. — See next word.
Chaetopoda, n. pi., a class of annelids or seg-
mented worms (zool.) — ModL., compounded
of chaeto- and Gk. ttou<;, gen. ttoSo?, 'foot'. See
-poda.
chafe, tr. v., 1) to warm by rubbing; 2) to irritate
by rubbing; 3) to irritate; intr. v., 1) to rub;
2) to become or be irritated. — ME. chaufer,
fr. OF. chaufer (F. chauffer), fr. VL. *calefdre
(whence also OProvenc. calfar), fr. L. calefacere,
'to make warm, to heat', which is compounded
of calere, 'to be warm' and facere, 'to make, do'.
See caldron and fact and cp. calefacient, calo-
rific. Cp. also chaff, 'to banter', chauffeur, re-
chauffe.
Derivatives: chafe, n., chafer (q.v.)
chafer, n., a vessel for heating. — Formed fr.
chafe with agential suff. -er. Cp. chauffer.
chafer, n., a beetle. — ME., fr. OE. ceafor, rel.
to OS. kevera, Du. kever, OHG. chevar, MHG.
kever, G. Kdfer, lit. 'gnawer'. Cp. MHG. kiven,
Du. keveren, 'to gnaw', OE. ceafl, ME. chavel,
G. Kiefer, 'jaw', and see jowl, 'jaw'.
chaff, n., husk of grain. — ME. chaf, fr. OE. ceaf,
rel. to MDu., Du. kaf, G. Kaff, and prob. also
to OHG. cheva, MHG. keve, 'husk'.
Derivatives: chaff, tr. v., chaff-y, adj.
chaff, tr. v., to banter. — Prob. a var. of chafe.
chaffer, n., a bargain. — ME. cheapfare, chapfare,
chaffare, fr. OE. eeap, 'price, bargain' and faru,
'going, journey, proceeding'. For the first ele-
ment see chapman, cheap, for the second see
fare.
chaffer, intr. v., to bargain. — ME. chaffaren,
fr. chaffare, 'bargain'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chaffer-er, n.
chaffinch, n. — OE. ceaffinc. See chaff and finch,
chagrin, n., mortification. — F., 'grief, sorrow,
affliction', of uncertain origin.
Derivative: chagrin, tr. v.
chain, n. — OF. chaeine (F. chaine), fr. L. catena,
'chain, fetter', which is of uncertain origin. It
stands perh. for *cates-nd, from base *qat-, 'to
twist together', whence also L. cassis (assimi-
lated fr. *cat-sis), 'hunter's net, snare'. Cp.
catena, catenary, concatinate, chignon.
Derivatives: chain, tr. v., chain-ed, adj., chain-er,
n., chain-less, adj.
chair, n., seat. — ME. chaiere, chaere, chaire, fr.
OF. chaiere, chaere, 'chair' (whence F. chaire,
'pulpit, throne'), fr. L. cathedra, fr. Gk. xx9s8px,
'seat, chair, pulpit', formed fr. xxTi, 'down' (see
cata-), and eSpa, 'seat', which is rel. to e'*£<t$x'.,
'to sit', fr. Gk. base *kS-. corresponding to
I.-E. base *sed-, 'to sit', whence L. sedere,
'to sit'. See sedentary and cp. cathedra, cathe-
dral. Cp. also chaise, which is a doublet of chair.
Derivative: chair, tr. v.
chair, n., flesh color. — F. chair, 'flesh', fr. OF.
charn, char, fr. L. carnem, acc. of card, 'flesh',
for which see carnal.
chaise, n., a light carriage. — F. chaise, 'chair',
265
Chamaecyparis
orig. a dialectal variant of chaire, fr. L. cathedra.
In French chaire and chaise were differentiated in
meaning (chaire = 'pulpit', chaise = 'chair').
See chair, 'seat',
chakra, n., a metal disk. — OI. cakrdh, 'circle,
wheel', cogn. with Gk. xtixXoi;, 'circle'. See
cycle.
chalana, n., a kind of barge. — Sp., fr. VL. che-
landium, fr. Late Gk. ^sXavSiov.
chalaza, n., 1) the part of an ovule where the in-
teguments are united to the nucellus (bot.);
2) one of the two spiral albuminous chords in
the white of an egg (zoo!.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
yaXaZx, 'hail, hailstone, lump', which stands for
*XaXoc8-ioe and is cogn. with OSlav. zledica,
'frozen rain'. Cp. next word. Cp. also chabazite.
chalazion, n., a small tumor in the eyelid (med.)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. x*^iov, dimin. of
XaXa^a, 'hail; pimple, small tubercle'. See
chalaza.
chalc-, form of chalco- before a vowel,
chalcedony, n., a variety of quartz. — So called
from the ancient town Chalcedon in Asia Minor,
chalcid, adj., pertaining to the Chalcidae. — See
next word.
Chalcididae, n. pi., a family of flies (entomol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Chalcis, gen.
Chalcidis, name of the type genus, fr. Gk.
/aXxo?, 'copper' (see chalco-); so called from
their copperlike color,
chalco-, combining form mearing 'copper'. —
Gk. yackKo-, fr. yo.~kx.6c,, 'copper', dissimilated fr.
*yaXyoq; cogn. with Lith. geliis, geleiis, OSlav.
zelezo, 'iron'. Cp. the first element in colcothar
and the second clement in aurichalcite, orichalc.
chalcography, n.; the act of engraving on copper.
— Compounded of chalco- and Gk. -ypxcpia,
fr. ypatpeiv, 'to scratch, write'. See -graphy.
chalcostibite, n., an antimony copper sulfide
(mineral.) — Compounded of chalco-, stibium
and subst. suff. -ite.
Chaldean, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Chaldaeus, fr. Gk. XxXSaioc, fr. Aram.
Kalda'e, fr. Akkad. (mat)Kaldu, dissimilated fr.
(mat)Kashdu, '(the land of) the Chaldeans', rel.
to Kasdtm, of s.m. According to some authori-
ties the original meaning of the name is 'des-
cendants of Kesed', the nephew of Abraham
(see Gen. 22: 22). According to others, Akkad.
Kashdu and Heb. Kasdtm lit. mean 'Conquer-
ors', and are connected with Akkad. kashadu,
'to conquer'. The change of shd, sd (in Akkad.
Kashdu, resp. Heb. Kasdtm) to Id (in Aram.
Kaldd'e) is due to dissimilation.
chaldron, n., a measure for coals, 32-36 bushels.
— OF. chauderon (F. chaudron), 'kettle'. Prop,
a doublet of caldron.
chalet, n., 1) a herdsman's hut in the Swiss Alps;
2) a Swiss cottage. — F., formed with dimin.
suff. -et fr. pre-Latin *cala-, 'shelter, in a wid-
ened sense: 'dwelling place', found as part of
many place names. The original meaning of
*cala- must have been 'a shelter of stone', cp.
F. caillou, 'pebble'. See A.Dauzat, DELF.,
p. 157 s.v. chalet.
chalice, n., a cup. — OF. chalice, a collateral
form of calice (F. calice), fr. L. calicem, acc. of
calix, 'cup, goblet', which is cogn. with Gk.
xaXuS;, 'the cup of a flower', xuXi?, 'cup, drink-
ing cup'. See calyx.
Derivatives: chalice, tr. v., chalic-ed, adj.
chalk, n. — ME., fr. OE. cealc, 'chalk, lime', fr.
L. calx, gen. calcis, 'stone, chalk, lime', fr. Gk.
y&X^. See calcareous and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: chalk, v., chalk-y, adj.
challah, n. — See hallah.
challenge, n. — ME. chalenge, 'claim, accusa-
tion', fr. AF. chalenge (corresponding to OF.
chalonge), 'accusation; dispute', fr. AF. chalen-
gier (resp. OF. chalongier), 'to accuse; to dis-
pute', fr. VL. calumnidre, which corresponds to
L. calumniari, 'to accuse falsely', fr. calumnia,
'false accusation'. See calumny.
challenge, tr. v. — ME. chalengen, 'to claim, ac-
cuse', fr. AF. chalengier. See prec. word.
Derivatives: challenge-able, adj., challeng-er, n.
challis, n., a fabric of wool and silk. — Of un-
known origin.
chalumeau, n., a wind instrument. — F., 'reed,
pipe, flute', fr. Late L. calamellus, dimin. of L.
calamus, 'reed'. See calamary.
chalukkah, n. — See halukkah.
chalutz, n. — See halutz.
Chalybean, adj., pertaining to the Chalybes, an
ancient people inhabiting Pontus in Asia Mi-
nor. — Formed with suff. -ean fr. L. Chalybes,
fr. Gk. XaX\j{3ec., pi. of XaXu^y. Cp. next word.
chalybeate, adj., impregnated with iron. —
Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk. yaAufy, gen.
yjt>»$oq, 'steel', fr. XiXufki;, 'the Chalybes' (see
prec. word), a people famous for their skill in
working iron and steel. (Cp. the attribute aiSr,-
po-rbc-ro^s?, 'workers in iron', given them by
Aeschylus in Prometheus, 715.)
Chama, n., a genus of bivalve mollusks (zool.) —
L. chama, chema, 'cockle', fr. Gk. /r,u.7),
'yawning, gaping; clam', which is rel. to /xive'.v,
'to gape, yawn', and cogn. with L. hiare, OE.
ganian, of s.m. See yawn and cp. the first
element in Chaenactis, Chaenolobus, Chaeno-
meles.
chamade, n., a signal by drum or trumpet for a
parley. — F., fr. Piedmontese ciamada, prop,
fern. pp. of ciamd, 'to call', fr. L. cldmdre. See
claim, v.
chamae-, combining form lit. meaning 'on the
ground', used in the sense of 'low' (bot. and
zool.) — Gk. /auxi-, fr. y%\irA, 'on the ground',
cogn. with L. humus, 'earth', humilis, 'low, base,
humble'. See humble and cp. the first element in
Camelina, camomile and in germander.
Chamaecyparis, n., a genus of trees of the pine
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'ground cypress', fr.
Chamaedaphne
266
chamae- and xun&piaaoQ, 'cypress'. See cypress.
Chamaedaphne, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. x«(J-°«8a9 v ?)!
'periwinkle', lit. 'ground laurel', fr. j(au.ai, 'on
the ground', and Sacpvir), 'laurel'. See chamae-
and Daphne.
Chamaeliriura, n., a genus of plants, the devil's
bit (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'ground lily', fr. chamae-
and Xeipiov, 'a lily'. See lily.
Chamar, Chumar, n., i) an important caste in
India; 2) (not cap.) a leather worker. — Hind.
chamar, fr. OI. carma-kdrah, 'a leather worker'.
For the first element see shear and cp. corium.
The second element is related to OI. karoti,
krnoti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base *q w er-, 'to make,
form, shape'. See Sanskrit, and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also churrus.
chamber, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) chambre,
'room, chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault, arched
roof, arch'. See camera and cp. antichamber,
cabaret, chambranle. Cp. also next word and
fille de chambre.
chamberlain, n. — OF. chamberlenc (F. cham-
bellari), fr. Frankish *kamerling (cp. OHG. cha-
marling, G. Kdmmerling), formed with suff.
-ling fr. *kamer, a loan word fr. L. camera,
'vault, arched roof, arch'. See camera and cp.
chamber. Cp. also camerlengo.
chamberlet, n., a small chamber. — Diminutive
formed fr. chamber with suff. -let.
Chambertin, n., red Burgundy wine. — Named
from a vineyard near Dijon, where this vine
is grown.
chambranle, n., doorframe, windowframe, man-
telpiece. — F., a blend of branler, 'to shake,
brandish', and OF. chambrande, 'vault'. F. bran-
ler is a shortened form of OF. brandeler, 'to
shake', which is rel. to OF. (= F.) brandir, 'to
brandish', fr. brand, 'sword'; see brandish. OF.
chambrande derives fr. L. cameranda, prop. fem.
of the gerundive of camerdre, 'to vault', fr. ca-
mera, 'vault, arched roof, arch'. See camera.
chambray, n., a kind of gingham. — Fr. Cambrai,
a town in France (formerly in Flanders). Cp.
cambric.
chameleon, n., a lizard that can change the color
of its skin. — Lit. 'ground lion', fr. Gk. yv.\>.oi,
'on the ground', and Xecov, 'lion'. See chamae-
and lion.
chametz, n. — See hametz.
chamfer, n., a small groove; bevel. — F. chanfrein,
fr. OF. chanfraint, pp. of chanfraindre , 'to bevel
off', fr. chant, 'edge' and fraindre, 'to break', fr.
h.frangere, of s.m. See cant, 'slope', and fraction.
Derivatives: chamfer, tr. v., chamfer-er, n.
chamois, n., a small kind of antelope. — F., fr.
L. camox. See gemsboc and cp. It. camoscio,
OProvenc. camos, Sp. camuza, gamuza, Catal.
gamussa, Port, camurca, Rhaeto-Romanic cha-
motsch, OHG. gamiza (whence MHG. gamz,
gamze, G. Gemse), which all derive fr. L.
camox. Cp. also shammy.
chamois leather, chamois, n. — Orig. 'leather
made of the skin of chamois'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chamois, tr. v.
Chamomila, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.
See camomile.
champ, tr. and intr. v., to chew noisily. - -Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. jam, 'to press tightly'.
Derivatives: champ, n., champ-er, n.
champac, champak, n., an East-Indian tree. —
Malay tshampdka, fr. OI. campakah, which is
prob. an Austric loan word.
champagne, n. — F., abbreviation of vin de Cham-
pagne, 'wine made in the province of Cham-
pagne', a name derived fr. Late L. campania,
'plain, open country'. See campaign and cp.
champaign.
Derivative: champagne, intr. v.
champaign, n., open country, plain. — OF. cham-
paigne, fr. L. campania. See campagna, cam-
paign, and cp. champion, scamp.
champak, n. — See champac.
champertor, n., a person who commits the act
known as champerty (law). — F. champarteur,
fr. champart. See champerty and agential suff.
-or.
champertous, adj., pertaining to champerty (law).
— See next word and -ous.
champerty, n., an illegal act by which a person
makes a bargain with the litigants, in order to
share in the gains in case of success (law). —
F. champart, 'division of land (rent)', fr. L.
campi pars, 'part of the field', fr. campus, gen.
campi, 'field', and pars, gen. partis, 'part'. See
camp and part.
champignon, n., fungus, mushroom. — F., formed,
with change of suffix, fr. OF. champegnuel,
fr. VL. *campdniolus, 'that which grows in the
field', fr. Late L. campdneus, 'pertaining to the
fields', fr. campus, 'field'. See camp.
champion, n. — ME., fr. OF. champion, fr. Late
L. campionem, acc. of campid, 'fighter', lit. 'one
who takes the field', fr. L. campus, 'field'. See
camp and cp. champaign.
Derivatives: champion, tr. and intr. v., cham-
pion-ship, n.
champleve, adj., grooved (said of enameled work).
— F., lit. 'raised field', fr. champ, 'field', and
/eve, pp. of lever, 'to raise'. F. champ derives fr.
L. campus, 'field', F. lever, fr. L. levare, 'to
raise, lift'. See camp and lever.
chance, n. — ME. cheaunce, cheance, chance, fr.
OF. cheance, chance (F. chance), fr. VL. "caden-
tia, 'a falling', esp. 'a falling of dice', fr. L.
cadentia, neut. pi. of cadens, pres. part, of ca-
dere, 'to fall'. See cadence.
Derivatives: chance, adj. and intr. and tr. v.,
chanc-y, adj.
chancel, n., the part of a church around the altar.
— OF., fr. L. cancelli (pi.), 'lattice, enclosure,
crossbars, railings'. The chancel was orig. sep-
arated from the altar by a lattice or crossbars.
See cancel. Cp. chancellor.
267
chap
chancellery, n. — OF. ( = F.) chancellerie, fr.
chancelier. See next word and -y (representing
OF. -ie) and cp. chancery.
chancellor, n. — ME. chanceler, fr. OF. (= F.)
chancelier, fr. Late L. cancelldrius, 'chancellor',
fr. L. cancelli (see chancel) ; so called because his
place was near the lattice that surrounded the
judge's seat.
chance-medley, n., accidental homicide, man-
slaughter (law). — AF. chance medlee, lit.
'mixed chance'. See chance and medley.
chancery, n. — ME. chancerie, shortened fr.
chancelerie, fr. OF. chancellerie. See chancellery.
chancre, a venereal ulcer (med.) — F., fr. L. cancer,
'crab, ulcer, cancer'. See cancer and cp. canker.
Derivative: chancr-ous, adj.
chancroid, n., a sore resembling chancre; soft
chancre (med.) — A hybrid lit. meaning 'like
chancre', coined fr. F. chancre and Gk. -oeiSy]?,
'like', fr. elSo?, 'form, shape'. See chancre and
-oid and cp. cancroid.
chandaul, chandal, n., an outcast (Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind, chandal, fr. OI. cdnddlah, which is of un-
certain, prob. non-Aryan, origin.
chandelier, n. — F., 'candlestick', fr. VL. *can-
deldrium, which is formed, with change of suff.,
fr. L. candelabrum. See candelabrum.
chandler, n. — ME. chandeler, fr. OF. chandelier,
'maker or seller of candles', fr. Late L. cande-
larius, of s.m., fr. L. candela, 'candle'. See candle.
change, tr. and intr. v. — ME. chaungen, changen,
fr. OF. (= F.) changer, fr. Late L. cambiare,
'to change, exchange', which is a Gaulish loan
word derived fr. I.-E. base *(s)qamb-, *(s)qemb-,
'to bend', whence also Olr. camm, 'crooked,
curved', Mir. cimb, 'tribute', cimbid, 'prisoner',
Gk. axa[x(36i;, 'crooked, bent', Swed. skumpa,
'to limp', skimpa, 'to skip'. The original mean-
ing of Late L. cambiare must have been 'to
bend', whence arose the following phases of
meaning: 'to turn, to change, to barter'. Cp.
Gaulish *camb-ita, 'felloe' (whence F. jante,
'felloe'), and see cambium. Cp. also excambion,
exchange, gombeen. Cp. also camp and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: change-able, adj., change-abil-ity,n.
change-able-ness, n., change-ling, n.
change, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. changer. See
change, v.
chank, also chunk, n., a large shell (Turbinella
rapa) (Anglo-Ind.) — OI. sankhdh, cogn. with
Gk. x6yx T h x6yx°?> 'shell'. See conch,
channel, n. — ME. chanel, chanelle, fr. OF. chanel,
fr. L. candlis, 'waterpipe, channel, canal'. F.
canal, 'channel', is a learned word, borrowed
directly fr. L. candlis. See canal.
Derivatives: channel, tr. v., channel(l)-er, n.,
channel(l)-ing, n.
chanson, n., a song. — F., fr. L. cantidnem, acc.
of cantid, 'song', fr. cant-(um), pp. stem of
canere, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
and cp. canzone.
chant, n., a song. — F., fr. L. cantus, fr. cant-(um),
pp. stem of canere, 'to sing'. See prec. word.
chant, tr. and intr. v., to sing. — F. chanter, 'to
sing', fr. L. cantdre, freq. of canere [pp. stem
cant-(um)], 'to sing'. See chant, n.
Derivatives: chanter (q.v.), chant-ing, adj. and
n., chant-ing-ly, adv.
chantage, n., extortion of hush money, black-
mail. — F., prop, 'the action of causing a person
to sing', fr. faire chanter quelqu'un, 'to black-
mail somebody', lit. 'to make somebody sing',
fr. chanter, 'to sing', fr. L. cantdre, 'to sing';
see chant, v., and -age.
chanter, n., 1) one who chants; 2) the fingerpipe
of a bagpipe. — ME. chauntour, fr. OF. chanteor
(F. chanteur), fr. L. cantdrem, acc. of cantor,
'singer'. See cantor.
chanterelle, n., a species of edible mushroom. —
F., fr. Cantharellus (q.v.)
chantey, chanty also shanty, n., sailors' rhythmical
song. — Fr. F. chantez, imper. pi. of chanter,
'to sing', fr. L. cantdre. See chant, v.
chanticleer, n., a cock. — ME. Chantecleer, fr.
OF. Chantecler (F. Chanteclair), name of the
cock in Reynard the Fox ; compounded of chan-
ter, 'to sing', and cler (F. clair), 'clear'. See
chant, v., and clear.
chantier, n., hut, shanty. — Can. F., fr. F. chan-
tier, 'timber yard', fr. L. cantherius, 'a gelding;
rafter; trellis', fr. Gk. xavS-iriXios, 'pack ass', a
word of non-Aryan origin. Cp. gantry and
shanty, 'hut'.
chantress, n., songstress. — F. chanteresse, fr.
chanter, 'to sing'. See chant, v., and cp. chanter.
chantry, n., an endowment for the chanting of
masses. — Orig. 'a singing', fr. OF. chanterie,
fr. chanter, 'to sing'. See chant, v.
Chanukkah, n. — See Hanukkah.
chaos, n., disorder, confusion. — L. chaos, fr. Gk.
X&oc, (for *xafo?), 'gulf, chasm, abyss, the rude
unformed mass', which is rel. to yauvo?,' gaping;
flaccid, loose', and cogn. with OE. goma, 'pa-
late', pi. 'jaws', fr. I.-E. base *ghd(u)-, *gheu-,
*gh l u-, 'to gape'; see gum, 'flesh in which the
teeth are set', and cp. Chauna. This base is rel.
to base *ghe(i)-, *ghi-, *gh 1 -, 'to gape, yawn',
whence Gk. x«ivav, 'to yawn, gape', x&oy.<z, 'a
yawning hollow, gulf, yji-^t], 'a yawning,
gaping', 7.v;-Xy), 'fork, claw', OE. gdnian, 'to
yawn'; see yawn and cp. chasm, chori-.
chaotic, adj. — Coined fr. prec. word on analogy
of demotic (fr. demos) and other adjectives of
Greek origin ending in -otic (fr. Gk. -otixo?).
Derivatives: chaotic-al, adj., chaotic-al-ly, adv.
chap, tr. and intr. v., to chop, split, crack. —
ME. chappen, 'to cut', rel. to MDu. kappen, 'to
chop, cut'. Dan kappe, Swed. kappa, 'to cut'.
Cp. chop, 'to cut'.
Derivatives: chap, n., a crack, chapp-ed, adj.,
chapp-ing, n.
chap, also chop, n., one of the jaws. — Of un-
certain origin.
chap
268
chap, n. — Short for chapman.
chaparajos, n. pi., overalls used to protect the
legs from the thorns of the chaparral. — Mex.
Sp., fr. Sp. chaparral. See chaparral.
chaparral, n., a thicket of shrubs. — Sp., fr.
chaparro, 'evergreen oak', fr. Basque txapar,
dimin. of sapar, 'heath, thicket'.
chapbook, n., one of a class of popular books
formerly sold by chapmen. — Compounded of
chap, 'chapman', and book.
chape, n., i) the metal mounting of a scabbard;
2) the piece by which a buckle is fastened to a
strap. — F., 'cope, cap, chape', fr. OF., fr. Late
L. cappa, 'hood, cap, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak',
and cp. chapeau, chaperon.
chapeau, n., a hat. — F., fr. VL. *cappellus, a di-
min. formed fr. Late L. cappa. See prec. word
and cp. chaplet.
chapel, n. — ME., fr. OF. chapele (whence F.
chapelle), fr. VL. cappella, 'cloak', later used in
the sense of 'a sanctuary containing relics', orig.
'the shrine containing the cloak of St. Martin
of Tours'. VL. cappella is the dimin. of Late L.
cappa, 'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also chaplain
and the first element in kapellmeister.
Derivatives: chapel, tr. v., chapel-et (F.), chapel-
ry, n. (fr. OF. chapelerie).
chaperon, n., a person, esp. an older woman,
who, for propriety, accompanies a young un-
married woman. — F., 'a hood', fr. OF. chape,
'a churchman's cope, a cover, a chape', whence
arose its figurative use in modern French to
denote 'a protector', esp. 'the protector of a
young lady'. See chape.
Derivatives: chaperon, tr. v., chaperon-age, n.
chapiter, n., the capital of a column (archaic). —
OF. chapitre, 'capital, chapter'. See chapter.
chaplain, n. — ME., fr. OF. chapelein (F. chape-
lain), fr. Eccles. L. cappelldnus, fr. VL. cappella.
See chapel and cp. capelin.
Derivatives: chaplain-cy, n., chaplain-ry, n.
chaplet, n., a wreath, rosary. — ME. chapelet, fr.
OF. F.) chapelet, 'garland, rosary', prop,
'a small hat', dimin. of OF. chapel (F. chapeau),
'hat'. See chapeau and -et.
chapman, n., an itinerant dealer, peddler. — ME.
chapman, chepman, fr. OE. ceapman, 'trades-
man', compounded of ceap, 'trade, bargain,
price', and man, 'man'. See cheap, n., and man
and cp. Du. koopman, G. Kaufmann, 'merchant'.
Cp. also chap, 'chapman'.
chaps, n. pi. — Abbreviation of chaparajos.
chapter, n. — ME. chapitre, fr. OF. (= F.) cha-
pitre, fr. earlier chapitle, fr. L. capitulum, dimin.
of caput, gen. capitis, 'head ; chapter'. See capi-
tal, adj., and cp. cabildo.
Derivatives: chapter, tr. v., chapter-al, adj.
char, n., an odd job. — See chare, 'turn of work'.
char, n., a species of trout. — Prob.fr. Gael, ceara,
'blood-colored, red', fr. cear, 'blood'; so called
from the color of its belly.
char, tr. and intr. v., to reduce to charcoal. —
Back formation fr. charcoal.
Chara, n., a genus of plants (hot.) — ModL., fr.
L. chara, name of an unidentified plant, of un-
known origin.
charabanc, char-a-banc, n., a long open car with
several benches. — F. char a bancs, 'a long car
with benches', fr. char, 'car', d, 'to, at, for' (fr.
L. ad, 'to, toward'), and bancs, pi. of banc,
'bench'. See car, ad- and banc, bench.
Characeae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Chara with suff. -aceae.
characeous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
character, n. — ME. caracter, caractere, fr. OF.
caractere (F. caractere), fr. L. character, fr. Gk.
Xapoocnqp, 'graving tool, mark engraved, im-
press, character', from the stem of ytxpaaasw,
'to engrave', which is of Semitic, prob. Hebrew,
origin. Cp. Heb. hdrdsh, 'he engraved, plowed',
hdrath, 'he engraved', Aram, hdrdth, 'he plow-
ed', Ugar. hrs, 'to plow'. Arab, hdratha, Ethiop.
hardsa, 'he plowed', Akkad. ereshu, 'to till the
ground'. See D.H.Miiller in Wiener Zeitschrift
zur Kunde des Morgenlandes, I, 25. Lith. zerid,
zerti, 'to scrape, scratch', is not cogn. with Gk.
Xapaaaeiv. Cp. gash.
Derivatives : character, tr. v., characteristn (q.v.),
character-ist , n., characteristic (q.v.), character-
ize (q.v.), character-less, adj., characterless-
ness, n.
characterism, n. — L. characterismus, fr. Gk.
xapaxT7jpia|jt6<;, 'characterization', fr. xapax-rv]-
pi^eiv. See characterize and -ism.
characteristic, adj. — Gk. xapax-cr,pia-rix6;,
'characteristic', fr. xapax-7/jpisEi.v. See next word.
Derivatives: characteristic, n., characteristic-al,
adj., characteristic-al-ly, adv.
characterize, tr. v. — ML. characterizdre (whence
also F. caracteriser), fr. Gk. xapay.TTjpt^eiv, 'to
characterize', fr. x^paxTYjp. See character and
-ize.
Derivatives: character-iz-ation, n., character-
iz-er, n.
charade, n., a riddle based on the syllables of a
word. — F., fr. Provenc. charrado, 'talk, chat',
fr. charra, 'to talk, chat', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. It. ciarlare, Sp. charlar, 'to talk,
prattle'.
charcoal, n. — ME. char cole, prop, '(wood)
turned to coal', fr. charren, 'to turn' (fr. char,
'a turning'), and cole, 'coal'. See chare, 'turn
of work', and coal.
Derivatives: charcoal, tr.v., charcoal-y, adj.
chard, n., the blanched leafstalks of the arti-
choke. — From earlier card, fr. F. carde, 'chard',
fr. OProvenc. cardo, fr. L. carduus, 'thistle'. See
card, 'machine for combing wool', and cp. car-
doncillo, cardoon, Carduus.
chare, also char, n., 1) a turn of work, occasion
(obsol.); 2) an odd job. — ME. cherr, chearr,
char, 'a turn, turning, time', fr. OE. cierr, cyrr,
'a turn, time, occasion', fr. cierran. 'to turn'.
269
Charon
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. ajar, charcoal,
charwoman, chore.
Derivative: chare, intr. v.
charge, tr. and intr. v. — ME., fr. OF. chargier,
charger, fr. VL. *carricare, 'to put a load on', fr.
L. carrus, 'car'. See car and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives : charge, n., charge-able, adj., charge-
abl-v, adv., charge-able-ness, n., charger, n.
(q.v.)
charge d'affaires, n., 1 ) deputy to an ambassador ;
2) representative of a country sent to another,
smaller country. — F., lit. 'charged with affairs',
charger, n., a large dish (archaic.) — ME. char-
geour, fr. 'utensil for loading or carrying on it',
fr. VL. *carricatorium, fr. *carricdtus, pp. of
*carricdre. See charge,
charger n. , anything that charges ; a war horse. —
See charge and agential suff. -er.
chariot, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.), augment, of
char, fr. L. carrus, 'car'. See car and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: chariot, tr. and intr. v., charioteer,
n. and v., chariot-ry, n.
Charis, n., Grace, one of the three attendants of
Aphrodite = Venus (Greek and Roman mythol.)
— Gk. Xaptq, fr. /apt?, 'grace', rel. to xatpew,
(for *xap-iew), 'to rejoice', fr. I.-E. base *gher-,
'to desire', whence also OE. georn, 'desirous'.
See yearn and cp. charism and the second ele-
ment in Eleocharis, Eucharist, Hydrocharis. Cp.
also Charon.
charism, n., a divine favor or gift. — Gk. x<xpiau.a,
'grace, favor, gift', fr. x a P'? ecr ^ at > <to show
favor', fr. x«P 1 ?- See prec. word and -ism.
Charissa, fern. PN. — MGk., fr. Gk. x&^q,
'grace'. See Charis.
charitable, adj . — OF. ( = F.) See charity and -able.
Derivatives: charitable-ness, n., charitabl-y, adv.
charity, n. — F. charite, fr. L. cdritatem, acc. of
cdritds, 'dearness, affection, love', fr. cdrus,
'dear, precious, esteemed, loved', which is cogn.
with OTr. carae, 'friend', caraim, W., Co.
car, 'friend', W. caraf, 'I love', Lett, kars,
'greedy', kdre, 'desire', kdrudt, 'to desire', ON.
hora, OE. hdre, 'whore'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *qa-, 'to desire', whence also OI.
kdmah, 'desire', kdyamdnah, 'loving', Toch. B
kavidh, 'desire', Lith. kamaros, 'lasciviousness',
Lett, kamet, 'to hunger'. Cp. caress, cherish,
Kama, whore. For the ending see suff. -ity.
charivari, n., a mock serenade, rough music. —
F., fr. Late L. caribaria, fr. Gk. xap-/;Pap[a,
'heaviness in the head, top heaviness',compound-
ed of xdpa, 'head', and pdtpo;, 'weight'; see
cerebrum and baro-. The sense development of
the French word is explained easily by the effect
of a deafening noise ('charivari') upon the head.
Cp. shivaree.
Derivative: charivari, tr. and intr. v.
chark, n., charcoal. — Shortened fr. charcoal.
Derivative: chark, tr. v.
charlatan, n., a pretender; a quack. — F., fr. It.
ciarlatano, fr. earlier cerretano, of s.m., fr. ML.
ceretdnus, lit. 'inhabitant of Cerreto', a town
near Spoleto in Italy, famous for its quacks and
impostors. It. ciarlatano was influenced in form
by It. ciarlare, 'to prattle'.
Derivatives: charlatan-ic, charlatan-ic-al, adjs.,
charlatan-ic-al-ly, adv., charlatanism (q.v.), char-
latan-ry, n.
charlatanism, n. — A hybrid coined fr. prec.
word and -ism, a suff. of Greek origin.
Charles, masc. PN. — F., derived (possibly
through the medium of ML. Carolus), fr. MHG.
karl, fr. karl, 'man, husband'. See churl and cp.
Carl, carline, 'old woman', carling, Caroline,
carolus.
Charles's Wain, n., the constellation Ursa Major
(the Great Bear); the Big Dipper (astron.) —
OE. Carles-wsegn, Carles-wsn, lit. 'wain of
Charles', i.e. 'wain of Charlemagne'. The name
of the neighboring star Arcturus (in the constel-
lation Bootes) having been confused with the
name of King Arthur, the Ursa Major was as-
sociated with the other great hero of medieval
romance, Charlemagne. See Charles and wain.
Charleston, n., a kind of dance. — So called from
Charleston, a seaport in Southern Carolina.
Charley, Charlie, n., an obsolete name for a night
watchman. — Prob. so called after Charles I
who introduced a new watch system in London.
charlock, n., a wild mustard. — OE. cerlic, cyrlic.
Charlotte, fem. PN. — F., fern, of Chariot, dimin.
of Charles. See Charles.
charlotte, n., apple charlotte. — Fr. prec. word.
charm, n., incantation, spell. — F. charme, fr.
L. carmen, 'song', dissimilated fr. *can-men,
from the stem of canere, 'to sing'. See cant,
'slang of beggars'. For a similar kind of dissi-
milation of the consonants nm to rm cp. L.
germen, 'germ', dissimilated fr. *gen-men (sec
germ).
Derivatives: charm-ful, adj., charm-ful-ly, adv.,
charm-ful-ness, n., charm-less, adj.
charm, tr. v. — F. charmer, fr. charme. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: charm-ed-ly, adv., charm-er, n.,
charm-ing, adj., charm-ing-ly , adv., charm-ing-
ness, n.
charm, n., song of birds (archaic) — ME. chirm,
fr. OE. cirm, cerm, of imitative origin. Cp.
chirm.
charnel, n., a burial place, charnel house. — ME.,
fr. OF. charnel, from Late L. carndle, 'grave-
yard, yard', prop. neut. of the Latin adjective
carndlis, 'pertaining to the flesh, fleshly', fr.
card, gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See carnal.
Charon, n . , the son of Erebus, who ferried the souls
of the dead over the rivers Acheron and Styx
(Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Xdptov, which is of
uncertain origin. It possibly is a euphemistic
term lit. meaning 'lovely', and is rel. to xsipeiv
(for •xdcp-£eiv), 'to rejoice'; see Charis.
charpoy
270
charpoy, n., the common Indian bedstead. —
Hind, chdrpdi, lit. 'four-footed', fr. Pers. cahar-
pdi, 'four-footed', fr. iShar, 'four' (which is rel.
to Avestic ca&ward, 'four'), and pal, 'foot'
(which is rel. to Avestic pad-, 'foot'). See four
and foot and cp. the first element in pajama and
the second element in teapoy. Cp. Gk. T£Tpa7TOOs
and L. quadrupes, 'four-footed', which are the
exact etymological equivalents of Pers. cahar-pdi.
charqui, n., dried meat. — Sp., fr. Peruv. charqui,
'dried meat'. Cp. jerk, 'to dry meat'.
chart, n., a sea map. — F. carte, fr. Late L. carta,
fr. L. charta. See card, 'a piece of pasteboard',
and cp. next word.
Derivative: chart, tr. v.
charter, n. — OF. (= F.) chartre, fr. L. chartula,
'a little paper', dimin. of charta. See prec. word
and cp. chartulary.
Derivatives: charter, tr. v., charter-ed, adj.,
charter-er, n.
charterhouse, n., i) a Carthusian monastery;
2) (capita a charitable foundation. — Formed
by folk etymology fr. F. chartreuse, 'Carthusian
monastery'. See chartreuse.
charter party, a written agreement for the hiring
of a ship. — F. chartre-partie or charte-partie,
'a divided chartre' (see charter and part, v.);
so called because the form was made in dupli-
cate in one sheet, which was divided between
the contracting parties.
Chartism, n., the principles of a political party
of reformers in England (1836-48). — See char-
ter and -ism; so called from ihePeople's Charter,
which contained the principles and demands of
this party.
Chartist, n., an adherent of Chartism. — See prec.
word and -ist.
Chartreuse, n., a Carthusian monastery. — F.,
fr. la Grande-Chartreuse, chief house of the
Carthusians near Grenoble. See Carthusian and
cp. Charterhouse.
chartreuse, n., a sweet liqueur. — The word orig.
meant 'liqueur made at la Grande-Chartreuse'.
See prec. word,
chartulary, n., a collection of charters. — ML.
chart uldrium, fr. L. chartula, 'a little paper',
dimin. of charta. See charter and subst. suff.
-ary and cp. cartulary,
charwoman, n. — Compounded of char, 'a turn
of work', and woman,
chary, adj., careful. — OE. cearig, 'sorrowful,
careful', fr. cearu, caru, 'sorrow, care'. See
care and -y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: chari-ly, adv., chari-ness, n.
Charybdis, n., a whirlpool between Italy and
Sicily. — L., fr. Gk. XipuPSis, a word of un-
certain etymology,
chase, tr. and intr. v., to hunt. — ME. chacen,
chasen, fr. OF. chacier (F. chasser), fr. VL. *cap-
tidre, fr. L. captdre, 'to strive, to seize', freq. of
capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize, hold'. Cp.
It. cacciare, OProvenc., Catal. casar, Sp. cazar,
Port, cacar, 'to chase, hunt', and see catch,
which is a doublet of chase.
Derivatives: chaser (q.v.), chas-ing, n.
chase, n., the act of hunting. — ME. chace, chase,
fr. OE. chace, fr. chacier, 'to hunt'. Cp. It.
caccia, OProvenc., Catal. casa, Sp. caza, Port.
caca, and see prec. word,
chase, tr. v., to emboss, engrave. — Short for
enchase.
chase, n., a rectangular, iron frame (print.) —
F. chdsse, 'box, case, frame', fr. L. capsa,
'chest, box'. See case, 'chest', and cp. chassis,
enchase.
chase, n., a groove. — F. chdsse. See prec. word,
chaser, n., one who chases or hunts. — OF. cha-
ceor (F. chasseur), fr. OF. chacier. See chase,
'to hunt', and agential suff. -er.
chaser, n., a chase gun. — From prec. word,
chaser, n., one who embosses or engraves. —
Formed fr. chase, 'to emboss', with agential
suff. -er.
chasm, n., a deep crack in the earth; abyss. —
L. chasma, fr. Gk. /au^a, 'a yawning hollow,
gulf', which is rel. to xatveiv, 'to yawn, gape'.
See chaos and cp. polychasium.
Derivatives: chasm-al, chasm-ic, chasm-y, adjs.
chasse, n. — Short for chasse-cafe.
chasse, n., a quick gliding step in dancing. — F.,
lit. 'chased', pp. of chasser, 'to chase, hunt'. See
chase, 'to hunt'.
chasse-cafe, n., a glass of liqueur taken after cof-
fee. — F., fr. chasser, 'to chase, hunt, drive,
drive away', and cafe, 'coffee'. See chase, 'to
hunt', and cafe.
chassepot, n., a rifle used by the French in the war
of !8 70 . — Named after the French inventor
Antoine-Alphonse Chassepot (1833-1905).
chasseur, n., 1) a hunter; 2) a soldier. — F., 'hun-
ter, huntsman', fr. OF. chaceor, fr. chacier, 'to
chase'. See chase, 'to hunt', and cp. chaser, 'one
who hunts'.
Chassideans, n. — See Hasideans.
Chassidim, n. — See Hasidim.
Chassidism, n. — See Hasidism.
chassignite, n., a meteorite. — Named after Chas-
signy in France. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
chassis, n., framework. — F. chassis, 'frame,
framework', fr. chdsse, 'frame', fr. L. capsa,
'chest, box'. See case, 'chest', and cp. chase,
'iron frame', and sash, 'framework',
chaste, adj. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. castus, 'exempt
(from mistakes), free, pure, chaste', prob. the
pp. of carere, 'to be without, be wanting, be free
from, abstain from', which prob. meant orig.
'to be cut otf, be separated', and is rel. to cas-
trdre, 'to cut, geld' ; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW.,
I, p. 167 s.v. cared. See castrate and cp. caret.
Cp. also caste, castigate, chastise.
Derivatives: chaste-ly, adv., chaste-ness, n.
chasten, tr. v. — ME. chastien, fr. OF. chastier
(F. chdtier), 'to punish', fr. L. castigdre. See
271
cheap
castigate and cp. chastise. For the ending see
verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: chasten-er, n., chasten-ed, adj.
chaste tree. — Loan translation of L. castus in
agnus castus (q.v.)
chastise, tr. v. — ME. chastisen, a blend of chas-
tien and suff. -isen (= E. -ise, -ize). See chasten.
Derivatives: chastis-er, n., chastise-ment, n.
chastity, n. — OF. chastete (F. chastete), fr. L.
castitatem, acc. of castitds, 'purity, chastity', fr.
castus. See chaste and -ity.
chasuble, n., an ecclesiastic vestment without
sleeves. — F., fr. Late L. *casubula (contracted
into casubla, a word used in the 6th cent, by
Gregory of Tours), fr. L. casula, 'a little hut',
dimin. of casa, 'cottage, hut, cabin', which is
of uncertain origin. Chasuble orig. denoted a
hooded garment resembling a little house. Cp.
casino.
chat, intr. v. — Back formation fr. chatter.
Derivative : chat, n.
chateau, n., a castle in France. — F., fr. OF.
chastel, fr. L. castellum, 'citadel, fortress, strong-
hold'. See castle.
chatelain, n., castellan. — F. See castellan.
chatelaine, n., the mistress of a castle; key chain
worn at the waist by women. — F., fern, of
chatelain. See prec. word.
chati, n., a South American tiger cat. — Of South
American Indian origin.
chatoyant, adj., of a changeable luster. — F.,
pres. part, of chatoyer, 'to shine with a change-
able luster', lit. 'to shine like the eyes of a cat',
fr. chat, 'cat', fr. Late L. cattus. See cat and -ant.
Derivative : chatoyant, n.
chathamite, n., a variety of chloanthite (mineral)
— Named from Chatham in Connecticut. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
charta, n., an umbrella (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
chdtd, chatr, fr. OI. catrah.
chattel, n. — ME. chatel, fr. OF. chatel, fr. Late L.
capitdle, 'property'. See cattle,
chatter, intr. v. — ME. chateren, of imitative
origin. Cp. chat.
Derivatives: chatter, n., chatter-er, n.
chatty, adj., talkative. — Formed fr. chat with
adj. suff. -y.
chatty, n., an earthen pot (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
chdti.
chauffer, n., a portable stove. — Prob. a blend
of F. chauffoir, 'a heater' (fr. chauffer, 'to heat'),
and E. chafer, 'a vessel for heating' (q.v.)
chauffeur, n., driver of a motor car. — F., orig.
'heater, fire man, stoker', fr. chauffer, 'to heat'.
See chafe and cp. chauffer, rechauffe.
Derivative: chauffeur, intr. and tr. v.
Chaumontel, n., a variety of pear. — Named from
Chaumontel, a village in the Department of
Seine-et-Oise in France.
Chauna, n., a genus of birds, the chaja (ornithol.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. xaOvo?, 'gaping, flaccid,
loose, porous', which is rel. to xao? (for *xafo<;),
'gulf, schism, abyss', x^o[j.a, 'a yawning hollow,
gulf. See chaos and cp. words there referred to.
chaussee, n., a causeway. — F., fr. VL. (via)
*calcidta, lit. 'a road paved with limestone', fr.
L. calx, gen. calcis, 'lime, limestone'. See causey,
causeway.
Chautauqua, n., an assembly for popular educa-
tion based on the system introduced in 1874 at
Chautauqua, N.Y. (U.S.A.)
Derivative: chautauqu-an, adj.
chauvin, n., a person affected by blind patriotism.
— F., from the name of Nicolas Chauvin, one
of Napoleon's veterans, ridiculed for his ex-
cessive patriotism and staged by the brothers
Cogniard in their vaudeville La Cocarde tri-
colore (1831). — The name Chauvin derives fr
L. Calvinus, hence is etymologically identical
with the name of the French reformer John
Calvin (1509-64), orig. called Caulvin, Chauvin.
See Calvinism.
Derivatives: chauvin-ism (F. chauvinisme), chau-
vin-ist, n. and adj., chauvin-ist-ic, adj., chauvin-
ist-ic-al-ly, adv.
chaw, tr. v. — A variant of chew,
chawbuck, n. and tr. v. (obsol.) — Anglicized
form of chabouk (q.v.)
chawdron, n., the entrails (of an animal). — OF.
chaudun, fr. ML. caldina, 'intestina', fr. L. cali-
dus, caldus, 'warm'. See caldron.
chay, chaya, choya, n., the root of the herb Olden-
landia umbellata — Malayal. chdyaver, lit.
'dye root', fr. chaya, 'color', and ver, 'root'.
Malayal. chaya derives fr. OI. chdyd, 'shade,
splendor, glitter, color', fr. T.-E. base *skd(i)-,
'to shine, flicker, glimmer'. See skiagraphy.
chazzan, n. — See hazzan.
cheap, n., n., 1) market (only in place names as
Cheapside); 2) bargain (obsol.) — OE. ceap,
'barter, buying and selling, bargain, price',
whence ceapian, 'to trade, buy, sell'; rel. to
OHG., MHG. kouf, 'trade, buying and selling',
G. Kauf, 'purchase, bargain', Du. koop, of
s.m., OFris. kdp, ON. kaup, OS. kdp, 'trade,
buying and selling', Swed. kdp, Dan. kjob, 'pur-
chase, bargain'. All these words derive, like
OHG. koufo, 'trader, dealer', fr. L. caupd,
'huckster, innkeeper', which is of uncertain
origin. OSlav. kupiti, 'to buy'. OPruss. kdupis-
kan (acc), 'trade', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
cheap, v., cheapen, chaffer, chapman, cooper,
'a kind of vessel'. Cp. also caper, 'privateer'. L.
caupd is not rel. to L. cupa, 'tub, cask', as sug-
gested by most lexicographers ; see Walde-Hof-
mann, LEW., I, p. 189.
Derivative: cheap, adj. (q.v.)
cheap, adj., low in price. — Shortened fr. good
cheap, 'a good price or bargain', i.e. 'cheap'. See
cheap, n., and cp. F. bon marche, 'cheap', lit.
'a good bargain'.
Derivatives: cheap-ly, adv., cheap-ness, n.
cheap, intr. v., to barter; tr. v., to buy (obsol.) —
ME. cheapian, fr. OE. ceapian, 'to trade, buy,
cheat
272
sell', fr. ceap, 'barter, buying and selling'.
Cp. Goth, kaupon, OHG. koufon, MHG.
koufen, G. kaufen, Du. kopen, ON. kaupa,
Swed. kdpa, Dan. kjobe, OS. kdpian, kopon,
'to buy'. These verbs orig. meant 'to barter,
bargain', and are traceable to L. caupd, 'huck-
ster, innkeeper'. See cheap, n.
Derivative: cheap-en, tr. v., to buy; intr. v., to
bargain.
cheat, n. — Shortened fr. escheat in the sense of
'confiscation'.
Derivatives: cheat, tr. and intr. v., cheat-er, n.,
cheat-ery, n., cheat-ing, adj., cheat-ing-ly, adv.
chebec, chebeck, n., a xebec. — F. chebec, fr. It.
sciabecco. Sec xebec.
chebule, n., the dried fruit of Terminate chebula.
— F. chebule, fr. Arabo-Pers. kdbult, lit., 'from
(the city of) Kabul'.
check, n., i) a sudden stop, restrain, repulse;
2) in chess, an attack upon the king. — ME.
chek, fr. OF. eschec (whence F. echec), 'check
(at chess); defeat, blow, loss', fr. earlier eschac,
borrowed (through the medium of Spanish and
Arabic) fr. Pers. shah, 'king' (in the Arab.-Pers.
phrase shah mat, 'the king is dead'), fr. OPers.
xshaya-, 'king', which is rel. to xshdya&iya-,
'power', fr. I.-E. base *qbe(i)-, *qp f (i)-, 'to rule',
whence also OI. ksdyati, 'possesses, rules', ksat-
rdm, 'rule, dominion', Gk. xfaoum, 'I get, ac-
quire'. Sec satrap, shah and cp. checkmate, chess,
checker, exchequer, Kshatriya. Cp. also the first
element in Ahasuerus, Xerxes and the second
element in Nakshatra, padishah and pashah.
Derivatives : check, tr. and intr. v., check-less, adj.
check, cheque, n., a written order to a bank. —
Most philologists derive this word from check
in the sense 'a sudden stop'. It is more probable,
however, that check in the sense 'a written order
to a bank', comes fr. Arab, sakk, 'agreement,
contract', fr. Pers. cdk, of s.m.
checker, chequer, n., a pattern resembling a chess-
board. — ■ Shortened fr. OF. eschekier (F. echi-
quiei), 'chessboard', fr. ML. scaccdrium, ult.
fr. Pers. shah, 'king'. See check, 'a sudden slop',
and cp. exchequer.
Derivatives: checker, tr. v., checker-ed, adj.,
checkers (q.v.)
checkers, chequers, n., a game played on a
checkerboard; draughts. — From prec. word,
checkmate, intcrj. — ME. chek mat, fr. OF. eschec
el mat (F. echec et mat), fr. Sp.jaque y mate, fr.
Arabo-Pers. shah mat, 'the king is dead' (whence
also It. scaccomatto). See check, 'a sudden stop'
and cp. mate, 'checkmate'.
Derivatives: checkmate, n. and tr. v.
cheeky, adj., divided into squares of alternate
tincture. — Formed fr. check, n., 'a sudden
stop', with adj. suff. -y.
Cheddar cheese, Cheddar, also Cheddar, n. —
Named fr. Cheddar, Somerset, England, where
it was originally made.
Derivative: cheddar-ing, n.
cheddite, n., an explosive used for blasting. —
Named after Chedde, a town in the Department
Haute-Savoie in France, where it was first
made; cp. lyddite. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
cheder, n. — See heder.
cheek, n. — ME. cheke, fr. ceace, 'jaw, cheek',
rel. to MLG. kdkc, Du. kaak, 'jaw, cheek'; of
uncertain origin.
Derivatives: cheek, tr. v., cheek-y, adj., cheek-
i-ly, adv., cheek-i-ness, n.
cheenar, n. — A variant spelling of chinar.
cheep, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: cheep, n., cheep-er, n., cheep-y,
adj., cheep-i-ly, adv., cheep-i-ness, n.
cheer, n. — ME. chere, 'face, countenance, cheer',
fr. OF. chiere, chere, 'face' (whence F. chere,
'countenance, cheer, entertainment'), fr. VL.
cara, 'face', fr. Gk. y.ipi, 'head'. See cerebrum
and cp. words there referred to. For the sense
development of F. chere, E. cheer, cp. F. bonne
chere, E.good cheer, prop, 'a happy countenance' .
Derivatives : cheer, tr. and intr. v., cheer-ed, adj.,
cheer-er, n., cheer-ful, adj., cheer-ful-ly , adv.,
cheer-ful-ness, n., cheer-less, adj., cheer-less-ly,
adv., cheer-less-ness, n., cheer-y, adj., cheer-i-Iy,
adv., cheer-i-ness, n.
cheese, n., milk curd. — ME. chese, fr. OE. cese,
fr. L. cdseus, 'cheese', whence also OS. kdsi,
MDu. case (Du. kaas), OHG. chdsi, kdsi
(MHG. kxse, G. Kdse). L. cdseus is prob. cogn.
with Prakrit chdsi, 'buttermilk', OSlav. kvasu,
'leaven', kyselii, 'sour', kyseti, 'to turn sour',
and with OI. kvdihati, 'boils, seethes', but OE.
hwseg (see whey) is not cognate. Cp. casein,
catechu, chcssel.
Derivatives: chees-er, n., chees-y, adj., chees-i-
ness, n.
cheese, n., the proper thing (slang). — Urdu
chiz, 'thing', fr. Pers. chiz, of s.m.
cheetah, n. — Hind, child, lit. 'spotted', fr. OI.
citrdh, 'bright, spotted, variegated', rel. to OI.
ketuh, 'brightness', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qdit-,
'bright'. See celestial and cp. -hood. Cp. also
chintz, chit, 'a short letter',
chef, n., the head cook. — F., short for chef de
cuisine, lit. 'head of the kitchen'. F. chef, 'head',
derives fr. VL. *capum, fr. L. caput, 'head'.
See chief.
chef-d'oeuvre, n., masterpiece. — F., lit. 'chief
work', fr. chef, 'chief, principal', de, 'from, of
(fr.L. Je.'from, away from'), and auvre, 'work'.
Sec chef, de- and oeuvre. The word chef-
d'oeuvre was introduced into English by Horace
Walpole (1717-97)-
cheil-, form of cheilo-, before a vowel.
Cheilanthes, n., name of a genus of ferns of the
polypody family (hot.) — ModL., lit. 'having
marginal flowers'; coined fr. Gk. xeiXo?, Tip,
margin', and avfro?, 'flower'. For the first ele-
ment see cheilo-, for the second see anther.
cheilitis, chilitis, n., inflammation of the lip
(med.) — Medical L. cheilitis, chilitis, formed
fr. cheil- with suff. -itis.
cheilo-, before a vowel cheil-, combining form
denoting the lip (anat.) — See chilo-, chil-.
cheiro-, before a vowel cheir-, combining form
meaning 'hand-, pertaining to the hand'. — See
chiro-, chir-.
Cheka, n., former name of the political branch
of the Soviet secret police. — Formed from the
initial letters of Russ. Chrezvychalnaya Komis-
siya, 'Extraordinary Commission'.
chela, n., a Buddhist disciple. — Hind, chela,
'slave, servant', fr. OI. cefah, cetakah, which is
rel. to Marathi cedd, 'son', celd, 'pupil', Prakrit
ceda-, cilia-, 'boy', Pali ceto, 'servant, youth'.
chela, n., the pincerlike claw of lobsters, crabs,
etc. (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xtqXt), 'fork, claw',
which is rel. to x*]W, 'a yawning, gaping',
ycavstv, 'to gape, yawn'. See chaos and cp. the
first element in cheliform. Cp. also chemosis.
chelate, adj., having chelae. — See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Chelidonium, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. /eXlSovtov, 'ce-
landine'. See celandine.
cheliform, adj., having a movable joint, as the
clawlike pincer of a crab. — A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. zyjXy), 'claw', and L. forma, 'form, shape'.
See chela, 'claw' and form, n.
Chellean, adj., pertaining to Chelles, France, or
to the early Paleolithic period (archaeol.) — F.
chelleen; so called in allusion to the flint im-
plements discovered there, which belong to this
period. For the ending see suff. -an.
chelone, n., siege performed with shields united
so as to resemble the shell of a tortoise; the
same as L. testudo (Greek hist.) — Gk. x^"^.
'tortoise', fr. x^S. 'tortoise', lit. 'the yellow
animal', rel. to yXooc,, 'greenish-yellow color',
and cogn. with OSlav. zely, 'tortoise', lit. 'the
yellow animal', fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, 'yellow',
whence also OE. geolo, 'yellow'. See yellow and
cp. words there referred to.
Chelone, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yp.&vr), 'tor-
toise' (see prec. word); so called because the
corolla resembles the head of a tortoise.
Chelonia, n., an order of reptiles, the tortoise or
turtle (zoo/.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xeXcivr;, 'tor-
toise'. See chelone, 'siege performed with
shields', and -ia.
chelonian, adj., pertaining to the order Chelonia.
— See prec. word and -an.
Derivative: chelonian, a tortoise, turtle.
chemic, adj. — See alchemy and -ic and cp.
chemist. Derivatives: chemic-al, adj. and n.,
chemic-al- ize, tr. v., chemic-al-ly, adv.
chemico-, combining form meaning 'chemically,
in connection with chemistry'. — Formed fr.
chemic.
chemin de fer, 1) railroad ; 2) name of a gambling
game resembling baccarat. — F., 'railroad', lit.
'iron road'.
chemise, n., woman's undergarment. — F.,'shirt',
fr. Late L. camisa, camisia (whence also It. cami-
cia, Sp. camisa, OProvenc. camiza), borrowed
from Teutonic through the medium of Gaulish.
Cp. OHG. hemidi (MHG. hemede, hemde, G.
Hemd), OFris. hemethe, OS. hemithi, OE. he-
mede, 'shirt', fr. Teut. *hamipia, fr. base *ha-
ma(n)-, 'covering, cover', fr. I.-E. base *kem-.
*kam-, 'to cover'. See hame, heaven, shame,
and cp. camise, camisado, camisole.
chemisette, n., a kind of bodice worn by women.
— F., lit. 'a little shirt', dimin. of chemise. See
chemise and -ette.
chemist, n. — F. chimiste, fr. chimie, 'chemistry'.
See alchemy and -ist. Derivative: chemist-ry, n.
chemo-, combining form denoting relation to
chemical actions or chemicals. — See chemic.
chemosis, n., swelling of the conjunctiva (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. yr^taau;, 'affection of the
eye in which the cornea swells like a cockle-
shell', fr. x4 ar i> ' a yawning, gaping; cockleshell',
which is rel. to yvbizw, 'to yawn, gape'; fr.
I.-E. base *ghei-, *ghi-, 'to gape, yawn'. See
chaos and -osis and cp. chela, 'claw'.
chemotherapy, n., — Coined by the Jewish bac-
teriologist and chemist Paul Ehrlich (1854- 19 15)
fr. chemo- and therapy.
Chen, n., a genus of geese, the snowgoosc (orni-
thol.) — Gk. yry, 'goose', rel. to Boeotian y&v,
for *ys.q, 'goose'. See goose and cp. words there
referred to.
chen-, form of cheno- before a vowel.
chenevixite, n., a copper and iron arsenate (min-
eral) — Named after the Irish chemist Richard
Chenevix who analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
chenille, n., tufted cord of silk, wool, etc. — F.,
prop, 'caterpillar', fr. L. cariicula, 'a little dog',
dimin. of cam's, 'dog'. See canine.
cheno-, before a vowel chen-, combining form
meaning 'goose'. — Gk. yryo-, yr,v-, fr. yr,'i,
gen. x 7 ) v o<;, 'goose'. See Chen.
Chenopodiaceae, n. pi., the goosefoot family
( 00 t.) — ModL., formed fr. Chenopodium with
suff. -aceae.
chenopodiaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Chenopodium, n., a genus of plants of the goose-
foot family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'goosefoot', fr.
Gk. yry, gen. /t,vo;, 'goose', and -o'i;, gen.
-086c, 'foot'. See cheno- and -pod.
cheque, n. — The British spelling of check, 'a
written order to a bank' (q.v.)
chequer, n. See checker.
cherish, tr. v. — ME. cherischen, fr. OF. cheriss-.
pres. part, stem of cherir (F. cherir), 'to hold
dear, cherish', fr. cher, 'dear', fr. L. cants
(whence also It., Sp., Port, caro, OProvenc..
Catal. car). See charity and verbal suff. -ish
and cp. caress. Derivatives: cherish-er, n., cher-
ishing, adj., cherish-ing-ly, adv.,cherish-ment,T\.
Z/4
cherna, n., any of the fishes of the family Ser-
ranidae. — Sp., 'a fish resembling a salmon,
ruffle', fr. Late L. acernia, which is rel. to Gk.
axspvoe, a word glossed by Hesychius; of un-
known origin.
cheroot, n., a kind of cigar. — Tamil suruftu,
'roll, cigar', fr. sum], 'curl'.
cherry, n. — ME. chery, fr. ONF. cherise (F. ce-
rise), fr. VL. *ceresia, fr. Imperial L. cerasium,
fr. Gk. xepaaoq, which prob. derives fr. Akkad.
karshu, 'stone fruit'. Cp. Kepatrou?, name of a
town in Pontus, lit. '(the town) abounding in
cherries'. The s in ONF. cherise was mistaken
for the pi. suff. and consequently dropped in
English. Cp. cerise, kirsch. Cp. also merry, 'the
wild black cherry'.
Derivatives: cherry, tr. v., cherri-ed, adj.
Chersonese, n., a peninsula. — L. chersonesus, fr.
Gk. xspaowiao?) 'peninsula', which is com-
pounded of x^p<Joe, 'dry, hard, barren', and
vrfioc,, 'island'. The first element is cogn. with
OI. hdrsate, hfsyati, 'becomes stiff, bristles',
L. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shudder,
tremble'. See horror and cp. -choerus. For the
second element see neso-.
chert, n., a kind of quartz. — Of uncertain origin.
cherub, n. — Heb. khabh, 'winged angel', prob.
rel. to Akkad. karabu, 'to bless', kdribu, 'one
who blesses', epithet of the bull-colossus, and to
Heb. beidkh, 'he blessed', b e rdkhd h , 'blessing'.
See berakah and cp. griffin.
Derivatives: cherub-ic, cherub-ic-al, adjs., che-
rub-ic-al-ly , adv.
chervil, n., an aromatic plant. — OE. cerfille, fr.
L. chaerephyllum, fr. Gk. xotipetpuXXov, which is
compounded of yaipeiv, 'to rejoice', and <puX-
Xov, 'leaf. The first element is rel. to yj*P l ?>
'grace' ; see Charis. For the second element see
phyllo-.
Cheshire cat. — Named from the county of
Cheshire in England.
Cheshire cheese. — So called because it is made
chiefly in the county of Cheshire in England.
Cheshvan, n. — See Heshvan.
chesil, also chisel, n., gravel, shingle. — OE. cio-
sol, cisil, cysel, rel. to OHG. kisil, MHG. kisel,
G. Kiesel, 'pebble, flint', diminutives formed
from Teut. base *kiso (whence also MHG. kis,
G. Kies, 'gravel'), corresponding to I.-E. base
*geis-, 'gravel', whence Lith. ziezdra, 'gravel',
ziezdros, 'coarse sand', OPruss. sixto, 'sand'. Cp.
the first element in kieselguhr.
chess, n. — ME. dies, fr. OF. esches, 'chess',
oblique case of eschec, 'check'. Modern French
also differentiates between the sing, echec,
'check', and the pi. echecs, 'chess'. See check,
'a sudden stop'.
chessel, n., cheese vat. — Compounded of cheese
and well, n.
chest, n. — ME. chest, chist, fr. OE. cesl, ciste,
fr. L. cista (whence also ON., OHG. kista,
MDu., MHG., G. kiste, Du. kist), fr. Gk. xl<m).
'basket', which prob. means lit. 'wicker basket',
and is cogn. with Olr. cess, ciss, 'basket', ain-
chess, 'bread basket'. Cp. cisium, cist, cistern,
kist.
Derivative: chest, tr. v.
chesterfield, n., i) a kind of overcoat; 2) a kind
of sofa. — Named after one of the Earls of
Chesterfield (19th cent.)
chestnut, n. — Shortened fr. chesten nut, fr. ME.
chesteine, chasteine, fr. OF. chastaigne (F. chdtai-
gne), fr. L. castanea, fr. Gk. (xapuot) xaaTavaa,
fr. xacrravov, 'chestnut', which is commonly
derived fr. KaaTavi?, a town in Pontus, but in
reality a loan word from a language of Asia
Minor ; cp. Arm. kask, 'chestnut', kaskeni, 'chest-
nut tree'. The town KaaTotvl? is named after the
fruit and lit. means 'Chestnut Town'. Cp. Castanet.
Derivative: chestnut, intr. v.
cheth, n., name of the 8th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. heth, lit. 'fence, barrier' (cp.
Arab, hdfa, 'he encompassed, fenced') ; so called
in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. Cp. eta.
cheval-de-frise, n. pi., chevaux-de-frise, a series of
projecting spikes (mil.) — F., lit. 'Friesland
horse'; so called because it was first used in
Friesland. For the etymology of cheval see
cavalry.
cheval glass, a long mirror swung in a frame. —
F. cheval, 'horse', fr. L. caballus. See cavalry.
chevalier, n., horseman, knight. — F., fr. Late L.
caballdrius, fr. L. caballus. See cavalier.
cheveril, n., soft leather made of the skin of a
kid. — ME. chevrelle, fr. OF. chevrele (F. che-
vreau), 'kid', dimin. of chievre (F. chevre), 'goat'.
See chevron.
chevet, n., the apsidal east end of the choir of
a church (archil.) — F., 'pillow, apse', fr. OF.
chevetz, fr. L. capitium, 'covering for the head',
fr. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital, adj.,
and cp. tete-beche.
chevin, n., the chub. — Cp. F. chevanne; of un-
known origin.
cheviot, n., cloth made from wool of sheep of
Cheviot Hills. — Named from the Cheviot Hills,
the range forming the borderland between Eng-
land and Scotland.
chevron, n., 1) a beam, rafter; 2) a ■■ - shaped
mark (her.) — F., 'rafter, joist, chevron', fr.
VL. *caprionem, acc. of *caprio, fr. L. caper,
gen. capri, 'goat'. See cabriolet.
chevrotain, n., a very small ruminant mammal,
(Tragulus kanchil); the mouse deer. — F., di-
min. of OF. chevrot, itself a dimin. formed fr.
chievre (F. chevre), 'she-goat", fr. L. capra. See
cabriolet and cp. prec. word.
chevy, also chivy, n., a) a hunting cry; b) a hunt,
chase; tr. and intr. v., to hunt, chase. —
Shortened from Chevy chase, from the 1 6th
cent, ballad of Chevy Chase, a name corrupted
from orig. Cheviot chase.
chew, tr. and intr. v. — ME. chewen, fr. OE. ceo-
275
chiffonier
wan, rel. to MLG. keuwen, Du. kauwen, OHG.
kiuwan, MHG. kiuwen, MG. kuwen, 'to chew'
(whence G. kauen, 'to chew' ; but cp. G. wieder-
kauen, 'to chew the cud', fr. MHG. kiuwen) and
to ON. tyggva (dissimilated fr. *kyggva), and
cogn. with OSlav. zivg, zivati, 'to chew', Lith.
zidunos (pi.), Lett, zaunas (pi.), 'jaw; gill', Pers.
Jdvidan, 'to chew', Toch. iwd, 'to eat'. L. gingiva,
'gum', is not cognate with the above words. Cp.
chaw.
Derivatives: chew, n., chew-er, n., chew-y, adv.
cheyney, n., a woolen fabric. — Lit. 'china ware'.
The word represents the former pronunciation
of China.
Chian, adj., pertaining to the island Chios. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Chius, fr. Gk. Xlot;,
name of an island off the coast of Asia Minor.
Chian, also chian, n. — Short for Chian wine.
Chiante, n., a kind of dry red wine. — Named
from the Chianti Mountains in Tuscany, Italy.
chiaroscuro, n., use of light and shade in paint-
ing, drawing, etc. — It., lit. 'clear dark', fr.
chiaro, 'clear', and oscuro, 'dark', fr. L. cldrus,
'clear', resp. obscurus, 'dark'. See clear and
obscure.
chiasma, n., a crossing or decussation (anat.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. yta.a\i.ct, 'two things placed cross-
wise', which is rel. to xTaau,6<;, 'a placing cross-
wise'. See chiasmus and -ma.
Derivatives: chiasm-al, chiasm-ic, adjs.
chiasmus, inversion of word order. — ModL., fr.
Gk. yl<xa\x6q, 'a placing crosswise', fr. yl6L,zn,
'to write the letter x', fr- X e '> X'> name °f tne
22nd letter in the Greek alphabet. Cp. chiasma.
chiastic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized by
chiasmus. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. ylats-
t6?, 'marked with a x> arranged diagonally',
fr. xlaZ,sw, 'to write the letter x'- See prec.
word.
chiastolite, n., a variety of andalusite (mineral.)
— Compounded of Gk. yixenoe, (see prec.
word) and Xt&oi;, 'stone'. See -lite, litho-.
chiaus, n., a Turkish messenger. — Turk, chd-
wush, chdush. See chouse.
chiave, n., clef (music). — It., 'key', fr. L. cldvem,
acc. of cldvis, 'key', whence also F. clef, 'key'.
See clavicle and cp. clef, conclave.
chibouk, chibouque, n., a Turkish tobacco
pipe. — F. chibouque, fr. Turk, chubuq, chibuq,
'pipe', prop, meaning 'stick, staff, tube', and
rel. to chub, 'stick, staff'.
chibrit, n., elemental mercury supposed to pro-
duce metals (alchemy). — Arab, chibrtt, 'sulfur',
rel. to Heb. gophrtth, Jewish-Aram, guphrithd,
kubhrithd, Christ.-Palest. Aram, guphri, Syr.
kebhrithd, Akkad. kupritu, 'brimstone, sulfur'.
chic, n., style, elegance. — F., prob. fr. G. Schick,
'fitness, tact, skill', fr. MHG. schicken, 'to ar-
range, set in order', whence G. schicken, 'to
send', Geschick, 'fitness, aptness, fate, destiny',
Schicksal, Schick ung, 'fate, destiny'.
Derivatives: chic, adj. and tr. v.
chicane, n., chicanery. — F., 'quibble, evasion',
fr. chicaner. See chicane, v.
chicane, intr. v., to trick. — F. chicaner, 'to
quibble, wrangle, quarrel', of uncertain origin;
prob. not related to MHG. schicken, 'to arran-
ge, set in order' (see chic).
Derivatives: chican-er, n., chicanery (q.v.)
chicanery, n., trickery, quibbling, sophistry. — •
F. chicanerie, fr. chicaner. See chicane, v. and
-ery.
chich, n., the chick-pea (obsol.) — F. chiche. See
chick-pea.
chick, n. — Shortened form of chicken.
chickadee, n., the black-capped titmouse. — Imi-
tative of its note.
chickaree, n., the red squirrel of North America.
— Imitative of its cry.
chicken, n. and adj. — ME. chiken, fr. OE. clcen,
cycen, rel. to MDu. kiekijen, kuken, Du. kieken,
kuiken, ON. kjuklingr, Swed. kyckling, Dan.
kylling, G. Kiichlein, 'chicken'. All these words
are diminutives formed fr. base *kjuk-, imitative
of the sound characteristic of a chicken. Cp.
cock.
chickling, n., a small chicken. — Formed fr.
chick with dimin. suff. -ling.
chick-pea, n. — • F. pois chiche, chiche, fr. earlier
cice, fr. L. cicer, 'chick-pea', whence also It.
cece, OProvenc. ceze. Cp. Arm. sisefn, 'chick-
pea'. Cp. also OHG. chihhira (whence MHG.
kicher, G. Kichererbse), 'chick-pea', which is a
loan word fr. L. cicera, pi. of cicer, but was in-
fluenced in form by the unrelated Gk. xixopiov,
'chicory'. Cp. also OPruss. keekers, 'chick-pea',
which was prob. also borrowed fr. L. cicer.
chicle, n., a gummy substance. — Nahuatl chictli.
chicory, n. — F. chicoree, fr. earlier cicoree, fr.
L. cichoreum, fr. Gk. xix^piov, xix6peia, xixwpT),
fr. OEgypt. kehsher. Cp. succory.
chide, intr. and tr. v. — ME. chiden, fr. OE. cldan,
of unknown origin.
Derivatives: chid-er, n., chid-ing, adj., chid-ing-
ly, adv., chid-ing-ness, n.
chief, n. — ME. chief, chef, fr. OF. (= F.) chef,
fr. VL. *capum, fr. L. caput, 'head'. See capital,
adj., and cp. chef, chieftain, achieve, mischief.
Derivatives: chief, adj., chief-ly, adv.
chieftain, n. — ■ ME. chevetein, cheftayn, fr. OF.
chevetain, fr. Late L. capitdneus, 'head, chief,
fr. L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See prec. word
and cp. capitan, captain. Cp. also prec. word.
Derivatives: chieftain-cy, n., chieftain-ess, n.,
chief tain-ry , n.
chiffchaff, n., the bird Phylloscopus collybita. —
Imitative of its note,
chiffon, n., a sheer silk fabric used for women's
dresses. — F., fr. chiffe, 'rag', pi. 'clothes', fr.
Arab, shiff, 'light garment', fr. shdffa, it was fine
and transparent' (said of materials).
Derivative: chiffon, adj.
chiffonier, n., a high chest of drawers. — F. chif-
fonnier, fr. chiffon, 'rag'. See prec. word and -ier.
chigger
276
chigger, n., i) the larva of certain mites; 2) chi-
goe. — Fr. chigoe (q.v.)
chignon, n., coil of hair worn at the back of the
head. — F., orig. 'nape of the neck', fr. VL.
*catenionem, acc. of *catenid, fr. L. catena,
'chain', which first became chaaignon, then
chaignon; the change of this latter to chignon
as well as the sense development of this word,
are due to the influence of F. tignon, 'coil of
hair'. See chain and cp. concatenation.
chigoe, n., a flea (Sarcopsylla penetrans) — Of
W. Indian origin. Cp. chigger.
chil-, form of chilo- before a vowel.
chilblain, n. — Compounded of chill and blain.
child, n. — ME. childe (pi. childre), fr. OE. cild
(pi. cildru), rel. to Goth, kilpei, 'womb', inkilpo,
'woman with child', OSwed. kulder, kolder,
Swed. kull, Dan. kuld, 'children of the same
marriage; litter', and cogn. with OI. jafhd-
ram (for *]alth-dram), 'belly, womb'. Cp. kilt.
Derivatives: Childermas (q.v.), child-hood, n.,
child-ish, adj., child-like, adj., child-ness, n.
Childermas (day), n. — OE. cildramsesse (dxg),
compounded of cildra, cildru, pi. of cild, 'child'
(see prec. word), and Mass (q.v.)
chili, n. — See chilli.
chiliad, n., 1) a thousand; 2) a thousand years. —
Gk. yl\iy.q, gen. yTXiiSoq, 'the number one
thousand', fr. ytkioi, 'a thousand', which is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with OI.
sahdsram and with L. mille, 'a thousand'. See
mile and cp. next word and chiliasm. For the
ending see suff. -ad.
chiliarch, n., the commander of a thousand men.
— Gk. -yThxixpyyf., x^-' a PX°?> compounded of
XiX.101, 'a thousand', and dtp/6?, 'leader, chief,
ruler'. See prec. word and -arch.
chiliarchy, n., the office of a chiliarch. — Gk.
yjkiixpyii, fr. X^^PX 7 )?' X'^ a PX ?- See P re c
word and suff. -y (representing Gk. -ia).
chiliasm, n., the doctrine of the millennium. —
Gk. fXkm^hc,, fr. yXk\rt.q, 'the number one
thousand'. See chiliad.
chiliast, n ., a believer in the doctrine of chiliasm. —
Gk. /TXiacrr/jt;, rel. to yTkiy.a\i6q. See prec. word.
Derivative: chiliast-ic, adj.
chill, n. — ME. chele, fr. OE. cele, ciele, 'cold',
rel. to OE. calan, 'to be cold'. See cool.
Derivatives: chill, adj. and intr. and tr. v., chill-
ing, adj., chill-ing-ly, adv., chill-y, adj., chill-i-
ness, n.
chilli, n., the dried pod of Capsicum. — Sp. chili,
fr. Nahuatl chilli.
chillo, n., a colored cotton material. — Sp. chilla,
fr. chillon, 'showy, tawdry', lit. 'crying, loud,
shrill', fr. chillar, 'to scream, cry', fr. L. sibilare,
'to hiss, whistle', whence also OProvenc. siflar,
F. siffler, It. zufolare, 'to hiss, whistle'. See
sibilant and cp. sifflc, zufolo.
chillum, n., 1) part of the hookah containing the
tobacco ; 2) the act of smoking the tobacco. —
Hind, chilam.
chilo-, before a vowel, chil-, combining form
meaning 'lip' or 'lips'. — Gk. xeiXo-, fr. x^oq,
'lip', rel. to xeWSw), ''ip> jaw', and prob. cogn.
with ON. gjolnar (pi.), 'gills'. See gill, 'organ
of respiration', and cp. the second element in
Megachile.
Chiltern Hundreds, the hundreds of Burnham,
Desborough and Stoke, in Buckinghamshire,
England. — See hundred (in its historical sense).
To accept the Chiltern Hundreds means 'to resign
from Parliament', prop, 'to accept an office
under the crown' (which disqualifies a Member
of Parliament).
chilver, n., a ewe lamb {dial. Eng.) — OE. cilfor-
lamb, ceolforlamb, 'ewe lamb', rel. to OHG. kil-
bur (neut.), kilburra (fern.), of s.m., OE. cealf,
'calf'. See calf, 'young of a cow'.
Chimaphila, n., a genus of plants of the winter-
green family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'winter-
loving', fr. Gk. x«u.ot, 'winter', and (piXsw, 'to
love'. For the first element see chimera, for the
second see -phile.
chimb, n. See chime, 'rim of a cask'.
chime, n., a set of bells. — ME. chimbe, chymbe,
'cymbal', fr. OF. chimble, cimble, cimbe, fr. L.
cymbalum, 'cymbal'. See cymbal.
Derivatives: chime, tr. and intr. v., chim-er, n.
chime, chimb, n., rim of a cask. — ME. chimbe,
from the stem of OE. cimbing, 'joint', which is
rel. to Du. kim, 'chime', G. Kimme, dial. Swed.
kimb, kimbe, 'edge'. These words prob. stand
in gradational relationship to comb. Cp. dial.
Swed. kim, 'cockscomb'.
chimer, chimere, n., a robe worn by bishops. —
MF. chamarre, samarre, 'a loose gown', fr. Sp.
zamarra, fr. Arab, sammur, 'weasel, marten'.
Cp. It. zimarra, 'robe; cassock', which was
formed with vowel dissimilation fr. Sp. zamarra.
F. simarre, 'robe; cassock', is a loan word fr. It.
zimarra. Cp. cymar, simar, zimarra.
chimera, chimaera, n., a monster with lion's head,
goat's body and serpent's tail {Greek mythol.) —
L. chimaera, fr. Gk. x^aipa, 'a young she-
goat', which is rel. to j(iu,ap6s, ' a young he-
goat', lit. 'one winter old', fr. yei^x., 'winter',
which is cogn. with L. hiems, 'winter', hibernus,
'pertaining to winter, wintry'. See hibernate and
cp. chiono-, the first element in Chimaphila and
the second element in Hedychium and in iso-
cheime.
Derivaaves: chimer-ic, chimer-ic-al, adjs.
chimere, n. — See chimer.
chimney, n. — ME. chimenee, fr. OF. cheminee
(F. cheminee), fr. Late L. {camera) camindta,
'(a room) provided with a chimney', fr. L. ca-
minus, 'forge, hearth', fr. Gk. xajiivoc, which is
rel. to xxudtpa, 'vaulted chamber', fr. I.-E. base
*qam-, *qem-, 'to bend, vault'. See camera and
cp. words there referred to.
chimpanzee, n. — From a S. African native word.
chin, n. — ME., fr. OE. cin, rel. to OS., OHG.
kinni, ON kinn, MHG. kinne, Kinn, 'chin*,
277
chirm
Goth, kinnus, 'cheek', and cogn. withOI. hdnuh,
'chin', Avestic zdnu- (in compounds), 'chin',
Toch. A sanwem, 'both jaws', Arm. cnawi,
'jawbone, cheek', Gk. ybiuq, 'the lower jaw,
cheek, chin', ysvEiov, 'chin', L. gena, 'cheek',
Lith. idndas, 'jawbone', Lett, zudds, 'chin',W.,
Bret., MCo. gen, 'jawbone, chin', Olr. gin, giun,
'mouth'. Cp. gena, genial, 'pertaining to the
chin', genio-, genyo-, gnathic.
Derivatives: chin, tr. v., chinn-ed, chinn-y, adjs.
China, n. — Fr. Chin or Hsin, name of the First
Dynasty of China (255-206 B.C.E.). This word
lit. means 'man'. Cp. cheyney, chine, sinology.
Cp. also serge, Seric, silk.
china, n. — Short for orig. chinaware, i.e. 'ware
from China'. See prec. word.
chinar, also cheenar, n., the Oriental plane tree
{platanus Orientalis). — Pers. chinar.
chinch, n., the bedbug. — Sp. chinche, fr. L. ci-
micem, acc. of cimex, 'bedbug'. See cimex.
chinchilla, n., a small S. American rodent. —
Sp., a hybrid coined from a S. American native
name and the Spanish dimin. suff. -ilia.
chin-chin, n., polite salutation; ceremonious talk.
— Chin, ts'ing-ts'ing, lit. 'please-please',
chincough, n., whooping cough. — Contraction
of chink cough. The first element of this word
is rel. to the first element in Fris. kinkhoast,
MLG. kinkhdste, Du. kinkhoest, 'whooping
cough', fr. Teut. *kink-, a nasalized form of the
imitative base *kik-, 'to pant, gasp', whence
MHG. kichen, 'to pant'. Cp. G. keuchen, 'to
pant, gasp', which is a blend of MHG. kichen,
'to pant', and kitchen, 'to breathe'. Cp. kinkhost.
For the second element see cough,
chine, n., 1) a fissure {obsol.) ; 2) a narrow valley.
— ME., fr. OE. cinu, rel. to OE. cinan, 'to gape,
crack', OS., OHG. kinan, 'to germinate', Goth.
uskeinan, G. keimen, of s.m., MDu. kene, OS.
kin, G. Keim, 'germ', fr. I.-E. base *gei-, *gi-,
'to germinate, rise (said of flowers) ; to cleave,
split'. See key, n., and cp. chink, 'crack', chit,
'sprout'.
chine, n., backbone of an animal. — ME. chyne,
'back', fr. OF. eschine (F. echine), fr. Frankish
*skina. Cp. OHG. scina, 'needle, prickle; shin-
bone', and see shin.
chine, adj., figured after the Chinese fashion. —
F., pp. of chiner, 'to color differently, mottle,
figure', lit. 'to color after the Chinese fashion',
fr. Chine, 'China'. See china.
Chinee, n., a Chinese {vulg.) — Back formation
fr. Chinese, which was mistaken for a plural.
Chinese, adj. and n. — Formed fr. China with
suff. -ese.
chink, n., split, crack. — Formed fr. chine, 'fis-
sure', with dimin. suff. -k.
Derivatives: chink, tr. v., chink-y, adj.
chink, n., a sharp clinking sound; intr. and tr. v.,
to make, resp. to cause to make, this sound. —
Of imitative origin.
Chink, n., a Chinese {slang). — Fr. Chinee.
Chinook, n., a N. American Indian. — Native
name of a N. American Indian tribe living in
the Columbia River region.
chintz, n., printed cotton cloth. — Orig. written
chints, fr. the sing, chint, fr. Hind, chinf , 'spotted
cloth', fr. OI. citrdh, 'bright, spotted'. See
cheetah.
Chiococca, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family {bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
Xiwv, 'snow', and x.6y.y.oq, 'kernel, berry'. See
chiono- and coccus.
Chiogenes, n., a genus of plants of the huckle-
berry family {bot.) — ModL., lit. 'offspring of
snow', fr. Gk. y 1 ^, 'snow', and yivoq, 'race,
'descent, gender, kind' (see chiono- and genus);
so called from the snowwhite color of its berries.
Cp. E. snowberry.
Chionanthus, n., a genus of plants of the olive
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'snow flower', fr. Gk.
X«ov, 'snow', and avfro?, 'flower' (see chiono-
and anther) ; so called from the snowwhite color
of its flowers.
chiono-, before a vowel chion-, combining form
meaning 'snow'. — Gk. xiovo-, yio-j-, fr. x'cov
(for *xtc!>(J.), gen. yiovoq, 'snow', which is rel.
to yzX^oi., X Et f i< * )V > 'winter', yiy.oi.poq, 'a young
he-goat', lit. 'one winter old'. See chimera.
chip, tr. and intr. v. — ME. chippen, fr OE -cip-
pian, rel. to Du. kippen, G. kippen, 'to cut', and
in gradational relationship to E. chop, 'to cut'.
Derivatives: chipp-er, n., chipp-ing, n. and adj.,
chipp-y, adj. and n.
chipmunk, chipmuck, n., a small American squir-
rel. — Corruption of Algonquian achitamon,
'red squirrel', lit. 'headfirst'.
Chippendale, adj. — Named after Thomas Chip-
pendale, a famous English cabinetmaker
(1718-79).
chir-, form of chiro- before a vowel.
chiragra, n., pain in the hand {med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. x£ip«YP 5 > 'gout in the hand', which
is compounded of x e 'p> 'hand', and aypa, 'a
catching, seizure'. For the first element see
chiro-, chir-. The second element is rel. to Gk.
dypEEtv, 'to take, catch', and cogn. with Olr.
dr (for *agrd), 'defeat', W. aer, 'battle, struggle',
OCo. hair, 'disaster'. Cp. dentagra, pellagra,
podagra.
chiral, adj., pertaining to the hand. — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. yzip, 'hand' (see chiro-), and -al,
a suff. of Latin origin,
chirapsia, n., friction, massage {med.) — Medical
L., compounded of chir- and Gk. cLtyiq, Afyiq,
'a touching, fastening'. See apsis,
chirata, n., the plant Swertia chirata. — Hind.
chirdttd, fr. OI. kirdta tikta, lit. 'the bitter plant
of the people called Kirdtas'.
chirm, n., noise. — ME., fr. OE. cirm, cerm,
'shout, cry, noise'. Cp. charm, 'song of birds',
chirm, intr. v., to make a noise, to chirp. — ME.
chirmen, fr. OE. cirman, 'to shout, cry', fr. cirm.
See prec. word.
chiro-
278
chiro-, before a vowel chir-, combining form
meaning 'hand'. — Gk. x £t P°-> X et p-< fr- X E 'P>
gen. x Et P°?- 'hand', cogn. with Toch. A tsar,
B sar, Hitt. keshshar, kishshar, Arm. jefn, gen.
jerin, Alb. dors (fr. I.-E. *gherd-), 'hand', fr.
I.-E. base *§her-, 'to seize, take, hold, close, en-
velope', whence also OI. hdrati, 'brings, carries,
takes away, robs', Gk. x^P™;, 'enclosure',
XOp6?, 'dance in a ring, dance', L. hortus, 'gar-
den', Goth, gards, 'house', OE. geard, 'piece of
land, garden, yard'. See yard, 'enclosure', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also cheiro-,
chirurgeon, enchiridion. Cp. also chorion, chorus,
chronic, and the second element in Dashahara
and in vihara.
chirograph, n., a formally written legal document.
— F. chirographe, fr. L. chirographum, fr. Gk.
Xetp6ypaipov, neut. of x El P^YP a< P°?> 'written
with the hand', which is compounded of xzip,
gen. X£ip6?, 'hand', and -fpatpo?, fr. Ypa9eiv, 'to
write'. See chiro- and -graph.
chirography, n., handwriting. — Cp. Gk. xeipo-
•ypaqjte, 'a written testimony', and see prec.
word and -y (representing Gk. -la).
Derivative: chirograph-ic, adj.
chiromancer, n., a palmist. — See next word and
agential suff. -er.
chiromancy, n., palmistry. — Lit. 'divination
from the hand'. See chiro- and -mancy.
chiromantic, adj., pertaining to chiromancy. —
Compounded of chiro- and -mantic.
Chiron, n., a centaur famous for his knowledge
of medicine (Greek mythol) — L. Chiron, fr.
Gk. Xstpcov, which is a word of uncertain origin.
It is possibly the abbreviation of xstpoupyoi;,
'working by hand; surgeon'. See chirurgeon.
chiropody, n., the treatment of diseases of the
feet (med.) — Orig. 'the treatment of the diseases
of the hands and feet', fr. Gk. xetp, gen. x^ipoc,
'hand', and 7to\i?, gen. tcoSo?, 'foot'. See chiro-
and podo-.
Derivative : chiropod-ist, n.
chiropractic, n., i) a system of treating disease
by adjusting the joints of the body, esp. the
spinal column, by hand; 2) a chiropractor. —
Compounded of Gk. xetp, gen. x"P°C> 'hand',
and TTpaxxixo?, 'fit for action, practical'. See
chiro- and practical.
chiropractor, n., one who practices chiropractic.
— See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Chiroptera, n. pi., the order of the bats (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xstp, gen. x El P0C>
'hand', and 7tTEp6v, 'wing'. See chiro- and ptero-.
Chirotes, n., a genus of burrowing lizards (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. /etp, gen. x el P°?> 'band'.
See chiro-.
chirp, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
the next two words.
Derivatives: chirp, n., chirp-er, n., chirp-ing,
adj., chirp-ing-ly, adv.
chirr, intr. v., to make a trilling sound (as that
made by a grasshopper and some birds); tr.v.,
to utter with a chirr. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
churr. Cp. also prec. word. Derivative: chirr, n.
chirrup, intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. chirp.
Derivatives: chirrup, n., chirrup-er, n., chirrup-
y, adj.
chirurgeon, n., a surgeon (archaic). — F. chirur-
gien, fr. chirurgie, 'surgery', ult. fr. Gk. x"-
poupyta, lit. 'a working by hand', fr. xsipoupY^?>
'working by hand', which is compounded of
yelp, 'hand', and epyov, 'work'. See chiro- and
ergon and cp. surgeon, which is a doublet of
chirurgeon. Cp. also Chiron.
Derivative: chirurgeon-ly, adv.
chirurgery, n. (archaic). — See surgery, which is
a doublet of chirurgery, and cp. prec. word.
-chirurgia, combining form meaning '-surgery'.
— Fr. Gk. xetpoupyta; se e chirurgeon.
chirurgie, chirurgical, adj. (archaic). — L. chirur-
gicus (whence also F. chirurgique), fr. Gk. x"-
poupyix6<;, 'worked by hand', fr. xeipoupyla. See
chirurgeon, and -ic.
chisel, n., a cutting instrument. — ME., fr. AF.
chisel, corresponding to OF. cisel (F. ciseau),
fr.VL. *cisellus, which was altered fr. *caesellus,
'cutting instrument', fr. L. caesus, pp. oicaedere,
'to cut'. Cp. L. cisdrium, 'cutting instrument',
and see cement. Derivatives : chisel, tr. \.,chisel(l)
-ed, adj., chisel(l)-er, n.
chisel, n. — A var. of chesil.
chit, n., a shoot, sprout. — OE. cip, 'germ, shoot,
sprout', rel. to cinan, 'to gape, crack'. See chine,
'a narrow valley'. Derivatives : chit, intr. v., to
shoot, sprout, chitt-y, adj.
chit, n., 1) a young animal (obsol.); 2) a child. —
Prob. a var. of kit, kitten. Cp. dial. E. chit, 'cat,
kitten'.
chit, chitty, n., a short letter. — Hind, chiffhi, fr.
OI. citrdh, 'bright, marked, spotted'. See cheetah.
chit-chat, n. — Reduplication of chat.
chitin, n., a substance forming the hard covering
of insects and other invertebrates (biochem.) —
F. chitine, fr. Gk. yiT&v, 'undergarment, coat of
mail, any coat or covering'. See chiton.
chitinous, adj., of the nature of chitin. — Formed
fr. chitin with suff. -ous.
chiton, n., a garment worn by both sexes in ancient
Greece. — Gk. x lT <>>v, Ion. xi-^cov, borrowed —
through the medium of the Phoenicians — from
the Semites. Cp. Heb. kuttSneth, Aram, kittani,
Arab, kattin, Akkad. kitinnu, 'linen', Akkad.
kitintu, 'linen garment'. Cp. also chitin, runic
Xirciv occurs in Mycenaean Greek as early as
the 15th century. See Michael Ventris and John
Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s. v. Semitic
Loanwords. Cp. the words chrysalis, cumin, se-
sam.
chitter, intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. chatter,
twitter.
chitterling, n., usually pi. chitterlings, the small
intestines of pigs. — Rel. to OE. cwid, 'womb',
ON. kvidr, 'belly', Goth, qipus, 'womb', MHG.
279
Choctaw
kutel, G. Kutteln, 'guts, bowels; tripe; chitter-
lings', and cogn. with L. botulus, 'sausage'. See
bowel. For the ending see suff. -ling,
chitty, n., a short letter. — Hind, chitthl. See
chit, 'a short letter'.
chivaleresque, adj. — Formed fr. chivalry with
suff. -esque, on analogy of F. chevaleresque.
chivalrous, adj. — OF. chevalereus, fr. chevalier.
See chevalier and -ous.
Derivatives: chivalrous-ly,wlv.,chivalrous-ness,n.
chivalry, n. — ME. chivalrie, chivalerye, fr. OF.
(= F.) chevalerie, 'knighthood', fr. chevalier,
'knight'. See chevalier and cp. cavalry,
chive, n., a plant related to the onion. — ONF.
chive, corresponding to OF. and F. cive, fr. L.
cepa, 'onion'. See cibol.
chiviatite, n., a lead bismuth sulfide (mineral) —
Named after Chiviato in Peru. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
chivy, n. and tr. v. — See chevy,
chladnite, n., a variety of enstatite. — Named
after E. F. Chladni, a writer on meteorites. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
chlamyd-, form of chlamydo- before a vowel,
chlamydate, adj., having a mantle (zool.) — L.
chlamydatus, 'dressed in a chlamys', fr. chlamys.
See chlamys and adj. suff. -ate.
chlamydeous, adj., having a perianth (bot.) —
Formed fr. chlamys with suff. -eous.
chlamydo-, before a vowel chlamyd-, combining
form meaning 'mantle' (zool. and bot.) — Gk.
X>-a(xuSo-, x^«!^ u S-, fr. yka.[Luq, gen. y\a\iu8ot;.
See next word,
chlamys, n., a short mantle worn by the ancient
Greeks (Greek antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. y\a.\u>c„
gen. y\a\x\)§oc„ 'upper garment, mantle', which
is of uncertain origin,
chloasma, n., a deposit of pigment in the skin
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. yX6a.(^xoL, 'green-
ness', fr. y\oaZzw, 'to be green', fr. ykor}. See
next word.
Chloe, Chloe, fern. PN. — L., fr. Gk. XXotj, fr.
/>.6t), 'a young green shoot, young verdure', rel.
to yXioQ, 'greenish-yellow color', x^oa^eiv, 'to
be green', ylapoq, 'greenish yellow, pale green,
green, fresh', yoXi), 'gall'. See yellow and cp.
choler, chlorine. Cp. also the second element in
Buchloe, Hierochloe.
chlor-, form of chloro- before a vowel,
chloral, n., a colorless liquid, CCl 3 CHO (chem.)
— Coined fr. chlor(ine) and al(cohol).
chlorate, n., a salt of chloric acid (chem.) — See
chlorine and chem. suff. -ate.
Chlorella, n., a genus of green algae (bot) —
ModL., formed with suff. -ella fr. Gk. y},<>>p6<;.
See Chloe.
chloric, adj . , pertaining to, or obtained from, chlo-
rine (chem.) — Formed fr. chlorine with suff. -ic.
chloride, chlorid, n., a compound of chlorine with
another element (chem.) — See chlorine and
-ide, -id.
chlorine, n., name of a nonmetallic element be-
longing to the halogen family (chem.) — Coined
by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(1 778-1 829) fr. Gk. y~ka,p6(;, 'greenish yellow,
pale green, green, fresh'. See Chloe. For the
ending see chem. suff. -ine and cp. brom-ine,
fluor-ine, iod-ine. Derivative: chlorin-ous, adj.
Chloris, n., name of the goddess of flowers in
Greek mythology; later identified with the
Roman goddess Flora (Greek mythol.) — L., fr.
Gk. XXtopu;, lit. 'greenness, freshness', which is
rel. to x^<">P°?- See prec. word.
Chloris, n., a genus of grasses (bot) — Named af-
ter Chloris, the goddess of flowers. See prec. word.
chloro-, before a vowel chlor-, combining form
1) meaning light-green; 2) denoting the presence
of chlorine in a compound. — Fr. Gk. yX^phc,.
See chlorine.
chloroform, n., a volatile liquid, CHC1 3 , used as
an anesthetic (chem) — F. chloroforme, a hybrid
coined by Jean-Baptiste Dumas (1800-84) in
1834 fr. chloro- and F. formique, 'formic' (fr. L.
formica, 'ant', see formic); so called by him in
allusion to its capacity of forming potassium
chloride and formic acid.
Chloromycetin, n., an antibiotic drug of the peni-
cillin-streptomycin family discovered by Paul
R.Burkholder of Yale University (med) —
Coined fr. chloro-, Gk. (juixrjt;, gen. ^(ixr^oq,
'fungus' (see myceto-), and chem. suff. -in.
chlorophyll, chlorophyl, n., the green coloring
matter of plants. — F. chlorophylle, coined by
the French chemists Pierre-Joseph Pelletier
(1788-1842) and Joseph-Bienaime Caventou
(1795-1877) fr. chloro- and Gk. <puX>,ov, 'leaf.
See phyllo- and cp. the second element in xan-
thophyll.
chloroprene, n., a colorless liquid used to manu-
facture neoprene (chem) — Coined fr. chloro-
and (iso)prene.
chlorosis, n., a kind of anemia, 'green sickness'
(med.) — Medical L., formed with suff. -osis
fr. Gk. yXa>p6c;, 'greenish-yellow, pale green,
green, fresh'. See chlorine.
choana, n., a funnel-shaped opening (anat.) —
Medical L.,fr.Gk. yoivrj, 'funnel, funnel-shaped
hollow in the brain', a derivative of ypr,, 'a pour-
ing out', from the stem of xeiv, 'to pour', which
is cogn. with L. fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
'to cast', and cp. chyle. Cp. also the first element
in chonolith.
chobdar, n., an attendant (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
chobddr, fr. Pers. chobdar, lit. 'a stick bearer'.
For the element -dar see aumildar and cp. words
there referred to.
chock, n., a block of wood. — ONF. chouque, rel.
to F. souche, 'stump, stock, block', fr. Gaulish
*tsukka, which is cogn. with OE. stocc, 'trunk,
log, stock'. See stock and cp. chuck, n.
Derivatives: chock, tr. v., chock-er, n.
chocolate, n. — Sp., fr. Nahuati chocolatl.
Choctaw, n., name of a North-American Indian
tribe.
choctaw
280
choctaw, n., name of a particular step in fancy
ice-skating. — From prec. word.
-choerus, combining form meaning 'pig', as in
Hydrochoerus (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yolpoq,
'pig', which stands for *ghor-yos and lit. means
'the bristle-bearing animal', fr. I.-E. base *gher-,
'to bristle', whence also Gk. y*lP, 'hedgehog',
L. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shudder,
tremble'. See horror and cp. Chersonese.
choice, n. — ME. chois, choys, fr. OF. chois (F.
choix), fr. choisir, 'to choose', fr. Goth, kausjan,
'to prove, test' (whence also OProvenc. causir,
'to look at'), which is rel. to Goth, kiusan, OE.
ceosan, 'to choose'. See choose.
Derivatives: choice, adj., choice-ly, adv., choice-
ness, n.
choir, quire, n. — ME. quer, fr. OF. cuer (F.
chceur), fr. L. chorus, fr. Gk. x°p°?» 'dance in a
ring'. See chorus.
Derivative : choir, tr. and intr. v.
choke, intr. and tr. v. — ME. cheken, choken,
aphetic for achekcn, achoken, fr. OE. aceocian,
'to choke', which is prob. formed fr. intensive
pref. a- and a Teut. base appearing in ON. kok,
'gullet'.
Derivatives: choke, n., chok-er, n., chok-ing,
adj., chok-ing-ly, adv., chok-y, adj.
chokidar, n., a watchman, porter. — Hind.
chauki-dar, 'watchman', fr. chauki, 'watching',
and suff. -ddr, 'holder, possessor". For the first
element see choky. For the second element see
aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
chokra, n., a boy (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, chokrd,
'a boy".
choky, n., l) a station, esp. a police station; 2) a
jail. — Hind, chauki. Cp. the first element in
chokidar.
cholagogue, adj., promoting the secretion of bile
(incd.) — F.. fr. Gk. -/oXavwyot;, 'carrying off
bile", which is compounded of /.oXr;, 'bile', and
aycovc.;, 'leading'. See choler and -agogue.
Derivatives: cholagogtie, n., cholagog-ic, adj.
cholangitis, n., inflammation of the biliary ducts
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of Gk.
yoXr,, 'bile', ayyEiov, 'vessel', and suff. -izic.
See choler, angio- and -itis.
chole-, combining form meaning 'gall'. — See
cholo-.
cholecyst, n., the gall bladder (anal.) — Medical
L. cholecystis, incorrect formation fr. Gk. yoXr;,
'gall, bile", and y.'jc-iz, 'bladder, bag, pouch'.
See choler and cyst,
cholecyst-, form of cholecysto- before a vowel,
cholecystitis, n., inflammation of the gall bladder.
— Medical L., formed fr. cholecystis (see prec.
word) with suff. -itis.
cholecysto-, before a vowel cholecyst-, combining
form denoting the gall bladder. — See prec.
word.
choledoch, adj., conveying bile (ana/.) — Gk.
yoXrjSoyoe;, 'containing bile', compounded of
/0X7), 'bile', and Soy6q, 'containing, able to
hold', which is rel. to Siysa&ai, Attic form of
Gk. SsxEoSm, 'to receive, hold'. For the first
element see choler. The second element is a deri-
vative of I.-E. base *dek-, 'to receive', whence
also OI. ddksati, 'is apt, proper', daksah, 'apt,
proper, clever', L. decet, decere, 'to be fitting
or seemly'. See decent and cp. the second ele-
ment in pandect and the third element in synec-
doche.
choledocho-, combining form meaning 'contain-
ing bile'. — See prec. word.
choler, n. — ME. coler, colere, fr. OF. colere (F.
colore), 'choler, anger', fr. L. cholera, fr. Gk.
yoXEpct, 'bilious diarrhea, cholera', fr. yoXr), also
XoXoc, 'gall, bile', which is rel. to ykooc,, 'greenish-
yellow color', xXoa£eiv, 'to be green', yX<op6;,
'greenish-yellow, pale green, green, fresh', and
cogn. with Avestic zdra-, 'gall, bile', L. fel,
OSlav. zluci, Russ. zelc', Lith. tulzis (metathesis
for *zullis), Lett, zults, OE. gealla, galla, 'gall,
bile', fr. I.-E. base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to shine; yel-
low, yellowish green, green'. See yellow and cp.
gall, 'bile'. Cp. also next word, Chloe, Chlorella,
chlorine, Chloris, and the second element in
melancholy, Chrysochloris, Echinochloa. Cp. also
the second element in bezoar.
cholera, n. — L. cholera, fr. Gk. yoXspa, 'bilious
diarrhea', fr. /oXy], 'gall, bile'. See prec. word.
choleraic, adj., related to, or resembling, cholera.
— Formed from prec. word with suff. -ic.
choleric, adj. — MF. (= F.) cholerique, fr. L.
cholericus, fr. Gk. yoXspixo:;, fr. yoXepa, (see
choler and -ic) : first used by Chaucer.
Derivatives: choleric-ly, adv., choleric-ness, n.
cholesterine, n., cholesterol. — See next word
and chem. suff. -ine.
cholesterol, n . , a fatty alcohol (biochem.) — Form-
ed fr. F. cholesterine, a word coined by the
French chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul (1786-
1889), and -ol, a suff. denoting an alcohol. F.
cholesterine is formed fr. Gk. yoXrj, 'gall, bile',
and OT£p£o:, 'solid' (see chole- and stereo-), and
is so called because it was originally found in
gallstones.
choliamb, n., an iambic verse having in the last
foot a spondee (instead of an iambus) (pros.) —
L. choliambus, fr. Gk. yvM.y.y.firjc,, 'a lame iam-
bic', which is compounded of xcoXoc, 'lame', a
word of uncertain origin, and ta(j.fio;, 'iambus'.
See iambus.
choliambic, adj., pertaining to a choliamb. —
Gk. /coXta;a3ixo;, fr. xcoXtx(/[3oq. See prec. word
and -ic.
Derivative: choliambic, n.
choiic, adj., pertaining to the bile. — Gk. yoXixoc,
fr. yoXr,, 'bile'. See choler and -ic.
choline, n., a crystalline base, C 5 H, 5 N0 2 (bio-
chem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -ine fr. Gk.
yoXr,, 'bile'. See choler.
cholo-, before a vowel chol-, combining form
meaning 'bile'. — Gk. x°^°'> X ^~> fr- X°' A 'h'
'bile'. See choler and cp. chole-, choiic, choline.
281
chord
chololith, n., a gallstone. — Compounded of
cholo- and Gk. Xi&o?, 'stone'. See -lith.
Derivative: chololith-ic, adj.
chomage, n., stoppage, cessation from work. —
F., fr. chomer, 'to cease from work', fr. Late
L. caumdre, fr. cauma, 'tranquillity'. See calm
and -age.
chondr-, form of chondri- before a vowel,
chondri-. — See chondro-.
chondrify, tr. v., to convert into cartilage. — A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. yovSpo?, 'cartilage', and
L. -ficdre, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See chondro-
and -fy.
Chondrilla, n., a genus of plants of the chicory
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. chondrille, 'Span-
ish succory', fr. Gk. yovSp[XXrj, yovSpCXr), name
of a gum-exuding plant.
chondritis, n., inflammation of a cartilage (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
y6v8po?, 'cartilage'. See chondro-.
chondro-, before a vowel chondr-, combining form
meaning 'grain' or 'cartilage'. — Gk. yovSpo-,
yovSp-, fr. yovSpo;, 'corn, grain, groat; carti-
lage', dissimilated fr. *yp6v8poi;, cogn. with L.
frendere, 'to gnash the teeih', OE grindan, 'to
grind'. See grind and cp. the second element
in enchondroma, hypochondria, perichondrium,
synchondrosis. Cp. also chrism, chrome.
chondrodite, n., a yellowish red mineral. —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. yovSpwSTjg,
'granular', fr. yovSpoc, 'grain'^and -<o8r)^, 'like'.
See chondro- and -ode, 'like'.
chondroid, adj., resembling cartilage. — Formed
fr. Gk. yovSpoc, 'cartilage', and -oeiStji;, 'like',
fr. eISoc,, 'form, shape'. See chondro- and -oid.
chondroma, n., a' cartilaginous tumor (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -oma fr. Gk.
yovSpoi;, 'cartilage'. See chondro-.
chonolith, n., a mass of igneous rock (geol.) —
Compounded of yjsrrr,, 'melting pot, crucible'
and XiSo;, 'stone'. The first element is a con-
traction of yo&vr n which derives from the stem
of ysiv, 'to pour', whence also yyaiq, 'effusion',
X'jXo?, x'jjjlo;, 'juice'. See chyle and cp. words
there referred to. For the second element see
-lith.
choose, tr. and intr. v. — ME. cheosen, chesen,
chusen, fr. OE ceosan, rel. to OS., OHG. kiosan,
ON. kjosa, OFris. kiasa, Du. kiezen, MHG., G.
kiesen, Goth, kiusan, 'to choose', and to Goth.
kausjan, 'to prove, test', fr. I.-E. base *geus-,
*gus-, 'to taste, enjoy by tasting', whence also
Gk. yeuEctftai, 'to taste', L. gustdre, 'to taste,
enjoy', Ql.jdsatijusdte, 'enjoys', Avestic zaosh-,
'to find delicious', Olr. gu-, go-, 'to choose'. Cp.
OE. costian, OS., OHG. koston, ON. kosta,
MHG., G. kosten, 'to test, try, taste', which are
all related to OE. ceosan, etc. F. choisir, 'to
choose', OProvenc. causir, 'to look at', OSlav.
kusiti, to taste, try', are Goth, loan words. Cp.
choice. Cp. also gust, 'relish', disgust, and the
second element in Fergus and in valkyrie.
Derivatives: choos-er, n., choos-ing, adj., choos-
ing-ly, adv.
chop, tr. and intr. v., to cut. — ME. choppen, 'to
cut up', in gradational relationship to ME. chap-
pen, 'to cut'. See chap, 'to chop', and cp. chip.
Derivatives: chop, n., chopp-er, n., chopp-ing,
adj., chopp-y, adj.
chop,n., i)jaw; 2) entrance ofa valley or channel.
— See chap, 'jaw'.
Derivative: chop, tr. v., to snap with the jaws,
chop, tr. and intr. v., to barter. — Rel. to ME.
cheapien, 'to buy, bargain'. See cheap, v., and
chapman.
Derivative: chop, n., a barter,
chop, n., seal, stamp; brand, quality (Anglo-Ind.)
— Hind, chap, 'seal, stamp'.
chopin, chopine, n., a liquid measure. — F. cho-
pine, fr. Du. schopen, lit. 'a scoop'. Cp. MLG.
schope, 'scoop, ladle', and see scoop and shovel.
G. Schoppen, 'mug', has been reborrowed fr.
NF. chopenne, the equivalent of F. chopine.
chopine, n., a kind of thick-soled shoe, patten. —
OF. chapin, fr. OSp. (= Sp.) chapin, fr. chapa,
'a plate of metal, foil, leather chape', which is
of uncertain origin.
chopstick, n., two small sticks used by the Chi-
nese in place of a fork. — Compounded of
Pidgin English chop(-chop), 'quick', prop, a loan
translation of the orig. Chinese name which lit.
means 'the quick ones', and E. stick, n.
chop suey, a Chinese dish. — Chin., lit. 'various
pieces'; influenced in form by E. chop, 'to cut'.
chor-, form of choro- before a vowel.
choragic, adj., pertaining to a choragus. — Gk.
yopayixo?, fr. yopayo?, 'leader of the chorus'.
See next word and -ic.
choragus, n., the leader of the chorus (Greek an-
tiq.) — L., fr. Gk. yopayo;, yop^yoi;, compound-
ed of yppbq, 'chorus', and the stem of Syeiv,
'to lead', which is cogn. with L. agere, 'to set
in motion, drive, lead'. See chorus and agent.
choral, adj. — F. choral, fr. ML. chordlis, 'per-
taining to the chorus', fr. L. chorus. See chorus
and adj. suff. -al.
choral, chorale, n., hymn. — G. Choral, short-
ened fr. Choralgesang, transl. of ML. cantus
chordlis, 'choral song", fr. L. cantus, 'song', and
ML. chordlis. See choral, adj.
chord, n., string of an instrument. — L. chorda,
'gut, string of a musical instrument, rope, cord',
fr. Gk. yo?Sr { , 'intestine, string of gut, string
of a musical instrument', which is cogn. with
OI. hird, 'vein', hirah, 'band', L. hernia, 'rupture',
hira, 'empty gut', haruspex, 'diviner inspect-
ing entrails', Lith. zarnd, Lett, zarna, 'gut', OE.
gearn, 'yarn'. See yarn and cp. cord, and the
second element in acrochordon, clavichord, noto-
chord. Cp. also hernia and the first element in
haruspex. Cp. also quirt.
Derivatives: chord, tr. v., chord-ed, adj.
chord, n., combination of notes (music). — Fr.
earlier cord, abbreviation of accord (q.v.) The
Chordata
282
spelling with h is due to a confusion with chord,
'string of an instrument'.
Derivative: chord, intr. v.
Chordata, n. pi., a phylum of the animal king-
dom including all vertebrates (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. L. chorda, 'cord'. See chord, 'string'.
chore, n., a job (.U.S.A.) — A var. of chare.
Derivative : chore, intr. and tr. v.
chorea, n., a nervous disorder; St. Vitus' dance.
— Medical L., fr. Gk. /opeia, 'dance', fr.
Xopo;, 'dance in a ring; chorus, choir'. See
chorus.
choreography, n., the art of denoting dancing by
signs. — Compounded of Gk. x°P e ^«> 'dance',
and -ypatpta, fr. ypatpeiv, 'to write'. See chorus
and -graphy.
Derivative: choreograph-ic, adj.
choreus, n., a trochee (pros.) — L., fr. Gk.
Xopeio?, lit. 'pertaining to a chorus', adj. used
as a noun. fr. xop°S> 'dance; chorus'. Seechorus.
chori-, pref. meaning 'separate' (bot.) — Fr. Gk.
/coptc, x«P l > 'separate, apart', rel. to x"P°?>
X<opa, 'empty space, room, place, land, country',
X&)petv, 'to give place; to hold, contain', x ^ -
£siv, 'to separate', fr. I.-E. base *ghe(i)-, 'to lack,
be empty', which is identical with *ghe(i)-, 'to
gape, yawn', whence Gk. x ( " vetv > ' t0 y awn >
gape'. See chaos and cp. chorisis, chorist, chc-
risto-, chorizontes, choro-, and the second ele-
ment in anchorite, enchorial, epichorial, para-
chor.
choriamb, n., a foot composed of a choreus
trochee) followed by an iambus (pros.) — L.
choriambus, fr. Gk. x°pi«nPo<;, which is com-
pounded of yopeioc,, 'choreus', and "ajAfioi;,
'iambus'. See choreus and iambus.
choriambic, adj., pertaining to a choriamb. —
L. choriambkus, fr. Gk. xopiafipixo?, fr. x°P'-
afi(3oi;. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: choriambic, n.
chorioid, adj., pertaining to vascular membranes
(anal.) — Lit. 'like a membrane', fr. Gk. x°P^-
oetSr;t;, fr. yopiov, 'skin, leather', and -OEiSrjt;,
'like', fr. eTSoc, 'form, shape'. See chorion and
-oid.
Derivatives: chorioid, n., vascular tunic of the
eye, chorioid-al, adj.
chorioido-, before a vowel chorioid-, combining
form denoting the chorioid. — See prec. word.
chorion, n., the membrane enclosing the fetus
(embryol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. y^piov, 'mem-
brane that encloses the fetus, afterbirth', which
is of uncertain origin. It derives perh. fr. I.-E.
base *gher-, 'to seize, hold, close, envelop',
whence also xEip, 'hand'. See chiro-.
Derivative: chorion-ic, adj.
choripetalous, adj., having separate petals (bot.)
— See chori-, petal and -ous.
chorisis, n., separation of an organ into parts
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xtopiaiS. 'separation',
fr. x"pt£«v, 'to separate', fr. x w p's> 'separate,
apart'. See chori-.
chorist, n., member of a chorus. — F. choriste, fr.
Eccles. L. chorista, fr. L. chorus. See chorus
and -ist.
chorister, n., member of a choir. — See prec.
word and -ister.
choristo-, before a vowel chorist-, combining form
meaning 'separated'. — Fr. Gk. yap 1 ^^
verbal adj. of xmp^eiv, 'to separate', fr. x«P^>
X&pi, 'separate, apart'. See chori-.
chorizontes, n. pi., the Alexandrian critics who
maintained that the Iliad and Odyssey were
written by different authors. — Gk. xcopt^ovTE?,
lit. 'separators', pi. of xwp^wv, pres. part, of
Xcopi^Etv, 'to separate'. See chori- and cp.
chorisis, choristo-.
choro-, before a vowel chor-, combining form
meaning 'place'. — Gk. xtopo-,x<op-, fr- X"P°S>
'place'. See chori-.
chorography, n., description or mapping of a
particular country or region. — L. chorographia,
fr. Gk. x«P°YP a! P^> wmcri is compounded of
Xojpo?, 'place', and -ypatpia, fr. ypacpEiv, Ho
write'. See choro- and -graphy.
Derivatives : chorograph-ic, chorograph-ic-al,
adjs., chorograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
choroid, adj., chorioid (anat.) — Gk. xopoEiS7];,
inexact form for x°pioet87;<;. See chorioid.
Derivatives: choroid, n., choroid-al, adj.
choroido-, before a vowel choroid-, combining
form denoting the choroid. — See prec. word
and chorioido-.
chorology, n., the study of the geographical dis-
tribution of organisms (biol.) — Compounded
of choro- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: chorolog-ical, adj., chorolog-ist, n.
chortle, intr. and tr. v. and n. — A blend of
chuckle and snort; coined by Lewis Carroll.
chorus, n. — L., fr. Gk. x°P°S, 'dance in a ring,
festive dance, dance; band of dancers; chorus,
choir; troop, band ; place for dancing'. The first
meaning was prob. 'an enclosed place for danc-
ing', from I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take, hold,
close, envelop', whence also Gk. yzip, 'hand',
Xop-ro?, 'feeding place, courtyard'. See chiro-
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also choir,
quire, chorea, choreus, the first element in carol
and in choragus and the second element in
Terpsichore.
Derivatives: chorus, v,, chorus-er, n.
chose, past tense of choose. — ME. choos, formed
on analogy of the pp. chosen. See chosen,
chose, n., thing, property (used in the legal terms
chose in action, chose in possession). — F. chose,
'thing', fr. L. causa, 'cause, reason', in Late L.
also 'thing'. Cp. OProvenc. cauza, It., Sp. cosa,
Port, cousa, 'thing', which all derive fr. L.
causa in its Late Latin sense, and see cause,
chosen, pp. of choose. — ME. chosen, fr. OE.
coren; influenced in form by choose,
chou, n., an ornamental ribbon or knot in worn-
283
-chroia
en's dress. — F., 'cabbage', fr. L. caulis, 'stalk',
esp. 'cabbage stalk'. See cole.
Chouan, n., one of the antirevolutionary insur-
gents in Western France in 1791. — F., from
the surname of one of their leaders Jean Cot-
terau, called Jean Chouan, fr. chouan, dialectal
contraction of chat-huant, 'screech owl'. He
and his three brothers were so named because
they used to imitate the cry of the screech owl
to warn one another in time of danger. Chat-
huant lit. 'shouting cat', is a popular alteration
of OF. javan (for chavan), fr. ML. cavannus,
'owl', a word of Gaulish origin.
choucroute, n., sauerkraut. — F., fr. Alsatian G.
surkrut (corresponding to G. Sauerkraut), lit.
'sour cabbage', fr. sur, 'sour', and krut, 'cab-
bage', with folk-etymological change of sur, to
F. chou, 'cabbage', and krut to F. cro&te, 'crust'.
See sauerkraut.
chough, n., the red-legged crow. — ME. choughe,
rel. to OE. ceo, ciae, MDu. cauwe, Du. kauw,
OHG. kaha, 'chough', Dan. kaa, Swed. kaja,
'jackdaw'; of imitative origin. Cp. OF. choe,
'screech owl', which derives fr. Frankish *kawa,
'chough', and F. chouette, 'screech owl', which
is a dimin. of OF. choe.
chouse, n., a swindler (obsol.); a swindle (colloq.)
— Turk, chawush, chdush, 'sergeant, herald,
messenger'. The meaning of E. chouse is due to
the circumstance that in 1609 a chiaus is said
to have cheated several Turkish merchants
residing in England. Cp. chiaus.
Derivatives: chouse, tr. v., to swindle (colloq.).
chow, n., Chinese (Australian slang). — See
next word.
chowchow, n., Chinese preserves. — Pidgin Eng-
lish, lit. 'mixed', of Chinese origin.
chowder, n., a dish of stewed fish, clams, onion,
etc. — F. chaudiire, 'pot', fr. Late L. calddria, 'a
vessel containing warm water'. See caldron.
choya, n. — A var. of chay.
choza, n., hut, hovel, cabin. — Sp., fr. khoss,
vulgar pronunciation of Arab, khuss, 'hut,
hovel'.
chrematistic, adj., pertaining to the acquisition
of wealth. — Gk. xpwtwtixoi;, 'pertaining to
money making', fr. ypr^anV^EaSxi, 'to transact
business', fr. X9W a ' ' a thing that one needs',
in pi. xpV aTa ' 'goods, money', fr. ypr\, 'it > s
necessary', whence also xp^<*&°", 'to make use
of',7pY)(jL?, 'use, employment'. See chrestomathy
and cp. words there referred to.
chrematistics, n., the science of wealth. — Gk.
XP7)(iitTKmx7) (scil. texvt)), 'the art of money
making', fern, of yj^r^a.zirmy.hc,, 'pertaining to
money making'. See prec. word.
chrestomathy, n., a collection of literary passages,
esp. from a foreign language. — F. chrestoma-
thie, fr. Gk. xpT)<"-o[i.a&£ia, 'desire of learning ;
book containing select passages', lit. 'useful
learning', fr. xp*]o"r6s, 'useful' (prop, verbal adj.
of xpijo&ai, 'to make use of), and the base of
(iav&avetv, 'to learn'. See chrematistic and
mathematics and cp. the second element in
catachresis, polychrestic.
Derivatives: chrestomath-ic, adj., chrestomath-
ics, n. pi.
chrism, n., holy oil. — ME. crisme, fr. OE. cris-
ma, fr. Eccles. L. chrisma, fr. Gk. ■yjpia^.a., 'an
unguent', fr. xp^iv, 'to anoint', which is of un-
certain origin. It possibly derives fr. I.-E.
*ghre°i-, *ghrl-, whence also Lith. grieju, grieti,
'to skim the cream off'. I.-E. *ghrSi-, *ghrl- are
enlargements of base *gher-, 'to rub'. See grind
and cp. chondro-. Cp. also rusma, which is a
doublet of chrism. Cp. also Christ. Cp. also
cream.
Derivative: chrism-al, adj.
chrism, tr. v., to anoint with chrism. — OF. chres-
mer, fr. Eccles. L. chrismdre, fr. chrisma. See
chrism, n.
chrisom, n. — A var. of chrism.
Christ, n. — L. Christus, fr. Gk. xptaxo?, 'anoint-
ed', translation of Heb. mdsht a h; verbal adj.
of xpfeiv, 'to anoint'. See chrism.
Christabel, fern. PN. — Prob. a compound of
Christ and Belle. Cp. claribel.
Christadelphian, n., one of a religious sect found-
ed in the U.S.A. by John Thomas (1805-71)
about 1850. — Compounded of Christ and Gk.
a.8sk(p6c„ 'brother'. See adelpho- and -ian.
Christ-cross, n. — See criss-cross.
christen, tr. v. — ME. cristnen, cristen, fr. OE.
cristnian, 'to baptize', lit. 'to make Christian',
fr. cristen, 'Christian', fr. Eccles. L. christidnus.
See Christian.
Derivatives: christen-er, n., christen-ing, n.
Christendom, n. — OE. cristenddm, formed fr.
cristen, 'Christian', with sufT. -ddm. See chris-
ten and -dom.
Christian, n. and adj. — Eccles. L. christidnus, fr.
Eccles. Gk. xptcmavo?. See Christ and -ian.
Christian, masc. PN. — Fr. prec. word.
Christianity, n. — OF. chrestiente (F. chretiente),
'Christendom', fr. Eccles. L. christidnitdtem, acc.
of christidnitas, fr. christidnus. See Christian
and -ity.
christianize, tr. v. — Eccles. L. ehristidmzdre,
fr. Eccles. Gk. xP' (ITL °'vt^Eiv, fr. xplGtiiv6q.
See Christian and -ize.
Derivatives: christianiz-ation, n., christianiz-
er, n.
Christmas, n. — ME. cristesmesse, fr. Late OE.
Cristes mxsse. See Christ and Mass.
Christology, n. — Compounded of Christ and
- Gk. -Xoyli, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: Christolog-ical, adj., Christolog-
ist, n.
Christopher, masc. PN. — Eccles. L. Christo-
phorus, fr. Eccles. Gk. Xpioxocpopot;, lit. 'bearing
Christ'. See Christ and -phore.
-chroia, combining form meaning 'discoloration',
-chroic
as in cacochroia. — Fr. Gk. xpoi&, 'color', which
is rel. to xp£>u.a, 'color'. See chrome and cp. the
second element in dischroa, Xanthochroi.
-chroic, combining form meaning 'colored', as in
erythrochroic. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
Xpota, 'color'. See -chroia.
chroma, n., the quality or intensity of a color. —
Gk. xpoi(j.a, 'color'. See chrome.
chromaffin, adj., having affinity for chromium
salts. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. xpoifjux, 'color',
and L. affinis, 'related'. See chrome and affinity
and cp. paraffin.
chromatic, adj . , I ) pertaining to color ; 2) progres-
sing by halftones (mus.) — L. chrdmaticus, fr.
Gk. ypu>\xa.-ciy.6c„ 'relating to color', fr. xpo>(Jt«,
gen. xpcofxa-rot;, 'color'. See chrome and -atic and
cp. achromatic, dichromatic, trichromatic, ortho-
chromatic.
Derivatives: chromatic, n., chromatic-al-ly, adv.,
chromatics (q.v.)
chromatics, n., the science of color. — See prec.
word and -ics.
chromatin, n., protoplasm occurring in the nuclei
of cells (biol.) — Coined by the German ana-
tomist Walther Flemming (1843-1905) in 1879
fr. Gk. xp"u- a > S en - XP"t JLaT0 ?> 'color'. See
chrome and chem. suff. -in.
chromatism, n., abnormal coloration. — Gk.
/pco|j.aricf(x6(;, 'a coloring', fr. xpa}y.an'iC,Ei\>, 'to
color", from xp£>[J.a, gen. /pco^a-roc. See chrome
and -ism and cp. chromism.
chromato-, before a vowel chromat-, combining
form denoting color or chromatin. — Gk. XP" -
\iono-, y_pu>\ixT- , fr. y_pS>\itx., g en - XP"t A<XT0 ?>
'color'. See chrome.
chromatophore, n., a pigment cell. — Compound-
ed of chromato- and -phore.
chromatoscope, n., an instrument for combining
light rays of different colors into one compound
color. — Compounded of chromato- and Gk.
-axo-tov, fr. crxoraiv, 'to look at, examine'. See
-scope.
chrome, n., 1) chromium; 2) chrome steel. — F.,
coined by the French chemist Nicolas-Louis
Vauquelin (1763-1829) in 1797 fr. Gk. xp£>H- a >
gen. xpwuaxo?, 'surface of the body, skin, color
of the skin, color', which is rel. to xpoi&, of
s.m., XP"?> 8 en - XP** T ^?> °f s - m -. ZP"^ 1 '"' to
touch the surface of a body, to tinge, to color',
fr. I.-E. base *ghrdu-, *ghrd-, 'to rub, smear,
tinge', which is rel. to base *gher-, 'to rub',
whence Gk. xpk' v > to rUD > anoint', xpia\iK,
'an unguent'. See chrism and cp. -chroia, chroma,
chromatic, and the second element in helio-
chrome, homochromous, metachromatism, me-
tachrosis, monochroic, monochrome, parachroma.
Derivative: chrome, tr. and intr. v.
chromic, adj., pertaining to chromium. — Formed
fr. chromium with suff. -ic
Derivative: chromic-ize, tr. v.
chromism, n., abnormal coloration. — ■ Irregular-
ly formed fr. Gk. xp£>[xa, 'color', with suff. -ism.
284
The correct form is chromatism (q.v.)
chromite, n., oxide of iron and chromium,
FeCr 2 4 (mineral) — Formed fr. chromium
with subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: chromit-ite, n.
chromium, n., name of a metallic element (chem)
— ModL., coined by the French chemist Count
Antoine-Francois de Fourcroy (1755-1809) and
the French mineralogist Rene- Just Hatiy (1743-
1822) fr. Gk. xp£>u-«> 'color; see chrome and -ium.
The element was so called by them because of
its colored compounds.
Derivatives: chrom-ic, adj., chromite, n. (q.v.)
chromo-, before a vowel chrom-, combining form
denoting color or pigment. — Fr. Gk. xp£>n<x,
'color'. See chromato-.
chromogen, n., the coloring matter of a plant. —
Compounded of chromo- and -gen.
chromolithograph, n., colored picture printed
from stones. — Compounded of chromo- and
litograph.
chromolithography, n., lithographing in colors. —
See prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -ta).
Derivative: chromolitho-graph-ic, adj.
chromophyll, n., pigment occurring in leaves
(biochem.) — Compounded of chromo- and Gk.
qpiiXXov, 'leaf. See phyllo-.
chromosome, n., a minute body occurring in de-
finite number in the cells of a given animal
species (biol.) — Coined by the German ana-
tomist Wilhelm von Waldeyer-Hartz (1 836-
1921) in 1888 fr. Gk. xp2>(j.a, 'color', and CToijjia,
'body'. See chromo- and -some, combining form
denoting the body.
chromosphere, n., envelope of gas around the sun
(astron.) — Compounded of chromo- and sphere.
Derivative: chromospher-ic, adj.
chromotype, n., a photograph in colors. — Com-
pounded of chromo- and type.
chromotypography, n., printing in colors. — Com-
pounded of chromo- and typography.
chromotypy, n., the same as chromotypography.
— See chromotype and -y (representing Gk. -la).
chromous, adj., pertaining to chromium (chem.)
— See chromium and -ous.
chron-, form of chrono- before a vowel.
chronaxy, chronaxie, n., the shortest time re-
quired to cause the excitation of a nerve cell by
an electric current (physiol.) — F. chronaxie,
coined by the French physiologist Louis La-
picque (1866-1952) in 1909 fr. Gk. xP° V0 ?>
'time', and a£La, 'worth, value', which is rel. to
'worthy'. See chrono- and axiom.
chronic, adj., 1) lasting a long time; 2) habitual.
— F. chronique, fr. L. chronicus, fr. Gk. XP rj ~
votoc, 'pertaining to time', fr. xp^vo?, 'time',
which prob. stands for *ghr-on-os and derives
fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take, hold, close,
envelop', whence also Gk. x £ V> 'hand'; see
chiro-. Time is regarded as 'that which embraces
all things'. See Hofmann, EWG., p. 424 s.v.
Xpovoc;. Cp. chronicle, crony, and the second
285
chthonian
element in isochronous, anachronism, metachro-
nism, parachronism.
Derivatives: chronic-al-ly, adv., chronic-i-ty, n.,
chronicle (q.v.), chron-ist, n.
chronicle, n. — ME. cronicle, fr. cronique, cro-
nike, fr. OF. cronique (F. chronique), fr. L. chro-
nica, neut. pi. mistaken for a fem. sing., fr. Gk.
toc ypoviy.&., neut. pi. of xpovix6;, 'pertaining
to time', fr. XP° V0 ?> 'time'. See prec. word.
Derivative: chronicl-er, n.
chrono-, before a vowel chron-, combining form
meaning 'time'. — Gk. xpovo-, XP 0V_ . fr- XP° V0 ?>
'time'. See chronic.
chronogram, n., inscription in which certain let-
ters, usually made conspicuous, record a date
expressed in Roman numerals. — Compounded
of chrono- and Gk. ypau-H-a, 'that which is writ-
ten'. See -gram.
Derivatives: chronogramm-atic, chronogramm-
atic-al, adjs., chronogramm-atic-al-ly, adv.
chronograph, n., an instrument for measuring
and recording minute intervals of time. — Com-
pounded of chrono- and Gk. -ypacpoi;, fr. yp<x-
tpziv, 'to write'. See -graph.
chronology, n., the science of measuring time by
periods. — F. chronologic. See chrono- and
-logy.
Derivatives: chronolog-ic, chronolog-ical, adjs.,
chronolog-ical-ly, adv., chronolog-ist, n., chro-
nolog-ize, tr. v.
chronometer, n., an instrument for measuring
time. — Compounded of chrono- and Gk.
(jirpov, 'measure'. See -meter.
Derivatives : chronometr-ic, chonometr-ic-al,
adjs., chronometr-ic-al-ly, adv., chronometr-y, n.
chronopher, n., an instrument used to broadcast
time signals by electricity. — Compounded of
Gk. xpovo?, 'time', and the stem of <p£peiv, 'to
bear, carry'. See chrono- and bear, 'to carry'.
chronoscope, n., an instrument for measuring mi-
nute intervals of time. — Compounded of
chrono- and Gk. -oxotuov, fr. axemen*, 'to look
at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivatives: chronoscop-y, n., chronoscop-ic,
adj., chronoscop-ic-al-ly, adv.
-chroous, combining form meaning 'having (such
and such) a color'. — Gk. -xpoo;, fr. XP"?>
gen. xpojtoi;, 'color', rel. to XP 01 "> 'color'. See
-chroia and -ous.
chrys-, form of chryso- before a vowel,
chrysalid, n., a chrysalis. — See chrysalis,
chrysalid, n., pertaining to a chrysalis. — See
next word.
chrysalis, n., the pupa of butterflies and other
insects. — L. chrysallis, fr. Gk. ypvaaXkiz, gen.
-iSo?, 'the gold-colored pupa of the butterfly',
fr. xpva6<;, 'gold', fr. Hebrew-Phoenician hdrutz,
'gold', which is rel. to Ugar. hrs, Akkad. hurdsu,
'gold', lit. 'the yellow metal'; cp. Aram.-Syr.
hard', 'yellow'. Cp. also Mitanni hiaruka, 'gold',
which is a Sem. loan word. Heb.-Phoen. har&tz,
'gold', found its way into Mycenaean Greek in
the 1 5th century. See Michael Ventris and John
Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s.v. Se-
mitic Loanwords. — Cp. the words chiton,
cumin, sesam.
Chrysanthemum, n. (bot.), a genus of herbs of
the thistle family; (not cap) any plant of this
genus. — L. chrysanthemum, fr. Gk. xpuatbj&£-
[xov, 'goldflower', the corn marigold', which is
compounded of xpuao;, 'gold', and &v&e(j.ov,
'flower', fr. avS-o?, 'flower'. See chrysalis and
anther.
chryselephantine, adj., overlaid with gold and
ivory. — Gk. xpucrsXscpavTtvoi;, compounded of
XPucto?, 'gold', and eXecpav-rivo!;, 'made of ivory',
fr. iXeipa?, gen. sXstpavTcx;, 'elephant, ivory'.
See chrysalis, elephant and -me (representing
Gk. -Xvoc,).
Chrysemys, n., a genus of American turtles (zool.)
— ModL., compounded of chrys- and Gk. e(j.u?,
'fresh water turtle'. See Emys.
chryso-, before a vowel chrys-, combining form
meaning 'gold, golden, golden yellow'. — Gk.
XpCao-, XP^ CT -> fr- XP 5<J( ^> '8°ld'. See chrysalis.
chrysoberyl, n., a semi-precious stone (mineral.)
— L. chrysoberyllus, fr. Gk. xpu<ro[i7]poXXo!;,
which is compounded of xpucro?, 'gold', and
PrjpuXXo?, 'beryl'. See chrysalis and beryl.
Chrysochloris, n., a genus of moles (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'golden yellow', compounded of Gk.
Xp0u6q, 'gold', and x>-wp6s, 'greenish yellow'.
See chrysalis and chlorine,
chrysolite, n., a magnesium iron silicate. — ME.
crisolite (F. chrysolithe), fr. L. chrysolithus, fr.
Gk. xp\>a6\&o<;, which is compounded of
Xpviaoi;, 'gold', and Xi#o?, 'stone'. See chrysalis
and -lite.
Derivative: chrysolit-ic, adj.
chrysoprase, n., an apple-green variety of chal-
cedony (mineral) — Gk. xpuooTrpaoo?, com-
pounded of y_p\>aoc„ 'gold', and Trpaaov, 'leek'.
See chryso- and prase.
Chrysopsis, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family, the golden aster (bot.) — ModL., com-
pounded of Gk. yp'jaoc,, 'gold', and Sij/i?, 'sight,
view' (see chrysalis and -opsis) ; so called from
its golden blossoms.
Chrysothamnus, n., a genus of plants of the
thistle family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. xP'Jio?. 'gold' and da^vo;, 'bush, shrub'.
For the first element see chrysalis. The second
element is related to ^ctuie;, 'crowded', da^a,
'often', orig. 'thickly', and stands in gradational
relationship to &yj(xcov, 'heap', from the stem of
tlStUll, 'I put, place', whence also $eu.a, 'any-
thing laid down, deposit', 'a placing,
setting'. See theme and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
chthonian, adj., pertaining to the gods of the
underworld (Greek mylhol.) — Formed with
suff. -an fr. Gk. x*6vio<;, 'of the earth', fr. x*" v >
gen. x&ov6?, 'earth', which stands for *x*"H an d
chub
286
is cogn. with OI. ksdht, acc. ksdm, 'earth', fr.
I.-E. *gh(tem-, *gh(tom-, 'earth'. Cp. Toch. A
tkam (B kan), 'earth, place', Hitt. tegan, gen.
taknds, 'earth', which derive from the above
base through metathesis. Cp. also Olr. du, gen.
don, 'place' (for *d6n, fr. *ddm, corresponding
to Gk. x$cjv), duine, 'man'. From *ghom-,
*ghem-, simplified forms of the above base,
derive Gk. x ^ 01 '. ' on tne ground', L. humus,
'earth', Lith. zeme, Lett, zeme, OPruss. same,
semme, OSlav. zemlja, 'earth'. See humus and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the second
element in autochthon. Cp. also zemstvo, the
first element in chameleon, camomile, duniwassal,
zemindar, and the second element in bridegroom.
chub, n., a fresh water fish, the chevin. — ME.
chubbe, of unknown origin.
chubby, adj., plump. — Lit. 'resembling a chub';
formed fr. chub with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: chubb-i-ly, adv., chubb-i-ness, n.
chuck, tr. v., to throw. — Fr. earlier chock, fr. F.
choquer, 'to shock', which is prob. borrowed
fr. Du. schokken, a word of imitative origin.
Cp. shock, 'to collide'.
chuck, intr. v., to cluck. — Of imitative origin.
Derivative: chuck, n.
chuck, n., a chock. — [Prob. a var. of chock,
'block'. Cp. chunk.
Derivatives: chuck, tr. v., to put into a chuck,
chuck-er, n.
chuckle, intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. chuck,
'to cluck'.
chucklehead, n., a blockhead. — The first element
derives fr. obsolete chuckle, 'stupid', fr. chuck,
n. For sense development cp. blockhead.
chudder, also chuddar, n., a sheet of cloth (Anglo-
Ind.) — Hind, chadar, fr. Pers. chddar, 'tent,
pavilion; mantle; scarf, veil; sheet; table cloth'.
Chueta, n., name of a descendant of a christian-
ized Jew on the Balearic Islands. — Sp., fr.
Majorcan jueuet, dimin. of jueu, 'Jew', fr. L.
Judaeus, whence also Sp. judlo. See Jew.
chufa, n., a sedge, Cyperus esculentus. — Sp., fr.
L. cyphi, 'an Egyptian compound incense', fr.
Gk. xucpu
chuff, n., a churl. — Of uncertain origin.
chukker, also chucker, n., a wheel; a circle(/nA'a).
— Hind, chakar, chakkar, fr. OI. cakrdh, 'wheel,
circle', which is cogn. with Gk. xiixXo;, 'a ring,
circle'. See cycle and cp. hackery, jack, 'an East
Indian tree'.
chum, n. — Abbreviation of chamber fellow or
chamber mate.
Derivatives: chum, intr. v. (colhq.), chumm-y,
adj., chum-ship, n.
Chumar, n. — A var. of Chamar.
chump, n. — A blend of chunk and lump,
chunk, n., a thick block. — A nasalized var. of
chuck, 'block'.
Derivatives: chunk-ing, chunk-y, adjs.
chupatty, also chapatty, n., a thin unleavened
cake (Anglo-Indian). — Hind, chapati, fr. OI.
carpati, 'a flat cake', fr. carpatah, 'flat', which is
possibly of Dravidian origin,
chuppah, n. — See huppah.
chuprassy, n., a messenger wearing a badge
(Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, chaprdsi, fr. chaprds.
'badge plate', a word of uncertain origin. The
usual derivation of chaprds fr. Pers. chap-u-
rdst, 'left and right', is folk etymology,
church, n. — ME. chirche, churche, fr. OE. cirice,
cyrice (whence ON. kirkja), fr. MGk. xupixov,
fr. Gk. xupiaxov (scil. Sfojxa), 'the Lord's house'.
OS. kirika, ON. kirkia (Dan. kirke, Swed.
kyrkd), OFris. kerke, MDu. kerke (Du. kerk),
OHG. kirihha, chirihha (MHG., G. kirche),
'church', also derive fr. MGk. xupixov. OSlav.
cruky (Russ. cerkov') is prob. a Teut. loan word.
Gk. xupiaxov is prop, the neut. of the adjective
xopiaxo?, 'belonging to the Lord', fr. xupto?,
'lord, master', from the adj. xapioq, 'having
power, having authority', fr. xupo?, 'authority',
which is cogn. with OI. sdvirah, iUrah, 'strong,
brave, courageous', Avestic sura-, sura-, 'strong,
mighty', Gaul. Kocuapo?, Olr. caur, 'hero', Co.
caur, W. cawr, 'giant, hero'. These words prob.
derive fr. I.-E. base *kew(e)-, *kewa-, *ku-, 'to
swell out', whence also Gk. xueiv, also xtkiv,
'to become or be pregnant', L. cavus, 'hollow'.
See cave, n., and cp. kirk, kermess, 'fair'. Cp.
also curiologic, Cyril, Kyrie eleison, acyrology.
Derivatives : church, tr. v. , church-ing, n., church-
ly, adj., church-li-ness, n., church-y, adj.
churchite, n., a hydrous cerium calcium phos-
phate (mineral.) — Named after the English
chemist Arthur H.Church (1834-1915). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
churl, n., 1) a peasant; 2) a boor. — ME. cheorl,
cherl, churl, fr. OE. ceorl, 'a freeman of low
degree, man, husband, male', rel. to MLG.
kerle, Du. kerel, 'freeman of low degree', G.
Kerl, 'fellow', ON. karl, 'old man, man, servant'
(whence OE. carl, 'man'), Norw. kar, 'man',
kali, 'an old man', OHG. karal, 'man, husband,
lover' [whence MHG. karl, of s.m., and the
ML. PN. Carolus, the G. PN. Karl; cp. also Lith.
kardlius, OSlav. kralji (Russ. kordV, Pol. krol,
Czech krdl), 'king', which go back to Carolus =
Charles I (Charlemagne), king of the Franks] ;
fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-, 'to become ripe, grow
old', whence also OI. jdrati, 'grows old', Gk.
y£po)V,'old man', yr;poci6<;, ff]palio^, 'old', Goth.
kaurn, OE. corn, 'grain'. See corn, 'grain',
and cp. next word. Cp. also Carl, carling,
Caroline, Caroline, 'old woman', Carolus, Char-
les, Charles's Wain, housecarl. Cp. also geronto-
and words there referred to.
Derivatives: churl-ed, churl-ish, adjs., churl-ish-
ly, adv., churl-ish-ness, n., churl-y, adj.
chum, n., a machine for making butter. — ME.
chime, chyrne, cherne, fr. OE. cyrin, rel. to ON.
kirna, Swed. kdrna, Dan. kjerne, Du. karn,
MHG. kern, dial. G. Kirn, Kern, 'a churn',
fr. Teut. *kerna-, 'cream', prop, 'the kernel of
28/
cicatrize
the milk'; rel. also to OE. cyrnel, ON. kjarni,
'kernel', and to OE. corn, ON., OHG. korn,
'corn'. See corn, 'grain', and cp. kernel. Cp.
also kirn. Cp. also prec. word.
churn, tr. v., to make (butter) in a churn; intr.
v., to use a churn in making butter. — ME.
chirnen, chyrnen, chernen, rel. to Swed. kdrna,
Dan. kjerne, Du. karnen, G. kernen, 'to churn',
and to ME. chirne, 'churn'. See churn, n.
Derivatives: churn-er, n., churn-ing, n.
churr, intr. v., to make a whirring sound (as that
made by some birds or insects) ; tr. v., to utter
with a churr. — Of imitative origin. Cp. chirr.
Derivative: churr, n.
churr us, n., an apparatus for drawing water
(India). — Hind, charas, fr. charsd, 'hide', fr.
OI. carman-, 'hide, leather'. See corium and cp.
Chamar.
chute, n., waterfall; shoot. — F. chute, 'fall', re-
fashioned after the pp. chu, fr. OF. cheoite, fern,
pp. of cheoir used as a noun fr. VL. *cadectus,
formed on analogy of L. collectus, pp. of colli-
gere, 'to gather', fr. *cadere (L. cadere), 'to
fall'. See cadence. In sense development, E.
chute was partly influenced by the word shoot.
Cp. parachute.
Derivatives: chute, tr. and intr. v., chut-er, n.
chutney, n., a strong pickle. — Hind, chatni.
chyle, n., fluid formed from the chyme in the
small intestine (physiol.) — LateL. chylus, fr. Gk.
xOXot;, 'juice', from the stem of jew, 'to pour',
whence also xvy-<>Q> 'juice', xu<n<;, 'effusion',
Xurpot, xuTpo;, 'earthen pot', x'J^ov, 'a liquid'
(lit. 'anything that may be poured'), x^Svjv, 'in
a stream', yo'h, ' a pouring out', xoaw). 'funnel',
Xoiwuvou, 'to throw up, heap up', fr. base x"->
corresponding to I.-E. base *ghu-, *gheu-, 'to
pour', whence OI. ju-hSti, ju-hute, 'pours into
the fire, sacrifices', hStar, 'sacrificer, priest',
hdtrah, 'offering, oblation', Arm. joyl, 'poured',
jew, 'form, figure', h.fiitis, 'a water vessel, pit-
cher', futilis, 'that pours out easily; vain, futile'.
Cp. chyme. Cp. also choana, chonolith, chytra,
chytridium, diachylon, ecchymosis, synchytrium,
urachus. For base *ghu-d-, *gheu-d-, a -d-en-
largement of the above base, see found, 'to cast',
and cp. words there referred to.
chyli-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
chyle'. — See chylo-.
chylitication, n.,the formation of chyle (physiol.)
— A hybrid coined fr. Gk. xuX6;, 'juice', and
the Latin suff. -fiedtio (see -fication). The cor-
rect form would be chylosis, fr. Gk. xuXgxjk;,
'a converting into chyle', fr. yytkoc,. See chyle
and cp. chymification.
chylify, tr. v., to convert into chyle; intr. v., to
be converted into chyle (physiol.) — See prec.
word and -fy.
chylo-, chyli-, combining form meaning 'pertain-
ing to chyle'. — Gk. x' 3 ?' -> X^<--> fr- X'^°?>
'juice'. See chyle.
chyme, n., the semiliquid food passing from the
stomach into the small intestine, (physiol.) —
Late L. chymus, fr. Gk. yu\i.6q, 'juice', which is
rel. to x>5X6;, 'juice'. See chyle and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also enchyma and words
there referred to.
chymiferous, adj., containing chyme. — See
chyme and -ferous.
chymification, n., the conversion of food into
chyme (physiol.) — A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
Xuu.6<;, 'juice', and the Latin suff. -fiedtio (see
-fication). The correct form would be chymosis,
fr. Gk. xuu^au;, 'a converting into chyme', fr.
XU[i.6i;. See chyme and cp. chylitication.
chymify, tr. v., to convert into chyme (physiol.) —
See prec. word and -fy.
chymous, adj., pertaining to chyme. — See chyme
and -011s.
chytra, n., an earthen pot (Greek antiq.) — Gk.
XUTpa, fr. x u_ > tne stem °f X E ^ V > ' to P our '.
whence also x^o?. 'juice'. See chyle and cp.
next word.
Chytridium, n., a genus of fungi (hot.) — A ModL.
dimin. formed fr. Gk. x^Tpa, 'earthen pot'. See
prec. word and -idium.
cibol, n., the Welsh onion. — F. ciboule, fr.
OProvenc. cebula, fr. L. caepulla, dimin. of cae-
pa, cepa, 'onion', fr. Gk. *x7)jtt) or *xrj7ua; cp.
Gk. xaTiia, rendered in Hesychius by cxxopoSoe
('garlic'). Cp. chive, cipolin.
cibophobia, n., morbid aversion to food (med.) —
A hybrid coined fr. L. cibus, 'food', and Gk.
<p6jk><;, 'fear'. L. cibus is of uncertain origin. For
the etymology of Gk. 96^0? see -phobe. The
correct form is sitophobia (q.v.), in which both
elements are of Greek origin.
ciborium, n., 1) a canopy, esp. one covering an
altar; 2) a covered cup for keeping the conse-
crated Eucharistic wafers (R.C.Ch). — L.
ciborium, 'a drinking cup resembling in form
the leaves of the Egyptian bean', fr. Gk. xifkopiov,
'fruit of the Egyptian bean', a word of foreign,
prob. Sem., origin.
Cicada, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) — L.
cicada, 'tree cricket', perh. a loan word from a
Mediterranean language. Cp. cigala. Cp. also
Ciconia.
cicatrice, n., a scar. — F., fr. L. ciedtrieem, acc.
of cicatrix. See cicatrix,
cicatricial, adj., relating to, or resembling, a ci-
catrice. — See prec. word and -ial.
cicatricle, also cicatricule, n., 1) a small cicatrix ;
2) the germinating point in the yolk of an egg
(embryol.) — L. cicdtricula, dimin. of cicatrix,
gen. ciedtricis, 'scar'. See cicatrix,
cicatricose, adj., marked by cicatrices. — L. ci-
cdtricosus, 'marked with scars', fr. cicatrix, gen.
ciedtricis. See next word and adj. suff. -ose.
cicatrix, n., a scar (med. and bot.) — L. cicatrix,
'scar', of uncertain origin,
cicatrize, tr. and intr. v., to heal by the formation
of a cicatrix. — ModL. ciedtrizdre, formed fr.
L. cicatrix, with suff. -izdre. Cp. L. ciedtricdri,
cicely
too
'to be cicatrized'. See prec. word and -ize.
Derivative : cicatriz-ation, n.
cicely, also cecily, n. — L., fr. Gk. aeasXtc, 'hart-
wort', which is prob. of Egyptian origin; in-
fluenced in form by the PN. Cecily, Cicely.
Cicely, fem. PN. — A var. of Cecily (q.v.)
cicerone, n., guide. — It., fr. L. Cicero, the great
Roman orator (106-43 B.C.E.); so called in al-
lusion to the talkativeness of guides.
Derivatives: cicerone, tr. v., ciceron-age, n.,
cicerone-ship, n., ciceron-ize, tr. and intr. v.
Ciceronian, adj., resembling Cicero, eloquent. —
Formed fr. L. Cicero (see prec. word) with suff.
-ian.
Derivative: Ciceronian-ism, n.
Cichoriaceae, n. pi., the chicory family (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Cichorium with suff. -aceae.
cichoriaceous.adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Cichorium, n., a genus of plants, the succory or
chicory (bot.) — ModL., see chicory.
Cicindelidae, n. pi., a family of beetles, the tiger
beetles (entomol.) — ModL., fr. L. cicindela,
'glowworm', formed with reduplication —
through the medium of the forms *cecandela,
*cecendela — fr. candere, 'to glow'. See candid
and cp. words there referred to. For the ending
see suff. -idae.
cicisbeo, n., the recognized lover of a married
woman. — It., prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
Venetian cici, 'chattering of women', used in
this sense in the 1 8th century.
ciclatoun, n., a medieval fabric of precious ma-
terial (obsol.) — OF. ciclaton, fr. Arab, siqilldf,
'tissue adorned with seals'. See scarlet.
Ciconia, n., a genus of birds, the stork (ornithol.)
— L. ciconia, 'stork'; of uncertain origin. It is
possibly, like cicada, 'tree cricket' (see Cicada),
a loan word from a Mediterranean language.
Cicuta, n., a genus of herbs of the carrot family
(bot.) — L. cicuta, 'hemlock', of uncertain ori-
gin. Cp. kex.
-cide, suff. meaning 'killer, murderer', as in
fratricide, regicide, suicide. — F. -cide, fr. L.
-cida, fr. -cidere, used in compounds for caedere,
'to strike down, slay', whence caementum, 'rough
stone, stone chippings'. See cement and cp.
words there referred to. For the change of ae (in
L. caedere) to 1 (in -cidere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
-cide, suff. meaning 'killing, murder', as in fra-
tricide, regicide, suicide. — F. -cide, fr. L. -ci-
dium, fr. -cidere. See prec. word and cp. words
there referred to, most of which are used accord-
ing to both senses of the suff. -cide (e.g. regicide
can mean both 'the killing of a king', and 'the
killer of a king', etc.)
cider, n. — ME. sidre, fr. OF. sidre (F. cidre),
fr. Late L. sicera, fr. Septuagint Gk. abcepa, fr.
Heb. shekhdr, 'strong drink', fr. shakhdr, 'he
drank his fill, became drunk', which is rel. to
Arab, sakira, Ethiop. sakdra, 'he was drunk',
Ugar. shkr, Akkad. shakaru, 'to be drunk",
Aram, shikhra, Syr. shakhrd, Arab, sdkar,
'strong drink',
ci-devant, adj., former. — F., 'formerly, previous-
ly', compounded of ci-, 'here', and devant, 'be-
fore, in front of. The first element derives fr.
L. ecce hie, 'behold here' (see ecce). The second
element is formed fr. de, 'from' (fr. L. de, 'from,
away from'), and avant, 'before' (see de- and
avaunt).
cienaga, n., marsh, moor. — Sp. cienaga, form-
ed fr. L. caenum, 'dirt, filth, mud, mire'. See
obscene.
cierge, n., a wax candle. — F., fr. L. cereus, 'of
wax', used as a noun, fr. cera, 'wax'. See cere, n.
cigala, cigale, n., a cicada. — F. cigale, fr. OProv-
enc. cigala, fr. VL. *cicdla (whence also It.
cicala, Sp. cigarra), fr. L. cicada, 'tree cricket'.
See cicada.
cigar, n. — Sp. cigarro, fr. Maya siqar, 'to smoke
tobacco', fr. siq, 'tobacco'. Connection with Sp.
cigarra, 'grasshopper' (see cicada), is due to
popular etymology.
cigarette, cigaret, n. — F. cigarette, dimin. of
cigare, 'cigar', fr. Sp. cigarro. See prec. word
and -ette, resp. -et.
cilia, n. pi., 1) eyelashes (anat.); 2) fine hairs re-
sembling eyelashes (bot. and zoo!.) — L. cilia,
pi. of cilium, 'eyelid', prob. back formation fr.
supercilium, 'eyebrow', so that cilium would lit.
mean 'that which is under the eyebrows', i.e.
'the eyelid'. (Cilium means also 'eyebrow'. This
meaning is secondary, and prob. taken over fr.
supercilium.) Supercilium, 'eyebrow', stands for
*superkeliom and prop, means 'the covering
above', fr. super- and -cilium, which is rel. to
celdre, 'to hide'. See cell and words there refer-
red to, and cp. superciliary. Cp. also seel, 'to
blind', and the second element in Blephilia.
Derivatives: cili-ary, cili-ate, cili-ated, adjs.
cilice, n., a coarse cloth. — F., fr. L. cilicium, 'a
covering', orig. 'cloth made of Cilician goats'
hair', prop. neut. of the adjective Cilicius, 'Ci-
lician', fr. Gk. KiXbao;, of s.m., whence also
KiXixla (scil. it))> 'Cilicia', lit. 'Cilician earth'.
cillosis, n., a spasmodic trembling of the eyelid
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid formed fr. L.
cilium, 'eyelid', with the Greek suff. -wot?. See
cilia and -osis.
cimelia,n. pi., treasures. — ML.,fr.Gk.xsi.ij.?]Xia,
pi. of xctu.TjXiov, 'treasure', lit. 'anything stored
up', from the stem of xeiuai, 'I He down, rest'.
See home and cp. civil.
cimex, n., bedbug. — L. cimex, 'a bug', lit. 'the
dark-brown insect', cogn. with OI. sydmdh,
'black, blackish', Avestic sdma-, 'biack', Lith.
semas, 'bluish grey, grey'. Cp. chinch and the
first element in syagush.
Cimicifuga, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'driving away the
bugs', fr. L. cimex, gen. cimicis, 'bug', and
-fugus, 'flying from', in modern usage, 'putting
to flight'. See cimex and -fuge.
Cimmerian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Cimmerii, fr. Gk. Kiu.uipi.oi.
cimolite, n., a hydrous aluminum silicate (mine-
ral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. Ci-
molia, fr. Gk. Kiu.o>Xta (scil. yfj), 'Cimolian
earth', fr. Ki^coXo?, 'Cimolus', an island of the
Cyclades, well known for its chalky soil.
cinch, n., 1) a saddle girth; 2) a firm hold (colloq.)
— Sp. cincha, 'girth', fr. cincho, 'girdle, belt',
fr. L. cinctum, neut. pp. of cingere, 'to gird'.
See cincture.
Derivative : cinch, tr. v.
Cinchona, n., 1) a genus of trees of the madder
family (bot.); 2) (not cap.) the dried bark of
various species of Cinchona and the drug
made from it. — ModL., coined by Linnaeus
from the name of the countess of Chinchdn,
who introduced the drug into Spain in 1638.
(The formation of the name is erroneous. The
exact form should have been Chinchonia.)
cinchonism, n., the effect of cinchona or its alka-
loids (med.) — Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-ism.
cinclis, n., an orifice for the protrusion of the
acontia of sea anemones (zool.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. xtyxXi;, 'a latticed gate'. See cincture,
cinct, adj., girt, girdled. — L. cinctus, pp. of cin-
gere, 'to gird'. See next word,
cincture, n., a belt, girdle. — L. cinctura, 'a girdle',
fr. L. cinctus, pp. of cingere, 'to gird, bind
round', prob. cogn. with OI. kdhcate, 'binds',
kahci, 'girdle', Lith. kinkaii, kinkyti, 'to harness
horses', and perh. also with Gk. xiyxXl;, 'a lat-
ticed gate'. For the ending see suff. -ure. Cp.
cinch, cingulum, cinter, precinct, succinct, sur-
cingle, shingles, enceinte, adj. and n.
Derivative : cincture, tr. v.
cinder, n. — OE. sinder, 'impurity of metal,
dross', rel. to OS. sinder, ON. sindr, Dan sinder,
MLG., MDu. sinder, Du. sintel, OHG. sintar,
MHG. sinter, sinder, G. Sinter, and cogn with
OSlav. sedra, 'sinter', Czech sddra (for *sen-
dhrd), 'gypsum'. Cp. sinter. The spelling of sinder
was influenced by F. cendre, 'ashes', with which
it has nothing in common.
Derivatives: cinder, tr. v., cinder-y, adj.
Cinderella, n. — Formed with dimin. suff. -ella
fr. cinder on analogy of F. Cendrillon, 'Cinder-
ella', fr. cendre, 'ashes', which derives fr. L.
cinerem, acc. of cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary and
cp. G. Aschenbrddel, 'Cinderella' (fr. Asche,
'ashes', and brodeln, 'to boil'),
cinema, n., a motion picture. — Short for cine-
matograph.
cinematograph, kinematograph. — Coined by the
brothers Lumiere in 1896 fr. Gk. -Avr^xx, gen.
xivr,ij.aTo;, 'motion', and -ypacpo;, fr. ypacyeiv,
'to write' See kinematic and -graph.
Derivatives: cinematograph, tr. and intr. v. and
a<\j.,cinematograph-ic,cinematograph-ic-al,a.d}S.,
cinematograph-ic-al-ly, adv., cinematograph-y,n.
cinerama, n., a modern motion-picture system
employing a wide screen to simulate panoramic
vision. — Formed fr. Gk. xTveiv, 'to move'
(see kinematic), on analogy of panorama; see
-rama. The word cinerama is incorrectly formed.
The correct form would be cinorama.
Cineraria, n., a genus of plants of the aster family
(b ot ) — ModL., fr. L. cinerdrius, 'of ashes', fr.
cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes' (see cinerary) ; so called
from the color of the down on the leaves.
cinerarium, n., a place to keep the ashes of the
cremated dead. — L., prop. neut. of the adjec-
tive cinerdrius, 'pertaining to ashes', used as a
noun, fr. cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes'. See next
word.
cinerary, adj., pertaining to ashes. — L. cine-
rdrius, 'pertaining to ashes', fr. cinis, gen. cineris,
'ashes', which is cogn. with Gk. xoviq, 'dust'.
For the ending see adj. suff. -ary. Cp. inciner-
ate. Cp. also aconite, conio-, conidium, and the
second element in Cycloconium, Gymnoconia,
pneumoconiosis.
cinereous, adj., of the color of ashes. — L. cine-
reus, 'ashen, ashy', fr. cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes'.
See cinerary. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L.
-us, see suff. -ous.
Cingalese, n. and adj., Singhalese. — See Sin-
ghalese.
cingulum, n., belt, girdle (anat. and zool) — L.,
'girdle', fr. cingere, 'to gird'. See cincture and
cp. surcingle.
cinnabar, n., HgS, mercuric sulfide, a bright red
mineral. — F. cinabre, fr. OF. cenobre, fr. L.
cinnabaris, fr. Gk. XLwi[iapi, which prob.
derives fr. Pers. shangarf, 'red lead, cinnabar'.
Derivatives: cinnabar-ic, cinnabar-ine, adjs.
Cinnamomum, n., a genus of plants of the laurel
family (bot.) — L., 'cinnamon'. See next word.
cinnamon, n. — L. cinnamomum, cinnamon, fr.
Gk. xiwau,<ou-ov, xwvauov, fr. Heb. qinndmSn.
The Greek word has been altered fr. orig.
*xivva}j.co\iov, prob. under the influence of Gk.
auo)U.ov, 'a spice plant'.
cinq(ue), n., the five in dice or cards. — F. cinq,
dissimilated fr. L. quinque, 'five'. Sec quinque-.
cinquecentist, n., an Italian artist or poet of the
16th century. — It. cinquecentista, 'an artist of
the cinquccento', a hybrid coined fr. It. cinque-
cento (see next word) and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
cinquecento, n., the 16th century in Italian art and
literature. — It., shortened from mil cinquecento,
'one thousand and five hundred'. See cinque
and cent, 'a hundred'.
cinquefoil, n., a plant of the rose family, with
leaves compounded of five leaflets. — ME. cinc-
foille, fr. L. quinquefolium (whence also It. cinque-
foglie, cinquefoglio), which is compounded of
quinque, 'five', and folium, 'leaf': cp. F. quinte-
feuille, 'cinquefoil', and see cinque and ist
foil. L. quinquefolium is a loan translation of
Gk. TCv-ratpoXXov, which is compounded of
TOvre, 'five', and ipuXXov, 'leaf.
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cinque-pace, n., a dance whose rhythm was regu-
lated by the number five. — Compounded of
cinque and pace, n.
Cinq Ports, a group of towns (orig. five) on the
southeast coast of England. — F., 'five (sea)
ports'. See cinq(ue) and port, 'harbor'.
cinter, cintre, n., the centering of an arch or
bridge. — F. cintre, 'curve, bend', fr. cintrer, 'to
curve, bend', fr. VL. *cincturdre, fr. L. cinctura,
'cincture, girdle', fr. cinctus, pp. of cingere, 'to
gird'. See cincture and cp. words there referred to.
cion, n., the uvula. — Gk. xlcov, 'pillar; uvula',
cogn. with Arm. siun, 'pillar'.
cipher, n. — ME. cyphre, fr. OF. cifre, 'zero', fr.
Sp. cifra, fr. Arab, sifr, 'empty; zero' (fr. sdfara,
'was empty'), which is a loan translation of OI.
sunydh, 'empty; cipher with no real value; zero'
(F. chiffre, 'cipher', derives fr. It. cifra, of s.m.,
fr. ML. cifra, which is also borrowed fr. Arab.
sifr). Cp. MHG. cifre, 'zero' (whence G. Ziffer,
'cipher'), which derives fr. OF. cifre. Cp. deci-
pher. Cp. also zero, which is a doublet of cipher.
Derivatives: cipher, tr. and intr. v., cipher-er, n.
cipolin, n., a green Italian marble. — F., fr. It.
cipollino, 'a little onion', dimin. formed fr. ci-
polla, 'onion', fr. L. caepulla, dimin. of caepa,
cepa, 'onion'; so called because the foliated
form of this marble resembles the coats of an
onion. See cibol and cp. chive.
cippus, n., post, inscribed column used as a land-
mark (Roman antiq.) — L., 'post, stake, pillar,
gravestone, boundary stone, landmark', of un-
certain origin. It is possibly rel. to L. sclpid,
'staff', and cogn. with Gk. axErccov, 'staff,
stick', ON. skifa, OS. skiVa, etc., 'disk, slice'.
See sheave, n.
circa, adv. and prep. — L., 'round about, nearly'.
See circus and cp. circum-.
Circaea, n., a genus of plants, the enchanter's
nightshade (bot.) — ModL., named after L. Circe,
the enchantress. See Circe.
Circaetus, n., a genus of large hawks (ornithol.)
— ModL., compounded of Gk. xipxog, 'hawk',
and &sz6i, 'eagle'. The first element, together
with xpe!;, xepxii;, xspxvo;, 'hawk', prob. de-
rives from the I.-E. imitative base *qer-q-,
whence also OI. kfkarah, 'partridge', Alb.
sk'irake, 'hen', skirEzz, 'partridge', Gk. xsp/vo;,
'hoarseness'. Cp. croak, grackle. For the imi-
tative base *qer-, 'to crow', see raven and cp.
words there referred to. For the second element
in Circaetus see aeto-.
circar, n. — A var. of sircar.
Circe, n., name of a sorceress in the Odyssey. —
L. Circe, fr. Gk. Kipxr,, which prob. means lit.
'wrapping up, covering', and derives fr. Heb.-
Phoenician kdrdkh, 'he wrapped up'. For sense
development cp. Calypso, fr. Gk. xaX^TtTeiv, 'to
cover'.
Circean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, Circe.
— Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Circaeus, fr.
Circe. See prec. word.
circinate, adj., ring-shaped. — L. circindtus, pp.
of circindre, 'to make round', fr. circinus, 'a pair
of compasses', fr. Gk. xtpxivo?, fr. xipxos,
'circle'. See circus and adj. suff. -ate and cp.
circle. Cp. also next word.
Circinus, n., the Compasses, a southern constel-
lation (astron.) — L., 'a pair of compasses',
fr. Gk. xipxivot;. See prec. word.
circle, n. — ME. cercle, fr. F. cercle, fr. L. cir-
culus (whence also OProvenc. cercle, celcle,
Catal. cercle, It. cerchio), dimin. of circus, 'ring'.
See circus and cp. circuit, circular.
Derivatives: circle, tr. and intr. v., circl-ed, adj.,
circl-er, n., circl-et, n.
circuit, n. — F., fr. L. circuitus, fr. circuire, cir-
cumire, 'to go round', fr. circum, 'round', and
ire, 'to go'. See circum- and itinerate.
Derivatives: circuit, tr. and intr. v., circuit-al,
adj., circuit-er, n.
circuitous, adj., roundabout. — ML. circuitdsus,
fr. L. circuitus, also circumitus, 'a going round',
fr. circuitus, pp. of circuire, circumire, 'to go
round'; see prec. word and -ous. The word
circuitous was first used by Henry More (1614-
87), philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist
school, in 1664.
Derivatives: circuitous-ly, adv., circuitous-ness,
n.
circular, adj. — L. circuldris, fr. circutus. See
circle and -ar.
Derivatives: circular, n., circularity (q.v.), cir-
cularize, tr. v., circular-iz-ation, n., circular-iz-
er, n., circular-Iy, adv., circular-ness, n.
circularity, n. — ML. circuldritds, fr. L. circu-
ldris. See prec. word and -ity.
circulate, intr. and tr. v. — L. circuldtus, pp. of
circuldri, 'to form a circle', fr. circutus. See
circle and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: circulation (q.v.), circulat-ive, adj.,
circulator, circulatory (qq.v.)
circulator, n. — L., 'peddler, mountebank, quack',
fr. circuldtus, pp. of circuldri. See prec. word
and agential suff. -or.
circulatory, adj. — L. circuldtdrius, fr. circuldtus,
pp. of circuldri. See circulate and adj. suff.
-ory.
circum-, pref. meaning 'around, all around,
about'. — L., 'around, about', lit. 'in a circle',
adv. acc. of circus, 'ring'. See circus.
circumambience, circumambiency, n. — Formed
fr. next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
circumambient, adj., going round, surrounding.
— Compounded of circum-, and ambient.
circumambulate, tr. and intr. v. — L. circum-
ambuldtus, pp. of circumatnbuldre, 'to walk
around', fr. circum- and ambuldre, 'to walk'.
See ambulate, amble.
Derivatives : circumambulat-ion, n.,circumambu-
lat-or, n., circumambulat-ory , adj.
circumbendibus, n., a roundabout way. — Facet-
iously formed fr. circum-, bend and -ibus, the
Latin abl. pi. suff. of the 3rd declension.
circumcise, tr. v. — L. circumcisus, pp. of circum-
cidere, 'to cut around', fr. circum- and caedere,
'to cut'. See cement. For the change of caedere
to -cidere (in circum-cidere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: circumcis-er, n., circumcision (q.v.)
circumcision, n. — L. circumcisid, gen. -dnis, 'a
cutting around', fr. circumcisus, pp. of circum-
cidere. See prec. word and -ion.
circumference, n. — L. circumferentia, fr. L. cir-
cumferens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of circumferre,
'to carry round', fr. circum- and ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry'. L. circumferentia
is a loan translation of Gk. 7repi<p£peia, lit.
'a carrying round', fr. 7repi<pepsiv, 'to carry
round' (see periphery).
circumferential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. circumferentia. See prec. word.
circumflex, adj. — L. circumflexus, 'bent round',
pp. of circumflectere, 'to bend round', fr. cir-
cum and fleeter e, 'to bend'. See flex, 'to bend'.
Derivatives: circumflex, tr. v., circumflex-ion, n.
circumflex, n., the mark % or ~ placed over
long vowels in Greek to indicate a composite
(i.e. rising and then falling) tone. — L. (accen-
tus) circumflexus, lit. '(accent) bent round' (see
prec. word), is a loan translation of Gk. (jrpoa-
coSta) irspiarcwuivT), lit. 'accent drawn round'
(see perispomenori); so called in allusion to its
shape.
circumfluence, n., a flowing round. — L. *cir-
cumfluentia, fr. circumftuens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
circumfluent, adj., flowing round. — L. circum-
fluens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of circumfluere,
'to flow round', fr. circum- and fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
circumfuse, tr. v., 1) to pour round; 2) to sur-
round. — L. circumfusus, pp. of circumfundere,
'to pour around', fr. circum- and fundere, 'to
pour'. See found, 'to cast'.
circumfusion, n. — L. circumfitsio, gen. -dnis, fr.
circumfusus, pp. of circumfundere. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumgyrate, intr. v., to revolve, rotate. — Late
L. circumgyrdtus, pp. of circumgyrdre, 'to turn
round, revolve', fr. circum- and L. gyrdre, 'to
turn'. See gyrate.
Derivatives: circumgyrat-ion, n., circumgyrat-
ory, adj.
circumjacence, circumjacency, n. — Formed fr.
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
circumjacent, adj., lying around. — L. circum-
jacens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of circumjacere,
'to lie around, border upon', fr. circum- andy'a-
cere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast oneself
down', fr. jacid, jacere, 'to throw, cast, hurl'.
See jet, 'to spirt forth' and -ent and cp. adjacent
and words there referred to.
circumlittoral, adj., lying along the shore. —
Formed fr. circum- and littoral.
circumlocution, n., a roundabout expression. —
L. circumlocutid, gen. -dnis, 'circumlocution', fr.
circumlocutus, pp. of circumloqui, 'to make use
of circumlocution', lit. 'to talk round', fr. cir-
cum- and loqui, 'to speak'. See locution.
Derivatives: circumlocution-al, circumlocution-
ary, adjs., circumlocution-ist, n., circumlocut-
ory, adj.
circumnavigable, adj. — See next word and -able
and cp. navigable.
circumnavigate, tr. v., to sail round. — L. circum-
ndvigdtus, pp. of circumndvigdre, 'to sail round',
fr. circum- and ndvigdre, 'to sail'. See navigate.
Derivatives: circumnavigat-ion, n., circumnavi-
gator, n., circumnavigat-ory, adj.
circumnutate, intr. v., to move around in an ir-
regular spiral or elliptical path (said of growing
parts of a plant). — Formed fr. circum- and
nutate.
Derivatives: circumnutat-ion, n., circumnutat-
ory, adj.
circumpolar, adj., around or near a pole. —
Formed fr. circum- and polar.
circumscissile, adj., opening by a transverse cir-
cular line. — Formed with suff. -ile fr. L. circum-
scissus, pp. of circumscindere, 'to strip off a-
round', fr. circum- and scindere, 'to cut, split,
cleave'. See scissile.
circumscribe, tr. v., 1) to encircle; 2) to limit. —
L. circumscribere, 'to draw a line round, en-
close', fr. circum- and scribere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
Derivative: circumscrib-er, n.
circumscript, adj. — L. circumscripta, 'circum-
scribed', pp. of circumscribere. See prec. word.
Derivatives ; circumscript-ive, adv., circumscript-
ive-^, adv.
circumscription, n. — L. circumscriptid, gen.-dnis,
fr. circumscripta, pp. of circumscribere. See
circumscribe and -ion.
circumspect, adj., cautious. — L. circumspectus,
pp. of circuinspicere, 'to look about', fr. specere,
spicere, 'to look'. See species.
Derivatives: circumspection (q.v.), circumspect-
ive, adj., circumspect-ly, adv.
circumspection, n. — L. circumspectid, gen. -dnis,
fr. circumspectus, pp. of circuinspicere. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumstance, n. — ME., fr. OF. circumstance,
circonstance (F. circonstance), fr. L. circumstan-
tia, 'a surrounding, condition, attribute, circum-
stance', lit. 'a standing around', fr. circumstdns,
gen. -ant is, pres. part, of circumstdre, 'to sur-
round', fr. circum- and stare, 'to stand', see
state. L. circumstantia is a loan translation of
Gk. -z^'i.n-'xrsic, 'circumstance', lit. 'a standing
around'.
Derivatives: circumstance, tr. v., circumstance-
ed, adj.
circumstantial, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. circumstantia. See prec. word.
Derivatives: circumstantial, n., circumstantial-
ity, n., circumstantial-ly, adv.
circumstantiate
292
circumstantiate, tr. v., to give a detailed proof
of. — Formed with verbal suff. -ate fr. L. cir-
cumstantia. See circumstance.
Derivative : circumstantiat-ion, n.
circumvallate, tr. v., to surround with a rampart.
— L circumvalldtus, pp. of circumvalldre, 'to
surround with a wall', fr. circum- and valldre,
'to entrench with a wall, to wall', fr. vallum,
'wall, rampart'. See vallum.
Derivative : circumvallat-ion, n.
circumvent, tr. v., to go around; to outwit. —
L. circumventus, pp. of circumvemre, 'to come
around (something), to surround in a hostile
manner, to oppress', fr. circum- and venire, 'to
come'. See venue, 'arrival'.
Derivatives: circumvention (q.v.), circumvent-
ive, adj.
circumvention, n. — L. circumventid, gen. -dnis,
fr. circumventis, pp. of circumvemre. See prec.
word and -ion.
circumvolution, n., a rolling around. — Formed
with suff. -ion fr. L. circumvolutus, pp. of cir-
cumvolvere, 'to roll round', fr. circum- and vol-
vere, 'to roll'. See volute and -ion.
circumvolve, tr. and intr. v., to revolve. — L.
circumvolvere. See prec. word.
circus, n. - L. circus, 'a circle, ring, a round
enclosure for games', more prob. borrowed
from, than cogn. with Gk. xipxo?, xpixo?, 'a
ring'- fr. l.-E. base *qri-q-, enlargement of base
*qer-, \:, tutu, twist', whence L. curvus, 'bent,
curved'. See curve and cp. cirque, search, cricoid.
cirque, n., circus. — F., fr. L. circus. See prec.
word.
cirrhosis, n., a disease of the liver (med.) — Medi-
cal L., coined by the French physician Rene-
Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826) fr.
Gk. xippoc, 'orange tawny', which is of un-
certain origin; so called in allusion to the
yellowish color of the diseased liver. For the
ending see suff. -osis.
cirri-, combining form meaning 'curl, ringlet'. —
Fr. L. cirrus, gen. cirri. See cirrus.
cirriferous, adj., having tendrils (bot) — Com-
pounded of cirri- and -ferous.
cirriform, adj., having the shape of a curl or ten-
dril. — Compounded of cirri- and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See -form.
cirriped, adj., pertaining to the Cirripedia. —
See next word.
Cirripedia, n. pi., an order of crustaceans (zool.)
— ModL., compounded of L. cirrus, 'curl', and
pes, gen. pedis, 'foot'. See cirrus and pedal.
cirro-. — See cirri-.
cirrose, adj., resembling a curl or curls (bot. and
zool.) — Formed fr. cirrus with adj. suff. -ose.
cirrous, adj., cirrose. — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ous.
cirrus, n., 1) a tendril (bot.); 2) appendage (zool.);
3) a kind of cloud (meteorol.) — L., 'lock,
curl, ringlet, tuft of hair', of uncertain origin.
Cp. cerrero.
cirs-, form of cirso- before a vowel.
Cirsium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xipatov, 'thistle', fr.
Mpaiq, 'varix, enlargement of a vein', which is
of uncertain origin. The plant was called xip-
otov for its alleged healing qualities; xEpaiov
prop, means 'remedy for dilated veins'.
cirso-, before a vowel cirs-, combining form
meaning 'varix, dilated vein'. — Gk. xipao-,
xiptj-, fr. Mpaoc. See prec. word.
ciruela, n., any plumlike fruit. — Sp., 'plum',
fr. L. cereola (pruna), 'wax-colored plume',
neut. pi. of cereolus, 'of the color of wax',
mistaken for fern, sing; L. cereolus is dimin.
of cereus, 'of wax, waxen', fr. cera, 'wax'. See
cere, n.
cis-, pref. meaning 'on this side'. — L. cis-, fr.
cis, 'on this side', rel. to citra, 'on this side of,
from the I.-E. pron. base *ki-, 'this', whence also
OSlav. si, Lith. sis, Hitt. ki, 'this', Teut. *hi- in
Goth, hidre, OE. hider, 'hither', Goth, hi-mma
daga, 'on this day, today'. See he, her, here,
hither, and cp. citra-.
cisalpine, adj., on this side of the Alps (from the
point of view of Italy). — L. Cisalpinus, fr. cis,
'on this side of (see prec. word), and Alpinus,
'Alpine' ; see Alpine and cp. transalpine.
cisatlantic, adj., on this side of the Atlantic. —
Formed fr. cis- and Atlantic. Cp. transatlantic.
cisco.n., any of whitefishes of the genus Argyroso-
mus . — Abbreviation of Can. F. eiscoette, a
word of Algonquian origin. Cp. siscowet.
cisium, n., a light two-wheeled vehicle (Rom. ar-
chaeology). — L., 'a light two-wheeled vehicle,
cabriolet', a word of Gaulish origin; cp. Olr.
cess, 'basket', and see chest. The spelling of L.
cisium with one s is prob. due to Etruscan in-
fluence. See Vendryes, Memoires de la societe
de linguistique, Paris, 19, 6off.
cismontane, adj., on this side of the mountains;
esp. on this side of the Alps, cisalpine. — L. cis-
montdnus, fr. cis- and montdnus, 'pertaining to
a mountain', fr. mdns, gen. montis, 'mountain'.
See montane and cp. citramontane. Cp. also tra-
montane, ultramontane.
cispadane, adj., on this (the south) side of the
river Po. — Formed fr. cis- and L. Paddnus,
'pertaining to the Po', fr. Padus, 'Po'.
cispontine, adj., on this side of the bridge. —
Formed fr. cis- and L. pons, gen. pontis, 'bridge'.
See pons and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus)
and cp. transpontine.
cisrhenane, adj., on this (the western) side of the
Rhine. — L. Cisrhendnus, fr. cis- and Rhenanus,
'pertaining to the Rhine', fr. Rhenus, 'Rhine'.
See Rhenish.
cissoid, n., a curve invented by the geometer
Diodes (geom.) — Gk. xtacoeiST)?, 'like ivy',
compounded of xiacnk, 'ivy', and -oeiSr t q, 'like',
fr. eI8os, 'form, shape'. See next word and -oid.
Cissus, n., a genus of plants of the family Vita-
ceae (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. xiaaic, 'ivy', which is
293
civil
a foreign word of unknown origin. Cp. cissoid.
cist, n., a chest, esp. one used for sacred utensils.
— L. cista, 'chest, box of wood'. See chest and
cp. kist.
cist, n., a sepulchral stone chest. — W., fr. L.
cista. See prec. word and cp. cistvaen.
Cistaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the rockrose
family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Cistus with
suff. -aceae.
cistaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Cistercian, n., a monk of the Cistercian order. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. ML. Cistercium (F.Ci-
teaux), a place near Dijon, where this order was
founded (in 1098).
Derivative: Cistercian, adj.
cistern, n. — ME. cisterne, fr. OF. cisterne (F. ci-
terne), fr. L. cisterna, 'a reservoir for water,
cistern', formed fr. cista, 'chest', with suff. -erna.
See chest. For the suff. see cavern.
Derivative: cistern-al, adj.
cisterna, n., cistern (anat.) — See prec. word.
Cistus, n., the genus of rockroses (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xter-ro?, xiaSoi;, 'rockrose', which is of
unknown origin,
cistvaen, kistvaen, n., a stone coffin. — W. cist-
faen, lit. 'stone chest', fr. cist, 'chest' (see cist,
'stone chest'), and faen, aspirated form of maen,
'stone'.
cit, n. — Contraction of citizen.
citadel, n. — F. citadelle, fr. It. cittadella, dimin.
of Olt. cittade (It. cittd), fr. L. civitdtem, acc. of
civitds, 'city'. Cp. Port, citadetla, Sp. ciudadela,
and see city,
citation, n., 1) summons; 2) quotation. — ME.,
fr. L. citdtidnem, acc. of citdtid, fr. citdtus, pp.
of citdre. See cite and -ation.
citatory, adj. — L. citdtdrius, fr. citdtus, pp. of
citdre. See next word and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory.
cite, tr. v., 1) to summon ; 2) to quote. — F. citer,
fr. L. citdre, 'to put into quick motion, excite,
provoke, call urgently', freq. of ciere (pp. citus),
'to set in motion', fr. base *qi-, whence also Gk.
xisiv, 'to go'. This base is rel. to base *qi-,
whence Gk. xTveiv, 'to move', and to base
*qieu-, whence OI. cydvate, 'moves, goes away',
Gk. ctsjeiv, 'to hunt, chase, drive away'. Cp.
excite, incite, kinetic, oscitancy, recite, solicit,
suscitate. Cp. also night and words there refer-
red to.
Derivatives : cit-able, adj., citation(q.v.),cit-er,n.
cithara, n., an ancient musical instrument re-
sembling a lyre. — L., fr. Gk. xi&api. See
next word.
cither, also cithern, a stringed musical instru-
ment. — F. cithare, fr. L. cithara, fr. Gk. xi&apa,
fr. Pers. sihtdr. Cp. cithara, citole, cittern, git-
tern, guitar, kit, 'a small fiddle', zither.
citizen, n. — ME. citezein, formed — prob. under
the influence of denizen — fr. OF. citeain (F.
citoyen), which was formed fr. cite (F. cite) with
suff. -ain. See city and -an.
Derivatives : citizen-ess, n., citizen-ry, n., citizen-
ship, n.
citizen of the world, a cosmopolitan. — Loan
translation of Gk. xoau-OTroXfo-/)!;, 'a cosmopoli-
tan', lit. 'a citizen of the world'.
citole, n., a kind of dulcimer (obsol.) — OF., fr.
L. cithara, fr. Gk. xi-9-dcpx; see cither. The ending
of L. cithara was mistaken for a suff. and this
alleged suff. was changed into suff. -ole.
citra-, pref. meaning 'on this side of. — L. citra,
rel. to cis, 'on this side'. See cis-.
citramontane, adj., on this side of the noun-
tain. — Formed fr. citra- and montaitc. See cis-
montane.
citrate, n., salt of citric acid, (chem.) --- Formed
fr. citr(ic) with chem suff. -ate.
citrine, adj., lemon-colored. — F. citrin, fern, ci-
trine, fr. L. citrus, 'citron tree'. See next word
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
citron, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.), fr. L. citrus,
'citron tree,' fr. Gk. xeSpo?, 'cedar' ; see cedar.
(Gk. xtxpov, 'citron', is borrowed fr. L. citrus.)
The change of tr into dr shows that the word
came from Greek into Latin through the me-
dium of the Etruscans. — Cp. Citrus.
Derivatives: citron-ade, n., citron-in, n.
citronella, n., 1) citronella grass; 2) the horse
balm. — ModL. See prec. word and -ella.
citrul, n., the watermelon; the pumpkin (bot.) —
OF. citrole (earlier form of citrouille), fr. Olt.
citruolo (It. cetriolo), a diminutive formed fr.
Late L. citrium, 'a kind of gourd', fr. L. citrus.
See Citrus and cp. next word.
Citrullus, n., a genus of plants of the cucumber
family (bot.) — ModL., a diminutive formed fr.
L. citrus. See Citrus and cp. prec. word.
Citrus, n., genus of shrubs and trees, including
citrons, lemdns, etc. — L. citrus, 'citron tree',
fr. Gk. xsSpo;;. See citron.
citric, adj. — Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ic.
cittern, n. — A var. of cither(n).
city, n. — ME. cite, fr. OF. cite (F. cite), fr. L.
civitdtem, acc. of civitds, 'citizens of a commu-
nity, citizenship, state', fr. civis, 'member of a
community, citizen'. See civil and -ty and cp.
Olt. cittade (whence It. cittd), OProvenc. and
Catal. ciutat, Sp. ciudad, Port, cidade, 'city,
town', Rum. cetate, 'castle, fortress', which all
derive fr. L. civitdtem.
Derivative: citi-ed, adj.
civet, n., 1) a musklike substance obtained from
the anal glands of the civet cat; 2) the civet cat.
— F. civette, fr. It. zibetto, fr. Arab, zabdd,
'civet', which is rel. to zdbad, 'foam, froth',
zubd, 'cream'. Cp. zibet.
civic, adj. — L. civicus, 'pertaining to citizens,'
fr. civis. See civil.
civics, n., the science dealing with the duties and
rights of citizens. — See prec. word and -ics.
civil, adj. — F., fr. L. chilis, 'pertaining to a cit-
izen, pertaining to public life; polite', fr. civis,
'member of a community, citizen', fr. I.-E. base
civility
294
*kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence also Gk.
xeicrOm, 'to lie, to lie asleep', xEijrrjXiov, 'treas-
ure', lit. 'anything stored up', xoiu.5v, 'to put
to sleep', >coi;j.y;T7)ptov, 'a sleeping room, a burial
place', y.ot-77], 'place to lie down in, bed', xot to;,
'place to lie down in, bed ; sleeping, sleep', xcojj.7),
'village', the second element in veoctcjoi; (for
*vefo-xio-;), 'a young bird', and in TtzpiaaoQ
(for* 7tEpi-xt6-c.), 'beyond the regular number,
odd', lit. 'lying beyond', OSlav. semija, 'family,
domestic servants', Lith. seimd, seimyna, Lett.
sdime, OPruss. seimins, 'domestic servants',
Lett, sieva, 'wife', OSlav. po-sivu, 'able, fit',
Goth, haims, 'village', OE. ham, 'home, house,
dwelling', Olr. cdim, cdem, 'dear, beloved', OW.
cum, ModW. cu, of s.m., and prob. also OI.
shah, sivdh, 'kind, friendly, gracious'. All these
words denote relationship or love to the family
or clan. See home and cp. city, citizen. Cp.
also cemetery, cimelia, coma, 'insensibility',
incunabula, neossine, neossology, perissad, Peris-
sodactyla, quiet, Siva.
civility, n. — OF. civilite (F. civilite), fr. L. civili-
tdtem, acc. of civilitds, 'the art of governing,
politics; courteousness, politeness', fr. c'lvllis.
See prec. word and -ity.
civilize, tr. v. — F. civiliser, fr. civil. See civil
and -ize.
Derivatives: civiliz-ation, n., civiliz-er, n.
civism, n., good citizenship. — F. civisme, formed
fr. L. civis, 'citizen', with suff. -isme. See civil
and -ism.
clachan, n., a small village (Scot, and Irish) —
Gael., fr. clach, 'stone', which is rel. to Olr.
cloch, 'stone', and prob. cogn. with Arm. sal,
'stone slab", OI. sild, 'stone, rock", possibly also
with ON. hallr, Goth, hallus, 'stone', ON. hella
(fr. *haljdn), 'flat stone'. All these words pos-
sibly derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)qel-, 'to cut,
cleave, split'. See colter.
clack, intr. and tr. v. — ME. clacken, clakken,
of imitative origin. Cp. Du. klak, 'a crack',
klakken, 'to clack, crack', F. claquer, 'to clap,
crack', and MHG. klac, 'crack', which all are
imitative. Cp. also clap and clatter.
Derivatives: clack, n., clack-er, n.
clad, adj. — ME. cladde, clad, fr. OE. cladod,
pp. of clddian, 'to clothe'. See clothe.
clado-, combining form denoting 'branch, shoot'.
— Gk. xXaSo-, fr. xXaSo;, 'young branch or
shoot', lit. 'branch lopped off", fr. I.-E. base
*qeldd-, a -rf-enlargement of base *qel(a)-,
*qol(d)-, 'to strike, beat, break'. See holt and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the next
three words.
cladode, n., a cladophyll (bol.). — Gk. xXaSco8v;c,
'having many shoots', compounded of xXiSo;,
'sprout, shoot', and -ciSr,?, 'like'. See clado- and
-ode, 'like'.
cladophyll, n., a branch assuming the form of a
leaf (bot.) — Compounded of clado- and Gk.
(piiXXov, 'leaf. See phyllo-.
Cladrastis, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
{bot.) — ModL., shortened fr. Gk. xXaSo;,
'branch' (see clado-), and S-paoaxoi;, 'brittle',
verbal adj. of ftpausiv, 'to break in pieces',
which is prob. rel. to -OpurcTEiv, 'to break in
pieces, soften', Tputpr), 'softness, delicacy'. See
drop.
claim, tr. and intr. v. — ME. claimen, fr. OF.
claim-, accented stem of clamer, 'to call, cry out,
claim', fr. L. cldmdre, 'to shout, cry aloud, call,
declare', which is rel. to cld-rus, 'clear, bright','
fr. I.-E. base *kld-, var. of *kal-, 'to shout, re-
sound'. See calends and cp. clear. Cp. also low,
'to make the sound of a cow'. Cp. also acclaim,
chamade, clamant, clamor, clarity, class and
the second element in council, declaim, de-
clamation, disclaim, exclaim, exclamation, no-
menclator, nomenclature, paraclete, proclaim,
proclamation, reclaim, reclamation.
Derivatives: claim, n. (q.v.), claim-able, adj.,
claimant (q.v.), claim-er, n.
claim, n. — ME., fr. OF. claime, fr. clamer, 'to
call, cry out, claim'. See claim, v.
claimant, n. — OF., pres. part, of clamer. See
claim, v. and -ant, and cp. clamant.
clairaudience, n., the ability to hear something
not present to the ear. — Lit. 'a clear hearing',
compounded of F. clair, 'clear', and audience,
'hearing'. See clear and audience.
clairvoyance, n., the ability to see objects not
actually present; 'second sight'. — F., lit. 'a
clear sight', formed fr. next word with suff. -ce.
clairvoyant, adj., i) related to clairvoyance; 2)
having clairvoyance; n., a person having clair-
voyance. — F., lit. 'seeing clearly', compounded
of clair, 'clear', and voyant, pres. part, of voir,
'to see', fr. L. videre. See clear, vision and -ant.
clam, n., a bivalve mollusk. — Short for clam-
shell. The first element of this compound derives
fr. OE. clamm, 'bond, fetter'. See clamp, 'a de-
vice for fastening', and cp. clem.
clam, tr. v., to smear (now dial), intr. v., to be
sticky (now dial) — Cp. OE. clam, 'mud',
climan, 'to smear, plaster', and E. clammy, clay.
Derivatives: clamm-i-ly, adv., clamm-i-ness, n.
clamant, adj., loud; insistent. — L. cldmdns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of cldmdre, 'to shout, cry
aloud'. See claim, v., and -ant and cp. claimant.
clamber, intr. v. — ME. clambren, clameren, 'to
climb', rel. to MHG. klemberen, 'to climb', and
to ME. climben, of s.m. See climb and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivative: clamber -er, n.
clamor, clamour, n , a loud cry. — ME. clamour,
fr. OF. clamur, clamour, fr. L. cldmorem, acc.
of clamor, 'a loud cry', fr. cldmdre, 'to shout, cry
aloud'. See claim, v. and cp. acclamation.
Derivatives: clamo(u)r, v., clamo(u)r-er, n.
clamorous, adj., loud. — ML. cldmdrdsus, fr. L.
clamor. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: clamorous-ly, adv., clamorous-
ness, n.
295
clarigation
clamp, n., a device for fastening. — ME. prob.
fr. MDu. *clampe (Du. klamp), 'a clamp', which
is rel. to OE. clamm, 'bond, fetter, chain; grasp',
OE. beclemman, 'to bind, enclose, fetter', OHG.
biklemmen, 'to squeeze in', Du., MHG., G.
klemmen, 'to squeeze', MHG., G. klemme,
'clamp', fr. I.-E. base *glem-, 'to embrace,
compress, squeeze', whence also L. glomus,
gen. glomeris, 'ball, sphere', Lith. glomdti, 'to
embrace', Lith. glemziii, glemzti, Lett, glemzt,
'to compress, crush'. I.-E. *glem- is an enlarge-
ment of base *gel-, 'to roll up into a ball, com-
press'. See glebe and cp. glomerate. Cp. also
next word. Cp. also clam, 'bivalve', clasp,
clem, clip, 'to embrace', club, clump, clumsy.
Derivatives: clamp, to fasten with clamps,
clamp-er, n.
clamp, n., a heap. — Prob. fr. Du. klamp, 'heap',
which is prob. related to clamp, 'a device for
fastening'.
Derivative: clamp, tr. v., to heap,
clan, n. — Gael, clann, 'offspring, children, de-
scendants', fr. L. planta, 'sprout, shoot, twig',
whence also Olr. eland, clann, 'children, descen-
dants', clandaim, 'I plant', MW. plant, 'children,
descendants', Mir. plannda, 'plant, twig'. See
plant.
Derivatives: clann-ish, adj., clann-ish-ly, adv.,
clann-ish-ness, n., clan-ship, n.
clandestine, adj., secret. — L. clandestinus, 'secret,
clandestine', formed on analogy of intestlnus,
'inward, internal', fr. *clam-de, *clan-de, a der-
ivative of clam, 'secretly', which stands for cl-am,
and is formed from zero degree of base *kel-,
'to hide, conceal' (whence L. celdre, 'to hide,
conceal'), with the adverbial suff. -am. See cell
and words there referred to. For the suff. -am
cp. L. cdr-am, 'in the presence of, pal-am,
'publicly'.
Derivatives: clandestine-ly, adv., clandestine-
ness, n.
clang, intr. v. — L. clangere, 'to resound, clang',
of imitative origin. Cp. Gk. xXay-yrj, 'a sharp,
quick sound, twang', xXa^eiv (for *xXay-iELv),
'to make a sharp, quick sound', Lith. klageti,
Lett, kladzet, 'to cackle', Goth, hlahjan, OE.
hleahhan, 'to laugh'. See laugh, and cp. Klaxon.
clangor, n., a clang. — L., 'a sound, clang', fr.
clangere, 'to resound, clang'. See prec. word.
Derivative: clangor, intr. v.
clangorous, adj. — ML. clangorosus, fr. L. clan-
gor. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivative: clangorous-ly , adv.
clank, intr. and tr. v. and n. — Of imitative origin
and related to clink. For the thinning of a to j
cp. the verbs clack and click.
clap, intr. v., to make an explosive noise; tr. v.,
to strike together. — ME. clappen, fr. OE. ctsep-
pan, 'to clap, beat, throb'; of imitative origin.
Cp. ON. klappa, 'to clap, beat', Du., G. klappen,
'to clap'. Cp. also clack, clatter.
Derivatives: clao, n., clapp-er, n.
clap, n., gonorrhea. — So called from le Clapier,
name of a district of Paris in the Middle Ages,
ill-famed for its many brothels (whence also F.
clapise, 'brothel'). Clap orig. meant 'disease
contracted in a brothel'.
clapboard, n. — Formed on analogy of clap-
holt.
clapholt, n., clapboard (obsol.) — LG. klappholt,
rel. to G. Klappholz, which is compounded of
klappen, 'to clap, beat, tally, fit together', and
Holz, 'wood'. See clap, 'to strike together', and
holt.
clapperclaw, tr. v., to claw with the hand and
nails. — Compounded of clapper and claw.
claque, n., hired applauders in theaters. — F., fr.
claquer, 'to clap', a word of imitative origin.
claqueur, n., a hired applauder. — F., fr. claquer,
'to clap'. See prec. word.
Clara, Clare, fem. PN. — L. Clara, fr. cldra,
fern, of cldrus, 'bright, shining, clear'. See clear
and cp. Clarice, Clarinda.
clarabella, n., an organ stop with a soft tone
(mus.) — Formed from the fem. of L. cldrus,
'bright,' and bellus, 'beautiful'. See clear and
beauty.
Clarence, masc. PN. — From ML. Clarencia,
name of the dukedom created for Lionel, the
third son of Edward III; so called from the
name of the town Clare (in Suffolk), whose heir-
ess Lionel married.
clarence, n., a closed four-wheeled carriage. —
From the name of the Duke of Clarence (later
William IV).
Clarencieux, Clarenceux, n., title of the second
king-of-arms at the Heralds' College. — Formed
from the name of the dukedom Clarencia.
clarendon, n., a kind of heavy-faced type (typogr.)
— From a printer of the name Clarendon, who
lived in the 19th cent.
claret, n., a red wine. — ME., prop, 'a clarified
wine', fr. OF. claret, used as a noun for vin
claret, lit. 'clear wine', whence F. (vin) clairet;
dimin. of OF. cler (F. clair), fr. L. cldrus. See
clear and -et.
Claribel, fem. PN. — A name coined by Ten-
nyson on analogy of Christabel. See Clara and
Bell.
Clarice, Clarisse, fem. PN. — Derived fr. Clara
(q.v.)
clarification, n. — F., fr. Late L. cldrificdtionem,
acc. of cldrificdtid, 'glorification', fr. clarifiedtus,
pp. of cldrificdre. See next word and -ation.
clarify, tr. and intr. v. — OF. clarifier, fr. Late
L. cldrificdre, 'to glorify', fr. L. cldrus, 'bright,
shining, clear, glorious', and -ficdre, fr. facere,
'to make, do'. See clear and -fy.
Derivative: clarifi-er, n.
clarigation, n., a solemn demand of redress
before the declaration of war by the Fetiales
(Roman antiq.) — L. cldrigdtio, gen. -dnis, fr.
cldrigdt-(um), pp. stem of cldrigdre, 'to demand
redress*, prob. formed on analogy of OL. puri-
clarin
296
gdre = L. purgdre, 'to cleanse, purify'; com-
pounded of clarus, 'bright, shining, clear', and
agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead, do, act'.
See clear and agent, adj. For the ending see
suff. -ation.
clarin, n., trumpet, clarion. — Sp. clarin, fr. claro,
'clear', fr. L. clarus. See clear and cp. clarion,
clarinet.
Clarinda, fcm. PN. — A derivative of Clara (q.v.)
clarinet, n., a woodwind instrument. — F. clari-
nette, dimin. formed fr. clarine, 'bell', orig. fern.
of the OF. adj. clarin, 'clear', fr. L. clarus. See
clear and -et, -ette and cp. clarin, clarion.
Derivative: clarinett-ist, n.
clarion, n., a kind of trumpet. — OF. claron,
cleron (F. clairon), fr. ML. cldrionem, acc. of
cldrio, fr. L. clarus, 'clear'. See clear and cp.
clarin, clarinet,
clarionet, n., a clarinet. — Formed from prec.
word with dimin. suff. -et.
Clarkia, n., a genus of herbs allied to the fuchsia
(hot.) — ModL., named after its discoverer
William Clark, an American explorer (1770-
1838). For the ending see suff. -ia.
clary, n., name of several plants. — F. sclaree,
fr. ML. sclarea.
clash, intr. and tr. v. and n. — Prob. a blend of
clap and crash,
clasp, tr. and intr. v. — ME. claspen, mctathe-
sized fr. ME. clapscn and rel. to clamp, 'device
for fastening' (q.v.)
Derivatives: clasp-er, n., clasp-ing, adj.
clasp, n. — ME. claspe, fr. claspen. See clasp, v.
class, n. — F. classe, fr. L. classis, 'army fleet,
class, division', esp. 'one of the six classes of the
Roman people', which prob. stands for *qlad-
t-is, and is related to caldre, 'to call, proclaim'.
See claim, v., and cp. calends.
Derivative: class, tr. v.
classic, adj. — F. classiquc, fr. L. classicus, 'relat-
ing to the classes of the Roman people', esp.
'relating to the first class'. See prec. word and
-ic.
Derivatives: classic, n., classic-ai, adj., classic-
al-ly, adv., classic-al-ncss, n., classic-ism, n.,
classic-ist, n., classic-ize, tr. and intr. v.
classification, n. — See classify and -ation.
classificatory, adj. — See next word and adj.
suff. -ory.
classify, tr. v. — F. classifier, fr. fictitious L.
classificare, fr. L. classis, 'class', and -ficare, fr.
facere, 'to make, do". See class and -fy.
Derivatives: classifi-able. adj., classifi-er, n.
classy, adj.. pertaining to a higher class (slang.) —
Formed fr. class with suff. -y.
clastic, adj., refracting. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. y~/.-xG- ■jz, 'broken in pieces', verbal adj.
of /S/.x-i, 'to break, break in pieces', fr. I.-E. base
*qel(a)-, *qol(d)-, 'to strike, beat'. See calamity
and cp. aclastic, anaclastic, cataciasm, icono-
clasm, oligoclase, orthoclase, periclase. Cp. also
clergy, cleric, clerk.
clathrate, adj., resembling a lattice (bot) —
Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. cldthrl(pl), 'lat-
tice', fr. Dor. Gk. xXa&pov, which is rel. to
Gk. xXsi&pov, Ion. xXini&pov, Old Att. xXy;Spov,
'bar for closing a door', fr. xXeteiv (for *>cXEr-
ielv), 'to shut, close, bar'. See cleido- and cp.
clcithral.
clatter, intr. and tr. v. — ME. clateren, a verb of
imitative origin ; related to clack and clap (qq.v.)
Derivatives: clatter, n., clatter-er, n., clatter-
ing-ly, adv., clatter-y, adj.
Claude. — See Claudius.
claudetite, n. , arsenic trioxide (mineral.) — Named
after its discoverer F. Claudet. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Claudia, fern. PN. — L., fern, of Claudius. See
Claudius and cp. Gladys.
claudicant, adj., limping. — L. claudicdns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of claudicdre, 'to limp'. See
next word and -ant.
claudicate, intr. v., to limp. — L. claudicat-(um),
pp. stem of claudicdre, 'to limp, halt, be lame',
fr. claudus, 'lame,' which is of uncertain origin.
It was influenced in form by a popular con-
nection of this word with claudere, 'to shut, en-
close' (see close, adj.).
Claudius, Claude, masc. PN. — L. Claudius,
name of two Roman gentes, rel. to claudus,
'lame'. See prec. word and cp. Claudia.
clausal, adj., pertaining to a clause. — Formed
fr. next word with adj. suff. -al.
clause, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) clause, fr. ML.
clausa, used in the sense of L. clausula, 'the
close of a rhetorical period", fr. L. clausus, pp.
of claudere, 'to shut, enclose'. See close, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: clause, tr. v.
claustral, adj., pertaining to a cloister. — ML.
claustrdlis, fr. L. claustrum, 'bolt, bar', in its
ML. sense 'cloister'. L. claustrum stands for
*claud-tram and literally means 'that by which
anything is shut up', and is formed fr. claudere,
'to shut", with instrumental suff. *-trom. See
close, adj., and cp. cloister. For the suff. see
rostrum. Cp. also next word and the first ele-
ment in claustrophobia.
claustration, n., the act of shutting up in, or as
in, a cloister. — Fictitious L. claustrdtid, fr.
claustrdtus, pp. of claustrdre, fr. L. claustrum.
See prec. word and -ation.
claustrophobia, n., morbid fear of being shut up
in a confined place (med.) — A Medical L.
hybrid coined fr. L. claustrum, 'bolt, bar, a con-
fined place", and Gk. -90^5, fr. 90^0:, 'fear'.
See claustral and -phobia.
clava, n., the clublike end of the antennae of cer-
tain insects (entomol.) — L. cldva, 'club". See
claviform and cp. next word.
clavate, adj., club-shaped (bot.) — Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. L. cldva, 'club'. See claviform.
clavecin, n., a harpsichord. — F., formerly spelled
clavessin, shortened fr. earlier clavycimbale, fr.
297
clear
ML. clavicymbalum. See clavicembalo.
Derivative: clavecin-ist, n.
clavelization, n., inoculation with sheep pox
virus (med) — F. clavelisation, fr. clavelee,
'sheep pox', fr. Late L. cldvellus, 'sheep pox',
dimin. of L. cldvus, 'nail', which is rel. to cldvis,
'key'; see clavicle and -ization. The disease is
so called because the pustules caused by it re-
semble nailheads.
clavicembalo, n., a harpsichord. — It., lit. 'cymbal
with a keyboard', compounded of L. cldvis,
'key', and cymbalum, 'cymbal'. See clavicle and
cymbal.
Claviceps, n., a genus of sac fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of L. cldva, 'club', and -ceps,
'-headed', fr. L. caput, 'head'. See clava and
capital, adj. For the change of Latin a (in caput)
to e (in -ceps) see biceps.
clavichord, n., an early keyboard instrument. —
ML. clavichordium, compounded of L. cldvis,
'key', and chorda, 'string'. See clavicle and chord.
clavicle, n., the collarbone. — F. clavicule, fr. Late
L. cldvicula, 'a little key, bar, bolt, tendril', dimin.
of L. cldvis, 'key', which is rel. to cldvus, 'nail',
claudere, 'to shut'. In its anatomical sense Late
L. cldvicula was first used by the translators
of Avicenna about the year 980. See close, adj.,
and cp. chiave, clavelization, clavier, clavis, clef,
autoclave, conclave, enclave, kevel, laticlave,
subclavian. Cp. also lot.
clavicular, adj., pertaining to the collarbone. —
Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr. Late L. cldvicula.
See prec. word.
clavier, n., keyboard. — F., lit. 'keybearer', fr.
L. cldvis, 'key'. See clavicle. In the sense of
'piano', clavier is borrowed fr. G. Klavier, which
itself derives fr. F. clavier, 'keybearer'.
claviform, adj., club-shaped. — Compounded of
L. cldva, 'knotty stick, cudgel, club", and forma,
'form, shape'. The first element is rel. to cldvus,
'nail'; see clavicle and cp. clava, clavate. For the
second clement see -form.
claviger, n., one who carries a club. — L. cldviger,
'club bearer' (epithet of Hercules), compounded
of cldva, 'club', and the stem of gerere, 'to car-
ry'. See prec. word and gerent.
clavis, n., a key (used also figuratively). — L.
cldvis, 'key', whence cldvicula, 'a little key". See
clavicle.
claw, n. — OE. clawu, var. of clea, rel. to ON.
kid, OFris. kldwe, kle, MLG. klouwe, Du. klauw,
OHG. kldwa, kid, MHG. kldwe, G. Klaue,
'claw', and to OE. cleowe, cleowen, cliwen, 'ball
of thread'. See clew and cp. cloot, Clootie.
Derivatives: claw, tr. and intr. v., cla\;-ed, adj.
clay, n. — ME. clei, clai, fr. OE. elzg, rel. to OS.
klei, Dan. klxg, MDu. clei, Du. klei, LG.
klei (whence G. Klei), 'clay', OE. clseman,
ON. kleima, OHG. kleimen, 'to cover with clay,
besmear', OHG. kllwa, klia, MHG. klige, kite,
G. Kleie, 'bran', fr. I.-E. base *giei-, *gli-, 'to
glue, paste, stick together', whence also Gk. yXta,
yXota, 'glue', yXoioc;, 'anything sticky', yXivv),
of s.m., OSlav. glenu, 'slime, mucus', glina,
'clay', Russ. glej, 'clay', Lett, giive, 'slime, mu-
cus', Olr. glenim, 'I cleave, adhere'. Cp. clam,
'to smear', clammy, cleave, 'to stick,' clever,
clevis, cliff, climb, clote. Cp. also glioma, and
the second element in neuroglia. For derivatives
of I.-E. *gleit-, a -/-enlargement of base *glei-,
see glue. Derivatives: clay, tr. v., clay-ey, adj.
claymore, n., a large double-edged sword former-
ly used by the Scottish Highlanders. — Gael.
claidheam mor, lit. 'a big sword, fr. claidheamh,
'sword', and mor, 'great'. The first word is
rel. to W. cleddyf, Olr. claideb, and cogn. with
Gk. xXdSo?, 'young branch or shoot', L. clddes,
'disaster', fr. I.-E. *qeldd-, a -rf-en'argement of
base *qeld-, *qold-, 'to strike, beat, break'. See
holt and cp. clado-. Gael, mor, 'great', is rel. to
W. mawr, 'great', and cogn. with OE. msere,
OHG. mdri, 'famous'. See more.
Claytonia, n., a genus of plants of the purslane
family (bot) — ModL., named by Gronovius
after the American botanist John Clayton
(1693-1773). For the ending see suff. -ia.
-cle, dimin. subst. suff. — Fr. L. -cuius (masc),
-cula (fern.), or -culum (neut.), either directly
or through the medium of F. -cle. See -cule.
clean, adj. — ME. clene, fr. OE. clxne, 'clear,
clean, pure', rel. to OS. kleni, 'dainty, graceful',
OHG. kleini, 'shining, neat, elegant' (whence
MHG. kleine, 'nice, graceful, small', G. klein,
'small'; in G. Kleinod, 'jewel, gem', prop,
'something neat or fine', the orig. meaning of
klein survives), and prob. cogn. with Gk. yXxivo''
(Hesychius), 'star-shaped ornaments', yzXi'j,
'to laugh'. See geloto- and cp. the first element
in kleeneboc. Derivatives : clean, adv. (q.\.),clcan-
er, n., clean-ing, n., clean-Iy, adv.
clean, adv. — OE. cl&ne, 'entirely', fr. cLvne
'clear, clean, pure'. See clean, adj.
cleanly, adj. — ME. clenly, fr. OE. clxnlic, fr.
clxne. See clean, adj., and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: clean-li-ly, adv., clean-li-ness, n.
cleanness, n. — ME. clennesse, fr. OE. cl&nnes,
fr. dine. See clean, adj., and -ness.
cleanse, tr. v. — ME. clensien, clensen, fr. OE.
clxnsian, fr. elzne. See clean, adj.
Derivatives: cleanser (q.v.), cleans-ing, n.
cleanser, n. — OE. clxnsere, fr. clxnsian. See
prec. word and agential suff. -er.
clear, adj. — ME. cler, cleer, fr. OF. cler, clier
(F. ciair), fr. L. clarus, 'bright, shining, clear,
plain, manifest, illustrious, famous, glorious',
which stands for cld-rus, and is rel. to cld-mdre,
'to call, cry out, shout, declare', fr. I.-E. base
*kld-, var. of *kal-, 'to shout, resound'. See
calends, and cp. claim. Cp. also claret, clarify,
Clara, clarin, clarinet, clarion, clarity, declare,
eclair, glair, the first element in clairaudience,
clairvoyance, chiaroscuro and the second element
in chanticleer.
Derivatives: clear, tr. and intr. v. and adv.,
clearstory
298
clear-age, n., clear-ance, n., clear-ing, n., clear-
ly, adv., clear-ness, n.
clearstory, n. — See clerestory.
cleat, n., a piece of wood or metal. — ME. clete,
elite, 'wedge', fr. OE. cleat, rel. to MLG. kldt,
klute, MDu. cloot, Du. kloot, OHG., MHG.
klo3, G. KloJS, 'clod, dumpling', and cogn. with
Gk. y'Aoxnoq, 'rump', lit. 'something round';
see glutaeus and cp. clod, clot, cloud, clout. All
these words are ^-enlargements of I.-E. base
*gleu-, 'to form into a ball', whence OI. glauh,
'ball', and E. claw, clew (qq.v.)
Derivative : cleat, tr. v.
cleave, intr. v., to stick, adhere. — ME. eleven,
clevien, divert, fr. OE. cleofian, clifian, rel. to
OS. kliton, OHG. kliban, Du. kleven, OHG.
kleben (intr. v.), MHG., G. kleben, 'to stick, ad-
here', OHG. kliban, 'to stick', prob. also to
ON. klifa, 'to repeat over and over again', fr.
l.-E. base *glei-, *gli-, 'to stick, glue, paste'.
See clay and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also clover.
cleave, tr. and intr. v., to divide, split. — ME.
eleven, clivenjr. OE. cleofan, rel. to OS. klioVan,
ON. kljufa, Dan. Move, Du. kloven, OHG.
klioban, MHG., G. klieben, 'to cleave, split',
and cogn. with Gk. yXucpeiv, 'to hollow out,
carve', yXu7TT/]?, 'carver, sculptor', L. glubere,
'to peel, strip', gluma (for *glubh-md), 'hull,
husk'. Cp. cleft, clove, 'bulb'. Cp. also glyph,
glume, glyptic.
Derivatives: cleav-er, n., cleav-ing, n.
cleavers, n.pl., catchweed. — Lit. 'that which
sticks', fr. cleave, 'to stick'.
cledonism, n., the avoidance of words deemed
unlucky. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
xXr)8tdv, 'omen, presage, calling, rumor, re-
port', which stands for *xae, f -7)-8cov and is rel.
to vXkoc, (Phocian xkiroc), 'fame, report, rumor',
yXzui (for *xX£f to), 'I celebrate, glorify', xXuto?,
'famous, renowned, glorious', and cogn. with
OFris., OS., OE. Mud, etc., 'loud'. See loud and
cp. words there referred to.
cleek, n., a large hook. — ME. cleken, clechen,
'to seize firmly', rel. to clutch, v.
clef, n., sign of pitch (mus.) — F., 'key', fr. L.
cldvis, whence also It. chiave, Rum. cheie, Pro-
ven?., Catal. clau, Sp. Have, Port, chave, 'key'.
See clavicle and cp. enclave.
cleft, n. — ME. clift, fr. OE. geclyft, rel. to
OHG., MHG., G. kluft, MLG. kluft, klucht,
and to OE. cleofan, 'to cleave'. See cleave, 'to
divide, split'.
cleft, past tense and pp. of cleave. — ME. cleft(e),
newly formed fr. eleven. See cleave, 'to divide,
split'.
cleido-, before a vowel cleid-, combining form
meaning 'key' or 'clavicle'. — Gk. xXeiSo-.xXciS-,
fr. xXeis (for *xXiq[.<;, fr. *xXaf i?, cp. Ion. xX-qt;,
Dor. xXits, Old An. xXf)?), 'bar, bolt, key',
whence xXetetv (for *xX£fteiv), 'to shut, close,
bar', xXsWpov, 'bar for closing a door'; cogn.
with L. cldvis, 'key', cldvus, 'nail', claudere, 'to
shut'. See close, adj., and cp. cleisto-, cleithral
and the first element in cleoid. Cp. also clathrate.
cleisto-, before a vowel cleist-, combining form
meaning 'closed', as in cleistogamy. — Gk.
xXeiaxo?, 'shut', verbal adj. of xXstsiv. See
cleido-.
cleistogamy, n., self fertilization of certain closed
flowers (bot.) — Compounded of cleisto- and
Gk. -ya[iia, fr. yafio?, 'marriage'. See -gamy.
Derivatives: cleistogam-ic, adj., cleistogam-ic-
al-ly, adv.
cleithral, adj., having a roof (said of a temple). —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. xXei&pov, 'bar
for closing a door'. See cleido- and cp. clathrate.
clem, tr. v., to pinch or starve (with hunger or
thirst). — Cp. Du. and G. klemmen, 'to pinch',
and see clamp, 'device for fastening'.
Clematis, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot
family (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. xXr)(xarE? , 'brushwood,
bag of wood', dimin. of xX7)(j.a, gen. xXr)(xaxo?,
'shoot or twig broken off (for grafting)', fr.
xXSv, 'to break'. See clastic.
Clemence, Clemency, fern. PN. — Fr. L. demen-
tia, 'mildness, mercy'. See next word and cp.
Clement.
clemency, n. — L. dementia, 'calmness, mild-
ness, forbearance, clemency', fr. clemens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -cy.
clement, adj. — L. clemens, gen. -entis, 'mild,
calm, soft, gentle, merciful, forbearing, indul-
gent', for *kleyomenos, lit. 'inclined', a parti-
cipial form of base *klei-, 'to lean, incline',
whence also OI. srdyate, 'leans', srdyamdnah,
'leaning', Gk. xXfvsiv, 'to cause to slope, slant',
L. -clinare (found only in compounds), 'to bend,
turn'. See clinical and cp. words there referred
to. For the participial suff. -menos see alumnus.
For the sense development of L. clemens (fr.
base *klei-, 'to lean, incline'), cp. the E. adj. in-
dined, in the sense 'disposed favorably'.
Clement, masc. PN. — Lit. 'mild, merciful', fr.
L. clemens. See prec. word and cp. Clemence,
Clemency.
clench, tr. v. — ME. clenchen, fr. OE. -clencan
(in beclencan) 'to hold fast', lit. 'to cause to
cling', causative of clingan, 'to cling' (seeding);
rel. to Dan. klinke, Swed., Norw. klinka, MDu.
clinken, Du. klinken, OHG. klenken, 'to clench,
rivet', Dan., Norw. klinke, Swed. klinka, Du.
klink, G. Klinke, iatch', G. klinken, 'to press
the latch'. Cp. clinch.
Derivative: clench, n.
cleoid, n., an instrument used to excavate teeth
(dent.) — Lit. 'key-shaped', irregularly formed
fr. Gk. xXet;;, gen. xXeiSo;, 'key', and -oeiSif]?,
'like', fr. sISo?, 'form, shape'. See cleido- and
-oid.
Cleome, n., a genus of the caper family (bot.) —
ModL., of uncertain origin.
clepe, tr. v., i) to call (obsol.); 2) to name (ar-
chaic). — ME. clepen, fr. OE. cleopian, clipian,
299
climacteric
'to call (out)', prob. related to clap, v. (q.v.)
Cp. yclept.
clepsydra, n., a device for measuring time by the
gradual flow of water; waterclock. — L., fr.
Gk. xXe^'iSpS, 'waterclock' , which is compound-
ed of the stem of xXibrrstv, 'to steal', and OSwp,
'water' ; so called in allusion to the circumstance
that the water is flowing stealthily from it (cp.
xXe^tppuTo?, 'flowing secretly', lit. 'flowing steal-
thily'). For the first element see klepto- and cp.
klepht and the first element in kleptomania. For
the second element see hydro-.
clepto-, before a vowel clept-. — See klepto-,
klept-.
clerestory, clearstory, n., the upper part of the
nave, transepts and choir of a large church. —
Compounded of clear and story, 'section of a
house, floor'.
clergy, n. — ME., fr. OF. clergie (F. clerge),
'clerkship, clergy', fr. Eccles. L. deriedtus, fr.
clericus. See next word.
Derivative: clergy-able, adj.
cleric, n. a clergyman; adj., clerical. — Eccles.
L. clericus, fr. Eccles. Gk. ■/Xr l piy.bq, 'belonging
to the clergy, clerical'. See clerk.
clerical, adj. — Eccles. L. eleriedlis, 'belonging
to the clergy', fr. clericus. See prec. word and
adj. suff. -al. Derivatives: clerical, n., clerical-
ism, n., clerical-ist, n.
clerk, n., — OE. cleric, clerec, clerk, fr. Eccles.
L. clericus, fr. Eccles. Gk. xXvjpixot;, 'belonging
to the clergy, clerical', fr. Gk. xX?jpo? (Dor.
xXapoq), 'little piece of wood lopped off (used
for casting lots)', hence 'a casting of lots, allot-
ment, portion', in Eccles. L. 'clergy', rel. to Gk.
xXav, 'to break', and cogn. with Olr. cldr, W.
clawr, claur, 'board, plank', fr. I.-E. base
*qel(d)-, *qol(d)-, 'to strike, beat, break'; see
calamity and cp. clergy and the first element in
cleruch. For a -rf-enlargement of base *qel(d)-,
see holt, 'small wood', and cp. words there re-
ferred to. For the sense development of Eccles.
Gk. xXfjpo?, 'clergy', cp. the LXX version of
Deut. 18,2: xupio? auTog xXrjpo? a'jxou, 'the
Lord is his (= Levi's) inheritance'. Derivatives:
clerk, intr. v., clerk-dom, n., clerk-ly, adv.
cleruch, n., a citizen who received an allotment
of land in conquered territory, but retained his
citizenship (Greek antiq.) — Gk. xXr;pouxo?,
compounded of xXrjpo;, 'lot, allotment', and
the stem of lx etv » ' t0 hold'. See clerk and hectic.
Clethra, n., a genus of plants, the white alder
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xXrj&pa, 'alder', which
is possibly cogn. with dial. G. lutter, ludere,
'alpine alder'.
deveite, n., a variety of uraninite (mineral.) —
Named after the Swedish chemist Per Teodor
Cleve (1 840- 1 905). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
clever, adj. — ME. diver, 'skilled, expert', prob.
rel. to ME. clivers, 'claws' (hence orig. meaning
'quick at seizing'), and to OE. clifian, 'to cleave'.
See cleave, 'to stick, adhere'.
Derivatives: clever-ly, adv., clever-ness, n.,
clever-ish, adj., clever-ish-Iy, adv.
clevis, n., a U-shaped piece of iron used as a se-
curing device. — Related to cleave, 'to stick,
adhere'.
clew, clue, h. — ME. clewe, clue, fr. OE. cleowe,
cleowen, cliwen, 'ball of thread, anything in the
shape of a ball', rel. to OS. cleuwin, Du. kluwen,
OHG. kliuwa, chliwa, MHG. kliuwe, dimin.
kliuwel, dissimilated into kniuwel, kniul (whence
G. Knauel), 'clue, ball', OE. clea, 'claw', fr.
I.-E. base *gleu-, 'to form into a ball', whence
also OI. glduh, 'ball', Olr. gld-sndthe, 'clue, ball'.
The same base — with -r-enlargement — appears
in Gk. yXoutos, 'rump', OE. dud, 'cloud'. Cp.
claw, cleat, clod, clot, cloud, clout, knawel.
Derivative : clew, clue, tr. v.
Clianthus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., irregularly formed fr. Gk.
xXsetv, 'to make famous' (fr. xXeo?, 'fame,
glory'), and Svfto?, 'flower'. For the first ele-
ment see loud and cp. cledonism, Clio. For the
second element see anther.
cliche, n., a trite phrase. — F., prop. pp. of
clicher, 'to stereotype', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. click.
click, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
East Fris., Du. klikken, and E. clack and clink.
For the thinning of a to /, cp. the verbs clank
and clink. Cp. cliche, clique.
Derivatives: click, n., click-er, n., click-y, adj.
client, n. — F., fr. L. clientem, acc. of cliens,
'retainer, follower, dependent', lit. 'one who
leans on another', fr. I.-E. base *klei-, 'to lean,
incline', whence also L. -clinare, 'to bend, turn'.
See clinical and cp. words there referred to. The
usual derivation of L. cliens from the stem of
cluere, 'to be named', is erroneous.
Derivatives: client-age, n., client-ai, adj., client-
ed, adj., client-ry, n.
clientele, n., the clients of a lawyer, doctor, etc. —
F. clientde, fr. L. clientda, formed from the
stem of cliens, gen. clientis (see prec. word) on
analogy of tut-ela, 'guardianship' (see tutelage).
cliff, n., a steep rock. — ME. clif, fr. OE. clif, rel.
to OS. clif, ON. klif, OHG. klep, MDu. klippe
(whence Du. klip and MHG., G. klippe), 'cliff,
steep rock', and to OE. cleofan, 'to cleave'. See
cleave, to stick, adhere', and cp. klippe, kloof and
the first element in klipspringer. For the relation-
ship between OE. clif and cleofan cp. L. rupes,
'rock', which is rel. to L. rumpere, 'to break,
burst, tear, rend' (see rupestrian and cp. words
there referred to).
Derivatives: cliff-ed, adj., cliff -y, adj.
climacteric, n., a critical period in human life. —
L. climactericus, 'pertaining to a dangerous
period in life', fr. Gk. xXi[xaxT7;ptx6;, fr.
xXi(xaxTTjp, 'rung of the ladder; critical point in
human life', fr. xXtu.a^, gen. xXfjxaxo<;, 'ladder'.
See climax and -ic.
climacteric
300
climacteric, adj., pertaining to a climacteric. —
From prec. word.
climacterium, n., a critical period in human life.
— ModL., fr. L. climacter, 'a critical period in
human life', fr. Gk. xXt[j.ocxT7)p. See climacteric,
n., and -ium.
climactic, adj., pertaining to a climax. — Irreg-
ularly formed fr. Gk. xXTjia!;, gen. xXf,|j.axo<;,
'ladder'. See climax and -ic.
climate, n. — F. climat, fr. L. clima, gen. -atis,
'region, climate', fr. Gk. xXt|j.a, gen. xXtu-axog,
'inclination, slope, region', from the stem of
xXivelv, 'to cause to slope, bend'. See clinical
and cp. clime, which is a doublet of climate. Cp.
also climax, acclimate, acclimatize.
Derivatives: climate, intr. v., climat-ic, climat-
ic-al, adjs., climat-ic-al-ly , adv.
climatography, n., description of climates. —
Compounded of Gk. xXijxa, gen. xXi|xa-roi;,
'climate', and -ypoctpia, fr. ypd^eiv, 'to write'.
Sec climate and -graphy.
Derivative: climatograph-ical, adj.
climatology, n., the scientific study of climates. —
Compounded of Gk. xXt(j.a, gen. xXi|jloctoi;,
'climate', and -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See climate and -logy.
Derivative: climat olog-ist, n.
climax, n. — L., fr. Gk. xXT(/.ai;, 'ladder', lit.
'something sloping, something leading up by de-
grees', from the stem of xXtvsiv, 'to cause to
slope, bend'. See clinical and cp. ladder.
Derivative: climax, intr. and tr. v.
climb, intr. and tr. v. — ME. climben, fr. OE.
climban, rel. to OHG. klimban, MHG. klimben,
klimmen, G. klimmen, MLG. klimmen, klim-
meren, and in gradational relationship to ME.
clambren, clameren, 'to climb'. The original
meaning of these words was 'to stick on to'.
They are rel. to clam, 'to smear', clammy, cleave,
'to stick', and further to clay (qq.v.)
Derivatives : climb, n., climb-able, adj. (a hybrid),
climb-er, n.
clime, n., i) a region; 2) climate. — L. clima. See
climate.
clin-, form of clino- before a vowel.
clinamen, n., inclination; bias. — L. clinamen,
fr. -c/inare,'tobend, turn', which iscogn. with Gk.
xXfveiv, 'to cause to slope, bend'. See clinical.
clinandrium, n., a cavity in the top of the column
of certain orchids, in which the anther rests
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. xXlwj,
'bed', and avy;p, gen. dvSpo?, 'man', used in its
modern botanic sense 'stamen'. Sec clinical and
andrc-.
clinanthium, n., the receptacle in the florets of
composite plants (bot.) — ModL., compounded
of Gk. xXivt), 'bed', and av&oc,, 'flower'. See
clinical, anther and -ium.
clinch, tr. v. — ME. clenchen; a var. of clench.
Derivatives: clinch, n., clinch-er, n., clinch-ing-
ly, adv., clinch-ing-ness, n.
cling, intr. v. — ME. clingen, fr. OE. clingan, 'to
shrink, shrivel, contract', rel. to Dan. klynge,
'to cluster', klynge, 'cluster'. Cp. clench, clinch,
which are causatives of cling. Cp. also clutch, v.
Derivatives: cling, n., cling-er, n., cling-ing, adj.,
cling-ing-ly, adv., cling-ing-ness, n., cling-y, adj.
clinic, n. — F. clinique, fr, L. clinicus. See nexf
word.
clinical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
clinicus, fr. Gk. xXTvixo?, 'a physician who at-
tends patients in their beds', from the adjective
xXTvixo?, 'pertaining to a bed', fr. xXfv7], 'bed',
which is rel. to xX£vetv, 'to cause to slope, slant,
incline', xXi(xoc, 'inclination, slope, region', xXi-
u.a5, 'ladder', xXTu.axTY|p, 'rung of a ladder',
xXTtu?, xXetTu?, 'slope, hillside', fr. I.-E. base
*klei-, 'to incline, lean', whence also L. -clindre
(with the exception of the pp. clindtus, occur-
ring only in compounds), 'to bend, turn', clivus,
'slope, hill', clitellae (dimin. of *clitra, for
*kleitrd), 'a packsaddle*, Umbr. kletram (ace),
'litter, bier', OI. srdyati, 'leans', sritdh, 'leaning',
Lith. slyti, 'to slope', slieti, 'to lean', slaitas,
'declivity,' sleivas, 'bandy-legged', Olr. cldin,
'crooked, wrong', Mir. clithar, 'hedge', W.
cledren, 'enclosure', Mir. cle, W. cledd, Co.
cledh, Bret, kleiz, 'left', lit. 'slanting, oblique',
Mir. fo-chla, W. go-gledd, 'north', lit. 'left' (for
sense development cp. Heb. s'mdl, Arab.
sham'&l, shimdl, 'left; north'), Arm. learn (gen.
lefin), 'mountain', Goth, hlaiw, 'grave, tomb',
OE. hlxw, hldw, 'mound, hill; cave', OE. hlinian,
'to lean'. See lean, 'to incline', and cp. words
there referred to. Cp also acclivity, aclinic, anti-
clinal, clement, client, climacterium, climate,
climax, clinamen, clino-, clitellum, clition, clivus,
declension, decline, declivity, diclinous, enclitic,
heteroclite, incline, isoclinic, microcline, mono-
clinal, pericline, recline, synclinal, triclinium.
I.-E. base *klei- is an enlargement of base *kel-,
for the derivatives of which see heel, 'to lean'
Derivative: clinical-ly, adv
clink, intr. and tr v. — Prob. fr. MDu. clinken
(Du. klinken), 'to sound, tinkle', which is rel. to
MLG. klingen [whence ON. klingia, Dan. klinge,
Swed. klinga], OHG. klingan,MHG.,G. klingen,
'to sound, tinkle'; of imitative origin. Clink is
related to clank; for the thinning of a to / cp.
click and clack. Cp. clough.
Derivatives: clink, n., clink-er, n., clink-ing, adj.
clino-, before a vowel clin-, combining form de-
noting bed, or slope, slant, incline, decline. —
Gk. xXIvo-, xXTv-, fr. xXfvq, 'bed', respectively
fr. xXfvEiv, 'to cause to slope, slant'. See clinical.
clinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
angles of slopes. — Compounded of clino- and
Gk. |x£Tpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. inclinometer.
Derivatives: clinometr-y, n., clinometr-ic, adj.
Clintonia, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-the-
valley family (bot.) — ModL., named after the
American statesman De Witt Clinton (1769-
,301
1828). For the ending see suff. -ia.
Clio, n., the Muse of history (Greek mythol.) —
L. Clio, fr. Gk. KXaco, lit. 'the proclaimed, fr.
xXeieiv, xXseiv, 'to tell of, celebrate, make
famous', fr. xXsot;, 'fame, flory'. See loud and
cp. cledonism, and the first element in Clianthus.
clip, tr. and intr. v,, to embrace (archaic.) —
ME. clippen, cluppen, fr. OE. clyppan, 'to em-
brace, love', rel. to OFris. kleppa, of s.m.,
OHG. kldftra, MHG. klafter, G. Klafter, MLG.
klachter, 'fathom', lit. 'the outstretched arms',
and cogn. with Lith. glebys, 'armful', gldbiu,
globti, 'to embrace, support', Lett, gldbt, glebt,
'to protect', L. gleba, 'clod', globus, 'ball, sphere'.
See clamp, 'a device for fastening', and cp. words
there referred to.
clip, n., a term for mechanical devices. — OE.
clypp, 'embrace', fr. OE. clyppan, 'to embrace'.
See prec. word.
clip, tr. v., to cut off ; intr. v., to cut something. —
ME. clippen, fr. ON. klippa, which is of imita-
tive origin. Derivatives: clip, n., clipp-er, n.,
clipp-ing, n. and adj.
clipeus, clupeus, clypeus, a large shield. — L.,
possibly of Etruscan origin. Cp. Clupea.
clique, n., a small, exclusive group of persons. —
F., fr. OF. cliquer, 'to make a noise', which
is of imitative origin. Cp. click.
Derivatives: clique, intr. v., cliqu(e)-y, cliqu-ish,
adjs., cliqu-ish-ly, adv., cliqu-ish-ness, n., cliqu-
ism, n.
clitellum, n., the raised band of earthworms and
leeches (zool.) — ModL., fr. L. clitellae, 'pack-
saddle', dimin. of *clitra (for *kleitrd), which
is rel. to Umbr. kletram (acc.), 'bier, litter';
formed fr. I.-E, base *klei-, 'to lean, incline',
with instrumental suff. -trd, fern, of -tro. See
clinical. For the suff. see rostrum.
clithridiate, adj., having the form of a keyhole
(zool.) — Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk.
xXoiOptS'.ov, dimin. of xXei&pta, 'keyhole', fr.
xXeiftpov, 'bar for closing'. See cleithral.
clition, n., the center of the anterior part of the
clivus (craniol.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. xXitS?,
'slope'. See clinical.
Clitoria, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., of uncertain origin. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
clitoris, n., a small, penislike organ of the female.
— Medical L., fr. Gk. xXsiTopt?, lit. 'that which
is shut up (scil. by the labia minora)', fr. xXeteiv,
'to shut, close, bar', which is cogn. with L. clau-
dere, 'to shut'. See close, adj., and cp. cleido-,
cleisto-, cleithral, clithridiate.
clitorism, n., hypertrophy of the clitoris (med.) —
Formed fr. clitoris with suff. -ism.
clitoritis, n., inflammation of the clitoris (med.)
— Medical L., formed fr. clitoris with suff. -ids.
clivus, n., the slanting surface of the body of the
sphenoid bone (anat.) — L. clivus, 'slope, hill',
fr. *kloi-wos (rather than fr. *klei-wos); cogn.
with Goth, hlaiw, 'grave, tomb', OE. hlsew,
hldw, 'mound, hill; cave', fr. I.-E. base *klei-,
'to incline, lean', whence also L. -clindre, 'to
bend, turn', Gk. xXtvstv, 'to cause to slope,
slant, incline'. See clinical and cp. acclivity, de-
clivity, proclivity.
cloaca, n., a sewer; a watercloset. — L., 'an arti-
ficial canal in Rome, which carried the sewage
into the Tiber, sewer, drain', fr. earlier clovdea,
fr. OL. cluere, 'to purge', which is cogn. with
Gk. xXti^siv, 'to dash against, break over, in-
undate, wash away, drench with a clyster',
xXtiau.oc, 'liquid used for washing out', xXuScov,
'wave, surge', xXuctt/)p, 'clyster pipe, syringe',
Toch. B klyauccan, 'broth, bubble', W. clir,
'clear', Lith. sluoju, sluoti, 'to sweep', sluota,
Lett, sluota, 'broom', Goth, hlutrs, OHG. hlut-
(t)ar, MHG. litter, G. lauter, OE. hlut(t)or, 'pure,
clear'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*kliu-, resp. *kleu-d-, 'to wash up, rinse'. Cp.
clysis, clysma, clyster and cataclysm.
Derivative: cloac-al, adj.
cloak, n. — ME. cloke, fr. OF. cloke, cloque,
cloche (F. cloche), 'bell', fr. Late L. clocca,
'bell', also 'cloak' (so called from its bell-like
appearance). See clock, which is a doublet
of cloak.
Derivatives: cloak, tr. v., cloak-ed, adj., cloak-
ed-ly, adv., cloak-ing, n.
cloche, n., a bell-shaped protection of glass for
plants. — F., 'bell'. See next word,
clock, n., a device for measuring time. — ME.
clok, clokke, fr. MDu. clocke (Du. klok), fr.
OF. cloke, cloque, cloche (F. cloche), fr. Late L.
clocca, fr. Celtic *klokka (whence Olr. clocc,
W. cloch, cloc'h, 'bell'), which is of imitative
origin. Cp. cloak, cloche, and the first element
in glockenspiel.
Derivatives: clock, intr. and tr. v., clock-ing, n.
clock, n., ornament on a stocking. — Prob. iden-
tical with prec. word and orig. meaning 'bell-
shaped ornament'. Derivative: clock-ed, adj.
clod, n. — ME. clodde, fr. OE. clod- (used only
in compounds), a collateral form of OE. clott,
'lump'. See clot.
Derivatives: clod, tr. and intr. v., clodd-ish, adj.,
clodd-ish-ly, adv., clodd-ish-ness, n., clodd-y,
adj., clodd-i-Iy, adv., clodd-i-ness, n.
clog, n., 1) obstruction; 2) a wooden shoe. —
ME. klogge, 'log of wood'. Cp. Norw. klugu,
'a knotty log of wood'.
Derivatives: clog, tr. and intr. v., clogg-y, adj.,
clogg-i-ly, adv., clogg-i-ness, n.
cloison, n., a partition, division. — F., fr. VL.
*clausidnem, acc. of *clausid, 'a closing', fr. L.
clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to shut'. See close, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
cloisonne, n., divided into compartments. — F.,
'partitioned, divided into compartments', pp.
of cloisonner, 'to partition', fr. cloison. See
prec. word.
cloister, n. — ME. cloistre, cloister, fr. OF.
cloistre (F. clottre), a blend of OF. clostre, of
Clonorchis
s.m., and of cloison. OF. dost re derives fr. L.
claustrum, 'bar, bolt, place shut up'; see clau-
stral. For the etymology of F. cloison see cloison.
Derivatives: cloister, tr. v., cloister-al, adj.,
cloister-ed, adj.
Clonorchis, n., a genus of flukes (zool.) — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xX<I>v, 'branch, twig, slip',
and op/I;, 'testicle'. The first element stands for
*xX£<ov and is rel. to xXav, 'to break', fr. I.-E.
base *qel(d)-, *qol(d)-, 'to strike, beat, break';
see calamity. For the second element see orchid.
Clonothrix, n., a genus of bacteria (bacterid.) —
ModL., compounded of xXcov, 'branch, twig,
slip', and #pi£, 'hair'. See prec. word and -thrix.
clonus, also clonos, n., a series of violent muscular
spasms (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. xXovo?,
'a violent motion, confusion, tumult', prob. a
derivative of I.-E. base *kel-, 'to move violently',
whence xcXsaSm, 'to urge on, exhort', xeXeueiv,
'to urge on, exhort, order', L. celer, 'swift'. See
celerity.
cloot, n., hoof, division of a hoof. — ON. kid,
'claw'. See claw and cp. next word.
Clootie, n., the devil. — Lit., 'hoofed'. See prec.
word.
close, adj. — ME. clos, fr. OF. (= F.) clos, fr.
L. clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to shut, close',
which is rel. to clavis, 'key', cldvus, 'nail', cldva,
'a knotty stick, staff, club', and cogn. with Gk.
xXets, gen. xXsiSos, 'bar, bolt, key' [whence
xXeleiv (for "xXeFieiv), 'to shut, close, bar',
xXeT&pov, 'bar for closing a door'], Olr. do, 'nail',
OSlav. kljuci, 'key', Russ. kljuc, of s.m., OSlav.
kljuciti, 'to shut up', Serb, kljuka, 'hook', Lith.
kliitti, 'to catch, be caught on', kliduties, Lett.
klauties, 'to rely upon', OFris. sluta, MLG.,
MDu. sliiten, Du. sluiten, OHG. sliu^an, MHG.
slie^en, G. schliefien, 'to shut, close, lock', OS.
slutil, OFris. slelel, MDu. slotel, Du. sleutel,
OHG. slu33il, MHG. slu33el, G. Schliissel,
'key'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *qldu-,
*(s)qleu-, 'hook, forked branch, key; to close,
shut'. Cp. autoclave, chiave, clathrate, claustral,
clava, clavate, clavelization, clavicle, clavier,
claviform, clavis, cleido-, cleisto-, cleithral, cle-
oid, cloison, cloister, closet, closure, clove, spice',
clove, 'a former weight', cloy, conclave, con-
clude, conclusion, disclose, eclosion, enclave, en-
close, exclude, exclusion, foreclose, glaive, in-
clude, inclusion, occlude, occlusion, parclose,
preclude, preclusion, recluse, seclude, seclusion,
sloat, slot, 'bolt', subclavian. Cp. also lot.
Derivatives: clos-ed, adj., close-ly, adv., close-
ness, n.
close, n., enclosure, space. — OF. (= F.) clos, 'en-
closure', pp. used as a noun. See next word.
close.tr. and intr. v. — ME. closen, fr. OF. (= F.)
clos, pp. of clore, 'to shut', fr. L. claudere. See
close, adj.
close, n., completion. — Fr. prec. word,
closet, n. — OF., dimin. of clos, 'enclosure'. See
close, 'enclosure', and -et.
Derivatives: closet, tr. v., closet-ed, adj.
Clostridium, n., a genus of bacteria (bacteriol.) — ■
ModL., formed with suff. -idium, fr. Gk. xXoia-
-ry)p, 'thread, spindle', fr. xXco&etv, 'to spin'.
See Clotho.
closure, n. — OF., fr. L. clausiira (whence also
It. chiusura), fr. clausus, pp. of claudere, 'to
shut'. See close, adj., and -ure. F. cloture, 'clo-
sure', has been refashioned fr. OF. closure on
analogy of nouns ending in -ture. Cp. cloture.
Derivative : closure, tr. and intr. v.
clot, n. — ME., fr. OE. clott, clot, 'lump', rel.
to MHG. khz, klotzes, G. Klotz, 'lump', block',
and to ME. clete, elite, 'wedge'. See cleat and
cp. clod. Cp. also clout, cluster, clutter.
Derivatives: clot, tr. and intr. v., clott-ed, clott-
y, adjs.
clote, n., the burdock. — ME., fr. OE. date, rel.
to OS. cledthe, OHG. cletha, cletto, cletta,
MHG., G. klette, fr. Teut. base *kleip-, cor-
responding to I.-E. base *gleit-, ^-enlargement
of *glei-, 'to cleave, stick to', whence L. gluten,
'glue'. See clay, and cp. glue, gluten.
cloth, n. — ME., fr. OE. clap, 'cloth', rel. to
OFris. kldth, MDu. elect, Du. kleed, MHG. kleit,
G. Kleid, 'garment' (ON. klxdi is possibly bor-
rowed fr. OE. clxp, a collateral form of clap).
These words prob. stand in gradational relation-
ship to OE. clidan, 'to adhere to', clida, 'plaster',
elide, 'bur'. See glue.
Derivatives: clothes, n. pi., cloth-ier, n., cloth-y,
adj.
clothe, tr. v. — ME. dothen, dathen, fr. OE.
clddian, 'to clothe' , fr. (7o/>,'cloth' . See prec. word .
Derivative: cloth-ing, adj. and n.
Clothilda, Clothilde, fern. PN. — F. Clotilde, fr.
G. Klothilde, a compound lit. meaning 'famous
in battle', fr. OHG. *klod, 'famous', and Midi,
'battle'. For the first element cp. OHG. Mat,
OE. Mud, 'loud', and see loud. For the second
element see Hilda.
Clotho, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythol-
ogy. _ l. Clotho, fr. Gk. KXcoJko, lit. 'the spin-
ner', fr. xXco&eiv, 'to spin', which is prob. rel. to
xiXafto;, 'basket'. See calathus and cp. Clos-
tridium.
cloture, n., closure of a debate in parliament. —
F. cloture, 'closing, close, cloture'. See closure.
Derivative: cloture, tr. and intr. v.
clou, n., object of chief attraction. — F., 'nail;
chief attraction', fr. L. cldvus, 'nail', which is
rel. to clavis, 'key'. Cp. It. chiodo, chiovo, OProv-
enc., Catal. clau, Sp. davo, Port, cravo, 'nail',
which all derive fr. L. cldvus. See clavicle and
cp. clove, 'spice', clove, 'a former weight', cloy.
cloud, n. — ME. dud, cloud, 'rock, cloud', fr. OE.
dud, 'mass of rock, rock', which meant orig.
'mass', and is rel. to clod (q.v.)
Derivatives: cloud, tr. and intr. v., cloud-ed, adj.,
doud-ing, n., cloud-less, adj., cloud-less-ly, adv.,
cloud-iess-ness, n., cloud-y, adj., cloud-i-ly, adv.,
cloud-i-ness, n.
dough, n., a ravine. — ME., fr. OE. *cloh, rel.
to OHG. kldh (in the place name Kldh-uelde),
fr. Teut. *klanh-, which stands in gradational.
relationship to *klenh-, whence OHG. dingo,
G. Klinge, 'clough' ; prob. of imitative origin.
Cp. clink.
clout, n., a patch. — ME., fr. OE. clitt, 'piece of
cloth or metal, patch', rel. to ON. klatr, 'ker-
chief, Dan. klud, 'rag, tatter, clout', Fris. klut,
'lump', MLG. klut(e), Du. kluit, 'clod, lump',
and to OE. clott, clot, 'lump'. See clot.
clout, tr. v., to patch, mend. — ME. douten, fr.
OE. clutian, 'to patch', fr. clut, 'a patch'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: clout-ed, adj., clout-er, n.
clout, n., a stupid person. — ME. clute, fr. Du.
kluit, 'clod'. See clout, 'a patch'.
clove, n., a spice. — ME. clow, fr. MF. (= F.)
clou, short for clou de girofle, lit. 'nail of clove' ;
so called from its resemblance to a nail. F. clou
derives fr. L. cldvus, 'nail'. See clou.
Derivative: clove, tr. v., to spice with cloves.
clove, n., a small bulb of garlic, etc. — OE. clufu,
rel. to OS. cluf- in cluftoc, MLG. klof-, in klof-
Idk, MDu. clof-, cluf- in cloflooc, cluflooc
(whence, with dissimilation, Du. knoflook),
OHG. chlobi- in chlobilouh (whence MHG. klo-
belouh, and, with dissimilation, MHG. knobe-
louch, G. Knoblauch), 'garlic', lit. 'clove leek',
and to OE. cleofan, 'to split, divide' ; see cleave,
'to divide'. Hence clove lit. means 'the divided
bulb'.
clove, n., a former weight. — AF. clou, fr. Anglo-
L. cldvus, name of a weight, fr. L. cldvus, 'nail'.
See clou and cp. clove, 'spice'.
clove, past tense of cleave, 'to divide'. — Formed
on analogy of cloven. See cleave, 'to divide'.
clove, past tense of cleave, 'to stick'. — Formed
on analogy of prec. word. See cleave, 'to stick'.
cloven, adj. — ME. cloven, fr. OE. clofen, 'di-
vided', pp. of cleofan. See cleave, 'to divide'.
clover, n. — ME. claver, clover, fr. OE. cldfre,
clsefre, rel. to MLG. klever, MDu. claver, Du.
klaver, OS. kle, OHG. kleo, MHG. kle, G.
Klee, 'clover', and prob. also to OE. cleofian,
'to stick, adhere' (see cleave, 'to stick'), so that
clover lit. means 'the plant with the sticky
sap'.
Derivative: clover-ed, adj.
clown, n. — Of uncertain origin. Peril, rel. to
Icel. klunni, 'a clumsy, boorish fellow', North
Fris. klonne, 'clown', Du. kloen, 'hoyden', dial.
Swed. kluns, 'a hard knob; a clumsy fellow',
klunn, 'log', Dan. klunt, 'log, block', and to
Dan., Swed. klump, 'lump'. See clump.
Derivatives: clown, intr. v., clown-ade, n., clown-
age, n., clown-ery, n., clown-ish, adj., clown-ish-
ly, adv., clown-ish-ness, n.
cloy, tr. v., to satiate; to surfeit; to weary with
excess. — Aphetic for obsol. accloy, which is
formed (with change of prefix) fr. F. enclouer,
'to prick (horses) in shoeing, to spike (a gun)',
lit. 'to nail up', fr. en, 'in' (see ist en-) and clou,
'nail', fr. L. cldvus. See clou and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: cloy-er, n., cloy-ing, adj., cloy-ing-
ly, adv., cloy-ing-ness, n.
club, n. — ME. clubba, fr. ON. klubba, klumba,
'a thick stick, club'. See clump and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: club, tr. and intr. v., clubb-able,
adj. (a hybrid), clubb-ed, adj., clubb-er, n., clubb-
ish, clubb-y, adjs.
cluck, intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp. OE.
cloccian, Dan. klukke, Du. klokken, MHG.
klucken, MHG., G. glucken, Gk. xXco^siv,
xXcocroeiv, L. glocire, 'to cluck', which all are
imitative. Cp. also clutch, 'brood'.
Derivative: cluck, n.
clue, n. — The same word as clew.
clumber spaniel, clumber, n. — Named after one
of the estates of the 1st Duke of Newcastle.
clump, n., a heap, mass. — MLG. klumpe, klom-
pe, 'clog, wooden shoe', prop, 'shoe formed
from a lump of wood', rel. to LG. klump
(whence G. Klumpe, Klumpen), 'clump, lump',
MDu. clompe, 'lump, mass', Du. klomp, 'lump;
wooden shoe', Dan., Swed. klump, 'lump', OE.
clympre, 'lump of metal, metal', and to ON.
klumba, klubba, 'a thick stick, club'. See clamp
'device for fastening', and cp. club. Cp. also
chinch. Cp. also clown.
Derivatives: clump, intr. and tr. v., clump-y, adj.
clumsy, adj. — ME. clumsed, pp. of clumsen, 'to
benumb', rel. to dial. Swed. klummsen, 'benum-
bed with cold', OE. be-clemman, 'to bind, en-
close, fetter', and to E. clamp, 'a device for
fastening (q.v.). For the insertion of s before the
suff. -y cp. flimsy.
Derivatives: clumsi-ly, adv., dumsi-ness, n.
clunch, n., a kind of limestone. — Cp. Du. klont,
klomp, of s.m., 'lump', and see clump. For the
connection between dump and clunch cp. bump
and bunch, hump and hunch, lump and lunch.
clung, past tense and pp. of cling. — ME. pp.
clunge(n), fr. OE. clungen, fr. clingan, 'to shrivel,
contract'. See cling.
Cluniac, n., a monk of the order of Benedictines
founded 910 in the abbey of Cluny, in France.
Clupea, n., the genus of herrings (ichthyoid) —
L. clupea, 'a kind of very small river fish', of
uncertain origin; possibly rel. to clupeus, a col-
lateral form of clipeus, 'a round shield'. See
clipeus.
Clupeidae, n. pi., a family of fishes, the herrings,
sardines, etc. (ichthyol.) — ModL., formed with
suff. -idae, fr. Clupea.
cluster, n. — OE. cluster, clyster, prob. rel. to OE.
clott, clot, 'lump'. See clot.
Derivatives: cluster, intr. v., cluster-ed, adj.,
cluster-y, adj.
clutch, tr. and intr. v., to seize with the hands. —
ME. clucchen, dicchen, fr. OE. clyecean, 'to
bring together, clench', rel. to OFris. kletsie,
ciutcn
'spear', Swed. klyka, 'crotch, fork', and to E.
cling (q.v.)
clutch, n., claw, grip, grasp. — ME. clucche, fr.
clucchen. See prec. word,
clutch, n., a brood. — Fr. earlier cletch, fr. ON.
klekja, which is prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
cluck.
clutter, n., confusion, disorder; intr. v., to run
in disorder; tr. v., to put into disorder, to litter;
— A var. of obsol. clotter, freq. of the verb clot.
See clot and freq. suff. -er.
Derivative: clutter-er, n.
Clydesdale, n., a heavy breed of cart horse. —
Named fr. Clydesdale, the valley of the River
Clyde in Scotland.
Clydesdale terrier, a breed of Scotch terrier. —
See prec. word,
clyer, n., a scrofulous tumor, a wen. — Du. klier,
'gland, scrofula'.
Clypeaster, n., a genus of sea urchins (zool.) —
ModL., formed fr. L. clypeus, 'a round shield',
and aster, 'star'. See clipeus and Aster,
clypeate, adj., shaped like a round shield. — L.
clypedtus, pp. of elypedre, 'to provide with a
round shield', fr. clypeus. See clipeus and adj.
suff. -ate.
clypeus, n. — See clipeus.
clysis, n., a washing out by a clyster (med.) —
Gk. xXuat;, fr. xXu^eiv, 'to wash away, to drench
with a clyster', which is cogn. with OL. cluere,
'to purge', L. cloaca, 'sewer, drain'. See cloaca.
clysma, n., an enema (med.) — Gk. xXiict(j.a,
'liquid used for washing out', fr. xXu£av. See
prec. word and cp. cataclysm.
clysmic, adj., washing, cleansing. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. xXuajzo;, 'liquid used for
washing out', fr. xXii^eiv. See clysis.
clyster, n., an enema. — F. clyste're, fr. L. clyster,
fr. Gk. xXuottjp, 'clyster pipe, syringe', fr. xXu-
teiv. See clysis and cp. cataclysm.
Derivatives: clyster, tr. v., clyster-ize, tr. v.
Clytemnestra, Clytaemnestra, n., the wife of Aga-
memnon. With the aid of her lover Aegisthus
she murdered her husband on his return from
Troy (Greek mythol.) — L. Clytaemnestra, fr.
Gk. KhntyxYrftzpTt, a word compounded of
xX'jt6;, 'heard of, celebrated', and jjtvy;ci-rY)p,
'willing to mind; mindful of; wooer, suitor',
which is rel. to 'to remember', \vjrpit;,
'memory, remembrance'. For the first element
see loud, for the second see mind and cp. mne-
sic, mnestic.
cnemial, adj., pertaining to the shinbone (anat.)
— Formed with suff. -ial fr. Gk. xvr ; u.7j (Dor.
xv4;ia), 'leg, shank, tibia', which is cogn. with
Olr. endim, 'bone', OE. hamm, 'ham'.. See ham,
'part of the thigh', and cp. the second element
in gastrocnemius.
Cnicus, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(hot.) — L. emeus, cnecus, 'saffiower', fr. Gk.
m^zo;, 'saffiower', whence Gk. xv7)xo<;, Dor.
xvixo?, 'pale, yellow, tawny'; cogn. with OE.
hunig, 'honey'. See honey.
cnida, n., a nematocyst (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
xviSr], 'nettle', from the stem of xvi^eiv, 'to
scratch, scrape', rel. to Homeric Gk. xvfcrrj,
Att. xviaa, 'smell of a burnt sacrifice, steam,
savor', and cogn. with L. nidor (for *cnidds),
'smell of burnt things, savor'. See nidor.
co- short form of com-, con-.
coacervate, tr. v., to heap up (obsol.) — L. co-
acervdtus, pp. of coacervdre, 'to heap together,
heap up', fr. co- and acervdre, 'to heap up'. See
acervate.
coacervation, n. — L. coacervdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
heaping up', fr. coacervdtus, pp. of coacervdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
coach, n. — F. cache, fr. G. Kutsche, fr. Hun-
garian kocsi, short for orig. kocsi szeker, 've-
hicle made in Kocs', fr. kocsi, 'of, or pertaining
to, Kocs', formed with suff. -i, 'of, fr. Kocs,
name of a village near Gyor in Hungary. Cp.
Sp., Port, coche It. cocchio, Du. koets, which
all derive ultimately fr. Hungarian kocsi. Cp.
also the second element in porte-cochere.
Derivatives : coach, tr. and intr. v., coach-ee, n.,
coach-er, n., coach-ing, n.
coact, tr. v., to force, compel (obsol.) — L. code-
tare, 'to constrain', freq. of edgere (pp. codctus),
'to force'. See cogent.
Derivatives: coaction (q.v.), coact-ive, adj.
co-act, intr. v., act together. — Formed fr. co-
and act.
coaction, n., force, compulsion. — L. codctid,
gen. -dnis, fr. codctus, pp. of edgere. See coact
and -ion.
coadjutor, n. — OF. coadjuteur, fr. L. coadju-
tdrem, acc. of coadjutor, fr. co- and adjutor,
'helper, assistant', fr. adjutus, pp. of adjuvdre,
'to help, assist'. See aid and cp. adjutant, ad-
juvant.
coadunate, tr. v., to unite. — Late L. coadundtus,
pp. of coadundre, 'to unite', fr. co- and L. ad-
undre, 'to make one, unite', which is formed fr.
ad- and unus, 'one'. See uni- and verbal suff. -ate.
coadunate, adj., united. — Late L. coadundtus,
pp. of coadundre. See coadunate, v.
coadunation, n., union. — Late L. coadundtid,
gen. -dnis, fr. coadundtus, pp. of coadundre. See
prec. word and -ion.
coagulate, intr. and tr. v., to curdle. — L. codgu-
Idtus, pp. of coagulare, fr. codgulum, 'means of
coagulation', fr. *co-agere, 'to drive or press
together', fr. co- and agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead, do'. See agent, adj., and verbal suff.
-ate. For sense development cp. curd. Cp. quail,
'to lose heart'.
coagulation, n. — L. codguldtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
codguldtid, gen. -dnis, fr. coaguldtus, pp. of coa-
guldre. See prec. word and -ion.
coaita, n., the spider monkey. — A Tupi name.
coal, n. — ME. cole, fr. OE. col. rel. to ON.,
Norw., Swed. kol, Dan. kul, OFris., MDu. kole,
Du. kool, OHG. kolo, kol, MHG. kol, G. Kohle,
'coal', and cogn. with Olr. glial, 'coal'. Cp. col-
lier and the first element in collop. Cp. also
collie.
Derivatives: coal, tr. and intr. v., coal-er, n.,
coal-ing, n., coal-y, adj.
coalesce, intr. v., to grow together, unite. — L.
coalescere, 'to grow together, unite', fr. co-
and alescere, 'to grow up', inchoative of alere,
'to nourish'. See aliment and cp. adolescent.
Derivatives: coalesc-ence, n., coalescent (q.v.)
coalescence, n. — Formed with suff. -ce, fr. L.
coalescens, gen. -entis. See next word,
coalescent, adj. — L. coalescens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of coalescere. See coalesce and -ent.
coalite, intr. and tr. v., to unite (obsol.) — L. co-
alitus, pp. of coalescere. See coalesce and next
word.
coalition, n., a temporary union. — ML. coalitid,
gen. -dnis, fr. L. coalitus, pp. of coalescere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: coalition-al, adj., coalition-ist, n.
coalmouse, n., the European titmouse. — OE.
colmdse, fr. col, 'coal', and mdse, 'titmouse'. See
coal and titmouse.
coaming, n., a raised edge around an opening. —
Of uncertain origin.
Coan, adj., of, or pertaining to the island of Cos.
— Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cos, fr. Gk. Kik,
one of the Doric Sporades.
Derivative: Coan, n.
coarctation, n., tightening of the aorta, an ori-
fice, etc. (med.) — L. coarctdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
crowding or pressing together', fr. coarctdtus,
a collateral form of coartdtus, pp. of coarctdre,
resp. coartdre, 'to crowd or press together',
fr. co- and arctdre, artdre, 'to press together',
fr. art us, 'close, strait, narrow, fitted', which is
related to ars, gen. artis, 'art', anna, 'armor';
see art and -ion. The form arctdre (for artdre)
is due to folk etymology, which associated this
word with L. arcere, 'to hold off, keep off'.
coarse, adj. — Earlier also course, of uncertain
origin; possibly adjectival use of the noun
course in the term 'of course", taken in the sense
of 'common, ordinary, rude'.
Derivatives: coarse-ly, adv., coars-en, tr. and
intr. v., coarse-ness, n.
coast, n. — ME. cost, fr. OF. coste (F. cote),
'rib, coast', fr. L. casta, 'rib, side', which is cogn.
with OSlav. kosti, 'bone'. Cp. Rum. coastd, It.,
OProvenc. costa, 'rib, coast', Sp. cuesta, 'hill,
mount, slope', costilla, 'rib', which all derive
fr. L. costa. Cp. accost, costal, costalgia, cos-
tard, costermonger, costrcl, cuesta, cutlet, inter-
costal.
Derivative: coastal (q.v.)
coast, intr. and tr. v. — ME. costeyen, costien,
fr. OF. costeier, costoier (F. cotoyer), fr. OF.
coste (F. cote), 'coast'. Sec coast, n.
Derivatives: coast-er, n., coasl-ing, n.
coastal, adj., pertaining to, or bordering on, a
coast. — A hybrid formed fr. E. coast with -al,
a suff. of Latin origin. The proper form is costal
(fr. L. costa), which, however, is used only in
the sense 'pertaining to a rib or ribs',
coat, n. — ME. cote, fr. OF. cote (F. cotte).
'coat, petticoat', fr. Franktsh *kotta, which is
rel. to OHG. chozza, chozzo, MHG., G. kotze,
'a coarse coat', OS. kot, 'a woolen mantle".
OProvenc., Sp., Port, cola, It. cotta, 'coat', ML.
cotta, 'cowl', are Teut. loan words. Cp. cotillion,
cotise, cotta, and the second element in hausse-
col.
Derivatives: coat, tr. v., coat-ed, adj., coatee
(q.v.), coat-ing, n.
coatee, n., a short coat. — Formed fr. coat with
suff. -ee.
coati, n., a small Brazilian raccoon. — Port., fr.
Tupi coati, which is compounded of cua, 'cinc-
ture, belt', and tim, 'nose'.
coax, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. earlier cokes, 'a fool,
dupe', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: coax, n., coax-er, n., coax-ing, n..
coax-y, adj.
coaxal, coaxial, adj., having a common axis
(math.) — Formed fr. co-, axis and adj. suff. -al.
cob, n., a heap, lump. — Prob. rel. to cub. Cp.
cobble, 'a rounded stone'.
Derivative: cobb-y, adj.
cob, n., a gull. — Rel. to Du. kobbe, of uncertain
origin; possibly orig. denoting a plump, round-
ish bird and rel. to cob, 'heap, lump'.
cob, n., a spider (rare). — See cobweb.
cobalt, n., a silver-white metallic element (chem.)
— G. Kobalt, prob. a blend of MHG. kobolt, "a
malicious sprite', and Gk. xoflxXo;, 'rogue,
knave; an evil spirit'. See kobold and goblin.
For sense development cp. nickel and wolfram.
Derivative: cobah-ic, adj.
cobble, n., a rounded stone. — Formed with suff.
-le fr. cob, 'heap, lump'.
Derivatives: cobble, tr. v., to pave with cobbles,
cobbl-ing, n., cobbl-y, adj.
cobble, tr. v., to patch. — Of uncertain origin.
Perhaps rel. to cob, 'heap, lump", hence deri-
vatively identical with cobble, 'to pave with
rounded stones' (see prec. word).
Derivatives: cobbl-er, n., cobbl-ing, n.
Cobdenism, n., the doctrine of the English econ-
omist Richard Cobden (1804-65). — For the
ending see suff. -ism.
Cobdenite, n., an adherent of Cobdenism. — See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
coble, n., a kind of fishing boat. — Bret, caubal.
fr. L. caupulus, 'a kind of small ship", which is
of uncertain origin.
cobnut, n. — L. 'nut in heaps or clusters', com-
pounded of cob, 'heap, lump", and nut.
cobra, n., a poisonous snake of Asia and Africa.
— Port, cobra de capello, 'serpent with a hood'
(so called because it expands its neck so as to
resemble a hood). Cobra derives fr. VL. *colo-
bra (whence also F. couleuvre, "adder"), formed
with vowel assimilation fr. L. colubra, 'female
tuumorm
306
serpent', which is rel. to coluber, 'serpent, snake'.
See Coluber,
cobriform, adj., allied to the cobra. — A hybrid
coined fr. Port, cobra (see prec. word) and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
coburg, n., a thin fabric of worsted and cotton
or worsted and silk. — Fr. Coburg, a town in
Germany.
cobweb, n. — ME. coppeweb, shortened fr. atter-
cop-web, fr. OE. dtorcoppe, attorcoppe, 'spider',
which is compounded of dtor, 'poison', and cop,
'top, head'. See after and cop, 'top of a thing'.
For the second element see web. Cp. cob,
'spider'.
Derivatives: cobweb, tr. v., cobwebb-ery, n., cob-
webb-y, adj.
coca, n., a South American plant. — Sp., fr.
Peruvian coca. Cp. cocaine.
Coca Cola. — A trade name; so called in allusion
to the extracts of coca leaves and cola nuts it
contains.
cocaine, cocain, n., a drug obtained from coca
leaves, used as a local anesthetic. — A hybrid
coined by Niemann in 1859 fr. coca and chem.
suff. -ine, resp. -in, which is of Latin origin.
cocainism, n., a morbid condition caused by the
habitual use of cocaine. — A double hybrid
coined fr. cocaine and -ism, a suff. of Greek
origin.
cocainize, tr. v., to anesthetize with cocaine. —
A double hybrid coined fr. cocaine and -ize. a
suff. of Greek origin,
cocco-, before a vowel cocc-, combining form
meaning 'berry, seed'. — Gk. xoxxo-, xoxx-,
fr. xixxoi;. See coccus.
coccoid, adj., resembling a coccus (bacteriol.) —
Compounded of cocc- and Gk. -oeiSfa, 'like',
fr. tlSoQ, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Cocculus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Menispermaceae {bot.) — ModL., dimin. of
coccus, 'a berry'. See next word and -ule.
coccus, n., 1) one of the carpels of a dry fruit
(bot.); 2) a spherical cell (bacteriol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xoxxo?, 'grain of the kermes, kernel,
berry', which is prob. a foreign word. Cp. the
second element in gonococcus and in Chiococca.
Cp. also cocoon. Cp. also scotch, 'to make an
incision'. The word coccus was introduced into
bacteriology by the German surgeon Albert
Christian Theodor Billroth (1829-94).
Coccus, n., a genus of insects of the family Coc-
cidae. — See prec. word.
coccyg-, form of coccygo- before a vowel.
coccygeal, adj., pertaining to the coccyx (anal.)
— Formed with adj. suff. -ai fr. Gk. xoxxu',
gen. xoxxOyoc.. See coccyx.
coccygo-, before a vowel coccyg-, combining form
denoting the coccyx (med.) — Fr. Gk. xoxxu^,
gen. x6xxt>yo<;. See next word.
coccyx, n., the end of the vertebral column in
ilan and in some apes; the rudiment of a tail
(anat.) — Gk. xoxxuf;, gen. x6xx0yoi;, 'cuckoo;
coccyx', a word of imitative origin. This bone
was so called from its supposed resemblance to
a cuckoo's beak. See cuckoo and cp. words
there referred to.
Cochin, n., a breed of large domestic fowl. —
Named fr. Cochin China.
cochineal, n., a scarlet dye. — Fr. F. cochenille,
fr. Sp. cochinilla, prop, 'wood louse', dimin. of
cochina, 'sow', which is rel. to F. cochon, pig'.
Both Sp. cochina and F. cochon prob. are of
imitative origin.
cochlea, n., the spiral part of the inner ear (anat.)
— L. coclea, cochlea, fr. Gk. xoxXia?, 'snail
with a spiral shell', fr. xiyXo^, 'shellfish with a
spiral shell', which is rel. to Gk. xoyxo;, 'shell'.
See conch and cp. cockle, 'bivalve'.
Derivative: cochle-ar, adj.
cochleare, n., a spoonful (med.) — L., 'a spoon,
whose pointed end was used to extract snails
from the shell', dissimilated fr. *cocledle, fr. coc-
lea, cochlea, 'snail', fr. Gk. xoxXiai;. See cochlea.
cochleate, adj., shaped like a snail shell. —
Formed fr. cochlea with adj. suff. -ate.
cochleated, adj., cochleate. — See prec. word
and -ed.
cock, n., the male of the domestic fowl. — ME.
cok, fr. OE. cocc, coc, kok, imitative of the cry
of the bird. Cp. ON. kokr. Late L. coccus, OF.
coc (whence F. coq), OSlav. kokotu, OI. kuk-
kutdh, 'cock', which all are imitative. Cp. also
chicken, cockade, cockney, coquet, coquette,
coquin, coxcomb.
Derivatives: cock, tr. v., cock, n., the act of
cocking.
cock, n., a small pile of hay. — ME. cokke. Cp.
Dan. kok, 'pile of hay', ON. kokkr, 'lump, ball'.
cock, n., a cockboat. — See cockboat.
cockade, n. — F. cocarde, fr. OF. coquart, co-
quard, 'vain', fr. coq, 'cock'. See cock, 'the male
of the domestic fowl'. In English the word was
assimilated in form to the numerous nouns end-
ing in -ade.
Derivative: cockad-ed, adj.
cock-a-doodle-doo, n. — Childish imitation of
the cry of a cock.
Cockaigne, n., an imaginary land of luxury. —
ME. cocaygne, fr. OF. quoquaigne (F. cocagne)
in pais de quoquaigne (F. pays de cocagne), 'land
of plenty', which is prob. a Teut. loan word and
lit. means 'land of cake'. See cake and cp. It.
cuccagna, Sp. cucaha, Port, cucanha, which are
of the same origin and meaning, as OF. quo-
quaigne.
cockalorum, n., a conceited little man. — Formed
fr. cock in facetious imitation of Latin words.
cockatoo, n., a large parrot of Australia. — Du.
kaketoe, fr. Malay kakatuwa, which is prob. a
contraction oikakak tiiwa, 'old sister'. See Yule-
Burnetl, Hobson Jobson, p. 227. For sense de-
velopment cp. E. poll, 'parrot', fr. the PN. Poll,
a shortened form of Polly, 'Mary' (see Polly).
cockatrice, n., a fabulous serpent. — ME. coca-
307
coaaie
tryse, cocatrice, fr. OF. cocatris (F. cocatrix),
'a fabulous serpent', fr. Late L. calcdtrix,
'treader, tracker', fr. calcare, 'to tread'; see
calk, 'to stop with oakum'. OF. cocatris was
influenced in form by OF. coc, 'cock'. Late L.
calcdtrix is a loan translation of Gk. iyyzv\xt>>v,
'ichneumon', lit. 'tracker', fr. lyyac,, 'track'.
cockboat, n., a small boat, esp. one used as a
tender. — ME. cokbote, fr. cok, 'cockboat', and
bote, 'boat'. The first element derives fr. OF.
coque, cogue (F. coche), 'a kind of boat', fr. Late
L. caudica, 'a kind of boat', lit. 'a boat made
from the trunk of a tree', fr. L. caudex, gen.
caudicis, 'trunk of a tree'. See caudex. OF. coque,
cogue, were influenced in form by MDu. cogghe.
Cp. coxswain. Cp. also cog, 'a small fishing boat'.
For the second element in ME. cokbote see boat.
cockchafer, n. — Compounded of cock, the bird,
and chafer; so called from its large size.
cocker, tr. v., to pamper. — Formed with suff.
-er fr. obsol. cock, 'to make a nestle cock of.
See cock, the bird. For sense development cp.
OF. coqueliner, 'to pamper', fr. coq, 'cock'.
cocker, n., quiver (obsol.) — ME. coker, 'quiver,
boot', fr. OE. cocur, cocer, rel. to ODu. cocar,
MDu. coker, Du. koker, OHG. kochar, kochdri,
MHG. kocher, kochxre, G. Kocher, 'quiver'.
These Teut. words are connected with ML. cu-
curum, MGk. xouxoupov, whence Russ. kukor,
'cartridge box'. Cp. quiver, 'a case for arrows'.
cocker, n., also cocker spaniel. — Formed fr.
cock, the bird; so called because originally used
for hunting woodcock.
cockerel, n., a young cock. — Dimin. of cock,
the bird. For the suff. cp. dotterel (fr. dote),
pickerel (fr. pike).
cocket, seal of the king's customhouse. — Of un-
certain origin.
Derivative : cocket, tr. v.
cockle, n., the corn cockle. — ME. cokel, cokille,
fr. OE. coccel, 'corn cockle, darnel; tares'; of
uncertain origin.
cockle, n., a stove. — Du. kachel, short for kachel-
oven, fr. MHG. kacheloven (whence also G.
Kachelofen), 'stove of Dutch tiles', fr. VL. *cac-
culus, 'an earthen pot for cooking', a collateral
form of L. caccabus, fr. Gk. xaxxa^o?, xocxx<x|3y),
'a three-legged pot', which is of Sem. origin;
cp. Akkad. kukubu, 'a pot'. — Cp. cachucha.
cockle, n., bivalve mollusk of the genus Cardium.
— ME. cokel, fr. OF. (= F.) coquille, 'shell', fr.
VL. *conchilia, neut. pi. taken for fern, sing.,
fr. L. conchylium, fr. Gk. xoy/uXiov, dimin. of
xoYX'jky), 'shell', fr. xoy/r], 'shell'. See conch and
cp. cochlea, cochleare, coquina, and the second
element in caracole.
cockle, intr. v., to wrinkle, pucker; tr. v., to cause
to wrinkle or pucker. — F. coquiller, 'to swell,
form blisters', fr. coquille, 'shell'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: cockle, n., a wrinkle, pucker, cockl-
y, adj.
cockney, n., 1) a native of the East End of Lon-
don; 2) a resident of London; 3) his pronun-
ciation. — ME. cockeney, prob. from a NF.
dial, form of OF. acoquine (F. acoquine),
'greatly attached to', pp. of acoquiner, 'to make
fond of, formed fr. a, 'to' (see a), and coquiner,
'to play the knave', fr. coquin, 'knave, rascal,
rogue', which prob. derives fr. coq, 'cock' (cp.
F. coquard,'ndiculous old beau', and other deriv-
atives of coq with a depreciatory sense). See
cock, the bird.
Derivatives: cockney-dom, n., cockney-ism, n.
cockroach n. — Alteration of Sp. cucaracha,
'wood louse', fr. cuco, 'a sort of caterpillar;
cuckoo', possibly derived fr. L. cucus, 'daw',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. Gk. xoxxo?,
L. cuculus, 'cuckoo', and see cuckoo. The change
of Sp. cucaracha to E. cockroach is due to a folk-
etymological association with E. cock and roach.
cockscomb, n. — Lit. 'the comb of a cock'. See
cock and comb and cp. coxcomb.
Derivative: cockscomb-ed, adj.
cocky, adj., conceited. — Formed with adj. suff.
-y fr. cock, the bird. Cp. coxy.
Derivatives: cock-i-ly, adv., cock-i-ness, n.
coco, cocoa, n., palm tree. — Fr. Port, coco, 'gri-
mace', so called from the monkeylike face at
the base of the nut. Cp. coquito.
cocoa, n. — Sp. cacas. See cacao.
cocoon, n., the silky case spun by the larvae of
certain insects. — F. cocon, fr. Proven?, cou-
coun, 'shell of eggs; cocoon', fr. L. coccum, 'ex-
crescence on a plant ; kernel, berry', whence also
F. coque, 'shell of eggs'. L. coccum is a loan
word fr. Gk. xoxxo?, 'grain of the kermes, ker-
nel, berry'. See coccus.
coction, n., a cooking, boiling. — L. coctio, gen.
-dnis, fr. coctus, pp. of coquere, 'to cook, boil'.
See cook and -tion.
Cocytus, n., one of the five rivers of Hades (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. K<oxut6?, 'the River of
Lamentation', fr. xcoxuTog, 'lamentation', fr.
xcoxuelv, 'to cry, lament', dissimilated fr. *xu-
xuetv, and rel. to xotua^, Homeric Gk. X7)i;,
xrjui;, 'a sea bird'. Cp. OI. kduti, 'shouts', kokah,
'goose', Arm. k'uk', 'sighing, groaning'. All these
words are of imitative origin.
cod, n., a large sea fish. — ME. cod, prob. fr.
cod, 'bag' (see next word), and orig. meaning
'bag fish'. Cp. cuttlefish.
cod, n., a small bag; a pillow. — ME., fr. OE.
codd, 'bag, shell, husk', rel. to ON. koddi, 'pil-
low', Du. kodde, 'bag', fr. I.-E. base *geu-d-,
*gu-d-, -^-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend,
curve, arch'. See cove and cp. peasecod. Cp. also
coddle, 'to pamper'.
coda, n., a concluding passage in a musical com-
position. — It. coda, fr. L. coda, secondary form
of cauda, 'tail'. See caudal and cp. words there
referred to.
coddle, tr. v., to pamper. — Formed with freq.
suff. -le fr. cod, 'pillow'.
Derivative: coddl-er, n.
coddle
308
coddle, tr. v., to cook slowly. — Prob. a var.
form of caudle.
code, n. — F., fr. L. codex, later spelling for
caudex, 'the trunk of a tree; a writing tablet;
an account book, a code of laws'. See caudex
and cp. codex.
Derivative : code, tr. v.
codeine, n., an alkaloid obtained fr. opium (chem.)
— Formed with chem. suff. -ine fr. Gk. xcoSeia,
'poppy head', which is rel. to xioo?, 'prison'
(lit. 'a hollow place'), xco8uv, 'bell, mouth of
a trumpet, trumpet', xoiXoc (for *x6FiXoi;),
'hollow', fr. I.-E. base *fcew-, *ku-, 'vault; to
be hollow; to swell', whence also L. eavus,
'hollow'. See cave, n., and cp. codon.
codetta, n., a short coda (mus.) — It., dimin. of
coda (q.v.)
codex, n. ■ — L. See code and cp. codicil.
codger, n. — A var. of cadger.
codicil, n., an addition to a will. — L. cddicillus,
'a small writing tablet; an appendix to a will',
dimin. of codex, gen. cddicis. See codex.
codicillary, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature
of, a codicil. — Late L. cddicilldris, fr. L. codi-
cillus. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
codification, n. — See next word and -tication.
codify, tr. v., to reduce to a code; to systema-
tize. — Formed fr. code with suff. -fy.
Derivative : codifi-er, n.
codille, n., a term at omber, used when the game
is lost by the challenging player. — Sp. codillo,
lit. 'elbow, bend, knee of quadrupeds', dimin.
of codo, 'elbow, cubit', fr. L. cubitus. See cubit.
codling, n., a young cod. — Formed fr. cod, 'a
large fish', with the dimin. suff. -ling.
codling, n., a variety of apple. — ME. querdling,
corruption of F. cceur de lion, 'heart of lion'.
F. cceur derives fr. L. cor, de fr. L. de, 'from,
away from', lion fr. L. lednem, acc. of led, 'lion'
(see cordate, de- and lion); influenced in form
by E. coddle, 'to cook slowly', and by nouns
ending in -ing.
codon, n., a small bell, mouth of a trumpet. —
Gk. xcoScov, rel. to xcoSstoc, 'poppy head'. See
codeine and cp. the second element in Poly-
codium.
codpiece, n., formerly, a bag worn in the front of
the breeches. — Compounded of cod, 'bag', and
piece.
coed, co-ed, n., a female student in a coeduca-
tional college (slang). — Abbreviation of next
word.
coeducation, n. — Formed fr. co- and education.
Derivative: coeducation-al, adj.
coefficient, adj. and n. — Formed fr. co- and
efficient. The term coefficient was introduced
into mathematics by the French mathematician
Francois Viete (Vieta) (1540- 1603).
coehorn, n., an obsolete weapon for throwing
shells. — Named after its inventor, the Baron
Nienno van Coehoorn (1641-1704).
coel-, form of coelo- before a vowel.
Coelenterata, n., a phylum of invertebrate ani-
mals (zoo/.) — ModL., lit. '(animals) with empty
intestines', coined by the German zoologist
Rudolf Leuckart (1822-98) fr. Gk. xoTXoc,
'hollow', and Evxepov, 'intestine'. See coelo-,
enteric, and adj. suff. -ate.
coelenterate, adj. and n. — See prec. word.
coelenteric, adj. — See Coelenterata and -ic.
coeli-, form of coelio- before a vowel.
coelia, n., cavity (anat.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xoiXiS,
'cavity in the body'. See next word.
coeliac, celiac, adj., pertaining to the cavity of
the abdomen (anat.) — L. coeliacus, fr. Gk.
xoiXiaxo?, 'pertaining to the cavity of the body',
fr. xoiXta, 'cavity of the body, abdomen', a
word coined by Aristotle fr. xoiXoi;, 'hollow'.
See coelo- and cp. coelio-.
coelio-, before a vowel coeli-, also spelled celio-,
celi-, pertaining to the abdomen (anat.) — Gk.
xoiXio-, xoiXi-, fr. xoiXloc, 'abdomen', fr. xotXo?,
'hollow'. See coelia, coeliac, and cp. next word.
coelo-, before a vowel coel-, combining form
meaning 'hollow'. — Gk. xoiXo-, xoiX-, fr.
xoTXot;, 'hollow', which stands for *xof ikoq and
is cogn. with L. cavus, 'hollow'. See cave, n.,
and cp. coelia, coeliac, coelio-, and the second
element in Odocoileus.
coelom, n., the body cavity of Metazoa (zool.) —
Coined by the German biologist Ernst Heinrich
Haeckel (1834-1979) fr. Gk. xoiXwfxa, 'a hollow,
cavity', fr. xoiXo?, 'hollow'. See coelo-.
Coelopleurum, n., a genus of plants. — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xoTXoc, 'hollow', and 7rXeu-
pov, 'rib'. See coelo- and pleura.
coen-, form of coeno- before a vowel.
coenesthesis, coenaesthesis, n., organic sensation
(in contradistinction to external sensation, as
hearing, seeing, etc.) (psychol.) — Fr. Gk. xoivt;
a?afb)aic, 'common sensation'. See coeno- and
esthesis.
coeno-, before a vowel coen-, combining form
meaning 'common'. — Gk. xotvo-, holv-, fr.
xoivo?, 'common, public, general', which prob.
stands for *xo<j.~i6c, a compound prob. formed
fr. *xou.-,'with', which is cogn. with L. com-, cum,
'with' (see com-), and from a derivative of I.-E.
base yd-, 'going' (see itinerate). Accordingly
xoivo; lit. means 'that which goes together'.
For the formation of the word cp. Gk. E5v6c,
of s.m., which stands for *^j\i-t.6:, fr. E-jv,
'with', and *-<.oc, 'that which goes'. Cp. L.
comes, 'companion', for com-e-s, lit. 'he who
goes with somebody', fr. com-, 'with, together',
and the stem of ire, 'to go'. Cp. epicene.
coenobite, n. — See cenobite.
coenobium, n., a religious community. — Eccles.
L. coenobium, 'a convent', fr. Gk. xoiv6j3iov,
'life in community, monastery', fr. xoivrjc,
'common', and pio;, 'life'. For the first element
see coeno-, for the second see bio-. Cp. ccnoby.
coenosarc, n., the common soft tissue that unites
the polyps of a compound zoophyte (zool.) —
309
cognition
Compounded of coeno- and Gk. crap5, gen.
aotpxo?, 'flesh'. See sarco-.
coenurus, n., the larva of a tapeworm (Taenia cOe-
nurus). — ModL., compounded of coen- and
Gk. oupa, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-',
coequal, adj. — Formed fr. co- and equal. Cp.
L. coaequdlis, 'of equal age, equal'.
Derivatives: coequal, intr. and> tr. v., coequal-
ity, n., coequal-ly, adv., coequal-ness, n.
coequate, tr. v. — L. coaequdtus, pp. of coaequdre,
'to make equal to (something else)', fr. co- and
aequare, 'to make equal'. See equate and cp.
adequate.
Derivatives: coequat-ed, adj., coequat-ion, n.
coerce, to force, constrain. — L. coercere, 'to shut
up together, confine, restrain, limit', fr. co-
and arcere, 'to shut up, enclose, hold', fr. area,
'chest, box'; see ark and cp. exercise. For the
change of Latin d (in arcere) to e (in co-ercere)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : coerc-er, n* coerc-ible, adj., coerc-
ibil-ity, n., coerc-ible-ness, n., coerc-ibl-y, adv.,
coercion (q.v.)
coercion, n., a coercing. — MF. (= F), fr. L.
coerctid, coercid, shortened fr. coercitio, fr.
coercitus, pp. of coercere; partly through the
medium of OF. cohercion (F. coercion), a form
less frequently used than OF. (= F.) coercition,
which derives fr. L. coercitidnem, acc. of coer-
citio. See coerce and -ion.
Derivatives: coercion-ary, adj., coercion-ist, n.
coessential, adj., having one essence. — Formed
fr. co- and essential.
Derivatives: coessential-ity, n., coessential-ly,
adv., coessential-ness, n.
coetaneous, adj., having the same age. — Late L.
coaetdneus, formed fr. pref. co-, L. aetds, 'age',
and suff. -dneus. See co-, age and -aneous.
coeternal, adj., equally eternal. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. Eccles. L. coaeternus, fr. co- and
L. aeternus, 'eternal'. See eternal.
Derivative: coeternal-ly, adv.
coetus, n., an ecclesiastical meeting. — L., fr.
coitus, 'coming together, assembly', fr. coitus,
pp. of coire, 'to come together'. See coition,
coitus.
coeval, adj., having the same age. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Late L. coaevus, fr. co- and
L. aevum, 'age'. See aeon and cp. the second
element in longevity, primeval.
Derivatives: coeval-ity, n., coeval-ly, adv.
coexist, intr. v. — Formed fr. co- and exist.
Derivatives: coexist-ent, adj., coexist-ence,
coexist-ency, n.
coffee, n. — It. caffe, fr. Turk, qahve, fr. Arab.
qdhwa h , 'wine; coffee', fr. Kaffa, Kdfa, a district
in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. Arab.
qdhwa h orig. meant 'the plant or drink coming
from Kaffa'. In Kaffa itself the coffee is called
bund and the Arabs borrowed this word in the
form bunn, naming by it the raw coffee. Cp.
cafe, caffeine.
coffer, n. — ME. cofre, cofer, fr. OF. cofre (F.
coffre), fr. L. cophinus. See next word.
Derivatives: coffer, tr. v., coffer-er, n., coffer-
ing, n.
coffin, n. — ME., fr. OF. cofin, fr. L. cophinus
(whence also It. cofano, Sp. cuebano, cuevano,
'basket'), fr. Gk. xotpivo?, 'basket', a word of
foreign origin.
Derivative : coffin, tr. v.
coffle, n., a slave caravan. — Arab. qdfila h ,
'caravan'.
coffret, n., a little coffer. — F., formed with di-
min. suff. -et fr. F. coffre. See coffer.
cog, n., tooth on a wheel. — Of Scand. origin.
Cp. Swed. kugge, Norw. kug, 'cog', and see
cudgel.
Derivatives : cog, tr. v., cogg-ed, adj., cogg-er, n.,
cogg-ing, n.
cog, tr. and intr. v., to cheat. — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: cogg-ed, adj.
cog, n., a small fishing boat. — OF. cogue, a col-
lateral form of coque, 'a kind of boat'. See
cockboat.
cogency, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff. -cy.
cogent, adj., forcible; convincing. — L. cogens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of edgere, 'to drive to-
gether; to compel', fr. co- and agere, 'to set in
motion, drive, lead'. See agent and cp. cache,
coact, squat.
Derivative: cogent-ly, adv.
cogitable, adj., thinkable. — L. edgitdhilis, 'con-
ceivable, imaginable, thinkable", fr. edgitdre, 'to
ponder, weigh, reflect, think'. See next word
and -able.
cogitate, intr. v., to think; to ponder. — L. edgi-
tdtus, pp. of edgitdre, 'to ponder, weigh, re-
flect, think', fr. co- and agitdre, 'to put in con-
stant motion, drive, impel', freq. of agere, 'to
set in motion, drive, lead'. See agitate and cp.
excogitate.
cogitation, n. — F., fr. L. cogitdtidnem, acc. of
edgitdtid, 'thinking, considering, meditation, re-
solution', fr. edgitdtus, pp. of edgitdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
cogitative, adj., pertaining to thinking; medita-
tive. — F. cogitatif (fern, cogitative), fr. ML.
cdgitdth'us, fr. L. edgitdtus, pp. of edgitdre. See
cogitate and -ive.
Derivatives : cogitative-ly, adv., cogitative-ness,n.
cognac, n., French brandy. — Prop, brandy made
from wine produced at Cognac, Department of
Charente, in France,
cognate, adj. — L. cogndtus, 'related by blood,
kindred', fr. co- and OL. gndtus, L. ndtus, 'born',
pp. of ndsci, 'to be born'. See natal and adj.
suff. -ate and cp. connate.
Derivative: cognate, n.
cognation, n. — L. cogndtid, -dnis, 'relationship,
connection', fr. cogndtus. See prec. word and
-ion.
cognition, n., knowledge; perception. — L. co-
cognitive
310
gnitid, gen. -dnis, 'a becoming acquainted with,
acquiring knowledge, knowledge, conception,
notion' , fr. cognitus, pp. of cogndscere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand, know',
fr. co- and OL. gndscere, L. noscere, 'to know'. See
can, aux. v., and -ition and cp. quaint, acquaint.
Cp. also cognizance, cognoscente, cognoscible,
cognovit, connoisseur, incognito.
cognitive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
cognitus, pp. of cogndscere. See prec. word.
Derivative : cognitive-ty, adv.
cognizable, adj., recognizable. — Formed fr.
cognize with suff. -able.
Derivatives : cognizable-ness, n., cognizabl-y, adv.
cognizance, n., knowledge, notice. — ME. coni-
saunce, fr. OF. conoissance (F. connaissance),
'knowledge', fr. conoistre (F. connattre), 'to
know', fr. L. cogndscere; see cognition and
-ance. E. cognizance was refashioned after L.
cogndscentia.
cognize, tr. v. — Back formation fr. cognizance.
Derivatives: cogniz-am, adj., cogniz-er, n.
cognomen, n., the family name of an ancient
Roman. — L. cognomen, 'a Roman family
name, surname', formed fr. nomen on analogy
of cogndscere, 'to know', which derives fr. no-
scere, 'to know' (i.e. cognomen stands to nomen,
as cogndscere to noscere). See nominal and cp.
cognition.
cognominal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. cognomen, gen. cogndminis. See prec. word.
cognoscente, n., a connoisseur. — It. cognoscente,
conoscente, lit. 'one who knows', fr. L. co-
gndscentem, acc. of cogndscens, pres. part, of
cogndscere, 'to know'. See cognition and cp.
next word.
cognoscible, adj., that which can be known or
perceived. — Late L. cogndscibilis, 'recogniza-
ble, discernible, knowable', fr. L. cogndscere. See
cognition and -ible.
cognovit, n., a document in which the defendant
acknowledges liability (law). — L. cognovit, 'he
has acknowledged' (short for cognovit actionem,
'he has acknowledged the action'), 3rd pers.
sing, of the perf. of cogndscere. See cognition.
cogon, n., a coarse grass, Imperata arundinacea. —
Sp. cogon, from a Philippine native word.
cohabit, intr. v., 1) to live together (archaic);
2) to live together as husband and wife. — Late
L. cohabitdre, 'to dwell together', fr. co- and
L. habitare, 'to have frequently, have possession
of, inhabit', freq. of habere (pp. habitus), 'to
have'. See habit.
cohabitation, n. — Late L. cohabitdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. cohabitdtus, pp. of cohabitdre. See prec.
word and -arion.
coheir, n., a joint heir. — Formed fr. co- and heir,
coheiress, n., a joint heiress. — Formed fr. co-
and heiress.
Cohen, n., 1) a priest; 2) a Jewish surname indi-
cating priestly descent. — Heb. kdhin, 'priest'.
See Kohen.
cohere, intr. v., to stick together. — L. cohaerere,
'to stick or cling together', fr. co- and haerere,
'to stick, cleave, cling'. See hesitate and cp.
cohesion. Cp. also adhere, inhere.
coherence, coherency, n. — F. coherence, fr. L.
cohaerentia, 'a sticking together, coherence', fr.
cohaerens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce
resp. -cy.
coherent, adj. — F. coherent, fr. L. cohaerens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of cohaerere, 'to stick
together'. See cohere and -ent.
Derivative: coherent-ly, adv.
coherer, n. — Formed fr. cohere with agential
suff. -er.
cohesion, n. — F. cohesion, fr. L. cohaesidnem,
acc. of cohaesid, 'a sticking together', fr. co-
haesus, pp. of cohaerere. See cohere and -ion.
cohesive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. co-
haesus, pp. of cohaerere. See cohere.
Derivatives: cohesive-ly, adv., cohesive-ness, n.
cohort, n., a company of soldiers. — F. cohorte,
fr. L. cohortem, acc. of cohors, 'an enclosed
place, yard; a company of soldiers, the tenth
part of a legion'. See court, which is a doublet
of cohort.
Cohosh, n., name of several N. American medic-
inal plants. — Of Algonquian origin.
cohue, n., rout, mob, tumult. — F., orig. 'hall',
fr. MBret. cochuy.
coif, n., cap, headdress. — ME. coif, coife, fr.
OF. coife, coiffe (F. coiffe), fr. VL. cofia, cofea,
cuphia, 'a cap' (whence also It. cuffia, scuffia.
Sp. cofia, escofia, of s.m. ), fr. OHG. kupphia,
'cap, coif.
Derivative: coif, tr. v.
coiffeur, n., a hairdresser. — F., fr. coiffer, 'to
dress the hair of, fr. coiffe. See prec. word,
coiffure, n., headdress. — F., fr. coiffer. See prec.
word and -ure.
coign, n. — An old spelling of coin,
coil, tr. and intr. v., to wind. — OF. coillir, 'to
collect' (whence F. cueillir, 'to gather, pluck'),
fr. L. colligere, 'to gather, collect'. See collect
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also coil,
'tumult'.
Derivatives : coil, n., coil-er, n.
coil, n., tumult. — Prob. fr. OF. acueil (F. ac-
cueil), 'reception, encounter', fr. acueillir (F.
accueillir), 'to receive', fr. VL. *accolligere, fr.
ad- and L. colligere, 'to gather'. See coil, 'to
wind'.
coin, n. — F., 'wedge, coin, stamp', fr. L. cuneus,
'wedge', which possibly derives fr. I.-E. *kun-,
enlargement of base *ku-, 'pointed', whence
perh. also L. culex, 'gnat'. See Culex and cp.
cuneate, cuneiform, quoin. Cp. also Olt. cogno,
'die', OProvenc. conh, 'wedge, die', Catal. cony,
Sp. cufio, Port, cunho, 'die', Sp. curia, Port.
cunha, 'wedge', Rum. cuiu, 'nail', which all
derive fr. L. cuneus.
coin, tr. and intr. v., to make coins. — OF. coi-
gnier (F. cogner), fr. coin. See coin, n.
311
coleorhiza
Derivatives : coinage (q.v.), coin-er, n., coin-ing, n.
coinage, n. — OF. coignaige, fr. coignier. See
prec. word and -age.
coincide, intr. v., 1) to agree exactly; 2) to occupy
the same place; 3) to occur at the same time. —
ML. coincidere, lit. 'to fall upon together', fr.
co- and L. incidere, 'to fall upon, light upon',
fr. in-, 'in', and cadere, 'to fall'. See incident,
coincidence, n. — F. coincidence, fr. MF. cotn-
cidance, fr. coincidant, pres. part of coincider,
fr. ML. coincidere. See prec. word and -ence.
coincident, adj. — F. coincident. See prec. word
and -ent.
Derivatives: coincident-al, adj., coincident-al-
ly, adv.
coinstantaneous, adj., happening at the same
moment. — Formed fr. co- and instantaneous.
Derivatives: coinstantaneous-ly, adv., coinstan-
taneous-ness, n.
coir, n., fiber made from the husk of the coco-
nut. — Malayalam kdyar, 'cord', fr. kdyaru,
'to be twisted'.
coition, n., sexual intercourse. — L. coitid, gen.
-dnis, 'a coming together', fr. coitus, pp. oicolre,
'to come together', fr. co- and ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and -ition and cp. next word.
coitus, n., sexual intercourse. — L., 'a coming
together', fr. coitus, pp. of coire. See prec. word
and cp. coetus.
coke, n., charred coal. — ME. colke, 'a core', in
gradational relationship to ME. kelkes, 'spawn',
Swed. kdlk, 'pith', and cogn. with Gk. y&Y'S
(for *y^X-yXT?), 'clove of garlic', &yXlq, 'clove
of garlic' (in the pi. 'head of garlic'). Cp. kelk.
Derivatives: cok-er, n., cok-ery, n., cok-y, adj.
coke, n., cocaine (slang). — Short for cocaine.
col, n., a pass between mountain peaks. — F. col,
'neck', fr. L. collum, of s.m. See collar and cp.
words there referred to.
col-, assimilated form of com- before /.
col-, form of colo- before a vowel.
Cola, n., a genus of trees of the chocolate family
(bot.) — ModL., from a W. African native
word meaning 'kola nut'. Cp. kola, kola nut.
colander, also cullender, n., a large strainer. —
VL. *cdlatdr, corresponding to L. cdldtdrium,
'a strainer', fr. colore, 'to strain', fr. cdlum,
'strainer', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
coulee, coulisse, couloir, cullion, cullis, percolate,
portcullis.
Colchian, adj., of, or pertaining to Colchis. — ■
Formed with suff. -ian fr. L. Colchis, fr. Gk.
KoXxk- Cp. next word.
Colchicum, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) — L. col-
chicum, 'a plant with a poisonous root', prop,
neut. of Colchicus, 'Colchian', fr. Gk. KoX-
X'x6<;, of s.m., fr. KoXxk. 'Colchis'. Cp. prec.
word. The poisonous plant was called colchicum
in allusion to the poisonous activities of the
sorceress Medea, the daughter of Aeetes, King
of Colchis.
colcothar, n., red oxide of iron. — F. and Sp.
colcotar, fr. Arab, qulqutdr, qolqotdr, fr. Gk.
XaXxavS-oq, 'blue vitriol', which is compounded
of x°tXx6<;, 'copper, brass', and icv&cx;, 'flower'.
See chalco- and anther,
cold, adj. — ME. cald, cold, fr. OE. cald, ceald,
rel. to OS., OFris. kald, ON. kaldr, Dan. kold,
Swed. kail, Du. koud, OHG., MHG., G. kalt,
Goth, kalds, 'cold', fr. Teut. *kalda-, prop. pp.
of base *kal-, 'to be cold', whence OE. calan,
'to be cold', ON. kala, 'to freeze'. Teut. *kal-
corresponds to I.-E. base *gel-, 'to be cold,
freeze'. See cool, adj. and cp. words there re-
ferred to. Teut. -d in OE. cal-d, ceal-d, OS.,
OFris. kal-d, etc. is equivalent to I.-E. -t in OI.
-tah, Gk. -i6q, L. -tus; etc.; see -ed. For the
formation of Teut. adjectives from past parti-
ciples, cp. dead, loud, old, sad.
Derivatives: cold, n., cold-ish, adj., cold-ly, adv.,
cold-ness, n.
cold-short, adj., brittle when cold. — Swed. kall-
skdrt, neut. of kallskdr, lit. 'cold brittle', fr. kail,
'cold', and skor, 'brittle'. For the first element
see cold. The second element prob. derives fr.
MLG. schoren, 'to break', which is rel. to OE.
sceran, scieran, 'to cut, shear' ; see shear. Swed.
kallskdrt became in English cold-short, owing to
a confusion of Swed. skort with E. short, both
in form and meaning. Cp. red-short.
cole, n., cabbage. — ME. col, fr. OE. cdl, cawl,
fr. L. caulis, cdlis, 'stem, stalk', esp. 'cabbage
stalk', which is cogn. with Gk. xauX6?, 'stem',
Lith. kdulas, 'bone', Lett, kaiils, 'stalk, stem;
bone', OPruss. caulan, 'bone', Mir. cuaille,
'stake, pile', and possibly also with OI. kulyam,
'bone', kulyd, 'ditch', and with OHG., OFris.,
OS., OE. hoi, 'hollow'. See hole and cp. caules-
cent, cauline, Caulis, chou, kale, the first element
in Caulerpa, cauliflower, coleslaw, colza, kohl-
rabi, and the second element in Eriocaulon,
nudicaul.
Colemanite, n., a calcium borate (mineral.) —
Named after William Tell Coleman of San Fran-
cisco (1824-93). F° r tne ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
coleo-, before a vowel cole-, combining form
meaning 'sheath', as in Coleoptera.. — Gk.
xoXeo-, xoXe-, fr. xoXe6?, 'sheath', of uncertain
origin. L. culleus, 'leather bag', is not cogn.
with, but borrowed from, Gk. xoXe6?. Cp.
Coleus.
Coleochaete, n., a genus of green algae (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of coleo- and Gk. x*'^.
'long flowing hair, mane'. See coleo- and
cnaeto-.
Coleoptera, n. pi., an order of insects ( = Beetles).
■ — ModL., lit. 'sheath winged', fr. Gk. xoXeo-
7rr£poi;, fr. xoXeoc;, 'sheath', and 7rrep6v, 'wing'.
See coleo- and ptero-.
coleopteral, coleopteran, coleopterous, adj., per-
taining to the Coleoptera (bot.) — See prec.
word and adj. suff. -al, resp. -an, -ous.
coleorhiza, n., the sheath that envelops the ra-
coleslaw
312
dicle in some plants (bot.) — ModL., com-
pounded of coleo- and Gk. pi^oc, 'root'. See
rhizo-.
coleslaw, n., sliced cabbage salad. — Du. kool-
sla, fr. kool, 'cabbage', and sla, 'salad'. See cole
and slaw and cp. the first element in colza.
Coleus, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xoXeo?, 'sheath' (see
coleo-); so called in reference to the union of
the filaments.
colibri, n., a hummingbird. — F. colibri, fr. Sp.
colibri, which is prob. of Caribbean origin.
colic, adj., pertaining to the colon. — Formed
with stiff, -ic fr. Gk. xoXov, 'large intestine,
colon'. See colon, 'part of the larger intestine'.
colic, n., a sharp pain in the intestines. — F. coli-
que, fr. L. colicus, 'pertaining to the colic; sick
with the colic', fr. Gk. xcoXixoc;, 'sick with the
colic', fr. xcoaov, incorrect form for xoXov, 'large
intestine, colon'. See colon, 'part of the larger
intestine", and -ic.
Derivatives: colic-al, colick-y, adjfi
Colin, n., in pastoral verse, a name denoting a
shepherd. - F., prop, a dimin. of Col, itself a
dimin. of Nicolas. See Nicholas and cp. collie.
coliseum, n.. a music hall. — ModL., a blend of
It. coliseo and L. Colosseum. See Colosseum.
colitis, n., inflammation of the colon. — Medical
L., formed with sutT. -itis fr. Gk. xoXov, 'large
intestine". Sec colon.
coll-, from of collo- before a vowel.
collaborate, intr. v. — L. collabdrdt-(um), pp.
stem of collahdi are. 'to work together". See com-,
labor, v.. and verbal sufT. -ate.
Derivatives: collaborat-ion. n., collaborat-ive,
adj.. collaborat-or, n.
collagen, n., a gelatinous substance occurring in
the animal body (physiol.) — Compounded of
Gk. yjjt'i-j.. 'glue', and -ysvr.r, 'born of, of the
nature of". See collo- and -gen.
collapse, intr. v. — L. col/apsus, pp. of colldbi,
'to fall in ruins, fall together", fr. col- and Idbi,
'to fall". See lapse and cp. words there refer-
red to.
Derivatives: collapse, n., collaps-iblc, adj.
collar, n. — \1F.. fr. AF. coler, corresponding
to OF. colier (F. collier), 'necklace, collar", fr.
L. colldrc. "a chain for the neck", fr. collum (for
*colsom). "neck", which is cogn. with Goth.,
OHG.. OFris.. ON.. OS. hah. OH. heals, 'neck".
These words prob. meant orig. 'that which
turns the head", and derive fr. l.-E. base *q" el-,
'to turn, turn round", whence also L. colere. 'to
till (the ground): to dwell, inhabit', colonus.
'tiller of the ground, husbandman, farmer'.
See colony and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also Lit li. kdkliis. Lett, kakls. 'neck', fr.
*q'oq'lo-. reduplication of base *q"el-, "to turn'
(see above and cp. cycle, wheel). Cp. col, col-
laret, collet, accolade, cuddle, decollate, decol-
lete, hauberk, hausse-col, hawse. For sense deve-
lopment cp. Gk. Tpi/r;?,o;, 'neck', which prob.
means lit. 'turner', and is rel. to zpoyoq, 'wheel'
(see trachelo-), and OSlav. vratu, 'neck', fr.
vratiti, 'to turn'.
Derivatives: collar, tr. v., collar-ed, adj.
collaret, collarette, n., a small collar. — F. colle-
retle, formed fr. collier, 'necklace, collar', with
dimin. suff. -et/e. See collar and -et, -ette.
collate, tr. v., to compare. — L. colldtus, 'brought
together' (used as pp. of conferre, 'to bring to-
gether'), fr. com- and Idtus, 'borne, carried' (used
as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands"
for *lldtos, fr. *//-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*lol-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift
up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear, support'. See toler-
ate and cp. ablation, ablative, acceptilation, al-
lative, delate, dilatory, elate, illation, legislate,
oblate, prelate, relate, correlate, sublate, super-
lative, translate. The word collate was intro-
duced into English by Bacon.
Derivatives: collat-ing, adj., collat-or, n.
collateral, adj., i) placed side by side; 2) second-
ary. — ML. collaterdlis, 'alongside of, fr.
col- and L. latus, gen. lateris, 'side'. See lateral.
Derivatives: collateral, n., collateral-ly, adv.,
collateral-ity, n., collateral-ness, n.
collation, n., 1) the act of collating; 2) contribu-
tion; 3) a light meal. — OF. collacion (F. col-
lation), fr. L. colldtidnem, acc. of colldtid, 'a
bringing together", fr. colldtus, 'brought to-
gether'. See collate and -ion.
collative, adj., having the power to confer. —
L. colldtivus, 'brought together", fr. colldtus,
'brought together". See collate and -ive.
collator, n., one who collates. — L., 'one who
brings together', fr. colldtus, 'brought together'.
Sec collate and agential suff. -or.
colleague, intr. v., to enter into an alliance (ob-
sol.) — OF. colligiter, colleguer, 'to ally', fr. L.
colligdre, 'to bind together'. See colligate.
colleague, n., an associate in work, office, etc. —
F. collegue. fr. L. collega, 'one who is chosen
at the same time with another, a partner in of-
fice, colleague", which is prob. formed fr. col-
legium, 'persons united by the same office". See
college.
collect, n. — F. collecte, fr. L. collecta, 'a gath-
ering together", fern. pp. used as a noun, fr.
colligere. See collect, v.
collect, tr. and intr. v. — L. collectus, pp. of col-
ligere, '10 gather, assemble, bring together,
collect", fr. com- and legerc, 'to gather, collect,
pick out. choose, read". See lecture and cp. coil,
'to wind", and cull, which are doublets of collect.
Derivatives: collect-ed. adj.. collecf-ed-lv. adv..
collcct-ed-ness, n.. collection (q.v.), collective
(q.v.), collector (q.v.)
collectanea, n. pi., a collection of writings from
works of one author or of several authors. —
L., neut. pi. of collectdnetts, 'gathered or col-
lected together', formed fr. collectus, pp. of col-
ligere, 'to gather", with suff. -dneus. See prec.
word and -aneous.
313
collo-
collection, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. collectidnem,
acc. of collectid, 'a collecting, bringing to-
gether', fr. collectus, pp. of colligere. See collect,
v., and -ion.
Derivative: collection-al, adj.
collective, adj. — F. collectif (fern, collective), fr.
L. collectivus, 'gathered together, collected', fr.
collectus, pp. of colligere. See collect, v., and
-ive.
Derivatives: collective, n., collect ive-ly, adv.,
collective-ness, n., collectiv-ism, n., collectiv-ist ,
n., collectiv-ist-ic, adj., collectiv-ity, n.
collector, n. — F. collecteur, fr. ML. collectdrem,
acc. of collector, fr. L. collectus, pp. of colligere.
See collect, v., and agential suff. -or. Cp. OProv-
enc. collector, Sp. colector, It. collettore, which
all derive fr. ML. collectdrem.
colleen, n., a girl. — Ir. cailin, dimin. of caile,
'girl'. For the dimin. suff. cp. smithereens.
college, n. — OF. college (F. college), fr. L. col-
legium, 'persons united by the same office, col-
lege, union, company', orig. 'a union formed
by law', fr. col-, 'together', and lex, gen. legis,
'law'. See com- and legal and cp. colleague, n.
Derivatives: colleg-er, n., collegia! (q.v.), col-
leg-ian, n., collegiate (q.v.)
collegia), adj. — L. collegidlis, fr. collegium. See
college and -ial.
collegiate, adj. — L. collegidtus, 'he who is with
one in a college or society', fr. collegium. See
college and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives : collegiate-ly, adv., collegiate-ness,n.
Collembola, n., an order of insects, including the
springtails (entomol.) — ModL., compounded
of Gk. xoXXa, 'glue', and eu.(3oXov, 'anything
that can be easily thrown in, peg, wedge', fr.
E^piXXstv, 'to throw in"; see collo- and em-
blem. The insects of this order are so called in
allusion to their collophore.
collenchyma, n., a plant tissue consisting of elon-
gated cells thickened at the angles (bot.) —
ModL., formed on analogy of parenchyma fr.
Gk. yJ;o.-i., 'glue', and hr/y\i'x, 'infusion'. See
collo-, and enchymatous.
Derivative: collenchyin-atic, adj.
collet, n., a metal band. — F., 'little collar',
dimin. of col, con, 'neck', fr. L. collum, of s.m.
See col, collar, and -et and cp. cullet, decollete.
Derivative: collet, tr. v.
colletic, adj., agglutinant. — Gk. xo/.Xt.tixo;, fr.
A'j"u;r-Jjz, 'glued', verbal adj. of xoXXJ.v, 'to
glue', fr. vJj'ij.i., 'glue". See collo-.
Colletotrichum, n., a form genus of imperfect
fungi (bot.) — ModL.. compounded of Gk.
y.'/iXr-.'jz, 'glued', and J>piE, gen. Tp'.y/k, 'hair'.
See prec. word and tricho-.
colliculus, n., a prominence (anal, and zool.) —
L., 'a little hill', dimin. of collis, which stands
for *col-n-is and is cogn. with Lith. kclnas, Lett.
kalns, mountain", Gk. zo/.oivo;, xoXo'ivy-,, 'hill',
OE. hyll, 'hill', fr. l.-E. base *qel-, 'to be ele-
vated'. See column and cp. colline. Cp. also hill
and the first element in colophon. For the change
of In to // cp. h.pellis (for *pelnis), 'skin' (see fell,
'hide'). For the ending of L. colliculus see suff.
-cule.
collide, intr. v. — L. collldere, 'to dash together',
fr. com- and laedere, 'to hurt' ; see lesion and cp.
elide. For the change of Latin ae (in laedere)
to I (in col-lidere) see acquire and cp. words
there referred to.
collidine, n., an alkaloid, C a H u N (chem.) — Lit.
'the gluelike substance', formed with chem. sufT.
-ine fr. Gk. xoXXa, 'glue', and eISoi;, 'form,
shape'. See collo- and -oid.
collie, n., a Scottish sheep dog. — Of uncertain
origin; possibly the same word as coaly (see
coal and adj. suff. -y) and so called in allusion
to the color of some of this breed, or perh. a
dimin. of the PN. Colin (cp. Chaucer, V. 1 , where
Collie is the name of a dog).
collier, n., 1) a ship for carrying coal; 2) coal
miner. — ME. colyer, fr. col, 'coal'. See coal
and -ier.
colliery, n., a coal mine. — Formed fr. collier
with suff. -y.
colligate, tr. v., to bind together. — L. colligdtus,
pp. of colligdre, fr. col- and ligdre, 'to bind'. See
ligament and verbal suff. -ate and cp. colleague,v.
colligation, n. — L. colligdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a bind-
ing together', fr. colligdtus, pp. of colligdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
collimate, tr. v., to make parallel to a given line.
— Fr. collimdtus, pp. of 'collimdre', an er-
roneous reading in early editions of Cicero for
L. collinedre, 'to direct in a straight line', fr.
com- and linea, 'line'. See line, 'row', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: collimat-ion, n., collimat-or, n.
colline, n., a small hill (obsol.) — F., fr. Late L.
collina, prop. fern, of L. collinus, 'pertaining
to a hill, hilly', fr. collis, 'hill'. See colliculus
and -ine (representing L. -inus).
collinear, adj., lying in the same line. — Formed
fr. com- and L. linea, 'a line'. See linear.
Collins, n., a bread-and-butter letter. — So called
from William Collins, a character in Jane Aus-
ten's Pride and Prejudice, in allusion to his letter
of thanks written to Mr. Bennet.
Collinsia, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the Phila-
delphian botanist Zaccheus Collins (1764-1831).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
Collinsonia, n., a genus of herbs of the mint fam-
ily (bot.) — ModL., named after the English
botanist Peter Collinson. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
collision, n. — L. collhid, gen. -dnis, 'a dashing
together, concussion', fr. collisus, pp. of colli-
dere. See collide and -ion and cp. elision.
collo-, before a vowel coll-, combining form
meaning 'glue'. — Gk. xoXXo-, xoXX-, fr. xoXXa,
'glue', which stands for *xoXix and is prob.
cogn. with OSlav. kleji, kleji, 'glue', MLG. helen,
collocate
3U
'to stick'. Cp. colletic, the first element in col-
lagen, Collembola, collenchyma, collidine, col-
lodion, colloid, and the second element in
protocol.
collocate, tr. v., to place side by side; to arrange.
— L. collocatus, pp. of collocdre, 'to place to-
gether, arrange', fr. com- and locdre, 'to place'.
See locate and cp. couch, which is a doublet of
collocate.
collocation, n. — L. collocdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. col-
locatus, pp. of collocdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
collocution, n., a speaking together. — L. collo-
cdtio, gen. -dnis, fr. collocutus, pp. of colloqul,
'to speak together'. See com-, loquacious and
-ion and cp. colloquy.
collocutor, n. — Late L. collocutor, 'he who talks
with another', fr. L. collocutus, pp. of colloqul.
See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
collodion, n., a solution of nitrated cellulose
(c/iem.) — Fr. Gk. xoXXcoS-/;?, 'gluelike', which
is compounded of 'glue', and -o>87];, 'like'. See
collo- and -ode, 'like'.
Derivative : collodion-ize, tr. v.
collogue, intr. v., to converse confidentially. —
A blend of F. collogue, 'conversation' (fr. L.
colloquium), and dialogue. See colloquy.
colloid, adj., i) gluelike; of the nature of a colloid
2) n., a gelatinous substance. — Compounded
of coll- and -osiSr)?, 'like', fr. zXSoq, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Derivative: colloid-al, adj.
collop, n., a slice of meat. ->— ME. colhoppe,
coloppe, compounded of col, 'coal' (see coal),
and hoppe, a word of uncertain origin. Cp. dial.
Swed. glddhoppa, 'baked over gleeds (i.e. glow-
ing coals)'.
collophore, n., a suckerlike organ in the abdomen
of insects (entomol.) — Compounded of collo-
and Gk. -yopoq, 'bearing'. See -phore.
colloquial, adj. — Formed fr. colloquy with adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: colloquial-ism, n., colloquial-ist, n.,
colloquial-ize, tr. v. colloquial-ly, adv.
colloquy, n., conversation. — L. colloquium, 'con-
versation', fr. com- and loqui, 'to speak'. See
loquacious.
Derivative: colloquial (q.v.)
collotype, n., a photographic print made from a
gelatin plate. — Compounded of collo- and
-type.
collude, intr. v., to cooperate in a fraud. — L.
colludere, 'to play together', fr. com- and ludere,
'to play'. See ludicrous, and cp. allude and words
there referred to.
collusion, n., cooperation in a fraud. — F., fr. L.
collusidnem, acc. of collusid, 'a playing together',
fr. collus-{um), pp. stem of colludere. See prec.
word and -ion and cp. allusion and words there
referred to.
collusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ire fr. L.
collus-(um), pp. stem of colludere. See collude
and cp. allusive and words there referred to.
Derivatives: collusive-ly, adv., collusive-ness, n.
Collybia, n., a genus of agarics {bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. z6XXu|3oi;, 'coin', orig. '(small) change',
which stands for *xoXXutpoi;, and derives fr. Heb.
haldph, fr. haldph, 'he changed'. Mishnaic He-
brew qolbon, 'rate of exchange', has been rebor-
rowed fr. Gk. x6XXu(3o<;. Cp. caliph.
collyrium, n., an eye salve {med.) — L., fr. Gk.
xoXXupiov, 'poultice, eye salve', dimin. of
xoXXupa, 'a loaf of coarse bread', which is rel.
to xoXXl!;, of s.m. ; of unknown origin. The eye
salve was called xoXXupLov ('a little loaf), be-
cause it was made up in small loaves.
colo-, before a vowel col-, combining form de-
noting the colon {med.) — Fr. Gk. xoXov. See
colon, 'part of the larger intestine'.
colobium, n., a sleeveless or short-sleeved tunic,
formerly used by the clergy. — Late L., fr. Gk.
xoXofiiov, fr. xoXo[J6?, 'docked, curtailed, muti-
lated', fr. x.6\oq, of s.m., whence also xoXoiisiv,
'to cut short, curtail' ; rel. to xXav, 'to break',
fr. I.-E. base *qel(d)-, *qol{d)-, 'to strike, beat'.
See clastic and cp. the next two words and the
first element in colure.
coloboma, n., a defect of the eye {med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. xoX6(3a>[jia, 'the part taken away in
mutilation', fr. xoXo(3ouv, 'to mutilate', fr.
xoXo(36i;, 'mutilated'. See colobium.
Colobus, n., a genus of African monkeys {zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. xoXoEJoi;, 'docked, curtailed,
mutilated' (see colobium); so called in allusion
to the thumbs.
colocynth,n. — L. colocynthisjr. Gk. xoXoxuvSK;,
'the wild gourd', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. coloquintida.
cologne, n., perfumed liquid. — Shortened fr.
eau de Cologne, lit. 'water of Cologne', fr.
Cologne, French name of Kdln in Germany,
orig. called Coldnia Agrippina ('colony of
Agrippa'), after Agrippa, wife of the Roman
emperor Claudius. Cp. Eau de Cologne.
colon, n., that part of the larger intestine, which
extends from the caecum to the rectum {anat.)
— L., fr. Gk. x6Xov, 'large intestine', which is
of uncertain origin.
colon, n., the punctuation mark: — L. colon, fr.
Gk. x£>Xov, 'limb, member ; member of a clause
or a sentence', which is rel. to xcoXea, xcdXt),
'thighbone', and cogn. with OSlav. koleno, 'knee',
*clenii (fr. *celnu), 'limb, member' (whence
Russ., Czech clen, of s.m.),Lith. kelys, Lett, celis,
'knee', fr. I.-E. base *{s)qel-, 'crooked, bent',
whence also Gk. <rxaXr)v6i;, 'limping, halting,
uneven', ctxeXoc,, 'leg', oxoXidc., 'crooked, bent'.
See scalene and cp. semicolon. Cp. also cylinder.
colon, n., the monetary unit of Costa Rica. — •
Sp. coldn, named after Christopher Columbus
(Crist6bal Col6n), the discoverer of America.
colonel, n. — Earlier also spelled coronet, fr. F.
colonel, earlier also coronel, fr. It. colonnello, fr.
colonna, 'column'. Cp. Sp. coronel (with dissi-
315
Colosseum
milation of the first / to r) and see column. It.
colonnello orig. meant 'the leader of a column
of soldiers'.
Derivative : colonel-cy, n.
colonial, adj. — Coined by the British statesman
Edmund Burke (1729-97) fr. L. coldnia. See
colony and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: colonial, n., colonial-ism, n., colo-
nial-ist, n.
colonization, n. — Formed fr. colonize with suff.
-ation; first used by Edmund Burke. See prec.
word.
Derivative: colonization-ist, n.
colonize, tr. and intr. v., 1) to settle with colonists ;
2) to form a colony or colonies. — In the first
sense formed fr. L. coldnus, 'tiller of the
ground, farmer' ; in the second sense derived fr.
colony (q.v.) For the ending see suff. -ize.
Derivatives: colonization (q.v.), coloniz-er, n.
colonnade, n., a series of columns. — F.,fr. earlier
colonnate, fr. It. colonnato, 'colonnade', fr. co-
lonna, 'column'. See column.
Derivative: colonnad-ed, adj.
colonnette, n., a small column. — F., dimin.
formed with suff. -ette fr. colonne, 'column'. See
column.
colony, n. — ME. colonie, fr. L. coldnia, 'landed
estate, farm, settlement, colony', fr. coldnus,
'tiller of the ground, husbandman, farmer', fr.
colere, 'to till (the ground), cultivate, dwell, in-
habit', rel. to incola, 'inhabitant', inquilinus, 'in-
habitant of a place which is not his own, lodger',
fr. I.-E. base *q w el-, 'to turn, turn round,
move about', whence also Of. cdrati, 'moves
about, wanders, drives', cdrafi, 'walk, motion',
caramdh, 'the last', divd-karah, 'sun', Gk.
-eXeiv, and niXza&ai, 'to be in motion; to be;
to become', 7c6Xoc., 'pivot', t£Xoc., 'end' tiXeio;,
teXco?, 'complete', -rijXe, 'far off' ttoUv, 'back',
rtaXoa, 'long ago', TraXaidq, 'ancient', W., Co.,
Bret, pell, 'far off', OSlav. kolo, OPruss. kelan,
'wheel', and — with reduplication of the base —
OI. cakrdh, Toch. A kukdl, B kokale, Gk.
xuxXo?, OE. hweogol, hwcol, wheel', Lith.
kaklas, 'neck'. Cp. cult, culture. Cp. also Ana-
tolian, ancillary, autotclic, bucolic, calash, chuk-
ker, collar, cologne, cycle, domicile, fallow,
'plowed land', inquiline, Limicolae, paleo-, Pa-
ludicolae, philately, pole, pratincole, pulley, talis-
man, tele-, telegnosis, telegraph, teleology, tele-
phone, telescope, telesterion, terricolous, Tri-
teleia, wheel.
colopexy, also colopexia, n., the suturing of the
sigmoid flexure to the abdominal wall (surg.) —
Medical L. colopexia, compounded of xoXov,
'large intestine, colon', and -rvrfcic,, 'a fixing'. See
colon, 'part of the larger intestine', and -pexy.
colophane, n., a resin. — F. colophane, fr. OF.
colofonie, colofoine, fr. L. colophdnia (see colo-
phony); influenced in form by F. diaphane,
'transparent' (see diaphanous).
colophon, n., inscription at the end of a book,
corresponding to the title page of modern
books. — Gk. xoXotpcov, 'top, summit, finishing
touch', for I.-E. *qol-n-bho-; rel. to xoXwvoq,
xoXcovt), 'hill', and cogn. with L. collis, 'hill'.
See colliculus.
colophony, n., a resin. — L. colophdnia, fr. Gk.
(pv)Tiv7)) KoXo9cov£a, 'resin from Colophon', fr.
KoXoiptov, name of a town in Lydia, lit.
meaning 'summit'. See colophon,
coloquintida, n., colocynth. — Med. L., fr.
Gk. xoXoxuv&iSa, acc. of xoXoxuv^Kc,. See
colocynth.
color, colour, n. — ME., fr. OF. culour, colour
(F. couleur), fr. L. coldrem, acc. of color, 'color
of the skin, color in general, appearance'. L.
color prop, means 'outward show, covering',
and is rel. to L. celdre, 'to hide'; see conceal.
Cp. It. colore, OProven?. and Sp. color, Port.
cor, 'color', which all derive fr. L. coldrem. For
the sense development of L. color cp. OT. vdrnah,
'covering, color', rel. to vrndti, 'covers', and
Gk. y_pu\j.oi, 'surface of the body, skin, color of
the skin, color', xp"?» °f s m - Cp. tricolor.
Derivatives: colo(u)r, v. (q.v.), colo{u)r-ful, adj.,
colo{u)r-ful-ly, adv., colo(u)r-ful-ness, n., color-
less, adj., colo{u)r-less-ly, adv., colo{u)r-less-ness,
n., coto(u)r-y, adj.
color, colour, tr. and intr. v. — F. colorer, fr. L.
coldrdre 'to color', fr. color, 'color'. See color,
n., and cp. discolor.
Derivatives: colo{u)r-able, adj., colo{u)r-ahil-ity,
n., colo(u)r-able-ness, n., colo{u)r-abl-y, adv.,
colo{u)r-er , n., colo(u)r-ing, n.
Colorado, adj., of medium color (said of cigars).
— Sp., 'ruddy, reddish', lit. 'colored', pp. of
colorur, 'to color, dye, paint, stain', fr. L.
coldrdre. See color, v.
colorant, n., a dye. — F., prop. pres. part, of
colorer, 'to color', fr. L. coldrdre. See color, v.,
and -ant.
coloration, colouration, n., a coloring. — L. cold-
ratio, gen. -dnis, fr. coldrdtus, pp. of coldrdre.
See color, v., and -ation.
coloratura, n., florid ornaments {mus.) — It., lit.
'a coloring,' fr. colorare, fr. L. coldrdre. See
color, v.
colorific, adj., producing color. — F. colorifique,
fr. L. color, gen. coldris, 'color', and the stem
of L. -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make,
do'. See color, n., and -fic.
colorimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
strength of colors. — A hybrid coined fr. L. color,
gen. coldris, 'color', and Gk. jierpov, 'measure'.
See color, n., and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
colossal, adj., huge. — F. colossal, formed with
suff. -al (fr. L. -dlis) fr. L. colossus. See colossus
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: colossal-ly, adj., colossal-ity, n.
colossean, adj., colossal. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. colosseus, fr. Gk. xoXocroato<;, 'colossal',
fr. xoXo<j<j6<;. See colossus and cp. Colosseum.
Colosseum, less correctly Coliseum, n., the great
Colossochelys
316
amphitheater in Rome built by Vespasian and
Titus. — Neut. of the adj. colosseus, used as a
noun. See prec. word.
Colossochelys, n., a genus of Pliocene tortoises
(paleontol.) — ModL., lit. 'gigantic tortoise', fr.
Gk. xoXocrooi;, 'colossus', and yzhuc,, 'tortoise'.
See colossus and Chelonia.
colossus, n., i) a gigantic statue; 2) anything
huge. — L., fr. Gk. xoXoaaot;, 'a gigantic statue,
colossus', a word borrowed from an Aegean
language.
colostrum, n., the first milk after pregnancy (med.)
— L. colostra, colostrum, 'beestings', of un-
certain origin.
colpo-, before a vowel colp-, combining form
meaning 'in relation to the womb' (med.) —
Gk. xoXto-, xoXtt-, fr. xoXtok;, 'womb'. See gulf.
colporteur, n., a hawker. — F., 'hawker, peddler',
fr. colporter, 'to hawk about, peddle', lit. 'to
carry on one's neck' (fr. col, cou, 'neck', and
porter, 'to carry', see cou and collet), a folk-
etymological alteration of OF. comporter, 'to
carry, convey, transport', fr. L. comportdre, 'to
bring together'. See comport.
colt, n., a young horse. — ME., fr. OE. colt,
'young ass or camel' (for the meaning 'young
camel' cp. the Authorized Version to Gen.
32 : 15). Cp. dial. Swed. kult, 'a boy", Dan. kuld,
'brood'.
Derivatives: colt-ish, adj., colt-ish-ly, adv.
Colt, n., a revolver. — Named after the American
Samuel Colt (1814-62), who invented it in 1836.
colter, coulter, n., a knife or blade attached to a
plow. — ME. culter, colter, fr. OE. culter, fr. L.
cutter, 'plowshare, knife' (whence also OF.
coltre, F. coutre), fr. I.-E. base *{s)qel-, 'to cut,
cleave, split', whence also Hitt. ishkalld, ish-
kalldi, 'to break', Arm. celum, 'I cleave, split',
Gk. axaXXsiv, 'to hoe, dig", oxaXi;, 'hoe, mat-
tock', tr/.aXjXTj, 'knife, sword', axaXpioc, 'pin or
thole (to which the oar was fastened)', axaXoiJj,
'mole' (lit. 'the digger'), ax6>.0'|, 'pale, stake',
ctxwao;, 'a pointed stake', OSlav. skolika,
'oyster', skala, 'rock, stone', Ir. scelec, 'rock',
Mir. scdilim, 'I scatter, disperse', ON. skalm,
'a short sword, knife', OHG. scdla, 'drinking
cup', OE. scalu, 'shell, scale of a balance'. See
scale, 'weighing instrument', and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also coutel, cultrate, cul-
triform, cutlass, cutler, cutlery. Cp. also cal-
careous.
Coluber, n., a genus of snakes (zool.) — L. colu-
ber, 'serpent, snake', of uncertain origin. Cp.
colubrine. Cp. also cobra, culverin.
Colubridae, n. pi., a family of snakes (zool.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
colubrine, adj., 1) pertaining to, or like, a snake;
cunning ; 2) pertaining to the subfamily of snakes
called Colubrinae, of the family Colubridae
(zool.) — L. colubr'mus, like a snake, cunning',
fr. coluber, 'serpent, snake'. See Coluber and
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
Coliimba, n., a genus of birds, the pigeon (01-
nithol.) — L., 'dove, pigeon', cogn. with Gk.
x6Xdu.(3o<;, xoXufiPti;, 'diver' (name of a bird),
OSlav. golgbi, 'dove', lit. 'the blue bird', Russ.
goluboj, OPruss. golimban, 'blue', Lith. gelumbe,
'blue cloth'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*qel-, *qol-, 'of a dark color', whence also Gk.
xeXaivo?, 'black'. Cp. columbine, Colymbus. This
base is related to base *qdl-, whence L. cdligd,
'darkness'. See caliginous and cp. Celaeno.
columbaceous, adj., dovelike; pertaining to the
pigeons. — Formed with suff. -aceous fr. L.
columba, 'dove'. See Columba.
columbarium, n., a dovecot. — L. columbarium,
prop. neut. of the adjective columbdrius, 'per-
taining to doves', used as a noun, fr. columba.
See Columba and -arium.
columbate, n., a salt of columbic acid (chem.) —
See columbium and chem. suff. -ate.
Columbella, n., a genus of gastropods (zool.) —
ModL., dimin. of columba, 'dove'. See Columba
and -ella.
columbiad, n., a kind of heavy gun used in the
American Civil War. — From next word.
Columbiad, n., an epic of America. — Formed
with suff. -ad fr. Columbia, poetic nameof North
America, which was so called from its discover-
er Christopher Columbus.
columbine, adj., pertaining to a dove or doves;
dovelike. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) colombin, fr.
L. columbinus, fr. columba, 'dove'. See Columba
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
columbine, n., any plant of the genus Aquilegia.
— F. colombine, fr. ML. columbina, fern, of
L. columbinus, 'dovelike' (see prec. word); so
called from the resemblance of the inverted
flower to a group of doves.
Columbine, fern. PN. — Lit. 'dovelike', fr. L.
columbina, fern, of columbinus. See columbine,
adj.
Columbine, n., a female character in comedy and
pantomime, the sweetheart of Harlequin. — It.
Colombina, fr. L. columbina, 'dovelike'. See
Columbine, adj.
columbite, n., a columbate of iron, Fe(Cb0 3 ) 2
(mineral.) — Formed fr. next word with subst.
suff. -ite.
columbium, n., a metallic element (chem.) — The
original name given to niobium by its discoverer
Charles Hatchett ( 1 765- 1 847) in 1 80 1 ; he named
it so because he signalized it first in the ore
called columbite (q.v.) For the ending of colum-
bium see -ium.
columella, n., a part resembling a column (anat.,
zool. and bot.) — L., dimin. of columna. See
next word and -ella.
column, n. — L. columna, 'pillar, column', prob.
standing for *qelom(e)nd, 'that which rises',
fern, passive part, formed fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to
rise, be elevated", whence also columen, culmen,
'top, summit, gable', celsus, 'high, lofty, elevated',
excellere, 'to rise, excel', collis (ioi*col-n-is), 'a
317
combust
hilP, OI. katam (for kultam), 'top, skull' (orig.
'elevation'), Gk. xoXwvoi;, xoXcow], 'hill', xo-
Xocpcov, 'top, end', Lith. kdlnas, Lett, kalns,
'mountain', Lith. kalvd, Lett, kalva, 'hill', Lith.
keliu, kelti, Lett, celu, celt, 'to raise, lift', OSlav.
celo, 'forehead', celesinu, 'particular, peculiar'.
OS. holm, 'hill', OE. holm, 'island, wave, sea'.
Cp. hill, holm. Cp. also colliculus, colline,
colonel, colonnade, colophon, culminate, excel.
For the participial suff. in L. columna (for
*qelo-mena) see alumnus and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: columnar (q.v.), column-ed, adj.
columnar, adj., formed in columns. — L. colum-
ndris, 'rising in the form of a pillar', fr. columna.
See prec. word and -ar.
columniform, adj. — See column and -form.
colure, n., one of the two celestial circles intersect-
ing each other at the poles (astron.) — Late L.
coluri (pi.), fr. Gk. al xoXoupot (scil. Ypa(JUxaQ,
'the colures', lit. 'the truncated (lines)', pi. of
xoXoupo?, 'dock-tailed', which is compounded
of xoXo?, 'docked, mutilated, curtailed', and
oupd, 'tail' (see colobium and uro-, 'tail-'); so
called because in Greece their lower part is
always 'cut off' (i.e. beneath the horizon).
Colutea, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xoXouteS, xoXoit^S,
xoXcoteS, name of a tree.
Colymbus, n., a genus of birds (ornithol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. x6Xt>u.|3o?, 'diver (the bird)',
which is cogn. with L. columba, 'dove, pigeon'.
See Columba.
colza, n., coleseed; rapesecd. — F., fr. Du. kool-
zaad, lit. 'cabbage seed', fr. kool, 'cabbage', and
zaad, 'seed'. See cole and seed.
com-, pref. meaning 'with, together'. — L. com-,
fr. OL. com (whence L. cum), 'with', rel. to
Oscan com, con, 'with', com-, kum-, Umbr. com-,
co-, ku- — L. com-, con-, and to L. contra (for
*com-tro-), 'against', and cogn. with Olr., Mir.
com-, con-, 'with', Alb. ke-, 'con-', the Teut.
perfective prefixes: Goth, ga-, OE. ge-, etc.,
and prob. also with Gk. xoivo;, 'common, public,
general' (see coeno-). Cp. 1st con-, contra-,
count, 'title of nobility'. Cp. also y-.
coma, n., a state of insensibility. — ModL., fr.
Gk. xoijia, 'a deep sleep, lethargy', which is prob.
rel. toxoi^iv, 'to put to sleep', xsia^ai, 'to lie', fr.
I.-E. base kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence also
L. civis, 'member of a community, citizen'. See
civil and cp. acomia.
coma, n., 1) a tuft of hairs (bot.); 2) a nebulous
mass (astron.) — L., fr. Gk. xopt/5, 'hair of the
head', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. next
word, comet, comose, pyrone.
Comandra, n., a genus of plants of the sandal-
wood family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. xou.7], 'hair' and dcv/jp, gen. ai/Spo^, 'man'
(see coma, 'tuft of hair', and andro-); so called
because the hairs on the calyx lobes are attached
to the anthers.
Comarum, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. x6(xapoi;, 'the arbutus',
a pre-Hellenic word.
comatose, adj., in a state of coma. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ose fr. Gk. x£>(j.cc, gen. xto^axo?,
'a deep sleep'. See coma, 'insensibility'.
comb, n. — ME., fr. OE. cdmb, rel. to OS. camb,
ON. kambr, Du., Dan. and Swed. kam, OHG.
champ, kamb, MHG. kamp, kam, G. Kamm,
'comb', lit. 'something tooth-shaped*, fr. I.-E.
base *gembh-, 'to bite' ; to cut to pieces', whence
also Ol.jdmbhah, 'tooth', Toch. A kam, B kerne,
'tooth', Gk. you-cpoi;, 'bolt, nail', yoy.qioc (scil.
6So>v), 'grinder tooth, tooth of a key', yajxtpat,
Yau.cp7)Xat, 'jaws of animals, beak or bill of
birds', Alb. dsmp, Gheg 8qm, 'tooth', OSlav.
zgbu, Lett, zuobs, 'tooth', Lith. iambas, 'edge of a
beam', Lith. gembe, 'peg', OSlav. zebo (for
*gembh-), 'I tear to pieces'. See gemma and
cp. cam, n., kemb, unkempt, oakum. Cp. also
gomphosis.
Derivatives: comb, tr. and intr. v., comb-ed,
adj., comb-er, n.
combat, intr. v., to fight; tr. v., to fight with. —
F. combattre, 'to fight', fr. VL. *combattere, fr.
com- and L. battuere, battere, 'to beat, strike'.
See batter, 'to beat violently', and cp. abate, de-
bate, hors de combat.
Derivatives", combat, n., combat-ive, adj., com-
bat-ive-ly, adv., combat-ive-ness, n.
combat, n., fight. — F., back formation fr. com-
battre. See prec. word.
combatant, 1) adj., fighting; ready to fight; 2) n.,
fighter. — F. combattant, pres. part, of com-
battre. See combat, v., and -ant.
combe, n., a deep valley. — OE. cumb, of Celtic
origin; cp. Bret, komb, 'small valley', W. cwmm,
'dale, valley', MIr. comm, Ir. and Gael, cum,
'vessel', which are cogn. with Gk. xu[i.j}rj, 'the
hollow of a vessel, cup, boat'. See cymbal and
cp. 2nd coomb.
combinant, adj. and n. (math.) — Late L. com-
bindns, gen. -amis, pres. part, of combinare. See
combine and -ant.
combination, n. — OF. combination (F. combi-
naison), fr. Late L. combindtidnem, acc. of com-
bindtid, fr. combindtus, pp. of combinare. See
combine and -ation.
combinative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive from
Late L. combindtus, pp. of combinare, fr. com-
and bini, 'two each, two at a time'. See binary.
Derivatives: combine, n., combin-ed, adj., com-
bin-ed-ly, adv., combin-ed-ness, n., combin-er, n.
Combretum, n., a genus of plants of the myro-
balan family (bot.) — L. combretum, "a kind of
rush', of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for
*k' l 'endhro-, and is cogn. with Lith. "sveixdrai
(pi.), 'a kind of rush', Faroeish Dan. qvander,
the plant 'Angelica silvestris'. See Walde-Hof-
mann, LEW., I. p. 253 s.v. combretum.
combust, adj., burnt. — L. combust us, pp. of com-
burere, 'to burn up', fr. *co(m)-urere, with in-
combustible
318
serted b on analogy of amburere, 'to burn
round', which stands for amb-iirere, 'to burn
round', but was misdivided into am-burere.
(Owing to this misdivision the new verb *burere
was formed, with the pp. bustum; see bust.) L.
*com-urere is formed fr. com- and were, 'to
burn', which is cogn. with OI. Sfati, 'burns',
usnah, 'hot', ustdh, 'burnt, hot', Gk. efisiv (for
"euaeiv), 'to singe', OHG. mil-far, 'yellow' (lit.
'ash-colored'), ON. ysja, 'fire', usli, OE. ysle,
'glowing ashes, embers', ON. eimyrja, OE.
emerge, 'embers'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn'. See ember, 'live
coal', and cp. Eurus, uredo, Urtica, urticaria, ur-
ticate, Ustilago, ustulate.
combustible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. combustibilis,
fr. L. combustus, pp. of comburere. See com-
bust and -ible.
Derivatives: combustible, n.,combustibil-ity,n.,
combustible-ness, n., combustibl-y, adv.
combustion, n., a burning. — F., fr. Late L. com-
bustionem, acc. of combustid, 'a burning', fr.
L. combustus, pp. of comburere. See combust
and -ion.
come, intr. v. — ME. cumen, comen, fr. OE. cu-
man,rel. to OS. cuman, ON. koma, OFris. cuma,
Du. komen, OHG. queman, koman, MHG. ko-
men, G. kommen, Goth, qiman, 'to come', fr.
I.-E. base *g u 'em-, 'to go; to come', whence also
OI. gdmati, gdcchati, 'he goes', gatdh, 'gone',
Avestic jamaiti, 'goes', Toch. A kakmu, B ke-
kamu, 'come' (pp.), A kumnds, 'comes', B kdm-
naskem, 'they come', Arm. ekn (for *e-g w em-t),
'he came', Gk. ficdvo (prob. for *(3avtco fr.
*pi;ztw), 'I go', L. venid (prob. for *g"mid), 'I
come', Mir. beim for *ben-smen), 'pace, step',
Lith. gemii, gimti, 'to be born', lit. 'to come'.
Cp. the collateral base *g w d- in OI. dgdm (aor.),
Gk. e[3r,\i (aor.), 'I went', Gk. Prjjxa, 'pace, step',
fJ&u/x;, 'altar', Lett, gdju, 'I went', gatwa, 'pas-
sage', Alb. ngd, 'I run'. Cp. welcome. Cp. also
base, n., and words there referred to. Cp. also
venue, 'arrival', and words there referred to.
Cp. also agama, jagat.
come-at-able, adj., accessible. — Formed fr.
come, at, and -able.
comedian, n. — F. comedien, fr. comedie, 'com-
medy'. See comedy and -an.
comedienne, n. — F. comedienne, 'an actress in
comedy', fern, of comedien. See prec. word.
comedietta, n., a short comedy. — It. (now
commedietta), dimin. of comedia (now comme-
dia), 'comedy', fr. L. comoedia. See comedy.
comedo, n., blackhead (med.) — L. comedo, 'a
glutton', rcl. to comedere, 'to eat entirely up',
fr. com- and edere, 'to eat'. See edible and cp.
comestible.
comedy, n. — F. comedie, fr. L. comoedia, fr. Gk.
xa>|AO)Sia, 'comedy', fr. xco[XfoS6<;, 'comic actor'
(orig. 'singer in the v.u>\xoc, or comic chorus'),
contraction of xo>[xaoi8<S<;, which is compound-
ed of xcofxoi;, 'revel, carousal, merry-making,
comic chorus', and aotSo?, 'singer'. The first
element is of uncertain origin; it is perh. rel.
to Gk. x<o|iv], 'village'. See home and cp. comic,
Comus, encomium, afikoman. The second element
is rel. to Gk. detSetv, 'to sing', £0187), coSrj,
'song' ; see ode and words there referred to and
cp. esp. tragedy,
comely, adj. — ME. cumelich, cumlich, comeliche,
comlich, fr. OE. cymlic, formed with suff. -lie
(see like, adj.), fr. cyme, 'fine, beautiful, splen-
did', orig. 'frail, delicate, tender', which is rel.
to ME. kime, 'weak, delicate', OHG. chumo,
kumo, MHG. kume, 'with difficulty', OHG.
chiimig, kumig, 'weak, delicate', G. kaum,
'hardly, scarcely'. The original meaning of ME.
kime and OHG. chiimig was ''amentable, piti-
able'; cp. OHG. chuma, 'sorrow', OHG. chu-
mon, 'to mourn', OS. kumian, 'to lament, de-
plore'. All these words are derivatives of the
I.-E. imitative base *gou-, *gow-, 'to shout, cry'
whence also OE. ciegan (for orig. *kaujari), 'to
call', cyta, 'kite', OI. gdvate, 'sounds, resounds',
Gk. yoav, 'to wail, groan, weep', MLG. kuten,
'to chatter, babble, prate', Lith. gaudziu, gausti,
'to howl', gdudas, 'lamentation', OSlav. govoriti,
'to make a noise', Russ. govorit', Serb, and
Croatiangovoriti,Cz£chhovofiti, Slovak hovorif,
'to speak', Olr. guth, 'voice'. Cp. kite. The word
comely was influenced in meaning by an as-
sociation with come.
Derivatives: comeli-ly, adv., comeli-ness, n.
comestible, adj., eatable. — F., formed with suff.
-ible fr. L. comestus, a collateral form of come-
sus, pp. of comedere, 'to eat up, consume', fr.
com- and edere, 'to eat'. See edible and cp.
comedo.
comet, n. — L. cometes, fr. Gk. xoij.y]ty;i; (scil.
aaxT ( p), 'comet', lit. 'a long-haired (star)', fr.
xofiav, 'to wear long hair', fr. xoar;, 'hair'. See
coma, 'a tuft of hairs'.
Derivatives: comet-ic, adj., comet-ary, adj.
cometoid, adj., resembling a comet. — Com-
pounded of comet and Gk. -oeiSiiC, 'like', fr.
elSoc, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
comfit, n , a dry sweetmeat. — F. confit, prop,
pp. of confire, 'to conserve, candy, pickle', fr.
L. conficere, 'to put together', fr. con- and fa-
cere, 'to make, do'. See confect and cp. dis-
comfit. For the change of Latin d (in fdcere) to
/' (in con-ficere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
comfort, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) conforter, fr. Late
L. confortdre, 'to strengthen', fr. con- and L.
fortis. 'strong'. See fort.
comfort, n. — OF. ( = F.) confort, back forma-
tion fr. conforter. See prec. word.
Derivatives: comfort-less, adj., comfort-less-ly,
adv., comfort-less-ness, n.
comfortable, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) con-
fortable, fr. conforter. See comfort, v., and -able.
Derivatives: comfortable-ness, n., comfortabl-y,
adv.
319
commencement
comforter, n. — OF. conforteor, fr. conforter. See
comfort, v., and agential suff. -er.
comfrey, n., a plant of the borage family — ME.
confirie, cumfirie, fr. OF. confirie, fr. con- (see
con-) and firie, 'liver' (= F.foie), which prob.
derives fr. L. {iecur) fiedtum, 'liver (of a goose)
fattened with figs', neut. pp. of ficdre, 'to fatten
with figs', fr. ficus, 'fig'; see fig. The plant was
so called because of its congealing properties.
comic, adj. — L. cdmicus, fr. Gk. xo>u.ix6i;, 'per-
taining to comedy', fr. xwpioi;, 'comic chorus'.
See comedy and -ic.
Derivatives: comic, n., comic-al, adj., comic-al-
ity, n., comic-al-ly, adv., comic-al-ness, n.
Comintern, n., the Third International. — Coined
fr. Communist /«/er«ational.
lomitia, n. pi., assembly of the Roman people
(Roman antiq.) — L., pi. of comitium, 'place of
the assembly', fr. *com-itis, 'a coming together',
fr. com- and the stem of itum, pp. of ire, 'to go'.
See itinerate.
comity, n., courtesy. — F. comite, fr. L. cdmitd-
tem, acc. of cdmitds, 'courtesy, kindness, affa-
bility', from comis, 'courteous, kind, affable',
fr. OL. cosmis, which prob. stands for co-smi-s
and lit. means 'he who smiles with', and is
formed fr. co- and the I.-E. base of *smei-, 'to
smile, wonder'; see mirror, smile. OL. cosmis
became L. comis in the sense of the Latin pho-
netic law, according to which s disappeared be-
fore d, I, m or n. Cp. L. lubricus (for *slubri-
cos), 'slippery', mirus (for *smeiros), 'wonder-
ful', nidus (for *nizdos), 'nest', ponere (for
*posnere, fr. *po-si-nere), 'to place', primus (for
*prismos), 'first'; see lubricate, miracle, nest,
position, prime.
comma, n. — L., 'division of a period; comma',
fr. Gk. x6u,(ia, 'a piece cut off; a short clause',
fr. xotcteiv, 'to cut off', which is cogn. with
L. capo, 'castrated cock'. See capon, and cp.
acopic, Coptis, pericope, syncope.
Derivative: comma, tr. v.
command, tr. and intr. v. — OF. comander, (F.
commander), 'to command, order', fr. VL. *com-
manddre, refashioned after manddre fr. L. com-
menddre, 'to commit to one's charge', fr. com-
and manddre, 'to commit to one's charge', lit.
'to place in one's hands', fr. manus, 'hand' ; see
manual and cp. mandate. For the change of
Latin d (in manddre) to e (in com-menddre) see
accent and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
commend, which is a doublet of command.
Derivatives: command, n. (q.v.), commandant
(q.v.), command-er, n., command-er-ship, n.,
commandery (q.v.), command-ing, adj., com-
mand-ing-ly, adv., commandment (q.v.)
command, n. — F. commandc, fr. commander. See
command, v.
commandant, n. — F., 'the one commanding',
prop. pres. part, of commander. See command,
v., and -ant.
commandeer, n. — S.A. Du. kommanderen, 'to
commandeer', the same word as Du. kom-
manderen, 'to command', fr. F. commander.
See command, v.
commander, n. — OF. comandeor (F. comman-
deur), fr. comander. See command, v., and cp.
commodore.
commandery, n. — F. commanderie, fr. ML. com-
menddria, fr. commenda, 'charge, trust' (in the
phrase in commendam dare, 'to give into trust'),
fr. L. commenddre, 'to commit to one's charge'
(see commend and -ery and cp. commendam); in-
fluenced in meaning by prec. word. For the
ending see -y (representing F. -ie).
commandment, n. — F. commandement, fr. com-
mander. See command, v., and -ment.
commando, n., i) orig., a military force of Boers;
2) a small raiding group; 3) a member of such
a group. — S.A. Du., fr. Port, commando, fr.
commandar, fr. VL. *commanddre. See com-
mand, v.
commatic, adj., consisting of short clauses. — L.
commaticus, fr. Gk. xou^aTixoc., fr. x6(i(ia, gen.
x6u.(juxfo<;, 'a short clause'. See comma and -ic.
Commelina, n., a genus of plants, the dayflower
(bot.) — ModL., named after the Dutch bota-
nists Kaspar and Johann Commelin (1667-1731,
resp. 1629-98).
Commelinaceae, n. pi., the spidewort family (bot)
— Formed fr. Commelina with suff. -aceae.
commelinaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
commemorable, adj. — L. commemordbilis, 'worth
mentioning', fr. commemordre. See commemo-
rate and -able.
commemorate, tr. v. — L. commemordtus, pp. of
commemordre, 'to recall to memory', fr. com-
and memorare, 'to bring to remembrance, men-
tion, recount', fr. memor, 'mindful'. See memory
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: commemorat-ive, adj., commemo-
rat-ive-ly, adv., commemorat-ive-ness, n., com-
memorator (q.v.), commemorat-ory , adj.
commemorator, n. — Late L., fr. L. commemo-
rdtus, pp. of commemordre. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
commemoration, n. — L. commemordtid, gen.
-dnis, 'a calling to mind', fr. commemordtus, pp.
of commemordre. See commemorate and -ion.
Derivative: commemoration-al, adj.
commence, tr. and intr. v., to begin. — ME. co-
mencen, fr. OF. comencier, comencer (F. com-
mencer), fr. VL. *cominitidre, fr. com- and L.
initidre, 'to initiate, consecrate', in Late L. also
'to begin'; fr. initium, 'beginning'. See initiate.
Cp. It. cominciare, OProvenc. comensar, Catal.
comensar (whence Sp. comenzar), which all de-
rive fr. VL. *cominitidre.
Derivatives: commencement (q.v.), commenc-
er, n.
commencement, n., beginning. — OF. comence-
ment (F. commencement) fr. comencier, comen-
cer. See prec. word and -ment.
commend
commend, tr. v. — L. commenddre, 'to commit
to one's charge', fr. com- and manddre, of s.m.,
lit. 'to place in one's hands'. See command, v.,
which is originally the same as commend, but
differentiated from it in meaning.
commendable, adj. — OF., fr. L. commenddbilis,
'worthy of praise, commendable', fr. commen-
ddre. See commend and -able.
Derivative : commendahl-y, adv.
commendam, n., i) the holding of a benefice by
a bishop or layman to whom it has been com-
mended; 2) the benefice held in this manner
(eccles.) — Abbreviation of ML. in commendam
datum, 'given into trust'. ML. commendam is
acc. of commenda, 'charge, trust'. See com-
mandery.
commendatary, n., a commendator. — ML. com-
menddtdrius, fr. L. commenddtus, pp. of com-
menddre. See commend, v., and adj. suff. -ary.
commendation, n. — OF., fr. L. commenddtid-
nem, acc. of commenddtid, 'commendation, re-
commanding'. See commend, v., and -ation.
commendator, n. — L., fr. commenddtus, pp. of
commenddre. See commend, v., and -ator.
commendatory, adj., i) pertaining to, or expres-
sing, a commendation; 2) recommending; (ec-
cles.) holding in commendam. — Late L. com-
menddtdrius (corresponding to L. commen-
ddticius), 'serving for commendation, commen-
datory', fr. L. commenddtus, pp. of commenddre.
See commend, v., and the adj. suffixes -ate and
-ory.
commensal, n., one who eats at the same table. —
ML. commensdlis, fr. com- and L. mensa, 'table'.
See mensal.
Derivatives: commensal, n., commensal-ism, n.,
commensal-ity, n., commensal-ly, adv.
commensurable, adj. — Late L. commensurd-
bilis, fr. com- and L. mensurdbilis, 'measurable',
fr. mensurdre. See next word.
Derivatives: commensurabil-ity, n., commcnsura-
ble-ness, n., commensurabl-y, adv.
commensurate, adj. — Late L. commensurdtus,
'equal in measure', fr. com- and L. mensurdtus,
pp. of mensurdre, 'to measure', fr. mensiira,
measure'. See mensurate.
Derivatives: commensurate-Iy, adv., commen-
surule-ness, n.
comment, n. — ME., fr. OF. comment, fr. L. com-
mentum, 'invention, fabrication, fiction', prop,
neut. of pp. commentus, used as a noun, fr.
comminiscor, 'I devise, invent, contrive, fabri-
cate', which stands for *com-men-iscor and lit.
means 'I ponder', fr. com- and mens, gen. men-
tis, 'mind'. See mental, 'pertaining to the mind".
comment, intr. v. F. commenter, fr. L. com-
mentdri, 'to consider thoroughly, meditate upon,
explain', freq. formed fr. comminiscor. See
prec. word. Derivative: comment-or, n.
commentary, n. — L. commentdrium, 'notebook,
sketch, commentary' (short for volumen eom-
mentdrium, 'a commenting book'), neut. of the
adjective commentdrius, 'pertaining to a com-
mentum\ See comment, n., and subst. suff. -ary.
commentate, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation
fr. commentator.
commentation, n. — L. commentdtid, gen. -dnis,
'meditation upon something, treatise, disser-
tation', fr. commentdtus, pp. of commentdri. See
comment, v., and -ation.
commentator, n. — L., 'inventor, contriver, inter-
preter', fr. commentdtus, pp. of commentdri. See
comment, v., and -ator.
Derivatives: eommentator-ial, adj., commenta-
tor-ial-ly, adv.
commerce, n. — F., fr. L. commercium, 'trade,
traffic, intercourse, commerce', fr. con- and
merx, gen. mercis, 'merchandise'. See mercantile.
Derivatives: commerce, intr. v., to have inter-
course, commerc-ial, adj. and n., commercial-
ism, n., commercial-ist, n., commercial-ize, tr.
v., commercial-ity, n., commercial-ly, adv.
comminate, tr. and intr. v., to threaten; to ana-
thematize. — L. commindtus, pp. of commindri,
'to threaten', fr. com- and mindri, 'to threaten".
See minatory and cp. menace.
commination, n., a threat. — L. commindtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. commindtus, pp. of commindri. See
prec. word and -ion.
comminatory, adj., threatening. — ML. commi-
ndtorius, fr. L. commindtus, pp. of commindri.
See comminate and -ory.
commingle, tr. and intr. v. — A hybrid coined fr.
com- and mingle.
comminute, tr. v., to divide into small particles.—
L. commindtus, pp. of comminuere, 'to divide
into small parts, break into pieces', fr. com-
and minuere, 'to make small, lessen, reduce".
Sec minute, adj.
Derivatives: comminut-ed, adj., comminut-ion, n.
Commiphora, n., a genus of trees of the family
Burseraceae (hot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. vJi[x[xi, 'gum', and -?6po;, 'bearing'. See
gum, 'resin', and -phore.
commiserate, intr. and tr. v. — L. commiserdtus,
pp. of commiserdri, 'to bewail', fr. com- and
miserdri, 'to pity, deplore'. See miserable and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: commiseration (q.v.J, commiserat-
ive, adj., commiserut-ivc-ly, adv., commiserat-
or, n.
commiseration, n. — F. commiseration, fr. L.
commiserdtidnem, acc. of commiserdtid, 'part of
an oration intended to excite compassion', fr.
commiserdtus, .pp. of commiserdri. Sec prec.
word and -ion.
commissar, n., commissary; commissioner. —
Russ. komisar, fr. ML. commissdrius. See com-
missary.
commissariat, n. — F., body of commissaries,
commissary's office', fr. eommissaire, 'commis-
sary', fr. ML. commissdrius. Sec commissary.
commissary, n., one to whom something is en-
trusted. — ML. commissdrius, 'a person in
LUI lll!IUIMV.aill
charge', fr. L. commissus, pp. of committere, 'to
entrust, give in charge'. See commit and -ary.
commission, n. — F., fr. L. commissidnem, acc. of
commissid, 'a bringing together in contest, the
beginning of a contest', fr. commissus, pp. of
committere. See commit.
Derivatives: commission, tr. v., commission-al,
adj., commission-ed, adj., commission-er, n.
commissionaire, n. — F. commissionaire, lit. 'one
commissioned', fr. ML. commissidndrius, fr. L.
commissid. See commission,
commissure, n., joint, seam; junction (anat.) —
F., fr. L. commissura, 'a joining together, joint,
seam', fr. commissus, pp. of committere. See
commit and -ure.
commit, tr. v. — L. committere, 'to join or put
together, to unite, connect, commit', fr. com- and
mittere (pp. missus), 'to send'. See mission and
cp. fideicommissum.
Derivatives: commit, n., commit-ment, n., com-
mitter, committ-or, n.
committee, n. — Late AF. committe, pp. cor-
responding to F. commis, fr. F. commettre, 'to
commit'. Orig. committee meant 'a person to
whom something is committeed'. See prec. word
and -ee.
commix, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation fr.
earlier commixt, which derives fr. L. commixtus,
'mixed together', but was mistaken for the pp.
of an English verb (i.e. commixt was supposed
to have been formed from the verb commix and
the pp. suff. -r). L. commixtus is pp. of commi-
scere, 'to mix together', which is formed fr. com-
and miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp. admix,
intermix.
commixtion, n. — Late L. commixtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. commixtus, pp. of commiscere. See prec.
word and -ion.
commixture, n. — L. commixtura, fr. commixtus,
pp. of commiscere. See commix and -ture.
commode, n., 1) a chest of drawers; 2) a movable
washstand. — F., fr. commode, 'convenient,
serviceable, comfortable', fr. L. commodus, 'fit,
suitable, convenient', lit. 'measured with', fr.
com- and modus, 'measure, manner, mode'. See
mode and cp. accommodate, discommode.
commodious, adj., spacious, roomy. — F. com-
modieux (fern, commodieuse), fr. Late L. com-
modidsus, fr. L. commodus. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivatives: commodious-ly, adv., commodious-
ness, n.
commodity, n., 1) convenience; 2) an article of
commerce. — F. commodite, fr. L. commodi-
tdtem, acc. of commoditus, 'measure, propor-
tion', fr. commodus. See commode and -ity.
commodore, n., 1) in the United States Navy, an
officer below the rank of a rear admiral; 2) in
the British Navy, commander of a squadron. —
Fr. earlier commandore, fr. F. commandeur,
prob. through the medium of Du. commandeur.
See commander.
common, adj. — ME. commun, comun, fr. OF.
comun (F. commun), fr. L. communis (cp. the
OL. acc. comoinem), 'common, universal, pub-
lic', formed fr. CO- and OL. moinos, moenus (L.
munus), 'service, office, function', which is rel.
to OL. moenia, L. munia, 'official duties', fr.
I.-E. base *moin-, *mein-, 'to change'. See mean,
'of low rank', and cp. commune, communicate,
immune, municipal, munificent, remunerate. Cp.
also mime, minimum.
Derivatives: common-er, n., common-ly, adv.,
common-ness, n.
common, n., 1) common land ; 2) common people ;
3) right to another's land (law). — Fr. common,
adj. Cp. discommon.
Derivatives: common-able, adj., common-age, n.
commonalty, n., 1) the common people; 2) the
members of a body corporate. — ME. como-
nalte, fr. OF. comunaulte (F. communaute), fr.
VL. *commundlitdtem, acc. of *commiindlitds,
fr. L. communis, 'common'. See common, adj.,
and the suffixes -al and -ty.
commonplace, n. — Loan translation of L. locus
communis, 'common topics', itself a loan trans-
lation of Gk. xoivoi. xoTCOi, 'commonplace', lit.
'common places'.
Derivatives: commonplace, tr. and intr. v. and
adj., commonplace-ly, adv., commonplace-ness,
n., commonplac-er, n.
common sense. — Loan translation of L. sensus
communis or Gk. xotvr; -xiafrrpiz.
commonsensical, adj. — Formed fr. common
sense on analogy of nonsensical.
Derivative: commonsensical-ly, adv.
commotion, n. — F., fr. L. commdtidnem, acc. of
commotio, 'violent movement, agitation, excite-
ment', fr. commdtus, pp. of commovere, 'to put
in violent motion, stir, move', fr. com- and mo-
vere, 'to move'. See motion.
Derivative: commotion-al, adj.
commove, tr. v. — ME. commoeven, commeven,
fr. OF. comovoir, fr. L. commovere. See prec.
word.
communal, adj. — Late L. commundlis, fr. com-
miina, 'a commune'. See commune, 'a small poli-
tical district', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: communal-ism, n., communal-ist, n.,
communal-ist-ic, adj., communal-ize , tr. v., com-
munaliz-ation, n.
commune, n., a small political district. — F., fr.
L. communia, neut. pi. of communis, 'common',
which was mistaken for fern. sing. See common.
commune, intr. v. — OF. comuner, fr. comun,
'common'. See common, adj.
communicable, adj. — F., fr. Late L. communi-
cdbilis, fr. L. communicdre. See communicate
and -able.
Derivatives: communicabil-ity, n., communi-
cable-ness, n., communicabl-y, adv.
communicant, adj. and n. — L. communicdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of communicdre. See next
word and -ant.
communicate
322
communicate, tr. and intr. v. — L. communicdtus,
pp. of communicare, 'to communicate, impart,
share', fr. communis, 'common'. See common,
adj., and verbal suff. -ate and cp. excommuni-
cate.
communication, n. — F., fr. L. communicdtid-
nem, acc. of communicdtid, fr. communicdtus,
pp. of communicare. See prec. word and -ion.
communicative, adj. — F. communicatif (fern.
communicative), fr. ML. communicdtivus, fr. L.
communicdtus, pp. of communicare. See com-
municate and -ive.
Derivatives: communicative-ly, adv., communi-
cativeness, n.
communicator, n. — Late L. communicator, fr.
L. communicdtus, pp. of communicare. See com-
municate and agential suff. -or.
communicatory, adj. — ML. communicatdrius, fr.
Late L. communicator. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ory.
communion, n. — F. ( fr. L. communidnem, acc. of
communid, 'fellowship, communion', fr. com-
munis, 'common'; see common, adj., and -ion.
The word communion was introduced into Eng-
lish by Wycliffe.
Derivatives: communion-able, adj., communion-
al, adj.
communique, n., an official communication. —
F., pp. of communiquer, fr. L. communicare. See
communicate.
communism, n., a social system based on collect-
ive ownership. — F. communisme, coined by
Goodwyn Barmby in 1840 (see The Apostle,
No. 1, 1848) fr. L. communis or F. commun (see
common, adj.) and suff. -isme (see -ism).
communist, n. — Coined by Goodwyn Barmby
fr. L. communis (see prec. word) and suff. -ist;
he founded The London Communist Propaganda
Society in 1841.
Derivatives: communist, communist-ic, adjs.
community, n. — OF. comunete, comunite (F.
communaute), fr. L. communitdtem, acc. of com-
munitas, 'fellowship', fr. communis, 'common'.
See common, adj., and -iry.
Derivative: communit-arian, n.
communize, tr. v. — Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
communis. See common, adj.
commutable, adj. — L. commutdbilis, 'subject to
change, changeable', fr. commutdre. See com-
mute and -able.
Derivatives: commutabil-ity, n., commutable-
ness, n.
commutation, n. — F., fr. L. commutdtidnem, acc.
of commutdtid, 'a changing', fr. commutdtus, pp.
of commutdre. See commute and -ation.
commutative, adj. — ML. commutdtivus, fr. L.
commutdtus, pp. of commutdre. See commute
and -ive.
Derivative: commutative-ly, adv.
commutator, n. — ModL., fr. L. commutdtus, pp.
of commutdre. See next word and -ator.
commute, tr. v., to exchange. — L. commutdre.
'to change entirely', fr. com- and mutdre, 'to
change'. See mutable.
Derivative: commut-er, n.
comose, adj., hairy. — L. comdsus, 'hairy', fr.
coma, 'hair'. See coma, 'tuft of hair', and adj.
suff. -ose.
compact, adj., 1) packed together; 2) close, firm.
— L. compactus, pp. of compingere, 'to fasten
together, to unite', fr. com- and pangere, 'to
fasten, fix'. See pact and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: compact, v. (q.v.), compact-ly, adv.,
compact-ness, n.
compact, tr. v., to pack together. — L. compactus,
pp. of compingere. See compact, adj.
Derivatives : compacted, adj . (q. v.), compact-er, n.
compact, n., an agreement; a covenant. — L.
compactum, 'agreement', prop. neut. pp. of
compacisci, 'to make an agreement, form a
compact', from com- and paclsci, 'to make a
contract or agreement', which is rel. to pax, gen.
pdcis, 'peace'. See pact and cp. compact, adj.
compacted, adj., compact. — Prop. pp. of com-
pact, 'to pack together'.
Derivatives: compacted-ly, adv., compacted-
ness, n.
compages, n., a complex structure. — L. corn-
pages, 'a joining together, connection, struc-
ture', fr. com- and I.-E. base *pdg-, 'to join to-
gether, fasten'. See pact and cp. compact, adj.
and n.
compaginate, tr. v., to join together. — L. com-
pdgindtus, pp. of compdgindre, 'to join together',
fr. compdgd, gen. compdginis, 'a joining together',
which is rel. to compages. See compages and
verbal suff. -ate.
compagination, n. — Late L. compdgindtid, gen.
-idnis, fr. L. compdgindtus, pp. of compdgindre.
See prec. word and -ion.
companion, n., an associate. — OF. compagnon,
fr. VL. compdnidnem, acc. of compdnid, lit., 'one
who eats his bread with . . .', fr. com- and pdnis,
'bread'. See pantry and cp. company, accompany.
Derivatives: companion, v., companion-able, adj.,
companion-able-ness, n., companion-abl-y, adv.
company, n. — OF. compagnie, fr. VL. compdnia,
lit. 'a group eating bread together', fr. com- and
L. pdnis. See prec. word.
comparable, adj. — F., fr. L. compardbilis, fr.
compardre. See compare and -able.
Derivatives: comparabil-ity, n., eomparable-
ness, n., comparabl-y, adv.
comparative, adj. — L. compardtivus, 'pertaining
to comparison', fr. compardtus, pp. of compa-
rdre, 'to compare'. See next word and -ative.
Derivatives: comparative-ly, a.dv.,comparative-
ness, n.
compare, tr. and intr. v. — F. comparer, fr. L.
compardre, 'to compare', fr. com- and pardre,
'to make equal'. See pair and words there re-
ferred to and cp. compeer. Cp. also comprador.
Derivatives: compare, n., compar-er, n.
323
compital
comparison, n. — OF. (= F.) comparaison, fr. L.
compardtidnem, acc. of compardtid, 'compari-
son', fr. compardtus, pp. of compardre. See
prec. word and -ison.
compart, tr. v., to divide into parts. — L. com-
partiri, 'to divide, share with somebody', fr.
com- and L. partire, partiri, 'to divide'. See
part, v.
compartment, n. — F. compartiment, fr. It. com-
partimento, fr. compartire, 'to divide', fr. com-
and partire, fr. L. partire, partiri. See prec. word
and -ment.
compass, n. — F. compas, back formation fr.
compasser, 'to measure', fr. VL. *compassdre
(whence also It. compassare, Sp. compasar), 'to
measure off', lit. 'to measure by steps', fr. L.
passus, 'step'. See pace and cp. the second ele-
ment in gyrocompass.
compass, tr. v. — F. compasser, 'to measure'. See
compass, n.
Derivatives: compass-able, adj., compass-er, n.,
compass-ing, adj.
compassion, n. — ME.,fr. MF.(= F.) compassion,
fr. Eccles. L. compassidnem, acc. of compassid,
'fellow suffering, fellow feeling', fr. Late L. com-
passus, pp. of compati, 'to suffer with one, to feel
pity', fr. com- and L. patl, 'to suffer'. See passion.
Derivatives: compassion-ate, adj. and tr. v., com-
passion-ate-ly, adv., compassion-ate-ness, n.
compatibility, n. — F. compatibilite, fr. compa-
tible. See next word and -ity.
compatible, adj. — F., fr. ML. compatibilis, fr.
Late L. compati. See compassion and -ible.
Derivatives: compatible-ness, n., compatibl-y,
adv.
compatriot, n. — F. compatriote, fr. Late L. com-
patridta, fr. com- and Late L. patridta, 'country-
man, patriot'. See patriot.
compeer, n. — ME. comper, fr. F. compair, fr. L.
compdr, 'equal to another', fr. com- and par,
'equal'. See peer.
compel, tr. v. — OF. compeller, fr. L. compellere,
'to drive together, compel', fr. com- and pellere,
'to drive'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. appeal and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: compell-able, adj., compilation
(q.v.), compell-ative, adj., compell-ent, adj., com-
pell-er, n., compell-ing, adj. ,com-pell-ing-ly, adv.
compilation, n., 1) a calling upon by name; 2)
appellation. — L. compellatid, gen. -dnis, 'an
accosting, addressing', fr. compelldre, 'to ac-
cost, address', which is rel. to compellere, 'to
drive together'; see prec. word and -ation. For
change of conjugation cp. appelldre, 'to call',
interpelldre, 'to interrupt by speaking', both rel.
to pellere, 'to drive'. For the cause of this change
see appeal.
compendious, adj., concise. — AF., correspond-
ing to F. compendieux (fern, compendieuse),
fr. Late L. compendidsus, 'abridged, short, brief,
compendious', fr. compendium. See next word
and -ous.
Derivatives: compendious-ly, adv., compendious-
ness, n.
compendium, n., a concise summary. — L., lit.
'that which is weighed together', fr. com- and
pendere, 'to weigh'. See pendant.
compensable, adj. — F., fr. compenser, 'to com-
pensate'. See next word and -able.
compensate, tr. and intr. v. — L. compensdtus,
pp. of compensdre, 'to weigh together, weigh
one thing against another, balance against,
compensate', fr. com- and pensdre, freq. of pen-
dere, 'to weigh'. See pendant and cp. pensive.
Cp. also recompense.
Derivatives: compensat-ing, adj., compensat-ing-
ly, adv., compensation (q.v.), compensat-ive, adj.,
compensat-or, n., compensat-ory , adj.
compensation, n. — L. compensdtid, gen. -dnis,
'a weighing one thing against another, a bal-
ancing', fr. compensdtus, pp. of compensdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: compensation-al, adj.
compete, intr. v., 1) to contend; 2) to rival. —
F. competer, fr. L. competere, 'to strive together
after something, coincide, agree, be suitable',
fr. com- and petere, 'to fall upon, rush at, attack,
assail; to seek, ask, request'. See petition and
cp. compitum.
competence, competency, n. — F. competence, fr.
L. competentia, 'agreement', fr. competens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
competent, adj., 1) fit, suitable; 2) sufficient; 3) le-
gally qualified. — F. competent, fr. L. compe-
tentem, acc. of competens, pres. part, of com-
petere. See compete and -ent.
Derivative : competent-ty, adv.
competent, n., a candidate for baptism (eccles.
hist.) — Eccles. L. competens, 'a candidate for
baptism', prop. pres. part, of L. competere. See
prec. word.
competition, n. — Late L. competitid, gen. -dnis,
'agreement', fr. L. competitus, pp. of competere.
See compete and -ition.
competitive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
competitus, pp. of competere. See compete.
Derivatives: competitive-ly, adv., competitive-
ness, n.
competitor, n. — Either fr. MF.( = F.) competiteur,
or directly fr. L. competitor, fr. competitus, pp. of
competere. See compete and agential suff. -or.
compilation, n. — F., fr. L. compildtidnem, acc.
of compildtid, 'a gathering together'. See next
word and -ation.
compile, tr. v., to put together; to collect. — F.
compiler, fr. L. compildre, 'to gather together,
pillage, plunder, rob, steal, snatch together and
carry off', prob. meaning orig. 'to press to-
gether', and formed fr. com- and pildre, 'to
press', compress', ix.pila, 'pillar'. See pillar and
cp. oppilate. Derivative: compil-er, n.
compital, adj., pertaining to crossroads. — L.
compitdlis, fr. compitum. See next word and adj.
suff. -al.
compitum
compitum, n., crossroads (Roman antiq.) — L., for
*competom, lit. 'a place where several roads
meet', fr. competere, 'to strive together, come
together, meet'. See compete.
complacence, complacency, n., i) satisfaction;
self-satisfaction; 2) complaisance. — ML. com-
placentia, fr. L. complacens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce and cp. complaisance.
complacent, adj . , 1 ) satisfied ; self-satisfied ; 2) com-
plaisant. — L. complacens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of complacere, 'to be very pleasing', fr.
com- and placere, 'to please'. See please and
-ent and cp. placate, placet.
Derivative : complacent-ly, adv.
complain, intr. v. — F. complaign-, stem of com-
plaindre, fr. Late L. complangere, 'to bewail',
fr. com- and L. plangere, 'to strike, to beat the
breast' (as a sign of grief), 'to lament'. See plaint.
complainant, n., complainer. — F. complaignant,
pres. part, of complaindre. See prec. word.
complaint, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) complainte,
prop. fem. pp. of complaindre, used as a noun.
See complain.
complaisance, n., disposition to oblige, politeness.
— F. complaisance*, fr. ML. complacentia. See
complacence.
complaisant, adj., obliging, polite. — F., pres.
part, of complaire, 'to please', fr. L. complacere.
See complacent and -ant.
Derivatives: complaisant-ly, adv., complaisant-
ness, n.
complement, n. — L. complementum, 'that which
fills up or completes', fr. complere, 'to fill up,
complete'. See complete, v., and cp. compliment.
Derivatives: complement, tr. v., complement-al,
adj., complement -al-ly, adv., complement-ary,
adj. and n., complement-ation, n.
complete, adj. — L. completus, pp. of com-
plere, 'to fill up', fr. com- and plere, 'to fill'. See
full and cp. plenum. Cp. also complin, accom-
plish.
Derivatives: compkte-ly, adv., complete-ness, n.
complete, tr. v. — L. completus, pp. of complere.
See prec. word.
completion, n. — Late L. completid, gen. -dnis,
'a filling up, fulfilment', fr. L. completus, pp. of
complere. See complete and -ion.
completive, adj. — Late L. completivus, 'serving
for filling up', fr. L. completus, pp. of complere.
See complete and -ive.
complex, adj. — L. complexus, pp. of complecti,
'to fold together, surround, encircle, embrace;
to comprehend, understand; to comprise, in-
clude', fr. com- and plectere, 'to plait, braid,
intertwine', fr. I.-E. base *plek-, 'to plait, twist',
whence akoplicdre (fr. earlier *plecdre), 'to fold'.
See ply, 'to bend', and cp. words there refer-
red to.
Derivatives: complex, n. (q.v.), complex, tr. v.,
complexi-fy, tr. v., complexi-fic-ation, n., com-
plexity, n., complex-ly, adv., complex-ness', n.
complex, n. — L. complexus, 'a surrounding, en-
circling, embracing', fr. complexus, pp. of com-
plecti; see prec. word. As a psychological term
the noun complex (G. Komplex) was coined by
Neisser in 1906 and popularized by Freud and
Jung
complexion, n. — OF. ( = F.), fr. L. complexidnem,
acc. of complexid, 'combination, association,
connection', fr. complexus, pp. of complecti.
See complex, adj., and -ion.
Derivatives: complexion, tr. v., complexion-al,
adj., complexion-al-ly, adv., complexion-ary,
adj., complexion-ed, adj., complexion-ist , n.
compliance, n. — Formed fr. comply with suff.
-ance.
compliancy, n. — Formed fr. comply with suff.
-ancy.
compliant, adj. and n. — Formed fr. comply with
suff. -ant.
Derivative; compliant-ly, adv.
complicacy, n. — Formed fr. complicate with
suff. -cy.
complicant, adj., overlapping (said of the elytra
of some beetles) (entomol.) — L. complicdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of complicdre, 'to fold
together'. See next word and -ant.
complicate, tr. v. — L. complicdtus, pp. of com-
plicdre, 'to fold together', fr. com- and plicdre,
'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. plicate.
Derivatives: complicat-ed, adj., complicat-ed-ly,
adv., complicat-ed-ness, n., complicat-ive, adj.
complication, n. — L. complicdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
folding together', fr. complicdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
complice, n.,an accomplice (archaic). — F.,fr.L.
complicem, acc. of complex, 'closely connected
with somebody, confederate', fr. com- and base
of plectere, 'to plait, braid, intertwine'. See com-
plex and cp. accomplice. Cp. also next word.
complicity, n., 1) partnership in crime; 2) com-
plexity. — F. complicity, fr. VL. *complicitdtem,
acc. of *complicitds, fr. L. complex, gen. -plicis,
'closely connected with somebody, confederate'.
See complex and -ity.
compliment, n. — F., fr. earlier Sp. complimiento
(now cumplimientd), fr. complir (now cumplir),
'to fulfil, perform, accomplish', fr. VL. *com-
plire, which corresponds to L. complere, 'to fill
up, complete'. See complement.
Derivatives: compliment-ary, adj. and n., com-
pliment-ation, n., compliment-ative, adj., com-
pliment-er, n.
compliment, tr. v. — F. complimenter, fr. com-
pliment. See compliment, n.
complin, compline, n., the last of the seven canon-
ical hours (eccles.) — ME. compile, fr. OF.
compile (F. complies, pi.), fr. Eccles. L. com-
pleta hdra, lit. 'the completed hour', used in the
sense 'hour of the completion of the service' ;
see complete, adj. OF. compile was influenced in
form by OF. complir, 'to accomplish, end,
complete', fr. VL. *complire (see compliment, n.)
325
compress
The ending -in in complin is prob. due to the
influence of matin(s).
complot, n., a conspiracy. — F., fr. OF. com-
plote, back formation fr. compeloter, comploter,
'to roll into a ball', fr. com- and pelote, 'a ball'.
See pellet and cp. plot, 'conspiracy'.
complot, tr. and intr. v., to conspire. — F. com-
ploter, fr. complot. See prec. word.
compluvium, n., an open space over the atrium
of a Roman house through which the rain flew
into the impluvium (Roman antiq.) — L., fr.
compluere, 'to flow together', fr. com- and pluere,
'to rain'. See pluvial and cp. impluvium.
comply, intr. v. — It. complire, fr. VL. *compllre,
which corresponds to L. complere, 'to fill up,
complete'. See complete and cp. compliment.
compo, n., a term applied to mortar, plaster, etc.
— Short for composition.
Derivative: compo, intr. and tr. v.
component, adj. and n. — L. component, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of compdnere,' to put together'.
See compound, v., and -ent and cp. deponent,
exponent, opponent.
comport, tr. v., to conduct (oneself); intr. v., to
agree (with). — F. comporter, 'to permit, admit
of, allow', se comporter, 'to behave, demean one-
self', fr. L. comportdre, 'to carry or bring to-
gether', fr. com- and portdre, 'to bear, carry'.
See port, 'to carry'.
comportment, n. — F. comportement, fr. com-
porter. See prec. word and -ment.
compose, tr. and intr. v., to place. — F. composer,
fr. L. compdnere (pp. compositus), 'to put to-
gether', which was Gallicized after F. poser, 'to
put, place'. See compound, v., and cp. dispose,
impose, oppose, superpose, suppose, transpose.
See also pose, 'to place'.
Derivatives: compos-ed, adj., compos-ed-ly, adv.,
compos-ed-ness, n., compos-er, n., compos-ing,
adj.
Compositae, n. pi., a very large natural group of
plants. — ModL., prop. fem. pi. of L. com-
positus, 'put together', pp. of compdnere. See
next word.
composite, adj. — L. compositus, pp. of compd-
nere, 'to put together', fr. com- and pdnere, 'to
put, place'. See position and adj. suff. -ite and.
cp. component, compost, decomposite.
Derivatives: composite, n. and tr. v.
composition, n. — F., fr. L. compositidnem, acc.
of compositid, 'a putting together', fr. compo-
situs, pp. of compdnere. See prec. word and
-ition and cp. decomposition.
Derivative: composition-al, adj.
compositive, adj. — Late L. compositivus, fr. L.
compositus, pp. of compdnere. See composite and
-ive.
Derivative : compositive-ly, adv.
compositor, n. — L., 'one who puts together, or-
ders, arranges', fr. compositus, pp. of compdnere.
See composite and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: compositor-ial, adj.
compos mentis, of sound mind, sane (law). — L.,
lit. 'having power over the mind', fr. compos,
gen. compotis, 'having power over a thing', and
mens, gen. mentis, 'mind'. L. compos is formed
fr. com- and *pot-, the stem of potis, 'powerful'.
See potent. For the second word see mental,
'pertaining to the mind'.
compost, n., 1) a composition, mixture; 2) ferti-
lizing mixture of leaves, etc. — OF. composte,
fr. VL. *composita, prop. fem. pp. of L. com-
pdnere. See composite and cp. compote.
Derivative : compost, tr. v.
composure, n., calmness. — Formed fr. compose
with suff. -ure.
compotation, n., a drinking together. — L. com-
pdtdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. com- and pdtdtid, 'a drink-
ing'. See potation.
compote, n., stewed fruit. — F., 'stewed fruit,
compote', fr. OF. composte, fr. VL. *composita,
prop. fem. pp. of L. compdnere. See compose and
cp. compost.
compound, tr. and intr. v. — ME. compounen, 'to
mix', fr. OF. componre, compondre, fr. L. com-
pdnere, 'to put together', fr. com- and pdnere,
'to put, place, set, lay'. See position and cp. com-
posite. For the d in compound, which is excres-
cent, see expound.
Derivative: compound-er,a.
compound, adj. — ME. compouned, pp. of com-
pounen. See compound, v.
Derivative: compound, n.
compound, n., an enclosure surrounding an An-
glo-Indian house. — Malay kampong, lit. 'a
walled place'.
comprador, n., a native agent employed by a
foreign bank or office in China or Japan. —
Port., 'buyer', fr. Late L. comparator, 'pur-
chaser, buyer', fr. L. compardtus, pp. of com-
pardre, 'to prepare, procure, purchase' (whence
also Rum. cumpdrd, 'to buy'), fr. com- and
pardre, 'to prepare'. See compare.
comprehend, tr. v. — L. comprehendere, 'to seize,
grasp, perceive', fr. com- and prehendere, 'to
seize'. See prehensile and cp. comprise.
comprehensible, adj. — L. comprehensibilis, 'that
can be seized', fr. comprehensus, pp. of compre-
hendere, 'to seize'. See comprehend and -ible.
Derivatives: comprehensibil-ity, n., comprehen-
sible-ness, n., comprehensibl-y, adv.
comprehension, n. — F. comprehension, fr. L.
comprehensidnem, acc. of comprehensid, 'per-
ception, idea, comprehension', fr. comprehensus,
pp. of comprehendere; see comprehend and -ion.
Comprehensid was introduced into Latin by
Cicero, as a loan translation of Gk. xaxaXr^K;,
a Stoic term meaning 'perception'.
comprehensive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr.
L. comprehensus, pp. of comprehendere. See
comprehend and -ive.
Derivatives: comprehensive-ly, adv., comprehen-
sive-ness, n.
compress, tr. v. — ME., fr. OF. compresser, fr.
0Z6
L. compressdre, freq. of comprimere (pp. com-
pressus), 'to press together', fr. com- and pre-
mere, 'to press'. See press, v.
Derivatives: compress-ed, adj., compress-ible,
adj., compress-ihil-ity, n., compress-ible-ness, n.,
compress-ibl-y, adv., compress-ing-ly, adv., com-
press-ive, adj., compress-ive-ly, adv.
compress, n. — F. compresse, fr. OF. compresser.
See compress, v.
compression, n. — F., fr. L. compressidnem, acc.
of compressid, 'a pressing together', fr. compres-
sus, pp. of comprimere. See compress, v., and
-ion.
compressor, n. — L. compressor, 'one who com-
presses', fr. compressus, pp. of comprimere. See
compress, v., and agential stiff, -or.
comprise, comprize, tr. v. — F. compris, pp. of
comprendre, fr. L. comprehendere . See com-
prehend.
compromise, n. — F. compromis, fr. L. comprd-
missum, 'a mutual promise to abide by the award
of an arbiter', prop. neut. of promissus, pp. of
promittere, 'to promise'. See promise.
Derivative: compromise, tr. and intr. v.
compromit, tr. v. — L. comprdmittere. See prec.
word.
Com psogna thus, n., a genus of small dinosaurs
(palcontol.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
xojjuJio?, 'refined, elegant', and yvtxboq, 'jaw'.
The first element prob. stands for *kwonq w -m-
os and is cogn. with Lith. svdnkus, 'fine'. For
the second element see gnathic.
Comptonia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the English prelate Henry Compton
(1632-1713). For the ending see suff. -ia.
comptroller, n., controller. — Erroneous spelling
of controller (q.v ), due to a folk-etymological
association of the first element of this word with
F. comple, 'account' (see count, 'to reckon').
compulsion, n., 1) a compelling; 2) force. — F.,
fr. L. compuhionem, acc. of compulsio, 'a driv-
ing, urging, compulsion', fr. compulsus, pp. of
compellere. See compel and -ion.
compulsive, adj., compelling; implying compul-
sion. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. compulsus,
pp. of compellere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: compulsive-ly, adv., compulsive-
ness, n.
compulsory, adj., 1) compelled; 2) compelling. —
ML. compulsdrius, fr. L. compulsus, pp. of com-
pellere. See compel and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative : compuhor-ily, adv.
compunction, n., remorse. — ME., fr. OF. com-
punction (F. componction), fr. L. compunctidnem,
acc. of compfinctio, 'puncture', in Eccles. L.
'sting of conscience', fr. compunctus, pp. of com-
pungere, 'to prick, sting', which is formed fr.
com- and pungere, 'to prick, pierce, sting'. See
pungent.
compunctious, adj., causing compunction. — See
prec. word and -ous.
Derivative: compunctious-ly, adv.
compurgation, n. (legal hist.), the clearing of a
man from a charge by the oaths of a certain
number of others (called compurgators); vin-
dication. — Late L. compurgatio, gen. -onis, 'a
complete purification', fr. L. compurgatus, pp.
of compurgare, 'to purify wholly', fr. com- and
purgdre, 'to purify'. See purge and -ation.
compurgator, n. {legal hist.), a witness who took
an oath to clear a person from a charge. —
ML., fr. L. compurgatus, pp. of compurgare . See
prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: compurgator-ial, adj., compurgator-
y, adj.
computable, adj. — L. computdbilis, fr. compu-
tdre. See compute and -able.
Derivatives : computabil-ity, n.,computabl-y, adv.
computation, n. — L. computdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
computdtus, pp. of computdre. See compute and
-ation.
Derivative: computation-al, adj.
computative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
computdtus, pp. of computdre. See next word.
Derivative: computative-ness, n.
compute, tr. and intr. v., to reckon. — L. com-
putdre, 'to sum up, reckon', fr. com- and putdre,
'to think'. See putative and cp. the verb count,
which is a doublet of compute. Cp. also conte,
conto.
Derivatives: compute, n., comput-er, n., com-
put-ist, n.
computus, n., a computation. — Late L., fr. L.
computdre. See compute and cp. count, 'the act
of reckoning',
comrade, n. — F. camarade, fr. Sp. camarado,
'chamber fellow', orig. 'a company belonging
to one chamber', fr. L. camera, 'vault, arch'.
See camera.
Derivatives: comrade-ly, adj., comrad-ery, com-
rade-ship, n.
Comtism, n., positivism. — Lit. 'the doctrine of
the French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-
1857). For the ending see suff. -ism.
Comtist, n., a positivist; adj., of positivism. — See
prec. word and -ist.
Comus, n., the god of joy and revelry in Greek
mythology. — L., fr. Gk. Kw^o;, fr. xwpio^, 're-
vel'. See comic.
con, tr. v., peruse; to commit to memory. — The
orig. meaning was 'to know', fr. earlier cun, fr.
ME. cunnen, 'to try, test', fr. OE. cunnian, 'to
try, test, explore, experience', lit. 'to try to
know', rel. to OE. cunnan, 'to know', and in
gradational relationship to the auxiliary verb
can. Cp. Conner (in both senses), cunning.
con (naut.) — A var. spelling of conn.
con, adv., against. — Short for L. contra, 'against'.
See contra.
Derivative: con, n., vote against,
con-, pref. meaning 'with, together'. — A form
of com-, used before all consonants except b,
p, I, m, r.
con-, combining form. — See cono-.
327
concern
conacre, n., formerly in Ireland, small portions of
a farm sublet to a tenant. — For corn acre.
conarium, n., the pineal gland (anat.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xtovapiov, a dimin. coined by Galen fr.
xtovoi;, 'pine cone'. See cone.
conation, n., the faculty of making an effort. —
L. condtid, 'an endeavoring, effort', fr. cdndtus,
pp. of condri, 'to endeavor, attempt, try', from
the intensive stem of the base seen in Gk. xove tv,
rendered in Hesychius by bizzi-^zts^ai, evep-
Yeiv ('to work, be active'), fr. Greco-L. base
*ken-, 'to toil, strive, exert oneself. From the
same base are Gk. a-xovm, 'without effort', ey-
xoveiv, 'to be quick and active, to hasten', and
Sia-Kowi;, 'a waiting man, servant'. See deacon
and cp. words there referred to.
conative, adj., tending to conation. — Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. cdndtus, pp. of condri. See
prec. word.
conatus, n., conation, tendency. — L., fr. cdnd-
tus, pp. of condri. See conation.
concamerated, adj., divided into chambers (zool.)
— Formed with suff. -ed fr. L. concamerdtus,
pp. of concamerdre, 'to vault over', fr. con- and
camera, 'vault, arch'. See camera.
concameration, n., a vaulting ; chamber. — L. con-
camerdtid, gen. -onis, fr. concamerdtus, pp. of
concamerdre. See prec. word and -ion.
concatenate, tr. v., to link together. — Late L.
concatendtus, pp. of concatendre, 'to link to-
gether', fr. con- and L. catena, 'chain'. See catena
and verbal suff. -ate.
concatenate, adj., linked together. — Late L. con-
catendtus, pp. of concatendre. Sec concatenate^.
concatenation, n., a linking together; chain, se-
quence. — Late L. concatendtid, gen. -onis, 'a
linking together, connecting', fr. concatendtus,
pp. of concatendre. See concatenate, v., and -ion.
concave, adj. — L. concavus, 'hollow, arched,
vaulted, curved', fr. con- and cavus, 'hollow'.
See cave, n.
Derivatives: concave, tr. v., concave-ly, adv.,
concave-ness, n., concav-er, n.
concavity, n. — F. concavite, fr. Late L. con-
cavitdtem, acc. of concavitds, 'a hollow', fr. L.
concavus. See prec. word and -ity.
conceal, tr. v. — OF. conceler, fr. L. conceldre,
'to conceal', fr. con- and celdre, 'to hide', fr.
I.-E. base *kel-, 'to hide, conceal', whence also
L. occulere, 'to cover up, conceal', L. cella,
'storeroom, granary'. See cell and words there
referred to and cp. esp. occult.
Derivatives, conceal-ed, adj., conceal-ed-ly, adv.,
conceal-ed-ness, n.
concealment, n. — OF. concelement, fr. conceler.
See prec. word and -ment.
concede, tr. v. — F. conceder, fr. L. concedere, 'to
go away, give way, yield, submit', fr. con- and
cedere, 'to go away, yield, withdraw'. See cede.
Derivatives: conced-ed, adj., conced-ed-ly , adv.,
conced-er, n.
conceit, n. — ME. conceipt, conceit, conseit,
formed fr. conceive on analogy of deceit (fr. de-
ceive), and receipt (fr. receive). Cp. concept.
Derivatives: conceit, tr. v., conceit-ed, adj., con-
ceit-ed-ly, adv., conceit-ed-ness, n.
conceive, tr. and intr. v. — ME. conceven, con-
ceiven, fr. OF. conceivre, concevre, conceveir (F.
concevoir), fr. L. concipere (pp. conceptus), 'to
take hold of, take, conceive, understand', fr.
con- and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'. See
captive and cp. conceipt, concept, conception. For
the change of Latin a (in capere) to i (in con-
cipere) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: conceiv-able, adj., conceiv-abil-ity,
n., conceiv-able-ness, n., conceiv-abl-y, adv.
concent, n., harmony (obsol.) — L. concentus,
'symphony, harmony', fr. concinere, 'to sing
together', fr. con- and canere, 'to sing'. See cant,
'slang of beggars' and cp. concert, n. For the
change of Latin d (in canere) to e (in con-centus)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
concenter, concentre, v., to concentrate. — F.
concentrer, fr. con- and L. centrum, 'center'. See
center and cp. next word.
concentrate, tr. and intr. v. — Formed with suff.
-ate fr. con- and L. centrum. See prec. word.
Derivatives: concentrat-ed, adj., concentrat-ion,
n., concentrat-ive, adj., concentrat-ive-ness, n.,
concentrat-or , n.
concentric, concentrical, adj. — ML. concentricus
(whence also F. concentrique). See concentrate
and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivatives: concentrical-ly, adv., concentric-
ity, n.
concept, n. — L. conceptus, 'a collecting, gather-
ing, conceiving', fr. conceptus, pp. of concipere,
fr. con- and capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize,
take, hold'. See conceive and cp. accept, except,
incept, intercept, percept, precept, recept ; cp. also
conceit, concetto. For the change of Latin d (in
cdptus) to e (in con-ctptus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
conception, n. — F., fr. L. conceptidnem, acc. of
conceptid, 'a comprehending; conception', fr.
conceptus, pp. of concipere. See conceive and
-tion and cp. prec. word. Cp. also contraception.
conceptive, adj. — L. conceptivus, 'that which is
conceived', fr. conceptus, pp. of concipere. See
concept and -ive.
conceptual, adj., pertaining to conception or con-
cepts. — ML. conceptudlis, fr. L. conceptus, 'a
collecting, gathering, conceiving'. See concept
conceptualism, n., the doctrine that universals
exist as realities only in the mind (philos.) —
A hybrid coined fr. prec. word and -ism, a suff.
of Greek origin.
conceptualist, n., a believer in conceptualism (phi-
los.) — A hybrid coined fr. ML. conceptudlis
(see conceptual) and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative: conceptualist-ic, adj.
concern, tr. v. — F. concerner, fr. ML. concer-
ned, 'to have regard to', fr. Late L. concernere.
concert
328
'to mix together in, or as in, a sieve', fr. con- and
L. cernere, 'to sift, distinguish, discern, under-
stand, decide', which is rel. to certus, 'deter-
mined, resolved, sure, certain'. See certain and
cp. decern, discern, secern.
Derivatives: concern, n., concern-ed, adj., con-
cern-ed-ly, adv., concern-ed-ness, n., concern-ing,
adj., n. and prep., concern-ing-ly. adv., concern-
ing-ness, n., concern-ment, n.
concert, n. — F., fr. It. concerto. Most lexico-
graphers derive this word fr. L. concertare, 'to
dispute, contend'. This etymology cannot be ac-
cepted because of the great discrepancy in mean-
ing. The origin of It. concerto and concertare
must be sought in another Latin word. It. con-
certare prob. comes fr. L. concentdre, 'to sing
together' (whence concentus, 'symphony, har-
mony, harmonious music, concert'), fr. con- and
cantare, 'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
and cp. concent. For the change of Latin a (in
cantare) to e (in con-ctntdre) see accent. For the
change of -nt- to -rt-, which is due to dissi-
milation, cp. L. carmen, 'song', dissimilated fr.
*cannicn (fr. canere,' to sing'), and germen, 'bud,
sprout', dissimilated fr. *gen-men (see charm and
germ).
concert, tr. v. — F. concert er, fr. It. concertare.
See concert, n., and cp. disconcert.
Derivatives: conccrt-cd, adj., concert-ed-ly, adv.
concertina, n., a small musical instrument. — It.,
coined fr. concerto (sec concert, n.) and dimin.
suff. -ina.
concession, n. — F., fr. L. concessionctn, acc. of
concessit), 'an allowing, conceding', fr. conces-
sit, pp. of concedere. See concede and -ion.
Derivatives: concession-al, adj., concession-ary,
adj. and n., concession-ist, n.
concessionaire, n., a person to whom a concession
has been granted. — F. concessionaire, lit. 'a
person to whom concession is made'. See con-
cession and -ary, the equivalent of F. -aire.
concessive, adj. — Late L. concessions, fr. L. con-
cessit, pp. of concedere. See concede and -he
and cp. concession.
Derivatives: concessire-ly, adv., concessive-
ness, n.
concettism, n., the use of fanciful expressions. —
A hybrid coined fr. concetto and -ism, a suff. of
Greek origin.
concetto, n., a fanciful expression; conceit. —
It., fr. L. conception, neul. of conceptus, pp. of
concipere, 'to gather, collect, conceive'. See
concept.
conch, n., a spiral shell. — Fr. L. concha, 'mussel,
shell', fr. Gk. xov/r,, which is cogn. with OI.
saiikhdh. Cp. congius. Cp. also cochlea, cockle,
'mollusk', conk, coquille, coquina.
Der; itives: conch-ed, adj., conch-er, n.
conch . the outer part of the ear. — L. concha,
'she- See prec. word,
conch- rous, adj.. shell-bearing. — Compounded
of c.j. : .-ha and -ferous.
conchiform, adj., shell-shaped. — Compounded
of L. concha, 'shell', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See concha and form, n.
conchoid, n., a curve of the fourth degree, in-
vented by Nicomedes (#eom.) — Gk. xoyxoEiS-qc,,
'mussel-like', fr. xoy^, 'mussel', and -oelStj?,
'like'. See conch and -oid.
Derivative: conchoid-al, adj.
conchology,n.,the study of shells. — Compound-
ed of Gk. xoyx?), 'shell', and -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See conch and -logy.
Derivatives: concholog-ic-al, adj., concholog-
ist, n.
concierge, n., i) a doorkeeper, janitor; 2) care-
taker of an apartment house, etc. — F., 'door-
keeper, headporter', orig. 'guardian', fr. VL.
*cdnservius, fr. L. cdnservus, 'fellow servant', fr.
con- and servus, 'servant'; influenced in form
by L. serviens, pres. part, of servlre, 'to serve'.
See serve.
conciliar, adj., pertaining to a council. — Formed
with suff. -ar fr. L. concilium, 'a calling together,
meeting'. See council,
conciliate, tr. v., to win over. — L. concilidtus,
pp. of concilidre, 'to bring together, unite', fr.
concilium, 'a calling together, meeting'. See
council and verbal suff. -ate and cp. reconcile.
Derivatives: conciliation (q.v.), conciliat-ive,
adj., conciliator (q.v.), conciliat-ory, adj., con-
ciliat-ori-ly, adv.
conciliation, n. — L. concilidtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
concilidtus, pp. of concilidre. See prec. word and
-ion.
conciliator, n. — L. See conciliate and agential
suff. -or.
concinnity, n., harmony. — L. concinnitds, 'skill-
ful joining, harmony', fr. concinnus, 'skillfully
put together', which is of uncertain origin. For
the ending see suff. -ity.
concise, adj. — L. concisus, 'divided, concise', pp.
of concidere, 'to cut to pieces', formed fr. con-
and caedere, 'to cut'. See cement and cp. words
there referred to. For the change of Latin a? (in
caedere) to i (in con-cidere) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: concise-ly, adv., concise-ness, n.
concision, n. — L. concisio, gen. -dnis, 'a separa-
tion into divisions, lit. 'a cutting to pieces', fr.
concisus, pp. of concidere. See prec. word and -ion.
conclave, n., 1) a private meeting; 2) in the Roman
Catholic Church, the meeting of the cardinals
for the election of the pope; the rooms in which
the cardinals meet for this purpose. — F., lit.
'persons locked up together', fr. L. conclave, 'a
room that may be locked up', fr. con- and
cldvis, 'key'. See clavicle.
conclavist, n., either of two persons attending a
cardinal in conclave. — F. conclaviste, fr. It.
conclavista, a hybrid coined fr. L. conclave and
-ista, a suff. representing Gk. -iot^c,. See prec.
word and -ist.
329
condemn
conclude, tr. and intr. v. — L. concludere, 'to shut
up together, to end, close', fr. con- and claudere,
'to shut'. See close, adj., and cp. exclude, include,
seclude. For the change of Latin au (in claudere)
to ii (in con-cliidere) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivative: conclud-er, n.
conclusion, n. — F., fr. L. conclusidnem, acc.
of conclusid, fr. conclusus, pp. of concludere. See
conclude and -ion.
conclusive, adj. — Late L. conclusivus, fr. L. con-
clusus, pp. of concludere. See conclude and -ive.
Derivatives: conclusive-ly, adv., conclusive-
ness, n.
concoct, v., to make by combining. — L. con-
coctus, pp. of concoquere, 'to cook together', fr.
con- and coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and cp.
decoct.
Derivatives: concoction (q.v.), concoct-ive, adj.,
concoct-or, n.
concoction, n. — L. concoctid, gen. -dnis, fr. con-
coctus, pp. of concoquere. See prec. word and
-ion and cp. decoction.
concolorous, adj., of the same color. — Formed
fr. con-, color and suff. -ous.
concomitance, concomitancy, n. — Late L. con-
comitantia, 'accompaniment', fr. concomitdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of concomitari. See next
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
concomitant, adj., accompanying; n., an accom-
panying thing or condition. — Late L. con-
comitdns, gen. -antis, 'accompanying', pres. part,
of concomitari, 'to accompany', fr. con- and
comitdri, 'to accompany', fr. L. comes, gen. comi-
tis, 'companion'. See count, 'title of nobility',
and -ant.
Derivative : concimitant-ly, adv.
concord, n. — F. Concorde, fr. L. concordia, 'an
agreeing together, union, harmony', fr. con-
cors, gen. concordis, 'of the same mind', fr. con-
and cars, gen. cordis, 'heart'. Sec cordate and
cp. discord.
concordance, n. — F., fr. Late L. concordantia,
'agreement, harmony', fr. L. concorddns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of concorddre. See next word
and cp. discordance.
concordant, adj. — L. concorddns, gen. -antis,
pres. part, of concorddre, 'to be of the same
mind, agree', fr. concors, gen. concordis, 'of the
same mind". See concord and -ant and cp. dis-
cordant.
Derivative : concordant -ly, adv.
concordat, n., an agreement; esp., an agreement
between the Pope and a government. — F., fr.
ML. concorddtum, prop, subst. use of the neut.
pp. of L. concorddre, 'to be of the same mind'.
See concord.
concourse, n. — F. concours, fr. L. concursus, 'a
running together, concourse, assembly', fr. con-
curs-(um), pp. stem of concurrere, 'to run to-
gether', fr. con- and currere, 'to run'. See course.
concrescence, n., a growing together. — L. con-
crescentia, 'a growing together', fr. concrescere,
'to grow together', fr. con- and crescere, 'to
grow'. See crescent and cp. next word. For the
ending see suff. -ce.
concrete, adj., 1) formed into a mass; 2) real. —
L. concretus, 'grown together', pp. of concres-
cere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: concrete, n., concrete, tr. and intr.
v., concretion (q.v.), concret-ive, adj., concret-
ive-ly, adv., concret-or, n.
concretion, n., 1) a solidifying; 2) mass formed by
solidification; 3) a solidified mass. — F. con-
cretion, fr. L. concretidnem, acc. of concretid, 'a
growing together', fr. concretus. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivative: concretion-ary, adj.
concubinage, n. — F. See concubine and -age.
concubinal, adj. — Late L. concubindlis, fr. L.
concubina. See concubine and adj. suff. -al.
concubinary, adj. — ML. concubindrius, fr. L.
concubina. See concubine and adj. suff. -ary.
concubine, n., a woman living with, but not le-
gally married to, a man. — F., fr. L. concubina,
from con- and cubdre, 'to lie down, recline'. See
cubicle.
concupiscence, n., strong desire; lust. — L. con-
cupiscentia, 'eager desire', fr. concupiscens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of concupiscere . Sec next word
and -ce.
concupiscent, adj., strongly desirous; lustful. —
L. concupiscens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of con-
cupiscere, 'to be very desirous of, covet', fr. con-
and cupiscere, 'to wish, desire', inchoative of
cupere, 'to desire'. See cupid.
concur, intr. v. — L. concurrere, 'to run together',
fr. con- and currere, 'to run'. See course.
concurrence, n. — ML. concurrentia, lit. 'a run-
ning together', fr. L. concurrens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.
concurrent, adj. and n. — L. concurrens, gen. -en-
tis, pres. part, of concurrere, 'to run together'.
See concur and -ent.
Derivatives: concurrent-ly, adv., concurrent-
ness, n.
concuss, tr. v., to shake violently. — L. concussus,
pp. of concutere. See next word.
concussion, n., a violent shaking, an agitation. —
L. concussid, gen. -dnis, 'a shaking, concussion',
fr. concussus, pp. of concutere, 'to shake violent-
ly', fr. con- and quatere, 'to shake'. See quash,
'to make void', and -ion and cp. discuss, discus-
sion, percuss, percussion.
Derivative: concussion-al, adj.
concussive, adj., pertaining to concussion. —
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. concussus, pp. of
concutere. See prec. word.
concutient, adj., meeting with concussion (rare).
— L. concutiens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of con-
cutere. See concussion and -ent.
condemn, tr. v. — L. condemndre, 'to sentence,
doom, blame, disapprove', fr. con- and dam-
nare, 'to condemn'. See damn. For the change
condemnable
330
of Latin a (in damndre) to e (in con-demndre) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : condemnable, condemnation (qq.v.),
condemn-atory, adj., condemn-ed, adj., condemn-
ing-ly, adv.
condemnable, adj. — L. condemndbilis, fr. con-
demndre. See prec. word and -able.
condemnation, n. — ME., fr. L. condemndtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. L. condemndtus, pp. of condemndre. See
condemn and -ation.
condensation, n. — Late L. condensdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. L. condensatus, pp. of condensdre. See
next word and -ation.
condense, tr. and intr. v. — L. condensdre, 'to
make very dense, condense', fr. con- and den-
sdre, 'to make dense', fr. densus. See dense.
Derivatives: condens-able, adj., condens-abil-ity,
n., condens-er, n.
condescend, intr. v. — F. condescendre, fr. Late
L. condescendere, fr. con- and L. descendere.
See descend.
Derivatives : condescendence (q.v.), condescend-
ed, n., condescend-er, n., condescend-ing, adj.,
condescend-ing-ly, adv., condescend-ing-ness, n.,
condescension (q.v.)
condescendence, n. — F. condescendance, fr. con-
descendre, fr. Late L. condescendere. See prec.
word and -ence.
condescension, n. — Late L. condescensid, gen.
-on/'i, fr. condescens-{um), pp. stem of conde-
scendere. See condescend and -ion and cp. de-
scension.
condign, adj., deserved. — F. condigne, fr. L. co«-
dignus, 'very worthy, wholly deserving', fr. con-
and dignus, 'worthy'. See dignity.
Derivatives: condign-ly, adv., condign-ness, n.
condiment, n., a seasoning. — F., fr. L. condimen-
tum, 'spice, seasoning', fr. condire, 'to preserve,
pickle, spice', rel. to condere, 'to put together,
store up', which is formed fr. con- and I.-E. base
*dhe-, 'to put, place', whence also L. facere, 'to
make, do', OE. don, 'to do, perform, act'. See
do and -ment and cp. incondite.
condition, n. — OF. condicion (F. condition), fr.
L. condicidnem, acc. of condicid (erroneously
spelled also conditio), 'agreement, stipulation,
condition', fr. condicere, 'to agree upon', lit. 'to
talk over together', fr. con- and dicere, 'to say,
tell'. See diction.
condition, tr. v. — OF. condicioner (F. condition-
ner), fr. condicion. See condition, n.
Derivative: condition-ed, adj.
conditional, adj. — OF. condicionel (F. condition-
al), fr. L. condicidndlis, fr. condicid. See con-
dition, n., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conditional, n., conditional-ity, n.,
conditional-ly, adv.
condolatory, adj., expressing condolence. —
Formed from the verb condole on analogy of
consolatory.
condole, intr. v. — L. condolere, 'to suffer with
another, to feel another's pain', fr. con- and
dolere, 'to grieve, suffer'. See dole, 'grief,
condolence, n. — Formed with suff. -ence fr. L.
condolere. See condole,
condominium, n., joint sovereignty. — ModL.,
formed fr. con- and dominium,
condonation, n. — L. conddndtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
giving away', fr. conddndtus, pp. of conddndre.
See next word and -ation.
condone, tr. v. — L. conddndre, 'to give up, give
away, forgive', fr. con- and ddndre, 'to give'.
See donate. Derivative: condon-er, n.
condor, n., a large vulture of the South American
Andes. — Sp., fr. Peruvian kuntur.
condottiere, n., captain of freelancers. — It.,
formed fr. condotto (fr. L. conductus), 'one
hired', pp. of condurre, 'to lead ; to hire', fr. L.
conducere, 'to bring together; to hire' (see next
word), and suff. -iere, a later var. of -iero, fr.
Late L. -erius, corresponding to L. -drius. See
adj. suff. -ary.
conduce, intr. v. — L. conducere, 'to bring to-
gether', fr. con- and ducere, 'to lead'. See duct
and cp. conduct, conn, n. and v.
Derivatives: conduc-er, n., conduc-ing-ly, adv.,
conduc-ive, adj., conduc-ive-ly, adv., conduc-ive-
ness, n.
conduct, n. — Late L. conductus, 'defense, escort',
fr. L. conductus, pp. of conducere. See prec. word
and cp. conduit.
conduct, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. L. conductus, pp.
of conducere. See conduct, n.
Derivatives: conduct-ible, adj., conduct-ibil-ity,
n., conduction (q.v.), conduct-ive, adj., conduct-
iv-ity, n., conductor (q.v.)
conduction, n. — L. conductid, gen. -dnis, fr. con-
ductus, pp. of conducere. See conduce and -tion.
conductor, n. — L., 'one who hires, a farmer', in
Late L., 'a carrier', fr. conductus, pp. of con-
ducere. See conduct, v., and agential suff. -or.
conduit, n., a pipe for liquids. — F., fr. Late L.
conductus, 'defense, escort; canal, conduit', fr.
L. conductus, pp. of conducere. Conduit is a
doublet of conduct (q.v.)
conduplicate, adj., folded together lengthwise
along the middle {bot.) — L. conduplicdtus, pp.
of conduplicdre, 'to double', fr. con- and dupli-
cdre. See duplicate.
condyle, n., ball at the end of a bone, forming a
joint with the socket of another bone {anat.) —
F., fr. L. condylus, 'the knuckle of a joint', fr.
Gk. x6v8uXo<;, 'knuckle, knuckle of a joint,
knob', which is of uncertain origin. It is pos-
sibly cogn. with kandukab, 'ball', kandukam,
'cushion'. Cp. epicondyle.
Derivatives: condyl-oid, adj.
condylion, n., a point at the lateral tip of the con-
dyle of the lower jaw {anat.) — Gk. xov86Xiov,
dimin. of xdvSuXo?. See prec. word.
condyloma, n., a wartlike growth, usually near
the anus (med.) — ModL., fr. Gk. kovSuXco(Ah,
'knob, callous lump', fr. x6v8uXoi;. See con-
dyle and -oma.
configure
condylomatous, adj. — Formed with suff. -ous
fr. Gk.xovStiXcoixa.gen.xovSoXcinaTos. See prec.
word.
cone, n. — F. cone, fr. L. cdnus, fr. Gk. xcovo?,
'pine cone, fir cone, cone; peak', which is cogn.
with OI. sdnah, 'whetstone', L. cos, gen. cdtis,
'whetstone', catus, 'sharp', fr. I.-E. base *kd(i)-,
*ke(i)-, *kHiY. 'sharp, whet; to sharpen, whet',
whence also OE. hdn, 'stone', ON. hein, 'hone'.
See hone and cp. conarium, Conium. Cp. also
cade, 'juniper'.
Derivatives: cone, tr. and intr. v., con-er, n.
coney, n. — See cony.
confab, n. {colloq.) — Abbreviation of con-
fabulation.
confabulate, intr. v., to talk together, to chat. —
L. cdnfdbuldtus, pp. of cdnfdbuldri, 'to converse
together', fr. con- and fdbuldri, 'to speak', fr.
fdbula. See fable.
Derivatives: confabulation (q.v.), confabulat-
ory, adj.
confabulation, n. — Late L. cdnfdbuldtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. L. cdnfdbuldtus, pp. of cdnfdbuldri.
See prec. word and -ion.
confect, tr. v., to prepare by mixing (obsol.) — L.
cdnfectus, pp. otcdnficere, 'to make up together,
prepare, accomplish', fr. con- and facere (pp.
factus), 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. comfit,
confetti, confiture. For the change of Latin &
(in factus) to e (in cdn-fectus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
confection, n. — F., fr. L. cdnfectidnem, acc. of
cdnfectid, fr. cdnfectus, pp. of cdnficere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivatives: confection-ary, adj. and n., confec-
tion-er, n., confection-ery, n.
confederacy, n. — ME. confederacie, fr. OF. con-
federacie, fr. L. cdnfoederatus. See next word
and -cy.
confederate, adj. — L. cdnfoederatus, 'leagued to-
gether', pp. of cdnfoederdre, 'to join by a league',
fr. con- nn&foederdre , 'to establish by a league', fr.
foedus, gen. foederis, 'league, treaty'. See federal.
Derivatives: confederate, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
confederation (q.v.)
confederation, n. — F. confederation, fr. Late L.
cdnfoederdtidnem, acc. of cdnfoederdtid, fr. L.
cdnfoederatus, pp. of cdnfoederdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
confederate, adj. — Coined by Jeremy Bent-
ham (1748- 1 832). See confederate and -ive.
confer, tr. and intr. v. — L. cdnferre, 'to bring
together, collect, bestow upon, give, consult',
fr. con- and ferre, 'to bring, bear'. See bear, 'to
carry' , and cp. -fer, -ferous, fertile, circum-
ference, defer, differ, infer, offer, prefer, proffer,
refer, suffer, transfer.
Derivatives: confer-ee, n., conference (q.v.),
confer-ment, n., conferr-er, n.
conference, n. — F. conference, fr. ML. cdnferen-
tia, fr. L. cdnferins, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
cdnferre. See confer and -ence.
Conferva, n., a genus of plants {bot.) — L. con-
ferva, 'a kind of water plant', fr. cdnfervere, 'to
boil together', fr. con- and fervere, 'to boil' (see
fervent); so called in allusion to the contracting
power of the plant. See Pliny 27, 69.
confess, tr. and intr. v. — F. confesser, fr. VL.
*cdnfessdre, fr. L. cdnfessus, pp. of cdnfiteri,
'to confess', fr. con- and fateri (pp. fassus), 'to
confess, own, acknowledge', from the stem of
fdri, 'to speak', whence also fdma, 'report, ru-
mor'. See fame and cp. fate, confiteor. Cp. also
profess. For the change of Latin a (in fassus)
to e (in cdn-fessus) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: confessant (q.v.), confess-ed, adj.,
confess-ed-ly, adv., confession (q.v.), confes-
sor (q.v.)
confessant, n., one who makes confession {rare).
— F., pres. part, of confesser. See confess
and -ant.
confession, n. — F., fr. L. cdnfessidnem, acc. of
cdnfessid, 'confession, acknowledgement', fr.
cdnfessus, pp. of cdnfiteri. See confess and -ion.
Derivatives: confession-al, adj. and n., the hy-
brid nouns: confessional-ism, confessional-ist
and confession-ist, confession-ary, adj.
confessor, n. — ME., fr. Eccles. L. confessor, fr.
L. cdnfessus, pp. of cdnfiteri. See confess and
agential suff. -or.
confetti, n. pi., bits of colored paper. — It., pi.
of confetto, 'sweetmeat', fr. L. cdnfectus, pp. of
cdnficere, 'to put together'. See comfit and cp.
confect.
confidant, masc. n.; confidante, fern, n., a con-
fidential friend. — F. confident, fern, confidente,
fr. It. confidente, fr. L. cdnfidentem, acc. of cdn-
fidens, pres. part, of cdnfidere, 'to trust, confide
in something'. See next word and -ant and cp.
confident.
confide, intr. and tr. v. — L. cdnfidere, 'to trust
in something, rely firmly upon, believe', fr. con-
and fidere, 'to trust'. See fidelity.
Derivatives: confid-er, n., confid-ing, adj., con-
fid-ing-ly, adv., confid-ing-ness, n.
confidence, n. — L. cdnfidentia, 'a firm trust in
something; confidence', fr. cdnfidens, gen. -en-
tis, pres. part, of cdnfidere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: confident i-al, adj., confidenti-al-ity.
n., confidenti-al-ly, adv., confidenti-al-ness, n.,
confidenti-ary, n.
confident, adj. — L. cdnfidens, gen. -entis, 'trust-
ing in something, confident, self-confident', pres.
part, of cdnfidere. See confide and cp. diffident.
Cp. also confidant.
Derivatives: confident, n., confident-ly, adv.
configuration, n. — Late L. cdnfigurdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. cdnfigurdtus, pp. of cdnfigurdre. See
next word and -ation.
configure, tr. v., to shape after some model. —
Late L. cdnfigurdre, 'to form after something',
fr. con- and L. figurare, 'to fashion, shape', fr.
figura, 'form, shape'. See figure, n.
confine
332
confine, n., usually in the pi., boundary. — F. con-
fins, pi., fr. OF. confines, fr. VL. confines, 'bor-
der, boundary', prop. pi. of the Latin adjective
cdnfinis, 'bordering on', fr. con- and finis, 'end,
limit, boundary'. See finis.
confine, intr. v., to border on; tr. v., to limit. —
F. confiner, 'to border on', fr. confins, 'confines'.
See confine, n.
Derivatives: confin-ed, adj., confin-ed-ly, adv.,
confin-ed-ness, n., confinement (q.v.), confin-er,
n., confin-ing, adj.
confinement, n. — F., fr. confiner. See confine, v.,
and -ment.
confirm, tr. v. — OF. confermer (F. confirmer), fr.
L. confirmare, 'to make firm', fr. con- and fir-
mare, 'to make firm or steady', fr. firmus. See
firm, adj., and cp. affirm, infirm.
Derivatives : confirm-ed, adj., confirm-ed-ly, adv.,
confirm-ed-ness, n., confirmee (q.v.)
confirmation, n. — F.. fr. L. cdnfirmdtidnem, acc.
of cdnfirmdtid, fr. cdnfirmdte, pp. of confir-
mare. See prec. word and -ation.
confirmative, adj. — L. confirmative, 'suitable for
confirmation', fr. confirmdtus, pp. of confir-
mare. See confirm and -ative.
Derivative : confirmative-ly, adv.
confirmatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. confirmdtus, pp. of confirmare. See confirm.
confirmee, n., one to whom something is con-
firmed. — F. confirme, pp. of confirmer. See
confirm and -ee.
confiscable, adj. — See next word and -able.
confiscate, tr. v., to seize by authority. — L. con-
fiscate, pp. of confiscdre, 'to lay up in a chest;
to seize on for the public treasury', fr. con- and
fiscus, 'basket, public chest, treasury'. See fisc
and verbal suff. -ate.
confiscation, n. — F., fr. L. cdnfiscdtidnem, acc.
of confiscated, fr. confiscate, pp. of confiscdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
conhscator, n. — L., fr. confiscate, pp. of con-
fiscdre. See confiscate and agential suff. -or.
confiscatory, adj. — See confiscate and adj. suff.
-ory.
confiteor, n., a form of confession (eccles.) — L.,
'I confess', ist person sing, of cdnfiteri (see con-
fess) ; so called from the first word of the formula.
confiture, n., a confection; sweetmeat. — F., fr.
confit, pp. of confire, 'toconserve, candy, pickle'.
See comfit and -ure.
confix, tr. v., to join or fasten together. — L.
cdnfixe, pp. of configere, fr. con- and figere,
'to fix'. See fix.
conflagrate, intr. and tr. v. — L. conflagrate, pp.
of cdnflagrdre, 'to bum up', fr. con- and fla-
grare, 'to blaze, glow, burn'. See flagrant
Derivatives: conflagration (q.v.), conflagrat-ive,
conflagrat-ory, adjs.
conflagration, n. — F., fr. Late L. cdnflagrdti-
dnem, acc. of conflagrdtid, 'a burning', fr. L.
conflagrate, pp. of cdnflagrdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
conflate, tr. v., i) to blow together (rare) ; 2) to
combine two readings. — L. conflate, pp. of
cdnfldre, 'to blow together', fr. con- and flare,
'to blow'. See flatus and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
conflation, n. — Late L. cdnfldtid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
conflate, pp. of cdnfldre. See prec. word and -ion.
conflict, n. — L. cdnflictus, 'a striking together,
strife, contest', fr. cdnflictus, pp. of cdnfligere.
See conflict, v.
conflict, intr. v. — L. cdnflicte, pp. of cdnfligere,
'to strike against, strike together, contend, fight',
fr. con- and fligere, 'to strike'. See afflict and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: conflict-ing, adj., conflict-ing-ly,
adv., confliction (q.v.), conflict-ive, adj.
connection, n. — L. cdnflictid, gen. -dnis, 'a strik-
ing together', fr. cdnflicte, pp. of cdnfligere.
See conflict, v., and -ion.
confluence, n. — L. cdnfluentia, 'a flowing to-
gether', fr. cdnfluens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
confluent, adj., flowing together. — L. cdnfluens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of cdnfluere, 'to flow
together', fr. con- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent.
confluent, n. — L. cdnfluens, 'the place where two
rivers unite', prop. pres. part, of cdnfluere. See
confluent, adj.
conflux, n., confluence. — ML. cdnfluxus, fr. L.
cdnfluere. See confluent, adj., and cp. flux.
confocal, adj., having the same foci {math.) —
Formed fr. con- and focal.
conform, tr. and intr. v. — F. conformer, fr. L.
cdnformdre, 'to form, fashion or shape sym-
metrically', fr. con- and formdre, 'to form,
fashion, shape', fr. forma. See form, n. and v.,
Derivatives: conform-abil-ity, n., conform-able,
adj., conform-able-ness, n., conform-abl-y, adv.,
conformation (q.v.), conform-er, n., conformist,
conformity (qq.v.)
conformation, n. — L. cdnformdtid, gen. -dnis,
'asymmetrical forming', fr. cdnformdtus, pp. of
cdnformdre. See prec. word and -ion.
conformist, n., 1) one who conforms; 2) one who
conforms to the Established Church (English
hist.) — Formed fr. conform with suff. -ist.
conformity, n. — F. conformite, fr. Late L. cdn-
formis, 'similar, like', which is rel. to L. cdn-
formdre. See conform and -ity.
confound, tr. v. — OF. confondre, confundre (F.
confondre), fr. L. cdnfundere (pp. confuse), 'to
pour together', fr. con- and fundere, 'to pour*.
See found, 'to cast', and words there referred
to and cp. esp. fuse, 'to melt', confuse.
Derivatives: confound-ed, adj., confound-ed-ly,
adv., confound-er, n., confound-ing, adj., con-
found-ing-ly, adv.
confraternity, n., a fraternal union. — F. confra-
ternite, fr. ML. cdnfrdternitdtem, acc. of cdn-
frdternitds. See con- and fraternity and cp.
next word.
confrere, n., a fellow member of a society. — F.
333
conglutinate
confrere, fr. ML. cdnfrdtrem, acc. of cdnfrdter.
Cp. It. confrate, OSp. confrade, Sp. cofrade,
Catal. confrare, OProvenc. confraire, cofraire,
which all derive fr. ML. cdnfrdtrem. See con-
and friar.
confront, tr. v. — F. confronter, 'to stand face to
face, confront', fr. ML. cdnfrontdre, fr. con- and
L. from, gen. frontis, 'forehead'. See frontal.
Derivative: confrontation (q.v.), confront-er, n.
confrontation, n. — ML. cdnfrontdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. cdnfrontdtus, pp. of cdnfrontdre. See prec.
word and -ation.
Confucian, adj., pertaining to Confucius (557?-
479 B.C.E.) or Confucianism; n., an adherent
of Confucianism. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
Confucius, Latinized form of Chin. K'ung Fu
Tse, lit. 'K'ung, the master of philosophers'.
Derivatives: Confucian-ism, n., Confucian-ist, n.
confuse, tr. v. — ME. confe, fr. OF. (= F.)
confus, fr. L. confuse, 'confused', pp. of L. cdn-
fundere. See confound.
Derivatives: confe-ed, adj., confe-ed-ly, adv.,
confus-ed-ness, n.
confusion, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. cdnfusidnem,
acc. of cdnfeid, fr. confuse, pp. of cdnfundere.
See prec. word and -ion.
confutation, n. — L. cdnfutdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. cdn-
futdtus, pp. of cdnfutdre. See next word and
-ation.
confute, tr. v., to prove to be wrong. — F. con-
futer, fr. L. cdnfutdre, 'to repress a boiling liquid ;
to check, suppress, disprove', fr. con- and *fu-
tdre, which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base *bhat-,
'to strike down', whence also OE. beatan, 'to
strike'. See beat, 'to strike', and cp. refute. Cp.
also footy.
Derivative: confut-er, n.
conge, n., leave to depart, dismissal; 2) a formal
farewell. — F., 'permission, leave of absence,
dismissal', fr. OF. congie, fr. L. commedtus, 'a
going to and fro, a going at will', fr. com- and
meatus, 'a going, passing', fr. medt-(um), pp.
stem of meare, 'to go, pass'. See meatus and cp.
congee, 'dismissal'.
congeal, tr. and intr. v. — F. congeler, fr. L. con-
geldre, 'to cause to freeze', fr. con- and geldre,
'to freeze', fr. gelii, 'frost, cold'. See gelid.
Derivatives: congeal-able, adj., congeal-er, n.,
congeal-ment, n.
congee, n., leave to depart, dismissal. — OF. con-
gie. See conge.
congee, n., water in which rice has been boiled
(Anglo-Ind.) — Tamil kanji, 'boilings'.
congelation, n. — F. congelation, fr. L. congeld-
tidnem, acc. of congeldtid, fr. congeldte, pp. of
congeldre. See congeal and -ation.
congener, n., a person or thing of the same kind.
— L. congener, 'of the same race or kind', fr.
con- and gene, gen. generis, 'race, kind, spe-
cies'. See genus.
Derivatives: congener-ic, congener-ic-al, con-
gener-oe, adjs.
congenial, adj., of the same nature. — Formed
fr. con- and genial.
Derivatives: congenial-ity, n., congenial-ly, adv.,
congenial-ness, n.
congenital, adj., existing from birth. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. congenitus, 'born to-
gether with', fr. con- and genitus, pp. of gignere,
'to beget'. See genital.
Derivatives: congenital-ly, adv., congenital-ness,
n.
conger, n., a kind of large marine eel. — ME., fr.
OF. congre, fr. L. congrum, acc. of conger, fr.
Gk. yotYP°?> s6a conger; tubercular growth
on trees', prob. meaning lit. 'something round',
and rel. to yoYyokoQ, 'round, rounded'. Cp.
gingiva.
congeries, n., a heap, pile. — L., lit. 'that which
is brought together', fr. congerere, 'to bring or
carry together', fr. con- and gerere, 'to bear,
carry'. See gerent and cp. congest,
congest, tr. v., to overcrowd. — L. congest us, pp.
of congerere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: congest-ed, adj., congestion (q.v.),
congest-ive, adj.
congestion, n., overcrowding. — F., fr. L. con-
gestidnem, acc. of congestid, 'a heaping up', fr.
congestus, pp. of congerere. See congeries and
-ion.
congius, n., 1) a liquid measure containing about
three quarts; 2) in pharmacy, a gallon. — L.,
name of a liquid measure, cogn. with Gk. x6y-
Xo?, xAyx 7 ); 'shell; a liquid measure' (whence L.
concha, 'shell'). See conch and cp. words there
referred to.
conglobate, adj., formed into a ball or rounded
mass. — L. conglobate, pp. of conglobdre, 'to
gather into a ball', fr. con- and globdre, 'to make
into a ball', fr. globe, 'ball'. See globe and adj.
suff. -ate.
conglobate, tr. v., to form into a ball or rounded
mass. — L. conglobate, pp. of conglobdre. See
conglobate, adj.
conglobation, n. — L. conglobdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
heaping together', fr. conglobate, pp. of con-
globdre. See conglobate, v., and -ion.
conglobe, tr. and intr. v., to conglobate. — F.
conglober, fr. L. conglobdre. See conglobate, v.
conglomerate, adj., formed into a ball or rounded
mass; n., something conglomerate; tr. and intr.'
v., to form into a ball or rounded mass. — L.
conglomerate, pp. of conglomerdre, 'to roll to-
gether', fr. con- and glomerdre, 'to form into a
ball', fr. glomus, gen. glomeris, 'ball'. See
glomerate and cp. agglomerate.
conglomeration, n. — Late L. conglomerdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. L. conglomerate, pp. of conglomerdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
conglutinant, adj., gluing; healing. — L. con-
glutindns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of congliitindre.
See next word and -ant.
conglutinate, tr. and intr. v., to glue together. —
L. conglutinate, pp. of congliitindre, 'to glue
conglutination
together', fr. con- and glutindre, 'to glue', fr.
gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See gluten, glue,
conglutination, n. — L. conglutindtid, gen. -onis,
'a gluing together', fr. conglutindtus, pp. of con-
glutindre. See prec. word and -ion.
congou, also congo, n., a kind of black China tea.
— Chin, kung-fu, 'labor',
congratulant, adj. — L. congrdtuldns, gen. -amis,
pres. part, of congrdtuldri. See next word and
-ant.
congratulate, tr. v. — Fr. L. congratulatus, pp. of
congrdtuldri, 'to wish joy warmly, congratulate',
fr. con- and grdtuldri, 'to wish joy', fr. grdtus,
'pleasing'. See grace, n., and cp. grateful.
Derivatives: congratulation (q.v.), congratulat-
or, n., congratulat-ory, adj.
congratulation, n. — F., fr. L. congrdtuldtidnem,
acc. of congrdtuldtid, fr. congratulatus, pp. of
congrdtuldri. See prec. word and -ion.
congregant, n., a member of a congregation. —
L. congregdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of congre-
gdre. See next word and -ant.
congregate, adj., assembled. — L. congregdtus,
'flocking together', pp. of congregdre, 'to flock
together', fr. con- and gregdre, 'to gather into
a flock', from grex, gen. gregis, 'flock'. See gre-
garious and adj. suff. -ate.
congregate, tr. and intr. v., to gather into a crowd ;
to assemble. — L. congregdtus, pp. of congre-
gdre. See prec. word.
congregation, n. — F. congregation, fr. L. con-
gregdtidnem, acc. of congregdtid, fr. congregd-
tus, pp. of congregdre. See congregate, adj., and
-ation.
Derivatives: congregation-al, adj., congrega-
tional-ism, n., congregational-ist , n.
congress, n. — L. congressus, 'a coming together,
a friendly meeting', fr. congressus, pp. of con-
gredi, 'to come or go together', fr. con- and
gradi, pp. gressus, 'to step, walk, go'. See grade,
'step', and cp. gradus and retrograde. The change
of Latin a (in grddi) to e (in con-gressus) is due
to the Latin linguistic law according to which,
in the second element of compounds, d in a
closed radical syllable regularly became e. See
accent and cp. words there referred to. (The pp.
of gradi should be *grassus. The form gressus
is due to the influence of the past participles of
the compounds: con-gressus, prd-gressus, etc.)
Derivatives: congress-er, n., congression (q.v.),
congress-ive, adj.
congressional, adj., i) pertaining to a congress;
2) (cap.) pertaining to Congress. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. congressid, gen. -onis, 'a
coming together', fr. congressus, pp. of con-
gredi, 'to come or go together'. See congress
and -ion.
Derivatives: congression-al, adj., congression-
alist (q.v.), congression-al-ly, adv.
congressionalist, n., an adherent of a congress. —
Formed fr. congression with adj. suff. -al and
suff. -ist.
334
congressist, n., a member of a congress. —
Formed fr. congress with suff. -ist.
Congreve rocket, Congreve match. — Both named
after their inventor Sir William Congreve
(1772-1828).
congruence, congruency, n. — L. congruentia,
'agreement, harmony', fr. congruens, gen. -entis,
'agreeing'. See congruent and -ce, resp. -cy.
congruent, adj., agreeing, corresponding, coin-
ciding. — L. congruens, gen. -entis, pres. part,
of congruere, 'to come together, coincide, agree',
fr. con- and *-gruere, which occurs also in L.
ingruere, 'to rush or break into', and is of un-
certain etymology. L. mere, 'to fall violently',
is not rel. to congruere, ingruere.
Derivative : congruent-ly , adv.
congruity, n., agreement, correspondence, coin-
cidence. — F. congruite, fr. Late L. congrui-
tatem, acc. of congruitds, fr. congruus. See con-
gruous and -ity.
congruous, adj., congruent, fitting, suitable. —
L. congruus, 'fit, suitable, congruous', fr. con-
gruere. See congruent. For E. -ous, as equivalent
to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: congruous-ly, adv., congruous-
ness, n.
conic, adj., 1) pertaining to a cone; 2) cone-
shaped or resembling a cone. — F. conique, fr.
Gk. xcovtxA?, 'pertaining to a cone', fr. xwvoc;,
'cone'. See cone and -ic.
Derivatives: conic-al, adj., conic-al-ly, adv.,
conic-al-ness, n., conic-ity, n.
conidium, n., an asexual cell occurring in certain
fungi. — ModL., formed with the ModL. di-
min. suff. -idium fr. Gk. x<j\h<;, 'dust'. See conio-.
conifer, n., a cone-bearing tree (bot.) — L., com-
pounded of cdnus, 'cone', and ferre, 'to bear'.
See cone and -fer.
coniferous, adj., cone-bearing. — See prec. word
and -ferous.
coniform, adj., having the form of a cone. — See
cone and -form,
conine, n., a poisonous alkaloid, C 8 H 17 N, found
in hemlock (chem.) — Formed fr. Conium with
chem. suff. -ine.
conio-, combining form meaning 'dust'. — Gk.
xovio-, fr. y.ovi;, 'dust', which is cogn. with L.
cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also the second element in
anthraconite.
Conioselinum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family {bot.) — ModL., compounded of Conium
and Gk acXtvov, 'celery'. See celery.
Conium, n., a genus of poisonous plants of the
carrot family (bot.) — L. conium, 'hemlock', fr.
Gk. xojveiov, of s.m., which is prob. rel. to
xfiivo?, 'pine cone, fir cone'. See cone,
conjecture, n., 1) guesswork; 2) guess. — L. con-
jectura, 'inference, conclusion' (whence also F.
conjecture), fr. conjectus, pp. of conicere (less
correctly conjicere), 'to throw together; to infer,
conclude', fr. con- and jacere, 'to throw'. See
335
connive
jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ure. For the change of
Latin d (in jacere) to e (in con-jectus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: conjecture, tr. and intr. v., con-
jectur-able, adj., conjectur-abl-y, adv., conjectur-
al, adj., conjectur-al-ly, adv.
conjoin, tr. v. — ME. conjoinen, fr. F. conjoindre,
fr. L. conjungere, 'to join together' (whence also
It. congiungere, Provenc. conjonher),ix. con- and
jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. conjoint,
conjugate.
Derivatives: conjoin-ed, adj., conjoin-er, n.
conjoint, adj. — F. conjoint, pp. of conjoindre.
See prec. word and conjunct and cp. disjoint.
Derivatives: conjoint-ly, adv., conjoint-ness, n.
conjugal, adj., of marriage. — L. conjugdlis,
'relating to marriage' (whence also F. conjugal),
fr. L. conjux (later form conjunx), gen. conjugis,
'spouse', which is rel. to conjungere, 'to join
together'. See conjoin and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conjugality (q.v.), conjugal-ly, adv.
conjugality, n. — Coined by Milton fr. prec. word
and suff. -ity.
conjugate, tr. and intr. v. — L. conjugdtus, pp. of
conjugdre, 'to join together, unite', fr. con- and
jugdre, 'to join; to yoke; to marry', which is
rel. to jugum, 'yoke', jungere, 'to join'. See join
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. jugate. Cp. also
conjoin.
conjugate, adj. — L. conjugdtus, pp. of conjugdre.
See conjugate, v.
Derivative: conjugate-ly, adv.
conjugation, n. — L. conjugdtio, gen. -onis, 'a
combining, connecting, conjugation', fr. con-
jugdtus, pp. of conjugdre. See conjugate, v., and
-ion. In its grammatical sense, L. conjugdtio is
a loan translation of Gk. ou^uyta, lit. 'a yoking,
or binding, together'.
Derivatives : conjugation-al, adj . , conjugation-al-
ly, adv.
conjunct, adj., joined together, united (archaic).
— L. conjunctus, pp. of conjungere, 'to join to-
gether'. See conjoin and cp. conjoint.
Derivatives: conjunct, n., conjunct-ly, adv.
conjunction, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) conjonc-
tion, fr. L. conjunctionem, acc. of conjunctid, fr.
conjunctus, pp. of conjungere. See conjunct and
-ion. Cp. It. congiunzione, OProvenc. conjunctio,
Sp. conjuncion, which all derive fr. L. con-
junetionem. In its grammatical sense L. con-
junctio is a loan translation of Gk. ouvSecrno;
(fr. caivSeiv, 'to bind together').
Derivatives: conjunction-al, adj., conjunction-al-
ly, adv.
conjunctiva, n., the mucous membrane which
covers the inner surface of the eyelids (anat.) —
Medical L. (short for membrdna conjunctiva),
fern, of L. conjunctive, 'serving to connect, con-
nective'. See next word.
Derivative: conjunctiv-al, adj.
conjunctive, adj. — L. conjunctive, 'serving to
connect, connective', fr. conjunctus, pp. of con-
jungere. See conjunct and -ive and cp. disjunc-
tive, subjunctive.
Derivatives: conjunctive, n., conjunctive-ly, adv.,
conjunctive-ness, n.
conjunctivitis, n., inflammation of the conjunctiva
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid formed fr. Medi-
cal L. conjunctiva (fem. of L. conjunctive), with
-ids, a suff. of Greek origin. See conjunctiva.
conjuration, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) conjura-
tion, fr. L. conjuratidnem, acc. of conjurdtid, lit.
'a swearing together, conspiracy', fr. conjurdtus,
pp. of conjurdre; cp. It. congiurazione and Sp.
conjuracion, which are of the same origin. See
conjure and -ation.
conjure, tr. v. — ME. conjuren, fr. OF. (= F.)
conjurer, fr. L. conjurdre, 'to swear together,
conspire', fr. con- and jurdre, 'to swear an oath'.
See jury.
Derivatives: conjur-er, conjur-or, conjur-ing,
nouns.
conk, n., nose (slang). — The same as conch,
conn, tr. v., to direct the steering of a ship. —
Fr. obsol. cond, fr. ME. conduen, 'to lead,
guide', fr. MF. (= F.) conduire, fr. L. conducere.
See conduce and cp. conning tower.
Derivative: conn-er, n.
connate, adj., born with. — Late L. conndtus, pp.
of conndsci, 'to be born with, to be born at the
same time', fr. con- and ndsci, 'to be born'. See
natal and cp. cognate.
connatural, adj., 1) innate; 2) born at the same
time. — ML. conndturdlis, 'of the same nature;
inborn'. See con- and natural.
connect, tr. and intr. v. — L. connectere, 'to bind
or join together', fr. con- and nectere, 'to tie,
bind, join', fr. I.-E. base *ned-, 'to twist, knot';
see net and cp. nexus, annex. L. nectere was in-
fluenced in form by pectere, 'to comb, dress,
weed'.
Derivatives: connect-ed, adj., connected-ly, adv.,
connect-ed-ness, n., connect-ive, adj., connect-
ive-ly, adv., connect-iv-ity, n.
connection, connexion, n. — L. connexid, gen.
-onis, 'a binding or joining together, connection',
fr. connexus, pp. of connectere. See prec. word
and -ion. The spelling connection is due to the
influence of the many English nouns in -lion
(fr. L. -tidnem).
Derivative: connection-al, connexion-al, adj.
connellite, n., copper chloride with copper sulfate
(mineral) — Named after A. Connel, who ana-
lyzed it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
conning tower (naut.) — The first word is the pres.
part, of conn (q.v.)
conniption, n., a fit of hysteria (U.S. Slang). —
Of unknown origin.
connivance, n. — F. connivence, fr. L. cdniventia,
conniventia, fr. conivens, connivens, gen. -entis.
See comment and -ance.
connive, intr. v., to pretend ignorance. — L. cdni-
ved, cdnivere, less exactly spelled connived, con-
nivere, 'to close the eyes, blink, wink at, over-
connivent
336
look (errors), connive at', which stands for
*con-cni(g)ued and is formed fr. con- and I.-E.
base *kneig w h-, 'to bend', whence also L. nictd,
nictdre, 'to wink, blink', nitor, niti [for *nivitor
(fr. *kneig w hetdr) or *nivitor (fr. *knig K hetdr)],
'to strive, make an effort, exert oneself', Goth.
hneiwan, 'to bend toward', OE., OS., OHG. hni-
gan, ON. hnlga, MHG. nigen, G. neigen, 'to
bend, bow'. Cp. nictitate, nisus, renitent.
Derivatives: connivent (q.v.), conniv-er, n.
connivent, adj. — L. cdnivens, connivens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of cdnivere, connivere. See
prec. word and -ent.
connoisseur, n., a critical judge. — OF. conois-
seor, conoisseur (F. connoisseur), fr. conoistre
(F. connaitre), 'to know', fr. L. cogndscere, 'to
become acquainted with, perceive, understand,
know'. See cognition.
connotate, tr. v. — ML. connotdtus, pp. of con-
notdre. See connote and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
annotate.
Derivatives: connotation (q.v.), connotat-ive,
adj., connotat-ive-ly, adv.
connotation, n. — ML. connotdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
connotdtus, pp. of connotdre. See next word and
-ion and cp. annotation.
connote, tr. v. — ML. connotdre, 'to mark to-
gether', fr. con-, and L. notdre, 'to mark', fr.
nota, 'a mark'. See note.
Derivatives: connot-ive, adj., connot-ive-ly , adv.
connubial, adj., pertaining to marriage. — L.
cdniibidlis (later connubidlis), 'pertaining to mar-
riage', fr. cdnubium (later conniibium), 'mar-
riage', fr. co- and the stem of nubere (pp. nuptus),
'to marry'. See nuptial and cp. nubile.
Derivatives: connubial-it y, n., connubial-ly, adv.
cono-, before a vowel con-, combining form de-
noting the cone. — Gk. zuvo-, xcov-, fr. xoWo?,
'cone'. See cone.
conodont, n., any of certain minute fossils of a
toolhlike shape. — Compounded of Gk. xcovo?,
'cone', and 68<ov, gen. oSovtck;, 'tooth'. See
cono- and odonto-.
conoid, adj., cone-shaped. — Gk. xcovoeiSr;?, 'co-
nical, cone-shaped', compounded of x(ovo<;,
'cone', and -o£iSr;;,'like', fr. El&oq, 'form, shape'.
See cone and -oid.
Derivative : conoid, n .
Conopholis, n., a genus of plants of the broom-
rape family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. xtovo:, 'cone' (see cone), and tpoXic, 'scale',
which is cogn. with (peAXo;, 'cork tree, cork' (see
phello- and cp. words there referred to); so
called because the upper scales form bracts to
the flowers, resembling those of the fir cone.
Conopophagidae, n. pi., a genus of birds, the ant
pipit {ornithol.) — ModL., lit. 'gnat eaters',
formed with sufT. -idae fr. Gk. -xcjvcoiJj, 'gnat,
mosquito', and the stem of ipayelv, 'to eat'. See
canopy and phago-.
conquer, tr. and intr. v. — ME. conqueren, fr. OF.
conquerre, fr. VL. *conquaerere, 'to seek with
care, conquer' (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to
seek'), for L. conquirere, 'to seek for' (whence
OTt. conquidere; F. conquerir, 'to conquer', is a
new formation after querir, 'to seek', fr. VL.
*quaerire, which corresponds to L. quaerere).
L. conquirere is formed fr. con- and quaerere,
'to seek'. See quaere and cp. conquest. Cp. also
acquire, inquire, require.
Derivatives: conquer-able, adj., conquerable-
ness, n., conquer-ing, adj., conquer-ing-ly, adv.,
conqueror (q.v.)
conqueror, n. — ME. conquereour, fr. OF. con-
quereor, fr. conquerre, 'to conquer'. See prec.
word and agential suff. -or.
conquest, n. — ME., partly fr. OF. conquest (F.
conquet), 'acquisition', partly fr. OF. conqueste
(F. conqugte), 'acquisition, conquest'. These
words prop, are the masc., resp. fem. pp. of OF.
conquerre, and derive fr. VL. * conquaesitus ,
resp. *conquaesita (corresponding to L. con-
quisitus, conquisita), pp. of * conquaerere . See
conquer and cp. conquistador.
conquian, n., a card game with two players. —
Fr. Sp. icon quienl, 'with whom?' Sp. con derives
fr. L. cum, 'with' ; see 1 st con-. Sp. quien comes fr.
L. quern, acc. of quis, 'who' ; see who. Cp. cooncan.
conquistador, n., a conqueror, applied esp. to the
Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru. — Sp.,
fr. conquistar, 'to conquer', fr. VL. conquistdre,
fr. L. conquisitus, pp. of conquirere, 'to seek for' ;
see conquer. L. conquisitus stands for *con-
quaesitus. For the change of Latin ae (in quae-
situs) to 1 (in con-quisitus) see acquire and cp.
words there referred to.
Conrad, masc. PN. — G. Konrad or F. Conrade,
fr. OHG. Kuonrdt, which is compounded of
kuon, 'bold', and rat, 'counsel'; hence Conrad
lit. means 'bold in counsel'. See keen and rede.
consanguine, adj., consanguineous. — F. con-
sanguin, fr. L. cdnsanguineus. See next word.
consanguineous, adj., of the same blood; having
the same ancestor. — L. cdnsanguineus, 'of the
same blood, related by blood', fr. con- and san-
guineus, 'of blood', fr. sanguis, gen. sanguinis,
'blood'. See sanguine and cp. sanguineous. For
E. -ous, as corresponding to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivative: consanguineous-ly, adv.
consanguinity, n., blood relationship. — F. con-
sanguinite, fr. L. cdnsanguinitdtem, acc. of cdn-
sanguinitds, 'blood relationship', fr. cdnsangui-
neus. See prec. word and -ity.
conscience, n. — ME., fr. E. conscience, fr. L.
conscientia, 'consciousness, knowledge, feeling,
sense', lit. 'knowledge shared with another', fr.
cdnsciens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of cdnscire, 'to
be conscious of, fr. con- and scire, 'to know';
see science. L. conscientia is prob. a loan trans-
lation of Gk. (TjvetSriOti;, 'consciousness, con-
scientiousness', lit. 'knowledge shared with an-
other'.
Derivatives: conscience-less, adj., conscience-
less-ly, adv., conscience-less-ness, n.
337
conservatoire
conscientious, adj. — F. consciencieux (fem. con-
sciencieuse), fr. ML. conscientidsus, fr. L. con-
scientia. See conscience and -ous.
Derivatives: conscientious-ly, stdv., conscientious-
ness, n.
conscious, adj. — L. cdnscius, 'knowing, aware
of, fr. con- and scire, 'to know'. Cp. L. nescius,
inscius, 'not knowing', which are analogously
formed, and see science.
Derivatives: conscious-ly, adv., conscious-ness,n.
conscribe, tr. v. — L. cdnscribere. See next word.
conscript, adj. and n. — L. cdnscriptus, pp. of
cdnscribere, 'to write together, draw up, list,
enrol', fr. con- and scribere, 'to write'. See
scribe.
conscript, tr. v. — Back formation fr. conscrip-
tion (q.v.) The more correct form is conscribe(fr.
L. cdnscribere). Cp. the verbs describe, inscribe,
prescribe, subscribe, which have no collateral
forms ending in -script.
conscription, n. — L. cdnscriptid, gen. -onis, 'a
writing together, a levying of troops', fr. cdn-
scriptus, pp. of cdnscribere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivative: conscription-al, adj.
consecrate, adj. — L. cdnsecrdtus, pp. of cdnse-
crdre, 'to devote as sacred, dedicate, consecrate',
fr. con- and sacrdre, 'to set apart as sacred, to
hallow, consecrate'. See sacred and adj. suff.
-ate. For the change of Latin d (in sacrdre) to e
(in cdnsecrdre) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
consecrate, tr. and intr. v. — L. cdnsecrdtus, pp.
of cdnsecrdre. See consecrate, adj.
Derivatives: consecrat-ed, adj., consecrat-ed-
ness, n., consecration (q.v.), consecrat-ive, adj.,
consecrator (q.v.)
consecration, n. — L. cdnsecrdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
cdnsecrdtus, pp. of cdnsecrdre. See consecrate,
adj., and -ion.
consecrator, n. — Late L., 'one who consecrates',
fr. L. cdnsecrdtus, pp. of cdnsecrdre. See con-
secrate, adj., and agential suff. -or.
consectary, adj., that which follows logically (ob-
sol.) — L. cdnsectdrius, fr. cdnsectdri, 'to follow
after eagerly', freq. of cdnsequi (pp. *cdnsectus,
consecutus), 'to follow up, go after', fr. con- and
sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and -ary and cp.
sect, consequent. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: consectary, n.
consecution, n. — L. cdnsecutid, gen. -dnis, fr.
consecutus, pp. of cdnsequi, 'to follow up, go
after, attend', fr. con- and sequi, 'to follow'. See
sequel and -tion and cp. consequent.
consecutive, adj. and n. — F. consecutif '(fem. con-
secutive), a learned word derived fr. L. conse-
cutus, pp. of cdnsequi. See sequel and -ive and
cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: consecutive-ly, adv., conseculive-
ness, n.
consenescence, n., the process of growing old to-
gether. — Formed with suff. -ence fr. L. cdn-
senescere, 'to grow old together', fr. con- and
senescere, 'to grow old', an inchoative formed
fr. senex, gen. senis, 'old'. See senile,
consensual, adj. — See next word and adj. suff.
-al.
consensus, n., agreement. — L., 'agreement, ac-
cordance, unanimity', fr. consensus, pp. of cdn-
sentire. See consent, v.
consent, intr. v. — OF. (= F.) consentir, fr. L.
cdnsentire, 'to feel together, agree, accord', fr.
con- and sentire (pp. sensus), 'to feel'. See sense.
Derivatives: consent-er, n., consent-ing, adj., con-
sent-ing-ly, adv., consent-ing-ness, n., consent-ive,
adj., consent-ive-ly, adv., consent -ive-ness, n.
consent, n. — OF. consente, fr. consentir. See
consent, v.
Derivatives : consent-ful, adj., consent-ful-ly, adv.
consentaneity, n., agreement. — Formed with
suff. -ity fr. L. cdnsentdneus. See next word,
consentaneous, adj., agreeing. — L. cdnsentdneus,
'agreeing with something', fr. cdnsentire. See
consent, v., and -aneous.
Derivatives: consentaneous-ly, adv., consenta-
neous-ness, n.
consentience, n., agreement. — Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce.
consentient, adj., agreeing. — L. cdnsentiens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of cdnsentire. See consent, v.,
and -ent.
Derivative : consentient-ly, adv.
consentment, n. — OF. consentement, fr. con-
sentir. See consent, v., and -ment.
consequence, n. — F. consequence, fr. L. cdnse-
quentia, fr. cdnsequens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of cdnsequi. See next word and -ence.
consequent, adj. — L. cdnsequens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of cdnsequi, 'to follow up, go after,
attend'. See consecution and -ent.
Derivatives: consequent, n., consequent-ly, adv.
and conj.
consequential, adj. — Formed with suff. -ial fr.
L. cdnsequentia. See consequence.
Derivatives: consequeritial-ity, n., consequential-
ly, adv., consequential-ness, n.
conservable, adj. — L. cdnservdbilis, 'that which
can be conserved', fr. conservdre. See conserve, v.,
and -able.
conservancy, n. — Formed from the verb con-
serve with suff. -ancy.
conservation, n. — ME., fr. L. cdnservdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'a keeping, preserving, conserving', fr.
cdnservdtus, pp. of conservdre. See conserve, v.,
and -ation.
Derivatives: conservation-al, adj., conservation-
ist, n.
conservatism, n. — Short for conservativism. See
conservative and -ism.
conservative, adj. — ME., fr. MF. conservatij
(fem. conservative), fr. L. cdnservdtus, pp. of
conservdre. See conserve, v., and -ative.
Derivative: conservative, n.
conservatoire, n., a school of music. — F., fr. It.
conservator
338
conservatory, orig. 'orphanage', fr. ML. cdn-
servdtdrium, 'a place for preserving', fr. L. con-
servare, 'to preserve' (the first Italian musical
schools were orphanages). See conserve, v., and
cp. conservatory.
conservator, n. — ME. conservatour, fr. MF.
(= F.) conservateur, fr. L. cdnservdtdrem, acc. of
conservator, 'a keeper, preserver', fr. conservare.
See conserve, v., and agential suff. -or.
conservatory, n., a school of music. — ML. cdnser-
vdtdrium. See conservatoire and subst. suff. -ory.
conserve, tr. v. — F. conserver, fr. L. conservare,
'to save, keep, protect', fr. con- and servare, 'to
save, deliver, preserve, protect', which is prob.
cogn. with Avestic haraiti, haurvaiti, 'takes care
of, protects', haurva, 'protecting'. Gk. f^pcoq (for
*rfi(nF-oq), 'hero'.lit. 'defender,protector',"Hpa
(for *"Hpfa),'Hera', lit. 'defendress,protectress',
and perh. also with 8pu.Zvo<;, 'the sage plant', lit.
'the saving plant' (for sense development cp.
L. salvia, 'the sage plant', fr. salvare, 'to save' ;
see Salvia and sage, the plant). See hero and cp.
observe, preserve, reserve. L. servus, 'slave', ser-
vire, 'to serve', are not rel. to servare.
Derivatives: conserve, n. (q.v.), conserv-er, n.
conserve, n. — F., 'preserved fruit', fr. conserver,
'to preserve, keep, maintain', fr. L. conservare.
See conserve, v.
consider, tr. v. — ME. consideren, fr. MF.(= F.)
considerer, fr. L. cdnsiderdre, 'to look at closely,
observe, contemplate, meditate', orig. 'to ob-
serve the stars', fr. con- and sidus, gen. sideris,
'star'. See sidereal and cp. desiderate, desire.
Derivatives: consider-ed, adj., consider-er, a.,
consider-ing, prep., consider-ing-ly, adv.
considerable, adj. — ML. cdnsiderdbilis (whence
also F. considerable), fr. L. cdnsiderdre. See
prec. word and -able. Derivatives : considerable-
ness, n., considerabl-y, adv.
considerate, adj. — L. cdnsiderdtus, pp. of cdn-
siderdre. See consider and adj. suff. -ate. Deriv-
atives: considerate-ly, adv., considerate-ness, n.
consideration, n. — F. consideration, fr. L. cdn-
siderdtidnem, acc. of cdnsiderdtid, 'considera-
tion, contemplation, reflection', fr. cdnsiderdtus,
pp. of cdnsiderdre. See consider and -ation.
consign, tr. v. — F. consigner, fr. L. cdnsigndre,
'to mark with a seal, to subscribe, attest, cer-
tify', fr. con- and signdre, 'to set a mark upon,
mark', fr. signum, 'a mark'. See sign.
Derivatives: consign-able, adj., consignation
(q.v.), consign-ee, n., consign-er, n., consign-
ment, n., consign-or, n.
consignation, n. — L. cdnsigndtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
written proof, document', fr. cdnsigndtus, pp.
of cdnsigndre. See prec. word and -ion.
consilience, n., concurrence, coincidence. — Lit.
'a jumping together'; formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
consilient, adj., concurring, coincident. — Formed
on analogy of resilient (q.v.) fr. con- and satire,
'to leap'.
consist, intr. v. — L. consistere, 'to stand still,
stop, halt, endure, subsist', fr. con- and sistere,
'to cause to stand, put, place; to stand still,
stand', from the reduplicated base of stare, 'to
stand'. See assist and cp. words there referred to.
consistence, consistency, n. — ML. cdnsistentia
(whence also F. consistance), fr. L. cdnsistens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
consistent, adj. — L. cdnsistens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of consistere. See consist and -ent.
Derivative: consistent-ly, adv.
consistory, n., i) a council chamber; 2) the papal
senate. — ONF. consistorie, fr. Late L. con-
sist drium, 'place of assembly; place where the
emperor's council met' (whence also OF., F.
consistoire), fr. L. consistere. See consist and
subst. suff. -ory. Derivative: consistori-al, adj.
consociate, tr. and intr. v., to associate together.
— L. cdnsocidtus, pp. of cdnsocidre, 'to associate
with', fr. con- and socidre, 'to join together, as-
sociate', fr. socius, 'companion'. See social and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. associate, dissociate.
consociate, n. — L. cdnsocidtus, pp. of cdnsocidre.
See consociate, v.
consociation, n. — L. cdnsocidtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
cdnsocidtus, pp. of cdnsocidre. See consociate,
v., and -ion.
consolation, n. — F., fr. L. cdnsdldtidnem, acc. of
cdnsdldtid, fr. cdnsdldtus, pp. of cdnsdldrl. See
console, v., and -ation.
consolatory, adj. — L. cdnsdlatdrius, 'pertaining
to consolation', fr. cdnsdldtus, pp. of cdnsdldrl.
See console and adj. suffixes -ate and -ory.
Derivatives: consolatori-ly, adv., consolatori-
ness, n.
console, tr. v., to comfort. — F. consoler, fr. L.
consdldri, 'to console, comfort, encourage', fr.
con- and sdldri, 'to comfort'. See solace and cp.
disconsolate.
Derivatives: consol-able, adj., consolatory (q.v.),
consol-er, n.
console, n., 1) a bracket supporting a shell, cor-
nice, etc.; 2) a console table; 3) cabinet of an
organ, radio or phonograph. — F., 'console,
console table', prob. a blend of consoler, 'to
comfort', and consolider, 'to strengthen, make
firm, consolidate'. See console, v., and conso-
lidate.
consolidant, adj., tending to heal; n., a consoli-
dating agent (med.) — L. cdnsoliddns, gen. -an-
tis, pres. part, of cdnsoliddre. See next word
and -ant.
consolidate, tr. v., 1) to make solid; 2) to unite;
intr. v.. 1) to become solid; 2) to unite. — L. con-
solidate, pp. of cdnsoliddre, 'to make quite firm
or solid', fr. con- and soliddre, 'to make firm or
solid', fr. solidus, 'firm, solid'. See solid and cp.
console, n. Cp. also consound.
Derivative: consolidat-ed, adj.
consolidate, adj., consolidated. — L. consolidate,
pp. of cdnsoliddre. See consolidate, v.
consolidation, n. — Late L. cdnsoliddtid, -dnis.
339
consternate
fr. L. cdnsoliddtus, pp. of cdnsoliddre. See prec.
word and -ion.
consols, n. pi. — Abbreviation of Consolidated
Annuities, British government securities.
consolute, adj., mutually soluble (chem.) — Late
L. cdnsoliitus, 'dissolved together', pp. of *cdn-
solvere, fr. con- and L. solvere, 'to loosen, untie,
dissolve'. See solve and cp. absolute, dissolute,
resolute.
consomme, n., a clear, rich soup. — F., prop. pp.
of consommer, 'to consume', fr. L. cdnsummdre,
'to accomplish, finish'. See consummate. F. con-
sommer was influenced in meaning by a con-
fusion with L. cdnsumere, 'to consume' (see
consume).
consonance, n. — F., fr. L. cdnsonantia, 'agree-
ment, harmony', fr. cdnsondns, gen. -antis. See
next word and -ce and cp. sonance and words
there referred to.
consonant, adj. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. cdnsondns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of cdnsondre, 'to sound
together or at the same time', fr. con- and so-
ndre, 'to sound'. See sonant and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives : consonant-ly, adv. , consonant-ness,n.
consonant, n. — OF., fr. L. cdnsonantem, acc. of
cdnsondns. See prec. word.
Derivatives: consonant-al, adj., consonant-ism,
n., consonant-ly, adv., consonant-ness, n.
consort, n., a spouse. — F., fr. L. cdnsortem, acc.
of cdnsors, 'sharer, partner, comrade', lit.
'having the same lot', fr. con- and sors, gen.
sortis, 'lot, condition'. See sort, n., and cp. sor-
cerer, consortium.
Derivatives: consort, intr. v., consort-able, adj.,
consort-er, n.
consortium, n., union, association. — L., 'fellow-
ship, partnership, society', fr. cdnsors, gen. cdn-
sortis. See prec. word.
consound, n., a plant supposed to have healing
qualities; the comfrey. — OF. consolde, con-
soulde, fr. L. cdnsolida, 'comfrey', lit. 'the
strengthening plant', fr. cdnsoliddre, 'to make
firm or solid'. See consolidate, v.
conspecies, n., a fellow species of the same genus.
— Formed fr. con- and species.
conspecific, adj., of the same species. — Formed
fr. con- and specific
conspectus, n., a general survey. — L., 'a looking
at, sight, view', fr. conspectus, pp. of cdnspicere,
'to look at attentively, get sight of, fr. con-
and specere, spicere, 'to look at'. See species and
cp. aspect and words there referred to.
conspicuity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
cdnspicuus. See next word.
conspicuous, adj. — L. cdnspicuus, 'visible, re-
markable, conspicuous', fr. cdnspicere. See con-
spectus.
Derivatives: conspicuous-ly, adv., conspicuous-
ness, n.
conspiracy, n. — ME. conspiracie, fr. OF. con-
spiracie, fr. L. cdnspirdre. See conspire and -acy.
conspirant, adj., conspiring. — F., pres. part, of
conspirer. See conspire and -ant.
conspiration, n. (obsol.) — F., fr. L. cdnspird-
tidnem, acc. of cdnspirdtid, 'conspiracy', fr. cdn-
spirdtus, pp. of cdnspirdre. See conspire and
-ation.
conspirator, n. — L. conspirator, fr. cdnspirdtus,
pp. of cdnspirdre. See next word and -ator.
conspire, intr. and tr. v. — F. conspirer, fr. L.
cdnspirdre, 'to breathe together, agree, act in
concert, plot together', fr. con- and spirare, 'to
breathe, blow'. See spirit and cp. aspire and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: conspir-er, n., conspir-ing, adj.,
conspir-ing-ly, adv.
conspue, tr. v., to spit upon in contempt, assail.
— F. conspuer, 'to spit upon, despise, to decry',
fr. L. cdnspuere, 'to spit upon in contempt', fr.
con- and spuere, 'to spit'. See spew and cp.
sputum. Cp. also cuspidor.
constable, n., peace officer. — ME., fr. OF. cone-
stable (F. connetable), fr. Late L. comes stabuli,
lit. 'count of the stable', fr. L. comes, 'com-
panion', and genitive of L. stabulum, 'stable'.
See count, 'title of nobility', and stable,
'stall'.
constabulary, adj., pertaining to a constable; n.,
police. — ML. cdnstabuldrius, 'pertaining to
a constable.', fr. conestabulus, cdnstabulus, 'con-
stable', fr. Late L. comes stabuli. See constable
and adj. suff. -ary.
Constance, fern. PN. — Lit. 'constancy, firm-
ness', fr. L. cdnstantia. See next word.
constancy, n. — L. cdnstantia, 'steadfastness,
firmness, constancy', fr. cdnstdns, gen. -antis.
See next word and -cy and cp. Constance.
constant, adj. — ME., fr. F. constant, fr. L. cdn-
stantem, acc. of cdnstdns, 'firm, steadfast, un-
changeable, stable, constant', pres. part, of
cdnstdre, 'to stand firm, last, endure, preserve,
be settled, be certain, be evident', lit. 'to stand
together', fr. con- and stare, 'to stand'. See state
and -ant and cp. cost.
Derivatives: constant, n., constant-ly, adv.
Constant, masc. PN. — L. Cdnstdns, lit. 'firm,
steadfast, constant'. See prec. word.
Constantino, masc. PN. — F., fr. L. Cdnstan-
tinus, a derivative of cdnstdns, gen. cdnstantis.
See constant and -ine (representing L. -inus) and
cp. prec. word.
Constantinian, adj., pertaining to the Roman em-
peror Constantine the Great or his period (306-
337). — For the ending see suff. -ian.
constellate, tr. and intr. v., to form into a con-
stellation; adj., constellated. — Late L. cdn-
stelldtus, 'starred, studded with stars', fr. con-
and L. stelldtus, 'starred', pp. of stelldre. See
stellate.
constellation, n. — Late L. cdnstelldtid, 'a col-
lection of stars', fr. cdnslelldtus. See prec. word
and -ion.
consternate, tr. v. — L. cdnsterndtus, pp. of con-
consternation
340
sternare. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
consternation, n., dismay. — F., fr. L. cdnsternd-
tidnem, acc. of cdnsterndtid, 'confusion, dis-
may, consternation', fr. consternates, pp. of cdn-
sterndre, 'to stretch upon the ground, overcome,
confuse, alarm, dismay', which is prob. formed
fr. cdnsternere, 'to throw down, prostrate, deject',
fr. con- and sternere, 'to spread out'. See stratum.
constipate, tr. v. — L. cdnstlpdtus, pp. of cdn-
stlpare, 'to press closely together', fr. con- and
stlpdre, 'to press together, stuff, cram'. See
stipate and cp. costive.
constipation, n. — L. constlpdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
pressing together', fr. cdnstlpdtus, pp. of cdn-
stlpdre. See prec. word and -ion.
constituency, n. — Formed fr. constituent on anal-
ogy of regency, etc. ; first used by Macauley.
constituent, adj. — L. cdnstituens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of constituere. See next word and -ent.
Derivatives: constituent, n., const it uent-ly, adv.
constitute, tr. v. — L. cdnstitutus, pp. of consti-
tuere, 'to cause to stand, set, put, place, set up,
erect, establish, bring about, appoint, consti-
tute', fr. con- and statuere, 'to cause to stand,
place, set up'. See statute and cp. words there
referred to. For the change of Latin a (in sta-
tuere) to l (in con-stltuere) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: constitution (q.v.), const it ut-ive,
adj. and n., constitut-ive-ly, adv., constitut-ive-
ness, n.
constitution, n. — F., fr. L. cdnstitutidnem, acc.
of cdnstitutid, 'constitution, disposition, nature',
fr. cdnstitutus, pp. of constituere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Derivatives: constitution-al, adj. and n., consti-
tution-al-ism, n., constitution-al-ist, n., constitu-
tion-al-ize, tr. v., constitution-al-ly, adv., con-
stitution-er, n.
constitutor, n. — L., 'an arranger', fr. cdnstitutus,
pp. of constituere. See constitute and agential
suff. -or.
constrain, tr. v., to compel. — ME. constreinen,
fr. constraindre, constreindre (F. contraindre),
fr. L. cdnstringere, 'to draw or bind together, to
fetter, restrain', fr. con- and stringere, 'to bind,
tie'. Cp. It. costringere, OProvenc. costrenher,
Catal. costrenyer, Sp. constrenir, Port, constran-
ger, which ail derive fr. L. cdnstringere. See
stringent and cp. strain, v. Cp. also distrain, re-
strain and constringe, constrict.
Derivatives: constrain-ed, adj., constrain-ed-ly,
adv., constrain-ed-ness, n., constrain-er, n., con-
straining, adj., constrain-ing-ly, adv.
constraint, n. — OF. constrainte, constreinte (F.
contrainte), prop. fern. pp. of constraindre, con-
streindre (F. contraindre). See prec. word.
constrict, tr. v., to draw together. — L. cdnstric-
tus, pp. of cdnstringere. See constrain.
Derivatives: constricl-ed, adj., constriction, con-
strictive, constrictor (qq.v.)
constriction, n. — L. constricted, gen. -dnis, 'a
drawing or binding together', fr. cdnstrictus, pp.
of cdnstringere. See constrain and -tion.
constrictive, adj. — F. constrictif (fem. constric-
tive), fr. Late L. constrictive, fr. L. cdnstrictus,
pp. of cdnstringere. See constrain and -ive.
constrictor, n. — ModL., fr. L. cdnstrictus, pp. of
cdnstringere. See constrict and agential suff. -or.
constringe, tr. v., to constrict. — L. cdnstringere.
See constrain.
constringency, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
constringent, adj. — L. cdnstringens, gen. -entis,
pres. part of cdnstringere. See constrain and -ent.
construable, adj. — Formed fr. construe with
suff. -able.
construct, tr. v. — L. cdnstructus, pp. of cdnstru-
ere, 'to heap or pile together, make by piling
up, make, fabricate, join together', fr. con- and
struere, 'to pile up, build, construct'. See struc-
ture and words there referred to and cp. esp.
construe, which is a doublet of construct.
Derivatives: construct, n., construct-er, n., con-
struction (q.v.), constructive (q.v.), construct-
or, n.
construction, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. cdnstruc-
tidnem, acc. of cdnstructid, 'a joining together',
fr. cdnstructus, pp. of cdnstruere. See prec, word
and -ion and cp. destruction.
Derivatives : construction-al, adj., constructional-
ly, adv., construction-ism, n.
constructive, adj. — ML. constructive, fr. L. cdn-
structus, pp. of cdnstruere, 'to join together'.
See construct and -ive.
Derivatives: constructive-ly, adv., constructive-
ness, n., constructiv-ism, n., constructiv-ist, n.
construe, tr. and intr. v. — L. cdnstruere, 'to join
together'; a doublet of construct (q.v.)
Derivatives: construe, n., constru-er, n.
consubstantial, adj., having the same substance.
— Eccles. L. cdnsubstantidlis, fr. con- and L.
substantidlis, 'pertaining to the substance or
essence', fr. substantia. See substance and -ial.
consubstantiality, n. — Eccles. L. cdnsubstanti-
dlitds, fr. cdnsubstantidlis. See prec. word and -ity.
consubstantiate, tr. v., to unite in one substance.
— Eccles. L. cdnsubstantidtus, pp. of cdnsub-
stantidre. See con- and substantiate.
consubstantiation, n. — Eccles. L. cdnsubstantidtid,
gen. -dnis, fr. cdnsubstantidtus, pp. of cdnsub-
stantidre. See prec. word and -ion and cp. sub-
stantiation.
consuetude, n., custom. — OF., fr. L. cdnsuetudd,
fr. cdnsuetus, pp. of cdnsuescere, 'to accustom,
inure, habituate'. See custom and -hide and cp.
assuetude.
consuetudinary, adj., customary. — Late L. cdn-
suetudindrius, fr. L. cdnsuetudd, gen. -tudinis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative : consuetudinary, n.
consul, n. — L. consul, 'either of the two chief
magistrates of the Roman state'. This word
prob. meant orig. 'convener, convoker', and is
341
contaminate
rel. to cdnsulere, 'to take counsel, deliberate'.
See consult.
consular, adj. — L. cdnsuldris, fr. consul. See prec.
word and -ar.
consularity, n., the office of a consul. — Late L.
cdnsuldritds, 'the office of a consul', fr. L. cdn-
suldris. See prec. word and -ity.
consulate, n. — L. cdnsuldtus, 'the office of a con-
sul, consulate', fr. consul. See consul and subst.
suff. -ate.
consult, tr. and intr. v. — F. consulter, fr. L. cdn-
sultdre, 'to take the advice of, consult ; to con-
sider maturely, weigh, ponder', freq. formed fr.
cdnsultus, pp. of cdnsulere, 'to take counsel; to
consider, reflect, deliberate'. The verb cdnsulere
orig. meant 'to call or gather together', as in
cdnsulere sendtum, 'to call together the senate',
whence 'to ask the advice of, or to consult, the
senate'. The origin of cdnsulere is uncertain. In
consideration of its original meaning, it is perh.
formed fr. con- and I.-E. base *sel-, 'to take,
seize' ; see Thurneysen in Indogermanische For-
schungen, 21, 180. See sell and cp. consul,
counsel.
Derivatives: consultant, consultation (qq.v.),
consult-ative, consult-atory, adjs., consult-ee, n.,
consult-er, n., consult-ing, adj., consult-ive, adj.,
consult-ive-ly, adv.
consult, n., the act of consulting; consultation
{now rare). — L. cdnsultum, prop. neut. pp. of
cdnsulere. See consult, v.
consultant, n. — L. cdnsultdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of cdnsultdre. See consult and -ant.
consultation, n. — L. cdnsultdtid, gen. -dnis
(either directly or through the medium of F.
consultation), fr. cdnsultdtus, pp. of cdnsultdre.
See consult, v., and -ation.
consume, tr. and intr. v. — OF. consumer, fr. L.
cdnsiimere, 'to take entirely, eat, devour, con-
sume, destroy', fr. con- and sumere, 'to take up',
which is compounded of sub- and emere, 'to
. take'. See assume and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: consum-able, adj. and n., consum-
ed-ly, adv., consum-er, n., consum-ing, adj., con-
sum-ing-ly, adv., consum-ing-ness, n.
consummate, adj., consummated; complete, per-
fect. — L. cdnsummdtus, pp. of cdnsummdre,
'to accomplish, finish, complete', fr. con- and
summus, 'the highest, topmost'. See summit and
adj. suff. -ate and cp. consomme.
Derivative : consummate-ly , adv.
consummate, tr. v., to complete; to achieve. —
L. cdnsummdtus, pp. of cdnsummdre. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: consummation (q.v.), consummat-
ive, adj., consummat-ive-ly, adv., consummat-
ive-ness, n., consummator (q.v.)
consummation, n. — OF. (= F.) consommation,
fr. L. cdnsummdtidnem, acc. of cdnsummdtid, 'a
finishing, completing', fr. cdnsummdtus, pp. of
cdnsummdre. See consummate, v. and. adj., and
agential suff. -or.
consummator, n. — Late L. consummator, fr. L.
cdnsummdtus, pp. of cdnsummdre. See consum-
mate, v., and -ion.
consumption, n. — L. cdnsumptid, gen. -dnis, fr.
cdnsumptus, pp. of cdnsiimere. See consume and
-tion and cp. sumption and words there re-
ferred to. Derivative: consumption-al, adj.
consumptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
cdnsumptus, pp. of cdnsiimere. See consume.
Derivatives: consumptive, n., consumptive-ly,
adv., consumptive-ness, n., consumptiv-ity, n.
Consus, n., an ancient Roman god of the earth
and of agriculture {Roman mythol.) — L.
Cdnsus, a contracted form of conditus,'concea\ed,
hidden', pp. of condere. See abscond and cp.
words there referred to.
contabescence, n., a wasting away; atrophy. —
Formed from next word with suff. -ce.
contabescent, adj., wasting away; atrophied. —
L. contdbescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of con-
tdbescere, 'to waste away', fr. con- and tdbe-
scere, 'to melt gradually, waste or pine away,
decay', inchoative of tdbere, 'to melt, waste
away, be consumed'. See tabes and -escent and
cp. tabescent.
contact, n. — L. contdctus, 'a touching contact',
fr. contdctus, pp. of contingere, 'to touch close-
ly', fr. con- and tangere, 'to touch'. See tact.
Derivatives: contact, tr.v., contact-or, n. (electr.)
contactual, adj. — Formed fr. contact on analogy
of words like factual, actual. Cp. tactual.
Derivative: contactual-ly, adv.
contadino, n., an Italian peasant. — It., 'peasant',
fr. contado, 'peasantry', fr. L. comitdtus, 'escort,
retinue, court, a company', fr. comitdtus, pp. of
comitarl, 'to accompany'. See county.
contagion, n. — F., fr. L. contdgidnem, acc. of
contdgid, 'a touching contact; contagion, in-
fection', formed fr. con- and tag-, extension
degree of tag-, the stem of tangere, 'to touch*.
See tangent and -ion and cp. contaminate.
Derivative: contagion-ed, adj.
contagious, adj. — ME., fr. OF. contagieus (F.
contagieux), fr. Late L. contdgidsus, fr. L. con-
tdgid. See contagion. Derivatives: contagious-
ly, adv., contagious-ness, n.
contain, tr. v. — ME. conteinen, fr. OF. (= F.)
contien-, pres. sing, stem of conlenir, fr. VL.
*con-tenire, which corresponds to L. continere,
'to hold together, hold fast, preserve, retain,
confine, restrain', fr. con- and tenere, 'to hold'.
See tenable and cp. contango, content, continent.
Cp. also abstain. Derivative : contain-er, n.
contaminable, adj. — L. contdmindbilis, 'that
which may be polluted', fr. contdmindre. See
next word and -able.
contaminate, tr. v., to render impure. — L. con-
taminate, pp. of contdmindre, 'to bring into
contact, mingle, blend together; to defile, stain,
contaminate', fr. *contamen, gen. *contdminis,
'contagion', which stands for *con-tag-s-men
and is formed fr. con- and *tag-, the stem of tan-
contamination
342
gere, 'to touch'. See tangent, -men and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. contagion,
contamination, n. — L. contdmindtid, gen. -onis,
'a polluting, defilement, contamination', fr. con-
tdmindtus, pp. of contdmindre. See prec. word
and -ion.
contango, n., interest paid to postpone payment,
the opposite of backwardation (London Stock
Exchange). — Of uncertain origin; possibly
identical with Sp. contengo, 'I contain, refrain,
restrain, check, detain', inf. contener, fr. L. con-
tinere. See contain.
conte, n., story, tale. — F., etymologically the
same word as compte, 'account, reckoning', fr.
Late L. computus, fr. L. computdre, 'to sum up,
reckon', fr. com- and putdre, 'to think'. See
compute and cp. count, 'to reckon'. For sense
development cp. OE. tellan, 'to reckon, calcu-
late', later used in the sense of 'to narrate' (see
tell); cp. also the verbs recount and re-count
contemn, tr. v., to scorn. — L. contemners 'to
despise, scorn', fr. con- and temnere, 'to slight,
scorn, despise, disdain', which is of uncertain
origin. It. possibly stands for *temb-nere and
orig. meant 'to tread with one'sfeet',andiscogn.
with Gk. axEfjipstv, 'to crush with the feet,
handle roughly, misuse', ON. slappa (for *stam-
pa), OHG. stampfdn, stapfdn, 'to pound in a
mortar'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, pp.
657-658 s.v. temnere. See stamp, v., and cp.
contempt.
Derivatives: contemn-er, n., contemn-ing, adj.,
contemn-ing-ly, adv.
contemplate, tr. and intr. v. — L. contempldtus,
pp. of contempldre, also contempldri, 'to survey,
behold, observe', fr. con- and templum, 'an open
place marked out by the augur for the obser-
vation of the sky, consecrated place, sanctuary,
temple'. See temple, 'place of worship', and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: contemplat-ing-ly, adv., contem-
plation (q.v.), contemplative (q.v.)
contemplation, n. — OF. (— F.), fr. L. contem-
plalidnem, acc. of contempldtid, 'an attentive
considering, surveying, contemplation', fr. con-
templdtus, pp. of contempldre. See contemplate
and -ion.
contemplative, adj. — OF. contemplatij '(fern, con-
templative), fr. L. contempldtivus, fr. contem-
pldtus, pp. of contempldre. See contemplate and
-ive.
Derivatives: contemplative-Iy, adv., conlempla-
tive-ness, n.
contemporaneity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr.
L. contempordneus. See next word.
contemporaneous, adj. — L. contempordneus, fr.
con- and tempus, gen. temporis, 'time'. See tem-
poral, 'pertaining to time'. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: contemporaneous-ly, adv., contem-
poraneous-ness, n.
contemporary, adj. — Formed fr. con- and L.
tempordrius, 'temporary'. See temporal, 'per-
taining to time'.
Derivatives: contemporary, n., contemporari-ly,
adv., contempor-ari-ness, n.
contemporize, tr. v., to make contemporary; intr.
v., to be contemporary. — A hybrid formed on
analogy of Gk. ouyxpovi^eiv, 'to be at the same
time', fr. con- (= Gk. auv-), L. tempus, gen.
temporis, 'time' (= Gk. xpovo?), and suff. -ize
(fr. Gk. -£etv).
contempt, n., 1) scorn; 2) disgrace; 3) disrespect
of court. — L. contemptus, 'a despising, con-
tempt, scorn', fr. contemptus, pp. of contemnere.
See contemn.
contemptibility, n. — Late TL.contemptibilitds, fr.
L. contemptibilis. See next word and -ity.
contemptible, adj. — L. contemptibilis, 'worthy of
scorn', fr. contemptus, pp. of contemnere. See
contemn and -ible.
Derivatives: contemptible-ness, n., contemptibl-
y, adv.
contemptuous, adj. — Formed with suff. -ous fr.
L. contemptus, 'scorn'. See contempt.
Derivatives: contemptuous-ly, adv., contemp-
tuous-ness, n.
contend, intr. v., to struggle, fight; to argue;
tr. v., to assert. — OF. contendre, fr. L. con-
tendere, 'to stretch out, exert, strive', fr. con-
and tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a
certain direction'.
Derivatives: contend-er, n., contend-ing, adj.,
contend-ing-ly, adv.
content, usually pi. : contents, n. — L. contentum,
neut. pp. of continere, 'to contain'. See contain.
content, adj. — F., fr. L. contentus, pp. of con-
tinere, 'to contain'. See contain and cp. prec.
word. F. content orig. meant 'bounded in one's
desires', whence arose the meaning 'having no
more desires', i.e. 'satisfied'.
Derivatives: content, n., state of being content,
content-ly, adv., content-ness, n.
content, tr. v., to make content. — F. contenter,
fr. Late L. contentdre, fr. L. contentus. See con-
tent, adj.
Derivatives: content-ed, adj., content-ed-ly, adv.,
content-ed-ness, n., content-ment , n.
contention, n., 1) controversy; 2) point. — F., fr.
L. contentidnem, acc. of contentio, 'a stretching,
straining, striving, strife', fr. contentus, pp. of
contendere. See contend and -ion.
Derivative: contention-al, adj.
contentious, adj. — F. contentieux (fem. con-
tentieuse), fr. L. contentidsus, 'contentious, ob-
stinate, disputatious', fr. contentio. See prec.
word and -ous.
Derivatives: contentious-ly, adv., contentious-
ness, n.
conterminal, adj., conterminous. — ML. conter-
mindlis, fr. L. conterminus. See next word and
adj. suff. -aL
conterminous, adj., having the same boundary. —
L. conterminus, 'bordering upon, neighboring'
343
fr. con- and terminus, 'boundary'. See terminus.
Derivatives: conterminous-ly, adv., contermi-
nous-ness, n.
contessa, n., countess. • — It., fem. of conte,
'count', fr. L. comitem, acc. of comes, 'compan-
ion'. See count, 'title of nobility', and -ess.
contest, tr. and intr. v. — F. contester, fr. L. con-
testdri, 'to call to witness' (esp. in the legal term
contestari litem, 'to introduce a lawsuit by cal-
ling witnesses, to bring an action'), fr. con- and
testdri, 'to be a witness, bear witness, testify',
fr. testis, 'witness'. See testament and cp. attest,
detest.
Derivatives: contest, n., contestant (q.v.), con-
testation (q.v.), contest-er, n., contest-ing-ly, adv.
contestant, n. — F., pres. part, of contester, fr.
L. contestari. See prec. word and -ant.
contestation, n. — F., fr. L. contestdtidnem, acc.
of contestdtid, 'an attesting, testimony', fr. con-
testdtus, pp. of contestari. See contest and -ation
and cp. attestation, detestation.
context, n. — L. contextus, 'a joining together,
connection', fr. contextus, pp. of contexere, 'to
weave, join together, interweave, unite', fr. con-
and texere, 'to weave'. See text.
contextual, adj. — Formed fr. prec. word with
adj. suff. -al; first used by Coleridge. Cp.
textual.
Derivative : contextual-ly, adv.
contexture, n. — F., fr. L. contextus, pp. of con-
texere. See context and cp. texture.
contignarion, n., a framing together of beams and
boards. — L. contigndtid, gen. -onis, fr. con-
tigndtus, pp. of contigndre, 'to furnish with
beams', fr. con- and tignum, 'beam', which is of
uncertain origin. It stands perh. for *tegnom,
and is cogn. with Arm. t'akn, 'cudgel, club',
Lett, stega, 'rod, pole, perch', Russ. stozar', of
s.m., OE. staca, 'stake'. See stake and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ation.
contiguity, n. — F. contiguite, fr. contigu, 'con-
tiguous', fr. L. contiguus. See next word and
-ity.
contiguous, adj., 1) touching; 2) near. — L. con-
tiguus, 'bordering upon, neighboring, conti-
guous', lit. 'touching', which stands for *con-
tag-uus, fr. con- and *tag-, the stem of tangere,
'to touch'. See tangent and cp. contingent. For
the change of Latin d to i in the second element
of compounds see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: contiguous-ly, adv., contiguous-
ness, n.
continence, n. — F., fr. L. continentia, 'a holding
in', fr. continens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of con-
tinere. See contain and -ence and cp. counte-
nance, which is a doublet of continence.
continent, adj. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. continentem,
acc. of continens, pres. part, of continere, 'to
hold together, retain', fr. con- and tenere, 'to
hold'. See contain and -ent. For the change of
Latin e (in tenere) to i (in con-tinere) see absti-
nence and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: continent-ly, adv.
continent, n. — L. continens, short for terra con-
tinens, 'the mainland, continent', lit. 'the land
that holds together', pres. part, of continere,
hence derivatively the same word as continent,
adj. (q.v.) Cp. F. continent, n., shortened fr. ear-
lier terre continente, literal rendering of L. terra
continens.
Derivatives: continent-al, adj. and n., continent-
alism, -ist (qq.v.), continent-al-ity, n.
continentalism, n. — A hybrid formed fr. L. con-
tinens (see continent) and the suffixes -al (fr. L.
-dlis) and -ism (fr. Gk. -ia[/,6?).
contingency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
contingent, adj., 1) happening by chance; 2) de-
pendent on. — L. contingens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of contingere, 'to touch on all sides, take
hold of, border upon, be related to, happen', fr.
con- and tangere, 'to touch'. See tangent. The
change of Latin d (in tangere) to 1 (in con-tingere)
is due to the Latin phonetic law accoi ling to
which in the unaccented closed radical syllable
of the second element of compounds, original
d followed by ng becomes 1. Cp. impinge, in-
fringe.
Derivatives: contingent, n., contingent-ly, adv.
continual adj. — ME. continuel, fr. OF. (= F.)
continuel, fr. continu, 'continuous', fr. L. con-
tinuus. See continuous and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: continual-ity, n., continual-ly, adv.,
continual-ness, n.
continuance, n. — OF., fr. continuant. See next
word and -ce.
continuant, adj., continuing (obsol.) — F. con-
tinuant, fr. L. continuantem, acc. of continudns,
pres. part, of continudre. See continue and -ant.
Derivative: continuant, n., that which continues.
continuation, n. — F., fr. L. continudtidnem, acc.
of continudtid, fr. continudtus, pp. of continudre.
See continue and -ation.
continuative, adj. — Late L. continudtivus, 'serv-
ing to connect the discourse', fr. L. continudtus,
pp. of continudre. See next word and -ative.
Derivatives: continuative-ly, adv., continuative-
ness, n.
continue, intr. and tr. v. — F. continuer, fr. L.
continudre, 'to join together, connect, unite,
make continuous, continue', fr. continuus. See
continuous and cp. discontinue.
Derivatives: continu-ed, adj., continu-ed-ly, adv.,
continu-ed-ness, n., continu-er, n.
continuity, n. — F. continuite, fr. L. continui-
tdtem, acc. of continuitds, fr. continuus. See next
word and -ity.
continuous, adj. — L. continuus, 'joining with
something, hanging together (in space or time),
uninterrupted', fr. continere, 'to hold together',
fr. con- and tenere, 'to hold'. For the change of
Latin e" (in tenure) to 1 (in con-tinere) see absti-
VUI I LI 1 1 U U 1 1 1
344
nence and cp. words there referred to. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see surf, -ous.
Derivatives: continuous-ly, adv., continuous-
ness, n.
continuum, n., a continuous series, a whole. —
L., neut. of continuus. See continuous,
contline, n., space between the strands of a rope.
— Prob. for cantline, fr. cant, 'slope', and line,
conto, n., a million reis. — Port., 'a million', fr.
Late L. computus, 'a computation', fr. L. com-
puldre, 'to sum up, reckon'. See compute.
contorniate, adj., having a deep furrow round the
edge. — F., fr. it. contorniato, pp. of contorniare,
'to make a circuit, to outline', fr. contorno. See
contour and adj. suff. -ate and cp. next word.
Derivative: contorniate, n.
contorno, n., contour. — It. See contour and cp.
prec. word.
contort, tr. v., to twist, distort. — L. contortus,
pp. of contorquere, 'to twist together', fr. con-
and torquere, 'to turn, twist'. See torque and cp.
distort, extort, retort.
Derivatives: contort-ed, adj., contort-ed-ly, adv.,
contort-ed-ness, n., contortion (q.v.), contort-
ive, adj.
contortion, n. — L. contortid, gen. -dnis, 'a whirl-
ing round, intertwining', fr. contortus, pp. of
contorquere. See contort and -ion and cp.
torsion.
Derivatives: contortion-al, adj., contortion-ate,
adj., contor-tion-cd, adj., contortion-ist (q.v.)
contortionist, n., an acrobat who twists his body.
— See contortion and -ist and cp. distortion-ist.
contour, n., outline. — F., formed under the in-
fluence of tour, 'turn', fr. It. contorno, 'circuit,
outline, contour; fr. contornare, 'to compass
about, to outline', fr. con- and tornare, 'to turn'
(see turn) ; introduced into English by the diarist
John Evelyn (1620- 1706).
Derivative: contour, tr. v.
contournc, adj., turned about (said of an animal;
her.) — F.. pp. of contourner, 'to turn about',
fr. It. contornare. See prec. word,
contra, adv.. prep, and n. — L. contra. See
contra-.
contra-, pref. meaning 'against, opposite to". —
L. contra, 'against, facing, opposite, contrary
to, opposed to', prop. abl. fcm. sing, of *com-
tro, which was formed fr. OL. com, 'with, to-
gether with' and -tr, zero degree of the compar.
suff. -ter-, which appears in L. alter, 'the other
(of two)'. Contra orig. denoted the being to-
gether of two things compared with each other.
For the first clement see com-. For the second
sec -ther and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also counter, adv., contrary, country, and the first
element in contrast.
contraband, n. — F. contrebande, fr. earlier It.
contrabando (now spelled contrabhando), fr.
contra- and bando, 'proclamation*. See ban,
'edict', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: contraband, adj., contraband-age,
n., contraband-ery, n., contraband-ism, n., con-
traband-ist, n.
contrabass, n., bass viol, double bass (mus.) —
Formed fr. contra- and bass,
contraception, n., birth control. — Formed fr.
contra- and (con)ception.
contraceptive, adj., preventing conception. — See
prec. word and -ive.
contract, n. — OF. (F. contraf), fr. L. contractus,
'a contract, agreement', fr. contractus, pp. of
contrahere, 'to draw together, collect, bring
about, conclude a bargain, make a contract',
fr. con- and trahere, 'to draw'. See tract,
contract, tr. and intr. v. — L. contractus, pp. of
contrahere. See contract, n., and cp. the verb
abstract and words there referred to.
Derivatives: contract-ed, adj., contract-ed-ly,
adv., contract-ed-ness, n., contract-er, n., con-
tractile (q.v.), contraction (q.v.), contract-he,
adj., contract-ive-ly, adv., contract-ive-ness, n.,
contractor (q.v.), contracture (q.v.)
contractile, adj., 1) having the power of con-
tracting; 2) producing contraction. — F., fr.
contracter, 'to draw together', fr. L. contractus,
pp. of contrahere. See contract, n., and -ile.
contractility, n. — F. contractilite, fr. contractile.
Sec prec. word and -ity.
contraction, n. — F., fr. L. contractidnem, acc. of
contracted, 'a drawing together', fr. contractus,
pp. of contrahere. See contract, n., and -ion.
Derivative: contraction-al, adj.
contractor, n. — Late L., fr. L. contractus, pp. of
contrahere. See contract and agential suff. -or.
contractual, adj., pertaining to a contract. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. contractus, 'con-
tract'. See contract, n.
Derivative: eontractual-ly, adv.
contracture, n., a condition of permanent con-
traction of the muscles (med.) — F., fr. L. con-
tractus, 'a drawing together', fr. contractus, pp.
of contrahere. See contract, n., and -ure.
Derivative: contract ur-ed, adj.
contradict, tr. and intr. v. — L. contrddictus, pp.
of contradicere, 'to speak against', fr. contra-
and dicere, 'to say'. See diction.
Derivatives: contradict-er, n., contradiction,
contradictious (qq.v.), contradict-ive, adj., con-
tradict-ive-ly, adv., contradict-ive-ness, n. contra-
dictor, contradictory (qq.v.)
contradiction, n. — F., fr. L. contrddictidnem,
acc. of contrddictid, 'a reply, objection, counter-
argument', lit. 'a speaking against', fr. contrd-
dictus, pp. of contradicere. See contradict and
-ion.
contradictious, adj., inclined to contradict. — See
contradict and -ious.
Derivatives: contradictious-ly, adv., contradic-
tious-ness, n.
contradictor, n. — Late L. contradictor, 'one who
replies or objects, an opponent', fr. L. contrd-
dictus, pp. of contradicere. See contradict and
agential suff. -or.
345
contrive
contradictory, adj. — Late L. contrddictdrius,
'containing a contradiction or objection', fr. L.
contrddictus, pp. of contradicere. See contradict
and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: contradictory, n., contradictori-ly,
adv., eontradictori-ness , n.
contradistinct, adj. — Formed fr. contra- and
distinct.
Derivatives : contradistinct-ion, n., contradistinct-
ive, adj., contradistinct-ive-ly, adv., contradis-
tinct-ly, adv.
contradistinguish, tr. v. — Formed fr. contra-
and distinguish,
contrahent, adj., contracting. — L. contrahens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of contrahere, 'to make
a contract'. See contract and -ent and cp. at-
trahent.
Derivative: contrahent, n., a contracting party.
contralto, n., the lowest female voice (mus.) —
It., compounded of contra, 'against, opposite
to', and alto, 'high'. See contra- and alto.
contraposition, n. — Late L. contrapositid, gen.
-dnis, fr. contrdpositus, pp. of contrdpdnere, 'to
place opposite', fr. contra- and L. pdnere, 'to
put, place'. See position.
contraption, n., a contrivance (colloq.) — An in-
vented word prob. suggested by contrive and
apt.
contrapuntal, adj., pertaining to counterpoint
(mus.) — Formed with adj . suff. -al fr. It. contrap-
punto, fr. ML. cantus contrdpunctus. See coun-
terpoint.
contrapuntist, n., one skilled in counterpoint
(mus.) — It. contrappuntista, fr. contrappunto.
See prec. word and -ist.
contrariant, adj., opposed, contrary (rare). —
OF. (— F.) contrariant, fr. Late L. contrdrian-
tem, acc. of contrarians, pres. part, of contra-
ridre, 'to oppose, cross, thwart', fr. L. contrdrius.
See contrary and -ant.
contrariety, n. — F. contrariete, fr. Late L. con-
trdrietdm, acc. of contrdrietds, 'opposition', fr.
L. contrdrius. See contrary and -ity.
contrarious, adj. — OF. contrarios, fr. ML. con-
trdriosus, fr. L. contrdrius. See contrary and
-ous.
Derivatives: contrarious-ly, adv., contrarious-
ness, n.
contrariwise, adv. — Compounded of contrary
and -wise.
contrary, adj. — ME. contrarie, fr. OF. contrarie,
contraire (F. contraire), fr. L. contrdrius, 'oppo-
site, contrary, opposed', fr. contra, 'against, op-
posite to'. See contra- and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: contrary, n. and adv., contrari-ly,
adv.
contrast, tr. and intr. v. — F. contraster, 'to con-
trast', refashioned after It. contrastare, fr. OF.
contrester, 'to strive against, dispute', fr. VL.
*contrdstdre, 'to oppose', fr. L. contra stare, 'to
stand against', fr. contra, 'against', and stare,
'to stand'. See contra- and state.
Derivatives: contrast-he, adj., contrast-he-ly,
adv.
contrast, n. — F., fr. It. contrasto, fr. contrastare.
See contrast, v.
contrate, adj., having the teeth at right angles to
the surface (said of the wheels of a watch). —
Lit. 'opposite', fr. L. contra. See contra- and
adj. suff. -ate.
contravallation, n., a chain of fortifications raised
round an invested place (fort.) — F. contre-
vallation, fr. contre, 'against' (fr. L. contra), and
Late L. valldtid, gen. -dnis, 'entrenchment', fr.
L. valldre, 'to surround with a rampart', fr. val-
lum, 'rampart'. See contra-, vallum and -ation
and cp. circumvallate.
contravene, tr. v., 1) to oppose; 2) to infringe;
3) to violate. — F. contrevenir, fr. Late L. contra-
venire, 'to oppose', fr. contra- and venire, 'to
come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'.
Derivative: contraven-er, n.
contravention, n. — Formed fr. Late L. contrd-
vent-(um), pp. stem of contravenire. See prec.
word and -ion.
contrayerva, n., a tropical American plant (Dor-
stenia contrayerba). — Sp. contrayerba, lit.
'counter herb' i.e. 'antidote for poison', fr. L.
contra, 'against', and hierba, yerba, 'herb'. See
contra- and herb and cp. yerba.
contretemps, n., a mishap. — F., fr. contre,
'against' (fr. L. contra), and temps (fr. L. tempus),
'time'. See contra- and temporal, 'pertaining to
time', and cp. tempus.
contribute, tr. and intr. v. — L. contributus, pp.
of contribuere, 'to bring together, unite, collect,
dispose, arrange', fr. con- and tribuere, 'to as-
sign, allot, bestow, give, grant'. See tribute.
Derivatives: contribution (q.v.), contribut-he,
adj., contribut-ive-ly, adv., contribut-he-ness, n.,
contribut-or, n., conlribut-ory, adj.
contribution, n. — F., fr. Late L. contributidnem,
acc. of contributid, fr. L. contributus, pp. of con-
tribuere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: contribution-al, adj.
contrite, adj. — OF. (= F.) contrit, fr. L. con-
tritus, 'ground, bruised', pp. of conterere, 'to
grind, bruise; to wear away by rubbing', fr.
con- and terete, 'to rub, grind, wear away'.
Derivatives: contrite-ly, adv., contrite-ness, n.
contrition, n. — OF. contriciun (F. contrition),
fr. L. conlritidnem, acc. of contritid, 'a grinding,
bruising, grief, contrition', fr. contritus, pp. of
conterere. See prec. word and -ion.
contrivance, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ance.
contrive, tr. and intr. v. — ME. controven, con-
trueven, contreven, fr. OF. contrueve, 3rd person
pres. of controver, contreuver (F . controuver), 'to
find out, invent', fr. con- and OF. trover, 'to
compose verses; to invent; to find' (whence F.
trouver, 'to find'). See trover and cp. retrieve.
Cp. also contraption.
Derivative: contrh-er, n.
control
340
control, tr. v. — F. contrdler, fr. contrdle, 'con-
trol register, roll, list', fr. OF. contrerole, 'control
register', which is formed fr. centre, 'against'
(fr. L. contra), and OF. role (F. role), 'roll' (fr.
L. rotulus). See contra- and roll.
Derivatives: controll-able, adj., controller (q.v.),
controll-ing-ly, adv., control-ment, n.
control, n. — F. contrdle. See control, v.
controller, n. — AF. contrerollour, corresponding
to OF. contrerolleor (whence F. contrdleur). See
control, v., and agential surf, -er and cp.
comptroller.
controversial, adj. — Laie L. co,itrdversidlis, 'per-
taining to controversy', fr. L. controversia. See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: controversial-ism, n., controversial-
ist, n., controversial-ly , adv.
controversy, n., dispute. — L. controversia, fr.
controversus, 'turned against, disputed, quest-
ionable', fr. contrd-, a collateral form of contrd-
and versus, pp. of vert ere, 'to turn'. See contra-
and version and cp. next word.
controvert, tr. v., to dispute. — Back formation
fr. L. controversus (see prec. word), on analogy
of the verbs convert, invert, pervert, etc. See
prec. word.
Derivative : controvert-er, n.
contubernium, n., tent companionship. — L., fr.
con- and taberna, 'tent'. See tavern.
contumacious, adj., obstinate, stubborn, dis-
obedient. — Formed with suff. -ious fr. L. con-
tumdx, gen. -dcis, 'haughty, insolent, obstinate',
which is prob. formed fr. con- and the base of
tumere, 'to swell, swell with pride'. See tumid
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
contumely. — L. contumdx is not rel. to con-
temner, 'to scorn, esteem lightly' (see con-
temn).
Derivatives: contumacious-ly, adv., contuma-
cious-ness, n.
contumacy, n., stubbornness, disobedience. — L.
contumdeia, 'haughtiness, insolence, stubborn-
ness', fr. contumdx, gen. -dcis. See prec. word
and -y (representing L. -id).
contumelious, adj., contemptuously insolent. —
OF. contumelieus, fr. L. contumeliosus, 're-
proachful, insolent abusive', fr. contumelia. See
next word and -ous.
Derivatives : contumelious-ly, adv., contumelious-
ness, n.
contumely, n., contemptuous insolence. — OF.
contumelie, fr. L. con umelia, 'insult, affront,
disgrace, ignominy', from the adj. *contumelis,
'haughty, insolent', which is rel. to contumdx,
'haughty, insolent'. See contumacy,
contund, tr. v., to contuse. — L. contundere, 'to
beat, bruise'. See next word,
contuse, tr. v., to bruise. — L. contusus, pp. of
contundere, 'to beat, bruise', fr. con- and tundere,
'to beat, strike, stump'. See fund,
contusion, n., a bruise. — F., fr. L. contusidnem,
acc. of contiisio, 'a crushing, bruising', fr. con-
tusus, pp. of contundere. See prec. word and -ion
and cp. obtusion.
Derivative: contusion-ed, adj.
conundrum, n., a riddle. — Of uncertain origin.
Conuropsis, n., a genus of parakeets (ornithol.) —
ModL., formed fr. Gk. x£Wo?, 'cone', oupd,
'tail', and o^i?, 'sight'. Sec cono-, uro-, 'tail-',
and opsis.
convalesce, intr. v., to recover from illness. — L.
convalescere, 'to regain health', fr. con- and
valescere, 'to grow strong', inchoative of valere,
'to be well, be strong'. See valiant and -esce and
cp. vale, interj.
convalescence, n. — F., fr. L. convalescentia, 'a
regaining of health', fr. convalescens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
convalescent, adj. and n. — L. convalescens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of convalescere. See convalesce
and -ent.
Convallaria, n., a genus of plants, the lily of the
valley (hot.) — ModL., fr. con- and L. vallis,
'valley'. See vale, n., and -ia.
convection, n., transference of heat by the move-
ment of the heated particles. — L. convectid,
gen. -onis, 'a carrying together', fr. convectus',
pp. of convehere, 'to carry together', fr. con- and
vehere, 'to carry'. See vehicle and -ion.
convective, adj., i) conveying; 2) pertaining to,
or of the nature of, convection. — Formed with
suff. -ive fr. L. convectus, pp. of convehere. See
prec. word.
Derivative: convective-ly, adv.
convenance, n., 1) conventional usage; 2) pro-
priety. — F., 'fitness, suitability, decency, con-
venience', fr. convenant, pres. part, of comenir,
'to suit, agree', fr. L. convenire. See next word
and -ance.
convene, tr. and intr. v., to assemble. — F. con-
venir, 'to suit, agree', fr. L. convenire, 'to come
together, assemble', fr. con- and venire, 'to
come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'. Cp. also
convent, covenant.
Derivative: conven-er, n.
convenience, n. — L. convenientia, 'agreement,
fitness, suitability', fr. conveniens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
convenient, adj. — L. conveniens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of convenire, 'to be suitable', lit. 'to come
together'. See convene and -ent.
Derivatives: convenient-ly, adv., convenient-
ness, n.
convent, n. — L. conventus, 'meeting, assembly',
lit. 'a coming together', fr. conventus, pp. of con-
venire; see convene. Cp. AF. covent (whence ME.
coveni), OF., F. couvent, OProvenc. coven, 'con-
vent', fr. Eccles. L. cd{n)ventus, of s.m., fr. L.
conventus. Cp. also covenant, covin.
conventicle, n., 1) a secret religious assembly;
2) the place of such an assembly. — L. conven-
liculum, 'a small assembly', dimin. of conventus.
See prec. word and -cle.
convention, n. — F., fr. L. conventidnem, acc. of '
J4/
convivial
conventid, meeting, assembly, agreement', lit. 'a
coming together', fr. conventus, pp. of convenire.
See convene and -ion.
Derivatives: conventional (q.v.), convention-
al, adj.
conventional, adj. — L. conventidndlis, 'pertaining
to an agreement', fr. conventid, gen. -onis. See
convention and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: conventional-ism, n., conventional-
ist, n., conventional-ize, tr. v., conventional-ly,
adv.
conventual, adj. and n. — Eccles. L. conventualis,
'pertaining to a convent', fr. L. conventus. See
convent and adj. suff. -al.
converge, intr. and tr. v., to meet in a point. —
L. convergere, 'to incline or turn toward one
another', fr. con- and vergere, 'to turn, bend,
incline'. See verge, v.
convergence, convergency, n. — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
convergent, adj. and n. — L. convergens, -entis,
pres. part, of convergere. See converge and -ent.
conversance, conversancy, n. — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
conversant, adj., acquainted (with). — OF. (= F.)
conversant, pres. part, of converser. See con-
verse, v., and -ant.
Derivative : conversant-ly, adv.
conversation, n. — F., fr. L. conversdtidnem, acc.
of conversdtid, 'frequent abode in a place, inter-
course, conversation', fr. conversdtus, pp. of
conversdri, 'to associate with'. See converse, v.,
and -ation.
Derivatives: conversation-able, adj., conversa-
tional, adj., conversation-al-ist, n., conversation-
ally, adv., conversation-ism, n., conversation-
ist, n.
conversazione, n., a social gathering for conver-
sation on literary or other learned subjects. —
It., fr. L. conversatidnem, acc. of conversdtid.
See prec. word.
■converse, intr. v. — F. converser, 'to talk, dis-
course, converse', fr. L. conversdri, 'to turn
round, to abide, remain, live', fr. con- and ver-
sdri, 'to abide, remain, live', lit. 'to be turned',
passive of versdre, freq. of vertere, pp. versus,
'to turn'. See version.
Derivatives: converse, n., conversation (q.v.),
convers-able, adj., convers-able-ness, n., convers-
abl-y, adv.
■converse, adj., reversed in order. — L. conversus,
pp. of convertere, 'to turn about'. See convert.
conversion, n. — F., fr. L. conversidnem, acc. of
conversid, 'a turning round', fr. convertere, 'to
turn round'. See con- and version and cp.
convert.
Derivatives: conversion-al, conversion-ary, adjs.
conversive, adj. — F. conversif (fem. conversive),
fr. L. conversus, pp. of convertere. See convert
and -ive.
convert, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) convertir, fr. VL.
*convertire, corresponding to L. convertere, 'to
turn round', which is formed fr. con- and ver-
tere, 'to turn'. See version.
Derivatives: convert, n., convert-er, n., con-
vertible (q.v.), convert-ive, adj.
convertible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. convertibilis,
'changeable', fr. L. convertere. See prec. word
and -ible.
Derivatives: convertible, n., convertibil-ity, n.,
convertible-ness, n., convertibl-y , adv.
convex, adj. — F. convexe, fr. L. convexus, 'vault-
ed, arched', which is usually explained as lit.
meaning 'brought together', and connected
with convehere, 'to bring together', but it is
more probable that it stands for *con-vac-sos, fr.
con- and I.-E. base *waq-, *wa-n-q-, 'to be curv-
ed', whence also OI. vdncati, 'moves to and
fro', vacydte, 'swings, oscillates', vakrdh, 'curv-
ed, crooked', vaiicayati, 'slips away, deceives',
Avestic -vashta, 'curved', L. vacilldre, 'to sway,
waver, vacillate', W. gwaeth (for *vakto-),
'worse', gwaethaf, 'worst', Co. gweth, 'worse',
OE. wdh, 'crooked, perverse, wrong' ; seeWalde-
Hofmann, LEW., I, pp. 268-69. See vacillate.
I.-E. base *waq- is rel. to base *wag-, 'to bend';
see vagary and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: convex, n. and v., convex-ed, adj.,
convex-ed-ly, adv., convex-ed-ness, n., convex-
ly, adv., convex-ness, n.
convey, tr. v. — OF. conveier, convoier (F. con-
voyer), 'to escort', fr. VL. *convidre, lit. 'to go
together with somebody', fr. con- and via, 'way'.
See via, n., and cp. convoy, v., which is a doublet
of convey.
Derivatives: convey-al, n., convey-ance, n., con-
vey-anc-er, n., convey-anc-ing, n., convey-er,
convey-or, n.
convicium, n., the offence of reviling a person
{civil law). — L. convicium, 'a loud noise, out-
cry, reviling, insult', for * con-vec-iom, lit. 'a
speaking together', fr. con- and a gradational
variant of vox, gen. vdcis, 'voice, sound'. See
voice and cp. convoke, convocation.
convict, tr. v., to find guilty. — L. convictus, pp.
of convincere, 'to prove guilty'. See convince.
Derivatives: convict-able, convict-ible, adj., con-
viction (q.v.), convict-ive, adj., convict-ive-ly,
adv., convict-ive-ness, n.
convict, n., a person found guilty. — L. convictus,
pp. of convincere. See convict, v.
conviction, n., 1) a convicting; 2) a firm belief. —
Eccles. L. convictid, gen. -onis, 'proof, demon-
stration', fr. L. convictus, pp. of convincere. See
next word and -ion.
Derivative : conviction-al, adj.
convince, tr. v. — L. convincere, 'to overcome,
conquer, prove wrong, refute', fr. con- and vin-
cere, 'to conquer, overcome'. See vincible.
Derivatives: convinc-ed, adj., convinc-ed-ly, adv.,
convinc-ed-ness, n., convince-ment, n., convinc-
er, n., convinc-ible, adj., convinc-ing, adj., con-
vinc-ing-ly, adv., convinc-ing-ness, n.
convivial, adj., sociable. — L. convividlis, 'per-
convocation
348
taining to a feast, festal', fr. convivium, 'a feast',
lit. 'a living together', fr. con- and vlvere, 'to
live'. See vital and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: convivial-ist, n., convivial-ity, n.,
convivial-ly, adv.
convocation, n. — F., fr. L. convocdtidnem, acc. of
convocdtid, 'a calling together, convoking', fr.
convocdtus, pp. of convocdre. See next word and
-ation.
Derivatives: convocation-al, adj., convocation-
al-ly, adv.
convoke, tr. v. — F. convoquer, fr. L. convocdre,
'to call together, assemble, convoke', fr. con- and
vocdre, 'to call' . See voice and cp. invoke, provoke.
Derivative : convok-er, n.
Convoluta, n. pi., a genus of flatworms (hel-
minthol.) — ModL., neut. pi. of L. convolutus.
See next word.
convolute, adj., rolled up together. — L. con-
voliitus, pp. of convolvere. See next word.
Derivatives : convolut-ed, adj., convolute-ly, adv.,
convolut-ion, n., convolut-ion-al, adj., convolut-
ion-ary, adj., convolut-ive, adj.
convolve, tr. v., to roll up together; intr. v., to
revolve together. — L. convolvere, 'to roll to-
gether, roll round, roll up', fr. con- and volvere,
'to roll'. See volute and cp. prec. word.
Convolvulaceae, n.. pi., a family of plants, the
morning-glory family (bot.) — ModL., formed
fr. Convolvulus with suff. -aceae.
convolvulaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Convolvulus, n., a genus of plants, the bindweed
(bot.) — L. convolvulus, 'the bindweed', a dimi-
nutive noun formed fr. convolvere, 'to roll to-
gether'. See convolve and -ule.
convoy, tr. v., to escort for protection. — OF.
convoier (F. convoyer), 'to escort', fr. VL. con-
vidre, lit. 'to go together with somebody'. Con-
voy is the doublet of convey (q.v.)
convoy, n., a protecting escort. — OF. (= F.)
convoi, fr. convoier, 'to convoy'. See convoy, v.
convulse, tr. v., to shake violently. — L. convul-
sus, pp. of convellere, 'to tear up, pull up, shake,
destroy, overthrow', fr. con- and vellere, 'to
pluck, pull, twitch'. See vellicate and cp. words
there referred to.
convulsion, n. — L. convulsid, gen. -dnis, 'cramp,
convulsion', fr. convulsus, pp. of convellere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: convulsion-al, convulsion-ary, adjs.
convulsive, adj. — F. convulsif (fern, convulsive),
fr. L. convulsus, pp. of convellere. See convulse
and -ive.
Derivatives: convulsive-ly, adv., convulsive-
ness, n.
cony, coney, n., a rabbit. — ME. coning, coni, fr.
OF. conin, fr. L. cuniculus, 'rabbit', a word of
Sp. -Iberian origin. Cp. Basque unchi, 'rabbit'.
Cp. also cuniculus. The alteration of OF. -in
to ME. -ing is due to a change of suff. ; cp. pud-
ding, fr. F. boudin.
coo, intr. and tr. v., to utter the sound character-
istic of doves and pigeons. — Of imitative ori-
gin; coined by John Dryden (1631-1700).
Derivatives: coo, n., coo-er, n., coo-ing, adj.,
coo-ing-ly, adv.
cooee, cooey, interj. and n., cry used as a signal
by the Australian aborigines and adopted by
the Australian colonists. — Of imitative origin.
cooja, n., an earthenware jar (India). — Hind.
kiijd, fr. Pers. kuza, which is rel. to Avestic
xawza-, 'pot'.
cook, n. — ME. coc, fr. OE. cdc, fr. VL. cocus,
fr. L. coquus, 'cook', fr. coquere, 'to cook'
(whence L. coquina, culina, 'kitchen', rel. to Os-
can popina, of s.m.), cogn. with OI. pdcati,
'cooks', pdcyate, 'ripens' (intr.), pakvdh, 'cooked,
ripe', Toch. B pepaksu, 'cooked', A p(u)kalune,
'ripening', Arm. ephem, 'cook', hac, 'bread', Gk.
Ti^csaeiv, 7T£7tteiv, 'to soften, ripen, boil, cook',
7T^7rcov, 'cooked by the sun, ripe, soft, sweet', the
second element in apTo-xo7ra? (for *apTo-7roxo^),
'baker', lit. 'bread baker', Alb. pjek, 'I bake',
Lith. kepit, kepti (metathesis for *peku, *pekti),
'to bake, roast', OSlav. *peko, *pesti, 'to bake',
pecenu, 'roasted', peku, 'heat', pec?", 'oven', OE.
d-figen, 'roasted', W. pobi, Co. pobas, 'to bake',
W. poeth, 'cooked, baked, hot', Bret, pobet,
'baked'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*peq w - (in Latin and in the Celtic languages assi-
milated into *q w eq w -), 'to cook'. Cp. apricot, bis-
cuit, concoct, cotta, culinary, decoct, dyspepsia,
kiln, kitchen, melon, pepo, pepsin, peptic, preco-
cious, pucka, pumpkin, quittor, terra cotta, and
the second element in crumpet, drupe.
Derivatives: cook, tr. and intr. v., cook-er, n.,
cook-ery, n.
cooky,also cookie, n., a small cake. — Du. koekje,
dimin. of koek, 'cake'. See cake and dimin.
suff. -y.
cool, adj. — ME. cole, fr. OE. col, rel. to MDu.
coel, Du. koel, OHG. kuoli, MHG. kiiele, G.
kiihl, 'cool', ON. kala, OE. calan, 'to be cold,
freeze', fr. I.-E. base *gel-, 'cold, to freeze',
whence also L. gelu, 'frost, cold', geldre, 'to
freeze', gelidus, 'icy, frosty', glacies, 'ice'. Cp.
cold, chill, keel, 'to keep cool', Cp. also congeal,
gelatin, gelid, glacier, jelly.
Derivatives: cool, n., cool, v. (q.v.), cool-ly, adv.,
cool-ness, n.
cool, intr. and tr. v. — OE. colian, 'to grow cold,
to cool', fr. col, 'cool'. Cp. OE. celan, 'to make
cold', fr. earlier *kdljan, hence derivatively
identical with OE. colian. See cool, adj.
Derivatives: cool-er, n., cool-ing, adj., cool-ing-
ly, adv., cool-ing-ness, n.
coolie, cooly, n., an unskilled laborer in Asia. —
Hind, quli, prob. fr. Kuli, Koli, name of an
aboriginal tribe of Gujarat, India.
coolth, n. — Formed fr. cool with suff. -th (on
analogy of warmth, fr. warm). Cp. illth, formed
on the analogy of wealth.
coomb, coom, n., a measure of grain. — ME.
349
combe, fr. OE. cumb, 'vessel, a measure', rel. to
MLG. kump, MHG., G. kumpf, 'a deep basin,
bowl, trough', G. Kumme, 'a deep bowl'.
coomb, combe, n., a deep valley. — OE. cumb, of
Celtic origin. See combe.
coon, n., 1) a raccoon; 2) a Negro. — Shortened
from raccoon (q.v.)
cooncan, n., a card game. — Corruption of
conquian.
coop, n. — ME. cope, 'a basket', corresponding
to OE. *ciipe (cp. OE. cype, 'cask'), fr. L. cupa,
'cask, tub'. See cup.
Derivative : cooper (q.v.)
cooper, n., one who makes barrels. — ME. cou-
per, prob. fr. MLG. kuper (cp. Du. kuiper, G.
Kiifer, of s.m.), fr. L. cupa. See prec. word and
agential suff. -er.
Derivatives: cooper-age, n., cooper-y, n.
cooper, also coper, n., a kind of vessel. — Du.
koper, 'trading vessel', fr. kopen, 'to buy,
trade', fr. koop, 'purchase'. See cheap, n.
co-operant, adj. and n. — Late L. cooperdns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of cooperdri. See co-operate
and -ant.
co-operate, intr. v. — Fr. Late L. cooperdtus,
pp. of cooperdri, 'to work together with', fr. co-
and L. operdri, 'to work, labor'. See operate.
Derivatives: co-operation (q.v.), co-operat-ive,
adj. and n., co-operat-ive-ly, adv., cooperative-
ness, n.
co-operation, n. — Late L. cooperdtid, 'a working
together', fr. cooperdtus, pp. of cooperdri. See
prec. word and -ion.
Cooperia, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.) — ModL., named after Daniel
Cooper, an English botanist of the 19th cent.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
co-opt, tr. v. — L. cooptdre, 'to choose, elect', fr.
co- and optdre, 'to wish, desire, require, demand,
choose'. See option and cp. adopt,
co-optation, n. — L. cooptdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
cooptdtus, pp. of cooptdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
co-optative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
cooptdtus, pp. of cooptdre. Sec co-opt and cp.
optative.
co-ordinate, adj. — Formed fr. co- and ordinate
(fr. L. drdindtus).
Derivatives : co-ordinate, n. and tr. v., co-ordinat-
ion, n. co-ordinat-ive, adj., co-ordinat-or, n.,
co-ordinat-ory, adj.
coot, n., a web-footed water bird. — ME. cote,
coote, rel. to Du. koet; of uncertain origin.
cop, n.. the top of anything; a mound. — ME.
cop, coppe, fr. OE. cop, copp, 'summit', rel. to
OE. cuppe, 'cup', ON. koppr, 'cup-shaped ves-
sel', MLG. kopp, OHG. chuph, kopf, 'cup',
MHG. kopf, 'drinking vessel; skull', G. Kopf,
'head', Du. kop, 'head; cup'. All these words
are traceable to Late L. cuppa, 'cup'. See cup
and cp. kopje. For the sense development of the
Teut. words cp. corrie and tete-d-tSte.
coping
cop, tr. v., to catch, arrest (slang). — A dial. var.
of obsol. cap, 'to seize', which derives fr. OF.
caper, 'to seize', fr. L. capere. See captive and
cp. copper, 'policeman',
cop, n., a policeman (slang). — Shortened fr. cop-
per, 'policeman',
copaiba, n., an oily resin obtained from trees of
the genus Copaiva (pharm.) — Sp. and Port.
copaiba, fr. Tupi copaiba.
Copaifera, also Copaiva, n., a genus of trees of
the senna family (bot.) — ModL. See prec. word
and -ferous.
copal, n., a resin. — Sp. copal, fr. Nanuatl
copalli, 'resin',
coparcenary, n., joint heirship. — Formed fr. co-
and parcenary.
coparcener, n., a joint heir. — Formed fr. co- and
parcener.
copartner, n. — Formed fr. co- and partner.
Derivatives: copartner-y, n., copartner-ship, n.
cope, n., a long mantle worn by ecclesiastics. —
ME. cope, fr. earlier cape, fr. Late L. cappa,
'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'a sleeveless cloak',
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: cope, tr. v., to dress in, or furnish
with, a cope, coping (q.v.)
cope, intr. v., to struggle, deal with. — ME. cou-
pen, fr. OF. colper, couper, 'to strike' (whence
also F. couper, 'to cut'), fr. colp, coup (F. coup),
'stroke, blow'. See coup and cp. words there
referred to. Derivative: cop-ing, n.
cope, tr. and intr. v., formerly to buy; now, to
barter (dial. Eng.) — ME. copen, fr. MDu. copen
(Du. kopen), 'to buy', which is related to OE.
ceapian, of s.m. See cheap, v.
copeck, n. — A var. spelling of kopeck.
copepod, n., a minute crustacean pertaining to
the order Copepoda. — See next word.
Copepoda, n. pi., an order of minute crustaceans
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. xco7tY),
'handle of an oar, oar', and tcou;, gen. ttoSoi;,
'foot'. Gk. xcoth; is rel. to xa7rreiv, 'to swallow
greedily', and cogn. with L. capere, 'to catch,
seize, hold'. See captive. For the second element
see -poda.
coper, n., a batterer, dealer. — Formed fr. cope,
'to barter', with agential suff. -er.
coper, n., a kind of vessel. — See cooper.
Copernican, adj., pertaining to Copernicus (1473-
1543) or his system. For the ending see suff. -an.
copestone, n., a coping stone. — See cope,
'mantle', and cp. coping,
cophosis, n., deafness (med.) — Medical L., fr.Gk.
y.M^toat;, fr. x<o<p6;, 'deaf, dull', which stands
in gradational relationship to xr,9T)v 'dull, lazy;
drone'. For the ending see suff. -osis.
copier, n. — Formed from the verb copy with
agential suff. -er.
coping, n., course of a wall, sloped to carry off
water (archit.) — Formed fr. cope, 'to furnish
with a mantle' (see cope, 'mantle'), with subst.
suff. -ing.
copious
350
copious, adj. — L. cdpidsus, 'well supplied, plenti-
ful, abounding, copious', fr. copia, 'plenty,
abundance', contraction of *co-opia, fr. co- and
ops, gen. opis, 'power, might, abundance, wealth,
riches, treasure'. See opulent, and cp. copy and
the second element in cornucopia. For the ending
see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: copious-ly, adv., copious-ness, n.
copped, adj., rising to a point. — Formed fr. cop,
'top', with suff. -ed.
copper, n., a reddish metal. — ME. coper, fr. OE.
copor, coper, fr. Late L. cuper, fr. L. cuprum,
'copper', fr. earlier cyprum, fr. aes Cyprium, lit.
'Cyprian brass', fr. Gk. xuTcpiov, 'Cyprian
(brass)', neut. of Kii7rpio?, 'of Cyprus', fr. Kii-
7ipo<;, 'Cyprus' ; so called because Cyprus was the
place par excellence from which the ancients
obtained copper. For the etymology of Cyprus
see Cyprian, adj. Cp. cupreous. Cp. also kipper
and the first element in copperas.
Derivatives: copper, tr. v., to cover with copper,
copper-y, adj.
copper, n., policeman {slang). — Prob. formed fr.
cop, 'to catch', with agential suff. -er and lit.
meaning 'catcher',
copperas, n., l) green vitriol; 2) sulfate of iron. —
ME. coperose, fr. OF. couperose, fr. ML. cuprl
rosa, 'rose of copper', fr. gen. of cuprum, 'copper',
and rosa, 'rose'; see copper and rose. Cp. It.
copparosa, Sp. caparrosa, which are of the same
origin.
coppice, n., a wood of small trees. — OF. colpeis,
copeiz, 'cut wood, brushwood', fr. colper, cou-
per (F. couper), 'to strike', fr. colp, coup, 'stroke,
blow'. See coup and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: coppice, tr. v., coppic-ed, adj.
copple, n., a crest on a bird's head. — Formed fr.
cop, 'top', with the dimin. suff. -le.
Derivative: coppl-ed, adj.
coppy, n., a dialectal form of coppice. — This
word owes its existence to a double error. The
noun coppice (q.v.) was misspelled coppies, and
this latter was mistaken for a plural, from which
the singular coppy was reconstructed.
copr-, form of copro- before a vowel.
copra, n., the dried kernel of the coconut. —
Port., fr. Malayalam koppara, fr. Hind, khoprd,
rel. to Hind, khoprismd khappar, 'skull', fr. OI.
kharparah, 'skull'. See Yule-Burnill, Hobson-
Jobson, p. 254.
copro-, before a vowel copr-, combining form
meaning 'dung'. — Fr. Gk. xonpoi;, 'dung, ex-
crement, filth, dirt', which is cogn. with OI.
sdkfl, 'dung', and prob. also with Lith. siku,
sikti, 'to go to stool'.
coprolith, n., fossil dung. — Compounded of
copro- and Gk. Xtfto?, 'stone'. See -lith.
coprology, n., the study of obscene literature. —
Compounded of copro- and Gk. -Xoyioc, fr.
-X6-j-o<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain mannerj ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
coprophagous, adj., dung eating. — Compounded
of copro- and Gk. -cpayo?, 'eater of, from the
stem of tpaYeiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
Coprosma, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'of a filthy smell',
compounded of copro- and Gk. octu.-/), 'smell';
see osmium. The genus is so called in allusion
to the unpleasant odor of some species.
copse, n. — Short for coppice.
Derivatives: copse, tr. v., cops-y, adj.
Copt, n., 1) a native Egyptian descended from
the ancient Egyptians; 2) a member of the Cop-
tic church. — ModL. Coptus, fr. Arab. Quft,
Qift, fr. Coptic Kuptios, Kuptaios, fr. Gk. AlyuTr-
Tioe, 'Egyptian'. See Egyptian.
Coptic, adj. — ModL. Copticus, fr. Coptus. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: Coptic, n.
Coptis, n., a genus of plants of the crowfoot fa-
mily (bot) — ModL., from the stem of Gk.
kotcts'.v, 'to cut', whence also x6fj.u.a, 'something
cut off' (see comma); so called with reference
to its divided leaves.
copula, n. — I . copula, 'that which binds to-
gether, band, bond', which stands for *co-
apula, and is formed fr. co- and a dimin. from
the stem of apid, apere, 'to join, fasten'. See
apt and cp. couple.
copulate, intr. v. — L. copuldtus, pp. of copuldre,
'to bind together, copulate', fr. copuldre. See
copula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: copulation, copulative (qq.v.), co-
pulat-ory, adj.
copulation, n. — F., fr. L. cdpuldtidnem, acc.
of copulatio, 'a binding together', fr. copuldtus,
pp. of copuldre. See prec. word and -ion.
copulative, adj. — F. copulatif (fern, copulative),
fr. L. copuldtlvus, fr. copuldtus, pp. of copuldre.
See copulate and -ive.
Derivatives : copulative, n., copulative-ly, adv.
copy, n. — ME. copie, fr. MF. ( = F.) copie, 'abun-
dance; copy', fr. L. copia, 'plenty, abundance' ;
see copious. For sense development see next word.
copy, tr. and intr. v. — F. copier, fr. ML. copidre,
'to transcribe', orig. 'to write in plenty' (fr.
L. copia, 'plenty, abundance'), whence arose the
particular meaning 'to write the original text
many times'. See prec. word.
copyist, n. — A hybrid coined fr. copy and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin.
coquelicot, n., red poppy. — F., fr. earlier coque-
licoq, 'cock', a word of imitative origin. The -
name was given later to the flower, because its
color resembles that of the cockscomb. Cp.
cock.
coquet, adj., coquettish. — F., 'coquettish', lit. 'a
little cock', dimin. of coq, 'cock'. See cock and
-et.
Derivatives: coquett-ish, adj., coquett-ish-ly,
adv., coquett-ish-ness, n.
coquet, intr. v., to flirt. — F. coqueter, lit. 'to
behave like a cock', fr. coquet. See coquet, adj.
coquetry, n. — F. coquetterie, 'coquettishness,
351
cordelle
flirtation, coquetry', fr. coquet, 'coquettish'.
See coquet, adj., and -ry.
coquette, n. — F., fem. of coquet, 'coquettish'.
See coquet, adj.
coquin n., rogue, rascal. — F., prob. a derivative
of coq, 'cock'. See cock.
coquina, n., a whitish rock consisting of frag-
ments of marine shells. — Sp., 'cockle, shell-
fish', fr. OSp. coca, fr. VL. *cocca, fr. L. concha,
'mussel, shell'. See conch.
coquito, n., a kind of South American palm tree.
— Sp., dimin. of coco. See cocoa, 'palm tree'.
cor-, assimilated form of com- before r.
Cora, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Kop-q, orig. epithet
of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, fr. x6pi],
'maiden', rel. to xopo?, 'child, youth', which
prob. stand for *xopf 5, resp. *x6pfo<;, fr. I.-E.
base *ker-, 'to grow', whence also L. credre, 'to
create', crescere, 'to grow'. See create, crescent
and cp. core-, Corinna, Curetes and the second
element in Dioscuri, Halicore, hypocoristic.
Coracias, n., a genus of birds, the common roller
(ornithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xopaxia?, 'chough',
fr. xopoc!;, gen. xopaxo;, 'crow, raven'. See
coracoid.
coracine, n., a perchlike Nile fish. — L. coracinus,
fr. Gk. xopaxivoq, 'a Nile fish', fr. xopai;, gen.
xopaxoi;, 'crow, raven' [see coracoid and adj.
suff. -ine (representing L. -inus)] ; so called from
its black color. Cp. crucian carp.
coracle, n., a wicker boat. — W. corwgl, cwrwgl,
'coracle', dimin. of corwg, cwrwg, 'anything
round, the trunk of the body, carcass, boat', rel.
to Gael, curachan, 'coracle', dimin. of curach,
'boat, little ship,' fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut,
separate', whence also OI. kfntdti, 'cuts', Gk.
xcipsiv (for *xlp-teiv), 'to cut off', L. corium,
'hide, leather'. See corium and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also currach.
coraco-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the coracoid process' (anat.) — Short for cora-
coid. See next word.
coracoid, adj., pertaining to a process or bone
of the shoulder girdle (anat.) — Lit. 'resembling
a crow's beak', fr. Gk. xopaxoEiSr;?, which is
compounded of xopa";, gen. xopaxo?, 'crow',
and -oeiSyjc, 'like', fr. elSoq, 'form, shape'. For
the first element see raven and cp. corvine, for
the second see -oid.
coral, n. — ME., fr. OF. coral (F. corail), fr. L.
corallum, corallium (poet, curaiium), fr. Gk.
xopaXXiov, prob. formed with the dimin. suff.
-iov fr. Heb. gdrdl, 'lot', which prob. meant orig-
inally 'a small stone, pebble; a small stone for
casting lots', and is rel. to Arab, jdral, jdural,
'stones, pebbles'. For the change of Heb. g to
Gk x cp. Gk. xaj^Xoi;, 'camel', fr. Heb.-Phoen.
gdmdl. For the sense development of Heb. gdrdl
cp. Gk. i^tpo?, 'pebble ; vote', and xuaixo?, 'bean ;
lot*. The usual derivation of Gk. xopaXXiov fr.
xoupa aX6i;, 'puppet of the sea', is folk ety-
mology.
coralline, adj. — Late L. corallinus, 'coral-red',
fr. L. corallum. See prec. word and adjet.
suff. -ine (representing L. -Inus).
coralline, n., seaweed of the coral family (bot.) —
Fr. It. corallina, dimin. of corallo, 'coral', fr.
L. corallum. See coralline, adj.
corallite n., a fossil coral. — Formed fr. L. coral-
lum, 'red coral' (see coral), with subst. suff. -ite.
coralloid, adj., resembling coral. — Compounded
of coral and Gk. -osiSrj;, 'like', fr. eTSoi;, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Corallorhiza, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xopaXXiov, 'coral'
and pt^a, 'root'. See coral and rhizo-.
coram, prep., in the face of, in the presence of,
before. — L., fr. co(m)- (see com-, co-) and
*-oram, which is formed (on analogy of clam,
'secretly', palam, 'openly'), fr. L. ds, gen. -oris,
'mouth, face'. See oral.
coranto n., a lively dance. — Fr. F. (danse) cou-
rante, 'running (dance).' but assimil. to Sp.
words ending in -o. See current.
corban, n., an offering to God (Bible). — Heb.
qorbdn, 'offering, oblation' (whence Arab, qur-
bdn, Ethiop. qerbdn, of s.m.), lit. 'something
brought near', fr. Heb. qdrdbh, 'he came near',
which is rel. to Aram.-Syr. q l rebh, Arab, qdriba,
qdruba, Ethiop. qardba, 'he came near', Akkad.
qardbu, 'to come near'.
corbeau, n., a dark green color. — F. corbeau,
'raven', dimin. formed fr. OF. corp, fr. L. corvus,
'raven'. See raven and cp. the next two words,
Corvus and the first element in cormorant.
corbel, n., a projection jutting out from the wall
(arch.) — OF. corbel (= F. corbeau), prop,
'raven', dimin. of OF. corp. See prec. word.
Derivatives: corbel, tr. and intr. v., corbell-
ing, n.
corbie, n., a raven; a carrion crow (Scot.) — OF.
corp, 'raven'. See corbeau.
corcopali, n., the fruit of the Garcinia Indica (In-
dia). — Compounded of Malayalam kodukka,
name of the fruit, and puli, 'acid',
cord, n. — ME. corde, fr. OF. (= F.) corde,
'rope, string, twist, cord', fr. L. chorda, fr. Gk.
Xop§T ; , 'intestine, string of gut'. See chord.
Derivatives: cord, tr. and intr. v., cord-ed, adj.
cordage, n. — F., fr. corde, 'rope, cord'. See prec.
word and -age.
cordate, adj., heart-shaped. — L. corddtus, 'wise,
prudent' (in ModL. 'heart-shaped'), from cor,
gen. cordis, 'heart', which is cogn. with Goth.
hairto, OE. heorte, 'heart'. See heart and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivative : cordate-ly, adv.
Cordelier, n., a Franciscan friar. — F., formed
with suff. -ier, fr. OF. cordele (F. cordelle), di-
min. of corde, 'rope' (see cord and cp. cordelle);
so called in allusion to the girdle of knotted
cord worn by Franciscan friars.
cordelle, n., a towline. — F., dimin. of corde. See
cord and cp. prec. word.
cordial
352
cordial, adj. — Late L. cordidlis, fr. L. cor, gen.
cordis, 'heart'. See cordate and -ial.
Derivatives: cordial, n., cordial-ity, n., cordial-
ly, adv., cordial-ness, n.
eordiform, adj., heart-shaped. — Compounded
of L. cor, gen. cordis, 'heart' and forma, 'form,
shape'. See cordate and form, n.
cordillera, n., one of several parallel mountain
ranges. — Sp., fr. cordilla, dimin. of cuerda,
'rope, cord', fr. L. chorda (see cord); hence the
name Cordilleras (pi.) given by the Spaniards
to the parallel ranges of the Andes.
cordite, n., a smokeless explosive. — Formed fr.
cord with subst. suff. -ite.
cordoba, n., the monetary unit of Nicaragua. —
Sp. cordoba, named after Francisco de Cordoba
(died in 1526). Cp. Cordovan.
cordon, n., 1) a guarded line; 2) an honorary cord
or ribbon. — F., fr. corde, 'twist, cord, cordon,
ribbon (of an order)'. See cord.
cordon bleu. — Orig. the blue ribbon worn by the
knights of the Holy Ghost, the highest order in
France under the Bourbons; later used to de-
note a distinguished person and, facetiously, a
first-rank cook. — F., 'blue ribbon'. See cordon
and blue.
Cordovan, adj., of Cordova; n. (not cap.), Cor-
dovan leather. — Sp. cordobdn, lit. 'Cordovan',
fr. Cordoba, name of the famous city of Spain,
fr. L. Corduba, fr. Gk. KopSu(}7). Cp. cordoba,
cordwain, cordwainer.
corduroy, n., a ribbed cotton fabric. — Perh. fr.
F. corde du roi, 'the king's cord'. See cord and
royal.
Derivatives: corduroy, adj., corduroy, tr. v.,
corduroy-ed, adj.
cordwain, n., Cordovan leather (archaic). — ME.
cordewane, 'leather of Cordova', fr. OF. cordoan,
cordouan. See next word.
cordwainer, n., shoemaker. — ME. cordwaner,
fr. OF. cordoanier (F. cordonnier), 'shoemaker',
lit. 'a worker in Cordovan leather', fr. cordoan,
cordouan, 'Cordovan leather', fr. OProvenc.
cordoan, fr. Sp. cordobdn, 'Cordovan (leather)',
fr. Cordoba, 'Cordova'. See Cordovan. F. cor-
donnier was influenced in form by F. cordon,
'cord, cordon'.
Cordyline, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xopS'j/./), 'club' (see cor-
dylo-); so called in allusion to the thick caudex.
cordylo-, before a vowel cordyl-, combining form
meaning 'club'. — Gk. xopSOXo-, xop80).-, fr.
/.opS-jJ.r,, 'club, cudgel, swelling, headdress',
which is of uncertain origin. See Frisk, GEW.,
I, p. 9l8 S.V. XOpS'jAY).
core, n., hard center of a fruit, etc. — Prob. fr.
L. cor, 'heart'; see cordate. For sense develop-
ment cp. Avestic z e r e 6aya, 'middle', OSlav.
sriidice, 'heart', sredd, 'middle', Russ. serdce,
'heart', seredd, 'middle'; Wednesday (i.e. middle
of the week)', Lith. Sirdis, 'heart', W. craidd,
'heart; center', Bret, kreiz, 'middle'; all these
words are cogn. with L. cor, 'heart'. Cp. also
Heb. lebh, 'heart', and lebh yam, 'the midst (lit.
the heart) of the sea', lebh hd'eld h , 'the midst of
the terebinth', Akkad. libbu, 'heart; middle'.
Derivative: core, tr. v.
core-, combining form denoting the pupil of the
eye. — Gk. xop-r), 'girl; pupil of the eye'. See
Cora.
Coregonus, n., a genus of salmonid fishes (ich-
thyoid) — ModL., compounded of core- and
Gk. ytovta, 'angle'. See -gon.
coreligionist, n. — See co-, religion and -ist.
Corema, n., a genus of plants of the crowberry
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. x6p7][j.a, 'a
broom', a derivative of xopeiv, 'to sweep out',
fr. xopoq, 'broom, besom', which is of unknown
etymology; so called from its bushy aspect.
For the ending see suff. -ma.
Coreopsis, n., a genus of yellow colored plants. —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xopi;, 'bug' and
o4>i?, 'sight, appearance' ; see coriander and -op-
sis. The name Coreopsis was given to this genus
in allusion to the seeds which look like bugs.
corespondent, n., a joint respondent, esp. in a
divorce suit (law). — Formed fr. co- and res-
pondent.
corf, n., a basket. — MLG. korf prob. fr. L.
corbis, 'basket', which prob. meant orig. 'some-
thing twisted or plaited', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qe-
reb(h)-, 'to twist, curve, contract, shrink', whence
ce also Gk. xdp<po(;, 'dry twigs, chips', xap<p£iv,
'to dry up, wither', xapcpotXloi;, 'dry, parched',
Lith. skrebti, 'to be dry', ON. herpask, 'to con-
tract convulsively'. Cp. the first element in Car-
phophis. It. corba 'wicker basket', derives fr. L.
corbis, whence also ON. korf, OHG. chorp, korb
(MHG. korp, korb, G. Korb), 'basket'. F. cor-
beille, 'basket', comes fr. L. corhicula, dimin. of
corbis; cp. corvette. — For derivatives of
*qremb-, a nasalized enlargement of base *qe-
reb-, see rumple. — Base *qereb(h)- is an en-
largement of base *(s)qer-, 'to turn, twist'. See
curve and cp. words there referred to.
coriaceous, adj., leathery. — L. coridceus, 'of
leather', fr. corium. See corium and -aceous.
coriander, n., 1) a plant of the carrot family (Co-
riandrum sativum); 2) its fruit. — F. coriandre,
fr. L. coriandrum, fr. Gk. xopiavvov, xopiav-
8pov, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. y.opiQ, 'bedbug', which stands in gra-
dational relationship to axapr,q, 'small, tiny' (lit.
'too short to be cut'), axapi, 'mite'; fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qer-, 'to cut' (sec shear and cp. corium);
the plant would have been so called from its
odor reminding that of the bedbug. Cp. the first
element in Coreopsis, Corimelaena.
Coriandrum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.) — L. See prec. word.
Corimelaena, n., a genus of insects, the negro bug
(entomol.) — ModL., lit. 'black bug', fr.Gk. xopi?,
'bug', and fiiXaiva, fern, of uiXai;, 'black'. See
coriander and melano-.
Corinna, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Koptvva, prop,
dimin. of x6pyj, 'maiden'. See Cora.
Corinthian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Corinthius, 'of Corinth', fr. Gk. Koptv-Sho?,
fr. K<Spw$o<;, 'Corinth'. Cp. currant
corium, n., vascular layer of the skin, the derma.
— L., 'hide, skin, leather', lit. 'the hide stripped
off', rel. to cortex, 'bark', scortum, 'skin, hide',
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to cut, separate', whence
also OI. kftih, 'hide', carman-, Avestic car e man-,
'hide, skin', Russ. skord, 'hide', kord, 'bark,
rind', Gk. xop^o?, 'trunk of atree', OHG. scerm,
scirm, 'shield, defence, cover' (orig. 'the hide
covering the shield'), OHG. herdo, 'fleece', OE.
heorda, ON. horundr, 'skin', MIr. scairt, 'mid-
riff, heart', W. corwg, cwrwg, 'trunk of the body,
carcass, boat', OE. sceran, sciran, 'to cut, shear'.
See shear and cp. words there referred to.
Corixa, n., a genus of insects (entomol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. x6pi?, 'bug'. See coriander.
cork, n. — Sp. alcorque, 'corkwood soles', fr.
Mozarabic al-qurq, al-qorq, fr. Arab, al-, 'the',
and qurq, 'alcorque', which prob. derives
fr. L. quercus, 'oak'. See Quercus and cp. al-
cornoque.
Derivatives: cork, tr. v., cork-age, n., cork-ed,
adj., cork-er, n., cork-y, adj., cork-i-ness, n.
corm, n. , a subterranean bulb (bot.) — Gk. xopu.6s,
'trunk of a tree (with the boughs lopped off)'. See
corium.
cormo-, combining form denoting the trunk of a
tree. — Gk. xop^o-, fr. xopu.61;. See prec. word.
cormophyte, n., any plant having a stem and a
root (bot.) — ModL. Cormophyta, pi., coined
by the Hungarian botanist Stephan Ladislaus
Endlicher (1804-49) fr. Gk. xopu.6<;, 'trunk of a
tree', and <puT<4v, 'plant'. See cormo- and -phyte.
cormorant, n., a large voracious sea bird. — F.
cormoran, fr. OF. cormaran, fr. earlier corma-
re(n)g, a word compounded of OF. corp,
'raven', fr. L. corvus (see corvine and cp. cor-
beau, corbel), and of marenc, 'pertaining to the
sea', fr. L. mare, 'sea' (see marine), and the Teut.
suff. -enc. The t in cormorant is due to a con-
fusion of the suff. -an (= Teut. -enc) with -ant
(fr. L. -dns, gen. -antis, the pres. part. suff. of
the verbs of the ist conj.) Cp. ML. corvus ma-
rinus, whence Provenc. corpmari(n), Port, corvo
marinho.
cormus, n., corm. — ModL., fr. Gk. xopjjLo?. See
corm.
corn, n., grain. — ME., fr. OE. corn, rel. to OS.,
ON., OFris., OHG., MHG., G. korn, MDu.
coren, corn, Du. koren, Goth, kaurn, 'grain',
and cogn. with L. grdnum, 'grain, seed, small
kernel', Gk. yiyapxov, 'grapestone, olivestone',
OSlav. zrino, zruno, 'grain', OPruss. syrne, 'ker-
nel', Lith. zirnis, Lett, zirnis, 'pea', W. grawn,
pi., Olr. gran, 'granule', fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-,
'to become ripe, grow old', whence also OI.
jdrati, jfryati, 'makes old, grows old', jdran,
'old', jarimdn-, 'old age', jdrah, 'growing old',
jiryati, 'grows old' jirndh, 'old', Avestic zaur-
van-, 'old age', Pers. zar, 'old man', Ossetic
zdrond, 'old man', Arm. cer, of s.m., Gk.
Y^pwv, 'old man', yripaktoq, 'old', yvjpag, 'old
age', OSlav. zireti, zreti, 'to ripen'. Cp. geronto-,
grain. Cp. also kernel. Cp. also churl and
words there referred to. Derivative: corn, tr. v.,
to granulate; to sprinkle with salt in grains; to
pickle with salt; intr. v., to form grains.
corn, n., a homy induration. — OF. corn (F.
cor), fr. L. cornii, 'horn'. F. come, 'horn', de-
rives fr. VL. *corna (fr. L. cornua), pi. of L.
cornii, but was mistaken for a fem. sing. noun.
See horn and cp. cerato-. Cp. also the second
element in Capricorn, longicorn, unicorn.
Cornaceae, n. pi., a family of trees, the dogwood
family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Cornus with
suff. -aceae.
cornaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
cornbrash, n. (geol.) — Compounded of corn,
'grain', and brash.
cornea, n., the transparent portion of the external
coat of the eye (anat.) — L. cornea (short for
cornea tunica, lit. 'a horny coating'), fem. of
corneus, 'horny', fr. cornii, 'horn'. See horn and
cp. corn, 'a horny induration'.
corneal, adj., pertaining to the cornea. — See
prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
cornel, n. — MDu. kornelle (Du. kornoelje), fr.
OF. corneille, cornille (F. cornouille), fr. Late L.
cornicula, dimin. of L. cornus, 'cornel tree',
which is cogn. with Gk. xpavov, xpaveta, 'cornel
cherry', Lith. Kirnis, 'god of the cherry trees'.
Cp. cornelian.
Derivative: cornel-ian, adj. (in cornelian cherry).
Cornelia, fem. PN. — L. Cornelia, fem. of Cor-
nelius. See Cornelius.
cornelian, n., a variety of chalcedony. — Formed
with change of suff. fr. ME. corneline, fr. OF.
corneline (F. cornaline), fr. OF. come, 'cornel
cherry', fr. VL. *corna, pi. of L. cornum, of s.m.,
but mistaken for a fem. sing, noun ; so called
because its color resembles that of the cornel
cherry. See cornel and cp. carnelian.
Cornelius, masc. PN. — L. Cornelius, name of a
Roman gens. Cp. Cornelia. Cp. the first element
in keeshond.
cornemuse, n., bagpipe. — F., fr. cornemuser, 'to
pipe', compounded of corner, 'to blow the horn',
and muser, 'to play the bagpipe'. The first ele-
ment derives fr. F. come, 'horn' ; see corn, 'horny
induration'. The second element comes fr. OF.
muse (F. musette), 'bagpipe' ; see musette.
corneo-, combining form meaning 'horny'. — L.
corneus, 'horny'. See corneous.
corneo-, combining form meaning 'corneal' (anat.)
— See cornea.
corneous, adj., horny. — L. corneus, 'horny', fr.
cornii, 'horn'. See corn, 'a horny induration'.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
corner, n. — ME., fr. AF. cornere, corresponding
to OF. corniere, fr. ML. corneria, 'angle, cor-
ner', fr. VL. *corna, which corresponds to L.
cornua, pi. of L. cornu, 'horn', but was mistaken
for a fem. sing. See horn and cp. corn, 'a horny
induration'.
Derivatives: corner, tr. and intr. v., corner-ed,
adj.
cornet, n., a musical wind instrument. — F. cor-
net, 'a small horn, trumpet', dimin. of cor, 'horn',
fr. OF. corn, fr. L. cornu. See horn and -et and
cp. corn, 'a horny induration'. Cp. also prec.
word.
cornet, n , a headdress worn formerly by women.
— F. cornette, rel. to cornet, 'a small horn'. See
prec. word.
cornice, n., a horizontal projection at the top of
a wall, etc. — F. cornice (now corniche), fr. It.
cornice, fr. L. coronis, fr. Gk. xopcovii;, 'anything
curved, a curved line', which is rel. to xopuvo?,
'curved', xopoivrj, 'ring, crown' (see crown); in-
fluenced in form by It. cornice, 'crow', fr. L.
cornicem, acc. of comix. Cp. the French archi-
tectonic term corbeau (whence H. corbel), lit.
'raven'.
Derivatives: cornice, tr. v., cornic-ed, adj.
cornicle, n., a little horn. — L. corniculum, dimin.
of cornu, 'horn'. See corn, 'a horny induration',
and -cle.
Corniferous, adj., pertaining to the Middle De-
vonian system containing hornstone (geol.) —
Compounded of L. cornu, 'horn', and ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See corn, 'horny induration', and
-ferous.
Cornish, adj. and n. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ish from the first element in Cornwall (fr. OE.
Cornweallas, lit. 'Cornish-Welsh').
cornopean, n., an early form of cornet (nuts.) —
invented word suggested by cornet, 'a wind in-
strument'.
cornucopia, n., I) the horn of the goat Amaltha,
which suckled Zeus; 2) a horn of plenty; 3) a-
bundance; 4) a horn-shaped receptacle (Greek
mythol.) — Late L. cornucopia, for L. cornu
copiae, 'horn of plenty', fr. cornu, 'horn', and
copiae, gen. of cdpia, 'plenty'. See corn, 'horny
induration', and copious.
cornucopiate, adj., resembling a cornucopia. —
Formed fr. prec. word with adj. suff. -ate.
Cornus, n., a genus of plants, the dogwood and
the cornel (.hot.) — L.. 'cornel tree'. See cornel.
cornute, cornuted, adj. — L. cornutus, 'horned',
fr. cornu, 'horn'. See corn, 'a horny induration'.
cornwallite, n., a basic copper arsenate (mineral.)
— Named after Cornwall in England. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
coroa, n., a former Portuguese gold coin. —
Port., lit. 'a crown', fr. L. corona. See crown.
corody, corrody, n., an allowance of food (old
law). — ML. corrddium, corredium, 'provision'.
See curry.
corolla, n., the whole of the petals of a flower
(hot.) — L. corolla, 'little crown, garland', .di-
min. of corona, 'crown'. See crown.
Derivatives: coroll-ate, adj., coroll-at-ed, adj.
corollary, n., 1) a proposition proved from an-
other that has been proved; 2) an inference;
3) a result. — L. corolldrium, 'garland given as
a present', fr. corolla, 'little crown, garland;
gift, present, gratuity'. See prec. word and subst.
suff. -ary.
Derivatives: corollari-al, adj., corollari-al-ly,
adv.
corona, n., a crown. — L. corona, 'garland,
wreath, crown', fr. Gk. xopfiv7;, 'anything curved ;
a wreath, garland'. See crown.
coronach, n., a dirge. — Gael, corranach, fr. Mir.
com-, 'with' (see com-), and rdnach, 'a roaring,
weeping', fr. ran, 'to roar, weep'.
coronal, adj., pertaining to a crown. — L. cord-
ndlis, 'pertaining to a crown', fr. corona. See
corona and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: coronal-ly, adv.
coronal, n., circlet, diadem. — L. cordndlis, 'per-
taining to a crown'. See coronal, adj.
coronary, adj., 1) pertaining to a crown; 2) en-
circling; 3) pertaining to either of the two ar-
teries supplying the heart tissues. — L. cord-
ndrius, 'pertaining to a crown', fr. corona. See
corona and adj. suff. -ary.
coronate, tr. v., to crown. — L. cordndtus, pp. of
cordndre, 'to crown', fr. corona. See corona and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: coronat-ed, adj., coronation (q.v.)
coronation, n. — OF. coronacion, coronation, fr.
coroner, 'to crown', fr. L. cordndre. See coronate
and -ion.
coroner, n., an official whose chief duty is to in-
quire into the causes of deaths not obviously
due to natural causes. — AF. corouner, fr. co-
roune, fr. OF. corone, 'crown', fr. L. corona,
'garland, crown' (see crown and agential suff.
-er); so called because his original task was to
watch over crown property.
Derivative: coroner-ship, n.
coronet, n., a small crown. — OF. coronete, coro-
nette, dimin. of corone, 'crown', fr. L. corona.
See corona and -et and cp. cronet, crownet.
Derivatives: coronet(t)-ed, coronett-y, adjs.
Coronilla, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(hot.) — ModL., dimin. of L. corona, 'crown'
(see corona); so called in allusion to its in-
florescence.
Coronis, n., mother of Asclepius and consort of
Apollo in Greek mythol. — L., fr. Gk. Kopcovtc,
which is rel. to xopow,, 'crow', from the I.-E.
imitative base *qer-, *qor-, 'to cry, shout',
whence also xopai;, 'crow'. See coracoid.
coronium, n., an element supposed to be in the
solar corona (astrophysics). — ModL., formed
fr. L. corona, 'crown'. See corona and chem.
suff. -ium.
coronoid, adj., curved (anat.) — Lit. 'resembling
the tip of a bow', fr. Gk. xopcovr;, 'anything
hooked or curved; crow; tip of a bow', and
-oeiSyji;, 'like', fr. elSoc,, 'form, shape'; see
355
corona and -oid. The usual translation of coro-
noid as 'shaped like a crow's beak', is erroneous.
See Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica,
pp. 150-51.
Coronopus, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xopovoTtou?, 'the
hartshorn', which is compounded of xoptovir),
'crow', and Ttoii?, gen. toSoc;, 'foot'. The first
element is rel. to Gk. xopa5, 'raven', and cogn.
with L. corvus, 'raven', cornlx, 'crow'; see cora-
coid. For the second element see -pod.
corozo.n., the name of several S. American palms.
— Sp. (now spelled corojo), from a S. American
native word.
corporal, adj., of the body; bodily. — OF. cor-
poral (F. corporel), fr. L. corpora/is, 'pertaining
to the body', fr. corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'.
See corpus and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: corporality (q.v.), corporal-ly, adv.
corporal, n., a linen cloth covering the conse-
crated element at the Eucharist (eccles.) — Ec-
cles. L. corpordlis (scil. palla), 'body cloth', fr.
L. corpordlis, 'pertaining to the body'. See
corporal, adj.
corporal, n., the lowest noncommissioned officer
(mil.) — Earlier F. corporal, an alteration— due
to corps, 'body'— of F. caporal, fr. It. caporale,
lit. 'chief, which derives fr. capo, 'head', fr. L.
caput. See capital, adj., and cp. caporal. The
ending of It. cap-orale shows the influence of
It. pettorale.
corporality, n. — Late L. corpordlitds, fr. L. cor-
pordlis. See corporal, adj., and -ity.
corporate, adj. — L. corporatus, pp. of corpordre,
'to make into a body, incorporate, incarnate',
fr. corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives : corporate-ly, adv., corporate-ness,n.
corporation, n. — Late L. corpordtid, gen. -dnis,
'incorporation, incarnation', fr. L. corporatus,
pp. of corpordre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: corporation-al, adj., corporation-
er, n.
corporative, adj. — Late L. corpordtivus, 'pertain-
ing to the forming of a body', fr. L. corporatus,
pp. of corpordre. See corporate and -ive.
corporator, n., member of a corporation. —
Formed with agential suff. -or fr. L. corporatus,
pp. of corpordre. See corporate.
corporeal, adj., of the body; bodily. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. corpus, gen. corporis,
'body'. See corpus and cp. corporal, adj.
Derivatives: corporeal-ity, n., corporeal-ly, adv.
corporeity, n„ corporeality. — ML. corporeitds,
fr. L. corporeus, pertaining to the body', fr.
corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus and
-ity.
corposant, n., an electric light seen sometimes in
stormy weather; called also St. Elmo's fire. —
Fr. Port, corpo santo, 'holy body', fr. L. corpus
sanctum. See corpus and sancrus.
corps, n., 1) a group of persons ; 2) a military unit.
— F., fr. L. corpus. See corpus and cp. corpse
and corse.
corpse, n. — ME. corse, corps, 'body', fr. OF.
cors, fr. L. corpus. See prec. word. The MF. and
modern F. spelling corps is due to the influence
of L. corpus.
corpulence, corpulency, n., fatness. — L. corpu-
lentia, 'grossness or fleshiness of body', fr. cor-
pulentus. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
corpulent, adj., fat. — F., fr. L. corpulentus,
'fleshy, fat, stout'. See corpus and -ulent.
Derivatives: corpulent-ly, adv., corpulent-ness,n.
corpus, n., body. — L. corpus, gen. corporis,
'body', prob. cogn. with OI. kfp-, 'form, beauty',
Avestic k e r e fsh, gen. k e hrpd-, 'form, body', OE.
hrif, OHG. href, 'womb, belly, abdomen', OFris.
hrif, href, 'belly'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *q w rep-,
*q" ; {p-, enlargement of *q w er-, 'to make, form',
whence OI. krnSti, karSti, 'makes', Avestic kar-,
'to make', k'r'naoiti, 'makes', OPers. kar-, 'to
make', kara-, 'maker', Lith. kuriii, kurti, 'to
build', OPruss. kura, 'he built', Olr. cruth,
'figure, shape', W. pryd, 'appearance, look'. Cp.
corporal, corporate, corporation, corporeal, cor-
poreity, corposant, corps, corpse, corpulent,
corse, incorporate. Cp. also Sanskrit and words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element in
midriff.
corpus callosum, a mass of white fibers connecting
the cerebral hemispheres (anat.) — L., 'callous
body', in its modern, anatomical sense, a loan
translation of <r£i(j.oc too? T\>X6i8e<; (lit. 'callous
body'), which is the name given to the corpus
callosum by Galen. See corpus and callous.
corpuscle, n., a small particle. — Formed fr. L.
corpusculum, 'a little body', dimin. of corpus
(see corpus and -cle and cp. corpuscule) ; intro-
duced into English by the physicist and chemist
Robert Boyle (1627-91).
corpuscule, n., a corpuscle. — L. corpusculum.
Sec corpuscle and -cule.
Derivatives: corpuscut-ar, adj., corpuscul-ar-ity,
n., corpuscul-ated, corpuscul-ous, adjs.
corrade, tr. and intr. v., to wear by scraping (geol.)
— L. corradere, 'to scrape together', fr. com-
and rddere, 'scrape'. See raze and cp. corrasion.
corral, n., a pen for horses. — Sp., fr. corro,
'ring', fr. correr, 'to run', fr. L. currere, 'to run'.
See courier and course and cp. corridor. Sp. corral
is rel. to Port, curral, 'pen, enclosure', whence
kraal (q.v.)
Derivative: corral, tr. v.
corrasion, n., the process of corrading. — L. cor-
rdsid, gen. -dnis, fr. corrdsus, pp. of corradere.
See corrade and -ion.
correal, adj., under joint obligation (law). —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. correus, 'under
joint obligation', fr. cor- and reus, 'defendant',
lit. 'a party to an action', fr. res, 'thing, matter,
affair, action'. See res and cp. reus, reatus.
correct, adj. — L. correctus, pp. of corrigere, 'to
make straight, set right, correct', fr. cor- and re-
Wl I d.1
MO
gere, 'to make straight, lead, guide, conduct'.
See regent, adj., and cp. corregidor, corrigendum,
escort
Derivatives: correct-ly, adv., correct-ness, n.
correct, tr. v. — L. correctus, pp. of corrigere.
See correct, adj.
Derivatives: correct-ed, adj., correct-ed-ly, adv.,
correct-ed-ness, n., correction (q.v.)
correction, n. — F., fr. L. correctidnem, acc. of
correctid, 'a making straight, improvement', fr.
correctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct, adj.,
and -ion.
Derivatives: correction-al, adj. and n., correct-
ions, n.
correctitude, n. — Formed fr. correct on analogy
of rectitude.
corrective, adj. — F. correctif (fem. corrective),
fr. L. correctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct and
-ive.
Derivatives: corrective, n., corrective-ly, adv.,
corrective-ness, n.
corrector, n. — L. corrector, 'improver, correc-
tor', fr. correctus, pp. of corrigere. See correct
and agential suff. -or.
corregidor, n., a Spanish magistrate, mayor of a
town. — Sp., lit. 'corrector', fr. corregir, 'to cor-
rect', fr. VL. *corregire, which corresponds to
L. corrigere, 'to correct'. See correct, adj.
correlate, intr. and tr. v., to relate mutually. —
Formed fr. cor- and L. reldtus, used as pp. of
referre, 'to carry back, bring back, relate'. See
relate.
Derivatives: correlate, n., correlat-ion, correlat-
ive, adj. and n., correlat-ive-ly, adv.
correption, n., a shortening in pronunciation. —
L. correptid, gen. -dnis, 'a shortening, decreas-
ing', fr. correptus, pp. of corripere, 'to shorten,
abridge, diminish; to chide', lit. 'to seize upon',
fr. com- and rapere ,'to seize' (see rapid and -ion).
For the change of Latin a (in rdptus) to <? (in
cor-reptus) see accent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
correspond, intr. v. — F. corresponds, fr. ML.
corresponded, fr. cor- and L. respondere, 'to
answer'. See respond.
Derivatives: correspond-ence, n., correspond-
ency, n., correspond-ent, adj., correspond-ent-ly,
adv., correspond-ing, adj., correspond-ing-ly,
adv.
corresponsive, adj., corresponding. — Formed fr.
com- and responsive.
Derivative: corresponsive-ly, adv.
corridor, n. — F., fr. It. corridore, lit. 'a place for
running', fr. correre, 'to run', fr. L. currere. Cp.
OProvenc. courradour and Sp. corredor, which
are of the same origin and meaning.
come, n., a circular hollow in the side of a moun-
tain (Scot.) — Gael, coire, 'caldron, kettle', rel.
to Olr. coire, W. pair, of s.m., and cogn. with
OE. hwer, ON. hverr, OHG. hwer, wer, 'kettle*,
Goth, hairnei, 'skull', OI. car&b, 'kettle, pot',
karankas, 'skull'. For sense development cp. F.
tete, 'head', fr. L. testa, 'postherd' (see tester,
'canopy'), and G. Kopf, 'head', fr. MHG. kopf,
'drinking vessel, skull' (see cop, 'the top of
anything', and cup).
corrigendum, n., something to be corrected. —
L., neut. gerundive of corrigere, 'to make
straight, correct', fr. com- and regere, 'to make
straight, lead, guide, conduct; see correct. For
the change of Latin e (in regere) to i (in cor-
rigere) see abstinence and cp. words there re-
ferred to. For other Latin gerundives used in
English cp. agenda and words there referred to.
corrigible, adj. — F., fr. ML. corrigibilis, 'that
which can be corrected', fr. L. corrigere, 'to cor-
rect'. See prec. word and -ible.
Derivatives: corrigibil-ity, n., corrigible-ness, n.,
corrigibl-y, adv.
corrival, n., a rival, competitor. — L. corrivdlis,
fr. cor- and rivdlis, 'rival'. See rival.
corroborant, adj. and n. — L. corrdbordns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of corrdbare, 'to strengthen'.
See next word and -ant.
corroborate, tr. v. — L. corrobordtus, pp. of cor-
robordre, 'to strengthen', fr. com- and rdbur, gen.
rdboris, 'strength'. See robust and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives : corroboration, corroborative (qq.v.),
corroborat-or, n., corroborat-ory, adj.
corroboration, n. — F. , fr. corroborer, 'to strength-
en, corroborate', fr. L. corrobordre. See prec.
word and -ion.
corroborative, adj. — F. corroboratif ({cm. corro-
borative), fr. L. corrobordtus, pp. of corrobordre.
See corroborate and -ive.
Derivative: corroborative-ly, adv.
corroboree, n., a festivity of Australian abori-
gines. — A native name.
Derivative: corroboree, intr. v.
corrode, tr. v., to eat away gradually; intr. v.,
to become corroded. — F. corroder, fr. L. cor-
rddere, 'to gnaw to pieces', fr. com- and rddere,
'to gnaw'. See rodent and cp. erode.
Derivatives: corrod-er, n., corrod-ing, adj.
corrody, n. — See corody.
corrosion, n. — F., fr. L. corrdsidnem, acc. of cor-
rdsid, 'a gnawing to pieces', fr. corrdsus, pp. of
corrddere. See corrode and -ion.
corrosive, adj. — F. corrosif (iem. corrosive), fr.
L. corrdsus, pp. of corrddere. See corrode and
-ive.
Derivatives: corrosive-ly, adv., corrosive-ness,
n., corrosiv-ity, n.
corrugate, tr. and intr. v., to wrinkle. — L. corrii-
gdtus, pp. of corrugdre, 'to make full of wrinkles,
to wrinkle', fr. com- and riigdre, 'to wrinkle", fr.
ruga, 'wrinkle'. See ruga and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: corrugat-ed, adj., corrugat-ion, cor-
rugator (q.v.)
corrugate, adj., wrinkled. — L. corrugdtus, pp. of
corrugdre. See corrugate, v.
comigator, n., either of the two muscles that
contract the brows (anat.) — Medical L., lit.
357
Corybant
'that which wrinkles', fr. L. corrugdtus, pp. of
corrugdre. See corrugate and agential suff. -or.
corrupt, adj. — L. corruptus, pp. of corrumpere,
'to destroy, ruin, corrupt', fr. com- and rumpere,
'to break'. See rupture.
Derivatives : corrupt, tr. and intr. v. ; corrupt-ly,
adv., corrupt-ness, n.; corrupt-ed, adj., corrupt-
ed-ly, adv., corrupt-ed-ness, n., corrupt-er, n.,
corrupt-ing, adj., corrupt-ingly, adv.
corruptible, adj. — Late L. corruptibilis (whence
also F. corruptible), 'liable to decay, corrupt-
ible', fr. L. corruptus, pp. of corrumpere. See cor-
rupt, v., and -ible.
Derivatives: corruptibil-ity, n., corruptible-ness,
n., corruptibl-y, adv.
corruption, n. — F., fr. L. corruptidnem, acc. of
corrupted, 'a corrupting, spoiling', fr. corruptus,
pp. of corrumpere. See corrupt and -ion.
corruptive, adj. — Eccles. L. corruptivus, fr. L.
corruptus, pp. of corrumpere. See corrupt and
-ive.
Derivative: corruptive-ly, adv.
corsac, n., a small yellowish fox (Vulpes corsac)
of Central Asia. — Russ. korsak, fr. Kirghiz
karsak.
corsage, n. — F., formed with suff. -age fr. OF.
cors (F. corps), 'body'. See corps and cp. corse,
corset.
corsair, n., a pirate. — F. corsaire, fr. It. corsaro,
'pirate', lit. 'runner', fr. ML. cursdrius, fr. L.
cursus, 'a running, course, voyage'. See current,
adj., and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
hussar.
corse, n. (poet.) — A var. of corpse.
corselet, corslet, n., armor for the body. — F.
corselet, lit., 'little body', dimin. of OF. cors (F.
corps), 'body'. See corps and cp. next word,
corset, n., a close-fitting undergarment; stays. —
F. corset,\it. 'a little body', dimin. of OF. cors (F.
corps), fr. L. corpus, 'body'. See corpus and -et
and cp. corps.
Derivatives: corset, tr. v., corset-ing, n., corset-
ry, n.
cortege, cortege, n., a train of attendants; re-
tinue. — F. cortege, fr. It. corteggio, 'retinue',
fr. corteggiare, 'to court', fr. corte, 'court', fr. L.
cohortem, cortem, acc. of cohors, cors, 'enclosed
place, yard'. See court and cp. next word.
Cortes, n., the two chambers of the legislative
assembly in Spain and Portugal. — Sp. and
Port., lit. 'courts', pi. of corte, 'court', fr. L.
cohortem, cortem. See prec. word.
cortex, n., the bark of a tree (bot.) — L., 'bark,
rind', lit. 'that which is stripped off', fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qer-, 'to cut, separate', whence also L.
corium, 'hide, leather'. See corium, and cp.
Corticium, excorticate, scorch, scortation. For
sense development cp. bark, 'rind of a tree', fr.
I.-E. base *bher-, 'to cut'.
cortical, adj., pertaining to a cortex. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis,
'bark'. See prec. word.
corticate, corticated, adj., provided with a cortex.
— L. corticdtus, 'covered with a bark', fr. cor-
tex, gen. corticis. See cortex and verbal suff. -ate.
Corticium, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark'. See cortex
and ist -ium.
cortico-, combining form denoting the cortex. —
Fr. L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark'. See cortex,
corticosterone, n. (biochem.) — Coined fr. cortico-
and sterone, which is formed fr. sterol and
suff. -one.
cortisone, n., an adrenal cortex hormone (bio-
chem.) — Coined by Edward C. Kendall, its
discoverer, and Philip S. Hench, of the Mayo
Clinic, in 1936 through the abbreviation of prec.
word.
corundum, n., a very hard mineral. — Tamil
kurundam, fr. OI. kuruvinda-, 'ruby', which is of
uncertain etymology,
coruscant, adj., sparkling, flashing. — L. corus-
cdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of coruscdre. See
next word and -ant.
coruscate, intr. v., to sparkle, flash. — L. corus-
cdtus, pp. of coruscdre, 'to thrust with the horns;
to shake, vibrate, wave; to flash, glitter', fr.
coruscus, 'vibrating, waving, glittering', which
is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands for
*coroscos, and orig. meant 'leaping, jumping',
and is cogn. with Gk. oxoapeiv, 'to leap, skip,
bound', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to jump, leap,
bound'. See cardinal, adj., and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
coruscation, n. — Late L. coruscdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. coruscdtus, pp. of coruscdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
corvee, n., unpaid labor. — F., 'forced labor, stat-
ute labor', fr. VL. corrogdta (opera), '(work) in
which people are asked to participate', fem. pp.
of L. corrogdre, 'to bring together by entreaty',
fr. cor- and rogdre, 'to entreat'. See rogation.
corvette, n., a small fast war vessel (naut.) — F.,
dimin. formed fr. corve (a word occurring only
in a text of the year 1700), which was prob. bor-
rowed fr. MLG. korf, 'basket; a kind of ship';
see corf and -ette. It. corvetta and Sp. corbeta
are French loan words.
Corvidae, n. pi., a family of birds including the
ravens, crows, etc. — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. L. corvus, 'raven'. See corvine.
corvine, adj., pertaining to the raven or crow. —
L. corvinus, fr. corvus, 'raven', from the I.-E.
imitative base *qer-, *qor-, *qr-, 'to cry, shout'.
See raven and -ine (representing L. -inus) and cp.
coracoid.
Corvus, n., a genus of birds, the crow (ornithol.)
— L. corvus, 'raven'. See prec. word.
Corybant, n., one of the attendants of Cybele
(Greek mythol.) — F. Corybante, fr. L. Cory-
bantem, acc. of Corybds, fr. Gk. KopuPa;, gen.
KopufJocvTos, a word of uncertain, possibly
Phrygian, origin.
Derivatives: Corybant-ian, Corybant-ic, adjs.
Corydalis
358
Corydalis, n., a genus of plants of the fumewort
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xopuSaAXii;,
'crested lark', fr. xopuSoi;, of s.m., fr. xopuc,
'helmet', which is rel. to xopiiv/), 'club, mace',
xopucpT), 'head, top, summit'. See coryphaeus and
cp. words there referred to.
Corydon, n., the traditional name for a shepherd
or a rustic swain in pastoral poetry. — L.
Corydon, fr. Gk. KopuScov, name of a shepherd
in the idylls of Theocritus and in Virgil's
Eclogues.
Corylus, n., a genus of trees, the hazel (bot.) —
L. corylus, corulus, 'the hazel', cogn. with ON.
hasl, OE. h&sel, of s.m. See hazel.
corymb, n., a broad cluster of flowers (bot.) —
L. corymbus, 'cluster of flowers', fr. Gk. x6-
puu.po?, 'uppermost point, cluster of flowers',
which is rel. to xopucpy), 'head, top, summit'. See
coryphaeus and cp. next word.
Derivatives: corymb-ed, adj., coryntbi-ate, co-
rymbi-at-ed, corymb-ose, adjs., corymb-ose-ly,
adv., corymb-ous, adj.
Coryneum, n., a form genus of imperfect fungi
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xopiivrj. 'club, mace',
which is rel. to xoputpyj, 'head, top, summit'. See
next word and cp. corymb.
coryphaeus, n., i) the leader of the chorus in the
Greek drama; hence 2) a leader. — L., fr. Gk.
xop'jipxio?. 'leader, chief, fr. xopucpV), 'head, top,
summit, the highest point', which is rel. to
xopuc, 'helmet', xopujiftac, 'uppermost point,
cluster of flowers', xopuw), 'club', and prob.
stands in gradational relationship to Att. Gk.
xipS, Att. and Dor. xapxvov, Ion. xap-rjvov,
'head', and to Gk. xpocvlov, 'skull'. See cranium
and cp. Corydalis, corymb, Coryneum. Cp. also
next word.
coryphee, n., a ballet dancer. — F. coryphee, fr. L.
coryphaeus. See prec. word.
Coryphodon, n., a genus of extinct mammals
(paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of xopucpr,,
'head, top, summit", and oStov, gen. igovroq,
tooth". See coryphaeus and odonto-.
coryza, n., nasal catarrh (med.) — L. coryza, fr.
Gk. xop'j^a, 'a cold in the head, nasal catarrh',
which is prob. cogn. with OE. hrot, 'thick fluid,
scum', OHG. hroz, roz, 'nasal mucus", MHG.,
G. rolz, 'nasal mucus', OE. hrutan, 'to snore;
to resound', ON. hrjota, OS. hrutan, ON.
hrjota, OHG. hrutan, 'to rattle in one's throat'.
cos, cos lettuce, n. — Prop, 'lettuce introduced
from Cos', fr. L. Cos, fr. Gk. KCoc, one of the
Aegean islands, now called Stanchio. Cp. Coan.
cos, n. — Abbreviation of cosine.
cosecant, n., the secant of the complement of an
angle (trigon.) — Formed on analogy of cosine
and cotangent fr. ModL. complement! secdns.
See co- and secant.
coseismal, coseismic, adj., noting points where
an earthquake arrives simultaneously. — For-
med fr. co- and seismal.
cosher, intr. v., to feast. — Ir. coisir, 'a feast'.
cosher, tr. v., to pamper. — Of uncertain origin.
cosher, adj. — A var. spelling of kosher.
cosignatory, adj., signing jointly with another
or others. — Formed fr. co- and signatory.
cosine, n., the sine of the complement of an angle
(trigon.) — Fr. co. sinus, abbreviation of ModL.
complement! sinus, 'the sine of the complement'.
This name and its abbreviation into co. sinus
were first used by Edmund Gunter, a mathe-
matician of the early 1 7th cent. See complement
and sine and cp. cotangent, cosecant.
cosmetic, adj., serving to beautify. — Gk. xoo-
u.7)tixqc;, 'skilled in arranging', fr. xoct(j.y]t6i;,
'well-ordered', verbal adj. of xoajxav, 'to order,
arrange, adorn', fr. xoa^ioc, 'order, ornament,
decoration, set form; world, universe'. See cos-
mos and -ic.
Derivatives: cosmetic, n., a preparation for
beautifying the skin, cosmetic-al-ly, adv., cos-
metic-ian, n., one who makes or applies cos-
metics.
cosmetology, n., the study of cosmetics. — Com-
pounded of Gk. xoa^rjTot;, 'well-ordered' (see
prec. word), and -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoq, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cosmic, adj., pertaining to the cosmos; vast. —
Gk. xoCTpitx6^, 'of, or connected with, the world',
fr. xoa^oc,, 'world'. See cosmos and -ic.
Derivatives: cosmic-al, adj., cosmic-al-ity, n.,
cosmic-al-ly, adv.
cosmo-, combining word denoting the world. —
Gk. xoct|j.o-, fr. xoo(iot;, 'world'. See cosmos.
cosmogony, n., the origination of the universe. —
Gk. xoafioyovti (whence also F. cosmogonie),
compounded of x6ct[j.o;, 'world', and -yov[a, fr.
yovo:;, 'race, offspring'. See cosmos and -gony.
Derivatives: cosmogon-ic, cosmogon-ic-al, adjs.,
cosmogon-ist , n.
cosmography, n., description of the universe. —
Gk. xoaijLoypxtpia, compounded of xoajioi;,
'world', and -ypaipix, fr. ypatpeiv, 'to write'. See
cosmos and -graphy.
Derivatives : cosmograph-ic, cosmograph-ic-al,
adjs.
cosmology, n., that part of metaphysics which
deals with the universe. — Compounded of
cosmo- and Gk. -Xoyii, fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cosmolog-ic, cosmolog-ic-al, adjs.,
cosmolog-ic-al-ly, adv., cosmolog-ist, n.
cosmonaut, n., an astronaut. — Compounded of
cosmo- and Gk. vx'j-rr,;, 'sailor, seaman'. See
nautical and cp. astronaut.
cosmonautics, n., astronautics. — Compounded
of cosmo- and nautics. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also
astronautics.
cosmoplastic, adj., pertaining to the plastic force
that forms the world. — Compounded of cos-
mo- and plastic.
cosmopolitan, adj., belonging to the whole world;
359
cotangent
n., a citizen of the world. — Formed with suff.
-an, fr. Gk. xoajxoTroXf-cT)?, 'citizen of the world',
fr. xog[ioq, 'world,' and 7toXtt/)!;, 'citizen' (fr.
TioXiq, 'city'). See cosmo- and politic.
Derivatives: cosmopolitan-ism, n., cosmopolitan-
ize, v.
cosmopolite, n., a cosmopolitan person. — Gk.
xoCTu.o7roXiT7);. See prec. word.
Derivatives : cosmopolit-ic, cosmopolit-ic-al,
adjs., cosmopolit-ism, n.
cosmorama, n., an exhibition of views of different
parts of the world. — Compounded of Gk.
xoa^o?, 'world', and opau.a, 'that which is seen,
view, sight', fr. opav, 'to see'. For the first ele-
ment see cosmos. The second element is cogn.
with L. vererl, 'to observe with awe, revere, re-
spect, fear', OE. wxr, 'cautious, aware'. See
ware, 'alert', and cp. the second element in dio-
rama, myriorama, panorama. Cp. also -rama.
Derivative: cosmoram-ic, adj.
cosmos, n., the world conceived as an ordered
whole. — Gk. xoajjtoi;, 'order, ornament, de-
coration, set form; world, universe', whence
xocu.av, 'to order, arrange, adorn', xoafnr)-ro<;
(verbal adj.), 'well-ordered, regular'; of uncer-
tain origin. Cp. cosmetic, the first element in
cosmetology and the second element in macro-
cosm, microcosm.
coss, n. — A variant spelling of kos.
cossack, n., one of a people of the southern Soviet
union in Europe and near-by parts of Asia,
noted as horsemen. — Russ. kozak, kazak, fr.
Turk, qazaq, qdzdq, 'nomad, vagabond'.
cosset, n., a lamb reared by hand, a pet lamb. —
Prob. fr. OE. cot-sxta, 'cottage dweller, house
dweller', fr. cot, 'cot, house', and sxta, 'dweller',
fr. sit tan, 'to sit, to dwell'. See cot, 'cottage', and
sit. For sense development cp. G. Hauslamm,
'pet lamb', fr. Haus, 'house', and Lamm, 'lamb',
and It. casiccio, 'pet lamb', fr. casa, 'house'.
Derivative: cosset, tr. v., to treat as a pet.
cost, intr. v. — ME. costen, fr. OF. coster (F.
couter), 'to cost', fr. L. constdre, 'to stand to-
gether, to be established, settled, certain, evi-
dent', which is formed fr. con- and stare, 'to
stand'; cp. It. constare, OProvenc. Cat., Sp.
costar, Port, custar, 'to cost', Rum. custd, 'to
live', which all derive fr. L. constdre. See state
and cp. constant.
cost, n. — OF. (F. coui), back formation fr. cos-
ter (F. couter). Cp. It., Sp. costo, Sp. costa,
Port, custa, 'cost, price', Rum. cust, 'duration
of life', and see cost, v.
Derivatives: cost-less, adj., cost-less-ness, n.,
cost-ly, adv., cost-li-ness, n.
costal, adj., pertaining to a rib or ribs. — F., fr.
ML. costdlis, fr. L. costa, 'rib, side, coast'. See
coast and adj. suff. -al and cp. coastal. Cp. also
costard, costate, coteau.
Derivative: costal-ly, adv.
costard, n., a variety of apple. — Lit. 'ribbed', fr.
OF. coste (F. cote), 'rib', fr. L. costa (see coast
and -ard) ; so called with reference to the ribs
on its surface. Cp. costermonger.
costate, adj., having ribs, ribbed. — L. costdtus,
'having ribs', fr. costa. See costal and adj. suff.
-ate.
costean, intr. v., to bore through the soil down
to the rock to find out the course of a mineral
deposit. — Co. costen, prob. contracted fr.
cothas sten, 'dropped tin'. Co. sten is rel. to
Gael., Ir. stdn, 'tin'. See stannary.
coster, n. — Short for costermonger.
costermonger, n., an apple seller. — From orig.
costardmonger, lit. 'apple seller'. See costard
and monger.
costive, adj., constipated. — MF. costive, fr. L.
cdnstlpdtus, pp. of cdnstipdre, 'to press closely
together'. See constipate. For the loss of the
French pp. suff. -e in English cp. defile, 'a nar-
row valley', signal, 'noticeable', trove.
Derivative : costive-ness, n.
costmary, n., a plant with fragrant leaves (Chry-
santhemum balsamita) — ME. costmarye, com-
pounded of OE. cost, 'costmary', and Mary.
OE. cost derives fr. L. costus, fr. Gk. xooto?, fr.
Heb. qdsht, 'an oriental aromatic plant', which,
together with Arab, qust, of s.m., is borrowed
fr. OI. kusthah.
costo-, combining form meaning 'rib'. — Fr. L.
costa, 'rib'. See costal.
costotome, n., an instrument for the dissection
of ribs. — A hybrid coined fr. L. costa, 'rib',
and Gk. -tojxoi;, 'cutting'. See coast and -tome.
costotomy, n., division of a rib (med.) — A hybrid
coined fr. L. costa, 'rib', and Gk. -~o\jia., 'a cut-
ting of, fr. roj^r], 'a cutting'. See coast and -tomy.
costume, n., — F., 'costume, dress', fr. It. cos-
tume, 'custom, fashion, customary dress, dress',
fr. L. cdnsuetudinem, acc. of consuetudo, 'cus-
tom'. See custom.
Derivatives: costume, tr. v., costum-er, n., cos-
tum-ery, n., costum-ing, n.
costumier, n., a costumer. — F., 'dealer in cos-
tumes', fr. costume. See prec. word and -ier.
cosy, adj. — A var. spelling of cozy.
Derivatives : cosi-ly, adv., cosi-ness, n.
cot, n., hut, cottage. — ME. cot, cote, fr. OE. cot,
cote, 'cottage, house, dwelling', rel. to ON. kot,
'hut', MDu. cot, cote, Du. kot, 'hovel, cot". Cp.
cote, coterie, cottage, cotter, 'cottager', cottier.
Derivative: cot, to put in a cot.
cot, n., bedstead; bed (naut.) (Anglo-lnd.) —
Hind, khdt, khatvd, fr. OI. khatvd, borrowed
from Dravidian; cp. Tamil kattil, 'beadstead'.
cot, n. — Abbreviation of cotangent.
cotangent, n., the tangent of the complement of
an angle (trigon.) — Fr. co. tangens, abbrevation
of ModL. complement! tangens, 'the tangent of
the complement'. This name and its abbreviation
into co. tangens were first used by Edmund
Gunter, a mathematician of the early 17th cen-
tury. See complement and tangent and cp. co-
secant, cosine.
cotarnine
360
cotarnine, also cotarnin, n., a nonpoisonous alka-
loid, C^H^NO, (chem.) — Anagram of nar-
cotine; so called in allusion to the circumstance
that cotarnine is obtained by the oxidation of
narcotine.
cote, n., a shelter for pigeons, sheep, etc. — ME.
cote, cot. See cot, 'hut, cottage',
coteau, n., an upland (Canada and U.S.A.) — F.,
'a hill', fr. OF. costel, orig. 'side', fr. coste (F.
cote), 'rib, side, hillside', fr. L. costa. See coast,
cotemporary, adj. — The same as contemporary,
cotenant, n., a joint tenant. — Formed fr. co- and
tenant.
coterie, n., an exclusive group of persons. — F.,
'association of country people, set, circle', fr.
OF. cotier, 'cottager, cotter'. See cot, 'hut', and
-ery.
cothurnus, n., the buskin worn by the Greek and
Roman tragic actors; tragedy; tragic style. —
L., fr. Gk. x6-9-opvo<;, which is of foreign, pos-
sibly Lydian, origin.
cotillion, n., a lively dance. — F. cotillon, name
of a dance, lit., 'petticoat', dimin. of cotte,
'coat', fr. OF. cote, fr. Frankish *kotta, 'coat'.
See coat and cp. cotta.
cotise, n., the fourth part of a band, used in pairs
(her.) — F. cotice, fr. ML. coticium, fr. cota,
cotta, 'tunic', which is of Teut. origin. See coat
and cp. cotillion, cotta.
Derivative: cotise, tr. v.
Cotoneaster, n., a genus of plants of the apple
family (bot.) — ModL., formed with the pejora-
tive suff. -aster fr. L. cotdnea, 'quince'. See
quince.
cotrustee, n., a joint trustee. — Formed fr. co-
and trustee.
cotta, n., a short surplice (eccles.) — ML. cotta,
'tunic', of Teut. origin. See coat and cp. words
there referred to.
cottabus, n., a game in vogue at drinking parties
in ancient Athens. — L., fr. Gk. xoxxapo;, 'a
Sicilian game of throwing the wine left in one's
cup into a metal basin', which stands perh. for
*xoTfaPo; and is rel. to xotuXt], 'cup'. See
cotyledon.
cottage, n. — AF. cotage, a hybrid coined fr. OF.
cote, a Frankish loan word (see cot, 'hut, cot-
tage'), and -age, a suff. of Latin origin.
Derivatives: cottag-ed, adj., cottag-er, n.
cotter, cottar, n., a cottager. — ML. cotdrius, cot-
tdrius, fr. cota, cotta. See cot, 'hut, cottage'.
cotter, n., a wedge, bolt. — Of unknown origin.
cotterite, n., a variety of quartz (mineral.) —
Named after its discoverer Miss Cotter, of Rock-
forest, Ireland. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
Cottidae, n. pi., a family of fishes, the sculpins,
etc. (ichthyol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. Cottus (q.v.)
cottier, n., a cottager. — OF. cotier, fr. cote. See
cote and -ier.
cotton, n. — ME. coton, fr. F. coton, fr. Sp. colon,
fr. Arab, qufun, whence also It. cotone, OProv-
enc. coton. Port, cotao, Du. katoen, and
(through the medium of Dutch) G. Kattun, 'cot-
ton'. Cp. acton, kittel.
Derivatives: cotton, adj., cotton, v. (q.v.), cot-
ton-y, adj.
cotton, intr. v., to agree. — Fr. cotton, n. The
orig. meaning of the verb was 'to stick together
like cotton'.
cotula, n., an ancient Greek measure (Greek an-
tiq.) — L. cotula, cotyla, 'a small vessel; a
measure of capacity', fr. Gk. xotuXt]. See
cotyledon.
Coturnix, n., a genus of birds, the Old World
quail (ornithol.) — L. coturnix, 'a quail', dissi-
milated from earlier cocturnix, quocturnlx, fr.
base *qwok-, imitative of the quail's cry. For a
similar, but not related, imitative base cp. quail,
the bird.
cotwal, n. — A var. spelling of kotwal.
cotyledon, n., a seed leaf (bot.) — L., 'navelwort',
fr. Gk. xo-njX7]8<iv, 'any cup-shaped hollow,
navelwort', fr. xo-niXrj, 'anything hollow, a cup,
socket of a joint', which is possibly rel. to
x6TTa|io?, 'cottabus' (name of a game), and
cogn. with L. catinus, 'deep vessel for cooking,
or serving up, food' (whence dimin. catillus);
cp. ON. ketill, OHG. ke^il, 'kettle', which are
borrowed fr. L. catillus, and see kettle. Cp.
acotyledon, cotyliscus, cotula. Cp. also cottabus.
cotyledonous, adj., having cotyledons. — Formed
from prec. word with suff. -ous.
cotyliscus, n., a small cup (Greek and Roman an-
tiq.) — L., fr. Gk. xo-ruXtoxoi;, 'a little cup',
dimin. of xotuXt). See cotyledon.
cotyloid, adj., cup-shaped. — Compounded of
xotuXt), 'cup', and -oei8r]<;, 'like', fr. eT8o<;, 'form,
shape'. See cotyledon and -oid.
couch, n., a bed. — F., fr. coucher, 'to lay down'.
See couch, v.
couch, tr. and intr. v. — F. coucher, 'to lay down,
put to bed', fr. OF. colchier, couchier, coucher,
of s.m., fr. L. collocdre, 'to place, station, ar-
range', whence also It. collocare, Proven?, colcar,
colgar, 'to lay, place', Sp. colgar, 'to hang up,
suspend', It. colcare, coricare, Rum. euled, 'to
lay down, put to bed'. See collocate and cp.
accouchement.
Derivatives: couch-er, n., couch-ing, n.
couch, n., couch grass. — See couch grass.
Derivative: couch-y, adj.
couchant, adj., lying down with the head up (her.)
— F., pres. part, of coucher. See couch, v., and
-ant.
couch grass. — A var. of quitch grass.
cougar, n. — F. couguar, a name coined by Buffon
on analogy of jaguar fr. cuguacuarana, supposed
to be a Brazilian word. In reality, however, this
latter is due to an erroneous reading. Tupi susu-
arana was transliterated by the Portuguese into
(ucuarana. Through the negligent omission of
the cedillas from under the letters c arose the
361
counterfort
word from which Buffon coined F. couguar.
cough, intr. v. — ME. cowhen, coughen, fr. OE.
*cohhian (whence OE. cohhetan, 'to make a
noise'), rel. to MDu. cochen, Du. kuchen, 'to
cough', MHG. kuchen, 'to breathe'. Cp. G.
keuchen, 'to pant, gasp', which is a blend of
MHG. kuchen, 'to breathe', and kichen, 'to
pant'. For this latter see chincough.
Derivatives: cough, n., cough-er, n.
could, aux. v. — Past tense of can, fr. ME. coude,
fr. OE. cupe. The / in could is etymologically in-
correct and due to the analogy of should and
would.
coulee, n., a stream of solidified lava. — F., fem.
pp. of couler, 'to flow', used as a noun. See
next word.
coulisse, n., back stage place. — F., prop. fem.
of the adj. coulis, 'that which glides' (in vent
coulis, 'a wind that comes through crevices'),
fr. OF. coleis, couleis, fr. VL. *cdldticius, 'that
which pertains to gliding', fr. L. colore, 'to
strain, filter', in VL. 'to flow; to glide', fr. colum,
'strainer'. See colander and cp. words there
referred to.
couloir, n., a mountain gully, gorge. — F., 'strain-
er; corridor, passage way', fr. couler, 'to flow,
run, strain', fr. L. colore. See prec. word.
coulomb, n., the unit of quantity in electricity. —
Named after the French physicist Charles-
Augustin de Coulomb (1736-1806).
coumarin, n., a crystalline substance (chem.) —
F. coumarine, fr. coumarou, 'the Tonka-bean
tree', fr. Tupi cumaru.
council, n. — OF. cuncile, fr. L. concilium, 'a
gathering, meeting, assembly', which stands for
*con-caliom, and prop, means 'a calling to-
gether', fr. con- and colore, 'to call, proclaim'.
See calends and cp. conciliar, conciliate. For the
change of Latin a (in *con-cdliom) to i (in con-
cilium) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to. Council was often confused with counsel.
councilor, councillor, n. — Formed from prec.
word with agential suff. -or.
counsel, n. — ME. conseil, counseil, fr. OF. con-
seil, counseil (F. conseil), fr. L. consilium, 'deli-
berative assembly; consultation, deliberation,
plan, design, advice, counsel', which is prob.
rel. to consulere, 'to take counsel, deliberate'.
See consult, v.
counsel, tr. v. — ME. conseillen, fr. F. conseiller,
'to advise, counsel, recommend', fr. L. cdn-
silidri, 'to take counsel; to give counsel', fr.
consilium. See counsel, n.
counselor, counsellor, n. — ME. counseiller, fr.
OF. conseilleor, conseiilere (F. conseiller), fr. L.
cdnsilidtdrem, acc. of cdnsilidtor, 'counselor',
fr. consilidri. See counsel, v., and agential suff.
-or.
count, tr. and intr. v. — ME. counten, fr. OF.
confer (F. compter), 'to count, reckon', fr. L.
computdre, 'to sum up, reckon'. See compute
and cp. conte. Cp. also account, discount, re-
count. Modern French differentiates between
compter, 'to count', and confer, 'to narrate',
although the two words are etymologically
identical.
Derivatives: count-able, adj. and n., count-able-
ness, n., countabl-y, adv.
count, n., the act of reckoning. — Late L. com-
putus, fr. L. computdre. See count, v., and cp.
computus.
count, n., a title of nobility. — AF. counte, fr.
OF. conte (F. comte), fr. L. comitem, acc. of
comes, 'companion' (in Late L. also 'one be-
longing to the imperial court'), fr. *com-i-t-, lit.
'one who goes with another', fr. com- and the
stem of ire, 'to go'; see itinerate. Cp. It. conte,
OProvenc. comte, Catal., Sp. and Port, conde,
'count', which all derive fr. L. comitem. Cp. also
countess, county, contessa, concomitant, the first
element in constable, and the second element in
viscount.
countenance, n. — OF. (= F.) contenance, 'de-
meanor, bearing', fr. L. continentia, 'a holding
together; self control', fr. continens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of continere, 'to hold together'. See
contain and -ance and cp. continence, which is
a doublet of countenance.
Derivatives : countenance, tr. v., countenanc-er,n.
counter, n., one who counts. — ME. countour,
fr. OF. conteor (F. compteur), fr. Late L. com-
putdtorem, acc. of computdtor, 'computer,
reckoner', fr. L. computdtus, pp. of computdre.
See count, 'to reckon', and agential suff. -er.
counter, n., a table on which money is counted.
— ME. countour, fr. OF. conteoir (F. comptoir),
fr. ML. computdtdrium, prop, 'a place for count-
ing", fr. L. computdre. See count, 'to reckon'.
counter, adv., in the opposite way or direction. —
F. contre, fr. L. contra, 'against, opposite'. See
contra-.
counter, adj., contrary. — Fr. prec. word,
counter, n., that which is opposite or contrary
to something. — Fr. counter, adj.
counter, tr. v., to go or act counter to ; intr. v., to
make a counter move; to oppose. — Fr. coun-
ter, adv. Cp. encounter,
counter-, combining form expressing opposition,
contrast, correspondence, reciprocity. — F.
contre-, fr. contre, 'against', fr. L. contra. See
counter, adv.
counterfeit, adj. — OF. contrefait, contrefet (F.
contrefait), pp. of contrefaire, 'to counterfeit',
fr. contre, 'against', and faire (fr. L. facere), 'to
make, do'. See counter- and fact.
Derivatives: counterfeit, n. and v., counterfeit-er,
n., counterfeit-ly , adv., counter feit-ment, n.,
counterfeit-ness, n.
counterfoil, n., a stub. — Formed fr. counter- and
foil, 'a thin leaf of metal',
counterfort, n., a buttress. — F. contrefort, lit., 'a
strong support placed against the wall', fr.
contre, 'against', and fort, 'strong'. See counter-
and fort.
countermark
362
countermark, n. — F. contremarque, fr. contre,
'against', and marque, 'mark'. See counter- and
mark.
countermark, tr. v. — F. contremarquer, fr. con-
tremarque. See countermark, n.
counterpaly, adj., paly and divided fesswise (her.)
— F. contrepale, fr. contre, 'against', and pale,
'provided with pales', fr. pal, 'a stake'. See
counter- and pale, 'stake', and cp. paly.
counterpane, n., a coverlet. — Fr. earlier counter-
point, 'coverlet', fr. earlier F. contrepointe,
which is a blend of contre, 'against', and OF.
coite-pointe, lit. 'quilt stitched through', fr. L.
culcita piincta, fr. culcita, 'quilt', and puncta,
fem. pp. of pungere, 'to prick, pierce, point'.
See quilt and point, n., and cp. counterpoint,
'counterpane'. F. courtepointe, 'counterpane', is
a blend of court, 'short', and contrepointe. The
second element in E. counterpane is due to a
confusion of OF. pointe, 'stitched through',
with pan, 'cloth', fr. L. pannus, 'piece of cloth'
(see pane).
counterpoint, n., combination of melodies (mus.)
— OF. contrepoint, fr. ML. cantus contrdpunctus
(whence also It. contrappunto), from the term
punctus contra punctum, 'note against note' (lit.
'point against point'). The former practice was
to write the notes for the accompanying voice
against (i.e. over or under) the notes for the first
voice. See counter- and point, n., and cp. contra-
puntal.
counterpoint, n., a counterpane (obsol.) — Fr.
earlier F. contrepointe, 'coverlet'. See counter-
pane.
counterpoise, n., a counterweight. — ME. coun-
trepeis, fr. OF. conlrepois (F. contrepoids), fr.
contre, 'against', and pois (F. poids), 'weight'.
See counter- and poise, n.
counterpoise, tr. v., to counterbalance. — ME.
countrepesen, countrepeisen, fr. OF. contrepeis-,
contrepois-, pres. sing, stem of contrepeser. See
counter- and poise, v., and cp. counterpoise, n.
counterscarp, n., the outer slope of a ditch (fort.)
— F. contrescarpe, fr. It. contrascarpa, fr. con-
tra, 'against' (fr. L. contra), and Scarpa, 'scarp'.
See counter- and scarp.
countersign, tr. v. — F. contresigner, fr. MF., fr.
contre, 'against', and signer, 'to sign' (fr. L.
signare). See counter- and sign, v. and n.
countersign, n. — MF. contresigne, fr. contresigner.
See countersign, tr. v.
countertenor, n., a high tenor voice (mus.) — MF.
contreteneur, fr. It. contratenore, fr. contra,
'against', and tenore, 'a tenor'. See counter and
tenor.
countervail, tr. and intr. v., i) to compensate;
2) to counteract. — ME. countrevailen, fr. OF.
contrevaloir, 'to be effective against', fr. contre,
'against', and valoir, 'to be worth' (fr. L. valere,
'to be strong, be well, be worth"). See counter -
and valiant.
countess, n. — OF. contesse (F. comtesse), fem.
of conte (F. comte), 'count'. See count, 'title of
nobility', and -ess.
countless, adj. — Formed fr. count, 'number',
with suff. -less; first used by Shakespeare.
countrified, adj. — Pp. of obsol. countrify, ar-
bitrarily formed fr. country and suff. -fy.
country, n. — ME. contree, fr. OF. cuntree, con-
tree (F. contree), fr. Late L. contrata, 'land lying
opposite', fr. L. contra, 'against, opposite'. See
contra- and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
It., OProvenc. Catal., Sp. and Port, contrada,
which also derive fr. Late L. contrata.
county, n. — OF. cunte, conte, contee (F. comte),
fr. L. comitatus, 'escort, retinue', lit. 'a com-
pany', fr. comitatus, pp. of comitari, 'to accom-
pany', fr. comes, gen. comitis, 'companion'. See
count, 'title of nobility', and cp. contadino and
posse comitatus.
Derivative: county, adj.
coup, n., a successful stroke of business. — F.,
'stroke, blow', fr. VL. colpus (occurring in the
text of the Salic law), fr. L. colaphus, 'a blow
with the fist, a box on the ear', fr. Gk. xoXaqjog,
of s.m., which is rel. to y.oXx7TT£tv, 'to hew, cut',
fr. I.-E. base *qola-, 'to strike, cut', whence also
xoAousiv, 'to cut short, curtail', KoXoq, 'docked,
curtailed, stunted; short-horned, hornless',
xoXopo;, 'docked, curtailed, stunted, mutilated'.
See calamity and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also cope, 'to struggle with', coppice, copse,
coupe, coupee, coupon, recoup, culpable and the
second element in Dendrocolaptidae.
coupe, n., 1) a half-compartment in a European
railway car; 2) a closed carriage seating two
persons with an outside seat for the driver; 3) a
closed two-door automobile. — F., prop. pp. of
couper, 'to cut', used as a noun, fr. coup, 'stroke,
blow'. See prec. word and cp. next word.
coupee, n., a term of dancing. — F., prop. fem.
pp. of couper, 'to cut', used as a noun. See
coup and cp. preceding word.
couple, n. — OF. cople, cuple, couple (F. couple),
fr. L. copula, 'that which binds together, band,
bond'. See copula and cp. couplet.
couple, tr. and intr. v. — OF. copier, cupler,
coupler (F. coupler), fr. L. cdpuldre, 'to bind to-
gether, couple', fr. copula. See prec. word.
Derivatives: coupl-ed, adj., coupl-er, n., coupl-
ing, n.
couplet, n., a pair of usually rhyming lines. —
F., dimin. of couple. See couple, n., and -et.
Derivative : couplet-eer, n.
coupon, n., a detachable part of a ticket or a cer-
tificate. — F., lit. 'a piece cut off', fr. couper, 'to
cut', fr. coup, 'stroke, blow'. See coup.
courage, n. — ME. corage, fr. OF. corage, curage,
courage (F. courage), fr. VL. *cordticum (whence
also It. coraggio, OProvenc. coratge, Sp. coraje,
Port, coragem), fr. L. cor, 'heart'. See cordate
and -age and cp. encourage, discourage.
courageous, adj. — AF., fr. OF. corageus (F.
courageux), fr. corage. See prec. word and -ous.
363
covenant
Derivatives: courageous-ly, adv., courageous-
ness, n.
courant, n., a newspaper (now used only in the
names of newspapers). — F., 'running', pres.
part, of courir, 'to run'. See current, adj., and
-ant and cp. next word,
courante, n., a dance characterized by running
steps. — F. courante, fem. of courant. See prec.
word.
courier, n., a messenger. — F. courrier, fr. It. cor-
riere, fr. ML. currerius, 'a professional runner',
fr. L. currere, 'to run'. See current, adj.
courlan, n., a bird of the genus Aramus. — F.,
changed fr. courliri, fr. Galibi kurliri, which is
of imitative origin.
course, n. — Partly fr. F. cours, fr. L. cursus, 'a
running, course', partly fr. F. course, fr. It. corsa,
'a course', which also derives fr. L. cursus, fr.
curs-(um), pp. stem of currere, 'to run'. See
current, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: course, tr. and intr. v., courser
(q.v.), cours-ing, n.
courser, n., a swift horse. — F. coursier, fr. ML.
cursarius, fr. L. cursus, 'a running, course'. See
course.
courser, n., a bird of the genus Cursorius (orni-
thol.) — Late L. cursorius, 'pertaining to run-
ning', fr. L. cursus, 'a running, course'. See
course and cp. prec. word.
court, n. — ME. court, curt, fr. OF. court, curt
(F. cour), 'court, yard', fr. L. cortem, acc. of
cors, contracted form of cohors, 'yard, enclosure ;
company ; crowd, cohort', which is formed fr. co-
and l.-E. *ghrtis, 'enclosure', fr. base *gherdh-,
'to enclose', whence also L. hortus, 'garden', lit.
'an enclosed place', Gk. /op™;, 'enclosed place:
cattle farm'. Goth, gards, 'house', OE. geard,
'piece of land, garden, yard'. Cp. Rum. curte.
It., Sp., Port, corte, OProveng., Catal. cort, which
all derive fr. L. cortem. See yard, 'enclosure',
and cp. cohort, which is a doublet of court. Cp.
also cortege, curtain, curtilage.
Derivatives: court, tr. v., courteous, courtesy
(qq.v.), court-ier, n., court-ier-ly, adj., court-ling,
n., court-ly, adj. and adv., court-li-ness, n.
courtcard, n., a king, queen or knave of playing
cards. — Folk-etymological alteration of orig-
inal coat-card.
courteous, adj. — ME. cortais, corteis, cortois, fr.
OF. curteis, corteis (F. courlois). See court and
-ous and cp. courtesy.
Derivatives : courteous-ly, adv., courleous-ness, n.
courtesan, courtezan, n. — F. courtisane, fem.
of courtisan, 'courtier', fr. It. cortigiano, fr.
corte, 'court'. See court,
courtesy, n. — ME. cortaisie, corteisie, cortesie,
courtesie, fr. OF. cortesie, corteisie (F. cour-
toisie), fr. corteis (F. courlois). See courteous
and -y (representing OF. -ie) and cp. curtesy,
curtsy.
couscous, n., an African dish of meat and steamed
flour. — F., fr. Arab, ktiskus, fr. kdskasa, 'he
pounded', which is rel. to Heb. kiskes, of s.m.
These verbs are prop. Pilpel forms of Arab.
kdssa, resp. Heb. kdsds, 'he chewed'. Cp. Ak-
kad. kasdsu, 'to cut small', Aram.-Syr. kiss'tha,
Akkad. kissatu, 'fodder'.
cousin, n. — F. cousin, rel. to OProvenc. cozin;
fr. L. consobrinus, 'cousin-german', orig. de-
noting only 'the child of a mother's sister', fr.
con- and sobrinus, 'a cousin by the mother's
side', contraction of sororinus, from soror, 'sis-
ter' (hence prop, meaning 'sister's child'), which
is cogn. with Goth, swistar, OE. sweostor, 'sis-
ter'. See sister and cp. cozen.
Derivatives: cousin-ly, adj. and adv., cousin-
hood, n., cousin-ship, n.
coutel, n., a kind of knife (hist.) — OF. coutel
(whence F. couteau), fr. L. cultellus, dimin. of
culter, 'plowshare, knife'. See colter.
coutil, coutille, n., a close-woven canvas fabric. —
F. coutil, 'drill, twill, ticking', fr. OF. coute
(now couette, coite), 'featherbed', fr. L. culcita,
'sack filled with feathers, cushion', which is
cogn. with OI. kurcah, 'bundle, bunch, tuft'.
Cp. quilt and words there referred to.
couvade, n., a practice among some primitive
peoples according to which, when a child is
born, the father also takes to bed and takes care
of the child. — F., 'a brood', fr. couver, 'to
brood', fr. L. cubdre, 'to lie down'. See covey
and -ade and cp. concubine.
cove, n., a small bay; a sheltered nook. — ME.,
fr. OE. cofa, 'chamber', rel. to ON. kofi, 'hut',
MHG. kobe, G. Koben, 'pigsty', and cogn. with
Gk. yinrt), 'cave, den, hole', y~><\>, gen. y\ino^,
'vulture', fr. I.-E. *geu-p-, a -p-enlargement of
base *geu-, 'to bend, curve, arch', whence Gk.
Y'i^c, 'the curved piece of a wood in a plow',
yuiov, 'limb' (chiefly used in the pi. yuia), and
*yua, 'hand', which prob. appears in hyf'st},
'surety, security, bail', prop, 'pledge put into
one's hand', and in ifY'jQ, 'near'. Cp. base
*g(u)wel-, an -/-enlargement of base *geu-,
whence OI. gdlah, gulah, 'sphere', Gk. yuaXov,
'a hollow", Megarian •pi'-'*;, 'cup', Gk. yuXio;
(also yjALoc), 'long-shaped wallet', OHG. kiol,
"vessel", kiulla, 'pocket, wallet'. Cp. bowel
and words there referred to, cod, 'a small bag',
endyscope, Gyps, gyre. For derivatives of I.-E.
*qeu-p-, a collateral form of base *geu-p-, see
cup and words there referred to.
Derivatives: cove, tr. and intr. v., cov-ed, adj.
cove, n., fellow, chap (slang). — Gypsy kova,
'that man'.
covellite, n., indigo copper (mineral.) — Named
after the Italian chemist Niccolo Covelli (1790-
1829), who discovered it in the lava of Mount
Vesuvius. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
coven, covine, n., an assembly of witches. — OF.
covent, 'assembly'. See convent and cp. covin.
covenant, n. OF. covenant, 'a coming together,
assembly', prop. pres. part, of covenir, 'to come
together, assemble', whence F. convenir, 'to
cover
364
agree; to suit, fit'. See convene and -ant and
cp. convenient.
Derivatives: covenant, v., covenant-ed, adj.,
covenant-er, n.
cover, tr. v. — OF. covrir, cuvrir (F. couvrir), fr.
L. cooperire, 'to cover wholly, cover', fr. co-
and operire, 'to cover', for *op-werire, which is
formed fr. ob, 'toward*, and I.-E. base *wer-,
'to enclose, cover'. See ob- and weir and cp.
aperient, operculum. Cp. also the first element
in curfew.
Derivatives: cover, n., cover-age, n., cover-ed,
adj., cover-er, n., cover-ing, adj. and n.
coverlet, n., a bedcover. — ME. coverlyte, fr. AF.
coverlit (cp. F. couvre-lii), fr. OF. covrir, cuvrir
(F. couvrir), 'to cover', and lit, 'bed', fr. L. lectus.
See cover and lie, 'to recline',
covert, adj., i) covered, hidden, sheltered; 2) (law)
married (said of a woman), lit. 'covered (i.e.
protected) by her husband'. — ME., fr. OF.
covert (F. couvert), pp. of covrir. See cover and
cp. overt. Cp. also feme covert and discovert.
Derivatives: covert, n., covert-ly, adv., covert-
ness, n.
coverture, n., the status of a married woman (law).
— OF. (F. couverture), fr. covert, pp. of covrir.
See prec. word and -ure.
covet, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. OF. coveitier, fr. VL.
"cupidietdre, fr. *cupidietds, altered fr. L. cupi-
ditds, 'desire', fr. cupere, 'to desire' ; see Cupid.
OF. coveitier soon became conveitier (F. con-
voiter) on analogy of the numerous words be-
ginning with con-.
Derivatives: covet-able, adj., covet-er, n., covet-
ing, adj., covet-ing-ly, adv., covetise (q.v.), covet-
ive-ness, n., covetous (q.v.)
covetise, n., covetousness (obsol.) — OF. coveitise
(F. convoitise), fr. VL. *cupiditia, fr. L. cupidus,
'desirous', fr. cupere, 'to desire'. See covet and
-ise.
covetous, adj. — OF. coveitos (F. convoiteux),
from the stem of coveitier, 'to covet'. See covet
and -ous.
Derivatives: covetous-ly, adv., covetous-ness, n.
covey, n., a brood of partridges. — OF. covee
(F. couvee), prop. fern. pp. of cover (F. couver),
'to sit on, hatch', fr. L. cubdre, 'to lie down',
which is cogn. with Gk. xu^o?, 'hollow above
the hip of cattle'. See cubicle.
covid, n., a varying measure of length. — Indo-
Port., fr. Port, covado, 'ell, cubit', fr. L. cubitum,
cubitus, 'elbow, ell, cubit', whence also Sp. codo,
Catal. colde, colze, Provenc. coide, F. coude,
Tosc. govito, Olt. gombito. It. gomito, Rum. cot,
'elbow'. See cubit.
covil, n. — A var. spelling of kovil.
covin, n., an unlawful agreement (law). — OF.
covin, covine, lit. 'a coming together', fr. covenir.
See covenant and cp. coven.
covine, n. — See coven.
coving, n., a cove or series of coves (archit.) —
Formed fr. cove, 'arch,' with subst. suff. -tag.
cow, n. — ME, ky, kye, fr. OE. cu, rel. to OS. ko,
OFris. kit, MDu. coe, Du. koe, OHG. chuo,
kuo, MHG. kuo, G. Kuh, Dan. and Swed. ko,
ON. kyr, Norw. kyr, ko, 'cow', and cogn. with
Olr. bo, W. buw, 'cow', L. bos, Gk. (Jou? (for
*g w dus-), 'ox', Lett, guovs, 'cow', OSlav. *gov-
edo, Czech hovado, Slovak hovddo, 'ox', OI.
gduh, Avestic gdush, 'ox, bull, cow', Toch. A
ko, ki, B keu, 'cow', Arm. kov, 'cow', kogi,
'butter'. All these words ult. derive fr. Sumeric
gu (fr. earlier gud), 'bull, ox', a word of imi-
tative origin. Chinese ngd, ngu, 'ox', is a Sumeric
loan word (possibly through the medium of an
Indo-European language). Cp. kine. Cp. also
Bos, boustrophedon, bovine, Bucentaur, Buce-
phalus, Buceros, bucolic, buffalo, bugle, bugloss,
Bupleurum, Buprestis, Busycon, butter, Gaek-
war, gaur, Gautama, gopura, hecatomb, nilgai,
priest, sang-de-boeuf.
Derivatives: cow-ish, adj., cow-like, adj.
cow, tr. v., to frighten. — ON. kuga (whence
Dan. kue), 'to tyrannize over'.
coward, adj. — OF. coart, coard, couard (F. cou-
ard), fr. OF. coe (F. queue), 'tail', prop, 'one
who turns tail', fr. L. coda, secondary form of
cauda, 'tail', prob. orig. meaning 'stump, any-
thing cut off', and related to caudex, 'trunk of
a tree, block of wood'. See caudal and -ard.
Derivatives: coward, n., cowardice (q.v.), co-
ward-ly, adv., coward-li-ness, n.
cowardice, n. — ME. cowardise, fr. OF. (= F.)
couardise, fr. couard. See prec. word and -ice.
cower, intr. v., to crouch in fear. — ME. couren,
of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. kura, 'to doze, lie
quiet', Dan. kure, Swed. kura, 'to squat', which
are rel. to MLG. kuren, G. kauern, 'to squat,
cower', and cogn. with Gk. yupo?, 'circle',
yGp6i;, 'rounded, curved'. See gyre.
cowhage, also cowitch, n., the Indian climbing
plant Mucuna pruriens, the hairs of which
cause itching. — Anglicized fr. Hind, kewdnch,
fr. OI. kapikacchufi, lit. 'monkey itch', fr. kapih,
'monkey', and kacchiih, 'itch'. OI. kapih is ety-
mologically connected with Akkad. uqupu, Heb.
qoph, Gk. yrfzoc,, xrjpog, and with Egypt, qephi,
'monkey', however, the ultimate origin of these
words has not yet been established. See Manfred
Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit
Dictionary, I, 156 s.v. kapih, 'monkey'. OI.
kacchuh, 'itch', and the related kharjuh, 'itching,
scratching', are Dravidian loan words; cp.
Kanarese kaccu, karcu, 'to bite, sting, ail'.
cowl, n., a hood. — ME. cowle, fr. OE. cugele,
cule, fr. L. cucullus, 'hood', which is prob. of
Gaulish origin; cp. L. bardocucullus, 'a Gaulish
overcoat with a cowl of wool', prop, meaning
'the cowl of a bard', fr. *bardus, 'bard', and
cucullus, 'cowl'. Ir. cochull, 'a veil covering the
head and the shoulders', has been reborrowed
fr. L. cucullus. Cp. cucullate.
Derivative : cowl, tr. v.
cowl, n., a large tub for water. — ME. covel, coul,
365
-cracy
fr. OF. cuvele, fr. Late L. cupella, dimin. of
L. cupa, 'tub, cask'. See cup and cp. words there
referred to.
cowle, n., a grant in writing (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.
qawl, fr. Arab, qaul, 'sound, voice, saying,
word', from the base of qdla, 'he spoke', rel. to
Heb. qdl, 'sound, voice', Ugar. ql, Aram, qdl,
qdla, Syr. qali, Ethiop. qdl, of s.m., Akkad.
qulu, 'shouting' and to Heb. qdh&l, 'assembly,
congregation', hiqhfl, 'he assembled', q l hilld",
'assembly, congregation'. Cp. kehillah, Ko-
heleth and the second element in bathkol.
cowrie, cowry, n., a small shell of the genus Cy-
praea, used as money in parts of S. Asia. —
Hind, kauri, kaudi, fr. Mahrati kavatfi, fr. OI.
kapardah, kapardika-, derived — through the
medium of the forms *kava(u, kapafu, *kapar-
du — fr. Tamil kofu, 'shell', orig. meaning
'crookedness'.
cowslip, n., a plant with yellow flowers. — OE.
cu-slyppe, fr. cu, 'cow', and slyppe, 'slime'. See
cow and slip and cp. oxlip.
Derivative: cowslipp-ed, adj.
cox, n. and tr. v. (colloq.) — Short for coxswain.
coxa, n., the hip (anat.) — L., 'hip', cogn. with
OI. kdksah, kaksd, 'armpit', OE. hoh, 'heel', and
with the first element in OE. hdh-sinu, 'hock
sinew'. See hock, 'joint in the hind leg of a
horse', and cp. cuisse, cushion, Quixotic.
Derivative: cox-al, adj.
coxalgia, n., pain in the hip (med.) — A Medical
Latin hybrid coined fr. L. coxa, 'hip', and Gk.
-otXyia, fr. &~kyoc„ 'pain'. See prec. word and
-algia.
Derivative: coxalg-ic, adj.
coxcomb, n. — For cock's comb. The word orig.
meant 'a cap resembling a cock's comb'.
Derivatives: coxcomb-ess, n., coxcomb-ic, cox-
comb-ic-al, adjs., coxcomb-ic-al-ly, adv., cox-
comb-ry, n., coxcomb-y, adj.
coxitis, n., inflammation of the hip (med.) — A
Medical Latin hybrid coined fr. L. coxa, 'hip'
(see coxa) and -ids, a suff. of Greek origin.
coxswain, n., a steersman. — From earlier cock-
swain, which is compounded of cock, 'cockboat',
and swain.
Derivative: coxswain, tr. and intr. v.
coxy, adj., cheeky (schoolboy's slang). — A var.
of cocky.
coy, adj., shy. — ME., 'quiet', fr. OF. coi, coy,
fr. earlier quel, fr. L. quietus. See quiet, adj.
Derivatives: coy, v., coy-ly, adv., coy-ness, n.
coyote, n., prairie wolf of North America. — Sp.,
fr. Nahuatl koyotl.
coypu, n., a South American water rodent. —
Sp., from native name.
coz, n. — Abbreviation of cozen.
coze, intr. v., to talk in a friendly way, to chat. —
Prob. fr. F. causer, 'to talk', fr. L. causdri, 'to
plead, dispute, to discuss a question', fr. causa,
'cause, reason, purpose'. See cause and cp.
causerie.
cozen, tr. v., to cheat, deceive; intr. v., to act
deceitfully. — Orig. 'to pretend to be a cousin;
to deceive by pretending to be a cousin', fr. F.
cousiner, 'to call cousin, be related to; to
sponge, live on others', fr. cousin. See cousin.
Derivatives: cozen-age, n. (cp. F. cousinage),
cozen-er, n., cozen-ing, adj. and verbal n., cozen-
ing-ly, adv.
cozy, also cosy, adj., comfortable. — Prob. fr.
Norw. koselig, 'cosy', fr. kose sig, 'to make one-
self comfortable'.
Derivatives: cozi-ly, adv., cozi-ness, n.
crab, n., a crustacean. — ME. crabbe, fr. OE.
crabba, rel. to ON. krabbi, MLG. krabbe, MDu.
crabbe, Du. krab, 'crab', OHG. krebis, MHG.
krebes, G. Krebs, 'crayfish'. These words lit.
mean 'the scratcher', and are rel. to Du. krab-
belen, 'to scratch'. See crawl and cp. crab, 'crab
apple'. Cp. also OF. crevice, escrevice (F.
ecrevisse), 'crayfish', which derive fr. OHG.
krebis (see crayfish).
Derivatives: crab, intr. v., to fish for crabs;
tr. v., to drift sidewise (naut. and aviation),
crabb-y, adj.
crab, n., crab apple. — ME. crabbe, prob. fr.
crab, the animal. For sense development cp.
crabbed.
crab apple, a small, sour wild apple. — See prec.
word and cp. Swed. krabapple.
crabbed, adj., peevish, morose. — Lit. 'resembling
a crab'. Formed fr. crab, the animal, with suff.
-ed.
Derivatives: crabb-ed-ly, adv., crabb-ed-ness, n.
crachoir, n., spittoon. — F., fr. cracher, 'to spit',
fr. VL. *craccdre, of s.m. (whence also It. scrac-
chiare, scaracchiare, OProvenc. escracar); of
imitative origin.
crack, intr. and tr. v. — ME. cracken, fr. OE.
cracian, 'to resound', rel. to MDu. craken, Du.
kraken, OHG. krahhdn, MHG., G. krachen, 'to
crack", OE. cearcian, 'to creak, to gnash (the
teeth)', F. craquer, 'to crack', from the I.-E.
imitative base *ger-, 'to make a noise', whence
also Lith. girgzdeti, 'to creak', Arm. karkac,
'to make noise', OI. gdrjati, 'roars', Cp. crack-
nel.
Derivatives: crack, n. and adj., crack-ed, adj.,
crack-er, n., crackle (q.v.), crack-y, adj.
crackle, intr. v. — Formed fr. crack with freq.
suff. -le.
Derivatives: crackle, n., crackl-ed, adj., crackl-
ing, n.
cracknel, n., a kind of hard, brittle biscuit. —
Fr. earlier crakenel, metathesis of F. craquelin,
'cracknel', fr. MDu. crakelinc (Du. krakeling),
fr. craken, 'to crack'. See crack,
cracovienne, n., a Polish dance. — F. (short for
danse cracovienne, lit. 'a Cracow danse'), fern.
of cracovien, 'of Cracow', fr. Cracovie, 'Cracow',
fcracy, combining form meaning a certain type
of 'rule' or 'government', as in monocracy. — OF.
-cracie (F. -cratie), fr. Gk. -xpa-rfa, 'rule', fr.
cradge
366
xpctToi;, 'strength, might, power, rule, sway, do-
minion' (whence xpccxsiv, 'to be strong, rule
over', xpxxuc;, 'strong, mighty'), which is cogn.
with Goth, hardus, 'hard', OE. heard, 'hard,
brave'. See hard and cp. acrasia, acratia and the
first element in Crataegus.
cradge, n., a small bank raised to prevent over-
flow of water. — F. creche, 'crib, cradle', fr.
Frankish *kripja, which is rel. to OHG. krippa,
OE. cribb, 'crib'. See crib and cp. cratch, creche.
Derivative: cradge, tr. and intr. v.
cradle, n. — ME. cradel, fr. OE. cradel, cradol,
rel. to OE. crset, 'cart', and to OHG. kratto,
'basket', OHG. chrezzo, MHG. krezze, of s.m.,
G. Krdtze, 'basket carried on the back', and
cogn. with OI. grathndti, granthdyati, 'twists,
ties', granthah, 'knot'. Cp. cart.
Derivatives : cradle, tr. v., cradl-er, n., cradl-ing, n.
craft, n., skill. — ME. craft, fr. OE. crseft,
'strength, power, skill, cunning; trade, profes-
sion', rel. to OS., Dan., Swed., OHG., MHG.,
G. kraft, ON. kraptr, OFris. kreft, MDu. craft,
cracht, Du. kracht, 'strength, power', and per-
haps also to ON. krefja, 'to crave, demand',
and to E. crave.
craft, n., a boat, vessel. — Shortened from the
phrase a vessel of small craft, in which craft is
used in its original sense (i.e. 'power'). See
prec. word.
crafty, adj. — ME., fr. OE. cneftig, fr. crseft. See
craft and -y (representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: crafti-ly, adv., crafti-ness, n.
crag, n., a steep rock. - Of Celtic origin. Cp.
W. craig, Gael, creag, Ir. carraig, 'cliff, rock'.
Derivatives: cragg-ed, cragg-y, adjs., cragg-i-
ness, n.
crag, n., neck (dial.) — MDu. crdghe (Du. kraag),
'neck, gullet; collar'. See craw,
crake, n., the corn crake. — MF.., of imitative
origin. Cp. ON. krdka, 'crow', krdkr, 'raven',
and E. croak. Cp. also next word,
crake, intr. v., to utter a harsh cry. — ME. craken,
'to shriek', of imitative origin, and rel. to prec.
word.
cram, tr. and intr. v. — ME. crammen, fr. OE.
erammian, 'to cram, stuff', fr. erimman, 'to cram,
insert', which is rel. to ON. kremia, 'to press,
squeeze', fr. I.-E. base *grem-,'io press, squeeze',
whence also OI. gramah, 'heap, troop, village',
OSlav. gramota,'a heap\gromada, 'a large heap',
L. gremium, 'bosom, lap'. Base *grem- is an en-
largement of base *ger-, 'to gather together'.
See gregarious and cp. gremial.
Derivatives : cram, n., cramm-er, n.
Crambe, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (hot.) - L. crambe, fr. Gk. v.pitifir,,
'cabbage', which is rel. to xpirfoc, 'dry, shrivel-
ing', y.poji(3o'jv (assimilated fr. *xpau[io r iv), 'to
roast', and cogn. with OHG. hrimfan, rimfan,
'to contract, wrinkle', OE. hrympel, 'wrinkle'.
See rumple and cp. next word and the second
element in Cynocrambe.
crambo, n., a game in which one player gives a
word, to which another has to find a rhyme. — •
Fr. Gk. xpaixfiT;, 'cabbage', prob. in allusion to
the Latin expression crambe repetita, 'an old
story', lit. 'cabbage warmed over'. See prec.
word.
cramoisy, adj., crimson. — F. cramoisi, whence
ME. crimosine. See crimson.
cramp, n., spasmodic muscular contraction (med.)
— ME. crampe, 'spasm', fr. OF. (-= F.) crampe,
fr. Frankish *krampa, 'cramp, spasm, convul-
sion'. Cp. OS., Du. kramp, OHG. kramph(o),
MHG., Q. krampf, 'cramp, spasm, convulsion',
and see next word.
Derivative: cramp, tr. v.
cramp, n., a bent piece of iron. — MDu. crampe,
cramp, rel. to OHG. kramph, 'bent, crooked',
ON. krappr (for *krampr), 'strait, narrow', and
in gradational relationship to Du. and LG.
krimpen, OHG. krimphan, 'to curve, shrink'.
Cp. prec. word. Cp. also crimp, v., crumple and
grape, grapple, grapnel.
Derivatives: cramp, tr. v., cramp-ed, adj.
crampon, n., a grappling iron; climbing iron. —
F., fr. Frankish *kramp-, 'bent, crooked', which
is rel. to OHG. kramph, of s.m. See cramp, 'a
bent piece of iron'.
cran, n., a measure for herrings, 37! gallons. —
Gael, crann, 'tree, lot, a measure', rel. to Olr.
crann, 'tree', W. prenn, 'tree stump', and pos-
sibly cogn. with Gk. 7tpsu.vov, 'tree stump'. Cp.
crannog.
cranage, n., 1) the use of a crane; 2) the charge
for the use of a crane. — Formed fr. crane with
suff. -age.
cranberry, n. — LG. kranbere, rel. to G. Kranich-
beere, of s.m. See crane and berry.
crandallite, n., a hydrous calcium-aluminum
phosphate (mineral.) — Named after its dis-
coverer M. L. Crandall, mining engineer of
Provo, Utah. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
crane, n. — ME. crane, crone, fr. OE. cran, rel.
to OS., OHG. krano, Du. kraan, MHG. krane,
OE. cranoc, rornoc, MLG. kranek, OHG. chra-
nuh, MHG. kranech, G. Kranich, 'crane', and
cogn. with Arm. kritnk, Gk. yspavoc, Co., W.,
Bret, garan, 'crane', Lith. garnys, 'heron, stork',
gene, Lett, dzerve, OPruss. gerwe, OSlav. zeravi,
'crane', L. grits, 'crane'. All these words derive
from the I.-E. imitative base *ger-, 'to utter a
hoarse cry'. Co. the first element in cranberry.
Cp. also Geranium, the first element in Grui-
formes, and the last element in pedigree. For the
sense development of crane, which denotes also
'a machine for raising weights' (so called from
the long neck of the instrument), cp. Gk.
yipi-joc, 'crane' (in both senses of the English
word).
Derivatives: crane, tr. v., cran-er, n., crane-y,
adj.
cranial, adj., pertaining to the skull. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. ML. cranium. See cranium.
Derivative: cranial-ly, adv.
cranio-, combining form denoting the skull (anat.)
— Gk. xpavio-, fr. xpavtov, 'skull'. See cra-
nium.
craniology, n., the science dealing with the shape,
size and other characteristics of the human skull.
— Lit. 'the study of the skull', fr. cranio-, and
Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoq, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: craniolog-ical, adj., craniolog-ical-
ly, adv., craniolog-ist, n.
craniometer, n., an instrument for measuring
skulls. — Compounded of cranio and Gk. ui-
Tpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm',
craniometry, n., the science of measuring skulls.
— Compounded of cranio- and Gk. -[isxpta,
'measure of. See -metry.
cranium, n., the skull (anat.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. xpavtov, 'the skull', which is rel. to, and
prob. derives from, xpa?, gen. xpxxoi; (a poetic
form), 'head', hence rel. also to Ion. xiprj, Att.
xapa, Homeric x&p, 'head', Att., Dor. xocpocvov,
Ion. xapTjvov, 'head', the first element in Gk.
xpaa-7ie8ov, 'edge, border, skirt', lit. 'place of
the head', and cogn. with L. cerebrum, 'brain'.
See cerebrum and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also bias, bucranium, carrot, charivari,
coryphaeus, craspedon, hemicrania, megrim, mi-
graine, pericranium.
crank, n., a turn, twist; part of a machine. — ME.
cranke, rel. to OE. cringan, crincan, 'to bend,
sink down in a battle'. See crank, adj.
crank, adj., bent; sick; cranky. — G. krank,
'sick', fr. MHG. kranc, 'narrow, slender, weak',
which is rel. to MDu. crane, Du. krank, 'sick',
OE. crane, 'brittle, tender', cringan, 'to sink
down in battle, to perish', and to crank, n.,
MHG. krangel, 'circle', is of the same base.
Outside Teut. cp. Lith. greziu, grezti, 'to turn,
twist', OPruss. granstis, 'borer'. Cp. cringe,
crinkle.
Derivatives: crank, tr. and intr. v., crank-ed,
adj., crank-er, n., crank-er-y, n., crank-le, tr.
and intr. v. and n., crank-y (sickly), adj., crank-
i-ly, adv., crank-i-ness, n.
crannog, n., an ancient lake dwelling in Scotland
or Ireland. — Ir. crannog, fr. crann, 'tree, beam'.
See cran.
cranny, n., a small cleft. — ME. crany, 'chink',
fr. F. cran, 'notch', a collateral form of cren,
of s.m., fr. crener, 'to notch', fr. VL. "crenare,
fr. Late L. crena, 'notch'. See crenel and cp.
crenate.
crape, n. — Anglicized spelling of F. crepe, fr.
OF. crespe, 'curled', fr. L. crispus. See crisp
and cp. crepe.
crape, tr. v. — F. creper, fr. crepe. See crape, n.
crappie, n., name of a fish found in the Missis-
sippi (Pomoxis annularis). — Of uncertain
origin
-crat
crapulence, crapulency, n. — Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
crapulent, adj., sick from excess in eating" or
drinking. — L. crdpulentus, 'very much intoxi-
cated', fr. crdpula, 'drinking bout, intoxica-
tion, debauch', fr. Gk. xpountzkr), of s.m., which
is possibly rel. to. xpawtvot;, 'swift, rushing'.
For the change of Greek a to « in Latin cp. L.
aplustre fr. Gk. aipXaaxov, 'the curved stern of a
ship', L. pessulus, fr. Gk. n&aaakoc;, 'bolt', L.
triumphus, 'triumph', fr. Gk. #piau.f}o?, 'a pro-
cession (made in honor of Bacchus)' ; see aplus-
tre, pessulus, triumph.
crapulous, adj., crapulent. — VL. crdpulosus, fr.
L. crdpula, 'intoxication'. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivatives : crapulous-ly, adv. , crapulous-ness, n.
crash, intr. v., to fall with a noise; tr. v., to cause
to crash. — ME. craschen, of imitative
origin; related to craze and to crack (qq.v.) Cp.
clash.
Derivatives: crash, n., a loud, sudden noise,
crash-er, n.
crash, n., a coarse linen fabric. — Short for Russ.
krashenina, 'colored linen', fr. krashenie, 'a
dyeing', fr. krasit', 'to color, paint, dye', fr.
krasa, 'beauty' (whence also krasnyj, 'red'),
which is rel. to Lith. grozis, 'beauty', grazus,
'beautiful'.
crasis, n., contraction of two vowels. — Gk.
xpaai?, 'a mixing, blending', rel. to xpaxr]p, 'a
large bowl for mixing wine and water'. See
crater and cp. dyscrasia, idiosyncrasy.
craspedon, also craspedum, n., the velum of a
jellyfish (zoo!.) — Gk. xpaaiteSov, 'edge, bor-
der, skirt', for xpaa-TreSov, lit. 'place of the
head', fr. xpa?, 'head', and 7rlSov, 'ground,
earth'. See cranium and pedal and cp. next word.
Derivative: crasped-al, adj.
Craspedota, n. pi., a group of coelenterates (zool.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. xpotaTieScoxa, neut. pi. of
xpaa7Te8o)T6c, verbal adj. of xpaaTteSoOaftat, 'to
be edged, bordered', fr. xpaa7teSov. See prec.
word.
crass, adj. — L. crassus, 'thick, solid, dense, fat',
for *qr e t-tos, fr. I.-E. base *qerdt-, *qert-, 'to roll
or twist together', whence also L. crat is, 'wicker-
work, hurdle'. See crate and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Crassula, cresset, ineras-
sate. Cp. also degras, grease, and the first ele-
ment in grampus.
Derivatives: crass-iy, adv., crass-ness, n.
crassitude, n., grossness. — L. crassitudd, 'thick-
ness, density, fatness', fr. crassus. See crass and
-tude.
Crassula, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) — ModL.,
a dimin. noun formed fr. L. crassus, 'thick'. See
crass and -ule.
Crassulaceae, n. pi., a family of herbs (bot.) —
Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
crassulaceous,adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
-crat, combining form denoting *a supporter' or
Crataegus
'member' of a certain type of government, as in
democrat. — F. -crate, fr. Gk. -xpa-rv]?, fr.
xpaxog, 'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
Crataegus, n., a genus of plants of the apple family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xp<xTaiY°S> 'thorn',
which is compounded of xpa-ni?, 'strong', and
-aiyoq, 'tree, oak'. The first element is cogn.
with Goth, hardus, OE. heard; see hard. The
second element is cogn. with L. aesculus, 'the
Italian oak', OE. dc, 'oak'; see oak and cp.
Aesculus.
cratch, n., crib, rack. — ME. crecche, fr. OF.
creche (F. criche), fr. Frankish *kripja, which is
related to OHG. krippa, OE. cribb. See crib and
cp. cradge, creche,
cratch, tr. and intr. v., to scratch (pbsol.) — MDu.
cratsen, rel. to OHG. krazzdn, 'to scratch'. See
scratch.
crate, n. — L. crdtis, 'wickerwork, hurdle', fr.
I.-E. base *qerdt-, *qert-, 'to roll or twist to-
gether', whence also L. crassus, 'thick, solid,
dense, fat', OI. krtsndh, 'complete, whole',
Russ. -Church Slav, crlstvu, cirstvu, 'firm, solid
genuine', Russ. krutu, 'firm, thick', OE. hyrd,
'door' (orig. 'door of wickerwork'), hyrdel,
'hurdle'. See hurdle and cp. cartilage, crass,
creel. The above base is a -/-enlargement
of base *qer-, 'to turn, twist', whence L. curvus,
'bent, crooked'. See curve and cp. words there
referred to.
crater, n. — L. crater, 'a large bowl for mixing
wine and water', fr. Gk. xpaxr)p, which is rel. to
xpaam, 'a mixing, blending', xepawuvai, 'to
mix, mingle, blend, temper', axEpaa-roi;, Sxpa-
toc, Ion. 5xp7]To<;, 'unmixed, pure', fr. I.-E.
base *kerdi-, *ker-, 'to mix, blend', whence also
OI. srdyati, 'cooks', srin&ti, 'mixes, cooks', OE.
hreran, 'to move, stir, shake', hrer, 'underdone'.
See rare, 'underdone', and cp. krater. Cp. also
acrasia, dyscrasia, grail, 'chalice', syncretism.
Derivatives: crater, intr. v., crater-al, adj.,
crater-ed, adj.
crateriform, adj., crater-shaped. — Compounded
of crater and L.forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
cratometer, n., an instrument for measuring
power. — Compounded of xpcrro;, 'strength,
might, power', and uiTpov, 'measure'. See
-cracy and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: cratometr-ic, adj., cratometr-y, n.
craunch, tr. and intr. v., to crunch. — An earlier
form of crunch.
cravat, n. — F. cravate, fr. Cravate, 'Croat, Cro-
atian', and lit. meaning 'neckcloth worn by
the Croats', fr. Serbo-Crotian Hrvat, 'Croat', fr.
OSlav. Churvatinu; originally meaning 'necktie
after the Croatian fashion'. See Croat.
Derivative : cravat, tr. and intr. v.
crave, tr. and intr. v. — ME. craven, fr. OE.
crafian, 'to demand one's right, ask', rel. to ON.
krefja, 'to crave, demand', krafa, 'a demand',
Swed. krdfva, 'to demand', and perhaps also
to E. craft (q.v.)
Derivatives: crav-er, n., crav-ing, adj. and n.,
crav-ing-ly, adv., crav-ing-ness, n.
craven, adj., cowardly. — ME. cravant, 'beaten,
vanquished, overcome', fr. OF. cravant, pres.
part, of craver, crever (F. crever), 'to crack,
break, burst', fr. L. crepdre, 'to rattle, crack,
break with a crack, burst'. See crepitate and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: craven, n. and tr. v., craven-ly, adv.,
craven-ness, n.
craw, n., the crop of a bird. — ME. crawe, rel. to
MLG. krage, MDu. craghe, Du. kraag, 'neck,
gullet; collar', MHG. krage, of s.m., G. Kragen,
'collar', and prob. cogn. with Gk. Pp^x&oi;,
'throat', £(3po£s (aor.), 'he swallowed up',
Pp^YX ?' 'windpipe', Olr. brdgae, 'neck', W.
breuant, 'throat, gullet', fr. I.-E. base *g u 'rSgh-,
a -^-enlargement of base *g w er-, 'to swallow',
whence L. vordre, 'to devour'. See voracious and
cp. crag, 'neck'. Cp. also bronchus.
crawfish, n. — A var. of crayfish.
crawl, intr. v. — ME. crawlen, fr. ON. krafla,
'to paw, crawl', rel. to Dan. kravle, 'to crawl',
Du. krabbelen, 'to scratch', LG. krabben, 'to
scratch, claw' (whence G. krabbeln, 'to grope,
crawl'), and to crab, 'crustacean' (q.v.) Cp.
scrawl.
Derivatives: crawl, n., crawl-er, n., crawl-ing,
adj. and n., crawl-ing-ly, adv.
crawl, n., an enclosure in water for turtles. — Du.
kraal. See kraal and cp. corral.
crayfish, also crawfish, n. — ME. crevise, crevis,
fr. OF. crevice (also escrevice, whence F. ecre-
visse), fr. Frankish *krabitja, *krebitja, dimin.
forms rel. to OS. krebit, MDu. crevet, Du.
kreeft, OHG. krebis, MHG. krebes, G. Krebs,
and to LG. krabbe, Du. krab, ON. krabbi, OE.
crabba, 'crab'. See crab, 'crustacean'.
crayon, n., a stick of colored chalk. — F., 'pen-
cil', orig. 'a chalk pencil', derived fr. craie,
'chalk', fr. L. creta, lit. 'sifted earth', fr. (terra)
creta, fem. pp. of cernere, 'to sift' (see certain).
The usual derivation of Latin creta, 'chalk',
from Creta, the Latin name of the isle of Crete,
is erroneous. Any Latin derivative of the island
name Creta must needs have a Latin suff. If
creta, 'chalk', were really a derivative of the
island name Creta, its form should be cretica or
cretensis, etc. (for terra Cretica or Cretensis, lit.
'earth of Crete'). Confusion with the isle of
Crete is prob. due to the fact that Cimolus (Gk.
Kt(ji(o>.oi;), one of the islands of the Cretan Sea,
was famous for the chalk produced there (see
cimolite). For the sense development of L. creta,
'chalk', lit. 'sifted earth', cp. OSlav. melu,
'lime', and Russ. melu, 'chalk', fr. OSlav. meljp,
mleti, 'to grind'. Cp. It. creta, OProvenc., CataL,
Sp., Port, greda, MLG. krite, MDu. (= Du.)
krijt, OS. krida, MHG. kride (G. Kreide), Bret.
creiz, etc., which all derive fr. L. creta. The word
crayon was introduced into English by the Eng-
lish diarist John Evelyn (i 620-1 706).
crayon, tr. v., to draw with a crayon. — F. cray-
onner, 'to draw with a pencil', fr. crayon, 'pen-
cil'. See crayon, n.
crayonist, n. — F. crayonniste, 'one who draws
with a pencil', a hybrid coined fr. F. crayon
(see crayon, n., 1), and suff. -iste (fr. Gk. -iott);,
see -ist).
craze, tr. and intr. v. — ME. crasen, 'to break,
crack', of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. krasa, 'to
crackle'. F. ecraser (fr. earlier acraser), is from
the same source. Swed. krasa is of imitative
origin and related to E. crash and crack (qq.v.)
Derivatives: craze, n., craz-ed, adj., crazy (q.v.)
crazy, adj. — Formed fr. craze with suff. -y (cor-
responding to OE. -ig).
Derivatives: crazi-ly, adv., crazi-ness, n.
creak, intr. and tr. v. — ME. creken, 'to croak',
of imitative origin. Cp. cricket, the insect, and
croak.
Derivatives: creak, n., creak-y, adj., creak-i-ly,
adv., creak-i-ness, n.
cream, n. — ME. creme, fr. OF. cresme (F.
crime), which is a blend of Gaulish crama and
Eccles. L. chrisma, fr. Gk. xpt<*u.a. See chrism.
Derivatives: cream, tr. and intr. v., cream-er, n.,
creamery (q.v.), cream-y, adj.
creamery, n. — F. cremerie, fr. crime. See cream
and -ery.
crease, n., a fold, ridge. — Fr. earlier creast, 'a
ridge', a var. of crest.
Derivatives: crease, tr. and intr. v., creas-ed,
adj., creas-er, n., creas-ing, n., creas-y, adj.
crease, creese, n., a dagger. — Var. spellings of
kris (q.v.)
create, tr. v. — L. credtus, pp. of credre, 'to
make, produce, create', lit. 'to cause to grow',
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence
also crescere, 'to grow', creber, 'thick, close,
frequent, numerous', lit. 'densely grown', Ceres,
gen. Cereris, Italian corn goddess, lit. 'goddess
of growth', pro-cerus, 'high, tall', prop, 'high
grown', Gk. xopevvuvoci, 'to fill with a thing,
satisfy', xopo?, 'one's fill, satiety', xopo?, 'strip-
ling, child', xoprj, 'maiden', lit. 'grown up', Arm.
serm, sermn, 'seed, shoot, sprout', serem, 'I pro-
duce', Alb. &jer, 'acorn', &jefz, 'lentil', lit. 'food',
Lith. seriit, serti, 'to feed', OPruss. sermen,
'funeral repast', and prob. also OHG. hirsi,
hirso, 'millet'. Cp. I.-E. base *ker-dh-, 'row,
herd', a -rfA-enlargement of base *ker-, whence
OI. sdrdhah, 'herd', Goth, hairda, OE. heord,
'herd'. See cereal, crescent, herd and cp. crea-
ture, procreate, recreate. Cp. also accrescent, con-
crescence, concrete, Cora, core-, Corinna, cre-
bri-, Creole, crescendo, decrease, decrement,
Dioscuri, excrescent, hypocoristic, increase, in-
crement, procerity, recrudesce, recruit. For the
ending of create see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: creation, creative, creator (qq.v.)
creatine, creatin, n., a white crystalline substance
occurring in the muscles of vertebrates (bio-
chem.) — F. creatine, coined by the French
chemist Michel-Eugene Chevreul (1786-1889),
the discoverer of this substance in 1835, fr. Gk.
xpeag, 'flesh', which is cogn. with L. crudus,
'raw', cruor, 'thick blood, gore'. See crude and
chem. suff. -ine, -in, and cp. the first element in
creosote and the second element in Pancreas.
creation, n. — F. creation, fr. L. credtidnem, acc.
of creatid, 'a creating, producing', fr. credtus,
pp. of credre. See create and -ion.
Derivatives: creation-ism, n., creation-ist, n.
creative, adj. — Coined by the English philo-
sopher Ralph Cudworth (1617-88) in 1678 (see
his The True Intellectual System of the Universe,
published in that year) fr. L. credtus, pp. of
credre (see create) and suff. -ive.
Derivatives: creative-ly, adv., creat-ive-ness, n.,
creativ-ity, n.
creator, n. — L. creator, 'creator, author, foun-
der', fr. credtus, pp. of credre. See create and
agential suff. -or.
creature, n — OF. creature (F. creature), fr. Late
L. credturd, 'a thing created', fr. L. credtus,
pp. of credre. See create and -ure.
Derivatives: creatur-al, creature-ly, adjs., crea-
ture-li-ness, n.
crebri-, combining form meaning 'closely set'. —
Fr. L. creber, fem. crebra, neut. crebrum, 'thick,
close, frequent, numerous', which stands for
*kre-dhro-s and lit. means 'growing densely',
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, *kere-, 'to grow', whence al-
so L. crescere, 'to grow', credre, 'to create'. See
create.
creche, n., a day nursery. — F., 'crib, cradle', fr.
Frankish *kripja, which is rel. to OHG. krippa,
OE. cribb, 'crib, manger'. See crib and cp. crad-
ge, cratch.
credence, n., belief. — OF., fr. ML. credentia,
'belief, fr. L. credens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
credere, 'to believe'. See creed and -ence and
cp. credent.
credenda, n. pi., articles of faith. — L. credenda,
lit. 'those things which must be believed', neut.
pi. of credendus, gerundive of credere, 'to be-
lieve'. See creed. For other Latin gerundives
used in English see agenda and words there
referred to.
credent, adj., believing. — L. credens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of credere, 'to believe'. See creed
and -ent.
credential, adj., that which entitles to credit. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ML. credentia. See
credence.
Derivatives: credential, tr. v., credentials, n. pi.
credibility, n. — ML. credibilitds, fr. L. credi-
bilis. See next word and -ity.
credible, adj. — L. credibilis, 'worthy of belief,
credible', fr. credere. See creed and -ible.
Derivatives: credible-ness, n., credibl-y, adv.
credit, n. — F. credit, fr. It. credito, fr. L. cre-
ditum, 'that which is believed; a loan', pp. of
credere, 'to believe', used as a noun. See creed.
Derivatives: credit, tr. v., credit-able, adj., ere-
dit-abil-ity, n., creditable-ness, n., creditabt-y,
adv.
creditor, n. — L. creditor, 'truster, lender', fr.
creditus, pp. of credere, 'to believe, trust'. See
creed and agential suff. -or.
crednerite, n., an oxide of cuprum and manganese
(mineral.) — Named after the German geolo-
gist Karl Friedrich Heinrich Credner (1809-76).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
credo, n., a creed. — L. credo, 'I believe'. See
creed.
credulity, n. — ME., fr. L. credulitdtem, acc. of
credulitds, 'easiness of belief, fr. credulus. See
next word and -ity.
credulous, adj. — L. credulus, 'easy of belief, fr.
credere, 'to believe'. See creed. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives : credulous-ly, adv., credulous-ness, n.
creed, n., a formula of belief. — ME. crede, fr. OE.
creda, fr. L. credere, 'to believe', which is cogn.
with OI. srdd-dddhati, 'trusts, believes', Avestic
zrazdd- (assimilated fr. *sraz-da), 'to believe',
Olr. cretim, W. credu, 'I believe', prob. fr. I.-E.
base *kred-dhe-, 'to attribute magic power to
somebody', i.e. 'to believe somebody', fr. *kred-,
'magic power' (whence OI. srdd, 'magic power'),
and *dhe-, 'to place' (whence OI. dddhdti, 'he
places', Gk. -riSivoa, 'to place'). See do an cp.
words there referred to. The usual connection
of L. credere, etc., with L. cor, gen. cordis, Gk.
xapSia, 'heart', etc., is due to folk etymology.
Cp. accredit, credence, credential, credible, cre-
dit, creditor, credulity, credulous, grant, in-
croyable, miscreant, recreant, sraddha.
creedite, n., a hydrous fluoride and sulfate of cal-
cium and aluminum {mineral.) — Named after
the Creede quadrangle of the U.S. Geol. Survey,
Colorado. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
creek, n., 1) a brook; 2) a narrow inlet. — ME.
creke, crike, fr. ON. kriki, 'bay' (whence also
F. crique, 'creek'), which is rel. to MDu. creke,
Du. kreek, 'creek'. The orig. meaning of these
words was 'a bend, turn, angle'. They are rel. to
the second element in dial. Swed. armkrik, 'bend
of the arm', and to ON. krokr, 'hook'. See
crutch.
creel, n., a wicker basket. — OF. creil, 'wicker-
work', fr. Late L. craticulum, a var. of L. crdti-
cula, 'fine hurdle work', dimin. of crdtis, 'wicker-
work'. See crate and cp. grill, 'gridiron'.
Derivative : creel, tr. v.
creep, intr. v. — ME. creopen, crepen, fr. OE. cre-
opan, rel. to ON. krjupa, Swed. krypa, Dan.
krybe, OFris. kriapa, MLG. krepen, kriipen,
MDu. criipen, Du. kruipen, 'to creep'. These
words prob. meant orig. 'to go bent down', and
derive fr. I.-E. base *greub-, whence also Gk.
YPotto;, 'curved, hook-nosed', ypimxetv, ypo-
71000 9 xi, ypu(j.7tdvew, 'to become bent or wrin-
kled'. Cp. cripple, croft, crop, crumple. Cp. also
grovel. Base *greub- is an enlargement of base
*greu-, which itself is an enlargement of base
*ger-, 'to turn, twist', whence Gk. yeppov, 'any-
thing made of wickerwork', esp. 'an oblong
shield', yupyad-oq, 'a wicker basket'.
Derivatives : creep, n., creep-er, n., creep-ing, n.
and adj., creep-ing-ly, adv., creep-y, adj.
creeper, n., a climbing plant. — Formed fr. prec.
word with agential suff. -er; first used in this
sense by Bacon.
creese, n. — See kris.
cremaster, n., the muscle by which the testicle is
suspended (anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. xpe-
u.acjTY]p, 'suspender'; in the pi.; 'muscles by
which the testicles are suspended', fr. xpEjxaaxoi;,
'hung, suspended', verbal adj. of xps[Aavvufii,
'I hang up, suspend', which is rel. to xp^|i.w)u.i,
of s.m., xpYj^voc;, 'precipice', and perh. cogn.
with Goth, hramjan, 'to crucify'. Cp. the first
element in cremnophobia, cremocarp.
cremate, tr. v., to burn 1o ashes. — L. crematus,
pp. of cremdre, 'to consume by fire, burn', rel.
to Umbr. krematra, 'an instrument for burning
the intestines', fr. I.-E. *ker-em, an -m-en-
largement of base *ker-, 'to singe, burn, glow',
whence also L. carbd, 'coal', OE. heorp, 'hearth'.
See carbon, hearth and verbal suff. -ate. Gk.
x£poc(ioi;, 'potter's clay', is not cogn. with L.
cremdre (sec ceramic).
cremation, n. — L. cremdtid, gen. -onis, 'a burn-
ing', fr. crematus, pp. of cremdre, 'to burn'. See
prec. word and -ion.
cremationist, n., one who advocates the cremation
of dead human bodies instead of burying them.
— See cremation and -ist.
cremator, n. — Eccles. L. cremator, 'a burner', fr.
L. crematus, pp. of cremdre. See cremate and
agential suff. -or.
crematorium, n. — A Modern Latin word. See
crematory, n.
crematory, adj. — ModL. cremator ius, 'pertai-
ning to cremation', fr. L. crematus, pp. of cre-
mdre. See cremate and adj. suff. -ory.
crematory, n. — ModL. crematorium, 'a place
for burning corpses', fr. L. crematus, pp. of cre-
mdre. See cremate and subst. suff. -ory.
crembalum, n., a jew's harp. — ModL., fr. Gk.
xpsfipaXov, 'castanet'. See crepitate.
cremnophobia, n., a morbid fear of precipices
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of Gk.
xp7)u.vo?, 'an overhanging bank, precipice, cliff,
crag', and -cpopta, 'fear of, fr. tp6po?, 'fear'. The
first element is rel. to Gk. xpTfju.vj;u,i, 'I hang up,
suspend' ; see cremaster. For the second element
see -phobia.
cremocarp, n., a form of fructification, in which
the fruit is split into two indehiscent one-seeded
carpels called mericarps, which hang from the
summit ol the central axis called carpophore
(hot.) — Lit. 'hanging fruit', fr. Gk. xpejix-,
stem of xpeu-awuvai, 'to hang', and xapmS?,
'fruit'. See cremaster and carpel and cp. the
first element in carpophore and the second ele-
ment in mericarp.
0/ 1
Cremona, n., a violin made at Cremona in Italy.
cren-, form of creno- before a vowel.
crenate, crenated, adj., notched, scalloped. — VL.
*crendtus, pp. of *crendre, 'to notch'. See crenel
and adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed.
Derivatives: crenat-ion, n., crenat-ure, n.
crenel, crenelle, n., one of the indentations in a
battlement. — OF. crenel (F. creneau), dimin.
of OF. cren, cran (F. crari), 'a notch', fr. crener,
'to notch', fr. VL. *crenare, fr. Late L. crena,
'notch', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. cranny,
crenate.
crenelate, crenellate, tr. v. — F. creneler, fr. OF.
creneler, fr. crenel, See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate. Derivatives: crenel(l)-at-ed, adj.,
crenel(l)-at-ion, n.
crenic, adj., pertaining to an acid occurring in
humus and in deposits (chem.) — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. xp-r]W], 'spring, fountain', which
prob. stands for *xptiava and is rel. to xpouvo?
(for *xpouovo?), 'spring, well head'. Cp. the
second element in Hippocrene.
creno-, before a vowel cren-, combining form
used in the sense of 'mineral spring'. — Fr. Gk.
xpT)V7). See prec. word,
crenulate, adj., minutely crenate. — ModL. cre-
nuldtus, fr. crenula, dimin. of VL. crena. See
crenate.
Derivatives: crenulat-ed, adj., crenulat-ion, n.
Creole, n., a native of the West Indies, of Euro-
pean descent. — Fr. Creole, earlier criole, fr.
Sp. criollo, fr. Port, crioulo, orig. 'brought up
(in one's house)', fr. criar, 'to nourish, bring
up', fr. L. credre, 'to make, produce, create'.
See create and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: Creole, adj.
Creon, n., brother of Jocasta and brother-in-law
of Oedipus; he was king of Thebes (Greek my-
thol.) — Gk. KpewM, fr. xpscov, a var. of xpsttov,
'ruler, lord, master', which is cogn. with OI.
sriyas-, Avestic srayah-, 'better'.
creophagous, adj., flesh-eating. — Gk. xpec^ayo.;,
compounded of xpea?, 'flesh', and -<p4yoq, 'eat-
ing'. See creosote and -phagous.
creosote, n., an oily liquid obtained from tar. —
G. Kreosot, coined by the German natural phi-
losopher, Baron Karl von Reichenbach (1788-
1869) in 1832 fr. Gk. xpex;, gen. xpeto;, 'flesh',
and aoj&iv, 'to save'. The first element is cogn.
with L. crudus, 'raw', cruor, 'gore, thick blood' ;
see crude. The second element is rel. to Gk.
0x05, 'safe', aioTTjp, 'savior'; see soter.
crepe, n., a light crinkled cloth of silk. — F.,
'crape', fr. OF. crespe, fr. L. crispus, 'curled'.
See crisp and cp. crape.
Derivative : crepe, tr. and intr. v.
Crepidula, n., a genus of gastropods (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. crepidula, 'a small sandal', dimin.
of crepida, 'sandal', fr. Gk. xpijnTSa, acc. of
xp^ntc, of s.m., which is cogn. with L. carpiscu-
lum, 'a kind of footwear'. For the ending see
suff. -ule.
Crepis, n., a genus of plants of the chicory family
(bot.) — L. crepis, fr. Gk. xpvjnfs, 'sandal; name
of a plant'. See prec. word.
crepitant, adj., making repeated crackling sounds.
— L. crepitans, gen. -antis, pres. part, of crepi-
tdre. See crepitate and -ant.
crepitate, intr. v., to make repeated crackling
sounds. — L. crepitdt-(um), pp. stem of crepi-
tdre, 'to rattle, creak, crackle, clatter', freq. of
crepdre, 'to rattle, crack, break with a crack,
burst', which is cogn. with Ol. kfpate, 'laments',
from the I.-E. imitative base *(s)krep-\ cp.
craven, crevasse, crevice, decrepit, decrepitate,
discrepant, quebracho. Cp. base *(s)qreb-, when-
ce Gk. xpeu.(3aXa (pi.), 'castanets', OSlav. skro-
botu, 'noise', Lith. skrebit, skrebeti, 'to rustle',
and see crembalum, roup, 'to sell by auction'.
Bases *(s)qreb- and *(s)krep- are enlargements
of the imitative base *qer-, *qr, *ker-, *£/--; see
raven, n.
Derivative: crepitat-ion, n.
crepitus, n., a sound made by a sudden discharge
of wind from the bowels (med.) — L. (short for
crepitus ventris, lit. 'sound made by the belly'),
fr. crepdre. See prec. word.
crepon, n., crepe of firm texture — F., fr. crepe,
'crape'. See crepe.
crept, past tense and pp. of creep. — ME. crepte,
a new formation. See creep.
crepuscle, n., twilight. — L. crepusculum, fr.
creper, 'dusky', which is of uncertain origin.
crepuscular, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
twilight. — Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. crepus-
culum. See prec. word.
crepuscule, n., twilight. — F. crepuscule, fr. L.
crepusculum. See crepuscle.
crescendo, adj. and adv., gradually increasing in
loudness; n., a gradual increase in loudness. —
It., lit. 'increasing', fr. crescere, 'to increase,
grow', fr. L. crescere. See next word.
crescent, n., the waxing moon. — ME. cressant,
fr. OF. creissant (F. croissant), prop. pres. part,
of creistre (F. croitre), 'to grow', fr. L. crescere,
of s.m., fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to grow', whence
also L. credre, 'to create'. See create and -ent
and cp. decrement, increase, increment.
crescent, adj., increasing in size. — L. crescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of crescere. See prec.
word.
cresol, n,, a caustic liquid (chem.) — Formed fr.
creosote with suff. -ol.
cress, n., plant of the mustard family. — ME.
cresse, fr. OE. csrse, cerse, cresse, rel. to MDu.
kersse, Du. kers, OHG. kresso (masc), cressa
(fern.), MHG., G. kresse, 'cress', and cogn.
with Gk. Ypatm<;, 'grass, green fodder', ypxcw,
'to gnaw, eat', OI. grdsati, 'eats'. Cp. gastro-.
Cress orig. meant 'the edible plant'. See Kluge-
Mitzka, EWDS., p.403 s.v. Kresse. F. cresson
and It. crescione, 'cress', are Teut. loan words.
cresset, n., an iron vessel for holding oil or grease.
— ME., fr. OF. . craisset, fr. craisse, graisse,
crest
372
'grease', fr. VL. *crassia, fr. L. crassus, 'thick'.
See crass.
crest, n. — ME., fr. OF. creste (F. crete), fr. L.
crista, 'tuft on the head of animals, cock's comb',
which is cogn. with Mir. cressaim, 'I shake,
swing', ON. hrista, 'to shake', OHG. rista,
MHG. riste, G. Reiste, 'bundle'. These words
derive from a -/-enlargement of I.-E. base
*qreis-, whence OPruss. craysi, 'blade, stalk',
crays (pi.), 'hay', Goth, af-hrisjan, us-hrisjan, 'to
shake off', OE. hrisian, OS. hrissan, 'to rattle,
creak', OE., OS., ON., OFris., OHG. hris, later
ris, MHG. ris, G. Reis, Dan., Swed. ris, MDu.,
Du. rijs, 'twig, sprig', L. crispus, 'curly', crinis
(for crisn^s), 'hair of the head'. Cp. crinite, crisp,
crease, 'a fold', and kestrel. Base *qreis- is an
enlargement of base *(s)qer-, 'to bend, turn,
twist'. See curve and cp. words there referred to.
cresyl, n., I) a univalent radical, C 7 H 7 0; 2) an-
other name for tolyl (chem.) — Formed fr. cre-
sol with suff. -yl.
Derivative: cresyl-ic, adj.
cretaceous, adj., chalky. — L. cretdceus, 'chalk-
like', fr. creta, 'chalk'. See crayon and -aceous.
Derivative: cretaceous-ly, adv.
cretic, n., name of a metrical foot. — Fr. L. {pes)
Creticus, fr. Gk. (7rauc.) Kprj-uxo;, lit. 'Cretan
(foot)', fr. Kpr)Tir), 'Crete'. For the ending see
suff. -ic.
Derivative: cretic, adj.
notification, n. — See next word and -fication.
cretify, tr. v., to convert into chalk. — Formed
fr. L. creta, 'chalk' (see crayon), with suff. -fy.
cretin, n., 1) a person suffering from cretinism;
2) an idiot. — F. cretin, fr. cretin, a word of the
dial, of Valais, fr. F. Chretien, 'Christian', fr. L.
Christidnus (see Christian). The different stages
of sense development were prob. 1) Christian;
2) human being; 3) wretched human being;
4) idiot.
Derivatives: cretinism (q.v.), cretin-oid, adj.,
cretin-ous, adj.
cretinism, n., a disease caused by the deficiency
of the thyroid gland (med.) — F. cretinisme,
formed fr. cretin with suff. -isme. See cretin
and -ism.
Cretism, n., Cretan behavior; lying. — Gk. Kpy)-
tictho?, fr. KpYjT^eiv, 'to behave like a Cretan',
i.e. 'to lie', fr. Kpr,Q, gen. KpTjTo;, 'Cretan'. For
the ending see suff. -ism.
cretonne, n., a kind of cotton cloth. — F., fr.
Creton, a village in Normandy, where it was
originally made.
crevasse, n., a deep cleft, gap, rift, crack. — F.,
fr. crever. See next word.
crevice, n., a narrow opening. — ME. crevasse,
crevice, fr. OF. (= F.) crevasse, 'gap, rift, crack,
crevasse', fr. VL. *crepdtia (whence also OProv-
enc. crebassa), fr. L. crepdre, 'to rattle, crack,
break with a crack, burst'. See crepitate.
Derivatives: crevice, tr. v., crevic-ed, adj. •
crew, n. — Formerly spelled crue, aphetic for ac-
crue, 'a reinforcement', fr. OF. accreue, accrue,
'an increase', prop. fem. pp. of accroistre (F.
accroitre), 'to increase', fr. L. accrescere, 'to in-
crease', fr. ad- and crescere, 'to grow'. See cres-
cent, adj., and cp. accrue.
crewel, n., worsted yarn. — Fr. earlier crule,
crewle, which is of uncertain origin,
crib, n. — ME. cribb, fr. OE. cribb, rel. to OS.
kribbia, Dan. krybbe, OFris., MDu. kribbe, Du.
krib, kribbe, OHG. kripia, krippa, MHG., G.
krippe, 'crib, manger', MHG. krebe, 'basket'.
The orig. meaning of these words seems to have
been 'wickerwork'. It. greppia, OProvenc.
crepcha and F. creche 'manger, crib', are Teut.
loan words. Cp. cradge, cratch, creche.
Derivatives: crib, tr. and intr. v., cribb-age, n.,
cribb-ing, n.
cribble, n., a coarse sieve. — F. crible, fr. Late L.
cribellum, 'a small sieve', dimin. of cribrum. See
next word.
cribriform, adj., sievelike, perforated like a sieve.
— Formed fr. L. cribrum, 'a sieve', and forma,
'form, shape'. L. cribrum stands for *qreidhrom
[lit. 'an instrument for sifting', fr. I.-E. base
*{s)qerei-, 'to sift, separate', and instrumental
suff. *-dhro-} and is cogn. with Olr. criathar,
OW. cruitr, OCo. croider, MBret. croezr, 'sieve',
OE. hridder, OHG. ritera, 'a sieve'. See riddle,
'sieve', and cp. garble. Cp. also certain and
words there referred to. For the second element
in cribriform see -form.
crick, n., a painful spasmodic affection of the
muscles. — ME. crykke, of uncertain origin.
Derivative : crick, tr. v.
cricket, n., an insect of the order Orthoptera. —
OF. ( = F.) criquet, rel. to criquer, 'to crack' ; of
imitative origin. Cp. creak, grig.
Derivative: cricket-y, adj.
cricket, n., the game. — OF. criquet, 'stick, stake
used as goal in the game of bowls', fr. MDu.
cricke, 'stick', which stands in gradational
relationship to OE. crycc, 'crutch'. See crutch.
Derivatives: cricket-er, n., cricket-ing, n.
crico-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the cricoid cartilage' (anat.) — See next word.
cricoid (anat.), adj., pertaining to the cartilage
of the larynx; n., the cricoid cartilage. — Gk.
xpixoetSr)?, 'ring-shaped', compounded of xpi-
y.0Q, 'ring', and -oeiS-fc, 'like', fr. elSoi;, 'form,
shape. See circus and -oid.
cried, past tense and pp. of cry. — ME. cride,
cried, fr. crien, 'to cry'. See cry and -ed.
crier, n. — ME. criere, fr. OF. criere, nom. of
crieur, fr. crier, 'to cry'. See cry and agential
suff. -er.
crime, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) crime, fr. L.
crimen, 'judicial decision, judgment, charge,
crime', which stands for cri-men and orig. meant
'cry of distress' (see Brugmann, in Indoger-
manische Forschungen, 9, 353f., Porzig, ibid.
42, 265). It derives fr. I.-E. base *(s)qrei-, en-
largement of the imitative base *qer-, 'to shout,
373
crisis
cry', whence also OHG. scrian, 'to cry', ON.
hreimr, 'to squeak', hrlna, 'to squeal, squeak'.
See scream. For further derivatives of base *qe'r-
see raven and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also criminal, criminology, incriminate, recri-
minate. There is no connection between L.
crimen and cernere, 'to sift'.
Derivatives: crime, tr. v., crime-less, adj., crime-
less-ness, n.
criminal, adj. — F. criminel, fr. L. criminalis,
'pertaining to crime, criminal', fr. crimen, gen.
criminis. See crime and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: criminal n., criminal-ism, n., cri-
minal-ist, n., criminality (q.v.)
criminality, n. — F. criminalite, fr. ML. crimi-
nalitatem, acc. of criminalitas, fr. L. criminalis.
See prec. word and -iry.
criminate, tr. v., 1) to accuse of a crime; 2) to
incriminate; 3) to censure. — L. crimindtus, pp.
of criminari, 'to accuse somebody of a crime,
to charge with', fr. crimen, gen. criminis. See
crime and verbal suff. -ate and cp. discriminate,
incriminate, recriminate.
Derivatives : crimination (q.v.), criminat-ive, adj.,
criminator (q.v.), criminat-ory, adj.
crimination, n. — L. crimindtid, gen. -dnis, 'ac-
cusation', fr. crimindtus, pp. of criminari. See
prec. word and -ion.
criminator, n. — L., 'accuser', fr. crimindtus, pp.
of criminari. See criminate and agential suff.
-or.
criminology, n., the study of crime. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. crimen, gen. criminis, 'charge,
crime' and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See crime and -logy.
Derivatives: criminolog-ic, criminolog-ic-al,
adjs., criminolog-ist, n.
criminous, adj., criminal. — L. crimindsus, 'slan-
derous, faulty, blameworthy', fr. crimen, gen.
criminis, 'charge, crime'. See crime and -ous.
Derivatives : criminous-ly, adv., criminous-ness,n.
crimp, tr. v., to wrinkle. — Du. and LG. krimpen,
'to curve, shrink', rel. to OHG. krimphan, of
s.m., and to E. cramp and crumple (qq.v.)
Derivatives: crimp, n., crimp-er, n., crimp-ing,
n., crimp-y, adj.
crimp, n., one who procures seamen by entrap-
ping them. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: crimp, tr. v., to entrap (seamen).
crimson, n., deep red. — Sp. cremesin, fr. Arab.
qirmiz, ult. fr. OI. *kfmi-ja-, 'produced by a
worm'. OI. krmih, 'worm', is cogn. with Lith.
kirmis, kirmele, Olr. cruim, Alb. krimp, 'worm'.
Cp. kermes, carmine.
Derivatives: crimson, adj. and tr. v., crimson-ly,
adv., crimson-ness, n.
crinal, adj., pertaining to the hair. — L. crindlis,
fr. crinis, 'hair'. See crinite and adj. suff. -al.
cringe, intr. v. — ME. crengen, fr. OE. cringan,
'to fall in battle, yield*, lit. 'to be bent', rel. to
ON. kringr, LG., Du. kring, MHG. krinc, G.
Kring, 'circle, ring', and to crank, crinkle (qq.v.)
Derivatives: cringe, n., cring-ing, n., cring-ing-
ly, adv., cring-ing-ness, n.
cringle, n., a small ring. — LG. kringel, dimin.
of kring, 'circle, ring'. See prec. word and dimin.
suff. -le and cp. degringolade.
crini-, combining form meaning 'hair'. — Fr. L.
crinis, 'hair'. See crinite.
crinite, adj., hairy. — L. crinitus, pp. of crinire,
'to provide or cover with hair', fr. crinis, 'hair',
which stands for *cris-nis and is rel. to crispus,
'curly', crista, 'tuft on the head of animals,
cock's comb'. See crest and adj. suff. -ite and
cp. crisp. Cp. also crinal, crino- and the first
element in crinoline.
crinkle, intr. and tr. v., to wrinkle. — ME. (in
the participle crinkled), freq. formed fr. OE.
crincan, a collateral form of cringan, 'to yield'.
See cringe and freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: crinkle, n., crinkl-y, adj.
crinkum-crankum, adj., full of twists and turns
(colloq.) — See crinkle and crank; jocosely
formed in imitation of Latin words ending in -urn.
crinoid, adj., lily-shaped. — Gk. xpivoeiS?)?, com-
pounded of xpivov, 'lily', and -oetSirj!;, 'like',
fr. tlSoq, 'form, shape'. See Crinum and -oid
and cp. encrinite.
Crinoidea, n. pi., a class of echinoderms (zool.) —
ModL. See prec. word.
crinoline, n., 1) a stiff cloth; 2) a petticoat made
of stiff cloth; 3) a hoop skirt. — F., fr. It. crino-
lino, which is compounded of crino, 'hair' (fr.
L. crinis), and lino, 'flax' (fr. L. linum). It. crino-
lino prop, denotes a fabric whose woof is made
of hair and whose warp is made of linen. See
crinite and linen.
Derivative : crinoline, tr. v.
Crinum, n., a genus of plants of the amaryllis
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xptvov, 'lily',
which is a foreign word of unknown origin. Cp.
the first element in crinoid.
crio-, combining form meaning 'ram-headed'. —
Gk. xpto-, fr. xpi6i;, 'ram, battering ram', which
prob. stands for *xpTf6? and is rel. to xepa6?,
'horned', fr. xspaq, 'horn', and cogn. with ON.
hreinn, 'reindeer'. See horn and cp. cerato-, cer-
vine. Cp. also the first element in reindeer.
criosphinx, n., a sphinx with the head of a ram. — ■
Compounded of Gk. xpT6s, 'ram', and afiyl,
'sphinx'. See prec word and sphinx.
cripple, n. — ME. cripel, crepel, crupel, fr. OE.
crypel, rel. to ON. kryppill, OFris. kreppel, MDu.
cropel, crepel, Du. kreupele, 'cripple', MHG.,
G. kriippel, lit. 'bent, twisted*, and to OE.
creopan, 'to creep'. See creep and cp. croft, crop.
Derivatives: cripple, tr. v., crippl-ed, adj., crip-
ple-ness, n., crippl-er, n., crippl-ing, adj. and n.,
crippl-ing-ly, adv., crippl-y, adj.
crisis, n. — L., fr. Gk. xpicric;, 'a separating, put-
ting apart, a decision', rel. to xpixvj!;, 'judge,'
xpfveiv, 'to separate, pick out, decide, judge',
fr. I.-E. base *(s)q(e)re([y, 'to separate', whence
crisp
374
also L. cernere, 'to separate, sift, distinguish,
discern, understand, decide'. See certain and cp.
critic and words there referred to. Cp. also
acrisia, eccrinology, endocrine, hypocrisy.
crisp, adj., i) brittle; 2) lively; 3) fresh; 4) curly.
— OE., fr. L. crispus, 'curly', which is cogn.
with W. crych, Bret, creek, of s.m., fr. I.-E. base~
*(s)qreis-, whence also L. crlnis (for *crisnis),
'hair', and crista, 'tuft on the head of animals,
cock's comb'. See crest and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Crispin.
Derivatives : crisp, tr. and intr. v., crispate, adj.
(q.v.), crisp-ly, adv., crisp-ness, n., crisp-y, adj.
crispate, adj., of a curly appearance. — L. cris-
pdtus, pp. of crispdre, 'to curl, wave', fr. crispus.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: crispat-ion, n.
Crispin, masc. PN. — L. Crispmus, a Roman
cognomen derived fr. crispus, 'curled'. See
crisp, adj., and -in (representing L. -Xnus).
criss-cross, n., a mark made with two crossing
lines. — Fr. earlier Christ-cross.
Derivatives: criss-cross, adj., tr. v., adv.
cristate, adj., crested (said esp. of birds and other
animals). — L. cristdtus, 'having a crest or tuft',
fr. crista. See crest and adj. suff. -ate.
criterion, n. — Gk. xpiTvjpiov, 'a means forjudg-
ing', fr. xptT7;?, 'judge', fr. xpfvEiv, 'to sepa-
rate, decide, judge'. See critic.
crith, n., a unit of weight for gases. — Coined by
Hoffmann fr. Gk. kplftr), 'barleycorn', which is
prob. cogn. with L. hordeum, 'barley'. See
Hordeum.
critic, n. — L. criticus, fr. Gk. xpmxoi;, 'capable
of judging', fr. xpiTr,<;, 'judge', fr. xpfveiv, 'to
separate, decide, judge', which is cogn. with L.
cernere, 'to sieve, distinguish, discern* under-
stand, decide'. See certain and cp. crisis, crite-
rion, diacritical, hypocrite, oneirocritic.
Derivatives: critic-al, adj., critical-ly, adv.,
critical-ness, n., critic-ism, n., critic-ize, critic-
ise, intr. and tr. v., critic-iz-er, critic-is-er, n.,
critic-iz-ing-ly, critic-is-ing-ly, adv.
critique, n. — F., fr. Gk. xpiTixY) (short for-xpi-
tixt; te/vtj, 'the critical art'), fern, of xpt-rtxo;,
'of, or for, judging, capable of judging'. See
critic.
croak, intr. and tr. v. — From the stem of OE.
crdc-ettan, 'to croak', which is rel. to OE. cra-
cian, 'to resound', OE. crdwan, 'to crow', ME.
creken, 'to croak'. All these words are of imita-
tive origin. See raven and cp. Circaerus. Cp. also
crack, crake, creak, crow, grackle.
Derivatives: croak, n., croak-er, n., croak-ing,
adj. and n., croak-y, adj.
Croat, n. — Fr. earlier Chorwat, fr. Serbo-
Croatian Hrvat, fr. OSlav. Churvatinu, 'Croat',
lit. 'mountaineer, highlander', fr. churva, 'moun-
tain', which is rel. to OSlav., Serb, and
Croatian gora, Russ. gord, Pol. gdra, Czech and
Slovak hora, and cogn. with OI. girth, Avestic
gairi, 'mountain', Alb. gur, 'rock*, Lith. glre,
'forest' and prob. also with Gk. fiopiac,, 'north
wind', lit. 'a mountain wind'. See Boreas and
cp. cravat.
Derivatives: Croat-ian, adj. and n.
crocein, croceine, n., any of several yellow and
red dyes (chem) — Formed with chem. suff. -in,
resp. -ine fr. L. croceus, 'saffron-colored', fr.
crocus, 'saffron'. See Crocus.
crochet, n., a kind of knitting done with a small
hook. — F., 'a small hook', dimin. of croc,
'hook', which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. ON.
krokr, 'hook' and see crook. Cp. also crotchet,
crocket, and accroach, encroach.
Derivatives: crochet, tr. and intr. v., crochet-er,
n., crochet-ing, n.
crocidolite, n., a blue or green fibrous mineral,
consisting of silicate of iron and solium {mine-
ral) — Compounded of Gk. xpoxtic;, gen. xpo-
xuSo;, 'a nap of woolen cloth', and Xt&os,
'stone'. The first element is rel. to Gk. xp6xT],
'woof, thread', stands in gradational relation-
ship to xpexsiv, 'to weave', and is cogn. with
OE. hreol, 'reel', hrsg(e)l, 'garment', ON. hrxll,
'a weaver's sley', fr. I.-E. base *qrek-, 'to strike'.
See rail, 'garment', reel, 'a revolvable instru-
ment', and cp. next word. For the second
element see -lite.
Crocidura, n., a genus of shrews (zool.) — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. xpoxii?, gen. xpoxu8o<;, 'a
nap of woolen cloth', and oupdi, 'tail'. See prec.
word and uro-, 'tail-'.
crock, n., an earthen pot. — OE. crocca, rel. to
OS. kruka, MDu. cruke (Du. kruik), MHG.
kruche, OHG. krdg, kruog (MHG. kruoc, G.
Krug), 'pitcher, jug'. Cp. Mir. crocdn, 'pot', Gk.
Kpuaaoq, 'pitcher', OSlav. krugla, 'cup'. All
these words are prob. borrowed from the same
unknown language.
Derivatives: crock, tr. v., to put into a crock,
crock-ery, n.
crock, n., an old, worn-out horse. — Rel. to
Swed. krake, LG. krakke, 'a worn-out horse',
and to E. crack (q.v.)
Derivative: crock, tr. v., to break down (a
horse).
crocket, n., an ornament placed on the sides of
pinnacles, gables, spires, etc. (archit.) — AF.
croquet, corresponding to OF. crochet. See
crochet.
Derivatives: crocket-ed, adj., crocket-ing, n.
crocodile, n. — ME. cocodrille, fr. OF. cocodrille,
metathesized fr. L. crocodilus, fr. Gk. xpox68t>.o(;,
'lizard; crocodile', dissimilatedfr.'xpoxo-SpTXoi;,
lit. 'stone worm', fr. xd6xt), 'pebble', and SpTXo?,
'worm'. Gk. xp6xv) is cogn. with OI. sarkarah,
sdrkard, 'gravel, pebble, sugar'; see sugar and
words there referred to. The etymology of Gk.
SptXo? is unknown.
Derivatives: crocodil-ian, adj. and n.
crocoite, n., native lead chromate, PbCr0 4 (min-
eral.) — Fr. earlier crocoisite, which was formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xpoxieu;, 'saf-
375
cross o-
fron colored', fr. xp6xo?, 'saffron'. See next
word.
Crocus, n., a genus of plants of the iris family
(bot.) — L., fr. Gk. xp6xo<;, 'saffron', a word
of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb. karkSm, Arab, kur-
kum, 'saffron', Aram.-Syr. kurk*md, Akkad.
kurkanu, 'saffron'. OI. kunkumam, 'saffron', is
prob. a Sem. loan word; cp. Manfred Mayr-
hofer, A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Diction-
ary, Heidelberg, 1956, I, p. 219 s.v. kunkumam.
Derivative: crocus-ed, adj.
Croesus, n., name of a king of Lydia renowned
for his great riches. — L., fr. Gk. Kpotaoi;.
croft, n. — OE., 'a small field', rel. to MDu.
krocht, Du. kroft, 'hillock', lit. 'something
curved', from the base appearing also in MDu.
crupen, OE. creopan, 'to creep'. See creep and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : croft-er, n., croft-ing, n.
Cro-Magnon, also cro-magnon, adj. (anthropoid)
— So called from the name of a cave in the De-
partment of Dordogne in France, where remains
of this race of men have been found.
cromlech, n., 1) a dolmen; 2) a circle of mono-
liths. — W., fr. crom, fern, of crwm, 'bent'
(which is prob. cogn. with MDu. rompelen,
'to wrinkle', see rumple, v.), and llech, 'a flat
stone'.
cromorna, n., an organ reed stop (mus.) — F.
cromorne, corruption of krummhorn (q.v.)
crone, n., a withered old woman. — ME., fr.
MDu. kronje, karonje, 'an old ewe', fr. ONF.
carogne (corresponding to OF. charogne), 'car-
cass'. See carrion. For sense development cp. F.
carogne, 'hag, jade'.
Derivative: cron-ish, adj.
Cronian, adj., Saturnian. — Formed with suff.
-an fr. Kpovioi;, 'of Cronus', fr. Kp6vo<;. See
next word.
Cronus, n., a Titan, son of Uranus and Gaea and
father of Zeus in Greek mythol.; identified by
.the Romans with Saturn. — L., fr. Gk. Kp6vo;;
of unknown etymology. Cp. the second element
in geocronite.
crony, n., a close friend. — Fr. earlier chrony,
fr. Gk. ypovioz, 'lasting', fr. xpovo;, 'time'. See
chronic.
Derivative : crony, intr. v.
crook, n. — ME. crok, fr. ON. krokr, 'hook,
bend', which is rel. to OE. cryce, 'crutch, staff,
crozier'. See crutch and cp. crosier. Cp. also
crochet and words there referred to.
Derivatives: crook, tr. and intr. v., crook-ed,
adj., crook-ed-ly, adv., crook-ed-ness, n.
crookesite, n., selenide of copper, thallium and
silver (mineral) — Named after the English
chemist Sir William Crookes (1832-1919). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
croon, intr. and tr. v., to sing softly ; to hum. —
MDu. cronen (Du. kreunen), 'to groan,
whimper' ; prob. of imitative origin.
Derivative: croon, n.
crop, n. — ME. croppe, fr. OE. crop, cropp,
'sprout, bunch of flowers or berries ; the top of a
plant ; ear of corn ; crop of a bird; kidney', rel.
to ON. kroppr, 'trunk of a body', Dan. krop,
Swed. kropp, 'trunk of the body', MDu. crop,
Du. krop, 'the craw of a bird', OHG., kropf,
'growth on human body; craw', MHG., G.
kropf, 'craw'. The original meaning of these
words was 'protuberance'. They derive fr. I.-E.
base *greub-, 'curved, rough, uneven', whence
also Gk. YpuTtot;, 'curved, hook-nosed'. See
creep and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
croup (of a horse), crupper, group.
Derivatives: crop, tr. v., to cut off (esp. the
tops of plants); to pluck off, reap; intr. v.,
to yield a crop, cropp-er, n., cropp-y, adj.
croquet, n., a game played by driving wooden
balls with wooden mallets through a series of
iron hoops. — From a northern dial. var. of
F. crochet, dimin. of croc, 'hook'. See crochet.
Derivative : croquet, tr. v.
croquette, n., a ball of minced meat, fish, or of
rice or potato. — F., formed with dimin. suff.
-ette fr. croquer, 'to crunch', which is of imi-
tative origin.
crore, n., ten million rupees, i.e. one hundred
lakhs (Anglo-Indian). — Hind, karor, rel. to
Prakrit krodi, fr. OI. kotih, 'end', which is prob.
a Dravidian loan word.
crosier, crozier, n., the staff of a bishop. — The
word orig. meant 'staff-bearer', and derives fr.
OF. crocier, crossier, fr. crosse, 'crosier', fr.
WTeut. *krukja, 'crutch'. See crutch and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also crosse, crossette,
lacrosse.
cross, n. — ME. cros, fr. OE. cros, fr. ON. kross,
fr. Olr. cros, fr. L. crucem, acc. of crux, 'cross',
which is of uncertain, perh. Punic, origin. Cp.
It. croce, OProvenc. crotz, F. croix, Sp., Port.
cruz, Catal. creu, OS. kruzi, MDu. criice (Du.
kruis), OHG. kruzi (MHG. kriuze, G. Kreuz),
which all derive fr. L. crucem. Cp. across,
crucial, Crucianella, crucible, crucify, cruise,
cruiser, crusade, crusily, crux, cruzeiro, excru-
ciate, kreutzer and the second element in haken-
kreuz. Cp. also ridge, rung.
Derivatives: cross, tr. and intr. v., cross-ing, n.
cross, adj., 1) placed across, transverse; 2) con-
trary; 3) ill-humored. — Fr. cross, n.
Derivatives: cross-ly, adv., cross-ness, n.
cross-country, adj. — Aphetic for across-country.
crosse, n., the racket used in the game lacrosse. —
See lacrosse and cp. next word.
crossette, n. (archaic). — F., dimin. of crosse,
'crosier, stock.' See prec. word and -ette.
crossite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.) —
Named after the American geologist Whitman
Cross (1 854-1949). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
crosso-, combining form meaning 'provided with
a fringe'. — Gk. xpoooo-, fr. xpoaoot (pi.),
'tassels, a fringe', rel. to xp6aaai (pi.), 'battle-
Crotalaria
376
merits, copings of parapets', which prob. stands
for *qroqyd-, and is cogn. with Czech and Russ.
krokva, 'spar, rafter', OE. hrzgan, MHG., G.
ragen, 'to jut out'. See rake, 'to project'.
Crotalaria, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xpiSxaXov, 'rattle', fr.
xpoToq. See next word.
Crotalus, n., the genus consisting of the rattle-
snakes (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xpAxaXov,
'rattle', fr. xpoTo?, 'the sound of rattling, beating,
striking or clapping' (whence also xpo-retv, 'to
cause to rattle; to knock, beat, strike, clap'), fr.
I.-E. base *kret-, 'to make a noise, to rattle',
whose nasalized form appears in ON. hrinda, OE. •
hrindan, 'to thrust'. Cp. next word, Crotaphytus,
and the second element in dicrotic, tricrotism.
crotaphion, n., the point at the posterior extre-
mity of the sphenoid (anat.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. xpoxaqnov, neut. of xpoxdeipioi;, 'of the
temples', fr. xp6Ta<pos, 'side of the forehead',
in the pi. 'temples', prop, meaning 'the place of
beating', and rel. to xpoxoq, 'the sound of beat-
ing'. See prec. word.
crotaphite, adj., temporal (anat.) — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xp&nxcpoi (pi.), 'temples'.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: crotaphite, n., the temporal fossa,
crotaphit-ic, adj., temporal.
Crotaphytus, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. xpoTa9fn)<;, 'pertaining to the
temples, temporal', fr. xp6xa9oi (pi.), 'the tem-
ples'. See crotaphion.
crotch, n., a forked part. — F. crocht, fr. croc,
'hook'. See next word.
Derivative: crotch, tr. and intr. v.
crotchet, n., i) a small hook; 2) a hooklike part.
— ME., fr. OF. crochet (pronounced crotchet),
fr. croc, 'hook', a var. of crochet (q.v.) See also
crocket.
Derivatives: crotchet, tr. and intr. v., crotchet-
eer, n., crochet-y, adj., crotchet-i-ness, n.
Croton, n., a genus of plants of the spurge family
(hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xp6xcov, 'a tick; castor-
oil tree', a word of unknown origin.
crouch, intr. v. — ME. crouchen; prob. a blend
of cringe and couch.
Derivatives: crouch, n., crouch-er, n.
croup, n., an inflammatory disease. — Scot.
croup, 'to croak', of imitative origin.
Derivatives: croup-y, adj., croup-i-ly, adv.,
croup-i-ness, n.
croup, n., the hind part of quadrupeds, esp. of a
horse. — ME., fr. F. croupe, fr. Frankish *krup-
pa, which orig. meant 'protuberance', and is rel.
to crop (q.v.) See also next word and crupper.
croupier, n., a person in charge of a gaming table,
collecting stakes. — F., lit. 'rider on the croup',
hence 'assistant', fr. croupir, 'to ride on the
croup', fr. croupe. See prec. word.
crouton, n., a small piece of toasted bread used
in soups, etc. — F., lit. 'a little crust', dimin. of
croute. See crust.
crow, intr. v. — ME. crowen, fr. OE. crawan, 'to
crow', rel. to MLG. kreien, MDu. crayen, Du.
kraaien, OHG. krden, MHG. krsejen, G. krahen,
, 'to crow', of imitative origin. Cp. OSlav. grajo,
grajati, 'to crow, caw', which is also imitative.
Cp. also next word and croak.
Derivatives: crow, n., crow-ing, n., crow-er, n.
crow, n., the bird. — ME. crowe, fr. OE. crdwe,
rel. to OS. kraja, MDu. crate, Du. kraai, OHG.
kra, krdwa, kraja, krdha, MHG. kra, krseje,
G. Krdhe, 'a crow', and to OE. crawan, etc.,
to crow'; see crow, v. These nouns lit. mean
'the crowing (bird)'. Cp. next word.
crowbar, n. — Lit. 'a bar with a pointed end re-
sembling a crow's beak'.
crowd, n., an ancient Celtic stringed instrument.
— ME. crowde, fr. W. crwth, 'anything swelling,
bulging', which is rel. to Olr. crot, 'harp', Gael.
emit, 'harp, violin', Ir. emit, 'violin', and to
OW. crunn, Gael, cruinn, 'round, curved'. See
crown, n., and cp. rote, 'a musical instrument'.
crowd, intr. and tr. v., to press. — ME. cruden,
crouden, fr. OE. crudan, 'to press, push', rel.
to MDu. cruden, later kruyden, kruyen, Du.
kruien, 'to push', MHG. kroten, 'to press, op-
press'. Cp. curd.
Derivatives: crowd, n., multitude, crowd-ed, adj.,
crowd-ed-ly, adv., crowd-ed-ness, n., crowder
(q.v.)
crowder, n., one who or that which crowds. —
Formed fr. prec. word with agential suff. -er.
crowder, n., one who plays on a crowd (archaic).
— Formed fr. crowd, 'a musical instrument',
with agential suff. -er.
crown, n. — ME. croune, fr. earlier coroune, co-
rune, fr. OF. corone (F. couronne), fr. L. corona,
'garland, wreath, crown', fr. Gk. xopcovrj, 'any-
thing curved; crown', fr. xop<ov6<;, 'curved,
crooked', which is cogn. with Mir. cruind, OW.
crunn, W., MW. crwnn, Gael, cruinn, 'round',
curved', L. curvus, 'bent, crooked'. Cp. It., Sp.
corona, Port, coroa, OFris., MLG. krone (Du.
kroon, kruiri), OHG. corona (MHG krone, G.
Krone), ON. kruna, which all derive fr. L.
corona. See curve and cp. corona. Cp. also
cornice, coroa, corollary, crowd, 'a musical in-
strument'.
crown, tr. v. — ME. crounen, fr. earlier corunen,
fr. OF. coroner (F. couronner), fr. L. coronare,
'to crown', fr. corona. See crown, n. Cp. Rum.
cunund, 'to crown, wreathe; to unite in wed-
lock', It. coronare, OProvenc., Catal., Sp. coro-
nar, Port, coroar, 'to crown', which all derive
fr. L. coronare.
Derivative: crown-er,n.
crozier, n. — See crosier.
crucial, adj., 1) cross-shaped; 2) decisive, critical.
— F., fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See cross
and adj. suff. -aL In its second sense, the word
crucial derives from Bacon's phrase instant ia
crucis (see Novum Organum II, XXXVI).
Derivative: crucial-ly, adv.
377
crump
crucian carp, n., a species of a carp. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. MLG. karusse (whence also
Dan. karuds), which prob. derives fr. Lith.
kartisis (whence also G. Karausche). Lith.
kartisis is a collateral form of karosas, which,
together with Czech karas, Pol. karaS, Russ.
kards', 'crucian carp', is borrowed fr. L. cora-
cinus, 'a Nile fish' (whence also F. corassin,
carassin, 'crucian carp'), fr. Gk. xopaxtvo?, of
s.m., lit. 'a fish or ravenlike color', fr. xopai;,
gen. x6paxo<;, 'raven'; see coracine. MG. karas,
of s.m., is a Slavic loan word.
Crucianella, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) — ModL. formed with the dimin.
suff. -ella fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See
cross, n.
cruciate, adj., cross-shaped. — ModL. cmcidtus,
'cross-shaped', fr. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross'. See
cross and adj. suff. -ate and cp. excruciate. In
the now obsolete sense, 'tortured, tormented',
cruciate derives fr. L. crucidtus, pp. of crucidre,
'to crucify, torture, torment', fr. crux (see
above).
crucible, n., a vessel for melting metals. — ML.
crucibulum, 'night lamp, melting pot, crucible',
formed fr. L. crux, gen. crucis, 'cross' (see
cross, n.), and the instrumental suff. -bulum.
The lamp was so called from its shape suggestive
of a cross.
Derivative : crucible, tr. v.
cruciferous, adj., 1) bearing a cross; 2) pertaining
to the mustard family (bot.) — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. crucifer, 'cross bearer', fr. crux,
gen. crucis, 'cross', and ferre, 'to bear, carry'.
See cross and -ferous. The mustard family is
called cruciferous because the four petals of the
flowers are arranged crosswise.
crucifix, n. — ME., fr. OF. crucefix (F. crucifix),
fr. L. crucifixus, 'one fixed to the cross', orig.
spelled in two words : cruel fixus, from the dative
of crux, 'a cross', and pp. of figere, 'to fix'. See
cross, n., and fix, adj., and cp. crucify.
crucifixion, n. — Eccles. L. crucifixid, gen. -onis,
fr. L. crucifixus. See prec. word and -ion.
cruciform, adj., cross-shaped. — Compounded of
L. crux, gen. crucis, and forma, 'form, shape'.
See cross and form, n.
crucify, tr. v. — OF. ( = F.) crucifier, fr. L. cruci-
figere, orig. spelled in two words : cruel figere,
'to fix to the cross' ; see crucifix. OF. crucifier was
influenced in form by the many verbs ending
in -fier, a suff. corresponding to L. -ficdre.
Derivatives: crucifi-ed, adj., crucifi-er, n.
crude, adj., 1) raw; not refined; 2) not finished.
— L. crudus, 'raw, crude, not cooked', lit. 'trick-
ling with blood, bleeding', rel. to cruor, 'blood
(flowing from a wound)', cruentus, 'stained
with blood, bloody', fr. I.-E. base *qrew'-,
*qreu-, 'coagulated, congealed, bloody', whence
also OI. kravih, 'raw flesh', kravyam, 'blood',
krurdlf, 'raw, bloody, cruel*, Avestic xrum(a.cc.),
'a piece of bloody flesh', xriira-, 'bloody, cruel',
xruma-, xruta-, 'dreadful, horrible', Gk. xp£oc<;
(for *xp£fa?), 'flesh', OPol. kry, OSlav. kruvi,
OPruss. krawian, Lith. kraujas, 'blood', Lett.
kreve, 'clotted blood', MIr. crii, W. crau, Co.
crow, 'blood', Olr. cruaid, 'firm, hard'.OE.
hreaw, 'raw'. Cp. raw. Cp. also creosote, cruel,
cruentation, crust, crystal, ecru, recrudesce.
Derivatives : crude-ly, adv., crude-ness, n.
crudity, n. — F. erudite, fr. L. cruditatem, acc. of
cruditds, fr. crudus. See crude and -ity.
cruel, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) cruel, fr. L.
crudelis, 'hard, unmerciful, cruel, fierce', fr. cru-
dus; see crude. For the formation of crudelis, fr.
crudus, cp. L. fidelis, 'true, faithful', fr. fidus,
of s.m.
Derivatives: cruel-ly, adv., cruel-ness, n., cruelty
(q.v.)
cruelty, n. — OF. cruelte (F. cruaute), fr. L. cru-
delitdtem, acc. of crudelitds, 'cruelty'. See prec.
word and -ty.
cruentation, n., oozing of blood, esp. from a dead
body after incision. — L. cruentdtid, gen. -onis,
'a staining with blood', fr. cruentdtus, pp. of
cruentdre, 'to stain with blood', fr. cruentus,
'bloody', fr. cruor, 'blood', which is rel. to
crudus. See crude and -ation.
cruet, n., a small glass bottle for vinegar, oil,
etc. — AF., dimin. of OF. crue, cruie, 'an earth-
en pot', fr. Frankish *kruka (whence also
OProvenc. cruga, and F. cruche, 'pitcher'), which
is rel. to MHG. kruche, 'pitcher, jug', and to
OHG. kruog, of s.m. See crock, 'earthen pot'.
cruise, intr. and tr. v. — Du. kruisen, 'to cross;
to cruise', fr. kruis, 'cross', fr. L. crucem, acc.
of crux, 'cross'. See cross, n.
Derivatives: cruise, n., cruiser (q.v.)
cruiser, n. — Lit. 'a cruising vessel', formed fr.
cruise with agential suff. -er.
cruller, n., a small sweet cake. — Du. kruller, lit.
'a curled cake', fr. krullen, 'to curl'. See curl.
crumb, n. — ME. crume, crumme, fr. OE. cruma,
rel. to ON. krumr, Dan. krumme, MLG., MDu.
crdme, Du. kruim, MHG. krume, G. Krume,
'crumb', and cogn. with Gk. ypufjia, Yp-j^eta,
'bag, trash, trumpery; fish remnants', ypu-TTj,
'frippery', ypu, 'dirt under the nail', L. grumus,
'a little heap'. All these words prob. mean lit.
'something scraped together', and derive fr. I.-E.
base *greu-, 'to scrape together'. Cp. crumple.
Cp. also crumen, grume.
Derivatives: crumb, tr. and intr. v., crumble, v.
(q.v.), crumb-y, crumm-y, adjs.
crumble, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. crumb with
freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: crumbl-y, adj.
crumen, n., the name of the suborbital gland in
deer and antelopes. — L. crumina, crumena,
'purse, bag', fr. Gk. yp>J[iia, ypuuxia. See crumb,
crump, tr. and intr. v., to crunch. — Of imitative
origin.
Derivative: crump, a., 1) a crunching sound;
2) a heavy shell.
crumpet
378
crumpet, n., a kind of sticky cake. — ME. crom-
pid cake (Wycliffe's rendering of Heb. raqtq,
Ex. 29 : 23). ME. crompid prob. derives fr. OE.
cron peht, 'a thin fiat cake', which is, indeed,
the most exact rendering of Heb. raqtq, fr. Heb.
rag, 'thin'. OE. cron peht is of Celtic origin.
Cp. Bret, krampoez, 'a thin flat cake', in which
the second element is rel. to W. poeth, 'cooked',
and cogn. with OI. paktdh, Gk. nemoc,, L. coc-
tus, 'cooked' Lith. kiptas, 'baked'. See cook.
crumple, tr. and intr. v. — Freq. formed with
suff. -lefromobsol. OE. crump, crumb, 'crooked',
which is rel. to OS. crumb, Du. krom, OHG.,
MHG. krump, G. krumm, 'crooked', and cogn.
with Gk. ypuTTo?, 'curved, hook-nosed'. See
creep and cp. cripple. Cp. also the first element
in krummhorn.
Derivatives: crumple, n., crumpl-ed, adj., crumpl-
er, n., crumpl-ing, n., crumpl-y, adj.
crunch, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
craunch and scrunch.
Derivatives: crunch, n., crunch-ing, n. and adj.,
crunch-ing-ly, adv., crunch-ing-ness, n., crunch-y,
adj., crunch-i-ly, adv., crunch-i-ness, n.
crunode, n., a point at which a curve crosses it-
self (geom.) — Irregularly formed fr. L. crux,
'cross', and nodus, 'knot'. See cross and node.
Derivative: crunod-al, adj.
crupper, n., 1) the rump of a horse, croup; 2) a
leather strap attached to a saddle. — ME. cro-
pere, fr. OF. cropiere (F. croupiere), 'crupper,
saddle tie', fr. crope (F. croupe), 'croupe, rump'.
See croup, 'the hind part of a horse'.
Derivative : crupper, tr. v.
crural, adj., pertaining to the leg (anat. and zool.)
— L. crurdlis, fr. crus, gen. cruris, 'leg'. See
next word and adj. suff. -al.
crus, n., the leg; the shank (anat.) — L. crus, gen.
cruris, 'leg, shank, shin', of uncertain origin;
possibly cogn. with Arm. srtm-k' (pi.), 'shin-
bones, calves of the leg' ; not related to L. cruor,
'blood', crudus, 'raw'. Cp. crural.
crusade, n. — A blend of Sp. cruzada and F. croi-
sade, fr. Sp. cruzar, resp. F. croiser, 'to cross,
to take the cross', fr. Sp. cruz, resp. F. croix,
fr. L. crucem, acc. of crux. See cross, n., and
-ade (representing Sp. -add) and cp. next word.
Derivatives: crusade, intr. v., crusad-er, n.
crusado, cruzado, n., name of a Portuguese coin.
— Port, cruzado, lit. 'marked with a cross', fr.
cruzar, 'to cross, mark with a cross', rel. to
Catal. crusar, Olt. crociare, OProvenc. crozar,
F. croiser, fr. L. crux, 'cross'. See cross, n., and
cp. prec. word.
cruse, n., a small earthen vessel. — ME. cruse,
cruce, prob. fr. MDu. cruese (Du. kroes), 'cup,
pot, mug', which is rel. to MLG. krus, ON. krus,
Dan. krus, 'mug, jug', Swed. krus, 'mug',
MHG. kruse, G. Krause, 'jug, mug'.
crush, tr. and intr. v. — ME. cruschen, fr. OF.
cruissir, a var. of croissir, 'to break', fr. Fran-
kish *krostjan, 'to gnash the teeth', which is rel.
to Goth, kriustan, 'to gnash the teeth', krusts,
'the gnashing of teeth', ON. kreista, 'to press,
squeeze', OSwed. krusa, krosa, 'to crush'. Cp.
It. crosciare (fr. OF. croissir), and OProven?.
croisir, cruisir, Catal. cruxir (whence Sp. crujir),
'to crack', which are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives: crush, n., crush-ed, adj., crush-er,
n., crush-ing, adj., crush-ing-ly, adv.
crusily, crusile, adj., sprinkled with small crosses
(her.) — OF. croisillie, croisille, crusillie, fr.
croisille, 'a small cross', dimin. of OF. croiz (F.
croix), fr. L. crucem, acc. of crux, 'cross'. See
cross.
crust, n. — ME., fr. OF. crouste (F. croute), fr.
L. crusta, 'the hard surface of a body, rind,
crust, shell', which stands for *crus-td, and lit.
means 'that which has been hardened by freez-
ing', and is cogn. with Gk. xpuoq (prob. for
*xpuao<;), 'icy cold, frost', xpusp6?, 'icy, chilling',
xpu[z6<; (for *xpucr( J i6(;), 'frost', xpua-raXXo?, 'ice,
crystal', Toch. A kuras, B krost, 'cold', Lett.
kruvesis, 'mud frozen in the field; roughness of
the soil', Lith. at-kriisti, 'to revive' (said of
frozen people), OHG. (h)rosa, (h)roso, 'ice, crust',
ON. hriosa, 'to shudder', OE. hriise, 'earth,
ground'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. *qreus-,
*qrus-, *qruwes-, enlarged forms of base *qreu-,
'icy, solid, coagulated, congealed', whence also
L. crudus, 'raw'. See crude and cp. Crustacea,
encrust. Cp. also crouton, crystal, custard and
the first element in Caucasian.
Derivatives: crust, v. (q.v.), crust-y, adj., crust-
i-ly, adv., crust-i-ness, n.
crust, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. crust, n., on
analogy of OF. crouster (F. crouter), fr. crouste.
Derivatives: crust-ed, adj., crust-ed-ly, adv.
Crustacea, n. pi., a large class of animals char-
acterized by a hard outer shell; including crabs,
lobsters, shrimps, crayfish, etc. (zool.) — Neut.
pi. of ModL. crustdceus, lit. 'pertaining to the
crust or shell', fr. L. crusta. See crust, n.
crustacean, adj., pertaining to the Crustacea. —
See prec. word and -an.
Derivative: crustacean, n.
crustaceology, n., the study of crustaceans. — A
hybrid coined fr. Crustacea and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-\6yoc;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
crustaceous, adj., 1) pertaining to crust; 2) the
same as crustacean. — ModL. crustdceus. See
Crustacea and -ous.
crutch, n. — ME. crucche, fr. OE. crycc, 'crutch,
staff, crozier', rel. to OS. krukka, Dan. krykke,
Swed. krycka, MDu. crucke, Du. kruk, OHG.
krucka, MHG. krucke, G. Krucke, 'crutch'.
These words stand in gradational relationship
to ON. krdkr, 'hook', kraki, 'a stick with a hook
at its end'. They are related also to E. cricket,
the game, creek, crook and crosier. Dial. It.
croccia, It. gruccia, 'crutch', and crocco, 'hook',
are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives : crutch,M. and intr. \.,crutch-ed, adj.
379
Cryptostegia
crux, n., something difficult to explain, a hard
puzzle. — L. crux, 'cross', used also in the sense
of 'torture, trouble'. Cp. crux interpretum, 'a
crux of interpreters'. Cp. also crucial, excruciate
and see cross.
cruzado, n. — See crusado.
cruzeiro, n., the monetary unit of Brazil. — Port.,
fr. cruz, 'cross', fr. L. crucem, acc. of crux,
'cross'. See crucial.
cry, intr. and tr. v. — OF. (= F.) crier, fr. VL.
*crltare, corruption of L. quiritdre, 'to cry, wail,
scream', denominated fr. Quirites, 'Roman ci-
tizens'; see Quirites. Accordingly quiritdre orig.
meant 'to address the Romans', whence arose
the meanings 'to implore somebody's help; to
raise a plaintive cry; to cry aloud'. Cp. It. gri-
dare, OProvenc., OSp. cridar, Sp., Port, gritar,
which all derive from L. quiritdre. Cp. also
decry, descry.
Derivatives: cry, n., cry-ing, adj., cry-ing-ly, adv.
cry-, form of cryo- before a vowel.
crymodynia, n., pain caused by cold weather
(med.) — Medical L., lit. 'pain caused by frost',
fr. xpGjioi; (for *xpuc[i6;), 'frost', and oSiivr),
'pain'. Gk. xpujxo; is cogn. with L. crusta,
'crust'; see crust, n., and cp. the second element
in isocryme. For the second element see -odynia.
crymotherapy, n., the therapeutic application of
cold (med.) — Compounded of Gk. xp0[/.6c;,
'frost', and ftzpanda, 'a waiting on, service, at-
tendance'. See prec. word and -therapy.
cryo-, before a vowel cry-, combining form mean-
ing 'cold, freezing'. — Gk. xpuo-, xpu-, fr. xpuo?
(for *xpiiao<;), 'icy cold, frost', which is cogn.
with L. crusta, 'crust'. See crust.
cryogen, n., a refrigerant. — Compounded of
cryo- and -gen.
cryolite, n., a fluoride of sodium and aluminum
(mineral.) — Orig. kryolith, coined by Peter
Christian Abilgaard (1740-1801), director of the
Veterinary College in Copenhagen, fr. Gk.
xp'ioi;, 'icy cold, frost', and Xi&oc,, 'stone'. See
cryo- and -lite; so called by him from its trans-
lucency. See J. R. Partington, A History of
Chemistry, Volume III, London, 1962, p. 554.
cryometer, n., a thermometer for measuring very
low temperatures. — Compounded of cryo- and
Gk. liirpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
cryophorus, n., an instrument for showing the
freezing of water by its own evaporation. —
Compounded of cryo- and Gk. -tpopoc,, 'bearer',
fr. 9^peiv, 'to bear'. See -phore.
crypt, n., an underground chamber. — L. crypta,
'vault, cave, crypt', fr. Gk. xpu7rrr,,of s.m., short
for xpuTrrf) xajxipa, 'a hidden vault'. Kp-jTCTr;
is fern, of xp'jttto?, 'hidden, concealed', verbal
adj. of xpu7tTeiv, 'to hide, conceal', fr. I.-E. base
*qru-bh-, enlargement of base *qru-, 'to hide',
whence OSlav. kryjg, kryti, 'to hide'. Cp. kryp-
ton. Cp. also grot, grotto, which are doublets of
crypt. Cp. also Apocrypha, undercroft.
crypt-, form of crypto- before a vowel.
cryptic, adj., secret. — L. crypticus, 'covered, con-
cealed', fr. Gk. xpuTcxixo?, fr. xpurtToi;, verbal
adj. of xpuTCxsiv, 'to hide, conceal'. See crypt
and -ic.
Derivative: cryptic-al-ly, adv.
crypto-, before a vowel crypt-, combining form
meaning 'hidden, secret'. — Gk. xpi>7rro-,xpu7rr-,
fr. xpurcrfS?, verbal adj. of xpiimTeiv. See crypt.
cryptocrystalline, adj., indistinctly crystalline
(petrogr.) — Compounded of crypto- and crys-
talline.
Cryptodira, n. pi., a suborder of tortoises (zool.)
— ModL., lit. 'having a concealed neck', com-
pounded of crypto- and Ion. Gk. SstpTj, 'neck',
which is rel. to Gk. SepYj, Lesbian 8£ppa, Dor.
8r)pa, Arcad. SspFd, of s.m. (I.-E. *g v} er-wa), and
is cogn. with OI. grivd (for *g w ri-wd), 'nape',
OSlav griva, 'mane', fr. I.-E. base *g w er-, 'to
swallow', whence also Gk. pops, Ppco^a, 'food',
L. vordre, 'to devour'. See voracious.
Derivatives: cryptodir-an, cryptodir-ous, adjs.
cryptogam, n., one of the group of plants which
have no external flowers and seeds. — F. cryp-
togame, fr. Gk. xpuTiroi;, 'hidden', and yajioi;,
'marriage'. See crypto- and -gamy.
Derivatives: cryptogam-ian, cryptogam-ic, adjs.,
cryptogam-y, n., cryptogam-ist, n., cryptogam-
ous, adj.
Cryptogamia, n. pi., the group of cryptogams
(bot.) — ModL., formed fr. prec. word with
suff. -ia.
cryptogram, n., something written in cipher. —
Compounded of crypto- and Ypajxfjux, 'something
written'. See -gram.
Derivatives: cryptogram-ic, cryptogrammat-ic,
adjs.
Cryptogramma, n., a genus of plants of the poly-
pody family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
crypto- and Gk. Ypa(X(iT), 'a line', which is rel. to
Ypa(i(iot, 'something written' (see -gram and cp.
cryptogram); so called in allusion to the lines
of sporangia at first hidden by the margin.
cryptograph, n., a cryptogram. — Compounded
of crypto- and Gk. -ypatpoi;, fr. ypdapeiv, 'to
write'. See -graph and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: cryptograph-er, n., cryptograph-ic,
adj., cryptograph-y, n.
cryptology, n., a secret language. — Compounded
of crypto- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr- -Xoyo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
cryptorchid, n., one with undescended testicles
(anat.) — Medical. L. cryptorchis, corrupted fr.
Gk. xpu'^opx'?, 'undescended testicles', a word
coined by Galen fr. xpiiij<i;> 'hiding, concealment'
(fr. xpu:TTeiv, 'to hide'), and op^i;, 'testicle'.
See crypt- and orchid.
Derivative: cryptorchid-ism, also cryptorch-ism,
n.
Cryptostegia, n., a genus of woody vines of the
milkweed family (bot.) — ModL., compounded
Cryptotaenia
380
of crypto- and Gk. axEyv), 'roof, which is rel. to
CTxIyo?. 'roof, fr. axeyeiv, 'to cover'. See ste-
gano-.
Cryptotaenia, n., a genus of plants containing
the honewort (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
crypto- and Gk. xaivia, 'fillet'. See taenia.
crystal, n. — ME. cristal, fr. OF. cristal (F. crys-
tal), fr. L. crystallum, fr. Gk. xpiiaTotXXo?, 'ice;
crystal', which is rel. to xpuaxatveiv, 'to con-
geal, freeze'. Both these words derive fr. xptio?
(for *xpuao<;), 'frost', which is cogn. with L.
crusta, 'crust'. See crust and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also crymodynia, cryogen,
cryolite.
Derivatives: crystal, adj. and tr. v., crystalline
(q.v.), crystall-ize, tr. and intr. v., crystalliz-
ation, n., crystalliz-ed, adj., crystalliz-er, n.
crystall-, form of crystallo- before a vowel.
crystalline, adj. — F. crystallin, fr. L. crystal-
linus, fr. Gk. xpoaxaXXivoi;, 'of crystal', fr. xptS-
axaXXo?. See crystal and -ine (representing Gk.
-tvoi;.
Derivatives : crystalline n., crystallin-ity, n.
crystallo-, before a vowel crystall-, combining
form meaning 'crystal'. — Gk. xpuaxaXXo-,
xpuaxaXX-, fr. xpiiaxaXXoi;. See crystal.
crystallographer, n. — See crystallography and
agential suff. -er.
crystallography, n., the study of the formation of
crystals. — Compounded of crystallo- and Gk.
-ypatpla, fr. -j-patpeiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
crystalloid, adj., resembling a crystal. — Com-
pounded of crystallo- and Gk. -osiSr]?, 'like',
fr. elSo?, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
crystallomancy, n., divination by crystal gazing.
— Compounded of crystallo- and Gk. [xavxeta,
'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
csardas, n., a Hungarian national dance. —
Hung, csdrdds.
cten-, form of cteno- before a vowel.
ctenidium, n., the gill of a mollusk (zool.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idium fr. Gk. xxeiq,
gen. xTevog, 'comb'. See cteno-.
cteno-, before a vowel cten-, combining form
meaning 'comblike' (zool.) — Gk. xxevo-, xxev-,
fr. Y.-tiz, gen. xxcvoq, 'comb', which stands for
*pkten, and is rel. to 7rexeiv, 'to comb', and
cogn. with L. pecten, 'comb', pectere, 'to comb'.
See pecten.
ctenoid, adj., comblike. — Compounded of
cten- and Gk. -oeiSy]!;, 'like', fr. slSoq, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
Ctenophora, n. pi., a phylum of Coelenterata
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of cteno- and
neut. pi. of Gk. -cpopoi;, 'bearer', fr. cpepeiv, 'to
bear'. See -phore.
cnarenta, n., a silver coin of Cuba. — Sp., 'forty',
fr. L. quadrdgintd. See quadragenarian and cp.
quarantine.
cub, n., the young of the fox, bear, wolf, lion,
tiger etc. — • Of uncertain origin; perhaps rel.
to ON. and Icelandic kobbi, Norw. kobbe, 'seal',
which is prob. so called from its heavy and
clumsy form, to Norw. kubbe, kub, 'stump,
block', and to E. cob, 'heap, lump', and further to
Norw. kop, 'cup', earlier Dan. kop, 'head', Dan.
kop, 'cup', OHG. chuph, kopf, 'cup', MHG. kopf,
'drinking vessel; head', G. Kopf, 'head'. See cup.
Derivatives: cub, tr. and intr. v., to bring forth
cubs, cubb-ing, n., cubb-ish, adj., cubb-ish-ly,
adv., cubb-ish-ness, n., cub-hood, n.
cub, n., a stall, shed. — MDu. cubbe (Du. kub,
kubbe), 'stall, shed', rel. to cove (q.v.) See also
cubby.
cubage, n., cubic content. — See cube and -age.
cubature, n., cubic content. — F., irregularly
formed fr. L. cubus, 'cube', on analogy of qua-
drature. See cube and -ure.
cubby, n., a small space. — Derived fr. cub,
'stall, shed'.
cube, n. — F., fr. L. cubus, fr. Gk. xufio;, 'cube,
cubical die', prob. of Sem. origin. Cp. Arab.
ka'b, 'cube', and see Kaaba. The u in Gk. xtiflo;
is equivalent to Sem. ayin (represented by the
sign '). See W. Muss-Arnolt in Transactions of
the American Philological Association, p. 147.
Gk. xiipog in the sense 'hollow above the hip',
is not related to xufioq, 'cube'.
Derivatives: cube, tr. v., cub-er, n., cubic (q.v.)
cubeb, n., a small aromatic berry used in medi-
cine. — F. cube~be, fr. ML. cubeba, fr. VArab.
kubdba, corresponding to Arab., kabdba h , of
s.m.
cubelet, n., a little cube. — A double dimin.
formed fr. cube with the suffixes -el and -et.
cubic, adj. — F. cubique, fr. L. cubicus, fr. Gk.
xufkxd?, fr. xbftoQ, 'cube'. See cube and -ic.
Derivatives: cubic, n., cubic-al, adj., cubic-al-ly,
cubic-ly, advs.
cubicle, n., 1) a small sleeping room; 2) any small
room. — L. cubiculum, 'an apartment for re-
clining or resting', for cubi-clom, lit. 'a place for
reclining', formed from the stem of cubdre, 'to
lie down, recline', with -clom, a suff. denoting
place. L. cubdre derives fr. I.-E. base *qeu-b-,
'to bend, curve, arch', whence also L. cubitum,
'elbow', Gk. xufJoi;, 'hollow above the hip of
cattle' (but xvfioc, in the sense of 'cube, die',
is a Semitic loan word), Goth, hups, OE. hype,
'hip'. See hip and cp. accumbent, concubine, cou-
vade, covey, cubit, incubate, incubus, incumbent,
procumbent, recumbent, succubus, succumb. Cp.
also coomb, 'a deep valley'. Base *qeub- is a
-Enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend', curve,
arch', whence — with reduplication — L. ca-
cumen (prob. fr. orig. *kakud), 'top, summit'.
See high and cp. cacuminal. For a -p-enlargement
of this base see cup and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
cubiculum, n., a cubicle. — L. See cubicle.
cubiform, adj., having the form of a cube. —
Compounded of L. cubus, 'cube', and forma,
'form, shape'. See cube and form, n.
cubism, n., a school of modern art characterized
381
cuddy
by the use of cubes and other geometric solids.
— F. cubisme, fr. cube, 'cube'; see cube and
-ism. The word cubisme was coined by the
French art critic Louis Vauxcelles on the basis
of a remark made by the French painter Henri
Matisse (1869-1954) before a landscape ex-
hibited by Georges Braque (1882-1963) in the
Autumn Salon of 1908. On that occasion Ma-
tisse spoke of the 'small cubes' (petits cubes)
characterizing the painting of Braque. This re-
mark induced Vauxcelles to form the word
cubisme.
cubist, n., an adherent of cubism. — F. cubiste,
fr. cube, 'cube'. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: cubist, adj.
cubit, n. — L. cubitum (also cubitus), 'elbow', fr.
I.-E. base *qeu-b-, 'to bend, curve', whence also
cubdre, 'to lie down'. See cubicle and cp. cubitus.
Cp. also codille.
cubital, adj., pertaining to the cubitus or cubit. —
L. cubitdlis, fr. cubitum (cubitus). See cubit and
adj. suff. -al.
cubitus, n., the ulna (anat.) — L. 'elbow'. See
cubit.
cuboid, adj., resembling a cube in shape. — Gk.
xu(3oei87)(;, 'like a cube, cubical', compounded
of xu|3o<;, 'cube', and -osiS/jt;, 'like', fr. eTSo?,
'form, shape'. See cube and -oid.
Derivative: cuboid, n.
cuckold, n., the husband of an unfaithful wife. —
ME. cocold, kokewold, kokeweld, fr. OF. cucu-
ault, 'cuckold', a hybrid coined fr. OF. cocu
(whence F. coucou), 'cuckoo', and -ault, -alt,
a suff. of Teut. origin. See next word. OF. cocu
unites the senses of 'cuckoo' and 'cuckold'. The
sense development of OF. cocu, cucuault, 'finds
its explanation in the fact that the female of the
cuckoo never remains with the same male for
a longer time. Modern French distinguishes be-
tween coucou, 'cuckoo', and cocu, 'cuckold'.
Derivatives: cuckold, tr. v., cuckold-ry, n.
cuckoo, n. — F. coucou, fr. OF. cocu, a word
imitative of the bird's cry. Cp. Gk. x6xxui;, L.
cuculus, 'cuckoo', OI. kokildh, 'the Indian cuck-
oo', kdkah, 'goose', Mir. cuach,V*l .cog, 'cuckoo',
which all are of imitative origin. Cp. cuckold,
coccyx, koel. Cp. also cock.
cuculiform, adj., resembling, or pertaining to,
the cuckoos. — Compounded of L. cuculus,
'cuckoo', and forma, 'form, shape'. See cuckoo
and form, n,
cucullaris, n., the trapezius muscle (anat.) —
Medical L. cucullaris, lit. 'resembling a cap', fr.
L. cucullus, 'cap, hood'. See cowl and cp.
next word.
cucullate, cucullated, adj., hooded; hood-shaped
(bot. and zool) — Late L. cuculldtus, 'hooded',
pp. of cuculldre, 'to cover with a hood', fr. L.
cucullus, 'cap, hood'. See cowl and cp. prec.
word.
Derivative: cucullate-ly, adv.
cuculliform, adj., hood-shaped. — Compounded
of L. cucullus, 'cap, hood', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See cowl and form, n.
cuculoid, adj., resembling, or pertaining, to the
cuckoos. — A hybrid coined fr. L. cuculus,
'cuckoo', and Gk. -ostSyji;, 'like', fr. zlhac,,
'form, shape'. See cuckoo and -oid. The correct
form is cuculiform, in which both elements are
of Latin origin.
cucumber, n. — ME. cucumer, fr. OF. cocombre,
cucombre (F. concombre), fr. OProvenc. cogom-
bre, fr. L. cucumerem, acc. of cucumis, 'cucum-
ber', fr. Gk. xiixuoc, assimilated fr. aixuo;,
'cucumber', a collateral form of ctixuv), of s.m.,
which was prob. formed through metathesis fr.
Heb. qishshu'd h , 'cucumber'. See Sicyos and
cp. It. cocomero, Sp. cohombro, Port, cogombro,
which also derive fr. L. cucumerem. Cp. also
Cucumis.
cucumiform, adj., having the form of a cucum-
ber. — Compounded of L. cucumis, 'cucumber',
and forma, 'form, shape'. See cucumber and
form, n.
Cucumis, n., a genus of plants of the cucumber
family (bot.) — L., 'cucumber'. See cucumber,
cucurbit, n., 1) a gourd ; 2) a gourd-shaped flask. —
F. cucurbite, fr. L. cucurbiia, 'a gourd', which
is cogn. with OI. carbhalah, 'gourd'. The re-
duplication in L. cu-cur-bita is prob. due to the
influence of L. cu-cu-mis, 'cucumber'. Cp. Rum.
cucurbetd, OProvenc. cogorda, OF. coorde
(whence F. courge and gourde), 'gourd, pump-
kin', OE. cyrfet, OHG. kurbi3, MHG. kiirbi.3,
G. Kiirbis), 'gourd', which all derive from L. cu-
curbiia. Cp. gourd.
Cucurbita, n., a genus of vines (bot.) — L.,
'gourd'. See prec. word.
Cucurbitaceae, n. pi., a family of vines (bot.) —
Formed fr. Cucurbita with suff. -aceae.
cucurbitaceous, adj . — See prec. word and -aceous.
cud, n. — ME., fr. OE. cwidu, cudu, 'mastic, cud',
rel. to ME. code, 'pitch', ON. kvdda, 'resin',
OHG. quiti, kuti, 'glue' (whence MHG. kiite,
kiit, G. Kitt, 'putty'), and cogn. with OI. jdtu-,
lac, gum', and with L. bitumen (an Osco-
Umbrian dial, word; the genuine Latin form
would have been *vetumen, fr. "gwetumen),
'mineral pitch'. All these words are derivatives
of I.-E. *gwet-, *geut-, *gut-, dental enlargements
of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve, arch'. See cove,
'a small bay', and cp. quid for chewing. Cp. also
bitumen, bowel, guttural.
cudbear, n., a dye made from lichens. — Coined
from the name of Cuthbert Gordon (in 1766)
who patented this dye.
cuddle, tr. and intr. v. — Prob. formed fr. dial.
cull, coll, 'to hug, embrace', fr. ME. collen, fr.
OF. coler, 'to embrace', fr. col, 'neck', fr. L. col-
lum. See collar.
Derivatives: cuddle, n., cuddle-some, cuddl-y,
adjs.
cuddy, n., a donkey. — From the Scot, name
Cuddy, dimin. of Cuthbert.
cuddy
382
cuddy, n., a cabin in a ship. — Du. kajuit, fr. F.
cahute, 'cabin', which is a blend of cabane, 'hut,
shanty, cabin', and hutte, 'hut'. Cp. G. Kajiite,
Dan. kahyt, Swed. kajuta, 'cabin', which all are
borrowed fr. F. cahute, and see cabin and hut.
cudgel, n. — ME. kuggel, fr. OE. cycgel, rel. to
MDu. koghele, 'club with a round end', Du.
kogel, MHG. kugele, kugel, G. Kugel, 'ball,
globe', OHG. coccho, 'rounded ship', MHG.
kiule, kiile, G. Keule, 'club with a round end',
Swed. kugge, Norw. kug, 'cog', and cogn. with
Lith. gugd, 'pommel of a saddle, hump, hillock',
gaugaras, 'summit', Russ. guglja, 'tumor, swell-
ing'. Cp. cog, 'tooth on a wheel'.
Derivatives : cudgel, tr. v., cudgel(l)-er, n.
cue, n., tail; billiard rod. — F. queue, 'tail', fr.
L. coda, of s.m. See caudal and words there
referred to and cp. esp. queue.
cue, n., direction for an actor's appearance. —
Prob. name of the letter q, used as the abbrevia-
tion of L. quandd,'when (the actor has to come
in)'.
cueist, n., a billiard player (slang). — A hybrid
coined fr. cue, 'tail; billiard rod', a word of
Latin origin, and suff. -ist (fr. Gk. -ta-rr)?).
cuesta, n., a hill, slope (Southwestern U.S.A.) —
Sp., fr. L. costa, 'rib, side'. See coast.
cuff, n., the lower part of the sleeve. — ME. cuffe,
coffe, 'glove, mitten', of uncertain origin; not
related to coif.
Derivatives : cuff, tr. v., to put cuffs on, cuff-er, n.
cuff, tr. v., to strike. — ME., prob. fr. ME. cuffe,
'glove', and orig. meaning 'to strike with a
glove'. See cuff, n.
cuirass, n., armor protecting the breast and back.
— F. cuirasse, orig. 'a leather breastplate', fr.
cuir, 'hide, leather', fr. L. corium. Cp. It. coraz-
za, OProvenc. coirassa, cuirassa, Sp. coraza,
Port, couraca, 'cuirass', and see corium.
Derivatives: cuirass, tr. v., cuirass-ed, adj.
cuirassier, n., a soldier wearing a cuirass. — F.,
formed with suff. -ier fr. cuirasse. See prec. word,
cuisine, n., the kitchen; style of cooking. — F.,
'kitchen', fr. Late L. cocina, a var. of coquina,
'kitchen', fr. coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and
cp. kitchen.
cuisse, cuish, n.. usually in the pi., armor for pro-
tecting the thigh. — ME. cuissues, fr. OF. cuis-
seaux, pi. of cuissel, fr. cuisse, 'thigh', fr. L.
coxa, 'hip', whence also It. coscia, 'thigh', Rum.
coapsd, 'hip, thigh', OProvenc. coissa, cueisa,
'thigh', Catal. cuxa, OSp., Port, coxa, of s.m.
See coxa and cp. cushion.
-cula, L. fern, dimin. suff.. corresponding to
masc. -cuius, neut. -culum. — See -cule.
cul-de-sac, n., a blind alley. — F., lit. 'bottom
of a bag'. For the etymology of F. cul see culet.
F. de, 'of, from', derives fr. L. de, 'from, away
from' ; see de-. For the origin of F. sac see sac.
-cule, dimin. subst. suff. — F. -cule, fr. L. -cuius
(masc.), -cula (fern.), or -culum (neut.) Cp. -cle.
culet, n., i) the facet forming the bottom of a
brilliant; 2) armor covering the hinder part of
the body. — F., dimin. of cul, 'backside, poste-
rior, bottom', fr. L. cuius, 'posterior, fundament',
which is cogn. with Olr. cul, W. cil, 'back'. Cp.
culot, culotte, bascule, recoil and the first ele-
ment in cul-de-sac. For the ending see suff. -et.
Culex, n., a genus of mosquitoes. — L. culex,
'gnat', cogn. with Olr. cuil (for *ku-li) 'gnat',
W. cylionen, 'gnat, fly', Co. kelionen, 'fly' and
prob. also with OI. sula-, 'spear, spit'. These
words possibly derive fr. I.-E. *kul-, enlargement
of base *ku-, 'pointed', whence also L. cuneus,
'wedge'. See coin.
culici-, combining form meaning 'gnat'. — L.,
stem of culex, gen. culicis, 'gnat'. See Culex.
Culicidae, n. pi., a family of insects, the mos-
quitoes (entomol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. L. culex, gen. culicis, 'gnat'. See Culex.
culinary, adj., pertaining to the kitchen; fit for
cooking — L. culindrius, 'pertaining to the kit-
chen', fr. culitia, 'kitchen', which is rel. to co-
quere, 'to cook'. For the suff. -ina in culina cp.
Late L. coquina, 'kitchen', dial, h.popina, 'cook-
shop, eating-house'. See cook and adj. suff. -ary
and cp. cuisine. Cp. also kiln.
cull, tr. v., to select. — ME. cullen, fr. OF. cuillir,
coillir (F. cueillir), 'to collect, gather, pluck', fr.
L. colligere, 'to collect'. See collect and cp. coil,
'to wind'.
Derivatives: cull, n., cull-age, n., cull-er, n.,
cull-ing, n.
cullender, n. — A var. of colander.
cullet, n., broken or refuse glass. — F. collet, 'a
little neck' (see collet); so called in allusion to
the small pieces of glass at the neck of the bottle
detached in blowing the glass.
cullion, n., a base fellow. — The original meaning
is 'testicle', fr. couillon, 'testicle; base fellow',
fr. VL. *coIednem, acc. of *cdleo, fr. L. coleus,
'testicles', lit. 'straining bag', which prob. de-
rives fr. colum, 'strainer, colander', and lit.
means 'that which pertains to the strainer'. See
colander and cp. cullis.
cullis, n., a strong broth of meat. — OF. colels,
couleis (F. coulis), fr. VL. *cdlaticius, 'that which
pertains to straining', fr. L. colore, 'to strain'.
See colander and cp. coulisse, cullion.
cully, n., a dupe. — Perhaps abbreviation of
cullion.
culm, n., stalk, stem. — L. culmus, 'stalk, stem',
cogn. with Gk. xiXaao?, xaXiuvj, 'reed', OSlav.
slama, Russ. soloma, 'straw', OPruss. salme,
Lett, salms, 'blade of straw'. Cp. calamary,
Calumet, chalumeau, haulm, shawm.
culm, n.. coal dust. — ME. colme, perhaps rel. to
col, 'coal'. See coal.
Derivative: culm-y, adj.
culminant, adj., culminating. — L. culmindns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of culminare. See next
word and -ant. .
culminate, intr. v., to reach the highest point. —
Late L. culminatus, pp. of culminare, 'to top, to
cummerbund
crown', fr. L. culmen, gen. culminis, contracted
form of columen, gen. columinis, 'the top of an
object, summit', which is rel. to columna, 'pillar,
column'. See column and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. hill.
Derivative: culminat-ion, n.
culot, n., a small sheet iron cup inserted into the
base of projectiles. — F., 'bottom of lamps or
crucibles, metal end of crucibles', dimin. of cul,
'bottom'. See culet and cp. next word.
culotte, n., breeches. — F., fr. cul, 'bottom'. See
culet and cp. prec. word. Cp. also sansculotte.
culottic, adj., wearing breeches. — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. F. culotte, 'breeches'. See prec. word.
culpability, n. — Late L. culpdbilitds, 'guilt, cul-
pability', fr. L. culpdbilis. See next word and -ity.
culpable, adj. — ME. culpable, coupable, fr. OF.
culpable, coupable (F. coupable), fr. L. culpd-
bilis, 'worthy of blame, culpable', fr. culpa,
'blame, fault', which is rel. to Oscan kulupu,
of s.m. It is possible that the original meaning
of L. culpa was 'blow', in which case it is quite
probably cogn. with Gk. xoXatpo? (whence L.
colaphus), 'a blow with the fist, a box on the
ear', fr. I.-E. base *qold-, 'to strike, hew'. See
coup, and -able and cp. culprit and disculpate,
exculpate, inculpate.
Derivatives: culpable-ness, n., culpabl-y, adv.
culprit, n. — The first element is shortened fr.
culpable, the second is identical with AF. prist,
prit, fr. OF. prest (F. pret), 'ready', fr. VL. praes-
tus, fr. L. adv. praesto, 'at hand, ready, present*.
See culpable and presto. The word culprit arose
from the abbreviation culpable: prest (or prist),
which is the shortening of culpable: prest d'a-
verrer ('he is guilty. I am ready to prove it'),
words with which the clerk of the court expres-
sed his readiness to prove the guilt of the
accused.
cult, n. — F. culte, fr. L. cultus, 'care, cultivation,
culture', fr. cultus, pp. of colere, 'to till (the
ground), cultivate, dwell, inhabit'. See colony.
cultivable, adj. — F., fr. cultiver, 'to cultivate'.
See next word and -able.
Derivatives: cultivabil-ity, n., cultivabl-y , adv.
cultivate, tr. v. — ML. cultivdtus, pp. of cultivdre,
fr. cultivus, 'fit for tilling (the ground)', fr. L.
cultus, pp. of colere. See cult, -ive and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: cultivat-ed, adj., cultivat-ion, n.,
cultivat-or, n.
cultrate, adj., shaped like a pruning knife. — L.
cultrdtus, 'knife-shaped', fr. culler, gen. cultri,
'plowshare, knife'. See colter and adj. suff. -ate.
cultriform, adj., cultrate. — Compounded of L.
culter, gen. cultri, 'plowshare, knife', and forma,
'form, shape'. See colter and form, n.
culture, n. — F., fr. L. cultura, 'a cultivating, cul-
ture, agriculture', fr. cultus, pp. of colere. See
cult and -ure and cp. agriculture, floriculture ,
horticulture. Cp. also kultur, Kulturkampf.
Derivatives: cultur-al, cultur-ed, adjs.
•culum, L. neut. dimin. suff., corresponding to
masc. -cuius, fern. -cula. — See next word.
-cuius, L. masc. dimin. suff. — See -cule.
culver, n., a dove, a pigeon. — ME. culver, colver,
fr. OE. culfre, fr. VL. *columbra, contraction of
columbula, dimin. of columba, 'dove'. See
columbine.
culverin, n., a kind of heavy cannon. — F. coule-
vrine, lit. 'adderlike', fr. couleuvre, 'adder', fr.
VL. *colobra, corresponding to L. colubra, 'a
female snake, a snake' ; so called in allusion to
the very long and thin form of this kind of can-
non. For the etymology of L. colubra see cobra
and cp. colubrine.
culvert, n., a drain crossing, a conduit. — Of un-
certain origin.
Derivative: culvert, tr. v.
cum, prep., with, together with. — L. See com-
and cp. the second word in vade mecum.
cumber, tr. v. — ME. combren, fr. OF. combrer,
'to hinder', fr. VL. combrus, 'barrier, bank of
earth, ruins', fr. Gallo-Latin *comboros, whence
also MHG. kumber, 'ruins, rubbish', and G.
Kummer, 'grief, lit. 'that which weighs heavily
upon somebody'. Gallo-Latin *comboros lit.
means 'that which is carried together', and is
formed fr. com- and I.-E. base *bher-, 'to carry',
whence also Gk. <p£psiv, L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. encumber.
Derivatives: cumber, n., cumber-er, n., cumber-
some, adj., cumber-some-ly , adv., cumber-some-
ness, n., cumbr-ous, adj., cumbrous-ly, adv., cum-
brous-ness, n.
cumbly, also cumly, n., a woolen blanket (Indie).
— Hind, kamli, fr. OI. kambaldh, 'woolen
blanket', which prob. stands for *ka-mbal-d
and is rel. to Austroasiatic bal, 'hair'. See Man-
fred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymological Sans-
krit Dictionary, I, 161.
cumin, also cummin, n. — ME. cumin, comin, fr.
OE. cymen, cymyn, fr. L. cuminum, fr. Gk. xu-
jiTvov, which is of Semitic origin. Cp. Heb.
kammSn, of s.m., Aram, kammond, Syr. kam-
mund, Ugar. kmn, Akkad. kamunu, Punic xan* v >
'cumin'. Cp. also cymene, kilmmel. — Ku^tvov
entered into Mycenaean Greek as early as the
15th century. See Michael Ventris and John
Chadwick, Documents in Mycenaean Greek
(Cambridge University Press), Index, s.v. Semitic
Loanwords. Cp. the words chiton, chrysalis,
sesam.
cummer, n., a woman companion (Scot.) — F.
commire, 'godmother', fr. Eccles. L. commdter,
lit. 'a joint mother', fr. co- and L. mater,
'mother'. See mater, mother and cp. godmother,
the English equivalent of F. commere. Cp. also
It. comare, OProvenc. comaire, Catal. comare,
Sp., Port, comadre, 'godmother'.
cummerbund, n., waistband (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind.-
Pers. kamar-band, fr. Pers. kamar, 'waist, loins',
and band, 'band, bandage'. See bind and cp.
band.
cumquat
cumquat, n. — A var. spelling of kumquat.
cumshaw, n., present, tip. — Amoy pronunciation
of Chin, kan hsieh, 'grateful thanks'.
cumulate, tr. and intr. v., to accumulate. — L.
cumuldtus, pp. of annulare, 'to heap'. See cu-
mulus and verbal suff. -ate and cp. accumulate.
Derivatives: cumulat-ed, adj., cumulat-ion, n.,
cumulat-ive, adj., cumulat-ive-ly, adv., cumulat-
ive-ness, n.
cumulo-, combining form meaning 'a heap'. —
Fr. L. cumulus. See next word.
cumulus, n., i) a heap; 2) rounded mass of cloud
with a flat base. — L., 'a heap', prob. standing
for *ku-me-los, 'a swelling', and derived fr.
I.-E. base *icew(e)-, *ku-, 'to swell', whence also
Gk. icuelv, xueiv, 'to become or be pregnant',
xO[xa, 'a wave', lit. 'something swelling', xotXo?,
L. cdvus, 'hollow'. See cave, n., and cp. words
there referred to. For the formation of cumulus
cp. L. tumulus, 'a raised heap of earth'.
cunabula, n., a cradle. — L. cunabula (pi.), dimin.
formed fr. curiae, 'cradle'. See incunabula.
cunctation, n., delay. — L. cunctdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. cunctdtus, pp. of cunctdri, 'to delay', fr.
I.-E. base *kenq-, *konq-, 'to waver', whence
also Goth, hdhan, OE. hon, 'to hang'. See
hang and -ation.
cunctator, n., a delayer. — L. cunctator, fr. cunc-
tdtus, pp. of cunctarl. See prec. word and agen-
tial suff. -or.
cuneal, adj., wedge-shaped. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. cuneus, 'wedge'. See coin,
cuneate, adj., wedge-shaped. — L. cunedtus, pp.
of cunedre, 'to furnish with wedges, drive into
a wedge', fr. cuneus, 'wedge'. See coin and adj.
suff. -ate.
cuneiform, adj. — Lit. 'wedge-shaped', com-
pounded of L. cuneus, 'wedge', and forma,
'form, shape'. See coin and form, n. The name
cuneiform was first applied to the characters of
the ancient inscriptions of Assyria and Persia
by the explorer Engelbert Kampfer (1 651- 171 6).
Derivative: cuneiform, n.
cuniculus, n., an underground passage. — L.,
'rabbit, rabbit burrowing, underground pas-
sage, hole, pit, cavity'. See cony and -cuius.
Cunila, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — L. cunila, 'name of a plant, a species
of origanum', fr. Gk. xovfX7], which is of un-
certain origin. OE. cunele, 'thyme', OS. que-
nela, Du. kwendel, OHG. chonela, quenela (G.
Quendel), of s.m., are Latin loan words.
cunner, n., either of two fishes of the family of
wrasses. — Of uncertain origin.
cunning, adj. — ME., 'knowing', pres. part, of
cunnen, 'to know'. See the verbs con and can
and cp. canny, uncouth.
Derivatives: cunning-ly, adv., cunning-ness, n.
cunning, n. — ME. cunning, conning, 'skill, know-
ledge', fr. cunnen, 'to know'. See cunning, adj.
cup, n. — ME., fr. OE. cuppe, rel. to MLG. kopp,
OHG. ehuph, kopf, 'cup', chupfa, 'cap', MHG.
kopf, 'drinking vessel; skull', G. Kopf, 'head',
Norw. kop, 'cup', earlier Dan. kop, 'head', Dan.
kop, 'cup', fr. Late L. cuppa, 'cup' (whence also
It. coppa, OProvenc., Catal., Sp., Port, copa,
F. coupe, 'cup', OProvenc. cop, cobs, 'skull',
OF. cope, 'summit', Sp., Port, copo, 'flax put
on the distaff for spinning, flock of wool'). Late
L. cuppa derives fr. L. cupa, 'tub, cask, tun,
vat', which is cogn. with OI. kttpaft, 'hollow,
pit, cave', Gk. xuro], 'a kind of ship', xutoXXov,
'cup', OE. hyf, 'hive', ON. hufr, 'the hull of a
ship', Lith. kuopa, 'heap', kupstas, 'hill', OSlav.
kupu, Lith. kaupas, OE. heap, 'heap', OHG.
hubil, OS. huvil, 'hill'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *qeu-p-, 'to bend, arch, vault', -p-
enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend'. Cp. coop,
cop, 'top', cowl, 'tub', cupel, cupola, cupula,
cupule. Cp. also cub, 'the young of an animal'.
Cp. also heap, hive, keeve. For the sense develop-
ment of the above mentioned Teut. words cp. F.
tete, 'head', fr. L. testa, 'potsherd' (see tester,
'canopy'). For the derivatives of base *qeu-b-,
a -6-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to bend', see
cubicle and cp. words there referred to. From
base *qeu-bh-, a collateral form of base *qeu-b-,
derive OI. kubhrdh, 'humpbacked', Gk. xOipo?,
'hump', XU961;, 'bent, curved, crooked', xutpeXXa
(pi.), 'the hollows of the ears'. Cp. cyphella,
cypho-, cypsela. For derivatives of I.-E. base
*geu-p-, a collateral form of base *qeu-p-, see
cove and words there referred to.
Derivatives: cup, tr. and intr. v., cupp-er, n.,
cupp-ing, n., cupp-y, adj.
cupboard, n. — Orig. 'a board for holding cups'.
cupel, n., a vessel used in assaying metals. — F.
coupelle, fr. ML. cupella, dimin. of L. cupa,
'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and cp. cupola.
Derivative: cupell-ation, n.
Cupid, n., the god of love in Roman mythology.
— L. Cupidd, personification of cupidd, 'desire,
love', fr. cupidus, 'longing, desirous, eager', fr.
cupid, cupere, 'to desire', which is prob. cogn.
with OI. kupyati, 'bubblesup, becomes agitated',
OSlav. kypljo, kypeti, 'to boil', Lith. kupu, kupeti,
'to boil over', Lett, kupu, kupet, 'to smoke,
steam', Lith. kvepiu, kvepti, 'to breathe, exhale
fragrance', kupuoti, 'to breathe with difficulty',
Gk. xamoc, (for *xfa7tv6;), 'smoke, vapor',
Goth, af-hapjan, 'to put out, extinguish', af-
hapnan, 'to go out, be extinguished'. Cp. concu-
piscence, covet. Cp. also acapnia. Cp. also vapor.
cupidity, n. — F. cupidite, fr. L. cupiditdtem, acc.
of cupiditds, desire, longing', fr. cupidus. See
Cupid and -ity.
cupola, n., a small dome. — It., fr. Late L. cupula,
'a little tub', dimin. of L. cupa. See cup and
cp. cupel.
cupreous, adj., containing, or resembling, copper.
— Late L. cupreus, 'of cupper', fr. cuprum. See
copper. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
cupric, adj., containing copper as a bivalent ele--
385
curtew
ment (chem.) — Late L. cupricus, 'of copper',
fr. cuprum. See copper and -ic.
cupriferous, adj., containing copper (chem.) —
Compounded of Late L. cuprum, 'copper', and
the stem of L. ferd, ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See
copper and -ferous.
cuprite, n., a red oxide of copper (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Late L. cuprum,
'copper'. See copper,
cuprous, adj., containing copper as a univalent
element (chem.) — Formed with suff. -ous fr.
Late L. cuprum, 'copper'. See copper,
cupula, n., a cupule (anat.) — Medical L., fr. L.
cupula, 'a little tub or cask', dimin. of cupa,
'tub'. See cupule.
Derivatives : cupul-ar, cupul-ate, adjs.
cupule, n., a little cuplike structure (bot. and
zool.) — L. cupula, 'a little tub or cask', dimin.
of cupa, 'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and -ule and
cp. cupel, cupola,
cur, n., — ME. curre, fr. earlier kurdogge, prob. fr.
MDu. corre, 'a house dog', lit. 'the grumbling
animal', and rel. to ON. kurra, 'to grumble,
murmur' ; prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: curr-ish, adj., curr-ish-ly, adv.,
curr-ish-ness, n.
curable, adj. — ME., fr. Late L. curabilis, fr. L.
curare, 'to care for'. See cure, v., and -able.
Derivatives: curabil-ity, n., curable-ness, n.,
curabl-y, adv.
curacao, curacoa, n., a liqueur made from the
dried peel of the Curacao orange. — Named
from Curacao, an island in the Caribbean Sea.
Cp. curassow.
curacy, n. — Formed fr. curate with suff. -cy.
curare, curari, n., a blackish resinous substance
used by the Indians as arrow poison. — Fr.
Tupi urari, lit. 'he to whom it comes falls'. Cp.
ourali, woorali.
curarine,curarin, n., an alkaloid obtained from cu-
rare, CisH^NjO (chem.) — A hybrid coined
fr. curare and chem. suff. -ine, -in, which is of
Latin origin.
curarize, tr. v., to poison with curare. — A hybrid
coined fr. curare and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
curassow, n., large crested bird. — Phonetic
spelling of Curacao; so called, fr. Curacao is-
land, its place of origin. Cp. curacao.
curate, n., a clergyman who assists a rector or
vicar. — ML. curatus, lit. 'one who is charged
with the care of the souls', fr. L. cura, 'care'.
See cure, n., and adj. suff. -ate.
curative, adj. — F. curatif(fem. curative), formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. curatus, pp. of curare, 'to
care for'. See cure, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: curative-ly, adv., curative-ness, n.
curator, n. — Formed (partly through the medium
of AF. curatour, equivalent to F. curateur) fr.
L. curator, 'manager, overseer, superintendent',
lit. one who has the care of, fr. curatus, pp. of
curare. See curate and agential suff. -or.
curb, n., 1) a strap for restraining a horse; 2) a
restraint; 3) a stone or concrete edge of a side-
walk. — F. courbe, 'curve', from the adjective
courbe, 'curved, bent, crooked', fr. L. curvus.
See curve and cp. kerb.
Derivatives: curb, tr. v., curb-er, n., curb-ing, n.
curbstone, n. — See kerb, kerbstone.
Curculio, n., a genus of weevils (entomol.) — L.
curculid, 'a grain weevil', lit. 'a winding, twist-
ing (beetle)', fr. I.-E. base *qer-, 'to turn, twist',
whence also L. curvus, 'bent, curved'. See curve.
Curcuma, n., a genus of plants of the ginger
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, kurkum, 'saf-
fron, curcuma'. See Crocus and cp. turmeric.
curcumin, n., the coloring substance of curcuma
root (C 2t H M 6 ) (chem.) — Formed fr. prec.
word with chem. suff. -in.
curd, n. — ME. curd, metathesized fr. ME. crud,
fr. OE. crudan, 'to crowd, press together'. See
crowd, 'to press', and cp. curdle. For the meta-
thesis of ME. crud to curd cp. curl. For sense
development cp. L. codgulum, 'curd', fr. *co-
agere, cd-gere, 'to drive or press together' (see
coagulate).
Derivatives: curd, tr. and intr. v., curd-y, adj.,
curd-i-ness, n.
curdle, intr. and tr. v. — Formed from the verb
curd (see prec. word) with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: curdl-er, n., curdl-y, adj.
cure, n., care. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) cure, 'care',
fr. L. cura, 'care, solicitude, concern', fr. OL.
coira, which is of uncertain origin. Cp. curate,
curative, cure, curette, curious, accurate, assure,
manicure, pedicure, pococurante, proctor, pro-
cure, scour, 'to clean', secure, sinecure, sure,
Kursaal.
Derivative: cure-less, adj.
cure, tr. and intr. v. — OF. curer, 'to take care
of, to heal' (whence F. curer, 'to cleanse)', fr.
L. curare, 'to care for, take care of, heal', fr.
cura. See prec. word.
Derivative: cur-er, n.
cure, n., a strange, queer person (slang). — Ab-
breviation of curious. Cp. curio.
cure, n., a parish priest. — F., fr. ML. curatus,
whence also E. curate (q.v.)
Curetes, n. pi., divinities worshiped on the island
of Crete (Greek mythol.) — L. Curetes, fr. Gk.
Koup7)xc<;, pi. of Kouprjc, lit. meaning 'youthful',
and rel. to xopoQ, 'child, youth'. See Cora and
cp. words there referred to.
Curetonian Syriac, name of an ancient version
of the Gospels in Syriac. — So called from Wil-
liam Cureton, who published it in London
in 1858.
curette, n., name of a surgical instrument. — F.,
fr. curer, 'to cleanse'. See cure, v., and -ette.
Derivative : curette, tr. v.
curfew, n., evening signal. — ME. courfew, cor-
few, fr. AF. cccverfu, covrefeu, corresponding to
OF. covrefeu, lit. 'cover the fire', fr. covre, im-
per. of OF. covrir (F. couvrir), 'to cover', and
feu, fr. L. focus, 'hearth, fireside', in Late L..
curia
386
also 'fire'. See cover and focus and cp. the first
element in kerchief.
curia, n., i) the Roman senate; 2) a court; 3) the
papal court. — L. curia, 'one of the thirty parts,
into which the Roman people was divided (ten
for each of the three tribes); the senate house;
the senate', in ML., 'court', prob. for *co- w iria,
hence literally meaning 'community of men', fr.
co- and vir, 'men'. See virile and cp. Quirites,cry.
curial, adj., pertaining to a curia. — L. curidlis,
'pertaining to a curia', fr. curia. See curia and
adj. suff. -al.
curie, n., the unit of radioactivity (physical chem.)
— Called after Mme Marie Curie (1867-1934),
discoverer (with her husband Pierre Curie, 1859-
1906) of radium.
curio, n. — Abbreviation of curiosity.
curiologic, adj., pertaining to that form of hiero-
glyphics in which objects are represented by
pictures (not by symbols, as in symbolic hiero-
glyphics). — Gk. xupioXoyixo?, 'speaking liter-
ally', fr. xupioXoyia, 'use of literal expressions',
fr. xupio?, 'lord, master' and -Xoyia, fr. -%.6yo^,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See church and
-logy. Curiologic is an inexact transliteration
of Gk. xOpioXoyixo?. The correct spelling should
be cyriologic.
curiosity, n. — ME. curiosite, fr. OF. curiosete,
curiosite (F. curiosite), fr. L. curiositdtem, acc.
of curiositds, 'desire of knowledge, curiosity',
fr. curidsus. See curious and -ity.
curious, adj. — ME., fr. OF. curios, curias (F.
curieux), fr. L. curidsus, 'careful, diligent,
thoughtful, inquisitive, curious', fr. cura. See
cure, 'care', and -ous.
Derivatives: curious-ly, adv., curious-ness, n.
curite, n., a radioactive mineral. — Named after
the French chemist Pierre Curie (1859- 1906).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
curium, n., name of a radioactive element (chem.)
— ModL; named in 1946 by its discoverer,
the American chemist Glenn Theodore Seaborg
(born in 19 12) in honor of the two Curies (Pierre
and his wife Marie), for their pioneering work
on radioactivity. Cp. curie and prec. word. For
the ending of curium see chem. suff. -ium.
curl, tr. and intr. v. — ME. curlen, metathesized
fr. ME. crullen, fr. crul, 'curly', which is rel. to
Norw. krull, Dan. kralle, E. Fris. krul, krulle,
MDu. crulle, crolle, crul, Du. krul, 'curl', Norw.
krulla, Dan. krelle, MDu. crullen, crollen, Du.
krullen, 'to curl', MHG. krol, 'curly', E. Fris.
krillen, 'to bend, twist'. Cp. cruller. For the
metathesis of ME. crullen to curlen cp. curd.
Derivatives: curl, n., curl-ed, adj., curl-ed-ly,
adv., curl-ed-ness, n., curl-er, n., curl-ing, n. and
adj., curl-y, curl-i-ness, n.
curlew, n., any of several kinds of wading birds.
— OF. corlieu, courlieu (F. courlis), of imitative
origin.
curmudgeon, n., a churlish, surly, ill-tempered
person. — Of unknown origin.
Derivatives : curmudgeon-ish, curmudgeon-ly,
adjs.
curr, intr. v., to make a murmuring sound, to
purr. — Of imitative origin.
currach, curragh, n., a coracle. — Ir. currach,
'boat, little ship', rel. to Gael, curach, of s.m.,
W. corwgl, cwrwgl, 'coracle'. See coracle.
currant, n., 1) a small seedless raisin; 2) the acid
berry of certain species of Ribes. — AF. raysyns
of Corauntz = F. raisins de Corinthe, 'dried
grapes of Corinth', fr. L. Corinthus, fr. Gk.
Kopiv&oi;, 'Corinth', a city of Greece. Cp.
Corinthian.
currency, n. — ME. currentia, fr. L. currens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of currere, 'to run'. See cur-
rent, adj., and -cy.
current, adj. — ME. currant, fr. OF. corant, cu-
rant (F courant), pres. part, of corre, curre
(whence, with change of conjugation, F. courir),
'to run', fr. L. currere (pp. stem curs-um), 'to
run', which is cogn. with Gk. -xoupog (for *-xop-
(jo?) in im-xoupoc., 'running to aid, an ally',
Olr., MW. carr, 'cart, waggon', Bret, karr,
'chariot', MW. carrawc, W. carrog, 'torrent'.
Cp. currency. Cp. also coranto, corral, corridor,
corsair, courant, courante, courier, course, cur-
ricle, curriculum, cursive, cursor, cursory, con-
course, concur, concurrant, decurrent, decursive,
discourse, discursive, excurrent, excursion, ex-
cursus, incur, intercourse, kraal, occur, occur-
ence, precursor, recourse, recur, succor, suc-
cursal. Cp. also car and words there referred to.
ON. hross, OE. hros, hors, 'horse', are prob. not
cogn. with L. currere, but derivatives of I.-E.
base *(s)qerd-, a -^-enlargement of *(s)qer-, 'to
leap, jump' (sa. horse). Derivatives : current, n.
(q.v.), current-ly, adv., current-ness, n.
current, n. — ME. corant, fr. OF. corant, curant
(F. courant), pres. part, of curre, 'to run', used
as a noun. See current, adj.
curricle, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. — L.
curriculum, 'a running, a course; a chariot for
racing', fr. currere, 'to run'. See current, adj.,
and -cle and cp. curriculum.
Derivative: curricle, intr. v.
auricular, adj., 1) pertaining to carriages; 2) per-
taining to the curriculum. — Formed with suff.
-ar fr. L. curriculum. See next word.
curriculum, n., course of study. — L., 'a course'.
See curricle.
currier, n., 1) one who dresses leather; 2) one who
curries horses. — ME. corier, fr. OF. corier, fr.
L. coridrius, 'tanner, currier', fr. corium, 'leath-
er; see corium. E. currier was influenced in form
by next word.
curry, tr. v., to dress leather. — ME. curreien, fr.
OF. correer, correier, fr. earlier conreer, 'to pre-
pare, equip, furnish' (whence F. corroyer, 'to
curry leather'), fr. VL. *conredare, a hybrid
coined fr. L. con-, 'with' (see con-) and Teut.
*raidjan, 'to place in order', whence Goth, gare-
387
curvomecer
dan, 'to attend to, provide for', garaips, 'fixed,
appointed, ordained', OE. gersede, rxde, 'ready,
mounted', geriedu, 'armor, trappings'. See
ready and cp. array,
curry, n., a kind of seasoned dish. — Tamil kari,
'sauce'.
Derivative: curry, tr. v., to flavor with curry.
curse, n. — OE. curs, of uncertain origin; per-
haps connected with Olr. cursagim, 'I repre-
hend'. Cp. accursed.
curse, tr. and intr. v. — OE. cursian, fr. curs. See
curse, n.
Derivatives: curs-ed, adj., curs-ed-ly, adv., curs-
ed-ness, n.
cursive, adj. — ML. cursivus, 'running', fr. L. curs-
(um), pp. stem of currere, 'to run'. See current,
adj., and -ive.
Derivatives: cursive-ly, adv., cursive-ness, n.
cursor, n., the sliding part of a mathematical in-
strument. — L., 'runner', fr. eurs-(um), pp. stem
of currere. See prec. word and agential suff.
-or.
Cursores, n. pi., 1) an order of birds (ornitho!.);
2) a group of spiders (zool.) — L., 'runners', pi.
of cursor. See prec. word,
cursory, adj., hastily or superficially done. —
Late L. cursdrius, 'hasty', fr. L. curs-(um), pp.
stem of currere, 'to run'. See course and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivatives: cursori-ly, adv., cursori-ness, n.
curt, adj., short, brief. — L. curtus, 'mutilated,
broken, short', rel. to cordus, iate born', orig.
'stunted (in one's growth)', fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qer-, 'to cut', whence also OHG. scurz, OE.
sceort, 'short'. See short and cp. curtail, curtal,
Curtana, curtate. OHG. (MHG., G.) kurz, OS.,
OFris. kurt, ON. kortr, Du. kort, 'short', are
borrowed fr. L. curtus.
Derivatives: curt-ly, adv., curt-ness, n.
irtail, tr. v., to cut short. — Fr. curtal; influ-
enced in form by a folk-etymological association
with the noun tail.
Derivatives: curtail-ed, adj., curtail-er, n., cur-
tailment, n.
curtain, n. — ME. cortin, fr. OF. cortine, curtine,
'curtain' (whence F. courtine, 'fortified curtain'),
fr. Eccles. L. cortina, 'curtain', rendering of Heb.
y l rVd h (Ex. 26:1 and passim) by the Vulgate.
Eccles. L. cortina derives fr. L. cohors, cors,
'court' (see court), and is prop, a loan translation
of Gk. ooiXxta, 'curtain' (^ the Septuagint ren-
dering of Heb. y e rVd h , see above), fr. Gk. ocuXr,,
'court, courtyard'.
Derivatives: curtain, tr. v., curtain-ing, n.
curtal, n., having the tail docked, curtailed (ob-
sol.) — OF. cortald, courtald (F. courtaud),
'docked, thick-set', a hybrid formed with the
Teut. suff. -aid fr. L. curtus, 'short'. See curt
and cp. curtail. Cp. also It. cortaldo, which is
of the same origin and meaning as OF. cortald.
Curtana, n., the pointless sword borne before
English sovereigns at their coronation. — ML.
curtana (scil. spdda), 'a short sword', fr. L.
curtus, 'short'. See curt.
curtate, adj., shortened. — L. curtatus, pp. of
curtdre, 'to shorten', fr. curtus, 'short'. See curt
and adj. suff. -ate.
curtesy, n. — A var. of courtesy.
curtilage, n., a courtyard surrounding a dwelling
house (law). — OF. cortillage, curtillage, fr. cor-
til, curtil, 'a small courtyard', fr. cort (F. cour),
'courtyard, court'. See court and -age.
curtle axe, curtal axe, (archaic) — Alteration of
cutlass. Folk etymology explained cutlass as
curtle axe, i.e. 'a short axe' (see curtail).
curtsy, curtsey, n. — Variants of courtesy.
curule, adj., designating a chair used by the highest
magistrates in ancient Rome. — L. curiilis (in
sella curiilis, 'the curule chair'), fr. *currulis,
'pertaining to a chariot or car', fr. currus, 'char-
iot, car, triumphal car'. See current, adj., and
cp. curricle. The shortening of rr (in currus) to
r (in curiilis) is due to the shifting of the accent.
Cp. canal and mammilla.
curvate, curvated, adj., bent, curved. — L. cur-
tatus, 'crooked, bent, curved', pp. of curvdre,
'to crook, bend, curve', fr. curvus. See curve and
adj. suff. -ate, resp. also -ed.
curvature, n., a curving. — L. curvdtura, 'a bend-
ing', fr. curvdtus, pp. of curvdre. See prec. word
and -ure.
curve, n., a bent line. — L. curvus, 'crooked, bent,
curved', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to bend, turn,
twist', whence also Gk. xoptovo?, 'curved, bent',
xop(iv7), 'anything curved; crown', xpixo?, xip-
xo?, 'ring', xupTo?, 'curved, bent, arched', Mir.
cor, W. cor, 'circle', Russ. krivu, Czech kfivy,
etc., 'curved, crooked', Lith. kreivas, 'twisted',
kairys (dissimilated fr. *krairys), 'left', Lett.
krails, 'bent, crooked', kreilis, 'left hand', Mir.
cruind, OW. crunn, MW. crwnn, Gael, cruinn,
'round'. Cp. crown, n., and words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also cartilage, circus, corf,
crass, crate, crease, 'a fold', creel, cresset, crest,
cricoid, crowd, 'a musical instrument', curb,
Curculio, curvet, cyrto-, incurvate, kestrel, re-
curve, rote, 'a musical instrument', Scorzonera.
scrinium, shrine, Tricyrtis.
curve, tr. v. — L. curvdre, 'to crook, bend, twist",
fr. curvus. See curve, n.
Derivatives: curv-ed, adj., curv-ed-ly, adv., curv-
ed-ness, n., curv-er, n.
curvet, n., a leap. — It. corvetta, dimin. of corvo
(now curvo), 'a curve', fr. L. curvus. See curve,
n., and cp. cavort,
curvet, intr. and tr. v., to leap, bound. — - It. cor-
vcttare, fr. corvetta. See curvet, n.
curvi-, combining form meaning 'curved, bent'.
— Fr. L. curvus. See curve, n.
curvilineal, curvilinear, adj., consisting of, bound-
ed by, curved lines. — Compounded of curvi-
and L. linea, 'line'. See line,
curvometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
length of a curve. — A hybrid coined fr. L.
cuscus
386
curvus, 'curved, bent', and Gk. fiixpov, 'meas-
ure'. See curve and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
The correct form would be cyrtometer (fr. Gk.
xupxAq, 'curved, bent'), in which both elements
are of Greek origin. The form cyrtometer is
actually used, but only as a medical term.
cuscus, n. — A var. of cous-cous.
cuscus, n., the aromatic root of an Indian grass,
used for making fans, screens, etc. — Pers.
khas-khas.
Cuscus, n. — A genus of marsupials, the Pha-
langer (zool.) — ModL., from the Moluccan
native name.
Cuscuta, n., a genus of parasitic plants, the dod-
der (bot.) — ModL., fr. Arab, kushuth, kas-
huthd fr. Pers. kush&th, 'dodder', whence also
Mishnaic Heb. kdshiith, 'dodder; fine hair'.
cushat, n., the wood pigeon or ringdove. — OE.
ciiscote, cusceote, of uncertain origin.
cushion, n. — ME. quisshin, cusshin, fr. OF. cois-
sin, cussin (F. coussiri), fr. ML. *coxinus, fr. L.
coxa, 'hip'; see coxa and cp. cuisse. Cp. also
It. cuscino and Sp. cojin, which are French loan
words. The orig. meaning of OF. coissin was
'hip cushion'.
Derivatives: cushion, tr. v., cushion-ed, adj.,
cushion-y, adj.
cushy, adj., easy, pleasant (slang). — Hind, khashi,
'pleasant', fr. Pers. khush, 'pleasant',
cusp, n., a sharp point. — L. cuspis, 'point,
pointed end', of uncertain origin. Cp. cuspid,
bicuspid, tricuspid,
cuspate, adj., i) having a cusp; 2) shaped like a
cusp. — Formed fr. cusp with adj. suff. -ate.
cuspated, adj.. cuspate. — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ed.
cuspid, adj., a canine tooth. — L. cuspis, gen.
cuspidis, 'point, pointed end'. See cusp,
cuspidal, adj., 1) pertaining to a cusp; 2) like a
cusp; 3) having a cusp. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. cuspis, gen. cuspidis. See cusp,
cuspidate, cuspidated, adj., having a cusp. —
L. cuspiddtus, pp. of cuspiddre, 'to make pointed',
fr. cuspis, gen. cuspidis. See cusp and adj . suff. -ate.
cuspidor, n., a spittoon. — Port, cuspideira,
fr. cuspir, 'to spit', fr. L. cdnspuere, 'to spit
upon', fr. con- and spuere, 'to spit', which is of
imitative origin. See spew and cp. conspue.
cuss, n., a curse. — A colloquial corruption of
curse.
Derivatives: cuss-ed, adj., cuss-ed-ness, n.
cuss, n., a fellow. — A colloquial abbreviation
of customer.
custard, n., a cooked dish of eggs, milk and sugar.
— ME. crustad, fr. OF. ( = F.) croustade, fr. It.
crostata, 'fruit tart', lit. 'something covered with
a crust', fr. L. crustdta, fern, of crustdtus, pp. of
crustdre, 'to cover with a crust', fr. crusta. See
crust. The change of ME. crustad to E. custard
is due to the influence of mustard.
custodial, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. custddia. See custody.
custodian, n. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. cus-
tddia. See next word.
custody, n. — L. custddia, 'watching, guard, care,
protection', fr. custds, gen. custddis, 'watch,
guard, preserver, keeper, overseer, protector',
fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeudh-, 'to cover', whence also
L. cudd, 'helmet made of skin', OI. kuharam,
'cave', kuhuh, 'new moon', lit. 'that which is
hidden', Gk. xetifl-eiv, 'to cover, hide, conceal',
W. cudd, 'a hiding', cuddio, 'to hide', Mir. coda!,
'skin'. Cp. custos. For derivatives of the related
base *(s)qeut- see hide, 'skin'. The bases
*(s)qeu-dh- and *(s)qeu-t- are dental enlarge
ments of base *(s)qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See sky
and cp. words there referred to.
custom, n. — ME. custume, custome, fr. OF. cos-
tume, custume (F. coutume), fr. L. cdnsuetu-
dinem, acc. of cdnsuetudd, 'custom, habit, use,
usage', fr. cdnsuetus, pp. of cdnsuescere, 'to ac-
custom', fr. con- and suescere, 'to become
used or accustomed', fr. I.-E. base *swedh-,
whence also Gk. t&oc,, f ( &o;, 'custom, usage',
&9vo;, 'race'. Base *swedh- is compounded of
*swe-, 'his, her, its, one's own', and *dhe-, 'to
put, place; to do, make', hence lit. means 'to
make one's own'. See sui- and the verb do and
cp. consuetude, costume, which are doublets of
custom. Cp. also assuetude, de suetude, man-
suete, mastiff, sodality. Cp. also ethical, ethnic,
hetaira.
customable, adj. — OF. costumable, fr. costume,
'custom'. See prec. word and -able,
customary, adj. — OF. costumier (F. coutumier),
fr. costume, 'custom'. See custom and adj. suff.
-ary.
Derivatives : customari-ly,&dv.,customari-ness,n.
customer, n. — Formed with agential suff. -er
fr. custom, partly through the medium of AF.
custumer. Cp. cuss, 'fellow'.
custos, n., keeper, guardian. — L. custds, gen.
custddis. See custody.
custumal, n., a written collection of the customs
of a city, a province etc. — ML. costumdlis
(scil. liber), 'a book of customs', fr. OF. custu-
mal, fr. custume. See custom and adj. suff. -al.
cut, tr. and intr. v. — ME. cutten, kutten, kitten,
prob. rel. to dial. Swed. kuta, kota, Icel. kuta,
'to cut with a knife, dial. Swed. kuta, kytti, Icel.
kuti, 'knife'.
Derivatives: cut, pp. and n., cutt-er, n., cutt-ing,
n. and adj., cutt-ing-ly, adv., cutty (q.v.)
cutaneous, adj., pertaining to the skin. — ML.
cutdneus, fr. L. cutis, 'skin*. See cutis and
-aneous.
cutch, n., black catechu. — Malay kdchu. See
catechu.
cutcherry, cutchery, n., office of administration
(Anglo-India). — Hind, kachahri.
cute, adj., clever; sharp. — Aphetie for acute.
Derivatives: cute-ly, adv., cute-ness, n.
Cuterebra, n. — See Curiterebra.
Cutfabert, masc. PN. *— Compounded of OE. cud,
'known, famous', and beorht, 'bright'. For the
first element see uncouth. For the second element
see bright and cp. Albert, Bardolph, Bertha,
Bertram.
cuticle, n., the epidermis. — L. cuticulum, dimin.
of cutis, 'skin'. See cutis and -cle.
cuticular, adj., pertaining to the cuticle. —
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. cuticulum. See prec.
word.
cutis, n., the skin beneath the epidermis, the
derma (anat.) — L. cutis, 'skin', lit. 'that which
covers', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeut-, 'to cover',
whence also OE. hyd, 'skin'. See hide, 'skin', and
cp. cutaneous, cuticle. Cp. also cyst, -cyte, ecu,
escutcheon, esquire, scudo, scum, Scutellaria,
scuteUum, scuttle, 'receptacle', scutum, syncy-
tium, zuchetto. Base *(s)qeut- is rel. to base
*(s)qeudh-, 'to cover'; see custody.
Cutiterebra, Cuterebra, n., a genus of botflies (en-
tomol.) — ModL., compounded of L. cutis,
'skin', and terebra, 'borer'. See cutis and terebra.
cutlass, cutlas, n., a short curving sword. — F.
coutelas, fr. It. coltellaccio, 'a large knife', which
is formed with augment, suff. -accio fr. coltello,
'knife', fr. L. cultellus (whence also OF. coutel,
F. couteau), dimin. of culter, 'knife'. See colter.
cutler, n. — ME. cotelere, coteler, fr. OF. cote-
lier (whence F. coutelier), 'a knife maker', fr.
Late L. cultelldrius, fr. L. cultellus. See prec.
word.
cutlery, n. — OF. cotelerie (F, coutellerie), fr.
cotelier. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
cutlet, n. — F. cdielette, lit. 'a little rib', a double
dimin. of cote, 'rib', fr. OF. coste, fr. L. costa,
'rib, side'. See coast and cp. costal. Cutlet was
prob. influenced in form by cut.
cuttlefish, cuttle, n. — ME. cotul, codul, fr. OE.
cudele, 'cuttlefish', rel. to dial. Norw. kaule (for
*kodle), lit. 'pouch fish', and to OE. codd, 'bag,
shell, husk'. See cod, 'a small bag'.
cutty, adj., short (Scot, and dial.) — Formed fr.
cut with adj. suff. -y.
-cy, suff. used to form abstract nouns denoting
quality or rank, corresponding in meaning to
the suffixes -ship and -hood. — L. -cia, -tia, or
Gk. -xria, -xia, -xeta, -xia. Suff. -cy occurs
chiefly as the termination of the suffixes -acy,
-ancy, -ency, -cracy, -mancy (qq.v.)
cyan-, form of cyano- before a vowel.
cyanate, n., a salt of cyanic acid (chem.) — See
cyanic and chem. suff. -ate.
Cyanea, n., a genus of jelly fishes (ichthyoid —
ModL., fr. Gk. xuaveo?, 'dark blue', fr. x'iocvoe,
'the dark blue color'. See next word.
cyanic, adj., 1) of blue color; 2) pertaining to, or
containing, cyanogen. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. xuavoq, 'dark blue enamel, lapis lazuli,
the dark blue color', a foreign word connected
with Hitt. kuwanna(n)-, 'copper, copperblue ; or-
namental stone'.
cyanide, cyanid, n., a compound of cyanogen
with an element or a radical (chem.) — See prec.
word and chem. suff. -ide, resp. -id.
Derivative : cyanide, tr. v.
cyanite, n., an aluminum silicate, Al 2 SiO s (min-
eral) _ G. Cyanit, coined by the German geo-
logist Abraham Gottlob Werner (1750-1817) in
1794 fr. cyan- and suff. -it, which goes back to
Gk. -f/T7]s; see subst. suff. -ite.
cyano-, before a vowel cyan-, combining form
meaning 'dark blue'. — Gk. xuavo-, xuav-, fr.
xilavog, 'the dark blue color'. See cyanic.
Cyanocitta, n., a genus of birds, the American
blue jay (ornithol.) — ModL., lit. 'blue jay', fr.
Gk. xiiotvo?, 'the dark blue color', and xicaa,
xLxxa (for *xixta), 'jay'. For the first element
see cyanic. The second element is of imitative
origin. Cp. OI. kikih, 'the blue jay', OHG. he-
hara (MHG. heher, G. Haher), 'jay', which all
are imitative of the cry of the bird.
cyanogen, n., 1) the radical CN (carbon and ni-
trogen); 2) a poisonous gas (CN) 2 (chem.) —
Compounded of cyano- and -gen.
cyanometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
degrees of blueness. — Compounded of cyano-
and Gk. jx£xpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Derivative: cyanometr-y, n.
cyanopathy, n., another name for cyanosis (med.)
— Compounded of cyano- and Gk. -n&Szux,
fr. tox#o?, 'suffering'. See -pathy.
Derivative: cyanopath-ic, adj.
cyanosis, n., pathological condition in which the
surface of the body becomes blue for lack of
aeration (med.) — Medical L., formed fr.
cyano- and suff. -osis.
cyathus, n., a cup or ladle for drawing wine out
of the crater (mixing-bowl) into the drinking-
cup (Greek antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. xua&o?,. 'cup',
which is prob. rel. to xueiv, xusiv, 'to become
pregnant', xiiocp, 'eye of a needle; orifice of the
ear', xu;jia, 'anything swollen; a wave'. See
cyma and cp. cyesis.
Cybele, n., goddess of the earth and mother of
the gods in Greek mythology. — L., fr. Gk.
KufS£Xr], a name of uncertain origin.
cybernetics, n., the comparative study of complex
electronic calculating machines and the human
nervous system. — Coined by the Jewish ma-
thematician of theU.S.A.,NorbertWiener(i 894-
1964), fr. Gk. x'jpepvrjTr)?, 'steersman, pilot' (fr.
xufiepvav, 'to steer, guide, govern', whence L.
guberndre, of s.m., see govern), and suff. -ics.
Cybister, n., a genus of diving beetles (entomol.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. xupi<rn)Tf)p, 'tumbler', fr.
xu^urxav, 'to tumble head foremost', which is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with OI. kub-
hanyuh, 'dancing', OE. hoppian, 'to hop, dance'.
See hop, 'to leap',
cycad, n.. any of the plants of the family Cyca-
daceae. — See Cycas.
Cycadaceae, n. pi. (bot.) — ModL., formed fr.
next word with suff. -aceae.
390
Cycas, n., a genus of trees (hot.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. xuxoci;, erroneously written for xoixa?,
acc. pi. of vM„ 'the doom palm', which is a
foreign word of unknown origin.
cycl-, form of cyclo- before a vowel.
cyclamen, n. — ML. and ModL., fr. Gk. xuxXdc-
fxlvo?, fr. xiixXos, 'circle'. See cycle.
Cyelanthus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
coined by Poiteau fr. Gk. xuxXos, 'circle', and
av&oi;, 'flower'. See cyclo- and anther.
cyclas, n., a kind of tunic worn by Roman wo-
men. — L., fr. Gk. xuxXde?, 'state robe of wo-
men', short for xuxXot? ecrfWj?, 'a circular gar-
ment', from the adjective xuxXa?, 'encircling',
fr. xuxXo?, 'circle'. See next word.
cycle, n. — F., fr. Late L. cyclus, fr. Gk. xuxXo?,
'ring, circle, wheel', which is cogn. with OI.
cakrdh, OE. hweol, hweogol, 'wheel'. See wheel
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also cycla-
men, cyclas, and the second element in hemi-
cycle, monocycle, multicycle, pericycle, tricycle.
Cp. also chukker, hackery, jack, an East Indian
tree', Ku Klux Klan.
Derivatives: cycle, intr. v., cycl-er, n., cyclic
(q.v.), eycl-ing, n., cycl-ism, n., cycl-ist, n.
cyclic, adj. — F. cyclique, fr. L. cyclicus, fr. Gk.
x'jxXlxo;;, 'circular, moving in a circle', fr.
xuxXo;. See cycle and -ic, and cp. acyclic,
monocyclic.
Derivatives: cyclic-ai, adj., cyclical-ly, adv.
cyclist, n., i) one who rides a bicycle, tricycle,
etc. ; 2) one who reckons by cycles. — Formed
fr. cycle with suff. -ist.
Derivative: cyclist-ic, adj.
yclo-, before a vowel cycl-, combining form
meaning 'circular'. — Gk. xuxXo-, xuxX-, fr.
xuxXoc, 'circle'. See cycle.
Cyclobothra, n., a genus of plants of the lily
family; called also Calochortus (bot.) — Com-
pounded of cyclo- and Gk. fio&poq, 'pit' (see
bothrium); so called in allusion to the nectares.
Cycloconium, n., a genus of imperfect fungi (bot.)
— ModL., compounded of cyclo- and Gk.
xovi?, 'dust', which is cogn. with L. cinis,
'ashes'. See cinerary and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
cycloid, adj., circular; n., a curve described by
a point in the circumference of a circle that rolls
along a straight line. — Gk. xuxXoeiSr,?, 'cir-
cular', compounded of xuxXo?, 'circle', and
-o£'.8r,c, 'like', fr. eI8o:, 'form, shape'. Seecyclo-
and -oid.
Derivatives: cycloid-al, adj., cychid-al-ly, adv.
Cycloloma, n., a genus of plants of the goosefoot
family (but.). — ModL., compounded of cyclo-
and Gk. Xro^a, 'fringe, border' (see loma); so
called in allusion to the wing of the calyx en-
circling it.
cyclometer, n., an instrument for measuring cir-
cles. — Compounded of cyclo- and Gk. [jLerpov,
'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cyclone, n. — Irregularly formed fr. Gk. xuxXoq,
'circle', or fr. xuxXuv, 'whirling round', pres.
part, of xuxXouv, 'to move in a circle, whirl
round', which is a derivative of xoxXog (see
cycle); coined by H.Piddington in 1848.
Derivative: cyclon-ic, adj.
cyclonology, n., the science dealing with cyclones.
— Compounded of cyclone and Gk. -Xoytot, fr.
-Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative : cyclonolog-ist, n.
Cyclopean, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
Cyclopes. — Formed with suff. -an. fr. L.
Cycldpeus, fr. Gk. KuxXcotteio?, fr. KuxXwtj;. See
Cyclops.
cyclopedia, cyclopaedia, n. — ModL., abbrevia-
tion of encyclopedia (q.v.)
Derivatives: cyclop(a)ed-ic, adj., cyclop(a)ed-
ist, n.
Cyclops, n., one of a race of one-eyed giants in
Greek mythology. — L., fr. Gk. KuxXwiJy, gen.
KuxXottos, lit. 'round-eyed', fr. xuxXo?, 'circle',
and gen. oitto?, 'eye', fr. I.-E. base *6k m -, a
collateral form of base *ok w -, 'eye'. See cyclo-
and -opia.
cyclorama, n., a pictorial representation of a land-
scape on the inner wall of a cylindrical room,
the spectators standing in the middle. — Com-
pounded of Gk. xuxXo?, 'circle', and opauta,
'view', fr. opav, 'to see'. For the first element see
cycle. The second element is cogn. with L.
wrerl, 'to observe with awe, revere, respect,
fear', OE. wser, 'cautious, aware'. See ware,
'alert', and cp. the second element in cos-
morama and words there referred to.
cyclosis, n., circulation of protoplasm within a
cell (plant physiol.) — ModL., coined by C.H.
Schultz in 1 835 fr. Gk. xuxXcoai?, 'circulation', fr.
xuxXouv, 'to move in a circle', fr. xijxXo?. See
cycle and -osis.
Cyclostomata, n. pi., a class of eel-like verte-
brates, the lampreys and hagfishes (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'round-mouthed', fr. Gk. xuxXo?,
'circle', and a-rapix, gen. <rrou.aTo;, 'mouth'. See
cycle and stoma.
cyclostome, adj., pertaining to the Cyclosto-
mata; n., a cyclostome vertebrate. — See prec.
word.
cyclostyle, n., a device for printing copies. —
Compounded of cyclo- and style,
cyclotron, n., an apparatus used for splitting
atoms; an atom smasher. — Coined fr. cyclo-
with the ending of electron,
cyder, n. — A var. of cider.
Cydonia, n., a genus of trees of the apple family.
— L. cydonia (scil. mala), pi., "quince apple'.
See quince.
cyesis, n., pregnancy. — Medical L., fr. Gk.
x'jtjot;, 'conception, pregnancy', fr. xueiv, x'jeiv,
'to be pregnant', whence also xOfxa, 'anything
swollen; a wave'. See cyma and cp. cyathus.
cygnet, n., a young swan. — Dimin. of F. cygne,
'swan' (refashioned after L. cygnus, a variant
391
cymometer
of eyenus), fr. OF. cisne, fr. VL. cicinus (which
occurs in the Salic law), fr. L. eyenus, fr. Gk.
xuxvo?, 'swan', which is prob. of imitative ori-
gin. Cp. Russ. kyku, 'swan's cry'. Cp. also
Cygnus.
Cygnus, n., 1) the Swan (name of a constellation) ;
2) the genus of swans (ornithol.) — L. cygnus,
'swan'. See cygnet.
cylinder, n. — F. cylindre, fr. L. cylindrus, fr. Gk.
xuXtvSpocr, 'roller, roll, cylinder', fr. xuXivSstv,
'to roll', which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base
*(s)qel-, 'to bend, twist', whence also Gk.
xuXXo? (for *xuX-vo<;, *xeXv6?), 'crooked, crippl-
ed', xtoXov, 'limb, member; member of a clause
or a sentence'. See colon, 'punctuation mark',
and cp. calender. Base *q w e-q w los, reduplication
of base *qel-, 'to bend, twist', appears in OI.
cakrdh, Gk. xuxXo?, 'cycle'. OE. hweogol, hweol,
'wheel'. See wheel and cp. cycle.
Derivatives: cylinder, tr. v., cylinder-ed, adj.,
cylinder-er, n.
cylindr-, form of cylindro- before a vowel.
cylindrical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ModL. cylindricus, fr. Gk. xuXivSpixo?, fr. xuXiv-
Spo?. See cylinder.
cylindro-, before a vowel cylindr-, combining
form meaning, 'cylindrical'. — Gk. xuXivSpo-,
xuXivSp-, fr. xiiXivSpo?. See cylinder.
cylindroid, adj. and n. — Compounded of Gk.
xuXivSpo?, 'cylinder', and -osiStj?, 'like', fr. cTSo?,
'form, shape'. See cylinder and -oid.
cylix, n., an ancient drinking cup (Greek antiq.)
— Gk. xuXi£, 'drinking cup', in gradational re-
lationship to xaXu£, 'cup, calyx of a flower'.
See calyx.
cyllosis, n., clubfoot (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. xuXXaxm;, 'clubfoot', fr. xuXX6<; (for *xuX-
vo<;, *xeX-vo<;), 'crooked, crippled', which is
prob. rel. to xuXivSsiv, 'to roll', xuXivSpo?,
'roller, roll, cylinder'. See cylinder.
cym-, form of cymo- before a vowel.
cyma, n., molding of a cornice, with an ogee pro-
file (arch.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuua, 'anything
swollen, a wave, billow, surge', fr. xueiv, xuetv,
'to be pregnant', whence also xur,au;, 'concep-
tion, pregnancy', fr. I.-E. base *kew-, *kewd-,
'to swell out', whence also OI. svdyate, 'swells',
sUrah, 'strong', L. inciens (for *en-kw-yent-s),
'pregnant'. See cave, n., and cp. cyme,cymatium,
cyathus, cyesis, kymatology, acyrology, church.
Cp. also casserole, coelo-, maroon, 'one of a
class of Negroes'.
cymar, n., a robe. — F. cimarre, fr. It. simarra.
See chimere.
cymatium,n., 1) a molding; 2) a cyma (archit.) —
L., fr. Gk. xOjxaTiov, dimin. of xu(xa. See cyma.
cymba,n., 1) a boat-shaped sponge spicule (zool.);
2) the upper part of the concha of the ear (anat.)
— L. cymba, fr. Gk. xiiu-fJir), 'the hollow of a
vessel, cup, boat'. See next word and cp. Cym-
bella, Cymbidium.
cymbal, n., either of a pair of brass plates used
in orchestras. — ME. cimbal, symbol, fr. OE.
cymbal and MF. (= F.) cymbale, which both
derive fr. L. cymbalum, fr. Gk. xujiPaXov, fr.
xiu.pT], 'the hollow of a vessel, cup, boat', fr.
I.-E. base *qumb-, 'to bend, curve', whence also
OI. kumbhdh, 'pot, jar', Avestic xumba, of
s.m., Toch. A kumpac, 'drum', W. cwmm, 'val-
ley', Bret, komb, 'small valley', MIr. comm,
'vessel', cummal, 'cup', and E. hump, 'swelling,
protuberance' (q.v.) Cp. cymba, chime, n. Cp.
also combe.
Derivatives: cymbal-er, cymbal-eer, n., cymbal-
ist, a.
Cymbella, n., a genus of diatoms (bot.) — ModL.,
formed with dimin. suff. -ella fr. L. cymba, 'boat'
(see cymba) ; so called in allusion to their boat-
like shape.
Cymbidium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) —
ModL., formed with dimin. suff. -idium fr. Gk.
xti(i.|3T), 'cup'. See cymba.
cymbiform, adj., shaped like a boat. — Com-
pounded of L. cymba, fr. Gk. xu}a£}t), 'boat', and
L. forma, 'form, shape'. See cymba and form.
Cymbium, n., a genus of marine snails (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. cymbium, 'a small cup', fr. Gk.
xu[x(3iov, dimin. of xu|x{h), 'cup'. See cymbe.
cymbocephalic, adj., having a boat-shaped skull
(craniol.) — Lit. 'boat-headed', compounded of
Gk. xij^Py) , 'boat' , and xe9aXrj , 'head' . See cymba
and cephalic.
cymbocephaly, n., the condition of having a
boatshaped head (craniol.) — See prec. word
and -y (representing Gk. -la).
Cymbopogon, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xuu.fi7], 'boat' and
noi-(b>v, 'beard'. See cymba and Pogonia.
cyme, n., a mode of inflorescence in which the
primary and the secondary axes bear a single
terminal flower (bot.) — L. cyma, 'young sprout
of a cabbage', fr. Gk. xOjjioc, 'anything swollen'.
See cyma.
cymene, n., a hydrocarbon (chem.) — Gk. xu-
(ilvov, 'cumin'. See cumin,
cymling, n., a kind of squash. — A var. of simnel
(with change of suff ).
cymo-, before a vowel cym-, combining form
meaning 'wave' or 'sprout'. — Fr. Gk. xuu.a,
'anything swollen'. See cyma.
Cymodoce, n., one of the Nereids (Greek mythol.)
— L. Cymodoce, fr. Gk. KuuoSoxr), lit. 'she who
receives the waves', fr. xO^a, 'wave', and 8e-
xeaftai, Sexcaftai, 'to receive'. See cyma and
decent.
cymograph, n., an instrument for tracing graphs
representing electric waves. — Lit. 'tracer of
waves', fr. Gk. xuu.a, 'wave', and -ypacpo;, fr.
Yptic9ELv, 'to write'. See cyme and -graph.
Derivative: cymograph-ic, adj.
cymometer, n., formerly an instrument for
measuring etheric waves. — Compounded of
Gk. xuu.<x, 'wave', and uixpov, 'measure'. See
cyma and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cymophane
392
cymophane, n., a wavy variety of chrysoberyl
(mineral.) — Compounded of Gk. xulux, 'wave',
and the stem of 9<xivsw, 'to show', ^aiveo&xi,
'to appear'. See cyma and phantasm,
cymoscope, n., a device for detecting electric
waves. — Compounded of Gk. xujxa, 'wave',
and -axoTuov, fr. oxotceiv, 'to look at, examine'.
See cyma and -scope,
cymotrichy, n., wavy hair. — Compounded of
Gk. xupia, 'wave', and #pt£, gen. Tpix<k, 'hair'.
See cyma and tricho-.
Cymric, Kymric, adj., Welsh. — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. W. Cymry, 'the Welsh', pi. of Cymro,
'Welshman', which prob. derives fr. OW. *com-
brog, 'compatriot', fr. com-, 'with', and *brog
(whence W. bro), 'region', which is rel. to Olr.
bruig, mruig, 'boundary, region', and cogn.
with OE. mearc, 'boundary, sign, mark'. See
com- and mark, 'sign'. Cp. L. Allobroges, name
of a warlike people in Gallia Narbonensis, lit.
'those from another land'. Cp. also Cambrian,
cyn-, form of cyno- before a vowel,
cynanche, n., a medical term for diseases of the
throat. — Gk. xuvaYX»)> <sore throat', lit. 'dog
quinsy', formed fr. xutov, gen. xuv6s, 'dog', and
(JcYX etv > 'to throttle, strangle'. See quinsy.
Cynanchum, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuva-yxo, 'dog
quinsy'. See prec. word,
cynanthropy, n., insanity in which the patient be-
lieves himself to be a dog (med.) — Formed
with suff. -y (representing Gk. -la), fr. Gk.
xuvav&pcoTroc;, 'of a dog-man', which is com-
pounded of xutov, gen. xuv6q, 'dog', and icv$pto-
7toq, 'man'. See cyno- and anthropo-. The name
cynanthropy prop, derives fr. Gk. v6<ro<; xuvav-
•9-ptoTcoi;, lit. 'dog-man's disease', a name given
to this mania by Galen (see Galen 19, 719).
cynegetics, n., hunting. — Gk. xuvyiyertxTj (scil.
~i~/yt\), '( th e art of) hunting', fr. xuvtjy^ty)?,
'huntsman, hunter', (whence xuvtiyeteTv, 'to
hunt'), which is compounded of xiicov, gen.
xuv6;, 'dog', and fiyeiaftai, 'to lead'. See cyno-,
seek and -ics.
Cynias, n., a genus of Carchariidae, the smooth
dogfish (ichthyol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xutov, gen.
xuv6;, 'dog'. See cyno-.
cyniatrics, n., that branch of veterinary medicine
which deals with diseases of dogs. — Com-
pounded of cyn- and -iatrics.
cynic, n. — L. cynicus, 'a cynic', fr. Gk. xuvtx6g,
an adjective formed fr. Kuv6aapye<; > 'Cyno-
sarges', a gymnasium near Athens. It was in this
gymnasium that Antisthenes taught, whence
his disciples were called xuvixoi, lit. "of Cyno-
sarges'. (For sense development cp. stoic and
academician, which are also formed from place-
names.) The usual derivation of Gk. xuvix6;,
'a cynic', fr. xutov, gen. xuv6;, 'dog', and the ex-
planation that xuvik<5 orig. denoted a 'dog-
like' philosopher, is erroneous. The only con-
nection between a cynic and a dog is given by
the quite incidental fact that the first element in
the name Kuv6aapyei; comes fr. xiicov, gen.
xuv6?, 'dog' (see cyno-).
Derivatives: cynic, cynic-al, adjs., cynic-al-ly,
adv., cynic-ism, n., cynic-ist, n.
cyno-, before a vowel cyn-, combining form
meaning 'dog-'. — Gk. xuvo-, xuv-, fr. xticov,
gen. xuv6;, 'dog', which is cogn. with L. canis,
Goth, hunds, OE. hand, 'dog'. See hound and
cp. canine. Cp. also cynanche, Cynias, cynosure,
quinsy, squinancy.
cynocephalic, n., cynocephalous. — See next
word and -ic.
cynocephalous, adj., dog-headed. — Gk. xuvo-
x£<paXo?, 'dog-headed', compounded of xiicov,
gen. xuv6c, 'dog', and xeqxxX^, 'head'. See cyno-
and cephalic. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-oq, see -ous.
Cynocrambaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. Cynocrambe with suff.
-aceae.
cynocrambaceous, adj. — ■ See prec. word and
-aceous.
Cynocrambe, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — Mod-
L., fr. Gk. xuvoxpdc(j.|3ir], 'dog cabbage', which is
compounded of xutov, gen. xuv6;, 'dog', and
xpdiji.(37), 'cabbage'. See cyno- and Crambe.
Cynodon, n., a genus of plants of the family Poa-
ceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuv<S8cov, 'the
canine tooth', compounded of xutov, gen. xuv6;,
'dog' and oStov, gen. 6S6vto?, 'tooth'. See cyno-
and odonto-.
Cynoglossum, n., a genus of the borage family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuv6yXcoct<iov, 'hound's-
tongue', which is compounded of xutov, gen.
xuv6q, 'dog' and YXtocrooc, 'tongue'. See cyno- and
gloss, 'explanation'.
cynoid, adj., 1) doglike; 2) pertaining to the dog
family. — Gk. xuvoeiSt);, 'doglike', compound-
ed of xiicov, gen. xuv6;, 'dog', and -oeicWjc,, 'like',
fr. elSoq, 'form, shape'. See cyno- and -oid.
cynorrhodon, n., the dogrose. — L., fr. Gk. xuv6-
poSov, 'dogrose', which is compounded of xutov,
gen. xuvoc, 'dog', and poSov, 'rose'. See cyno-
and rhodo-.
Cynoscion, n., a genus of fishes, the weakfish
(ichthyol.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. xiicov,
gen. xovcii;, 'dog', and oxtatva, a seafish, prob.
'the grayling', fr. oxd, 'shade, shadow'. See
cyno- and skiagraphy and cp. Sciaenidae.
cynosure, n., the Lesser Bear (constellation). —
F., fr. L. Cynosura, fr. Gk. xuv6croupa, 'dog's
tail; the Lesser Bear', compounded of xutov,
gen. xuvo;, 'dog', and o\>p&, 'tail'. See cyno- and
uro-, 'tail-'.
Cynthia, 1 ) Artemis, goddess of the moon, whence :
the moon personified ; 2) fem. PN . — L., fr.
Gk. Kuv&ta, epithet of the goddess Artemis,
lit. '(the goddess) of Cynthus', fem. of Kuvdio?,
'of Cynthus, Cynthian', fr. Kiiv$o«, 'Cynthus',
a mountain in Delos, birthplace of Apollo and
Artemis.
393
cyst
Cynthian, adj., pertaining to Mt. Cynthus in
Delos. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cynthius,
fr. Gk. Kiiv&ioc., 'of Cynthus, Cynthian'.
Cyperaceae, n. pi., the sedge family (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Cyperus with suff. -aceae.
cyperaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Cyperus, n., a genus of plants of the family Cy-
peraceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuTOtpoc.,
'sedge', a word prob. rel. to xu7rpo;, 'the henna
plant' (Lawsonia inermis Linn.), which is of
Sem. origin; cp. Heb. kSpher, Aram. k'phord,
Syr. kuphrd, 'the henna plant'. Cp. Cyprinus.
cypheUa, n., a cuplike depression on the lower
surface of the thallus of lichens (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. xucpeXXoc (pi.), 'the hollows of the ears',
fr. xu<p6i;, 'bent, crooked', which is rel. to xutpoc,,
'hump, hunch', and cogn. with OI. kubhrdlf,
'humpbacked', fr. I.-E. base *qeu-bh-, 'to bend',
which is rel. to base *qeu-p-, whence L. cupa,
'tub, cask, vat'. See cup and cp. cypho-, cypsela,
kyphosis.
cypher, n. — A var. spelling of cipher.
cypho-, before a vowel cyph-, combining form
meaning 'bent, humpbacked'. — Fr. Gk. xu<p6;,
'bent, crooked', or fr. xu<po;, 'hump, hunch'.
See cyphelia.
cyphosis, n. — A var. spelling of kyphosis.
cy-pres, cypres, adv. and adj., as nearly as pos-
sible in agreement with the testator's intentions
(law). — F. si-pres, 'so near, as near', fr. VL. sic
presse, 'from so near', fr. L. sic, 'so', and presse,
adv. of pressus, 'pressed', pp. of premere, 'to
press'. See sic and press, v.
cypress, n. — ME. cipres, cypres, fr. OF. cipres
(F. cypresse), fr. Late L. cypressus, fr. Gk. xu-
n&piaaoz, which prob. derives fr. Heb. gdpher,
name of the tree of whose wood the ark was
made (see Gen. 6 : 14). Cp. gopher and see Hehn-
Schrader, Kulturpflanzen und Haustiere in
ihrem Ubergang aus Asien nach Griechenland
und Italien, 5th edition, p. 231. Cp. Cyprian.
Derivatives: cypress, adj., cypress-ed, adj.
cypress, n., cypress lawn. — ME. c'pres, 'gauze,
cloth of gold', fr. OF. Cipre, Cypre, 'the island
of Cyprus'; so called because orig. brought
from Cyprus.
Cyprian, adj. and n. — L. Cyprianus, 'of Cyprus,
Cyprian', formed with suff. -an fr. L. Cyprius,
fr. Gk. Ku7tpio;, of s.m., fr. Kujrpo;, 'Cyprus',
lit. 'the island of cypress trees'. See cypress and
cp. copper. For sense development cp. Pityuses,
lit. 'the islands covered with pines', fr. Gk.
tutu;, 'pine', and Port. Madeira, 'the island
of timber', fr. madeira, 'timber', fr. L. materia,
'stuff', matter, timber'.
cyprinid, adj., pertaining to the family Cyprini-
dae. — See next word.
Cyprinidae, n. pi., a family of soft-finned fishes
(ichthyol.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. cyprinus. See next word.
Cvprinns, n., the typical genus of the family Cy-
prinidae (ichtyol.). — L. cyprinus, 'carp', fr. Gk.
xuTrpivo;, 'carp', fr. xuTtpo;, 'the henna plant'
(see Cyperus); so called in allusion to its color.
Cypriote, adj. and n., Cyprian. — Fr. L. Cyprius,
'Cyprian'. See Cyprian and -ote.
Cypripedium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) —
ModL., 'the lady's slipper', coined by Linnaeus
fr. Gk. KuTtpu;, 'Aphrodite' (see next word), and
tceSTXov, 'shoe, slipper', whichis rel. to 7re8i), 'fet-
ter', and stands in gradational relationship to
nobq, gen. tcoS6i;, 'foot'; see foot. The correct
form of the word would be Cypripedilum.
Cypris, n., a name of Aphrodite. — L., fr. Gk.
Ku7rpi;, lit. 'the Cyprian (goddess)', fr. Kurrpoi;,
'Cyprus'. See Cyprian and cp. the first element
in prec. word.
Cypris, n., a genus of crustaceans (zool.) — Fr.
prec. word.
cypsela, n., an achene with an adherent calyx
tube (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xuiJjsXt), 'a hollow
vessel', which is rel. to xutp6;, 'bent, crooked'.
See cypheUa.
Cyrenaic, adj., 1) pertaining to the Cyrenaica;
2) pertaining to the hedonistic school of philo-
sophy founded by Aristippus of Cyrene.
Derivative: Cyrenaic-ism, n.
Cyril, masc. PN. — Late L. Cyrillus, fr. Gk.
KupiXX6<;, lit. 'lordly, masterly', rel. to xupio;,
'lord, master'. See church and cp. words there
referred to.
Cyrilla, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after Domenico Cyrillo, professor of
medicine at Naples.
Cyrillaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
cyrillaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Cyrillic, adj., pertaining to the alphabet ascribed
to Cyril, apostle of the Slavs. — Lit. 'of, or per-
taining to, Cyril 1 ; so called because his name is
associated with the invention of the Slavic al-
phabet. For the origin of this name see Cyril,
for the ending see suff. -ic.
cyrto-, before a vowel cyrt-, combining form
meaning 'curved', — Gk. xup-ro-, xup-r-, fr.
xupxo;, 'curved, bent, arched', rel. to xoptovd;,
'curved, bent', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to bend,
turn, twist', whence also L. curvus, 'crooked,
bent, curved'. See curve n., and cp. the second
element in Tricyrris.
cyrtometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
curves of parts of the body (med.) — Compound-
ed of cyrto- and Gk. firrpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
cyrtosis, n., curvature of the spinal column (med.)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. xupTcoau;, 'being hump-
backed', fr. xupTo;, 'curved, bent'. See cyrto-
and -os is.
Cyrus, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Kupo;, fr. OPers.
Kiirush, whence Akkad. Kurash, Heb. KSresh,
Egypt. Kawarusha.
cyst, n., a closed membranous pouch or sac con-
taining fluid (med.) — Medical L. cystis, fr. Gk.
xuo-ric., 'bladder, bag.pouch', which is prob. cogn.
cyst-
394
with Of. svdsati, svdsiti, 'blows, breathes, sighs'.
L. queri, 'to complain'. See quarrel, 'dispute'.
cyst-, form of cysto- before a vowel.
-cyst, combining form meaning 'pouch, sac', as
in cholecyst. — Fr. Gk. xua-ri?, 'bladder, bag,
pouch'. See prec. word.
cysti-, combining form. — See cysto-.
cystic, adj., pertaining to a cyst; esp., pertaining
to the urinary bladder. — F. cystique, fr. Medi-
cal L. cysticus, fr. cystis. See cyst and -ic.
cysticercus, n., the larval form of tapeworms
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of cysti- and
Gk. x£pxo?, 'tail'. See cercus and cp. words
there referred to.
cystiform, adj., having the form of a cyst. — A
hybrid coined fr. Gk. xucttk;, 'bladder, bag,
pouch', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See cyst
and form, n.
cystitis, n., inflammation of the bladder (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
xu<m<;. See cyst.
cysto-, cysti-, before a vowel cyst-, combining
form meaning 'pertaining to, or resembling, a
bladder (esp. the urinary bladder)'. — Fr. Gk.
xuotii;, 'bladder, bag, pouch'. See cyst.
cystoid, adj., resembling a cyst or bladder. —
Compounded of Gk. xuotk;, 'bladder, bag,
pouch', and -oEiSiqi;, 'like', fr. cISo?, 'form,
shape'. See cyst and -oid.
cystotomy, n., incision of the uninary bladder
(med.) — Compounded of cysto- and Gk. -xou.ia,
'a cutting of, fr. to[xy), 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
cyt-, form of cyto- before a vowel.
-cyte, combining form denoting a cell, as in hema-
tocyte, leucocyte. — Fr. Gk. xutoi;, 'a hollow,
hollow vessel, vault, body, skin', fr. I.-E. base
*qeu-t-, 'to cover, hide', whence also L. cutis,
OE. hyd, 'skin'. See hide, 'skin', and cp.
cyto-.
Cytherea, n., a name of Aphrodite or Venus. —
L., fr. Gk. Ku#£peta, lit. 'of Cythera', fr. Ku-
&7]pa (pi.), name of an island in the Aegean Sea
(now called Cerigo), celebrated for the worship
of Aphrodite. Cp. next word.
Derivatives: Cythere-an, adj., pertaining to
Aphrodite.
Cytherella, n., a genus of crustaceans (zoo/.) —
ModL., formed with dimin. suff. -ella fr. L.
Cythera, a var. of Cytherea, 'Aphrodite'. See
prec. word.
Cytinus, n., a genus of plants of the family
Rafflesiaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. xutlvoi;,
'flower of the pomegranate', wich derives perh.
fr. x'iTog, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte and -ine
(representing Gk. -l\ioq).
Cytisus, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — L. cytisus, 'a kind of clover', fr. Gk.
xuTiaoi;, of s.m., a foreign word of unknown
origin.
cytitis, n., inflammation of the skin (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk. xuto;,
'skin'. See -cyte.
cyto-, before a vowel cyt-, combining form mean-
ing 'pertaining to a cell or cells'. — Gk. xuxo-,
xux-, fr. xutoi;, 'a hollow vessel'. See -cyte.
cytology, n., study of the structure, functions and
life history of cells (biol.) — Lit. 'study of cells',
compounded of cyto- and -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: cytolog-ic-al, adj., cytologic-al-ly,
adv.
cytoplasm, n., the protoplasm of the cells (biol.
— Compounded of cyto- and Gk. rcXaau-a,
'something molded'. See plasma.
Derivative: cytoplasm-ic, adj.
czar, tsar, n. — Russ. tsar, fr. earlier tsesar\ fr.
OSlav. cesari, fr. Goth, kaisar (which is rel. to
OE. cdsere, OHG. keisar, OFris., MHG. keiser,
G. Kaiser), 'emperor', fr. L. Caesar, title adopted
by Augustus and the succeeding Roman em-
perors from the cognomen of Caius Julius
Caesar. Cp. Caesar, kaiser. For sense develop-
ment cp. Lith. karalius, OSlav. kralji, 'king', fr.
L. Carolus, 'Charles' in Carolus Magnus, i.e.
'Charlemagne' (see churl).
czardas, n., a Hungarian national dance. — See
csardas.
czarevitch, tsarevitch, n., a son of the czar (in
contradistinction to cesarevitch, which denotes
the eldest son of the czar). — Russ. tsarevitch,
fr. tsar. See czar.
czarina, tsarina, n., title of an empress of Russia.
— G. Zarin (formerly spelled Czarin), fr. Zar,
'czar'. The Russian equivalent is tsaritsa. See
next word.
czaritza, n., czarina. — Russ. tsaritsa, fr. tsar,
'czar'. See czar and cp. prec. word.
Czech, n., a Slavic native of Bohemia. — Polish
spelling of Czech Cech, inhabitant of Cechy,
'Bohemia'.
Czechoslovak, n. — Back formation fr. Czecho-
slovakia.
Czechoslovakia, n. — Lit. 'the land of the Czechs
and the Slovaks'.
D
dab, tr. and intr. v., to touch or strike lightly. —
ME. dabben, prob. fr. MDu. d'abben, 'to pinch,
dabble', which is prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
dabble, dap, dib, 'knucklebone', and tap, 'to
strike lightly'.
Derivatives: dab, n. (q.v.), dabb-er, n.
dab, n., a light blow; a soft or flattish mass. —
Fr. prec. word.
dab, n., any small flatfish. — Fr. dab, 'a soft or
flattish mass'.
dab, n., a skillful person (colloq.) — Prob. fr.
dab, 'to strike lightly'.
dabb, also dab, n., a large Arabian lizard (Uro-
mastix spinipes). — Arab, dabb, 'the thorn-
tailed lizard', rel. to Heb. tzdbh, Aram, tzabbi,
Syr. 'abba, 'dbhd, of s.m.
dabble, tr. and intr. v. — Freq. formed with suff.
-le fr. dab, 'to strike lightly'.
Derivatives: dabbl-er, n., dabbl-ing, adj., dabbl-
ing-ly, adv., dabbl-ing-ness, n.
dabchick, n., i) the little grebe of Europe; 2) the
pied-billed grebe of America. — Fr. earlier dap-
chick, lit. 'dipping chick'. See dap and chick
and cp. didapper.
da capo, from the beginning (mus.) — It., 'from
the head, from the beginning'. The first word
is a contraction of L. de, 'from, away from',
and d, 'away from, from; by'; see de- and a-,
'from'. The second word derives fr. L. caput,
'head'; see capital, adj., and cp. the first word
in dal segno.
dace, n., a small cyprinoid fish. — ME. darce,
fr. OF. darz, dars, fr. ML. darsus, a word of
Gaulish origin. F. dard, 'dace', was influenced
in form by a confusion with F. dard, 'dart'
(see dart).
dachshund, n., a small dog of German breed. —
G., compounded of Dachs, 'badger' and Hund,
'dog'. The first element is rel. to Du. das and
to the second element in Dan. and Norw. svin-
loks, and lit. means 'the builder'; it is cogn.
with OI. tdksati, 'fashions, constructs', Gk.
xexxoiv, 'carpenter', zh/yr h 'handicraft, art', L.
texere, 'to weave'. ML. taxus, taxo, F. taisson,
Sp. texdn, later tejon, It. tasso, 'badger', are
Teut. loan words. See technic and cp. text. Cp.
also Taxidea and the second element in ratel.
For the second element see hound.
Dacian, adj., pertaining to Dacia. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Dacia, 'Dacia', fr. Gk. Aaxia.
Cp. next word.
dacite, n., an igneous rock (petrogr.) — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. Dacia. See prec.
word.
dacoit, n., one of an armed gang of robbers. —
Hind, dakait, daka, 'gang robbery'.
Derivative: dacoit, tr. and intr. v.
dacoity, n., robbery by dacoits. — Hind, ddkaiti
'gang robbery', fr. dakait. See prec. word.
dacron, n., a washable synthetic fabric; (cap.) a
trademark.
dacry-. — See dacryo-.
Dacrydium, n., a genus of plants of the yew
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Saxpu, Saxpuov,
'tear' (see dacryo-); so called in allusion to the
resinous exudations.
dacryo-, before a vowel dacry-, combining form
meaning 'tear; lachrymal'. — Gk. Saxpuo-,
Saxpu-, fr. Saxpuov, 'tear'. See tear, n., and cp.
lachrymal.
dacryon, n., the point of junction of the lachry-
mal and the frontal bone (craniometry). —
ModL., fr. Gk. Saxpuov, 'tear'; see dacryo-.
The name dacryon was introduced into cranio-
metry by the French surgeon and anthropol-
ogist Paul Broca (1824-80).
dactyl, n., a metrical foot consisting of one long
syllable followed by two short syllables or one
accented followed by two unaccented (pros.) —
L. dactylus, fr. Gk. SaxxuXo^, 'finger; dactyl'
(so called in allusion to the three joints of the
finger): of uncertain etymology. Gk. SaxxuXoc
in this sense is not related to SaxxuXoq, 'date'
(see date, the fruit), nor is it cogn. with L. digitus,
'finger'. Cp. next word and Dactylis. Cp. also
adactylous, and the second element in lepto-
dactyl, monodactylous, tridactyl, pentadactyl.
Dactyl, n., one of the priests of Cybele (Greek
mythol.) — L. Dactyli, 'the Dactyls', fr. Gk.
AaxxuXo'., lit. 'Fingers', pi. of SaxxuXoi; (see
prec. word); so called because they were ten
in number.
dactylic, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
dactyls. — L. dactyiicus, fr. Gk. SaxxuXixo?,
'pertaining to a dactyl', fr. SixrjXo?. See dactyl
and -ic.
Derivative: dactylic, n., a dactylic verse.
dactylio-, combining form meaning 'finger ring'.
— Gk. SaxTuX'.o-, fr. SaxxuXio;, 'finger ring,
signet', fr. SaxxuXo?. See dactyl.
dactylioglyph, n., an engraver of rings. — Gk.
SaxTuX'.oyXu^o;, 'an engraver of gems for finger
rings', fr. SaxxuXto:, 'finger ring', and -yXutpoc,
fr. yXucpeiv, 'to carve, engrave'. See dactylio- and
glyph.
dactyliography, n.. the study of gem engraving. —
Compounded of dactylio- and Gk. -ypaspta, fr.
ypd^siv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives: dactyliograph-er,n., dactyliograph-
ic, adj.
dactyliomancy, n., divination by means of a finger
ring. — Compounded of dactylio- and Gk.
(jLocvreia, 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
Dactylis, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) — ModL.,
dactylo-
396
fr. Gk. SdbcTuXo<;, 'finger' (see dactyl); so called
from the digitate spikes,
dactylo-, before a vowel dactyl-, combining form
meaning 'finger' or 'toe'. — Gk. SooctuXo-,
Sax-ruX-, fr. Sax-ruXo;, 'finger; toe'. See dactyl,
dactylogram, n., fingerprint. — Compounded of
dactylo- and Gk. Ypdi[iu.a, 'that which is written'.
See -gram.
dactylography, n., i) dactylology; 2) the study of
fingerprints. — Compounded of dactylo- and
Gk. -ypaqjia, fr. Ypa<f>eiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
dactyloid, adj., resembling a finger. — Gk.
Sax-roXosLS-^, 'fingerlike', fr. Sax-ruXoi;, 'finger',
and -osiSr]?, 'like', fr. slSoq, 'form, shape'. See
dactyl- and -oid.
dactylology, n., the art of communicating ideas
by signs made with the fingers. — Lit. 'the study
of the fingers', fr. dactylo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-X6yoi;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)*. See -logy.
dactyloscopy, n., identification by means of
fingerprints. — Compounded of dactylo- and
Gk. -<jx6tuov, fr. rocoTteiv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scopy.
Dacus, n., a genus of flies, the olive fly (entomol.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. Saxoi;, 'any animal, the bite
of which is dangerous', lit. 'a biting animal',
rel. to Saxveiv, 'to bite', 8a?;, 'biting', Sifrixa, 'a
biting', 8r\x.T/}Q, 'biter', fr. I.-E. base *denk-,
'to bite', whence also OI. ddsati (for *dnketi),
'bites', ON. long, OE. tang, lange, 'tongs'. See
tongs and cp. the second element in carpodacus,
Tridacna, Demodex, Mixodectes.
dad, daddy, n., father. — A child's word. Cp.
W. tad, dad, Ir. daid, Co. tat, 'father', hendat,
'grandfather', Czech tdta, Russ. lata, Lith.
tetis, tete, 'father', OPruss. thetis, 'father, old
man', Ir. daid, Co. tat, W., Bret, tad, tat, 'father',
Alb. tatz, 'father', L. tata, 'father', Gk. toct<x,
'father, Terra, Tsxxa, 'O father, daddy', xaxa-
Xt^etv, 'to flatter', ModGk. SaSa?, 'father', OI.
tdtah, 'father, son', which all are of childish
origin.
Dada, n., an artistic movement characterized by
incoherence and the love of paradoxes (art and
///.) — F. dada, prop, a child's word meaning
'horse, hobby horse, hobby'. This word was
chosen in 191 6 by Tristan Tzara, a Rumanian-
born poet and editor in Paris (1896- 1963), to
designate this artistic movement.
Dadaism, n., Dada. — F. dadalsme, formed from
prec. word with suff. -isme (see -ism).
Dadaist, n., an adherent of Dada ! :m. — F. dada-
iste, formed fr. Dada with suff. -iste (see -ist).
dado, n., a part of the pedestal. — It. dado, 'die,
cube, pedestal', fr. L. datus, 'given', pp. of dare,
'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and cp.
die, 'cube'.
Derivative: dado, tr. v.
daduchus, dadouchos, n., torchbearer in the Eleu-
sian mysteries. — L. daduchus, fr. Gk. SqcSoOxo?,
'torchbearer*, which stands for *8cy8o-6xoc and
is compounded of Sat;, 8(4; (gen. 8at8o;, resp.
8a86;), 'torch', and g/eiv, 'to hold, have'. The
first element is rel. to Soaetv (for *8aFi£iv), 'to
blaze, burn', and cogn. with OI. dundti, 'burns',
davdh, 'conflagration', Olr. ddim, 'I singe, burn'.
Cp. the first element in Deianira. For the second
element see hectic.
daedal, adj., ingenious, skillful. — L. daedalus, fr.
Gk. SoaSaXo;, 'cunningly made', fr. SoaSaXXsiv,
'to work cunningly or skillfully', which stands
for *8ai-8aXisiv and is formed with redupli-
cation of I.-E. base *del-, *dol-, 'to split, cut,
carve', which appears in OT. ddlati, 'splits,
bursts', ddldyati, 'causes to burst, splits open',
dalam, 'part, piece', L. doldre, 'to hew with an
ax', ddlium, 'a very large jar*. See dole, 'grief,
and cp. Daedalus, dal and the second element in
logodaedaly. Cp. also tale. The word daedal was
first used in English by Spenser.
daedalian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, the
work of Daedalus. — See Daedalus and -ian.
Daedalus, n., the mythical artist, father of Icarus
and builder of the Cretan labyrinth. — L., fr. Gk.
AodSaXo;, lit. 'the cunning worker'. See daedal.
daemon, n. — L., fr. Gk. Sodjxtav. See demon.
daemonic, adj. — Late L. daemonicus, fr. L. dae-
mon. See daemon and -ic.
daffodil, n. — Du. de affodil, 'the asphodel', fr.
OF. affrodile, a var. of asfodile, fr. L. aspho-
delus. See the, def. art. and asphodel.
daffodilly, daffodilly, daffadowndilly, daffydown-
dilly, n., a daffodil. — Poetic and dial, variants
of prec. word.
daft, adj., foolish (dial.) — ME. dafte, 'meek;
stupid', fr. OE. (ge)dxfte, 'mild, gentle', rel. to
gedafen, gedefe, 'suitable', Goth, gadaban, 'to
be fit'. See deft. For sense development cp. silly,
simple.
Derivatives: daft-ly, adv., daft-ness, n.
dag, n., a kind of long pistol formerly used. —
Of uncertain origin,
dagesh, n. — See daghesh.
dagger, n. — F. dague (whence also MDu. dagge,
Dan. daggert, G. Degen), fr. OProvenc. daga,
a word of Celtic origin. Cp. Gael, dag, dager,
'dagger'.
Derivatives: dagger, tr. v., dagger-ed, adj.
daggle, tr. v., to make wet by sprinkling; to
draggle. — Formed with frequent, suff. -le from
dial. E. dag, 'to sprinkle with water, to wet',
fr. dial. E. dag, 'mist, drizzling rain', which is a
Scand. loan word. Cp. ON. dogg, 'dew', and
see dew.
daghesh, dagesh, n., dot in a letter denoting the
reduplication of a consonant or the harder pro-
nunciation of the consonants b, g, d, k, p, t
(Hebrew and Aram, gram.) — Medieval
Heb., fr. Syriac ddghish, active participle of
d l ghash, 'he pricked, pointed'.
Derivative: daghesh, dagesh, tr. v.
dago, n., a name given contemptuously to Span-
iards, Portuguese and Italians. — From cor-
397
Dalbergia
ruption of the Sp. PN. Diego, equivalent to
E. James.
dagoba, n., a Buddhist shrine. — Singhal. ddgaba,
fr. Pali dhdtugabbha, fr. OI. dhdtugarbhah, which
is compounded of dhdtuh, 'layer, ingredient',
and garbhafi, 'womb, interior'. OI. dhdtuh,
derives from the stem of dadhdti, 'he puts,
places', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place' ; see do, v.
OI. garbhah is a derivative of I.-E. base *g w elbh-
*g w olbh-, 'womb; young of an animal', whence
also Gk. SeXcpti;, 80X96;, 'womb', Goth kalbo,
OE. cealf, 'calf; see calf.
Dagon, n., the main god of the Philistines. — L.,
fr. Gk. Aaycov, fr. Heb. Ddgdn, which prob.
derives fr. Heb. dag, 'fish'.
daguerreotype, n., an early kind of photograph. —
F. daguerreotype, a hybrid coined fr. the name
of (Louis) Daguerre (1789-1851), inventor of the
process, and F. type, fr. Gk. totto;, 'blow,
mark, impression'. See type, -type.
Derivatives: daguerreotype, tr. v., daguerreotyp-
er, n., daguerreotyp-ist, n., daguerreo-typ-y, n.
dan, n., a large hewing knife (India). — Hind.
ddo, fr. OI. ddtram, 'sickle', from the stem of
ddti, dydti, 'cuts, separates, divides', dd-yate,
'divides, participates, destroys', fr. I.-E. base
*dd-, *dai-, *dt-, *d e -, 'to cut off, separate, di-
vide, distribute', whence also ddtar-, 'reaper,
mower', ditih, 'division', Gk. Soctea&oa, 'to di-
vide, distribute; to feed on', 8atu.<ov, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and words there referred
to.
dahabiah, dahabeah, n., a sailing boat used on
the Nile. — Arab. dhchabtya h , lit. 'the golden
one', fern, of dhahabt, fr. dhdhab, 'gold', which
is rel. to Heb. zahdbh, Aram.-Syr. d"habh,
dahdbhd, 'gold', Heb. tzdhSbh, 'gleaming, yel-
low', Arab, sdhiba, 'was reddish yellow', dshabu,
'reddish yellow'.
Dahlia, n., name of a genus of Mexican plants
of the family Compositae. — ModL., named
by the Spanish botanist Antonio Jose Cavanilles
(1745-1804) in 1791 after the Swedish botanist,
Anders Dahl, a pupil of Linnaeus. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Dail Eireann, n., the lower house of the Parlia-
ment of the Irish Free State. — Lit. 'assembly
of Ireland', fr. Ir. dail, 'assembly', and Eireann,
gen. of Eire, 'Ireland'. Cp. Erin.
daily, adj. — ME. daili, fr. OE. dxglic, fr. dxg,
'day'. See day and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: daily, n. and adv., daili-ness, n.
daimio, daimyo, n., a feudal prince of Japan. —
Jap., lit. 'a great name', fr. Chin, dai, 'great',
and mio, myo, 'name'.
dainty, n. — ME. deintee, fr. OF. daintie, deintie,
'pleasure, delicacy', fr. L. dignitatem, acc. of
dignitds, 'greatness, rank, dignity'. See dignity,
which is a doublet of dainty.
Derivatives: dainty, adj., dainti-ly, adv., dainti-
ness, n.
daira, n., formerly, estates of the Egyptian khe-
dive. — Arab. ddUra 11 (in vulgar pronunciation
ddyra), 'circle, enclosure', prop. fem. partic.
of ddra, 'he moved in a circle, went about',
which is rel. to ddr, 'house', orig. 'buildings sur-
rounding a court', daur, 'circumference', dahr,
'long time, age', Heb. dur (n.), 'circle, ball', dur
(v.), 'to dwell', orig. 'to move in a circle', dor,
'generation', Mishnaic Heb. mddhSr, 'dwelling
place', Aram, dur, 'to dwell', m e dhdr, m l dhdr,
'dwelling place', ddr, 'generation', Akkad. duru,
'wall, fortress', also 'duration, eternity', daru,
'everlasting'. Cp. next word.
daira, n., a large kind of Oriental tambourine. —
Fr. dayra, vulgar Arab pronunciation of dd'ira h ,
'circle, tambourine'. See prec. word.
dairy, n. — ME. deierie, formed with suff. -erie
fr. deie, 'dairymaid', fr. OE. dxge '(female)
breadmaker', lit. 'kneader of dough', fr. dag,
'dough'. Cp. ON. deigja, Swed. deja, 'dairy-
maid', which derive fr. ON. deig, resp. Swed.
deg, 'dough', and see dough. Cp. also the second
element in lady. For the ending see -ery.
Derivative: dairy-ing, n.
dais, n., a raised platform in a hall. — ME. dels,
deys, fr. OF. deis, dois, 'table; platform' (whence
F. dais, 'canopy'), fr. VL. discus, 'table', fr. L.
discus, 'quoit, dish, disc'. See dish, disk and
cp. desk.
daisy, n. — ME. daies eie, fr. OE. daeges ege,
dsges eage, lit. 'day's eye' (see day and eye); so
called because it opens its flower in the morning.
Daisy, fem. PN. — Orig. used as a pet name for
Margaret, F. marguerite being identical in
meaning with E. daisy.
daitya, n., a demon (Hindu mythol.) — OI. dai-
tya-, lit. 'a daughter of Diti', a metronymic
formed fr. Diti, an aphetic form of Aditi. See
Aditi.
daiva, n., the second form of marriage (India). —
OI. daivah, 'marriage rite', lit. 'peculiar to the
gods, divine', fr. devdh, 'god'. See deva and
cp. Devi.
dak, n. — A var. of dawk.
Daksha, n., one of the Prajapatis, a son of Brah-
ma (Hindu mythol.) — OI. Ddksah, lit. 'able,
apt, clever, competent, intelligent', rel. to ddk-
sinah, daksindh, 'the able one' (i.e. 'the milch
cow'), and cogn. with Gk. 8e!;i.6;, 'on the right
hand', L. dexter, of s.m. See dexter.
dal, also dhal, dhall, n., split pea (India). — Hind.
dal, fr. OI. ddlati, 'bursts, splits', rel. to OI.
dalam, 'piece', fr. I.-E. base "del-, *do!-, 'to
split, cut, carve', whence L. doldre, 'to chip, cut
out', ddlium, 'a large jar, vessel'. See dole,
'grief, and cp. words there referred to. For the
sense development of Hind, dal, 'split pea', fr.
OI. ddlati, 'bursts, splits', cp. E. split pea.
Dalai Lama, the Grand Lama of Tibet. — Lit.
'the Ocean Lama', fr. Mongolian dalai, 'ocean',
and Tibetan blama, lama, 'lama'. See Lama.
Dalbergia, n., a genus of trees of the pea family
dale
398
(bot.) — ModL., named after the Swedish
physician Nils Dalberg (1736-1820). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dale, n., valley. — ME., fr. OE. dxl, rel. to OS.,
Du., Goth, dal, ON. dalr, OHG., MHG., G. tal,
'valley', and cogn. with OSlav. dolu, 'pit' (do)
dolu, 'down, downward', Russ. dol, 'valley', Gk.
9-iAau.o?, 'inner room', #6Xo<;, 'dome, round
chamber, circular vault', and the second ele-
ment in by-Salvos, 'eye', lit. 'vault of the eye'.
All these words are traceable to I.-E. *dhol-,
'something bent', 'convex or concave surface'.
Cp. dell, dollar. Cp. also thalamus, ophthalmo-.
dale, n., spout, trough. — Fr. ON. daela, 'gutter',
prob. through the medium of MF. (= F.) dalle,
'gutter; slab (of marble)'. Cp. dalle.
dalesman, n., one who lives in a valley. — Com-
pounded of dale, 'valley', and man.
daleth, n., name of the 4th letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. daleth, pausal form of deleth,
'door', which is rel. to Ugar. dl, Akkad. daltu,
'door'; so called in allusion to the ancient He-
brew form of this letter. Cp. delta. For the form
cp. aleph, lamedh, samekh.
Dalibardia, n., a genus of American plants (bot.)
— ModL., named after the French botanist
Thomas-Francois Dalibard (1703-79). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dalle, n., a slab. — F., fr. ON. dsela, 'gutter'. Cp.
dale, 'spout, trough'.
dalliance, n. — ME. daliance, fr. dalien, 'to chat'.
See next word and -ance.
dally, intr. v., 1) to sport; 2) to trifle; 3) to waste
time. — ME. dalien, 'to chat', fr. OF. dalier, 'to
converse, talk, chat', which is of uncertain
origin. Derivatives: dalliance (q.v.), dally-ing,
adj., dally-ing-ly, adv.
Dalmatian, adj., pertaining to Dalmatia; n., one
of the inhabitants of Dalmatia. — Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Dalmatia, name of the country
on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Cp. dal-
matic.
Dalmatian, n., a large white colored dog with
black spots. — Short for Dalmatian dog; so
called from its alleged place of origin.
dalmatic, adj., a vestment worn by deacons, bish-
ops, etc. -- Fr. L. Dalmatica (scil. tunica or
vest is), 'garment made of Dalmatian wool'. See
Dalmatian, adj., and -ic.
dal segno, musical direction to return to the sign.
— It., lit. 'from the sign'. The first word is con-
tracted from da, 'from', and the def. article il
(fr. L. ilium, acc. of ille, 'that one'). See da capo
and ille. The second word derives fr. L. signum,
'sign'. See sign and cp. al segno.
daltonism, n., color blindness. — Named after
the English chemist and physicist John Dalton
(1766-1844), who first described it in 1794. For
the ending see suff. -ism.
dam, n., an earth bank built to obstruct the water
of a river. — ME. dam, fr. MDu. dam, damm
(Du. dam), which is rel. to ON. dammr, 'dam',
MHG. tarn, G. Damm, and to OE. for-demman,
Goth, faur-dammjan, 'to stop up', and prob.
cogn. with Gk. (to:) ft£u.s&Xa, 'foundations,
lowest part', fr. I.-E. base *dhe-, 'to place'. See
do, v., and cp. theme.
Derivative: dam, tr. v., to obstruct by a dam,
damm-er, n.
dam, n., a female parent. — ME. dam, dame, fr.
OF. dame. See dame.
dam, n., the name of a former copper coin in
India. — Hind. dam.
Dama, n., the genus of the fallow deer. — L.
dama, damma, 'fallow deer', prob. a Celtic loan
word. Cp. Olr. dam, 'ox', dam allaid, 'stag'
(prop, 'wild ox'), W. dafad, 'sheep', and see doe.
damage, n. — ME., fr. OF. damage (F. dommage),
fr. VL. *damndticum, fr. L. damnum, 'harm,
loss'. See damn and subst. suff. -age. F. dom-
mage was prob. influenced in form by a con-
fusion with L. dominus, 'lord, master'.
Derivatives: damage, tr. and intr. v., damag-er,
n., damage-able, adj., damage-abl-y, adv., dam-
age-able-ness, n.
daman, n., a small rabbitlike mammal (Procavia
syriaca), the cony of the English version of the
Bible (see e.g. Lev. 11:5). — Arab, damdn Is-
rael, 'sheep of Israel'.
damascene, n., damson plum. — Lit. 'plum of
Damascus', fr. L. Damascena (scil. pruna),
'plums of Damascus', neut. pi. of Damascenus,
'of Damascus', fr. Damascus. See damask and
-ene and cp. damson.
damascene, tr. v., to ornament metals with inlaid
patterns in gold or silver. — Fr. L. Damascenus,
'of Damascus'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: damascen-ed, adj., damascen-er, n.
damask, n., a woven figured fabric. — Orig.
'textile manufactured in Damascus', fr. It. da-
masco, fr. L. Damascus, fr. Heb. Dammeseq,
name of the ancient city situated on the river
Amanah (= Gk. Xpuaoppoac, now called Nahr
Barada). Cp. damascene, damaskeen, damase,
damassin.
Derivative: damask, adj. and tr. v.
damaskeen, tr. v., to damascene. — F. damasqui-
ner, from the early French adjective damasquin,
'of Damascus', fr. It. damasco. See prec. word.
damasse, adj., woven like damask; n., a da-
masse fabric. — F., prop. pp. of damasser, 'to
damask', fr. damas, 'damask', fr. Damas,
French name of Damascus, fr. L. Damascus.
See damask.
damassin, n., a kind of damask. — F., fr. damas,
'damask'. See prec. word.
dame, n., a noble lady. — ME. dame, ir. OF.
(= F.) dame, fr. L. domina, 'the mistress of a
household', fern, of dominus, 'lord', prop, 'own-
er of the house', and rel. to domus, 'house'. For
the form cp. tribunus, fr. tribus, 'tribe'. Dominus
is only indirectly rel. to domdre, 'to tame' (see
dome and cp. dominate); but was directly in-
fluenced in meaning by it. See Walde-Pokorny,
399
danalite
VWIS., I, 787- Cp. dam, 'female parent', bel-
dam(e), belladonna, duenna, madam, madame,
demijohn, grandam.
dammar, n., a resin used for making varnish. —
Malay damar.
damn, tr. v., to condemn; intr. v., to say 'damn',
to swear. — ME. damnen, fr. OF. damner, damp-
ner (F. damner), fr. L. damnare, 'to injure, cause
loss, condemn', fr. damnum, 'harm, loss', which
stands for *dap-nom and orig. meant 'expsndi-
ture', and is rel. to daps, 'sacrificial feast, ban-
quet', and cogn. with Gk. SarcavT), 'cost, expen-
diture', 8a7rrciv, 'to devour', OI. ddpayate, 'he
shares', and prob. also with Toch. A tap-, 'to
eat'. All these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
*dap-, a -p-enlargement of I.-E. base *da-,
*dai-, *dt-, *d e -, 'to cut off, separate, divide,
distribute', whence OI. ddti, dydti, 'cuts, sepa-
rates, divides', dd-yate, 'divides', Gk. Soue<j#at,
'to divide, distribute; to feed on', Satfitov, 'god,
goddess*, lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and cp. damage, condemn,
indemnify. Cp. also the first element in dapifer.
Derivatives: damn, n., damnable (q.v.), dam-
nation (q.v.), damnatory (q.v.), damn-ed, adj.,
damn-er, n., damn-ing, adj., damn-ing-ly, adv.,
damn-ing-ness, n.
damnable, adj. — ME., fr. Late L. damndbilis,
'worthy of condemnation, damnable', fr. dam-
nare. See damn and -able.
Derivatives: damnabil-ity, n., damnable-ness, n.,
damnabl-y, adv.
damnation, n., condemnation. — OF. (= F.), fr.
L. damndtionem, acc. of damndtid, 'condem-
nation', fr. damndtus, pp. of damnare. See damn
and -ation and cp. condemnation.
damnatory, adj., condemnatory. — L. damndtd-
rius, fr. damndtus, pp. of damnare. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ory and cp. condemnatory.
damnify, tr. v., to cause damage. — OF. dam-
nifier, fr. Late L. damnificdre, fr. L. damnificus,
'injurious, hurtful', which is compounded of
damnum, 'harm, loss', and -ficdre, fr. facere, 'to
make do'. See damn and -fy and cp. indemnify.
Derivative: daminific-ation, n.
Damocles, n., a courtier of Dionysius I, tyrant of
Syracuse. — Dor. Gk. ASjioxXT);, corresponding
to Ion. Aiqu.oxXfi<;. The name lit. means 'fame of
the people', and is compounded of 85)u.o; (Dor.
Sapioi;), 'people', and tiktoc, (Dor. xXsf o?), 'fame'
(see demos and loud). — Sword of Damocles is
used to denote an imminent danger, in allusion
to the banquet at which Dionysius seated Da-
mocles so that a sword was suspended over his
head by a single hair.
damoiseau, n., a young nobleman who has not
yet been made a knight. — OF., fr. earlier da-
moisel, fr. VL. *dominicellus, dimin. of L. do-
minus, 'lord*. See damsel and words there re-
ferred to.
damosel, n. — An archaic var. of damsel,
damourite, n., hydromica (mineral.) — Named
after the French chemist A. Damour( 1808- 1902).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
damp, n. — MDu. (= Du.), 'vapor', rel. to Dan.
damp, OHG., MHG. damph, tamph, G. Dampf,
of s.m., ON. dampi, 'dust', and in gradational
relationship to MHG. dimpfen, 'to smoke', OE.
dimme, dim, 'dark, obscure'. See dim and cp.
dump, 'sadness'. Cp. also dank.
Derivatives: damp, adj. and tr. v., damp-en, tr.
and intr. v., damp-er, n., damp-ish, adj., damp-ly,
adv., damp-ness, n.
damsel, n., a girl. — ME. dameisele, fr. OF. da-
meisele, damoiselle, 'a woman of noble birth'
(whence F. demoiselle, 'young lady'), fr. VL.
* dominicella, dimin. of L. domina, 'mistress'
(see dame), fem. of dominus, 'master, lord'. See
dominus, dome, 'building', and cp. damoiseau,
demoiselle, doncella, donzella, mademoiselle. For
the ending see suff. -el.
damson, n., a small, purple plum. — ME. dama-
sin (plumme), prop, '(plum) of Damascus'. Cp.
L. Damascena prima, 'plums of Damascus', and
see damascene, n.
Dan, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible: a) son of
Jacob and Bilhah; b) the tribe descended from
him. — Heb. Dan, lit. 'he who judges', rel. to
Heb. din, 'to judge', Aram, dun, din, Syr. din,
Ugar. dn, Akkad, danu, of s.m., Heb. and Aram.
din, 'judgment', dayydn, Akkad. daydnu, 'judge',
Aram. m'dhini 1 ', 'district, province' (whence
Heb. m e dhind h , Syr. m e dhittd, of s.m., Arab, ma-
dtna h , 'city'), orig. 'district of jurisdiction', Heb.
madhSn, 'strife, contention'. Cp. Daniel, Dinah.
Cp. also Danatis.
Dan, n., a title of honor equivalent to Master. —
OF. dan, fr. L. dominus, 'lord, master'. F. dom
(an ecclesiastic title) also derives fr. L. dominus
(through the medium of It. don, short form of
donno). See dominus, dome, 'building', and cp.
Dom, domine, dominie, domino, donna.
Danae, n., daughter of Acrisius and mother of
Perseus (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Aocvbb],
lit. prob. meaning 'she who judges', and rel. to
Aavaoc. See Danatis.
Danaid, n., one of the Danaides. — See Danaides.
Danaidean, adj., pertaining to the Danaides. —
Formed fr. Danaides with suff. -an.
Danaides, Danaids, n. pi., the fifty daughters of
Danaus, king of Argos, who — with the ex-
ception of Hypermnestra — killed their hus-
bands, at their father's command. For this
crime they were condemned to draw water per-
petually with vessels that had no bottoms
(Greek mythol.) — L. Danaides, fr. Gk . AavatSes,
'daughters of Danaus', fr. Aotva6<; 'Danaus'.
See Danaus.
danaite, n., a cobaltic arsenopyrite (mineral.) —
Named after the chemist J. Freeman Dana, of
Boston (died in 1827). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
danalite, n., a reddish mineral. — Named after
the American mineralogist James Dwight Dana
Danaiis
400
(1813-95). For the ending see combining form
-lite.
Danaiis, n., a king of Argos, who commanded his
fifty daughters, the Danaides, to murder their
husbands on the wedding night (Greek mythol.)
— L. Danaus, fr. Gk. Aavao? (whence the pi.
Aavaoi, 'the Danaans', i.e. 'descendants or sub-
jects of Danaiis', whence 'the Greeks', in gen-
eral), which prob. derives fr. Heb.-Phoen. Dan,
and lit. means 'one who judges'; see Dan, PN.,
and cp. Danae, Danaides. This etymol. is cor-
roborated by the fact that the myth of Belus
and the Danaides "records the early arrival in
Greece of Helladic colonists from Palestine"
(quoted from Robert Graves, 'The Greek
Myths', I, p. 203, Penguin Books). For other
Greek mythological names of Hebrew origin
cp. Cadmus, Niobe. — According to Kretsch-
mer, Glotta 24, 15 ff., the Danaans are identical
with the men of Tanaus, king of the Scythians,
who allegedly came to Argos in the 15th cent.
B.C.E. and became blended with the Greeks.
Kretschmer also assumes that there is a relation-
ship between Tanaus and the river names Tanais
and L. Ddnubius (whence F. and E. Danube),
and Ddnu-, name of an Indo-Iranian people.
See Frisk, GEW., I, p. 347 s.v. Aavaol and cp.
Albert Carnoy, Dictionnaire etymologique de
la mythologie greco-romaine, p. 42 s.v. *Da-
naos. — Cp. Danae, Danaides.
dance, intr. and tr. v. — ME. dancen, dauncen,
fr. OF. dancer (F. danser), prob. borrowed fr.
Frankish *dintjan, 'to move to and fro', Which
is rel. to Du. deinzen; cp. danseuse. Cp. It. dan-
zare, OProvenf. dansar, Sp. danzar, Port, dan-
car, Du. dansen, G. tanzen, 'to dance', which
derive fr. OF. dander.
Derivatives: danc-er, n., danc-er-ess, n., danc-
ing, n.
dance, n. — ME. daunce, fr. OF. dance, fr. dan-
der. See dance, v.
dancetty, dancette, adj., indented (her.) — Fr. F.
danrhe, 'indented', pp. of dancher, fr. OF. den-
chier, fr. VL. "dentiare, 'to provide with teeth',
fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See denti-.
dandelion, n., a weed with yellow flowers. — F.
dent de lion, 'lion's tooth', fr. L. dentem, acc. of
dens, 'tooth', de, 'from, away from', and lednem,
acc. of led, 'lion' ; see denti-, de- and lion. The
plant was so called from its indented leaves. Cp.
Leontodon.
dander, intr. v., to stroll, wander about. — Cp.
dandle.
dander, n., temper, anger. — Of uncertain origin,
dandiacal, adj., resembling a dandy. — Formed
fr. dandy on analogy of hypochondriacal and
other adjectives ending in -iacal.
Dandie Dinmont terrier, n. — Named after Dandy
Dinmont, a farmer in Scott's Guy Mannering,
who possessed a special breed of terriers,
dandify, tr. v., to cause to resemble a dandy; to
dress up. — Compounded of dandy and -fy.
Derivative: dandific-ation, n.
dandle, tr. and intr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
It. dondolare, 'to dandle, swing', which is also
imitative, and F. dandiner, of s.m., which derives
fr. OF. dandin, 'small bell', a word of imitative
origin.
Derivative: dandl-er, n.
dandruff, dandriff, n. — The first element of this
compound is of uncertain origin. The second
derives fr. ON. hrufa, 'scab', which is rel. to
OHG. hruf, ruf, G. Rufe, MDu. rove, of s.m.,
ON. hrjufr, OE. hreof, 'rough, scabby, leprous',
and cogn. with W. crawen, 'crust', Lith. krau-
pus, 'rough', Lett, kraupa, 'scab'.
Derivative: dandruff-y, adj.
dandy, n., a fop. — Fr. Dandy, a var. of St. An-
drews. The name Andrews ult. derives fr. the
Greek PN. 'AvSpea;, which is rel. to avSpetoc,
'manly', both being derivatives of av7jp, gen.
&v8p6t;, 'man'. See andro-.
Derivatives: dandy, adj., and the hybrids dandy-
ish, adj., dandy-ism, n.
dandy, dandi, n., 1) a boatman; 2) a hammock
(Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, dandi, dandi, fr. ddnd,
dand, 'staff, stick, wand, oar', fr. OI. danaafi,
of s.m., which is of uncertain etymology.
dandy, dandi, n., a Sivaitic mendicant. — Of the
same origin as prec. word; so called from the
small wand carried by him.
dandy, n. — Corruption of dengue.
Dane, n., a native of Denmark. — ME. Dan, fr.
ON. Danir (pi.), lit. 'Lowlanders', which is rel.
to MLG. denne, 'lowland, wooded vale, den',
OE. denn, 'lair of a wild beast, den'. See den.
For sense development cp. Pole.
Derivatives: Dan-ish, adj. and n.
Danegeld, n., an annual land tax (English hist.) —
ME., lit. 'tribute paid to the Danes', fr. Dane,
gen. pi. of Dan, 'Dane', and geld, 'payment, tri-
bute', fr. OE. gield, of s.m. See Dane and yield.
Danelaw, also Danelagh, n., Danish law prevail-
ing in the northeastern part of England held
by the Danes during the Danish Conquest. —
OE. Dena lagu, 'Danes' law'. See Dane and law.
danger, n. — ME. danger, 'power, difficulty, re-
sistance, jurisdiction', fr. OF. danger, 'power,
domination* (whence F. danger, 'danger'), fr.
VL. "dominidrium, 'power', which derives fr.
dominus, 'master, lord'. The change of L. o to a
in OF. danger is due to the influence of L. dam-
num, 'damage'. See dominate and dome, 'build-
ing', and cp. dominion, dungeon.
Derivatives: danger-ous, adj., danger-ous-ly,
adv., danger-ous-ness, n.
dangle, intr. v., to hang loosely. — Of Scand. ori-
gin. Cp. Dan. dangle, Swed. dangla, 'to swing
about, dangle', which stand in gradational re-
lationship to Dan dingle, Swed. and Norw.
dingla, of s.m. Cp. also adangle.
Derivatives: dangle, n., dangl-er, n., dangl-ing,
adj., dangl-ing-ly, adv.
Daniel, masc. PN., the hero of the Book of Da- '
aar*
niel (Bible). — Heb. DanVil, lit. 'God is my
judge', rel. to Akkad. Ddnilu. For the first ele-
ment see Dan, PN., for the second see El.
dank, adj., moist, damp. — ME. danke, of Scand.
origin; cp. Swed. dank, 'moist place', ddnka,
'to moisten', which are rel. to OS. dunkar,
OFris. diunk, 'dark', ON. dokkr, Du. donker,
OHG. tunkal, dunkal, MHG. tunkel, G. dunkel,
of s.m., and to OHG., MHG. damph, MDu.,
Du. damp, 'vapbr'. See damp.
Derivatives: dank-ish, adj., dank-ish-ness, n.,
dank-ly, adv., dank-ness, n.
danseuse, n., a femaledancer. — F., fern, of aan-
seur, 'dancer', fr. danser, 'to dance'. See dance, v.
danta, n., a tapir. — Sp. and Port, danta, 'tapir',
fr. Sp. de anta, short for piel de anta, '(of)
buckskin', fr. de, 'of, from', and anta, 'elk, tapir,
buckskin', fr. Arab, lamt, 'antelope', the / of
which was mistaken for the article and conse-
quently dropped.
Dantesque, adj., resembling Dante or his style. —
Formed with suff. -esque from the name of the
poet Dante (1 265-1 321).
Danthonia, n., a genus of plants, the wild oat
grass (bot.) — ModL., named after the French
botanist Etienne Danthoine. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
dap, intr. and tr. v., to fish by allowing the bait
to dip into the water. — Prob. of imitative ori-
gin. Cp. dab, 'to strike gently'.
Derivative: dap, n.
Daphne, n., a nymph (who was turned into a
laurel) (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Aacpvirj, fr.
8a<p\i7), 'laurel'. See next word and cp. Daphnis.
Daphne, n., a genus of plants of the mezereon
family (bot.) — Gk. Satpw), 'laurel', rel. to Per-
gamene Xatpv?), Thessalian Saii/va, of s.m.; bor-
rowed — together with L. laurus, 'laurel' — from
a language of Asia Minor. Cp. prec. word and
laurel. Cp. also Daucus.
Daphnean, adj., pertaining to Daphne. — Formed
fr. Daphne with suff. -an.
Daphnis, n., a shepherd in Sicily, the inventor of
pastoral songs (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk.
Aatpvn;, which is rel. to SAqivt,?, 'bayberry', fr.
SdttpvT), 'laurel'. See Daphne.
dapifer, n., a servant waiting at table. — L., 'a
bringer of meat', compounded of daps, gen.
dapis, 'sacrificial feast, banquet', lit. 'expense',
and ferd,ferre, 'to bear, carry'. The first element
is rel. to L. damnum (for *dap-nom), 'harm,
loss', orig. 'expenditure', and cogn. with Gk.
SomavT], 'cost, expenditure'. See damn. For the
second element in dapifer see -fer.
dapper, adj., neat; smart. — ME. daper, 'agile,
strong', fr. MDu. (= Du.) dapper, 'strong,
valiant, brave', which is rel. to ON. dapr, 'de-
jected, sad', Dan. tapper, 'brave', OHG. tapfar,
'heavy, weighty', MHG. tapfer, dapfer, 'thick,
weighty', Late MHG. and G. tapfer, 'brave', fr.
I.-E. base *dheb-, 'thick, heavy, strong', whence
also Toch. A tappo, 'worth, force', OSlav. dobru,
Russ. dobryj, dobry, Czech and Slovak dobry,
'good', OSlav. debelu, 'thick', dial. Russ. debolyj,
'strong, powerful',OPruss. debikan, 'large, great'.
Derivatives : dapper-ly, adv. dapper-ness, n.
dapple, n., a spot on the skin of an animal. —
Prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. depill, 'a spot,
dot, a dog with spots above the eyes'.
Derivatives: dapple, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
dappl-ed, adj.
dapple-gray, dapple-grey, adj. — A blend of
apple-gray and dapple.
darbies, n. pi., handcuffs (slang), — Prob. short-
ened fr. Father Darby's bands, in which phrase
Darby (prop, phonetic spelling of Derby) refers
to a usurer of this name.
Darby and Joan, an old, happy married couple.
— First referred to in the Gentleman's Maga-
zine of 1735, V. 153.
dare, intr. and tr. v. — ME. dar, 'I dare' (in the
past tense dorste, durste), fr. OE. ic dearr, T
dare' (in the past tense dorste), rel. to OHG. tar,
'I dare', Goth, ga-daursan, 'to dare', preterite
ga-dars, 'dared', fr. I.-E. base *dhars-, *dhers-,
'to dare, be courageous', whence also OI.
dhdrsati, 'dares', dhjsuh, 'courageous', Avestic
darshi-, darshita-, 'bold', Gk. $<xpco;, Spaaot;,
Att. ^appo?, 'courage, audacity', Oapau?, &paa<K,
'bold, audacious', 3-apaeiv, Att. ^appetv, 'to be,
bold', Lith. dresu, dr[stu, dr{sti, 'to dare', drqsus,
'courageous', and possibly also L. in-festus,
'disturbed, molested, infested, unquiet', and
Toch. B tsir, A tsrasi, 'strong, powerful'. Cp.
thersitical, thrasonical, infest, manifest.
Derivatives: dare, n., dar-ing, n. and adj., dar-
ing-ly, adv.
dargah, also durgah, n., the shrine of a Moham-
medan saint in India. — Hind, dargah, fr. Pers.
dargah, lit. 'royal gate'. Pers. dar, "door, gate',
is rel. to Avestic dvar e m (acc. sing.) ,'gate,
court', OPers. duvarayd-, 'at the door', and to
OI. dvirah, 'door'. See door and cp. the first
element in durbar and in durwaun.
daric, n., an ancient Persian gold coin. — Fr. Gk.
Aapeix6?, also written Aapix6?, Aapix<k, fr.
Aapeioq, 'Darius', hence lit. meaning 'of, or
pertaining to, Darius'. See next word and -ic.
Darius, masc. PN. — L. Darius, fr. Gk. Aapeto;,
fr. OPers. Ddrayava(h)ush (whence also Heb.
Darydwesh), a compound lit. meaning 'he who
holds firm the good'. The first element of this
compound derives from the stem of OPers.
ddraydmiy, 'I hold', fr. I.-E. base *dher(e)-, 'to
hold'; see Arm, adj., and cp. the second element
in aumildar and in words there referred to. The
second element in OPers. Ddraya-va(h)ush
means 'the good', and is related to Avestic
vanhu, vohu, OI. vdsuh, 'good'. Cp. prec. word.
dark, adj. — ME. deork, derk, darke, fr. OE.
deorc, re!, to OHG. tarchanjan, 'to hide, con-
ceal', MHG. terken, 'to make dark, soil', and
cogn. with Lith. darga, 'rainy weather', and
prob. also with Olr. derg, 'red'.
402
Derivatives: dark, n., dark-en, tr. and intr. v.,
dark-en-er, n., dark-en-ing, n., dark-ish, adj.,
dark-ish-ness, n., dark-ly, adv., dark-ness, n.,
dark-some, adj., dark-some-ness, n.
darkle.intr. v., i) to appear dark; 2) to grow dark;
tr. v., to obscure. — Back formation fr. dark-
ling, which was mistaken for a pres. part.
darkling, adv., in the dark. — Formed fr. dark
with suff. -ling. Cp. darkle.
Derivative: darkling, adj.
darky, darkey, n„ a Negro (colloq.) — Formed
fr. dark with suff. -y.
darling, n. and adj. — ME. derling, fr. OE. deor-
ling, formed fr. deore, 'dear', with suff. -ling.
See dear and -ling.
Derivatives: darling-ly, adv., darling-ness, n.
darn, tr. v. — From earlier dern, fr. dial. F. der-
ner, darner, 'to patch', fr. OF. derne, 'a piece',
fr. Bret, darn, of s.m. (whence F. darne, 'a slice of
fish'), fr. I.-E. base *dere-, *der-, 'to tear, divide,
flay', whence also OI. d{n&ti, 'cleaves, bursts',
Gk. Sspeiv, 'to flay', Sippet, Sop&, 'skin', Sccpm.?,
'tearing, flaying, separation', OE. teran, 'to
tear'. See tear, 'to rend', and cp. derma, dartars.
Derivatives: darn, n., darn-er, n., darn-ing, n.
darn, tr. v. — Euphemism for damn.
darnel, n., a poisonous weed; called also rye
grass. — ME. dernel, darnel, fr. dial. F. darnelle,
a word compounded of an unknown first ele-
ment and OF. neelle (F. nielle), 'cockle', fr. VL.
nigella, 'a black-seeded plant', prop. fem. of L.
nigellus, 'blackish', fr. niger, 'black'. See Negro
and cp. niello.
daroga, darogha, n., governor {Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind, ddroghdh, fr. Pers. ddrdghah, 'super-
intendant' ; which is prob. of Mongolian origin.
darrein, adj., last (law). — OF. darrein, derrain,
fr. earlier dererain, fr. VL. *deretrdnus, fr. L.
deretro, 'from behind' (whence also F. derriere,
'behind'), fr. de, 'from, away from', and retro,
'back'. See de- and retro- and cp. dernier
ressort.
darshana, n., any of the six schools of Hindu phi-
losophy. — OI. darsanah, lit. 'demonstration',
rel. to daddrsa, 'I have seen', dfs-, 'sight, »iew',
dfsya-, 'visible', fr. I.-E. base *derk-, *d(k-, 'to
see, look at', whence also Gk. 8£pxea$ai, 'to
look at', Spaxcov, 'dragon', lit. 'the sharp-sighted
one'. See dragon and cp. words there referred to.
darso, n., a hybrid grain sorghum. — Formed
from the initials of dwarf, red and sorghum.
dart, n., a pointed weapon. — ME. dart, fr. OF.
dart, dard (F. dard), fr. Frankish *darop, 'dart',
which is rel. to OE. darop, OHG. tart, ON. dar-
rapr, 'dart'. OProvenc. dart is of the same origin
as OF. dart, It. and Sp. dardo are OProvenc.
loan words.
Derivatives: dart, intr. and tr. v., darter (q.v.),
dart-ing, adj., dart-ing-Iy, adv., dart-ing-ness, n.
dartars, n., a kind of mange affecting esp. the
chin of lambs. — F. dartre, 'eruption of the
skin, blotch, herpes, tetter', fr. Gaulish L. der-
bita, 'tetter', which is rel. to W. darwyden,
MBret. daroueden, ModBret. dervoeden, of
s.m. See tetter and cp. dartre. Cp. also darn.
darter, n., 1) one who, or that which, darts; 2) the
name of various fishes. — Formed from the verb
dart (see dart, n.) with agential suff. -er.
dartle, intr. v. — Formed from the verb dart (see
dart, n.) with freq. suff. -le.
dartos, n., the contractile layer beneath the skin
of the scrotum (anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk.
SapT6?, 'flayed', in anatomy: 'separated by
avulsion' [first used by Rufus (cca. 100 C.E.)
for a tunica surrounding the testicles] . Gk. 8apx6s
is verbal adj. of 8£peiv, 'to flay', in anatomy:
'to separate by avulsion'; which is cogn. with
Goth, dis-tairan, OE. teran, 'to tear'. See tear,
'to rend', and cp. darn, dartars, derma.
Derivatives: darto-ic, dart-oid, adjs.
dartre, n., a name for various skin diseases. —
F. See dartars.
dartrous, adj., pertaining to dartre. — A hybrid
coined fr. dartre and -ous, a suff. of Latin origin.
darwan, n. — See durwaun.
Darwinian, adj., pertaining to Charles Robert
Darwin (1809-82) or his theories. For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Darwinism, n., the theory of the origin of species
propounded by Charles Robert Darwin. — See
prec. word and -ism.
darzee, n., a tailor. — Hind, darzi, 'tailor'. See
Druse.
dash, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dasshen, of Scand.
origin. Cp. Swed. daska, Dan. daske, 'to beat,
strike', Swed., Dan. dask, 'a blow'.
Derivatives: dash, n., dash-er, n., dash-ing, adj.,
dash-ing-ly, adv., dash-y, adj.
Dashahara, n., the 'ten days festival' (Hindu reli-
gion). — OI. ddsahard, lit. 'that which takes away
ten (sins)', fr. ddsa, 'ten', and hard, fem. of hara,
'that which takes away', from the stem of hdrati,
'brings, carries, takes away, robs'. OI. ddsa is
cogn. with Gk. Una, L. decern, Goth, taihun,
OE. /fen, ten, 'ten'; see ten. OI. hdrati derives
fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to seize, take', whence also
Gk. xetp, 'hand' ; see chiro- and cp. the second
element in vihara.
dasi, n., a female slave; a concubine (Hinduism).
— Hind., fr. OI. ddsi-, 'female slave', which is
rel. to ddsdfi, 'demon, enemy, barbarian, slave,
servant', and prob. also to ddsyuh, 'demon,
enemy of the gods, barbarian', ddsydh, 'bon-
dage, servitude'. Cp. the second element in
devadasi.
Dasiphora, n., a genus of plants of the family
Rosaceae (hot.) — ModL., irregularly formed fr.
Gk. Sdauq, 'thick with hair, hairy, bushy', and
-<p6poi;, 'bearing', which is rel. to <p£petv, 'to
bear'. See dasy- and -phore. The exact form of
the word should have been Dasyphora.
dastard, n., a coward. — ME., prob. formed
with the pejorative suff. -ard fr. dast, which is
equivalent to dosed, pp. of dasen, 'to daze'. See
daze and cp. ON. dsstr, 'out of breath,
exhausted'.
Derivatives: dastard-ly, adj., dastard-li-ness, n.
dasy-, combining form meaning 'thick, hairy,
rough'. — Gk. 8aau-, fr. Saati?, 'thick with hair,
hairy, bushy, thick, dense, rough' ; which stands
for *dipus and is cogn. with L. densus, 'crowd-
ed, dense'. See dense and cp. the first element
in Dasiphora.
Dasylirion, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of dasy- and Gk.
Xeiptov, 'lily'. See lily and cp. words there
referred to.
dasymeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
density of gases. — Compounded of dasy- and
Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Dasypus, n., a genus of armadillos (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. 8a<iu7tou;, 'a hare', lit. 'the
hairy-footed animal', fr. dasy- and roni?, gen.
toSoc, 'foot'. See dasy- and -pod.
Dasystephana, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of dasy-
and Gk. a^tyvMoc,, 'crown'. See Stephanos.
dasyure, n., any of small marsupial mammals of
Australia. — Compounded of dasy- and Gk.
oup&, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
data, n. — PI. of datum (q.v.)
date, n., a given point of time. — ME., fr. OF.
(= F.) date, fr. ML. data (scil. littera) (whence
also It., Provenc., Sp. data), lit. '(letter) given',
prop. fem. pp. of L. dare, 'to give'. This term
derived fr. L. datum (neut. pp. of dare), the first
word used in letters to indicate the place and
time of writing as e.g. datum Romae pridie
Kalendds Maids, 'given (i.e. written) at Rome
on the last day of April'. L. dare is rel. to dos,
'marriage portion, dowry', do-num, 'gift', ddnd,
ddndre, 'to give as a present', fr. I.-E. base *dd-,
*d 1 -, 'to give', whence also OI. dd-dd-ti, 'gives',
Avestic dadditi, of s.m., OI. da-tar-, dd-tdr-,
'giver', dd-trdm, 'gift', Gk. 8£-8<o-fii, 'I give',
8a>-T(op, Sco-TTjp, So-ttjp, 'giver', 8£S-pov, Sco-
Ttvrj, 8<o;, 'gift', 86-ai;, 'a giving; gift', So-tos
(verbal adj. of 8t-8co-[u)> 'given', OSlav. dati, 'to
give', da-ru, 'gift', da-ni, 'tax', dami, 'I shall give',
Lith. duomi, 'I give', OPruss. ddst, 'gives', Arm.
ta-m, *I give', tu-r, 'gift', Alb. da-sc, 'I gave'.
Cp. add, addendum, anecdote, antedate, anti-
dote, apodosis, condone, dado, dation, dative,
die, 'cube', donation and words there referred
to, dose, dosimeter, dosology, dot, 'marriage
portion', dower, dowry, edit, irredenta, post-
date, reddendum, reddition, render, rendition,
sacerdotal, subdititious, surrender, tradition,
traitor, treason. Cp. also mandate, command,
commend, countermand, demand. Cp. also the
second element in vend.
Derivatives: date, tr. and intr. v., dat-able, adj.,
dat-er, n., dat-ing. n.
date, n., fruit of the palm tree. — OF. date (F.
datte), fr. OProvenc. datil (or fr. It. dattero), fr.
L. dactylus, fr. Gk. SdtxxuXoi;, 'date', which is
of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb. deqel, Aram, diqld,
Syr. deqld, Arab, ddqal, 'date palm', and Heb.
Diqld h , name of a region in Arabia, rich in date
palms (see Gen. 10: 27 and I Chron. 1:21). The
form of Gk. SdcxxuXo?, 'date', was influenced
by a folk-etymological association with Saxxu-
Ioq, 'finger', suggested by the fingerlike shape
of the date.
dation, n., the act of giving (law). — L. datid,
gen. -dnis, 'a giving', fr. datus, pp. of dare, 'to
give'. See date, 'point of time', and -ion.
Datisca, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL., of
unknown origin.
dative, adj. and n. — L. dativus (casus), loan
translation of Gk. Sotixy) (tttmcti?), 'the dative
case'; fr. dativus, 'pertaining to the act of
giving', fr. datus, pp. of dare, 'to give'. See date,
'point of time', and -ive.
Derivatives: dativ-al, adj., dative-ly, adv.
datolite, n., a translucent calcium borosilicate
(mineral.) — Formed from the stem of Gk.
Sonreitrftoa, 'to cut in two, divide, distribute',
and Xi»o?, 'stone'. Gk. Saxeta&ai. prob. derives
fr. I.-E. base *d l -t-, a -/-enlargement of base
*dai-, *d(-, *d e -, 'to cut off, separate, divide,
distribute', whence OI. dati, dydti, 'cuts, sepa-
rates, divides', dd-yate, 'divides', Gk. 8caea9m,
'to divide, distribute; to feed on', 8cau.<ov, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and -lite.
datum, n., something given or assumed. — L.
datum, neut. pp. of dare, 'to give'. See date,
'point of time', and cp. data.
Datura, n., a genus of plants of the potato family
(bot) — ModL., fr. Hind, dhaturd, fr. OI. dhat-
turah, dhusturah, 'thorn apple', which is cogn.
with the second element in OE. dweorge-dwostle,
'penny royal', and possibly also with L. festuca,
'stalk, stem, straw'. See festuca.
daub, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dauben, fr. OF.
(= F.) dauber, 'to plaster', fr. L. dealbdre, 'to
whiten, whitewash, plaster', fr. de- and albdre,
'to whiten', fr. albus, 'white'. See alb.
Derivatives: daub, n., daub-er, n., daub-ery, n.,
daub-ing, n., daubster, n., daub-y, adj.
dauberite, n., basic uranium sulfate (mineral.) —
Named after H. Dauber, who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
daubreeite, daubreite, n., a hydrous bismuth oxy-
chloride (mineral.) — Named after the French
mineralogist Gabriel-Auguste Daubree (1814-
96). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
daubreelite, n., a chromium iron sulfide (mineral.)
— Named after Daubree. See prec. word and
the combining form -lite.
Daucus, n., a genus of plants, the carrot (bot.) —
L. daucus, daucum, fr. Gk. 8auxo<;, SaOxov, 'a
kind of parsnip', which is rel. to Thessalian Gk.
Sauxva, Gk. 8d<pvY], 'laurel'. See Daphne.
daughter, n. — ME doghter, dohter, fr. OE. doh-
tor, dohter, rel. to OS. dohtar, ON. ddttir.
uaunt
404
OFris., Du. dochter, OHG., MHG. tohter, G.
Tochter, Goth, dauhtar, 'daughter', and cogn.
with OI. duhitd, Avestic dugedd-, duydar-, Toch.
A ckdcar, B tkacer, Arm. dustr, Gk. Qvyi.Trfi,
OSlav. dusti, OPruss. duckti, Lith. dukte,
'daughter'.
Derivatives : daughter-hood, n., daughter-ly, adj.,
daughter-li-ness, n.
daunt, tr. v. — ME. daunten, fr. OF. danter, don-
ter (F. dompter), fr. L. domitdre, 'to tame, sub-
due', freq. of domare (pp. domitus), 'to tame,
subdue, vanquish, conquer', lit. 'to accustom
to the house', fr. domus, 'house'. See dome,
'building', and cp. indomitable. Cp. also tame.
Derivatives: daunt-er, n., daunt-ing, adj., daunt-
ing-ly, adv., daunt-ing-ness, n., dauntless (q.v.).
dauntless, adj. — Formed fr. the ME. noun daunt,
fr. daunten (see daunt) with suff. -less; first used
by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: dauntless-ly, adv., dauntless-ness,n.
dauphin, n., the title of the eldest son of the king
of France. — F., lit. 'dolphin', translation of
L. Delphinus, lit. 'dolphin', orig. a name borne
by Guigo IV, count of Vienne (died in 1142)
and by his successors. The name Delphinus was
chosen in allusion to the three dolphins repre-
sented in the coat of arms of the lords above
mentioned. Hence the province owned by them
came to be known as Delphindtus in Latin
(whence F. Dauphine). See dolphin.
dauphine, n., a dauphiness. — F. dauphine, fern,
of dauphin. See dauphin.
dauphiness, n., the wife of a dauphin. — Formed
fr. dauphin with suff. -ess.
davenport, n., a kind of writing desk. — So called
from the name of its first maker.
David, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, the second king
of Israel and Judah, the writer of the Psalms.
— Heb. Ddwfdh, lit. 'beloved, friend', rel. to dddh,
'beloved, uncle', and to dudhd'tm, 'mandrake',
prop, 'love-exciting (plant)'. Cp. dudaim.
daviesite, n., a lead oxychloride {mineral.) —
Named after Thomas Davies, of the Minera-
logical Dept. of the British Museum (1837-91).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
davit, n., a projecting piece of vessel for suspend-
ing or lowering a boat. — OF. daviet, daviot
(whence F. davier, with change of suff.), dimin.
of the PN. David; so called in allusion to the
slaying of Goliath. See David and cp. -et.
davy, n., safety lamp. — Shortened fr. Davy lamp;
named after its inventor, the English chemist
Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829).
davy, n. (slang). — Short for affidavit.
Davy lamp. — Sec davy, 'safety lamp'.
daw, n., a kind of crow, a jackdaw. — ME. dawe,
rel. to OHG. tdha, MHG. tdhe, also tdhele,
tale, tole (diminutives of tdhe), G. Dohle; cp.
OPruss. doacke, 'starling', ML. tacuta, It. tac-
cola, 'jackdaw', which are German loan words.
dawdle, intr. and tr. v., to waste (time). — Perhaps
a var. of dial. E. daddle, 'to walk unsteadily'.
Derivatives: dawdl-er, n., dawdl-ing, n.
dawk, dak, n., transport by relays of men and
horses, mail (Anglo-Ind.) — Hind, dak, 'post,
mail'.
dawn, intr. v. — ME. dawening, of Norse origin ;
cp. Swed. and Dan. dagning, 'a dawning', fr.
dag, 'day'. Cp. also OE. dagian, 'to dawn', fr.
dug, 'day', Du. dagen, 'to dawn', fr. dag, 'day',
G. tagen, 'to dawn', fr. Tag, 'day', and see day.
Derivatives: dawn, n., dawning (q.v.)
dawning, n. — ME. dawening. See prec. word
and subst. -tag.
dawsonite, n., a basic aluminum sodium carbo-
nate (mineral.) — Named after the Canadian
geologist Sir John William Dawson (1865-
1951). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
day, n. — ME. dai, dei, fr. OE. dxg, rel. to
ON. dagr, OS., Dan., Swed., Du. dag, Goth, dags,
OHG. tag, MHG. tac, G. Tag, 'day', orig.
'burning heat', fr. I.-E. base *dheg w h-, *dhog"h-,
'to burn', whence also OI. ddhati, 'burns', ni-
ddghdfi, 'heat, summer', Avestic dazaiti, 'burns',
Toch. A tsak-, B tsak-, 'to burn', tsdk-, 'to shine,
glow', L. foved (for *dhog w heyd), fovere, 'to
warm, keep warm', favilla (for *fovilla), 'embers'.
Gk. x£9pa (for *dheg w hrd), 'ashes', OPruss.
dagis, 'summer', Lith. dagas, 'burning, harvest',
dagd, 'harvest', degu, degti, OSlav. zego, zesti,
'to burn', Alb. djek, 'I burn', MIr. daig (gen.
dega), 'fire, pain, disease'. Cp. also Arm. dag,
'impressive' (orig. sense prob. 'fiery'), W. deifio,
Bret, devi, 'to burn'. L. dies, 'day', is not
cognate. Cp. daisy, dawn, and the second ele-
ment in landtag, Reichstag, Rigsdag, Riksdag.
Cp. also favor, febrile, fever, foment, fomes,
tephrite.
daydream, n., a reverie. — Coined by John Dry-
den (1631-1700).
Derivatives: daydream, intr. v., daydream-er, n.,
daydream-y, adj.
daze, tr. v. — ME. dasen, 'to stupefy', fr. ON.
dasa in dasa-sk, 'to become weary', lit. 'to
weary oneself (-sk being the ON. reflexive suff.,
cp. bask, busk), which is rel. to dasa, 'to lie idle',
dasi, 'an idle man'. Cp. dazzle, dastard.
Derivatives: daze, n., daz-ed, adj., daz-ed-ly,
adv., daz-ed-ness, n.
dazzle, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. daze with
freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: dazzle, n., dazzl-er, n., dazzl-ing-
ly, adv.
DDT,n., a very strong insecticide. — Formed from
the initials of the chemical name rfichloro-i/i-
phenyl-frichloro-ethane.
de, prep, meaning 'from'. — See pref. de-.
de-, pref. meaning: 1) down; 2) away from; 3) ut-
terly, completely; 4) the negation or reversal
of the notion expressed in the primary word. —
Fr. L. de, 'from, away from, down from, out of,
on account of, concerning, according to', either
directly or through the medium of OF. de-, F.
di-. L. de derives fr. I.-E. *de, whence also Olr.
405
debarrass
di, de, OW. di, ModW. y, Co. the, 'down from',
'away from'. For derivatives of rel. I.-E. *de and
*d8 see to and cp. words there referred to. Cp. the
first elemt in deteriorate, dupe and the second
element in ci-devant, ibidem, tandem. — Some-
times E. de- comes fr. F. de-, fr. OF. des-,
fr. L. dis-; see dis-.
deacon, n. — ME. deken, diacne, fr. OE. diacon, fr.
Late L. didconus, fr. Gk. §ti£>covo<;, 'servant, mi-
nister of a church', which is rel. to kf-xoveiv, 'to
be quick and active, to hasten', A-xovItE, 'with-
out effort', fr. Greco-L. base *ken-, 'to toil, strive,
exert oneself, whence also L. condri, 'to at-
tempt, try, endeavour'. See conation and cp.
diaconal and the second element in ratiocinate,
larceny, tirocinium, vaticinate.
Derivatives: the hybrid words deacon-ess, n.,
deacon-hood, n., deacon-ry, n., deacon-ship, n.
dead, adj. — ME. dede, deade, deed, fr. OE. dead,
'dead', rel. to OS. dod, Dan. dod, Swed. dod,
OFris. dad, MDu. doot, Du. dood, OHG. tot,
tod, MHG. tot, G. tot, ON. daudr, Goth, daups,
'dead', fr. Teut. participial base *dau-pa, *dau-
da, 'dead', formed with participial suff. -pa, -da
(= I.-E. suff. -*to), fr. Teut. base *dau-, 'to die',
which corresponds to I.-E. base *dhew-, *dheu-,
*dhow-, *dhou-, 'to pine away, die'. Fr. *dhwei-
an enlargement of this base, derive Arm. di,
'dead body, corpse', Olr. dith, 'end, death',
OSlav. daviti, Russ. davit', 'to choke, suffocate'.
Cp. death, die, dwindle. Cp. also funeral. For
the formation of Teut. adjectives from past
participles cp. cold, loud, old, sad.
Derivatives: dead, adv. and n., dead-en, tr. and
intr. v., dead-en-er, n., dead-en-ing, n., deadly
(q.v.), dead-ness, n.
deadly, adj. — ME. deedlich, fr. OE. deadlic,
formed fr. dead, 'dead' with suff. -Ik. See dead
and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: deadli-ness, n.
deadly, adv. — ME. deedliche, fr. OE. deadlice,
formed fr. dead, 'dead', with suff. -lice. See
dead and adv. suff. -ly.
deaf, adj. — ME. deef, def, fr. OE. deaf, rel. to
OS. dof, ON. daufr, OFris. daf, Du. doof, 'deaf,
OHG. toub, MHG. toup, 'deaf, stupid', G. taub,
Goth, daufs, 'deaf, insensate', and cogn. with
Gk. Tu<p-X6i; (dissimil. fr. *fh><p-\6$), 'blind',
Olr. dub, dubh (for *dhubu), 'black ; ink', fr. I.-E.
base *dheu-bh-, 'to fill with smoke, to cloud,
darken ; to be dull, dumb or deaf. Cp. dove. Cp.
also dumb, which derives from a nasalized form
of base *dheu-bh-. Cp. base *dheu-p-, which
appears in OI. dhupah, 'smoke'. The bases
*dheu-bh-, *dheu-p-, are enlargements of base
*dheu-, 'to fly about like dust, to smoke'. See
tbio- and cp. duffer. Cp. also stove.
Derivatives: deaf-en, tr. and intr. v., deafen-
ing, adj. and n., deaf-ish, adj., deaf-ly, adv.,
deaf-ness, n.
deal, n., part, share. — ME. deel, fr. OE. dxl,
rel. to ON. deild, OS., OFris. del, Du.
deel, OHG., MHG., G. teil, Goth, dails,
part, share', and cogn. with OSlav. delu, of
s.m., deliti, 'to share, divide'. Cp. dole, 'a small
portion', and the second element in ordeal and
in fardel.
Derivative: deal, v. (q.v.)
deal, tr. and intr. v., to distribute. — ME. delen,
fr. OE. dxlan, 'to share, divide', fr. dsel, 'part,
share'. Cp. OS. delian, ON. deila, OFris. dela,
Du. delen, OHG. teilan, MHG., G. teilen,
Goth, dailjan, 'to share, divide', which derive
from the respective nouns, and see prec. word.
Derivatives: deal-er, n., deal-ing, n.
deal, n„ a plank of fir. — MDu. dele, 'board,
plank'. See thill.
Derivative: deal, adj., made of deal.
dealt, past tense and pp. of deal.
deaminate, tr. v., to remove the amino radical
(NH 2 ) (chem.) — Formed fr. de-, amino- and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: deaminat-ion, n.
dean, n. — ME. deen, dene, fr. OF. deien (F.
doyen), fr. L. decdnus, 'one set over ten persons',
in Eccles. L. 'a superior set over ten monks', fr.
decern, 'ten'. See ten and cp. decimal. Cp. also
doyen, which is a doublet of dean.
Derivatives: dean, intr. v., dean-ery, n., dean-
ess, n., deanship, n.
dean, n., a valley. — A var. of dene, 'valley'.
dear, adj. — ME. dere, fr. OE. deore, diere, rel.
to OS. diuri, ON. dyrr, OFris. diore, MDu. dure,
Du. duur, OHG. tiuri, MHG. tiure, G. teuer,
'dear'. Cp. darling, dearth, endear.
Derivatives: dear, n., adv. and interj., dear-ly,
adv., dear-ness, n., dear-y, dear-ie, n. (colloq.).
dearborn, n., a kind of four-wheeled carriage. —
Named after its inventor, either the American
Henry Dearborn (1751-1829) or one of his sons.
dearth, n. — ME. derth, derthe, 'dearness', fr.
dere, 'dear'. See dear and subst. suff. -th.
death, n. — ME. deeth, deth, fr. OE. dead, rel.
to OS. doth, ON. daudi, Dan. dad, Swed. dod,
OFris. dath, ODU. dot, dod, Du. dood, OHG.
tod, MHG. tot, tod, G. Tod, Goth, daupus,
'death', fr. Teut. *dau-, 'to die'. See die, dead.
Derivatives: death-less, adj., death-less-ly, adv.,
death-less-ness, n., death-like, adj., death-ly, adj.
debacle, debacle, n., a complete rout. — F. de-
bacle, 'a breaking up (of ice); downfall, collapse,
disaster', fr. debdcler, 'to break up' (said of ice) ;
'to unfasten, unbar (a door)', formed fr. pref.
de- (see de-) and bdcler, 'to bar, fasten', fr.
OProvenc. baclar, fr. VL. *bacculdre, lit. 'to bar
with a staff, fr. VL. *bacculum, corresponding
to L. baculum, 'a staff. See bacillus, bacillus.
debar, tr. v. — F. debarrer, 'to unbar', fr. OF.
desbarer, formed fr. des- (see de-) and barrer,
'to bar'. See bar and cp. disbar.
debark, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. de- and
bark, 'a kind of sailing ship'. Cp. disembark.
Derivatives: debark-ation, a., debark-ment, n.
debarrass, tr. v., to disembarrass. — F. debar-
debase
406
rasser, for *desembarrasser. See de- and embar-
rass and cp. disembarrass.
debase, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- and the obsolete
verb base, 'to abase'. See base, adj., and cp. abase.
Derivatives: debas-ed, adj., debase-ment, n.,
debas-er, n., debas-ing, adj.
debatable, adj. — OF. debattable, debatable
(F. debattable), fr. debatre (F. debattre). See de-
bate and -able.
debate, tr. and intr. v. — ME. debaten, fr. OF.
debatre, 'to fight, combat' (whence F. debattre,
'to discuss, debate, agree'), formed fr. de- and
batre (F. battre), 'to beat, strike', fr. Late L.
battere, fr. L. battuere, of s.m. See batter, 'to
beat violently', and cp. combat.
Derivatives : debate, n. (q.v.), debat-er, n., debat-
ing, n. and adj., debat-ing-ly, adv.
debate, n. — ME. debat, fr. MF. (= F.) debat,
'dispute, strife, debate', fr. debattre. See debate, v.
debauch, tr. v., to lead astray, corrupt. — OF. de-
baucher, 'to leave work, be idle' (whence F. de-
baucher, 'to turn somebody away from his work ;
to entice away, lead astray'). The orig. meaning
of OF. debaucher was 'to rough down timber'.
It is a hybrid coined fr. de-, a pref. of Latin
origin (see de-), and OF. bale, bauch, ban (F.
bau), 'beam', fr. Frankish *balk, which is rel.
to OHG. balko, OE. balca, 'ridge between fur-
rows'; see balk and cp. ebauchoir. The sense of
OF. debaucher underwent the following phases of
development; 'to rough down timber; to split,
cleave; to separate; to turn somebody away
from his work or from his duty; to entice away;
to lead astray'.
Derivatives: debauch, n., debauch-ed, adj., de-
bauch-ed-ly, adv., debauch-ed-ness, n., debauchee
(q.v.), debauch-er, n., debauch-ery, n., debouch-
ment, n.
debauchee, n., a debauched person. — F. de-
bauche, pp. of debaucher, 'to entice away, to
lead astray'. See debauch and -ee.
debenture, n., certificate of indebtedness. — L.
debenlur, 'they are owing', passive pres. 3rd
person pi. of debere, 'to owe'; see debt. The cer-
tificate was so called because its text originally
began with the words debentur mihi ('there are
owing to me').
Derivative : debentur-ed, adj.
debile, adj., weak. — F. debile, fr. L. debilis,
'weak, infirm, disabled', which stands for *de-
bel-is, lit. 'without strength', fr. de- (in the pri-
vative sense of this prefix) and a derivative of
base *bel-, 'strong; strength', whence also OI.
bdlam, 'strength, force', bdliydn. 'stronger,'
bdlisthah, 'the strongest', Gk. j3eX-f.cov, peXxepo;,
'better', ^Xtioto;;, PsXtxtoc, 'best'. (The t in
these adjectives arose from earlier *(3eXt<i>v etc.
on analogy of the comparatives and superla-
tives of other synonymous adjectives ending in
-Tepos, resp. -toctoi;, as e.g. <pspTepoi;, 'better,
braver', cp^pTa-roq, 'best, bravest'.) OSlav. bol-
iijY (for *boIji), 'greater', bolje (adv.), 'more,
rather', bolshe, 'more, larger', derive from the
same base ; see Bolshevik,
debilitate, tr. v., to render weak. — L. debilitdtus,
pp. of debilitdre, 'to lame, cripple, maim,
weaken', fr. debilis. See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: debilitat-ed, adj.
debilitation, n. — F. debilitation, fr. L. debili-
tdtidnem, acc. of debilitds. See debility and -ation.
debility, n., weakness. — F. debilite, fr. L. debili-
tdtem, acc. of debilitds, 'a laming, crippling,
weakening', fr. debilis. See debile and -ity.
debit, n., an entry of debt in an account. — L.
debitum, 'that which is owing', neut. pp. of
debere, 'to owe'. See debt.
Derivative: debit, tr. v.
debonair, also debonnaire, adj., genial, affable;
gay. — ME. debonaire, fr. OF. de bon aire (F.
debonnaire), 'of good race', fr. de-, bon, 'good'
and aire, 'place, extraction', fr. L. area, 'a vacant
piece of ground, an open space'. See bonus
and area.
Derivatives: debonair-ity, n., debonair-ly, adv.,
debonair-ness, n.
Deborah, fem. PN. ; in the Bible, a prophetess
and judge in Israel. — Heb. D e bhdrd h , lit. 'bee',
rel. to Syr. debbdrd, 'wasp', debborithd, 'bee',
Aram, dibbdrilhd, Arab, zunbur, dabb&r, 'bee',
from the Sem. base d-b-r-, meaning 'to hum,
buzz', whence also dibbir, 'he spoke', ddbhdr,
'word, thing'.
debouch, intr. v., to flow out, emerge. — F. de-
boucher, 'to uncork, open; to empty itself (said
of rivers), formed fr. de- and bouche, 'mouth',
fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See buccal and cp. disembo-
gue, embouchure.
debouchment, n. — F. debouchement, fr. debou-
cher. See prec. word and -ment.
debridement, n., the excision of damaged tissue.
— F., lit. 'unbridling', fr. debrider, 'to unbridle',
fr. de- (see de-) and bride, 'bridle', fr. MHG.
bridel. See bridle and -ment.
debris, debris, n., rubbish. — F. debris, 'remains,
waste, rubbish', fr. OF. debriser, 'to break
down, shatter', fr. de- (see de-) and briser, 'to
break', fr. VL. brisdre, 'to break', a word of
Gaulish origin; cp. Ir. brissim, T break'. See
bruise and cp. frustum. Cp. also next word.
debruise, tr. v., to cross a charge with an ordinary
(her.) — OF. debruisier, 'to shatter'. See de- and
bruise and cp. debris.
Derivative: debruis-ed, adj.
debt, n. — ME. dene, fr. OF. (= F.) dette, fr. L.
debita, neut. pi. — but mistaken for fem. sing.
— of debitus, pp. of debere, 'to owe, be under
obligation', contracted fr. *de-habere, fr. de-
and habere, 'to have'. See habit and cp. debit,
debenture, debtor, devoir, due, duty, endeavor.
The insertion of the letter b in debt is due to the
imitation of the spelling of the Latin etymon.
In ME. the word is spelled correctly without b.
Cp. doubt.
407
Decapoda
debtor, n. — ME. dettur, fr. OF. detor, dettor,
detur, dettur, fr. L. debitorem, acc. of debitor,
fr. debitus, pp. of debere. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
debunk, tr. v., to expose the false claims of (U.S.
slang). — Coined by the American writer Wil-
liam E. Woodward (1874-195°). fr- de- and
bunk.
Derivatives: debunk-er, n., debunk-ing, n., de-
bunk-ment, n.
debut, debut, n., first appearance in public. —
F. debut, fr. dibuter, 'to play first; to make one's
first appearance', fr. de- (see de-) and F. but,
'aim, goal', used in the sense of 'playground'
(see butt, 'aim'); introduced into English by
Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773).
Derivatives: debut, intr. v., debutant(e), (q.v.).
debutante), debutant(e), n., one who makes a
debut. — F. debutant, fem. debutante, pres. part,
of debuter. See prec. word.
deca-, before a vowel dec-, pref. meaning 'ten'. —
Gk. Sexoc-, fr. 8£xa, 'ten', cogn. with OI. ddsa,
L. decern, Goth, taihun, OE. tien, ten, 'ten'.
See ten and cp. decade, decern-.
decachord, n., a harp with ten strings. — Gk.
SsxaxopSo^, 'ten-stringed', fr. 8sxa, 'ten', and
XopSif], 'string'. See chord.
decad, n., the number ten. — See decade.
decadal, adj., pertaining to ten; consisting of
groups of ten. — See decade and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: decadal-ly, adv.
decade, n., 1) a group of ten things; 2) a period
of ten years. — F. decade, fr. L. decas, gen.
decadis, fr. Gk. Sextii;, gen. SexaSo?, 'the number
ten; a group of ten', fr. 8£xa. See deca-.
decadence, decadency, n., deterioration, decay.
— F. decadence, fr. ML. decadentia, 'a falling
down', fr. *decadire, 'to fall down', fr. de- and
L. cadire, 'to fall'. See cadence and cp. deche-
ance. For the ending see suff. -ence, resp. -ency.
Cp. also decay, deciduous.
Derivative: decadent-ly, adv.
decadent, adj., 1) deteriorating; 2) pertaining to
the decadents. — Back formation from prec.
word; coined by Thomas Carlyle (1 795-1 881).
For the ending see suff. -ent
Derivative: decadent-ly, adv.
decadent, n., one of a French literary school
about the end of the 19th cent. — F. decadent,
back formation fr. decadence (see decadence);
so called after the verse of Verlaine; "Je suis
l'empire a la fin de la decadence" ("I am the
empire established at the end of decadence").
See prec. word.
decagon, n., a ten-sided plane figure (geom.) —
Ult. fr. Gk. Sexdcytovov, 'decagon', lit. 'having
ten angles', fr. 8exct, 'ten', and -yo>vos, neut.
-yoivov, from the stem of y<ov(a, 'angle'. See
deca- and -goo and cp. undecagon, adj.
Derivative: decagon-al, adj.
decagram, decagramme, n. — F. decagramme, lit.
'ten grams'. See deca- and -gram.
decalcification, n., the process of removing lime.
— Formed fr. de- and calcification,
decalcify, tr. v., to remove lime from bones and
other substances. — Formed fr. de- and calcify,
decaliter, decalitre, n. — F. decalitre, lit. 'ten
liters'. See deca- and liter.
Decalog, Decalogue, n., the Ten Commandments.
— Gk. SexdcXoyos, prop, y] SexaXoyoi; (scil.
ptfBXos), '(the book) consisting of ten words',
fr. earlier ot Sexoc X6yoi, 'the ten words', fr.
Ssxot, 'ten', and X6yo;, 'word'. See deca- and
logos.
Decameron, n., a collection of 100 tales by Boc-
caccio, supposed to be told during ten days. —
It. Decamerone, fr. Gk. 8£xa, 'ten', and Tjfjipa,
'day'. See deca- and hemero- and cp. ephemere.
Derivative: Decameron-ic, adj.
decamerous, adj., having ten parts (said of a
flower). — Compounded of Gk. Sexa, 'ten',
and uipoc;, 'part'. See deca-, mero- and -ous.
decameter, decametre, n. — Lit. 'ten meters'. See
deca- and meter, 'unit of length'.
decamp, intr. v., to break up a camp; to run
away. — F. decamper, 'to break up a camp; to
run away', fr. de- (see de-) and camp, 'camp', fr.
L. campus. See camp. For sense development
cp. scamper.
decampment, n. — F. decampement, fr. decamper.
See prec. word and -ment.
decan, n., the ruler of ten parts of a zodiacal sign
(astrol.) — L. decdnus, 'one set over ten', fr.
decern, 'ten'. See decimal and cp. dean, doyen.
Derivative: decan-ate, n.
decanal, adj., pertaining to a dean. — Formed
fr. Eccles. L. decdnus, with adj. suff. -al. See
dean and cp. prec. word.
Derivative : decanal-ly, adv.
decanate, n., deanery. — Eccles. L. decdndtus, fr.
decdnus. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
decangular, adj., having ten angles (geom.) —
A hybrid coined fr. Gk. 8£xot, 'ten', and L. an-
gulus, 'angle, corner'. See deca- and angular.
decani, n., decanal; said of the south side of the
choir where the dean sits. — Gen. of Eccles. L.
decdnus, hence lit. 'of the dean'. See decanal.
decant, tr. v., to pour off gently. — F. decanter,
fr. ML. decanthdre, 'to pour from the edge of a
vessel', fr. de- and ML. canthus, 'edge of a ves-
sel', fr. L. cantus, canthus, 'the iron ring round
a carriage wheel'. See cant, 'a slope'.
Derivatives: decantat-ion, n., decant-er, n.
decapitate, tr. v., to behead. — Late L. decapi-
tdtus pp. of decapitare, 'to cut off the head', fr.
de- and L. caput, gen. capitis, 'head'. See capital,
adj.
decapitation, n. — Late L. decapitdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. decapitdtus, pp. of decapitare. See prec. word
and -ion.
decapod, adj., pertaining to the Decapoda; n.,
a member of the Decapoda. - See next word.
Decapoda, n. pi., an order of crustaceans (zool.)
— ModL., lit. 'having ten feet', fr. Gk. 8£xa,
decapodal
'ten', and ttou?, gen. toS6<;, 'foot'. See deca-
and -poda.
decapodal, decapodous, adj., having ten feet. —
Formed fr. Gk. 8£xa, 'ten', kou;, gen. tcoSo?,
'foot', and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
decarbonate, tr. v., to deprive of carbon dioxide
or carbonic acid. — Formed fr. de- (in the priv-
ative sense of this prefix), carbon and verbal
suff. -ate.
decarbonize, v., to deprive of carbon. — Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix),
carbon- and -ize.
Derivatives: decarboniz-ation, n., decarboniz-
er, n.
decarch, n., a commander of ten men ; a decurion.
— Gk. 8ex<£px?]i;, compounded of 8£xot, 'ten',
and -ipx^S, fr. depx^S, 'leader, chief, ruler'. See
deca- and -arch.
decarcby, n., a government of ten. — Gk. Ssxctp-
jwl, fr. Sexdtpx?)?. See prec. word and -archy.
decastich, n., a poem of ten lines. — Gk. Sexdc-
<mxo?, 'containing ten lines', fr. 8£xa, 'ten', and
cmxoq, 'row, line, rank'. See deca- and stichic.
decastyle, n., a portico with ten columns (arch.)
— Compounded of deca- and Gk.a-ruXoi;, 'pillar'.
See style, 'gnomon'.
decasyllabic, adj., having ten syllables. — See
deca- and syllabic.
Derivative: decasyllabic, n., a line of ten
syllables.
decasyllabic, n., a line of ten syllables. — Com-
pounded of deca- and syllable.
decathlon, n., an athletic contest consisting of ten
different events. — Compounded of Gk. 8£xoc,
'ten', and a&Xo?, aftXov, 'contest'. See deca- and
athletic and cp. pentathlon.
decatize, tr. v., to cause to uncurl by means of hot
water or steam. — A hybrid formed with -ize,
a suff. of Greek origin, fr. F. decatir, 'to take the
gloss off (a woolen cloth), to sponge', fr. de- (see
de-) and catir, 'to press, gloss', fr. VL. *codc-
tire, a derivative of L. codctus, pp. of cogere,
'to press', prop, 'to drive together'. See cogent
and -ize.
Derivative: decatiz-er, n.
decay, intr. v. — ONF. decair, corresponding to
OF. dechair, decheeir (F. dechoir), 'to fall off,
decay', fr. VL. "decadere, refashioned (after VL.
*cadere) fr. L. decidere, 'to fall off, fall down'.
See de- and cadence and cp. deciduous, escheat.
Derivatives: decay, n., decay-ed, adj.
decease, n. — ME. deces, fr. OF. deces (F. deeds),
'decease, death', fr. L. decessus, 'departure,
death', fr. decess-(um), pp. stem of decedere, 'to
go away, depart'. See de- and cease and cp.
predecessor.
Derivatives: decease, intr. v., deceas-ed, adj.
deceit, n. — ME. deceite, fr. OF. deceite, prop,
fern, of deceit, pp. of deceveir. See next word
and cp. receipt.
Derivatives: deceit-ful, adj., deceit- ful-ly, adv.,
deceit-ful-ness, n.
408
deceive, tr. and intr. v. — OF. deceivre, a col-
lateral form of deceveir (F. decevoir), 'to de-
ceive', fr. L. decipere, 'to beguile, deceive, elude',
fr. de- and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'.
See captive and cp. apperceive and words there
referred to. For the change of Latin d (in ca-
pere) to i (in de-cipere) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: deceiv-abil-ity, n., deceiv-able, adj.,
deceiv-able-ness, n., deceiv-abl-y, adv., deceiv-
er, n., deceiv-ing, adj., deceiv-ing-ly, adv.
decelerate, tr. v., to decrease the velocity of;
intr. v., to decrease in velocity. — Formed on
analogy of accelerate fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this pref.) and celerdtus, pp. of celerdre,
'to hasten'.
Derivatives: decelerat-ion, n., decelerat-or, n.
decern-, combining form meaning 'ten'. — L.
decern-, fr. decern, 'ten', which is cogn. with
Gk. 8£x<x, 'ten'. See deca- and cp. December,
decemvir. Cp. also deci-.
December, n. — L. December, 'the tenth month',
fr. decern, 'ten' (see decern-); so called because
the Roman year began with March.
Derivatives: December-ish, adj., December-ly,
adj., Decembr-ist, n. (Russ. hist.)
decemvir, n., i) a member of a council of ten men
(Roman hist.) ; 2) a member of an authoritative
body of ten men. — L., back formation fr. the
pi. decern viri, 'ten men.' See decern- and virile
and cp. duumvir, triumvir, centumvir.
decemviral, adj. — L. decemvirdlis, 'pertaining to
the decemvir(s)', fr. decern viri. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -al.
decemvirate, n., 1) office of the decemvirs; 2) an
authoritative body of ten men. — L. decem-
virdtus, 'the office of a decemvir'. See decemvir
and subst. suff. -ate.
decency, n. — L. decentia, fr. decens, gen. -entis,
'becoming, seemly, decent'. See decent and -cy.
decennary, n., a period of ten years. — Formed
with subst. suff. -ary fr. L. decennis, 'of ten
years'. See decennium.
decenniad, n., a period of ten years. — See decen-
nium and -ad.
decennial, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
decennis, 'of ten years'. See next word and cp.
undecennial.
decennium, n., a period of ten years. — L., 'a
period of ten years', fr. decennis, 'of ten years',
fr. decern, 'ten', and annus, 'year'. See decem-
and annual and cp. decennary, decenniad. For
the change of Latin d (in annus) to e (in dec-
ennis, dec-ennium) see accent and cp. biennial.
decent, adj. — L. decens, gen. -entis, becoming,
seemly, fitting, proper, decent', pres. part, of
decet, decere, 'to be seemly or fitting', rel. to
decus, gen. decoris, 'ornament, grace, splendor,
glory, honor, dignity', dignus (for *dec-nos),
'suitable, becoming, proper' (lit. 'decorated,
splendid'), dexter (for *dexi-teros), 'on the right
side' (lit. 'on the becoming or fitting side'), do-
409
decimalist
cere, 'to teach' (orig. 'to cause somebody to re-
ceive something'), discere, 'to learn'; fr. I.-E.
base *dek-, *doU-, 'to take, receive, accept;
acceptable, becoming, good', whence also OI.
ddksati, 'is apt, proper, pleasing', ddksah, 'able,
apt, clever; competent, intelligent', ddksinah,
daksindh, 'on the right hand; southern', ddsfi,
'he honors', Gk. Sexs<*9m, Att. 8£/za&a.i, 'to
take, accept, receive, receive hospitably, hold',
Soxeiv, 'to seem good, to seem, think, believe',
Soxeueiv, 'to watch closely', 86£a (for *86x-<ra),
'notion; opinion; honor, glory', 86Yf/.a, 'that
which one thinks true, opinion, doctrine, decree',
S6xi[xo<;, 'tried, assayed, genuine', 86x0?, a wood-
en beam' (lit. 'that which holds the roof), Se^i6<;,
'on the right', SiSdoxeiv, 'to teach', Mir. dech,
the best'. Cp. Adoxa, choledoch, condign, Cymo-
doce, dainty, Daksha, decorate, decorous, deign,
dexter, diadoche, Diadochi, didactic, dignify,
dignity, diksha, Diplodocus, disdain, docent,
Docetism, docile, docimasy, docimology, Doco-
glossa, doctor, doctrine, document, dogma, doxa-
stic, doxology, heterodox, orthodox, pandect,
paradox, synecdoche.
Derivatives: decent-ly, adv., decent-ness, n.
decentralize, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- (in the pri-
vative sense of this prefix) and centralize.
Derivative: decentraliz-ation, n.
deception, n. — F. deception, fr. Late L. decep-
tionem, acc. of deceptid, 'a deceiving, decep-
tion', fr. L. deceptus, pp. of decipere, 'to deceive'.
See deceive and -tion.
deceptive, adj. — F. deceptif (fern, deceptive), fr.
ML. deceptivus, fr. L. deceptus, pp. of decipere,
'to deceive'. See deceive and -ive.
Derivatives: deceptive-ly, adv., deceptive-ness,n.
decern, tr. v., to decree. — F. decerner, fr. L. de-
cernere, 'to decide, determine', pp. decretus.
See decree and cp. concern, discern, secern.
decheance, n., forfeiture. — F., 'fall, downfall,
forfeiture', fr. ML. decadentia, 'a falling down'.
See decadence.
dechristianize, tr. v., to deprive of its Christian
character. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and christianize.
Derivative: dechristianiz-ation, n.
deci-, combining form used in the metric system
to denote one tenth of a given unit, in contra-
distinction to deca-, which is used to mean 'ten
times as much' (as the given unit). — F. deci-,
arbitrarily formed fr. L. decimus, 'the tenth', fr.
decern, 'ten'. See decimal and cp. deca-.
decibel, n., a unit for measuring the loudness of
sounds. — Compounded of deci- and bel and
lit. meaning 'the tenth part of a bel'.
decide, tr. and intr. v. — F. decider, fr. L. deci-
dere, 'to decide, determine, settle', prop, 'to cut
off', fr. de- and caedere, 'to cut, hew, lop',
whence caementum (for *caid(s)mentom), 'rough
stone, stone chippings'. See cement. For the
change of Latin ae (in caedere) to i (in de-cidere)
see acquire and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: decid-ed, adj., decid-ed-ly, adv.,
decid-ed-ness, n., decid-er, n., decid-ing-ly, adv.
decidua n., that part of the mucous membrane
of the uterus, which is cast off at parturition
(anat.) — Medical L., short for membrdna
decidua, 'the membrane that falls off', fern, of
L. deciduus, 'falling off'. See next word.
deciduous, adj., 1) falling off at a certain season
or stage of growth, etc. ; 2) shedding leaves an-
nually (said of trees). — L. deciduus, 'falling
off', fr. decidere, 'to fall off', fr. de- and cadere,
'to fall'. See cadence and cp. decadent. For the
change of Latin a (in eddere) to (" (in de-cidere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: deciduous-ly, adv., deciduous-ness,
n.
decigram, decigramme, n. — F. decigramme, 'the
tenth part of a gram', a hybrid coined fr. deci-,
and Gk. Ypa(A(A«, 'that which is written'. See
-gram.
decile, decil, n., the aspect of two planets when
distant from each other 36 degrees (i.e. one
tenth of the zodiac). — F. decile, formed fr. L.
decern, 'ten', with the suff. -He (on analogy of
the Latin neut. adjectives quintile, sextile). See
decern and -ile.
deciliter, decilitre, n. — F. decilitre, 'the tenth
part of a liter', a hybrid coined fr. deci- and
Gk. Xfrpct, 'a pound'. See liter.
decillion, n., 1) in the United States and France,
a thousand raised to the eleventh power (i.e.
1 followed by 33 zeros); 2) in England and Ger-
many, a million raised to the tenth power (i.e. 1
followed by 60 zeros). — Formed fr. L. decern,
'ten' (see decern-), on analogy of million (q.v.)
Cp. billion and words there referred to.
Derivatives: decillion-th, adj. and n.
Decima, fern. PN. — L., fem. of decimus, 'tenth'.
See Decimus.
decimal, adj. — ML. decimdlis, 'pertaining to a
tenth part', fr. L. decimus, earlier form decu-
mus, 'the tenth', fr. I.-E. *dek l mos, whence also
OI. dasamdh, Avestic das e ma-, Olr. dechmad,
'the tenth'. Cp. also I.-E. *dekm-tds, whence
Gk. SfotocToi;, Goth, tai-hunda, OHG. zehando,
ON. tiundi, OE. teogoda, teoda, OSlav. desetu,
Lith. desimtas, Lett, desmitais, OPruss. dessimts,
Toch. A skdnt, B skante, skance, 'the tenth'.
For the corresponding cardinal numbers, from
which these ordinal numbers derive, see ten.
Cp. tithe. Cp. also dean, decan, Decimus, de-
cuman, Decumaria, dime, doyen, and the second
element in dozen, duodecimo.
Derivatives: decimal, n., decimalism (q.v.), de-
cimalist (q.v.), decimalize (q.v.), decimal-ly, adv.
decimalism, n., the use of the decimal system. —
A hybrid coined fr. decimal and -ism, a suff. of
Greek origin.
decimalist, n., an advocate of the decimal system.
— A hybrid coined fr. decimal and -ist, a suff.
of Greek origin.
decimalize
410
decimalize, tr. v., to reduce to the decimal system.
— A hybrid coined fr. decimal and -ize, a suff. of
Greek origin. Derivative: decimaliz-ation, n.
decimate, tr. v. — L. decimatus, pp. of decimdre,
'to select by lot every tenth man for punishment,
to decimate', fr. decimus, 'tenth'. See decimal
and verbal suff. -ate.
decimation, n. — L. decimdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
decimatus, pp. of decimdre, 'to decimate'. See
prec. word and -ion.
decimeter, decimetre, n. — F. decimetre, lit. 'ten
meters', a hybrid coined fr. deci- and Gk. jx£xpov,
'measure'. See meter, 'unit of length'.
Decimus, masc. PN. — L., 'the tenth', a name
given to the tenth child in a family, fr. decern,
'ten'. See decimal and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also Decima. For sense cp. Sextus, Septimus.
decipher, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- and cipher on
analogy of F. dichiffrer. Derivatives : decipher-
able, adj., decipher-er, n., decipher-ment, n.
decision, n. — F. decision, fr. L. decisidnem, acc.
of decisid, 'decision, settlement', fr. decisus, pp.
of decidere, 'to decide, determine, settle'. See
decide and -ion. Derivative: decision-al, adj.
decisive, adj. — ML. decisivus, fr. L. decisus, pp.
of decidere. See decide and -ive.
Derivatives: decisive-ly, adv., decisive-ness, n.
deck, tr. v., i) to cover (obsol.); 2) to cover with
ornaments, to adom. — MDu. decken (Du. dek-
ken), 'to cover'. See thatch.
deck, n., covering (obsol.) — MDu. decke, dek,
(Du. dek), 'roof, covering', fr. decken, 'to cover'.
See deck, v., and cp. next word.
deck, n., covering of a ship. — Shortened fr. G.
verdeck (whence also Du. overdek, later dek),
lit. 'covering' (see for- and thatch and cp. deck,
v.), and prop, a loan translation of Olt. (= It.)
coperta or MF. couverte. That E. deck is not a
LG. or Du. loan word, as suggested by most
lexicographers, is proved by the fact that the E.
word appears first in 151 3, whereas Du. over-
dek and dek occur for the first time in 1599,
resp. 1675. See Friedrich Kluge, Seemanns-
sprache, Halle, 191 1, p. 177.
deckle, n., in papermaking, 1) a wooden frame
serving to keep the paperpulp from spreading
beyond a desired size; 2) a deckle edge. — G.
Deckel, 'lid, cover', dimin. of Decke, 'cover',
which is rel. to E. thatch (q.v.) See also dimin.
suff. -le.
declaim, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. earlier declame, fr.
L. decldmare, 'to practice speaking aloud, de-
claim', fr. de- and cldmdre, 'to call, cry out'.
See claim and cp. next word.
Derivative: declaim-er, n.
declamation, n. — F. declamation, fr. L. decld-
mdtidnem, acc. of decldmdtid, 'practice in speak-
ing, declamation', fr. decldmdtus, pp. of decld-
mare. See prec. word and -ion.
declamatory, adj. — L. decldmatdrius, 'pertaining
to the practice of speaking, declamatory, rhe-
torical', fr. decldmdtus, pp. of decldmare. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ory.
declarant, n., one who makes a declaration (law).
— F. declarant, fr. L. decldrantem, acc. of de-
cldrdns, pres. part, of decldrdre. See declare
and -ant.
declaration, n. — F. declaration, fr. L. decldra-
tidnem, acc. of decldrdtid, 'an exposition, de-
claration', fr. decldrdtus, pp. of decldrdre. See
declare and -ation.
declarative, adj. — L. decldrdtivus, 'serving for
explanation', fr. decldrdtus, pp. of decldrdre. See
declare and -ative.
Derivative: declarative-ly, adv.
declaratory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. decldrdtus, pp. of decldrdre. See declare.
declare, tr. and intr. v. — F. declarer, fr. L. de-
cldrdre, 'to make clear, to make evident, to ma-
nifest, declare', fr. de- and cldrdre, 'to make
clear', fr. cldrus, 'clear'. See clear.
Derivatives: declar-able, adj., declar-ed, adj.,
declar-ed-ly, adv., declar-ed-ness, n., declar-er, n.
declass, tr. v., to degrade from one's class. —
Formed on analogy of F. declasser. See next
word.
declasse, adj., declassed. — F., pp. of declasser,
'to degrade', fr. de- (in the privative sense of
this prefix) and classer, 'to class'. See de- and
class and cp. prec. word.
declension, n. — OF. declinaison (F. declinaison),
fr. L. declindtidnem, acc. of declindtid, 'a ben-
ding aside', fr. declindtus, pp. of declindre, 'to
bend aside, decline'. See decline and cp. decli-
nation, which is a doublet of declension.
Derivative: declension-al, adj.
declinable, adj. — F. declinable, fr. L. declind-
bilis, 'that which can be declined', fr. declindre.
See decline, v., and -able.
declination, n. — OF. declinacion (F. declinaison),
fr. L. declindtidnem, acc. of declindtid. See de-
clension and -ation.
declinator, n., an instrument for measuring de-
clination. — Formed with agential suff. -or fr.
L. declindtus, pp. of declindre. See decline.
declinatory, adj., pertaining to declination. —
ML. declindtdrius, fr. L. declindtus, pp. of de-
clindre. See decline, v., and the adj. suffixes -ate
and -ory and cp. declivity.
decline, intr. and tr. v. — ME. declinen, fr. MF.
(= F.) decliner, fr. L. declindre, fr. de- and
-clindre. See clinical and cp. incline, recline.
Derivatives: declin-ed, adj., declin-er, n.
decline, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) declin, back
formation fr. decliner. See decline, v.
declinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
declination of the magnetic needle (phys.) —
A hybrid coined fr. L. declindre, 'to decline',
and Gk. fjiTpov, 'measure'. See declination and
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
declivitous, adj., having a downward slope. —
See next word and -ous and cp. declivous.
declivity, n., a downward slope. — F. declivite,
fr. L. diclivitdtem, acc. of declivitds, 'a sloping
411
decrement
place, declivity', fr. declivis, 'sloping down-
ward', fr. de- and cllvus, 'slope, hill'. See clivus
and -ity.
declivous, adj., having a downward slope. — See
prec. word and -ous and cp. declivitous.
declutch, intr. v., to disengage a clutch. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and clutch.
decoct, tr. v., to prepare or extract by boiling. —
L. decoctus, pp. of decoquere, 'to boil down',
fr. de- and coquere, 'to cook, boil'. See cook
and cp. concoct.
decoction, n. — F. decoction, fr. L. decoctidnem,
acc. of decoctid, 'a boiling down', fr. decoctus,
pp. of decoquere. See prec. word and -ion and
cp. concoction.
decode, v., to translate from a code into ordinary
language. — See de- and code.
Decodon, n., a genus of plants, the swamp loose-
strife (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'having ten teeth',
compounded of Gk. S£xa, 'ten', and 68<iv, gen.
686vto<;, 'tooth'; so called in allusion to the
ten-toothed calyx. See deca- and odonto-.
decollate, tr. v., to behead. — L. decolldtus, pp.
of decolldre, 'to behead', lit. 'to cut off from
the neck', fr. de- and collum, 'neck'. See collar
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. collet. Cp. also
decollete.
Derivatives: decollat-ed, adj., decollation (q.v.)
decollation, n., the act of beheading. — F. decol-
lation, fr. L. decolldtionem, acc. of decolldtid,
fr. decolldtus, pp. of decolldre. See prec. word
and -ion.
decollete, adj., leaving the neck and shoulders
bare. — F., pp. of decolleter, 'to uncover the
neck and shoulders', fr. de- (see de-) and collet,
dimin. of col, cou, 'neck'. See collet and cp.
decollate.
decolor, decolour, tr. v., to decolorize. — Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
color, v.
decolorant, n., a substance that removes color. —
L. decoldrdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of deco-
lordre. See next word and -ant.
decoloration, n., removal of color. — L. de-
coldrdtid, 'a discoloring,' fr. decotdrdtus, pp. of
decoldrdre, 'to deprive of color, discolor', fr.
de- and coldrdre, 'to color'. See color, v., and
-ation.
decolorize, decolourize, tr. v., to remove the color
of, to bleach. — A hybrid coined fr. L. deco-
ldrdre (see decolor) and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form is decolor.
Derivatives: decolo(u)riz-ation, n., deco!o(u)riz-
er, n.
decompose, tr. and intr. v., to separate into com-
ponents; to rot. — F. decomposer, 'to decom-
pose, rot, decay', fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and composer. See de- and com-
pose.
Derivatives: decompos-ed, adj., decompos-er, n.
decomposite, adj., compounded more than once.
— Late L. decompositus, 'formed from a com-
pound', fr. de- (with intensive force) and L. com-
posite, pp. of compdnere, 'to put together'. See
composite and cp. decompound.
Derivative : decomposite, n.
decomposition, n., the act of decomposing. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this pre-
fix) and composition. Cp. decompose.
decompound, tr. v., to compound more than
once; adj., compounded more than once; n.,
a decomposite. — Formed fr. de- (with intensive
force) and compound.
decorate, tr. v. — L. decordtus, pp. of decordre,
'to decorate, adorn, embellish; to honor, dis-
tinguish', fr. decus, gen. decoris, 'ornament,
grace, splendor'. See decent and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: decorat-ed, adj., decoration (q.v.),
decorat-ive, adj., decorat-ive-ly, adv., decorat-
ive-ness, n., decorat-or, n.
decoration, n. — Late L. decordtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
L. decordtus, pp. of decordre. See prec. word
and -ion.
decorous, adj., proper, dignified. — L. decdrus,
'becoming, fitting, seemly', fr, decus, gen. de-
coris, 'ornament, dignity'. See decent and cp.
decorate, decorum. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see -ous. The word decorous was intro-
duced into English by Henry More (1614-87),
philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Derivatives: decorous-ly, adv., decorous-ness, n.
decorticate, tr. v., to strip off the bark, to flay. —
L. decorticdtus, pp. of decorticdre, 'to bark', fr.
de- (in the privative sense of this prefix), and
cortex, gen. corticis, 'rind, bark'. See cortex and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: decorticat-ion, n., decorticat-or, n.
decorum, n., that which is proper. — L. decorum,
'that which is seemly', prop. neut. of the adj.
decdrus. See decorous.
decoy, n., a lure; a bait. — Formed from Du. de,
def. article, and kooi, 'cage', fr. L. cavea. 'ex-
cavated place, cavity, enclosure.' See the, def,
art., and cage.
Derivative: decoy, v.
decrease, intr. and tr. v. — Fr. AF. decreiss-,
pres. part, stem of decreistre, corresponding to
OF. descreistre, descroistre (F. decroitre), fr.
VL. discrescere, for L. decrescere, 'to grow less,
grow shorter, decrease, diminish'. See de- and
crescent.
Derivatives: decrease, n., decreas-ing-ly, adv.
decree, n. — ME. decree, fr. OF. decre, decret
(F. decret), fr. L. decretum, 'decision, decree,
ordinance', prop. neut. of decretus, pp. of de-
cernere, 'to pronounce a decision, decide, deter-
mine', fr. de- and cernere, 'to separate, sift,
distinguish, discern, understand, decide'. See
certain and cp. decretal, decern, discern, secern.
Derivatives: decree, intr. and tr. v., decre-er, n.
decrement, n., decrease; diminution. — L. decre-
mentum, 'diminution, decrease', fr. decrescere.
decremeter
412
See decrease and cp. increment. For the ending
see suff. -ment.
decremeter, n. ( an instrument for measuring
the dampening of electric waves. — Shortened
for decrement meter. See prec. word and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
decrepit, adj., feebled by age. — F. decrepit, fr.
L. decrepitus, 'very old, infirm, decrepit', lit.
'noiseless', fr. de- and crepitus, 'a rattling, creak-
ing, clattering, a noise', fr. crepdre [pp. stem
crepit-(um)], 'to rattle, crack, burst', which is of
imitative origin. See crepitate and cp. craven.
Derivatives; decrepit-ly, adv., decrepit-ness, n.
decrepitate, tr. v., to heat salt or mineral so as
to cause crackling; intr. v., to crackle. — ML.
decrepitdtus, pp. of decrepitdre, which is prob.
formed fr. de- (in the priv. sense of this prefix)
and L. crepitdre, 'to rattle, creak, crackle', freq.
of crepdre. See crepitate and cp. decrepit.
Derivative: decrepitat-ion, n.
decrepitude, n., the state of being decrepit. —
F. decrepitude, fr. L. decrepitus, 'very old, in-
firm, decrepit'. See decrepit and -ude.
decrescendo, adj., and adv., gradually decreasing
in loudness; n., a gradual decrease in loudness.
— It., compounded of de- and crescendo.
decrescent, adj., growing smaller. — Compound-
ed of de- and crescent.
decretal, adj., pertaining to a decree. — Late L.
decretdlis, 'pertaining to a decree', fr. L. decre-
tum. See decree and adj. suff. -al.
decretal, n., a papal decree. — F. decretale, fr.
ML. decretale, prop. neut. of Late L. decretdlis,
used as a noun. See decretal, adj.
decretalist, n., one learned in the decretals. —
See prec. word and -ist and cp. next word,
decretist, n., the same as decretalist. — See prec.
word.
decretive, adj., having the force of a decree. —
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. decretum. See
decree.
decretory, adj. — L. decretdrius, 'pertaining to a
decree or decision', fr. decretum. See decree and
adj. suff. -ory.
decrial, n. — Formed fr. decry with subst. suff. -al.
decrustation, n., the act of removing a crust. —
Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. decrustdtus, pp. of
decrustdre, 'to peel off, split off', fr. de- and
crustdre, 'to cover with a crust', fr. crusta,
'crust'. See crust.
decry, tr. v. — See de- and cry, v., and cp. descry.
decuman, adj., large, immense (said of waves). —
L. decumdnus, also decimdnus, 'of, or pertain-
ing to, the tenth', fr. decumus, decimus, 'the
tenth' (see decimal and -an); so called from
the idea that every tenth wave was large.
Decumaria, n., a genus of vines (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. decumdrius, also decimdrius, 'pertaining
to the tenth part', fr. decumus, decimus, 'tenth,
a tenth part', fr. decern, 'ten' (see decimal and
cp. decuman); so called in allusion to its often
io-merous Sowers.
decumbence, decumbency, n. — Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
decumbent, adj., lying down; lying on the ground
(pot.) — L. decumbens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
decumbere, 'to lie down', fr. de- and -cumbere
(found only in compounds), nasalized form of
cubdre, 'to lie down, recline'. See cubicle and
cp. accumbent and words there referred to.
Derivative: decumbent-ly, adv.
decuple, adj., tenfold. — F. decuple, fr. L. de-
cuplus, 'tenfold', formed fr. decern, 'ten', on
analogy of duplus, 'double' (lit. 'twofold'), fr.
duo, 'two'. See decern- and -fold and cp. ply,
'to bend', and words there referred to.
Derivatives : decuple, n. and tr. v.
decurion, n., an officer in the Roman army, com-
manding a company of ten men. — L. decurid,
gen. -dnis, 'chief of a company of ten', fr. de-
curia, 'a company of ten men'. See decury.
decurrence, decurrency, n. — Formed fr. decur-
rent with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
decurrent, adj., running downward. — L. de-
currens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of decurrere, 'to
run down', fr. de- and currere, 'to run'. See cur-
rent, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: decurrent-ly, adv.
decursive, adj., running downward. — ModL.
decursivus, fr. L. decursus, pp. of decurrere. See
prec. word and -ive.
Derivative : decursive-ly, adv.
decury, n., a division or company of ten men. —
L. decuria, fr. decern, 'ten'. See decern- and cp.
decurion. Cp. also dicker, 'a set of ten', and
century.
decussate, tr. and intr. v., to cross or divide in
the form of an X. — L. decussdtus, pp. of de-
cussdre, 'to divide crosswise (in the form of an
X)', fr. decussis (for decern asses), 'ten asses;
the number ten ; the symbol X, as representing
ten\ See decern- and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: decussat-ed, adj.
decussate, adj., crossed, shaped like an X. — L.
decussdtus. See decussate, v.
decussation, n. — L. decussdtid, gen. -dnis, 'inter-
secting of two lines crosswise', fr. decussdtus,
See decussate, v., and -ion.
dedicate, tr. v. — L. dedicdtus, pp. of dedicdre,
'to affirm, declare, announce, dedicate, conse-
crate', fr. de- and dicdre, 'to proclaim, dedicate',
which is rel. to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See diction
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dedicat-ee, adj., dedication, dedica-
tive (qq.v.), dedicat-ory, adj., dedicat-ori-ly, adv.
dedicate, adj., dedicated. — L. dedicdtus, pp. of
dedicdre. See dedicate, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
dedication, n. — OF. dedication (F. dedication),
fr. L. dedicatidnem, acc. of dedicdtid, 'dedica-
tion, consecration', fr. dedicdtus, pp. of dedicdre.
See dedicate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: dedication-al, adj.
dedicative, adj. — Late L. dedicdtivus, fr. L. dedi-
cdtus, pp. of dedicdre. See dedicate, v., and -ive.
413
defeasance
deduce, tr. v. — L. deducere, 'to lead or bring
down, deduct, derive, trace down', fr. de- and
ducere, 'to lead'. See duke and cp. deduct.
Derivatives: deduc-ible, adj., deduc-ibil-ity, n.,
deduc-ible-ness, n., deduc-ibl-y, adv.
deduct, tr. v. — L. deductus, pp. of deducere. See
prec. word.
deduction, n. — L. deductid, gen. -dnis, 'a leading
away; deduction, diminution; reasoning', fr.
deductus, pp. of deducere ; see deduce and -ion.
As a term of philosophy, L. deductid was first
used by Anicius Manlius Severinus (cca. 480-
524) as a loan translation of Aristotle's amx-
■ywyv), lit. 'a leading away', fr. arcdcysiv, 'to lead
away'.
deductive, adj. — L. deductivus, 'derivative', fr.
deductus, pp. of deducere. See deduce and -ive.
Derivative: deductive-ly, adv.
deed, n. — ME. dede, fr. OE. died, rel. to OS. dad,
ON. dad, OFris. dede, ded, Du. daad, OHG.,
MHG. tat, G. Tat, 'deed, act', Goth, ga-deps,
'a putting, placing, adoption', fr. I.-E. *dhe-ti-,
whence also Lith. detis, 'load, burden', and the
second element in OSlav. blago-deti, 'good
deed, favor'; cp. I.-E. *dh e -ti-, whence OI.
-(d)hitih (only in compounds), 'a placing', Gk.
&£giq, 'a placing, setting', Late L. con-diti-d, 'a
founding' (fr. L. conditus, pp. of condere). I.-E.
*dhe-ti- and *dh e -ti- are derivatives of base
*dhe-, *d¥-, 'to put, place; to do, make'. See
do, v., and cp. thesis.
deem. tr. v. — ME. demen, fr. OE. deman, 'to
judge, condemn, think, believe', rel. to ON.
dama, OFris. dema, OS. addmian, Du. doemen,
OHG. tuomen, Goth, -domjan (only in com-
pounds). Cp. doom and -dom.
deemer, n., one who deems. — OE. demere, fr.
deman. See prec. word and agential suff. -er.
deemster, n., judge. — ME. demesne, 'judge', fr.
demen. See deem and -ster- and cp. doomster,
dempster.
Derivative : deemster- ship, n.
deep, adj. — ME. deop, dep, deep, fr. OE. deop,
rel. to OS. diop, OFris. didp, Du. diep, OHG.
tiof, tiuf, MHG., G. tief, ON. djiipr, Dan. dyb,
Swed. djup, Goth, diups, 'deep', fr. Teut. base
*deupa-, 'deep', corresponding to I.-E. base
*dheubh-, *dhubh-, whence Luh. dubiis, 'deep,
hollow', duobe, 'pit', Lett, dubens, 'bottom',
OSlav. duno (for *dhubno-), Czech, Slov., etc.
dno, 'bottom', Olr. domain (for *dhubni-), 'deep',
domun (for *dhubno-), 'world', W. dwfn, 'deep'.
Cp. depth, dip, dive, dope, dopper.
Derivatives: deep, n. deep, adv. (q.v.), deep-en,
v., deep-en-er, n., deep-en-ing, adj. deep-en-ing-
ly, adv.
deep, adv. — ME. depe, fr. OE. deope, 'deep'
(adv.), 'deeply', fr. deop, 'deep'. See deep, adj.
deer, n. - ME. dere, deer, fr. OE. dear, 'a wild
animal', rel. to OS. dior, ON. dyr, OFris. diar,
Du. dier, OHG. tior, MHG., G. tier, 'animal ,
Goth, dius, 'wild animal'; orig. 'a breathing
being', and cogn. with OSlav. duchu, 'breath,
spirit', duSa, 'soul', Lith. dvasas (masc.), dvasia,
(fern.), 'spirit', Lett. dvaSa, 'breath, odor',
dvesele, 'breath, soul, life'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. *dheus-, *dhous-, *dhwos-, *dhe-
wes-, *dhwh-, 'to breathe', which are enlarge-
ments of base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust,
to smoke'. See thio- and cp. words there re-
ferred to. For sense development cp. L. animal,
'animal', lit. 'a living being', fr. anima, 'air,
breath of life, soul', Gk. £<J>ov, 'animal', lit. 'a
living being', Heb. hayytf", 'animal, beast', lit.
'a living being'; cp. animal, zoo-.
deface, tr. v., to mar. — ME. defacen, fr. OF.
desfacier, 'to disfigure', fr. L. dis- and VL. facia
(for L. fades), 'face'. See dis- and face and cp.
efface.
Derivatives: deface-able, adj., deface-ment, n.,
defac-er, n., defac-ing, adj., defac-ing-ly, adv.
de facto, in actual fact, the opposite of de jure. —
L. de facto, 'in fact', fr. de, 'from, down from,
according to', and abl. of factum, 'deed, act,
fact'. See de- and fact,
defalcate, intr. v., to embezzle. — ML. defal-
cdtus, pp. of defalcdre, 'to cut off with a sickle'.
whence fig. 'to deduct', fr. de- and L. falx, gen.
falcis, 'sickle'. See falchion and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: defalcation (q.v.), defalcat-or, n.
defalcation, n., embezzlement. — ML. defal-
cdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. defalcdtus. See prec. word
and -ion.
defamation, n., calumny, aspersion. — ME. dif-
famacioun, fr. OF. diffamation, fr. L. diffdmd-
tidnem, acc. of diffdmdtid, fr. diffdmdtus, pp. of
diffdmdre. See defame and -ation.
defamatory, adj., tending to defame. - ML. dif-
fdmdtdrius, 'tending to defame', fr. L. diffd-
mdtus, pp. of diffdmdre. See next word and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivative: defamatori-ly, adv.
defame, tr. v., to calumniate, asperse. — ME.
defamen, diffamen, fr. OF. diffamer, fr. L. diffd-
mdre, 'to spread an evil report, defame', fr.
dis- and fdma, 'report, rumor'. See fame.
Derivatives: defam-ed, adj., defam-er, n. de-
fam-ing-ly, adv.
default, n. — ME. defauite, defaute, fr. VL. *de-
fallita, pp. of *defallere (whence F. defaillir, 'to
be wanting'), used as a noun, fr. de- and L. fal-
lere, 'to deceive'. See fail and cp. fault. Cp.
OProvenc. defauta, defaulta, which are the exact
equivalents of OF. defaute. In MF. and ModF.,
defaut, 'default, blemish', a collateral form,
superseded the ancient form defaute. (Cp. also^
OProvenc. defaut, a collateral form of defauta.
default, intr. and tr. v. — ME. defauten, fr. de-
faute. See default, n.
Derivatives: default-ant, adj., default-er, n.
defeasance, n., the act of making null and void
(law). — OF. defesance, 'undoing', fr. defesant,
desfesant, pres. part, of defaire, desfaire, 'to
undo'. See defeat, v., and -ance.
defeasible
defeasible, adj., capable of being made null and
void. — AF., 'capable of being annulled', fr.
AF. defaire, which corresponds to OF. defaire,
desfaire, 'to undo'. See defeat, v., and -ible and
cp. feasible.
Derivatives: defeasibil-ity, n., defeasibte-ness, n.
defeat, tr. v. — OF. defeit, defait (F. defait), pp. of
defaire, desfaire (F. defaire), 'to undo', fr. VL.
*disfacere (corresponding to L. deficere), fr. dis-
and L. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp.
defect.
defeat, n. — Formed fr. defeat, v., on analogy
of F. defaite, 'defeat', which derives fr. defaire,
'to undo'.
defeatism, n. — Formed on analogy of F. de-
faitisme, which derives fr. defaite. See defeat,
n., and -ism.
defeatist, n., an adherent of defeatism. — F. de-
faitiste, fr. defaite. See prec. word and -ist.
defeature, tr. v. — OF. deffaiture, desfaiture, fr.
desfaire, 'to undo'. See defeat, v., and -lire.
defecate, tr. and intr. v. — L. defaecdtus, pp. of
defaecdre, 'to cleanse from dregs, defecate', fr.
de- and faex, gen. faecis, 'dregs, lees'. See faeces
and verbal suff. -ate.
defecation, n. — Late L. defaecdtid, gen. -onis,
fr. L. defaecdtus, pp. of defaecdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
defect, n. — L. defectus, 'a failing, failure', fr.
defectus, pp. of deficere, 'to forsake, desert,
abandon, revolt; to remove oneself, withdraw;
to be wanting, fail', fr. de- and facere (pp. fac-
tus), 'to make do'. See fact and cp. deficit. For
the change of Latin a (in fdctus) to e (in de-
fectus) see accent and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: defect, intr. v., defect-ible, adj.,
defect-ibil-ity, n., defection (q.v.), defective (q.v.),
defective-ly, adv., defective-ness, n., defector,
(q.v.)
defection, n. — L. defectid, gen. -onis, 'failure,
deficience, desertion', fr. defectus, pp. of deficere.
See prec. word and -ion.
defective, adj. — F. defectif (fern, defective), fr.
Late L. defectivus, 'imperfect, defective', fr. L.
defectus, pp. of deficere. See defect and -ive.
Derivatives: defective, n., defective-ly, adv., de-
fective-ness, n.
defector, n., one who defects. — L. defector, 'one
who revolts, a rebel', fr. defectus, pp. of deficere,
'to be wanting, fail; to remove oneself, with-
draw'. See defect and agential suff. -or.
defence, n. — The British spelling of defense.
defend, tr. and intr. v. — ME. defenden, fr. OF.
defendre (F. defendre), fr. L. defendere, 'to ward
off, keep away, defend, guard, protect', fr. de-
and -fendere (found only in compounds), 'to
thrust, strike', fr. I.-E. base *g"hen-, 'to strike',
whence also OI. hdnti, 'he strikes, kills', pi.
ghndnti, 'they strike, kill", Hitt. kuenzi, 'he
strikes, kills', kunanzi, 'they strike, kill', Arm.
gan, gen. gani, 'a beating, thrashing', jnem, 'I,
414
beat, strike', Gk. $e£vetv (for *gh w en-yein),
'to strike', <p6vo? (for *gh w onos), 'murder', Alb.
gan, 'I hunt', OSlav. zeno, gunati, 'to drive',
Lith. genu, gihti, 'to drive', geniu, geneti, 'to cut
off branches', Olr. gonim, 'I strike, kill', guin,
'a wound', ON. gunnr, gudr, OE. gud, 'war,
battle', gudfana, 'banner'. Cp. defense, fend, of-
fend, offense. Cp. also phoenix, the first element
in gonfanon, Gunther, and the second element
in Bellerophon, Tisiphone, Triphasia and
Edith. Derivatives: defendant (q.v.), defend-er, n.
defendant, adj., defending; n., the accused party
(law). — F. defendant, pres. part, of defendre,
fr. L. defendere. See defend and -ant.
defenestration, n., the act of throwing out of a
window. — Formed fr. pref. de-, L. fenestra,
'window' (see fenestra) and suff. -ation. Cp.
fenestration.
defense, defence, n. — ME. defense, defence, fr.
OF. defense (F. defense), fr. VL. defensa (cor-
responding in sense to L. defensio), 'defense',
prop. fern. pp. of L. defendere, used as a noun.
See defend and -ce.
Derivatives: defense-less, defence-less, adj., de-
fense-less-ly, defence-less-ly , adv., defense-less-
ness, defence-less-ness, n.
defensible, adj. — Late L. defensibilis, a collateral
form of L. defensdbilis, 'defensible', fr. defen-
sdre, 'to defend diligently', freq. of defendere
(pp. defensus), 'to defend'. See defend and -ible
and cp. defense.
Derivatives: defensibil-ity, n., defensible-ness,
n., defensibl-y, adv.
defensive, adj. — F. defensif (fern, defensive), fr.
ML. defensivus, fr. L. defensus, pp. oidefendere.
See defend and -ive.
Derivatives: defensive, n., defensive-ly, adv.,
defensive-ness, n.
defensor, n. — L. defensor, 'a defendor', fr. de-
fensus, pp. of defendere. See defend and agential
suff. -or.
defensory, adj. — ML. defensdrius, fr. L. defensus,
pp. of defendere. See defend and adj. suff.
-ory.
defer, intr. v., to delay, postpone. — ME. diffe-
ren, fr. OF. differer (F. differer), it. L. differre,
'to carry in different directions, spread abroad,
scatter, disperse; to defer, delay'. See differ.
Derivatives: defer-ment, n., deferr-ed, adj., de-
fer r-er, n.
defer, intr. v., to submit. — F. deferer, 'to yield,
comply, pay deference', fr. L. deferre, 'to carry
or bring down, grant, allot, offer*, fr. de- and
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry', and
cp. confer and words there referred to.
deference, n. — F. deference, fr. deferer. See de-
fer, 'to submit', and -ence.
deferent, adj., i) carrying away or down; 2) per-
taining to the ductus deferens (anal.) — L. de-
ferens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of deferre. See
defer, 'to submit', and -ent.
deferential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
415
defloration
L. deferens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of deferre.
See defer, 'to submit'.
Derivative: deferential-ly, adv.
defervescence, n., 1) a cooling down; 2) dis-
appearance of fever (med.) — Formed with suff.
-ce fr. L. defervescens, gen. -entis. See next
word and cp. effervescence,
defervescent, adj., pertaining to defervescence;
n., a remedy causing defervescence (med.) — L.
defervescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of defer-
vescere, 'to cease boiling', fr. de- and fervescere,
'to become boiling hot', inchoative of fervere,
'to boil'. See fervescent,
defeudalize, tr. v., to deprive of feudal character.
— Compounded of de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and feudalize,
defiance, n. — ME. deffiance, defiaunce, fr. OF.
defiance, deffiance, fr. defier, desfier. See defy
and -ance.
defiant, adj. — F. defiant, pres. part, of defier. See
defy and -ant.
Derivatives: defiant-ly, adv., defiant-ness, n.
deficiency, n. — Late L. deficientia, 'the wanting,
want', fr. deficiens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -cy.
deficient, adj. — L. deficiens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of deficere, 'to be wanting', fr. de- and
facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. defect,
deficit. For the change of Latin d (in facere) to
i (in de-flcere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: deficient, n., deficient-ly, adv.
deficit, n., lack, shortage. — F. deficit, fr. L. de-
ficit, 'it is wanting', 3rd pers. sing. pres. of de-
ficere. See deficient.
defilade, tr. and intr. v., to protect (the lines)
from enfilading fire. — Formed with suff. -ade
fr. F. defiler, 'to unthread'. See defile, 'to march
in files', and cp. enfilade.
defilading, n., the art of constructing fortifica-
tions so as to protect from enfilading fire. —
Formed fr. prec. word with subst. suff. -ing.
defile, tr. v., to make foul. — ME. defoulen, 'to
trample under foot, crush, insult', fr. OF. de-
foler, defouler, of s.m., fr. de- (see de-) and foler,
fouler (F. fouler), 'to tread, trample down, crush,
full'; see full, 'to cleanse'. The verb defile was
influenced in form and meaning by foul and
the verb file, 'to make foul'.
Derivatives: defil-ed, adj., defil-ed-ness, n., de-
file-ment, n., defil-er, n., defil-ing-Iy, adv.
defile, intr. v., to march in files. — F. defiler, 'to
march in files', lit. 'to unthread, unstring', fr.
de- (see de-) and file, 'row', fr. L.filum, 'thread'.
Cp. OProvenc. and OSp. desfilar, Sp. deshilar,
Port, desfiar, 'to march in files', and see file,
'thread'.
defile, n., a narrow passage. — F. defile, 'a nar-
row passage', prop, 'a passage in which troops
can march in files', orig. pp. of defiler, 'to march
in lines', used as a noun. See prec. word. For
the loss of the French pp. suff. -e in English
loan words cp. costive and words there re-
ferred to.
define, tr. v. OF. definer, fr. L. de (see de-)
and finire, 'to set limits to, to end, finish', fr.
finis, 'limit, boundary, end'. (F. difinir comes
fr. L. definire, 'to set limits to; to determine,
define'.) See finish.
Derivatives: defin-able, adj., defin-abil-ity, n.,
defin-ed, adj., defin-ed-ly, adv., define-ment, n.,
defin-er, n., definite (q.v.), definition (q.v.),
definitive, adj. (q.v.), definit-ize, tr. v., definit-iz-
ation, n., definitor, n. (q.v.)
definite, adj. — L. definitus, pp. of definire, 'to
define'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: definite-ly, adv., definite-ness, n.
definition, n. — OF. (F. definition), fr. L. de-
finitidnem, acc. of def "initio, 'a limiting, defining;
definition', fr. definitus, pp. of definire. See de-
fine. L. diflnltio is prop, a loan translation of
Gk. &pi<T[i.6s, which derives fr. 6pl£eiv, 'to
bound, mark out, determine', fr. 8po?, 'border,
boundary'. Derivative: definition-al, adj.
definitive, adj. — OF. definitif, fern, definitive
(F. definitif, fem. definitive), fr. L. definitivus,
'explanatory, definitive', fr. definitus. See de-
finite and -ive.
Derivatives: definitive-ly, adv., definitive-ness, n.
definitor, n., an officer charged with the super-
vision of ecclesiastical property. — Eccles. L.,
fr. L. definitus, pp. of definire. See define and
agential suff. -or.
deflagrate, tr. and intr. v., to burn up suddenly.
— L. deflagrdtus, pp. of deflagrdre, 'to burn up,
be consumed by the fire', fr. de- and flagrdre,
'to burn'. See flagrant and verbal suff. -ate.
deflagration, n. — L. deflagrdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
deflagrdtus, pp. of deflagrdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
deflagrator, n., a device for causing deflagration.
— Formed with agential suff. -or fr. L. defla-
grdtus, pp. of deflagrdre. See deflagrate.
deflate, tr. v., to remove the air from. — Adapted
in a new sense fr. L. defldtus, pp. of defldre, 'to
blow off', fr. de- and flare, 'to blow'. See flatus
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: deflat-ion, n., deflat-ion-ary, adj.
deflect, tr. and intr. v. — L. deflectere (pp. de-
flexus), 'to bend aside or downward', fr. de-
and flectere, 'to bend'. See flex, v.
Derivatives: deflect-ed, adj., deflection (q.v.),
deflect-ive, adj., deflector (q.v.)
deflection, deflexion, n. — Late L. deflexid, gen.
-onis, 'a bending aside or downward', fr. L. de-
flexus, pp. of deflectere. See prec. word and -ion.
deflorate, adj., having shed its pollen (bot.) —
Late L. deflordtus, pp. of deflordre. See next
word and adj. suff. -ate and cp. deflower.
defloration, n., the act of deflowering. — Late L.
difloratio, gen. -onis, fr. deflordtus, pp. of de-
flordre, 'to deprive of flowers (also figuratively,
'to deprive of virginity'), fr. de- and h.flds, gen.
fldris, 'flower*. See flower and -ation.
deflower
416
deflower, tr. v., to deprive of virginity. — ME.
d»floren, fr. OF. desflorer (F. deflorer), fr. Late
L. defldrare. See prec. word,
defluent, adj., flowing downward. — L. defluens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of defluere, 'to flow down
or downward', fr. de- and fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
defoliate, i) adj., deprived of leaves; 2) tr. v., to
deprive of leaves. — Late L. defolidtus, pp. of
defolidre, 'to deprive of leaves', fr. de- and L.
folidtus, 'leaved, leafy'. See foliate, adj.
Derivative: defoliat-ion, n.
deforest, tr. v., to disafforest. — Formed fr. de-
and forest. Cp. afforest, disafforest, disforest.
Derivatives: deforest-ation, n., deforest-er, n.
deform, tr. v. — F. deformer, fr. L. deformdre,
'to deform, disfigure', fr. de- and formdre, 'to
form, shape'. See form, v.
Derivatives: deform-ed, adj., deform-ed-ly, adv.,
deform-ed-ness, n., deform-er, n.
deformation, n. — F. deformation, fr. L. deformd-
tidnem, acc. of deformdtid, 'a deforming, dis-
figuring', fr. deformdtus, pp. of deformdre. See
prec. word and -ation.
deformity, n., i)the condition of being deformed;
2) ugliness. — OF. deformite, fr. L. deformitd-
tem, acc. of deformitds, 'deformity, ugliness',
fr. deformis, 'misformed, misshaped', fr. de-
and forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n., and
-ity.
defraud, tr. v., to cheat. — OF. defrauder, fr. L.
defrauddre, 'to defraud, cheat', fr. de- and frau-
ddre, 'to cheat', fr. fraus, gen. fraudis, 'deceit,
fraud'. See fraud.
defray, tr. v., to pay. — F. defrayer, 'to pay
costs', fr. de- (see de-) and VL. *fredum, 'fine,
cost', fr. Frankish *fridu, lit. 'peace'; see affray.
The original meaning of defray was 'to appease,
pacify' (for sense development cp. pay).
Derivatives: defray-al, n., defray-er, n., defray-
ment, n.
deft, adj., dexterous. — ME., fr. OE. (ge)d<efte,
'mild, gentle', rel. to gedafen, gedefe, 'suitable',
Goth, gadaban, 'to be fit', ON. dafna, 'to grow
strong', Du. deftig, 'important, relevant', fr.
I.-E. base *dhabh-, 'to become, be suitable',
whence also L. faber, 'forger, smith', OSlav.
dobru, 'fine, good', doba, 'opportunity', podoba,
'ornament', Lith. dabinti, 'to adorn', dabniis,
'graceful'. Cp. daft. Cp. also fabric, forge.
Derivatives: deft-ly, adv., deft-ness, n.
defunct, adj., dead. — L. defunctus, pp. of de-
fungor, defungi, 'to finish, have done with, per-
form, depart, die', fr. de- and fungi (pp. functus),
'to be engaged in, discharge, perform, execute,
do'. See function.
Derivative: defunct, n.
defy, tr. v. — F. defter, fr. OF. desfier, defter
(F. defter), fr. VL. *disfiddre, *diffidare (whence
also It. diffidare), fr. dis- and VL. *fiddre, 'to
trust, have confidence in', fr. L. fidus, 'trusty,
faithful'. See faith, fidelity. OF. defter, difier orig.
meant 'to renounce one's faith', whence arose
the meanings 'to distrust' and 'to challenge'.
degeneracy, n. — Formed fr. degenerate, adj.,
with suff. -cy.
degenerate, intr. v. — L. degeneratus, pp. of de-
generdre, 'to degenerate', lit. 'to depart from
one's race', fr. de- and genus, gen. generis, 'birth,
descent; race'. See genus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: degeneration (q.v.), degenerat-ive,
adj.
degenerate, adj. and n. — L. degeneratus, pp. of
degenerdre. See degenerate, v.
degeneration, n. — F. degeneration, fr. L. degene-
ratus, pp. of degenerdre. See degenerate, v., and
suff. -ation.
deglutition, n., the act of swallowing. — F. de-
glutition, fr. L. deglutitionem, acc. of degluti-
tid, 'a swallowing down', fr. deglutitus, pp. of
deglutire, 'to swallow down', fr. de- and gliitire,
'to swallow'. See glut, 'to swallow', and -ion.
deglutitory, adj., pertaining to deglutition. — See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ory.
degradation, n. — F. degradation, fr. Late L. de-
graddtidnem, acc. of degraddtid, 'deposition
from one's rank', fr. degraddtus, pp. of degra-
ddre. See degrade and -ation.
degrade, tr. v., to reduce to a lower status; intr.
v., to degenerate. — OF. degrader (F. degrader),
fr. Late L. degraddre, 'to deposit from one's
rank', fr. de- and L. gradus, 'a step, pace, stage,
degree'. See grade and cp. degree.
Derivatives: degrad-ed, adj., degrad-ed-ly, adv.,
degrad-ed-ness, n., degrad-ing, adj., degrad-ing-
ly, adv., degrad-ing-ness, n.
degras, n., fat recovered by dressing skins with
fish oil. — F., formed fr. de- (see de-) and gras,
fern, grasse, 'fat', fr. L. crassus, 'thick', whence
also It. grasso, Rum. gras, OProvenc., Catal.
gras, Sp. graso, Port, graxo, 'fat'. See crass.
degree, n. — ME. degre, fr. OF. degret, later
degre (F. degre), which is usually derived fr.
Late L. *degradus, lit. 'a step down', fr. Late L.
degraddre, 'to deposit from one's rank', in VL.
prob. meaning also 'to descend', fr. de- and L.
gradus, 'degree'. It is more probable, however,
that OF. degret, degre was formed from the
prep, de (see de-) and L. gradus. See grade and
cp. degrade.
degression, n., a going down; decrease. — L. de-
gressid, gen. -dnis, 'a going down', fr. degressus,
pp. of degredi, 'to go down', fr. de- and gradi
(pp. grassus), 'to take steps, to walk'. See grade
and -ion. For the change of Latin d (in grddi )
to e (in de-gressus) see congress and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also digression.
degressive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
degressus, pp. of degredi. See prec. word.
Derivative: degressive-Iy, adv.
degringolade, n., a precipitate breakdown. — F.
degringolade, 'tumble, downfall', fr. degringoler,
'to tumble down', fr. di- (see de-) and earlier
F. gringoler, which is prob. borrowed fr. Du.
kringelen, 'to roll, twist', fr. kringel, 'a circle',
dimin. of kring, 'circle, ring'. See cringle and -ade.
degust, tr. and intr. v., to taste (rare). — L. de-
gustdre, 'to taste, try', fr. de- and gustdre, 'to
taste, enjoy'. See gust, 'relish', and cp. disgust.
degustation, n. — Late L. degustdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. degustdtus, pp. of degustdre. See prec. word
and -ation.
deha, n., the body (Hinduism). — OI. dehah,
'body', lit. 'that which is formed', rel. to dihmi,
'I smear, anoint', deht, 'rampart, dam, dike',
Avestic daeza, 'wall', pairi-daeza, 'enclosure',
and cogn. with Goth daigs, OE. dag, 'dough'.
See dough and cp. paradise.
dehisce, intr. v., to gape, burst open. — L. de-
hiscere, 'to split open, gape, yawn*, fr. de-
and hiscere, inchoative of hidre, 'to yawn'.
See hiatus.
dehiscence, n., the act or process of bursting
open. — Formed fr. next word with suff. -ce.
dehiscent, adj., bursting open. — L. dehiscens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of dehiscere. See dehisce and
-ent.
dehors, prep., out of, outside (law). — F., fr. VL.
deforis, fr. de- and L. foris, 'out of doors'. See
forum and cp. the first element in forisfamiliate.
dehort, tr. v., to dissuade (rare). — L. dehortari,
'to dissuade', fr. de- and hortdri, 'to urge, in-
cite'. See hortation.
dehortation, n., dissuasion. — L. dehortdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. dehortatus, pp. of dehortari. See prec.
word and -ation.
dehumanize, tr. v., to make inhuman. — Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
humanize.
Derivative: dehumaniz-ation, n.
dehydrate, tr. v., to remove water from a sub-
stance. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and hydrate.
Derivative: dehydrat-ion, n.
dehydrogenize, tr. v., to deprive of hydrogen. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and hydrogenize.
Derivatives: dehydrogeniz-ation, n., dehydro-
geniz-er, n.
dehypnotize, tr. v., to arouse from the hypnotic
state. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and hypnotize.
Deianira, n., the daughter of Oeneus and wife of
Heracles (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. A-q'ia-
veipot, lit. 'destroyer of her husband', fr. SyjCo?,
'hostile', and avrjp, 'man, husband'. The first
element is rel. to Gk. S-q'tow, 'I cut down, slay',
8at, 'in battle', Sat-cppov, 'proved in battle',
SateLv, 'to blaze, burn up', Siog, 'torch', Save;,
'combustible, dry'. For the second element see
andro-.
deicide, n., the killer of a god. — Late L. deicida,
compounded of L. deus, 'god', and -cida, 'kil-
ler'. See deity and -cide, 'killer'.
deicide, n., the killing of a god. — ModL. dei-
cidium, compounded of L. deus, 'god*, and
-cldium, 'killing'. See deity and -cide, 'killing'.
deictic, adj., demonstrating, proving directly. —
Gk. SeutTix6s, 'able to show', fr. 8sixt6;,
'shown', verbal adj. of Seixvuvm, 'to show',
which is cogn. with L. dicere, 'to say, tell'. See
diction and -ic and cp. apodictic, epideictic. Cp.
also hygrodeik.
deiflc, adj., deifying. — F. deifique, fr. L. dei-
ficus, 'who makes one a god', which is com-
pounded of deus, 'god', and -ficus, fr. -ficere, un-
stressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
and -ic.
deification, n., the act of making a god; the state
of being made a god. — See deify and -ation.
deiform, adj., having the form of a god. — ML.
deiformis, compounded of L. deus, 'god', and
forma, 'form, shape'. See deity and form, n.
deify, tr. v., to make a god of. — F. deifier, fr.
Late L. deificdre, which is compounded of L.
deus, 'god', and -ficdre, 'to make', fr. -ficus, fr.
facere, 'to make, do'. See deity and -fy.
deign, intr. and tr. v., to condescend. — ME.
deinen, deignen, fr. OF. degnier, deignier (F.
daigner), fr. VL. *digndre, fr. L. digndri, 'to
deem worthy', fr. dignus, 'worthy'. Cp. It. deg-
nare, OProvenc. denhar, Catal. denyar, Sp.
denar, which all derive fr. VL. *digndre, and see
dignity. Cp. also dainty, condign, dignify, dis-
dain.
deipno-, combining form meaning 'dining'. —
Gk. SeiTwo-, fr. Bei7tvov, 'dinner', of unknown
origin.
deipnosophist, n., one learned in the art of din-
ing, — Gk. SeiKvocotpiaTT);, compounded of
Seitwov, 'dinner', and aoqjiaTT);, 'a learned
man', fr. aoqxk, 'skilled, clever, wise'. See deip-
no- and sophist. AsiTrvoccxpiiTToa (pi.) is the title
of a work by Athenaeus.
Derivative: deipnosophist-ic, adj.
deism, n., the belief that God has created the
world but has no immediate relation with it. —
F. deisme, a hybrid coined by Pascal (1623-62)
fr. L. Deus, 'God', and -isme, a suff. of Greek
origin. See deity and -ism.
deist, n., an adherent of deism. — F. deiste, a
hybrid word. See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: deist-ic, deist-ic-al, adjs., deist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
deity, n. — ME. deite, fr. OF. deite (F. deite),
fr. Late L. deitdtem, acc. of deitds, 'divine na-
ture', which was coined by Augustine on ana-
logy of Gk. Mzr,:;, 'divine nature', fr. L. deus,
'god', fr. OL. deivos (whence also L. divus,
'divine'), which is cogn. with OI. devdh, 'god',
devt, 'goddess', Avestic daeva-, 'demon', Lith.
dievas, Lett, dievs, OPruss. deiwas, deiws, Olr.
dia (gen. de), OW. duiu, MW. duw, OCo. duy,
MCo. dew, 'God', OHG. Zio, Zio, ON. Tyr,
OE. Tiw, name of the Teutonic war god, Gk.
Bio?, 'divine', Zetic., gen. AlF6?, Auk, 'Zeus', OI.
dyduh, 'heaven, god of Heaven', Dyduspitd,
'heavenly father', L. Diespiter, Jupiter, 'Jupiter'.
All these words come fr. *deyew(o)-, 'shining',
which derives fr. I.-E. base *dei-, *deyd-, *di-,
dyd-, 'to shine', whence also OI. di-de-ti, 'shines,
diva, 'by day', di-vasah, 'heaven; day', Arm. tiv,
'day', Gk. SeocTo.'seemed', SijXos, Homeric UeXaq
(for *Sei-eXo<;), 'visible, clear', L. dies, Olr. die,
W. dyw,'day\ Olr. in-diu, W. he-ddyw .'today'.Cp.
Adelia, adelo-, adieu, adjourn, Bhumi Devi, daiva,
deiform, deify, deodand, deodar, devadasi, Dewali,
dial, Diana, diary, dies non, diet, 'assembly', Dios-
ma, Dis, dismal, diurnal, diuturnal, diva, Dives, di-
vine, Dorothea, Dyaus, eudiometer, joss, journey,
Jove, jovial, Jupiter, Lent, meridian, prie-dieu,
quotidien, sojourn, Tuesday, Zenobia, Zeus.
deject, tr. v., to cast down. — L. dejectus, pp. of
dejicere, 'to throw down, drive off, lower, let
down ; to humble', fr. de- and jacere (pp. jac-
tus), 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and cp.
words there referred to. For the change of Latin
d (in jdctus) to e (in de-jgctus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
dejecta, n. pi., excrements. — L., neut. pi. of de-
jectus, pp. of dejicere. See prec. word.
dejection, n. — OF. (F. dejection), fr. L. dejec-
tidnem, acc. of dejectid, fr. dejectus, pp. of de-
jicere. See deject and -ion.
dejeuner, n., breakfast. — F. dejeuner, 'break-
fast', from the verb dejeuner, 'to break the fast',
fr. OF. desjuner, shortened form of desjejuner
(see haplology), which derives fr. VL. disjejundre,
'to break the fast', fr. dis- and L, jejiinus, 'fast-
ing'. See jejune and cp. dine, dinner. For sense
development cp. E. to breakfast, lit. 'to break
the fast'.
Derivative: dejeuner, intr. v.
de jure, by right, rightfully; the opposite of de
facto. — L. de jure, 'by right', fr. de, 'from,
down from, according to', and abl. of jits,
'right'. See de- and jus.
delaine, n., a material made of wool, or of wool
and cotton. — F. de laine, 'of wool', fr. L. de,
'from', and lana, 'wool'. See de- and lanate.
delate, tr. v., to inform against. — L. deldtus,
'brought or carried down' (used as pp. of de-
ferre, 'to bring or carry down, to indict, inform
against'), formed fr. de- and latus, 'born, car-
ried' (used as pp. oiferre, 'to bear, carry'),which
stands for *tldtos, fr. *tj-, zero degree of I.-E.
base *tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tol-
lere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear, sup-
port'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
delation, n., information against a person. — L.
deldtid, gen. -dnis, 'denunciation, accusation',
fr. deldtus, 'brought or carried down'. See prec.
word and -ion.
delator, n., an informer. — L. delator, fr. deldtus,
'brought or carried down'. See delate and
agential surf. -or.
delay, tr. and intr. v., to defer, postpone. — ME.
delaien, fr. OF. delaier, fr. de- and laier, 'to let,
leave'. Originally the verb laier occurred only
41 B
in those forms of the present, in which the radi-
cal was stressed, and in the future. These forms
prob. derive from the respective forms of OF.
laissier, 'to let, leave', and were influenced in
their conjugation by that of faire, 'to do'. (See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 176 s.v. delai.) OF.
laissier (whence F. laisser) derives fr. L. laxdre,
'to unloose, relax', fr. laxus, 'loose'. See lax
and cp. relay.
Derivatives: delay, n., delay-age, n., delay-er, n.,
delay-ing-ly, adv.
del credere, a phrase expressing the obligation of
an agent who guarantees the solvency of a buyer
(law). — It., lit. 'of trust'. Del is contracted from
the prep, de, 'of (fr. L. de), and the def. art.
il (fr. L. ilium, acc. of ille, 'that one'). See de-
and ille. It. credere derives fr. L. credere, 'to
believe'. See creed.
dele, v., typographic direction to blot out a letter,
a word, etc. — L. dele, imper. sing, of delere,
'to destroy; wipe out, blot out, efface'. See
delete.
delectable, adj., delightful. — OF. (F. delectable),
fr. L. delectdbilis, 'delightful', fr. delectdre, 'to
delight'. See next word and -able.
Derivatives: delectabil-ity, n., delectable-ness,
n., delectabl-y, adv.
delectation, n., delight, enjoyment. — OF. delec-
tation (F. delectation), fr. L. delectdtidnem, acc.
of delectdtid, 'a delighting, pleasure, amuse-
ment', fr. delectdtus, pp. of delectdre, 'to delight,
charm, amuse', freq. of delicere, 'to entice'.fr.
de- and lacere, 'to entice', which is cogn. with
laqueus, 'noose snare'. See lace, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
delectus, n. , a collection of passages for translation.
— L. delectus, 'choice, selection', fr. delectus,
pp. of deligere, 'to pick out, choose, select', fr.
de- and legere, 'to choose; to read'. See lecture.
delegacy, n. — Formed fr. delegate, n., with
suff. -cy.
delegate, n. — L. delegatus, pp. of delegare, 'to
send, assign, delegate, transfer', fr. de- and le-
gare, 'to send with a commission, appoint as a
deputy'. See legate.
delegate, adj., delegated. — L. delegatus, pp. of
delegare. See delegate, n.
delegate, tr. v. — L. delegatus, pp. of delegare.
See delegate, n.
delegation, n. — L. delegdtid, gen. -dnis, 'assign-
ment, delegation', fr. delegatus, pp. of delegare.
See delegate, n., and -ion.
delete, tr. v., to erase. — L. deletus, pp. of delere,
'to efface, abolish, obliterate, destroy', which is
prob. a back formation from de-levi (misinter-
preted as dele-vi), perf. of de-linere, 'to besmear',
fr. de- and linere, 'to daub, smear' (applied esp.
to the wax on the writing table). Accordingly
the orig. meaning of dllere prob. was 'to wipe
out'. See liniment and cp. slime. Cp. also dele,
delible.
deleterious, adj., harmful. — ML. diletirius, fr.
Gk. Sr)XrjTr\pioQ, 'noxious', fr. Sr;X7)TV)p, 'de-
stroyer', fr. S/iXeia&oa, 'to hurt, damage', which
is cogn. with Toch. A tdlo, B talldwo, 'miserable,
wretched', Lett, delit, 'to wear out, worry, har-
ass'. These words prob. meant orig. 'to cut,
split', whence 'to hurt by cutting', and derive
fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-, 'to split, cut, carve',
whence also L. doldre 'to hew with an ax'. See
dole, 'grief, and words there referred to. For
the ending see suff. -ous. The word deleterious
was introduced into English by the physician
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-82).
Derivatives: deleterious-ly, adv., deleterious-
ness, n.
deletion, n. — L. deletio, gen. -dnis, fr. deletus,
pp. of delere. See delete and -ion.
delft, also delf, n., glazed earthenware. — Prop,
earthenware of Delft (formerly Delf), name of
a town in Holland. The name lit. means 'canal'
and is cogn. with E. delve (q.v.)
Delia, fem. PN. — L. Delia, orig. epithet of the
goddess Artemis, lit. 'Delian', from her birth-
place Delos. See Delian.
Delian, adj., pertaining to the island of Delos
in the Aegean Sea. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Delius, fr. Gk. Aijkioc,, fr. A^Xo?, 'Delos'.
Cp. prec. word.
deliberate, adj. — L. deliberdtus, pp. of deliberare,
'to think over, take counsel about, reflect, de-
termine', which prob. means lit. 'to weigh in
one's mind', and derives fr. original *de-librdre,
which is formed fr. de- and libra, 'scales; that
which is weighed; a pound'. See libra and adj.
suff. -ate and cp. equilibrium. L. deliberare was
influenced in form by liberdre, 'to make free'.
Derivatives: deliberate-ly, adv., deliberate-
ness, n.
deliberate, intr. and tr. v. — L. deliberdtus, pp.
of deliberare. See deliberate, adj., and verbal
suff. -ate.
deliberation, n. — ME. deliberacioun, fr. MF.
( = F.) deliberation, fr. L. deliberdtidnem, acc. of
deliberdtid, 'deliberation, consideration', fr. deli-
berdtus, pp. of deliberare. See deliberate, v. and
adj., and -ion.
deliberative, adj. — L. deliberdtivus, 'pertaining
to deliberation', fr. deliberdtus, pp. of deliberare.
See deliberate, adj., and -ive.
Derivatives: deliberative-ly, adv., deliberative-
ness, n.
delible, adj., capable of being deleted. — Fr. ear-
lier deleble, fr. L. delebilis, 'that which can be
blotted out', fr. delere. See delete. Delible was
influenced in form by the many adjectives ending
in -ible (fr. L. Wilis).
delicate, adj., 1) dainty; 2) fine. — L. delicdtus,
'delightful, charming, voluptuous', pp. of * deli-
care, rel. to delicere, 'to allure, entice, delight'
(whence the freq. delectdre) and to deliciae, 'al-
lurement, charm, delight'. See lace and cp.
delectation, delicious, delight. The derivation of
delicatus, fr. *delicidtus, a supposed derivative
of deliciae, is erroneous. See Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, p. 336.
Derivatives: delicate, n., delicate-ly, adv., deli-
cate-ness, n., delica-cy, n., delicatessen (q.v.)
delicatessen, n. pi., cooked foods. — G. Delika-
tessen (pi.), fr. F. delicatesse, 'delicacy', fr. deli-
cat, 'delicate', fr. L. delicdtus. See prec. word.
delicious, adj. — OF. delicieus (F. delicieux), fr.
VL. delicidsus, fr. L. deliciae (gen. -drum), 'al-
lurement, charm, delight, pleasure', fr. *de-
laquiae, which is formed fr. de- and laqueus,
'noose, snare'. See lace and cp. delicate and
words there referred to. Cp. also luscious. For
the change of Latin & in laqueus to i in de-liciae
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: delicious-ly, adv., delicious-ness, n.
delict, n., an offense against the law. — L. delic-
tum, 'fault, offense, transgression', prop. neut.
pp. of delinquere, 'to fail, be wanting, trans-
gress, offend', fr. de- and linquere, 'to leave'.
See relinquish and cp. delinquent, relict, derelict.
delight, tr. and intr. v. — ME. deliten, fr. OF.
deliter, 'to delight', fr. L. delectdre, 'to delight,
charm, amuse'. See delectation and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: delight-ed, adj., delight-ed-Iy, adv.,
delight-ed-ness, n„ delight-er, n., delight-ing,
adj., delight-ing-ly, adv.
delight, n. — ME. delit, fr. OF. delit, fr. deliter,
'to delight'. See delight, v.
Derivatives: delight-ful, adj., delight-ful-ly, adv.,
delight-ful-ness, n., delight-some, adj.
Delilah, n., the mistress of Samson, who be-
trayed Samson (Judges, chapter 16). — Heb.
D l lild h , lit. 'delicate, languishing, amorous',
from the base of d-l-l, 'to hang down, to lan-
guish', whence also dal, 'low, poor, thin', daltdh,
'hair; thrum' (lit. 'that which hangs down');
rel. to Akkad. dalalu, 'to be weak or humble',
Arab, ddlla, 'he was low or pliant', taddldata,
'it hung down, dandled', Ethiop. dalul, 'hang-
ing curls'.
delimit, tr. v., to mark the limits of. — F. deli-
miter, fr. L. delimitdre, 'to mark out, limit', fr.
de- and limitdre, 'to limit'. See limit, v., and cp.
next word.
delimitate, tr. v., to delimit. — L. delimitdtus,
pp. of delimitdre. See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
delimitation, n. — L. delimitdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
delimitdtus, pp. of delimitdre. See delimitate
and -ion.
delineate, tr. v., to sketch. — L. delinedtus, pp. of
delinedre, 'to sketch out', formed fr. de- and
linea, 'line'. See line and verbal suff. -ate.
delineation, n. — Late L. delinedtid, gen. -dnis,
'a sketch', fr. L. delinedtus, pp. of delinedre. See
prec. word and -ion.
delinquency, n. — L. delinquentia, 'a fault, crime,
delinquency', fr. delinquens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of delinquere, 'to fail, be wanting, trans-
gress, offend'. See delict and -ency.
delinquent
420
delinquent, adj. — L. delinquens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of delinquere. See prec. word and -ent.
Derivatives: delinquent, n., delinquent-ly, adv.
deliquesce, intr. v., to become liquid. — L. de-
liquescere, 'to melt away, dissolve', fir. de- and
liquescere, 'to become liquid'. See liquescent.
deliquescence, n. — Formed with suff. -ce fr. L.
deliquescens, gen. -entis. See next word.
deliquescent, adj., deliquescing. — L. deliques-
cens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of deliquescere. See
deliquesce and -ent
delirious, adj. — Formed fr. delirium with suff.
-ous.
Derivatives: delirious-ly, adv., delirious-ness, n.
delirium, n., a violent mental excitement. — L.
delirium, 'madness, delirium', fr. delirdre, 'to
turn aside from the furrow', whence arose the
meanings 'to deviate, to become deranged,
crazy or delirious', fr. de- and lira, 'the earth
thrown up between two furrows, furrow'. L.
lira stands for *leisd and is cogn. with Goth.,
OHG. leisa (in wagenleisa), 'track of carriage
wheels', MHG. leise, geleis, G. Geleise, Gleis,
'track', and also with Goth, lais, 'I know',
laisjan, OE. Ixran, 'to teach', OE. leornian, 'to
learn' (fr. Teut. base *lais-, 'to learn, know,
teach', orig. 'to follow or find the track'). See
learn and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
lirella.
delitescence, delitescency, n. — Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
delitescent, adj., latent (said of symptoms of a
disease). — L. delitescens, gen. -entis, pres. part.
of delitescere, 'to lie hidden, be concealed', fr.
de- and latescere, 'to hide oneself, lie hidden',
inchoative of latere, 'to lie hidden'. See latent.
For the change of Latin d (in latescere) to i
(in de-litescere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
deliver, tr. v. — OF. delivrer (F. delivrer), 'to set
free', fr. VL. deliberdre, of s.m., fr. de- and Hbe-
rdre, 'to set free', fr. liber, 'free'. See liberal and
cp. liberate.
deliverance, n. — OF. delivrance (F. delivrance),
fr. delivrer. See prec. word and -ance.
delivery, n. — OF. detivree, prop. fern. pp. of
delivrer, 'to set free, to deliver', used as a noun.
See deliver and cp. livery.
dell, a small valley. — OE., rel. to MLG., MDu.
delle, MHG., G. delle, telle and to E. dale,
'valley' (q.v.)
Delia Cruscan, i) adj., pertaining to the Acca-
demia delta Crusca (established in 1582 for the
sake of purifying the Italian language); 2) n., a
member of the Accademia della Crusca.
Delia Robbia, also Delia Robbia ware, a kind of
terra-cotta ware made in Florence by Luca della
Robbia (died in 1482), his family or his pupils.
Delphian, adj., Delphic. — See next word and
-ian.
Delphic, adj., 1) pertaining to Delphi; pertaining
to the oracle in Delphi. — L. Delphicus, fr. Gk.
AeXtpixo?, 'of, or pertaining to, Delphi', fr.
A£X<poi, 'Delphi'.
Delphinidae, n.pl., a family of toothed whales
(zool.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L.
delphinus, 'dolphin'. See dolphin.
Delphinium, n., a genus of plants, the larkspur
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 8eX9fvtov, 'larkspur',
fr. 8eX<pf(;, gen. SsXtpivo;, 'dolphin' (see dol-
phin); so called from the shape of its flowers,
which resemble a dolphin.
delta, n., 1) name of the 4th letter of the Greek
alphabet ; 2) triangular area formed at the mouth
of some rivers, as of the Danube. — Gk. S£Xto£,
fr. Heb.-Phoen. ddleth; see daleth. The a was
added because a Greek word cannot end with
a x; cp. alpha and words there referred to.
deltahcation, n., the formation of a delta. —
Formed fr. delta and -fication.
deltaic, adj., forming a delta. — Formed fr. delta
with suff. -ic.
deltoid, adj., delta-shaped, triangular. — Gk.
8eXTO£i8r;i;, compounded of SeXxoe and -oeiStji;
'like', fr. elSo? 'form, shape'. See delta and -oid.
deltoid, n., the large muscle covering the shoulder
joint (anat.) — From deltoid, adj.; so called
from its triangular shape.
delubrum, n., a shrine, a sanctuary (Roman an-
tiq.) — L. delubrum, 'temple, shrine, sanctuary',
a derivative of deluere, 'to wash off, cleanse',
originally meaning 'place for washing (near the
sanctuary)'. Delubrum prob. stands for *de-
lu-dhlom or *de-Iu-dhrom, fr. de, 'away from',
the stem of luere, 'to wash', and a suff. denoting
place (cp. pollubrum, polubrum, 'wash basin',
for *po-!u-dhlom or *pd-lu-dhrom). See de- and
lave.
delude, tr. v., to deceive, beguile. — L. deludere,
'to mock, deceive, play false', fr. de- and ludere,
'to play'. See ludicrous and cp. delusion. Cp. also
allude and words there referred to.
Derivatives: delud-ing, adj., delud-ing-ly , adv.
deluge, n., the great flood, flood — F. deluge, fr.
L. diluvium, 'a flood, inundation', fr. diluere, 'to
wash away', fr. di- 'apart', and luere, 'to wash,
lave, cleanse'. See lave and cp. diluvium.
Derivative : deluge, tr. v.
delundung, n., a mammal of the Malay Archi-
pelago, pertaining to the civet family. — Native
name.
delusion, n., the act of deluding; a mistaken be-
lief. — L. delusid, gen. -dnis, 'a deceiving', fr.
delusus, pp. of deludere. See delude and -ion and
cp. allusion and words there referred to.
delusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
delusus, pp. of deludere. See delude and cp. allu-
sive and words there referred to.
Derivatives: delusive-Iy, adv., delusive-ness, n.
delve, tr. and intr. v., to dig (archaic). — ME.
delven, fr. OE. delfan, 'to dig, burrow', rel. to
OS. delfian, Du. delven, MHG. telben, 'to dig',
and cogn. with Lith. delba, 'crowbar', Russ.
dolbit', Czech dlabati, Pol. diubad, 'to chisel',
421
demersal
Russ. doloti, Czech dldto, Pol. dloto (for *dolb-
to), 'chisel'. Cp. delft.
delve, n., a hollow. — OE. gedelf, 'ditch, trench',
rel. to delfan. See delve, v.
dem-, form of demo- before a vowel.
demagnetize, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- (in the pri-
vative sense of this prefix) and magnetize.
Derivatives: demagnetiz-ation, n., demagnetiz-
er, n.
demagogic, demagogical, adj. — Gk. ST^aY^Y 1 -
x6?, 'fit for a popular leader', fr. STitiayai-yoc;, 'a
popular leader'. See next word and suff. -ic,
resp. also -al.
Derivative: demagogical-ly, adv.
demagogue, n. — Gk. 8i](i,ixy<oy6(;, 'a popular
leader, leader of the mob', compounded of
8t)|xo<;, 'district, country, land, people', and
dcYtoyo?. 'leading'. Gk. S^oi;, Dor. SS^ioq stand
for *dd-mos and are cogn. with Olr. dam, 'fol-
lowers, troop'. Both Gk. 875^05, SS^oi;, and Olr.
dam orig. meant 'part, division', and are deri-
vatives of I.-E. base da-m-, an -m-enlargement
of base *dd-, *dai-, 'to divide', whence Gk.
Scdsa&ai, 'to divide, distribute', Saijiaiv, 'god,
goddess', lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's
destinies)'. See demon and cp. words there re-
ferred to. Gk. aywYo;, 'leading', derives fr.
oiystv, 'to lead'; see -agogue.
Derivatives: demagogic (q.v.), demagog-ism, n.,
demagogu-ery, n., demagogy (q.v.)
demagogy, n. — Gk. Syjixaytoyta, 'leadership of
the people', fr. Sr^iaYiafoi;. See demagogue and
-y (representing Gk. -10L).
demand, tr. v. — F. demander, 'to ask, request',
fr. L. demanddre, 'to give in charge, entrust,
commit', in VL., 'to ask, request, demand', fr.
de- and manddre, 'to give in charge, enjoin'.
Cp. It. domandare, OProvenc., Catal., Sp. de-
mandar, 'to ask, request', and see mandate.
Derivatives: demand-er, n., demand-ing, adj.,
demand-ing-ly, adv.
demand, n. — F. demande, fr. demander. See de-
mand, v.
demandant, n., plaintiff (law). — F., 'asking, re-
questing', pres. part of demander. See demand,
v., and -ant.
demarcate, tr. v. — Back formation fr. demar-
cation.
demarcation, n. — F. demarcation, fr. Sp. demar-
cacion, fr. demarcar, 'to mark out the boun-
dary', fr. de- and marcar, 'to mark', fr. marca,
'mark', fr. MHG. marke. See mark, 'sign', and
-ation. The word was first used of the linea de
demarcacion ('demarcation line') established in
1493 by Pope Alexander VI, in order to divide
the New World between the Spaniards and the
Portuguese.
demarch, n., 1) (in ancient Greece) a ruler of a
deme; 2) (in modern Greece) a mayor. — Gk.
Sviixapyo?, lit. 'chief of the people', fr. Sr^oQ,
'people', and apxoi;, 'chief, ruler'. See deme and
-arch.
demarche, n., proceeding, course of action. —
F., lit. 'gait, walk, bearing', fr. de- (see de-) and
marcher, 'to walk'. See march, 'walk, advance'.
dematerialize, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. de-
fin the privative sense of this prefix) and mate-
rialize.
Derivative : dematerializ-ation, n.
deme, n., a township in ancient Greece. — Gk.
Syju-oi;, 'district, country, land, people'. See
demos.
demean, tr. v., to conduct (oneself). — ME. de-
meinen, demenen, fr. OF. demener, 'to guide,
conduct' (whence F. se demener, 'to struggle'),
fr. de- and mener, 'to lead', fr. VL. mindre,
'to drive (cattle)', prop, 'to drive by threatening'
(whence also It. menare, 'to lead'), fr. L. mindri,
'to threaten' (whence Rum. mdnd, 'to threa ten').
See minatory and cp. menace, promenade.
demean, tr. v., to debase. — Formed fr. de- and
mean, 'low'.
demeanor, demeanour, n. — Formed fr. ME. de-
meanure, 'behavior', with change of suff. due
to the influence of nouns ending in -or, -our.
See demean, 'to behave', and -or (representing
OF. -our, -or).
dement, tr. v., to cause to become mad. — L. de-
mentare, 'to drive mad, craze', fr. demens, gen.
dementis, 'mad, raving, crazy', lit. 'out of one's
mind', fr. de- and mens, gen. mentis, 'mind'.
See mental, 'pertaining to the mind', and cp.
dementia.
Derivatives: dement-ed, adj., dement-ed-ly, adv.
dementi, n., an official denial. — F., prop. pp. of
dementir, 'to give the lie to, contradict', used
as a noun, fr. de- (see de-) and mentir (fr. L.
mentiri), 'to lie'. See mendacious.
dementia, n., a form of insanity. — L. dementia,
'insanity, madness', lit. 'a being out of one's
mind', fr. demens, gen. -entis, 'mad, raving,
crazy'. See dement.
demerit, n., want of merit, ill desert. — OF. de-
merge (F. demerite), 'blame, demerit', fr. VL.
demeritum, 'fault', fr. pref. de-, taken in a priva-
tive sense (see de-), and meritum, 'desert, re-
ward, merit'; see merit. In contradistinction to
VL. demeritum, 'fault', classical L. demeritum
means 'merit, desert'. This contrast of meaning
finds its explanation in the fact that classical
L. demeritum prop, is the neut. pp. of demerere,
demereri, 'to merit, deserve', in which the pref.
de has intensive force ; cp. next word.
demerit, tr. v., to merit, deserve (archaic). — F.
demeriter, 'to deserve ill', fr. demerite. See prec.
word.
demeritorious, adj., blameworthy. — Formed
with suff. -orious fr. VL. demeritum, 'fault'. See
demerit, n., and cp. meritorious.
demersal, adj., sunk to the bottom (said of the
eggs of fish). — Formed with adj. suff. -al from
the obsolete verb demerse, 'to immerse', fr. L.
demersus, pp. of demergere, 'to submerge', fr. de-
and mergere, 'to plunge, immerse'. See merge.
demesne
422
demesne, n., i) possession (of land) as one's own
{law); 2) an estate kept by the owner for his
own use. — ME. demein, fr. AF. demeine, de-
mesne (with silent s), fr. OF. demaine, demeine
(whence also F. domaine, 'domain, estate'), fr.
L. dominicus, 'pertaining to the lord', fr. domi-
nus, 'lord, master'. See domain. The s in demesne
is prob. due to an erroneous association of this
word with OF. maisniee, mesnee, 'household',
fr. VL. *mdnsiondta, fr. L. mdnsid, gen. -onis,
'habitation' (see mansion).
Demeter, n., the goddess of agriculture in Greek
mythology. — Gk. Ai^-rjXTip, Dor. Gk. AojfiaTYjp,
lit. 'earth-mother', fr. 8a, Doric equivalent of
Gk. yrj, 'earth', and [A«x7)p, Doric equivalent of
Gk. (i.T)T7]p, 'mother'. See geo- and mother and
cp. next word.
Demetrius, masc. PN. — L. Demetrius, fr. Gk.
Arj^rjxpioi;, lit. 'son of Demeter', fr. Ar][xr;T7]p.
See Demeter.
demi-, pref. meaning 'half. — F. demi, 'half, fr.
VL. dimedius, a blend of L. medius, 'middle',
and dimidius, 'half. This latter is a back forma-
tion fr. dimidiatus, 'halved', pp. of dimididre,
'to halve', fr. dis-, di-, and medius, 'middle'.
OProvenc. demeg, 'half, also derives fr. VL.
dimedius. See di-, 'apart', and cp. medium. Cp.
also dimidiate, demy and talmi gold.
demigod, n., a deified hero. — Lit. 'half god', a
hybrid coined fr. demi- and god.
demijohn, n., a large bottle covered with wicker-
work. — Alteration of F. dame-jeanne, for Dame
Jeanne, 'Lady Jane', a name used humorously
to denote a bottle; see dame and Jane. The al-
teration of F. dame to demi in English demijohn
is due to a confusion with F. demi, 'half (see
demi-).
demilune, n., i) a half-moon, crescent; 2) a cres-
cent-shaped outwork. — F. demi-lune, 'half-
moon', fr. demi, 'half, and lune (fr. L. liina),
'moon'. See demi- and lune.
demimonde, n., a class of women of doubtful
social standing. — F. demi-monde, lit. 'half-
world', coined by Alexandre Dumas fils in
1855, who used it as the title of one of his most
successful social comedies. For the etymology
of F. demi see demi-. F. monde derives fr. L.
mundus, 'world'. See mundane.
demirep, n., a woman of doubtful reputation
(slang). — Shortened fr. demi-reputation, in
which demi is used in the sense given to it in F.
demi-monde. See prec. word and reputation.
demise, n., 1) transference of an estate by death;
hence also 2) death. — AF.. prop. fern. pp. of
OF. AF. demetre (whence F. demettre, pp.
demis, fern, demise), 'to send away, dismiss'.
See demit.
Derivatives: demise, tr. and intr. v., demis-able,
adj.
demisemiquaver, n., an English term for a thirty-
second note (music). — Lit. 'the half of a semi-
quaver'. See demi- and semiquaver.
demission, n. — F. demission, fr. L. demissidnem,
acc. of demissid, 'a sending down or away', fr.
demissus, pp. of demittere. See next word and
-ion.
demit, tr. and intr. v., to resign. — Orig. 'to
dismiss', fr. L. demittere 'to send down or away',
fr. de- and mittere (pp. missus), 'to send'. See
mission and cp. demise, dismiss.
demiurge, n., 1) in some ancient Greek states, a
magistrate; 2) in Platonic philosophy, the
Maker of the world. — Gk. S^fxtoupyoi;, 'one
who works for the people, skilled workman,
maker, creator, the Creator of the visible world',
compounded of Stjixio;, 'pertaining to the
people', and spyov, 'work'. Gk. 8y](aio<; derives
fr. Srjfjto:;, 'people'; see demos. For the second
element see ergon.
demiurgic, demiurgical, adj., pertaining to a
demiurge; creative. — Gk. 8ir)[itoupyix6<;, fr.
87)u.io'jpy6;. See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
demivolt, n., a half turn with the forelegs raised
(manage). — F. demi-volte, fr. demi, 'half, and
volte, 'a leap'. See demi- and vault, 'to leap',
and cp. volt, 'a turning movement'.
demo-, before a vowel dem-, combining form
meaning 'people, population, deme'. — Gk.
87]u.o-, 87)(i-, fr. 8y)(xoi;, 'district, country, land,
people'. See demos.
demobilize, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- (in the priva-
tive sense of this prefix) and mobilize.
Derivative: demobiliz-ation, n.
democracy, n. — F. democratie, fr. ML. demo-
cratia, fr. Gk. S^jioxpaxiS, 'democracy, popular
government', lit. 'rule of the people', fr. Sr^o?,
'people', and -xpaxia, fr. xpaxo?, 'strength,
power, rule'. See demos and -cracy.
democrat, n. — F. democrate, back formation fr.
democratie. See prec. word.
democratic, adj. — F. democratique, fr. ML. de-
mocraticus, fr. Gk. Srjfioxpcmxo:;, 'pertaining
to democracy', fr. 8-fjfioxpcma. See democracy
and -ic.
Derivative: democratic-al-Iy, adv.
democratism, n. — See next word and -ism.
democratize, tr. v. — F. democratiser, fr. demo-
cratic Cp. Gk. 8r,[j.ozpaTt^Eiv, 'to be on the de-
mocratic side', and see democrat and -ize.
Derivative: democratiz-ation, n.
Demodex, n., a genus of arachnids, the face mite
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. Sr^o;,
'fat', and 8r£, 'worm'. The first element is cogn.
with Alb. djame, 'fat, bacon', and prob. also
with Arm. tam-uk, 'moist, wet'. The second ele-
ment lit. means 'biter', and is rel. to Si!;,
'biting'. See Dacus.
Demogorgon, n., a terrible deity (Greek mytkol.)
— Late L., first mentioned by Lactantius (or
Lutatius) Placidus on Statius. The first element
in the name of this deity is of uncertain origin.
The second element certainly derives fr. Gk.
yopy6<;, 'terrible'. See Gorgon.
demography, n., statistics of births, marriages,
423
demotic
diseases, deaths, etc. — Coined fr. demo- and
Gk. -ypa<pta, fr. ypatpeiv, 'to write'. See demo-
and -graphy.
Derivatives: demograph-ic, demograph-ic-al,
adjs., demograph-ic-al-ly, adv., demograph-ist, n.
demoiselle, n., 1) a damsel (archaic); 2) a small
crane of N. Africa; the Numidian crane. — F.
fr. OF. dameiselle, damoiselle, fr. VL. *domini-
cella, dimin. of domina, 'mistress, lady', fem.
of L. dominus, 'lord', fr. domus, 'house'. See
dome and cp. dame. Cp. also damsel, damoiseau,
doncella, donzella; cp. also Don.
demolish, tr. v. — Fr. OF. demoliss-, pres. part,
stem of demolir (F. de'molir), 'to pull down,
overthrow, destroy, demolish', fr. L. demoliri,
'to throw or pull down, overthrow, demolish',
fr. de- and mdliri, 'to construct', fr. moles, 'mass,
heap'. See mole, 'mound', and verbal sufT. -ish.
Derivatives: demolish-er, n., demolish-ment, n.
demolition, n. — F. demolition, fr. L. demolitid-
nem, acc. of demolitio, 'a pulling down', fr. de-
molitus, pp. of demoliri. See prec. word and -ion.
demon, n. — L. daemon, 'a spirit', in Eccles. L.
'an evil spirit', fr. Gk. 8atu.cov, 'god, goddess',
lit. 'a divider, distributor (of men's destinies)',
which is rel. to 8a[s<r&ai, 'to divide, distribute;
to feed on', 8at<;, SaixT], 8acm5?, 'meal, ban-
quet', Saivuvai, 'to give a banquet or feast',
Sat^eiv, 'to cleave asunder, rend, divide', 8rju,ot;,
'district, country, land, people', fr. I.-E. base
*dd-, *ddi-, *dt-, *de-, 'to cut off, separate, di-
vide, distribute', whence also OE. tid, 'time',
tima, 'time, date', prop, 'division of time'. See
tide and cp. demagogue, deme, democracy, de-
mos. Cp. also eudaemonic, pandemonium, geo-
desy. Cp. also dah. For a derivative of *d e -t-,
a -/-enlargement of base *d e -, see datolite.
demon-, form of demono- before a vowel.
demonetization, n. — F. demonetisation, fr. de-
monetiser. See next word and -ation.
demonetize, tr. v., to deprive of monetary value.
— F. demonetiser, fr. de- (used in the privative
sense of this prefix), and monetiser. See de- and
monetize.
demoniac, demoniacal, adj., possessed by a de-
mon. — Late L. daemoniacus, fr. Gk. 8aiu.ovi.a-
xo?, 'possessed by a demon', fr. 8aiu.6vio<;, 'of, or
pertaining to, a demon', fr. 8atu,6>v. See demon.
Derivative: demoniacal-ly, adv.
demonic, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a demon. — Late L. daemonicus, fr. Gk. 8aiu,o-
vix6?, 'possessed by a demon', fr. 8atu.tov.
See demon and -ic
demonism, n., belief in demons. — Gk. 8aiu,o-
vt<j(i6i;, 'a being possessed by a demon', fr.
8atu,uv. See demon and -ism.
demontst, n., an adherent of demonism. — See
prec. word and -ist.
demonize, tr. v., 1) to convert into a demon;
2) to subject to the influence of a demon. —
ML. daemonizdre, fr. L. daemon, fr. Gk. 8a(ux>>v.
See demon and -ize.
demono-, demon-, combining form from Gk.
8aiu,cov, gen. 8atu,ovo<;, 'demon'. — See demon.
demonolatry, n., the worship of ghosts. — Com-
pounded of demono- and -Xaxpeia, -Xaxpia,
fr. Xaxpsia, 'hired labor, worship'. See -latry.
demonology, n., the study of popular beliefs in
demons. — Compounded of demono- and Gk.
-XoytS, fr. -X6yoi;, 'one who speaks (in a cer-
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: demonolog-ic, adj., demonolog-ic-
al-ly, adv., demonolog-ist, n.
demonstrable, adj. — L. demdnstrdbilis, 'that
which can be pointed out or demonstrated', fr.
demdnstrdre. See demonstrate and -able.
Derivatives: demonstrabil-ity, n., demonstrable-
ness, n., demonstrabl-y, adv.
demonstrate, tr. and intr, v. — L. demonstrdtus,
pp. of demdnstrdre, 'to point out, indicate, show,
demonstrate', fr. de- and mdnstrdre, 'to show,
point out'. See monster and verbal suff. -ate.
demonstration, n. — L. demdnstrdtid, gen. -onis,
'a pointing out, showing, demonstration', fr.
demonstrdtus, pp. of demdnstrdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivatives: demonstration-al, adj., demonstra-
tionist (q.v.)
demonstrationist, n., one who takes part in a de-
monstration. — See prec. word and -ist.
demonstrative, adj. — F. demonstratif '(fem. demon-
strative), fr. L. demonstrative, 'pointing out,
demonstrating', fr. demonstrdtus, pp. of demdn-
strdre. See demonstrate and -ive.
Derivatives: demonstrative-ly, adv., demonstra-
tive-ness, n.
demonstrator, n. — L. demonstrator, 'one who
points out or demonstrates', fr. demonstrdtus, pp.
of demdnstrdre. See demonstrate and agential
suff. -or.
demoralize, tr. v. — F. demoralises fr. de (in the
privative sense of this pref.) and moraliser, 'to
moralize'. See de- and moralize.
Derivatives: demoraliz-ation, n., demoraliz-er, n.
demos, n., the common people; the mob. — L.,
fr. Gk. Sfju-og, 'district, country, land, people',
which stands for *ddmos, lit. 'a division of the
people', and is cogn. with Olr. dam, 'followers',
fr. I.-E. base *dd-, *ddi-, 'to cut off, separate,
divide', whence also Gk. 8a[(j.cov, 'god, goddess',
lit. 'divider, distributor (of men's destinies)'. See
demon and cp. deme, demo-, demotic, endemic,
epidemic, pandemic, and the first element in
Damocles, demagogue, democracy.
Demosthenic, adj., pertaining to. or resembling,
Demosthenes (384-322); eloquent. — L. Demos-
thenicus, fr. Gk. AT)|ioa9-evix6<;, fr. Ar;u.o<y-&ivir]s,
'Demosthenes'.
demotic, adj., 1) popular; 2) specif, designating
the popular form of the ancient Egyptian writ-
ing, as distinguished from hieratic. — Gk.
87)0,0x1x65, 'pertaining to the people, popular',
fr. 8t)u,o<;, 'people'. See demos and -ic
dempster
dempster, n., a judge. — ME. demestre, formally
fern, of demere, 'deemer, fr. demen, 'to judge'.
See deem and cp. deemster, doomster.
demulcent, adj., soothing; n., a soothing sub-
stance. — L. demulcens, gen. -entis, pres. part,
of demulcere, 'to stroke down, to soften', fr.
de- and mulcere, 'to soften, appease', fr. I.-E.
base *melk-, which is rel. to *melg-, 'to milk'
(the original meaning of both bases was 'to
stroke, rub, squeeze'). See milk and cp. emul-
gent, emulsify, Mulciber. For the ending see
suff. -ent.
demur, intr. v., to object. — OF. demorer, de-
murer, demourer, 'to linger, tarry' (whence F.
demeurer, 'to remain, stay, reside, live'), fr. L.
demordri, 'to linger, loiter, tarry', fr. de- and
mordri, 'to delay', fr, mora, 'hesitation, delay'.
See moratory.
Derivatives: demur, n., demurrage (qq.v.), de-
murr-able, adj., demurrer (q.v.), demurr-ing-ly,
adv.
demur, n., objection. — OF. demor, fr. demorer.
See demur, v.
demure, adj., i) sober; 2) affectedly modest. —
Fr. OF. de (bans) murs, 'of (good) manners', fr.
de, 'of, from' (fr. L. de) and murs (whence F.
maurs), 'manners', fr. L. mores, pi. of mds,
'manner, custom, conduct, behavior'. See de-
and moral.
Derivatives: demure-ly, adv., demure-ness, n.
demurrage, n., undue delay of a ship, a railroad
car, etc. — OF. demorage, demurage, demou-
rage, 'delay', fr. demorer. See demur, v., and
-age.
demurrer, n., a pleading by a party that the op-
posite party should not be allowed to proceed
(law). — OF. demorer, 'to linger, tarry'; see
demur, n. For the subst. use of the infinitive
in legal terminology cp. attainder and words
there referred to.
demy, n., a size of paper. — Elliptical use of demy
paper, lit. 'paper folded in half, fr. F. demi,
'half. See demi-.
demyship, n., a scholarship at Magdalen College,
Oxford, which had originally half the value of
a fellowship. — A hybrid coined fr. F. demi,
'half (see demi-), and suff. -ship (fr. OE. -scipe).
den, n. — ME., fr. OE. derm, 'lair of a wild
beast', rel. to MLG. denne, 'lowland, wooded
vale, den', OE. denu, 'valley', OFris. dene,
'down', OHG. tenni, MHG., G. tenne, 'thresh-
ing floor', and to ON. Danir, 'the Danes', lit.
'lowlanders' (see Danes), and prob. cogn. with
OI. dhdnuh, 'sandbank'. Cp. dene, 'valley', dene-
hole. Cp. also thenar.
denarius, n., an ancient Roman silver coin. —
L. denarius, short for denarius nummus, 'the
coin containing ten (asses)', from denarius,
'containing ten', and nummus, 'coin'. Denarius
derives fr. dent, 'ten each', which stands for
*dec-noi, fr. decern, 'ten'. (Cp. slnl, 'six each',
fr. *sex-noi.) The denarius was so called because
m
it originally contained ten asses. See ten and
cp. decern-, decimal. Cp. also denary, denier,
dinar.
denary, n-, tenfold. — L. denarius, 'containing
ten'. See prec. word and -ary.
denationalize, tr. v. — F. denationaliser, fr. de-
(used in the privative sense of this prefix) and
nationaliser. See de- and nationalize.
Derivative : denationaliz-ation, n.
denaturalize, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- (used in the
privative sense of this prefix) and naturalize.
Derivative: denaturaliz-ation, n.
denature, tr. v. — F. denaturer, fr. de- (used in the
privative sense of this prefix) and nature. See
de- and nature.
Derivative: denatur-ation, n.
dendr-, form of dendro- before a vowel.
dendriform, adj., shaped like a tree. — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. SevSpov, 'tree', and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See dendro- and form, n. The
correct form is arboriform, in which both ele-
ments are of Latin origin.
dendrite, n., a mineral with markings resembling
a tree (mineral) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite
fr. Gk. SevSpov, 'tree'. See dendro-.
dendritic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
dendrite. — See prec. word and -ic.
Dendrium, n., a genus of plants of the heath
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. SevSplov, di-
min. of SIvSpov, 'tree'. See dendro- and -ium.
dendro-, dendri-, before a vowel dendr-, com-
bining form meaning 'tree'. — Gk. SevSpo-,
8ev8pi-, SevSp-, fr. SsvSpov, 'tree', for *8ev8pef ov,
which is dissimilated fr. *8sp8ps.F ov, and is cogn.
with SpOi;, 'an oak; a tree', Spu(i6i;, 'forest', 86pu,
'stem, tree, beam, spear', fr. I.-E. base *derew(o)-,
*drew(o)-, 'tree, wood', whence also Goth, triu,
OE. trio, treow, 'tree'. See tree and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element
in Epidendrum, Liriodendron, Oxydendrum,
Phoradendron, rhododendron.
Dendrobates, n., a genus of American frogs of
the family Ranidae (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
8e\i8po(3aTELv, 'to climb trees', which is com-
pounded of SevSpov, 'tree', and (3aT6<;, 'acces-
sible', verbal adj. of [Jaweiv, 'to go'. See den-
dro- and -bates.
Dendrobium, n., a genus of orchids (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of dendro- and Gk.
'life'. See bio-.
Dendrocolaptidae, n.pl., a family of South Amer-
ican birds (ornithol.) — ModL., formed with
suff. -idae fr. dendro- and Gk. xoXa7rreiv, 'to
hew, cut, peck', which is rel. to x6Xoupo<;, 'a
blow with the fist', fr. base *qold-, 'to strike,
cut'. See coup and cp. words there referred to.
dendroid, adj., shaped like a tree. — Gk. 8ev-
SpoeiSTjs, 'treelike', compounded of SevSpov,
'tree', and -obiSt)?, 'like', fr. eXSos, 'form shape'.
See dendro- and -oid.
dendrolite, n., a fossil plant. — Lit. 'tree stone'.
See dendro- and -lite.
425
denouncement
dendrology, n., the study of trees. — Compound-
ed of dendro- and Gk. -Xoyla, fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives : dendrolog-ic, dendrolog-ic-al, adjs.,
dendrolog-ist, n.
dendrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
height and diameter of trees. — Compounded
of dendro- and Gk. fjirpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
dene, n., a small valley. — ME. dene, fr. OE.
denu, 'valley', rel. to OE. denn, 'lair of a wild
beast'. See den and cp. denehole.
dene, n., a sandy tract of land. — Prob. in gra-
dational relationship to OE. dun, 'hill'. See
down, 'hill'.
Deneb, n., the star a in the constellation Cygnus.
— Arab, dhdnab (in vulgar pronunciation dhe-
neb), short for dhdnab ad-dajdja h , 'the tail of the
hen'. Arab, dhdnab is rel. to Heb. zdnibh, Aram.
dunbd, dinbd, Ethiop. zanb, Akkad. zibbatu,
'tail'.
Denebola, n., the star (3 in the constellation Leo.
— Arab, dhdnab al-(dsad), 'the tail of the (lion)'.
See prec. word.
denegate, tr. v., to deny (obsol.) — L. denegdtus,
pp. of denegdre, 'to deny'. See deny and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative : denegat-ion, n.
denehole, n., one of the ancient caves found in
Kent and Essex. — Compounded of dene, 'val-
ley', and hole.
dengue, n., an infectious tropical disease char-
acterized by high fever, rash and severe pains
in the head, back and joints. — Sp., lit. 'stiff-
ness', fr. Swahili dinga, 'cramplike seizure' ; in-
fluenced in form by Sp. dengue, 'prudery'. The
Negroes of the West Indies altered this word
into dandy, whence dandy fever.
denial, n. — Formed fr. deny with subst. suff. -al.
denier, n., one who denies. — Formed fr. deny
with agential suff. -er.
denier, n., a French coin. — F., fr. L. denarius,
whence also Olt. danaio, It. dandro, dendro,
Provenc. denier, dinier, Sp. dinero, Port, di-
nheiro. See denarius.
denigrate, tr. v., to blacken; to sully; to defame.
— L. denigrdtus, pp. of denigrdre, 'to blacken
thoroughly; to defame', fr. de- and nigrdre, 'to
be black, to blacken', fr. niger, 'black'. See
Negro and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: denigrat-ion, n., denigrat-or, n.
denim, n., a coarse cotton drill. — Fr. F. de Ni-
mes, 'of Nimes', in serge de Nimes, 'serge of
Nimes' ; so called after Nimes, a city in southern
France, where it was first made.
Denis, masc. PN. — F. Denis, fr. L. Dionysius,
fr. Gk. Atovuoio?, 'of Dionysos'. See Dio-
nysius.
Denise, fern. PN. — F., fern, of Denis. See prec.
word.
denitrate, tr. v., to remove nitric acid from. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and nitrate.
Derivatives: denitrat-ion, n., denitrat-or, n.
denitrify, tr. v., to remove nitrogen or nitrates
from. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix) and nitrify.
denizen, n., an ajien admitted to certain rights
of citizenship, a naturalized citizen. — AF.
deinzein (corresponding to OF. denzein, dein-
zein), lit. 'one living within', fr. AF. deinz (cor-
responding to OF. deenz, deeinz, F. dans),
'within; in', fr. Late L. deintus, 'within', fr. L.
de, 'from', and intus, 'within', which is formed
fr. in, 'in', with adv. suff. -tus, and suff. -em, fr.
L. -dneus. Cp. Gk. evt6?, 'within', fr. ev, 'in',
and see in, prep., and -aneous.
Derivative: denizen, tr. v.
denominate, tr. v. — L. dendmindtus, pp. of
dendmindre, 'to name specifically, denominate',
fr. de- and ndmindre, 'to give a name to, to
name', from ndmen, gen. ndminis, 'name'. See
nominate.
denomination, n. -— OF. denominacion (F. deno-
mination), fr. L. dendmindtidnem, acc. of dendmi-
ndtid (in classical L. used only in the sense of
'metonymy'), fr. dendmindtus, pp. of dendmi-
ndre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: denomination-al, adj., denomina-
tion-al-ly, adv., denomination-al-ism, n., deno-
mination-al-ize, tr. v.
denominative, adj. — Late L. dendmindtivus, fr.
L. dendmindtus, pp. of dendmindre. See deno-
minate and -ive.
Derivatives: denominative, n., denominative-ly,
adv.
denominator, n. — ML., fr. L. dendmindtus, pp. of
denomindre. See denominate and agential suff. -or.
denotation, n. — Late L. denotdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
marking or pointing out', fr. L. denotdtus, pp. of
denature. See denote and -ation.
denotative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
denotdtus, pp. of denotdre. See next word.
Derivatives: denotative-ly, adv., denotative-
ness, n.
denote, tr. v. — F. denoter, fr. L. denotdre, 'to
mark or point out, indicate', fr. de- and notdre,
'to mark, note, observe'. See note, v.
denouement, n., unraveling of a plot; final revel-
ation in a play, etc. — F., lit. 'an unknotting,
untying', fr. denouer, 'to untie, unravel', fr. de-
(see de-) and nouer, fr. L. ndddre, 'to fill or
furnish with knots', fr. nodus, 'knot'. See node
and -ment.
denounce, tr. v. — OF. denoncier, denoncer (F.
denoncer), fr. L. denuntidre, 'to make an official
announcement of, announce, declare; to threat-
en, denounce', fr. de- and nuntidre, 'to announ-
ce, declare, report, narrate; to inform against,
denounce', fr. niintius, 'messenger, envoy*. See
nuncio and cp. denunciate.
denouncement, n. — OF. denoncement, fr. denon-
cer. See prec. word and -ment.
dense
426
dense, adj. — L. densus (whence also F. dense),
'thick, thickly set, crowded, dense', cogn. with
Gk. Sctabt; (for *dnsus), 'thick, with hair, hairy,
bushy, thick, dense'. Cp. dasy-.Cp. also condense.
Derivatives: dense-ly, adv., dense-ness, n.
densimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
density of a substance. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. densus, 'dense', and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'.
See dense and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
density, n. — F. densite, fr. L. densitdtem, acc.
of densitds, 'thickness, density', fr. densus. See
dense and -ity.
dent, n., depression. — A dialectal var. of dint.
dent, n., a toothlike projection; an indentation.
— F., fr. L. dentem, acc. of dens, 'tooth'. See
denti- and cp. indentation.
dentagra, n., i) toothache; 2) a tooth forceps. —
A Medical Latin hybrid coined fr. L. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. 4-fpa, 'a catching, sei-
zure'. For the first element see denti-, for the
second see chiragra. The correct word would be
odontagra, fr. Gk. 68<ov, gen. oSovto?, 'tooth',
and fiypa.
dental, adj. — ML. dentdlis, 'pertaining to a
tooth or teeth', fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'.
See denti- and adj. sufT. -al.
Derivatives : dental, n., a dental sound, dentalize
(q.v.), dental-ly, adv.
dentalize, tr. v., to make dental. — A hybrid
coined fr. ML. dentdlis (see prec. word) and
-ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative: dentaliz-ation, n.
Dentaria, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Late L. dentdrius,
'pertaining to the teeth', fr. L. dens, gen. dentis,
'tooth'. See denti-.
dentate, adj., having a toothlike projection. —
L. dentdtus, 'toothed, dentate', fr. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth'. See denti- and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dentat-ed, adj., dentat-ion, n.
dentato-, combining form meaning 'dentate'. —
Fr. L. dentdtus. See prec. word,
dentelle, n., lace. — F., lit. 'a little tooth', dimin.
of dent, 'tooth', fr. L. dentem, acc. of dens,
'tooth'. See denti- and cp. dentil,
denti-, before a vowel dent-, combining form
meaning 'tooth'. — L. denti-, dent-, fr. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth; point, spike', which is cogn.
with Gk. 68o>v, gen. oSovro?, Goth, tunpus, OE.
top, 'tooth'. See tooth and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
denticle, n., 1) a small tooth; 2) a small projec-
tion; 3) a dentil. — L. denticulus, 'a small tooth',
dimin. of dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See denti-
and -cle.
denticular, adj., resembling a small tooth. —
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. denticulus. See den-
ticle.
denticulate, adj., having small toothlike project-
ions. — L. denticuldtus, 'furnished with small
teeth', fr. denticulus. See denticle and adj. suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: denticulat-ed, adj., denticulat-ion,n.
dentiform, adj., tooth-shaped. — Compounded
of denti- and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See
form, n.
dentifrice, n., toothpowder. — F. dentifrice, fr.
L. dentifricium, 'powder for rubbing the teeth',
fr. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and the stem of
fricdre, 'to rub' ; see denti- and friction. L. den-
tifricium was coined by Pliny. The word denti-
frice was introduced into French by the surgeon
Ambroise Pari (15177-1590).
dentigerous, adj., having teeth. — Lit. 'bearing
teeth', compounded of denti-, the stem of gerere,
'to bear', and suff. -ous. See gerent.
dentil, n., one of a series of square blocks pro-
jecting like teeth (archit.) — ME. dentille, fr.
OF. dentille, lit. 'a small tooth', dimin. of dent,
fr. L dentem, acc. of dens, 'tooth'. See denti- and
cp. dentelle.
dentilingual, adj., pronounced with the point of
the tongue against the teeth (said of consonants,
esp. of the sounds of th in thin and this). — See
denti- and lingual.
dentimeter, n., an instrument for measuring
teeth. — A hybrid coined fr. L. dens, gen. dentis,
'tooth', and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See denti-
and meter, 'poetical rhythm'. The correct form
would be odontometer, fr. Gk. 68eov, gen. 6S6v-
to?, 'tooth', and (jiTpov, 'meter'.
dentine, also dentin, n., a calcareous substance
forming the chief mass of a tooth (anat.) —
Formed with suff. -ine, -in, fr. L. dens, gen.
dentis, 'tooth'. See denti-.
dentiphone, n., an instrument placed against the
teeth to enable the deaf to hear. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk.
9&>vr), 'sound'. See denti- and phone. The correct
form would be odontophone, fr. Gk. 68c!>v, gen.
686vto?, 'tooth', and tpcovq, 'sound'.
dentist, n. — F. dentiste, a hybrid coined fr. L.
dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. suff. -wrdj?.
See denti- and suff. -ist.
Derivative: dentist-ry, n.
dentition, n., the cutting of teeth; teething. — L.
dentitid, gen. -dnis, 'teething', fr. dentiHum),
pp. stem of dentire, 'to cut teeth, to teethe'. See
denti- and -km.
dentoid, adj., tooth-shaped. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth', and Gk. -oeiiWjs,
'like', fr. elSo?, 'form, shape'. See denti- and
-oid. The correct form is either odontoid or den-
tiform. (In the former both elements are of
Greek, in the latter, of Latin origin).
denture, n., a set of teeth, esp. a set of false teeth.
— F., fr. dent, 'tooth*. See dent, 'toothlike pro-
jection', and -ure.
denudation, n. — F. denudation, fr. L. dSnuda-
tidnem, acc. of dinuddtid, 'a laying bare', fr.
denuddtus, pp. of denuddre. See denude and
-ation.
denudatire, adj. — Formed with suff. -ire fr. L.
dinudatus, pp. of dgnudare. See next word.
427
dephlogisticated air
denude, tr. v., to lay bare. — L. denuddre, 'to lay
bare, strip; to uncover, expose', fr. de- and nu-
ddre, 'to make naked; to expose', fr. nudus,
'naked'. See nude.
denunciate, tr. v., to denounce. — L. denuntidtus,
pp. of denuntidre. See denounce and verbal suff.
-ate.
denunciation, n. — L. denuntidtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
denuntidtus, pp. of denuntidre. See prec. word
and -ion.
denunciative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr.
L. denuntidtus, pp. of denuntidre. See denunciate.
Derivative : denunciative-Iy, adv.
denunciatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. denuntidtus, pp. of denuntidre. See de-
nunciate.
deny, tr. v. — ME. denien, fr. F. denier, fr. L. de-
negdre, 'to deny, reject, refuse' (whence also It.
dinegare, Provenc., Sp., Port, denegar), fr. de-
and negdre, 'to say no, to deny, refuse'. See
negate.
deodand, n., a thing that had caused the death of
a human being and was therefore forfeited to
the Crown, to be used for pious purposes (Eng-
lish law). — ML. deodandum, fr. L. Deo dandum,
'to be given to God', from the dative of Deus
and the neut. gerundive of dare, 'to give'. See
deity and date, 'point of time'. For the use of
Latin gerundives in English cp. agenda and
words there referred to.
deodar, n., a kind of cedar. — Hind., lit. 'divine
tree', fr. OI. devaddru, fr. devdh, 'divine' and
ddru, 'wood, tree'. See deity and tree.
deodorant, adj. and n. — See deodorize and -ant.
deodorize, tr. v., to remove the odor of. — Formed
fr. de- (used in the privative sense of this pre-
fix), L. odor, 'smell', and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. See odor.
Derivatives: deodoriz-ation, n., deodoriz-er, n.
deontology, n., the science of moral duty. —
Coined by the English philosopher Jeremy Bent-
ham (1748-1832) in 1826 fr. Gk. Seov, gen.
Szovroq, 'that which is needful', neut. pres.
part, of Set, 'it is necessary, it behoves one',
and -XoytS, fr. -Xoyog, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. Gk. Sei is the third person of Sico, 'I am
in need of, I need', which prob. stands for
*SeuCTCi), and is rel. to Seuco, 8euou.ai, 'I am
wanting, I am deficient', and cogn. with OI.
dosah, 'want, need'. Cp. deutero-. For the second
element see -logy.
Derivatives : deontolog-ical, adj., deontolog-ist, n.
deoxidize, tr. v., 1) to remove oxygen from: 2) to
reduce from the state of an oxide (chem.) —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and oxidize.
Derivatives: deoxidiz-ation, n., deoxidiz-er, n.
deoxygenate, tr. v., to remove oxygen from
(chem.) — Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense
of this prefix), oxygen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative : deoxygenat-ion, n.
depart, intr. and tr. v. — ME. departen, 'to de-
part ; to go away', fr. OF. departir (F. departir),
'to divide, distribute', se departir, 'to separate
oneself, fr. de- (see de-) and partir, 'to divide,
separate', se partir, 'to separate oneself, leave',
fr. L. partire, 'to divide', fr. pars, gen. partis,
'part'. See part, n. and v., and cp. OProvenc.
departir, and Sp. despartir, It. spartire, 'to di-
vide, distribute' (these latter derive fr. L. dis-
partire, of s.m.).
department, n. — ME., fr. OF. departement (F.
departement), fr. departir. See depart and -ment.
Derivatives: depart ment-al, adj., departmental-
ism, departmental-ize, tr. v., department-al-ly,
adv., departure (q.v.)
departure, n. — OF. departeiire, fr. departir. See
depart and -ure.
depasture, tr. v., to pasture. — Formed fr. de-
and pasture.
Derivatives: depastur-age, n., departur-ation, n.
depauperate, tr. v., to make poor. — ML. depau-
perdtus, pp. of depauperdre, 'to make poor', fr.
de- and L. pauper, 'poor'. See pauper and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: depauperat-ion, n.
depauperate, adj., depauperated. — ML. depaupe-
rdtus, pp. of depauperdre. See depauperate, v.
depauperize, tr. v., to free from paupers or from
poverty. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and pauperize.
Derivative: depauperiz-ation, n.
depeche, n., a dispatch. — F., fr. depecher, 'to
dispatch', fr. OF. despeechier (shortened fr. *des-
empechier), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and -peechier
(F. -pecher) in empeechier (F. empecher), 'to
hinder', fr. L. impedicdre, 'to catch in a trap',
fr. pedica, 'shackle, fetter', fr. pes, gen. pedis,
'foot'. See dis- and pedal and cp. impeach. E.
dispatch (q.v.) is not related to depeche.
depend, intr. v. — OF. dependre (F. dependre),
fr. VL. dependere, corresponding to L. depen-
dere, 'to hang from, hang down ; be dependent
on', which is formed fr. de- and pendere, 'to
hang, be suspended, float, hover, depend on'.
See pendant.
Derivatives: depend-able, adj., depend-abil-ity,
n., depend-able-ness, n., depend-abl-y, adv., de-
pendence (q.v.), dependent (q.v.), depend-er, n.,
depend-ing, adj., depend-ing-ly, adv.
dependence, also dependance, n. — F. depen-
dance, fr. dependant, pres. part, of dependre. See
prec. word and -ence.
dependency, n. — See prec. word and -cy.
dependent, adj. — F. dependant, pres. part, of
dependre, 'to depend'. See depend and -ent.
dependent, dependant, n. — Fr. prec. word.
dephlogisticate, tr. v., to deprive of phlogiston.
— Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), phlogistic and verbal suff. -ate.
dephlogisticated air. — A name given to oxygen
by its discoverer, the English clergyman and
chemist Joseph Priestley (1733-1804).
dephosphorize
428
dephosphorize, tr. v., to remove phosphorus from.
— Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), phosphorus and suff. -ize.
Derivative : dephosphoriz-ation, n.
depict, tr. v., to portray; to describe. — L. de-
pictus, pp. of depingere, 'to portray, paint,
sketch, describe', fr. de- and pingere, 'to paint,
color, decorate, embellish, embroider'. See
picture.
Derivatives: depict-er, depict-or, n., depiction
(q.v.), depicture (q.v.).
depiction, n. — Late L. depictid, gen. -dnis, 'paint-
ing, description', fr. L. depictus, pp. of de-
pingere. See prec. word and -ion.
depicture, tr. v., to depict. — Formed with suff.
-ure fr. L. depictus, pp. of depingere. See depict,
picture.
deplenish, tr. v., to remove the furniture from. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and OF. pleniss-, pres. part, stem of
plenir, 'to fill', fr. L. plenus, 'full'. See full, adj.,
and verbal suff. -ish, and cp. plenum, replenish.
Cp. also next word.
deplete, tr. v., to empty. — L. depletus, pp. of
deplere, 'to empty out, draw off, exhaust', fr.
de- and plere, 'to fill', whence plenus, 'full'. See
full, adj., and cp. prec. word. Cp. also complete,
replete.
Derivatives: deplet-ion, n., deplet-ive, deplet-ory,
adjs.
deplorable, adj . — F. deplorable, fr. deplorer, 'to de-
plore', fr. L. deplorare. See next word and -able.
Derivatives: deplorabil-ity, n., deplorable-ness,
n., deplorabl-y, adv.
deplore, tr. v. — F. deplorer, fr. L. deplorare, 'to
weep bitterly, moan, bewail, lament', fr. de-
and plorare, 'to cry out ; to wail, lament', which
is of imitative origin. Cp. explore, implore.
Derivative: deplor-er, n.
deploy, tr. and intr. v., to spread out, extend
(mil.) — F. deployer, 'to unfold', fr. L. displicdre,
'to unfold'. See display, which is a doublet of
deploy.
Derivative: deploy, n.
deployment, n. — F. deploiement, 'unfolding', fr.
deployer. See prec. word and -ment.
deplume, tr. v., to pull the feathers of, to un-
plume. — F. deplumer, pluck, unplume', fr.
ML. deplumdre, fr. de- and L. pluma, 'feather,
down'. See plume and cp. unplume.
depolarize, tr. v., to deprive of polarity. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and polarize.
Derivative: depolariz-ation, n.
depolish, tr. v., to destroy the polish of. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and polish,
depone, tr. and intr. v., to depose. — L. deponere,
'to lay down, put aside, deposit', in ML. also
'to testify', fr. de- and ponere, 'to put, place,
set up; to appoint; to propose'. See position and
cp. words there referred to.
deponent, adj., said of verbs that are passive in
form but active in meaning (Latin and Greek
grammar). — L. deponens, gen. -entis, lit. 'put-
ting down or aside', pres. part, of deponere; see
prec. word and -ent. These verbs are called de-
ponent, because they have 'put aside', part of
their conjugation, i.e. the active voice. L.
deponens is prop, a loan translation of Gk.
dcTro&e'Uxoi;, fr. dTro-rt^svai, 'to put away'.
Derivative: deponent, n., a deponent verb.
deponent, n., one who makes a deposition under
oath. — See depone and deponent, adj.
depopulate, tr. and intr. v. — L. depopuldtus, pp.
of depopuldri, 'to lay waste, ravage, destroy',
fr. de- and populari, 'to lay waste, destroy', lit.
'to overrun with an army', fr. populus, 'people',
also used in the sense of 'army'. See people,
populate. For the sense development of L. popu-
lari, 'to lay waste', fr. populus, 'people', cp. G.
verheeren, 'to lay waste', fr. Heer, 'army'.
depopulation, n. — L. depopuldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
laying waste', fr. depopuldtus, pp. of depopuldri.
See prec. word and -ion.
deport, tr. v., to expel, exile. — F. deporter, fr.
L. deportare, 'to carry off or away', fr. de- (see
de-) and portdre, 'to carry'. See port, 'to carry'.
deport, reflexive v., to behave. — OF. deporter
(F. deporter), 'to behave', fr. de- (see de-) and
porter, 'to carry', fr. L. portdre. See port, 'to
carry'.
deportment, n., behavior. — OF. deportement, fr.
deporter. See deport, 'to behave', and -ment.
depose, tr. v. — F. deposer, fr. de- (see de-) and
poser, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: depos-able, adj., depos-al, n., de-
pos-er, n.
deposit, tr. v. — L. depositus, pp. of deponere,
'to lay down, entrust', fr. de- and ponere, 'to
place'. See depone.
Derivatives: deposit-ation, n., deposit-ee, n.
deposit, n. — L. depositum, 'something laid
down', neuter of depositus, pp. of deponere. See
prec. word and cp. depot, which is a doublet
of deposit.
depositary, n., i) a person with whom something
is left for safekeeping; 2) a depository. — Late
L. depositdrius, 'one who receives a deposit',
fr. L. depositus, 'laid down, deposited'. See
deposit, v., and subst. suff. -ary.
deposition, n. — OF., fr. L. depositidnem, acc. of
depositid, 'a laying down, depositing', fr. de-
positus, pp. of deponere, 'to lay down'. See de-
posit and -ion.
Derivative: deposition-al, adj.
depositor, n. — Late L. depositor, 'one who de-
posits', fr. L. depositus, pp. of deponere. See
deposit and agential suff. -or.
depository, n., a place where something is de-
posited. — ML. deposit drium, 'a place where
something is deposited', fr. L. depositus, pp. of
aepdnere. See deposit, v., and subst. suff. -ory.
429
deraign
depot, n., 1) a storehouse; 2) a railroad station. —
F. depot, fr. OF. depost, lit. 'a place where some-
thing is deposited', fr. L. depositum. See de-
posit, n.
depravation, n., corruption. — F. depravation, fr.
L. depravdtidnem, acc. of depravdtid, 'a per-
verting, distorting' fr. depravdtus, pp. of depra-
vdre. See next word and -ion.
deprave, tr. v., to corrupt. — L. depravare, 'to
pervert, corrupt, distort, disfigure', fr. de- and
pravus, 'crooked, perverted, vicious, wicked'.
See pravity.
Derivatives: deprav-ed, adj., deprav-ed-ly, adv.,
deprav-ed-ness, n., deprav-er, n.
depravity, n. — Formed fr. deprave on analogy
of pravity.
deprecate, tr. v., 1) to seek to avert by prayer
(archaic) ; 2) to disapprove of. — L. deprecdtus,
pp. of deprecdri, 'to avert by prayer, to pray
for, intercede for', fr. de- and precdri, 'to ask,
beg, pray, request'. See pray and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. imprecate.
Derivatives: deprecating-ly, adv., deprecation,
deprecative, deprecatory (qq.v.).
deprecation, n., disapproval. — F. deprecation,
fr. L. deprecdtidnem, acc. of deprecdtid, 'an
averting by prayer, intercession', fr. deprecdtus,
pp. of deprecdri. See prec. word and -ion.
deprecative, adj., deprecatory. — F. deprecatif
(fern, deprecative), fr. Late L. deprecdtivus, fr.
L. deprecdtus, pp. of deprecdri. See deprecate
and -ive. Derivative: deprecative-ly, adv.
deprecatory, adj., deprecating. — Late L. depre-
cdtdrius, fr. L. deprecdtus, pp. of deprecdri. See
deprecate and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: deprecatori-ly, adv., deprecatori-
ness, n.
depreciable, adj. — See next word and -able.
depreciate, tr. and intr. v., 1) to lower the price
of; 2) to belittle, disparage. — L. depretidtus,
pp. of depretidre, 'to lower the price of, under-
value, depreciate', fr. de- and pretidre, 'to prize,
value', fr. pretium, 'price, value'. See price and
cp. appreciate. Cp. also dispraise, disprize.
Derivatives: depreciat-ing-ly, adv., depreciat-
ion, n., depreciat-ive, adj., depreciat-ive-ly, adv.,
depreciat-or, n., depreciat-ory , adj., depreciat-
ori-ness, n.
depredate, tr. and intr. v., to plunder. — L. de-
praeddtus, pp. of depraeddri, 'to plunder, pil-
lage', fr. de- and praeddri, 'to plunder', fr.
praeda, 'booty, plunder'. See prey and verbal
suff. -ate.
depredation, n., plundering. — F. depredation, fr.
L. depraeddtidnem, acc. of depraeddtid, 'a plun-
dering', fr. depraeddtus, pp. of depraeddri. See
prec. word and -ion.
depredator, n., a plunderer. — Late L. depraeddtor,
'plunderer', fr. depraeddtus, pp. of depraeddri.
See depredate and agential suff. -or.
depress, tr. v. — OF. depresser, fr. Late L. *de-
pressdre, freq. of L. deprimere (pp. depressus),
'to press down, weigh down, plant deep, dig
deep, depress', fr. de- and premere, 'to press'.
See press, v., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: depress-ant, adj. and n., depress-ed,
adj., depress-ible, adj., depress-ing, adj., depress-
ing-ly, adv., depress-lng-ness, n., depression
(q.v.), depress-ive, adj., depress-ive-ly, adv., de-
press-ive-ness, n., depress-or, n.
depression, n. — L. depressid, gen. -dnis, 'a pres-
sing down', fr. depressus, pp. of deprimere. See
prec. word and -ion.
deprivable, adj. — See deprive and -able.
deprivation, n, — ML. deprivdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
deprivdre. See deprive and -ion.
deprive, tr. v. — OF. depriver, fr. ML. deprivdre,
fr. de- and L. privdre, 'to bereave, deprive, rob'.
See private.
Derivatives: deprive-ment, n., depriv-er, n.
de profundis, name of the 130th psalm. — L.,
'out of the depths'; so called from the first
words of the Latin version, rendering Heb. mim-
ma'dmaqqtm. See de- and profound.
depside, also depsid, n., any of a group of com-
pounds formed by the condensation of two
molecules of a phenolic acid (chem.) — G . Depsid,
coined by the German chemist Emil Fischer
(1852-1929) fr. Gk. 8ei{jEiv, 'to tan', an s-en-
largement of Setpsiv, 'to knead, soften', which is
prob. cogn. with. Arm. top'em, 'I strike, beat',
Serbo-Croatian depdm, depati, 'to thrust, strike',
Pol. deptac', 'to tread'. For the ending see chem.
suff. -id.
depth, n. — Formed fr. deep on analogy of length.
Cp. ON. dypt, dypd, Du. diepte, Goth, diupipa,
'depth'.
depurate, tr. v., to free from impurities. — ML.
depurdtus, pp. of depurdre, 'to purify thorough-
ly', fr. de- and purdre, 'to purify', fr. purus,
'clean, pure'. See pure and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: depurat-ion, n., depurat-ive, adj.,
depurat-or, n., depurat-ory, adj.
deputation, n. — See next word and -ation.
depute, tr. v. — F. deputer, fr. L. deputdre, 'to
cut off, prune; to esteem, consider', in Late L.,
'to destine, allot', fr. de- and putdre, 'to trim,
prune, lop, clean, cleanse; to think over, con-
sider, reckon, count'. See putamen and cp. pu-
tative and words there referred to.
deputize, tr. v., to appoint as a deputy; intr. v.,
to act as a deputy. — Formed fr. deputy with
suff. -ize.
deputy, n. — F. depute, prop. pp. of deputer, used
as a noun. — See depute and -y (representing
OF. -e, F. -e).
deracinate, tr. v., to tear out by the roots. — Fr.
F. deraciner, fr. de- (see de-) and racine, 'root', fr.
Late L. rddicina, dimin. of L. radix, gen. rddicis,
'root' (see radix and verbal suff. -ate); intro-
duced into English by Shakespeare. Cp. Rum.
rddicina, 'root', which also derives from Laie
L. rddicina. Derivative: deracinat-ion, n.
deraign, tr. v., to vindicate. — OF. deraisnier,
derail
430
'to tell, teach ; to vindicate, justify', fr. de- and
raisnier, 'to speak, plead, instruct', fr. VL.
*rationare, 'to reason', fr. L. ratio, 'reckoning,
calculation, reason'. See reason and cp. ar-
raign, 'to call to account'.
derail, tr. v., to cause to run off the rails;
intr. v., to run off the rails. — F. derailler, fr.
de- (see de-) and rail, 'rail'. See rail, 'bar'.
derailment, n. — F. deraillement, fr. derailler.
See prec. word and -merit.
derange, tr. v., i) to disarrange; 2) to make in-
sane. — F. deranger, fr. OF. desrengier, a hy-
brid coined fr. des- (fr. L. dis, 'apart, asunder')
and OF. rengier, rangier (F. ranger), 'to put
into line', a word of Teut. origin. See dis- and
range and cp. arrange.
derangement, n. — F. derangement, fr. deranger.
See prec. word and -ment.
derate, tr. v., to reduce the rates of. — Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
rate, 'amount'.
Derby, n., a horse race held annually at Epsom. —
Named after the 12th Earl of Derby.
derby, n., a bowler hat. — Of uncertain origin.
Derceto, n., the same as Atargatis. — L. Der-
ceto, fr. Gk. AepxExco, shortened fr. ' AxapyocTK;.
See Atargatis.
derelict, adj., abandoned; n., something aban-
doned. — L. derelictus, 'wholly forsaken', pp.
of derelinquere, 'to forsake wholly, resign, re-
linquish'. See de- and relinquish and cp. relict.
Derivatives: dereliction (q.v.), derelict-ly, adv.,
derelict-ness.
dereliction, n., the act of abandoning. — L. de-
relictio, gen. -onis, 'an abandoning, forsaking',
fr. derelictus, pp. of derelinquere. See prec. word
and -ion.
deride, tr. v., to mock. — L. deridere, 'to laugh
at, scorn, mock', fr. de- and ridere, 'to laugh'.
See risible and cp. next word.
Derivative: derid-er, n.
derision, n., the act of deriding: contempt. — F.
derision, fr. L. derisionem, acc. of derisio, fr.
derisus, pp. of deridere. See prec. word and -ion.
derisive, adj., expressing derision. — Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. derisus, pp. of deridere. See
deride.
Derivatives: derisive-ly, adv., derisive-ness, n.
derivate, adj. — L. derivdlus, pp. of derivare. See
derive and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: derivate, n., derivate-ly, adv.
derivation, n. — F. derivation, fr. L. derivationem,
acc. of derivatid, 'a leading off, turning off;
etymology, derivation'. See derive and -ation.
Derivatives: derivation-al, adj., derivation-ist, n.
derivative, adj. and n. — F. dirivatif (fern, deri-
vative), fr. Late L. derivativus, fr. L. derivatus.
See derivate and -ive.
derive, tr. and intr. v. — OF. deriver (F. deriver),
fr. L. derivare, 'to change the course of a river',
in Late L. used also in the sense of 'to derive' ;
fr. de- and rivus, 'a small stream'. Accordingly
the word prop, means 'to draw away a word
from its source'. See rivulet.
Derivatives: deriv-able, adj., deriv-abl-y, adv.,
deriv-ahil-ity, n., deriv-al, n., derivate (q.v.),
derivation (q.v.), derivative (q.v.), deriv-ed, adj.,
deriv-ed-ly, adv., deriv-ed-ness, n., deriv-er, n.
-derm, suff. meaning 'skin, covering', as in blas-
toderm. — Fr. Gk. Sspjia, 'skin'. See derma and
cp. pachyderm.
derma, also derm, n., skin, esp. the layer of the
skin below the epidermis (anat.) — ML. derma,
fr. Gk. Septet, 'skin', formed with suff. -u.a (see
-m), from the stem of Sepeiv, Setpstv, 'to flay'
(whence also Scpai;, Slpoi;, Seppi?, 8opa, 'skin',
SapaiQ, 'tearing, flaying, separation'), which is
cogn. with Goth, dis-tairan, 'to tear to pieces',
OE. teran, 'to tear'. See tear, 'to rend', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also adermia, ec-
deron, endermic, epidermis, exodermis, hypo-
dermis, leucoderma, pachyderm, taxidermy,
xeroderma.
dermal, adj., pertaining to the skin. — A hybrid
formed fr. Gk. 8spu.x, 'skin' (see prec. word),
with -al, a suff. of Latin origin.
dermat-, form of dermato- before a vowel.
dermatalgia, n., pain in the skin (med.) — Medi-
cal L., compounded of dermat- and -aXyia, fr.
aXyo;, 'pain'. See -algia.
dermatic, adj., pertaining to the skin. — Gk.
$epu.<xTix6;, fr. S£pu.a, gen. 8lpfiaxo<;, 'skin'. See
derma and -ic.
dermatitis, n., inflammation of the skin below the
epidermis (med.) — Medical L., formed with
suff. -itis fr. Gk. Sepfxa, gen. Sepiaoctoi;, 'skin'.
See derma.
dermato-, before a vowel dermat-, combining
form meaning 'of, or pertaining to, the skin'. —
Gk.8epu.rrro-, Sspfiax-, fr. 8ep[ia, gen. 8Ep(j.axoc,
'skin'. See derma.
Dermatobia, n., a genus of botflies (entomol.) —
ModL., lit. 'living under the skin', compounded
of dermato- and Gk. $'ioq, 'life' (see bio-); so
called because the larvae of this genus live
under the skin of animals and man.
dermatography, n., anatomical description of the
skin. — Compounded of dermato- and Gk.
-ypaiyia, fr. ypatpstv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
dermatoid, adj., resembling skin. — Compounded
of dermat- and Gk. -otiSr^, 'like', fr. cISo;,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
dermatology, n., the study of the skin. — Com-
pounded of dermato- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyoi;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: dermatolog-ical, adj., dermatolog-
ist, n.
dermatosis, n., any disease of the skin (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk. Sepjxa,
gen. SepfiOtToi;, 'skin'. See derma.
Dermestes, n., a genus of voracious beetles (en-
tomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 8epu7]cmf;<;, 'a worm
that eats skin', which is compounded of Gk.
431
descry
8spu.a, 'skin', and the stem of ecfiMeiv, 'to eat'.
For the first element see derma. Gk. ka&itiv is
a back formation fr. 'eat!', imper. of
gSsiv, 'to eat', which is cogn. with Goth, itan,
OE. etan, 'to eat'. See eat and cp. words there
referred to.
dermic, adj., pertaining to the skin. — Irregularly
formed fr. Gk. 8epu.a, 'skin'; see derma. The
regular form is dermatic.
dermis, n., the derma. — Medical L., back form-
ation fr. epidermis (q.v.)
dermo-, combining form, of the same meaning as
dermato- (anat.) — Gk. 8sp(j.o- (as in 8ep|x6-
7rrepo<;, 'with membranous wings', 8epu.67mjXov,
'leather cushion'), a short form for 8epu.otxo-.
See dermato-.
Dermochelys, n., a genus of turtles (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of dermo- and Gk. xsX6<;,
'tortoise'. See Chelonia.
dern, adj., hidden, secret (archaic). — ME. derne,
fr. OE. derne, dierne, 'concealed, secret, dark',
rel. to OS. derni, OFris. dern. OHG. tarni, of
s.m., OHG. tarnjan, MHG. tarnen, 'to conceal,
hide' (whence G. Tarnkappe, 'cloak of invisibili-
ty'). F. ternir, 'to tarnish, to dull', is a Teut. loan
word; see tarnish.
dernier ressort, last expedient. — F., lit. 'last re-
sort', F. dernier, 'last', is a contraction of OF.
derrenier, which is formed on analogy of pre-
mier, 'first', fr. OF. derrain, 'last'. See darrein.
For the etymology of F. ressort, 'resort', see
ressort, n.
derogate, tr. v., to reduce the value of, detract
from; intr. v., to detract. — L. derogdtus, pp. of
derogare, 'to take away, detract from, diminish;
to disparage', fr. de- and rogare, 'to ask, beg,
entreat'. See rogation and cp. abrogate.
derogation, n. — F. derogation, fr. L. derogatio-
nem, acc. of derogdtio, fr. derogdtus, pp. of
derogare. See prec. word and -ion.
derogatory, adj. — Late L. derogdtdrius, fr. L.
derogdtus, pp. of derogare. See derogate and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivatives: derogatori-ly, adv., derogatori-
ness, n.
derrick, n., a device for lifting weights. — Named
after Derrick, a hangman at Tyburn Prison in
London, who lived about the beginning of the
17th cent.
Derivative: derrick, tr. and intr. v.
derring-do, n., desperate courage. — This noun
owes its existence to an error. Spenser mistook
the words dorryng don in Chaucer's Troilus,
v. 834, for a noun. The equivalents of these two
words are in reality daring do (i.e. 'daring
to do').
derringer, n., a short-barreled pistol. — Named
after its inventor Henry Derringer, an American.
Derris, n., a genus of vines of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Seppi?, 'skin; leather
covering', which is rel. to 8£p(ia, 'skin'. See
derma.
dervish, n., a Mohammedan mendicant monk. —
Turk, derwish, fr. Pers. darwesh, 'beggar; poor'.
Cp. Avestic driyu-, fem. driwi-, 'poor'.
descant, n., song, melody (music). — ONF. des-
cant, descaunt, corresponding to OF. deschant
(F. dechant), fr. ML. discantus, fr. dis- and L.
cantus, 'song, melody'. See cant, 'slang of beg-
gars'.
descant, intr. v., 1) to play or sing a descant; to
sing; 2) to comment (on or upon). — Partly fr.
descant, n., partly fr. ONF. descanter [corres-
ponding to OF. deschanter (F. dechanter)], fr.
ONF. descant.
Derivative: descant-er, n.
descend, intr. and tr. v. — F. descendre, fr. L. de-
scendere, 'to come down, descend, sink', fr. de-
and scandere, 'to climb'. See scan and cp. as-
cend, condescend. For the change of Latin d
(in sc&ndere) to e (in de-scendere) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: descendant, descendent (qq.v.),
descend-er, n., descendible (q.v.), descend-ing,
adj., descend-ing-ly, adv.
descendant, adj., descending (rare). — F. descen-
dant, pres. part of descendre. See prec. word and
-ant.
Derivative: descendant, n., an offspring,
descendent, adj., descending. — L. descendens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of descendere. See des-
cend and -ent.
descension, n. — OF., fr. L. descensidnem, acc.
of descensid, 'a going down, descending', fr.
descensus, pp. of descendere. See descend and
-ion and cp. ascension,
descensive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
descensus, pp. of descendere. See descend and
-ive and cp. ascensive.
descent, n. — F. descente, formed fr. descendre,
'to descend', on analogy of nouns like OF.
pente, 'slope' (fr. pendre, 'to hang'), vente,
'sale' (fr. vendre, 'to sell'). See descend and cp.
ascent.
Deschampsia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) —
ModL., named after the French botanist Loise-
leur Deslongchamps (1774- 1849). For the end-
ing see suff. -ia.
describe, tr. v. — L. describere, 'to write down,
copy ; to sketch, represent, describe', fr. de- and
scribere, 'to write'. See scribe and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also nondescript.
Derivatives: describ-able, adj., describ-abil-ity,
n., describ-abl-y, adv.
description, n. — F., fr. L. descriptionem, acc. of
descriptid, 'representation, description, copy',
fr. descriptus, pp. of describere. See describe
and -ion.
descriptive, adj. — Late L. descriptivus, 'contain-
ing a description', fr. L. descriptus, pp. of de-
scribere. See describe and -ive.
Derivatives: descriptive-Iy, adv., descript-ive-
ness, n.
descry, tr. v., to discern. — OF. deserter (F. de-
desecrate
432
crier), 'to proclaim, decry', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)
and crier (fr. L. quiritdre), 'to cry'. See dis- and
cry and cp. decry,
desecrate, tr. v., to deprive of sacredness. — A
blend of de- (in the privative sense of this pre-
fix) and consecrate (q.v.) (L. desacrdre, dese-
crdre means 'to consecrate'.) Cp. OF. dessacrer,
'to desecrate', which is formed fr. pref. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and sacrer (fr. L. sacrdre), 'to conse-
crate'.
Derivative : desecrat-ion, n.
desensitize, tr. v. — Formed fr. de- (in the priva-
tive sense of this prefix) and sensitize.
Derivatives: desentiz-ation, n., desensitiz-er, n.
desert, intr. v., to leave one's duty. — OF. de-
serter (F. deserter), fr. VL. desertdre, freq. of
deserere (pp. desertus), 'to put down', hence 'to
leave, forsake, abandon, desert', lit. 'to put
down', fr. de- and serere, 'to put in a row, join
together'. See series.
Derivatives: desert-ed, adj., desert-ed-ly, adv.,
desert-ed-ness, n., desert-er, n., desertion (q.v.)
desert, adj., uninhabited, waste. — OF. desert
(F. desert), fr. L. desertus, 'deserted; desert,
waste' (whence also It. diserto, OProvenc. dezert,
Sp. desierto), pp. of deserere. See desert, v.
Derivative: desert-ness, n.
desert, n., wilderness. — OF. desert (F. desert),
fr. Late L. desertum, 'a desert place, desert' (cp.
the classical L. pi. deserta, 'deserted places, de-
serts'), neut. of L. desertus, pp. of deserere, used
as a noun; the It., OProvenc. and Sp. corres-
pondences are identical in form with the re-
spective adjectives. See desert, adj.
desert, n., merit. — ME. deserte, fr. OF. deserte,
prop. fern. pp. of deservir, used as a noun,
fr. VL. *deservita, corresponding to L. deser-
vita, fern. pp. of deservire. See deserve.
desertion, n. — F. desertion, fr. L. desertidnem,
acc. of desertid, 'a forsaking, abandoning,
deserting', fr. desertus, pp. of deserere. See
desert, 'to leave', and -ion.
deserve, tr. and intr. v. — OF. deservir (F. des-
servir), fr. L. deservire, 'to serve diligently, take
care of, be devoted to', fr. de- and servire, 'to
serve'. See serve and cp. desert, 'merit'.
Derivatives: deserv-ed, adj., deserv-ed-ly, adv.,
deserv-ing, adj., deserv-ing-ly, adv.
deshabille. — See dishabille.
desiccate, tr. v., to dry up; intr. v., to become
dried up. — L. desiccdtus, pp. of desiccdre, 'to
dry up completely', fr. de- and siccdre, 'to make
dry, drain', fr. siccus, 'dry'. See siccative and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desiccat-ion, n., desiccat-ive, adj.,
desiccat-or, n.
desiderate, tr. v., to feel a desire for. — L. desi-
derdtus, pp. of desiderdre, 'to feel the want of,
wish for, long for, desire'. See desire and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desideration (q.v.), desiderat-ive,
adj.
desideration, n. — L. desiderdtid, gen. -onis, fr.
desiderdtus, pp. of desiderdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
desiderative, n., a desiderative verb (gram.) —
Short for desiderative verb. See desiderate.
desideratum, n., something lacking. — L., lit.
'something desired', neut. pp. of desiderdre. See
desiderate.
design, tr. and intr. v. — F. designer, fr. L. desig-
ndre, 'to mark out, trace out, designate, point
out, appoint', fr. de- and signdre, 'to mark'.
See sign, v.
Derivatives: design-ed, adj., design-ed-ly, adv.,
design-ed-ness, n., design-er, n., design-ing, n.
and adj., design-ing-ly, adv.
design, n. — Earlier F. desseing (now spelled
dessein), fr. desseigner (now dessiner), fr. It.
disegnare, 'to draw, sketch; to plan', fr. L. de-
signdre. See design, v. Modern French differen-
tiates between dessein, 'design, plan, scheme',
and dessin, 'drawing, sketch'.
designate, tr. v. — L. designdtus, pp. of designdre.
See design, v., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: designation (q.v.), designat-ive , adj.,
designat-or, n., designat-ory, adj.
designate, adj. — L. designdtus, pp. of designdre.
See designate, v.
designation, n. — L. designdtio, gen. -onis, 'a
marking out, designating', fr. designdtus, pp. of
designdre. See design, v., and -ation and cp.
prec. word.
desilverize, tr. v., to remove silver from. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and silverize.
desinence, n., ending, suffix. — F. desinence, fr.
ML. desinentia, 'ending', fr. L. desinens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of desinere, 'to cease, end, ter-
minate', fr. de- and sinere, 'to set down; to
leave, let'. See site and -ence and cp. desition.
desipience, n., folly. — L. desipientia. fr. desi-
piens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
desipient, adj., foolish. — L. desipiens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of desipere, 'to be foolish', fr. de- and
sapere, 'to taste, know, be wise'. See sapient.
For the change of Latin a (in sapiens) to i (in
de-sipiens) see abigeat and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
desirable, adj. — F. desirable, formed fr. desirer
after L. desiderdbilis. See desire, v., and -able.
Derivatives: desirabil-ity, n., desirable-ness, n.,
desirabl-y, adv.
desire, tr. v. — F. desirer, 'to wish for, long for,
desire', fr. L, desiderdre, 'to feel the want of,
wish for, long for, desire' (whence also It. desi-
derare, OProvenc. dezirar), ong. 'to expect
from the stars', fr. de- and sidus, gen. sideris,
'star'. See sidereal and cp. consider.
Derivatives: desire n. (q.v.), desir-ed, adj., desir-
ed-ly, adv., desir-ed-ness, n., desir-er, n., desirous
(q.v.)
desire, n. — OF. desir (F. desir), fr. desirer. See
desire, v.
433
desirous, adj. — OF. desiros, desireus (F. desi-
reux), fr. VL. desiderdsus, fr. L. desiderdre. See
desire, v., and -ous.
Derivatives: desirous-ly, adv., desirous-ness, n.
desist, intr. v., to stop. — OF. desister (F.
desister), fr. L. desistere, 'to stand aside
or apart, leave off, cease', fr. de- and sistere, 'to
cause to stand still, put, place; to stand still,
stand', from the reduplicated base of stare,
'to stand'. See assist and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
desistance, n., the state of desisting. — Formed
fr. prec. word with suff. -ance.
desition, n., cessation of being, ending —
Formed with suff -ion fr. L. desitus, 'a ceasing',
fr. desitus, pp. of desinere, 'to cease'. See de-
sinent.
desk, n. — ME. deske, fr. ML. desca, 'a desk,
table', fr. L. discus, 'a quoit, a disk; a table'.
See dish and cp. dais, disk.
Derivative: desk, tr. v.
desm-, form of desmo- before a vowel.
desma, n., a sponge spicule (zool.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. 8eau.a, 'a bond'. See desmo-.
desman, n., either of two molelike mammals
(Myogale moschata, resp. Myogale pyrenaica).
— Swed. desman, 'musk'.
Desmanthus, n., a genus of plants of the mimosa
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
8£o(i7), 'bundle', and dcvSkx;, 'flower'. See desmo-
and anther and cp. the first element in Desmo-
dium and the second element in Teleodesmacea.
desmid, n., an alga of the family Desmidiaceae
(bot.) — ModL. Desmidium (name of the genus)
as if fr. Gk. *8e<7fu8iov, dimin. of Seafj.6?,
'band, bond, chain' (see desmo-); so called
because it sometimes occurs in chains.
Desmidiaceae, n. pi., a family of algae (bot.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. ModL.
Desmidium. See prec. word.
desmo-, before a vowel desm-, combining form
meaning 'bond'. — Gk. Ssa^o-, 8ea(z-, fr.
Seg^os, 'band, bond', rel. to Ssa^a, of s.m.,
8ea(i.7), 'bundle', Siaiq, 'a binding', fr. Seeiv, 'to
bind', whence also Sett), 'torch', lit. 'sticks,
bound together' (prop. fern, verbal adj. of Sseiv,
'to bind'), the second element in xpT)-§£-[* vov >
'headdress', 8ia-8^p.a,'band or fillet', u7ra-8ir)[xa,
'a sandal' (lit. 'that which is bound under'), fr.
I.-E. base *de(i)-, *d e -, 'to bind. See diadem and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also desma,
desmid, syndesmo-.
Desmodium, n., a genus of plants, the tick trefoil
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Sea^o?, 'band, bond',
and suff. -coSr,;, 'like' (see desmo- and -ode); so
called in allusion to the connected joints of
the pods.
desmoid, adj., ligamentous. — Compounded of
Gk. 8e<T[i6i;, 'band, bond', and -osiSt]?, 'like',
fr. eTSo;, 'form, shape'. See desmo- and -oid.
Desmoncus, n., a genus of trees of the palm family
(bot.) — Compounded of Gk. Seo(x6?, 'band,
bond', and Syxoi;, 'bend, curve, hook, barb'.
See desmo- and onco-, 'barb, hook'.
Desmoscolex, n., a genus of marine worms (hel-
minthology). — ModL., compounded of Sectixo;,
'band, bond', and ocwXy^, 'worm' (see desmo-
and scolex); so called from the globular head.
desolate, adj., l) lonely ; 2) deserted ; 3) laid waste.
— L. desdldtus, pp. of desdldre. See desolate, v.
Derivatives: desolate-ly, adv., desolate-ness, n.
desolate, tr. v., 1) to make desolate; 2) to lay
waste. — L. desdldtus, pp. of desdldre, 'to leave
alone, forsake, abandon, make solitary', fr.
de- and sdldre, 'to make lonely', fr. solus, 'alone,
lonely'. See sole, 'alone', and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desolat-ing, adj., desolat-ing-ly,
adv., desolation (q.v.), desolat-or, n.
desolation, n. — F. desolation, fr. Eccles. L. de-
soldtidnem, acc. of desdldtid, fr. L. desdldtus, pp.
of desdldre. See desolate, v., and -ion.
despair, intr. v. — ME. despeiren, desperen, fr.
OF. despeir-, pres. sing, stem of desperer, 'to
despair', fr. L. desperdre, 'to lose all hope,
despair', fr. de- and sperdre, 'to hope', fr. spes,
'hope', which prob. is cogn. with OSlav. spejo,
speti, 'to be successful', spechu, 'endeavor, as-
piration', Lith. speju, speti, 'to have time; to be
quick enough'. These words prob. derive fr.
I.-E. base *spe(i)-, *spe~-, 'to draw, stretch,
spread, extend, swell; to be successful'. See
prosperous and cp. desperado, desperate, Es-
peranto.
Derivatives: despair, n., despair-er, n., despair-
ing, adj., despair-ing-ly, adv., despair-ing-ness, n.
despatch, tr. v. — A var. of dispatch. The spelling
with e is erroneous; it was introduced by
Johnson.
desperado, n., a desperate criminal. — OSp., pp.
of desperar, 'to despair', fr. L. desperdre. See
despair and -ado.
desperate, adj. — L. desperdtus, pp. of desperdre.
See despair and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: desperate-ly, SLd\.,desperate-ness,n.
desperation, n — ME. desperacioun, fr. MF. despe-
ration, fr. L. desperdtidnem, acc. of desperdtid,
'despair, hopelessness', fr. desperdtus, pp. of
desperdre. See despair, v., and -ation.
despicable, adj. — Late L. despicdbilis, 'contempt-
ible, despicable', fr. L. despicdri, 'to despise,
disdain', rel. to despicere, 'to look down upon;
to despise, disdain', fr. de- and specere, spicere,
'to look at'. See species and -able and cp. next
word.
Derivatives: despicabil-ity, n., despicable-ness,
n., despicabl-y, adv.
despise, tr. v. — ME. despisen, fr. OF. despis-,
pres. part, stem of despire, 'to despise', fr. L.
despicere, 'to look down upon, despise, dis-
dain', fr. de- and specere, spicere, 'to look at'.
See species and cp. prec. word. Cp. also next
word.
despite, n. — ME. despit, fr. OF. despit (F. depit),
fr. L. despectus, 'a looking down; a despising,
despite
434
scorn, contempt', fr. despectus, pp. of despicere.
See prec. word and cp. spite.
Derivatives: despite, prep., despite-ful, adj., de-
spite-ful-ly, adv., despite-ful-ness, n.
despite, adj. — Shortened fr. orig. 'in despite of.
Cp. in spite of.
despoil, tr. v., to plunder. — ME. despoilen, fr.
OF. despoilier, despuilier (F. depouiller), 'to de-
spoil', fr. L. despolidre, 'to rob, despoil, plun-
der', fr. de- and spolidre, 'to rub, plunder, pil-
lage, spoil', lit. 'to strip of clothing', fr. spolium,
'skin stripped from an animal ; arms taken from
an enemy; prey, booty'. See spoil, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: despoil-er, n., despoil-ment, n.
despoliation, n., plundering. — Late L. despolid-
tid, gen. -dnis, 'a robbing, desporting, plunder-
ing', fr. L. despolidtus, pp. of despolidre. See
prec. word and -ation and cp. spoliation.
despond, intr. v., to lose hope and courage. — L.
despondere, 'to promise, pledge, give up, yield,
lose courage, despond', fr. de- and spondere, 'to
engage oneself, promise'. See spouse.
Derivatives: despond-ence, n., despond-ency, n.,
despondent (q.v.), despond-er, n., despond-ing,
adj., despond-ing-ly, adv.
despondent, adj. — L. despondens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of despondere. See prec. word and
-ent.
despot, n., tyrant. — OF. despot (F. despote), fr.
Gk. SeoTroTTji;, 'master, ruler, tyrant', which
stands for orig. *dems-potd, and prop, means
'lord of the house' and is equivalent to OI.
ddm-patift, 'lord of the house'. The first element
stands in gradational relationship to Gk. 8tou.ac,
L. domus, 'house'; see dome, 'building'. The
second element is rel. to Gk. ttocti; (for *7t6tic.),
'husband', and cogn. with OI. pdtift, 'master,
husband', L. potis, 'able, powerful', potens,
'able, mighty, powerful'. See potent and cp. pos-
sess, possible, power, puissant.
Derivatives: despotic (q.v.), despot-ism, n., des-
pot-ist, n.
despotic, despotical, adj., pertaining to a despot;
tyrannical. — F. despotique, fr. Gk. Scctttotixo?,
'inclined to tyranny, despotic', fr. Sectttot/ji;. See
prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivatives: despotical-Iy, adv., despotical-ness,
n.
desquamate, intr. v., to peel off (med.) — L. de-
squdmdtus, pp. of desqudmdre, 'to scale off, peel
off, fr. de- and squama, 'scale'. See squama and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. esquamate.
Derivatives: desquamat-ion, n., desquamat-ive,
adj., desquamat-ory, adj.
dessert, n., a course of fruit, sweets, etc., served
at the end of dinner. — F., lit. 'removal of what
has been served at table', fr. desservir, 'to re-
move what has been served', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-,
'apart, asunder'), and servir, 'to serve' (fr. L.
servire). See dis- and serve.
destination, n. — L. dSstindtid, gen. -dnis, 'pur-
pose, design', fr. destindtus, pp. of destindre.
See next word and -ation.
destine, tr. v. — ME. destenen, fr. OF. (= F.)
destiner, 'to fix, determine, destine, purpose', fr.
L. destindre, 'to make firm, fasten; to intend,
devote, destine', which stands for *de-stdn-dre,
fr. de- and *sta-n, -n-enlargement of I.-E. base
*std-, *st*-, 'to stand'. See state and cp. next
word and obstinate. For the change of Latin d
(in *stdndre) to i (in de-stindre) see abigeat and
cp. words there referred to.
destiny, n. — ME. destinee, fr. OF. destinee (F.
destinee), lit. 'that which is destined', fern. pp.
of destiner. See prec. word.
destitute, adj., needy, deprived. — L. destitutus,
pp. of destituere, 'to set down; to forsake,
abandon, desert; to disappoint', fr. de- and
statuere, 'to cause to stand, place, set up'. See
statute and cp. constitute and words there re-
ferred to. For the change of Latin d (in statuere)
to I (in de-stituere) see abigeat and cp. words
there referred to.
destitution, n. — F. destitution, fr. L. destitutid-
nem, acc. of destitutid, 'a forsaking, deserting',
fr. destitutus, pp. of destituere. See prec. word
and -ion.
destour, destoor, dustoor, n., a Parsee high priest.
— Pers. dastur, 'ruler, rule, custom', fr. Pahlavi
dastdbdr, 'ruler, minister, a Parsee high priest'.
destrier, n., a war horse (archaic). — OF., fr. VL.
*dextrdrius, 'led by the right hand', fr. *dex-
trdre, 'to lead by the right hand, to lead, guide',
fr. L. dextra (short for dextra manus, 'right
hand'), fern, of dexter, 'right, on the right hand'.
See dexter.
destroy, tr. v. — ME. destroien, destruien, fr. OF.
destruire (F. detruire), fr. VL. *destrugere
(whence also It. distruggere), refashioned fr. L.
destruxi(= destruc-si)&Ti& des true- tus, past tense
resp. pp. of L. destruere, 'to pull down, destroy,
ruin', which is formed fr. de- and struere, 'to
pile up, build, construct'. See structure and cp.
destruction, construct.
Derivatives: destroy-able, adj., destroy-er, n.,
destroy-ing-Iy, adv.
destructible, adj. — Late L. destructibilis, fr. L.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and -ible.
Derivatives: destructibil-ity, n., destructible-
ness, n.
destruction, n. — L. destructid, gen. -dnis, 'a pul-
ling down, destruction', fr. destructus, pp. of
destruere. See destroy and -tion and cp. con-
struction.
destructive, adj. — OF. (= F.) destructif (fern.
destructive), fr. Late L. destructive, fr. L.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and -ive.
Derivatives: destructive-Iy, adv., destructive-
ness, n.
destructor, n. — L. destructor, 'a destroyer', fr.
destructus, pp. of destruere. See destroy and
agential suff. -or.
desuetude, n., disuse. — F. desuetude, fr. L. de-
435
determinant
suetudd, 'disuse, discontinuance of a habit', fr.
desuetus, pp. of desuescere, 'to give up the use
of, to disaccustom', fr. de- and suescere, 'to
become used or accustomed'. See custom and
cp. words there referred to.
desulfurize, tr. v., to remove sulfur from. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and sulfurize.
Derivatives: desulfuriz-ation, n., desulfuriz-er,
n.
desultory, adj., jumping from one thing to an-
other; unmethodical. — L. desuitdrius, 'be-
longing to a leaper; superficial, desultory', fr.
desultor, leaper' (used of a performer in the
Roman circus, who leaped from one horse to
another), which stands for *de-saltor and is rel.
to desilire, 'to leap down', fr. de- and satire, 'to
leap, spring, jump', whence the freq. saltdre,
'to leap, jump, dance'. See salient and adj. suff.
-ory. The change of a (in saltdre) to u (in
de-sultor) is due to the Latin phonetic law ac-
cording to which in the unaccented and closed
radical syllable of the second element of com-
pounds, a, followed by / and another conso-
nant, becomes u. Cp. exult, insult, result, sub-
sultory, inculcate.
Derivatives: desultori-ly, adv., desultor i-ness, n.
desynonymize, tr. v., to deprive of synonymous
character. — Formed fr. de- (in the privative
sense of this prefix) and synonymize.
Derivative: desynonymiz-ation, n.
detach, tr. v. — F. detacher, 'to detach, untie',
fr. OF. destachier, lit. 'to untack, disjoin', fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-, 'apart, asunder') and tache,
'nail, hook'. See dis- and attach and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also staccato.
Derivatives: detach-ed, adj., detach-ed-ly, adv.,
detach-ed-ness,n., detach-er, n . , detachment (q.v.).
detachable, adj. — Formed from the verb detach
with suff. -able; first used by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832).
Derivatives: detachabil-ity, n., detachable-ness,
n., detachabl-y, adv.
detachment, n. — F. detachement, fr. detacher.
See detach and -ment.
detail, tr. v. — F. detailler, 'to cut in pieces, divide
up; to relate in detail', fr. de- and tailler, 'to
cut', fr. L. tdlidre, 'to split, cut'. See tailor.
detail, n. — F. detail, lit. 'a cutting in pieces, a
dividing up', fr. detailler. See detail, v.
Derivatives: detail-ed, adj., detail-er, n.
detain, tr. v. — Late ME. deteynen, fr. OF. de-
tenir (F. detenir), fr. L. detinere, 'to hold off,
keep back, retain', fr. de- and tenere, 'to hold,
keep', OF. detenir was influenced in form by
tenir (fr. VL. *tenire). Cp. Proven?., Sp. de-
tener, Catal. detenir and see tenable. Cp. also
detention, detinue. Cp. also abstain and words
there referred to.
detainer, n., one who detains. Formed from
prec. word with agential suff. -er.
detainer, n., a detaining in one's possession (law).
— AF. detener (corresponding to OF. detenir),
'to detain'. For the subst. use of the infinitive —
esp. in legal terminology — cp. attainder and
words there referred to.
detect, tr. v. — L. delectus, pp. of detegere, 'to
uncover, discover, disclose, reveal, detect', fr.
de- and tegere, 'to cover'. See tegument.
detection, n. — L. detectid, gen. -dnis, 'an un-
covering, detecting', fr. detectus, pp. of de-
tegere. See prec. word and -ion.
detective, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
detectus, pp. of detegere. See prec. word.
detective, n. — Shortened fr. detective policeman.
See detective, adj.
detector, n. — L. detector, 'uncoverer, revealer',
fr. detectus, pp. of detegere. See detect and
agential suff. -or.
detent, n., a catch. — F. detente, lit. 'a loosening,
slackening, relaxation,' and prop, subst. use of
the fem. pp. of detendre, 'to loosen, slacken,
relax', fr. OF. destendre (fr. L. dis-, 'apart,
asunder') and tendre, 'to stretch' (fr. L. tendere).
See dis- and tend, 'to move in a certain direct-
ion', and cp. distend. Cp. also next word.
detente, n., a relaxing in the political situation.
— F. See prec. word.
detention, n. — L. detentid, gen. -dnis, 'a holding
off, keeping back', fr. detentus, pp. of detinere.
Sec detain and -ion.
deter, tr. v., to frighten, discourage. — L. deter-
rere, 'to frighten from, discourage from, pre-
vent', fr. de- and terrere, 'to frighten'. See ter-
rible and cp. deterrent.
Derivative: dcter-ment, n.
deterge, tr. v., to cleanse. — F. deterger, fr. L.
detergere, 'to wipe off, wipe away, cleanse', fr.
de- and tergere, 'to rub, wipe off. See terse
and cp. detersion.
detergence, detergency, n. -- Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
detergent, adj., cleansing; n., a cleansing agent.
— F. detergent, fr. L. detergentem, acc. of de-
tergens, pres. part, of detergere. See deterge and
-ent.
deteriorate, tr. v., to make worse; intr. v., to be-
come worse. — Late L. deteridrdtus, pp. of de-
teriordre, 'to make worse', fr. L. deterior, 'lower,
inferior, worse, meaner', fr. *de-ter, 'lower',
comparative of de, 'down from'. See de-, -ther
and verbal suff. -ate.
deterioration, n. — F. deterioration, fr. detcriorer,
fr. Late L. deteridrdre. See prec. word and -ion.
deteriorative, adj. -- Coined by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832) fr. deteriorate and suff. -ive.
determinable, adj. — Late L. determindbilis, 'that
which has an end', fr. L. determinate. See de-
termine and -able.
Derivatives: determinable-ness, adj., determin-
abl-y, adv.
determinant, adj. — L. dctermindns, gen. -ant is.
pres. part, of determindre. See determine and -ant.
Derivative: determinant, n.
determinate
436
determinate, adj., i) definite; 2) decided; 3) reso-
lute. — L. determinates, pp. of determinare. See
determine and adj. stiff, -ate.
Derivatives: determinate, n., determinate-ly,
adv., determin-ate-ness, n.
determination, n. — L. determindtid, gen. -onis,
'conclusion, boundary', fr. determinates, pp. of
determinare. See determine and -ation.
determinative, adj. — F. determinatif (fern, deter-
minative), fr. L. determinatus, pp. of determi-
nare. See next word and -ive.
Derivatives: determinative, n., determinative-ly,
adv., determinative-ness, n.
determine, tr. v. — OF. determiner (F. determi-
ner), fr. L. determinare, 'to bound, limit, pre-
scribe, determine', fr. de- and termindre, 'to mark
off by boundaries, mark, limit, define, termin-
ate', fr. terminus, 'boundary, limit'. See term.
Derivatives: determin-ed, adj., determin-ed-ly,
adv., determin-ed-ness, n., determin-er, n.
determinism, n., the doctrine that the action of
a man is determined by motives independent of
his will. — F. determinisme, fr. G. Determinis-
mus, which is prob. a back formation of Prae-
determinismus, 'predeterminism* ; introduced
into English by Sir William Hamilton (1788-
1856), who applied it to the doctrine of Hob-
bes. See prec. word and -ism.
determinist, n., a believer in determinism. — See
prec. word and -ist. Derivative : determinist-ic, adj .
deterrence, n. — - Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
deterrent, adj. — L. deterrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of deterrere. See deter and -ent.
Derivative: deterrent, n.
detersion, n., the act of cleansing. — L. detersid,
gen. -onis, 'a wiping off, a cleansing', fr. deter-
sus, pp. of detergere. See deterge and -ion.
detersive, adj., cleansing, detergent. — F. deter-
sif (fern, detersive), fr. L. detersus, pp. of de-
tergere. See deterge and -ive.
Derivatives: detersive, n., a detergent, deter-
sive-ly, adv., detersive-ness, n.
detest, tr. v., to hate. — F. detester, fr. L. de-
testdri, 'to curse while calling a deity to wit-
ness; to execrate, abominate; to ward off', fr.
de- and testdri, 'to be a witness, bear witness,
testify', fr. testis, 'witness'. See testament and
cp. attest, contest.
detestable, adj. — F. detestable, fr. L, detestd-
bilis, 'execrable, abominable', fr. detestdri. See
detest and -able.
Derivatives : detestabil-ity, n., detestabie-ness, n.,
detestabl-y, adv.
detestation, n. — F. detestation, fr. L. detes-
tdtidnem, acc. of detestdtid, 'execration, detest-
ation', fr. detestdtus, pp. of detestdri. See detest
and -ation.
dethrone, tr. v. — Formed fr. pref. de- (in the pri-
vative sense of this prefix) and throne. Cp. F.
detrdner, fr. de- (fr. L. de) and trone, 'throne'.
Derivative: dethrone-ment, n.
detinue, n., wrongful detention of personal pro-
perty (law). — OF. detenue, 'detention', prop,
fern. pp. of detenir, 'to detain', used as a noun.
See detain and cp. continue, retinue.
detonate, intr. and tr. v. — L. detondt-(um), pp.
stem of detondre, 'to thunder down, thunder
forth', fr. de- and tondre, 'to thunder'. See
thunder, n., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: detonat-ing, adj., detonat-ive, adj.,
detonat-or, n.
detour, detour, n., a degression. — F. detour, 'a
turning away, shift, evasion', fr. detourner, 'to
turn away', fr. de- (fr. L. de) and tourner, 'to
turn'. See de- and tour.
Derivative : detour, intr. v,
detract, tr. and intr. v., to take away. — L. de-
tractus, pp. of detrahere, 'to draw off, draw a-
way, pull down', fr. de- and trahere, 'to pull,
draw'. See tract.
detraction, n. — F. detraction, fr. L. detractid-
nem, acc. of detractid, 'a drawing off', fr. de-
tractus, pp. of detrahere. See prec. word and -ion.
detractive, adj. — OF. detractif (fern, detractive),
fr. L. detractus, pp. of detrahere. See detract and
-ive.
Derivatives: detractive-ly, adv., detractive-ness,
n.
detrain, tr. v., to set down from a railroad train;
intr. v., to alight from a railroad train. —
Formed fr. de- and the noun train.
detriment, n., loss, harm, damage. — F. detri-
ment, fr. L. detrimentum, 'a rubbing off ; a loss,
damage, defeat, detriment', fr. detritus, pp. of
deterere, 'to rub down, rub away, wear away',
fr. de- and terere, 'to rub, grind, wear away'.
See throw and -ment and cp. trite, detritus, inter-
trigo.
Derivatives: detriment, tr. v., detriment-al, adj.,
detriment-al-ity, n., detriment-al-ly, adv., de-
triment-al-ness, n.
detrital, adj., composed of detritus. — See de-
tritus and adj. suff. -al.
detrited, adj., worn away. — See detritus and -ed.
detrition, n., wearing down by friction. — Formed
with suff. -ion fr. L. detritus, pp. of deterere. See
detriment.
detritus, n., fragments of rocks, etc., worn away
by friction. — L. detritus, 'a rubbing away', fr.
detritus, pp. of deterere. See detriment.
de trop, too many, too much. — F. See de- and
troppo.
detrude, tr. v., to thrust away. — L. detriidere, 'to
thrust down, thrust away', fr. de- and trudere,
'to thrust, push', fr. I.-E. base treud-, 'to press,
push', whence also Goth, us-priutan, 'to vex',
OE. preotan, 'to weary, vex, annoy'. See threat
and cp. intrude and words there referred to.
detruncate, tr. v., to shorten by cutting off a part.
— L. detruncatus, pp. of detruncdre, 'to lop,
cut off', fr. de- and truncdre, 'to cut off'. See
truncate, v.
detruncation, n. — L. detruncdtid, gen. -onis, 'a
437
devil
cutting off', fr. detruncatus, pp. of detruncdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
detrusion, n., the act of thrusting away. — Late
L. detrusid, gen. -onis, 'a thrusting away', fr.
detrusus, pp. of detriidere. See detrude and -ion
and cp. intrusion and words there referred to.
deuce, n., a card or die with two spots. — Fr. F.
deux, fr. OF. deus, fr. L. duds, acc. of duo, 'two' ;
see dual. Since two is the lowest, hence the
losing, throw at dice, the word deuce in a figur-
ative sense denotes also 'ill-luck; devil'.
Derivatives: deuc-ed, adj. and adv., deuc-ed-ly,
adv.
deuter-, form of deutero- before a vowel.
deuteragonist, n., an actor taking the second part
in a drama. — Gk. 8suTEpaY<i>viaT7)<;, com-
pounded of SEiixepoi;, 'second', and aywvia-nf].;,
'combatant; actor'. For the first element see
deutero-, for the second see agonist and cp. words
there referred to.
deuterium, n., the isotope of hydrogen of atomic
weight or mass 2; heavy hydrogen (chem.) —
ModL., coined fr. deuter- and suff. -ium.
deutero-, before a vowel deuter-, combining form
meaning 'second'. — Gk. SeoTEpo-, Seufep-, fr.
SEuxepo?, 'second', orig. 'that which falls short
of something', formed with the comparative
suff. -Tepo<; from the stem of SstiEiv, §EUE<j{>ai,
'to be wanting, be deficient', which is rel. to
8eiv, 'to be in need of, to need' ; see deontology.
For the etymology of the Greek comparative
suff. -xspo<; see -ther and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
deuteron, n., also deuton, the nucleus of an atom
of deuterium. — ModL., coined fr. deuterium,
resp. deuterium.
Deuteronomy, n. t name of the 5th book of the
Pentateuch. — Late L. Deuteronomium, fr. Gk.
AeuTspov6|jtLov, 'second law', a name due to the
erroneous rendering of Heb. mishne h hattdrd h
hazzSth (Deut. 17:18) by the Septuagint into
8e'jT£pov6|j.iov touto, lit. 'this second law'. The
real meaning of the Hebrew words quoted is
'a copy of this law'. AEuTEpovofiiov is com-
pounded of Seutepo?, 'second', and vo^o?, 'law'.
See deutero- and nomo-.
deuto-, before a vowel deut-, shortened form of
deutero- resp. deuter-.
deuton, n. — See deuteron.
deutoplasm, n., yolk (6/0/.) — Coined from deuto-
and plasm, on analogy of protoplasm.
Deutzia, n., a genus of shrubs (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Dutchman Johann van der
Deutz (1743-84). For the ending see suff. -ia.
deva, n., a deity (Hinduism). — OI. devdh, 'god',
rel. to devt, 'goddess', Avestic daeva-, 'demon',
and cogn. with Gk. 810?, 'divine', Zeu?, gen.
Aiog, 'Zeus', OL. deivos (whence L. deus), 'god'.
See deity and cp. next word, daiva, Devi and
the second word in Bhumi Devi.
devadasi, n., a dancing girl in a Hindu temple. —
Hind., fr. OI. devadasi, 'slave girl of a god', fr.
devdh 'deity', and ddsi, 'slave girl'. See deva and
dasi. For sense development cp. Gk. Esp68ou-
Xo;, 'temple slave' (see hierodule).
devaluate, tr. v. — See de- and valuation.
Derivative: devaluat-ion, n.
Devanagari, n., the Old Indian alphabet. — OI.
devandgari, lit. 'the divine city script'. See deva
and Nagari.
devastate, tr. v., to lay waste. — L. devastates,
pp. of devdstdre, 'to lay waste, devastate', fr.
de- and vdstdre, 'to make empty, lay waste', fr.
vastus, 'empty, waste, desert'. See waste, adj.
and v., and verbal suff. -ate. Derivatives: dev-
astat-ing-ly, adv., devastat-ive, adj.
devastation, n. — F. devastation, fr. L. devasta-
tes, pp. of devdstdre. See prec. word and -ion.
develop, tr. and intr. v. — F. developper, fr. OF.
desveloper, which is prob. formed fr. pref. des-
(fr. L. dis-, 'apart, asunder'), and a blend of
ML. faluppa, 'fiber, straw, ball of corn', and L.
volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and cp. envelop.
Derivatives: develop-able, adj., develop-er, n.,
develop-ment, n., develop-ment-al, adj.
devest, tr. v., to deprive of a right (law). — OF.
devestir (F. devetir), fr. VL. devestire, fr. de- and
L. vestire, 'to clothe', fr. vestis, 'garment'. See
vest and cp. divest.
Devi, n., 1) any goddess; 2) the mother goddess,
the goddess par excellence (Hindu mythol.) —
OI. devt, 'goddess', rel. to devdh, 'god', Avestic
daeva-, 'demon'. See deva and cp. the second
word in Bhumi Devi.
deviate, intr. and tr. v. — Late L. devidt-(um),
pp. stem of devidre, 'to turn from the straight
road, go aside', fr. de- and L. via, 'way'. See
devious. Derivative: deviat-ion, n.
device, n. — A blend of ME. devis, 'intention, in-
vention', and ME. devise, 'design, plan', which
derive fr. OF. devis, 'division, intention, plan;
coat of arms, emblem; last will, testament'
(whence F. devis, 'estimate'), resp. fr. OF. devise,
of s.m. (whence F. devise, 'device, emblem'),
which both derive fr. OF. deviser, 'to divide,
distri- bute; to put in order'. See devise.
Derivatives: device-ful, adj., device-ful-ly, adv.,
device-ful-ness, n.
devil, n. — ME. devel, fr. OE. deofol, deoful, fr.
Eccles. L. diabolus, fr. Eccles. Gk. SidfioXo;,
'devil', fr. Gk. 8ia(3oXo<;, 'slanderer', fr. 8toc-
fJaXXsiv, 'to throw across; to attack; to calum-
niate, slander', fr. 81a (see dia-) and PocXXelv,
'to throw'. See ballistic and cp. diablerie, dia-
bolic, Eblis. Cp. also It. diavolo, Proven?., F.,
Catal. diable, Sp. diablo, Port, diabo, Goth.
diabaulus, which all derive fr. Eccles. L. dia-
bolus. OHG. tiufal (whence MHG. tiuvel, G.
Teufel, prob. also MDu. duvet, Du. duivel, OS.
diufal, ON. djdfull, Dan. djxvel, Swed. djdvul)
is a Goth, loan word.
Derivatives: devil-dom, n., devil-ish, adj., devil-
ish-ly, adv., devil-ish-ness, devil-ism, n„ devil-
ment, a., devil-ry, n.
devious
devious, adj., roundabout, circuitous. — L. de-
vius, 'off the high road, out of the way, devious',
fr. de- and via, 'way'. See via and cp. deviate.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: devious-ly, adv., devious-ness, n.
devise, tr. v. — OF. deviser, 'to divide, distri-
bute; to put in order; to chat' (F., 'to chat, gos-
sip'), fr. VL. *devisdre, formed with vowel dis-
similation fr. *divisdre, freq. of L. dividere, 'to
divide'. See divide and ep. device.
Derivatives: devise, n. (q.v.), devis-able, adj.,
devis-al, n., devis-ee, n., devis-er, n., devis-or, n.
{law).
devise, n., the act of devising; a will (law). — OF.
devise, 'division; will, testament', fr. deviser, 'to
divide, distribute'. See devise, v.
devitalize, tr. v., to deprive of vitality. — Formed
fr. de- (in the privative sense of this prefix) and
vitalize. Derivative: devilaliz-ation, n.
devitaminize, tr. v., to deprive of vitamins. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix), vitamin and suff. -ize.
Derivative: devitaminiz-ation, n.
devitrification, n. — See next word and -fication.
devitrify, tr. v., to deprive of glassy character. —
Formed fr. de- (in the privative sense of this
prefix) and vitrify,
devoid, adj., completely void. — ME., short form
of devoided, pp. of devoiden (whence the obsolete
E. verb devoid), fr. OF. desvuidier, desvoidier,
'to empty out' (whence F. divider), fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-, 'apart, asunder") and vuidier, voidier, 'to
empty'. See dis- and void,
devoir, n., task, duty. — F., prop, subst. use of
the infinitive devoir, 'to owe', fr. OF. deveir, 'to
owe', fr. L. debere. See debt and cp. endeavor,
devolute, tr. v., to devolve. — L. devolutus, pp.
of devohere. See devolve,
devolution, n. — ML. devolutid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
devolutus, pp. of devohere. Sec next word and-ion.
devolve, tr. and intr. v. — L. devohere, 'to roll
down, tumble down: to have recourse to', fr.
de- and volvere, 'to roll, roll along, turn about'.
See volute.
Devon, n., one of a breed of cattle, orig. raised
in Devon, a county in England.
Devonian, i ) adj., of Devonshire in England: per-
taining to, or designating, a geological period;
2) n., an inhabitant or native of Devonshire. —
Formed with suff. -ian fr. Devon, shortened form
of Devonshire.
devote, tr. v. — L. devotus. pp. of devovere, 'to
vow , to devote (to a deity), to sacrifice oneself,
to promise solemnly", fr. de- and vovere, 'to
vow". See vote, vow and cp. devout.
Derivatives: devot-ed, adj., devoted-ly, adv.,
devoted-ness, n., devot-ee, devote-ment, n.,
devot-er, n., devotion (q.v.)
devotion, n. — OF. (F. devotion), fr. L. devutio-
nem, acc. of devotio, 'a devoting, consecrating;
devotion', fr. devotus, pp. of devovere. See de-
vote and -ion.
438
Derivatives: devotion-al, adj., devotion-al-ly,
adv., devotion-al-ity, n., devotion-ate, adj., and
the hybrids devotion-al-ism, n., devotion-al-ist, n.
devour, tr. v. — ME. devouren, fr. OF. devorer (F.
devorer), fr. L. devordre, 'to swallow, gulp down,
devour; to read eagerly', fr. de- and vordre, 'to
swallow greedily, swallow up, devour'. See
voracious and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: devour-er, n., devour-ing, adj., de-
vour-ing-ly, adv.
devout, adj. — ME. devot, devout, fr. OF. devot
(fern, devote), fr. L. devotus, pp. of devovere, 'to
vow, devote'. See devote.
Derivatives: devout-ly, adv., devout-ness, n.
dew, n. — ME. deu, deau, dew, fr. OE. deaw, rel.
to OS. dou, OFris. daw, MDu. dau, OHG.,
MHG. tou, G. Tau, ON. dbgg, 'dew', and cogn.
with OI. dhdvate, dhdvati, 'runs, flows', dhdutih,
'a spring, a stream', Gk. dseiv (for *S-efetv),
'to run, flow; to move quickly, whirl', &o6q (for
*T>of6;), 'quick, active', -fkia^eiv, 'to move
quickly. Cp. daggle, dhobi.
Derivatives: dew, tr. v., dew-less, adj., dew-y,
adj., dew-i-Iy, adv., dew-i-ness, n.
Dewali, n., a Hindu autumnal festival. — Hind.
divdli, fr. OI. dipdvali, dipdli, lit. 'row of lamps,
illumination', fr. dipah, 'lamp', and avail, dli,
'row'. The first element derives from a -^-en-
largement of I.-E. base *dei-, *deyd-, *di-, *dyd-,
'to shine', whence OI. divdm, 'heaven; day'. See
deity.
dewan, n., minister of finance, chief officer in In-
dia. — Arab, and Pers. diwdn; see divan. The
orig. sense of Pers. diwdn was 'register', whence
developed the senses 'register of accounts; de-
partment of accounts: ministry of finance;
minister of finance'.
dewanee, dew any, n., the office of a dewan. —
Hind, diwdni, fr. Pers. diwdni, fr. diwdn. See
prec. word.
Dewitt. dewitt, tr. v., to lynch. — After the
brothers Cornelis and Jan De Witt, Dutch
statesmen, murdered by a mob in 1672.
dexiocardia, n., an abnormal condition in which
the heart is on the right side (anal.) — Medical
L., compounded of Gk. Seb.oq, 'on the right
hand", and xapSla, 'heart'. See dexter and
cardiac.
dexter, adj., on the right-hand side. — L. dexter,
'on the right hand", whence arose the meanings
'skillful, favorable, propitious, fortunate' ; cogn.
with Gk. SsS'.TEpo:, 'on the right hand', and with
OI. ddksinah, daksindh, 'on the right hand,
southern, skillful', Avestic dashina-, 'on the
right hand", Gk. Seiioc, 'on the right hand,
fortunate, clever*, OSlav. desnu, Lith. desinas,
'on the right hand', Lith. desine, 'the right
hand', Goth, taihswa, OHG. zeso, 'on the right
hand", Olr. dess, 'on the right hand, southern',
W. deheu, Co. dygliow, 'on the right hand', Gaul.
Dexsiva, 'goddess of fortune', Alb. djad-te, 'on
the right hand'. All these words are prob. deriva-
439
di-
tives of I.-E. base *dek-, 'to take, receive,
accept; acceptable, becoming, good', whence
also L. decere, 'to be fitting or seemly'. See
decent and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
ambidexter. L. dexter and Gk. 8e!;iT£p6? were
formed fr. base *dek- with the compar. suff.
-ter, -terus, resp. -Tspoq, and orig. meant 'that
which is in the better or more favorable direct-
ion'. For the compar. suff. see -ther and cp.
words there referred to. For the sense develop-
ment of L. dexter, Gk. 8£c;tTcp6i;, Sextos, etc.,
cp. Heb. ydmtn, 'right hand, south', Arab.
ydman, 'right hand, south', ydmana, 'he was
happy' (see Yemen).
Dexter, masc. PN. — L., 'on the right hand, for-
tunate'. See prec. word. For sense development
cp. Benjamin.
dexterity, n., 1) skill; 2) cleverness. — F. dexte-
rite, fr. L. dexteritdtem, acc. of dexteritas,
'readiness, skillfulness, prosperity', fr. dexter.
See dexter and -ity.
dexterous, dextrous, adj., skillful, adroit, quick. —
Formed with suff. ous- fr. L. dexter. See dexter.
Derivatives: dext(e)rous-ly, adv., dext(e)rous-
ness, n.
dextrad, adv., to the right side. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. dextra, 'right hand', fem. of dexter
(see dexter), and -ad, a suff. of Greek origin.
dextral, adj., pertaining to the right hand. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. dextra (short
for dextra manus), 'right hand', fem. of dexter.
See dexter.
Derivatives: dextral-ity, n., dextral-ly, adv.
dextrin, dextrine, n., a soluble gummy substance
made from starch (chem.) — F. dextrine, coined
by the French physicist Jean Baptiste (1774-
1862) and the French chemist and pharmacist
Jean-Francois Persoz (1805-68) in 1833 (in An-
nates de Chimie et de Physique) fr. L. dexter,
'on the right hand' (see dexter), with chem. suff.
-ine; so called by them because it turns the plane
of polarization of light to the right.
dextro-, combining form meaning 'to the right'.
— Fr. L. dexter, 'to the right hand'. See dexter,
dextrocardia, n., the same as dexiocardia. — A
Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. dexter, 'right',
and Gk. xapSia, 'heart'. The correct form is
dexiocardia (q.v.), in which both elements are of
Greek origin,
dextrorse, adj., twining from left to right (bot.)
— L. dextrdrsus, 'toward the right side, to the
right', contraction of dextrovorsus, dextro-
versus, lit. 'turned toward the right', fr. dexter,
right', and vorsus, versus, pp. of vortere, ver-
tere, 'to turn'. See dexter and version and cp.
sinistrorse.
dextrose, n., starch sugar (chem.) — See dextrin
and subst. suff. -ose.
dextrous, adj. — See dexterous.
dey, n., the governor of Algiers (before the French
conquest in 1830). — Turk, dm, prop, 'mater-
nal uncle'.
dhak, dhawk, n., an East Indian bushy tree
(Butea frondbsa). — Hind. dhak.
dhal, n. — A var. spelling of dal.
dhan, n., property, wealth, treasure, price, gain.
— Hind., fr. OI. dhdnam, 'booty, possession,
property', rel. to dddhdti, 'puts, places'. See do,
v., and cp. the second element in srridhana.
Dhanvantari, n., the physician of the gods in
Hindu mythology. — OI., Dhanvantarih, lit.
'passing through the bow of dhanvanah, a
circle', compounded of dhdnva(ri)-, 'bow', and
tdrati, 'passes through, crosses over'. The first
element is perh. cogn. with OS. danna, OHG.
tanna, MHG., G. tanne, 'fir', OS. dennia, Du.
den, 'pine'. The second element derives fr. I.-E.
base *ter-, 'to pass beyond, cross over*, whence
also Gk. T£pu,a, 'boundary, end limit', L. ter-
minus, 'boundary line, boundary, limit'. See
term and cp. words there referred to.
dharma, n., law, right, justice (Hinduism). — OI.
dharmi, dhdrmah, rel. to dhdrdyati, 'holds', and
to Avestic ddrayeiti, of s.m., and cogn. with L.
firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong'. See firm,
adj., and cp. adharma, dharna.
dharmashastra, dharmasastra, n., book of laws
(India). — OI. dhdrmasdstrah, compounded of
dharmd, 'law' (see dharma), and sdstrdh, 'teach-
ing, precept, instruction, textbook'. See shastra.
dharmsala, dhurmsala, n., a resting place (India).
— Hind, dharmsala, fr. OI dharmasdld, lit. 'a
pious building'. See dharma, and cell.
dharna, dhurna, n., a mode of demanding justice
by fasting while sitting at the debtor's door
(India). — Hind, dharna, fr. OI. dhdrdyati,
'holds'. See dharma.
dhobi, dhoby, dobyie, n., a washerman (Anglo-
Ind) — Hind, dhobi, fr. OI. dhdvati, 'washes
off, washes', which is prob. orig. identical with
dhdvati, 'runs, flows'. See dew.
dhole, n., the wild dog of India (Cuon javanicus).
— Of uncertain origin.
dhoni, dhony, n., a small fishing vessel (India). —
Hind, doni, fr. OI. droni, 'a trough', which is rel.
to dru, 'wood', drumdh, 'tree'. See dinghy.
dhoti, dhotee, dhoty, n., a loincloth worn by
Hindus. — Hind, dhoti.
dhow, n., an Arabian kind of vessel. — Prob. rel.
to Persian dav, 'running', which is rel. to OI.
dhdvate, dhdvati, 'runs, flows', and cogn. with
Gk. &eeiv (for *&sfeiv), 'to run', ON. dogg,
OE. deaw, 'dew'. See dew and cp. dhobi. Arab.
daw ('a kind of vessel') is an Indian loan word.
dhurrie, dhurry, n., an Indian cotton fabric. —
Hind. dari.
dhyana, n., meditation (Hinduism). — OI. dhyd-
nah, 'thought', rel. to dhydti, dhydyati, 'thinks,
meditates, fancies', Avestic day-, 'to see', OI.
dhyaman-, 'thought', and cogn. with Gk. o^u.a,
'sign'. See semantics.
di-, pref. meaning 'apart, asunder'. — L., form
of dis- before b, d, g, I, m, n, r, v.
di-, pref. meaning 'two, double, twice', used esp.
di-
in chemistry to denote two atoms, molecules,
radicals, equivalents, as the case may be. —
Gk. Si-, fr. Sic,, 'twice', which stands for *dwis
and is rel. to OL. dvis (whence L. bis), and cogn.
with OI. dvih, Avestic bish, MHG. zwis, 'twice',
Goth, twis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvistra, 'to
divide'. See dis- and cp. two, twi-. Cp. also bi-,
bis, dia-, dicho-, disso-, dvaita, dvandva, dys-
and the second element in sapsago.
di-, form of dia- before a vowel.
dia-, before a vowel di-, pref. meaning 'through;
thoroughly, entirely, utterly'. — Gk. Sia-, fr. Sid,
'through, throughout', which prob. stands for
*8iaa and was formed (on analogy of (ie-rd,
'after') fr. Si?, 'twice', hence orig. meant 'divided
in the middle'. See di-, 'two, double, twice'.
diabase, n. (petrogr.) — F., coined by the French
mineralogist Alexandre Brogniard (1770- 1847)
in 1807 to name what is now called diorite. The
name was meant to signify 'a rock with two
bases', and should really have been dibase (fr.
di-, 'two', and base, n.) — In the above sense
the name was given up by Brogniard himself.
It is now applied to an igneous rock consisting
of augite and feldspar, in the sense of Gk. Sttx-
paan;, 'a crossing over, passage through', fr. Side
(see dia-) and fSdais, 'base' (see base, n.); so
called in allusion to the line of cleavage.
diabetes, n., a disease characterized by excessive
discharge of urine (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk.
SLapvjT/;?, lit. 'that which causes a going
through', fr. Sid (see dia-) and -(W)T7)s, 'that
which goes, moves or flows', from the stem of
Paiveiv, 'to go'. See base, n. and cp. adiabatic.
The disease was called 8iapT]-rY)(; by Aretaeus
the Cappadocian, a physician, who lived in
Alexandria in the second century C.E., in al-
lusion to the excessive urination.
diabetic, adj., pertaining to, or having, diabetes.
— See prec. word and -ic.
diablerie, n., devilry. — F., fr. diable, 'devil', fr.
Eccles. L. diabolus,fr. Eccles. Gk. SidfSoXos.'devil'.
See devil. For the etymology of F. -erie see -ery.
diabol-, form of diabolo- before a vowel.
diabolic, diabolical, adj., pertaining to devils, de-
vilish. — F. diabolique, fr. Eccles. L. diabolicus,
fr. Eccles. Gk. SiapoXixo?, 'devilish', fr. 8id-
(JoXoi;, 'devil'. See devil and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: diabolical-ly, adv.
diabolism, n., devil worship; devilishness. —
Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles. Gk. SidjioXoi;,
'devil'. See devil.
diabolize, tr. v., to render diabolical. — Formed
with sufT. -ize fr. Eccles. Gk. 8id|3oXo;, 'devil'.
See devil and cp. prec. word.
diabolo-, before a vowel diabol-, combining form
denoting the devil. — Fr. Eccles. Gk. SidJioXos,
'devil'. See devil.
diacaustic, adj., pertaining to a caustic curve
caused by refraction. — Formed fr. dia- and
caustic.
Derivative: diacaustic, n., a diacaustic curve.
diachylon, n., a plaster made of olive oil and lead
oxide. — ModL., fr. Gk. Sia/uXov, neut. of
SidxoXoi;, 'juicy', fr. 8id (see dia-) and x^Xo?,
'juice'. See chyle.
diacid, adj., able of combining with two mole-
cules of a monobasic acid (chem.) — A hybrid
coined fr. di-, 'two' (fr. Gk. Si-), and acid (fr.
L. acidus, 'sour').
diaconal, adj., pertaining to a deacon or deacons.
— Late L. didcondlis, fr. didconus. See deacon
and adj. suff. -al.
diaconate, n., the office of a deacon. — Eccles.
L. diaconatus, fr. Late L. didconus. See deacon
and subst. suff. -ate.
diacoustic, adj., pertaining to the refraction of
sounds. — Formed fr. di- (form of dia- before
a vowel) and acoustic.
diacoustics, n., that part of acoustics which deals
with the refraction of sounds. — Formed fr.
di- (form of dia- before vowels) and acoustics.
diacritic, adj., distinguishing; n., a diacritical
mark. — Gk. 8ioocpiTi>t6?, fr. Siaxpfvsiv, 'to
separate one from another', fr. Side (see dia-)
and xptvEiv, 'to separate, decide, judge'. See
critic.
Derivatives: diacritic-al, adj., diacritical-ly, adv.
diactinic, adj., capable of transmitting the actinic
rays of light. — Formed fr. di- (form of dia-
before vowels) and actinic.
Diadelphia, n., a class of plants in the Linnaean
system (bot.) — ModL., prop, 'plants, the
stamens of which are united into two bundles',
lit. 'like two brothers', fr. di-, 'two', and Gk.
dSeXcpoi;, 'brother'. See adelpho- and -ia.
diadelphous, adj., 1) having filaments united by
two bundles; 2) pertaining to the class Dia-
delphia. — Formed fr. di-, 'two', Gk. aSeXepoi;,
'brother', and suff. -ous. See prec. word.
diadem, n., crown; fillet. — OF. diademe (F. dia-
dime), fr. L. diadema, fr. Gk. SidSir^a, 'band,
fillet, royal headband', fr. SiocSeiv, 'to bind
on either side', fr. Sid (see dia-) and SeTv, 'to
bind', fr. I.-E. base *de(iy, *d 1 -, 'to bind',
whence also OI. dy-dti, 'binds', dd-man, 'band,
bond', Alb. del, 'sinew, tendon', duai, 'sheaf.
See desmo- and -ma and cp. anadem. Cp. also
Aditi, Aditya.
Derivatives: diadem, tr. v., diadem-ed, adj.
diadoche, n., succession. — Gk. SiaSoxT), 'succes-
sion', rel. to SidSoxo?, 'succeeding, successor',
in gradational relationship to SiaSe/eu^oa, 'to
succeed', lit. 'to receive one from another', fr.
Sid (see dia-) and SsxEaftai, 'to take, accept,
receive', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, re-
ceive, accept; acceptable, becoming, good',
whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'.
See decent and cp. words there referred to.
Diadochi, n.pl., the successors of Alexander the
Great; hence also successors (in general). —
ModL. Diadochi, fr. Gk. SiaSoxoi, pi. of Sux-
80x0?, successor'. See prec. word.
diadochokinesia, diadochokinesis, n., the normal
U1
power of performing alternating movements
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of Gk.
SidSoxoq, 'succeeding', and xfvr)<ri(;, 'motion'.
See prec. word and kinesis.
diadochokinetic, adj., pertaining to diadocho-
kinesia. — See prec. word and kinetic.
diaeresis, dieresis, n., 1) the division of one syl-
lable into two; 2) a mark (usually two dots)
placed over the second of two consecutive vow-
els to indicate that they are to be pronounced
separately. — Late L. diaeresis, fr. Gk. 81-
aipeai?, 'division into parts, separation of a
diphthong into two syllables', fr. Siaipsiv, 'to
divide', fr. 81- (see di-, form of dia- before a
vowel) and aipeiv, 'to take'. See heresy and cp.
aphaeresis, synaeresis.
diagnose, tr. v. — Back formation fr. diagnosis.
diagnosis, n., determination of the nature of a
disease. — Medical L., fr. Gk. Sidyvtocrii;, 'a
distinguishing, discerning, determining, decis-
ion', lit. 'a knowing thoroughly', from the stem
of SiayiyvcoaxEiv, 'to distinguish, discern, deter-
mine', lit. 'to know thoroughly', fr. Sid (see dia-)
and yiyvwaxEiv, to lea™, know'. See gnome,
'maxim', and cp. gnosis.
diagnostic, adj., pertaining to diagnosis. — Gk.
Siayvcoa-rixo?, 'able to distinguish', fr. 8iayv<oa-
to?, 'to be distinguished', verbal adj. of Sia-
yiyvtoaxsiv. See diagnosis and -ic.
Derivatives: diagnostic n., diagnosticate (q.v.),
diagnostic-ian, n.
diagnosticate, tr. v., to diagnose. — A hybrid
formed fr. Gk. SiocyvoxiTixoi; ( see P rec - word)
and -ate, a suff. of Latin origin.
Derivative: diagnosticat-ion, n.
diagonal, adj. — L. diagdnalis, fr. Gk. Siaycovio?,
'from angle to angle', fr. Std (see dia-) and
ywvia, 'an angle'. See gon- and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: diagonal, n., diagonal-ly, adv.
diagram, n., 1) a sketch, plan; 2) a chart. — F.
diagramme, fr. L.diagramma, fr. Gk. Sidypan^a,
'something marked out by lines, a geometrical
figure', fr. Siaypdtpsiv, 'to mark out by lines,
draw out'. See diagraph and -gram.
diagrammatic, adj., pertaining to a diagram. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. 8idypa[ifj.a, gen.
8iaypdu.u.axot;. See prec. word.
Derivative: diagrammatic-al-ly, adv.
diagrammatize, tr. v., to make a diagram of, to
diagram. — Formed with suff. -ize fr. Gk. 8id-
ypa(X(jia, gen. Siaypdix^afo;. See diagram.
diagraph, n., an instrument for drawing plans,
maps, etc. — F. diagraphe, fr. Gk. SiaypdipEiv,
'to mark out by lines, draw out', fr. Sid (see
dia-) and ypa9eii/, 'to scratch, draw, write'. See
-graph and cp. diagram.
dial, n. — ME., fr. ML. didlis, 'daily', fr. L. dies,
'day'. See dies non and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: dial, tr.v., dial(l)-er, n., dial(l)-ing,
n., dialist (q.v.).
dialect, n. — F. dialect e, fr. L. dialectus, fr. Gk.
dialogue
SidXsx-ro?, 'talk, discourse, conversation, speech,
language; the language of a country, dialect', fr.
8iaXsyEa&ai, 'to converse, talk with, discuss',
middle voice of SiaXeyeiv, 'to pick out, choose',
fr. Sid (see dia-) and Xsyeiv, 'to pick out,
reckon, count, tell, say, speak', which stands in
gradational relationship toXoyoq, 'word, speech,
discourse, account'. See logos and cp. words the-
re referred to.
Derivatives: dialect-al, adj., dialect-al-ly, adv.,
dialectic (q.v.), dialectician (q.v.)
dialectic, adj. — L. dialecticus, fr. Gk. SkxXexti-
xoq, 'skilled in discourse', fr. SidXexToi;. See
dialect and -ic.
dialectic, n., the art of discussion. — OF. (= F.)
dialectique, fr. L. dialectica (scil. ars), fr. Gk.
SiocXsxTod] (scil. texvt]), 'the art of discussion
by question and answer', fem. of SiaXexrixAi;,
'skilled in discourse'. See dialectic, adj.
Derivatives: dialectic-al, adj., dialectic-al-ly, n.
dialectician, n. — F. dialecticien, fr. dialecte. See
dialect and -ician.
dialectology, n., the study of dialects. — See dia-
lect and -logy.
Derivatives: dialectolog-ical, adj., dialectolog-
ist, n.
dialist, n., a maker of dials. — A hybrid coined
fr. dial, a word of Latin origin, and suff. -ist (fr.
Gk. -icttt).;).
Dialister, n., a genus of parasitic bacteria (bac-
teriol.) — ModL., formed fr. dia- and Gk. (sXia-
T7]p, 'filter', which is rel. to 6X7), 'slime, mud',
and cogn. with OI. surah, 'intoxicating drink',
surd, 'brandy', Lith. suld, Lett, sula, 'sap',
OPruss. sub, 'curdled milk', OHG. sullen,
MHG. siiln, G. suhlen, OE. syljan, sylian, 'to
make muddy or dirty'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *sii-l-, enlargement of base *seu-,
'to rain; sap', whence Gk. ueiv, 'to rain', 6et6i;,
'rain'. See hyeto-.
diallage, n., a dark green laminated variety of
pyroxene (mineral.) — F., fr. Gk. SiaXXayvj,
'change', from the stem of SiaXXdaaEiv, 'to
change', which is formed fr. Sid (see dia-) and
dXXdaaEiv, 'to change', fr. &XX01;, 'another'.
See else, and cp. alio-, alias. Cp. also hypallage,
allagite. The mineral was so called in allusion
to the irregular planes of fracture.
diallelon, n., definition in a circle (logic). — Gk.
Si' dXXrjXiov, 'through one another'. See dia- and
allelo-.
dialogic, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a dialogue. — ML. dialogicus, 'pertaining to a
dialogue', fr. Gk. SidXoyo?. See dialogue and -ic.
Derivative: dialogic-al-ly, adv.
dialogist, n., 1) speaker in a dialogue; 2) a writer
of a dialogue. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
SidXoyoi;. See next word.
dialogue, also dialog, n., — F., fr. L. dialogus, fr.
Gk. SidXoyo?, 'conversation, dialogue', fr. 81a-
XEysa&ai, 'to converse'. See dialect and cp. the
second element in monologue.
dialyse
Derivatives: dialogue, dialog, intr. and tr. v.,
dialogu-er, n.
dialyse, v. — See dialyze.
dialysis, n., separation of crystalloids from col-
loids (chem) — L., 'separation', fr. Gk. 8i<x-
Xuaii;, 'separation, dissolution', fr. SiaXiisiv, 'to
part asunder, break off, dissolve', fr. Side (see
dia-) and Xiieiv, 'to loose, loosen'; see -lysis.
The word dialysis was introduced into chemistry
by the Scottish chemist Thomas Graham (1805-
69), the discoverer of this process, in 1861.
dialytic, adj., pertaining to dialysis. — Gk. 81a-
Xuxix6<;, 'able to dissolve', fr. SiaXuxog, 'dis-
solved', verbal adj. of SiaXiieiv, 'to dissolve'.
See prec. word and -ic.
dialyze, also dialyse, tr. v. (chem.) — Back for-
mation fr. dialysis.
Derivative: dialyz-er, dialys-er, n.
diamagnetic, adj., tending to take a position at
right angles to the direction of the magnetic
current. — Formed fr. dia- and magnetic.
Derivative: diamagnetic-al-ly, adv.
diamagnetism, n. — Formed fr. dia- and mag-
netism. See prec. word.
diamantiferous, adj., yielding diamonds. — F.
diamantifire. See diamond and -ferous and cp.
diamondiferous.
diameter, n. — OF. diametre (F. diametre), fr.
L. diametros, fr. Gk. SiafjExpoi; (scil. ypafj.fj.Tf]),
lit. 'a diametral line'. See dia- and meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm'.
Derivatives: diametr-al, adj., diametrical (q.v.)
diametric, diametrical, adj. — Gk. 8ia(j.Expix6i;,
'diametrical', fr. SicqjExpo?. See diameter and
-ic.
Derivative : diametrical-ly, adv.
diamine, also diamin, n., a double amine (chem.)
— Formed fr. di-, 'double', and amine,
diamond, n. — ME. diamant, diamaunt, fr. OF.
diamant, fr. Late L. diamantem, acc. of diamds,
which is a blend of Gk. aSafja;;, 'adamant, dia-
mond', lit. 'unconquerable' and §ia<pavr|<;, 'trans-
parent'. See adament and diaphanous.
Derivatives: diamond, adj. and tr. v., diamond-
ed, adj., diamondize (q.v.)
diamondiferous, adj., yielding diamonds. — A
hybrid coined fr. diamond and L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See diamond and -ferous and cp. dia-
mantiferous.
diamondize, tr. v., to ornament with diamonds.
— A hybrid coined fr. diamond and -ize, a suff.
of Greek origin.
Diana, n., the goddess of the moon and of hunt-
ing in Roman mythology; identified with the
Greek Artemis. — L., earlier Dividna. Accord-
ing to Kretschmer the name means 'belonging
to "Divid, the goddess of the moon' (lit. 'she
who illuminates'), fr. dius, 'divine', which stands
for *diwios and is rel. to divus, 'god, divine',
deus, 'god'. See deity.
Dianthera, n., a genus of plants, the water willow
(bo(.) — ModL., lit. 'having two anthers', fr.
442
di-, 'two', and Gk. av8r)p6<;, 'flowery', fr. av&o;,
'flower'. See anther.
Dianthus, n., a large genus of herbs, the pink and
the carnation (bot.) — ModL., coined by Lin-
naeus fr. Gk. A16?, gen. of Zeuq, 'Zeus', and
av-9-o?, 'flower'. Accordingly the word lit. means
'flower of Zeus'. See Zeus and anther.
diapason, n., the total range of a voice or instru-
ment (music). — L. diapason, 'the whole oc-
tave', fr. Gk. SiocTraatdv, for 81A raea&W (short for
81a ixatxov ^opScov erufi^tovia), 'concord through
all of the notes, the octave', fr. 81a, 'through',
and fern. pi. gen. of tzolq, 'all'. See dia- and pan-.
diapedesis, n., the oozing of blood from the un-
ruptured vessel walls into the tissues (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. ^icad^riaic,, 'a leaping
through', fr. Siaro]8av, 'to leap through', fr. 81a
(see dia-) and 7C7j8av, 'to leap'. See pedesis.
diaper, n. — ME. diaper, diapery, fr. OF. diapre,
fr. earlier diaspre (whence F. diapre, 'diapered,
variegated'), fr. ML. diasprum (whence also It.
diaspro, OProvenc. diaspre, Sp. diaspero, Port.
diaspero, diaspro), 'jasper', fr. L. iaspis, fr. Gk.
fa<i7n<;, 'jasper', ult. fr. Heb. yash e phi h (see
jasper). ML. and Romance di- (in diasprum etc.)
is merely an inexact transliteration of j in L.
jaspis (for L. iaspis). Cp. obsolete E. diasper =
E. jasper.
diaper, tr. v. — Partly fr. OF. diasprer (F. dia-
prer), fr. diaspre, 'diaper', partly fr. diaper, n.
(q.v.)
Derivative: diaper-ing, n.
diaphanous, adj., transparent. — ML. diaphanus,
fr. Gk. 8ia9avTr)(;, 'transparent', fr. Statpatvetv, 'to
show through', fr. Sta (see dia-) and 9ouveiv, 'to
show'. See phantasm and suff. -ous.
Derivatives: diaphanous-ly, adv., diaphanous-
ness, n.
diaphoresis, n., perspiration (med.) — Late L., fr.
Gk. 8i<x!p6p7]cn.<;, 'evaporation, perspiration', fr.
Stacpopstv, 'to spread abroad, disperse, to dissi-
pate by evaporation or perspiration', prop, 'to
carry through', fr. 81a (see dia-) and 9opeiv, freq.
of 9^peiv, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry',
and cp. -phore. Cp. also adiaphorous.
diaphoretic, adj., promoting perspiration. — Late
L. diaphoreticus, fr. Gk. 8ia9opyjTix6?, fr. 81a-
9opeiv. See prec. word and -ic.
diaphragm, n., 1) muscular partition between the
thorax and abdomen ; 2) a vibrating membrane.
— Late L. diaphragma, fr. Gk. 81.a9pa-yfi.ac, 'par-
tition, barrier; muscle which divides the thorax
from the abdomen', fr. Sia9payvuvai, Siot-
9paacreiv, 'to divide off, barricade', fr. 8ia (see
dia-) and 9paYvtivai, 9paa(jsiv, 'to enclose,
fence round', which is cogn. with L. farcire, 'to
stuff', frequens, gen. -entis, 'thronged, pressed
together'. See farce, 'to stuff, cram', and cp.
frequent.
Derivatives: diaphragm, tr. v., diaphragm-al,
adj.
diaphragmatic, adj., pertaining to the diaphragm.
443
diatom
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. Sia9paYfj.a, gen.
8ia9payfiaTo<;. See prec. word.
Derivative : diaphragmatic-al-ly, adv.
diaphysis, n., 1) the shaft of a long bone (tor.);
2) an abnormal prolongation of the axis of
inflorescence (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Siifiucii;,
'germination; division; point of separation;
spinous process of the shinbone', lit. 'a growing
between', fr. 8ta9us<j&ai, 'to grow between', fr.
81a (see dia-) and 96EIV, 'to bring forth, pro-
duce, make to grow'. See physio- and words there
referred to and cp. esp. apophysis, epiphysis.
Derivative: diaphysi-al, adj.
Diaporthe, n., a genus of sac fungi (bot) —
ModL., fr. Gk. Starop^etv, freq. of SiaTxsp&etv,
'to destroy utterly', fr. 8ta (see dia-) and 7tip^eiv,
'to destroy', which is of uncertain origin.
diarchy, n., government by two rulers. — Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and -archy. Cp. triarchy, tetrarchy,
heptarchy.
diarial, adj., pertaining to a diary. — Formed fr.
diary with adj. suff. -al.
diarist, n., one who keeps a diary. — A hybrid
coined fr. diary, a word of Latin origin, and
suff. -ist (fr. Gk. -kjtt)?).
Derivative: diarist-ic, adj.
diarrhea, diarrhoea, n., excessive evacuation of
the bowels. — Late L. diarrhoea, fr. Gk. Scctp-
poia, fr. Siappsiv, 'to flow through', fr. 81a (see
dia-) and psiv, 'to flow'. See rheo- and cp.
-rrhea.
Derivatives: diarrhe-al, diarrhoe-al, diarrhe-ic,
diarrhoe-ic, adjs.
diarthrosis, n., articulation (anat.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. Siapftpcoau;, 'articulation', fr. SiapftpoOv,
'to divide by joints, articulate', fr. 81a (see dia-)
and ap&pouv, 'to connect by a joint', fr. ap&pov,
'joint'. See arthro- and -osis.
diary, n., a daily record. — L. diarium, 'a daily
allowance', later used also in the sense 'diary',
fr. dies, 'day'. See dial and subst. suff. -ary.
Diasia, n., an annual festival in honor of Zeus
Meilichios at Athens (Greek religion). — Gk.
Aiio-La (pi.), lit. 'festival of Zeus', fr. Ai6?, gen.
of Ze'j?. See Zeus.
diaskeuasis, n., revision, recension. — ModL., fr.
Gk. Stxaxe'ja^Eiv, 'to prepare for oneself, re-
vise, edit', fr. Sia (see dia-) and axE'ja^siv. 'to
prepare, make ready, to furnish with something',
fr. ctxeuo?, 'a' vessel, an implement', which is of
uncertain etymology. Cp. parasceve. For the
ending see suff. -asis.
diaskeuast, n., a reviser. — Gk. SiaoxEuaax?;?,
'a reviser, editor', fr. SLaoxE-ji^Etv. See prec.
word and -ast.
Diaspora, n., the Dispersion, the Jews scattered
among the Gentiles after the Babylonian captiv-
ity. — Gk. StaaTTops, 'a scattering about, dis-
persion', fr. StaaneipEiv, 'to scatter about,
distribute', fr. Side (see dia-) and o-TOipeiv, 'to
scatter'. See spore and cp. next word.
diaspore, n., native aluminum hydroxide (HA10 2 )
(chem.) — Gk. Siaarcopot, 'a scattering about'
(see prec. word); so called in allusion to its
strong decrepitation before the blowpipe.
diastaltic, adj., extended (said of intervals) (Greek
music). — Gk. StaaxaXxtxoi;, 'serving to dis-
tinguish', fr. SiaaxEXXEiv, 'to put asunder,
separate, divide, expand, dilate; to distinguish,
define', fr. 81a (see dia-) and ctxeXXsiv, 'to make
ready, set in order, arrange, equip, dispatch,
send', which stands in gradational relationship
to ctoXt), 'equipment, garment'. See stole, 'a long
garment', and cp. diastole.
diastase, n., 1) an amylase; 2) an enzyme (bio-
chemistry). — F., fr. Gk. SiacTTaan;, 'separat-
ion', fr. Suaxavai, 'to separate', lit. 'to stand
apart', fr. 81a (see dia-) and axavai, 'to stand';
see state. Diastase lit. means 'a separating sub-
stance'. It was introduced into French in this
sense by Payen and Persoz in 1833.
diastatic, adj., having the properties of diastase.
— Gk. Sia<jxaxLx6?, 'separating, disintegrat-
ing', fr. Sidcaxaxo?, 'divisible', verbal adj. of
Si'iCTxavai, 'to separate'. See prec. word and -ic.
diastole, n., dilatation of the heart (med) — Gk.
SiaaxoXrj, 'drawing asunder, dilatation; dis-
tinction, difference', fr. SiaaxIXXsiv. See dia-
staltic and cp. systole.
diastyle, n., a colonnade in which the interval
between each pair of columns equals three times
the diameter of one column (archil) — L. dia-
stylos, fr. Gk. SiaoxuXoi;, 'having the space of
three diameters between the columns', fr. Sia
(see dia-) and axuXo?, 'a pillar'. See style,
'gnomon', and cp. words there referred to.
diatessaron, n., a harmony of the four gospels.
— Gk. S'.a xeaaipcov, 'by four', fr. 8ta, 'through,
by means of, by', and gen. of xsaaapE?, 'four'.
See dia- and tessera.
diathermancy, n., the property of transmitting
radiant heat. — F. diathermansie, formed with
suff. -cy from the stem of Gk. 8ia$Ep[j.aivsiv, 'to
warm through', fr. 8ta (see dia-) and 9-Epu.aivEiv,
'to warm, heat'. See therm and cp. athermancy.
diathermanous, adj., transmitting radiant heat. —
Formed fr. dia- the stem of Gk. dEptxaivEiv, 'to
warm, heat' (fr. &£pu.7), 'heat', see therm) and
-ous.
diathermic, adj., diathermanous. — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. Sia&Epfjo?, 'thoroughly warm',
fr. dia- and Sspfxr,, 'heat'. See therm.
diathermy, n., application of heat in the tissues
of the body by means of high-frequency electric
currents. — Medical L. diathermia, coined by
Nagelschmidt in 1908 fr. dia- and -thermy.
diathesis, n., bodily constitution which makes sus-
ceptible to disease (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk.
Sii&scni;, 'a placing in order, arrangement, dis-
position, physical condition', fr. Siaxi&Evai, 'to
place separately, arrange, manage', fr. S'.d (see
dia-) and xiSivoa, 'to put, place'. See theme and
cp. thesis and words there referred to.
diatom, n., any of microscopic unicellular algae
diatomaceous
(bot.) — Gk. 8iaTou.cn;, 'cut through', verbal
adj. of SiaT^jjivetv, 'to cut through', fr. Sia (see
dia-) and t&fjysiv, 'to cut'. See tome and cp.
words there referred to.
diatomaceous, adj., pertaining to, or containing,
diatoms. — Formed fr. Gk. Statofxoi;, 'cut
through' (see prec. word), and suff. -aceous.
diatomic, adj., consisting of two atoms (chem.)
— Compounded of di-, 'two', atom, and -ic.
diatonic, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of, the
standard major or minor scale, without chrom-
atic variations (music). — F. diatonique, fr. L.
diatonicus, fr. Gk. Siaxovixo?, fr. Sia-ravo?, 'ex-
tending; pertaining to the diatonic scale', fr.
StocTetvEiv, 'to stretch out', which is formed
fr. 8ia (see dia-) and teivsiv, 'to stretch'. See
tonic.
diatribe, n., a bitter criticism. — F. diatribe, fr.
L. diatriba, 'a learned disputation', fr. Gk. 8ia-
TpifS^, 'a wearing away', esp. 'a wearing away
of time, amusement, pastime, occupation, la-
bor', fr. Siarptpeiv, 'to rub or wear away, to
wear away time, to spend time', fr. Sia (see
dia-) and -rpfpeiv, 'to rub'. See tribulation.
Derivative: diatribe, intr. v.
diazo-, before a vowel diaz-, combining form de-
noting compounds in which two nitrogen atoms
are united with one hydrocarbon radical (chem.)
— Coined fr. di-, 'two', and azo-.
dib, n., knucklebone; a game with knucklebones.
— Prob. fr. obsol. dib, a weakened form of dab,
'to strike lightly'.
dibasic, adj., having two atoms of hydrogen re-
placeable by bases (chem.) — Formed fr. di-,
'two', and basic.
dibber, n. — See next word.
dibble, also dibber, n., a pointed implement for
making holes. — Formed with instrumental
suff. -le fr. obsolete dib, 'to strike lightly'. See
dib, 'knucklebone'.
Derivative: dibble, tr. v.
dibbuk, n., the soul of a dead sinner that attaches
itself to the body of a living man (Jewish folk-
lore). — Mishnaic Heb. dibbuq, 'a joining, at-
tachment', fr. dibbiq, 'he joined together', fr.
Heb. ddbhdq, 'he clung, cleaved, kept close to,
attached himself, which is rel. to Aram.-Syriac
d e bhdq, d i bhiq, Arab, ddbiqa, of s.m.
dicast, n., a judge (Greek antiq.) — Gk. Sixain-/];,
'a judge', fr. Sixa'ew, 'to judge', fr. Sixr;,
custom, usage, order right', which is rel. to Seix-
vivai, 'to show', fr. I.-E. base *deik-, 'to show,
point out', whence also L. dicere, 'to say, tell'.
See diction and cp. the second element in
Eurydice.
dicastery, n., the body of dicasts (Greek antiq.) —
Gk. StxacjTTjpiov, 'a court of justice, the court',
fr. Sixaa-rrj;. See prec. word,
dice, n. — PI. of die.
Derivatives : dice, tr. v., dic-er, n., dic-ing, n.
Dicentra, n., a genus of plants of the family Fu-
mariaceae (60/.) — ModL., lit. 'having two
spurs', fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. x£vxpov, 'spur'.
See center.
dich-, form dicho- befoie a vowel.
dichlamydeous, adj., having calyx and corolla
(bot.) — Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. x* a ! J -'- l S>
gen. y\a.\Lxi&oc,, 'mantle, cloak'. See chlamys.
dicho-, before a vowel dich-, combining form
meaning 'in two, asunder'. — Gk. 8ix°-, Six-,
fr. 8tx<x, 'in two, asunder, apart from, separate-
ly', which is rel. to 81?, 'twice'. See di-, 'two',
and cp . disso- and the first element in dittography .
dichogamous, adj., characterized by dichogamy
(bot.) — See next word and -ous.
dichogamy, n., maturation of the stamens and
pistils at different times (bot.) — Compounded
of Gk. 8£xoc, 'in two, apart', and ydc(io<;, 'mar-
riage'. See dicho- and -gamy.
dichotomous, adj., branching in pairs (bot.) —
See next word and -ous.
Derivative: dichotomous-ly, adv.
dichotomy, n., division into two parts; branching
in pairs (bot) — Compounded of dicho- and
Gk. --rojxta, 'a cutting of. See -tomy.
Derivative: dichotom-ic, adj.
dichroic, adj. characterized by dichroism. — See
next word and -ic.
dichroism, n., the property of certain crystals to
exhibit different colors when viewed from differ-
ent angles (crystallogr.) — Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. 8ixpoo<;, 'two-colored', fr. 81- (see
di-, 'two') and XP^S. g en - XP"' ? (I° n - XP°6?)>
'skin; color of the skin, color'. See chrome.
dichromatic, adj., having two colors. — Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and chromatic.
dichromic, adj., able to distinguish only two of
the three primary colors. — Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. 8ixpo>(xo<;, 'two-colored', fr. 81- (see
di-, 'two') and xp£>H<*> 'color'. See chrome.
dick, n., fellow. — Fr. Dick, short for Dickon,
Dickens, popular forms of Richard. Cp.
dickens.
dick, n. (in the phrase to take one's dick) (slang).
— Short for declaration,
dickens, n., the devil. — From the name Dickens,
alteration of Dickon, a popular form of Richard.
Cp. dick, 'fellow',
dicker, n., the number ten; esp. ten hides; a set
of ten things. — Rel. to MLG. deker, MHG.
techer, decker, G. Decher, 'set of ten things'; fr.
L. decuria, 'a company of ten', which was fr.
decern, 'ten', on the analogy of centuria, 'a
division of a hundred things of one kind' (from
centum, 'a hundred'). See decern-, deca- and
cp. decury.
dicker, intr. and tr. v., to haggle. — Fr. prec.
word. The original meaning of the verb was 'to
haggle about the price of ten hides'.
Dicksonia, n., name of a genus of ferns of the
polypody family (bot.) — ModL., named after
the English botanist James Dickson (1738-
1822). For the ending see suff. -ia.
dicky, dickey, n., 1) a donkey; 2) a small bird;
445
didactic
3) a false shirt front. — Fr. the PN. Dick. See
dick, 'fellow',
dicky, adj., shaky (slang). — Prob. of the same
origin as prec. word,
diclinous, adj., having the androecium and the
gynoecium in separate flowers (bot.) — Lit.
'having two beds', fr. Gk. 81-, 'two', and xXfvi),
'bed'. See di- 'two', clinic and -ous.
dicotyledon, n., a plant with two cotyledons (bot.)
— Formed fr. di-, 'two', and cotyledon.
Dicotyledones, n. pi., one of the two subclasses of
angiospermous plants (bot.) — ModL. See prec.
word.
dicotyledonous, adj., 1) having two cotyledons;
2) pertaining to the Dicotyledones (bot.) — See
di-, 'two', cotyledon and -ous.
dicoumarin, also dicoumarol, n., a white crystal-
line compound used as an anticoagulant (med.)
— Formed fr. di-, 'two, double', and coumarin.
For the ending of dicoumarol see suff. -ol.
dicrotic, adj., doubly pulsating (so that two beats
of the artery correspond to one of the pulse
(med.) — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. Sixpoxoi;,
'double beating', fr. 81- (see di-, 'two, double'),
and the stem of xpoxsiv, 'to beat, strike'. See
Crotalus.
dicrotism, n., dicrotic condition. — See dicrotic
and -ism.
Dicruridae, n. pi., a family of birds, the drongo
(prnithol.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. Sixpooi;, SLxpou?, 'forked', and oupa, 'tail'.
The first element prob. meant orig. 'two-horn-
ed', and stands for 'SL-xpof-o?, a compound
formed fr. 81- (see di-, 'two') and a word rel.
to xepoes, 'horn' (see cerato-). For the seond
element see uro-, 'tail'.
Dictamnus, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) — L. dictamnus. See dittany.
dictaphone, n., a phonographic instrument for
recording and reproducing. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. dictare, 'to dictate', and Gk. cptovV), 'sound,
voice'. See dictate and phone, 'speech, sound'.
dictate, tr. and intr. v. — L. dictdtus, pp. of die-
tare, 'to say often, pronounce repeatedly, dic-
tate (for writing)', freq. of dicere (pp. dictus),
'to say'. See diction and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
dictum, dight, ditty, indict.
dictate, n. — L. dictdtum, 'something dictated',
neut. pp. of dictare. See dictate, v.
dictation, n. — ML. dictdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
dictdtus, pp. of dictare. See dictate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: dictation-al, adj.
dictator, n. — L. dictator, fr. dictdtus, pp. of die-
tare. See dictate and agential suff. -or.
dictatorial, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. dictdtorius, fr. dictator. See prec. word.
Derivatives: dictatorial-ly, adv., dictatorial-
ness, n.
diction, n. — L. dictid, gen. -dnis, 'a saying,
speaking, speech, diction', fr. dictus, pp. of di-
cere, 'to say, tell, mention, relate, affirm', orig.
'to show', rel. to dicdre, 'to proclaim, dedicate,
consecrate, devote', and to Oscan deikum,
deicum, 'to speak', fr. I.-E. base *deik-, *dik-,
'to show, point out', whence also L. digitus,
'finger' (lit. 'pointer'), the second element in L.
ju-dex, 'judge' (lit. 'he who shows or teaches
justice'), in-dex, forefinger, index' (lit. 'pointer'),
and OI. disdti, 'shows', disa, 'direction', desdh,
'region', Hitt. tekkushami, 'I show', Gk.
Seixvuvai, 'to show', Sixtj, 'custom, usage, or-
der, right', Goth, ga-teihan, 'to announce', OE.
teon (for *tih-an), 'to accuse', tdcen, tden, 'sign,
token', txcan, 'to show, teach'. Cp. teach and
words there referred to. Cp. also abdicate, addict,
apodictic, benediction, benison, condition, con-
tradict, dedicate, deictic, dicast, dictate, diction-
ary, dictum, dight, digit, ditto, edict, endeictic,
epidictic, fatidic, index, indicate, indicia, indict,
indite, interdict, judge, judicial, juridical, juris-
diction, malediction, malison, paradigm, policy,
'document', preach, preconize, predicate, predict,
soi-disant, swadeshi, syndic, valediction, verdict,
veridical, vindicate.
dictionary, n. — ML. dictidndrium (whence also
F. dictionnaire), prop, 'a book of sayings', fr. L.
dictid, gen. -dnis, 'a saying'. See prec. word and
subst. suff. -ary.
dictograph, n., a telephonic instrument, used for
transmitting conversations, etc. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. dictum, 'a saying, word', and Gk.
-Yptxtpoq, fr. ypacpeiv, 'to write'. See next word
and -graph.
dictum, n., a saying, maxim, proverb. — L., lit.
'something said', neut. pp. of dicere, 'to say'.
See diction.
dicty-, form of dictyo- before a vowel.
Dictynidae, n. pi., a family of spiders (zoul.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. Sixtuov,
'net*, lit. 'that which is thrown or cast', fr.
Sixeiv, 'to throw, cast', whence also Sictxoi; (dis-
similated fr. *8ix-oxoc), 'quoit, dish'. See dish
and cp. next word. Cp. also the second element
in Eriodicytion.
Dictynna, n., a Cretan goddess (Greek mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. AtxTuvva, lit. 'she who is associat-
ed with a net', fr. SCxtuov (see prec. word); so
called because when, being pursued by Minos,
she had thrown herself into the sea, fishermen
rescued her in a net.
dictyo-, before a vowel dicty-, combining form
meaning 'net'. — Gk. Sixtuo-, Sixtu-, fr.
SixTuov, 'net'. See Dictynidae.
did, past tense of do. — ME. dude, dide, fr. OE.
dyde, fr. don. See do.
Didache, n., a Christian treatise of the second
century (eccles.) — Gk. StSayr), 'teaching', from
the stem of SiSscjxeiv, 'to learn'. See didactic.
didactic, adj., used for teaching; instructive. —
Gk. StSax-rixo?, 'skilled in teaching', fr. SiSax-
to<;, 'taught', pp. of SiSacxeiv, 'to teach', prob.
dissimulated fr. *8i-8ax-ax£ii/ and cogn. with L.
discere (for *didk-skere), 'to learn', fr. I.-E. base
*dek-, 'to take, receive, accept; acceptable, be-
didapper
coming good', whence also L. decere, 'to be
fitting or seemly'. See decent and cp. docile. Cp.
also autodidact.
didapper, n., the small grebe or dabchick. — Late
ME. dydoppar, for dive dapper (which occurs in
Shakespeare). Cp. OE. diifedoppa, 'pelican', and
see dive and dip. Cp. also dap, dabchick.
diddle, tr. v., to swindle. — Back formation from
Jeremy Diddler, name of a swindling character
in James Kenney's farce Raising the Wind ( 1 803).
Etymologically, the name Diddler is prob. con-
nected with OE. dydrian, 'to deceive'.
diddle, intr. v., to move up and down, or to and
fro. — Prob. of imitative origin. Cp. dial. E.
didder, 'to tremble'.
Didelphia, n., the group of marsupials (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'having a double uterus', fr. di- 'two,
double', and Gk. SsXtpui;, 'womb, uterus', which
is rel. to aSsXcpo;, 'brother', lit. 'from the same
womb'. See adelpho- and -ia.
Dido, n., foundress and queen of Carthage. —
L. Dido, fr. Gk. AiSco, of Phoen.-Heb. origin.
The name prob. means 'beloved'. Cp. Heb. dddh,
'beloved, father's brother', dddhtm, 'love'. Cp.
also David.
dido, n., a trick; a caper (U.S., colloq.) — Of un-
certain origin.
didrachma, didrachm, n., an ancient Greek silver
coin, a two-drachma piece'. — Late L. didrach-
ma, fr. Gk. SiSpa/jj-ov, 'a two-drachma piece',
fr. St.- (see di-, 'two') and Spa/jjiv), 'drachm'. See
drachma.
didymium, n., name of a rare metal (chem.) —
ModL., coined by its discoverer, the Swedish
chemist Carl Gustav Mosander (1797-1858), fr.
Gk. SiS'Jixo;, 'twin', which is formed fr. St-,
(rel. to Stq, 'twice'), and -8'J(ao; (rel. to Suo,
'two'); see di- and dual. Mosander thought that
this metal consisted of one single element and
called this alleged element didymium, 'the twin
element', because it is always found associated
with another element, the lanthanum. Cp. neo-
dymium, praseodymium, tetradymite, tridymite,
Cp. also epididymis.
die, n, cube. — ME. dee, fr. OF. de (F. de), fr. L.
datus, pp. of dare, 'to give', used as a noun. Cp.
It., Sp., Port, dado, OProvenc. dat, 'die', and see
date, 'point of time'. Cp. also dado.
die, intr. v. — ME. dien, deyen, fr. ON. deyja,
rel. to Dan. de, Swed. do, 'to die', OFris. deja,
'to kill', OS. ddian, OHG. touwen, Goth, diwans,
'mortal', fr. Teut. base *dau-, 'to die'. See dead
and cp. words there referred to.
dielectric adj., nonconducting (electr.) — Form-
ed fr. di- (form of dia- before a vowel) and
electric.
Derivative: dielectric, n.
Diervilla, n., a genus of plants, the bush honey-
suckles (hot.) — ModL., named by the botanist
Tourneville in honor of N. Diereviile, a sur-
geon, who brought this plant from Canada to
Tourneville in 1699.
446
Diesel engine, also diesel, n. — Named after its
inventor Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913).
Derivatives: dieselize, tr. v., diesel-iz-ation, n.
Dies irae, name of a Medieval Latin hymn, ascrib-
ed to Thomas of Celano, who lived in the first
half of the thirteenth cent. — Lit. 'the day of
wrath'; so called from the first two words of the
hymn. See dies non and ire.
diesis, n., 1) the Pythagorean semitone in ancient
Greek music; 2) the difference between a major
and a minor semitone (ratio 125:128); 3) the
sign sharp (#) (music). — L., fr. Gk. SUait;, 'a
quarter tone', lit. 'a letting through', fr. Stt£-
vai, 'to send through', fr. 81-, form of 81a be-
fore a vowel (see dia-) and Eevoa, 'to send',
which stands for *yi-ye-nai, and is cogn. with
h.jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and
cp. aphesis.
dies non, a day on which no legal business is
carried on. — L. dies non (jiiridicus), lit. 'a not
juridical day'. L. dies, 'day', derives fr. I.-E.
base *dei-, *deyd-, *di-, *dyd-, 'to shine'. See
deity and cp. dial, diary, diet, 'assembly', diur-
nal, diuturnal, journal, and the second element
in hodiernal, meridian, Midi, quotidian. For L.
non, 'not', see non-.
diet, n., a parliamentary assembly. — ML. dieta,
'an appointed day' (whence also F. diete, 'par-
liamentary assembly), fr. L. dies, 'day' (see dies
non): prop, a loan translation of G. Tag, 'day',
in the sense of 'parliamentary assembly'. For
sense development cp. landtag and words there
referred to.
diet, n., fare, food. — ME. diete, fr. OF. diete
(F. diete), fr. L. diaeta, 'mode of living', fr. Gk.
Siatxa, 'the office of an arbiter; mode of living;
dwelling, abode', back formation fr. Stairav,
'to maintain, support', which is formed fr. Sl-
(form of Sia before a vowel') and alaa (for
♦atria), 'share, lot, destiny'. See dia- and etio-.
Derivatives: diet, tr. v., to prescribe a diet, diet-
ary, adj., diet-er, n.
dietetic, also dietetical, adj., pertaining to diet. —
— Gk. Smv^Tixoi;, 'of, or pertaining to, diet',
fr. SiociTa. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: dietetical-ly, adv., dietet-ics, n.
dietician, dietitian, n., an expert in dietetics. —
Formed fr. diet, 'fare, food', on analogy of
phys-ician.
dif-, assimilated form of dis- before /
differ, intr. v. — F. differer, fr. L. differre, 'to
carry away, scatter, disperse, protract, delay,
differ', fr. dis- and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See
bear, 'to carry',
difference, n. — F. difference, fr. L. differentia,
'diversity, difference', fr. differens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
Derivative: difference, tr. v.
different, adj. — F. different, fr. L. differentem,
acc. of differens, pres. part, of differre. See differ
and -ent.
Derivatives: different-ly, adv., different-ness, n.
447
digestive
differentia, n., a distinguishing attribute or char-
acteristic (logic). — L. See difference.
differential, adj. — ML. differentidlis, fr. L. dif-
ferentia. See difference and adj. suff. al.
Derivatives: differential, n., differential-ly, adv.
differentiate, tr. and intr. v. — ML. differentid-
tus, pp. of differential, which was formed fr.
L. differentia. See difference and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: differentiat-ion, n.
difficile, adj., difficult. — F., fr. L. difficilis, 'diffi-
cult'. See difficult, difficulty.
difficult, adj. — Back formation fr. difficulty.
difficulty, n. — ME. difficultee, fr. OF. difficulte
(F. difficulte), fr. L. difficultatem, acc. of diffi-
cultds, 'difficulty, distress, poverty', formed fr.
difficilis, 'difficult', on analogy of facultds, 'capa-
bility, power'. Difficilis is formed fr. dis- and
facilis, 'easy'; see facile and cp. faculty. For the
change of Latin a (in facilis) to i (in dif-ficilis)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
diffidence, n. — L. diffidentia, 'want of confi-
dence, distrust, diffidence', fr. diffidens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce.
diffident, adj. — L. diffidens, gen. -entis, pres.
part of diffidere, 'to distrust, be diffident, des-
pair', fr. dis- and fidere, 'to trust'. See fidelity
and -ent.
Derivatives: diffident-ly, adv., diffident-ness, n.
difffuence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
diffluent, adj., tending to melt or dissolve, liquid.
— L. diffluens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of difflu-
ere, 'to flow away, melt away', fr. dis- and fluere,
'to flow'. See fluent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
difform, adj., 1) differing in form; 2) of irregular
form. — ML. difformis, fr. dis- and L. forma,
'form, shape'. See form, n., and cp. deform.
Derivatives: difform-ed, adj., difformity (q.v.)
difformity, n. — F. difformite, fr. ML. difformi-
tdtem, acc. of difformitds, fr. difformis. See prec.
word and -ity.
diffract, tr. v., to break into parts. — L. dif-
fractus, pp. of diffringere, 'to break in pieces, to
shatter', fr. dis- and frangere, 'to break'. See
fraction.
Derivatives: diffraction (q.v.), diffract-ive, adj.,
diffract-ive-ly, adv., diffract-ive-ness, n.
diffraction, n. — ModL. diffractid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. diffractus, pp. of diffringere. See prec.
word and -ion.
diffuse, adj., spread, scattered. — L. diffusus, pp.
of diffundere. See diffuse, v.
Derivatives: diffuse-ly, adv., diffuse-ness, n.
diffuse, tr. and intr. v., to spread, scatter. — L.
diffusus, pp. of diffundere, 'to pour forth, spread
about', fr. dis- and fundere, 'to pour, melt'. See
fuse, 'to melt'.
Derivatives: diffus-ed, adj., diffus-ed-ly, adv.,
diffus-ed-ness, n., diffus-er, n., diffus-ible, adj.,
diffus-ibil-ity, n., diffus-ible-ness, a., diffusion
(q.v.)
diffusiometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the rate of diffusion of liquids or gases. — A
hybrid coined fr. L. diffusid and Gk. uiTpov,
'measure'. See diffusion and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
diffusion, n. — L. diffusid, gen. -dnis, 'a pouring
forth, spreading about', fr. diffusus, pp. of dif-
fundere. See diffuse, v., and -ion.
dig, tr. and intr. v. — ME. diggen, fr. F. diguer,
'to make a dike, to dam, excavate; to spur (a
horse)', fr. digue, 'dike, dam'. See digue.
Derivatives: dig, n., digg-er, n., digg-ing, n.
digamist, n., one who marries for the second time
(in contradistinction to bigamist, which denotes
a man who has two wives or a woman who has
two husbands at the same time). — See digamy
and -ist.
digamma, n., the letter F, sixth letter of the ori-
ginal Greek alphabet, corresponding to, and
pronounced like, the Semitic waw (i.e. approxi-
mately like an English w). The letter digamma
was later disused. — Gk. 8iyau.u.a, formed fr.
8t- and yam^a., lit. 'two gammas' (see di-, 'two',
and gamma); so called from its shape (F), which
resembles two gammas set one above the other.
digamous, adj., married for a second time. —
Late L. digamus, fr. Gk. Siyaixoi;, fr. Si- (see di-,
'two') and y<*[J-os, 'marriage'. See -gamy and
-ous.
digamy, n., second marriage (in contradistinction
to bigamy, which denotes the state of having
two wives or husbands at the same time). — Late
L. digamia, fr. Gk. Sty^ta, 'a second marriage',
fr. 81- (see di-, 'two') and ya(ioi;, 'marriage'.
See -gamy and cp. monogamy, bigamy, poly-
gamy.
digastric, adj., having two swollen ends (said of
muscles) (anat.) — Lit. 'having two bellies', fr.
di- 'two', and YaaTrjp, gen. yaoxpA;, 'belly'.
See gastric.
digest, tr. v., 1) to arrange systematically; 2) to
prepare (food in the stomach) for assimilation ;
intr. v., to be digested. — L. digestus, pp. of di-
gerere, 'to carry apart, distribute, divide, spread
about', fr. di-, 'apart', and gerere, 'to carry'.
See gerent.
Derivatives: digest, n. (q.v.), digest-ed, adj.,
digest-ed-ly, adv., digest-ed-ness, n., digest-er,n.,
digestible (q.v.), digestion (q.v.), digestive (q.v.)
digest, n., a collection; a summary. — L. digesta,
'a digested collection of writings', lit. 'digested
things', pi. neut. of digestus, pp. of digerere.
See digest, v.
digestible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. digest ibilis, fr.
digestus, pp. of digerere. See digest, v., and -ible.
Derivatives: digestibil-ity, n., digestible-ness, n.,
digestibl-y, adv.
digestion, n. — F., fr. L. digestidnem, acc. of
digestid, 'a dividing of food, digestion', fr. di-
gestus, pp. of digerere. See digest, v., and -ion.
Derivative: digestion-al, adj.
digestive, adj. pertaining to digestion. — ■ F. di-
dight
gestif (fern, digestive), fr. Late L. digestivus,
'pertaining to digestion', fr. L. digestus, pp. of
digerere. See digest, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: digestive-ly, adv., digestive-ness, n.
dight, tr. v., to adorn (poetic). — ME. dihten, fr.
OE. dihtan, 'to dictate, guide, compose, set in
order', fr. L. dictdre, 'to dictate' (whence also
OHG. dihtdn, tihtdn, 'to write, compose', MHG.
tihten, G. dichten, 'to write poetry'). See dictate, v.
digit, n., i) a ringer or toe; 2) any figure from o to
9. — L. digitus, 'finger, toe', prob. dissimilated
fr. orig. *dic-itus, prop, 'pointer', fr. I.-E. base
*deik-, 'to show', whence also OE. take, td, 'toe'.
See diction and cp. toe. Cp. also interdigitate,
dital, and the second element in hallux.
digital, adj., pertaining to the fingers. — L. di-
gitalis, fr. digitus. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
digitalin, n., an extract obtained from the foxglove
(chem.) — See next word and chem. suff. -in.
Digitalis, n., 1) a genus of plants of the figwort
family, the foxglove (bot.); 2) (not cap.) a
medicine obtained from the purple foxglove. — ■
ModL., coined by the German botanist Leon-
hard Fuchs (1501-66) in 1542 fr. L. digitalis,
'pertaining to the fingers' (see digital), as a loan
translation of G. Fingerhut, 'thimble; foxglove'
(so called in allusion to the finger-shaped co-
rollas).
Digitaria, n., a genus of plants, the finger grass
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. digitus, 'finger'. See digit
and the suffixes -ar and -ia.
digitate, adj., having separate fingers or toes. —
L. digitatus, 'having fingers or toes', coined by
Pliny fr. digitus, 'finger'. See digit and adj. suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: digitat-ed, adj., digitation (q.v.)
digitation, n., a fingerlike process. — Medical
L., formed fr. L. digitatus. See prec. word and
-ion.
digitigrade, adj., walking on the toes (zool.) —
F., compounded of L. digitus, 'finger, toe', and
gradi, 'to walk', which is rel. to gradus, 'step'.
See digit and grade,
diglot, adj., bilingual. — Gk. 8iyXg>tto<;, fr. Si-
(see di-, 'two') and yXtoxTa, yXcoaaa, 'tongue'.
See gloss, 'interpretation',
diglyph, n., a projecting tablet with two grooves
(archil.) — Gk. StyXufpo:;, 'doubly indented',
fr. Si- (see di-, 'two') and yX^eiv, 'to carve'.
See glyph and cp. triglyph.
dignification, n. — ML. dignificdlid, gen. -dnis,
fr. dignificdtus, pp. of dignificdre. See next word
and -ation.
dignify, tr. v., — OF. dignifier, fr. ML. dignifi-
cdre, formed fr. L. dignus, 'worthy', and -ficdre,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See dignity and -fy.
Derivatives: dignifi-ed, adj., dignifi-ed-ly, adv.,
dignifi-ed-ness, n.
dignitary, n. — Formed with suff. -ary. fr. L.
dignitds. See next word.
dignity, n. — OF. dignete (F. dignite), fr. L. dig-
nitatem, acc. of dignitds, 'worth, merit, desert,
authority, rank, power', fr. dignus, 'suitable, fit,
becoming, proper, worthy', which stands for
*dec-nos and is rel. to L. decere, 'to be fitting
or seemly'. See decent and -ity and cp. dainty,
deign, condign, indign.
digraph, n., a group of two letters representing
a single sound. — Formed fr. di-, 'two', and
ypatprj, 'a writing', fr. ypacpciv, 'to write'. See
-graph.
digress, intr. v. — L. digressus, pp. of digredi,
'to step aside, depart, deviate, digress', fr. di-,
'apart', and gradi, 'to step, walk', which is rel.
to gradus, 'step'. See grade. For the change of
Latin a (in gradi) to e (in di-grgssus) see congress.
Derivatives: digression (q.v.), digress-ive, adj.,
digress-ive-ly, adv., digress-ive-ness, n., digress-
ory, adj.
digression, n. — L. digressid, gen. -dnis, 'a going
away, departing', fr. digressus, pp. of digredi.
See prec. word and -ion and cp. degression.
Derivatives: digression-al, digression-ary, adjs.
digue, n., a dike. — F., 'dike, dam' (whence also
It. diga, Sp., Port, dique), fr. MDu. dijc (Du.
dijk), 'dike'. See dike and cp. dig.
dihedral, adj., having two plane faces. — Formed
fr. di- 'two', and Gk. eSpS, 'seat; base, side,
face'. See sedentary and cp. -hedral.
Derivative: dihedral, n.
dik-dik, n., a small antelope of North East Africa.
— Abyssinian native name,
dike, also dyke, n. — ME. dik, fr. OE. die. See
ditch, which is a doublet of dike.
dike, dyke, tr. v. — Fr. dike, dyke, n. Cp. OE.
dician.
Derivative: dik-er, dyk-er, n.
diksha, n., initiation preceding certain cere-
monies (Hinduism). — OI. diksd (for *didk-sd),
'initiation', rel. to ddksah, 'apt, clever', ddsti, 'he
honors', fr. I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take,
receive, accept; acceptable, becoming, good',
whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'.
See decent and cp. words there referred to.
dilacerate, tr. v., to tear to pieces. — L. dilace-
rdtus, pp. of dilacerdre, fr. di-, 'asunder', and
lacerdre, 'to tear to pieces, to rend'. See
lacerate.
dilaceration, n. — L. dilacerdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
tearing to pieces', fr. dilacerdtus, pp. of dilace-
rdre. See prec. word and -ion.
dilantin, n., a drug used in the treatment of
epilepsy. — Short for <//pheny/-hyda/ifo/«-so-
dium.
dilapidate, tr. v., to ruin partially, squander,
waste; intr. v., to fall into decay. — L. dilapi-
date, pp. of dilapiddre, 'to throw away, squan-
der, waste', lit. 'to scatter like stones', fr. di-,
'apart, asunder', and lapiddre, 'to throw stones
at', fr. lapis, gen. lapidis, 'stone'. See lapidary
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : dilapidat-ed, adj., dilapidation(q.\.).
dilapidation, n. — L. dilapiddtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
449
dime
squandering, wasting', fr. dilapiddtus, pp. of di-
lapiddre. See prec. word and -ion.
dilatable, adj. — Formed witlj suff. -able fr. L.
dildtdre. See dilate.
Derivatives: dilatabil-ity, n., dilatable-ness, n.,
dilatabl-y, adv.
dilatate, adj., dilated, enlarged. — L. dildtdtus,
pp. of dildtdre. See dilate, 'to become wider',
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: dilatation (q.v.), dilatat-ive, adj.
dilatation, n. — OF. dilatation, fr. Late L. di-
latdtionem, acc. of dildtdtid, 'a widening, en-
largement, extending', fr. L. dildtdtus, pp. of
dildtdre. See next word and -ion.
dilate, intr. v., to become wider; tr. v., to make
wider. — F. dilater, fr. L. dildtdre, 'to widen,
enlarge, extend', fr. di-, 'apart', and latus,
'broad'. See latitude.
Derivatives: dilate, adj., dilat-ant, adj. and n.,
dilat-ancy, n., dilatate (q.v.), dilat-ed, adj.,
dilat-er, n., dilat-ion, n., dilat-ive, adj., dilator
(q.v.), dilatory (q.v.)
dilate, tr. v., to delay (obsol.) — F. dilater, fr.
Late L. dildtdre. See dilatory.
Derivative: dilat-ion, n.
dilatometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
dilatation of a substance. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. dildtdre, 'to widen, enlarge', and Gk.
uirpov, 'measure'. See dilate, 'to become wider',
and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
dilator, n., a delayer. — L. dilator, fr. dildtus, pp.
of differre. See next word and agential suff. -or.
dilatory, adj., causing delay. — Late L. dildtdrius,
'dilatory', fr. L. dilator, 'a delayer', fr. dildtus
(used as pp. of differre, 'to defer, delay'), fr. di- and
latus (used as pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'),
which stands for *tldtos, fr. *tj-, zero degree of
I.-E. base *tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence
L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear,
support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: dilatori-ly, adv., dilatori-ness, n.
dilemma, n., a choice between two unpleasant
alternatives; a quandary. — Late L., fr. Gk.
8&7i|jt.u.a, 'a double proposition, dilemma', fr.
81- (see di-, 'two') and Xiju.u.a, 'assumption', lit.
'something received, something taken for
granted'. See lemma and cp. trilenuna.
dilemmatic, dilemmatical, adj., pertaining to a
dilemma. — Formed with suff. -ic, resp. -ic and
-al, fr. Gk. 81X7)u.u.a, gen. SiXruztiaeroi;. See next
word.
dilettante, n., a superficial amateur. — It., pres.
part, of dilettarsi, 'to take delight in', reflexive
of dilettare, 'to delight', fr. L. delectdre, 'to de-
light'. See delight and cp. delectation.
Derivatives: dilettante, n. and intr. v., dilettant-
ism, n., dilettant-ist, n.
diligence, n., assiduity. — F., 'diligence, applicat-
ion; haste, speed, dispatch', fr. L. diligent ia,
'attentiveness, carefulness, diligence', fr. diligens,
gen. -entis. See diligent and -ce.
diligence, n., a public stagecoach. — F., short for
earlier carrosse de diligence, 'coach of speeds'.
See prec. word.
diligent, adj. — F., fr. L. diligens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of diligere, 'to value highly, love',
which stands for *dislegere and orig. meant 'to
pick out, select', fr. dis- and legere, 'to pick
out, choose; to read'. See lecture and -ent and
cp. predilection. For the change of Latin e (in
legere) to i (in di-ligere) see abstinence and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: diligent-ly, adv., diligent-ness, n.
dill, n. — ME. dile, dille, fr. OE. dile, rel. to OS.
dilli, MDu., Du. dille, Swed. dill, Dan. diid,
OHG. tilli, tilla, MHG. tille, dille, G. Dill.
dilly, n., a small tree, Mimusops sieberi. — Aphe-
tic for sapodilla.
dillydally, intr. v. — Antiphonic reduplication
of dally.
diluent, adj., diluting. — L. dtluens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of diluere. See next word and -ent.
Derivative: diluent, n., a diluting agent,
dilute, tr. v., to thin, weaken. — L. dilutus, pp.
of diluere, 'to wash away, dissolve, dilute', fr.
di-, 'apart, asunder', and lucre, 'to wash'. See
lave and cp. deluge, diluvian.
Derivatives: dilut-ed, adj., dilut-ed-ly, adv.,
dilut-ed-ness, n., dilut-ion, n.
dilute, adj., diluted. — L. dilutus, pp. of diluere.
See dilute, v.
Derivatives: dilute-ly, adv., dilute-ness, n.
diluvial, adj., pertaining to the flood. — Late L.
diluvidlis, fr. L. diluvium. See diluvium and adj.
suff. -al.
diluvialist, n., an adherent of diluvianism. —
Formed with suff. -ist fr. Late L. diluvidlis. See
prec. word.
diluvian, adj., pertaining to the flood. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. diluvium. See diluvium.
diluvianism, n., the theory that many geological
phenomena are due to the Deluge. — Formed
with suff. -ism fr. L. diluvium. See next word.
diluvium, n., an accumulation of sand and gravel
(geol.) — L. diluvium, 'flood, deluge', fr. diluere,
'to wash away' fr. di-, 'apart', and luere, 'to
wash, lave, cleanse'. See lave and cp. deluge.
The accumulation of sand was formerly attri-
buted to the Deluge, whence its name diluvium.
dim, adj. — ME. dimm, dim, fr. OE. dimme,
dimm, 'dark, obscure; unknown; wicked', rel.
to ON. dimmr, OFris. dim, OHG., MHG. tim-
ber, 'dark, black, somber', and prob. cogn.
with Gk. OcpLepoi;, 'grave, austere', Hey^pd-r.ic,,
'of grave countenance', MIr. dem, 'black, dark'.
Cp. damp, dump.
dime, n., the tenth part of a dollar. — ME. dime,
fr. OF. disme, dime (F. dime), 'a tenth part,
tithe', fr. L. decima, fern, of decimus, 'the tenth',
fr. decern, 'ten'. Cp. It. decima, OProvenc. des-
ma,'a. tenth part', which derive fr. L. decima, and
OProvenc. desmo, Sp. diezmo, of same meaning,
which come fr. L. decimus. See decern-, decimal.
dimension
450
dimension, n. — F., fr. L. diminsidnem, acc. of
diminsid, 'a measuring', fr. dimensus, pp. of
dimetiri, 'to measure out', fr. di-, 'apart', and
metiri, 'to measure'. See measure and -ion.
Derivatives: dimension-al, adj., dimension-al-
ity, n., dimension-al-ly, adv.
dimensionless, adj. — Formed fr. dimension and
-less; first used by Milton.
dimerous, adj., having two parts. — Formed fr.
di-, 'two', Gk. [jipoc, 'part' (see mero-), and suff.
-ous (fr. L. -dsus). See mero-.
dimeter, n., a verse consisting of two measures
(prosody). — Late L. dimeter, fr. Gk. Siu-STpo.;,
'(a verse) having two measures', fr. St- (see di-,
'two') and (jtixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
dimidiate, adj., divided into halves. — L. dimi-
didtus, 'halved', pp. of dimididre, 'to divide in-
to two equal parts', which stands for *dis-
mediare and lit. means 'to go through the mid-
dle', fr. dis- and medium, 'middle', neut. of
medius, 'middle'. L. dimidius, 'half, is back
formation fr. dimididre. See medium and adj.
suff. -ate and cp. demi-. For the change of Latin
e (in medius) to / (in dl-midiare) see abstinent
and cp. words there referred to.
dimidiation, n., division into halves. — Late L.
dimididtid, gen. -dnis, 'a halving', fr. L. dimi-
didtus, pp. of dimididre. See prec. word and
-ion.
diminish, tr. and intr. v, — A blend of earlier E.
diminue (fr. OF. diminuer, fr. L. diminuere), 'to
reduce', and E. minish (q.v.) For the pref. see
di-, 'apart'. Cp. diminution.
Derivatives: diminish-ed, adj., diminish-er, n.,
diminish-ing-ty, adv.
diminuendo, adj. and adv., diminishing, growing
softer (music). — It., fr. pres. part, of diminuire,
which is formed— with change of conjugation—
fr. L. diminuere, earlier demimiere, 'to diminish'.
See next word.
diminution, n. — F., fr. L. diminutidnem, acc. of
diminutid, "a decrease, lessening, diminishing',
fr. earlier deminiilid, fr. deminutus, pp. of de-
minuere, 'to lessen, diminish', fr. de- and mi-
miere, 'to make smaller, to lessen, diminish'.
See minute, n., and -ion and cp. diminish.
diminutive, adj. — OF. (= F.) diminutif(fem. di-
minutive), fr. L. diminutivus, fr. earlier deminu-
tivus, 'diminutive', fr. deminutus, pp. of dimi-
nuere. See prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives: diminutiv-al, adj., diminutive-Iy,
adv., diminutive-ness, n.
dimissory, adj. — Late L. dimissdrius, 'pertaining
to sending away', fr. Jimissus, pp. of dimiitere,
'to send away, dismiss', fr. di-, 'apart', and mit-
tere, 'to send'. See dismiss and adj. suff. -ory.
dimity, n., a thin cotton fabric. — It. dimiti, pi. of
dimito, 'a kind of strong cotton', fr. ML. dimi-
tum, fr. Gk. 8iu.i-roc, 'of double thread; di-
mity', fr. 81- (see di-, 'apart'), and u.txo<;, 'warp
thread, thread', which is of uncertain etymo-
logy. It is peril, cogn. with Hitt. mitish, 'string,
chord'. Cp. mitosis, samite,
dimorph, n., one of the two forms of a dimor-
phous substance. — Back formation fr. di-
morphous.
dimorphic, adj., dimorphous. — See dimorphous
and -ic.
dimorphism, n., the property of existing in two
distinct forms. — See next word and -ism.
dimorphous, adj., existing in two distinct forms.
— Gk. Stu-opcpo?, 'two-formed', fr. St- and
u.op<pr), 'form, shape'. See di-, 'double', and
morpho-.
dimple, n. — ME. dympull, rel. to OHG. tum-
philo, 'a whirlpool' (whence MHG. tiimpfel, G.
Tiimpel, 'pool'), and to MLG. dumpelen, Du.
dompelen, 'to plunge'; prob. from the nasalized
form of the Teut. base *dup-, 'to be deep'. Cp.
Lith. dumbu, dupti, 'to sink', and see deep.
Derivatives: dimple, v., dimpl-y, adj.
din, n. — ME. dine, fr. OE. dyne, 'noise, a loud
sound', rel. to ON. dynr, OS. done, Dan. don,
Swed. ddn, MLG., MHG. don, 'noise', from the
I.-E. imitative base *dhwen-, *dhun-, 'to sound,
roar', whence also OI. dhunih, 'roaring', dhvd-
nati, 'roars, resounds'.
din, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dinien, fr. OE. dynnan,
dynian, rel. to ON. dynja, OS. dunian, 'to make
a loud noise', and to OE. dyne, 'noise, a loud
sound'. See din, n.
Dinah, fern. PN.; in the Bible, Jacob's daughter
by Leah. — Heb. Dind h , lit. 'judgment', fr. din,
'to judge'. See Dan, PN.
dinanderie, n., decorated articles of brass. — MF.
(= F.) fr. OF. dinandier, 'worker in brass',
formed with -ier, a suff. denoting trade or
occupation, fr. Dinand (now Dinant), a town in
Belgium, famous for its brasswork. For the end-
ing see the suffixes -ier and -ery.
dinar, n. — Arab, dindr, fr. Late Gk. S^vapiov, fr.
L. denarius. See denarius and cp. denier.
dine, intr. and tr. v. — ME. dinen, fr. OF disner
(F. diner), 'to dine', orig. 'to breakfast', fr.
*desjuner, shortened form of desjejuner (see
haplology), which derives fr. VL. *disjejundre,
'to break the fast', fr. dis- and L. jejunus, 'fast-
ing'. See jejune and cp. dinner, dejeuner.
Derivatives: din-er, n., din-ing, n.
ding, tr. v., to beat. — ME. dingen, dengen, fr.
ON. dengja, 'to hammer, beat', which is rel. to
OHG. tangol, 'hammer', MHG. tengeln, G. den-
geln, 'to hammer, beat'; prob. of imitative
origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also dangle, dint.
ding, intr. and tr. v., to sound. — Of imitative
origin.
Derivative: ding, n.
ding-dong, n., adj., v. and adv. — Of imitative
origin. Cp. prec. word,
dinghy, n., a small boat. — Hind, derigi, 'a rowing
boat', a collateral form of dohgi, prob. fr. OI.
dronam, 'a trough', which is rel. to dru-, 'wood',
drumdh, 'tree', and cogn. with Gk. 8p0q, gen.
451
Dionysia
Spuos, 'an oak; a tree', Goth, triu, OE. trio,
treow, 'tree'. See tree and cp. dryad. Cp. also
dhoni.
dingle, n., a small valley. — ME. dingel, 'a hol-
low', of uncertain origin.
dingle-dangle, adv. and n. — A blend of ding-
dong and dangle.
dingo, n., the Australian wild dog, Canis dingo.
— Native name.
dingy, adj., dirty; dark. — Prob. related to dung.
For the softening of the hard g cp. stingy.
Derivatives: dingi-ly, adv., dingi-ness, n.
dinic, dinical, adj., pertaining to vertigo (med.) —
Formed with suff. -ic, resp. also -al, fr. Gk.
Stvo?, 'a whirling, vertigo'. See dinus.
dinky, adj., dainty. — Cp. Scot, and Northern
dial, dink, denk, 'neat'; of uncertain origin.
dinner, n. — ME. diner, fr. F. diner, 'dinner',
prop, the infinitive diner, 'to dine', used as a
noun. See dine.
Derivatives: dinner-y, dinner-less, adjs.
dino-, combining form meaning 'fearful'. — Gk.
Ssivo-, fr. Selves (for *8fet-voi;), 'fearful', rel.
to SeiSoi (for *8e-8Fot-<x), 'I fear', Sioq (for
*SFei-o;), 'fearful, terrible, powerful, mighty,
marvelous', 8etX6i;(for*SfEi-X6i;),'cowardty, and
possibly cogn. with L. dims, 'fearful'. See dire.
Dinobryon, n., a genus of flagellates (biol.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. Sivoq, 'a whirl-
ing', and (iptiov, 'moss'. See dinus and bryo-.
Dinoceras, n., a genus of extinct ungulates (pale-
ontol.) — ModL., compounded of dino- and
Gk. x£pas, 'horn'. See cerato-.
Dinoflagellata, n. pi., an order of flagellates
(biol.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. Gk. STvo?,
'a whirling', and L. flagellum, 'whip'. See dinus
and flagellum.
Dinornis, n., a genus of recently extinct birds re-
sembling an ostrich. The New Zealand Moa
belonged to this genus (paleontol.) — ModL., lit.
'a frightful bird', compounded of dino- and
Gk. 8pvt<;, 'bird'. See ornitho-.
dinosaur, n. any member of the Dinosauria. —
See next word.
Dinosauria, n. pi., a group of extinct Saurian rep-
tiles (paleontol.) — ModL., lit. 'frightful liz-
ards', compounded of dino- and Gk. aocupi,
aaupoi;, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
Derivatives: dinosaurian, adj. and n.
dinothere, n., any member of the genus Dino-
therium. — See next word.
Dinotherium, n., a genus of extinct elephantlike
animals (paleontol.) — ModL., lit. 'the frightful
animal', compounded of dino- and Gk. drjp,
drjpiov, 'wild beast, animal'. See therio-.
dint, n., a force. — The original meaning was
'blow, stroke'; ME. dint, dunt, dent, fr. OE.
dynt, which is rel. to ON. dyntr, dyttr, and to
E. ding, 'to beat' (q.v.) Cp. dent, 'depression'.
dint, tr. v., to mark with a dint. — ME. dinten,
fr. OE. dyntan, 'to beat, strike', fr. dynt, 'blow,
stroke'. See prec. word.
dinus, n., vertigo (med) — Medical L., fr. Gk.
Stvoc, 'a whirling, rotation, vertigo', which is
rel. to SfvT), 'a whirling', Stveto, STveiico, 'I make
whirl or spin round', Slveujioc, 'a whirling
round', 8tsu.ai, 'I hasten away', and prob. cogn.
with OI. diyati, 'flies, hovers', Lett, diet, 'to
dance', Olr. dian, 'swift, rapid'. Cp. dinic and
the second element in scotodinia.
diocesan, adj., pertaining to a diocese. — F. dio-
cesain, fr. diocise. See next word and -an.
Derivative: diocesan, n.
diocese, n., district under a bishop's jurisdiction.
— ME. diocise, fr. OF. diocise (F. diocese), fr.
ML. diocisis, dissimilated fr. L. dioecesis, fr.
Gk. 8toix7)<ri<;, 'administration, control', fr. 8ta
(see dia-) and oixstv, 'to inhabit, possess; to
manage, govern', fr. oTxo<;, 'house'. See eco-
nomy and cp. next word. Cp. also L. parochia,
dissimilated fr. L. paroecia, fr. Gk. 7rapoixta
(see parish).
Diodia, n., a genus of plants of the madder family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 810801;, 'a thorough-
fare', fr. Sta, 'through', and 686;, 'way' (see
dia- and odograph). The name prop, denotes
plants growing by the wayside.
dioecious, adj., having the male and female re-
productive organs in separate individuals (biol.)
— A hybrid formed fr. di-, 'two', Gk. oixta,
'house' (see diocese), and suff. -ous (fr. L. -dsus).
Diomedes, n., son of Tydeus and Deipyle, one
of the Grecian chiefs in the Trojan war (Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Atou.^87)<;, lit. 'advised by
Zeus', fr. A16;, gen. of Zeu?, 'Zeus', and u.rj8o<;,
'counsel, plan, device, cunning'. For the first
element see Zeus. The second element is rel. to
[zrjSecr&ai, 'to devise, resolve, advise', [xeSeaOm,
'to be mindful of, give heed to, think on', uiSwv,
(ieS£uv, 'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part of
the ancient verb uiSeiv, 'to protect, rule over'),
^eSiu-vo^, 'a measure', fr. I.-E. base mid-, 'to
measure, limit, consider', which is a -rf-enlarge-
ment of base *me-, 'to measure'. See meditate
and cp. Andromeda and words there referred
to.
Dion, masc. PN. — Short for Dionysius.
Dionaea, n., a genus of insectivorous plants of
the sundew family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
Auovz), a name of Aphrodite. See next word.
Dione, n., 1) the mother of Aphrodite; 2) Aphro-
dite (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Auowj, lit.
'pertaining to Zeus', fr. Ai6s, gen. of Zeii?. See
Zeus and cp. prec. word and the first element in
Diomedes.
dionise, n., a kind of precious stone. — OF., fr.
ML. dionysia, fr. L. dionysias, fr. Gk. Stovuotai;,
fr. Aiovuaoi;, 'Dionysus', the name of the god
of wine in Greek mythology ; see Dionysus. The
stone was supposed to have the power of pre-
venting intoxication, whence its name. Cp.
amethyst.
Dionysia, n. pi., festivals held in honor of Dio-
nysus (Greek religion). — L., fr. Gk. Aiovdota,
Dionysiac
452
(scil. kpdt), fr. Aiovuao?, 'Dionysus'. See Dio-
nysus.
Dionysiac, adj., pertaining to Dionysus or the
Dionysia. — L. Dionysiacus, fr. Gk. Aiovucria-
xo<;, fr. AtovOao?, resp. Aiovuaia. See Dionysus,
resp. Dionysia.
Dionysian, adj., pertaining to Dionysus. — See
Dyonysus and -ian.
Dionysius, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Aiovuaioi;,
lit. 'pertaining to Dionysus', fr. Aiovuao?. See
Dionysus and cp. Denis, Dion.
Dionysus, Dionysos, n., son of Zeus and Semele,
the god of wine, orig. the god of vegetation
(Greek mythoi); identified with the Roman
god Bacchus. — L., fr. Gk. Atovuacx;, a name
of uncertain origin. Cp. Dionysius and dionise.
Dioon, n., a genus of plants of the family Cyca-
daceae (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. di- and
Gk. Sov, 'egg'. See oo-.
diopside, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.) —
Formed fr. di-, 'two', and oik?, 'sight, appear-
ance'. See -opsis.
dioptase, n., a mineral consisting of hydrous cop-
per silicate. — Formed fr. di- (form of dia-
before a vowel) and the stem of OTrxaCsiv,' to see',
which is rel. to omoq, 'seen; visible'. See next
word.
dioptric, adj., pertaining to the refraction of
light. — Gk. 8io7rrpix6<;, 'pertaining to the use
of the optical instrument called Siomrpot, fr. Si-,
form of Sict- before a vowel (see dia-), and the
stem of omoz, 'seen; visible', OTmxot;, 'pertain-
ing to sight'. See optic and cp. catadioptric,
catoptric, scioptric.
Derivative: dioptric-al-ly, adv.
dioptrics, n., that part of optics which deals with
the refraction of light. — See prec. word and
-ics and cp. catoptrics.
diorama, n., a scenic representation in which a
picture is seen through an aperture. — Formed
fr. di- (form of dia- before a vowel) and Gk.
Sparta, 'that which is seen, view, sight', fr. opav,
'to see'. See cosmorama and cp. words there
referred to.
diorite, n., an igneous rock (petrogr.) — F.,
formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. Siopi^eiv, 'to
divide by limits, separate', fr. St-, form of Stoc-
before a vowel (see dia-), and opi^eiv, 'to mark
by boundaries, to limit'. See horizon.
Dioscorea, n., a genus of plants, the yam (bot.)
— ModL., named after the Greek naturalist
Dioscorides.
Dioscoreaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
dioscoreaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Dioscuri, n. pi., Castor and Pollux, the twin sons
of Zeus (Greek mythoi.) — Gk. Aiooxoupoi, Att.
and poetic Atdaxopoi, lit. 'the sons of Zeus',
fr. Aios, gen. of Zei?, 'Zeus', and xoupoi, xopoi,
pi. of xoupoc, xApoi;, 'boy, son'. For the first
element see Zeus. The second element derives
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to grow'; see Cora, create.
Diosma, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
(bot.) — ModL., irregularly formed fr. 810;,
'divine', and oa^, 'odor'. For the first element
see deity, for the second see osmium.
Diospyros, n., a genus of plants of the ebony
family (bot.) — L., name of a plant, fr. Gk.
AioOTrupo?, lit. 'wheat of Zeus', fr. Ai6<;, gen.
of Zeu?, 'Zeus', and rropoi;, 'wheat'. For the
first element see Zeus, for the second see
pyrene and cp. words there referred to.
diota, n., a vessel with two ears (Greek and Roman
antiq.) — L., fr. Gk. Siuto?, 'two-eared', fr. 81-
(see di-, 'two') and o3s, gen. wto?, 'ear'. See
oto-.
dioxide, also dioxid, n., a compound containing
two atoms of oxygen and one of a metal (chem.)
— Formed fr. di-, 'two', and oxide.
dip, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dippen, duppen, fr.
OE. dyppan, 'to dip, immerse; to baptize', rel.
to ON. deypa, 'to dip', Dan. dyppe, 'to dip',
dobe, 'to baptize', Swed. doppa, 'to dip, im-
merse', ddpa, 'to baptize', OS. dopian, OFris.
depa, MLG. dopen, MDu. dopen, Du. dopen,
OHG. toufan, toufen, MHG. toufen, toufen, G.
taufen, Goth, daupjan, 'to baptize', lit. 'to dip',
prop, a loan translation of Gk. (Ja7rrf£eiv, 'to
dip, plunge'; in Eccles. Gk., 'to baptize'; rel.
also to OE. deop, 'deep', and prob. also to
OHG. tupfen, MHG. tupfen, tupfen. G. tiipfen,
'to dab', orig. prob. 'to dip'.
Derivatives: dip, n., dipp-er, n., dipp-ing, n.
diphtheria, n., an infectious disease character-
ized by the formation of a false membrane in
the air passages. — Medical L., fr. F. diph-
therie, coined by the French physician Pierre
Bretonneau (1778-1862) fr. Gk. SicpSipa, 'pre-
pared hide, leather, membrane', which is of un-
certain origin; it is possibly rel. to Gk. Setpsiv,
8£y£tv, 'to soften'. The disease was so called
by Bretonneau because it is characterized by
the formation of a false membrane. For the
ending of diphtheria see 1st suff. -ia. Cp. dufter.
Derivatives: diphtheri-al, diphther-ic, diphther-
it-ic, adjs.
diphtheroid, adj., of the nature of diphtheria. —
Compounded of diphthera and Gk. -oeiS-fc,
'like', fr. elSo;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
diphthong, n., union of two vowels pronounced
in one syllable. — F. diphthongue, fr. Late L.
diphthongus, fr. Gk. Stfp&oyyo;, 'having two
sounds', fr. St- (see di-, 'two'), and <?&6yY ^
'sound, voice, vowel', which is rel. to cp&sY^a,
'sound, voice, speech', tp&evvea&at. 'to speak
loud; to praise, sing'. Cp. monophthong,
triphthong.
Derivatives: diphthong, tr. and intr. v., diph-
thong-al, adj., diphthong-al-ly, adv., diphthong-
ize, tr. and intr. v., diphthong-iz-ation, n.
diphy-, combining form meaning 'double'. — Gk.
8t<pi>7is, 'twofold, double", lit. 'of double na-
ture', fr. Si- (see di-, 'two') and the stem of
453
dipsosis
<piieiv, 'to bring forth, produce, make to grow',
whence also <fiaiq, 'nature'. See physio- and
cp. Diphyes.
Diphyes, n., a genus of hydrozoans (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. 8191%, 'twofold'. See diphy-.
Diphylleia, n., a genus of plants of the barberry
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'having double
leaves', fr. di-, 'double', and Gk. <puXXov, 'leaf'.
See phyllo-. For the ending see 2nd suff. -ia
diphyllous, adj., having two leaves (bot.) —
Formed fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. iptiXXov, 'leaf.
See -phyllous and cp. prec. word.
dipl-, form of diplo- before a vowel.
Diplacanthus, n., a genus of fishes (paleontol.) —
ModL., lit. 'having two spines', fr. dipl- and
axav&a, 'spine (see acantho-); so called in al-
lusion to the two spines between the pectoral
fins.
Dipladenia, n., a genus of plants of the dogbane
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'having two glands',
fr. dipl- and SStjv, 'gland' (see adenoid); so called
in allusion to the two nectar glands. For the
ending see 2nd suff. -ia.
diplegia, n., paralysis of both arms and both
legs (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. di-,
'double', and Gk. T:Xy)-fi], 'stroke', from the
stem of 7rXTjCTaeiv, 'to strike', which is cogn.
with L. pldga, 'stroke, injury, plague'. See
plague and cp. monoplegia.
diplex, adj., pertaining to sending two messages
simultaneously over the same line (radio). —
A hybrid coined fr. Gk. Si- (see di-, 'two') and
L. suff. -plex, '-fold' (see plicate). The word di-
plex has been arbitrarily coined to differentiate
it from duplex (q.v.)
diplo-, before a vowel dipl-, combining form
meaning 'double'. — Gk. SmXo-, SmX-, fr.
SitzXooq, SitcXoui;, 'twofold, double', formed fr.
Si- (see di-, 'two') and *pl-, zero degree of base
*pel-, '-fold'. Cp. Gk. Si-jrXaaio?, 'double', and
see ply, 'to bend'. Cp. also diploma, ana-
diplosis. Cp. also double.
diploblastic, adj., having two germ layers (biol.)
— Compounded of diplo- and Gk. (3Xocctt6;,
'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blastic.
diplocardiac, adj., having the heart double (as
birds and mammals). — Compounded of
diplo- and cardiac.
Diplodocus, n., a genus of gigantic dinosaurs
(paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of diplo-
and Gk. 8ox6<;, 'beam, bar', lit. 'that which
holds the roof, fr. I.-E. base *dek-, dofc-, 'to
take, receive, accept'. See decent and cp. words
there referred to.
diploe, n., the cancellous bony tissue between the
tables of the skull (anat.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
8i7rX67], 'fold, doubling; cancellous substance
between the double plates in the bones in the
skull', prop. fern, of the adj. 8i7iX6o<;, SmXouc,
'twofold, double'. See diplo-.
diploic, adj., pertaining to diploe. — Formed fr.
prec. word with suff. -ic. Cp. diploetic.
diploetic, adj., diploic (anat.) — An incorrect
var. of diploic. The Greek adjectival suff.
-tjtix6? derives from nouns ending in -7)ai<;
(see e.g. exegesis and exegetic) ; since, however,
there is no such Greek word as 8mX(>i\aiz,
there can be no Greek adjective of the form
8i7rXor]Tix6? either. See diploic.
diploma, n. — L. diploma, fr. Gk. 8i7tXcou,a,
'anything double, folded paper, license', fr. 8t-
irXouv, 'to bend double, to double', fr. SittXooc,
SitcXou?, 'double'. See diplo- and -oma and cp.
double.
Derivatives: diploma, tr. v., diplomacy (q.v.),
diplomat (q.v.), diplomatic (q.v.), diplomat-ist,
n., diplom-at-ize, intr. v.
diplomacy, n. — F. diplomatie, fr. diplomate; in-
troduced into English by Edmund Burke (1729-
97). See diplomatic and -cy.
diplomat, diplomate. — F. diplomate, back for-
mation fr. diplomatique in agent diplomatique,
'diplomatic agent'. See next word.
Derivative : diplomate, tr. v.
diplomatic, adj. — F. diplomatique, fr. ModL. di-
plomatics, formed with suff. -icus fr. diploma,
fr. Gk. 8ln\o\ia.. See diploma and -atic.
Derivatives: diplomatic-al, adj., diplomatic-al-
ly, adv., diplomat-ics, n.
diplopia, n., double vision (med) — Medical L.,
compounded of SittXooi;, Si7rXou?, 'double', and
-&>7rta, from c&iJj, gen. tired?, 'eye'. See diplo-
and -opia.
Derivative: diplop-ic, adj.
Diplotaxis, n., a genus of plants of the family
Brassicaceae (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'doubly ar-
ranged' (see diplo- and taxis); so called in al-
lusion to the biserrate seeds.
dipnoan 1) adj., pertaining to the Dipnoi; 2) n.,
a dipnoan fish. — See next word and -an.
Dipnoi, n. pi., a group of fishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. Sbmoi, pi. of 8t7rvoo<;, 'doubly
breathing', fr. Si- (see di-, 'two') and -tivoo;, fr.
tcvot], 'breath', which is rel. to 7rvestv, 'to breathe',
whence also 7tvsuu.a, 'breath'. See pneuma.
dipolar, adj., having two poles (as a magnet, etc.)
— Formed fr. di- 'two', and polar.
Dipsacaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Dipsacus with suff. -aceae.
dipsacaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Dipsacus, n., a genus of plants, the teasels (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. Si^axo?, 'teasel', rel. to Si-ya,
'thirst', 8iyr)v, 'to thirst' ; so called in allusion
to the water contained in the cup-shaped bases
of the leaves. See dipsosis.
dipsomania, n., a morbid periodic craving for
alcoholic liqueurs (med.) — Medical L., com-
pounded of Gk. Siijia, 'thirst', and [xavti, 'mad-
ness'. See next word and -mania.
Derivative: dipsoman-iac, adj.
dipsosis, n., excessive thirst caused by disease
(med.) — Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr.
Gk. Sltya., 'thirst', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. prec. word and adipsia.
Diptera
454
Diptera, n. pi., an order of insects, the flies (en-
tomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Umspai, neut. pi. of
SbrrEpo?, 'having two wings', fr. 81- (see di-,
'two') and 7TTsp6v, 'feather, wing'. See ptero-
and cp. next word.
dipteral, adj., i) having two wings (said of in-
sects) ; having two peristyles (archit.) — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. Simrepcx;, 'having two
■wings; having a double peristyle'. See prec.
■word.
dipterous, adj., i) belonging to the order Diptera
(entomol.) ; 2) two-winged (bot.) — Gk. SinTspoi;.
See Diptera. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk.
-oq, see sufF. -ous.
Dipteryx, n., a genus of trees of the pea family
{bot.) — ModL., fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. jr-repuS;,
'wing', which is rel. to rrrepov, 'feather, wing'.
See ptero-.
diptote, n., a noun having only two cases (gram!)
— Late L. diptota (pi.), fr. Gk. 8£7rr&>Ta, pi. of
SmT&iTov, prop, the neut. of the adj. 8t7rr&iTo?,
'having only two cases', fr. 81- (see di-, 'two')
and ktcoto?, 'fallen', verbal adj. of m7rmv, 'to
fall', which stands for nt-7tTeiv, fr. *pt-, zero
degree of I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, to fall'. See
feather and cp. symptom and words there re-
ferred to.
diptych, n., i) a two-leaved tablet used by the an-
cients for writing; 2) picture or carving on two
panels hinged together. — Late L. diptycha, fr.
Gk. StTrTuya, neut. pi. of Sitttuxoi;, 'double-
folded, doubled', fr. 81- (see di-, 'two') and
*tttu!;, gen. nzuyoq, 'fold', layer', which is rel.
to TTxuaaciv, 'to fold'. Cp. triptych, polyptych.
Dirca, n., a genus of plants of the mezereon fa-
mily (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. Dirce, fr. Gk. Aipxyj,
name of a fountain near Thebes.
Dircaean, adj., pertaining to the fountain Dirce;
poetic. — Formed with suff. -aean fr. L. Dirce.
See prec. word.
dire, adj., dreadful. — L. dirus, 'fearful, awful,
ill-omened, horrible, terrible', of uncertain ori-
gin. It possibly derives fr. I.-E. base *d w ei-, 'to
be afraid, fear', whence also Gk. SeiSoj (for
*8£-8fot-a), 'fear', 8£oq (for *8fei-o;), 'fear-
ful, terrible, powerful, mighty, marvelous',
SeiXo? (for *8fei-X6<;), 'cowardly', Seivoq (for
*8fei-vo;), 'fearful', OI. dvisti, 'hates', dvisah,
'hatred', Avestic dvaebd-, 'threat, menace', and
prob. also Arm. erkncim, 'I fear'. Cp. dino-,
dinosaur.
Derivatives: direful (q.v.), dire-ly, adv.
direct, tr. and intr. v. — L. directus, pp. of diri-
gere, 'to put into a straight line, set in order,
draw up, aim, direct, guide', fr. di-, 'apart', and
regere, 'to keep straight, direct*. See regent and
cp. dress, which is a doublet of direct. Cp. also
dirge, dirigible, droit, adroit, maladroit.
direct, adj. — ME., fr. F. direct, fr. L. directus,
'straight, direct', pp. of dirigere. See direct, v.
Derivatives: direct, adv., direct-ly, adv., direct-
ness, n.
direction, n. — F., fr. L. directidnem, acc. of
directid, 'a making straight, aiming, directing',
fr. directus, pp. of dirigere. See direct, v., and
-ion.
Derivatives: direction-al, adj., directional-ly,
adv.
directive, adj. — ML. directivus, fr. L. directus,
pp. of dirigere. See direct, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: directive, n., directive-ly, adv., di-
rective-ness, n.
directoire, n., the French Revolutionary Govern-
ment of 1795-99- — F., fr. ML. directorium. See
directory, n.
director, n. — AF. directour, equivalent to F.
directeur, fr. Late L. directorem, acc. of director,
fr. directus, pp. of dirigere. See direct, v. and
agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: director-ial, adj., director-ial-ly,
adv.
directorate, n. — Formed fr. prec. word with
subst. suff. -ate.
directory, adj. — Late L. directdrius, 'that which
directs', fr. L. directus, pp. of dirigere. See di-
rect, v. and adj. suff. -ory.
directory, n. — ML. directorium, prop. neut. of
Late L. directdrius, used as a noun. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ory.
directress, n. — See director and -ess.
directrix, n. — ModL., formed with suff. -trix
fr. director, on analogy of L. victrix, 'victress'
(fr. victor).
direful, adj., dire. — Formed on analogy of dread-
ful. See dire and -ful.
Derivatives: direful-ly, adv., direful-ness, n.
dirge, n., lament. — Fr. L. dirige, 'direct', the
first word of the antiphon sung in the Roman
Catholic Office of the dead, adopted from the
Vulgate rendering of Ps. 5 : 9, which begins with
dirige, a word translating Heb. hayshdr (lit.
'make even'). L. dirige is the imper. of dirigere,
'to direct, guide'. See direct, v.
Derivative : dirge, tr. and intr. v.
dirhem, n., a weight and a silver coin used in
various Mohammedan countries. — Arab, dir-
ham, fr. Gk. Spaxixvj. See drachma.
dirigible, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -ible
fr. L. dirigere, 'to direct, guide'. See direct, v.
diriment, adj., rendering null and void (law). —
L. dirimens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of dirimere,
'to separate, divide, interrupt, destroy', fr. di-,
'apart', and emere, 'to buy', orig. meaning 'to
take, receive'. Accordingly dirimere lit. means
'to take away'. The form of the verb should
properly be *disimere (fr. dis- and emere); the
change of .v to r is due to rhotacism. See exempt
and -ent.
dirk, n., a short dagger. — Fr. earlier durk, dork,
rel. to G. Dolch, 'dagger'; of uncertain origin.
The spelling dirk is arbitrary. It is based on
Johnson's authority. Du., Dan., Swed. dolk are
German loan words.
Derivative: dirk, tr. v.
455
disaster
dirndl, n., a kind of dress. — G. Dirndl, short
for Dirndlkleid, fr. Dirndl, dimin. formed fr.
Dime, 'girl' (now meaning 'low woman, wench,
hussy'), and Kleid, 'dress'. Dime derives fr.
MHG. dierne, 'maid' fr. OHG. thiorna, which
is rel. to OS. thiorna, ON. perna, Dan. terne,
MLG. derne, MDu. dierne, 'maidservant', Du.
deern(e), 'girl, wench, hussy', and to OE pegn,
'thane, man, servant'. See thane.
dirt, n. — Metathesized fr. ME. drit, fr. ON.
dritr, 'excrement', which is rel. to ON. drita, OE.
dritan, 'to void excrement', and cogn. with
Serb, driskati, dial. Russ. dristdt', 'to have
diarrhea', Maced. Gk. SapSatveiv, 'to soil, defile'.
Derivatives: dirt, tr. v., dirt-y, adj. and tr. v.,
dirt-i-ly, adv., dirt-i-ness, n.
Dis, also Dis pater, a Roman underworld god,
equivalent to Greek Pluto. — L. Dis, fr. dis,
contracted form of dives, 'rich', prop, loan
translation of Gk. nxoiirwv, 'Pluto', which lit.
means 'rich, wealthy' (fr. tcXoutoi;, 'riches'). L.
dives is rel. to divus, 'divine, god', and orig.
meant 'favored by the gods'. For sense develop-
ment cp. OSlav. bogatu, 'rich', fr. bogu, 'God'.
See deity and cp. Dives.
dis-, pref. of Latin origin denoting 1) separation;
2) removal; 3) negation, deprivation, undoing,
reversal. — L. dis-, meaning 1) 'apart, asunder';
2) 'away from'; 3) 'utterly, completely'; 4) 'un-'
(in the privative sense of this prefix), derived
fr. I.-E. *dis-, 'apart, asunder', whence also Alb.
ts-, a privative pref. (e.g. in tsk'ep, 'to rip, un-
do'), OE. te-, OS, to-, OHG. zi-, ze- [later
zir- (a compound of the prefixes zi- and -/>),
whence MHG., G. zer-, 'asunder']. I.-E. *dis-
is a secondary form of *dwis-, which appears in
OI. dvih, Avestic bish, Gk. Siq (for *dwis), OL.
dvis (whence L. bis), MHG. zwis, 'twice', Goth.
twis-, 'in two, asunder', ON. tvislra, 'to divide'.
Cp. di-, 'apart, asunder'. Cp. also di-, 'two', and
words there referred to. Cp. also de-.
disability, n. — Formed with suff. -ity from the
obsolete adj. disable, fr. dis- and able.
disable, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and the adjective
able.
Derivatives: disabl-ed, adj., disable-ment, n.
disabuse, tr. v., to undeceive. — Formed fr. dis-
and abuse.
disaccord, n. — Formed fr. dis- and accord, n.
disaccord, intr. v. — ME. disacorden, fr. OF. des-
acorder, desaccorder (F. desaccorder), fr. des-
(fr. L. dis-) and acorder, accorder. See dis- and
accord, v.
disaccustom, tr. v. — OF. desacostumer (F. des-
accoutumer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and acostumer
(F. accoutumer). See dis- and accustom.
disadvantage, n. — ME. disavauntage, fr. F. des-
avantage, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and avantage. See
dis- and advantage.
Derivatives: disadvantage, tr. v., disadvantage-
ous, adj., disadvantage-ous-ly, adv., disadvan-
tage-ous-ness, n.
disaffect, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and affect, v.
Derivatives: disaffect-ed, adj., disaffect-ed-ly,
adv., disaffect-ed-ness, n., disaffect-ion, n.
disaffirm, tr. v., to reverse (law). — Formed fr.
dis- and affirm.
Derivatives : disqffirm-ance, n., disaffirm-ation,vi.
disafforest, tr. v. — ML. disafforestdre. See dis-
and afforest and cp. deforest, disforest.
Derivatives: disafforest-ation, n.
disagree, intr. v. — F. desagreer, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and agreer. See dis- and agree.
Derivatives: disagreeable (q.w.), disagree-ment,n.
disagreeable, adj. — F. desagreable, fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and agreable. See dis- and agreeable.
Derivatives: disagreeabl-y, adv., disagreeable-
ness, n.
disallow, tr. v. — OF. desalouer, 'to blame', fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and alouer, 'to allow'. See dis-
and allow.
Derivative: disallow-ance, n.
disannul, tr. v., to annul completely. — Formed
fr. dis-, in the sense 'utterly, completely', and
annul.
Derivatives: disannull-er, n., disannul-ment, n.
disappear, intr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and appear.
Derivatives: disappear-ance, n., disappear-er, n.
disappoint, tr. v. — OF. desapointier (F. desap-
pointer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and apointier (F.
appointer), 'to appoint'. See dis- and appoint.
Derivatives: disappoint-ed, adj., disappoint-ed-
ly, adv., disappoint-er, n., disappoint-ing, adj.,
disappoint-ing-ly, adv., disappoint-ing-ness, n.,
disappoint-ment, n.
disapprobation, n. — Formed fr. dis- and appro-
bation.
disapprobative, adj. — Formed fr. dis- and appro-
bative.
disapprobatory, adj. — Formed fr. dis- and appro-
batory.
disapprove, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and
approve.
Derivatives: disapprov-al, n., disapprov-er, n.,
disapprov-ing-ly, adv.
disarm, tr. and intr. v. — ME. desarmen, fr. MF.
( = F.) desarmer, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and armer,
'to arm'. See dis- and arm, v.
disarmament, n. — Formed fr. prec. word on ana-
logy of armament,
disarrange, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and arrange.
Derivative: disarrange-ment, n.
disarray, tr. v. — Formed on analogy of OF.
desareer, fr. dis- and array, v.
Derivative: disarray, n.
disarticulate, tr. v., to disjoint. — Formed fr. dis-
and articulate, v.
Derivative: disarticulat-ion, n.
disassociate, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and associ-
ate, v. Cp. dissociate.
Derivative: disassociat-ion, n.
disaster, n., misfortune, calamity. — F. desastre,
fr. It. disastro (but with the substitution of the
F. prefix des- for It. dis-). It. disastro is a back
disastrous
formation from disastrato, 'born under an ill
star', from the pejorative pref. dis-, fr. L. dis-
(see dis-), and L. astrum, 'star'. See Aster,
disastrous, adj. — F. desastreux (fern, desastreu-
se), fr. It. disastroso, 'ill-starred', fr. disastro.
See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: disastrous-ly, adv., disastrous-
ness, n.
disavow, tr. v. — ME. disavouen, fr. OF. desavou-
er (F. desavouer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and avouer,
'to own, acknowledge, avow'. See dis- and avow.
Derivatives: disavow-al, n., disavow-er, n., dis-
avow-ment, n.
disband, tr. v. — Earlier F. desbander (F. deban-
der), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and band, 'band'. See
dis- and band, 'troop'.
Derivative: disband-ment, n.
disbar, tr. v., to expel from the bar. — Formed
fr. dis- and bar, 'rod of metal'. Cp. debar.
Derivative: disbar-ment, n.
disbelief, n. — A hybrid coined fr. dis-, a pref.
of Latin origin, and the Teut. word belief,
disbelieve, tr. and intr. v. — A hybrid coined fr.
dis- and the Teut. word believe. See prec. word.
Derivatives: disbeliever, n., disbeliev-ing-ly,
adv.
disbench, tr. v., i) to deprive of a bench; 2) to
deprive a bencher of the membership of an Inn
of Court. — Formed fr. dis- and bench. Cp.
bencher.
disbranch, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and branch.
disbud, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and bud.
disburden, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and burden.
disburse, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. earlier disbourse,
fr. OF. desbourser, which is formed fr. des- (fr.
L. dis-) and bourse. See dis- and bourse. E. dis-
burse was assimilated in form to Late L. bursa.
Derivatives: disburse-ment, n., disburs-er, n.
disc, n. — See disk. The spelling disc is used esp.
in zoology.
discalceate, adj., unshod, barefooted (said of
members of religious orders). — L. discalcedtus,
'unshod, barefooted', fr. dis-, and calcedtus, pp.
of calcedre, 'to furnish with shoes', fr. calceus,
'shoe'. See Calceolaria and adj. suff. -ate and cp.
calceate.
discalced, adj., discalceate. — Formed fr. dis- and
calced. Cp. prec. word.
discard, tr. v. — Lit. "to throw a card away', fr.
dis- and card.
Derivatives: discard, n., discard-er, n.
discern, tr. v., to distinguish. — F. discerner, fr.
L. discernere, 'to separate, set apart, divide,
distribute; to distinguish, perceive, discern, un-
derstand, decide, judge', fr. dis- and cernere, 'to
separate, sift, distinguish, discern, understand,
decide'. See certain and cp. concern, decern,
secern. Cp. also discreet.
Derivatives: discern-er, n., discernible (q.v.),
discern-ing, adj., discern-ing-ly, adv., discern-
ment, n.
discernible, adj. — F. discernable, fr. discerner.
The English word was refashioned after L. dis-
cernibilis. See discern and -ible.
Derivatives: discernible-ness, n., discernibl-y,
adv.
discerp, tr. v., to tear to pieces. — L. discerpere,
'to tear to pieces, rend', fr. dis- and carpere, 'to
pluck, gather'; see carpel. For the change of
Latin d (in carpere) to e (in dis-cerpere) see ac-
cent and cp. words there referred to.
discerptible, adj. — Formed with surf, -ible fr.
L. discerptus, pp. of discerpere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: discerptibil-ity, n., discerptible-ness,
n., discerptibl-y, adv.
discerption, n. — L. discerptid, gen. -dnis, 'a tear-
ing to pieces, rending', fr. discerptus, pp. of dis-
cerpere. See discerp and -ion.
discharge, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dischargen, des-
chargen, fr. OF. deschargier, descharger (F. de-
charger), 'to unload, unlade, discharge', fr. VL.
*discarricdre, fr. dis- and *carricdre, 'to put
a load on'. See charge, v.
Derivatives: discharge, n., discharg-er, n., dis-
charging, n.
disciple, n. — ME., fr. OE. discipul, fr. L. disci-
pulus, 'pupil, disciple', fr. *dis-cipere, 'to seize
mentally', fr. dis- and capere, 'to catch, seize,
take hold of, take, receive'. See captive. For the
change of Latin a (in cdpere) to ("(in dis-cipulus)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Folk etymology has associated L. discipulus
with discere, 'to learn', although derivatively the
two words are not related.
disciplinable, adj. — Late L. disciplindbilis, fr.
L. disciplina. See discipline and -able.
Derivatives: disciplinabil-ity, n., disciplinable-
ness, n.
disciplinary, adj. — ML. disciplindrius (whence
also F. disciplinaire), fr. L. disciplina. See next
word and -ary.
Derivatives: disciplinar-ian, adj. and n.
discipline, n. — ME., fr. F., fr. L. disciplina,
instruction, teaching, learning, knowledge,
science', fr. discipulus. See disciple and subst.
suff. -ine.
Derivative: disciplin-al, adj.
discipline, tr. v. — F. discipliner, fr. ML. disci-
plindre, 'to teach', fr. L. disciplina. See disci-
pline, n.
discipular, adj., pertaining to a disciple. —
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. discipulus. See
disciple.
disclaim, tr. and intr. v. — AF.-OF. disclamer,
desclamer, fr. dis-, des- (fr. L. dis-) and clamer,
'to call, cry out, claim'. See dis- and claim and
cp. declaim.
disclaimer, n., one who disclaims. — Formed fr.
prec. word with agential suff. -er.
disclaimer, n., denial of a claim (law). — AF.
disclamer, desclamer, inf. used as a noun; see
disclaim. For the subst. use of the infinitive in
legal terminology see attainder and cp. words
there referred to.
457
discourage
disclamation, n., the act of disclaiming. — ML.
disclamatio, fr. discldmdtus, pp. of discldmdre.
See disclaim and -ation.
disclose, tr. v. — ME. desclosen, disclosen, fr. OF.
desclos- pres. stem of desclore (F. declore), fr.
des- (fr. L. dis) and clore, 'to shut, close' (fr. L.
claudere). See dis- and close, adj.
Derivatives: disclos-ed, adj., disclos-er, n., dis-
closure (q.v.)
disco-, before a vowel disc-, combining form
meaning 'disk'. — Gk. 8i<rxo-, Sicrx.-, fr. Slctxo?,
'quoit, disk'. See disk.
discobolus, n., a discus thrower. — L., fr. Gk.
SiaxopoXo?, 'a quoit thrower', fr. Sicrxo?, 'quoit,
discus*, and -$h\oc„ 'thrower of, which stands
in gradational relationship to [JaXXsiv, 'to throw'.
See disco- and ballistic.
discoid, adj., having the form of a disk. — Gk.
SictxosiStj?, 'resembling a quoit', fr. Siaxo?,
'quoit, disk', and -oeiStj?, 'like', fr. eI8oq, 'form,
shape'. See disco- and -oid.
discolor, discolour, tr. and intr. v. — OF. des-
colorer (F. decolorer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
coldrdre, 'to color'. See dis- and color, v.
Derivatives: discolo(u)r, n., discolo{u)r-ation, n.
discomfit, tr. v. — ME. discomfiten, fr. OF. des-
confit, 'defeated', pp. of desconfire (F. deconfire),
'to defeat', fr. VL. disconficere, fr. dis- and L.
conficere, 'to put together, make ready, prepare,
bring about, accomplish, produce, consume'.
See confect and cp. comfit.
discomfiture, n. — OF. descomfiture (F. deconfi-
ture), fr. desconfire. See prec. word and -ure.
discomfort, tr. v. — OF. desconforter (F. decon-
forter), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and conforter. See
dis- and comfort, v.
discomfort, n. — OF. desconfort (F. deconfort),
fr. desconforter. See discomfort, v.
discomfortable, adj. — OF. desconfortable. See
discomfort and -able and cp. comfortable.
discommode, tr. v., to inconvenience. — Formed
fr. dis- and L. commodore, 'to make fit, acco-
modate', fr. commodus, 'fit, suitable, convenient'.
See dis- and commode.
discommodity, n., inconvenience. — Formed fr.
dis- and commodity.
discommon, tr. v., to deprive of the character of
a common. — Formed fr. dis- and common, n.
discompose, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and compose.
Derivatives: discompos-ed, adj., discompos-ed-
ly, adv., discompos-ing , adj., discompos-ing-ly,
adv., discompos-ure, n.
disconcert, tr. v. — Obsol. F. disconcerter (cor-
responding to F. deconcerter). See dis- and
concert.
Derivatives: disconcert-ed, adj., disconcert-ed-
ly, adv., disconcert-ed-ness, n., disconcert-ing,
adj., disconcert-ing-ly, adv., disconcert-ing-ness,
n., disconcert-ion, n., disconcert-ment, n.
disconnect, tr. v., to disjoin, separate. — Formed
fr. dis- and connect.
Derivatives: disconnect-ed, adj., disconnected-
ly, adv., disconnect-ed-ness, n., disconnection
(q.v.), disconnect-ive, adj., disconnect-or, n.
disconnection, disconnexion, n. — Formed fr.
dis- and connection, connexion.
disconsolate, adj., inconsolable, sad. — ML. dis-
consolate, fr. dis- and L. cdnsdldtus, pp. of con-
soldri, 'to console, comfort'. See console, v., and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: disconsolate-ly, adv., disconsolate-
ness, n.
discontent, n., want of content. — Formed fr.
dis- and content, n.
discontent, tr. v., to dissatisfy. — Formed fr. dis-
and content, v.
Derivatives: discontent-ed, adj., discontented-
ly, adv., discontent-ed-ness, n., discontent-ing,
adj., discontent-ment, n.
discontinuance, n. — AF., fr. OF. (= F.) dis-
continuer. See discontinue and -ance.
discontinuation, n. — F., fr. discontinuer. See next
word and -ation.
discontinue, tr. and intr. v. — F. discontinuer, fr.
ML. discontinudre, fr. dis- and L. continuare, 'to
join together, unite, continue'. See continue.
Derivatives: discontinu-er, n., discontinu-ity, n.,
discontinu-ous, adj., discontinu-ous-ly, adv., dis-
continu-ous-ness, n.
discord, n. — ME. descord, discord, fr. OF. des-
corder, discorder. Cp. OF. discorde, sometimes
descorde (F. discorde), fr. L. discordia, 'dis-
cord', fr. discors, gen. discordis. See discord, v.
discord, intr. v. — ME. descorden, discorden, fr.
OF. descorder, discorder (F. discorder) (the form
discorder was refashioned after the Latin), fr.
L. discorddre, 'to be at variance, differ, dis-
agree' (whence also It. discordare, OProvenc.
descordar), fr. discors, gen. discordis, 'discor-
dant, disagreeing, at variance', fr. dis- and cors,
gen. cordis, 'heart'. See cordate and cp. scor-
dato. Cp. also accord, concord.
discordance, n. — OF. descordance (F. discor-
dance), fr. descordant. See next word and -ce and
cp. concordance.
discordant, adj. — OF. descordant (F. discordant),
pres. part, of descorder (F. discorder). See dis-
cord, v., and -ant
Derivatives: discordant-ly, adv., discordant-
ness, n.
discount, n. — 16th cent. F. descompte, fr. ML.
discomputus (whence also It. disconto), fr. dis-
and L. computdre, 'to count'. See count, v.
discount, tr. and intr. v. — OF. descompter, des-
conter(F . decompter),h . i6thcent. F. descompte.
See discount, n.
Derivative: discount-able, adj.
discountenance, tr. v., to discourage, disapprove.
— Formed fr. dis- and countenance. Cp. F. de-
contenancer.
discourage, tr. v. — OF. descoragier, descoura-
gier (F. decourager), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
corage (F. courage). See dis- and courage and
cp. encourage.
discouragement
458
Derivatives: discouragement (q.v.), discourag-er,
n., discourag-ing, adj., discourag-ing-ly, adv.
discouragement, n. — OF. descouragement (F. de-
couragement), fr. descoumgier. See prec. word
and -ment.
discourse, n. — F. discours, fr. L. discursus, 'a
running to and fro', in Late L., 'a conversation,
discourse', fr. discurs-(um), pp. stem of discur-
rere, 'to run to and fro', fr. dis- and currere, 'to
run'. See course.
Derivatives: discourse, intr. and tr. v., discours-
er, n., discoursive (q.v.).
diseoursive, adj., i) pertaining to discourse; 2) ra-
tional; 3) discursive. — Formed from prec.
word with suff. -ive. Cp. discursive.
Derivatives: discoursive-ly, adv., discoursive-
ness, n.
discourteous, adj., impolite, rude. — Formed fr.
dis- and courteous. Cp. F. discourtois.
Derivatives: discourteous-Iy, adv., discourteous-
ness, n.
discourtesy, n. — Formed fr. dis- and courtesy.
Cp. F. discourtoisie.
discover, tr. v. — OF. descovrir, descouvrir (F. de-
couvrir), fr. Late L. discooperire, fr. dis- and L.
cooperire, 'to cover wholly'. See cover.
Derivatives: discover-able, adj., discover-abil-
ity, n., discover-abl-y, adv., discover-er, n., dis-
covert (q.v.), discovery (q.v.)
discovert, adj., not covert, unmarried (prop, not
protected by a husband) (law). — OF. descovert,
descouvert (F. decouvert), 'uncovered', prop. pp.
of descovrir, descouvrir. See prec. word and cp.
covert.
discovery, n. — Formed fr. discover on analogy
of recovery.
discredit, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and credit.
Derivatives: discredit, n., discredit-able, adj.,
discredit-abl-y, adv.
discreet, adj., prudent. — OF. (= F.) discret, fr.
L. discret us, pp. of discernere, 'to separate, set
apart, discern'. See discern and cp. discrete. Cp.
also decern, secern.
discrepancy, n., difference. — OF. discrepance,
fr. L. discrepantia, 'discordance, discrepancy',
fr. discrepans, gen. -ant is. See next word and -cy.
discrepant, adj., different. — L. discrepans, gen.
-amis, pres. part, of discrepare, 'to sound dif-
ferently, differ, vary', fr. dis- and crepare, 'to
rattle, crack, break with a crack, burst'. See cre-
pitate and -ant.
Derivative: discrepant-ly, adv.
discrete, adj., separate. — L. discretus, pp. of
discernere. See discreet, which is a doublet of
discrete.
Derivatives: discrete-Iy, adv., discrete-ness, n.
discretion, n. — OF. descrecion, discrecion (F.
discretion), fr. L. discretidnem, acc. of discretio,
'separation, discrimination, discernment', fr.
discretus, pp. of discernere. See discreet and -ion.
Derivatives: discretion-al, adj., discretion-al-ly,
adv., discret ion-ary, adj., discretion-ari-ly, adv.
discriminant, adj., discriminating. — L. discri-
mindns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of discrimindre.
See next word and -ant.
discriminate, intr. and tr. v. — L. discrimindtus,
pp. of discrimindre, 'to divide, separate, distin-
guish, distribute, apportion', fr. discrimen, gen.
discriminis, 'interval, distinction, difference,
turning point, critical moment, decision', from
the stem of discernere (pp. discretus), 'to separ-
ate, set apart, discern'. See discern and cp.
crime, criminate, incriminate, recriminate.
Derivatives: discriminat-ing, adj., discriminat-
ing-ly, adv., discrimination (q.v.), discriminat-
ive, adj., discriminat-iveJy, adv., discriminat-ory,
adj.
discrimination, n. — Late L. discrimindtid, gen.
-onis, 'the contrasting of opposite thoughts', fr.
L. discrimindtus, pp. of discrimindre. See prec.
word and -ion.
discrown, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and crown,
disculpate, tr. v., to exculpate. — ML. disculpd-
tus, pp. of disculpdre, 'to free from blame', fr.
dis- and L. culpdre, 'to reproach, blame', fr.
culpa, 'fault, blame'. See culpable and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. exculpate.
Derivatives: disculpat-ion, n., disculpat-ory, adj.
discursion, n. — Late L. discursid, gen. -onis, 'a
running to and fro', fr. L. discurs-(um), pp. stem
of discurrere. See next word and -ion.
discursive, adj., 1) running to and fro (rare);
2) rambling. — F. discursif (fern, discursive), fr.
discurs-(um), pp. stem of discurrere, 'to run to
and fro'. See discourse and -ive and cp. dis-
coursive.
Derivatives: discursive-Iy, adv., discursive-ness,
n.
discus, n., a disk. — L., fr. Gk. Staxoc;, 'quoit,
disk'. See disk.
discuss, tr. and intr. v. — L. discussus, pp. of dis-
cutere, 'to shake violently, shatter, dash to pie-
ces, scatter, disperse', in Late L. 'to discuss',
fr. dis- and quatere, 'to shake, wield, brandish,
strike, shatter'. See quash, 'to annul', and cp.
concuss, concussion, percuss, percussion.
Derivatives: discuss-er, n., discuss-ible, adj., dis-
cussion (q.v.), discuss-ive, adj.
discussion, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. discussidnem,
acc. of discussid, 'a shaking', in Late L. 'dis-
cussion', fr. discussus, pp. of discutere. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivative: discussion-al, adj.
disdain, tr. v. — ME. disdaynen, fr. OF. des-
deignier, desdeigner (F. dedaigner), fr. VL. *dis-
digndre, corresponding to L. dedigndri. 'to dis-
dain', prop, 'to reject as unworthy'. Cp. It.
sdegnare, Ofrovenc. desdenhar, Sp. desdenar,
'to disdain', and see dis- and deign.
Derivative: disdain-er, n.
disdain, n. — ME. disdayn, fr. OF. desdeign, des-
dain (F. dedain), fr. desdeignier. See disdain, v.
Derivatives: disdain-ful, adj., disdain-ful-ly,a.dv.,
disdain-ful-ness, n.
459
dishonest
disease, n. — ME. disese, desese, fr. OF. desaise,
lit. 'lack of ease', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and aise,
'ease'. See dis- and ease.
disease, tr. v. — ME. disesen, fr. OF. desaaisier,
fr. desaise, 'disease'. See disease, n.
Derivative: diseas-ed, adj.
disembark, tr. and intr. v. — F. desembarquer, fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and embarquer, 'to embark'. See
dis- and embark.
Derivative: disembark-ation, n.
disembarrass, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and em-
barrass, on analogy of F. desembarrasser. Cp.
debarrass. Derivative : disembarrass-ment, n.
disembody, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and embody.
Derivative: disembodi-ment, n.
disembogue, tr. and intr. v., to flow into the sea,
lake, etc. ; to empty. — Sp. desembocar, fr. des-
(fr. L. dis-) and embocar, 'to put or enter into
the mouth', fr. em-, assimilated form of en-, 'in',
and boca, 'mouth', fr. L. bucca, 'cheek'. See in-,
'in', and buccal, and cp. debouch.
disembosom, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. dis-
and embosom and lit. meaning 'to cast from
the bosom'.
disembowel, tr. v., to remove the bowels from. —
Formed fr. dis- and embowel,
diseme, n., a syllable of two times (pros.) — See
next word.
disemic, adj., having the length of two times
(pros.) — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Late L.
disemus, 'dissyllabic', fr. Gk. 8ictt)[xo<;, fr. 81-
(see di-, 'two'), and cr?j|j.a, 'sign'. See semantics
and cp. words there referred to.
disenchant, tr. v. — F. desenchanter, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and enchanter, 'to enchant, bewitch'. See
dis- and enchant.
Derivatives: disenchant-er, n., disenchant-ment,
n.
disencumber, tr. v. — F. desencombrer, fr. des-
(fr. L. dis-) and encombrer, 'to obstruct, en-
cumber'. See dis- and encumber.
disenfranchise, tr. v., to disfranchise. — Formed
fr. dis- and enfranchise. Cp. disfranchise.
Derivative: disenfranchise-ment, n.
disengage, tr. v. — Formed fr. dis- and engage.
Derivatives : disengag-ed, adj., disengage-ment,n.
disfavor, disfavour, n. — Formed fr. dis- and
favor, favour.
Derivative: disfavo(u)r, tr. v.
disfigure, tr. v. — OF. desfigurer (F. defigurer),
fr. VL. *disfigurdre, fr. dis- and L. figurdre, 'to
form, fashion', fr. figura, 'form, shape'. See
figure, n.
Derivatives: disfigur-ation, n., disfigure-ment,
n., disfigur-er, n.
disforest, tr. v., to disafforest. — Formed fr. dis-
and forest. Cp. deforest, disafforest.
disfranchise, tr. v., to deprive of a franchise. —
Formed fr. dis- and franchise. Cp. disenfran-
chise.
Derivative: disfranchise-ment, n.
disgorge, tr. v., to throw out from the throat. —
OF. desgorger (F. degorger), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)
and gorge, 'throat'. See dis- and gorge,
disgrace, n. — F. disgrace, fr. It. disgrazia, fr.
dis- (fr. L. dis-) and grazia, 'grace', fr. L. gratia,
'favor, kindness, charm'. See dis- and grace, v.
Derivatives: disgrace-ful, adj., disgrace- ful-ly,
adv., disgrace- ful-ness, n.
disgrace, tr. v. — F. disgracier, fr. disgrace. See
disgrace, n.
disgruntle, tr. v., to make discontented. —
Formed fr. dis- and gruntle, freq. of grunt.
Derivatives : disgruntl-ed, adj. ,disgruntle-ment,r\.
disguise, tr. v. — ME. desguisen, desgisen, degisen,
fr. OF. desguisier, desguiser (F. deguiser), fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-) and OF. (= F.) guise. See dis-
and guise.
Derivatives: disguise, n., disguis-ed, adj., dis-
guis-ed-ly, adv., disguis-ed-ness, n., disguis-er, n.
disgust, tr. v. — Earlier F. desgouster (F. de-
gouter), 'to disgust', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
gouster (F. gouter), 'to taste', fr. L. gustdre, of
s.m. See gust, 'relish', and cp. degust.
Derivatives: disgust-ed, adj., disgust-ed-ly, adv.,
disgust-ed-ness, n., disgust-er, n., disgust-ing,
adj., disgust-ing-ly, adv., disgust-ing-ness, n.
disgust, n. — Earlier F. desgoust (¥. degout), fr.
desgouster. See disgust, v.
Derivatives : disgust-ful, adj., disgust-ful-ly, adv.,
disgust-ful-ness, n.
dish, n. — ME. disch, fr. OE. disc, 'dish, plate,
bowl', rel. to ON. diskr, 'dish', OS. disk, 'table',
OHG. tisc, 'dish; table', MHG, G. tisch,
'table', fr, L. discus, 'quoit', in Late L. 'dish'
(so called because of its shape), fr. Gk. Stuxoi;,
'quoit, disk', which is dissimilated fr. *Six-axo;
and prop, means 'that which is thrown', from
the stem of Sixstv, 'to throw, cast', whence also
Slxxuov, 'net'. Cp. dais, desk, disc, discus and
the second element in oftish. Cp. also Dictynidae,
Dictynna, dictyo-.
Derivatives: dish, tr. and intr. v., dish-ed, adj.,
dish-er, n.
dishabille, also deshabille, n., negligee, undress.
— F. deshabille, prop. pp. of deshabiller, 'to un-
dress', used as a noun, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
habiller, 'to dress'. See dis- and habiliment. For
the loss of the French pp. suff. -e in E. deshabille
cp. costive and words there referred to.
disherison, n., the act of disinheriting (archaic).
— Fr. earlier disheriteson, fr. OF. desheriteison,
fr. desheriter, 'to disinherit', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-)
and heriter, 'to inherit', fr. L. hereditdre, 'to in-
herit'. See heredity and cp. disinherit.
dishevel, tr. v. — Back formation fr. disheveled.
disheveled, dishevelled, adj., disarranged; untidy;
tousled. — Formed with suff.-ed fr. OF. descheve-
le, 'disheveled', fr. ML. discapilldtus, 'stripped
of hair', fr. dis- and L. capillus, 'hair'. In F.
echevele, 'disheveled', the pref. des- has been re-
placed by the pref. e- (fr. L. ex-, 'out of, from' ;
see 1st ex-). See capillary.
dishonest, adj. — ME. dishoneste, fr. OF. des-
dishonest/
460
honeste (F. deshonnete), fr. VL. dishonestus (cor-
responding to L. dehonestus), fr. dis- and L.
honestus. See honest.
Derivative : dishonest-ly, adv.
dishonesty, n. — OF. deshoneste (F. deshonnitete),
fr. deshoneste, adj. See prec. word and cp.
honesty.
dishonor, dishonour, n. — OF. deshonor (F. des-
honneur), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and honor. See dis-
and honor, n.
dishonor, dishonour, tr. v. — OF. deshonorer (F.
dishonorer), fr. Late L. dishondrdre, 'to dis-
honor', fr. dis- and L. hondrdre, 'to honor'. See
honor, v.
Derivatives: dishono(u)r-able, adj., dishono(u)r-
able-ness, n., dishono(u)r-abl-y, adv.
dishorse, tr. and intr. v. — A hybrid coined fr.
dis-, a pref. of Latin origin, and the Teut. word
horse.
disinherit, tr. v., to deprive of the right to in-
herit. — Formed fr. dis- and inherit, in the now
obsolete sense 'to make one's heir'. Cp. dis-
herison.
Derivative: disinherit-ance, n.
disject, tr. v., to scatter, disperse. — L. disjectus,
pp. of disicere (less correctly disjicere), 'to throw
asunder, scatter', fr. dis- and jdcere, 'to throw'.
See jet, 'to spirt forth'. For the change of Latin
a (in jdcere) to e (in dis-jectus) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
disjecta membra, scattered members. — See dis-
ject and member.
disjoin, tr. v. — OF. desjoindre (F. disjoindre, de-
joindre), fr. L. disjungere, 'to disjoin, disunite,
separate', fr. dis- and jungere, 'to join'. See join
and cp. disjoint, disjunct, disjunction.
disjoint, adj. — OF. desjoint (fr. L. disjunctus),
pp. of desjoindre. See prec. word and cp. dis-
junct, conjoint.
Derivatives: disjoint-ed, adj., disjoint-ed-ly,adv.,
disjoint-ed-ness, n.
disjunct, adj. — L. disjunctus, pp. of disjungere.
See disjoin.
disjunction, n. — L. disjunctid, gen. -dnis, 'separ-
ation', fr. disjunctus, pp. of disjungere. See dis-
junct and -ion and cp. junction, conjunction.
disjunctive, adj. — L. disjunctivus, 'placed in op-
position', fr. disjunctus, pp. of disjungere. See
disjoin and -ive and cp. conjunctive, subjunctive.
Derivatives: disjunctive, n., disjunctive-ly, adv.
disk, also disc, n. (the latter spelling is used es-
pecially in zoology). — L. discus, 'quoit, disk',
fr. Gk. 8ictxo<;. See dish and cp. words there
referred to.
dislikable, adj. — Formed from the verb dislike
with suff. -able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adapt-
able, affordable, forgettable.
dislike, tr. v. — A hybrid coined fr. dis- (fr. L.
dis-) and like, 'to be fond of (fr. OE. gettcian).
Cp. the verb mislike, in which both elements
are Teutonic.
Derivative : dislike, n.
dislocate, tr. v., i) to put out of joint ; 2) to upset.
— ML. dislocdtus, pp. of dislocdre, 'to put out
of place', fr. dis- and locdre, 'to put, place', fr.
locus, 'place'. See locate,
dislocation, n. — ML. dislocdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
dislocdtus, pp. of dislocdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
dislodge, tr. v. — OF. deslogier, desloger (F. de-
loger), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and logier, loger, 'to
lodge'. See dis- and lodge, v.
Derivative : dislodg-ment, n. .
disloyal, adj. — OF. desloial (F. deloyat), fr. des-
(fr. L. dis-) and loial (F. loyal). — See dis-and
loyal.
Derivatives: disloyal-ly, adv., disloyalty (q.v.),
and the hybrid noun disloyal-ist, n.
disloyalty, n. — OF. desloiaute (F. diloyauti), fr.
OF. desloial. See disloyal and -ty and cp.
loyalty.
dismal, n., a period of dies mail, or 'unlucky
days'; adj., 1) gloomy; dreary; 2) miserable. —
ME. dysmal, fr. OF. dis mal, 'evil, or unlucky,
day', fr. L. dies mail, 'evil, unfortunate days'.
See deity and mal-.
Derivatives: dismal-ly, adv., dismal-ness, n.
dismantle, tr. v. — OF. desmanteler (F. deman-
teler), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and manteler, 'to cover
with a mantle', fr. mantel, 'mantle'. See dis- and
mantle.
Derivatives: dismantle-ment, n., dismantl-er, n.
dismay, tr. v., to discourage. — ME. dismayen,
fr. OF. *desmayer, *dismayer (occurring only in
the form of the pp. dismaye), a collateral form of
esmayer, 'to trouble, disturb, frighten' (whence
OF. esmais, esmoi, F. emoi, 'anxiety'), fr. VL.
*exmagdre, 'to remove the power from', a hy-
brid coined fr. L. pref. ex-, 'out of, from', and
Teut. *magan, 'to be able'. See dis- and the
auxiliary verb may. Cp. It. smagare, 'to weaken,
dismay, discourage', smagarsi, 'to be discour-
aged', OProvenc. esmagar, esmaiar, 'to trouble',
Port, esmagar, 'to crash', which all derive fr.
VL. *exmagdre. Sp. desmayar, 'to be dispirited',
is an OF. loan word.
Derivatives: dismay, n., loss of courage, dismay-
ed, adj., dismay-ed-ness, n.
dismember, tr. v. — OF. desmembrer (F. demem-
brer), fr. VL. dismembrdre (corresponding to L.
demembrdre), 'to dismember', fr. dis- and mem-
brum, 'member'. See member.
Derivatives: dismember-ed, adj., dismember-er,
n., dismemberment (q.v.)
dismemberment, n. — OF. desmembrement (F.
demembrement), fr. desmembrer. See prec. word
and -ment.
dismiss, tr. v. — Formed, with change of suffix
di- to dis-, fr. L. dimissus, pp. of dimittere, 'to
send apart, send away', fr. di-, 'apart', and mit-
tere, 'to send'. See mission.
Derivatives: dismiss-al, n., dismiss-ible, adj.,
dismiss-ion, n., dismiss-ive, adj.
disnature, tr. v. — OF. desnaturer (F. denaturer),
461
displacency
fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and nature. See dis- and
nature.
disobedience, n. — OF. desobedience, fr. VL.
*disoboedientia (corresponding to L. inoboe-
dientia), fr. *disoboediens, gen. -entis. See dis-
and obedience.
disobedient, adj. — OF. desobedient, fr. VL. *dis-
oboedientem, acc. of *disoboediens, which cor-
responds to L. inoboediens, 'disobedient'. See
dis- and obedient and cp. next word.
Derivative: disobedient-ly, adv.
disobey, tr. and intr. v. — F. desobeir, fr. VL.
*disoboedire, corresponding to L. inoboedire,
'to disobey'. See dis- and obey.
disoblige, tr. v. — F. desobliger, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and obliger, 'to oblige'. See dis- and oblige.
Derivatives: disoblig-er, n., disoblig-ing, adj.,
disoblig-ing-ly, adv.
disorder, n. — Formed fr. dis- and order, on
analogy of F. desordre.
Derivatives: disorder, tr. v., disorder-ed, adj.,
disorder-ed-ly, adv., disorder-ed-ness, n., dis-
orderly, adj., n. and adv., disorder-li-ness, n.
disorganization, n. — F. disorganisation, fr. dis-
organiser. See next word and -ation.
disorganize, tr. v. — Coined by Edmund Burke
(1729-97) fr. dis- and organize, on analogy of
F. desorganiser.
Derivatives: disorganization (q.v.), disorganiz-
er, n.
disparage, tr. v., to belittle. — OF. desparagier
(F. diparager), orig. 'to marry below one's
rank', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and parage, 'equality
of rank', fr. VL. *pardticum, fr. L. par, 'equal'.
See dis-, pair and verbal suff. -age.
Derivatives: disparag-er, n., disparag-ing, adj.,
disparag-ing-ly, adv.
disparagement, n. — OF. desparagement, fr. des-
paragier. See prec. word and -ment.
disparate, adj., unequal. — L. dispardtus, pp. of
dispardre, 'to part, separate', fr. dis- and pardre,
'to prepare'. See pare and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: disparate-ly, adv., disparate-ness,n.
disparity, n., inequality. — F. dispariti. See dis-
and parity.
dispart, tr. and intr. v., to divide, separate. —
OF. despartir (F. departir), fr. L. dispartire, a
collateral form of dispertire, 'to divide, distri-
bute', fr. dis- and partire, 'to divide', fr. pars,
gen. partis, 'part'. See part, v., and cp. depart.
dispart, n., the difference between the semidia-
meters at the breech of a gun and at its muzzle.
— Fr. prec. word.
dispatch, despatch, tr. v. — Sp.-Port. despachar,
'to hasten, speed', fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and VL.
*pactdre, 'to fasten, fix', freq. of L. pangere (pp.
pactus), 'to make firm, fasten', which is rel. to
pacisci, 'to make a treaty', pax, gen. pads,
'peace'. See dis- and pact and cp. words there
referred to. The correct spelling is dispatch. The
spelling despatch is due to an error in Johnson's
Dictionary. Cp. It. dispacciare, 'to dispatch',
which is formed fr. dis- and VL. *pactidre, fr.
L. pactus, pp. of pangere (see above). F. de-
pecher, 'to dispatch', is not related to Sp.-Port.
despachar, but derives fr. dis- and L. -pedicdre
(in impedicdre), 'to catch in a trap', fr. pedica,
'shackle, fetter' (see depeche).
Derivatives: dispatch, n. (q.v.), dispatch-er, n.
dispatch, despatch, n. — Sp.-Port. despacho, fr.
despachar. See prec. word.
dispel, tr. v. — L. dispellere, 'to drive away, scat-
ter', fr. dis- and pellere, 'to push, drive'. See
pulse, 'throb', and cp. appeal and words there
referred to.
Derivative: dispell-er, n.
dispensable, adj. — ML. dispensdbilis, fr. L. dis-
pensdre. See dispense and -able.
Derivatives: dispensabil-ity, n., dispensable-
ness, n.
dispensary, n. — Prop, 'a place where medicines
are weighed out'. See dispense and subst. suff.
-ary.
dispensation, n. — F., fr. L. dispensdtidnem, acc.
of dispensdtio, fr. dispensdtus, pp. of dispensdre.
See next word and -ation.
Derivative: dispensation-al, adj.
dispense, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) dispenser, fr. L. dis-
pensdre, 'to weigh out, pay out, distribute; to
manage, regulate, control, impart', freq. of dis-
pendere (pp. dispensus), 'to weigh out', fr. dis-
and pendere, 'to weigh out, pay out; to consider,
ponder'. See pension and cp. spend. Cp. also
spence.
Derivatives: dispensable (q.v.), dispens-er, n.
dispeople, tr. v. — OF. despeupler (F. depeupler),
fr. des- (fr. L. dis-), and peupler, 'to people,
populate', fr. peuple, 'people'. See dis- and
people.
disperse, tr. and intr. v. — F. disperser, fr. L.
dispersus, pp. of dispergere, 'to scatter, dis-
perse', fr. dis- and spargere, 'to sprinkle, scatter,
disperse, divide'. See sparse and cp. asperse.
For the change of Latin a (in spargere) to e
(in di-spergere, di-spersus) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: dispers-al, n., dispers-ed-ly, adv.,
dispers-ible, adj., dispers-ibil-ity, n., dispersion
(q.v.), dispers-ive, adj., dispers-ive-ly, adv.,
dispers-ive-ness, n.
dispersion, n. — F., fr. L. dispersidnem, acc. of
dispersid, 'a scattering', fr. dispersus, pp. of dis-
pergere. See prec. word and -ion.
dispirit, tr. v., to discourage. — Formed fr. dis-
and spirit.
Derivatives: dispirit-ed-ly, adv., dispirit-ed-
ness, n.
displace, tr. v. — OF. desplacer (F. diplacer), fr.
des- (fr. L. dis-), and placer, 'to place'. See dis-
and place, v.
Derivatives: displace-ment, n., displac-er, n.
displacency, n. — ML. displacentia (for L. dis-
plicentia), 'dissatisfaction*, fr. dis-, L. placere,
'to please'. See displease and -ency.
display
462
display, tr. v. — OF. despleier (F. deployer), 'to
unfold', fr. L. displicdre, 'to unfold, scatter',
fr. dis- and plicdre, 'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend',
and cp. plicate. Cp. also deploy.
Derivatives: display, n., display-ed, adj., dis-
p/ay-er, n.
displease, tr. v. — OF. desplaisir, fr. VL. *dis-
placere, corresponding to L. displicere, 'to dis-
please', fr. dis- and placere, 'to please'. See
please.
Derivatives: displeas-ed, adj., displeas-ed-ly,
adv., displeas-ing, adj., displeas-ing-ly, adv.
displeasure, n. — OF. desplaisir (F. deplaisir),
infinitive used as a noun. See prec. word and
cp. pleasure.
Derivative : displeasure, tr. v.
displume, tr. v., to deprive of feathers. — OF.
desplumer (F. dep/umer), fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and
plume, 'feather'. See dis- and plume and cp.
deplume, unplume.
disport, n., diversion; amusement (archaic). —
ME., fr. OF. desport, fr. (se) desporter. See dis-
port, v.
disport, intr. and tr. v., to amuse (oneself). —
OF. (se) desporter 'to seek amusement', lit. 'to
carry oneself in the opposite direction', fr. des-
(fr. L. dis-) and porter (fr. L. portdre), 'to carry'.
See port, 'to carry', and cp. sport, which is a
doublet of disport.
Disporum, n., a genus of plants of the lily-of-the-
valley family (hot.) — ModL., formed fr. di-,
'two', and anopa, 'seed' (see spore); so called
in allusion to the two ovules in each cell.
dispose, tr. and intr. v. — OF. (= F.) disposer,
fr. L. dispdnere (pp. dispositus), 'to dispose',
which was Gallicized after F. poser, 'to put,
place'. See next word and cp. compose and words
there referred to. See also pose, 'to place'.
Derivatives: dispos-able, adj., dispos-abil-ity, n.,
dispos-able-ness, n., dispos-al, n., dispos-ed, adj.,
dispos-ed-ly, adv., dispos-ed-ness, n., dispos-
er, n.
disposition, n. — ME.,fr. MF.(= F.) disposition, fr.
L. dispositidnem, acc. of dispositid, 'arrangement,
management disposition', fr. dispositus, pp. of
dispdnere, 'to place here and there, arrange,
dispose', fr. dis- and pdnere, 'to put, place'. See
position.
Derivatives: disposition-al, adj., disposition-ed,
adj.
dispositive, adj. — F. dispositif (fem. dispositive),
formed with suff. -ive fr. L. dispositus, pp. of
dispdnere. See dispose.
dispossess, tr. v. — OF. despossessier, desposses-
ser, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and possessier, possesser,
'to possess'. See dis- and possess.
Derivatives: dispossess-ion, n., dispossess-or, n.,
dispossess-ory, adj.
dispraise, tr. v., to disparage; to blame. — OF.
despreisier, despreiser, despriser, fr. VL. *dis-
pretidre, corresponding to L. depretidre, 'to
undervalue, depreciate, disregard, make light
of. See dis- and depreciate and cp. next word.
Derivative : dispraise, n.
disprize, tr. v., not to prize, to despise. — OF.
despriser. See prec. word.
disproof, n. — Formed fr. dis- and proof, on
analogy of disprove.
disproportion. — F. See dis- and proportion.
Derivatives: disproportion, tr. v., disproportion-
al, adj., disproportion-al-ity, n., disproportion-
ate, adv., disproportion-ate, adj., disproportion-
ately, adv., disproportion-ate-ness, n.
disprove, tr. v. — OF. desprover, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and pruver, prover (F. prouver), 'to prove'.
See dis- and prove and cp. words there referred to.
disputable, adj. — L. disputdbilis, fr. disputdre.
See dispute and -able.
Derivatives: disputabil-ity, n., disputable-ness,
n., disputabl-y, adv.
disputant, adj. and n. — L. disputdns, gen. -antis,
pres. part, of disputdre. See dispute and -ant.
disputation, n. — L. disputdtid, gen. -dnis, 'argu-
ment, debate, dispute', fr. disputdtus, pp. of dis-
putdre. See dispute and -ation.
disputatious, adj. — See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: disputatious-ly, adv., disputatious-
ness, n.
disputative, adj. — Late L. disputdtivus, 'pertain-
ing to a dispute', fr. L. disputdtus, pp. of dis-
putdre. See next word and -ive.
Derivatives: disputative-ly, adv., disputative-
ness, n.
dispute, tr. and intr. v. — ME. desputen, disputen,
fr. OF. desputer, disputer (F. disputer), fr. L.
disputdre, 'to reckon up, calculate, examine, in-
vestigate, discuss, dispute', fr. dis- and putdre,
'to cut, trim, prune, lop, clean, cleanse; to think
over, consider, reckon, count'. See putative and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dispute, n., disput-er, n.
disquisition, n., inquisition; examination. — L.
disquisitid, gen. -dnis, 'a search into, an inquiry',
fr. disquisitus, pp. of disquirere, 'to inquire care-
fully', fr. dis- and quaerere (pp. quaesitus), 'to
seek'. See query and -ition. For the change of
Latin ae (in quaesitus) to i (in dis-quisitus) see
acquire and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: disquisition-al, adj.
disrate, tr. v., to reduce to a lower rating. —
Formed fr. dis- and rate, 'amount'.
disrupt, tr. v. — Back formation fr. disruption.
disruption, n. — L. disruptid, diruplid, gen. -dnis,
'a breaking asunder', fr. disruptus, diruptus, pp.
of disrumpere, dirumpere, 'to break to pieces,
break asunder, sever', fr. dis-, resp. di-, 'apart',
and rumpere, 'to break, burst, tear'. See rupture
and -ion.
disruptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
disruptus, pp. of disrumpere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: disruptive-ly, adv., disrupt ive-ness,
n.
diss-, form of disso- before a vowel.
dissect, tr. v., to cut apart. — L. dissectus, pp. of
463
dissipate
dissecdre, 'to cut to pieces', fr. dis- and secdre,
'to cut; to cut off'. See section.
Derivatives: dissect-ed, adj., dissect-ing, adj.,
dissection (q.v.), dissect-ive, adj., dissect-or, n.
dissection, n. — L. dissectid, gen. -dnis, 'a cutting
to pieces', fr. dissectus, pp. of dissecdre; see prec.
word and -ion. The term dissection was intro-
duced by the English philosopher, Baron Veru-
lam Francis Bacon (1561-1626).
Derivative: dissection-al, adj.
disseize, disseise, tr. v., to deprive of seizing or
possession (law). — OF. dessaisir, fr. des- (fr. L.
dis-) and saisir, 'to seize'. See dis- and seize and
cp. next word.
disseizin, disseisin, n., the act of disseizing (law).
— Formed fr. dis- and seizin. Cp. prec. word.
dissemble, tr. and intr. v. — Fr. earlier dissimule,
fr. OF. dissimuler, 'to dissemble', fr. L. dissi-
muldre (see dissimulate); influenced in form by
assemble, resemble.
Derivative: dissembl-er, n.
disseminate, tr. v., to spread, scatter abroad. —
L. dissemindtus, pp. of dissemindre, 'to scatter
seed, to spread abroad', fr. dis- and semindre,
'to sow', fr. semen, gen. seminis, 'seed'. See dis-,
semen and verbal suff. -ate.
dissemination, n. — L. dissemindtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
scattering of seed, a sowing', fr. dissemindtus,
pp. of dissemindre. See prec. word and -ion.
disseminator, n. — Late L. disseminator, 'one who
scatters seed', fr. L. dissemindtus, pp. of dis-
semindre. See disseminate and agential suff. -or.
dissension, n., disagreement. — F., fr. L. dis-
sensidnem, acc. of dissensid, 'difference of
opinion, disagreement, dissension', fr. dissen-
sus, pp. of dissentire. See dissent and -ion.
dissent, intr. v., to disagree. — L. dissentire, 'to
differ in sentiment, disagree, be unlike', fr. dis-
and sentire, 'to perceive by the senses, to feel'.
See sense and cp. assent, consent, resent.
Derivatives: dissent, n., dissent-er, n., dissent-
ing, adj., dissent-ing-ly, adv.
dissentient, adj., dissenting. — L. dissentiens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of dissentire. See dissent
and -ient and cp. sentient.
dissepiment, n., a partition, enclosure. — L. dis-
saepimentum, 'a partition', lit. 'that which se-
parates', fr. dissaepire, 'to part off, separate, di-
vide', fr. dis- and saepire, 'to hedge in, fence in,
enclose'. See septum and -ment.
dissert, tr. v., to dissertate (rare). — L. dissertus,
pp. of disserere, 'to examine, argue, discuss,
discourse on', fr. dis- and serere, 'to join, bind
together, connect'. See series and cp. assert, in-
sert. Cp. also next word.
dissertate, intr. v., to discourse, discuss. — L.
dissertdtus, pp. of dissertdre, 'to discuss, argue,
debate', freq. of disserere (pp. dissertus). See
prec. word and verbal su>T. -ate.
dissertation, n. — L. dissertdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
dissertdtus, pp. of dissertdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
disserve, tr. v., to serve ill. — Formed fr. dis- and
serve, on analogy of F. desservir.
disservice, n., ill service. — Formed fr. dis- and
service, on analogy of F. desservice.
dissever, tr. v., to sever, separate. — AF. dese-
verer, corresponding to OF. dessevrer, desseve-
rer, fr. des- (fr. L. dis-) and severer, 'to separ-
ate'. See dis- and sever.
disseverance, n. — OF. dessevrance, fr. dessevrer.
See dissever and -ance and cp. severance.
dissidence, n., dissent. — L. dissidentia, 'diver-
sity, contrariety', fr. dissidens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of dissidere. See next word and -ce.
dissident, adj., dissenting; n., a dissenter. — L.
dissidens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of dissidere, 'to
sit apart, be remote from, be divided, be at
variance, be unlike', fr. dis- and sedere, 'to sit'.
See sedentary. For the change of Latin e (in
sedere) to 1 (in dis-sidere) see abstinent and cp.
words there referred to.
dissilient, adj., bursting open (bot.) — L. dissi-
liens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of dissilire, 'to leap
asunder, burst asunder', fr. dis- and satire, 'to
leap'. See salient and cp. resilient, transilient.
For the change of Latin a (in satire) to I (in dis-
silire) see abigeat and cp. words there referred
to.
dissimilar, adj. — Formed fr. dis- and similar,
on analogy of F. dissimilaire.
Derivatives : dissimitar-ity, n., dissimilar-ly, adv.
dissimilate, tr. v. — Formed with verbal suff.
-ate fr. L. dissimilis, 'unlike, different', on ana-
logy of assimilate. See dis- and similar.
Derivatives: dissimilat-ion, n., dissimilat-ive, adj.
dissimilitude, n. — L. dissimilitudd, 'unlikeness',
fr. dissimilis, 'unlike', fr. dis- and similis, 'like'.
See similar and -tude and cp. prec. word.
dissimulate, tr. v., to conceal, dissemble. — L.
dissimuldtus, pp. of dissimuldre, 'to disguise,
hide, conceal, keep secret', lit. 'to pretend that
a thing is not such as it really is', fr. dis- and
simuldre, 'to imitate, assume, pretend'. See
simulate and cp. dissemble.
dissimulation, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. dissimuld-
tidnem, acc. of dissimuldtid, 'a concealing, dis-
guising, dissimulation', fr. dissimuldtus, pp. of
dissimuldre. See prec. word and -ion.
dissipate, tr. v., 1) to scatter; 2) to squander; intr.
v., 1) to disappear; 2) to engage in frivolous
pleasures. — L. dissipdtus, pp. of dissipdre, 'to
scatter, disperse; to destroy; to squander', fr.
dis- and -sipdre, -supdre, 'to throw', fr. I.-E.
base *sup-, *swep-, 'to throw, swing, shake',
whence also Lith. supit (supaii), supti, 'to swing,
rock', OSlav. supp, suti, 'to strew', and its iter-
ative sypati, 'to shale', ra-sypati, 'to scatter',
svepiti se, 'to be shaken about, be tossed,
agitated'. For the ending see verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: dissipat-ed, adj., dissipat-ed-ly,ndv.,
dissipat-ed-ness, n., dissipat-er, n., dissipation
(q.v.), dissipat-ive, adj., dissipator (q.v.)
dissipation
dissipation, n. — L. dissipdtid, gen. -dnis, 'dis-
persion, destruction', fr. dissipatus, pp. of dissi-
pdre. See prec. word and -ion.
dissipator, n. — L. dissipator, 'a disperser, des-
troyer', fr. dissipatus, pp. of dissipdre. See dissi-
pate and agential surf. -or.
disso-, before a vowel diss-, combining form
meaning 'double'. — Gk. Siaao-, Sictcj-, fr. Sicr-
ao?, corresponding to Att. Sitto?, 'double',
which stand for *Six-io?, ar| d ^ Te ^- to ^X a >
'in two, asunder', Sis, 'twice'. See di-, 'two', and
cp. dicho- and the first element in dittography.
dissociable, adj. — L. dissocidbilis, 'separating,
dividing, incompatible', fr. dissociare. See dis-
sociate and -able.
Derivatives: dissociabil-ity, n., dissociable-
ness, n.
dissocial, adj., unsocial. — Formed fr. dis- and
social.
dissociate, tr. v., to separate. — L. dissocidtus,
pp. of dissociare, 'to disjoin, disunite, to set at
variance', fr. dis- and socidre, 'to associate,
unite', fr. socius, 'companion'. See dis- and so-
ciable and cp. disassociate.
Derivatives: dissociation (q.v.), dissociat-ive,ad).
dissociation, n. — L. dissocidtid, gen. -dnis, 'sep-
aration', fr. dissocidtus, pp. of dissociare. See
prec. word and -ion.
dissogeny, n., reproduction in two different pe-
riods of maturity in the same individual (zool.)
— Lit. 'double reproduction'. See disso- and
-geny.
dissoluble, adj. — L. dissolubilis, 'that whic': can
be dissolved', from the stem of dissolvere. See
dissolve and cp. soluble.
Derivatives: dissolubil-ity, n., dissoluble-ness, n.
dissolute, adj. — L. dissolutus, pp. of dissolvere.
See dissolve.
Derivatives: dissolute-ly, adv., dissolute-ness, n.
dissolution, n. — L. dissolutid, gen. -dnis, 'a dis-
solving, destroying, interruption, dissolution',
fr. dissolutus, pp. of dissolvere. See dissolve and
-tion.
Derivative: dissolution-al, adj.
dissolvable, adj. — Formed fr. dissolve with suff.
-able. Cp. dissoluble.
Derivatives: dissolvabil-ity, n., dissolvable-ness,
n.
dissolve, tr. and intr. v. — L. dissolvere (pp. dis-
solutus), 'to loosen, disunite, dissolve, separate,
abolish, destroy', fr. dis- and solvere, 'to loosen,
untie, dissolve'. See solve and cp. absolve, re-
solve.
Derivatives: dissolv-er, n., dissolv-ing, adj.
dissolvent, adj. and n. — L. dissolvens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of dissolvere. See prec. word and -ent.
dissonance, n. — F., fr. Late L. dissonantia, 'dis-
sonance', fr. L. dissondns, gen. -antis, pres. part,
of dissondre. See dissonant and -ce and cp. so-
nance and words there referred to.
dissonant, adj. — F., fr. L. dissonantem, acc. of
dissondns, pres. part, of dissondre, 'to disagree in
464
sound; to disagree, differ', fr. dis- and sondre,
'to sound'. See sonant and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivative: dissonant-ly, adv.
dissuade, tr. v. — L. dissuddere, 'to advise against,
oppose by argument, dissuade', fr. dis- and
suddere, 'to advise, recommend, persuade'. See
suasion and cp. assuage, persuade.
dissuasion, n. — L. dissudsid, gen. -dnis, 'an ad-
vice to the contrary', fr. dissudsus, pp. of dis-
suddere. See prec. word and -ion.
dissuasive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
dissudsus, pp. of dissuddere. See dissuade.
Derivatives: dissuasive-ly, adv., dissuasive-
ness, n.
dissyllabic, adj., having two syllables. — F. dis-
syllabique, formed with suff. -que fr. L. disyl-
labus, 'dissyllabic', fr. Gk. SiauXXafJcx;, fr. 81-
(see di-, 'two'), and auXXa(3^, 'syllable'. See syl-
lable and cp. syllabic. Cp. also disyllabic, which
is the etymologically correct spelling.
Derivative: dissyllabic-al-ly, adv.
dissyllable, n., a word consisting of two syl-
lables. — Formed fr. di-, 'two', and syllable.
See prec. word.
dissymmetric, dissymmetrical, adj., i) asymme-
trical; 2) symmetrical in opposite directions. —
Formed fr. dis- and symmetric, resp. symmetrical.
dissymmetry, n., 1) absence of symmetry, asymme-
try; 2) symmetry in opposite directions. —
Formed fr. dis- and symmetry.
distaff, n. — ME. distaf, dysestaf, fr. OE. distxf,
a compound lit. meaning 'a bedizened staff.'
The first element of this compound is rel. to
MLG. disc, LG. diesse, 'a bunch of flax on a
distaff', and to E. dizen, bedizen. The second
element is identical with OE. stxf, 'staff'. See
staff.
distain, tr. v. — ME. disteinen, fr. OF. disteindre
(F. deteindre), 'to take the color out of, fr. VL.
"dislingere, fr. dis- and L. tingere, 'to dye'. Cp.
It. stingere, Sp. destenir, and see tinge. Cp. also
stain, which is a doublet of distain.
distal, adj., remote from the center of the body
(anal.) — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. di-
stdre, 'to stand apart', on analogy of words like
central, proximal, etc. See distant.
Derivative: distal-ly, adv.
distance, n. — F., fr. L. distantia, 'distance, re-
moteness', fr. distdns, gen. -antis. See distant
and -ce.
Derivative: distance, tr. v.
distant, adj. — F., fr. L. distantem, acc. of distdns,
pres. part, oidistdre, 'to stand apart, be remote,
separate or distant', fr. di- 'apart', and stare,
'to stand'. % See state and -ant and cp. distal,
equidistant.
Derivatives: distant-ly, adv., distant-ness, n.
distemper, tr. v., to disturb. — OF. destemprer,
'to put out of order', fr. ML. distemperdre, of
s.m., fr. dis- (in the privative sense of this pre-
fix), and L. temperdre, 'to mingle in due pro-
465
distrain
portion, combine properly, moderate, regulate',
fr. tempus, gen. temporis, 'time'. See temper and
cp. distemper, 'to coat with distemper'.
Derivative: distemper, n., disorder.
distemper, tr. v., to coat with distemper (paint-
ing)- — OF. destemprer, later, with metathesis,
destremper, 'to mix' (whence F. detremper, 'to
dilute, dissolve, moisten, weaken, soften'), fr.
ML. distemperdre, 'to mingle in exact proport-
ion', fr. dis- (in the sense 'completely') and L.
temperdre. See distemper, 'to disturb', and cp.
tempera. Cp. also distemper, 'to disturb'.
Derivatives: distemper, a method of painting,
tempera, distemper-er, n.
distend, tr. v., to expand. — L. distendere, 'to
stretch out, swell out, extend', fr. dis- and ten-
dere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
direction', and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: distend-er, n.
distensible, adj. — Formed with suff. -ible fr.
Late L. distensus, a collateral form of L. dis-
tentus, pp. of distendere. See prec. word.
Derivative : destensibil-ity, n.
distension, n., the same as distention. — Late L.
distensid, gen. -dnis, fr. distensus, collateral form
of L. distentus, pp. of distendere. See distention
and cp. distensible.
distention, n., expansion. — L. distentid, gen.
-dnis, 'a stretching out', fr. distentus, pp. of dis-
tendere. See distend and -ion and cp. distension.
disthene, n., cyanite (mineral.) — F. disthine, lit.
'having two forces', fr. Gk. Si- (see di-, 'two')
and oftivo?, 'strength' (see sthenia); so called in
allusion to its different electrical properties in
two different directions.
distich, n., a group of two lines (pros.) — L. di-
stichon, fr. Gk. Sicmxov, neut. of Sia-c-ixog, 'of
two rows, two-ranked', fr. Si- (see di-, 'two')
and aTixo?, 'order, row, line, rank; verse',
which is rel. to aTsiyeiv, 'to go, march in order'.
See acrostic and cp. words there referred to.
Distichlis, n., a genus of grasses, the spike grass
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Sicttixo?, 'of two
rows, two-ranked'. See prec. word.
distichous, adj., arranged in two rows (bot.) — L.
distichus, fr. Gk. Sictti/o?, 'of two rows'. See
distich. For E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq,
L. -us, see -ous.
Derivative: distichous-ly, adv.
distill, distil, tr. and intr. v. — OF. (= F.) dis-
tiller, fr. L. destilldre, later distilldre, 'to drip,
trickle down, distill', fr. de-, resp. di-, 'apart'
and stilldre, 'to drop, trickle', fr. stllla, 'drop'.
See still, 'to distill', and cp. still, 'vessel'. Cp.
also instill.
Derivatives: distill-able, adj., distillate (q.v.),
distillation (q.v.), distill-atory , adj., distill-ed,
adj., distill-er, n., distill-ery, n., distill-ing, n.
distillate, n., a product of distillation. — L. destil-
Idtus, distilldtus, pp. of destilldre, distilldre, 'to
drip down'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
distillation, n. — F., fr. Late L. distilldtionem.
acc. of distilldtid, fr. L. distilldtus, pp. of distil-
ldre. See distill and -ation.
distinct, adj. — L. distinct us, 'separate, distinct,
decorated, adorned', pp. of distinguere. See dis-
tinguish and cp. contradistinct. Cp. also F. dis-
tinct, which also derives fr. L. distinctus.
Derivatives: distinct-ive, adj., distinct-ive-ly,
adv., distinct-ive-ness, n., distinct-ly, adv., dis-
tinctness, n.
distinction, n. — F., fr. L. distinctidnem, acc. of
distinctid, 'separation, division, distinction, dis-
crimination', fr. distinctus, pp. of distinguere.
See prec. word and -ion.
distingue, adj., having an air of distinction. — F.,
'distinguished', pp. of distinguer, fr. L. distin-
guere. See distinguish.
distinguish, tr. and intr. v. — Formed with verbal
suff. -ish fr. L. distinguere, 'to separate, distin-
guish, discriminate; to decorate, adorn; to mark
by pauses, punctuate' (gram.), fr. dis- and I.-E.
base *steig-, 'to prick, stick, pierce', whence
also L. instinguere, 'to incite, impel', instigdre,
'to goad'. See stick, v., and cp. words there re-
ferred to. The suff. -ish in the verb distinguish
(as well as in extinguish, admonish, astonish) is
due to the influence of the numerous verbs in
which this suff. is the equivalent of OF. and
F. -iss-, and ultimately goes back to the Latin
inchoative suff. -iscere; see verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: distinguish-able, adj., distinguish-
abil-ity, n., distinguish-able-ness, n., distinguish-
able, adv., distinguish-ed, adj., distinguish-ed-
ly, adv., distinguish-er, n., distinguish-ing, adj.,
distinguish-ing-ly, adv.
distort, tr. v. — L. distortus, pp. of distorquere,
'to turn different ways, twist, distort', fr. dis-
and torquere, 'to turn, twist, bend'. See torque
and cp. contort, extort, retort.
Derivatives: distort-ed, adj., distort-ed-ly, adv.,
distort-ed-ness, n., distort-er, n.
distortion, n. — L. distortid, gen. -dnis, 'a distort-
ing, distortion', fr. distortus, pp. of distorquere.
See distort and -ion.
Derivatives: distortion-al, adj., distortionist (q.v.)
distortionist, n., an acrobat who twists his body.
— See distortion and -ist and cp. contortionist,
distract, tr. v. — L. distractus, pp. of distrahere,
'to pull apart, separate by force, tear to pieces ;
to perplex, distract', fr. dis- and trahere, 'to
draw, pull'. See tract, 'region', and words there
referred to and cp. esp. distrait, distraught,
strass, 'refuse of silk'.
Derivatives: distract-ed, adj., distract-ed-ly,
adv., distract-er, n., distract-ible, adj., distract-
ibil-ity, n., distract-ing-ly, adv., distraction (q.v.),
distract-ive, adj., distract-ive-ly, adv.
distraction, n. — L. distractid, gen. -dnis, 'a pull-
ing apart, separating', fr. distractus, pp. of
distrahere. See distract and -ion.
distrain, intr. v., to levy a distress upon (law). —
ME. distreinen, fr. OF. destraindre, fr. L. di-
stringere, 'to draw asunder, stretch out; engage,
distraint
466
detain', fr. di-, 'apart', and stringere, 'to draw
tight, to draw, bind or press together'. See
stringent and cp. strain, v. Cp. also distress,
district.
Derivatives: distrain-ee, n., distrain-ment, n.,
distrain-or, n., distraint (q.v.)
distraint, n., the act of distraining. — OF. des-
trainte, prop. fern. pp. of destraindre. See prec.
word.
distrait, adj., absent-minded. — F., fr. L. dis-
tractus, pp. of distrahere. See distract and cp.
next word.
distraught, adj., perplexed, bewildered: — ME.
distrauhte, altered fr. distract, fr. L. distractus.
See prec. word.
distress, n. — ME. destress, distresse, fr. OF. de-
strece, destrecce (F. detresse), fr. VL. *districtia,
'narrowness, distress', fr. L. districtus, pp. of
distringere. See distrain, and cp. district. Cp. also
OProven?. destreissa, 'distress', which is of the
same origin.
Derivatives: distress-ful, adj., distress-ful-Iy,
adv., distress-ful-ness, n.
distress, tr. v. — OF. destresser, fr. VL. *distric-
tidre, fr. *districtia, 'distress'. See distress, n.
Derivatives: distress-ed, adj., distress-ed-ly, adv.
distress-ed-ness, n.
distributable, adj. — Irregularly formed fr. L.
distributus, pp. of distribuere. (The stiff, -able
should be added to the Latin present stem —
and not to the past participle stem — of the
respective verb.) See next word.
distribute, tr. and intr. v. — L. distributus, pp. of
distribuere, 'to divide, distribute', fr. dis- and
tribuere, 'to assign, allot, bestow, give, grant'.
See tribute and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: distributable (q.v.), distribut-ed,
adj., distribut-ed-ly, adv., distribut-er, n., distri-
bution (q.v.), distributive (q.v.)
distribution, n. — F., fr. L. distributionem, acc. of
distribute, 'a division, distribution', fr. distri-
butus, pp. of distribuere. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivative: distribution-al, adj.
distributive, adj. — F. distributif (fern, distribu-
tive), fr. Late L. distribiitivus, 'apportioning,
distributive', fr. L. distributus, pp. of distribuere.
See distribute and -ive.
Derivatives: distributive-ly, adv., distributive-
ness, n.
distributor, n. — L., fr. distributus, pp. of distri-
buere. See distribute and agential surf. -or.
district, n. — ML. districtus, prop. pp. of L. di-
stringere,'todraw asunder, stretch out ; toengage,
detain', fr. di-, 'apart', and stringere, 'to draw'.
See distrain and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: district, tr. v.
distrophy, n., defective nutrition (med.) — Med-
ical L. distrophia, fr. dys- and Gk. rpoip-f), 'nour-
ishment'. See -trophy.
distrust, n. — A hybrid coined fr. L. dis-, 'apart'
(see dis-) and trust, a word of Scand. origin.
The etymologically correct form is mistrust, in
which both elements are Teutonic.
Derivatives: distrust, tr. v., distrust-ful, adj.,
distrust-ful-ly, adv., distrust-ful-ness, n.
disturb, tr. v. — ME. destorben, destourben, fr.
OF. destorber, desturber, destourber, fr. L. dis-
turbare, 'to drive asunder, separate by violence,
disturb, frustrate', fr. dis- and turbare, 'to con-
fuse, bewilder', fr. turba, 'uproar, confusion,
crowd'. See turbid and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: disturbance (q.v.), disturb-er, n.,
disturb-ing-ly, adv.
disturbance, n. — OF. destorbance, desturbance,
fr. destorber, desturber. See prec. word and
-ance.
disulfate, also spelled disulphate, n., i) a salt ol
disulfuric acid; 2) a bisulfate (chem.) — A hy-
brid coined fr. Glc. St- (see di-, 'two') and L.
sulpur, sulphur, sulfur. See sulfate.
disulfide, also spelled disulphide, n., a compound
in which two atoms of sulfur are united with
another element or radical (chem.) — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. St-, (see di-, 'two') and L. sulpur,
sulphur, sulfur. See di-, 'two', and sulfide.
disuse, tr. v. — Formed on analogy of OF. des-
user, fr. dis- and the verb use. Cp. misuse, v.
disuse, n. — Formed fr. dis- and the noun use.
Cp. misuse, n.
disyllabic, adj. — The etymologically correct
spelling for dissyllabic (q.v.)
disyllable, n. — The etymologically correct spell-
ing for dissyllable (q.v.)
dital, n., a fingerkey by which, in a harp guitar,
the pjtch can be raised a semitone (music). —
Formed with suff. -al fr. It. dito, 'finger', fr. L.
digitus. See digit and cp. digital.
ditch, n. — ME. dich, fr. OE. die, rel. to ON.
diki, 'dike, ditch', OS., OFris., MLG, dik, MDu.
dijc, Du. dijk, MHG. dich, G. Deich, 'dike',
MHG. tich, G. Teich, 'pond' (F. digue, 'dike,
dam', is a Dutch loan word). These words prob.
meant orig. 'something cut out', and derive fr.
I.-E. base "dheig-, 'to cut out', whence also L.
figere, 'to fix, fasten, drive in', Lith. diegiu,
dtegti, Lett, diegt, 'to prick, sting', Lith. dygstu,
dygti, Lett, digt, 'to sprout, germ', Lith. dygus,
'pointed', dyglys, 'thorn', OPruss. deicktas,
'place', orig. 'point' (for sense development cp.
point) See dike, which is a doublet of ditch.
See also dig, finis, fix.
Derivatives: ditch, tr. and intr. v., ditch-er, a.,
ditch-ing, n.
ditheism, n., belief in the existence of two gods.
— Formed fr. di-, 'two', and theism.
dithionic, adj., pertaining to a compound that
contains twd atoms of sulfur (chem.) — Formed
fr. di-, 'two', and Gk. &etov, 'sulfur'. See thio-
and -ic and cp. thionic.
dithyramb, n., 1) in ancient Greece, a song in
honor of Bacchus; 2) any wildly emotional
song. — L. dithyr ambus, fr. Gk. 8l&upau.(lo<;,
467
divergence
'poem in honor of Bacchus', a loan word of
pre-Hellenic origin. Cp. triumph. Cp. also iamb.
Derivative: dithyramb-ic, adj.
ditriglyph, n., a space between two columns of
the Doric style (archit.) — Formed fr. di-, 'two',
and triglyph.
ditrochee, n., a double trochee (pros.) — L. di-
trochaeus, fr. Gk. 8iTp6xaio<;, 'a double tro-
chee', fr. 81- (see di-, 'double') and Tpo/ato?,
'trochee'. See trochee.
dittamy, n. — The same as dittany (q.v.)
dittander, n., 1) the Cretan dittany; 2) the Euro-
pean pepperwort. — See next word.
dittany, n., an aromatic plant (bot.) — ME. de-
tane, detany, fr. OF. ditain, ditame, dictam(m)e
(F. dictame), fr. L. dictamnum, fr. Gk. SixTa^vov,
which derives perh. fr. Atx-n), name of a
mountain in Crete. Cp. Dictamnus, dittamy,
dittander.
ditto, n., the same (lit. the foresaid). — It., form
used in Tuscany for literary It. detto, 'that which
has been said (before)', pp. of dire, 'to say', fr.
L. dicere, 'to say'. See diction and cp. dictum.
dittography, n., the unintentional repetition of a
letter or letters in writing. — Compounded of
Gk. StTToi;, Att. var. of Sictcto?, 'double, two-
fold', and -ypacpia, fr. ypatpstv, 'to write'. For
the first element see disso- and cp. words there
referred to, for the second see -graphy.
Derivative: dittograph-ic, adj.
dittology, n., a twofold reading or interpretation.
— Compounded of Gk. Sitt6?, 'double, two-
fold', and -Xoyia, fr. -\6yoc,, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See prec. word and -logy.
ditty, n., a short song. — ME. dite, ditee, fr. OF.
ditie, dite, fr. L. dictdtum, 'anything dictated',
prop. neut. pp. of dictdre, 'to say often, pro-
nounce repeatedly', freq. of dicere (pp. dictus),
'to say'. See diction and cp. dictate, dight.
Derivative: ditty, It. and intr. v.
diuresis, n., excessive excretion of urine (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. *8toup7)at<;, 'urination', fr.
Sioupetv, 'to pass urine', fr. 81A, 'through', and
oupetv, 'to make water', fr. oipov, 'urine'. See
dia-, urine and -esis, and cp. next word.
diuretic, adj., increasing, or tending to increase
the secretion of urine. — Late L. dureticus, fr.
Gk. Sioupr)Ttx6<;, 'pertaining to urine', fr.
StoupEuv, 'to pass urine'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: diuretic, n., a diuretic drug, diu-
retic-al-ly, adv., diuretic-al-ness, n.
diurnal, adj., daily. — L. diurndlis, 'diurnal', fr.
diurnus, 'daily', which is formed fr. di-(es), 'day',
with -urnus, an adj. suff. denoting time. This
suffix is a contraction of orig. *ri-nos, which
derives fr. Gk. -ptvo?, a suff. of the same mean-
ing. (Cp. e.g. Gk. x et i Ae P tv ^? = L. hibernus,
'wintry'.) See dies non and adj. suff. -al and cp.
next word. Cp. also journal, which is a doublet
of diurnal. Cp. also journey, adjourn, sojourn.
For the suff. cp. nocturnal, modern.
Derivatives: diurnal-ly, adv., diurnal-ness, n.
diuturnal, adj., of long duration. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. diuturnus, 'of long duration,
lasting' (on analogy of diurnus, 'daily'), fr. diu,
'by day; a long time, a long while', which is rel.
to dies, 'day'. See dies non. For the suff. see
prec. word.
diuturnity, n., long duration. — L. diuturnitds, fr.
diuturnus. See prec. word and -ity.
diva, n., a prima donna. — It., fr. L. diva, 'a god-
dess', fern, of dims, 'divine'. See divine.
divagate, intr. v., to wander about. — L. diva-
gdtus, pp. of divagdri, 'to wander about', fr. di-,
'apart', and vagdri, 'to wander, ramble'. See
vagary and verbal suff. -ate.
divagation, n., a wandering about. — L. diva-
gdtus, pp. of divagdri. See prec. word and -ion.
divalence, n., bivalence (chem.) — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce.
divalent, adj., bivalent (chem.) — A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. 81-, 'two, double', and L. valens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of valere, 'to have power'. See
di-, 'two', and -valent. The correct form of the
word is bivalent, in which both elements are of
Latin origin.
divan, n., 1) in Oriental countries, a council of
state; 2) a court of justice; 3) a large low sofa.
— Turk, diwdn, fr. Pers. diwdn, 'a royal court;
a council of state', whence on the one hand, 'a
convenient seat, couch', and on the other 'a
register, an account book ; a collection of poems'
(whence also Arab, diwdn, It. divano, F. divan,
etc.); rel. to Pers. debir, dibir, 'writer'. Cp. de-
wan, dewanee, diwan, douane, aduana.
divaricate, intr. and tr. v., to branch, diverge. —
L. divdriedtus, pp. of divdricdre, 'to stretch
apart, spread asunder', fr. di-, 'apart', and vdri-
cdre, 'to spread the legs apart, to straddle', fr.
various, 'with bent feet, with feet spread apart,
straddling', fr. varus, 'bent, knock-kneed', fr.
I.-E. base *wd-, 'to bend, turn, twist', whence
also L. varius, 'different, changing, varying,
various'. See various and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. prevaricate.
divaricate, adj., divergent. — L. divdriedtus, pp.
of divdricdre. See divaricate, v.
Derivatives: divaricate-ly, adv., divaricate-ness,
n., divaricat-ion, n., divaricat-or, n.
dive, intr. v. — ME. diven, duven, fr. OE. dyfan,
'to immerse', a weak transitive verb, causative
of OE. dufan, a strong intransitive verb meaning
'to sink, plunge, dive'; rel. to ON. dyfa, 'to dip',
and to E. dip, deep, dove (qq.v.)
Derivatives: dive, n., div-er, n.
diverge, intr. v., to move or be in different direct-
ions. — ModL. divergere, 'to go in different
directions, to separate', fr. di- and L. vergere,
'to bend, incline, turn'. See verge, 'to bend',
and cp. converge.
Derivatives: divergence, divergent (qq.v.), di-
verg-ing, adj., diverg-ing-ly, adv.
divergence, divergency, n. — ModL. divergentia,
divergent
468
fr. divergens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce
resp. -cy.
divergent, adj. — ModL. divergens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of dlvergere. See diverge and -ent and
cp. F. divergent.
Derivative: divergent-ly, adv.
divers, adj. — ME. divers, diverse, fr. OF (= F.)
divers, fr. L. diversus, 'different, opposite, con-
trary, various', pp. of divertere, 'to turn or go
in different ways'. See divert.
diverse, adj. — A var. of prec. word.
Derivatives: diverse-ly, adv., diverse-ness, n.
diversification, n. — See diversify and -ation.
diversiform, adj., differing in form. — Formed
fr. L. diversus, 'different', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See diverse and form, n.
diversify, tr. v., to give variety to. — F. diversifier,
lit. 'to make diverse', fr. ML. diver sificdre,
which was formed fr. L. diversus, 'different' and
-ficdre, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See diverse
and -fy.
Derivatives: diversifi-ed, adj., diversifi-er, n.
diversion, n. — ML. diversid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
diversus, pp. of divertere. See divert and -ion.
Derivative: diversion-al, adj.
diversity, n. — OF. diversite (F. diversite), fr. L.
diversitdtem, acc. of diversitds, 'difference, con-
trariety, contradiction', fr. diversus, 'different'.
See diverse and -ity.
divert, tr. v. — ME. diverten, fr. OF. (= F.) di-
vertir, fr. L. divertere, 'to turn or go in different
ways, part, separate', fr. di-, 'apart', and vertere,
'to turn'. See version and cp. divorce.
Derivatives: divert-ing, adj., divert-ing-ly, adv.,
divert-ing-ness, n.
diverticulum, n., a blind process of the intestinal
canal (anat.) — L. diverticulum, diverticulum,
'byroad, bypass', fr. divertere, divertere, 'to turn
away, turn aside (something)', fr. de-, resp. di-,
'apart', and vertere, 'to turn'. See divert.
Derivatives: diverticul-ar, diverticul-ate, di-
verticul-ated, adjs.
Dives, n., the rich man in the parable Luke
16:19-31. — L. dives, 'rich', rel. to divus, 'di-
vine'. Dives orig. meant 'favored by the gods'.
For sense development cp. OSIav. bogatu,
'rich', fr. bogu, 'god'. See divine and cp. Dis.
divest, tr. v., to deprive. — Fr. earlier devest, fr.
OF. desvestir (F. devetir), fr. ML. disvestire, di-
vestire, fr. dis-, and L. vestire, 'to clothe', fr.
vestis, 'garment'. See vest and cp. devest, invest.
Derivatives: divestiture (q.v.), divest-ment, n.
divestiture, n. — Formed fr. divest on analogy of
investiture.
divide, tr. and intr. v. — ME. deviden, dividen,
fr. L. dividere, "to force apart, separate, divide',
fr. di-, 'apart', and I.-E. base *widh-, 'to separ-
ate', whence also L. vidua, Goth, widuwd, OE.
widewe, 'widow'. See widow and cp. divisi, di-
vision ; device, devise, individual. I.-E. base *widh-
is probably compounded of base *wi-. 'apart,
asunder', and base *dhe-, 'to place'. Acc dingly
base *widh-, lit. means 'to place apart'. See
with and do, v.
Derivatives: divide, n., divid-ed, adj., divid-ed-
ly, adv., divid-ed-ness, n., dividend (q.v.), divid-
er, n., divid-ing-ly, adv.
dividend, n. — F. dividende, fr. L. dividendum,
'that which is to be divided', neut. of dividendus,
gerundive of dividere, 'to divide'. See divide. For
other Latin gerundives used in English cp.
agenda and words there referred to.
divi-divi, n., a small tree of S. America and W.
India (Caesalpinia coriaria). — Sp. dividivi, from
native name.
dividual, adj., separate, divisible. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. dividuus, 'separate, divisible',
fr. dividere, 'to divide'. See divide and cp. in-
dividual.
Derivative : dividual-ly, adv.
divination, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. divindtidnem,
acc. of divindtid, 'the power of foreseeing, divi-
nation, prediction', fr. divindtus, pp. of divinare.
See divine, v., and -ation.
divine, adj. — ME. devine, divine, fr. OF. devin,
fr. L. divinus, 'pertaining to a deity' (whence
also It., Sp. divino, Provenc. devin, Port, adi-
vinho), fr. OL. deivinus, fr. deivos (whence L.
deus), 'a god'. See deity.
Derivatives: divine, n. (q.v.), divine-ly, adv.,
divine-ness, n.
divine, n. — OF. (= F.) devin, 'soothsayer', fr.
VL. *devinus, dissimilated fr. L. divinus, 'di-
vine'. See divine, adj.
divine, tr. and intr. v. — ME. divinen, devinen,
fr. OF. (= F.) deviner, fr. VL. *devindre, dis-
similated fr. VL. divinare, 'to foresee, foretell,
divine', lit. 'to be inspired by a god', fr. L. divinus,
'divine'. Cp. OProvenc. devinar, endevinar, It.
indovinare, Sp. adivinar, 'to foretell, divine,
guess', and see divine, adj.
Derivatives: diviner (q.v.), divin-ing, n.
diviner, n. — ME. devinour, fr. OF. devineor, fr.
L. divindtdrem, acc. of divindtor, 'soothsayer,
diviner', fr. divindtus, pp. of divinare. See divine,
v., and agential suff. -or.
divinity, n. — OF. devinite (F. divinite), fr. VL.
*devinitdtem, acc. of *devinitds, formed with
vowel dissimilation fr. L. divinitds, 'godhead,
divinity', fr. divinus. See divine, adj., and -ity
and cp. deity.
divinize, tr. v., to deify. — F. diviniser, fr. L.
divinus, 'divine'. See divine, adj., and -ize.
Derivative: diviniz-ation, n.
divisi, adj., a direction for the players to divide
themselves into two groups (music). — It., pi.
of diviso, 'divided', fr. L. divisus, pp. of dividere.
See divide,
divisible, adj. — Late L. divisibilis, fr. L. divisus,
pp. of dividere. See divide and -ible.
Derivatives: divisibil-ity, n., divisible, n., divis-
ible-ness, n., divisibl-y, adv.
division, n. — ME. devisioun, divisioun, fr. OF.
devisiun, division (F. division), fr. L. divisidnem,
469
aocent
acc. of divisio, 'a division, separation', fr. divi-
sus, pp. of dividere. See divide and -ion.
Derivatives: division-al, adj., division-al-ly, adv.,
division-ary, adj.
divisive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
divisus, pp. of dividere. See divide.
Derivatives: divisive-ly, adv., divisive-ness, n.
divisor, n. — L. divisor, 'divider', fr. divisus, pp.
of dividere. See divide and agential suff. -or.
divorce, n. — ME., fr. F. divorce, fr. L. divortium,
'a separation, dissolution of marriage, divorce',
fr. divortere, divertere, 'to turn different ways'.
See divert.
divorce, tr. v. — F. divorcer, fr. divorce. See di-
vorce, n.
Derivatives: divorce-able, adj., divorc-ee, n.,
divorce-ment, n., divorc-er, n., divorc-ive, adj.
divot, n., a piece of turf cut out with the club
in making a stroke. — Of uncertain origin,
divulgate, tr. v., to make public. — L. divulgdtus,
pp. of divulgare. See divulge and verbal suff.
-ate.
divulgation, n. — Late L. divulgdtid, gen. -dnis,
'a publishing', fr. L. divulgdtus, pp. of divulgare.
See next word and -ation.
divulge, tr. v., to make known; to disclose. — L.
divulgare, 'to spread among the people, publish,
make known', formed fr. di-, 'apart, asunder',
and vulgdre, 'to make known, spread abroad',
fr. vulgus, 'the great mass, the multitude,
people'. See vulgus.
Derivatives: divulge-ment, n., divulg-ence, n.,
divulg-er, n.
diwan, n. — A var. of dewan.
diwani, n. — A var. of dewanee.
dixie, also dixy, n., a kind of mess tin (slang). —
Hind, degchi, 'a small kettle', fr. Pers. degcha,
dimin. of deg, 'pot', which is rel. to Pahlavi deg,
'pot', Arm. dez, 'heap', and to OI. dthtni, 'I
smear, anoint', fr. I.-E. base *dheigh-, *dhoigh-,
*dhigh-, 'to form out of clay, to knead, form'.
See dough and cp. next word.
dizdar, disdar, n., the warden of a castle. — Pers.
dizddr, 'holder of a castle', fr. diz, 'castle', and
-ddr, 'holder, possessor'. The first element is
rel. to OPers. didd, 'castle', Avestic daeza,
'wall', Arm. dez, 'heap' ; see prec. word and cp.
the second element in paradise. For the second
element see aumildar and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
dizen, tr. v., 1) to put flax on a distaff (obsol.);
2) to bedizen. — ME. disen, fr. MLG. dise, 'a
bunch of flax on a distaff'. See distaff and cp.
bedizen.
dizzy, adj. — ME. dusi, disi, fr. OE. dysig, 'fool-
ish', rel. to LG. diisig, 'dizzy', dusel, 'dizziness',
Du. duizelen, 'to be dizzy', duizelig, 'dizzy',
OHG. dusig, tusig, MHG. dusec, 'foolish',
MLG. ddre, MDu. ddr, MHG. tore, 'fool, deaf
person', G. Tor, 'fool', OE. dwxs, MLG. dwas,
Du. dwaas, 'foolish*. All these words prob. de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *dhewfa-, *dkwls-, 'to breathe,
smoke', whence also L.furere, 'to rage, be mad'.
See fury and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also doze.
Derivatives: dizzy, tr. v., dizzi-ly, adv., dizzi-
ness, n.
do, tr., intr. and auxil. v. — ME. don, fr. OE. don,
rel. to OS. duan, OFris. dud, ODu. duon, Du. doen,
OHG., MHG. tuon, G. tun, 'to do', fr. WTeut.
base *do-,'to do', orig. 'to put, place', correspond-
ing to I.-E. base *dhd-, *dhe-, *dV-, 'to put,
place; to do, make', whence also OI. dddhdti,
'puts, places', dhitih, 'the act of placing', dhd-
tdr-, 'creator', dhdtar-, 'founder, originator',
Toch. A td-, tas-, tds-, B tes-, 'to place', Hitt.
ddi-, te-, 'to place', tehhi, 'I place', Arm. dnem,
'I place', aor. ed, 'he placed', Gk. -riSivoci, 'to
put, place, set', -Dial?, 'a placing, setting', *f)>«],
'case in which to put something', &eu.a, 'that
which is placed', -9ifxis, 'right, decree', &£<ju.6i;,
'law, rule, precept', lit. 'that which is laid down',
<h]u.<ov, #(ou.6<;, 'heap', &£[i.e&Xa (pi.), Homeric
•9-eu.eLXia (pi.), 'foundation', L. facere, 'to make,
do', -dere in ab-dere, 'to hide, conceal', con-dere,
'to found, establish', per-dere, 'to lose, throw
away, ruin', OSIav. dijo, deti, 'to place, lay',
Lith. deti, Lett, del, 'to place, put', OSIav.
o-denu, 'clothed, dressed', Gael, dede, 'placed'.
Cp. ado, deed, deem, doff, -dom, don, v., doom,
dout, dup. Cp. also theme and words there
referred to. Cp. also fact and words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also abdomen, abscond, condiment,
Consus, dagoba, dam, 'an earthbank', family,
fetial, hoard, perdition, recondite, sacerdotal,
samadh, samadhi, sconce, 'a metal bracket',
stridhana. Cp. also the second element in creed
and in jubilate, and the third element in divide
and in Ormazd.
Derivatives: do, n., do-able, adj., do-er, n., do-
ing, n.
do, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote
the first tone of the diatonic scale (mus.).
doab, n., a track of land between two rivers in
India. — Pers.-Hind. doab, lit. 'two waters', fr.
do, 'two', and db, 'water'. The first element is
rel. to OI. dvdu, dvd, Avestic dva, 'two'; see
two. The second element is rel. to OI. dpah,
apdh, Avestic dp-, 'water'; see amnic.
doat, v. — See dote.
dobbin, n., name for a farm horse. — Fr. PN.
Dobbin, dimin. of Dob, a variant of Rob, which
is a dimin. of Robert (q.v.)
doblon, n., an obsolete Spanish gold coin. — Sp.
doblon. See doubloon.
dobra, n., any of several former Portuguese coins.
— Port, dobra, lit. 'double', fr. dobrar, 'to
double', fr. L.- dupldre, 'to double' (see dou-
ble, v.) ; so called because it was orig. the double
of the johannes.
dobson, n., the hellgrammite. — Of uncertain
origin.
docent, adj., teaching. — L. docens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of docere, 'toteach'.Seedocileand-ent.
470
docent, n., 1) short for privatdocent; 2) lecturer
in general. — See prec. word and cp. privat-
docent.
Docetae, n. pi., a heretical sect (Eccles. hist.) —
Eccles. L., fr. Gk. AoxTjxai. See next word.
Docetism, n., heresy of the Docetae, who held
that the body of Jesus was a phantom (Eccles.
hist.) — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles. L.
Docetae, fr. Gk. Aoxrjxai, lit. 'believers', fr.
Soxeiv, 'to seem, have the appearance of, think,
believe', whence So^a (for 86x-aa), 'opinion,
glory', 8oY|jta, 'that which one thinks true,
opinion, decree'. See dogma,
doeh-an-doris, n., a stirrup cup. — Gael, deoch-
an-doruis, lit. 'drink of the door', fr. deoch,
'drink', an, 'the', doruis, gen. of dorus, 'door'.
Gael, dorus derives fr. OCelt. *dvorestu-, which
is cogn. with Gk. fliipa, L. fores (pi.), 'door',
OE. dor, 'door, gate'. See door,
dochmiac, adj., pertaining to the dochmius. —
Gk. So/titaxoe, fr. Soxu-to?. See next word.
Derivative : dochmiac-al, adj.
dochmius, n., a foot of five syllables (pros.) —
L., fr. Gk. 86x|i.io<;, lit. 'across, aslant', fr.
Soxfxo? (prob. assimilated fr. *8ax(J.6?), 'slant-
wise, sideways'; cogn. with OI. jihmdh, 'slant-
ing, slantwise', which prob. stands for zizhmd-,
a form assimilated fr. orig. *dizhmd-.
docile, adj. — F., fr. L. docilis, 'easily taught,
docile', fr. docere, 'to teach, inform', orig. 'to
cause somebody to receive something', fr. I.-E.
base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept; ac-
ceptable, becoming, good', whence also L.
decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and
words there referred to and cp. esp. docent. For
the ending see suff. -ile.
Derivative: docile-ly, adv.
docility, n. — F. dociiite, fr. L. docilitdtem, acc.
of docilitds, fr. docilis. See prec. word and -ity.
docimasy, n., a judicial inquiry into the character
of aspirants for office or citizenship (Greek an-
tiq.) — Gk. 8oxt[iaai5, 'assay, proving, exam-
ination', from the stem of Soxi^dc^eiv, 'to assay,
prove, test', fr. S6xi|xoi;, 'assayed, proved, gen-
uine', prop, 'accepted', in gradational relation-
ship to S^eaOat, 'to take, accept, to receive
hospitably', and cogn. with L. decere, 'to be
seemly or fitting'. See decent and cp. words there
referred to.
docimology, n., a treatise on the art of assaying
metals, etc. - - Compounded of Gk. 8oxi(j.t), 'a
test' (fr. 86xi(xoi;, 'assayed, proved, genuine'),
and -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a
ceitain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See prec. word and -logy.
dock, n., enclosure for the repairing and loading
of ships. — MLG. and MDu. docke (whence
Du., Norw. dok, G. Dock). Prob. borrowed fr.
Late I .. *ductia, 'aqueduct', fr. L. ducere, 'to lead,
conduct'. See duct and cp. douche, conduit.
Derivative: dock, tr. v., to bring (a ship) into
a dock, dock-age, n., dock-er, n., dockize (q.v.)
dock, n., place for prisoner at his trial in a crim-
inal court. — Flem. dok, docke, 'cage'.
dock, n., the common name of various species
of the genus Rumex. — OE. docce, rel. to MDu.
docke-blaederen, G. Dockenbldtter, 'dock (the
plant)', and to E. dock, 'fleshy part of a tail'
(q.v.) Cp. the second element in burdock,
hardock.
dock, n., solid, fleshy part of an animal's tail. —
From an imitative, expressive base, appearing
also in ON. dokkr, 'tail', dokka, 'bundle; girl',
Fris. dok, 'bundle, knot', MLG. docker, Swed.
docka, Dan. dukke, 'doll', OHG. tocka, toccha,
MHG. tocke, of s.m., G. Docke, 'small column,
bundle, skein, doll, smart girl'. Cp. dock, the
plant.
dock, tr. v., to cut off, curtail. — Fr. prec. word,
docket, n., a memorandum. — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: docket, tr. v.
dockize, tr. v., to build docks (in a river or in a
harbor). — A hybrid coined fr. dock, 'enclosure
for ships', and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Docoglossa, n., a suborder of marine gastropods,
the limpets (zool.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. 80x65, 'beam', and fXcoaaa, 'tongue'; so
called in allusion to the beamlike teeth, ap-
pearing on the lingual ribbon. The first element
is rel. to Gk. 8£xe<j»ai, Att. Sexea&ai, 'to
take, receive', fr. I.-E. base *defc-, *dok-, 'to
take, receive, accept; acceptable, becoming,
good', whence also L. decere, 'to be seemly or
fitting' ; see decent and cp. words there referred
to. For the second element see gloss, inter-
pretation'.
doctor, n. — L. doctor, 'teacher, instructor', fr.
doctus, pp. of docere, 'to teach'. See docile and
agential suff. -or and cp. doctrine, document.
Derivatives: doctor, tr. and intr. v., doctor-al,
adj., doctorate (q.v.), doctor-ess, n., doctor-ial,
adj., doctor-ly, adj.
doctorate, n. — ML. doctordtus, fr. L. doctor.
See doctor and subst. suff. -ate.
doctrinaire, n., an impractical person; adj., im-
practical. — F., orig. 'adherent of doctrines',
formed fr. doctrine with suff. -aire. See doctrine
and adj. suff. -ary.
doctrine, n. — F., fr. L. doctrina, 'teaching, in-
struction', fr. doctor, 'teacher'. See doctor and
subst. suff. -ine (representing L. -ina). Cp. in-
doctrinate.
Derivatives: doctrinaire (q.v.), doctrin-al, adj.,
doctrin-al-ly, adv., doctrin-ar-ian, adj., doctrin-
ar-ian-ism, n., doctrin-ar-ian-ist, n., doctrin-ary,
adj., doctrin-ari-ly, adv., doctrinar-ity, n., doc-
trin-ism, n., doctrin-ist, n.
document, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. documentum,
'lesson, example, pattern, proof, fr. docere, 'to
teach'. See docile and -ment and cp. doctor,
doctrine.
Derivatives: document-al, adj., document-ary,
adj., document-ari-ly, adv., documentation (q.v.)
471
dogmatist
documentation, n. — Late L. documentdtid, gen.
-0/1/5, fr. L. documentum. See prec. word and
-ation.
dodder, n., any of the parasitic plants of the
genus Cuscuta. — ME. doder, rel. to MLG.
doder, dodder, 'dodder', OS. dodro, 'yolk', OE.
dydring, Du. dooier, OHG. totoro, MHG. toter,
tuter, G. Dotter, 'yolk', and prob. also to next
word. The dodder was prob. named from the
color of its flower clusters which resembles that
of yolk.
dodder, intr. v., to shake, quaver. — Rel. to dial.
Norw. dudra, 'to quaver'. Cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: dodder-er, n., dodder-y, adj.
doddered, adj., having lost the branches through
age or decay. — Prob. from dial, dod, 'to poll',
fr. ME. dodden.
dodeca-, before a vowel dodec-, pref. meaning
'twelve'. — Fr. Gk. StoSexa, 'twelve', shortened
fr. SucoSsxa, fr. Suo, 'two', and Sexoe, 'ten' ; cp.
OI. dvddasd, Avestic dvadasa-, L. duodecim,
Umbr. desenduf, 'twelve'. See dual and deca-
and cp. duodecim-.
dodecagon, n., a plane figure with twelve angles
and twelve sides (geom.) — Gk. SuSExaytovov,
lit. 'having twelve angles', fr. 8o>8exoc, 'twelve',
and ycovia, 'corner, angle'. See dodeca- and
-gon.
dodecahedron, n., a solid figure with twelve faces
(geom.) — Gk. SoSexaeSpov, lit. 'having twelve
faces', fr. ScoSexa, 'twelve', and &5p5, 'seat,
chair, bench; side, face'. See dodeca- and
-hedral.
dodecasyllabic, adj., having twelve syllables. —
See dodeca- and syllabic.
dodecasyllable, n., a word of twelve syllables. —
See dodeca- and syllable.
Dodecatheon, n., a genus of plants of the prim-
rose family (pot.) — L. dodecatheon, 'primrose',
fr. Gk. 8a>8extx$eov, a name coined by Pliny fr.
SwSexa, 'twelve', and &e6<;, 'god'; see dodeca-
and theo-. Dodecatheon prop, denotes the plant
that is under the care of the twelve greater gods.
dodge, intr. v., to move to and fro; tr. v., to
elude. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: dodge, n., dodg-er, n., dodg-ery, n.,
dodg-y, adj., dodg-i-ly, adv., dodg-i-ness, n.
dodo, n., an extinct large bird. — Port, doudo,
lit., 'stupid'.
doe, n., female of the fallow deer. — ME. do, fr. OE.
da (whence Dan. dad), prob. a Celtic loan word ;
cp. Co. da, 'fallow deer', Olr. dam, 'ox', dam
a/laid, 'stag' (prop, 'wild ox'), W. dafad, 'sheep',
which are prob. cogn. with Gk. 8a|iaX7)<;, 'young
steer', 8a(zaXif), SajiaXu;, 'young cow, heifer' (L.
damma, ddma, 'fallow deer, buck, doe', is prob.
borrowed fr. Celtic); cp. Da ma. These animal
names are prob. connected with I.-E. base
*domd-, 'to tame* and orig. denoted 'tamed
animals' ; see tame.
doff, tr. v. — Contracted fr. do and off. Cp. don,
v. dout, dup.
dog, n. — ME. dogge, fr. OE. docga, of uncertain
origin; F. dogue, Du. dog, Dan. dogge, Swed.
dogg, 'mastiff', are E. loan words. Cp. doggerel.
Derivatives: dog, tr. v., dogg-ed, adj., dogg-ed-
ly, adv., dogg-ed-ness, n., dogg-ery, n., dogg-y,
adj., dogg-i-ly, adv., dogg-i-ness, n., dogg-ish,
adj., dogg-ish-ly, adv., dogg-ish-ness, n.
dogana, n., a customhouse in Italy. — It., fr.
Arab, diwdn, fr. Pers. diwdn, 'register, office;
council; customhouse; collection of books'. See
divan and cp. aduana, douane.
dogaressa, n., wife of the doge. — It., formed fr.
doge with suff. -essa. See doge and -esse.
dogate, n., the office of a doge. — F. dogat, fr. It.
dogato, fr. L. ducdtus, 'military leadership,
command', fr. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader'. See
doge and subst. suff. -ate.
dogbane, n., also dog's bane, a perennial plant. —
So called because it was supposed to be poison-
ous to dogs.
dogbcrry, n. — Compounded of dog and berry,
prop, 'berry fit for dogs'.
Dogberry, n., a blundering constable or official.
— Fr. Dogberry, a self-satisfied, blundering con-
stable in Shakepeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
Derivatives : Dogberry-dom, n., Dogberry-ism, n.
doge, n., the chief magistrate of the republics of
Venice and Genoa. — F., fr. Venetian It. doge,
fr. L. ducem, acc. of dux, 'leader' ; see duke. In
literary Italian L. ducem became duce. Cp.
dogaressa, dogate.
dogger, n., a kind of fishing boat. — ME. doggere,
of uncertain origin.
doggerel, n., bad poetry. — Prob. a derivative of
dog, used contemptuously. Cp. dog rime, dog
Latin.
Derivative: doggerel, adj.
dogma, n., a tenet. — L., fr. Gk. Soyixa, gen.
SoyfiaToi;, 'that which one thinks true, opinion,
doctrine, decree', fr. Soxeiv, 'to seem, have the
appearance of, think, believe', whence also
86£a (for 86x-aa), 'opinion, glory', fr. I.-E. base
*dek-, "dok-, 'to take, receive, accept; 'accept-
able, becoming, good', whence also L. decere,
'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.
-ma.
dogmatic, also dogmatical, adj., 1) pertaining to a
dogma; 2) opinionated. — Late L. dogmaticus,
fr. Gk. 8oY(i.aTix6?, 'pertaining to doctrines', fr.
Gk. SoYixot, gen. 86-fjj.aTO<;. See dogma and -ic,
resp. also -al.
Derivatives: dogmatic-al-ly, adv., dogmat-ics, n.,
dogmatism, dogmatist, n., dogmatize (qq. v.)
dogmatism, n., dogmatic assertion of opinion. —
F. dogmatisme, fr. ML. dogmatismus, fr. L. dog-
ma, gen. -atis, fr. Gk. Soy^a, gen. -a-ro<;. See
dogma and -ism.
dogmatist, n., a dogmatic person. — F. dogma-
tize, fr. ML. dogmatista, fr. Gk. SoY^aTiaTrj; ,
from the stem of 8oY(iaTl^etv. See dogmatize
and -ist.
dogmatize
472
dogmatize, intr. v., to speak or write dogmatically ;
tr.v., to express dogmatically. — F. dogmatiser,
fr. ML. dogmatizdre, fr. Gk. Soyyuxxi^sw, 'to
lay down an opinion', fr. 86-fpa, gen. 86y[*xto?.
See dogma and -ize.
Derivatives: dogmatiz-ation, n., dogmatiz-er, n.
doily, also doiley, doyly, n., an ornamental nap-
kin. — Named after Doily or Doyley, a London
draper, who flourished in the early years of the
1 8th cent.
doit, n., a coin of trifling value. — MDu. duit,
deyt, doyt (Du. duit), rel. to G. Deut, Dan. deft,
ON. pveit(i), 'a coin of trifling value'. The orig.
meaning of these words was 'a piece cut off'.
They are rel. to ON. pveita, 'to hew'. See
thwaite and cp. whittle.
doited, adj., stupid (Scot.) — Of uncertain origin.
dolabriform, adj., shaped like an axe (bot. and
zool.) — Formed fr. L. doldbra, 'mattock,
pickax', and forma, 'form, shape'. The first ele-
ment lit. means 'an instrument for hewing', and
is formed fr. L. do/are, 'to hew' (with I.-E. in-
strumental suff. *dhro-)\ see dole, grief. For
the second element see form, n.
dolce, adj., sweetly (musical direction). — It., fr.
L. dulcis, 'sweet'. See dulcet.
dolce far niente, delightful idleness. — It., lit.
'sweet doing nothing'. For the first word see
dolce. It. fare, far, 'to do', derives fr. L. facere,
whence also F. faire; see fact. It. niente, 'noth-
ing', comes fr. Late L. nec entem, lit. 'not a
being', fr. L. nec, 'neither, nor', and entem, acc.
of ens, 'being', pres. part, of esse, 'to be'. See ens,
entity. Cp. OProvenc. nien, OF. neient, noient,
nient (F. neant), 'nothing', which also derive fr.
Late L. nec entem.
doldrums, n.pl., dullness. — Perh. rel. to dull.
dole, n., a small portion. — ME. dol, fr. OE. ddl,
'part, portion', rel. to dxl, of s.m. See deal,
'part'.
dole, usually dole out, tr. v., to deal out. — Fr.
prec. word.
dole, n., grief (archaic and poet.) — ME., fr. OF.
dol, doel, deol (F. deuil), 'sorrow, grief, mourn-
ing', fr. Late L. dolus, 'sorrow (whence also It.
duolo, OProvenc. dol, 'sorrow, grief, Sp. duelo,
'sorrow, grief; mourning'), fr. L. dolere, 'to
suffer pain, grieve, be afflicted, deplore, lament',
fr. I.-E. base *del-, "dol-, 'to split, cut, carve',
whence also OI. ddlati, splits, bursts', ddldyati,
'causes to burst', dalam, 'part, piece', Arm. tal,
'impression, sign', Gk. SatSaXo?, 'cunningly
made', SaiSitXXeiv, 'to work cunningly or skill-
fully', L. dolium, 'a very large jar, vessel', doldre,
'to hew with an ax', Russ. dolja, 'part', Lith. dalis,
'part, destiny', Lith. daliju, dalyti, Lett, dalit,
'to divide', ON. tal, OE. talu, 'number' (prop.
'incision in the tally'), Olr. delb, 'figure, form',
Toch. A talo, B talldwo, 'miserable, wretched'.
The original meaning of L. dolere was 'to be
torn'. For sense development cp. E. heart-
rending. Cp. condole, dolabriform, dole, 'guile',
dolent, dolente, Doliolum, dolium, dolor, dolor-
ous, indolent. Cp. also daedal, dal, deleterious,
taal, tale, talk, toll, Zoll.
Derivatives: dole-ful, adj., dole-ful-ly, adv., dole-
ful-ness, n.
dole, n., guile. — L. dolus, 'guile, deceipt, de-
ception', cogn. with or borrowed fr. Gk. 86X0?,
of s.m. ; fr. I.-E. base *del-, 'to aim at', which
is prob. identical with base *del-, 'to split, cut,
carve'. See dole, 'grief, and cp. dolerite, dolose^
sedulous, subdolous.
dolent, adj., sorrowful. — F., fr. L. dolentem, acc.
of dolens, pres. part, of dolere, 'to suffer pain'.
See dole, 'grief, and -ent.
Derivative: dolent-ly, adv.
dolente, adj., sorrowful (musical direction). —
It., pres. part, of dolere, fr. L. dolere. See prec.
word.
dolerite, n., a coarse form of basalt (petrogr.) —
Formed with subst. stiff, -ite fr. Gk. 8oXep6?,
'deceptive', fr. 86X0?, 'deceipt' (see dole,
'guile'); so called because easily confused with
diorite. Cp. dolose.
dolicho-, before a vowel dolich-, combining form
meaning 'long'. — Gk. 80X1x0-, SoXtx-, fr.
80X1x6?, 'long', rel. to sv-SeXex-r)?, 'continued;
constant', and cogn. with OI. dirghdh, 'long',
Avesticda^a-, Hitt. daluga-, 'long', Hitt. dalu-
gashti, 'length', L. in-dulgere, 'to indulge', lit., 'to
be long-suffering', Goth, tulgus, 'firm, steadfast',
OE. tulge, 'firmly', OS. tulgo, 'very, much',
OSlav. dlugu, 'long', Lith. ilgas, Lett, ilgs,
OPruss. ilgi, of s.m. Cp. indulge. For connection
with L. longus see long, adj.
dolichocephalic, also dolichocephalous, adj., hav-
ing a relatively long head. — Lit., 'long-headed',
fr. Gk. 80X1x6?, 'long', and x£9<xXt], 'head'; see
dolicho- and cephalic, resp. -cephalous. The term
dolichocephalic was introduced into anthropo-
logy by the Swedish anatomist and anthropo-
logist Anders Adolf Retzius (1796-1860).
Dolicholus, n., the same as Rhynchosia (bot.) —
A ModL. hybrid coined fr. Gk. 80X1x6?, 'long'
(see dolicho-), and the Latin dimin. suff. -olus
(see -ole). The correct form is Dolichidium,
which is formed fr. 80X1x6? with the Greek
dimin. suff. -JSiov (see -idium).
Dolichos, n., a genus of vines (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. 80X1x6?, 'long; name of a kind of pulse'.
See dolicho-.
Doliidae, n. pi., a family of mollusks (zool.) —
ModL., formed fr. Dolium with suff. -idae.
Doliolum, n., a genus of tunicates (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. doliolum, 'a small cask', dimin. of
dolium. See dolium.
dolium, n., a very large cask or jar. — L. dolium,
rel. to doldre, 'to hew', fr. I.-E. base *del-, *dol-,
'to split, cut, carve'. See dole, 'grief, and cp.
the first element is dolabriform.
Dolium, n., a genus of large mollusks (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. dolium. See prec. word.
Doll, fern. PN. — A shortened form of Dorothy.
473
dome
doll, n., a child's toy. — Fr. prec. word.
Derivatives: doll-ish, adj., doll-ish-ly, adv., dolU
ish-ness, n., dolly (q.v.)
dollar, n. — LG. ddler, fr. G. Taler, abbreviation
of Joachimstaler, fr. Joachimstal (lit. 'Valley of
Joachim') in Bohemia; so called from the piece
of money first coined there in 1519. Cp. Du.
daalder, Dan., Swed. daler. It. tallero (whence
Hung, taller), which all are German loan words,
and see taler. For the etymology of G. Tal see
dale.
dollop, n., a coarse lump. — Of unknown origin,
dolly, n., 1) pet name for a doll; 2) name for
various devices suggestive of a doll. — Formed
fr. doll with dimin. suff. -y.
Derivative: dolly, tr. v.
dolly, n., an offering of fruit, flowers, etc. (India).
— Hind, ddli, lit. 'branch, basket, tray, that
which is offered on a tray', fr. OI. ddru-, 'piece of
wood, wood, wooden implement', which is rel.
to dru-, 'wood', drumdh, 'tree'. See tree and cp.
dryad. Cp. also dinghy.
Dolly Varden, a fantastic style of woman's dress.
— From a character in Dickens's Barnaby
Rudge (1841).
dolman, n., a long Turkish robe; a kind of jacket
worn by hussars. — F., fr. G. Dolman, fr. Hung.
dolmdny, fr. Turk, doldmdn, the red cloak of the
Janizaries.
dolmen, n., a large flat monumental stone. — F.,
lit. 'a table of stone', fr. Bret, taol, tot, 'table',
a loan word fr. L. tabula, 'board, plank' (see
table), and Bret, maen, men, 'stone', which is
rel. to W. maen, Co. men, 'stone'. Cp. the first
element in menhir.
dolomite, n., a kind of rock (mineral, and petrogr.)
— Named after the French geologist and miner-
alogist D6odat de Dolomieu (1750-1801). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivatives: dolomit-ic, adj., dolomit-ize, tr. v.,
dolomit-iz-ation, n.
dolor, dolour, n., grief, mourning. — OF. dolor,
dolur, dolour (F. douleur), fr. L. doldrem, acc. of
dolor, 'pain, distress, grief, affliction', fr. dolere,
'to suffer pain'. See dole, 'grief.
doloroso, adj., sorrowful (musical direction). —
It., fr. L. doldrdsus. See dolorous.
Dolores, fern. PN. — Sp., shortened fr. Maria de
los Do/ores, lit. 'Mary of the sorrows', pi. of
dolor, fr. L. dolor, 'pain, sorrow'. See dolor and
cp. Mercedes.
dolorous, adj. — OF. dolorous, doleros, doloreus
(F. douloureux), fr. Late L. dolorosus, 'painful,
sorrowful', fr. L. dolor. See dolor and -ous.
Derivatives: dolorous-ly, adv., dolorous-ness, n.
dolose, adj., with evil intent (law). — L. doldsus,
'deceitful', fr. dolus. See dole, 'guile', and cp.
dolerite.
dolphin, n. — ME. delphin, delfyn, fr. OF. daul-
phin, dalftn (F. dauphin), fr. ML. dalfinus, fr. L.
delphinus, delphin,h. Gk. 8eX<p{?, gen. SeXiptvo?,
'dolphin', which is rel. to 8eX<pu<;, 'womb'; the
animal is so called in allusion to the womb of
the female. For the etymology of 85X96? see
adelpho-. Cp. dauphin, Delphinium,
dolt, n., a stupid fellow. — ME. duit, lit. 'dulled',
fr. dul, 'dull'. See dull and verbal suff. -t.
Derivatives: dolt-ish, adj., dolt-ish-ly, adv., dolt-
ish-ness, n.
dom, n., 1) a title once given to certain Roman
Catholic dignitaries; 2) a Portuguese title equi-
valent to the Spanish title don. — Port, dom,
which, like Sp. don, It. donno, derives fr. L.
dominus, 'master, lord', orig. 'master of a house',
fr. domus, 'house'. See dome, 'building', and cp.
dominus and words there referred to.
-dom, suff. denoting 1) dignity, rank or position,
as in kingdom, earldom; 2) state or condition,
as in freedom; 3) members of a group collect-
ively, as in officialdom. — ME., fr. OE. -dom,
fr. dom, 'judgment, authority'; rel. to OS. -dom,
ON. domr, MDu. -doem, Du. -dom, OHG.,
MHG. -tuom, G. -turn. See doom,
domain, n. — F. domaine, 'domain, estate', fr.
OF. demaine, fr. L. dominium, 'property, right
of ownership', fr. dominus, 'master, lord'. See
dome, 'building', and cp. dominus and words
there referred to. F. 'domaine was influenced in
form by ML. domdnium, 'domain, estate',
which itself derives fr. OF. demaine.
domanial, adj., pertaining to a domain. — F., fr.
ML. domdnium. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
dome, n., a building, palace. — F. dome, fr. It.
duomo, 'a cathedral church', fr. L. domus,
'house' (in domus Dei, 'house of God'), whence
dominus, 'master, lord', lit. 'master of the house',
domdre, 'to tame', lit. 'to accustom to the house'.
L. domus is cogn. with Gk. 86[xo?, OI. ddmah,
'house', Gk. 8<o(j.a (prob. for *ddm-m), 'house,
chief room, housetop', OSlav. domu, 'house',
doma, 'at home', domov, 'home', Arm. tun prob.
for *dd(m)-m, 'house', the first element in Gk.
8Ea-7raTTf]? (for *dems-potd), 'despot', lit. 'lord
of the house', 8dc-Tts8ov (for *dm-pedom),
'ground about a house', and in Lith. dim-stis
(for *dni-sto-), 'estate, yard', and the second
element in Gk. Sv-Sov (fr. ev, 'in', and *dom),
'within', lit. 'in the house'; fr. I.-E. *dlm-,
*dSm-, *dm-, *dm-, 'house'. These words pos-
sibly meant orig. 'building', and are cogn. with
Gk. Ssasiv, 'to build'. Cp. tame, timber. Cp.
also adamant, belladonna, dam, 'a female par-
ent', dama, dame, damoiseau, damsel, dan, title,
danger, daunt, demesne, demijohn, despot, dia-
mond, doe, dom, domain, domestic, Domicella,
domicile, dominate, domineer, Dominic, domin-
ion, domino, dominus, don, 'title', donjon, duenna,
dungeon, endo-, duomo, Hippodamia, indomi-
table, madam, madame, major-domo, vidame.
Cp. also toft.
Derivatives: dome, tr. and intr. v., dom-ed, adj.
dome, n., cupola. — F. dome, fr. OProvenc. doma,
fr. Gk. 8&>(ia, 'house, chief room, housetop'. See
dome, 'building'.
domesday
domesday, n. — Ancient form of doomsday.
Domesday (Book), the record of the Great In-
quest of the lands of England made by the order
of William the Conqueror in 1086. — OE.
ddmesdxg, lit. 'day of judgment'. See doomsday.
domestic, adj. — F. domestique, fr. L. domesticus,
'pertaining to the house, private', fr. domus,
'house, home'; see dome, 'building'. The form
domesticus is enlarged fr. *domestis, which was
formed on analogy of agrestis, 'pertaining to
land' (fr. ager, 'land').
Derivatives: domestic, n., domestic-al-ly, adv.,
domestic-ity, n.
domesticable, adj. — ML. domesticdbilis, fr.
domesticare. See next word and -able.
domesticate, tr. v., to tame. — ML. domestlcdtus,
pp. of domesticare, 'to tame', lit. 'to make dom-
estic', fr. L. domesticus. See domestic and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative : domesticat-ion, n.
domett, n., a kind of cloth, of which the warp is
cotton and the weft woolen. — Of unknown
origin.
domic, domical, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
a dome. — Formed fr. dome with suff. -ic, resp.
also -al.
Domicella, n., a genus of parrots (ornithol.) —
ModL., dimin. of L. domus, 'house'. See dome,
'building'.
domicile, n., home. — F., fr. L. domicilium, 'dwel-
ling, abode', prob. formed fr. *domi-coliom,
lit. 'house to dwell in', fr. domus, 'house', and
the stem of colere, 'to till (the ground), to dwell,
inhabit'. See dome, 'building', and colony.
Derivatives: domicile, v., domiciliary (q.v.),
domicili-ate, v., domiciliat-ion, n.
domiciliary, adj. — ML. domicilidrius (whence
also F. domiciliate), fr. L. domicilium. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ary.
dominance, dominancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
dominant, adj. and n. — F., fr. L. domindns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of dominari. See next word
and -ant.
Derivative: dominant-ly, adv.
dominate, tr. and intr. v. — L. domindtus, pp. of
dominarl, 'to rule, reign, dominate', fr. dominus,
'master, lord'. See dominus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : domination (q.v.), dominat-ive, adj.,
dominator (q.v.)
domination, n. — F., fr. L. domindtidnem, acc. of
domindtid, 'lordship, dominion, domination',
fr. domindtus, pp. of dominarl. See prec. word
and -ion.
dominator, n. — F. dominateur, fr. L. domlndtd-
rem, acc. of dominator, 'ruler', fr. domindtus, pp.
of dominari. See dominate and agential suff. -or.
domineer, intr. v. — Du. domineren, fr. F. domi-
ner, fr. L. dominari, 'to rule' (see dominate);
first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: domineer-big, adj., domineering-
ly, adv.
A7U
Dominic, masc. PN. — L. dominlcus, 'pertaining
to a lord', fr. dominus. See dominus.
dominical, adj. — ML. dominicdlls, 'pertaining
to a master or lord', fr. L. dominicus, of s.m.,
fr. dominus. See dominus and adj. suff. -al.
Dominican, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. ML. Dominicdnus, fr. Dominlcus, Latinized
name of Domingo de Guzman (Santo Domingo),
the founder of this order of monks. For the
origin of the Latin name Dominlcus see Dominic.
dominie, n., 1) a schoolmaster (Scot.); 2) a clergy-
man. — L. domtne, voc. of dominus, 'master,
lord'. See dominus.
dominion, n. — Obsol. F. dominion, fr. ML. domi-
nidnem, acc. of domlnto, corresponding to L.
dominium. See next word and -ion.
dominium, n., ownership (law). — L., 'property,
right of ownership, domain', fr. dominus. See
dominus and cp. condominium. Cp. also danger,
dungeon.
domino, n., a robe with hood. — F., fr. VL.
domino, dat. or abl. of dominus, 'lord, master'.
See dominus.
Derivative: domlno-ed, adj.
domino, n., name of the game played with 28
pieces of bone or ivory. — F., fr. It. domino,
'master, lord', fr. L. dominus (see next word);
prob. so called because he who has first dis-
posed his pieces becomes 'the master'. Cp.
prec. word.
dominus, n., master. — L., 'master, lord', lit.
'master of the house', formed with -nus (for
I.-E. *-no-), a suff. denoting ownership or relat-
ion, fr. domus, 'house'. See dome, 'building', and
cp. dame, damoiseau, demoiselle, dom, dominate,
domineer, Dominic, dominie, dominion, domino,
don, 'a title', Dona, Dona, donzella, duenna. Suff.
*no- appears also in Gk. xoipavo?, 'ruler, com-
mander' (fr. *xotpa, 'army'). For the suff. cp.
also tribune.
don, n., a Spanish title. — Sp., fr. L. dominus,
'lord'. See dominus and cp. dom.
Derivative: donnish (q.v.)
don, tr. v. — Contracted fr. do and on. Cp. doff,
dout, dup.
Dona, n., a Portuguese title corresponding to Sp.
Doha. — Port., fr. L. domina. See next word.
Dona, n., a Spanish title given to a married
woman. — Sp., 'lady, madam', fr. L. domina,
'mistress', fern, of dominus, 'master, lord'. See
dominus and cp. dame and words there re-
ferred to.
Donald, masc. PN. — Prob. fr. Gael. Domhnall,
lit. 'world ruler',
donate, tr. v. — Back formation fr. donation.
Cp. orate. ,
donation, n. — F., fr. L. ddndtidnem, acc. of
donatio, 'a presenting, giving', fr. ddndtus, pp.
of ddndre, 'to present, bestow, donate', fr.
ddnum, 'gift, present, offering, sacrifice', which
is rel. to Umbr. dunu(m), and cogn. with OI.
d&nam, of s.m., OSlav. danl, 'tribute*, Lith.
475
dopper
duonls, 'gift', Olr. dan, 'gift, endowment, talent',
W. dawn, 'gift', fr. I.-E. base *dd-nom, 'gift, a
collateral form of *dd-rom, whence Arm. tur,
Gk. Stopov, OS. daru, 'gift', darovati, 'to present'.
All these words ultimately derive fr. I.-E. base
*do-, *d e -, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time',
and cp. donee, donor. Cp. also Dorus, the first
element in Dorothea and the second element in
pardon and in Eudora, Fedora, Fructidor, Isi-
dore, Messidor, Theodore. For the ending see
suff. -ion.
Donatist, n., an adherent of a sect which arose in
the Christian Church of N. Africa in the 4th
century. — ML. Dondtista, formed with suff.
-Ista (see -ist) from the name of Ddndtus of
Casae Nigrae, leader of this sect. For the ety-
mology of the name Ddndtus see prec. word.
Derivatives: Donatist, Donattstlc, adjs.
donative, n., an official gift, donation. — L. ddnd-
tlvum, 'official gift, gratuity', fr. ddndtus, pp. of
ddndre. See donation and -ive.
donatory, n., a donee. — ML. ddndtdrius, 'one
who receives a gift', fr. L. ddndtus, pp. of ddndre.
See donation and -ory.
doncella, n., 1) a wrasslike fish; 2) name of
timber trees in W. Indies. — Sp., lit. 'damsel',
fr. VL. *domlntceIla, dimin. of L. domina, 'mis-
tress'. See damsel and cp. words there referred
to.
done, adj. — ME. doon, fr. OE. geddn, pp. of don.
See do, v.
donee, n., he who receives a gift. — OF. done
(F. donne), pp. of doner (F. donner), 'to give',
fr. L. ddndre, 'to present, bestow, donate'. See
donation and -ee.
donga, n., a ravine. — A Zulu word.
donjon, n., the keep of a castle. — OF. (^ F.),
fr. VL. *dominldnem, acc. of *dominid, fr. L.
dominium, 'domain'. See dungeon, which is a
doublet of donjon.
donkey, n. — A double diminutive, formed fr.
the adj. dun, 'dark, brown', with the suffixes -k
and -(e)y, but influenced in form by the word
monkey.
donkey's years. — Corrupted fr. donkey's ears,
with reference to the long ears of this animal.
donnish, adj., resembling a university don; pe-
dantic. — Formed from the noun don with adj.
suff. -ish.
Derivative: donnish-ness, n.
donor, n. — AF. donour, corresponding to OF.
doneur (F. donneur), fr. L. ddndtdrem, acc. of
ddndtor, 'giver, donor', fr. ddndtus, pp. of ddndre.
See donation and agential suff. -or.
donna, n., an Italian title given to a lady. — It.,
fr. L. domina. See dame and cp. Madonna. Cp.
also Dona, duenna,
donzel, n., squire, page (archaic). — It. donzello,
fr. VL. "dominicello, dimin. of L. dominus,
'master, lord'. See damoiseau and cp. next word,
donzella, n., damsel. — It., fr. VL. *domtntcella,
dimin. of L. domina, 'mistress*. See doncella.
doob, n., a creeping grass (Cynodon dactylon)
(India). — Hind, dub, fr. OI. dirvd, 'a kind of
millet grass', which is cogn. with MLG. tarwe,
ME. tare, 'vetch, darnel'. See tare, 'vetch, darnel'.
doolie, dooly, dhooly, n., a covered litter (East
Indies). — Hind, doll, fr. dolnd, 'to swing', fr.
OI. dold, 'swinging' which is rel. to andoliyatl,
'swings, seesaws', a word derived fr. *an-dola,
'swing, seesaw, litter'; of Austroasiatic origin.
Cp. landau.
doom, n. — ME. dom, fr. OE. dom, rel. to OS.,
OFris. dom, ON. ddmr, OHG. tuom, Goth.
doms, 'judgment, decree', fr. I.-E. base *dhdm-,
whence also OI. dhdman-, 'law', Gk. ^co^o?,
'heap', &t\LLq, 'law', Lith. dome, 'attention'. I.-E.
*dhdm- is an enlargement of base *dhd-, *dhe-,
*dh i -, 'to put, place'. See do, v., and cp. deem
and -dom. Cp. also duma, theme.
Derivative: doom, tr. v.
doom palm. — F. doum, fr. Arab, dawm, daum,
dum, 'a large Egyptian palm tree',
doomsday, n., the day of the Last Judgment. —
OE. ddmesdxg, 'day of judgment', fr. domes,
gen. of dom, 'doom, judgment', and dxg, 'day'.
See doom and day and cp. Domesday (Book).
Doomsday Book. — See Domesday (Book),
doomster, n., judge. — A var. of deemster, demp-
ster; influenced in form by doom,
door, n. — ME. dore, dure, fr. OE. dor, 'door,
gate', duru, 'door', rel. to OS. duru, ON. dyrr,
Dan. dor, Swed. dorr, OFris. dure, dore, OHG.
turi, MHG., G. tur, 'door', OHG., MHG., G.
tor, Goth, daur, 'gate', and cogn. with OI.
dvdrah (nom. pi.), durdh, durah (acc. pi.),
'door', durona-, 'dwelling, home', Avestic dvar'm
(acc. sing.), 'gate, court', OPers. duvarayd-,
'at the door', Toch. B twere, Arm. durk' (pi.),
durn (sing.), Gk. S-upS, 'door', *k>pi<;, 'window',
mxpaShipa, 'side door, wicket', Ttpoftupov, 'front
door, doorway, porch', Alb. dere, pi. diier, 'door,
house', V.. fores (pi.), 'door', fords, 'out of doors,
out', forls, 'out at the doors, out of doors',
OSlav. dviri, 'door', dvoru, 'courtyard', Lith.
diirys, Lett, durls, durvis, OPruss. daur is, 'door',
W., Co., OBret. dor, Olr. dorus, OCo. darat,
'door'. Cp. dargah, dehors, doch-an-doris, dur-
bar, durwaun, foreclose, foreign, forisfamiliate,
forjudge, hors de combat, hors d'oeuvre, Thyri-
didae, thyroid,
dopatta, also dooputty, n., a garment for women.
— Hind, do-patta, lit. 'of double breadth',
dope, n., a thick liquid. — Fr. Du. doop, 'a dip-
ping, liquid, sauce', fr. dopen, 'to dip'. See
dip and cp. dopper.
Derivatives : dope, tr. \.,dop-er, n. dop-lng-ly, adv.
Doppelganger, n., the phantasm or counterpart
of a living person, a double ganger. — G., lit.
'a double walker'. See double, gang and agential
suff. -er and cp. doubleganger.
dopper, n., a S. African Dutch baptist. — Du.
doper, lit. 'dipper', fr. dopen, 'to dip'. See dip
and cp. dope.
dopplerite
476
dopplerite, n. — G. Dopplerit; named in 1849
after the German physicist Christian Johann
Doppler (1803-53). The G. suff. -it represents
Gk. -tTi\c,\ see subst. suff. -ite.
dor, n., a droning insect, the dorbeetle. — ME.
dore, fr. OE. dora, 'humblebee', rel. to MLG.
dorte, 'drone', from the I.-E. imitative base
*dher-, 'to hum, buzz, murmur'. See drone.
Dora, fem. PN. — A shortened form of Doro-
thea, Dorothy.
dorado, n., a large fish of the genus Coryphaena.
— Sp., prop. pp. of dorar, fr. L. deaurdre, 'to
gild', fr. de- and aurdre, 'to gild', fr. aurum,
'gold'. See aureate and cp. El Dorado and dory,
'a seafish'.
Dorcas society, meeting of ladies to make gar-
ments for the poor. — From Dorcas, name of a
woman (mentioned in Acts IX, 36-41). The
name derives from Gk. Sopxa?, 'gazelle', which
is rel. to 86p£, gen. 8opx6?, of s.m., and was
altered (owing to a popular connection with
Sspxo(xai, 'I see, regard', see dracon), fr. orig.
£opxoc<;, resp. £6p£, which is cogn. with W.
iwrch, Co. yorch, 'roebuck'.
dorian, n. — See durian.
Dorian, adj., pertaining to Doris or the ancient
inhabitants of Doris. — Formed with suff. -an,
fr. L. Dorius, fr. Gk. Acipios, fr. Ao>pk, 'Doris',
name of a district in Central Greece, named
after Atopo?, 'Dorus', the ancestor of the Dori-
ans. See Dorus.
Derivative : Dorian, n.
Doric, adj., pertaining to Doris or the Dorians.
— L. Doricus, fr. Gk. Awpixi?, fr. Aoipt?. See
prec. word.
Dorize, tr. and intr. v., to make or become Doric
or Dorian. — Gk. Atopt^stv, 'to imitate the
Dorians, to speak Doric Greek', fr. Acopti;,
'Doris'. See Dorian and -ize.
Dorking, n. — Short for Dorking fowl, from
Dorking, name of a market town in Surrey,
England.
dormancy, n. — Formed fr. next word with suff.
-cy.
dormant, adj., 1) sleeping; 2) inactive. — ME.,
fr. OF. (= F.) dormant, pres. part, of dormir,
'to sleep', fr. L. dormire, of s.m., which is cogn.
with OSlav. dremati, 'to sleep, doze', and with
Gk. eSpocdov (II aor.), 'I slept', later form
sSxp&ov, whence the new formation Sap&avo,
'I sleep', OI. drdti, drdyati, drdyate, 'sleeps'. Cp.
dormer, dormitory, dormouse, dormy, dorter. For
the ending see suff. -ant.
Derivative: dormant, n.
dormer, n., dormer window. — OF. dormeor, fr. L.
dormitorium, 'sleeping room', fr. dormit-(um),
pp. stem of dormire, 'to sleep'. See prec. word
and subst. suff. -ory and cp. next word.
dormitory, n. — L. dormitorium. See prec. word.
dormouse, n., a small rodent. — Perh. meaning lit.
'sleeping mouse', and formed fr. OF. dorm-, stem
of dormir, 'to sleep' (see dormer), and E. mouse.
dormy, adj., being ahead as many holes as there
remain to be played (golf). — F. dormi, pp. of
dormir, 'to sleep'. See dormant.
Doronicum, n., a genus of plants. — ModL., fr.
Arab, dardnaj, dartinaj.
Dorothea, Dorothy, fem. PN, — L. Dorothea, fr.
Gk. Acopo-9iS, fem. of Atopo&eo;, lit. 'gift of
God', fr. Stopov, 'gift', and fteoi;, 'God'. See
donation and 1st theism and cp. doll, dolly. Cp.
also Theodora, and the second element in Eu-
dora, Isidore. In the form Dorothy, the name was
taken over from Latin through the medium of
F. Dorothee.
dors-, form of dorso- before a vowel.
dorsal, adj., pertaining to, or situated on or near,
the back. — F., fr. ML. dorsdlis, corresponding
to L. dorsudlis, 'of the back', fr. dorsum, 'the
back'. See dorsum.
dorsi-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the back', or 'on the back'. — L. dorsi-, fr. dor-
sum, 'back'. See dorsum.
dorso-, before a vowel dors-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the back'. — L. dorso-,
dors-, fr. dorsum, 'back'. See next word.
dorsum, n., the back. — L., of uncertain origin.
The derivation of this word by the ancients fr.
L. *devorsum, 'that which is turned away', is
folk etymology. Cp. dorsal, doss, dosser, dossier,
endorse, extrados, parados, reredos. The L. word
dorsum was introduced into anatomy by the
Belgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514-64).
dorter, dortour, n., the dormitory of a monastery.
— OF. dortour, fr. L. dormitorium. See dormi-
tory.
Dorus, n., the legendary ancestor of the Dorians.
— L. Dorus, fr. Gk. ASpo?, a word rel. to 8£>pov,
'gift', which is cogn. with OS1. daru, 'gift', daro-
vati, 'to present', and with L. ddnum, 'gift'. See
donation and cp. Dorothy, Eudora.
dory, n., a seafish, Zeus faber. — F. doree, 'dory',
lit. 'the gilded one', fem. of dore, fr. L.deaurdtus,
'gilded'. See dorado.
dory, n., a light kind of boat. — From Honduran
native name.
dory-, combining form meaning 'spear'. — Fr.
Gk. 86pu (gen. Soparo?), 'stem, tree, beam, shaft
of a spear, spear', rel. to Spu?, gen. 8pu6<;, 'oak,
tree', and cogn. with OI. ddru, wood, piece of
wood, spear', and cogn. with OE. treo, treow,
'tree, wood'. See tree and cp. words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also dryad and the second element
in Echinodorus.
dosage, n., administration of medicine in doses.
— Formed fr. dose with suff. -age.
dose, n., amount of medicine taken at one time.
— F., fr. ML. dosis, fr. Gk. 86011;, 'a gift', from
the stem of* 8t86vai, 'to give', fr. I.-E. base *dd-,
*d e -, 'to give', whence also L. dare, 'to give'.
See date, 'point of time', and cp. donation, dot,
'marriage portion'. Cp. also apodosis, dosimeter,
dosology.
Derivatives: dose, tr. and intr. v., dos-er, n.
477
dough
dosimeter, n., an instrument for measuring doses.
— Compounded of Gk. 86<n<;, 'a gift', and
uirpov, 'measure'. See dose and meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm'.
dosimetry, n., the measurement of doses. — See
prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives: dosimetr-ic, adj., dosimetr-ic-ian,
n., dosimetr-ist, n.
dosology, n., the science of doses. — Compounded
of Gk. 86<rt<;, 'gift', and -Xoyia, fr. -X6yo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See dose and -logy.
doss, n., a bed (slang). — Prob. fr. F. dos, 'back',
fr. VL. dossum, fr. L. dorsum. See dorsum.
Derivative: doss, intr. v., to go to bed.
dossal, n., a cloth for the back of a chancel. —
Eccles. L. dossdle, assimilated fr. L. dorsdle,
prop. neut. of the adj. dorsdlis, 'pertaining to the
back', used as a noun. See dorsum.
dosser, n., i)adossal; 2) a pannier. — OF. dossier,
fr. VL. *dossidrium, fr. VL. dossum, 'back', as-
similated fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp.
dossier.
doss house, a cheap lodging house. — See doss,
'bed', and house.
dossier, n., a collection of documents. — F., fr.
dos, 'back', fr. VL. dossum. See dosser.
dot, n., a spot. — OE. dott, 'head of a boil, speck,'
rel. to Norw. dot, 'lump, small knot', Du. dot,
'knot, small bunch, wisp', OHG. tutta, 'nipple',
MHG. ttitel, 'point', OE. dyttan, 'to shut, stop'
(whence dial. E. dit, 'to shut, stop'). Cp. dottle.
Derivatives: dot, tr. v., to mark with a dot, dott-
ed, adj., dott-er, n., dott-y, adj.
dot, n., marriage portion. — F., fr. L. dotem, ace.
of dos, 'marriage portion', from the base of do,
dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of time', and
cp. dower.
dotard, n., a foolish old person. — ME., formed
fr. doten (see dote, v.) with suff. -ard.
dote, n., marriage portion. — F. dote, a var. of
dot. See dot, 'marriage portion'.
dote, doat, intr. v., to be foolish. — ME. doten,
dotien, fr. MLG. doten, 'to be foolish rave',
which is rel. to MDu. doten, 'to doze, be child-
ish' [whence OF. re-doter, later ra-doter (F.
radoter), 'to drivel']. Cp. dotterel.
Derivatives: dot-age, n., dot-ard, n., dot-ing,
adj., dot-ing-ly, adv.
dotterel, n., a kind of plover. — Formed fr. dote,
'to be foolish', with dimin. suff. -erel. For the
suff. cp. cockerel (fr. cock), pickerel (fr. pike).
dottle, n., plug of tobacco remaining in the pipe.
— Formed fr. dot, 'a spot', with dimin. suff.
-le.
douane, n., a customhouse. — F., fr. Arab, diwdn,
fr. Pers. diwdn, 'register, office; council; custom-
house; collection of books'. See divan and cp.
aduana, dogana.
double, adj. — ME., fr. OF. double, fr. L. duplus,
'twofold, double', lit. 'twice folded', formed fr.
du- (fr. duo), 'two', and *pl-, zero degree of base
*pel-, '-fold', and cogn. with Gk. 8i-rcX6o<;, 81-
ttXotjc 'double'. See dual and ply, 'to bend', and
cp. plicate. Cp. also decuple, diploma, doblon,
dobra, Doppelganger, doubloon, duple, duplex,
duplicity, and the second element in centuple,
multiple, simple, treble, triple, triplex, quadruple,
quadruplex, quintuple, sextuple, septuple. Cp.
also fold, -fold.
Derivatives: double, adv., n., double, v. (q.v.),
double-ness, n., doubl-y, adv.
double, tr. and intr. v. — ME. doublen, fr. OF.
(= F.) doubler, fr. L. dupldre, 'to double', fr.
duplus. See double, adj.
Derivatives: doubl-er, n., doubl-ing, n.
double-entendre, n., a word of double meaning.
— Obsol. F. (for F. double entente), lit. 'a two-
fold meaning', fr. double, 'double', and entendre,
'to hear; to understand, mean'. See double, adj.,
and entente.
doubleganger, n., a counterpart of a living person.
— Anglicized form of Doppelganger.
doublet, n. — ME. dobbelet, 'a garment', fr. OF.
doublet, lit. 'something doubled', formed fr.
double with the dimin. suff. -et. See double, adj.
doubloon, n., an obsolete Spanish gold coin. —
F. doublon, fr. Sp. dobldn, augment, of dobla,
name of an ancient Spanish gold coin, lit. 'dou-
ble', fr. L. dupla, fem. of duplus, 'double'. See
double, adj., and -oon and cp. doblon, dobra.
doublure, n., lining. — F., 'lining', lit. 'doubling',
fr. doubler, 'to double'. See double, adj., and
-ure.
doubt, intr. and tr. v. — ME. duten, douten, fr.
OF. duter, douter (F. douter), fr. dubitdre, 'to
be uncertain in opinion, to doubt', freq. formed
fr. OL. dubdre, of s.m., fr. dubius, 'doubting,
uncertain, doubtful'; a derivative of duo, 'two'.
See dual and cp. dubious, redoubtable. The b in
E. doubt was inserted later owing to an 'ety-
mological' spelling. L. dubitdre orig. meant 'to
have to choose between two things'. For sense
development cp. G. Zweifel, 'doubt', fr. zwei,
'two'.
Derivatives: doubt, n. (q.v.), doubl-ful, adj.,
doubt-ful-ly, adv., doubt-ful-ness, n., doubt-ing,
adj., doubt-ing-ly, adv., doubt-less, adj.
doubt, n. — ME., fr. OF. dute, doute (F. doute),
fr. douter, 'to doubt'. See doubt, v.
douce, adj., sober, gentle (Scot.) — The orig.,
now obsolete, meaning is 'sweet'. It is borrowed
fr. F. douce, fem. of doux, 'sweet, gentle', fr. L.
dulcis. See dulcet and cp. next word and dolce.
douceur, n., gentleness; tip; bribe. — F. douceur,
'sweetness: favor', fr. doux, fem. douce, 'sweet':
see prec. word. The word douceur was intro-
duced into English by Horace Walpole.
douche, n., a jet of water. — F., fr. It. doccia,
'douche', fr. It. doccione, 'conduit, lead-pipe,
tube', fr. L. ductidnem, acc. of ductid, 'a lead-
ing', fr. ducere, 'to lead'. See duct, duke.
Derivative: douche, tr. and intr. v.
dough, n. — ME. dog, dogh, dah, fr. OE. dag,
doughty
rel. to ON. deig, Dan deig, Swed. deg, MLG.
deck, MDu. deech, Du. OHG., MHG.
teic, G. Te/g-, Goth, daigs, 'dough', digan, 'to
knead', fr. I.-E. base *dheigh-, *dhoigh-, *dhigh-,
'to form out of clay, to knead, form', whence
also OI. dehmi, 'I smear, anoint', dehah, 'body',
lit. 'that which is formed', deht, 'rampart, dam,
dike', Avestic daeza, 'wall', pairi-daeza, 'en-
closure' (whence Gk. roxpaSeiaoi;, 'enclosed
park'), OPers. didd, 'castle', Toch. A tsek-,
tsaik-, B tsik-, 'to form', tseke, 'statue', Arm.
dez, 'heap, pile', dizanem, 'I heap up, pile up',
Gk. zelxoQ, toixo? (dissimilated fr. *&slxoz,
*ftotzo?), 'wall' (orig. 'clay wall'), ^lyyaMEiv, 't°
touch', Thracian -8t£a, 'castle', L. fingere, 'to
form, shape, fashion', figura, 'form, shape', fi-
gulus, 'potter', Oscan feihuss, 'the walls', ORuss.
deza, 'baker's trough', Lith. diezti, dyzti, 'to
cudgel, thrash' (lit. 'to knead thoroughly'), Olr.
digen, 'firm, solid' (orig. 'kneaded into a com-
pact mass'). Cp. also the metathesized forms:
Lith. ziedziu, ziesti, 'to form, build', OSIav.
zizdo, zidati, 'to build', zidu, 'wall'. Cp. dairy,
duff, 'pudding', and the second element in lady.
Cp. also deha, dixia, dizdar, effigy, faint, feign,
fictile, fiction, fictitious, figure, thigmo-, the first
element in Tichodroma, thixotropy and the
second element in paradise.
Derivatives: dough, tr. and intr. v., dough-y,
adj., dough-i-ness, n.
doughty, adj. — ME. dohti, duhti, fr. OE. dohtig,
fr. earlier dyhtig, 'able, fit, useful, valiant', rel.
to MHG. tuhtec, G. tiichtig, of s.m., OE. dugan,
'to avail, be of use, be strong', ON., OFris. duga,
Du. deugen, OHG. tugan, MHG. tugen, G. tau-
gen, Goth, dugan, of s.m., OE. dugup, 'power,
rule, majesty; virtue, happiness', OHG. tu-
gundi, 'ability', MHG. tugent, 'skill, worthiness,
virtue', G. Tugend, 'virtue', and cogn. with Gk.
xeuxetv, 'to make ready', -ruyxavstv, 'to hap-
pen, be at a place', Teu/oi;, 'tool, implement',
later 'book', tuxtj, 'fortune, fate, providence',
Hitt. tukka-, 'to fall to a person's share', Ir.
dual (for *dhughlo-), 'becoming, fit', duan (for
*dhughna), 'poem', Lith. daug, 'much', Russ.
duzij, d'uzij, 'strong, robust'. All these words
prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *dheugh-, 'to be fit,
be of use, prosper'. Cp. dow, 'to be able', Tyche,
and the second element in Pentateuch.
Derivatives: dought-y, adj., dought-i-ly, adv.,
dought-i-ness, n.
Douglas, masc. PN. — Orig. only a river name,
fr. Gael. dub(h)glas, 'dark blue'.
Douglas spruce, a N. American coniferous tree.
— Named after the Scottish botanist David
Douglas (1798-1834).
Doukhobors, n. pi. — See Dukhobors.
doum palm. — See doom palm,
dour, adj., hard, stern (Scot.) — L. durus, 'hard'.
See dure.
Derivatives: dour-ly, adv., dour-ness, n.
douse, dowse, tr. v., to plunge into water. — Prob.
478
fr. obsol. douse, 'to strike', which is prob. of
LG. origin. Cp. MDu. dossen, Du. doesen, 'to
strike'.
Derivative: dous-er, n.
dout, tr. v., to put out, extinguish. — Contracted
fr. do and out. Cp. doff, don, v., dup.
dove, n. — ME. dove, douve, duve, fr. OE. dufe-
(only in compounds), rel. to OS. duba, ON.
, dufa, Swed. duva, Dan. due, MLG., MDu. duve,
Du. duif, OHG. tuba, MHG. tube, G. Taube,
Goth, -dubo (only in compounds), 'dove', orig.
'the dark-colored bird', fr. I.-E. base *dheubh-,
*dhubh-, 'to fill with smoke, to darken', whence
also Olr. dub, Ir. dubh, 'dark-colored'. See deaf
and cp. dumb, typhlo-. Cp. also Taube. For sense
development cp. Gk. 7rcXeia, 'wood pigeon',
fr. tcXio;, 'grayish black'.
dovetail, n., a joint made to fit a tenon into a
corresponding mortise. — Lit. 'that which re-
sembles a dove's tail'; so called in allusion to
the shape of the tenon.
Derivatives: dovetail, tr. and intr. v., dovetail-
ed, adj., dove-tail-er, n.
dow, n., a dah (India). — A var. of dah.
dow, intr. v., to be able. — OE. dugan, 'to avail,
be of use, be strong', See doughty.
dowager, n., a widow holding a jointure. — OF.
douagiere, douagere (F. douairiere), fem. of dou-
agier (earlier F. douairier), 'pertaining to a
dower', fr. douage (F. douaire), 'dower'. The
word lit. means 'a woman who has received a
dower'. See dower and the suffixes -age and -er
and cp. endow.
dowdy, adj., not fashionable. — Lit. 'ill-dressed',
fr. earlier dowd, of s.m. ; rel. to duds (q.v.)
Derivatives: dowd-i-ly, adv., dowd-i-ness, n.,
dowdy-ish, adj.
dowel, n., a headless pin or peg for fastening to-
gether pieces of wood, etc. — ME. dowle, prob.
fr. MLG. dbvel, which is rel. to OHG. (gi)tubili,
MHG. tubel, G. Dobel, 'peg, pin, plug' ; formed
with instrumental suff. -/ from Teut. base *dub-,
'to strike' (whence also LG. dubben, 'to strike'),
corresponding to I.-E. base *dheubh-, *dhubh-,
'to strike', whence Gk. -0190? (dissimilated fr.
*Mcpo;), 'wedge, peg'. Lith. dubelis, 'peg', is a
Teut. loan word. Cp. dub, 'to make a knight'.
Derivative : dowel, tr. v.
dower, n., an endowment. — ME. dowere, fr.
OF. (= F.) douaire, fr. ML. dotdrium, fr. L.
dotare, 'to endow, portion', which derives fr.
dos, gen. dotis, 'marriage portion', from the
base of do, dare, 'to give'. See date, 'point of
time', and cp. dot, 'marriage portion'. Cp. also
dowager, dowry.
Derivatives: dower, tr. v., dower-less, n.
dowitcher, n., the gray snipe. — Of N. American
Indian origin,
dowlas, n., a coarse kind of calico. — From Da-
oulas (also spelled Doulas), a town near Brest
in Brittany.
down, n., soft plumage. — ME. downe, doun, fr.
479
Dracontium
ON. dunn, which is rel. to MLG. dune (whence
G. Daune), fr. I.-E. base *dheu-, 'to fly about
like dust, whirl, shake', whence also ON. dyja,
'to shake', Lith. duje, 'down*, dujd, 'particle of
dust; very fine flour; fine rain, drizzle', and
OI. dhundti, 'shakes, moves'. See thio- and cp.
down, 'hill'.
Derivative: downy (q.v.)
down, n., hill. — ME. doun, fr. OE. dun, 'hill'
rel. to MDu. dunen, Du. duin (G. Dune, F. dune,
It. and Sp. duna are Dutch loan words), fr.
I.-E. base *dheu-, 'to shake'; hence down orig.
meant 'something cast up'. See down, 'soft
plumage'. See also dun, 'hill', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: down, adv. (q.v.), downy (q.v.)
down, adv., to, or in, a lower place. — Aphetic
for adown, fr. OE. of-dune, a-dune, prop, mean-
ing 'from the hill, downhill', fr. of-, a-, 'off,
from', and dune, dat. of dun, 'hill'. See down,
'hill'.
Derivatives: down, adj., prep. tr. v. and n.
downward, adv. — OE. adunweard. See down,
adv., and -ward.
Derivative: downward, adj.
downwards, adv. — Formed fr. prec. word with
adv. gen. suff. -es, -s. See -wards,
downy, adj., covered with, or resembling, down.
— Formed fr. down, 'plumage', with adj.
suff. -y.
Derivatives: downi-ly, adv., downi-ness, n.
downy, adj., resembling downs, undulating. —
Formed fr. down, 'hill', with adj. suff. -y.
Derivative: downi-ness, n.
dowry, n. — ME. dowerie, fr. OF. douaire. See
dower.
dowse, v. — See douse.
dowse, intr. v., to seek water by the aid of a
divining rod. — The word prob. meant origin-
ally 'to dip or plunge into water', and is identical
with douse.
Derivative: dows-er, n.
doxastic, adj., pertaining to opinion. — Gk.
Sojaaxixo?, 'forming an opinion, conjecturing',
from the verbal adj. stem of 8o!;a£eiv, 'to think,
imagine, to form an opinion', fr. So^a, 'notion;
opinion; honor, glory', which stands forS6x-oa
and derives fr. Soxeiv, 'to seem good, to seem,
think, believe' (whence also So-ffza, 'that which
one thinks true, opinion, doctrine, decree'), fr.
I.-E. base *dek-, *dok-, 'to take, receive, accept;
acceptable, becoming, good', whence also L.
decere, 'to be seemly or fitting'. See decent and
cp. dogma, the first element in doxology and the
second element in heterodox, orthodox, paradox.
doxology, n., a hymn of praise. — Eccles. L.
doxologia, fr. Eccles. Gk. So^oXoyia, 'praise,
laudation', which is compounded of Gk. 86£a,
'glory', and -Xoyia, fr. -\6yoq, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See prec. word and -logy. Cp.
also next word.
doxy, n., opinion, doctrine (colloq.) — Back
formation from words ending in -doxy (as
heterodoxy, orthodoxy, etc..) See prec. word.
doxy, n., a wench; a mistress (slang). — Of un-
known origin.
doyen, n., senior member. — F., fr. OF. deien,
fr. L. decdnus, 'one set over ten persons'. See
dean.
doze, intr. and tr. v. — Of Scand. origin. Cp. ON.
dusa, 'to doze', Dan. dose, 'to make drowsy',
dos, 'drowsiness', d0sig, 'drowsy', which are rel.
to OE. dysig, 'foolish'. See dizzy.
Derivatives: doze, n., doz-y, adj., doz-i-ly, adv.,
doz-i-ness, n.
dozen, n. — OF. dozaine, dosaine, douzaine (F.
douzaine), fr. douze, 'twelve', fr. L. duodecim,
'twelve', fr. duo, 'two', and decern, 'ten'. See
duodecim-.
drab, n., a dirty woman; a slattern. — Of un-
certain origin. Cp. Ir. drobog, Gael, drabag, 'a
dirty woman'.
Derivative: drab, intr. v., to associate with
drabs.
drab, n., 1) a kind of cloth of brownish-yellow
color; 2) a brownish-yellow color. — F. drop,
'cloth', fr. Late L. drappus, fr. Gaulish *drappo-.
See drape and cp. drabbet.
Derivatives: drab, adj., drab-ly, adv., drab-
ness, n., drabb-ish, drabb-y, adjs.
Draba, n., a genus of plants of the family Bras-
sicaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 8paj3r), name
of a kind of cress,
drabbet, n., a coarse linen material. — Formed
fr. drab, 'cloth', with suff. -et.
drabble, tr. v., to make wet and dirty; to draggle;
intr. v., to become draggled. — ME. drabelen,
drablen, fr. LG. drabbeln, 'to splash in water';
prob. of imitative origin.
Dracaena, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Spaxouva, 'she-dragon',
fem. of Spaxov. See dragon,
drachm, n., a drachma. — See dram,
drachma, n., 1) an ancient Greek coin; 2) an
ancient Greek weight. — L., fr. Gk. Spa^u.^.
See dram and cp. didrachma.
Draco, n., name of a constellation between the
Great and Little Bear. — L. draco, 'dragon'.
See dragon.
Dracocephalum, n., a genus of plants, the dragon
head (hot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
Spixcov, 'a dragon', and xeyaXyj, 'head' (see
dragon and cephalic); so called in allusion to
the form of the corolla.
draconian, adj., also draconic, 'pertaining to a
dragon'. — See Draco and -ian, resp. -ic.
Draconian, Draconic, also draconian, draconic,
adj., severe, harsh. — Lit. 'in the manner of
Draco', fr. L. Draco, fr. Gk. Apdcxov, the Athen-
ian legislator, who codified his laws in 621
B.C.E. For the meaning of this name in Greek
see dragon.
Dracontium, n., a genus of plants of the arum
aracuncuius
480
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. dracontium, 'a kind
of plant, the dragon wort', fr. Gk. Spcoc^vTiov,
of s.m., fr. Spaxeov, gen. Spaxovxot;, 'dragon'.
See dragon.
dracunculus, n., i) the Guinea worm; 2) a fish;
3) (cap.) a genus of plants of the arum family
(bot.) — L., 'a small serpent; a kind of fish;
the plant tarragon', dimin. of draco, 'dragon'.
See dragon and -cuius.
draff, n., dregs. — ME. draf, 'dregs', rel. to ON.
draf, 'refuse', Dan., Norw. drav, Swed., MLG.,
MDu., Du. draf, OHG. trebir, MHG., G. treber,
'draff', and possibly also to OHG. truobi,
MHG. triiebe, G. triib, 'dull, sad'; fr. I.-E. base
*dhrebh-, 'to make firm, curdle', whence also
Russ. drob, drobd, 'dregs, lees', Lith. drimbii,
dribti, 'to fall in clots', drebiu, drebti, 'to blot,
blur', drebnus, 'fat', Gk. xpe^eiv, 'to make solid,
thicken, congeal, curdle; to nourish' (lit. 'to
make thick'), -9-pojjtPoc; (a nasalized enlargement
of base *dhrebh-\ 'lump, clot', ^po^utaiQ, 'coa-
gulation'. Cp. drivel. Cp. also thrematology,
threpsology, threptic, thrombo-, thrombosis,
trophic.
Derivative: draff-y, adj.
draft, n. — ME. draht, draught, fr. OE. dragan,
'to draw'. See drag, draw, and cp. draught.
Derivatives : draft, draught, tr. v. and adj., draft-
er, draught-er, n., draft-ing, draught-ing, n.,
draft-y, draught -y, adj.
drag, tr. and intr. v. — ME. draggen, fr. OE.
dragan or ON. draga, 'to draw'. See draw and
cp. draggle. Cp. also droshky.
Derivatives: drag, n. (q.v.), dragg-er, n., dragg-
ing, adj., dragg-ing-ly, adv., dragg-y, adj., dragg-
i-Iy, adv., dragg-i-ness, n.
drag, n. — Fr. prec. word. The various meanings
of this noun are all traceable to the original
meaning, 'that which drags or is dragged'. Cp.
drogue.
draggle, tr. and intr. v. — Formed from the verb
drag with freq. suff. -le. Cp. drawl.
Derivative : dragg-ly, adv.
dragoman, n., guide and interpreter. — F. drago-
man, drogman, fr. It. dragomano, fr. MGk.
Spayoufiavot;, fr. targumdn, Egypt, pronuncia-
tion of Arab, tarjumdn, fr. Aram. turgh e mdnd, ult.
fr. Akkad. targumdnu, 'interpreter'. See Targum.
dragon, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. dracdnem, acc.
of draco, 'a kind of a serpent ; dragon', fr. Gk.
Spaxcov, which prob. means lit. 'the sharp-
sighted one', and is rel. to SfpxsaOoci, 'to look
at', fr. I.-E. base *derk-, *d[k-, 'to see, look at',
whence also 01. dars-, 'to see', da-ddrsa, 'I have
seen', darsatdh, 'visible', d[s-, 'seeing, sight',
Avestic darshti-, 'sight', Alb. drite (for *dfktd-),
'light', Goth. (ga)tarhjan, 'to make distinct',
OE. torht, 'bright', OHG. zoraht, 'clear', Olr.
derc, 'eye', W. drych, 'aspect', drem, Bret.
dremm (for *d[fc-sma), 'face'. Cp. darshana,
Dracaena, Dracontium, dracunculus, dragoon,
drake, 'dragon', reticle, tarragon.
Derivatives: dragon-ess, n., dragonet (q.v.), dra-
gonnade (q.v.)
dragonet, n., 1) a little dragon; 2) a small marine
fish. — OF., dimin. of dragon. See dragon
and -et.
dragonnade, n., persecution of the French pro-
testants during Louis XIV; military attack on
the civil population. — F., fr. dragon, 'dragoon'.
See dragon and -ade.
dragoon, n. — F. dragon, 'dragon, dragoon, car-
bine' ; so called from its resemblance to the fire
breathing dragon of the fable. See dragon.
Derivatives: dragoon, tr. v., dragoon-age, n.,
dragoon-er, n.
drail, tr. and intr. v., to drag or trail; to draggle.
— A blend of drag and trail.
Derivative: drail, n.
drain, tr. and intr. v. — ME. draynen, fr. OE.
drehnigean, dreahnian, drehnian, 'to strain', lit.
'to dry out', and rel. to OE. dryge, 'dry'. See dry.
Derivatives: drain, n., drain-age, n., drain-ed,
adj., drain-er, n.
draisine, n., a dandy horse. — F. draisine, drai-
sienne, fr. G. Draisine, named after its inventor,
Baron Karl von Drais of Saverbrun near Mann-
heim (died in 1851).
drake, n., the male of the duck. — ME. drake,
rel. to LG. drake and to the second element in
OHG. anutrehho. (This latter stands for *anut-
trahho, a compound, the first element of which
is cogn. with L. anas, 'duck'; see Anas.) ME.
and LG. drake and the second element in OHG.
*anut-trahho are of imitative origin and mean
'drake'. (Cp. Alamannic rdtsch, rdtscher, 'drake',
from the verb ratschen, 'to rattle'.) Accordingly
OHG. anutrehho (whence MHG. antrech, G.
Enterich) is tautological and lit. means 'duck-
duck'.
drake, n., dragon. — ME., fr. OE. draca, fr. L.
draco, 'dragon'. See dragon.
dram, n., a weight. — OF. drame (F. drachme),
fr. L. drachma, 'drachma', fr. Gk. Spa^ir?), 'an
Attic weight; a silver coin', lit. 'a handful', rel.
to Spayixr;, 'handful', Spay^a, 'a sheaf, lit. 'as
much as one can grasp, a handful', from the
stem of 8pa<j(j£a9-ai (for *§p&.y-oza&a.t.), 'to
clutch, grasp, seize'; cogn. with Arm. trcak,
'faggot', perh. also with OSiav. po-dragu,
'border', OHG. zarga, 'border, edge, frame',
ON. targa, OE. targe, 'shield, buckler'. Cp.
drachma, Drassidae. Cp. also targe, 'shield'.
drama, n. — Late L., fr. Gk. Spoi^x, 'deed, act,
action represented on the stage, drama', fr.
Spav, 'to do, accomplish', which is rel. to Spatveiv,
'to be ready to do', and cogn. with Lith. darau,
daryti, Lett, darit, 'to make, do'. Cp. drastic.
For the ending see suff. -ma.
dramatic, adj. — Late L. drdmaticus, fr. Gk.
SpajiaTLxo?, 'dramatic', fr. Spa^a, gen. Sp4(j.a"ro?,
'drama'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: dramatic-at-ly, adv.
dramatis personae, the characters in a play. — L.
□ ream
dramatist, n., a writer of plays. — Formed with
suff. -ist fr. Gk. Spajxa, gen. SpdjjiaTOS, 'drama'.
See drama.
dramatize, tr. v., to make into a drama. — See
dramatist and -ize and cp. F. dramatiser.
Derivatives: dramatiz-ation, n., dramatiz-er, n.
dramaturge, n., a dramatist. — F., fr. Gk. 8p5-
(AOtToupYoq, 'a maker of plays, dramatist', which
is compounded of Spajxa, gen. 8pa[iaTos,'drama',
and gpyov, 'work'. See drama and work and cp.
ergon and words there referred to. The word
dramaturge was introduced into French in 1668
by the poet Jean Chapelain (1595-1674).
dramaturgy, n., composition and production of
plays. — G. Dramaturgic, fr. Gk. SpanaToupyta,
'dramatic composition', fr.8pa[iotToupY6i;,'maker
of plays'. See prec. word and- y (representing
Gk. -ia). Dramaturgic was introduced into
German by the German critic and dramatist
Gotthold EphraimLessing(i729-8i)in his Ham-
burgische Dramaturgic (1767-69).
Derivatives : dramaturg-ic, adj., dramaturg-ist,n.
drank, past tense of drink. — ME. dranc, fr. OE.
dranc, fr. drincan, 'to drink'. See drink.
drape, tr. v. — F. draper, 'to cover with cloth,
drape', fr. drop, 'cloth', fr. Late L. drappus,
which is prob. of Gaulish origin and ult. de-
rives fr. I.-E. *dre-p-, 'to tear off', whence also
OI. drdpih, 'mantle, garment'. Lith. drapanos
(pi.), 'linen, women's linen, undergarment' (the
original meaning prob. was 'a piece torn off'),
Gk. Speneiv, 'to pluck', Russ. drdpati, drjdpati,
Pol. drapac, Serbo-Croat, drdpati, 'to scratch,
tear'. I.-E. *dre-p- is a -p-enlargement of base
*der-, 'to flay', whence Gk. 8£pav, 'to flay',
8ep(xa, 'skin'. See derma and cp. drab, 'a kind
of cloth', trap, 'clothes'. Cp. also the first ele-
ment in drepanoid.
drape, n. — Partly fr. F. drap, partly fr. drape, v.
draper, n. — ME., fr. AF. draper, which cor-
responds to OF., F. drapier, fr. drap, 'cloth'.
See drape, v., and agential suff. -er.
drapery, n. — OF. (= F.) draperie, fr. draper, 'to
cover with cloth, drape'. See drape, v., and
-ery.
Derivative: drapery, tr. v.
Drassidae, n. pi., a family of spiders (zool.) —
ModL., lit., 'seizers', formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. 8pi£a<jea$ai (for *8pax-ae<r&ai), 'to clutch,
grasp, seize'. See dram,
drastic, adj., having a strong effect. — Gk. Spao-
tix6?, 'active, efficient, violent', fr. Spacrroi;,
'done', verbal adj. of Spav, 'to do, accomplish'.
See drama and -ic.
Derivative: drastic-al-ly, adv.
drat, interj. — Fr. od rot, which is aphetic for
God rot.
draught, n. — See draft.
draughts, n., the British name for the game of
checkers. — PI. of prec. word.
Dravidian, adj., pertaining to a race in Southern
India or to the languages spoken by them. —
Formed with suff. ian fr. OI. Dravidah, name of
a region in Southern India,
draw, tr. and intr. v. — ME. drahen, drawen,
fr. OE. dragan, 'to draw', rel. to ON. draga, 'to
draw', OS. dragan, OFris. draga, drega, MDu.
draghen, dreghen, OHG. tragan, MHG., G.
tragen, 'to bear, carry', Goth, ga-dragan, 'to
pull, draw', and perh. cogn. with L. trahere,
'to pull, draw'. See tract, 'region', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also drag, draggle,
drail, drawl, dray, dredge, 'dragnet'. Cp. also
droshky.
Derivatives: draw, n., draw-ee, n., draw-er, n.,
draw-ing, n.
Drawcansir, n., bully, braggart. — Named after
a character in George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of
Buckinham's The Rehearsal (1672). According
to the OED. the name was coined from (the
phrase) 'draw a can of liquor'.
drawing room. — Abbreviation of withdrawing
room; orig. name of the room into which the
ladies would withdraw at the end of dinner. See
withdraw.
drawl, intr. and tr. v. — Prob. freq. of draw;
cp. Du. dralen, 'to be slow', fr. dragen, 'to
draw'. Cp. draggle.
Derivatives: drawl, n., drawl-er, n., drawl-ing,
adj., drawl-ing-ly, adv., drawl-ing-ness, n„
drawl-y, adj.
drawn, pp. of draw. — ME. drawen, fr. OE. dra-
gen, fr. dragan, 'to draw'. See draw,
dray, n., a strong cart used for carrying heavy
loads. — ME. dreie, fr. OE. drxge, 'a dragnet',
lit. 'that which is drawn', fr. dragan, 'to draw'.
Cp. ON. draga, pi. drogur, 'timber carried on
horseback trailing along the ground', Swed.
drog, 'sledge, dray', and see draw,
dray, n., a squirrel's nest. — See drey,
dread, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dreden, prob.
aphetic for adreden, fr. OE. adr&dan, var. of
andrxdan, 'to fear', which is rel. to OS. ant-
dradan, OHG. in-tratan, 'to fear'.
Derivatives: dread, n., dread, adj. (q.v.), dread-
ed, dread-ful, adjs., dread-ful-ly, adv.
dread, adj. — ME., prop. pp. of dread, v.
dreadnought, n. and adj. — Lit. 'dreading noth-
ing'; compounded of dread, v., and nought,
dreadnought, n„ largest type of battleship. — So
called from the name of the first such battleship,
launched in 1906.
dream, n. — ME. dreem, dreme, rel. to OS. drom,
ON. draumr, Norw. draum, Dan. drem, Swed.
drom, OFris. dram, Du. droom, OHG., MHG.
troum, G. Traum, 'dream'. These words prob.
derive fr. Teut. *drauma (for *draugma-), and
lit. mean 'deception, illusion, phantom', and,
accordingly, are rel. to ON. draugr, OS. gidrog,
MDu. gedroch, OHG. gitrog, MHG. getroc,
'phantom, ghost', OS. bi-driogan, 'to deceive',
OHG. triogan, 'to lie', MHG. triegen, G.
triigen, 'to deceive' (whence Trug, 'deception').
Derivatives: dream, intr. and tr. v., dream-er.
ui car
482
n., dream-ful, adj., dream-ful-ly, adv., dream-ful-
ness, n., dream-less, adj., dream-less-ly, adv.,
dream-less-ness, n., dream-like, adj., dream-y,
adj., dream-i-ly, adv.
drear, adj. (poe/.) — Shortened fr. dreary.
dreary, adj. — ME. dreri, dreori, fr. OE. dreorig,
'bloodstained, gory; sad, sorrowful', fr. dreor,
'gore, blood' ; rel. to OHG. trurac, MHG. triirec,
G. traurig, 'sad, sorrowful', OHG. truren, 'to
lower the eyes; to mourn, lament; MHG. tru-
ren, G. trauern, 'to mourn, lament', and to OE.
dreosan, 'to fall, sink, become slow, become in-
active', OS. driosan, Goth, driusan, 'to fall',
MHG. tror, 'dew, rain'. Cp. drowse, drizzle.
Derivatives: drear-i-ly, adv., drear-i-ness, n.
dredge, n., a dragnet. — From the stem of OE.
dragan, 'to draw'. See draw.
Derivative: dredge, tr. v., to gather with a
dredge; intr. v., to use a dredge.
dredge, tr. v., to sprinkle. — Orig. 'to sprinkle
with flour', fr. obsol. dredge, 'sweetmeat', fr.
ME. dragie, drage, fr. OF. dragie, dragee (F.
dragee), 'sugarplum, sugar almond', which de-
rives fr. L. tragemata (pi.), 'dessert, confection-
ery', fr. Gk. Tpay7][iaTix, pi. of Tpa-p^a, 'sweet-
meat, dessert, confectionery', fr. Gk. Tpayeiv,
II. aor. of xpcoyeiv, 'to gnaw, nibble'. See trout
and cp. tragic, troglodyte.
dredge, n., a mixture of grain sown together. —
OF. dragie (F. dragee), 'fodder, provender', fr.
Gaulish-L. *dravocdta, fr. L, dravoca, 'bur'.
See tare, 'a creeping grass', and cp. doob.
dredger, n., a boat used for dredging. — Formed
fr. dredge, 'dragnet', with agential suff. -er.
dredger, n., a metal box for sprinkling flour, etc.
— Formed fr. dredge, 'to sprinkle', with agent-
ial suff. -er.
dree, tr. v., to endure (archaic.) — ME. dreen,
fr. OE. dreogan, 'to work, suffer, endure', rel.
to ON. drygja, 'to do, accomplish', Goth, driu-
gan, 'to serve as a soldier', and cogn. with
OSlav. drugu, 'friend', Lith. draugas, draugalas,
'friend, comrade', Lett, drdugs, 'friend', OPruss.
draugiwaldutien (acc.), 'coheir'. Cp. drudge.
dreg, n. — ME., fr. ON. dregg, which is rel. to
OE. driest, dserst, dxrste, 'dregs, lees', OHG.
trestir, MHG., G. trester, 'grapeskins, husks',
and cogn. with Gk. rpaxu;, 'rough', Alb. drd,
(for *dhroghd), 'dregs of oil'; OLith. drages,
OPruss. dragios, OSlav. drozdije, 'lees'. See tra-
chea and cp. dross.
Derivatives: dregg-ish, adj., dregg-y, adj., dregg-
i-ly, adv., dregg-i-ness, n.
drench, tr. v. — ME. drenchen, fr. OE. drencan,
'to give to drink', for 'drank-jan, causative of
drincan, 'to drink'. Cp. ON. drekkja, Swed.
drdnka, Du. drenken, G. tranken, Goth, dragk-
jan, 'to give to drink', and see drink.
Derivatives: drench, n. (q.v.), drench-er, n.,
drench-ing-ly, adv.
drench, n. — ME. drench, fr. OE. drenc, 'a drink,
potion', fr. drencan, 'to give to drink'. Cp.
OS., MLG., Du. drank, OHG., MHG.,G. trank,
and see drench, v.
Drepanis, n., name of a genus of birds (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. Speiravt?, a kind of bird, prob.
'the swift', fr. Speroxvir), 'sickle'; so called from
its sickle-shaped wings. See next word.
drepanoid, adj., sickle-shaped. — Compounded
of Gk. SpemivY), 'sickle, reaping hook', and
-osiS^?, 'like', fr. etSos, 'form, shape'. The
first element is rel. to 8p£jrsiv, 'to pluck'; see
drape. The second element derives fr. Gk. ISoq,
'form, shape' ; see -oid.
dress, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dressen, 'to direct,
prepare; to dress', fr. OF. (= F.) dresser, fr.
VL. *dir€ctiare, fr. L. directus, pp. of dirigere,
'to put into a straight line; to direct, guide'. See
direct, v., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dress, n., dresser (q.v.), dress-ing,
n., dress-y, adj., dress-i-ly, adv., dress-i-ness, n.
dresser, n., one who dresses. — Formed fr. dress,
v., with agential suff. -er.
dresser, n., cupboard. — F. dressoir, fr. dresser.
See dress, v.
drew, past tense of draw. — ME. drew, fr. OE.
dreow, fr. dragan, 'to draw'. See draw.
drey, also dray, n., a squirrel's nest. — Of un-
certain origin.
dribble, intr. v., to fall in drops ; tr. v., to let fall in
drops. — Freq. of the verb drib, an obsolete
var. of drip. For the ending see suff. -Ie.
Derivatives: dribble, n., dribbl-er, n.
driblet, n., a small amount. — Dimin. of the ob-
solete noun drib. See prec. word and -et.
drift, n. — ME. drift, formed with suff. -/ fr. OE.
drifan, 'to drive'. Cp. ON. drift, 'snowdrift',
Dan., Swed., Du. drift, G. Trift, 'pasturage,
drove, flock'. See drive and cp. adrift. Drift
stands to drive as gift stands to give, rift to rive,
shrift to shrive, thrift to thrive.
Derivatives: drift, intr. and tr. v., drift-age, n.,
drift-er, n., drift-ing, n., and adj., drift-ing-ly,
adv., drift-y, adj.
drill, tr. and intr. v., to bore. — Du. drillen, 'to
bore; to train (soldiers)', fr. I.-E. base *ter-, 'to
turn, to bore by turning', whence also OE.
pyrel, 'hole'. See thrill.
drill, n., an instrument for boring. — Partly fr.
Du. dril, drille, 'an instrument for boring' (fr.
drillen, 'to bore'), partly fr. drill, 'to bore'.
drill, tr. v., to train (soldiers, etc.) — Du. drillen,
'to train', identical with the verb drillen, 'to
bore' (see drill, 'to bore'). For sense develop-
ment cp. MLG. drillen, 'to turn, roll'.
Derivative: drill, n., the act of training (sol-
diers, etc.).
drill, n., a small furrow. — Fr. obsol. drill, 'rill',
which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: drill, tr. v., to sow in drills,
drill, n., a kind of coarse twilled cotton. — Fr.
earlier drilling, corruption of G. Drillich, fr.
MHG. dril(t)ch, from the OHG. adjective drilich,
'threefold', alteration of L. trittx, gen. -licis.
483
□ rune
'woven with three sets of leashes, triply twilled',
fr. ter, 'three times', and licium, 'a thread of the
web', which is rel. to obliquus, 'slanting, side-
long'. See tri- and oblique and cp. twill.
drill, n., a baboon of Western Africa. — Native
name. Cp. mandrill.
drilling, n., the act of a person who drills. —
Formed from the verb drill with subst. suff.
-ing.
drilling, n. — Original, but now obsolete form
of drill, 'twilled cotton',
drink, tr. and intr. v. — ME. drinken, fr. OE.
drincan, rel. to OS. drinkan, OFris. drinka, Du.
drinken, OHG. trinkan, MHG., G. trinken,
ON. drekka, Dan. drikke, Swed. dricka, Goth.
drigkan, 'to drink'. Cp. drench, drunken, drown.
Derivatives: drink n„ drink-able, adj., drink-er,
n., drink-ing, n.
drip, intr. and tr. v. — ME. drippen, fr. OE. dryp-
pan, rel. to MLG., Du. druipen, MHG. trupfen,
Dan. dryppe, lit. 'to fall in drops'. Cp. OHG.
triofan, MHG., G. triefen, 'to drop, drip', OE.
droppian, 'to drop', and see drop. Cp. also
dribble.
Derivatives: drip, n., dripp-ing, n. and adj.,
dripp-y, adj.
drive, tr. and intr. v. — ME. driven, fr. OE. drifan,
rel. to ON. drifa, Dan. drive, Swed. driva, OS.
drWan, Du. drijven, OHG. triban, MHG. triben,
G. treiben, Goth, dreihan, 'to drive'. Cp. drift,
drove, n.
Derivative: drive, n., driv-er, n., driv-ing, n. and
adj., driv-ing-ly, adv.
drivel, intr.v., i) to slaver; 2) to talk foolishly. —
ME. drevelen, drivelen, dravelen, fr. OE. dreflian,
'to slobber' ; prob. rel. to draff, (q.v.) Cp. drool.
Derivatives: drivel, n„ drivel(l)-er, n., drivel(l)-
ing-ly, adv.
driven, adj., prop. pp. of drive. — ME. driven,
fr. OE. drifen, 'driven', pp. of drifan, 'to drive'.
See drive.
drizzle, intr. and tr. v. — Freq. of ME. dresen,
'to fall', fr. OE. dreosan. See dreary and freq.
suff. -le and cp. drowse.
Derivatives: drizzle, n., drizzl-y, adj.
drogher, n., a kind of vessel. — Du., now spelled
droger, lit. 'drier', whence 'a vessel for drying
herrings', fr. drogen, 'to dry', fr. droog, 'dry'. See
dry and agential suff. -er.
drogue, n., a small buoy attached to the end of a
harpoon line. — Prob. rel. to drag, n. Cp. dial.
E. drug, 'to drag'.
droit, n., legal right. — F. droit, 'right' (n.), fr.
droit, 'right' (adj.), fr. L. directus, pp. of diri-
gere, 'to put into a straight line, direct". Cp.
OProvenc. dreich, dreit, dret, Catal. dret, Sp.
derecho, Port, dereito, It. diritto, dritto, 'right',
which all derive fr. L. directus. See direct, v.
and adj., and cp. adroit, maladroit.
droll, adj., 1) amusingly odd; n., a droll person,
funny, droll, odd. — F. drole, 'funny, droll,
odd', from the noun drole, 'a funny fellow', fr.
earlier F. drolle, fr. MDu. droll, 'an odd little
fellow'.
Derivatives: droll, v., droll-ish, adj., droll-ish-
ness, n., droll-y, adv., droll-ness, n.
drollery, n. — F. drolerie, fr. drole. See prec.
word and -ery.
-drome, combining form lit. meaning 'running,
course', as in aerodrome. — Gk. -Spof*o<;, fr.
8p6u.o<;, 'a running, course, race, racecourse'.
See dromedary.
dromedary, n. — OF. dromedaire (F. dromadaire),
fr. Late L. dromeddrius (camelus), fr. dromas,
gen. -adis, 'running', fr. Gk. 8po(/.a<;, gen. -aSo?,
of s.m., which is rel. to 8pau.eiv, 'to run',
8£Spou.a, 'I ran', 8p6u.o<;, 'a running, course,
race, racecourse', fr. I.-E. base *drem-, 'to run',
whence also OI. drdmati, 'runs'. Base *drem- is a
collateral form of base *drd-, 'to move quickly, to
run', whence Ol.drdti, 'runs, hastens', Gk. dbroSi-
Spacrxeiv, 'to run away' (with reduplication of
base *8pa-), Spaau.6.;, 'a running away, flight',
^Spaaxo?, 'not inclined to run away', 'ASpob-
Teia, 'Nemesis', lit. 'from whom there is no
escape', and prob. also ON. titra, OHG. zit-
tardn, 'to tremble'. Cp. Adrastea, -drome,
Dromiacea, Dromiceius, dromond, and the
second element in anadromous, Boedromion,
catadromous, hippodrome, lampadedromy, loxo-
dromic, palindrome, prodrome, syndrome. Cp.
also teeter. — The change of a to e in Late L.
dromeddrius is due to the influence of Latin
words ending in -eddrius, as esseddrius, 'a fighter
in a British or a Gallic war chariot' (see esse-
dum), vereddrius, 'post boy, courier' (fr. veredus,
'a swift horse'). F. dromadaire — with a in-
stead of e— has been refashioned after Gk.
Spojxat;.
Dromiacea, n., a group of crabs (zool.) — Formed
with suff. -acea fr. Gk. 8po|xta<;, 'crab', lit.
'runner', rel. to 8p6[j.0(; 'a running, course',
Spauxlv, 'to run'. See prec. word.
Dromiceius, n., the genus of ratite birds, the emu
(ornithol.) — ModL., fr. 8po[xato<;, 'running
fast, swift', fr. Spou-o?, 'a running, course'. See
dromedary and cp. prec. word.
dromond, n., a large fast-sailing ship of the Middle
Ages. — OF. dromon, dromont, fr. Late L. dro-
mdnem, acc. of dromo, 'a fast-sailing vessel', fr.
Gk. SpojjLtov, of s.m., lit. 'a runner', fr. 8p6(io?,
'a running, course'. See dromedary.
-dromous, combining form meaning 'running', as
in catadromous. — Gk. -Spo^o?, fr. 8p6|io(;, 'a
running, course'. See -drome. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -oc, see suff. -ous.
drone, n., the male of the honeybee. — ME. dra-
ne, fr. OE. drdn, drxn, rel. to OS. drdn, dreno,
MLG. drone (whence Dan. drone, G. Drohne),
MDu. drdne, OHG. treno, MHG. trene, 'drone',
and cogn. with Gk. #p<ovai;, 'drone', the second
element in tev&pt)v?), 'a kind of wasp', and in
dev*pT)vK), 'wild bee', &pi)vo<;,' dirge', from the
I.-E. base *dhrSn-, 'to hum, buzz, murmur',
arone
484
whence also OI. dhrdnati, 'resounds', Mir. dre-
sacht (for *drensacht), 'to cry' (said of a swan)
(L. drensdre, of s.m., is a Celtic loan word). Cp.
threnetic, Anthrenus, Tenthredinidae. Base
*dhren- is an enlargement of the imitative base
*dher-, whence Gk. &peia£ai (for *&p&FeaQ-a.i),
'to cry aloud, shriek', -ftpoeiv, of s.m., &p6o<;,
{►pout;, 'noise, murmur', fl-poXoi;, 'murmur',
S-opufSo?, 'noise', OE. dream, OS. drom, MDu.
droom, 'musical sound, melody'. Cp. dor.
drone, intr. v., to make a monotonous humming
sound; tr.v., to utter in a dull monotonous tone.
— Rel. to — and prob. even derived from —
drone, n. Cp. the rel. words MLG. dronen
(whence Du. dreunen, G. drbhnen), Dan. drene,
Swed. drona, Norw., Icel. drynja, 'to roar',
Goth, drunjus, 'sound'.
Derivative: dron-ing-ly, adv.
drongo, n., any of various crowlike birds of the
family Dicruridae. — Malagasy.
drool, intr. v., to drivel; n., to talk foolishly
{U.S. Slang) — Fr. drivel.
Derivative: drool, n.
droop, intr. v., to sink, hang down; to fail; tr.v.,
to let sink or hang down. — ME. droupen, fr.
ON. drupa, 'to droop, sink', which is rel. to
ON. dropi, OE. dropa, 'drop'. See next word.
Derivatives: droop-er, n., droop-ing, adj., droop-
ing-ly, adv., droop-ing-ness, n.
drop, n. — ME. drope, fr. OE. dropa, 'drop', rel.
to OS. dropo, ON. dropi, MLG. troppe, Du.
drop, OHG. tropfo, MHG. tropfe, G. Tropfen,
'drop', OE. dreopan, OS. driopan, ON. drjupa,
OFris. dridpa, Du. druipen, OHG. triofan,
MHG., G. triefen, 'to drop, drip'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *dhrub-, whence also
Olr. drucht (for *drupt), 'dewdrop'. Cp. — with
-bh formative element — Gk. Spun-reiv, 'to break
to pieces, break small, crush', and — with -p-
formative element — Lett, drupu, drupt, 'to crum-
ble to pieces'. Cp. drip. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in Cladrastis and in lithontriptic.
drop, tr. and intr. v. — OE. dropian, fr. dropa,
'drop'. See drop, n.
Derivatives: dropp-er, n., dropp-ing, n.
droplet, n. — Formed fr. drop, n., with dimin.
suff. -let.
dropsy, n. — ME. dropsie, aphetic for ME. idrop-
sie, ydropsie, fr. OF. idropisie (F. hydropisie),
fr. L. hydrdpisis, fr. Gk. tiSpoxJ', 'dropsy', which
is formed from 68<op, 'water', and suff. -toijj, lit.
'-eyed'. See hydro- and -ops and cp. hydropsy,
which is a doublet of dropsy.
Derivatives: drops-ical, adj., drops-ical-ly, adv.
Drosera, n., a genus of plants, the sundew (hot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. Spoaepoq, 'dewy', fr. 8p6ao<;,
'dew', which is of uncertain origin; so called
because the glands of the leaves exude drops
of a fluid resembling dewdrops.
Droseraceae, n.pl., the sundew family (hot) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
drosera ceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
droshky, also drosky, n. — Russ. drozki {pi),
dimin. of drogi (pi.), 'wagon', rel. to doroga,
(which corresponds to Pol. drdga, Czech drdha),
'way', and cogn. with Norw. drag, 'drawing
rope', and with ON. draga, 'to draw' ; see drag,
draw. For the relationship between Russ. drogi,
'wagon', and doroga, 'way', cp. E. wain and
wagon, which are related to way.
drosometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
quantity of dew. — Compounded of Gk.
Spocros, 'dew', and fjixpov, 'measure'. See Dro-
sera and meter, 'poetical rhythm',
dross, n., refuse. — ME. drosse, fr. OE. dross,
'dregs, dirt', rel. to drosna (pi.), 'dregs', MDu.
droesenie), Du. droesem, OHG. truosana,
MHG. drusene, G. Drusen, 'husks, dregs', and
to E. dreg (q.v.) Cp. druse.
Derivatives: dross, tr. v., dross-er, n., dross-y,
adj., dross-i-ness, n.
drought, n. — ME. drougth, drugthe, fr. OE.
drugad, drugod, rel. to OE. drugian, 'to dry,
wither', dryge, 'dry', and to Du. droogte,
'drought*. See dry.
Derivative: drought-y, adj.
drove, n., a number of cattle, or other animals,
driven; a herd. — ME. drof, drove, fr. OE. drdf,
drsef, 'drove, herd, crowd, band', rel. to drifan,
'to drive'. See drive.
Dirivative: dro-ver, n.
drove, past tense of drive. — ME. drof, fr. OE.
drdf, 'drove', fr. drifan, 'to drive'. See drive,
drown, intr. and tr. v. — ME. drunen, drounen,
corresponding to OE. *drunian. Cp. ME. drunk-
nen, fr. OE. druncnian, 'to become intoxicated ;
to be drowned'. Cp. also ON. drukna, 'to be
drowned', G. ertrdnken, 'to drown', ertrinken,
'to be drowned', and see drink.
Derivatives: drown-er, n., drown-ing-ly, adv.
drowse, intr. and tr. v. — OE. drusian, drusan,
'to become languid, to be slow or sluggish', rel.
to dreosan, 'to fall, sink'. See dreary.
Derivatives: drowse, n., drows-y, adj., drows-i-
ly, adv., drows-i-ness, n.
drub, tr. v., to beat with a stick ; intr. v., to stamp.
— The orig. meaning was 'to bastinado'; prob.
fr. Arab, darb, 'a beating (with a stick)', fr.
ddraba, 'he beat, struck'.
Derivatives: drub, n., drubb-er, n., drubb-ing, n.
drudge, intr. and tr. v. — ME. druggen, prob. fr.
OE. dreogan, 'to work, suffer, endure'. See dree.
Derivatives: drudge, n., drudg-ery, n., drudg-
ing-ly, adv.
drug, n. — ME. drogge, drugge, fr. F. drogue, ft.
MLG. droge fate, 'dry casks', i.e. 'goods in
packing cases', in which phrase droge was mis-
taken to be the name of the contents. See E.
Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Worterbuch der
franzdsischen Sprache, 191 8, p. 327. For the
etymology of MLG. droge see dry.
Derivatives: drug, tr. and intr. v. drugg-er, n.,
druggery (q.v.), drugget (q.v.), druggist (q.v.),
drugg-y, adj.
485
dub
druggery, n., 1) drugs; 2) a place for selling drugs.
— F. droguerie, fr. drogue. See drug and -ery.
drugget, n., a coarse woolen fabric. — F. droguei,
fr. drogue, 'drug ; worthless stuff, trash'. See drug,
druggist, n. — F. droguiste, a hybrid coined fr.
drogue and -iste, a suff. of Greek origin. See
drug and -ist.
druid, n., an ancient Celtic priest or soothsayer.
— F. druide, fr. L. pi. druides (Caesar), druidae
(Cicero), fr. OCelt. druid, which stands for
*dru-wid, and is compounded of *daru-, "dm-,
'oak', and *wid-, 'know', hence lit. meaning
'they who know the oak' ; so called in allusion
to their practices with the mistletoe. Cp. Pliny,
16, 249. For the first element see tree and cp.
dryas, Drusilla, for the second see vision.
Derivatives: the hybrids druid-ess, n., druid-ic,
druid-ic-al, adjs., druid-ism, n., druid-ry, n.
drum, n. — Prob. fr. LG. trumme or MDu. trom-
me, 'drum'; cp. Du. trom, trommel, Dan. trom-
me, MHG. trume, trumme, trumbe, G. Trommel,
Dan. tromme, Swed. trumma, 'drum'; of imi-
tative origin. Cp. trombone, trommel, trump,
'trumpet'.
Derivatives: drum, intr. and tr. v., drumm-er, n.,
drumm-y, adj.
drum, n. — See drumlin.
drumble, n., a sluggish person. — A var. of
dumble, which itself is a dial. var. of dummel.
Derivative: drumble, intr. v., drumbl-er, n.
drumlin, n., a small hill consisting of glacial drift
(geol.) — Fr. drumling, dimin. of drum, 'ridge'
(cp. 2nd drum), fr. Gael, and Ir. druim, 'back,
ridge', which is rel. to Olr. druimm, W. trum,
of s.m.
Drummond light. — Named after the Scottish
engineer Thorns Drummond (1797- 1840).
drunk, adj. — ME. drunke, alter, of drunken, fr.
OE. druncen, 'drunk', fr. drincan, 'to drink';
prop. pp. of drink.
Derivatives: drunk, n., drunk-ard, n., drunken
(q.v.), drunk-ery, n.
drunken, adj. — ME., fr. OE. druncen, 'one who
has drunk, intoxicated' ; prop, old pp. of drink.
Cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: drunken-ly, adv., drunken-ness, n.
drupe, n., stone fruit {pot.) — F., fr. L. drupa,
druppa (scil. oliva), 'an overripe (olive)', fr. Gk.
8pu:tTt5, which is shortened fr. Spu-TrenT)?, 'ripen-
ed on the tree', said especially of olives. See
dryad and pepsin.
Derivatives: drup-aceous, adj., drupel (q.v.),
drupeole (q.v.), drupi-ferous, adj.
drupel, drupelet, n., a little drupe. — Formed fr.
prec. word with the dimin. suffixes -el, resp. -el
and -et.
druse, n., a cavity in a rock lined with crystals
(geol.) — G. Druse, 'druse, geode; sediment,
husks, dregs', rel. to OE. drosna, 'dregs', dross,
'dregs, dirt'. See dross.
Druse, n., member of a Mohammedan sect. —
Arab, durttz, pi. of darazt, 'Druse'. Named after
the founder of the sect, Ismail ad-Darazi, 'the
tailor' (nth cent.) Cp. darzee, 'tailor'.
Drusilla, fem. PN. — L. Drusilla, fem. dimin. of
L. Drusus, a surname frequently occurring in
the Livian gens, for earlier Drausus, which is
prob. a Celtic word and lit. means 'strong'. Cp.
OCelt. *daru-, *dru-, 'oak ; strong', and see druid.
dry, adj. — ME. dry, drie, fr. OE. dryge, 'dry',
rel. to MLG. droge, droge, MDu. druge, drdghe,
Du. droog, OHG. trucchan, MHG. trucken,
trocken, G. trocken, 'dry', ON. draugr, 'dry
wood', OE. drugad, drugod, 'drought'. Cp.
drain, drogher, drought, drug.
Derivatives: dry, n., dry-ish, adj., dry-ly, adv.,
dry-ness, n.
dry, tr. and intr. v. — ME. dryen, drien, fr. OE.
drygan, fr. dryge, 'dry'. See dry, adj.
Derivative: dry-er, n.
dryad, n., a forest nymph. — L. dryas (pi. drya-
des), fr. Gk. 8pua? (pi. SpuaSs?), fr. 8po<;, gen.
8pu6<;, 'oak; tree', which is rel. to SpOjxoi;, 'oak-
wood; wood', 86pu, 'stem, tree, beam, shaft of
a spear, spear', SevSpeov, SevSpov (dissimilated
fr. *8sp-8pef-ov), 'tree', fr. I.-E. base *derew-
(o)-, *drew(o)-, 'tree, wood', whence also OE.
trio, treow, 'tree, wood'. See tree and cp. dendro-,
dory-, the first element in druid and the second
element in deodar, germander, hamadryad.
dryasdust, n., a dry, pedantic man. — Compound-
ed of the words dry as dust.
Derivative: dryasdust, adj., dry and pedantic.
dual, adj., composed of two. — L. dudlis, 'con-
taining two', fr. duo, 'two', which is cogn. with
Gk. 8uo, OE. tii, 'two'. See two and adj. suff. -al
and cp. deuce, double, doubt, dozen, dubious,
duel, duet, duplex.
Derivatives : dual, n., dualin (q.v.), dual-ism, n.,
dual-ist, n., dualist-ic, adj., duality (q.v.), dualize
(q.v.), dual-ly, adv., dual-ness, n.
dualin, n., an explosive made of sawdust, nitro-
glycerin and potassium nitrate (chem.) — Form-
ed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. dudlis, 'containing
two' (see prec. word); so called in allusion to
the two substances added to nitroglycerin.
duality, n., the quality of being dual. — F. dua-
lite, fr. Late L. dudlitdlem, acc. of dudlitds, 'the
number two', fr. L. dudlis. See dual and -ity.
dualize, tr. v., to make, or regard as, dual. —
Formed with suff. -ize fr. L. dudlis. See dual.
Derivative: dualiz-ation, n.
dub, tr. v., to make a knight. — OE. dubbian, 'to
knight', rel. to ON. dubba, 'to equip, adorn;
to knight', LG. dubben, 'to strike' ; see dowel.
OF. adober (also spelled aduber, adouber), 'to
dub' [whence F. adouber, 'to touch (a piece of
chess)], is a Teut. loan word.
Derivatives: dubb-er, n., dubb-ing, n.
dub, tr. and intr. v., to thrust ; n., a thrust. — Prob.
of imitative origin.
dub, n., a pool, a puddle. — Of uncertain origin.
dub, n., a small copper coin {India). — Telugu
dabbu.
dubash
dubash, dobash, n., an Indian interpreter. —
Hind, dubhdshiya, dobdshi, lit. 'a man of two
languages', fr. du, do, 'two', and bhdsha, 'langu-
age'. The first element derives fr. OI. dvd; see
two. The second element comes fr. OI. bhdsd,
'language', which is rel. to bhdsate, 'speaks,
talks'. See bellow.
dubber, n., a large vessel. — Pers. dabbah. Cp.
Mahri dabara.
dubiety, n., doubtfulness. — L. dubietds, 'doubt,
uncertainty', fr. dubius. See next word and subst.
suff. -ty.
dubious, adj. — L. dubidsus, 'doubtful', fr. dubius,
'vacillating; doubtful', which prob. stands for
I.-E. *du-bhw-iyo-s and lit. means 'being double,
of double nature', fr. du-, stem of L. duo, 'two'
(see dual), and I.-E. base *bhu-, 'to be', which
prob. appears also in the second element of L.
probus, 'good, serviceable', and superbus,
'haughty, proud'. See be and future and cp.
doubt. Cp. also prove and superb. Cp. also Gk.
Skpot).;, 'of double nature or form', which is
formally the exact equivalent of L. dubius.
Derivatives: dubious-ly, adv., dubious-ness, n.
dubitable, adj. — L. dubitdbilis, 'doubtful', fr.
dubitdre. See next word and -able.
Derivative : dubitabl-y, adv.
dubitate, intr. v., to doubt. — L. dubitdtus, pp. of
dubitdre, 'to be uncertain in opinion, to doubt'.
See doubt, v., and verbal suff. -ate.
dubitation, n. — F., fr. L. dubitdtidnem, acc. of
dubitdtid, 'a wavering in opinion, uncertainty',
fr. dubitdtus, pp. of dubitdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
dubitative, adj. — L. dubitdtivus, 'doubtful', fr.
dubitdtus, pp. of dubitdre. See dubitate and -ive.
Derivative: dubitative-ly, adv.
ducal, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a duke.
— F. ducal, fr. Late L. ducdlis, 'pertaining to a
leader', from the stem of L. dux, gen. ducts,
'leader'. See duke and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative : ducal-ly, adv.
ducat, n., name of several coins. — OF. ( = F.),
fr. It. ducato, of s.m., from Aouxa; (fr. Aou!;,
grecization of L. dux, 'leader'), surname of the
emperor Constantine X of the Byzantine Em-
pire (1059-67), which was impressed upon the
gold coins struck during his reign. This name
was confused later with It. ducato, 'duchy, duke-
dom', fr. duce, 'duke', fr. L. ducem, acc. of dux,
'leader' (see duke).
ducatoon, n., name of various former silver coins.
— F. ducaton, fr. It. ducatone, augment, of du-
cato. See ducat and -oon.
duce, n., a leader. — It., 'leader, chief, fr. L.
ducem, acc. of dux. See duke and cp. duchess.
Duchesnea, n., a genus of plants, the Indian
strawberry. — ModL., named after the French
botanist Antoine-Nicolas Duchesne (1747-
1827).
duchess, n., the wife of a duke. — F. duchesse,
fem. of due, 'duke'. See duke and -ess and cp.
It. duchessa, OProvenc. duquessa, duguessa, Sp.
duquesa, Port, duqueza, 'duchess',
duchy, n. — OF. duchee, fr. VL. "ducitdtem, acc.
of *ducitds, from L. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader'.
See duke. F. duche is not derived fr. OF. duchee.
but fr. VL. duedtus, lit. 'leadership' (fr. L. dux,
gen. ducis), whence also It. dogato, OProvenc.
ducat, dugat, Sp. and Port, ducado.
duck, n., the bird. — ME. duk, duke, fr. OE. duce,
'duck', lit. 'the diving bird'. See next word and
cp. duckling,
duck, intr. and tr. v., to dive. — ME. douken,
duken, rel. to OFris. duka, MLG. duken, Du.
duiken, OHG. -tuhhan (only in compounds),
MHG. tuchen, G. tauchen, 'to dive', MHG.
tucken, tiicken, G. ducken, 'to stoop, duck, dive',
and to OE. duce, 'duck'. See prec. word and cp.
duiker.
Derivative: duck, n., the act of ducking; a sud-
den plunge.
duck, n., a cotton or linen cloth. — Du. doek,
'linen cloth', rel. to OS., OFris. ddk, ON. dukr,
Swed. duk, Dan. dug, OHG. tuoh, MHG. tuoch,
G. T uch, 'piece of cloth'.
ducker, n., one who or that which ducks. —
Formed from the verb duck with agential suff.
-er.
ducker, n., one who raises or hunts ducks. —
Formed fr. duck, the bird, with agential suff. -er.
ducking, n., the act of one who or that which
ducks. — Formed from the verb duck with
subst. suff. -ing.
ducking, n., the hunting of ducks. — Formed
from duck, 'the bird', with subst. suff. -ing.
duckling, n., a young duck. — Formed fr. duck,
the bird, with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
duct, n. — L. ductus, 'a leading, conducting, con-
duit', fr. ductus, pp. of ducere, 'to lead, conduct'.
See duke and cp. aqueduct, oviduct, ventiduct,
viaduct.
Derivative: duct-less, adj.
ductile, adj. — F., fr. L. ductilis, 'that which may
be led or conducted; that which may be ham-
mered', fr. ducere. See prec. word and -ile.
Derivatives: ductile-ly, adv., ductile-ness, n.,
dictil-ity, n.
duct of Steno, duct of the parotid gland (anat.) —
Named after its discoverer, the Danish ana-
tomist Nicolas Stensen (latinized into Nicolaus
Steno) (1638-1687).
ductor, n., one who, or that which, leads. — L.,
fr. ductus, pp. of ducere. See duct and agential
suff. -or.
dud, n., a shell that fails to explode. — Prob. fr.
duds, 'cast-off clothes, rags', taken in the wider
sense as 'anything useless'. See duds.
dudaim, n., a variety of melon. — Heb. dudha'tm
(pi.) (Gen. 30: 14), 'mandrake', prop, 'love-
exciting (plant)', fr. sing. *duddy, rel. to dddh,
'beloved, uncle'. Cp. David.
dude, n., a dandy (U.S. Slang). — Of uncertain
origin.
dulcet
dudeen, dudheen, n., a small tobacco pipe. — Ir.
duidln, dimin. of dud, 'pipe'. For the ending see
suff. -een.
Dudelsack, n., bagpipe. — G., fr. Czech dudy,
'bagpipe', fr. Serbian duduk, 'pipe', ult. fr. Turk.
duduq, 'pipe', which is prob. of imitative origin.
For the second element in Dudelsack see sack,
dudgeon, n., 1) a wood, prob. boxwood, used for
handles of daggers (obsol.); 2) hilt of a dagger.
— ME. dogeon, fr. AF. digeon; of uncertain
origin.
dudgeon, n., anger. — Of unknown origin.
duds, n. (pi.), cast-off clothes, rags. — ME. dudde,
'clothes', rel. to ON. dudi, 'swaddling clothes',
duda, 'to wrap up'. Cp. dud. Cp. also dowdy.
due, adj. — ME., fr. OF. deii (F. du), fr. VL.
*debutum, for L. debitum, 'that which is due,
debt, duty', prop. neut. pp. of debere, 'to owe'.
See debit, debt, which are doublets of due, and
cp. duty.
Derivatives: due, adv. and n., due-ness, n., du-
ly, adv.
duel, n. — F., fr. L. duellum, archaic form of
bellum, 'war' (see bellicose), used in ML. in the
sense of 'fight between two persons', from a
fancied connection with L. duo, 'two'.
Derivatives: duel, intr. and tr. v., duell-er, n.,
duell-ing, n., duellist (q.v.)
duellist, n. — F. duelliste, a hybrid coined fr. L.
duellum and -iste, a suff. of Greek origin. See
duel and -ist.
Derivative: duellist-ic, adj.
duenna, n., an elderly woman; a chaperon. —
Sp. duena, fr. L. domina, 'mistress'. See dame.
duet, n. — F., fr. It. duetto, 'duet', dimin. of due,
'two', fr. L. duo; see duo and -et and cp. tercet,
quartet, quintet, sextet.
Derivatives: duet, intr. v., duett-ist, n.
duff, n., boiled suet pudding. — Dialectal pronun-
ciation of dough.
duff, tr. v., to fake; to cheat. — Prob. back form-
ation fr. duffer.
duffel, duffle, n., a thick woolen cloth with a
thick nap. — Du. duffel, fr. Duffel, a town near
Antwerp.
Derivative: duffel, adj.
duffer, n., a fool. — Prob. fr. Scot, dowfart,
formed with pejor. suff. -art, fr. dowf, 'stupid',
lit. 'deaf, fr. ON. daufr, 'deaf. See deaf and
-ard.
dufrenite, n., a hydrous iron phosphate (mineral.)
— F. dufrenite, named after the French min-
eralogist Pierre Armand Petit Dufrenoy (1792-
1857). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dufrenoysite, n., a lead arsenic sulfur compound
(mineral.) — F. dufrenoysite, named after Du-
frenoy. See prec. word.
dufter, n., a bundle of sheets of paper (India). —
Hind, daftar, fr. Pers. daftar, 'record, office', fr.
Arab, daftar, fr. Gk. Siip&ipa, 'skin, parch-
ment, thin paper'. See diphtheria and cp. next
word and duftery.
dufterdar, n., the head native revenue officer. —
Hind, daftarddr, fr. Pers. daftarddr, lit. 'holder
of records', formed fr. daftar, 'record, office',
with suff. -ddr, 'holder, possessor'. For the first
element see prec. word. For the second element
see aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
duftery, n., a servant in an Indian office. — Hind.
daftari, fr. Pers. daftari, 'office keeper', fr. daf-
tar, 'record, office'. See dufter.
dug. — Past tense and pp. of dig.
dug, pap, teat. — Rel. to Dan. dxgge, Swed.
ddgga, 'to suckle', fr. I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, 'to
suckle'. See fecund and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
dugong, n., a cetaceous mammal. — Malay
duyung, Javanese duyung.
duiker, n., a small horned antelope of S. Africa.
— S. Afr. Du., lit. 'diver', fr. Du. duiken, 'to
dive'. See duck, 'to dive'.
dukan, n., priestly blessing; prop, the platform
in the Temple on which the priests pronounced
the blessing (Jewish religion). — Mishnaic Heb.
dukhdn, 'platform', lit. 'place to stand on', rel.
to Arm. dukh (masc), dukht& (fem.), 'place'.
Cp. Arab, dukkdn, 'platform'.
duke, n. — ME. due, duk, fr. F. due, fr. OF. due,
acc. of dues, fr. L. dux, gen. ducis, 'leader, con-
ductor, chief, commander', fr. ducere, 'to lead,
conduct, guide, draw', fr. OL. doucere, fr. I.-E.
base *douk-, *deuk-, 'to pull, draw', whence
also Gk. SaiSuooEd&ai (for *8ai-8uxiea$ai), 'to
drag', Alb. nduk, 'I pluck', MW. dygaf, 'I draw',
OE. teon, 'to draw', and prob. also Hitt. tuh-
hushzi, 'he takes', tuhkantish, 'first leader'. See
tow, 'to draw', and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also abducent, abduct, adduce, adduct, an-
douille, aquaduct, conduce, conduct, conn, de-
duce, deduct, endue, dock for ships, dogaressa,
dogate, doge, douche, ducat, ducatoon, duchess,
duchy, duct, educate, educe, educt, eduction, in-
duce, induction, introduce, introduction, produce,
product, production, redoubt, reduce, reduction,
reduit, ridotto, seduce, seduction, subduce, sub-
duct, subdue, superinduce, traduce, traducian,
traduction, ventiduct, viaduct.
Dukhobors, n. pi., the name given by the Rus-
sian Orthodox Church to a nonconformist
sect. — Russ. duchobortsy, lit. 'spirit fighters', fr.
duch, 'spirit', and bortsy, pi. of borets, 'wrestler,
fighter'. The first element is rel. to OSlav. duchu,
'spirit, breath', duSa, 'soul', and cogn. with Lith.
dvasia, 'spirit', Lett, dvasa, 'breath, odor', Goth.
dius, 'wild animal', orig. 'a breathing being',
OE. deor, 'a wild animal' ; see deer. The second
element is rel. to bordt'sja, 'to wrestle', borba,
'wrestling', and cogn. with L. ferire, 'to strike',
fordre, 'to bore, pierce', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
'to cut, bore', whence also OE. borian, 'to bore' ;
see bore, v., and cp. words there referred to.
dulcet, adj., sweet. — Refashioned after L. dul-
cis fr. OF. douce t, 'sweetish, sweet' (whence F.
douce t, 'demure, mild'), formed with dimin.
Dulcie
488
suff. -et fr. L. dulcis, 'sweet; pleasant, charm-
ing', which stands for *dlkwis and is cogn. with
Gk. yXuxii? (for *8Xo>c-oq), 'sweet'. Cp. billet-
doux, dolce, dolce far niente, douce, Dulcie, dul-
cify, dulcimer, Dulcinea, glucuiiun, edulcorate,
glucose, glyceria, glycerine, glyco-, licorice,
Polydeuces.
Dulcie, fern. PN. — Lit. 'sweet', fr. L. dulcis. See
prec. word.
dulciflcation, n. — See next word and -ation.
dulcify, tr. v., to sweeten. — L. dulcificare, fr.
dulcis, 'sweet', and -ficare, fr. facere, 'to make,
do'. See dulcet and -fy.
dulcimer, n., an old musical instrument. — OF.
doulcemele, also (with dissimilation) doulcemer,
fr. L. dulce melos, 'a sweet tune'. See dulcet and
melody.
Dulcinea, n., sweetheart, worshiped by her lover.
— From the name of Don Quijote's mistress in
Cervantes' celebrated work. The name lit.
means 'sweet', fr. L. dulcis. See dulcet.
dull, adj. — ME. dulle, dull, fr. OE. dyl, an un-
recorded parallel form of OE. dol, 'foolish,
presumptuous', rel. to OE. dwellan, 'to lead
astray', dwala, dwela, gedwola, 'error', gedwelan,
'to err', OE. dwolma, 'chaos', OS., OFris.,
MLG., MDu., Du. dol, OHG., MHG., tol, G.
toll, 'mad, furious', OHG. gitwelan, 'to be per-
plexed', MLG. dwal, Goth, dwals, 'foolish', Du.
dwalen, 'to roam, wander, err', and cogn. with
Olr. OCo., W., Bret, dall (for *dh K a!no-),
'blind', Olr. cluas-dall, deaf, lit. 'troubled with
regard to one's sight, resp. hearing', Lith. du-
lineti, 'to fool around', Lett, duls, 'half-mad',
Gk. #0X6; (for *#foX6;, 'mud; the dark juice
of the cuttle fish', SoXosiv, 'to make muddy',
ftoXepoi;, 'muddy, dirty; troubled'. All these
words are derivatives of I.-E. base *dhwel-,
'muddy, gloomy, dim, dull'. Cp. doldrums, dolt,
dwale, dwell. Base *dhwel- is an -/-enlargement
of base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust'. See thio-
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: dull, tr. and intr. v., dull-ard, n.,
dull-ish, adj., dull-ness, n., dul-ly, adv.
dulocracy, also doulocracy, rule of slaves. —
Compounded of Gk. SoiiXo?, 'slave', and -xparta,
'rule'. The first element stands for *S6eXo? and
derives fr. Aegean doero, 'slave'. The second
element comes fr. Gk. xpaxoi;, 'strength, power,
rule'. See -cracy and cp. the second element in
hierodule.
dulse, n., an edible seaweed. — Ir. and Gael.
duileasg.
duma, n., the former Russian national assembly.
— Russ., lit. 'thought', of Teut. origin. Cp.
Goth, doms, 'judgment', and see doom.
dumb, adj. — OE. and ME., rel. to ON. dumbr,
'dumb', Dan., Swed. dum, 'dull, stupid', Du.
dom, 'stupid', OHG. tumb, 'dumb, stupid',
MHG. tump, G. dumm, 'stupid', Goth, dumbs,
'dumb'. The orig. meaning of all these words
was 'dumb'. They derive fr. I.-E. base *dhumbh-,
a nasalized form of base *dhubh-, 'to fill with
smoke, to cloud, darken; to be dull, dumb or
deaf. See deaf and cp. dummy. Cp. also stove.
dumbcow, tr. v., to browbeat (Anglo-Ind.) —
Hind, dhamkdna, 'to chide, threaten'.
dumbfound, tr. v. — A blend of dumb and con-
found.
dumdum, n., bullet with soft nose, expanding on
contact. — From the place name Dumdum (near
Calcutta); the name lit. means 'hill, mound,
battery', and is cogn. with Pers. damdamd,
of s.m.
dummy, n., a model. — For dumb-y. See dumb
and adj. suff. -y. The orig. meaning of dummy
was 'a dumb creature'. For primitive sense and
formation cp. blacky, whity.
Derivative, dummy, v.
dummy, adj., silent. — For dumb-y. See prec.
word.
dumontite, n., a hydrated phosphate of uranium
and lead (mineral.) — Named after the Belgian
geologist Andre-Hubert Dumont (1809-57). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dumose, dumous, adj., bushy. — L. dumdsus, 'full
of thornbushes', fr. dumus, 'thornbush, bram-
ble', fr. OL. dusmus, which prob. stands for
*dus-mos and is cogn. with MHG. zus-ach,
'bush', OHG. zir-zuson, 'to tug, pull, dishevel',
ME. -tousen, -tusen (in compounds), of s.m. See
touse and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see adj. suff. -ose, resp. -ous.
Derivative: dumos-ity, n.
dump, n., a thick ill-shaped lump. — Back form-
ation fr. dumpy.
dump, tr. and intr. v., to let fall, to plunge. —
A Scand. loan word; cp. Dan. dumpe, Norw.
dumpa, 'to fall down suddenly', which are of
imitative origin.
Derivatives: dump, n., dump-er, n., dump-ing, n.
dump, n., sadness, melancholy. — Rel. to G.
Dampf, 'steam, vapor', dumpf, 'hollow, gloomy,
musty', Dan. dump, 'dull', and to E. damp (q.v.)
Derivatives: dump-ish, adj., dump-ish-ly, adv.,
dump-ish-ness, n.
dumpling, n., a round pudding. — Formed fr.
dump, 'a lump', with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
dumpy, adj., short and thick. — Prob. of imi-
tative origin. Cp. dump, 'a lump'.
Derivatives: dumpi-ly, adv., dumpi-ness, n.
dumpy, adj., sulky. — Formed fr. dump, 'sad-
ness', with adj. suff. -y.
dun, adj., dark brown. — ME. dunn, donn, fr. OE.
dunn, rel. to OS. dosan, OE. dosen, 'chestnut-
brown' (said of the color of a horse), OHG.
dosan, tusin, 'pale yellow', and cogn. with Mir.
dunn, Gael, donn, 'brown, dark', W. dwnn,
'brownish'; formed fr. I.-E. base *dhus- with
suff. *-no. For other enlargements of the same
base cp. L. fuscus, 'dark', furvus, 'dark, brown,
swarthy', and OE. dose, dox, 'dusk'. See dusk
and fuscous and cp. donkey. Cp. also the first
element in Duncan.
489
Derivatives : dun-ness, n., dunn-ish, adj., dunn-y,
adj.
dun, tr. v., to demand with insistence the pay-
ment of a debt. — Denominated from the name
of Joe Dun, a London bailiff famous for catch-
ing defaulters.
Derivative: dun, n., a creditor who demands the
payment of a debt.
dun, n., a hill ; a hill fortress. — Ir. and Gael, dun,
'hill, hill fort, fortress'. See town and cp. down,
'hill', dune, and the second element in Merlin.
Duncan, masc. PN. — A name of Gaelic origin,
compounded of donn, 'brown' (see dun, 'dark
brown'), and ceann, 'head'.
dunce, n., a stupid person. — A contemptuous
appellative formed from the name of John Duns
Scotus by the followers of St. Thomas Aquinas
in ridicule of the disciples of the former. John
Duns Scotus was born in the village of Duns in
Scotland, whence his name. According to my
opinion, the sense development of the word
dunce from Duns, 'of DunsV is prob. due to an
awkward pun made on the word Scotus
('Scotchman'), which was interpreted as Sottas
('stupid, foolish'; see sot).
dundasite, n., a lead aluminum carbonate (min-
eral.) — Named after Dundas in Tasmania. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dunder, n., the lees or dregs of cane juice (W. In-
dies). — Corrupted fr. Sp. redundar, 'to over-
flow', fr. L. redunddre. See redundant.
dunderhead, n., a stupid person. — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: dunderhead-ed, adj.
Dundreary whiskers, often shortened to dun-
drearies, n. pi. — So called from the form of
whiskers worn by E. A.Sothern (1826-81) in the
role of Lord Dundreary in Tom Taylor's Our
American Cousin.
dune, n., sand hill formed by the wind. — F., fr.
ML. duna, fr. MDu. dunen. See down, 'hill'.
Derivative: dun-al, adj.
dung, n. — ME. dunge, fr. OE. dung, rel. to
OFris. dung, OHG. tunga, M HG. tunge, G. Dung,
and to ON. dyngja, 'dung, heap, women's apart-
ment'. These words are traceable to I.-E. base
*dhengh-, 'to cover', whence also Lith. dengti,
'to cover', OI. dingim, T press'. For sense de-
velopment it should be considered that accord-
ing to Tacitus (in Germania, chapter 16), the
Germans used to cover their houses with mud
to protect them against the cold.
Derivatives: dung, intr. and tr. v., dung-er, n.,
dung-y, adj.
dungaree, n., a coarse kind of cotton fabric. —
Hind, dungri, from the name of a village now
forming one of the quarters of Bombay.
dungeon, n. — ME. donjon, dongeon, fr. OF.
(= F.) donjon, 'keep of a lord's castle', fr. VL.
*dominionem, acc. of "dominio, fr. L. dominium,
'domain'. See dominion and cp. donjon, which
are both doublets of dungeon.
duodenum
Derivatives: dungeon, tr. v., dungeon-er, n.
duniwassal, n., a gentleman among the high-
landers in Scotland. — Gael, duine uasal, lit.
'a noble man', fr. duine, 'man', and uasal,
'noble', lit. 'high, exalted'. For the first element
see chthonian. The second element is rel. to Olr.
uasal, W. uchel (for *oup-selo-), 'high, noble',
Gael, os, Olr. ds, uas (for *oup-su-), 'above,
over'; see hypsi-.
dunk, v., to dip. — G. tunken, fr. MHG. tunken,
dunken, fr. OHG. dunkon, fr. earlier thunkon,
'to dip'; cogn. with L. tinguere, tingere, Gk.
T^yyeiv, 'to moisten'. See tinge and cp. Dunker.
Dunker, n., one of a sect of German Baptists in
America who administer baptism only by triple
immersion, also called Dippers. — G. Tunker,
lit. 'dipper', fr. tunken, 'to dip'. See prec. word
and agential suff. -er.
dunlin, n., a kind of sandpiper. — Formed fr. dun,
'dark brown', with the double dimin. suff. -ling.
dunnage, n., loose packing of material to protect
cargo (naut.) — Of unknown origin.
dunstable, n., a straw hat or its plait. — From
Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England, where such
hats were made originally.
dunstable, adj., plain, direct. — So called from
Dunstable Road, an even road leading from
Dunstable to London.
duo, n., a duet (music). — It. duo, lit. 'two', ar-
chaic form of due, fr. L. duo, 'two'. See dual
and cp. duo-.
duo-, combining form meaning 'two'. — Fr. L.
duo, 'two'. See dual.
duodecim-, combining form meaning 'twelve'. —
L. duodecim, 'twelve', fr. duo, 'two', and decern,
'ten'. See duo- and decern- and cp. dozen. Cp.
also dodeca-.
duodecimal, adj., pertaining to twelve; pertaining
to a system of numbers the base of which is
twelve. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. duo-
decim, 'twelve'. See duodecim-.
Derivative: duodecimal, n.
duodecimo, the size of a book in which each page
is the twelfth part of the printer's sheet, ab-
breviated into ilmo. — L., abl. of duodecimus,
'twelfth', fr. duodecim. See duodecim- and cp.
twelvemo, sixteenmo.
duodenary, adj., in twelves; increasing by twelves.
— L. duodenarius, 'containing twelve', fr. duo-
deni, 'each twelve'. See duodenum and adj. suff.
-ary.
duodenitis, n., inflammation of the duodenum
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. duo-
denum and -itis, a suff. of Greek origin.
duodeno-, combining form, meaning 'referring to
the duodenum'. — See next word.
duodenum, n., the first part of the small intestine
leading from the stomach to the jejunum (ana-
tomy). — ML. duodenum, coined by Gerard of
Cremona (died in 1187), the translator of the
Canon A vicennae, fr. L. duodeni, 'twelve each',
fr. duo, 'two', and dent, 'ten each" which is rel. to
duologue
490
decern, 'ten' (see duodecim-, dozen); prop, loan
translation of Gk. ScoSexaSax-ruXov, 'duodenum',
lit. 'twelve ringers long' ; so called by the Greek
physician Herophilus (cca. 353-cca 280. B.C.E.)
from its alleged length of 12 fingers breadth.
The rendering of Gk. ScoSexaSaxruXov into ML.
duodenum (see above) is incorrect. The correct
Latin rendering would be duodecim digitdrum,
'of twelve fingers; twelve fingers long'.
duologue, n., a dialogue between two persons. —
A hybrid coined fr. L. duo, 'two', and Gk. X6-yo;,
'word, speech, discourse'. See dual and -logue.
duomo, n., a cathedral in Italy. — It., fr. L. do-
mus, 'house'. See dome.
dup, tr. v., to open. — Contracted of do and up.
Cp. doff, don, v., dout.
dupe, n., a person who is easily misled. — F. dupe,
fr. de huppe, i.e. the agglutination of the prep, de
(see de-) with huppe, 'hoopoe', fr. L. upupa,
'hoopoe', a word of imitative origin. See hoopoe.
Derivatives: dupe, tr.v., dup-able, adj., dup-abil-
ity, n., dup-ery,
duple, adj. — L. duplus, 'double'. See double and
cp. next word.
duplex, adj., twofold, double. "— L., 'twofold,
double', cogn. with Gk. S(7cXa5, 'twofold,
double'; compounded of L. duo, 'two' (resp.
Gk. 81-, 'twice, double'), and -plex (resp. Gk.
-izkaQ, '-fold'. See double, adj., and cp. triplex.
Derivatives : duplex, n. and tr. v.
duplicate, adj., 1) double; 2) corresponding
exactly. — L. duplicdtus, 'doubled', pp. of dupli-
cdre, 'to double; to enlarge', fr. duplex, gen.
duplicis. See prec. word and adj. sufT. -ate and
cp. conduplicate.
Derivative: duplicate, n., an exact copy,
duplicate, tr. v., 1) to double; 2) to make an exact
copy of. — L. duplicdtus, pp. of duplicdre. See
duplicate, adj.
Derivatives: duplication (q.v.), duplicat-ive, adj.,
duplicator (q.v.)
duplication, n. — F., fr. L. duplicdtidnem, acc. of
duplicdtid, 'a doubling', fr. duplicdtus, pp. of
duplicdre. See duplicate, v., and -ion.
duplicator, n. — L., 'a doubler', fr. duplicdtus,
pp. of duplicdre. See duplicate, v., and agential
suff. -or.
duplicity, n., double-dealing. — F. duplicite, fr.
Late L. duplicitdtem, acc. of duplicitds, 'double-
ness', fr. L. duplex, gen. duplicis. See duplex and
-ity and cp. triplicity.
durability, n. — F. durabilite, fr. Late L. durd-
bilitdtem, acc. of durdbilitds, fr. L. durdbilis. See
next word and -ity.
durable, adj., enduring. — F. durable, fr. L. durd-
bilis, 'lasting', fr. durdre, 'to harden ; to continue,
last', fr. diirus, 'hard'. See dure, 'hard', and -able.
Derivatives: durable-ness, n., durabl-y, adv.
durain, n., a constituent of coal. — Formed fr.
L. durus, 'hard' (see dure, adj.), with suff. -ain,
on analogy of fusain.
duralumin, n., a strong alloy of aluminum with
copper, manganese and magnesium. — Prop,
name of an aluminum alloy first made at Diiren
in Germany. The word duralumin is a compound
of Durum in Marcodurum, ancient name of
Diiren, and of aluminum (q.v.)
dura mater, the tough outer membrane, which
surrounds the brain and the spinal chord (anal.)
— ML., shortened fr. dura mater cerebri, 'hard
mother of the brain', loan translation of Arab.
umm al-dimdgh as-faftqa h , lit. 'thick mother of
the brain'. (In Arabic, the words 'father',
'mother' and 'son' are often used to denote
relationship between things). See dure, 'hard',
and mater, mother, and cp. pia mater.
duramen, n., the hard wood in the center of the
tree trunk, the heartwood (bot.) — L. duramen,
'hardness; a hardened vinebranch', from the
stem of durdre, 'to harden'. See dure, v., and
-men.
durance, n., 1) duration ; 2) imprisonment. — OF.
durance, 'duration', fr. durer, 'to endure', fr.
L. durdre, 'to harden; to continue, last', fr.
durus, 'hard'. See dure, adj., and -ance.
durangite, n., a sodium aluminum fluoarsenate
(mineral.) — Named after Durango in Mexico.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
duration, n. — Obsol. F., fr. Late L. duratidnem,
acc. of durdtio, 'a hardening; duration', fr. L.
durdtus, pp. of durdre. See dure, v., and -ation.
durbar, n., a state levee; government of a native
state (India). — Hind, darbdr, fr. Pers. darbdr,
fr. dar, 'door, gate', and bar, 'court'. Pers. dar
is rel. to Avestic dvar'm (acc. sing.), 'gate,
court', OPers. duvarayd-, 'at the door', and to
OI. dvdrah (nom. pi.), 'door'. See door and cp.
the first element in dargah and in durwaun.
durdenite, n., a hydrous ferric tellurite (mineral.)
— Named after H.S. Durden, of San Francisco.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
dure, adj., hard; severe (archaic). — F. dur, fern.
dure, fr. L. durus, 'hard, rough, rude', prob.
dissimilated fr. *dru-ros, for *dreu-ros, and lit.
meaning 'as hard as wood', fr. I.-E. base *de-
rew(o)-, *drew(o)-, *dru-, 'tree, wood', whence
also Gk. 8p0s, 'oak, tree', 86pu, 'stem, tree, beam,
shaft of a spear, spear', OI. dru-, 'wood, wooden
vessel', ddru, 'wood', OE. treo, treow, 'tree,
wood'. See tree and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also dour, durable, durain, duralumin, dura
mater, duramen, durance, duration, duress, dur-
ing, endure, indurate, obdurate, perdure.
dure, intr. v., to last (obsol. or poetic). — F. durer,
fr. L. durdre, 'to harden; to continue, last', fr.
durus, 'hard'. See dure, adj.
duress, n., 1) imprisonment; 2) compulsion. —
ME. duresse, fr. obsol. F. duresse, fr. L. duritia,
'hardness, severity, austerity', fr. durus. See
dure, adj., and -ess.
durgah, n. — See dargah.
durian, dorian, n., fruit of the tree Durio zibeth-
inus. — Malay durian, fr. duri, 'thorn'; so
called from its prickly rind. — Cp. Durio.
491
awine
during, prep. — Prop. pres. part, of the verb
dure; used in imitation of the Latin ablative
absolute.
Durio, n., a genus of trees in Asia. — Fr. Malay
durian. See durian.
durmast, n., a European oak (quercus sessili-
flora). — A compound, the first element of
which is of unknown origin. For its second ele-
ment see mast, 'acorns'.
durra, n., the Indian millet. — Arab. dhura h .
durst, past tense of dare. — OE. and ME. dorste.
See dare.
durwaun, darwan, n., a doorkeeper (Anglo-Ind.)
— Pers. darbdn, darwan, compounded of dar,
'door, gate', and -ban, resp. -wan, 'keeper,
guardian'. For the first element see durbar, for
the second see ban, 'governor'.
dusk, adj. — ME. dusk, dosk, fr. OE. dose, dox,
'dusk', rel. to Swed. duska, 'to be misty', OS.
dosan, 'chestnut brown', OHG. tusin, 'yellow',
and cogn. with L. fuscus (for *dhus-qo-), 'dark';
furvus (for *dhus-wo-), 'dark, brown, swarthy',
OI. dhusarah, 'dust-colored'. Cp. dun, 'dark
brown', fuscous.
Derivatives: dusk, n. and tr. and intr. v., dusk-
ish, adj., dusk-ish-ly, adv., dusk-ish-ness, n.,
dusk-y, adj., dusk-i-ly, adv., dusk-i-ness, n.
dust, n. — ME., fr. OE. dust, rel. to ON. dust,
'dust', Dan. dyst, 'milldust', OHG. tunst, tunist,
'storm, breath', MHG. tunst, G. Dunst, 'vapor',
fr. l.-E. base *dhewis-, *dhwens-, *dhus-, 'to fly
about like dust', whence also OI. dhvamsati,
'falls to dust', Toch. B taur, A tor, 'dust', A twe,
B tweye, of s.m. For other derivatives of the
above base see thio- and words there referred to.
Derivatives: dust, tr. and intr. v., dust-er, n.,
dust-ing, verbal n., dust-less, adj., dust-y, adj.,
dust-i-ly, adv., dust-i-ness, n.
dustoor, n. — A var. of destour.
Dutch, adj. and n. — MDu. duutsc, dutsch, 'Hol-
landish, Dutch' (whence Du. duits, 'German'),
rel. to OS. thiudisk, OHG. diutisc, 'belonging to
the people' (whence MHG. tiutsch, G. deutsch,
'German'), Goth, piudisko, 'in a heathen way'.
OS. thiudisk, OHG. diutisc, and Goth, piudisko
derive fr. OS. thioda, resp. OHG. diot, Goth.
piuda, 'people', which are rel. to OFris. Made,
ON. pjdd, OE. peod, 'people'; fr. Teut. base
*peudd-, corresponding to I.-E. base *teutd-,
'people', whence Olr. tuoth, 'people', W. tud,
'country', Bret, tud, 'people', OLith. and Lett.
tauta, 'people', OPruss. tauto, 'country', Lith.
Tauta, 'Germany', Oscan touto, 'community',
Umbrian tuta, tola, of s.m. Cp. Teuton, Theobald,
Theodoric and the second element in Platt-
deutsch. For sense development cp. Lett.
duteous, adj., dutiful. — Formed with suff. -ous
fr. OF. duete, 'duty' (see duty); first used by
Shakespeare.
Derivatives: duteous-ly, adv., duteous-ness, n.
dutiable, adj. — Formed fr. duty with suff. -able,
duty, n. — ME. duete, fr. AF. duete, fr. du, cor-
responding to OF. deu, F. du, fr. VL. *debutus
(for L. debitus), pp. of L. debere, 'to owe'. See
due and -ty.
Derivatives: dutiable (q.v.), duti-ful, adj., duti-
ful-ly, adv., duti-ful-ness, n.
duumvir, n., one of two officials having the same
public function. — L., name of various magis-
trates; back formation from the archaic gen.
pi. duum virum, '(one) of the two men'. See dual
and virile and cp. triumvir, decemvir.
duumviral, adj. — L. duumvirdlis, 'pertaining to
the duumvirs', formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-dlis (see adj. suff. -al).
duumvirate, n. — L. duumvirdtus, 'the office of a
duumvir'. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
dvaita, n., dualism (Hindu philos.) — OI. dvaita-,
fr. dvi-, 'two' (in compounds), which is rel. to
Avestic bi-, and cogn. with Gk. Si-, OL. dvi-,
L. bi-, OE. twi-. See di-, 'two', and cp. next
word.
dvandva, n., a copulative compound; dualism. —
OI. dvarhdvd-, lit. 'pair, couple', reduplication
of dvi, 'two', which is rel. to Avestic dva and
cogn. with Gk. 8uo, L. duo, 'two'. See dual and
cp. prec. word.
dwale, n., the deadly nightshade. — Of Scand.
origin. Cp. Dan. dvale, Swed. dvala, 'stupor,
deep sleep', which are rel. to dwala, dwela, ge-
dwola, 'error', dwelian, 'to lead astray'. See
dwell.
dwarf, n. — ME. dwergh, dwerf, fr. OE. dweorh,
rel. to OS. gidwerg, ON. dvergr, Swed. dvdrg,
Dan., Du. dwerg, OFris. dwerch, OHG. getwerg,
twerg, MHG. getwerc, twerc, zwerc, G. Zwerg;
of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: dwarf, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
dwarf-ish-ly, adv., dwarf-ish-ness, n., dwarf-y,
adj.
dwell, intr. v. — ME. dwellen, fr. OE. dwelian,
'to lead astray, deceive; to hinder; to wander,
go astray; to tarry', rel. to ON. dvelja, 'to delay;
to tarry', OHG. twaljan, 'to hinder, delay', OE.
dwolian, 'to stray, err', dwala, dwela, gedwola,
'error', gedwelan, 'to err', and to E. dujl, dwale
(qq.v.) For the sense development of E. dwell
(fr. OE. dwelian, 'to tarry'), cp. F. demeurer, 'to
remain, stay, lodge, reside, live'.
Derivatives: dwell, n., dwell-er, n., dwell-ing, n.
dwindle, intr. v. — Dimin. of next word. The
verb dwindle was first used by Shakespeare.
dwine, intr. v., to waste away (archaic and dial.
Brit.) — ME. dwinen, fr. OE. dwinan, 'to lan-
guish, waste away, vanish', rel. to ON. dvina,
MDu. dvinen, Dan. tvine, of s.m., Du. verdwij-
nen, 'to waste away, vanish', and cogn. with
Arm. di, 'dead body, corpse', Olr. dith, 'end,
death'; fr. I.-E. nase *dhwei-, enlargement of
base *dhew-, *dheu-, 'to pine away, die', whence
Goth, diwans, 'mortal', and, with vowel grad-
ation, OS. doian, ON. deyja, 'to die', Goth.
daups, 'dead'. See dead and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: dwindl-er, n.
ay-
492
dy-, combining form meaning 'two'. — Gk. 8u-,
fr. Suo, 'two', which is cogn. with L. duo, 'two'.
See dual.
dyad, n., two units regarded as one. — Late L.
dyas, gen. dyadis, fr. Gk. Sua?, gen. SuaSoi;, 'the
number two', fr. Suo, 'two'. See dy- and -ad.
dyadic, adj., pertaining to a dyad. — Gk. Sua-
81x61;, 'pertaining to two', fr. Sua?, gen. SuaSo?.
See prec. word and -ic.
Dyak, n., one of the aborigines of Borneo. —
Malay, lit. 'savage',
dyarchy, n. — See diarchy,
dye, n. — ME. deh, deih, die, fr. OE. deag, deah,
'dye, color'; prob. cogn. with Lett, dakans,
'dark-colored',
dye, tr. and intr. v. — ME. deyen, dyen, fr. OE.
deagian, fr. deag. See dye, n.
Derivatives: dy-er, n., dye-ing, n.
dying, adj. and n. — Formed from the verb die
with suff. -ing.
Derivative: dying-ness, n.
dyke, n. — See dike.
dyna-, combining form meaning 'power'. —
Shortened fr. Gk. Suvafn?, 'power'. See dy-
namic.
dynameter, n., an instrument for measuring the
magnifying power of telescopes. — Com-
pounded of dyna- and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'.
See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives : dynametr-ic, dynametr-ic-al, adjs.
dynamic, adj. — F. dynamique, coined by the
German philosopher and mathematician, Baron
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) fr.
Gk. 8uva(itx6c, 'powerful', fr. 8uvau.ig, 'might,
power', which is rel. to Suvafial, 'I am able,
I am worth', Suvaxo?, 'strong, able'; of un-
certain origin. Cp. dyna-, dynamite, dynamo-,
dynasty. For the ending see suff. -ic. The word
dynamic was introduced into English by Jeremy
Bentham (1748-1832).
Derivatives: dynamic, n., dynamic-al, adj., dy-
namic-al-ly, adv., dynamics (q.v.), dynam-ism,
n., dynam-ist, n., dynamite (q.v.)
dynamics, n., that branch of physics which deals
with the action of force on bodies. — See prec.
word and -ics.
dynamite, n. — A name given by the Swedish
chemist Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833-96) in
1867 to the explosive invented by him, fr. Gk.
Suva;!!.?, 'power'. See dynamic and subst. suff.
-ite.
Derivatives: dynamite, tr. v., dynamit-er, n.,
dynamit-ic, dynamit-ic-al, adjs., dynamit-ic-al-
ly, adv., dynamit-ism, n., dyniamit-ist, n.
dynamo- combining form meaning 'power'
(electr.) — Formed fr. Gk. Suvotfii?, 'power'
(see dynamic). The -o in dynamo- (for dynami-)
is due to the analogy of combining forms like
baro-, thermo-, etc., in which the o represents
Greek 0.
dynamo, n., a machine that converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy. — Orig. called
by its inventor, the German engineer Werner
von Siemens (1816-92), Dynamo-elektrische
Maschine ('dynamo-electric machine'). This
name was later shortened by him into Dynamo-
Maschine ('dynamo-machine'). The name dy-
namo-machine was shortened in England (in
1882) into dynamo. See dynamo-.
dynamometer, n., an instrument for measuring
power. — Compounded of dynamo- and Gk.
[iexpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: dynamometr-y, n., dynamometr-ic,
dynamometr-ic-al, adjs.
dynast, n., a ruler. — L. dynastes, fr. Gk. Suvdca-
t»]s, 'ruler', from the stem of Suvafjtat, 'I am
able, I am worth'. See dynamic.
dynastic, adj. — Gk. 8uvaaxix6i;, 'pertaining to
a ruler', fr. Suvaarrji;. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: dynastic-al-ly, adv.
dynasty, n. — F. dynastie, fr. Gk. Suvaaxsia,
'power, lordship', fr. 8uvdc<ro]<;. See dynast and
-y (representing Gk. -e[£).
dyne, n., unit of force in the C.G.S. system {phys.)
— F., fr. Gk. Suvocu.1?, 'power'. See dynamic
and cp. neutrodyne.
dys-, pejorative suff. used esp. in the senses 'hard
to, difficult at, slow of ; the opposite of the pref.
eu-. — Gk. Sun-, meaning 'hard, bad, ill', cogn.
with the suffixes OI. dus-, Avestic dush-, duz-,
of s.m., Arm. /- (negative pref.), Goth, tuz-,
OHG. za-, zi-, zu-, zar-, zir-, zur-, MHG., G.
zer-, 'apart, asunder', ON. tor-, 'difficult, hard',
Olr. do-, du-, 'bad, ill', OS. to-, te-, ti-, OE. to-,
te-, tor-, 'apart, asunder', and perh. also with
OL. dvis (whence L. bis), 'twice'. See dis-.
dysacousia, dysacousis, dysacusia, n., a condition
in which sounds cause discomfort (med.) —
Medical L., fr. dys- and Gk. Sxouctk;, 'a hearing',
fr. dxou<o (for *axouaico), 'I hear'. See acoustic
and cp. words there referred to.
dyschroa, dyischroia, n., discoloration of the skin
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. dys- and Gk.
Xp6a, resp. xp°i&» 'color'. See -chroia.
dyscrasia, n., an ill state of the body (med.) —
Medical L., formed fr. dys- and xpSou;, 'a
mixing, blending'. See crater and cp. crasis.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
dysenteric, adj., 1) pertaining to dysentery; 2)
having dysentery. — L. dysentericus, fr. Gk.
Suaevxepixoq, 'pertaining to dysentery', fr.
Suaevxepta. See next word and -ic.
dysentery, n., inflammation of the large intestine.
— OF. dissenterie (F. dysenteric), fr. Medical
L. dysenteria, fr. Gk. SuaEvxspfa, 'dysentery*,
which lit. means 'bad intestines', and was coined
by the Greek physician Hippocrates fr. 8ua-
(see dys-) and IVrepa, 'intestines'. See enteric.
dysgenic, adj., detrimental to the hereditary
constitution of the race; opposite to eugenic. —
Formed fr. dys- and -genie. Cp. eugenic.
dyslogistic, adj., unfavorable. — A blend of dys-
and eulogistic.
Derivative: dyslogistic-al-ly, adv.
493
dysuria
dyspepsia, n., disturbed digestion (med.) — L.,
fr. Gk. 8uaTtE<}ft5, 'indigestion', lit. 'bad diges-
tion', fr. 8utJirE7tT0r;, 'hard to digest', fr. Sua- (see
dys-) and to7tt6<;, 'cooked', verbal adj. of
neaasiv, 7t£7TTEiv, 'to cook, to digest'. See pep-
sin and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
dyspeptic, adj., pertaining to, or suffering from,
dyspepsia. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
Su<j7re7i;Toc;, 'hard to digest'. See prec. word and
-ic and cp. peptic and words there referred to.
dysphoria, n., mental anxiety; a general feeling
of indisposition. — Formed with suff. -ia fr.
Gk. Suatpopo.;, 'hard to bear', fr. Sua- (see dys-)
and the stem of ipepetv, 'to bear, carry'. See
bear, 'to carry', and cp. euphoria. For the ending
see suff. -ia.
dyspnea, dyspnoea, n., difficult breathing (med.)
— L. dyspnoea, fr. Gk. 8ua7tvoitx, 'difficulty in
breathing', fr. 8uct7tvoo?, 'breathing with diffi-
culty', fr. Sua- (see dys-) and 7tvoiQ, twoi-/),
'breath'. See pneuma and cp. eupnea.
dysprosia, n., dysprosium oxide (chem.) — See
next word.
dysprosium, n., name of an element (chem.) —
ModL., coined fr. Gk. SuaTCpoaixo!;, 'hard to
get at', fr. Sua- (see dys-) and itp6aiT0i;, verbal
adj. of 7rp6aei(j,t., 'I go in', fr. 7tpoi;, 'toward, to'
(see pros-), and stfzi, 'I go', which is cogn. with
OI. Imi, L. ed, T go'. See itinerate and cp. words
there referred to. This element was so called,
because it was hard to reach.
Dyssodia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. SuatoSiS, 'an ill
smell', fr. SuctcoStji;, 'ill-smelling', fr. Sua- (see
dys-) and S^eiv, 'to smell', whence oajiv), 'smell,
odor' (see osmium and cp. hyposmia, parosmia);
so called from the ill smell of the leaves. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
dystocia, n., difficult parturition (med.) — Medi-
cal L., fr. Gk. SuaxoxiS, 'painful delivery', fr.
Sua- (see dys-) and x6xo<;, 'childbirth, parturit-
ion'. See -tocia.
dystrophy, dystrophia, n., defective nutrition
(med.) — Medical L. dystrophia, fr. dys- and
Gk. xpoipY), 'nourishment'. See trophic and cp.
atrophy, hypertrophy.
dysuria, n., painful urination (med.) — Late L.,
fr. Gk. SuaouptS, fr. Sua- (see dys-) and oSpov,
'urine'. See urine and -ia.
Derivative: dysur-ic, adj.
E
e-, form of L. ex- before voiced consonants.
— See ist ex-.
each, adj. — ME. sic, elc, eche, fr. OE. xlc, which
is short for d-gelic, 'ever alike', and is rel. to
OFris. ellik, elk, Du. elk, OHG. iogitth, MHG.
iegelich, G. jeglich, 'each, every'. See aye, 'ever',
and like, adj. and adv., and cp. ilk.
eager, adj. — ME. eger, egre, 'sharp, eager', fr.
AF. egre, corresponding to OF. (= F.) aigre,
'sour, acid; harsh, bitter, rough', fr. L. dcrem,
acc. of deer, 'sharp, pointed, piercing; acute,
ardent, zealous'. See acrid and cp. agrito and
the second element in vinegar. Cp. also ear
of corn. Derivatives :eager-ly, adv., eager-ness,n.
eagle, n. — ME. egle, fr. OF. egle, aigle (F.
aigle), fr. L. aquila, 'eagle', whence also It.
aquila, Rum. acera, Provenc. aigla, Sp. dguila,
Port, dguia, of s.m. See aquiline.
Derivative: eaglet (q.v.)
eaglet, n., a young eagle. — Formed fr. eagle
on analogy of F. aiglette, dimin. of aigle,
'eagle'. See prec. word and -et, -ette.
eaglewood, n., agalloch. — Loan translation of
F. bois d'aigle, fr. Port, aguiia, 'aloewood', fr.
Gk. dyaXXo/ov, 'aloe, aloewood' ; see agalloch.
French bois d'aigle arose from a confusion of
Port, dguila, 'aloewood', with Port, dguia, Sp.
dguila, 'eagle' (see eagle).
eagre, n., a tidal wave; a bore. — Lit. 'water
borer', fr. OE. ea, 'water', and gar, 'spear'. See
aquatic and gore, 'to pierce'.
ean, tr. and intr. v. — A var. of yean (q.v.)
Derivative: ean-ling (cp. yeanling).
ear, n., the organ of hearing. — ME. ere, fr. OE.
eare, rel. to ON. eyra, Swed. bra, Dan. ere,
OS., ODu., OHG. dra, OFris. are, Du. oor,
MHG. ore, G. Ohr, Goth, ausd, and cogn. with
Gk. o\>q, gen. <oto? (for *oijao<;, resp. *ou<jocto<;),
L. auris (for *ausis), Avestic ushi, 'both ears',
OSlav. ucho (gen. uSese, dual usi), Lith. ausis,
Lett, duss, OPruss. ausins (acc. pi.), Olr. au, d,
'ear', Arm. unkn (for *uson-qo-m), Alb. ves,
'ear'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *au-,
'ear'. Cp. aural, 'pertaining to the ear', auricle,
auscultation, orillion, ormer, oto-, oyer, oyez.
Cp. also acroama.
Derivatives: ear-ed, adj., earing (q.v.)
ear of corn, n. — ME. ere, ear, fr. OE. eare, rel.
to Du. aar, OHG. ehir, ahir, MHG, eher, G.
Ahre, ON. ax, Goth, ahs, 'ear of corn', fr. Teut.
"ahiz, corresponding to I.-E. *akos-, whence L.
acus, 'chaff, husk', Gk. dxoa-n!;, 'barley', lit. 'the
awny one', fr. I.-E. base *ak-, 'to be sharp or
pointed', whence also L. deer, 'sharp, pointed'.
See acrid and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: ear-ed, adj.
ear, tr. v., to plow (archaic or obsol.) — ME.
erien, fr. OE. erian, rel. to OS. erian, ON. erja,
OFris. era, OHG. erien, Goth, arjan, fr. I.-E.
base *ara-, 'to plow', whence also L. ardre, 'to
plow'. See arable.
earing, n., rope by which the upper corners of
a sail are fastened to the yard (naut.) — For
ear-ring. See ear, 'organ of hearing', and ring, n.
earl, n., a title of nobility. — ME. erl, fr. OE.
eorl, 'man, warrior, chief, nobleman', rel. to
ON. jarl, 'chief, nobleman', OS., OHG. erl,
'man'. Cp. jarl.
earl, tr. v., to pledge (Scot.) — Rel. to ME. erles,
erres, 'earnest money', fr. OF. erres, fr. L. arra.
See earnest, 'pledge', and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
earldom, n. — ME. erldom, fr. OE. eorldom, fr.
eorl. See prec. word and -dom.
early, adv. — ME. erliche, erli, fr. OE. serlice,
'early', compounded of xr, 'before', and suff.
-lice. See ere and adv. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: early, adj., earli-ness, n.
earn, tr. v. — ME. ernien, ernen, fr. OE. earnian,
'to deserve, earn', rel. to OHG. amen, arnon,
'to reap', OE. em, OHG. aran, arn, G. Ernte,
'harvest', Goth, asans, 'harvest, summer', ON.
dnn (for *aznu), 'work in the field', and cogn.
with OSlav. jeseni, Russ. oseri, OPruss. assanis,
'autumn'.
Derivatives: earn-er, n., earning, n. (q.v.)
earnest, n., seriousness. — ME. ernest, fr. OE.
eornost, rel. to OS., OHG., ernust, 'struggle',
MHG. ernest, 'struggle; earnest', G. Ernst,
'earnest, seriousness', Goth, arniba, 'safely', ON.
jama, 'fight, combat', em, 'able, fit, vigorous',
orig. 'able to fight'. Cp. Ernest.
Derivatives: earnest, adj., earnest-ly, adv., ear-
nest-ness, n.
earnest, n., pledge. — ME. ernest, ernes, appar-
ently fr. OF. erres, 'earnest money', fr. L. arra,
arrha, 'pledge', shortened fr. arrabo, arrhabo,
fr. Gk. dppafl<I>v, 'earnest money', fr. Heb.
'erdbhdn, 'pledge, surety', fr. 'drdbh, 'he pled-
ged'. Cp. arras, arrha, arles, earl, 'to pledge'.
earning, n. — OE. earnung, fr. earnian, 'to de-
serve, earn'. See earn and subst. suff. -ing.
earth, n. — ME. eorthe, erthe, fr. OE. eorde, rel.
to OS. ertha, ON. jord, Dan., Swed. jord, OFris.
erthe, MDu. eerde, aerde, Du. aarde, OHG.
erda, MHG.. G. erde, Goth, atrba, and cogn.
with Mir. -ert (in compounds), 'earth'; fr.
I.-E. base *er-t, a -/-enlargement of base *er-,
'earth', whence OHG. ero, 'earth', Gk. epa,
'earth', epa£e (for *lpao-Se, cp. Dor. epaaSs),
'to earth', ?pa? (prop. gen. of spot), 'of earth'.
Fr. base *er-w-, a -iv-enlargement of base *er- y
derive ON. jdrvi, 'sandbank', W., Co. erw,
'strip of land', OBret. ero, 'furrow'. Cp. the
V/3
ebb
first element in aardvark, aardwolf.
Derivatives: earth, tr. and intr. v., earth-ed,
adj., earthian (q.v.), earth-less, adj., earth-like,
adj., earth-ly, adj., earth-li-ness, n., earth-y,
adj., earth-i-ness, n.
earthian, n., an inhabitant of the earth. — A
hybrid coined fr. E. earth and suff. -ian (fr. L.
-idnus).
earwig, n. — ME. erwigge, fr. OE. earwicga,
'earwig', fr. eare (see ear, organ of hearing) and
wicga, 'insect, beetle', lit. 'the runner', rel. to
MLG. wiggen, Norw. vigga, dial. E. wig, 'to
move to and fro', and to E. wiggle (q.v.)
ease, n. — ME. ese, fr. OF. eise, aise, 'empty
space, comfort, ease' (whence F. aise, 'ease,
comfort, convenience, leisure'), fr. adjacens,
'that which lies near', pres. part of adjacere, 'to
lie near' ; cp. OProven?. aize (whence It. agio,
Port, azo), 'occasion', which is of the same ori-
gin. See adjacent (which is a doublet of ease)
and cp. disease. Cp. also agio, adagio.
Derivatives: ease, tr. v., ease-ful, adj., ease-ful-
ly, adv., ease-ful-ness, n., ease-less, adj., easy
(q.v.)
easel, n. — Du. ezel, 'ass, easel', fr. MDu. esel;
rel. to OE. esol, OS. esil, OHG. esil (MHG., G.
esel), 'ass', fr. L. asinus, of s.m. See ass and cp.
asinine. For sense development cp. onager, in
the sense of 'catapult', and horse, in the sense of
'wooden structure bearing rough resemblance
to a horse'.
easement, n. — OF. aisement, 'ease', fr. aisier,
'to ease', fr. aise. See ease and -ment.
east, n. — ME. east, est, fr. OE. east, 'in the east'
(whence OE. eastan, 'from the east'), rel. to Du.
oost, oosten, OHG. dstan, MHG. dsten, G. Ost,
Osten, 'east', OHG., OS. dstar, 'to the east', ON.
austr, 'from the east', fr. Teut. *austa-, 'east',
which is rel. to I.-E. *ausos, 'dawn', whence OI.
usdh, Gk. itdz, Homeric Gk. -rjcx; (for *dusds),
Lith. auSrd, 'dawn', L. ouster, 'south', aurum (for
*ausom), 'gold,' lit. 'the reddish metal', aurora
(for *ausosa), 'dawn'. Cp next word and the first
element in Ostrogoth. Cp. also aureate, aurora,
Auster, austral, eo-, Eos.
Derivatives: east, adj. and adv., easter-ly, adj.,
eastern (q.v.), east-ward, adv.
Easter, n. — ME. ester, estern, fr. OE. easier,
eastre, 'Easter', fr. OE. Eastre (usually in the pi.
Eastron), a Teutonic goddess of spring (orig.
the goddess of dawn); rel. to OHG. ostarun,
MHG. dsteren, G. Ostern, 'Easter', and to E.
east (q.v.)
easterling, n., a native of an Eastern country. —
Formed fr. eastern with suff. -ling. Cp. MLG.
osterlink, Du. oosterlink.
eastern, adj. — ME. esterne, fr. OE. easterne, fr.
east. See east and -era.
Derivatives: Eastern, n., eastern-er, n.
easting, n,, easterly departure (naut.) — Formed
fr. east with subst. suff. -ing.
easy, adj. — ME. aisie, fr. OF. aisie (F. aisi).
prop. pp. of aisier, 'to ease', fr. aise, 'ease'. See
ease and -y (representing OF. -e, -ie, F. -e).
Derivatives: easy, adv., n. and v.
eat, tr. and intr. v. — ME. eten, fr. OE. etan, rel.
to ON. eta, Swed. dta, Dan. xde, OFris. eta,
ita, MDu., Du. eten, OHG. e^an, MHG. e33en,
G. essen, Goth, itan, fr. I.-E. base *ed-, 'to eat',
whence also OI. ddmi, 'I eat', Arm. utem, Gk.
&8a, L. edd, earlier Lith. emi (for *edmi), Lith.
edu, Lett. §mu, 'I eat', OPruss. ist, 'to eat', idis,
'eating', OSlav. jaml (for *emi), 'I eat', Olr.
esse, 'eaten', W. esu, ysu (for *ed-tu), 'to de-
vour', Hitt. edmi, T eat', ed, 'eat!', adanzi, 'they
eat', adanna, 'food'. Cp. comedo, comestible,
dent, Dermestes, edestin, edible, esculent, esur-
ient, etch, fret, 'to consume', nestitherapy,
obese, odonto-, -odynia, ort, prandial, Samoyed.
Cp. also tooth.
Derivatives: eat-able, adj., eat-able-s, n. pi.,
eata-bil-ity, n., eat-able-ness, n., eater (q.v.),
eating, verbal n. and adj.
eater, n. — OE. etere, fr. etan, 'to eat'. See prec.
word and agential suff. -er.
Eau de Cologne, cologne. — F., lit. 'water of
Cologne'. See eau de vie and cologne.
eau de vie, brandy. — F. eau-de-vie, lit. 'water of
life', fr. L. aqua, 'water', de, 'from, away from',
and vita, 'life'. See aquatic, de- and vital. For
sense development cp. aqua vitae, usquebaugh
and whisky.
eaves, n. pi., the edge of a roof. — ME. evese
(pi. eveses), fr. OE. efes, 'eaves, brim, border',
rel. to ON. ups, upse, OHG. obasa, obisa, 'porch,
hall, roof, MHG. obese, obse, 'eaves', dial.
G. Obsen, Obsten, 'porch', Goth, ubizwa,
'porch', OHG. obana, 'from above', G. oben,
'above', and to E. over, up. Derivatively, eaves
is a singular. It was mistaken for a plural be-
cause of the confusion of the final s in OE. efes
with the plural suffix. From the alleged plural
eaves the singular eave was formed. — Cp.
next word.
eavesdrop, intr. v. — Formerly eavesdrip, fr. OE.
yfesdrype, 'drip from eaves'. See eaves and drip.
To eavesdrop orig. meant 'to stand under
droppings from the eaves of a house', whence
arose the meaning 'to listen to a conversation
secretly' (lit. 'under the eaves', i.e. 'near the
window or door'.
Derivatives : eavesdropp-er, n., eavesdropp-ing, n.
ebauchoir, n., sculptor's boaster; roughing chisel.
— F. ebauchoir, fr. ebaucher, 'to rough out,
sketch out', orig. 'to rough out timber', fr. bau,
bauch, bale, 'beam', fr. Frankish *balk; cp.
OHG. balko, 'beam', OE. balca, 'ridge between
furrows'. See balk and cp. debauch.
ebb, n. — ME. ebbe, fr. OE. ebba, rel. to OS.
ebbiunga, OFris. ebba, MLG., MDu., Du. ebbe
[whence MHG. (= G.) ebbe, Dan., Swed. ebb,
abb, F. ebe]. These words prob. stand in grada-
tional relationship to ON. dfugr, Goth, ibuks,
'backwards', and to E. of (q.v.)
ebb
ebb, intr. v. — ME. ebben, fr. OE. ebbian, fr.
ebba, 'ebb'. See ebb, n.
Ebenaceae, n.pl., the ebony family (bot.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr. L. ebenus.
See ebony.
Ebenezer, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, name of a
stone raised by Samuel in memory of the victory
over the Philistines (I Sam. 7: 12). — Heb.
ebhen l ezer, 'stone of help', fr. ebhen, 'stone',
and 'ezer, 'help'. The first word is rel. to Aram.
ebhen, in the emphatic state abhnd, Ugar. 'bn,
Akkad. abnu, Ethiop. eben, 'stone'. The second
word derives fr. 'dzdr, 'he helped', and is rel.
to Aram.-Syr. 'dddr, 'he helped', Arab, 'ddhara,
'he excused, exculpated; he helped, aided'. Cp.
Azariah, Ezra.
Eblis, n., the prince of the fallen angels (Arabian
religion). — Arab. Iblfs, aphetic for Gk. Sia-
(3oXo<;, 'slanderer', in Eccles. Gk. 'devil'. It is
very probable that Gk. 8ia£SoXo<; came into
Arabic through the medium of Syriac and that
the first syllable of the Greek word was mis-
taken for the Syriac genitive particle di and sub-
sequently dropped. See devil.
ebon, n., ebony (poetic). — ME. eban, fr. L. ebe-
nus. See ebony.
ebonist, n., a worker or dealer in ebony. —
Formed fr. ebony with suff. -ist.
ebonite, n., vulcanite. — Formed fr. ebony with
subst. suff. -ite.
ebonize, tr. v., to stain wood, so as to make it
resemble ebony. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -ize.
ebony, n. — OF. ebaine (F. ebine), fr. L. ebenus
(whence also OHG., MHG. ebenus, G. Eben-
holz), fr. Gk. e'|3emo? (whence also Arabo-
Persian abnus), fr. Egypt, hebni (whence also
Heb. pi. hobhnim, Ezek. 27: 15).
Derivatives : ebony, adj., ebonist, ebonite, ebon-
ize (qq.v.)
ebriety, n., drunkenness. — F. ebriete, fr. L.
ebrietdtem, acc. of ebrietds, 'drunkenness, fr.
ebrius, 'drunk, intoxicated', which is of un-
certain origin. Cp. inebriate and sober,
ebrious, adj., inclined to excessive drinking. —
L. ebrius. See prec. word and cp. brio. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
ebullience, ebulliency, n. — Formed fr. next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
ebullient, adj., boiling up, exuberant. — Lit.
'bubbling over', fr. L. ebulliens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of ebullire, 'to boil up, bubble over', fr. -e
and bullire, 'to boil, bubble'. See boil, v.
ebullioscope, n., an instrument for indicating the
boiling point of liquids. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. ebullire, 'to boil up', and Gk. -oxomov, fr.
oxo7teTv, 'to look at, examine'. See prec. word
and -scope.
ebullition, n., the act of boiling up; sudden out-
burst. — L. ebullitio, gen. -dnis, 'a bubbling
over', fr. Sbulllt-(um), pp. stem of ebullire. See
ebullient and -ition.
Eburna, n., a genus of marine gastropods, the
ivory shell. — ModL., fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory',
fr. ebur, 'ivory'. See ivory,
eburnated, adj., hard like ivory (med.) — Formed
with suff. -ed fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See prec.
word.
eburnation, n., an increase in the density of bone,
cartilage or tooth (med.) — Formed with suff.
-ation fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See Eburna.
eburnean, adj., pertaining to, made of, or resem-
bling, ivory. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L.
eburneus, 'of ivory', fr. ebur, 'ivory'. See Eburna.
eburnine, adj., eburnean. — Formed with suff.
-ine fr. L. eburnus, 'of ivory'. See Eburna.
ec-, pref. meaning 'out of. — Gk. ex-, fr. ex,
'out of. See 2nd ex-, and cp. ecto-.
ecarte, n., a French card game for two persons,
played with 32 cards. — F., lit. 'discarded', pp.
of ecarter, 'to discard', fr. e- (fr. L. e, 'out of),
and carte, 'card'. See card for playing and cp.
skat.
ecbatic, adj., expressing mere result; the opposite
of telic (gram.) — Gk. exfJa-uxi;, fr. ex^aTO?,
'coming to pass', verbal adj. of exfialveiv, 'to
go out, come out, result', fr. ex (see ec-) and
PcavEiv, 'to go'. See base, n., and -ic.
ecbolic, adj., causing abortion (med) — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. exgoXv), 'a throwing out,
abortion', fr. ex^AXXeiv, 'to throw out', fr. ex
(see ec-) and (iaXXeiv, 'to throw'. See ballistic
and cp. words there referred to.
ecce homo, 'behold the man' (see John 19:5). —
L. ecce, 'behold', prob. stands for *ed-ce, which
is compounded of the adverbial particle *ed
and the demonstrative particle -ce, for which
see he. For the etymology of L. homo, 'man',
see human.
eccentric, adj. — F. excentrique, fr. ML. excen-
tricus, 'out of the centre', fr. Gk. exxevxpoq,
'out of the centre', fr. ex (see ec-) and xevxpov,
'point, prickle, spike, oxgoad'. See center.
Derivatives: eccentric, n., eccentric-al-ly, adv.,
eccentric-ity, n., eccentr-ing, adj.
eccentro-, combining form meaning 'eccentric'.
— GK. exxsMTpo-, fr. exxevxpo;, 'out of the
centre'. See prec. word.
ecchymosis, n., extravasation of blood (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. ex/jj^aig, 'bruise, extra-
vasation', lit. 'a pouring out', fr. exxuiioOa#ou,
'to pour out, extravasate', fr. ex (see ec-) and
yuu.6?, 'juice'. See chyme and -osis.
ecclesia, n., 1) assembly of citizens in ancient
Athens; 2) a church. — L. ecclesia, 'assembly
of the people*, in Eccles. L., 'church', fr. Gk.
exxXTjOta, 'an assembly of citizens', in Eccles.
Gk. 'church', fr. exxXtjto.;, 'called out, sum-
moned', verbal adj. of exxaXetv, 'to call out,
summon forth', fr. ex (see ec-) and xaXetv, 'to
call, summon'. See calends and cp. words there
referred to Cp. also Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus.
ecclesiast, n., member of an ecclesia. — Gk. ex-
xX7)auxaTT)g. See next word.
497
eclampsia
Ecclesiastes, n., name of one of the 5 Scrolls of
the Hagiographa, corresponding to Heb. Qohe-
leth (Bible). — L. ecclesiastes, fr. Gk. exxXvj-
CTiaa-rijg, 'speaker in an assembly', fr. exxXrjata,
'assembly' ; see ecclesia and -ast. (For the mean-
ing of exxX7)CTia<TTY)(; cp. Plato, Gorgias, 452e;
the usual rendering as 'preacher', is erroneous.)
Accordingly, exxXrjtJiaor^i;, the translation of
qdheleth in the LXX, is the exact rendering of
this Hebrew word, which derives fr. qdhdl,
'assembly'.
ecclesiastic, adj., pertaining to the church; eccle-
siastical. — F. ecclesiastique, fr. Eccles. L. ec-
clesiasticus, fr. Gk. ExxX7]<ria(jTix6<;, 'pertaining
to the assembly or the ecclesia', fr. exxXirjCTta.
See ecclesia and -ic and cp. Ecclesiastes.
Derivatives: ecclesiastic, a., ecclesiastic-al, adj.,
ecclesiastic-al-ly, adv., ecclesiastic-ism, n.
Ecclesiasticus, n., name of the Jewish apocryphal
work more generally known as the Book of
Jesus, the son of Sirach. — Eccles. L. Eccle-
siasticus, lit. 'pertaining to the church', fr. Gk.
exxXr]aiacrTix6<;, 'pertaining to the assembly', fr.
ExxXr)(ita; so called because of its frequent use
in the churches. See ecclesia and cp. Eccle-
siastes.
ecclesio-, combining form for ecclesia.
ecclesiology, n. — Lit. 'study of the church';
compounded of ecclesio- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-XtSycx;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives : ecclesiolog-ic, ecclesiolog-ic-al,
adjs., ecclesiolog-ic-al-ly, adv., ecclesiolog-ist, n.
eccrinology, n., the study of secretions (phy-
siol.) — Compounded of Gk. exxptvsiv, 'to
secrete', and -Xoyia, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. The first element is formed fr.
ex (see ec-), and xptvetv, 'to separate'. See
crisis. For the second element see -logy.
ecderon, n., the outer part of the skin (anat.) —
Coined by Huxley fr. ec- and Gk. 8£po?, 'skin',
which is rel. to Sepjjia, 'skin'. See derma and
cp. enderon. Derivative: enderon-ic, adj.
ecdysis, n., the act of shedding (zool.) — Gk.
eV.Suaii;, 'getting out, putting off, shedding',
fr. exSusiv, 'to get out of, put off, shed', fr. ex
(see ec-) and Sueov, 'to enter; to put on'. See
adytum and cp. endysis.
echelon, n., steplike formation of troops (mil.)
— F. echelon, fr. echelle, 'ladder', fr. L. scdla,
'ladder'. See scale, 'measure'.
Echeneis, n., a genus of fishes, the remora (ich-
thyol.) — ModL., fr. L. echeneis, 'remora', fr.
Gk. iyprrf-Q, lit. 'ship-detaining', compounded
of exetv, 'to have, hold', and vau?, gen. vrpc,,
'ship'(see hectic and naval) ; so called in allusion
to its alleged power of detaining a ship.
echidna, n., an Australian egg-laying mammal.
— L., 'adder, viper', fr. Gk. exiSva, prop. fern,
of an adj. *exi8voi;, 'viperlike', fr. fyu;, 'viper',
which is cogn. with Norw. igle, OHG. egala.
MHG. egele, G. Egel, ieech', and with L. anguis,
'serpent, snake'. See anguine and cp. Echium.
echinate, adj., set with prickles. — See echinus
and adj. suff. -ate.
echinite, n., a fossil echinus. — See echinus and
subst. suff. -ite. Derivative: echinit-al, adj.
echino-, combining form meaning 'prickly, spiny'.
— Gk. exivo-, fr. e^lvoi;, 'hedgehog'. See echinus.
Echinochloa, n., a genus of grasses (bot.) —
ModL., lit. 'hedgehog grass', fr. echino- and
Gk. xKori, Dor. yX6a., 'grass', which is rel. to
XXoip6?, 'greenish yellow'. See choler and cp.
chlorine.
Echinocystis, n., a genus of plants, the wild
balsam-apple (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
echino- and Gk. xua-rt;, 'bladder' (see cyst) ; so
called in allusion to its prickly fruit.
Echinodermata, n. pi., a phylum of sea animals
with a spiny shell, including the starfishes and
the sea urchins (zool.) — ModL., lit. '(having a
spiny skin', compounded of echino- and Gk.
8ep[iaTa, pi. of Sepjxa, 'skin'. See derma.
Echinodorus, n., a genus of herbs (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of echino- and Sopu, 'spear'. See
dory-.
Echinops, n., a genus of plants, the globe thistle
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'resembling a hedgehog',
fr. echino- and Gk. -o><]>, lit. '-eyed', fr. oi^, gen.
urni;, 'eye'. See -ops.
echinus, n., sea urchin, pi. echini. — L., fr. Gk.
exivo?, 'hedgehog, sea urchin', prob. formed
fr. ex l ?> 'viper' (see echidna), with suff. -Tvot;;
cogn. with Arm. ozni, OSlav. jezi, Lith. ezys,
Lett, ezis, OE. igel, ME. il, OS., OHG., MHG.,
G. igel, Du. egel, 'hedgehog'.
Echium, n., a genus of plants, the viper's bugloss
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. e'xiov, lit. 'viper's
plant', fr. exis, 'viper'. See echidna.
echo, n. — L. echo, fr. Gk. t)x"i 'sound, noise;
echo', rel. to r)x*l> 'noise', vjx E ' v > '° resound',
fr. Gk. base *f«x- (whence also Jaxsiv, 'to re-
sound'), corresponding to I.-E. *wig-, 'to
sound', whence OI. vagnuh, 'sound', L. vdgire,
'to cry'. Cp. catechize, vagitus.
Derivatives: echo, tr. and intr. v., echo-er, n.,
echo-ic, adj., echo-ism, n., echo-ist, n., echo-ize,
intr. v.
eclair, n., a kind of light long cake filled with
cream. — F., lit. 'lightning', back formation fr.
eclairer, 'to light, illuminate', fr. VL. *excld-
ridre (whence also OProvenc. esclairar), corres-
ponding to L. excldrdre, 'to light up, illumine',
fr. ist ex- and cldrdre, 'to make clear', fr. cldrus,
'bright, clear'. See clear and cp. words there
referred to.
eclampsia, n., a convulsive attack (med.) — Med-
ical L., fr. Gk. bOjx.[i<\)iQ, 'a shining forth', fr.
exXau.Treiv, 'to shine forth', fr. ex (see ec-) and
Xinrteiv, 'to shine'. See lamp and -ia. The word
eclampsia was introduced into medical termi-
nology by the French pathologist Francois-
Boissier de la Croix de Sauvages (1706-67).
eclamptic, adj., pertaining to eclampsia. — See
prec. word and -ic.
eclat, n., brilliancy, applause. — F., 'burst, crash,
clap; shiver, splinter; brightness', back format-
ion fr. F. eclater, 'to burst, split, shiver; to ex-
plode; to cry out, exclaim; to shine, sparkle,
flash', fr. OF. esclater, 'to break, burst', prob. fr.
Frankish *slaitan, 'to rend, tear', which is rel.
to OHG. silvan, OE. slitan, of s.m. See slit and
cp. slate, 'piece of rock', and slate, 'to censure'.
eclectic, adj., selecting doctrines from various
philosophic systems. — Gk. exXexTtxo?, 'pick-
ing out, selecting', fr. exXexTo;, verbal adj. of
sxXeyetv, 'to pick out, select', fr. ex (see ec-),
and Xeystv, 'to pick out, choose; to tell, say,
speak'. See lecture and -ic and cp. eclogue.
Derivatives : eclectic, n., an eclectic philosopher,
eclectic-al-ly, adv., eclectic-ism, n.
eclipse, n. — OF. eclipse (F. eclipse), fr. L. eclip-
sis, fr. Gk. zyXsi^ic,, 'a leaving out, forsaking,
failure; eclipse', fr. IxXeikziv, 'to leave out,
forsake, cease; to be eclipsed', fr. ex (see ec-)
and XzLnsiv, 'to leave', which is cogn. with L.
linquere, 'to leave'. See relinquish and cp. ellipse.
Derivatives: eclipse, tr. v., eclips-er, n.
ecliptic, adj., i) pertaining to an eclipse; 2) per-
taining to an ecliptic. — L. eclipticus, 'pertain-
ing to an eclipse', fr. Gk. 4xXeitttlx6i;, fr.
IxXemEtv. See prec. word and -ic.
ecliptic, n., apparent annual path of the sun. —
Fr. L. tinea ecliptica, 'the ecliptic', fr. eclipticus,
'pertaining to an eclipse'. The ecliptic was so
called because it was supposed that eclipses of
the sun and moon take place on the great circle
forming the apparent annual path of the sun.
eclogue, n., a short poem of pastoral character.
— F. eclogue, eglogue, fr. L. ecloga, fr. Gk.
ExXoyV), 'a choice, selection', fr. sxXeysiv, 'to
pick out, select'. See eclectic.
eclosion, n., the process of hatching of a chicken
from an egg, or of an insect from a pupa case
(zool.) — F. eclosion, *a breaking forth, hatch-
ing', lit. 'an opening', fr. eclos, pp. of eclore, 'to
be hatched, to open' (said of an egg), fr. VL.
*exclaudere, 'to shut out, exclude, drive out';
'to hatch out' (tr.), refashioned (after L. clau-
dere, 'to shut, close'), fr. L. excludere, of s.m.
See exclude and -ion.
eco-, oeco-, combining form meaning 'environ-
ment'. — Gk. oixo-, fr. oixo?, 'house'. See
economy.
ecology, oecology, n., that branch of science which
deals with animals and plants in relation to their
environment. — G. Okologie, coined by the
German biologist Ernst Heinrich Haeckel
(1 834- 1 9 1 9) fr. Gk. oixo- (see eco-) and -Xoyia, fr.
-Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ecolog-ic, ecolog-ic-al, adjs., ecolog-
ic-al-ly, adv., ecolog-ist, n.
economic, adj. — F. economique, fr. L. oecono-
micus, 'pertaining to economy; orderly, me-
thodical', fr. Gk. oExovo(xix6i;, 'economical', fr.
oixovojxia. See next word and -ic.
Derivatives: economic-al, adj., economic-al-ly,
adv., econom-ics, n.
economy, n. — L. oeconomia, 'the management of
a household', fr. Gk. oixovouia, of s.m., fr.
otxov6(j.o<;, 'the manager of a household,
steward', which is compounded of olxoi;, 'house,
dwelling, place to live in', and -vou.o<;, 'manag-
ing'. Gk. olxo? (dial, foixoi;), is rel. to oixia,
Gortynic Gk. fouaa, 'house', and cogn. with
L. vicus, 'district', vicinus, 'near, neighboring',
Goth, weihs, OE. wic, 'dwelling, village'. See
vicinage, wick, 'village', and cp. androecium,
autooecious, diocese, dioecious, ecumenical, mo-
noecious, oecist, oecus, parish, paroecious, peri-
oeci. Gk. -vino? stands in gradational rela-
tionship to vsfieiv, 'to deal out, distribute, al-
lot'. See Nemesis and cp. nomad.
ecru, adj., of the yellowish color of unbleached
linen. — F. ecru, formed with pref. e- fr. L.
crudus, 'raw' (whence also It., Sp. crudo,
OProvenc. cru, crut). See crude. The pref. e- in
ecru derives fr. L. e, 'out of (see e-), but has
here only intensive force.
ecstasy, n. — OF. extasie (F. extase), fr. Late
L. ecstasis, fr. Gk. Ixoraai;, 'removal from
the proper place, displacement', lit. 'a standing
outside oneself, from the stem of e^torivai,
'to put out of place, derange; to stand aside
from', fr. e^, 'out of (see 2nd ex-) and EaTdcvai,
'to place; to stand'. See state.
ecstasy, tr. v. — F. extasier, fr. extase. See
ecstasy, n.
ecstatic, adj., pertaining to, or causing, ecstasy.
— Gk. sxaTornxo?, 'unstable', fr. eWraais. See
prec. word and -ic. Derivative : ecstatic-al-ly, adv.
ect-, form of ecto- before a vowel.
ectasia, n., the same as ectasis. — Medical L.
See next word.
ectasis, n., dilation of a tubular vessel (med.) —
Late L. ectasis, 'a stretching out', fr. <3k. gx-
ra.au;, fr. exxetveiv, 'to stretch out', fr. ex (see
ec-) and teEveiv, 'to stretch'. See tasimeter and
cp. atelectasis, entasia, entasis, epitasis, protasis.
ecthlipsis, n., the suppression of a consonant. —
Late L., fr. Gk. bi&Xityit;, 'a squeezing out', fr.
ExftXtpsiv, 'to squeeze out', fr. ex (see ec-) and
&Xfpeiv, 'to press, crush'. See thlipsis.
ecto-, before a vowel ect-, combining form
meaning 'outside, external'. — Att. and Ion.
Gk. exto-, ext-, fr. ext6?, 'outside', formed fr.
ex, 'out of, with suff. -t6?, on analogy of evric.,
'inside' (fr. bs, 'in'). The regular form should
have been *e/&6;. Cp. Locrian ix&oc, = Att.
and Ion. exto?, and see ec-.
ectoblast, n., the outer membrane of a cell (biol.)
— Compounded of ecto- and Gk. |3Xa<TT6<;,
'sprout'. See -blast.
ectoderm, n., the outer investing membrance of
a cell (biol.) — Lit. 'outer skin', coined by the
German physician Robert Remak (18 15-65) fr.
•vtv
ecto- and Gk. 8ep[ia, 'skin'. See derma and
cp. endoderm, mesoderm.
-ectomy, combining form denoting 'surgical re-
moval', as in appendectomy, gastrectomy. — Gk.
-sxtoluS, 'a cutting out of, fr. extou,/), 'a cutting
out, excision', fr. extejjlveiv, 'to cut out', fr.
ex (see ec-) and TSjxveiv, 'to cut'. See -tomy.
ectopia, n., morbid displacement of an organ or
another part of the body (med.) — Medical L.,
formed with suff. -ia fr. Gk. cxtotio?, 'away
from a place', fr. ex (see ec-) and t6ttoi;, 'place'.
See topic. Derivative: ectop-ic, adj., out of place.
Ectopistes, n., a genus of pigeons, the wandering
pigeon (ornithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. exxoTU^eiv,
'to remove from a place', fr. sxtottoc;. See prec.
word and -ist.
ectoplasm, n., the external layer of a protoplasm
in a cell (biol.) — Compounded of ecto- and
plasm. Cp. endoplasm.
ectro-, combining form denoting congenital ab-
sence (med.) — Fr. Gk. exTpcoai?, 'miscarriage',
fr. exTixpcoaxctv, 'to miscarry', fr. ex (see ec-)
and rixptiCTxeiv, 'to wound, hurt, injure'. See
throw and cp. words there referred to.
ecu, n., an old French silver coin. — F., fr. OF.
escu, fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See scutum and cp.
escudo. The coin was called ecu ('shield') from
the coins issued under Louis IX, which had the
shield of France as device.
ecumenic, ecumenical, adj., general, universal. —
Late L. oecumenicus, fr. Gk. oExoufiEvixo?, 'open
to the whole world', fr. oExou|asvt] (scil. yvj),
'the inhabited world', fern, of the pass. pres.
part, of otxstv, 'to inhabit',, fr. oixo?, 'house,
abode, dwelling'. See economy and -ic. For the
use and force of the passive suff. *-menos in
English words of Greek and Latin origin see
alumnus and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: ecumenical-ly, adv., ecumenic-ity,n.
eczema, n., inflammatory disease of the skin
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. ex^eu-oc, prop,
'something thrown out by heat', fr. ex (see ec-)
and Z&y-y., 'that which is boiled', fr. I.-E. base
*yes-, 'to boil, seethe'. See yeast and cp. the
first element in zeolite and the second element
in apozem.
eczematous, adj., of the nature of eczema. —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. ex^eu-tx, gen.
ExCsj^aTO!;. See prec. word.
-ed, 1) pp. suff. of weak verbs in English ; 2) used
also to form adjectives: a) from nouns, as in
cultured; b) from other adjectives ending in -ate
(derived from L. pp.s in -dtus), as in foliated,
dentated. — ME. -ed, fr. OE. -ed, -od, -ad,
formed from the thematic vowel -£>-, resp. -o-
or -a-, and -t, the pp. ending of weak verbs,
which is rel. to ON. -pr, G. -t, Goth. -ps,Teut.
*-do, corresponding to I.-E. *-to, whence OI.
-tdh, Gk. -to?, L. -tus. Cp. the final -d in cold,
dead, loud, old, sad and suff. -t. Cp. also adj.
suff. -ate.
-ed, suff. of the past tense of weak verbs in Eng-
lish. — ME. -ede-, -de, fr. OE. -ede, -ode, -ade,
formed from the thematic vowel -e-, resp. -o-
or -a-, and -de, past ending of the ist pers. of
weak verbs, which is rel. to the corresponding
endings ON. -pa, OHG. -ta, G. -te, and prob.
also to OE. -(e)d, pp. ending of weak verbs. See
-ed, pp. suff.
-ed, suff. forming adjectives from nouns, with
the sense 'possessed of, characterized by', as in
bearded, toothed. — OE. -ede, rel. to OS. -6di.
edacious, adj., devouring, voracious. — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. eddx, gen. edacis, 'vora-
cious, gluttonous', fr. edere, 'to eat'. See eat.
Derivatives: edacious-ly, adv., edacious-ness, n.
edacity, n., voracity. — L. eddcitds, 'voracity,
gluttony', fr. eddx, gen. edacis. See prec. word
and -My.
Edam cheese, often shortened to Edam, edam, n.
— From Edam, name of a village in Holland,
where this cheese was originally made.
edaphic, adj., pertaining to the condition of the
soil rather than to climate (plant ecology). —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. eSacpo;, 'soil;
floor', which was probably dissimilated fr.
*e8a<po<; and is rel. to eSoi;, 'seat, base, foun-
dation', fr. stem *4S- (= I.-E. *sed-), 'to sit',
and cogn. with L. sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary
and cp. next word.
edaphology, n., the study of soils. — Compoun-
ded of Gk. gSaqxx;, 'soil', and -Xoyta, fr. -X6yo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See edaphic and
-logy.
Edda, n., orig. name of the book written by
Snorri Sturluson (died in 1 241); later used to de-
note ancient Icelandic poems in general. — ON.,
fr. odr, 'spirit, mind; passion, song, poetry', rel.
to OE. wop, 'sound, melody, song', and cogn.
with Olr. faith, 'poet', W. gwawd, 'poem', L.
vdtes, soothsayer, prophet, seer'. See vates and
cp. words there referred to.
eddy, n., whirlpool; current of air. — ME. ydy,
prob. fr. ON. ida, 'whirlpool', lit. meaning 'that
which rebounds or flows back', fr. ON. pref.
id-, 'again', which is rel. to OE., OS. ed-, OHG.
et-, it-, Goth, ip, 'and, but, however', and cogn.
with L. et, 'and'. See et. Derivative: eddy, intr. v.
ede-, form of edea- before a vowel.
edea, n. pi., the external genitals. — Fr. Gk.
aESoia, 'privy parts, pudenda', prop. neut. pi.
of aiSoto?, 'bashful, shamefaced', lit. 'having
a claim to regard', fr. atSco?, 'shame, bash-
fulness, reverence', fr. the stem of atSea&ai,
'to be ashamed, fear, show a sense of regard,
respect', which prob. stands for *ataSea&ai, fr.
I.-E. *aiz-d-, whence also OI. JdJ (for *izdi), 'I
honor', Goth, aistan, 'to fear'. I.-E. *aiz-d- is
a -rf-enlargement of base *ais-, 'to honor, respect',
whence OHG. era, MHG. ere, G. Ehre, 'honor',
ON. eir, 'grace', OE. dr, 'honor, dignity, benefice,
prosperity, help, kindness, mercy'. Cp. the first
element in Eric
edelweiss, n., a small Alpine plant bearing white
flowers. — G. Edelweifi, compounded of edel,
'noble', and weifi, 'white'. For the first element
see atheling, for the second see white.
edema, oedema, a swelling (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. ol'8ir)|jia, 'a swelling', fr. oESav, oESetv, 'to
swell', which is cogn. with Arm. aitnum, 'I
swell', aitumn, 'a swelling', L. aemidus (for
*aidmo-dos or *aidsmo-dos), 'swelling', ON.
eista (for *oid-s-to-), 'testicle', eitill, 'swelling',
eitr, 'poison', OE. dtor, attor, of s.m., and prob.
also with OSlav. jadu, 'poison', jadra (pi.),
'bosom'. See after and cp. the first element in
Oedipus and the second element in myxedema.
Derivatives: edem-ic, oedem-ic, edemat-ous,
oedemat-ous, also edemat-ose, oedemat-ose, adjs.
Eden, n., in the Bible, the garden in which Adam
and Eve first lived; Paradise. — Heb. 'Edhen,
name of the region in which lay the Paradise
(see Gen. 2:8, 10, 15, etc.) The name is usually
explained as 'the place of delight', and derived
fr. Heb. 'idhen, 'dainty, delight'; cp. Edna. U.
Cassuto in his Commentary on the Book of
Genesis, Part One, From Adam to Noah, The
Hebrew University, Jersusalem, 1961, pp. 107-
108, explains the name Eden — with reference
to the meaning of the base 'dn in Ugaritic —
as 'a place that is well watered throughout'.
Derivative: Eden-ic, adj.
edenite, n., a variety of aluminous amphibole
{mineral.) — Named after £<fe/iville, New York.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Edentata, n. pi., a group of placental mammals
including the armadillo, sloth, anteater, etc.
(zool.) — ModL., neut. pi. of L. edentatus,
'toothless', pp. of edentdre, 'to render tooth-
less', fr. e- and dens, gen. denlis, 'tooth'. See
dental.
edentate, adj., 1) toothless; 2) pertaining to the
Edemata. — L. edentatus, 'toothless'. See prec.
word.
Derivative : edentate, n., one of the Edentata.
edeo-, before a vowel ede-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the genitals'. — Fr. Gk.
aiSota, 'privy parts, pudenda'. See edea.
edestin, n., formerly, a globulin found in various
edible seeds; now, a globulin found in hemp
seed (biochem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -in
fr. Gk. sSeaxo?, 'eatable', fr. eSeiv, 'toeat'. See eat.
Edgar, masc. PN. — OE. Eadgar, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity, happiness', and gar,
'spear'. The first element is rel. to OS. dd, OHG.
*dt, the second element in MHG. kleindt
(whence G. Kleinod, 'jewel, gem', lit. 'little
wealth'), ON. audr, Goth, auda-, 'possession,
property, prosperity, wealth', OE. eadig, OS.
ddag, ON. audigr, OHG. dtag, Goth, audags,
'rich'. Cp. the first element in Edith, Edmund,
Edward, Edwin, and the second element in al-
lodium. For the second element in Edgar see
gar and cp. words there referred to.
edge, n. — ME. egge, fr. OE. ecg, 'edge; sword',
rel. to OS. eggia, ON. egg, Dan. eg, OS. eggia,
MDu. egghe, Du. eg, egge, OHG. ecka, egga,
MHG. ecke, egge, G. Eck, Ecke, 'edge, point',
ON. eggja, 'to provoke', fr. I.-E. base *ak-,
'sharp, pointed', whence also OI. asrih, 'edge',
Gk. xx.r„ 'point', &xpoq, 'sharp', L. deer, 'sharp,
bitter'. See acrid and words there referred to
and cp. esp. egg, 'to urge'. Cp. also the first
element in Egbert.
Derivatives: edge, tr. v., edg-ing, n., edg-ing-ly,
adv., edg-y, adj., edg-i-ness, n.
edible, adj. — Late L. edibilis, 'eatable', fr. L.
edere, 'to eat'. See eat and cp. comedo, comestible,
esculent, obese.
Derivatives: edibil-ity, n., edible-ness, n.
edict, n. — L. edictum, 'proclamation, ordinance,
edict', prop. neut. pp. of edicere, 'to declare,
publish, ordain, decree', fr. e- and dicere, 'to
say'. See diction.
Derivatives: edict-al, adj., edict-al-ly, adv.
edification, n. — L. aedifiedtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
building, structure', fr. aedifiedtus, pp. of aedi-
ficdre. See edify and -ation.
edifice, n., a building. — F. edifice, fr. L. aedi-
ficium, 'a building', from the stem of aedificdre.
See next word.
edify, tr. v. — ME. edifien, fr. F. edifier, fr. L.
aedificdre, 'to erect a building, to build', fr.
aedes (or aedis), 'a building, sanctuary, temple',
orig. 'a place with a hearth', and -ficdre, fr.
facere, 'to make, do'. L. aedes derives fr. I.-E.
base *aidh-, 'to burn', whence also Gk. aMVeiv,
'to burn', aWpa, 'the clear sky, fair weather',
aE£hf]p, 'the upper, purer air, ether', E-9-apo?,
'clean, pure, clear', OI. inddhe, 'bursts into
'flame', idhah, idhmdh, 'wood for burning',
OE. ad, OHG. eit, 'funeral pile, fire', Olr. aed,
'fire', W. aidd, 'heat, zeal'. Cp. aedile, Aethusa,
Aludel, estival, estuary, ether, Ethiop, oast. For
the second element in edify see -fy.
Derivatives: edifi-er, n., edify-ing, adj., edify-
ing-ly, adv., edify-ing-ness, n.
edingtonite, n., a hydrous aluminum barium sili-
cate (mineral.) — Named after its discoverer,
Mr. Edington of Glasgow. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
edisonite, n., a variant of rutile (mineral) —
Named after the American inventor Thomas
Alva Edison (1 847-1 931). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
edit, tr. v. — Back formation fr. editor (q.v.)
Edith, fem. PN. — OE. Eadgyth, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity, happiness', and gud,
'war'. For the first element see Edgar and cp.
words there referred to. OE. gud is rel. to OHG.
gund-, ON. gunnr, gudr, 'war', and cogn. with
Gk. fl-aveiv, 'to strike', 90V0?, 'murder', L.
-fendere, 'to thrust, strike'. See defend and cp.
the words there referred to.
edition, n. — F. edition, fr. L. editidnem, acc. of
editid, 'a bringing forth, publishing', fr. edere,
'to give out, bring forth, publish', formed fr. e-
501
effective
and -dere, which derives fr. dare, 'to give'. See
e- and date, 'point of time',
editor, n. — L., 'one who brings forth, publishes',
fr. editus, pp. of edere. See prec. word and
agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: editor-ial, adj., and n., editor-ial-
ly, adv.
editress, n., a female editor. — See prec. word
and -ess.
Edmond, Edmund, masc. PN. — OE. Eadmund,
lit. 'rich protector', compounded of ead, 'pros-
perity, happiness', and mund, 'hand, protection'.
For the first element see Edgar. The second ele-
ment is rel. to ON. mund, OHG. munt, 'hand,
protection', and cogn. with L. mdnus, 'hand'.
See manual and cp. mound, 'a heap of earth'.
Cp. also the second element in Osmond, Ray-
mond, Sigismund.
Edna, fem. PN. — Gk. 'BSva, fr. Heb. 'ednd",
'delight', which is rel. to 'idhen, 'delight', hith-
'addin, 'he luxuriated', 'ddhfn, 'voluptuous',
ma'ddhanntm, 'dainties', Aram, 'addin, 'he
charmed, delighted', Arab, ghadan, 'luxury'.
Cp. Eden.
educable, adj. — See next word and -able.
educate, tr. v. — L. eduedtus, pp. of educdre, 'to
bring up, rear, educate', rel. to educere, 'to lead
out, bring out; to bring up, rear, raise', fr. e-
and ducere, 'to lead'. See duke and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. educe.
Derivatives: educat-ed, adj., education (q.v.),
educat-ive, adj., educator (q.v.)
education, n. — L. eduedtid, gen. -dnis, 'a bring-
ing up, education', fr. eduedtus, pp. of educdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: education-al, adj., education-al-ly,
adv., educational-ism, n., education-al-ist, n.,
education-ist, n.
educator, n. — L., 'bringer up, rearer*, fr. edu-
edtus, pp. of educdre. See educate and agential
suff. -or.
educe, tr. v., to infer, deduce; to separate from
a compound (chem.) — L. educere, 'to lead out,
bring out; to bring up, rear, raise'. See educate.
educible, adj. — See prec. word and -ible.
educt, n., 1) that which is educed; 2) something
separated from a compound (chem.) — L.
eductum, neut. pp. of educere. See educe.
eduction, n. — L. eductid, gen. -dnis, 'a moving
out, going out', fr. eductus, pp. of educere. See
educe and -ion.
edulcorate, tr. v., to render sweet; to free from
acid. — ML. edulcordtus, pp. of edulcordre, 'to
render sweet', fr. e- and L. dulcor, 'sweetness',
from the stem of dulcis, 'sweet'. See dulcet and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: edulcorat-ion, n., edulcorat-ive,
adj., edulcorat-or, n.
Edward, masc. PN. — OE. Eadweard, com-
pounded of ead, 'wealth, prosperity', and
weard, 'guardian*. For the first element see Ed-
gar, for the second see ward, 'one who guards'.
Edwardian, adj., 1) pertaining to Edward; 2) spe-
cif., pertaining to any of the Edwards, Kings of
England. — Formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-ian.
Edwin, masc. PN. — OE. Eadwine, compounded
of ead, 'wealth, prosperity', and wine, 'friend'.
For the first element see Edgar. The second ele-
ment is rel. to OE. wine, ON. vinr, 'friend', and
to OE. winnan, 'to strive, struggle, fight'; see
win and wish and cp. the first element in Win-
fred and the second element in Baldwin.
-ee, suff. formed fr. AF. (= F.) pp. suff. -e, fr.
L. -dtus. See adj. suff. -ate. The suff. is used esp.
in legal terminology. In sense, suff. -ee is cor-
relative to the agential suff. -or (cp. donor and
donee, advisor and advisee, etc.)
eel, n. — ME. ele, fr. OE. rel. to ON. all, OS.,
OHG., MHG. dl, G. Aal.
Derivative: eel-y, adj.
eelfare, n., the passage of young eels up a river.
— Compounded of eel and fare, 'passage,
journey'.
eelpout, n., 1) any of a group of blennylike fishes;
2) the burbot. — OE. xlepute. See eel and pout,
the fish.
e'en, adv. — Contraction of the adverb even,
e'en, n. — Contraction of the noun even,
-een, dimin. suff. of Irish origin as in dudeen. —
Ir. -in.
e'er, adv. — Contraction of ever.
-eer, agential suff. — Fr. -ier, fr. L. drius. Cp.
the subst. suffixes -ary, -er, -ier, -yer.
eerie, eery, adj., 1) timid; 2) weird. — ME. eri,
'timid', fr. OE. earg, earh, xrg, 'inert, cowardly,
miserable', rel. to ON. argr (also metathesized
into ragr); 'unmanly, voluptuous', Dan. arrig,
arg, Swed. arg, 'malicious', OFris. erg, MDu.
arch, erch, Du. erg, 'bad', OHG. arag, arg,
MHG. arc, arg, 'cowardly, avaricious', G. arg,
'bad, wicked'. Finn, arka, 'cowardly', is a Teut.
loan word.
Derivatives: eeri-ly, adv., eeri-ness, n.
ef-, pref. — Assimilated form of 1st ex- before /
efface, tr. v. — F. effacer, fr. OF. esfacier, 'to
wipe out, destroy', lit. 'to remove the face', fr.
es- (F. e-), 'out', and VL. facia (for L. fades),
'face'. See e- and face and cp. deface.
Derivatives: efface-able, adj., efface-ment, n.
effect, n. — OF. effect (F. effet), fr. L. effectus,
'accomplishment, performance', fr. effectus, pp.
of efficere, 'to execute, accomplish, produce',
fr. 1st ex- and facere (pp. factus), 'to make, do'.
See fact and cp. feckless. For the change of
Latin d (in factus) to e (in ef-fectus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: effect, tr. v., effective (q.v.), effec-
tual (q.v.), effectuate (q.v.)
effective, adj. — F. effectif (itm. effective), fr. L.
effectivus, 'productive, effective', fr. effectus, pp.
of efficere. See effect and -ive.
Derivatives: effective, n., effect ive-ly, adv.,
effective-ness, n.
effectual
502
effectual, adj. — F. effectuel, fr. Late L. effec-
tuate, fr. L. effectus. See effect and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: effectual-ly, adv., effectual-ness, n.
effectuate, tr. v. — Formed on analogy of F.
effectuer fr. L. effectus. See effect and verbal
suff. -ate. Derivative: effectuat-ion, n.
effeminacy, n. — Formed fr. next word with
suff. -cy.
effeminate, adj. — L. effeminatus, 'womanish,
effeminate', pp. of effemindre, 'to make woman-
ish, to enervate', formed fr. ist ex- and femina,
'woman'. See feminine and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: effeminate, n., effeminate-ly, adv.,
effeminate-ness, n.
effeminate, tr. and intr. v. — L. effeminatus, pp.
of effemindre. See prec. word and verbal suff.
-ate.
effendi, n., a Turkish title of respect; sir. —
Turk, efendi, 'master', fr. MGk. a.tpb/rr) (read
afendi), voc. of a9evn<)<; (read afendis), fr. Gk.
ooi&evtt)?, 'an absolute master or ruler'. See
authentic.
efferent, adj., conveying outward (physio!.) — L.
efferens, gen. -ends, pres. part, of efferre, 'to
carry out or away; to spread abroad', fr. ist
ex- and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to
carry', and -ent and cp. afferent.
effervesce, intr. v., to give off bubbles of gas. —
L. effervescere, 'to boil over, effervesce, fer-
ment', fr. ist ex- and fervescere, 'to begin to
boil, to bubble', inchoative of fervere, 'to be
hot'. See fervent and -esce.
effervescence, effervescency, n. — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
effervescent, adj. — L. effervescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of effervescere. See effervesce and -ent.
effervescive, adj., tending to effervesce. — See
effervesce and -ive.
effete, adj., exhausted, worn out. — L. ef-
fetus, 'that has brought forth young; exhausted,
worn out', fr. l st ex- and fetus, 'that has brought
forth', fr. L. base *fe-, corresponding to I.-E.
*dhe(i)-, 'to suckle'. See fecund and cp. fetus.
Derivative: effete-ness, n.
efficacious, adj., effective. — Formed with suff.
-ous from L. efficax, gen. -acis, 'powerful, effi-
cacious', fr. efficere, 'to execute, accomplish,
produce'. See effect.
Derivatives: efficacious-ly, adv., efficacious-
ness, n.
efficacy, n., effectiveness. — L. efficdcia, 'efficacy,
efficiency', fr. efficax, gen. efficdcis. See prec.
word and y- (representing L. -id).
efficiency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
efficient, adj. — F., fr. L. efficientem, ace. of ef-
ficiens, pres. part, of efficere, 'to execute, ac-
complish, produce'. See effect and -ent. For
the change of Latin & (in fdcere) to i (in ef-
fYcere) see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: ejficient-ly, adv.
effigy, n., portrait, image. — F. effigie, fr. L.
effigies, 'likeness, portrait, image', fr. effingere,
'to form, fashion; to portray', fr. ist ex- and
fingere, 'to shape, form'. See figure and cp.
words there referred to. Derivative : effigy, tr. v.
effloresce, intr. v., to come into flower. — L. ef-
fldrescere, 'to blossom, spring up', fr. 1st ex-
and fldrescere, 'to begin to blossom', fr. fids,
gen. fldris, 'flower'. See flower and cp. florescent.
efflorescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce. See florescence,
efflorescent, adj. — L. effidrescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of efftdrescere. See effloresce and -ent.
effluence, n., a flowing out. — Formed fr. effluent
with suff. -ce.
effluent, adj., flowing out. — L. effiuens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of effiuere, 'to flow out', fr.
ist ex- and ftuere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
affluent. Cp. also the next two words.
Derivative: effluent, n.
effluvium, n., exhalation, emanation. — L., 'a
flowing out, outlet', fr. effiuere, 'to flow out', fr.
ist ex- and fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
effluent, efflux,
efflux, n., the process of flowing out. — L. ef-
fluxus, pp. of effiuere. See prec. word.
Derivative: efflux-ion, n.
effort, n. — F., fr. OF. esforz, back formation fr.
esforcier, esforcer, 'to force, reinforce' (whence
F. s'efforcer, 'to exert oneself), fr. VL. *ex-
fortidre, prop, 'to show strength', fr. ist ex- and
L. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and cp. sforzando.
Derivatives: effort-less, adj., effort-less-ly, adv.
effrontery, n. impudence. — F. effronterie, fr. ef-
fronte, 'shameless, bold', fr. VL. "effrontdtus, fr.
ist ex- and L. frdns, gen. frontis, 'forehead,
brow; front'. See front and -ery.
effulge, tr. and intr. v., to shine forth. — L. ef-
fulgere, 'to shine forth', fr. ist ex- and fulgere,
'to shine'. See fulgent,
effulgence, n., radiance; brightness. — Formed
from next word with suff. -ce.
effulgent, adj., radiant; brilliant. — L. effulgens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of effulgere. See effulge.
Derivative: effulgent-ly, adv.
effuse, tr. and intr. v., i) to pour forth; 2) to
spread. — L. effusus, pp. of effundere, 'to pour
forth, spread abroad', from ist ex- and fundere,
'to pour forth, shed'. See fuse, 'to melt'.
Derivatives: effusion (q.v.), effus-ive, adj., effus-
ive-ly, adv., effus-ive-ness, n.
effuse, adj., 1) poured out; 2) spread out (said of
a flower). — L. effusus, pp. of effundere. See
effuse, v.
effusion, n. — L. effusid, gen. -dnis, 'a pouring
forth; profusion', fr. effusus, pp. of effundere.
See effuse, v., and -ion.
eft, n., a newt (archaic) — ME. evete, efte, fr.
OE. efeta, 'lizard', a word of uncertain origin.
Cp. newt.
eft, adv., again (archaic). — ME., fr. OE. ar/f, eft,
'afterward, a second time, again', rel. to asftan,
'behind'. See aft.
503
eido-
eftsoons, eftsoon, adv., forthwith, soon after-
ward (archaic). — ME. eftsone(s), fr. OE. eft-
sdna, which is compounded of eft (see prec.
word) and sdna, 'immediately'. See soon.
Egbert, masc. PN. — OE. Ecgbeorht, compoun-
ded of ecg, 'edge, sword', and beorht, 'bright'.
For the first element see edge, for the second
see bright.
egeran, n., a var. of vesuvianite (mineral.) —
Named after Eger (now Cheb) in Bohemia.
Egeria, n., a fountain nymph, adviser of Numa
Pompilius, the second king of Rome (Roman
mythol.) — L. Egeria, a name of Etruscan
origin.
egest, tr.v., to discharge from the body. — L.
egestus, pp. of egerere, 'to bring out, carry out',
fr. e- and gerere, 'to carry'. See gerent and words
there referred to and cp. esp. ingest.
Derivatives: egest ion (q.v.), egest-ive, adj.
egestion, n. — L. egestid, gen. -dnis, 'a carrying
out', fr. egestus, pp. of egerere. See prec. word
and -ion.
egg, n. — ME. egg, egge, fr. ON. egg (Dan. seg,
Swed. dgg), rel. to OE. xg, ME. ei, Crimean
Goth, ada (for *addja), OS., MLG., MDu., Du.,
OHG., MHG., G. ei, and cogn. with OSlav.
oje, joje, ajice, ajice, 'egg', Russ. jajcd, W. wy,
OCo. uy, Bret, ui, Arm. ju (gen. juoj), Gk. <Sov, L.
ovum, of s.m. All these words prob. mean lit. 'that
which pertains to the bird', and are cogn. with
OI. vih, L. avis, 'bird'. Cp. the second element
in kidney. Cp. also augur, auspice, aviary, avia-
tion, 00-, oval, ovary, ovum, the first element in
ostrich and the second element in pettitoes.
Derivatives: egg, tr. v., egg-er, n., egg-ler, n.
egg, tr. v., to incite, urge on. — ME. eggen, fr.
ON. eggja, 'to goad on, incite', fr. egg, 'edge'.
See edge.
egger, n., one who incites. — Formed fr. egg, v.,
with agential suff. -er.
egger, n., one who collects eggs. — Formed fr.
egg, n., with agential suff. -er.
egger, n., any of various moths. — Prob. formed
fr. egg, n., with suff. -er.
eglantine, n., the sweetbrier. — F. eglantine, 'dog
rose' (the flower), fr. eglantier, 'dog rose' (the
bush), fr. OF. aiglent, 'dog rose' (the bush), fr.
fr. VL. *aquilentus, 'rich in prickles', irregularly
formed fr. L. aculeus, 'spine, prickle', dimin.
of acus, 'needle'. See acus and -ine (represent-
ing L. -ina).
eglestonite, n., a mercury oxychloride (mineral.)
— Named after the mineralogist Prof. Thomas
Egleston, of Columbia University in New York
(1832-1900). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ego, n. — L., T, cogn. with OE. ic, T. See I,
personal pron.
egoism, n., self-interest; selfishness. — F. egols-
me, formed with suff. -isme fr. L. ego. See prec.
word and -ism.
egoist, n. — F. igolste, formed with suff. -iste
fr. L. ego. See ego and -ist.
Derivatives: egoist-ic, egoist-ic-al, adjs., egoist-
ic-al-ly, adv.
egotism, n., 1) excessive use of the pronoun I;
speaking much of oneself; 2) self-conceit. —
Formed fr. L. ego, T (see ego), with suff. -ism;
first used by the English poet Joseph Addison
(1672-1719). The intrusive t is due to the ana-
logy of nepotism, in which word the t is organic
(fr. L. nepos, gen. nepdtis, 'grandson').
egotist, n. — See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: egotist-ic, egotist-ic-al, adjs., ego-
tist-ic-al-ly, adv.
egotize, intr. v., to exhibit egotism (rare). — See
egotism and -ize.
egregious, adj., 1) orig. prominent, distinguished;
2) flagrant; infamous. — L. egregius, 'distin-
guished, excellent', lit. 'chosen out of a herd',
fr. e, 'out of, and grex, gen. gregis, 'herd, flock'.
See gregarious and cp. aggregate. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives : egregious-ly, adv., egregious-ness,n.
egress, n., 1) the act of going out; 2) exit. — L.
egressus, 'a going out', fr. egressus, pp. of egredi,
'to go out, come forth, digress; to surpass, ex-
ceed', fr. e- and gradi, 'to step, walk, go'. See
grade, congress.
egression, n. — L. egressid, gen. -dnis, 'a going
out', fr. egressus, pp. of egredi. See prec. word
and -ion.
egret, n., any of various herons. — ME. egrete,
fr. F. aigrette, fr. OProvenc. aigreta, 'heron',
fr. aigron, of s.m., which is of Teut. origin. See
heron and cp. aigrette.
Egretta, n., a genus of herons (ornithol.) —
ModL. See prec. word.
egueiite, n., a hydrous iron phosphate containing
calcium and aluminum (mineral.) — Named
after Eguei, in French Sudan. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Egyptian, adj. — F. egyptien, fr. Iigypte, fr. Gk.
AtyuTrro?, 'the river Nile; Egypt', fr. Amarna
Hikuptah, corresponding to Egyptian Ha(tyka~
ptah, one of the names of Memphis, the an-
cient city of Egypt. Cp. Copt. Cp. also gitano,
gypsy-
Egyptology, n., the study of Egyptian antiquities.
— Compounded of Gk. Aiyu7rro<;, 'Egypt', and
-Xoyia, fr. -X6fo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See Egypt and -logy. Derivative : Egyptolog-ist, n.
eh, interj. — Imitative. Cp. F. eh, G. ei.
eider, n., duck of the genus Somateria. — Fr.
Icel. sedar (pron. aiddr), gen. of sdr, whence also
OSwed. eider (Swed. ejder), Du. eider, G. Eider.
eidetk, adj., pertaining to the faculty of project-
ing images; vivid (psychol.) — G. eidetisch,
coined by the German psychologist Erich
Jaensch (1883-1940) fr. Gk. siSr^ixoc., 'pertain-
ing to images, pertaining to knowledge', fr.
eto^ou;, 'knowledge', fr. eTSo?, 'form, shape'.
See eido- and -ic
eido-, combining form meaning 'image, figure'.
eidograph
504
— Gk. eESo-, fr. sl8oq, 'form, shape', which
stands for *FeTSo<; and lit. means 'that which
is seen', from the stem of iSstv, 'to see'. See
idea and words there referred to and cp. esp.
kaleidophone, kaleidoscope.
eidograph, n., an instrument for the copying of
drawings on the same or on a larger or smaller
scale. — Compounded of eido- and Gk. -ypacpoi;,
fr. Ypa<peiv, 'to write'. See -graph.
eidolon, n., a phantom. — Gk. efStoXov, 'image,
phantom'. See idol.
eight, adj. and n. — ME. eighte, eihte, fr. OE.
eahta, rel. to OS. ahto, ON. dtta, Swed. dtta,
Dan. otte, OFris. ahta, Du. acht, OHG. ahto,
MHG. ahte, G. acht, Goth, ahtau, 'eight', and
cogn. with OI. asfd, astdu, Avestic ashta, Toch.
A okat, B okt, Arm. «/' (for *optd), Gk. ox™,
Alb. tets (for *oktd-t), L. odd, OSlav. osmi (re-
fashioned after the ordinal number osmu, 'the
eighth'), Lith. astuoni, Olr. ocht n-, W. wyth,
Bret, eiz, 'eight'. All these words prob. derive fr.
I.-E. *oktd(u), an old dual form, orig. meaning
'twice four' (Tetradic system of reckoning!).
The tc in Elian Gk. ojitu, and the form of
Arm. «/' (for *optd-) is due to the analogy of
I.-E. *septm- (whence Gk. ima, etc.), 'seven'.
Cp. also Rum. opt, 'eight' (fr. L. octo), influen-
ced in form by sapte, 'seven'. The n in Olr.
ocht n- is due to the analogy of secht n-, 'seven'.
Cp. octa-, octant, octave, octet, octillion, octo-,
October, octopus, octoroon, octuple, utas.
eighteen, adj. and n. — ME. eightetene, eightene,
eihtene, fr. OE. eahtatyne, eahtatine, fr. eahta,
'eight', and -tyne, -tine, '-teen' (see eight and
-teen); rel. to OS. ahtotian, Du. achttien, OHG.
ahtozehan, MHG. ahtzehen, G. achtzehn, ON.
dttjdn, dtjdn, Swed. adertdn, Dan. atten, 'eigh-
teen'.
eighteenth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. eighteen
with numeral suff. -th on analogy of tenth. Cp.
OE. eahtateoda, which was formed fr. eahtatyne,
'eighteen', after teoda, 'tenth'; see tithe. Cp. also
ON. dttjdndi, dtjdndi, 'eighteenth'.
eighth, adj. and n. — ME. eightethe, eihtithe, fr.
OE. eahtoda, rel. to OS., OHG. ahtodo, OFris.
achta, MHG. ahtode, ahtede, ahte, G. achte,
Goth, ahtuda, ON. dtti, 'eighth'. See eight and
numeral suff. -th. Derivative : eighth-ly, adv.
eightieth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. eighty with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth.
eighty, adj. and n. — ME. eigteti, fr. OE. (hund)-
eahtatig, rel. to OHG. ahtozug, G. achtzig,
'eighty'. See hundred, eight and -ty, suff. denoting
multiples of ten.
eikon, n. — See icon.
Eileen, fem. PN. — A name of Celtic origin (cp.
Ir. Eibhlin); influenced in form by the name
Helen.
Einsteinian, adj., pertaining to the Jewish physi-
cist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) or his theory
of relativity. For the ending see -ian.
einsteinium, n., a radioactive element produced
espec. by bombardment of plutonium with
neutrons (chem.) — ModL., named after Albert
Einstein. See prec. word and chem. suff. -ium.
eirenicon, n. — See irenicon.
eisel, eisell, n., vinegar {archaic). — OF. aissil,
aisil, fr. VL. acetulum, dimin. of L. acetum,
'vinegar'. See acetum.
eisteddfod, n., annual assembly of Welsh bards.
— W., 'session', fr. eistedd, 'to sit' (fr. sedd,
'seat'), and bod, 'to be'. The first element is
cogn. with L. sedere, 'to sit' ; see sedentary. The
second element is rel. to Olr. buith, 'to be',
and cogn. with OE. bSon, 'to be'; see be.
either, adj., pron., conj. and adv. — ME. aither,
either, fr. OE. xghwxder, xgder, 'each of two,
both', for *a-gi-hwseder, which is formed fr. d,
'ever', pref. gi- (toi ge-) and hwseder, 'whether'.
See aye, 'ever', pref. y- and whether and cp.
neither. Cp. also Du. ieder, OHG. eogiwedar,
iowedar, MHG. iegeweder, ieweder, ieder, G.
jeder, 'either, each, every'.
ejaculate, tr. v., to exclaim. — L. ijaculdtus, pp.
of ijaculdri, 'to throw out, shoot out', fr. e- and
jaculdri, 'to throw, hurl, cast', it.jaculum, 'dart,
javelin', from the stem oijacere, 'to throw'. See
jet, 'to spirt forth'.
Derivatives; ejaculat-ion, n., ejaculat-ory, adj.
eject, tr. v. — L. ejectus, pp. of iicere (less cor-
rectly ijicere), 'to throw out, cast out', fr. e-
and jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'.
For the change of Latin a (in jdctus) to e (in
i-jectus) see accent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: eject, n. (q.v.), ejection (q.v.),eject-
ive, adj., ejective-ly, adv., eject-ment, n., eject-
or, n.
eject, n., representation of another's mind as a
copy of one's own (psychol.) — L. 'something
thrown out', fr. L. ejectus, pp. of eicere. See
eject, v.
ejectamenta, n. pi., things thrown out from a
volcano in eruption. — L., 'things thrown out',
neut. pi. of ejectus, pp. of eicere. See eject, v.
ejection, n. — L. ejectid, gen. -dnis, 'a throwing
out', fr. ejectus, pp. of eicere. See eject, v., and
-ion.
eka-, combining form used in chemistry to de-
note next in order (said of a chemical element).
— OI. ikah, 'one', rel. to Avestic aeva-, OPers.
aim-, and cogn. with Cypr. Gk. oXFoq, Gk. olios,
'alone', fr. I.-E. *oi-wos-, 'one' ; cp. — with suff.
-nos — Gk. o£v6i;, oivj), 'the ace (on dice)', L.
Onus, 'one', OE. an, 'one'. See one and cp. uni-.
eke, adv., also (arch.) — ME. ec, eke, fr. OE.
eac, rel. to OS., ODu. ok, ON., Goth, auk,
OFris. dk, OHG. ouh, MHG. ouch, G. auch,
'also', and to the verb eke (q.v.)
eke, tr. v., to increase. — ME. eken, fr. OE.
eacian, icon, lecan, 'to increase', rel. to OS.
dkian, ON. auka, OFris. dka, OHG. ouhhon,
Goth, aukan, fr. I.-E. base *aweg-, *aug-, 'to
grow, increase', whence also L. auger e, 'to in-
505
elate
crease'. See auction and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also eke, adv. and ekename.
ekebergite, n., a variety of wernerite (mineral.) —
Named after the Swedish traveler A.G.Eke-
berg, who analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
ekename, n., a nickname (obsol.) — Compounded
of eke, v., and name. Cp. nickname.
El, n., Hebrew name for God. — Heb. El, 'God',
of uncertain etymology; possibly related to il,
'strong' (cp. e.g. Gen. 31; 29 yesh l e il yddt, 'it
is in my power'). Cp. Elohim. Cp. also the first
element in the PN.s Eleazar, Eliezer, Elihu,
Elijah, Elishah, Elizabeth, and the second ele-
ment in Babel, bethel and in the PN.s Daniel,
Emmanuel, Ezekiel, Gabriel, Gamaliel, Ishmael,
Israel, Joel, Michael, Nathaniel, Raphael,
Samuel.
-el, suff., as in hovel. — OE. -el, -ela, -ele. Cp.
-le, suff. representing OE. -el, -ela, -ele.
-el, dimin. suff. of French origin. — 1) OF. -el
(F. -eau), fr. L. -ellus (as in tunnel); OF. -ele,
-elle (F. -elle), fr. L. -ella (as in chapel). See -le,
suff. of French origin.
-el, suff. representing OF., F. -el, fr. L. -dlis, as
in vowel (fr. L. vocdlis). Cp. adj. suff. -al.
elaborate, adj., worked out in detail. — L. ila-
bdrdtus, pp. of ilabdrdre, 'to exert oneself, lit.
'to work out', fr. e- and labdrdre, 'to work'. See
labor, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: elaborate-ly, adv. ,elaborate-ness,a.
elaborate, tr. v., to work out in detail. — L. ila-
bdrdtus, pp. of ilabdrdre. See elaborate, adj.
Derivatives: elaborat-ive, adj., elaborat-or, n.
elaboration, n. — L. ilabdrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'per-
severing labor', fr. ilabdrdtus, pp. of ilabdrdre.
See elaborate, adj., and -ion.
Elaeagnaceae, n. pi., the oleaster family (hot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Eleagnus with suff. -aceae.
elaeagnaceous,adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Elaeagnus, a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. IXatayvo;, name of a Boeotian plant, com-
pounded of eXaia, 'olive tree', and &yv°S> 'the
agnus castus'. See elaio- and agnus castus.
Elaeis, n., a genus of palms (bot.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. IXata, 'olive tree'. See elaio-.
elaeo-, latinized form of elaio-.
elaio-, combining form meaning 'olive oil'. —
Fr. Gk. sXaiov, 'olive oil, oil', for *!Xai. F ov, rel.
to eXata (for *eXaifa), 'olive tree'; prob. of
Cretan origin. See oil and cp. olive. Cp. also the
second element in Thymelaeaceae.
elan, n., impetuosity, vigor. — F., 'spring, bound,
impetus', fr. earlier elans, fr. elancer, 'to throw',
fr. e- (for earlier es-, fr. L. ex, 'out of) and ML.
lancedre, 'to throw', orig. 'to throw a lance',
fr. L. lancea, 'lance'. See 1st ex- and lance and
cp. launch, v.
elance, tr. and intr. v., to throw; to lance (poetic).
— F. elancer. See prec. word.
eland, n., a large S. African antelope. — S. Afr.
Du. eland, 'elk, eland', fr. Du. eland, 'elk', fr.
early G. elend, elen (= G. Elentier), fr. Lith.
elnis, 'hind ; elk', fr. OLith. ellenis, which is rel.
to OSlav. jeleni, 'stag, hart', lani (for *olnia),
'hind', and cogn. with W. elain, 'hind', Arm. ein,
of s.m., Gk. IXX6<; (for *IXv6?), 'young deer,
fawn', and possibly also with Toch. A ydl,
'antelope, gazelle'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *eln-, -n-enlargement of base *el-,
'brown'. A -^-enlargement of the same base
appears in elk (q.v.) See also lamb and cp. next
word. Cp. also elaphine.
Elaphebolion, n., name of the 9th month of the
Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to the
second half of March and first half of April). —
Gk. 'EX<x97)f3oXicov, lit. 'month in which the Ela-
phebolia were held', fr. 'EXatpir)P<SXia (scil. tepa),
lit. 'feast of the shooting of deer', fr. £Xatp7)P6Xo<;,
'shooting deer', a compound of sXoc<po?, 'deer',
and -poXoq, 'throwing, shooting', which stands
in gradational relationship to fiaXXsiv.'to throw'.
See next word and ballistic.
elaphine, adj., pertaining to the red deer. —
Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. Gk. gXatpo?,
'deer', which stands for *el-n-bhos and is rel.
to iXXo?, 'young deer, fawn'. See eland, the first
element in next word and the second element in
Boselaphus, tragelaphus.
Elaphodus, n., a genus of small deer in China
(zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. £Xa<pio87);, 'deerlike',
formed fr. eXatpo;, 'deer', with suff. -coSt)?, 'like'.
See elaphine and -ode, 'like'.
Elapinae, n. pi., a sub-family of venomous snakes
(zool.) — ModL., formed with suff. -inae fr.
ModL. Elaps, the type genus, fr. Gk. gXotjj, a
var. of IXXoiJi. See ellops and cp. elops.
elapse, intr. v., to pass (said of time). — L. elap-
sus, pp. of ilabi, 'to slip away, glide away, pass,
disappear', fr. e- and labi, 'to slide, glide'. See
lapse.
elasmo-, combining form meaning 'lamelliform'.
— Gk. £Xa<i|jio-, fr. £Xaa|j.6i;, 'a metal plate', fr.
£X5v, 'to drive, strike'. See next word and cp.
the second element in xanthelasma.
elastic, adj., springy. — ModL. elasticus, fr. Gk.
£Xoccttix6i;, fr. £Xav, 'to drive', strike', which is
rel. to £Xauveiv, of s.m., and to ^X&ov, 'I came,
arrived' (used as the aor. of Ip^opiai, T come,
arrive'), and possibly cogn. with Arm. elanem,
'I go forth'. Cp. elasmo-, elater, elaterium and
the second element in Oestrelata and xenelasia.
Derivatives: elastic, n., elastic-ian, n., elastic-
ity, n., elast-ic-ize, tr. v., elast-ic-iz-er, n.
elastin, n., an albuminoid forming the basic con-
stituent of elastic tissue (biochem.) — See prec.
word and chem. suff. -in.
elastometer, n., an instrument for measuring
elasticity. — See elastic and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
elate, tr. v., to uplift. — L. eldtus, 'uplifted, ex-
alted' (used as pp. of efferre, 'to bring out, carry
out; to raise, lift up'), fr. e- and Idtus (used as
pp. of ferre, 'to bear, carry'), which stands for
elate
506
*tldtos, fr. *//-, zero degree of I.-E. base *tel-,
*tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tollere, 'to lift
up, raise', tolerdre, 'to bear, support'. See toler-
ate and cp. collate and words there referred to.
Derivatives: elat-ed, adj., elat-ed-ly, adv., elat-
ed-ness, n.
elate, adj., elated. — L. elatus. See prec. word.
elater, n., an elastic filament serving to disperse
the ripe spores (bot.) — Gk. eXa-ry)p, 'driver',
fr. eXav, 'to drive'. See elastic.
elaterite, n., an elastic bitumen (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. IXa-r^p,
'driver' (see prec. word); so called because of
its elasticity.
elaterium, n., a purgative substance obtained
from the squirting cucumber. — L., fr. Gk.
eXarrjptov, 'squirting cucumber; drug prepared
from the squirting cucumber', prop. neut. of
the adjective eXaT/jpio?, 'driving', used as a noun,
fr. eXav, 'to drive'. See elastic and cp. elater.
Elatinaceae, n. pi., the waterwort family (bot.) —
Formed fr. next word with suff. -aceae.
elatinaceous, adj. — See prec, word and -aceous.
Elatine, n., a genus of plants, the waterwort (bot.)
— L. elatine, name of a plant, fr. Gk. sXa-uvr),
prop. fern, of IXaTivo?, 'pertaining to the fir',
used as a noun, fr. eXaiT], 'fir', which prob.
stands for *el-n-td and is cogn. with Arm. eievin,
cedar', Russ. jdlovec, 'gin'.
elation, n., elatedness. — L. eldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
lifting up; transport, passion; exaltation', fr.
elatus, 'uplifted, exalted'. See elate and -ion.
elbow, n. — Prop, 'bend of the ell' ; ME. elbowe,
fr. OE. elnboga, 'elbow', rel. to ON. olnbogi,
MDu. ellenbdghe, Du. elleboog, OHG. elinbogo,
ellinbogo, MHG. ellenboge, G. EHenbogen, Ell-
bogen. See ell and bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivatives: elbow, tr. v., elbow-ed, adj., elbow-
er, n., elbow-y, adj.
elchee, n., an ambassador. — Turk, ilchi, prop,
'representative of a tribe', fr. il, 'tribe'.
eld, n., old age (archaic.) — ME. elde, fr. OE.
yldo, eldo, 'old age', fr. aid, eald, 'old'. Cp.
OHG. alti, elti, ON. elli, 'old age', and see old.
elder, n., a shrub or a tree of the genus Sambucus.
— ME. eldre, eller, ellerne, fr. OE. ellern, ellen,
rel. to OS. elora, MLG. elre, aire, OHG. elira
(whence G. Eller), erila (whence G. Erie), and
to E. alder and elm (q.v.)
elder, adj., older; n., an older person. — ME.
elder, fr. OE. eldra (fern, and neut. eldre), corn-
par, of aid, eald, 'old'. See old.
Derivatives : elder-ly, adj., elder-li-ness, n., elder-
ship, n.
eldest, adj. — ME. eldest, fr. OE. eldest(a), iel-
dest(a), superl. of aid, eald, 'old'. See old and -est.
El Dorado, an imaginary country or city abound-
ing in gold. — Sp. el dorado (pais), lit. 'the
gilded land', fr. el, masc. def. article (fr. L. ille,
'that'), and dorado, pp. of dorar, 'to gild', fr. L.
deaurdre, 'to gild'. See ille and dorado.
Eldred, masc. PN. — OE. Ealdrld, lit. 'great in
counsel', fr. eald, 'old; great', and rsed, 'counsel'.
See old and read,
eldritch, adj., uncanny. — A collateral form of
Scot, elphrish, which prob. derives fr. elph, 'elf.
See elf.
Eleanor, Elinor, fern. PN. — OF. Elienor, Alienor,
fr. OProvenc. Alienor, a var. of Leonore (q.v.)
Cp. Ella.
Eleatic, adj., pertaining to the philosophers Xeno-
phanes, Parmenides and Zeno, who lived in
Elea. — L. Eleaticus, fr. Elea, fr. Gk. 'EXsa,
name of an ancient Greek colony in Italy (now
called Velia). For the ending see suff. -ic.
Eleazar i) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, Aaron's
son and successor as high priest. — Late L.,
fr. Gk. 'EXea^ap, 'EXsa^apo?, fr. Heb. El'dzdr,
lit. 'God has helped'. For the first element see
El, for the second see Ebenezer. Cp. Lazarus.
elecampane, n., name of a plant. — OF. enule
campane, fr. ML. enula campdna. The first word
derives fr. L. inula, 'elecampane'; see Inula.
The second word is prob. a later form for L.
campdnea, fem of campaneus, 'pertaining to the
field', fr. campus, 'field'; see camp.
elect, tr. and intr. v. — L. electus, pp. of eligere,
'to pick out, choose', fr. e- and legere, 'to gather,
collect, pick out, choose, read'. See lecture and
words there referred to and cp. esp. elegant.
elect, adj. — L. electus, pp. of eligere. See elect, v.
Derivative: elect, n.
election, n. — OF. (F. election), fr. L. electidnem,
acc. of electid, 'choice, selection', fr. electus, pp.
of eligere. See elect, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: election-ary, adj., electioneer (q.v.)
electioneer, intr. v., to work for the success of a
candidate in an election. — Coined fr. election
by the British statesman Edmund Burke (1729-
97). For the ending see suff. -eer.
Derivatives: electioneer, n., electioneer-er, n.,
electioneer-ing, n.
elective, adj. — F. electif (fem. elective), fr. L.
electus, pp. of eligere. See elect, v., and -ive.
Derivatives: elective-ly, adv., elective-ness, n.,
electiv-ity, n.
elector, n. — L. elector, 'chooser, selecter', fr.
electus, pp. of eligere. See elect, v., and agential
suff. -or. Derivatives : elector-al, elector-ial, adjs.,
elector-ate, n.
Electra, n., daughter of Agamemnon (Greek
mythol.) — L. Electra, fr. Gk. 'HXexTpa, which
lit. means 'shining, brilliant', and is rel. to
TjXsx-rwp, 'the beaming sun'. See electric.
electress, n. — See elector and -ess.
electric, adj. — ModL. electricus, lit. 'resembling
amber' ; coined by the English physicist William
Gilbert (1540-1603) in 1600 to denote sub-
stances which share the quality of amber (inas-
much as they attract other substances when
rubbed), fr. L. electrum, 'amber', fr. Gk. fjXex-
xpov, of s.m., which is rel. to ^Xixrtop, 'the
beaming sun', and possibly cogn. with OI. ulkd
'firebrand, meteor'. Cp. Electra.
507
elephantiac
Derivatives: electric, n., electric-al, adj., electric-
al-ly, adv., electric-ian, n., electric-ity, n., elec-
tri-fy, tr. v., electri-fi-er, n., electri-fic-ation, n.,
electr-ize, tr. v., electr-iz-ation, n., electr-iz-er, n.
electricity, n. — Formed fr. electric with suff.
-ity; first used by the English physician Sir
Thomas Browne (1605-1682) in 1646.
electro-, combining form meaning 'electric; elec-
tricity'. — Fr. Gk. yjXexTpov, 'amber'. See
electric.
electrocute, tr. v. — Formed fr. electro- on ana-
logy of execute, the ending of which was mis-
taken for a suff. Derivative: electrocut-ion, n.
electrode, n., a conductor by which an electric
current enters or leaves another medium (phys.)
— Coined by the English physicist and chemist
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) fr. electro- and
Gk. 6S61;, 'way'. See odograph and cp. anode
and cathode.
electrolier, n., a support for electric lamps, re-
sembling a chandelier. — Formed fr. electric
on analogy of chande-lier. Cp. gaselier.
electrolysis, n., decomposition by electricity (phys.
and chem.) — Compounded of electro- and Gk.
Xucjii;, 'a loosing, loosening, setting free ; disso-
lution', fr. Xueiv, 'to loose, loosen, set free; to
dissolve'. See -lysis. The word electrolysis was
introduced by Faraday (see electrode) at the
suggestion of Rev. William Whewell.
electrolyte, n., substance decomposed by elec-
trolysis. — Compounded of electro- and -lyte.
Like the preceding word, this one was also in-
troduced by Faraday at the suggestion of Wil-
liam Whewell.
Derivatives: electrolyt-ic, electrolyt-ic-al, adjs.,
electrolytic-al-ly, adv.
electrolyze, tr. v., to decompose by electricity. —
Back formation fr. electrolysis.
Derivatives: electrolyz-ation, n., electrolyz-er, n.
electromotion, n., motion by electricity. — A
hybrid coined fr. electro- and motion (fr. L.
mdtid).
electromotive, adj., pertaining to electromotion.
— See prec. word and -ive.
electron, n., 1) electrum; 2) unit of negative elec-
tricity. — ModL., fr. Gk. v;Xextpov, 'amber'.
See electric and cp. next word.
electrum, n., an alloy of gold and silver. — L.
electrum, 'amber', fr. Gk. r-XExrpov. See electron.
electuary, n., a medicine formed into a pasty mass
by a combination with honey or sirup. — Late
L. electudrium, fr. Gk. exXetxxov, neut. verbal
adj. of btkziyzw, 'to lick out', fr. ex (see ec-) and
Xetyeiv, 'to lick'. See lick and subst. suff. -ary.
eleemosynary, adj., 1) charitable; 2) dependent
on charity. — ML. eleemosyndrium, fr. L. elee-
mosyna, 'alms', fr. Gk. eXnrKxotruw], 'pity, mer-
cy'. See alms.
Derivatives: eleemosynary, n., eleemosynari-ly,
adv., eleemosynari-ness, n.
elegance, n. — F. elegance, fr. L. clegantia, fr.
elegdns, gen. -otitis. See elegant and -ce.
elegancy, n. — See prec. word and -cy.
elegant, adj. — F. elegant, fr. L. elegantem, acc.
of elegdns, 'choice, tasteful, elegant', a collateral
form of eligens, pres. part, of eligere, 'to choose,
pick out'. See elect, v., and -ant.
elegiac, adj., 1) pertaining to the elegiac meter;
2) used for elegies; 3) mournful. — Late L. ele-
giacus, fr. Gk. eXeysiaxo?, 'elegiac', fr. eXsysia.
See elegy.
elegize, tr. v., to lament in an elegy; intr. v., to
compose an elegy. — See next word and -ize.
elegy, n. — F. elegie, fr. L. elegia, fr. Gk. sXeyeiS,
'elegy', which is short for eXsysia &>8^, 'an ele-
giac song', eXsyeia being the fem. of sXeyeTcx;,
'elegiac', fr. gXeyo?, 'song of lament', which is
prob. of Phrygian origin. Cp. elogium.
element, n. — OF (F. element), fr. L. elementum,
'first principle, element'. Of the many etymo-
logies suggested, the most probable is that
which derives the word elementum fr. *elepan-
tum, 'ivory letter', an ancient Latin loan word
fr. Gk. IXecpavTa, acc. of cXstpa?, 'elephant;
ivory'. The change of *elepantum to elementum
is prob. due to Etruscan influence. See elephant.
Derivatives: element-al, adj. and n., element-ary,
adj., element-ari-ly, adv., element-ari-ness, n.
elemi, n., a fragrant raisin. — Sp. elemi, fr. VArab.
elemt, corresponding to Arab, al-ldmi.
elenchus, n., a refutation. — L., fr. Gk. gXeyxo?
(masc), 'disproof, argument by refutation',
which is rel. to eXsyxo; (neut.), 'blame, disgrace',
cXey/eiv, 'to disprove; to disgrace', and possibly
cogn. with Lett, langdt, 'to disgrace, abuse'. Cp.
next word.
elenctic, adj., serving to disprove. — Gk. IXeyx-
tixo?, 'fond of cross-questioning, critical', fr.
eXlyxetv. See prec. word and -ic.
Eleocharis, n., a genus of plants, the spike rush
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'delight of the marsh',
compounded of Gk. eXo?, 'marsh', and x<*pt?,
'grace, delight'. The first element is cogn. with
OI. sdras-, 'pond'. For the second element see
Charis.
elephant, n. — ME. elifaunt, olifaunt, fr. OF. oli-
fant (F. elephant), fr. L. elephantus, fr. Gk.
sXespx? (gen. -scvtoi;). The first element of Gk.
eX-etpa? appears also in Hamitic e\u, 'elephant',
whence prob. Pers. p-il, Arab, ph-il, Mishnaic
Heb. p-il, of s.m. The second element is an
Egyptian loan word. Cp. MEgypt. yb, 'ele-
phant', whence Yebu (Heb. Yebh), original
name of the island Elephantine; cp. also the
second element in Heb. shen-habbim, 'ivory',
lit. 'tooth of the elephant', and OI. tbhah, 'ele-
phant'. See ivory and cp. Eburna. Cp. also
element.
Derivatives: elephantiac (q.v.), elephantiasis
(q.v.), elephant-ic, adj., elephantine (q.v.), ele-
phant-oid, elephant-ous, adjs.
elephantiac, adj., one who has elephantiasis. — L.
elephantiacus, rel. to elephantiasis. See next
word.
elephantiasis
508
elephantiasis, n., a chronic disease of the skin
characterized by the thickening of certain parts
of the body, esp. the legs. — L., fr. Gk. eXe-
(pavxiotCTi?, fr. eXeipoE:;, gen. -avTo?, 'elephant'.
See elephant and -iasis. According to Aretaeus
^Xs9avTiact? prop, means 'disease characterized
by a skin resembling that of an elephant'.
elephantine, adj., i) of an elephant; 2) like an
elephant, clumsy. — L. elephantinus, 'pertain-
ing to the elephant', fr. elephantus, 'elephant',
cp. Gk. JXecpavrivoq, 'of ivory', fr. eXeipas, gen.
-avTo?, 'elephant'. See elephant and -ine (re-
presenting Gk. -Ivog).
Elephantopus, n., a genus of plants (bot) —
ModL., lit. 'the elephant's foot', compounded
of Gk. sXe<pai;, gen. -avro;, 'elephant', and 7roui;,
'foot'. See elephant and -pod.
Elephas, n., the genus of elephants. — L. ele-
phds, a secondary form of elephantus, fr. Gk.
cXetpa?. See elephant.
Eleusine, n., a genus of grasses, the goose grass,
the yard grass (bot.)— ModL., fr. Gk. 'EXeuaf?,
gen. -wo?, 'the town of the cult of Demeter'.
See next word.
Eleusinian, adj., pertaining to Eleusis. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Eleusinius, fr. Gk. 'EXeu-
ahioc,, 'pertaining to Eleusis', fr.'EXeuCT^, gen.
-ivoQ, town of the cult of Demeter, the goddess
of harvests. Cp. prec. word.
eleuther-, form of eleuthero- before a vowel.
eleutherarch, n., chief of an (imaginary) society
(lit. 'chief of the free'). — Compounded of
eleuthero- and Gk. -Apxvjs, 'leader of. See
-arch.
Eleutherian, adj., delivering (epithet of Zeus). —
Formed with suff. -an fr. Gk. eXsu^ptoq, 're-
leaser, deliverer', fr. i^td&zpoq, 'free'. See
eleuthero-.
eleuthero-, before a vowel eleuther-, combining
form meaning 'free'. — Gk. eXeu&epo-, eXeu-
#Ep-, fr. eXeti*Epot;, 'free', fr. I.-E. base *leu-
dheros, whence also L. liber, 'free'. This base
derives fr. base *leudho-, *leudhi-, 'people';
accordingly Gk. tkeuSspoc, and L. liber orig.
meant 'belonging to the people', hence 'of legal
descent'. See liberal and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
eleutheromania, n., a frantic zeal for freedom. —
Compounded of eleuthero- and mania.
Derivative: eleutheromani-ac, adj.
eleutheropetalous, adj., having free petals (bot.) —
Compounded of eleuthero- and -petalous.
eleutherophyllous, adj., having free leaves (bot.)
— Compounded of eleuthero- and -phyllous.
eleutherosepalous, adj., having free sepals (bot.)
— Compounded of eleuthero- and -sepalous.
elevate, tr. v., to raise. — L. elevatus, pp. of ele-
vdre, 'to raise, lift; to lighten, alleviate', fr. e-
and levare, 'to lighten, alleviate; to raise, lift',
fr. levis, 'light'. See lever and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. Levant, alevin, alleviate.
Derivatives: elevat-ed, adj., elevat-ed-ly, adv.,
elevat-ed-ness, n., elevation (q.v.), elevator (q.v.),
elevat-ory, adj.
elevation, n. — F. elevation, fr. L. elevdtidnem,
acc. of elevatio, 'a raising, lifting', fr. elevatus,
pp. of elevdre. See prec. word and -ion.
elevator, n. — Late L. elevator, 'one who raises
or lifts', fr. L. elevatus, pp. of elevdre. See ele-
vate and agential suff. -or.
eleven, adj. and n. — ME. elevyn, enleven, fr. OE.
endleofan, endlufon, endlyfon, rel. to OS. elle-
Van, ON. ellifu, Dan. elve, Swed. elva, OFris.
andlova, elleva, Du. elf, OHG. einlif, MHG.
einlif, eilif, eilf, G. eilf, later elf, Goth, ainlif.
These words are formed fr. Teut. *ain-, 'one',
and I.-E. base *%■"-, 'to be left over', whence
also Gk. Xei7reiv, 'to leave behind, leave', L.
linquere, of s.m. Accordingly eleven prop,
means 'one left over (after ten)'; cp. Lith.
vienudlika, 'eleven' (lit. 'one left over'), dvylika,
'twelve' (lit. 'two left over'). For the first ele-
ment see one, for the second see loan. Cp. twelve.
eleventh, adj. and n. — Formed fr. eleven with
numeral suff. -th on analogy of fourth. Cp. OE.
endleofta, endlyfta, which is rel. to OS. ellifto,
ON. ellifti, Dan. elvte, OFris. andlofta, ellefta,
Du. elfde, OHG. einlifto, MHG. eilifte, eilfte,
G. elfte, 'eleventh'.
elf, n. — OE. self, ylf rel. to ON. alfr, OS., MLG.
alf, MHG., G. alp, 'incubus'. The connection
of these Teut. words with L. albus, 'white', is
due to folk etymology. See alp, 'a demon', and
and cp. Alfred, Aubrey, eldritch, oaf, Oberon,
Oliver. Cp. also the first element in erlking.
Derivatives: elfin (q.v.), elfish, adj., elf-ish-ly,
adv., elfish-ness, n., elf-kin, n.
elfin, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, elves; n.,
1) an elf; 2) a child. — Coined by Spenser fr.
prec. word. For the ending see adj. suff. -in.
Eli, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, a high priest
of Israel and teacher of Samuel. — Heb. '£//,
lit. 'high', from the base of 'dld h , 'he went up,
ascended', which is rel. to Aram. — Syr. 'alt,
Ugar. 'Ay, Arab, 'aid, Akkad. elu, 'he went up,
ascended', Heb., Aram, 'al, Arab, aid, 'on,
upon'. See aliyah and cp. Alenu.
Elias, masc. PN. — Gk. 'EXLiq, fr. Heb. EliydK
See Elijah.
elicit, tr. v., to draw forth, provoke. — L. elicitus,
pp. of elicere, 'to draw forth, elicit', fr. e- and
lacere, 'to entice, allure', which is rel. to laqueus,
'a noose, snare', deliciae, 'delight, charm'. See
lace and cp. delicious, delight. For the change
of Latin d (in lacere) to i (in e-licere) see abigeat
and cp. words there referred to.
elide, tr. v., to leave out. — L. elidere, 'to strike
out', fr. e- and laedere, 'to hurt, injure'. See
lesion. For the change of Latin ae (in laedere)
to 1 (in e-lidere) see acquire and words there
referred to and cp. esp. collide.
eligibility, n. — Formed fr. eligible with suff. -ity.
Cp. F. eligibilite.
eligible, n. — F. eligible, fr. L. eligere, 'to pick
509
ellipse
out, choose', fr. e- and legere, 'to gather, col-
lect, pick out, choose; to read'. See lecture and
-ible and cp. elect, v. For the change of Latii
e (in legere) to i (in e-ligere), see abstinent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: eligibility (q.v.), eligible-ness, n.,
eligibl-y, adv.
Elihu, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the name of
several personages, amongst whom the most
famous is found in the Book of Job (see chap-
ters 32-37); he is the youngest of the four men
who visited Job. — Heb. Eliha, lit. 'He is my
God'. For the first element see El. Heb. hu,
'he', is rel. to Aram.-Syr. hit, Arab, huwa,
Ethiop. we'tu, Akkad. shu, 'he'.
Elijah, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, name of the
great prophet also known as the Tishbite. —
Heb. Eliyyd", lit. "The Lord is God'. For the
first element see El and words there referred to
and cp. esp. Joel. For the second element in
Elijah cp. the second element in hallelujah,
Hezekiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Matthias,
Nehemiah, Obadiah, Zachariah, Zephaniah. Cp.
also Elias, a shortened form of Elijah.
eliminable, adj. — See eliminate and -able.
eliminant, adj., promoting elimination (med.) —
L. elimindns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of elimindre.
See next word and -ant.
eliminate, tr. v., 1) to remove; 2) to exclude. —
L. eliminatus, pp. of elimindre, 'to turn out of
doors, banish', fr. e- and limen, gen. timinis,
'threshold, entrance'. See limen and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: eliminat-ion, n., eliminat-or, n.,
eliminat-ory, adj.
Elishah, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, an Israelite
prophet, disciple and successor of Elijah. —
Heb. Elishd', lit. 'God is salvation', fr. El, 'God',
and yesha', 'salvation'. For the first element see
El and cp. words there referred to. The second
element is rel. to y e shu'd h , 'salvation, deliver-
ance, welfare, prosperity', hoshta', 'he saved'.
See hosanna and cp. the first element in Isaiah
and the second element in Joshua.
elision, n. — L. elisid, gen. -onis, 'a striking out,
elision', fr. elisus, pp. of elidere, 'to strike out'.
See elide and -ion and cp. collision.
elisor, n., a person appointed to return a jury
(law). — OF. elisour (¥. eliseur), from the stem
of elire (F. elire), 'to choose'. See next word.
elite, n., a choice part. — F., fr. OF. eslite, fern,
of eslit, pp. of eslire (F. elire), 'to choose', fr.
L. electus, pp. of eligere. See elect and cp.
prec. word.
elixir, n., 1) a substance supposed to prolong life;
2) a substance supposed to change all metals
into gold. — ML., fr. Arab, al-iksir, which is
formed fr. Arab, al-, 'the', and Gk. ^rjpiov, 'dry
medicinal substance, cataplasm', fr. 5r)p6s, 'dry'.
See serene and cp. xero-.
Elizabeth, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the name
of the wife of Aaron. — Late L. Elisabeth, fr.
Gk. 'EXeiaa^ed, 'EXtoaPcT, fr. Heb. Elishebha',
lit. 'God is an oath'. For the first element see El.
The second element is rel. to shiv e d h , fern, sheva',
'seven', and to nishbd', 'he swore', orig. 'he
bound himself by the sacred number seven'. See
Shabuoth and cp. the second element in Bath-
sheba. Cp. also Elsa.
Elizabethan, adj., pertaining to the age of Queen
Elizabeth I. — First used by Carlyle, instead of
Elizabethian, which was coined by Coleridge.
See prec. word and -ian, resp. -an.
elk, n., the largest existing deer. — ON. elgr,
rel. to OE. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elhe, G.
Elch; Gk. &kxr\ and L. alces, 'elk', are Teut.
loan words. The above Teut. words are cogn.
with OI. fsah, fsyah, 'buck of the antelope',
Russ. losu, Czech los, etc., 'elk'. These words
derive fr. I.-E. base *elk-, a -^-enlargement of
base *el-, 'brown'. For derivatives of *eln-,
-n-enlargement of base *-el-, see eland and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also Alces and the
first element in hellebore.
Elkanah, n., 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name
of the father of the prophet of Samuel. — Heb.
Elqani h , lit. 'God has created or acquired'. For
the first element see El. Heb. qdnd h , 'he created
or acquired', from which derive qinydn, 'thing
acquired, acquisition', and miqne h , 'cattle', is
rel. to Aram.-Syr. q'nd, 'he acquired', Arab.
qdnd, 'he acquired, procured', and prob. also
to Akkad. qanu, 'to gain, acquire'. Cp. Cain.
ell, n. — ME. ellen, eln, fr. OE. eln, rel. to OS.,
OHG. elina, ON. din, Du. el, elle, MHG. elene,
ele, G. Elle, Goth, aleina, fr. I.-E. base *olena,
whence also OI. aratnih, 'elbow, ell', Gk. wXsvtj,
'elbow', L. ulna, 'elbow, ell', Olr. idle (gen.
uilenn), W. and Co. elin (for *olind), 'elbow',
OI. dmh (for *dlni), 'part of leg above the knee',
Arm. oln, 'dorsal vertebra, spine, shoulder',
uln, 'spine, shoulder', OSlav. lanita (for *olnita),
'cheek'. Cp. — with -^--enlargement — Lith. al-
kune, 'elbow', Lith. uolektis, OSlav. lakuti, 'ell',
Alb. fer£, Gheg lam, 'the arm from the elbow
to the hand'. Cp. elbow. Cp. also alnage, ulna
and the first element in linchpin.
Ella, fem. PN. — Fr. earlier Ela, Ala, fr. OHG.
Alia, a name derived fr. OHG. al, 'all', ala-
(as the first element of compounds), 'entirely,
quite'; see all. Quite frequently the name Ella
appears as the diminutive or pet form of
Eleanor.
-ella, dimin. suff. — L. -ella, fem. of -ellus.
ellagic, adj., rel. to the acid C u H 6 O s (chem.) —
F. ellagique, coined by the French chemist
Henri Braconnot (1781-1855) fr. ellag, anagram
of galle, 'gallnut' (see gall, 'gallnut'), and -ique;
so called by him because it was first obtained
from oak galls.
Ellen, fem. PN. — An earlier form of Helen.
ellipse, n., one of the three conic sections (geom.)
— Back formation fr. L. ellipses, pi. of ellipsis,
'want, defect, omission, ellipse', fr. Gk. IXXshJhs,
ellipsis
510
'a falling short, defect', fr. iXkdnziv, 'to fall
short of, fail, omit', fr. ev (see en-) and Idnsiv,
'to leave, forsake, be behind', which is cogn.
with L. linquere, 'to leave'; see relinquish and
cp. eclipse. The Pythagoreans used the word
eXXen}it? if the base of a figure, that was to be
constructed so that it should be equal in area
to a given figure of different shape, fell short of
the base of the original figure. Apollonius of
Perga, 'the Great Geometer', who lived in the
3rd cent. B.C.E., applied the term gXXei^i? for
the first time to denote the ellipse (in his Conica,
I 13), in reference to the circumstance that the
square on the ordinate is equal to a rectangle
whose height is equal to the abscissa, applied
to the parameter, but falling short of it; see
parabola and cp. hyperbola.
ellipsis, n. , omission of one or more words (gram.)
— L., fr. Gk. iXkei^iq, 'a falling short, defect'.
See prec. word.
ellipsoid, n., a solid figure, all plane sections of
which are ellipses or circles; adj., pertaining to,
or resembling, an ellipsoid (geom.) — Lit.
'ellipse-shaped'. See ellipse and -oid and cp.
elliptoid.
Derivative: ellipsoid-al, adj.
elliptic, elliptical, adj., 1) pertaining to, or shaped
like, an ellipse; 2) pertaining to, or character-
ized, by an ellipsis. — Gk. EXXEm-uxo?, 'per-
taining to the ellipse', fr. eXXei^k;, 'ellipse'. See
ellipse and -ic.
Derivatives: elliptic-al-ly, adv., elliptic-al-ness,
n., elliptic-ity, n.
elliptoid, adj., resembling an ellipse. — See ellipse
and -oid and cp. ellipsoid.
ellops, n., i) a serpent; 2) a kind of fish. — Gk.
eXXoi^, 'fish; serpent', assimilated fr. *ev-Xo(Jj,
lit. 'scaly', fr. ev, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and Xom;,
a collateral form of Xem?, 'scale', which is rel. to
Xettsiv, 'to peel'. See leper and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also elops, Elapinae.
elm, n. — ME., fr. OE., rel. to Dan. elm, ON.
almr, Swed., Norw. aim, OHG. elme, elm, ilme
(G. Ulme is a Latin loan word), and cogn. with
Olr. lem, 'elm'. See alder, elder.
Derivative: elm-y, adj.
elocution, n., 1) style of speaking in public; 2) the
art of speaking in public. — L. elocutid, gen.
-onis, 'a speaking out, utterance', fr. elocutus,
pp. of eloqui, 'to speak out', fr. e- and loqui, 'to
speak'. See loquacious and -ion and cp. eloquent,
locution.
Derivatives: elocution-ary, adj., elocution-er, n.,
elocution-ist, n.
eloge, n., a eulogy; a funeral address. — F.,
'praise', fr. earlier eulogie, fr. ML. eulogium;
influenced in form by a confusion with L. elo-
gium. See eulogy and cp. next word.
elogium, n., 1) inscription on a tombstone; 2) a
funeral address. — L., 'a short saying, maxim,
inscription on a tombstone', fr. Gk. iXcyetov
((jiTpov), 'distich consisting of a hexameter and
a pentameter (the usual meter of the elegy)',
neuter of sXeyeio<;, 'of the elegy', fr. i'Kzyoq,
'elegy', but influenced in form by Gk. suXoyia,
'praise'. See elegy and cp. eulogy. Cp. also prec.
word.
Elohim, n., one of the names of God in the Bible.
— Heb. Elohim, pi. of £l6 a h, 'God', of un-
certain etymology; possibly enlarged fr. El.
See El. Cp. Aram. Eltih, in the emphatic state
Elahi, Syr. Alldhd; Arab. Mh, with the article,
Alldhu (see Allah).
eloign, eloin, tr. v., to remove to a distance. — F.
eloigner, fr. OF. esloignier, fr. Late L. exlongdre,
elongdre, 'to remove, keep aloof, which is
formed fr. L. ex, e, 'out of (see e-), and longe,
'far off, adv. of longus, 'long'. See long, adj.,
and cp. elongate.
elongate, tr. v., to make long; intr. v., to extend.
— L. elongdtus, pp. of elongdre, 'to prolong,
protract', formed fr. e- and longus, 'long'. See
long and verbal suff. -ate and cp. eloign.
elongate, adj., long and thin. — L. elongdtus, pp.
of elongdre. See elongate, v.
elongation, n., 1) a lengthening; extension; 2)
something elongated. — ML. elongdtid, gen.
-onis, fr. L. elongdtus, pp. of elongdre. See elon-
gate, v., and -ion.
elope, intr. v., to run away (said esp. of lovers).
— AF. aloper, fr. ME. lopen, 'to run', fr. Du.
lopen, which is rel. to ON. hlaupa, OHG.
hlouffan, louffan, MHG. loufen, G. laufen, OE.
hleapan. See leap, and cp. lope, interloper, land-
loper.
Derivative: elope-ment, n.
elops, n., 1) formerly, a sea fish; 2) (cap.) a genus
of fishes, the chiro (ichthyoid) — ModL., fr. Gk.
eXo^, a var. of zKhoty. See ellops.
eloquence, n. — F. eloquence, fr. L. eloquentia,
'eloquence', fr. eloquens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
eloquent, adj., fluent, forceful. — F. eloquent, fr.
L. eloquentem, acc. of eloquens, pres. part of
eloqui, 'to speak out, pronounce', fr. e- and
loqui, 'to speak'. See loquacious and -ent and cp.
elocution.
Derivatives: eloquent-ly, adv., eloquent-ness, n.
Elsa, fern. PN. — G., dimin. of Elisabet, fr. Late
L. Elisabeth. See Elizabeth.
else, adj. — ME. elles, fr. OE. elles, neut. gen.
of adj., used as an adv. in the sense of 'other-
wise', rel. to Goth, aljis, 'other', OHG. eli-lenti,
el-lenti, OS. eli-lendi, OE. el-lende, 'in a foreign
land', MHG. ellende, G. elend, 'unfortunate,
wretched', ON. elja, 'rival' (fern.), lit. 'the
other', and to the first element in OHG. Eli-
sd33o (whence G. Elsafi, 'Alsace'), 'inhabit-
ant of the other bank of the Rhine', and cogn.
with Toch. A dlya-k, B alye-k, 'somebody else',
Gk. SXKoq (for *<£Xio<;), L. alius, Arm. ail, Olr. aile,
W., Co. aile, 'other'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *ali-os, 'other', which is an enlarge-
ment of base *ali-, 'there, beyond'. Cp. adulte-
rate, v., agio, alias, alibi, alien, allactite, allagite,
allelo-, Allemanni, alio-, Allobroges, allotrio-,
Alsatia, alter, altercate, altruism, ataunt, aubain,
catallactic, diallage, hypallage, parallactic,
parallel, subaltern, synallagmatic, trophallaxis,
ulterior, ultra.
elucidate, tr. v., to make clear. — L. eluciddtus,
pp. of eluciddre, 'to enlighten', fr. e- and liicidus,
'clear, bright, shining', lit. 'full of light'. See
lucid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: elucidat-ion, n., elucidat-ive, adj.,
elucidat-or, n., elucidat-ory, adj.
elude, tr. v., 1) to avoid cleverly; 2) to evade. — •
L. eludere, 'to delude, deceive, cheat, frustrate',
orig. 'to win from one at play', fr. e- and ludere,
'to play'. See ludicrous and cp. elusion, elusive.
Cp. also allude, delude.
Elul, n., name of the sixth Jewish month. — Heb.
Elul, fr. Akkad. ululu, elulu, 'harvest, harvest
time', lit. 'the time when the produce of the
land is brought in', rel. to Aram, "dial, 'he
brought in', dlaltd, 'that which is brought in,
produce, harvest', Heb. '<?/, 'yoke', Akkad. allu,
ullu, 'yoke, chain', Arab, ghdlla, 'he put in,
thrust in', ghull, 'iron ring round a prisoner's
neck at which his hands are tied'.
elusion, n. — ML. elusid, gen. -onis, fr. L. elusus,
pp. of eludere. See elude and -ion and cp. allu-
sion, delusion, illusion.
elusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
elusus, pp. of eludere. See elude and cp. allu-
sive, delusive.
Derivatives: elusive-ly, adv., elusive-ness, n.
elusory, adj. — ML. elusdrius, fr. L. elusus, pp.
of eludere. See elude and adj. suff. -ory and cp.
illusory.
Derivative : elusori-ness, n.
elution, n., washing, purification (chem.) — L.
elutid, gen. -onis, 'a washing out', fr. elutus, pp.
of eluere, 'to wash out, wash off, clean', fr. e-
and luere, 'to wash'. See lave and -ion and cp.
alluvion and words there referred to.
elvan, n., quartz porphyry. — Co. elven, 'spark',
elver, n., a young eel. — The same as eelfare.
Elvira, fern. PN. — Sp., of Teut. origin,
elvish, adj. — Formed fr. elf with adj. suff. -ish.
Cp. elfish.
Elymus, n., a genus of plants, the wild rye, the
lyme grass (hot.)— ModL., fr. Gk. gXujxos, 'a kind
of plant; millet'; which is of unknown origin.
Elysia, n., a genus of sea slugs (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. L. Elysium. See Elysium.
Elysian, adj., pertaining to Elysium. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Elysius, 'of Elysium', fr.
Elysium. See next word.
Elysium, n., the abode of the happy souls after
death (Greek mythol.) — L. Elysium, fr. Gk.
'HXuaiov (short for 'HXiiaiov 7reSiov, 'Elysian
plain'), a pre-Greek word of unknown origin.
See Frisk, GEW., p. 633.
elytral, adj., pertaining to an elytron. — See
elytron and adj. suff. -al.
emasculate
elytro-, combining form denoting connection
with, or relation to, the vagina. — Fr. Gk. gXu-
xpov, 'sheath, case'. See next word.
elytron, n., one of the hardened wings in the
Coleoptera and some other insects (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. gXuTpov, 'sheath, case', fr.
sXtteiv, cEXiistv, 'to roll round', which stands for
*feXvikiv or *efeXusiv, fr. I.-E. base *welu-, 'to
bend, turn, twist, roll', whence also L. volvere,
'to roll'. See volute and cp. hemielytron. Cp.
also epulis, parulis.
Elzevir, adj., pertaining to the Elzevirs, a Dutch
family of printers, or to books printed or
published by them.
Derivative: Elzevir, n., a book printed by the
Elzevirs.
em, n., 1) the letter m; 2) anything shaped like
an m; 3) unit of measure of printed matter;
orig. space occupied by the printed letter m.
em-, assimilated form of en- before b, m, p. Cp.
im-, 'in'.
emaciate, tr. v., to cause to become excessively
lean; intr. v., to become excessively lean. —
L. emacidtus, pp. of emacidre, 'to make lean;
to waste away', fr. e- and macidre, 'to make
thin', fr. macies, 'thinness', which is rel. to
macer, 'thin'. See meager and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: emaciat-ed, adj., emaciat-ion, n.
emanant, adj., that which emanates. — L. emd-
ndns, gen. -amis, pres. part, of emdndre. See
next word and -ant.
emanate, intr. v. — L. emdndtus, pp. of emdndre,
'to flow out, arise, proceed, emanate', fr. e-
and mdndre, 'to flow, run', which prob. derives
fr. I.-E. *md-no-, 'moist, wet', whence also Mir.
main, 'moor, swamp', W. mawn, 'turf.
Derivatives: emanation (q.v.), emanat-ive, adj.
emanation, n. — Late L. emdndtid, gen. -onis, 'a
flowing out, emanation', fr. L. emdndtus, pp. of
emdndre. See emanate and -ion.
emancipate, tr. v., to make free. — L. emanci-
pate, pp. of emancipdre, 'to declare a person
free and independent, to give from under one's
own authority into that of another', fr. e- and
mancipdre, 'to make over as property, to trans-
fer property', fr. manceps, gen. -ipis, 'purchaser,
contractor, owner', which stands for *man-
cap-s, lit. 'one who takes by hand', fr. manus,
'hand', and capere, 'to catch, seize, take, hold'.
See manual and captive and verbal sufT. -ate and
cp. mancipate.
Derivatives: emancipat-ive, adj., emancipat-or,
n., emancipat-ory, adj., emancipat-ress, n.(rare).
emancipation, n. — L. emancipated, gen. -onis,
'the releasing of a son from paternal authority',
fr. emancipdtus, pp. of emancipdre. See prec.
word and -ion and cp. mancipation.
emancipationist, n., an advocate of emancipat-
ion. — A hybrid coined fr. prec. word and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin.
emasculate, tr. v. 1) to castrate; 2) to weaken. —
L. emasculdtus, pp. of emasculdre, 'to emascu-
emasculate
512
late, castrate', fr. e- and masculus, 'male; manly'.
See masculine and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: emasculat-ion, n., emasculat-ive,
emasculat-ory, adjs.
emasculate, adj., i) emasculated; 2) effeminate. —
L. emasculdtus, pp. of emasculare. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ate.
embalm, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) embaumer, fr. em-,
en-, 'in', and baUme, 'balm'. See em- and balm.
Derivatives: embalm-er, n., embalm-ment, n.
embank, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bank, 'edge
of a river'.
Derivative: embank-ment, n.
embargo, n. — Sp., 'seizure, embargo', fr. em-
bargar, 'to impede, restrain, seize, embargo', fr.
VL. *imbarricdre, 'to impede', formed fr. 1st
im- and *barra, 'bar, barrier'. See bar, 'rod of
metal', and cp. embarrass.
Derivative : embargo, tr. v.
embark, tr. and intr. v. — F. embarquer, fr. VL.
*imbarcare, fr. im- and L. barca, 'a small boat,
bark'. See em- and bark, 'a kind of ship', and
cp. disembark.
Derivatives: embark-ation, n., embark-ment, n.
embarras de richesse, embarrassment caused by a
surplus of riches. — F.; see next word. The
phrase is now replaced in French by embarras
du choix (lit. 'embarrassment of choice').
embarrass, tr. v. — F. embarrasser, fr. Sp. em-
barazar, fr. It. imbarazzare, a derivative of im-
barrare, 'to impede, bar, embarrass', fr. im- and
barra, 'bar'. See em- and bar, 'rod of metal', and
cp. embargo. Cp. also disembarrass, debarrass.
Derivatives: embarrass-ing-ly, adv., embarrass-
ment (q.v.)
embarrassment, n. — F. embarrassement, fr. em-
barrasser. See prec. word and -ment.
embassage, n., embassy (archaic). — See next
word and -age.
embassy, n. — OF. ambassee, fr. It. ambasciata,
'embassy' (whence also F. ambassade), fr.
OProvenc. ambaissada (whence also Sp. em-
bajada), fr. OProvenc. *ambaissa, 'service',
which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. Goth, andbahti,
OE. ambiht, OS. ambaht, ON. embxtti, OHG.
ambaht(i), MHG. ambeht, 'service, office', G.
Amt, 'office'. The Teut. words themselves are of
Celtic origin, and lit. mean 'a going or driving
around'; cp. Gaul.-L. ambactus, 'servant', lit.
'one going around'. See ambages and cp. am-
bassador, amt.
embattle, tr. v., to prepare for battle. — OF. em-
bataillier, fr. em-, 'in', and bataille, 'battle'.
See em- and battle.
Derivative: embattl-ed, adj.
embattle, tr. v., to provide with battlements. —
See em- and battlement,
embay, tr. v., 1) to shelter as in a bay; 2) to form
into bays. — Formed fr. em- and bay, 'inlet'.
Derivatives: embay-ed, adj., embay-ment, n.
embed, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bed.
embellish, tr. v., to adorn. — ME. embeliisshen.
fr. OF. (= F.) embelliss-, pres. part, stem of
embellir, 'to beautify', fr. em- and bel, 'beauti-
ful'. See beauty and verbal suff. -ish and cp.
beau, belle.
Derivatives: embellish-er, n., embellish-ment, n.
ember, n. — ME. emer, aymer, fr. OE. semerge,
'embers, ashes', rel. to ON. eimyrja, OHG. ei-
muria, MHG. eimer, G. Ammern, 'embers', ON.
ysja, 'fire', usli, OE. ysle, 'glowing ashes, em-
bers', fr. I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn', whence also
L. urere, 'to burn'. See combust and cp. words
there referred to.
ember days, twelve days of the year, three in each
season, set aside for fasting and prayers (Roman
Catholic and Anglican Church). — ME. ymber,
fr. OE. ymbren, prop, 'recurring days', fr. ym-
bryne, 'a circuit', lit. 'a running around', com-
pounded of ymb, 'round', and ryne, 'a running,
course'. OE. ymb is cogn. with Gk. <xfj.<p£, 'round
about', L. ambo, 'both'; see ambi-. OE. ryne
is rel. to OE. rinnan, 'to run'; see run.
embergoose, n., the loon. — Norw. imbre, ioon',
prob. fr. imbredage, name of the days in the week
before Christmas; so called because the bird
appears on the coast in the days before Christ-
mas. Norw. imbredage derives fr. ON. imbru-
dagar, ymhrudagar, 'ember days', fr. OE. ym-
bren, of s.m. See ember days.
Ember iza, n., a genus of birds, the bunting (orni-
thol.) — ModL., fr. Swiss G. Emmeritz, which
is rel. to dial G. Emmerling and to G. Ammer,
'bunting'. See yellowhammer.
embezzle, tr. v., to appropriate by fraud. — OF.
embesillier, 'to ill-treat', fr. em-, 'in' (see em-)
and besillier, 'to torment', which is derived by
Skeat from the OF. pref. bes- (fr. L. bis-, used
in a pejorative sense). — I suggest that OF.
beser derives fr. OHG. bi^san, equivalent of
OE. bitan, 'to bite, sting'. See bite and cp. bezzle.
Derivatives: embezzle-ment, n., embezzl-er, n.
embitter, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bitter.
Derivatives: embitter-er, n., embitter-ment, n.
emblaze, tr. v., to emblazon, embellish. —
Formed fr. em- and blaze, 'to make known',
emblaze, tr. v., to set ablaze. — Formed fr. em-
and blaze, 'to burn with flame',
emblazon, tr. v., to adorn with heraldic devices,
etc. — Formed fr. em- and blazon.
Derivatives: emblazon-ment, n., emblazon-ry, n.
emblem, n., a visible symbol. — L. emblema, fr.
Gk. l(ji|3XT)ixa, 'insertion', lit. 'something thrown
in', fr. e(i.^dcXXstv, 'to throw in, insert', fr. b>
(see 2nd en-) and (SaXXeiv, 'to throw'. See bal-
listic and cp. periblem, problem, symbol.
Derivatives: emblem, tr. v., emblemat-ic, em-
blemat-ic-al, adjs., emblemat-ic-al-ly, adv., em-
blemat-ic-al-ness, n., emblem-at-ist, n., emblem-
atize, tr. v.
emblement, n., usually in the pi.: emblements,
crop; profits of a crop (law). — OF. emblae-
ment, emblavement, 'land sown with wheat', fr.
emblaer (F. emblaver), 'to sow with wheat', fr.
513
eme
ML. imbladdreji. i'm-(seeim-,'in*)and6/a<3fc!,'the
yield of a land', fr. Frankish *bldd- (whence also
F. bU, 'wheat, corn'), which is rel. to OE. blxd,
'flower, fruit, harvest'. See blade and -ment.
emblic, n., name of an East Indian tree. — ML.
emblica, fr. dmleg, Egyptian pronunciation of
Arab, dmlaj, fr. Pers. dmleh, ultimately fr. OI.
amlak, whence also Malay malaka, 'emblic',
which latter, according to Malay tradition, ap-
pears also in the name of the peninsula Malakka.
See Devic's Supplement to LittrS's Dictionary.
P-33- v
embody, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. em- and
body.
Derivative: embodi-ment, n.
embog, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bog.
embolden, tr. v. — Formed fr. em-, bold and
verbal suff. -en.
embolic, adj., pertaining to an embolus or an
embolism (med.) — See embolus, embolism,
and -ic.
embolism, n., 1) intercalation of a day or days in
the calendar, as in a leap year; 2) the time inter-
calated; 3) in med., obstruction of a blood vessel
by an embolus. — Late L. embolismus, 'insertion,
interposition', fr. Gk. £[x(3o}.icxu.6<;, fr. £[i.[SaXXei.v,
'to throw in, insert'. See emblem and -ism.
Derivatives: embolism-al, embolism-ic, embo-
Hsm-ic-al, adjs.
embolus, n., something inserted (calendar, mech.
and med.) — L., fr. Gk. tpfiokoq, 'stopper,
wedge', fr. £^£i<iXXeiv. See prec. word and cp.
next word.
emboly, n., invagination (embryol.) — Gk. iy.-
(HoXt), 'a throwing in, putting in, insertion', fr.
£|xflaXXs[.v, 'to throw into'. See emblem and cp.
embolism.
embonpoint, n., stoutness. — F., fr. en bon point,
'in good condition', euphemism for 'stoutness'.
See 1st en-, bonus and point, n.
embosom, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bosom.
emboss, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and boss, 'pro-
tuberance'.
Derivatives: emboss-er, n., emboss-ment, n.
embouchure, n., mouth of a river; mouthpiece.
— F., fr. emboucher, 'to put to one's mouth; to
sound (a wind instrument)', fr. em- and bouche,
'mouth'. See buccal and -ure and cp. debouch.
embow, tr. v., to bend into a bow; to vault. —
Formed fr. em- and bow, 'anything bent'.
Derivative: embow-ed, adj.
embowel, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and bowel. In
the sense 'to disembowel', the pref. em- has
been confused with OF. es- (fr. L. ex), 'out of.
embower, tr. v., to enclose in, or as in, a bower.
— Formed fr. em- and bower, 'cottage',
embrace, tr. v. — ME. embracen, fr. OF. em-
bracer (F. embrasser), lit. 'to take into one's
arms', fr. em- and OF. braz (F. bras), 'arm', fr.
L. brachium. See brace, 'clasp*.
embracer, n., one who embraces. — Formed fr.
prec. word with agential suff. -er.
embracer, also embraceor, n., one who attempts
to corrupt a jury (law). — OF. embraseor, em-
braceur, 'instigator, corrupter', fr. embraser, 'to
set on fire, instigate', fr. em- and breze (F.
braise), 'wood embers, live coals'. See braze,
'to solder', and cp. embrasure.
embracery, n., the attempt to corrupt a jury (law).
— Formed from prec. word with suff. -y (re-
presenting OF. -ie).
embranchment, n., a branching off. — Formed
fr. em-, branch and -ment.
embrangle, tr. v., to confuse. — A blend of em-
broil and brangle.
embrasure, n., window opening, splay (archit.) —
F., fr. embraser, 'to splay', prop, the same word
as embraser, 'to fire, set on fire'; see embracer,
'one who attempts to corrupt the jury', and
-ure. For the sense development of F. embrasure
it should be borne in mind that this word orig.
denoted an opening from which the gun was
pointed.
Derivative: embrasure, tr. v.
embrocate, tr. v., to moisten with a lotion (med.)
— ML. embrocdtus, pp. of embrocdre, 'to moist-
en', fr. Gk. £u.ppoxv), 'lotion, fomentation', fr.
^(jlPp^Xsiv, 'to steep, foment', fr. hi (see 2nd
en-) and fip&xziv, 'to water, wet', which is rel.
to Ppox^r), Ppoxet6?, 'rain'. See Brechites and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: embrocat-ion, n.
embroider, tr. and intr. v. — ME., fr. em- and
broider.
Derivatives: embroider-er, n., embroider-y, n.
embroil, tr. v., to confuse, -r- F. embrouiller, 'to
embroil, confuse, confound'. See em- and broil,
'to confuse', and cp. imbroglio. Cp. also em-
brangle.
Derivatives: embroil, n., embroil-er, n., embroil-
ment, n.
embrown, tr. v., to make brown. — Coined by
Milton fr. em- and brown. Cp. empurple.
embryo, n. (biol.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. £u.|3puov,
'a new-born lamb; embryo, fetus', lit. 'that
which grows in the body', fr. £v (see 2nd en-)
and Ppiieiv, 'to be full, to swell'. See bryo-.
Derivatives: embryon-al, adj., embryon-ic, adj.,
embryon-ic-al-ly, adv., embryon-y, n.
embryo-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
an embryo'. See prec. v- ord.
embryogeny, n., formation and development of
an embryo. — Compounded of embryo- and
-geny.
embryology, n., the science of the formation and
development of the embryo. — Compounded
of embryo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'.
emcee, n., master of ceremonies; tr. v., to act as
master of ceremonies for (colloq.) — Coined
fr. M.C., abbreviation of Master of Ceremonies.
eme, n., uncle (dial.) — ME., fr. OE. earn, rel. to
OFris. em, MLG. Sme, Du. 00m, OHG., MHG.
oheim, G. Oheim, Ohm, 'uncle', which stand for
W. Teut. *awahaim-, lit. 'he who dwells with the
grandfather'. The first element is cogn. with L.
avus, 'grandfather', avunculus, 'the mother's
brother, maternal uncle'; see uncle. For the
second element see home. Cp. oom.
emeer, n. — A var. of emir.
emend, tr. v., to correct. — L. emendare, 'to cor-
rect, improve, emend', fr. e- and menda, 'defect,
blemish'. See amend.
emendation, n. — L. emenddtid, 'correction, emen-
dation', fr. emenddtus, pp. of emendare. See
prec. word and -ation.
emendatory, adj., pertaining to emendation. • —
Late L. emenddtdrius, fr. L. emenddtus, pp. of
emendare. See emend and -atory.
emerald, n., a bright-green precious stone. —
ME. emeraude, fr. OF. esmeralde, esmeraude (F.
emeraude), fr. L. smaragdus (whence also It.
smeraldo, Sp. esmeraldd), fr. Gk. a^apoq-Soi;,
IxapaySoi;, 'emerald', which is of Sem. origin.
Cp. Heb. bdreqeth, Akkad. barraqtu, 'emerald',
lit. 'something flashing', a derivative of Heb.
bdrdq, resp. Akkad. birqu, 'lightning', which are
rel. to Aram. b l raq, barqd, Arab, barq, 'light-
ning', Heb. bdrdq, Aram, b'raq, Arab, bdraqa,
Ethiop. bardqa, 'it flashed, glistened', Akkad.
bardqu, 'to flash'. Cp. OI. marakatam, Pers.
zumurrud (whence Turk, ziimriid, whence Russ.
izumrud), 'emerald', which are also Sem. loan
words. Cp. also smaragd, which is a doublet of
emerald. Cp. also Esmeralda.
Derivative: emerald, adj.
emeraldine, n., a dark green dye. — Formed fr.
prec. word with suff . -ine (representing Gk. - ivo?).
emerge, intr. v., to rise from a fluid, to appear. —
L. emergere, 'to come forth, come up, rise, ex-
tricate oneself, fr. e- and mergere, 'to dip, im-
merse, plunge'. See merge and words there re-
ferred to and cp. esp. emersion.
emergence, n. — Late L. emergentia, fr. L. emer-
gens, gen. -entis. See emergent and -ce.
emergency, n. — Late L. emergentia. See prec.
word and -cy.
emergent, adj., emerging. — L. emergens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of emergere. See emerge and
-ent.
Derivatives : emergent, n., emergent-ly, adv.
emeritus, adj., retired, but retaining one's title. —
L. emeritus, 'a veteran; a soldier who has
served his time', prop. pp. of emereri, 'to obtain
by service, earn, deserve', fr. e- and mereri, 'to
earn, gain, acquire, deserve'. See merit.
emerods, n., hemorrhoids (archaic.) — OF. em-
meroides. See hemorrhoids.
emersion, n. — L. emersus, pp. of emergere. See
emerge and -ion.
emery, n., a hard variety of corundum. — OF.
emeril (F. emeri), fr. It. smeriglio, fr. MGk.
au.i)pi, fr. Gk. <j(jnipu;, 'emery powder', which is
prob. borrowed fr. Heb. shdmtr, 'adamant;
emery*; see Jer. 17:1, Ezek.3:9, Zech. 7:12. See
Encyclopaedia Biblica by Cheyne and Black,
I, 63-64. Cp. Amyris, moray, Muraena. — E.
smear is not cognate.
Derivative: emery, tr. v., to cover, or rub, with
emery.
Emery, also spelled Emmery, masc. PN. — Prob.
fr. OF. Aimeri, fr. OHG. Amalric, Amelric
(whence also G. Emmerich), lit. 'work ruler', fr.
amal, 'work', and Teut. *rik-, 'ruler'. For the
first element cp. the first element in Milicent.
The second element is related to OHG. rihhi,
'powerful, rich'. See rich and cp. words there
referred to.
emesis, n., vomiting (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. £u.e<ji<;, 'vomiting', fr. E|j.etv. See next word.
emet-, form of emeto- before a vowel.
emetic, adj., causing vomiting. — L. emeticus,
fr. Gk. ifxenxo?, 'provoking sickness', fr.
eu,£To<;, 'vomiting', fr. ejxsiv, 'to vomit, throw
up', which stands for *Feu.eTv, fr. I.-E. base
*wem-, 'to spit, vomit', whence also L. vomere,
'to vomit'. See vomit and cp. Emys.
Derivative: emetic, n., a substance that causes
vomiting.
emeto-, before a vowel emet-, combining form
meaning 1) vomiting; 2) emetic (med.) — Fr.
Gk. gfxe-roi;, 'vomiting'. See emetic.
emeute, n., a riot. — F., 'riot', fr. VL. *exmovita,
fern. pp. of *exmovere, 'to set in motion', used
as a noun, fr. 1st ex- and movere, 'to move'.
See move.
-emia, -aemia, suff. denoting a certain, usually
diseased, condition of the blood, as in hydremia,
leukemia (med.) — Gk. -ai(xta, fr. aTu.a, gen.
adyLOLToq, 'blood'. See hemal and -ia.
emiction, n., urination. — Formed fr. e- and
mictus, pp. of mingere, 'to make water'. See
micturition.
emigrant, adj. — L. emigrdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of emigrdre. Sec next word and -ant.
Derivative: emigrant, n.
emigrate, intr. v. — L. emigrdtus, pp. of emi-
grdre, 'to move away, remove, emigrate', fr. e-
and migrdre, 'to move, migrate'. See migrate.
Derivatives: emigration (q.v.), emigrat-ive, emi-
gratory, adjs.
emigration, n. — Late L. emigrdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. emigrdtus, pp. of emigrdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
emigre, n., an emigrant; specif., a person com-
pelled to leave France during the French Re-
volution. — F., pp. of emigrer, 'to emigrate', fr.
L. emigrdre. See emigrate.
Emil, Emile, masc. PN. — G. Emil, fr. F. £mile,
fr. L. Aemilius, name of a Roman gens, fr. ae-
mulus, 'imitating, rivaling', fr. aemuldri, 'to
strive to equal'. See emulate and cp. Emilia.
Emilia, Emily, fern. PN. — F. £milie, fr. L. Ae-
milia, fern, of Aemilius. See prec. word.
eminence, n. — L. eminentia, 'prominence, emi-
nence', fr. eminens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
eminent, adj., 1) high; 2) exalted. — L. eminens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of eminere, 'to stand out,
project; to be eminent', fr. e- and I.-E. base
*men-, 'to stand out, project'. See mount, 'hill,
mountain' and -ent and cp. imminent, prominent.
Derivative: eminent-ly, adv.
emir, n., 1) an Arabian prince; 2) a title given
Mohammed's descendants through his daughter
Fatima. — Arab, amir, 'commander', fr. dmara,
'he commanded'. See amoraim and cp. ameer,
admiral, omrah.
emissary, n. and adj. — L. emissarius, 'one sent
out', fr. emissus, pp. of emittere. See emit and
-ary.
emission, n. — L. emissid, gen. -dnis, 'a sending
out', fr. emissus, pp. of emittere. See emit and
-ion.
emissive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
emissus, pp. of emittere. See next word.
Derivative: emissiv-ity, n.
emit, tr. v., 1) to send out; 2) to utter; 3) to is-
sue. — L. emittere, 'to send out, send forth, let
out, emit', fr. e- and mittere, 'to send'. See mis-
sion.
Emma, fern. PN. — G., fr. Erma, contracted
from names beginning with Erm- (e.g. Ermen-
trud, q.v.) Cp. Irma.
Emmanuel, masc. PN. — Gk. 'Efj.[i<xvouT]A, fr.
Heb. 'Immdnu'el, lit. 'God is with us'. See Im-
manuel.
emmenic, adj., capable of menstruation (med.)
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. £fiu.?;va, 'the men-
ses', fr. ev (see 2nd en-), and hy)v, gen. |Ar ; v6?,
'month'. See meno-, and cp. catamenia.
emmenology, n., that part of medicine which
treats of menstruation. — Compounded of Gk.
£(i(if)va, 'the menses', and -Aoyia, fr. -Xoyoq,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See emmenic and
-logy.
Emmentaler cheese, often shortened to emmen-
taler, n. — G. Emmentaler Kdse, 'Emmentaler
cheese', prop, 'cheese of the valley of the Great
Emmen, in Switzerland'. The second element in
Emmentaler derives fr. G. Tal, 'valley'; see dale.
emmer, n., amelcorn. — Dial. G. Emmer, a var.
of Amelkorn. See amelcorn.
emmet, n., an ant (archaic). — ME. emete, emte,
fr. OE. semete, 'ant'. See ant.
emmetropia, n., the normal refractive condition
of the eye (med.) — Medical L., compounded
of Gk. 8(xu.expoi;, 'in measure', and <ii}>> gen.
oinoc,, 'eye'. The first element is formed fr.
sv, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and [xsxpov, 'measure';
see meter, 'poetical rhythm'. For the second ele-
ment see -opia.
Derivative: emmetrop-ic, adj.
entodin, n., a compound obtained from rhubarb
(chem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. ModL.
(Rheum) emodl, 'Turkey rhubarb', lit. 'rhubarb
of the Himalaya', fr. Gk. 'H(xoiS6i;, 'the Hima-
laya'.
emollient, adj., softening, soothing. — L. emol-
liens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of emollire, 'to
soften, soothe', fr. e- and mollire, 'to soften',
fr. mollis, 'soft'. See mollify and -ent.
Derivative: emollient, n., a soothing medicine.
emolument, n., gain; salary, fees. — L. emolu-
mentum, 'gain, profit, advantage', orig. 'miller's
fee for grinding', fr. emolere, 'to grind out', fr.
e- and molere, 'to grind'. See meal, 'edible
grain', and -ment.
emotion, n. — F. emotion, formed fr. emouvoir,
'to move, stir up (a passion), to affect, touch',
orig. 'to set in motion', after the relation of F.
motion (see motion) to mouvoir, 'to move'. F.
emouvoir derives fr. OF. esmovoir, fr. VL. *ex-
movere, which corresponds to L. emovere, 'to
move out, move away; to stir up, agitate'. See
e-, resp. 1st ex-, and move.
Derivatives: emotion-al, adj., emotion-al-ism,
n., emotion-al-ist, n., emotion-al-ity, n., emotion-
al-ize, tr. v., emotional-ly , adv.
emotive, adj., causing emotion. — Formed with
suff. -ive fr. L. emdtus, pp. of emovere, 'to move
out, remove'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: emotive-ly, adv., emotive-ness, n.,
emotiv-ity, n.
empanel, impanel, tr. v. — OF. empaneller. See
em- and panel.
Derivative: empanel-ment, n.
empathy, n., sympathetic understanding of an-
other person or an object (psycho!.) — Gk.
e[X7ra&£i<x, 'affection, passion', fr. E(i7ra{W]<;, 'in
a state of emotion, much affected', fr. ev (see
2nd en-) and 7ra#o<;, 'feeling' (see -pathy); used
as a loan translation of G. Einfuhlung, which
was coined by the German philosopher Rudolf
Hermann Lotze (1817-81) in Mikrokosmus
(1858), fr. ein, 'in, into', and Fiihlung' 'feeling'.
emperor, n. — OF. empereor (F. empereur), fr.
L. imperdtdrem, acc. of imperdtor, 'ruler, com-
mandor, emperor', fr. imperdtus, pp. of im-
perdre, 'to command', fr. 1st im- and pardre,
'to prepare'. See pare and cp. imperative, im-
perator, empire, empress.
Empetraceae, n. pi., the crowberry family (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. Empetrum with suff.
-aceae.
empetraceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Empetrum, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. EjiKExpov, 'sea heath', prop. fern, of
the adj. gjiTreTpo?, 'growing on rocks', used
as a noun, fr. ev, 'in' (see 2nd en-), and rcETpa,
'rock'. See petro-.
emphasis, n., stress. — L., fr. Gk. lfj.rfa.aic,, 'out-
ward appearance; reflection; significance, em-
phasis', fr. E|Z9aivEt.v, 'to exhibit, display, in-
dicate', which is formed fr. ev, 'in' (see 2nd
en-), and 9kiveiv, 'to show'. See phantasm and
cp. phase. Cp. also emphatic.
Derivative: emphas-ize, tr. v.
emphatic, adj., 1) expressed with emphasis;
2) clear, definite. — Gk. ty.<?onix.6c„ 'expres-
empnysema
516
sive, forcible', prop, 'exhibited, displayed', fr.
e[i.<paiveiv. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: emphatic-al-ly, adv.
emphysema, n., a condition caused by the ab-
normal presence of air in the lungs or of gas
in the body tissues (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. eiKpijar^a, 'inflation', fr. sfAipCaav, 'to blow
in', fr. ev (see 2nd en-), and puaav, 'to blow',
fr. <p3aa, 'wind, blast, bladder', from the. I.-E.
imitative base *pu-, *phu-, 'to blow, swell'
whence also L. pustula, 'blister, pimple, pustule'.
See pustule and cp. Physalia, Physeter. For the
ending see suff. -ma.
empire, n. — F., fr. OF. empirie, fr. L. imperium,
'command, authority; sovereignty, dominion,
empire', which is rel. to imperdre, 'to command'.
See emperor.
empiric, i) adj., derived from, or guided by, ex-
perience or experiment; 2) n., one of an ancient
Greek sect of physicians who relied only upon
experience. — L. empiricus, fr. Gk. e[/.Tceipix6<;,
'experienced', fr. tymipoc,, 'experienced', fr. ev
(see 2nd en-) and Ttstpa, 'trial, experiment'. See
pirate and -ic and cp. metempiric.
Derivatives: empiric-al, adj., empiric-al-ly, adv.,
empiric-ism, n., empiric-ist, n.
emplacement, n. 1) a placing in position; 2) (mil.)
a platform for guns. — F. emplacement, 'place,
situation', formed fr. en, 'in', and placer, 'to
place', fr. place, 'place'. See em-, place and
-ment.
emplane, tr. v., to embark on an airplane. —
Formed fr. em- and plane, 'airplane'.
employ, tr. v. — F. employer, fr. L. implicdre, 'to
infold, involve, include'. See imply, which is a
doublet of employ. Derivatives: employ-ed, adj.,
employee (q.v.), empioy-er, n., employ-ment, n.
employ, n. — F. emploi, 'employ, employment',
back formation fr. employer. See employ, v.
employee, employe, n. — F. employe, 'employed,
pp. of employer. See employ, v., and -ee.
empoison, tr. v. — F. empoisonner. See em- and
poison.
emporium, n., a trading place; a center of trade.
— L., fr. Gk. e[iTi6piov, 'a trading place,
market', prop. neut. of E[x7r6pio?, 'pertaining
to trade', used as a noun, fr. e^opo?, 'traveler;
trader, merchant', fr. ev (see 2nd en-), and nipoc,,
'passage, way, road', which stands in gradational
relationship to rotpeiv (for *7cep-ieiv), 'to pierce,
cross, traverse, go through'. See fare, 'to pros-
per', and cp. words there referred to.
empower, tr. v. — Formed fr. em- and power.
empress, n. — ME. emperesse, fr. OF. emperesse,
fern, of empereor, 'emperor'. See emperor and
-ess.
empressement, n., zeal, eagerness. — F., fr. s'em-
presser, 'to be eager, be ardent', fr. em- and
presser, 'to press'. See press, v., and -ment.
emprise, emprize, n., enterprise, adventure (ar-
chaic). — OF. emprise, prop. fem. pp. of em-
prendre, used as a noun, fr. VL. *imprendere,
'to undertake', fr. L. im-, 'in', and prehendere,
prendere, 'to take'. See em- and prehensile and
cp. enterprise, impresa. The word emprise was
first used in English by Spenser,
emption, n., purchase. — L. emptid, gen. -onis,
'a buying, purchase', fr. emptus, pp. of emere,
'to buy'. See exempt and -ion and cp. pre-
emption, redemption.
empty, adj. — ME. emtie, empti, fr. OE. xmetig,
xmtig, 'vacant, free, idle', formed with suff. -ig
(whence E. -y) fr. xmetta, 'leisure'. This latter
is formed fr. priv. as- and the stem of (ge)mdt,
'meeting'. See moot, meet. For the excrescent p
cp. glimpse, sempstress, etc.
Derivatives: empty, n. and tr. and intr. v., emp-
ti-er, n., empti-ness, n.
empurple, to make purple. — Coined by Spenser
fr. em- and purple. Cp. embrown.
empyema, n., accumulation of pus in a cavity of
the body (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. e(jim>7]-
u.oc, 'suppuration', fr. e^ttjeTv, 'to suppurate',
fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and 7ruov (for *m)aov),
'matter'. See pus and -ma.
Derivative: empyem-ic, adj.
empyreal, adj., 1) heavenly, sublime; 2) formed
from pure fire. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ML. empyrius, empyreus, fr. Gk. E^Ttupio?,
£|X7tupo?, 'fiery', fr. ev, (see 2nd en-) and 7tup,
gen. 7rop6i;, 'fire'. See pyre and cp. empyreuma.
empyrean, adj., empyreal. — See prec. word
and -an.
Derivative: empyrean, n., the highest heaven,
empyreuma, n., the odor of organic substances
burned in close vessels (chem.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. e[X7rupeu(jia, 'a live coal covered with ashes',
fr. EumjpEUEiv, 'to set on fire', fr. 'iy.-nvpoc.. See
empyreal and -ma.
empyreumatic, adj. — Formed with suff. -ic fr.
Gk. E(jt7r6pEU|j.a ) gen. E[j.7u>pEtjfxaTo<;. See prec.
word.
emu, n., a large bird of Australia. — Shortened
fr. Port, ema di gei, 'crane of the ground' ; so
called because the emu cannot fly. Port, ema is
a loan word fr. Moluccan erne.
emulate, tr. v., to try to equal or surpass. — L.
aemuldtus, pp. of aemuldri, 'to strive to equal,
vie with, emulate,' fr. aemulus, 'striving to
equal, rivaling', which stands in gradational
relationship to imitdri, 'to copy, imitate', imago,
'representation, likeness, image'. See image,
imitate and verbal suff. -ate and cp. emulous,
Emil, Emilia. Cp. also even, adj.
Derivatives: emulation (q.v.), emulat-ive, adj.,
emulative-ly, adv., emulator (q.v.), emulat-ory,
adj.
emulation, n. — L. aemuldtid, gen. -onis, fr.
aemuldtus, pp. of aemuldri. See prec. word and
-ion.
emulator, n. — L. aemuldtor, fr. aemuldtus, pp.
of aemuldri. See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
emulgent, adj., draining, purifying (applied to
renal vessels). — L. emulgens, gen. -entis, pres.
517
encaenia
part, of emulgere, 'to milk out, drain out'. See
milk and -ent and cp. emulsify, emulsion.
Derivative: emulgent, n., 1) renal vessel; 2)
(pharm.) a medicine exciting the flow of bile,
emulous, adj., trying to equal or surpass another.
— L. aemulus. See emulate. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives : emulous-ly, adv., ,emulous-ness, n.
emulsify, tr. v., to convert into an emulsion. —
L. emulsus, pp. of emulgere. See emulgent and
-fy. Derivatives: emulsifi-able, adj., emulsifi-abil-
ity, n., emulsifi-er, n.
emulsion, n., a milky fluid. — ModL. emulsid,
gen. -onis, fr. L. emulsus, pp. of emulgere. See
emulgent and -ion and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: emulsion-ize, tr. v.
emulsive, adj. — Formed fr. L. emulsus, pp. of
emulgere. See emulgent and -ive.
emunctory, adj., excretory; n., any organ of the
body carrying off waste. — Late L. emuncto-
rium, 'a pair of snuffers', fr. L. emiinctus, pp. of
emungere. 'to blow the nose', fr. e- and mun-
gere, 'to blow the nose'. See mucus and -ory.
Emys, n., a genus of turtles (zool.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. Iptiic, gen. e^uSo?, 'fresh water turtle',
which is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *Fe;j.u? and is a derivative fr. I.-E. base
*wem-, 'to spit, vomit', whence also Gk. ejiew,
'to vomit', and is so called from the bubbles
emitted by the animal under the water. See
emetic and cp. the second element in Chry-
semys.
en, n., 1) the letter n; 2) anything resembling the
letter n.
en- (em- before p, b, m), pref. meaning 'in, into'.
— OF., F. en-, em-, fr. L. in-, -im;; see 1st in-.
This pref. is often used to form verbs from
English nouns, in which case the pref. en- means
'to put into' (cp. embay, embed, enshrine). It
is also added to English adjectives and nouns
to form causative verbs (cp. embitter, enable,
ennoble, enslave).
en- (em- before p, b, m; el- before /; er- before
r), pref. meaning 'near, at, in'. — Fr. Gk. ev,
'in', which is cogn. with L. in. See 1st in- and
cp. prec. pref. Cp. also Gk. Ic., sic; (for *ev?),
'into', eao, Ion. efao> (for *ewa>), 'in, within',
and see eso-, esoteric
-en, suff. forming the plural of some nouns, as
in brethren, children, oxen. — ME. -en, fr.
OE. -an.
-en, the pp. ending of many strong verbs, as in
broken, spoken, written. — ME., fr. OE. -en,
cogn. with OI. -na.
-en, old fem. suff. — OE. -en as in wylfen, 'she-
wolf, fyxen, 'she-fox' ; rel. to G. -in. Cp. vixen.
-en, suff. forming adjectives from nouns, mean-
ing 'made of, as in golden, woolen, oaken. —
ME., fr. OE., rel. to OS., ON. -in, OHG. -in, G.
-en, Goth, -eins, and cogn. with L. -inus, Gk.
-Cvoi;. Cp. adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus,
resp. Gk. -tvoe).
-en, suff. forming verbs from adjectives and
nouns, as deepen, darken; lengthen, strengthen.
— ME. -en, -ien, fr. OE. -nian.
enable, tr. v. — Formed fr. 1st en- and able.
Derivatives: enabl-er, n., enabl-ing, adj.
enact, tr. v., to make into an act. — Formed fr.
1st en- and act. Derivatives: enact-ion, n., enact-
ive, adj., enact-ment, n., enact-or, n.
Enaliosauria, n. pi., a group of extinct gigantic
marine reptiles (paleontol.) — ModL., lit.
'marine lizards', compounded of Gk. evaXtos,
'of the sea', and aaupo?, 'lizard'. The first ele-
ment is formed fr. ev (see 2nd -en) and aX;,
gen. (iX6? (fem.), 'sea'. See halieutic. For the
second element see sauro-.
enam, n., land exempt from rent or with favor-
able rent (Hindu law). — Hind, in'dm, bor-
rowed, through the medium of Persian, fr.
Arab, in'dm, 'benefit, favor', inf. of dn'ama, 'he
granted a favor, favored', IV (i.e. causative)
form of n&ima, 'was easy or pleasant', which is
rel. to Heb. nd'im, 'was pleasant or lovely',
nd'fm, 'pleasant, lovely'. Cp. the Hebrew PN.s
Na'dmd lt , Na'amdn, No'drnt, which all derive
from the stem of the verb nd'em, and see
Naaman, Naomi.
enamdar, n., holder of an enam (India). — Hind.
in'amddr, fr. Pers. inamddr, a hybrid coined fr.
Arab, in'dm (see prec. word) and Pers. -ddr,
'holder, possessor'. See aumildar and cp. words
there referred to.
enamel, tr. v. — ME. enamelen, fr. AF. ena-
mayller, fr. 1st en- and amayl, fr. OF. esmail (F.
email), which is a Teut. loan word. Cp. OHG.
smelzen, OE. melton, 'to melt', and see melt,
smelt.
Derivatives: enamel, n., enamal(l)-er, n., enamel-
ling, verbal n.
enamor, enamour, tr. v. — OF. enamourer, fr. 1st
en- and amour, 'love', fr. L. amorem, acc. of
amor. See amorous.
Derivatives: enamo(u)r-ed, adj., enamo(u)r-ed-
ness, n.
enanthema, n., an eruption on a mucous mem-
brane (med.) — Medical L., fr. 2nd en- and
Gk. £vfh)[jia, 'efflorescence', fr. i£v$o<;, 'flower'.
See anther and cp. exanthema.
enantio-, combining form meaning 'opposite'. —
Gk. evavTto-, fr. evav-rfo;, 'opposite', fr. ev (see
2nd en-), and avrto?, 'opposite', fr. avxt, 'over
against, opposite'. See anti-.
enantiopathy, n., allopathy. — Fr. Gk. evav-
TtorafriH)!;, 'of contrary properties', fr. evavxio;,
'opposite', and ntxSoc,, 'suffering'. See enantio-
and -pathy and cp. allopathy, homeopathy.
enarthrosis, n., a ball-and-socket joint (anat.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk.
evap&po?, 'jointed', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and
ip&pov, 'joint'. See arthro-, and cp. arthritis.
en bloc, in a lump. — F., fr. en, 'in', and bloc,
'block, lump'. See 1st en- and block.
encaenia, n., annual ceremony of the dedication
encage
518
of a church; also annual ceremony at the Uni-
versity of Oxford, in commemoration of the
founders and benefactors. — L., 'a dedication',
fr. Gk. eyxocivta, 'feast of dedication', lit. 'feast
of renovation', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and xaiv6<;,
'new'. See recent and cp. kainite and words
there referred to.
encage, tr. v., to shut up in, or as in, a cage. —
Formed fr. ist en- and cage,
encamp, intr. and tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and
camp. Derivative : encamp-ment, n.
encase, tr. v., to put into a case. — Formed fr.
ist en- and case, 'chest'. Cp. enchase.
Derivative: encase-ment, n.
encash, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and cash.
Derivative: encash-ment, a.
encarpus, n., an ornament consisting of a festoon
of fruits, leaves, flowers, etc. — ModL., fr. Gk.
eyxapTTO?, 'containing fruit', fr. Iv (see 2nd
en-) and xapraii;, 'fruit'. See carpel,
encaustic, adj., burnt in; prepared by heat. —
Lit., 'burnt in'; fr. Gk. EYxaucmx6<;, fr. sf-
xauaxo?, verbal adj. of eyxodsw, 'to burn in', fr.
ev (see 2nd en-) and xcdeiv, 'to burn'. See caustic,
encaustic, n. — L. encaustica, fr. Gk. eyxau<mxT]
(scil. Tiyyt]), 'encaustic art', fern, of k yxaua-uxiii;.
See caustic, adj.
-ence, suff. forming abstract nouns denoting
action, process, state, or quality. — L. -entia,
either directly or through the medium of F.
-ence. L. -entia derives fr. -ens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, suff. of the verbs of the second and third
conjugations. See -ent and -ce and cp. -ance.
Cp. also -ency.
enceinte, adj., pregnant (said of a woman). —
F., fr. Late L. incincta (whence also It. incinta,
OProvenc. encencha), lit. 'without a girdle', fr.
L. priv. pref. in- and cincta, fern, of cinctus, pp.
of cingere, 'to gird'. See in-, 'not', and cincture.
enceinte, n., enclosure of a fortress. — F., fern,
pp. of enceindre, 'to gird, surround', fr. L. in-
cingere, of s.m., which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and
cingere, 'to gird'. See cincture and cp. prec. word.
Enceladus, n., a hundred-armed giant, who fought
against the gods ; Zeus hurled Mount Etna upon
him (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'EyxeXaSoi;.
Encelia, n., a genus of plants, the brittlebush
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. eyx<£Xeiov, ' a little
dimin. of £yx^'-J?> ' ee ''; so called in allusion
to the shape of the seeds. Gk. SyxeXui; ' s °f
uncertain origin. It possibly means, 'the snake-
like fish', and is a blend of Gk. 'viper',
and the I.-E. base appearing in L. anguis,
'snake'. See anguine and cp. the first element in
Enchelycephali, For sense development cp. L.
anguilla, 'eel', prop, 'the snakelike fish', fr. an-
guis, 'snake' (see Anguilla).
encephalic, adj., pertaining to the brain. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. £yx£<paXo<;, 'brain',
which is short for 6 (J.UCX65 eyx^otXoi;, lit. 'the
marrow within the head', from the adj. eyxe-
<paXos, 'that which is within the head', fr. hi
(see 2nd en-) and xeipaXy), 'head'. See cephalic
and cp. encephalon, anencephalic.
encephalitis, n., inflammation of the brain (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
eyxe(paXo<;, 'brain'. See prec. word and cp.
next word.
encephalon, n., the brain (anat.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. eyxecpaXoi;, 'brain'. See encephalic and
cp. metencephalon, rhinencephalon.
enchain, tr. v. — OF. enchainer (F. enchainer),
VL. *incatenare, fr. ist in- and L. catendre, 'to
chain', fr. catena, 'chain'. See chain.
Derivative: enchain-ment, n.
enchant, tr. v., to bewitch; to charm. — OF.
(= F.) enchanter, fr. L. incantdre, 'to chant a
magic formula, bewitch, enchant', fr. ist en-
and chanter, 'to sing, fr. L. cantdre. See cant,
'slang of beggars', and cp. accent, chant, dis-
enchant, incantation.
Derivatives: enchant-er, n., enchant-ing, adj.,
enchant-ing-ly, adv., enchantment (q.v .), enchant-
ress, n.
enchantment, n. — OF. (= F.) enchantement, fr.
enchanter. See enchant and -ment.
enchase, tr. v. — F. enchdsser, fr. 1st en- and
chdsse, 'box, case, frame'. See chase, 'frame',
and cp. encase, casement.
Enchelycephali, n. pi., an order of Apodes, the
common eels (ichthyol.) — ModL., com-
pounded of Gk. ey/eXu;, 'eel', and xeipaX-y;,
'head'. See Encelia and cephalic.
enchiridion, n., a handbook. — Late L., fr. Gk.
ey/etpiStov, 'handbook', prop. neut. of iyxzi-
piSioi;, 'that which is held in the hand', used as
a noun, fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and x^p, 'hand'. See
chiro-.
enchondroma, n., a cartilaginous tumor (med.) —
Medical L., coined by the German physiologist
and anatomist John Miiller (1801-58) fr. Gk.
eyx ov 8po?, 'cartilaginous', and suff. -oma. Gk.
eyXovSpo? is formed fr. ev (see 2nd~en-) and
XovSpoi;, 'corn, grain, groat; cartilage'. See
chondro-.
enchorial, adj., pertaining to a country; native:
said esp. of demotic writing. — A hybrid formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. ey/copto?, 'of the
country, domestic, native', fr. ev (see 2nd en-)
and x"P*> 'place, land, country'. See chori-.
enchymatous, adj., distended by infusion (biol.)
— Formed with suff. -ous fr. Gk. eyxuu.a, gen.
£yX'V aTO S> 'filling (of a vessel), infusion', fr.
eyxeiv, ' to pour in', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and xeiv,
'to pour'. See chyme and -ma and cp. collen-
chyma, mesenchyma, parenchyma, prosenchyma,
sclerenchyma.
encina, n., a species of live oak (Quercus agri-
folia). — Sp., fr. Late L. ilicina, 'holm oak'
(whence also It. elcina, Catal. alsina, Port, en-
zinha), prop. fern, of llicinus, 'of a holm oak',
used as a noun, fr. L. ilex, gen. -ilicis, 'holm
oak'. See ilex.
encircle, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and circle.
519
end
Derivatives: encircle-ment, n., encircl-er, n.
enclasp, tr. v. — Lit. 'to take into one's clasp',
fr. ist en- and clasp.
enclave, tr. v., to enclose within alien territory. —
F. enclaver, fr. VL. *incldvdre, 'to lock with a
key' (whence also OProvenc. enclavar, 'to put
in, enclave', Rum. incheid, 'to close'), fr. L. in
(see in-, 'in') and cldvis, 'key'. See clavicle and
cp. clef.
Derivatives: enclave, n. (q.v.), enclave-ment, n.
enclave, n., a territory enclosed by the territory
of a foreign country. — F., fr. enclaver. See
enclave, v. and cp. exclave.
enclitic, adj., dependent on the preceding word
(said of a word which has no accent but forms
a mere suffix to the preceding word). — Late
L. encliticus, fr. Gk. eyxXmxAi;, 'throwing its
accent back', lit. 'leaning on', from the verbal
adj. stem of eyxXfveiv, 'to bend, lean on', fr.
hi (see 2nd en-) and xXtveiv, 'to lean'. See
clinical and cp. proclitic.
Derivative : enclitic-al-ly, adv.
enclose, inclose, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) enclos,
fern, enclose, pp. of enclore, 'to enclose', fr. VL.
"inclaudere, refashioned (after claudere, 'to shut,
close') fr. L. includere, 'to shut in, enclose'. See
include.
enclosure, n. — OF., fr. enclos, pp. of enclore. See
prec. word and -ure.
encloud, tr. v., to envelop in a cloud. — Formed
fr. ist en- and cloud.
encomiast, n., one who writes or utters an en-
comium. — Gk. eYX(o(j.ia(TT7]i;, 'one who prai-
ses', fr. eyxcofjiia^eiv, 'to praise', fr. eyxtou.iov,
'panegyric, encomium'. See encomium.
encomiastic, adj., pertaining to an encomium or
encomiast. — Gk. eyx(ou.iaa-rix<5<;, fr. eyxw-
pita<iT7)i;. See prec. word and -ic.
encomium, n., panegyric, eulogy; praise. — L.,
fr. Gk. eyx(i[nov, 'panegyric, eulogy', fr. hi
(see 2nd en-) and xtofj.0?, 'banquet, revelry; an
ode sung at festivities'. See comedy.
encompass, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and com-
pass.
Derivatives : encompass-er, n . , encompass-ment, n .
encore, interj. used in the sense 'again'. — F.,
'again, still, yet', fr. L. hanc ad hdram, 'to this
hour'. L. hanc is acc. of haec, fern, of hie, 'this' ;
see hodiernal and cp. haecceity. For L. ad, 'to,
toward', see ad-. L. hdram is acc. of hdra,
'hour'; see hour. It. ancora, 'again, still, yet',
is a French loan word.
Derivative: encore, n. and tr. v.
encounter, tr. and intr. v. — OF. encontrer, 'to
meet', fr. VL. *incontrdre, fr. L. in (see in-, 'in')
and contra, 'against, opposite'. See contra- and
cp. counter, v.
encounter, n. — OF. encontre, fr. encontrer. See
encounter, v.
encourage, tr. v. — OF. encoragier (F. encou-
rager), fr. ist en-, and courage, 'courage'. See
courage and cp. discourage.
Derivatives: encourage-ment, n., encourag-er,
n., encourag-ing, adj., encourag-ing-ly, adv.
encrimson, tr. v., to make crimson. — Formed
fr. ist en- and crimson,
encrinite, n., a fossil crinoid (paleont.) — Formed
fr. 2nd en- and Gk. xptvov, 'lily'. See crinoid.
encroach, intr. v., to trespass. — ME. encrochen,
fr. OF. encrochier, 'to catch in a hook', fr. ist
en- and croc, 'hook'. See crochet and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: encroach-er, n., encroach-ment, a.
encrust, incrust, tr. v. — F. incruster, fr. L. in-
crustdre, 'to cover with a crust', fr. in-, 'in' and
crusta, 'crust'. See crust and cp. F. encrouter,
'to incrust ; to plaster (walls)', which is a doublet
of incruster.
Derivative : encrust-ment, n.
encumber, tr. v., 1) to hinder; 2) to burden. —
OF. (= F.) encombrer, 'to block up, obstruct',
fr. ist en- and combre, 'things thrown down,
abatis', fr. VL. combrus. See cumber.
Derivatives: encumber-er, n., encumber-ment, n.
encumbrance, n. — OF. encombrance, fr. en-
combrer. See prec. word and -ance.
Derivative : encumbranc-er, n.
-ency, suff. denoting quality or state. — Fr. L.
-entia (either directly, or through the medium
of F. -ence), hence derivatively identical with
-ence (q.v.) Cp. -ancy.
encyclic, encyclical, adj., circular, general. —
Late L. encyclicus, for L. encyclius, fr. Gk.
eyxuxXto?, 'in a circle, circular', fr. Iv (see 2nd
en-) and xuxXoq, 'circle'. See cycle and -ic,
resp. also -al.
encyclic, encyclical, n., an encyclical letter, esp.
one sent by the Pope to all the bishops. — See
encyclic, adj.
encyclopedia, encyclopaedia, n. — Late L. ency-
clopaedia, fr. inexact Gk. eyxuxXo7rat8e[5, for
eyxuxXioc; 7rat8eia, 'circular education, general
education', lit. 'training in a circle'. See en-
cyclic and pedo- and cp. cyclopedia.
Derivatives: encyclop(d)edi-ac, encyclop(a)edi-
ac-al, encyclop(a)edi-al, encyclop(a)edi-an, en-
cyclop(a)ed-ic, encyclop(a)ed-ic-al, adjs., ency-
clop(a)ed-ic-al-ly, adv., encyclop(a)ed-ism, n.,
encyclop(a)ed-ist, n., encyclop(a)ed-ize, tr. v.
encyst, tr. v., to enclose in a cyst. — Formed fr.
2nd en- and cyst.
Derivatives: encyst-ation, n., encyst-ment, n.
end, n. — ME. ende, fr. OE, ende, rel. to OS.
endi, OFris. enda, ODu. ende, Du. einde, ON.
endir, endi, 'end', OHG. anti, enti, 'top, fore-
head, end', MHG., G. ende, Goth, andeis, 'end'.
All these words orig. meant 'the opposite side',
fr. I.-E. base *anta-, *anti-, 'opposite, in front
of, before', whence also OI. dntah, 'end, border,
boundary', Toch. A antus, 'end', Hitt. hanti,
'opposite', hantezzi, 'the first', Olr. etan (for
*ant-ono-), 'forehead', L. antiae, 'the hair grow-
ing on the forehead, forelocks', ante, 'in front
of, before', Gk. Av-rt, 'against'. See ante-, anti-
end
520
and cp. antiae and the second element in
Vedanta.
Derivatives: end-er, n., end-ing, n., endless (q.v.)
end, intr. and tr. v. — OE. endian, fr. ende, 'end'.
See end, n.
end-, form of endo- before a vowel.
Entamoeba, n., a genus of parasitic amoebae
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of end- and
amoeba.
endanger, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and danger,
endaortic, adj., pertaining to the interior of the
aorta. — Compounded of end-, aorta and -ic.
endear, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and dear.
Derivatives: endear-ing, adj., endear-ing-ly, adv.,
endear-ment, n.
endeavor, endeavour, intr. v. — ME. endever, fr.
ist en- and dever, 'duty' ; see devoir. Accordingly
ME. endever lit. means 'in duty', and is used
elliptically for 'to be in duty, to do one's duty'.
Cp. F. se mettre en devoir de faire quelque chose,
'to set about doing something'.
Derivatives: endeavo(u)r, n., endeavo(u)r-er, n.
endeictic, adj., serving to demonstrate. — Gk.
evSeix-nxic;, fr. evSeixvtivai, 'to show, point
out, demonstrate', fr. bi (see 2nd en-) and
Seixviivoci, 'to show', which is cogn. with L. di-
cere, 'to say, tell'. See diction and -ic and cp.
apodictic.
endemic, adj., prevalent in a particular region or
group. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. evS^jnoi;,
gv&TKzo?, dwelling in a place, native', fr. b> (see
2nd en-) and S^^o;, 'people'. See demos and cp.
epidemic
Derivatives: endemic, n., endemic-al-ly, adv.,
endemic-Uy, n., endem-ism, n.
endemiology, n., the study of endemic diseases.
— Compounded of Gk. EvSrjfjtio? (see prec.
word) and -Xofla, fr. -X6-yo<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See -logy. Cp. epidemiology.
endermic, adj., acting through the skin (med.) —
Formed fr. 2nd en- and Gk. Sepfia, 'skin'. See
derma and -ic and cp. epidermic
endive, n., a kind of chicory used in salads. —
F., fr. ML. endivia, fr. MGk. eVrufiov (pro-
nounce cndibo), fr. Gk. Evniflioi (pi.), ult. fr.
Egypt, tybi, 'January'; so called because this
plant grows in Egypt in the month of January.
L. intubus and intybum, 'endive', also derive fr.
Gk. evtu[3ioi.
endless, adj. — ME. endelees, fr. OE. endeleas,
which is compounded of ende, 'end', and leas,
'devoid of. See end, n., and -less.
Derivatives: endless-ly, adv., endless-ness, n.
endo-, before a vowel also end-, combining form
meaning 'within'. — Gk. b>8o-, b>8-, fr. £v8ov,
'within', lit. 'in the house', fr. b> (see 2nd en-) and
the base of §6y.oQ, 'house'. See dome, 'a building'.
endocardial, adj., i) situated within the heart;
2) pertaining to the endocardium (anal.) — Lit.
'within the heart', fr. endo- and Gk. xoepSta,
'heart'. See cardio-.
endocarditis, n., inflammation of the endocar-
dium (med.) — Medical L., coined by the French
physician Jean Bouillaud (1796-1881) about
1835 from next word and suff. -itis.
endocardium, n., the serous membrane lining the
cavities of the heart (anat.) — Medical L. See
endocardial and cp. epicardium, pericardium.
endocarp, n., the inner wall of the pericarp (bot.)
— See endo- and carpel and cp. epicarp,
pericarp.
endocrine, adj., secreting internally (said of cer-
tain glands (physiol.) — Compounded of endo-
and Gk. xpfvetv, 'to separate'. See critic.
endodenn, n., the epithelium lining the alimentary
canal. — Lit. 'inner skin', coined by the German
physician Robert Remak ( 1 8 1 5-65) fr. endo- and
derm. Cp. ectoderm, mesoderm.
Derivative: endoderm-ic, adj.
endodontics, n., inflammation of the pulp of a
tooth called also pulpitis (med.) — Medical L.,
coined fr. end-, odont- and suff. -iris.
endogamy, n., marriage within the tribe or clan
(anthropoid) — Lit. 'in-marriage' ; compounded
of endo- and -gamy. Cp. exogamy.
Derivatives: endogam-ic, endogam-ous, adjs.
Endogenae, n. pi., an obsolete name of the Mono-
cotyledones (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'growing with-
in' (see endo- and -gen); so called because the
stems were erroneously supposed to grow from
within. Cp. Exogenae.
endogenous, adj., growing from within (biol.) —
See prec. word and -genous and cp. exogenous,
endolymph, n., the fluid in the labyrinth of the
ear (anat.) — Compounded of endo- and lymph,
endomorph, n., a crystal enclosed in another
(mineral.) — Compounded of endo- and Gk.
[ioptpr], 'form, shape'. See morpho-.
Derivative: endomorph-ic, adj.
endoparasite, n., an internal parasite (as e.g. a
tapeworm). — Compounded of endo- and
parasite.
endoplasm, n., the inner layer of protoplasm in
a cell (biol.) — Compounded of endo- and
plasm. Cp. ectoplasm.
endoplast, n., the nucleus of a protozoan (biol.) —
Compounded of endo- and -plast. Cp. ectoplast.
endopleura, n., the inner integument of a seed
(bot.) — Compounded of endo- and pleura.
endorse, indorse, tr. v. — Fr. earlier endosse, fr.
OF. (= F.) endosser, lit. 'to put on the back of,
fr. en- (see 1st en-) and VL. dossum, assimilated
form of L. dorsum, 'back'; see dorsal and cp.
dosser, dossier. E. endorse was assimilated in
form to ML. indorsdre.
Derivatives: endors-ee, n., endorse-ment, n., en-
dors-er, n.
endosarc, n,, the endoplasm (zool.) — Compoun-
ded of endo- and Gk. crap!;, gen. <japx6?, 'flesh'.
See sarco-.
endoscope, n., an instrument for examining the
interior of cavities in the body (med.) — Coined
by its inventor Desormeaux in 1852 fr. endo-
521
entace
and Gk. -oximov, fr. cxonsXv, 'to look at,
examine'. See -scope.
endoskeleton, n., the internal skeleton of verte-
brates, in contradistinction to the exoskeleton
of invertebrates, crustaceans, etc. (zool.) —
Compounded of endo- and skeleton. The term
endoskeleton was introduced into science by the
English anatomist Sir Richard Owen (1804-92).
Cp. exoskeleton, splanchnoskeleton.
Derivative: endoskelet-al, adj.
endosmosis, n., inward osmosis (physiol.) —
Compounded of end- and osmosis. Cp. exos-
mosis.
endosperm, n., nutritive matter formed in the em-
bryo sac of seed plants (bot.) — Compounded
of endo- and sperm.
endospore, n., the inner layer of a spore (bot.,
zool. and bacteriol.) — Compounded of endo-
and spore.
endosteum, n., the lining of the medullary cavity
in bones (anat.) — Medical L., compounded of
end- and Gk. 6<jt£ov, 'bone'. See osteo-.
endostosis, n., bone formation beginning in the
substance of a cartilage (anat.) — Medical L.,
lit. 'bone increase from within', compounded of
endo- and -ostosis. Cp. exostosis.
endothecium, n., the inner lining of the cavity of
an anther (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'inner case', fr.
endo- and Gk. iHpa], 'case'. See theca and cp.
exothecium.
endothelium, n., a tissue which lines internal
cavities of the body (anat.) — Medical L., com-
pounded of endo- and Gk. &t]Xt|, 'teat, nipple'.
See thely- and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: endotheli-al, adj.
endow, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) endouer, fr. ist en-
and douer, 'to bestow, endow', fr. L. dotdre, 'to
endow', prop, 'to provide with a dowry', fr. dos,
gen. dotis, 'marriage portion, dowry'. See dower,
dowry.
Derivatives : endow-er, n., endow-ment, n.
Endromis, n., a genus of moths, the Kentish glory
(entomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. evSpojzti;, gen.
evSpouiSoi;, 'a thick cloak worn by runners' fr.
bi (see 2nd en-) and 8pV°?> 'running course,
race'; see dromedary. The genus was called En-
dromis in allusion to the hairy body.
endue, indue, tr,v., 1) to put on (a garment); 2) to
invest; 3) to endow. — ME. endewen, fr. OF.
enduire, fr. L. inducere, 'to lead into', fr. in,
'in', and ducere, 'to lead' (see in-, 'in', and duke);
influenced both in form and sense by a con-
fusion with L. induere, 'to put on' and with E.
endow.
endure, tr. and intr. v. — OF. endurer, fr. L. in-
durdre, 'to make hard, harden', fr. in-, 'in', and
durdre, 'to make hard, harden', fr. durus, 'hard'.
See dure, adj., and cp. indurate.
Derivatives: endur-able, adj., endur-abil-ity, n.,
endur-able-ness, n., endur-abl-y, adv., endur-
ance, n., endur-ant, adj., endur-er, a., endur-ing,
adj., endur-ing-ly, adv., endur-ing-ness, n.
Endymion, n., a beautiful youth loved by the
Greek moon goddess Selene (Greek mythol.) —
L., fr. Gk. 'Ev8u[i.t(ov, lit. prob. 'Diver, Plunger',
fr. ivSiieiv, 'to enter into, sink into', fr. hi (see
2nd en-) and 8ikw, 'to enter into, sink into,
plunge into, dive; to set' (prop, 'to dive into
the sea'; said of the sun and stars). According
to the opinion of several scholars Endymion was
orig. worshiped as a solar deity and his name
is a personification of the Setting Sun Sinking
into the Sea. See adytum and cp. Anadyomene.
end j sis, n., the act of developing a new coat of
hair, etc. (biol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. gvSuau;, 'a
putting on', fr. evSueiv, 'to enter into; to put
on', fr. bj (see 2nd en-) and Susiv, 'to enter;
to put on' (lit. 'to enter into'). See adytum and
cp. ecdysis, ependyma. Cp. also prec. word.
-ene, suff. used to form names of unsaturated
hydrocarbons (chem.) — Gk. -rjvrj, fem. patro-
nymic suff.
Eneas, masc. PN. — L. Aeneas, fr. Gk. AEveiai;,
lit. 'praiseworthy', fr. alvo?, 'tale, story, saying;
praise'. See enigma.
enema, n., injection of a fluid into, the rectum
(med.) — Late L., fr. Gk. £ve(*oc, 'injection,
clyster', fr. svievoci, 'to throw in, send in', fr. bi
(see 2nd en-) and levai, 'to send, throw,
project', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
with L. jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth', and cp. words there referred to.
enemy, n. — OF. enemi (F. ennemi), fr. L. ini-
mJcus, 'hostile, unfriendly; an enemy', fr. in-,
'not', and amicus, 'friend'. Cp. It. nemico, Prov-
en?, enemic, Catal. enamic, Sp. enemigo, Port.
inimigo, which all derive fr. L. inimicus, and
see amicable. Cp. also enmity, inimical.
energetic, adj. — Gk. evspY?]Tix6<;, 'able to act
upon', fr. evepyeiv, 'to work, be strenuous, act
upon', fr. evEp-rt?, later form of evspY<k, 'at
work, active'. See energy and -ic.
Derivatives: energetics, n. pi., energetic-al-ly,
adv., energet-ic-ist, n., energet-ist-ic, adj.
energumen, n., a demoniac; a fanatic. — Late L.
energumenos, 'one possessed of the devil', fr.
Gk. evepYoujicvo?, pass. pres. part, of evep-yetv,
'to act upon'. See energy. For the suff. see alum-
nus and cp. words there referred to.
energy, n. — Late L. energia, fr. Gk. ev£pY£ia,
'energy, efficiency', which was formed by Aris-
totle fr. evepYfa, later form of svEpydi;, 'at
work, active', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and £pY 0V >
'work'. See ergon and cp. allergy, anergy.
Derivatives: energ-ic, adj. (rare), energ-ize, tr.
and intr. v., energ-iz-er, n.
enervate, tr. v. — L. enervdtus, pp. of enervdre,
'to enervate, weaken', fr. e- and nervus, 'nerve,
sinew'. See nerve and verbal suff. -ate.
enervate, adj. — L. enervdtus, pp. of enervdre. See
enervate, v.
enervation, n. — L. enervdtio, gen. -onis, fr. ener-
vdtus, pp. of enervdre. See enervate, v., and -ion.
enfoce, tr. v., to write (print, etc.) on the face (of
enfeeble
522
a document). — Formed fr. ist en- and face,
enfeeble, tr. v. — OF. enfeblir, fr. ist en- and
feble, 'feeble'. See feeble.
enfeoff, tr. v., to invest with a fief. — AF. enfe-
offer, corresponding to OF. enfeffer, enfieffer.
See ist en- and feoff, fief.
Derivative: enfeoff-ment, n.
Enfield rifle. — So called from the factory in En-
field in Middlesex, England, where it was first
manufactured.
enfilade, n., gunfire sweeping from flank to flank.
— F., fr. enfiler, 'to thread (a needle); to en-
filade', fr. ist en- and fil, 'thread'. See file,
'collection of papers', and -ade and cp. filament,
profile.
Derivative: enfilade, tr. v.
enfold, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and fold,
enforce, tr. v. — OF. enforcier, enforcer (F. en-
forcir), 'to strengthen', fr. VL. *infortidre, 'to
make strong', fr. in- 'in', and fortis, 'strong'.
See force. Derivatives: enforce-able, adj.,
enforc-ed-ly, adv., enforcement (q. v.), enforc-er, n.
enforcement, n. — OF., fr. enforcer. See prec.
word and -ment.
enfranchise, tr. v., to admit to citizenship. — OF.
enfranchiss-, pres. part, stem of enfranchir, fr.
i st en- and franchir, 'to set free', fr. franc, fern.
franche, 'free'. See franchise.
Derivatives: enfranchis-er, n., enfranchise- ment,
n.
engage, tr. and intr. v. — F. engager, fr. ist en-
and gage, 'pledge'. See gage.
Derivatives: engag-ed, adj., engage-ment, n.,
engag-er, n., engag-ing, adj., engag-ing-ly, adv.
engender, tr. v. — F. engendrer, fr. L. ingenerdre,
'to implant, produce, engender', fr. in-, 'in', and
generdre, 'to produce, engender'. See ingener-
ate, v.
Derivatives: engender-er, n., engender-ment, n.
engine, n. — OF. engin, 'skill; invention; ma-
chine, engine', fr. L. ingenium, 'nature, natural
disposition, talent, ability', fr. in-, 'in', and the
stem of gignere (perf. genu!), 'to beget'. See
genus and cp. genius, ingenious.
Derivatives: engineer (q.v.), engin-ery, n.
engine, tr. v. — Partly fr. OF. enginier, 'to con-
trive, invent', fr. ML. ingenidre, fr. L. ingenium,
partly directly fr. engine, n.
engineer, n. — Formed fr. engine with suff. -eer.
Derivatives : engineer, tr. and intr. v., engineer-
ing, n.
England, n. — OE. Engla land, lit. 'land of the
Angles' ; see next word and land. For the con-
traction of OE. Engla land into England see
haplology.
Derivative: England-er, n.
English, adj. and n. — OE. Englisc, Aenglisc,
'English', fr. Engle, Angle, name of a Teutonic
tribe that settled in Britain, prop, 'the people
coming from AnguV. See Angle and adj. suff. -ish.
Derivatives: English, tr. v., English-ry, n.
engorge, tr. v. — F. engorger, 'to obstruct, block ;
to congest' (med.) See ist en- and gorge.
Derivative: engorge-ment, n.
engrail, tr. v., i) to indent {her.); 2) to adorn. —
ME. engrailen, fr. OF. engresler (F. engreler),
fr. ist en- and gresle (F. grele), 'hail', fr. griler,
'to hail', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: engrail-ed, adj., engrail-ment, n.
engrain, tr. v., 1) to ingrain; 2) to grain in imi-
tation of wood. — ME. engreynen, lit. 'to dye
in grain', fr. OF. (= F.) en graine, 'in grain',
fr. en, 'in' (see ist en-), and graine, 'seed of plants ;
cochineal; scarlet grain', fr. L. grana, pi. of grd-
num, 'grain, seed', which was mistaken for a fem.
singular. The French language differentiates
between grain (fr. L. grdnum), 'grain, berry'
and graine (fr. L. grand), 'seed of plants'.
Cp. also It. and Sp. grano, 'grain', grana, 'seed
of plants; cochineal; scarlet grain', and see
grain. Cp. also ingrain, which is a var. of en-
grain.
engrave, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and grave,
'to carve'.
Derivatives: engrav-ed, adj., engrave-ment, n.,
engrav-er, n., engrav-ing, n.
engross, tr. v., to write in large letters. — AF. en-
grosser, fr. F. en grosse, 'in large letter', fr. en,
'in' (see ist en-), and grosse, 'large writing',
prop, fem of gros, 'big, bulky, thick', fr. Late
L. grossus. See gross.
Derivatives: engross-ed, adj. engross-ment, n.
engross, tr. v., to monopolize, absorb. — The
orig. meaning was 'to buy up the whole of a
commodity' ; fr. F. acheter en gros, 'to buy whole-
sale', fr. en gros, 'in a bulk; wholesale', fr. en,
'in' (see ist en-), and gros, 'big, bulky, thick', fr.
Late L. grossus. See gross and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives : engross-ed, adj., engross-ed-ly, adv.,
engross-ing, adj., engross-ing-ly, adv., engross-
ing-ness, n., engross-ment, n.
engulf, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and gulf.
Derivative: engulf-ment, n.
engyscope, n., a kind of microscope (optics). —
Compounded of Gk. t'fyvc,, 'near', and -ax6mov,
fr. <txo7tciv, 'to look at, examine'. The first ele-
ment is prob. formed fr. kv (see 2nd en-) and
*yiia, 'hand', and lit. means 'that which is at
hand'. Cp. ^yyiir], 'surety, security, bail', prop,
'pledge put into one's hand', which is prob.
also formed fr. £v and *yua. Gk. *yua is cogn.
with Avestic gava, 'both hands'. Both these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch' ; see cove and cp. words there referred to.
For the sense development of Gk. tfyix;, 'near',
lit. 'at hand', cp. L. comminus, 'close at hand',
which is formed fr. OL. com (= L. cum), 'with',
and manus, 'hand'; cp. also E. at hand, G. vor-
handen, 'existing', lit. 'before the hands', and
Heb. 'a/ yad, 'next to, near', lit. 'on, or by, the
hand'. For the second element in engyscope see
-scope. Cp. telengy scope.
enhance, tr. v., to raise, increase. — ME. en-
hauncen, fr. AF. enhauncer, prob. a corruption
523
enormous
of OF. enhaucer, fr. VL. *inaltidre, 'to raise',
fr. in-, 'in, upon', and *altidre, 'to raise', ft. L.
altus, 'high'. See ist en- and alt and cp. hance,
hawser.
Derivatives: enhanc-ed, adj., enhance-ment, n.,
enhanc-er, n.
enharmonic, n., pertaining to tones derived from
different degrees, but practically of the same
pitch (mus.) — Late L. enharmonicus, fr. Gk.
£vapu,ovix6i;, svapu.ovi6?, 'musical, harmonious,
enharmonic', fr. Iv (see 2nd en-) and <xp(j.ovta,
'harmony'. See harmony.
Derivatives: enharmonic, n., enharmonic-al-ly,
adv.
Enid, fem. PN. — W., lit. 'soul' or 'purity'.
enigma, n., a riddle, puzzle. — L. aenigma, fr.
Gk. a£vi-ffia, gen. aEvtyiiaxot;, 'dark saying,
riddle', fr. aivtaaea&oa, 'to speak darkly, speak
in riddles', fr. alvo?, 'tale, story, saying; praise;
proverb; riddle', which is of unknown origin.
Cp. Eneas.
Derivatives: enigmatical) (q.v.), enigmat-ist, n.,
enigmat-ize, tr. v.
enigmatic, enigmatical, adj., 1) pertaining to an
enigma; 2) puzzling. — Late L. aenigmaticus
(whence also F. enigmatique), fr. aenigma, gen.
aenigmatis, fr. Gk. aiviy^a. See prec. word and
-ic, resp. also -al.
enigmatographer, n., a maker of enigmas. — See
next word and agential suff. -er.
enigmatography, n., the art of making enig-
mas. — Compounded of Gk. aivtY(j.a, gen.
alviy(i.aTO<;, 'riddle', and -Ypa<pta, fr. ypaipEtv, 'to
write'. See enigma and -graphy.
enisle, tr. v., 1) to place on an island ; 2) to make
an island of. — Formed fr. ist en- and isle.
enjambment, n., the running over of a sentence
into the next verse. — F. enjambement, fr. en-
jamber, 'to skip over', fr. ist en- and Jambe, 'leg'.
See jamb and -ment.
enjoin, tr. v., 1) to command; 2) to prohibit. —
ME. enjoignen, fr. F. enjoign-, stem of enjoindre,
'to enjoin, charge, direct', fr. L. injungere, 'to
join, attach; to charge, impose upon', fr. in-,
'in' and jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. in-
junction.
Derivatives: enjoin-er, n., enjoin-ment, n.
enjoy, tr. v. — ME. enjoyen, fr. OF. enjofr, 'to
enjoy', fr. ist en- and jofr (V.jouir), fr. VL. *gau-
dire, formed (with change of conjugation) fr. L.
gaudere, 'to rejoice, be glad'. Cp. OProvenc.
jauzir (fr. VL. *gaudire), It. godere (fr. L. gau-
dere), 'to rejoice', and see joy.
Derivatives: enjoy-able, adj., enjoy-able-ness, n.,
enjoy-abl-y, adv., enjoy-er, n., enjoy-ment, n.
enlace, tr. v. — F. enlacer, fr. L. inlaquedre, il-
laquedre, 'to ensnare, entangle', fr. in-, 'in' and
L. laqueus, 'noose, snare'. See lace.
Derivative: enlace-ment, n.
enlarge, v. — ME. enlargen, it. OF. enlargier, en-
larger, fr. 1st en- and large, 'broad, wide'. See
large.
Derivatives: enlarg-ed, adj., enlarg-ed-ly, adv..
enlarg-ed-ness, n., enlarge-ment, n., enlarg-er, n.,
enlarg-ing-ly, adv.
enlighten, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and lighten.
Derivatives: enlighten-ed, adj., enlighten-ed-ly,
adv., enlighten-ed-ness, n., enlighten-ing, adj.,
enlighten-ing-ly, adv., enlighten-ment, n.
enlist, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and
list, 'roll, catalogue'.
Derivatives: enlist-er, n., enlist-ment, n.
enliven, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en-, life (cp. the
plural lives) and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: enliven-er, n., enliven-ing, adj., en-
liven-ing-ly, adv.
en masse, in a mass, by the bulk, as a whole. —
F., fr. en, 'in', and masse, 'mass'. See ist en-
and mass, 'quantity, size'.
enmesh, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and mesh (q.v.)
Derivative : enmesh-ment, n.
enmity, n. — ME. enemyte, fr. OF. enemistie, fr.-
VL. *inimicitdtem, acc. of *inimicitds, cor-
responding to L. inimicitia, 'enmity, hostility',
fr. inimicus, 'enemy'. See enemy and -ity and
cp. amity.
ennea-, combining form meaning 'nine'. — Fr.
Gk. svvea, 'nine', which stands for'*£w£fa.
*£vfa-, and is cogn. with OI. ndva, L. novem,
Goth, niun, OE. nigon, 'nine'. See nine and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also ennead.
enneacontahedron, n., a polyhedron with ninety
faces. — Compounded of Gk. *eweazovT3£.
'ninety', and eSpa, 'side, face'. *'Ewedxo\iToc is
erroneously formed fr. swra, 'nine'; the correct
form is evevYixovra. See ennea- and -hedron.
For the suff. -xovxot (in *evveaxovTa, £vevr,-
xovtoc) see penteconta-.
ennead, n., a group of nine things. — From Gk.
ewea?, gen. sweaSo?, 'a group of nine', fr. brdoi.
See ennea- and -ad.
Derivative: ennead-ic, adj.
ennoble, tr. v. — F. ennoblir. See ist en- and noble.
Derivatives: ennoble-ment, n., ennobl-er, n., en-
nobl-ing, adj., ennobl-ing-ly, adv.
ennui, n., weariness, boredom. — F., fr. OF.
enui, back formation fr. enuier (F. ennuyer). See
annoy, v. and n.
Enoch, masc. PN.; 1) the eldest son of Cain;
2) the father of Methuselah (Bible). — Late L.
Enoch, fr. Gk. 'Evci/, fr. Heb. HdnSkh, lit. 'de-
dicated, consecrated', fr. hdndkh, 'he dedicated,
consecrated', whence also hdnukkd h , 'dedicat-
ion', consecration'. See Hanukkah.
enorm, adj., 1) abnormal (obsol.); 2) enormous;
outrageous (archaic). — F. enorme, fr. L. endr-
mis, 'irregular, unusual, enormous, immense', fr.
e norma, 'out of rule', fr. e, 'out of (see e-), and
norma, abl. of norma, 'rule, pattern'. See norm.
enormity, n. — F. enormite, fr. L. endrmitdtem,
acc. of endrmitds, 'hugeness, vastness', fr. enor-
mis. See prec. word and -ity.
enormous, adj. — Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
endrmis. See enorm.
bnos
524
Derivatives : enormous-ly, adv. , enormous-ness, n.
Enos, masc. PN. ; in the Bible, son of Seth. —
Gk.'Evto?, fr. Heb. Endsh, lit. 'man', rel. to Heb.
nashtm, 'women', ish (for insh), 'man', Arab.
ins (coll.), 'men, people', and prob. also to
Arab, dnisa, 'he joined, was friendly', Akkad.
eneshu, to unite, join (intr.)
enough, adj. — ME. inogh, enogh, enouh, fr. OE.
genoh, rel. to OS. ginog, ON. gnogr, Swed. nog,
Dan. nok, OFris. enoch, Du. genoeg, OHG. ginu-
og{i), MHG. genuoc, G. genug, Goth, ganohs,
'enough', OE. geneah, OHG. ginah, Goth.ganah,
'it suffices', fr. I.-E. base *enek-, *nek-, *nk-, 'to
reach, attain, carry', whence also OI. asndti,
Avestic ashnaoiti, 'reaches, arrives at', OI. nd-
sati, Avestic nasaiti, 'reaches', OI. drnsah,
'portion, part', Avestic qsa-, 'party', Hitt. nakish,
'heavy', nikzi, 'rises', ninikzi, 'lifts, raises', Gk.
Ev-eyxEiv, 'to bear, carry', Si^vex^?, Att. Siave-
jdj<;, 'continuous, unbroken' (which are prob. a
contraction of *8ia-7)vexif]q and lit. mean 'capa-
ble of being carried through', fr. Sta, 'through',
and EveyxEiv, 'to carry'), Syxo?, 'bulk, size, mass,
body', L. nancisci (for na-n-c-isci), perf. nactus
sum, 'to reach, obtain', OSlav. neso, nesti, Lith.
nesii, nisti, Lett, nesu, nest, 'to bear, carry',
Lith. nastd, 'burden', and perh. also Toch. A
ents-, B enk-, 'to seize, take'. Cp. onco-, 'bulk,
size'.
Derivatives : enough, n. and adv.
enounce, tr. v., i) to state publicly; 2) to utter. —
F. enoncer, fr. L. enuntiare, 'to divulge, disclose,
report, say, declare', fr. e- and nuntiare, 'to an-
nounce, declare*, fr. niintius, 'messenger'. See
nuncio and cp. enunciate. Cp. also announce
and words there referred to.
Derivative: enounce-ment, n.
enow, adj. n. and adv., enough. — ME. inowe;
an archaic var. of enough.
en passant, by the way. — F., lit. 'in passing', fr.
en, 'in' and passant, pres. part, of passer, 'to
pass'. See 1st en-, pass and -ant.
enquire, enquiry. — See inquire, inquiry.
enrage, tr. and intr. v. — OF. (= F.) enrager,
formed fr. 1st en- and rage, 'rage, fury'. See
rage.
Derivatives: enrag-ed, adj., enrag-ed-ly, adv.,
enrag-ed-ness, n.
enrapt, adj., enraptured. — Formed fr. 1st en-
and rapt; introduced by Shakespeare.
enrapture, tr. v. — Formed fr. 1st en- and rapture.
Derivative: enraptur-er, n.
enravish, tr. v. — Formed fr. 1st en- and ravish.
enregister, tr. v. — F. enregistrer, 'to enter into a
register', fr. 1st en- and registre. See register.
Derivatives: enregistr-ation, n., enregistr-y, n.
enrich, tr. v. — F. enrichir, formed fr. 1st en-
and riche, 'rich'. See rich.
Derivatives: enrich-er, n., enrich-ing, adj., en-
rich-ing-ly, adv., enrich-ment, n.
enroll, enrol, tr. v. — ME. enrollen, fr. OF. en-
roller (F. enroler), 'to enter into a roll, enroll',
which is formed fr. 1st en- and OF. wile (F.
role). See roll, v. and n., and cp. role.
Derivatives: enroll-ed, adj., enroll-er, n., en-
rollment (q.v.)
enrollment, enrolment, n. — F. enrolement, fr.
enroler, to enroll'. See enrol and -ment.
en route, on the way. — F., fr. en, 'in, on', and
route, 'road, way, route'. See 1st en- and route.
ens, n„ being; entity (philos.) — Late L. ens (gen.
entis), back formation fr. est, 'is'. See esse and
cp. entity and the third word in dolce far niente.
ensample, n., an example {archaic.) — ME. en-
sample, fr. OF. ensample, a var. of essample,
fr. orig. example, exemple. See example and
cp. sample.
ensanguine, tr. v., to stain with blood. — Formed
fr. 1st en- and L. sanguis, gen. sanguinis, 'blood'.
See sanguine.
ensconce, tr. v., to conceal. — The original mean-
ing was 'to cover with a fort'. See 1st en- and
sconce.
ensemble, n., the whole. — F., 'together', fr. L.
insimul, 'at the same time', which is formed fr.
in-, 'in', and simul, 'at the same time, together'.
See simultaneous and cp. assemble.
enshrine, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and shrine.
ensiform, adj., sword-shaped. — Compounded
of L. ensis, 'sword', and forma, 'form, shape'.
The first element stands for *nsis and is cogn.
with OI. asih, 'sword, butcher's knife'. For the
second element see form, n.
ensign, n., 1) a flag; 2) in the United States Navy,
a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. —
OF. (= F.) enseigne, fr. L. insignia, pi. of in-
signe, 'mark, sign, badge of office', prop. neut.
of insignis, 'remarkable, noted, distinguished',
but mistaken in Vulgar Latin for a fern. sing,
noun. L. insignis is formed fr. in- 'in', and sig-
num, 'mark, sign'; see sign and cp. insignia. Cp.
also It. insegna, OProvenc. ensenha and OSp.
enseha, which all derive fr. L. insignia.'
Derivative : ensign-cy, n.
ensign, tr. v., to distinguish. — OF. ensignier, en-
seignier, 'to point out, indicate, teach' (whence
F. enseigner, 'to teach'), fr. VL. *insigndre,
corresponding to L. insignire, 'to mark, dis-
tinguish', fr. in-, 'in' and signum, 'mark, sign'.
See sign, n., and cp. prec. word.
ensilage, n., the preservation of food in a silo. —
F. See next word and -age and cp. silage.
Derivative : ensilage, v.
ensile, tr. v., to preserve (food) in a silo. — F. en-
siler, fr. ist en- and silo, fr. L. sir us. See silo.
enslave, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and slave.
Derivatives: enslave-ment, n., enslav-er, n.
ensnare, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and snare.
Derivatives: ensnare-ment, n., ensnar-er, n.,
ensnar-ing-ly, adv.
enstatite, n., a magnesium silicate (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. evaTa-rijs,
'adversary'; so called in allusion to its refract-
ory nature. Gk. Jvcttocttji; derives from the stem
525
enthetic
of eviaxTQixt, 'I stand in; I oppose', fr. ev (see
2nd en-) and for/jfu, T cause to stand; I stand',
fr. I.-E. base *sta-, 'to stand', whence also L.
stare, 'to stand'. See state and cp. histo-.
ensue, tr. and intr. v. — OF. enseu, pp. of en-
suivre, 'to follow, ensue', fr. VL. *insequere, cor-
responding to L. insequi, 'to follow, strive after',
fr. in-, 'in', and sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and
cp. sue, suit, suite.
Derivatives: ensu-ing, adj., ensu-ing-ly, adv.
ensure, tr. v. — AF. enseurer, formed fr. ist
en- and OF. seur (whence F. sur), 'sure'. See
sure and cp. insure.
Derivative: ensur-er, n.
-ent, adj. and subst. suff. denoting an agent or
an instrument. — OF. and F. -ent, fr. L. -en-
tem, acc. of -ens, pres. part. suff. of verbs per-
taining to the II and III conjugation. See -ant
and cp. -ence, -ency.
entablature, n., a horizontal structure composed
of cornice, frieze and architrave and supported
by columns (archit.) — MF., fr. It. intavolatura,
fr. intavolare, fr. in- (fr. L. in) and tavola (fr. L.
tabula, 'board, plank, table'). See in-, 'in', table
and -ure.
Derivative: entablatur-ed, adj.
entablement, n., platform on which a statue
stands. — F., fr. VL. intabuldmentum, fr. in-,
'in', and L. tabuldmentum, 'boarding, flooring',
fr. tabula, 'table'. See table and -ment.
entail, tr. v., 1) to bestow as a heritage; 2) to in-
volve. — Formed fr. ist en- and AF. tail, 'limit-
ation, limit of ownership', fr. OF. taillier (F.
tailler), 'to cut'. See tail, tailor.
Derivatives : entail, n., entail-er, n.,entail-ment, n.
entangle, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and tangle
(q-v.)
Derivatives : entangl-ed, adj., entangl-ed-ly, adv.,
entangl-ed-ness, n., entangl-er, n., entangl-ing,
adj., entangl-ing-ly, adv.
entasia, n., tonic spasm (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. evTixOTi;, 'a stretching, straining'. See
next word and -ia.
entasis, n., convexity in the shaft of a column
(archit.) — ModL., fr. Gk. £vra<Ti<;, 'a stretch-
ing', fr. evteiveiv, 'to stretch or strain tight',
fr. b> (see 2nd en-) and teIveiv, 'to stretch,
strain'. See tasimeter and cp. ectasis and words
there referred to.
entelechy, n., actuality as opposed to potentiality
(philos.) — L. entelechia, fr. Gk. evxeXexeta,
'full reality', coined by Aristotle fr. hnzkfa,
'complete', and Sxeiv, 'to have'. The first
element is formed fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and
tIao?, 'end, perfection' ; see tele-. For the ety-
mology of cxEiv see hectic.
entellus, n., name of the long-tailed monkey of
the East-Indies. — Named after Entellus, a
Sicilian hero, a pugilist, mentioned in the Ae-
neid (V, 387 foil.). The name is prob. related to
Entella, a town in Sicily (now called Rocca
d'Entella).
entelodont, n., any animal that pertained to the
extinct genus Elotherium. — Compounded of
Gk. evteXtj?, 'complete, fullgrown', and oScov,
gen. 686vxoq, 'tooth'. See entelechy and -odont.
entente, n., an understanding. — F., 'understand-
ing, agreement, skill, judgment', prop. fern. pp.
of entendre, 'to hear, understand, intend, mean',
used as a noun. F. entendre orig. meant 'to
direct one's attention'. It derives fr. L. intendere,
'to stretch out, extend ; to direct'. See intend.
enter, tr. and intr. v. — ME. entren, fr. OF. (= F.)
entrer, fr. L. intrdre, 'to enter' (whence also Rum.
intra, It. entrare, OProvenc. entrar, intrar, Catal.,
Sp., Port, entrar), formed fr. intra, 'within'; see
intra- and cp. enter-, entre-, entrance, entrant,
entree, entry. For sense development cp. OE.
innian, 'to enter', fr. inne, 'therein'. — There is
no connection between L. intrdre and trans,
'across, over'.
enter-, combining form in words of French ori-
gin, corresponding to F. entre-, fr. L. inter,
'among, between'. — See inter, prep., and cp.
entre-.
enter-, form of entero- before a vowel.
enteric, adj., pertaining to the intestines. — Gk.
evTEpix6<;, 'intestinal', first used by Aristotle;
formed fr. sVrepa (pi.), 'intestines', fr. I.-E.
*enter-, compar. of *en-, 'in', whence also L.
inter, 'among, between'. See inter, prep., and
-ic and cp. entero- and the second element in
archente'-on, Coelenterata, dysentery, exenterate,
lientery, mesentery, parenteric.
enteritis, n., inflammation of the intestines (med.)
— Medical L., coined by the French pathol-
ogist Francois-Boissier de la Croix de Sauvages
(1706-67) about 1750 fr. Gk. Evrepa, 'intestines'.
See prec. word and -iris and cp. peritonitis.
entero-, before a vowel sometimes enter-, com-
bining form denoting the intestines. — Gk.
evxepo-, evTsp, fr. sVrEpoc, 'intestines'. Sec en-
teric.
enterotomy, n., incision of the intestines. — Com-
pounded of entero- and Gk. -to^ia, 'a cutting
of, fr. TOjxr), 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
enterprise, n. — OF. (= F.) entreprise, 'an under-
taking', prop. fern. pp. of entreprendre, 'to
undertake', used as a noun, fr. VL. *inter-
prendere, fr. inter- and L. prehendere, prendere,
'to take, seize'. See prehensile and cp. entre-
preneur.
Derivatives: enterpris-er, n., enterpris-ing, adj.,
enterpris-ing-ly, adv.
entertain, tr. and intr. v. — F. entretenir, fr. entre-
(see entre-, enter-) and tenir, 'to hold', fr. L.
tenere. Cp. OProvenc. entretenir, Sp. entretener,
It. intrattenere, 'to entertain', and see tenable.
Derivatives: entertain-ed, adj., entertain-ing,
adj., entertain-ing-ly, adv., entertain-ing-ness, n.,
entertain-ment, n.
enthetic, adj., introduced from without (said of
diseases). — Gk. ev#ertx6<;,'fit for implanting',
fr. ev^ero;, 'that which can be introduced or
implanted', verbal adj. of svTi&evai, 'to put in,
introduce, implant', which is formed fr. ev (see
2nd en-) and -n.-9-evai, 'to put, place'. See theme
and -ic and cp. epenthetic, hypothetic, paren-
thetic, prosthetic, synthetic.
enthrall, enthral, tr. v., to enslave. — Lit. 'to hold
in bondage', fr. ist en- and thrall.
Derivatives: enthrall-er, n., enthrall-ing, adj.,
enthrall-ing-ly, adv., enthral(l}-ment, n.
enthrone, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and throne.
Derivatives: enthrone-ment, n., enthron-ize, tr.
v., enthron-iz-ation, n.
enthuse, tr. v., to make enthusiastic; intr. v., to
become enthusiastic (colloq.) — Back formation
fr. enthusiasm.
enthusiasm, n., i) inspiration; 2) zeal, fervor. —
Gk. £v&ouaia<j[j.6(;, 'divine inspiration', fr. ev-
S-ooaia£et.v, 'to be divinely inspired', fr. ev-S-eo?,
'divinely inspired', fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and ^z6q,
'god'. See theo-.
enthusiast, n. — Gk. ev&ouaiocaTT]?, 'a person in-
spired', fr. evfl-ouaia^Eiv, 'to be divinely inspired'.
See prec. word.
enthusiastic, adj. — Gk. EvS-ouaiaaxucoi;, 'in-
spired', fr. ev&ouaiaa-nf)!;, 'a person inspired'. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: enthusiastic-al, adj., enthusiastic-
ally, adv.
enthymeme, n., a syllogism in which one premise
is omitted (logic). — L. enthymema, fr. Gk.
£vSt)[r»)(ia, 'thought, argument', lit. 'a keeping in
mind', fr. EvOuixetaSm, 'to keep in mind, consid-
er, reflect', which is formed fr. ev (see 2nd en-)
and ftijfAog, 'spirit, mind, soul'. See thyme, thio-.
enthymematic, enthymematical, adj., pertaining
to an enthymeme. — Gk. Ev^0[x7](j.aTix6<;, fr.
ev#ufA7]|j!.a, gen. ivOufiTjjiaToi;. See prec. word
and -ic.
entice, tr. v. — ME. entisen, fr. OF. enticier, 'to
stir up (fire); to excite, incite', fr. VL.*intitidre,
'to stir up (fire)', fr. in-, 'in', and L. titid, gen.
-onis, 'a burning brand, a firebrand'. L. titid
is of uncertain origin. Cp. F. tison, 'a firebrand'
(fr. L. titidnem, acc. of titid), and attiser, 'to stir
up a fire, provoke' (fr. VL. *ad-titidre).
Derivatives: enticement (q.v.), entic-er, n., en-
tic-ing, adj., entic-ing-ly, adv., entic-ing-ness, n.
enticement, n. — OF. enticement, fr. enticier. See
prec. word and -ment.
entire, adj. — ME. enter, fr. OF. (= F.) entier,
fr. L. integrum, acc. of integer, 'whole, un-
diminished, entire', lit. 'untouched'; see in-
teger. The OF. form entier (beside the regular
form entir) is due to the substitution of the
suff. -ier for the ending of this word, which was
mistaken for a suff.
Derivatives: entire-ly, adv., entire-ness, n., en-
tirety (q.v.)
entirety, n. — AF. entiertie, corresponding to OF.
entierete, fr. L. integritdtem, acc. of integritds,
'completeness, soundness, integrity'. See in-
tegrity and cp. prec. word.
entitle, tr. v. — AF. entitler, corresponding to
OF. entiteler, entituler (F. intituler), fr. ist en-
and L. titulus, 'title'. See title and cp. intitule,
which is a doublet of entitle.
entity, n. (philos.), 1) being, existence, 2) the real
thing. — ML. entitds (whence also F. entite), fr.
Late L. ens, gen. entis, 'a thing', prop, back
formation fr. L. esse, 'to be', and serving as
pres. part, of this verb. The formation of a pres.
part, of L. esse was esp. necessary to render the
Greek philosophical term to 6v, 'that which is'
(ov is neut. of 6v, pres. part, of elvoa, 'to be').
See esse and cp. essence. Cp. also ens and the
third word in dolce far niente.
ento-, combining form meaning 'within, inside,
inner'. — Gk. evro-, fr. evt6?, 'within, inside',
cogn. with L. intus, 'within', fr. I.-E. *en-tos,
fr. *en, 'in' and adverbial suff. -tos, denoting
the origin. For the first element see 2nd en-.
For the second element cp. OI. i-tdh, 'from
here', L. cael-itus, divin-itus, 'from heaven'.
entomb, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and tomb.
Derivative: entomb-ment, n.
entomic, adj., pertaining to insects. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. eVrou.a, 'insects'. See en-
tomo-.
entomo-, combining form meaning 'insect, in-
secti-', Gk. evto(/.o-, fr. gv-rofioi;, 'cut up, cut in
pieces', used in pi. neut. ( = evto^oc, scil. &J>a)
in the sense of 'insects', lit. 'animals cut in');
so called by Aristotle, Historia animalium,
487" 33 because their body is divided into seg-
ments; 2vTO(j.o? derives from svt£u.v£iv, to
cut in', which is formed fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and
TEfiveiv, 'to cut'; see tome. Cp. L. insecta, 'in-
sects' (fr. insecdre, 'to cut into'), which is a loan
translation of Gk. evTO[j.a (see insect).
entomology, n., the study of insects. — F. ento-
mologie, which is compounded of entomo- and
Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoycx;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner) ; one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
entomophagous, adj., feeding on insects. — Com-
pounded of entomo- and Gk. -ijayoi;, 'eater of.
See -phagous.
entomophilous, adj., fertilized by insects. — Com-
pounded of entomo- and Gk. <ptXo<;, 'loved, be-
loved'. See -philous.
Entomostraca, n. pi., a subclass of crustaceans
(zool.) — Compounded of entomo- and Gk.
SaTpaxov, 'oyster shell'. See entomo- and os-
tracon.
entomotomy, n., dissection of insects. — Com-
pounded of entomo- and Gk. -topia., 'a cutting
of, fr. Toy.f t , 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
Derivative : entomotom-ist, n.
entopbyte, n., a vegetable parasite living within
the body of an animal or another plant (bot.)
— Compounded of ento- and Gk. ipvmSv, 'plant'.
See -phyte.
Derivative: entophyt-ic, adj.
entotic, adj., pertaining to the interior of the ear.
envelop
— Compounded of Gk. evt6?, 'within', and
amx6<;, 'pertaining to the ear'. See ento- and otic.
entourage, n., 1) surroundings; 2) circle of fol-
lowers. — F., fr. entourer, 'to surround', fr. 1st
en- and tour, 'turn, circuit'. See tour and -age
and cp. tournure, detour.
entozoa, n. pi., internal parasites, esp. intestinal
worms. — ModL., compounded of ento- and
£cjia, pi. of £<j>ov, 'animal'. See zoo-.
Derivatives: entozo-al, adj., entozo-an, adj. and
n., entozo-ic, adj.
entr'acte, n., interval between two acts; inter-
lude. — F., formed fr. entre, 'between', and
acte, 'act'. See entre- and act and cp. interact.
entrails, n. pi., the internal organs; specif., the
intestines. — ME. entraille, fr. OF. entraille (in
F. only in pi.), fr. VL. intrdlia (occurring in the
Reichenau Glosses, dating from the end of the
8th cent.), which is formed — with change of
suff. — fr. L. interdnea, neut. pi. of interdneus,
'that which is within', fr. inter, 'between,
among'. See inter, prep., and cp. enteric, entero-.
entrain, tr. and intr. v., to put or go aboard a
train. — Formed fr. ist en- and the noun train.
entrain, tr. v., to draw on or along. — F. en-
trainer, fr. ist en- and trainer, 'to draw'. See
train, v.
entrammel, tr. v., to put into trammels. —
Formed fr. ist en- and trammel,
entrance, n., the act of entering. — OF., fr. en-
trer. See enter and -ance.
entrance, tr. v., to put into a trance. — Formed
fr. ist en- and trance.
Derivatives: entrance-ment, n., entranc-ing, adj.,
entranc-ing-ly, adv.
entrant, adj., entering; n., one who enters. — F.
entrant, pres. part, of entrer, 'to enter'. See
enter and -ant.
entrap, tr. v. — OF. entraper, 'to catch'. See ist
en- and trap, 'mechanical device for catching
animals'. Derivative: entrapp-er, n.
entre-, combining form in French loan words,
corresponding to English enter-. — Fr. F. entre,
'between, among', fr. L. inter, of s.m. See ist
enter-.
entreat, tr. and intr. v. — ME. entreten, fr. OF.
entraiter, 'to treat', fr. ist en- and trailer, 'to
treat'. See treat.
Derivatives : entreat-ing, adj., entreat-ing-ly, adv.
entreaty, n. — Formed fr. entreat on analogy of
treaty.
entree, entree, n., 1) entrance, right to enter;
2) a course of meal. — F. entree. See entry,
entremets, n., side dish, extra dish. — F., fr. entre
mets, 'between dishes'. See ist entre- and mess,
entrench, intrench, tr. v. — Lit. 'to surround
with entrenchments'; formed fr. ist en- (resp.
in-, 'in') and trench.
Derivatives: entrench-er, n., entrench-ment, n.
entrepot, n., a warehouse. — F., fr. L. interposi-
tion, 'that which is placed between', neut. pp. of
inter pdnere. See inter- and position and cp. depot.
entrepreneur, n., one who manages an undertak-
ing. — F., fr. entreprendre, 'to undertake', fr.
VL. *interprendere. See entreprise.
entresol, n., a story between the ground floor and
the first floor. — F., formed fr. ist entre- and
sol, 'ground, earth', fr. L. solum, 'the lowest
part of a thing; the floor of a room', whence
solea, 'sole of a sandal, sandal'. See sole, 'the
under surface of the foot'.
entropy, n., measure of the waste thermal energy
(phys.) — G. Entropie, formed on analogy of G.
Energie, 'energy', fr. 2nd en- and Tpo7T7j, 'a turn-
ing, turn, change', first used in 1850 by the
German physicist Rudolf Julius Emmanuel
Clausius (1822-88). See trope and -y (represent-
ing Gk. -ia).
entrust, intrust, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- (resp.
in-, 'in') and trust.
entry, n. — F. entree, prop. fern. pp. of entrer,
'to enter', fr. L. intrdre. Cp. It. entrata (fem. pp.
of entrare), OProvenc. intrada (fem. pp. of in-
trar), Sp. entrada (fem. pp. of entrar) and see
enter. Cp. also entree.
entwine, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and twine.
entwist, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and twist.
Entyloma, n., a genus of parasitic fungi (bot.) —
ModL., fr. 2nd en- and Gk. TuXcojia, 'callus', fr.
TiiXos, 'a swelling'. See tyloma.
enucleate, tr. v., 1) to remove the kernel from the
husk; 2) to make clear; 3) (surg.) to remove (a
tumor, etc.) from its sac. — L. enucledtus, pp. of
enucledre, 'to take out the kernel, clear from
the husk, enucleate', fr. e- and nucleus, 'nut,
kernel'. See nucleus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: enucleat-ion, n.
enucleate, adj., having no nucleus. — L. enucle-
dtus, pp. of enucledre. See enucleate, v.
enumerate, tr. v. — L. enumerdtus, pp. of enu-
merdre, 'to reckon up, count over, enumerate',
fr. e- and numerdre, 'to count, number', fr.
numerus, 'number'. See number and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: enumeration (q.v.), enumerat-ive,
adj., enumerat-or, n.
enumeration, n. — F. enumeration, fr. L. enume-
rdtidnem, acc. of enumerdtid, 'a counting up',
fr. enumerdtus, pp. of enumerdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
enunciate, tr. v., 1) to announce; 2) to pronounce.
— L. enuntidtus, pp. of enuntidre, 'to divulge,
disclose, report, say, declare', fr. e- and nun-
tidre, 'to announce, declare'. See enounce.
enunciation, n. — L. enuntidtid, gen. -onis, 'enun-
ciation, declaration', fr. enuntidtus, pp. of enun-
tidre. See prec. word and -ion and cp. annun-
ciation, denunciation, pronunciation.
enuresis, n., incontinence of urine (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. evoupEiv, 'to make water in',
fr. ev (see 2nd en-) and oupeiv, 'to make water'.
See urine.
envelop, tr. v. — ME. envelupen, fr. OF. enve-
loper (F. envelopper), which is prob. formed fr.
envelope
528
1st en- and a blend of ML. faluppa, 'straw, ball
of corn', and L. volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and
cp. develop.
Derivative: envelop-ment, n.
envelope, n. — F. enveloppe, back formation fr.
envelopper. See prec. word,
envenom, tr. v., i) to put poison on or in; 2) to
embitter. — ME. envenimen, fr. OF. envenimer,
fr. 1st en- and venim, 'venom'. See venom,
enviable, adj. — Formed fr. envy with suff. -able.
Derivatives: enviable-ness, n., enviabl-y, adv.
envious, adj. — OF. envieus, fr. L. invididsus,
'full of envy, envious', fr. invidia, 'envy'. See
envy, n., and -ous and cp. invidious, which is a
doublet of envious.
Derivative: envious-ly, adv., envious-ness, n.
environ, tr. v., to surround. — F. environner, 'to
surround', fr. environ, 'round about', fr. 1st en-
and viron, 'a going round, circuit', fr. virer, 'to
turn round'. See veer.
environment, n., surroundings. — Formed fr. en-
viron with suff. -ment; introduced by Thomas
Carlyle (1795-1881) to render G. Umgebung.
Derivative: environment-al, adj.
environs, n. pi., outskirts. — F., fr. environ,
'round about'. See environ.
envisage, tr. v., 1) to face; 2) to visualize. — F.
envisager, 'to face, consider, contemplate', fr.
ist en- and visage, 'face' (see visage); prob. in-
troduced into English by John Keats (1795-
1821).
envoy, n., a postscript to a poem or to a prose
composition. — OF. envoy (F. envoi), 'a send-
ing', back formation fr. OF. envoiier (F. en-
voyer), 'to send', fr. VL. *invidre, of s.m., lit.
'to put on the way', fr. in-, 'in' and L. via, 'way'.
See via and cp. voyage, invoice.
envoy, n., a messenger. — F. envoye, pp. of en-
voyer, 'to send'. See prec. word.
envy, n. — OF. (= F.) envie, fr. L. invidia, 'envy,
jealousy', fr. invuiere, 'to look askance at, look
maliciously at, cast an evil eye upon, to envy,
grudge', fr. in-, 'in', and videre, 'to see'. See
vision and cp. envious. For sense development
cp. Avestic nipashnaka-, 'envious' (cogn. with
L. specio, 'I look at, behold'), OSlav. zavide~ti,
'to envy' (fr. videti, 'to see') and Lith. pa-vydSti,
'to envy' (rel. to veizdeti, 'to see, to look at').
envy, tr. v. — F. envier, fr. VL. invidiare, 'to en-
vy', fr. L. invidia. See envy, n.
enwind, tr. v. — Formed fr. 1st en- and wind,
'to turn' (q.v.)
enwomb, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and womb
(q.v.)
enwrap, tr. v. — Formed fr. ist en- and wrap
(q.v.)
enzootic, adj., prevailing in a certain area (said
of diseases affecting animals) and correspond-
ing to endemic diseases in man. — F. enzoo-
tique, fr. 2nd en- and Gk. £<J>o\j, 'animal'. See
zoo- and -ic and cp. epizootic.
Derivative: enzootic, n., an enzootic disease.
enzyme, n., a chemical ferment (biochem.) —
G. Enzym, coined by the German physiologist
Wilhelm Kiihne (1837- 1900) in 1878 fr. MGk.
gvt£|xo(;, 'leavened', fr. Gk. sv (see 2nd en-) and
Zfifxt], 'leaven'. See zymosis.
Derivatives: enzym-atic, enzym-ic, adjs.
eo-, combining form meaning 'dawn'. — Gk.
■/jo-, fr. 7)c!>?, 'dawn', which stands for *ausds
and is cogn. with OE. east, 'in the east'. See
east and cp. words there referred to.
eoan, adj., pertaining to the dawn. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Sous, fr. Gk. Tjakx;, 'of the
dawn, pertaining to the dawn', fr. i\<i>z. See eo-
and -an.
Eoanthropus, n., a prehistoric type of man, the
Piltdown man {anthropol.) — ModL., lit. 'man
of the dawn', compounded of eo- and Gk.
3v&pa>noz, 'man'. See anthropo-.
Eocene, adj., pertaining to the earliest division
of the Tertiary period (geol.) — Compounded
of eo- and Gk. xaiv6?, 'new'. See kainite.
Derivative: Eocene, n., the Eocene period.
Eohippus, n., the progenitor of the horse (pale-
ontol.) — ModL., lit. 'horse of the dawn
(period)'; compounded of eo- and Gk. tnnoq,
'horse'. See hippo-.
eolith, n., a rude stone implement. — See next
word.
eolithic, adj., pertaining to the age preceding the
paleolithic Age (geol.) — Compounded of eo-
and Gk. tt&ot;, 'stone'. See litho-.
Eomecon, n., a genus of Chinese plants of the
poppy family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
eo- and Gk. ^kuv, 'poppy'. See meconium.
eon, n. — A variant of aeon.
Eos, n., the goddess of dawn in Greek mytho-
logy; identified with the Roman Aurora. — L.
Eds, also Eos, fr. Gk. 'Hco?, lit. 'dawn'. See eo-.
eosin, cosine, n., a rose-colored dye (chem.) —
Formed with chem. suff. -in, -ine fr. Gk. rjtog,
'dawn'. See eo-.
-eous, adjectival suff. meaning 'of the nature of.
— L. -eus as in ligneus, 'of wood, wooden' (fr.
lignum, 'wood', see ligneous). Cp. -ous.
ep-, form of epi- before a vowel.
epact, n., the excess of the solar year over 12
lunar months (chronol.) — F. epacte, fr. Late
L. epacta, 'an intercalary day', fr. Gk. E7iocxToct
(scil. 7)(iipat.), 'intercalary days', fern. pi. of
£7raxT6?, 'added, intercalated', verbal adj. of
ettixyeiv, 'to bring forward, add, intercalate', fr.
hu. (see epi-) and ayeiv, 'to lead', which is cogn.
with L. agere, 'to drive, set in motion, lead'. See
agent, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
eparch, n., 1) governor of an eparchy; 2) bishop
of an eparchy. — Gk. S7rapxo?, 'commander,
governor', fr. hid (see epi) and 4px<k, 'leader,
chief, ruler'. See -arch.
eparchy, n., subdivision of a province in modern
Greece. — Gk. E;rapxta, 'office of an eparch,
province', fr. tn<xpx°$- See prec. word and -y
(representing Gk. -15).
529
ephialtes
epaulement, n., breastwork serving as protection
from flanking fire (fort.) — F. epaulement,
'shoulder piece, breastwork', fr. epauler, 'to
support with the shoulder, to make an epaule-
ment', fr. epaule, 'shoulder'. See next word and
-ment.
epaulet, also epaulette, n., a shoulder ornament.
— F. epaulette, dimin. of epaule, 'shoulder', fr.
OF. espalle, espalde, fr. L. spatula, spathula, 'a
broad piece' (later 'shoulder'), dimin. of spatha,
'a broad wooden instrument, a broad, two-
edged sword', fr. Gk. <m6.frq, 'a broad flat
sword'. See spade and cp. epauliere, epee, espa-
lier, pauldron, pawl, 'bar'. For the ending see
the suffixes -et, -ette.
epauliere, n., shoulder piece worn on uniforms.
— F., 'shoulder strap; shoulder plate (armor)',
fr. epaule, 'shoulder', fr. OF. espauliere. See
prec. word.
epee, n., sword. — F., fr. L. spatha. See epaulet.
epeiric, adj., covering continents or parts of
them — said of seas (geol.) — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. rjraipoi;, 'mainland', which
stands for *a7rep-ioi; (cp. Dor. Sjmpoi;, Aeol.
STteppo?, of s.m.), and is cogn. with OE. dfer,
OFris. over, Du. oever, MHG. uover, G. Ufer,
'shore'.
ependyma, n., the lining membrane of the ven-
tricles of the brain and the canal of the spinal
cord (anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. e7tEv8uu.a,
'upper garment', fr. sravStieiv, 'to put on
over', fr. ini (see epi-) and svSiisiv, 'to put on
(clothes)' (whence 6v8u(j.a, 'garment'); see en-
dysis. Considering the fact that this membrane
consists of a single layer (= 'garment'), endyma
would be a more befitting name than ependyma,
since this latter lit. denotes a garment worn over
another garment.
Derivative: ependym-al, adj.
ependymitis, n., inflammation of the ependyma
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -iris.
ependymoma, n., diseased condition of the epen-
dyma (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. epen-
dyma with suff. -oma.
epenthesis, n., insertion of a letter or a syllable
in a word (gramm.) — Late L., fr. Gk. iniv-
deal?, 'insertion', fr. erovTi&Evai, 'to insert',
fr. lizl (see epi-) and evti&evoii, 'to put in', fr.
h> (see 2nd en-) and xi^evoa, 'to put, place'.
See theme and cp. thesis and words there re-
ferred to.
epenthetic, adj., of the nature of, or pertaining
to, epenthesis. — Gk. E7rev$£Ttx6s, fr. e7tevtl-
Sivai, 'to insert'. See prec. word and -ic.
epergne, n., an ornamental centerpiece. — F.
ipargne, 'a saving', fr. epargner, 'to save', fr.
OF. espargnier, a word of Teut. origin. Cp. OS.
sparon, OHG. sparon, sparen, 'to save, spare',
and see spare. OProvenc. esparnhar and It.
risparmiare, 'to save', are also Teut. loan words.
epexegesis, n., an added explanation. — Gk.
stteStq-pictk;, 'a detailed account, explanation',
fr. l-Ks%,rp(zlcs^ixi, 'to recount in detail', fr. etu
(see epi-) and I^Ye'^at, 'to explain'. See ex-
egesis.
epexegetic, epexegetical, adj., explanatory. — See
prec. word and exegetic, exegetical.
eph-, form of epi- before an aspirated vowel,
ephah, epha, n., a Hebrew grain measure. — Heb.
ephd h , prob. fr. Egypt, 'pt (whence Coptic
uoipe, oipe, LXX Greek 0E9E1, oE<p£).
ephebe, n., an ephebus. — See ephebus.
ephebic, adj., pertaining to the ephebi. — Gk.
e<pr)$ix6q, fr. £971(301;. See next word and -ic.
ephebus, n., a citizen between 18 and 20 years
(Greek hist.) — L., fr. Gk. &pr)E}o<;, 'a youth', fr.
hd (see epi-) and rj^rj, 'youth, early manhood'.
See Hebe.
Ephedra, n., a genus of desert shrubs of the joint-
fir family (bot.) — L. ephedra, 'horsetail', fr.
Gk. lyeSpa., prop. fem. of g<pe8poi;, 'sitting
upon', used as a noun, fr. &nl (see epi-) and
SSpot, 'seat'. See -hedron.
ephelis, n., a freckle. — Gk. i<fi)X^ (in the pi.
£(p7)Xi8ei;), 'freckle', fr. ini (see epi-) and rjXio;,
'sun'. See helio- and cp. words there referred to.
Ephemera, n., the genus of the Ephemerida (en-
tomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ^[ispov, 'dayfly',
prop. neut. of £<pr]u.spoi;, 'lasting but a day,
short-lived', used as a noun, fr. kiti (see epi-)
and rjuipa, 'day'. See hemero-.
ephemeral, adj., living only for a day; short-
lived, fleeting. — Lit. meaning 'of one day';
formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. 4<pyj[i.Epoq. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: ephemeral-ity, n., ephemeral-ly,
adj., ephemeral-ness, n.
ephemerid, n., any of the Ephemeridae. — See
next word.
Ephemeridae, n. pi., an order of insects, the May
fly (entomol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-idae fr. Gk. ^Tj^Epov, 'dayfly'. See Ephemera.
ephemeris, n., 1) a diary (obsol.); 2) an astronom-
ical calendar. — Gk. ^rjjjtsplq, 'diary ; calendar',
fr. £<p7)[i.Epo?, 'lasting but a day'. See Ephemera.
ephemeron, n., 1) an ephemerid; 2) anything
transitory. — Gk. e<p7][j.epov, neut. of tyruiepo:;,
'lasting but a day'. See Ephemera.
ephetae, n. pi., a court of 51 members, which
tried cases of homicide in ancient Athens. —
ModL., fr. Gk. itpitai, pi. of eipeTTj?, from the
stem of etpievai, 'to send to, send against, im-
pose upon', fr. ettI (see epi-) and Ievki, 'to send,
throw', which stands for *yi-ye-nai and is cogn.
with L.jacere, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth',
and cp. words there referred to.
Ephialtes, n., a giant slain by Apollo (Greek my-
thol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'E9idcXTYj<;, of uncertain
origin. The explanation of the ancients that the
name derives from the verb ^aXXeaSNxi, 'to
leap upon', is prob. folk etymology. See Frisk,
GEW., pp. 508-509.
ephialtes, n., a nightmare. — Orig. (cap.) denot-
epmppium
ing a demon supposed to cause nightmares, and
identical with prec. word,
ephippium, n., the pituitary fossa (anat.) — L.
'saddle cloth, caparison', fr. Gk. stptrouov, prop.
neut. of the adj. s^rotio;, 'for putting on a horse',
fr. E7rf (seeepi-) and t-Kxoq, 'horse' (see hippo-);
so called from its shape,
epbod, n., a Jewish priestly garment. — Heb.
ephSdh, whence dphddh, 'he girded on the
ephod'. Cp. Akkad. epattum, pi. epaddtum,
'garment'.
ephor, n., one of a body of magistrates in various
ancient Dorian states, esp. in Sparta, where a
body of five ephors was annually chosen. — L.
ephorus, fr. Gk. eipopo?, 'overseer, guardian',
the same as ijrfoupo?, fr. kill (see epi-) and
oSpoi;, 'watcher, guard', prop, 'seer, overseer',
which is rel. to 6p£v, 'to see', and cogn. with
OE. wzr, 'aware, cautious'. See ware, 'alert'.
Derivatives: ephor-al, adj., ephor-al-ty, n.,
ephor-ate, n., ephor-ic, adj.
ephphatha, interj., lit. 'be opened' (see Mark
7 : 34). — Gk. £<p<pa$(i, corrupt transliteration of
Aram, ethpattdfi, 'be opened!', imper. Ethpa'al
of p l ta(i, 'he opened', which is rel. to Heb.
pdthdh, Arab, fdtaha, 'he opened', Akkad. pitu,
patu, 'to open'.
Ephraim, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) the
younger son of Joseph; b) the tribe descended
from him, whence c) the Kingdom of Israel. —
Late L., fr. Gk. 'E9poctfz, fr. Heb. Ephrdyim,
a derivative of pdrd h , 'was fruitful', which is rel.
to Heb. and Aram. p e ri, Aram.-Syr./>er<f, 'fruit'.
See Gen. 41 152 and cp. Hos. 13:25.
Ephydra, n., a genus of brine flies (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. EipuSpa, fem. of eipuSpoi;, 'living
on the water', fr. kid (see epi-) and {JScop,
'water'. See hydro-.
epi-, before a vowel ep-, before an aspirate eph-,
pref. meaning 'on, beside, among, above, an-
terior'. In chemistry this pref. denotes relation
of some kind to a specified compound. — Gk.
em-, &tz-, £<p-, fr. em, 'on, upon; up to, over,
after; at; beyond, besides', cogn. with OI. dpi,
'also, besides', Avestic aipi, 'also; to, toward',
Toch. -pi, Arm. ev, 'also, and', and in gradat-
ional relationship to Gk. 6m- in on&fv), Ion.
and Att. ™4e(v), 'after, behind', L. ob, 'to-
ward, against, in the way of; about; before; on
account of ; instead of. Cp. ob- and words there
referred to. Cp. also the first element in bias,
bishop. For Teut. cognates see even, 'evening'.
epiblast, n., the outer layer of the embryo (biol.)
— Compounded of epi- and Gk. fiXacrn^, 'bud,
sprout, shoot'. See -blast.
Derivative: epiblast-ic, adj.
epic, adj. — L. epicus, fr. Gk. ir.i-x.6c,, 'epic', fr.
hzoc,, 'word, song', in pi., 'epic poetry'. See
epos and -ic and cp. epopee.
Derivatives : epic, n., epic-al, adj., epic-al-ly, adv.
epicardium, n., the visceral layer of the pericar-
dium {anat.) — Medical L., fr. epi- and Gk.
xapSia, 'heart'. See cardio- and cp. endocar-
dium, pericardium.
Epicarides, n. pi., a group of small crustaceans
parasitic on shrimp (zool.) — ModL., lit. 'those
(living) on shrimps', fr. epi- and Gk. adipiq, gen.
xapESo?, 'shrimp, prawn'. See Caridea.
epicarp, n., the outermost layer of a pericarp
(pot.) — See epi- and carpel and cp. endocarp,
pericarp.
epicedium, n., a funeral hymn, dirge. — L. epi-
cedium, fr. Gk. erax7)8etov, 'a dirge, elegy', prop,
neut. of the adjective emx-rjSeio?, 'funeral', used
as a noun, fr. enl (see epi-) and xrjSoi;, 'sorrow',
which is rel. to Dor. xaSoi;, of s.m., and cogn.
with Goth, hatis, OE. hete, 'hatred'. See hate
and cp. acedia.
epicene, adj., of common gender (gramm.) — L.
epicoenus, fr. Gk. emxoivos, 'common, pro-
miscuous', fr. km (see epi-) and xoiv6;, 'com-
mon'. See coeno-.
epicenter, epicentre, n., the area of the earth's
surface immediately above the center of an
earthquake (seismol.) — Gk. hzhc^-zpoq, 'on
the center', fr. em (see epi-) and xevtpov, 'cen-
ter'. See center.
epicentrum, n., an epicenter. — ModL. See prec.
word.
epichorial, adj., pertaining, or restricted, to a
country or a district. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. Gk. imxoipiot;, 'in, or of, the country',
fr. km (see epi-) and x"P s > 'country'. See
enchorial.
epicondyle, n., a surface or process above a con-
dyle (anat.) — Orig. used to denote 'the lateral
epicondyle of the humerus'. The name is er-
roneous. It was coined by the French anatomist
and surgeon Francois Chaussier (1746-1828) fr.
epi- and condyle. The correct form should have
been paracondyle (in accordance with the mean-
ing of Gk. roxpfi, 'beside', in contradistinction
to em, which means 'on, upon'). See Joseph
Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica, pp. 200-201.
A similar erroneous anatomical term (also
coined by Chaussier) is epitrochlea (q.v.)
Epicrates, n., a genus of nonpoisonous boas
(zoo/.) — ModL., fr. Gk. emxpanr;!;, 'having
mastery, superior', fr. em (see epi-) and xpa-ro?,
'strength, power'. See -cracy.
epicure, n., one given up to sensual enjoyment.
— L. Epicurus, fr. Gk. 'Emxoupo?, Greek philo-
sopher said to have regarded sensual enjoyment
as the highest good.
Epicurean, adj., pertaining to Epicurus; n., a
follower of Epicurus. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Epicureus, fr. Gk. 'Ernxoupeioi;, pertain-
ing to Epicurus', fr. 'Emxoupo?. See prec. word.
Epicureanism, n., 1) the doctrine of Epicurus;
2) epicurism. — See epicure and -ism.
epicurism, n., addiction to sensual enjoyment. —
See epicure and -ism.
epicycle, n., a circle whose center moves along
the circumference of another and larger circle.
531
epigram
— Late L. epicyclus, fr. Gk. etiCxuxXoi;, fr. em
(see epi-) and xiixXo;, 'circle'. See cycle.
Derivative: epicycl-ic, adj.
epicycloid, n., the curve traced by a point on the
circumference of a circle that rolls upon the
outside of the circumference of another circle.
— Compounded of epicycle and Gk. -oeiSyj?,
'like', fr. eI8o<;, 'form, shape'. See -oid.
Derivative: epicycloid-al, adj.
epideictic, adj . , serving to display or exhibit. — Gk.
eraSeixTixo?, 'for displaying', fr. smSeixvuvai,
'to show off, display', fr. im (see epi-) and
Seixvtivai, 'to show'. See deictic and cp. apo-
dictic.
epidemic, epidemical, adj., prevalent among many
people in a community at the same time. — F.
epidemique, fr. epidemie, 'epidemic (n.)', fr. ML.
epidemia, fr. Gk. S7ti8rj[ii6i [for emSTjfua (v<Saos),
'(disease) prevalent among the people'], fem. of
emSr^iioc,, 'among the people', fr. £7t[8y)[jlo;, 'at
home, current, prevalent', fr. era, 'among' (see
epi-), and 8rj|o.o5, 'people'. See demos and -ic,
resp. also -al, and cp. endemic.
Derivatives: epidemic, n., epidemic-al-ly, adv.,
epidemic-al-ness, n., epidemic-ity, n.
epidemiology, n., the study of epidemics. — Com-
pounded of Gk. emSriixio?, 'prevalent among
the people', and -Xoytx, fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See epidemic and -logy
and cp. endemiology.
Derivatives: epidemiolog-ic-al, adj., epidemio-
log-ist, n.
epidemy, n., an epidemic (rare). — F. epidemie,
fr. ML. epidemia. See epidemic.
Epidcndrum, also Epidendron, n., a genus of
American orchids (bot.) — ModL., formed fr.
epi- and Gk. SevSpov, 'tree'. See dendro-.
epidermal, epidermic, adj., pertaining to the skin.
— See epidermis and -al, resp. -ic.
epidermis, n., the outer skin (anat.) — Late L.,
fr. Gk. smSepntc., 'the outer skin', lit. (that
which is) on the skin', fr. etu (see epi-) and
8ep(xa, 'skin' (sec derma); first used by the Eng-
lish philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626).
epididym-, form of epididymo- before a vowel.
epididymis, n., mass at the back of the testicle
(anat.) — ModL., lit. 'that which is on the
testicle', fr. Gk. ErrtStS'j^Li;, a name prob.
coined by the Greek anatomist Herophilus
(about 300 B.C.E.) fr. hi (see epi-) and SlSujjloi;,
'testicle', prop, an adjective meaning 'double,
twofold, twin'. See didymium.
Derivative: epididym-al, adj.
epididymectomy, n., removal of the epididymis.
— Compounded of the prec. word and Gk.
-ex-ro;zla, 'a cutting out of, fr. exxo[j.r;, 'a cut-
ting out'. See -ectomy.
epididymitis, n., inflammation of the epididymis
(mcd.) Medical L., formed fr. epididymis with
suff. -itis.
epididymo-, before a vowel epididym-, combining
form meaning 'pertaining to the epididymis. \ — .
See epididymis.
epidote, n., a complex silicate of calcium, alu-
minum and iron, of a yellowish-green color
(mineral.) — F. epidote, a name coined by the
French mineralogist Rene-Just Haiiy (1743-
1822), from the stem of Gk. eraSiSovai, 'to
give besides, increase', fr. era, 'besides' (see
epi-) and SiSovoa, 'to give' (verbal adj. 80T65,.
'given', see antidote); so called by him because
two of the sides of the parallelogram serving
asthe base of this mineral are much longer than
the other two sides. Derivative: epidot-ic, adj.
Epigaea, n., a genus of plants of the heath family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'growing on the ground',
fr. epi- and Gk. yaia, yr\, 'earth'. See Gaea.
epigastric, adj., on or above the stomach (anat.)
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. emyacsTpio<;,
'above the belly', fr. era (see epi-) and yaaTTjp,
'belly'. See gastro- and cp. hypogastric, meso-
gastric.
epigastrium, n., the epigastric region of the body
(anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. imyaaTp'.ov, 'that
which is above the belly', prop. neut. of k-
yacTpio?, 'above the belly', used as a noun. See
prec. word and cp. hypogastrium, mesogastrium.
epigene, adj., 1) growing on the surface of the
earth (geol.); 2) foreign (said of crystals). — F.
epigene, fr. Gk. Erayevr)?, 'growing on or after'.
See epi- and -gene.
epigenesis, n., the theory that each germ 01 em-
bryo is an entirely new creation (biol.) —
Formed fr. epi- and genesis.
epigeous, adj., 1) growing on or near the ground;
borne above ground after germination (said of
cotyledons). — Gk. emyetos, 'on or of the earth',
fr. em (see epi-), and yvj, 'earth'. Sec Gaea. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
epiglottic, adj., pertaining to the epiglottis. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. emyXoT-ic. See
next word.
epiglottis, n., the triangular cartilage at the base
of the tongue, which closes the opening of the
windpipe during swallowing (anat.) — Gk.
emyXcoTTit;, 'valve which covers the larynx, epi-
glottis', lit. '(that which is) upon the tongue',
fr. em (see epi-), and yXeoT-ca, 'tongue'. See
glottis.
epigone, n., 1) one of the succeeding generation;
esp. applied to the sons of the 'Seven against
Thebes' in Greek mythology; whence :)an in-
ferior imitator of a great man. — L. Epigoni, 'the
son of the Seven who went against Thebes', fr.
Gk. 'Emyovv., lit. 'born after', pi. of i-iyovo;,
fr. emyCyvEa^at, 'to be born afier', fr. em (see
epi-) and ytyvea&xi, 'to be born'. See genus.
epigram, n., a terse, witty statement in prose or
verse. — F. epigramme, fr. L. epigramma, fr.
Gk. emypajx^a, gen. -ypa(jL|xaToc, 'inscription;
epigram', lit. 'something written on', fr. fei-
ypaipetv, 'to write upon', fr. em (see epi-) and
Ypdupeiv, 'to write'. See gramme and cp. epigraph.
epigrammatic
532
epigrammatic, adj. — Late L. epigrammaticus, fr.
L. epigramma, gen. -grammatis, 'epigram'. See
prec. word and -atic.
Derivatives: epigrammalic-al, adj., epigramma-
tic-al-ly, adv.
epigrammatism, n., the use of epigrams. —
Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk. ETctYpafi.f/.a, gen.
-Ypa[jt(xaTo?. See epigram.
epigrammatist, n., a maker of epigrams. — Late
L. epigrammatista, fr. Gk. EmYpaiAjxcraa-rfe,
'writer of epigrams, epigrammatist', fr. im-
Ypa[X[xaxi^siv, 'to write epigrams', fr. inifpx[t.\La..
See epigram and -ist and cp. next word.
epigramma tize, tr. v., to express in an epigram-
matic form; intr. v., to write epigrams. — Gk.
47tiypa|jijjiaT£^etv, 'to write epigrams', fr. hnl-
Ypau^a. See epigram and -ize.
epigraph, n., an inscription. — Gk. iTttypaipiQ,
'inscription', fr. ETUYpdupEiv. See epigram.
Derivatives: epigraph, tr. v., epigraph-er, n.,
epigraph-ic, epigraph-ic-al, adjs., epigraph-ic-
al-ly, adv., epigraph-ist, n., epigraph-y, n.
epilepsy, n., a chronic nervous disease character-
ized by convulsions. — OF. epilepsie (F. ipi-
lepsie), fr. Late L. epilepsia, fr. Gk. inCK-rfyia,
'liability to seizure, epilepsy', rel. to e7riXa[jt.-
Pavetv, 'to lay hold of, seize, attack', fr. ivd (see
epi-) and the future stem of Xotfipavsiv, 'to take,
grasp, seize'. See lemma and cp. words there
referred to.
epileptic, adj. i) pertaining to epilepsy; 2) af-
fected with epilepsy. — F. ipileptique, fr. Late
L. epilepticus, fr. Gk. hztkrpzx\x.6z, 'subject to
epilepsy, epileptic', fr. £Tt£Xi)Trro<;, 'suffering
from epilepsy', verbal adj. of s7tiXafipivEiv. See
prec. word and -ic. Derivative: epileptic, n.
epilogist, n., writer or speaker of an epilogue. —
See next word and -ist.
epilogue, epilog, n., speech at the end of a play. —
F. epilogue, fr. L. epilogus, fr. Gk. lnl\oYo<;,
'peroration ; concluding part of a play', lit. 'a
saying in addition', fr. ETtiXEYeiv, 'to say in ad-
dition', fr. etu (see epi-) and Xeyeiv, 'to say,
speak'. See lecture and cp. logos.
Derivative : epilogue, tr. v.
Epimedium, n., a genus of plants of the barberry
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. epimedion, fr. Gk.
e7U{at)8iov, name of a plant, possibly 'barren-
wort', fr. Ite[ (see epi-) and ji^Stov, name of a
plant (Campanula); so called because of its re-
semblance to the plant u.t)8iov.
Epimetheus, n., the brother of Prometheus {Greek
mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'E7U|i7)&eu<;, lit. 'after-
thinker', fr. hd (see epi-) and Vfj^o?, corre-
sponding to Dor. *(i.a*hi<;, 'care', fr. I.-E.
*mddh-, a var. of *men-dh, enlargement of base
*men-, 'to think'. See mathematical and cp.
Prometheus.
epinasty, adj., increased growth of the upper sur-
face of an organ, causing that organ or part of
it to bend downward (plant physiol.) — G. Epi-
nastie, formed fr. epi- and Gk. vocotos, 'pressed
close, compact', verbal adj. of vtxaaeiv, 'to press
close', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivative: epinast-ic, adj.
epinicion, n., an ode in honor of a victor. —
ModL., fr. Gk. E7uvf>aov, 'song of victory'
(short for oJctjxoc ETUvfxiov), neut. of emvixioi;,
'of victory', fr. ekI (see epi-) and vfxvj, 'victory'.
See Nicholas.
epiotic, adj., pertaining to the upper ear. —
Formed fr. epi- and Gk. &zix.6t;, 'of, or per-
taining to, the ear'. See otic.
epipastic, adj., having the qualities of, or serving
as, a dusting powder (med.) — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. erclTracrTOi;, 'sprinkled over',
verbal adj. of ETtmaaaEiv, 'to sprinkle over', fr.
kizi (see epi-) and naaaeiv, 'to besprinkle', which
is of uncertain origin.
Epiphany, n., a festival held January 6, commem-
orating the first manifestation of Jesus to the
Gentiles (eccles.) — OF. epiphanie, fr. Late L.
epiphania, neut. pi., fr. Late Gk. eTtttpavta,
prop. neut. pi. of the adj. £7119001101;, 'appearing,
manifest', used as a noun, fr. lv:ifa.f}\q, of s.m.,
fr. emqxxCveiv, 'to show forth, display, make
manifest', which is formed fr. E7u (see epi-) and
(patvstv, 'to bring to light, show'. See phan-
tasm and cp. theophany, tiffany.
epiphany, n., manifestation of a divine being. —
Gk. tmyavzux (neut. pi.), 'coming into light,
appearance, manifestation', fr. tm<pxvffc. See
prec. word.
Epiphegus, n., a genus of parasitic herbs of the
broomrape family (bot.) — ModL., lit. '(that
which grows) on the oak', fr. epi- and Gk. <frf(6<;,
Dor. <pa.-f6q, 'oak'. See beech and cp. the first
element in Phegopteris.
epiphora, n., an overflow of tears (med.) — L.,
fr. Gk. smtpopdi, 'persistent flow of tears', lit.
'a bringing upon', fr. l-Kiyipzw, 'to bring upon',
fr. kid (see epi-) and <pspetv, 'to bear, carry'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -phorc.
epiphysis, n., process on a bone (anat.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. Inlyuaic,, 'outgrowth, excrescence;
epiphysis', fr. £7uq>uecr!>ou, 'to grow on', fr. etu
(see epi-) and <puea9m, 'to grow', pass, of cp'ieiv,
'to bring forth, produce, make to grow'. See
physio- and cp. apophysis, diaphysis.
epiphyte, n., any non-parasitic plant growing on
another plant (bot.) — Lit. 'growing on a
plant', fr. epi- and -phyte. Cp. prec. word.
epiphytic, adj., of the nature of an epiphyte (bot.)
— See prec. word and -ic.
epiploitis, n., inflammation of the epiploon (med.)
— Medical L., formed fr.next word with suff. -ids.
epiploon, n., the great omentum (anat.) — Me-
dical L., fr. Gk. ETtf7rXoov, 'omentum', which
stands for *E7rt-7uXofov. For the prefix see epi-.
Gk. -TrXofov in *E7rf-7iXofov derives fr. I.-E.
base *pel-, 'skin', whence also Gk. TceXfia, 'sole
of foot 01 shoe', L. pellis, 'hide, skin', OE. fil-
men, 'membrane'. See fell, 'hide', and cp. words
there referred to. The explanation of Galen and
533
epitasis
Oribasius that stutcXoov derives fr. ETTtTcXeiv,
'to swim or sail against' (quoted by Joseph
Hyrtl, Onomatologia Anatomica, p. 204), and
that the omentum is so called because it seems
'to swim over the intestines', is folk etymology.
episcopacy, n., church government by bishops. —
Formed with suff. -acy fr. Eccles. L. episcopus.
See next word. ■ ;
episcopal, adj., pertaining to, or governed by,
bishops. — Eccles. L. episcopdlis, 'episcopal', fr.
L. episcopus, 'an overseer', in Eccles. L.,
'bishop'. See bishop.
Derivative: episcopal-ly, adv.
episcopalian, adj., pertaining to bishops or to
episcopacy. — See prec. word and -ian.
Derivative : episcopalian-ism, n.
episcopalism, n., the doctrine that authority re-
sides in a body of bishops and not in any in-
dividual. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Eccles.
L. episcopdlis. See episcopal.
episcopate, n., i)the office or dignity of a bishop;
2) the whole body of bishops. — Eccles. L.
episcopatus, 'dignity of a bishop', fr. episcopus,
'bishop'. See episcopal and subst. suff. -ate.
episio-, combining form denoting 'relation to
the vulva'. — Fr. Gk. sTcfaiov, eirfaeiov, 'public
region', which is of unknown origin.
episiotomy, n., the cutting of the tissues of the
pudenda (obstetrics). — Coined by Braun in
1857 fr. episio- and Gk. -To;x£a, 'a cutting of,
fr. TOfAT], 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
episode, n. — Gk. £7rsi<j68iov, 'addition, epi-
sode', prop. neut. of the adjective E7ret<j68io<;,
'coming in besides, adventitious', fr. inl, 'at,
on, in addition to' (see epi-), st?, ic, (for *evs,
'into', rel. to ev, 'in'; see 2nd en-) and 686?,
'way' (see odograph).
Derivatives: episod-ic, episod-ic-al, adjs., episod-
ic-al-ly, adv.
epispastic, adj., causing blistering of the skin
(med.) — Gk. e7ri<iTOccm>c6<;, 'drawing in', fr.
ETctuTraCTTo?, 'drawn in', verbal adj. of kman&v,
'to draw in', fr. Inl (see epi-) and ctttSv, 'to
draw'. See spasm and cp. spastic.
Derivative: epispastic, n., an epispastic agent.
epistaxis, n., bleeding of the nose (med.) —
Medical L., lit. 'dropping', fr. Gk. EiciaToi^Eiv,
'to let fall in drops upon', fr. lid (see epi-) and
ara^eiv, 'to drop'. See stacte.
epistemic, adj., pertaining to knowledge. —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. emaTTjuT), 'know-
ledge, understanding', fr. ETrtara(jLai, 'I under-
stand, know', lit. 'I stand upon', fr. lid (see
epi-) and E<iTa|xat, 'I stand'. See state. For sense
development cp. E. understand.
epistemology, n., the theory of knowledge. —
Coined by the Scottis hphilosopher James Fred-
erick Ferrier (1808-64) in his Institutes of Meta-
physics (1854), fr. Gk. 47ti<it7)[xti, 'knowledge,
understanding', and -XoYti, fr. -Xo-yos, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See epistemic and -logy.
Derivatives: epistemolog-ic-al, adj., epistemolog-
ic-al-ly, adv., epistemolog-ist, n.
episternum, n., the interclavicle (zool.) — ModL.,
lit. '(bone) upon the chest', formed fr. epi- and
sternum.
epistle, n., letter. — OF. epistle, epistre (F. ipitre),
fr. L. epistola, fr. Gk. etcicttoXtq, 'a letter', lit.
'something sent, message', fr. stckjteXXeiv, 'to
send to; to order, command', fr. tnl, 'upon, to'
(see epi-), and a-reXXsiv, 'to set in order, ar-
range, equip, make ready, send out'. See stall
and cp. stele. For the sense development of Gk.
tmoToXT), 'something sent, letter', cp. Akkad.
shipru, shipir, 'message, letter, document', fr.
shapdru, 'to send'.
epistler, n., epistoler. — Formed fr. epistle with
agential suff. -er.
epistolary, adj., pertaining to epistles. — F. epis-
tolaire, fr. L. epistoldris, 'epistolary', fr. epistola.
See epistle and adj. suff. -ary.
epistoler, n., the priest who reads the Epistle at
the Eucharistic service (eccles.) — F. epistolier,
fr. L. epistoldris, 'one celebrated for his letters',
fr. epistola, 'letter'. See epistle and agential
suff. -er.
epistrophe, n., repetition of the same word at the
end of successive clauses or sentences (rhet.) —
Late L., fr. Gk. ETna-vpoipT], 'a turning about',
fr. emaTp^eiv, 'to turn about', fr. etc[, 'upon,
to' (see epi-), and cxpEipEiv, 'to turn'. See
strophe and cp. apostrophe and words there
referred to.
epistropheus, n., name of the second vertebra
(anat.) — Gk. emaTpoipEiji;, 'that which causes
to turn', fr. ETciorpEipEiv, 'to cause to turn, to
turn about'. See epistrophe. The name is in-
exact, because it is the first cervical vertebra that
turns about the alveolar process of the second
vertebra, and indeed, originally epistropheus was
the name of the first vertebra. See Joseph Hyrtl,
Onomatologia anatomica, pp. 59-61.
Derivative: epistrophe-al, adj.
epistyle, n., an architrave (archit.) — L. episty-
lium, fr. Gk. etucttuXiov, fr. hzl (see epi-) and
otOXos, 'pillar, column*. See style, 'gnomon',
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also next
word.
Epistylis, n., a genus of protozoans (zool.) —
ModL., formed fr. epi- and Gk. oruXo?, 'pillar,
column'. See prec. word.
epitaph, n., inscription of a tomb. — L. epi-
taphium, fr. Gk. smTaipiov, 'a funeral oration",
prop. neut. of the adj. tnnitpioc,, 'over a tomb',
used as a noun, fr. lid (see epi-) and -riipoi;,
'tomb'. See cenotaph.
Derivatives: epitaph, tr. and intr. v., epitaph-er,
n., epitaph-ic, adj., epitaph-ist, n.
epitasis, n., that part of the play in which the
main action is developed, leading to the cata-
strophe. — ModL., fr. Gk. iid^axnc,, 'a stretch-
ing upon or over', fr. eictTetyeiv, 'to stretch
upon or over', fr. tid (see epi-) and xetveiv, 'to
epithalamium
534
stretch'. See tasimeter and cp. ectasis and
words there referred to.
epithalamium, n., a bridal song. — L., fr. Gk-
sTri&aXajiiov, 'a bridal song', fr. sm, 'at' (see epi-),
and &&\ot.y.oz, 'bridal chamber'. See thalamus.
Derivatives: epithalami-al, epithalam-ic, adjs.
epithelio-, before a vowel epitheli-, combining
form, meaning 'pertaining to the epithelium'. —
See next word,
epithelium, n., cellular tissue forming the outer
layer of the mucous membrane in animals (anat.)
— Medical L., coined by the Dutch anatomist
Fredrik Ruysch (1638-1731). The word lit.
means 'that which is above the nipple', fr. epi-
and Gk. O/jXr), 'nipple'. See thely- and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: epitheli-al, adj., epithel-ize, tr. v.,
epithel-iz-ation, n., epithel-oid, adj.
epithet, n., a descriptive name for a person or
thing. — L. epitheton, fr. Gk. e7uSetov, 'some-
thing added', neut. verbal adj. of ETriTi^evai,
'to add something to', fr. Im, 'on, to' (see epi-),
and T'.flivxt, 'to put, place'. See theme and cp.
words there referred to.
epithetic, epithetical, adj., 1) pertaining to an
epithet: 2) full of epithets. — Gk. etu&etixo?,
'added', fr. STtt&exoc, verbal adj. of ETUTiSsvai.
See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative : epithetic-al-ly, adv.
epitomator, n., an epitomist. — - ML., fr. L. epi-
tomiittis, pp. of epitomdre, 'to abridge, epi-
tomize', fr. epitome. See next word and -ator.
Derivative: epitomator-y, adj.
epitome, n., a summary. — L. epitome, 'abridg-
ment', fr. Gk. imro\iij, 'abridgment', lit. 'a cut-
ting into', fr. ini-hxveiv, 'to make incisions
into, cut into, cut short, abridge', fr. ini (see
epi-) and teixveiv, 'to cut'. See tome.
Derivatives: epitom-ist, n., epitom-ize, tr. v.
epitrite, n., a foot consisting of three long syl-
lables and one short (pros.) — L. epitritos, fr.
Gk. s-iTpiToc, 'containing an integer and one
third; in the ratio of four to three (i\ = | =
4:3)"; formed fr. etu (see epi-) and Tptros,
'third'. See trito-.
epitrochlea, n., the medial condyle of the hum-
erus (anat.) — ModL., fr. F. epitrochlee, a name
formed erroneously by the French anatomist and
surgeon Francois Chaussier (1746-1828), fr.
epi- and trochlea. In this name the meaning of
Gk. i-zi, 'on', is confused with that of ratpa,
'beside'. The same confusion of the meanings
of Gk. ra and rrapi led to Chaussier's coining
the word epicondyle (q.v.)
Derivative: epitrochle-ar, adj.
epizeuxis, n., repetition of a word or words for
the sake of emphasis (rhet.) — Late L., fr. Gk.
cnl'Cvj^'.c, lit. 'a joining or fastening together',
fr. ETTi^E-jyvivoa, 'to join to', fr. srri (see epi-)
and ^s'jvvuvai, 'to joke, join'. See zygo- and cp.
zeuxite.
epizoon, n., an external parasite (zool.) — ModL.,
formed fr. epi- and i^toov, 'animal'. See zoo-.
epizootic, adj., 1) parasitic on other animals;
2) (of diseases) prevalent temporarily among
animals (corresponding to epidemic diseases in
man). — See prec. word and cp. enzootic.
epoch, n. — Late L. epocha, fr. Gk. ettoxv), 'check,
cessation, stoppage, pause; epoch of a star;
fixed point in time, epoch', fr. inixew, 'to keep
back, withhold, stop, pause', fr. inl (see epi-)
and exeiv, 'to hold, have, possess'. See hectic
and cp. apocha.
Derivatives: epoch-al, adj., epoch-al-ly, adv.,
epoch-ism, n.
epode, n., a kind of lyric poem. — L. epodos, fr.
Gk. e7tcoS6?, 'part of an ode sung after the strophe
and antistrophe; burden, refrain', prop, the ad-
jective S7r(i>§6e;, 'singing to or over', used as a
noun, which is rel. to iniSsi-v, 'to sing to',
a word formed fr. km, 'upon, to' (epi-), and
SSeiv, 'to sing'. See ode and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
eponym, n., a real or mythical person from whom
a family, tribe or nation derives its name. —
Gk. etkovouxx;. See next word.
eponymous, adj., giving name to a family, tribe
or nation. — Gk. ettcovu(j.o?, 'given as a name,
giving one's name to (a thing or person)', fr.
km, 'upon, to' (see epi-) and ovj^a, dialectal
form of ovojj.a, 'name'. See name and cp. words
there referred to. For E. -011s, as equivalent to
Gk. -oq, see suff. -ous.
epopee, n., an epic poem. — F. epopee, fr. Gk.
s7ra7T0i'.a, 'an epic poem; epic poetry', fr. etto-
noioq, 'an epic poet', which is compounded of
tmc,, 'word; poetry', and 7toieiv, 'to make,
produce, create'. See epos and poet.
epoijphoron, n., parovarium (anat.) — Medical
L., compounded of ep-, Gk. cij6v, 'egg', and the
stem of cpspELv, 'to bear, carry'. See 06- and
-phore and cp. parovarium.
epopt, n., one initiated into the Eleusinian mys-
teries; one initiated into any secret system. —
Gk. i-OTzrrfi, 'seer, beholder', formed fr. i-i
(see epi-) and the stem 67:-, 'to see', whence also
671x6;, 'seen; visible', otttixoi;, 'pertaining to
the eyes or sight'. See optic and cp. words there
referred to.
epos, n., a primitive epic poem. — L., fr. Gk. t-r.oq,
'word, speech, tale, song, heroic poetry', rel.
to Cypr. Gk. riizoc, of s.m., Gk. 6^1 (for *rofy),
'voice', ootja (for *F6y.ia), 'voice, tale', ev-otttj,
'crying, shouting, voice', eIttov (for *e."ei^ov,
fr. *e-5e-u--ov), T spoke', and cogn. with L.
vox, gen. vocis. 'voice'. See voice and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also epyllion and the se-
cond element in cacoepy, orthoepy.
epris (fern, eprise), adj., enamored. — F., pp.
of eprendre, fr. OF. esprendre, 'to seize, kindle',
fr. es- (fr. L. ex) and prendre, 'to take', fr. L.
prehendere, prendere, 'to grasp'. See 1st ex- and
prehensile.
epsilon, n., the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet
535
equinox
(e, E). — Gk. i tpTAov, 'a mere or bare e' ; so
called in contradistinction to the diphthong ai,
which is pronounced in Medieval and Modern
Greek exactly like e (= e). See psilo- and cp.
upsilon.
Epsom salts, hydrated magnesium sulfate. — So
called because it was first prepared from the
water of the mineral springs of Epsom, Surrey,
England.
epulis, n., any tumor of the gum (med.) — Me-
dical L., fr. Gk. ettouXCi;, 'gum boil', fr. km
(see epi-) and oSXov, 'gum'. See ulitis.
epyllion, n., a short epic. — Gk. etoiXXiov, dimin.
of inoc,. See epos.
equability, n. — L. aequdbilitds, 'equality, equa-
bility', fr. aequdbilis. See next word and -ity.
equable, adj., 1) uniform; 2) even; serene. — L.
aequdbilis, 'equal, uniform, equable', fr. aequdre,
'to make equal', fr. aequus, 'equal'. See next
word and -able.
Derivatives: equable-ness, n., equabl-y, adv.
equal, adj. — L. aequdlis, 'even, level, smooth,
equal, like', fr. aequus, 'level, equal, like', which
is of uncertain origin. Cp. adequate, aequor,
coequate, equation, equator, equilibrium, equinox,
equitable, equity, equivocal, iniquity.
Derivatives : equal, tr. and intr. v., equality (q.v.),
equal-ize, tr. v., equal-iz-ation, n., equal-iz-er, n.
equality, n. — OF. equalite (F. egalite), fr. L.
aequdlitdtem, acc. of aequdlitds, 'equality, uni-
formity', fr. aequdlis, 'equal'. See equal and -ity.
equanimity, n., calmness. — F. equanimite, fr. L.
aequanimitdtem, acc. of aequanimitds, 'even-
ness of mind, calmness', fr. aequanimus, 'even-
minded, calm', which is compounded of aequus,
'even, level', and animus, 'soul, spirit, mind'.
See equal, animus and -ity.
equate, tr. and intr. v. — L. aequdtus, pp. of ae-
qudre, 'to make level or equal', fr. aequus. See
equal and verbal suff. -ate.
equation, n. — L. aequdtid, gen. -onis, 'an equal-
izing', fr. aequdtus, pp. of aequdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
Derivatives : equation-al, ndj.,equation-al-ly, adv.
equator, n. — Late L. aequdtor, 'one who or that
which equalizes', used in the sense of (circulus)
aequator diei et noctis, 'equalizer of day and
night', fr. L. aequdtus, pp. of aequdre. See
equate and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: equator-ial, adj. and n.
equerry, n., 1) originally, an officer in charge of
the horses of a prince; 2) esp. in England, a
personal attendant of the king, queen or an-
other member of the Royal family. — F. ecurie,
'stable', fr. OF. escuerie, escuyrie, orig. 'office
of a squire', later 'place for the squires and their
horses', fr. escuyer (F. ecuyer), 'squire, riding
master', orig. 'shield bearer', fr. VL. scutdrius
(but classical L. scutdrius means 'shield maker'),
fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See escutcheon and -y
(representing OF. -ie) and cp. esquire. E. equerry
was influenced in form by an association with
L. equus, 'horse', to which, however, it is not
related.
equestrian, adj., 1) pertaining to horsemen or
horsemanship ; 2) n., horseman. — Formed with
suff. -ian fr. L. equester (fern, equestris, neut.
equestre), 'pertaining to a horseman', from
equus, 'horse'. See equine.
equestrienne, n., a horsewoman; a female per-
former on horseback. — Formed from prec.
word with the F. fern. suff. -ienne.
equi-, combining form meaning 'equal'. — L.
aequi-, fr. aequus, 'equal'. See equal.
equiangular, adj., having only equal angles. —
Compounded of equi- and angular.
Derivative: equiangular-ity, n.
Equidae, n. pi., the horse family (zool.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. L. equus, 'horse'. See
equine.
equidistance, n., equal distance. — F. equidis-
tance, fr. equidistant. See next word and -ce.
equidistant, adj., equally distant. — F. equi-
distant, fr. Late L. aequidistantem, acc. of aequi-
distdns, which is compounded of L. aequus,
'equal', and distdns, 'distant'. See equal and
distant. Derivative: equidistant-ly, adv.
equilateral, adj., having all sides equal. — Late L.
aequilaterdlis, compounded of L. aequus, 'equal',
and latus, gen. lateris, 'side'. See equi- and
lateral.
equilibrate, tr. and intr. v., to balance. — Late L.
aequilibrdtus, pp. of aequilibrdre ; 'to balance',
compounded of L. aequus, 'equal', and libra,
'balance'. See equilibrium and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : equilibrat-ion, n., equilibrat-ive, adj.
equilibrist, n., one skilled in balancing, esp. a
ropedancer. — F. equilibriste, a hybrid coined
fr. equilibre, 'equilibrium, balance' (fr. L. aequi-
librium) and suff. -iste (fr. Gk. -laxr)?). See next
word and -ist.
equilibrium, n., balance. — L., 'even balance',
compounded of aequus, 'equal', and libra,
'balance'. See equi- and libra.
equimultiple, n., one of the products obtained
by multiplying two or more numbers by the
same number. — Compounded of equi- and
multiple.
equine, adj., pertaining to a horse. — L. equinus,
'pertaining to horses', fr. equus, 'horse' (whence
equa, 'mare'), fr. I.-E. *ekwos, 'horse', whence
also OI. dsvah, Avestic aspa-, Toch. A yuk,
Byakwe, Osset. jafs, Gk. Ihtzo^, dial. Gk. txxo;,
Gael, epo-, Olr. ech, 'horse', OLith. esva, Lith.
aSvd, 'mare', OE. eoh (for *ehv), OS. ehu- (in
ehuscalc), ON. jor, 'horse', Goth, aika-tundi,
'thorn', lit. 'horse tooth'. Cp. Asvins, hippo- and
the first element in Equisetum. For the ending
see suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
equinoctial, adj. and n. — L. aequinoctidlis, fr.
aequinoctium. See equinox and -ial.
equinox, n. — F. equinoxe, fr. L. aequinoctium,
'the time of equal days and nights', lit. 'equal
night', fr. aequus, 'equal', and nox, gen. noctis.
equip
536
'night'. See equal and night and cp. nocti-, noc-
turnal.
equip, tr. v., to furnish, fit out, provide. — F.
equiper, 'to fit out, furnish, equip', orig. 'to fit
out a ship', fr. OF. esquiper, which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. ON. skipa, 'to fit out a ship', fr.
skip, 'ship', and see ship.
Derivatives: equipage (q.v.), equip-ment, n.
equipage, n. — F. equipage, fr. equiper. See prec.
word and -age.
equipoise, n., balance, equilibrium. — A hybrid
coined fr. equi- and poise. Derivative: tr. v.
equipollence, n., equality of force. — Formed
from next word and suff. -ce.
equipollent, adj., equal in force. — F. equipollent,
fr. L. aequipollentem, acc. of aequipollens, 'of
equal value or force', compounded of aequus,
'equal' (see equi-), and pollens, gen. pollentis,
pres. part, of pollere, 'to be powerful, to be able',
equiponderant, adj., of equal weight. — See next
word and -ant.
equiponderate, tr. v., to counterbalance. — ML.
aequiponderatus, pp. of aequiponderdre. See
equi-, ponder and verbal suff. -ate.
equipotential, adj., having equal potential force.
— Compounded of equi- and potential.
Equisetum, n., the horsetail {bot.) — L. equi-
saetum, equisetum, 'the horsetail', fr. equus,
'horse', and saetum, 'bristle'. See equine and
seta and cp. the second element in Catasetum,
Trisetum.
equitable, adj., just; fair. — F. equitable, fr. equi-
te. See equity and -able.
Derivatives: equitable-ness, n., equitabl-y, adv.
equitant, adj., having bases which overlap each
other (said of leaves). — L. equitdns, gen. -antis,
'riding', pres. part, of equitare, 'to ride', fr.
eques, gen. equitis, 'horseman', fr. equus,
'horse'. See equine and -ant.
equitation, n., horsemanship. — F. equitation, fr.
L. equitdtidnem, acc. of equitdtid, 'riding', fr.
equitdt(-um), pp. stem of equitare. See prec.
word and -ion.
equity, n. — OF. equite (F. equite), fr. L. aequi-
tdtem, acc. of aequitds, 'equality, conformity,
symmetry, fairness', fr. aequus, 'level, equal'.
See equal and -ity.
equivalence, n. — F. equivalence, fr. ML. aequi-
valentia, fr. Late L. aequivalens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
equivalent, adj., i) equal; 2) having the same
valence (chem.) — F. equivalent, fr. Late L. aequi-
valentem, acc. of aequivalens, pres. part, of
aequivalere, 'to have equal force of value',
which is compounded of L. aequus, 'equal',
and valere, 'to be well, to be strong'. See equal
and valiant and cp. -valent.
Derivative: equivalent, n„ 1) something equi-
valent; 2) (chem.) equivalent weight.
equivocal, adj., dubious, ambiguous. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Late L. aequivocus, 'of
equal voice, of equal significance, ambiguous,
equivocal', which is compounded of L. aequus,
'equal', and the stem of vox, gen. vdcis, 'voice'.
See equal and vocal and cp. equivoque. Late L.
aequivocus is prop, a loan translation of Gk.
6u,<&vt>fj.o<;, 'having the same name; equivocal,
ambiguous'.
Derivatives: equivocal, n., equivocal-ly, adv.,
equivocal-ness, n.
equivocate, intr. v., to use ambiguous terms. —
ML. aequivocdtus, pp. of aequivocdre, 'to call
by the same name*, fr. Late L. aequivocus. See
prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: equivocation (q.v.), equivocat-or, n.
equivocation, n. — ML. aequivocdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. aequivocdtus, pp. of aequivocdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
equivoque, n., an equivocal term, a pun. — Late
L. aequivocus, 'of equal voice, ambiguous'
(whence also F. equivoque, adj., 'ambiguous',
equivoque, n., 'ambiguity'). See equivocal.
equoid, adj., resembling a horse (zool.) — A
hybrid coined fr. L. equus, 'horse', and Gk.
-oz&rfc, 'like', fr. sTSo?, 'form, shape'. See
equine and -oid. The correct form is hippoid, in
which both elements are of Greek origin.
Equus, n., the typical genus of the horse family
(zool.) — L. equus, 'horse', whence equinus,
'pertaining to horses'. See equine.
-er, suff. used to form nouns denoting an agent
as in hatter, ruler, teacher. — ME. -ere, -er, fr.
OE. -ere, rel. to OS. -eri, ON. -ari, Dan., Du. -er,
OHG. -ari, ari, -eri, MHG. -ere, G. -er, Goth.
-areis, fr. OTeut. *-drjo-z, which derives fr. L.
-drius. See adj. suff. -ary and cp. -yer. Cp. also
agential suff. -or. In some cases ME. -ere, -er
comes fr. MF. -ere, fr. L. -dtdrem, acc. of -a/or;
see -ator and cp. agential suff. -or.
-er, a suff. denoting a person or a thing connected
with something. — OF. -er, -ier, fr. L. -drius (if
connected with persons as in butler, grocer);
or -arium (if connected with things as in laver).
See adj. suff. -ary and cp. prec. suff.
-er, suff. meaning 'receptacle for', as in garner,
larder. — ME. -er, fr. AF. -er (corresponding to
OF., F. -ier), fr. L. -arium. See -ary, 'a place for'.
-er, suff. forming the comparative degree of ad-
jectives and adverbs. — ME. -er, -ere, fr. OE.
-ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs), rel. to ON.
-ri, -ari (in adjectives), -r, -ar (in adverbs), Du.
-er, OHG. -iro, -dro (in adjectives), -or (in ad-
verbs), MHG., G. -er, Goth, -iza, -oza (in ad-
jectives), -is, -os (in adverbs), and cogn. with
L. -tor, Gk. -iwv, OI. -iyas. Cp. -ior. Cp. also
superl. suff. -est.
-er, a suff. forming French infinitives, used in
English (esp. in law terms) to express the action
denoted by the verb. — OF. -er or -re, fr. L.
-are, resp. -ere, pres. inf. suff. of the first, resp.
the third conjugation. Cp. e.g. attainder, dis-
claimer, rejoinder.
-er, suff. forming frequentative verbs as flicker,
glimmer, patter. — ME. -ren, -rien, fr. OE. -rian.
537
erethism
era, n. — Late L. aera, 'era', fr. L. aera, 'coun-
ters; items of calculation, money', pi. of aes,
'brass'. See ore.
eradiate, intr. and tr. v., to emit fight. — Formed
fr. e- and radiate.
eradiation, n., emission of light. — Formed fr. e-
and radiation.
eradicable, adj. — See next word and -able.
eradicate, tr. v., to root out. — L. erddicdtus, pp.
of erddicdre, 'to root out', fr. e- and radix, gen.
rddicis, 'root'. See radix and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: eradicat-ion, n., eradicat-ive, adj.,
eradicat-or, n.
Eragrostis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of epav, 'to love', and (Syp&njtk;,
'grass'. For the first element see erotic, for the
second see Agrostis.
Eranthemum, n., a genus of plants of the family
Acanthaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. r)pav$£-
(zov, 'a camomile-like plant', which is com-
pounded of 9jp, 'spring', and Stv-&eu.ov, 'flower'.
The first element is a contraction of &xp, fr.
orig. *fectap, and is cogn. with L. ver, 'spring';
see vernal and cp. Eryngium. For the second
element see anther.
Eranthis, n., a genus of plants, the winter aconite
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. }jp,
'spring', and &v&o<z, 'flower'. See prec. word.
erase, tr. v., to rub out. — L. erdsus, pp. of era-
dere, 'to scratch out, scrape off', fr. e- and
rdsus, pp. of rddere, 'to scrape, scratch'. See
raze.
Derivatives: eras-ed, adj., eras-er, n., eras-ion,
n., eras-ure, n.
Erasmus, masc. PN. — L., lit. 'beloved', rel. to
Gk. ep(XCT(xio?, 'lovely, pleasant', fr. spav, 'to
love', See erotic and cp. Erastus.
Erastian, adj., pertaining to, or in accordance
with, the teachings of Thomas Erastus, a Swiss
physician (1524-83), follower of Zwingli. For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Erastian-ism, n.
Erastus, masc. PN. — L., lit. 'beloved', fr. Gk.
epaari?, verbal adj. of epav, 'to love'. See erotic
and cp. Erasmus.
Erato, n., the Muse that presided over lyric
poetry (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Epa-rw, fr.
epax6<;, 'loved, beloved', verbal adj. of epav, 'to
love'. See erotic and cp. Erasmus, Erastus.
erbium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.) —
ModL., coined by the Swedish chemist Karl
Gustaf Mosander (1797-1858), the discoverer
of this element (in 1843), from the name of the
Swedish town Ytterby, on analogy of many
other element names ending in -ium. Cp. ter-
bium, ytterbium, yttrium.
ere, adv., prep, and conj. — ME. er, fr. OE. ser,
'soon, before (in time)', adv., prep, and conj. ;
prop, an adv. in the compar.; rel. to OS.,
OFris., OHG., MHG. er, Du. eer, G. eher, 'ear-
lier', ON. dr, 'early', Goth, air, 'early', compar.
airis, 'earlier', and cogn. with Avestic ayar 1 .
'day', Gk. 9jpi [for *6c(i)epi], 'early, in the
morning', Homeric Tjepioi;, 'early, at daybreak',
Gk. fipiCTTov, 'breakfast'. Cp. early, erst, or,
'before'. Cp. also the first element in Erigenia,
Erigernn, aristology.
Erebus, n., a place of nether darkness leading
from Earth to Hades (Greek mythol.) — L., fr.
Gk. "Ep£(3os, fr. Heb. 'erebh, 'sunset, evening'.
See maarib and cp. Europe.
Derivative: Ereb-ian, adj.
Erechtheum, Erechtheion, n., a temple on the
acropolis of Athens. — L. Erechtheum, fr. Gk.
'Epex&eiov, called after 'Epsx-f^u?. 'Erechtheus',
the legendary founder of Athens. See next word.
Erechtheus, n., a king said to have founded
Athens (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Epsx-Steu;,
lit. 'the Shaker (of the Earth)', fr. spex&siv,
'to rend, break, shatter, shake', fr. I.-E. base
*rekp-, 'to pull, tug, drag, pester', whence also
OI. rdksas-, 'goblin, evil spirit', lit. 'damage,
causer of damage', Avestic rashah, 'damage',
rashayeiti, 'damages'. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also
rakshasa.
Erechtites, n., a genus of plants, the fireweed
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. epex#m<;, 'groundsel'.
erect, adj., upright. — L. erectus, 'upright, lofty,
elevated', pp. of erigere, 'to set up, put straight,
erect, raise', fr. e- and regere, 'to keep straight,
lead, direct, rule, govern'. See regent and cp.
direct, v., and words there referred to.
erect, tr. v., to raise, set up. — Back formation
fr. erect, adj.
Derivatives: erect-er, n., erect-ive, adj., erect-
or, n.
erectile, adj. — F. erectile, fr. erectus, pp. of eri-
gere, 'to set up, erect'. See erect, adj., and -ile.
erectility, n. — F. erectilite. See prec. word and
-ity.
erection, n. — L. erectid, gen. -dnis, 'a setting up,
erecting', fr. erectus, pp. of erigere. See erect,
adj., and -ion.
erem-, form of eremo- before a vowel.
eremite, n., hermit. — ME. eremite, fr. Eccles.
L. eremita. See hermit.
eremitic, eremitical, adj., pertaining to an ere-
mite. — See prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
eremo-, before a vowel erem-, combining form
meaning 'lonely, solitary'. — Gk. ep-qu-o-, £pir)u.-,
fr. gp7)(xo?. See hermit and cp. eremite.
erepsin, n., an enzyme in the small intestine (bio-
chem.) — Coined by the German pathologist
Julius Friedrich Cohnheim (1839-1884), on ana-
logy of pepsin, fr. Gk, spe7tTEo&ai, 'to feed upon',
which is cogn. with L. rapere, 'to seize'. See
rapid and chem. suff. -in.
erethism, n., irritability (physiol.) — F. erethisme,
fr. Gk. epe4h<Tu.6i;, 'irritation', fr. spe{K£eiv,
spe^siv, 'to rouse, stir, irritate', formed with
-rf/i-enlargement from I.-E. base *er-, *or-, 'to
set in motion, stir up, raise', whence also Gk.
6pwVvai, *to rouse, start, chase', L. oriri, 'to
rise'. See orient, n. and -ism.
Eretz Yisrael
538
Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. — Heb. Eretz
YisrcCel, 'the land of Israel'. See Amhaarez and
Israel.
erg, n., the unit of energy in the C.G.S. system
(physics). — Fr. Gk. ipyov, 'work'. See ergon,
ergasia, n., the total functions of an individual.
— ModL., fr. Gk. Sp-fatrfa, 'work', fr. ep-ydc-
^Eoftai, 'to be busy, to work', fr. ep-pv, 'work' ;
see ergon. The word ergasia was introduced into
psychiatry by the American psychiatrist Adolf
Meyer (1866-1950).
ergo, adv., therefore. — L. ergo, prob. standing
for *e regd, 'from the direction', fr. e, 'out of
(see e-), and "regum, a noun formed from the
stem of regere, 'to direct', and meaning 'direct-
ion'. Cp. ergd, 'opposite, toward', and see regent.
ergon, n., work (in terms of heat). — ModL., fr.
Gk. gpyov (dial. Fipyov), 'work'. See work and
cp. erg. Cp. also allergy, alurgite, anergy, argon,
chirurgeon, demiurge, dramaturge, dramaturgy,
energumen, energy, ergasia, exergue, George,
georgic, liturgy, metallurgy, Panurge, surgeon,
synergetic, telergy, thaumaturge, theurgy. Cp.
also organ, orgy.
ergosterol, n., an alcohol, Q 8 H 4 ,0, occurring esp.
in ergot and yeast (biochem.) — Compounded
of ergot and sterol.
ergot, n., a disease of cereals caused by a fungus
(pathol.) — F., fr. OF. argos, argot, lit. 'a cock's
spur'; of unknown origin.
ergoted, adj., infected with ergot. — Formed fr.
ergot with suff. -ed.
ergotin, ergotine, n., an extract of ergot (pharm.)
— Formed fr. ergot with chem. suff. -in.
ergotism, n., disease contracted by eating ergoted
grain. — A hybrid coined fr. ergot and -ism,
a suff. of Greek origin,
ergotize, tr. v., to infect with ergot. — A hybrid
coined fr. ergot and -ize, a surf, of Greek origin.
Derivative: ergotiz-ation, n.
Erianthus, n., a genus of plants, the woolly bear
grass (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'wool grass', fr. Gk.
£ptov, 'wool', and xv9o?, 'flower'. See erio- and
anther.
Eric, masc. PN. — ON. Eirikr. Cp. Dan. and
Swed. Erik, G. Erich, lit. 'honored ruler', com-
pounded of Teut. *aiza-, 'honor' and *rik-,
'ruler'. Teut. *aiza- derives fr. I.-E. base *ais-,
'to honor'; see edea. For the second element see
rich and cp. words there referred to.
Erica, n., the genus of heaths (bot.) — ModL., fr.
L. erice, 'heath', fr. Gk. epdx.^, £pix7j, of s.m.,
which prob. stands for *fepeixi and is cogn.
with Olr. froech (for *vroiko-s), 'heath', Lith.
virzis, Russ. veres, of s.m. Cp. brier, 'heath'.
Cp. also Hypericum.
Ericaceae, n.pl., the heath family (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Erica with suff. -aceae.
ericaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Erigenia, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. rjpiy^vEia (Jem.),
'early-born', compounded of $jpi, 'early, in the
morning', and -yhjax, fr. •{&>-, stem of ylyvza-
•9m, 'to become, be born'. See ere and genus.
Erigeron, n., a genus of plants, the daisy fleabane
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. rjpi-j-^pcov, 'groundsel',
which is compounded of 3jpi, 'early' and yepov,
'an old man' (see Erigenia and geronto-); so
called in allusion to the hoariness of some
species.
erikite, n., a silicate and phosphate of cerium,
lanthanum, etc. (mineral.) — Named after Erik
the Red, discoverer of Greenland. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
Erin, n., ancient (now poetic) name of Ireland. —
OE. Erinn, dat. of Eriu (whence Ir. Eire), 'Ire-
land'. Cp. Dail Eireann, Erse, Irish, Hibernian.
erinite, n., a basic copper arsenate of emerald-
green color (mineral.) — Named after Erin,
'Ireland'. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ite.
Erinys, n., one of the three avenging spirits,
Alecto, Tisiphone and Megaera (Greek mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. 'EpTvij!;, which is of uncertain
origin. It possibly means lit. 'the angry spirit',
and is rel. to Arcadian spfvsiv, 'to be angry',
and to Gk. opfveiv, 'to raise, stir, excite', gpu;,
'strife, discord', fr. I.-E. *erei-, enlargement
of base *er-, 'to set in motion, stir up', whence
Gk. opvuvai, L. oriri, 'to rise'. See orient, n.,
and cp. erethism, Eris, eristic.
erio-, combining form meaning 'wool'. — Gk.
epto-, fr. gptov, 'wool', rel. to Homeric and Ion.
eZpos, 'wool' (fr. Hpfoc,, which was prob. dis-
similated fr. *f£pfo<;) ) Gk. apr ( v, Gortyn. fapyjv,
'ram*, and cogn. with OI. urd, 'sheep', uranah,
'ram, lamb', ura-bhrah, 'ram', Arm. gam,
'lamb', L. vervex, 'wether' (prop, 'wool bear-
er'). Cp. Iresine. Cp. also berger and the first
element in Arnoseris.
Eriocaulaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the pipe-
wort family (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Erio-
caulon with suff. -aceae.
eriocaulaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Eriocaulon, n., a genus of plants, the pipewort
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. gptov,
'wool' (see erio-), and xauX6q, 'stalk' (see cau-
line); so called from the wool at the base of
the stalk.
Eriodictyon, n., a genus of the waterleaf family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'woolen net', fr. erio- and
Gk. 8tx-u)ov, 'net'. See Dictynidae.
Eriogonum, n., a genus of plants of the buck-
wheat family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
erio- and Gk. yovu, 'knee'. See -gon and cp.
words there referred to.
erionite, n., a zeolitic silicate (mineral.) — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. gpiov, 'wool' (see
erio-) ; so called from its woolly appearance.
Eriophorum, n., a genus of plants, the cotton
grass (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. £pto96po<;, 'wool-
bearing', fr. £piov, 'wool', and -tp6poi;, 'bearing,
carrying'. See erio- and -phore.
Eris, n., the goddess of discord in Greek mytho-
logy. — L., fr. Gk. "Epi?, lit. 'strife, discord',
539
error
fr. T.-E. *erei-, enlargement of base *er-, 'to set
in motion, stir up'. See Erinys and cp. next word,
eristic, adj., controversial. — Gk. epi<mx6<;,
'connected with strife', fr. Epi?, 'strife, debate,
discord'. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: eristic, n., a controversialist,
erlking, n., a spirit who does mischief, esp. to
children (German and Scandinavian mythology).
— G. Erlkbnig, coined by Herder as translation
of Dan. elle(r)konge, fr. ehe(r)konge; see elf and
king. The word ellerkonge lit. means 'king of
the elves', but was mistaken by Herder and by
Goethe for 'king of the alder' (cp. G. Eller,
Erie, 'alder', and see elder, alder).
Ermtntrud, Ermentrude, Ermyntrude, fern. PN.
— OHG. Ermentrudis, Irmintrud, compounded
of ermin, 'whole, universal', and trut, drut
(whence MHG. trut, G. traut), 'beloved, dear'.
For the first element cp. Irma. For the second
element see true and cp. the second element in
Astrid, Gertrude.
ermine, n., a kind of weasel. — OF. ermine (F.
hermine), femin. of OF. ermin, hermin, which
prob. derives fr. L. Armenius, 'Armenian', used
in the sense of Armenius mus, lit. 'Armenian
mouse', (T.Armenia, fr. Gk.'Ap(j.£via, 'Armenia'.
Derivatives: ermine, adj. and tr.v., ermin-ed,
adj., ermine-s, n.pl. (her.), ermin-ois, n. (her.)
-em, suff. denoting direction. — OE. -erne, rel.
to OHG. -rdni (in nordaroni, 'northern').
erne, also ern, n., a sea eagle. — ME. em, am, fr.
OE. earn, 'eagle', rel. to ON. brn, MDu. arent,
OHG., aro, am. MHG. arn, G. Aar, Goth, ara,
'eagle', and cogn. with Gk. opvi?, 'bird',
OSlav. orilu, Lith. erelis, Bret., Co. er, W. eryr,
Olr. ilar, 'eagle' (dissimil. fr. *erir-), Hitt.
harash, haranash, 'eagle'; cp. Akkad. aru, eru,
'eagle'. See omitho- and cp. arend, the first ele-
ment in Arnold and the second element in
allerion.
Ernest, masc. PN. — F. Ernest, of G. origin.
Cp. OHG. Ernust, whence G. Ernst. The name
lit. means 'earnestness'. See earnest, 'earnest-
ness', and cp. next word.
Ernestine, fern. PN. — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ine.
erode, tr. v., to eat into, wear away. — F. eroder,
fr. L. erodere (pp. erosus), 'to gnaw away, con-
sume", fr. e- and rddere, 'to gnaw'. See rodent
and cp. corrode. Derivative: erod-ed, adj.
erodent, adj., causing erosion. — L. erodens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of erodere. See prec. word
and -ent.
Erodium, n.. a genus of plants of the geranium
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. epcoSio;, 'heron',
so called in allusion to the shape of the fruit
resembling the beak of the heron. Gk. £p<i>8i6?
stands in gradational relationship to L. ardea,
'heron', ON. arta, 'creek duck' (whence the
dimin. ertla, 'wagtail'), Serb, and Croat, roda,
'stork'. Cp. Ardea.
erogenous, adj., productive of sexual desire. —
Compounded of Gk. epcog, 'love, desire', and
Yev-, the stem of yevvav, 'to beget, bring forth,
generate, produce'. See erotic and -genous.
Eros, n., the god of love in Greek mythology. —
L., fr. Gk. "Epcoc, personification of 'ipoc,, 'love',
which is rel. to epav, 'to love'. See erotic.
erosion, n. — F. erosion, fr. L. erosidnem, acc. of
erosio, 'a gnawing away', fr. erosus, pp. of ero-
dere. See erode and -ion.
erosive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. ero-
sus, pp. of erodere. See erode.
erotic, adj., of sexual love. — Gk. ipaxiy.6q,
'caused by love; referring to love', fr. epcoc;, gen.
epcoTo;, 'love, sexual desire', rel. to spav, spxa-
■9m, 'to love', which is of uncertain etymology.
Cp. Erasmus, Erastus, Erato, Eros, the first ele-
ment in Eragrostis and the second element in
pederasty. For the ending see suff. -ic.
Derivatives: erotic, n., erotica, n.pl. (ModL.).
erotic-al, adj., erot-ic-al-ly, adv., erot-ic-ism, n.,
erot-ism, n.
eroto-, combining form, used in the sense of
erotic. — See prec. word,
erotomania, n. — ModL., fr. Gk. ipoxogiavta,
epwjjiavia, 'mad love', which is formed fr. spco?,
'love', and txavix, 'madness, frenzy'. See erotic
and mania.
err, intr. v. — ME. erren. fr. F. errer, 'to wander',
fr. L. errare (for *ersdre), 'to wander, stray
about, miss the right way, wander from the truth,
err, mistake', which is cogn. with Goth, aitzeis,
'astray, going astray', airzjan, 'to lead astray,
deceive', OHG. irron, MHG., G. irren, 'to err.'
Cp. erratic, error, aberration, inerrable. Cp. also
It. errare, OProvenc., Catal., Sp. and Port.
errar, which all derive fr. L. errare.
Derivative: err-ing, adj.
errand, n. — ME. erande, fr. earlier arende, fr.
OE. xrende, 'a message', rel. to OS. drundi, ON.
erendi, Dan. xrende, Swed. arende, OFris.
erende, OHG. drunti, 'message'.
errant, adj., wandering, roving. - F., pres. part,
of OF. errer, 'to journey, march, wander', fr.
VL. *iterdre, fr. L. iter, 'journey'. See itinerate
and cp. arrant. Cp. also eyre. OF. errer in the
above sense was confused with OF. and F. errer,
'to err', fr. L. errare: see err.
erratic, adj., irregular. — F. erratique, fr. L. er-
rdticus, 'wandering, straying about, roving', fr.
errdtus, pp. of errare, 'to wander, stray about,
rove'. See err and -ic. Derivative: erratic, n.
erratum, n. (pi. errata), an error in writing or
printing. — L., neut. pp. of errare, 'to err'.
See err.
erroneous, adj. — L. errdneus, 'wandering, stray-
ing, roving'. See err. For E. -ous, as equivalent
to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives \erroneous-ly, adv.,erroneous-ness,n.
error, n. — L. error, 'a wandering, straying about,
missing the right way, wandering from the
truth, error*, rel. to errare, 'to wander, stray
about'. See err.
ersatz
540
ersatz, n., a substitute. — G., lit. 'replacement',
fr. ersetzen, 'to replace', fr. OHG. irsezzen, fr.
pref. <>-, unaccented equivalent of pref. -ur, and
setzen, 'to set'. See a-, intensive pref., and set, v.
Erse, n., pertaining to Scottish or Irish Gaelic. —
A var. of Irish.
Derivative: Erse, n., Scottish or Irish Gaelic,
erst, adv., formerly (archaic). — ME. erest, erste,
fr. OE. xrest, 'soonest, earliest' (rel. to OS.
and OHG. erist, MHG. erst, G. erst); superl.
of xr, 'soon, before (in time)'. See ere and cp.
early. Compound: erst-while, adv.
erubescence, n., process of becoming red. — L.
erubescentia, 'a blushing', fr. erubescens, gen.
ends. See next word and -ce.
erubescent, adj., reddening, blushing. — L. eru-
bescens, gen. -entis, pres part, of erubescere,
'to grow red, blush', fr. e- and rubescere, 'to
grow red', inchoative of rubere, 'to be red'.
See rubric and -escent and cp. rubescent.
eruct, tr. and intr. v., to belch. — F. eructer, fr.
L. eructare, 'to belch forth'. See next word.
eructate, intr. v., to belch. — L. eructatus, pp. of
eructare, 'to belch forth', fr. e- and ructare, 'to
belch', frequentative formed fr. (e)ructus, pp. of
(e)rugere, to belch', from the I.-E. imitative
base *reug-, 'to belch', whence also Lith. rugiu,
rugti, 'to belch', Gk. £puv7), 'eructation', Arm.
orcam, 'I beich'. The letter o in Arm. orcam (for
*o-rucam) and e in Gk. ipv-fh are prosthetic
and due to the influence of the initial r; cp. Gk.
i-pu&p6?, 'red', which is cogn. with L. ruber,
'red', and see erysipelas.
eructation, n. — L. eructdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a belch-
ing forth', fr. eructatus, pp. of eructare. See
prec. word and -ion.
erudite, adj., learned. — L. eruditus, pp. of eru-
dlre, 'to polish, instruct', lit. 'to bring out of
the rough', fr. e- and rudis, 'rough'. See rude.
Derivatives: erudite-ly, adv., erudite-ness, n.
erudition, n. — L. eruditid, gen. -dnis, 'instruc-
tion, education', fr. eruditus, pp. of Srudire. See
prec. word and -ion.
erupt, intr. v. — L. eruptus, pp. of erumpere, 'to
break out, burst', fr. e- and rumpere, 'to break
forth'. See rupture.
eruption, n. — L. eruptid, gen. -dnis, 'a breaking
out', fr. eruptus, pp. of erumpere. See prec. word
and -km.
eruptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
eruptus, pp. of erumpere. See erupt.
Derivatives : eruptive, n., eruptive-ly, adv.
Ervum, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(pot.) — L. ervum, 'the bitter vetch', which, to-
gether with Gk. opopo?, 'the bitter vetch',
4p£fiiv#o<;, 'chick-pea', OS. eriwit, erit, MDu.
erwete. OHG. araweis (MHG. arwi$, drwiz,
G. Erbse), 'pea', of s.m., prob. derives from an
unknown, perh. non-Indo-European, language.
Cp. arvejon, Orobanche.
-ery, suff. denoting i) things collectively, as in
finery; 2) place where something is produced,
as in bakery; 3) business, trade, occupation, as
in archery, surgery; 4) behavior, conduct, as in
foolery. — OF. or F. -erie, a suff. compounded
of OF. or F. -ier (fr. L. -arius) and OF. orF. -ie
(fr. L. -id). See -er, suff. denoting connectedness,
and -y (representing OF. or F. -ie) and cp. -ry.
Eryngium, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. TjpiiYYiov, dimin. of ^puyyo? (fem.),
'sea holly, eryngo', rel. to ^puyyoi; (masc),
'goatsbeard'; prob. derived fr. ?jp, contracted
form of Sap, 'spring', and lit. meaning 'spring
flower'; see Frisk, GEW., p. 644. See Eran-
themum and cp. Aruncus.
eryngo, n., a plant of the genus Eryngium. —
Gk. fjpuYYo?, 'sea holly, eryngo'. See prec. word.
Erysibe, n., a genus of powdery mildews (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. ipuotfir), 'mildew', which is
prob. rel. to £pu&p6?, 'red', ipualTzekixz, 'erysi-
pelas'. See erysipelas.
Erysimum, n., a genus of plants of the mustard
family (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. ipic^ov, 'hedge-
mustard', fr. £p<ieiv, 'to draw, drag', fr. base
*Fepu-, 'to draw', whence also 2pu|xa, 'fence,
guard', pGT^p, 'one who draws'.
erysipelas, n., an acute inflammatory disease of
the skin. — Gk. ipua^Xaz, lit. 'red skin', fr.
£po&p6s, 'red', and -raXa?, 'skin' (used only in
compounds), which is cogn. with L.pellis, 'skin'.
Gk. 4pu!>p6(; is cogn. with L. ruber, riifus, 'red',
rubere, 'to be red', Goth, roups, OE. read, 'red'.
The initial i in £po&p6<; is prosthetic and due
to the circumstance that the Greek never begins
a word with r. (Initial p in Greek words is the
equivalent of I.-E. *sr- or *wr-.) See red and cp.
Erysibe, Erysiphe, Erythronium. For the second
element in erysipelas see fell, 'hide'.
Erysiphe, n., a synonym of Erysibe (bot.) —
ModL., short for *Erysisiphe (see haplology);
compounded of £pucri- (for £pu#p6<;), 'red', and
atcpcov, 'tube'. See prec. word and siphon.
erythema, n., redness of the skin (med.) — Me-
dical L., fr. Gk. £pitth)[jLa, 'redness of the skin',
fr. ipu&atveiv, 'to make red', dye red', fr. ipeti-
•&£iv, of s.m., which is rel. to Ipu&p6c, 'red'.
See erysipelas and -ma.
erythro-, before a vowel erythr-, combining form
meaning 'red'. — Gk. 4po#po-, £pu$p-, fr.
£pu&p<Si;, 'red'. See erysipelas.
erythrocyte, n., a red blood cell. — Compounded
of erythro- and -cyte.
Erythronium, n., a genus of plants, the dog's-
tooth violet (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ipu&po?,
'red'. See erythro-.
Esau, n., the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Bible). —
Late L. Esau, fr. Gk. ' HcaO, fr. Heb. 'Esdw, prob.
meaning lit. 'hairy', and rel. to Arab, d'thd,
'hairy'. See Gen. 25: 25.
escadrille, n., a small naval squadron. — F., fr.
Sp. escuadrilla, dimin. of escuadra, 'square,
squad, squadron', fr. escuadrar, 'to square', fr.
VL. *exquadrare. See square and cp. squad,
squadron.
541
escort
escalade, n., the act of scaling the walls of a for-
tified place by means of ladders. — F., fr. It.
scalata, prop. fem. pp. of scalare, 'to climb by
means of a ladder', fr. scala, 'ladder'. See scale,
'measure', and -ade.
Derivatives: escalade, tr. v., escalad-er, n.
escalator, n., a moving staircase. — ModL. See
escalade and agential suff. -or.
Escallonia, n., a genus of South American shrubs
(bot.) — ModL., named after its discoverer, the
1 8th cent. Spanish traveler Escalldn. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Escalloniaceae, n. pi., a family of shrubs. —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
escalloniaceous, adj. — Formed fr. Escallonia
with suff. -aceous.
escalop, escallop, n., scallop shell; scallop. — OF.
escalope, 'shell'. See scallop.
Derivative: excal(l)op-ed, adj. (her.)
escapade, n., a wild prank. — F., fr. Sp. esca-
pada, 'escape', prop. fem. pp. of escapar, 'to
escape'. See next word and -ade.
escape, intr. and tr. v. — ME. escapen, fr. ONF.
escaper, which corresponds to OF. eschaper (F.
echapper), 'to escape', orig. 'to throw off the
cowl', fr. VL. *excappdre (whence also Ruman.
scdpd, It. scappare, OProvenc., Catal., Sp. esca-
par, Port, escappar), formed fr. 1st ex- and Late
L. cappa, 'hood, mantle'. See cape, 'cloak'.
Derivatives: escape, n., escapement (q.v.),
escap-er, n.
escapement, n. — Formed on analogy of F.
echappement from escape with suff. -ment.
escarbuncle, n. (her.) — OF. (F. escarboucle), fr.
L. carbunculus, 'a small coal; a bright, reddish
kind of precious stone', dimin. of carbd, gen.
-dnis 'coal'. See carbon and cp. carbuncle.
escarp, n., a steep slope. — F. escarpe, fr. It.
Scarpa, prob. derived fr. Goth. *skrapa, which
is rel. to MHG. schrof, 'crag'. Cp. scarp, n.
escarp, tr. v., to make into an escarp. — F. es-
carper, fr. escarpe. See escarp, n.
escarpment, n., wide ground formed into an es-
carp. — F. escarpement, fr. escarper. See prec.
word and -ment.
-esce, suff. forming inchoative verbs. — L. -escd,
-escere, cogn. with Gk. -crx-&i,-<jx-etv,OI.-ccAa,
Avestic -sa-; cp. OI. gdcchati, Avestic jasaiti,
'goes', Gk. (JacTxto, 'I go'; OI. pfcchdti, Avestic
p'r'saiti, 'asks', corresp. to L. poscere (for
*porc-scere), 'to demand, desire', OHG. forscdn
(MHG. vorschen, G. forschen), 'to search, in-
quire'. Cp. verbal suff. -ish. Cp. also -escency,
-escent
-escence, suff. forming abstract nouns from ad-
jectives ending in -escent. — See -escent and -ce.
-escency, suff. denoting incipiency. — See the
suffixes -escent and -cy.
-escent, suff. forming adjectives and nouns from
verbs and meaning 'beginning to; beginning to
be in the condition expressed by the verb*. —
L. -iscins, gen. -entis, pres. part. suff. of verbs
into -escere; meaning 'to begin to ...'. See
-esce and -ent.
eschalot, n. — See shallot.
eschar, n., a dry crust on a burn (med.) — Late
L. eschara, fr. Gk. iaxApoi, 'hearth; scar from
a burn'. See scar, 'mark on the skin'.
escharotic, adj., causing an eschar; caustic. —
Late L. eschardticus, fr. Gk. £axapomx6i;, fr.
£aX<xp5. See prec. word and -ic.
eschatology, n., the doctrine of the last things. —
Lit. 'the study of the last things', fr. Gk. &oxorco<;,
'furthest, remotest, last', and -Xoy£S, fr. -X6yo<;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one
who deals (with a certain topic)'. Gk. itr/orcoi;
is a derivative of &£, (Boeotian e?), 'out of ; see
2nd ex-. For the second element see -logy.
Derivatives: eschatolog-ical, adj., eschatolog-
ist, n.
escheat, n., the reverting of the land to the king
or another lord of the fee. — ME. eschete, fr.
OF. escheoite, prop. fem. pp. of escheoir (F.
echoir), fr. VL. *excadere, 'to fall out', fr. 1st
ex and *cadere, corresponding to L. cadere, 'to
fall'. See cadence and cp. cheat, decay.
Derivative: escheat, intr. and tr. v.
eschew, tr. v., to shun, avoid. — ME. eschewen,
eschuen, fr. OF. eschiuver, eschiver, eschever,
'to shun', fr. Frankish *skiuhan, which is rel.
to OHG. sciuhen, 'to avoid, escape', MHG.
schiuhen, G. scheuen, 'to fear, shun, shrink from',
MHG. schiech, G. scheu, 'shy, timid'. It. schivare,
'to avoid, shun, protect from' (whence F. esquiver,
'to avoid, dodge'), derives fr. It. schivo, 'shy,
bashful', which is a loan word fr. WTeut. *skiu,
'shy'. See shy and cp. skew, which is a doublet
of eschew.
Derivatives: eschew-al, n., eschew-er, n.
Eschscholtzia, n., a genus of herbs of the Pa-
pa veraceae. — ModL., named after the German
botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz
(1793-1831). For the ending see suff. -ia.
esclandre, n., a scandal, scandalous scene. — F.,
fr. OF. escandle, fr. earlier escandele, fr. L. scan-
dalum. See scandal and cp. slander.
esclavage, n., necklace. — F., lit. 'slavery', fr.
esclave, 'slave'. See slave and -age.
escoba, n., tropical American mallow. ■ — Sp.,
'broom,' fr. L. scdpa, 'twig, shoot; broom,
besom,' which is rel. to scapus, 'shaft, beam',
fr. I.-E. base *skdp-, *skdp-, 'shaft, thin branch',
whence also shaft, 'stem, stock', and scepter
(qq.v.) Cp. also scopa.
esconson, n. (archit.) — OF. escoinson (F. ecoin-
fon, ecoinsori), 'jamb of doors or windows'. See
scuncheon, which is a doublet of esconson.
Escorial, n., a palace built in the 16th century
by Philip II of Spain, NW. of Madrid. — Sp.,
prop, 'a place where a mine has been exhausted',
fr. escoria, 'dross, scoria', fr. L. scoria, of s.m.
See scoria and adj. suff. -al.
escort, n., a person or persons accompanying an-
other or others for protection, courtesy, etc. —
escritoire
542
F. escorte, fr. It. scorta, fr. scorgere, 'to show,
to guide', fr. VL. *excorrigere, fr. 1st ex- and
L. corrigere, 'to make straight, set right'. See
correct, adj.
Derivative: escort, tr. v.
escritoire, n., a writing desk. — OF. (F. ecritoire),
fr. Late L. scriptorium, 'place for writing', prop,
neut. of the Latin adjective scriptdrius, 'per-
taining to writing', fr. scriptus, pp. of scribere,
'to write'. See scribe and cp. scriptorium, which
is a doublet of escritoire.
escrow, n., a written engagement (/ait-). — OF.
escroe, escroue, 'roll of papers'. See scroll.
escudo, n., i) name of various Spanish and Portu-
guese gold and silver coins ; 2) the gold mone-
tary unit of Portugal. — Sp. and Port, escudo,
fr. L. scutum, 'shield'. See scutum and cp.
escutcheon.
esculent, adj., eatable; edible. — L. esculentus,
'good to eat, eatable', fr. esca, 'food', fr. *eds-
qd (cp. Lith. eskd, 'appetite'), fr. I.-E. base *ed-,
'to eat'. See eat.
escutcheon, n., a shield on which a coat of arms
is depicted {her.) — ONF. escuchon, corres-
ponding to OF. escuson, F. ecusson, fr. VL.
*scutidnem, acc. of * scut id, fr. L. scutum, 'shield'.
See scutum and cp. scutcheon, escudo. For the
collateral forms escutcheon and scutcheon cp.
espy, spy; esquire, squire; estate, state.
Esdras, n., either of two apocryphal books as-
cribed to Ezra. — Gk. "EaSpac, fr. Heb. 'Ezra.
See Ezra.
-ese, sufT. used to form adjectives or nouns de-
noting 'names of nations or their language' (cp.
Portuguese, Chinese, etc.) — OF. -eis (F. -ois)
fr. L. -ens is.
-ese, sun , used in chemistry to denote an en-
zyme that accelerates synthetic action. — Sug-
gested as a collateral form of -ase (q.v.)
-esis, suff. denoting process of action. — ModL.,
fr. Gk. -r t ai$, formed fr. £-stem verbs. Cp. -asis,
-osis, -iasis.
eskar, esker, n., deposit left by a subglacial
stream (geol.) — Ir. eiscir, 'a ridge'.
Eskimo, n. and adj. — N. American Indian
eskimanlsik, 'eaters of raw flesh', a name given
by the Algonquians to the N. American Indian
tribes living in the Arctic and Greenland. Cp.
Husky.
Esmeralda, fern. PN. — Sp., lit. 'emerald'. See
emerald.
eso-, combining form meaning 'within'. — Fr.
Gk. saw (Ion. e!™), 'in, within', which
stand for *£va<o and are rel. to eq, sic, (for
*ev;J, 'into', and to ev, 'in'. See 2nd en-.
Esocidae, n. pi., a family of fishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. esox, gen.
esocis, 'a kind of fish' (prob. 'salmon'), a word
of Gaulish origin. Cp. OCo., MBret. ehoc, Ir.
eo (gen. iacli), 'salmon'.
esophag-, form of esophago- before a vowel.
esophageal, oesophageal, adj., pertaining to the
esophagus. — See esophagus and adj. suff. -al.
esophago-, before a vowel esophag-, pertaining
to the esophagus. — Fr. Gk. oiaocpayo;;. See
next word.
esophagus, n., the gullet (anat.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. oboepdeyo!;, 'the gullet', which prob.
means lit. 'bearer of food', and is compounded
of o'tCTw, 'I shall carry' (used as future of cpspeiv,
'to bear, carry'), a word of unknown etymology,
and (potyeiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
esoteric, adj., intended for the initiated only,
secret. — Gk. eatoxepotoi;, lit. 'pertaining to
those within', fr. eaco-rcpw, 'more within', coin-
par, of saw, 'within'. See eso- and cp. exoteric.
For the etymology of the compar. suff. -ter see
-ther and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: esoteric, n., esoteric-al-ly, adv., eso-
teric-ism, n.
espadon, n., a long two-handed sword. — F., fr.
It. spadone, augment, of spada, 'sword', fr. L.
spada. See spade and cp. words there referred to.
For the It. augment, suff. -one see -oon.
espagnolette, n., bolt for a casement window. —
F., fr. espagnol, 'Spanish' (fr. Espagne, 'Spain'),
and dimin. suff. -ette.
espalier, n., a trellis or framework on which fruit
trees are trained flat. — F., fr. It. spalliera, fr.
spalla, 'shoulder', fr. L. spatula, 'broad piece',
whence also F. epaule, 'shoulder'. See epaulet
and cp. cpauliere.
Derivative : espalier, tr. v.
esparto, n., also esparto gTass. — Sp. esparto, fr.
L. spartum, fr. Gk. cm-otp-rov, 'rope, cable;
Spanish broom; esparto', which is rel. to
CTTrapToq, 'Spanish broom; esparto', and to
airetpa, 'coil, twist', and prob. cogn. with Lith.
spartas, 'band'. See spire, 'spiral', and cp.
Spartina, Spartiuni.
especial, adj. — ME., fr. OF. especial (F. special),
fr. L. specidlis. See special, which is a doublet
of especial.
Derivatives: especial-ly, adv., especial-nes',, n.
Esperanto, n. — Fr. Esperanto, pseudonym of
Dr. Lazarus Ludwig Zamenhof (1859- 191 7), in-
ventor of this language, fr. Sp. esperanza, 'hope',
fr. esperar, 'to hope', fr. L. sperdre. See despair
and -ance.
Derivatives: Esperant-ic, adj., Esperant-ism, n.,
Esperant-ist , n. and adj.
espial, n. — OF. espiaille, fr. espier, "to spy'. See
espy and subst. suff. -al.
espionage, n. — F. espionnage , 'spying", fr. espion,
'spy', fr. It. spione. Sec espy and -age.
esplanade, n., a level place; esp. one serving as a
promenade. — F., fr. It. spianata, "leveling; es-
planade', prop, subst. use of the fern. pp. of
spianare, 'to level', fr. L. expldndre, 'to flatten,
level', whence also explain (q.v.)
espousal, n. — OF. espousailles (F. epousailles),
fr. L. spdnsdlia, 'betrothal, espousal' (whence
also OProvenc. espozalha, OSp. esposayas, Sp.
esponsales), prop. neut. pi. of the adjective spon-
543
satis, 'pertaining to betrothal', fr. spdnsus, pp.
of spondere, 'to engage oneself, promise'. See
spouse and subst. suff. -al and cp. spousal.
espouse, tr. v. — OF. espouser (F. epouser), fr.
L. spdnsdre, 'to betroth, espouse', freq. of spon-
dere (pp. spdnsus), 'to engage oneself, promise'.
See prec. word and cp. spouse.
Derivative: espous-er, n.
espressivo, adv., with expression {musical direc-
tion). — It., 'expressive', fr. espresso, fr. L. ex-
pressus, 'distinct', lit. 'expressed', pp. of expri-
mere. See express, adj., and -ive.
esprit, n., spirit, wit. — F., fr. L. spiritus. See
spirit.
esprit de corps, spirit of attachedness and devotion
to a body of persons associated. — F., lit.
'spirit of the body'. See prec. word, de- and corps.
espy, tr. v. — ME. espien, fr. OF. espier (F. epier),
fr. Frankish *spehdn, which is rel. to OHG.
spehon, 'to spy'. See spy, v.
esquamate, adj., having no scales {zool. and bot.)
— Formed fr. e- and L. squdmdtus, 'scaly', fr.
squama, 'scale'. See squama and cp. desquamate.
-esque, suff. — F., fr. It. -esco, borrowed fr. Teut.
-isk. See adj. suff. -ish.
esquire, n. — ME. esquier, fr. OF. escuyer, es-
quier (F. ecuyer), 'squire, equerry', orig. 'shield-
bearer', fr. VL. scutdrius, 'shield bearer' (but
classical L. scutdrius means 'shield maker'), fr.
L. scutum, 'shield'. See equerry and cp. squire.
esquisse, n., first sketch. — F., fr. It. schizzo. See
sketch.
ess, n., 1) the letter s; 2) anything shaped like
the letter s.
-ess, suff. forming feminine nouns, as in countess,
hostess. — ME. -esse, fr. OF. (= F.) -esse, fr.
Late L. -issa (whence also It. -ezza, Sp., Port.
-esa), fr. Gk. -locra, which — in classical Greek —
occurs only in fiaatXtacra, 'queen' (fr. PaatXeu?,
'king'). However, in later Greek, several other
nouns were formed on analogy of fJaatXiaoa
(cp. e.g. 7tavS6xiCT(ia, 'female innkeeper', fr.
TiavSoxeii?, 'innkeeper').
-ess, suff. forming nouns of quality from adject-
ives, as in duress. — ME. -esse, fr. OF. (= F.)
-esse, fr. L. -itia, whence also It. -ezza, Proven?.,
Sp., Port. -eza. Cp. the subst. suffixes -ice, -ise.
essay, tr. and intr. v. — OF. essaier (F. essayer),
fr. VL. *exagidre, 'to weigh', fr. L. exagium, 'a
weighing', fr. exigere, 'to weigh, measure, exam-
ine', lit. 'to drive out', fr. 1st ex- and agere, 'to
drive'. See agent and cp. assay.
essay, n. — OF. (= F.) essai, fr. essaier. See es-
say, v.
essayist, n., a writer of essays. — A hybrid coined
fr. essay, n., and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivatives: essayist-ic, essayist-ic-al, adjs., es-
sayist-ic-al-ly, adv.
esse, n., being, actual existence. — L. esse, 'to
be', fr. I.-E. base *es-, 'to be*, whence also L.
es-t, 'is', OI. dsmi, Hitt. esmi, Arm. em, Gk.
etjit, Lesb. and Thessal. 4u.|xt, Dor. ^jui, Alb.
estamisn
jam, OSlav. jesmi, Lith. esmi, Olr. am, Goth, im,
OE. eom, earn, am, 'I am', OI. smdfi, Gk. iauiv,
Ion. ei.uiv, Dor. st(ji<;, Lith. esme, OSlav. jesmu,
L. sumus, 'we are' (L. sum, 'I am', has been
formed on analogy of the pi. sumus). Cp. ab-
sence, absent, -ent, entity, essence, essential, in-
terest, presence, present, prosit. Cp. also am, art,
are, is, sin, 'transgression', sooth. Cp. also ety-
mology, etymon, hcteroousian, homoiousian,
homoousian, onto-, sattwa, suttee, swastika.
essence, n. — F., fr. L. essentia, 'being or essence
of a thing', fr. essent-, pres. part, stem of esse,
'to be'; prop, loan translation of Gk. ouaia,
'essence'. See esse and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ence.
Essene, n., a member of an ancient Jewish sect of
ascetics, first appearing in history in the 2nd
century B.C.E. — L. Esseni{p\.), 'the Essenes',
fr. Gk. 'E<j<J7]voL Most scholars derive this word
from Heb. tzWtm, 'the modest ones', or from
Heb. hdshd'tm, 'the silent ones'. It is more pro-
bable, however, that Gk. 'Ea<n)vot derives fr.
Syr. h&sin, pi. absolute state of base, 'pious' ; cp.
the pl.emphaticstate hasayyd, whence the parallel
Greek form 'Eaaaioi. This etymology gains in
probability by the fact that Philo (in Quod om-
nis probus liber sit, § 1 3) identifies the Essenes
with the 'Pious' (twv 'Eaaoduv r t oaEcov = 'of
the Essenes or the Pious').
Derivatives: Essen-ian, adj., Essen-ian-ism, n.,
Essen-ic, Essen-ic-al, adjs., Essen-ism, n., Essen-
ize, tr. v.
essential, adj. — ML. essentidlis, 'essential', fr.
L. essentia. See essence and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives : essential-ity, n., essential-ly, adv.
essonite, also, more correctly, hessonite, n., cinna-
mon stone {mineral.) — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. 7ja CT& w> 'inferior to', compar. of
fyta, 'slightly, a little, slowly, faintly'; which is
prob. cogn. with L. segnis, 'slow, tardy, slug-
gish'. The cinnamon stone was so called in al-
lusion to its being less hard than true hyacinth
and some other minerals.
-est, suff. forming the superlative degree of ad-
jectives and adverbs. — ME., fr. OE. -ost, -est,
rel. to ON. -astr, -str, OHG. -isto, -osto, G. -est,
Goth, -ists, -osts, and cogn. with Gk. -iaxoc„
OI. -isfha; formed orig. from the compar. suff.
through the addition of a suff. beginning with /.
See compar. suff. -er and cp. Anchistea, Calista,
Call isto, kakistocracy, protista.
-est, -st, suff. of the second person singular in-
dicative of English verbs (as in doest, dost, did-
dest, didst, etc.) — ME., fr. OE. -ast, -est, -st,
rel. to OHG. -ist, -ost, -est, G. -est, -st, Goth, -is,
-os -ais, ON. -r, -ar, -ir, and cogn. with Gk.-;, L.
-j, OI. -si, second person sing, endings of verbs.
establish, tr. v. — ME. establissen, fr. OF. esta-
bliss-, pres. part, stem of establir (F. etablir), fr.
L. stabilire, 'to make firm or stable', fr. stabilis,
'firm, stable*. See stable, adj., and verbal suff.
-ist and cp. stablish.
establishmentarian
Derivatives: establish-ed, adj., establish-ment,n.,
establishmentarian (q.v.)
establishmentarian, n., adherent of the principle
of an established church. — Formed fr. estab-
lishment (see prec. word) with suff. -arian.
estacade, n., a dike of stakes in the sea or river.
— F., fr. Sp. estacada, fr. estaca, 'stake', which
is of Teut. origin. See stake, and -ade and cp.
stockade.
estafette, n., a courier, esp. a mounted one. —
F., fr. It. staffetta, 'small stirrup ; courier', dimin.
of staffa, 'stirrup', which is of Teut. origin.
Cp. G. Stapfe, 'footstep', and see E. step. For
the ending see suff. -ette.
estate, n. — ME. estat, fr. OF. estat (F. etat), fr.
L. status, 'condition, state'. See state.
esteem, tr. v. — ME. estemen, fr. OF. (= F.) es-
timer, fr. L. aestimare, fr. OL. aestumdre, 'to
value, appraise', which is denominated fr. *ais-
temos, lit. 'one who cuts the ore', fr. aes, gen.
aeris, 'ore', and I.-E. base "tern-, 'to cut', whence
also Gk. x^veiv, 'to cut'. For the first element
see ore, for the second see tome.
Derivative: esteem, n.
Estella, fern. PN. — Sp., lit. 'star', fr. L. stella.
See star and cp. Stella, stellar.
ester, n., any compound ether (chem.) — G. Es-
ter, coined by the German chemist Leopold
Gmelin (1788-1853) in 1848 from the abbrevia-
tion of Essigdther, which is compounded of
Essig, 'vinegar', and Ather 'ether'. Essig derives
fr. MHG. es3ich, fr. OHG. e^ih, fr. "atecum,
metathetized form of L. acetum, 'vinegar'
(whence Goth, akeit); see acetum. For the se-
cond element see ether.
Esther, 1) fern. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, wife of the
Persian king Ahasuerus. — Gk. 'EaS-rjp, fr. Heb.
Estdr, fr. Pers. sitareh, 'star', which is rel. to
Avestic and OI. star-, and cogn. with Gk. acrrrip,
L. stella, 'star'. See star.
Estheria, n., a genus of branchiopod crustaceans.
— Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -ia.
esthesia, aesthesia, n., sensibility. — ModL. aes-
thesia, fr. Gk. aXa&rpic,, 'perception, sensation',
from the stem of a!<jOavo[xai. See esthete and
-ia and cp. anesthesis.
esthesio-, aesthesio-, combining form meaning
'pertaining to perception'. — Fr. Gk. afertbjai?.
See prec. word and cp. kinesthesia, pallesthesia.
esthete, also aesthete, n. — Gk. alo&TjTrj?, 'one
who perceives', from the stem of aEa&avo^iat
(for *af i<j-$-avo(±o£i), 'I perceive', aor. aEa-
9ia&ffi, shortened fr. *if ia-{M<j4>ai, rel. to dfio
(for *dLF 1(a), 'I hear', lit. 'I perceive by the ear',
and cogn. with L. audio (for *awis-d-id), 'I hear',
fr. I.-E. base *awei-, 'to perceive'. See audible
and cp. esthesia, anesthesia, anesthetic, coen-
esthesis.
esthetic, aesthetic, adj. — Gk. al<T&Y)-rtx6i;, 'per-
ceptive', fr. attj9ijT6?, 'sensible, perceptible',
verbal adj. of aloftdcvojxat. See esthete and cp.
kinesthetic.
5U
Derivatives: (a)esthetic-al-ly, adv., (a)esthetic-
ism, n.
esthetics, aesthetics, n. — G. Asthetik, coined
by A. G. Alexander Baumgarten (17 14-62) about
1750 fr. Gk. octa&7)TL>c6i;, 'perceptive' (see prec.
word), to denote that branch of science which
deals with beauty,
estimable, adj. — F., fr. L. aestimdbilis, 'valuable,
estimable', fr. aestimare. See esteem and -able.
Derivatives: estimab-ly, adv., estimable-ness, n.
estimate, tr. and intr. v. — L. aestimdtus, pp. of
aestimare, 'to value, appraise', see esteem, v.,
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: estimate, n., estimating-ly, adv.,
estimation (q.v.), estimat-ive, adj., estimator (q.v.)
estimation, n. — OF. (= F.) estimation, fr. L.
aestimdtidnem, acc. of aestimatio, 'money value
of a thing, valuation', fr. aestimdtus, pp. of aesti-
mare. See prec. word and -ion.
estimator, n. — L. aestimdtor, 'valuer, appraiser',
fr. aestimdtus, pp. of aestimare. See estimate and
agential suff. -or.
estival, aestival, adj., pertaining to summer. —
F. estival, fr. L. aestivalis, 'pertaining to sum-
mer', fr. aestivus, of s.m., fr. aestus, 'heat',
which is rel. to aestds, gen. aestdtis, 'sum-
mer', lit. 'hot season', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to
burn', whence also L. aedes, 'a building,
sanctuary, temple'. See edify and words there
referred to and cp. esp. estuary.
estivate, aestivate, intr. v., 1) to spend the sum-
mer; 2) to spend the summer in a dormant con-
dition. — L. aestivdtus, pp. of aestivdre, 'to
spend the summer', fr. aestivus. See prec. word
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: (a)estivat-ion, n.
estoile, n., a star with six or eight points (her.) —
OF. estoile (F. etoile), fr. L. stella, 'star'. See
stellar.
estop, tr. v., to bar; (law), to bar by estoppel. —
AF. and OF. estoper (F. etouper), 'to stop', fr.
L. *stuppdre, 'to stop with flax or tow' (whence
also It. stoppare, OProvenc. estopar), Fr. L.
stuppa, stupa, 'the coarse part of flax, tow'. See
stop.
estoppel, n., preclusion of a statement or claim
because it is contrary to a previous statement
or claim (law). — OF. estoupail, 'stopper, bung',
fr. estoper. See prec. word and subst. suff. -el.
estovers, n. pi., necessaries granted by law;
specif, wood for a tenant, alimony for a wife. —
OF. inf. estover, estovoir, 'to be necessary', used
as a noun ; of uncertain origin ; cp. stover. For the
subst. use of the infinitive in law terms see at-
tainder and cp. words there referred to.
estrade, n., a platform. — F., fr. Sp. estrado, fr.
L. stratum, 'something spread out', neut. pp. of
sternere, 'to spread out, cover'. See stratum and
cp. words there referred to.
estradiol, n., a crystalline estrogenic hormone
C, 8 H M Oi (biochem.) — Coined fr. estrus, pref.
di-, and -ol, a suff. denoting alcohol.
3M
estrange, tr. v. — OF. estrangier, estranger, 'to
alienate', fr. VL. *extrdnedre, 'to treat as a
stranger', fr. L. extrdneus, 'stranger'. See
strange.
Derivatives: estrang-ed-ness, n., estrange-ment,
n., estrang-er, n.
estrangelo, n., a type of Syriac cursive writing
characterized by rounded letters. — Syr.
estrangelo, fr. Gk. orpoffiXo?, 'twisted, round'.
See stringent and cp. words there referred to.
estray, n., a strayed animal (law). — AF. estray,
fr. OF. estraier, 'wandering, stray, lost'. See
stray, n.
estreat, n., true extract, copy. — AF. estrefe, fr.
OF. estraite, fr. L. extracta, prop. fem. of ex-
tractus, pp. of extrahere, 'to draw out'. See
extract.
estr^pemeitt, n., v/asfc committed by a tenant for
life in lands, woods or houses to the damage of
the reversioner (law). — OF., 'waste, ravage',
fr. estreper, 'to waste', fr. L. exstirpdre, 'to
pluck out by the stem or root, extirpate'. See
extirpate and -ment.
estriol, n., a crystalline estrogenic hormone
C 18 H 24 3 (biochem.) — Coined fr. estrus and
-ol, a suff. denoting alcohol.
estrogen, n.» a substance producing estrus (bio-
chem.) — Coined fr. estrus and -gen.
estrogenic, adj., producing estrus (biochem.) —
Coined fr. estrus and -genie.
estrone, n., a female sex hormone; theelin (bio-
chem.) — Coined fr. estrus and suff. -one.
estrus, oestrus, n., 1) a vehement desire, frenzy;
2) the sexual heat of female mammals. — L.
oestrus, 'gadfly; frenzy', fr. Gk. olorpoi;, 'gad-
fly; sting; frenzy', which is cogn. with Lith.
aistrd, 'violent passion', and prob. also with
L. ira, 'anger'. See ire and cp. the first element
in Oestrelata.
estuary, n., broad mouth of a river. — L. aestu-
arium, 'a tideplace, an estuary', fr. aestus, 'heat,
fire, the ebb and flow of the sea, tide', rel. to
aestus, 'heat'. See estival.
esurience, esuriency, n. — ■ Formed fr. next word
with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
esurient, adj., hungry; greedy. — L. esuriens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of esurire, 'to desire, to
eat, be hungry', a desiderative verb formed fr.
esus, pp. of edere, 'to eat'. See eat. For the de-
siderative suff. -wire cp. Abiturient and words
there referred to.
Derivative: esurient-ly, adv.
et, conj. meaning 'and'. — L.; cogn. with OI.
dti, Avestic aiti, 'over, beyond', Gk. frn, 'yet,
still, besides, moreover', Gaul, eti, 'also, more-
over', Goth, ip, 'and, but, however', OE., OS.
ed-, ON. id-, OHG. et-, it-, 'again'. Cp. eddy.
-et, subst. suff. of orig. diminutive force. — OF.
and F. -et, prob. of Etruscan origin. In French,
the suff. always had and still has diminutive
force. For the feminine form of this suff. see
-ette. Cp. -let
-et, an infix used in chemistry (as in phen-et-
idine), to denote the presence of the ethyl radical.
— Short for efhyl.
eta, n., name of the seventh letter of the Greek
alphabet. — Gk. 9]Ta, fr. earlier ^tix (see Theo-
dor Noldeke, Beitrage zur semitischen Sprach-
wissenschaft, Strassburg, 1904, p. 124), fr. Heb.
heth; see cheth. The a was added because a
Greek word cannot end with a t; cp. alpha and
words there referred to.
etacism, n., the pronunciation of Gk. eta (i.e. the
letter t\) as e i.e. like a in English ale; called the
Erasmian pronunciation. — Formed fr. eta
with suff. -ism. Cp. itacism.
etage, n., stage. — F., 'abode, stage; story, floor',
also 'rank', fr. VL. *staticum, for L. statio, 'sta-
tion, post, residence', lit. 'a standing', fr. stare,
'to stand'. See state and cp. stage, 'platform'.
etagere, n., cabinet. — F., fr. etage, 'shelf. See
prec. word.
etamine, n., a dress fabric of cotton, worsted or
silk. — F. etamine, fr. OF. estamine, fr. VL.
*staminea, fem. of the Latin adj. stdmineus,
'made of threads', fr. stamen, gen. stdminis
'warp in the upright loom, thread'. See stamen.
etape, n., 1) a halting place for troops; 2) a day's
march. — F., 'stage of journey, halting place,
distance between two halting places', fr. OF.
estaple, fr. MDu. staple, 'storehouse'. See staple.
etat, n., state. — F., fr. L. status, prop, 'mode of
standing'. See state and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
etatism, n., state socialism. — F. etatisme, formed
fr. etat, 'state', with suff. -isme. See prec. word
and -ism.
Etat Major, the staff of the army. — F. etat-
major, fr. etat, 'state', and L. major, 'greater'.
See etat and major, adj.
et cetera, 'and other things'. — L., fr. et, 'and'
(see et), and neut. of ceteri, 'the others', which
is formed fr. I.-E. pron. pref. *ce-, 'there ; behold'
(see he), and I.-E. *etero-, 'the other', whence
also Umbr. etro-, 'another', Avestic a-tara-,
'one of the two, this', Alb. jdters, jatre, 'the
other', OSlav. jeteru, item, 'some, one'.
etch, tr. and intr. v., to engrave with acid. — Du.
etsen, 'to etch', fr. G. dtzen, 'to corrode', fr.
MHG. atzen, etzen, fr. OHG. azzdn, prop, 'to
feed, bait', causative of essan, 'to eat'. See eat.
Derivatives: etch, n., etch-er, n., etch-ing, ver-
bal n.
Eteocles, n., son of Oedipus and Jocasta, and
king of Thebes (Greek mythology). — L., fr.
Gk. 'EteoxXtj?, lit. 'of true fame', compounded
of 4-reo;, 'true, real, genuine', and yXioz, 'fame'.
The first element is rel. to frruu-oi;, 'true'; see
etymon. The second element is rel. to xXut6?,
'famous', and cogn. with L. in-clutus, in-clytus,
of s.m., OE., OS. Mud, 'loud'. See loud,
eternal, adj. — L. aeterndlis, fr. aeternus, 'ever-
lasting, eternal', contracted fr. OL. aeviternus,
fr. *aeviter, an adverb formed fr. aevum, 'age'.
See aeon and adj. suff. -al and cp. age and words
there referred to. Cp. also next word.
Derivatives: eternal-ly, adv., eternal-ness, n.
eterne, adj., eternal (poetic). — OF., fr. L. aeter-
nus. See eternal.
eternity, n. — ME. eternite, fr. F. fremite, fr. L.
aeternitdtem, acc. of aeternitds, fr. aeternus.
See eternal and -ity.
eternize, tr. v., to render eternal. — F. eterniser,
a hybrid coined fr. L. aeternus (see eternal) and
-ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
etesian, adj., annual (said of periodical winds). —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. etisiae, fr. Gk. sty)-
aian, 'periodic winds that prevail in the Aegean',
lit. ''annual (winds)', fr. sT/jeno?, 'annual', fr. croc,
(dial. F eto?), 'year', which is cogn. with L. vetus,
'old'. See veteran and cp. the second element in
trieteric.
-eth, archaic ending of the third person singular
of the present indicative, as knoweth. — ME.
-eth, -th, fr. OE. -ep, -ap, -p, rel. to ON. -id, -id,
66-, OHG. -it, -it, -ot, G. -t, Goth, -ip, -aip-,
-eip-, -op-, and cogn. with L. -t, Gk. -ti, OI.
third person sing. pres. indie, endings.
-eth, suff. forming ordinal numbers, as in for-
tieth. — See -th, suff. forming ordinal numbers.
Ethan, masc. PN. — Heb. Ethan, fr. ethdn,
'strong, permanent, perennial, ever-flowing'
(said of a river), which is rel. to Arab, wdtana,
'was perpetual', wdtin, 'anything permanent'.
Ethel, fern. PN. — Not directly fr. OE. Mdelu,
which is rel. to sedele, 'noble', but back format-
ion fr. names like Etheldred, Ethelinda (qq.v)
Ethelbert, masc. PN. — OE. /Edelbryht, lit.
'bright through nobility', fr. xdele, 'noble', and
beorht, 'bright'. For the first element see athel-
ing, for the second see bright. Cp. Albert, which
derives — through the medium of French — fr.
OHG. Adalbert, the exact equivalent of OE.
AEdelbryht, and cp. words there referred to.
Etheldred, fern. PN. — OE. /Edeldryd, lit. 'of
noble strength', compounded of xdele, 'noble',
and dryd, 'strength'. For the first element see
atheling. The second element is rel. to ON.
priidr, 'strength', ON. pro-ask, 'to thrive',
proskr, 'strong', OHG. triuwen, 'to blossom,
flourish', trouwen, 'to grow', MHG. druo, 'fruit'.
Ethelinda, fern. PN. — Formed fr. OE. xdele,
'noble', and lindi, 'a serpent'. For the first
element see atheling and cp. the two prec. words.
The second element is rel. to OHG. lind, lint,
'serpent', OHG. lindwurm, MHG. lintwurm (re-
newed in G. Lindwurm), 'dragon', ON. linnr
(for *lmpr), 'serpent', lit. 'the lithe animal', fr.
I.-E. base *lent-, 'flexible', whence also ON.,
OE. lind, 'linden tree', lit. 'the tree with pliant
bast', OE. tide, OHG. lindi, 'soft, mild, gentle'.
See lithe and cp. linden.
ether, also aether, n., i) the upper regions of
space; 2) (chem.), a colorless liquid used as an
anesthetic. — L. aether, fr. Gk. at&^p, 'the
upper, purer air, ether', which, together with
a£D-pa, 'the clean sky, fair weather', derives fr.
atSt-siv, 'to burn', fr. I.-E. base *aidh-, 'to burn',
whence also L. aedes, 'a building, sanctuary,
temple'. See edify and words there referred to
and cp. esp. Aethusa, Ethiop; cp. also hypae-
thral. As a chemical term, the word aether was
coined by August Sigmund Frobenius (in 1730),
the discoverer of this liquid,
ethereal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. aethereus, fr. Gk. ai-&epioc., 'pertaining to
ether', fr. aUW|p. See prec. word.
Derivatives: ethereal-ity, n., ethereat-ize, tr. v.,
ethereal-iz-ation, n., ethereal-ly, adv., ethereal-
ness, n.
etheriflcation, n. — See ether and -fixation,
etherify, tr. v., to change into ether. — See ether
and -fy.
ethic, n., ethics. — F. ethique, fr. L. ethica, fr.
Gk. rftvx.T\ (scil. te^vt)), 'moral art', fem. of
^&iz6?, 'moral'. See ethical.
ethic, adj., ethical (now rare). — See ethical.
ethical, adj., relating to morality; moral. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. ifoixoq, 'per-
taining to morals, moral', fr. ?j&o<;, 'habit .cus-
tom, usage, disposition, character, moral', rel.
to ISot; (for *afe&o?), 'custom, usage', e*K£eiv,
'tq, accustom', eW>a, (for *<je-afto#-a), 'I
am accustomed', and cogn. with OI. svadhd,
'custom, peculiarity', L. soddlis (for *swedhdlis),
'fellow, companion', suescere, 'to become ac-
customed', Goth, sidus, OHG. situ, MHG. site,
G. Sitte, MDu. sede, Du. zede, ON. sidr, Dan.
sxd, OS. sidu, 'custom, habit, usage'. The orig.
meaning of all these words was 'property, pe-
culiarity'. They are traceable to I.-E. *swedh-,
'a compound base lit. meaning 'to make one's
own', formed from the reflexive base *swe-, 'his,
her, its, one's', and *dhe-, 'to make, do'. See
sui- and theme and cp. ethos, cacoetb.es, ethnic.
Cp. also custom and words there referred to.
Derivatives: ethical-ity, n., ethical-ly, adv., ethi-
cal-ness, n.
ethicize, tr. v., to make ethical. — See ethic, adj.,
and -ize.
ethico-, combining form expressing relation to
ethics. — Fr. Gk. T)&ix6g, 'pertaining to morals'.
See ethical.
ethics, n., the science of morality. — See ethic, n.,
and -ics.
Ethiop, n„ an Ethiopian. — L. Aethiops, fr. Gk.
Al&to^, which prob. means lit. 'burnt face', fr.
at&etv, 'to burn' and tf^, 'eye, face'. See ether
and optic. Cp. Gk. al&o<|>, 'fiery-looking'.
Ethiopia, n. — L. Aethiopia, fr. Gk. AUHoma,
'Ethiopia', fr. At&totJ/. Sec prec. word and ist-ia.
Derivatives: Ethiopi-an, adj. and n.
ethmoid, ethmoidal, adj., sievelike; pertaining to
a bone or bones forming part of the septum and
walls of the nasal cavity (anat. and zool.) — Gk.
■?)&u.oei8if)<;, 'like a sieve', compounded of rj#u,6<;,
'sieve' and -oetSrjs, 'like', fr. elSoi;, 'form,
shape'. The first element derives fr. tj&eiv, 'to
3*1
sift', which is cogn. with Lith. sietas, OSlav.
sito (for *sei-to-), 'sieve', W. hidl, ON. said (for
*se-tlo), 'sieve', Alb. sos, T sift'. For the second
element see -oid.
Derivative: ethmoid, n., and ethmoid bone.
ethnarch, n., governor of a nation or province. —
Gk. &&wpx7)<;, 'ruler of the people', com-
pounded of gfl-voq, 'people' and -apx?)?, 'leader'.
See ethnic and -arch.
ethnarchy, n., the office of an ethnarch. — Gk.
s&vapxia, fr. e&vapxn]?.. See prec. word and -y
(representing Gk. -ta).
ethnic, adj., related to a race. — L. ethnicus, fr.
Gk. sS-vixot;, fr. &0voc, 'nation, race' (in Eccles.
Greek the plural efWv] means 'the heathens,
gentiles'). Gk. e&vo; prob. stands for *oF£&voz
and orig. meant 'one's own'. It is rel. to &&oq
(for *tTj c s9-oq), 'custom, usage'. See ethical and
cp. ethnos.
Derivatives: ethnic-al-ly, adv., ethnic-ism, n.
ethno-, combining form meaning 'race'. — Fr.
Gk. ExWoi;, 'nation, race'. See ethnic.
ethnography, n.. the description of races. — Com-
pounded of ethno- and Gk. -ypacpix, fr. ypx<pei.v,
'to write'. Sec -graphy.
ethnology, n., the study of races. — Compounded
of ethno- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ethnolog-ic, ethno/og-ic-al, adjs.,
ethnolog-k-al-ly, adv., ethnolog-ist, n.
ethology, n., 1) the science of character; 2) the
study of customs. — L. ethologia, fr. Gk. rfto-
Xoyii, 'description of character', which is com-
pounded of 7j-!>oc,, 'custom', and -Xoyi5, fr.
-Xoyo;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'; see next
word and -logy. In the sense 'science of char-
acter' the word ethology was introduced by the
English philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-73).
Derivatives: etholog-ic, etholog-ic-al, adjs.
ethos, n., the moral atmosphere of a people or a
community. — Gk. ffioc,, 'habit, custom, usage,
disposition, character, moral'. Sec ethical.
ethrog, n., the citron (Citrus mcdica), one of the
'Four Species' of plants used in the celebration
of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth). Mish-
naic Hebrew ethrdg, fr. Pers. tuninj (whence also
Arab, tiirunj, ulrunj. Cp. toronja.
ethyl, n., a hydrocarbon radical, C 2 H 5 (chem.) ■
Coined by the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob
Berzelius (1779-1848) in 1840 fr. Gk. oci&rjp, 'the
upper air', and SXr;, 'stuff'. See ether and -yl.
-etic, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to; of the
nature of. — Gk. -t-iy.iq, formed from stems
ending in -e-r- through addition of suff. -1x6c. ;
see -ic. Gk. adj. suff. -etix&c; corresponds to
nouns ending in -eai?. Cp. e.g. Gk. 9enx6?
(see thetic), which is rel. to Ssai; (see thesis).
etio-, also actio-, aitio-, combining form denoting
cause or causation. — Gk. ai-uo-, fr. aixta,
"cause, origin; occasion', which derives either
fr. uXxioq, 'causing, occasioning', or — like
aixioi; — directly fr. *al-ro<;, 'share, lot' (when-
ce also aXzifn, T ask for, demand'), which is rel.
to alcra (for aiTia), 'share, lot, destiny', atvufixi,
T take', e^anoq, 'picked, choice', xXaioq, 'auspi-
cious, opportune', and cogn. with Avestic aeta-,
'share, lot, due', Oscan aeteis (gen.), 'of some-
body's part', Toch. B ai-, 'to give' (lit. 'to allot').
Cp. diet, 'fare'.
etiolate, tr. and intr. v., to blanch, esp. through
the absence of light (bot.) — Fr. F. etiole, pp.
of etioler, 'to blanch', which prob. derives fr.
eteule, 'a stalk', fr. OF. esteule, fr. L. stipula,
'stubble'; see stipule and verbal suff. -ate. Ac-
cordingly the orig. meaning of F. etioler seems
to have been 'to become like straw'.
Derivatives: etiolat-ed, adj., etiolat-ion, n.
etiology, aetiology, n., the science of causes. —
Late L. aetiologia, fr. Gk. alTioXoyia, 'an in-
quiring into causes', fr. amoXoyetv, 'to inquire
into causes', fr. ama, 'cause' and -Xoyia, fr.
-X6yo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See etio-
and -logy.
Derivatives: {a)etiolog-ic-al, adj., (a)etiolog-ic-
al-ly, adv., (a)etiolog-ist, n.
etiquette, n., conventional rules of social behav-
ior. — F. etiquette, fr. OF. estiquier, estiquer,
'to stick on, attach', fr. Du. stikken, 'to stitch",
which is rel. to G.sticken, 'to embroider", stechen,
'to stab, prick, puncture'. See stitch and cp.
ticket, which is a doublet of etiquette.
etna, n., a device for boiling water. — Fr. Mt.
Etna, fr. Phoen. attund, 'furnace', which prob.
derives fr. Akkad. atunu, utunu, whence also
Aram, attiin, attund, Syr. attdnid, of s.m.; cp.
Arab, atttin, Ethiop. etdn, of s.m., which are
Syriac loan words. Cp. Etnean.
Etnean, adj., pertaining to Etna. — Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Aelneus, fr. Gk. Aitvxlo;, fr.
AiTvr;, 'Etna', fr. Phoen. attund, 'furnace'. Sec
prec. word.
Etonian, n., a student of Eton College (i.e. the
college at Eton, England). For the ending sec
suff. -ian.
Etrurian, adj. and n., Etruscan. - Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Etruria, a name of uncertain
etymology.
Etruscan, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Etruscus, 'Etruscan', fr. Etruria. See prec.
word.
Etta, fem. PN. — Orig. used only as dimin. of
Henrietta.
-ette, suff. used to form nouns which may or may
not have diminutive force. — F. -ette, fem. of
-e t. See -et.
etude, n., study (music). — F., fr. L. studium.
See study.
etui, n., a small case. — F. etui, fr. OF. estui, back
formation fr. estuier, estoier. 'put in, put aside,
spare', fr. VL. *estudiare, fr. L. studere, 'to
study; to care for'; see Meyer-Liibke, REW.,
548
No. 8325. See study and cp. prec. word. Cp.
also tweezers.
etymologic, etymological, adj. — L. etymologicus,
fr. Gk. £Tuu.oXoyix6<;, 'pertaining to etymology',
fr. E-njixoXoyia. See etymology and -ic, resp.
also -al. Derivative: etymological-ly, adv.
etymologicon, n., an etymological dictionary. • —
Gk. e-ruu-oXoytxciv, neut. of £TU|xoXoyix6(;, used
as a noun. See prec. word.
etymology, n. — F. etymologie, fr. L. etymologia,
fr. Gk. Exu^oXoyia, 'etymology', prop, 'the
study of the true sense of a word', compounded
of sTujxov, 'the true sense of a word according
to its origin' (prop. neut. of etuu.o<;, 'true') and
-Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See next word and -logy.
Derivatives: etymolog-ist, n., etymolog-ize, intr.
v., etymolog-iz-ation, n.
etymon, n., primitive word. — Gk. etuu.ov, 'the true
sense of a word', neut. of etu^o?, 'true, real,
actual', enlarged fr. ete6? (for HtzF6<;), 'true'.
This latter derives fr. et6?, 'true' (whence also
i-r&Za-', 'to examine, test', prop, 'to establish
as true'), which prob. stands for *et6?, fr. I.-E.
*se-td-s), hence lit. means 'that which is', and
is cogn. with OI. satydfi (for *snt-yd-), Goth.
sunjis, OE. sod, 'true'. See sooth and words
there referred to.
eu-, combining form meaning 'good, well'. — Fr.
Gk. e5, 'well', prop. neut. of idc,, 'good', which
is cogn. either with Hitt. ashshush, 'good', or —
more probably — with OI. vdsuh, Avestic vohu-,
'good', Ir. feb (fr. I.-E. *wesw-d), 'excellence'.
Eu- is the opposite of dys-.
eucaine, n., name of two synthetic alkaloids
called alpha-eucaine and beta-eucaine. — Coined
fr. eu- and the second and third syllable of
cocaine.
eucairite, n., a copper silver selenide (mineral) —
Swed. eukairit, formed with suff. -// (represent-
ing Gk. -hr,Q; see subst. suff. -ite) fr. Gk.
Eilxoapfoc, adv. of euxatpo?, 'seasonable, op-
portune', fr. eu, 'well' (see eu-), and xaip6?, 'the
right season, the right time' (see kairine). The
mineral was so called because it was found by
the Swedish chemist Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius
(1 779- 1 848) soon after the discovery of selenium.
Eucalyptus, n., a genus of plants of the myrtle
family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'well covered',
coined by the French botanist L'Heritier de
Brutelle (1746-1800) in 1788 fr. eu- and Gk.
xaXuTtx6i;, 'covered', verbal adj. of xocXutcteiv,
'to cover, conceal' (see calyptra); so called in
allusion to the cap covering the bud.
Eucharis, n., a genus of the plants of the amar-
yllis family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. euxapis,
'pleasant, agreeable', fr. e5, 'well', and x*P l ?»
'favor, grace'. See next word.
Eucharist, n. (eccles.), 1) communion; 2) its con-
secrated elements. — OF. eucariste (F. eucha-
ristie), fr. Eccles. L. eucharistia, fr. Gk. Eiixa-
picma, 'thankfulness, gratitude', fr. Euxapiafoc,
'pleasant, agreeable', fr. su/apt^Eiv, 'to render
thanks', fr. e5 (see eu-) and ykpiq, 'favor, grace'.
See Chan's and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: eucharist-ic, eucharist-ic-al, adjs.,
eucharist-ic-al-ly, adv.
Euchite, n., one of a medieval sect that flourished
in the 4th cent., whose members believed in the
saving power of perpetual prayer; applied also
to various other sects that shared this belief. —
Eccles. L. euchita, fr. Gk. eu-/v], 'vow, wish,
prayer', which is cogn. with OI. vdghdt-, 'one
who Offers a sacrifice', L. vovere, 'to vow'. See
vote and cp. next word.
euchology, n., prayer book. — Eccles. Gk. euxo-
X6ytov, compounded of Gk. <d>yj], 'prayer', and
-X6yiov, fr. Xeyeiv, 'to tell, say, speak'. See
prec. word and -logy.
euchre, n., a card game. — Of unknown origin.
Derivative: euchre, tr. v.
euclase, n., a brittle green silicate of beryllium
and aluminum (mineral.) — Lit. 'that which
breaks easily'; formed fr. eu- and Gk. xXaatc,
'a breaking', from the stem of xXav, 'to break'.
See clastic and cp. words there referred to.
Euclea, n., a genus of plants of the ebony family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'glorious', fr. eoxXeioe, 'glory',
fr. suxXs^i;, 'famous, glorious', which is formed
fr. s5(seeeu-) and xXsoq, 'fame' (see Eteocles);
so called in allusion to the beautiful foliage.
Euclid, euclid, n. — Short for Euclid's geometry,
i.e. geometry based on the treatise of Euclid,
the great Greek mathematician who lived about
300 B.C.E. (The name lit. means 'renowned',
and is rel. to euxXetj?, 'renowned', prop, 'of
good report', fr. e3, 'well', and xXeo<;, 'fame';
see prec. word.)
Derivative: Euclid-ean, Euclid-ian, adj.
eudaemonic, eudaemonical, adj., producing hap-
piness. — Gk. EuSaijxovixii;, 'conducive to hap-
piness', fr. EuSatjxtov, 'fortunate, happy', lit.
'blessed with a good genius', fr. e5 (see eu-) and
Sattiojv 'god'. See demon and cp. pandemonium.
eudaemonics, n., that branch of ethics which deals
with happiness. — See prec. word and -ics.
eudaemonism, n., that system of ethics which
makes the moral value of actions dependent
upon their relation to happiness. — Gk. siSai-
(xoviai^i;, 'a thinking happy', fr. EuSaijiovi^Eiv,
'to think happy', fr. EuSai|iuv. See eudaemonic
and -ism.
eudiometer, n., an instrument for the volumetric
measuring of gases. — Coined by the English
clergyman and chemist Joseph Priestley (1733-
1804) fr. Gk. EiiSto!;, 'fine, dear' (said esp. of air
and weather), and (xsTpov, 'measure'. The first
element stands for *eC-8lFoc, and lit. means
'having a good day', fr. e5, 'well', and 810;
(for *8tfto<;), 'divine'. Cp. OI. su-divdh, 'having
a fine day', which is the equivalent of Gk. eQSio;.
See eu- and deity. For the second element see
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
549
euphemist
Derivatives: eudiometr-ic, eudiometr-ic-al, adjs.,
eudiometr-ic-al-ly, adv.
Eudora, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Eu8<ipa, lit.
'generous', fem. of EuScopo;, fr. e5 (see eu-) and
8£>pov, 'gift'. See donation.
Eudorina, n., a genus of flagellates (biol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -ina fr. Gk. EOStopo?,
'generous'. See prec. word. *
Eugene, masc. PN. — F. Eugene, fr. L. Eugenius,
fr. Gk. Euysvioi;, fr. EuyEv^?, 'well born'. See
eugenic and cp. Eugenia.
Eugenia, fem. PN. — L„ fr. Gk. Euysvta, lit. 'no-
bility of birth', rel. to Euysvio?. See prec. word.
eugenic, adj., improving the human race; per-
taining to the improvement of the human race.
— Gk. EuyEVT)?, 'well born', fr. s3 (see eu-) and
yEvo? 'race, descent, gender, kind', See genus
and cp. Eugene, Eugenia.
eugenics, n., the study of the improvement of the
human race by selection of the parents. —
Coined by Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) in
1883 from the adjective eugenic. For the ending
see -ics.
Euglandina, n., a genus of snails (zool.) — A
ModL. hybrid coined fr. eu-, L. gldns, gen.
glandis, 'acorn' (see gland), and suff. -ina.
euhemerism, n., theory of Euhemerus, a Sicilian
Greek philosopher of about 300 B.C.E. —
Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. Euhemerus, fr.
Gk. Eu^jiepos (a name lit. meaning 'bright,
happy', fr. e5, 'well' and TjuipS, 'day').
Derivatives: euhemerist-ic, adj., euhemerist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
euhemerist, n., one who believes in the theory of
Euhemerus. — See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: euhemerist-ic, adj., euhemerist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
euhemerize, tr. v., to interpret (myths) according
to euhemerism. — See euhemerism and -ize.
Eulalia, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. EuXotXES, fr.
euXocXos, 'sweetly speaking', fr. sS (see eu-) and
XotXta, 'talk, chat, speech', fr. XaX6?, 'talkative,
loquacious'. See Lalage and cp. the second
element in mogilalia, paralalia. Cp. also lull.
eulogium, n., eulogy. — Late L., fr. Gk. suXoyLa.
See next word.
eulogy, n., high praise. — Gk. EuXoyta, 'good
language; praise, eulogy', lit. 'a speaking well',
fr. eij (see eu-) and -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoq, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy and cp. elogium.
Derivatives : eulogi-ous, adj., eulog-ism, n., eulog-
ist, a., eulog-ist-ic, eulog-ist-ic-al, adjs., eulog-
ize, tr. v., eulog-iz-ation, n., eulog-iz-er, n.
eulysite, n., a granular kind of peridotite (min-
eral.) — Formed with subst. sufF. -ite fr. Gk.
EuXudta, 'dissolubility', fr. euXuto?, 'easily dis-
solved, soluble', fr. eS (see eu-) and Xut6?,
'loosened, solved; dissolved', verbal adj. of
Xtkiv, 'to loose, loosen, set free; to dissolve'.
See -lysis and cp. words there referred to.
Eumenides, n. pi., the Erinyes (Greek mythology).
— L., fr. Gk. EujievtSs?, lit. 'the Well-Minded
Ones', a euphemistic nllme of the Erinyes, fr.
s6[xsvr)i;, 'well-minded, kind', fr. s5 (see eu-)
and [/ivo;, 'life, soul, spirit', which is cogn.
with OI. mdnyate, 'thinks', L. mens, 'mind,
reason, thought', monere, 'to remind'. See mind
and cp. mental, 'pertaining to the mind'.
Eunectes, n., a genus of snakes, the anaconda
(zool.) — ModL., lit. 'the good swimmer', fr.
e5 (see eu-) and Gk. vfyiTrfi, 'swimmer', fr.
vtqx"v, 'to swim', which is cogn. with Gk. voeiv,
L. ndre, 'to swim'. See natation.
Eunice, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Euvfxr], lit.
'victorious', fr. e5 (see eu-) and vfx-q, 'victory'.
See Nike and cp. Nicholas,
eunomy, n., the condition of being governed by
good laws. — Gk. sovofna, 'good order', fr.
e5vo(ios, 'under good laws, well ordered', which
is compounded of e5 (see eu-) and v6u.cn;, 'law'.
See -nomy.
eunuch, n. — L. eunuchus, fr. Gk. euvoux ?, lit.
'guardian of the bed', fr. euvr), 'couch, bed',
which is of uncertain etymology, and the base
of Sxetv, 'to hold, have'. See hectic and cp.
the second element in Ophiuchus.
Euonymus, n. — See Evonymus.
euosmite, n., a fossil resin. — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. E(5oefu,o?, 'sweet-smelling', fr.
et5 (see eu-) and 6au/r), 'smell, odor' (see osmium) ;
so called because it yields an aromatic odor
when burned.
Eupatorium, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. EumxTopiov,
Agrimonia Eupatorium, named after Eupator
Mithridates, who first used it for medicinal
purposes.
eupepsia, n., good digestion (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. EUTO^ta, fr. eu7te7ttoc, 'easy of di-
gestion', fr. e5 (see eu-) and izsircoQ, 'cooked',
verbal adj. of 7rsa<TEiv, 7t£7TT£t.v, 'to cook'. See
pepsin and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
eupeptic, adj., having good digestion; promoting
digestion. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk.
eu7rs7TTO(;. See prec. word and cp. peptic and
words there referred to.
Euphemia, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Eu^^ia, lit.
'speech of good omen, good repute', fr. e5 (see
eu-)and <pi)p.r\, 'prophetic saying, saying, speech'.
See next word.
euphemism, n., substitution of a mild word or ex-
pression for a harsh or vulgar one (rhet.) —
Gk. eu9T)[iict(ji(5?, 'use of an auspicious word for
an inauspicious one', fr. EUfpirjul^Ea&ai, 'to use
auspicious words', fr. eoipT^ta, 'use of words
of good omen', fr. e5 (see eu-) and 9t]ut), 'pro-
phetic saying, saying, speech' which is cogn.
with L. fama, 'talk, report'. See fame and -ism
and cp. prec. word.
euphemist, n. — See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: euphemist-ic, euphemist-ic-al, adjs.,
euphemist-ic-al-ly, adv.
euphemize
550
euphemize, tr. v., to express euphemistically;
intr.v.,to use euphemisms. — Gk.eu97)|jr.Csa&ai,
"to use auspicious words'. See euphemism and
-ize.
Derivative: euphemiz-er, n.
euphone, n., a free-reed organ stop giving a sweet
tone (music). — Gk. sutpuvoc, 'sweet-voiced'.
See euphony,
euphonium, n., a small brass instrument (music).
— ModL., fr. Gk. eucpovo?, 'sweet-voiced'. See
next word.
euphony, n., pleasantness of sound. — F. eupho-
nie, fr. L. euphdnia, fr. Gk. suipcovia, 'sweetness
of voice', fr. eucptovoi;, 'sweet-voiced', fr. s5 (see
eu-) and <p(ov7), 'sound, tone, voice'. See phone
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: euphun-ic, euphon-ic-al, adjs.,
euphon-ic-al-ly, adv., euphon-ic-al-ness, n., eu-
phoni-ous, adj., euphoni-ous-ly, adv., euphoni-
ous-ness, n.
Euphorbia, n., a genus of African plants. —
ModL., fr. L. euphorbeum, name of an African
plant. Sec euphorbium.
Euphorbiaceae, n. pi., a family of African plants.
— Formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
euphorbiaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
euphorbium, n., a gum resin derived from Euphor-
bia resinifera. — ModL., fr. L. euphorbeum, fr.
Gk. eutpopfiiov. named after Eiicpoppoc, Euphor-
bus, a Greek physician. (The name lit. means
'well nourished', fr. e5, 'well' and ipopfirj, 'pas-
ture, nourishment', which is rel. to cpspfkiv,
'to feed'.)
euphoria, n., the sense of well-being (psychoid) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. Eucpopii, 'well-being', lit. 'a
bearing well', fr. sriicpopo;, 'easy to bear, easily
born', fr. so (see eu-) and the stem of tpspeiv,
'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry' and cp.
dysphoria. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Euphrasia, n., a genus of plants of the figwort
family (bot.) - ModL. See next word.
euphrasy, n., name of a plant. — ML. euphrasia,
fr. Gk. E'j9paaii, 'delight', fr. cj^paivEiv, 'to
delight', fr. eu (see eu-) and 9pr,v, gen. cppsvo;,
'mind'. See phrenetic and -v (representing Gk.
-i5).
euphroe, also uphroe, n., a block of wood per-
forated to receive the cords of an awning. — Du.
juffrouw, 'young woman; pulley', rel. to OFris.
jungfrouwe, OHG. jungfrouwa, MHG. juncvrou
die), 'young woman, girl', G. Jungfrau, 'maid,
virgin: spinster'. See young and frow.
Euphrosyne, n., i) one of the three Graces (Greek
mythol.); 2) fern. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Eo9po<ruvr,,
lit. 'mirth, merriment', fr. eu9pcov, 'cheerful,
merry', lit. 'of a good mind', fr. eu (see eu-) and
'ypTjv, gen. 9pev6:, 'mind'. See phrenetic and cp.
Sophronia. Cp. also prec. word.
euphuism, n., the affected style used by John Lyly
in his Euphues. — Formed with suff. -ism fr.
Euphues, a name coined by the English writer
John Lyly (15547-1606) in 1578 fr. Gk. suyvrfi,
'well-grown, excellent', fr. e{j (see eu-) and the
stem of 90SIV, 'to bring forth, produce, make
to grow'. See physio- and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
euphuist, n., one characterized by euphuism. —
See euphuism and -ist.
Derivatives: euphuist-ic, euphuist-ic-al, adjs.,
euphuist-ic-al-Iy, adv.
eupnea, eupnoea, n., normal breathing (med.) —
Medical L. eupnoea, fr. Gk. euttvoix, 'easy
breathing', fr. eurciooq, 'breathing well', fr. su
(see eu-) and ttvotj, 7cvoit], 'breath'. See pneuma
and cp. dyspnea.
Eurafrica, n., Europe and Africa taken together.
— A blend of Europe and Africa.
Derivative: Eurafric-an, adj. and n.
Eurasia, n., Europe and Asia taken together. —
A blend of Europe and Asia.
Derivative: Eurasi-an, adj. and n.
eureka, interj., the exclamation attributed to
Archimedes when he discovered a method to
determine the purity of the gold in King Hiero's
crown; hence exclamation of triumph. — Gk.
e0p7;xa, 'I have found', perf. of eupicrxeiv, 'to
find'. See heuristic.
eurythmic, adj. — See curhythmic.
euripus, n., a strait. — L., fr. Gk. Eijpuro?, 'strait',
fr. su (see eu-) and plnr„ 'rush, impetus', which
is rel. to p£ttte!.v, 'to throw, hurl', and cogn.
with Fris. wriwwe, MLG., MDu. wriven, OHG.
riban, MHG. riben, G. reiben 'to rub'; see
Hofmann, EWG., p. 299 s. v. pitttgi. Cp. ribald.
Euroclydon, n., a stormy wind. — New Testament
Gk. eupoxXuSwv (Acts 27: 14) fr. Eupog, 'south-
east wind', and xXuScov, 'wave' (from the stem
of xXu^eiv, 'to dash against, break over, in-
undate'); prob. a false reading for EupaxuXcov,
Grecization of Late L. Euraquild, 'northeast
wind', fr. L. Eurus, 'eastwind', and Aquilo.
'north wind". See Eurus and Aquilo.
Europa, n., a daughter of Agenor, king of Phoe-
nicia (Creek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. Eupco-r.
See Europe.
Europe, n. — L. Europa, fr. Gk. Eupaunrj, 'Europa :
Europe', which is prob. of Semitic origin. Cp.
Akkad. erebu, 'to enter, go in; to go down, set'
(said of the sun), ereb shamshi, 'sunset', Heb.
'erebh, 'sunset, evening'; see Heinrich Lewy,
Die semitischen Fremdworter im Griechischen.
Berlin, 1895, pp. 139-140. Accordingly E'jpcj— r,
orig. meant 'the Region of the Setting Sun'. Cp.
Hesychius, who renders Eupcorrr; with the words
/copx tt,c SicjEto; (= 'the Land of the Setting
Sun'). Cp. also Gk. "Epe[3o;, 'place of nether
darkness', which derives fr. Heb. 'erebh. See
maarib and cp. Erebus. The form Eupco:rv; (as if
the name meant sup-cor^r;, 'broad face') is due
to the natural tendency of the Greeks to Grecize
words foreign to their language. For the sense
development of Gk. EupcoTCT, from a Semitic
word meaning 'sunset, evening', cp. Asia.
551
evaluate
European, adj. and n. — F. europeen, fr. L. Euro-
paeus, fr. Gk. Eopcoroxtoi;, 'European', fr. Eupci-
nrj, 'Europe'. See prec. word and -an.
Derivatives: European-ism, n., European-ize,
tr. v., European-iz-ation, n.
europium, n., name of a rare metallic element
(chem.) — ModL., named by its discoverer, the
French chemist Eugene Demarcay (1852-1903)
in 1896 after the continent Europe. For the end-
ing of europium see suff. -ium.
Eurus, n., 1) the god of the southeast wind (Greek
mythol.); 2) hence the southeast wind. —
L., fr. Gk. E5po?, which possibly stands for
*E5cr-pog and orig. meant 'the singeing wind',
fr. eueiv (for *eucteiv), 'to singe', which derives
fr. I.-E. base *eus-, 'to burn'; see combust. The
change of the rough spirit (in eGeiv) to the
smooth one (in Eupos) is prob. due to the in-
fluence of aupS, 'air'. Cp. the first element in
Euroclydon.
eury-, combining form meaning 'wide'. — Gk.
Eupu-, fr. eupui;, 'wide', which is cogn. with OI.
uruh, 'broad, wide', vdras-, 'breadth, width'. Cp.
the first element in next word.
Eurydice, n., the wife of Orpheus (Greek mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. EupuSixY), lit. 'wide justice', fr.
E'ipii;, 'wide', and Sixr), 'right, custom, usage,
law; justice'. For the first element see eury-,
for the second see dicast.
eurythmic, eurhythmic, adj., harmonious. — Form-
ed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. eupu&fua, 'rhythmical
order', fr. eupu-9-u.os, 'rhythmical', fr. e5 (see eu-)
and pu$[j.6;, 'rhythm'. See rhythm.
eurythmics, eurhythmies, n., the art of expressing
musical harmony by bodily movements. — See
prec. word and -ics.
eurythmy, eurhythmy, n., harmonious proportion.
— L. eurythmia, fr. Gk. Eupudu.ta. See euryth-
mic and -y (representing Gk. -ia).
eusol, n., an antiseptic solution for wounds.
(pharm.) — Lit. 'a good solution' ; coined fr. eu-
and the first three letters of the word solution.
Eustace, masc. PN. — OF. Eustace (F. Eustache),
fr. Late L. Eustachius, fr. Gk. Eu<jTax t0 ?> nt -
'fruitful', fr. eu (see eu-) and a-rax'->s, 'ear (of
grain)', which is a derivative of I.-E. base
*stengh-, 'to be pointed', whence also E. sting
(q.v.) Cp. Stachys. The name Eustachius should
not be confused with Eustathius, which comes
fr. Gk. EuordtST]?, 'stable'.
Eustachian, adj., pertaining to Eustachio or to
the Eustachian tube. — Formed with suff. -an
from the name of the Italian physician Barto-
lomeo Eustachio (15247-1574), the discoverer
of the air passage connecting the eardrum
cavity with the pharynx.
eutectic, adj., of the greatest fusibility. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk. eOttjxtos, 'easily melted',
fr. eO (see en-) and t»)xt6<;, 'melted', verbal adj.
of -rijxeiv, 'to melt', which is cogn. with L. tabes,
'a wasting away'. See tabes and cp. eutexia.
Derivative: eutectic, n., a eutectic substance.
Euterpe, n., the Muse of music (Greek mythology).
— L., fr. Gk. EuTEpmr], lit. 'pleasing well', fr
si (see eu-) and tlpnziv, 'to delight, please'.
See Terpsichore.
eutexia, n., the quality of melting at a low tem-
perature (physics). — ModL., fr. Gk. suttj^S,
'fusibility', which is rel. to eCt^xto?, 'easily
melted'. See eutectic.
Euthamia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. eu&t)u.(ov, 'har-
monious, pretty', lit. 'well placed', fr. c3 (see
eu-) and the base of w&faax, 'to put, place'. See
theme and cp. words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
euthanasia, n., an easy and painless death. —
Gk. £u9-ava(j£a, 'easy death', fr. e5 (see eu-)
and S-avaxoi;, 'death'. See thanato- and -ia and
cp. athanasy.
Euxine, adj., pertaining to the Euxine (= Black
Sea). — L. Pontus Euxinus, fr. Gk. II6vto<;
Eu^etvoi;, 'the hospitable sea', euphemized fr.
LTovtoq "A^eivo?, 'the Axine', lit. 'the inhospit-
able sea', in which name "A^elvo? is perh. a
popular alteration of a name like *A$EvaC,
metathesis of 'Kcr/zviX,, ' Aa/ava^, Septuagintal
rendering of Heb. Ashk l naz, a people mentioned
in Gen. 10:3 and I Chr. t:6. Accordingly
Axine orig. would have meant 'the Ashkenaz
Sea'. See Ashkenaz.
Eva, fern. PN. (Bible). — See Eve.
evacuant, adj., promoting evacuation, purgative
(med.) — L. evacuans, gen. -antis, pres. part, of
evacuare. See next word and -ant.
Derivative: evacuant, n., a purgative agent.
evacuate, tr. v., 1) to withdraw troops from a
place; 2) to promote evacuation (med.) — L.
evacudtus, pp. of evacuare, 'to empty out, purge',
formed fr. e- and vacuus, 'empty'. See vacant
and verbal suff. -ate.
evacuation, n. — F. evacuation, fr. Late L. eva-
cudtidnem, acc. of evacudtid, 'an evacuating', fr.
L. evacudtus, pp. of evacuare. See prec. word
and -ion.
evade, tr. v., to avoid. — L. evddere, 'to go out;
to escape', fr. e- and vddere, 'to go', which is
rel. to vadum, 'a shallow', and cogn. with OE.
wadan, 'to wade'. See wade and cp. vade mecum.
Cp. also evasion, invade, invasion, pervade, per-
vasion.
Evadne, 1) the wife of Capaneus, one of 'the
Seven before Thebes' (Greek mythol.); 2) fern.
PN. — L., fr. Gk. EuaSvTj, a word of uncertain
origin.
evaginate, tr. v., to turn (a tube) inside out. —
L. evdgindtus, pp. of evdgindre, 'to unsheathe',
fr. e- and vagina, 'sheath'. See vagina and verbal
suff. -ate.
evagmation, n. — Late L. evdgindtid, gen. -dnis,
'a spreading out, extending', fr. L. evdgindtus,
pp. of evdgindre. See prec. word and -ion.
evaluate, tr. v. — F. evaluer. See e-, value and
verbal suff. -ate, and cp. valuation.
Evan
552
Derivative : evaluat-ion, n.
Evan, masc. PN. — W., lit. 'young'- Cp. W. iau,
'young', ieuanc, 'young man', ieuaf, 'youngest',
MW. ieu, 'younger', Olr. da, dam, 'younger,
youngest'. These words are cogn. with L.
juvenis, 'young, young man', Goth, juggs, OE.
geong, 'young'. See young and cp. juvenile.
evanesce, intr. v., to vanish. — L. evdnescere, 'to
pass away, vanish', fr. e- and vdnescere, 'to pass
away', which is an inchoative verb formed from
the adjective vdnus, 'vain'. See vain and -esce.
evanescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
evanescent, adj. — L. evdnescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part of evdnsescere. See evanesce and -ent.
Derivative: evanescent-ly, adv.
evangel, n., the gospel. — ME. evangile, fr. OF.
evangile (F. evangile), fr. Eccles. L. evangelium,
'gospel', fr. Gk. eiia-j-f&iov, 'reward of good
tidings; gospel', fr. s&&-ffsko<;, 'bringing good
news', fr. e3 (see eu-) and fcyyekoc,, 'messenger'.
See angel.
Derivatives: evangelic (q.v.), evangel-ic-ity, n.,
evangelist (q.v.), evangelize (q.v.)
evangel, n., evangelist. — Gk. euayYeXoi;, 'bring-
ing good news'. See prec. word.
evangelic, evangelical, adj. — Eccles. L. evange-
licus, fr. Gk. euaYYeXix6<;, fr. euayY^Xtov. See
evangel, 'gospel', and -ic, resp. also -al.
Evangeline, fem. PN. — F. E\angiline, ult. fr.
Gk. EimyykXiov, 'good news'. See evangel,
'gospel', and -ine (representing L. -ina).
evangelist, n. — F. evangiliste, fr. Eccles. L.
evangelista, fr. Gk. euaYYeXiaTrji;, fr. euayY E "
X[£eafh)ci. See next word and -ist.
Derivatives: evangelist-ic, adj.
evangelize, tr. and intr. v. — OF. evangeliser, fr.
Eccles. L. evangelizdre, fr. Gk. euaYY £ ^ E<I ^ m >
'to bring good news, to preach glad tidings', fr.
euayy^Xtov. See evangel, 'gospel', and -ize.
Derivatives: evangeliz-ation, n., evangeliz-er, n.
evanish, intr. v., to vanish. — OF. esvanir (F.
evanouir). See e- and vanish.
Derivative : evanish-ment, n.
evansite, n., a basic aluminum phosphate (min-
eral.) — Named after Brooke Evans, of Eng-
land, who brought it from Hungary. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
evaporate, intr. and tr. v. — L. evapdrdtus, pp. of
evapdrdre, 'to disperse in vapor', fr. e- and vapor,
'steam, vapor'. See vapor and verbal suff. -ate.
evaporation, n. — F. evaporation, fr. L. evapd-
rdtidnem, acc. of evapdrdtid, 'an evaporating', fr.
evapdrdtus, pp. of evapdrdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
evaporative, adj. — Late L. evapdrdtivus, 'tending
or apt to evaporate', fr. L. evapdrdtus, pp. of
evapdrdre. See evaporate and -ive.
evasion, n. — F. evasion, fr. L. evdsidnem, acc. of
evasid, 'a going out; escape', fr. evdsus, pp. of
Ivddere. See evade and -ion and cp. invasion,
pervasion.
evasive, adj. — F. evasif (fem. evasive), fr. L. evd-
sus, pp. of evddere. See evade and -ive.
Derivatives: evasive-ly, adv., evasive-ness, n.
eve, n., i) evening; 2) time immediately preceding
an event. — ME. eve; a variant of even,
'evening'.
Eve, 1) fem. PN; 2) in the Bible, the wife of
Adam. — Late L. Eva, fr. Heb. Hawwd h , lit.
'a living being', from the base of hdwd = hdyd,
'he lived'. See Gen. 3 : 20. Heb. hdyd'', 'he lived',
is rel. to Aram.-Syr. hayd, 'he lived', Ugar. hwy
(byy)>. 'to live', Arab, hdyyd, 'he lived', Heb.
hayyim, Aram, kayyfn, bayyi, Arab. Ifayd h ,
'life'. Cp. Eva. Cp. also ave.
evection, n., irregularity of the moon's motion
in its orbit (astron.) — L. evectid, gen. -dnis', 'a
going upward', fr. evectus, pp. of evehere, 'to
carry out', fr. e- and vehere, 'to carry, convey'.
See vehicle and -ion.
Evelina, Evelyn, fem. PN. — 1) Dimin. of Eve;
2) fr. OHG. Avelina, fr. Avi.
Evelyn, masc. PN. — Prob. fr. prec. word.
even, n., evening (poet.) — ME. eve, even, fr. OE.
sefen, rel. to OS. dVand, ON. aptann, Dan. of-
ten, OFris. evend, Du. avond, OHG. dband,
MHG. abend, G. Abend, and cogn. with Gk.
6m- in 6m9«(v), Ion. and Att. 07aa&e(v),
'after, behind', h<]/i, 'late in the day, at even',
ltd, 'upon, after'; hence even(ing) lit. means
'the hinder' (= latter) part of the day'. See epi-
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also the
second element in Halloween.
even, adj. — ME. even, fr. OE. efen, efn, 'level,
even', rel. to OS. efan, OFris. even, Du. even,
effen, OHG. ebon, MHG., G. eben, ON. jafn,
Dan. jxvn, Goth, ibns, fr. Teut. base *efna-,
which possibly corresponds to I.-E. *im-no-, en-
largement of base *im-, whence L. im-itdrl, 'to
represent, copy, imitate'. See imitate and cp.
anent.
Derivatives: even, n., adv. and tr. v., even-er, n.,
even-ly, adv., even-ness, n.
evening, n. — ME., fr. OE. xfnung, 'evening',
prop, verbal n. fr. xfnian, 'to become evening',
fr. xfen, 'evening'. See even, 'evening', and -tag,
suff. forming verbal nouns, and cp. morning
(fr. morn).
evensong, n. — ME., fr. OE. xfensang, compound-
ed of xfen, 'evening', and sang, 'song'. See
even, 'evening', and song.
event, n. — OF. event, fr. L. eventus, 'occurrence,
event', fr. event-(um), pp. stem of evenire, 'to
come forth, happen, occur', fr. e- and venire,
'to come'. See come and cp. venue, 'arrival'.
eventful, adj. — Compounded of event and -fid;
first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: eventful-ly, adv., eventful-ness, n.
eventide, n. — ME., fr. OE. xfentid, compounded
of xfen, 'evening', and tid, 'time'. See even,
'evening', and tide.
eventration, n., protrusion of the abdominal
viscera (med.) — F. eventration, formed fr. e-
(see e-), L. venter, gen. ventris, 'belly' (see venter,
'abdominal cavity'), and suff. -ation.
eventual, adj. — Fictive L. *eventualis (whence
also F. eventuel), fr. L. eventus. See event and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: eventual-ity, n., eventual-ly, adv.
eventuate, intr. v., to turn out, result. — Formed
fr. event with verbal suff. -ate.
ever, adv. — ME. ever, fr. OE. Sfre, prob. rel.
to OE. d, 'always, ever'. See aye, 'ever', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also the first ele-
ment in every and the second element in never.
Everard, masc. PN. — OF. Everart, of Teut. ori-
gin. Cp. OHG. Eburhard (= G. Eberhard,
Ebert), lit. 'strong as a boar', fr. ebur, 'boar',
and hart, 'hard'. See aper and hard.
Evernia, n., a genus of lichens of the family Us-
neaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. euspvr]?,
'sprouting well', fr. eu (see eu-) and gpvo?,
'young sprout, twig, shoot', which is cogn. with
Norw. runne, rune, 'branch', ON. renna, 'to
shoot up', fr. I.-E. base *er-, *or-, 'to stir, move',
whence also L. oriri, 'to rise'. See orient and cp.
words there referred to.
eversion, n. — F. eversion, fr. L. eversidnem, acc.
of eversid, 'a turning out, overthrowing', fr.
eversus, pp. of evertere, 'to turn out, twist, over-
throw', fr. e- and vertere, 'to turn'. See version,
evert, tr. v., 1) to overthrow (archaic); 2) to turn
inside out. — L. evertere. See prec. word,
every, adj. — ME. everilk, everich, even, lit. 'ever
each', fr. OE. sefre, 'always, ever', and xlc,
'each'. See ever and each,
evict, tr. v., to dispossess by law. — L. evictus,
pp. of evincere, 'to overcome completely, van-
quish; to recover one's property'. See evince,
eviction, n. — Late L. evictid, gen. -dnis, 'recovery
of one's property', fr. L. evictus, pp. of evincere.
See prec. word and -ion.
evidence, n. — F. evidence, fr. L. evidentia, 'clear-
ness, distinctness', fr. evidens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.
evident, adj. — F. evident, fr. L. evidentem, acc.
of evidens, 'apparent, visible, clear, evident',
formed fr. e- and videre, 'to see'. See vision
and -ent.
Derivatives: evident-ial, adj., evident-ial-ly, adv.,
evidenti-ary, adj., evidenl-ly, adv.
evil, adj. — ME. evil, evel, ivel, uvel, fr. OE. yfel,
yfil, rel. to OS. ufil, OFris., MDu. evel, Du.
euvel, OHG. ubil, MHG., G. ubel, Goth, ubils,
'evil'. These words are prob. rel. to up, above,
over (qq.v.) Accordingly, the orig. meaning of
OE. yfel, etc., seems to have been 'going up-
ward', hence 'going beyond, transgressing'.
Derivatives: evil, n. and adv., evil-ly, adv.
evil-starred, adj. — Coined by the English poet
Alfred Tennyson (1809-92) fr. evil, star and adj.
suff. -ed. Cp. ill-starred.
evince, tr. v., 1) to show; 2) to exhibit. — L. evin-
cere, 'to overcome completely, vanquish; to
succeed in proving, demonstrate', fr. e- and
vincere, 'to vanquish'. See vincible and cp. evict.
Derivatives: evinc-ible, adj., envinc-ibl-y, adv.,
envinc-ive, adj.
evirate, tr. v., to castrate. — L. evirdtus, pp. of
evirdre, 'to deprive of manhood', fr. e- and vir,
'man*. See virile and verbal suff. -ate.
eviration, n., castration. — L. evirdtid, gen. -dnis,
'a depriving of manhood', fr. evirdtus, pp. of
evirdre. See prec. word and -ion.
eviscerate, tr. v., to disembowel. — L. eviscerdtus,
pp. of eviscerdre, 'to disembowel', lit. 'to remove
the viscera from', fr. e- and viscera, 'the inner
parts of the body'. See viscera and cp. viscerate.
Derivative: eviscerat-ion, n.
evitable, adj., avoidable. — L. evitdbilis, 'avoid-
able', fr. evitdre, 'to avoid', fr. e- and vitdre,
'to seek to escape, to avoid', which seems to be
a contraction of *vi-itdre, 'to go out of the
way', fr. via, 'way', and itdre, freq. of ed, ire,
'to go'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, p. 805
s.v. vitd. See via and itinerate.
evocation, n., an evoking. — L. evocdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'a calling out, summoning', fr. evocdtus,
pp. of evocdre. See evoke and -ation.
evocative, adj., tending to evoke. — Late L. evo-
cdtlvus, 'pertaining to summoning', fr. L. evo-
cdtus, pp. of evocdre. See evoke and -ative and
cp. vocative.
Evodia, n., a genus of plants of the rue family
{boQ — ModL., fr. Gk. euuSLS, 'sweet smell,
fragrance', fr. eucoSr]?, 'sweet smelling, fragrant',
formed fr. eu (see eu-) and the stem of 6£etv,
'to smell', whence also 6<ju4 'smell, odor'. See
odor and cp. osmium. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
evoke, tr. v., to call forth. — F. evoquer, fr. L.
evocdre, 'to call out, summon', fr. e- and vocdre,
'to call', from vox, gen. vdcis, 'voice'. See voice.
evolute, n., a curve which is the locus of the cen-
ter of curvatures of another curve (geom.) —
L. evoliitus, pp. of evolvere. See next word and
cp. involute.
evolution, n. — L. evolutid, gen. -dnis, 'an un-
rolling (of a scroll), an opening (of a book)', fr.
evoliitus, pp. of evolvere, 'to unroll, unfold', fr.
e- and volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: evolution-al, adj., evolution-al-ly,
adv., evolution-ary, adj., evolutionism (q.v.),
evolutionist (q.v.)
evolutionism, n., the theory of evolution. —
Formed with suff. -ism fr. L. evolutid, gen. -dnis.
See prec. word.
evolutionist, n., one who believes in the theory of
evolution. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. L. evo-
lutid, gen. -dnis. See evolution.
evolve, tr. v., 1) to unfold; 2) to develop gradually.
— L. evolvere. See evolution.
Evonymus, n., a genus of plants, the spindle tree
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'of good name', fr. Gk. eu
(see eu-) and 6vuu.cc dialectal form of 6vou.oc,
'name'; see onomato-. The name is euphemistic,
evu
554
in allusion to the poisoning quality of this
genus.
evulsion, n., the act of plucking out. — L. evul-
sid, gen. -dnis, 'a pulling or plucking out', fr.
evulsus, pp. of evellere, 'to pull out, pluck out',
fr. e- and vellere, 'to pull off, pluck off'. See
vellicate and -ion and cp. convulse, revulsion,
vulsellum.
ewe, n. — ME. ewe, fr. OE. eowu, fem. of eow,
'sheep', rel. to MDu. ooye, ooy, Du. ooi, OHG.
ouwi, ou, 'sheep', OE. eowestre, OHG. awist,
Goth, awistr, 'sheepfold', OE. eowde, OHG.
ewit, Goth, awepi, 'flock of sheep', and cogn.
with OI. dvifi, Gk. Att. die,, Argive Sf t?, L.
ovis, Lith. avis, Lett, avs, 'sheep', Lith. Svinas,
Lett, duns, OPruss. awins, 'ram', OSlav. ovtnu,
'ram', ovica, 'ewe', Olr. di, 'sheep', W. ewig,
'hind', and possibly cogn. with Arm. hoviv,
'shepherd'. Cp. ovine,
ewer, n., a wide-mouthed water pitcher. — ME.,
fr. AF. ewiere, ewer, corresponding to OF.
aiguiere (F. aiguiere), fr. OProvenc. aiguiera,
'water vessel', fr. VL. aquaria, lit. 'pertaining to,
or containing, water' (cp. L. vds aquarium,
'water vessel'), fr. L. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic
and cp. aquarium. Cp. also sewer,
ex, prep, meaning 'out of and used in various
phrases of Latin origin. See ist ex-,
ex- pref. occurring in words of Latin origin used
in the senses: i) out of, from; 2) upward;
3) completely, entirely; 4) to remove from, de-
prive of; 5) without; 6) former (said of previous
holders of office or dignity). Before /, ex- be-
comes ef-; before all voiced consonants (as
b, d, g, etc.) ex- becomes <?-. — L. ex-, from the
prep, ex, 'out of, from', which is cogn. with
Gk. kn, 'out of (see 2nd ex-), Arm. ;', 'from',
pref. y- (as in y-arnem, 'I rise'), Gaul, ex, Olr.
ess-, ass-, OPruss. esse, Lith. i$, OSlav. is-, iz-
(pref.), iz (prep.) Cp. extraneous, strange,
ex- pref. occurring in words of Greek origin and
meaning 'out of. — Gk. £x, 'out of. The
former is used before vowels and is rendered
in English by ex-; the latter appears before con-
sonants and is transliterated ec-. For the ety-
mology of Gk. II, U see 1st ex-. Cp. ec-, ecto-
and the first element in eschatology.
ex-, form of exo- before a vowel,
exacerbate, tr. v., to render worse, aggravate. —
L. exacerbdtus, pp. of exacerbdre, 'to exasper-
ate, irritate, grieve, afflict', fr. ist ex- and acer-
bdre, 'to make harsh or bitter; to aggravate',
fr. acerbus, 'harsh to the taste, bitter; sour'. See
acerb and verbal pref. -ate and cp. acerbate,
exacerbation, n. — Late L. exacerbdlio, gen.
-dnis, 'exasperation', fr. L. exacerbdtus, pp. of
exacerbdre. See prec. word and -ion.
exact, adj., 1) accurate; 2) precise. — L. exdetus,
"precise, accurate', pp. of exigere, 'to demand,
require', lit. 'to drive out or forth', fr. ist ex-
and agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do,
act'. See agent, adj., and cp. act. Cp.also assay
essay, examen, examine, exigent, exiguous,
exility.
Derivatives: exact-ly, adv., exact-ness, n.
exact, tr. v., to demand. — L. exdetus, pp. of
exigere. See exact, adj.
Derivatives: exact-ing, adj., exact-ing-ly, adv.,
exact-ing-ness, n., exaction (q.v.), exactitude
(q.v.)
exaction, n. — ME. exaccioun, fr. MF. (= F.)
exaction, fr. L. exdetidnem, acc. of exdetid, 'a
demanding, requisition', fr. exdetus, pp. of
exigere. See exact, adj., and -ion.
exactitude, n. — F., fr. exact, fr. L. exdetus, pp.
of exigere. See exact, adj., and -ude.
exactor, n. — L., 'a demander', fr. exdetus, pp.
of exigere. See exact, adj., and agential suff. -or.
exaggerate, tr. and intr. v. — L. exaggerdtus,
pp. of exaggerdre, 'to heap up; to magnify, ex-
aggerate', formed fr. ist ex- and agger, 'heap,
pile, dam, dike, mound, rampart'. See agger
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exaggerat-ed, adj., exaggerat-ed-ly,
adv., exaggerat-ing, adj., exaggerat-ing-ly, adv.,
exaggeration (q.v.), exaggerat-ive, adj., exagger-
at-ive-ly, adv., exaggerat-ive-ness, n.,exaggerat-
or (q.v.), exaggerat-ory, adj.
exaggeration, n. — L. exaggerdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
heaping up; an exaggeration', fr. exaggerdtus,
pp. of exaggerdre. See prec. word and -ion.
exaggerator, n. — L., fr. exaggerdtus, pp. of ex-
aggerdre. See exaggerate and agential suff. -or.
exalt, tr. v., to raise, lift up; 2) to praise, extol. —
OF. (= F.) exalter, fr. L. exaltdre, 'to raise,
exalt', fr. ist ex- and alius, 'high'. See alt and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: exalt-ation, n., exalt-ed, adj.,
exalted-ly, adv., exalted-ness, n., exalt-er, n.
exam, n. — Colloq. abbreviation of examination.
examen, n., examination. — L. examen. See
examine.
examinant, adj. and n. — L. exdmindns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of exdmindre. See examine
and -ant.
examination, n. — F., fr. L. exdmindtidnem, acc.
of exdmindtid, 'a weighing, examination', fr.
exdmindtus, pp. of exdmindre. See next word
and -ation.
Derivative : examination-al, adj.
examine, tr. v. — OF. (= F.) examiner, fr. L.
exdmindre, 'to weigh; to consider, ponder; to
test, examine', fr. examen (gen. exdminis), 'the
tongue of a balance; a weighing examination',
which stands for *ex-ags-men, and is formed fr.
ist ex- and ago, agere, 'to drive; to act'; the
orig. meaning of examen was 'driving of the
balance out of its equilibrium'. See agent, adj.,
and cp. exact, adj., and words there referred to.
Derivatives: examin-ative, adj., examin-atory,
examin-atori-al, adjs., examin-ee, n., examin-er,
n., examin-ing, adj., examin-ing-iy, adv.
example, n. — OF. example (F. exempli), fr. L.
exemplum, lit. 'something taken out of a larger
555
excerption
quantity', fr. 1st ex- and emere, 'to take'. See
exempt and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also exemplar, exemplify, sample, ensample. For
the inserted -p- in exemplum (for *ex-em-lom)
cp. L. amplus, 'large' (see ample).
Derivative: example, tr. v.
exanimate, adj., 1) inanimate; 2) spiritless. — L.
exanimdtus, pp. of exanimdre, 'to deprive of air
or breath; to deprive of life; to terrify', fr. ist
ex- and anima, 'breath of air, air, breath, soul,
life'. See animus and adj. suff. -ate.
exanthema, n., an eruption, esp. one accom-
panied by fever (med.) — Late L., fr. Gk.
^av^fux (gen. £i;aviW]u.aTos), 'eruption', lit. 'a
bursting forth into flower', fr. iZ,txv&eiv, 'to
burst forth into flower', fr. kZ, (see 2nd ex-) and
dv#etv, 'to bloom', fr. av&o?, 'flower'. See
anther and -ma.
Derivatives : exanthemat-ic, exanthemat-ous,
adjs. (this latter is a hybrid),
exarch, n., 1) the governor of a province in the
Byzantine Empire; 2) a bishop of the Eastern
Church, standing in rank below a patriarch and
above a metropolitan. — Late L. exarchus, fr.
Gk. e^apyo;, fr. 1% (see 2nd ex-) and ap/6;,
•leader, chief, ruler'. See -arch and cp. words
there referred to.
exarchate, n., the office or dignity of an exarch.
— ML. axarchdtus, fr. Late L. exarchus. See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ate.
exasperate, tr. v., to make angry; to provoke. —
L. exasperdtus, pp. of exasperdre, 'to make
rough, irritate, provoke', fr. ist ex- and asper-
dre, 'to make rough, to excite', fr. asper, 'un-
even, rough'. See asperity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exasperat-ed, adj., exasperat-ed-ly,
adv., exasperat-ing, adj., e xasperat-ing-ly , adv.,
exasperation (q.v.)
exasperation, n. — L. exasperdtid, gen. -dnis, 'ex-
asperation, bitterness', fr. exasperdtus, pp. of
exasperdre. See prec. word and -ion.
excambion, n., exchange of land (Scot, law) —
ML. excambium. See ist ex- and cambium and
cp. exchange.
ex cathedra, with authority. — L., lit. 'from the
chair'. See ex and cathedra.
Derivative: ex cathedra, adj., authoritative.
excavate, tr. v., to dig out. — L. excavdtus, pp.
of excavdre, 'to hollow out', fr. ist ex- and
cavdre, 'to hollow, hollow out', fr. cavus, 'hol-
low'. See cpve, 'hollow space', and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: excavation (q.v.), excav-ator, n.,
excav-ator-ial, adj.
excavation, n. — L. excavdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a hol-
lowing out', fr. excavdtus, pp. of excavdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
exceed, tr. and intr. v. — ME. exceden, fr. MF.
( = F.) exceder, fr. L. excedere, 'to go away, go
beyond, depart; surpass, excel', fr. ist ex- and
cedere, 'to go, go away, yield, withdraw'. See
cede and cp. excess.
Derivatives: exceed-er, n., exceed-ing, adj. and
adv., exceed-ing-ly, adv.
excel, tr. and intr. v. — F. exceller, fr. L. excel-
lere, 'to rise, raise oneself, distinguish oneself,
surpass, excel', fr. ist ex- and -cellere (used only
in compounds), 'to rise' (whence the pass. part.
celsus, 'high'), fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to rise, be
elevated'. See column and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
excellence, n. — F., fr. L. excellentia, 'superior-
ity, excellence', fr. excellens, gen. -entis. See ex-
cellent and -ce.
excellency, n. — F. excellence. See prec. word
and -cy.
excellent, adj. — F., fr. L. excellentem, acc. of
excellens, pres. part, of excellere. See excel
and -ent.
Derivatives: excellent-ly, adv., excellent-ness.
excelsior, adj. and interj., higher (used as a
motto). — L., 'higher', compar. of excelsus.
'high', which is prop, the pp. of excellere. See
excel and compar. suff. -ior.
except, tr. v., to exclude: intr. v., to object. —
ME. excepten, fr. MF. (= F.) excepter, fr. L.
exceptdre, 'to take out, take up', freq. of excipere
(pp. exceptus), 'to take out', fr. ist ex- and
capere (pp. captus), 'to take'. See captive and
cp. excipient. For the change of Latin d (in
captus) to e(\n ex-ceptus, ex-ceptdre) see accem
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : except, prep, (q.v.), excepting, prep,
(q.v.), exception (q.v.), except-ive, adj., except-
ive-ly, adv., except-ive-ness, n.
except, prep., excluding. — - L. excepto, ablative
of exceptus (followed by a subst. in the abla-
tive: the so called ablative absolute construction ) .
See except, v.
Derivative: except, conj.
excepting, prep., except. — Prop. pres. part, of
the verb except.
exception, n. — ME., fr. AF. excepcioun, cor-
responding to OF. excepcion, exception (F. ex-
ception), fr. L. exceptidnem, acc. of exceptid.
'an exception, restriction', fr. exceptus, pp. ot
excipere. See except, v., and -ion.
Derivatives: exception-able, adj., exception-
able-ness, n., exception-abl-y, adv., exception-al.
adj., except ion-al-ity, n., exception-al-ly, adv..
exception-al-ness, n.
excerpt, tr. v., to pick out, select. — L. excerptus.
pp. of excerpere, 'to pick out, choose, select,
extract', fr. ist ex- and carpere, 'to pick, pluck,
gather'. See carpel and cp. scarce. For the change
of Latin d (in carpere) to e (in ex-cerpere) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: excerpt-ible, adj., excerption (q.v.).
excerpt-ive, adj., excerpt-or, n.
excerpt, n., something excerpted; a passage from
a book, etc. — L. excerptum, 'an extract, select-
ion, excerpt', prop. neut. pp. of excerpere, used
as a noun. See excerpt, v.
excerption, n. — L. excerptid, gen. -dnis, 'an ex-
556
tract', fr. excerptus, pp. of excerpere. See ex-
cerpt, v., and -ion.
excess, n. — ME. exces, fr. OF. exces (F. exces),
fr. L. excessus, 'a going beyond, departure', fr.
excessus, pp. of excedere. See exceed.
Derivatives: excess-ive, adj., excess-ive-ly, adv.,
excess-ive-ness, n.
exchange, n. — ME. eschaunge, eschange, fr. AF.
eschaunge, which corresponds to OF. eschange,
(F. echange), fr. eschangier. See exchange, v.
exchange, tr. and intr. v. — OF. eschangier (F.
echanger), 'to exchange', fr. VL. *excambiare,
'to exchange' (whence also It. scambiare, Rum.
schimbd, OProvenc. escambiar), fr. 1st ex- and
Late L. cambidre, 'to exchange'. See cambium
and cp. change. Cp. also excambion.
Derivatives: exchange-able, adj., exchange-abil-
ity, n., exchange-abl-y, adv., exchang-er, n.
exchequer, n., department of revenues; treasury.
— ME. escheker, lit. 'chessboard', fr. OF.
eschequier (F. echiquier), fr. ML. scaccdrium.
See check, 'a sudden stop', and cp. checker.
Derivative : exchequer, tr, v.
excide, tr. v., to cut out. — L. excidere (pp. ex-
cisus), 'to cut out', fr. ist ex- and caedere (pp.
caesus), 'to cut'. See cement and cp. excise, 'to
cut out'. For the change of Latin ae (in caedere,
caesus) to f (in ex-cidere, ex-cisus) see acquire
and cp. words there referred to.
excipient, n., one who receives. — L. excipiens,
gen. -entis, prep. part, of excipere, 'to take out'.
See except, v., and -ient.
excise, tr. v., to cut out. — L. excisus, pp. of ex-
cidere, 'to cut out', fr. ist ex- and caedere (pp.
caesus), 'to cut'. See excide, v.
excise, n., duty. — Prob. fr. MDu. excijs, fr.
ODu. accijs, fr. OF. aceis, 'tax, duty', fr. VL.
*accensus, fr. ad- and L. census, 'a register,
census'. See censor, census.
Derivatives : excise, tr. v., to levy a tax or duty
on, excis-able, adj.
excision,n., i) a cutting out or off ; 2) excommun-
ication. — L. exclsid, gen. -dnis, 'a cutting out,
destruction', fr. excisus, pp. of excidere. See ex-
cise, 'to cut out', and -ion.
excitable, adj. — Late L. excitdbilis, 'inciting,
animating', fr. L. excitdre. See excite and -able.
Derivatives: excitabil-ity, n., excitable-ness, n.
excitant, adj., tending to excite. — L. excitdns,
gen. -amis, pres. part, of excitdre. See excite
and -ant.
excitation, n. — F., fr. L. excitdtidnem, acc. of
excitdtio, 'a rousing, stirring', fr. excitdtus, pp.
of excitdre. See excite and -ation.
excitative, adj. — F. excitatif (fern, excitative),
fr. L. excitdtus, pp. of excitdre. See excite and
-ative.
excitatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. excitdtus, pp. of excitdre. See next word.
excite, tr. v. — F. exciter, fr. L. excitdre, 'to
rouse, raise, stir up, excite, incite, stimulate',
fr. ist ex- and citdre, 'to put into quick motion,
excite, provoke, call urgently', freq. of ciere
(pp. citus), 'to set in motion'. See cite and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: excit-ed, adj., excit-ed-ly, adv., ex-
cit-ed-ness, n., excite-ment, n., excit-er, n., excit-
ing, adj., excit-ing-ly, adv.
exclaim, intr. and tr. v. — F. exclamer, fr. L. ex-
cldmttre, 'to call or cry out, call or cry aloud',
fr. 1st ex- and cldmdre, 'to call, cry out, claim'.
See claim, v., and cp. next word.
Derivatives: exclaim-er, n., exclaim-ing-ly, adv.
exclamation, n. — F., fr. L. excldmdtidnem, acc.
of excidmdtid, 'a calling or crying out', fr. ex-
cldmdtus, pp. of excldmare. See exclaim and
-ation.
exclave, n., part of a country separated from the
main part and enclosed by foreign territory. —
A blend of ist ex- and enclave.
exclude, tr. v. — L. excludere, 'to shut out, re-
move, separate; to drive out; to hinder, pre-
vent', fr. ist ex- and claudere, 'to shut, close'.
See close, adj. and cp. eclosion and sluice. For
the change of Latin au (in claudere) to « (in ex-
cludere) see accuse and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: exclud-er, n., exclud-ing-ly, adv.
exclusion, n. — L. exclusid, gen. -dnis, 'a shutting
out', fr. exclusus, pp. of excludere. See exclude
and -ion.
Derivatives: exclusion-ary, adj., exclusion-er, n.,
exclusion-ism, n., exclusion-ist, n.
exclusive, adj. — ML. excliisivus, fr. L. exclusus,
pp. of excludere. See exclude.
Derivatives: exclusive-ly, adv., exclusive-ness,
n., exclusiv-ity, n.
Excoecaria, n., a genus of plants of the spurge
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. excaecdre, 'to
make blind', fr. ist ex- and caecus, 'blind'. See
cecity.
excogitate, tr. v., to think out. — L. excdgitdtus,
pp. of excogitdre, 'to find out by thinking', fr.
ist ex- and cdgitdre, 'to think'. See cogitate.
Derivatives: excogitation (q.v.), excogitat-ive,
adj.
excogitation, n. — L. excdgitdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
thinking out', fr. excdgitdtus, pp. of excogitdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
excommunicate, tr. v. — Eccles. L. excommu-
nicdtus, pp. of excommunicdre, 'to excommuni-
cate', fr. ist ex- and L. communicdre, 'to com-
municate'. See communicate.
Derivatives: excommunication (q.v.), excom-
municat-ive, adj., excommunicat-or, n. (fr. ML.),
excommunicat-ory, adv.
excommunicate, adj., excommunicated. — Ec-
cles. L. excommunicato, pp. of excommunicdre.
See excommunicate, v.
excommunication, n. — Eccles. L. excommuni-
catid, gen. -dnis, fr. excommunicato, pp. of ex-
communicdre. See excommunicate, n., and -ion.
excoriate, tr. v., 1) to flay; 2) to denounce. — L.
excoridtus, pp. of excoridre, 'to strip off', fr.
557
execute
ist ex- and corium, 'hide, skin, leather'. See
corium and verbal suff. -ate and cp. scourge.
Derivative : excoriat-ion, n.
excorticate, tr. v., to strip off the bark or shell
from. — Late L. excorticdtus, pp. of excorti-
cdre, 'to strip off the bark from', fr. 1st ex- and
L. cortex, gen. corticis, 'bark, rind'. See cortex
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative : excorticat-ion, n.
excrement, n., waste matter discharged from the
body. — F. excrement, fr. L. excrementum, 're-
fuse', lit. 'what is sifted out', prop. neut. pp. of
excernere, 'to sift out', which is formed fr. ist
ex- and cernere, 'to separate, sift, distinguish,
discern, understand, decide'. See certain and
-ment and cp. excrete, recrement. Cp. also de-
cern, discern.
Derivatives : excrement-al,excrement-itious, adjs.
excrescence, n., 1) a natural appendage; 2) an ab-
normal outgrowth. — Formed fr. excrescent
with suff. -ce.
excrescency, n., 1) the state of being excrescent;
2) excrescence {rare). — Formed from next
word with suff. -cy.
excrescent, adj., growing out. — L. excrescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of excrescere, 'to grow
out', fr. ist ex- and crescere, 'to grow'. See
crescent.
excreta, n. pi., waste matter eliminated from the
body. — L. excreta, neut. pi. of excretus, 'sifted
out', pp. of excernere. See excrement and cp.
excrete, excretion.
excrete, tr. v., to eliminate from the body. — L.
excretus, pp. of excernere, 'to sift out'. See
prec. word.
Derivatives: excret-ion, n., excret-ive, adj., ex-
cret-ory, adj.
excruciate, tr. v., to torture. — L. excrucidtus,
pp. of excrucidre, 'to torment, torture, rack',
fr. ist ex- and crucidre, 'to crucify', fr. crux,
gen. crucis, 'cross'. See cross, n., and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. crux, crucify.
Derivatives : excruciat-ing, adj., excruciat-ing-ly,
adv., excruciation (q.v.)
excruciation, n. — L. excrucidtid, gen. -dnis,
'torment, torture', fr. excrucidtus, pp. of ex-
crucidre. See prec. word and -ion.
exculpable, adj. — See next word and -able.
exculpate, tr. v., to free from blame. — Formed
fr. ist ex- and L. culpa! us, pp. oiculpdre, 'to re-
proach, blame', fr. culpa, 'blame, fault'; cp.
ML. exculpare. See culpable and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. disculpate.
Derivatives: exculpat-ion, n., exculpat-ory, adj.,
exculpatori-ly, adv.
excurrent, adj., running out; radiating from the
central axis. — L. excurrens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of excurrere, 'to run out, run forth', fr.
ist ex- and currere, 'to run'. See current and
cp. excursus.
excurse, intr. v., to make an excursion; to di-
gress. — Back formation fr. excursus.
excursion, n. — L. excursid, gen. -dnis, 'a running
forth, sally, attack, inroad, excursion', fr. ex-
cursus, pp. of excurrere. See prec. word and
-ion.
Derivatives: excursion-al, excursion-ary, adjs.,
excursion-ism, n., excursion-ist, n., excursion-
ize, tr. and intr. v.
excursive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
excursus, pp. of excurrere. See excurrent.
Derivatives: excursive-ly, adv., excursive-ness,n.
excursus, n., a treatise appended to a work. —
L., 'a running out', fr. excursus, pp. of excurrere.
See excurrent.
excuse, tr. and intr. v. — ME. escusen, excusen,
fr. OF. escuser, excuser (F. excuser), fr. L. ex-
cusdre, 'to discharge, dispense, excuse', formed
fr. ist ex- and causa, 'cause, lawsuit', which
stands for *caud-ta- and is rel. to cudere, 'to
strike, beat'. See cause and cp. accuse, recusant,
recuse. For the change of Latin au (in causa)
to ii (in ex-cusdre) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: excus-able, adj., excus-abil-ity, n.,
excus-able-ness, n., excus-abl-y, adv., excus-al,
n., excus-er, n., excus-ing-ly, adv., excus-ive,
adj.
excuse, n. — OF. escuse, excuse (F. excuse), fr.
escuser, excuser. See excuse, v.
exeat, n., holiday granted for a few days to boys
at public schools (Eng.) — L., 'let him go out',
3rd pers. pres. subjunctive of exire, 'to go out',
which is formed fr. ist ex- and ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and cp. exit, exeunt.
execrable, adj., abominable. — ME., fr. L. ex-
secrdbilis, execrdbilis, 'execrable, accursed, de-
testable', fr. exsecrdri, execrdri. See next word
and -able.
Derivatives: execrable-ness, n., execrabl-y, adv.
execrate, tr. v., 1) to curse; 2) to abhor; intr. v.,
to curse. — L. exsecrdtus, execrdtus, pp. of ex-
secrdri, execrdri, 'to curse, execrate, detest', fr.
ist ex- and sacrdre, 'to set apart as sacred, con-
secrate', from the stem of sacer, 'holy, sacred'.
See sacred. For the change of Latin d (in sacer)
to e (in ex-secrdri) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: execration (q.v.), execrat-ive, adj.,
execrat-ive-ly, adv., execrat-ory, adj.
execration, n. — L. exsecrdtid, execrdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'curse, execration', fr. exsecrdtus, exe-
crdtus, pp. of exsecrdri, execrdri. See prec. word
and -ion.
executancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
executant, n., one who executes or performs; a
performer, esp. a musical performer — F. exe-
cutant, pres. part, of executer, 'to execute'. See
next word and -ant.
execute, tr. v. — OF. executer, back formation fr.
executeur (see executor) and execution (see next
word).
Derivatives: execut-ed, adj., execut-er, n., exe-
execution
cution (q.v.), execut-ive, adj. and n., executive-
ly, adv., execut-ive-ness, n., executor (q.v.),
execut-ry, n.
execution, n. — OF. execution, execution (F. exe-
cution), fr. L. exsecutionem or executionem, acc.
of exsecutio, executid, 'a carrying out, perfor-
mance', fr. exsecutus, executus, pp. of exsequi,
exequi, 'to follow to the end, pursue, carry out,
perform, execute', fr. 1st ex- and sequi, 'to fol-
low'. See sequel and cp. prec. word, exequatur,
exequies, sue. For the ending see suff. -ion.
executor, n. — ME. executour, fr. OF. executeur
(F. executeur), fr. L. exseciitdrem, executdrem,
acc. of exsecutor, executor, 'carrier out, perfor-
mer', fr. exsecutus, executus, pp. of exsequi,
exequi. See prec. word and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: executorial, executory (qq.v.)
executorial, adj. — ML. executdridlis, fr. Late L.
executdrius. See next word and -ial.
executory, adj., pertaining to administration. —
Late L. exseclitdrius, executdrius, 'executive',
fr. L. exsecutus, executus, pp. of exsequi, exequi.
See execution and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative : execut-ory, n.
executrix, n., a woman executor. — ML., fern, of
L. executor. See exceutor and -trix.
exedra, n., an outdoor seat or bench (Greek an-
tiq.) - - L., fr. Gk. e|sSpa, 'a covered walk be-
fore the house, furnished with seats; seat,
bench', fr. ic (see 2nd ex-) and e8pa, 'seat'. See
-hedron and cp. words there referred to.
exegesis, n., explanation, interpretation, esp. of
the Bible. — Gk. s^yyjfu;, 'explanation, inter-
pretation', fr. e^ysou.xi, 'I explain, inter-
pret', fr. k\ (see 2nd ex-) and r/ysobiai (Dor.
aysrjijiaO. 'I lead, guide' (orig. prob. 'I track
down the way'), later sense : I suppose, believe',
fr. I.-E. base *sdg-, *s'g-, 'to track down, trace,
seek', whence also I., sdgire, 'to perceive quickly
or keenly', sdgus, 'presaging, predicting, pro-
phetic', sagax, 'sagacious', Goth, sokjan, OE.
secan, 'to seek'. See seek and cp. sagacious. Cp.
also epexegesis, cynegetics, hegemony.
exegete, n., one skilled in the interpretation of
the Bible. — Gk. e^vj-p^Tr;;, 'interpreter, com-
mentator', lit. 'leader, guide', fr. iir,yio[iot.i. See
prec. word.
exegetic, exegetical, adj., pertaining to, or of the
nature of, exegesis; explanatory. — Gk. i^y-r)-
~.\vJiC, 'explanatory', fr. klr^r,"',',- Sec prec.
word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: cxegetical-ly, adv.
exegetics, n., the science of Bible interpretation.
— See prec. word and -ics.
exemplar, n., i) a person or thing worthy of imi-
tation; model; pattern. — ME. exemplaire, fr.
OF. (= F.) exemplaire, fr. L. exemplum, 'ex-
ample' (see example and subst. suff. -ary). The
English word was refashioned after L. exem-
plar, 'pattern, mode!'. Cp. sampler.
Derivative: exemplar-y, adj.
exemplification, n. — AF., fr. ML. exemplificdtid,
558
gen. -onis, fr. exemplificdtus, pp. of exemplificdre.
See next word and -ation.
exemplify, tr. v., to show by example. — ME.
exemplifien, fr. ML. exemplificdre, 'to illustrate',
formed fr. L. exemplum, 'example', and -ficdre,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See example and -fy.
Derivative: exemplifi-er, n.
exempt, tr. v., to free. — F. exempter, fr. exempt,
'free', fr. L. exemptus, pp. of eximere, 'to take
out, take away', fr. ist ex- and emere, 'to take,
buy', fr. I.-E. base *em-, 'to take', whence also
OSlav. imp, jeti, 'to take' (orig. *imp, cp. vuz-
imo, 'I take away'), imami, imejo, imeti, 'to
have', Lith. imu, imti, OPruss. imt, 'to take',
Olr. -em (only in compounds as in ar-fo-emat,
'they take'); cp. OI. ydmati, 'holds, subdues',
from the enlarged base *yem-. Cp. example, and
words there referred to. Cp. also adeem, adempt,
ademption, assume, assumption, consume, con-
sumption, diriment, eximious, exon, Irredentista,
peremptory, pome, pre-emption, premium, pre-
sume, presumption, presumptuous, prompt, ran-
som, redeem, redemption, resume, resumption,
Sejm, sumption, sumptuary, sumptuous and the
second element in vintage. For the sense deve-
lopment of L. emere, 'to take; to buy', cp. Heb.
Idqdh, 'he took; he bought'. In the latter sense
Heb. Idqdh occurs very rarely in the Bible (see
e.g. Prov. 31:16), but quite frequently in
Mishnah and Talmud.
exempt, adj., free. — F., fr. L. exemptus, pp. of
eximere. See exempt, v.
exemption, n. — F., fr. L. exemptionem, acc. of
exemptid, 'a taking out', fr. exemptus, pp. of
eximere. Sec exempt, v., and -ion.
exenterate, tr. v., to disembowel. — L. exente-
rdtus, pp. of exenterdre, fr. Gk. £5£VT£p(t[£t.v, 'to
disembowel', which is formed fr. et; (see 2nd
ex-) and sv-rspov, 'intestine'. See enteric and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: exenterat-ion, n.
exequatur, n., official recognition of a consul by
the government of the country to which he is
accredited. — L. exsequdtur, 'he may perform
(his task)', also spelled exequatur, 3rd pers.
sing, of subj. pres. fr. exsequi, exequi, 'to carry
out, perform'. See execute.
exequial, adj., pertaining to funerals. — L. ex-
sequidlis, also spelled exequidlis, 'pertaining to
funerals', fr. exsequiae, exequiae, 'funeral pro-
cession'. See next word and adj. suff. -al.
exequy, n., now usually in the pi., 1) funeral rites ;
2) funeral procession. — OF. exequies, fr. L.
exsequids, also spelled exequids, acc. of ex-
sequiae, exequiae (pi.), 'funeral procession', fr.
exsequi, exequi, 'to follow to the end; to follow-
to the grave'. See execute and cp. obsequies.
exercise, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) exercice, fr.
L. exercitium, 'exercise', fr. exercere, 'to drive
(animals) out of an enclosure', whence 'to drive
on, drill, train, practice', fr. ist ex- and arcere,
'to enclose', fr. area, 'chest, box*. See ark and
My
exigency
cp. coerce. Cp. also askari, lascar and the se-
cond element in seraskier. For the change of
Latin a (in arcere) to £ (in ex-ercere) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
exercise, tr. and intr. v. — L. exercere. See exer-
cise, n.
Derivatives: exercis-able, exercis-ed, adjs., exer-
ciser, n.
exercitation, n. — L. exercitdtid, gen. -onis, lit. 'a
setting in motion; exercise, practice', fr. exer-
citdtus, pp. of exercitdre, 'to exercise frequently',
freq. of exercere (pp. exercitus). See exer-
cise, n., and -ation.
exergue, n., space on a coin between the bottom
of the design and the rim. — F., fr. ML. exer-
gum, lit. '(space) outside the work', a word
coined fr. Gk. si;, 'out of and £pyov, 'work'.
See 2nd ex- and ergon.
exert, tr. v., to put into action. — L. exsertus,
also spelled exertus, pp. of exserere, exerere, 'to
stretch out, thrust out', fr. ist ex- and serere,
'to put in a row, join together, connect, com-
bine'. See series and cp. exsert.
Derivatives: exert-ion, n., exert-ive, adj.
exeunt, v., they go out (of the stage). — L., 3rd
pers. pi. pres. indicative of exire, 'to go out',
which is formed fr. ist ex- and Ire, 'to go'. See
itinerate and cp. exit, exeat.
exfoliate, intr. v., to come off in scales. — L.ex-
folidtus, pp. of exfolidre, 'to strip of leaves', fr.
ist ex- and folidtus, 'leaved, leafy', fr, folium,
'leaf. See folio and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
foliate.
Derivatives: exfoliat-ion, n., exfoliat-ive, adj.
exhalation, n. — L. exhdldtid, gen. -onis, 'ex-
halation, vapor', fr. exhdldtus, pp. of exhdldre.
See next word and -ation.
exhale, tr. v., to breathe out; intr. v., to emit
breath or vapor. — F. exhaler, fr. L. exhdldre,
'to breathe out', fr. ist ex- and hdldre, 'to
breathe', which prob. stands for "an-sldre, fr.
I.-E. base *an-, 'to blow, breathe'. See animus
and cp. inhale, halitus, halitosis. Cp. also anhe-
lation.
exhaust, tr. and intr. v. — L. exhaustus, pp. of
exhaurire, 'to draw out, exhaust', fr. ist ex-
and haurire, 'to draw out (water), drain, breathe',
which is prob. cogn. with Gk. (rop) aiJeiv, 'to
light (a fire)' (for *auaietv), and with ON. ausa,
'to scoop (water)', austr, 'the act of scooping',
but OI. ghdsati, 'consumes', is not cognate. Cp.
haurient, haustellum, haustorium.
Derivatives: exhaust, n., exhaust-ed, adj., ex-
haust-ed-ly, adv., exhaust-ed-ness, n., exhaust-
ible, adj., exhaust-ibl-ity, n., exhaust-ing, adj.,
exhaust-ing-ly, adv., exhaust-ion, n., exhaustive
(q.v.)
exhaustive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
exhaustus, pp. of exhaurire (see prec. word);
first used by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832).
Derivatives: exhaustive-ly, adv., exhaust ive-
ness, a.
exheredate, tr. v., to disinherit. — L. exhereddtus,
pp. of exhereddre, 'to disinherit', fr. ist ex- and
heris, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See heir and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. inherit.
exhibit, tr. and intr. v., to show, display. — L.
exhibitus, pp. of exhibere, 'to hold out, display,
exhibit', fr. ist ex- and habere, 'to have, hold'.
See habit and cp. inhibit. For the change of
Latin a (in habere) to i (in ex-hibere) see abigeat
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: exhibition (q.v.), exhibit-ive, adj.,
exhibit-ive-ly, adv., exhibitor (q.v.), exhibit-
ory, adj.
exhibition, n. — OF. exhibition (F. exhibition),
fr. L. exhibitidnem, acc. of exhibitid, 'a holding
out', fr. exhibitus, pp. of exhibere. See prec.
word and -ion.
exhibitor, n. — Late L., 'one who holds out,
a giver', fr. L. exhibitus, pp. of exhibere. See
exhibit and agential suff. -or.
exhilarant, adj., exhilarating. — F., fr. L. ex-
hilarantem, acc. of exhilardns, pres. part, of ex-
hilardre. See next word and -ant.
exhilarate, tr. v., to cheer; to stimulate. — L. ex-
hilardtus, pp. of exhilardre, 'to gladden, make
merry, exhilarate', fr. ist ex- and hilardre, 'to
make cheerful, make merry', fr. hilaris, 'cheer-
ful, merry'. See hilarious and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: exhilarat-ed, adj., exhilarat-ing,
adj., exhilarat-ing-ly, adv., exhilaration (q.v.),
exhilarat-ive, exhilarat-ory, adjs.
exhilaration, n. — Late L. exhilardtid, gen. -onis,
'a gladdening', fr. L. exhilaratus, pp. of ex-
hilardre. See prec. word and -ion.
exhort, tr. and intr. v., to advise earnestly. —
ME. exhorten, fr. L. exhortdri, 'to exhort, en-
courage, stimulate', fr. ist ex- and hortdri, 'to
incite, encourage, urge'. See hortation and cp.
words there referred to.
exhortation, n. — L. exhortdtid, gen. -onis, 'en-
couraging, exhortation', fr. exhortdtus, pp. of
exhortdri. See prec. word and -ation.
exhortative, adj. — L. exhortdtivus, 'pertaining
to or containing exhortation', fr. exhortdtus,
pp. of exhortdri. See exhort and -ive and cp.
hortative.
exhortatory, adj. — Late L. exhortdtdrius, 'per-
taining to exhortation', fr. L. exhortdtus, pp. of
exhortdri. See exhortation and adj. suff. -ory.
exhumation, n. — ML. exhumdtid, gen. -onis,
'unearthing', fr. exhumdtus, pp. of exhumdre.
See next word and -ation.
exhume, tr. v., to dig out of the earth, disinter. —
F. exhumer, fr. ML. exhumdre, 'to unearth', fr.
ist ex- and L. humus, 'earth'. See humus and
cp. words there referred to.
exigeant, adj., exacting, demanding. — F., pres.
part, oiexiger, 'to exact, demand', fr. L. exigere.
See exigent and -ant.
exigence, n., exigency. — F. See next word and
-ce.
exigency, n., state of urgency. — ML. exigentia,
exigent
560
'urgency', fr. L. exigens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -cy.
exigent, adj., requiring immediate action, ur-
gent. — L. exigens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
exigere, 'to demand, require; to weigh, meas-
ure', lit. 'to drive out or forth', fr. ist ex- and
agere, 'to set in motion, drive, lead; to do, act*.
See agent, adj., and -ent and cp. exigeant, exi-
guous, exact, examine, assay, essay.
Derivative: exigent-ly, adv.
exigible, adj., capable of being exacted. —
Formed with suff. -ible fr. L. exigere (see prec.
word), whence also F. exigible, of s.rh. See
exigent.
exiguity, n., scantiness. — L. exiguitds, 'smart-
ness, scantiness', fr. exiguus. See next word and
-ity.
exiguous, adj., scanty. — L. exiguus, 'small,
scanty, petty', fr. exigere. See exigent and cp.
exility. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
suff. -ous.
Derivatives: exiguous-ly, adv., exiguous-ness, n.
exilarch, n., head of the Jewish exiles in Baby-
lonia {Jewish hist.) — A hybrid coined fr. L.
exilium, 'exile', and Gk. (£px°S> 'leader, chief,
ruler'. See next word and -arch.
exile, n., banishment. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.),
exil, fr. L. exilium, exsilium, 'banishment, exile',
fr. exul, exsul, 'a banished person, wanderer',
which is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *eks-al-s and is formed fr. 1st ex- and I.-E.
base 'to wander about', whence also Gk.
aXaa&ai, 'to wander about', L. al-ucinSri, 'to
wander in mind' (see hallucinate). The spelling
exsul, exsilium is due to a confusion with L.
solum, 'soil', from which the ancients derived
exilium and exul, but with which these words
have nothing in common. Nor is there any
connection between L. exilium and exsittre, 'to
spring forth'.
exile, n., a banished person. — Fr. prec. word.
exile, tr. v., to banish. — OF. exilier (F. exiler),
fr. L. exiliare, exsiliare, fr. exilium, exsilium. See
exile, 'banishment'.
exilian, exilic, adj., pertaining to the exile of the
Jews in Babylonia. — Formed with suff. -ian,
resp. -ic, fr. L. exilium. See exile, 'banishment'.
exility, n., slenderness. — L. exilitds, 'smallness,
thinness, meagerness, slenderness', fr. exilis,
'small, thin, meager, slender', which prob.
stands for *ex-dg-slis and is rel. to exiguus,
'small, scanty, petty'. See exiguous and -ity.
eximious, adj., choice, excellent. — L. eximius,
'select, choice', lit. 'taken out', fr. eximere, 'to
take out, take away', fr. ist ex- and emere, 'to
take, buy'. See exempt, v. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: eximious-Iy, adv., eximious-ness, n.
exinanite, tr. v., to make empty (obsol.) — L.
exindnitus, pp. of exinanite, 'to empty, make
empty', fr. ist ex- and inanis, 'empty'. See inane.
exinanition, n., i) the action of emptying; 2) ex-
haustion. — L. exinanitid, gen. -dnis, 'an empty-
ing, exhausting', fr. exindnitus, pp. of exindnire.
See prec. word and -ion.
exist, intr. v. — F. exister, fr. L. exsistere, exis-
tere, 'to stand forth, appear, exist', fr. ist ex-
and sistere, 'to cause to stand still, to put, place;
to stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base
of stare, 'to stand'. See assist and cp. words
there referred to.
existence, n. — OF. (= F.) existence, fr. ML.
existentia, fr. L. existens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce.
existent, adj., existing. — L. existens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of existere. See exist and -ent.
existential, adj., pertaining to existence. — ML.
existentidlis, fr. existentia. See existence and -ial.
Derivatives: existential-ly, adv., existentialism
(q.v.)
existentialism, n., a system of philosophy based
on the tenet that everybody in general exists as
an individual. — Orig. used to translate G.
Existenzphilosophie, lit. 'philosophy of exis-
tence' ; see prec. word and -ism. The term 'exis-
tence' is used here in the special sense given to
it by the Danish philosopher S0ren Aabye
Kierkegaard (1813-55), who is the originator of
existentialism.
existentialist, n., an adherent of existentialism.
— See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: existentialist, existentialist-ic, adjs.
exit, v., he goes out (of the stage). — L., 3rd
pers. pres. indicative of exire, 'to go out', which
is formed fr. ist ex- and ire, 'to go'. See itiner-
ate and cp. exeat, exeunt,
exit, n., a going out, departure. — L. exitus, 'a
going out, egress, departure', fr. exitus, pp. of
exire, 'to go out'. See prec. word,
ex-libris, n., a bookplate giving the name of the
owner of the book. — L. , 'from the books of . . .',
fr. ex, 'out of, from', and abl. pi. of liber,
'book'. See ist ex- and library,
exo-, before a vowel ex-, pref. meaning 'outer,
outside'. — Gk. g^to, 'outside', fr. 'out of.
See 2nd ex-,
exoderm, n. — The same as exodermis.
exodermis, n., the outer layer in roots (bot.) —
ModL. exodermis, formed fr. exo- and Gk.
8£pu.a, 'skin'. See derma and cp. words there
referred to.
exodus, n., going out, departure. — L., fr. Gk.
g^oSo?, lit. 'way out', fr. 1% (see 2nd ex- and
686;, 'way'. See odograph and cp. words there
referred to.
ex officio. — L., 'by virtue of an office', formed
fr. ex, 'out of, and abl. of officium, 'service;
office'. See ist ex- and office.
exogamy, n., marriage outside the tribe or clan
(anthropol.) — Lit. 'outside marriage'; com-
pounded of exo- and -gamy. Cp. endogamy.
Derivatives: exogam-ic, exogam-ous, adjs.
Exogenae, n.pl., the Dicotyledones (bot.) —
ModL., lit. 'growing outside' (see exo- and
561
expansion
-gen); so called in allusion to the annual rings
of the stem. Cp. Endogenae.
exogenous, adj., growing from outside (biol.) —
See prec. word and -genous and cp. endogenous.
exomis, n., a garment worn by the poor classes
and slaves (Greek antiq.) — Gk. ^wuis, 'a gar-
ment without sleeves or with one sleeve', lit.
'that which leaves the shoulder bare', fr. &E, (see
2nd ex-) and Su-os, 'shoulder'. See omo-,
'shoulder-'.
exomphalos, n., umbilical hernia (med.) — Med-
ical L., fr. Gk. i^6\j.<foAoq, 'a prominent navel',
fr. k\ (see 2nd ex-) and 6(xipaX6i;, 'navel'. See
omphalo-.
exon, n., one of four officers commanding the
Yeomen of the Guard. — Corruption of F.
exempt, 'an underofficer', lit. 'free'. See exempt,
adj. and v.
exonerate, tr. v., to free from blame. — L. exo-
nerdtus, pp. of exonerdre, 'to unload, free from
a burden, lighten', fr. ist ex- and onerdre, 'to
load, freight, overload, oppress', fr. onus, gen.
oneris, 'load, burden, weight'. See onus and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. onerous. Derivatives:
exoneration (q.v.), exonerat-ive, adj.
exoneration, n. — Late L. exonerdtid, gen. -dnis,
'an unloading, lightening', fr. L. exonerdtus,
pp. of exonerdre. See prec. word and -ion.
exophthalmic, adj., pertaining to, or affected
with, exophthalmos. — See next word and -ic
exophthalmos, exophthalmos, n. abnormal pro-
trusion of the eyeball (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. ££6(p#txXu.0(;, 'with prominent eyes', fr. k\
(see 2nd ex-) and 6<p-&aX|x6s, 'eye'. See ophthal-
mo- and cp. lagophthalmos.
exorable, adj., susceptible of being moved by
entreaty. — L. exdrdbilis, 'easily moved by en-
treaty', fr. exdrdre, 'to move by entreaty, per-
suade', fr. 1 st ex- and drdre, 'to pray'. See oration
and -able and cp. inexorable.
exorbitance, exorbitancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
exorbitant, adj., excessive; extravagant. — ■ Late
L. exorbitdns, gen. -antis, lit. 'out of the track',
pres. part, of exorbitdre, 'to go out of the track,
deviate', fr. 1st ex- and orbita, 'wheel track, rut'.
See orbit and -ant. Derivative : exorbitant-ly, adv.
exorcise, exorcize, tr. v., to drive out an evil spirit
by ritual charms. — F. exorciser, fr. Late L.
exorcizare, fr. Gk. £|opxl£e!,v, 'to bind by an
oath; to banish an evil spirit', fr. IZ, (see 2nd
ex-) and 6pxt£eiv, 'to make to swear', fr. 5pxoi;
(for *o6pxo?), 'an oath', lit. 'a limitation, bind-
ing, obligation', in gradational relationship to
epxo? (for *a£pxo<;), 'enclosure, hedge, fence',
and prob. cogn. with L. sarcire, 'to patch,
mend'. See sartorial and -ise, ize.
exorcism, n. — Late L. exorcismus, fr. Gk. iSfip-
xuju.6<;> 'binding by an oath; banishment of an
evil spirit', fr. ££opxt£Biv. See prec. word and
-ism.
exorcist, n. — Late L. exorcista, fr. Gk. 4§op-
xia-riis, 'exorcist', fr. 4i;opxi£eiv. See exorcise and
-ist.
exordium, n., beginning. — L. exordium, 'begin-
ning of a web, beginning of a speech, beginning
(in general)' fr. exdrdiri, 'to lay the warp, begin
a web, begin', fr. ist ex- and drdiri, 'to lay a
warp, begin', which is rel. to drdd, 'a straight
row, order'. See order and cp. ornament.
exoskeleton, n., the skeleton of invertebrates in
contradistinction to the skeleton of vertebrates
(zool.) — Compounded of exo- and skeleton.
The term exoskeleton was introduced into science
by the English anatomist Sir Richard Owen
(1804-92). Cp. endoskeleton, splanchnoskeleton.
Derivative: exoskelet-al, adj.
exosmosis, also exosmose, n., outward osmosis.
— Compounded of 3rd ex- and osmosis. Cp.
end osmosis.
exosmotic, adj. — See prec. word and -otic.
exosphere, n., the outermost part of the earth's
atmosphere. — Compounded of exo- and sphere.
exostosis, n., a bony outgrowth from the surface
of a bone (med) — Medical L., fr. Gk. ££60-
tocti?, lit. 'bone increase from without', fr. g£o>
(see exo-) and -6aro>ai? (see -ostosis). Cp. en-
dostosis.
exoteric, also exoterical, adj., external. — Late
L. exdtericus, fr. Gk. £!;ciiTepix6<;, 'external', fr.
ilf^xipiit, 'more outward', compar. of £!;&>, 'out-
side'. See exo- and cp. esoteric. For the etymol.
of the compar. suff. -tero see -ther and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: exoterical-ly, adv., exoteric-ism, n.
exothecium, n., the outer covering of an anther
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'outer case', fr. exo- and
Gk. &rpa), 'case'. See theca and cp. endothecium.
exotic, adj., foreign. — L. exdticus, fr. Gk. kZ,(a-
tix6?, 'foreign, exotic', lit. 'from the outside',
fr. &,a>, 'outside'. See exo- and -ic.
Derivatives: exotic-al-ly, adv., exotic-ness, n.
expand, tr. and intr. v., to spread out. — L. ex-
pandere, 'to spread out, unfold, expand', fr.
ist ex- and pandere, 'to spread out, extend',
which is rel. to L. patere, 'to be open', patulus,
'extended'. See fathom and cp. expanse, ex-
pansion, spandrel, spawn. Derivatives: expand-
ed, adj., expand-ed-ly, adv., expand-ed-ness, n.,
expand-er, n., expand-ing-ly, adv.
expanse, n., an extended space. — L. expdnsum,
neut. pp. of expandere, 'to spread out', used as
a noun. See prec. word.
expansible, adj. — Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
expdnsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
Derivatives: expans-ibil-ity, n., expansible-
ness, n., expans-ibl-y, adv.
expansile, adj. — Formed with suff. -ile fr. L.
expdnsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
expansion, n. — Late L. expdnsid, gen. -dnis, 'a
spreading out, expansion', fr. L. expdnsus, pp.
of expandere. See expand and -ion. Derivatives:
expansion-al, expansion-ary, adjs., expansion-
ism, n., expansion-ist, n., expansion-ist-ic, adj.
expansive
562
expansive, adj. — Formed with stiff, -ive fr. L.
expdnsus, pp. of expandere. See expand.
Derivatives: expansive-ly, adv., expansive-ness,
n., expansiv-ity, n.
ex parte, from one side only. — L., formed fr. ex,
'out of, and abl. of pars, 'part'. See ist ex- and
part, n.
expatiate, intr. v., to speak or write at length. —
L. exspatidtus, expatiates, pp. of exspatidri,
expatiari, 'to spread out, extend ; to digress, ex-
patiate', fr. i st ex- and spatidri, 'to spread out ; to
walk about, go along' (whence also It. spaziare,
'to walk about'), fr. spatium, 'space, room'. See
space and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: expatiat-ion, n., expatiat-ory, adj.
expatriate, intr. v., to exile. — ML. expatriates,
pp. of expatridre, 'to expel from one's native
land', formed fr. istex-and L.patria, 'father-
land, native land', fr. pater, gen. patris, 'father'.
See father and cp. pater. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: expatriat-ion, n.
expatriate, adj., exiled; n., an exile. — ML. ex-
patriates. See expatriate, v.
expect, tr. and intr. v. — L. exspectdre, expectdre,
'to look out for, await; to desire, hope', fr. ist
ex- and spectdre, freq. of specere, spicere, 'to
look at attentively, get sight of. See species and
cp. aspect and words there referred to.
expectance, expectancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
expectant, adj., expecting. — F., fr. L. exspec-
tantem, expectantem, acc. of exspectdns, ex-
pectdns, pres. part, of exspectdre, expectdre. See
expect and -ant.
expectation, n. — L. exspectdtid, expectdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'an awaiting, expectation', fr. exspec-
tdtus, expectdtus, pp. of exspectdre, expectdre.
See expect and -ation.
expectative, adj. — ML. expectdtivus, fr. L. ex-
spectdtes, expectdtus, pp. of exspectdre, ex-
pectdre. See expect and -ive.
expectorant, adj., causing expectoration; n., an
expectorant medicine. — L. expectordns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of expectordre. See next word
and -ant.
expectorate, tr. and intr. v., to spit up, spit. —
L. expectorates, pp. of expectordre, 'to drive
from the breast', fr. ist ex- and pectus, gen.
pectoris, 'breast, chest'. See pectoral and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: expectorat-ion, n.
expedience, n. — F. expedience. See expedient
and -ce.
expediency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
expedient, adj., suitable; convenient. — OF.
(F. expedient), fr. L. expedientem, acc. of ex-
pediens, pres. part, of expedire, lit. 'to free the
feet from fetters', hence 'to extricate, disen-
gage, set free; to make ready', fr. ex, 'out of
(see ist ex-), and *pedis, 'fetter*, prop, 'chain
for the feet', which is rel. to pedica, 'shackle,
fetter', compes, 'fetter', and cogn. with Gk.
k£87), 'fetter', fr. I.-E. *pid-, *pSd-, 'foot'. See
foot and cp. fetter. Cp. also pedal, impede,
impeach.
Derivatives: expedient, n., expedient-ial, adj.,
expedient-ial-ly, adv., expedient-ist, n., ex-
pediency, adv.
expedite, tr. v., to speed up. — L. expedites, pp.
of expedire. See prec. word.
Derivative: expedit-er, n.
expedite, adj., i) unimpeded, free; 2) prompt. —
L. expedites, pp. of expedire. See expedient.
Derivatives: expedite-ly, adv., expedite-ness, n.
expedition, n. — F. expedition, fr. L. expeditid-
nem, acc. of expeditid, 'an enterprise against the
enemy', fr. expedites, pp. of expedire. See ex-
pedient and -ion.
Derivatives: expedition-ary, adj., expedition-
ist, n.
expeditious, adj., speedy, prompt. — Formed fr.
L. expedites 'disengaged, ready, prompt', pp. of
expedire. See expedient and -ious.
Derivatives.: expeditious-ly, adv., expeditious-
ness, n.
expel, tr. v. — L. expellere, 'to drive out or
away', fr. ist ex- and pellere, 'to push, drive,
strike'. See pulse, 'throb', and cp. compel and
words there referred to. Cp. also expulsion.
expellant, expellent, adj., serving to expel; n., an
expelling medicine. — L. expellens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of expellere. See prec. word and
-ant, resp. -ent.
expend, tr. and intr. v. — L. expendere, 'to weigh
out money, pay down', fr. ist ex- and pendere,
'to cause to hang down, suspend; to weigh 1 .
See pendant and cp. expense. Cp. also spend,
which is a doublet of expend.
expenditure, n. — Coined by the British states-
man Edmund Burke (1729-97) from prec. word
and suff. -ure.
expense, n. — ME., fr. AF., fr. L. expensa, fem.
pp. of expendere, used as a noun. See expend and
cp. speiss, which is a doublet of expense.
expensive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
expensus, pp. of expendere. See expend.
Derivatives : expensive-ly, adv., expensive-ness, n.
experience, n. — F. experience, fr. L. experientia,
'trial, proof, experiment, experience', fr. ex-
periens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of experiri, 'to
try, prove, test', fr. ist ex- and the base of
peritus, 'experienced', which is rel. to periculum,
'trial, experiment, risk, danger'. See peril and
cp. words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ence.
Derivatives: experience, v., experienc-ed, adj.,
experienc-er, n.
experiential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. experientia. See prec. word.
Derivatives: experiential-ism, n., experiential-
ist, n., experiential-ly, adv.
experiment, n. — OF., fr. L. experimentum, 'trial,
563
explosive
proof, test', fr. experiri. See experience and
-ment.
Derivatives: experiment, intr. v., experiment-al,
adj., experiment-al-ism, experiment-al-ist, n.,
experiment-al-ize, intr. v., experiment-al-ly, adv.
experiment-ation, n., experiment-ative, adj., ex-
perimented, adj., experiment-ee, n., experiment-
er, n., experiment-ize, intr. v.
expert, n. — F. expert, n., fr. OF. expert, adj.
See prec. word.
expiable, adj. — F., fr. expier, fr. L. expidre.
See expiate and -able.
expiate, tr. v., to atone for. — L. expiates, pp. of
expidre, 'to make amends or atonement for', fr.
ist ex- and pidre, 'to appease by sacrifice, atone
for', fr. pius, 'devout, reighteous'. See pious and
verbal suff. -ate.
expiation, n. — L. expidtid, gen. -dnis, 'satisfact-
ion, atonement, expiation', fr. expiates, pp. of
expidre. See prec. word and -ion.
expiatory, adj. — Late L. expidtdrius, fr. L. ex-
piates, pp. of expidre. See expiate and adj.
suff. -ory.
expiration, n. — L. exspirdtid, expirdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. exspirdtus, expirdtus, pp. of exspirdre,
expirdre. See expire and -ation.
expiratory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. exspirdtus, expirdtus, pp. of exspirdre,
expirdre. See next word,
expire, intr. and tr. v. — F. expirer, fr. L. ex-
spirdre, expirdre, 'to blow out, breathe out,
exhale, breathe one's last, die', fr. ist ex- and
spirdre, 'to breathe'. See spirit and cp. aspire
and words there referred to.
Derivatives: expir-er, n., expir-ing, adj., expir-
ing-ly, adv., expir-y, n.
explain, tr. and intr. v. — L. expldndre, 'to make
plain', fr. planus, 'plain'. See plain, adj., and cp.
next word. Cp. also esplanade.
Derivatives: explain-able, adj., explain-er, n.,
explain-ing-ly, adv.
explanation, n. — L. expldndtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
making plain', fr. expldndtus, pp. of expldndre.
See prec. word and -ation.
explanative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
expldndtus, pp. of expldndre. See explain,
explanatory, adj. — Late L. expldndtdrius, fr L.
expldndtus, pp. of expldndre. See explain and
adj. suff. -ory.
Derivatives: explanatori-ly, adv., explanatori-
ness, n.
expletive, adj. — Late L. expletivus, 'serving to
fill out', fr. L. expletus, pp. of explere, 'to fill
out', fr. ist ex- and plere, 'to fill'. See plenum
and -ive.
Derivatives: expletive, n., expletive-ly, adv., ex-
pletive-ttess, n.
explicable, adj. — L. explicdbilis, 'that may be
explained', fr. explicdre. See next word and
-able.
explicate, tr. v. — L. explicates, pp. of explicdre,
'to unfold, uncoil, unroll, unfurl, spread out,
explain, expound', fr. ist ex- and plicdre, 'to
fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. explicit,
explication, n. — L. explicdtid, gen. -dnis, 'an un-
folding, expounding, exposition, explanation',
fr. explicates, pp. of explicdre. See prec. word
and -ion.
explicative, adj. — L. explicdtivus, 'pertaining to
an exposition', fr. explicates, pp. of explicdre.
See explicate and -ive.
Derivative: explicative-ly, adv.
explicator, n. — L. explicdtor, 'an expounder,
explainer', fr. L. explicates, pp. of explicdre.
See explicate and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: explicator-y, adj.
explicit, v., here ends. — Prob. abbreviation
of L. explicitus est (liber), '(the book or roll) has
been unrolled'. See explicit, adj.
explicit, adj. — F. explicite, fr. L. explicitus, a
var. of explicates, pp. of explicdre. See explicate
and cp. exploit.
Derivatives: explicit, tr. v., explicit-ly, adv., ex-
plicit-ness, n.
explode, intr. and tr. v. — L. explaudere, ex-
plddere, 'to drive off (the stage) by clapping',
fr. ist ex- and plaudere, 'to clap the hands'. See
plaudit and cp. explosive, implode, implosion.
Cp. also applaud. The change of the Latin
diphthong au to o is due to dialectal influence;
cp. suffocate.
exploit, n. — ME. espleit, esploit, 'success', fr.
OF. espleit, esploit (F. exploit), fr. L. explicitum,
neut. of explicitus, used as a noun. See ex-
plicit, adj.
exploit, tr. v. — F. exploiter, fr. OF. espleitier,
esploitier, 'to exploit', fr. L. explicitus. See ex-
ploit, n.
Derivatives: exploit-able, adj., exploit-age, n.,
exploit-ative, adj., exploit-er, n., exploit-ure, n.
exploitation, n. — F., fr. exploiter, 'to exploit', fr.
exploit, 'exploit', fr. L. explicitum, neut. pp. of
explicdre. See exploit, n., and -ation.
exploration, n. — L. expldrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'ex-
amination, exploration', fr. expldrdtus, pp. of
expldrdre. See next word and -ation.
Derivative: exploration-al, adj.
explore, tr. and intr. v. — F. explorer, fr. L. ex-
pldrdre, 'to search out, examine, explore'. Ex-
pldrdre was orig. a hunting term, which meant
'to shout out (the game)', i.e. 'to elicit the game
through the shouts of the beaters and the cries
of the dogs'. The verb expldrdre is formed fr.
ist ex- and pldrdre, 'to cry out, wail, lament',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. deplore, implore.
Derivatives: explor-er, n., explor-ing, adj., ex-
plor-ing-ly, adv.
explosible, adj. — Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
expldsus, pp. of explddere. See explode.
Derivative: explos-ibil-ity, n.
explosion, n. — L. expldsid, gen. -dnis, 'a driving
away by clapping', fr. expldsus, pp. of expld-
dere. See explode and -ion.
explosive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
exponent
564
expldsus, pp. of explddere. See explode and -ive.
Derivatives: explosive, n., explosive-ly, adv., ex-
plosive-ness, n.
exponent, adj. and n. — L. exponens, gen. -ends,
pres. part, of exponere, 'to set out, expose, ex-
hibit, explain', fr. ist ex- and ponere, 'to put,
place'. See position and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
exponential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. exponens, gen. -entis. See prec. word.
export, tr. v. — L. exportare, 'to carry out', fr.
ist ex- and portdre, 'to bear, carry, convey'. See
port, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: export, n., export-er, n.
exportation, n. — F., fr. L. exportdtidnem, acc.
of exportdtid, 'a carrying out, exportation', fr.
exportdtus, pp. of exportare. See prec. word,
and -ation.
expose, tr. v. — F. exposer, fr. ist ex- and poser,
'to put, place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also expose.
Derivatives: expos-al, n., expos-ed, adj., expos-
ed-ness, n.
expose, n., exposure. — F., prop. pp. of exposer,
used as a noun. See prec. word.
exposition, n. — F., fr. L. expositidnem, acc. of
expositid, 'a setting or showing forth', fr. ex-
positus, pp. of exponere. See exponent and -ion.
expositive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
expositus, pp. of exponere. See exponent.
Derivative : expositive-ly, adv.
expositor, n. — Late L., 'expounder', fr. L. ex-
positus, pp. of exponere. See exponent and
agential suff. -or.
expository, adj. — ML. expositdrius, fr. L. ex-
positus, pp. of exponere. See exponent and adj.
suff. -ory.
ex post facto, retrospectively. — L., lit. 'from
that which is done afterward'. See ist ex-, post-
arid fact.
expostulate, intr. v., to remonstrate. — L. ex-
postulate, pp. of expostuldre, 'to demand vehe-
mently', fr. ist ex- and postulare, 'to demand'.
See postulate.
Derivatives: expostulat-ing, adj., expostulating-
ly, adv., expostulation (q.v.), expostulat-ive, adj.,
expostulat-ive-ly, adv., expostulat-or, n., ex-
postulat-ory, adv.
expostulation, n. — L. expostuldtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
expostuldtus, pp. of expostuldre. See prec. word
and -ion.
exposure, n. — Formed fr. expose with suff. -ure,
on analogy of enclosure (fr. enclose) and other
nouns in -ure.
expound, tr. and intr. v. — ME. expoune(n), ex-
pounde(n), fr. OF. espondre, fr. L. exponere; see
exponent. The current ME. form was expoune,
corresponding to the finite forms of the OF.
verb (cp. e.g. 3rd pers. pi. esponent). However,
beside expoune, the form expounde, derived
from the inf., also appears quite early. Finally
expounde prevailed, whence the English form
expound. On the analogy of expound, fr. L. ex-
ponere, ME. compoune, compone (fr. L. com-
pdnere) became E. compound, and ME. propone
(fr. L. propdnere) became E. propound. Cp. F.
pondre, 'to lay eggs', fr. L. ponere, 'to lay',
express, adj. — OF. expres (F. exprds), fr. L. ex-
pressus, pp. of exprimere, 'to press or squeeze
out, imitate, copy, describe, express', fr. ist
ex- and premere, 'to press'. See press, v., and
cp. espressivo.
Derivatives : express, n., express-ly, adv.
express, adv. — OF. expres (F. expris), fr. L.
expresse, 'expressly', adv. of expressus; see ex-
press, adj.
express, tr. v. — ME. espressen, fr. OF. espresser,
expresser (F. exprimer), fr. L. ex (see ist ex-)
and pressdre, freq. of premere, 'to press'; see
press, v.
Derivatives: express-er, n., express-ible, adj.,
expression (q.v.), express-ive, adj., express-ive-
ly, adv., express-ive-ness, n.
expression, n. — F. , fr. L. expressidnem, acc. of ex-
pressid, 'a pressing or squeezing out; an ex-
pression', fr. expressus, pp. of exprimere. See
express, adj., and -ion.
Derivatives: expression-al, adj., the hybrid
words expression-ism, n., expression-ist, n., and
expression-ist-ic, adj.
exprobrate, tr. v., to censure. — L. exprobrdtus,
pp. oiexprobrdre, 'to make a matter of reproach,
accuse of something disgraceful, upbraid', fr.
ist ex- and probrum, 'a shameful act'. See op-
probrium.
exprobration, n., censure. — L. exprobrdtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. exprobrdtus, pp. of exprobrdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
expropriate, tr. v. — ML. expropriate, pp. of
expropridre, 'to deprive of one's own' (whence
F. exproprier), fr. ist ex- and L.proprius, 'one's
own'. See proper and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
appropriate.
Derivatives: expropriat-ion, n., expropriat-or, n.
expugn, tr. v., to take by storm. — OF. expugner,
fr. L. expugndre, 'to take by storm', fr. ist ex-
and pugndre, 'to fight', fr. pugna, 'fight'. See
pugnacious and cp. impugn, oppugn, repugnant.
expugnable, adj. — OF., fr. L. expugndbilis, 'that
may be taken by storm', fr. expugndre. See prec.
word and -able.
expulsion, n. — L. expulsid, 'a driving out', fr. ex-
pulsus, pp. of expellere, 'to drive out'. See ex-
pel and -ion.
expulsive, adj. — F. expulsif (fern, expulsive), fr.
ML. expulsivus, fr. L. expulsus, pp. of expellere.
See expel and -ive.
expunction, n., obliteration. — Late L. expunctio,
gen. -dnis, fr. L. expunctus, pp. of expungere.
See next word and -ion.
expunge, tr. v., to obliterate. — L. expungere, 'to
prick out, blot out, erase (by putting dots above
or below)', fr. ist ex- and pungere, 'to prick,
puncture'. See pungent and cp. point.
565
exterior
expurgate, tr. v., to remove obscene passages
(from a book, etc.) — L. expurgdtus, pp. of ex-
purgdre, 'to purge out, cleanse, purify', fr. ist
ex- and purgdre, 'to cleanse, purify'. See purge
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. spurge.
Derivatives: expurgation (q.v.), expurgat-ive,
adj., expurgat-or, n., expurgat-ory, adj., ex-
purgat-ori-al, adj.
expurgation, n. — L. expurgdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
expurgdtus, pp. of expurgdre. See expurge and
-ation.
exquisite, adj., excellent. — L. exqulsitus, 'choice,
excellent, exquisite', prop. pp. of exquirere, 'to
search out thoroughly', fr. ist ex- and quaerere,
'to search for'. See query and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: exquisite-ly, adv., exquisite-ness, n.
exsanguinate, tr. v., to render bloodless (med.) —
L. exsanguindtus, 'bloodless', fr. ist ex- and
sanguis, gen. sanguinis, 'blood'. See sanguine.
Derivative: exsanguinat-ion, n.
exsanguine, adj., bloodless. — Formed fr. ist ex-
and sanguine. Cp. L. exsanguis, 'bloodless'.
exscind, tr. v., to cut out, extirpate. — L. ex-
scindere, 'to tear out, extirpate', fr. ist ex- and
scindere, 'to cut, split, cleave'. See scissile.
exsiccate, tr. v., to dry up. — L. exsiccdtus, pp.
of exsiccdre, 'to dry up', fr. ist ex- and siccdre,
'to make dry, drain', fr. siccus, 'dry'. See sic-
cative and cp. desiccate.
Derivatives: exsiccat-ion, n., exsiccat-ive, adj.,
exsiccat-or, n.
exsert, to thrust out (bot.) — Modern formation
fr. L. exsertus, pp. of exserere, 'to stretch out'.
See exert.
Derivatives: exsert-ed, adj., exsert-ion, n.
exstipulate, adj., without stipules (bot.) — See
ist ex- and stipulate, adj.
exsuccous, adj., dry. — L. exsuccus, 'sapless', fr.
ist ex- and succus, 'sap, juice'. See succulent.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff.
-ous.
extant, adj., existing. — L. exstdns, extdns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of exstdre, extdre, 'to be ex-
tant, exist, be', lit. 'to stand out', fr. ist ex- and
stare, 'to stand'. See state and -ant.
extasy, n. — See ecstasy.
extemporal, adj., extemporaneous. — L. ex-
tempordlis, 'extemporary, extemporaneous. See
extempore and adj. suff. -al.
extemporaneous, adj., unpremeditated; offhand.
— ML. extempordneus, fr. L. ex tempore. See
extempore and -aneous.
Derivatives: extemporaneous-ly, adv., extemp-
oraneous-ness, n.
extemporary, adj., extemporaneous. — See ex-
tempore and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: extemporari-ly, adv., extemporari-
ness, n.
extempore, adv., without preparation. — L. ex
tempore, 'at the moment*, lit. 'out of the time',
fr. ex, 'out of, from', and abl. of tempta, 'time*.
See ex and temporal, pertaining to time'.
Derivative: extempore, adj.
extemporize, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. L.
ex tempore (see prec. word) and suff. -ize.
Derivatives : extemporiz-ation, n., extemporiz-er,
n.
extend, tr. and intr. v. — ME. extenden, fr. L.
extendere, 'to stretch out', fr. ist ex- and ten-
dere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to move in a certain
direction', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also standard.
Derivatives: extend-ed, adj., extend-ed-ly, adv.,
extend-ed-ness, n., extend-er, n.
extensible, adj. — Formed with suff. -ible fr. L.
extensus, a collateral form of extentus, pp. of
extendere. See extend.
Derivatives: extens-ibil-ity, n., extens-ible-
ness, n.
extension, n. — L. extensid, gen. -dnis, 'a stretch-
ing out, extension', fr. extensus, a collateral form
of extentus, pp. of extendere. See extend and -ion.
Derivative: extension-al, adj.
extensive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
extensus, a collateral form of txtentus, pp. of
extendere. See extend. /
Derivatives: extensive-ly, adv., extensive-ness, n.
extensometer, n., an instrument for measuring
minute degrees of deformation caused by ten-
sion, twisting, etc. — The word orig. denoted
an instrument for measuring extension. It is
a hybrid coined fr. L. extensus (see extension)
and Gk. uirpov, 'measure' (see meter, 'poetical
rhythm').
extensor, n., a muscle serving to stretch out a
limb or part of it, contrasted v/ith flexor (anat)
— Medical L., short for musculus extensor, fr.
Late L. extensor, 'stretcher', fr. L. extensus. See
extension and agential suff. -or.
extent, n. — ME. extente, fr. AF. extente, cor-
responding to OF. estente, fr. Late L. externa,
fern. pp. of extendere, 'to stretch out'. See extend.
extenuate, tr. v., 1) orig. to make thin; hence
2) to diminish, lessen (a fault). — L. extenudtus,
pp. of extenudre, 'to make thin, diminish, les-
sen', fr. ist ex- and tenuis, 'thin'. See tenuis,
thin and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : extenuat-ing, &d).,extenuation(q.v.),
extenuatory (q.v.)
extenuation, n. — L. extenudtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
thinning out, lessening, diminution', fr. extenud-
tus, pp. of extenuare. See prec. word and -ion.
extenuatory, adj. — L. extenudtdrius, 'extenuat-
ing', fr. extenudtus, pp. of extenudre. See ex-
tenuate and adj. suff. -ory.
exterior, adj. — L., compar. of exter, exterus,
'on the outside, outward, external, foreign,
strange', which itself is compar. of ex, 'out
of, from'. See ist ex- and cp. extra. Cp. also
external, extraneous, extreme, extremity, ex-
trinsic, stranger. For the compar. suff. -terus see
-ther and cp. words there referred to. For the
compar. suff. -ior see -for.
exterminabie
566
Derivatives: exterior, n., exterior-ity, n., ex-
terior-ize, tr. v., exterior-ly, adv., exterior-ness,n.
exterminabie, adj. — Late L. exterminabilis, 'that
may be destroyed', fr. L. exterminare. See next
word and -able.
exterminate, tr. v. — L. exterminates, pp. of ex-
terminare, 'to drive beyond the boundaries',
whence 'to drive away, destroy', formed fr. ist
ex- and termindre, 'to limit', fr. terminus, 'boun-
dary, limit'. See term and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. terminate.
Derivatives: extermination (q.v.), exterminat-
ive, adj., exterminator (q.v.), exterminat-ory, adj.
extermination, n. — Late L. exterminate, gen.
-dnis, 'destruction', fr. L. exterminates, pp. of
exterminare. See prec. word and -ion.
exterminator, n. — Late L., fr. L. exterminates,
pp. of exterminare. See exterminate and agential
suff. -or.
extern, adj., external. — F. externe, fr. L. exter-
nus, 'outward, external', fr. extents. See ex-
terior and cp. external. Cp. also intern.
extern, n., a day scholar. — F. externe, n., fr.
extern, adj. See prec. word.
external, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
externus. See extern.
Derivatives: external, n., external-ity, n., exter-
nal-iy, adv., external-ism, n., external-ist, n., ex-
ternal-ist-ic, adj., external-ize, tr. v., external-iz-
ation, n.
exterritorial, adj. — Formed fr. ist ex- and terri-
torial. Cp. extraterritorial.
Derivatives: exterritorial-ity, n., exterritorial-
ly, adv.
extinct, adj., i) extinguished; 2) no longer exist-
ing. — L. exstinctus, extinctus, pp. of exstingu-
ere, extinguere. See extinguish.
Derivatives: extinction (q.v.), extinct-ive, adj.
extinction, n. — L. exstinctid, extinctid, fr. ex-
stinctus, extinctus, pp. of exstinguere, extinguere.
See next word and -ion.
extinguish, tr. v. — L. exstinguere, extinguere,
'to put out (fire), quench, extinguish', fr. ist ex-
and I.-E. *steig-, 'to prick, stick, pierce', whence
also L. Instinguere, 'to incite, impel', instigdre,
'to goad'. See stick, v., and cp. words there
referred to. For the use of the suff. -ish in ex-
tinguish see distinguish.
Derivatives: extinguish-able, adj., extinguish-ed,
adj., extinguish-er, n., extinguish-ment, n.
extirpate, tr. v., to destroy completely. — L. ex-
stirpdtus, extirpdtus, pp. of exstirpare, extirpare,
'to pluck out by the stem or root', fr. stirps,
gen. stirpis, 'stock, stem, root, scion'. See stirps
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: extirpation (q.v.), extirpat-ive, adj.,
extirpator (q.v.)
extirpation, n. — L. exstirpdtid, extirpdtid, gen.
-dnis, lit. 'an uprooting', fr. exstirpdtus, extir-
pates, pp. of exstirpare, extirpare. See prec.
word and -ion.
extirpator, n. — L. exstirpdtor, extirpator, 'up-
rooter', fr. exstirpdtus, extirpates. See extirpate
and agential suff. -or.
extol, extoll, tr. v., to praise. — L. extollere, 'to
place on high, raise, elevate, exalt', fr. ist ex-
and tolld, tollere, 'to lift up, raise', which stands
for *//«<?, fr. I.-E. *»/-, zero degree of base *tel-,
*tol-, 'to bear, carry', whence L. tolerdre, 'to
bear, support'. See tolerate.
extort, tr. v., to get by threats, force, etc. — L.
extortus, pp. of extorquere, 'to twist out, wrench
out, extort', fr. ist ex- and torquere, 'to twist,
wind'. See torque and cp. contort, distort, retort.
Derivatives: extort-er, n., extortion (q.v.), ex-
tortive (q.v.)
extortion, n. — L. extortid, gen. -dnis, 'a twisting
out, extortion', fr. extortus, pp. of extorquere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: extortion-ary, extortion-ate, adjs.,
extortion-er, n.
extortive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
extortus, pp. of extorquere. See extort.
extra, adv. — L. extra, adv., on the outside,
without, except', for *exterd (short for exterd
parte, 'on the outside'), abl. sing, of extera, fem.
of exterus, 'on the outside, outward, external',
whence the compar. exterior, 'outer, exterior'
(see exterior); rel. to Umbr. ap-ehtre, 'from
without', and cogn. with Olr. echtar, W. eithr,
'on the outside, without', Olr. s-echtair, an-
echtair, 'from without'.
Derivative: extra, n.
extra-, pref. — Fr. extra, adv.
extracanonical, adj., not included in the canon-
ical books. — Formed fr. extra- and canonical.
extracranial, adj., outside of the skull. — Formed
fr. extra- and cranial.
extract, tr. v. — L. extractus, pp. of extrahere,
'to draw out', fr. ist ex- and trahere, 'to draw'.
See tract, v., and cp. the verb abstract and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: extract, n. (q.v.), extract-able, adj.,
extraction (q.v.), extract-he, adj., extract-or, n.
extract, n. — L. extractum, neut. of extractus,
pp. of extrahere, 'to draw out'; see extract, v.
As a legal term, E. extract represents L. extrac-
ta, the fem. of extractus (see above). Cp.
estreat.
extraction, n. — F., fr. ML. extractidnem, acc. of
extractid, 'the act of extracting', fr. L. extractus,
pp. of extrahere. See extract, v., and -ion.
extradite, tr. v. — Back formation fr. extra-
dition.
extradition, n. — F., fr. L. ex, 'out of, and
trdditio, gen. -dnis, 'a delivering up, surrender'.
See ist ex- and tradition.
extrados, n., the exterior surface of an arch
(archit.) — F., a hybrid coined by the French
dramatist and journalist Thomas Comeille
(1625-1709) in 1694 fr. extra and F. dos, 'back',
fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp. intrados.
extramundane, adj., beyond the material world.
— Formed fr. extra- and mundane.
567
exuDei
extramural, adj., outside the walls. — Formed
fr. extra- and mural,
extraneous, adj., external, foreign. — L.extrdneus,
'external, strange'. See extra- and cp. strange.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: extraneous-ly, adv., extraneous-
ness, n.
extraordinary, adj. — L. extrddrdinarius, 'out of
the common order, extraordinary', fr. extra dr-
dinem, 'outside the (common) order', fr. extra
(see extra) and drdinem, acc. of drdd, 'order'.
See ordinary.
Derivatives: extraordinari-ly, adv., extraordi-
nari-ness, n.
extraterritorial, adj., exterritorial. — Formed fr.
extra- and territorial. Cp. exterritorial.
Derivative : extraterritorial-ity, n.
extravagance, extravagancy, n. — F. extra-
vagance, fr. extravagant. See next word and -ce,
resp. -cy, and cp. extravaganza.
extravagant, adj., prodigal, wasteful., n., an
extravagant person. — F., fr. ML. extrdvagan-
tem, acc. of extrdvagdns, pres. part, of extra-
vagdri, 'to wander outside (the limits)', fr.
extra- and L. vagdri, 'to wander, ramble, roam
about'. See vagary and -ant.
Derivatives : extravagance (q.v.), extravagant-ly,
adv., extravagant-ness, n.
extravaganza, n., a fantastic musical or non-
musical composition. — It. estravaganza, stra-
vaganza, lit. 'extravagance', fr. estravagante,
stravagante, 'extravagant', fr. ML. extrdvagan-
tem (see prec. word); influenced in form by
extravagance (q.v.)
extravagate, intr. v., to rove. — ML. extrd-
vagdtus, pp. of extrdvagdri. See extravagant and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: extravagat-ion, n. (obsol.)
extravasate, tr. v., to force out of the proper ves-
sels, as blood; intr. v., to ooze out into sur-
rounding tissues, as blood (pathol.) — Formed
fr. extra- and L. vds, 'vessel'. See vase and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative : extravasat-ion, n.
extreme, adj. — OF. (F. extreme), fr. L. extremus,
'outermost, utmost, extreme', superl. of exter,
exterus, 'on the outside, outward, external,
foreign, strange'. See exterior.
Derivatives: extreme, n., extreme-ly, adv., ex-
treme-ness, n., extrem-ism, n., extrem-ist, n.
extremity, n. — OF. extremite (F. extremite), fr.
L. extremitdtem, acc. of extremitds, 'the end of
a thing', fr. extremus. See extreme and -ity. In
the sense of 'hands or feet', L. extremitds was
first used by the translator Gerard of Cremona
(died in 11 87).
extricable, adj. — See next word and -able.
extricate, tr. v, — L. extrlcdtus, pp. of extricdre,
'to disentangle, extricate', formed fr. ist ex- and
trlcae (pi.), 'trifles, stuff; perplexities, wiles,
tricks', which is of uncertain origin. It meant
perh. orig. 'twisted ways', and derives fr. I.-E.
base *treik-, 'to turn, twist', which is rel. to
base *tereq-, of s.m., whence torquere, 'to turn,
twist'. See torque and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
trica, intricate.
Derivative: extricat-ion, n.
extrinsic, adj., external. — F. extrinseque, fr. L.
extrinsecus, 'from without, from abroad',
formed fr. exter, 'outer', and secus, 'beside, by,
along'. For the first element see extra-, exterior.
L. secus orig. meant 'following' ; and is rel. to
sequi, 'to follow'. See sequel and cp. second.
Cp. also intrinsic.
Derivatives: extrinsic-al, adj., extrinsical-ity, n.,
extrinsical-ness, n., extrinsical-ly, adv.
extro-, pref. formed fr. extra-, on the analogy
of the pref. intra-.
extrorse, adj., turned outward (bot.) — F., fr.
Late L. extrdrsus, 'in an outward direction',
contraction of extra, 'on the outside', and ver-
sus, 'turned', pp. of vertere, 'to turn'. See extra-
and version and cp. introrse, retrorse, intro-
verse, prose.
Derivative: extrorse-ly, adv.
extroversion, n., 1) the condition of being turned
inside out (med.); 2) also extraversion, interest
directed to external things; the opposite of in-
troversion (psychol.) — Formed fr. extro- (resp.
extra-) and version.
extroversive, also extraversive, adj., pertaining or
tending to extroversion ; the opposite of intro-
versive (psychol.) — Formed with suff. -ive fr.
extro- (resp. extra-) and L. versus, pp. of ver-
tere, 'to turn'. See version.
extrovert, tr. v., 1) to turn outward; 2) also
extravert; intr. v., to turn one's interest toward
external things; the opposite of introvert
(psychol.) — Formed fr. extro- (resp. extra-)
and L. vertere, 'to turn'. See version. The term
extrovert was introduced into psychology by
the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-
1961). Cp. introvert, v.
extrovert, also extravert, n., one characterized by
extroversion; the opposite of introvert (psychol.)
— Fr. extrovert, v.
extrude, tr. v., to push out ; intr. v., to protrude. —
L. extrudere, 'to thrust out, drive away', fr. ist
ex- and trudere, 'to thrust, push, shove', which
derives fr. I.-E. base *treud-, 'to press, push',
whence also Goth, us-priutan, 'to vex', OE.
preotan, 'to. weary, vex, annoy', preatian, 'to
press, afflict, threaten'. See threat and cp. thrust.
Cp. also intrude and words there referred to.
extrusion, n. — ML. extrusid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
extrusus, pp. of extrudere. See prec. word and
-ion and cp. intrusion and words there referred to.
extrusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
extrusus, pp. of extrudere. See extrude and cp.
intrusive, obtrusive, protrusive.
exuberance, exuberancy, n., luxuriance. — F.
exuberance, fr. L. exiiberantia, 'superabundance,
exuberance', fr. exuberdns, gen. -antis. See next
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
exuoerant
300
exuberant, adj., lavish, luxuriant. — F. exuberant,
fr. L. exuberantem, acc. oiexuberdns, pres. part,
of exuberare, 'to come forth in abundance,
grow luxuriantly', fr. ist ex- and uberdre, 'to be
fruitful', from the adjective uber, 'fruitful' .which
derives from the noun uber, 'udder'. See
uberous.
Derivatives: exuberant-ly, adv., exuberant-ness,n.
exuberate, intr. v., to be exuberant; to abound.
— L. exuberdtus, pp. of exuberare. See prec.
word and verbal suff. -ate.
exudate, n., exuded substance. — L. exsuddtum,
exuddtum, neut. pp. of exsiiddre, exuddre. See
exude and adj. suff. -ate.
exudation, n. — Formed with suff. -ion fr. L.
exsuddtus, exudates, pp. of exsiiddre, exuddre.
See next word,
exude, intr. and tr. v., to ooze. — L. exsiiddre,
exuddre, 'to sweat out', fr. 1st ex- and suddre,
'to sweat', fr. sudor, 'sweat', which is cogn. with
OE. swat, 'sweat', sw&tan, 'to sweat'. See sweat
and cp. sudation.
exult, intr. v., to rejoice greatly. — F. exulter,
fr. L. exsultdre, exultdre, 'to leap about, leap
for joy, triumph', which stands for *ex-saltdre
and is freq. of exsilire, 'to leap out, spring out,
leap up, start up', fr. ist ex- and salire, 'to leap,
spring, jump', whence the freq. saltdre, 'to leap,
jump, dance'. See salient and cp. saltant. For
the change of Latin a (in saltdre) to u (in ex-
sultdre, ex-ultdre) see desultory and cp. words
there referred to.
exultancy, n. — L. exsultantia, exultantia, fr. ex-
sultdns, exultdns, gen. -otitis. See next word
and -cy.
exultant, adj. — L. exsultdns, exultdns, gen. -an-
tis, pres. part, of exsultdre, exultdre. See exult
and -ant. Derivative : exultant-ly, adv.
exultation, n. — F., fr. L. exsultdtidnem, exul-
tdtidnem, acc. of exsultdtid, exultdtid, 'a leaping
about', fr. exsultdt-{um), exultdt-(um), pp. stem
of exsultdre, exultdre. See prec. word and -ion.
exuviae, n. pi., cast skins of animals. — L., 'that
which is stripped off, clothing, equipments',
from the stem of exuere, which stands for *exo-
were, 'to pull or strip off', fr. ist ex- and
*-owere, earlier *-ewere, fr. I.-E. base *ew-, 'to
put on', whence also OSlav. ob-ujo, ob-uti, 'to
put on shoes', Lith. aunii, auti, 'to put on
shoes', aviu, aveti, 'to wear shoes', Arm. ag-
anim, 'I put on something', Avestic ao&ra-,
'footgear', OPruss. auclo, 'halter', Lith. aukll,
'bandage for the foot, anklet', Lett, dukla, 'thin
cord'. Cp. indusium, induviae, omentum. For
derivatives of base *w-es, 'to clothe', an en-
largement of base *ew-, see vest, n., and wear,
'to carry on the body'. Derivatives : exuvi-al, adj.,
axuvi-ate, intr. v., to cast the skin, exuviat-ion, n.
eyalet, n., formerly, a province of the Ottoman
Empire; now called vifa/et. — Turk., fr. Arab.
iydla h , 'government', prop. inf. of the verb dla,
'was at the head of, whence dwwal, 'first*.
eyas, n., a nestling; a young hawk taken from
the nest. — F. niais, 'nestling' (the modern
French meaning is 'silly, simple'), fr. VL.
*niddcem, acc. of *niddx, 'nestling', fr. nidus,
'nest'; see nidus. The English form arose from
a misdivision of a nias into an eyas. For similar
misdivisions cp. adder and words there re-
ferred to.
eye, n. — ME. eige, eye, eie, fr. OE. eage, rel. to
OS. oga, OFris. age, ON. auga, Swed. oga, Dan.
eie, OFris. age, MDu. dghe, Du. oog, OHG.
ouga, MHG. ouge, G. Auge, Goth, augo, 'eye',
fr. I.-E. base *oq w -, 'to see; eye', whence also
OI. dksi, gen. aksndht, 'eye', aksdft, 'die', tksate.
'sees', Toch. A ak, B ek, 'eye', Arm. akn, gen,
akan, 'eye, opening, hole', Gk. Sxxo?, 'eye',
Suae (for oq K i-), 'the two eyes', Scraea&ai, 'to
see, look at, presage', 6jrfj, 'opening, hole',
6i^o[xai, 'I shall see', 671x6?, 'seen; visible',
67tTix6<;, 'pertaining to sight', Alb. sii, 'eye', L.
oculus, 'eye', OSlav. oko, 'eye', okno, 'window',
Lith. akis, 'eye'. Fr. *oq w -, collateral form of
base *oq w -, derive Gk. fiit^ 8 en - &t:6<;, 'eye,
face', and the second element in L. atrdx,
'cruel, fierce', ferox, 'wild, savage', veldx, 'swift,
quick'. Cp. eyelet, ogle and the second element
in daisy, walleyed, window. Cp. also ocular,
omma, optic, ullage, the first element in ophthal-
mo- and the second element in antler. Cp. also
the second element in atrocious, ferocious,
velocity. Derivatives: eye, tr. v., ey-ed, adj.
eyelet, n. — ME. oilet, fr. MF. (= F.) aillet,
dimin. of ail, 'eye', fr. L. oculus; influenced in
spelling by eye (q.v.)
eyot, n., a small island. — ME. eyt, fr. OE. igeod,
dimin. of eg, ig, leg, 'island'. See island and cp.
the second element in Scandinavia. The ending
of the word eyot was influenced by the French
dimin. suff. -or.
eyre, n., journey, circuit; circuit court. — ME.,
fr. OF. eire, 'journey, way', fr. L. iter, of s.m.
See itinerate and cp. errant.
eyrie, eyry, n. — Variants of aerie, aery.
Ezekiel, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible : a) name
of one of the great prophets of Israel ; b) the
Book of Ezekiel. — Late L. Ezechiel, fr. Gk.
'IeSexiT]}., fr. Heb. Y'hezqil, lit. 'God strength-
ens'. The first element derives fr. hazdq, 'he
was strong; he strengthened', whence hazdq,
'strong', hezeq, hezqd h ,hdzeq,hozqd h , 'strength',
Mishnaic Heb. hdzdqd", 'taking hold of; pre-
sumption; usucaption'. Heb. hazdq is rel. to
Aram.-Syr. hazdq, 'he was strong', Arab, hd-
zaqa, 'he bound, squeezed', Akkad. eshqu,
'strong', isqu, 'possession'. Cp. Hezekiah. For
the second element in the name Ezekiel see El.
Ezra, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) name of
a celebrated scribe of the 5th century B.C.E. ;
b) the Book of Ezra. — Late L., fr. Heb. 'Ezra,
abbrevation of ' Azarydh{u), lit. 'God has hel-
ped'. See Azariah and cp. Esdras. For similar
abbreviations cp. Jesse and Micah.
F
fa, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote
the fourth tone of the diatonic scale (mus.)
Fabaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the pea
family (bot.) — Formed with suff. -aceae fr.
ModL. Faba, the type genus, fr. L. {aba, 'bean',
from the I.-E. child's word *bhabhd, 'bean', lit.
'something swelling', prop, reduplication of the
child's word *bha-, 'something swelling'. See
bean and cp. Fabian.
fabaceous, adj., pertaining to the Fabaceae (bot.)
— L. fabdceus, 'consisting of beans', fr. faba.
See prec. word and -ous.
Fabian, adj., dilatory, cautious. — L. Fabidnus,
from the name of the Roman general Quintus
Fabius Maximus, surnamed Cunctator (= 'De-
layer'). — (The Latin name Fabius is rel. to faba,
'bean', for whose etymology see Fabaceae). For
the ending see suff. -an.
Fabian, masc. PN. — L. Fabidnus, a derivative
of Fabius. See Fabian, adj.
fable, n., a story. — OF. (= F.), 'fable, story,
tale', fr. L. fdbula, 'narrative, account, tale,
story', lit. 'that which is told', rel. to fori, 'to
speak, tell, foretell', fdma, 'talk, report, rumor,
saying, tradition, reputation', fdcundus, 'elo-
quent', fateri, 'to confess', fr. I.-E. base *bhd-,
'to speak'. See fame and words there referred
to and cp. esp. fabulous, confabulate, affable,
fib, ineffable.
fable, intr. v., to write or tell fables; tr. v., to
invent. — OF. fabler, fr. L. fdbuldri, 'to speak,
talk', fr. fdbula. See fable, n.
Derivatives: fabl-ed, adj., fable-ist, n., fabl-er,
n., fabl-ing, n.
fabliau, n., a short medieval French metrical
story. — F., fr. Picard fabliau, fr. OF. fablel,
fableau, masc. dimin. of fable, 'fable, story, tale'.
See fable, n.
fabric, n. — F. fabrique, fr. L. fabrica, 'workshop
of an artisan, building, fabric', fr. faber, gen.
fabri, 'workman, artisan, artificer, forger,
smith', from L. base *fab-, corresponding to
I.-E. base *dhabh-, 'to become or be suitable',
whence Arm. darbin, 'smith', OSlav. dobru,
'fine, good', doba, 'opportunity', Lith. dabinti,
'to adorn', dabnus, 'graceful'. Cp. daft, deft,
forge.
fabricate, tr. v. — L. fabricdtus, pp. of fabricdri,
'to frame, construct, build', fr. fabrica. See
prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
fabrication, n. — L. fabriedtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
framing', fr. fabricdtus, pp. of fabricdri. See
fabric and -ion.
fabulist, n. — F. fabuliste, fr. L. fdbula. See fable
and -ist.
fabulosity, n. — F. fabulosite, fr. L. fdbulosi-
tdtem, acc. of fdbuldsitds, 'fabulous invention,
fabulosity', ir.fdbuldsus. See next word and -ity.
fabulous, adj. — L. fdbuldsus, 'fabulous', fr.
fdbula. See fable and -ous.
Derivatives : fabulous-ly, adv., fabulous-ness, a.
facade, n., the front of a building. — F., fr. ear-
lier facciate, fr. It. facciata, lit. 'face (of a
building)', fr. faccia, 'face', fr. VL. facia, fr. L.
fades. See next word and -ade.
face, n. — F., fr. VL. facia (whence also It. faccia,
OProvenc. fassa), fr. L. fades (whence also Sp.
haz), 'face', orig. 'a making, shaping', fr. facere,
'to make, do', See fact and cp. facade, facet,
facetious, deface, efface, superficies, surface,
volta-face. For the formation of L. fades, 'face',
fr. facere, 'to make', cp. L. species, 'sight, ap-
pearance', fr. specere, 'to look at'; for the sense
development of fades, 'face', fr. facere, 'to
make', cp. F. figure, 'face', fr. L. figura, 'figure,
appearance'. The orig. meaning of L. fades.
may easily be derived from the meaning of the
compound superficies, 'surface', which lit.
means 'superstructure'.
Derivatives: face, tr. and intr. v., fac-ed, adj.,
fac-ing, adj. and n., fac-ing-ly, adv.
facet, n., 1) surface of a cut gem; 2) aspect. — F.
facette, dimin. of face. See face and -et, -ette.
Derivatives: facet, tr. v.,facet-ed, adj.
facetiae, n. pi., 1) witticisms; 2) books of a
coarse character. — L., pi. oifacetia. See next
word.
facetious, adj., joking. — F. facetieux (fem. fa-
cetieuse), fr. facetie, fr. L. facetia, 'jest, wit-
ticism' (pi. facetiae, 'witty sayings, witticisms,
pleasantry'), Si.facetus, 'elegant, fine, facetious',
which is of uncertain origin. It is perh. rel. to
fax, gen. facts, 'torch', whence the dimin. facula,
'torch'. See facula and -ous.
Derivatives: facetious-ly, &dv.,facetious-ness, n.
facia, n. — See fascia.
facial, adj., of, or pertaining to, the face. — F.,
fr. ML. facialis, fr. L. fades. See face and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivative: facial-ly, adv.
facient, n., an agent. — Lit. 'a maker, doer', fr.
L. faciens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of-facere, 'to
make, do'. See fact.
-facient, suff. meaning 'making, causing to be-
come' (as calorifacient, 'making heat', lique-
facient, 'causing to become liquefied'). — L.
-faciens, fr. faciens, pres. part of facere. See
prec. word.
facile, adj., easy. — F., fr. L. facilis, 'easy', lit.
'feasible', fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
and -ile.
Derivatives: facile-ly, adv., facile-ness, n.
facilitate, tr. v., to make easy. — F. faciliter, fr.
It. facilitate, fr. facilitd, 'facility', fr. L. facili-
facility
570
tatem. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: facilitat-ion, n.
facility, n. — F.facilite, fr. L. facilitatem (whence
also It. facilita, OProvenc. facilitat, Sp. facili-
dad), acc. of facilitas, 'easiness, ease, fluency,
willingness, readiness', fr. facilis. See facile
and -ity.
facinorous, adj., wicked, criminal {rare). — L.
facinordsus, 'criminal, atrocious', fr. facinus,
gen. facinoris, 'deed', esp. 'wicked deed, crime,
villainy', fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See fact. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
facio-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the face, facial'. — Fr. L. fades, 'face'. See face.
facsimile, n., an exact copy. — L. fac simile,
'make like', fr. fac, imper. of facere, 'to make',
and neut. of similis, 'like'. See fact and similar.
Derivatives: facsimile, adj. and tr. v., facsimil-
ist, n., facsimil-ize, tr. v.
fact, n. — L. factum, 'deed, act', lit. 'something
done', neut. pp. of facere, 'to make, do; to per-
form, accomplish; to act', fr. I.-E. base *dhd-,
*dhe-, *dh 1 -, 'to put, place; to do, make, con-
struct'. See do and theme and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also feat (which is a doublet of
fact) and the words facade, facient, facile, facili-
tate, facility, facinorous, facsimile, faction, -fac-
tion, factor, factory, factotum, factual, affair,
affect, affettuoso, artifact, artifice, benefaction,
benefactor, benefice, benefit, calefacient, comfit,
confect, confection, counterfeit, defaced, defeat,
defect, deficient, deficit, deific, difficult, dis-
comfit, dolce far niente, efface, effect, efficacious,
efficient, face, fashion, feasance, feasible, fea-
ture, fecit, feckless, fetish, -fy, infect, labe-
faction, magnificent, malefic, maleficence, mal-
feasance, manufacture, misfeasance, munificent,
office, orifice, perfect, pontiff, prefect, proficient,
refection, rifacimento, satisfaction, savoir-faire,
somnifacient, Spinifex, suffice, sufficient, super-
ficial, surface, surfeit.
faction, n., a party or clique. — F., fr. L. fac-
tidnem, acc. of factio, 'a making, doing; party'
(lit. 'persons acting together'), fr. factus, pp.
of facere, 'to make, do, act'. See fact and -ion
and cp. fashion, which is a doublet of faction.
Derivative: faction-al, adj.
-faction, suff. forming nouns meaning 'a making
into something' and corresponding to verbs in
-fy (fr. L. facere). — Fr. L. factio, 'a making,
doing; party'. See prec. word and cp. -fication.
factious, adj., addicted to faction ; seditious. — L.
factidsus, fr. factio, 'faction'. See faction and -ous.
Derivatives: factious-ly, adv., factious-ness, n.
factitious, adj., artificial. — L. facticius, 'made
by art, artificial', fr. factus, pp. of facere, 'to
make, do'; introduced into English by Sir
Thomas Browne (1605-82) in 1646. See fact
and -ous and cp. fetish, which is a doublet of
factitious.
Derivatives: factitious-Iy, adv., factitious-ness,n.
factitive, adj. — ModL. factitivus, fr. L. factus,
pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and -ive.
Derivative: factitive-ly, adv.
factor, n. — F. facteur, 'maker, agent', fr. L. fac-
torem, acc. of factor, 'maker, doer, performer',
fr. factus, pp. of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact
and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: factor, tr. v.,factor-ial, adj. and n.,
factor-ial-ly, adv.
factory, n. — ML. factoria, fr. L. factor. See prec.
word and -y (representing L. -id).
factotum, n., a man hired to do all kinds of work;
handy man. — ML., lit. 'one who does every-
thing', fr. L. fac totum, 'do everything', fr. fac,
imper. of facere, 'to do', and totum, neut. of
totus, 'all'. See fact and total.
factual, adj., pertaining to facts. — Formed fr.
fact on analogy of actual.
Derivatives: factual-ly, adv., factual-ness, n.
factum, n., a statement of facts, a fact (law). —
L., prop. neut. pp. of facere. See fact.
facula, n., one of the bright spots on the disk of
the sun. — L. facula, 'a little torch', dimin. of
fax (OL. faces), 'torch', wliich is of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives : facul-ar, facul-ous, adjs.
facultative, adj. — F. facultatif (fern, facultative),
'optional, facultative', fr. faculte, 'option,
faculty'. See next word and -ive.
faculty, n. — OF. faculte (F. faculte), fr. h.facul-
tatem, acc. of facultas, 'capability, power', fr.
*fakli-tds, fr. L. facilis, 'easy'. See facile and
-ty and cp. difficulty.
fad, n., a whim, craze. — Perh. a back formation
fr. F. fadaise, 'trifle, nonsense, stuff', fr. OPro-
venc. fadeza, 'stupidity, foolishness', fr. fat,
'stupid', fr. L. fatuus. See next word.
Derivatives: fadd-ish, adj., fadd-ish-ness, n.,
fadd-y, adj., fadd-i-ness, n., fadd-ism, n., fadd-
ist, n.
fade, adj., 1) pale, wan {archaic); 2) insipid. —
F., 'insipid, tasteless, dull', fr. OF. fade, fr.
VL. "fatidus, a blend of L. fatuus, 'tasteless;
stupid, foolish', and vapidus, 'that has lost its
vapor, flat, flavorless, insipid'. L. fatuus prob.
meant orig. 'blunt, obtuse', and is a derivative
of the I.-E. base *bhat-, 'to beat, strike'. See
batter, 'to beat', and cp. beat and words there
referred to. Cp. also fad, fatuous, infatuate. For
the etymology of vapidus see vapid.
Derivatives: fade-less, adj., fade-less-ly, adv.,
fad-y, adj.
fade, intr. v., 1) to lose freshness; to languish;
2) to disappear gradually; tr. v., to cause to
fade. — OF. fader, fr. fade. See fade, adj.
Derivatives: fad-ed, adj., fad-ed-ly, adv., fad-
ing, adj., fad-ing-ly, adv., fad-ing-ness, a.
faecal, faeces. — See fecal, feces.
faerie, faery, n., fairyland. — Former spellings
of fairy.
fag, tr. v., to weary, exhaust; intr. v., to labor,
toil. — According to Skeat, possibly a cor-
ruption of flag, 'to droop'.
571
raiasna
fag, n., the loose end of anything, esp. of a cloth.
— Of uncertain origin.
fag, n., cigarette {slang). — Back formation fr.
fag end.
Fagaceae, n. pi., the beech family {bot.) —
Formed fr. Fagus with suff. -aceae.
fagaceous, adj. (bot.) — See prec. word and
-aceous.
fag end. — Fr. fag, 'the loose end of anything'.
Fagopyrum, n., a genus of plants of the buck-
wheat/amily (bot.) — A ModL., hybrid coined
fr. L. fagus, 'beech' (see beech), and Gk. roipii;,
'wheat' (see pyrene and cp. words there re-
ferred to). The correct form would be Phego-
pyrus, fr. Gk. <prp(6i;, 'oak' (see beech) and icup6<;,
'wheat'. Cp. Nothofagus.
fagot, faggot, n., a bundle of sticks used for fuel.
— F. fagot, prob. fr. VL. *facus, a back for-
mation fr. Gk. (paxeXo?, 'bundle', a word of
uncertain origin, the ending of this word having
been mistaken for the Latin dimin. suff. -ellus.
Cp. It. fagotto, OProvenc. fagot, which also
derive fr. Gk. fv.-x.zkac,. Cp. fagotto.
Derivatives : fag(g)ot, tr. and intr. v., fag(g)ot-
ing, n.
fagotto, n., bassoon (music). — It., 'bassoon',
prop, 'bundle'. See faggot.
Fagus, n., a genus of trees, the beech (bot.) —
L. fagus, 'beech'. See beech and cp. words there
referred to.
Fahrenheit, n., a type of thermometer. — Named
after the inventor of the mercurial thermometer,
the German physicist Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit
(1 686- 1 736).
faience, n., a fine kind of painted and glazed
porcelain. — F. faience, shortened fr. original
vaisselle de Faience ('vessel of Faenza'), fr.
Faenza, name of a town in Italy.
fail, n., failure. — ME. faille, faile, fr. OF.
faille, faile, fr. faillir. See fail, v.
fail, intr. and tr. v. — ME. faillen, fatten, fr. OF.
(= F.) faillir, fr. VL. *fallire, corresponding to
L.fallere, 'to deceive'. See false and cp. faucet,
fault.
Derivatives: fail-ing, n., failing, prep, (q.v.)
failing, prep. — Prop. pres. part, of the verb fail,
failure, n. — Orig. failer, fr. AF. failer, which
corresponds to F. faillir; infinitive used as a
noun. See fail, v.
fain, adj., 1) glad; 2) compelled; 3) willing, eager.
— ME. fain, 'joyful', fr. OE. fsegen, 'glad, re-
joicing', rel. to OS. fagan ON. feginn, 'glad',
OS., OHG. faginon, Goth, faginon, 'to rejoice',
OE. gefeon, OHG. gifehan, 'to rejoice', ON.
faga, 'to adorn'. Cp. fawn, 'to act in a servile
manner'.
Derivatives: fain, adv., gladly, fain, v. (q.v.)
fain, intr. v., to rejoice. — OE. fxgnian, 'to re-
joice', fr. fxgen. See fain, adj.
fainaigue, intr. v., to revoke at cards. — Of un-
certain origin.
faineant, adj., idle; n., an idler. — F. fainiant.
'idler', altered by popular etymol. fr. OF. faig-
nant, feignant, pres. part, of faindre, feindre, 'to
feign', often used in OF. in the sense 'to be
idle'. Faignant was changed by folk etymology
to faineant as though it denoted one who 'does
nothing', h. faire, 'to do', and neant, ""nothing'.
See feign.
faint, adj. — ME. faint, feint, 'weak', fr. OF.
feint, 'soft, weak, sluggish', prop. pp. of feindre,
'to feign'. See feign.
Derivatives: faint, intr. v., faint, n., faint-ish,
adj., faint-ly, adv., faint-ness, n., faints (q.v.)
faints, also feints, n. pi., the impure spirit which
comes last in the distillation of whisky. — From
prec. word.
fair, n., a gathering of buyers. — ME. faire, fr.
OF. faire (F. foire), fr. VL. feria (whence also
It. fiera, OProvenc. feira, fiera), fr. L. feriae,
'holidays, festivals', fr. OL. fesiae, which is rel.
to L. festus, 'solemn, festive, joyous'. See feast
and cp. fane, ferial.
fair, adj., beautiful. — ME. fair, fayer, faiger,
fr. OE. fieger, rel. to OS. fagar, ON.fagr, OHG.
fagar, 'beautiful', Goth, fagrs, 'fit', ON. faga,
'to adorn', MLG., Du., MHG. vegen, 'to
sweeep', and cogn. with Lith. puoHiu, T decor-
ate'. Cp.feague.
Derivatives: fair, a.dv.,fair-ly, dAv.,fair-ness, n.
fairy, n. — ME. faierie, 'enchantment, fairy', fr.
OF. faerie (F. feerie), 'enchantment', fr. fae
(F. fee), 'fairy'. See fay, 'fairy'.
Derivatives: fairy, adj., fairy-dom, n., fairy-
hood, n., fairy-ism, n., fairy-like, adj.
fairy tale. — Loan translation of F. conte de fe.
faith, n. — ME. feith, fr. OF. feid, fei (F. foi),
fr. L.fidem, acc. of fides, 'trust, belief. See bid
and cp. fidelity and words there referred to.
Derivatives: faith-ful, adj., faith-ful-ly, adv.,
faith-ful-ness, n., faith-less, adj., faith-less-ly,
adv., faith-less-ness, n.
Faith, fem. PN. — From prec. word.
fake, tr. v. , 1 ) to counterfeit ; 2) to alter, to tamper
with; intr. v., to practice faking (colloq.) —
Perh. a var. of feague.
Derivatives: fake, n., fak-er, n., fak-er-y, n.
fakir, n., a Moslem or Hindu ascetic beggar. —
Arab, faqir, fr. fdqura, 'he was poor'.
Falange, n„ the Fascist party in Spain. — Sp.
Falange (Espanola), '(Spanish) Phalanx', fr.
falange, 'phalanx', fr. L. phalanx, gen. phalangis,
fr. Gk. 9<xXaY5. gen. y<zkax<(oc,. See phalanx.
Falangista, n., a member of the Falange. — Sp.
Falangista, formed fr. Falange (see prec. word)
with -ista, fr. L. -ista (see -ist). The formation
of the name is erroneous. It should be Falangita,
fr. Gk. ipaXa-n'fTT]';, 'soldier in a phalanx', fr.
9<xX<r)f5-
Falashfl, n., one of a tribe of dark-skinned Jews
in Abyssinia. — Ethiop., lit. 'exiled, wanderer,
immigrant', fr. faUSsa, 'he wandered', which is
rel. to Syr. p'ldsh, 'he broke through', Akkad.
paldshu, 'to dig a hole'.
laioaia
572
falbala, n., flounce, frill. — F., prob. an alter-
ation of Franco-Proven?, farbella, 'fringe, lace',
which is prob. of imit. origin. Cp. furbelow.
falcate, adj., curved like a sickle. — L. falcdtus,
'sickle-shaped, curved', fr. falx, gen. falcis,
'sickle', prob. a back formation fr. falcula, 'a
sickle' (which, however, was mistaken for the
dimin. of falx), fr. Ligurian *dalkld, whence also
Sicil. ZdtyxXr), the ancient name of Messina, lit.
'the hook-shaped town' (rel. to £ayxXov, 'sick-
le'). See M.N.Niedermann, Essais d'etymologie
et de critique verbale latines, Neuchatel, 1918,
pp.17 ff. Cp. falchion, falcon, falcula, falx. For
the ending see verbal sufF. -ate.
Derivative: falcat-ed, adj.
falchion, n., 1) a short curved sword; (poet.) any
sword. — ME. fauchoun, fr. OF. fauchon, fr. VL.
*falcionem, acc. of *falcid, dimin. of L. falx,
g,en. falcis, 'sickle'. See prec. word and suff. -ion.
falciform, adj., sickle-shaped. — Formed fr.
L. falx, gen. falcis, 'sickle', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See falcate and -form.
falcon, n. — ME.faucoun fr. OF. (= F.) faucon,
fr. Late L. falcdnem, acc. of falco, prop, 'the
bow-legged (animal)', and identical with L.
falco, -dnis, 'bow-legged', fr. falx, gen. falcis,
'sickle', for which see falcate. For sense develop-
ment cp. Gk. ap7rri, 'sickle; kite'. OHG. falcho
(MHG. valke, G. Falke), MDu. mike (Du. valk),
ON: falki, are Latin loan words. Cp. gerfalcon.
Derivatives: falcon, intr. v., falconer, n. (q.v.)
Falcon, n., the typical genus of falcons (ornithol.)
— L. falco. See falcon.
falconer, n. — ME. fauconer, fr. OV.falconier,
fauconier (F. fauconnier), fr. faucon. See falcon.
falcula, n., a sharp-pointed claw (zool.) — L. t
'sickle'. See falcate.
Derivatives: falcul-ar, falcul-ate, adjs.
falderal, also folderol, n., 1) a refrain in old
songs; 2) a trifle. — Perh. of imitative origin.
faldstool, n., a folding stool. — OE. faldestoel,
fr. ML. faldistolium, fr. OHG. faldstuol, which
is compounded of faldan, 'to fold', and stuol,
'stool, chair'. See fold and stool and cp. fauteuil.
Falemian, adj., pertaining to the ager Falernus
('Falernian field') in Italy, or to the wine grown
in it. — Formed with suff. -ian fr. L. Falernus,
'Falernian', fr. Falerii, name of the capital of
the Falisci. Cp. next word.
Faliscan, adj., pertaining to the Falisci, a people
of ancient Etruria. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Falisci, 'the Faliscans', which is rel. to Fa-
lerii, name of the capital of the Falisci. Cp.
prec. word.
fall, intr. v. — ME. fallen, fr. OE. feallan, rel. to
ON., Swed. falla, Du. vallen, OHG. fallan,
MHG. vallen, vain, G. fallen, Dan. falde and
prob. cogn. with Arm. p'ul, 'downfall', p'lanim,
'I fall down', Lith. puolu, pulti, Lett, puolu, pult,
'to fall', OPruss. aupallai, 'finds' (orig. 'falls
upon'). All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*phol-, 'to fall'. Cp. fell, tr. v.
Derivatives: fall, n. (q.v.), fall-ing, verbal n.
and adj.
fall, n. — Fr. fall, v. In the sense of 'autumn',
fall is short for 'the season of the falling leaves'.
fallacious, adj. — L. fallacidsus, 'deceitful, de-
ceptive, fallacious', fr. fallax, gen. fallacis,
'deceitful'; fr. fallere, pp. falsus, 'to deceive'.
See false and -acious.
Derivatives: fallacious-!y,ad\.,fallacious-ness,n.
fallacy, n. — L. falldcia, 'deceit, artifice, strat-
agem', fr. fallax, gen. fallacis. See prec. word
and -y (representing L. -id).
fallal, n'., a bit of finery. — An invented word,
fallalery, n., valueless finery. — Formed from
prec. word with suff. -ery.
fallen, pp. of fall. — ME. fallen, fr. OE.feallen,
'fallen', fr. feallan, 'to fall'. See fall, v.
fallible, adj. — Late L. fallibilis, fr. L. fallere,
'to deceive'. See false and -ible.
Derivatives: fallibil-ity, n., fallible-ness, n. fal-
libl-y, adv.
Fallopian, adj., discovered or described by Ga-
briel Fallopius (in Italian Gabriele Fallopio),
the celebrated Italian anatomist (1523-62).
Fallopian tubes, the oviducts of mammals. — So
called because they were discovered and first
described by Fallopius. See prec. word.
fallow, adj., brownish yellow. — OE. fealo, gen.
fealwes, 'dull-colored, yellow, yellowish red,
brown', rel. to OS. falu, ON. fblr, MDu. valu,
vale, Du. vaal, OHG. falo, MHG. ml, valwer,
G. fahl, falb, fr. I.-E. base *pel-, 'dark-colored,
gray', whence also OI. palitdh, 'gray', panfah
(for *pdln-du-), 'whitish, pale', Arm. alik',
'waves; white beard', alevor, 'gray', Gk. raXi6<;
(prob. for *7reXi-F6?), 'livid', 7reXiTv<i?, Ion.
7reXiSv6;, 'gray', neXK6t;, (for *neXioc, or *nek-
vo?), 'dark-colored, dusky', raXapY6?, 'stork'
(for *?i:EXaf-apY6i;), 'stork', lit. 'the blackish
white bird', rceXeia, 'pigeon', lit. 'the dark-
colored bird', 7roXi6? (prob. for *KoXt-f6c),
'gray', L. pallere, 'to be pale', pallor, 'paleness',
pullus, 'dark-colored, blackish gray, dusky',
palumbes, 'wood pigeon', lit. 'the dark-colored
bird', OSlav. plavu, Lith. palvas, 'sallow', pil-
kas, 'grey', pilve, 'mud, mire', pell, 'mouse',
OPruss. poalis, 'pigeon', MIr. liath, W. llwyd,
'gray'. Cp. appall, favel, pale, adj., pall, v., pal-
lid, pallor, Pelargonium, Pellaean, peristeronic,
Pleiad, polyomyelitis.
fallow, n., land plowed, but left unsown. — ME.
falwe,falow, fr. OE.fealg,fealh, 'harrow', rel. to
OHG. felga, of s.m., MHG. valgen, velgen, 'to
plow up', and cogn. with Gaul, olka (for *pol-
kd-), whence Late L. olca, 'land fit for plowing'.
I.-E. *polka- lit. means 'something turned', and
derives fr. base *pel-, 'to turn', whence also Gk.
ttoXo?, 'pivot (on which something turns)'. For
other derivatives of base *pel- see colony. Cp.
felly.
Derivatives: fallow, adj. and tr. v.
lalse, adj. — ME. fals, ft. OF. fals, fern, false
573
fancy
(F. faux, fem.fausse), fr. L. falsus, pp. of fallere,
'to deceive', which is of uncertain etymology.
It is perh. cogn.^with Gk. <p7]X6i; or tprjXcx;,
'deceitful', 97)X6co, Dor. <paX6co, 'I deceive',
(pTjXco^a, 'deception', (p-rjXwCTic;, 'deceit'. Cp. fail,
fallacy, faucet, fault.
Derivatives: false, adv., false-hood, n., false-ly,
adv., false-ness, n., falsify (q.v.), fals-ity, n.
falsetto n., an artificial voice (mus.) — It.,
dimin. of falso, 'false', fr. L. falsus. See prec.
word.
falsificate, n. — Late L. falsifieatus, pp. of falsi-
ficare. See falsify and adj. suff. -ate;
Derivatives: falsification (q.v.), falsificat-or, n.
falsification, n. — F., fr. Late L. falsificdtidnem,
acc. of falsificdtid, fr. falsifieatus, pp. of falsi-
ficdre. See next word and -ion.
falsify, tr. v. — F. falsifier, fr. Late L. falsificdre,
'to falsify'. See false and -fy.
Derivative: falsifi-er, n.
falsity, n. — OF. falsete (F. faussete), fr. Late
L. falsitdtem, acc. of falsitds, 'falsity, falsehood',
fr. L. falsus. See false and -ity.
falter, intr. v., to waver. — ME. falteren, of un-
certain origin.
Derivatives: falter, n., falter-ing, adj., falter-
ing-ly, adv.
falx, n., a sickle-shaped structure (anat.) — L.
falx, 'sickle'. See falcate.
Fama, n., the personification of rumor in Roman
mythology. — L. See fame.
fame, n. — F. fame, fr. L. fama, 'talk, report,
rumor, tradition, reputation, lit. 'saying', from
the stem of for, fdri, pp. fdtus, 'to speak', rel. to
fateri, 'to confess', fdbula, 'narrative, account,
tale, story', fas, 'divine law' (lit. 'utterance'), fr.
I.-E. base *bhd-, 'to speak, tell, say', whence
also OI. bhdnati, 'speaks', Arm. bay, gen. bayi,
'word, term', bay, 'he said', ban, gen. bani,
'word, speech, judgment', Gk. 97)^, 'I say',
cpTjlx-r), Dor. cp£u.a, 'voice, report, rumor', (pa-us,
'saying, speech, report', OSlav. bajp, bajati, 'to
talk, tell', basni, 'fable, tale, charm', OE. bdian,
'to boast', ON. bon, OE. ben, 'prayer, request'.
Cp. phone, 'speech sound'. Cp. also abandon,
affable, aphasia, aphemia, apophasis, ban, 'to
prohibit', ban, 'edict', bandit, banish, bifarious,
blame, blaspheme, boon, confabulate, confess,
defamation, defame, euphemism, fabulous, fa-
mous, fascinate, fate, infamous, infamy, in-
fant, infantry, multifarious, nefarious, -phasia,
-phemia, Polyphemus, preface, prefatory, pro-
fess, prophet, trifarious.
Derivatives: fame, tr. v., fam-ed, adj.
familiar, adj. — OF. (= F.) familier, fr. L.fami-
lidris, 'pertaining to a household, domestic',
dissimilated fr. *familid-lis, it. familia, 'house-
hold'. See family and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: familiar, n., familiar-ism, -a., fami-
liarity (q.v.), familiar-ize, tr. v., familiariz-
ation, n., familiar-iz-er, n., familiar-ly, adv.
familiarity, n. — F. familiarite, fr. L. familidri-
tdtem, acc. of familidritds, fr. familidris. See
familiar and -ity.
family, n. — L. familia, fr. famulus, fr. OL.famul,
'servant', which is of uncertain origin. It pos-
sibly means lit. 'belonging to the house', and
derives fr. I.-E. base *dh e -mo-, 'house', whence
also OI. dhiman, 'seat, house', Gk. &*aiu.6;
(Hesychius), 'house'. Base *dh e -mo- is an en-
largement of base *dhe-, 'to put, place; to do,
make'. See do and fact and cp. famulus and the
second element in forisfamiliate.
Derivatives :famili-al, ad)., familiar (q.v.)
famine, n. — F., fr. VL. *famina, fr. L. fames,
'hunger', which is of uncertain origin. For the
ending see -ine (representing L. -ina). Cp.
next word.
famish, tr. and intr. v. — Formed on analogy of
synonymous verbs in -ish fr. L. fames, 'hunger'.
See prec. word.
Derivative: famish-ing, adj.
famous, adj. — OF. fameus (F. fameux), fr. L.
fdmosus, 'much talked of, renowned', fr. fama.
See fame and -ous.
Derivatives: famous-ly, adv., famous-ness, n.
famulus, n., attendant, esp. on a magician. —
L., 'servant'. See femily.
fan, n., an instrument for winnowing. — ME., fr.
OE. farm, fr. L. vannus, 'winnowing fan'. See
van, 'winnowing fan'.
Derivatives: fan, tr. and intr. v., to winnow,
fann-er, n., fann-ing, n.
fan, n., an enthusiastic supporter of any sport,
esp. of base-ball (U.S. Slang). — Shortened fr.
fanatic.
fana, n., nullification of the will of the individual
before the divine will (an important principle
of Sufism). — Arab. fand\ 'disappearance', inf.
of fdniya, 'he passed away, disappeared', rel. to
Heb. pdnd h , Aram.-Syr. p e nd, 'he turned', Heb.
pdntm, 'face', liphni, 'in front of, before' Ethiop.
fandwa, 'he sent away'.
fanam, n., a small coin formerly in use in India.
— Formed, through the medium of Arabic, fr.
Tamil panam, 'money', fr. OI. pdnah, lit. 'bet,
wager', from the stem of /?dnafe,'barters, pur-
chases'. The change of p to / is due to the
Arabic, whose alphabet has no p. OI. pdnate
stands for *pxnate, fr. *plnate, fr. I.-E. base
*pel-, 'to sell, purchase, barter, gain', whence
also Gk. 7T<oXetv, 'to sell'. See monopoly.
fanatic, n. and adj. — L. fdndticus, 'pertaining
to a temple, inspired, enthusiastic', fr. fdnum,
'temple'. See fane and -atic.
Derivatives: fanatic-al, adj., fanatic-al-ly, adv.,
fanatic-al-ness, n., fanatic-ism, n., fanatic-ize, tr.
and intr. v.
fancier, n. — Lit., one who fancies' ; formed from
next word with agential suff. -er.
fancy, n. — ME. fantsy, contraction of fantasy.
See fantasy.
Derivatives: fancy, adj. and tr. v., fanci-ful,
adj., fanci-ful-ly, adv., fanci-ful-ness, n.
fandangle
574
fandangle, n., a fantastic ornament. — Prob.
formed from next word.
fandango, n., a lively Spanish dance. — Sp., of
uncertain origin; perh. assimilated fr. *fadango,
a supposed derivative of fado, name of a popular
song and dance in Portugal, which derives fr.
L. fatum, 'fate, destiny' (see fate), and was so
called because the fado describes poetically the
destiny of the players,
fine, n., temple {poet.) — L. fdnum, fr. earlier
fas-nom, 'a consecrated place', which is rel. to
Oscan ftisnu, acc. fiisnam, 'temple'. See fair,
'gathering of buyers' and feast and cp. profane.
For the disappearance of the original s in L.
fdnum cp. L. pond (for *posind, *posnd), dinumerd
(for *disnumerd), 'I count up, enumerate', and
many other compound verbs with pref. di- (for
dis-).
fanfare, n., a flourish of trumpets. — F., of imi-
tative origin.
fanfaronade, n., i) a fanfare; 2) a boasting talk. —
F. fanfaronnade, fr. Sp. fanfarronada, 'boast,
brag', fr. fanfarrdn, 'blusterer, swaggerer', dis-
simil. fr. Arab, farfdr, 'babbler', which is of
imitative origin. For the ending see suff. -ade.
fang, n., a long pointed tooth. — ME., lit. 'that
which catches or seizes', fr. OE. fang, 'a catch-
ing, seizing', from the now dial, fang, 'to catch,
seize, take', fr. ME. fangen, fr.earlier fongen,fon,
fr. OE. fan, of s.m., rel. to ON. fanga, OFris.
fangia, MLG., MDu., Du. vangen, G. fangen,
ON., OFris./a, OS., OHG., Goth, fdhan, MHG.
vdhen, for Teut. *fanyan, 'to catch, seize, take',
fr. I.-E. base *pank-, a nasalized form of base
*pdk-, *pdg-, 'to make firm, to fix', whence L.
pdcisci, 'to covenant, make a treaty, agree, stip-
ulate', pax, gen. pacts, 'peace'. See pact and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also vang, in-
fangthief, outfangthief, newfangled.
Derivatives: fang-ed, adj., fang-less, adj.
Fanny, fern. PN. — Dimin. of Frances (q.v.)
fanon, n., a maniple. — ME. fanoun, fr MF. (= F.)
fanon, fr. Frankish *fano, rel. to OS. fano, Goth.
fana, 'piece of cloth', OHG. fano, MHG. van(e),
G. Fahne, 'flag, standard'. See pane and cp.
panel, vane and the second element in gonfalon.
fan-tan, a Chinese gambling game. — Chin,
fantasia, n., an instrumental composition free in
form (mus.) — It., fr. L. phantasia. See fantasy,
fantassin, n., an infantry soldier. — F., fr. It.
fantaccino, fr. fante, 'boy; infantry soldier',
which is aphetic for infante. See infant and cp.
fantoccini.
fantast, n. — ML. phantasta, fr. Gk. qxxvxacrrfy;,
'one who is fond of display, a boaster', fr.
(fxxvraCeiv, 'to make visible'. See phantasm.
fantastic, adj. — OF. ( = F.), fr. ML. fantasticus,
fr. Late L. phantasticus, fr. Gk. (pavTaorixii;,
'able to present to the mind', fr. <pocvra(mr)i;. See
prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: fantastic-al, adj., fantastic-al-ity,
n., fantast ic-al-ly, adv., fantastic-al-ness, n.
fantasy, phantasy, n. — OF. fantasie (F. fan-
taisie), fr. L. phantasia, fr. Gk. ipavxaate, 'look,
appearance, imagination, image', fr. 9avTdt?£tv,
'to make visible'. See phantasm and -y (re-
presenting Gk. -ia) and cp. fancy.
Derivative: fantasy, tr. and intr. v.
fantoccini, n. pi, puppets; a puppet show. —
It., pi., dimin. oifantoccio, 'puppet', dimin. of
fante, 'child'. See infant and cp. fantassin.
far, adv. and adj. — ME. fer, feor, fr. OE. feorr,
adv. and adj., rel. to OS. ferr, fer, ON. fjarre,
OFris. fer, fir, Du. ver, OHG. ferro, MHG.
verre, adv., OHG. ferrana, MHG. verrene,
verne, 'from afar', G. fern, adj. and adv., Goth.
fairra, adv., fr. I.-E. base *per-, 'through,
across, beyond', whence also OI. pdrah, 'farth-
er, remoter, ulterior', pardfi, 'beyond' (adv.),
Toch. A parne, parnamne, 'outer, exterior',
Hitt. para (a postpos.), 'outside of, Arm. heri,
'far, remote', Gk. izipa., 'across, beyond',
7tepaio?, 'being or dwelling beyond', L. per,
'through', Olr. ire, 'farther, that is beyond',
and prob. L. perperam, 'wrongly, falsely' (for
*per-peram, 'beyond'). See fare, 'to prosper',
and cp. fore, adv. Cp. also para-, 'beside', per,
Perean, peri-, pro-.
Derivatives : far, ad)., far, tr. v. (fr. OE. feorran).
farad, n., the unit of electric capacity. — Named
after the English physicist Michael Faraday
(1791-1867).
faradic, adj., pertaining to induced electrical cur-
rents. — Lit. 'pertaining to Faraday'. See prec.
word and -ic.
farandole, n., a dance of Provenc. origin. — F.,
fr. Provenc. farandoulo.
farce, n., a light comedy. — F., 'stuffing, force-
meat; farce; practical joke', fr. OF. farce, 'stuf-
fing', fr. VL. *farsa, fern, of *farsus, pp. of L.
farcire, 'to stuff, cram', which is of uncertain
etymology. It is perh. rel. to L. frequens, gen.
-fir, 'crowded, constant', and cogn. with Toch.
A prakdr, B prdkre, 'firm, solid', Gk. 9pacrcrsiv
(for *ippdbqeiv), 'to press', Mir. bare, gen. bdirce,
'fortress' (but Lith. bruku, 'I press into', is not
cognate). Cp. frequent. Cp. also Phragmites,
cataphract, diaphragm, infarct.
Derivatives: farceur (q.v.), farc-ic-al, adj., farc-
ic-al-ity, n., farc-ic-al-ly, adv., farc-ic-al-ness, n.
farce, tr. v., to stuff, season. — ME. farcen, far-
sen, fr. OF. farsir (F. farcir), fr. L. farcire, 'to
stuff, cram'. See farce, n., and cp. force, 'to stuff'.
Derivative: farc-ing, n.
farceur, n., a joker. — F., fr. farce. See farce, n.
farcy, n., a disease of horses. — F. farcin, fr. L.
farcimen, 'sausage; a disease of horses', fr.
farcire, 'to stuff, cram'. See farce, v. and n.
fard, n., paint for the face (archaic). — F. fard,
'paint', fr. farder, 'to paint', prob. fr. Frankish
*farwidhon, 'to dye' (cp. OHG. farawen, of
s.m., fr. farawa, 'appearance, color', whence
MHG. varwe, of s.m., G. Farbe, 'color'.
Derivative: fard, tr. v.
575
farthingale
fardel, n., a bundle; a burden. — OF. fardel
(F. fardeau), dimin. of farde, fr. Arab. fdrda h ,
in vulgar pronunciation fdrde, 'package'.
fardel, n., the fourth part. — Haplologic con-
traction of OE. feorda dxl, 'fourth part'. See
fourth and deal, 'to distribute', and cp. farl.
Cp. also firkin.
fare, intr. v., to prosper. — ME. faren, 'to go,
travel', fr. OE. faran, rel. to OS., OHG., Goth.
faran, ON., OFris. fara, Du. varen, MHG. varn,
G. fahren, of s.m., fr. Teut. base *far-, which
corresponds to I.-E. *per-, 'to pass over',
whence OI. piparti, 'brings over', pdrdyati, 'car-
ries over', Gk. 7t6po5, 'passage, way', 7topoisiv,
'to bring, carry, convey', rclpav, 'beyond',
nepav, 'to press through', TOipsiv (for *nipiziv),
'to penetrate', TOipa, Lesb. Tteppa (for *7t£pta),
'trial, attempt', fy-ixsipoi, 'experienced, skillful',
L. peritus, 'experienced', experiri, 'to pass
through, experience', periculum, 'danger', portus,
'harbor', portdre, 'to carry', Arm. hordan, 'to
go away', Alb. pruva, prura, 'he brought, led'.
Cp. far, fere, ferry, firk, ford, fUhrer, the first
element in Ferdinand, and the second element
in fieldfare, welfare and in chaffer, gaberdine.
Cp. also apeiron, emporium, experience, expert,
opportune, per, peril, peroneal, porch, pore,
Porpita, port, 'to carry (a rifle)', port, 'harbor',
port, 'gate', porter, portico.
Derivatives: fare, n. (q.v.), far-er, n.
fare, n., passage, transportation. — ME., fr. OE.
faru, 'journey, expedition, baggage', rel. to
OE. faran, 'to go, travel'. See fare, v.
farewell, interj. — Orig. written in two words/are
well. See fare, v., and well, adv., and cp. welfare.
Derivatives: farewell, n. and adj.
farina, n., meal, flour. — L. farina, 'ground meal
or flour', for *farrina, fr. far, gen. farris, 'coarse
grain, corn, meal', which is cogn. with ON.
barr, OE. here, 'barley', Goth, barizeins, 'of
barley', and prob. also with Russ. bor\ 'a kind of
millet', Olr. bairgen, W., Co., Bret, bara, 'bread',
OSlav. braSino, 'food', Russ. bdroSno, 'rye meal'.
Cp. farrage, confarreation. Cp. also barley, barn,
barton.
farinaceous, adj., containing meal; resembling
meal. — Late L. farindceus, fr. L. farina. See
farina and -aceous.
farinose, adj., yielding farina; resembling farina.
— Late L. farindsus, fr. L. farina. See farina and
adj. suff. -ose.
-farious, combining form meaning -'fold'. — L.
-fdrius. See biforious and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
farl, n., a thin cake of oatmeal. — The orig.
meaning was 'the fourth part (of a cake); con-
tracted fr. fardel, 'the fourth part' (q.v.)
farm, n. — ME. ferme, 'rent, lease', fr. MF.
(= F.) ferme, 'lease', fr. ML.firma, 'fixed pay-
ment', fr. L.firmdre, 'to strenghten, fix, establish',
fr. fir mus, 'strong, fixed, firm". See firm, adj.
Derivatives: farmer (q.v.), farm-ing, n.
farmer, n. — ME. fermour, fr. AF. fermer, cor-
responding to F. fermier, fr. ML. firmdrius'
ir.firma. See prec .word and agential suff. -er. In
some meanings, the noun farmer derives directly
from the noun farm.
faro, n., a gambling game at cards. — So called
because the picture of the Egyptian Pharaoh
was formerly represented on one of the cards.
See Pharaoh.
far-off, adj., remote. — Fr. far, adv., and off;
first used by Shakespeare.
farouche, adj., shy, wild. — F., 'wild, fierce, sa-
vage', fr. OF. faroche, fr. forasche, fr. Late L.
forasticus, 'foreign, strange', whence developed
the sense of 'fierce, wild'. Late L. forasticus
derives fr. L. fords, 'out of doors, out', which is
related to L. foris, 'outside'. See door and cp.
foreign, forisfamiliate, dehors.
farraginous, adj., forming a medley. — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. farrago, gen. -ginis. See
next word.
farrago, n., a medley. — L. farrago, 'mixed fodder',
fr. far, gen. farris, 'coarse grain, corn, meal'.
See farina and cp. prec. word.
farrier, n., 1) one who shoes horses; a blacksmith;
2) (archaic) a veterinary surgeon. — ME. fer-
rour, fr. OF. ferrier, fr. L. ferrdnus, 'black-
smith', fr. ferrum, 'iron', fr. *fersom, a word
of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb.-Phoen. barzel, Syr.
parz l ld, Akkad. parzillu, 'iron'. According to
my opinion, the loss of the Sem. ending -el,
resp. -illu is prob. due to its having been mis-
taken for the Latin dimin. suff. -ellus, -illus and
consequently dropped. It is very probable that
the Etruscans who coming from Asia Minor
settled in Etruria, served as mediators, a sup-
position rendered probable by the circumstance
that in Europe, iron appears for the first time
in Etruria. Cp. ferro-. Cp. also brass, brazen.
Derivatives: farrier, intr. v., farrier-y, n.
farrow, n., a litter of pigs. — OE. fearh, 'young
pig', rel. to OHG. farh, farah, 'pig', farhiliQi),
MHG. verhelin, G. Ferkel, 'little pig', and cog-
nate with L. porcus, 'pig'. See pork and cp. the
second element in aardvark.
Derivatives: farrow, adj. and tr. and intr. v.
farther, adj. and adv., compar of far. — A blend
of ME. ferrer, compar. of fer, 'far', and further.
See far and cp. forth and farthest.
Derivative : farther, adv.
farthest, adj. and adv. — A blend of furthest and
farther.
farthing, n., the fourth part of a penny. — ME.
ferthing, fr. OE. feordung, lit., 'a little fourth',
fr. OE. feorda, 'fourth', fr. feower, 'four'. See
four and subst. suff. -ing and cp. fourth.
farthingale, n., a hooped petticoat. — ME. var-
dingale, fr. OF. verdugale (F. vertugade, ver-
tugadin), fr. Sp. verdugado, 'hooped; hoopskirt',
fr. verdugo, 'young shoot of a tree; hoop for
a ring', fr. verde, 'green', fr. L. viridis, 'green'.
See viridity.
fasces
576
fasces, n. pi., a bundle of rods containing an ax,
carried before Roman magistrates, as a symbol
of authority. — L. fasces, 'bundles', pi. of
fascis, prob. cogn. with Mir. base, 'neckband',
W. baich, 'load, burden', OBrit. bascauda, 'rins-
ing bowl of brass', Maced. Gk. paoxtot (pi.),
'bundle of wood', OE. bxst, 'inner bark of the
linden tree'. See bast and cp. basket. Cp. also
fascia, fascicule, Fascism, fess.
fascia, n., band; a horizontal part of the archi-
trave (archit.) — L., 'band, fillet, bundle', fr.
fascis, 'bundle'. See prec. word.
fasciate, fasciated, adj., bound with a band;
grown together. — L. fascidtus, pp. of fascidre,
'to bind with a band, to swathe', fr. fascia. See
prec. word and the adj. suffixes -ate and -ed.
Derivatives: fasciate-ly, adv., fasciate-ly, adv.,
fasciat-ion, n.
fascicle, n., i) a small bunch (bot.)\ 2) an install-
ment of a book published in parts. — ■ L.
fasciculus, 'a small bundle, a bunch', dimin. of
fascis. See fasces and cp. fascicule.
fascicular, adj., pertaining to a fascicle. —
Formed with suff. -ar, fr. L. fasciculus. See
prec. word.
fasciculate, adj., fascicular. — See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fasciculat-ed, adj., fasciculate-ly,
adv., fasciculat-ion, n.
fascicule, n., fascicle. — L. fasciculus. See fascicle.
fascinate, tr. v., to attract, charm. — L. fasci-
ndtus, pp. of fascindre, 'to enchant, bewitch,
charm', fr. fascinum, 'charm, witchcraft', which
was prob. borrowed fr. Gk. prftcrxavo;, 'sorcer-
er', but was later formally associated with L.
fan, 'to speak', or with L. fascis, 'bundle'. Gk.
(Jaoxavoi; (whence Paarxatveiv, 'to bewitch'),
prob. derives from a Northern — possibly
Thracian — equivalent of Gk. 9aaxeiv, 'to say',
fr. I.-E. *bh i -sko-, pres. tense enlargement of
base *bhd-, 'to speak', whence Gk. <pr\\A, 'I say',
<pv)|i7), 'a voice, report', L. fdma, 'report, rumor,
tradition, reputation', fan, 'to speak'. See fame
and verbal suff. -ate. L. fascinum is not related
to L. fascis, 'bundle'. See Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, 459, and Frisk, GEW., I, 223-224. For
the sense development of Gk. pdcoxavo?, 'sor-
cerer', Pairxaiveiv, 'to bewitch', from a base
meaning 'to speak', cp. G. besprechen, 'to speak
of; to charm', fr. sprechen, 'to speak'.
Derivatives: fascinat-ed, adv., fascinat-ed-ly,
adv., fascinat-ed-ness, n., fascinat-ing, adj.,
fascinat-ing-ly, adv., fascination (q.v.), fascinat-
he, adj., fascinat-or, n.
fascination, n. — h.fascindtid, gen. -dnis, iv.fasci-
ndtus, pp. of fascindre. See prec. word and -ion.
fascine, n., a bundle of sticks used to fill ditches,
etc. — F., fr. L. fascina, 'a bundle of sticks,
fagot', fr. fascis, 'a bundle'. See fasces and subst.
suff. -ine.
Fascism, n. — It. fascismo, formed fr. fascio,
'bundle; political group, organization', fr. L.
fasces, 'bundle', with suff. -ismo (= L. -ismus).
See fasces and -ism.
Fascist, n. — It. fascisia, formed fr. fascio with
suff. -ista (representing Gk. -i<rr?)<;). See prec.
word and -ist.
Derivatives: fascist, fascist-ic, ndjs., fascist-ic-al-
ly, adv.
fash, tr. and intr. v., to worry. — OF. fascher
(F. fdcher), fr. VL. *fasticdre (whence also
OProvenc. fastic, 'disgust', fastigos, 'disdain-
ful'), alteration of *fastididre, fr. L.fastidTre, 'to
feel .disgust, to loathe', fr. fastidium, 'distaste,
disgust'. See fastidious.
Derivative : fash, n.
fashion, n. — ME. faciun, fasoun, fassoun, fr. OF.
facon, faceon (= V.facori), fr. L.factidnem, acc.
of factid, 'a making; a faction', fr.factus, pp. of
facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. faction,
which is a doublet of fashion.
Derivatives: fashion, tr. v., fashion-able, adj.,
fashion-able-ness, n., fashion-abil-ity, r\.,fashion-
abl-y, adv., fashion-ed, adj., fashion-er, n., fash-
ion-ist, n., fashion-ize, tr. v.
fast, adj., fixed, established, firm; swift. — ME.
fast, fr. OE. fast, rel. to ON. fastr, OS., ODu.
fast, Dan., Swed., Du. vast, OFris. fest, OS.,
OVLG.festi, MHG. vest, veste, G.fest, fr. I.-E.
base *past-, 'firm', whence also Arm. hast, 'fast,
firm', and OI. pastydm, 'dwelling place', orig.
'a firm, established place'. Cp. fast, 'abstinence
from food'. Cp. also avast.
Derivatives: fast, adj. and adv., fasten (q.v.),
fast-ish, adj., fastness (q.v.)
fast, intr. v., to abstain from food. — ME. fasten,
fr. OE. fxstan, 'to abstain from food', rel. to
ON. fasta, OHG. fasten, MHG. vasten, G. fas-
ten, Goth. {ga)fastan. These verbs orig. meant
'to hold firmly'. They are related to the adjective
fast (q.v.)
Derivatives: fast, n.,fast-er, n., fast-ing, n. and
adj., fast-ing-ly, adv.
fasten, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fastnen, festnen,
fr. OE. fxstnian, 'to fasten, fix; to conclude
(peace); to ratify', fr. fxst, 'fix'. See fast, adj.,
and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: fasten-er, n., fasten-ing, n.
fasti, n. pi., a chronological register of events. —
L. fasti, 'a day on which courts could be held,
a calendar', pi. of fdstus, orig. 'a day on which
it is allowed to speak', rel. to fas, 'divine law'
(lit. 'utterance'),/2n, 'to speak, to utter'. See fame.
fastidious, adj., hard to please. — L. fastididsus,
'full of disgust, disdainful', fr. fastidium, 'dis-
taste, squeamishness, loathing', which is a hap-
lologic contraction of *fasti-tidium, fr. fastus,
gen. -us, 'pride, haughtiness, arrogance', and
taedium, 'weariness, tediousness'. The first ele-
ment of this compound is of uncertain origin. ,
It is perh. rel. to the first element in L. fastigium,
'gable, end' ; see next word and cp. fash. For the
second element see tedium, for the ending see
suff. -ous.
&erivatives:fastidious-ly,adv.,fastidious-ness,ti.
fastigiate, adj., rising toward a point. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. fastigium, 'gable end,
top, summit; highest degree', which prob.
stands for *farstigium, and lit. means 'driving
to the top'. The first element of this compound
is cogn. with OI. bhfsfih, 'point, spike', OE.
byrst, ON., OHG. burst, 'bristle', OE. brord,
'prickle, top, germ', Olr. barr, 'top, summit,
spear, foliage, tuft', W., Co. bar, Bret, barr,
'summit', Mir. brot, 'prick, prickle', OSlav.
bruzda, 'bridle, rein', OE. biers, bears, 'barse'.
See bur and cp. fastuous. Cp. also bar, 'maigre',
barse, bass, 'perch', beard, 'device for cleaning',
bristle. The second element in L. fastigium is rel.
to agere, 'to drive'. See agent and cp. the second
element in castigate and in words there re-
ferred to.
fastness, n. — ME. fastnesse, fr. OE. fxstnes, fr.
fxst, 'fast'. See fast, adj., and -ness.
fastuous, adj., proud, arrogant, ostentatious. — -
F. fastueux (fem. fastueuse), fr. L. fastudsus, a
collateral form of fastdsus, 'proud, haughty,
arrogant', fr. fastus, gen. -us, 'pride, haughti-
ness, arrogance'. See fastigiate and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives : fastuous-ly, adv., fastuous-ness, n.
fat, adj. — ME.fatt,fat, fr. OE. fxtt, contraction
of fxtted, pp. of fxttian, 'to fatten', rel. to ON.
feitr, OFris. fatt, fet, MLG., MDu., Du. vet,
OHG. fei 3 it, MHG. veis{e)t, G. feist, 'faf (G.
fett, 'fat', is a LG. loan word). These adjectives
are prop. pps. of Teut. *faitian, 'to feed, fatten'
(appearing in ON. feita, OHG. fei^eri), fr. I.-E.
base *poid-, *pld-, 'to abound in water, milk,
fat, etc.', whence also Gk. TuSueiv, 'to gush
forth', rciSa!;, 'spring, fountain', 7u87ieis, 'rich
in springs'. Base *poid-, *pld-, is a -rf-enlarge-
ment of base *poi-, *pt-, 'sap, juice; to abound
in sap or juice, etc.', whence OI. pdyate, 'swells,
exuberates', pdyas-, 'water, milk', Lith. pienas,
'milk'. Cp. OI. pituh, 'juice, sap, resin, drink',
pivan, 'fat, fatty', pivah 'fat, grease', Gk. -nivjz,
'the pine tree', Ttf&w, 'fat, wealthy', map, 'fat,
tallow', t:T|xsXy), 'fat', 7itacra (for *7uxiot), 'pitch',
L. pinguis, 'fat', pituita, 'slime, phlegm, viscous
moisture', L. pix, 'pitch', opimus, 'fat, fertile,
rich', which also derive from enlargements of
base *poi-, *pt-. Cp. pay, 'to coat with pitch',
pimelosis, pinguid, pip, pitch, 'a resinous sub-
stance', pituitary and the second element in
propionic Cp. also pine, the tree, and words
there referred to.
Derivatives: fat, n., fat, v. (q.v.), fat-less, adj.,
fat-ling, n., fat-?iess,n.,fatl-en,ti.v.,fatt-ish,adj.,
fatt-ish-ness, n., fatt-y, adj., fatt-i-ly, adv., fatt-
i-ness, n.
fat, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fatten, fr. OE.fxttian,
'to grow fat', it.fStt, 'fat'. See fat, adj.
fat, n., vessel. — ME. fat, fr. OE. fief, a var. of
vat (q.v.) Cp. fettle.
fatal, adj., — OF. (= F.) fatal, fr. h.fatdlis, 'or-
dained by fate', fr. fatum, 'fate'. See fate and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: fatal-ism, n., fatal-ist, n., fatal-ist-
ic, adj., fatal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv., fatality (q.v.)
fatality, n. — F. fatalite, fr. VL. fdtdlitdtem, acc.
of fdtdlitds, 'fatal necessity', fr. L. fdtdlis. See
prec. word and -ity.
fata morgana, mirage. — It. ; a name orig. given
to the mirages that are often to be seen in the
streets of Messina. The name lit. means 'the
fairy Morgana' ; Morgana itself derives fr. Arab.
marjin, 'pearl', used also as a female name, and
is to be explained from the Arabic popular
belief which ascribes mirages to the work of the
sorceress Marjdn. See fairy and margaric,
marguerite.
fate, n. — ME., fr. OF. fate, fr. L. fatum, 'oracle,
fate, destiny', lit. 'that which is spoken', neut.
pp. of for, fdri, 'to speak; to foretell', used as
a noun, rel. to fdma, 'report, rumor, tradition,
reputation'. See fame and cp. words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also fandango and the second ele-
ment in Boniface, mauvais.
Derivative: fat-ed, adj.
fateful, adj. — Coined by the English poet
Alexander Pope (1688-1744) fr. fate and -fid.
Derivatives: fateful-ly, adv ., fateful-ness, n.
father, n. — ME. fader, fr. OE. fxder, rel. to OS.
fadar, ON. fadir, Dan., Swed. fader, OFris.
feder, Du. vader, OHG. fitter, MHG., G. voter,
Goth, fadar (occurring only dnce), and cogn.
with OI. pitdr-, Toch. A pdcar, B pacer, Arm.
hayr, Gk. rca-rrjp, L. pater, Olr. athir, 'father'.
All these words are traceable to pa, a child's
word for 'father'. Cp. pater, 'father'. Cp. also
expatriate, impetrate, Jupiter, padre, parricide,
patriarch, Patrician, patrimony, patron, pattern,
pere, perpetrate, repair, 'to resort', repatriate.
Derivatives: father, tr. v., father-hood, n., father-
land (q.v.), father-less, adj., father-ly, adj.,
father-li-ness,n.
fatherland, n. — Loan translation of G. Vater-
land, which itself is a loan translation of L.
patria (scil. terra), 'native land', lit. 'father's
land'.
fathom, n. — ME. fadme, fathme, 'fathom, the
outstretched arms', fr. OE. fxdm, 'the out-
stretched arms, embrace, bosom, fathom', rel.
to ON.fadmr, 'embrace, bosom', OFris. fethem,
'thread', OS. fathmos (pi.), 'the outstretched
arms, fathom', OHG. fadum, fadam, MHG.
vadem, vaden, G. Faden, 'thread', Dan. favn,
Norw., Swed. famn, 'fathom', fr. Teut. *fap-ma,
'embrace', corresponding to I.-E. *pet-'md,
whence— with the regular loss 01 the initial p —
OW. etem, W. edaf, 'thread'; fr. I.-E. base "pet-,
'to spread', which occurs also in Gk. 7rerawuvai,
'to spread out', T&ttikov, 'leaf, L. patere, 'to
be open', patera, 'a broad flat dish used in
offerings', patulus, 'extended, open', passus (for
*pat-tus), 'step, pace', pandere, 'to spread out',
USh.petys, OPruss.pe/rii, 'shoulder'. Cp. fother,
578
'a weight'. Cp. also expand, expanse, pace,
pan, 'a broad vessel', pandiculation, pandy,
passage, passim, passport, paten, patent, patera,
patibulary, patina, patio, patulous, petal, petalon,
Petasites, petasus, sur- pass, trespass.
Derivatives -.fathom, tr. v. (q.v.), fathom-age, n.,
fathom-er, n., fathom-less, adj., fathom-less-ly,
adv., fathom-less-ness, n.
fathom, tr. v. — ME. fadmen, fathmen, fr. OE.
fxdmian, 'to embrace, surround, envelop', fr.
fsedm. See fathom, n.
fatidic, fatidical, adj., prophetic. — L. fdtidicus,
'predicting future events, prophetic, prophe-
sying', compounded of fdtum, 'prophecy, fate,
destiny', and dicere, 'to say, tell'. See fate and
diction.
fatigue, n. — F., back formation fr. fatiguer, 'to
fatigue', fr. L. fatlgdre, 'to weary, tire, vex,
worry', fr. *fati-agos, *fati-igos, 'driving toward
exhaustion', fr. *fati, 'exhaustion, weariness',
and agere, 'to drive'. *Fa-ti, the first element of
this compound is rel. to af-fatim (whence with
back formation fatim), 'sufficiently' (lit. 'to
weariness'). For the second element see agent,
adj., and cp. the second element in castigate and
in words there referred to. Cp. also indefatigable.
fatigue, tr. v. — F. fatiguer. See fatigue, n.
Derivatives: fatigue-less, adj., fatigu-ing, adj.,
fatigu-ing-ly, adv.
fatuity, n., silliness, foolishness. — F. fatuite, fr.
L. fatuitdtem, acc. of fatuitds, 'foolishness,
folly', fr. fatuus. See next word and -ity.
fatuous, adj., silly, foolish. — L. fatuus, 'foolish,
silly, simple; tasteless'. See fade and cp. in-
fatuate. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
Derivatives: fatuous-Iy, adv., fatuous-ness, n.
faubourg, n., outskirts, suburb. — ME. faubourg,
fabour, fr. MF. faux bourg (F. faubourg), fr.
OF. forsbourc, lit. 'that which is outside of the
town', fr. OF. pref. fors, 'outside' (fr. L. foris)
and bourc, 'town'; see forum and borough. The
change of OF. forsbourc to F. faubourg (MF.
faux bourg), lit. 'a false town', is due to folk
etymology; the suburb was looked upon as a
not genuine town,
faucal, adj., pertaining to the upper part of the
throat. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
fauces, 'the upper part of the throat', which is
of uncertain origin. Cp. suffocate,
fauces, n. pi., the cavity at the back of the mouth,
leading to the pharynx (anat.) — L. See prec.
word.
faucet, n., a tap for drawing liquid. — F. fausset,
'vent plug', fr.fausser, 'to make false, to falsify',
fr. Late L. falsdre, fr. L. falsus. See false and -et.
faucitis, n., inflammation of the fauces (med.) —
A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. fauces and -itis,
a suff. of Greek origin.
faugh, interj.; an cxclanwion of disgust or
abhorrence. — Imitative.
faujasite, n., a nau.dm, calcium and aluminum
silicate (mineral.) — Named after the French
geologist Barthelemy Faujas de Saint-Fond
(1741-1819). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fault, n. — ME. faute, fr. OF. (= F.) faute, fr.
VL. *fallita, fem. pp. of fallere, 'to deceive, dis-
appoint; to fail'; see fail, v., and cp. default.
The / in fault is intrusive and was originally
mute in pronunciation; its insertion into the
word is due to the influence of L. fallere. For
the insertion of the / cp. vault.
Derivatives: fault, intr. v., fault- ful, adj., fault-
ful-ly, adv., fault-ing] n., fault-less, adj., fault-
less-ly, adv., fault-y, adj., faulti-ly, adv., fault-
i-ness, n.
faun, n., one of a class of deities represented with
horns, pointed ears and goat's feet. — L. Fau-
nus. See fauna.
Fauna, n., sister of Faunus (Greek mythol.) —
See next word.
fauna, n., a collective name for the animals of a
certain region or time. — ModL., fr. L. Fauna,
goddess of fruitfulness in Roman mythology,
sister of Faunus. These names are of uncertain
origin. They are perh. cogn. with Gk. ^auvo?
(Hesychius), 'wild beast', Illyr. Aauvo?, Daunus
(name of a fabulous king said to have reigned
in a part of Apulia), fr. I.-E. *dhau-no-, 'wild
beast, strangled, enlargement of base *dhau-, 'to
strangle', whence OSlav. davljp, daviti, 'to
strangle', Goth, af-dau-ips, 'maltreated'. Cp.
faun, Faunus, Fauna. Cp. also avifauna. Cp. also
Thos. The name fauna was introduced into
zoology by the Swedish botanist Carolus Lin-
naeus (Karl von Linne (1707-78); cp. flora.
Derivatives :faun-al, adj., pertaining to the fau-
na; faun-ist, n., a student of fauna, faun-ist-ic-
al-ly, adv.
faunology, n., zoogeography. — A hybrid coined
fr. fauna and Gk. -Xoy[a, fr. -Xoyoc,, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Faunus, n., an Italian deity of agriculture; iden-
tified later with Pan. — L. See Fauna, fauna.
fauteuil, n., an armchair. — F., fr. OF. falde-
stoel, faldestueil, faudeteuil, fr. Frankish *faldi-
stol, which is rel. to OHG. faldstuol. See fald-
stool. It. faldistorio, 'faldstool', OProvenc. falde-
stol, 'armchair, chorister's desk, lectern', and
Sp. facistol, 'chorister's desk, lectern', are also
Teut. loan words.
faux pas, a mistake, blunder. — F., lit. 'false
step'. See false and pace.
favel, adj., fallow (said of a horse). — OF. favel,
fauvel, fr. WTeut. *falwa, whence also OF.
falve (F. fauve), OProvenc. falp, It. falbo, 'fal-
low, tawny'. Cp. OHG. fab, 'fallow, tawny,
pale', and see fallow, adj.
Derivative: favel, n.
favonian, adj., pertaining to the west wind. —
L. Favdnidnus, fr. Favdnius, 'west wind'. See next
word.
Favonius, n., personification of the west wind
579
leac
(Roman mythol.) — L. Favdnius, 'west wind', dis-
similated fr. *fovdnius, lit. 'the warming wind',
(r. favere, 'to warm'. Cp. favilla, 'glowing ashes',
which stands for *fovilla, hence is of the same
base. See foment and cp. Foehn. Favdnius is not
rel. to L. favere, 'to favor'.
favor, favour, n. — ME. favor, favour, fr. OF.
favor, favour (F. faveur), fr. L. favorem, acc. of
favor, 'good will, inclination, favor', coined by
Cicero from the stem of L. favere, 'to be in-
clined toward, be favorable, befriend', which is
prob. cogn. with OSlav. govejo, goveti, Czech.
hoveti, 'to indulge, spare'.
favor, favour, tr. v. — OF. favorer, fr. favor, fa-
vour, 'favor'. See favor, n.
Derivatives: favo(u)r-ed, adj., favo(u)r-ed-ly,
ad\.,favo(u)r-ed-ness, n.,favo(u)r-er, n.,favo(u)r-
ing, adj., favo(u)r-ing-ly, adv.
favorable, favourable, adj. — F. favorable, fr.
L. favdrdbilis, 'favored, in favor', fr. favor. See
favor, n., and -able.
Derivatives : favo(u)rable-ness, n., favo(u)rabl-y,
adv.
favorite, favourite, adj. — F. favori (fem. favo-
rite), fr. It. favorito, pp. of favorire, 'to favor',
fr. favore, fr. L. favorem. See favor, n.
Derivative : favo(u)rit-ism, n.
favose, adj., resembling a honeycomb. — L.
favdsus, fr. favus, 'honeycomb'. See next word
and adj. suff. -ose.
favus, n., a skin disease caused by a parasitic
fungus (med.) — L. favus, 'honeycomb', of
uncertain origin; so called in allusion to the
depressions left on the scalp.
fawn, n., a young deer. — ME. foun, fr. OF.
feon, faon, 'the young of an animal', esp. 'a
young deer' (whence F. faon, 'a young deer'),
fr. VL. *fetdnem, acc. of *fetd, fr. L. fetus, 'an
offspring'. Cp. OProvenc. fedon, 'lamb', and see
fetus.
Derivatives: fawn, adj., fawn-colored; fawn,
intr. and tr. v., to give birth (to a fawn),
fawn, intr. v., to act in a servile manner, cringe.
— ME. faunen, 'to rejoice, flatter', fr. OE.fage-
nian, fagnian, fahnian, collateral forms of OE.
fsegenian, fuegnian, 'to rejoice', fr. fagen, resp.
fxgen, 'glad'. See fain.
Derivatives: fawn-er, n., fawn-ery, n.,fawn-ing-
ly, adv., fawn-ing-ness, n.
fay, tr. and intr. v., to join, to fit. — ME. fegen,
feien, fr. OE. fegan, 'to join', rel. to OS. fdgian,
OFris. fdgia, MDu. voeghen, Du. voegen, OHG.
fuogen, MHG. viiegen, G. fugen, 'to join, fit,
unite', and cognate with OI. pas-, pdsa-, 'cord,
rope', Gk. jrrjYvuvai, 'to fix, make firm", L.
pacisci, 'to covenant, make a treaty, agree, sti-
pulate', pax, gen. pdcis, 'peace'. See pact.
fay, fairy. — OF. fae (F.fee), fr. \L.fdta, 'god-
dess of fate', fr. L. fdtum, 'fate', prop. neut. pp.
of fori, 'to speak'. Cp. It. fata, OProvenc. fada,
Sp. hada, 'fairy', and see fairy. Cp. also fata
morgana.
Fay, fem. PN. — Either fr. ME. fei, fr. OF. fei
(F. foi), 'faith' (see faith and cp. Faith), or iden-
tical with fay, 'fairy'.
feague, tr. v., to whip, beat (obsol.) — Prob. fr.
Du. vegen, or G. fegen, 'to sweep'. See fay, v.,
and cp. fake.
feal, adj., faithful. — OF. feal, a collateral form
of feed, fr. L. fidelis, 'faithful'. See fidelity and
cp. next word.
fealty, n. — OF. fealte, feelte, fr. L. fidelitdtem,
acc. of fidelitds, 'fidelity'. See fidelity, which is
a doublet of fealty.
fear, n. — ME. fere, feer, fr. OE. fir, 'sudden
danger, calamity', rel. to OS. far, 'ambush', ON.
far, 'harm, distress, deception', Du. gevaar,
'danger', OHG. pro, MHG. vdre, 'ambush, evil
intent', MHG. gevdre, 'treachery', G. Gefahr,
'danger', and cogn. with Gk. msipa, 'trial,
attempt, experience', e|z-7rapo<;, 'experienced',
L. periculum, 'trial, experiment, risk, danger'.
See peril and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also afeard.
Derivatives: fear-ful, adj., fear-ful-ly, adv.,fear-
ful-ness, n., fear-less, a.dj.,fear-less-ly, adv. ,fear-
less-ness, n., fear-some, adj., fear-some-ly, adv.,
fear-some-ness, n.
fear, tr. and intr. v. — ME. feren, 'to frighten;
to be afraid', fr. OE. fxren, 'to alarm, terrify',
fr. fxr, 'sudden danger'. See fear, n.
Derivatives: fear-er, n., fear-ing-ly, adv.
feasance, n., the doing of a condition, duty (law).
— AF. fesance, corresponding to OF. (= F.)
faisance, which derives fr. OF., F. faisant, pres.
part, of fade, 'to make, do', fr. L. facere. See
fact and cp. malfeasance, misfeasance, non-
feasance.
feasible, adj., that can be done. — ME. faisible, fr.
OF. faisible, fr. fais-, imperf. stem of fade, 'to
make, do', fr. L. facere. See prec. word and
-ible.
Derivatives: feasibil-ity, n., feasibl-y, adv.
feast, n. — OF. feste (F. fete), 'festival, feast',
fr. \L. festa (scil. dies), 'festival, feast, holiday',
fem. of the Latin adjective festus, 'solemn, fes-
tive, joyous' ; which is rel. to OL. fesiae (whence
L. feriae), 'holidays, festivals', fdnum (for *fas-
nom), 'a consecrated place'. Cp. It. festa, OPro-
venc., Catal., Port, festa, Sp. fiesta, 'feast, holi-
day', and see fane, feria. Cp. also festival, fes-
tive, festoon, Festus, fete. The above Latin
words derive fr. I.-E. base *dhes- (= L. *fes-,
*fas-), 'holy', whence also Gk. Szoq, 'god', OI.
dhisnyah, 'pious, devoted'. See 1st theism and
cp. words there referred to.
feast, intr. and tr. v. — ME.festen, fr. OF. fester
(F. filer), it. feste, 'festival, feast'. See feast, n.
feat, n., a deed. — ME. faitjet, fr. OF. fait, fet
(F. fait), fr. L. factum, 'deed', neut. pp. of
facere, 'to make, do', used as a noun. See fact,
which is a doublet of feat, and cp. feat, adj.,
and feature.
feat, adj., neat, dexterous (archaic). — ME./rte,
feather
580
fr. OF. fait, fet, 'made', fr. L. factus, pp. of
facere. See feat, n.
Derivative: feat-ly, adv.
feather, n. — ME. fether, fr. OE. feder, rel. to
OS. fethara, ON. fjodr, Swed. fjdder, Norw.
fjer, Dan. MLG., MDu. vedere, veder
Du. verfer, veer, OHG. fedara, MHG. verfere,
verfe/-, G. Feder, fr. Teut. *fep(a)rd-, correspond-
ing to I.-E. *petrd-, zero degree *pterd-,
'wing; feather', whence OI. pdtram, 'wing,
feather; leaf, Hitt. pittar, 'wing', Gk. 7txep6v,
'feather; wing', Ttxepui;, 'wing', OSlav. pero (for
*ptero), 'feather', Arm. t'ir (for *pter-), 'flight',
OW. eterin, 'bird', atar, 'birds', and the
second element in L. acci-piter, 'hawk'; fr.
I.-E. base *pet-, 'to fly, fall upon, fall', whence
also OI. pdtati, 'flies, descends', patdyati, 'flies',
Gk. rohreaftsci, 'to fly', jro-n^a, 'flight',
7roTa[x6<;, 'river', lit. 'something flowing, run-
ning', 7tl7tTsiv, 'to fall' (formed fr. orig.
7rTEiv on analogy of pf7rxeiv, 'to throw, cast'),
L. petere, 'to fall upon, rush at, attack, assail ;
to seek, ask, request', penna (OL. pesna; for
pet-s-nd), 'feather', Olr. en, gen. eoin (for *pet-
nos), ModW. edn, OBret. etn, 'bird'. Cp. Acci-
piter, appetence, appetite, aptote, asymptote,
compete, diptote, fern, helicopter, hippopotamus,
impetigo, impetus, malabathrum, Mesopotamia,
pen, 'feather', pennate, pennon, peripeteia, peri-
pteral, perpetual, Petaurista, petition, petulant,
pinion, 'distal segment of a bird's wing', pota-
mo-, propitious, pteno-, pteridium, Pteris, ptero-,
pterygium, ptomaine, ptosis, repeat, repetition,
symptom, talipot, triptote.
feather, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fetheren, fr.
OE. gefiderian, fx. feder, 'feather'. See feather, n.
Derivative: feather-ed, adj., feather-let, n.
feature, n. — ME. feture, 'shape, form, feature',
fr. OF. faiturc, feture, 'fashion, shape, form',
fr. L. factum, 'something made', fr. factus, pp.
of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and -ure.
Derivatives: feature, tr. v., feature-less, adj.
febri-, combining form meaning 'fever'. — L.
febri-, fr. febris, 'fever'. See fever.
febrifugal, adj., dispelling fever. — See next word
and adj. surf. -al.
febrifuge, n„ a remedy for allaying or removing
fever (med.) — F. febrifuge, lit. 'driving fever
away', fr. L. febris, 'fever', and fug-are, 'to put
to flight', fr. fug-ere, 'to flee'. See fever and
fugitive and cp. feverfew.
Derivative: febrifug-al, adj.
febrile, adj., i) pertaining to fever; 2) feverish;
3) caused by fever. — F. febrile, fr. Late L. fe-
brilis, 'pertaining to fever', fr. L. febris, 'fever'.
See fever and -ile.
Derivative: febril-ity, n.
February, n. — L. Februdrius, 'the month of puri-
fication', fr. februdre, 'to purify, expiate', fr. fe-
bruum, 'means of purification', which is of un-
certain origin. For the ending see suff. -ary.
fecal, faecal, adj., pertaining to feces. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. faeces. See feces,
feces, faeces, n. pi, excrement. — L. faeces, pi.
of faex, 'dregs, sediment'; of uncertain origin.
Cp. fecula, feculent, defecate,
fecit, v., he (or she) made (it). — L., 3rd pers.
sing. perf. of facere, 'to make'.. See fact,
feckless, adj., 1) ineffective; 2) thoughtless. —
Scot., short for effectless. See effect and -less.
Derivatives : feckless-ly, adv., feckless-ness, n.
fecula, n., starch. — L. faecula, 'burnt tartar,
salt of tartar', dimin. formed fr. faex, gen. fae-
cis, 'dregs'. See feces. For the ending see suff.
-ule.
feculence, n. — F. feculence, fr. L. faeculentia,
'dregs, lees', fr. faeculentus. See next word and
-ce.
feculent, adj., muddy; foul. — F. feculent, fr.
L. faeculentus, 'abounding in dregs', fr. faeces.
See feces and -ent.
fecund, adj., fruitful. — F. fecond, fr. L. fe-
cundus, 'fruitful, fertile', which is rel. to fe-nus,
'proceeds, increase', lit. 'that which is produced',
fe-ldre, 'to suck', fe-mina, 'a woman', fi-lius,
(for *fe-lios), 'son', fr. Latin base *fe-, cor-
responding to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dh e (i)-,
*dhi-, 'to suck, suckle'. See filial and cp. words
there referred to. For the suff. -cundus in L. fe-
cundus cp. fd-cundus, 'eloquent' (fr. fori, 'to
speak'), ird-cundus, 'irascible' (fr. ira, 'anger'),
ju-cundus, 'pleasant' (fr. juvdre, 'to help, aid,
delight'), rubi-cundus, 'reddish' (fr. rubere, 'to
be red'), vere-cundus, 'shamefaced' (fr. vereri,
'to observe with awe, revere'). Cp. jocund, rubi-
cund, verecund.
fecundate, tr. v., to make fecund; to impregnate.
— L. fecundatus, pp. of fecunddre, 'to make
fruitful, fertilize', fr. fecundus. See prec. word
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fecundat-ion, n., fecundat-ive , adj.,
fecundator (q.v.), fecundat-ory, adj.
fecundity, n., fruitfulness. - L. fecunditds, 'fruit-
fulness, fertility', fr. fecundas. See fecund and
-fry.
federal, adj. — F. federal, from L. foedus, gen.
foederis, 'league, treaty, covenant', which stands
in gradational relationship to fidere, 'to trust',
fidelis, 'true, faithful, sincere'. See fidelity and
cp. federate, confederate. For the ending see
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: federal, n., federalism (q.v.), feder-
alist (q.\.),federat-ize, tr. \.,federal-iz-ation, n.,
feder al-iy, adv., federal-ness, n.
federalism, n., the principle of federal union. —
Coined by the English statesman and author
Edmund Burke (1729-97) fr. federal and suff.
-ism.
federalist, n., an adherent of federalism. —
Coined by Edmund Burke fr. federal and suff/
-ist. See prec. word.
federate, tr. v., to unite into a league or feder-
ation. — L. foederdtus, pp. of foederdre, 'to
establish by treaty*, fr. foedus, gen. foederis,
581
felicitate
'treaty'. See federal and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: federat-ion, n., federation-ist, n.,
federat-ive, adj., federat-ive-ly, adv.
federate, adj., leagued; confederate. — L. foede-
rdtus, 'leagued together, allied', pp. of foederdre.
See federate, v.
Fedora, fem. PN. — F. Fedora, fern, of Russ.
Fedor, fr. Gk. 0e6Siopo<;, lit. 'gift of God', which
is compounded of &s6q, 'god', and Swpov, 'gift'.
See Theodore,
fedora, n., a kind of soft felt hat. — So called
from Fedora, a play written by Victorien Sardou
in 1882. For sense development cp. trilby.
fee, n., cattle; property; money {obsol.) — ME.
feoh, fr. OE. feoh, 'cattle, money, property,
wealth', rel. to OS. fehu, ON. fe, Dan. /*,
Swed. fa, OFris. fid, Du. vee, OHG. feho, fihu,
MHG. vihe, vich, G. Vieh, 'cattle', Goth, faihu,
'money, fortune', and cogn. with OI. pasu,
pasu, pasuh, Avestic pasu-, L. pecu, 'cattle',
pecus, gen. pecoris, 'cattle', pecus, gen. pecudis,
'a single head of cattle', pecunia, 'money, prop-
erty', Umbr. pequo, Lith. pekus, OPruss. pecku,
'cattle', fr. I.-E. base *peku-, 'the woolly ani-
mal', whence 'sheep, cattle, property, money'.
This base is an enlargement of base *pek-, 'to
pluck (wool or hair); hairy, woolly', whence
OI. pdksman, 'eyebrows, hair', Pers. pashm,
'wool', Arm. asr, gen. asu, 'sheep's wool, fleece',
Gk. 7t£xo?, v:6y.o<;, Aeol. nixxos, 'uncombed
wool, fleece', Gk. tt^xsw, Att. raxxetv, 'to
comb, shear', Gk. jtret?, gen. xxev6<; (for
*pkten-), 'comb', L. pexus, 'woolly', pectere,
'to comb, shear', pecten, 'comb', pectus, gen.
pectoris, 'breast', Toch. A pdssdm, B pdscane
(dual.), 'the breasts' (prop, 'the hairy part of
the body'), OE. feax, OS., OHG. fahs, 'hair',
ON. fax, 'mane', OE. feohtan, 'to fight* (orig.
'to pluck, pull, scuffle'). Cp. fee, 'estate', fight,
and the first element in fellow. Cp. also cteno-,
pashm, paxwax, Pecora, pecten, pectinate, pec-
toral, peculate, pecuniary, impecunious, peignoir,
pekin, 'a civilian', petto, poitrel, and the second
element in parapet.
Derivative : fee, tr. v., to pay a fee to.
fee, n., estate. — AF. fee, fie, fr. OF. feu, fieu,
fiu, fr. ML. feum, fevum, a word of Teut. ori-
gin; cp. Goth, faihu, 'property', OHG. fihu,
'cattle'. See fee, 'cattle, money', and cp. feu,
feud, 'estate', fief, feodary, feoffee,
feeble, adj. — ME. feble, fr. OF. feble (F.faible),
formed, with dissimilation, fr. L. flebilis, 'la-
mentable, doleful, mournful', lit. 'to be wept
over', fr. flere, 'to weep', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. It. fievole, OProvenc. feble, 'weak',
which also derive fr. L. flebilis. Cp. also foible.
Derivatives: feeble-ness, n., feebl-ish, adj.,
feebl-y, adv.
feed, tr. and intr. v. — ME. feden, fr. OE.fedan,
rel. to OS. fddjan, ON. fada, OFris. feda,
OHG. fuotan, Goth, fddjan, 'to feed', Goth.
fddeins, OE. fdda, 'food'. See food.
Derivatives: feed, n., feed-er, n., feed-ing, adj.,
feed-y, adj.
feel, tr. and intr. v. — ME. felen, fr. OE. felan,
rel. to OS. gi-fdlian, OFris. fela, MDu., Du.
voelen, OHG. fuolen, MHG. viielen, G. fiihlen,
'to feel', ON. falma, 'to grope', and prob. cogn.
with OI. d-sphdlayati, 'he causes to collide,
strikes', Gk. 4>dtXXeiv, 'to pluck, twitch the harp,
play on a stringed instrument', ty&ky.a., 'tune
played on a musical instrument', iJ;aXu.6<;, 'a
plucking, twitching of the harp', later 'song,
psalm', tytxlTTjp, 'harper', ijjaXx-qpiov, 'stringed
instrument, harp', <JjaXu,6>8wc, 'a singing to the
harp', iJjrjXaipaco, 'I feel or grope about' (com-
pounded of *i];aXa, 'a twitching', and acpaw, 'I
touch'), L. palpdre, 'to touch softly, stroke', pal-
pitdre, 'to move quickly', palpebra, 'eyelid', lit.
'that which moves quickly'. All these words
prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *(s)phil-, *(s)phal-,
'to strike softly'. Cp. palp, palpable, palpebra,
psalm, psalter, psaltery, and the first element in
Pselaphidae.
Derivatives: feel, n.,feel-er, n., feel-ing, n. and
a.d).,feel-ing-ly, adv.
fehmgericht, n. — See vehmgericht.
feign, tr. and intr. v. — ME. feinen, fr. OF.
( = F.) feign-, pres. part, stem of feindre, fr. L.
fingere, 'to form, shape, invent', fr. I.-E. base
*dheigh-, 'to form, shape'. See dough and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: feign-ed, adj., feign-ed-ly, adv.,
feign-ed-ness, n.
feint, n., something feigned; pretence. — F. fein-
te, fem. of feint, 'something feigned', pp. of
feindre. See prec. word.
feint, adj., feigned (obsol.) — F. feint, pp. of
feindre. See feint, n., and cp. faint, which is a
doublet of feint, adj.
feint, intr. v., to make a feint. — F. feint, pp. of
feindre. See feint, n.
feldspar, n., any of a group of crystalline miner-
als. — G. Feldspat, compounded of Feld, 'field',
and Spat, 'spar'. See field and spathic and cp.
next word. The form feldspar is due to the in-
fluence of spar, 'a nonmetallic element',
feldspathic, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
feldspar. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. G. Feld-
spath, now spelled Feldspat. See prec. word.
Felicia, fem. PN. — L„ from felix, gen. felicis,
'happy'. See felicity and cp. Felicity, Felix,
felicide, n., the killing of a cat. — Compounded
of feles, 'cat', and -cidium, 'a killing', fr. caedere,
'to kill*. See felid and -cide, 'killing',
felicific, adj., making happy. — L. felicificus,
'making happy', fr. felix, gen. felicis, 'fruitful;
auspicious, happy', and -ficus, from the stem
of -ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make,
do'. See felicity and -lie and cp. next word,
felicify, tr. v., to make happy (rare). — Formed fr.
L. felix, gen. felicis, 'fruitful; happy', and -ficdre,
fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See prec. word and -fy.
felicitate, tr. v. — VL. felicitdtus, pp. of felicitare,
felicitous
582
'to render happy, felicitate', fr. L. felicitas, gen.
felicitdtis, 'fruitfulness, happiness', fr. felix,
gen. -Ids. See felicity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: felicitat-ion, n., felicitat-or, n.
felicitous, adj., happy (rare). — Formed fr.
felicity with suff. -ous.
Derivative: felicitous-ly, adv.
felicity, n., happiness, blissfulness. — OF. felicite
(F. felicite), fr. L. felicitdtem, acc. of felicitas,
'fruitfulness; happiness, felicity', fr. felix, gen.
felicis, 'fruitful; auspicious, happy', which is
rel. to fe-cundus, 'fruitful, fertile', fi-lius (for
*fe-lios), 'son', fr. L. base */<?-, corresponding
to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *dh>(i)-, *dhf-, 'to suck,
suckle'. See filial and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ity.
Felicity, fem. PN. — Fr. L. felicitas, 'happiness'.
See prec. word.
felid, n., an animal pertaining to the cat family.
— See next word.
Felidae, n. pi., the cat family (zool.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. L. fe/es, 'cat', which
is of uncertain etymology. It is perh. cogn.
with W. bele, 'marten'. Cp. felicide.
feline, adj., pertaining to the cat family {zool.) —-
L.felinus, U.feles, 'cat'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ine.
felinity, n., the quality of being feline. — See
feline and -ity.
Felix, niasc. PN. — L., lit. 'happy'. See felicity
and cp. Felicia, Felicity. For sense development
CD. Asher.
fell, n., hide, skin. — OF.., rel. to ON. f jail, 'skin',
OIIG. fel, MHG. vel, G. Fell, 'hide, skin',
Goth, fill (only in derivatives and compounds,
as e.g. filleins, 'leathern', faura-filli, 'foreskin'),
L. pel/is (for *pel-nis), 'hide, skin, leather', fr.
I.-E. base *pel-, 'skin', whence also Gk. TreXutot,
'sole of foot or shoe", -eXXa (prob. for *ra:X-va),
'wooden bowl, milk pail' (the orig. meaning
prob. was 'a vessel made of skin'), and the
second element in Ep'jot-TreXa;, 'erysipelas', and
Lith. pie \e~, 'a fine, thin layer of skin'. Cp. film
and the first element in veldtshoen. Cp. also
epiploon, erysipelas, paillasse, pall, 'claok', pe-
lisse, pell, pellagra, pellicle, pelta, Peltandra,
peltry, pilch, pillion, plaid, surplice, L'ropeltidae.
fell, n., rocky hill. — ME. fell, fr. ON. fiall,
'mountain,' which is rel. to OHG. felis (masc),
felisa (fem.), MHG. vels, G. Fels, 'stone, rock',
and cogn. with Gk. zeXXa (for *-sXaa), 'stone',
OI. pdsdndlt, 'stone, rock", Olr. all (for "pals-
os), 'stone'. Cp. felstone.
fell, tr. v., to cause to fall. — ME. fellen, fr. OE.
fellan, rel. to OH. fella, Sv.cd.fd/la, Dan./a>We,
OFris. fdlla, MDu., Du. vellen, OHG. fellan,
MHG. vellen, G. fallen; causative of OE. feal-
lan, etc., 'to fall'. See fall, v.
Derivatives: fell-er, n., fell-ing, n.
fell, adj., cruel. — ME. fel, fr. OE. fel, 'fierce,
cruel', fr. OF. fel (nom.), fr. VL. fel/6, 'felon'.
See felon.
fell, past tense of fall. — ME. fell, fr. OE. feoll,
'fell', fr. feallan, 'to fall'. See fall, v.
fellah, n. pi. fellahin, an Egyptian peasant or
laborer. — Arab, falldh, in vulgar pronunciation
fellah, 'plowman', fr. fdlaha, 'he cleft, tilled the
ground' (in this latter sense, borrowed fr. Ara-
maic); rel. to Heb. paldh, 'he cleft', Aram.-Syr.
p e ldh, 'he tilled the ground; he served' (whence
the noun polhdn, 'work, service', esp. 'divine
service'), Heb. pelah, 'cleavage' (whence the
meanings 'millstone, slice of fruit').
felloe,, n. — See felly.
fellow, n. — ME. felaghe, felawe, fr. OE.feolaga,
fr. ON. felagi, 'partner, companion', from
felag, 'companionship', lit. 'laying down of
money', fr. fe, 'cattle, money', and lag, 'a lay-
ing'. See fee, 'money', and lay, 'to place'.
Derivatives : fellow, tr. v., and adj., fellow-ship, n.
felly, felloe, n., the rim of a spoked wheel. —
ME. feli, felwe, felow, fr. OE. felg, felge, rel. to
OS. felga, MLG., MDu. velge, Du. velg, OHG.
felga, felaga, MHG. velge, G. Felge. These
words are -At -enlargements of I.-E. base *q w el-,
'to turn'. See wheel and cp. cycle. Cp. also
fallow, n.
felo-de-se, n., one who commits suicide. —
Anglo-Latin fel(l)6-de se, lit. 'one guilty con-
cerning himself. See next word de- and sui.
felon, adj., cruel, criminal; n., a criminal. —
ME., fr. OF. felon (F. felon), fr. Carolingian L.
felldnem, acc. of fel/d (the pi. fellones occurs in
the Capitularies of Charles the Bald), prob. of
Teut. origin and lit. meaning 'whipper (of
slaves)'; cp. OHG. fillen, 'to whip', Cp. prec.
and next word.
felon, n., a painful swelling of the finger. — The
same word as the preceding.
felonry, n., the class of felons. — Formed fr.
felon, 'criminal', with suff. -ry.
felony, n. (law). — F. felonie, fr. felon. See felon,
'criminal', and suff. -y (representing OF. and
F. -ie).
Derivatives: feloni-ous, adj., felonious-ly, adv.,
felonious-ness, n.
felsite, n. (petrogr.) — A hybrid var. of felstone.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: felsit-ic, adj.
felstone, n., an igneous rock containing quartz
and feldspar (petrogr.) — Altered fr. G. Fels-
stein, lit. 'stone of a rock', fr. Fels, 'rock', and
Stein, 'stone'. See fell, 'rocky hill*, and stone.
felt, n. — OE. rel. to OS. filt, OHG. filz, MHG.
vilz, G. Filz, fr. Teut. *felti-, 'something beaten'.
The same base appears in the second element
of OE. an-filte, OHG. ana-falz; see anvil. The
base is prob. not cognate with L. pellere, 'to
strike' (see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., II, p. 277).
Cp. felter, filter.
Derivatives: felt, tr. and intr. v., felt-ed, adj.,
felt-er, n., felt-ing, n., felt-y, adj.
felter, tr. v. — OF. feltrer (F. feutrer), fr. feltre
(F. feutre), 'felt*, fr. ML. feltrum, filtrum,'fe\t,
583
feoff
strainer of felt', See filter,
felucca, n., a small coasting vessel used in the
Mediterranean. — It. feluca, fr. Arab, fulk,
'ship', rel. to fdlak, 'circle', from the base of
fdlaka, 'was round'; rel. also to Heb. pelekh,
'spindle'. See S.Fraenkel, Die aramaischen
Fremdworter im Arabischen, p. 212.
female, n. and adj. — ME. femele, femelle, as-
similated in ending to male, fr. OF. femelle, fr.
L. femella, dimin. of femina, 'woman; female
animal'. See feminine and cp. flmble.
Derivatives: femal-ity, n., female-ly, adv., fe-
male-ness, n.
feme, n., wife. — ME., fr. OF. feme (F. femme),
fr. L. femina, 'woman'. See feminine,
feme covert, a married woman (law). — OF.
feme coverte. For the first word see prec. word.
OF. coverte (F. couverte) is the feminine of
covert (couvert), 'covered'. See covert,
feme sole, an unmarried woman (law). — For
the first word see feme; the second comes fr.
OF. sole, 'alone', fr. L. sola, fem. of solus,
'alone'. See sole, 'alone',
feminality, n., the quality or state of being fe-
male. _ Formed with suff. -ity fr. the rare ad-
jective feminal, fr. OF. feminal, 'female'. See
feminine and adj. suff. -al.
femineity, n., the quality or state of being femin-
ine; womanliness. — Formed with suff. -ity
fr. L. femineus, 'pertaining to a woman, wo-
manish', fr. femina. See next word,
feminine, adj. — OF. feminin (F. feminin), fr. L.
femininus, 'feminine', fr. femina, 'woman', orig.
a middle pres. part, meaning 'she who suckles',
fr. L. base *fe-, corresponding to I.-E. base
*dhe(i)-, *dh e (i)-, *dh(-, 'to suck, suckle',
whence also L. fe-cundus, 'fruitful', fe-ldre, 'to
suck', fe-lix, 'fruitful; auspicious, happy',
filius (for *fe-lios), 'son'. Sec filial and adj. suff.
-ine and cp. effeminate. For the middle and pas-
sive part. suff. -meno- see alumnus and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: feminine-ly, adv., feminine-ness, n.,
feminin-ism, n., feminin-ity, n., femin-ism,n.,
femin-ist, n., feminity (q.v.)
feminity, n., the quality or state of being femi-
nine. — OF. feminite, fr. L. femina, 'woman'.
See feminine and -ity.
feminize, tr. v., to render feminine; intr. v., to
become feminine. — A hybrid coined fr. L.
femina, 'woman' (see feminine), and -ize, a suff.
of Greek origin.
Derivative: feminizat-ion, n.
femme de chambre, 1) a lady's maid; 2) a cham-
bermaid. — See feme, de- and chamber.
femoral, adj., pertaining to the thigh. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. femur, gen. femoris. See
next word.
femur, n., 1) the thighbone; 2) the thigh (anat.) —
L., 'thigh', of uncertain origin,
fen, n., flat marshy land. — ME. fen, fr. OE.
fenn, rel. to OS. feni, ON. fen, OFris. fenne,fene,
Du. veen, OHG. fenna, G. Fenn, 'marsh', Goth.
font, 'mud', and cogn. with Gaul, anam, Mir.
an, 'water', OI. pdhkah, 'bog, marsh, mud'.
Derivative: fenn-y, adj.
fence, n. — Aphetic for defence.
Derivatives: fence, intr. and tr. v., fence-less,
adj., fenc-er, n., fenc-ing, n.
fencible, n., soldier enlisted for home service
only (hist.) — Aphetic for defencible.
fend, tr. and intr. v. — Aphetic for defend. Cp.
forfend.
Derivatives: fend-er, n., fend-er-less, adj.
fenestella, n., a small window. — L. dimin. of
fenestra, 'window'. See next word and -ella.
fenestra, n., a small opening in a bone (anat.) —
L., 'window', prob. fr. Etruscan *fnes-tra;
-(s)tra is an Etruscan suff. (cp. the L. words
aplustre, 'the carved stern of a ship with its
ornaments', genista, 'the plant broom', and
lanista, 'trainer of gladiators'; see aplustre,
Genista, lanista). L. fenestra is not cogn. with
Gk. 9atveiv, 'to shine' (see phantasm), as sug-
gested by most lexicographers.
Derivatives: fenestr-al, adj., fenestr-ate, adj.,
fenestr-at-ed, adj., fenestration (q.v.), fenestrule
(q.v.)
fenestration, n., 1) arrangement of windows in a
building (archit.); 2) the state of being per-
forated (zool. and bot.) — See fenestra and
-ation and cp. defenestration.
fenestrule, n„ a small opening (zool.) — L.
fenestrula, dimin. of fenestra, 'window'. See
fenestra and -ule.
Fenian, n. and adj. — A blend of Olr. feinne, pi.
of fiann, name of a band of Irish warriors, and
Olr. Fene, name of the ancient inhabitants of
Ireland.
Derivative: Fenian-ism, n.
fenks, n„ refuse of whale's blubber. — Of un-
known origin.
fennec, n., a small African fox. — Arab, fdnak,
in vulgar pronunciation fenek.
fennel, n., a plant of the parsley family (Foeni-
culum vulgare). — OE.fenol,finul, fr. OF. fenoil
(F. fenouil), fr. VL. *fenuc(u)lum, fr. L. feni-
culum, dimin. of fenum, 'hay', which prob.
means lit. 'produce, yield', fr. Latin base *fe-,
'to suck, suckle, produce, yield", whence also
fe-nus, 'proceeds, increase', fe-mina, 'woman';
see feminine. The fennel was so called in allusion
to its smell which reminds that of hay. Cp. next
word.
fenugreek, n., a leguminous plant. — ME. fenu-
grek, fr. MF. (= F.) fenugrec, fr. L. fenu-
graecum, for fenum Graecum, lit. 'Greek hay".
See fennel and Greek and cp. finochio and the
second element in sainfoin.
feoff, tr. v., to invest with a fee. — ME. feoffen,
fr. AF. feoffer, corresponding to OF. feffer,
fieffer (F. fieffer), fr. OF. fieu, fief (F. fief),
'fee'. See fee, 'estate', and cp. fief, enfeoff.
Derivatives: feoff-ment, a., feoffor (q.v.)
feoffee
584
feoffee, n., a person to whom a feoffment is
granted. — ME. feoffe, fr. AF. feoffe, pp. of
feoffer. See prec. word and -ee.
feoffor, feoffer, n. — ME. feoffor, fr. AF. feoffour,
fr. feoffer. See feoff and agential suff. -or, resp.
-er.
-fer, Latin subst. suff. denoting the agent, as in
conifer. — From the stem of L. ferre, 'to bear,
carry', which is cogn. with OE. beran, 'to bear'.
See bear, 'to carry', and cp. -ferous (which is the
adj. suff. corresponding to the subst. suff. -fer).
feral, adj., wild, savage, untamed. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. h.fera (scil. bestia), 'a wild
animal', fem. of ferus, 'wild*. See fierce and cp.
ferocious.
feral, adj., funereal, deadly. — L. ferdlis, 'fun-
ereal, deadly, fatal', prob. meaning lit. 'pertain-
ing to the feast of the souls', fr. *dhwesd, 'soul,
spirit, ghost', and rel. to Lith. dvdse, 'spirit',
dvasid, 'breath, soul'. See deer and adj. suff. -al.
ferash, farash, n., a menial servant. — Hind, far-
rash, fr. Arab, farrdsh, prop, 'one who spreads
carpets', fr. farsh, 'rug, carpet', from the stem
of fdrasha, 'he spread out', which is cogn. with
Heb. paras', Aram.-Syr. p'ras, 'he spread out',
Akkad. pardshu, 'to fly', lit. 'to spread one's
wings'.
ferberite, n., a basic ferrous tungstate {mineral.)
— Named after Rudolph Ferber, of Gera, Ger-
many. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fer de lance, a large poisonous snake of South
America and Mexico (Bothrops atrox). — F.,
'iron of a lance, lance head' fr. fer (fr. L. fer-
ritin), 'iron', de (fr. L. de), 'from', and lancea,
'lance' (see ferro-, de- and lance); so called in
allusion to its shape.
Ferdinand, masc. PN. — F., a compound of Teut.
origin. The first element is prob. a derivative
of Teut. *fardi, an abstract noun formed from
base "far-, 'to fare, travel'; see fare, 'to pros-
per'. The second element is rel. to Goth, -nanp-
jan, in ana-nanpjan, 'to risk, venture', OE. nedan,
OS. nddian, OHG. nendan, 'to risk, venture',
fere, n. (archaic) i) a companion; 2) a husband
or wife. — ME. fere, aphetized fr. OE. gefera,
which is formed fr. ge- (see y-) and -fera, from
the base of faran, 'to go, travel'. Cp. OHG. gi-
ferto (whence MHG. geverte, G. Gefdhrte),
'companion', formed fr. gi- and faran, 'to go,
travel', and see fare, v.
feretory, n., a shrine, reliquary. — ME. fertre,
'shrine, bier', fr. OF. fiertre, fr. L. feretrum, 'a
litter, bier', fr. Gk. <p£perpov, a derivative of
<p£peiv, 'to carry', fr. I.-E. base *bher-, 'to bear,
carry', whence also OE. beran, 'to bear, carry',
bar, 'bier'. See bear, 'to carry', and cp. bier,
ferganite, n., a hydrated uranium vanadate
(mineral.) — Named after Fergana in Turkestan.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Fergus, masc. PN. — Olr. Fer-gus, lit. 'man's abil-
ity', fr. fer, 'man', and gus, 'ability, excellency,
strength, inclination'. The first element is cogn.
with L. vir, 'man' ; see virile. The second element
derives fr. Celtic *gustu-, 'choice', fr. I.-E. base
*geus-, *giis-, 'to taste'; see choose.
fergusonite, n„ a niobate and tantalate of yt-
trium, erbium etc. (mineral.) — Named after
Robert Ferguson (1799-1865), of Raith (Scot-
land). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
feria, n. (pi. feriae), 1) pi., feast days, holidays;
2) (eccles.) a weekday. — Late L. feriae (pi.),
'days of rest, holidays, festivals', fr. OL. fesiae
(see rhotacism), rel. to festus, 'solemn, festive,
festal', fdnum, 'temple'. See fair, n., and cp.
words there referred to.
ferial, adj., 1) pertaining to holidays; 2) (eccles.)
pertaining to weekdays. — OF., fr. ML. feri-
aalis, fr. L. feriae. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -al.
ferine, adj., wild. — L. ferinus, 'pertaining to
wild animals', fr. ferus, 'wild*. See fierce and
adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
Feringhee, n., a name used in India for the Euro-
pean.— Pers. Farangi, fr. Arab. Faranjt, which
was formed with the ethnic suff. -/fr. OF. Franc,
'Frank'. See Frank.
fermata, n., a pause (mus.)— It., 'stop, pause ; halt-
ing place', fr. fermare, 'to fasten; to stop; to
resolve', fr. fermo, 'strong, fastened', fr. L.
firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong'. See
firm, 'solid'.
ferment, n. — F., fr. L. fermentum, 'substance
causing fermentation', fr. I.-E. base *bher-,
'to boil up, seethe'. See barm and cp. fervent.
Cp. also fry, 'to cook in fat'. For the ending
see suff. -ment.
ferment, tr. and intr. v. — F.fermenter, fr. L.fer-
menidre, 'to ferment', fr. fermentum. See fer-
ment, n.
Derivatives: ferment-able, adj., ferment-abil-ity,
n., ferment-arian, n., fermentation (q.v.), fer-
ment-ative, adj., ferment-ative-ly, adv., ferment-
ative-ness, n.,ferment-er, n., ferment-itious, adj.,
ferment-ive, adj., ferment-or, n.
fermentation, n. — L. fermentdtid, gen. -ignis, fr.
fermentdre, 'to ferment'. See ferment, v. and n.,
and -ation.
fermium, n., a radioactive element produced by
nuclear bombardment in a cyclotron (chem.) —
ModL., named after the Italian physicist Enrico
Fermi (1901-54). For the ending of fermium
see chem suff. -ium.
fermorite, n., an arsenate, phosphate and fluoride
of calcium and strontium (mineral.) — Named
after Lewis Leigh Fermor (died in 1954),
director of the Geological Survey of India. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fera, n. — ME. fern, fr. OE. fearn, rel. to OS.
farn, MDu. varn, varen, Du. varen, OHG. farn,
MHG. varn, G. Farn, Farnkraut, and cogn.
with OI. parnd-m, 'feather', Lith. papdrtis, 'fern',
Lett, paparnite, Russ. pdporof, Gaul, ratis (for
*pratis), Olr. raith, of s.m., Gk. irripu;, 'fern',
7rrcp6v, 'feather'. See feather.
585
fervescent
Derivatives: fern-ed, adj., fern-ery, n., fern-
like, adj.
fernandinite, n., a hydrous calcium vanadyl vana-
date (mineral.) — Named after Eulagio E. Fer-
nandini, from whose vanadium deposit it was
first obtained. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ferocious, adj., fierce. — Formed with suff. -ous
fr. L. ferox, gen. ferdcis, 'wild, savage, un-
tameable, bold', prop, 'wild-looking', fr. ferus,
'wild', and -ox, gen. -dcis, 'looking'. For the
etymology of L. ferus see fierce. The second
element in L. fer-dx, 'wild', is cogn. with Gk.
gen. &n6q, 'eye, sight'. See eye and cp. -ops.
Cp. also the second element in atrocious,
velocity.
Derivatives: ferocious-ly, &&v.,ferocious-ness, n.
ferocity, n., fierceness. — F. ferocite, fr. L. ferd-
citdtem, acc. of ferdcitds, 'fierceness', fr. ferox,
gen. ferdcis. See ferocious and -ity.
Feronia, n., an ancient Italian goddess identified
later with Juno. — L. Feronia, of Etruscan
origin.
Feronia, n., a genus of trees of the family Ruta-
ceae (— the rue family). — ModL., from pre-
ceding word.
-ferous, adj. suff. meaning 'bearing, having, con-
taining, producing, yielding', as in coniferous,
ferriferous. — Prop, formed fr. L. -fer, 'bearing,
producing' (see -fer), and suff. -ous.
ferrate, n., a salt of ferric acid (chem.) — See
ferro- and chem. suff. -ate.
ferreous, adj., pertaining to, or containing, iron.
— L. ferreus, 'made of iron, iron', fr. ferrum,
'iron'. See ferro-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see -ous.
ferret, n., a small animal of the weasel family. —
ME. feret, foret, fr. OF. *fuiret, *furet, fr. VL.
*furittus (whence also It. furetto), lit. 'a little
thief, fr. L. fur, 'thief. (Cp. OF. fuiron, furon,
'ferret', fr. VL. *furidnem, acc. of *furid, en-
larged fr. Late L. furd, 'thief, fr. L. fur.) See
furtive.
Derivatives : ferret, tr. and intr. v., to hunt (rab-
bits) with ferrets, ferret-y, adj.
ferret, n., a kind of ribbon. — It. fioretti, 'floss
silk', pi. of fioretto, dimin. of fiore, 'flower', fr.
L. ftorem, acc. of fids, 'flower'. See flora and
cp. floret
ferret, n., the iron used to try the molten glass. —
F., dimin. of fer, 'iron', fr. L. ferrum. See ferro-.
ferri-, combining form meaning 'iron'. — L.
ferri-, fr. ferrum, gen. ferri, 'iron'. See ferro-.
ferric, adj., of iron. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. L. ferrum, 'iron'. See ferro-.
ferriferous, adj., yielding iron. — Compounded
of ferri- and -ferous.
ferro-, combining form meaning 'iron*. — L.
ferro-, fr. ferrum, 'iron'. See farrier and cp.
ferret, 'iron used for trying', ferruginous,
ferrotype, n., a photograph taken on a thin iron
plate. — Compounded of ferro- and type,
ferrous, adj., pertaining to, or containing, iron.
— Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. ferrum, 'iron'.
See ferro-.
ferruginous, adj., 1) containing iron; 2) rust-
colored. — L. ferrugineus, ferruginus, fr. fer-
rugd, gen. -ginis, 'rust; rust color', fr, ferrum
'iron'. See ferro- and -ous.
ferrule, n., a metal ring or cap on the end of
a stick, etc. — A blend of L. ferrum, 'iron' (see
ferro-), and earlier E. verrel, which derives fr.
OF. virelle, virol, fr. L. viriola, 'a little bracelet',
dimin. of viriae, 'bracelet', a word of Celtic
origin. Cp. Olr.fiar, 'bent, crooked', and see wire.
Derivative: ferrul-ed, adj.
ferry, tr. and intr. v. — ME. ferien, 'to carry,
transport', fr. OE. ferian, rel. to ON. ferja, 'to
pass over, to ferry', and to OE. faran, 'to go,
travel'. See fare, 'to prosper', and cp. words
there referred to.
ferry, n. — Fr. ferry, v. Cp. ON. ferja, Swed.
fdrja, Dan. fserge, MDu. vere, Du. veer, MHG.
vere, ver, vere, G. Fdhre, 'a ferry'.
fertile, adj. — OF. fertil, fr. L. fertilis, 'fruitful,
fertile', fr. ferre, 'to bear, carry, produce', which
is cogn. with OE. beran, 'to bear'. See bear, 'to
carry', and -ile.
Derivatives: fertile-ly, adv., fertile-ness, n., fer-
tility (q.v.), fertil-ize, tr. v., fertil-iz-able, adj.,
fertil-iz-ation, n., fertil-iz-er, n.
Fertile Crescent, a semicircle of fertile land ex-
tending from Palestine and Phoenicia around
the Euphrates-Tigris valley to the Persian Gulf
(Ancient hist.) — Coined by the American ar-
chaeologist and historian James H. Breasted
(1865-1935).
fertility, n. — F. fertilite, fr. L. fertilitdtem, acc.
of fertilitds, 'fruitfulness, fertility', fr. fertilis.
See fertile and -ity.
ferula, n., the giant fennel. — L., 'the giant fen-
nel ; branch, staff, rod', which prob. stands for
*fes-old and is rel. to festuca (for fes-tiica)
'stalk, straw, rod'. Cp. ferule, fescue, Festuca;
cp. also furl. The association of L. ferula with
ferire, 'to strike, smite', is folk etymology.
ferule, n., a rod for punishing children. — L.
ferula, 'the giant fennel; branch, staff, rod'. See
prec. word.
Derivative : ferule, tr. v.
fervency, n. — OF. fervence, fr. L. fervere. See
next word and -cy.
fervent, adj., i)hot; 2) deeply earnest; ardent. —
L. fervens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of fervere, 'to
boil, glow, foam', fr. I.-E. base *bheru-, en-
larged form of *bher-, 'to boil, seethe', whence
also L. defrutum, 'must'. See barm and -ent and
cp. ferment
Derivatives: fervent-ly, adv., fervent-ness, n.
fervescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ee.
fervescent, adj., growing hot. — L. fervescSns,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of ferviscere, 'to become
hot', inchoative of fervere. See fervent and
-escent
fervid
586
fervid, adj., i) very hot; 2) vehement. — L. fer-
vidus, 'glowing, burning, fiery, vehement, im-
petuous, violent', fr. fervere. See fervent and
adj. suff. -id. Derivatives: fervid-ity, n., fervid-
ly, adv. , fervid-ness, n.
fervor, fervour, n., 1) intense heat; 2) ardor. —
OF. fervor (F. ferveur), 'fervor', fr. L. fervdrem,
acc. of fervor, 'violent heat', fr. fervere. See fer-
vent and -or.
Fescennine, also fescennine, adj., scurrilous, ob-
scene. — L. Fescenninus, 'of Fescennia', fr.
Fescennia, a city in ancient Etruria.
Derivative: fescennin-ity, n.
fescue, n., 1) teacher's pointer (rare); 2) a kind
of tall meadow grass used as pasture. — ME.
festu, 'bit of straw', fr. OF. festu (F. fetu), fr.
VL. festucum, fr. L. festuca, 'stalk, straw, rod',
which prob. stands for *fes-tuca and is rel. to
ferula, 'the giant fennel ; branch, staff, rod'. See
ferula and cp. Festuca.
fess, fesse, n., a white horizontal band drawn
across the center of an escutcheon (her.) —
ME. fesse, fr. OF. faisce, fesse, fr. L. fascia, 'a
band'. (F. fasce is formed directly from L.
fascia.) See fascia, fasces.
festal, adj., of a feast. — OF., formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. feste (F. fete), 'feast'. See feast.
Derivative : festal-ly, adv.
fester, n., a small sore discharging pus; a pustule.
— ME. festre, fr. OF. festre, fr. L. fistula, 'pipe,
tube; sort of ulcer, fistula'. See fistula.
fester, intr. v., to form pus; to suppurate. —
ME. festren, fr. festre, n. See fester, n.
festival, adj. — ME., fr. OF. festival, fr. ML.
festivdlis, fr. L. festivus. See next word and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: festival, n., festival-ly, adv.
festive, adj. — L. festivus, 'festive, joyous, gay',
fr. festum, 'holiday, festival', h.festum, neut. of
the adj. festus, 'festive'. See feast and -ive.
Derivatives: festive-ly, adv., festive-ness, n.
festivity, n. — OF. festivite, fr. L. festivitdtem,
acc. of feslivitds, 'festivity, joy, merriment', fr.
festivus. See prec. word and -ity.
festoon, n., a garland. — F. feston, fr. It. festone,
lit. 'a festive ornament', fr. festa, 'feast', fr. VL.
festa (scil. dies), 'festival, feast, holiday'. See
feast and -oon. Derivatives: festoon, n.,festoon-
ery, n.,festoon-y, adj.
Festuca, n., a genus of plants, the fescue grass
(bot.) — L. festuca, 'stalk, straw'. See fescue.
Festus, masc. PN. — L., lit. 'solemn, festive, joy-
ous'. See feast and cp. festive,
fetal, foetal, adj., pertaining to a fetus. — See
fetus and adj. suff. -al.
fetation, foetation, n., formation of a fetus. —
Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. fetdtus, pp. of
fetdre, 'to produce offspring', fr. fetus, 'a bring-
ing forth; offspring'. See fetus.
fetch, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fecchen, fr. OE.
feccan, earlier fetian, 'to fetch, bring', rel. to
OE.fatian, of s.m., obsol. E.fet, 'to fetch', ON.
feta, 'to find one's way', OHG. sih fas3dn, 'to
mount, climb', MHG. sih va33en, 'to go, travel',
OE. fot, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fetlock, fetter.
Derivatives: fetch, n.,fetch-er, n.,fetch-ing, adj.,
fetch-ing-ly, adv.
fetch, n., an apparition, specter; a double. —
Of unknown origin.
fete, n., a festival. — F., fr. OF. feste, 'festival,
feast'. See feast and cp. words there referred to.
The word fete was introduced into English by
Horace Walpole (1717-97).
fete, tr. v. — F. feter, 'to celebrate; to entertain,
feast', fr. fete. See f6te, n.
fetial, adj., pertaining to the fetiales; pertaining
to declarations of war or treatises of peace. —
L. fetialis. See next word.
fetial, n., one of a college of twenty priests whose
duty it was to act as heralds and maintain the
laws of war. — L. fetialis, 'pertaining to the
fetiales', fr. *fetis, fr. I.-E. *dhe-ti-s, 'statute,
treaty', fr. base *dhe-, *d¥-, 'to put, place;
to do, make', whence also L. facere, 'to make,
do'. See fact and -ial.
fetialis, n., a fetial. — See prec. word.
feticide, foeticide, n., the act of destroying a fetus.
— Compounded of L. fetus, 'a bringing forth;
offspring', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See fetus and -cide, 'killing'.
fetid, foetid, adj., having a bad smell. — L. feti-
dus, written also foetidus, 'having an ill smell',
fr. fetere, foetere, 'to have an ill smell, to stink',
which is prob. rel. to fi-mus, 'dung', suf-fire, 'to
fumigate', and possibly also to fiimus, 'smoke'.
See fume and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also the second element in asafetida.
Derivatives: fetid-ity, n., fetid-ly, adv., fetid-
ness, n.
fetish, n., an object worshiped. — F. fetiche, fr.
Port, feitico, fr. L. facticius, 'made by art', fr.
facid, facere, 'to make'. See fact and cp. fac-
titious. Derivatives: fetish-ism, n., fetish-ist, n.,
fetish-ist-ic, adj.
fetlock, n., 1) part of a horse's leg where a tuft
of hair grows; 2) the tuft. — ME. fetlak,fytlok,
lit. 'lock of the foot', rel. to MHG. vi^eloch,
G. Fifiloch, and to ON. fit, 'the webbed foot
of a water bird', fet, 'pace, step', ON. fotr, OE.
fot, 'foot'. See foot and lock and cp. fetch, fetter.
Derivative : fetlock-ed, adj.
feto-, foeto-, combining form meaning 'fetus'. —
See fetus.
fetor, foetor, n., an offensive smell. — L. foetor,
fetor, 'offensive smell, stench', fr. foetere, fetere.
See fetid and -or.
fetter, n., a shackle. — ME. feter, fr. OE. fetor,
rel. to OS. feteros (pi.), MDu. veter, OHG. fey
3ara, fessera, MHG. ve^er, Oti.fjoturr, Swed.
flatter, and cogn. with Gk. niSt], 'fetter', 7reS5v,
'to bind with fetters', L. peda, 'footstep', pedica,
'shackle, fetter', impedire, 'to entangle, ensnare,
hinder, detain', expedire.'to extricate, disengage'.
All these words are derivatives of I.-E. base
587
fey
*ped-, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fret, 'ornament'.
Cp. also expedient, impede.
Derivatives: fetter, tr. v., fetter-er, n., fetter-
less, adj.
fettle, tr. v., to put in order, arrange. — ME.
fetlen, 'to gird up', fr. OE. fetel, 'girdle, belt',
rel. to ON. fetill, 'strap, brace', MLG. vetel,
OHG. fe33il, MHG. ve33el, G. Fessel, 'fetter,
chain', to OE. fatian, OHG. /ajjon, 'to seize,
hold', and to E. vat (q.v.); confused with OE.
fetor, OS. feteros, etc. 'fetter' (see prec. word).
Derivatives: fettle, n., fettl-er, n., fettl-ing,
verb. n.
fetus, foetus, n., unborn offspring. — L. fetus,
foetus, 'a bringing forth, offspring', rel. to fe-
mina, 'a woman', lit., 'she who suckles', fe-ldre,
'to suck', fe-cundus, 'fruitful, fertile', fe-nus,
'proceeds, increase', lit. 'that which is pro-
duced', fi-lius (for *fe-lios), 'son', lit. 'a suck-
ling', fr. Latin base *fe-, corresponding to
I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *d¥(i)-, *dht-, 'to suck,
suckle'. See filial and cp. words there referred to.
fetwa, n. — See futwa.
feu, n., a fief. — OF. feu, fieu, fiu, fr. ML. feum,
fevum, a word of Teut. origin. See fee, 'estate',
and cp. feud, 'fief.
Derivatives: feu, tr. v., feuar (q.v.)
feuar, n., a person holding a feu (Scot. law). —
A hybrid coined fr. feu and -ar, a suff. of Latin
origin. Cp. fiar.
feud, n., enmity. — ME. fede, feide, fr. OF. fede,
fr. OHG. fehida (MHG. vede, G. Fehde), 'con-
tention, quarrel, feud', which is rel. to OE.
fShd(o), 'feud, enmity', MDu. vede, vete, (Du.
vete), of s.m., OE. fdh, 'hostile'. See foe.
Derivative: feud-al, adj.
feud, n., a fief. — ML. feudum, fr. feum, a word
of Teut. origin; cp. Goth, faihu, 'property',
OHG. fihu, 'cattle', and see fee (in both senses)
and cp. infeudation. The d in ML. feudum is
prob. due to the influence of the word al-
lodium (q.v.)
Derivatives: feudal (q.v.), feudatory (q.v,)
feudal, adj., i) pertaining to land held in feud;
2) pertaining to feudalism. — OF., fr. ML. feu-
ddlis, fr. feudum. See feud, 'fief, and adj. suff.
-al.
Derivatives: feudal-ism, n.,feudal-ist, n.,feudal-
ist-ic, adj., feudal-ity, n.,feudal-ize, tr. v.,feudal-
iz-ation, n., feudal-ly, adv.
feudatory, adj. and n. — A collateral form of ob-
solete feudatary, fr. ML. feuddtdrius, fr. feudum,
'fief. See feud, 'fief, and adj. suffixes -ate and
-ory. Derivatives: feudatori-al, adj.
feu de joie, public bonfire. — F., lit. 'fire of joy'.
F. feu derives fr. L. focus, de, 'of, from', comes
fr. L. de, 'from, away from', joie derives fr. L.
gaudia, pi. of gaudium, 'joy'. See focus, de-
and joy.
feuille morte, adj. and n., filemot. — F. feuille
morte, 'dead leaf. See filemot.
feuiUeton, n., 1) part of a French newspaper de-
voted to criticism, etc. ; 2) installment of a serial
story printed in a newspaper. — F., orig. a 'leaf-
let added to the newspaper', dimin. of feuille,
'leaf, fr. L. folium, of s.m. See foil, 'leaf of
metal'.
Derivatives: feuilleton-ism, n., feuilleton-ist, n.,
feuilleton-ist-ic, adj.
fever, n. — ME. fevre, fevere, fr. OE. feforjefer,
rel. to MLG. vever (whence Dan. and Swed.
feber), OHG. fiebar (whence MHG., vieber, G.
Fieber), fr. L. febris, 'fever' (whence also It.
febbre, Rum. febra, OProvenc febre, F. fievre,
OSp. hiebre, Sp. fiebre, Port, febre), which is
rel. to L. fovere, 'to warm, keep warm', favilla
(for *fovilla), 'embers', fr. I.-E. base *ddg"'h-,
*deg u 'h-, 'to burn', whence also Goth, dags, OE.
dug, 'day', orig. 'burning heat'. See day and
cp. next word and febrifuge, febrile. Cp. also
foment.
Derivatives: fever, tr. and intr. v., fever- ed, adj.,
fever-ish, adj., fever-ish-ly, adv., fever-ish-ness,
n., fever-ous, adj., fever-ous-ly, adv.
feverfew, n., a plant of the aster family. — OE.
feferfuge, fr. Late L. febrifuga, fr. L. febrifugia,
lit. 'driving fever away', fr. febris, 'fever', and
fug-are, 'to put to flight', fr. fug-ere, 'to flee';
so called for its alleged medicinal properties.
See prec. word and fugitive and cp. febrifuge.
few, adj. — ME. fewe, fr. OE. feawe, pi. of fea,
rel. to OS. fdh, ON. far, Dan. faa. Swed. fa,
'few', OFris. fe, OHG. fao, fd, fdh, 'little',
Goth, fawai (pi.), 'few', and cogn. with L.
paucus, 'few, little' (for *pau-qos), pauilus (later
spelled paulus), 'little' (for *pauc-slo-s), pauper,
'poor' (prob. for *pauc(o)-pars; lit. 'he who
acquires little'), and cogn. with Gk. 7raupo<;,
'few, little', 7ralc, gen. TCaiSoq, 'child', tccjAo;,
'foal', L. puber, pubes, 'grown up, adult', puer,
'child, boy', puel/a, 'girl', putus, 'boy', pullus,
'a young animal', Oscan pu-klu, 'child', OI.
potah, 'a young animal', putrdh, 'son', Avestic
pu&ra-, 'son, child', OSlav. pitta, putica, 'bird',
Lith. putytis, 'young animal, young bird', Lett.
putns, 'bird', Alb. pel's, 'mare', OE. fola, Goth.
fula, 'foal'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*pSu-, *p ( u-, *pu-, 'small, little, few, young'.
Cp. foal. Cp. also catchpole, encyclopedia, or-
thopedic, parvi-, paucity, Paul, paulo-post-
future, pauper, polecat, poltroon, pony, pool (in
gambling), poor, poult, poulter, poultry, poverty,
puberty, pubes, pubescent, pubis, pucelle, puerile,
puerperal, pullet, Punchinello, pupa, pupil,
'scholar', pupil of the eye, puppet, puppy,
pusillanimous, putti and the second element in
Rajput. Cp. also the second element in semper.
Derivatives: few, n., few-ness, adj.
fey, adj., fated; doomed to die. — ME. feie, fr.
OE.fxge, rel. to OS. fegi,feg, ON.feigr, OFris.
fai, OHG. feigi, 'doomed to die', MDu. vege,
Du. veeg, 'about to die', MHG. veige, 'doomed
to die; timid, coward', Dan. feig, Swed. feg,
G. feig, 'cowardly', and to OE. fdh, 'hostile',
fez
588
fr. I.-E. base *peik-, 'evil-minded, treacherous,
hostile'. See foe and cp. feud, 'enmity'.
fez, n., a red felt cap with a long black tassel. —
Fr. Fez, a town in Morocco.
fiacre, n., a French hackney cab. — F., fr. the
H6tel St. Fiacre, rue St. Antoine, Paris, where
carriages were first hired (since 1640). Fiacre is
the French form of the name of the Celtic saint
Fiachra.
fiance, fem. fiancee, n., a betrothed person. —
F., pp. of fiancer, 'to affiance, betroth'. See
affiance.
fiar, n., a person in whom a fee simple is vested
{Scot. law). — See feuar.
Bars, n. pi., prices of grain, fixed every February
for the coming year (Scot.) — OF. fuar, fuer,
'price' (whence F. fur, 'proportion'), fr. Late
L. forum, 'price', fr. L. forum, 'market, public
place'. See forum.
fiasco, n., a complete failure. — It., lit. 'bottle',
in the phrase far fiasco, 'to make a bottle; to
fail'. This sense development is prob. due to
the fact that the Venetian glass-makers used
only perfectly flawless material for the articles
manufactured by them. If in the course of their
work the glass showed any flaw, they set it aside
to make of it a fiasco, a common bottle or
flask. Accordingly far fiasco came to denote
not only 'to make a bottle', but 'to fail in one's
work or plans'. For the etymol. of It. fiasco
see flask.
fiat, n., an authoritative command. — L. fiat,
'let it be done', 3rd person sing. subj. pres. of
fieri, 'to be done, to become', rel. to L. fui,
'I have been'. See be and cp. words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also the second element in ratafia.
fib, n., a mild lie. — Prob. fr. earlier fibble-fable,
antiphonic reduplication of fable.
Derivatives : fib, intr. v., fibb-er, n., fibb-ery, n.
fiber, fibre, n. — F. fibre, fr. L.fibra, 'fiber', which
is of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for I.-E.
*g w his-rd and is rel. to filum, 'thread', which
stands for *g K his-lom. See file, 'a collection
of papers.
Derivatives: fibril (q.v.), fibrilla (q.v.), fibrin
(q.v.),fibro-,comb'mmg(orm,fibroid(q.\.),fibro-
in, n., fibroma (q.v .), fibrosis (q.v.),fibr-ous, adj.,
fibr-ous-ly, adv., fibr-ous-ness, n.
fibriform, adj., fiberlike. — Compounded of L.
fibra, 'fiber', and forma, 'shape, form'. See
fiber and form, n.
fibril, n., a small fiber. — Back formation fr.
ModL. fibrilla. See next word,
fibrilla, n., a fibril. — ModL., 'fibril', dimin. of
L. fibra, 'fiber'. See fiber.
Derivatives: fibrill-ar,fibrill-ary, ad}S.,fibrill-ate,
intr. v ■., fibrill-at-ed, adj., fibrill-ation, a.,fibrill-
ed, fibrill-ose, fibritl-ous, adjs.
fibrin, n., a coagulable fibrous protein found in
blood (biochem) — Coined fr. L. fibra (see
fiber) and chem. suff. -in. The term fibrin was
introduced by the Swiss anatomist and physio-
logist Albrecht von Haller (1708-77) and adopt-
ed by Alexander Schmidt (1831-94) about 1870.
fibrinogen, n., a protein in the blood, which pro-
duces fibrin (biochem.) — A hybrid coined by
Alexander Schmidt (see prec. word) fr. fibrin
and Gk. -yev^s, 'born of, produced by'. See -gen.
Derivatives: fibrinogen-ic, fibrinogen-ous, adjs.
fibroid, adj. and n. — A hybrid coined fr. L. fibra
(see fiber) andGk. -oeiHfc, 'like', fr.sTSo;, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
fibroin, n., an albuminoid, forming the chief con-
stituent in natural silk. — F. fibrofne, formed
fr. L. fibra (see fiber) with suff. -ine (see chem.
suff. -ine, -in).
fibroma, n., a benign fibrous tumor (med.) — A
Medical L. hybrid coined by Verneuil fr. L. fibra
(see fiber) and -oma, a suff. of Greek origin.
fibrosis, n., abnormal formation of fibrous tissue
(med.) — A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L.fibra
(see fiber) and -osis, a suff. of Greek origin.
fibula, n., 1) a clasp; 2) the outer bone of the leg
(anat.) — L. fibula, 'clasp, buckle, brooch',
haplologic contraction of VL. *fivibula, for
*fig<»e-bula, fr. VL. *fivere, a collateral form of
L.figere, 'to stick, fasten, fix'. See ditch and cp.
fix. Cp. also infibulate.
Derivative: fibul-ar, adj.
-fic, adj., suff. meaning 'making, causing'. — L.
-ficus (mostly through the medium of F. -fique),
formed from the stem of -ficere, unstressed form
of facere, 'to make, do'. See fact and cp. -fieate,
-fy. The suff. -fic is connected with the primary
word by the thematic vowel -i- (cp. e.g. aur-i-
fic, color-i-fic).
-fieate, verbal suff. meaning 'to make, cause'. —
L. -fiedtus, pp. suff. of verbs in -ficdre. See -fic
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. -fy.
-fkation, subst. suff. denoting a making or caus-
ing. — F. -fication, fr. L. -fiedtionem, acc. of
-fiedtid, fr. -fiedtus. See -fieate and -ion.
ficelle, adj., string-colored. — F., 'string, thread,
cord', fr. VL. *filicella, a double dimin. derived
fr. L. fllum, 'thread'. See file, 'collection of
papers'.
fichu, n., a kind of small triangular garment
wom by women round the neck. — F., 'necker-
chief, popular pp. of ficher, 'to fix' (influenced
in form by a coarser synonym), fr. VL. *figi-
cdre, a derivative of L.figere, 'to fix'. See fix.
fickle, adj. — ME. fikel, fr. OE.ficol, 'deceitful',
rel. to OE. be-fician, 'to deceive', OE. fdcen, OS.
fekan, OHG. feihhan, 'deceit, fraud, treachery',
OE.fdh, 'hostile', OHG. fehan, 'to hate', fr. I.-E.
base *peig-, 'evil-minded, treacherous, hostile',
whence also L. piget, 'it irks, troubles, dis-
pleases', piger, 'reluctant, averse, lazy'. Cp. the
collateral base *peik-, whose derivatives see
under feud, 'enmity', fey and foe.
Derivatives : fickle-ness, n., fickl-y, adv. (rare).
ficoid, adj., resembling a fig. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. ficus, 'fig', and Gk. -oeiS^s, 'like', fr.
elSo?, 'form, shape'. See Ficus and -oid.
589
fiend
fictile, adj., capable of being molded, plastic. —
L. fictilis, 'made of clay, earthen', fr. fictus, pp.
of fingere, 'to form, shape, invent'. See next
word and -ile.
fiction, n. — F., fr. L. Actionem, acc. of fictid, 'a
forming, shaping', fr. fictus, pp. of fingere, 'to
form, shape'. The original meaning of this verb
was 'to knead'. It derives fr. I.-E. base *dheigh-,
*dhoigh-, "dhigh-, 'to knead, form out of clay,
form, shape', whence also OE. dag, 'dough'; see
dough and -ion. For the change of the concrete
meaning to the abstract cp. L. comprehendere,
'to seize, grasp; to comprehend, understand'
(see comprehend).
Derivatives: fictionist (q.v.), fiction-al, adj.,
fiction-al-ly, adv.
fictionist, n., a writer of fiction. — A hybrid
formed fr. fiction with -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
Derivative: fictionist-ic, adj.
fictitious, adj., 1) imaginary; 2) false. — L.
ficticius, 'counterfeit, feigned, not genuine',
fr. fictus, pp. of fingere. See fiction and -itious.
Derivatives: fictitious-ly, adv. , fictitious-ness, n.
Active, adj., imaginary; feigned. — F. fictif
(fem. fictive), fr. L. fictus, pp. of fingere. See
fiction and -ive.
Derivative: fictive-ly, adv.
Ficus, n., a genus of trees, the fig. — L. ficus,
'fig tree, fig.' See fig.
fid, n., a bar of wood used as support (naut.) —
Of uncertain origin,
fiddle, n. — ME. fithele, fr. OE. fidele, rel. to
ON. fidla, MDu. vedel(e) [Du. ve(d)el], OHG.
fidula (MHG. videle, G. Fiedel). These words
probably derive fr. VL. vitula, name of a
stringed instrument, which is of uncertain
origin. It is possibly a back formation fr. L.
vituldri, 'to exult, be joyful', which prob. stands
for vi-tuldri and orig. meant 'to lift up one's
voice in joy', fr. *vi, exclamation of joy (cp.
Gk. euot, exclamation used in the cult of Dio-
nysus) and tuld, a secondary form of tolld, 'I
raise'. See tolerate and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also viol.
Derivatives: fiddle,\., fiddler (q.v,),fiddl-ing, adj.
fiddle-faddle, intr. v., to trifle. — Antiphonic
reduplication of fiddle.
fiddler, n. — OE.fidelere, fr. fidele. See fiddle and
agential suff. -er.
fiddley, n., the iron framework round the deck
opening that leads to the stokehole of a steam-
ship (naut.) — Of uncertain origin.
fideicommissum, n. (law). — L., lit. '(something)
entrusted to faith', fr. fidei, dat. of fides, 'faith',
and neut. pp. of committere, 'to join together;
to entrust'. See faith and commit.
fidelity, n. — F. fidelite, fr. L. fidelitatem acc. of
fidelitds, 'faithfulness, fidelity', fr. fidelis, 'true,
faithful', fr. fides, 'faith, confidence, belief,
which is rel. to foedus, 'compact, treaty', and
cogn. with OE. biddan, 'to ask'. See bid and
-ity and cp. affidavit, auto-da-K, beadle, bona
fide, confederate, confide, defy, diffident, feal,
fealty, federal, fideicommissum, fiducial, fidu-
ciary, infidelity, mala fide, perfidy,
fidget, intr. v., to move restlessly; tr. v., to cause
to fidget. — Dial. E. fidge, 'to move restlessly',
fr. ME. fiken, 'to fidget, hasten', fr. ON.fikjask
(refi. v.), 'to desire eagerly'.
Derivatives: fidget, n., fidget-er, n., fidget-ing,
adj., fidget-ing-ly, adv., fidget-y, adj., fidget-i-ly,
adv., fidget-i-ness, n.
fidibus, n., a paper spill for lighting pipes. — G.,
prob. from facetious interpretation of the word
fidibus in Horace, Odes I 36: Et ture et fidibus
juvat pldcdre ... deos ('It pleases to appease
the gods with incense and lyre'); ture abl. of
tus, 'smoke', was taken humorously, in the
sense of 'tobacco-smoke', and fidibus was ac-
cordingly explained as 'spill for lighting the
pipe'. Fidibus is the pi. ablative of L. fides, 'gut
string, stringed instrument, lyre', which is cogn.
with Gk. atpi8z<; (Hesychius), 'sausage'. The
word fidibus was introduced into English by
the American poet Henry Wadsworth Long-
fellow (1807-82) in 1829.
fiducial, adj., 1) based on faith; 2) like a trust. —
L. fiducidlis, 'reliable', fr. fiducia, 'trust, faith',
it.fidere, 'to trust'. See fidelity and adj. suff. -al.
fiduciary, adj., 1) of a trustee; 2) held in trust; n.,
a trustee. — L. fiducidrius, 'relating to a thing
held in trust', fr. fiducia. See prec. word and
adj. suff. -ary.
fie, interj. — ME. fi, fr. OF. fi; imitative. Cp.
L.fi.
fief, also feoff, n., land held in fee. — OF. feof,
fief, fr. feudum, 'fief. See feud, 'a fief.
field, n. — ME. feld, fild, fr. OE. feld, rel. to OS.,
OFris., OHG. feld, MHG. vett, G. Feld, Du.
veld, 'field', and to ON. fold, 'earth', OE. folde,
OS. folda, of s.m. Cognates outside Teut. are
Lett, pldtit, 'to flatten', Olr. Idihar, 'distri-
bution', Mir. Idthair, 'surface'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. *peld-to , enlargement of
base *peld-, 'flat, plain', whence L. planus, 'flat,
level', OSlav. polje, 'field'. See plain, adj., and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also veld and
the first element in feldspar. Cp. also Pole.
Derivatives: field, tr. and intr. v., field-er, n.
fieldfare, n., a kind of thrush. — ME. feldefare,
fr. OE. feldefare, lit. 'field goer'. See field and
fare, 'to prosper'.
fiend, n. — ME., fr. OE. feond, 'enemy, foe', lit.
'hater', rel. to ON. fjdndi, OHG. fiant (MHG.
vient, G. Feind), Goth, fijands; prop. pres. par-
ticiples of OE. feon, feogan, resp. ON. fjd,
OHG. fien, Goth, fijan, 'to hate'; fr. I.-E. base
*pei-, *pi-, 'to blame, revile', whence also Goth.
faian, 'to blame', OI. pfjati, 'reviles, scorns'.
For mode of formation cp. friend.
Derivatives: fiend-ful, adj., fiend-ful-ly, adv.,
fiend-ish, adj., fiend-ish-ly, adv., fiend-ish-ness,
n., fiend-like, fiend-ly, adjs., fiend-li-ness, n.
fierce
590
fierce, adj. — ME. fers, fiers, fr. OF. fers, fiers,
nom. of fer, fier, 'wild, ferocious' (whence F.
fier, 'proud'), fr. L. ferns, 'wild', fr. I.-E. base
*g w Sr-, 'wild, wild animal', also Gk. S-rjp, whence
Lesbian <pr)p, Thessal. yelp, 'wild beast', OSlav.
zveri, Lith. zveris, 'wild beast', OPruss. swirins
(acc. pi.), 'wild beasts'. Cp. feral, 'wild', fero-
cious. Cp. also theralite, theriac, therio-, treacle.
Derivatives: fierce-ly, adv., fierce-ness, n.
fieri facias, name of writ issued by a sheriff con-
cerning the sum for which judgment has been
obtained (law). — L., 'cause it to be done'. See
fiat and fact.
fiery, adj. — Formed fr. fire with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives : fieri-ly, adv., fieri-ness, n.
fife, n. — F. fifre, 'fife, fifer', fr. Swiss G. pfifer,
'fifer', fr. MHG. pfife (G. Pfeife), 'fife; pipe',
fr. VL. *pipa, 'tube, pipe', back formation fr.
*pipdre, 'to pi pe' . See pipe and cp. peep, 'to chirp' .
Derivatives: fife, intr. and tr. v.,fif-er, n.
fifteen, adj. and n. — ME. fiftene, fr. OE. fiftyne,
fiftene, which is formed fr. ///, 'five', with suff.
-tyne, -tene, '-teen' (see five and -teen); rel. to
OS. fiftein, ON. fimtdn, Dan., Norw. femten,
Swed. femton, OVrh.fiftine, Du. vijftien, OHG.
finfzehan, MHG. viinfzehen, fiinfzehen, G. fiinf-
zehn, Goth, fimftaihun, 'fifteen'.
fifteenth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. fifteen with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
ME. fiftethe, fr. OE. fiftecda, 'fifteenth', which
was formed fr. fiftyne, 'fifteen', on the analogy
of teoda, 'tenth'; see tithe, n. Cp. also ON.
fimmtdndi, Dan. femtende, Swed. femtonde,
OFris. fiftuda, Du. vijftiende, OHG. finftaze-
hanto, G. fiinfzehnte, Goth, fimftataihunda, 'fif-
teenth'.
fifth, adj. and n. — ME. fifthe, formed on the
analogy of" fourthe, 'fourth' — fr. ME. fifte,
'fifth', fr. OE. fifta, fr. ///, 'five' (see five and
numeral suff. -th); rel. to OS. fifto, ON. fimmti,
Dan., Swed., Norw. femte, Du. vijfde, OHG.
fimfto, funfto, MHG. viinfte, G. fiinfte, Goth.
fimfta.
fiftieth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. fifty with nu-
meral suff. -th on analogy of tenth. Cp. OE. fif-
tigoda, fr. fiftig, 'fifty'. Cp. also ON. fimm-
tugande, Swed. femtionde, 'fiftieth'.
fifty, adj. and n. — ME., fr. OE. fiftig, which is
formed fr. OE.fif 'five', with -tig, 'ten' (see five
and -ty, suff. denoting multiples of ten); rel.
to OS. fiftich, ON. fimm tigir, Swed. femtio,
Norw. femti, OFris. fiftich, fiftech, Du. vijftig,
OHG. fimfzug, MHG. fiimfzee, fiinfzec, G.
fiinfzig, Goth, fimf tigius, 'fifty'.
fig, n., the fruit. — OF. (= F.) figue, fr. OProv-
enc. figa, fr. VL. *fica, fr. L. ficus, 'fig tree,
fig', which prob. derives fr. Phoen.-Heb. pagh,
phagh (pi. paggfm, phaggtm), 'half-ripe fig'. Cp.
Ficus, the first element in ficoid and the second
element in beccatico, caprification, comfrey.
fig, tr. v., to dress. — A var. of feague.
Derivative: fig, n., dress; condition.
fight, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fehten, fr. OE. feoh-
tan, rel. to OFris. fiuhta, OS., OHG. fehtan,
Du. vechten, MHG. vehten, G. fechten, fr. I.-E.
base *pek-, 'to pluck out (wool or hair)', whence
also Gk. tcexeiv, Att. ttexteiv, 'to comb, shear',
jtTEt?, gen. xtevo; (for *pkten-), 'comb', L.
pecten, gen. -mis, of s.m., pectere, 'to comb'.
For sense development cp. Lith. pesti, 'to pluck
out', su-si-pesti, 'to fight, scuffle', which are of
the same base. See fee, 'cattle', and cp. pecten.
Derivatives: fight, n. (q.v.),fight-er, n.,fight-ing,
adj., fight-ing-ly, adv.
fight, n. — ME. fiht, fr. OE. feoht, fr. feohtan,
'to fight'. See fight, v.
figment, n., i) something imaginary. 2) invented
story. — L. figmentum, 'formation; fiction;
figure', rel. to figiira, 'shape, figure', lit. 'some-
thing shaped', fr. fingere, 'to form, shape'. See
fiction and -ment and cp. figure.
Derivative: figment-al, adj.
figurant (masc), figurante (fern.), n., a ballet
dancer. — F., prop, masc, resp. fern., pres. part,
of figurer, 'to figure, shape', fr. L. figurare, fr.
figiira, 'shape, figure'. See figure, n., and -ant.
figurate, adj. — L. figuratus, pp. of figurare. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
figuration, n. — F., fr. L. figurdtidnem, acc. of
figurdtid, 'a forming, shaping', fr. figuratus, pp.
of figurare. See prec. word and -ion.
figurative, adj. — F. figuratif (fern, figurative), fr.
Late L. figurdtivus, 'figurative', fr. L. figuratus,
pp. of figurare. See figurate and -ive.
Derivatives : figurative-ly, ad\.,figurative-ness, n.
figure, n. — F., fr. L. figiira, 'form, shape, figure;
nature, species', rel. to fingere, 'to form, shape'.
Sec fiction and -ure.
figure, tr. and intr. v. — F. figurer, fr. L. figurare,
'to form, shape', fr. figiira. See figure, n., and
cp. configure, disfigure, prefigure, transfigure.
Derivative: figur-ed, adj.
figurine, n., a small figure; a statuette. — F., fr.
It. figurina, dimin. of figura, fr. L. figiira. See
figure, n., and -ine (representing L. -inus).
fig wart, a condyloma. -- Cp. OE.fic, MHG. vie,
veig, 'the piles', fr. L. ficus, 'fig tree, fig; the
piles' (see fig, n.); so called from its shape.
Filago, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. filum, 'thread'. See file,
'collection of papers'. Cp. Gifola.
filament, n., a fine thread, fiber. — F., fr. ModL.
fildmentum, fr. Late L.fildre, 'to spin'. See file,
'collection of papers', and -ment.
Derivatives: filament-ary, filament-ed, filament-
ous, adjs.
Filaria, n., a genus of nematode worms (zool) —
ModL., lit. 'threadlike', fr. filum, 'thread'. See
file, 'collection of papers',
filariasis, n., a disease caused by Filaria (med.) —
A Medical Latin hybrid coined fr. Filaria (fr.
L. filum) and -iasis, a suff. of Greek origin,
filature, n., the reeling of silk from cocoons. —
F., fr. Late L. fildtus, pp. of fildre, 'to spin', fr.
591
Filix
filum, 'thread'. See file, 'collection of papers',
and -ure.
filbert, n., the hazelnut. — Fr. dial. F. noix de
filbert, lit. 'nut of Philibert'; so called because
the day of St. Philibert (Aug. 22) fell in the
nutting season. The name Philibert derives fr.
OHG. Filuberht and lit. means 'very bright'.
See bright and cp. the second element in Albert
and in names there referred to.
filch, tr. v., to steal. — Of unknown origin.
Derivatives: filch-er, n., filch-ery, n., filch-ing,
adj., filch-ing-ly, adv.
file, n., 1) a collection of papers; 2) a line, row.
— In some senses fr. F. file, 'row', fr. filer, 'to
spin', fr. Late L. fildre, 'to spin' (whence also
It. filare, OProvenc. filar, Sp. hilar, 'to spin'), fr.
L. filum, 'thread', in some fr. F.fil, 'thread' (fr.
L. filum). L. filum stands for I.-E. base *g w his-
lom and is cogn. with Arm. jil, 'sinew, string,
line', Lith. gysla, 'vein, sinew', Lett, dzisla,
'vein', OPruss. pette-gislo, 'vein of the back',
OSlav. zila, 'vein'. L. funis, 'rope, line, cord',
is not cognate. Cp. Filago, filament, Filaria,
filigree, ficelle, enfilade, profile, purfle. Cp. also
hilum, nihil.
Derivative: file, tr. v., to arrange in a file,
file, tr. v., to march in file; tr. v., to cause to
march in file. — F. filer, fr. Late L. fildre, 'to
march in file', fr. L. filum, 'thread'. See file, 'a
collection of papers', and cp. defile, 'to march
in file'.
file, n., a tool of steel. — ME. file, fr. OE. feol,
fil, rel. to OS., OHG. fila, OSwed. fSI, MDu.,
MHG. vile, Du. vijl, G. Feile, and prob. cogn.
with OI. pimsdti, 'hews out, carves', L. pingere,
'to paint'. See paint and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: file, tr. v., to rub with a file, fil-er,
n.,fil-ing, n.
file, tr. v., to make foul, to defile (archaic or dial.)
— ME. filen, fulen, fr. OE. -fylan (occurring
only in compounds), U.ful, 'foul'. See foul and
cp. defile, 'to make foul'.
filemot, adj., of the color of a dead leaf. — Cor-
ruption of F. feuille morte, 'dead leaf, fr.
feuille, 'leave' (fr. L. folia), and morte, fern, of
mort, 'dead', pp. of mourir, 'to die'. See folio and
mortal and cp. feuille morte. Cp. also feuilleton.
filial, adj. — VL.filidlis, 'filial', fr. L.filius, 'son',
assimilated fr. *felios, orig. 'a suckling', rel.
to fe-lare, 'to suck', fe-cundus, 'fruitful, fertile',
fe-mina, 'woman', lit., 'she who suckles', fe-lix,
'fruitful; auspicious, happy', fe-tus, n., a bring-
ing forth; offspring', fe-tus, adj., 'pregnant,
breeding, fruitful', fe-nus, 'proceeds, increase',
lit. 'that which is produced', fr. L. base *fe-,
corresponding to I.-E. base *dhe(i)-, *d¥(i)-,
*dht-, 'to suck, suckle, produce, yield', whence
also OI. dhdyati, 'sucks', dh&yah, 'nourishing',
dharuh, 'sucking', Gk. Siq-Xt), 'mother's breast,
teat, nipple', &ij-Xu<;, 'female, fruitful*, Ho-
meric ■Wj-o&oti, 'to suck, milk", Gk. frrj-viov
(Hesychius), 'milk', OSlav. dojg, dojiti, 'to
suckle', dojilica, 'nurse', deti, 'child', deva, ?vir-
gin', Lith. dell, 'leech', Lett, diju, det, 'to suck',
dfls, 'son', dilit, 'to suckle', OPruss., dadan,
'milk', Goth, daddjan, 'to suckle', OSwed.
doeggja, OHG. tden, of s.m., OHG. tila, 'female
breast', Olr. dinu, 'lamb', denaim, 'I suck', Bret.
denaff, of s.m., Mir. del, 'teat, nipple'. Cp.
affiliate, dug, 'teat', effeminate, effete, epithelium,
fecund, felicity, female, feminine, fennel, fenu-
greek, fetus, Fitz-, thely-, the first element in
hidalgo and the second element in sainfoin.
Derivatives: filial-ity, ii., filial-ly, adv.
filiate, tr. v., to adopt as a son or daughter; to
affiliate. — ML. filidtus, pp. of filidre, 'to have
a child', fr. L.filius, 'son',/i7w, 'daughter'. See
filial and verbal suff. -ate and cp. affiliate.
filiation, n., the act of filiating; affiliation. — F.,
fr. ML. filiatidnem, acc. of filidtid, fr. filidre.
See prec. word and -ion.
filibeg, n., a kilt. — Gael, feileadh beag, fr.
feileadh, 'kilt', and beag, 'small'.
Filibranchia, n., an order of bivalve mollusks
(zool.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. filum,
'thread', and Gk. Ppay/iov, 'gill'. See file, 'col-
lection of papers', and branchia.
filibuster, n., 1) freebooter, pirate; 2) one who
obstructs political action by wasting (lit. 'pi-
rating') the time of Congress by talking (U.S.A.)
— Sp. filihustero, 'freebooter', prob.fr, 1 6th cent.
E.fiibutor (whence also F. flibustier), a var. of
freebooter (q.v.)
Derivatives: filibuster, intr. and tr. v., filibuster-
er, n., filibuster-ism, n., filibusler-ous, adj.
filicide, n., one who kills his son or daughter. —
Compounded of L.filius, 'son', or f ilia, 'daugh-
ter', and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See
filial and -cide, 'killer'.
filicide, n., the act of killing one's son or daughter.
— Compounded of L. filius, 'son', or filia,
'daughter', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See filial and -cide, 'killing'.
filigrain, filigrane, n., filigree (archaic). — F., fr.
It. filigrana, fr. L. filum, 'thread', and grdnum,
'grain'. See file, 'collection of papers', and
grain, and cp. next word.
Derivative: filigran-ed, adj.
filigree, n., ornamental work of fine wire. —
Corrupted fr. filigrane.
Derivatives: filigree, tr. v., filigre-ed, adj.
Filipendula, n., a genus of plants of the rose
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of L. filum,
'thread', and pendulus, 'hanging' (see next word) ;
so called in allusion to the roots. Cp. next word.
filipendulous, adj., suspended by a thread. —
Compounded of L. filum, 'thread', and pendulus,
'hanging', fr. pendere, 'to hang'. See file, 'a col-
lection of papers', pendant and -ous, and cp.
prec. word.
Filix, n., a genus of ferns of the family Polypo-
diaceae (bot.) — L. filix, gen. -icis, 'a fern', of
uncertain origin.
3fi
fill, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fillen, fullen, fr. OE.
fyllan, rel. to OS. fulljan, ON., Swed. fylla, Dan.
fyide, OFris. /W/a, Du. vullen, OHG. jfu/fen,
MHG., G. fullen, Goth. /«//;an, 'to fill', and to
E. full, adj. (q.v.)
Derivatives: fill-er, n., filling, n. and adj., fill-
ing-ly, adv., fill-ing-ness, n.
fill, n., a full supply. — ME. fille, fr. OE. /j'/fo,
rel. to OE. fyllan, 'to fill'. Cp. ON.fyllr, OHG.
/b//i, 'abundance', Goth, ufar-fullei, 'super-
abundance', and see fill, v.
fille de chambre, chambermaid. — F., fr. L.filia,
'daughter', de, 'from, away from', and camera,
'vault, arched roof. See filial, de-, and chamber,
fillet, n. — F. filet, dimin. of fil, 'thread, fr. L.
filum. See file, 'collection of papers', and -et.
Derivatives: fillet, tr. \.,fillet-er, n., fillet-ing, n.
fillip, tr. and intr. v. and n. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. flap, flip, flippant, flop,
fillister, n., a plane for grooving. — Of unknown
origin.
fillowite, n., a hydrous phosphate of manganese.
iron, sodium, etc. {mineral.) — Named after
A.N. Fillow of Branchville, Connecticut. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
filly, n., a female foal. — ME. fillie, fr. ON.fylja,
fern, of foli, 'foal'. See foal and cp. words there
referred to.
film, n. — ME. filme, fr. OE. filmen, 'membrane',
rel. to OFris. filmene, 'skin', OE. fell, 'hide,
skin'. See fell, 'hide', and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives : film, intr. and tr. v., film-ie, adj.,
film-y, adj., film-i-ly, adv., film-i-ness, n.
filoselle, n., floss silk. — F., fr. dial. It. filosello,
'cocoon of the silkworm; floss silk', a blend of
*folisello, 'a little bag', and filo, 'thread'. It.
*folisello derives fr. VL. *follicellus, fr. L. folli-
culus, 'a little bag', dimin. of follis, 'a pair of
bellows; a bag'; see follicle. It. filo comes fr.
L. filum, 'thread'; see file, 'a collection of
papers'.
filter, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) filtre, fr. ML.
filtrum, 'a strainer of felt', fr. Teut. *felti-, 'felt'.
See felt and cp. felter.
filter, tr. and intr. v. — ML. filtrdre, fr. filtrum.
See filter, n., and cp. filtrate.
Derivatives: filter-able, adj., filter-abil-ity, n.,
filter-able-ness, n., filter-er, n., filter-ing, n.
filth, n. — ME. filthe, fulthe, fr. OE.fyld, rel. to
OHG. fulida. 'filth'. See foul and subst. suff. -th.
Derivatives: filth-y, adj., filth-i-ly, adv., filth-i-
ness, n.
filtrable, adj. — See filtrate and -able and cp.
filterable.
filtrate, tr. and intr. v., to filter. — ML. filtrdtus,
pp. of filtrdre. See filter, v., and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: filtrate, n., filtrat-ion, n.
fimble, n., the male hemp plant; its fiber. —
MDu. fimele (cp. the variants femele, femeel,
fumeel), fr. F. (chanvre) femelle, lit. 'female
hemp'; now used to denote the male hemp. See
female.
fimbria, n., fringe, border. — L., 'fiber, fringe'.
See fringe.
fimbriate, adj., fringed. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ate fr. L. fimbria. See prec. word.
Derivative: fimbriat-ed, adj.
Fimbristylis, n., a genus of plants of the sedge
family (bot.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L.
fimbria, 'thread, fringe' (see fimbria), and stylus,
fr. Gk. <jtGX£<;, 'pillar', which is rel. to axuXo?,
'pillar' (see style, 'gnomon'). The correct form
would be Lomatostylis, in which both elements
are of Greek origin (see loma).
fin, n. — ME. finne, fr. OE. finn, rel. to MLG.,
MDu. vinne, Du. vin (G. Finne is a LG. loan
word), and possibly cogn. with L. spina, 'thorn,
spine'. See spine.
Derivatives: fin, tr. and intr. v., finn-ed, adj.
finable, adj. — Formed with suff. -able fr. fine,
'to punish by a fine'.
final, adj. — ME., fr. MF. ( = F.) final, fr. Late
L.findlis, 'pertaining to boundaries, concluding,
final', fr. L. finis, 'limit, boundary, extremity,
end'. See finis and adj. suff. -al and cp. next
word. Cp. also finial.
Derivatives: final, n., finalism, finalist (qq.v),
finality (q.v.), final-ly, adv.
finale, n., close, conclusion. — It., fr. Late L.
finalis, 'concluding', fr. L. finis. See final,
finalism, n., teleology. — Formed with suff.
-ism fr. L. finalis. See final,
finalist, n., an adherent of finalism. — Formed
with suff. -ist fr. Late L. finalis. See final,
finality, n. — F. finalite, fr. Late L. findlitdtem,
acc. of findlitds, 'the state of being final', fr.
finalis. See final and -ity.
finance, n. — ME. finaunce, fr. OF. (= F.) finance,
fr. finer, 'to pay, settle a debt', orig. 'to settle
any dispute', fr. ML. findre, a collateral form
of L. finire, 'to put an end to, finish', fr. finis,
'end'; see finis and cp. fine, 'end'. For sense
development cp. Gk. tiXoe., 'end', pi. t£Xt),
'services due ; dues exacted by the state ; financial
means'. For the ending see suff. -ance.
Derivatives: finance, tr. and intr. v., financial
(q.v.), financier (q.v.), financ-ist, n.
financial, adj. — Coined by the British statesman
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) fr. finance and
suff. -ial.
Derivatives : financial-ist, financial-ly, adv.
financier, n. — F., fr. finance. See finance and
-ier.
Derivatives: financier, v., financier-y, n.
finch, n. — ME. finch, fr. OE. fine, rel. to Du.
vink, OHG. finco, fincho, MHG. vinke, G. Fink;
of imitative origin; cp. Gk. <ndyyot;, 'chaffinch',
<T7tl£a (for *<j7TtY-ja), of s.m., air££eiv (for
'a-rdf-ifiin), 'to chirp, pipe', which are also
imitative. Cp. also spink.
Derivatives: finch-ed, adj., finch-ery, n.
find, tr. and intr. v. — ME. finden, fr. OE. findan.
593
rel. to OS. findan, fithan, ON., Swed./fowa, Dan.
finde, MDu., Du. vinden, OHG. findan, fintan,
MHG. vinden, G. finden, Goth, finpan. The orig.
meaning of these words was 'to come upon', fr.
I.-E. base *pent-, 'to go, pass; path, bridge',
whence also OHG. fendeo, 'pedestrian', OI.
pdnthdh, 'path, way', Avestic./wwi/d.'way', Arm.
hun, gen. hni (for *ponti), 'way, ford', Gk.
7TOVTOS, 'open sea', toxto? (for *pntos), 'trodden
way, path', toxtscd, 'I step', h.pdns, gen. pontis,
'bridge', OSlav.pptf, 'path', peta, 'heel', OPruss.
pintis, 'way, road'. For sense development cp.
Hitt. wemiya, 'to find', lit. 'to come upon',
OSlav. na-iti, 'to find', fr. iti, 'to go', and L. in-
venire, 'to find', lit. 'to come upon', fr. in, 'in,
on', and venire, 'to come'. Cp. pad, 'road',
paddle, path. Cp. also peripatetic, pons, ponceau,
'culvert', pontifex, pontiff, pontoon, punt, 'river
boat'. Cp. also sputnik.
Derivatives: find, n„ find-able, adj., find-er, n.,
find-ing, n.
fine, n., end, conclusion. — ME. fine, fin, fr. OF.
(= F.) fin, 'end, settlement', fr. h. finis. See finis.
fine, n., a sum paid as penalty. — Lit., 'a sum
paid as final settlement', fr. fine, 'end, con-
clusion'.
Derivative: fine, tr. and intr. v., to punish by
a fine.
fine, adj., delicate. — OF. fin, fr. VL. *finus, fr.
L. finis, 'limit, boundary, end', also used in the
sense of 'the highest'. See finis and cp. fine,
'end', finite.
Derivatives: fine, intr. v., adv., and n., fine-ly,
adv., fine-ness, n., finery (see next word), fin-
ish, adj.
finery, n., an elaborate adornment. — Lit. 'some-
thing that is fine'; see fine, adj., and -ery.
finery, n., hearth for making cast iron, malle-
able. — F. finerie, fr. fin, 'fine, delicate'. See
fine, adj., and -ery and cp. refinery.
finesse, n., 1) delicacy; 2) artfulness. — F., ft. fin,
'fine'. See fine, adj., and 2nd -ess.
Derivative : finesse, intr. and tr. v.
finger, n. — OE., rel. to OS., OHG. fingar, ON.
fingr, Du., MHG. vinger, G. Finger, Goth.
figgrs; prob. rel. to five and cogn. with Arm.
hinger-ord, 'the fifth'. See A. Meillet in Bulletin
de la societe de linguistique, 1928, 29, 36.
Derivatives: finger, tr. and intr. v., finger-ed,
adj., -finger-ed, combining form, fingering (q.v.),
finger-less, adj., fingerling (q.v.), finger-y, adj.
fingering, n., the act of using the fingers (esp.
mus.) — Formed fr. finger, v. (see prec. word)
with -fag, suff. forming verbal nouns.
fingering, n., a fine woolen yarn. — Earlier fin-
gram, corrupted fr. F.fin grain, lit. 'fine grain'.
See fine, adj., and grain. For a similar cor-
ruption cp. grogram.
fingerling, n., a small object. — Formed fr.
finger with dimin. suff. -ling,
finial, n., an ornament at the apex of a spire,
gable, etc. (archil.) — A var. of final.
finical, finicking, finicky, adj., over-fastidious. —
Related to fine, adj.
Derivatives: finical-ity, n., finical-ly, adv., fini-
cal-ness, n.
finis, n., end, close, conclusion. — L. finis, 'limit,
boundary, extremity, end', of uncertain origin;
possibly standing for *fig-snis, 'something
fixed, firmly set', fr. figere, 'to fix, fasten'. See
ditch and cp. fix. Cp. also final, fine, 'end', fine,
'delicate', finance, finial, finical, finish, finite,
affine, affinity, confine, define, definition, in-
finite, refined, superfine, trephine.
finish, tr. and intr. v. — OF. feniss- (F. finiss-),
pres. part, stem of OF. fenir (F. finir), fr. L.
finire, 'to set limits to, bound, enclose, deter-
mine, fix, end, finish', fr. finis. See prec. word
and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: finish, n.,finish-er, n., finish-ing, n.
finite, adj. — h.finitus, pp. of finire, 'to set limits
to, bound, end, finish'. See finish and adj. suff.
-ite.
Derivatives: finite-ly, adv., finite-ness, n.
Finn, n., a native of Finland. — OE. Finnas, 'the
Finns'.
Derivatives : Finn-ic, Finn-ish, adjs.
finnan haddock, also finnan, n., smoked haddock.
— So called from Findon, a fishing village in
Scotland.
finny, adj., 1) having fins; 2) abounding in fish
(poet.) — Formed fr. fin with adj. suff. -y.
finochio, n., the sweet fennel. — It. finocchio, fr.
VL. fenuc(u)lum, fr. L. feniculum, dimin. of
fenum, 'hay'. See fennel and cp. fenugreek.
fiord, fjord, n., a narrow arm of the sea. — Norw.
fiord, fr. ON. fjordr (whence also E. firth,
frith); rel. to ford (q.v.)
florin, n., a sort of meadow grass. — \x.fiorthann,
'a sort of grass'.
fiorite, n., a kind of opal (mineral.) — Named
after Santa Fiora, Italy. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
fir, n. — ME. fine, fr. Dan. fyr, which is rel. to
ON., Swed. fura, Norw. furu, OS. furie, OHG.
foraha, forha, MHG. vorhe, G. Fohre, 'fir',
OHG. fereheih, 'mountain oak', fr. I.-E. base
*perq w (o)-, whence also OI. parakafdh, 'the holy
fig tree', Hind, pargdi, 'the evergreen oak', L.
quercus, 'oak'. Cp. alcomoque, cork, Quercus.
I.-E. *perq w (o)-, 'oak', developed over 'oak
forest' into 'wooded mountain', in Goth, fair-
guni, 'mountain', OE. fiergen-, 'wooded moun-
tain', OCelt. "Perkunid, whence Gk. 'Apxuvia
SpV Opxuvio? Sputii?, L. Hercynia silva, Her-
cynius saltus, 'Hercynian forest'. See Hercynia.
Derivative: firr-y, adj.
fire, n. — ME. fire, fir, fur, fyr, fr. OE. fyr, rel. to
OS., OFris. fiur, ON. fun, fyrr, MDu., Du.
vuur, OHG. fiur, MHG. viur, viuwer, G. Feuer,
'fire', and cogn. with Toch. A por, B pwdr,
fire', Arm. hur, 'fire, torch', Gk. Ttup, Umbr.
pir, 'fire*, Czech pyf, 'hot ashes'; fr. I.-E. base
*pewdr-, , puwer-, 'fire'. Compare, with -n for
594
595
-r, Goth./o«, gen.funins, ON./uni, and OPruss.
panno, 'fire'. Cp. also, with -r in the nom. and
-n in the gen., Hitt. pahhur, gen. pahhuenash,
'fire'. Cp. also pyre.
Derivatives:^, tr. and intr. v., fire-less, adj.,
fir-ing, n.
firkin, n., a small cask. — Fr. earlier ferdekyn,
fr. Du. vierdekijn, dimin. of vierde, 'fourth',
which is rel. to E. fourth (q.v.) For the ending
see suff. -kin. Cp. fardel, 'fourth part*. The firkin
was so called because it orig. contained a
quarter of a barrel.
firm, adj. — ME.ferme, fr. OF. (= F.)ferme, fr.
L. firmus, 'firm, steadfast, stable, strong', rel.
to fere, ferme, 'nearly', prob. also to fretus,
'relying on', fr. I.-E. base *dher{e)-, 'to hold,
support', whence also OI. dhdrdyati, 'he holds,
supports', dhdranah, 'holding', dhdrmah, 'cus-
tom, law', Avestic ddrayeiti, 'he holds, sup-
ports', OPers. darayamiy, T hold', Gk. &pavo?,
'bench', &p?jvui;, 'footstool', #povo<;, 'seat', Ion.
■frprjaaadai (aor.), 'to sit down', possibly also
and •9-epaTrov, 'servant, attendant'. Cp.
firm, n., firmament, affirm, confirm, infirm, farm,
frenum, refrain, v. Cp. also therapeutic, throne,
thorax, dharma, dharna, the first element in
Darius and the second element in aumildar and
in words there referred to.
Derivatives: firm, adv. and tr. and intr. v.,
firm-ly, adv., firm-ness, n.
firm, n., partnership. — It. firma, 'confirmation,
signature', fr. firmare, fr. L. firmare, 'to make
firm or steady, to strengthen, confirm', fr.
firmus. See firm, adj.
firmament, n. — L. firmdmentum, 'strengthening,
support; the sky fixed above the earth, the fir-
mament', fr. firmare. See firm, v., and -ment.
Derivative: firmament-al, adj.
firman, also firmaun, n., a decree issued by an
Oriental sovereign. — Turk, fermdn, fr. Pers.
farmdn, 'order, decree, passport' (rel. to far-
mudan, 'to order'), fr. OPers. framdnd, which
is rel. to OI. pramdnah, 'measure, scale, stand-
ard, rule'; fr. I.-E. *prS-, 'before, forward, for',
and *me-, 'to measure'. See pro- and meditate
and cp. matra and the second element in vimana.
firn, n., last year's snow, neve (phys. geogr.) —
G. Firn, lit. 'last year's (snow)', fr. Swiss G. firn,
'of last year', fr. MHG. virne, 'old', fr. OHG.
firm, of s.m., which is rel. to OE. fyrn, 'old',
Goth, /aims, 'of last year, old', and cogn. with
Lith. pernai, 'last year', Lett, pern-s, 'old', Gk.
7i£pu<n, 'a year ago, last year', OI. paritt, 'of
last year', purd, 'before, formerly', purdndh,
'former'. See fore, adv., and per and cp. next
word.
first, adj. — ME. first, firste, fr. OE. fyrst, rel. to
OS., OHG. furist, ON. fyrstr, Dan ferste,
OFris. ferest, 'first', OFris. fersta, MDu. vorste,
Du. vorst, OS., OHG. furisto, MHG. fiirste,
G. Fiirst, 'prince'. These words are prop, super-
latives formed fr. I.-E. *prd-, 'before', whence
OI. purd, 'before, formerly'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: first, n. and adv., firstling (q.v.),
first-ly, adv., first-ness, n.
firstling, n. — Formed fr. first with suff. -ling,
prob. on analogy of G. Erstling or Du. eerste-
Ung.
firth, n., a narrow inlet of the sea; estuary. —
ME., fr. ON. fjdrdr. See fiord and cp. frith.
fisc, n., state treasury. — F„ fr. L. fiscus, 'woven
basket, purse; treasury', which stands for *bhid-
s-ko-s, fr. I.-E. base *bheidh-, 'to bind, twist',
whence also L.fidelia (for *bhideslid), 'clay ves-
sel* (orig. 'anything tied up together'), Gk.
■ki&oc, (dissimilated fr. *<p& «)> 'winejar', ON.
bida, 'milk pail'. Cp. confiscate. Cp. also pithos.
Cp. also besom.
fiscal, adj., financial. — F., fr. Late L. fiscdlis,
'relating to the treasury, fiscal', fr. L. fiscus. See
prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: fiscal, n., fiscal-ly, adv.
fischerite, n., a basic aluminum phosphate (min-
eral.) — Named after the German naturalist
Gotthelf Fischer von Waldheim (1771-1853).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fish, n., an aquatic animal. — ME. fisch, fr. OE.
fisc, rel. to OS., OFris., OHG. fisc, ON. fiskr,
Dan., Swed. fisk, MDu. vise, Du. vis, MHG.
vise, visch, G. Fisch, Goth, fisks, 'fish', and
cogn. with L. piscis, Olr. iasc, gen. eisc (for
*piska), 'fish', Russ. piskar', 'groundling'. Cp.
Pisces, piscatory, piscina, and the second ele-
ment in grampus and in porpoise.
Derivatives: fish, v. (q.v.), fish-ery, n., fish-y,
adj., fish-i-ly, adv., fish-i-ness, n.
fish, intr. and tr. v., to catch fish. — ME. fisken,
fischen, fr. OE. fiscian, fr. fisc, 'fish'; rel. to
ON.fiska, OHG. fiscdn, G. fischen, Goth, fiskdn,
'to fish'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: fisher (q.v.), fish-ing, n.
fish, n., a counter used in games. — F. fiche, 'peg,
mark, counter', back formation fr. ficher, 'to
thrust in, drive in', fr. VL. *figicdre (whence also
It. ficcare, OProvenc. ficar, Sp. hincar, 'to
thrust in, drive in', fr. L. figere, 'to fix, fasten,
attach, affix'. See fix and cp. fitche.
fisher, n. — ME. fischere, fr. OE. fiscere, fr. fisc,
'fish'. See fish, 'an aquatic animal', and agential
suff. -er.
fissi-, combining form meaning 'divided'. — Fr.
L. fissus, pp. of findere, 'to cleave'. See next
word.
fissile, adj., capable of being cleft. — L. fissilis,
'that which may be cleft or split', fr. fissus, pp.
of findere, 'to cleave, split*, which is cogn. with
Ol.bhindtti, 'splits, cleaves', OE. bitan, 'to bite'.
See bite and cp. fistula. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in bifid, trifid, quadrifid, multifid, palmatifid.
Derivative: fissil-ity, n.
fission, n. — L. fissid, gen. -dnis, 'a cleaving', fr.
fissus, pp. of findere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: fission, tr. and intr. v.
fissiparous, adj., reproducing by fission. — Com-
pounded of fissi- and L. -parus (in viviparus,
'bringing forth its young alive'). See -parous,
fissure, n. — F., fr. L. fissura, 'a cleft', fr. fissus,
pp. of findere. See fissile and -lire.
Derivatives: fissure, tr. and intr. v., fissur-ed,
fissur-y, adjs.
fist, n. — ME. fust, fist, fr. OE.fyst, rel. to OS.,
OHG., MHG. fust, OFris. fest, MDu. vuust,
Du. vuist, G. Faust, and cogn. with OSlav.
pesti, Russ. piasti, 'fist'. Cp. foist.
Derivatives: fist-ed, adj., fistic (q.v.), fist-y, adj.
fistic, adj., pertaining to boxing (colloq.) — A
hybrid coined fr. fist and -ic, a suff. of Greek or
Latin origin.
Derivatives : fistic-al, adj.
fisticuff, n., a cuff with the fist. — Compounded
of fist and cuff.
Derivative -.fisticuff, tr. v.
fistula, n., 1) a pipe or tube; 2) a long sinuous
pipelike ulcer. — L., 'pipe, tube, fistula', prob.
a diminutive formed fr. fid-, the stem of findere,
'to cleave, split'. See fissile.
fistular, adj., fistulous. — L. fistularis, fr. fistula.
See prec. word and -ar. ,
fistulous, adj., 1) tubelike; 2) containing tubelike
parts; 3) pertaining to a fistula. — L.fistuldsus,
'pipe-shaped', fr. fistula. See fistula and -ous.
fit, n., division of a song (archaic). — ME. fitte,
fr. OE. fitt, 'song, poem', rel. to OS. fittea,
'division of a poem', OHG. fizza, MHG. vitze,
'list of cloth' (whence G. Fitze, 'skein'), ON.
fitja, 'to knit together', ME. fitten, 'to array',
and cogn. with Gk. xi^a. (for *7t^8-ia), 'foot;
extremity, end, border', node,, gen. 7toS6?, 'foot'.
See foot and cp. fit, v.
fit, tr. and intr. v., to suit. — ME. fitten, 'to ar-
ray, arrange', rel. to MDu. vitten, 'to fit, suit',
ON. fitja, 'to knit together', OE. fitt, 'song,
poem'. See fit, 'division of a song'.
Derivatives: fit-ment, a.,fitt-er, n.,fitt-ing, adj.
and n., fitt-ing-ly, adv., fitt-ing-ness, n.
fit, adj. — - ME. fyt, prob. fr. fitten, 'to' array'
(see fit, v.); influenced in meaning by a confu-
sion with ME. fete, 'well done, fitting', fr. L.
factus (see feat).
Derivatives: fit-ly, adv., fit-ness, n.
fit, n., fitness. — Fr. fit, v.
fit, n., sudden attack of sickness; paroxysm.
— ME., fr. OE. fitt, 'conflict', of uncertain
origin.
fitch, n. — A dial. var. of vetch.
fitch, n., a fitchew or its fur. — MDu./wje, rase,
vische, prob. related to vies, 'stinking', and to
E. fizz (q.v.) Cp. fitchew,
fitche, adj., pointed at its lower end (her:) — F.
fiche, 'fixed', pp. of ficher. See fish, 'counter',
fitehet, n., a fitchew or its fur. — Formed with
dimin. suff. -et fr. fitch, 'fitchew*,
fitchew, n., the polecat or its fur. — ME., fr.
Picard ficheux, corresponding to OF. fichau, fr.
MDu. fisse, visse. See fitch, 'fitchew',
fitful, adj., irregular. — Coined by Shakespeare
fr. fit, 'paroxysm', and the adj. full. The word
was reintroduced after 1800.
Derivatives: fitful-ly, adv., fitful-ness, n.
Fitz-, first element in PNs., and meaning 'son'
(esp. of illegitimate descendants). — AF., fr.
OF. fiz (pronounced fits), fr. earlier fils (cp. F.
fils), fr. L. filius, 'son'. See filial,
five, adj. and n. — ME. fif, fr. OE. fif, rel. to
OS. fif, ON. fimm, Dan., Swed., Norw. fem,
OHG. funf, finf, MHG., G. funf, Goth, fimf,
fr. I.-E. *penq w e (with assimilation of q w to
initial p) ; cogn. with OI. pdhca, Toch. A pan,
B pic, Arm. hing (in sense of the phonetic law
according to which k preceded by a nasal sound
becomes g), Gk. izhne, Aeol. Tzt\uzs, L. quinque
(with assimilation of initial p in the first syllable
to initial q w in the following syllable (see quin-
que-), Alb. pess, Gheg pess, OSlav. peti, Lith.
penke, OW. pimp, Olr. cdic (with assimilation
as in L. quinque). Cp. cinq(ue), kantar, keno,
Panchatantra, panchayat, penta-, punch, 'a
beverage', quinary, quinque-. Cp. also finger,
fives, n., a ball game played by two or four per-
sons. — PI. of five,
fix, tr. and intr. v. — ME. fixen, fr. fix, 'fixed',
fr. OF. fix (F. fixe), 'fixed', fr. L. flxus, pp. of
figere, 'to fix, fasten'. See ditch and cp. finis.
Cp. also fibula, afflche, afifix, antefixa, confix,
crucifix, infix, transfix, palafitte.
Derivatives: fix, n. (colloq), fix-able, adj., fixate
(q.v,), fixation (q.v.),fix-ed, ad}.,fix-ed-ly, adv.,
fix-ed-ness, n., fix-er, n., fix-ing, n. (the pi.,
'equipment', is colloq.)
fixate, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation fr.
fixation.
Derivative: fixat-ive, adj.
fixation, n. — ML. fixdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. L.
fixdtus, pp. of fixdre, freq. of figere (pp. fixus),
'to fix, fasten'. See fix and -ation.
fixity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L. fixus,
'fixed'. Cp. F. fixite and see fix.
fixture, n. — Fr. earlier fixure, which is formed
with suff. -ure fr. L. fixus, 'fixed' (see fix); in-
fluenced in form by the false analogy of mixture
(rel. to mix), in which, however, the / is organic
(it represents L. t in mixtus, 'mixed', pp. of
miscere, 'to mix').
fizgig, n„ 1) a flirtatious girl; 2) a kind of noisy
firework. — Compounded of fizz and gig, 'any-
thing whirling'.
fizz, intr. v., to hiss. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
ON. fisa, 'to break wind*, Dan. fise, 'to foist,
fizzle', G. fisten, 'to break wind', and E. fitch,
'fitchew'.
Derivatives :/izz, a.,fizz-y, adj.
fizzle, intr. v. — Formed fr. fizz with freq. suff.
-le.
Derivative: fizzle, n.
fiord, — See fiord.
flabbergast, tr. v., to astound (colloq.) — A blend
of flabby and aghast
flabby, adj., limp; lacking firmness, weak. — Fr.
naoenate
596
earlier floppy, which is formed fr. flap, n., with
suff. -y.
Derivatives : flabbi-ly, adv., flabbi-ness, n.
flabellate, adj., fan-shaped. — L. fldbelldtus,
pp. of fldbelldre, 'to fan', fr. flabellum. See
flabellum and adj. suff. -ate.
flabelliform, adj., fan-shaped. — Compounded
of L. flabellum, 'a small fan', and forma, 'form,
shape'. See next word and form, n.
flabellum, n., i) a fan used in religious cere-
monies; 2) a fan-shaped organ (zool.) — L.
flabellum, 'a small fan', dimin. of flabrum,
'breeze', from the stem of flare, 'to blow', which
is cogn. with OE. blawan, 'to blow'. See blow,
'to puff', and cp. flatus and words there re-
ferred to.
flaccid, adj., flabby. — F.flaccide, fr. L.flaccidus,
fr.flaccus, 'flabby', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: flaccid-ity, n., flaccid-ness, n.,flac-
cid-ly, adv.
flag, intr. v., to droop. — Of uncertain origin.
Cp. flag, 'ensign'. Cp. also fag, 'to weary',
flag, n., an aquatic plant; esp. a plant of the
genus Iris. — ME. flagge, rel. to Du. vlag, Dan.
flag, 'iris'.
flag, n., piece of cloth used as an ensign, etc. —
Late ME. flagge, rel. to Dan. flag, Swed. flagg,
'flag', and perh. also to E. flag, 'to droop'.
Derivative: flag, to put a flag on.
flag, n., paving stone, flagstone. — ON. flaga,
'slab of stone', of uncertain origin. It possibly
means lit. 'flake', and is rel. to ON. flaki,
'flake'. See flake, 'a thin piece', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives:/?^, tr. v., to pave with flagstones,
flagg-ing, n., flaggy (q.v.)
flagellant, n., one who scourges; esp., one who
scourges himself for a religious purpose; adj.,
given to flagellation. — L.flagelldns, gen. -antis,
pres. part, of flagellare. See flagellate, v., and
-ant.
flagellate, tr. v., to scourge, whip, flog. — L.
flagelldtus, pp. of flagellare, 'to scourge'. See
flagellum and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives : flagellation (q.v.),flagellat-ory, adj.
flagellate, adj., i) furnished with fiagella; 2) shap-
ed like a flagellum. — L. flagelldtus, pp. of
flagellare. See flagellate, v.
flagellation, n., a scourging, a beating, a flog-
ging. — L. flagelldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a scourging',
fr. flagelldtus, pp. of flagellare. See flagellate,
v., and -ion.
flagelliform, adj., shaped like a flagellum. —
Compounded of L. flagellum, 'whip', and forma,
'form, shape*. See next word and form, n.
flagellum, n., a long whiplike process (med.) —
L., 'whip', dimin. of flagrum, 'whip, scourge,
lash', fr. *fldgere, 'to whip' (whence the frequen-
tative fldgitdre, 'to whip, decry; to demand pas-
sionately'); cogn. with ON. blak, 'a blow',
blaka, blakra, 'to strike, beat the wings, flutter',
and with Lith. blaikyti, 'to throw hither and
thither'. Cp. flail, which is a doublet of flagel-
lum. Cp. also flagitious, flog,
flageolet, n., kidney bean. — F., borrowed fr. It.
fagiuolo, 'bean', fr. VL. *fabeolus, which is a
blend of L. faba, 'bean' (see fabaceous), with
phaseolus, dimin. of phaselus, fr. Gk. <pa<jr)Xo<;,
'a kind of bean'. The form flageolet is due to
the influence of flageolet, 'wind instrument'
with which it was associated because of the
flatulent property of beans. For the ending see
suff. -et.
flageolet, n., a small wind instrument. — F., di-
min. of OF. flageol, flajol, 'pipe', fr. VL. fld-
beolum, a derivative of L. flare, 'to blow'. See
flabellum and cp. flute.
flaggy, adj., drooping. — Formed with adj. suff.
-y fr. flag, 'to droop'.
flaggy, adj., abounding in the plants called flags.
— Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. flag, 'an aquatic
plant'.
flaggy, adj., pertaining to flagstone. — Formed
with adj. suff. -y fr. flag, 'flagstone'.
flagitious, adj., extremely wicked; scandalous. —
L. fldgitiosus, 'shameful, disgraceful', fr. fldgi-
tium, 'shameful deed, shame', fr. fldgitdre, 'to
whip, decry; to demand passionately', freq. of
*fldgere, 'to whip' (a verb of which flagrum,
'whip', is a derivative). The verb fldgitdre stands
to *fldgere as agitdre, 'to put in constant mo-
tion', stands to agere, 'to move'. See flagellum
and -ous.
Derivatives : flagitious-ly, adv., flagitious-ness,n.
flagon, n. — ME. flakon, fr. OF. (= F.) flacon,
fr. VL. flascdnem, acc. of fiasco, augment, of
flascus, a collateral form of fiasco, 'bottle'. See
flask and cp. -oon.
flagrancy, n. — L. flagrantia, 'a burning, a ve-
hement desire' fr. flagrdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of flagrdre. See next word and -cy.
flagrant, adj., glaring. — L. flagrdns, gen. -antis,
pres. part, of flagrdre, 'to blaze, glow, burn',
which stands in gradational relationship to h.ful-
gere, 'to shine', and is cogn. with Gk. <p>iyeiv, 'to
burn, scorch', OE. blsc, 'black'. See black and
-ant and cp. flambe, flambeau, flamboyant, flame,
flammule, conflagrate, deflagrate, fulgent, ful-
gurant, Pblegethon, phlegm.
Derivatives : flagrant-ly, adv., flagrant-ness, n.
flail, n., an implement for threshing grain by
hand. — ME., fr. OF. flaiel (F. fleau), fr. L.
flagellum, 'scourge' (whence also OProvenc.
flagel). See flagellum.
Derivative : flail, tr. v.
flair, n., aptitude. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) flair,
'odor', fr. flairer, 'to smell', orig. 'to emit an
odor', fr. VL. 'flagrdre, dissimilated fr. L. fra-
grdre, 'to emit fragrance'. See fragrant.
flajolotite, n., a hydrous iron antimonate (min-
eral.) — Named after the French chemist Fla-
jolot, by whom it was first analyzed. For the
ending see subst. suff. -he.
flak, n., anti aircraft shell. — Formed from the
597
flask
initials of G. Flieger-Abwehr-Kanone, lit. 'gun
warding off fliers',
flake, n., a thin, flat piece; a film. — ME., of
Scand. origin. Cp. OS. flaka, 'sole of the foot',
Norw. flak, 'disk, floe', Swed. flake, 'plate',
which are rel. to MDu. viae, Du. vlak, 'flat,
level', OHG. flah, MHG. vlach, G. flach, of
s.m., in gradational relationship to MDu.
vlocke, Du. vlok, OHG. floccho,flocko, MHG.
vlock, vlocke, G. Flocke, 'flake', and cogn.
with Lett, plauki, 'snowflakes', plaukas, 'fibers',
L. plaga, 'a fiat surface, district, region'. See
plagal, and cp. also flake, 'rack for storing
goods', flag, 'paving stone', flaw, 'defect', fluke,
'flatfish'.
flake, n., a rack for storing goods. — ME. flake,
fleke, fr. ON. flaki, rel. to Du. vlaak, 'paling,
hurdle', and to Swed. flake, 'plate'. See flake,
'a thin, flat piece',
flam, n., sham, trick. — Shortened fr. flimflam,
flam, n., a drumbeat. — Of imitative origin,
flambe, adj., decorated by irregularly splashed
glaze. — F., pp. of flamber, 'to singe, blaze', fr.
OF. flambe, 'flame', which is a back formation
fr. flamble. See next word,
flambeau, n., a large torch. — F., fr. OF. flamble,
'flame', fr. L.flammula, 'a little flame', dimin. of
flamma, 'flame'. See flame.n., and cp. prec. word,
flamboyance, flamboyancy. n. — Formed from
next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
flamboyant, adj., characterized by flamelike
tracery (archil.) — F., pres. part, of flamboyer,
'to flame', fr. OF. flambe. See flambe and -ant.
Derivative: flamboyant-ly, adv.
flame, n. — ME. flamme, fr. OF. flame, flamme
(F. flamme), fr. L. flamma, 'blaze, flame', which
stands for *flagma and is rel. to flagrdre, 'to
blaze, glow, burn'. See flagrant and cp. words,
there referred to. Cp. also flimmer and the se-
cond element in oriflamme.
flame, intr. v. — ME. flamen, fr. OF. flamer, 'to
flame' (whence F. flammer, 'to singe'), fr. L.
flammdre, 'to flame', fr. flamma. See flame, n.
Derivatives: flam-ed, adj., flam-er, n., flam-ing,
adj., flam-ing-ly, adv., flam-y, adj.
flamen, n., a priest devoted to the service of one
particular deity (Roman mythol.) — L. flamen,
which prob. stands for *bhlddmen, and is cogn.
with Goth, blotan, 'to worship', ON. biota, OE.
blotan, OHG. bluo^an, 'to sacrifice',
flamenco, n., dancing style of the gypsies of An-
dalusia. — Sp., 'Flemish; gypsy', fr. MDu.
Vldming. See Fleming,
flamingo, n. — Port, flamingo, fr. Sp. flamenco,
fr. Provenc. flamenc (whence also F. flamant,
'flamingo'), lit. 'flame-colored', it.flama, 'flame',
fr. L. flamma (see flame), and -enc, a suff. of
Teut. origin (see -ing, 'pertaining to'); so called
in allusion to the color of its feathers. See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 252 s.v. flamant.
Cp. Gk. 9otvtx6rrrep0€, 'flamingo', lit. 'red-
feathered'.
flammable, adj., inflammable. — Formed with
suff. -able fr. L. flammdre, 'to flame'. See flame,
v., and cp. inflammable.
Derivative : flammabil-ity, n.
flan, n., a kind of pastry. — See flawn.
flanch, n., either of two segments of a circle on
either side of the shield (her.) — OF. flanc,
flanche, 'flank, side'. See flank and cp. flange,
flanerie, n., idleness; idling. — F., lit. 'a strolling,
loafing, sauntering', fr. fldner, 'to stroll, loaf
saunter', prob. a Scand. loan word. Cp. Norw.
flana, flanta, 'to gad about',
flaneur, n., loafer. — F., fr. fldner. See prec. word,
flange, n., a projecting rim or edge. — OF. flanc,
flanche, 'flank, side'. See next word and cp.
flanch. Derivatives: flange, tr. v., to furnish
with a flange, flang-er, a.
flank, n. — ME. flanke, fr. OF. (= F.) flanc, fr.
Frankish *hlanka, which is rel. to OHG.
(h)lanca, MHG. lanke, 'hip, joint', MHG. linken,
G. lenken, 'to bend, turn, lead', fr. I.-E. base
*qleng-, 'to bend'; see lank and link, n., 'ring
of a chain', and cp. flanch, flange, flinch, flunkey.
OProvenc. flanc, It. fianco, and G. Flanke are
French loan words.
Derivatives: flank, tr. and intr. v., flank-er, n.
flannel, n., adj. — W. gwlanen, 'flannel', fr.
gwldn, 'wool', which is cogn. with L. Idna,
'wool', OE. wull, 'wool'. See wool and cp.
lanate.
Derivatives: flannel, tr. v., flannel-ette, n.,
flannel-ed, adj., flannel-ly, adv.
flap, tr. and intr. v., to move up and down. —
ME. flappen, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. flap-
pen, 'to flap'. Cp. also fillip, flip, flippant, flop.
Cp. also flabby.
Derivatives : flap, n. (q.v.), flapp-er, n.
flap, n. — ME. flap, flappe, fr. flappen. See flap, v.
flare, intr. v. and n. — Of uncertain origin; pos-
sibly a blend of flame and glare.
Derivative: flar-ing, adj., flar-ing-ly, adv.
flash, intr. and tr. v., — ME. flasken, flaschen,
'to splash', of imitative origin.
Derivative: flash, n. and adj., flash-er, n. flash-
ing, n. and adj., flash-ing-ly, adv., flash-y, adj.,
flash-i-ly, adv., flash-i-ness, n.
flask, n., bottle. — OF. flasque, 'bottle for pow-
der', fr. ML. flasca, of Teut. origin. Cp. OE.
flasce, flaxe, ON., Swed., Norw., OHG. flaska,
Dan. flaske, MDu. flasce, Du. fles, MHG.
vlasche, G. Flasche, 'bottle'. The original
meaning of these Teut. words prob. was 'a
bottle plaited round; case bottle', fr. I.-E.
*plok-sko-, 'a plaited vessel', fr. base *plek-,
'to plait', whence also Gk. 7rX£xeiv, 'to plait',
jrXoxif), 'network', L. plicdre, 'to fold, bend',
OE. fleohtan, 'to braid, plait'; see ply, 'to bend'.
Cp. It. fiasco, fiascone, F. flacon, 'case bottle,
bottle', which derive fr. ML. fiasco (resp. its
acc. flascdnem), augment, of flascus, a collateral
form of flasca (see above). Cp. fiasco, flagon, flas-
ket.
flask
598
flask, n., either of the plates forming the sides
of the trail of a gun carriage. — F. flasque,
'cheek (of a gun carriage)', rel. to Wallon flache,
fr. G. ftach, 'flat'. See flay.
flasket, n. — OF. flasquet, dimin. of flasque,
'bottle'. See flask, 'bottle', and -et.
flat, adj., level. — ME., fr. Oti.flatr, whence also
Swed.yfctf, Dan./W, 'flat'; rel. to OS. flat, OHG.
flaz, 'flat, level*, OE.flet, OS. fletti, OHG. flezzi,
'floor', fr. I.-E. base *plet-, *plet, *pldt-, 'spread
out, broad; whence also Gk. nkctiuq, 'broad,
flat'. See place and cp. plantar, platy-. Cp. also
flat, 'floor'. Cp. also flatter.
Derivatives: flat, adv., flat, n., a flat surface,
flat, tr. and intr. v., to flatten (rare), flat-ling,
adv. and adj., flat-ly, adv., flat-ness, n.,flatt-en,
adj., flatt-ing, n., flatt-ish, adj.
flat, n., floor. — ME. flet, fr. OE. flet, 'ground,
floor'. See flat, adj.
flatter, n., one who or that which flattens. —
Formed fr. flat, 'to flatten', with agential suff.
-er.
flatter, tr. v., to court, cajole. — ME. flateren,
fr. OF. flater (F. flatter), 'to smooth, caress,
flatter', fr. Frankish *flat, 'flat, level', which is
rel. to OHG. flaz, 'flat, level', See flat, adj.
Derivatives: flatter-er, n., flatter-ing, adj., flat-
ter-ing-ly, adv., flattery (q.v.)
flattery, n. — ME. flaterie, fr. OF. flaterie (F.flat-
terie), fr. OF. flater. See flatter and -y (represent-
ing F. -ie).
flatulence, flatulency, n. — F. flatulence, fr.
flatulent. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
flatulent, adj., windy; vain. — F., fr. L. fldtu-
lentus, fr. flatus. See next word and -ent.
Derivatives: flatulent-ly, adv., flatulent- ness, n.
flatus, n., a puff of wind; accumulation of gas
in the stomach or bowels. — L. flatus (scil.
ventris), 'blowing (of the stomach)', fr. flatus,
pp. of flare, 'to blow', which is cogn. with OE.
blawan, 'to blow'. See blow, 'to puff', and cp.
afflatus, conflate, deflate, flabellum, flageolet,
'wind instrument', inflate, perflation, reflate,
sufflate. Cp. also soffione, souffle. Cp. also flavor,
flaunt, intr. v., to make an ostentatious display;
tr. v., to display ostentatiously. — Prob. a blend
of flout and vaunt.
Derivatives: flaunt, n., flaunt-er, n., flaunt-ing,
adj., flaunt-ing-ly, adv., flaunt-y, adj., flaunt-i-ly,
adv., flaunt-i-ness, n.
flautist, n., flute player. — It. flautista, a hybrid
coined fr. Late L. flauta, 'flute', and -ista, fr. Gk.
-iott)?. See flute and -ist and cp. flutist,
flavedo, n., yellowness of the skin. — Medical L.,
fr. L. flams, 'yellow'. See fiavescent.
Flaveria, n., a genus of plants (hot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. flams, 'yellow'. See next word,
fiavescent, adj., turning yellow, yellowish. — L.
fldvescens, gen. fldvescentis, pres. part, of fla-
vescere, 'to become yellow', inchoative verb
formed fr. flams, 'yellow', which is rel. to L.
fulvus, 'reddish-yellow', and cogn. with OE.
bldw, 'blue'. See blue and -escent and cp. fulvous.
Cp. also flavedo, Flaveria, Flavia, Flavius,
flavine.
Flavia, fem. PN. — L. Flavia, fern, of Flavius.
See Flavius.
flavin, also flavine, n., i) a complex ketone
C 10 H,,N 4 O 2 (chem.) ; 2) an artificial yellow dye-
stuff obtained from quercitron bark. — Formed
with chem. suff. -ine fr. L. flams, 'yellow'. See
fiavescent.
Flavius, masc. PN. — L. Flavius, name of a
Roman gens, rel. to fldvus, 'yellow'. See fia-
vescent and cp. Flavia.
flavone, n., a colorless crystalline compound,
C 15 H 10 O 2 (chem.) — Formed with suff. -one fr.
L. flavus, 'yellow'. See fiavescent.
flavor, flavour, n. — ME. flavor, fr. OF. floor,
flaiir, fleiir, 'smell, odor, scent' (whence F.
fleurer, 'to smell, be fragrant'), fr. VL. *flatorem,
acc. of *fldtor, lit. 'that which blows', fr. L.
flatus, pp. of flare, 'to blow', which is rel. to
OE. blawan, 'to blow'. See blow, 'to puff', and
cp. flatus. Cp. Olt. fiatore, 'a bad odor', which
also derives fr. VL. *fldtdrem. The insertion of
the v in flavor is due to the influence of savor.
Derivatives: flavo(u)r, tr. v., flavo(u)r-ed, adj.,
flavo(u)r-ing, n., flavo(u)r-less, flavo(u)r-ous,
adjs.
flaw, n., crack, defect, fault, blemish. — ME.
flaw, flawe, flai, prob. of Scand. origin. Cp.
Swed. flaga, 'flaw, crack, flake', ON. flaga,
'slab of stone', and see flag, 'paving stone'.
Derivatives : flaw, tr. v., to make a flaw in (q.v.),
flaw-less, adj., flaw-less-ly, adv.,flaw-less-ness,n.
flaw, n., a sudden gust of wind. — Of Scand. ori-
gin. Cp. Dan., Norw. flage, Swed. flaga, 'gust
of wind'. These words prob. derive fr. Teut.
base *flah-, which corresponds to I.-E. base
*pldq-, *pldg-, 'to strike', whence Gk. 7cX7|ctoeiv,
7t>.7)Yvuvat, 'to strike'. See plague.
flawn, n., a kind of pie. — OF.flaon (F.flan), fr.
Frankish *flado, which is rel. to OHG. flado,
'offering cake', MHG. vlade, 'a broad thin
cake', G. Fladen, 'flat cake', Du. via, 'baked
custard'. All these Teut. words are derivatives
of I.-E. *plet-, *plet-, *pldt-, 'spread out', broad,
flat', whence also Gk. TtXa-ni<;, 'broad, flat'. See
place and cp. flat, 'level', flat, 'floor'. W.fiadone,
'honeycomb', OProvenc. flauzon, 'flat cake',
are Teut. loan words.
flax, n. — ME. flax, fr. OE. fleax, rel. to OS.
flas, OFris. /fax, OHG., MHG. flahs, G. Flachs,
fr. Teut. base *fleh-, corresponding to I.-E. base
*plek-, 'to weave, plait', whence Gk. tiXexew,
'to plait', L. plectere, 'to plait, braid, inter-
twine'. See ply, n., 'to bend', and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: flax, adj., flaxen (q.v.), flax-y, adj.
flaxen, adj. — OE. fleaxen, fr. fleax. See flax and
adj. suff. -en.
flay, tr. v., to strip off the skin of. — ME. flean,
flan, fr. OE. flean, rel. to OH.fld, OHG. flahan.
599
fleur-de-lis
'to flay', and cogn. with Lith. plesiu, plesti, 'to
tear'.
Derivative: flay-er, n.
flea, n. — ME. fle(e), fr. OE. flea(h), rel. to ON.
fld, MDu. vlo, Du. vlo, OHG., MHG. fldh,
G. Floh, and prob. also to OE. fleon, 'to flee' ;
see flee. Accordingly flea would lit. mean 'the
jumping animal'.
fleam, n., a lancet used for opening veins isurg.)
— OF. flieme, fr. VL. *fletomus (whence also
OVns.flieme, MDu. vlime (Du. vlijm), OHG. flio-
tuma (MHG. vliete, G. Fliete), fr. Late "L.phlebo-
tomus, fr. Gk. <pX££1ot6[jlov (short for qiXsfio-
t6(aov (jjiiXtov), 'lancet', neut. of <pXef}oT6}jt.o<;,
'opening veins'. See phlebotomy. F. flamme,
'fleam', was influenced in form by F. flamme,
'flame'.
Heche, n., an arrow; a spire (archit.) — F., 'ar-
row', prob. fr. Frankish *fliugica, which is rel. to
OLG. fliuca, MDu. vliecke, of s.m. See Bloch-
Wartburg, DELF., p. 254, s.v.fliche. It. freccia,
OProvenc. flec(h)a and Sp. flecha, 'arrow', are
Teut. loan words. Cp. fletcher. Cp. also parfleche.
fleck, n., spot, freckle. — MDu. vlecke (Du.
vlek), rel. to ON. flekkr, OHG. flee, fleccho,
MHG. vlec, vlecke, G. Fleck, and cogn. with
L. plaga, 'a flat surface; district, region'. See
plagal and cp. words there referred to. For the
Dutch origin of the English word see Bense,
Dictionary of the Low Dutch Element in the
English Vocabulary, p. 99.
Derivatives: fleck, tr. v., flecker (q.v.), fleck-
less (q.v.)
flecker, tr. v., to fleck. — Formed fr. fleck with
freq. suff. -er.
fleckless, adj. — Formed fr. fleck with suff. -less;
first used by Tennyson,
flection, flexion, n. — F., fr. L. flexidnem, acc. of
flexid, 'a bending, turning', fr. flexus, pp. of
flectere. See flex, v., and -ion.
fled, past tense and pp. of flee. — ME. fledde,
fr. fleon, fleen, 'to flee'. See flee,
fledge, tr. and intr. v. — From the obsol. adj.
fledge, 'Hedged', fr. OE. -flyege (in unflyege, 'not
yet fledged'), which is rel. to MDu. vlugge, Du.
vlug, LG. fliigge (whence G.fliigge), OHG. flucki,
MHG. vlucke, 'fledged', and to E. fly (q.v.)
Derivatives: fledg-ed, adj., fledge-less, adj.,
fledge-ling, n., fledg-y, adj.
flee, intr. and tr. v. — ME. fleon, fleen, fr. OE.
fleon (for 'fleohan), rel. to OS., OHG. fliohan,
ON. fldja, flyja, Dan., Swed. fly, OFris. flid,
Du. vlieden, MHG. vliehen, G. fliehen, Goth.
pliuhan, 'to flee'. Cp. flea. Cp. also flight, 'the
act of fleeing',
fleece, n., the wool of a sheep. — ME. flees, fr.
OE. fleos, flies, rel. to MDu. vluus, Du. vlies,
MHG. vlius, G. Vlies, and prob. cogn. with
L. pluma, 'feather, down', Lith. plunksna,
'feather', OPruss. plauxtiine, 'feather bed', Lith.
pliiskos (pi.), 'tufts of hair', Lett, pluskas (pi.),
of s.m. Cp. plume.
Derivatives : fleece, tr. v.,fleec-ed, adj., fleec-er,
n., fleec-y, adj., fleec-i-ly, adv., fleec-i-ness, n.
fleer, intr. v., to jeer, sneer. — ME. flerien, of
Scand. origin ; cp. Norw. flira, dial. Dan. flire,
'to giggle, titter'.
fleet, intr. and tr. v., to pass swiftly. — ME.fleten,
fleoten, fr. OE. fleotan, 'to float', rel. to OE.
flotan, 'to float', ON. fljdta, Swed. flyta, Dan.
flyde, 'to flow, float', OS. fliotan, OFris. flidta,
'to flow', MLG. vleten, MDu., Du. vlieten,
OHG. flio33an, 'to flow, float', MHG. vliegen,
G. fliefien, 'to flow', and cogn. with lA\h.pladau,
plDsti, 'to overflow', Lett, pludi, 'flood'. All these
words are -^-enlargements of I.-E. base *pleu-,
'to flow, run, swim'. See flow and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also lead, 'a heavy metal'.
Derivative: fleet-ing, adj.
fleet, adj., swift. — Rel. to, or derived from, ON.
fljdtr, 'swift' (fr. fljdta, 'to flow, run'). See fleet, v.
Derivatives : fleet-ly, adv., fleet-ness, n.
fleet, n., a number of ships. — ME. flete, fleote,
'a fleet', fr. OE. fleot, 'ship, vessel', lit. 'that
which floats or glides', rel. to fleotan, 'to float'.
See fleet, v., and cp. next word.
fleet, n., a creek. — OE. fleot, 'mouth of a river,
bay, sea, ship, vessel', derivatively identical
with prec. word.
Fleming, n., 1) a native of Flanders; 2) a native
of Belgium who speaks Flemish. — MDu. Vla-
ming (Du. Vlaming), rel. to Vlaemisch, 'Flem-
ish', fr. Vldm-, which appears also in Du.
Vlaanderen, 'Flanders'. Cp. next word. Cp. also
flamenco. For the ending see -ing, suff. meaning
'pertaining to'.
Flemish, adj. — MDu. Vlaemisch (whence Du.
Vlaams), fr. Vldm-. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ish.
flench, flense, flinch, tr. v., to strip the blubber
from a whale. — Dan. flense, of s.m.
flesh, n. — ME. flesch, fr. OE. flxsc, rel. to OS.,
OFris. flesk, MLG. vlees, vleis, Du. vlees,
OHG. fleisc, MHG., G. fleisch, 'flesh', ON.,
Dan. flesk, 'pork, bacon'. The ultimate origin
of these words is uncertain.
Derivatives: flesh, tr. v., flesh-er, n., fleshings,
n. pi., fleshly (q.v.), flesh-ment, a., flesh-y, adj.
fleshly, adj. — ME. fleschlich, fr. OE. flsscttc,
fr. flxsc, 'flesh'. See flesh and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: fleshli-ness,n.
fletcb, tr. v., to provide (an arrow) with a feather;
to feather. — Back formation fr. fletcher.
fletcher, n., one who makes arrows. — OF.
flechier, fr. fleche (F. fleche), 'arrow'. See fleche.
Fletcherism, n., the practice of chewing one's
food thoroughly. — So called after the Amer-
ican nutritionist Horace Fletcher (1849-1919),
who advocated this practice. For the ending see
suff. -ism.
fleur-de-lis, n., the iris. — F., lit. 'flower of lily'.
Fleur derives fr. L. fldrem, acc. of fids, 'flower',
de comes fr. L. de, 'from, away from', and lis,
orig. a plural, derives fr. L. lllium, 'lily'. See
fleuret
600
flower, de- and lily and cp. flower-de-luce,
fleuret, n., a small flower. — F. fleurette, dimin.
of fleur, 'flower'. See flower and the suffixes -et,
-ette, and cp. floret,
fleuron, n., a flowerlike ornament. — F., augment.
of fleur, 'flower'. See flower and -oon.
fleury, adj., sprinkled with fleurs-de-lis {her.)
— F. fleuri, 'flowery, florid; covered with
flowers', pp. of fleurir, 'to flower, blossom'. See
flourish.
flew, pp. of fly. — ME. flew, fx. OE. fleah, fr.
fleogan, 'to fly'. See fly.
flews, n. pi., the hanging chaps of bloodhounds.
— Of unknown origin.
flex, tr. and intr. v., to bend. — L. flexus, pp. of
flectere, 'to bend', which — according to Er-
nout-Meillet, DELL., p. 352 — is perh. a popular
collateral form of plectere,'to plait, braid, inter-
twine'. See ply, n., 'to bend', and cp. flection,
flexible, circumflex, deflect, inflect, reflect, re-
troflex.
flexibility, n. — F. flexibility, fx. Late L. flexibi-
litdtem, acc. of flexibility, fx. L. flexibilis. See
next word and -ity.
flexible, adj. — F., fr. L. flexibilis, 'that may be
bent, pliant', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex
and -ible.
Derivatives: flexible-ness, n., flexibl-y, adv.
flexile, adj., flexible. — L. flexilis, 'pliant,
flexible', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex
and -ile.
Derivative : flexil-ity, n.
flexion. — See flection.
flexor, n., a muscle that bends a joint; contrasted
with extensor (anat.) — Medical L., short for
musculus flexor, 'a bending muscle', formed
with agential suff. -or fr. L. flexus, pp. of flec-
tere. See flex.
flexuose, adj., flexuous. — L. flexuosus, 'full of
turns, tortuous, flexuous', fr. flexus, 'a bend-
ing', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere. See flex and adj.
suff. -ose.
Deri/ative: flexuos-ity, n.
flexuous, adj., 1) full of windings; 2) wavering. —
L. flexuosus. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: flexuous-ly, adv. , flexuous-ness, n.
flexure, n., a bending or turning. — L. flexura,
'a bending, turning', fr. flexus, pp. of flectere.
See flex and -lire,
flibbertigibbet, n., a chatterer. — An invented
word.
flick, n., a light blow; tr. v., to strike. — Prob.
of imitative origin.
flicker, intr. v., to flutter. — ME. flikeren, fr. OE.
flicorian, 'to flutter, waver', rel. to OE. flacor,
'fluttering', ON. flokra, MDu. flockeren, OHG.
flagaron, flogaron, 'to flutter', MHG. vlackern,
G. flackern, 'to flare, flicker'. These verbs prob.
meant orig. 'to beat with the wings', and are
rel. to dial. E. flack, 'to flap, strike'. See prec.
word.
Derivative: flicker, n., the act of fluttering.
flicker, n., one who or that which flicks. —
Formed fr. flick with agential suff. -er.
flicker, n., a woodpecker of N. America. — Lit.
'the striking bird', hence prop, identical with
prec. word.
flier, flyer, n. — Formed fr. fly, v., with agential
suff. -er.
flight, n., the act of flying. — ME. fliht, fx. OE.
flyht, rel. to OE. fleogan, 'to fly'. Cp. LG. flugt
(whence G. Flucht), MLG., Du. vlucht, 'flight
of birds', OE. flyge, OS. fllugi, ON. flugr,
OHG. flug, MHG. vluc, G. Plug, 'flight', and
see fly, v. Cp. also next word. For the ending
see subst. suff. -t.
Derivatives : flight-y, adj., flight-i-ly, nd\.,flight-
i-ness, n.
flight, n., the act of fleeing. — ME. fluht, fliht,
fx. OE. fleoh-, stem of fleon (for *fleohan), 'to
flee', rel. to OS., OHG. fluht, OFris. flecht, Du.
vlucht, MHG. vluht, G. Flucht, 'the act of flee-
ing' (see flee); confused with prec. word.
flight, intr. v., to fly in a flock; tr. v., to shoot
birds flying in a flock. — Fr. flight, 'the act
of flying'.
flimflam, n., humbug. — Antiphonic reduplic-
ation of flam, 'sham, trick', fr. obsol. flamfew,
'gewgaw, trifle', fr. OF. fanfelue (V.fanfreluche),
'trifle, bauble', fr. ML. famfaluca, corruption
of Gk. Trou.<p6Xu^,'air bladder', lit.'water bubble'.
See pompholyx. Cp. It. fanfaluca, 'trifle', which
also derives fr. ML. fanfaluca.
flimmer, intr. v., to glitter, glimmer. — Prob. a
blend of flame and glimmer. Cp. G. flimmern.
flimsy, adj., 1) thin; 2) weak. — Formed with
metathesis fr. film. For the insertion of the
letter s before the suff. -y cp. clumsy.
Derivatives: flimsi-ly, adv ., flimsi-ness, n.
flinch, intr. v., to shrink back. — OF. flainchir,
flenchir, 'to turn, bend', prob. of Teut. origin.
Cp. MHG. linken, G. lenken, 'to bend, turn,
lead', and see flank, lank, link, 'ring of a chain'.
Derivatives: flinch, n., flinch-er, n., flinch-ing-
ly, adv.
flinch, v. — A var. of flench.
flinders, n. pi., fragments. — ME. flenderis, prob.
of Scand. origin. Cp. Noxw. flindra, 'a thin piece,
splinter', which is rel. to Norw. flinter, 'a little
piece', and to Du. flenter, 'piece, fragment', and
prob. also to OE. flint, 'flint, rock'. See flint.
Flhtdersia, n., a genus of Australian timber trees.
— ModL., named after the English navigator
Matthew Flinders (1 774-1 814). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
fling, tr. and intr. v. — ME. flingen, flengen, 'to
rush', of Scand. origin. Cp. ON.flengja,'to flog',
Daxi.flenge, dial. Swed. fianga, 'to slash', which
are of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: fling, n., fling-er, n., fling-y, adj.
Sinkite, n., a basic manganese arsenate (mineral.)
— Named after the Swedish mineralogist
Gustaf Flink (1849-1931). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
601
flock
flint, n. — ME., fr. OE. flint, cogn. with Gk.
7tXlv$o<;, 'brick', Olr. slind, 'brick', fr. I.-E. base
*splind-, *splid-, 'to split, cleave', OSlav. plinuta,
plita, Lith. plyta, Lett, pllte 'brick', are Greek
loan words. Cp. plinth. Cp. also flinders. Cp.
also splint, splinter, split.
Derivatives: flint, adj.,flint-y, adj., flint-i-ness,xi.
flip, tr. and intr. v., to move with a jerk, tap, whip.
—Of imitative origin. Cp.flap, fillip, flippant, flop.
Derivative: flip, n., the act of flipping,
flip, n., a drink consisting of beer, egg, sugar. —
Lit. 'beaten up; whipped', derived fr. flip, v.
flippancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
flippant, adj., frivolous; disrespectful. — Coined
from the verb flip in imitation of French present
participles and adjectives in -ant. For a similar
formation cp. blatant.
Derivatives: flippant-ly, adv., flippant-ness, n.
flipper, n., a broad flat limb adapted for swim-
ming. — Formed from the verb flip with agential
suff. -er.
flirt, tr. and intr. v. — OF.fleureter (= F. confer
des fleurettes), 'to talk sweet nonsense, to flirt',
fr. OF. fleurete (F. fleurette), 'little flower; cour-
teous flattery', dimin. of fleur, 'flower', fr. L.
florem, acc. of fids, of s.m. See flower.
Derivatives: flirt, n., flirt-ation, n., flirt-ation-al,
adj., flirt-atious, adj., flirt-atious-ly, adv., flirt-
atious-ness, n., flirt-ish, adj., flirt-ish-ness, n.,
flirt-y, adj.
flit, intr. v., 1) to move rapidly; 2) to flutter. —
ME. flitten, flutten, 'to carry away, go away',
fr. ON. flytja, 'to cause to flit', which is the
weak grade of fljota, 'to float'. See fleet, v., and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivative : flit, n.
flitch, n„ side of bacon. — ME. flicche, fx. OE.
flicce, 'flitch of bacon', rel. to ON.flikki, Norw.
flika, MLG. vlicke, 'piece of flesh', ON. flik,
'tip, patch rag', and cogn. with Lith. plySti, 'to
tear', plaisinti, 'to cause to burst', Lett, plaisa,
'cleft, gap' ; not rel. to flesh.
Derivative : flitch, tr. v.
flite, flyte, intr. v., to quarrel; tr. v., to quarrel
with, to scold. — ME. fliten, fr. OE. flitan, 'to
contend, struggle, quarrel', rel. to OHG. flitan,
'to strive', OHG., MHG./7i"5, 'contest, diligence',
G. Fleifi, Du. vlijt, 'diligence, industry'.
fliting, flyting, n., 1) a scolding; 2) an abusive
speech. — ME. fliting. See prec. word and -ing,
suff. forming verbal nouns.
flitter, intr. v., to flutter. — Freq. of flit. Cp.
flutter.
flittermouse, n., bat (dial.) — Lit. 'a fluttering
mouse'. See prec. word and mouse and cp.
OHG. fledarmus (MHG. fledermus, G. Fleder-
maus), 'bat', which is compounded of fledaron,
'to flutter', and mus, 'mouse'. Cp. the equivalent
Du. vledermuis, vleermuis.
flivver, n., a small and cheap motorcar (U.S.
Slang). — An invented word.
flix, n., down; fur. — Of uncertain origin.
float, intr. and tr. v. — ME. floten, flotien, fx. OE.
flotian, rel. to ON. flota, MDu. vloten, Du. vlot-
ten, and to OE. fleotan, 'to float' ; OE. flotian
was influenced in form by OF. floter (F. flotter),
'to float'. See fleet, v., and cp. float, n.
Derivatives: float, n. (q^y.),float-er, x\.,float-ing,
n. and adj., float-ing-ly, adv., float-y, adj., float-
ation (q.v.)
float, n. — ME. flote, 'ship, fleet', fr. OE. flota,
lit. 'that which floats', rel. to ON. floti, Dan.
flaade, MDu. vlote, Du. vlot, OHG., MHG. v/03,
G. Flofi, 'float, raft', and to OE. flotian, 'to
float'. F. flotte, It. flotta, 'fleet', are Teut. loan
words. G. Flotte, 'fleet', has been reborrowed fr.
F. flotte. See float, v., and cp. flotilla, flotsam.
Derivatives: floatage (q.v.)
floatage, n., flotage. — Formed fr. float, n., with
suff. -age. Cp. flotage,
floatation, n., flotation. — Formed fr. float, v.,
with suff. -ation. Cp. flotation,
floccillation, n., picking at bedclothes in delirium
(med.) — Formed with suff. -ation fr. L. floccus,
'flock of wool'. See flock of wool,
floccose, adj., woolly. — L. floccosus, fx. floccus,
'flock of wool'. See flock of wool, and adj.
suff. -ose.
Derivative : floccose-ly, adv.
floccule, n., detached mass of wool. — See
flocculus.
flocculence, n. — Formed fr. flocculent with suff.
-ce.
flocculent, adj., resembling wool, flocky. —
Formed fr. flocculus with suff. -ent.
Derivative: flocculent-ly, adv.
flocculose, adj., minutely floccose. — See floc-
culus and adj. suff. -ose.
flocculous, adj., flocculose. — See next word and
-ous.
flocculus, n., 1) a small tuft of wool or woolly
substance; 2) a small lobe on the lower side of
the cerebellum (anat.); 3) cloudlike mass of
vapors in the solar atmosphere. — ModL.,
dimin. of L. floccus, 'flock of wool'. See next
word.
floccus, n., tuft of wool or hair. — L., 'lock or
flock of wool', which prob. stands for *bhldkos
and is cogn. with OHG. blaha, MHG. blahe,
G. Blahe (dial. Blache), OSwed. blan, bla, ear-
lier Dan. blaa, Dan. blaar, 'tow, hards', ON.
blxja, Dan. ble, 'sheet'. Cp. flock of wool,
floccule, floss.
flock of wool. — ME. flocke, fx. OF. floe, fx. L.
floccus. See prec. word.
Derivatives: flock, tr. v., to fill with flocks,
flock-y, adj.
flock of sheep, n. — ME., fr. OE. flocc, rel. to
ON. flokkr, 'crowd, troop, band', Dan. flok,
Swed. flock, MLG. vlocke, 'crowd, flock', of
uncertain origin.
Derivative: flock, intr. v., to crowd together;
tr. v., to bring together (rare).
floe
602
floe, n., a field of floating ice. — Norw.flo, 'layer',
fr. ON. fid; rel. to flag, 'stone' (q.v.)
Floerkea, n., a genus of plants, the false mer-
maid (bot.) — ModL., named after the German
botanist Heinrich Gustav Fldrke (1764- 183 5).
flog, tr. v., to beat; to whip. — Prob. corruption
of L. flagelldre, 'to scourge'. See flagellum.
Derivatives: flogg-ing, n., flogg-ing-ly, adv.
flood, n. — ME. flod, fr. OE. flod, 'a flowing,
flow, stream, flow of tide, tide', rel. to OS.,
OFris. flod, ON. flod, Dan., Swed. flod, MDu.
vloet, vloed, Du. vloed, OHG., MHG. fluot, G.
Flut, Goth, flodus and to ON. flda, 'to flood',
and cogn. with Gk. 7rXcoetv, 'to float, swim',
itXcotos, 'floating, navigable'. These words de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *plou-, a gradational variant
of *pleu-, 'to flow, swim'. See flow and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: flood, tr. and intr. v.,flood-ed, adj.,
flood-ing, n.
floodoraeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
height of floods. — A hybrid coined fr. flood
and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
floor, n. — ME. flor, fr. OE. flor, rel. to MDu.,
Du. vloer, ON. flor, fldrr, Norw. flor, 'floor of
a cow stall', MHG. vluor, G. Flur, 'field, mead-
ow, plain, floor', fr. I.-E. base *p!dros, *pldra,
whence also Olr. lar (for *pldr), W. llawr, Bret.
leur, 'ground, floor . This base is an enlarge-
ment of base *p(e)ld-, 'spread out, broad, fiat',
whence L. planus, 'level, flat'. See plain, adj.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: floor, tr. v.,floor-er, n.,floor-ing, n.
flop, intr. v., to fall down suddenly; tr. v., to
throw with a sudden thud. — Orig. an anti-
phonic variant of flap (q.v.) Cp. flump.
Derivatives : flop, n. and adv. ,flopp-y, a.d}., flopp-
i-ly, adv., flopp-i-ness, n.
Flora, 1) Roman goddess of flowers; 2) fern. PN.
— L. Flora. See next word.
flora, n., plants of a region or period. — L. Flora,
name of the goddess of flowers, fr. fids, gen.
floris, 'flower'. See flower and cp. floral, Floreal.
The name flora was introduced into botany by
Linnaeus ; cp. fauna.
floral, adj., 1) pertaining to a flora; pertaining
to flowers. — L. Fldrdlis, 'pertaining to Flora',
fr. Flora. See Flora and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative : floral-ly, adv.
Floreal, n., name of the 8th month of the French
revolutionary calendar (lasting from April 20th
to May 19th). — F. Floreal, lit. 'the month of
flower'; a word coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in
1793 from L. fldredlis, 'pertaining to flowers', fr.
fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower and adj. suff.
-al.
Florence, fern. PN. — L. Florentia, fern, of Fldren-
tius, lit. 'blooming', fr. florens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of florere, 'to flower, flourish', fr. fids,
gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower and -ence and
cp. florence.
florence, n., a kind of woven material (esp. of
silk). — Orig. 'anything made in Florence
(Italy)', fr. L. Florentia, 'Florence', lit. 'bloom'
(whence It. Fiorenze, later contracted into Fi-
renze, and F. Florence), fr. florens, gen. -entis.
See prec. word and cp. Florentine.
Florentine, adj., pertaining to the city of Flo-
rence, Italy. — L. Fldrentinus, 'of Florence', fr.
Florentia. See florence and adj. suff. -ine.
florescence, n., a blooming, blossoming. —
Formed from next word with suff. -ce. Cp. ef-
florescence, inflorescence.
florescent, adj., blooming, blossoming. — L.
fldrescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of fldrescere,
'to begin to flower', inchoative of florere, 'to
flower, flourish', from fids, gen. floris, 'flower'.
See flower and -escent and cp. efflorescent, in-
florescent.
floriculture, n., the cultivation of flowers. —
Formed on analogy of agriculture, fr. L. fids,
gen. floris, 'flower', and cultura, 'a cultivating,
culture'. See flower and culture.
Derivatives: floricultur-al, adj., floricultur-al-ly,
adv., floricultur-ist, n.
floret, n., a small flower. — OF. florete (F. fleu-
rette), dimin. of OF. flor (F.fleur), fr. h.fldrem,
acc. of fids, 'flower'. See flower and -et and cp.
fleuret.
Derivative: floret-ed, adj.
floriate, floriated, adj., decorated with floral or-
naments. — Formed with adj. suff. -ate (resp.
also -ed), fr. L. fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
flower.
Derivative : floriat-ion, n.
florid, adj., full of flowers. — L.fldridus, 'abound-
ing in flowers', fr. fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
flower and adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: florid-ity, n., florid-ly, adv., florid-
ness, n.
Florideae, n. pi., an order of algae (bot.) —
ModL., fr. L. fldridus, 'abounding in flowers'.
See prec. word and -idae.
floriferous, adj., bearing flowers. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. fldrifer, 'bearing flowers', from
fids, gen. floris, 'flower', and ferd, ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See flower and -ferous.
florilegium, n., 1) a collection of flowers: 2) an
anthology. — ModL., formed on analogy of
Gk. av&oXoyta (cp. anthology) fr. L. fldrilegus,
'flower-culling', fr. fids, gen. floris, 'flower', and
legere, 'to gather, collect'. See flower and lecture.
florin, n., 1) orig. a gold coin issued in Florence
in 1252; 2) name of various European gold and
silver coins. — ME., fr. OF., fr. It. fiorino, fr.
fiore, 'flower', fr. h.fldrem, acc. of fids, 'flower';
so called because gold coins issued at Florence
had originally the figure of a lily (the badge of
the city) stamped upon them; see flower, n. OF.
florin was influenced in form by Latin fldrem.
florist, n. — Formed on analogy of F. fleuriste,
from L. fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower
and -ist.
603
fluctuant
-florous, combining form meaning 'having (a
certain number of) flowers, as uniflorous, multi-
florous. — Formed fr. L. fids, gen. floris,
'flower' (see flower), and -ous.
floruit, n., period at which a person flourished. —
L., 'he flourished', pret. of florere, 'to flower,
flourish', fr. fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See flower,
flory, adj. — A variant of fleury.
floscule, n., a floret. — F., fr. L. fldsculus, 'a little
flower', dimin. of fids, gen. floris, 'a flower'.
See flower and -cule.
Derivatives: floscul-ar, floscul-ous, adjs.
floss, n., 1) the rough outside silk of a silkworm's
cocoon; 2) waste fiber of silk; 3) soft silk used
in embroidery. — Orig. used as an adj. in floss
silk, translation of the Old French phrase soye
flosche (F. soie floche), lit. 'soft silk'. OF. flosche
derives fr. OF. floe, 'a small tuft of wool', fr.
L. floccus. See floccus.
Derivative: floss-y, adj.
flotage, n., 1) the act of floating; 2) anything that
floats. — See floatage,
flotant, adj., floating in water; flying (her.) —
OF. flotant (F. flottant), pres. part, of floter
(F. flotter), 'to float'. See float, v., and -ant.
flotation, n., 1) the act of floating; 2) the act of
starting a business. — Altered fr. floatation
under the influence of F. flotation, 'floating',
flottaison, 'water line'. Cp. flotsam,
flotilla, n., a small fleet. — Sp., dimin. of flota,
'fleet', which is of Teut. origin. See float, n.,
and cp. words there referred to.
flotsam, n., floating wreckage. — AF. floteson,
'flotsam', corresponding to OF. flotaison, 'a
floating' (whence F. flottaison, 'water line'), fr.
floter (F. flotter), 'to float' ; see float, v., and cp.
flotation. The ending of flotsam was influenced
by the Scand. suff. -sam. Cp. jetsam.
flounce, intr. v., to move jerkily; to plunge; to
flounder. — Prob. borrowed from Scand. Cp.
dial. Swed. flunsa, 'to plunge', Norw. flunsa,
'to hurry', which are of imitative origin ; prob.
influenced in form by bounce.
Derivative: flounc-ing, n.
flounder, n., one of several edible flatfishes. —
OV.flondre, of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed., Norw.
flundra, Dan. flynder, ON. flydra, 'flatfish',
which are rel. to MLG. vlundere, MHG. vluo-
der, 'flounder' (G. Plunder, of s.m., is a LG.
loan word), and cogn. with Gk. zXaTu?, 'flat,
wide, broad', L. planta, 'sole of the foot'. See
place and cp. plaice. Cp. also flat,
flounder, intr. v., to struggle in an awkward man-
ner. — Prob. a blend of founder and blunder.
Derivatives: flounder, n., flounder -ing, adj.,
flounder-ing-ly, adv.
flour, n. — A var. of flower, orig. identical also
in meaning with it, but later used only in the
figurative sense as 'flower (i.e. the finest part)
of the meal'.
Derivatives: flour, tr. v., flour-y, adj.
flourish, intr. and tr. v. — ME. florisshen, fluris-
shen, fr. OF. floriss-, pres. part, stem of florir,
fr. VL. *florire, corresponding to florere, 'to
blossom, flourish', fids, gen. floris, 'flower'. See
flower, n., and verbal suff. -ish and cp. fleury.
Derivatives: flourish, n., flourish-ing, adj.,
flourish-y, adj.
flout, tr. and intr. v., to mock, jeer. — Fr.
ME. flouten, 'to play the flute'. For sense de-
velopment cp. the related MDu. fluyten, Du.
fluiten, 'to play the flute; to jeer'. See flute.
Derivatives: flout, n.,flout-er, n.,flout-ing-ly, adv.
flow, intr. v. — ME. flowen, fr. OE. fldwan, rel.
to Du. vloeien, 'to flow', ON. flda, 'to deluge',
flood', OHG. flouwen, 'to rinse, wash', fr. I.-E.
base *pleu-, 'to flow, swim', whence also OI.
pldvate, 'navigates, swims', pldvdyati, 'causes to
swim, overflows', Toch. B plewe, 'ship', Arm.
luanam, 'I wash', heium, 'I pour', Gk. irX6vto,
'I wash', TtXlco (for *7tXlf <o), 'I sail, go by sea,
swim', L. pluere, 'to rain', pluvia, 'rain', OSlav.
plovo, pluti, 'to flow, navigate', Lith. pilu, pilti,
'to pour out', plduju, plduti, 'to swim, rinse'.
See pluvial and cp. fleet, v., adj. and n., flit,
float, flood, flutter, fly, v. and n. Cp. also paludal,
Plynteria, pneumo-, pulmo-, pyelo-. I.-E. base
*pleu-, 'to flow', is ult. identical with base
*pele-, *ple-, 'to fill'. See full, adj., and words
there referred to and cp. esp. plutocracy.
Derivatives: flow, n., flow-ing, adj., flow-ing-ly,
adv.
flower, n. — ME. flour, fr. OF. flour, flur, flor
(F. fleur), fr. L. fldrem, acc. of fids, 'flower', fr.
I.-E. base *bhld-, *bhle-, *bhld-, 'to blossom,
flourish', whence also Mir. bldth, W. blawd,
'bloom, flower', OE. bldwan, 'to flower, bloom'.
See blow, 'to flower', and cp. blade, blood,
bloom, blossom. Cp. also cauliflower, defloration,
deflower, effloresce, ferret, 'ribbon', fleuret,
fleur-de-lis, flirt, Flora, flora, floral, Floreal,
Florence, Florentine, florescent, floret, florid,
florin, flour, flourish, millefiori, Phyllis, phyllo-.
The meaning 'to blossom, flourish', denoted by
base *bhld-, *bhle-, *bhld-, is secondary. The
orig. meaning of this .base is 'to blow, to swell'.
See blow, 'to puff', and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: flower, v ., flower-ed, adj. ,flower-er,
n., flower-ing, adj., flower-y, adj.
flower-de-luce, n., iris. — Corruption of fleur-de-
lis (q.v.)
floweret, n., a little flower. — Dimin. of flower.
Cp. fleuret, floret,
flown, pp. of fly.
flu, n., influenza (colloq.) — Shortened fr. in-
fluenza.
flucti-, combining form meaning 'wave'. — L.
flucti-, fr. fluctus, 'wave', fr. fluct-(um), archaic
pp. stem of fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent and cp.
fluctuate.
fluctuant, adj., undulating (rare). — L. fluctudns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of fluctudre. See next
word and -ant.
fluctuate
604
fluctuate, intr. v., to move like a wave; to un-
dulate. — L. fliictudt-(um), archaic pp. stem of
fluctudre, 'to move like a wave', fr. fluctus,
'wave'. See flucti- and verbal suflF. -ate.
fluctuation, n. — L. fluctudtid, gen. -dnis, 'a wav-
ering motion, fluctuation', fr. fluctudt-(um),
archaic pp. stem of fluctudre. See prec. word
and -ion.
flue, n., formerly, a chimney; now, a channel for
the passage of smoke, etc. — Of uncertain
origin.
flue, n., fluff. — ME. fluwe, fr. Flemish vluwe, fr.
F. velu, 'hairy, shaggy', fr. Late L. villutus, cor-
responding to L. villosus, 'hairy'. See velours
and cp. flue, 'fishing net', which is derivatively
identical with flue, 'fluff'. Cp. also fluff.
Derivative: flue-y, adj.
flue, n., the fluke of an anchor or a harpoon. —
Cp. fluke, 'broad end of the arm of an anchor'.
flue, n., a kind of fishing net. — ME., fr. Flem.
vluwe. See flue, 'fluff'.
fluellite, n., aluminum fluoride (mineral.) — A
blend of tiu(orine) and (wav)ellite.
fluency, n. — Formed from next word with suff.
-cy.
fluent, adj. — L. fluens, gen. -ends, pres. part.
of fluere, 'to flow', whence flumen, 'river'; cogn.
with Gk. 9Xiieiv, 'to boil over, bubble up',
9XcTv, 'to abound', fr. I.-E. *bhleu-, en-
largement of base *bhel-, *bhle-, 'to blow, swell'.
See blow, 'to puff', and -ent and cp. affluent,
afflux, circumfluent, confluent, defluent, diffluent,
flimflam, floss, fluid, flume, fluor, fluorescence,
fluorine, flush, 'number of cards', Flustra,
fluvial, flux, influence, influenza, influx, melli-
fluent, reflux, superfluous. Cp. also phello- and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: fluent-ly, adv., fluent-ness, n.
fluff, n., soft down. — Prob. rel. to flue, 'fluff'.
Derivatives: fluff, tr. and intr. v., fluff-y, adj.,
fluff-i-ly, adv., fluff-i-ness, n.
flugelman, n. fugleman. — G. Flugelmann, 'file
leader, fugleman', lit. 'man on the wing'. See
fugleman.
fluid, adj. — F. fluide, fr. L. fluidus, 'flowing,
fluid', fr. fluere. See fluent and adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: fluid, n„ fluid-al, adj., fluid-al-ly,
adv., fluid-ly, adv., fluid-ness, n., fluidity (q.v.),
fluidize (q.v.)
fluidify, tr. v., to make fluid. — See fluid and -fy.
fluidity, n., fluid state or quality. — See fluid and
-ity and cp. F. fluidite.
fluidize, tr. v., to make fluid. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. fluidus (see fluid) and -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form is fluidify, in which both
elements are Latin.
fluke, n., 1) flounder, flatfish; 2) a flat parasitic
worm. — ME. floke, fluke, fr. OE. floe, 'flat-
fish', rel. to ON. fldki, of s.m., and in gradat-
ional relationship to Norw. flak, 'disk, floe'. See
flake, 'a thin, flat piece' (q.v.), and cp. next word.
fluke, n., part of an anchor. — Prob. figurative
use of prec. word (q.v.) The broad end of the
arm of an anchor was compared with a flatfish,
fluke, n., a lucky accidental stroke at billiards
or other games. — Of unknown origin,
fluky, adj., infested with flukes. — Formed with
adj. suff. -y fr. fluke, 'flatfish; a flat parasitic
worm'.
fluky, adj., lucky. — Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fluke, 'accidental stroke'.
Derivatives: adv., fluki-ness, n.
flume, n., artificial water course. — ME., fr.
OF. flum, 'river', fr. L. flumen, 'river', from the
stem of fluere, 'to flow'. See fluent.
flummery, n., 1) a soft jellylike food made from
the husks of oats; 2) empty compliments; non-
sense. — W. llymru, 'sour oatmeal jelly boiled
with the husks'.
flummox, tr. v., to confound (slang). — Prob. rel.
to OE. flummocks, 'to maul, mangle', and, to-
gether with it, of imitative origin.
flump, tr. v., to move or fall heavily, to plump;
n., the act of flumping. — Prob. a blend of
flop and plump.
flung, past tense and pp. of fling. — ME. flungen,
fr. flingen. See fling.
flunky, flunkey, n., a lackey. — Prob. meaning
lit. 'the man at the side', and rel. to flank. Cp.
F. flanquer, 'to be at the side of, to flank', fr.
flanc, 'side'.
Derivatives: flunkey-dom, n., flunkey-ish, adj.,
flunkey-ism, n.
fluo-, combining form indicating the presence of
fluorine (chem.) — Short for F. fluor, 'fluorine'.
See next word.
fluor, n., a mineral containing fluorine, fluorite.
— ModL., fr. L. fluor, 'a flowing', fr. fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent and -or and cp. fluorine.
fluoresce, intr. v. — Back formation fr. fluor-
escence.
fluorescence, n. (physics). — Formed with suff.
-escence (on analogy of opalescence, phosphores-
cence) fr. fiuor(spar). The word fluorescence
was coined by the English mathematician and
physicist, Sir George Gabriel Stokes (1819-1903)
in 1852 in allusion to the circumstance that he
noticed this phenomenon first in fluorspar.
fluorescent, adj. — See prec. word and -ent.
fluoric, adj., pertaining to fluorine (chem.) —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. fluor.
fluorine, n., name of a nonmetallic element be-
longing to the halogen family (chem.) — Coined
by the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy
(1 778- 1 829) fr. fluor with chem. suff. -ine (on
analogy of brom-ine, chlor-ine, iod-ine). The
element was so called by him because it was
found first in fluorspar.
fluorite, n., fluorspar (mineral.) — Formed fr.
fluor with subst. suff. -ite.
fluoro-, combining form denoting either 1) fluor-
ine or 2) fluorescence. — See fluor.
fluoroscope, n., an instrument for observing
fluorescence. — A hybrid coined fr. L. fluor and
605
foam
Gk. -<jx6mov, fr. axoTtetv, 'to look at, exam-
ine'. See fluor and -scope.
Derivative: fluoroscop-y, n.
fluorspar, n., fluorite. — Lit. 'fluor used as a
spar'. See fluor and spar, and cp. G. Fluflspat.
Cp. also feldspar, feldspathic.
flurry, n., 1) a gust of wind ; 2) agitation. — Prob.
a blend of obsol. flurr, 'to whir' (which is of
imitative origin), and hurry.
Derivative: flurry, tr. v.
flush, intr. and tr. v., to start up suddenly. —
ME. fluschen, of imitative origin,
flush, n., a flock of flushed birds. — Fr. prec. word,
flush, intr. v., 1) to rush (said of blood); to flow
suddenly; 2) to blush; tr. v., 1) to cleanse with
a sudden flow of water; 2) to make red; 3) to
excite. — A blend of flash and blush,
flush, adj. and adv., full to overflowing. — Fr.
prec. word.
Derivatives: flush, tr. v., to fill up, flush-ness, n.
flush, adj., even, level. — Prob. identical with
prec. word and orig. applied to a river running
full, hence level with its banks,
flush, n., a number of cards of the same suit. —
F. flux, lit. 'flux, flow', fr. L. fluxus. See flux.
Derivative: flush, adj., consisting of cards of
the same flush.
flushing, n., a kind of coarse cloth. — From
Flushing (Vlissingen), seaport in Holland.
fluster, tr. v., to confuse with drink; to confuse;
intr. v., to be confused. — Prob. of Scand. ori-
gin. Cp. Icel. flaustr, 'bustle' ,flaustra, 'to bustle' ;
which are prob. imitative.
Derivatives: fluster, n., fluster-y, adj.
Flustra, n., a genus of marine Polyzoa (zool.) —
ModL., coined by Linnaeus fr. L. flustra (pi.),
'the usual calm of the sea', which prob. stands
for *flugs-tra and derives fr. fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
flute, n. — ME. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaiite,
fleiite (F. flute), fr. OProvenc. flaiit, which is
prob. a blend of OProvenc,. flaujol, 'flageolet', and
laiit, 'lute'. See flageolet and lute, 'a musical in-
strument'. \t.flauto and Sp. flauta are OProvenc.
loan words. Cp. flout.
flute, intr. v. — ME. flouten, floiten, fr. OF. flaii-
ter, fleiiter (F. fluter), fr. OF. flaiite, fleiite,
'flute'. See flute, n.
Derivatives: flut-ed, adj., flut-er, n., flut-ing, n.,
flut-y, adj.
flutist, n. — A hybrid coined fr. flute and -ist,
a suff. of Greek origin. Cp. flautist.
flutter, intr. v., to flap the wings; tr. v., to move
quickly. — ME. floteren, fr. OE. floterian, 'to be
tossed by waves, to flutter', freq. of flotian, 'to
float'. See float, v.
Derivatives: flutter, n., flutter-er, n., flutter-ing,
adj., flutter-ing-ly, adv., flutter-y, adj.
fluvial, adj., pertaining to a river. — L. fluvidlis,
fr. fluvius, 'river', which is rel. to fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent and adj. suff. -at
f.uviatic, adj., fluvial. — L. fluvidticus, 'pertaining
to a river', fr. fluvius. See prec. word and 2nd
-atic.
fluviatile, adj., fluvial. — F., fr. L. fluvidtilis, 'per-
taining to a river', fr. fluvius. See fluvial and -ile.
fluvio-, combining form meaning 'river'. — Fr.
L. fluvius. See fluvial.
flux, n., 1) a flowing; 2) a continuous change. —
ME., fr. MF. (= F.) flux, fr. L. fluxus, 'a flow-
ing, flow, flux', fr. fluxus, pp. of fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent and cp. flush, 'a number of
cards', afflux, conflux, efflux, influx, reflux.
Derivatives : flux, v. ,fluxible (q.v.),flux-ibil-ity, n.
fluxible,adj., 1) fluid; 2) capable of being melted.
— OF., fr. Late E.fluxibilis, 'fluid', fr. L. fluxus,
pp. of fluere, 'to flow'. See flux and -ible.
fluxion, n., 1) a flowing; 2) a continuous change.
— F., fr. L. fluxionem, acc. of fluxid, 'a flow-
ing', fr. fluxus, pp. of fluere. See flux and -ion.
Derivatives : fluxion-al, fluxion-ary, adjs.
fly, intr. and tr. v. — ME. flegen,flien, fr. OE.fleo-
gan, rel. to OS., OHG. fliogan, ON./7y%«,Swed.
flyga, earlier Dan. flyge, Dan. flyve, OFris.
flidga, MDu. vlieghen, Du. vliegen, MHG.
vliegen, G. fliegen, 'to fly', Goth, us-flaugjan, 'to
cause to fly', and cogn. with Lith. plaukiu,
plaukti, 'to swim'; fr. I.-E. base *pleuq-, 'to
move forward (by swimming, running or flying)',
enlargement of *pleu-, 'to flow, swim'. See flow
and cp. fledge, flight, 'the act of flying', fowl.
Derivatives: fly, n., the act of flying, fly, adj.
(q.v.),fly-ing, adj. and n.
fly, n., a two-winged insect. — ME. flege, flie,
fr. OE. fleoge, flyge, rel. to OS. fliega, ON.,
Swed. fluga, Norw. fljuge, earlier Dan. fluge,
Gan.flue, MDu. vlieghe, Du. vlieg, OHG. flioga,
fliuga, MHG. vliuge, vliege, G. Fliege, 'fly', lit.
'the flying (scil. insect)', fr. OE. fleogan etc.,
'to fly'. See fly, v.
fly, adj., agile ; knowing, sharp (slang). — Fr. fly, v.
flyte, flyting. — See flite, Siting,
foal, n. — ME. fole, fr. OE.fola, rel. to OS., OHG,
fob, ON. foli, OFris. fola, MHG. vole, G.
Fohlen, Goth, fula, and cogn. with Gk. -K&koq,
'foal', Arm. ul (for *polon), 'kid', Alb. pel'e,
'mare', L. pullus, 'a young animal', fr. I.-E. base
*p3ul-, *p ( ul-, *pul-, 'young animal', prop,
-/-enlargement of I.-E. base *pOu-, *p e u-, *pu-,
'small, little, young, few'. See few and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also filly.
Derivatives: foal, tr. v.,foal-y, adj.
foam, n. — ME. fame, fame, fr. OE. fdm, rel. to
OHG., MHG. veim, G. Feim, and cogn. with
OI. phinah, L. pumex, 'pumice', spuma, 'foam',
OSlav. pena, 'foam', Lith. spdine, 'a streak of
foam', OPruss. spoayno, 'foam'. Cp. pumice,
spume.
Derivatives: foam, v. (q.v.), foam-y, adj.,foam-
i-ly, adv., foam-i-ness, n.
foam, intr. v. — ME. famien, fomen, fr. fame,
fome, 'foam'. Cp. OE. fxman, 'to foam', and
see foam, n.
Derivative: foam-er, n.
fob
606
fob, tr. v., to cheat (archaic). — Prob. fr. G. fop-
pen, 'to jeer at, make a fool of, hoax'. Cp. fub
and fop.
fob, n., a little pocket. — Prob. fr. G. Fuppe, 'a
pocket', a dialectal word used in Livonia.
focal, adj. — Formed fr. focus with adj. suff. -al.
Cp. bifocal, confocal.
Derivatives: focal-ize, tr. v., focal-iz-ation, n.,
focal-ly, adv.
focimeter, n., an instrument for measuring the
distance of the focus. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. focus, 'hearth', and Gk. fxsTpov, 'measure'.
See focus and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivative: focimetr-y, n.
fo'c'sle. — Phonetic spelling of forecastle.
focus, n., a point at which rays of light, heat,
etc., meet. — ModL., fr. L. focus, 'hearth' (in
VL., 'fire'), which is of uncertain origin. It is
perh. cogn. with Arm. bosor, 'red', boc, 'flame'.
The word focus was introduced into mathe-
matics by Kepler in 1604. Cp. curfew, foyer, fuel,
fusil, 'musket', feu de joie.
Derivatives: focus, tr. and intr. v., focus-er, n.
fodder, n. — ME. foder, fr. OE. fodor, from the
stem of foda, 'food', rel. to ON. fodr, Dan.,
Swed. foder, MDu. voeder, Du. voe(de)r, OHG.
fuotar, MHG. vuoter, G. Futter. See food.
Derivatives: fodder-er, n., fodder-less, adj.
foe, n. — ME. fo, fa, fr. OE. fag, fah, 'hostile',
rel. to OHG. fehan, 'to hate', gi-feh, MHG. ge-
vech, 'hostile', Goth, faih, 'deception', bi-faih,
'envy, covetousness', OE. fxhd(o), 'feud, en-
mity', fxge, 'doomed to die, fated'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *peik-, 'evil-minded,
treacherous, hostile', whence also OI. pisunah,
'malicious', picacdh, 'demon', Lith. piktas,
'wicked, angry', pykti, 'to become angry', peikti,
'to blame', OPruss. paikemmai, 'we deceive';
cp. feud, 'enmity', fey. Cp. the related base
*peig-, whence L. piger, 'reluctant, averse, lazy',
piget, *it irks, troubles, displeases', OE. fdcen,
OS. fekan, OHG. feihhan, 'deceit, fraud, treach-
ery' ; see fickle.
Foehn, Fohn, n., a warm dry wind blowing down
the valleys of the Alps. — MHG. fanne, fr.
OHG. phonno, fr. VL. *faonius, fr. L. favonius,
'west wind'. See Favonius.
foeman, n., foe, enemy. — ME. fomon, fr. OE.
fahman. See foe and man.
Foeniculum, n., a genus of plants of the carrot
family (bot.) — L. foeniculum, faeniculum, 'fen-
nel'. See fennel.
foetal, adj. — See fetal.
foetation, n. — See fetation.
foeticide, n. — See feticide.
foetus, n. — See fetus.
fog, n., coarse grass, aftermath. — ME. fogge,
prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. Norw. fogg, 'long
grass in a moist hollow', which is rel. to OE.,
OS. fuht, MLG., MDu. vucht, Du. vochl,
OHG. fuhtQ), MHG. viuhte, G. feucht, 'moist,
damp', and cogn. with OI. pdnkah, 'mud, mire',
and prob. also with Arm. zanganem (for *z-han-
ganem), 'to knead'.
Derivative: fog, tr. v., to leave the grass
standing.
fog, n., mist. — Dan. fog, 'spray, shower, drift
of snow', rel. to ON. fok, of s.m., fjuk, 'snow-
storm', fjiika, 'to be driven by the wind'.
Derivative: fog, tr. v., to envelop into a fog,
to befog.
foggage, n., the right of pasturing cattle on fog
(law). — A hybrid coined fr. fog, 'coarse grass',
and -age, a suff. of Latin origin,
fogger, n., a man employed to place fog signals
on railroad. — Formed fr. fog, 'mist', with
agential suff. -er.
foggy* adj., misty. — Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fog, 'mist'.
Derivatives : foggi-ly, adv., foggi-ness, n.
foggy, adj., pertaining to, or abounding in, the
grass called fog. — Formed with adj. suff. -y
fr. fog, 'coarse grass'.
fogy, fogey, adj., an old dull fellow. — Of un-
certain origin.
foible, n., a weak point in one's character. —
OF., 'weak' (F. faible), dissimil. fr. L. flebilis,
'lamentable' (see feeble, which is a doublet of
foible). The word orig meant 'the weakest part
of a sword blade', in contradistinction to its
strongest part, called forte.
foil, n., 1) a leaflike space in the tracery of a win-
dow; 2) a leaf of metal. — OF. foil, fuil, fr. L.
folium, 'leaf. Cp. F.feuille, 'leaf, fr. L. folia, pi.
of folium (but mistaken for fem. sing.), and see
folio. Cp. also the second element in trefoil,
quatrefoil, cinquefoil, milfoil, counterfoil.
Derivatives: foil, tr. v., to furnish with foils,
foil-ing, n.
foil, tr. v., 1) to trample (a hunting term); 2) to
baffle. — ME.foilen, 'to tread under one's foot,
to trample', irregularly formed fr. OF. foler,
fuler, fouler, of s.m., fr. VL. *fulldre, 'to full
(cloth)'. See full, 'to thicken cloth'.
foil, n., trail of an animal. — Fr. foil, 'to trample'.
foil, n., a small sword used in fencing. — Orig.
'that which is used to baffle (scil. the opponent)',
fr. foil, 'to baffle'.
foiling, n., decoration with foils. — Formed with
subst. suff. -ing fr. foil, 'space in the tracery of
a window'.
foiling, n., trail of a deer. — Formed with subst.
suff. -ing fr. foil, 'trail of an animal',
foin, intr. v., to thrust with a sword (archaic). —
ME. foinen, fr. OF. foisne, foine (F. fouine),
'fish spear', fr. L. fuscina, 'a trident', which is
of uncertain origin,
foison, n., abundance, plenty (archaic). — OF.
(= F.) foison, fr. L. fusidnem, acc. of fusid, *a
pouring out'. See fusion, which is a doublet of
foison.
foist, tr. v., to palm off; to put in surreptitiously.
— MDu. vuisten, 'to take in the fist', fr. vuist,
'fist'. See fist.
607
folliculitis
fold, tr. and intr. v., to double. — ME. falden,
folden, fr. OE. fealdan, rel. to ON. falda,
Dan. folde, Swed. fdlla, MLG. volden, MDu.
vouden, Du. vouwen, OHG. faldan, MHG. val-
den, valten, G. fatten, Goth, falpan, and cogn.
with OI. putah, 'fold, pocket', Alb. paVe, 'fold',
Mir. alt, 'a joint'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. *pel-to-, enlargement of base *pel-, 'to
fold'. See ply, n. and v., and -fold, and cp. plait.
Cp. also the first element in faldstool, fauteuil.
Derivatives: fold, n. (q.\.),fold-er, n.,fold-ing,n.
fold, n., a folding; anything folded. — ME. feald,
fold. See prec. word.
fold, n., pen for sheep. — ME. fold, fr. OE. falod,
falud,fald, rel. to Dan. fold, 'pen for sheep', Du.
vaalt, 'a dung pit'. Cp. the second element in
pinfold.
Derivative: fold, to keep (sheep) in a fold,
-fold, suff. — ME., fr. OE. -feald, rel. to OS. -fold,
ON. -faldr, OHG., MHG, G. -fait, Goth, -falps,
and cogn. with Gk. -toxXto?, -TcXamcx;, and -7tX6<;,
-71X005, Att. -TtXou? (in a-TrXo?, a-TtX6oi;, resp.
Att. a-TcXou?, 'simple, single', Si-tcX6?, Si-Ttl6oq,
resp. Att. Si-TcXouq, 'double', etc.), and L. -plus
(in sim-plus, 'simple, single', du-plus, 'double',
etc.) See fold, v., and cp. haplo-. Cp. also simple,
double.
folding, n., the act of folding. — Formed fr. fold,
'to double', with -ing, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
folding, adj., that which folds or is folded. —
Formed fr. fold, 'to double', with part. suff. -ing.
folding, n., the act of enclosing or keeping sheep
in a fold. — Formed from the verb fold, 'to
keep (sheep) in a fold' (see fold, 'pen'), with
-ing, a suff. forming verbal nouns.
foliaceous, adj., pertaining to, or consisting of,
leaves. — L. folidceus, 'leafy', fr. folium, 'leaf.
See folio and -aceous.
foliage, n. — Altered fr. F. feuillage, fr. feuille,
'leaf, fr. L. folia, 'leaves', pi. of folium, but
mistaken for a fem. sing. E. foliage was influ-
enced in form by L. folium. See folio and -age
and cp. foil, 'space in the tracery of a window'.
foliar, adj., pertaining to leaves. — Formed with
suff. -ar fr. L. folium, 'leaf. See folio.
foliate, adj., 1) having leaves; 2) resembling
leaves. — L. foiidtus, 'leafy', fr. folium, 'leaf .
See folio and adj. suff. -ate and cp. defoliate,
exfoliate, perfoliate.
foliate, tr. v., 1) to beat into a leaf; 2) to furnish
with foils; mtr. v., to split into laminae or
leaves. — L. foiidtus. See prec. word.
Derivatives: foliat-ed, adj., foliat-ion, n.
foliature, n., foliage. — L. folidtiira, fr. foiidtus,
'leafy'. See foliate, adj., and -lire.
folio, n., 1) a leaf of a book; 2) a sheet of paper
once folded. — Abl. of L. folium, 'leaf, which
prob. stands for I.-E. *bholyom, and is cogn. with
Gk. ip-iXXov (for *bhulyom), 'leaf, Gael, bile (for
*bhelyom), 'leaflet, blossom'. All these words
derive fr. I.-E. base *bhlo-, *bhlS-, 'to blossom',
properly 'to swell'. See blow, 'to flower', blow,
'to puff, and cp. foliage, foil, 'leaf of me 1 -J.',
feuilleton, filemot, and asperifoliate, bifoliate,
Caprifoliaceae, defoliate, exfoliate, perfoliate,
portfolio, Trifolium. Cp. also phyllo-. Cp also
blade.
Derivatives: folio, adj. and tr. v.
foliole, n., leaflet (bot.); a small organ resembling
a leaf (zool.) — F., fr. L. foliolum, dimin. of
folium, 'leaf. See folio and dimin. suff. -ole.
foliose, adj., leafy. — L. folidsus, fr. folium. See
folio- and adj. suff. -ose
folium, n., 1) a leaf; 2) a thin layer. — L. See
folio-.
folk, n. — ME., fr. OE.folc, 'people, crowd', rel.
to ON., Dan., Swed., OFris. folk, MLG., MDu.
vole, Du. volk, OHG. folc, MHG. vole, G.
Volk, 'people', fr. Teut. *fulka-, which prob.
meant orig. 'host of warriors'. The above words
are rel. to OE. ge-fylce, ON.fylki, 'troop, army',
and prob. cogn. with Alb. plogu, 'heap, crowd'.
For the orig. meaning of Teut. *fulka- cp. Lith.
pulkas, 'heap, troop', OSlav. pluku (for *pulku),
'host of warriors', which are traceable to Teut.
*fulka-. The orig. meaning of the above Teut.
words shows that they cannot be connected
etymologically with Gk. TtXij&o?, 'multitude', L.
plebs, 'people; mob', populus, 'people', as is
done by most linguists. Cp. the first element in
Volkslied, Volksraad.
folkland, n., land held by customary right (Engl.
Hist.) — OE. folcland. See folk and land.
folklore, n., the traditional customs, beliefs and
tales of a people. — Coined by the English anti-
quary William John Thomas (1803-85) in 1846
for earlier popular antiquities. See folk and lore.
folklorist, n., an expert in folklore. — A hybrid
coined fr. folklore and -ist, a suff. of Greek
origin.
folkmote, folkmoot, n., general assembly of a
town or shire in Anglo-Saxon England. —
Modern rendering of OE. folcmot, folcgemdt,
lit. 'people's meeting'. See folk and moot.
follicle, n., 1) a small sac, cavity or gland (anat.);
2) a seed vessel (bot.) — F. follicule, 'a little
bag', fr. L. folliculus, of s.m., dimin. of follis,
'a leather sack; a pair of bellows, moneybag,
wind cushion, stomach'. L. follis stands for
*bhol-nis or *bhj-nis and is a derivative of base
*bhel-, 'to swell'. See bull, 'male of the ox', and
cp. belly and words there referred to. For the
ending see suff. -cle.
follicular, adj., pertaining to a follicle. — L.fol-
liculdris, 'pertaining to a little bag', fr. folliculus.
See follicle and adj. suff. -ar.
folliculate, adj., consisting of a follicle or fol-
licles. — Formed fr. L. folliculus (see follicle)
with adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: folliculat-ed, adj.
folliculitis, n., inflammation of follicles (med.) —
A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. folliculus (see
follicle) and -itis, a surf, of Greek origin.
follicu losis
ouo
folliculosis, n., abnormal development of the
lymph follicles (med.) — A Medical L. hybrid
coined fr. L. folliculus (see follicle) and -osis,
a suff. of Greek origin.
follow, tr. and intr. v. — ME. folewen, foluwen,
folwen, folgen, fr. OE. folgian, also fylgan, rel.
to OS. folgon, OFris. folgia, fulgia, ON., Norw.
fylgja, Swed. falja, Dan. f0lge, MDu. volghen,
Du. volgen, OHG. folgen, MHG. volgen, G.
folgen, 'to follow', and perh. cogn. with W.,
Co. ol (for I.-E. *polgh-), 'track of the foot',
W. ar ol, 'behind, after', olafiad, 'successor'.
Derivatives: follow, n., follower (q.v.), follow-
ing, adj. and n.
follower, n. — ME. folwere, fr. OE. folgere, fr.
folgian, 'to follow'. See prec. word and agential
suff. -er.
folly, n. — ME./o//e, fr. OF. (= F.),falie fr.
OF. fol (F. fou, fol), 'fool'. See fool and -y (rep-
resenting OF. -ie).
foment, tr. v., i) to treat with warm water; 2) to
stir up, stimulate. — F. fomenter, fr. L. famen-
tdre, 'to foment', fr. fomentum, contraction
of *fovimentum, 'a warm application, poultice',
fr. favere, 'to warm, keep warm', which stands
for *dhog w eyd, prop, a causative form lit.
meaning 'I cause to burn', fr. I.-E. base *dheg w h-,
*dhog u 'h-, 'to burn'. See day and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: foment, n., foment-er, foment-
ation, n.
fomes, n., a porous substance capable of ab-
sorbing contagious germs. — L. fomes, 'kindling
wood, touchwood, tinder', rel. to fomentum,
'a warm application, poultice'. See foment.
fond, n., foundation. — F. fond (now fands), fr.
OF. fonz, fons, fr. L. fundus, 'bottom, basis,
foundation'. See fund and cp. the second ele-
ment in plafond.
fond, adj., infatuated; loving. — ME. fonned, 'in-
fatuated', pp. of fonnen, 'to make a fool of,
fr. fon, fonne, 'fool, foolish', which is of un-
certain origin. Cp. fondle, fun. Derivatives:
fondle (q.v.), fond-ly, adv., fond-ness, n.
fonda, n., hotel, inn. — Sp., fr. Arab, funduq. See
fonduk.
fondaco, n., inn. — It., fr. Arab, funduq. See
fonduk and cp. prec. word.
fondant, n., a kind of sweetmeat that melts easily
in the mouth. — F., prop. pres. part, of fondre,
'to melt', fr. L. fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
'to establish', and -ant and cp. fondue.
fondle, tr. and intr. v. — Formed with freq. suff.
-le fr. obsol. fond, 'to be fond of, fr. fond, adj.
Derivative: fondl-ing, n.
fondue, n., a dish made of melted cheese, eggs,
butter, etc. — F., prop. fem. of fondu, pp. of
fondre, 'to melt'. See fondant.
fonduk, n., 1) a warehouse, also an inn, in N.
Africa. — Arab, funduq, fr. Mishnaic Heb. pun-
ddq, or Aram, pund'qd, fr. Gk. 7tav8oxetov,'inn',
lit. 'a place for the reception of everybody', fr.
7iavSoxoi;, 'all-receiving', compounded of Ttav,
'all, everything', and the stem of Ssxso&ai, 'to
receive hospitably, entertain'. Cp. Sp. alfandega,
which derives fr. Arab, al-, 'the', and funduq,
'inn', and see pandect. Cp. also fonda, fondaco.
font, n., receptacle for baptismal water — ME.,
fr. OE. font, 'baptismal font', fr. L. fons, gen.
fontis, 'spring, fountain', in Eccles. Latin 'bap-
tismal font'. See 1st fount,
font, n„ set of type of one size (typogr.) — F.
fonte, 'a casting', prop, the fem. pp. of fondre,
'to cast, melt', used as a noun. See found, 'to
cast', and cp. fount, 'font',
fontal, adj., 1) pertaining to a fountain; 2) bap-
tismal. — Late L. fontdlis, fr. L. fons, gen. fon-
tis, 'fountain'. See 1st fount and adj. suff. -al.
fontanel, fontanelle, n., membranous space be-
tween the bones of the skull of a baby or a
young animal (anat.) — F. fontanelle, trans-
formation of OF. fontenelle, fr. Medical L. fon-
tanels, prop, the latinized form of the dimin.
of F. fontaine, 'fountain'. See fountain and
dimin. suff. -el, resp. -elle.
food, n. — ME. fade, fr. OE. fada (whence
OE. fador, 'fodder'), rel. to Goth, fddeins,
'food', fodjan, 'to feed', and cogn. with Gk.
Ttaxelaftai, 'to feed', fr. I.-E. *pdt-, *pH-,
-^-enlargements of base *pd-, 'to tend, keep,
pasture, feed, guard, protect', whence also Mes-
sapian roxvos, 'bread', L. pd-bulum (for *pa-
dhlo-m), 'food, fodder', pd-nis, 'bread', pd-scere
(pp. pd-stus), 'to graze, pasture, feed', pd-stor,
'shepherd', lit. 'feeder', OSlav. pasp (for pa-
sted), pasti, 'to feed, tend (the flock)', Toch. A
pas-, B pdsk-, 'to feed, tend (the flock)', Hitt.
pahhshi, 'I keep, tend, protect'. Cp. feed, fodder,
forage, foster, fother, v. Cp. also appanage, com-
panion, company, impanate, pabulum, panda,
panetela, panification, pannage, pannier, pantler,
pantry, pascual, pastern, pastille, pastor, pasture,
repast. — Related, and equivalent in meaning,
to I.-E. base *pd-, is base *pd-, *pdi-, *pf-,
whence Ol. pdti, 'he guards, protects', gd-p&h,
'shepherd', pdyiih, 'guarding, protecting', Gk.
TOHu.r)v, 'shepherd', niaO, 'flock of sheep', rco>u,ix,
'lid, cover', Lith. piemud, 'shepherd'. Cp. the
2nd element in ' ikapala and in satrap. Cp. also
ban, 'governor', and words there referred to.
fool, n., a jester, a dupe. — ME. fol, fr. OF. fol
(F. fou, fol), 'fool', fr. L. follis, 'bag, bellows,
ball filled with air', in VL. 'empty-headed per-
son, fool'. See follicle. Derivatives : fool, intr.
and tr. \.,faol-ery, n.,faol-ing, n.,fool-ish, adj.,
fool-ish-ly, adv., fool-ish-ness, n.
fool, n., dish consisting of crushed fruit, milk and
cream. — Fr. prec. word in its colloquial sense
'a trick, a joke'. For sense development cp.
trifle, 'a thing of small value; a sweet dish',
foolhardy, adj., foolishly bold; rash. — ME.fal-
herdi, fr. OF. fol hardi. See fool, 'jester', and
hardy.
Derivatives: foolhardi-ly, ad\.,foolhardi-ness, n.
OUT
iwi weal
foolscap, n., a size of writing paper. — So called
because it formerly bore a fool's cap as water-
mark.
foot, n. — ME. fat, fr. OE. fat, rel. to OS. fat,
ON. fatr, Swed. fat, Dan. fad, Du. voet, OHG.
fuos, MHG. VU03, G. Fufi, Goth, fatus, 'foot', and
cogn. with Ol. pit, acc. pddam, 'foot', Avestic
pad-, 'foot', Toch. A pe, B pai, 'foot', Apem, B
paine, 'both feet', Arm. ot-n, 'foot', ot-k', 'feet',
Dor. Gk. 7T(i;, Att. Troii? (formed on analogy of
o5<;, 'ear'), gen. toSo?, L. pes, gen. pedis, 'foot',
Ol. paddm, 'step, track', Arm. het, gen. hetoy,
'track, footmark', Gk. tt^Stj, 'fetter', 7teS5v, 'to
bind with fetters', tc£8ov, 'ground, earth', L-.peda,
'footstep', pedica, 'shackle, fetter', impedire, 'en-
tangle, ensnare', expedire, 'to extricate, disen-
gage', Lith. pedd, 'footstep, trace', OSlav. podu,
'loft', Russ. pod-oshva, 'sole of foot'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *pSd-, *pSd-, 'foot'.
Cp. fetch, fetlock, fetter, fit, 'part of a song'. Cp.
also antipodes, apod, babouche, biped, breviped,
caliber, cap-a-pie, charpoy, expedient, expedite,
impeach, impede, impedimenta, Lycopodium,
millepede, multiped(e), octopus, oppidan, palmi-
ped, pawn (in chess), parallelepiped, pajama,
pedal, pedate, -pede, pedesis, pedestal, Pedetes,
pedicel, pedicle, pedigree, pedology, 'the study of
soils', peduncle, peon, pes, petiole, pew, Peziza,
pie, 'a small coin', piepoudre, pilot, podagra,
podal, podium, podo-, pug, 'footprint', puy, seer-
paw, Taliped, Tarsipes, teapoy, trapezium, triped,
tripos, vamp, 'front part of the foot', velocipede.
Cp. also pejorative, pessimism.
Derivatives: foot, tr. and intr. v., faot-ed, adj.,
faot-er, n., foot-ing, n., foot-less, adj.
footeite, n., a hydrous copper oxychloride (min-
eral.) — Named after A. E. Foote of Philadel-
phia (died in 1895). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
footfall, n. — First used by Shakespeare,
footle, intr. v., to trifle. — Formed with suff. -le
fr. dial. E. footer, 'to trifle', which is rel. to
footy (q.v.)
Derivative: footl-ing, adj., trifling, paltry.
footpad, n., a highway robber on foot. — Com-
pounded of foot and pad, 'pathway'.
Derivatives: footpad, intr. v., footpadd-ery, n.
footy, adj., mean; paltry (dial. English). — F.
foutu, pp. of foutre, 'to thrust, to deal blows',
se foutre, 'to care nothing', fr. OF. foutre, 'to
copulate with', fr. L. futuere, of s.m., orig. 'to
strike, thrust', which is rel. to confutdre, 'to
repress a boiling liquid; to suppress, check, dis-
prove'. See confute and cp. footle.
foozle, tr. and intr. v., to bungle. — Cp. Bavarian
G. fuseln, 'to work quickly and badly' ; of un-
certain origin.
Derivatives: foozle, n., foozl-er, n.
fop, n., a dandy. — ME. fop, foppe, 'fool', ft.
Du. foppen, fr. G. fappen, 'to jeer at, make a
fool of. Cp. fob, fub.
Derivatives: fop-ling, n., fopp-ery, n., fopp-ish,
adj., flopp-ish-ly, adv., fapp-ish-ness, n.
for, prep. — ME., fr. OB. for, fare, 'before (prep,
and adv.), for, on account of, rel. to OS. fur,
furi, 'before', Du. voor, 'for, before', OHG. fora,
'before', furi, MHG. vur, G. fur, 'for', Dan.
far, 'for', far, 'before' (prep, and adv.), Swed.
far, 'for', fare, 'before', Goth, faur, 'for', faura,
'before (adv. and prep.), for'. See fore, adv.,
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: far, conj.
for-, pref. — OE., replacing earlier fxr-,fer-, rel.
to ON. for-, Du. ver-, OHG. fir-, far-, MHG.,
G. ver-, Goth, faur-, fair-, fra-, and cogn. with
Gk. 7tapoc-, Ttepi-, L. per-, prae-, pro-, OSlav.
pri-, Lith. per-. See for and words there referred
to and cp. the first element in fret, 'to eat away'.
forage, n., fodder. — ME., fr. OF. forage, far-
rage, fourage (F. fourrage), fr. OF. forre, fuerre
(F. feurre), 'fodder, straw', fr. Frankish *fadr,
which is rel. to OHG. fuotar, OE. fodor, 'fod-
der'. See fodder and -age and cp. foray. Cp.
also forel.
forage, tr. and intr. v. — F. fourrager, fr. four-
rage. See forage, n.
forager, n. — ME., fr. OF. foragier, farragier,
collateral forms of forrageur (whence F. four-
rageur), 'forager'. See forage, n. and v., and
agential suff. -er.
foralite, n., marking found in rocks (geol.)
— A hybrid coined from the stem of L. fardre,
'to bore', and Gk. MSoq, 'stone'. See foramen
and -lite.
foramen, n., a small orifice, aperture. — L.
foramen, 'hole, opening', fr. fardre, 'to bore,
pierce, through', which is cogn. with OE. borian,
'to bore'. See bore, v., and -men.
foraminate, adj., perforated. — L. fordmindtus,
'bored, pierced through', fr. foramen, gen. fo-
rdminis, 'hole, opening'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ate. Derivative: foraminat-ed, adj.
Foraminifera, n. pi., an order of rhizopods (zool.)
— ModL., lit. 'bearing holes', compounded of
L. foramen, gen. fordminis, 'hole, opening', and
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See foramen and -fer.
foraminiferal, foraminiferous, adj., containing
Foraminifera; pertaining to the Foraminifera.
— See prec. word and adj. suff. -al, resp. -ous.
foraminous, adj., having foramina. — L.fardmi-
nosus, 'full of holes', fr. foramen, gen. fordminis,
'hole, opening'. See foramen and -ous.
foray, tr. and intr. v., to raid, ravage. — ME. for-
rayen, back formation fr. farreier, 'forayer'. See
forayer.
foray, n., a raid. — ME. forrai, fr. forrayen. See
foray, v.
forayer, n. — ME. farreier, 'forager', fr. OF. far-
rier, fr. farrer, forer, 'to forage', tr. forre, fuerre,
'fodder'. See forage, v., and agential suff. -er.
forbade, forbad, past tense of forbid.
forbear, n. — See forebear.
forbear, tr. and intr. v., to refrain from. — ME.
forberen, fr. OE. forberan, 'to endure, suffer;
to restrain from', formed fr. for- and beran, 'to
bear'. See bear, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: forbear-ance, n., forbear-er, n.,
forbear-ing, adj., forbear-ing-ly, adv.
forbesite, n., a hydrous nickel cobalt arsenate
(mineral.) — Named after the English geologist
David Forbes (1828-76), who first analyzed it.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
forbid, tr. v. — ME. forbeden, fr. OE. forbeodan,
rel. to Du. verbieden, OHG. farbiotan, MHG.,
G. verbieten, Goth, faurbiudan, 'to forbid'. See
for- and bid.
Derivatives: forbidd-ance, n., and forbidd-en,
adj., forbidden-ly, adv., forbidden-ness, n., for-
bidd-er, n.,forbidd-ing, adj., forbidd-ing-ly, adv.,
forbidd-ing-ness, n.
forbore, past tense of forbear,
forby, forbye, prep., near, next to; adv. 1) aside;
2) past; 3) besides. — ME. forbi, fr. for-, fore-,
'fore-', and by, 'by'. Cp. G. vorbei, 'along, by,
past, over', and see fore- and by.
force, n., strength. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) force,
'strength, force, power', fr. VL. fortia, prop.
neut. pi. of L. fortis, 'strong', but mistaken for
a fern. sing. noun. See fort and cp. rinforzando.
Derivatives: force-ful, adj., force-ful-ly, adv.,
force-ful-ness, n., force-less, adj.
force, tr. v., to compel. — F. forcer, fr. VL. *for-
tidre, fr. fortia. See force, n.
Derivatives : forc-ed, adj., forc-ed-ly, adv., /orc-
ed-ncss, n.,forc-er, n., forcible (q.v.),forc-ing, n.
force, n., waterfall. — ON. fors, foss, whence
Swed. fors, Dan. /as, of s.m., Swed.forsa^frusa,
'to gush forth',
force, tr. v., to stuff, farce. — A var. of farce,
force majeure, irresistible force. — F., lit.
'superior strength'. See force, 'strength', and
major, adj.
forcemeat, n., minced meat. — Compounded of
force, 'to stuff', and meat.
forceps, n., a pair of pincers used in surgery. —
L., 'pair of tongs, pincers', contracted fr.
"formi-caps, fr. formus, 'hot', and capere, 'to
catch, seize, take, hold'. See warm and captive
and cp. forfex. For the change of Latin a (in
capere) to e (in for-ceps) see accent and cp.
words there referred to.
forcible.adj. — OF., tr. force. See force, 'strength',
and -ible.
Derivative : forcibl-y, adv.
forcipate, adj., resembling a forceps. — Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. forceps, gen. forcipis,
'a pair of tongs'. See forceps.
forcipated, adj., forcipate. — Formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -ed.
Forcipulata, n. pi., an order of starfishes (ich-
thyol.) — ModL., lit. 'resembling a small for-
ceps'. See next word.
forcipulate, adj., resembling a small forceps. —
ModL. forcipuldtus, fr. forcipulus, dimin. of
L. forceps, gen. forcipis. See forceps and cp.
prec. word.
610
ford, n. — ME., fr. OE. ford, rel. to OS. ford,
OFris. forda, OHG. furt, MHG. vurt, G. Furt,
'ford', and cogn. with L. partus, 'harbor' (orig.
'entrance, passage'), OW., Co. rit, W. rhyd,
'ford' (cp. the Gallo-L. place name Augusto-
ritum, lit. 'Ford of Augustus), and to OE. faran,
'to go'. See fare, 'to prosper', and cp. fiord,
firth, frith. Cp. also port, 'harbor'.
Derivatives: ford, tr. v., ford-ing, n.
fordo, tr. v., to undo (archaic). — ME. fordon,
fr. OE. fordon, fr. for- and don, 'to do'. See do, v.
fore, adv. — ME. fore, fr. OE. fore, 'before (prep,
and" adv.), for, on account of, rel. to OS.,
OHG. fora, OFris. fara, fore, 'before' (adv. and
prep.), MLG., MHG. vore, vor, G. vor (prep,
and adv.), 'before', Goth, faura, 'before' (adv.
and prep.), ON. fyrr, 'before' (adv.), fyrir, 'be-
fore' (prep.), and cogn. with OI. purd, 'before,
formerly', purdh, 'in front, before', Avestic para,
pard, 'before', para, 'beyond', pro-, 'before, for-
ward, forth', Hitt. para-, 'on, forth', Gk. rcapoi;,
'before', 7rapdt, 'from beside, against, beyond',
7rept, 'around, about, toward', 7rp6, 'before',
L. pro, 'before, for, on behalf of, instead of,
prae, 'before', per, 'through', OSlav. prefixes
pro-, par-, 'through, for', Lith. pra, OPruss.
pro, pra, 'through, for', OSlav. pra-dedu, 'great-
grandfather', pravu, 'right', Ofr. ar, air, 'be-
fore', Ir. pref. pro-, OBret. prefixes ro-, ru-,
MBret., Bret. pref. ra-, W. pref. ry-, Gallo-L.
place name Armorica, which stands for Are-
mor-ica and lit. means 'before the sea'. All these
words derive from I.-E. *per-, See for,
for-, para-, per, peri-, pre-, preter-, 1st and 2nd
pro-, and cp. far, fare, 'to prosper', flrn, first,
ford, former, forth, further. Cp. also arpent, ex-
perience, experiment, expert, firman, paradise,
pardao, parallel, Perean, peregrine, perii, per-
oneal, pilgrim, poligar, pore, 'opening', porrect,
port, 'harbor', port, 'gate', port, 'to carry', post,
stake', Prajapati, Prakrit, prakriti, Pralaya,
pram, 'a kind of boat', prana, priest, primary,
prime, prior, proceres, procerity, prodigal, prone,
prose, proso, protero-, proto-, province, prow,
'fore part of a ship', prowess, Purana, and the
second element in reciprocal.
Derivatives: fore, adj. and n.
fore, interj. (golf). — Short for before.
fore-, prefix meaning 'before' (in place, rank or
time). — ME., fr. OE. See fore, adv.
forebear, forbear, n., ancestor. — Formed fr.
fore, be and agential suff. -er.
forecastle, n., the forward part of the upper deck
(naut.) — Formed fr. fore- and castle.
foreclose, tr. v., to exclude. — ME. forclosen, fr.
OF. forclos, pp. of forclore, 'to exclude', fr. OF.
fors (F. hors), 'outside', and OF. (= F.) clore,
'to close'. The first element derives fr. L. foris,
'outside'; see door and cp. foreign and words
there referred to. For the second element see
close, adj.
forefront, n. — A hybrid coined fr. fore, adj., a
611
Teutonic word (see fore, adv.), and front, a
word of Latin origin.
foreground, n. — Formed fr. fore- and ground;
first used by the English poet John Dryden
(1631-1700). Cp. Du. voorgrond.
forehead, n. — ME. forheved, fr. OE. forheafod.
See fore- and head.
foreign, adj. — ME. foreine, fr. OF. (= F.)/o-
rain, fr. Late L. fordnus, 'residing outside', fr. L.
fords, 'outside'. See door and cp. foreclose, forest,
forfeit, forisfamiliate, forjudge. Cp. also dehors,
hors de combat, hors d'oeuvre. The spelling of
the word foreign was influenced by an erroneous
association with reign.
Derivatives: foreign-er, n., foreign-ism, n.,
foreign-ly, adv., foreign-ness, n.
forel, forrel, n., a kind of parchment used for
book covers. — ME. forel, fr. OF. forrel (F.
fourreau), 'sheath', dimin. of OF. fuerre (F.
feurre), 'fodder, straw'. See forage, n.
foremost, adj. — OE. formest, frymest, a super-
lative of forma, 'first', which stands for for-ma
and itself is a superl. of fore; see fore, adv. OE.
forma is rel. to OE.fram, 'forward; from', ON.
framr, 'excellent', OS. formo, ON. frum- (in
compounds), Goth, fruma, 'first', OS., OHG.
fruma, 'advantage, profit', MHG. vrum, 'zea-
lous, able', G.fromm, 'pious, devout', and cogn.
with Gk. 7rp6|a.°?> 'foremost man', L. primus,
Lith. pirmas, 'first'. For the etymology of the
double superl. suff. appearing in OE. formest
see after-most. The change of e (in OE. formest)
to o (in E. foremost) is due to an erroneous as-
sociation with most. Cp. -most and words there
referred to. Cp. also first, former, frame, from,
frow, furnish. Cp. also prandial, prime, prow,
'the bow of a ship'.
forensic, adj., pertaining to the law courts. —
L. forensis, 'pertaining to the forum, pertaining
to public speaking', fr. forum, 'public place'.
See forum.
Derivative : forensic-al-ly, adv.
foreordain, tr. v. — A hybrid coined fr. fore, adv.,
and ordain, a word of Latin origin.
Derivative: foreordain-ment , n.
foreordinate, tr. v. — See prec. word and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivative: foreordinat-ion, n.
foresee, tr. v. — ME. forseen, foreseen, fr. OE.
foreseon, fr. fore- and seon, 'to see'. See see.
Derivatives: foresee-ing, adj., foresee-ing-ly,
adv., forse-er, n.
foreship.n., the front part of a ship (obsol.) — ME.
foreship, fr. OE. forscip. See fore, adv. and ship,
foresight, n. — ME. foresiht. Cp. G. Vorsicht and
see fore, adv., and sight.
Derivative: foresight-ed, adj.
forest, n. — ME., fr. OF. forest (F. foret), fr.
ML. forest is (silva), 'the outside (unfenced)
wood', a term occurring in the Capitularies of
Charlemagne and denoting the royal forest.
The term orig. meant 'the forest depending on
the king's court of justice'. ML. forestis derives
fr. L. forum, 'public place', used in its ML. sense
'court of justice'. G. Forst and It. foresta are
French loan words. See forum and cp. afforest,
deforest, disafforest, disforest.
Derivatives: forest, tr. v., forest-age, n., forest-
al, adj., forest-ation, n.
forestall, tr. v. — ME. forstallen, fr. OE. fore-
steall, 'a waylaying, ambush, assault', lit. 'a
standing before another', fr. fore- and OE.
steall, 'the act of standing'. See stall.
Derivatives: forestall, n., forestall-er, n.
forester, n. — ME., fr. OF. forestier, fr. forest.
See forest and agential suff. -er.
forestry, n. — OF., fr. forestier, 'forester'. See
prec. word and -y (representing F. -ie).
foreword, n. — Loan translation of G. Vorwort.
See fore, adv., and word.
forfeit, n., that which is forfeited; hence a fine,
a penalty. — ME. forfet, 'crime', fr. OE. forfait,
'crime, crime punishable by fine, fine', prop,
pp. of forfaire, 'to transgress', fr. ML. foris-
facere, lit. 'to act outside (scil. outside the law)',
fr. L. foris, 'outside'. See foreclose and fact.
forfeit, adj., lost, given up, as a forfeit. — OF.
forfait, pp. of forfaire. See forfeit, n.
forfeit, tr. v., to lose the right to. — ME. forfeten,
'to transgress' fr. forfet. See forfeit, n.
forfeiter, n. — ME. forfetour, fr. ML. forisfactor,
'one who acts outside (the law)', fr. forisfactus,
pp. of forisfacere. See forfeit, n., and agential
suff. -er.
forfeiture, n., the act of or forfeiting. — ME. for-
feture. See forfeit and -ure.
forfend, tr. v., to ward off (archaic). — ME. for-
fenden, 'to protect, prohibit', a hybrid coined
fr. for- and fend (fr. L. defendere, 'to ward off).
forfex, n., a pair of scissors. — L., 'a pair of scis-
sors; claw (of a crab)', a var. of forceps, 'a pair
of tongs, pincers'. The acc. forcipem gave,
through metathesis, the form forpicem and this
latter was assimilated mloforficem, whence arose
(through back formation) the nom. forfex. See
Brandis, De aspiratione Latina, Diss. Bonn
1881, pp.32 ff.
forficate, adj., shaped like scissors (zool.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -ate fr. forfex, gen. for-
ficis. See prec. word.
forgave, past tense of forgive. — OE. forgeaf, fr.
forgiefan. See forgive.
forge, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) forge, fr. L.
fabrica, 'workshop of an artisan, building,
fabric'. See fabric.
forge, tr. and intr. v. — ME. forgen, fr. OF. forgier
(F. forger), fr. L. fabricdri, 'to frame, construct,
build', fr. fabrica. See forge, n., and cp. fabricate.
Derivatives: forge-able, adj., forg-er, n., forg-
ery, n.
forge, tr. and intr. v., to haul (a ship) slowly. —
Of uncertain origin,
forget, tr. and intr. v. — ME. forgeten, forgiten,
fr. OE. forgietan, forgitan, rel. to OS. fargetan.
forget-me-not
612
OFris. ur-ieta, Du. vergeten, OHG. firge^an,
MHG. \erge33en, G. vergessen, 'to forget'. See
for- and get.
Derivatives: forget-ful, adj., forget-ful-ly, adv.,
forget-ful-ness, n., forgett-er, n., forgett-ing-ly,
adv.
forget-me-not, n. — Loan translation of OF. ne
m'oubliez mie (F. ne m'oubliez pas). Cp. Du.
vergeet-mij-nietje, G. VergifSmeinnicht, Swed.
forgdtmigej, Hungarian nefelejcs, Czech and
Slovak nezabudka, 'forget-me-not', which are
also direct or indirect loan translations of the
French.
forgettable, adj. — Formed fr. forget with suff.
-able; first used by Carlyle. Cp. adaptable, af-
fordable, dislikeable.
forgive, tr. and intr. v. — ME. forgeven, forgiven,
fr. OE. forgiefan, forgifan, rel. to Du. vergeven,
G. vergeben. See for- and give.
Derivatives: forgiv-able, adj., forgiveness (q.v.),
forgiv-ing, adj., forgiv-ing-ly, adv., forgiv-ing-
ness, n.
forgiveness, n. — ME. forgivenesse, fr. OE. for-
gifennessjorgifeness, ir.forgifen, pp. of forgiefan,
'to forgive'. See prec. word and -ncss.
forgo, tr. v., to give up. — ME. forgon, fr. OE.
forgdn, 'to go over, pass over, forgo, neglect'.
See far- and go.
forgot, past tense of forget.
forgotten, pp. of forget.
forisfamiliate, v., to emancipate (a son) by giving
him his share of the estate (law). — ML. foris-
familidtus, pp. of forisfamilidre, fr. L. foris, 'out-
side', and familia, 'family'. See door, family and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. foreign and words there
referred to.
Derivative: forisfamiliat-ion, n.
forjudge, tr. v., to expel or dispossess by a judg-
ment. — ME. forjugen, fr. OF. forjugier, for-
juger, which is compounded of OF. fors, 'out-
side' (fr. L. foris), and jugier, juger, 'to judge'.
See forum and judge, v.
Derivatives: forjudg(e)-ment, n., forjudg-er, n.
fork, n. — ME.forke, fr. OE.forca, which, to-
gether with OH.forkr, derives fr. L. furca (either
directly or through the medium of ONF. for que,
the equivalent of OF.furche, F.fourche), 'fork'.
The etymology of L. furca is uncertain. Cp.
bifurcate, bifurcation, carfax, fourchee, four-
chette, furca, furcate, furcula, trifurcate.
Derivatives: fork, v., fork-ed, adj., fork-ed-ly,
adv., fork-ed-ness, n.,fork-y, adj., fork-i-ness, n.
forlorn, adj., 1) quite lost; abandoned; 2) wretch-
ed. — ME. forloren, fr. OE. forloren, pp. of OE.
forleosan, 'to lose', which is rel. to OS. farliosan,
OFris. urliasa, MDu. verliesen, Du. verliezen,
OHG. virliosan, MHG. verliesen, G. verlieren,
Goth, fraliusan, 'to lose'. See for- and lose and
cp. lorn and next word.
Derivatives: forlorn-ly, adv., forlorn-ness, n.
forlorn hope, 1) a group of soldiers selected for
a very dangerous mission; hence 2) a desperate
enterprise. — Lit. 'a lost troop', fr. Du. verloren
hoop. See forlorn and heap, n.
form, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) forme, fr. L.
forma, 'form, shape, figure, outline, plan, pat-
tern', prob. borrowed fr. Gk. u.opcpv), 'form,
shape' (through the medium of the Etruscans).
The intermediate form was prob. *morma. For
the dissimilation of m-m into f-m cp. Gk. (xopuT)!;,
'ant', with L. formica, 'ant', and Gk. (iopu.fi,
'bugbear, hob, goblin', with L. formidd, 'dread,
terror'. The connection of L. forma with ferire,
'to beat, cut', suggested by Fick and others is
justly rejected by Hofmann in Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, p. 530. See morpho- and cp. formal,
formula and conform, deform, inform, v., in-
form, adj., perform, reform, transform, uniform.
Derivatives: formless, adj., formless-ly, adv.,
formless-ness, n.
form, tr. and intr. v. — ME. formen, fr. OF. four-
mer (F. former), fr. L. formare, 'to form, shape',
fr. forma. See form, n.
form-, combining form meaning 'formic' (chem.)
— Shortened fr. formic.
-form, suff. meaning 'having the form of as in
cordiform, dentiform; synonymous with -mor-
phous. — F. -forme, fr. L. -formis, fr. forma,
'form, shape'. See form, n.
formal, adj. — L. formdlis, 'of a form, of a set
form, formal', fr. forma, 'form, shape'. See
form, n., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: formal-ism, n., formal-ist, n., for-
mal-ist-ic, adj., formal-ize, tr. and intr. v., for-
mal-iz-ation, n., formal-iz-er, n., formality (q.v.),
formal-ly, adv., formal-ness, n.
formaldehyde, n., a colorless compound used as
a deodorant (chem.) — Compounded of form-
and aldehyde,
formalin, n., an aqueous solution of formaldehyde
(chem.) — Formed from the abbreviation of
formaldehyde and chem. suff. -in.
formality, n. — F. formalite, fr. L. formdlis. See
formal and -ity.
formant, n., any of the elements determining the
quality of a vowel (phonetics). — F., pres. part.
of former, 'to form'. See form, v., and -ant.
format, n., shape and size of a book. — F., fr.
It. formato, 'form, figure', fr. L. formdlus,
'formed', pp. of formare. See form, v.
formation, n. — F., fr. L. formdtidnem, acc. of
formdtio, 'a forming, shaping', fr. formdtus pp.
of formare. See form, v., and -ation.
Derivative: formation-al, adj.
formative, adj. — F. formatif (fem. formative), fr.
L. formdtus, pp. of /ormare.Seeform,v.,and -ive.
Derivatives: formative, n., formative-ly, adv.,
formative-ness, n.
former, n., one who forms. — Formed fr. form,
v., with agential suff. -er.
former, adj., preceding in time, previous. — ME.
formere, comparative, back formation fr. for-
mest. See foremost.
Derivative: former-ly, adv.
613
Forsythia
formic, adj., 1) of, or pertaining to, ants; 2) per-
taining to, or designating, a colorless acid,
HC0 2 H (chem.) — Contraction of *formic-ic,
fr. L. formica, 'ant', dissimilated fr. *mor-mica,
fr. orig. *vormica; cogn. with OI. vamrt- (fem.)
vamrdh (masc), 'ant', valmi-kah ,'anthill',
Avestic maoiri-, Arm. mrjiun, Gk. [/.lipu.?]!;,
OSlav. mraviji (for *morvi), Olr. moirb (for
*morvi), W. myrion, ON. maurr, 'ant'. See pis-
mire and cp. myrmeco- and the second element
in chloroform. For the contraction of *formic-ic
into formic see haplology.
Formica, n., the genus of ants (entomol.) — L.;
see prec. word.
Derivatives: formicary (q.v.), formic-ate, intr. v.,
formic-ate, adj., formication (q.v.), formic-ative,
adj., Formicidae (q.v.)
formicary, n., an ant's nest. — ML. formlcdrium,
fr. L. formica, 'ant'. See formic and subst. suff.
-ary.
Derivative: formicari-an, adj., pertaining to
ants' nests.
formication, n., a morbid sensation resembling
that caused by ants creeping over the skin (med.)
— L. formicatio, gen. -dnis, 'an irritation of the
. skin resembling the crawling of ants', fr. for-
micdt-(um), pp. stem of formicdre, 'to craw Hike
ants', fr. formica, 'ant'. See formic and -ation.
Formicidae, n. pi., the family of ants (zool.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. L. formica,
'ant'. See formic.
formicide, n., substance used for killing ants. —
Contraction of *formici-cide, fr. L. formica,
'ant', and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See
formic and -cide, 'killer'. For the contraction of
*formici-cide into formicide see haplology.
formidable, adj., causing fear. — F., fr. L.
formiddbilis, 'causing fear, terrible', fr. formi-
ddre, 'to fear, dread', fr. formidd, 'terror', which
is prob. cogn. with Gk. (jiopu,co, 'bugbear, hob-
goblin'. Cp. mormo. For the dissimilation of
m-m to f-m see form, n.
Derivatives: formidabil-ity, n., formidable-ness,
n., formidabl-y, adv.
formula, n. — L., 'a small form, formula', dimin.
of forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
formular, adj., 1) formal ; 2) formulary. — Formed
fr. L. formula (see prec. word) with suff. -ar.
Derivatives: formular-ize, tr. v., to formulate,
formulariz-ation, n.
formulary, adj., pertaining to formulas. — See
formula and adj. suff. -ary.
formulary, n., a collection of formulas. — F. for-
mulate, fr. formule, fr. L. formula. See formula,
formulate, tr . v. — See formula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: formulat-ion, n.
formulism, n., excessive reliance on formulas. —
Formed fr. formula with suff. -ism; first used by
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881).
formulist, n., a believer in formulas. — Formed
fr. formula with suff. -ist.
Derivative: formulist-ic, adj.
formulize, tr. v., to formulate. — Formed fr. for-
mula with suff. -ize.
Derivative : formuliz-ation, n.
formyl, n., the radical of formic acid. — Coined
fr. combining form form- and suff. -yl.
Fornax, n., the goddess of ovens in Roman my-
thology. — L., personification of forndx, 'oven'.
See furnace.
foment, prep., opposite to (provincial). —
Formed fr. fore, adv., and anent.
fornicate, intr. v., to commit fornication. — ML.
fornicdtus, pp. of fornicdrl, 'to commit whore-
dom', fr. fornix, gen. fornicis, 'arch, vault;
brothel', which derives fr. fornus, 'oven', later
used in the general sense of 'vault, arch'; see
furnace and cp. fornix. Brothels were called
fornices, i.e. 'arches', because prostitutes used
to gather 'under the arches' of certain buildings
of ancient Rome.
fornicate, adj., arched; having arched appen-
dages (bot.) — L. fornicdtus, 'arched, vaulted',
fr. fornix, gen. fornicis. See prec. word.
Derivative: fornicat-ed, adj.
fornication, n., sexual intercourse by an unmar-
ried person. — OF., fr. Late L. fornicdtidnem,
acc. of fornicdtid, fr. fornicdtus, pp. of fornicdrl.
See fornicate and -ion.
fornicator, n., a person who fornicates. — ME.
fornicatour, fr. Late L. fornicator, fr. fornicdtus,
pp. of fornicdri. See fornicate and agential
suff. -or.
fornicatress, n. — See fornicator and -ess.
fornix, n., an arch or vault; specif., the vault of
the cranium (anat.) — L., 'arch, vault'. See
fornicate, adj. and v.
forrel, n. — See forel.
forsake, tr. v. — ME. forsaken, 'to forsake', fr.
OE. forsacan, 'to oppose, refuse', fr. for- and
OE. sacan, 'to contend, dispute', fr. sacu, 'dis-
pute, quarrel'. See sake.
forsaken, pp. of forsake. — OE. forsacen, pp. of
forsacan. See forsake.
Derivatives: forsaken-ly, adv ., forsaken-ness, n.
forsook, past tense of forsake. — OE. forsoc,
past tense of forsacan. See forsake.
forsooth, adv. — ME. for soth, fr. OE. forsdd,
'for a truth'. See for and sooth.
forspent, adj., exhausted. — Pp. of obsol. for-
spend, fr. ME. forspenden, fr. OE. forspendan,
'to squander'. See for- and spend.
forswear, tr. and intr. v. — ME. forswerien, fr.
OE. forswerian, 'to renounce, forswear; to
swear falsely', rel. to G. verschworen, 'to for-
swear, abjure', sich verschworen. 'to conspire'.
See for- and swear.
forsworn, pp. of forswear. — OE. forsworen, pp.
of forswerian. See prec. word.
Derivative: forsworn-ness, n.
Forsythia, n., a genus of shrubs of the olive
family (bot.) — ModL., named after William
Forsyth (1737-1804), who brought the shrub
from China. For the ending see suff. -ia.
fort
614
fort, n. — T.fort, 'stronghold, fort', from the ad-
jective fort, 'strong', fr. L. fortis, 'strong', which
is rel. to OL. forctus, dial, horctus, horctis,
'good' ; prob. fr. I.-E. base *bhergh-, 'high, to
raise'. See borough and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also force, 'strength', fortalice, forte,
fortress, comfort, counterfort, sforzando.
fortalice, n., a small fort. — Orig. 'a fortress', fr.
OF. fortelece, corruption of forteresse. See
fortress.
forte, n., a strong point. — F. fort, 'strong'. See
fort. For the addition of the e at the end cp.
locale, morale.
forte, adj., loud; adv., loudly (mm.) — It., lit.
'strong', fr. L. fortis. See fort.
Derivative: forte, a loud passage.
forte-piano, loud and then soft '(mus.) — See
prec. word and piano, adj.
fortepiano, orig. name of the pianoforte.
forth, adv. and prep. — ME., fr. OE. ford, rel. to
OS. ford, Du. voort, MHG. vort, G. fort, and
to E. fore, adv. Cp. afford, further.
forthwith, adv. — ME. forth with, fr. OE. ford
mid. See forth and with.
fortieth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. forty with
numeral suff. -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
OE. feowertigoda, 'fortieth', fr. feowertig, 'for-
ty'. Cp. also ON. fertugonde, fertugande, Swed.
fyrationde, fyrtionde, Dan. fyrretyvende, 'for-
tieth'.
fortification, n. — F., fr. Late L. fortificdtidnem,
'a strengthening, fortifying', fr. fortificdtus, pp.
of fortificdre. See fortify and -ion.
fortify, tr. v. — F. fortifier, fr. Late L. fortificdre,
'to strengthen', lit. 'to make strong', formed fr.
L. fortis, 'strong', and -ficdre, fr. facere, 'to
make, do'. See fort and -fy.
Derivatives: fortifi-er, n., fortify-ing, adj., forti-
fy-ing-iy, adv.
fortissimo, adj. and adv., very loud (mus.) —
It., superl. of forte, 'loud', lit. 'strong'. See
forte, adj.
Derivative: fortissimo, n., a very loud passage.
fortitude, n., courage in endurance. — F., fr. L.
fortitftdinem, acc. of fortitudd, 'strength, cour-
age', fr. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and -tude.
fortnight, n. — Shortened fr. fourteen nights. Cp.
sennight, which is contracted fr. seven nights.
Derivative : fortnight-ly, adv.
fortress, n. — ME. fortresse, fr. OF. (= F.)
forteresse, 'strong place, stronghold', fr. VL.
"fortaricia, fr. L. fortis, 'strong'. See fort and
cp. fortalice.
Derivative: fortress, tr. v.
fortuitism, n., the doctrine that natural pheno-
mena are the result of chance. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. fortuitus (see fortuitous) and -ism,
a suff. of Greek origin.
fortuitist, n., an adherent of fortuitism. — A
hybrid coined fr. L. fortuitus (see next word)
and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
fortuitous, adj., happening by chance; accidental.
— L. fortuitus, 'casual, accidental', prob. a blend
of *fortutus and *fortitus, fr. *fortu = forte, 'by
chance', prop. abl. of fors, 'chance', which is
rel. to fortuna, 'chance, fate'. See fortune. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous. The
word fortuitous was introduced into English by
Henry More (1614-1687), philosopher of the
English Platonist school.
Derivatives: fortuitous-Iyadv.,fortuitous-ness,n.
fortuity, n., chance. — Contraction of *fortuit-
ity; formed with suff. -ity fr. L. fortuitus. See
fortuitous. For the contraction of *fortuit-ity in-
to fortuity see haplology.
fortunate, adj. — L. fortundtus, pp. of fortundre,
'to make prosperous', fr. fortuna. See next word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: fortunate, n., fortunate-ly, adv.,
fortunate-ness, n.
fortune, n. — ME., fr. F. fortune, fr. L. fortuna,
'chance, fate, good luck', fr. fors, gen. fortis,
'chance', which stands in gradational relation-
ship to ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear, 'to carry'
and cp. fortuitous.
Derivative: fortune-less, adj.
fortune, tr. v. — ME. fortunen, fr. OF. fortuner,
fr. L. fortundre, 'to make fortunate', fr. fortuna.
See fortune, n.
forty, adj. and n. — ME. fourti, fr. OE. feowertig,
which is formed fr. OE. feower, 'four', with -tig,
'-ty' (see four and -ty, suff. denoting multiples
of ten); rel. to OS. fiwartig, fiartig, OFris. fiu-
wertich, fiortig, Du. veertig, OHG. fiorzug,
MHG. vierzic, G. vierzig, ON. fjdrir tigir,
Swed. fyratio, fyrtio, Norw. fyrti, Dan. fyrre-
tyve, Goth, fidwor tigjus, 'forty'.
forum, n., 1) a market place, esp. the market
place in Rome; 2) a law court; 3) an assembly
for public discussion. — L., 'public place, market
place, market', prob. meaning lit. 'a place
fenced by planks', and rel. to forus, 'plank,
board' (fr. I.-E. *bhoros, 'something cut, sec-
tion'), and to VL. *barra, 'beam, rafter', a word
of Gaulish origin. See bar, 'rod', and cp.
forensic, affeer, fiars, triforium.
forward, adv. — ME. foreword, forward, fr. OE.
foreweard, forweard, formed fr. fore, for, 'be-
fore', and -weard, '-ward'. See fore, adv. and
-ward.
Derivatives: forward, adj., n. and tr. v., forward-
er, n., forward-ing, n., forward-ness, n.
forwards, adv. — ME. forewardes. See prec.
word. For suff. -es in ME. foreward-es, see adv.
suff. -s.
forwearied, adj., tired out, exhausted (obsol. or
archaic). — ME. forweried, pp. of forwerien, 'to
weary out', fr. for- and weri, 'weary'. See weary
and -ed, pp. suff.
forwhy, adv., why; conj., because (archaic). —
ME. forwhi, fr. OE. for hwy, 'because', fr. for,
'for', and hwy, instrumental of hwset, 'what'. See
for and what.
forworn, adj., worn out (archaic). — Formed fr.
615
foulard
for- and worn, pp. of wear, 'to carry on the
body; to last',
fossa, n., pit, cavity (anat.) — L., 'ditch'. See
next word.
fosse, n., ditch, moat. — F., fr. L. fossa, 'ditch',
prop, short for fossa terra, 'earth dug', fr. fossa,
'dug', fern. pp. of fodere, 'to dig', fr. I.-E. base
*bhedh-, *bhod-, 'to dig, pierce'. See bed and
cp. fossette, fossil and the second element in
calaboose.
fossette, n., a dimple..— F., dimin. of fosse. See
prec. word and -ette.
fossick, intr. v., to search for gold in old work-
ings; tr. v., to dig out. — Prob. fr. dial. E. fus-
sock, fossick, 'to bustle about', fossick, 'a
troublesome person'.
Derivative : fossick-er, n.
fossil, n., petrified Temains of an animal or plant
dug out of the earth; adj., pertaining to, or of
the nature of, a fossil. — F. fossile, fr. L. fossilis,
'dug out, dug up', fr. fossus, pp. of fodere. See
fosse and -ile.
fossiliferous, adj., containing fossils. — See prec.
word and -ferous.
fossilize, tr. v., to change into a fossil; intr. v.,
to become fossilized. — See fossil and -ize.
Derivative: fossiliz-ation, n.
fossilology, n., former name of paleontology. —
A hybrid coined fr. L. fossilis, 'dug out, dug up',
and Gk. -XoyiS, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See fossil and -logy.
fossorial, adj., digging. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. fossdrius, 'fit for digging', fr. fossus,
pp. of fodere. See fosse.
foster, n., food, nourishment (obsol.) — ME., fr.
OE. fdstor, foster, 'feeding; food', rel. to ON.
fdstr, 'the bringing up (of a child)', and to OE.
fdda, 'food'. See food.
foster, tr. v., to nourish. — ME. fostren, fr. OE.
fdstrian, 'to nourish', fr. fdstor, foster, 'feeding;
food'. See foster, n.
Derivatives: foster-age, n., foster-er, n., foster-
ling (q.v.)
foster, n., forester. — Contraction of forster,
forester. See forest and agential suff. -er.
foster brother, n. — OE. fostorbrddor. See foster,
'food', and brother.
foster father, — OB.fdstorfxder. See foster, 'food',
and father.
fosterling, n. — OE. fdstorling. See foster, 'food',
and -ling.
foster mother, n. — OE. fostormddor. See foster,
'food', and mother.
foster sister, n. — OE. fdstor sweostor. See foster,
'food', and sister.
fostress, n. — See foster, 'food', and -ess.
fotber, n., a load, weight. — OE. fddor, 'a cart-
toad', rel. to OS. father, MDu. voeder, Du. voer,
OHG. fuodar, MHG. vuoder, G. Fuder [whence
F. foudre (masc.), 'tun, hogshead'], and in gra-
dational relationship to OE. fiedm, 'the out-
stretched arms, embrace, bosom, fathom'. See
fathom.
fother, tr. v., to cover (a sail) with oakum, rope
yarn, etc. — MDu. voederen (Du. voeren), rel.
to OHG. fdtar, fuotar, 'a cover, coverlet', MHG.
vuoter, 'lining, case, sheath', G. Futter, 'lining',
Goth, fddr, 'sheath of a sword', and cogn. with
OI. pdtram, 'receptacle, container', Hitt. paddar,
'basket', fr. I.-E. *pdt-, *pdt-, 'a ^-enlarge-
ment of base *pd-, *pd-, 'to protect'. See food
and cp. fur.
Fothergilla, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the English physician Dr. John
Fothergill (1712-80).
foudroyant, adj., stunning, dazzling. — F., pres.
part, of foudroyer, 'to thunderstrike', fr. foudre
(fem.), 'lightning, thunder, thunderbolt', fr. L.
fulgur. See fulgurant.
fougasse, n., a small mine (mil.) — F., formed,
with change of suffix, fr. fougade, fr. It. fogata,
prop, subst. use of fem. pp. of fogare, 'to put
to flight, chase', fr. foga, 'flight', fr. L. fuga,
of s.m. See fugitive.
fought, past tense and pp. of fight. — ME.fauht,
fr. OE. feaht, 'fought', past tense oifeohtan, 'to
fight'. See fight, v.
foughten, old pp. of fight. — ME. foughten, fr.
OE. fohten, pp. of feohtan, 'to fight'. See fight, v.
foujdar, n., an officer; a criminal judge (India). —
Hind, fawjddr, fr. Pers. fawjddr, a hybrid lit.
meaning 'a holder of military force', coined fr.
Arab.fauj, 'band, troop, military force', and the
Pers. suff. -ddr, 'holder, possessor'. See aumildar
and cp. words there referred to.
foujdary, also foujdarry, n., a criminal court. —
Hind, fawjddri, fr. fawjddr. See prec. word.
foul, adj. — ME. foul, fr. OE. ful, rel. to OS.,
OFris., MLG., OHG., MHG. ful, ON. full,
Dan., Swed., Norw. ful, MDu. vuul, Du. vuil,
G. faul, Goth, fiils; formed with suff. -la fr.
Teut. base *fu- (whence also ON. fuinn, 'foul,
rotten'), corresponding to I.-E. base *pu-,
whence OI. ptiyati, 'rots, stinks', putih, 'foul,
rotten', Arm. hu, 'purulent blood', Gk. rcuo?,
'first milk after the birth', 7tjov or tojov, 'dis-
charge from a sore; matter', tcu&eiv, 'to cause
to rot', L. pus, 'matter', putere, 'to stink', puter,
putridus, 'foul, rotten', Lith. pdviu, pdti, 'to rot',
pdliai, 'matter', Mir. othrach, 'dung'. Cp. filth,
defile, 'to pollute', foumart. Cp. also empyema,
purulent, pus, pustule, putanism, putois, Pu-
torius, putrid, pyaemia, pyo-, Pythium, sup-
purate.
Derivatives: foul, adv. and n., foul, v. (q.v.),
foully (q.v.), foulness (q.v.).
foul, intr. and tr. v. — OE. fulian, 'to become
foul, to rot', fr. ful. See foul, adj.
foulard, n., 1) a thin textile of silk; 2) a hand-
kerchief made of this material. — F., prob.
formed, with change of suff., fr. OProvenc.
foulat, 'fulled', fr. VL. •fulldre, 'to full'. See full,
'to thicken (cloth)'.
foully
616
foully, adv. — ME., fr. OE. fullice, 'in a foul
manner'. See foul, adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
foulmouthed, adj ., speaking foully or obscenely. —
Formed fr. foul, 'filthy', and pp. of mouth, v.
(see mouth); first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: foulmouthed-ly, adv., foulmouthed-
hess, n.
foulness, n. — ME. foulnesse, fr. OE. fulness, fr.
ful, 'foul'. See foul, adj., and -ness.
foumart, n., polecat. — ME. fulmart, fulmard.
fr. OE./«/, 'foul', and meard, 'marten'. See foul,
adj., and marten. E. foumart was influenced in
form by F. marte, 'marten'.
found, tr. and intr. v., to establish. — ME. foun-
den, fr. OF. funder, fonder (F.fonder),'to found',
fr. L. fundare, 'to found', lit. 'to lay the bottom
of, fr. fundus, 'bottom'. See fund and cp. fond,
'foundation'.
found, tr. v., to cast. — F. fondre, fr. L. fundere,
'to pour, melt', fr. I.-E. base *ghu-d-, 'to pour',
whence also Goth, giutan, OS. giotan, OFris.
giata, OE. geotan, OHG. giotan, MHG. gie3en,
G. giefien, ON. gjdta, Swed. gjuta, Dan. gyde, 'to
pour': cp. ingot, and gut. Base *ghu-d-, is a -d-
enlargement of base *ghu-, 'to pour', for the
derivatives of which see chyle. Cp. circumfuse,
confound, confuse, diffuse, effuse, funnel, fusel oil,
fusible, fusion, futile, infundibulum, infuse, in-
fusion, interfuse, profuse, refound, refund, refuse,
ruse, rush, v., transfuse. Cp. also geyser.
found, adj., provided, equipped, with. — Prop,
pp. of find.
foundation, n. — F. fondation, fr. L. funddtidnem,
acc. of funddtid, 'a founding', fr. funddtus, pp.
of fundare. See found, 'to establish', and -ation.
Derivatives: foundation-al, adj., foundation-al-
ly, adv., foundation-ary, adj., foundation-er, n.,
foundation-less, adj.
founder, n., one who founds something. — Form-
ed fr. found, 'to establish', with agential suff. -er.
founder, n., one who casts metal or glass. —
Formed fr. found, 'to cast', with agential suff.
-er. Cp. F. fondeur.
founder, intr. and tr. v., to sink. — OF. fondrer,
'to fall to the bottom', fr. fond, 'bottom', fr. L.
fundus. Cp. F. ejfondrer, 'to dig deeply', s'ef-
fondrer, 'to break in', fr. OF. fondrer, 'to sink
to the bottom', and see found, 'to establish'.
founder, n., inflammation in the foot of a horse.
— Fr. founder, 'to sink'.
foundling, n. — ME. foundling, fundling, fr. fun-
den, pp. of finden, 'to find'. Cp. Du. vondeling,
G. Findling, and see find and -ling.
foundress, n., a female founder. — Fern, of
founder. For the ending see suff. -ess.
foundry, n. — F. fonderie, fr. fondre, 'to cast'.
See found, 'to cast', and -ry.
fount, n., fountain. — F. font, fr. L. fontem, acc.
of forts, 'spring, fountain', which is cogn. with
OI. dhdnvati, 'flows, runs', dhdnu-tar-, 'running,
flowing'. Cp. next word and font, 'receptacle for
baptismal water'.
fount, n., the British equivalent of font. — F.
fonte. See font, 'set of type of one size'.
fountain, n. — OF. (= F.) fontaine, fr. Late L.
fontdna, prop. fern, of fontdnus, 'pertaining to
a spring', used as a noun, fr. L.fdns, gen.fontis,
'spring'. See font, 'receptacle', and cp. fontanel.
four, adj. and n. — ME. feower, fower, foure,
four, fr. OE. feower, rel. to OS. fiuwar, fiwar,
OFris. fiuwer,fidr, Du. vier, OHG. fior, MHG.,
G. vier, ON.fjdrir, Dan. fire, Swed. fyra, Norw.
fire, Goth, fidwdr, 'four', and cogn. with OI. cat-
vdrah, Avestic cab-ward, Pers. catvdr, Toch. A
stwar, B stwer, Arm. cork\ Gk. tiaaapsi;, Att.
li-rrapei;, Ion. -reaaepc?, Aeol. 7rfaupsi;, 7rsau-
pei;, L. quattuor, Oscan petora, Umbr. petur-,
OSlav. cetyre, Lith. keturi, Olr. cethir, W. pet-
guar, pedwar, 'four'. (Alb. katsr is a loan word
fr. L. quattuor.) All these words derive fr. I.-E.
base *q w etwdr-, 'four'. Cp. fardel, 'fourth part',
farthing, firkin, forty. Cp. also cadre, cahier,
carfax, carillon, cater, 'four at cards or dice',
charpoy, quadrant, quadrate, quadri-, quadrille,
quadroon, quarantine, quarrel, 'arrow, bolt',
quarry, 'a place for excavating stones', quart,
quatrain, quaternion, quire of paper, squad,
square, tessara-, tetarto-, tetra-, tetrakis-, te-
trarch, trapezium, trocar.
fourchee, fourche, adj., forked, divided {her.) —
F. fourchee, fem. of fourche, 'forked', fr. fourche,
'fork'. See fork. Since the adj. mostly refers to
a cross (F. croix, a fem. noun), the fem. form
of the adjective is preferred to the masculine.
fourchette, n., a fork or something resembling a
fork. — F., dimin. of fourche, 'fork'. See fork
and -ette.
fourfold, adj. and adv. — ME. fourfold, fr. OE.
feowerfeald, fr. feower, 'four', and -feald, '-fold'.
See four and -fold.
fourgon, n., a baggage waggon. — F., of un-
certain origin.
Fourierism, n., a system for the reorganization of
society. — Named after the French socialist
Francois- Marie-Charles Fourier (1772-1837).
For the ending see suff. -ism.
fourteen, adj. and n. — ME. fourtene, fr. OE.
feowertyne, feowertene, which is formed fr.
feower, 'four', with suff. -tyne, -tene, '-teen' (see
four and -teen); rel. to OS. fiertein, ON.fjdrtdn,
Dan. fjorten, Swed. fjorton, OFris. fiuwertine,
Du. veertien, OHG. fiorzehan, MHG. vierzehen,
G. vierzehn, Goth, fidwortaihun, 'fourteen',
fourteenth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. fourteen
with numeral, suff . -th on the analogy of tenth. Cp.
ME.fourtethe, fr. OE. feowerteoda, 'fourteenth',
which was formed fr. feowertyne, 'fourteen', on
the analogy of teoda, 'tenth'; see tithe, n. Cp.
ON. fjdrtdndi, Dan. fjortende, Swed. fjortonde,
Du. veertiende, G. vierzehnte, 'fourteenth',
fourth, adj. — ME. fourthe, formed — under the
influence of ME foure, four, 'four* — fr. OE.
feorda, 'fourth', which is rel. to OS. fiortho,
ON.fidrde, Dan., Sv/ed. fjerde, Du. vierde, OHG.
617
frail
fiordo, MHG., G. vierte, 'fourth', and cogn. with
OI. caturthdh, Toch. A start, Gk. t£tocpto<;,
xexpaToi;, L. qudrtus, OSlav. cetvritu. Olr. ce-
thramad, MW. pedweryd, 'fourth'. See four and
numeral suff. -th and cp. fardel, 'fourth part',
and firkin. Cp. also quart.
Derivatives: fourth, n., fourth-ly, adv.
fovea, n., a small pit (anat. and bot.) — L., rel.
to favissae, 'underground reservoirs'; of un-
certain, possibly Etruscan, origin.
foveola, n., a small fovea. — ModL., dimin. of
L. fovea. See prec. word and -ole.
fowl, n. — ME. foghel, fugel, fowel, foule, fr. OE.
fugol, 'bird', rel. to OS. fugal, ON., Dan. fugl,
Swed. fdgel, OFris. fugel, MDu. voghel, Du.
vogel, OHG. fogal, MHG., G. vogel, Goth.
fugls, 'bird, fowl', prob. fr. Teut. *fug-la-, dis-
similated fr. *flug-la-, and lit. meaning 'flyer',
fr. Teut. base *flug-, 'to fly', corresponding to
I.-E. base *pleuq-, 'to move forward (by swim-
ming, running or flying)'. See fly, v.
fowl, intr. v. — ME. foulen, fr. OE. fuglian, 'to
catch birds', fr. fugol. See fowl, n.
fowler, n. — ME. fugelere, fr. OE. fugelere, fr.
fugol, 'bird'. See fowl, n., and agential suff. -er.
fowlerite n., a variant of rhodonite (mineral.)
— Named after Samuel Fowler (1779-1844) of
New Jersey. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
fowling, n. — ME. foulinge, fr. foulen. See fowl,
v., and -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
fox, n. — ME., fr. OE. fox, rel. to OS. vohs,
MLG., MDu., Du. vos, OHG., MHG. fuhs,
G. Fuchs, 'fox', ON. fda, MLG. vohe, vd, OHG.
foha, MHG. vohe, G. Fohe, Goth, fauho,
'vixen'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *puq-, *peuq-,
'bushy, shaggy', whence also OI. pucchah, 'tail',
Russ. and Pol. puch, 'woolly hair'. Accordingly
fox prob. means lit. 'the bushy-tailed animal'.
For sense development cp. Lith. uodegis, 'fox',
lit. 'tailed', fr. uodegd, 'tail'. Cp. vixen. Cp. also
the first element in Bovista.
Derivatives: fox, v., fox-y, adj., fox-i-ly, adv.,
fox-i-ness, n.
foxglove, n. — ME. foxes glove, fr. OE. foxes
gldfa. See fox and glove.
foyer, n., lobby in a theater. — F., orig. 'fire-
place', fr. L. focdrium, 'fireplace', prop. neut.
of the adj. focdrius, 'pertaining to a fireplace',
used as a noun, fr. focus, 'hearth, fireplace'. See
focus and subst. suff. -ary.
fra, n„ title of a friar. — It., abbreviation of frate,
'brother'. See frate.
fracas, n., noisy dispute; brawl. — F., fr. It.
fracasso, 'a crash', back formation fr. fracas-
sare, 'to break in pieces', fr. fra-, 'among', which
is aphetic for L. infra, 'below', and It. cassare,
'to break', fr. L. quassdre, 'to shake'. See infra
and quash, 'to make void'.
fracted, adj., having a part displaced as if broken
(^ r .) _ Formed with suff. -ed fr. L. fractus,
'broken', pp. of frangere. See fraction.
fractile, adj., fragile. — Formed with suff. -He
fr. L. fractus, 'broken', pp. of frangere. See next
word and -ile.
fraction, n. — ME., fr. OF. fraccion, fraction (F.
fraction), fr. L. fractidnem, acc. of frdctid, 'a
breaking', fr. L. fractus, pp. of frangere, 'to
break', fr. I.-E. base *bhreg-, 'to break', whence
also Goth, brikan, OE. brecan, 'to break'. See
break and -ion and cp. fractile, fractious, frac-
ture, fragile, fragment, frail, frangible, diffract,
fritter, 'a fragment', infract, infringe, irrefra-
gable, refract, refractory, refrain, n., suffrage,
and the second element in chamfer, naufragous,
ossifrage, osprey, septifragal.
Derivatives: fraction-al, adj., fractional-ly, adv.,
fraction-ary, adj., fractionate (q.v.), fractionize
(q.v.)
fractionate, tr. v., to separate into fractions
(chem.) — See fraction and verbal suff. -ate.
fractionize, tr. v., to separate into fractions. —
See fraction and -ize.
Derivative: fractioniz-ation, n.
fractious, adj., peevish, irritable. — A blend of
fraction (in the now obsolete sense 'dissension')
and factious.
Derivatives: fractious-ly, adv. , fractious-ness, n.
fracture, n. — F., fr. L. frdctura, 'a breach,
fracture', fr. fractus, pp. of frangere, 'to break'.
See fraction and -ure.
Derivative: fracture, tr. and intr. v.
fraenum, n. — See frenum.
Fragaria, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. frdgum, 'strawberry',
which is of uncertain origin,
fragile, adj. — F., fr. L. fragilis, 'easily broken,
brittle', fr. frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and
-ile and cp. frail, adj., which is a doublet of
fragile.
Derivatives: fragile-ly, adv., fragile-ness, n.
fragility, n. — ME. fragilite,ft. MF. (= F.)fragili-
te,fr.L.fragilitdtem,a.cc.offragilitds,'bnU\entss,
fragility', fr. fragilis. See prec. word and -ity and
cp. frailty, which is a doublet of fragility.
fragment, n. — F., fr. L. fragmentum, from the
stem of frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and
-ment.
Derivatives: fragment-al, adj., fragment-al-ly,
adv., fragment-ary, adj., fragment-ari-ly, adv.,
fragment-ari-ness, n.
fragrance, n., sweetness of smell. — OF., fr. L.
fragrantia, fr. fragrans, gen. -antis. See next
word and -ce.
fragrant, adj., sweet-smelling. — L. fragrans,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of fragrdre, 'to emit fra-
grance, smell sweetly', which is cogn. with MHG.
brsehen, 'to smell', MDu. bracke, OHG. braccho,
'hound, setter'. Cp. brach. Cp. also flair. For
the ending see suff. -ant.
Derivatives: fragrant-ly, adv., fragrant-ness, n.
frail, n., rush basket for figs, raisins, etc. — ME.
fraiel, fr. OF. fraet, freel, 'rush basket for fruit',
which is of uncertain origin.
fraiL adj., fragile. — ME. freite, frele, fr. OF.
frailty
618
fraile, frele (F. frSle), fr. L. fragilis. See fragile,
frailty, n. — ME. frelete, freilte, fr. OF. frailete,
fr. L. fragilitdtem, acc. of fragilitds. See fra-
gility.
fraise, n., i) a ruff for the neck ; 2) a palisade con-
sisting of pointed stakes (fort.); 3) a tool for
enlarging holes. — F. fraise, fr. fraiser, 'to
ruffle; to enlarge a hole', fr. OF. frese, 'laced,
plaited', fr. Frankish *frisi, 'curling', which is
rel. to OFris. frisle, 'curl'. See frizzle and cp.
frieze, 'to curl'.
fraise, tr. v., to enlarge a hold (in a stone). — F.
fraiser. See fraise, n.
frambesia, framboesia, n., the yaws, a tropical
skin disease. — Medical L., fr. F. framboise,
'raspberry', fr. Frankish *brambasi, which is
rel. to Du. braambezie, 'blackberry'. See
bramble, berry and -ia. F. framboise was in-
fluenced in form by F. fraise, 'strawberry'.
frame, tr. and intr. v. — ME. framien, framen,
'to be profitable; to frame', fr. OE. framian, 'to
avail, be profitable', fr. OE. fram, 'vigorous,
bold', orig. 'going forward', it. fram, 'forward;
from', which is rel. to OE. forma, Goth, fruma,
'first', OE. fremman, 'to further'. See from and
cp. foremost and words there referred to.
Derivatives: frame, n., frame-less, adj., fram-er,
n., fram-ing, n.
franc, n., name of two old French coins, one of
gold and the other of silver; now the monetary
unit of France. — F., from the ML. legend on
the first coin: Francorum rex ('king of the
Franks'). See Frank.
Frances, fern. PN. — Fr. OF. Franceise (F. Fran-
coise), fern, of OF. Franceis (F. Francois). See
Francis.
franchise, n., 1) orig., freedom from servitude;
hence 2) a privilege granted; 3) the right to
vote. — ME., fr. OF. franchise, 'freedom', fr.
franc, fern, franche, 'free'. See frank, adj.,
and -ise.
franchise, tr. v., to enfranchise. — OF. franchiss-,
pres. part, stem of franchir, 'to free', fr. franc,
fern, franche, 'free'. See franchise, n., and cp.
enfranchise.
Francis, fern. PN. — OF. Franceis (F. Francois),
fr. Late L. Franciscus, lit. 'Frankish' whence
'French', which is of the same origin as E. frank
(q.v.) Cp. Frances.
Franciscan, adj., pertaining to St. Francis of
Assisi. — See next word.
Franciscan, n., a friar of the Franciscan order. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. Franciscus, ML. name
of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who estab-
lished this order.
francium, n., name of a chemical element. —
ModL., coined by the French chemist Mile.
Marguerite Perey (1909- ) on analogy of the
names of many chemical elements ending in
-ium fr. Francia, Latinized name of France, her
native land.
franckeite, n., a complex sulfide (mineral.) —
Named after the German mining engineers Carl
and Ernest Francke. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Franco-, combining form meaning 1) Frankish;
2) French. — Fr. ML. Francus, 'a Frank'. See
Frank.
francolin, n., name of various genera of par-
tridges. — F., fr. It. francolino, which is of un-
certain etymology.
francolite, n., a variety of apatite (mineral.) —
Named after Wheal Franco in Devonshire. For
the ending see combining form -lite.
Francophile, Francophil, n., a friend of France
or the French. — Compounded of Franco- and
Gk. 91X01;, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Francophobe, n., one who fears or hates France
or the French. — Compounded of Franco- and
Gk. -qjofjoi;, fr. 96^01;, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Francophobia, n., fear or hatred of France or the
French. — Compounded of Franco- and Gk.
-9o(3ta, 'fear of, fr. 96(301;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
franc-tireur, n., a sharpshooter of the irregular
infantry. — F., lit. 'free shooter', fx. franc, 'free',
and tireur, 'shooter', fr. tirer, 'to draw; to
shoot'. See frank, adj., and tire, 'to pull'.
frangible, adj., breakabte; fragile. — OF., fr. L.
frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and -ible.
Derivatives: fragibil-ity, n., fragible-ness, n.
frangipane, frangipani, n., a kind of pastry cream.
— From the Italian family name Frangipani.
frank, adj. — OF. (= F.) franc, 'free', fr. ML.
Francus, 'Frank', fr. Frankish *Frank, 'a Frank'
(rel. to OHG. Franko, OE. Franca, of s.m.),
whence also F. France, orig. 'the land of the
Franks'. In the territory formerly called Gaul
the Franks were looked upon as the free nation
par excellence (whence the sense development
of F. franc). Cp. franc, franchise, Franco-, Frank,
French. Cp. also frankalmoign, franklin.
Derivatives: frank-ly, adv., frank-ness, n.
Frank, n., member of a West Teutonic people. —
OHG. Franko, rel. to OE. Franca. See frank,
adj.
frank, tr. v., to free (whence to frank a letter, lit.
'to exempt a letter from charge'). — Fr. frank,
adj.
frank, n., signature showing that a letter is free
of charge. — Fr. prec. word.
frankalmoign, frankalmoigne, frankalmoin, n.,
perpetual tenure of land by a religious cor-
poration. — AF.franke almoigne, lit. 'free alms'.
AF. franke is fern, of frank, which corresponds
to OF. franc. See frank, adj. AF. almoigne cor-
responds to OF. almosne, F. aumdne. See alms.
Frankenstein, n. — Name of hero in a novel by
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ( 1 8 1 8), who creates
a monster which kills him.
frankincense, n. — OF. franc encens, fr. franc,
'free' (here used in the sense of 'pure'), and
encens, 'incense'. See frank, adj., and incense.
franklandite, n., sodium calcium borate (mineral)
— Named after the English chemist Sir Edward
619
frazil
Frankland (1825-99). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
franklin, n., a small landowner. — ME. fran-
kelein (cp. ML. franchildnus), formed fr. frank,
'free', and -few, a suff. of Teut. origin (occurring
also in ME. chamberlein, 'chamberlain'). See
frank, adj., and -ling.
franklinite, n., a magnetic oxide of iron (mineral.)
Named after Franklin Furnace in New Jer-
sey, where it was discovered. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
frankpledge, n., a system by which the members
of a tithing were made responsible for one an-
other's behavior. — AF. franc plege, lit. 'free
pledge', mistranslation of OE. fridborh, 'peace
pledge', in which the first element was confused
with OE. freo, 'free'. See belfry and pledge.
frantic, adj., 1) insane (archaic); 2) frenzied;
furious. — ME. frenetike, frantik, fr. OV.frene-
tique (F. frenetique), fr. L. phreneticus, fr. Gk.
9psvtTix6i;, 'mad, delirious, frantic'. See phre-
netic.
Derivatives : frantic-al-ly, frantic-ly, adv., fran-
tic-ness, n.
frap, tr. v., to bind firmly (naut.) — OF. fraper
(F. frapper), 'to strike; to bind firmly, trap',
prob. of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
frappe, adj., iced, frozen (said of beverages). —
F., pp. of frapper, 'to strike'. See prec. word.
Frasera, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the Scottish
botanist John Fraser, (1 750-1 811).
frass, n., refuse or excrement left by insect lar-
vae. — G. Frass, 'a devouring', in gradational
relationship to G. fressen, 'to devour'. See fret,
'to eat away'.
frate, n., a friar. — It., 'brother', fr. L. fratrem,
acc. of frdter. See next word.
frater, n., a brother; hence 1) a friar (obsol.); 2) a
comrade. — L. frdter, 'brother'. See fraternal
and cp. words there referred to.
frater, also fratery, fratry, n., refectory of a mon-
astery (hist.) — ME. fraitour, fr. OF. freitor,
which is aphetic for refreitor, refraitor, refeitor,
fr. ML. refectdrium, 'refectory'. See refec-
tory.
fraternal, adj., brotherly. — ML. frdterndlis, fr.
L. frdternus, 'brotherly', fr. frdter, 'brother',
which is cogn. with OE. brddor, 'brother'. See
brother and adj. suff. -al and cp. fra, frate,
frater, 'comrade', friar.
Derivatives: fraternal-ism, n., fraternal-ity, n.,
fraternal-ly, adv.
fraternity, n. — ME. fraternite, fr. OF. frater-
nitee, fraternite (F. fraternite), fr. L. frdter-
nitdtem, acc. of frdternitds, 'brotherhood', fr.
frdternus, 'brotherly'. See prec. word and -ity
and cp. confraternity.
fraternize, intr. and tr. v. — F '. fraterniser, fr. L.
frdternus, 'brotherly'. See fraternal and -ize.
Derivatives: fraterniz-ation, n., fraterniz-er, n.
fratery, n. — See frater, 'refectory'.
fratricidal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
fratricide (in either sense).
fratricide, n., a person who kills his own brother.
— F., fr. L. frdtricida, 'a brother-slayer', which
is compounded of frdter, gen. frdtris, 'brother',
and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See frater-
nal and -cide, 'killer'.
fratricide, n., the act of killing one's own broth-
er. — F., fr. L. frdtricidium, 'the killing of a
brother', which is compounded of frdter, gen.
frdtris, 'brother', and -cidium, 'killing', fr. cae-
dere, 'to kill'. See fraternal and -cide, 'killing'.
fratry, n. — See frater, 'refectory'.
Fran, n., in Germany, a woman; a married
woman. — G, Frau, 'woman, wife', fr. MHG.
vrouwe, 'lady, mistress', fr. OHG. frouwa. See
province and cp. Fraulein, frow.
fraud, n., deceit; trickery. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.)
fraude, fr. L. fraudem, acc. of fraus, 'deceit,
guile', fr. I.-E. base *dhreu-, *dhru-, 'to deceive',
whence prob. also OI. dhrutih, 'deception',
dhartah, 'cunning, fraudulent, deceptive', dhttr-
vati, dhvdrati, 'injures' (prop, 'injures through
cunning'). Cp. fraudulent, defraud. Cp. also
frustrate.
fraudulence, n. — OF. See next word and -ce.
fraudulent, adj., using fraud; based on fraud. —
ME., fr. OF., fr. L. fraudulentus, 'cheating, de-
ceitful', fr. fraus, gen. fraudis. See fraud.
Derivatives: fraudulent-ly, adv., fraudulent-
ness, n.
fraught, adj., laden; filled. — ME., pp. of frahten,
fr. MDu. vrachten, fr. vracht, 'load, cargo',
fr. OFris., whence also Dun.fragt, Swed. frakt,
of s.m.; fr. Teut. *fra-aihti, which is com-
pounded of pref. fra- meaning 'for-' (see for-),
and the stem of OE. dgan, Goth, aigan, 'to
possess'. See owe and cp. freight.
Fraulein, n., i)in Germany, an unmarried woman;
a title corresponding to E. Miss. — G., fr.
MHG. vrouwelin, dimin. of vrouwe, 'woman'.
See Frau.
Fraunhofer lines, the dark lines in the spectrum
(phys.) — Named after the German physicist
Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787- 1826).
fraxinella, n., a perennial plant, the dittany. —
A ModL. dimin. formed fr. L. fraxinus, 'ash
tree' (see Fraxinus); so called in allusion to the
leaves resembling those of the ash tree.
Fraxinus, n., a genus of plants of the olive family
(bot) — L. fraxinus, 'the mountain ash', for
*far(a)g(s)nos, lit. 'the white tree', fr. I.-E. base
*bhereg-, 'to shine, be white'. See birch.
fray, n., tumult, brawl. — ME. frai, aphetic for
affrai. See affray, n. and v.
fray, tr. v., to frighten. — ME.fraien, aphetic for
affraien. See affray, v., and cp. prec. word.
fray, tr. and intr. v., to wear out by rubbing. —
F. frayer, 'to rub against', fr. OF. freiier, fr. L.
fricare, 'to rub*. See friction.
Derivative: fray-ing, n.
frazil, n., ice crystals at the bottom of a river. —
frazzle
620
Can. F. frasil, 'snow floating in water'; rel. to
F. fraisil, 'cinders', which derives fr. VL. *fa-
cilis, 'that which pertains to a firebrand', short
for scoria *facilis, 'cinders of a firebrand', fr.
L. fax, gen. facis, 'torch, firebrand' ; see facula
and -ile. The r in frasil, fraisil is intrusive and
due to the influence of F.fraiser, 'to plait, ruffle'.
frazzle, tr. and intr. v., to fray; to reduce to tat-
ters. — A blend of fray, 'to wear out by rub-
bing', and G. faseln, 'to separate the fibers, to
ravel out', which is rel. to G. Faser, 'thread,
fiber, filament', OE. fxs, 'fringe', and to obsol.
E. feaze, 'to unravel'.
freak, n., whim. — Of uncertain origin. Possibly
fr. ME. frek, 'bold, quick', fr. OE. free, 'glut-
tonous, greedy, bold, dangerous', which is rel.
to ON. frekr, 'greedy, rough, severe', OHG.
freh, 'untamed, covetous, avaricious', MHG.
vrech, 'bold, daring', G.frech, 'bold, impudent',
Goth, -friks (in faihufriks, 'covetous, avari-
cious'). These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
*preg-, 'greedy, violent, impetuous, bold',
whence also W. rhewidd (for *pragio-), 'lasci-
viousness', Pol. pragnqc, 'to crave for'. Cp.
fresh, obtrusive'.
freak, tr. v., to streak. — Prob. a blend of freak,
'whim, fancy', and freckle; coined by Milton.
freakish, adj. — Formed fr. freak, n., with adj.
suff. -ish; first used by Henry More (1614-1687),
philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.
Derivatives : freakish-Iy, adv., freakish-ness, n.
freckle, n., a small brownish spot on the skin. —
Dimin. formed fr. ME. frecken, fr. ON. frek-
nur (pi.), 'freckles' (whence freknottr, 'freckled',
Dan. fregne, Swed. frdgne, 'freckle'), which is of
uncertain origin. It is perh. cogn. with Gk.
7r£pxos, 7repxv$5, 'spotted; dusky'. See perch,
name of a fish.
Derivatives : freckl-ed, freckl-y, adjs.
Frederic, Frederick, masc. PN. — F. Frederic, fr.
G. Friedrich, fr. OHG. Fridurih, lit. 'peaceful
ruler', compounded of OHG. fridu, 'peace', and
rihhi, 'powerful, rich'. See friend and rich and
cp. the second element in Geoffrey.
Frederica, fem. PN. — Fem. form of Frederic
(q.v.) Cp. F. Frederique, fr. Frederic.
fredricite, n., a variety of tennantite {mineral.)
— Named after the Fredrik shaft in Falu,
Sweden. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
free, adj. — ME. freo, fre, fr. OE. freo, fri, rel.
to OS., OHG., MHG. vri, G. frei, Du. vrij,
Goth, freis, 'free', OE. freogan, freon, Goth.
frijdn, 'to love', OE. freod, 'affection, friend-
ship', friga, 'love', freodryhten, 'noble lord',
OE. fridu, OS. frithu,'OS. fridr, OFris. frethu,
OHG. fridu, MHG. fride, G. Friede, 'peace',
Of., freo, OS. fri, 'wife', ON. Frigg, name of the
wife of Odin (lit. = 'beloved, loving; wife'),
MLG. vrien, 'to take to wife', Du. vryen, G.
freien, 'to woo'. The primary sense of all these
words was 'beloved, friend; to love'. In English
freo, etc., this sense developed into 'free'. (The
terms 'beloved' and 'friend', were applied, as a
rule, to the free members of the clan and in con-
tradistinction to slaves.) For sense development
cp. L. liberi, which unites the meanings 'free'
(pi.) and 'children'. The above Teut. words are
cogn. with OI. priydhi, 'own, dear, beloved',
priyate, 'loves', OSlav. prijati, 'to help', prija-
telji, 'friend', W. rhydd (for *prijos), 'free'. Cp.
affray, defray, fray, 'tumult', fresh, 'obtrusive',
friend, Frigg, frith, 'brushwood', the first ele-
ment in filibuster, Frederic, Friday, and the
second element in belfry, Geoffrey, Godfrey,
Humphrey, Winfred. Derivatives: free, adv.,
free, v. (q.v.), free-ly, adv., free-ness, n.
free, tr. v. — ME. freen, fr. OE. freogan, freon,
'to free', fr. freo. See free, adj.
freeboot, intr. v. — Back formation fr. freebooter.
Derivative: freeboot-ing, n.
freebooter, n., a plunderer; a pirate. — Loan
translation of Du. vrijbuiter, 'plunderer, rob-
ber', fr. vrijbuiten, 'to plunder, rob', fr. vrijbuit,
'plunder', lit. 'free booty'. See free, adj., and
booty and cp. filibuster.
Derivative : freebooter-y, n.
freedom, n. — ME. fredom, fr. OE. freoddm. See
free, adj., and -dom.
freeman, n. — ME. freoman, fr. OE. freoman.
See free, adj., and man.
freemason, n. — For free mason. He was called
free owing to a confusion with F.frere, 'brother'
(in the term frire mafon, 'brother mason'). F.
franc-macon, 'freemason', is a loan translation
of E. freemason.
Derivatives : freemason-ic, adj., freemason-ry, n.
Freesia, n., a genus of plants of the iris family
{bot.) — ModL., named after the German phy-
sician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese (1795-
1876). For the ending see suff. -ia.
freeze, intr. and tr. v. — ME. freosen, fresen, fr.
OE. freosan, rel. to ON. frjosa, OHG. friosan,
MHG. vriesen, G. frieren, 'to freeze', Goth.
frius, 'frost', fr. Teut. base *freus-, which cor-
responds to I.-E. *preus-, *prus-, a base uniting
the opposite meanings 'to freeze', and 'to burn',
whence, on the one hand, OI. prusvd, 'hoar-
frost', L. pruina (for *prus w ina, *pru w ina),
'hoarfrost', OCo. reu, Bret, reo, W. rhew (for
I.-E. *preusos), 'frost', and, on the other, OI.
prusfah, 'burnt', Alb. pruS, 'burning coals,
glowing fire', L. pruna, 'a live coal', prurire,
'to itch'. Cp. frost. Cp. also pruinose, prurient.
Derivatives: freeze, n., freez-er, n., freez-ing,
adj., freez-ing-ly, adv.
freight, n. — ME. freyght, freyte, freite, fr. MDu.
vrecht, a secondary form of MDu. (= Du.)
vracht. See fraught. Derivatives: freight, tr. v.,
freightage (q.v.), freight-er, n.
freightage, n., freight. — A hybrid coined from
prec. word and -age, a suffix of ult. Latin origin.
fremitus, n., a palpable vibration {med.) — L., 'a
murmur', fr. fremit-{um), pp. stem of fremere,
'to roar, resound, murmur', fr. I.-E. base
621
freyalite
*bhrem-, a variant of base *brem-, whence Gk.
(3p6[xo5, 'any loud noise'. See bromo-.
frenate, adj., having a frenum {anat. and zool.)
— Fr. L. frendtus, pp. of frendre, 'to bridle,
curb', fr. frenum, 'bridle, curb'. See frenum and
adj. suff. -ate.
French, adj. and n. — ME. Frenkisch, Frensch,
fr. OE. Frencisc, fr. Franca, 'Frank'. See Frank.
Derivative: French-ness, n.
Frenchification, n. {colloq.) — See Frenchify and
-ation.
Frenchify, tr. v., to make French; intr. v., to
become French {colloq) — A hybrid coined fr.
French and -fy, a suff. of Latin origin.
frenetic, adj., frantic. — See phrenetic.
frenulum, n., a small frenum {anat. and zool.) —
ModL., dimin. of frenum, 'bridle, curb, liga-
ment'. See next word and -ule.
Derivative: frenul-ar, adj.
frenum, also, less exactly, fraenum,n., a small liga-
ment supporting or checking the movements of
any organ. — L. frenum, fraenum, 'bridle, curb,
bit', prob. standing for *fre-nom, 'something
to hold with', fr. I.-E. base *dher{e)-, 'to hold,
support', whence also L. firmus, 'firm, strong'.
See firm, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: fren-al, adj., frenate (q.v.)
frenzy, n., wild excitement. — ME. frenesye, fr.
OF. frenesie, fr. ML. phrenesia, fr. Late L.
phrenesis, fr. pseudo-Gk. 9p£v7]<jn; (back form-
ation from the Late L. adj. phreneticus, corrup-
tion of Gk. 9psvtTix6(;, 'suffering from the in-
flammation of the brain'), corresponding to
Gk. (ppeviTi?, 'inflammation of the brain', fr.
<ppT)v, gen. ippevo?, 'midriff, heart, mind'. See
phrenetic.
Derivatives : frenzi-ed, adj., frenzi-ed-ly, adv.
frequence, n. — F. frequence, fr. L. frequentia.
See next word and -ce.
frequency, n. — L. frequentia, 'a crowding,
crowd', ft. frequens. See frequent, adj., and -cy.
frequent, adj. — F. frequent, fr. L. frequentem,
acc. of frequens, 'crowded, repeated, constant',
which is rel. to farcere, 'to stuff, cram'. See
farce, and -ent
Derivatives: frequent, v. {q.v.),frequent-Iy, adv.,
frequent-ness, n.
frequent, tr. v. — F. frequenter, fr. L. frequentare,
'to resort to frequently, to frequent', fr. frequens.
See frequent, adj.
Derivatives: frequent-able, adj., frequentation
(q.v.), frequent-er, n.
frequentation, n. — F. frequentation, fr. L. fre-
quentdtionem, acc. of frequentdtid, fr. frequen-
tdtus, pp. of frequentare. See frequent, v., and
-ation.
frequentative, adj. — F. frequentatif (fem. -ive),
fr. Late L. frequentdtivus, 'that which denotes
the repetition of an act', fr. L. frequentatus, pp.
of frequentare. See frequent, v., and -he.
fresco, n. — It., lit. 'fresh'. See fresh, 'newly
made*, and cp. alfresco.
fresh, adj., newly made; cool. — ME. fresch, fr.
OF. fres, freis, fem. fresche (whence F. frais,
fem. fraiche), 'fresh', fr. Teut. *frisk- (whence
also It., Sp., Port, fresco, OProvenc. fresc); cp.
OE.fersc [whence OTi.ferskr (Dan.fersk, Swed.
farsk)], OFris. fersk, MLG. versch, Du. vers
(Dan., Swed., Norw. frisk are MLG. loan
words), OHG. frisc, MHG. vrisch, G. frisch,
'fresh' [MLG., MDu. vrisch (Du. fris), are bor-
rowed fr. MHG. vrisch]. These Teut. words are
prob. cogn. with OSlav. presinu (for *praiskino-),
'fresh' (whence Lith. preskas, 'sweet; unleav-
ened'). Cp. afresh, refresh. Cp. also fresco, frisk.
Derivatives: fresh, n., fresh-en, tr. and intr. v.,
fresh-en-er, n., fresh-ly, adv., fresh-ness, n.
fresh, adj., obtrusive, impudent {slang). — G.
frech, 'impudent', fr. OHG. freh, 'covetous,
avaricious', rel. to OE. free, 'gluttonous, greedy,
bold' (see freak, 'whim'); influenced in form,
but different in origin, from fresh, 'new',
freshet, n., a stream of fresh water; a flood. —
Formed fr. fresh, 'newly made', with suff. -et.
fret, tr. v., to eat away; intr. v., to gnaw {into,
on or upon); to be worn away. — ME. freten,
ii.OB.fretan, 'to eat up, devour'; which stands
iorfr-etan, fr. pref./r- (fr. Teut. *fra-) and OE.
etan, 'to eat'; rel. to Du. vreten, OHG. fres^an,
MHG. vreten, G. fressen, Goth, fra-itan, of
s.m. See for- and eat and cp. frass.
Derivatives: fret, n., the act of fretting; worry,
anxiety; fretful (q.v.)
fret, n., ornament. — ME. frete, fret, fr. MF.
frete, frette (F. frette), 'interlaced work, iron
hoop, ferrule', fr. OF. frete, frette, prob. derived
fr. Frankish *fetur, which is rel. to OE. fetor,
OHG. fessara, 'fetter'. See fetter,
fret, tr. v., to ornament. — ME. fretten, fretien,
fr. MF. freter, fretter (F. fretter), 'to decorate
with interlaced designs, to bind with a ring or
with a ferrule', fr. OF. freter, fr. frete. See prec.
word.
Derivative: frett-ed, adj.
fretful, adj. — Formed fr. fret, 'the act of fret-
ting' (see fret, 'to eat away' and -ful); first used
by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: fretful-ly, adv., fretful-ness, n.
fretty, adj., interlaced {her.) — ME. frette, fr.
MF. frete, frette pp. of freter, fretter. See fret,
'to ornament', and -y (representing OF. -e, MF.,
F. -e).
Freudian, adj., pertaining to, or agreeing with,
the theories of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Frey, n., the god of the crops and fertility in
Norse mythology. — ON. Freyr. See next
word.
Freya, n., the goddess of love and beauty in
Norse mythology. — ON. Freyja, rel. to Freyr,
and to OE./raz, 'lord', OS. frua, MDu. vrouwe,
'woman, wife'. See frow.
freyalite, n., a radioactive silicate of thorium,
cerium, etc. {mineral.) — Named after Freya,
friable
622
goddess of love in Norse mythology. See prec.
word and -lite.
friable, adj. — F., fr. L. fridbilis, 'crumbling', fr.
friare, 'to crumble, rub away', which is prob.
cogn. with OI. bhrindnti, 'they hurt, damage',
Avestic pairi-brWnti, 'they cut round about',
OSlav. britva, 'razor', Russ. -Church Slav, briju,
briti, 'to shear'. L. friare is rel. to fricdre, 'to
rub'. See friction and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also frivolous. For the ending see stiff, -able.
Derivative: friabil-ity, n., friable-ness, n.
friar, n. — ME. frere, fr. OF. frere, freire (F.
frere), fr. L. frdtrem, acc. of /rater, 'brother'.
See fraternal.
Derivative: friar-y, n., a convent of friars,
fribble, intr. v., to trifle. — Prob. of imitative
origin ; influenced in meaning by an association
with frivolous.
Derivatives: fribble, n.,fribbl-er,n.,fribbl-ery,n.
fricandeau, n., stew of veal. — F., back formation
fr. fricasser, 'to fricassee', which was erroneous-
ly supposed to derive from base fric- and suff.
-asser. For the real etymology of this verb see
next word.
fricassee, n., a dish made of meat stewed in
gravy. — F. fricassee, fr. fricasser, 'to fricassee,
fry', compounded of the verbs frire, 'to fry', and
casser, 'to break'. See fry, 'to cook with fat',
and quash, 'to make void', and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: fricassee, tr. v,
fricative, adj., produced by forcing the breath
through a narrow opening between the lips,
teeth, etc. (said of a consonant). — ModL.
fricdtivus, fr. L.fricdtus, pp. of fricdre, 'to rub'.
See friction and -ative.
Derivative: fricative, n.,a fricative consonant.
friction, n. — F., fr. L. frictionem, acc. of frictid,
'a rubbing', fr. frictus, pp. of fricdre, 'to rub',
which is rel. to friare. See friable and -ion and
cp. 3rd fray, fry, 'spawn of fishes', affricate and
the second element in dentifrice.
Derivatives: friction-al, adj., friction-al-ly, adv.,
friction-less, adj. f
Friday, n. — ME. fridai, fr. OE. frigedmg, lit.
'the day of the goddess Frig', fr. Frige, gen. of
Frig, which corresponds to ON. Frigg, name
of the wife of Odin (sec Frigg), and dseg, 'day',
rel. to ON. frijddagr, Dan., Swed. Fredag,
OFris. frigendei, friadei, fredei, MLC, MDu.
vridach, Du. vrijdag, OHG. friatag, MHG. vri-
tac, G. Freitag; prop, a loan translation of L.
Veneris dies, 'the day of Venus, Friday' (whence
It. venerdi. Rum. vineri, OF. vendresdi, F. ven-
dredi, Proven?, divenres, Sp. viernes), itself a
loan translation of Gk. 'A^poSi-v}; r;ijipa, 'the
day of Aphrodite'; ON. Frigg, was considered
as the goddess of love. For the second element
in OE. frigedieg see day.
friedelite, n., a manganese silicate (mineral.) —
Named after the French mineralogist Charles
Friedel (1832-99). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
friend, n. — ME. freond, frend, fr. OE. freond,
'friend, lover', rel. to ON. frxndi, OS., OFris.
friund, Du. vriend, OHG., MHG. friunt, G.
Freund, Goth, frijonds, 'friend'. All these nouns
are prop. pres. participles and orig. meant
'loving' (so e.g. OE. freond is the pres. part, of
OE. freogan, freon, 'to love', and Goth, frijonds
the pres. part, of Goth, frydn, 'to love'). They
are rel. to OE. freo, 'free'. See free, adj., and
cp. words there referred to. For the participial
origin of the noun friend cp. fiend.
Derivatives: friend, tr. v. (rare), friend-less, adj.,
friend-less-ness, n., friendly (q.v.)
friendly, adj. — ME. frendly, fr. OE. freondlic.
See friend and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: friendli-ly, adv., friendli-ness, n.
friendly, adv. (rare). — ME. frendly, fr. OE.
freondlice. See friend and adv. suff. -ly.
friendship, n. — ME. frendship, fr. OE. freond-
scipe. See friend and -ship.
frieseite, n., a silver iron sulfide (mineral.) —
Named after F. M.von Friese. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Friesian, adj. and n. — A var. spelling of Frisian.
Friesic, adj., Frisian. — See Frisian and -ic.
Friesish, adj. — See Frisian and adj. suff. -ish.
frieze, n., a kind of woolen cloth. — F. frise, rel.
to friser, 'to curl, frizz'. See frizz, 'to curl'.
frieze, tr. v., to .cover with a nap, to trim. —
F. friser, 'to curl, frizz'. See prec. word.
frieze, n., an ornamented band (archit.) — F.
frise, fr. ML. frisium, a collateral form of fri-
gium, phrygium, 'fringe', lit. 'Phrygian, related
to Phrygia'. Cp. L. Phrygiae vestes in the sense
of 'embroidered garments' (Virgil, Aen. 3,483).
Cp. also It. fregio, equivalent of F. frise.
frigate, n., a fast sailing vessel. — F. fregate, fr.
It. fregata, fr. Neapolitan fregate, prob. fr. Gk.
ooppaxToc;, 'unfenced; not decked' (said of
ships), fr. a- (see priv. pref. a-) and qjpaaasiv,
'to fence, enclose', which is cogn. with L. far-
cire, 'to stuff'. See farce, 'to stuff, cram'.
Frigg, n., the wife of Odin, the goddess of heaven
and of love in Norse mythol. — ON., prop,
subst. use of a fern. adj. lit. meaning 'beloved,
loving; wife'. See free and cp. Friday.
fright, n. -- ME. fryght, fryhte, fyrhte, fr. OE.
fyrhto, fryhto, rel. to OS. forhta, OFris. fruchte,
OHG. forhta, forahta, MHG. vorhte, G. Furcht,
Goth, faurhtei, 'fear'. These words prob. derive
fr. l.-E. *prk-, 'to fear; fright', whence also
Toch. A pdrsk-, prask-, B pdrsk-, prdsk-, 'to
fear', A praski, B prosko, 'fear, fright'.
Derivatives: fright, v, (q.v.), fright-en, tr. v.,
fright-en-ed, adj., fright-en-ed-ly, adv., fight-en-
ed-ness, n., fright-en-er, n., fright-en-ing, adj.,
fright-en-ing-ly, adv., fright-ful, adj., fright-ful-
ly, adv., fright-ful-ness, n.
fright, tr. v., to frighten. — ME. frigten, fr. OE.
fyrhtan, 'to frighten', rel. to OE. forhtian, 'to
fear', OS. forahtian, OFris. fruhtia, OHG. forah-
tan, furihten, MHG. viirhten, G.fiirchten, Goth.
623
frizz
faurhtjan, 'to fear', OE. forht, OS., OHG. foraht,
Goth, fauhrts, 'fearful', and to OE. fyrhto,
fryhto, 'fear, fright'. See fright, n.
frigid, adj., very cold. — L. frigidus, 'cold', fr.
frigus, 'cold, frost', from the stem of frigere, 'to
be cold', which is rel. to L. rigidus, 'hard, stiff,
rough, severe', rigere, 'to be stiff', and cogn.
with Gk. plyo? (for *<jpTYo<;), 'cold'. Cp. rigid
and the first element in rhigolene. Cp. also refri-
gerate, refrigerator and the second element in
sang-froid.
Derivatives: frigidity (q.v.), frigid-ly, adv.,
frigid-ness, n.
frigidity, n. — F.frigidite, fr. Late L.frigiditdtem,
acc. of frigiditds, 'the cold', fr. L. frigidus. See
frigid and -ity.
frigorific, adj., causing cold. — F '. frigorifique, fr.
Late L. frigorificus, 'cooling', which is com-
pounded of L. frigus, gen. frigoris, 'cold', and
-ficus, 'making', from the stem of -ficere, un-
-* stressed form of facere, 'to make, do'. See
frigid and -fie.
frijole, n., bean. — Sp. frijol, frejol, fr. L. phaseolus,
phaselus, 'kidney bean'. See Phaseolus.
frill, n., a ruffle. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: frill, tr. and intr. v., frill-ed, adj.,
frill-ery, n., frill-ing, n., frill-y, adj.
Frimaire, n., name of the 3rd month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
November 21st to December 20th). — F., lit.
'the month of frost'; a hybrid coined by Fabre
d'Eglantine in 1793 from F.frimas, 'frost, hoar-
frost', a word of Teut. origin, and F. suff. -aire
(fr. L. -drius). See rime, 'hoarfrost', and adj.
suff. -ary.
fringe, n., a border of loose threads. — ME.
frenge, fr. OF. fringe, frenge, fr. VL. *frimbia,
metathesis of L. fimbriae (pi.), 'border, edge,
fringe', which is of uncertain origin. Cp. fimbria.
Derivatives: fringe, tr. v., fring-ed, fring-y,
adjs.
Fringilla, n., a genus of birds of the finch family
(ornithol.) — L., 'the chaffinch', fr. L. frigere,
'to squeak, squeal', which is of imit. origin. Cp.
Gk. cppuy&oi; (a metathesized form of orig.
*<pptyiXo:;), a kind of bird, dial. Russ. berglez\
'goldfinch', Czech brhel, 'golden oriole'. OI.
bhfhgd, 'a large black bee', is not related.
Fringillidae, n.pl., the finch and sparrow family
(ornithol.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. fringilla. See prec. word.
frippery, n., tawdry finery. — F. friperie, fr. OF.
freperie, fr. frepe, ferpe, felpe, 'fringe, old gar-
ment', ult. fr. ML. faluppa, 'fiber, trifle'.
frisette, n., a fringe of curled hair worn on the
forehead. — F., 'little curl', fr. friser, 'to curl'.
See frizz, 'to cur!', and -ette.
friseur, n., a hairdresser. — F., fr. friser, 'to curl'.
See prec. word.
Frisian, adj. and n., belonging to the tribe Frisii.
— Fr. L. Frisii, a name of Teut. origin, lit.
meaning 'curly-headed*. Cp. OFris. frisle, 'curly
hair', and see frizz, 'to curl'. For the ending see
suff. -ian. Cp. Friesian.
frisk, adj., lively. — OF. (= F.) frisque, fr. MDu.
vrisch, 'fresh', which is rel. to OHG. frise, OE.
fersc, 'fresh'. See fresh, 'newly made'.
Derivatives: frisk, intr. v., to leap in a lively
manner; tr. v., 1) to move in a playful manner;
2) (slang) to search (a person), esp. for con-
cealed weapons, frisk-y, adj., frisk-i-ly, adv.,
frisk-i-ness, n.
frisket, n., a light frame of iron attached to the
tympan (printing). — F. frisquette, of uncertain
origin.
frit, n., material for glass-making. — F. fritte,
fr. frite, fern. pp. of frire, 'to fry'. See fry, 'to
cook in fat'.
frit fly, a small fly. — Of uncertain origin,
frith, n., a narrow arm of the sea, inlet; a firth. —
A var. of firth.
frith, n., enclosure; wooded land, brushwood. —
ME., fr. OE. fridu, 'peace, security' (cp. OE.
fridgeard, 'enclosure, court'). For sense develop-
ment cp. MHG. vride, 'enclosure', G. einfrie-
digen, 'to fence in, enclose', Friedhof, 'cemetery',
which are rel. to G. Friede, 'peace'. See free and
cp. words there referred to.
Fritillaria, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. fritillus, 'dicebox' (so
called from the markings on the petals), which
is rel. to fritinnire, 'to twitter'; of imitative ori-
gin. The dicebox was called fritillus in allusion
to the rattle of dice.
fritillary, n., 1) any plant of the genus Fritillaria;
2) any butterfly of the genus Argynnis. — See
prec. word and -ary.
fritter, n., a slice of fruit fried in butter. — F.
friture, 'something fried', fr. frit, pp. of frire,
'to fry'. See fry, 'to cook in butter'.
fritter, n., a fragment. — OF. fraiture, freture, 'a
breaking', fr. L.frdctiira, fr.fractus, pp. of fran-
gere, 'to break'. See fraction.
fritter, tr. v., to waste. — Fr. prec. word.
Derivative: fritter-er, n.
frivol, intr. and tr. v. — Back formation fr.
frivolous.
frivolity, n. — F. frivolite, fr. frivole. See next
word and -ity.
frivolous, adj., trifling. — L. frivolus, 'brittle,
crumbling; silly', prob. rel. to friare, 'to crum-
ble, rub away'. See friable. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: frivolous-ly, adv.,frivolous-ness, n.
frizz, friz, tr. and intr. v., to curl. — F. friser, 'to
curl, dress the hair', a word of Frisian origin.
Cp. OFris. frisle, 'curly hair', and the name
Frisian, which lit. means 'curly-headed'. Cp.
also frieze, 'woolen cloth', frieze, 'to trim',
frizzle, 'to curl'.
Derivatives: friz(z), n., frizz-y, adj., frizz-i-ly,
adv., frizz-i-ness, n., frizz-ly, adj.
frizz, tr. and intr. v., to fry or sear with a sizz-
ling noise; to sizzle. — Of imitative origin.
frizzle
frizzle, tr. and intr. v., to curl. — Formed fr. frizz,
'to curl', with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives : frizzle, n., frizzl-er, n.
frizzle, tr. and intr. v., to fry thoroughly. —
Formed fr. frizz, 'to sizzle', with freq. suff. -le.
fro, adv., away; backward. — ME. fra,fro, fr.
ON. fra, which is rel. to OE. from, 'from'. See
from.
frock, n. — ME. frok, froc, fr. OF. froc, 'cowl',
fr. Frankish *hroc, which is rel. to ON. rokkr,
OE. rocc, OFris. rokk, OS., Du. rok, OHG. roc,
roch, MHG. roc, G. Rock, 'coat'. These words
derive fr. I.-E. base *rug-, 'to spin', whence also
Olr. rucht, 'jacket'. See rock, 'distaff', and cp.
rochet, 'ecclesiastical vestment'.
Derivative: frock, tr. v., to cover with a frock.
froe, n., a wedge-shaped cleaving tool. — Prob.
shortened from the adjective froward and orig.
meaning 'turned away'. Cp. frommard, front-
ward, dial, equivalents of froe.
frog, n., a small tailless amphibian. — ME.
frogge, fr. OE. frogga, rel. to OE. frosc, frox,
ON. froskr, Dan., OHG. frosk, MDu. vorsc,
Du. vors, MHG. wosch, G. Frosch, 'frog'.
These words prob. mean lit. 'hopper' and are
cogn. with OI. prdvate, 'hops', and with Russ.
prygat', 'to hop, jump', pryg, 'a jump'; see
frolic. For sense development cp. Westphalic
hopper, Alemanic hopzger, 'frog', lit. 'hopper'.
frog, n., a loop on a belt for receiving a sword,
etc. — Of uncertain origin.
frog, n., a horny pad in a horse's hoof. — Of un-
certain origin. Cp. frush.
frolic, adj., merry. — MDu. vrolyc (also frolic,
vroilic; Du. wolijk), fr. MDu. vrd; rel. to OS. fra,
fro, fra(h)o, OFris. fro, OHG. frao, fro, MHG.
fro, G. froh, 'joyful, glad', G. frbhlich, of s.m.,
ON. frdr, 'swift', ME. frow, 'hasty', and cogn.
with OI. pravdh, 'fluttering', prdvate, 'he leaps
up'. Cp. frog, 'a small tailless amphibian'.
Derivatives: frolic, n. and intr. \.,frolick-er, n,
frolic-ly, adv., frolic-ness, n., frolick-y, frolic-
ful, frolic-some, &6]%.,frolic-some-ly, adv.,frolic-
some-ness, n.
from, prep. — ME., fr. OE. fram, from, rel. to
OS., OHG., Goth, fram, 'from, away', orig.
'forward', ON. fra, 'from', fram, 'forward', OE.
forma, Goth, fruma, 'first', OHG. fruma, 'ad-
vantage', MHG. frum, 'zealous, able', G.fromm,
'pious, devout', OE. frdmian, 'to avail, be prof-
itable', fremman, 'to further'. See foremost and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also fro.
frond, n., a leaflike organ, foliage. — L. frons,
gen. frondis, 'leafy branch, foliage'; possibly
cogn. with ON. brum, 'leaf buds'.
Derivative : frond-age, n.
Fronde, n., name of a party in France during the
minority of Louis XIV. — F., fr. L. funda,
'sling; casting net; purse', which is of uncertain
origin. It is perh. cogn. with, or derived from,
Gk. o<pev86vi), 'sling' ; seesphendone. I*, funda was
influenced in form by L. f under e, 'to pour, shed'.
frondesce, intr. v., to put forth leaves. — L. fron-
descere, inchoative of frondere, 'to put forth
leaves', fr. frons, gen. frondis, 'leafy branch,
foliage'. See frond and -esce.
frondescence, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
frondescent, adj. — L. frondescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of frondescere. See frondesce and
-ent.
frondiferous, adj., bearing fronds. — h.frondifer,
'bearing leaves', compounded of frons, gen.
frondis, ieafy branch, foliage', and ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See frond and -ferous.
frondose, adj., bearing fronds. — L. frondosus,
'leafy', fr. frons, gen. frondis. See frond and adj.
suff. -ose.
front, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) front, fr. L.
frontem, acc. of frons, 'forehead, brow, coun-
tenance; the forepart of anything', prob.
meaning lit. 'that which projects', and standing
for I.-E. *bhron-t-, fr. base *bhren-, 'to project,
stand out', whence also Mir. broine, 'prow of
a ship', Ir. brainech, Co. brenniat, 'watchman
at the prow of a ship'. For the sense develop-
ment of L. frons, 'forehead', from a base mean-
ing 'to project', cp. OSlav. celo, 'forehead',
which is cogn. with L. excellere, 'to rise, stand
out'. Cp. affront, confront, effrontery, fron-
tispiece.
Derivatives: front, adj. and tr. and intr. v.,
front-age, n.,front-ag-er, n., frontal (q.v.), front-
ing, n., front-less, adj., front-less-ly, &dv.,front-
lesS-ness, n.
frontal, n., a band worn on the forehead. — OF.
frontel (F. fronteau), fr. Late L. frontale, 'an
ornament for the forehead', fr. L. frons, gen.
frontis. See front.
frontal, adj., pertaining to the front; pertaining
to the forehead. — ModL. frontalis, fr. L. frons,
gen. frontis. See front and adj. suff. -al and cp.
prec. word.
frontier, n., — OF. frontier (F. frontiere), from
the adjective frontier, 'facing, neighboring', fr.
front, 'forehead, forepart'. Cp. It. frontiera, Sp.
frontera, and see front.
Frontignac, n., a kind of muscat grape and wine
made from it. — A blend of Frontignan in the
Department of Herault, and cognac.
frontispiece, n., an illustration facing the title
page of a book. — F. frontispice, fr. ML. fron-
tispicium, 'a front view', fr. L. frons, gen. frontis,
'forehead, forepart', and specere, spicere, 'to
look at'. See front and species. The spelling
frontispiece is due to a confusion with piece.
frontlet, n., a band worn on the forehead. — OF.
frontelet, dimin. of frontel (F. fronteau). See
front and -let.
fronto-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
the forehead, frontal'. — Fr. L. frons, gen. fron-
tis, 'forehead, forepart'. See front.
fronton, n., a pediment (archit.) — F., fr. It.
frontone, which is formed h.fronte, 'front, fore-
part', with augment, suff. -one. See front and
cp. -oon.
frore, adj., frosty ; frozen {archaic). — ME. frozen,
fr. OB.froren, pp. o(freosan,'to freeze'. See freeze.
frost, n. — ME. forst, frost, fr. OE. forst, frost,
rel. to OS., OHG. frost, MHG. vrost, ON. frost,
Du. vorst, fr. Teut. *frus-ta, an abstract noun
formed with -/-formative element fr. Teut. base
*freus-, 'to freeze'. See freeze.
Derivatives: frost, tr. and intr. \.,frost-ed, adj.,
frost-er, n., frost-ing, n., frost-y, adj., frosti-ly,
adv., frosti-ness, n.
froth, n. — UE. frothe, fr. OH.froda, rel. to OE.
afreodan, 'to froth up', and cogn. with OI.
prdthati, 'pants, snorts'.
Derivatives: froth, intr. and tr. \.,froth-y, adj.,
froth-i-ly, adv., froth-i-ness, n.
frou-frou, n., a rustling. — F., of imitative origin,
frounce, tr. and intr. v., to wrinkle, curl. — ME.
frouncen, 'to wrinkle', fr. OF. froncier (F. fron-
cer), It.fronce, 'a wrinkle', fr. Frankish *hrunkja,
'wrinkle', which is rel. to ON. hrukka, OHG.
runza, 'wrinkle'. See ruck, 'crease', wrinkle, and
cp. flounce, 'strip of material',
frounce, n., a wrinkle, curl. — OF. (= F.)fronce,
fr. OF. froncier. See frounce, v.
frow, n., a Dutch woman; a woman. — ME.
frowe, fr. MDu. vrouwe (Du. vrouw), rel. to
OHG. frouwa, MHG. vrouwe, G. Frau, OS.
frua, 'woman, wife', ON. Freyja, name of the
goddess of love in Norse mythology, OE. frea,
OHG. fro, Goth, frauja, 'lord'. See province
and cp. Frau, Fraulein, Frey, Freya. Cp. also
the second element in euphroe.
froward, adj., perverse. — Lit. 'turned away';
formed fr. fro, with suff. -ward. Cp. froe.
Derivatives: froward-ly, adv., froward-ness, n.
frown, intr. and tr. v. — ME. frounen, fr. OF.
froignier, 'to knit one's brows' (whence F. ren-
frogner, of s.m.), fr. Gaulish *frogna, 'nostril'.
Cp. W. ffroen, 'nose'.
Derivatives: frown, n., frown-ing, adj., frown-
ing-ly, adv.
frowsty, adj., musty (dial. English). — See frowzy.
Derivatives: frowsti-ly, adv., frowsti-ness, n.
frowzy, also frousy, adj., musty. — Of uncertain
origin; prob. rel. to frowsty.
Derivatives : frowzi-ly, adv ., frowzi-ness, n.
froze, past tense of freeze,
frozen, pp. of freeze.
Fructidor, n„ name of the 12th month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
August 1 8th to Sept. 16th). — F., lit. 'the month
of fruit' ; a hybrid coined by Fabre d'Eglan-
tine in 1793 from L. fructus, 'fruit', and Gk.
8£ipov, 'gift'. See fruit and donation and cp. the
second element in Messidor, Thermidor.
fructiferous, adj., bearing fruit. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. fructifer, 'fruit-bearing', which
is compounded of fructus, 'fruit', and ferre, 'to
bear, carry'. See fruit and -ferous.
fructification, n. — L. fiuctificatid, gen. -onis,
'bearing of fruit', fr. fructificdtus, pp. of fructi-
ficare. See next word and -ation.
fructify, intr. v., to bear fruit; tr. v., to make
productive. — F. fructifier, fr. L. fructificare,
'to bear fruit', which is compounded of fructus,
'fruit', and -ficare, fr. facere, 'to make, do'. See
fruit and -fy.
fructose, n., fruit sugar (chem.) — Formed with
subst. suff. -ose fr. L. fructus, 'fruit'. See fruit,
fructuous, adj., fruitful. — OF., fr. L. fructudsus,
'abounding in fruit, fruitful', fr. fructus. See
fruit and -ous.
Derivatives: fructuous-ly, adv., fructuous-ness,n.
frugal, adj., thrifty. — L. frugalis, 'pertaining to
fruit ; thrifty, temperate, frugal', fr. frugi, 'use-
ful, fit, proper', prop. dat. of friix, 'fruit', which
is rel. to frui, 'to enjoy', fructus, 'fruit'. See
fruit and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: frugality (q.v.), frugal-ly, adv.,
frugal-ness, n.
frugality, n., frugalness, thrift. — F. frugalite, fr.
L. frugalitatem, acc. of frugalitas, 'thriftiness,
temperance, frugality*, fr. frugalis. See prec.
word and -ity.
fruit, n. — ME. fruit, fr. OF. fruit, fr. L. fructus,
'enjoyment, the means to enjoyment, produce,
fruit', fr. fruor, 'I enjoy', which stands for
*frugwor, *fruwor, for *friigor, and is cogn.
with OE. brucan, 'to enjoy'. See brook, v., and
cp. Fructidor, fructify, frugal, frumentaceous,
and the second element in tutti-frutti, usufruct.
Derivatives: fruit, intr. and tr. v., fruit-age, n.,
fruit-ari-an, n. and ad}.,fruit-ari-an-ism,fruit-ed,
adjs., fruiterer (q.v.), fruitery (q.v.), fruit-ful,
adj., fruit-ful-ly, adv., fruit-ful-ness, n., fruit-y,
adj., fruit-i-ness, n., fruit-ing, n., fruit-ist, n.,
fruit-ive, adj., fruit-less, adj., fruit-less-ly, adv.,
fruit-Iess-ness, n., fruit-let, n.
fruiterer, n., one who deals in fruit. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. obsol. fruiter, a loan
word fr. F. fruitier, 'fruiterer', fr. fruit, 'fruit'.
See fruit. Accordingly the suff. -er in fruiterer
is redundant. Cp. caterer, poulterer, sorcerer,
upholsterer.
fruitery, n. — F. fruiterie, 'fruit loft'. See fruit
and -ery.
frumentaceous, adj., made of, or resembling,
wheat or other grain. — Late L. friimentdceus,
'of corn or grain', fr. L. frumentum (for *frug-
mentum or "frug-smentum), 'corn, grain', which
is formed from the stem of frugi, 'useful, fit.
proper'. See frugal and -aceous.
frumenty, n., a kind of food made of wheat
boiled in milk. — OF. frumentee, fr. L. fru-
mentum, 'corn, grain'. See prec. word.
frump, tr. and intr. v., to flout. — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: frump, n., frump-ery, n., frump-ish,
adj., frump-ish-ly, adv., frump-ish-ness, n.,
frump-y, adj., frump-i-ly, adv., frump-i-ness, n.
frush, n., a horny pad in a horse's foot. — See
frog, 'a horny pad'.
frustrate
626
frustrate, adj., frustrated (archaic). — L. frus-
trates, pp. of frustrdri, 'to deceive, disappoint',
fr. friistra, 'uselessly, in vain', which prob. de-
rives fr. *fraud-trom, fr. fraus, gen. fraudis,
'deceit, guile'. See fraud and adj. suff. -ate. For
the change of dtr to str cp. L. claustrum, 'bolt,
bar', which stands for *claud-trom (see claus-
tral).
frustrate, tr. v., to make vain, to thwart. —
L. frustrates, pp. of frustrdri. See frustrate, adj.
Derivatives: frustrat-er, n., frustration (q.v.),
frustrat-ive, frustrat-ory, adjs.
frustration, n. — L. frustrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'de-
ception, disappointment', fr. frustrates, pp. of
frustrdri. See frustrate, adj., and -ion.
frustule, n., the shell of a diatom (bot.) — F., fr.
L. frustulum, 'a small piece', dimin. of frustum.
See next word and -ule.
frustum, n., the lower part of a solid figure formed
when the top of a cone is cut off parallel to the
base. — L., 'piece', fr. I.-E. *bhrus-to-, fr. base
*bhreus-, 'to break, crush, crumble', whence
also OE. brysan, 'to bruise'. See bruise.
frutescent, adj., shrubby. — Incorrectly formed
for *fruticescent, fr. L. frutex, gen. fruticis, 'a
bush'. See next word and -escent.
frutex, n., a shrub. — L., 'shrub, bush'; of un-
certain origin. Cp. frutescent, fruticose. L. Frutis,
name of Venus, is not related to L. frutex (see
bride).
fruticose, adj., bushy, shrubby. — L. fruticosus,
'full of shrubs or bushes', ft. frutex, gen. fruticis.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ose.
fry, tr. v., to cook in fat; intr. v., to be cooked
in fat. — ME. frien, fr. frire, fr. L. frigere, 'to
roast, parch, fry', which is cogn. with OI.
bhrjjdti, 'roasts', bharjanah, 'roasting' (part.);
ModPers. birishtan, 'to roast', Gk. 9p6yetv, 'to
roast, bake', Lith. birgelas, 'small beer', Lett.
birga, 'vapor, smoke', OPruss. au-birgo, 'owner
of a cook shop'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.
*bher(e)g-, *bhrig-, *bhrug-, enlargements of
base *bher-, 'to boil, seethe'. See brew and cp.
fervent. Cp. also fricandeau, fricassee, frit,
fritter, 'piece of fruit'.
Derivatives: fry, n., 'fried food', fry-er (also
fri-er), n.
fry, n., i) young fish; 2) young, offspring. — ME.
fri, 'seed, offspring', prob. fr. AF. frie, fry,
which corresponds to OF '. froi (F '. frai), 'spawn',
fr. freier, froier, 'to rub, spawn', fr. L. fricdre,
'to rub'. See friction.
fub, tr. v., to cheat. — G. foppen, 'to jeer at,
make a fool of. See fob.
fubsy, adj., plump, squat (Colloq. Engl.) — Of
uncertain origin.
Fuchsia, n., a genus of plants of the evening prim-
rose family (bot.) — ModL., named after the
German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1 501 -1566).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
fuchsin, fuchsine, n., a variety of rosaniline
(mineralogy). — Formed fr. Fuchsia with suff.
> -in, resp. -ine; so called in allusion to its color,
which resembles that of fuchsia.
fucoid, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, sea-
weed; n., a seaweed. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. fucus, 'rock lichen', and Gk. -oeiSy)?, 'like',
fr. elSoi;, 'form, shape' (see Fucus and -oid).
The correct form would be phycoid (fr. Gk.
90x01;, 'seaweed', and -osiStji;, 'like').
Fucus, n., 1) a genus of algae; 2) (not cap.) any
plant of this genus (bot.) — L. fucus, 'rock
lichen', fr. Gk. 90x01;, 'seaweed; red paint,
rouge', fr. Heb. pukh, 'antimony, stibium, lye,
paint'. Cp. the second element in Zygophyceae.
fuddle, tr. v., to render confused. — Of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: fuddle, n., fuddle-ment, n.
fudge, tr. v., to fake. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: fudge, n.
fuel, n. — OF. fouaille, fuaille, fr. Late L.focdlia,
neut. pi. of facdlis, 'pertaining to the hearth',
fr. L. focus, 'hearth'. See focus and cp. focal.
Derivatives: fuel, tr. and intr. v., fuel(l)-er, n.,
fueVfying, n.
fugacious, adj., fleeting. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. fugdx, gen. fugacis, 'apt to flee,
transitory', fr. fugere. See fugitive and cp.
fougasse. '
Derivatives : fugacious-ly, sidv.,fugacious-ness,n.
fugacity, n. — Late L. fugdcitds, fr. L. fugdx,
gen. fugacis, 'apt to flee, transitory'. See prec.
word and -ity.
fugal, adj., pertaining to a fugue (mus.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. It. fuga. See fugue.
Derivative : fugal-Iy, adv.
-fuge, combining form meaning 'that which
drives away (something)', as in febrifuge, ver-
mifuge. — F., fr. L. fugus, 'fleeing away' (used
in Modern Latin in the sense 'causing to flee,
putting to flight'), fr. L. fugere. See fugitive.
fugient, adj., fleeing. — L. fugiens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of fugere, 'to flee'. See fugitive and
-ent.
fugitive, adj. — OF. (= F.) fugitif (fern, fugitive),
fr. L. fugitivus, 'running away, fleeing, fugitive',
ti.fugit-(um), pp. stem of fugere, 'to flee', which
is cogn. with Gk. 9£\jyeiv, 'to flee', Lith. bagstu,
bOgti, 'to be frightened', fr. I.-E. base *bheug-,
'to flee', which prop, meant originally 'to bend
one's course away from a place', and is identical
with base *bheug(h)-, 'to bend', whence OI.
bhujdti, 'bends, thrusts aside', Goth, biugan,
'to bend', OE. bugan, 'to bow down, stoop;
to bend, turn; to flee'. See bow, 'to bend', and
cp. fougasse, fugacious, fugue, centrifugal, Cimi-
fuga, feverfew, heliofugal, lucifugous, refuge, re-
fugee, subterfuge. Cp. also apophyge, bypo-
phyge, phygoid.
Derivatives: fugitive, n., fugitive-ly, adv., fugi-
tive-ness, n.
fugle, intr. v. — Back formation fr. fugleman,
fugleman, also fugelman, n., 1) a well-drilled sol-
dier placed in front of a company to serve as a
627
TUiminaie
model; hence 2) a leader, guide. — Dissimilated
fr. G. Fliigelmann, 'file leader, fugleman', lit.,
'man on the wing' (of a regiment), fr. Fliigel,
'wing' and Mann, 'man'. G. Fliigel is rel. to
fliegen, 'to fly' ; see fly, v. For the second element
in fugleman see man.
fugue, n. (mus.) — F., fr. It. fuga, 'flight, escape;
ardor', fr. L. fuga, 'a fleeing, flight; swiftness,
speed', from the stem of fugere, 'to flee'. See
fugitive.
fuguist, n., a composer of fugues. — A hybrid
coined fr. It. fuga (see prec. word) and -ist, a
suff. of Greek origin.
fiihrer, fuehrer, n., a title applied chiefly to the
leader of the German nazis. — G. Fiihrer,
'leader', fr. fiihren, 'to lead', fr. MHG. viieren,
'to lead, drive', fr. OHG. fuoren, 'to set in
motion, lead', prop, a causative of OHG. faran,
'to go, travel', which is rel. to OE. faran, of
s.m. See fare, v. and agential suff. -er.
Fuirena, n., a genus of plants, the umbrella grass
Sjy 0t _) — ModL., named after the Danish
physician and botanist J0rgen Fuiren (1581-
1628).
-ful, adj. suff. meaning 'full of. — See full, adj.
fulcrum, n., the support on which a lever turns.
— L., 'bedpost', fr. fulcire, 'to prop', which is
cogn. with Gk. 9<iXx7]<;, 'beam', 9aXayL 'trunk,
log, line of battle, battle array', OE. balca,
'ridge'. See balk, n., and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
fulfill, fulfil, tr. v. — ME. fulfillen, fr. OE. full-
fyllan, 'to fulfill', lit. 'to fill full', fr. ful, 'full',
and fyllan, 'to fill'. See full, adj., and fill.
Derivatives: fulfill-er, n., fulfillment, n.
fulgent, adj., shining. — L. fulgens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of fulgere, 'to shine', rel. to fulgur,
'lightning', fulmen (for *fulg-men), of s.m.,
flagrdre, 'to blaze, glow, burn'. See black, and
cp. effulgent, refulgent, fulminate. Cp. also
flagrant. For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivatives : fulgent-ly, adv., fulgent-ness, n.
fulgid, adj., glittering, shining. — L. fulgidus, fr.
fulgere, 'to shine'. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -id.
Fulgora, n., a genus of insects, the lantern fly
(entomol.) — - L., name of the goddess of light-
ning, rel. to fulgus, gen. fulguris, 'lightning'. See
fulgent and cp. next word.
fulgurant, adj., flashing. — L. fulgurdns, gen.
-amis, pres. part, of fulgurdre, 'to lighten', fr.
fulgur, 'lightning', which is rel. to fulgere, 'to
shine'. See fulgent and -ant and cp. foudroyant.
fulgurite, n., glassy substance produced by the
passage of lightning (geol.) — A hybrid coined
fr. L. fulgur, 'lightning' (see fulgent), and -ite,
a suff. of Greek origin.
fulham, also fuUam, fullom, n., a loaded die. —
From Fulham in London, formerly a resort of
crooks.
Fulica, n., a genus of birds, the true coot (or-
nithol.) — L. fulica, 'coot', lit. meaning 'having
a white spot (scil. on the head)', and cogn. with
Gk. 9<xX6<;, 'white'. See full, 'to thicken',
fuliginous, adj., sooty. — Late L. fuliginosus, fr.
L. fuligo, gen. fuliginis, 'soot'; cogn. with OI.
dhulih, 'dust', dhulikd, 'fog', Lith. dulis, 'fog,
vapor', fern. pi. dutkes, 'dust', Lith, dulsvas,
'smoke-colored'.
Derivatives: fuliginous-ly, adv., fuliginous-
ness, n.
full, adj. — ME., fr. OE. full, rel. to OS. full,
OFris. ful, ON. fullr, Swed. full, Dan. fuld,
OHG./o/, MHG. vol, G. vol!, Goth, fulls, 'full',
and cogn. with OSlav. plunu, Lith. pilnas, Olr.
Ian, W. llawn, Bret, leun, L. plenus, OI. purndh,
'full', Avcstic ph e na-, 'full', fr. I.-E. base */>/w>-,
'filled, full'. This base is a participial derivative
of base *pele-, *ple-, 'to fill', whence Gk. 71X75-
■9-eiv, 'to be full', TUjjjrXavai, 'to fill', TtXrjpTjt;,
'full', L. plere, 'to fill'. Cp. also OE. fela,feala,
feoia, OFris. felo, fel, OS., OHG. filu, MHG.
vil, G. viel, Goth, filu, 'much', OI. puruh, Gk.
TcoXuq, 'much', L. plus, 'more', Lith. pihts, Olr.
//, 'plenty'. E. folk is not cognate. Cp. fill. Cp.
also flow. Cp. also accomplish, complement,
complete, comply, deplete, expletive, implement,
maniple, manipulate, plebeian, pleio-, Pleisto-
cene, plenary, plenty, plenum, pleonasm, ple-
rome, plethora, plethysmograph, plural, plus,
plutarchy, plutocracy, poly-, replenish, replete,
replum, supplement, supply, terreplein.
Derivatives: full, n., tr. and intr. v. and adv.,
ful-Iy, adv., ful(l)-ness, n.
full, tr. v., to thicken (cloth). — ME. fullen, fr.
OE. fullian, 'to whiten, full', fr. OF . foler, fouler
(F. fouler), 'to tread, trample on, to full', fr. VL.
*fulldre, fr. L. fullo, 'fuller', which is of uncer-
tain origin. It is perh. cogn. with Gk. 9aX6?,
'white', ME. balled, 'bald', orig. 'white'. See
bald and cp. words there referred to. Provenc.,
Catal. folar, Sp. hollar, 'to full', also derive fr,
VL. "fulldre. Cp. foil, 'to baffle', foulard.
Derivative: full-ing, n.
fuller, n., one who fulls. — ME., fr. fullere, fr.
L. fullo, 'a fuller'. See full, 'to thicken (cloth)'.
fuller, n., a grooving tool. — Formed fr. full, 'to
make full' (see full, adj.), with agential suff. -er.
fulmar, n., an arctic sea bird resembling a gull.
— Compounded of ON. full, 'foul', and mar,
'sea mew'. See foul, adj., and mew.
fulminant, adj., fulminating. — L.fulmindns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of fulmindre. See next word
and -ant.
fulminate, intr. v., to explode; tr. v., to cause to
explode; to denounce. — L. fulminates, pp. of
fulmindre, 'to lighten, to hurl lightnings', fr.
fulmen, gen. fulminis, 'lightning', which stands
for *fulg-men and is rel. to fulgere, 'to shine'. See
fulgent and verbal suff. -ate and cp. fulmine.
Derivatives: fulminat-ing,a.d}.,fulmination (q.v.),
fulminatory (q.v.)
fulminate, n., a salt of fulminic acid (chem.) —
See fulminic and chem. suff. -ate.
fulmination
628
fulmination, n. — L. fulmindtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
fulmindtus, pp. of fulmindre. See fulminate v.,
and -ion.
fulminatory, adj. — F. fulminatoire, fr. fulminer,
'to fulminate', fr. L. fulmindre. See fulminate
and adj. suff. -ory.
fulmine, intr. and tr. v., to fulminate {rare). —
F. fulminer, fr. L. fulmindre. See fulminate, v.
fulminic, adj., pertaining to the acid CNOH
(chem.) — Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. fulmen,
gen. fulminis, 'lightning' (see fulminate); so
called in allusion to its forming highly explosive
salts.
fulminous, adj., resembling lightning. — Formed
with suff. -oils fr. L. fulmen, gen. fulminis, 'light-
ning'. See fulminate, adj.
fulsome, adj., cloying; disgusting; offensive. —
Formed fr. full, adj., and -some; influenced in
meaning by ME. ful, 'foul'.
Derivatives: fuhome-ly, adv., fulsome-ness, n.
fulvous, adj., reddish yellow, tawny. — L. fulvus,
cogn. with L. fldvus, 'yellow'. See flavescent.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
fumade, fumado, n., a smoked and salted pil-
chard. — Sp. fumado, 'smoked', fr. L. fumdtus,
pp. of fiimdre, 'to smoke'. See fume.
fumarole, n., a hole in a volcano whence fumes
issue. — F. fumerole, Frenchified fr. It. fuma-
ruolo, fr. Late L. fumdriolum, 'a smoke hole',
fr. L. fumdrium, 'a smoke chamber for aging
wine', fr. fiimus. 'smoke'. See fume.
fumatorium, n., a place for smoking or fumigat-
ing. — ModL., fr. L. fumdtus, pp. of fiimdre, 'to
smoke'. See fume and -orium.
fumatory, adj., pertaining to smoking; n., fuma-
torium. — See prec. word and adj., resp. subst.,
suff. -ory.
fumble, intr. v., to grope about; tr. v., to handle
awkwardly. — Of Scand. origin. Cp. Swed. and
dial. Norw. fumla, which are rel. to Du.fomme-
len, 'to grope'. The orig. meaning of these words
was 'to rub'. They are prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives : fumble, n., fumbl-er, n., fumbl-ing,
n. and adj., fumbl-ing-ly, adv.
fume, n. — OV.fum, fr. I., fiimus, 'smoke, steam,
vapor', whence also It. fumo, OProvenc. fum,
Sp. humo. L. fiimus is cogn. with OI. dhumdh,
'smoke', OSlav. dymu, Lith. dtimai, Lett, dumi
(pi.), OPruss. dumis, 'smoke', Mir. dumacha,
'fog', Ir. dumhach, 'foggy', Gk. &0|xo;, 'spirit,
mind, soul'; these words derive fr. I.-E. *dhu-
mo-s, fr. base *dheu-, 'to fly about like dust',
whence also OI. dhdnSti, 'shakes'. See thio- and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also fumigate,
perfume, sfumato.
fume, intr. and tr. v. — F. fumer, fr. L. fiimdre,
'to smoke', fr. fiimus. See fume, n.
Derivatives: fum-ed, adj., fum-er, n., fum-ing,
adj., fum-ing-ly, adv.
fumigate, tr. v., to disinfect with fumes. — L.
fumigdtus, pp. of fumigare, 'to smoke, fumi-
gate', lit. 'to cause to smoke', compounded of
fiimus, 'smoke, steam, vapor', and agere, 'to set
in motion, drive, lead; to do, act'. See fume, n.,
and agent, adj., and cp. the second element in
castigate and in words there referred to.
Derivatives: fumigation (q.v.), fumigat-or, n.,
fumigat-ory, adj.
fumigation, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. fumigdtidnem,
acc. of fumigdtio, 'a smoking', fr. fumigdtus, pp. .
of fumigare. See prec. word and -ion.
fumitory, n., a plant formerly used as an anti-
scorbutic. — ME., fr. OF. fumeterre, lit. 'smoke
of the earth', compounded of fume, 'smoke',
and terre, 'earth', fr. L. terra. See fume, n., and
terra.
fumous, adj., smoky. — L. fumdsus, 'full of
smoke, smoky', fr. fiimus. See fume, n., and -ous.
Derivative: fumous-ly, adv.
fumy, adj., full of fumes; vaporous. — Formed
fr. fume, n., with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: fumil-y, adv., fumi-ness, n.
fun, n. — Fr. obsol. E. fun, 'to trick', fr. ME.
fan, fonne, 'a fool', fr. fonnen, 'to make a fool
of. See fond, adj.
Derivatives: fun, intr. v., to cause fun, funny
(q.v.)
funambulist, n., a ropewalker. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. funis, 'rope', and ambuldre, 'to walk', and
Gk. suff. -ictt7)<;. See funicular, amble and -ist.
Funaria, n., a genus of mosses (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Late L. fundrius, 'pertaining to a rope', fr. L.
funis. See funicle and cp. prec. word.
function, n. — OF. function (F. fonctiori), fr. L.
functionem, acc. of functid, 'performance, exe-
cution', fr. functus, pp. of fungi, 'to perform,
execute, discharge', which is cogn. with OI.
bhundkti, bhunjati, 'enjoys, consumes', bhogafi,
'enjoyment'. Cp. fungible, defunct, perfunctory.
For the ending see suff. -ion.
Derivatives: function, intr. v., function-al, adj.,
function-al-Iy, adv., function-ary, adj., function-
ate, intr. v.
fund, n., stock of money. — F. fond, 'bottom,
foundation, basis', fr. L. fundus, 'bottom piece
of land, farm', which is metathesized fr. *fudnos
and cogn. with OI. budhndh, Gk. TruOfiYjv, 'foun-
dation, bottom', OE. botm, 'lowest part, depth,
bottom'. See bottom and cp. found, 'to establish',
fond, 'foundation', founder, 'to sink', profound,
fundament, latifundium.
Derivatives : fund, tr. \.,fund-ed, adj. ,fund-ing, n.
fundament, n. — ME. fondement, fr. OF. (= F.)
fondement, fr. L. funddmentum, 'foundation',
fr. funddre, 'to lay the bottom, found'. See fund
and -ment.
Derivatives: fundament-al, adj. and n., funda-
mental-ism, n., fundamental-ist, n., fundament-
ally, adv.
funebrial, adj., funereal. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. fiinebris, 'pertaining to a funeral',
which stands for *funesris, it. funus, gen. fiineris,
'funeral'. See funeral, n.
funeral, adj., pertaining to a funeral. — ML.
629
furibund
funerdlis, fr. Ix.funus, gen. fiineris. See funeral,n.
funeral, n., a burial. — OF. funeraille (F. fune-
railles), fr. ML. funerdlia, 'funeral rites', fr. L.
fiinus, gen. fiineris, 'burial, funeral', which
prob. stands for *dhewenos, 'that which pertains
to death', fr. I.-E. base *dhew-, *dheu-, 'to die',
whence also Goth, daups, 'dead', diwans,
'mortal'. See dead and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also funebrial.
funerary, adj., pertaining to a funeral. — L.
funerdrius, fr. funus, gen. fiineris, 'burial, fun-
eral'. See funeral, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
funereal, adj., pertaining to a funeral; mournful.
— Coined by Pope fr. L. funereus, fr. funus, gen.
fiineris. See funeral, n.
Derivative: funereal-ly, adv.
fungible, adj., capable of being used in place of
another {law). — ML. fungibilis, fr. L. fungi,
'to perform, execute, discharge'. See function,
and -ible.
Derivative: fungible, n., a fungible thing,
fungicide, n., a substance that kills fungi. —
Compounded of fungus and L. -cida, 'killer', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide, 'killer',
fungiform, adj., having the form of a fungus. —
Compounded of fungus and forma, 'form,
shape'. See form, n.
fungoid, adj., resembling a fungus. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. fungus, 'mushroom', and Gk.
-ociSt)?, 'like', fr. etSo;, 'form, shape'. See
fungus and -oid.
fungosity, n., a fungoid excrescence. — Formed
fr. fungus with suff. -ity.
fungous, adj., spongy. — L. fungdsus, 'spongy,
fungous', fr. fungus. See fungus and -ous.
fungus, n., i) any of a group of plants including
mushrooms, molds, mildews, etc. ; 2) {med.) a
spongy morbid growth. — L., 'mushroom', fr.
Att. Gk. aifOYY ?. corresponding to Gk. oTroy-
Yo;, 'sponge'. For the change of Gk. 09 to fin
Latin cp. L. fides, 'gut string; lyre, lute' (if it
derives fr. Gk. acptSe?, 'sausage'). Cp. sponge.
Derivative: fungus-y, adj.
funicle, n., a small cord. — L. funiculus, dimin.
of funis, 'rope', which prob. stands for *dhu-
nis and is cogn. with Gk. #cou.iy£> 9-wu.ii;, 'rope,
cord'. Cp. Funaria and the first element in
funambulist. For the ending see suff. -cle.
funicular, adj., pertaining to a rope or cord. —
Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr. L. funiculus, 'a
small rope'. See prec. word.
funk, n., cowardice, panic (colloq.) — Pern. fr.
Flemish fonck, 'perturbation'.
Derivatives: funk, intr. and tr. v., funk-y, adj.,
funk-i-ness, n.
funnel, n. — ME. fonel, fr. OProvenc. founhil,
enfounhil, ft. Late L. fundibulum, short for L.
infundibulum, 'funnel', lit. 'instrument for pour-
ing into*, fr. infundere, 'to pour into', fr. in-,
in', and f under e, to pour'. See found, 'to cast',
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: funnel, intr. and tr. v.
funny, adj., amusing. — Formed with adj. suff.
-y from the noun fun.
Derivatives: funni-ly, adv., funni-ment, n.,funni-
ness, n.
funny, n., a small rowboat. — Prob. fr. prec.
word.
fur, n. — ME. forre, furre, 'fur', orig. 'covering',
fr. furren, 'to cover'. See fur, v.
fur, tr. v. — ME. furren, fr. OF. forrer (F. four-
rer), 'to cover', fr. OF. fuerre, forre, 'sheath,
case, covering' (whence OF. furrel, F. fourreau,
of s.m.), fr. Frankish *fddr, which corresponds
to OHG. fdtar, fuotar, 'a cover, coverlet'. Cp.
It. fodera, 'covering, lining, sheathing', which
is also a Teut. loan word, and see fother.
Derivatives: furr-ed, adj., furri-er, n.,furri-er-ed,
adj., furri-ery, n., furr-ing, n., furr-y, adj., furr-
i-ly, adv., furr-i-ness, n.
furan, furane, furfuran, furfurane, n., a colorless
liquid, C 4 H 4 (chem.) — Formed fr. L. furfur,
'bran' (see furfur), with suff. -an, resp. -ane.
furbelow, n., a flounce. — Folk-etymological cor-
ruption of Franco-Provenc. farbella, 'fringe,
lace' (whence also F. falbala), which is of imi-
tative origin. Cp. falbala.
Derivative: furbelow-ed, adj.
furbish, tr. v., to polish. — ME. forbischen, fr.OF.
forbiss-, furbiss- (F. fourbiss-), pres. part, stem
of forbir (F. fourbir), 'to polish, burnish, fur-
bish', which is of Teut. origin; cp. OVLG.furban,
MHG. fiirben, 'to polish'. It. forbire and
OProvenc. forbir are of the same origin and
meaning as OF. forbir.
furca, n., a fork; a process resembling a fork
(zool.) — L. See fork and cp. next word,
furcate, adj., forked. — ML. furcdtus, fr. L. furca,
'fork'. See fork and adj. suff. -ate and cp. bi-
furcate.
Derivatives: furcate, intr. v., furcat-ion, n.
furcula, n., the clavicular bone of a bird, the wish-
bone (zool.) — L., 'a forked prop', dimin. of
furca, 'fork' (see fork); so called from its
forked shape.
furfur, n., dandruff, scurf. — L., 'bran, scurf,
of uncertain origin. It stands perh. for *for-for,
and was formed by reduplication and vowel
gradation fr. I.-E. base *gher-, 'to rub', whence
Gk. /_6v8po<; (dissimilated fr. orig. *xpov8po<;),
'corn, grain, groat', OE. grindan, 'to grind'. See
grind and cp. chondro-.
furfuraceous, adj., scurfy. — Late L. furfurdceus,
'resembling bran', fr. L. furfur. See furfur and
-aceous.
furfural, n. — The same as furfurol.
furfuran, furfurane, n. — The same as furan, furane.
furfurol, n., a volatile oil, C s H 4 2 (chem.) —
Compounded of L. furfur, 'bran', and oleum,
'oil' (see furfur and -ol, 'oil'); so called because
it is easily obtained by distilling bran.
furibund, adj., furious (rare). — L. furibundus,
'raging, furious*, fr. furere, 'to rage, be mad'.
See fury.
Furies
630
Furies, n. pi., the three avenging spirits Alecto,
Tisiphone and Megaera; the Erinyes (Greek and
Roman mythol.) — L. Furiae, pi. of Furia, per-
sonification of furia, 'fury'. See fury.
furious, adj. — OF. furieus (F. furieux), fr. L.
furiosus, 'full of rage or madness', fr. furia. See
fury and -ous.
Derivatives: furious-ly, adv., furious-ness, n.
furl, tr. v., to roll up. — F.ferler, 'to furl', of un-
certain origin. It derives perh. fr. OF. ferle,
'branch, staff, rod', fr. L. ferula. See ferule.
Derivatives: furl, n., furl-er, n.
furlong, n., a measure of distance equal to 220
yards. — ME. furlang, furlong, fr. OE. furlang,
'length of a furrow', compounded of furh, 'fur-
row', and lang, 'long'. See furrow and long, adj.
furlough, n., leave of absence. — Earlier E. fur-
loff. fr. Du. verlof, which is formed fr. ver-,
'for-' and lof 'leave, permission', and is rel.
to MLG. vorlof 'leave, permission', Late MHG.
verlouben, 'to permit', G. Verlaub, 'leave, per-
mission'. See for- and leave.
Derivatives: furlough, tr. v., furlough-ed, adj.
furmety, n. — See frumenty.
furnace, n. — ME. forneis, fornais, fr. OF. fornais
(a collateral form of fornaise, whence F. four-
naise), fr. L. fornacem, acc. of fornax, 'furnace,
oven', fr. fornus (also Junius), 'oven', which is
rel. to L. formus and cogn. with Gk. &epu.6?,
OE. wearm, 'warm'. See warm and cp. Fornax,
fornicate, Furnarius, hornito. Cp. also therm.
Derivatives : furnace, tr. v., furnac-er, n.
furnacite, n., a lead copper chrom-arsenate (min-
eral.) - Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. furnax,
erroneous form for L. fornax, 'furnace' (see
furnace); so called after the colonial governor
Lucien Fourneau (fr. fourneau, 'furnace').
Furnariidae, n. pi., a family of South American
birds, the ovenbirds (ornithol.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. Furnarius (q.v.)
Furnarius, n., the type genus of birds of the family
Furnariidae (ornithol.) — ModL., fr. L. fur-
narius, 'baker', fr. furnus. 'oven'. See furnace
and 2nd -ary.
furnish, tr. and intr. v. - OF. fomiss-, furniss-
(F. fourniss-), pres. part, stem of fornir, furnir
(F. fournir), fr. orig. *furmir (cp. AF. furmir),
fr. OHG. frumjan, 'to do, execute, provide',
which is rel. to OE. fremman. 'to further'. See
from, frame and verbal suff. -ish and cp. veneer.
Cp. also perform.
Derivatives: furnish, n., furnish-ed, adj., furnish-
er, n., furnish-ing, n., furnish-ment, n.
furniture, n. — F. fourniture, fr. fournir, 'to fur-
nish'. See prec. word and -ure.
furor, n., 1) craze, rage; 2) general enthusiasm. —
L. furor, 'rage, madness', fr. furere, 'to rage,
be mad'. See fury.
furore, n., furor (2nd sense). — It., fr. L. furdrem,
acc. of furor. See prec. word.
furrow, n. — ME. forow, forgh, furgh, fr. OE.
furh, rel. to ON. for, 'furrow, drainage ditch*,
Dan. fure, Swed. fdra, MDu. vore, Du. voor,
OFris. furch, OHG. furuh, furh, MHG. furch,
G. Furche, 'furrow', fr. I.-E. base *pfk-, whence
also L. porca, 'ridge between two furrows'
(whence porculetum, 'a field divided into beds'),
Gaul.-L. *rica, 'furrow' (whence F. rate, OPro-
venc. regd), Olr. -rech (in compounds), W. rhych,
'furrow', OBret. rec, 'I plow'. Cp. furlong. Cp.
also porcate.
Derivatives: furrow, tr. v., furrow-ing, n.
further, adj. — ME. farther, further, fr. OE.
furdra, fr. furdor, 'further', adv.; rel. to OS.
furthor, 'further', adv., OHG. furdir, MHG.
viirder, G. fiirder, 'further', adv., and to OHG.
fordar, MHG., G. vorder, 'forward, foremost',
and cogn. with Gk. repot-spo?, 'former'. See forth
and -ther and cp. furthest. Cp. also farther.
further, adv. — ME. forthere, furthere, fr. OE.
furdor, fordor, compar. of ford. See further, adj.
further, tr. v. — ME. forthren, furthren, fr. OE.
fyrdran, 'to advance, further, promote', rel. to
MLG. vorderen, OHG. furdiran, MHG. viirdern,
G.fordern, of s.m., and to OE. furdra, 'further'.
See further, adj., and cp. afford.
Derivatives: further-once, n., further-er, n.
furthest, adj. and adv. — Superl. formed on ana-
logy of the comparative further. Cp. far,
farthest.
furtive, adj., stealthy. — F. furtif (fem. furtive),
fr. L. furtivus, 'stolen ; concealed, secret', rel. to
furtum, 'theft', fr. fur, 'thief, which is cogn.
with Gk. <pcop, 'thief, prop, 'he who carries
(things) away', and stands in gradational relat-
ionship to L. ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear,
'to carry', and -ive, and cp. ferret, 'the animal',
furuncle, and the first element in Phoradendron.
For sense development cp. OI. bhdrah, 'robbery',
and MPers. hurt, 'stolen', which are from the
same base.
Derivatives: furtive-ly, adv., furtive-ness, n.
furuncle, n., a boil. — furunculus, 'a petty thief;
a boil, furuncle', dimin. of fur, 'thief. See prec.
word and -cle.
furuncular, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ar fr.
L. furunculus. See prec. word.
furunculosis, n., condition marked by being af-
fected with furuncles (med.) — A hybrid coined
fr. L. furunculus (see furuncle) and -osis, a suff.
of Greek origin.
furunculous, adj. — Formed with suff. -ous fr.
L. furunculus. See furuncle.
fury, n. — F. furie, fr. L. furia, 'rage, madness',
fr. furd, furere, 'to rage, be mad', which prob.
stands for "dhuso and is cogn. with Gk. Oieiv,
Lesb. $tV,Eiv,Gk. {hiia^siv, 'to rage', 4Hua, Qxii&q,
'bacchante', Gk. 3-tiecv, 'to tacrifice', prop, 'to
cause to smoke'. See thio- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also Furies, furor.
furze, n., a spiny evergreen plant; also called
whin or gorse. — ME. firse, ft. OE. fyrs, cogn.
with Gk. m>p6s, 'corn, wheat', OSlav. pyro,
'spelt*, Russ. pyrej, Czech pyr, 'couch grass',
631
Fusus
Lith. purai (pi.), 'wheat'. Cp. pyrene, 'stone of
a drupelet'.
Derivatives: furz-ed, adj., furz-ery, n., furz-y,
adj-
fusain, n., fine charcoal used in drawing. — F.,
'the spindle tree, charcoal made from spindle
wood', fr. L. fusus, 'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube'.
Fusarium, n., a genus of imperfect fungi (bot.) —
ModL., fr. L. fusus, 'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube'.
fuscous, adj., dark-colored. — h.fuscus (fr. *dhus-
qo-), 'dark, swarthy', rel. to h.furvus (fr. *dhus-
wo-), 'dark, brown, swarthy', and cogn. with
OI. dhusarah, 'dust-colored', OE. dose, dox,
'dusk'. See dusk and cp. infuscate, obfuscate.
For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
fuse, tr. and intr. v., to melt, dissolve. — L. fusus,
pp. of fundere, 'to pour, melt'. See found, 'to
cast', and cp. infuse, profuse, refuse, transfuse.
Cp. also fuse, 'tube', and words there referred to.
Derivatives: fusible (q.v.), fus-ing, n.
fuse, n., a tube filled with explosive material. —
It. fuso, 'spindle', fr. L. fusus, of s.m., which
prob. derives fr. fusus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'.
See fuse, v., and cp. fusain, Fusaria, fusee, fuse-
lage, fusil (her.), Fusus. For sense development
cp. Gk. a<p6v8uXo?, 'spindle, circular whorl,
vertebra', which is rel. to a<pev86vT), 'sling'.
fusee, n., 1) a kind of wooden match; 2) a conical
wheel of a clock or watch, on which the chain
is wound; 3) a flare used as a railroad signal;
4) a bony growth on a horse's leg. — F. fusee,
'spindleful', fr. ML.fusata, fr. L. fusus, 'spindle'.
See prec. word.
fuselage, n., the body of an airplane. — F., fr.
fusil, 'spindle', fr. OF. fusel (F. fuseau). See
fusil (her.) and -age.
fusel oil, an oily liquid of unpleasant odor (chem.)
— G. Fusel, 'a bad liquor', fr. L.fusilis, 'molten,
liquid', fr. fusus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See
found, 'to cast',
fusibility, n. — F. fusibilite, fr. fusible. See next
word and -ity.
fusible, adj., that which can be fused. — F., fr.
L. fusus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See fuse, 'to
melt', and -ible.
Derivatives: fusible-ness, n.,fusibl-y, adv.
fusiform, adj., spindle-shaped. — Compounded
of L. fusus, 'spindle', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See fuse, 'tube', and form, n.
fusil, n„ a flintlock musket. — F., 'musket, gun,
rifle', orig. 'steel for striking sparks', fr. OF.
foisil.fuisil, fr. VL. *focilis (scil. petra), '(stone)
producing fire' (whence also It. fucile, OPro-
venc. fozil, 'musket, gun, rifle'), fr. L. focus,
'hearth'. See focus.
Derivative: fusil-ly, adv.
fusil, n., a lozengelike figure (her.) — OF. fusel
(F. fuseau), 'spindle*, dimin. formed fr. L. fusus,
'spindle'. See fuse, 'tube',
fusil, fusile, adj., molten, fluid. — L. Justiis, fr.
fusus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour*. See found, 'to
cast', and -Be and cp. fuse, 'to melt'.
fusilier, fusileer, n., a soldier belonging to one
of those British regiments that were formerly
armed with fusils. — Orig. 'a soldier armed
with a fusil'; F. fusilier, fr. fusil. See fusil,
'musket', and -ier, -eer.
fusillade, n., rapid and continuous fire from many
firearms. — F., fr. fusilier, 'to shoot', fr. fusil.
See fusil, 'musket', and -ade.
Derivative: fusillade, tr. v.
fusion, n. — L. fusid, gen. -onis, 'a pouring out',
fr. fusus, pp. of fundere, 'to pour'. See found,
'to cast', and cp. fuse, 'to melt'. Cp. also foison,
which is a doublet of fusion.
Derivatives: fusion-al, adj., fusion-ism, n.,
fusion-ist, n.
fuss, n., bustle. — Prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives: fuss, intr. and tr. v., fuss-y, adj.,
fuss-i-ly, adv., fuss-i-ness, n.
fust, n., 1) the shaft of a column (archit.); 2) a
strong moldy smell. — OF.fust(F.fut), 'shaft,
cask', fr. L. fustis, 'stick, staff, cudgel, club',
whence also It. fusto, 'stem, stalk, trunk',
OProvenc. fust, 'staff, cask'. L. fustis cor-
responds to Gaul. *bustis, 'trunk of a tree'
(whence OProvens. bust, of s.m.). For Teut.
cognates of L. fustis see bush and cp. words
there referred to. E. beat is not cognate. Cp.
fustian, fustigate.
Derivatives: fust-y, adj., moldy, fust-i-ness, n.
fustanella, n., a short skirt of stiffened linen. — F.
fustanelle, fr. It. fustanella, dimin. of fustagno,
fr. ModGk. (pouardvi, fr. ML. fustaneum. See
next word and -ella.
fustian, n., thick cloth of cotton. — Orig. 'a coarse
cloth of cotton', fr. ME. fustyane, fr. OF. fus-
taigne, fustaine (F. futaine), fr. ML. fustaneum,
translation of Septuagint Greek Xtva FyJXiva,
'cotton of wood', i.e. 'tissue of cotton coming
from a tree'. Fustaneum is prop, an adjective
formed from L. fustis, 'stick, staff; see fust.
For sense development cp. G. Baumwolle, 'cot-
ton', lit. 'wool of a tree', and the explanation of
ML. xylinum (= Gk. *;ii>.tvov) as lana de ligno,
'wool coming from wood'. Arabic fushtdn is a
Romance loan word. The usual derivation of
fustian fr. Fostat, name of a suburb of Cairo, is
untenable. Cp. fustanella.
Derivative: fustian, adj.
fustic, n., the wood of a Mexican tree (Chloro-
phora tinctoria) and the yellow dye it yields. —
Sp. fustoc, fr. Arab, fustuq, fr. Pers. pistah. See
pistachio.
fustigate, tr. v., to cudgel. — L. fustigdtus, pp.
of fustigare, 'to cudgel', which is formed on
analogy of castigdre, 'to chastise', fr. fustis,
'staff, cudgel', and agere, 'to set in motion,
drive, lead; to do, act'. See fust and agent and
cp. castigate and the compound words there
referred to.
Derivatives: fustigat-ion, n., fustigat-or, n.,
fustigat-ory, adj.
Fusus, n., a genus of marine snails (zool.) — L.
futchel
632
fusus, 'a spindle' (see fuse, 'tube') ; so called in
allusion to the spindle-shaped shell,
futchel, futchell, n., a timber supporting the shafts
of a carriage. — Of unknown origin,
futharc, futhorc, n., the runic alphabet. — So
called from the first six letters /, u, p (= th), a
(or o), r, c.
futile, adj., i) vain; 2) trifling. — F., fr. L.futilis,
'that which easily pours out; brittle; worthless',
rel. to f iitis, 'pitcher', fr. base *ghu-, 'to pour'.
See found, 'to cast', and -ile.
Derivatives: futile-ly, adv., futile-ness, n.
futility, n. — F. futilite, fr. L. futilitatem, acc. of
futilitds, 'worthlessness', fr. futilis. See futile
and -ity.
futtock, n., one of the crooked timbers of a ship.
— Prob. corrupted fr. foot hook.
future, adj. — OF. (= F.) futur, fem. future, fr.
L. futurus, 'about to be', used as fut. part, of
esse, 'to be'. See be and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: future, n., future-less, adj., futur-
ity, n.
futurism, n., a modern movement in art, literature
and music, emphasizing originality. — It. futu-
rismo, lit. 'the movement considering the future' ;
coined by its founder, the Italian poet and
writer Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (1876- 1944)
in 1909 fr. L. futurus, 'future', and suff. -ismo
(fr. L. -ismus). See future and -ism.
futurist, n., an adherent of futurism; adj., per-
taining to futurism or futurists. — See prec.
word and -ist.
futwa, also ferwa, n., a judicial sentence pro-
nounced by a mufti. — Arab, fatwd, fr. fata,
'he decided, declared'. Cp. mufti.
fuzz, n., light particles or fibers. — Prob. back
formation fr. fuzzy.
fuzzy, adj., covered with fuzz; fluffy. — LG.
fussig, 'weak, loose, spongy' ; rel. to Du. voos,
'spongy'.
Derivatives: fuzzi-ly, adv.,fuzzi-ness, n.
-fy, suff. meaning 'to make into'. — F. -fier, fr.
L. -ficdre, fr. -ficus, fr. -ficere, unstressed form
of facere, 'to make, do'. See -lie, -fication.
fylfot, n., the swastika. — Prob. for fill - foot and
orig. denoting the device that fills the foot of
a painted window,
fytte, n. — A var. of fit, 'division of a song'.
G
gab, intr. v., to chatter. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. gabble.
Derivative: gab, n., idle talk,
gabardine, n. — See gaberdine,
gabble, intr. v., to chatter, talk rapidly; tr. v.,
to utter rapidly. — Freq. of gab. Cp. gobble, 'to
make the noise of a turkey'.
Derivatives: gabble, n., gabbl-er, n.
gabbro, n., a basic igneous rock (geol.) — It.
(Tuscan), fr. L. glaber, 'bare, smooth, bald'.
See glabrous,
gabelle, n., 1) a tax levied in certain countries;
2) specif, a tax on salt levied in France before
the Revolution of 1789. — F„ 'tax on salt', fr.
It. gabella, fr. Arab, qabdla", 'tax', lit. 'receipt',
fr. qdbala, 'he received, accepted', which is rel.
to Heb. qibbil, 'he received, accepted'. See
cabal.
gaberdine, gabardine, n., a long, loose gown;
specif, a gown worn esp. by Jews in the Middle
Ages. — Sp. gabardina, lit. 'pilgrims frock', fr.
MHG. wallevart (G. Wallfahrt), 'pilgrimage',
which is compounded of MHG. wallen (fr.
OHG. wallon), 'to roam, wander', and OHG.,
MHG. van, 'journey', fr. OHG. faran, 'to go'.
The first element is rel. to OE. weallian, 'to
wander', OHG. wadal, wadol, MLG. wadel, OE.
wadol, 'full moon', and prob. also to OHG.
wadal, MHG. wadel, wedel, G. Wedel, 'tail,
duster, fan'. For the second element see fare, v.
gabion, n., a basket of wickerwork. — F., fr. It.
gabbione, augment, of gabbia, fr. L. cavea, 'an
excavated place, cavity, cage'. See cage.
Derivatives: gabion, tr. v., gabion-ed, adj.
gabionade, n., embankment made with gabions
(fort.) — F. gabionnade, fr. gabionner, 'to cover
with gabions', fr. gabion. See prec. word
and -ade.
gabionage, n., gabions (taken in a collective
sense). — F. gabionnage, fr. gabionner. See prec.
word and -age.
gable, n., the triangular upper part of a wall at
the end of a ridged roof. — ME., fr. OF. gable,
fr. ON. gafl, which is rel. to MDu. ghevel, Du.
gevel, OHG. gibil, MHG. gibel, G. Giebel,
Goth, gibla, 'gable', OHG. gibilla, OS. gibillia,
'skull', OE. gafol, OS. gafala, Du. gaffel, OHG.
gabala, MHG. gabele, gabel, 'pitchfork', G.
Gabel, 'fork', for I.-E. *gheb¥l, whence also
Olr. gabul, 'forked twig, fork', W. gafl, 'fork',
Toch. A spat-, 'head', Gk. xeipaXrj, 'head'. See
cephalic and cp. gaffle.
Derivatives: gabl-ed, adj., gablet (q.v.)
gablet, n., a small gable-shaped ornament. —
Formed fr. gable with dimin. suff. -et.
Gabriel, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, name of an
angel. — Heb. GabhrVil, lit. 'man of God*, fr.
gebher, 'man', and El, 'God'. Heb. gebher
derives from the base of the verb gdbhdr, 'was
strong', whence also gibbSr, 'strong, mighty;
hero', g l bhtr, 'lord', g e bhlrd h , g e bhereth, 'lady,
queen', g e bhurd", 'strength, might'. Cp. the
related words: Aram.-Syr. g e bhdr, 'was mighty',
g'bhdr, gabhrfi, 'man', Syr. gabb&r, 'hero',
Arab, jabr, 'a strong, young man', jabbdr,
'tyrant', Akkad. gapru, 'strong', Ethiop. gabdra,
'he acted'. For the first element cp. gibbar, for
the second see El.
gaby, n., a foolish person. — Prob. related to
gape and assimilated in form to baby.
gad, interj. — Used as a var. of God.
Gad, n., in the Bible: 1) son of Jacob and Zilpah;
2) the tribe descended from him. — Heb. Gadh,
fr. gadh, 'fortune', which is rel. to Aram.-Syr.
gaddd, Arab, jadd, of s.m. See the explanation
of the name in Gen. 30 : n .
gad, intr. v., to rove about. — Perh. back forma-
tion fr. obsol. gadling, 'companion', fr. ME.
gadeling, fr. OE. gzdeling. See gather.
gad, n., a bar, rod. — ME. gad, gadd, 'a goad',
fr. ON. gaddr, 'spike, sting, nail'. See yard,
'unit of length', and cp. gadfly.
gaddi, guddy, guddee, n., a cushion serving as a
throne, a throne (India). — Hind, gaddi.
gadfly, n. — Lit. 'a goading fly', compounded of
gad, 'bar', and fly, n.
gadget, n., any small ingenious device. — Of un-
certain origin.
Gadidae, n. pi., a family of fishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. gadus, 'cod'.
See Gadus.
gadoid, adj., pertaining to the family Gadidae. —
A hybrid coined fr. ModL. gadus, 'cod', and
Gk. -oeiSt)?, 'like', fr. tlSoq, 'form, shape'. See
Gadus and -oid and cp. prec. word.
gadolinia, n., gadolinium oxide (chem.) — ModL.,
named by the French chemist Paul-Fjnile Lecoq
de Boisbaudran (1838-1912); so called by him
because it was discovered in the mineral gado-
linite. For the ending of gadolinia see -ia.
gadolinite, n., a silicate of iron, yttrium, cerium,
erbium, beryllium, etc. (mineral.) — Named
after its discoverer, the Finnish mineralogist
Johan Gadolin (1760-1852). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
gadolinium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.)
— ModL. See gadolinia. For the ending of
gadolinium see suff. -ium.
Derivative: gadolin-ic, adj.
gadroon, also spelled godroon, n., a kind of fluting;
a notched molding. — F. godron, 'gadroon',
orig. written goderon, formed with dimin. suff.
-eron, It. godet, 'bowl, cup, mug; fold, crease',
which derives fr. MDu. co<4fe,'cylindriform piece
Gadus
63i
of wood'. For change of meaning cp. G. Hum-
pen, 'piece of wood', later used in the sense of
'goblet, hanap'.
Gadus, n., the genus of codfishes (ichthyol.) —
ModL., 'cod', fr. Gk. yaSoc., 'a kind of fish',
which is of uncertain origin.
Gaea, Gaia, n., the earth as a goddess (Greek
mythol.) — Gk. Tala, personification of yoctoc,
'earth', a collateral form of yvj, Dor. ya, Cypr.
£5, 'earth'; of uncertain origin. Cp. geo-, Epi-
gaea, epigeous.
Gaekwar, Gaikwar, n., title of the Marathi rulers
of Baroda, India. — Marathi Gdekvdd, lit. 'cow-
herd', fr. OI. gduh, gen. goh, 'ox'. See cow and
cp. gaur, Gautama, the first element in gopura
and the second element in nilgai.
Gael, n., a Scottish or Irish Celt. — Gael. Gdid-
heal, corresponding to Ir. Gaedheal. Cp. L.
Callus, 'a Gaul' (see Gallic). Cp. also Goidelic.
Derivatives: Gael-ic, adj. and n.
gaff, n., a fishing hook. — F. gaffe, fr. OProvenc.
gaf, which is prob. of Gothic origin.
Derivative: gaff, tr. v., to strike with a gaff.
gaff, n., place of amusement for the lowest classes
(English Slang). — Prob. fr. prec. word and
orig. denoting a place where fish are gaffed.
gaffer, n., an old man, esp. an old rustic. —
Corrupted fr. grandfather. Cp. gammer.
gaffle, n., a lever for bending a crossbow. — Du.
gaffel, 'fork', rel. to OE. gafol, 'pitchfork'. See
gable.
gag, tr. and intr. v. — ME. gaggen, 'to choke,
strangle', imitative of the sound of choking.
Derivatives: gag, n., gagg-er, n., gagg-ery, n.
gage, n., pledge, security. — ME., fr. OF. guage,
gage (F. gage), fr. Frankish *wadi, 'pledge',
which is rel. to Goth, wadi, OE. wedd, 'pledge'.
It. gaggio and Sp. and Port, gage are French
loan words. See wage and cp. wed. Cp. also the
second element in mortgage.
gage, tr. v., to offer as pledge. — F. gager, fr.
gage. See gage, 'pledge', and cp. engage.
gage, n., a variety of plum. — See greengage.
gage, n. — See gauge.
gageite, n., a hydrous silicate of magnesium,
manganese and zinc (mineral.) — Named after
R. B. Gage of Trenton, New Jersey. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
gaggle, intr. v., to cackle. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. Du. gagelen, gaggelen, 'to cackle, chatter',
G. gackern, 'to gaggle'; cp. also ON. gaggl,
'flock of geese', and E. giggle.
Derivative: gaggle, n., a flock of geese.
gahnite, n., a pure zinc aluminate, ZnAl 2 4 (min-
eral.) — Named after the Swedish chemist and
mineralogist Johan Gottlieb Gahn (1745-1818).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Gaia, n. — See Gaea.
gaiety, n. — F. gaiete, fr. gai, 'gay'. See gay
and -ty.
Gafllardia, n., a genus of plants of the family
Carduaccae (hot.) — ModL., named after the
French botanist Gaillard de Charontonneau
in 1788. For the ending see suff. -ia.
gaily, also spelt gayly, adv. — Formed fr. gay
with adv. suff. -ly.
gain, tr. v., to earn; to win; intr. v., to profit. —
F. gagner, fr. OF. gaaignier, 'to win', fr. Frank-
ish *waidanjan, 'to provide oneself with food',
which is rel. to OHG. weida, 'pasture, grazing,
food; pasture land', weidanon, 'to search for
food, to hunt', OE. wap, 'hunting', ON. veidr,
'hunting; catch of fish', fr. I.-E. base *wei-,
'to strive after', whence also L. venari, 'to hunt'.
See venery, 'hunting'.
Derivatives: gain-er, n., gain-ing, n.
gain, n., profit. — F., fr. OF. gaain, fr. gaaignier.
See gain, v.
Derivatives: gain-ful, gain-less, adjs.
gainly, adj., shapely; comely. — Formed with
adj. suff. -ly fr. obsol. E. gain, 'graceful, suitable,
kindly', fr. ME. gayn, geyn, 'direct, ready, con-
venient', fr. ON. gegn, of s.m, See again.
gainsay, tr. v., to contradict. — ME. geinseien,
lit. 'to say against', fr. ON. gegn, 'against'
(which is rel. to OE. gegn-, gean-, 'against'), and
ME. seggen, seien, 'to say'. See again and say, v.
gainst, prep. — Aphetic for against.
gait, n., manner of walking. — ME. gate, 'a way'.
See gate, 'passage'.
Derivatives: gait, tr. v., gait-ed, adj.
gaiter, n., covering for the lower leg. — F. guetre,
prob. fr. Frankish *wrist, 'instep', which is rel.
to MHG. riste, 'back of the hand ; instep', and
to OE. wrist. See wrist.
Derivative: gaiter-ed, adj.
gala, n., festival; celebration. — F., fr. Sp. gala
(in vestido de gala, 'robe of state'), fr. Arab.
khiVa h , 'robe of honor presented by oriental
rulers to their favorites'. Cp. gallant and words
there referred to.
Derivative: gala, adj., festive.
galact-, form of galacto- before a vowel.
galactagogue, adj., promoting the secretion of
milk. — Lit. 'leading milk'; compounded of
galact- and Gk. <xywy6i;, 'leading', fr. Syeiv, 'to
lead'. See -agogue.
Galactia, n., a genus of plants, the milk pea
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ydXa, gen. yaXaxros,
'milk'. See next word.
galactic, adj., pertaining to the Milky Way
(astron.) — Gk. yaX<xx"r«c6<;, 'milky', fr. yaXa,
gen. ydcXax-ro?, 'milk', which is cogn. with L.
lac (for *glac-t), 'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and
-ic and cp. galaxy and the second element in
Ornithogalum. Cp. also lactic, lettuce.
galacto-, before a vowel galact-, combining form
meaning 'milk*. — Fr. Gk. y<4Xoc, gen. yaXaxToc.,
'milk'. See prec. word.
galactometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the purity of milk. — Compounded of galacto-
and Gk. (jiTpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm', and cp. lactometer.
galactonic, adj., pertaining to a crystalline acid,
635
Galinsoga
CH 2 OH(CHOH) 4 C0 2 H (chem.) — Coined fr.
combining form galact- and suff. -onic. Cp.
talose.
galactophorous, adj., conveying milk. — Com-
pounded of galacto- and Gk. -cpopo?, 'bearing'.
See -phorous.
galactopoietic, adj., producing milk. — Com-
pounded of galacto- and Gk. ttoiyitlxo?, 'cap-
able of making, productive'. See -poietic.
galactorrhea, galactorrhoea, n., an excessive flow
of milk. — Compounded of galacto- and Gk.
-ppoioc, 'flow, flowing'. See -rrhea.
galactose, n., a crystalline sugar (chem.) —
Formed fr. galact- with subst. suff. -ose. Cp.
tagatose.
Galago, n., a genus of African lemurs (zool.) —
ModL., from native African name,
galangale, n. — See galingale.
Galanthus, n., a genus of plants, the snowdrop
— ModL., lit. 'milk flower', fr. Gk. yaXa,
'milk', and av#o?, 'flower'. See galactic and
anther.
galantine, n., veal, chicken or other meat, boned
and served cold. — F., fr. ML. galatina, assimil.
fr. gelatina, fr. L. geldtus, 'frozen', pp. of geldre,
'to cause to freeze', fr. geld, 'frost'. See jelly.
galanty show, pantomime produced by throwing
shadows of puppets on a wall or screen. — It.
galante, 'gallant'. See gallant.
Galatea, n., a sea nymph in Greek mythology. —
L., fr. Gk. FaXa-rsia.
galatea, n., a cotton fabric of superior quality
used for children's sailor suits. — So called
from Galatea, name of a British warship. For
the origin of this name see prec. word.
Galatian, adj., pertaining to Galatia, in Asia
Minor. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Galatia,
fr. Gk. rotXoma, 'Galatia'.
Galax, n., a genus of plants of the family Dia-
pensiaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yaXoc, 'milk'.
See galactic and cp. Galactia, galaxy.
galaxy, n., the Milky Way. — F. galaxie, fr. L.
galaxids, fr. Gk. yaXa^iac; (scil. y.'jxXo;), 'the
Milky Way' (lit. 'the Milky Circle'), fr. yiXa,
gen. yaX30c-ra ? , 'milk'. See galactic.
galbanum, n., a bad-smelling gum resin. — L.,
fr. Gk. yjx>.$i-ir„ fr. Aram, halbdn, fr. Heb.
helb i nd h , 'galbanum', fr. hilebh, 'fat', which is
rel. to Aram.-Syr. helbd, Arab, hilb, 'fat'. Cp.
jaundice.
gale, n., an aromatic shrub. — ME. ga-nel, fr.
OE. gagel, 'sweet gale', rel. to Du., MHG., G.
gagel, 'sweet gale'; of uncertain origin,
gale, n., a strong wind. — Of uncertain origin.
It is perh. rel. to Dan. gal, 'furious', and to Norw.
galen, of s.m. (this latter is often used of the
weather), and also to OE. galan, 'to sing', giellan,
'to scream, cry'. See yell and cp. the last element
in nightingale,
gale, n., a periodical payment of rent (rare). —
Contraction of gavel, 'tribute',
galea, n., a helmet-shaped structure (zool. and
bot.) — L., 'helmet', borrowed fr. Gk. yccX£7j,
Att. yaXrj, 'weasel, polecat, marten'. The phases
of sense development seem to have been:
1) weasel; 2) weasel's skin or hide; 3) leather;
4) helmet made of leather. Gk. yaXsij is prob.
cogn. with OI. girth, girikd, 'mouse', L. glls,
'dormouse'. Cp. galley. Cp. also Glires, loir.
galeated, adj., covered with a helmet-shaped
structure. — L. gatedtus, pp. of galedre, 'to
cover with a helmet', fr. galea. See galea and
adj. suff. -ate and -ed.
galeeny, n., a guinea fowl (dial. E.) — Sp. gallina
(Morisca), '(Moorish) hen', fr. L. gallina, 'hen'.
See gallinaceous.
galeiform, adj., helmet-shaped. — Compounded
of L. galea, 'helmet', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See galea and form, n.
Galen, n., a physician (facet.) — See Galenic.
galena, n., native lead sulfide. — L., first men-
tioned by Pliny. Galena is a foreign, prob.
Etruscan, word, and has nothing in common
with Gk. yaXr)VY), 'calmness of the sea'. See
A.E.Ernout in Bulletin de la societe de lin-
guistique 30, 92.
galenic, galenical, adj., pertaining to galena. —
See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative: galenic-al, adj.
Galenic, Galenical, adj., pertaining to Galen (L.
Galenus, fr. Gk. r<xXr)v6<;), the celebrated Greek
physician (lived about j 30-200).
Galeopsis, n., a genus of plants, the hemp nettle
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yaXto^t?, which is com-
pounded of yaXiov, 'bedstraw', and 6<\>iq, 'ap-
pearance'. See Galium and -opsis.
gali, galee, n„ abuse (India). — Hind, gall, fr.
OI. gulih, 'execration', which is of uncertain
origin.
Galilean, n., adj., of Galilee. — Formed with
suff. -an fr. L. Galilaeus, 'Galilean', fr. Galilaea,
'Galilee'. See next word.
Galilee, name of the northern province of wes-
tern Palestine. — L. Galilaea, fr. Gk. TaXiXata,
fr. Heb. HaggdlU, lit. 'the district', shortened fr.
G'lil haggdyim, 'the District of nations' (Is.
8:23). Haggdltl was the name of a district in the
hill country of Naphtali (see Josh. 20:7 and
21:32). and it was only at a relatively later period
that it began to denote the territory of Palestine
north of the Emek Jezreel (Esdraelon). For the
etymology of Heb. gdlfl, 'district', see gelilah.
galimatias, n. jargon. — F., 'nonsense, gibberish',
prob. a deformation of Late L. ballimathia, 'in-
decent songs'. For the etymology of this latter
word see Du Cange, Glossarium mediae et in-
fimae latinitatis, s.v. balare.
galingale, n., an aromatic root of the ginger
family. — OF. galingal, formed— through the
medium of MGk. yaXayyoc and ML. galanga—
fr. Arab, khalanjdn, fr. Pers., ult. fr. Chin. Ko-
leung-keung, lit. "mild ginger from the region
of Kao'.
Galinsoga, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
galiot
636
named after the Spanish botanist Mariano
Martinez de Galinsoga (died in 1 797).
galiot, galliot, n., a small swift galley. — F.
galiote, fr. OF. galie. See galley.
galipot, gallipot, n., resinous substance of certain
pines. — F. galipot, of unknown origin.
Galium, n., a genus of plants, the bedstraw {bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. yaXiov, 'bedstraw', coined by
Dioscorides fr. faXa, 'milk' (see galactic); so
called by him because used in place of rennet.
For the ending see suff. -ium.
gall, n., bile. — ME. galle, gawle, fr. OE. gealla,
galla, rel. to ON. gall, OS., OHG. galla, MHG.,
G. galle, and cogn. with Gk. jn^h-> L. fel, fr. I.-E.
base *ghel-, 'to shine; yellow, yellowish green,
green'. See choler and cp. words there referred to.
gall, n., gallnut. — F. galle, fr. L. galla, 'gallnut',
prop, 'a globulous excrescence', fr. I.-E. base
*gel-, 'to form into a ball'. See glebe, globe,
and cp. ellagic.
gall, n., sore (esp. on horse). — ME. galle, fr.
OE. gealla, 'sore place', fr. L. galla, 'gallnut',
whence also Du. gal, MLG., MHG., G. galle,
'a sore place'. See gall, 'gallnut'.
Derivatives: gall, tr. v., to make sore, to abrade,
gall-ing, adj., gall-ing-ly , adv., gall-ing-ness, n.
gallant, adj., brave; noble. — F. galant, fr. Sp.
galante, fr. galdn, shortened form of galanb,
'gallant', fr. gala. See gala and cp. galanty show,
gallimaufry, gallivant, galloon, regale, 'feast'.
Derivatives: gallant, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
gallant-ly, adv.
gallantry, n. — F. galanterie, fr. galant. See
gallant and -ry.
galleass, n., a large three-masted galley. — F.
galeasse (also galeace), fr. It. galeazza, augment.
of galea, 'galley'. See galley,
galleon, n., a large ship formerly used esp. by
the Spaniards. — Sp. galeon, formed fr. ML.
galea, 'galley', with augment, suff. -on. See
galley and -oon.
gallery, n. — F. galerie, fr. It. galleria, which is
of uncertain origin.
Derivative: galleri-ed, adj.
galley, n. — ME. galei, galeie, fr. OF. galie, fr.
ML. galea, fr. Byzant. Gk. falii, which derives
fr. Late Gk. yaXia, name of a seafish, and ult.
fr. Gk. faXsTj, 'weasel'. See galea and cp. galiot,
galleass, galleon, gallipot,
galliambic, n., name of a meter in Greek and
Roman prosody. — Formed with suff. -ic fr.
L. galliambus, 'a song of the priests of Cybele',
fr. Gk. YaXXiafji^o!;, which is compounded of
TaXXot;, 'priest of Cybele' (a name related to
raXXo?, a river of Phrygia, whose water caused
madness), and tajxjioq, 'iambus'. See iambus.
Derivative: galliambic, adj.
galliard, adj., gay. — OF. (= F .) gailtard, 'strong,
vigorous, merry', of uncertain origin,
galliard, n., a lively dance of the 16th cent. —
Fr. prec. word,
gallic, adj., pertaining to, or obtained from, galls.
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. galla, 'gallnut'.
See gall, 'gallnut'.
gallic, adj., pertaining to, or containing, gallium.
— See gallium and -ic.
Gallic, adj., pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls. —
L. Gallicus, fr. Gallus, 'a Gaul'. Cp. Gael, galosh.
Gallican, adj., pertaining to the Roman Catholic
Church in France. — L. Gallicdnus, 'pertaining
to Gaul', fr. Gallicus. See Gallic and -an.
Derivatives: Gallican-ism, n., Gallican-ist, n.
Gallice, adv., in French. — L., 'in Gallic', adv.
of Gallicus. See Gallic.
Gallicism, also spelled gallicism, n., a French
idiom (used in another language). — See Gallic
and -ism.
Gallicize, also spelled gallicize, tr. and intr. v., to
make French, to Frenchify. — See Gallic and
-ize.
Galliformes, n. pi., an order of birds including
the common domestic fowl (ornithol.) — ModL.,
compounded of gallus, 'cock', and forma,
'form, shape'. See gallinaceous and form, n.
galligaskins, n. pi., loose breeches. — OF. gar-
guesque, metathesis of greguesque, fr. It. gre-
chesca, prop. fern, of grechesco, 'Grecian', fr.
Greco, 'Greek' ; influenced in form by galley and
Gascony. See Greek and -esque.
gallimaufry, n., a medley. — F. galimafree, 'hash,
ragout', a compound, whose first element is
related to OF. galer, 'to make merry, to live
well', which is of uncertain origin ; the second
element is identical with Picard mafrer, 'to eat
much', which is borrowed fr. MDu. maffelen,
of s.m.
gallinacean, adj., gallinaceous. — See next word
and -acean.
gallinaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
the domestic fowls. — L. gallindceus, 'of
domestic fowls', fr. gallina, 'hen', fr. gallus,
'cock', which is prob. a loan word from a lan-
guage of Asia Minor. Cp. galeeny, gallinazo, gal-
linule, Gallus. For the ending see suff. -aceous.
gallinazo, n., a vulture. — Sp. gallinaza, 'vul-
ture', formed with augment, suff. -aza fr. gal-
lina, 'hen', fr. L. gallina. See prec. word.
gallinule, n., water hen, moor hen. — L. gallinula,
'chicken', dimin. of gallina. See gallinaceous
and -ule.
Gallio, n., a careless official; an easy-going per-
son. — From Gallio, name of a Roman pro-
consul (mentioned in Acts, XVIII, 17).
galliot, n. — A var. spelling of galiot.
gallipot, n., a pot for holding medicines. — Com-
pounded of galley and pot. The orig. meaning
was ''pot shipped in a galley'.
gallipot, n. — A var. spelling of galipot.
gallium, n., a rare metallic element (chem.) —
ModL., coined by the French chemist Paul-
Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran (1838-1912), the
discoverer of this element, from L. Gallia, the
former name of France (cp. Gallic, Gaul). The
name gallium may also be an allusion to his
637
gambade
name Lecoq (lit. 'the cock' = L. gallus). For the
ending of gallium see -ium.
gallivant, intr. v., to gad about. — A playful deri-
vative of gallant.
gallnut. — See gall, 'gallnut'.
Gallo-, combining form meaning, 1) Gallic;
2) French. — Fr. L. Gallus, 'a Gaul'. Cp. Gallic.
galloglass, gallowglass, n., a heavily armed re-
tainer of an Irish chief. — Ir. galloglach, lit. 'a
foreign soldier', fr. gall, 'foreigner', and oglach,
'servant, soldier', fr. Olr. dclach, 'youth', which
derives fr. Olr. dac, 'young'. See young.
gallon, n., a measure equal to 4 quarts. — ME.
galoun, fr. AF. galon, corresponding to OF.
jalon, 'a liquid measure', and rel. to OF. jale, 'a
bowl', which is of uncertain origin. F. gallon,
'gallon', is an English loan word.
galloon, n., a braid used for trimming. — F.
galon, fr. galonner, 'to lace, braid the hair',
which is prob. rel. to F. gala, 'festivity'. See gala
and cp. gallant.
gallop, intr. and tr. v. — F. galoper, fr. Frankish
*wala hlaupan, 'to run well'. The first element is
rel. to OHG. wala, wela, wola, OE. wel, 'well';
see well, adv. The second element is rel. to
OHG. hlauffan, loufan, 'to run'; see leap. Cp.
galop, wallop.
Derivatives: gallop, n., gallop-er, n., gallop-ing-
ly, adv.
gallopade, n. — F., fr. galoper, 'to gallop'. See
prec. word and -ade.
Gallophile, Gallophil, n., a friend of France or
the French. — Compounded of Gallo- and Gk.
<plXo<;, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Gallophobe, n., one who fears or hates France or
the French. — Compounded of Gallo- and Gk.
-cpo|3o;, fr. 96(^0?, 'fear'. See -phobe.
Gallophobia, n., fear or hatred of France or the
French. — Compounded of Gallo- and -q>o(3ta,
'fear of, fr. ip6f3o<;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Galloway, n., a small horse. — Orig. meaning
'horse bred in Galloway, Scotland',
gallows, n. — ME. galowes, galwes (pi.), fr. OE.
gealga, rel. to OS., OHG. galgo, ON. galgi,
OFris. galga, MHG. galge, 'gallows; cross', G.
Galgen, 'gallows', Goth, galga, 'cross', and to
ON. gelgja, 'pole, perch', and cogn. with Arm.
jalk, 'twig', Lith. zalga, Lett, zalga, 'pole, perch'.
Gallus, n., a genus of birds, the common domestic
fowl and the jungle fowl. — L. gallus, 'cock'.
See gallinaceous,
galop, n., a quick dance. — F. galop, fr. galoper.
See gallop.
Derivative : galop, intr. v.
galore, adv., in abundance. — Ir. go leor, 'to suf-
ficiency, enough'.
galosh, n., an overshoe. — OF. (= F.) galoche,
fr. VL. gallicula, dimin. formed fr. L. solea
Gallica, 'Gaulish sandal'. Gallica is fern, of Gal-
licus, 'Gaulish' (see Gallic). VL. gallicula was
influenced in form by L. caligula, 'a small
military boot'.
galumph, intr. v., to prance about in a self-satis-
fied manner. — Coined by Lewis Carrol (pen-
name for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), as the
blend of gallop and triumph.
galuth, n., the Diaspora {Jewish history). — Heb.
gdlath, 'exile', fr. gdld", 'he uncovered, removed ;
he departed; he went into exile, was deported',
whence also Heb. gdld h , 'exile, exiles', gilldydn,
'tablet'. Cp. Aram. g e ld, 'he revealed, uncover-
ed; he departed, went into exile', Arab, yd/a,
'he made clear, revealed, disclosed; he ousted,
removed; he went away, departed, left', djld,
'emigrated', Ethiop. taglegala, 'he was led into
exile', which are related to Heb. gdld". Cp. also
golah.
galvanic, adj., caused by, or producing, an electric
current. — See next word and -ic.
Derivative: galvanic-al-ly, adv.
galvanism, n., i) current electricity; 2) that branch
of physics which deals with electric currents;
3) treatment of disease by electricity. — F. gal-
vanisme, from the name of the Italian physicist
Luigi Galvani (1737-98), who discovered and
first described it. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
galvanist, n. — See prec. word and -ist.
galvanize, tr. v. — See galvanism and -ize.
Derivative: galvaniz-ation, n.
galvano-, combining form used for galvanic or
galvanism.
Galwegian, adj., pertaining to Galloway; n., a
native of Galloway. — Formed fr. Galloway on
analogy of Norwegian (fr. Norway). For the
ending see suff. -ian.
gam-, form of gamo- before a vowel,
Gamaliel, masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. Ta\x.oCki-t]\ fr.
Heb. Gamli'il, lit. 'reward of God', compound-
ed of gdmdl, 'he dealt out to; he rewarded', lit.
'he dealt fully with', and El, 'God'. From the
base of gdmdl derive g e mul, 'recompense,
taghmul, 'benefit'. Cp. Aram. g l mdl, 'he dealt
out to, rewarded', Arab, jdmala, 'he collected',
jdmula, 'he was beautiful', kdmula, 'he was com-
plete, perfect', Akkad. gitmalu, 'perfect', which
are rel. to Heb. gdmdl. For the second element
in the name Gamaliel see El.
gamashes, n. pi., a kind of legging {archaic). —
F. gamaches, fr. ModProvenc. gamacho, fr.
OProvenc. galamacha, fr. Sp. guadamaci, fr.
Arab, ghadamasl, lit. '(leather) from Ghadames
(a town in Tripolis)'.
gamb, gambe, n., an animal's leg or shank; used
esp. in heraldry. — Dial. F. gambe, correspond-
ing to F. jambe, fr. ML. gamba, 'leg', fr. Late
L. camba, gamba, 'fetlock; hoof; leg', borrowed
fr. Gk. xapiTTTj, 'a turn, bend, joint', which is
cogn. with L. campus, 'field'. See camp and cp.
gamba, gambol, gammon, 'ham', jamb,
gamba, n., an organ stop {mm.) — Orig. an ab-
breviation of viola da gamba (q.v.); fr. It. gamba,
'leg', fr. ML. gamba. See prec. word,
gambade, n., gambado. — F. See next word.
gambado
638
gambado, n., gambol, caper. — Sp. gambada, fr.
It. gambata, 'gambol'. See gambol.
gambado, n., a long legging or gaiter. — It. gam-
ba, 'leg'. See gamb and cp. prec. word.
gambe, n. — See gamb.
gambeson, n., a medieval military garment of
defense. — OF. gambaison, gambeson, fr. gam-
bais, wambais, fr. Frankish *wamba, 'stomach,
belly'. Cp. OHG., Goth, wamba and see womb.
gambier, n., the extract of the shrub Uncaria
gambir. — Malay gambir.
gambit, n., opening move in chess in which the
first player risks a pawn to gain an advantage
later. — F., fr. Sp. gambito, fr. Arab, janbl,
'lateral', fr. janb, 'side' (whence jdnaba, 'he put
aside'), which is rel. to Aram. -Syr. gabh, gabbd,
'side', Heb. gdndbh, Aram. -Syr. g l ndbh, 'he
stole', lit. 'he put aside', Heb. ganndbh, 'thief.
Cp. gonnof.
gamble, intr. and tr. v. — Dial. ME. gammlen,
gamblen, fr. ME. gamenen, fr. OE. gamenian,
'to play', fr. gamen, 'sport, game, amusement'.
See game, n.
Derivatives: gamble, n., gambl-er, n., gamble-
some, adj., gambl-ing, n.
gamboge, n., a gum resin. — ModL. gambogium,
fr. Cambodia, a region (now a state) in Indo-
china, fr. native Kambuja, which was named
after Kambu, the founder of the Khmer race.
gambol, n., a skipping, a caper. — Earlier gam-
bold, gambalde, formed, with change of suff., fr.
F. gambade, fr. It. gambata, fr. gamba, 'leg',
fr. ML. gamba. See gamb.
Derivative: gambol, intr. v.
gambroon, n., a twilled cloth. — Fr. Gambroon,
Gombroon, now Bandar Abbas, name of a town
on the Persian Gulf. Cp. gombroon.
game, n., sport, play. — ME. gamen, game, fr.
OE. gamen, 'sport, game, amusement', rel. to
OFris. game, OS., ON., OHG. gaman, Dan.
gamen, Swed. gamman, 'merriment'. Cp. gamble,
gammon, 'backgammon'.
Derivatives: game-some, adj., game-some-ly ,
adv., game-some-ness, n.
game, intr. and tr. v., to play. — ME. gamenen,
fr. OE. gamenian, 'to play, jest, joke', fr. gamen.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: gamester, n.
game, adj., plucky, courageous. — Fr. gamecock.
Derivatives: game-ly, adv., game-ness, n.
game, adj., lame, crippled. — Of uncertain origin,
gamecock, n. — Prop, 'cock (bred) for fighting'.
Camelion, n., name of the 7th month of the Attic
Greek calendar (corresponding to the second
half of January and first half of February). —
Gk. Vntxr^di-j, lit. 'month of marriages', fr.
Ya|/.T ( Xio;, 'bridal, nuptial', fr. yot|i.£iv, to
marry'. See gamo-.
gamcne, n., the common sort of Dutch madder. —
Inexact spelling of Du. gemean (18th century),
whence Du. gemeen, 'common', which is rel.
[to OE. gemxne (whence ME. mene, E. mean).
Goth, gamains, OHG. gimeini (whence MHG.,
G. gemein); see Bense, Dictionary of the Low
Dutch Element in the English Vocabulary,
p. 117. The above words are formed fr. Teut.
pref. ge- (see y-), and l.-E. base *mei-, 'to
change'. See common, adj., and cp. words there
referred to.
gamete, n., a germ cell (biol.) — ModL. gametes,
fr. Gk. Ytx.[j.iTr}q, 'husband', or ya^err), 'wife',
fr. yapiEtv, 'to marry'. See gamo-. The name
gamete was introduced into science by the
Austrian biologist Gregor Johann Mendel
(1822-84).
gamin, n., a street Arab. — F., of unknown origin.
gamma, n., name of the 3rd letter of the Greek
alphabet. — ME., fr. L. gamma, fr. Gk. ydu,(ia,
for *ya|xXa, fr. Heb.-Phoen. gimel, lit. 'camel';
see gimel and cp. gammadion, gamut. For the
form cp. Heb. gamdl, Aram, gamld, 'camel'.
gammacism, n., difficulty in the pronunciation of
the guttural consonants. — ModL. gammacis-
mus, formed on analogy of Late L. lambdacismus,
etc., fr. Gk. ya[xu.a. See P rec ' word and -ism.
gammadion, n., a figure formed by four capital
gammas. — MGk. yajxfxaSiov, dimin. of Gk.
yau.u.a. See gamma.
Gammarus, n., a genus of crustaceans. — ModL.,
fr. L. cammarus, gammarus, 'sea crab, lobster',
fr. Gk. xafj.u.apot;. See Cambarus and cp. Ho-
marus.
gammer, n., an old woman. — Corrupted fr.
grandmother. Cp. gaffer,
gammon, n., backgammon. — ME. gamen, 'game'.
See game, n.
gammon, n., ham; the lower end of the side of
a bacon. — ONF. gambon (corresponding to
F.jambon), fr. ONF. gambe (corresponding to
F. jambe), 'leg'. See gamb.
Derivative: gammon, tr. v., to make bacon of.
gammon tr. v., to fasten (a bowsprit) to the stem
of a ship. — Of uncertain origin,
gammon, n., nonsense, humbug. — ME. gamen,
'game', fr. OE. gamen. See game, 'sport, play'.
Derivative: gammon, tr. and intr. v., to hoax,
gamo-, combining form meaning 1) sexual union
(biol.) ; 2) union of parts (bot.) — Fr. Gk. yau.o?,
'marriage', whence yausLv, 'to marry, take to
wife' ; fr. I.-E. base *gem-, 'to marry'. See bigamy
and cp. words there referred to.
-gamous, combining form meaning 'marrying',
as in monogamous, heterogamous. — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. Gk. yau.o<;, 'marriage'. See
gamo-.
gamp, n., a large umbrella. — From the umbrella
of Mrs. Sarah Gamp in Dickens's Martin
Chuzzlewit.
gamut, n., range of musical sounds from gamma
(the lowest) to ut (the highest). — Coined by
Guido d'Arezzo fr. gamma, a name given by
him to the lowest note of the old (= medieval)
scale, and ut, name of the highest tone of that
scale.
639
(jaon
gamy, also gamey, adj., having the flavor of
game. — Formed fr. game, n., with adj. suff. -y.
-gamy, combining form meaning 'marriage,
union', as in heterogamy, polygamy. — Gk.
-yauia, fr. yd[i.o?, 'marriage'. See gamo-.
gander, n. — ME. gandre, fr. OE. ganra, gandra,
rel. to Du. gander, MLG. game, Bavarian
gander, 'gander'. See goose and cp. gannet.
ganef, n. — See gonnof.
gang, intr. v., to go, walk (dial.) — OE. gangan.
See next word.
gang, n., a group of people; a band. — ME. gang,
'going; passage', fr. OE. gang, 'going, passage,
channel', rel. to OS., OFris., Dan., Du., OHG.,
MHG., G. gang, ON. gangr, Swed. gdng, Goth.
gagg, 'the act of going', verbal nouns to OE.
gangan, ON. ganga, Goth, gaggan, etc., 'to go'.
These words derive fr. I.-E. base *ghengh-,
*ghongh-, 'to step', whence also OI. jdnghd,
'shank', Avestic zanga-, 'ankle', Lith. zengiu,
'I stride, step'. The above words are not related
to E. go. Cp. gangue and the second element
in Doppelganger.
Derivative : gang-er, n.
gange, tr. v., to protect a fishing line by twisting
wire round it. — Of unknown origin.
Derivative : gang-ing, n.
gangliated, adj., having ganglia. — Formed with
the adj. suff. -ate and -ed, fr. yayyXtov. See
ganglion.
gangliform, adj., having the form of a ganglion.
— A hybrid coined fr. Gk. yayyXtov (see gang-
lion) and L. forma, 'form, shape' (see form, n.)
ganglion, n., swelling, excrescence; center of
cavity; nerve center. — Medical L., fr. Gk.
yayyXtov, 'encysted tumor on a tendon'. Ac-
cording to Galen the proper sense of the word
is 'anything gathered into a ball' ('conglobatus').
The word yayyXtov prob. stands for *ya-yX-tov
and is a loan word from Heb. galgdl, 'anything
round; a wheel', from the base of gdldl, 'he
rolled', gilgil, of s.m. ; see gelilah. For the dissi-
milation of the first / in galgdl to n in Gk.
yayyXtov cp. E.-F. gonfalon, gonfanon, 'flag'.
Derivatives: ganglion-ary, adj., ganglion-ate,
tr. v., ganglion-ic, adj.
gangrene, n., mortification; decay. — L. gan-
graena, fr. Gk. yayypaiva, lit. 'that which eats
away', formed through reduplication fr. ypav,
ypateiv, 'to gnaw, eat', whence also ypa<m<;,
'green fodder'. See gastro-.
Derivatives: gangrene, tr. and intr. v., gangren-
ous, adj.
gangster, n., member of a gang of roughs or
criminals. — Formed fr. gang with suff. -ster.
gangue, n., the matrix in which valuable metals
or minerals occur. — F. gangue, fr. G. Gang,
'a going, walking, passage, vein (of ore)'. See
gang.
gangway, n. — OE. gangweg, 'road', fr. gang,
'going, way, passage', and weg, 'way'. See gang
and way.
ganister, n., a hard siliceous rock. — Dial. G.
Ganster, rel. to MHG. g(a)neist(e), fr. OHG.
gneisto, 'spark'. Cp. OPruss. knaistis, 'a burn-
ing', and see gneiss.
ganja, gunja, n., the Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa,
formerly called Cannabis Indica). — Hind, gdja,
fr. OI. ganja.
gannet, n., the solan goose. — OE. ganot, 'sea
bird, gannet', rel. to Du. gent, OHG. ganna^o,
ganzo, 'gander'. See gander, goose.
ganoid, adj., 1) smooth (said offish scales); 2)per-
taining to the Ganoidei. — F. ganolde, com-
pounded of Gk. yavos, 'brightness, brilliance,
splendor', and -oeiSr]?, 'like', fr. elSo?, 'form,
shape'. The first element stands for ya-vo? and
is rel. to yavoum (for yd-vu-um), 'I am glad,
I rejoice', yatio (for *yafi(o), 'I rejoice'. See
gaud, 'ornament', and cp. the first element in
Ganymede. For the second element see -oid.
gantang, n., a weight in the Malay Archipelago.
— Malay gantang.
gantlet, also spelled gauntlet, n., a former mili-
tary punishment in which the offender was com-
pelled to run between two files of men who struck
him with switches, clubs, etc., as he passed. —
Formed under the influence of gauntlet, 'glove',
fr. earlier gantlope, fr. Swed. gatlopp, lit. 'a run-
ning down a lane', a compound of gata, 'lane',
and lopp, 'a running, course', which is rel. to
Swed. Ibpa, 'to run'. The first element is rel. to
ON. gata, 'road' ; see gate, 'passage'. For the
second element see leap.
gantlet, n., a glove. — See gauntlet.
gantry, also gauntry, n., 1) a wooden frame for
barrels; 2) a spanning framework. — OF. gan-
tier, chantier (F. chantier), 'timber yard', fr. L.
cantherius, 'a gelding; trellis; rafter', fr. Gk.
xav&rjXioi;, 'pack ass'. Cp. chantier, shanty.
Ganymede, n., a beautiful boy, cupbearer to Zeus
(Greek mythol.) — L. Ganymedes, fr. Gk. Favu-
u.T]S7)?, lit. 'rejoicing in his virility', compounded
of yavuu.ai, T am glad, rejoice', and u.T]8ea
(pi.), 'counsels, plans, cunning'. For the first
element see ganoid. The second element is rel.
to u,7]8e<j&ai, 'to devise, resolve, advise', uiScov,
'guardian, ruler' (prop. pres. part of the
ancient verb uiSeiv, 'to protect, rule over'), ui-
Sea^at, 'to be mindful of, give heed to, think
on', ui8iu,vos, 'a measure', fr. I.-E. base *mid-,
'to measure, limit, consider', which is a -d-eo-
largement of base *me-, 'to measure'. See
meditate and cp. Andromeda and words there
referred to. Cp. also catamite.
gaol, gaoler, gaoleress. See jail, jailer, jaileress.
Gaon, n., a title given to the heads of the two
Babylonian academies of Sura and Pumbedita
(Jewish hist.) — Heb. ga'dn, prob. meant as an
abbreviation of g l 6n Ya'akobh, 'the pride of
Jacob' (Ps. 47 : 5). Heb. gd'dn, 'exaltation, pride,
excellence', derives from the stem of ga'd",
'rose', whence also ge, ge'e*, 'proud', ga'dwd",
'pride, majesty*, gt&th, 'majesty'. Cp. Aram.
gap
g*d, ethga'e, Syr. ethga't, 'was proud'.
Derivative: Gaon-ic, adj.
gap, n. — ME. gap, fr. ON. gap, 'chasm, abyss',
rel. to ON. gapa, 'to gape'. See next word.
Derivative: gapp-y, adj.
gape, intr. v. — ME. gapen, fr. ON. gapa, whence
also Swed. gapa, Dan. gabe; rel. to Du. gapen,
MHG., G. ,?a#en, 'to gape, stare'. The ultimate
origin of these words is unknown. Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also gasp.
Derivatives: gape, n., gap-er, n.
gar, n., any of certain fishes having an elongate
body and spearlike jaws; called also garfish,
garpike. — ME., fr. OE. gar, 'spear', rel. to ON.
geirr, OS., OHG., MHG. ger, G. Ger, 'spear'.
See goad and cp. gore, 'a triangular piece of
land', and words there referred to. Cp. also the
first element in Gerald, Gerard, Gertrude, Ger-
vais, and the second element in Edgar, Oscar,
Roger.
garage, n. — F„ orig. meaning 'a place for storing
something', fr. garer, 'to make safe, protect',
fr. Frankish *waron, 'to guard', which is rel. to
OHG. biwaron, of s.m. See ware, 'alert', and -age.
Derivative: garage, tr. v.
garb, n., costume, style. — MF. garbe (F. galbe),
'graceful curb; graceful outline', fr. It. garbo,
'grace', which is of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG.
gar(a)wi, 'dress, equipment, preparation', and
see gear.
Derivative: garb, tr. v.
garb, n., representation of a sheaf of wheat {her.)
— ONF. garbe, corresponding to OF. jarbe,
F. gerbe, 'sheaf, fr. Frankish *garba, which is
rel. to OS.garVa, OHG. garba,MDu.garve,Vu.
garf, MHG., G. garbe, 'sheaf, lit. 'that which is
gathered up or together', fr. I.-E. base *gher-
ebh-, *ghrebh-, 'to seize'. OProvenc. and Sp.
garba, 'sheaf, are also Teut. loan words. See
grab, 'to seize', and cp. gerbe.
garbage, n. — Perh. a blend of OF. garbe, 'sheaf
(see garb, 'sheaf'), and garble, 'to sift'. Accord-
ingly the original meaning of garbage would
have been 'things sifted'. For the ending see
suff. -age.
Derivative : garbage, intr. v.
garble, tr. v., to select improperly; to misquote.
— OF. garbeller, grabeller, 'to garble spices,
to sift', fr. Sp. garbillar, 'to garble, sift', fr.
Arab, ghdrbala, 'he sifted', fr. ghirbil, 'sieve',
ult. fr. Late L. cribellum, dimin. of L. cribrum,
'sieve', which is rel. to cernere, 'to distinguish,
separate, sift'. See cribriform.
Derivatives : garble, n., garbl-er, n., garbl-ing, n.
garboard, n., in shipbuilding, the planks or plates
next to the keel. — Obsol. Du. gaarboord, fr.
garen, contraction of gaderen, 'to gather', and
boord, 'board'. See gather and board, 'plank',
garbure, n., a soup of bacon and cabbage. —
F., 'soup of bacon, cabbage, fat and ryebread',
rel . to Sp. garbias, a kind of ragout ; of unknown
origin.
640
garce, n., a measure of capacity in India. —
Telugu gdrisa (cp. Tamil karisai), fr. OT. gdrlyas,
'very heavy', superl. of guruh, 'heavy, weighty,
venerable', which is cogn. with Gk. flapos, L.
gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, 'weighty', and cp.
guru.
garcon,n. — F., 'boy, waiter', orig. objective case
of OF. gars (this latter is still used as a provin-
cial word, pronounced go); prob. fr. Frankish
*wrakjo, which is rel. to the OHG. PN. Wrac-
chio and to OS. wrekkio, OHG. recko, 'a banish-
ed person, exile', MHG., G. recke, 'renowned
warrior, hero', and to E. wretch (q.v.) Cp. gos-
soon. Cp. also gasket,
gardant, adj., having the head turned toward the
spectator {her.; said of animals). — F., 'watch-
ing, looking at', pres. part, of garder, 'to keep,
watch, guard, protect, defend'. See guard, v.,
and -ant and cp. guardant.
garden, n. — ME. gardin, fr. ONF. gardin (cor-
responding to OF. and F. jardin), derived fr.
ONF. gart (corresponding to OF. jart), fr.
Frankish *gardo, 'garden', which is rel. to OS.
gardo, OFris. garda, OHG. garto, MHG. garte,
G. Garten, 'garden', Goth, garda, 'fold', ON.
gardr, 'enclosure, court, yard', OE. geard, 'en-
closure, piece of land, yard'. See yard, 'enclo-
sure', and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
jardiniere and the second element in kindergarten.
Cp. also It. giardino, Sp. jardin, 'garden', which
are borrowed fr. F. jardin.
Derivatives: garden, intr. v., garden-ed, adj.,
garden-er, n., garden-ing, n.
Gardenia, n., genus of trees and shrubs. — -
ModL., named after the American botanist
Alexander Garden (1730-91)- For the ending see
suff. -ia.
garefowl, n., the great auk. — ON. geirfugl, fr.
geirr, 'spear', and fugl, 'bird'. See gar and fowl,
garfish, n., a pikelike fish. — ME. garfish, fr. OE.
gar, 'spear', and fisc, 'fish'. See gar and fish.
Gargantuan, adj., resembling, or reminding of,
Gargantua; very large. — From Gargantua,
name of the hero in Rabelais' satirical romance.
This name comes fr. Sp. garganta, 'gullet',
which is a derivative of the imitative base
*garg-; see next word. For the ending of gar-
gantuan see suff. -an.
garget, n., 1) inflammation of the throat in cattle
and swine; 2) inflammation of the udder in
cows, etc. — ME. gargate, 'throat', fr. OF. gar-
gate, from the imitative base *garg-, which ap-
pears also in gargle, gargoyle (q.v.) Cp. prec.
word. Cp. also goglet.
Derivative: garget-y, adj.
gargle, intr. and tr. v. — F.gargouiller, 'to gurgle,
dabble, paddle', fr. gargouille, 'throat', from the
imitative base *garg-. See prec. word and cp.
next word and gurgle. Cp. also jargon, confused
speech'.
Derivative: gargle, n„ a liquid used for gargling,
gargoyle, n., a grotesque waterspout representing
641
6" J
a human or animal figure. — OF. gargouille,
'throat, waterspout, gargoyle', compounded of
the imitative base *garg- (see garget) and goule,
Western dial, form of gueule, 'mouth', fr. L.
gula. See gullet.
garibaldi,, n., a kind of blouse worn by women. —
Named after the Italian patriot Giuseppe Gari-
baldi (1 807-1 882); so called because it resembles
the red shirts worn by Garibaldi and his
followers.
garish, adj ., showy ; glaring. — Possibly rel. to ME.
gauren, 'to stare', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: garish-ly, adv., garish-ness, n.
garland, n., a wreath of flowers, leaves, etc. —
ME., fr. OF. garlande, which is rel. to OPro-
venc. and Catal. garlanda and to OProvenc.
guirlanda, It. ghirlanda (whence F. guirlande),
Sp. and Port, guirnalda; of uncertain, possibly
Teut., origin.
Derivative: garland, tr. v.
garlic, n. — ME. garlek, fr. OE. gdrleac, com-
pounded of gar, 'spear', and leac, 'leak' (see
gar and leak) ; so called in allusion to the spear-
like leaves.
garment, n. — ME. garnement, fr. OF. garniment,
garnement (F. garnement), fr. OF. garnir, 'to
fortify; to provide, furnish, adorn'. See garnish
and -ment.
Derivative: garment, tr. v.
garner, n. — ME. garner, gerner, fr. OF. gernier,
gerner, metathesized fr. OF. (= F.) grenier, fr.
L. grdndrium, 'granary', whence also Rum.
grdnar, It. granaio, OProvenc. granier, Catal.
graner, Sp. granero (whence Port, granel). See
granary, which is a doublet of garner. For the
ending see suff. -er (in the sense 'receptacle for').
Derivative: garner, tr. v.
garnet, n., 1) a hard silicate mineral of various
colors; 2) a deep red color. — ME. gernet,
metathesized fr. OF. (= F.) grenat, fr. ML.
pdmum grdndtum, 'pomegranate', lit. 'seeded
apple'; so called from its resemblance to the
seeds of a pomegranate; cp. G. Granat and
see grain. Cp. also grenade, pomegranate,
garnierite, n., a hydrous nickel magnesium sili-
cate {mineral.) — Named after the French geol-
ogist Jules Gamier (died in 1904), the discoverer
of the New Caledonian nickel ores. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
garnish, tr. v., 1) to adorn; 2) to decorate (food).
— ME. garnisshen, fr. OF. (= F.) garniss-,
pres. part, stem of OF. garnir, 'to fortify; to
provide, furnish, adorn' (F. garnir, 'to provide,
furnish, adorn, trim, line, mount'), fr. Teut.
*warnjan, 'to provide, furnish', whence also
OProvenc. garnir, It. guarnire, Catal. gornir,
Sp. and Port, guarnecer. Cp. OHG. warnon, 'to
take head', and see warn and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: garnish, n., garnish-ee, n., adj. and
tr. v., garnish-ing, n., garnish-ment, n.
garniture, n. — F., fr. garnir. See prec. word
and -lire.
garotte, n. — See garrote.
garran, n. — ■ See garron.
garret, n., attic. — ME. garite, fr. OF. garite,
'watchtower, place of refuge' (whence F. guerite,
'sentry box, turret, watchtower'), fr. OProvenc.
garida, 'watchtower', fr. garir, 'to protect',
which is rel. to OF. garir, guerir, 'to protect,
defend' (whence F. guerir, 'to cure, heal'), and
to It. guarire, 'to cure, heal'. These words are
traceable to Teut. *warjan, 'to protect, defend'.
See weir and cp. next word.
Derivative: garret-eer, n.
garrison, n. — OF. garison, warison, 'protection'
(whence F. guerison, 'cure, healing'), fr. garir,
'to protect'. See garret and cp. warison, which
is a doublet of garrison. F. garnison, 'garrison',
which has influenced the sense development of
E. garrison, derives fr. OF. garnison, 'provision;
munitions', fr. garnir, 'to provide, furnish'; see
garnish.
Derivative: garrison, tr. v.
garron, garran, n., a small breed of horse. —
Gael, gearran.
garrot, n., the goldeneye (a kind of duck). — F.,
of uncertain origin.
garrote, garrotte, n., an instrument used for
execution in Spain and Portugal. — Sp. ga-
rrote, 'club, bludgeon, stick, cudgel, garrote',
fr. F. garrot, 'racking stick', fr. OF. guaroc,
'shaft of the cross-bow' (with change of suff. -oc
to -ot, owing to the identical pronunciation of
these suffixes in later French). OF. guaroc is
back formation fr. garokier, 'to garrote,
strangle', fr. Frankish *wrokkan, 'to twist',
which is rel. to MDu. wroken, 'to twist'.
Derivatives: garrot{t)e, tr. v., garrot{t)-er, n.
garrulity, n., talkativeness. — F. garrulite, fr. L.
garrulitdtem, acc. of garrulitds, 'chattering,
loquacity', fr. garrulus. See garrulous and -ity.
garrulous, adj., talkative. — L. garrulus, 'chat-
tering, talkative', fr. garrire, 'to chatter, talk',
from the I.-E. imitative base *gar-, *ger-, 'to
cry'. See csre and words there referred to, and
cp. esp. German and the first element in Gery-
gone. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
-ous.
Derivatives : garrulous-ly, idv.,garrulous-ness,n.
garry, n. — A var. of gharri,
garter, n. — ONF. gartier (corresponding to
OF. jartier, whence F. jarretiire, of s.m.), fr.
ONF. garet, 'bend of the knee', from a Gaulish
base *garr-, meaning 'leg' (cp. W. garr, Bret.
gar, 'ham, shinbone'), whence also Sp., Port.
garra, 'claw'.
Derivative: garter, tr. v.
garth, n., enclosed space, garden {archaic). —
ME., fr. ON. gardr, 'enclosure, court, yard'.
See yard, 'enclosure', and cp. garden,
gas, n. — First used in its usual sense by the
Belgian chemist Van Helmont (1 577-1 644). The
word is not his invention, although he says that
it suggested itself by Gk. x<io« (see chaos). The
Gascon
word gas was used for the first time by Para-
celsus (died in 1 541), who named the air by it.
Derivatives : gas, tr. v., gaseity, gaseous, gasser,
gassy (qq.v.)
Gascon, n., 1) a native of Gascony (= F. Gas-
cogne); 2) (not capit.) a braggart. — F., fr. VL.
* Wasco, fr. L. Vasco, sing, of Vascdnes, name
of the ancient inhabitants of the Pyrenees. See
Basque and cp. next word.
gasconade, n., boastful talk; brag. — F. gascon-
nade, 'boastful talk, bravado', fr. Gascon, 'in-
habitant of Gascony'; so called from the pro-
verbial boastfulness of the Gascons. — See
prec. word and -ade.
Derivatives : gasconade, intr. v., gasconad-er, n.
gaseity, n., gaseousness. — Formed fr. gas with
suff. -ity.
gaselier, n., a chandelier for burning gas. —
Formed fr. gas on analogy of chande-lier. Cp.
electrolier.
gaseous, adj. — Formed fr. gas with suff. -eous.
Derivative : gaseous-ness, n.
gash, tr. v., to cut deeply. — Fr. earlier garsh,
fr. ME. garsen, fr. OF. garser, jarser, 'to incise'
(whence F. gercer, 'to chap, crack, cleave'), fr.
VL. *charissdre, fr. earlier *charassdre, fr. Gk.
yapaaaew, 'to engrave, incise', whence x^pax-
T7]p, 'graving tool, mark engraved, impress,
character'. See character.
Derivative: gash, n.
gasification, n. — A hybrid coined fr. gas and
-fication.
gasiform, adj. — A hybrid coined fr. gas and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
gasify, tr. v. — A hybrid coined fr. gas and -fy.
Derivatives: gasifi-abtc, adj., gasifi-er, n.
gasket, n., a piece of rope (naut.) — F. garcette,
dimin. of garce, 'wench', femin. to garcon, 'boy' ;
used only in a figurative sense. See garcon.
gasoline, gasolene, n. — A hybrid coined fr. gas,
-ol (fr. L. oleum, 'oil') and chem. suff. -ine,
resp. -ene.
gasometer, n. - - A hybrid coined fr. gas and Gk.
uixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
gasp, intr. and tr. v. — ME. gaispen, gaspen, 'to
yawn', fr. ON. geispa, 'to yawn', whence also
Swed. gaspa, Dan. gispe, 'to gasp'. ON. geispa
is prob. formed by metathesis fr. *geip-sa and
is re!, to ON. gapa, 'to gape'. Cp. LG. gapsen,
'to gasp', and see gape.
Derivatives: gasp, n., gasper (q.v.), gasp-ing,
adj., gasp-ing-ly, adv.
Gaspar, masc. PN. — Of Persian origin; lit.
'treasure holder'. See Jasper,
gasper, n., 1) one who gasps; 2) a cheap cigarette
(British Slang). — Formed fr. gasp with agential
suff. -er.
gasser, n., one who or that which gasses. —
Formed fr. gas with agential suff. -er.
gassy, adj., 1) full of, or containing, gas; 2) like
gas. — Formed fr. gas with adj. suff. -y.
gastaktite, n., a variety of glaucophane (mineral.)
642
— Named after Professor Bartolomeo Gastaldi.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
gastero-, before a vowel gaster-, combining form
meaning 'stomach' or 'belly'. — Gk. yaaxepo-,
yaaTsp-, identical in meaning with yaaxpo-,
Yoraxp-. See gastro-.
gasteropod, n., any of the Gasteropoda. — See
next word.
Gasteropoda also Gastropoda, n. pi., a class of
mollusks including the snails, slugs, etc. (zoo-
logy). — ModL., lit. 'having a foot in the ventral
surface'; compounded of Gk. ytx.wvi\p, gen.
YacTpo?, 'belly', and nouc,, gen. to86;, 'foot'.
See gastro- and -pod.
gastrectomy, n., the surgical removal of part of
the stomach. — Compounded of gastr- and
Gk. -exTouia, 'a cutting out of, fr. exxofxr), 'a
cutting out'. See -ectomy.
gastric, adj., pertaining to the stomach. —
Formed with suff. -ic, fr. Gk. YaaTTjp, gen.
Y<xaxp6<;, 'stomach'. See gastro- and cp. di-
gastric, epigastric, hypogastric, mesogastric.
gastritis, n., inflammation of the stomach (med.)
— Medical L., coined by the French pathologist
Francois-Boissier de la Croix de Sauvages
(1706-67) fr. Gk. -yacriip, gen. yaaxpoi;, 'stom-
ach' (see gastro-), and suff. -ids.
gastro-, before a vowel gastr-, combining form
meaning 'stomach' or 'belly'. — Gk. yaaxpo-,
yaaxp-, fr. yaaxTjp, gen. Yaarxp6i;,'stomach, belly,
womb', which is dissimilated fr. *YpaaTY)p anp
lit. means 'eater, devourer', fr. YP&v. 'to gnaw,
eat', whence also ypi.a-n<;, 'green fodder', yia-
■zpu; (dissimilated fr. *Ypaaxpt.(;), 'pot-bellied;
glutton'; prob. cogn. with OI. grdsati, 'eats,
devours'. See cress and cp. gangrene.
gastrocnemius, n., the largest muscle of the calf
of the leg (anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. Yaa-
xpoxvrjixta, 'the calf of the leg', which is com-
pounded of Y°tcrrr)p, gen. ytxatpoc;, 'belly', and
xvrj[XYj, 'part between knee and ankle, leg,
shank'. For the first element see gastro-, for
the second see cnemial.
Derivatives : gastrocnemi-al, gastrocnemi-an,
adjs.
gastrology, n., 1) the sciences of the structure,
functions and diseases of the stomach; 2) gas-
tronomy. — Gk. Y<*axpoXoYia, title of the
Greek Almanach des Gourmands, a poem writ-
ten by Archestratus, a contemporary of Aris-
totle; compounded of yaaTrip, 8 en - Y acrr P^?'
'stomach', and -XoyIS, fr. -Xoyos, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See gastro- and -logy.
Derivatives: gastrolog-er, n., gastrolog-ist, n.
gastronome, n. — F., back formation fr. gastro-
nomic See gastronomy.
gastronomer, n. — See next word and agential
suff. -er.
gastronomy, n., the act or science of caring for
the stomach, i.e. cookery. — F. gastronomie,
fr. Gk. Y<*<Jxpovonta, another name for ya.a-
gdUII LICL
xpoXoYia (see gastrology); formed fr. ya.azi\p,
gen. Y«crxp6i;, 'stomach', on analogy of aoxpo-
vojxta, 'astronomy' (fr. aarrjp, 'star'). See gastro-
and -nomy.
Derivatives : gastronom-ic,gastronom-ic-al, adjs.,
gastronom-ic-al-ly, adv., gastronom-ist, n.
gastroscope, n., an instrument for examining the
interior of the stomach. — Compounded of
gastro- and Gk. -oxomov, fr. axo7teiv, 'to look
at, examine'. See -scope.
gastroscopy, n., examination of the interior of
the stomach. — Compounded of gastro- and
Gk. -crxoma, fr. axo7reiv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scopy.
gastrotomy, n., an incision into the stomach. —
Compounded of gastro- and Gk. -xo^ta, 'a
cutting of, fr. xou/r), 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
gastrula, n., a form of embryo (embryol.) —
ModL., dimin. of L. gaster, 'belly; a big-bellied
vessel', fr. Gk. Y«axpa, 'the lower part of a
vessel resembling a paunch; a vase with a bul-
ging belly', fr. yaartip, gen. Y<x<*fP l k, 'belly';
see gastro- and -ule. The name gastrula was
coined by the German biologist Emil Heinrich
Haeckel (1834-1919).
Derivatives: gastrul-ar, gastrul-ate, adjs., gas-
trul-ation, n.
gate, n., opening, entrance. — ME. gate, gat,
fr. OE. gaet, gat, geat, 'gate', rel. to ON., OS.,
OFris., Du. gat, 'an opening', and prob. also
to gate, 'passage' (q.v.) Cp. gait, gantlet.
Derivatives : gate, tr. v. (British), to confine to
the college grounds, gateage (q.v.), gat-ed, gate-
less, adjs., gating (q.v.)
gate, n., passage. — ME., fr. ON. gata, 'way,
path, road' (whence also Norw., Swed. gata,
Dan. gade), rel. to Goth, gatwo, OHG. ga^a,
MHG. ga33e, G. Gasse, 'street'. Finn, katu,
Lett, gatva, 'street', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
gate, 'opening'.
gateage, n., the use of gates. — A hybrid coined
fr. gate, 'opening', and suff. -age.
gather, tr. and intr. v. — ME. gaderen, fr. OE.
gaderian, gxdrian, 'to gather, collect, store up',
rel. to OFris. gaderia, gadria, MLG. gadderen,
MDu., Du. gaderen, of s.m., MHG. gatern, 'to
unite', OE. gxd, 'companionship', OE. gada,
ge-gada, MHG. gate, ge-gate, 'companion', Du.
gade, 'spouse', G. Gatte, 'husband', and to OE.
gsedeling, OS. gaduling, OHG. gatuling, Goth.
gadiliggs, 'companion', which are prop, dimin-
utives of Teut. *gad-, 'companion'. See good
and cp. gad, 'to rove about', together.
Derivatives: gather-er, n., gather-ing, n.
gating, n., confinement to college. — Formed fr.
gate, 'opening', with -tag, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
Gatling gun. — Named after its inventor Richard
Jordan Gatling (1818-1903).
gauche, adj., left-handed; awkward, tactless. —
F., fr. gauchir, 'to turn aside, flinch', a blend of
OF. guenchir, 'to turn aside, slant, swerve', and
OF. gauchier, 'to full'. OF. guenchir derives fr.
Frankish *wankjan, which is rel. to OHG. wan-
kon, ON. vakka, 'to stagger, totter'; see wink
and cp. wince. OF. gauchier is a derivative of
Frankish *walkan, 'to full'; see walk.
Derivatives : gauche-ly, adv., gauche-ness, n.
gaucherie, n., awkwardness, tactlessness. — F.,
fr. gauche. See prec. word and -ery.
gaucho, n., a cowboy. — Sp., prob. fr. Araucan-
ian cauchu, 'wanderer'.
gaud, n., ornament. — ME. gaude, prob. fr. OF.
gaudir, 'to make merry, rejoice', fr. VL. *gau-
dlre, corresponding to L. gaudere, 'to rejoice',
which stands for *gd w idere and is cogn. with
Gk. yaiui (for *yilwi), T rejoice, exult', yvj&so),
Dor. yS&ew (for *Yafe&£(o), T rejoice', ya&poq,
'exulting, superb', yax>(ia£, Ion. yax>prfe, 'brag-
gart', 3tYaupo?, 'proud', Mir. guaire, 'noble'. Cp.
joy, rejoice. Cp. also Gaura, the first element in
ganoid, Ganymede, and the seond element ir.
Origanum.
Derivative: gaud, tr. v.
gaud, n., ornamental bead (hist.) — Prob. fr. L.
gaudium, 'joy', fr. gaudere, 'to rejoice'. See gaud,
'ornament'.
Derivatives: gaud-y, adj., gaud-i-ly, adv., gaud-
i-ness, n.
gaudy, n., feast, entertainment. — L. gaudium,
'joy, delight, occasion of joy', fr. gaudere, 'to
rejoice'. See gaud, 'ornament'.
gauffer. — See goffer.
gauge, gage, tr. v., 1) to measure; 2) to estimate.
— ONF. gauger, corresponding to OF. and F.
jauger, fr. jauge, 'gauging rod', fr. Frankish
*galgo, prop, 'pole for measuring', and rel. to
ON. gelgja, 'pole, perch', OHG. galgo, 'gal-
lows; cross'. See gallows.
Derivatives : gauge, n. (q.v.), the hybrid gauge-
able, adj., gaug-er, n.
gauge, gage, n. — ONF. gauge, corresponding to
OF. and F. jauge. See gauge, v.
Gaul, n., 1) name of an ancient country of W.
Europe; 2) one of the natives of Gaul; 3) (used
facetiously) a Frenchman. — F. Gaule, 'the
country of Gaul', fr. Gallia, fr. Gallus, 'a Gaul'.
See Gallic.
Derivatives: Gaul-ish, adj. and n.
gault, n., a heavy clay (dial. English). — Cp. ON.
gald, 'hard snow', Norw. gald, 'hard ground'.
Derivatives : gault, tr. and intr. v., gault-er, n.
Gaultheria, n., a genus of plants, the aromatic
wintergreen (bot.) — ModL., named after the
Canadian botanist Jean-Francois Gaulthier (also
spelled Gaultier, Gautier) (cca. 1708-56). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
gaunt, adj., thin; lean. — ME., prob. of Scand.
origin. Cp. Norw. gand, 'a thin stick ; a tall and
thin man'.
Derivatives: gaunt-ness, n., gaunt-y, adj.
gauntlet, n., a glove. — ME. gantelet, fr, MF.
(= F.) gantelet, double dimin. of gant, 'glove',
fr., OF. want, guant, gant, fr. Frankish wanth.
gauntlet
644
which is rel. to MDu. want, 'mitten', ON. vottr
(for *vantr), 'glove', Dan. vante, 'mitten'. These
words prob. stand in gradational relationship
to E. wind, 'to turn'. For sense development cp.
G. Gewand, 'garment', which is rel. to wenden,
'to turn', winden, 'to wind, twist, turn', and to
E. wind, 'to turn'. It. guanto, Sp. guante, 'glove',
are French loan words.
Derivative: gauntlet-ed, adj.
gauntlet, n. — See gantlet.
gauntry, n. — See gantry.
gaur, gour, n., the wild ox Bos gauros. — Hind.
gaur, fr. OI. gaurdh, 'white, yellowish; the Bos
gaurus', fr. gduh, gen. golf, 'ox, bull, cow'. See
Gautama.
Gaura, n., a genus of American plants (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. yaupo;, 'exulting, superb'. See
gaud, 'ornament'.
gauss, n., the C.G.S. unit of intensity of the mag-
netic field. — Named after the German mathe-
matician Karl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855).
gaussage, n., the intensity of a magnetic field ex-
pressed in gausses. — Formed fr. gauss with
suff. -age.
gaussbergite.n., a kind of lava (petrogr.) — So
called from Gaussberg, a mountain in Kaiser
Wilhelm II Land, Antarctica, a name com-
pounded of Gauss, name of the ship used by the
German Antarctic Expedition, and of G. Berg,
'mountain'. See borough and subst. suff. -ite.
Gautama, n., the name of many sages, also sur-
name of Buddha. — OI. Gdtamah, prop, a
patronymic meaning lit. 'descendant of the
greatest ox', and superl. of gduh, gen. gdh,
'ox, bull, cow'. See cow and cp. gaur, the first
element in Gaekwar and in gopura and the sec-
ond element in nilgai.
gauze, n., a very fine fabric of silk, cotton etc. —
F. gaze, fr. Gaza, a town in Palestine, famous
for the very fine transparent tissues fabricated
there.
Derivatives: gauz-y, adj., gauz-i-ly, adv., gauz-
i-ness, n.
gavage, n., forced feeding (med.) — F. gavage,
fr. gaver, 'to gorge, to feed forcibly', a Picard
loan word, rel. to Proven?, gava, 'crop (of a
bird)', prob. of Gaulish origin. Cp. gavotte. For
the ending see suff. -age.
gave, past tense of give. — ME. gave, past tense
of given, 'to give'. See give.
gavel, n., tribute (obsol.) — ME., fr. OE. gafol,
'tribute', rel. to MDu. gavel, MHG. gaffel,
'society, guild', and to OE. giefan, 'to give'. See
give and cp. gavelkind and gale, 'rent'.
gavel, n., a small mallet. — Of uncertain origin.
gavelkind, n., a kind of tenure (law). — ME.
gavelkynde. See gavel, 'tribute', and kind, n.
gavial, n., crocodile of the Ganges. — F., cor-
rupted fr. Hind, ghariydl.
gavotte, n., a lively dance. — F., fr. OProvenc.
gavoto, fr. gavot, 'inhabitant of the Alps' (hence
;avoto lit means 'dance of the inhabitants of
the Alps'). Cp. OProvenc. gavach, 'boor, moun-
taineer' (whence F. gavache, 'coward, dastard').
Both OProvenc. words derive fr. OProvenc.
gava, 'crop (of a bird)'. See gavage.
gawk, n., an awkward person. — Of uncertain
origin; perh. fr. obsol. E. gaw, 'to stare', fr. ME.
gawen, fr. ON. gd, 'to heed', which is of un-
certain origin. '
Derivatives: gawk-y, adj. and n., gawk-i-ness, n.
gay, adj. — F. gai, prob. fr. Frankish *gahi,
which is rel. to OHG. gdhi, MHG. gach, 'rapid,
impetuous', G. jah, 'rapid, sudden; steep, pre-
cipitous'. OProvenc. gai and It. gaio are
French loan words. Cp. the second element in
nosegay.
Gaylussacia, n., a genus of plants, the huckle-
berry (bot.) — ModL., named after the French
chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac (1778-1850).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
gaze, intr. v. — ME. gasen, of Scand. origin.
Cp. dial. Swed. gasa, 'to stare, gaze'; of un-
certain origin.
gazebo, n., turret, balcony. — Facetious forma-
tion fr. gaze after L. videbo, 'I shall see'.
gazelle, n. — F., fr. ghazel, N. African pronun-
ciation of Arab, ghazdl.
gazette, n., newspaper. — F., fr. It. gazzetta, of
s.m., fr. gazzetta, name of the smallest Venetian
coin, said to have been paid for the perusal of the
manuscript newspaper issued by the Venetian
Government once a month. It. gazzetta, 'coin',
is prob. a dimin. formed fr. L. gaza, 'treasure',
fr. Gk. ya£,ot, which is of Persian origin. See
genizah and cp. next word.
Derivatives: gazette, tr. v., gazetteer (q.v.)
gazetteer, n., 1) a journalist; 2) a geographical
dictionary. — F. gazettier (now spelled gazetier),
lit. 'one who writes in a gazette', fr. gazette. See
prec. word and -eer.
Derivative : gazetteer, tr. v.
gazogene, n., an apparatus for fabricating aerated
water. — F. gazogene, a hybrid coined fr. gaz,
'gas', and combining form -gene. See gas and
-gen.
ge-, combining form meaning 'earth'. — See geo-.
gear, n., equipment, harness, tackle. — ME. gere,
prob. fr. ON. gervi, 'apparel', which is rel. to
OE. gearwe, OS. garewi, OHG. garawi, garwi,
'clothing, dress', OE. gearwian, OS. garuwian,
gerwean, OHG. garawen, gariwen, 'to make
ready', MHG. gerwen, G. gerben, 'to tan', ON.
gdrva, Dan. gjere, 'to make', OE. gearo, gearu,
OS. garo, ON. gorr, OHG. garo, garawer,
MHG., G. gar, 'ready, prepared'. See yare, and
cp. garb, 'style'.
Derivatives: gear, tr. and intr. v., gear-ing, n.,
gear-less, adj.
gecko, n., a kind of house lizard. — Malay gekoq,
imitative of its cry.
gedanite, n., a variety of amber (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gedanum, the
Latin name of Danzig.
64S
gedrite, n., a variety of antophyllite (mineral.) —
F. gedrite, named after Gedre, in the French Py-
renees. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
gee-gee, n., a horse (colloq.) — Reduplication of
gee, a child's word for 'horse', fr. gee a word
of command to a horse.
geezer, n., an old fellow. — Dial, alteration of
guiser (q.v.)
Gegenschein, n., counterglow, a faint luminous
light seen opposite the sun's direction (astron.)
— G., formed fr. gegen, 'against, counter', and
Schein, 'shine, light, appearance'. See again
and shine.
gehenna, n., hell. — Eccles. L., fr. Gk. y^evva,
fr. Heb. Ge HinnSm, 'the Valley of Hinnom',
shortened fr. Ge Ben-HinnSm, 'the Valley of the
Son of Hinnom', a valley SW. and S. of Jeru-
salem, where children were sacrificed to Moloch.
gehlenite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate,
Ca3Al 2 Si 2 Oi,, (mineral.) — Named by the Ger-
man chemist Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (1774-
1856) after his colleague A. F. Gehlen (1775-
18 15). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
geikelite, n., magnesium titanate (mineral.) —
Named after Sir Archibald Geikie, director of
the Geological Survey of Great Britain (1835-
1924). For the ending see combining form -lite.
geikia, n., a toothless reptile from the New Red
Sandstone of Scotland (paleontol.) — ModL.,
named after Sir Archibald Geikie. See prec.
word.
geikielite, n., magnesium titanate, MgTi0 3
(mineral.) — Named after Sir Archibald Geikie.
See geikelite and subst. suff. -ite.
geisha, n., a Japanese professional singing and
dancing girl. — Jap., composed of gei-sha, lit.
'artistic person',
gelada, n., an Abyssinian ape. — A native name,
gelatin, gelatine, n., animal jelly. — F. gelatine,
fr. It. gelatina, fr. gelata, 'jelly', fr. L. gelata,
fern. pp. of geldre, 'to freeze, stiffen'. See gelid
and chem. suff. -in, -ine and cp. jelly,
gelatinifonn, adj. — Formed fr. gelatin and L.
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
gelatinize, tr. v., to change into gelatin ; intr. v.,
to be changed into gelatin. — A hybrid coined
fr. gelatin and -ize, a suff. of Greek origin,
gelatinoid, adj. — A hybrid coined fr. gelatin and
Gk.-oei8r ( ?,'like',fr. eT8o<;,'form, shape'. See -oid.
gelatinous, adj. — F '. gelatineux (fem. gelatineuse),
fr. gelatine. See gelatin and -ous.
Derivatives: gelatinous-ly, adv., gelatinous-
ness, n.
gelation, n., freezing. — L. geldtid, gen. -dnis,
'freezing', fr. gelatus, pp. of geldre, 'to freeze'.
See gelid and -ion.
geld, tr. v., to castrate; to spay. — ME. gelden,
fr. ON. gelda, 'to geld', fr. ON. geldr, 'barren',
which is rel. to OSwed. galder, Swed. gall, Dan.
gold,Norw.gjeld,MLG.gelde, OE.gielde,MHG.
gait, G. gait, gelt, 'barren', and prob. also to OE.,
OHG. galan, 'to sing', OE. giellan, 'to scream,
geioto-
cry'. Accordingly, ON. geldr, etc., prob. meant
originally 'enchanted, bewitched'. See yell and
cp. gale, 'a strong wind', and the last element
in nightingale.
geld, n., payment, tax (English history). — OE.
geld, gield, gild, 'payment', rel. to OS. geld,
OHG., MHG. gelt, 'payment, contribution',
Du., G. geld, 'money', ON. gjald, 'payment',
Goth, gild, 'tribute, tax', and to E. yield (q.v.)
Cp. the second element in Danegeld.
gelding, n., a castrated animal. — ON. geldingr,
fr. geldr, 'barren'. See geld, 'to castrate', and
subst. suff. -ing.
Gelechia, n., a genus of moths, the pink boll-
worm (entomol.) — ModL., formed with suff.
-ia fr. Gk. y7)Xex^?, 'sleeping on the earth',
fr. vt), 'earth', and X£x°C, 'bed'. For the first
element see geo-. The second element is cogn.
with OE. licgan, 'to lie' ; see lie, 'to recline'. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
Gelechiidae, n. pi., a family of moths (entomol.)
— ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
gelid, adj., freezing, frosty. — L. gelidus, 'icy,
frosty', formed — prob. on analogy of calidus,
'warm' — fr. gelii, 'frost'; which is rel. to gla-
des, 'ice', fr. I.-E. base *gel-, 'to freeze, be cold',
whence also Gk. ysXavSp6c, 'cold', OE. cald,
ceald, 'cold'. See cold and cp. words there re-
ferred to. For the ending see adj. suff. -id.
Derivatives: gelid-ity, n., gelid-ly, adv., gelid-
ness, n.
gelignite, n., a high explosive. — Formed from
the abbreviation of gelatin, L. ignis, 'fire' (see
igneous), and subst. suff. -ite.
gelilah, n., the wrapping up of the Scroll of the
Law (Jewish liturgy). — Heb. g l lild\ 'a rolling
up', fr. galal, 'he rolled, unfolded', rel. to Aram.
gHdl, gallil, of s.m., Heb. gilgel, Aram, galgil,
'he rolled away', Heb. gal, Aram, gal, galld,
'heap, wave, willow', Akkad. gillu, 'wave', Heb.
gulld h , 'basin, bowl', Akkad. gullatu, 'a vessel',
Heb. gdldl, Aram, galli, galini (pi.), g f ldld,
Arab, jdlla", 'dung', Heb. gdltl, 'cylinder; dis-
trict', Haggdlil, 'Galilee', gillultm (pi.), 'idols',
galgdl, 'wheel, whirlwind', Aram, galgdl, gil-
g l ld, 'wheel', Mishnaic Heb. galgdl (hd'dyin),
Aram. galg e ld (d e 'end), Akkad. gaggultu, 'apple
of the eye', Heb. gulgdleth, Aram, gulgiiltd,
gugaltd, Akkad. gulgullu, Arab, jdlaja", jum-
juma h , 'skull'. Cp. Megilloth. Cp. also Galilee,
Golgotha and the second element in Abigail.
Cp. also ganglion.
gelo-, combining form meaning 'laughter'. — Fr.
Gk. y^Xco?, 'laughter'. See geloto-.
geloscopy, n., divination by laughter. — Com-
pounded of gelo- and Gk. -oxoma, fr. uxo-eiv,
'to look at, examine'. See -scopy.
geloto-, combining form meaning 'laughter'. —
Gk. yeXoito-, fr. yfXto;, gen. y^Xcoxo;;, 'laughter',
rel. to ysXav, 'to laugh', yaX^voq, 'calm, serene',
yaXT)V7), 'stilness of wind and wave', and cogn.
with Arm. cair, gen. calu, 'laughter, ci-calim,
Gelsemium
646
'I laugh'. Cp. gelo-, Aglaia, Aglaspis, glenoid.
Cp. also clean.
Gelsemium, n., a genus of plants, the yellow
jessamine (bot.) — ModL., fr. gelsomino, the
Italian name of the jessamine. See jasmine,
jessamine. For the ending see ist -ium.
gem, n., precious stone. — ME. gemme, fr. MF.
(= F.) gemme, 'precious stone', fr. L. gemma,
'precious stone; bud'. See gemma.
Derivative : gem, tr. v.
Gemara, n., commentary on the Mishnah (to-
gether with which it forms the Talmud). —
Aram, gurnard, emphatic state of g e mdr, 'com-
pletion; learning', fr. g'mdr, 'he finished, com-
pleted; he learned completely; he learned',
which is rel. to Heb. gdmdr, 'he ended, com-
pleted', and to Arab, jdmmara, 'he collected,
assembled'.
gemarria, n., explanation of the sense of a word
by substituting for it another word, so that the
numerical value of the letters constituting either
word is identical. — Mishnaic Heb. gimatriyyd,
metathesis of Gk. *Ypajj,jj,aTet5, 'play upon
letters', fr. Yp<iu.u.a, gen. YpaH-f J - aT0< » 'letter', lit.
'that which is written'. See -gram, -graph.
gemel, n., one of a pair of bars {her.) — OF.
(whence F. gemeau, jumeau), 'twin', fr. L. ge-
mellus, dimin. of geminus. See Gemini and cp.
next word and gimbal.
gemellus, n., name of either of two small muscles
(atiat.) — L., 'twin'; in the modern, anatomical
sense, it is a loan translation of F. les jumeaux,
'the twins', a name coined by the French
surgeon Ambroise Pare (died in 1590). See
gemel.
geminate, adj., found in pairs. — L. gemindtus,
pp. of gemindre, 'to double, repeat', fr. geminus.
See Gemini and adj. suff. -ate.
geminate, tr. v., to double. — See prec. word.
gemination, n. — L. gemindtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
doubling', fr. gemindtus, pp. of gemindre. See
geminate, adj., and -ion.
Gemini, n. pi., 1) the constellation of Castor and
Pollux; 2) the third sign of the Zodiac. — L.,
'twins', specif, 'the constellation Castor and
Pollux' ; prob. cogn. with OI. yamdh, Avestic
y'md, 'twin', Mir. emon (masc.), emuin (fern.),
'pair of twins'. These words possibly derive fr.
I.-E. base *gem-, 'to press', whence also Gk.
yepieiv, ' to be pregnant, to be full of, Mir.
gemel, W. gefyn, 'fetter'. Gk. yajjiEiv, 'to marry',
is not cogn. with L. geminus. Cp. gemel, tri-
geminous.
gemma, n., 1) a bud (hot.); 2) a budlike growth
(zool.) — L., 'bud ; precious stone', possibly for
*gembh-md, fr. I.-E. base *gembh-, 'to cut to
pieces', whence also Lith. zemba, zembeti, 'to
sprout', zembiu, zeihbti, 'to cut to pieces',
OSlav. zebo, 'I tear to pieces', pro-zebati, 'to
sprout, shoot forth', OI. jdmbhate, jdbhate,
"snaps at', jdmbhah, 'tooth', OE. cdmb, 'comb*.
See comb and cp. gem, gemmuie.
gemmate, adj., having buds. — L. gemmdtus,
'provided with buds', pp. of gemmdre, 'to put
forth buds', fr. gemma, 'bud'. See gemma and
adj. suff. -ate.
gemmate, intr. v., to bud. — L. gemmdtus, 'pro-
vided with buds'. See prec. word.
Derivative: gemmat-ion, n.
gemmiferous, adj., 1) yielding gems; 2) bearing 1
buds (bot. and zool.) — Compounded of gemma
and -ferous.
gemmiparous, adj., producing buds (biol.) —
Compounded of gemma and -parous.
gemmuie, n., a small gemma or bud. — L. gem-
mula, 'a little bud', dimin. of gemma. See gemma
and -ule.
gemmy, adj., full of gems. — Formed fr. gem
with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: gemmi-ly, adv., gemmi-ness, n.
Gemonies, n. pi. {Roman antiq.) — L. Gemoniae,
shortened fr. Gemoniae scdlae, steps on the
Aventine Hill down which the bodies of exe-
cuted criminals were dragged to be thrown into
the Tiber. The name is prob. of Etruscan origin;
its connection with L. gemere, 'to sigh, groan',
is folk etymology.
gemot, n., a meeting {English hist.) — OE. gemot,
'meeting'. See moot, 'meeting', and cp. hallmoot,
witenagemot.
gemsbok, n., a South African antelope. — Du.,
rel. to G. Gemsbock, lit. 'the male of the cha-
mois', fr. Du. gems (resp. G. Gemse), 'chamois',
and bok (resp. G. Bock), 'buck'. The first ele-
ment is a loan word fr. L. camox, 'chamois',
which itself is a loan word from an Indo-Euro-
pean language spoken by the ancient inhabi-
tants of the Alps. This word derives fr. I.-E.
base *kem-, 'hornless', whence also Gk. xcu-dc?,
'young deer, gazelle'. See hind, 'female of the
deer', and cp. chamois. For the second element
in gemsbok see buck.
-gen, combining form used in the senses : 1) some-
thing produced; 2) something that produces as
in oxygen, hydrogen. The second sense is mo-
dern ; it was introduced by the French chemist
Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (in his Traite de
Chimie, published in 1789). — F. -gUne, fr. Gk.
-yevT]?, 'born of, produced by', from the stem of
yewav, 'to beget, bring forth, generate, pro-
duce'. See genus and cp. words there referred to.
gena, n., the cheek (zool.) — L., 'cheek'. See
chin and cp. words there referred to.
genappe, n., a smooth worsted yarn. — Fr. Ge-
nappe, a town in Belgium; so called because
first made at Genappe.
gendarme, n., an armed policeman. — F. gens
d'armes, 'men at arms', lit. 'men of arms'. F.
gens, 'men', is the plural of gent, 'nation,
people', fr. L. gentem, acc. of gens, 'race, na-
tion, people' ; F. de, 'from, of, comes fr. L. de,
'from, away from' ; F. amies derives fr. L. arma,
'weapons'. See gens, de- amd arm, n.
gendarmerie, n., gendarmes collectively. — F.
647
genetic
See prec. word and -ery.
gender, n. — ME. gendre, fr. OF. gendre (F.
genre), fr. L. genus, gen. generis, 'sort, kind,
class; sex, gender'. See genus and cp. genre,
which is a doublet of gender.
Derivative: gender-less, adj.
gender, tr. v., to engender (Biblical and archaic). —
OF. gendrer, fr. L. generdre, 'to engender', fr.
genus, gen. generis. See prec. word and cp.
engender.
gene, n., a hypothetical agent transmitted from
parent to offspring (biol.). — See -gen.
-gene, combining form, identical in meaning and
origin, with -gen (q.v.)
genealogical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. Gk. YevsaXoyLxo?, 'of genealogy', fr. fevsix.-
Xoyta. See next word and -ic.
Derivative : genealogical-ly, adv.
genealogy, n. — ME. genealogie, fr. OF. genea-
logie (F. genealogie), fr. Late L. genealogia, fr.
Gk. YsveaXoyia, 'account of a family, making
of a pedigree, genealogy', fr. YEveaXoyoi;, 'maker
of a pedigree, genealogist', which is formed fr.
Y£vs£, 'descent', and -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See genus and -logy.
Derivatives: genealogical (q.v.), genealog-ist,
n., genealog-ize, v.
gener, n., son-in-law. — L., prob. fr. *gemeros
(the n being due to the influence of words like
gens, 'nation', genitor, 'parent, creator'), fr.
I.-E. base *gem-, 'to marry'; cogn. with Gk.
yau-Ppcx;, 'son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-
law', and with Gk. yaf-Eiv, 'to take to wife, to
marry'. See bigamy and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
generable, adj., capable of being generated. —
L. generdbilis, 'that which has the power of gen-
erating', fr. generdre. See generate and -able.
general, adj. — OF. (F. general), fr. L. generalis,
'of a specific kind; relating to all, general', fr.
genus, gen. generis, 'sort, kind, class'. See genus
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: general, n., generality (q.v.),
general-ize, tr. and intr. v., general-ly, adv.
general, n. — OF. (F. general), fr. general, adj.
See general, adj.
generalissimo, n., supreme military commander.
— It. superl. of generate, 'general', fr. generate,
adj., 'general', fr. L. generalis. See general, adj.
and n.
generality, n. — F. generalite, fr. L. generdlitdtem,
acc. of generalities, 'generality', fr. generalis. See
general, adj., and -ity.
generate, tr. v. — L. generdtus, pp. of generdre,
'to beget, bring forth, produce, generate', fr.
genus, gen. generis, 'birth, descent, race'. See
gams and verbal suff. -ate and cp. gender, v.,
engender.
Derivatives: generation (q.v.), generat-ive, adj.,
gener ative-ly, adv., geuerative-ness, n., genera-
tor (q.v.)
generation, n. — L. gemrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a gen-
erating, generation', fr. L. generdtus, pp. of
gemrdre. See generate and -ion.
generator, n., 1) a p;rson who or a thing that
generates; 2) an apparatus for producing steam
or gas; 3) an apparatus for changing mechanical
into electrical energy; a dynamo. — L., 'en-
gendered producer, generator', fr. generdtus,
pp. of generdre. See generate and agential suff.
-or.
generatrix, n., a point, line or surface that gen-
erates a line, surface or solid (geom.) — L., 'she
that generates', fem. of generator. See prec.
word and -trix.
generic, adj., pertaining to a genus, kind or class.
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. genus, gen. generis,
'sort, kind, class'. See genus.
Derivatives: gener ic-al-ly, adv., generic-al-
ness, n.
generosity, n. — F. generosite, fr. L. generosi-
tdtem, acc. of generdsitds, 'nobility, excellence,
magnanimity', fr. generdsus. See mat word
and -ity.
generous, adj. — F. genereux (fem. genereuse),
fr. L. generdsus, 'of noble birth, noble, excel-
lent, magnanimous', fr. genus, gen. generis,
birth, descent, origin'. See genus and -ous.
Dsrivatives: generous-ly, adv., generous-ness, n.
genesis, n., 1) (cap.) the first book of the Penta-
teuch; 2) origin, creation. — L., fr. Gk. ysveati:,
'birth, descent, origin', which is rel. to ylvoc,,
'birth, descent, race', yevea, Y £VE ^)> Y^ 21 ^- °f
s.m., y&iettip, 'father', fr. I.-E. base *gen-,
*gene-, 'to beget, produce'. S;e genus and cp.
words thsre referred to.
-genesis, combining form msaning 'origination,
generation, formation', as in biogenesis, patho-
genesis. — Fr. L. genesis, fr. Gk. yiveaiq. See
pre;, word.
genet, n., a small civetcat; also its fur. — OF.
genete, gemtte (F. genette), fr. Sp. gineta, fr.
Arab, jdrnait.
genethliac, adj., pertaining to tha casting of nativ-
ities; pertaining to a birthday. — L. geneth-
liacus, fr. Gk. yeve&Xicxxo?, 'pertaining to birth,
pertaining to nativity', fr. y^&^'kwc,, 'of one's
birth', fr. yev^SXtj, 'birth', which is rel. to
Yeveat;, 'birth, descent, origin'. See genesis.
genethliacon, n., a birthday ode. — Gk. yeve&Xi-
axov, prop. neut. of the adjective yeve^'A'**^,
'pertaining to a birthday', used as a noun. See
prec. word.
genethlialogy, n., the art of casting nativities;
astrology. — Gk. y&iz&kiiXoyii, 'casting of
nativities, astrology', fr. yeve&KiZAoyoq, 'caster
of nativities', which is compounded of ysvi-
$Xio<;, 'of one's birth', and -Xoyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See genethliac and -logy.
generic, adj., pertaining to genesis. — A modern
word formed fr. genesis on analogy of Greek
adjectives ending in -erucoc, which correspond
-genetic
648
to nouns ending in -saic,. See suff. -etic.
Derivatives: genetic-al-ly, adv., genetics (q.v.)
-genetic, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
genesis or generation', as in biogenetic. — See
prec. word.
genetics, n., that branch of biology which deals
with heredity. — Coined by the English biol-
ogist and geneticist William Bateson (1861-1926)
fr. genetic and suff. -ics.
genetrix, n., a mother. — L. genetrix, genitrix,
'a mother', lit. 'she that bears', fem. of genitor,
'parent, father'. See genitor and -trix.
geneva, n., gin (liquor). — Earlier Du. genever
(now jenever), fr. ON. genevre (F. geniivre), fr.
L. juniperus, 'juniper'. See juniper and cp. gin,
'liquor'.
Genevieve, fem. PN. — F. Genevieve, fr. Late L.
Genovefa, which is prob. of Celtic origin.
genial, adj., mild, kindly. — L. genidlis, 'per-
taining to birth or generation; nuptial, festival;
pleasant', fr. genius, 'tutelary spirit'. See genius
and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: geniality (q.v.), genial-ize, tr. v.,
genial-ly, adv., genial-ness, n.
genial, adj., pertaining to the chin. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. y^vetov, 'chin', which
is related to yivuc,, 'the lower jaw, cheek, chin',
and cogn. with L. gena, 'cheek', Goth, kinnus,
'cheek', OE. cinn, 'chin'. See chin and cp. words
there referred to.
geniality, n. — Late L. genidlitas, 'festivity,
pleasantness', fr. L. genidlis. See genial, 'mild',
and -ity.
genie, adj., pertaining to a gene (biol.) — See
gene and -ic.
-genie, combining form meaning 'producing', as
in endogenic, eugenic. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. nouns ending in -gen or -geny.
geniculate, geniculated, adj., having knots or
joints. — L. geniculdtus, 'having knots or joints',
fr. geniculum, 'little knee; knot on the stalk of
a plant', dimin. of genii, 'knee'. See genu and
the suff. -cule, and -ate, resp. also -ed.
Derivatives: geniculat-ed, adj., geniculate-ly,
adv., geniculation, n.
geniculum, n., a small kneelike structure (anat.)
— L., 'little knee'. See prec. word,
genie, n., a jinni. — F. genie, fr. L. genius, 'tutelary
spirit' (see genius); confused in sense with jinni.
genie-, pertaining to the chin (anat.) • — Gk.
yevEio-, fr. y&veiov, 'chin'. See genial, 'pertaining
to the chin'.
Genista, n., a genus of plants, the woad waxen
(bot.) — L. genista, 'broom', a foreign word, as
proved by its ending, -ista. The var. genistra
points to Etruscan origin. See fenestra and cp.
Herbig, Indogermanische Forschungen, 37,
171 ff.
genital, adj., 1) pertaining to reproduction;
2) pertaining to the reproductive organs. — L.
genitalis, 'pertaining to generation or birth',
fr. genitus, pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring
forth, produce'. See genus and adj. suff. -al and
cp. congenital. Cp. also genesis,
genitalia, n. pi, the genitals. — L. genitalia (scil.
membra), 'genitals', neut. pi. of genitalis. See
prec. word.
genitals, n. pi., the reproductive organs. —
Formed from genital.
genitive, adj. and n. — Fr. L. (casus) genitivus,
lit. 'the case expressing origin', fr. genitivus,
'pertaining to birth or generation', fr. genitus,
pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring forth' (see
genus and -ive and cp. Gentoo). L. casus geni-
tivus is prop, mistranslation of Gk. yzvoct)
(irzSiait;), 'the case expressing race or kind', fr.
Y^vo?, 'race, kind' (see genus). For the Latin
mistranslation of another Greek case name see
accusative.
Derivatives: genitiv-al, adj., genitive-ly, adv.
genito, pertaining to the genitals. — Fr. L. geni-
tus, pp. of gignere. See genital.
genius, n. — L., 'tutelary spirit; inclination', orig.
'generative power', for *gen-yos, fr. I.-E. base
*gen-, 'to beget, produce'. Seegenus and cp. king.
genius loci, the tutelary of a place. — See prec.
word and locus.
genizah, n., storeroom of a synagogue in which
Hebrew books are preserved. — Mishnaic Heb.
g l nizd h , 'hiding place', fr. gdndz, 'he saved; he
hid', rel. to Biblical Heb. g'ndztm (pi.), 'treasury'
(in the Bible the word occurs only in the construct
state pi. ginzi); borrowed fr. Pers. gan), 'treas-
ure', whence also Aram. g e naz, 'he saved',
ginzd, gazzd, 'treasure', Arab, jdnaza, 'he cov-
ered up'. Cp. Arm. gan), Gk. yxCp. (whence L.
gdza), and Hung, kincs, 'treasure', which are
also Persian loan words. Cp. also gunge. Cp.
also gazette and the first element in Gaspar,
Jasper.
genocide, n., extermination of an ethnic group. —
Lit. 'killing a tribe'; a hybrid coined fr. Gk.
y£vo<;, 'race, tribe', and L. -cidere, fr. caedere,
'to kill' ; see genus and -cide, 'killing'. The cor-
rect word would be genticide, in which both
elements are of Latin origin. The word genocide
was introduced by Raphael Lemkin in his Axis
Rule in Occupied Europe, 1 944, p. 1 9. See Encyclo-
pedia Britannica, Book of the Year 1949, p. 386.
-genous, suff. forming adjectives meaning I ) 'gen-
erating, producing, yielding', as in erogenous;
2) 'produced by', as in autogenous. — Com-
pounded of the suffixes -gen and -ous.
genre, n., 1) kind, sort; 2) style. — F.,fr. L. genus,
gen. generis, 'sort, kind, class'. See genus and cp.
gender, n., which is a doublet of genre.
genro, n., the elder statesmen of Japan. — Jap.,
lit. 'first elders'.
gens, n., a tribe, clan (Roman hist.) — L. gens,
gen. gentis, 'race, clan, nation, people', rel. to
genus, gen. generis, 'birth, descent, origin, race,
sort, kind, class'. See genus and cp. genteel,
gentile, gentle, Gentoo, gentry, jaunty. Cp. also
the first element in gendarme.
64?
genteel, adj., well-bred. — Re-adopted in the
1 6th cent. fr. F. gentil, which appears first in
English under the form gentle (q.v.) See also
gens and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: genteel-ly, adv., genteel-ness, n.,
genteel-ism, n.
gentian, n., any plant of the genus Gentiana.
— OF. (= F.) gentiane, fr. L. gentiana, a word
of prob. Illyrian origin (the suff. -an frequently
occurs in Illyrian words). The connection with
the Illyrian king Gentius, suggested by Pliny,
is folk etymology. See Walde-Hofmann, LEW.,
I, P- 592.
Gentiana, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.
See prec. word.
Gentianaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
gentianaceous, adj., — See prec. word and
-aceous.
gentile, adj., not Jewish; n., a non-Jew. — F.
gentil, fr. L. gentilis, 'belonging to the same gens
(stock); heathen, pagan, non-Jew', fr. gens, gen.
gentis, 'race, clan'. See gens and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: gentil-ic, adj. and n., gentil-ish,
adj., gentil-dom, n., gentil-ism, n.
gentilicious, adj. (obsol.), pertaining to a gentile.
— See prec. word and -ous.
gentilitial, adj., pertaining to a gens; peculiar to
a nation. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
gentilicius, 'pertaining to a gens', fr. gentilis.
See gentile.
gentility, n., 1) gentle birth; 2) politeness. — OF.
gentilite (F. gentilite), fr. L. gentilitdtem, acc. of
gentilitds, 'relationship of those who belong to
a gens', fr. gentilis. See gentile and -ity.
gentle, adj., 1) well-born; 2) honorable; 3) res-
pectable. — OF. gentil, 'of good family, noble'
(whence F. gentil, 'nice, graceful, pleasing, fine,
pretty'), fr. L. gentilis, 'belonging to the same
gens'. See gentile and cp. genteel.
Derivatives: gentle, n., gentle-ness, n., gently
(q.v.)
gentleman, n. — Compounded of gentle, in the
sense of 'well-born', and man.
Derivatives : gentleman-hood, n., gentleman-like,
adj., gentleman-ly, adj., gentleman-li-ness, n.,
gentleman-ship, n.
gentlewoman, n. — Compounded of gentle, in the
sense of 'well-born', and woman. Cp. gentle-
man.
Derivatives: gentlewoman-hood, n., gentlewo-
man-like, adv., gentlewoman-ly, adj., gentle-
woman-li-ness, n.
gently, adv. — Formed fr. gentle with adv. suff.
-ly.
Gentoo, n., a Hindu; a Telugu; the Telugu
language. — Corruption of Port, gentio, 'a gen-
tile', fr. L. genitivus, 'pertaining to generation',
fr. genitus, pp. of gignere, 'to beget'. See genus
and cp. genitive, gens, gentile.
gen trice, n., noble birth; gentry (archaic).
Ml., fr. OF. genterise, a var. of gentelise, 'nobil-
ity', fr. gentil. See gentle and cp. next word.
gentry, n. — ME., 'nobility', prob. back formation
fr. prec. word, the ending of which was mistaken
fort he plural suff. -s. For similar back format ions
cp. pea and words there referred to.
genu, n., the knee (anat.) — L. genu, cogn. with
OI. jdnu, Gk. y 6vu > Goth, kniu, OE. cneo,
'knee'. See knee, and cp. geniculate, genuflect,
-gon.
Derivative: genu-al, adj.
genuflect, intr. v., to bend the knee. — ML.
genuflectere, 'to bend the knee', fr. L. genu,
'knee', and flectere, 'to bend'. See prec. word
and flex.
Derivatives: genuflection (q.v.), genuflect-ory,
ad i- „ .
genuflection, genuflexion, n. — F. genuflexion,
fr. ML. genuflexionem, acc. of genuflexid,
'bending of the knee', fr. genuflex-(um), pp.
stem of genuflectere. See prec. word and -ion
and cp. flection, flexion,
genuine, adj. — L. genuinus, 'innate, native, na-
tural', back formation fr. ingenuus, 'native, free-
born, upright' (the ending was influenced by
adulter-inus, 'born of adultery, bastard, counter-
feit'), fr. I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget; to be born'.
See next word and cp. ingenuous.
Derivatives: genuine-ly, adv., genuine-ness, n.
genus, n., a class; a kind, sort. — L., 'birth,
descent, origin, race, sort, kind, class; sex,
gender', fr. I.-E. base *gen-, *gene-, *gend-,
*gn-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth; produce',
whence also L. gens, 'race, clan, nation, people',
gignere (for gi-gn-ere), 'to beget, bear, bring
forth, produce', ndsct (for *gndsci), 'to be born',
ndtus, gnatus, 'born', ndtio, 'birth, breed, race,
people, nation', natura, 'birth, nature', Gk.
y£voc, 'race, descent, gender, kind', YiY veo&0 "'
(for Y'-r^-^ "). ' to born ' bec° me > hap-
pen', ytvzaii;, 'origin, source, birth, race, des-
cent', Ywri). fevrrii, 'birth', y^^P"
YEv^xcop, y^tt)?, 'begetter, father, ancestor',
Yovsiii;, 'father, ancestor', yo^, 'that which is
begotten, offspring; that which generates, seed,
semen; genitals; the act of generation; race,
family', y 6v0 ?> ' tnat which is begotten, child,
offspring; procreation; race, birth, descent;
seed, semen; genitals', -yv7]toi; (in compounds),
'born', Yvtaidc,, 'kinsman, brother', OI. jdnati,
'begets, bears', janitdr-, 'begetter, father', jdni-
man-, jdnman-, 'biith'Jdnah.'ruce'Jdtdh, 'born',
jdtih, 'birth, family', jnatih, 'kinsman', Avestic
zizan'nti, 'they bear', zaz'nti, 'they beget', zdta-,
'bora', Arm. cnanim (aor. cnay), 'I bear; I am
born', Lett, znuots, 'son-in-law, brother-in-law',
Lith. gentis, 'kinsman', Olr. ro-genar, 'I was
born', W. geni, 'to be born'. Cp. Antigone, ar-
cnegonium, benign, cognate, congener, connate,
degenerate, engine, epigone, Erigenia, eugenic,
-gen, gendarme, gender, gene, genealogy, gener,
general, generate, generation, generous, genesis,
-geny
650
genetic, genial, 'mild', genie, genital, genitive, ge-
nius, genre, gens, genteel, gentile, gentility, gentle,
gentleman, Gentoo, gentry, genuine, -geny, ge-
nyo-, germ, german, germane, germen, germinal,
Gerygone, gingerly, gonad, gonidium, gonorrhea,
-gony, heterogeneous, homogeneous, indigene,
indigenous, ingenuous, innate, Iphigenia, Jataka,
jaunty, kin, kinchin, kind, n., kind, adj., kindred,
king, malign, mirza, miscegenation, nascent,
natal, nation, native, nature, nevus, oogonium,
perigonium, Prajapati, primogeniture, progeny,
shahzada, Telegonus, ultimogeniture.
-geny, stiff, denoting 'genesis, origin, production',
as in biogeny, embryogeny. — F. -genie, fr. Gk.
-fhieia., fr. -yevriz, 'born, produced'. See -gen
and -y (representing Gk. -[5, -eta).
genyo-, combining form denoting the lower jaw.
— Fr. Gk. ytvui;, 'the lower jaw', which is rel.
to fEveiov, 'chin'. See genial, 'pertaining to the
chin', and cp. genio-.
geo-, combining form meaning 'earth'. — Gk.
yt<x>-, fr. Y*)> 'the earth', rel. to Dor. Gk. ya,
Homeric yodtx, Cyprian £a, 'the earth'; of un-
known origin. Cp. Gaea, apogee, Epigaea, epi-
geous, George, georgic, hypogeum, perigee.
geocentric, adj., having the earth as center. —
Compounded of geo-, and centric. Cp. helio-
centric.
Derivatives: geocentric-al-ly, adv., geocentric-
ism, n.
geocronite, n., a lead antimony sulfide {mineral.)
— Compounded of geo-,Gk. Kpovo?, 'Cronus' —
here used in its alchemistic sense 'lead' — and
subst. suff. -ite. Cp. Saturn, which is the Roman
equivalent of Cronus and is used in alchemy in
the same sense, and see Cronus.
geode, n., a rounded stone having a hollow center
lined with crystals. — F. geode, fr. L. geodes,
fr. Gk. yeuS-/]!;, 'earthlike', fr. yvj, 'earth', and
-<!>8v)<;, 'like'. See geo- and -ode, 'like', and cp.
geoid.
geodesic, adj., pertaining to geodesy. — See geo-
desy and -ic.
geodesist, n., a student of geodesy. — See next
word and -ist.
geodesy, n., the science of determining the shape
and size of the earth. — Gk. YEoiSociaia, 'division
of the earth', compounded of yeto- (see geo-) and
the stem of SateaSm, 'to divide'. See demon.
geodetic, geodetical, adj., geodesic. — See geo-
desic.
Derivative: geodetical-ly, adv.
geodic, adj., pertaining to a geode. — See geode
and -ic.
Geoffrey, masc. PN. — OF. (= F.) Geoffroi, fr.
ML. Galfridus, Gaufridus, a compound trace-
able to OHG. gewi, gouwes (MHG. gou, gou,
G. Gau), 'district', which is perh. cogn. with
Arm. gav-ar, 'region', and to OHG. fridu,
'peace', for which see free and cp. words there
referred to.
geognostic, adj., pertaining to geognosy. —
Formed fr. geo- and Gk. yvtocrracdi;, 'pertaining
to knowing', fr. yvcoot6i;, later form of yvwt6;,
'known', verbal adj. of yiyveoaxeiv, 'to know'.
See gnosis, and -ic and cp. next word,
geognosy, n., that part of geology which deals
with the structure of the earth. — F. geognosie,
lit. 'the knowledge of the earth', fr. Gk. yz<a-
(see geo-) and yv&Giq, 'knowledge'. See gnosis
and cp. prec. word.
geogony, n., the science of the genesis of the
earth. — Compounded of geo- and -gony.
geographic, adj., geographical. — See next word.
geographical, adj. — L. geographicus, fr. Gk.
YstoYpatpixA?, 'pertaining to geography', fr.
yecoypaipta. See next word, -ic and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative : geographical-ly, adv.
geography, n. — F. geographic, fr. L. geographia,
fr. Gk. yetoYpaipia, 'geography', lit. 'description
of the earth', fr. Yecoypdccpcx;, 'earth-describing',
which is compounded of ysa- (see geo-) and
-Ypacpia, fr. ypactpciv, 'to write'. See -graphy and
cp. anthropogeography, phytogeograph, zoogeo-
graphy.
geoid, n., a geometrical solid nearly identical
with the figure of the earth. — G. Geoid, coined
by the German geodesist Johann Benedikt Listing
(1808-82) in 1872 fr. Gk. ysozi^c,, 'earthlike',
which is compounded of -fr\, 'the earth', and
-osiS^q, 'like', fr. eTSo?, 'form, shape'. See geo-
and -oid and cp. geode.
geology, n. — ModL. geologia, 'the study of the
earth' (to be distinguished fr. ML. geologia,
which was used in the sense of 'the study of
earthly things', esp. applied to law); compound-
ed of geo- and Gk. -Xoytot, fr. -Xoyoq, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: geolog-ic, geolog-ic-al, adjs., geo-
log-ic-al-ly, adv., geolog-ist, n., geolog-ize, intr.
and tr. v.
geomancy, n., divination by means of figures;
orig. divination by means of figures formed by
handfuls of earth. — F. geomancie, fr. ML. geo-
mantia, which is compounded of geo- and Gk.
(xav-rstS, 'oracle, divination'. See -mancy.
geomantic, adj., pertaining to geomancy. — See
prec. word and mantic.
geometer, n. — L. geometres, geometra, fr. Gk.
YE6>ix^Tpy)<;, 'land measurer, geometer', which is
compounded of ye&i- (see geo-) and [aetpeiv, 'to
measure', fr. fjirpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
geometric, adj. — Gk. yeo>(jletpi.>c6i;, 'of geometry,
geometrical', fr. Ysto(jtsrpta. See geometry and -ic.
Derivatives: geometric-al, adj., geometrical-ly,
adv.
geometrician, n. — Formed fr. geometry with
suff. -ician.
Geometridae, n. pi., a family of moths (entomol.)
— ModL., formed with suff. -idae, fr. L. geo-
metres, geometra, 'measurer of the earth' (see
geometer); so called because the larvae owing
651
gerent
to their bending and twisting motion appear as
if they were measuring the ground.
geometrize, intr. v., to study geometry; tr. v., to
work out by geometrical methods. — Formed
from next word with suff. -ize.
geometry, n. — F. geometric fr. L. geometria, fr.
Gk. Ys<>>(jt,ETpia, 'geometry', lit. 'measurement of
the earth', fr. yzm\ik.ipt\c,. See geometer and -y
(representing Gk. -ta).
Geonoma, n., a genus of American palms of the
family Arecaceae (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yew-
vojioi;, 'one who distributes land; one who re-
ceives a portion of distributed lands, colonist',
which is compounded of yem- (see geo-) and
-v6u.o<;, fr. v£[*eiv, 'to deal out, distribute'. See
geo- and Nemesis and cp. gnome, 'a dwarfish
person'.
geophagy, n., the practice of eating earth. — Lit.
'eating of earth' ; compounded of geo- and Gk.
-(payta, 'eating of. See -phagy.
Derivative: geophag-ist, n.
geophone, n., instrument for detecting sounds
passing underground. — Compounded of geo-
and Gk. 9COV7), 'sound'. See -phone.
geophysics, n., the physics of the earth. — Com-
pounded of geo- and physics.
Derivative: geophysic-al, adj.
geoponic, adj., pertaining to agriculture. — Gk.
YEo>7rovut6i;, 'pertaining to a husbandman', fr.
Yeojtc6voi;, 'husbandman', which is compounded
of yz<s>- (see geo-) and who?, 'toil, labor', whence
Tcovsiv, 'to toil, work hard', 7Tow)p6i;, 'painful,
distressed; bad, worthless'. Gk. 7t6vo; stands in
gradational relationship to ravif]?, 'poor', tovCS,
'poverty', 7rsvsa9m, 'to work for one's living,
to toil, labor'. Cp. Ponera and the second ele-
ment in Melipona, leucopenia.
geoponics, n., agriculture. — See prec. word and
-ics.
George, masc. PN. — F. George(s), fr. Late L.
Georgius, fr. Gk. yzapyoq, 'husbandman', which
is compounded of yr), 'earth', and the base of
Epyov, 'work'. See geo- and ergon and cp.
georgic.
Derivatives: Georgi-an, adj. and n.
georgette, n., a thin silk crepe. — F., named after
Mme. Georgette de la Plante, a French dress-
maker.
Georgian, adj., pertaining to any of the four
Georges, kings of England. — See George and
-ian.
Georgian, adj., pertaining to the country of Geor-
gia in the Caucasus. — Formed fr. Georgia
with suff. -an.
Georgiana, Georgina, fern. PN. — Fern, deriv-
atives of George (q.v.)
georgic, adj., relating to agriculture. — L. geor-
gicus, fr. Gk. yewpyixbc,, 'of husbandry, agri-
cultural', fr. yzopy6$, 'husbandman'. See
George and -ic
geotropic, adj., pertaining to geotropism. — See
next word and -tropic.
geotropism, n., tendency to grow toward the
center of the earth (biol.) — Coined by the
German botanist Albert Bernhard Frank (1839-
1900) in 1868 fr. geo-, Gk. TpoTO), 'a turning',
and suff. -ism. See trope, tropism, and cp. helio-
tropism and words there referred to.
gephyr-, form of gephyro- before a vowel.
Gephyrea, n., a class of marine worms (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. yiyupa., 'bridge'. See gephyro-.
gephyro-, before a vowel gephyr-, combining
form meaning 'bridge'. — Fr. Gk. yin/vpr*.,
'bridge', which is prob. cogn. with Arm.
kamurj, 'bridge'.
ger, n., a proselyte to Judaism. — Heb. ger, lit.
'sojourner', from the stem of gur, 'to sojourn',
rel. to Arab, jar, Ethiop. gor, 'neighbor', Aram.
giyyord, Syr. giyyurd, 'proselyte'. Cp. the first
element in Gershom.
gerah, n., i/20th of a shekel (Hebrew antiq.) —
Heb. geri h , 'bean; the i/2oth part of the shekel',
rel. to Akkad. giru, '1/20 of a shekel', and to
Heb. gargdr, Aram. garg l rd, 'berry', Arab, jar-
jar, 'bean', Akkad. gurgurru, gingirru, name of
a plant. Cp. Gigartina.
Gerald, masc. PN. — OF. Giralt, Giraut (cp. F.
Geralde, Geraud, Giraud), introduced into Eng-
land by the Normans; fr. OHG. Gerwald, lit.
'spear wielder', compounded of ger, 'spear', and
-wald, from the base of waltan, 'to rule', which
is rel. to OE. wealdan, of s.m. For the first ele-
ment see gar and cp. Gerard, for the second
see wield.
Geraldine, fern. PN. — Formed fr. prec. word
with suff. -ine.
Geraniaceae, n. pi., the geranium family (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Geranium with suff. -aceae.
geraniaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Geranium, n., a genus of plants, the cranesbill
(bot.) — L. geranion, geranium, 'cranesbill', fr.
Gk. yEpaviov, of s.m., fr. yipzvoc;, 'crane', which
is cogn. with L. griis, OE. cran, 'crane' ; so called
because the fruit resembles a cranesbill. See
crane and cp. words there referred to."
Gerard, masc. PN. — OF. Gerart (F. Gerard), of
Teut. origin; cp. OHG. Gerhard, lit. 'strong
with the spear', compounded of ger, 'spear',
and hart, 'hard'. For the first element see gar
and cp. Gerald; for the second see hard.
Gerardia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the English botanist John Gerarde
(1545-1612). For the ending see suff. -ia.
geratology, n., the study of decadence, esp. in
groups of animals approaching extinction. —
Lit. 'the study of old age', compounded of Gk.
Y?jptx?, gen. Y*)P aT0 ?> age', and -Xoyia, fr.
-"kiyoz, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See ger-
onto- and -logy.
gerbe,gerb, n., a wheat sheaf. — F.gerbe. See garb,
gerent, n., one who rules, governs. — L. gerens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of gerere, 'to bear, carry,
produce, show, manifest, manage, rule, govern.
gerfalcon
652
accomplish, perform, do', of uncertain origin;
not connected with ON. kasta, 'to cast' (see
cast). Cp. gest, jest and the second element in
armigerent, belligerent, vicegerent, claviger,
Globigerina, Peltigera. Cp. also gerund, gesta-
tion, gesticulate, gesture, agger, congestion, di-
gest, egest, exaggerate, ingest, progestion, reg-
ister, registration, registry, res gesta, suggest.
gerfalcon, gyrfalcon, n., a large falcon of the
northern regions. — ME. gerfaucon, fr. OF.
gerfalc, gerfauc, gerfaucon (F. gerfaut), of Teut
origin; cp. ON. geirfalki, MHG. girfalc, ger-
falc. The first element of these Teut. words is
prob. related to Du. gier, OHG., MHG. glr,
G. Geier, 'vulture'; see lammergeier. For the
second element see falcon.
gerhardtite, n., a basic copper nitrate {mineral)
■ — Named after the French chemist Charles-
Frederic Gerhardt (i 8 16-56). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
geriatrics, n., that part of medicine which deals
with the diseases of old age. — Coined by I. L.
Nascher (1863-1944) in 1914 fr. Gk. y£ptov, 'an
old man', and larpta, 'a healing'. See geronto-
and -iatric. The correct form would have been
gerontiatrics.
germ, n. — F. germe, fr. L. germen, 'sprig, off-
shoot, bud, germ', dissimilated from *gen-men
and cogn. with 01. jdnman-, 'birth, origin' ; fr.
I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget, bear' (see genus and
cp. german, germen, germinate). For a similar
dissimilation of the consonants nm to rm, cp.
L. carmen, 'song', which derives from the stem
of canere, 'to sing'.
Derivative: germ, intr. v.
german, adj., having the same parents. — ME.,
fr. OF. germain, fr. L. germdnus, 'having the
same parents' (said of brothers or sisters),
'genuine', lit. 'of the same seed', fr. germen,
'bud, germ'. See germ and cp. hermandad.
German, n. and adj. — L. Germdnus, 'German',
prob. of Celtic origin and orig. meaning 'noisy',
from the I.-E. imitative base *gdr-, 'to shout,
cry', whence also W. garm, Olr. gdirm, 'shout,
cry'. See care and cp. garrulous.
Derivatives: Germanic (q.v.), German-ism, n.,
German-ist, n. , German-ist-ic, adj . ,German-ize, tr.
and intr. v., German-iz-ation,n.,German-iz-er,n.
germander, n., any plant of the genus Teucrium
(bot.) — ME. germaunder, fr. OF. germandree,
fr. ML. germandra, fr. earlier gamandria, fr.
MGk. xau.av8pudc, fr. Gk. xatfxaiSpu.;, 'german-
der', lit. 'tree on the ground', fr. xv-V**-^ on tne
ground', and Spue, 'oak tree, tree'. See chamae-
and dryad.
germane, adj., relevant, appropriate. — A var. of
german. Cp. human and humane, urban and
urbane.
Derivatives: germane-ly, adv., germane-ness, n.
Germanic, adj. — L. Germdnicus, 'pertaining to
the Germans or Germany', fr. Germdnus. See
German and -ic.
Derivative: Germanic, n.
germanite, n., a copper iron germanium sulfide
(mineral.) — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
germanium; so called because it contains ger-
manium.
germanium, n., name of a rare metallic element
(chem.) — ModL., coined by its discoverer, the
German chemist Klemens Alexander Winkler
(1838-1904) in 1886 after Germdnia, the Latin
name of his country. See German and -ium.
Germano-, combining form meaning 'German'.
— See German.
Germanophile, Germanophil, n., a friend of Ger-
many or the Germans ; adj., friendly to Germany
or the Germans. — Compounded of Germano-
and Gk. tplXoc,, 'friend'. See -phile, -phil.
Germanophobe, n., one who fears or hates Ger-
many or the Germans. — Compounded of
Germano- and Gk. -96^05, fr. <p6po?, 'fear'. See
-phobe.
Germanophobia, n., fear or hatred of Germany or
the Germans. — Compounded of Germano- and
Gk. -ipopta, fr. 96^01;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Germantown, germantown, n., a small, four-
wheeled, covered wagon. — Orig. a wagon
made at Germantown in Pennsylvania.
germen, n., germ (now used only figuratively). —
L. germen, 'bud, germ'. See germ.
germicide, adj., destroying germs; n., a substance
destroying germs. — Compounded of germ and
L. -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See -cide,
'killer'.
Derivative: germicid-al, adj.
germinal, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
a germ. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
germen, gen. germinis, 'bud, germ'. See germ
and cp. germen.
Derivative : germinal-ly, adv.
Germinal, n., name of the 7th month of the
French revolutionary calendar (lasting from
March 21st to April 19th). — F., lit. 'the seed
month'; coined by Fabre d'Eglantine in 1793,
fr. L. germen, gen. germinis. See prec. word,
germinant, adj., germinating. — L. germindns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of germindre. See next
word and -ant.
germinate, intr. and tr. v. — L. germinatus, pp.
of germindre, 'to sprout, bud', fr. germen, gen.
germinis, 'sprig, offshoot, bud, germ'. See germ
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: germination (q.v.), germinat-ive,
adj., germinative-ly, adv., germinat-or, n.
germination, n. — L. germindtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
sprouting forth, budding', fr. germinatus, pp. of
germindre. See prec. word and -ion.
germon, n., the albacore (Germo alalunga). —
F., of unknown origin.
geront-, form of geronto- before a vowel.
gerontic, adj., pertaining to old age. — Gk. ye-
povTixo?, 'pertaining to an old man', fr. yepcov,
gen. y£povTo<;, 'old man'. See geronto- and -ic.
geronto-, before a vowel geront-, combining form
653
meaning 'old man'. — Gk. yepov-ro-, yspovT-,
fr. yepcov, gen. yipovxos, 'old man', rel. to
yepoci6<;, 'old', Yijpac, 'old age', -pipaX^os, 'old',
yspas, 'gift of honor, gift, present', ypaO?, 'old
woman; wrinkled skin', fr. I.-E. base *ger(e)-,
'to become ripe, grow old', whence also OI.
jar A, jards-, 'old age', jdrati, jtryati, 'makes old,
grows old', jarimdn-, 'old age', jdrah, 'growing
old', jirndh, 'old', Avestic zaurvan, 'old age',
ModPers. zar, 'old man', Arm. cer, 'old; old
man'. Formally Gk. y£po>v represents a pres.
part, and is the exact equivalent of OI. jdrant-,
Ossetic zdrond, 'old man'. See corn, 'grain', and
cp. Ageratum, caloyer, geratology, geriatrics,
gerusia, progeria. Cp. also Zoroaster. For the
participial suff. (OI. -ant, Gk. -uv (for *-ovt)
see -ant.
gerontocracy, n., rule of old men. — Compound-
ed of geronto- and Gk. -xpaTia, 'rule of, fr.
xpa-ros, 'strength, power, rule'. See -cracy.
gerontology, n., study of the phenomena of old
age. — Compounded of geronto- and Gk.
-Xoyia, fr- -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See -logy.
-gerous, combining form meaning 'bearing, car-
rying, producing', as in lanigerous. — Formed
on analogy of -ferous fr. Latin adj. suff. -ger,
from the stem of gerere, 'to bear, carry, pro-
duce'. See gerent.
gerrymander, tr. v., to divide (a county, etc.) into
electoral divisions so as to gain advantage for
one's own party. — Formed from the name of
Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts,
U.S.A., and the ending of salamander.
Derivative: gerrymander, n.
gersdorffite, n., a nickel sulfarsenide (mineral.) —
Named after von Gersdorff, proprietor of the
mine where it was found. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Gershom, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the first-
born son of Moses. — Heb. Ger'shdm, a deriv-
ative of the base of gdrdsh (Qal), ger ash (Pi'el),
'he drove out, cast out', hence lit. meaning
'exile'. The explanation of the name 'I have
been a sojourner in a foreign land' (Ex. 2: 23;
18:3) indicates that Moses chose for his son
such a current name (cp. Ger e sh6n, name of a
son of Levi), as might also be interpreted as a
compound of the words ger, 'a sojourner' (see
ger), and sham, 'there', thus commemorating
the fact that at the time of his first son's birth
Moses was a sojourner in a foreign land (cp.
the Septuagint rendering of the name: rVjpaau.,
which is the transliteration of ger sham, "a so-
journer there'). Heb. gdrdsh, gerdsh is rel. to
Aram. g l rash (Pe'al), garish (Pa'el), 'he divor-
ced', and prob. also to Arab, jdshara, 'he sent
beasts to pasture [for sense development cp.
Heb. mighrdsh, 'pasture land', orig. 'place of
(cattle) driving', fr. gdrdsh, 'he drove out'].
Gertrude, fern. PN. — F., fr. OHG. Geretrudis,
Geredrudis, compounded of ger, 'spear', and
trut, drat (whence MHG trut, G. traut), 'beloved,
dear'. For the first element see gar and cp.
Gerald, Gerard, Gervais. For the second element
see true and cp. the second element in Astrid,
Ermentrud.
gerund, n., verbal noun used for all cases of the
infinitive but the nominative (Latin grammar).
— L. gerundium, fr. gerundum = gerendum,
'that which is to be done', fr. gerere, 'to bear,
carry, accomplish, do'. See gerent.
Derivatives: gerund-ial, adj., gerund-ial-ly, adv.
gerundive, adj., pertaining to the gerund; n.,
verbal adj., formed from the stem of the gerund
and expressing necessity, fitness, etc. (Latin
grammar). — L. gerundlvus, fr. gerundium. See
prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives : gerundiv-al, adj., gerundive-ly, adv.
gerusia, n., council of the elders; spec, the senate
of Sparta and other Dorian cities. — L. gerusia,
fr. Gk. YEpouola, Att. form of yepov-rfa, 'coun-
cil of the elders', fr. y£p(ov, gen. yipovro;, 'old
man'. See geronto-.
Gervais, Gervas, Get-vase, masc. PN. — F. Ger-
vais, fr. OHG. Gervas, lit. 'serving with one's
spear', fr. ger, 'spear*, and the Celtic base *vas-,
meaning 'servant'. For the first element see gar
and cp. Gertrude and words there referred to.
For the second element see vassal.
Gerygone, n., a genus of small Australian singing
birds (ornithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yY ) puy6vir 1 ,
fem. of y7)puy6vo?,'born of sound', compounded
of Y7)po;, 'voice, sound', and -y6vo<;, 'born of,
from the stem of yiyvsu^at, 'to be born'. See
garrulous and genus and cp. gono-.
Gesneria, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Swiss naturalist Konrad von
Gesner (1516-65). For the ending see suff. -ia.
gesso, n., plaster of Paris. — It., fr. L. gypsum,
'plaster, gypsum'. See gypsum,
gest, n., an exploit, a deed (archaic). — F. geste,
lit. 'something done', fr. L. gesta, 'deeds, acts',
neut. pi. of gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry,
produce, do'. See gerent and cp. jest, which is a
doublet of gest. Cp. also res gestae.
Gestalt, n., an organized whole in which all ele-
ments affect one another, the whole being more
than the simple sum of its elements; a config-
uration (psychology). — G., 'shape, form,
figure, configuration', fr. MHG. gestalt, 'ap-
pearance, quality', prop. pp. of MHG. stellen,
'to place; to fashion' (whence G. stellen, 'to
place'). See stall. The term Gestalt was intro-
duced into psychology by the German philo-
sopher Christian von Ehrenfels (1859-1932) in
1890.
Gestalt psychology, the psychology of a school
founded about 1912 by M. Wertheimer, K.
Koff ka and W. Kohler and based on the con-
cept of Gestalt or 'organized whole'; configur-
ationism. — See prec. word.
Gestapo, n., the German secret state police under
g estate
03*
the Nazis. — From the abbreviation of Geheime
S/oats/rolizei, lit. 'secret state police'.
gestate, tr. v., to carry in the womb during preg-
nancy. — L. gestdtus, pp. of gestare, 'to carry,
carry about', intensive of gerere (pp. gestus),
'to carry'. See gerent and verbal stiff, -ate.
gestation, n., i) the act of carrying in the uterus,
pregnancy; 2) the period of gestation. — L.
gestdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a carrying about', fr. ge-
status, pp. of gestare. See prec. word and -ion.
gestatorial, adj., used for carrying about (ap-
plied to the chair in which the Pope is carried
on certain occasions.) — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. gestdtdrius, 'that which serves for
carrying', fr. gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to carry'. See
gestate and adj. suff. -ory.
gesticulate, intr. v., to make gestures; tr. v., to
indicate by gesticulating. — L. gesticuldtus, pp.
of gesticuldrl, 'to make pantomimic gestures',
fr. gesticulus, 'gesticulation, gesture', dimin. of
gestus, 'gesture', lit. 'carriage, posture', fr. ges-
tus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See gerent
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: gesticulation (q.v.), gesticulat-ive,
adj., gesticulat-ive-ly, adv., gesticulator (q.v.),
gesticulat-ory, adj.
gesticulation, n. — L. gesticulated, gen. -dnis, 'a
pantomimic motion, gesticulation', fr. gesticu-
ldtus, pp. of gesticuldrl. See prec. word and -ion.
gesticulator, n. — L., fr. gesticuldtus, pp. of
gesticuldrl Sec gesticulate and agential suff. -or.
gesture, n. — ML. gestura, 'behavior, conduct',
fr. L. gestus, pp. of gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See
gerent and -ure.
Derivatives : gesture, intr. and tr. v., gestur-er, n.
get, tr. and intr. v. — ME. geten, fr. ON. geta,
'to reach, get', rel. to OE. -gitan, -gietan (only
in compounds, as be-gitan, be-gietan, 'to get,
beget', for-gietan, 'to forget'), fr. I.-E. base
*ghe(n)cl-, 'to clasp, seize, reach, attain, hold',
whence also Gk. yavSaveLv, 'to hold, contain',
L. -hendere in prehendere, 'to grasp, seize, lay
hold of, hedera, 'ivy', lit. 'the clasping plant',
praeda (for *prai-hedd), 'prey', Alb. gen, gen,
Gheg gej, 'I find', W. gannu, 'to hold, contain',
genni, 'to be held, contained', and perh. also
OSlav. gadati, 'to guess, suppose'. Cp. beget, for-
get, guess. Cp. also apprehend, apprentice, apprise,
comprehend, comprise, depredate, emprise, enter-
prise, entrepreneur, epris, Hedera, impregnable,
impresa, impresario, lierre, misprision, preda-
tory, pregnant, 'with child', prehensile, presa,
prey, prison, purpresture, pry, 'to raise', re-
prehend, reprehensible, reprisal, reprise, surprise.
Derivatives : get, n. (lit. 'something got'), gett-er,
n., gett-ing, n.
Geullah, n., the benediction which follows the
Shema in the morning and evening service
(Jewish liturgy). — Heb. g e 'ulld h , 'redemption',
from the stem of gd'dl, 'he has redeemed' : so
called because it ends with the words "who has
redeemed Israel". Cp. goel.
Geum, n., a genus of plants, the avens (bot.) —
L. 'geum, 'the herb bennet, avens'.
gewgaw, n., a toy, a specious trifle. — Of un-
certain origin.
geyser, n. — Icel. Geysir, name of a geyser in
Iceland, lit. meaning 'the gusher', fr. geysa, 'to
gush', which is rel. to ON. gjdsa, 'to gush', freq.
oigjdta, 'to pour'. See found, 'to cast', and cp.
gust, 'blast of wind'.
Derivatives: geyser-ic, adj., geyserite (q.v.)
geyserite, n., a variety of opal (mineral.) —
Formed fr. prec. word with subst. suff. -ite.
gharry, gharri, garry, n., cart, carriage (Anglo-
Indian). — Hind. gdri.
ghastly, adj., horrible. — ME. gastly, fr. OE.
gdstlic, 'spiritual', fr. gdst, 'spirit'. See ghost and
adj. suff. -ly and cp. aghast.
Derivatives : ghastli-ly, adv., ghastli-ness, n.
ghat, ghaut, n., a mountain pass; a landing place
(India). — Hind. ghd(, fr. OI. ghatfah, 'landing
place, bathing place', which is of uncertain
etymology.
ghazi, n., among Mohammedans, a warrior
fighting against infidels. — Arab, ghazi, prop,
partic. of ghdzd (stem gh-z-w), 'he made war'.
Cp. razzia.
Gheber, Ghebre, n., a member of the Persian sect
of fireworshipers. — F. gudbre, fr. Pers. gdbr,
'fireworshiper' ; not borrowed fr. Arab, kdfir,
'unbeliever' (as most lexicographers would have
it), but a native Persian word. Cp. giaour.
ghee, n., boiled butter (India). — Hind, ghi, fr.
OI. ghrtdm, 'clarified butter, ghee', which is
cogn. with Mir. gert, 'milk', and prob. rel. to
OI. jigharti, 'besprinkles'.
gherkin, n., a small cucumber, — Fr. Du. gurken
(pi. of gurk, but mistaken for a singular),
shortened form of a(u)gurk(je); rel. to EFris.
augurke, G. Gurke, Dan. agurk, Swed. gurka.
These words are traceable to a Slavic source (cp.
Pol. ogdrek, Russ. ogurec, etc.). The Slavic words
themselves derive fr. Late Gk. ayfoiipiov,
'watermelon', which is a loan word fr. Pers.
angdrah. Cp. anguria.
ghetto, n., the Jews' quarter in a city. — It., per-
haps aphetic for borghetto, dimin. of borgo, 'a
small market town, borough', which is of Teut.
origin. See borough.
Ghibelline, n., an adherent of the emperor in
medieval Italy (opposed to the Papal party; see
Guelph). — It. Ghibellino, fr. G. Waiblinger,
named after Waiblingen, a castle of the Hohen-
staufen family in the valley of the Rems River
in Wurttemberg, Germany.
Derivative: Ghibelline, adj.
ghost, n. — ME. gast, gost, fr. OE. gist, 'breath,
spirit, soul, life', rel. to OS. gest, OFris. jest,
gdst, MDu. gheest, Du. geest, OHG., MHG.,
G. geist, 'spirit, ghost', OE. gsstan, 'to frighten,
alarm', fr. I.-E. base *gheizd-, 'to frighten; to
be angry', whence also OI., hSda/t, 'wrath',
hidati, 'excites, vexes', Avestic zoizdishta-, 'the
033
most abominable'. Base *gheizd is a -rf-enlarge-
ment of base *gheis-, whence Avestic zaesha-,
'horrible', zoishnu-, 'shuddering', Goth, us-
gais-jan, 'to frighten', ON. geiski, 'fright, terror',
geis-ka-fullr, 'terrible'. Cp. aghast, ghastly. Cp.
also the second element in Zeitgeist,
ghostly, adj. — ME. gostly, fr. OE. gdstlic, 'spir-
itual'. See ghastly.
Derivatives: ghost-li-ly, adv., ghost-li-ness, n.
ghoul, n., an evil demon who robs graves and
feeds on the dead. — Arab, ghul, fr. gh&la, 'he
took suddenly'. Cp. Algol.
Derivatives: ghoul-ish, adj., ghoul-ish-ly, adv.
ghurry, n„ clepsydra, clock, watch, space of time,
hour (India). — Hind, ghari, fr. OI. ghafikd,
'water jar, pot' (serving as a water clock), fr.
ghafah, of s.m., which is of uncertain origin.
ghyll, n., a ravine. — AN. Engl, dialectal var.
of gill, 'ravine'; introduced into English by the
English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850).
giant, n. — ME. geant, fr. OF. geant (F. geant),
fr. earlier jaiant, fr. VL. *gagantem, acc. of
*gagds, assimilated vr. L. gigds, 'a giant', fr.
Gk. yiyoiQ, 'a giant', fr. TLyStQ, 'any of the sons
of the Earth and Tartarus', which is prob. a
pre-Hellenic word. Cp. gigantic.
Derivatives: giant, adj., giant-ess, n., giantism
(q.v.), giant-like, adj.
giantism, n., pathological condition characterized
by abnormal tallness (med.) — A hybrid formed
from prec. word with -ism, a suff. of Greek ori-
gin. The correct form is gigantism (q.v.)
giaour, n., a term applied by the Turks to all non-
Mohammedans. — Turk, giaur, 'infidel', fr.
Pers. gaur, a variant of gdbr, 'fireworshipper'.
See Gheber.
gib, n., a tomcat. — From Gib, pet form of the
name Gilbert.
gib, n., a hook. — Of uncertain origin.
gibbar, n., a finback whale (obsol.) — F., fr. Arab.
jabbdr, 'giant, tyrant', which is rel. to Heb. gibbdr,
'strong, mighty; mighty man, hero'. See Gabriel.
gibber, intr. v., to speak unintelligibly. — Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. jabber.
gibberish, n., unintelligible talk. — Formed from
prec. word with adj. suff. -ish.
gibbet, n., gallows. — ME. gibet, fr. OF. (= F.)
gibet, 'gallows; a bent stick', dimin. of OF.
gibe, 'staff, stick', which is perh. of Teut. origin;
see Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 28 1 s.v. gibet.
Cp. jib, 'the projecting arm of a crane'.
Derivative: gibbet, tr. v.
gibbon, n., a small, long-armed ape. — F., a name
of Indian origin brought to Europe by the
Marquis Joseph-Francois Dupleix (1697- 1763),
governor-general of the French possessions in
India (1742-54).
gibbose, adj., gibbous. — See gibbous.
gibbosity, n. — F. gibbosite. See next word and
-ity.
gibbous, adj. — L. gibbosus, 'humpbacked', fr.
gibbus, 'hump', which is of uncertain origin. It
is possibly a loan word fr. Heb. gibbin, 'hump-
backed'; see Heinrich Lewy, Die semitischen
Fremdworter im Griechischen, p. 71. — l;eb.
gibben is rel. to Heb. gabhndn, 'peak, sum-
mit', Talmudic Heb. gabhnun, 'humpbacked',
Mishnaic Heb. gabhfn, Aram.-Syr. g l bhin&, 'eye-
brow', Arab, jabtn, 'side of the forehead'.
Derivatives: gibbous-ly, adv., gibbous-ness, n.
gibe, jibe, intr. v., to sneer. — Prob. rel. to Du.
gijbelen, 'to sneer', and possibly also to ON.
geip, 'idle talk', geipa, 'to talk nonsense'.
Derivatives : gibe, jibe, a., gib-ing-ly, adv.
giblets, n. pi., edible internal parts of poultry. —
ME. gibelet, fr. OF. gibelet, 'game' (whence F.
gibelotte, 'ragout, stew'), formed fr. *giberet,
dimin. of OF. (= F.) gibier, 'game', a var. of
OF. gibiez, fr. Frankish *gabaiti, 'the act of
hunting with falcons', which is rel. to OHG.
bei^an, 'to fly a falcon', lit. 'to cause to bite'
(whence MHG. gebei^e = Frankish *gabaiti)
fr. Wjja«, 'to bite'. See bite.
Gibraltar, n., name of the Rock at the western
entrance to the Mediterranean. — Fr. Arab.
jdbal (in vulgar pronunciation jebel) al T&riq,
'mount of Tariq', named after Tariq, the Mos-
lem invader of Spain who landed there in 711.
See javali and cp. Bible.
gibraltar, n., American name of a hard ('rocky')
candy. — Named after the fortress Gibraltar.
See prec. word.
gibus, n., an opera hat. — F., named after its in-
ventor, a Parisian hatmaker, who lived in the
1st half of the 19th century.
gid, n., a brain disease of sheep. — Back for-
mation fr. giddy.
giddy, adj. — ME. gidy, 'mad', fr. OE. gydig, 'in-
sane', orig. 'possessed by a god', fr. Teut. base
*gud-, 'god' ; see god. For sense development cp.
Gk. gv&EO?, 'full of the god, inspired by a god'
(see enthusiasm). Cp. gid.
Derivatives : giddy, tr. and intr. v., giddi-ly, adv.,
giddi-ness, n.
Gideon, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, a hero and
judge of Israel. — Heb. GidHon, lit. 'feller',
from the stem of gddhd', 'he cut off, hewed,
felled', which is rel. to Aram. g e dhd\ Arab.
jdda'a, of s.m.
gidya, n., an Australian tree. — A native name.
gieseckite, n., a variety of pinite (mineral.) —
Named after Sir Charles Giesecke, who brought
it from Greenland. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Gifola, n., a genus of plants, the cotton rose (bot.)
— ModL., anagram of Filago, the name of a
related genus,
gift, n. — ME., fr. ON. gift, gipt, which is rel.
to OE. gift (whence ME. yift), OS., Du. gift
OFris. jefte, MLG. gifte, MDu. ghifte, Goth.
-gifts (in compounds), OHG., MHG. gift, 'gift;
poison', G. Gift (neut.), 'poison', Mit-gift (fern.),
'dowry'; prop, verbal nouns formed fr. ON.
gefa, OE. gifan, giefan ,etc., 'to give'. See give.
gig
656
Derivatives: gift, tr. v., gift-ed, adj.
gig, n., a light two-wheeled carriage. — Prob. of
Scand. origin and lit. meaning 'a whipping top'.
Cp. Dan. gig, 'top', ON. geiga, 'to turn aside,
waver', which are prob. of imitative origin. Cp.
fizgig, whirligig.
gigantean, adj., gigantic. — Formed with suff.
-an fr. L. giganteus, fr. gigas, gen. gigantis,
'giant'. See giant,
gigantic, adj. — Formed with suff. -ic, fr. L.
gigas, gen. gigantis, 'giant'. See giant.
Derivatives: gigantic-al-ly, adv., gigantic-ness,n.
gigantism, n., abnormal tallness. — See giant
and -ism and cp. giantism,
giganto-, combining form meaning 'giant'. — Gk.
YiyavTO-, fr. y'Y s ?> gen. flyaM-coi;, 'giant'. See
giant.
gigantomachy, gigantomachia, n., the war be-
tween the Olympian gods and the giants (Greek
mythol.) — Gk. yiytetmyuxxli, 'battle of the
giants', compounded of y&Y s «> S en - T'Y avT0 ?>
'giant', and (idtx?), 'battle'. See giant and -machy.
Gigartina,n., a genus of red algae (bot.)— ModL.,
fr. Gk. yiy«P T0V . 'grapestone', prob. fr. Aram.
gighartd, 'kernel, stone', which is rel. to Aram.
garg e rd, 'berry, grain'. See gerah.
giggle, intr. v. and n. — Of imitative origin.
gigliato, n., name of a Neapolitan silver coin, is-
sued by Charles II of Anjou. — It., fr. giglio,
'lily', a word formed with dissimilation fr. L.
lilium, which, for its part, was assimilated fr.
Gk. Xdpiov, 'lily'. See ffly.
gigolo, n., a paid male dancing partner. — F.,
fr. gigoter, 'to move the shanks, to hop', fr.
gigue, 'shank, fiddle', which is of Teut. origin.
See gigue.
gigot, n., leg of mutton. — F., 'leg of mutton ,
fr. OF. gigue, whence also E. gigue (q.v.) Cp.
prec. word.
gigue, n., i) a stringed instrument; 2) a kind
of dance. — F., reborrowed fr. E. jig, 'a quick
dance' (q.v.), which itself was borrowed fr. OF.
giguer, 'to move the shanks, hop, dance', fr.
gigue, 'shank; fiddle'. Cp. the two prec. words.
Gila monster, a kind of venomous lizard. — From
Gila, name of a river in Arizona.
Gilbert, masc. PN. — A blend of OF. Guillebert
(whence F. Guilbert) and OF. Gilebert (whence
F. Gilbert). Both OF. names are of Teut. origin.
OF. Guillebert derives fr. OHG. Williberht, lit.
'a bright will', fr. willio, willo, 'will', and beraht,
'bright'; see will and bright. OF. Gilebert comes
fr. Gisilbert, lit. 'a bright pledge', fr. OHG. gisil,
'pledge', which is a Celtic loan word (cp. Olr.
giall, W. gwystl, 'pledge'), and fr. OHG. beraht,
'bright'.
gilbert, n., name of the C.G.S. unit of magneto-
motive force (electr.) — Named after the Eng-
lish physician and physicist William Gilbert
(1544-1603).
Gilbertian, adj., resembling the style of the Eng-
lish author Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-
191 1). For the ending see suff. -ian.
Gilbertine, n., a member of the religious order
founded by St. Gilbert in the 12th century. For
the ending see suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
gilbertite, n., a variety of damourite (mineral.) —
Named after Davies Gilbert (1767-1839). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite. (
gild, n. — See guild.
gild, tr. v. — ME. gilden, fr. OE. gyldan, fr. OE.
gold, 'gold'. Cp. ON. gylla, 'to gild', fr. ON.
gull, goll, 'gold', and see gold.
Derivatives: gild-ed, adj., gild-er, n., gild-ing, n.
Giles, masc. PN; often used to denote a simple-
minded farmer. — OF. Gil(l)es (F. Gilles), fr.
L. Aegidius, fr. aegis. See aegis,
gilet, n., a waistcoat. — F., fr. Sp. jileco, gileco
(the modern Sp. form is chaleco), fr. Algerian
Arab, jaleco, 'coat of Christians in Moorish
captivity', ult. fr. Turk, yelek.
Gilia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named in 1794 after the Spanish botanist Felipe
Luis Gil.
gill, n., the organ of respiration in fishes. — ME.
gile, gille, from Scandinavian; cp. ON. giblnar
(pi.), 'jaws', Swed. gal, 'gill, jaw', Dan. gxlle,
'gill', which are cogn. with Gk. xeTKoq, 'lip',
XeXi5vr), 'lip, jaw'. Cp. chilo-.
Derivative: gill-ed, adj.
gill, n., a small measure. — ME. gille, gylle, fr.
OF. gille, gelle, fr. L. gillo, gelid, 'cooling vessel',
which is prob. of Sem. origin. Cp. Heb. guild",
'oilcan', Arab, gulla", 'earthen pitcher',
gill, ghyll, n., a ravine (Scot, and dial. Engl.) —
ME. gille, gylle, fr. ON. gil, 'a narrow valley,
glen', which is rel. to MLG. gil, 'throat', OHG.
gil, 'hernia', OE. gxlan (for *gailjan), 'to
hinder, impede'. Cp. goal.
GiU, also JiU, 1) fem. PN.; 2) girl sweetheart. —
Abbreviation of Gillian, resp. Jillian, fr. L.
Juliana. See next word and cp. jilt.
Gillian, fem. PN. — Fr. F. Juliane, fr. L. Juliana,
fem. of Julidnus, lit. 'of Julius'. See Julian,
Juliana.
Gillenia, n., a genus of plants, the Indian physic
(j, of .) _ ModL., named after the German
botanist Arnold Gill (latinized into Gillenius),
who wrote on horticulture in 1627. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
gillie, n., a male attendant on a Highland chief.
— Gael, gille, giolla, 'boy, servant',
gillyflower, n. — Altered fr. ME. gilofre, fr. OF.
gilofre, girofre (F. girofle), 'clove', fr. L. cary-
ophyllon, fr. Gk.xapi^uXXov, 'clove tree', which
is compounded of xapuov, 'nut', and <puXXov,
'leaf. See careen and phyllo- and cp. Caryo-
phyllaceae.
gilt, n., gilding. — Prop. pp. of gild, used as a noun,
gimbal, n., a device consisting of a pair of rings.
— Fr. earlier gimmal, fr. OF. gemel (whence F.
jumeau), 'a twin'. See gemel.
gimcrack, n., a tawdry, useless thing. — Of un-
known origin.
65/
Derivatives: gimcrack, adj., gimcrack-ery, n.
gimel, n., name of the 3rd letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. gimel, rel. to gamdl, 'camel'
(whence Gk. jtdtuTjXoi;, L. camelus, 'camel'); so
called in allusion to the ancient Hebrew form
of this letter representing the neck of a camel.
See camel and cp. gamma.
gimlet, gimblet, n., a small tool for boring holes.
— ME. gymelot, fr. MF. guimbelet, gimbelet
(F. gibelet), fr. MDu. wimmelkijn, dimin. of
wimmel, 'auger, drill'; see wimble. The dimin.
suff. -et in OF. guimbelet, etc., is the exact ren-
dering of the Dutch dimin. suff. -kyn (see -kin).
Cp. wimble.
Derivatives: gimlet, tr. v., gimlet-y, adj.
gimmal, n. — See gimbal.
gimmer, n., she lamb. — ON. gymbr, 'ewe lamb
of one year'. See chimera.
gimmick, n., a secret device (slang). — Of un-
certain origin.
gimp, n., ornamental material used for trimming
women's dresses, furniture, etc. — F. guimpe,
fr. OF. guimple, wimple, fr. OHG. wimpal. See
wimple and cp. guipure.
gin, n., liquor. — Abbreviation of geneva (q.v.)
gin, n., machine. — ME., aphetic for engine (q.v.)
gin, tr. and intr. v., to begin (poetic). — ME.
ginnen, aphetic for beginnen, fr. OE. beginnan,
'to begin'. See begin.
gin, n., an aboriginal Australian woman. — A
native name.
ginete, n., a horseman. — Sp. ginete, jinete, fr.
Arab. Zandta h , in VArab. pronunciation Zenita,
Zenite, name of a great Berber tribe, famous
for its horsemen, many of whom served the
sultans of Granada. For the change of Arab, z
to Sp. g cp. giraffe.
gingal, n. — See jingal.
gingeli, n. — See gingili.
ginger, n. — ME. gingevir, gingivere, fr. OE.
gingiber, fr. OF. gingibre, gingembre (F. gin-
gembre), fr. L. gingiber, zingiber, fr. Gk. ^ty-
ytpspi?, fr. Pali singivera-, fr. OI. fyngavera-,
'ginger', lit. 'hornlike', fr. sfngam, 'horn', and
vera, 'body'; so called in allusion to the horn-
like shape of the root. See horn and cp. Zingiber.
Derivatives: ginger, tr. v., ginger-y, adj.
gingerly, adj., wary; adv. warily. — Of uncertain
origin; possibly formed with suff. -ly fr. OF.
gencor, gensor, 'prettier', compar. of gent, 'of
noble birth, noble, gentle, pretty', fr. L. genitus,
'born', pp. of gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring
forth'. See genus.
gingham, n., a kind of striped cotton or linen. —
F. guingan, fr. Malay ginggang, 'striped', used
as a noun in the sense of 'striped cotton'.
gingili, also gingeli, n., sesame seed (India). —
Hind, jinjali, fr. Arab, juljuldn, 'sesame seed'.
For the corruption of this Arabic word in Hind,
cp. Sp. aljonjoli, ajonjoli, 'sesame seed', fr.
Arab, al-juljul&n, 'the sesame seed'.
gingiva, n., gum (anal.) — L. gingiva, 'gum', of
giro
uncertain origin; possibly meaning lit. 'some-
thing round', and cogn. with Gk. yoyyiiXo?,
'round', yoYYpo?. 'tubercular growth on trees;
sea eel, conger', lit. 'something round'; not
cogn. with E. chew. Cp. conger,
gingival, adj., pertaining to the gums. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. gingiva, 'gum'. See
prec. word.
gingivitis, n., inflammation of the gums (med.) —
A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. gingiva (see
gingiva) and -itis, a suff. of Greek origin.
ginglymoid, adj., resembling a hinge joint (anat.)
— Gk. Yi.YY*u!*oe l $T)i;, 'having the shape of a
hinge joint', lit. 'like a hinge', fr. y^Y^M- ?-
'hinge', and -oelStji;, 'like', fr. elSo?, 'form,
shape'. See next word and -oid.
ginglymus, n., a hinge joint (anat.) — Medical
L., lit. 'hingelike joint', fr. Gk. Y'YY^V ?.
'hinge', which is of unknown origin. The name
YLYY^f* ? was introduced into anatomy by
Hippocrates and denoted originally the roll-like
part of the bone of the upper arm. See Joseph
Hyrtl, Onomatologia anatomica, p. 238.
ginkgo, n., an ornamental tree of Japan and
China. — Jap. gingko.
ginseng, n., a Chinese medical plant. — Chin.
jen-shen.
Giottesque, adj., in the style of Giotto di Bon-
done, an Italian painter who lived about 1300.
For the ending see suff. -esque.
gipsy, n. — See gypsy.
giraffe, n. — F. girafe, It. giraffa, fr. Arab.
zardfa h , which is prob. of African origin. The
circumstance that Arab, z has become g (pro-
nounced ;) proves that the word came into the
European languages through the medium of the
Italians.
girandole, n., 1) a kind of firework; 2) a water jet;
3) a kind of earring. — F., fr. It. girandola,
dimin. of giranda, 'a revolving jet', fr. L. gyran-
dus, gerundive of gyrdre, 'to turn round in a
circle, revolve'. See gyrate and cp. next word.
For other Latin gerundives or their derivatives
used in English cp. agenda and words there
referred to.
girasol, girasole, n., 1) the sunflower; 2) the fire
opal. — It. girasole (whence also F. girasol), lit.
'turning toward the sun', fr. girare, 'to rotate,
turn' (fr. L. gyrdre), and sole (fr. L. solem, acc.
of sol), 'sun'. See gyrate and Sol and cp. Jeru-
salem, artichoke. For sense development cp.
heliotrope, and It. tornasole (see turnsole).
gird, tr. v., to encircle. — ME. girden, gerden,
etc., fr. OE. gyrdan, rel. to OS. gurdian, ON.
gyrda, OFris. gerda, OHG. gurtan, gurten,
MHG. gurten, giirten, G. gurten, Goth, bi-
gairdan, uf-gairdan, 'to gird', ON. gjord, MHG.,
G. gurt, Goth, gairda, 'girdle', and to OE. geard,
ON. gardr, 'hedge, enclosure'. See yard, 'en-
closure', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also girdle, girt, girth.
gird, intr. v., to gibe, taum. — The original
girder
658
meaning was 'to strike'; fr. ME. girden, gerden,
etc., 'to strike, cut through', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. gride.
Derivative: gird, n., a taunt, gibe.
girder, n„ a wooden or steel beam. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. gird, 'to encircle'.
Derivative: girder-age, n.
girder, n., one who gibes or taunts. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. gird, 'to gibe, taunt'.
girdle, n., belt. — ME. girdil, gerdelle, gurdel, fr.
OE. gyrdel, rel. to ON. gyrdill, Swed. gordel,
OFris. gerdel, MLG. gordel, Du. gordel, OHG.
gurtil, gurtila, MHG., G. gurtel, 'belt', and to
OE. gyrdan, 'to gird'. See gird, 'to encircle', and
instrumental suff. -le. Derivative: girdle, tr. v.
girdle, n. — A var. of griddle.
girl, n. — ME. gurle, gurl, gerle, geri, 'boy, girl',
rel. to LG. gore, gor, 'a child'; of uncertain
origin. Derivatively, the -/ in girl is identical
with dimin. suff. -el.
Derivatives: girl-hood, n., girl-ish, adj., girl-ish-
ly, adv., girl-ish-ness, n.
giron, n. — See gyron.
Girondist, n., a member of the moderate repub-
lican party in France (I79I-93)- — F - Giron-
diste, formed with suff. -iste (see -ist) fr. Gironde,
name of a department in Southwestern France;
so called because the leaders of the party were
deputies of that department.
girt, past tense and pp. of gird.
girt, n., measure around something. — A var. of
girth.
girth, n. — ME. gerth, fr. ON. gjbrd, 'girdle'. See
gird, 'to encircle'.
Derivative: girth, tr. v., to gird.
gisarme, n., battle-ax with a long shaft carried
by foot soldiers in the Middle Ages. — ME.,
fr. OF., fr. OHG. getisarn, lit. 'weeding iron',
fr. getan, 'to weed', and isarn, 'iron' (see iron).
OF. gisarme was influenced in form by OF.
arme, 'weapon' (see arm, 'weapon').
gismondite, n., a hydrous calcium aluminum sili-
cate (mineral) — Named after the Italian min-
eralogist Carlo Giuseppe Gismondi (1762-1824),
who first analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
gist, n., essence, pit, main point of a matter. —
OF. giste (F. gite), 'lying place, resting place',
fern. pp. of OF. gesir (F. gesir), 'to lie', used as
a noun, fr. VL. jacita, fern. pp. of L. jaceo,
jacere, 'to lie'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and cp.
agist. Cp. also joist.
gitano, n., a gypsy. — Sp., 'gypsy', fr. Egiptano,
•Egyptian', fr. Egipto, fr. L. Aegyptus, 'Egypt'.
See gypsy.
gith.n., 1) any plant of the genus Nigella; 2) the
corn cockle. — OE. gip-corn, fr. L. git (later
forms gitti, gitte), 'the plant Nigella sativa',
which is prob. a Punic loan word, and ult.
derives fr. Web.gadh, 'coriander'. In an addition
to Dioscurides 3,63 it is mentioned that the
Africans call the coriander y°'8 (pronounced
in Late Gk. gid). It is very probable that Latin
git was influenced in form by the pronunciation
mentioned.
gittern, n., an obsolete musical instrument re-
sembling a guitar. — ME. giterne, fr. OF. gui-
terne, fr. L. cithara, fr. Gk. xi&apot. See cither.
Derivative: gittern, intr. v. (obsol.) ^
give, tr. and intr. v. — ME. given, of Scand. ori-
gin; cp. ON. gefa, Dan. give, Swed. gifva, giva,
which are rel. to OE. giefan, gifan, OS. geSan,
OFris. jeva, MDu. gheven, Du. geven, OHG.
geban, MHG., G. geben, Goth, giban, 'to give',
Goth, gabei, 'riches', gabeigs, gabigs, 'rich', fr.
I.-E. base *ghab(h)-, 'to take, hold, have; to
give', whence also Olr. gaibim, 'I take', gabdl,
'the act of taking', Lith. gabenti, 'to remove',
L. habere, 'to have, possess' and prob. also OI.
gdbhastih, 'hand'. See habit and cp. gavel, 'trib-
ute', gift. Derivatives: giv-er, n., giv-ing, n.
given, pp. of give.
gizzard, n., the muscular stomach of a bird. —
ME. giser, fr. OF. gezier, giser, gisier, gusier
(F. gesier), fr. L. gizeria, 'cooked entrails of
poultry', which is prob. a Punic-Phoen.-Heb.
loan word. Cp. Heb. g e zdrtm, construct state
gizri, 'pieces of sacrificed animals', pi. of gezer,
'anything cut, a piece', from the stem of gdzdr,
'he cut, divided', in Mishnaic Heb. 'he circum-
cised; he decided, decreed', rel. to Aram.-Syr.
g e zdr, 'he cut, split, circumcised; he decided, de-
creed', Arab, jdzara, Ethiop. gazdra, 'he cut,
slaughtered'. In L. gigeria, a collateral form of
gizeria, z has been assimilated to the preceding
g. The final d in gizzard is due to a confusion of
this word with words ending in -ard; cp, the
final d in hazard, mallard, scabbard.
glabella, n., the space between the eyebrows
(anat.) — Medical L., prop. fern, of the adj.
glabellus, 'without hair, smooth', used as a
noun. This latter word is the dimin. of glaber,
for which see next word,
glabrous, adj., bald; smooth. — Formed with
suff. -ous. fr. L. glaber, 'without hair, smooth,
bald', which stands for *ghladh-ros, and is cogn.
with OE. glsd, 'bright, glad'. See glad and cp.
gabbro.
glace, adj., having a smooth surface. — F., pp.
of glacer, 'to freeze; to glaze', fr. glace, 'ice'.
See next word and cp. glacier,
glacial, adj., pertaining to ice; icy. — F., fr. L.
glacidlis, 'icy', fr. glacies, 'ice', prob. formed
on the analogy of acies, 'sharp edge, point', fr.
orig. *gla-gies, fr. I.-E. base *ge!-, 'to freeze',
whence also L. gelu, 'frost'. See gelid and adj.
suff. -al and cp. glace, glacier, glacis,
glacialist, n., one who supports the glacial theory.
— See prec. word and -ist.
glaciate, tr. v., to freeze. — L. glacidtus, pp. of
glaciare, 'to turn to ice', fr. glacies. See glacial
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: Glaciat-ion, n., the act or process
of freezing.
659
glandular
glacier, n., mass of ice moving slowly down a
mountain slope or valley. — F., fr. glace, 'ice',
fr. VL. glacia (whence also OProvenc. glassa,
It. ghiaccid), corresponding to L. glacies, 'ice'.
See glacial and -ier and cp. glance, 'to glide off'.
glaciology, n., the study of glaciers. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. glacies, 'ice', and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-Xiyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
glacial and -logy.
Derivatives: glaciolog-ical, adj., glaciolog-ist, n.
glacis, n., a gentle slope; an external slope (fort.)
— F., fr. OF. glacier, 'to slip', fr. L. glaciare,
'to make or turn into ice', fr. glacies. See
glacial.
glad, adj. — ME., fr. OE. glxd, 'bright; glad,
cheerful', rel. to ON. gladr, 'smooth, bright,
glad', Dan., Swed. glad, 'glad, joyful', OS. glad-
mod, 'glad', OFris. gled, Du. glad, 'slippery',
OHG., MHG. glat, 'shining, smooth', G. glatt,
'smooth', fr. I.-E. *ghl e dho-, 'bright, smooth',
whence also L. glaber (for *ghladh-ros), 'smooth ;
bald', OSlav. glad&ku, Lith. glodiis, glodnus,
'smooth', OPruss. glosto, 'whetstone'. Cp.
glade. Cp. also glabrous.
glad, tr. v., to gladden (archaic). — ME. gladien,
fr. OE. gladian, fr. glxd. See glad, adj.
gladden, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. glad, adj.,
with verbal suff. -en.
glade, n., an open space in a forest. — Rel. to
glad, adj., in its orig. sense 'bright, clear', hence
glade means lit. 'a bright, clear place'. For sense
development cp. E. clearing; cp. also F. clairiire,
'glade', fr. clair, 'clear, bright', and G. Lichtung,
'clearing, glade', fr. Licht, 'light'.
Derivative: glad-y, adj.
gladiate, adj., sword-shaped (bot.) — Formed
with adj. suff. -ate fr. L. gladius, 'sword'. See
next word.
gladiator, n., a Roman swordsman who fought
in the arena for the entertainment of spectators.
— L. gladiator, 'swordsman, fighter', fr. gla-
dius, 'sword', of Celtic origin. Cp. Olr. claid-eb,
W. cleddyf, Co. clethe, Bret, kleze, 'sword'; fr.
I.-E. base *qelad-, 'to strike, beat', whence also
MIr. claidim, T dig', caill (for *caldet), 'forest',
Gk. xXdSoi;, 'young branch or shoot', lit.,
'branch lopped off', OE. holt, 'copse, wood;
timber'. See holt and cp. gladius, gladiolus,
glaive. Cp. also halt, 'lame'.
Derivatives: gladiator i-al, gladiatori-an, adjs.
gladiolus, n., 1) (cap.) a genus of plants of the
iris family; 2) any plant of this genus. — L., 'a
small sword', dimin. of gladius, 'sword' (see
prec. word and -ole); so called by Pliny from
the swordlike leaves,
gladius, n., 1) the swordfish; 2) the pen of a
cuttlefish. — L., 'sword'. See gladiator,
gladly, adv. — ME., fr. OE. glxdlice. See glad,
adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
gladness, n. — ME. gladnesse, fr. OE. glxdnes.
See glad, adj., and -ness.
gladsome, adj. — ME. gladsum. See glad, adj.,
and -some.
Gladstone bag, also gladstone. — Named after
the English statesman William Ewart Gladstone
(1809-98).
Gladys, fem. PN.— W. Gwladys, prob. Welshified
fr. L. Claudia. See Claudia.
Glagolitic, adj., pertaining to the ancient Western
Slavic alphabet. — A hybrid coined fr. OSlav,
glagolu, 'word', and -itic, a suff. of Greek origin,
OSlav. glagolu is cogn. with ON. kalla, 'to
shout, sing', OE. ceallian, 'to call'. See call.
glair, n., white of egg. — ME. gleyre, fr. OF.
(= F.) glaire, fr. VL. *cldria (6vi), 'white part
(of an egg)', fr. L. cldrus, 'bright, clear'. See
clear, adj.
Derivatives : glair, tr. v., glair-eous, glair-y, adjs.,
glair-i-ness, n.
glaive, n., sword; spear. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.)
glaive, a blend of L. gladius, 'sword', and clava,
'knotty branch, cudgel, club', which is rel. to
cldvus, 'nail'. See gladiator and close, adj.
glamour, glamor, n., magic; alluring charm. —
Corruption of grammar, used in the sense of
gramarye; popularized by Sir Walter Scott
(1771-1832).
Derivatives: glamo(u)r, tr. v., glamo(u)r-ous,
adj., glamo(u)r-ous-ly, adv., glamo(u)r-y, adj.
glance, intr. and tr. v., to glide off obliquely; to
flash; to look quickly. — ME. glacen, fr. OF.
glacier, 'to slip, slide', fr. glace, 'ice' ; see glacier.
The word glance was prob. influenced both in
form and meaning by ME. glenten, 'to shine'
(see glint). Cp. glissade. Cp. also next word.
Derivative: glance, n., a gliding off obliquely;
a flashing; a quick look.
glance, n., a lustrous metallic sulfide (mineral.) —
Du. glans, 'brightness, luster'. See next word.
glance, tr. v., to polish (metal). — Prob. fr. Du.
glanzen, 'to gleam, polish', fr. MDu. glansen,
'to gleam', fr. glans, 'brightness', fr. MHG. glanz
(whence G. Glanz), fr. Late OHG. glanz, of s.m.,
fr. OHG. glanz, adj., 'bright', which is rel. to
ME. glenten, 'to shine'. See glint.
gland, n. — F. glande, fr. L. glandem, acc. of
glans, 'acorn' (used in the sense of L. glandula,
'gland', dimin. of glans), which is cogn. with
Gk. PaXavo?, Arm. kaiin (gen. kafnoy), OSlav.
zelodi, 'acorn', Lith. gile, Lett, (d)zile, OPruss.
gile, 'oak; gland'. Cp. next word and the second
element in Euglandina and in Juglans. Cp. also
the first element in balaniferous and the second
element in myrobalan. Cp. also valonia.
Derivatives : glandi-ferous, adj., glandi-form, adj.
glanders, n. pi., a contagious disease of horses,
mules, etc., characterized by the swelling of the
glands beneath the lower jaw. — OF. glandres
(pi.), fr. L. glandulae (pi.), 'glands of the throat'.
See glandule.
Derivatives: glander-ed, glander-ous, adj.
glandular, adj., consisting of, or pertaining to,
glands. — Fr. L. glandula. See next word and -ar.
glandule
660
glandule, n., a small gland. — F., fr. L. glandula,
'gland of the throat', dimin. of gldns, gen. glan-
dis, 'acorn'. See gland and -ule.
Derivatives: glandul-ar (q.v.), glanduli-ferous,
adj., glandul-ous, adj. (q.v.), glandul-os-ity, n.
glandulous, adj., glandular. — F. glanduleux (fem.
glanduleuse), fr. L. glanduldsus, 'full of glands,
glandulous', fr. glandula. See prec. word and
-ous.
Derivative : glandulous-ness, n.
glare, intr. v. — ME. glaren, 'to shine', rel. to
MDu. and MLG. glaren, 'to glow', and to
next word.
Derivatives: glare, n., glar-ing, n., glar-ing-ly,
adv.
glass, n. — ME. glas, gles, fr. OF. glxs, rel. to
OS. glas, gles, ON. gler, Dan. glar, MDu., Du.
glas, 'glass', OHG., MHG. glas, 'amber, glass',
G. Glas, 'glass', OE. -glxr, 'amber', and cogn.
with L. glaesum, glesum, 'amber', Olr. glass,
■green, blue, gray', W. glas, 'blue', Mir. glaisin,
•woad', fr. I.-E. base *ghles-, *ghl e s-, 'to shine,
glitter', which is an enlargement of base *ghel-,
*ghel-, *ghle-, 'to gleam, glimmer; to be green
or yellow'. Cp. glare, glaze, glow. Cp. also gleam
and words there referred to. Cp. also yellow.
Derivatives: glass, tr. v., glass-ful, adj., glass-y,
adj., glass-i-ly, adv., glass-i-ness, n.
Glassite, n., an adherent of the teachings of John
Glas(s) (1695-1773), the founder of a Scottish
sect. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
glauberite, n., a sodium calcium sulfate {mineral.)
— Named after the German physician and
chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber (1604-68). Cp.
next word. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Glauber's salt, sodium sulfate. — Named after
J. K.Glauber. See prec. word,
glaucescent, adj., somewhat glaucous. — See
glaucous and -escent.
Glaucidium, n., a genus of small owls (ornithol.)
— ModL., dimin. formed fr. Gk. yXacuS, gen.
yXauxo;, 'owl', which seems to be a hypocor-
istic abbreviation of yXoo>xoi7ri.<;, '(the bird) with
the gleaming eyes', fr. yXocux6<;, 'gleaming,
bright', and cii}*, gen. iotoSs, 'eye, face'. See glau-
cous, -opia and -idium.
Glaucium, n., a genus of plants of the poppy
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yXauxiov, 'juice
of the horned poppy', fr. yXaox6? (see glau-
cous) ; so called from the color of its foliage.
glaucoma, n., an eye disease (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. yXauxw^a, fr. yXaux6<;. See glaucous
and -oma.
glaucomatous, adj., pertaining to glaucoma. —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. yXauxo>[Aa, gen.
yXauxtVaxoc. See prec. word.
Glauconia, n., a genus of snakes, the burrowing
snake (zool.) — ModL., fr. yX<xux6s. See glau-
cous and cp. next word. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
glauconite, n., a dull-green silicate (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. yka.wx.6c,
(see glaucous); so called from its color. Cp.
prec. word.
glaucous, adj., bluish green. — L. glaucus, fr. Gk.
yXaoxic;, 'gleaming, bright; gray, bluish green',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. Glaucidium,
Glaucium, glaucoma, Glauconia, Glaucus, Glaux.
Derivative: glaucous-ly, adv.
Glaucus, n., a fisherman of Boeotia, changed into '
a sea god {Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. TXaux6?,
fr. yXaux6t;, 'bluish green', so called in allusion
to the glaucous color of the sea. See prec. word.
Glaucus, n., a genus of mollusks {zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. yXaux6i;, 'bluish green' (see glaucous);
so called in allusion to their color.
Glaux, n., a genus of plants of the primrose family
{bot.)— L.^/fl«x,nameofaplant, fr. Gk. yXau*;,
'the milk vetch', which is prob. rel. to yXaux6s,
'gleaming, bright; bluish green'. See glaucous,
and cp. Glaucidium, Glaucium.
glaze, tr. v., to furnish with glass; intr. v., to
become glassy. — ME. glasen, fr. glas, 'glass',
fr. OE. glxs. See glass.
Derivatives: glaze, n., glaz-er, n., glazier (q.v.),
glaz-ing, n., glaz-y, adj., glar-i-ly, adv., glaz-
i-ness, n.
glazier, n. — Formed fr. glaze with suff. -ier.
Derivative: glazier-y, n.
gleam, n., a beam of light. — ME. glem, gleam,
fr. OE. glxm, 'brightness, splendor', rel. to OS.
glimo, of s.m., MHG. glim, 'spark', OHG. glei-
mo, MHG. gleime, 'glowworm', lit. 'the gleam-
er', MHG., G. glimmen, 'to glimmer, glow', and
to ON. gljd, 'to shine, glitter*, fr. I.-E. base
*ghlei-, 'to shine, glitter, glow; to be warm',
whence also Gk. jklzw, 'to become warm',
xXtap6<;, 'warm', xXuciveiv, 'to warm', Olr. gle,
W. gloew, 'bright, clear'. Base *ghlei- is an
enlargement of base *ghel-; *ghel-, *ghle-, 'to
gleam, glimmer'. See glass and cp. glee, glim-
mer, glimpse, glisten, glister, glitter.
Derivatives: gleam-y, adj., gleam-i-ly, adv.,
gleam-i-ness, n.
gleam, intr. v. — ME. glemen, fr. glem. See
gleam, n.
glean, tr. v., to gather after the reapers; intr. v.,
to gather what is left after the reapers. — ME.
glenen, fr. OF. glener (F. glaner), fr. Late L.
glenare (whence also OProvenc. glenar), a word
occurring in the Salic Law; of Celtic origin;
cp. Olr. do-glinn, 'he collects, gathers'.
Derivatives: glean, n. (q.v.), glean-er,n., glean-
ing, n.
glean, n., something gleaned. — OF. glene, fr.
Late L. glena, fr. glenare. See glean, v.
glebe, n., soil; land; field. — L. gleba, fr. earlier
glaeba, 'clod, soil, land', in gradational relation-
ship to globus, 'ball, sphere', and cogn. with Lith.
glebys, 'armful; clue, ball', gldbiu, gtebti, 'to
embrace, support', Lett, gldbt, glebt, 'to pro-
tect', Polish giobic, 'to press', Czech hlobiti, 'to
fasten with tags', OHG. klaftra, MHG. kldfter,
G. Klafter, 'fathom', lit. 'the outstretched arms',
661
giirnorm
OE. clyppan, OFris. kleppa, 'to embrace, love',
fr. I.-E. base *gelebh-, *glebh-, 'to roll up into
a ball, compress', which is an enlargement of
base *gel-, of s.m. See clamp, 'a device for
fastening', and cp. globe. Cp. also gall, 'gallnut'.
Glecoma, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
{bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yX^tov, pXvjx {dV ' 'pen-
nyroyal'; of unknown origin.
glede, n., the common kite. — ME., fr. OE. glida,
'kite', lit. 'the gliding (bird)', rel. to ON. gleda,
'kite', and to OE. glidan, 'to glide'. See glide.
Gleditsia, n., a genus of plants, the honey locust
(bot.) — ModL., named after the German bo-
tanist Johann Gottlieb Gleditsch (1714-86). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
glee, n., joy; mirth. — ME. gle, gleo, fr. OE.
gllw, gleo, 'mirth, jest; music minstrelsy', fr.
ON. gly, of s.m., which is rel. to gljd, 'to shine'.
See gleam and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: glee-ful, adj., glee-ful-ly, adv.,
glee-ful-ness, n.
gleed, n., a live coal (dial.) — ME. glede, fr. OE.
gled, 'live coal; flame, fire', rel. to ON. glod,
Du. gloed, OHG., MHG. gluot, G. Glut, 'glow-
ing fire', and to OE. glowan, 'to glow'. See glow
and cp. words there referred to.
gleek, n., an old card game (obsol.) — OF. glic,
fr. earlier ghelicque, fr. MDu. ghelijc (whence
Du. gelijk), 'equal', which is rel. to OE. gelic,
'similar, equal'. See like, adj. The game is so
called because it is three cards of the same rank
that form a gleek.
gleemaiden, n., a female minstrel (archaic). —
OE. gleo-mxgden, 'female minstrel'. See glee
and maiden.
gleeman, n., a minstrel (archaic). — OE. gleo-
man, 'minstrel, jester'. See glee and man.
gleesome, adj., gleeful, merry. — Compounded
of glee and 1st -some.
Derivatives : gleesome-ly, adv., gleesome-ness, n.
gleet, n., morbid discharge from the urethra
(med.) — ME. glet, glette, fr. OF.-MF. glete,
'slime, filth' (whence F. glette, 'litharge'), fr. L.
glitem, acc. of glis, 'sticky, glutinous ground',
which is a back formation fr. glittus, 'sticky',
suggested by the analogy of the related glus,
gen. glutis. See glue.
gleg, adj., quick of perception (Scot.) — ME.,
fr. ON. gloggr, 'clear-sighted, clear, distinct',
rel. to OS., OHG. glau, 'clever', OE. gleaw,
'clever, wise', Goth, glaggwo, 'exactly', glagg-
waba, glaggwuba, 'carefully', ON.gluggi, gluggir,
'loophole, light', Swed., Norw. glugga, 'to look
at, lie in wait, lurk', OE. glowan, 'to shine, glow'.
See glow.
glen, n., a narrow valley. — ME., fr. Gael, gleann,
'mountain valley, glen', which is rel. to Mir.
glem, glend, W. glyn, of s.m. Cp. the next two
words.
Glengarry cap or Glengarry bonnet, also glen-
garry. — Named after a valley in Inverness-
shire (Scotland), lit. glen of the river Garry.
Glenlivet, Glenlivat, n., a kind of whisky. —
Named after Glenlivet (or Glenlivat) in Scot-
land ; so called from the place where it was first
manufactured. The name lit. means 'the glen of
the Livet ( a tributary of the Avon)',
glenoid, adj., having the form of a shallow cavity
(anat.) — Gk. yXr)voetS^(;, 'resembling the socket
of a joint', compounded of yX/jvr), 'eyeball;
socket of a joint', and -oeiSfc, 'like', fr. sISoq,
'form, shape'. The first element is prob. rel. to
yeXeiv (Hesychius), 'to shine, be bright', yeXav,
'to laugh', yeXavTji;, 'smiling, joyful'. For the
first element see geloto-, for the second see -oid.
glib, adj., 1) smooth; 2) fluent. — The orig.
meaning of this word was 'slippery'. It is of
Dutch origin. Cp. Du. glibberen, 'to slide', glib-
berig, 'slippery', glibber, 'jelly'.
Derivatives: glib-ly, adv., glib-ness, n.
glide, intr. v. — ME. gliden, fr. OE. glidan, rel.
to OS. glidan, OFris. glida, MLG. gliden, Du.
glijden, OHG. glitdn, MHG. gliten, G. gleiten,
'to glide'. Dan. glide, Swed. glida, are borrowed
fr. MLG gliden. Cp. glede, glissade.
Derivatives : glide, n., glid-er, n., glid-ing-ly, adv.
gliff, intr. and tr. v., to glance, glimpse; n., a
glimpse. — Of uncertain origin,
glim, n., 1) a light, as a lamp ; 2) an eye (slang). —
Rel. to gleam, glimmer,
glimmer, intr. v. — ME. glemeren, glimeren, 'to
shine', rel. to Du. glimmeren, MHG., G. glim-
men, G. glimmern, 'to shine dimly, glimmer',
G. Glimmer, 'a faint glow', and to OE. glxm,
'brightness, splendor'. See gleam and cp.
glimpse.
Derivatives: glimmer, n., glimmer-ing, n. and
adj., glimmer-ing-ly, adv., glimmer-y, adj.
glimpse, tr. and intr. v. — Formerly glimse, fr.
ME. glimsen, fr. Teut. base *glim-, whence also
gleam, glim, glimmer (qq.v.) For the excrescent
p cp. empty, sempstress.
Derivatives: glimpse, n., glimps-er, n.
glint, intr. v. — ME. glenten, 'to shine', rel. to
dial. Swed. glanta, glinta, 'to shine', OHG. glanz,
'bright', fr. I.-E. base *ghlendh-, 'to shine',
whence also OSlav. gledati, 'to see'. See glance,
'to polish'.
Derivative: glint, n.
glioma, n., a tumor of the brain, spinal chord,
etc. (med.) — Medical L., lit. 'glue tumor',
coined by the German pathologist Rudolf Vir-
chow (1821-1902), fr. Gk. yXtS, 'glue', and suff.
-&>(ia. See glue and -oma and cp. the second ele-
ment in neuroglia.
gliomatosis, n., disease characterized by glioma
(med.) — Medical L. See prec. word and -osis.
gliomatous, adj., pertaining to gliomata (med.)
— See glioma and -ous.
Glires, n. pi., a synonym of Rodentia (zool.) —
L. glires, pi. of glis, 'dormouse', cogn. with OI.
girih, 'mouse', Gk. yoXiT], Att. yaXr), 'weasel,
polecat, marten'. See galea.
gliriform, adj., resembling the Rodentia (zool.)
glirine
662
— Compounded of L. glis (see prec. word) and
forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
glirine, adj., pertaining to the Rodentia (zool.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr. L. glis, gen. gliris,
'dormouse'. See Glires.
glissade, n., a sliding down a slope of snow. —
F., formed with suff. -ade fr. F. glisser, 'to slip,
glide, slide', which is a blend of OF. glier, 'to
glide', and OF. glacer, of s.m. OF. glier derives
fr. Frankish *glidan, which is rel. to OHG.
glitan, OE. glidan, 'to glide' ; see glide. OF. glacer
comes fr. glace, 'ice', fr. L. glacies; see glacial.
Derivatives: glissade, intr. v., glissad-er, n.
glisten, intr. v., to glitter. — ME. glisnen, glist-
nen, fr. OE. glisnian, rel. to OE. glisian and to
OFris. glisa, 'to shine', fr. I.-E. base *ghleis-,
enlargement of base *ghel-, *ghle-, 'to gleam,
glimmer'. See glass and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also next word.
Derivative : glisten, n.
glister, intr. v. — ME. glistren, glisteren, prob.
fr. LG. glisten, which derives fr. I.-E. base
*ghleis-, 'to gleam, glimmer'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: glister, n., glister-ing-ly, adv.
glitter, intr. v. — ME. gliteren, fr. ON. glitra;
rel. to OE. glitenian, OS. glitan, OHG. glisian,
MHG. gli^en, G. gleifien, MHG., G. glitzern,
Goth, glitmunjan, 'to glitter, glisten', fr. I.-E.
*ghleid-, *ghlid-, whence also Gk. x^$cov,
xXTSo?, 'ornament', y[k&i\, 'luxury, delicacy'.
I.-E. *ghleid- is a dental enlargement of base
*ghlei-, 'to shine, glitter, glow; to be warm'. See
gleam and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: glitter, n., glitter-ing, adj., glitter-
ing-ly, adv., glitter-y, adj.
gloaming, n., twilight. — ME., fr. OE. glomung,
'twilight', fr. gtom, of s.m., which is rel. to OE.
glowan, 'to glow'. See glow.
gloat, intr. v., to gaze with malicious joy. — ON.
glotta, 'to smile scornfully', rel. to MHG., G.
glotzen, 'to stare, gloat'. Cp. glout.
Derivatives : gloat, n., gloat-er, n., gloat-ing, adj.
gloal-ing-ly, adv.
global, adj., spherical. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. globus. See globe.
globate, adj., spherical. — L. globdtus, pp. of
globdre, 'to make into a globe', fr. globus. See
next word and adj. suff. -ate.
globe, n. — F., fr. L. globus, 'a round body, ball,
sphere', in gradational relationship to L. glaeba,
gleba, 'clod, soil, land'. See glebe and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also globose, globule, con-
globate and the second element in hemoglobin.
Globigerina, n., a genus of Foraminifera (zoo/.)
— ModL., compounded of L. globus, 'a round
body', and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See globe
and gerent.
globose, adj., spherical. — L. globosus, 'round as
a ball, spherical', fr. globus. See globe and adj.
suff. -ose.
Derivatives: globose-ly, adv., globose-ness, n.,
globos-ity, n.
Globularia, n., a genus of plants, the globe daisy
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. globulus, 'a little ball'.
See globule.
globule, n., a very small spherical body; a drop.
— F., fr. L. globulus, 'a little ball', dimin. of
globus. See globe and -ule.
Derivatives: globul-ar, adj., globulin (q.v.), glo-
bulous (q.v.)
globulin, n., a protein substance (biochem.) —
Coined by the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Ber-
zelius (1779-1848) from L. globulus (see prec.
word) and chem. suff. -in.
globulite, n., a variety of crystallite (mineral.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. globulus. See
globule.
globulous, adj., globular. — F. globuleux (fern.
globuleuse), fr. globule. See globule and -ous.
Derivative: globulous-ness, n.
glochidiate, adj., barbed (bot.) — Formed with
adj. suff. -ate fr. Gk. y*"X^ See next word,
glochidium, n., larva of fresh-water mussel (zool.)
— ModL., dimin. of Gk. y\u>xk, 'point of an
arrow; projecting point'. See gloss, 'interpretat-
ion', and -idium.
glockenspiel, n., a percussion instrument (wis.)
— G. Glockenspiel, lit. 'play of bells', fr. Glocke,
'bell', and Spiel, 'a play'. See clock and spiel, and
cp. the second element in bonspiel, kriegspiel.
glomerate, tr. v., to roll up, accumulate. — L.
glomerdtus, pp. of glomerdre, 'to make into a
ball, gather into a round heap', fr. glomus, gen.
glomeris, 'a round heap, ball, clue', fr. I.-E.
*gle-m-, a collateral form of base *gleb(h)-,
'to make into a ball, press together', enlarged
fr. base *gel-, of s.m. See clamp, 'a device for
fastening', and verbal suff. -ate and cp. Glomer-
ella, glomerulus, agglomerate, conglomerate. Cp.
also glebe, globe.
glomerate, adj., rolled up, accumulated. — L.
glomerdtus, pp. of glomerdre. See prec. word.
glomeration, n., accumulation; ball. — L. glo-
merdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. glomerdtus, pp. of glome-
rdre. See glomerate, v., and -ion.
Glomerella, n., a genus of fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
a dimin. formed fr. glomus, gen. glomeris, 'ball'.
See glomerate, v., and -ella and cp. next word.
glomerulus, n., a capillary tuft (anat.) — Medical
L., coined by Schumlansky fr. L. glomus, gen.
glomeris, 'ball' (see glomerate), and dimin. suff.
-ule.
gloom, intr. v., to look sullen. — ME. gloumen,
gloumben, 'to look sullen, be gloomy', rel. to
MLG. glum, 'turbid', glomen, 'to make turbid',
LG. gliiren, Du. gluren, 'to leer'; not rel. to OE.
gldm, 'twilight'. Cp. glower, 'to lour', glum.
Derivatives : gloom, n., gloom-y, adj., gloo-mi-ly,
adv., gloom-i-ness, n.
Gloria, n., the great doxology in Christian liturgy.
— L. ; so called from the first word of the text,
which begins "Gloria in excelsis Deo" ("Glory
be to God on high"). See glory.
glorification, n. — Late L. gldrificdtid, gen. -dnis,
663
fr. gldrificdtus, pp. of glorificdre. See next word
and -ation.
glorify, tr. v. — ME. glorifien, fr. F. glorifier, fr.
Late L. glorificdre, 'to glorify', which is formed
fr. L. gloria, 'glory', and -ficdre, fr. facere, 'to
make, do'. See glory and -fy.
Derivative: glorifi-er, n.
gloriole, celestial crown, aureole. — F., fr. L.
gloriola, 'a small glory', dimin. of gloria. See
glory and -ole.
glorious, adj. — OF. glorious (F. glorieux), fr. L.
gldridsus, 'glorious, famous', fr. gloria. See
glory and -ous.
Derivatives: glorious-ly, adv., glorious-ness, n.
glory, n. — ME. glorie, fr. OF. glorie (F. gloire),
fr. L. gloria, 'glory, fame, renown, praise',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. gloriole.
Derivative: glory, intr. v.
gloss, n., interpretation. — L. gldssa, 'an anti-
quated or foreign word that requires explan-
ation', hence also 'explanation, note', fr. Gk.
yXtoaaoc, Att. yXw-rra, 'tongue, speech', which
stands for *yXcox-£a, prop, 'that which is pro-
jected', and is rel. to yXwxk, 'a projecting point',
and perh. cogn. with OSlav. glogu, 'thorn'. Cp.
glottis, epiglottis, and gloze, 'a note'. Cp. also
the second element in monoglot, diglot, triglot,
polyglot, and in bugloss, Cynoglossum, Doco-
glossa, Hippoglossus, hypoglossus, Odontoglos-
sum, Ophioglossum, Pangloss, Salpiglossis,
Tachyglossus, Triglochin.
Derivative: gloss, tr. v., to write glosses to.
gloss, n., polish. — Rel. to obsol. Du. gloos, 'a
glowing', MHG. glosen, Norw. glosa, 'to glow',
and prob. also to OE. glowan, of s.m. See glow
and cp. gloze, 'to shine'.
Derivative: gloss, tr. and intr. v., to polish,
glossary, n., a collection of glosses; a partial
dictionary. — L. gldssdrium, 'vocabulary of
antiquated or foreign words, glossary', formed
with suff. -drium, fr. gldssa. See gloss, 'inter-
pretation', and subst. suff. -ary.
Derivative; glossari-al, adj.
glossator, n., a writer of glosses. — ML., formed
with suff. -ator fr. L. gldssa. See gloss, 'inter-
pretation'.
glossic, n., a phonetic system invented by Alex-
ander John Ellis (1814-90). — Coined by A.J.
Ellis fr. Gk. yXuoaa, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'inter-
pretation', and -ic
glossitis, n., inflammation of the tongue (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
yXdaaoL, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'interpretation'.
glosso-, combining form denoting the tongue. —
Gk. yXomjcjo-, fr. y\6>aaa, 'tongue'. See gloss,
'interpretation'.
glossograph, n., an instrument for recording the
movements of the tongue in speaking. — Com-
pounded of glosso- and Gk. -ypa<po<;, fr. ypitpew,
'to write'. See -graph,
glossograpber, n., a writer of glosses. — Formed
with suff. -er fr. Gk. yXwoooypiipoc, 'a writer of
glosses', which is compounded of yXcoaao- (see
glosso-) and -ypa<po?, fr. ypa<psiv, 'to write' (see
-grapher).
glossology, n., the science of language (obsol.) —
Compounded of glosso- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-X6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy
and cp. glottology.
Derivatives: glossolog-ical, adj., glossolog-ist, n.
glossotomy, n., the cutting out of the tongue
(surg.) — Compounded of glosso- and Gk.
-xouia, 'a cutting of, fr. tou.t), 'a cutting'. See
-tomy.
glottis, n., the opening between the vocal cords
of the larynx (anat.) — Att. Gk. yXwr-ri;, 'the
mouth of the windpipe', fr. yXcoTTa, 'tongue'.
See gloss, 'interpretation', and subst. suff. -id
and cp. epiglottis.
glotto-, combining form meaning 'language'. —
Att. Gk. yXw-r-ro-, fr. yXco-rra, 'tongue; lan-
guage'. See gloss, 'interpretation'.
glottology, n., the science of language (obsol.) —
It. glottologia, coined by the Italian comparative
philologist Graziadio Isaia Ascoli (1829- 1907)
fr. glotto- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xdyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy and cp. glos-
sology.
glout, intr. v., to frown, scowl (archaic). — ME.
glouten, prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. glotta,
'to smile scornfully', and see gloat.
glove, n. — ME. glofe, glove, fr. OE. gldf, 'palm
of the hand', rel. to ON. gldfi. Both these words
are a contraction of Teut. *ge-lof, fr. pref. ge-
(see y-) and *lof, 'palm of the hand', whence
alsa ON. Idfi, Goth, lofa and (with vowel grad-
ation) OHG. laffa, 'palm of the hand ; oarblade\
These words are cogn. with Lith. Idpa, 'claw',
lopeta, 'shovel, spade'; waterlily', Lett, lepa,
'paw', Idpusta, lapsta, 'shovel, spade'. OPruss.
lopto, 'spade', Russ. lapa, 'paw', lopdta, 'shovel'.
Cp. loof, aloof, luff, laveer.
Derivatives: glove, tr. v., glov-er, n.
glow, intr. v. — ME. glowen, fr. OE. glowan, rel.
to OS. gloian, ON. glda, OHG. gluoen, MHG.
gliien, gluejen, G. gluhen, 'to glow', fr. I.-E.
*ghldu-, enlargement of base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to
gleam, glimmer'. See glass and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also gleg, gloaming.
Derivatives : glow, n„ glow-ing, adj., glow-ing-ly,
adv.
glower, intr. v., to lower; to scowl. — Cp. LG.
gluren, Du. gluren, 'to leer', see gloom.
Derivatives: glower, n., glower-er, n., glower-
ing, adj., glower-ing-ly, adv.
Gloxinia, n., a genus of tropical plants (bot.) —
ModL., named after Benjamin Peter Gloxin,
an 18th century German botanist and physician.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
gloze, intr. v., to shine, blaze (Scot.) — See gloss,
'to polish'.
Derivative: gloze, a blaze.
gloze
664
gloze, n., i) a note (obsol.); 2) flattering speech;
flattery (archaic). — OF. glose, fr. ML. glosa,
a var. of L. glossa, 'a word that requires explan-
ation'. See gloss, 'interpretation'.
gloze, intr. v., 1) to make glosses (obsol.); 2) to
flatter (archaic). — ME. glosen, fr. OF. gloser,
fr. glose. See gloze, n.
glucase, n., maltase, i.e. an enzyme capable of
converting maltose into glucose (chem.) —
Formed fr. gluc(ose) with suff. -ase.
glucina, n., another name for beryllia (chem.) —
ModL., coined by the French chemist Nicolas-
Louis Vauquelin (1763-1829) in 1798 fr. Gk.
yXuxui;, 'sweet' (see glyco-); so called by him
in allusion to the sweet taste of some of its salts.
glucinum, also glucinium, n., another name for
beryllium (chem.) — ModL. See prec. word.
glucose, n., a sugar, C 6 H 12 O e (chem.) — F. glu-
cose, fr. misspelling of Gk. yXsuxo?, 'must,
sweet wine', which is rel. to Gk. yXuxiiq, 'sweet'.
See glyco- and subst. suff. -ose.
glucoside, also spelled glycoside, n., a group of
compounds yielding glucose (chem.) — Formed
from prec. word with suff. -ide.
glue, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) glu, 'birdlime',
fr. Late L. glutem, acc. of glus, fr. L. gluten, of
s.m., which derives fr. I.-E. base *gleit-, 'to
glue, paste', whence also Lith. glitus, 'sticky,
glutinous, smooth', glytus, 'smooth, even',
glitas,glitis, 'slime, mucus', OE. clidan, 'to adhere
to', clida, 'plaster', elide, 'bur'. I.-E. "gleit- is a
-f-enlargement of base *glei-, 'to glue, paste,
stick together'. Port, grude, 'paste', is of the
same origin as OF. glu. See clay and cp. gluten.
Cp. also gleet. Cp. also cloth.
Derivatives: glue, tr. v., glue-y, adj.
glum, adj., gloomy; sullen. — MT. gloumen,
gloumben, 'to look sullen, gloomy'. See gloom,
v., and cp. grum. Derivatives: glum-ly, adv.,
glum-ness,n.,glumm-y, adj.
glume, n., a bract of grasses. — L. gluma, 'husk,
hull', for *glubh-smd, from the stem of glubo,
glubere, 'to peel, shell', which stands for
*gleubho and is cogn. with Gk. yXi^eiv, 'to hol-
low out, engrave, carve', yXu<pi<;, 'notch', OE.
cleofan, 'to cleave'. See cleave, 'to split', and
cp. glyph.
glumous, adj., bearing glumes. — Formed from
prec. word with suff. -ous.
glut, tr. v., to swallow. — OF. glotir, glutir, fr.
L. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down', fr. I.-E.
base *glu-, 'to swallow', whence also L. in-
glu-vies, 'crop, maw; gluttony, voraciousness',
Russ. gfot, 'draft, gulp', giotdt', 'to gulp, swal-
low', OSlav. po-glustati, 'to gulp, swallow
down*. Base *gl-u is a -u-enlargement of base
*gel-, 'to swallow', whence OHG. ceole, 'throat',
L. gula, 'throat'. See gullet, and cp. glutton,
deglutition, ingluvies.
Derivative: glut, n., a swallow, gulp.
glut, tr. v., to feed to satiety; intr. v., to eat to
satiety. — ME. glotten, fr. OF. glut, glout,
'gluttonous', back formation fr. glotir, glutir,
'to swallow, gulp down'. Cp. OF. glotoler, 'to
eat greedily', freq. of glotir, and see glut, 'to
swallow'.
Derivatives: glut, n., the act of glutting; full
supply, glutt-ing, adj., glut-ing-ly, adv.
gluteal, adj., pertaining to the muscles of the but-
tocks. — Formed from next word with adj.
suff. -al.
gluteus, n., any of the three large muscles of the
buttocks (anat.) — Medical L. glutaeus, glu-
teus, it. Gk. yXout6i;, 'rump', in the pi. 'but-
tocks', which is cogn. with MHG. kloz, 'lump,
ball', Du. kloot, 'ball, testicle', OE. cleat,
'wedge'. See cleat, and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
gluten, n., a viscid albuminous substance made
from wheat flour. — L. gluten, 'glue'. See glue,
glutinous, adj., of the nature of glue, sticky. —
L. glutindsus, 'gluey, viscous, tenacious', fr.
gluten, gen. glutinis, 'glue'. See glue and -ous
and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives : glutinous-ly, adv., glutinous-ness, n.
glutton, n., 1) a gormandizer; 2) a carnivorous
mammal (Gulo luscus); wolverine. — ME. glo-
ton, glutun, fr. OF. gloton, gluton (F. glouton),
fr. L. gluttdnem, acc. of glutto, 'glutton, gor-
mandizer', fr. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down' :
see glut, 'to swallow'. In the sense of 'wolverine',
glutton is the loan translation of G. Vielfrafi.
'gormandizer; wolverine', fr. vie/, 'much', and
fressen, 'to devour'. The name Vielfrafi itself
arose from an erroneous translation of earlier
Norw. fjeldfross, 'wolverine', lit. 'mountain cat',
fr. fjeld, 'mountain', and fross, 'tomcat; bear'
(cp. ON.//-ojj, 'tomcat; bear'), but folk etymol-
ogy identified Norw. fjeldfross with MHG.
villefras (G. Vielfrafi), lit. 'much devourer'.
(ModNorw. fjeldfras, in its turn, shows the in-
fluence ofG. Vielfrafi.) Derivatives: glutton-ize,
intr. and tr. v., glutton-ous, adj., gluttony (q.v.)
gluttony, n. — ME. glotonie, fr. OF. glotonie,
glutonie, fr. OF. gloton, gluton. See glutton and
-y (representing OF. -ie).
Glyceria, n., a genus of grasses, the manna grass
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yX\jxep6<;, 'sweet', fr.
yXuxiii;, 'sweet' (see glyco-) ; so called in allusion
to the taste of its grain,
glyceride, n., a compound of glycerol and organic
acids (chem.) — Formed fr. glycer(in) with suff.
-ide.
glycerin, glycerine, n. (chem.) — F. glycerine,
coined by the French chemist Michel-Eugene
Chevreul (1786-1889) fr. Gk. yXuxep6<;, 'sweet',
fr. yXuxui;, 'sweet'. See glyco- and chem. suff.
-in, -inc.
glyco-, combining form meaning 'sweet'. — Gk.
yXuxo-, fr. yXoxu?, 'sweet', assimilated to the
following x from orig. *8Xux-6i;, and cogn. with
L. dulcis (for *djkwis), 'sweet'. See dulcet and
cp. glucinum, glucose, licorice.
glycogen, n., a carbonhydrate found in the liver
665
gnome
of animals (chem.) — Coined by the French
physiologist Claude Bernard (1813-78) in 1848
from Gk. yXuxiii;, 'sweet' (see glyco-), and -gen.
glycol, n., an alcoholic liquid, regarded as inter-
mediate between glycerin and ethyl alcohol,
C 2 H 4 (OH) 2 (chem.) — Formed fr. glyc(erine)
and (alcoh)ol. Derivative: glycol-ic, adj.
glyconic, adj., pertaining to a monoacid, C 6 H 12 7
(chem.) — See glycose and -onic.
Glyconic, also Glyconian, adj., denoting a form
of classical meter or verse. — Formed with suff.
-ic fr. Gk. rXoxcov, name of a Greek lyric poet.
For the ending see suff. -ic, resp. -ian.
glycose, n., glucose. — F. See glucose.
glycoside, n., glucoside. — See glucoside.
glycosuria, n., a form of diabetes in which glucose
is excreted in the urine (med.) — Medical L.,
compounded of glucose and Gk. -oup(a, 'dis-
eased condition of urine'. See -uria.
Glycyrrhiza, n., a genus of plants, the licorice
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. yXuxuppt£oc, lit. 'sweet
root' (see licorice); so called in allusion to the
taste of its root.
glyph, n., a vertical channel or groove. — F.
glyphe, fr. Gk. yXutpr), 'a carving' fr. yXi^stv,
'to hollow out, engrave, carve', which is cogn.
with L. glubere, 'to peel, shell', OE. cleofan, 'to
cleave'. See cleave, 'to split', and cp. glume. Cp.
also glyptic and the second element in anaglyph,
dactylioglyph, hieroglyph, petroglyph, triglyph.
glyphic, adj., pertaining to carving or sculpture.
— Gk. yXucptx^i;, 'pertaining to carving', fr.
yXutpy). See glyph and -ic.
glyphograph, n., an etched plate made by glypho-
graphy. — See next word and -graph.
glyphography, n., process by which a raised plate
suitable for printing is made from an etching. —
Compounded of Gk. yXutprj, 'carving' and -ypa-
<pia, 'writing', fr. ypa<p£tv, 'to write'. See glyph
and -graphy . Derivative : glyphograph-ic , adj .
glyptic, adj., pertaining to carving. — Gk. yXurt-
tixo?, 'pertaining to carving', fr. yXu7iT6<;, 'en-
graved, carved; fit for carving', verbal adj. of
yXu9Etv. See glyph and -ic.
Glyptodon, n., a genus of extinct gigantic mam-
mals (paleontol.) — Compounded of Gk. yXu7t-
zoq, 'engraved', verbal adj. of yXutpeiv, and 68tl>v,
gen. oSovro?, 'tooth'. See prec. word and odonto-.
glyptograph, n., an engraved gem. — Compound-
ed of Gk. yXj7tT0i;, 'engraved', verbal adj. of
yXu9Eiv, 'to engrave', and -ypcctpoi;, fr. ypaipew,
'to write'. See glyptic and -graph.
glyptography, n._the art or process of gem en-
graving. — See prec. word and -graphy.
Gnaphalium, n., a genus of plants, the cudweed
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. gnaphalium, 'cudweed',
fr. Gk. yvaqxiXXtov, of s.m., fr. yvdUpaXXov,
'flock of wool', fr. YvoOTTeiv, 'a collateral form
of xviirretv, 'to card', which is cogn. with W.
cnaif, Olr. cnae, 'fleece', and prob. also with
Lith. knabeti, 'to peel', ON. hneppa, 'to squeeze,
pinch, rob', OE. hmeppan, 'to strike', Dan.
nappe, Swed., Norw. nappa, 'to pinch',
gnar, gnarr, intr. v., to snarl. — Of imitative ori-
gin. Cp. MHG. gnarren, knarren, G. knarren,
'to creak, rattle', G. knurren, Du. knorren, Dan.
knurre, 'to snarl, growl', which all are of imi-
tative origin. Cp. knar.
gnarl, intr. v., to snarl. — Formed from prec.
word with frequent, suff. -/.
gnarled, adj., knotted. — A var. of knurled,
'knotted', fr. knurl (q.v.); first used by Shake-
speare.
gnash, tr. v. — ME. gnasten, 'to gnash the teeth',
rel. to ON. gnastan, 'a gnashing', gnista, of
s.m.; of imitative origin. Cp. G. knistern, 'to
crackle'. Derivatives : gnash, n., gnash-ing, n.
gnat, n. — ME., fr. OE. gnsett, rel. to LG. gnatte,
in gradational relationship to MLG. gnitte,
'gnat', G. Gnitze, 'gnat' and prob. also to OE.
gnagan, 'to gnaw'. See gnaw.
gnathic, adj., pertaining to the jaw. — Formed
with suff. -ic fr. Gk, yvdc^oi;, 'jaw, cheek', which
is cogn. with Lith. zdndas, 'jaw', and prob.
stands in gradational relationship to Gk. yevu?,
'the lower jaw, cheek, chin', yevsiov, 'chin'. See
genial, 'pertaining to the chin', and cp. words
there referred to.
gnathism, n., relative projection of the lower jaw
(a term of craniometry). — See prec. word and
-ism.
gnathitis, n., inflammation of the jaw or cheek
(med.) — Medical L. See gnathic and -itis.
-gnathous, combining form lit. meaning '-jawed',
as in orthognathous, prognathous (a term of
craniometry). — See gnathic and -ous.
gnaw, tr. and intr. v. — ME. gnawen, fr. OE.
gnagan, rel. to OS. gnagan, ON., Swed. gnaga,
Dan. gnave, MDu., Du. knagen, OHG. gna-
gan, nagan, MHG. gnagen, nagen, G. nagen.
Outside Teut. cp. the second element in Avestic
aiwi-ynixta, 'gnawed, nibbled, eaten'. Cp. nag,
'to worry'. Cp. also gnat.
Derivatives: gnaw-er, n., gnaw-ing, n. and adj.,
gnaw-ing-ly, adv.
gneiss, n., a composite rock consisting of feld-
spar, quartz, mica and hornblende. — G., rel.
to OHG. gneisto, MHG. g(a)neist(e), ON.
gneisti, OE. gndst, 'spark'. Cp. OPruss. knaistis,
'a burning', and see ganister.
gnome, n., a fabulous dwarfish person. — F., fr.
ModL. gnomus, a word coined by the Swiss-
German physician and alchemist Paracelsus
(died in 1 541) prob. fr. Gk. yvtou.Tj, 'intelligence'
(see next word; gnomes were supposed to be
intelligent people) or perh. fr. Gk. *yr)v6u.oi;,
'inhabitant of the earth', formed on the analogy
of daXaaaov6u.o<;, 'inhabitant of the sea'. See
Geonoma.
Derivative: gnom-ish, adj.
gnome, n., a moral maxim. — Gk. yvt!>u.T), 'a
means of knowing; mind, judgment, intelli-
gence; maxim, opinion', from the base of
yiyvtixjxeiv, 'to know, perceive, understand*. See
gnomic
666
can, aux. v., and cp. gnomon, gnosis. Cp. also
prec. word.
gnomic, gnomical, adj., pertaining to gnomes,
sententious, aphoristic. — Gk. yv(ou,ix6<;,
'suited to maxims', fr. yv&[vr). See prec. word
and -ic, resp. also -al.
gnomon, n., index on a sundial. — L. gnomon,
fr. Gk. Yvci^cov, 'judge, indicator', lit. 'one that
knows', rel. to ywou.7), 'mind, judgment, maxim,
opinion'. See gnome, 'maxim', and cp. the
second element in pathognomonic and in
physiognomy.
gnomonic, adj., pertaining to a gnomon. — L.
gndmonicus, fr. Gk. yvg>u.ovix6(;, fr. -pi(!>u.ov. See
prec. word and -ic.
gnosis, n., knowledge, especially that claimed by
the Gnostics. — ModL. gnosis, fr. Gk. yv&au;,
'knowledge', from the base seen also in Yv<o[zif],
'mind, judgment; maxim, opinion'. See gnome,
'maxim', and cp. diagnosis, prognosis.
gnostic, adj., pertaining to knowledge. — Gk.
yvcotmxoi;, 'of knowing', fr. yvwctt6<;, 'known,
perceived, understood', a later collateral form
of yv<ot6?, verbal adj. of Yi-pKooxeiv, 'to know'.
See gnosis and -ic and cp. next word. Cp. also
diagnostic, prognostic.
Gnostic, n., a member of the sect of Gnostics;
adj., pertaining to Gnosticism. — Late L. Gnos-
tiats, fr. Gk. yvo>otix6?, 'Gnostic, member of
a religious sect of the 2nd cent.', lit. 'knowing'.
See prec. word and cp. Mandaean.
Derivative : Gnostic-ism, n.
gnu, n., a large S. African antelope. — Fr. gnoo,
the word by which the German traveler Georg
Forster (1754- 1794) rendered Kaffir ngu (in his
book 'A Voyage Around the World', I, p. 83).
go, intr. v. — ME. gon, fr. OE. gdn, rel. to OS.,
OFris., MLG. gdn, Dan. gaa, Swed. gd, MDu.
gaen, Du. gaan, OHG., MHG. gdn, gen, G.
gehen, Crimean Goth, geen, 'to go', fr. I.-E.
base *ghe-, *ghei-. The same base appears re-
duplicated in OI. jlhite (for *ghi-ghe-te), 'goes
away', jd-hd-ti (for *ghe-ghe-ti), 'leaves, aban-
dons', Gk. xi/dvco (for *ghi-ghe-no), xix^fu
(for * ghi-ghe-mi), 'I reach, meet with', Avestic
zazdmi, 'I dismiss'. Base *ghe-, *ghei-, 'to go',
is identical with base *ghe-, *ghei-, 'to lack, be
in want of (prop, 'to go without'), whence Gk.
yr^oc,, 'want, need', yaiziv, 'to want, be in
need of, long for, desire', x^P ?> 'bereaved of,
L. heres, 'heir' ; see heredity and cp. chori-. Cp.
ago.
Derivatives: go, n., that which goes, go-er, n.,
go-ing, n.
goad, n. — ME. gode, fr. OE. gad, 'point, sting,
goad, arrow', rel. to Lombard gaida, 'spear',
and cogn. with OI. hetih, 'missile, projectile',
hdyati, hindti, 'pushes on, hurls', Avestic zaena-,
'weapon', Gk. x°"°S. 'shepherd's staff, Gaul.-
L. gaesum, 'a long heavy javelin', Olr. gae,
'spear', OE. gar, 'spear', Du. gesel, OHG.
geisila, MHG. geisel, G. Geifisl, 'whip, lash'.
All these words are traceable to I.-E. base *ghei-,
'to drive on, push on'. Cp. gore, 'a triangular
piece of land', and words there referred to.
Derivative: goad, tr. v.
goaf, n., the open space from which the coal has
been extracted {dial. E.) — ME. golf, 'heap of
sheaves placed in a barn', fr. ON. golf, 'floor,,
apartment, division'.
goal, n. — ME. gol, 'limit, boundary', prob. fr.
OE. *gdl, 'hindrance', whence gxlan, 'to hin-
der'; see gill, 'ravine'. For sense development
cp. L. meta, 'end, boundary; goal'.
goat, n. — ME. goot, gote, fr. OE. gat, rel. to OS.
get, ON., Norw. geit, Swed. get, Dza.gjed, MDu.
gheet, Du. geit, OHG., MHG. gei 3 , G. Geifi,
Goth, gaits, 'goat', fr. I.-E. base *ghaido-, 'kid,
goat', whence also L. haedus, 'kid, young goat'.
Derivatives: goatee (q.v.), goat-ish, adj., goat-
ish-ly, adv., goat-ish-ness, n., goat-ling, n.,
goat-ly, adj.
goatee, n., a man's beard resembling a goat's
beard. — Formed from prec. word with suff . -ee.
Derivative: goate-ed, adj.
gob, n., a mouthful of saliva; a lump of slimy
substance. — OF. gobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'
[whence F. gobe, gobbe, 'fattening ball (for
poultry); poisoned ball (for a dog)'], of Celtic
origin; cp. Ir. gob, 'mouth', Gael, gob, 'beak'.
Cp. gobbet, gobble, 'to eat greedily', goblet.
gob, n., a sailor in the navy (slang). — Perh. lit.
'a lump', and orig. identical with prec. word.
gobang, also goban, n., a Japanese game resem-
bling checker. — Japan, goban, corruption of
Chinese k'i-p'an, 'checkerboard'.
gobbet, n., a piece of flesh; a lump of food (ar-
chaic or rare). — ME. gobet, it. OF. gobet,
dimin. oigobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'. See gob, 'a
mouthful', and dimin. suff. -et and cp. goblet.
gobble, tr. and intr. v., to eat greedily. — Formed
with freq. suff. -le fr. F. gober, 'to gulp down,
swallow', fr. OF. gobe, 'a mouthful, a lump'.
See gob, 'a mouthful'.
gobble, intr. v., to make the characteristic noise
of a turkey cock. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
gabble.
Derivative: gobble, a., the noise made by a
turkey cock.
gobble, n., a successful putt into the hole (a term
of golf). — Prob. fr. gobble, 'to eat greedily',
gobbledegook, gobbledygook, n., the overinvol-
ved, pompous talk of officialdom (slang). —
Coined by Maury Maverick (1895-1954), a U.S.
public official,
gobbler, n., one who eats greedily. — Formed fr.
gobble, 'to eat greedily', with agential suff. -er.
gobbler, n., a turkey cock. — Formed fr. gobble,
'to make the noise of the turkey cock', with
agential suff. -er.
Gobelin, adj., pertaining to tapestry produced at
the Gobelin looms; resembling such tapestry.
— Named after the French dyers Gilles and
Jehan Gobelin, who established near Paris a
667
goia
factory of tapestry (about the middle of the
fifteenth century).
Derivative: Gobelin, n., a Gobelin tapestry,
gobi, n., lenticular mass of deposits (geol.) —
Mongolian gobi, 'desert'. Cp. the Gobi Desert,
which is a pleonasm, because gobi means the
same as English desert.
gobiid, adj., pertaining to the Gobiidae. — See
next word.
Gobiidae, n. pi., the family of fishes constituted
by the gobies (ichthyol.) — ModL., formed with
suff. -idae fr. L. gobius, a kind of fish. See goby.
goblet, n. — ME. gobelet, fr. OF. (= F.) gobelet,
•goblet, cup', fr. OF. gobel, of s.m., orig. iden-
tical with OF. gobel, 'mouthful', dimin. of gobe.
See gob, 'a mouthful', and -et.
goblin, n., an evil spirit. — F. gobelin, formed fr.
ML. cobdlus, fr. Gk. xofJaXo?, 'rogue, knave;
an evil spirit', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
kobold, cobalt.
Derivative: goblin-ry, n.
goby, n., a small marine fish. — L. gobius, fr. Gk.
x(o^t6?, which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
Gobiidae, gudgeon, the fish.
God; god, n. — ME., fr. OE. god, rel. to OS.,
Du. god, OHG., MHG. got, G. Gott, ON. gud,
Dan., Swed. gud, Goth, gup, for Teut. *guda-,
which is prob. a participial formation (cp. cold,
loud, old) meaning 'the invoked being', and
corresponds to I.-E. ghu-td-m, fr. base *ghu-,
'to invoke', whence OI. hit-ta-, 'invoked' (epithet
of Indra), pp. of hdvate, 'invokes', which is rel.
to Avestic zavaiti, of s.m., Gk. xauxao[iat, 'I
boast', OSlav. zovo, zuvati, 'to call'. Cp. bigot,
giddy, good-by, gossip.
Derivatives : goddess (q.v.), god-like, adj., god-ly,
adj., god-li-ness, n.
goddess, n. — ME. godesse, goddesse, a hybrid
coined fr. god and -esse, a suff. of ult. Gk. ori-
gin. See god and -ess.
Godetia, n., a genus of plants of the evening prim-
rose family (bot.) — ModL., named after the
Swiss botanist Charles-H. Godet (1797-1879).
For the ending see suff. -ia.
Godfrey, masc. PN. — OF. Godefrei (F. Gode-
froi), fr. OHG. Godafrid (G. Gottfried), lit. 'the
peace of God', fr. OHG. got, 'God', and fridu,
'peace'. See god and free and cp. the first ele-
ment in Frederic and the second element in
Geoffrey.
godown, n., a warehouse; a store (Anglo-Ind.) —
Anglicized fr. Malay godong, 'warehouse',
which prob. derives fr. Telugu gidatigi, fr. Tamil
kidangu, prop, 'a place where things lie', fr. kidu,
'to lie'. For sense development cp. G. Lager,
'storehouse, warehouse, store', lit. 'a place
where things lie', fr. liegen, 'to lie'.
godsend, n., that which comes unexpectedly, as
if sent by God.; a welcome event. — For God's
send, in which send derives fr. ME. sonde, sonde,
'that which is sent, message', fr. OE. sand, fr.
sendan, 'to send'. See send.
goel, n., next of kin; redeemer; avenger of blood
(Hebrew antiq.) — Heb. gd'el, 'redeemer', active
part, of gd'dl, 'he has redeemed', whence g e 'ul-
ld h , 'redemption'. See Geullah.
goff, n., a stupid fellow (now dial) — ME. goffe,
prob. fr. F. goffe, 'awkward', fr. It. gpffo, of
s.m., which is of uncertain origin. Cp. goof.
goffer, tr. v., to plait, flute. — F. gaufrer, 'to
figure (cloth, leather or velvet)', fr. gaufre,
'honeycomb, waffle', fr. Frankish *wafel, which
is rel. to MDu. wdfel, 'wafer'. See wafer and cp.
gopher, 'a rodent'.
Derivatives : goffer, n., goffer-er, n., goffer-ing, n.
goggle, intr. v. — ME. gogelen, prob. formed with
freq. suff. -le fr. the imitative base *gog-. Cp.
jog, joggle.
Derivatives: goggle, n. and adj., goggl-ed, adj.,
goggl-y, adj.
goggler, n., name of a fish (Trachurops crumen-
ophthalmus). — Formed from prec. word with
agential suff. -er.
goglet, also guglet, n., a waterbottle. — Cor-
ruption of Port, gorgoleta, 'a narrow-mouthed
vessel out of which the water guggles', which is
rel. to gorgolejar, 'to drink by draughts or
gulps', an alteration of gargarejar, 'to gargle',
fr. L. gargarizdre, from the imitative base
*garg-. See garget.
goi, goy, n., a gentile, a non-Jew. — Heb. gdy,
'people, nation' (in Mishnaic and Modern
Hebrew, also 'gentile'), pi. goyfm. Cp. goyim.
Goidelic, adj., pertaining to the Gaelic language.
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. Olr. Goidel, 'Gael'.
See Gael.
goiter, goitre, n. — F. goitre, fr. OF. goitron,
'throat', fr. VL. *gutturidnem, acc. of *gutturio,
fr. L. guttur, 'throat'. See guttural.
Derivatives: goiter-ed, goitr-ed, adj., goitrous
(q-v.)
goitrous, adj. pertaining to, or affected with,
goiter. — F. goitreux (fern, goitreuse), fr. goitre.
See goiter and -ous.
goia, n., a storehouse for grain . — H ind. gold, prop,
'a round house', fr. gol, 'round' ; so called from
the usual form of such storehouses.
golah, n., Diaspora, galuth (Jewish hist.) — Heb.
gold", 'exile; exiles', fr. gala", 'he uncovered,
removed; he departed; he went into exile, was
deported'. See galuth.
Golconda, n., a mine of wealth. — From Gol-
conda, the old capital of the kingdom of The
Deccan in India, a famous center of the dia-
mond trade.
gold, n. — ME., fr. OE. gold, rel. to OS., OFris.,
OHG. gold, MHG. golt, G. Gold, MDu. gout,
Du. goud, ON. gull, goll, Swed. gull, Dan. guld,
Goth, gulp, 'gold', and cogn. with OSlav. zlato
(for *zol-to), Russ. zoloto, Lett, zelts, OI. hiran-
yam, Avestic zaranya-, 'gold'. All these words are
traceable to I.-E. base *ghel-, *ghel-, 'to shine;
yellow*, and orig. meant 'the yellow metal'. See
yellow and cp. gild, guilder, gulden. Cp. also zloty.
golem
668
Derivatives: gold, gold-en, adjs.
golem, n., an artificial man; an automaton. —
Heb. gSlem (in Ps. 139: 16), 'embryo', fr. gdldm,
'he wrapped up, folded',
golf, n., a game of Scottish origin. — Of uncertain
origin. It derives perh. fr. MDu. coif, colve (Du.
kolf), 'club for striking balls', which is rel. to
ON. kolfr, 'clapper of a bell; a kind of bolt',
OHG. kolbo, MHG. kolbe, G. Kolben, 'mace,
club'.
Derivatives : golf, intr. v., golf-er, n.
Golgotha, n., calvary. — Greek transliteration
of Aram, gulgultd, 'skull' (= Heb. gulgdleth),
the name given to a hill near Jerusalem (so called
in reference to its shape); cp. Calvary. For the
etymology of Aram, gulgultd see gelilah.
goliard, n., jester, buffoon, poet. — OF. goliard,
goliart, 'glutton; buffoon', fr. gole (whence F.
gueule), 'mouth', fr. L. gula. See gullet and -ard.
Goliath, n., a giant. — Late L. Goliath, fr. Heb.
Golydth, name of a Philistine giant killed by
David (see I Sam., chapter 17).
golliwog, n., 1) a grotesque doll; 2) a grotesque
person. — Coined by the portrait painter and
illustrator Florence K. Upton (died in 1922).
The word was prob. modeled on polliwog.
golosh, n. — A var. of galosh.
goluptious, adj., luscious. — Facetiously formed
on the analogy of voluptuous.
gomasta, gomastah, gomashta, n., a native agent
or factor (India). — Pers. gumdshtah, 'appoint-
ed'.
gombeen, n., usury {Irish-English) — Ir. gaimbin,
'interest', fr. Late L. cambium, 'exchange', fr.
cambidre, 'to exchange'. See cambium and cp.
words there referred to.
gombroon, gomroon, n., a kind of white semi-
porcelain. — Fr. Gombroon (now Bandar
Abbas), name of a town on the Persian Gulf.
Cp. gambroon.
gomer, n., a measure. — L. gomor, Gk. yV°P>
fr. Heb. 'dmer. See omer.
gomer, a conical chamber. — Named after its
inventor.
gomeral,gomerel,n.,a fool. — Of unknown origin.
gomphosis, n., an immovable union of bony parts
in the body (anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. y6[a-
<po3<Ti<;, 'a bolting together', fr. You.<pouv, 'to
fasten with bolts', fr. yV<P°?> 'bolt*, which is
cogn. with OE. cdmb, 'comb'. See comb and
-osis and cp. agomphious.
Gomphrena, n., a genus of plants of the family
Amaranthaceae (bot.) — Altered fr. L. grom-
phaena, name of a kind of amaranth.
gomroon, n. — See gombroon.
gomuti, n., a palm growing in the Archipelago
(Arenga saccharifera). — Malay gumuti.
gon-, form of gono- before a vowel.
-gon, combining form meaning 'having (such and
such) a number of angles', as in trigon, pentagon.
— Gk. -y<i>vo<;, from the stem of yravla, 'angle,
corner", which is rel. to y6w, 'knee', and cogn.
with OI. jdnu, Goth, kniu, OE. cneo 'knee'. See
knee and cp. gonio-, gonion, gony-. Cp. also
agonic, Coregonus, diagon, diagonal, Eriogonum,
isogonic, orthogonal.
gonad, n., a reproductive gland (biol.) — Formed
with suff. -ad fr. Gk. yovT), 'that which is be-
gotten; offspring; that which generates, seed, .
semen; genitals; the act of generation; race,
family'. See gono-.
gondola, n., a narrow boat used in the canals of
Venice. — It., fr. Friaul. gondola, 'to waver,
vacillate', which is prob. of imitative origin. It
is not connected with L. gandeia, 'a kind of
African ship'.
Derivative: gondola, intr. v.
gondolet, n., a small gondola. — It. gondoletta,
dimin. of gondola. See prec. word and -et.
gondolier, n., one who rows a gondola. — F., fr.
It. gondoliere, fr. gondola. See gondola and -ier.
gone, adj., lost; prop. pp. of go. — ME. gon,
fr. OE. gan, pp. of OE. gan, 'to go'. See go.
Derivatives: gone-ness, n., goner (q.v.)
goner, n., one ruined, lost (slang). — Formed fr
gone with suff. -er.
gonfalon, n., an ensign. — OF. (= F.), formed
with dissimilation from gonfanon (q.v.)
gonfalonier, n., one who bears the gonfalon. —
F., fr. gonfalon. See prec. word and -ier.
gonfanon, n., a gonfalon. — F., fr. OHG. gundfano
(cp. OE. gupfana, ON. gunnfani), lit. 'banner of
war', fr. gund, gunt, 'war', and fano, 'flag, ban-
ner'. The first element is rel. to OE. giid, ON.
gudr, gunnr, 'war', fr. I.-E. base *g w hen-, 'to
strike', whence also Gk. &etvsiv, 'to strike', L.
de-fendere, 'to ward off, keep away, defend,
guard, protect' ; see defend and cp. the first ele-
ment in Gunther. The second element is rel. to
OE., Goth, fana, 'cloth', and cogn. with L. pan-
nus, 'piece of cloth' ; see pane, 'sheet of glass',
and cp. fanon. Cp. also gonfalon.
gong, n. — Malay gong, of imitative origin. Cp.
gum-gum.
Derivative: gong, intr. v.
Gongorism, n., an artificial, affected style. —
Prop, 'a style resembling that of the Spanish
poet Luis de Gdngora y Argote (1 561-1627)'.
For the ending see suff. -ism.
Goniatites, n., a genus of cephalopods (paleon-
tol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ycovlS, 'angle' (see -gon);
so called from the angular sutures,
gonidium, n., an asexual reproductive spore(6or.)
— ModL., formed with suff. -iditim fr. Gk.
y6vo?, 'that which is begotten, offspring'. See
gono-.
gonio-, combining form meaning 'angle, corner'.
— Gk. YWV10-, fr. y<ov(5, 'angle, corner'. See
-gon.
goniometer, n., an instrument for measuring
angles. — F. goniometre, fr. Gk. Ywvta, 'angle',
and (jL^Tpov, 'measure'. See gonio- and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
goniometry, n., the measurement of angles. —
669
gopura
F. goniometrie. See prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives : goniometr-ic, goniometr-ic-al, adjs.,
goniometr-ic-al-ly, adv.
gonion, n., the point at the angle on either side
of the lower jaw (cranial.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
Ycjvta, 'angle, corner'. See -gon.
gonitis, n., inflammation of the knee (med.) —
Medical L., formed fr. Gk. yovu, 'knee', with
suff. -itis. See -gon.
-gonium, combining form denoting a mother cell
(biol.) — ModL. -gonium, fr. Gk. -y&voQ, 'be-
getting, producing; born of, fr. yovot;, 'that
which is begotten, offspring'. See gono-.
gonnardite, n., a zeolite (mineral.) — Named after
the French mineralogist Ferdinand Gonnard,
who first analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
gonnof, gonnoph, also ganef, n., a thief. — Yiddish
ganef, fr. Heb. ganndbh (in Modern Heb. pro-
nunciation ganndv), 'thief, fr. gandbh, 'he
stole'. See gambit.
gono-, before a vowel gon-, combining form
meaning 'sexual, reproductive'. — Gk. yovo-,
Yov-, fr. yovo?, 'that which is begotten, child,
offspring; procreation; race, birth, descent;
seed, semen; genitals', or fr. yovtj, 'that which
is begotten, offspring; that which generates,
seed, semen; genitals; the act of generation;
race, family'. See genus and cp. gonad, gonidium,
-gonium, -gony.
gonococcus, n., the micro-organism that causes
gonorrhea (bacteriol.) — Medical L., coined
by the German physician Albert Ludwig Sig-
mund Neisser (1855-1916) in 1882 fr. gono- and
Gk. x6xxoi;, 'kernel, berry'. See coccus.
Gonolobus, n., a genus of plants, the anglepod
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of the stem of
Ycovia, 'angle' and Xo[16<;, 'pod' (see gonio- and
lobe). The genus is so called from the shape of
the fruit.
gonophore,n., 1) elongation of the axis of a flower
above the perianth (bot.) ; 2) one of the gener-
ative buds containing the reproductive elements
in Hydrozoa (zool.) — Compounded of gono-
and -phore.
gonorrhea, gonorrhoea, n. (med) — Late L. go-
norrhoea, fr. Gk. Y° vo PP ota > which is com-
pounded of y ov °S> 'seed, semen', and poia,
'flux', fr. psiv, 'to flow'. See gono- and -rrhea.
Derivative: gonorrhe-al, gonorrhoe-al, adj.
gony-, combining form denoting the knee. — Fr.
Gk. y6w>, 'knee', rel. to y&>vi5, 'angle, corner'.
See -gon.
-gony, combining form meaning 'generation,
genesis, origination', as in cosmogony, geogony.
— L. -gonia, fr. Gk. -yoviS, fr. Yovo?, 'that
which is begotten, offspring'. See gono- and
cp. -geny.
good, adj. — ME. good, fr. OE. god, rel. to OS.,
OFris. god, ON. godr, Dan., Swed. god, Du.
goed, OHG, MHG. guot, G. gut, Goth, gops,
'good'. The original meaning of these words was
'fit, adequate, belonging together'. They stand
in gradational relationship to OE. gada, ge-
gada, 'companion', gaderian,gsedrian, 'to gather,
collect, store up'; see gather and cp. the first
element in gospel. Cognates outside Teutonic
are OSlav. godu, 'pleasing time', godhfi, 'pleas-
ing', goditi, 'to be pleasing'.
Derivatives: good, n., good-ly, adj., good-li-ness,
goodness (q.v.), goody (q.v.)
good-by, good-bye, interj. and n. — Contraction
of God be with ye.
goodness, n. — ME. goodnesse, fr. OE. godnes,
fr. god, 'good'. See good and -ness.
goody, n., sweetmeat, bonbon. — Formed fr.
good with adj. suff. -y.
goody, n., civility applied to a woman of humble
station. — From goodwife.
goody, also goody-goody, adj., affectedly pious,
sanctimonious. — Formed fr. good with adj.
suff. -y.
goof, n., a stupid person (U.S. Slang). — Of un-
certain origin; possibly a var. of goff.
Derivatives: goof-y, adj., goof-i-ly, adv., goof-
i-ness, n.
googly, adj. (a term of cricket). — Of uncertain
origin.
googul, n. — A var. of gugal.
goon, n„ a ruffian. — Fr. Alice the Goon, a sub-
human character in the comic strip Thimble
Theatre by the American cartoonist Elzie Crisler
Segar (1894-1938).
gooroo, n. — A var. of guru.
goorul, n. — A var. of goral.
goosander, n., the merganser. — Prob. formed fr.
goose on analogy of bergander (q.v.)
goose, n. — ME. gos, goos, fr. OE. gos, rel. to
OFris., MLG. gos, ON. gas, OHG., MHG., G.
gans, 'goose', and cogn. with OI. hamsdh (masc),
hams! (fern.), 'goose, swan', Dor., Boeot. Gk.
X&v, Gk. x^jv, L. dnser (for *hdnser), Lith. zqsls,
OPruss. sansy, 'goose', Olr. geiss, 'swan'.
OSlav. gusi, 'goose', and Sp. ganso, 'gander,
goose', are Teut. loan words. Cp. gander, gan-
net, gosling and the first element in goosander,
goshawk, gossamer. Cp. also anserine, Chen.
Derivatives : goos-ish, goos-y, adjs.
gooseberry, n. — Prob. fr. G. Krausbeere or
Krduselberre, which are rel. to MDu. croesel,
'gooseberry'. These words prop, mean 'curly
berry', and derive fr. G. kraus, resp. MDu.
croes, 'crispy, curly; cp. ME. crous, 'curly'. E.
gooseberry owes its form to an association with
goose (as if it were a compound of goose and
berry). Cp. F. groseille, It. grossularia and Sp.
grosella, 'gooseberry', which are Dutch loan
words. Cp. also Grossularia.
gopher, n., a burrowing rodent. — F. gaufre,
'waffle, honeycomb' (see goffer); so called in
allusion to its burrows.
gopherwood, n. — Heb. gdpher, name of the wood
of which Noah's ark was made. See cypress,
gopura, n., a pyramidal tower above the entrance-
goral
670
gate of a Hindu temple. — OI., 'city gate', lit.
'cow city', fr. gduh, gen. goh, 'ox, bull, cow', and
piiram, 'city'. Gopura prob. denoted orig. that
part of the city (usually the suburb), in which
cattle breeding was practiced. For the first ele-
ment see cow and cp. Gautama and words there
referred to, for the second element see policy,
'method of government',
goral, goorul, n., the Himalayan goat antelope. —
Hind, gural, goral.
Gordian, adj., pertaining to Gordius, king of
Phrygia or to the knot tied by him. For the
ending see suff. -ian.
Gordonia, n., a genus of plants of the tea family
(p 0t ) — ModL., named after James Gordon, a
London nurseryman (1728-91). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
gore, n„ 1) dirt (obsol.) ; 2) clotted blood. — ME.,
fr. OE. gor, 'dung, dirt*, rel. to ON. gor, 'cud',
Swed. gorr, 'dirt', OHG., MHG. gor, 'dung',
Du. goor, 'foul, dirty', OE. gyre, 'dung', Norw.
gyrja, 'mud, mire'.
gore, n., a triangular piece of land. — ME. gare,
gore, fr. OE. gdra, 'a triangular piece of land',
lit. 'a spearshaped piece of land', fr. OE. gar,
spear , which is rel. to ON. geirr, OS., OHG.,
MHG.ger,G Ger,of s.m. See goad and cp. gore,
'to pierce'. Cp. also gar, and words there referred
to. Cp. also auger, garlic, gyron, the first element
in gerfalcon, and the second element in eagre,
'a tidal wave'.
gore, to pierce. — Fr. OE. gar, 'spear'. The orig.
meaning was 'to pierce with a spear'. See prec.
word.
gorge, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. VL. gurga, 'whirl-
pool, abyss', fr. L. gurges, gen. gurgitis, of s.m.
See voracious and cp. gorgeous, gorget, dis-
gorge, regorge. Cp. also gurgitation.
Derivatives: gorge, intr. and tr. v., gorg-ed, adj.
gorgeous, adj. — OF. gorgias, 'finely dressed,
luxurious', formed from the name of Gorgias,
a Greek sophist and rhetorician (about 483-
3 75 ), who took pleasure in showing off his
luxury.
Derivatives : gorgeous-ly, adv., gorgeous-ness, n.
gorget, n., a piece of armor defending the throat.
— OF. gorgete, dimin. of gorge, 'throat'. See
gorge and -et.
Derivative: gorget-ed, adj.
Gorgon, n., one of the three sisters in Greek
mythology who had the power to turn to stone
all who looked upon them. — L. Gorgo, fr. Gk.
ropf <o, fr. yopy6q, 'terrible', which is of uncer-
tain etymology. It is perh. cogn. with Olr. garg,
'rough, fierce, wild', OSlav. groza, Russ. grozd,
Pol. groza, Czech hritza, 'horror'. Cp. Demo-
gorgon.
gorgoneion, n., representation of the head of a
Gorgon, esp. that of Medusa. — ModL., fr.
Gk. TopyAveiov, fr. Topf6. See prec. word.
Gorgonian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
Gorgon. — Formed fr. Gorgon with suff. -fan.
Gorgonzola, n., a kind of Italian cheese. — Short
for Gorgonzola cheese; so called from a village
near Milan.
gorilla, n. — An African word quoted by the
Punic navigator Hanno in his Periplus (about
450 B.C.E.)
gormandize, n., indulgence in good eating and ,
drinking. — F. gourmandise, 'gluttony, greed-
iness', fr. gourmand, 'glutton'. See gourmand.
Derivatives : gormandize, intr. v., gormandiz-er,
n.
gorse, n., furze. — ME. gorst, fr. OE. gorst, rel.
to OS., OHG. gersta, MDu. gherste, Du. gerst,
MHG., G. gerste, 'barley', and cogn. with L.
hordeum, 'barley'. See Hordeum.
gory, adj., 1) covered with blood ; bloody ; 2) char-
acterized by much bloodshed. — Formed fr.
gore, 'clotted blood', with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives : gori-ly, adv., gori-ness, n.
goshawk, n„ a kind of large hawk. — ME. gos-
hawke, fr. OE. gdshafoc, compounded of gos
and hafoc, lit. 'goose hawk'. See goose and hawk,
goshenite, n„ a variety of beryl (mineral.) —
Named after Goshen in Massachusetts. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
goslet, n., a very small goose. — Formed with
suff. -let fr. ME. gos, 'goose'. See goose,
gosling, n., a young goose. — Formed fr. ME.
gos, 'goose', with dimin. suff. -ling,
gospel, n. — ME. godspel, gospel, fr. OE. god-
spell, lit. 'the good message', fr. god, 'good', and
spell, 'narrative, story, saying, message' (see
good and spell, 'charm'). Gospel is prop, a loan
translation of Eccles. L. evangelium (see evangel).
gospelize, tr. v., to evangelize. — A hybrid
formed fr. gospel with -ize, a suff. of Greek
origin.
gospeler, gospeller, n. — OE. godspellere, 'evang-
elist', fr. godspel. See gospel and agential suff. -er.
gospodar, n. — See hospodar.
gossamer, n., a filmy cobweb. — ME. gossomer,
gosesomer, lit. goose summer; so called because
it appears early November, at the time when
geese are in season. See goose and summer.
Derivatives : gossamer-ed, gossamer-y, adjs.
gossip, n., 1) godparent (obsol. or dial.); 2) one
given to idle talk; 3) idle talk. — ME. godsib,
gossib, fr. OE. godsibb, 'sponsor', fr. god, 'God',
and sibb, 'relationship'. See god and sib.
Derivatives: gossip, intr. v., gossip-y, adj.
gossoon, n., a boy. — Corruption of F. garcon,
'boy'. See garcon.
Gossypium, n., a genus of plants of the mallow
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. gossypion, 'the
cotton tree', which is of uncertain origin,
got, past tense and pp. of get. — ME. past tense
gat, pp. geten, goten, h.geten, 'to get'. See get.
Goth, n., member of an East Teutonic people. —
Late L. Gothi (pi.), fr. Gk. T6t9ot, T6»oi, fr.
Gut-, the first element in Gothic Gut-piuda, 'the
Gothic people'. For the second element in Gut-
piuda see Teuton. Cp. Jocelin, Joyce.
671
gown
Gothamite, n., a simpleton. — Formed fr.
Gotham, name of a village in England, whose
inhabitants were proverbial for their stupidity.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite. Cp. Abderite.
Gothic, adj. — F. gothique, fr. Late L. Gothicus,
fr. Gothus, 'Goth'. See Goth and -ic.
Derivatives: Gothic, n., Gothic-al-ly, adv.,
Gothic-ism, n., Gothic-ist, n., Gothic-ize, tr. and
intr. v.
gouache, n., a method of painting with water-
colors mixed with gum and honey. — F., fr. It.
guazzo, orig. meaning 'a place where there is
water', derived fr. L. aqudtid, 'the act of water-
ing', fr. aqudtus, pp. of aqudri, 'to bring water
for drinking, fr. aqua, 'water'. See aquatic.
Gouda, n., also Gouda cheese. — Named after
the town of Gouda in Holland.
gouge, n., a tool for making grooves. — F., 'a
hollow chisel', fr. Late L. gubia (for *gulbia),
of s.m., which is of Celtic origin ; cp. Olr. gulban,
'prick, prickle', Mir. gulba,W. gylfin, OCo . geluin,
'beak'. These words are prob. cogn. with Gk.
■yXatpetv, 'to hollow out, hew, carve', Y^<*<pup<k,
'hollowed out, hollow', Bulg. glob, 'eyesocket',
Slovenic gldbati, 'to hollow out, to gnaw'.
OProvenc. goja and Sp. gubia, 'gouge', also
derive fr. L. gubia. Cp. gudgeon, 'a pivot'.
Derivatives : gouge, tr. v., goug-er, n.
goulard, n., a solution of lead subacetate. — Short
for Goulard's extract or Goulard's cerate ; named
after Thomas Goulard, a French surgeon of the
1 8th cent.
goulash, n., a stew made of beef or veal, flavored
with paprika. — Fr. Hung, gulyds (hus), lit.
'(meat) of a herdsman', fr. gulya, 'herd'.
gour, n. — A var. of gaur.
Goura, n., a genus of pigeons, the crowned pigeon
(ornithol.) — ModL., from native name in
New Guinea, fr. Javanese gora, lit. 'great noise';
so called in allusion to the moaning cries with
which the male calls the female; gora is rel. to
the verb gheroq, 'to low, moan, snore'.
gourami, n., a large fish of the Malay Archipel-
ago. — Malay gurdmeh.
gourd, n., the fruit of cucurbitaceous plants. —
F. gourde, fr. OF. cohourde, courde, fr. L. cucur-
bita, 'gourd; pumpkin'. See cucurbit.
gourde, n., the monetary unit of Haiti. — F.
gourde, prop. fern, of the adjective gourd, 'numb,
stiff, heavy', fr. L. gurdus, 'dull', which is of
Iberian origin. Accordingly gourde prop, de-
notes 'a heavy or thick coin'. Cp. next word.
gourdy, adj., swollen in the legs (veter.) — OF.
gourdi, 'benumbed, swollen', pp. of gourdir,
fr. gourd, See prec. word and -y (representing
F. -,).
gourmand, n., one very fond of eating. — F., of
uncertain origin; not connected with gourmet.
Cp. gormandize, n.
Derivatives: gourmand-er, n., gourmand-ery, n.
gourmet, n., a connoisseur in eating and drink-
ing. — F., 'gourmet, epicure', fr. OF. gromet.
groumet, gourmet, 'servant, page; wine mer-
chant's assistant, shopboy' ; of uncertain origin.
F. gourmet was influenced in meaning by- F.
gourmand. Cp. groom.
gout, n. — OF. goute (F. goutte), 'drop; gout',
fr. L. gutta, 'drop', which is prob. cogn. with
Arm. kat', kat'n, 'drop', kit', kt'an, 'milk' (see
Ernout-Meillet, DELL., p. 286 s.v. gutta). This
disease was ascribed to the influence of the
drops of certain fluids in the body (whence the
sense development of OF. goute). Cp. gutter.
Derivatives: gout-y, adj., gout-i-ly, adv., gouti-
ness, n.
gout, n., taste. — F., fr. L. gustus. See gust,'taste\
and cp. gusto.
govern, tr. and intr. v. — OF. governer (F. gou-
verner), fr. L. guberndre, 'to steer or pilot a
ship ; to govern', a loan word introduced through
the medium of the Etruscans fr. Gk. xofiepvav,
which is often compared with, but prob. not
related to, OI. kubarah, 'pole, beam, tiller', Lith.
kumbryti, 'to govern', kumbras, 'tiller'. Cp.
gubernatorial. Cp. also cybernetics.
Derivatives: govern-able, adj., governabil-ity, n.,
governable-ness, n., governabl-y, adv., govern-
ing, adj., governor (q.v.)
governail, n., 1) a rudder; 2) government. — OF.
governail (F. gouvernail), fr. L. guberndculum,
'rudder', fr. guberndre. See prec. word.
governance, n. — OF. gouvernance. See govern
and -ance.
governess, n. — Shortened fr. ME. governeress,
fr. OF. go(u)verneresse. See govern and -ess and
cp. governor.
Derivative: governess, tr. and intr. v.
government, n. — OF. government (F. gouverne-
ment), fr. governer, 'to govern', fr. L. guberndre.
See govern and -ment.
Derivatives: government-al, adj., government-al-
ly, adv., and the hybrid nouns government-al-
ism, government-al-ist.
governor, n. — OF. governeiir (= F. gouverneur),
fr. L. guberndtdrem, acc. of guberndtor, 'steers-
man, pilot, ruler, governor', fr. guberndtus, pp.
of guberndre. See govern and agential suff. -or.
Derivatives: governor-ate, n., governor-ship, n.
gowan, n., the daisy (Scot.) — Fr. obsol. gowlan,
golan (whence dial. E. golland), 'a gold-colored
flower', which is rel. to gold (q.v.)
Derivative: gowan-y, adj.
gowk, n., 1) cuckoo; 2) a fool. — ME. goke,
gowk, fr. ON. gaukr, 'cuckoo', rel. to OE. geac,
OS. gdk, gdk, MLG. gdk, MDu. gooc, OHG.
gauh, MHG. gouch, G. Gauch, - cuckoo'; of
imitative origin. Cp. cuckoo.
Derivatives: gowk, intr. v., to stare foolishly,
gowk-ed, adj., foolish, gowk-ed-ly, adv., gowk-
ed-ness, n.
gown, n., a loose robe; a woman's dress. — ME.
goune, fr. OF. gone, goune, fr. Late L. gunna,
'fur', prob. a word adopted from a language of
the Apennine or the Balkan Peninsula. W. gwn,
gowpen
672
'gown', is a loan word fr. ME. goune.
Derivative: gown, tr. and intr. v.
go a pen, n., the hollow of the hand; a handful or
double handful (Scot, and dial.) — ON. gaupn,
'the hollow of the hand', rel. to OHG. goufana,
of s.m., OE. geap, 'open, wide', geopan, 'to
swallow', ON. gaupa, 'lynx', Norw. gop,
'ravine'.
goyim, pi., gentiles; all non- Jewish nations. —
Heb. goyim, pi. of gdy, 'people, nation'. See goi.
Graafian follicle, Graafian vesicle (anat.) —
Named after the Dutch anatomist Regnier
de Graaf (1641-73).
grab, tr. and intr. v., to seize suddenly. — MDu.
grabben, rel. to OS. garva, MDu. garve, OHG.
garba, 'sheaf, lit. 'that which is gathered up or
together', fr. I.-E. base *gherebh-, *ghrebh-, 'to
seize', whence also OI. gxbhn&ti, gfhndti, 'seizes',
OSlav. grabiti, 'to seize, rob', Lith. grebiu, grebti,
'to rake'. Cp. garb, 'sheaf', grabble.
Derivatives: grab, n., a sudden grasp, grabb-
er, n.
grab, n., a kind of vessel used in the Indian
ocean. — VArab. ghrdb, fr. Arab, ghur&b,
'raven; galley', of imitative origin. Cp. Heb.
'drdbh, Aram, 'drbhd, Syr. 'urbhd, Akkad. dribu,
'raven', which all are imitative.
grabble, intr. v., to grope; tr. v., to seize. — Du.
grabbelen, freq. of MDu. grabben. See grab,
'to seize', and freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: grabbl-er, n., grabbl-ing, n.
grace, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) grace, fr. OF.
grace, fr. L. gratia, 'favor shown to another,
kindness, loveliness, charm; thanks, thankful-
ness, gratitude', fr. grdtus, 'beloved, pleasing,
dear, agreeable; grateful', fr. I.-E. base *g w er-,
'to praise, welcome', whence also OI. gri&ti,
gfniti, 'sings, praises, announces', gtr, girdh,
'praise, song', gurtih, of s.m., gurtdh, 'welcome',
Avestiv gar-, 'to praise', Lith. giriu, girti, 'to
praise, celebrate', Lett, dzirties, 'to boast',
OPruss. girtwei, 'to praise', girsnan, 'praise,
reputation'. Cp. gracious, grateful, gratify,
gratis, gratuitous, gratulate, agree, congratu-
late, disgrace, ingrate, ingratiate, mauger.
Derivatives: grace, v. (q.v.), grace-ful, adj.,
grace-ful-ly, adv., grace- ful-ness, n., grace-less,
adj., grace-less-ly, adv., grace-less-ness, n.
grace, tr. v. — OF. gracier, fr. grace. See grace,n.
Grace, fern. PN. — Lit. 'favor, grace', fr. L.
gratia. See grace, n.
Gracilaria, n., a genus of algae (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. gracilis, 'slender'. See gracile.
gracile, adj., 1) slender; 2) gracefully slender. —
L. gracilis, 'slender, thin, slight, meager', dis-
similated fr. *cracilis, rel. to cracens, 'slender',
and prob. cogn. with OI. k[sdh, 'thin, weak',
Avestic k e r e sa-, 'lean, meager', Lith. kdrStu,
kdrSti, 'to be very old, to age', Lett, karst, kdrst,
'to grow old, ripen'. Cp. Gracilaria. For the end-
ing of grac-ilis cp. habilis, 'handy, supple, suit-
able', fr. habere, 'to have, hold' (see able).
Derivatives: gracile-ly, adv., gracile-ness, n.,
gracil-ity, n.
gracious, adj. — OF. gracious (F. gracieux), fr.
L. grdtidsus, 'enjoying favor, agreable, obliging',
fr. gratia. See grace, n., and suff. -ous.
Derivatives: gracious-ly, adv., gracious-ness, n.
grackle, n., any of various birds of the starling
family. — L. grdculus, 'the jackdaw', of imi-
tative origin; cp. croak, v., and words there
referred to.
gradatim, adv., gradually. — L., 'step by step',
formed fr. gradus, 'step, degree', with the suff.
-dtim. This suff. was formed on analogy of L.
statim, 'immediately' (prop. acc. of the ancient
noun sta-ti-s, 'a standing'), and was used to
form adverbs. Cp. literatim, seriatim, verbatim.
gradate, intr. and tr. v. — Back formation fr.
gradation.
gradation, n., 1) a scale of degrees; 2) the act of
arranging in degrees; 3) (philology) ablaut. —
L. graddtid, gen. -dnis, 'that which goes up or
down by degrees; staircase; gradation', fr.
gradus, 'step, degree'. See grade and -ation.
Derivatives: gradation, tr. v., gradation-al, adj.
grade, n., a degree. — F., fr. L. gradus, 'step,
degree; stage, position; that on which one
steps, a stair', rel. to gradi, 'to step, walk, go',
and cogn. with Lith. gridiju,gridyti, 'to go, v/an-
der', OSlav. gredg,gresti,'tocome',Olr.in-greinn,
do-greinn, 'he pursues', prob. also with Avestic
aiwi-g l r l 8mahi, 'we begin'. Cp. -grade, grada-
tim, gradation, gradient, gradin, gradual, gra-
duate, gradus, aggress, congress, degrade, de-
gree, degression, digression, egress, grail, 'book
for the use of the choir', Grallatores, gree,
'superiority', gressorial, ingredient, ingress,
progress, regress, retrograde, retrogress, trans-
gress.
Derivatives: grade, tr. and intr. \.,grad-ed, adj.,
grad-er, n.
-grade, combining form denoting 'mode of walk-
ing', as in digitigrade, plantigrade. — F. -grade,
fr. L. -gradus, 'stepping, walking, going', from
gradi, 'to step, walk, go'. See grade.
Gradgrind, n., a hard utilitarian. — Character in
Charles Dickens' Hard Times.
Derivatives: Gradgrind-ian, Gradgrind-ish, adjs.
gradient, adj., walking, capable of walking. —
L. gradiens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of gradi, 'to
step, walk, go'. See grade and -ent.
gradient, n., degree of inclination; grade. See
prec. word.
Gradientia, n. pi., an order of Amphibia; also
called Caudata (zooi.) — ModL., fr. L. gra-
dientia, neut. pi. of gradiens, 'walking, going',
pres. part, of gradi. See gradient, adj.
gradin, gradine, n., a series of steps rising one
upon another. — F. gradin, fr. It. gradino,
dimin. of grado, fr. L. gradus, 'step'. See
grade, n.
gradometer, n., an instrument for measuring
grades. — A hybrid coined fr. L. gradus, 'step,
6/J
degree', and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See grade
and meter, 'poetical rhythm',
gradual, adj. — ML. gradudlis, fr. L. gradus. See
grade and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: gradual, n. (q.v.), gradual-ity, n.,
gradual-ness, n., gradudl-ly, adv.
gradual, n., 1) an antiphon; 2) a book for the use
of the choir (eccles.) — ML. graduate, prop.
neut. of the adjective gradudlis (see prec. word),
used as a noun; so called because the antiphon
was sung originally from the steps (L. gradus) of
the altar. Cp. grail, 'book for the use of thechoir'.
graduate, n. — ML. gradudtus, fr. L. gradus,
'step, degree'. See grade and adj. stiff, -ate.
Derivative: graduate, tr. and intr. v.
graduation, n. — ML. gradudtid, 'raising to a
degree', fr. L. gradus, 'step, degree'. See grade
and -ation.
gradus, n., a dictionary of prosody, used as an
aid for writing Greek or Latin verses. — L.,
short for 'gradus ad Parnassum', 'steps to Par-
nassus'. See grade.
Graecism, Graecize, Graeco-. — See Grecism,
Grecize, Greco-.
Graf, n., a German title of nobility equivalent to
F. comte (whence E. count) and to E. earl. —
See grave, 'a count'.
graffito, n., ancient writing scratched on rocks,
walls, etc. — It., dimin. of graffio, 'a scratching',
fr. graffiare, 'to scratch', which prob. derives
fr. grafio, 'a writing style', fr. L. graphium, of
s.m., fr. Gk. Ypatptov. See next word,
graft, n. — ME. graffe, graff, fr. OF. grafe, a col-
lateral form of grefe, 'pencil; a shoot for graft-
ing' (whence F. greffe, 'a shoot for grafting'),
fr. L. graphium, 'a writing style', fr. Gk. fpctylov,
■ypaqjEtov; so called from the resemblance of
the shoot to a pointed pencil. See -graph and cp.
archaic E. graff (which is the original form of
graft). Cp. also graffito, greffier.
Derivatives : graft, v., graft-er, n., graft-ing, n.
graham bread. — Named after Sylvester Graham,
an American advocate of temperance (1794-
185 1).
grahamite, n., a bituminous mineral (mineral.) —
Named after J. A and J.L.Graham, in whose
mine it was discovered. For the ending see subst.
sufT. -ite.
grail, also graal, n., according to medieval legend
the platter used by Jesus at the Last Supper. —
OF. graal, grael, fr. ML. graddlis, 'cup, platter',
fr. VL. "crdtalis, fr. *crdtus, 'a mixing bowl',
fr. L. crater, fr. Gk. xpa-cvjp. See crater.
graiL n., book for use of the choir (eccles.) —
OF. grael, fr. ML. graddle, a collateral form of
graduate. See gradual, n.
grain, n., seed, corn. — F., fr. L. grdnum, 'grain,
seed, small kernel'. See corn, 'grain', and cp.
garner, garnet, gram, 'chick-pea', granadilla,
granary, grange, granilla, granite, granule, gre-
nade, grenadier, grenadine, engrain, filigrane,
pomegranate, grogram. Cp. also gravy-
Derivatives : grain, intr. and tr. v., grain-ed, adj.,
grain-er, n., grain-ing, n., grain-y, adj.
grain, n., branch, prong of a fork. — ON. grein,
'branch, fork', whence also Dan. and Swed.
gren, 'branch'.
graith, tr. v., to make ready (Scot, and dial. E.)
— ME. greithen, fr. ON. greida, 'to make ready',
fr. greidr, 'ready', which is rel. to OE. gersde,
rsede, of s.m. See ready.
graith, adj., ready; direct, exact. — ON. greidr,
'ready'. See graith, v.
graith, n., 1) readiness (obsol.); 2) apparatus,
equipment (Scot.); 3) material (Scot.) — ON.
greidi, fr. greidr, 'ready'. See graith, v.
Grallatores, n. pi., the wading birds (ornithol.) —
ModL., fr. L. grallatores, 'stilt-walkers', pi. of
gralldtor, fr. grallae, 'stilts', assimilated fr.
*grad-lae, from the stem of gradi. 'to walk, go'.
See grade.
grallatorial, adj., pertaining to the Grallatores.
— See prec. word and -ial.
gralloch, n., offal of a deer. — Gael, grealach,
'intestines'.
gram, n., the chick-pea; the horse gram. — Port.
grdo, 'grain', fr. L. grdnum. See grain, 'seed, corn'.
gram, gramme, n., the metric unit of weight. —
F. gramme, fr. Late L. gramma, fr. Gk. yga^^a.,
'that which is written; written character, letter;
a small weight'. See -gram.
-gram, combining form denoting 'something
written', as in anagram, cardiogram, diagram. —
Gk. -ypa|X(ji.a (rarely -ypwov), fr. Ypau^a, gen.
Ypa(i(xaToi;, 'that which is written; a written
character, letter', from the stem of yp<£<P eiv > ' to
write'. See -graph.
grama (grass), pasture grass belonging to the
genus Bouteloua. — Sp. grama, a kind of grass,
fr. L. grdmen, 'grass'. See gramini-.
gramarye, gramary, n., magic (archaic). — ME.
gramarye, grammarie, 'grammar; magic', fr.
OF. gramaire, grammaire, 'grammar', esp. 'La-
tin grammar', whence arose the meanings 'an
obscure, unintelligible book; book of spells,
magic'. Cp. F. grammaire, 'grammar', differen-
tiated from grimoire, 'book of spells, black
book; unintelligible language', which both der-
ive from OF. gramaire. See grammar and cp.
glamour.
gramercy, interj., exclamation expressing 1)
thanks; 2) surprise. — F. grand-merci, 'great
thanks'. See grand and mercy.
gramicidine, gramicidin, n., a crystalline anti-
biotic obtained from a soil bacterium. — Coined
by the bacteriologist Rene Jules Dubos, of the
Rockefeller Institute (born in 190 1), in 1940 ft.
gram- (in gram-positive), 1st -cide and chem. suff.
-ine-, -in.
gramineous, adj., resembling grass; pertaining to
the family of grasses. — L. grdmineus, 'of grass,
grassy', fr. grdmen, gen. grdminis, 'grass'. See
gramini-. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see -ous.
gramini-
674
gramini-, combining form meaning 'grass'. — Fr.
L. grdmen, gen. grdminis, 'grass', which prob.
stands for *ghras-men and is cogn. with OE.
grxs, 'grass'. See grass and cp. grama (grass).
graminiferous, adj., bearing grass. — Compound-
ed of gramini- and -ferous.
graminivorous, adj., feeding on grass. — Com-
pounded of gramini- and -vorous.
grammalogue, n., a word represented by a logo-
gram. — Compounded of Gk. Ypajxjxa, 'letter',
and Xoyos, 'word'. See -gram and -logue and cp.
logogram.
grammar, n. — ME. gramere, grammere, fr. OF.
gramaire, grammaire (F. grammaire), fr. L.
grammatica, fr. Gk. YP0W* TU1 71 (scil. -ziyyri),
'grammar', orig. 'the art of reading and writing
letters'. rpajxfxaxixT) is prop. fern, of the adj.
Ypa^iJuxTuco?, 'knowing one's letters; knowing
grammar', fr. ypdcjifxa, gen. Ypa^(xa-ro<;, 'letter',
lit. 'that which is written', from the stem of
Ypatpsiv, 'to write'. See -graph and cp. gramarye,
grammatical.
grammarian, n., a student of, or an expert in,
grammar. — ME. gramarien, fr. OF. gramarien
(F. grammairieri), fr. OF. gramaire (F. gram-
maire), 'grammar'. See prec. word and -ian.
grammatical, adj. — L. grammatical, fr. gram-
maticus, 'pertaining to grammar', fr. Gk. Ypa[i-
(aoctixoi;, 'knowing one's letters; knowing gram-
mar'. See grammar.
Derivatives: grammatical-ly, adv., grammatical-
ness, n.
grammaticaster, n., a petty grammarian. — ME.,
fr. L. grammaticus, 'grammarian', fr. gram-
maticus, 'pertaining to grammar'. See prec.
word and -aster.
grammaticize, tr. v., to make grammatical; intr.
v., to discuss points of grammar. — See gram-
matical and -ize.
gramme, n. — See gram.
Gramophone, n., trademark used for a type of
phonograph. — Coined by its inventor Emile
Berliner (1851-1929) fr. Gk. ypcwa, 'something
written', and 96)vtj, 'sound, voice'. See -gram
and phone, 'speech sound', and cp. phonograph.
gram-positive, adj., holding the purple dye when
stained by Gram's method; saidesp. of bacteria.
— So called after the Danish physician Hans
Christian Joachim (1853-1938).
grampus, n., a cetacean (Grampus griseus). — Fr.
earlier graundepose, altered — after grand —
fr. ME. graspeys, grapeys, fr. OF. craspeis,
graspeis, lit. 'fat fish', fr. L. crassum piscem, acc.
of crassus piscis. See crass and Pisces.
granadilla, n., the fruit of certain kinds of passion
flower. — Sp., dimin. of granada, 'pomegra-
nate'. See pomegranate.
granary, n., a storehouse for grain. — L. granari-
um, 'granary', fr. granum, 'grain, seed, small
kernel'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and subst. suff.
-ary and cp. garner, which is a doublet of
granary.
grand, adj., great. — ME. grant, fr. OF. grant,
grand (F. grand), fr. L. grandem, acc. of grandis,
'large, tall, fullgrown, great, lofty, powerful',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. grandee, gran-
diose, aggrandize, and the first element in gra-
mercy.
Derivatives: grand, n., grand-ly, adv., grand-
ness, n.
grandam, grandame, n., a grandmother; an old
woman. — AF. ground dame, 'grandmother',
corresponding to OF. grand dame. See grand
and dame.
granddaughter, n. — Formed on analogy of
grandmother,
grandee, n., nobleman of the highest rank in
Spain and Portugal. — Anglicized form of Sp.
grande, 'nobleman of the first rank', from the
adj. grande, 'great', fr. L. grandem. See grand
and -ee.
grandeur, n. — F., 'greatness', fr. grand, 'great'.
See grand.
grandfather, n. — A hybrid coined fr. grand and
father on analogy of F. grand-pere.
grandiloquence, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
grandiloquent, adj. — Formed with suff. -ent fr.
L. grandiloquus, 'speaking loftily, bombastic',
fr. grandis, 'great, lofty', and loqui, 'to speak'.
See grand and loquacious.
Derivative : grandiloquent-ly, adv.
grandiose, adj., grand, imposing, impressive. —
F., fr. It. grandiose fr. grande, 'great', fr. L.
grandem. See grand and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: grandiose-ly, adv., grandios-ity, n.
grandmother, n. — A hybrid coined fr. grand and
mother on analogy of F. grand-mire.
grandparent, n., grandson etc. — Formed on ana-
logy of grandfather.
grange, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) grange, fr. VL.
*grdnica, fr. L. granum, 'grain'. See grain, 'seed,
corn'.
granger, n., a farm steward. — OF. grangier, fr.
grange. See grange and -er (representing OF.
-ier).
grangerism, n., the practice of grangerizing. —
See next word and -ism.
grangerize, tr. v., to illustrate a book by the ad-
dition of prints, engravings, etc. — Lit. 'to il-
lustrate a book in the manner in which James
Granger's 'Biographical History of England'
(1769) was illustrated.
Derivatives : grangeriz-ation, n., grangeriz-er, n.,
grangerism (q.v.)
graniferous, adj., producing grain. — Formed
with suff. -ous fr. L. grdnifer, 'grain-bearing', fr.
granum, 'grain', and the stem of ferre, 'to bear,
carry'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and -ferous.
granilla, n., the refuse of cochineal. — Sp., di-
min. of grana, 'cochineal', rel. to grano, 'grain',
fr. L. granum. See grain, 'seed, corn'.
granite, n. — F., fr. It. granito, lit. 'grainy', pp.
of granire, 'to make grainy', fr. grano, 'grain',
675
graphometer
fr. L. granum. See grain, 'seed, corn', and cp.
prec. word.
Derivative: granit-ic, adj.
granitiform, adj., shaped like granite. — Com-
pounded of granite and -form,
granivorous, adj., feeding on grain. — Com-
pounded of L. granum, 'grain', and vordre, 'to
devour'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and -vorous.
granny, also grannie, n., a familiar form of grand-
mother. — Formed from the first syllable of
grandam and dimin. suff. -y, resp. -ie.
granophyre, n., a porphyritic igneous rock (pe-
trogr.) — G. Granophyr, formed from the first
syllable of Granit and the second syllable of
Porphyr. See granite and porphyry.
Derivative: granophyr-ic, adj.
grant, tr. v. — ME. granten, fr. OF. granter, a col-
lateral form of craanter, creanter, fr. VL. *cre-
dentdre,'io promise', fr. L. credens, gen. credentis,
pres. part, of credere, 'to believe'. See creed and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: grant, n. (q.v.), grant-able, adj.,
grant-ee, n., grant-er, n., grant-or, n.
grant, n. — ME. grant, fr. granten. See grant, v.
granular, adj. — Formed with suff. -ar fr. Late
L. grdnulum. See granule,
granulate, tr. and intr. v. — Formed with verbal
suff. -ate fr. Late L. grdnulum. See granule.
Derivatives: granulat-ed, adj., granulat-ion, n.,
granulat-ive, adj., granulat-or, n.
granule, n., a small grain. — Late L. grdnulum,
'small grain', dimin. of L. granum, 'grain'. See
grain, 'seed, corn', and -ule.
granuliform, adj. — Sec prec. word and -form,
granulose, adj., granular. — Formed with adj.
suff. -ose fr. Late L. grdnulum. See granule,
granulose, n., part of starch convertible into
sugar. — Formed with subst. suff. -ose, fr. Late
L. grdnulum. See granule,
granulous, adj., granular. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. Late L. grdnulum. See granule and cp.
granulose, adj.
grape, n. — OF. grape, grappe, 'hook ; a bunch
of grapes' (whence F. grappe, 'a bunch of
grapes'), fr. OF. craper, graper, 'to seize with a
hook; to gather grapes', which is of Teut. ori-
gin. Cp. MDu. crappe, OHG. krdpfo, 'a hook',
G. Krapfen, 'fritter', OHG. krampho. 'an iron
hook'. OF. grapin, 'hook' (whence F. grappin,
'grapnel, hook'),deri ves fr. OF. grape. Cp. OProv-
enc., Sp. grapa, It. grappa, 'hook', which are
also Teut. loan words. See cramp, 'a bent piece
of iron', and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also agraffe.
Derivative: grap-y, adj.
graph, n., a diagram. — Abbreviation of graphic
formula. See -graph.
-graph, combining form meaning 1) 'something
written', as in autograph; 2) 'something that
writes', as in telegraph. — F. -graphe, fr. Gk.
-Ypoupot;, fr. YP«<peiv, 'to scratch, engrave, draw,
paint, write, inscribe', which is cogn. with OE.
ceorfan, 'to cut, engrave, tear'. See carve and
cp. graph, -graphia, graphite, grapho-, -graphy,
graffito, graft. For the sense development of
Gk. Yp«<?"v cp. E. write; cp. also Heb. kdtdbh,
'he wrote', k f thdbeth, 'tattooing', Arab, kdtaba
(in its original sense), 'he sewed together' (in
the sense 'he wrote', Arab, kdtaba is a Hebrew
or Aramaic loan word), S. Arab, miktab, 'awl"
(see ketubah).
grapheme, n., 1) a letter of an alphabet; 2) the
sum of all letters representing one phoneme. —
Gk. ypatpTjjxa, 'letter', fr. yp^eiv, 'to write'. See
-graph and cp. the second element in phoneme
and in words there referred to. Cp. also Gk.
Ypa[X(jia, 'letter', from the stem of YP»T>£iv (see
-gram).
Derivatives: graphem-ic, adj., graphem-ic-al-ly,
adv.
-grapher, combining form; the English equivalent
of Greek words in -ypaqjo?, denoting 'a person
who writes', as in lexicographer, telegrapher. —
See -graph and agential suff. -er and cp. -graphy.
-graphia, combining form identical in meaning
with -graphy; used esp. to form terms in the
sphere of abnormal psychology.
graphic, adj. — L. graphicus, fr. Gk. Ypa<pixo::,
'pertaining to writing or drawing', fr. ypicpsiv,
'to write'. See -graph and -ic.
Derivatives: graphic-al, adj., graphic-al-ly, adv.,
graphics (q.v.)
graphics, n., the art of drawing. — Sec graphic
and -ics.
graphite, n., a form of carbon, black lead, plum-
bago (mineral.) — G. Graphit, coined by the
German mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Wer-
ner (1750-1817) in [789 fr. Gk. ypacpsiv, 'to
write'; so called by him because this mineral is
used for making pencils. See -graph and subst.
suff. -ite.
Derivatives: graphite, tr. v., grapliit-ic, adj.
grapho-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to,
or used for, writing', as in graphology. — Gk.
Ypaqjo-, fr. YP«9Etv, 'to write'. See -graph.
graphology, n., the study of handwriting. — F.
graphologie, coined by Abbe Jean-Hippolyle
Michon (1806-81) in [868 fr. Gk. yp^E'.v, 'to
write', and -Xoyii, fr. -Xoyo;, 'one who speaks
(in a certain manner); one who deals (with a
certain topic)'. See grapho- and -logy.
Derivatives: grapholog-ic, grapholog-ic-al, adjs.,
grapholog-ist, n.
graphomania, n., a morbid desire for writing. —
Compounded of grapho- and Gk. u.xvia, "mad-
ness, frenzy'. See mania.
graphomaniac, n., one suffering from grapho-
mania. — See prec. word and maniac.
graphometer, n., surveyor's instrument for meas-
uring angles. — F. graphometre, coined by the
French engraver Philippe Danfrie (1535-1606)
in 1597 fr. Gk. yp*9" v , ' to write', and (jiTpov,
'measure'. See grapho- and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
graphophone
676
graphophone, n., an instrument for sound record-
ing. — Lit. 'that which writes the sounds' ; com-
pounded of grapho- and Gk. <pcov*j, 'sound,
voice'. See phone, 'speech sound'.
-graphy, combining form denoting: i) processes
of writing, drawing, representing, recording, as
in phonography; 2) names of descriptive scien-
ces, as in geography. — F. or G. -graphie, fr.
L. -graphia, fr. Gk. -ypaipta, 'description of,
fr. ypatpsiv, 'to write'. See -graph and -y (rep-
resenting Gk. -15.), and cp. -graphia.
grapnel, n., a small hook. — ME. grapenel, di-
min. formed fr. OF. grapin, 'hook'. See grape.
Derivative : grapnel, tr. v.
grapple, n., grappling iron, grapnel. — OF. *gra-
pelle, dimin. of grape, 'hook'. See grape and cp.
prec. word.
Derivatives: grapple, tr. and intr. v., grappl-er,
n., grappl-ing, n.
grapsoid, adj., pertaining to the genus Grapsus
(zool.) — Lit. 'resembling a crab'. See Grap-
sus and -oid.
Grapsus, n., a genus of crabs (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. ypat)>aToi;, 'crab', which is of uncertain
origin; it is prob. not connected with It. gra-
vosta, ravosta, OHG. krebis, OE. crabba, 'crab*.
graptolite, n., a fossil zoolite bearing markings
resembling writing (paleontol.) — ModL. Grap-
tolithus, lit. 'a stone with engraving', fr. Gk.
Ypaitr6s, 'engraved, written, painted' (verbal
adj. of Ypacpsiv), and X&o?, 'stone'. See -graph
and -lite.
Derivative: graptolit-ic, adj.
grasp, tr. and intr. v. — ME. graspen, metathe-
sized fr. grapsen, 'to grope', from the stem of
OE. grdpian, 'to touch, feel, grope'. Cp. LG.
grapsen, 'to grasp', MDu. grapen, 'to seize,
grasp', and see grope. Cp. also grip, gripe.
Derivatives: grasp, n., grasp-er, n., grasp-ing,
adj., grasp-ing-ly, adv., grasp-ing-ness, n.
grass, n. — ME. gras, gres, gers, fr. OE. grxs,
gsers, rel. to ON., OS., Du., OHG., MHG., G.,
Goth, gras, Dan. grss, Swed. gras, 'grass', and
prob. cogn. with L. grdmen (for ghras-meri),
'grass', fr. I.-E. base *ghrds-, 'young shoot,
sprout'. This base is an -^-enlargement of base
*ghrd-, 'to grow', whence OE. growan, ON.
grda, 'to grow'. Enlarged by suff. -n, base *ghro-
appears in OE. grene, ON. grccnn, 'green'. See
grow and green and cp. grama (grass), gramini-,
graze (in both senses).
Derivatives: grass, tr. v., grass-less, adj., grass-
like, adj., grass-y, adj.
grass widow, a woman separated from her hus-
band. — Orig. 'a discarded mistress'; cp. Du.
grasweduwe, G. Strohwitwe (fr. Stroh, 'straw'),
'grass widow' (in modern sense); prob. so called
in allusion to a bed of grass or straw.
grass widower, a man separated from his wife. —
Cp. Swed. grdsdnk, grdsdnker, grdsenkling,
'grass widower', and see prec. word.
grate, tr. and intr. v., to scrape, rub. — ME.
graten, fr. OF. grater (F. gratter), 'to scratch,
scrape', fr. Teut. *krattdn (whence also It. grat-
tare, OProvenc. gratar). Cp. OHG. krazzdn,
'to scratch, scrape', and see scratch. Cp. also
regrate, regrater.
Derivatives: grat-er, n., grat-ing, n. and adj.,
grat-ing-ly, adv.
grate, n., a frame of metal bars. — ME. grale,
fr. ML. grata, 'lattice' (whence also It. grata,
'grate, gridiron'), fr. L. crdtis, 'wickerwork,
hurdle'. See crate and cp. graticule, griddle,
hurdle.
Derivative: grate, tr. v., to furnish with a grate,
grateful, adj. — Formed with suff. -ful from ob-
sol. grate, 'agreable, thankful', fr. L. gratus,
'agreable, grateful', whence gratia, 'kindness,
loveliness'. See grace, n., and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: grateful-ly, adv.
graticule, n., a design divided into squares. — F.,
fr. ML. grdticula, 'gridiron', dimin. of grata.
See grate, 'frame of metal bars', and -cule.
gratification, n. — L. grdtificdtio, gen. -onis,
'obligingness, complaisance', fr. grdtificdtus,
pp. of grdtificdri. See next word and -ation.
gratify, tr. v., to please. — F. gratifier, fr. L. gra-
tificdre, a collateral form of grdtificdri, 'to do
favor to, to oblige, gratify', formed fr. gratus,
'agreeable, grateful', and -ficdre, fr. facere, 'to
make, do'. See grace, n., and -fy.
Derivatives: gratifi-ed, adj., gratifi-ed-ly, adv.,
gratifi-er, n., gratify-ing, adj., gratify-ing-ly, adv.
gratin, n., light crust over a dish. — F., 'burnt
part; bread crumbs', fr. OF. grater (F. gratter),
'to scrape, scratch', of Teut. origin. See grate,
'to scrape'.
gratinate, tr. v., to cook until a crust is formed. —
Formed with verbal suff. -ate fr. F. gratiner,
'to prepare a dish with bread crumbs', fr. gratin.
See prec. word.
Gratiola, n., a genus of plants, the hedge hyssop
(bot.) — ML., dimin. formed fr. L. gratia,
'kindness, loveliness' (see grace, n., and -ole);
so called in allusion to its supposed medicinal
properties.
gratis, adv., for nothing; freely. — L. gratis, con-
traction of gratiis, 'out of favor; without re-
ward, for nothing, gratuitously', abl. pi. of
gratia, 'favor, kindness'. See grace, n.
Derivative: gratis, adj.
gratitude, n. — F., fr. Late L. grdtitudo, 'thank-
fulness, gratitude', fr. gratus, 'beloved, pleasing,
dear, thankful'. See grace, n., and -rude.
gratuitous, adj., given for nothing; free. — L.
grdtuitus, 'that which is done without pay, spon-
taneous, gratuitous', formed — on analogy of
fortuitus, 'casual' — fr. gratus, 'pleasing, agree-
able'. See grace, n. For the ending see fortu-
itous.
Derivatives: gratuitous-ly, adv., gratuitous-ness,
n.
gratuity, n., gift; tip. — F. gratuite, fr. ML. grd-
677
gravure
tuitdtem, acc. of grdtuitds, 'free gift', fr. L.
grdtuitus. See prec. word and -ity.
gratulate, tr. v., to congratulate. — L. grdtuldtus,
pp. of grdtuldri, 'to manifest joy, congratulate',
contracted fr. *grati-tuldri, 'to bring something
agreeable', compounded of gratus, 'pleasing,
agreeable', and tulo = fero, T bring'. See grace,
n., and tolerate and cp. congratulate. Cp. also
L. opitulor, T help, aid, assist', lit. T bring help',
fr. ops, gen. opis, 'help, assistance', and tulo =
fero, T bring'. — For the contraction of *grdti-
tulor into grdtulor see haplology.
gratulation, n., congratulation. — L. grdtuldtid,
gen. -onis, 'manifestation of joy, congratula-
tion', fr. grdtuldtus, pp. of grdtuldri. See prec.
word and -ion.
gratulatory, adj., congratulatory. — Late L. grd-
tuldtdrius, 'pertaining to congratulation', fr. L.
grdtuldtus, pp. of gratuldri. See gratulate and
adj. suff. -ory.
gravamen, n., a grievance. — Late L. gravamen,
'trouble, physical inconvenience', fr. gravdre,
'to burden, aggravate', fr. gravis, 'heavy'. See
grave, 'weighty', and -men.
grave, tr. and intr. v., to engrave. — ME. graven,
fr. OE. grafan, 'to dig, carve', rel. to ON. grafa,
Dan. grave, Swed. grava, OFris. greva, Du.
graven, OHG. graban, MHG., G. graben, Goth.
graban, 'to dig, carve', fr. I.-E. base *ghrebh-,
*ghrobh-, 'to scratch, scrape', whence also
OSlav. grebo, greti, 'to dig', pogrebo, pogreti,
'to bury', Lett, grebju, grebt, 'to scrape, hollow
out'. Cp. grave, 'mound, tomb', graven, en-
grave. Cp. also groove, grub, 'to dig'.
Derivative: grav-er, n.
grave, n., mound, tomb. — ME., fr. OE. grief,
rel. to OS. graf, OFris. gref, OHG., MHG., G.
grab, 'grave, tomb', OE. grafu, ON. grof, 'cave;
grave', Goth, graba, 'ditch', OE. grafan, 'to
dig, carve', and cogn. with OSlav. grobu, 'grave,
tomb'. See grave, 'to engrave'.
Derivative: grave-less, adj.
grave, tr. v., to clean (the wooden hull of a ship)
of grass, etc. — OF. grave (F. grive), 'strand
of sand, sandbank'. See gravel and cp. Graves.
grave, adj., weighty. — F., fr. L. gravis, 'heavy,
weighty; troublesome, painful, grievous, hard;
important, honorable', which is cogn. with OI.
gurulf, 'heavy, weighty' (compar. gdriyas-;
superl. gdristhah), Avestic gouru- (only in com-
pounds), 'heavy, weighty', Gk. (Sapoi;, 'weight',
flocpui;, 'heavy', (3pft>eiv, 'to be laden with' , (3pi$o<;,
'heavy', ppuxp6e, 'strong', Goth, kaiirus, 'heavy',
Lett, gruts, 'heavy'. Cp. gravedo, gravid, gravity,
grief, grieve, grievous, aggravate, aggrieve, in-
gravescent. Cp. also baro-, bary, Briareus, brute,
centrobaric, charivari, garce, guru, isobar.
grave, n., a count; used esp. of the counts of
Nassau. — MDu. grave (whence Du. graaf),
'count', rel. to OHG. grdvo (whence MHG.
grave, G. Graf), MLG. greve (whence ON.
greifi, Dan., Swed. greve), 'count*. The orig.
meaning of these words seems to have been
'judge' ; cp. Goth, ga-grefts, 'decision'. Cp. -grave
and words there referred to. Cp. also Graf,
-grave, suff. meaning 'ruler'. — Fr. grave, 'count'.
Cp. burgrave, landgrave, margrave, palsgrave,
gravedo, n., cold in the head (med.) — Li gravedo,
'heaviness of the limbs, cold in the head', lit.
'heaviness', fr. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave,
'weighty\
gravel, n. — ME. gravel, fr. OF. gravele, gravelle,
'gravel, sand, beach, strand' (whence F. gra-
velle, 'gravel', a medical term), dimin. of OF.
grave (F. grdve), 'strand of sand, sandbank',
which is of uncertain, possibly Celtic, origin.
Cp. W. gro, 'coarse gravel', Bret, grouan, Co.
grow, 'gravel'. Cp. also grave, 'to clean (the hull
of a ship)', grit, groats, grout.
Derivatives: gravel, tr. v., gravel-ly, adj., gravel-
li-ness, n.
graven, adj., carved (archaic). — ME. graven, fr.
OE. grafen, prop. pp. of grafan, 'to dig, carve'.
See grave, 'to dig, carve'.
graveolent, adj., having a rank smell. — L. grave-
olens, gen. -entis, 'strong-smelling', prop, grave
olens, fr. grave, neut. of gravis, 'heavy', and
pres. part, of olere, 'to smell'. See grave, weigh-
ty', olfactory and -ent.
graves, n. pi. — A var. of greaves.
Graves, n., wine from the Graves district of the
Gironde in the S W. of France. — The name
Graves lit. means 'gravelly place'. See grave,
'to clean (the hull of a ship)'.
Graves' disease. — Named after the Irish physi-
cian Robert James Graves (1796-1853).
graveward, adv. and adj., gravewards, adv., to-
ward the grave. — Compounded of grave and
-ward, resp. -wards.
gravid, adj., being with child; pregnant. — L.
gravidus, 'loaded ; pregnant', fr. gravis, 'heavy'.
See grave, 'weighty'.
Derivatives: gravid-ly, adv., gravid-ness, n.
gravidity, n. — L. graviditas, 'pregnancy,' fr.
gravidus. See prec. word and -ity.
gravimeter, n., an instrument for measuring
specific gravity. — F. gravimdtre, a hybrid coined
fr. L. gravis, 'heavy', and Gk. uitpov, 'measure'.
See grave, 'weighty', and meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
gravitate, intr. v. — ModL. gravitdtus, pp. of
gravitdre, coined by Sir Isaac Newton (1642-
1727) fr. L. gravitds, 'weight'. See gravity and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: gravitation (q.v.), gravitat-ive, adj.
gravitation, n. — ■ ModL. gravitdtid, gen. -onis,
coined by Newton. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: gravitation-al, adj., gravitation-al-
ly, adv.
gravity, n. — F. gravite, fr. L. gravitdtem, acc. of
gravitds, 'weight, seriousness', fr. L. gravis,
'heavy'. See grave, 'weighty', and -ity.
gravure, n. — Short for photogravure. Cp. helio-
gravure, rotogravure.
gravy
678
gravy, n. — ME. graue (pronounced grave), from
misreading of OF. grane, 'a dish powdered with
grains', lit. 'grained', fr. ML. grdndtus, pp. of
grdndre, 'to grain', fr. L. grdnum, 'grain'. See
grain, 'seed, corn'.
gray, grey, adj. — ME. gray, grey, fr. OE. grxg,
rel. to ON. grdr, Dan. graa, Swed. gra,
OFris. gre, MDu. gra, Du. grauw, OHG. grao,
MHG. gra, G. grau, 'gray', and cogn. with L.
rdvus, 'gray'. See roan, 'chestnut-colored', and
cp. grizzle, 'gray', and words there referred
to.
Derivatives : gray, grey, n. and tr. and intr. v.,
gray-ish, adj., gray-ly, adv., gray-ness, n.
graylag, greylag, n., the gray goose. — Short for
gray lag goose, i.e. 'the gray lagging goose' (see
lag, adj., and goose); so called because it is late
in migrating.
grayling, n., a freshwater fish. — Formed fr. gray
with suff. -ling.
graze, tr. and intr. v., to feed on grass. — ME.
grasen, fr. OE. grasian, fr. grxs, 'grass'. See
grass and cp. next word.
Derivative: graze, n., pasturage.
graze, tr. v., to touch slightly. — Formed from
prec. word and orig. used in the sense 'to touch
the (grassy) ground' (said of bullets that touched
the ground and rebounded). Cp. G. grasen, 'to
feed on grass' (fr. Cras, 'grass'), which is used
also in the above mentioned military sense.
Derivative: graze, n., a slight contact.
grazier, n., one who grazes cattle. — Formed fr.
graze, 'to feed', with agential suff. -ier.
grazioso, adj., graceful (musical direction). — It.,
fr. L. gratiosus. See gracious,
grease, n. — ME. gresse, grese, fr. OF. gresse,
graisse (F. graisse), fr. VL. *crassia, 'thickness,
fatness", fr. L. crassus, 'thick, fat'. Cp. Olt.
grascia, OProvenc. graissa, Catal. graxa, Port.
graixa, 'fat', It. grasce (pi.), 'victuals' [Sp. graso,
'fat', n., is formed fr. graso, 'fat', adj., a col-
lateral form of craso, fr. L. crassus], and see
crass. Cp. also degras.
Derivatives: grease, tr. v., greas-er, n., greas-y,
adj., greas-i-ly, adv., greas-i-ness, n.
great, adj. — ME. great, gret, greet, grete, fr.
OE. great, rel. to OS. grot, OFris. grat, Du.
groot, OHG., MHG. grdj, G. gross, 'great'. The
original meaning of these adjectives was prob.
gross-grained, coarse'. Cp. ON. grautr, 'groats',
E. greot, 'grit, sand, dust, gravel', and see grit,
'coarse sand', and words there referred to.
Derivatives .great, n., great-en, v.,great-ly, adv.,
great-en (tr. and intr. v.), great-ness, n.
greave, n., armor for the leg. — ME. greve, fr.
OF. greve, 'shin; greave', fr. Port, greba, fr.
Egypt. Arab, gaurab, corresponding to Arab.
jdurab, 'stocking, apparel for the leg'.
Derivative: greav-ed, adj.
greave, n., sediment of melted tallow. — LG.
greven (pi.), rel. to OHG. griobo (MHG., G.
griebe) ; of uncertain origin.
greve, n., a diving bird. — F. grebe, of doubtful
origin.
Grecian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Graecia, 'Greece', fr. Graecus, 'Greek'. See
Greek.
Grecism, Graecism, n. — F. grecisme, fr. ML.
Graecismus, fr. L. Graecizdre, 'to imitate the
Greeks'. See next word and -ism.
Grecize, Graecize, tr. v., to make Greek; intr. v.,
to imitate the Greeks. — F. greciser, fr. L.
Graecizdre, 'to imitate the Greeks', fr. Gk.
Tpaoct^eiv, fr. Tpaixo?, 'Greek'. See Greek
and -ize.
Greco-, Graeco-, combining form denoting the
Greeks. — Fr. L. Graecus, 'Greek'. See Greek.
greed, n. — Back formation fr. greedy.
greedily, adv. — ME. grediliche, OE. grxdiglice,
fr. grxdig, 'greedy', and -lice, 'like'. See greedy
and adv. suff. -ly.
greediness, n. — ME. gredinesse, fr. OE. grxdig-
nes, formed fr. grxdig, 'greedy', with suff. -nes.
See greedy and -ness.
greedy, adj. — ME. gredy, fr. OE. grxdig, rel. to
OS. grddag, 'greedy', ON. grddr, 'greed, hun-
ger', ON. grddugr, Dan. graadig, Du. gretig,
OHG. gratag, 'greedy', Goth, gredus, 'hunger',
gredags, 'hungry', and perh. cogn. with OI.
grdhyati, 'is greedy', gardhah, 'greed'. Cp.
greed.
Greek, n. — OE. Grecas, Crecas, (pi.), 'the
Greeks', fr. L. Graecus, 'Greek', fr. rpaixcn;, 'in-
habitant of TpaTa (Graia) in Boeotia', a name
orig. given by the Latins to Greek colonists
coming from Graia and settling at Cumae in
southern Italy, but later applied to every Greek.
[The Greeks reborrowed rpaoto? in this new
sense from the Latins: Aristotle was the first
Greek to use Tpy.iy.oi (the pi. of Tpaixo?) in the
sense of "EXXyjve; (i.e. 'Hellenes, Greeks').] Cp.
Grecian, grego, Gringo, and the second element
in fenugreek and in galligaskins.
Greek, adj. — ME. Grec, fr. F. grec, fr. L.
Graecus, 'Greek'. See Greek, n.
green, adj. — ME. grene, fr. OE. grene, rel. to
OFris. grene, OS. grdni, ON. grown, Dan. gron,
Swed. gron, Du. groen, OHG. gruoni, MHG.
gruene, G. griin, 'green'. These adjectives are
-n-enlargements of I.-E. base *ghrd-, 'to grow'.
See grow and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : green, n., green, v. (q.v.), green-ish,
adj., green-ish-ness, n., green-ly, adv., green-
ness, n., greenth (q.v.), green-y, adj.
greengage, n., a variety of plum. — Compounded
of green and the surname of the English botanist
Sir William Gage (died in 1 820), who was the
first to cultivate this fruit in England,
greening, n., a green variety of apple. — MDu.
groeninc. See green and -ing, 'related to',
greenling, n., a fish, called also rock trout. —
Formed fr. green with suff. -ling,
greenockite, n., cadmium sulfide (mineral.) —
Named in 1841 after the English soldier Charles
679
gride
Murray Cathcart (1783-1859), styled Lord
Greenock (1807-43), who discovered it. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
greenovite, n., manganese titanite (mineral.) —
Named by the French geologist Ours-Pierre-
Armand-Petit Dufrenoy (1792-1857) in 1840
after the English geologist George Bellas
Greenough (1778-1855). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
greet, tr. v., to salute. — ME. greten, fr. OE.
gretan, 'to address, approach, visit, greet', rel.
to OS. grdtian, OFris. greta, Du. groeten, OHG.
gruo^en, MHG. grue^en, G. griifien, 'to salute,
greet', fr. Teut. base *grdtjan, orig. 'to cause to
speak', whence also OE. gretan, grxtan, 'to
weep, bewail'. See next word.
Derivatives: greet-er, n., greet-ing, n., greet-ing-
ly, adv.
greet, intr. v., to weep; tr. v., to bewail (archaic
or dial.) — ME. greten, graten, fr. OE. gretan,
grxtan, 'to weep, bewail', rel. to OS. grdtan,
ON. grata, Dan. grxde, Goth, gretan, greitan,
'to weep', ON. grceta, 'to cause to weep, cry'.
The orig. sense of all these verbs was 'to sound,
speak, shout'. They derive from I.-E. base
*ghred-, 'to sound, clash, speak loudly', whence
also OI. hrddate, 'it sounds, rustles'. See greet,
'to salute', and cp. regret.
Derivatives: greet-er, n., greet-ing, n.
greffier, n., registrar. — F., 'clerk of the court,
registrar', fr. ML. graphidrius, fr. L. graphium,
'a writing style'. See graft and -ier.
gregarious, adj., pertaining to a flock; living in
flocks. — L. gregorius, 'pertaining to a flock',
fr. grex, gen.gregis, 'flock', fr. I.-E. base *gre-g-,
partial reduplication of base *gere-, *ger-, 'to
gather together, assemble', whence Gk. dyel-
psiv, 'to assemble', ayop6, 'assembly; place of
assembly', ayupu;, 'assembly', ay5p-rr)i;, 'beg-
gar', OSlav. grusti (for *gr-s-ti-), 'handful',
Lith. gurgulys, 'chaos, confusion', gurguole,
'crowd, mass', and Gk. xi yapyapa (Hesychius),
'crowd, plenty' and possibly also OI. gandh
(for *gfnd-), 'herd, troop, company'. Cp. aggre-
gate, congregate, egregious, segregate. Cp. also
agora, allegory, category, panegyric, paregoric.
Cp. also cram.
Derivatives: gregarious-ly, adv., gregarious-
ness, n.
grego, n., a short cloak. — Port. Grego or Sp.
Griego, 'Greek', fr. L. Graecus. See Greek.
Gregorian, adj. — Lit. 'pertaining to Gregory',
fr. Late L. Gregorianus, fr. Gregorius. See next
word and -an.
Gregory, masc. PN. — Late L. Gregorius, fr. Gk.
rpTjyipioc., fr. ypTrjyopos, 'watchful', which is
rel. to typ^opa, second perfect of £yeipetv, 'to
awaken*, fr. I.-E. base *ger-, 'to be awake',
whence also OI. jdgdrti, 'he is awake', Avestic
d-garayeiti, 'wakes up, arouses'.
Gregory powder. — Named after the Scottish
physician James Gregory (1753-1821).
greisen, n., a crystalline rock consisting of quartz
and mica (petrogr.) — G., fr. greifien, 'to cleave,
split'.
gremial, adj., pertaining to the lap or bosom. —
Late L. gremidlis, fr. L. gremium, 'lap, bosom',
fr. I.-E. base *grem-, 'to press, squeeze*, whence
also OE. crammian, 'to cram, stuff'. See cram,
v., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: gremial, n., a bishop's apron.
gremlin, n., a mischievous imp. — A word coined
in the time of World War II.
grenade, n., a small bomb. — F., fr. It. granata,
'pomegranate ; grenade', fr. VL. (pomum) grdna-
tum, 'pomegranate', lit. 'an apple having many
grains', fr. L. pomum, 'fruit' (in VL. 'apple'),
and grdnum, 'grain'. See grain, 'seed, corn', and
-adc and cp. garnet, pomegranate.
grenadier, n., a member of a special regiment or
corps. — F., orig. 'a soldier for throwing gre-
nades', formed fr. grenade. See grenade and -ier.
grenadin, grenadine, n., carnation. — F. grenadin,
fr. grenade, 'pomegranate'. See grenade and
-in, -ine.
grenadine, n., fine woolen fabric. — F., fr. gre-
nade, 'pomegranate'. See prec. word.
Gresham's law, the tendency for inferior cur-
rency to drive the superior one out of circulat-
ion. — So called after the English financier Sir
Thomas Gresham (about 1519-79), who ex-
plained this theorem to Queen Elizabeth.
gressorial, adj., adapted for walking (zool.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ModL. gressdrius,
'pertaining to walking', fr. L. gressus, pp. of
gradi, 'to walk, go'. See grade.
Grevillea, n., a genus of Australian trees (bot.) —
ModL., named in 1809 after the Rt. Hon.
Charles Francis Greville (1749- 1809).
grew, past tense of grow. — ME. greu, fr. OE.
greow, past tense of growan, 'to grow'. See grow.
grey, adj. — See gray.
greyhound, n., a tall and slender dog. — ME.
grihond, grehund, grehounde, fr. OE. grighund,
rel. to ON. greyhundr, fr. grey, 'dog', and hundre,
'hound' (see hound). The word is not related
to grey.
gribble, n., a small marine crustacean. — Prob.
in gradational relationship to grub; formed with
dimin. suff. -le.
grid, n., a grating or gridiron. — Back formation
fr. gridiron, the ending of which was mistaken
for the noun iron.
griddle, n., a shallow frying pan. — ME. gredil,
gridell, fr. AF. gridil, fr. OF. gredil, a var. of
grail, graile, fr. Late L. *crdticulum, fr. L. crdti-
cula, 'fine hurdle work, small gridiron', dimin.
of crdtis, 'hurdle'. See crate and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also grill, grille, gridiron.
Derivative: griddle, tr. v., griddl-er, n.
gride, tr. and intr. v., to cut, pierce; to grate. —
Metathesized fr. gird, 'to strike' (now 'to taunt,
gibe').
Derivative: gride, a., a grating noise.
gridelin
680
gridelin, n., a grayish violet color. — F. gris-de-
lin, gridelin, lit. 'gray of flax', i.e. 'flax gray'. For
the etymology of gris see grizzle, adj. ; de, 'from,
of, comes fr. L. de, 'away from, from' (see
de-); lin, 'flax, linen', derives fr. L. llnum (see
linen).
gridiron, n. — ME. gredirne, gridirne, folk-
etymological variants of ME. gredire, gridire
(due to a confusion of the ending -ire with ME.
iren, 'iron'). ME. gredire, gridire are altered fr.
ME. gredil, gridell, 'griddle'. See griddle and
cp. andiron.
grief, n. — ME. grief, gref, greve, fr. OF. grief,
gref, fr. grever, 'to burden'. See grieve.
Derivative: grief-less, adj.
grievance, n. — ME. grevance, fr. OF. grevance,
fr. grever, 'to burden'. See grieve and -ance.
grieve, tr. and intr. v. — ME. greven, fr. OF.
grever, 'to burden, oppress; aggravate' (whence
F. grever, 'to burden, wrong, encumber'), fr.
L. gravare, 'to charge with a load, burden, weigh
down, oppress', fr. gravis, 'heavy'. Cp. It. gra-
vare, Sp. gravar, 'to load, burden', OProvenc.
grevar, 'to vex', which all derive fr. L. gravare.
See grave, 'weighty', and cp. grief.
Derivatives: griev-ed, adj., griev-ed-ly, adv.,
griev-er, n., griev-ing-ly, adv.
grievous, adj. — ME. grevous, fr. OF. grevos,
grevous, 'heavy, hard, toilsome'. See grief and
-ous.
Derivatives: grievous-ly, adv., grievous-ness, n.
griff, n., a narrow glen {North. Engl.) — Of un-
certain origin.
griff, n., a claw. — F. griffe. See next word,
griffe, n., an ornament resembling a claw. — F.
griffe, 'claw', fr. griffer, 'to seize', which is prob.
borrowed fr. OHG. grifan, 'to seize'. See
gripe and cp. griffonage.
griffin, griffon, gryphon, n., a mythical animal. —
ME. griffon, fr. OF. grifoun (F. griffon), fr. Late
L. gryphus (whence also It., Sp. grifo, OHG.,
MHG. grif, G. Greif, 'griffin'), fr. Gk. ypty,
gen. Ypi)7r6<;, which was prob. borrowed from
the Semites through the medium of the Hittites.
Cp. Heb. k l rubh, 'a winged angel', Akkad.
karibu, epithet of the bull-colossus, lit. 'one who
blesses', and see cherub. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in hippogriff. The connection of Gk. yp^-
'griffin', with Ypi37r6?, 'curved, hooked, hook-
nosed', is folk etymology.
griffin, n., in India, a new comer (Anglo-Ind.) —
Of uncertain origin.
Griffith, masc. PN. — Fr. W. Gruffydd, which
prob. derives fr. L. Rufus, fr. rufus, 'red*. See
rufous, Rufus.
griffon, n. — A var. of griffin, 'mythical animal',
griffon, n., a sporting dog. — Prob. fr. prec.
word.
griffonage, n., scrawl, scribble. — F. griffonnage,
fr. griffonner, 'to scrawl, scribble', fr. griffer,
'to seize'. See griffe and -age.
griffon vulture, n., a large species of vulture {Gyps
fulvus). — Fr. griffon, 'mythical animal'. Cp.
G. Greif, 'griffin; condor',
grig, n., i) a lively person; 2) {obsol. or dial) a
small eel; 3) {obsol. or dial) a cricket. — Prob.
of imitative origin. Cp. Du. kriek, 'cricket', and
E. cricket, the insect.
grill, n., a gridiron. — F. gril, a var. of grille, fr.
OF. grille, fr. earlier gratlle, grellle, fr. L. crdti-
cula, 'fine hurdle work, gridiron'. See griddle
and cp. words there referred to.
grill, n., the act of grating. — From grille (q.v.)
grill, tr. and intr. v., to broil on a grill. — F. gril-
ler, fr. gril, whence E. grill, 'gridiron' (q.v.)
Derivative: grill, n., the act of grilling,
grillage, n., a framework of crossbeams used to
form a foundation in marshy soil. — F., 'frame',
fr. grille, 'fine hurdle work'. See grille and -age.
grille, n., ornamental metal grating. — F., 'metal
grating; frame', fr. L. craticula, 'fine hurdle
work, gridiron'. See grill, 'gridiron',
grilse, n., salmon on its return to the river for the
first time. — Prob. metathesis of OF. grisle,
'grayish', fr. gris, 'gray'. See grizzle, 'gray',
grim, adj. — ME., fr. OE. grimm, grim, 'cruel,
fierce, terrible, severe', rel. to OS., OFris., OHG.,
MHG., G. grimm, ON. grimmr, Swed. grym,
'fierce, furious', Dan. grim, 'ugly', OS. grim-
mag, Du., OHG., G. grimmig, MHG. grimmec,
'fierce, furious', MDu. grimmen, grimmelen, 'to
grumble', and in gradational relationship to OE. ,
OS., OHG., MHG. gram, 'angry, fierce', ON.
gramr, Dan. gram, 'angry', G. gram, 'averse
to', Gram, 'grief, sorrow'. These words are tra-
ceable to I.-E. base *ghrem-, 'to give a hollow
sound, to thunder', whence also Gk. xpss^ew,
'to neigh', xp<V a8o ?> 'a crashing sound', OSlav.
vuzgrime'ti, 'to thunder', gromu, 'thunder', Russ
gremet\ 'to thunder', Lith. gramit, grameti, 'to
fall into the deep with a rumbling sound',
grumu, grumlti, 'to thunder'. Cp. gram, grumble.
Cp. also pogrom.
Derivatives: grim-ly, adv., grim-ness, n.
grimace, n., distortion of the face. — F., 'wrinkle,
wry face; sham, humbug, cant', fr. MF., prob.
fr. OSp. grimazo, lit. 'mask', formed with pejor.
suff. -azo (fr. L. -aceus), fr. Goth. *grima, which
may be inferred fr. OE. grima, 'mask, helmet,
ghost, specter', ON. grima, MDu. grime, 'soot;
mask'. These latter words lit. mean 'blackened
face', and are rel. to MLG. grimet, 'striped
black', MLG. greme, 'dirt'. Cp. grime.
Derivatives: grimace, intr. v., grimac-er, n.,
grimac-ing-ly, adv.
grimalkin, n., a cat, a she-cat. — Fr. earlier gray-
malkin (cp. Graymalkin in Shakespeare's Mac-
beth), which is compounded of gray and malkin,
dimin. of ME. Malt, Mault, 'Maud'. See
malkin.
grime, n., dirt. — Flemish grijm, fr. MDu. grime,
'soot; mask'. See grimace and cp. begrime.
Derivatives: grim-y, adj., grim-i-ly, adv., grim-
i-ness, n.
681
grime, tr. v., to soil. — ME. grimen, fr. Flem.
grijmen, fr. grijm. See grime, n.
Grimm's law. — Named after the German philo-
logist Jacob Grimm (1785-1863), who was the
first to describe this law in a comprehensive,
generalizing manner.
grin, intr. and tr. v., to smile broadly. — ME.
grennen, grinnen, fr. OE. grennian, 'to grin', rel.
to ON. grenja, 'to howl', ON. grina, Dan. grine,
Swed. grina, 'to grin', Du. grienen, 'to sniffle,
blubber, whine', OHG. grinan, MHG. grinen,
'to grumble, growl, snarl', G. greinen, 'to cry,
whine', MHG. grinnen, 'to grate, creak', OHG.
grennan, 'to mutter', MHG. grennen, 'to snarl',
and to OHG. granon, 'to grunt', MHG. grannen,
'to grunt, wail', OE.granian, 'to groan, murmur'.
See groan. OF. grignier, grigner, It. digrignare,
'to gnash the teeth', and Provenc. grinar, 'to
grunt', are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives : grin, n., grinn-er, n., grinn-ing, adj.,
grinn-ing-ly, adv.
grind, tr. and intr. v. — ME. grinden, fr. OE.
grindan, cogn. with L. f/endere, 'to gnash the
teeth', Gk. x^vSpo? (dissimilated fr. *xp6vBpo<;),
'corn, grain', Alb. grunde, 'bran', Lith. grendu,
gr'esti, 'to scrape, scratch'; fr. I.-E. *ghren-d(h)-,
enlargement of base *ghren-, 'to rub', whence
Gk. xpatvcLv, 'to touch slightly'. Base *ghren-
itself has been enlarged fr. I.-E. base *gher-,
'to rub', whence Gk. x^P aSo ?' 'gravel'. Fr.
base "ghrli-, *ghri-, another enlargement of
base *gher-, derives Gk. xpk lv > ' t0 anoint witn
oil, smear'. Cp. grist, 'corn for grinding', ground,
'bottom'. Cp. also chondro-, chrism, chrome,
furfur.
Derivatives: grind, n., grinder (q.v.), grind-ing,
n. and adj., grind-ing-ly, adv.
grinder, n. — ME. grindere, fr. OE. grindere, fr.
grindan, 'to grind'. See grind and agential
suff. -er.
Gringo, n., Mexican contemptuous name for an
Englishman or an American of the U.S. — Sp.
gringo, corruption of griego, 'Greek', fr. L.
Graecus. See Greek,
griotte, n., morello (cherry). — F., fr. earlier
agriote, fr. Provenc. agriota, fr. agre, 'sour', fr.
L. acer. See acrid and cp. words there referred to.
grip, n., a grasp, clutch. — ME., fr. OE. gripe,
fr. grlpan, 'to gripe', rel. to ON. gripr, OFris.
gripe, OHG., MHG. grif, G. Griff, 'grasp, hold;
claw; handle'. See gripe,
grip, tr. v., to grasp, clutch. — ME. grippen, fr.
OE. grippan, rel. to OHG. gripfen, griffen, 'to
rob', and to OE. gripan, 'to seize'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: gripp-er, n., gripp-ing, adj., gripp-
ing-ly, adv., gripp-ing-ness, n.
grip, n., trench {dial. English) — OE. grepe, grype,
rel. to MLG. gruppe, of s.m., MLG. grbpen, 'to
hollow out', Swed. grbpa, grypa, 'to cut out',
OE. gropa, 'pot',
gripe, tr. v., to grasp. — ME. gripen, fr. OE.
gripan, 'to seize', rel. to OS. gripan, ON. gripa,
Dan. gribe, Du. grijpen, Goth, greipan, OHG.
grifan, MHG. grifen, G. greifen, 'to seize', fr.
I.-E. base *ghrtb-, whence also Lith. griebiit,
griebti, 'to seize', Lett, griba, 'will', gribet, 'to
wish, will, want'. F. gripper, 'to seize;, griffer,
'to seize', griffe, 'claw', are Teut. loan words.
Cp. griffe, griffonage, grip, 'a grasp', gripple,
grasp, grope.
Derivative: gripe, n.
grippe, n., influenza. — F„ prob. fr. Russ. chrip,
'hoarseness', which is of imitative origin,
gripple, adj., griping {dial) — ME. gripel, fr.
OE. gripul, fr. gripan, 'to seize'. See gripe,
gripsack, n., a handbag. — Compounded of gritf,
v., and sack.
grisaille, n., a kind of painting in gray. — F., fr.
gris, 'gray'. See grizzle, 'gray'. •
Griselda, fern. PN. — It., fr. G. Grishilda, Grisel-
de, fr. OHG, grisja hilda, 'gray battle maid'.
The first element derives fr. OHG. gris, 'gray';
see grizzle, 'gray'. The second element comes fr.,<
OHG. hildi, 'battle'; cp. the second e(ement
in Clothilda, Kriemhild.
grisette, n., a French working girl. — F., prop.
'a girl wearing a gray gown', fr. grisette, 'a gray
gown', fr. gris, 'gray', fr. Frankish *gris, 'gray'.
See grizzle, 'gray',
griskin, n., the lean part of a pork loin {Engl) —
Lit. 'a little pig', formed with suff. -kin fr. ME.
grys, grice (whence archaic E. grice, 'a little
pig'), fr. ON. griss, 'a young pig', lit. 'a gray
animal', rel. to Du. grijs, 'gray'. See grizzle,
'gray', and cp. prec. word,
grisly, adj., terrible. — ME. grislich, grisly, fr.
OE. grislic, 'terrible', formed with suff. -lie (see
adj. suff. -ly) from the stem of OE. a-grisan, 'to
shudder, fear', which is rel. to MLG. grisen,
gresen, Du. griezelen, OHG. gruson, MHG.
grusen, G. grausen, MHG. griuseln, 'to shudder,
fear', MLG. greselik, MDu. griselijk, Du.
griezelig, OHG. grisenlih, G. gruselig, 'terrible'.
Cp. gruesome.
Derivative: grisli-ness, n.
grison, n. a South-American mammal. — F.
grison, 'grayish, gray-haired', fr. gris, 'gray'. See
grizzle, adj.
grist, n., 1) grain for grinding; 2) grain that has
been ground. — ME., fr. OE. grist, 'grinding;
corn to be ground', from the root of OE. grin-
dan, 'to grind'. See grind and cp. gristle.
grist, n., size of rope. — Of uncertain origin;
perh. rel. to gird, 'to encircle'.
gristle, n., cartilage. — ME. gristil, fr. OE. gristle,
rel. to OFris., MLG. gristel, and to OE. grost,
MHG. gruschel, 'cartilage', and prob. also to
OE. grist, 'grinding'. See 1st grist.
Derivatives: gristl-y, adj., gristl-i-ness, n.
grit, n., coarse sand, gravel. — ME. grete, fr. OE.
greot, 'grit, sand, dust, gravel', rel. to OS. griot,
OFris. grit, ON. grjot, 'rock, stone', OHG.
grio 3 , MHG. gries, gri>3, G. Grief, 'grit, sand.
grit
682
gravel', and cogn. with Lith. grudas, Lett.
grduds, 'corn, kernel', Lith. graudits, 'brittle',
grudziu, grusti, 'to stamp', OSlav. gruda, 'clod',
fr. I.-E. *ghreud-, a -^-enlargement of base
*ghreu-, 'to grind, pulverize, crush'. Cp. W.
gro, 'coarse gravel', Bret, grouan, Co. grow,
'gravel', which derive from the unenlarged form
of the base. L. rudus, 'rubbish', is not cognate
with the above words. Cp. grit, 'coarsely ground
grain'. Cp. also gravel, groats, grout, 'coarse
meal', gruel, and the first element in gromwell.
Cp. also great.
Derivatives: grit, tr. v., to cover with grit; intr.
v., to make a grating sound, gritt-y, adj., gritt-i-
ly, adv., gritt-i-ness, n.
grit, n., coarsely ground grain. — OE. grytt,
rel. to MLG. griitte, gbrte, Du. gort, OHG.
gruzzi, MHG., G. griitze, 'peeled grain, groats'.
These words originally meant 'that which is
coarsely ground', and derive fr. I.-E. *ghreud-,
'to grind, crush'. See grit, 'coarse sand'.
grivet, n., a monkey of N. East Africa. — F., of
unknown origin. Cp. vervet.
grizzle, adj., gray. — ME. grisel, fr. OF. grisel,
dimin. of gris, 'gray', fr. Frankish *gris, 'gray',
which is rel. to OS., OFris., gris, MDu., Du.
grijs, OHG. gris, 'gray', MHG gris 'gray, gray-
haired', grise, 'old man' (whence G. Greis, 'old
man'), ON. griss, Dan., Swed. gris, 'young pig'
(prop, 'the gray animal'). Sp., Port, gris, It.
griso, grigio, 'gray', are Teut. loan words. Cp.
grilse, grisaille, grisette, griskin, grison, the first
element in Griselda and the second element in
ambergris. — The above Teut. words are prob.
rel. to OE. grxg, 'gray', and its equivalents in
the other Teut. languages; see gray.
Derivatives: grizzle, tr. v., to make gray;
intr. v., to become gray; grizzle, n., the color
gray, grizzl-y, adj.
grizzle, intr. v., to grin (Engl.) — Of uncertain
origin.
groan, intr. and tr. v. — ME. gronen, fr. OE.
grdnian, 'to groan, murmur', rel. to ON. grenja,
'to howl', OE. grennian, 'to grin'. See grin.
Derivatives: groan, n., groan-er, n., groan-ing,
n. and adj., groan-ing-ly, adv.
groat, n., a small coin. — ME. groot, fr. MDu.
(= Du.) groot, 'great, big', used as a noun in
the sense of 'a thick (coin)'. See great and cp.
words there referreed to. For sense develop-
ment cp. gross, name of coins, and groschen.
groats, n. pi., hulled oats. — ME. grotes, fr. OE.
grot, 'particle, atom', rel. to great, 'grit'. See
grit, 'coarse sand', and cp. groat.
grobian, n., a rude, boorish person. — G. Gro-
bian, fr. facetious L. grobidnus, fr. G. grob,
'coarse, rough', which is cogn. with E. gruff(q.v.)
grocer, n. — ME. grosser, fr. OF. grossier, fr.
ML. grossdrius, 'one who sells wholesale*,
which is formed fr. Late L. grossus, 'great, thick,
gross', with Latin suff. -drius. See gross, adj., and
-ier and cp. F. vendre en gros, 'to sell wholesale'.
grocery, n. — ME. grosserie, fr. OF. grosserie, fr.
grossier, 'grocer'. See grocer and -y (representing
OF. -ie).
grog, n., alcoholic drink diluted with water. —
Shortened fr. Grogram, nickname of Admiral
Edward Vernon (1684-1757), who used to wear
a grogram cloak (see grogram); the drink was
so called because he was the first to order di-
lution of sailor's rum.
Derivatives: grog, tr. v., grogg-ery, n. (U.S.),
grogg-y, adj., grogg-i-ness, n.
grogram, n., a coarse kind of cloth made of silk
or of silk and mohair. — Corruption of F. gros
grain, 'coarse grain'. See gross, adj., and grain
and cp. grog. For a similar corruption cp.
fingering, 'a fine woolen yam'. For the change
of final mora cp. also pilgrim and venom.
groin, n., the fold between the abdomen and the
thigh. — Formed (prob. on analogy of loin) fr.
earlier grine, fr. ME. grynde, fr. OE. grynde,
'abyss' (which may have meant also 'depression,
hollow'), a word rel. to OE. grund, 'bottom'.
See ground, n., 'bottom'.
Derivatives: groin, tr. v., groin-ed, adj., groin-
ing, n.
grommet, grummet, n., ring of a rope (naut.) —
OF. gromette (whence, with metathesis, F.
gourmette, 'curb of a bridle'); of uncertain
origin.
gromwell, n., any plant of the genus Lithosper-
mum. — OF. gromil (F. gremil), compounded of
OF. gres (F. gres), 'sandstone', and mil, 'millet'.
The first element derives fr. Frankish *griot,
which is rel. to OHG. grios, 'grit, gravel'; see
grit, 'coarse sand'. For the second element see
millet.
groom, n. — ME. grome, grom, orig. 'boy', fr.
OF. grome, gromet, groumet, gourmet, 'servant,
page'. See gourmet and cp. the second element
in bridegroom.
Derivatives : g room, tr. v.,groom-er,n,,groom-y,
adj.
groove, n., a furrow. — ME. groof, grofe, fr.
MDu. groeve (Du. groef), 'trench, channel,
groove', which is to related Du. groeve, 'furrow,
pit', ON. grdf, Norw. grdv, 'brook, river bed',
OHG. gruoba, MHG. gruobe, G. Grube, 'pit,
ditch', Goth, groba, 'pit, cave', OE. grxf, 'cave,
grave', grafan, 'to dig, carve'. See grave, 'to en-
grave', grave, 'tomb'.
Derivatives: groove, tr. v., groov-ed, adj.,
groov-er, n., groov-ing, n., groov-y, adj., groov-
i-ness, n.
grope, intr. and tr. v. — ME. gropien, gropen, fr.
OE. grdpian, 'to touch, feel', fr. grdp, 'a grasp,
clutch', which stands in gradational relationship
to OE. gripan, 'to clutch'. See gripe.
Derivatives: grop-er, n., grop-ing-ly, adv.
grosbeak, n., any of various finches. — F. gros-
bec, lit. 'large beak'. See gross, adj., and beak.
groschen, n., a small silver coin, formerly current
in Germany. — G., fr. Czech groS, name of a
683
coin, fr. ML. (denarius) grossus, lit. 'a thick
coin', fr. L. grossus, 'thick'. See gross, adj., and
cp. gross, name of various coins,
gross, adj., big. — ME. groos, grose, fr. OF. gros,
'thick', fr. L. grossus, of s.m., which is cogn.
with Olr. bres, Mir. bras, 'big', Co. bras, 'thick'.
Cp. grocer, grogram, grosbeak, engross (in both
senses).
Derivatives: gross, n. (q.v.), gross, tr. v., gross-
en, tr. and intr. v., gross-er, n., gross-ly, adj.,
gross-ness, n., gross-i-fy, tr. and intr. v., gross-i-
fication, n.
gross, n., bulk, mass. — Fr. L. grossus, 'thick'.
See prec. word,
gross, n., twelve dozen. — Fr. F. la grosse (dou-
zaine), 'the great dozen', fr. gros, fern, grosse,
'big'. See gross, adj.
gross, n., name of various coins (obsol.) — Lit.
'something thick', partly fr. F. gros, 'thick',
partly fr. It. grosso, of s.m., which both derive
fr. L. grossus, 'thick'. See gross, adj., and cp.
groschen.
grossulaceous. — Contraction of grossulari-
aceous (q.v.)
grossular, adj., belonging to the gooseberry. —
ModL. grossuldrius, fr. Grossularia (q.v.)
Grossularia, n., a genus of plants of the goose-
berry family (hot.) — ModL., fr. F. groseille,
'gooseberry', fr. MDu. croesel, 'gooseberry'.
See gooseberry.
Grossulariaceae, n. pi., a family of plants, the
gooseberry family (bot.) — ModL., formed
from prec. word with suff. -aceae.
grossulariaceous, adj., pertaining to the goose-
berry family. -- See prec. word and -aceous.
grot, n., a grotto. — F. grotte, fr. It. grotta. See
grotto.
grotesque, adj., fantastic. — F. grotesque, fr. It.
(pittura) grottesca, 'grotesque painting', orig.
'painting (found) in a grotta', fr. grotta, 'crypt,
cave'. See grotto and -esque.
Derivative: grotesque-ly, adv., grotesque-ness, n.
grotto, n., a cave. — It. grotta, fr. VL. crupta, fr.
L. crypta, fr. Gk. xp'jTrrr), short for xp'JTt-ri;
xa[idpa, 'a hidden vault'. See crypt,
grouch, intr. v., to be sulky. — Prob. fr. ME.
grouchen, 'to grumble'. See grudge.
Derivatives: grouch, n., grouch-y, adj., grouch-
i-ly, adv., grouch-i-ness, n.
ground, n., bottom. — ME. ground, fr. OE. grund,
rel. to OS., OFris., Dan., Swed. grund, Du.
grond, OHG., MHG. grunt, G. Grund, 'ground,
soil, bottom', ON. grunn, 'a shallow place',
grund, 'field, plain', grunnr, 'bottom', Goth.
grundu- in grundu-waddjus, 'foundation wall'.
These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. *ghrn-tu-,
'sandy soil', fr. base *ghren-, 'to rub', whence
also Gk. xpouvetv, 'to touch slightly'. A
--/(^-enlargement of base *ghren- appears in OE.
grindan, 'to grind'. See grind and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also groin.
Derivatives: ground, intr. and tr. v., groundage
(q.v.), ground-ed, adj., grounder (q.v.), ground-
ing, n.
ground, adj., reduced to particles by grinding. —
Prop. pp. of grind.
groundage, n., fee for letting a ship in a port. —
A hybrid formed fr. ground, n., with -age, a suff.
of ult. Latin origin.
grounder, n., a ball moving along the ground
(baseball). — Formed fr. ground, n., with agent-
ial suff. -er.
groundless, adj. — ME. groundeles, 'bottomless',
fr. OE. grundleas. See ground, n., and -less.
Derivatives: groundless-ly, adv., groundless-
ness, n.
groundling, n ., 1 ) a fish that lives near the bottom ;
2) a spectator in the pit of a theater; hence 3) an
uncritical person. — The original meaning of
this word is 'that which lives on, or is near to,
the ground. It is formed fr. ground, n., with suff.
-ling, 'pertaining to'.
groundsel, n., any plant of the genus Senecio. —
ME. groundeswele, fr. OE. grundeswelge, fr.
earlier gundeswelge, lit. 'pus swallower', it. gund,
'pus', and swelgan, 'to swallow'; so called in
allusion to its use in making poultices. OE. gund
is rel. to OHG. gunt, 'pus', Goth, gund, 'can-
cer', dial. Norw. gund, 'scurf, scab', and pos-
sibly cogn. with Gk. xavOiiXy] (dissimilated fr.
*Xav4WX7j), 'swelling, tumor'. For OE. swelgan
see swallow, v.
groundsel, n., threshold, sill. — Compounded of
ground and sill,
group, n. — F. groupe, fr. It. gruppo, 'group',
orig. 'cluster, packet, knot', fr. OProvenc.
grop, 'knot', which derives fr. Teut. *kruppa,
'a rounded lump or mass'. See crop.
Derivatives : group, tr. and intr. \.,group-ed, adj.
group-ing, n.
grouper, n., any of various fishes. — Port, garupa,
of uncertain, possibly Am. Indian, origin.
grouse, n., a game bird. — Of unknown origin.
grouse, intr. v., to grumble. — Prob. of imitative
origin; cp. Gk. yP'J. ' a grunt', ypd&w, 'to
grunt, grumble', L. grundire, grunnire, OE.
grunian, 'to grunt', which all are of imitative
origin. Cp. grunt. Cp. also grouch, grudge, grutch.
Derivative: grous-er, n.
grout, intr. and tr. v., to dig with the snout. —
Of uncertain origin. Cp. rout, 'to dig with the
snout'.
grout, n., coarse meal (archaic). — ME., fr. OE.
grut, 'coarse meal, grains of meal', rel. to
MLG. grut, 'dregs', and cogn. with Lith. grudas,
Lett, grduds, 'corn, kernel'. See grit, 'coarse
sand".
grout, n., coarse mortar. — A special use of prec.
word.
Derivatives: grout, intr. and tr. v., to fill up
with cement, grout-ing, n.
grove, n. — ME., fr. OE. grdf, 'grove, copse', rel.
to OE. grxfa, 'grove, thicket, brushwood',
Norw. greivla, 'to branch out'.
grovel
684
grovel, intr. v., i) to lie flat on the ground; 2) to
behave abjectly. — Coined by Shakespeare
through back formation fr. obsol. E. grovelling,
fr. ME. grufelinge, 'on the face', which was mis-
taken for a pres. part., whereas it is formed fr.
ME. (on) grufe (fr. ON. a grufu), 'on the face,
prone*, with adv. suff. -ling. ON. grufa, 'prone-
ness', is rel. to ON. gryfa, 'to bend over'.
Derivatives: grovel(J)-er, n., grovel(l)-i"g, adj.
and adv., grovel(l)-ing-ly, adv.
grow, intr. and tr. v. — ME. growen, fr. OE.
growan, rel. to ON. groa, OFris. grdia, Du.
groeien, OHG. gruoen, MHG. griiejen, 'to grow',
fr. I.-E. base *ghrd-, 'to grow'. See grass, green,
and cp. gramini-.
Derivatives: grow-er, n., grow-ing, n. and adj.,
grow-ing-ly, adv.
growl, intr. and tr. v. — Prob. of imitative origin.
Derivatives : growl, n., growl-er, n., growl-ery, n.
grown, pp. of grow.
growth, n. — Formed with subst. suff. -th fr. grow,
on analogy of ON. grodi, 'growth* (fr. ON.
groa, 'to grow').
groyne, n. — A var. of groin.
grub, tr. and intr. v., to dig up. — ME. grobben,
grubben, rel. to OHG. grubilon, MHG. grii-
bilen, 'to dig, search, investigate', G. grubeln,
'to rack one's brains, meditate, ponder', and to
OHG. graban, OE. grafan, 'to dig, carve'. See
grave, 'to engrave*.
Derivatives: grub, n., grubber (qq.v.), grubb-y,
adj., grubb-i-ness, n.
grub, n., the larva of an insect. — ME. grubbe,
lit. 'digger', fr. grubben, 'to dig'. See grub, n.
grubber, n., one who or that which grubs. —
ME. grubbare. See grub, 'to dig', and agential
suff. -er.
grudge, intr. and tr v. — Fr. dial, grutch, fr. ME.
grochen, gruchen, 'to murmur, grudge', fr. OF.
groucier, grouchier, which is of Teut., ult. imi-
tative, origin. Cp. OHG. grunnizon, 'to grunt',
and see grunt.
Derivatives: grudge, n., grudg-ing, adj., grudg-
ing-ly, adv.
gruel, n., thin broth made by boiling oatmeal in
water. — OF. (F. gruau), 'oatmeal, grits, groats',
dimin. of OF. gru, fr. Frankish *grut, which is
rel. to Du. grut, OHG. gruzzi, 'groats'. See grit,
'coarsely ground grain'.
gruesome, adj., horrible. — Formed with 1st suff.
-some fr. dial. E. grue, 'to shudder', which is
prob. of LG. origin. Cp. MLG. gruwen, 'to
shudder', grusam, 'gruesome', which are rel.
to MDu. gruwen, grouwen, Du. gruwen, OHG.
ingruen, MHG. gruwen, G. grauen, 'to shudder',
MDu. gruwel, MHG. griuwel, griul, G. Greuel,
'horror, terror', and to MLG. grlsen, gresen,
etc., 'to shudder'. Cp. Du. gruwzaam, MHG.
gruwesam, grusam, G. grausam, 'cruel', and see
grisly. Dan. grue, 'to dread', gruelig, 'dreadful,
terrible', are LG. loan words.
Derivatives : gruesome-ly, adv „gruesome-ness, n.
gruff, adj., surly. — MLG. or MDu. (= Du.)grof,
rel. to OHG. gerob, grob, MHG. gerop,grop, G.
grob, 'coarse, rough', OHG. hriob, riob, OE.
hreof, ON. hrjufr, 'rough, scabby', and prob.
cogn. with Lith. kraupus, 'rough', Lett, k'raupa,
'scab, scurf, W. crawen, Co. crevan, 'crust'.
Derivatives: gruff-ish, adj., gruff-ly, adv., gruff-
ness, n., gruff-y, adj., gruff-i-ly, adv., gruff-i-
ness, n.
gruiform, adj., cranelike. — See next word.
Gruiformes, n. pi., the order of the cranes (orni-
thol.) — Formed fr. L. grits, gen. gruis, 'crane',
and forma, 'form, shape'. See crane and form, n.
grum, adj., morose. — Prob. a blend of glum
and grim.
grumble, intr. and tr. v. — F. grommeler, fr.
MDu. grommelen, freq. of grommen, 'to grumble'
(see freq. suff. -le), which stands in gradational
relationship to MDu. grimmen, grimmelen, 'to
grumble', and to OE. grimm, grim, 'cruel,
fierce, terrible, severe'. See grim and cp. words
there referred to. The b in grumble is intrusive.
Cp. ramble.
Derivatives: grumble, n., grumbl-er, n., grumbl-
ing, adj., grumbl-ing-ly, adv.
grume, n., a clot of blood ; a viscous fluid. — Ob-
sol. F. grume, 'clot' (whence F. grumeau, a di-
min.), fr. L. grumus, 'a little heap, hillock',
which is cogn. with OE. cruma, 'crumb'. See
crumb.
grummet, n. — See grommet.
grumose, adj., consisting of granules (bot.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -ose fr. L. grumus, 'a
little heap'. See grume,
grumous, adj., 1) containing grume; clotted;
2) grumose. — Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
grumus. See prec. word.
Derivative : grumous-ness, n.
grumpy, adj., irritable, peevish. — Formed with
adj. suff. -y fr. obsol. grump, 'ill humor', which
is rel. to grum, grumble, grim.
Derivatives : grumpi-ly, adv., grumpi-ness, n.
Mrs. Grundy, a name denoting a prudish and
excessively conventional woman. — A character
of the comedy Speed the Plough (1798) by
Thomas Morton, often referred to in the phrase
'What will Mrs. Grundy say?'
Derivatives: Grundy-ism, n., Grundy-ist, n.
grunerite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.) —
Named after the German mineralogist E. L.
Griiner, who analyzed it. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
grunt, intr. and tr. v. — ME. grunten, fr. OE.
grunnettan, freq. of grunian, 'to grunt', rel. to
Dan. grynte, OHG. grunnizon, MHG., G. grun-
zen, 'to grunt'; of imitative origin. Cp. L. grun-
dlre, grunnire, 'to grunt', which is also imitative.
Cp. also grouse, 'to grumble', and words there
referred to. Cp. also gurnard.
Derivatives : grunt, n., grunt-ing, adj., grunt-ing-
ly, adv.
gruntle, intr. v. — Freq. of grunt. Cp. disgruntle.
685
guerdon
grutch, intr. v., to grudge (dial. English). — ME.
gruchen, 'to murmur, grudge'. See grudge.
Derivative: grutch, n.
Gruyere, n. — Short for Gruyere cheese, so called
fr. Gruydre, a town in Switzerland, where it was
originally made.
Gryllidae, n. pi., a family of insects, the crickets
(zool.) — ModL., formed fr. Gryllus with suff.
-idae.
Gryllus, n., the typical genus of the crickets. —
L. grillus, gryllus [whence also OHG. grillo,
(MHG., G. grille), 'cricket*], fr. Gk. fpiiXXcx;,
'an Egyptian dance ; a performer in such a dance ;
comic figure, caricature'.
gryphon, n. — See griffin, 'a mythical animal',
grysbok, n., a small grayish S. African antelope.
— S. Afr. Du., fr. Du. grijsbok, lit. 'gray buck',
fr. grijs, 'gray', and bok, 'buck'. See grizzle,
'gray', and buck.
guacbaro, n., a South-American night bird. —
Sp. gudcharo, fr. guacho, 'orphan', fr. Quechua
wdhcha, 'poor; orphan', dim. of wah, 'strange,
foreign'.
guaco, n., a South American climbing plant. —
— Sp., borrowed from a native language spoken
in Central or South America.
guaiacol, n., a colorless liquid. — Formed fr. next
word with suff. -ol.
guaiacum, n., 1) any of tropical American trees
of the genus Guaiacum; 2) resin from any of
these trees. — ModL., fr. Sp. guayaco, from
a Haitian word.
guan, n., any of large gallinaceous birds of Cen-
tral and South America. — Sp. guan, from W.
Indian native name.
guana, n. — -A var. of iguana.
guanaco, n., a kind of large wild llama. — • Sp.,
fr. Quechua hnanaco, huanacu.
guano, n., a manure consisting of the dung of sea
birds. — Sp., fr. Quechua huanu, 'dung'.
Derivative: guano, tr. v., to manure with guano.
guarana, n., a paste made from the seeds of the
Brazilian climbing plant Paullinia cupana. —
Port, and Sp. guarand, fr. Tupi guarana.
guarantee, n. — Formed fr. guaranty, on analogy
of other legal terms ending in -ee.
Derivative: guarantee, tr. v.
guarantor, n. — See guaranty and agential suff. -or.
guaranty, n. — OF. guarantie, garantie, cor-
responding to ONF. warantie. See warranty,
which is a doublet of guaranty.
guard, tr. and intr. v. — OF. guarder, garder (F.
garder), 'to keep, watch over, guard, protect,
defend', corresponding to ONF. warder. See
ward, v., which is a doublet of guard, v.
Derivatives: guard-ed, adj., guard-ed-ly, adv.
guard-ed-ness, n., guard-er, a.
guard, n. — OF. guarde, garde (F. garde), 'watch-
ing, keeping, custody'. See ward, 'the act of
guarding', which is a doublet of guard, n.
guardant, adj., the same as gardant (her.) — F.
gardant, pres. part, of garder. See gardant.
guardian, n. — - ME. gardein, fr. AF. gardein,
corresponding to OF. (= F.) gardien, which
was formed with change of suff. fr. OF. gardenc,
fr. garder. See guard, v., and -ian, and cp.
warden, which is a doublet of guardian.
guarinite, n., a calcium titanium silicate (mineral.)
— Named after Professor G. Guarini of Naples.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
guameri, n. — Short for Guarneri violin, prop, a
violin made by members of the Guarneri family
at Cremona in Italy. Cp. amati and stradivarius.
guava, n., a tree of the genus Psidium. — Sp.
guayaba, 'fruit of the guava tree', guayabo, 'the
guava tree', fr. Tupi guafava.
gubernatorial, adj., pertaining to a governor. —
Formed with suff. -ial fr. L. gubernator, 'steers-
man, pilot, ruler, governor', fr. gubernatus, pp.
of guberndre, 'to steer, direct, conduct, govern'.
See govern, governor.
guddee, guddy, n. — Variants of gaddi.
gudgeon, n., a small freshwater fish of the carp
family. — ME. gojon, fr. F. goujon, fr. L. gobio-
nem, acc. of gobid, a collateral form of gobius,
fr. Gk. xco(3i6i; 'gudgeon', which is of uncertain
origin. Cp. goby.
gudgeon, n., a pivot. — ME. gojone, fr. OF.
gojon (F. goujon), 'dowel', dimin. of gouge, 'a
tool for making grooves, a hollow chisel'. See
gouge and -on.
guelder rose, n. — Lit. 'rose of Gelderland\ from
the name of a province in Holland. Cp. F, rose
de Gueldre, of s.m.
Guelph, Guelf, n., a member of the papal party
in Italy during the Middle Ages. — It. Guelfo,
fr. ML. Guelphus, fr. MHG. Welf, name of the
ancestor of a family of princes. The name derives
fr. OHG. Hwelp, orig. a nickname meaning
'whelp, cub'. See whelp.
Derivative: Guelph-ic, Guelf-ic, adj.
Guendolen, fem. PN. — A var. of Gwendolin(q.v.)
guenon, n., any of a genus of long-tailed African
monkeys. — F., 'she-monkey, monkey', of un-
certain origin.
guepard, n., the cheetah. — F. guepard, fr. earlier
gapard, shortened fr. It. gattopardo, lit. 'cat-
leopard'. See cat and pard and cp. leopard. Cp.
also F. chat-pard, 'mountain cat', lit. 'cat-
leopard'.
guerdon, n., a reward. — ME., fr. OF. guerredon,
guerdon, fr. ML. widerddnum, which is a blend
of OHG. widarlon, 'recompense' and L. donum,
'gift'. OHG. widarlon lit. meant 'return gift',
fr. widar, 'against', and Ion, 'reward, gift'. The
first element is rel. to OE. wider, 'against', wid,
"against, opposite' ; see withers, with. The second
element is rel. to OE. lean, 'reward', fr. I.-E.
base *lau-, 'to gain, enjoy', whence also L.
lucrum, 'gain, profit, advantage' ; see lucre. For
the etymology of L. donum see donation.
guerdon, tr. v., to reward. — ME. guerdonen, fr,
OF. guerredonner, guerdonner, 'to recompense,
reward', fr. guerdon. See guerdon, n.
guereza
686
guereza, n., an Abyssinian monkey. — From na-
tive name.
guerilla, n. — See guerrilla.
Guernsey, n., name of a breed of cattle. — So
called because orig. reared on the Island of
Guernsey.
Guernsey lily. — This flower was discovered in
Japan by Kaempfer, the Dutch botanist. Its
name is due to the circumstance that the ship
which brought the first specimens of this plant
to Europe was wrecked on the coast of Guern-
sey, in whose soil some of the bulbs germinated.
guerrilla, also guerilla, n., i) irregular warfare;
2) a person who engages in irregular warfare. —
Sp. guerrilla, lit. 'little war', dimin. of guerra,
'war', fr. OHG. werra, 'war' (whence also Port.,
Provenc., It. guerra, F. guerre). See war.
guess, tr. and intr. v. — ME. gessen, 'to think,
believe', prob. of Scand. origin. Cp. Dan. gisse,
Swed., Norw. gissa, 'to guess', which are rel.
to MLG., MDu. and G. gissen, of s.m., and
ult. to ON. geta, 'to get; to guess'. See get.
Derivatives: guess, n., guess-er, n.
guest, n. — ME. gest, fr. ON. gestr, which is rel.
to OE. gxst, giest, OFris. jest, OS., Du. gast,
OHG. gast, gesti, MHG. gast, geste, G. Gast,
Goth, gasts, 'guest', orig. 'stranger', and cogn.
with L. hostis, 'stranger; enemy', hospes (for
hosti-potis), 'host, guest', orig. 'lord of stran-
gers', OSIav. gosti, 'guest', and perh. also with
Gk. livoq, Ion. %,eZvos, Dor. ^biroq, 'stranger,
guest'. Cp. host, 'landlord, guest', host, 'army',
hospital, hostile, hotel, xeno-.
Derivatives: guest, tr. and intr. v., guest-less,
adj.
Gueux, n. pi., the patriot nobles of the Nether-
lands (hist.) — F., lit. 'beggars', fr. earlier *gueu
(to be inferred from the fern, gueue), prob. fr.
Du. guit, 'rogue, rascal'.
guff, n., foolish talk. — Orig. 'a breath, puff'; of
imitative origin. Cp. next word.
guffaw, intr. v., to laugh loudly; n., a loud
laughter. — Of imitative origin.
gugal, googul, n., an aromatic gum resin; bdel-
lium. — Hind, gugal, guggul, fr. OI. guggulu.
guggle, intr. v., to gurgle. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. gurgle.
guglet, n. — A var. of goglet.
guhr, n., an earthy deposit. — Dial. G., 'earthy
deposit', lit. 'fermentation', from the stem of
G. gdren, 'to ferment' (tr.), fr. MHG. jesen, 'to
ferment' (intr.), fr. OHG. jesan, of s.m. See
yeast and cp. the second element in kieselguhr.
guidage, n., r) guidance; 2) fee for guidance (oh-
sol.) — A hybrid coined fr. guide and -age, a
suff. of Latin origin.
guidance, n. — A hybrid coined fr. guide and
-ance, a suff. of Latin origin.
guide, tr. v. — ME. gulden, guyden, gyden, fr. F.
guider, 'to guide, lead, conduct', refashioned —
after the noun guide — fr. OF. guier (whence
ME. gyen), 'to guide, lead', which derives fr.
Frankish *witan, 'to show' (whence also OProv-
enc. guidar, guizar). Cp. OS. wisian, ON. visa,
Dan. vise, Swed., Norw. visa, OFris. wisa,
MDu. wisen, Du. wijzen, OHG., MHG. wisen,
G. weisen, 'to show, point out', OE. wltan, 'to
see'. See wise, adj. and n., wit, v., and cp. guise.
Cp. also guidone, guy, 'rope', Guy.
guide, n. — F., fr. OProvenc. or It. guida, 'guide,
leader', fr. OProveng. guidar, 'to lead'. See
guide, v.
guidon, n., 1) a small flag or pennant; 2) an of-
ficer carrying such a flag. — F., fr. It. guidone,
'standard', fr. guida, 'guide'. See guide, n. and v.
guige, n., a long leather strap serving to fasten the
shield to the neck. — OF. guiche, guige, fr.
Frankish *wibig, 'withe, wickerwork', which
is rel. to OHG. wida, 'willow', OE. wide, 'withe',
widig, 'willow'. See withy.
guild, gild, n., an association for mutual aid. —
ME. glide, fr. ON. gildi, 'payment, contribution,
fraternity', which is rel. to ON. gjald, 'payment'.
See geld.
Derivative: guild-ry, n.
guilder, n., a Dutch coin. — Altered fr. Du.
gulden, lit. 'golden'. See gold and cp. gulden,
guile, n., cunning. — ME. guile, gile, fr. OF.
guile, which is of Teut. origin. See wile and cp.
beguile.
Derivatives: guile-ful, adv., guile-ful-ly, adv.,
guile-ful-ness, n., guile-less, adj., guile-less-ly,
adv., guile-less-ness, n.
guillemot, n., a seabird of the auk family. — F.,
dimin. of PN. Guillaume, 'William'. For sense
development cp. jay, martin, martlet, which all
are traceable to proper names.
guilloche, n., an ornament formed by two or
more bands. — F. guillochis, formed from Guil-
loche, a PN. altered fr. Guillot, which is a pet
form of Guillaume, 'William'. Sec William. For
sense development cp. F. guillaume, 'rabbet-
plane' (fr. Guillaume). Cp. also guillemot and
words there referred to.
guilloche, tr. v., to ornament with guilloche. —
F. guillocher, fr. guillochis. See guilloche, n.
guillotine, n., an instrument for beheading. —
F., named after the physician Joseph-Ignace
Guillotin (1738-1814), who recommended its
adoption by the National Convention in 1789.
His aim in inventing this machine was to make
the execution of those condemned as swift and
painless as possible.
guillotine, tr. v., to behead with a guillotine. —
F. guillotiner, fr. guillotine. See guillotine, n.
guilt, n., the fact of having committed a wrong.
— ME. gulf, gilt, fr. OE. gylt, 'guilt, crime, debt,
fine'; of unknown origin.
Derivatives: guilt-less, adj., guilt-less-ly, adv.,
guilt-less-ness, n., guilt-y, adj., guilt-i-ly, adv.,
guilt-i-ness, n.
guimpe, n. — See gimp.
guinea, n., 1) a former English gold coin; a sum
of 21 shillings. — From Guinea, a country in
68/
gum
W. Africa; so called because first coined in
1663 from gold brought from the Guinea coast,
guinea pig, n. — The guinea pig comes from
Brazil and owes its name to the circumstance
that it was brought to England by Guinea men,
i.e. ships trading between England, Guinea and
South America.
Guinevere, fem. PN. — W. Gwenhwyvar, lit.
'white cheeked'. See Gwendolin(e), gwyniad.
guipure, n., any of various kinds of laces. — F.,
fr. OF. guiper, 'to cover with silk', fr. Frankish
wipan, 'to cover with silk', which is rel. to Du.
wippen, OHG. wifan, MHG. wifen, G. weifen,
'to wind, reel', and cogn. with L. vibrdre, 'to
move rapidly to and fro, shake, brandish, agi-
tate'. See vibrate and cp. words there referred
to. For the ending see suff. -ure.
guise, n., 1) manner, fashion; 2) appearance;
3) disguise. — ME. guise, gise, fr. OF. (= F.)
guise, which is borrowed fr. Teut. *wisa, 'man-
ner' (whence also OProvenc. guiza, It., Sp.,
Port, guisa). See wise, n., which is a doublet of
guise, and cp. disguise.
guiser, n., a mummer (Engl, and Scot.) — Formed
fr. guise with agential suff. -er.
guitar, n., a stringed musical instrument. — F.
guitare, fr. Sp. guitarra, fr. Arab. qitira h , fr.
Gk. xiS-apa, fr. Pers. sihtar. See cither and cp.
gittcrn, zither.
Derivative : guitar-ist, n.
gula, n., the upper throat (zool.) — L., 'throat'.
See gullet.
Derivative: gul-ar, adj.
gulch, n., a deep ravine. — Prob. fr. dial. E.
gulch, 'to swallow greedily', fr. ME. gulchen,
which is of imitative origin.
gulden, n., formerly, a German and Dutch silver
coin (orig. a gold coin). — Du. and G. gulden,
shortened fr. Du. gulden florijn, 'a gold coin'.
See gold and cp. guilder.
gules, n., the color red; adj., red. — ME. goules,
fr. OF. goules, gueules (F. gueules), 'gules',
prop, 'neckpieces of (red) fur', pi. of gole,
gueule (F. gueule), 'throat', fr. L. gula, 'throat'.
See gullet.
gulf, n. — ME. goulf, golf, fr. It. golfo, fr. Gk.
xoXkoq, 'bosom, lap, bay, gulf, womb', for
*qolpos, dissimilated fr. *qwolpos, 'something
vaulted', fr. I.-E. base *qwelp-, 'to vault',
whence also ON. hvalf, OE. hwealf, OHG. walbo,
MHG. walbe, MLG. welve, OHG. gi-welbi, G.
Gewblbe, 'vault, arch', ON. hvelfa, 'to vault',
OE. d-hwielfan, 'to cover with a vault ; to over-
whelm', OS. bi-hwelbian, MDu., Du. welven,
OHG., MHG. wetben, G. wolben, 'to vault',
Goth, hilf-trjom (dat. pi.), 'coffin'. See whelm
and cp. colpo-.
Derivatives: gulf, tr. v., gulf-y, adj.
gulix, n., a kind of fine linen. — Fr. Guliche,
former name of the town Jiilich in Western
Prussia.
gull, n., an unfledged bird (now dial.) — ME.
goll, prob. rel. to ME. gull, 'yellow', fr. ON.
gulr, 'yellow'. See yellow,
gull, tr. v., to deceive. — Prob. fr. prec. word.
Derivatives: gull, a., a dupe, gull-ish, adj., gull-
ish-ly, adv., gull-ish-ness, n.
gull, n., a long-winged, web-footed aquatic bird.
— ME. gull, of Celtic origin. Cp. Co. gullan,
gwilan, W. gwylan, Bret, gwelan (whence F.
goeland), 'gull'.
gullet, n., the throat. — ME. golet, fr. OF. golet,
goulet, dimin. of gole, goule, 'throat' (whence
F. gueule, 'mouth of some animals'), fr. L. gula,
'throat', which derives fr. I.-E. base *gel-,
*g w el- (this latter is prob. a blend of the bases
*gel- and *g w er-), 'to swallow, devour', whence
also L. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down, devour',
OE. ceole, OHG. kela, MHG. kel, G. Kehle,
ON, kjblr, 'throat', OSIav. glutu, 'gullet', Olr.
gelim, 'I eat up, devour', W. gel, 'leech', and
prob. also Gk. SeXeap (for *8£Xsfap), 'bait, lure'.
See glut, 'to swallow', and cp. glutton, gula,
gully, gulosity. Cp. also goliard. For the deriv-
atives of base *g w er- see voracious and cp. gurgi-
tation and words there referred to.
gullible, adj., easily deceived. — A hybrid coined
fr. gull, 'to deceive', and suff. -ible.
Derivative: gullibil-ity, n.
gully, n., a small ravine. — Altered fr. gullet.
Derivative : gully, tr. v.
gulosity, n., gluttony (rare). — Late L. gulositas,
fr. L. guldsus, 'gluttonous', fr. gula. See gullet,
adj. suff. -ose and suff. -ity.
gulp, tr. and intr. v. — ME. gulpen, golpen, glub-
ben, of imitative origin. Cp. Du. gulpen, 'to
gulp, guzzle', Swed., Norw. glupa, 'to swallow,
devour', which are also imitative. Cp. also OE.
gielpan, 'to boast', OHG. gelph, 'outcry', MHG.
gelfen, 'to boast', and see yelp.
Derivatives: gulp, n., gulp-ing-ly, adv., gulp-y,
adj.
gum, n., flesh in which the teeth are set. — ME.
gome, fr. OE. goma, 'palate' (pi. gbman, 'jaws'),
rel. to ON. gomi, 'palate', gomr, 'gum', Swed.
gom, 'palate', Dan. gumme, 'gum', OHG. gou-
mo, MHG. goume, G. Gaumen, 'palate', and
cogn. with Lith. gomurys, 'palate', Lett, ga-
murs, 'windpipe, trachea', fr. I.-E. base *ghou-,
*gheu-, *gh e u-, 'to gape', whence also Gk. xao?
(for *-fi^oz), 'gulf, chasm, abyss, the rude un-
formed mass', xotOvoi;, 'gaping', x* !"*. 'chasm,
gulf. The above base is rel. to base *ghei-, *ghi-,
'to gape, yawn'. See yawn and words there re-
ferred to.
gum, n., a viscid substance. — ME. gomme, fr.
OF. (= F.) gomme, fr. VL. gumma, fr. L. cum-
mi, gummi, fr. Gk. xou.fxi, ult. fr. Egypt, kmj-t.
Cp. gumma.
Derivatives: gumm-y, adj., gumm-i-ness, n.
gum, tr. and intr. v., to fasten with gum. — F.
gommer, fr. gomme. See prec. word.
Derivatives: gumm-ed, adj., gumm-er, n., gumm-
ing, a.
gumbo
gumbo, gombo, n., the okra plant. — From native
name in Angola.
gum-gum, n., a bowl of iron used as a musical
instrument in India and S. Africa. — Prob. pi.
of Malay gong. See gong.
gumma, n., a soft tumor, characteristic of tertiary
syphilis. — Medical L., fr. L. gummi. See gum,
'a viscid substance'.
gummatous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
gumma. — Formed with suff. -ous fr. Medical
L. gumma, gen. gummatis. See gumma.
gummiferous, adj., producing gum. — See gum,
'a viscid substance', and -ferous.
gum mogador, Morocco gum. — So called from
Mogador, a seaport in Morocco, whence it is
exported.
gummous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, gum ;
gummy. — L. gummdsus, 'gummy', fr. gummi.
See gum, 'a viscid substance', and -ous.
gumption, n., shrewdness, common sense (col-
i q.) — Orig. Scot.; of uncertain origin.
gun, n. — ME. gunne, gonne, prob. from the fern.
PN. Gunne, shortened from the name Gunhild,
which was applied to a war engine (in 1330-31).
For sense development cp. the gun names
Mons Meg, Big Bertha, etc.
Derivatives: gun, intr. v., gunnage (q.v.), gunn-
er, n., gunn-ery, n., gunn-ing, n.
gunge, n., a storehouse; a market (India). —
Hind, ganj, fr. OI. ganjah, 'treasury', which is
an Iranian loan word. Cp. Pers. ganj, 'treasure',
and see genizah.
gunja, n. — A var. of ganja.
gunnage, n., number of guns carried by a war-
ship. — A hybrid coined fr. gun and -age, a
suff. of Latin origin.
gunnel, n., a kind of blenny. — Of uncertain
origin.
gunnel, n. — A var. of gunwale.
Gunnera, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Norwegian botanist Johan
Ernst Gunnerus (1718-73)-
gunter n. — Shortened fr. gunter rule, scale,
resp. rig; named after the English mathematic-
ian Edmund Gunter (1581-1626).
Gunther, Gunter, masc. PN. — OHG. Gundhard,
lit. 'bold in war', fr. gund, 'war', and harti, hart,
'hard, strong, bold'. For the first element see
gonfanon, for the second see hard.
gup, n., gossip (India). — Hind, gap, fr. Pers. gap,
'prattle, gossip'.
gurge, n., a whirlpool (rare). — L. gurges. See
next word.
gurges, n., a spiral representing a whirlpool (her.)
— L. gurges, 'whirlpool'. See next word.
gurgitation, n., a boiling liquid. — Formed with
suff. -ion fr. L. gurgitdtus, pp. of gurgitare, 'to
surge, flood', fr. gurges, gen. gurgitis, 'whirl-
pool, gulf; fr. base *gurg-, which is formed
with defective reduplication fr. I.-E. base
*g«>er-, 'to devour'. See voracious and -ation and
cp. ingurgitate, regurgitate. Cp. also next word
and garget, gargle, gargoyle, gorge, gurge,
gurges.
gurgle, intr. v., to flow with a bubbling sound. —
Prob. fr. OF. gorguler, fr. L. gurgulid, 'gullet'
[whence MLG., Du. gorgel, OHG. gurgula
(MHG-, G. gurgel), 'throat'], which is dissimu-
lated fr. *gurgurid, is rel. to gurges, 'whirlpool',
and cogn. with OI. gdrgarah, 'whirlpool', OHG.
querchala, querka, 'throat, gullet', ON. kverk,
'crop, maw'. See prec. word.
Derivative: gurgle, n., a gurgling sound,
gurnard, n., a small marine fish of the family
Triglidae. — OF. gornard, gornart, formed with
metathesis fr. OF. gronir, grognir, fr. L. grun-
nire, 'to grunt'. See grunt and -ard. The fish is
so called because it emits a grunting sound
when drawn out of the water,
gurnet, n. — A var. of gurnard,
gurry, n., a little fort (India). — Hind, garni,
'a fort'.
guru, also gooroo, n., a teacher, a priest (India).
— Hind, guru, fr. OI. guruh, 'heavy, weighty,
venerable; teacher', which is cogn. with Gk.
potpis, L. gravis, 'heavy'. See grave, 'weighty',
and cp. garce.
gush, intr. v. — ME. guschen, prob. of imitative
origin.
Derivatives: gush, n., gush-er, n., gush-mg, adj.,
gush-ing-ly, adv., gush-ing-ness, n., gush-y, adj.
gusset, n., a piece of chain mail at the armpit. —
F., 'armpit; fob pocket', dimin. of gousse, 'pod,
husk', which is of unknown origin. For the end-
ing see suff. -et.
Derivative: gusset, tr. v.
gust, n., a sudden blast of wind. — ON. gustr,
'gust, blast', formed with suff. -/ from gus-,
weak grade of gjosa, 'to gush'. See geyser.
Derivatives .gustful (q.v.), gust-y, adj., gusti-ly,
adv., gust-i-ness, n.
gust, n., relish. — L. gustus, 'tasting, taste'. See
choose and cp. gout, gustation, gusto, degust,
disgust, ageustia, ragout.
Derivative: gustful (q.v.)
gustation, n., the act of tasting. — L. gustatid,
gen. -dnis, 'a tasting', fr. gustdtus, pp. of gus-
tdre, 'to taste', fr. gustus. See prec. word and
-ation.
gustative, adj., pertaining to the sense of taste. —
Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. gustdtus, pp. of
gustdre. See gustation.
Derivative: gustative-ness, n.
gustatory, adj., gustative. — Formed with suff.
-ory fr. gustdtus, pp. of gustdre. See gustation.
Gustavus, masc. PN. — Latinized form of Swed.
Gu-staf, a name compounded of two elements.
The first element is of uncertain origin, the
second means 'staff' (see staff),
gustful, adj., windy. — Compounded of gust, 'a ,
blast of wind', and -fuL
gustful, adj., tasty. — Compounded of gust,
'relish', and -ful.
Derivatives: gustful-ly, adv., gustful-ness, n.
689
gymnasiarcn
gusto, n., taste; keen relish. — It., fr. L. gustus,
'tasting, taste'. See gust, 'taste'.
gut, n., the alimentary canal; the intestines. — .
ME. gut, gutte, fr. OE. guttas (pi.), 'entrails',
rel. to MDu. gdte, Du. goot, G. Gosse, 'gutter,
drain', ME. gote, 'channel, stream', and in grad-
ational relationship to OE. geotan, 'to pour'.
See found, 'to cast', and cp. words there referred
to. Cp. also guttle.
Derivative : gut, tr. v.
gutta, n., in the Doric entablature, one of a series
of ornaments, attached to the lower side of the
mutules. — L., 'drop'. See gutter.
gutta, n., the principal constituent of gutta-
percha (chem.) — See gutta-percha.
gutta-percha, n., a rubberlike substance formed
from the juice of various Malaysian trees. —
Lit. 'gum of the gutta-percha tree', fr. Malay
getah, 'gum, balsam', and percha, name of the
tree yielding this gum; influenced in form by
L. gutta, 'a drop'.
gutta te, adj., 1) resembling drops; 2) spotted as
if with drops. — L. guttdtus, pp. of guttdre, 'to
drop', fr. gutta, 'drop'. See gutter and adj. suff.
-ate and cp. gutte, which is a doublet of guttate.
gutte, guttee, gutty, adj., sprinkled with drops
(her.) — AF. gutte, corresponding to F. goutte,
'sprinkled with drops', fr. L. guttdtus, pp. of
guttdre. See prec. word.
gutter, n. — ME. goter, gotere, fr. OF. gutiere,
goutiere (F. gouttiere), 'gutter, spout (of water),
channel; groove', fr. gute, goute (F. goutte),
'drop', fr. L. gutta, 'drop'. See gout, and cp.
gutta, 'ornament', guttate, gutte, guttula. OF.
subst. suff. -iere (F. -iere) is prop, the fern, form
of the adj. suff. -ier (fr. L. -drius). See -ier.
Derivatives: gutter, tr. and intr. v., gutter-ing, n.
guttiferous, adj., producing drops. — Compound-
ed of L. gutta, 'drop', and the stem of ferre,
'to bear, carry'. See gutter and -ferous.
guttiform, adj., drop-shaped. — Compounded of
L. gutta, 'drop', and forma, 'form, shape'. See
gout and form, n.
guttle, intr. and tr. v., to gormandize. — Formed
fr. gut wit freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: guttl-er, n.
guttula, n., a small droplike spot (bot. and zool.)
— L., 'a small drop', dimin. of gutta. See gutter.
Derivatives : guttul-ar, guttul-ate, adjs.
guttural, adj., pertaining to the throat. — F„ fr.
ML. gutturdlis, fr. L. £u»ur,'throat', which prob.
stands for *gutur and derives fr. I.-E. base
*gwet-, *geut-, *gut-, 'to vault', whence also OE.
cwid, 'belly, womb', Goth, qipus, 'stomach,
belly, womb', ON. kviflr, 'belly'. See bowel and
adj. suff. -al and cp. botulism. Cp. also goiter.
Derivatives: guttural-ity, n., guttural-ly, adv.,
guttural-ness, n., gutturalism, gutturalize (qq.v.)
gutturalism, n., tendency to gutturalize. — See
guttural and -ism.
gutturalize, tr. v., to pronounce gutturally. —
See guttural and -ize.
Derivative : gutturaliz-ation, n.
gutturo-, combining form meaning guttural. —
Fr. L. guttur, 'throat'. See guttural,
gutty, adj. — See gutte.
gutty, n., a gutta-percha ball. — Formed from
the abbreviation of gutta-percha and suff. -y.
guy, n., a rope. — OF. guie, 'a guide', fr. guier.
See next word,
guy, tr. v., to guide with a guy. — OF. guier, 'to
guide'. See guide.
Guy, masc. PN. — F., rel. to It., Sp., Port. Guido,
lit. 'leader' ; of Teut. origin. See guide, n. and v.,
and cp. guy, 'rope'.
guy, n., 1) a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes ; 2) a
grotesquely dressed person. — From the name
of Guy Fawkes, the ill-famed conspirator. For
the etymology and meaning of this PN. see
Guy.
Derivative: guy, tr. v., to make fun of.
guzzle, intr. and tr. v., to drink greedily. — OF.
gosillier, gosiller, 'to go down the gullet; to
vomit; to chatter', fr. gosillier, 'throat, gullet',
which prob. derives fr. OF. (= F.) gosier, of
s.m., which derives fr. Gaul.-L. geusiae, 'gullet' ;
influenced in form by F. gorge, 'throat'.
Derivatives: guzzle, n., guzzl-er, n.
gweduc, n., a large edible clam. — N. American
Ind. ; lit. 'dig deep'.
Gwen, fem. PN. — Dimin. of Gwendoline.
Gwendoline), also Gwendolen, Gwendolyn, fem.
PN. — A compound of Celtic origin; the first
element is Bret, gwenn, 'white'. See next word.
gwyniad, n., a fish of the salmon family. — Lit.
'white (fish)', a hybrid formed with suff. -iad
fr. W. gwyn, 'white', which is rel. to Bret, gwenn,
Co. guyn, Olr. find, Gael., Ir. fionn, Gaul.
vindo-, 'white', fr. Celtic *vindo-, 'visible;
'shining; white', a nasalized form of *vid-, 'to
see', whence Olr. fiss, Gael., Ir. fios, 'knowl-
edge', fr. I.-E. base *weid-, *woid-, *wid-, 'to
see; to know', whence also L. videre, 'to see'.
See vision and cp. winter and words there re-
ferred to. Cp. also Guinevere, Gwendolin(e).
gybe, v. — A var. of jibe, 'to swing round'.
Gygis, n., a genus of terns (ornithol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. -fif}^ name of a water bird, which is
prob. of imitative origin.
gyle, n., 1) amount of beer produced at one brew-
ing; 2) fermenting wort; 3) fermenting vat. —
ME., fr. MDu. ghijl, ghijle (Du. gijl), 'ferment',
from the verb ghijlen, 'to ferment', whence F.
guiller, of s.m. ,
gymkhana, n., display of athletic sports (orig.
Anglo-Indian). — A blend of Hind, gend-khdna,
'ball house' (fr. gend, 'ball', and khdna, 'house'),
and E. gymnastics (q.v.)
gymn-, form of gymno- before a vowel.
gymnasial. — Formed fr. gymnasium with adj.
suff. -al.
gymnasiarch, n., at ancient Athens, a super-
intendent of athletic training. — L. gymnasiar-
chus, fr. Gk. YU(ivaotapxos, which is compounded
gymnasium
690
of YujJ-viaiov, 'gymnasium', and ap/6<;, 'leader,
chief, ruler'. See next word and -arch.
gymnasium, 11., i) a building equipped for gym-
nastics; 2) in Germany and some other coun-
tries, a secondary school for students. — L., fr.
Gk. yu(j,vdaiov, 'gymnastic school, school', fr.
yujxva^eiv, 'to practice gymnastic exercises', lit.
'to train naked', fr. yur6<;, 'naked' ; so called
because the athletes trained naked. See gymno-.
gymnast, n., one who teaches gymnastics. — Gk.
YU(ivaoT7)i;, 'trainer of athletes', fr. fufiva^eiv.
See prec. word and -ast.
gymnastic, also gymnastical, adj., pertaining to
physical exercises. — L. gymnasticus, fr. Gk.
YU[iva(mx6s, 'pertaining to, or fond of, gym-
nastic exercises', fr. yufivdc^eiv. See prec. word
and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivatives: gymnastics (q.v.), gymnastic-al-ly,
adv.
gymnastics, n., physical exercises. — See prec.
word and -ics.
gymno, before a vowel gymn-, combining form
meaning 'naked'. — Gk. yu^°-> yujxv-, fr.
yupivoi;, 'naked', cogn. with OI. nagndh, L.
nudus, Goth, naqaps, OE. nacod, 'naked'. See
naked and cp. nude.
Gymnocladus, n., a genus of plants, the Kentucky
coffee tree (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
gymno- and Gk. xXaSo?, 'branch'. See clado-.
Gymnoconia, n., a genus of rusts (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of gymno- and Gk. xovi?, 'dust',
which is cogn. with L. cinis, 'ashes'. See cinerary
and cp. conio-, conidi-. For the ending see suff.
-ia.
Gymnodontes, n. pi., a group of fishes (ichthyol.)
— ModL., compounded of gymno- and Gk.
68<iv, gen. oSovto;, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
Gymnonoti, n.pl., an order of fishes including the
electric eel and allied forms (ichthyol.) — ModL.
Gymnonoti, compounded of gymno- and Gk.
vwtoi;, 'the back', which is cogn. with L. nates,
'rump' ; so called in allusion to the absence of
the dorsal fin. See noto- and cp. nates. Cp. also
the second element in Gymnotus.
Gymnophiona, n., an order of Amphibia (zool.)
— ModL., compounded of gymno- and Gk.
ocpioveot;, 'pertaining to, or like, a serpent', fr.
891?, 'serpent'. See ophidian.
Gymnorhina, n., a genus of birds, the piping crow
(ornithol.) — ModL., prop, 'having naked nos-
trils', compounded of gymno- and Gk. ptc,
gen. plv6(;, 'nose'. See rhino- and cp. next word.
gymnorhinal, adj., having naked nostrils (said of
crows). — See prec. word and rhinal.
gymnosophist, n., member of a sect of philo-
sophers in ancient India, who walked naked. —
L. gymnosophistae (pi.), fr. Gk. yj|xvooo<ptCTTai
(pi.), which is compounded of yujivoi;, 'naked',
and the pi. of aoywxrfi, 'philosopher'. See
gymno- and sophist.
gymnosopby, n., the doctrine of the gymno-
sophists. — See prec. word and -sophy.
gymnosperm, n., a plant that has its seeds naked
(i.e. not enclosed in an ovary). — ModL. gym-
nospermus, fr. Gk. yu(iv6c7tcp(ji.O(;, 'having naked
seeds', compounded of yvycvoq, 'naked', and
<j7tEp[ia, 'seed'. See gymno- and sperm and cp.
angiosperm.
gymnospermous, adj., having the seeds not en-
closed in an ovary. — See prec. word and -ous.
Gymnotus, n., a genus of fishes, the electric eel
(ichthyol.) — ModL. Gymnotus, contraction of
Gymnondtus, which is compounded of Gk. yuu.-
viii;, 'naked', and vto-ro;, 'the back' ; so called be-
cause of the absence of the dorsal fin. See gym-
no- and noto-. The contraction of Gymno-ndtus
into Gymnotus is due to haplology. (Cp. Gym-
nonoti, which is formed without such contrac-
tion).
gyn-, form of gyno- before a vowel.
gynaeceum, n., 1) apartment for women (Greek
antiq.) ; 2) the pistils of a flower collectively (bot.)
■ — L. gynaeceum, fr. Gk. yovatxsiov, 'women's
apartment', prop. neut. of the adjective yvvai-
jcsToi;, 'pertaining to a woman; womanly, fe-
minine,' used as a noun, fr. yuvy], gen. yuvaoco?,
'woman'. See gyneco-.
gynaeco-. — See gyneco-.
gynandrous, adj., having the gynoecium and an-
droecium united in a column (as in orchids). —
Gk. yiivavSpoq, 'of doubtful sex', fr. y'jv/j,
'woman', and <4vir)p, gen. avSpo?, 'man'. See
gyneco- and andro- and cp. androgynous. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to Gk. -oq, see -ous.
gynarchy, n., government by a woman or women.
— Compounded of gyn- and Gk. -ocpxia, 'rule'.
See -archy.
gynec-, form of gyneco- before a vowel.
gynecium, n. — See gynoecium.
gyneco-, before a vowel gynec-, combining form
meaning 'woman'. — Gk. yovaixo-, yuvatx-,
fr. yuvif], gen. yuva.iy.6c,, 'woman', rel. to Boeo-
tian (Java, fr. I.-E. *g tv und, *g"'end, 'woman',
whence also OI. gni, gand, 'wife of a god, god-
dess', jdnih, 'wife', Goth, qind, 'woman, wife',
qens, 'woman', OE. cwen, 'woman, wife, queen'.
See quean and cp. queen. Cp. also agynary, an-
drogynous, misogyny, monogynous.
gynecocracy, gynaecocracy, n., government by a
woman or women. — Gk. Yuvoaxoxpa-rfa, com-
pounded of yuv?), gen. yuvaixo?, 'woman', and
-y.potTLa, 'rule of, fr. xpaTo?, 'strength, power,
rule'. See gyneco- and -cracy.
gynecocrat, gynaecocrat, n., an adherent of gyne-
cocracy. — See prec. word and -crat.
Derivatives: gynecocrat-ic,gynecocrat-ic-al, adjs.
gynecology, gynaecology, n., the study of diseases
peculiar to women. — Compounded of gyneco-
and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -koyoc,, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner) ; one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: gynecolog-ic, gynecolog-ical, adjs.,
gynecolog-ist, n.
gyniatrics, n., the treatment of diseases peculiar to
691
gyve
women. — Compounded of Gk. yuvrj, 'woman',
and ia.rpiy.61;, 'pertaining to healing'. See gyneco-
and -iatric.
gyno-, combining form, equivalent to gyneco-. —
Fr. Gk. *{wr), 'woman'. See gyneco-.
gynobase, n., the flat enlargement of the recep-
tacle of a flower bearing the gynoecium (bot.) —
Compounded of gyno- and base, n.
gynocracy, n., gynecocracy. — Compounded of
gyno- and -cracy. Cp. gynecocracy.
gynoecium, gynecium, n., the pistils of a flower
collectively (bot.) — ModL., usually explained
as compounded of Gk. yuv^, 'woman', and
olxoq, 'house' (see gyno- and economy), but in
reality a corruption of gynaeceum (taken in its
second meaning). This corruption was suggested
by the ending -oecium in androecium.
-gynous, combining form meaning 1) 'female', as
in polygynous; 2) 'having female organs or pis-
tils', as in androgynous (bot.) — Gk. -yuvo?, fr.
Yvvi\, 'woman'. See gyneco- and -ous.
gyp, n., a male college servant (at Cambridge
or Durham). — Of uncertain origin; possibly
short for gypsy.
Gypaetus, n., a genus of birds, the lammergeier
(ornithol.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. yut|;,
gen. yuiz6<;, 'vulture', and aer6?, 'eagle'. See
Gyps and aeto-.
Gyps, n., a genus of birds, the griffon vulture (or-
nithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. y6<\>, gen. yvkt6<;, 'vul-
ture', rel. to YiJ7a], 'cave, den, hole', fr. I.-E.
*geu-p-, a -^-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend,
curve, arch'. See cove, 'a small bay', and cp.
gyre.
gypseous, adj., 1) containing gypsum; 2) resem-
bling gypsum. — L. gypseus, 'of gypsum', fr.
gypsum. See gypsum and -ous.
gypsiferous, adj., producing gypsum. — See
gypsum and -ferous.
Gypsophila, n., a genus of plants of the pink
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
yu^oq, 'chalk, gypsum', and cpiXeiv, 'to love'.
See gypsum and philo-.
gypsous, adj. — A var. of gypseous,
gypsum, n. — L., fr. Gk. yu^o?. 'chalk', of Sem.
origin. Cp. Arab, jibs, Mishnaic Heb. gebhes,
gephes, 'plaster, mortar, gypsum', which prob.
derive fr. Akkad. gassu (whence also Aram.
gassd, whence Arab, jass, jiss, juss, qass, qiss),
'gypsum'. — Cp. gesso,
gypsy, gipsy, n. — Fr. earlier gypcian, aphetized
fr. still earlier Egypcian, 'Egyptian, gypsy', fr.
OF. Egyptien (F. t.gyptien), fr. L. Aegyptidnus,
'Egyptian'. See Egyptian and cp. gitano. Cp.
also gyp.
Derivatives: gypsy, intr. v., gypsy-ish, adj.
gyr-, form of gyro- before a vowel.
gyral, adj., moving in a gyre or circle. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. gyrus. See gyre.
Derivative: gyral-ly, adv.
gyrate, intr. v., to revolve. — L. gyrdtus, 'cir-
cular*, pp. oigyrare, 'to turn round in a circle",
fr. gyrus. See next word and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: gyrat-ion, n., gyrat-ion-al, gyrat-
ory, adjs.
gyre, n., a circular motion. — L. gyrus, fr. Gk.
Yupos, 'circle, ring', which is rel. to yupos,
'rounded, curved', and cogn. with Arm. kor,
'crooked', kufn, 'the back', Lith. gufnas, hip,
ankle, bone', Norw. kaure, 'a curly lock of hair',
Swed. kura, Dan. kure, 'to squat', MLG. kuren,
'to lie in wait', G. kauern, 'to squat, cower'. All
these words are derivatives of I.-E. *geu-r-, an
-/■-enlargement of base *geu-, 'to bend, curve,
arch'. See cove, 'a small bay', and cp. cower. Cp.
also gyrus, the first element in girandole, virelai,
and the second element in autogiro, circumgyrate,
helicogyre. Cp. also Gyps.
gyre, intr. v., to gyrate. — L. gyrdre, 'to turn
round in a circle', fr. gyrus. See gyre, n.
gyrfalcon, n. — A var. of gerfalcon.
gyro-, combining form meaning 'circle, circular,
spiral'. — Gk. yup°-> fr- Y^P°?> 'circle'. See
gyre, n.
gyrocompass, n., a compass with gyroscope. —
Compounded of gyro and -compass.
gyrograph, n., an instrument for recording re-
volutions of a wheel, etc. — Compounded of
gyro- and Gk. -ypatpoc,, fr. vpacpsiv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
gyromancy, n., divination by walking in a circle
till one falls from dizziness (the prognostic being
made from the place or direction of the faii). —
Compounded of gyro- and Gk. [xavreta, 'oracle,
divination'. See -mancy.
gyron, also giron, n., an ordinary of triangular
form (her.) — F. giron, orig. 'piece of cloth of
triangular shape', fr. Frankish *gairo-, of s.m.,
which is rel. to OHG. ger, OE. gar, 'spear'.
See gore, 'a triangular piece of land'.
gyronny, adj., divided into gyrons (her.) — F.
gironne, fr. giron. See prec. word and -v (re-
presenting F. -e).
gyroplane, n., a flying machine furnished with
rotating horizontal planes. — Compounded of
gyro- and plane, 'airplane*.
gyroscope, n., a heavy rotating wheel, having its
axis free to turn in any direction. — Compound-
ed of gyro- and Gk. -ctxotuov, fr. <rxo~sw, 'to
look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivative: gyroscop-ic, adj.
gyrostat, n., a modified form of a gyroscope. —
Compounded of gyro- and Gk. araToc, 'placed;
standing'. See static and cp. aerostat, and words
there referred to. N
Derivatives: gyrostat-ic, adj., gyrostatics (q.v.)
gyrostat ics, n., that branch of dynamics which
deals with rotating bodies. — Compounded of
gyro- and statics.
gyrus, n., a convolution between grooves (anat.)
— L. gyrus, 'circle'. See gyre, n.
gyve, n. (usually pi.: gyves), shackle. — ME.
gives, gyves (pi.), of uncertain origin.
H
ha, interj. — This imitative word occurs in most
languages.
Habakkuk, n., i) the eighth in the order of the
Twelve Prophets; 2) the Book of Habakkuk
(Bible). — Heb. Hdbhaqqdq, prob. from the
base of hdbhdq, 'he embraced'. Cp. Akkad. ham-
baququ, name of a garden plant, Arab, habaqtq,
name of a plant in Yemen ('the basil').
habanera, n., a Cuban dance imported from
Africa. — Sp. (danzd) habanera, 'Havanan
dance', fern, of habanero, 'Havanan', formed fr.
Habana, 'Havana', with suff. -era fr. L. -drius;
see adj. suff. -ary.
habdalah, n., ceremony terminating formally sab-
baths and festivals. — Mishnaic Heb. habh-
ddld h , 'separation, distinction, division', verbal
noun of hibhdfl, 'he divided, separated, set apart,
distinguished', rel. to Mishnaic Heb. bddhdl,
'he separated, divided', Aram, b'dhal, 'he was
separated, he abstained', Arab, bddala, 'he
changed, substituted', Heb. b'dhil, 'tin; dross',
lit. 'that which is separated' (scil. from the
precious metal).
tabeas corpus, n., a writ commanding the pro-
duction of the detained person before the judge
(law). — L. 'have thou the body'. L. habeas is
the second person sing, of the pres. subj. of
habere, 'to have' ; see habit. For the etymology
of L. corpus, 'body', see corpus.
Habenaria, n., a genus of plants, the rein orchis
(hot.) — ModL., fr. L. habena, 'thong, rein',
which stands for habe-na, fr. habere, 'to hold,
to have'; habena prop, means 'that by which
something is held' ; see habit. The genus is so
called in allusion to the shape of the spur,
habendum, n., part of a deed that defines the
estate which the grantee is to have (law). — L.,
'to be had', neut. gerundive of habere, 'to have'
(see habit) ; so called because it begins in Latin
with the word habendum. For other Latin gerun-
dives used in English cp. agenda and words
there referred to.
haberdasher, n., a seller of small wares. — ME.
haberdassher, formed with agential suff. -er fr.
AF. hapertas, name of a material, which is of
unknown origin.
Derivative ; haberdasher-y, n.
habergeon, n., a short coat of mail. — ME. hau-
hergnun. fr. OF. haubergeon. dimin. of hauberc.
See hauberk and -on.
habile, adj., able; ready. — F. habile, fr. L. ha-
bilis, 'that which may be easily handled, suit-
able, fit, proper'. See able, which is a doublet
of habile, and cp. next word,
habiliment, n., an article of clothing; in the pi.,
dress. — F. habillement, 'clothing', fr. habiller,
'to dress', fr. OF. abiller, 'to fit out, make
ready', fr. Gaulish-VL. *bilia, 'stump, trunk'
[whence also F. bille, 'billet (of timber')] ; in-
fluenced both in form and meaning by the word
habit (see next word). See billet, 'stick, log', and
cp. dishabille. For the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives; habiliment-al, habiliment-ary, ha-
biliment-ed, adjs.
habilitate, tr. v., to clothe; to equip. — ML.
habilitdtus, pp. of habilitdre, 'to make fit', fr.
habilitds, 'suitability, fitness', fr. habilis, 'suit-
able, fit, proper'. See habile and verbal suff. -ate
and cp. rehabilitate.
Habiru, also Habiri, n., a name used to denote
various groups of invaders of Palestine, men-
tioned in the Tell el-Amarna letters from the
19th and 18th centuries B.C.E. — Akkad. Ha-
biru, which is prob. a blend of the plur. partic.
of base h-b-r, 'to pass, wander' (corresponding
to Heb. 'dbhdr, Arab, 'dbara, etc.), and of Heb.
Hbhri, 'Hebrew', which itself derives from the
stem of Heb. 'dbhdr; see Hebrew. Since there is
no 'ayin in the Akkadian, this letter is usually
rendered in Akkad. PN.s of Hebrew origin by
h. Cp. Akkad. ffumri -= Heb. 'Omri, Akkad.
haparu = Heb. 'dphdr, dust', Akkad. hullu =
Heb. 'd/, 'yoke', Akkaa. zuruh = Heb. z e rd a \
'arm'.
habit, n., practice, custom; dress. — ME. habit,
abit, fr. OF. habit, abit (F. habit), fr. L. habitus,
'condition, state, habit, dress', fr. habere, 'to
have, hold, possess', se habere, 'to be constitut-
ed, be in a condition', fr. l.-E. base *ghab(h)-,
'to seize, take, hold, have', whence also
Olr. gaibim, 'I take, hold; I have', gabdl, 'the
act of taking', W. gafael, 'the act of holding
fast', Lith. gaband, 'armful', gabenti, 'to remove',
gobti (with vowel gradation), 'to wrap up', Goth.
gabei, 'riches,' gabeigs, 'rich', Goth, giban, OE.
gifan,giefan, 'to give'. Goth, haban, OE. habban,
'to have', are not cogn. with L. habere. L. habitus
is prop, a loan translation of Gk. ifyq, 'con-
dition, habit', fr. c/eiv, 'to have'. Cp. give. Cp.
also able, adhibit, binnacle, cohabit, debt, due,
duty, exhibit, Habenaria, habendum, habile, ha-
bilitate, habitat, habitual, havior, inhabit, inhibit,
malady, prebend, prohibit,
habit, tr. v., to dwell, inhabit. — ME. habiten,
'to inhabit', fr. F. habiter, fr. L. habitdre, 'to in-
habit, dwell, reside', prop, 'to have frequently',
freq. of habere (pp. habitus), 'to have'. See habit,
n., and cp. inhabit. Cp. also binnacle,
habitable, adj. — ME., fr. F. habitable, fr. L. ha-
bitdbilis, 'habitable', fr. habitdre. See habit, v.,
and -able.
Derivatives: habitabil-hy, n., habitable-ness, n.,
habitabl-y, adv.
habitant, n., inhabitant. — F., pres. part, of ha-
693
hadro-
biter, 'to inhabit, dwell'. See habit, v., and suff.
-ant and cp. inhabitant.
habitat, n., natural location of an animal or
plant. — L., 'it dwells', 3rd person sing. pres. of
habitdre, 'to dwell'. See habit, v.
habitation, n., 1) the act of inhabiting; 2) a dwel-
ling place. — ME. habitacioun, fr. F. habitation,
fr. L. habitdtidnem, acc. of habitdtid, 'a dwelling,
inhabiting, habitation,' fr. habitdtus, pp. of habi-
tdre. See habit, v., and -ation.
Derivatives: habitation-al, adj.
habitual, adj. — ML. habitudlis (whence also F.
habituel), fr. L. habitus. See habit and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: habitual-ly, adv., habitual-ness, n.
habituate, tr. v., to accustom. — Late L. habi-
tudtus, pp. of habitudre, 'to bring into a habit
or condition' (whence also F. habituer), fr. habi-
tus. See habit, n., and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
habitue.
Derivative: habituat-ion, n.
habitude, n., custom, habit. — F., fr. L. habi-
tiidinem, acc. of habitudd, 'condition, habit', fr.
habitus. See habit, n., and -ude.
habitue, n., one who habitually visits a place. —
F., pp. of habituer, 'to habituate'. See habituate.
habro-, combining form meaning 'graceful'. —
Gk. appo-, fr. a|3p6<;, 'graceful, delicate, pretty';
rel. to (£(3pa, 'a favorite slave', which is bor-
rowed fr. Aram, habhrd, 'companion; female
companion', from the stem of habber, 'he joined',
which is rel. to Heb. hdbhdr, 'he joined, was
joined; he charmed', hdbhir, 'companion',
hebher, hebhrd, 'company', Ethiop. habdra, 'he
bound', Akkad. ebru, 'companion', ubburu, 'to
bind, ban'. See H. Lewy, Die semitischen Fremd-
worter im Griechischen, p. 68, and Muss Ar-
nolt, Semitic Words in Greek and Latin, in
Transactions of the American Philological As-
sociation, Vol. XXIII, p. 65.
hachure, n., a short line used in shading. — F., fr.
hacher, 'to cut'. See hatch, 'to engrave', and -lire.
Derivative : hachure, tr. v.
hacienda, n., a large estate, ranch. — Sp., 'landed
estate', fr. earlier facienda, fr. L. facienda,
'things to be done', neut. pi. gerundive of facere,
'to do'. See fact. For other words traceable to
Latin gerundives cp. agenda and words there
referred to.
hack, tr. and intr. v., to chop, cut. — ME. hacken,
fr. OE. -haccian (only in compounds), rel. to
OFris. hackia, Du. hakken, OHG. hacchdn,
MHG., G. hacken, 'to chop, cut', and prob. also
to OE. haca, 'bolt'. See hook and cp. hack, 'cut-
ting tool', and the second element in nuthatch.
Derivative: hack, n., the act of hacking.
hack, n., a cutting tool. — Fr. hack, 'to cut'. Cp.
Dan. hakke, 'mattock', G. Hacke, 'pickax, hat-
chet, mattock, hoe'.
hack, n., board on which a hawk's meat is placed.
— OE. hsec, 'grating; gate'. See hatch, 'door'.
Derivative: hack, tr. v., to put on a hack.
hack, n., a horse let out on hire. — Fr. hackney.
Derivative: hack, tr. v., to let out on hire; intr.
v., to ride on a hack,
hackamore, n., a halter, esp. for breaking horses.
— Folk-etymological alteration of Sp. jdquima,
'headstall of a halter', fr. Arab. shakfma h , 'bit
of a bridle; curb, restraint'.
hackberry, n. — A var. of hagberry.
hackbut, n., a kind of harquebus. — OF. (= F.)
haquebute, fr. MDu., hakebusse. See harquebus,
hackery, n., an Indian bullock cart (India). —
Corruption of Hind, chakra, 'cart', fr. OI.
cakrdh, 'wheel' . See cycle and words there referred
to and cp. esp. chukker.
hackle, n., 1) a comb for dressing flax; 2) one of
the long feathers on the neck of a cock. — ME.
hekele, 'an instrument for cleansing and carding
flax or hemp'. See hatchel, n., and cp. heckle.
Derivatives: hackle, v., hackl-er, n.
hackney, n., a horse or carriage let out on hire.
— ME. hakene, hakenei, fr. Hackney, a town
in Middlesex, renowned for its horses. Cp. hack,
'a horse let out on hire'. F. haquenee, 'an amb-
ling nag', is an English loan word.
Derivative: hackney, tr. v.
had, past tense and pp. of have. — ME. hadde,
had, fr. habben, 'to have'. See have,
haddock, n., a small fish related to the cod. —
ME. haddok, hadok, of unknown origin. Gael.
adag and OF. hadot, F. haddock, are English
loan words.
hade, n., the inclination of a vein from the vertical
(geol.) — Of uncertain origin.
Derivative: hade, intr. v., to incline from the
vertical.
Hades, n., the lower world. - Gk. "AiSr^, also
'AfSric, 'the god of the lower world, Pluto', a
name of uncertain origin. It meant perh. orig.
'invisible', fr. *ixFi8eTv, 'to make invisible', fr.
a- (see priv. pref. a-) and ISeiv, 'to see', which
is cogn. with L. videre, 'to see'; cp. Gk. itSTjXo;,
'making unseen', which is of the same origin.
See vision and cp. words there referred to.
Hadith, n., the whole of Mohammedan traditions
(Islam). — Arab, hadith, 'tradition', rel. to the
adjective hadith, 'new, young', hddatha, 'it hap-
pened, occurred', hddutha, 'was new, was young',
hdddatha, 'he told, related', and to Heb. hdddsh,
'new'. See Rosh Hodesh.
hadj, n., pilgrimage to Mecca. — Arab, hajj, 'pil-
grimage', fr. hdjja, 'he went on a pilgrimage',
which is rel. to Heb. hdghdgh, 'he made a pil-
grimage, celebrated a feast', hagh, 'a festival
gathering, a feast'. See Haggai and cp. next
word.
hadji, hajji, n., a Moslem who has made his pil-
grimage to Mecca. — Arab, hdjjf, fr. hajj, part,
of hdjja, 'he went on a pilgrimage'. See prec.
word.
hadro-, combining form meaning 'thick". — Gk.
aSpo-, fr. A8p6? (for *sadros), 'thick, stout; full-
grown, ripe', which stands for aS-po-; and is
Hadromerina
694
rel. to aSivot; (for *sadinos); 'crowded', lit.
'thick', aSvjv (for *saden), 'to one's fill, to sa-
tiety', and cogn. with L. satis, 'enough', OE.
sied, 'sated, satisfied'. See sad and cp. the first
element in Adephaga.
Hadromerina, n., a group of sponges (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of hadro-, Gk. uipos,
'part' (see ist mero-), and suff. -ina.
hadrosaur, n., any reptile of the genus Hadro-
saurus. — See next word.
Hadrosaurus, n., a genus of extinct dinosaurian
reptiles (paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of
hadro- and Gk. craupo?, 'lizard'. See sauro-.
haecceity, n., thisness; individuality (scholastic
philos.) — ML. haecceitds, fr. L. haecce (res),
'this (thing)', with better spelling haece, fern,
of hice (hicce), intensive form of hie (fern, haec,
neut. hoc), 'this'. See hodiernal and cp. encore,
langue d'oc. For the ending see suff. -ity.
haem-. — See hem-.
Haemanthus, n., a genus of plants of the ama-
ryllis family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. alua, 'blood', and 6tv$o<;, 'flower'. Sec
hemal and -anthus.
haemat-, haemato-, haemo-. — See hemat-, he-
mato-, hemo-.
haematinon, n., a hard red glass. — L. haema-
tinus, 'blood-colored, blood-red', fr. Gk. <xEu,a-
tivoc, fr. aT[ioc, gen. at[xa-ro?, 'blood'. See hemal
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
Haemodoraceae, n. pi., the bloodwort family
(60/.) — ModL., formed with suff. -aceae fr.
haemo-, and Gk. Scopov, 'gift', fr. I.-E. base
*do-, 'to give', whence also L. donum, 'gift'. See
donation.
haemodoraceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
haff, n., a lagoon separated from the open sea
by a sandy bar, as esp. along the Baltic coast
of Eastern Germany. — G., fr. LG. haf, fr.
MLG. haf, 'sea', which is rel. to ON., Swed.
haf, Dan. hav, OFris. hef, OE. Itxf, wnich all
mean 'sea'. The primitive sense of these words
was 'the rising one'. They are rel. to heave and
to have, haven (qq.v.)
hafiz, n., a Mohammedan who knows the Koran
by heart. — Pers., fr. Arab, hafiz, 'watch, guard ;
one who knows the Koran by heart', prop. part,
of hdfiza, 'he watched, kept, protected, learned
by heart', rel. to Heb. haphitz, 'he delighted in,
desired', hiphetz, 'delight, pleasure, desire;
business matter', in Mishnaic Hebrew 'thing,
object' (lit. 'that in which one takes delight'),
Aram, hephtzd, 'thing, object'. Cp. Hephzibah.
hafnium, n., name of a rare element (chem.) —
ModL., coined by the Dutch chemist Dirk
Coster ( 1 889- ) and the Hungarian chemist
George de Hevesy (1885- ) in 1923 fr. Haf-
nia. the Latin name of Copenhagen. For the end-
ing see suff. -ium.
haft, n., handle. — ME., fr. OE. hxft, rel. to ON.
hepli, Du. heft, hecht, OHG. hefti, MHG. hefle,
G. Heft, 'handle', lit. 'that which holds', fr.
Teut. base *haf-, whence also E. have, heave,
heavy (qq.v.) Cp. heft, n.
Derivative: haft, tr. v., to supply with a haft.
haftarah, n. — See haphtarah.
hag, n., a witch; a repulsive old woman. — ME.
hagge, hegge, fr. OE. hxgtesse, 'witch', rel. to
MDu. haghetisse, Du. heks, OHG. hagzusa,
hagazussa, hagzissa, MHG. hecse, haxe, G.
Hexe, 'witch'. The first element of OE. hseg-
tesse, etc., is rel. to OE. haga, teeg, OHG. hag,
'hedge'; the second element is rel. to Norw.
tysja, 'fairy; crippled woman', Gaul, dusius,
'demon', Co. dus, diz, 'devil', Lith. dvasid,
'spirit', OE. dust, 'dust', fr. I.-E. base *dhewls-,
*dhiis-, 'to fly about like dust, to smoke, be
scattered, vanish'. Accordingly, OE. hseg-tesse,
etc. orig. meant 'woman of the hedge'. For the
first element of these words see hedge and cp.
hagberry, hagfish, haggard, for the second see
thio- and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: hagg-ish, adj., hagg-ish-ly, adv.,
hagg-ish-ness, n.
hag, n., a notch. — ON. hbgg, 'a cutting, hewing',
from the stem of hoggva, 'to cut, hew'. See hag,
'to hew'.
hag, tr. v., to hew, cut. — ME. haggen, of Scand.
origin. Cp. ON. hoggva, 'to cut, hew', which
is rel. to OE. heawan, 'to cut, strike, hew'. See
hew and cp. haggis, haggle.
Haganah, n., defense force of Jewish settlers in
Palestine during the British mandate. After the
proclamation of independence it was incor-
porated into the Army of Israel. — Heb. ha-
ghannd h , lit. 'defence', verbal noun of heghin, 'he
covered, defended', Hiph'il (= causative) of
gdndn, of s.m., whence mdghin, 'shield' (lit. 'that
which covers'), gan, gannd", 'garden' (lit. 'en-
closure'; for sense development cp. L. hortus,
E. garden); re!, to Akkad. gananu, 'to cover',
ganunu, 'chamber' (whence Aram. g e ndnd,
'bridal chamber'), Arab, jdnna, 'he covered',
Aram, m'ghinnd, Arab, mijdnn, 'shield', Aram.
ginnd, ginn l th&, Syr. gann'thd (whence Arab.
jdnna 11 , Ethiop. ganat), 'garden'.
Hagar, n., Sarah's Egyptian handmaid (Bible). —
Heb. Hdghdr, prob. rel. to Arab, hdjara, 'he
fled, emigrated', Mjra", 'flight, emigration'. See
hegira.
hagberry, also hackberry, n. — Of Scand. origin.
Cp. Dan. hxggebder, ON. heggr, Swed. hdgg,
'the bird cherry tree'. Dan hxggebser, lit.
means 'hedge berry'. See hedge and berry and
cp. hag, 'witch'.
hagfish, n., a marine cyclostome (Myxine gluti-
nosd). — Compounded of hag, 'witch', and fish.
haggadah, haggada, n., 1) rabbinical teaching of
an edifying character ; popular lecture ; the oppo-
site of halakah; 2) the narrative of the Exodus
read at the Seder on the first two nights of Pass-
over; 3) the book containing this narrative and
the ritual of the Seder. — Talm. Heb. haggddhd",
695
hail
'narration, exposition', verbal n. of Heb. higgidh,
'he narrated, related, declared, expounded', from
higgidh hakkattibh, maggtdh hakkattibh ('the
verse expounded', resp. 'the verse expounds'),
the usual term introducing haggadic interpre-
tations. Higgidh is a Hiph'il (= causative) form
of the Semitic base n-g-d, 'to rise', whence 'to be
conspicuous'. From this base are derived Heb.
neghedh, 'in front of, before, in sight of' ,naghtdh,
'leader' (lit. 'he who is in front'), Aram.-Syr.
n e ghadh, 'he led; he dragged', Aram, ndghddhd,
Syr. naghudhd 'leader, ruler', Arab, ndjada, 'he
conquered; was conspicuous', najd, 'high land',
ndjuda, ndjida, 'was courageous', najid, 'noble-
minded'. For the sense development of these
words cp. Heb. nasi, 'prince, chief, lit. 'one
lifted up', fr. nasi, 'he lifted'.
Derivatives : haggad-ic, haggad-ic-al, adjs., hag
gad-ist, n., haggad-ist-ic, adj.
Haggai, n., 1) a prophet who lived about 500
B.C.E., the tenth in the order of the Twelve
Prophets; 2) the Book of Haggai (Bible). —
Heb. Haggdy (whence Gk. 'Ayyaio;, L. Aggae-
us), lit. 'festal, born on a feast day', fr. Heb.
hagh, 'a festival gathering, a feast', from the stem
of hdghdgh, 'he made a pilgrimage, celebrated a
feast', which is rel. to Syr. haggf, 'he made a
pilgrimage, celebrated a feast', Aram.-Syr.
haggd, 'a feast', Arab, hdjja, 'he went on a pil-
grimage'. Cp. hadj, hadji.
haggard, n., an untamed hawk; adj., hard to tame
(said of a hawk). — MF. (= F.) hagard, 'a hag-
gard', which is of Teut. origin and orig. meant
'(a bird) of the hedge', i.e. 'a wild, untameable
(bird)'. Cp. ME. hagger, 'wild; an untamed
hawk, haggard', and see hedge and -ard. Cp.
also hag, 'witch'.
haggard, adj., harassed. — From prec. word.
The orig. meaning was 'wild-looking'.
Derivatives: haggard-ly, adv., haggard-ness, n.
haggis, n., a Scottish dish made of the lungs,
heart, liver, etc., of a sheep or calf. — ME.
hagese, hageys, hagas, 'a kind of pudding', prob.
fr. haggen, 'to hew'. See hag, 'to hew'.
haggle, tr. v, to mangle; intr. v., to bargain in a
mean way. — Freq. of hag, 'to cut' (q.v.) For
the ending see freq. suff. -le. Cp. higgle.
Derivatives: haggle, n., haggl-er, n.
hagi-, form of hagio- before a vowel.
hagiarchy, n., government by men in holy orders.
— Compounded of hagi- and Gk. -apyj-Z, 'rule',
fr. dtpx°S> 'leader, chief, ruler'. See -archy.
hagio-, before a vowel hagi-, combining form
meaning 'holy, sacred'. — Gk. ayio-, ayi-, fr.
ayiiq, 'holy, sacred', which is rel. to a^ea&ai
(for *ayiea#ai.), 'to stand in awe of, to revere',
ayoi;, 'sacrifice, expiation', ayi^eiv, 'to hallow',
dyvk, 'holy, chaste', and prob. cogn. with OI.
ydjati, 'reveres (a god) with sacrifices, worships',
yajas-, 'worship', yajndh, 'worship, sacrifice',
OPers. a-yadana 'temple'. Cp. the second ele-
ment in Trisagion. Cp. also Yajna.
hagiocracy, n., government by persons considered
holy. — Compounded of hagio- and Gk.
-xpaxia, 'rule of, fr. xpcjtToi;, 'strength, power,
rule'. See -cracy.
Hagiographa, n. pi., the third and last division
of the Hebrew Bible. — L., fr. Gk. <S:yi6ypa9a
(jJipxJa), lit. 'sacredly written (books)'; see
hagio- and -graph. Since all the 3 parts of the
Hebrew Bible are sacred books (= kithbhe
haqqSdesh in Hebrew), the word Hagiographa
denoting the third division of the Bible can only
be meant as an abbreviation of to gcXXcc (3i(3Xia
ayc6ypatpa, i.e. 'the other sacred books'. Cp. the
rendering of Hebrew k e thubhim (name of the 3rd
division of the Bible, lit. 'writings') by the
grandson of Sirach with the words ia icXXa
rraxpia (3<.|3X£a ('the other books of the fathers')
and Ta Xoitox twv fk[3Xtc»v ('the remaining books').
Derivatives: hagiographer (q.v.), hagio-graph-
ic, hagio-graph-ic-al, adjs.
hagiographer, n., 1) a writer of any of the Hagio-
grapha; 2) a writer of lives of the saints. —
Formed with agential suff. -er fr. ML. hagio-
graphus, 'a writer of holy things'. See prec.
word.
hagiography, n., the saints' lives. — Compounded
of hagio- and Gk. -ypatpia, fr. ypAtpeiv, 'to
write'. See -graphy.
hagiolater, n., a worshipper of saints. — Com-
pounded of hagio- and -later.
hagiolatry, n., the worship of saints. — Com-
pounded of hagio- and Gk. Xarpeia, 'service,
worship'. See -latry.
hagiology, n., the study of the lives of the saints.
— Compounded of hagio- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr.
-Xoyo!;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hagiolog-ic, hagiolog-ic-al, adjs.,
hagiolog-ist, n.
hagioscope, n., an opening in a church to enable
the worshippers in the side aisle to see the altar.
Compounded of hagio- and Gk. -oxotuov, fr.
cjxo7rETv, 'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
hagride, tr. v., to ride as a hag does, to oppress. —
Compounded of hag, 'witch', and ride; esp.
used in the pp. hagridden.
ha ha, interj. imitative of laughter or surprise.
ha-ha, n., a sunk fence, usually visible only when
one is close to it. — F., prob. from the inter-
jection ha ha, expressing the surprise of him
who faces suddenly such a fence.
haiduk, heiduck, n., a brigand or bandit among
the Balkan Slavs; a Hungarian lackey. — G.
Heiduck, fr. Hung, hajduk, pi. of hajdu, but
mistaken for a singular. Hung, hajdu is prob.
a loan word fr. Turk, haidud, 'brigand'.
haik, haick, n., a piece of cloth worn by Arabs. —
Arab, hayk, fr. hdka, 'he wove'.
hail, n., small pellets or masses of ice. — ME.
hagel, hawel, hail, fr. OE. hagol, hsegl, 'hail', rel.
to OS., OHG. hagal, ON., Dan. hagi, Du.,
MHG., G. hagel, 'hail'. These words prob.
hail
696
derive fr. I.-E. base *kaghlo-, 'pebble', whence
also Gk. xdcxXr]f;, 'round pebble'.
Derivative: haii-y, adj.
hail, intr. v., to shower down (said of hail); tr. v.,
to pour down like hail. — ME. hagelen, hawelen,
hailen, fr. OE. hagalian, fr. hagol, 'hail'. See
prec. word.
hail, interj. — Short for original "be thou hailV,
fr. obsol. adj. hail, 'sound, healthy', fr. ME.
hail, heil, of s.m., fr. ON. heill, 'whole, healthy'.
See whole and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also hale, 'healthy', and the second element
in wassail.
Derivatives: hail, to greet (q.v.), hail, n., greet-
ing.
hail, tr. and intr. v., to greet. — ME. hailen, 'to
greet', lit. 'to say "hail", fr. hail, heil, interj. See
hail, interj.
hailstone, n. — ME., fr. OE. hagolstdn, rel. to
ON. haglsteinn, Du. hagelsteen, MHG., G.
Hagelstein. See hail, 'pellets of ice', and stone.
hair, n. — ME. her, heer, hare, fr. OE. hxr, rel.
to OS., ON., OHG., MHG. har, Dan. hor,
Swed. har, OFris. her, Du., G. haar, 'hair'.
These words are cogn. with Lith. serys, 'bristle',
and with the second element in OI. kapucchala-,
'hair on the hind part of the head'. E. hair was
influenced in form by a confusion with ME.
haire, 'haircloth', fr. OF. ( = F.) haire, fr. Frankish
*hdrja, which is rel. to OE. hxre, OHG. hdrra,
'haircloth', and further to OE. hxr, 'hair'.
Derivatives: hair-ed, hair-less, hair-like, hair-y,
adjs., hair-i-ness, n.
hake, n., any of several marine fishes of the genus
Merluccius. — ME. hake, related to OE. haca,
'hook', hacod, hxced, 'pike (fish)', OS. had,
MLG. heket, OHG. hachit, hechit, MHG. hechit,
hecht, G. Hecht, of s.m., and to OE. hdk, 'hook'.
See hook.
hakeem, hakim, n., in Mohammedan countries,
a physician. — Arab, hakim, lit. 'wise', from the
stem of hdkuma, 'he was wise', whence also
hdkam, 'judge', hikma", 'wisdom, science', hdk-
kama, 'he was a physician', hukm, 'judgment,
sentence', rel. to Heb. hdkhdm, 'he was wise',
hdkhdm, 'skillful, learned, wise', hokhmd h ,
'wisdom', Aram.-Syr. hdkhdm, 'he was wise'.
See hokhmah and cp. next word.
hakenkreuz, n., swastika; used as the emblem of
Nazism. — G. Hakenkreuz, lit. 'hook-cross'. See
hook and cross, n.
hakim, n., in Mohammedan countries, a judge,
ruler. — Arab, hakim, prop. part, of hdkuma,
'he was wise'. See hakeem.
halakah, also halachah, n., oral law; rule pre-
scribed by oral law (Jewish religion). — Mish-
naic Hebrew hdlakhd", 'rule, practice, tradition',
lit. 'something to go by', fr. Heb. hdldkh, 'he
went', which is rel. to Aram, hdldkh, hakh, hal-
lekh, 'he went', Akkad. aldku, 'to go', Arab.
hdlaka (used euphemistically), 'he perished',
Heb. hilekh, 'traveler', hdlfkha^, 'a going', ma-
hdldkh, 'a going', tahdlukhd h , 'procession'.
halalcor, halalcore, n., a person of the lowest
class, a scavenger (India). — Hind., fr. Arab.-
Pers. halal-khdr, 'one to whom all food is law-
ful', a hybrid coined fr. Arab, haldl, 'that which
is allowed or lawful', and Pers. khor, 'eating'.
Arab, haldl derives fr. hdlla, 'he unknotted, un-
tied, undid', which is rel. to Heb. hillil, 'he
profaned', hehil, 'he began', Aram.-Syr. hallel,
ahel, 'he profaned', Heb. hdl, 'profaneness,
commonness', hdltld h , 'far be it'.
halation, n., a term of photography. — Lit. 'a
halolike appearance', irregularly formed fr. halo
with suff. -ation.
halberd, halbert, n., a kind of battle-ax. — ME.
halberd, fr. MF. (= F.) hallebarde, fr. MHG.
helmbarte (whence G. Hellebarde), lit. 'an ax
with a long handle', fr. helm, halm, 'handle', and
barte (fr. OHG. barta), 'ax'. It. alabarda, Sp.
and Port, alabardo, 'halberd', are also borrowed
fr. MHG. helmbarte. See helm, 'handle', and
beard.
halberdier, n., soldier armed with a halberd. —
MF. (= F.) hallebardier, fr. hallebarde. See
prec. word and -ier.
halcyon, n., kingfisher. — L. alcydn, also halcyon,
fr. Gk. (iXxocov, incorrectly spelled aXxuwv, 'king-
fisher', which is of uncertain origin. The form
aXxutiv (with the rough spirit) arose from a con-
fusion with Gk. SXq, 'salt; sea'. L. alcedd, 'king-
fisher', is a loan word fr. Gk. aXxucov (with change
of Gk. suff. -civ to L. suff. -edd). Cp. next word.
Cp. also Alcedinidae.
Halcyone, n., daughter of Aeolus, who, when
widowed, threw herself into the sea and became
a kingfisher. — L. Halcyone, Alcyone, fr. Gk.
'AXxuovt), fr. dXxucov. See prec. word.
hale, adj., sound, healthy. — ME. hale, hal, fr.
OE. hdl, 'whole, uninjured, healthy', rel. to ON.
heill, of s.m. See whole and cp. hail, interj.
Derivative : hale-ness, n.
hale, tr. v., to haul. — ME. halien, halen. See
haul.
Halenia, n., a genus of plants of the gentian
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the Ger-
man botanist Johann Halen. For the ending see
suff. -ia.
Halesia, n., a genus of plants of the storax family
(bot.) — ModL., named after the English
physiologist Stephen Hales (1677-1761). For
the ending see suff. -ia.
half, n. — ME., fr. OE. healf. See half, adj.
half, adj. — ME. half, fr. OE. healf, 'side, half,
rel. to ON. halfr, OS., OFris., MDu., Du. half,
Dan., Swed., halv, OHG., G. halb, MHG. halp,
Goth, halbs, 'half', and to the nouns OS. haiba,
ON. halfa, MDu. halve, OHG. halba, MHG.
halbe, Goth halba, 'side'. The original meaning of
these words was '(something) divided'. They are
cogn. with OI. k/ptdh, 'arranged', kdlpate, 'is
arranged*, kalpdyati, 'arranges, allots', L. scal-
pere, 'to cut, carve, scrape'. See shelf, 'slab of
697
hallow
wood', and cp. words there referred to. The
original meaning of OE. healf was 'side'. This
meaning is still alive in behalf (q.v.) Cp. halve,
helve.
Derivative : half, adv.
half joe, name of a Portuguese gold coin. — Short
for half johannes, fr. johannes, name of a gold
coin struck in honor of King Johannes V of
Portugal. Cp. johannes.
hali-, combining form meaning 'salt' or 'the sea'.
— Gk. aXi-, fr. aX?, gen. aXoi; (masc), 'salt';
(fem.) 'sea'. See halieutic.
Haliaeetus, n., a genus of eagles (ornithol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. aXwiETo?, aXuSsfoi;, 'sea eagle',
prob. 'osprey', which is compounded of SXc,,
gen. aX6<; (fem.), 'sea' and cder6<;, &e-z6q, 'eagle'.
See halieutic and aeto-.
halibut, holibut, n., the largest species of flatfish.
— ME. halybutte, compounded of haly, 'holy',
and but, butte, 'flatfish' (cp. LG. hilligbutt, hille-
butt, Du. heilbot, G. Heilbutt); so called because
usually eaten on holy days. See holy and butt,
'flatfish', and cp. turbot.
Halicore, n., a genus of aquatic mammals, the
dugong (zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
6eX?, gen. aX6<; (fem.), 'sea', and xopr), 'maiden'.
See halieutic and Cora.
halidom, n., a holy thing (obsol. or archaic). —
ME., fr. OE. hdligddm, 'holiness, relic, sanctu-
ary', formed fr. hdlig, 'holy', with suff. -ddm.
See holy and -dom.
halieutic, halieutical, adj., pertaining to fishing.
— L. halieuticus, fr. Gk. aXieuTix6<;, 'pertaining
to fishing', fr. aXisikiv, 'to fish', fr. gen.
aX6<; (fem.), 'sea', which stands for *sal- (cp.
Gk. L- sex, 'six'; Gk. E7rra, L. septem,
'seven', etc.), whence also L. sal, gen. sdlis,
'salt ; sea'. See salt and cp. hali-, halo-, the first
element in Haliaeetus, Halicore, alurgite, and
the second element in aphthitalite, Enaliosauria.
halieutics, n., the art of fishing. — See prec. word
and -ics.
haliography, n., description of the sea. — Com-
pounded of hali-, 'sea', and Gk. -ypoxpiS., fr.
YP1X9EIV, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Haliotis, n., a genus of univalve shells (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'ear of the sea*, fr. Gk. aX?, gen.
<xX6<; (fem.), 'sea', and o{5?, gen. iotAc;, 'ear'; so
called because of the resemblance to the ear.
See halieutic and oto-.
haliplankton, n., oceanic plankton. — ModL., fr.
Gk. aX&7rXayxTov, neut. of aXtTrXocYXToi;, 'sea-
wandering", which is compounded of aX?, gen.
aX6? (fem.), 'sea', and tcXcsyxtAi;, 'wandering',
verbal adj. of 7rXdtCetv, 'to wander'. See halieutic
and plankton.
halite, n., rock salt (mineral.) — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. SX<;, gen. «X6? (masc.),
'salt*. See halieutic.
halitosis, n., offensive breath. — A hybrid coined
fr. L. hdlitus, 'breath* (see next word), and
-osis, a suff. of Greek origin.
halitus, n., breath, exhalation. — L. hdlitus,
'breath', rel. to hdldre, 'to breathe'. See exhale.
hall, n. — ME. halle, hal, fr. OE. heall, hall, rel.
to OS., OHG. holla, MHG., G. halle, Du. hal,
ON. holl, 'hall', and to OE. hell, Goth, halja,
'hell', fr. I.-E. base *kel-, 'to hide, conceal',
whence also OE., OS., OHG. helan, OFris. hela,
MDu. helen, Du. (yer)helen, MHG. heln, G.
hehlen, 'to conceal', OI. said, 'hut, house, hall,
stable', sdldh, 'hedge, enclosure, wall', Gk. xaXt£,
'hut, nest', xaXu(3-y], 'hut, cabin', xaXuKTetv, 'to
cover, hide, conceal', Olr.cuile, 'cellar,magazine',
L. cella, 'store room, granary; cell', celdre, 'to
hide, conceal', occulere, 'to cover, conceal'. See
cell and words there referred to and cp. esp.
hell, Valhalla.
hallah, n., 1) a kind of cake used in offerings;
2) priest's share of the dough; 3) twisted bread
used at the Sabbath meals (Jewish religion). —
Heb. halld h , 'cake', prob. meaning lit. 'perforated
(cake)', fr. hillil, Pi'el of haldl, 'he pierced, per-
forated', whence also hallSn, 'window', hdltl,
'pipe', haldl, 'pierced; slain'; rel. to Syr. hdltl,
'hollow', haloid, 'a cave', Arab, khdlla, 'he per-
forated', Ethiop. hallat, 'a (hollow) reed'.
hallel, n., psalm of praise especially applied 1) to
the group of Psalms 1 1 3-1 1 8, called the Egyptian
Hallel; 2) to Psalm 136, called the Great Hallel.
— Heb. hallil, 'praise, song of praise', prop. inf.
used as a noun fr. hillel, 'he praised', whence the
nouns hillttl, mahdldl, t e hilld h , 'praise'; rel. to
Aram.-Syr. hallel, 'he praised', Arab, hdlla, 'he
shouted', hdllala, ahdlla, 'he praised (in wor-
ship)', Aram, hilluld, 'marriage song', Akkad.
aldlu, 'to shout for joy'. All these words are of
imitative origin, with the primary sense 'to trill'.
Cp. next word. Cp. also Hillel, Tehillim.
hallelujah, halleluia, interj. and n. — Heb. haHHii-
ydh, 'praise ye the Lord', compounded ot
hall l ld, pi. imper. of hillil, 'he praised', and the
shortened form of the Tetragrammaton. See
prec. word and Elijah and cp. alleluia.
halliard, n. — See halyard.
hallmoot, n., the court of the lord of a manor
(English hist.) — ME. halimot, lit. 'hall meet-
ing', fr. hal, 'hall', and -imot, fr. OE. gemot,
'meeting'. See hall and moot, 'meeting', and cp.
gemot, witenagemot.
hallo, halloa, interj., n. and intr. and tr. v. —
Variants of hollo.
halloo, tr. and intr. v., to incite dogs by shouting
'halloo'. — ME. halowen, fr. OF. halloer, which
is of imitative origin.
Derivatives : halloo, interj. and n.
hallow, n., now only in All-hallows. — OE. hdlga,
'a holy person', fr. hdlig, 'holy'. See holy and
cp. Halloween.
hallow, tr. v. — ME. halowen, fr. OE. halgian,
'to hallow', fr. hdlig, 'holy*. Cp. OS. helagdn
(fr. helag), OHG. heilagdn (fr. heilag), and see
holy.
hallow, v. — A var. of halloo.
Halloween
698
Halloween, n. — Shortened fr. all hallow e'en.
See hallow, n., and even, 'evening'.
Hallowmas, n., the Church festival of All-
hallows. — Shortened fr. All hallow mass. See
hallow, n., and mass.
Hallstatt, adj., pertaining to the period of pre-
historic civilization in Europe, during which
iron was introduced. — From Hallstatt, a vil-
lage in Austria, where various implements be-
longing to this period were found.
hallucinate, tr. v., to affect with visions. — L.
hallucinatus, pp. of hallucindrl, more correctly
alucindri, 'to wander in mind, dream', borrowed
fr. Gk. oX-uslv, Att. aX-ueiv, 'to wander in
mind', which is rel. to oX-t), 'ceaseless roaming',
aX-aa&at, aX-alvetv, 'to wander about', <xX-
eo?, T]X-e6<;, 'distraught, foolish, roaming
about', aX-Yj-nji;, 'wanderer, vagabond'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *dl-, 'to wander
about', whence also Lett, al-uot, 'to wander
about'. Cp. Alastor, aleatory, Aleochara. Cp.
also amble. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
The ending -cindrl in alucinari is prob. due to
the influence of vdti-cindri, 'to prophesy', used
also in the meaning 'to rave'.
Derivatives: hallucination (q.v.), hallucinat-ive,
hallucinat-ory, adjs.
hallucination, n., a vision without reality. — L.
hallucindtio, gen. -dnis, 'a wandering of mind,
dreaminess', fr. hallucinatus, pp. of hallucindri.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: hallucination-al, adj.
hallux, the first digit on the hind leg of a mammal ;
the great toe of man ; the hind toe of birds (anat.)
— Medical L., a blend of L. allux and hallus,
which both mean 'the great toe'. — These Latin
words prob. stand for original *hal(d)-doik-s,
and lit. mean 'the great digit'. The first element
of this compound is cogn. with OSlav. golemu,
'great, high', W. gallu, Co. gallos, 'power'; the
second element is rel. to L. digitus, 'finger',
whence digit (q.v.) See J. S. Schmidt, Die Plural-
bildungen der indogermanischen Neutra, Wei-
mar, 1889, p. 183.
Derivative: halluc-al, adj.
halm, n. — See haulm.
halma, n., a game played on a board of 256
squares, with pieces moved or jumped from one
corner to the opposite. — Gk. <xXu,a, 'a leap',
from the stem of aXXea&ou, 'to leap', which is
cogn. with L. salire, 'to leap". See salient and -ma.
halo, n., 1) a circle of light surrounding the sun
or the moon; 2) radiance surrounding a head
— F.. fr. L. halo, acc. of holds, fr. Gk. aXtoc
'threshing floor ; disk of the sun or of the moon',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. halation,
Haloa.
Derivative: halo-ed, adj.
halo-, combining form meaning 1) 'salt; 2) sea'.
— Gk. aXo-, fr. aX?, gen. aXos (masa), 'salt';
(fern.) 'sea'. See halieutic.
Haloa, n., ancient Greek festival of harvest in
honor of Demeter. — Gk. 'AXaSa or 'AXcjja,
prop, 'threshing festival', fr. oXgx;, 'threshing
floor'. See halo.
halogen, n., any of the four chemical elements
chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine. — Lit. 'salt-
producer', coined by the Swedish chemist Baron
Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779- 1848) fr. Gk.
gen. 0X65 (masc), 'salt', and yevvav, 'to pro-
duce'. See halo- and -gen.
Derivative: halogen-ous, adj.
haloid, adj., resembling salt. — Compounded of
halo- and Gk. -oei<H)z, 'like', fr. elSot;, 'form,
shape'. See -oid.
halomancy, n., divination by means of salt. —
Compounded of halo- and Gk. u.avTsia, 'oracle,
divination'. See -mancy.
halometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
planes and angles of salt crystals. — Compound
ed of halo- and Gk. f^srpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
halophilous, adj., growing in salt water (said of
plants and animals). — Lit. 'salt-loving' ; com-
pounded of halo- and Gk. -ipiXo?, fr. <piXos,
"friend'. See -philous.
halophyte, n., a plant growing naturally in a soil
impregnated with salt. — Compounded of halo-
and Gk. tpuT6v, 'plant'. See -phyte.
Haloragidaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.)
— A ModL. hybrid formed with suff. -aceae fr.
halo- and Gk. pa!;, gen. pa.y6<;, 'berry', which is
cogn. with L. racemus, 'cluster of grapes'. See
raceme.
haloragidaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
halse, tr. v. {obsoi), 1) to conjure; 2) to greet.
— ME. halsen, 'to adjure, conjure; to greet',
fr. OE. hdlsian, 'to adjure, observe omens,
exorcise', fr. hal, 'whole, healthy'. Cp. OHG.
heilison, 'to adjure, predict', ON. heilsa, 'to
greet', and see hail, 'to greet'.
halt, adj., lame. — ME. halt, fr. OE. healt, halt,
rel. to OS., OFris. halt, ON. haltr, OHG. hah,
Goth, halts, 'lame', and cogn. with Russ. kol-
dyka, 'lame', koldykat', 'to limp, go lame', fr.
I.-E. *qeld-d-, enlargement of base *qel(a)-, 'to
break', whence Gk. x6Xoi;, 'docked, curtailed',
xoXo(36i;, of s.m., lit. 'broken'. See holt, 'small
wood', and cp. words there referred to.
halt, intr. v., to be lame. — ME. halten, fr. OE.
healtian, haltian, fr. healt, halt, 'lame'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: halt, n., lameness, halt-ing, adj.,
halt-ing-ly, adv., halt-ing-ness, n.
halt, n., stoppage. — F. halte, fr. G. Halt, in halt-
machen, where halt is prop, the imper. of hal-
ten, 'to stop, halt', a word rel. to E. hold (q.v.)
halt, intr. v., to stop; tr. v., to make (troops)
halt. — Shortened fr. make halt, the literal ren-
dering of G. haltmachen. See prec. word.
halter, n., a rope for leading a horse. — ME. helf-
ter, helter, halter, fr. OE. hxlfter, hxlftre, rel. to
MDu. halfter, halchter, Du. halster, OS. haliftra,
699
Hammer
OHG. halftra, MHG., G. halfter, 'halter', and
to OE. helma, 'rudder'. See helm, 'tiller',
halukkah, n., support of the Jewish poor of the
Holy Land with funds collected abroad. —
Heb. haluqqd h , 'division, distribution', from the
stem of hdldq, 'he divided, apportioned, as-
signed', whence also hileq, helqd", 'part, por-
tion', mahdldqeth, 'division, course' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'difference of opinion, controversy'),
rel. to Aram, hdldq, 'he divided', haldq, 'field',
helqd, hulqd, 'portion', Arab, hdlaqa, 'he meas-
ured'.
halutz, also chalutz, fem. halutzah, nalutzah, n.,
Jewish pioneer immigrant to Israel. — Heb.
halutz, passive partic. of hdlatz, 'he equipped
for war', rel. to Syr. hdlitzd, 'energetic, vigor-
ous", Akkad. halsu, 'fortification'.
halve, tr. v. — ME. halven, fr. half. See half.
halyard, halliard, haulyard, n., a rope for hoisting
sails. — ME. halier, hallyer, lit. 'that which
hales or hauls'. See haul. The ending in hal-yard
is due to a confusion with the noun yard; cp.
lanyard.
ham, n., the inner or hinder part of the knee; the
thigh of an animal (anat) — ME. hamme, fr.
OE. hamm, rel. to ON. horn, MLG., MDu.,
MHG., dial. G. hamme, Du. ham, OHG. hamma,
and cogn. with Gk. xvy)(j.y), 'part between knee
and ankle', Olr. endim, 'bone'. Cp. the first
element in hamshackle. Cp. also cnemial.
Derivative: hamm-y, adj.
ham, n., a hamlet, village, town; used as a suff.
in place names (now dial. Engl.) — OE. ham,
'dwelling, home'. See home.
hama-, combining form meaning together with;
at the same time with. — Gk. ajia,' together
with'. See same.
hamadryad, n., a wood nymph in Greek mytho-
logy. — L. Hamadryas, gen. -adis, fr. Gk.
'Au.aSpuii;, chiefly in pi. 'A^aSpuiSei;, 'hama-
dryads', i.e. 'nymphs whose life depended on
that of particular trees', lit. 'those being to-
gether with trees', fr. a(za, 'together with', and
8p-ji;, gen. SpudtSo?, 'nymph whose life de-
pended on that of her tree', fr. SpO;, gen. Spuo?,
'oak, tree'. See hama- and dryad.
hamal, also hammal, hummaul, n., a burden bearer
in Turkey. — Arab, hammdl, 'porter', fr. hd-
mala, 'he carried'.
Hamamelidaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. Hamamel's with suff.
-aceae.
hamamelidaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hamamelis, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. au.a|X7)Xi!;, 'a kind of medlar', which is
compounded of ay.3. (see hama-) and u.7jXov,
'apple, fruit'. See Malus, 'the genus of apple
trees'.
hamartiology, n., that part of theology which
deals with sin. — Compounded of Gk. <xu.<xp-
Tia, 'sin', and -Xoyi*. The first element derives
from the stem of au.apTavei.v, 'to miss the mark,
fail of one's purpose, err, sin', which is of un-
certain origin (for sense development cp. Heb.
hatd" 'he sinned', prop, 'he missed the mark');
cp. Nemertinea. The second element comes fr.
-Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain/manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)' ; see -logy.
hamburger, n., 1) ground beef; 2) cooked patty
of ground beef; 3) sandwich made of such a
patty. — Short for Hamburger steak; named
after Hamburg in Germany.
hame, n., either of the two curved pieces lying
round the collar of a horse. — ME. hame, fr.
OE. hama, 'cover, skin', rel. to MDu. hamme,
Du. haam, 'collar of a horse', ON. hamr, 'skin,
covering', OHG. hamo, of s.m., OHG. hemidi,
'shirt', and cogn. with OI. sdmulydh, 'woolen
shirt'; fr. I.-E. base *kam-, *kem-, 'to cover'.
See heaven and cp. chemise.
hamesucken, n., assaulting of a person in his own
dwelling house. — ME. hamsoken, fr. OE. hdm-
sden, compounded of ham, 'home', and sden,
'attack', which is rel. to ON. sdkn, of s.m., and
to OE. secan, 'to seek; to try to get, attack'. Cp.
OFris. hdmsekenge, 'attack on a house', G.
Heimsuchung, 'visitation', and see home and
seek.
hametz, also chametz, n., leavened food; for-
bidden during Passover (Jewish religion). —
Heb. hametz, 'that which is leavened', from the
stem of the verb hametz, 'was sour, was leaven-
ed', which is rel. to Aram, hama", of s.m. (pas-
sive part, hamt"', 'leavened'), Arab, hdmuda,
'was sour'.
Hamite, n. — Lit. a descendant of Ham', formed
with subst. suff. -ite from the name Ham, fr.
Heb. Ham, son of Noah.
Derivative: Hamit-ic, adj.
Hamites, n., a genus of extinct cephalopods
(paleontol.) — ModL., fr. L. hdmus, 'hook'. See
hamulus and subst. suff. -ite.
hamlet, n., a small village. — ME. hamelet, fr.
MF. hamelet, dimin. of hamel (whence F. ha-
meau), itself a dimin. of OF. ham, fr. Frankish
*haim, 'home', which is rel. to OHG. heim, OE.
ham, 'home'. See home and the dimin. suffixes,
-el and -et.
hammal, n. — See hamal.
hammam, n., a Turkish bath. — Arab, hammdm,
'bath', fr. hamma, 'became hot, was warm',
which is rel. to Heb. ham, Aram. -Syr. ham,
hdmdm, of s.m., Heb. horn, 'heat', ham, 'hot',
hammd h , 'heat; sun' (poet.), hammdn, 'sun pil-
lar', Akkad. emmu, 'hot', ummu, 'heat'.
hammer, n. — ME. hamur, hamer, fr. OE. hamor,
hamer, rel. to OS., OHG. hamur, hamar, ON.
hamarr, Dan. hammer, Swed. hammare, MDu.,
Du., MHG. hamer, G. Hammer, 'hammer',
orig. 'stone hammer'; cogn. with OI. dsman-,
'stone; rock; sky', Avestic asman-, of s.m., Gk.
Sxjjiwv, '(stone) anvil', Lith. akmuo, OSlav.
kamy, 'stone'. All these words are traceable to
hammock
700
I.-E. base *ak-, 'sharp, pointed'. See acrid and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives : hammer, tr. and intr. v., hammer-ed,
adj., hammer-er, n., hammer-ing, n. and adj.
hammock, n., a swinging bed or couch, usually
made of canvas. — Sp. hamaca (whence also
F. hamac), of Caribbean origin. Cp. Yukuna
hamaca, Taino amaca, 'net for sleeping'.
hammock, n. — A var. of hummock.
hamose, hamous, adj., hooked. — Formed with
adj. suff. -ose, resp. -ous, fr. L. hdmus, 'hook'.
See hamulus.
hamotzi, n., name of the benediction over bread
(Jewish liturgy). — Heb. hammotzt, 'he who
brings forth' ; so called from the first of the con-
cluding words of the benediction. The word
hammotzt is formed from the article ha-, 'the',
and mdtzt, 'bringing forth', part. Hiph'il of
ydtzd, 'he went out', for whose etymology see
Asia.
hamper, tr. v., to impede. — ME. hampren, of
uncertain origin.
hamper, n., things that are important for a ship
but are in the way at certain times. — Fr. ham-
per, 'to impede'.
hamper, n., a large basket. — A var. of hanaper.
Derivative: hamper, tr. v., to put into a hamper.
hamshackle, tr. v., to fasten (an animal) by bind-
ing the head to a foreleg; hence, to bind, to im-
pede. — The orig. meaning prob. was 'to tie by
the hams or legs'. See ham, 'thigh', and shackle.
hamster, n., a ratlike rodent. — G., fr. MHG., fr.
OHG. hamustro (cp. OS. hamustra), fr. OSlav.
chomestoru; for the first element cp. Russ.
chomiak, 'hamster', for the second cp. Lith.
staras, of s.m.
hamstring, n. — Compounded of ham, 'thigh',
and string, n.
Derivative: hamstring, tr. v.
hamulus, n., a process resembling a small hook
(anat.) — L. hamulus, 'a small hook', dimin. of
hdmus, 'hook', which is prob. cogn. with Gk.
Xap.6; (Hesychius), 'hooked, crooked'. Cp.
Hamites, hamose.
hamza, hamzah, n., the sign of the glottal stop (')
in Arabic grammar. — Arab, hdmza", 'com-
pression' (viz. of the upper part of the wind-
pipe), fr. hdmaza, 'he compressed'.
hanap, n., a medieval goblet. — F. See next word.
hanaper, n., a case for holding documents (ar-
chaic). — OF. hanapier, 'a basket for holding
a goblet', fr. hanap, 'goblet', fr. Frankish *hnap
(whence also ML. hanappus, OProvenc. enap,
It. nappo), which is rel. to OE. hnsepp, OS.
hnapp, ON. hnappr, MLG., MDu., Du. nap,
OHG. hnapf, MHG., G. napf, 'cup, bowl'. Cp.
prec. word and hamper, 'a large basket'. The
first a in OF. hanap is an auxiliary vowel, which
arose from the tendency of facilitating the pro-
nunciation of the consonants hn- at the begin-
ning of the word. Cp. harangue.
nance, n., the haunch of an arch. — Prob. fr.
AF. haunce, corresponding to OF. hauce (F.
hausse), 'a raising, rise', fr. haucer (F. hausser),
'to raise'. See enhance,
hancockite, n., a complex silicate containing alu-
minum, calcium, iron, lead and other metals
(mineral.) — Named after E. P. Hancock of Bur-
lington, New Jersey. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
hand, n. — ME., fr. OE. hand, hond, rel. to OS.,
Swed., OFris., Du., G., hand, ON. hond, Dan.
haand, MDu., OHG., MHG. hant, Goth, han-
dus, 'hand'. These words prob. stand in gra-
dational relationship to OE. hentan, 'to try to
seize, attack, seize', ON. henda, 'to grasp', Goth.
-hinpan (used only in compounds), 'to seize',
and orig. meant 'the grasper'. Cp. hunt and
words there referred to.
Derivatives: hand, tr. v., hand-ed, adj., handle
(q.v.), handy (q.v.)
handcuff, n. — Compounded of hand and cuff, n.
Cp. OE. hondcops, 'a pair of handcuffs',
handful, adj. — ME., fr. OE. handfull. See hand
and -ful.
handgrip, n. — ME., fr. OE. handgripe, 'a grasp
of the hand'. See hand and grip.
handicap, n. — For hand in cap, orig. a kind of
lottery game, in which the forfeit money was
held in the hand in a cap.
Derivatives: handicap, tr. v., handicapp-er, n.
handicraft, n. — Altered (on analogy of handi-
work) fr. handcraft, fr. OE. handcrseft, 'skill of
the hand, handicraft'. See hand and craft.
handiwork, n. — ME. handiwerk, fr. OE. hand-
geweorc, compounded of hand and geweorc,
'work' (in a collective sense), fr. weorc, 'work'
(see hand and work); the /' in handiwork is the
regular English equivalent of OE. ge-\ see y-.
handkerchief, n. — Compounded of hand and
kerchief. Etymologically the word contains a
contradiction, since kerchief denotes a covering
for the head, fr. OF. couvrechef, couvrechief, lit.
'cover-head'. Cp. neckerchief.
handle, tr. v. — ME. handlen, fr. OE. handlian,
'to touch with the hands; to handle; to treat',
rel. to ON. hondla, 'to seize, capture; to treat',
Dan. handle, 'to trade, deal; to act', Swed.
handla, 'to trade', OFris. handelia, hondelia, 'to
seize, handle', Du. handelen, 'to trade, deal;
to act', OHG. hantalon, 'to touch with the
hands', MHG., G. handeln, 'to bargain, trade,
deal; to act'. See hand and verbal suff. -le.
handle, n. — ME. handele, fr. OE. handle; lit.
'that which is held b> the hand', fr. hand. See
hand and instrumental suff. -le.
(landless, adj. — ME. handles. See hand and
-less.
handling, n. — ME. handlinge, fr. OE. handlung,
formed fr. handlian with suff. -ung. See handle,
v., and -tog, suff. forming verbal nouns.
handsel, hansel, n„ a gift made as a token of luck
(archaic). — ME. handsale, hansel, fr. ON.
handsal, 'the closing of a bargain by joining
701
hap
hands', lit. 'hand sale'. Cp. Dan. handsel, Swed.
handsol, and see hand and sale,
handsome, adj. — ME. handsom, lit. 'easy to
handle, treatable', compounded of hand and
ist -some. Cp. MDu. handsaem (Du. handzaam),
'treatable', which is the exact etymological
equivalent of E. handsome.
Derivatives: handsome-ly, adv., handsome-
ness, n.
handy, adj. — The original meaning was 'done
by the hand' ; formed fr. hand with suff. -y (re-
presenting OE. -ig).
Derivatives: handi-ly, adv., handi-ness, n.
hang, tr. and intr. v. — Prop, a blend of three
related verbs: i) ME. hon, fr. OE. hdn (for
*hdhan), tr. v., to cause to hang; to execute by
hanging'; rel. to OS., OHG., Goth, hahan, tr.
verbs, MHG. hdhen, tr. and intr. v.; 2) ME.
hangen, hongen, fr. OE. hangian, intr. and tr. v. ;
rel. to OS. hangon, ON. hanga, OFris. hangia,
hongia, OHG. hangen, MHG. hangen, G. han-
gen, hangen, intr. verbs, Dan. hsenge, Swed.
hanga, Du. hangen, intr. and tr. verbs; 3) ME.
hengen, hingen, fr. ON. hengja, 'to cause to
hang', causative of hanga; rel. to OHG., MHG.
hengen, G. hangen, tr. verbs. All these words
derive fr. Teut. *hanhan, corresponding to I.-E.
base *kenq-, *konq-, 'to waver, be in suspense',
whence Hitt. gang-, kank-, 'to hang', OI. sdn-
kate, 'wavers', L. cunctdri, 'to delay'. Cp. cunc-
tation. Cp. also hangar, hank, hanker, hinge.
Derivatives: hang, n., hang-er, n., hang-ing, n.
and adj.
hangar, n., a shed for airplanes and airships. —
F., 'shed', prob. cogn. with ML. angarium, 'a
shed for shoeing horses', and ult. traceable to
OHG. hangian, 'to hang'; see hang. Accord-
ingly hangar orig. denoted a place where horses
were suspended for the sake of being shod. See
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 301 s.v. hangar.
hangnail, n. — Altered fr. agnail. Folk etymology
explained this word as the compound of hang
and nail.
hanif, n., a faithful Moslem. — Arab, hantf, fr.
Aram, hdniph, 'hypocrite, heathen, heretic',
which is rel. to Heb. hdniph (verb), 'he was
wicked', hehenfph, 'he polluted' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'he was hypocritical, he flattered'),
hdniph (adj.), 'wicked, profane, impious', hd-
nuppd", 'profaneness, wickedness, impiety', Ak-
kad. hanpu, 'ruthlessness', handpu, 'to exercise
ruthlessness toward'.
hank, n., a coil or skein of yarn. — Prob. of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. honk, 'coil, hank',
hanki, 'hasp, clasp', Swed. hanka, 'to tie up',
Dan. hank, 'handle', which are rel. to MLG.
hank, 'handle', OHG., MHG. henken, 'to hang'
(tr.), whence G. Henkel, 'handle'. OHG., MHG.
henken is a collateral form of hengen. (G. han-
gen and henken are differentiated in sense; the
former means 'to cause to hang, to hang', the
latter, 'to execute by hanging'). See hang.
hank, tr. v., to form into hanks. — ME. hanken,
fr. ON. hanka, 'to coil', fr. honk, 'coil'. See
hank, n.
hanker, intr. v., to long for or after. — Flem.
hankeren, 'to long for', rel. to Du. honkeren,
hunkeren, intensive and freq. of hangen, 'to
hang'. See hang.
Derivatives: hanker, n., hanker-er, n., hanker-
ing, verbal n., hanker-ing-ly, adv.
hanky-panky, n., jugglery, hocus-pocus. —
Coined on analogy of hokey-pokey (q.v.)
Hannah, 1) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the mother
of the prophet Samuel. — Heb. Hannd", lit.
'graciousness', from the stem of hdndn, 'he was
gracious, showed favor', whence also hen,
'favor, grace', hinn&m, 'for nothing, gratuitous-
ly', hannun, 'gracious', t e hinnd h , tahdndn, 'sup-
plication for favor'; rel. to Aram, hdndn, Syr.
han, Arab, hdnna, 'was favorable, merciful',
Akkad. jihnanuni, 'he has mercy on me', jenni-
nunu, 'he has mercy on us'. Cp. the first ele-
ment in the Punic PN. Hannibhd'al, 'Hannibal',
lit. 'my favor is with Baal'. Cp. also Ann, Jane,
Jenny, Joanna, John.
Hansard, n., official reports of the Parliament at
Westminster. — So called fr. Luke Hansard
(1752- 1 828) and his descendants, printers of
these reports.
Derivative: Hansard-ize, tr. v., to confront (a
member of Parliament) with his former state-
ments as recorded in Hansard.
Hansa, n., medieval guild of merchants. — MF.
hanse, fr. MLG. hanse, 'merchants' guild', fr.
OHG. hansa, 'troop of warriors', which is rel.
to Goth, hansa, 'troop, company, multitude',
OE. hds, 'attendants, retinue'. Finn, kansa,
'people, society', Russ.-Karelian kanza, 'syna-
gogue' are Teut. loan words.
Hanseatic, adj., pertaining to the Hansa. — ML.
Hanseaticus. See prec. word and -atic.
hansom, n., also hansom cab, a light, covered
hackney carriage. — Named after its inventor
Joseph Aloysius Hansom (1803-82), a famous
English architect.
Hanukkah, also Chanukkab, n., the Feast of
Dedication (Jewish religion). — Heb. hanukkd",
'dedication', consecration', fr. hdndkh, 'he dedi-
cated, consecrated, trained up', which is de-
nominated fr. hekh (for *hink), 'palate', and
orig. meant 'to rub the palate of a child with
chewed dates'. Cp. Arab, hdnak, 'palate'
(whence hdnnaka, 'he rubbed the palate of a
child', hdnaka, 'he taught, instructed'), which
is rel. to Heb. hekh (see above). Heb. hdntkh,
'trained, experienced', Mishnaic Heb. hinnekh,
'he dedicated, inaugurated ; he accustomed' (in
ModHeb. 'he brought up, educated'), hin-
nhkh, 'inauguration; accustoming' (in ModHeb.
'education'), are derivatives of hdndkh. Cp.
Enoch.
hap, n„ chance. — ME. happe, hap, fr. ON. happ,
'good luck', which is rel. to OE. gehxp, 'fit, con-
hap
702
venient', Swed. hampa sig, 'to occur, happen',
and cogn. with OSlav. kobit, 'fate, foreboding,
omen', Olr. cob, 'victory'. Cp. happy, perhaps.
hap, intr. v., to happen. — ME. happen, fr. hap,
'chance'. See prec. word and cp. happen.
hap, tr. v., to snap, seize (obsol.) — F. happer, a
Teut. loan word of imitative origin. Cp. Du.
fcappen/tosnap ;tobite',G. Happen,'* mouthful'.
bapax legomenon, a word occurring only once. —
Gk. &mtZ Xey6u-evov, 'once said'. Gk. a-rex£,
'once', is a compound word whose first element
corresponds to I.-E. *sm-, 'one' ; the second is
rel. to Gk. 7n)yvuvai, 'to make firm or fast', and
cogn. with L. pangere, 'to join, make firm' ; see
haplo- and pact. Gk. Xey6u.£vov is neut. pass,
pres. part, of Xsyetv, 'to say' ; see lecture. For
the Greek pass. suff. -[ievo? see alumnus and cp.
words there referred to.
haphazard, n. — Compounded of hap, 'chance',
and hazard.
Derivatives : haphazard, adj., haphazard-ly, adv.,
haphazard-ness, n.
haphtarah, also spelled haftarah, n., a portion of
the Prophets read in the synagogue, immediately
after the reading of the Torah, on Sabbaths,
feasts and fasts. — Mishnaic Heb. haphfari h ,
lit. 'conclusion', short for hapfhdra" b e ndbht\
'conclusion with a prophet(ic portion)', verbal
noun of hiphttr, 'he concluded', also 'discarded,
dismissed', Hiph'il of Bibl. Heb. pdtdr , 'he broke
through, split, separated, removed' (in Mishnaic
Hebrew: 'he discharged, acquitted; he exempt-
ed'), rel. to Arab, fdtara, 'he cleft, split; he
created', Ethiop. fatdra, 'he created', Aram.-
Syr. p f tar, 'he departed', Akkad. patdru, 'to
break through', iptiru, 'ransom',
hapless, adj. — Formed with suff. -less fr. hap,
'chance' (taken in the now obsol. sense 'good
luck').
Derivatives: hapless-ly, adv., hapless-ness, n.
haplo-, combining form meaning 'simple, single,
simply, once'. — Fr. Gk. octtXooi;, ar:Xou<;,
'simple, single', compounded of a- (fr. I.-E.
*sm-), 'one, together', and -ttX6-o<;, '-fold',
wliich is cogn. with L. -plus, -plex, of s.m. For
the first element see same and cp. words there
referred to; for the second see ply, 'to bend',
and cp. -fold. Cp. aplome, Aplopappus, hapax
legomenon, hexapla, tetrapla.
haplography, n., copyist's error consisting in
writing only once a letter or letters that should
have been written twice. — Compounded of
haplo- and Gk. -ypaipia, fr. ypiyzw, 'to write'.
See -graphy.
haplology, n., contraction of a word through the
omission of one of two adjacent similar syllab-
les. — Compounded of haplo- and Gk. -Xoyta,
fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
-logy. The following words owe their form to hap-
lology: amphora, Anthrenus, Artamus, calamint,
calamitous, cardamom, England, Erysiphe, fardel ,
'fourth part', fastidious, fibula, formic, formi-
cide, gratulate, Gymnotus, hirundine, homily,
-itous, Lentibulariaceae, limitrophe, megaron,
mineralogy, monomial, nuncio, onomancy, paci-
fism, pacifist, palmistry, procuress, pulmotor,
quercitron, stipend, surgery, symbology, Tagetes,
tragicomedy, viper, volumeter.
haply, adv., by chance {archaic). — Formed fr.
hap, 'chance', with adv. suff. -ly.
happen, intr. v. — ME. happenen, hapenen, hap-
nen, fr. happen, 'to happen'. See hap, 'to hap-
pen', and verbal suff. -en.
Derivative: happen-ing, n.
happy, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. hap,
'chance' (taken in the now obsol. sense 'good
luck').
Derivatives : happi-ly, adv., happi-ness, n.
Hapsburg, n., also Habsburg. — G. Habsburg,
from the castle of Habsburg or Habichtsburg on
the Aar in Switzerland, lit. 'hawk's castle'. See
hawk and burgh.
hapteron, n., a special organ by which certain
plants are fixed to rocks (bot.) — ModL., fr.
Gk. obrTeiv, 'to touch, fasten'. See hapto-.
haptic, pertaining to the sense of touch. — Gk.
kmv.6q, 'able to seize or touch', fr. cikzoq,
'tangible', fr. amreiv, 'to touch, fasten". See
hapto-.
hapto-, combining form denoting contact. — Fr.
Gk. ootteiv, 'to touch, fasten; to kindle'. See
apsis and cp. words there referred to.
hara-kiri, n., suicide by disembowelment. —
Vulgar Jap., lit. 'belly cutting', fr. hara, 'belly',
and kiri, 'to cut',
harangue, n., a formal speech. — ME. wang,
fr. MF. arenge, harangue (F. harangue), prob.
fr. It. aringare, 'to harangue', fr. aringo, 'public
place for assemblies and horse races', fr. Goth.
*hriggs (pronounced *hrings), 'circle'; see
Bloch-Wartburg, DELF., p. 301 s.v. harangue.
Cp. OE., OHG. hring, 'circle, ring', and see
ring, n. The first a in harangue is an auxiliary
vowel with the aim of facilitating the pronun-
ciation of the consonants hn at the beginning of
the word. Cp. hanaper.
harangue, tr. and intr. v. — F. haranguer. fr. ha-
rangue. See harangue, n.
Derivative : harangu-er, n.
haras, n., a stud farm (archaic). — OF. hara: (F.
haras), 'stud', prob. fr. Arab, fdras, 'horse', the
change of /to h being prob. due to Gascon influ-
ence. Arab, fdras (whence fdris, 'horseman') is rel.
to Heb. parish, Ethiop. paras, 'horse'. Heb.
parish, Aram, parish, Syr. parrdshi, 'horse-
man'. Cp. harridan,
harass, tr. v., to trouble, worry. — F. harasser ,
fr. OF. harer, 'to set dogs on', fr. hare, cry to
set dogs on, which is of imitative origin.
Derivatives: harass-er, n., harass-ment, n.
harbinger, n., a forerunner. — Formed— with in-
sertion of n— fr. ME. herbergeour, fr. OF. her-
bergeor, 'provider of lodging', fr. herbergier
703
harlequinade
(whence F. heberger), 'to provide lodgings for',
fr. herberge, 'lodging, shelter', fr. Frankish
*heriberga, 'lodging, inn', orig. 'army shelter',
which is rel. to OHG., OS. heriberga, OFris.,
MLG. herberge, 'lodging, inn'. Cp. OProvenc.
alberga (whence F. auberge) and It. albergo, 'inn',
and see next word. The n in harbinger is intrusive.
Cp. messenger, passenger, porringer, scavenger.
harbor, harbour, n. — ME. hereberge, herberwe,
prob. fr. ON. herbergi, fr. MLG. herberge, 'lod-
ging, inn', orig. 'army shelter', fr. MLG. here,
'army', and the stem of bergen, 'to protect, de-
fend, shelter'. The first element is rel. to OE.
here, OHG. heri, 'army' ; see harry and cp. prec.
word. For the second element see bury and cp.
borrow. Cp. the first element in arriere-ban and
the second element in Walter. For the change of
ME. e (in hereberge, herberwe) to E. a (in harbor)
cp. arbor, 'a shady retreat', carve.
harbor, harbour, tr. and intr. v. — ME. here-
bergen, herberwen, fr. hereberge, herberwe. See
harbor, n.
Derivatives : harbo(u)r-er, n.
hard, adj. — ME. hard, fr. OE. heard, rel. to
hearde (adv.), 'extremely', OS., Du. hard, ON.
hardr (adj.), 'hard', ON. harda (adv.), 'very',
Dan. hoard, Swed. h&rd, 'hard', OHG. harto
(adv.), 'extremely, very', harti, herti (adj.),
'hard', MHG. harte (adv.), 'very', herte (adj.),
'hard', G. hart, Goth, hardus, 'hard', fr. I.-E.
base *qar-, 'hard'. Fr. I.-E. *qret-, *qjt-, a
-/-enlargement of base *qar-, derive Gk. xpa-
zoq, Ion. xapTo;, Aeol. xpsTO?, 'strength', Gk.
xpoLToq, 'strong'. Cp. hardy, -ard, arditi, and the
second element in Bernard, Everard, Gerard,
Gunther, Leonard, Reynard. Cp. also acratia,
-cracy, the first element in Epicrates, pancratium.
Cp. I.-E. *quar-q-, whence OI. karkafah, 'crab',
karkarah, 'rough, hard', Gk. xapxivo?, 'crab',
L. cancer (dissimilated fr. *carcro-), 'crab, ulcer,
cancer'. See cancer and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: hard, adv. (q.v.), hard, n., harden
(q.v.), hardly (q.v.), hardship (q.v.), hardy (q.v.)
hard, adv. — ME. harde, fr. OE. hearde, 'ex-
tremely', rel. to ON. harda (adv.), 'very', OE.
heard, adj., 'hard'. See hard, adj.
harden, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hardnen, fr. hard.
See hard, adj., and verbal suff. -en.
Derivatives: harden-er, n., harden-ing, n.
hardly, adv. — ME., fr. OE. heardlice. See hard,
adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
hardness, n. — ME. hardnesse, fr. OE. heardnes.
See hard, adj., and -ness.
hardock, n., burdock. — Compounded of OE.
hdr, 'gray, hoary' (see hoar), and dock, 'the
plant'.
hards, n. pi. — See nurds.
hardship, n. — ME. hardscipe. See hard, adj.,
and -ship.
hardy, adj. — ME. hardi, fr. OF. (= F.) hardi,
'bold, daring, fearless', prop. pp. of hardir, 'to
make bold', fr. Frankish *hardjan, 'to harden',
which is rel. to OHG. herten, OFris. he-da,
O.N. herda, O.S. herdian, OE. hierdan, Goth.
ga-hardjan, 'to harden', OHG. harti, herti, OE.
heard, 'hard'. See hard, adj., and cp. foolhardy.
Derivative: hardy, tr. v., to make hardy ?' intr. v.,
to become hardy,
hardy, n., blacksmith's short chisel. — Formed
fr. hard, adj., with suff. -y.
hare, n. — ME. hare, fr. OE. hara, rel. to ON.
heri, Dan., Swed. hare, OFris. hasa, MDu. hase,
Du. haas, OHG. haso, MHG., G. hase, 'hare'.
These words lit. denote the gray animal, and
are rel. to OE. hasu, OHG. hasan, 'gray', ON.
hoss (for *haswa-), 'grayish brown', and cogn.
with OI. sasdh, Afghan soe, OPruss. sasins, W.
ceinach, 'hare', L. cdnus (for *cas-nos), 'gray,
hoary, white', cascus, 'old' (orig. 'gray', whence
'gray with age'). For sense development cp.
Russ. serjak, 'gray hare', fr. seryj, 'gray'. Cp.
harrier, hound used for hunting hares'. Cp. also
canescent.
hare, tr. v., to frighten (obsol.) — Rel. to harry.
Cp. the first element in harum-scarum.
harem, n., women's section in an Oriental house.
— Arab, hartm, 'sacred, forbidden', fr. hdrama,
'he forbade', hdruma, 'was forbidden', rel. to
Ethiop. hardma, 'he prohibited from common
use, he devoted to God', Heb. hehertm, 'he
banned, devoted to destruction, excommunicat-
ed', hirem, 'person or thing devoted to destruct-
ion'. See herem and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also harmattan, ihram, Muharram.
haricot, n., ragout, meat. — F., fr. OF. harigoter,
'to cut in pieces' ; of unknown origin.
haricot, n., kidney bean. — F., fr. Nahuatl aya-
cotli; influenced in form by F. haricot, 'ragout'.
hark, tr. and intr. v., to listen. — ME. herkien,
herken, intensive form of the v. hear (to which
it stands in the same relationship as talk to tell
and lurk to lower); rel. to OFris. harkia, herkia,
MLG., MDu. horken, OHG. horechen, MHG.
horchen, G. horchen, 'to hearken, listen'. Cp.
hearken.
harken, v. — A var. of hearken.
harl, harle, n., fiber of flax or hemp. — ME. herle,
'fiber', rel. to MLG. herle, harle; of uncertain
origin.
harl, tr. v., to drag; intr. v., to drag oneself along
(Scot.) — ME. harlen, of uncertain origin.
Harlequin, n., 1) a leading character in panto-
mime; 2) (not cap.) a clown, buffoon. — F.
harlequin (whence It. arlecchino), fr. OF. Helle-
quin, Hierlekin, 'leader of a demon troop called
maisnie Hellequin, maisnie Hierlekin. The name
is traceable to Herrequin, the count of Boulogne,
whose sudden death in 882 was regarded as a
fit punishment for his wickedness (he had
waged war against his uncle). See Kluge-Mitzka,
EWDS., p. 289, s.v. Harlekin. F. arlequin was
reborrowed fr. It. arlecchino.
harlequinade, n., a piece in which the Harlequin
harlot
704
plays a leading part. — F. arlequinade, fr. arle-
quin. See prec. word and -ade.
hanot, n. — ME. harlot, herlot, 'vagabond', fr.
OF. harlot, herlot, arlot, 'lad, vagabond', which
is rel. to OProven?. arlot, Sp. arlote, 'vagabond',
It. arlotto, 'hedge priest'; of uncertain origin.
Derivative : harlot-ry, n.
harm, n. — ME. hearm, herm, harm, fr. OE.
hearm, rel. to OS. harm, ON. harmr, OFris.
herm, OHG. haram, harm, MHG., G. harm,
'grief, sorrow, harm', and cogn. with Pers.
sharm, 'shame', OSlav. sramu (metathesized fr.
*sormu), of s.m.
Derivatives: harm, v. (q.v.), harm-ful, adj., harm-
fully, adv., harm-ful-ness, n., harm-less, adj.,
harm-less-ly, adv., harm-Iess-ness, n.
harm, tr. v. — ME. hermen, harmen, fr. OE.
hearmian, 'to injure, harm', fr. hearm. See
harm, n.
harmal, harmala, harmel, n., the wild rue (Pega-
num harmala). — ModL., fr. Gk. apfiaXa, fr.
Arab, harmal, 'rue'.
harmattan, n., a dry wind, charged with dust,
blowing from the Sahara to the Atlantic coast.
— Sp. harmatdn, fr. Fanti haramata, fr. Arab.
haram, 'a forbidden thing', used in the sense of
'an evil thing', from the stem oiharama, 'he for-
bade', hdruma, 'was forbidden'. See harem.
Harmonia, n., the wife of Cadmus in Greek my-
thology. — L., fr. Gk. "ApuWS, lit. 'concord'.
See harmony.
harmonic, adj. — L. harmonicus, fr. Gk. apfio-
vix6s, 'fitting, harmonious ; skilled in music', fr.
apu,ovi5. See harmony and -ic.
Derivatives: harmonic-al, adj., harmonic-al-ly,
adv., harmonics (q.v.)
harmonica, n., an instrument consisting of a
series of glasses (mus.) — Fr. L. harmonica, fern,
of harmonicus; see prec. word. The name har-
monica was given to this instrument by its in-
ventor Benjamin Franklin (he spelled it ar-
monica).
harmonicon, n., a small mouth organ (mus.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. ap^ovixov, neut. of apu,ovix6i;.
See harmonic.
harmonics, n., the science of musical harmony.
See harmonic and -ics.
harmonious, adj. — F. harmonieux (fern, har-
monieuse), fr. harmonie, fr. L. harmonia. See
harmony and -ous.
Derivatives: harmonious-ly, adv., harmonious-
ness, n.
harmoniphon, harmoniphone, n., an obsolete wind
instrument (mus.) — Compounded of Gk.
apfxovta, 'harmony', and -<p<ovo!;, 'sounding', fr.
tpaivTj, 'sound, voice'. See harmony and phone,
'speech sound',
harmonist, n. — See harmonize and -ist.
Derivatives: harmonist-ic, adj., harmonist -ic-al-
ly, adv.
harmonium, n., a small reed organ (mus.) —
ModL., coined by the French organ maker
Alexandre-Francois Debain (1809-77) fr. L.
harmonia. See harmony.
harmonize, tr. and intr. v. — F. harmoniser,ir.
harmonie. See harmony and -ize.
Derivatives: harmoniz-ation, n., harmoniz-er, n.
harmonometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the harmonic relations of musical sounds. —
F. harmonometre. See harmony and meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
harmony, n. — ME. harmonie, fr. F. harmonie, fr.
L. harmonia, fr. Gk. apu-ovla, 'a fitting together,
joining, proportion, concord, agreement, music-
al harmony', which is rel. to <xp[i6£eiv, 'to fit
together, adapt, accomodate', apu.61;, 'a join-
ing', fr. I.-E. base *ar-, 'to join'. See arm, 'the
upper limb', and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also Harmonia, harmonica, harmonicon,
harmonium.
harness, n. — ME. harneis, herheis, fr. OF. har-
neis, herneis, harnes (F. harnais), fr. ON. *her-
nest, 'provisions for the army'. The first ele-
ment is rel. to OE. here, OHG. fieri, 'army'; see
harry and cp. words there referred to. The se-
cond element is rel. to OE. nest, 'provisions',
and to OE., OS., OHG. nerian, MHG. nerigen,
nern, G. nahren, Goth, nasjan, 'to nourish', lit. 'to
cause to recover', fr. OE. genesan, resp. OS.,
OHG., ginesan, MHG., G. genesen, Goth.
ganisan, 'to recover'; see nostalgia. MHG. har-
nxst, harnas (whence G. Harnisch), 'harness,
armor', is reborrowed fr. OF. harnais.
harness, tr. v. — ME. harneisen, fr. harneis. See
harness, n.
Derivatives: harness-ed, adj., harness-er, n.,
harness-ry, n.
haro, interj. — A var. of harrow, interj.
Harold, masc. PN. — OE. Harald, Harold, fr.
ON. Haraldr, fr. Teut. *HariwaId, lit. 'ruler of
the army', compounded of *harja (whence ON.
herr, OE. here, etc.), 'host, army', and *waldan
(whence ON. valda, OE. wealdan, etc.), 'to rule'.
For the first element see harry and cp. harbor,
for the second element see wield. Cp. herald,
Walter.
harp, n. — ME. harpe, fr. OE. hearpe, rel. to
ON. harpa, Du. harp, OHG. harpfa, MHG.
harphe, harfe, G. Harfe. These words lit. mean
'an instrument plucked with the crooked fin-
gers', and are rel. to ON. herpask, 'to contract
(one's fingers)', and cogn. with Russ. kordbit',
'to bend', Gk. xpa|A0os, 'shriveled*. It., OProv-
enc., Catal., Sp., Port, arpa are Teut. loan
words. See rumple, v., and cp. arpeggio and
the first element in harpsichord.
harp, intr. v. — ME. harpien, fr. OE. hearpian,
'to play the harp', fr. hearpe. See harp, n.
harpagon, n., a grappling hook. — L. harpago, fr.
harpaga, 'hook', fr. Gk. aip-nayr,, 'hook; rake',
from the stem of apmiSeiv, 'to grasp, seize; to
plunder'. See barpy and cp. next word.
Harpagon, n., the chief character in Moliere's
I'Avare, the typical miser. — F., fr. L. harpago,
705
harsh
'grappling hook', whence, figuratively, 'a rap-
acious person'. See prec. word.
Harpaltis, n., a genus of beetles (entomol.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. ap7raXso<;, 'attractive, pleasant;
devouring, greedy', formed with dissimilation
fr. aX7iaX£o; and rel. to &\nicToq, #X7TOI<tto<;,
'sweetest, loveliest' (superl. of obsol. &Xtto?,
SXmoz), fr. I.-E. *wjp-, zero degree of base
*welp-, whence Gk. iXrclz, 'hope'. Base *wel-p-
is a -p-enlargement of base *wel-, 'to will, wish,
hope, choose', whence L. void, velle, 'to will,
wish'. See voluntary.
harper, n. — ME. harpere, fr. OE. hearpere, fr.
hearpe. See harp, n., and agential suff. -er.
harpings, n. pi., the stout wales round the bow
of a vessel (naut.) — Rel. to harpoon.
harpist, n., a harper. — A hybrid coined fr. harp
and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
harpoon, n., a barbed spear used against whales,
etc. — Fr. earlier E. harpon, prob. fr. Du. har-
poen, fr. MDu. harpoen (whence also earlier G.
Harpon, G. Harpune), fr. OF. harpon, 'clamp,
grappling iron, harpoon' (whence F. harpon,
'harpoon'), fr. OF. (= F.) harpe, 'claw', fr. OF.
(= MF.) harper, 'to seize, grapple', which is
prob. of Teut. origin. Cp. ON. herpask, 'to con-
tract (one's fingers)', and see harp. F. harpon
was influenced in meaning by an association
with Late L. harpe (fr. Gk. apm]), 'sickle', with
which, however, it is not connected.
Derivatives: harpoon, tr. v., harpoon-er, n.
harpsichord, n., a keyboard stringed instrument,
forerunner of the piano (mus.) — Earlier harp-
sechord, fr. obsol. F. harpechorde, fr. It. arpi-
cordo, which is compounded of arpa, 'harp', and
corda, 'string, chord'. See harp and chord.
harpy, n., 1) any of several rapacious monsters in
Greek mythology; 2) a rapacious person.
— F. harpie, fr. L. harpyia, fr. Gk. aprnjioci
(pi.), lit. 'snatchers', which is rel. to dcpm],
'sickle', apiraCetv, 'to snatch, seize', aprarfT],
'hook; rake', apTra^, 'rapacious', prob. fr. I.-E.
base *srep-, "srp-, 'to seize, rob', whence also
OSlav. sriipu, 'sickle', Russ. serp', Lith. sirpe,
of s.m. Base *srep-, *srp- is prob. rel. to base
*rep-, whence Gk. ipinxsa^oLi, 'to pluck oft",
L. rapere, 'to seize and carry off' . See rapid and cp.
sarmentose.
harquebus, also arquebus, n., an early form of
firearm. — F. arquebuse, harquebuse, fr. MDu.
hakebusse (Du. haakbus), fr. hake, 'hook', and
busse, 'box, tube, gun', hence lit. meaning 'hook
gun'. Cp. G. Hakenbiichse and see hook and
box, 'case'. Cp. also hackbut. The alteration of
the Dutch word into F. arquebus, It. arcobugio
is due to a confusion of the first element of the
word with F. arc, resp. It. arco (see arc). The
second element in F. arque-buse owes its form
to the influence of F. buse, 'buzzard' (see buz-
zard), taken in a figurative sense to denote a
weapon ; the ending of It. arcobugio is due to a
confusion with It. bugio, 'hole'.
Derivative: arquebus-ier, harquebus- ier, n.
harridan, n., a disreputable old woman. — Prob.
formed with change of suffix fr. F. haridelle, 'a
worn-out horse, a jade; a tall gaunt woman',
which is prob. rel. to F. haras, 'stud'. See haras,
harrier, n., a hound used for hunting hares. —
Formed fr. hare, n., with suff. -ier.
harrier, n., any of the hawks of the genus Circus.
— Lit. 'that which harries'. See harry and -ier.
Harriet, also Harriot, fern. PN. — E. equivalent
of F. Henriette, fern, dimin. of Henri. See
Henrietta.
Harrisbuck, n., also Harris buck, the sable
antelope. — Named after the engineer William
Cornwallis Harris (1807-48), who first des-
cribed it.
Harrisia, n., a genus of cacti. — ModL., named
after William Harris (1860-1920), a Jamaican
botanist. For the ending see suff. -ia.
harrisite, n., a plutonic rock (petrogr.) — So
called from Harris, on the Isle of Rum in the
Hebrides. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
harrow, n., an agricultural implement. — ME.
haru, harwe, rel. to ON. harfr, herfi, 'harrow',
and to OE. hxrfest, OHG. herbist, 'harvest'. See
harvest.
Derivatives: harrow, tr. v., harrow-er, n., har-
row-ing, n. and adj., harrow-ing-ly, adj., harrow-
ing-ness, n.
harrow, tr. v., to harry (archaic). — OE. hergian.
See next word.
harry, tr. v., 1) to ravage; 2) to harass. — ME.
harien, herien, fr. OE. hergian, 'to ravage, lay
waste', rel. to ON. herja, 'to make a raid, to
plunder', OHG. herion, MHG. hern, 'to ravage,
plunder', OHG. firherion, MHG. verhern, 'to
destroy by war', G. verheeren, 'to destroy'.
These words lit. mean 'to afflict with, or destroy
by, an army', being denominated fr. OE. here,
resp. ON. herr (whence Dan. hxr, Swed. hdr),
OHG. had, heri, MHG. her, G. Heer, 'host,
army', which are rel. to OS., OFris. heri, Du.
heir, Goth, harjis, of s.m. These latter words
orig. meant 'that which pertains to war', and
are cogn. with Lith. karas, 'war, quarrel', kare,
'war', karias, 'host, army', OPruss. karjis,
'army', OSlav. kara, 'strife', Mir. cuire, 'troop',
OPers. kara, 'host, army', Gk. xotpavot;, 'ruler,
leader, commander' (prop, 'leader of an army',
fr. *xoipa, for *xopia, 'army'). Cp. prec. word.
Cp. also the first element in arriere-ban, har-
binger, harbor, harness, Harold, herald, Herbert,
heretoga, heriot, Herman, hership, and the
second element in Lothario, Oliver, Walter.
Harry, masc. PN. — F. Henri. See Henry.
harsh, adj. — ME. harsk, of Scand. origin. Cp.
Dan., Norw., harsk, Swed. harsk, 'rancid',
which are rel. to MLG., G. harsch, 'harsh,
rough, raw'; fr. I.-E. base *qars-, 'to scrape,
scratch, rub', whence Lith. karsiit, kafsti, 'to
comb', OSlav. krasta (for *korsta), Russ.
kordsta, 'itch', MLG. harst, 'rake', L. carrere.
hart
706
'to card (wool)', carduus, 'thistle', OI. kasati
(for *karsati), 'rubs, scratches', kasdyah, 'acid,
sharp', kusthah, 'leprosy'. Cp. card, 'machine for
combing', and words there referred to.
Derivatives: harsh-ly, adv., harsh-ness, n.
hart, n„ a male deer. — ME. hert, heort, fr. OE.
heorot, heort, rel. to ON. hjdrtr, Dan., Swed.
hjort, OS. hirot, OFris., Du. hert, OHG. hirus,
hirs, MHG. Ai'rj, G. Hirsch, 'deer, stag, hart',
ON. hrutr, 'ram', and cogn. with W. carw, Co.
carow, L. cervws, 'deer'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost part of the
body, head, horn, top, summit', and lit. mean
'the horned animal'. See horn and cp. cervine.
Cp. also hurt, rother.
hartal, n., cessation of all work, esp. a sign of
protest. — Hind, hartal, for haftdl, fr. OI. haffah,
'market', and tdlah, 'lock, bolt',
hartebeest, hartbeest, n., a large S. African ante-
lope. — S. Afr. Du., compounded of Du. hart
(an earlier collateral form of hert), 'deer, stag',
and beest, 'beast', fr. MDu. beeste, beest, fr.
OF. beste. See hart and beast,
hartshorn, n., ammonium carbonate. — Lit.
hart's horn; so called because orig. obtained
from antlers of hart,
harum-scarum, adj., reckless (colloq.) — Facet-
ious formation from the verbs hare and scare,
haruspex, n., an ancient Roman soothsayer. —
L., for haru-spex, 'inspector of the entrails'. The
first element is rel. to L. hernia, 'rupture', and
cogn. with Gk. yopSi), 'gut', OE. gearn, 'yarn'.
See yarn and cp. hernia and chord. For the se-
cond element see species.
harvest, n. — ME. hervest, harveste, 'autumn', fr.
OE. hxrfest, of s.m., rel. to OS. hervist, OFris.
Du. herfst, OHG. herbist, MHG. herbest,herbst,
G. Herbst, 'autumn', ON. haust, Dan. hest,
Swed. host, 'harvest', fr. I.-E. *qarpistos, prop,
superl. meaning 'the most suitable (season) for
harvesting', formed with super), suff. -istos fr.
I.-E. base *(s)qerp-, 'to cut; to pluck', whence
also OI. krpdnah, 'sword', Gk. xocpmii;, 'fruit'
(lit. 'that which is plucked'), L. carpere, 'to
pluck, cull, gather'. See carpel and superl. suff.
-ist and cp. harrow, n.
harvest, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hervesten, fr.
hervest. See prec. word.
Derivatives: harvest-er, n., harvest-ing, n.
hash, tr. v., to chop (meat, etc.) into small pieces.
— Earlier hache, fr. F. hacher, 'to hack, chop',
fr. hache, 'ax, hatchet'. See hatch, 'to engrave'.
Derivative: hash, n., dish of chopped cooked
meat.
hashish, n., an intoxicating drink made from
hemp. — Arab, hashish, 'hemp*, prop, 'dried
grass', rel. to Heb. hdshash, 'dried grass'. Cp.
assassin.
Hasidcans, Hasidaeans, also Assideans, Chassi-
deans, n. pi., the party of the Hasidim (in sense
no. i) — Formed with suff. -anfr. Gk. 'AoiSaioi,
fr. Heb. hdsidtm, 'pious ones'. See next word.
Hasidim, also Chassidim, n. pi., i) adherents of
the religious party that arose in opposition to
Hellenism and flourished during the time of the
Maccabean wars; it urged steadfast faith and
the strict observance of the ritual laws; 2) ad-
herents of the religious movement called Hasid-
ism, founded by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer Baal
Shem Tobh about 1750 {Jewish hist.) — Heb.
hasldhtm, lit. 'pious ones', pi. of hastdh, 'kind,
pious', from the stem h-s-d, 'to be kind', whence
also hithhassidh, 'he showed himself kind' (in
MedHeb. : 'he pretended to be pious'), hesedh,
'piety, kindness, lovingkindness, mercy', hasi-
dhd h , 'stork', lit. 'the pious bird' (so called in
allusion to its love to its young); rel. to Aram.
hisdd, 'piety, kindness, mercy', hasidhuthd,
'piety, kindness'. Cp. prec. word. Cp. also the
second element in Bethesda.
Hasidism, also Chassidism, n., the movement of
the Hasidim (Jewish hist.) — See prec. word
and -ism.
Haskalah, n., Jewish movement which arose in
Eastern Europe about the middle of the 18th
cent, with the aim of acquainting the Jews of
Eastern and Central Europe with the languages
and cultures of the nations of Western Europe.
— ModHeb. haskdld", 'enlightenment', prop,
a new meaning of haskdld'', 'understanding,
consideration', occurring in the Midrash, prop,
a verbal noun of Biblical Heb. hiSktl 'was at-
tentive, had understanding, considered; was
successful, prospered', Hiph'il (= causative
form) of sdkhdl, 'was prudent', whence sikhel,
'insight, prudence, understanding', Mishnaic
Heb. histakkel, 'he looked at attentively, ob-
served closely, considered', Aram, askil, Syr.
sakkil, 'he taught', Bibl. Aram. hUtakkdl, Aram .
istakkdl, 'he looked at attentively'. As a tech-
nical term in the sense 'enlightenment', the
word haskdld" was introduced by the Jewish
orientalist and writer Judah Jeiteles (1773-1838)
in 1832.
haslet, harslet, n., edible viscera of an animal. —
ME. hastelet, hastlet, fr. OF. hastelet (F. hate-
lette). The original meaning was 'something
roasted on a spit', fr. haste, 'a spit', fr. L. hasta,
'a spear'. See hastate and -et. The r in harslet is
due to the influence of OHG. harst, 'gridiron'.
hasp, n., a clasp. — ME. haspe, hespe, fr. OE.
hxsp, hxpse, rel. to ON. hespa, Dan. haspe,
Swed. haspe, hasp, Norw. hasp, MLG., MDu.,
MHG., G. haspe, OHG. haspa, 'hasp, hook',
and cogn. with L. capsa, 'chest, box'. See case,
'box'. E. hasp is not cognate with L. cuspis
(see cusp).
hasp, tr. v. — ME. haspen, fr. OE. hxpsian, fr.
hxpse. See hasp, n.
hassock, n., a small cushion used as a footstool.
— ME. hassok, 'a large tuft of grass', fr. OE.
hassuc, hassoc, of uncertain origin.
Derivative: hassock-y, adj.
hasta, n., 1) symbolic position of the hands in
707
haugh
dancing; 2) a cubit (measure). — OI. hdstah,
'hand; trunk of an elephant', rel. to Avestic
zasta-, OPers. dasta- (whence Pers. dast), 'hand',
and cogn. with Lith. pazaste, 'armpit'. Cp. hath
and the second element in abdest.
hastate, adj., spearlike; resembling the head of a
spear (bot.) — L. hastdtus, 'armed with a spear',
fr. hasta, 'shaft, spear', which is cogn. with
Goth, gazds, 'goad', OE. gierd, geard, 'rod,
stick, yard'. See yard, 'unit of length', and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivative : hastate-ly, adv.
haste, n. — ME. hast, haste, fr. OF. haste (F.
hate), fr. Frankish *haifst, 'violence', which is
rel. to OE. hxst, 'violence, fury', OFris. hast,
'haste', OHG. heisti, OFris. haste, OE. hxste,
'violent', OHG. heiftig, of s.m., ON. heipt (for
*heift), heifst, 'war, hatred', Goth, haifsts,
'struggle, strife'. Du. haast (whence MLG. hast,
whence G., Dan., Swed. hast), 'haste, hurry', is
borrowed fr. OF. haste.
Derivatives: haste-ful, adj., haste-ful-ly, adv.
haste, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hasten, fr. OF.
haster (F. hater), fr. haste. See haste, n.
hasten, intr. and tr. v. — Formed from prec.
word with verbal suff. -en.
hasty, adj. — ME. hasti, fr. OF. hasti, a var. of
hastif, fr. haste (see haste, n.). The ending -i
was confused in English with suff. -y (represent-
ing OE. -ig). For the loss of OF. final f cp. F.
joli (fr. OF. jolif) and see jolly.
Derivatives: hasti-ly, adv., hastiness, n.
hat, n. — ME., fr. OE. hxtt, hxt, rel. to Fris.
hat, ON. hattr, hour, 'hat, hood', and to E.
hood (q.v.)
Derivatives : hat, tr. v., hat-ful, adj., hat-less, adj.,
hatt-er, n., hatt-ery, n., hatt-ing, n.
hatch, n., door, wicket. — ME. hacche, hecche,
fr. OE. hxc, 'hatch, grating; gate', rel. to
MLG., MHG. heck, Du. hek, 'fence; gate'. Cp.
hack, 'board', heck, 'frame',
hatch, tr. and intr. v., to produce (young) from
eggs by incubation. — ME. hacchen, rel. to
MHG., G. hecken, to hatch, breed', OHG.
hegidruosa, MHG. hegedruos, 'testicle', MHG.,
G. hagen, 'bull kept for breeding', and cogn.
with Lett, kakale, 'membrum'.
Derivatives: hatch, n., hatch-er, n., hatch-ing, n.
hatch, tr. v., to engrave. — F. hacher, 'to hack,
chop' fr. hache, 'ax, hatchet'. See hatchet,
hatchel, n., a comblike implement for cleaning
flax or hemp. — ME. hechele, a var. of hekele,
rel. to Du. hekel, MHG. hachel, hechel, G.
Hechel, 'hatchel, hackle'. Swed. hdckla, Dan.
hegle, 'to hackle', from a Teut. base meaning 'to
sting', whence also OHG., MHG. hecchen,
hecken, 'to sting'; in gradational relationship
to ON. haki, OE. haca, 'hook'. See hook and cp.
hackle and heckle, which are variants of hatchel.
hatchel, tr. v. — ME. hechelen, fr. Mb. hechel;
rel. to Du. hekelen, G. hecheln. See hatchel, n.
Derivative: hatchel(t)-er, n.
hatchet, n., a small ax. — ME. hachet, fr. OF.
(= F.) hachette, dimin. of hache, 'ax, hatchet',
fr. Frankish *hdpja, 'sickle', which is rel. to
OHG. happa, 'sickle'; prob. derived fr. I.-E.
base *(s)qdp-, *(s)qep-, *(s)qSp-, 'to cut', whence
also Gk. Koiri;, 'knife', Lith. kaplys, Lett, kap-
lis, 'hatchet', Lith. kapdne, Lett, kapans, 'chop-
ping knife'. See capon and cp. hash, hatch, 'to
engrave'. Cp. also the second element in
quebracho.
hatching, n. — Formed fr. hatch, 'to engrave',
with -tag, a suff. forming verbal nouns.
hatchment, n., an escutcheon. — From earlier
atcheament, alteration of achievement.
hate, n. — ME. hete, hate (the second form is due
to the influence of the verb hate, see next word),
fr. OE. hete, rel. to OS. heti, ON. hatr, Swed.
hat, Dan. had, OFris. hat, MDu. hate, Du. haat,
OHG., MHG. ha 3 , G. Hafi, Goth, hatis, fr.
I.-E. base *kdd-, 'ill-humor, hatred', whence
also Avestic sddra-, 'grief, sorrow, calamity',
Gk. xyjSo?, Dor. xaSo?, 'care; trouble, sorrow',
Gk. xtjSeueiv, 'to take charge, tend', Mir. caiss,
W. cas, Bret, kas, Co. cueth, 'pain, anger'. Cp.
hatred, heinous. Cp. also acedia, epicedium.
Derivatives : hate-ful, adj., hate-ful-ly, adv., hate-
ful-ness, n.
hate, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hatien, haten, fr. OE.
hatian, rel. to OE. hete, 'hate', and to OS. haton,
ON., Swed., Norw. hata, OFris. hatia, Du.
haten, OHG. ha^on, ha^en, MHG. hasten,
G. hassen, Goth, hatan, 'to hate'. See hate, n.
Derivative: hat-er, n.
hath, hauth, n., a cubit. — Hind, hath, 'a cubit',
lit. 'the hand', fr. OI. hdstah, 'hand'. See hasta.
Hathor, n., the goddess of love and joy in Egyp-
tian mythology. — Gk. 'A#cop, fr. Egypt. Het-
flert, lit. 'the house above'.
Derivative: hathor-ic, adj.
hatred, n. — ME. hatereden, hatered, compoun-
ded of hate, n., and OE. rxden, 'rule, condition'
(fr. rxdan, 'to advise, discuss, rule, guess, read'),
used as a subst. suff. See read and cp. the second
element in kindred.
hatter, n. — Formed fr. hat with agential suff. -er.
hauberk, hawberk, n., a medieval piece of armor.
— ME. hauberc, fr. OF. halberc, hauberc (F.
haubert), fr. Frankish *halsberg, which is rel.
to OHG. halsberc, halsberge, lit. 'neck cover',
fr. hals, 'neck', and bergan, 'to cover, protect'.
Further Teut. equivalents are MDu. halsberch,
OE. healsbeorg, ON. halsbjorg. See hawse and
bury and cp. habergeon.
hauchecornite. n., nickel and bismuth sulfide
(mineral.) — Named after W.Hauchecorn.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hauerite, n., manganese disulfide (mineral.) — G.
Hauerit, named after the Austrian geologist
Franz von Hauer (1822-1899). The ending -it
goes back to Gk. -tTTji;; see subst. suff. -ite.
haugh, n., flat ground in the valley of a river. —
ME. holch, hawk, rel. to OE. healh, 'corner',
haughtonite
708
and to OE. hoi, 'cave, hollow, opening', holh,
'cave'. See hole and cp. hollow,
haughtonite, n., a variety of biotite {mineral.) —
Named in 1878 after Samuel Houghton, Fellow
of Trinity College, Dublin. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
haughty, adj., proud; arrogant. — Formed with
adj. suff. -y fr. OF. (= F.) haut, 'high' (whence
archaic E. haught)h. L. alius, 'high'; influenced
in form by OHG. hoh, 'high'. See alt and cp.
hauteur.
Derivatives: haughti-ly, adv., haughti-ness, n.
haul, tr. and intr. v. — ME. halien, halen, haulen,
fr. OF. (= F.) holer, 'to pull, draw, haul', fr.
ODu. (= Du.) halen, which is rel. to OS. halon,
ON. hala, OFris. halia, OHG. halon, holon,
MHG. haln, holn, holen, G. holen, 'to draw,
haul; to fetch', OE. geholian, 'to obtain'. These
Teut. words possibly derive from an I.-E. base
*ka!-, 'to draw, pull', whence also Gk. xaXcoc,
'rope'. Cp. hale, 'to haul', the first element in
halyard, and the second element in keelhaul.
Derivatives: haul, n., haul-age, n., haul-er, n.
haulm, halm, n., stalk. — ME. halm, fr. OE.
healm, 'straw, stem of grass', rel. to OS., Dan.,
Swed., Du., OHG., MHG., G. halm, ON.
halmr, and cogn. with L. culmus, 'stalk, stem',
Gk. xaXoc}j.o<;, 'reed'. See culm and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element in
marram.
haunch, n., hip. — Earlier hanch, fr. ME. hanche,
haunche, fr. OF. ( = F.) hanche, fr. Teut.
*hanka\ cp. MDu. hanke, 'haunch'.
Derivatives: haunch-ed, adj., haunch-ing, n.
haunt, tr. v., to visit, frequent. — ME. haunten,
fr. OF. (= F.) hanter, which is of Teut. origin.
Cp. ON. heimta, 'to bring home, fetch', which
derives fr. heimr, 'homeland', and OE. hamettan,
'to shelter', which comes fr. ham, 'home', and
see home. Cp. hamlet.
Derivatives: haunt, n., haunt-ed, adj., haunt-er,
n., haunt-ing, n. and adj., haunt-ing-ly, adv.
haurient, also hauriant, adj., with the head in
chief; said of a fish {her.) — L. hauriens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of haurire, 'to draw out
(water), to drain, breathe'. See exhaust and -ent
and cp. haustellum, haustorium.
hausen, n., a large kind of sturgeon. — G., 'stur-
geon', fr. MHG. huse(n), fr. OHG. huso. See
huso.
hausmannite, n., manganese oxide (mineral) —
Named after the German mineralogist J.F.L.
Hausmann (1 782- 1 859). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Hausmannize, tr. and intr. v., to reconstruct a
city by straightening and widening its streets. —
Prop, 'to follow the example of Baron Georges-
Eugene Haussmann (1809-91), who was prefect
of Paris between 1853 and 1870 and during this
period much contributed to its beautification.
For the ending see suff. -ize.
hausse-col, n., a piece of armor. — F., 'neck
piece', fr. MF. houscot, prob. fr. MDu. *hals-
kote, 'clothing of the neck', which is com-
pounded of hals, 'neck', and kote, 'coat, cloth-
ing', which is rel. to OHG. chozza, 'a coarse
coat'. See collar and coat. Folk etymology con-
verted houscot into hausse-col, i.e. 'that which
raises the neck',
haustellum, n., in certain insects, a proboscis
adapted for sucking blood or juices of plants. —
ModL., fr. L. haustus, pp. of haurire, 'to draw
(water), to drain'. See haurient.
haustorium, n., a small sucker of a parasitic plant
(hot) _ ModL., fr. L. haustus, pp. of haurire.
See prec. word and -orium.
hautboy, n„ an oboe. — F. hautbois, fr. haut,
'high' and bois, 'wood'. See haughty and bush,
'shrub', and cp. oboe, tallboy,
hauteur, n„ haughtiness. — F., 'height, altitude;
haughtiness, arrogance', formed fr. haut, 'high',
with suff. -eur. See haughty and -or, -our.
hautefeuillite, n., magnesium calcium phosphate
(mineral.) — Named after the French chemist
Paul-Gabriel Hautefeuille (1836-1902). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Havana, n., Havana cigar. — Named after Ha-
vana, the capital of Cuba. Cp. habanera,
havdalah, n. — A var. of habdalah.
have, tr. v. — ME. habben, haven, fr. OE. hab-
ban, 'to hold, possess, have', rel. to ON. hafa,
OS. hebbjan, OFris. habba, hebba, OHG. haben,
MHG., G. haben, Goth, haban, 'to have', and
to OE. hebban, etc., 'to lift, raise', fr. Teut. base
*haf-, 'to hold, have', corresponding to I.-E.
*qap-, 'to seize, hold, contain', whence L. ca-
pere, 'to catch, seize, take hold of. (The above
Teut. words are not cogn. with L. habere, 'to
have'.) See captive and cp. naff, haft, haven,
havoc, hawk, the bird, heave, heavy, behavior,
behoof, hobnob.
havelock, n., a light covering for cap and neck.
— Named after Sir Henry Havelock ( 1 795- 1 857)-
haven, n. — ME. havene, fr. OE. hsefen, hsefene,
rel. to MLG. havene (whence G. Haferi), MHG.
habene, ON. hofn, Dan. havn, 'haven'. These
words lit. mean 'receptacle', and derive fr. I.-E.
base *qap-, 'to seize, hold, contain', whence also
have and heave (qq.v.) Cp. haff.
haver, n., one who has (rare). — Formed fr. have
with agential suff. -er.
haver, intr. v., to talk foolishly. — Of unknown
origin.
Derivative: haver, n., foolish talk,
haver, n., the oat ; oats (dial. E.) — ME. haver,
of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. hafri, Dan. havre,
Swed. hafre, which are rel. to MDu. havere, Du.
haver, OS. hatero, OHG. habaro, MHG. habere,
haber (G. Hafer is a LG. loan word). Cp.next
word.
haversack, n., soldier's bag for provision. — F.
havresa. ,.i,,-..ok, wallet', fr. G. Habersack,
lit. 'a sack for oats'. See haver, 'oats', and
sack, 'bag'.
709
hazard
havildar, n., a noncommissioned native officer
corresponding to a sergeant. — Hind, havildar,
fr. Pers. hwdlddr, hawdladdr, lit. 'one holding
an office', a hybrid coined fr. Arab. hawdla h ,
'charge, office', and the Persian suff. -ddr, 'hol-
der, possessor'. See aumildar and cp. words
there referred to.
havior, haviour, n., behavior (archaic). — ME.
haviour, 'possession', fr. earlier havour, fr. OF.
aveir (F. avoir), 'possession', prop, infinitive
used as a noun, fr. L. habere, 'to have, possess',
see habit, n. The h is due to a confusion with
ME. haven, E. have, with which the word havior
has nothing in common. Cp. behavior.
havoc, n., destruction, devastation. — OF. havot,
'seizure; plunder', faire havot, 'to take hold of,
rel. to haver, 'to seize, grasp, grab', hef, 'a hook',
havee, 'a handful'; of Teut. origin. Cp. OHG.
haben, 'to hold, have', heffan, 'to raise, heave',
and see have, heave. For the change of final -/
(in OF. havot) to -c (in E. havoc) cp. apricot
(from orig. apricock), bat (fr. ME. bakke) and
milk (in the sense of 'milt of fishes').
Derivatives : havoc, tr. v., havock-er, n.
haw, n., enclosure. — ME. hawe, fr. OE. haga,
'hedge; hawthorn', rel. to ON. hagi, hage, pas-
ture', OS. hago, Du. haag, OHG., MHG. hac,
hages, G. Hag, 'hedge', and in gradational re-
lationship to OE. hecg, 'hedge'. See hedge and
cp. next word, and the first element in haw-
thorn. Cp. also hag, 'witch', haggard, hay,
'hedge', and the first element in hagberry.
haw, n., berry of the hawthorn. — OE. haga,
perh. short for *haguberige, lit. 'hedge berry'.
See prec. word.
haw, n., the nictitating membrane of a horse,
dog, etc. — Of unknown origin,
haw, intr. v., to hesitate in speech. — Imitative;
lit. 'to make the sound haw'.
Derivative: haw, n., hesitation in speech,
hawk, n., any bird of the falcon family. — ME.
havec, hauk, fr. OE. heafuc, heafoc, hafoc, rel.
to OS. hafuc, ON. haukr, Swed. hbk, Dan. heg,
MLG. havec, MDu., Du. havik, OHG. habuh,
MHG. habech, G. Habicht, 'hawk', and cogn.
with Russ. kobec, a kind of falcon. These words
lit. mean 'seizer'. They derive fr. I.-E. *gabh-, a
var. of base *qap-, 'to seize', whence have and
heave. Cp. the first element in Hapsburg and
the second element in goshawk. L. accipiter,
'hawk', is not cognate with the above words.
Derivatives: hawk, tr. v., to hunt animals by
means of trained hawks, hawker (q.v.), hawk-
ing, n.
hawk, n., a small square board for holding mor-
tar. — Of unknown origin.
hawk, intr. v., to clear one's throat. — Of imi-
tative origin.
hawk, tr. v., to offer for sale. — Back formation
fr. hawker, 'vendor'.
hawker, n., a falconer. — Formed fr. hawk, the
bird, with agential suff. -er.
hawker, n., an itinerant vendor. — LG. hbker
(whence also G. Hoker), rel. to Du. heuker, 're-
tailer' (see huckster); influenced in form by
prec. word.
hawse, n., 1) part of a ship's bow containing the
hawseholes; 2) the hawseholes. — ME. halse,
fr. ON. hals, 'neck; part of a ship's bow', which
is rel. to OS., OFris., LG., Du., OHG., MHG.,
G., Goth, hals, OE. heals, 'neck', and cogn.
with L. collus (for *colsus), 'neck'. See collar and
cp. the first element in hauberk and in hausse-col.
hawser, n., a large rope used for mooring, towing,
etc. (naut.) — Fr. earlier halser, lit. 'hoister', fr.
ME. halsen, 'to raise, lift, hoist', fr. OF. holder,
haucier (F. hausser), fr. VL. *altidre, 'to raise,
lift', fr. L. alius, 'high'. See alt and agential suff
-er and cp. nance, enhance,
hawthorn, n. — ME. hawethorn, fr. OE. haguporn,
hxgporn, compounded of haga, 'enclosure,
hedge', and porn, 'thorn', hence lit. meaning
'hedge thorn', i.e. 'thorns used for making hed-
ges'; rel. to ON. hagporn, MHG. hagendorn,
hagedorn, G. Hagedorn, 'hawthorn'. See haw,
'enclosure', and thorn,
hay, n., grass mown. — ME. haye, hey, fr. OE.
Meg, hig, heg, rel. to OS. hoi, ON. hey, Dan. he,
Swed. ho, Norw. hey, OFris. ha, he, MDu. hoy,
hooy, Du. hooi, OHG. houwi, hewi, MHG.
houwe, hbu, G. Heu, Goth, hawi, 'hay', lit. 'that
which is to be cut', or 'that which is cut'. Cp.
OE. heawan, 'to cut', and see hew.
Derivative: hay, tr. v., to supply with hay.
hay, n., a kind of country-dance. — OF. haye,
of uncertain origin,
hay, n., a hedge (archaic). — ME. hai, hei, a
blend of OE. hege, 'hedge', and F. haie, of s.m.
F. haie is a loan word fr. Frankish *hagja, which
is rel. to OHG. hegga, OE. hege, 'hedge', OE.
hecg, of s.m. See hedge and cp. the first element
in haybote, hayward.
haybote, n., the right of the tenant to take thorns
or wood for repairing his hedge or fence. —
Compounded of hay, 'hedge', and bote (qq.v.)
haydenite, n., a variety of chabazite (mineral.) —
Named after the American dentist Horace H.
Hayden (1769- 1844), who discovered it. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hayward, n., an officer appointed for the inspec-
tion of hedges and fences. — ME. heiward,
compounded of hei, 'hedge' and ward. See hay,
'hedge', and ward, 'one who guards',
hazard, n., 1) a game played with dice; 2) chance;
3) risk. — OF. (= F.) hasard, fr. Sp. azar, 'un-
fortunate throw at dice, unforeseen accident',
usually derived fr. Arab, al-zahr (pronounced
az-zahr), 'the die'. This derivation is rightly
doubted by most lexicographers (see e.g.Devic's
Supplement to Littre's Dictionnaire de la langue
francaise, s.v. hasard, and Skeat's Etymological
Dictionary, s.v. hazard), owing to the fact that
the word zahr does not occur in the dictionaries
of Classical Arabic. According to my opinion
hazard
710
Sp. azar derives fr. Arab, ydsara, 'he played at
dice'; z is the regular Spanish equivalent of
Arabic s. — The d in OF. hazard (whence E.
hazard) is due to a confusion of the ending -ar
with suff. -ard (see -ard).
Derivatives: hazard, v. (q.v.), hazard-ous, adj.
(cp. F. hasardeux), hazard-ous-ly, adv., hazard-
ous-ness, n., hazard-ry, n.
hazard, tr. v. — F. hasarder, fr. hasard. See prec.
word.
haze, n., fog, mist. — Prob. back formation
fr. hazy.
Derivative: haze, tr. v., to make hazy; intr. v.,
to become hazy.
haze, tr. v., to harass. — OF. haser, 'to vex, irri-
tate', of unknown origin.
hazel, n. — ME. hasel, fr. OE. hxsel, hsesl, rel.
to ON., Norw. hasl, Dan., Swed. hassel, MLG.,
MDu. hasel, Du. hazelaar, OHG. hasal, MHG.,
G. hasel, 'hazel', and cogn. with L. corulus,
corylus (for *kozulus), 'hazel, filbert tree', Olr.,
OCo., W., Bret, coll (for *coslo-), 'hazel', perh.
also with OLith. kasulas, 'a hunting spear' (so
called because it was usually made of hazel
wood). Cp. Corylus.
Derivatives: hazel, hazel-ed, hazel-ly, adjs.
hazing, n., the act of harassing. — Formed fr.
haze, 'to harass', with -ing, suff. forming verbal
nouns.
hazy, adj., characterized by haze. — Of unknown
origin. Cp. haze, 'fog'.
Derivatives: hazi-ly, adv., hazi-ness, n.
hazzan, chazzan, also spelled hazan, chazan, n.,
Jewish cantor. — Mishnaic Heb. and Aram.
hazzan, 'superintendent, officer', later 'cantor',
prob. borrowed fr. Akkad. hazanu, hazannu,
'chief magistrate of a town' (cp. Aram, hazzdnt
math&, 'superintendents of the town', Talmud
Babha Metzi'a, 936). It is very probable, how-
ever, that Akkad. hazanu was borrowed from a
WSem. language and that the word orig. meant
'overseer', from a verb meaning 'to see'; cp.
Heb. Mzd h , Aram, hdzd, 'he saw'. (In Akkadian,
the verb hazd, "to see', does not occur; if it had
existed, hazanu might be its derivative.) If Ak-
kad. hazanu is a WSem. loan word, then Heb.
and Aram, hazzdn were reborrowed from Ak-
kadian. See Heinrich Zimmern, Akkadische
Fremdworter als Beweis fur babylonischen
KultureinfluB, Leipzig, 1917, p. 6, Note 3.
he, nom. sing, of the 3rd pers. masc. pron. —
ME. he, fr. OE. he [fern, heo, hlo, neut. hit; pi.
(for all genders) hi, hie], rel. to OS., OFris. he,
hi, MDu. he, hi, Du. hij, OHG. he, 'he', Goth,
neut. hita (ace), 'it', masc. himma (dat.) (in
himma daga, 'on this day'), masc. hina (acc.)
(in und hina daga, 'until that day'), and to the
first element in OE. heodxg, OS. hiudu, OFris.
hiude, MDu. huden, OHG. hiutu, MHG. hiute,
G. heute, 'today' (for the second element, which
appears in its full form only in OE. hlo-dxg,
see day); fr. Teut. base *hi-, corresponding to
I.-E. base *ki-, 'this one', whence also Hitt. ki,
'this', Gk. e-xei, 'there', Ion. Gk. kei-vo;,
Aeol. >dj-vo<;, Gk. 1-x.zl-voc,, 'that person or
thing', tj^-[xspov, 'today' (for *xi&nepov, lit.
'this day', fr. I.-E. *kyo-, 'this', and Gk. rj^spa,
'day'), L. cis, citer, citra, 'on this side', ce- and
-ce, emphatic particles meaning 'here, there',
OSlav. si, Lith. sis, 'this'. Cp. him, her, it, hence,
here, hither. Cp. also cede, cis-, citra-, cy-pres,
et cetera, hodiernal, sic.
he, n., name of the 5th letter of the Hebrew al-
phabet. — Heb. he, probably meaning 'lattice
window'.
head, n. — ME. heved, hed, fr. OE. heafod, rel.
to OS. hffBid, ON. hofud, Dan. hoved, Swed.
huvud, OFris. hdved, hdfd, MDu. hovet, hooft,
Du. hoofd, OHG. houbit, houpit, MHG. houbet,
houbt, houpt, G. Haupt, Goth, haubip, 'head',
and cogn. with OI. kaput-, 'head' (in kapuccha-
lam, 'hair of the hind part of the head'), L.
caput, 'head'. See capital, adj.
Derivatives: head, v., head-ed, adj., head-er, n.,
head-ing, n., head-y, adj., head-i-ly, adv., head-
i-ness, n.
-head, a rare collateral form of suff. -hood.
headless, adj. — ME. hevedles, hedles, fr. OE.
heafodleas. See head and -less.
headlong, adv. — ME. hedling, formed with adv.
suff. -ling fr. hed, 'head'; see head. The form
headlong (for *headling) is due to folk-etymolog-
ical association with -long (cp. sidelong).
headman, n. — ME. hevedman, hedman, fr. OE.
heafodman, fr. heafod, 'head', and man, 'man'.
See head and man and cp. ON. hofudsmadr,
Swed. huvudman, OHG. houbitman, MHG.
houbetman, 'headman, leader, chief, G. Haupt-
mann, 'captain'. Cp. also hetman.
heal, tr. and intr. v. — ME. helen, fr. OE. hxlan,
rel. to OS. helian, ON. heila, OFris. hela, Du.
heelen, OHG., MHG., G. heilen, Goth, ga-hail-
jan, 'to heal'. These verbs lit. mean 'to make
whole', and are denominated fr. OE. hdl, 'whole',
resp. its equivalents in the other Teut. lan-
guages. See whole and cp. hale, 'healthy'.
Derivatives: heal-er, n., heal-ing, n. and adj.,
heal-ing-ly, adv.
heald, n., a heddle. — ME. helde, fr. OE. hefeld.
See heddle.
health, n. — ME. helthe, fr. OE. hxld, lit. 'whole-
ness', formed fr. hdl, 'whole', with suff. -d. See
heal and substantial suff. -th. For sense de-
velopment cp. Heb. shdISm, 'completeness,
wholeness, health, peace', fr. shdlim, 'was com-
plete, was safe".
Derivatives: health-ful, adj., health- ful-ly, adv.,
health-ful-ness, n„ health-y, adj., health-i-ly,zdv.,
health-i-ness, n.
heap, n. — ME. heap, heep, hepe, 'troop, heap',
fr. OE. heap, 'troop, band, multitude', rel. to
OS. hop, MLG. hupe, Du. hoop, OHG. hufo,
houf, MHG. hufe, houfe, G. Haufe, 'heap', fr.
I.-E. base *qeu-p-, 'to bend, arch, vault', whence
711
heather
also OSlav. kupii, Lith. kaupas, 'heap', kuprd,
'hump'. See cup and cp. hive and hope, 'troop'.
Cp. also howitzer, Skupshtina.
heap, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hepen, fr. OE. hea-
pian, 'to heap', fr. heap. See heap, n.
Derivative: heap-er, n.
hear, tr. and intr. v. — ME. heren, fr. OE. hieran,
hyran, heron, rel. to ON. heyra, Swed. hbra,
Dan. here, OS. hdrian, OFris. hera, hora, Du.
horen, OHG. horan, horren, MHG. hacren, G.
horen, Goth, hausjan, fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeu-,
*{s)qeu-, 'to look at, observe, perceive', whence
also OI. kavth, 'wise', Gk. xoeiv, 'to mark, per-
ceive, hear', and prob. also dbcotietv (with copul.
pref. a-), 'to hear'. See show and cp. hark, hear-
ken. Cp. also acoustic.
Derivatives: hear-er, n., hear-ing, n.
heard, past tense and pp. of hear. — ME. herde,
fr. OE. herde, fr. heron, 'to hear'. See hear,
hearken, intr. and tr. v. (the latter is archaic). —
ME. herknien, herknen, fr. OE. heorcnian,
hyrcnian, rel. to OFris. harkia, herkia and to
E. hark (q.v.)
Derivative: hearken-er, n.
hearse, n. — ME. fierce, herse, fr. MF. herce
(F. herse), 'harrow; portcullis; triangular frame
for holding candles', fr. L. hirpicem, acc. of
hirpex, 'harrow', fr. Samnite hirpus, 'wolf;
so called in allusion to the teeth of the harrow,
which resemble the teeth of a wolf. Samnite
hir-pus is rel. to L. hir-cus, 'he-goat*. Both these
words are prob. rel. to L. hir-sutus, 'shaggy,
prickly, bristly*. See hirsute and cp, rehearse.
Derivative: hearse, tr. v.
heart, n. — ME. herte, hert, fr. OE. heorte, rel.
to OS. herta, ON. hjarta, OFris. herte, hirte,
ODu. herta, Du. hart, OHG. herza, MHG.
herze, G. Herz, Goth, hairto, 'heart', and cogn.
with Hitt. kardiash (gen.), 'of the heart', Arm.
sirt (for *kerdi-), Gk. xapSta, poet, X7]p, L. cor
(gen. cordis), OSlav. srudice, Russ. serdce,
'heart', Lith. Sirdis, 'heart', OPruss. seyr (for
*kerd), acc. siran, Olr. cride, Ir. croidhe, 'heart',
W. craidd, 'heart; center', Bret, kreiz, 'middle',
OSlav. srgda, Russ. seredd, 'middle', Avestic
z l r e 8aya-, 'middle'. For sense development cp.
Heb. lebh, 'heart', and lebh yam, 'the midst (lit.
the heart) of the sea', lebh ha'eld h , 'the midst
of the terebinth', Akkad. libbu, 'heart; middle'.
Cp. cordate, cordial, core, accord, accordion,
codling, 'a variety of apple', courage, concord,
discord, misericord, record. Cp. also cardiac,
cardio-, carditis, endocardium, epicardium, peri-
cardium. L. credere, 'to believe', is not related
to L. cor, 'heart' (see creed).
Derivatives: heart, tr. and intr. v., heart-ed, adj.,
heart-ed-ly, adv., heart-en, tr. and intr. v., heart-
en-er, n., heart-y, adj., heart-i-ly, adv., heart-i-
ness.n., heart-less, adj., heart-less-ly, adv., heart-
less-ness, n.
hearth, n. — ME. berth, fr. OE. heord, rel. to OS.,
OFris. herth, MDu. hert, Du. hoard, OHG.
herd, MHG. hert, G. Herd, 'hearth', fr. Teut.
base *her-, corresponding to I.-E. base *ker-,
'to singe, burn, glow', whence also Goth, hauri,
'coal', ON. hyrr, 'fire', OI. kudayati, kulayati,
'singes', OSlav. kurjo, kuriti se, 'to smoke',
Lith. kuriu, kurti, Lett, kuru, kurt, 'to heat',
Lith. kdrStas, 'hot', kaTstis, 'heat', Lett, kafsts,
'hot', kafst, 'to grow hot', and prob. also L.
carbd, 'coal, charcoal' ; see carbon. Cp. cremate,
heat, n. — ME. hete, Fr. OE. hxtu, hseto, rel. to
OS. hittia, ON. hiti, Dan. hede, Swed. hetta,
OFris. hete, Du. hitte, OHG. hizzea, hizza,
heizi, MHG., G. hitze, 'heat', OE. hxda, 'hot
weather', Goth, heito, 'fever', and to OE. hat,
etc., 'hot', see hot. It. izza, 'wrath, anger', is a
Teut. loan word,
heat, tr. and intr. v. — ME. heten, fr. OE. hstan,
'to heat', fr. hxtu, 'heat'. See heat, n.
Derivatives: heat-ed, adj., heat-ed-ly, adv., heat-
er, n., heat-ing, n.
heath, n. — ME. heth, fr. OE. hied, 'heath (land);
heath (the plant), heather', rel. to OS. hetha,
ON. heidr, Dan. hede, Swed. hed, 'heath', OHG.
heida, 'heather', MHG., G., Du. heide, 'heath;
heather', Goth, haipi, 'field', and cogn. with
Gaulish ceto- in Gaulish-Latin place names like
Cetobriga, etc., and with Olr. ciad, OW. coit,
W. coed, OCo. cuit, Bret, coet (for *kaito-),
'wood, forest', but L. bucetum, 'cow pasture',
is not cognate. Cp. heathen, heather.
Derivative: heath-y, adj.
heathen, n. — ME. hethen, fr. OE. hxden, adj.
and n., rel. to OS. hethin, adj., ON. heidinn, adj.,
OFris. hethen, adj., MDu. heidijn, heiden, Du.
heiden, n., OHG. heidan, MHG. heiden, adj.,
OHG. heidano, MHG. heiden, G. Heide, n„
'heathen', Goth, haipno, 'heathen woman'.
These words prob. meant orig. 'dwelling on the
heath'. See prec. word and cp. hoyden.
Derivatives: heathen, adj., heathenish (q.v.),
heathenism, heathenize, heathenry (qq.v.)
heathendom, n. — ME., fr. OE. hxdendom, 'pa-
ganism', fr. hsden. See prec. word and -dom.
heathenesse, n., heathenism {archaic). — ME.
hethenesse, fr. OE. hxdennes, lit. 'heathenness'.
See heathen and -ness.
heathenish, adj. — OE. hxdenisc, rel. to OHG.
heidanisc, G. heidnisch, 'heathenish'. See heathen
and adj. suff. -ish.
Derivatives: heathenish-ly, adv., heathenish-
ness, n.
heathenism, n. — A hybrid coined fr. heathen and
-ism, a suff. of Greek origin,
heathenize, tr. v., to render heathen; intr. v., to
become heathen. — A hybrid coined fr. heathen
and -fee, a suff. of Greek origin,
heathenry, n. — A hybrid coined fr. heathen and
-ry, a suff. of L.-F. origin,
heather, n., a plant of the heath family. — ME.
bather, hadder, possibly derived fr. heth, 'heath,
heather'. See heath.
Derivative: heather-y, adj.
heaume
712
heaume, n., a kind of large helmet. — F., fr. OF.
helme, fr. Frankish *helm, which is rel. to OHG.
helm. See helmet.
heave, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hebben, heven, fr.
OE. hebban, 'to lift, raise', rel. to OS. hebbian,
ON. hefja, Du. heffen, OHG. heffan, MHG.
heben, heven, G. heben, Goth, hafjan, 'to lift,
raise', and to OE. habban, etc., 'to hold, pos-
sess, have'. See have and cp. heavy. Cp. also
heddle.
Derivatives: heave, n., heav-er, n.
heaven, n, — ME. heovene, hevene, heven, fr. OE.
heofon, hefon, rel. to OS. hetan, LG. heben,
heven, ON. himinn, Goth, himins, OS., OHG.
himil, OFris. Ai>ne/, Awih/, MDu., Du. hemel,
MHG. Wme/, G. Himmel, 'heaven, sky'. These
words prob. derive fr. Teut. base *hama(n)-, fr.
I.-E. base *kem-, *kam-, 'to cover'. See chemise
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: heaven, tr. v., heaven-ish, adj.,
heaven-ish-Iy, adv., heavenly (q.v.)
heavenly, adj. — ME. hevenly, fr. OE. heofonlic.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: heavenli-ness,r\.
heavenly, adv. (archaic). — ME. hevenly, fr. OE.
heofonlice, fr. heofonlic. See heaven and adv.
suff. -ly.
heavily, adv. — ME. hevily, fr. OE. hefigiice. See
heavy and adv. suff. -ly.
heaviness, n. — ME. hevinesse, fr. OE, hefigness.
See heavy and -ness.
Heaviside layer, n., a layer of ionized air from
about 60 to ioo miles above the earth. — Named
after the English physicist Oliver Heaviside
(1850-1925)-
heavy, adj. — ME. hevy, fr. OE. hefig, rel. to OS.
heVig, OHG. hebig, hevig, LG. hevig, ON.
hofugr, hbfigr, 'heavy', and to OE. hefe, 'weight',
hebban, 'to lift, raise'. See heave and -y (repre-
senting OE. -ig).
heavy, adv., heavily. — ME. hevy, fr. OE. hefige,
fr. hefig. See heavy, adj.
hebdomad, n., a group of seven things; a week.
— L. hebdomas, gen. -adis, fr. Gk. 4(38o[x<4?, gen.
-aSo?, fr. gp8o(j.o<;, 'seventh', which is formed
with suff. -u.os, fr. tirra., 'seven'. See hepta- and
-ad and cp. seventh. The Greek suff. -^o; forms
ordinal numerals and is cogn. with OI. -mdh,
Hitt. -ma, L. -mus, OLith. and OPruss. -mas,
It. -mad (cp. e.g. OI. saptamdh, Hitt. shiptama,
L. septimus, OLith. sekmas, OPruss. septmas,
Ir. sechtmad, 'seventh'.
hebdomadal, adj., occurring every seventh day,
weekly. — Late L. hebdomaddlis, fr. L. hebdo-
mas, gen. -adis. See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
hebdomadary, adj., hebdomadal. — ML. hebdo-
maddrius, fr. L. hebdomas, gen. -adis. See heb-
domad and adj. suff. -ary.
Hebe, n., the goddess of youth in Greek mythol-
ogy. — L., fr. Gk. "Hp7j, name of the goddess of
youth, fr. *h$i\, 'youth, strength of youth', which
prob. stands for I.-E. *ySg u a-, whence also
Lett, jflga, 'strength, understanding, intellect',
Lith. nuo-jegd, 'power, ability'. Cp. ephebus.
hebe-, combining form denoting puberty or the
pubes. — Fr. Gk. t$t\, 'youth, pubescence, pu-
berty, the pubes'. See prec. word.
hebephrenia, n., adolescent insanity (med.) —
Medical L., coined by the German psychiatrist
Ewald Hecker in 1871 fr. Gk. 'youth,
puberty', and tpp^v, gen. ippevo?, 'mind'. See
Hebe, phrenetic and -ia.
Derivative: hebephren-ic, adj.
hebetate, tr. v., to make blunt or dull. — L. hebe-
tdtus, pp. of hebetdre, 'to make blunt or dull',
fr. hebes, gen. hebetis, 'blunt', whence also
hebere, 'to be blunt or dull' ; of uncertain origin.
hebetude, n., dullness. — F., fr. L. hebetudinem,
acc. of hebetudd, 'dullness', fr. hebere. See prec.
word and -ude.
Hebraic, adj. — Late L. Hebrdicus, fr. Gk.
'E|3paiCx6i;, fr. 'Eppaio?, 'Hebrew'. See Hebrew
and -ic.
Derivative: Hebraic-al-ly, adv.
Hebraism, n. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. Gk.
'Eppalo?. See prec. word.
Hebraist, n. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. Gk.
'Eppaio?. See Hebraic.
Derivatives: Hebraist-ic, adj., Hebraistic-al-ly,
adv.
Hebraize, tr. and intr. v. — Gk. s(3pat£eiv, 'to
speak Hebrew' (whence also F. hebraiser), fr.
'Eppato?. See next word and -ize.
Hebrew, n. and adj. — ME. Ebreu, fr. OF. Ebreu,
Ebrieu (F. Hebreu), fr. L. Hebraeus, fr. Gk.
'EPpaio;, fr. Aram, 'ibhrdy, 'ebhrdy, fr. Heb.
'ibhrf, 'Hebrew', lit. 'he who came from across
(the River)', fr. 'ibher, 'region across, side',
from the stem of 'dbhdr, 'he passed across or
over', which is rel. to Aram. -Syr. 'dbhdr, Arab.
'dbara, 'he passed across', Akkad. eberu, 'to
pass over', Heb. 'ebhrd", 'fury, anger' (lit. 'over-
flow'), Mishnaic Heb. 'dbherd", 'transgression,
sin' (for sense development cp. E. transgression),
Heb. ma'dbhdr, ma'dbhdrd", 'ford, pass'. Cp.
Habiru. Cp. also averah.
Hecate, also Hekate, n., an ancient Greek god-
dess, daughter of the Titan Perseus and Asteria
(Greek mythol.) — L. Hecate, fr. Gk. 'Exa-rrj,
shortened fr. bta-rriPoXoi;, which was regarded
already by the ancients as an enlarged form of
ext)P6Xo<; and accordingly explained as 'far-
darting, far-shooting'. See Hecuba.
hecatomb, n., a sacrifice of a hundred oxen
(Greek antiq.) — F. hecatombe, fr. Gk. sxa-
to^P^, which is compounded of &c<xt6v, 'a
hundred', and the stem of (JoO?, 'ox'. Gk. e-
x<xt6v is formed fr. ev, 'one', or fr. a- (fr. I.-E.
*sm-, 'one'), and *xa-r6v (fr. I.-E. *kmtdm,
'hundred'). Accordingly ex<xt<Sv lit. means 'one
hundred' (cp. OI. sa-hdsram, 'one thousand').
See heno- and hundred! For the second element
in Gk. buxc6[i$T} see bovine.
Hecatombaeon, n., name of the ist month of the
713
hederaceous
Attic Greek calendar (corresponding to July-
August). — Gk. 'Exa-rotipaicbv, lit. 'the month
in which £x<xt6[jl(3o!i (i.e. a hundred oxen) were
sacrificed at Athens'. See prec. word,
hecaton-, combining form meaning 'a hundred'.
— Gk. See hecatomb.
heck, n., frame for holding the warp threads. —
Dial. var. of hatch, 'door' (q.v.) Cp. hack,
'board'.
heckelphone, n., baritone oboe (mus.) — G.
Heckelphon, a hybrid coined fr. Wilhelm
Heckel, name of the inventor, who introduced
it in 1905, and Gk. qpcovrj, 'sound, voice'. See
phone, 'speech sound'.
heckle, tr. v., 1) to hackle; 2) to embarrass the
speaker with questions. — ME. hekelen, fr.
hekele, 'an instrument for cleansing and carding
flax or hemp'. See hatchel and cp. hackle.
Derivatives: heck-ler, n., heckl-ing, n.
hect-, form of hecto- before a vowel.
hectare, n., a surface measure containing 100
ares. — F., lit. 'a hundred ares', a hybrid coined
in 1795 by a decree of the French National Con-
vention fr. Gk. IxoctAv, 'a hundred', and L.
area, 'a vacant piece of ground'. See hecto- and
are, 'a square unit'.
hectic, adj., 1) consumptive; 2) feverish. — F.
hectique, fr. Late L. hecticus, fr. Gk. kx.1vx.6q,
'habitual; consumptive', formed with suff.
-ix6<;, fr. bcroz, 'that which one may have' (in
the neut. pi. -ca extoc, 'the qualities of sub-
stances'), verbal adj. of £x £lv ' t0 have, hold,
possess' (whence also &,\.q, 'being in a certain
condition, state of mind'). See scheme and -ic
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hector,
apocha, cachexy, cleruch, daduchus, Echeneis,
entelechy, epoch, eunuch, Ophiochus, pleonexia,
Stylochus.
Derivatives: hectic, n., hectic-al, adj., hectic-al-
ly, adv.
hecto-, before a vowel hect-, combining form
meaning 'a hundred'. — F. hecto-, hect-, arbi-
trarily shortened fr. Gk. exax6v, 'a hundred'
(see hecatomb); introduced by the French Natio-
nal Convention.
hectocotylize, tr. v., to change into a hectoco-
tylus. — See next word and -ize.
Derivative: hectocotyliz-ation, n.
hectocotylus, n., one of the tentacles of the males
of certain cephalopods. — ModL. name coined
by the French naturalist, Baron Georges-Leo-
pold-Chretien-Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier (orig.
meant to denote a supposed parasite); com-
pounded of hecto- and Gk. ■x.o-uSkt), 'anything
hollow, a cup'. See cotyledon.
hectogram, n., weight of 100 grammes. — F. hec-
togramme, coined fr. hecto- and F. gramme,
'gram*, fr. Gk. vpanjia, 'that which is written'.
See gram.
hectograph, n., a device for multiplying a writing.
— Compounded of hecto- and Gk. -Ypa<po<;, fr.
Ypdt<peiv, 'to write'. See -graph.
Derivatives: hectograph, tr. v., hectograph-ic,
adj., hectograph-y, n.
hectoliter, hectolitre, n., measure of 1000 liters.
— F. hectolitre, coined fr. hecto- and F. litre.
See liter.
hectometer, hectometre, n., measure' of 100
meters. — F. hectometre, coined fr. hecto- and
F. metre, 'meter'. See meter, 'measure of unit'.
Hector, n., 1) in Homer's Iliad, the eldest son of
Priam and Hecuba, and the greatest Trojan
hero; 2) masc. PN. — L., fr. Gk. "ExTcop, fr.
exTcop, 'holder, stayer', agent noun formed fr.
trftzw, 'to have, hold, possess'. See hectic.
hector, n., blusterer, bully. — Fr. prec. word.
Derivative: hector, tr. and intr. v.
Hecuba, n., principal wife of Priam and mother
of Hector. — L., fr. ' Exafi-t), prob. short for *exa-
p6Xo<; (whence through metrical lengthening
ex7)P6Xo;), which is of uncertain origin and
meaning. It possibly means lit. — as explain-
ed already by the ancients — 'far-darting, far-
shooting', fr. exa;, 'far, afar, far off', and
-(36Xo?, 'thrower. Gk. exa; stands for *af e-xa;,
'by or for himself, which contains the base of
the reflexive pronoun (see sui-) and the suff.
-xdtc, (appearing also in dv8pa-xa<;, 'man by
man'), and is cogn. with OI. eka-sdh, 'single'.
Gk. -(WXoc;, 'thrower', is rel. to [iaXXetv, 'to
throw, cast' ; see ballistic. — Cp. Hecate.
heddle, n., (a term of weaving). — Formed with
metathesis fr. OE. hefeld, hefel, hebeld, hebel,
'thread for weaving', for orig. *haf-ild, from the
root of OE. hebban, 'to lift, raise'. Cp. MLG.
hevelt, ON. hafald, 'heddle' and see heave. Cp.
also heald.
Derivative: heddle, tr. v.
hedenbergite, n., a calcium iron pyroxene (min-
eral.) — Named after the Swedish chemist
M. A. Ludwig Hedenberg. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Hedeoma, n., a genus of plants, the mock penny-
royal (bot.) — ModL., altered fr. Gk. 7)Suocru.ov,
'the mint', prop. neut. of the adj. -f)Suoa(io<;,
'sweet-smelling, fragrant', which is compounded
of 7)865, 'sweet', and ooji-rj, 'scent, odor'; so
called in allusion to the fragrant blossoms. See
hedonic and osmium.
heder, cheder, n., Jewish school for little children.
— Yiddish kheyder, fr. Heb. heder, lit. 'room',
rel. to Punic h-d-r, 'sepulchral vault', h-d-r-t,
'chamber in the sanctuary', Arab, hidr, 'sanct-
uary', and prob. also to Ethiop. khaddra, 'he
dwelled'.
Hedera, n., a genus of woody vines of the gin-
seng family (bot.) — L. hedera, 'ivy', prob. lit.
'the clasping plant', which possibly derives fr.
I.-E. base *ghed-, 'to clasp, reach, attain, hold',
whence also L. praeda (for *prai-heda), 'prey',
prehendere, 'to grasp, seize, take hold of. See
prehensile and cp. lierre.
hederaceous, adj., pertaining to ivy. — L. hede-
rdceus,fr.hedera,'ivy'. See prec. word and -aceous.
hederal
Derivative : hederaceous-ty, adv.
hederal, adj., pertaining to ivy. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. hedera, 'ivy'. See Hedera.
hederated, adj., crowned with ivy. — Formed
with suff. -ed fr. L. hederdtus, fr. hedera, 'ivy'.
See Hedera.
hederic, adj., pertaining to ivy. — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. L. hedera, 'ivy'. See Hedera.
hedge, n. — ME. hegge, fr. OE. hecg, rel. to MDu.
hegge, Du. heg, OHG. hegga, MHG. hegge,
hecke, G. Hecke, 'hedge', ON. heggr, 'the bird
cherry (tree)', prop, 'a tree used for making
hedges', and in gradational relationship to OE.
haga, OS. hago, 'hedge', fr. I.-E. base *qagh-,
'to encompass, enclose', whence also L. caulae
(prop, a dimin. of *cavd, fr. orig. *qaghd), 'a
hole, sheepfold, enclosure', Gaul, caio, 'circum-
vallation', W. cae, 'fence, hedge', Co. ke, 'hedge'.
Cp. haw and words there referred to. Cp. also
inchoate, quay.
hedge, tr. and intr. v. — ME. heggen, fr. hegge,
'hedge'. See hedge, n.
Derivatives: hedg-er, n., hedg-ing, n., hedg-y,
adj.
hedonic, hedonical, adj., pertaining to pleasure. — -
Gk. r)Sovix6?, fr. rjSovr), 'pleasure', fr. t)8u<;,
'sweet', which stands for *swddu, 'sweet', and
is cogn. with L. sudvis (for *suadvis), 'sweet',
OE. swete, 'sweet, pleasant'. See sweet and -ic
and cp. the first element in Hedychium and the
second element in Moneses.
hedonism, n., the doctrine that pleasure is the
chief good (philos.) — Formed with suff. -ism
fr. Gk. 7]Sovri, 'pleasure'. See hedonic.
hedonist, n., an adherent of hedonism. — See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: hedonist-ic, adj., hedonist-ic-al-ly,
adv.
-hedral, combining form used to form adjectives
from nouns ending in -hedron, as in hexahedral.
— See -hedron and adj. suff. -al.
-hedron, combining form used to form nouns
with the meaning 'having a certain number of
faces' (said of geometrical solid figures), as in
hexahedron, polyhedron. — Gk. -eSpov, fr. ISpa
(for *sedra-), 'seat; base, side, face', from the
stem of I£e<j$ai, 'to seat oneself, to sit down',
which stands for *sezesthai and is cogn. with
L. sedere, 'to sit'. See sedentary and cp. Ephedra,
exedra, Sanhedrin, holohedral.
Hedwig, fern. PN. — G., fr. OHG. Haduwig, a
compound of two words which both mean
'strife, struggle'.
Hedychium, n., a genus of plants of the Zingi-
heraceae family (hot.) — ModL., compounded
of Gk. yjSui;, 'sweet', and xicbv, 'snow'. See
hedonic and chiono-.
Hedysarum, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. T)8uoapov, 'the sain-
foin', compounded of f)8ii<;, 'sweet', and aapov,
'broom; sweepings', which is rel. to aatpeiv,
'to sweep, clean'. See hedonic and syrma.
714
heed, tr. and intr. v. — ME. heden, heeden, fr.
OE. hedan, rel. to OS. hodian, OFris. hoda,
OHG. huotan, MHG. hiieten, G. hiiten, 'to
guard, watch', which are denominated fr. OS.
hod, resp. OFris. hod, OHG. huota, MHG.
huote, G. Hut, 'protection, care', OE. hod,
'hood'. See hood,
heed, n. — ME. hede, fr. heden. See heed, v.
Derivatives: heed-ful, adj., heed-ful-ly, adv.,
heed-ful-ness, n., heed-less, adj., heed-less-ly,
adv., heed-less-ness, n.
heehaw, n., i) the bray of a donkey; 2) a guffaw;
intr. v., 1) to bray like a donkey; 2) to guffaw. —
Imitative.
heel, n„ the hind part of the foot. — ME. hele,
heele, fr. OE. hxla, hela, contracted fr. OE.
*hdhita, dimin. of OE. hdh, 'heel'; rel. to ON.
hxll, OFris. hel, hela, Du. hiel. See hock, 'joint',
and dimin. suff. -le.
Derivatives: heel, tr. v., to furnish with heels;
intr. v., to move one's heel, heel-er, n.
heel, intr. v., to lean to one side (said of ships). —
ME. helden, heelden, hielden, fr. OE. heldan,
hieldan, 'to lean, incline, bend down', rel. to
MLG., MDu. helden, Du. hellen, of s.m., OE.
heald, ON. hallr, OHG. hold, 'inclined', helden,
'to bow', OHG. halda, MHG., G. halde, 'slope,
declivity', OE., OS., OFris., OHG., MHG., G.
hold, ON. hollr, Goth, hulps, 'gracious, friendly',
lit. 'inclined', OE. hyldu, hyld, ON. hylli (for
*hylpi), OS. huldi, OFris. helde, MLG., Du.
Am We, OHG. huldi, MHG. hulde,G. 'favor,
grace'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *Scel-,
'to bend, incline', whence also Lith. sails, 'side,
region'. Cp. hilding. For derivatives of base
*klei-, an enlargement of base *kel-, see clinical.
Derivative: heel-ing, n.
heft, n., 1) the act of heaving (dial.); 2) weight;
importance (colloq.) — Formed from the stem
of heave (q.v.); heft stands to heave as weft
stands to weave. Cp. haft.
Derivatives: heft, tr. v., 1) to lift; 2) to try (the
weight of something) by lifting; 3) to weigh,
heft-y, adj., muscular.
Hegelian, adj., pertaining to the German philo-
sopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (i77°-
183 1). For the ending see suff. -ian.
Derivatives: Hegelian, n., an adherent of Hegel
or his philosophy, Hegelian-ism, n., the philo-
sophy of Hegel.
hegemonic, adj., pertaining to hegemony; lead-
ing. — Gk. 7)Y^ 0VUt6 ?> 'related to a leader',
fr. fj-j-eiAwv, gen. t^^oc,. See next word and -ic
Derivative: hegemonic-al, adj.
hegemony, n. — Gk. Tj-j-e^ovta, 'leadership', fr.
rjYEjxciv, gen. tjy^vos, 'leader', fr. ■})Y e ' (, ^ al
(Dor. ayeTCT^ai), 'to lead', orig. prob. 'to track
down the way', fr. I.-E. base *sdg-, *s*g-, 'to
track down, trace, seek', whence also L. sdgire,
'to perceive quickly or keenly', sagus, 'pre-
saging, predicting, prophetic', sagax, 'saga-
cious*, Goth, sokjan, OE. secart, 'to seek'. See
715
Helicon
seek and -y (representing Gk. -ia) and cp.
hegumen. Cp. also exegesis and words there
referred to.
hegira, n., the flight of Mohammed from Mecca
(in 622). — Arab, hijra", 'flight', fr. hdjara, 'he
fled, emigrated'. Cp. Hagar.
hegumen, n., the first official in a monastery of an
Orthodox Eastern Church. — ML. hegumenus,
fr. Gk. •f)Y°V £V0, ;> lrt - 'leading', pres. part, of
TjyEiCT^ai, 'to lead'. See hegemony. For the suff.
-[xevo? see alumnus and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
heifer, n. — ME. hayfare, fr. OE. heahfore, of
uncertain origin.
heigh, interj. — Imitative.
heigh-ho, interj. — Imitative.
height, n. — ME. heighthe, heighte, fr. OE. hlehdu,
heahdu, hehdu, 'height', rel. to ON. hied, Dan.
h0ide, Swed. hdjd, Du. hoogte, OHG. hohida,
Goth, hauhipa, 'height', and to OE. heah, 'high'.
See high and subst. suff. -t.
Derivative : height-en, tr. and intr. v.
heinous, adj., hateful. — ME. heynous, fr. OF.
haineus (F. haineux), 'full of hatred', fr. haine
(F. haine), 'hatred', fr. OF. (= F.) hair, 'to hate',
fr. Frankish *hatjan, which is rel. to OHG.
Aajjon, ha^^en, OE. hatian, 'to hate'. See hate,
v. and n. For the ending see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: heinous-ly, adv., heinous-ness, n.
heintzite, n., a hydrous magnesium potassium
borate (mineral.) — G. Heintzit, named after
the German chemist Wilhelm Heinrich Heintz
(1817-80). The ending -it goes back to Gk. -frr)?;
see subst. suff. -ite.
heir, n. — ME., fr. OF. heir, eir (F. hoir), fr.
VL. *herem (whence also OProvenc. er, 'heir'),
for L. heredem, acc. of hires, 'heir', prob. a
compound meaning 'he who obtains that which
is left'. The first element of this compound
derives fr. I.-E. base *ghe(i)-, 'to lack, be empty;
to yawn', whence also OI. jdhdti, 'leaves, aban-
dons, gives up', jihite, 'goes away', Gk. yjfioc,,
'bereaved of, x«weiv, 'to gape, yawn', yr^oq,
'lack, want'. See go and cp. chori-. The second
element is *ed-. It is prob. formed from the
preposition *e, 'beside, close by' (which stands
in gradational relationship to prep. *6, 'close,
by', appearing in OI., Avestic a-, 'toward'; see
agama, 'Indian scripture'), and base *do-, 'to
give'. See date, 'point of time'. Cp. heredity,
heritage, exheridate, inherit.
Derivatives : heir, tr. v., heirdom (q.v.), heirloom
(q.v.)
heirdom, n. — A hybrid coined fr. heir and suff.
-dom (fr. OE. -dom).
heirloom, n. — A hybrid coined fr. heir and loom
(this latter is here used in the original, now
obsol., sense 'tool, implement, piece of fur-
niture').
heirship, n. — A hybrid formed fr. heir with suff.
-ship (fr. OE. -scipe).
hejira, n. — See hegira.
helcosis, n., ulceration (med.) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. sXxcoatc;, fr. eXxo;, 'festering wound, sore,
ulcer', which is cogn. with L. ulcus. See ulcer
and -osis.
held, past tense and pp. of hold, — ME. field, fr.
OE. heold, fr. healdan, haldan. See hold.
Helen, fern. PN. — L. Helena (prob. through the
medium of F. Helene), fr. Gk. 'EXsvr), which
prob. derives fr. eXevrj (Hesychius), 'torch of
reeds', a collateral form of sXavir), of s.m. These
words, which have also the meaning 'bundle of
reeds', prob. derive from the stem of sIXelv,
Att. eEXeiv, 'to roll, turn, twist'. See volute and
cp. Helenus, Helle.
Helenium, n., a genus of plants, the sneezeweed
(bot.) — L. helenium, 'elecampane', fr. Gk.
eXeviov, which is of uncertain origin. It pos-
sibly derives fr. eXo?, 'marsh, marsh meadow',
and was so called because it grows in humid
places. Gk. SXaq stands for *selos and is cogn.
with OI. sdras-, 'pond'. Cp. Helonias.
Helen of Troy, the beautiful sister of the Dioscuri,
and wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta (Greek
mythol.) — See Helen.
Helenus, n., a soothsayer, son of Priam, king of
Troy (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. "BXevo?,
which is rel. to '~Ekb>t\. See Helen.
heliacal, adj., pertaining to the sun. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. TjXiaxii;, 'of the sun',
fr. r{kioc, 'sun', which stands for *sdwelios and
is cogn. with L. sol (prob. fr. *sdwel-, through
*sdwdl, *swdl), 'sun'. See Sol and cp. helio-,
anthelion, aphelion, ephelis, Heliothis, parhelion,
perihelion.
heli-, form of helio- before a vowel.
Helianthemum, n., a genus of plants, the rock-
rose (bot.) — ModL., compounded of heli- and
Gk. 6tv,%?, 'flower'. See anther.
Helianthus, n., a genus of plants, the sun flower
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'sun flower', coined by
Linnaeus fr. Gk. r^Xio;;, 'sun', and Sv&o?,
'flower'. See heliacal and -anthus.
helic-, form of helico- before a vowel,
helical, adj., having the form of a spiral. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. helix, gen.
helicis, 'coil, spiral'. See helix.
Derivative: helical-ly, adv.
helico-, before a vowel helic-, combining form
meaning 'spiral'. — Gk. tXiy.o-, eXix-, fr. SXi*;,
gen. eXixo;, 'spiral'. See helix,
helicogyre, n., a kind of helicopter. — Com
pounded of helico- and Gk. yupoq, 'circle, ring'.
See gyre.
helicoid. adj., spiral. — Gk. IXixoEiSTj?, 'of spiral
form', compounded of eXi!;, gen. 2Xixo<;, 'spiral',
and -oeiSyji;, 'like', fr. etSo?, 'form, shape'. See
helical and -oid.
Derivative: helicoid, n., a screwlike surface.
Helicon, n., a mountain in Boeotia sacred to the
Muses. — L., fr. Gk. 'EXixcov (Boeotian f eXl-
xc&v), lit. 'the tortuous mountain', fr. gXi5, gen.
gXixos, 'spiral'. See helix.
helicopter
716
helicopter, n. — F. helicoptere, compounded of
Gk. £Xi£, gen. eXixoq, *coil, spiral', and x-rspov,
'wing'. See helix and ptero-.
helicotrema, n., the opening connecting the two
scalae in the cochlea {cmat.) — Medical L., fr.
F. helicotreme, a word coined by the French ana-
tomist Gilbert Breschet (1784-1845) fr. Gk.
gx£, gen. gXixo?, 'spiral', and Tp5j|xa, 'that
which is bored through, hole'. Accordingly heli-
cotrema lit. means 'hole in the cochlea (of the
ear)'. For the etymology of the first element see
helix. The second element is rel. to Ti-xpav, 'to
rub, grind, pierce', Tsipsiv, 'to rub away, wear
away', fr. I.-E. base *ter-, 'to rub, turn, twist',
whence also L. terere, 'to rub', OE. prawan, 'to
throw'. See throw. For the ending see suff. -ma.
helio-, before a vowel heli-, combining form de-
noting the sun. — Gk. -rjXio-, tjXi-, fr. ^Xioq,
'sun'. See heliacal.
heliocentric, adj., pertaining to the sun as the
center. — Compounded of helio- and centric.
Cp. geocentric.
Derivative: heliocentric-ism, n.
heliochrome, n., photograph in natural colors. —
Compounded of helio- and Gk. xp<ou.a, 'color'.
See chrome.
Derivatives : heliochrom-ic, adj., heliochrom-y, n.
heliofugal, adj., tending to fly from the sun
(astron.) — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. p.101;, 'sun',
L. fugere, 'to fly from, flee', and L, sun", -dlis
(see helio-, fugacious and adj. suff. -al). The
correct form would be solifugal, in which both
elements are of Latin origin.
heliogram, n., a message conveyed by helio-
graph. — Compounded of helio- and Gk.
ypa[i.n<x, 'that which is written'. See -gram.
heliograph, n., 1) an instrument for taking photo-
graphs of the sun; 2) an instrument for measur-
ing the intensity of sunlight. — Compounded
of helio- and Gk. -ypatpo;, fr. fpacpstv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivatives : heliograph, tr. v., heliograph-ic, adj.,
heliograph-y, n.
heliogravure, n., photoengraving. — F. helio-
gravure, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. fjXioi;, 'sun',
and gravure, 'engraving', a word of Teut. origin.
See Helios and gravure.
heliology, n., the study of the sun. — Compound-
ed of helio- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -X6yo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
heliometer, n., an instrument for determining the
angular distance between two stars (astron.) —
F. heliomdtre, orig. 'instrument for measuring
the diameter of the sun'; compounded of belio-
and Gk. |/expov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical
rhythm'.
Derivative: heliometr-y, n.
Heliopsis, n., a genus of plants, the oxeye (60/.)
— ModL., compounded of heli- and Gk. 6tyu;,
'sight, appearance'. See -opsis.
Helios, n., the sun god in Greek mythology. —
Gk. "HXios, personification of fjXios, 'sun'. See
helio-.
helioscope, n., a device for observing the sun
without injury to the eyes {astron.) — F. helio-
scope, compounded of helio- and Gk. -cx67riov,
fr. ctxcoteTv, 'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivatives: helioscop-ic, adj., helioscop-y, n.
heliosis, n., injury caused to the body by ex-
posure to the sun (med.) — Medical L„ fr. Gk.
TjXtocii;, 'exposure to the sun', fr. TjXiouo^ai, 'to
be exposed to the sun', fr. -^Xwx;. See heliacal
and -osis.
heliostat, n., an instrument for reflecting the rays
of the sun in one direction. — ModL. heliostata
or F. heliostat, compounded of Gk. t^Xio?, 'sun',
and axax6<;, 'placed, standing'. See heliacal and
static andcp. aerostat and words there referred to.
Derivative: heliostat-ic, adj.
heliotherapy, n., treatment of disease by sun-
light. — Compounded of helio- and -therapy.
Heliothis, n., a genus of moths, the bollworm
(zool.) — ModL., irregularly formed fr. Gk.
Y]Xtom<;, 'the dawn', prop. fem. of the adjective
oXkott]?, meaning 'of the sun', fr. ^Xio?. See
heliacal.
heliotrope, n., orig. a plant that turns to the sun;
now any plant of the borage family, with frag-
rant purple or white flowers. — F. heliotrope,
fr. L. heliotropium, fr. Gk. TjXioxpoTUov, 'helio-
trope', lit. 'that which turns toward the sun',
fr. 4jXioi;, 'sun', and -xporox;, 'turning', fr.
xpibreiv, 'to turn'. See helio- and trope.
heliotropic, adj., characterized by heliotropism.
— See next word and -tropic.
Derivative : heliotropic-al-ly, adv.
heliotropism, n., tendency of a plant to turn to-
ward the sun's rays. — Compounded of helio-,
Gk. Tp67tos or xpo7rr), 'a turning', and suff. -ism.
See trope, tropism and cp. geotropism, hydrotro-
pism, hygrotropism, nyctitropism, orthotropism,
selenotropism.
Heliotropium, n., a genus of plants, the turnsole
(bot.) — ModL. See heliotrope,
heliotype, n., picture produced by heliotypy. —
Compounded of helio- and type,
heliotypography, n., a process of photoengraving.
— Compounded of helio- and typography,
heliotypy, n., process in which prints are made
from a gelatin film exposed under a negative. —
See heliotype and subst. suff. -y.
Heliozoa, n. pi., an order of protozoans (zool.) —
ModL., lit. 'sun animals', fr. helio- and £oia, pi.
of Ctoov, 'animal'. See zoo-.
Derivatives: heliozo-an, adj. and n.
helium, n., name of a gaseous element (chem.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. fjXux;, 'the sun'; so called by
the English astronomer Sir Joseph Norman
Lockyer (1836-1920) and the English chemist
Sir Edward Frankland (1825-99). because it was
first observed by them in the spectrum of the
sun (in 1868, during an eclipse). See heliacal
and -ium.
717
helo-
helix, n., spiral line. — L., fr. Gk. gXi£ (for
*FeXi£), 'spiral, coil', from the stem of EXiacretv
(for *feX(xiciv), 'to turn about, wind, roll',
fr. I.-E. base *wel-, 'to bend, turn, twist, roll'.
See volute and words there referred to and cp.
esp. Helicon, helminth.
hell, n. — ME. helle, fr. OE. hell, rel. to OS. hellja,
ON. hel, OFris. helle, hille, Du. hel, OHG. hel-
lia, hella, MHG. helle, G. Holle, Goth, halja,
'hell', lit. 'that which hides', fr. I.-E. base *kel-,
'to hide, conceal', whence also OE. heall, hall,
'hall'. See hall.
Derivatives: hell-ish, adj., hell-ish-ly, adv., hell-
ish-ness, n.
hellbender, n., a large aquatic salamander. —
Formed fr. hell, bend, v., and agential suff. -er.
Helle, n., the daughter of Athamas and Nephele,
who was drowned in the strait which was called
the Hellespont (now = the Dardanelles) after
her. — L., fr. Gk. "EXXtj, which is of uncertain
origin. It possibly means 'the bright one', and
is rel. to sXaw), 'torch of reeds'. See Helen.
hellebore, n. — F., fr. L. helleborus, fr. Gk. sXXe-
Popo?, which prob. means lit. 'eaten by fawns',
and is compounded of zKkoq (sXX6<;), 'fawn',
and stem (ipto- (whence (3i(3p&><jxsi.v), 'to eat'.
For the first element see elk, for the second see
voracious.
helleborine, n., name of an orchidaceous plant. —
L. helleborine, fr. Gk. eXXePoptvir), lit. 'a plant
resembling hellebore', fr. sXXipopoi;. See helle-
bore and -ine (representing Gk. -tvy;).
Helleborus, n., a genus of plants, the hellebore
(bot.) — ModL. See hellebore.
Hellen, n., son of Deucalion and eponymous
ancestor of the Greeks. — Gk. "EXXtqv, 'Hellen'
(whence the pi. "EXXyive?, 'descendants of Hel-
len; Greeks'), of uncertain origin; possibly
standing for "EX-Xr;v and lit. meaning 'seizer,
taker', and rel. to eX-eiv, 'to take', eX<op,
eXtopiov, 'prey, booty'. See sell and cp. Hel-
lenize. Cp. also counsel.
Hellene, n., Greek. — Gk. "EXXy)v. See prec.
word.
Hellenic, adj., Greek. — Gk. 'EXXTjvixi;, 'Greek',
fr. "EXXfjve?, 'Greeks'. See Hellen and -ic.
Hellenism, n., 1) a Greek phrase or idiom; 2)
Greek culture; 3) adoption of Greek culture.
— Gk. 'EXX7jvt(TU.6i;, imitation of the Greeks,
Hellenism', fr. *EXXt)v^eiv, 'to speak Greek,
make Greek' (see Hellenize); introduced in 1836
by the German historian Johann Gustav Droy-
sen (1808-84) as a term denoting the develop-
ment of Greek culture from Alexander the Great
to the end of antiquity.
Hellenist, n., 1) an admirer of Greek culture; 2) a
Greek Jew. — Gk. "EXXt]vi<i|ji6i;, 'one who uses
the Greek language', esp. 'Greek Jew', fr. 'EX-
Xrjvl£eiv. See next word.
Derivative: Hellenist-ic, Hellenist-ic-al, adjs.,
Hellenist-ic-al-ly, adv.
Hellenize, tr. v., to make Greek in character;
intr. v., to adopt the Greek speech, customs,
etc. — Gk. 'EXXt)vI£siv, 'to speak Greek, make
Greek, Hellenize', fr. "EXXrjvei;, 'Greeks'. See
Hellen and -ize.
Derivatives: Helleniz-ation, n., Helleniz-er, n.
Helleno-, combining form meaning 'Gitek-'. —
'EXXtjvo-, fr. "EXX7)ve?, 'Greeks'. See Hellen.
heller, n., name of a small coin formerly current
in Germany and Austria. — G. Heller, fr.
MHG. holier, heller, short for Holler pfenninc,
i.e. 'pfennig coined at Hall (in Swabia)'. For
sense development cp. dollar. For the ending
see agential suff. -er.
hellhound, n., 1) a dog of hell, such as Cerberus;
2) a demon. — ME. hellehund, fr. OE. helle
hund, lit. 'hound of hell'. See hell and hound.
hello, interj. — A var. of hallo.
helm, n., tiller; steering wheel of a vessel. — ME.
helme, fr. OE. helma, 'rudder', rel. to OHG.
helmo, 'tiller', MHG. halm(e), helm, G. Helm,
'handle of an ax, helve', and to E. helve and
halter (qq.v.)
helm, n., helmet (poet.) — ME., fr. OE. helm. See
helmet. Derivative: helm-ed, adj.
helmet, n. — OF., dimin. of helme (F. heaume),
'helmet', fr. Frankish *helm, which is rel. to
OHG., MHG., G., OFris., OS., OE. helm, ON.
hjalmr, Goth, hilms. These words prob. meant
orig. 'cover, protection', and derive fr. I.-E.
base *kel-, 'to cover, hide, conceal', whence also
OE. helan, etc., 'to conceal'. See hall and cp.
the second element in Anselm, Kenelm, Wil-
liam. Cp. also It. elmo, OProvenc. elm, Sp.
yelmo, 'helmet', which also are Teut. loan words.
Derivative: helmet-ed, adj.
helminth, n., a parasitic worm. — Gk. tkyxc,
(later form SX(uvi;), gen. eX(xtvS-o?, for *f eXjxiv;,
lit. 'that which rolls or twists', rel. to EXiooetv
(for *f eXixieiv), 'to wind, roll', eXi£ (for *f sXi5),
'spiral'. See helix and cp. the second element
in nemathelminth. Derivative: helminth-ic, adj.
helminth-, form of helmintho- before a vowel.
helminthiasis, n., a disease caused by the pre-
sence of parasitic worms in the body (med.) —
Medical L., fr. Gk. eXuiv&iav, 'to suffer from
worms', fr. eX[ju<;, gen. 2X(iiv9o<;. See helminth
and -iasis.
helmintho-, before a vowel helminth-, combining
form meaning 'worm' (med.) — Gk. sX(uv$o-,
eXuiv$-, fr. eX[u?, 8 en - £Xu.iv#o<;, 'worm'. See
helminth.
helmintbology, n., the study of worms (esp. of
parasitic worms). — Compounded of hel-
mintho- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoc, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
helmless, adj., having no helm (said of a vessel).
— See helm, 'tiller', and -less.
helmless, adj., having no helmet. — See helmet
and -less.
helo-, combining form meaning 'marsh'. — Gk.
4Xo-, fr. 2Xo?, 'marsh'. See Helenium.
helo-
718
helo-, combining form meaning 'nail'. — Gk.
rjXo-, fr. fjXoi; ( = Dor. aXoe), 'nail', which is rel. to
Aeol. faXXoi (pi.), written yiXkoi (Hesychius),
'nails', and prob. cogn. with L. vallus, 'stake,
pale', vallis, 'valley', fr. I.-E. base *wal-, *wel-, 'to
bend'. See vale, 'valley', and cp. words there
referred to.
Heloderma, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of helo-, 'marsh', and
derma.
Helonias, n., a genus of plants of the family
Melanthaceae (bot) — ModL., lit. 'a marsh
plant', fr. Gk. eXo?, 'marsh'. See Helenium.
Helot, n., i) one of the original inhabitants of La-
conia, made serfs by the Spartans (Greek hist.) ;
2) (not cap.) a serf. — L. Helotes, fr. Gk.
EiXoite?, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
stands for *fjX(OTE<;, fr. *e-f eX-ute?, lit. 'captives
(scil. of the Spartans)', and is rel. to Gk.
aXtazEoOat (for *faXtax£cri>ai), 'to be taken
captive', fr. I.-E. base *wel-, 'to seize, take,
steal', whence also L. vellere (for *wehere), 'to
pluck, pull, twitch', volnus, vulnus, 'wound'. See
vellicate and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: helot-age, n., helot-ism, n., helot-
ry, n.
help, tr. and i:itr. v. — ME. helpen, fr. OE. hel-
pan, rel. to OS. helpan, ON. hjalpa, Dan. hjxlpe,
Swed. hjalpa, OFris. helpa, MLG., MDu., Du.
helpen, OHG. hetfun, MHG., G. helfen, Goth.
hilpan, 'to help', and cogn. with Lith. selpiit,
Selpti, 'to help, support', pa-salpd, 'support'.
Derivatives: help, n. (q.v.), help-er, n., help-
ing, n.
help, n. — OE. help (fern, and masc), helpe (fern.),
fr. helpan, 'to help', rel. to ON. hjalp, Dan.
hjxlp, Swed. hjalp, OFris. helpe, Du. hulp,OHG.
helfa, hilfa, MHG. helfe, hilfe, G. Hilfe. See
help, v.
Derivatives: help-ful, adj., help-ful-ly, adv.,
help-ful-ness, n., help-less, adj., help-less-ly, adv.,
help-less-ness, n.
helpmate, n., a companion; esp. applied to a
wife. — Corruption of helpmeet.
helpmeet, n., a helpmate. — From a misunder-
standing of the English rendering of Heb. 'her
khieghdS in Gen. 2:18 and 20 'an help meet for
him'. See help, n. and meet, 'suitable'.
helter-skelter, adv., in haste and confusion. —
Of imitative origin.
Derivatives: helter-skelter, adj. and n.
helve, n., handle of an ax. — ME. hilve, helve,
fr. OE. hielf, helfe, rel. to OS. helvi, MDu. helf,
helve, OHG. halb, MHG. halp, 'handle of an
ax, helve', OHG. helmo, 'tiller', and cogn. with
Lith. kilpa, 'stirrup', kdlpa, 'traverse of a sled-
ge'. Cp. halter and helm, 'tiller'.
Derivative: helve, tr. v.
Helvetia, n., a genus of sac fungi (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. helvella, 'a small potherb', dimin. formed
fr. helvus, 'light bay'. See yellow and -ella and
cp. next word.
helvite, n., a yellow mineral. — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. L. helvus, 'light bay'. See
yellow and cp. prec. word.
hem, n., edge, border. — ME. hemm, hem, fr. OE.
hemm, hem, rel. to ON. hemja, 'to bridle, curb',
Dan. hemme, Swed. hdmma, 'to stop, restrain',
OFris. hemma, 'to hinder', MDu., MHG., G.
hemmen, 'to hem in, stop, hinder', and to OE.
hamm, 'enclosed pasture land'.
hem, tr. v. — ME. hemmen, fr. OE. hemman, fr.
hem, 'edge, border'. See hem, v.
Derivative : hemm-er, n.
hem, n., interjection and intr. v. — Imitative.
hem-, form of hemo- before a vowel.
hemal, haemal, adj., pertaining to blood. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. Gk. alu.a, 'blood',
which possibly stands for *sai-men and is cogn.
with OS. sem, ON. seimr, MDu. seem, Du.
zeem, OHG., MHG., G. seim, 'virgin honey'.
The original meaning of both Greek atu.oc and
these Teut. words seems to have been 'a viscid
liquid'. Cp. -emia.
hemat-, form of hemato- before a vowel.
hematic, haematic, adj., pertaining to blood, of
the color of blood. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. alu.<x, gen. aiu-a-ros, 'blood'. See hemal.
hematin, hematine, haematin, haematine, n., the
coloring matter of hemoglobin (biochem.) —
Formed with chem. suff. -in, resp. -ine, fr. Gk.
at[xa, gen. a'tjiaToi;, 'blood'; see hemal.
hematite, haematite, n., an ore of iron (mineral.)
— L. haematites, fr. Gk. <x\\xtnhn)ti., 'bloodlike',
used in the sense of Xi#o; a'i|i.<xTf"r/;c, 'a red
iron ore', fr. aXy.**, gen. aEu.axo(;, 'blood'. See
hemal and subst. .uff. -ite.
Derivative: hematit-ic, adj.
hemato-, haemato-, before a vowel hemat-, hae-
mat-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
blood'. — Gk. ai|i(XTo-, ai(j.a-r-, fr. alu.a, gen.
nl[uxTOQ, 'blood'. See hemal.
hematocele, haematocele, n., a tumor containing
blood (med.) — Compounded of hemato- and
Gk. xtjXt), 'tumor'. See -cele.
hemato-crystallin, haemato-crystallin, hemoglo-
bin in a crystalline condition. — See hemato-
and crystalline.
hematocyte, haematocyte, n., a blood cell. —
Compounded of hemato- and Gk. xu-ro?, 'a hol-
low vessel'. See -cyte.
hematoidin, haematoidin, n., an ironfree yellowish
pigment (biochem.) — Coined by the German
pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1 821-1902) fr.
hemato-, -oid and chem. suff. -in.
hematology, n., the science of the blood (med.)
— Compounded of hemato- and -logy.
Derivatives: hematolog-ic adj., hematolog-ist, n.
hemer-, form of hemero- before a vowel.
hemeralopia, n., i)day blindness; 2) night blind-
ness. — Medical L., fr. Gk. 7)u.£paXcoy, 'blind
by day', compounded of r)|xlp5, 'day', akaoc,,
'blind', and tity (gen. £>iz6c), 'eye'. For the ety-
mology of Gk. rj(jL£pa see hemero-. Gk. dXa6i;
719
hemp
prob. means lit. 'not seeing', and is formed fr.
a- (seepriv. pref. a) and the stem of Xasw, 'to see',
which is cogn. with OI. Idsati, 'shines, beams'.
For the etymology of Gk. &ty see -opia. Cp.
nyctalopia. Derivative : hemeralop-ic, adj.
hemero-, before a vowel hemer-, combining form
meaning 'day'. — Gk. r](xepo-, *)u.cp-, fr. Tjuipa,
'day', which is rel. to ^(Jtap of s.m., and cogn.
with Arm. aur (fr. *amur), 'day'. Cp. ephemeral,
hemeralopia, Mcsembryanthemum.
Hemerocallis, n., a genus of plants, the day lily
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. -fniepoxaXXE;, 'a kind
of lily', which is compounded of -quipa, 'day'
and xAXXo?, 'beauty' (see hemero- and calo-);
so called because its flowers blossom only one
single day.
hemi-, pref. in words of Greek origin, meaning
'half. — Gk. y]u,i-, for *semi-, cogn. with OI.
sdmi, 'half, L. semi-, OE. sdm-, OHG. sdmi-,
'half. See semi-.
-hernia, haemia. — Variants of -emia.
hemialgia, n., pain involving only one side of
the body (med.) — Medical L., compounded of
hemi- and Gk. -aXyia, fr. SXyo?, 'pain'. See -algia.
hemicrania, n., a periodical headache, usually on
one side of the head only. — Late L. hemicrania,
fr. Gk. Y)[xixpavta, 'pain on one side of the
head', which is compounded of f^ii- (see hemi-)
and xpavtov, 'head, skull' ; see cranium. Cp. mi-
graine, megrim.
hemicycle, n., semicircle. — F. hemicycle, fr. L.
hemicyclus, fr. Gk. 7]u.ixuxXt.ov, 'semicircle',
prop. neut. of the adjective ■J)[jlixuxXio<;, 'semi-
circular', fr. rjfxi- (see hemi-) and xuxXo?, 'circle'.
See cycle.
hemielytron, hemielytnim, n., one of the fore
wings of certain insects (entomol.) — ModL.,
compounded of hemi- and elytron.
hemin, haemin, n., the hydrochloride of hematin
(biochem.) — Formed with chem. suff. -in fr.
Gk. aljxa, 'blood'. See hemal.
hemiplegia, n., paralysis of one side of the body
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of hemi-
and Gk. -TCXrjyia, fr. ttXijyt), 'stroke'. See -plegia.
Derivative: hemipleg-ic, adj.
Hemiptera, n. pi., an order of insects, the bugs
(entomol.) — ModL., compounded of hemi-
and Gk. 7rr£p6v, 'wing'. See ptero-.
hemipterous, adj., pertaining to the Hemiptera.
— See prec. word and -ous.
hemisphere, n., half of the surface of a sphere
a sphere; esp. half of the surface of the earth. —
F. hemisphere, fr. L. haemisphaerium, fr. Gk.
r,Luatpa(piov, which is compounded of (see
hemi-) and a9aTpa, 'ball, globe, sphere'. See
sphere.
hemispherical, adj. — See hemi-, spheric and adj.
suff. -al.
hemistich, n., half of a poetic line. — L. hemi-
stichium, fr. Gk. •f)(j.«jTtxiov, 'half line, half
verse', compounded of fun- (see hemi-) and
otCxoi;, 'row, line, rank; verse', which is related
to ctteIxeiv, 'to go, march in order'. See acrostic
and cp. words there referred to.
hemlock, n. — ME. humlok, hemlok, fr. OE.
hymlic, hymlice, hemlic, of uncertain origin.
hemo-, haemo-, before a vowel hem-, haem-, com-
bining form meaning 'blood'. — Gk. 01.iy.o-,
cd[i-, fr. txXfxa,, 'blood'. See hemal and cp.
hemato-.
hemoglobin, haemoglobin, n., the coloring matter
of the red blood corpuscles (biochem.) — Short-
ened by the German chemist Ernst Felix Im-
manuel Hoppe-Seyler (1825-95) fr- earlier hae-
matoglobulin, fr. haemato- (in the sense of
haematin) and globulin.
hemophilia, haemophilia, n., tendency to bleeding
(med.) — Medical L., coined by the German
physician Johann Lucas Schonlein (1793-1864)
in 1828 fr. haemo- and Gk. cptXia, 'friendship',
here used in the sense of 'tendency to'. See
philo-.
hemoptysis, haemoptysis, n., spitting of blood
(med.) — ModL., compounded of hemo- and
Gk. ir-rum?, 'spitting', fr. 7ttueiv, 'to spit'. See
ptyalin.
hemorrhage, haemorrhage, n., bursting of a blood-
vessel (med.) — Medical L. haemorrhagia, fr.
Gk. aiu,oppayt(x, 'haemorrhage', which is com-
pounded of aifjto- (see hemo-) -ppayia, 'a burst-
ing forth', fr. prjyviivai, 'to break, burst'. See
-rrhagia.
Derivatives : hemorrhag-ic, hemorrhag-ic-al, adjs.
hemorrhoidal, haemorrhoidal, adj. — F. hemor-
rhoidal. See next word and adj. suff. -al.
hemorrhoids, haemorrhoids, n. pi., piles. — F.
hemorr(h)oides, fr. L. haemorrhotdae, fr. Gk.
alfxoppofSe; (<pXEf3st;), '(veins) liable to dis-
charge blood' (esp. used in the sense of 'hemor-
rhoids') pi. of atfxoppot?, fr. ai^ioppoo!;, 'flowing
with blood', compounded of od\xo- (see hemo-)
and pEEiv, 'to flow', which stands for *apEfeiv.
See stream.
hemostasis, haemostasis, hemostasia, haemostasia,
n., stoppage of bleeding (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. aEu.6<jxa(Ti?, which is compounded of
aE(io- (see hemo-) and cttocoi?, 'standing, stand-
ing still'. See stasis.
hemostat, haemostat, n., anything that stops
hemorrhage; specif., an instrument used to
compress a bleeding vessel. — Fr. hemostatic.
hemostatic, haemostatic, adj., serving to stop
hemorrhage; styptic. — Compounded of hemo-
and Gk. cttcctlxo^, 'causing to stand'. See static.
hemp, n. — ME., fr. OE. hznep, henep, rel. to
OS. hanap, ON. hampr, Swed. hampa, Dan.
hamp, MDu., Du. hennep, OHG. hanaf, MHG.
hanef, hanf, G. Hanf(= Teut. *hanap). Cp. Gk.
xdcwocpi? (whence L. cannabis), Arm. kanap',
Alb. kanep, Russ.-Church Slav. konoplja(whence
Lith. kandpes), 'hemp'. All these words are
loan words from a foreign, possibly Scythian,
language. Cp. canvas, canvass. Cp. also sunn.
Derivative: hemp-en, adj.
hen
720
hen, n. — ME., fr. OE. hen, henn, rel. to
OFris. henn, MDu. henne, Du. hen, OHG. henna,
heninna, MHG., G. henne, 'hen', OE., OFris.,
Goth, hana, OS., OHG. hano, ON. hani, Dan.,
Swed., MLG., MDu. hane, Du. haan, MHG.
hane, han, G. Hahn, 'cock'. These words lit.
mean 'the singing bird', and are cogn. with L.
canere, 'to sing'. For sense development cp. the
cogn. Gk. Y)'£-xav6<;, (Hesychius) 'cock', lit.
'singer of the dawn'. See cant, 'slang of beggars',
and words there referred to and cp. esp.
chanticleer.
Derivative: henn-ery, n.
henad, n., a unit, monad {Platonic philosophy). —
Gk. 4vAq, gen. EvaSo?, formed fr. ev, neut. of
eT?, 'one', with suff. -a?, gen. -a8o?. See heno-
and -ad.
henbane, n. — Compounded of hen and bane.
hence, adv. — ME. hennes (formed with adv. gen.
suff. -s fr. earlier henne), contracted later into
hens (written hence, in order to show that the s
has the voiceless sound), fr. OE. heonan, heonon ;
rel. to OS. hinan, hinana, OHG. hinnan, hinnan,
hinana, MHG., G. hinnen, fr. Teut. pronominal
base *hi-. See he and cp. hinder, adj. For the
spelling with -ce cp. thence, whence.
henchman, n., i) a page or squire ; 2) a follower. —
ME. hengestman, henxtman, henksman, henche-
man, 'groom, squire', formed fr. OE. hengest,
hengst, 'horse', and man, 'man', lit. 'a man at-
tending on a horse'. The first element is rel. to
OFris. hengst, hanxt, Du. hengst, OHG. hengist,
MHG. hengest, hengst, G. Hengst, 'stallion'.
These words prob. mean lit. 'leaper, jumper',
fr. I.-E. base *kaq-, whence also Gk. xtjxieiv,
'to gush forth', Lith. Sdkti, 'to jump, dance',
Sankus, 'quick, swift', MW., OCo. cassec, Bret.
kazek, 'a mare', lit. 'that which belongs to a
stallion'. For the second element see man.
hendeca-, combining form meaning 'eleven'. —
Gk. EvSsxa, compounded of ev, neut. of zIq,
'one', and 8lxa, 'ten'. See heno- and deca-.
hendecagon, n., a plane figure with eleven angles
and eleven sides. — Gk. evSexocycovoi;, 'having
eleven angles'. See hendeca- and -gon and cp.
undecagon.
bendecasyllabic, adj., having eleven syllables. —
L. hendecasyllabus, fr. Gk. EvSExocouXXafJo?,
'having eleven syllables'. See hendeca- and
syllabic.
hendiadys, n., a figure of speech in which two
nouns joined by and are used instead of a noun
with an adjective. — ML. alteration of Gk. ev
Sia SuoTv, 'one (thing) by means of two'. See
heno-, dia- and dual.
henequen, n., the fiber of the plant Agave rigida
sisalana. — Sp. henequen, jeniquen, fr. Taino
henequen.
henna, n., the shrub Lawsonia inermis and the
reddish dye made from its leaves. — Arab.
hinn&\ 'henna', a name of Persian origin. Cp.
alkanet, Alkanna, orcanet.
heno-, combining form meaning 'one'. — Gk.
evo-, neut. of sT? (for *iu-s), fr. ev (for *su-),
'one', fr. I.-E. base *sem-,*sm-, 'one, together'.
See same and words there referred to and cp. esp.
hendeca-, hendiadys, henotic.
henotheism, n., a kind of polytheism in which one
god of the pantheon is raised over the rest. —
Coined by Friedrich Max Miiller (1823-1900),
professor of comparative philology at Oxford,
in his Lectures on the Origin and Growth of
Religion (1878), fr. heno- and 1st theism.
henotheist, n., an adherent of henotheism. —See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: henotheist-ic, adj.
henotic, adj., unifying; harmonizing. — Gk.
ivta-nxo?, 'serving to unite', fr. evouv, 'to make
one, unite', fr. hi, neut. of tic,, 'one'. See heno-.
Henrietta, fern. PN. — F. Henriette, fern, dimin.
of Henri. See next word and cp. Harriet. Cp.
also Etta.
Henry, masc. PN. — F. Henri, fr. Late L. Hen-
ricus, fr. G. Heinrich, fr. OHG. Heimerich, lit.
'the ruler of the house', fr. heim, 'house, home',
and rihhi, 'ruler'. The first element is rel. to
OE. ham, 'home'; see home. For the second
element see rich. Cp. Harry.
henry, n., the unit of inductance (electr.) —
Named after the American physicist Joseph
Henry (1797-1878).
hent, tr. v., to seize (archaic). — ME. henten, fr.
OE. hentan, 'to try to seize, to attack, seize',
which stands in gradational relationship to OE.
huntian, 'to hunt'. See hunt and cp. hint.
heortology, n., the study of feasts. — Compoun-
ded of Gk. Eop-rrj, 'feast, festival', and -Xoyia, fr.
-Xoyos, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ;
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. The first
element is of uncertain origin. It possibly stands
for *fe-fop-x& and lit. means 'a kindly act (to
a deity)' and is rel. to epavos (for *fepavoc),
'a meal to which everyone contributed his
share', and to f,pa, acc. (for *frjpa), in 9jpa
tpepEiv, 'to do a favor', ETU-Tjpa, 'pleasing gifts',
and cogn. with L. severus, 'serious, grave, strict,
austere' ; see severe. For the second element see
-logy.
Derivative: heortolog-i-cal, adj.
hepar, n. , 1 ) the liver ; 2) a liver-colored substance.
— ML., fr. Gk. fjTtap, 'liver'. See hepatic.
heparin, n., an anticoagulant obtained from the
livers of animals (pharm.) — Coined by the
American physiologist William Henry Howell
(i860- 1 945) and the American physician Luther
Emmett Holt Jr. ( 1 895- ) (see the article "Two
new factors in blood coagulation — Heparin
and Pro-antithrombin" in American Journal
of Physiology, 47, 3^8, 1918), fr. Gk. J)raxp
(gen. Y)7taTO<;), 'liver' (see hepatic), and chem.
suff. -in. The correct form would have been
hepatin.
hepat-, form of hepato- before a vowel,
hepatic, adj., pertaining to the liver. — Gk.
721
herb
•fj7taTut6e, 'of the liver', fr. ^7tap, gen. ^na-cot;,
'liver', fr. I.-E. base *ygq v >-r(t), gen. yeq^-nis,
whence also OI. ydfyt, gen. yaknah, Avestic
ydkar 1 , MPers.jakar, ModPers. jigar, L.jecur,
OLith. jeknos, jekanas, Lith. jaknos (pi.), Lett.
aknas, aknis (pi.), 'liver'. Cp. hepar, heparin,
jecoral.
Hepatica, n., a genus of plants, the liverleaf (bot.)
— ML. hepatica, 'liverwort', fr. L. hepatica,
fern, of hepaticus, 'of the liver', fr. Gk. f]7T aTt5ti ?>
'of the liver', of s.m., fr. 3j7tap, gen. -qTuaToi;,
'liver' (see prec. word); so called because the
leaves of the plant resemble the liver.
Hepaticae, n. pi., a class of plants, the liverworts.
— ModL., prop. pi. of prec. word,
hepatization, n., consolidation of the lung owing
to pneumonia (med.) — Lit. 'appearance of a
liver' ; coined by the Italian physician Giovanni
Battista Morgagni (1682-1771), fr. Gk. fax-
ti£siv, 'to be like a liver', fr. 3)Trap, gen. ^Tca-ros,
'liver'. See hepatic and -ize.
hepato-, before a vowel hepat-, combining form
denoting the liver. — Gk. -fjmxTO-, fr. ^nrap, gen.
VaTo;, 'liver'. See hepatic.
hephaestic, adj., pertaining to smiths ; — hephaes-
tic cramp, cramp caused by the excessive use
of the hammer. — See next word and -ic.
Hephaestus, n., the god of fire and metal-working ;
identified later with Vulcan {Greek mythol.) —
L., fr. Gk. "Htpaicrro?, a pre-Hellenic word of
uncertain origin.
Hephzibah, fern. PN. {Bible). — Heb. Hephtzibdh,
lit. 'my delight is in her', compounded of
hephtzt, 'my delight', fr. hiphetz, 'delight,
pleasure, desire', which derives fr. haphltz, 'he
delighted in, desired', and of bah, 'in her', fr.
b e -, 'in', with the fern. suff. of the 3rd person.
See haflz.
Heppiewhite, adj., relating to the style introduced
in England by the cabinetmaker George Heppie-
white (died in 1786).
hept-, form of hepta- before a vowel.
hepta-, before a vowel hept-, combining form
meaning 'seven'. — Gk. ima.-, km-, fr. ima.,
'seven', which stands for *septm and is cogn.
with L. septem, Goth. sibun t OE. seofon, 'seven'.
See seven.
heptachord, n., 1) a seven-stringed instrument;
2) diatonic system of seven tones {mus.) — Gk.
E7TTaxopSoi;, 'seven-stringed'; compounded of
ETtra (see hepta-) and x°P&*l> 'chord'. See chord
and cp. words there referred to.
heptad, n., a group of seven things. — Gk. ETtra?,
gen. ETtraSo?, 'a group of seven', formed fr.
E7tT<x, 'seven', with suff. -a?, gen. -aSo;. See
hepta- and -ad.
heptagon, n., a plane figure with seven angles and
seven sides {geom.) — Gk. kizzx^avoq, 'seven-
cornered', compounded of etctix (see hepta-) and
-ytovoi;, from the stem of ydMa, 'angle'. See
-gon.
Derivative: heptagon-al, adj.
heptahedron, n., a solid figure with seven plane
faces {geom.) — Compounded of hepta- and
Gk. eipa, 'seat; base, side, face'. See -hedron.
heptamerous, adj., consisting of seven parts. — ■
Compounded of hepta- and Gk. uipos, 'part'.
See -merous.
heptarch, n., one of the rulers in a heptarchy. —
Compounded of hept- and Gk. dpx<k, 'leader,
chief, ruler'. See -arch.
heptarchy, n., government by seven persons. —
Compounded of hept- and Gk. -ap/iS, 'rule'.
See -archy.
Heptateuch, n., the first seven books of the Bible.
— Late L. Heptateuchos, fr. Gk. eTrraTSuxoi;
(scil. (MjiXoi;), 'a book consisting of seven
volumes', which is compounded of ijrri (see
hepta-) and teuxo?, 'tool, implement', later,
'book'. See Pentateuch and cp. Hexateuch,
Octateuch.
her, pers. pron. — ME. hire, here, hir, fr. OE.
hiere, hire, hyre, dat. heo, Mo, 'she', fem. of he,
'he'. See he and cp. hers,
her, possessive pronominal adj. — ME. hire, here,
hir, OE. hiere, hire, hyre, gen. of heo, Mo. See
prec. word.
Hera, n., sister and wife of Zeus, queen of the
gods {Greek mythol.); identified by the Romans
with Juno. — L., fr. Gk. "Hp5, which stands for
*"HpFa, lit. means 'protectress', and is rel. to
fjpui;, 'hero', orig. 'defender, protector'. See hero.
Heracles, Herakles, n. — See Hercules.
Heracleum, n., a genus of plants, the cow pars-
nip {bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. -fjpaxXEla, name
of a plant, prop. fem. of the adj. 'HpaxXsicx;,
'pertaining to Hercules', fr. 'HpaxXTj? (see Her-
cules). Accordingly Gk. TjpaxXeia lit. means
'the flower dedicated to Hercules'.
Heraclidae, n. pi, the descendants of Hercules.
— L., fr. Gk. 'HpaxXsTSai, pi. of 'HpaxXst&T);,
'son or descendant of Hercules'. See Hercules
and patronymic suff. -id.
herald, n., 1) forerunner; 2) proclaimed — ME.
herald, heraud, fr. OF. heralt, heraut (F. heraut),
fr. Frankish *hariwald, a compound lit. meaning
'officer of the army'. The first element is rel.
to OHG. heri, MDu., OE. here, 'host, army';
see harry. The second element is rel. to OHG.
waltan, 'to rule'; see wield and cp. the suffix in
spring-al, spring-aid. Cp. the name Chariovolda,
the Batavian chief, mentioned by Tacitus, and
ON. Harald (see Harold), which are of the same
etymology as OF. heralt. It. araldo, Sp. heraldo,
G. Herold, are French loan words.
Derivatives: herald, tr. v., herald-ic, adj., herald-
ic-al-ly, adv., herald-ry, n.
herapathite, n., quinine sulfato-periodide (min-
eral) _ Named after the English chemist
William B. Herapath (1795-1868). For the en-
ding see subst. suff. -ite.
herb, n. — ME. herbe, erbe, fr. OF. erbe (F. her-
be), fr. L. herba, 'grass, herb', which is of un-
certain origin. The spelling with h is due to the
herbaceous
722
influence of L. herba. Cp. yerba and the second
element in contrayerva.
Derivatives: herb-y, herb-less, adjs.
herbaceous, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
herbs. — L. herbdceus, 'grassy', fr. herba. See
herb and -aceous.
herbage, n., herbs collectively. — ME. erbage, fr.
F. herbage, fr. ML. herbdticum, fr. L. herba.
See herb and -age.
herbal, adj., pertaining to herbs. — ML. her-
bdlis, fr. L. herba. See herb and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: herbal, n. (q.v.), he.
herbal, n., a treatise on herbs. — ML. herbale,
prop. neut. of the adjective herbdlis, used as
a noun. See herbal, adj.
herbarium, n., a collection of plants. — Late L.
herbarium, prop, subst. use of the neut. of the
adj. herbdrius, 'pertaining to herbs', fr. L. herba.
See herb and -arium and cp. herbary. Cp. also
arbor.
herbary, n., i) herbarium; 2) a garden of herbs
or vegetables. — Late L. herbarium. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ary.
herb bennet, a European herb with an astringent
root, Geum urbanum. — ME. herbe beneit, fr.
OF. herbe beneite, fr. L. herba benedicta, 'the
blessed herb' (see herb and bennet) ; so called for
its medicinal properties.
Herbert, masc. PN. — Not the direct derivative
of OE. Herebeorht, but of its OHG. equivalent
Hariberct, through the intermediate Latinized
form Herbertus, introduced into England by the
Normans. OHG. Hariberct is compounded of
hari, heri, 'host, army', and beraht, 'bright'. See
harry and bright and cp. the first element in
Herman.
herbiferous, adj., bearing herbs. — L. herbifer,
compounded of L. herba, 'grass, herb', and
ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See herb and -ferous.
Herbivora, n. pi., a group of mammals (zool.) —
ModL., lit. '(mammals) feeding on grass', com-
pounded of L. herba, 'grass, herb', and vordre,
'to devour'. See herb and voracious.
herbivore, n., a herbivorous animal. — See prec.
word.
herbivorous, adj., feeding on grass. — See Herbi-
vora and -ous.
herborist, n., 1) a collector of plants; 2) a her-
balist. — F. herboriste, fr. earlier herboliste, fr.
herboliser. See herborize and -ist.
herborization, n. — F. herborisation, fr. herboriser.
See next word and -ation.
herborize, intr. v., to botanize {archaic). — F.
herboriser, fr. earlier herboliser, a hybrid coined
fr. L. herbula, 'a little herb', dimin. of herba,
and -iser, a suff. of Greek origin. See herb
and -ize.
herb Paris, a liliaceous herb (Paris quadrifolia).
— ML. herba paris, of uncertain origin. Some
scholars see in paris the gen. of L. par, 'equal;
a couple, pair', and translate herba paris ac-
cordingly 'herb of a couple' (see pair). The herb
should have been so called in allusion to the
regular formation of the four leaves. Others ex-
plain the name herba Paris as 'the herb of Paris',
and see in it a reference to Paris, son of Priam
of Troy. Cp. Paris.
herb Robert, n., a kind of geranium with red
flowers (Geranium robertianum). — ME. herbe
robert, fr. ML. herba Roberti, lit. 'Robert's
herb'. It was possibly to called after Robert
Duke of Normandy.
Herculean, adj., 1) pertaining to Herculus; 2)
(usually not cap.) having the strength of Her-
cules; 3) (usually not cap.) very difficult, danger-
ous. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Hercules.
See next word.
Hercules, n., a hero, son of Zeus and Alcmene
(Greek mythol.) — L. Hercules, fr. earlier Her-
cles, fr. Gk. 'HpaxX&r;?, 'HpaxXyji;, lit. 'glory of
Hera', fr. "Hps, 'Hera', and xXlo?, 'glory'. See
Hera and loud and cp. Clio, cledonism, the first
element in Clianthus and the second element in
Damocles, Eteocles, Euclea.
Hercynian, adj., designating, or pertaining to, the
forest-covered mountains of ancient Germany.
— Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Hercynia(sil\a),
Hercynius(saltus), 'Hercynian forest', which,
together with Gk. 'Apxuvux 8pT), 'Opxuvio?
8pGu.6<;, derives fr. OCeltic *Perkunyd, fr. I.-E.
base *perq (o)-, 'oak ; oak forest ; wooded moun-
tain'. See fir and cp. Quercus.
hercynite, n., iron aluminate (mineral.) — So
called because found at Ronsberg, in the Bo-
hemian Forest. See Hercynian. For the ending
see subst suff. -ite.
herd, n., a number of animals. — ME. heorde,
herd, fr. OE. heard, 'herd, flock', rel. to ON.
hjord, Dan., Swed. hjord, OHG. herta, MHG.
herte, G. Herde, Goth, hairda, 'herd', and cogn.
with OI. sdrdhah, 'herd, troop', OSlav. irida,
'herd', Gk. xop^u;, 'heap', xopfliSvsiv, 'to lift,
raise', MW. cordd, 'troop, family', Lith. kefd-
zius, 'shepherd' (derived fr. *kerda, 'flock').
These words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *kerdh-,
*kordh-, 'row, herd, troop'. Cp. herd, 'herds-
man', herder.
herd, n., herdsman, now used chiefly in com-
pounds as cow-herd, shep-herd. — ME. heorde,
herde, fr. OE. hierde, hyrde, rel. to OS. hirdi,
ON. hirdir, Dan. hyrde, Swed. herde, MLG.,
MDu. herde, OHG. hirti, MHG. hirte, hirt,
G. Hirt, Goth, hairdeis, 'herdsman, shepherd',
and to OE. heord, 'herd, flock'. See herd, 'a
number of animals'.
herd, tr. v., to put into a herd; intr. v., to flock
together. — ME. herdien, fr. herde, 'herd'. See
herd, 'a number of animals',
herder, n., one who herds, a herdsman. — Not
derived fr. the E. verb herd, but borrowed fr.
MDu. (= Du.) herder, of s.m., fr. herde, 'herd'
(see herd, 'a number of animals'). See J. F.
Bense, A Dictionary of the Low-Dutch Element
in the English Vocabulary, p. 142.
723
hermandad
hcrderite, n., a beryllium and calcium fluophos-
phate (mineral?) — Named after Baron Sieg-
mund A. W. von Herder (1776-1838), director
of the Saxon mines. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
herdic, n., a kind of cab with two or four wheels.
— Named after its inventor, the American Peter
Herdic (died in 1888).
here, adv. — ME. her, fr. OE. her, rel. to OS.
her, Mr, ON., Goth, her, Dan. her, Swed. har,
MDu., Du. hier, OHG. hiar, MHG., G. hier,
hie, 'here', fr. Teut. pron. base *hi-, correspond-
ing to I.-E. *ki-, 'this; here'. See he and cp.
hither.
Derivative: here, n.
hereafter, adv. and n. — ME. here after, fr. OE.
hersefter. See here and after.
hereditable, adj., heritable. — ML. hereditdbilis,
fr. hereditdre, 'to inherit', fr. heres, gen. heredis.
See heredity and -able and cp. heritable.
Derivative: hereditabil-ity, n.
hereditament, n., any property that may be in-
herited (law). — ML. hereditdmentum, fr. here-
ditdre. See prec. word and -ment.
hereditary, adj., 1) derived from ancestors; 2)
passed down by heredity; 3) transmitted by
inheritance. — L. hereditdrius, 'relating to an in-
heritance, hereditary', fr. hereditds, gen. here-
ditdtis. See next word and adj. suff. -ary and
cp. heritor.
Derivative: hereditari-ly, adv.
heredity, n., the transmission of bodily and mental
characters of parent to offspring. — F. heredite,
fr. L. hereditdtem, acc. of hereditds, 'heirship',
fr. heres, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See heir and -ity.
Hereford, n., name of a breed of red and white
beef cattle. — So called because first bred in
Herefordshire in England.
herem, n., Biblical ban, excommunication. —
Heb. herem, 'person or thing devoted to destruc-
tion', rel. to heherfm, 'he banned, devoted to
destruction, excommunicated', Aram, ahdrim,
'he banned; excommunicated', Arab, hdrama,
'he forebade', hdruma, 'was forbidden', hartm,
'sacred, forbidden', Ethiop. hardma, 'he pro-
hibited from common use; he devoted to', Ak-
kad. hardmu, 'to dedicate', harimtu, 'a dedicated
woman, a female hierodule'. Cp. maranatha,
marrano. Cp. also harem and words there re-
ferred to.
heresiarch, n., a founder or leader of heresy. —
Eccles. L. haeresiarcha, fr. Late Gk. alpeaiap-
XI See heresy and -arch.
heresiography, n., a treatise on heresies. — See
heresy and -graphy.
heresiologist, n., a student of heresies. — Formed
from next word with suff. -ist.
heresiology, n., the study of heresies. — Com-
pounded of heresy and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyot;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
heresy, n., unorthodox belief or doctrine. — ME.
eresie, heresie, fr. OF. eresie, heresie (F. heresie),
fr. Late L. haeresis, fr. Gk. alpsaiQ, 'a taking,
choosing, choice; sect, heresy', fr. aEpela&ai,
'to take for oneself, middle voice of odpsiv,
'to take, choose', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. aphaeresis, diaeresis, synaeresis.
heretic, n., a person guilty of heresy. — ME.
heretike, fr. F. heretique, fr. Eccles. L. haereticus,
fr. Gk. atpsxLxot;, 'able to choose; heretical',
fr. odpsToi;, 'to be chosen, that which may be
chosen', verbal adj. of a'ipeiv. See prec. word
and -etic.
Derivatives: heretic-al, adj., heretic-al-ly, adv.,
heretic-al-ness, n.
hereticate, tr. v., to declare to be heretical. —
Eccles. L. haereticdtus, pp. of haereticdre, 'to
declare to be heretical*, fr. haereticus, 'heretical'.
See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
heretoga, n., leader of an army (Old English hist.)
— OE. heretoga, compounded of here, 'host,
army', and -toga, 'leader', from the stem of
togian, 'to draw, drag', rel. to OS. heritogo,
ON. hertogi, OFris. hertoga, OHG. herizoho,
herizogo, 'leader of an army', prop, loan trans-
lations of Gk. aTpaT7]Xan)<;, 'leader of an army'
(fr. aTpocToi;, 'army', and £Xauvsiv, 'to drive,
draw'). See harry and tow, 'to draw', and cp.
herzog.
heriot, n., feudal due paid to the lord on the death
of a tenant (English law). — ME. heriet, heriot,
fr. OE. heregeatwa, heregeatwe, (pi.), 'military
equipments', which is compounded of here,
'host, army', and geatwa, geatwe (pi.), fr. earlier
getdwe (pi.), 'apparatus, equipments, arms'. For
the first element see harry. The second element
is rel. to OE. tdwian, 'to prepare'; see taw, 'to
prepare'.
heritable, adj., inheritable. — F. heritable, fr. he-
riter, fr. L. hereditdre. See hereditable and -able
and cp. inherit.
Derivatives: heritabil-ity, n., heritabl-y, adv.
heritage, n. — OF. eritage, heritage (F. heritage),
fr. eriter, heriter (F. heriter), 'to inherit', fr. ML.
hereditdre, fr. L. hires, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See
heir and -age and cp. heredity.
heritor, n., an inheritor; heir. — ME. heriter, fr.
OF. heritier (F. heritier), 'heir', fr. L. heredi-
tdrius, 'relating to an inheritance' (whence also
OProvenc. heretier, eretier, Sp. heredero, Port.
herdeiro, 'heir'). See hereditary.
hernia, n., pillar representing a head of the god
Hermes (Greek antiq.) — L. Herma, fr. Gk.
' EpixTji;, 'Hermes ; statue of Hermes'. See Hermes.
Herman, masc. PN. — G. Hermann, fr. OHG.
Hariman, lit. 'man of war, warrior', fr. hari, heri,
'host, army', and man, 'man'. See harry and
man and cp. the first element in Herbert.
hermandad, n., name of a league originally formed
against the violence of the nobles, organized
later as national police. — Sp. lit. 'brother-
hood', fr. hermano, 'brother', fr. L. germdnus,
'having the same parents' (said of brothers or
hermaphrodism
724
sisters) ; see german, 'having the same parents'.
Sp. suff. -dad derives fr. L. -tat- (nom. -tds, gen.
-tdtis); see subst. suff. -ty.
hermaphrodism, n., hermaphroditism. — F.
hermaphrodisme, fr. hermaphrodite, fr. L.
hermaphrodltus. See next word and -ism.
hermaphrodite, n., a person or animal having
both male and female sexual organs. — L. her-
maphrodltus, fr. Gk. 4p(jKX9p6StTO<;, fr. 'Ep^ta-
9P68Ttoq, the son of Hermes (= the male prin-
ciple) and Aphrodite (= the female principle).
See Hermes and Aphrodite.
Derivatives: hermaphrodit-ic, adj., hermaphro-
ditism, n.
hermeneutic, adj., interpretative. — Gk. kpy.t\-
veimxAc;, 'interpreting', fr. epji^veutt]?, 'inter-
preter', fr. £p&/.r]VEueiv, 'to interpret', fr. epixigveiii;,
'interpreter', which is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: hermeneutic-al-ly, adv., hermeneu-
tics (q.v.)
hermeneutics, n., the science of interpretation. —
Gk. epfxyjveuxixr) (scil. te/vt]), 'the art of inter-
pretation', fern, of ep[/.7)V£UTtx6i;, 'pertaining to
interpretation'. See prec. word and -ics.
Hermes, n., the son of Zeus and Maia, the god
of commerce and messenger of the gods in
Greek mythology; identified by the Romans
with Mercury. — L. Hermes, fr. Gk. 'EpfAYj?, of
uncertain origin. Cp. next word and herma,
Hermia, Hermione.
hermetic, adj. — ML. hermeticus, 'pertaining to
Hermes (Trismegistus)', fr. Gk. 'EpjiSji; Tpto-
;iiY l<IT0 ?> 'Hermes thrice greatest', the Greek
name for the Egyptian god Toth, who is said
to have invented the art of making a glass-tube
airtight. See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative : hermetic-al-ly, adv.
Hermia, fern. PN. — Fern, name formed fr. L.
Hermes, fr. Gk. 'EppLrj?. See Hermes and cp.
next word.
Hermione, fern. PN. — Gk. *Ep[xi6v7], fr. 'Ep^s,
'Hermes'. See Hermes.
hermit, n. — ME. ermit, hermit, fr. OF. ermite,
hermite (F. ermite), fr. Eccles. L. eremita, fr. Gk.
ep7)(AfT7)<;, 'hermit', lit. 'he who lives in the
desert', fr. kpr^la, 'desert', fr. Spyj [xo<;, 'solitary,
isolated', which prob. derives fr. I.-E. base
*erl-, 'to separate, be rare', whence also L.
rams, 'thin, loose'. See rare, 'thin', and cp.
eremite, which is a doublet of hermit.
Derivatives: hermit-age, n., hermit-ess, n.
hernia, n., protrusion of an organ or its part
through the containing cavity; rupture. — L.,
rel. to the first element in haruspex, 'diviner in-
specting entrails', and to hira, 'emtpy gut'. See
yarn and cp. haruspex. Derivatives: herni-al,
herni-ate, herni-ated, adjs., herni-ation, n.
hernio-, combining form denoting the hernia. —
See hernia.
herniotomy, n., operation of cutting for strangu-
lated hernia (med.) — A hybrid coined fr. hernio-
and -Touta, 'a cutting of, fr. to[a^|, 'a cutting'.
See -tomy.
hero, n. — MF. heroe, fr. heroe (F. heros), fr. L.
herdem, acc. of herds, 'hero', fr. Gk. -Jjpai; (for
*7)ptof -oi;), orig. 'defender, protector', rel. to
"Hpa (for *"HpFa), 'Hera' (lit. 'tutelary god-
dess'), and cogn. with L. servare, 'to save, deliver,
preserve, protect'. See conserve and cp. Hera.
Hero, n., priestess of Aphrodite in Sestos; loved
by Leander of Abydos (see Leander). — L.
Herd, fr. Gk. 'Hpci; of uncertain origin,
heroic, adj. — F. heroique, fr. L. herdicus, fr. Gk.
•J)p<>>tx6<;, fr. -oped;, gen. %o>o<;, 'hero'. See hero
and -ic. Derivatives: heroic, n., heroic-al, adj.,
heroic-al-ly, adv., heroic-al-ness, n.
heroin, also heroine, n., a poisonous drug ob-
tained from morphium. — G. Heroin, coined
by H.Dreser, who prob. formed it fr. Gk. Tjpco?,
'hero', and chem. suff. -in, resp. -ine.
heroine, n., a female hero. — L. herdina, fr. Gk.
•fjpotvr), 'a heroine', fr. ^pco?, 'a hero'. See hero
and -ine (representing Gk. -fXrq).
heroism, n. — F. herolsme. See hero and -ism.
heron, n. — ME. heiroun, heroun, fr. OF. hairon,
heron (F. heron), fr. Frankish *haigiro, which
is rel. to OHG. heigir, heiger, heigaro, 'heron',
and to OE. higera, higere, 'magpie, woodpecker',
ON. hegri, heri, 'heron', Swed. hdger, OHG.
hehara, MHG. heher, G. Haher, 'jay', OE. hrd-
gra, Du. reiger, OHG. reigaro, MHG. reiger,
G. Reiher, 'heron', and cogn. with OSlav. kriku,
'cry, scream', kriiati, 'to cry, scream', Lith.
kryksti, 'to shriek', W. cryg, 'hoarse', Gk.
xpK^iv, 'to creak, screech'. All these words are
of imitative origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also
aigrette, egret,
heronsew, n., heron. — ME. heronsewe, fr. OF.
heroncel, heronceau, 'a young heron', dimin.
of heron. See prec. word,
herpes, n., an inflammatory disease of the skin
{med.) — Gk. ip-nrrfi, 'shingles', lit. 'that which
creeps', fr. ep7reiv, 'to creep' (whence also ipns-
t6v, 'creeping animal, reptile'); cogn. with L.
serpere, 'to creep'. See serpent and cp. reptile,
herpetic, adj., pertaining to herpes (med.) —
Formed fr. Gk. ep7n)t;, gen. ep7nr)-ro<;, 'shingles',
with suff. -ic. See prec. word,
herpetiform, adj., resembling herpes (med.) —
A hybrid coined fr. Gk. spm^, gen. ipirriioQ,
'shingles', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See
herpes and form, n.
herpetiform, adj., like a reptile. — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. eptiet6v, 'creeping animal, rep-
tile', and L. forma, 'form, shape'. See prec. word.
herpetology, the study of reptiles. — Compound-
ed of Gk. ep7tct6v, 'creeping animal, reptile',
and -XoYti, fr. -X6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain form); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See herpes and -logy.
Derivatives : herpetolog-ic, herpetolog-ic-ai, adjs. ,
herpetolog-ic-al-ly, adv., herpetolog-ist, n.
Herr, n., lord, master; Mr. — G., fr. MHG. herre,
fr. OHG. heriro, herro, which is derivatively
725
Hestia
compar. of OHG. her, 'noble', hence orig.
meant 'nobler, superior'; cp. OS., ODu. herro,
OFris. hera, Du. heer. These words are prop,
loan translations of the ML. title senior (whence
It. signore, F. seigneur, monsieur, Sp. senor,
Port, senhor), fr. L. senior, 'older'. See hoar and
cp. the second element in mynheer and in younker.
herring, n. — ME. hering, fr. OE. hxring, hiring,
rel. to OS., MLG. hering, OFris. hereng, MDu.
herinc, Du. haring , OHG. harinc, MHG. hxrinc,
G. Hering; prob. orig. meaning 'the gray fish',
and rel. to OE. har, 'gray'. See hoar and subst.
suff. -tag and cp. prec. word.
hers, pron. — Earlier spelled her's, fr. ME. hires,
for hire's, formed with gen. suff. -s from the
possessive pronoun hire. See her and cp. ours,
yours.
herse, n., portcullis. — F. See hearse.
hership, n., a raid, foray (obsol.) — ME. heir-
schip, fr. OE. here, 'army', and -scipe, '-ship'.
See harry and -ship.
Hertzian, adj. (e.g. Hertzian waves), discovered
by, or pertaining to, the German physicist
Heinrich Hertz (1857-94). For the ending see
suff. -ian.
Herzog, n., a German or Austrian duke. — G.,
'duke', fr. MHG. herzoge, fr. OHG. herizoho,
herizogo, 'leader of an army'. See heretoga.
Heshvan, n., name of the eighth Jewish month. —
ModHeb. heshwdn, erroneously shortened fr.
Mishnaic Heb. marheshwdn. This latter was
namely misdivided into mar-heshwdn and the
first 'element' so obtained was dropped (prob.
owing to an association with Heb. mar, 'bitter').
See Marheshvan.
hesitance, hesitancy, n. — L. haesitantia, 'stam-
mering', fr. haesitdns, gen. -antis. See next word
and -ce, resp. -cy.
hesitant, adj. — L. haesitdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of haesitdre. See next word and -ant.
Derivative: hesitant-ly, adv.
hesitate, intr. and tr. v. — Fr. L. haesitdtus, pp.
of haesitdre, 'to stick fast, to be uncertain, hesi-
tate', freq. of haered, haerere, 'to stick, cling',
which stands for *ghais-eyd and is cogn. with
Lith. gaistu, gaisti, 'to delay, tarry'. Cp. adhere
and words there referred to. For the ending see
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: hesitat-er, hesitat-or, n., hesitation
(q.v.), hesitat-ing-ly, adv., hesitat-ive, adj.,
hesitat-ive-ly, adv., hesitat-ory, adj.
hesitation, n. — F. hesitation, fr. L. haesitdtidnem,
acc. of haesitdtid, 'irresolution, uncertainty,
hesitation', fr. haesitdtus, pp. of haesitdre. See
hesitate and -ion.
hesped, n., a funeral oration. — Mishnaic Heb.
hespidh, fr. hisptdh, 'he delivered a funeral ora-
tion', Hiph'il ( = causative form) of Biblical Heb.
sdphddh, 'he wailed, lamented', whence mispidh,
'wailing' ; rel. to Aram.-Syr. s'phadh, 'he wailed,
lamented', Akkad. sipdu, sipittu, 'mourning',
Ethiop. sadaphe (metathesis), 'dirge*.
Hesper, n. — See Hesperus.
Hesperian, adj., Western. — Formed with suff.
-an fr. L. hesperius, fr. Gk. ktmipioc,, 'western',
fr. eaTTCpo? (for *fs<T7repo<;), n., 'evening'; adj.,
of the evening, western', which is cogn. with
L. vesper, 'evening'. See vesper.
Hesperides, n. pi., the three nymphs who guarded
the golden apples which Gaea had given as a
wedding present to Hera {Greek mythol.) — L.,
fr. Gk. 'E«j7rept8E<;, lit. 'daughters of the west',
pi. of the fern. adj. saTOpt?, 'western'; so called
because they dwelt at the western end of the
world. See Hesperis.
Derivative: Hesperid-ian, adj.
hesperidin, a crystalline glycoside, C^H^Ou
(chem.) — Formed from next word with chem.
suff. -in.
hesperidium, n., a many-celled fleshy fruit with
a leathery rind, as the orange, lemon, etc. (bot.)
— ModL., fr. L. Hesperides (see Hesperides); so
called in allusion to the golden apples of the
Hesperides. For the ending see suff. -ium.
Hesperis, n., a genus of plants of the family Bras-
sicaceae (bot.) — L. hesperis, 'the damewort',
fr. Gk. ECT7rept?, prop. fem. of the adjective
EOTTEptoi;, 'of the evening; western', fr. icnepoq,
'evening'. See Hesperian and cp. Hesperides.
Hesperornis, n., a genus of very large swimming
birds from the Cretaceous of Kansas (pale-
ontol.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. ionepoz,
'of the evening; western', and 6pvi?, 'bird'. See
Hesperian and ornitho.
Hesperus, also (poet.) Hesper, n., the evening
star, esp. Venus. — L. Hesperus, fr. Gk. so-
TOpo?, short for !a7tepo<; aa-rrip, 'evening star'.
See Hesperian.
Hessian, adj., pertaining to Hesse in Germany.
— Formed fr. Hesse = G. Hessen, a subdivision
(formerly a grand duchy) in Germany. For the
ending see suff. -ian.
hessian, n., a coarse cloth of hemp or of hemp
and jute. — Short for Hessian cloth. See prec.
word.
hessite, n., a silver telluride (mineral.) — Named
after the Swiss chemist Henry Hess (1802-50)
in Russia, who first analyzed it. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
hest, n., bidding, behest. — ME. hest, formed
with excrescent t fr. hes, fr. OE. hxs, from
the stem of hdtan, 'to bid'. See hight and cp.
behest
hesternal, adj., of yesterday. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. hesternus, 'of yesterday', which
stands for *hestrinos and is cogn. with OI.
hyastanah, Gk. x^ eaL ^' ' of yesterday'. L.
hesternus derives fr. heri, 'yesterday', as OI.
hyastanah derives fr. OI. hydh, 'yesterday', Gk.
X&eotvo? fr. x^?. of s - m - yeste r --
Hestia, n., the goddess of the hearth in Greek
mythology. — Gk. 'Etrrta, fr. eotCS, 'hearth;
house, home, family', whence ecmav, 'to re-
ceive at one's hearth'. See Vesta.
hetaera
726
hetaera, hetaira, n., mistress. — ModL. hetaera,
fr. Gk. exalpa, 'female companion, courtesan',
fern, of sTatpos, 'companion', fr. earlier exapoi;,
'companion', fr. a dental enlargement of I.-E.
*se-, a collateral form of base *swe-, 'his, her,
its; one's'. See sui and cp. sodality.
hetaerism, hetairism, n., concubinage. — Gk.
sxatpicr[i6<;, 'harlotry', fr. exaipi^eiv, 'to associate
with a courtesan, hetaera', fr. Exaipa. See
hetaera and -ism.
hetero-, before a vowel heter-, combining form
meaning 'other, different'. — Gk. sxspo-, exep-,
fr. sxspo?, 'the other (of two); another, differ-
ent', altered — under the influence of eT?, gen.
evo?, 'one' — fr. earlier axspoi; (cp. Gk. e-xaxov,
'one hundred', fr. *a-xaxov, which was also in-
fluenced in form by gen. svo?). Gk. axcpo?
stands for I.-E. *sm-tero-. The first element of
o
this compound means 'one at one, together';
see same and cp. haplo-, hecatomb. The second
element is the comparative suffix; it is cogn.
with the suffixes in L. al-ter, Goth, an-bar, OE.
o-der, 'other'. See -ther and cp. words there
referred to.
heteroblastic, adj., developed from cells of an-
other kind (610/.) — Compounded of hetero-
and Gk. (3Xaux6<;, 'bud, sprout, shoot'. See
-blastic and cp. homoblastic.
heterochromous, adj., of different colors. —
Compounded of hetero- and Gk. xP 6i l jta >
'color'. See chrome and -ous and cp. homo-
chromous.
heteroclite, adj., irregular in declension (gram.) —
F. heteroclite, fr. Late L. hcteroclitus, which is
compounded of hetero- and Gk. xXixo?, 'in-
flected', verbal adj. of xXtvsw, 'to bend, in-
cline, inflect'. See clinical.
Derivatives: heteroclite, n., an irregular noun,
heteroclit-al, heteroclit-ic, heteroclit-ic-al, hetero-
clit-ous, adjs.
heterodont, adj., having teeth of different kinds
(as man and most mammals) (zool.) — Com-
pounded of heter- and Gk. 6So>v, gen. oSovxo?,
'tooth'. See odonto- and cp. homodont.
heterodox, adj., unorthodox. — Gk. exepoSo^o?,
'holding opinions other than the right', com-
pounded of EX£po;, 'the other' (see hetero-), and
S6;a, 'opinion', fr. Soxelv, 'to think'. See decent
and dogma and cp. doxastic and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: heterodox-ly, adv., heterodox-
ness, n.
heterodoxy, n., the quality of being heterodox. —
Gk. cTEpoSo^ta, 'a taking one thing for an-
other', fr. ex£p6So;o;. See heterodox and -y (re-
presenting Gk. -ii).
heterodyne, adj. (radio). — Coined by the Can-
adian physicist and radio technician Reginald
Aubrey Fessenden (1866- 1932) in 1908 fr.
hetero- and -dyne.
heterogamous, adj., bearing flowers of sexually
two kinds (bot.) — Compounded of hetero- and
Gk. yi-iLoq, 'marriage'. See -gamous and cp.
homogamous.
heterogamy, n. (bot.) — See prec. word and -gamy
and cp. homogamy.
heterogeneal, adj., heterogeneous. — See hetero-
geneous and adj. suff. -al and cp. homogeneal.
heterogeneity, n., quality of being heterogeneous.
— F. heterogeneite, fr. ML. heterogeneitds, fr.
heterogeneus. See next word and -ity and cp.
homogeneity.
heterogeneous, n., not homogeneous, disparate. —
ML. heterogeneus, fr. Gk. exepoyevT)?, 'of dif-
ferent kind', fr. exepo?, 'another, different', and
yevo<;, 'race, descent, gender, kind'. See hetero-,
genus and -ous and cp. homogeneous.
Derivatives: heterogeneous-ly, adv., hetero-
geneous-ness, n.
heterogenesis, n., 1) abiogenesis; 2) alternation of
generations (biol.) — Coined by the French
anatomist Gilbert Breschet (1784-1845) fr.
hetero- and genesis. Cp. homogenesis.
heterogenetic, adj., pertaining to heterogenesis. —
Compounded of hetero- and -genetic. Cp.
homogenetic.
heterogeny, n., 1) heterogenesis; 2) a hetero-
geneous collection. — Compounded of hetero-
and -geny. Cp. homogeny.
Derivatives: heterogen-ic, adj., heterogen-ic-ity,
n., heterogen-ist, n.
heterography, n., incorrect spelling. — Com-
pounded of hetero- and Gk. -ypacpia, fr. ypacpeiv,
'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives : heterograph-ic, heterograph-ic-al,
adjs.
heterogynous, adj., having females of two kinds,
as the ants and bees. — Compounded of hetero-
and Gk. y^ty 'woman'. See gyneco-.
heterologous, adj., containing different elements;
not corresponding. — Compounded of hetero-
and Gk. Xoyoi;, 'word, speech, discourse; pro-
portion'. See logos and -ous and cp. homologous.
heteromorphic, adj., differing in shape. — See
heteromorphous and -ic and cp. homomorphic.
heteromorphism, n., the quality of being hetero-
morphic. — See heteromorphous and -ism and
cp. homomorphism.
heteromorphous, adj., 1) heteromorphic; 2) of ir-
regular shape. — Gk. 4xep6(jtopipoc, 'of different
form', fr. Exepoq, 'another, different', and u.opq>T],
'form, shape'. See hetero- and -morphous and
cp. homomorphous.
heteromorphy, n., heteromorphism. — See prec.
word and -morphy.
heteronomous, adj., under the rule of another;
subject to, or having, different laws. — Com-
pounded of hetero- and Gk. vou.01;, 'law'. See
nomo- and -ous and cp. autonomous.
Derivative: heteronomous-ly, adv.
heteronomy, n., subjection to the rule of another;
subjection to different laws. — See prec. word
and -nomy and cp. autonomy.
heteroousian, heterousian, adj., of different es-
727
hexathlon
sence (Eccles. hist.) — Formed with suff. -an
fr. Gk. exepooiiaio?, exepoiiaioi;, 'of different
essence', fr. sxepos, 'another, different' (see
hetero-), and ouata, 'essence, substance', which
derives fr. otSaoc, fern, of <Sv, 'being', pres. part,
of eZvai, 'to be'. See esse and cp. essence. Cp.
also homoiousian, homoousian.
Derivative: Heteroousian, Heterousian, n.
heterophyllous, adj., having different kinds of
leaves on the same plant (bot.) — Compounded
of hetero- and Gk. cpiiXXov, 'leaf. See -phyllous.
heterosexual, adj., having sexual desire for those
of the opposite sex. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
ex-Epos, 'the other, different', and L. sexus,
'sex'. See hetero- and sexual and cp. homosexual.
Derivative: heterosexual-ity, n.
heterousian, n. — The same as heteroousian.
hetman, n., a Cossack commander. — Pol., fr.
G. Hauptmann, 'captain', lit. 'headman', fr.
Haupt, 'head', and Mann, 'man'. See head and
man and cp. headman. Cp. also ataman.
Heuchera, n., a genus of plants of the saxifrage
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the Ger-
man botanist Johann Heinrich von Heucher
(1 677- 1 747).
heulandite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (min-
eral.) — Named after the English mineralogist
Henry Heuland. For the ending see subst . suff. -ite.
heuristic, adj., serving to discover or find out. —
G. heuristisch, fr. ModL, heuristicus, which was
formed with suff. -isticus (see -istic) from the
stem of Gk. euptoxsiv, Aor. eOpov, 'to find,
discover', which stands for *sf ptoxeiv and is
cogn. with Olr. fuar, 'I have found', frith, 'was
found'. Cp. eureka, arytenoid.
Derivative : heuristic-al-ly, adv.
hew, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hewen, fr. OE. hea-
wan, 'to cut, strike, hew', rel. to OS. hauwan,
ON. hoggva, Swed. hugga, Du. houwen, OHG.
houwan, MHG. houwen, G. hauen, 'to cut,
strike, hew', fr. I.-E. base *qdu-, *q l u-, 'to
strike, beat', whence also Toch. B kaut-, A kot-,
'to cleave, cut', OSlav. kovp, kovati, Lith. kduju,
kduti, 'to beat, forge', Lett, ka&ju, kaut, 'to
beat', Lith. kovd, 'battle', L. cudere (for *cau-
dere), 'to strike, beat'. Cp. hag, 'to hew', haggle,
hoe. Cp. also caudal, caudex, cause, codex, con-
cuss, coward, incus.
Derivative: hew-er, n.
hewettite, n., a hydrous calcium vanadate (min-
eral.) — Named after the American geologist
D. Foster Hewett (bom in 1 88 1). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
hewn, adj., prop. pp. of hew. — ME. hewen, fr.
OE. heawen, pp. of heawan, 'to hew'. See hew.
hexa-, before a vowel hex-, combining form
meaning 'six'. — Gk. iijx-, i!;-, fr. 2£, 'six',
which is cogn. with L. sex, Goth, saihs, OE.
six, seox; see six. The a in 4?a- is due to the
analogy of tmi, 'seven', iw&x, 'nine', Sexoc,
'ten'; cp. penta-, octa-.
hexachord, n., a diatonic series of six tones (Greek
and Medieval music). — Compounded of hexa-
and Gk. '/ppSrj, 'chord'. See chord and cp.
words there referred to.
hexad, n., a group of six things. — Late L. hexas,
gen. hexadis, fr. Gk. gen. s^aSo?, T 'a group
of six', fr. t%. See hexa- and -ad.
hexagon, n., a plane figure with six angles and
six sides (geom.) — L. hexagdnum, fr. Gk.
I^aytovoc, 'having six angles', which , is com-
pounded of ktjx- (see hexa-) and -ywvoi;, from
the stem of ytuvia., 'angle'. See -gon.
Derivative: hexagon-al, adj.
hexagram, n. — Compounded of hexa- and -gram.
hexahedral, adj., having the form of a hexa-
hedron. — See next word and adj. suff. -al.
hexahedron, n., a solid figure with six plane faces.
— Compounded of hexa- and SSpa, 'seat ; base,
side, face'. See -hedron.
hexamerous, adj., consisting of six parts in each
whorl (bot.) — Compounded of hexa- and Gk.
uipos, 'part'. See -merous.
hexameter, n., a verse of six metrical feet (pros.)
— L., fr. Gk. e^dtu-expoq (scil. axi^o?), lit. '(a
verse) having six measures'; compounded of
i^a- (see hexa-) and uixpov, 'measure'. See
meter, 'poetical rhythm', and cp. tetrameter,
pentameter.
Derivatives: hexameter, adj., having six metrical
feet, hexametr-al, hexametr-ic, hexametr-ic-al,
adjs., hexameter,
hexapla, n., a book containing six versions in
parallel columns; specif., the Hexapla compiled
by Origen. — Eccles. L. hexapla, fr. Gk. i^xnlv.
neut. pi. of eijaTcXdo?, e!;a7tXous, 'sixfold', fr.
(see hexa-) and suff. -7tX6o?, '-fold', which
occurs also in 1x71X601;, ootXoO!;, 'simple'. See
haplo- and cp. tetrapla.
bexapod, n., 1) any six-footed insect ; 2) any insect
of the class Hexapoda. — Gk. parous, gen.
E^aTxoSo?, 'six-footed', compounded of e^a- (see
hexa-) and ttou?, gen. 710861;, 'foot'. See -pod.
Hexapoda, n., a class of six-footed insects (ento-
mol.) — ModL. See prec. word.
hexastich, n., a stanza or poem consisting of six
verses or lines (pros.) — Gk. E^acm/os, 'of six
lines', compounded of 45a- (see hexa-) and
(Txtxo?, 'row, line, rank; verse'. See stichic and
cp. acrostic and words there referred to.
hexastyle, adj., having six columns in front. —
Gk. e^ao-xOXo;, 'having six columns', com-
pounded of lE/x- (see hexa-) and ctxuXo?, 'pillar,
column'. See style, 'gnomon'.
Hexateuch, n., the first six books of the Bible, i.e.
the Pentateuch and the book of Joshua. — Com-
pounded of hexa- and Gk. xeux°?> 'tool, im-
plement', later 'book'. See Pentateuch and cp.
Heptateuch, Octateuch.
Derivative: Hexateuch-al, adj.
hexathkm, n., an athletic contest in which each
competitor takes part in six events. — Formed
on analogy of pentathlon fr. hexa- and Gk.
i&Xov, 'prize of contest'. See athlete.
hexavalent
728
hexavalent, adj., having a valence of six (chem.)
— A hybrid coined fr. Gk. 'six', and L.
valens, gen. valentis, pres. part, of valere, 'to
have power'; see hexa- and -valent. The correct
form is sexivalent, in which both elements are
of Latin origin.
hexode, adj., pertaining to a system of telegraphy
in which six messages can be transmitted simul-
taneously. — Compounded of Gk. I?, 'six', and
686?, 'way'. See hexa- and odograph.
hexone, n., any of certain compounds containing
six atoms of carbon in the molecule (biochem.)
— Fr. Gk. &l, 'six'. See hexa-.
hey, interj. — Imitative. Cp. Du. and G. hei,
and E. hi.
heyday, interj. — Du. heida; the ending was in-
fluenced by day.
heyday, n., time of vigor. — Perh. lit. meaning
'high day', fr. ME. hey day. See high and day.
Hezekiah, i) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, any of
several persons, esp. a king of Judah, son of
King Ahaz. — Heb. Hizqiyyd h , lit. 'the Lord
has strengthened', compounded of hdzdq, 'he
was strong, he strengthened', and the shortened
form of the Tetragrammaton. See Ezekiel and
Elijah.
hi, interj. — Imitative. Cp. hey.
hiatus, n., a gap, lacuna. — L., 'opening, aper-
ture, gap', fr. hidt-(um), pp. stem of hidre, 'to
yawn'. See yawn and cp. dehisce.
hibernaculum, n., that which serves for protection
during winter (zool.) — L. hibernaculum, 'winter
residence', fr. hiberndre, 'to spend the winter'.
See hibernate and -culum.
hibernate, intr. v., to pass the winter. — L. hiber-
ndt-(um), pp. stem of hiberndre, 'to pass the
winter, to winter', fr. hibernus, 'pertaining to
winter, wintry', which is rel. to hiems (gen. hie-
mis), 'winter', fr. I.-E. base *ghei-, *ghi-,
'winter; snow', whence also OI. himan, 'in
winter', hemantdh, 'winter,' himdh, 'winter*,
Hitt. gimmanza, 'winter', Avestic zaya(ri)-, zyd
(gen. zimo), 'winter', Arm. jiun, 'snow', jmefn,
'winter', Gk. xeTna., 'winter, winter weather,
storm', x^y-toy, 'the season of winter', x Etu - e "
piv6s 'wintry', /uov (for *xi<V)> 'snow', Alb.
Gheg dimsn, Tosk dimere, 'winter', OSlav. zima,
Lith. ziema, Lett, ziema, OPruss. semo, 'winter',
Olr. gaim (for Celtic *giamo-), Mir. gem-red,
'winter', Gk. x'H- a P°S> 'he-goat', x'^apa, x'~
u,<xip<x, 'goat' (lit- 'a goat one winter old'), Toch.
A cental, 'goat' flit, 'a goat one winter old'), L.
bimus (contraction of *bi-himos), 'two years
old' (lit. 'two winters old'), trimus (contraction
of *tri-himos), 'three years old' (lit- 'three win-
ters old'), ON. gymbr, 'a ewe one year (lit. one
winter) old'. Cp. chimera, chiono-, hiemal, the
first element in Chimaphila, Himalaya and the
second element in Hedychium, isocheime. Cp.
also gimmer, 'a she-lamb'.
Derivative: hibernat-ion, n.
Hibernian, adj., Irish. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Hibernia (cp. Ptolemy's 'IouepvEa) 'Ire-
land', fr. Iverna, Juverna (cp. Gk. 'If^pvrj,
'lipvr)), fr. OCelt. *Iverin, whence also Olr.
Erin, Ir. Eire (see Erin); influenced in form by
L. hibernus, 'wintry' (see hibernate).
Derivatives: Hibernian, n., Hibernian-ism, n.,
Hibern-ic, Hibernic-al, adjs., Hibern-ic-al-ly,
adv., Hibern-ic-ism, n., Hibern-ic-ize, tr. v.
Hiberno-, combining form meaning 'Irish'. —
Formed fr. L. Hibernia, 'Ireland'; see prec.
word.
Hibiscus, n., a genus of plants, the rose mallow
(bot.) — L. hibiscum, ibiscum, later hibiscus,
ibiscus, 'marshmallow', prob. a Celtic loan
word. Gk. t(3Eoxos, of s.m., is borrowed fr.
Latin.
hiccup, hiccough, n. and intr. and tr. v. — Fr.
earlier hickup; of imitative origin,
hie jacet, epitaph. — L., 'here lies'; so called
from the first words of Latin epitaphs,
hick, n., a rustic (Amer. Slang). — Fr. Hick, a
pet form of Richard.
hickory, n. — Aphetic for pokahickory from the
Virginian native name powcohiccora denoting
the product made from the pounded kernels.
hid, past tense of hide. — ME. hid, fr. OE. hydde,
past tense of hydan. See hide.
hidage, n., formerly, a tax paid for every hide of
land. — A hybrid coined fr. OE. higid, hid (see
hide, 'measure of land'), and -age, a suff. of
Latin origin.
hidalgo, n., a Spanish nobleman of secondary
rank. — Sp., fr. OSp. fidalgo, contraction of fijo
de algo, lit. 'son of something; son of fortune',
fr. fijo, 'son' (fr. L. filius), de, 'from, of (fr.
L. de, 'from, away from'), and algo, 'something,
property, fortune' (fr. L. aliquod, something');
see Meyer-Lubke, REW., No. 345 and No. 3303.
For the origin of the above Latin words see
filial, de- and aliquot.
hidden, adj., prop. pp. of hide. — ME. hidden,
a new formation. Cp. OE. (ge)hydd, 'hidden',
and see hide, 'to conceal'.
Derivatives: hidden-ly, adv., hidden-ness, n.
hide, tr. and intr. v., to conceal. — ME. huden,
hiden, fr. OE. hydan, cogn. with Gk. xeii&eiv,
'to hide, conceal', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeudh-, 'to
cover, hide, conceal'. See custody and cp. next
word. Cp. also hoard, hose, house, huddle, hut.
hide, n., skin. — ME. hide, hude, fr. OE. hyd,
'skin', rel. to OS. hud, ON. hud, Dan., Swed.
hud, OFris. hed, MDu. huut, Du. huid, OHG.,
MHG. hut, G. Haut, 'skin', lit. 'that which
covers', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qeut-, 'to cover',
whence also Gk. xiS-ro?, 'skin, cover', axim><;,
'leather', L. cutis, 'skin', Lith. kidutas, 'husk',
OPruss. keuto, 'skin', W. cwd, 'scrotum', OFris.
hothan, OHG. hodo, MHG., G. hode, 'scrotum'.
Base *(s)qeu-t- is a collateral form of base
*(s)qeu-d-. See prec. word. See also cutis.
Derivative: hide, tr. v., to take the hide off;
to flog.
729
hierophantic
hide, n., a measure of land {Engl, history). —
ME. hid, fr. OE. hid, contraction of higid, orig.
'land (sufficient) to support a family', rel. to
higan, hiwan (pi.), 'members of a family', hiwen,
'family, household'. See home and cp. hind, 'farm
servant'. Cp. also hud, husk.
hideous, adj., very ugly. — ME. hidous, fr. OF.
hisdous, hidous (F. hideux), fr. OF. hisde, 'hide-
ous', which possibly derives fr. L. hispidus,
'shaggy; prickly, bristly'; 'rough' (in a fig.
sense) ; see hispid and -eous. See R. Grandsaignes
d'Hauterive, Dictionnaire d'ancien francais,
p. 353 s.v. hisde, adj.
Derivatives: hideous-ly, adv., hideous-ness, n.
hiding, n. , flogging. — Formed fr. hide, 'to flog' (fr.
hide, 'skin'), with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
hiding, n., concealment. — Formed fr. hide, 'to
conceal', with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
hidrosis, n., excessive perspiration (med.) —
Medical L., formed with suff. -osis fr. Gk.
ESpouv, 'to sweat', fr. ESpox; [(for *swidrds),
'sweat, perspiration', which is rel. to TSo?, (for
*swidos), 'violent heat', fr. I.-E. base *sweid-,
*swoid-, *swid-, 'to sweat', whence also L. s«-
ddre (for *swoiddre), OE. sw&tan, 'to sweat'.
See sweat and cp. sudation.
hidrotic, adj., causing perspiration; sudorific
(med.) — Gk. E8pcmx6<;, 'sudorific', fr. ISptit;,
gen. ESpoiTos, 'sweat'. See prec. word and -ic.
hie, intr. and tr. v., to hasten. — ME. highen,
hien, fr. OE. higian, 'to strive, hasten', which
is prob. cogn. with OI. sighrah 'quick, fast',
Russ. sigat', 'to leap'.
hiemal, adj., pertaining to winter; wintry. — L.
hiemdlis, 'of winter', fr. hiems, gen. hiemis,
'winter'. See hibernate and adj. suff. -al.
hier-, form of hiero- before a vowel.
Hieracium, n., a genus of plants, the hawkweed
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. lepfouov, name of a
plant, fr. t£pdii;, gen. Elpaxo?, 'hawk', lit. 'the
swift (bird)', fr. Iep6;, 'quick, swift'. See hiero-.
hierarch, n., the chief of a religious group; high
priest. — ML. hierarchia, fr. Gk. tepapxi)?,
'leader of sacred rites, high priest', which is
compounded of Eep6i;, 'holy, sacred', and -tipx?]?,
'leader'. See hiero- and -arch.
hierarchic, hierarchical, adj., pertaining to a
hierarchy. — ML. hierarchicus, fr. hierarchia.
See next word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: hierarchical-ly, adv.
hierarchy, n., 1) church government by priests;
2) graded system of officials, esp. of sacred per-
sons. — F. hierarchie, fr. ML. hierarchia, fr.
Gk. tepapxta, 'office of a hierarch', fr. Eepapx 7 )?-
See hierarch and -y (representing Gk. -la).
Derivatives: hierarch-al, adj., hierarch-al-ly,
adv., hierarchic (q.v.)
hieratic, adj., pertaining to sacred things; priest-
ly. — L. hierdticus, fr. Gk. EepaTtx6<;, 'per-
taining to a priest', fr. Eep6s, 'holy, sacred'. See
hiero- and -ic.
hiero-, before a vowel hier-, combining form
meaning 'holy, sacred'. — Gk. Eepo-, Eep-, fr.
Eep6?, 'holy, sacred', orig. 'filled with (divine)
force', and prop, identical with Eep6s, 'strong,
lively, active, quick, swift', fr. I.-E. base *eis-,
'to set in quick motion, drive on, incite'. See ire
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hiera-
cium and the first element in Jerome.
Hierochloe, n., a genus of plants, the holy grass
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'holy grass', fr. hiero- and
Gk. x^o*!. 'a young green shot'. See Chloe.
hierocracy, n., rule of sacred persons, hierarchy.
— Compounded of hiero- and Gk. -xpa-rfa,
'rule of, fr. xpdtTos, 'strength, power, rule'.
See -cracy.
hierocratic, hierocratical, adj., pertaining to, or
characterized by, hierocracy. — See prec. word
and -ic, resp. also -al.
hierodule, n., a temple slave in ancient Greece. —
Late L. hierodulus, fr. Gk. EepASouXo?, lit.
'temple slave', compounded of tsp6<;, 'holy,
sacred' (see hiero-), and 80OX0?, 'slave', which
stands for *86eXo? and derives fr. Aegean doero,
'slave'. Cp. the first element in dulocracy. For
sense development cp. devadasi.
hieroglyph, n., picture writing used by the ancient
Egyptians. — F. hieroglyphe, "back formation
fr. hieroglyphique, fr. L. hieroglyphicus. See
next word.
hieroglyphic, adj., pertaining to hieroglyphs. — L.
hieroglyphicus, fr. Gk. EepoYXucpix6c, 'hiero-
glyphic', lit. 'pertaining to sacred carvings'
compounded of Eep6?, 'holy, sacred' (see hiero-),
and yXu9eiv, 'to carve'. See glyph and -ic and
cp. anaglyph.
Derivatives: hieroglyphic, n., hieroglyphic-al-
ly, adv.
hierogram, n., a sacred character or symbol. —
Compounded of hiero- and Gk. yp&ynia, 'that
which is written ; a written character'. See -gram.
hierograph, n., a hierogram. — Compounded of
hiero- and Gk. -ypacpoi;, fr. ypiyzvi, 'to write'.
See -graph.
hierographic, adj., pertaining to sacred symbols.
— Gk. Upoypa<pix6i;, 'pertaining to sacred
writing', compounded of tep6?, 'holy, sacred'
(see hiero-), and ypdipeiv, 'to write'. See graphic.
hierolatry, n., worship of saints. — Compounded
of hiero- and Gk. -Xarpela, -XocTpla, fr. XarpeEa,
'worship'. See -latry.
hierology, n., the sacred literature of a people. —
Compounded of hiero- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-X6yoi;. 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
hierophant, n., an interpreter of religious mys-
teries. — Late L. hierophantes, fr. Gk. Eepo-
(pdcvTTj?, 'one who initiates into mysteries, hiero-
phant', lit. 'one who shows sacred things', which
is compounded of lep6i;, 'holy, sacred' (see
hiero-), and the stem of 9atveiv, 'to show'. See
phantasm.
hierophantic, adj., pertaining to a hierophant or
his acts. — Gk. tepofavrix6<; 'pertaining to a
Hierosolymitan
730
hierophant', fr. iepocpivx?;?. See prec. word and
-ic.
Derivative : hierophantic-al-ly, adv.
Hierosolymitan, adj., of Jerusalem; n., a native
of Jerusalem. — L. Hierosolymitdnus, fr. Hiero-
solyma, fr. Gk. 'IepoaoXu^a, alteration of Heb.
Y e rushaldyim owing to a mistaken association
with Gk. tepo?, 'holy', and £6Xo|xot, name of
a people in Lycia. See Jerusalem. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite and suff. -an.
Hierosolymite, adj. and n., Hierosolymitan. —
See prec. word.
higgle, intr. v., to haggle. — A weakened form of
haggle.
Derivative: higgl-ing, n.
higgledy-piggledy, adv., in confusion; adj., con-
fused ; n., confusion. — Of uncertain origin.
high, adj. — ME. heigh, hegh, heh, hey, fr. OE.
heah, heh, rel. to OS. hdh, ON. hdr, Dan. hoi,
Swed. hog, OFris. hach, MDu. hooch, Du. hoog,
OHG. hdh, MHG. hoch, G. hoch, Goth, hauhs,
'high', ON. haugr, 'mound', MHG. houc, hou-
ges, OSwed. hugli, G. Hiigel, 'hill', and cogn.
with Toch. A koc, B kauc, 'high', Lith. kaukas,
'boil, tumor', kaukard, kaukaras, 'hill', Lett.
kukurs, 'hump', Olr. ciiar, 'bent, crooked', OI.
kucdti, kuncate, 'bends, twists' (intr.). All these
words are derivatives of I.-E. *qeu-q-, enlarge-
ment of base *qeu-, 'to bend', whence, with re-
duplication, L. cacumen (prob. fr. orig. *kakud),
'tip, summit'. Cp. how, 'hillock', huckster, huge,
shock, 'group of sheaves', and the first word in
Hogen Mogen. Cp. also cacuminal, cubicle, cup.
Derivatives: high, n. and adv., highly (q.v.),
highness (q.v.)
highboy, n., a high chest of drawers. — A hybrid
formed fr. E. high and F. bois, 'wood'. See bush
and cp. hautboy. Cp. also tallboy, lowboy.
highfalutin, highfaluting, adj., bombastic; n.,
bombast. — Of uncertain origin.
highly, adv. — ME. heghly, heyly, fr. OE. healice,
formed fr. heah, 'high', with suff. -lice. See high
and adv. suff. -ly.
highness, n. — ME. heghnes, heynes, fr. OE.
heahnes, formed fr. heah, 'high', with suff.
-nes. See high and -ness.
bight, v., called, named (archaic). — ME. highte,
a blend of OE. hdtte, 'I am called, I was called',
passive pres. and past tense of hdtan, 'to call,
name, command', and OE. heht, 'called', active
past tense of the same verb; rel. to ON. heita,
MLG. heten, MDu., heeten, Du. heten, OHG.
heijyan, MHG. hei^en, G. heifien, Goth, haitan,
'to call, be called ; to command'. All these words
derive fr. l.-E. *qeid-, *qoid-, a -d-enlargement
of *qi-, 'to set or be in motion'. See cite and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also behight, hest,
behest.
high treason. — Loan translation of F. haute
trahison, whence also G. Hochverrat.
hgacker, n., robber who preys on bootleggers
(U.S. Slang). — Prob. fr. Hi Jack, words with
which the robber is supposed to bring his victim
to a sudden stop.
hjjra, n. — See hegira.
hike, intr. v. — Prob. a var. of hitch.
hilarious, adj., merry, gay. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. hilarus, hilaris, 'cheerful, gay', fr. Gk.
lXap6?, of s.m., which is rel. to *!X7)[xt (for *a£-
<jXt)-u.i), 'I am gracious' (only in the imper. :
Homeric iXtj&i, Dor. iXa4H, Aeol. SXXa&i, 'be
gracious!'), tXacrxopiai (for *ai-aXa-<Jx:ou.at), 'I
appease, propitiate, reconcile to myself, Les-
bic ^XXao?, Homeric iXa(f)o?, Laconic fXyjFo?,
Att. JXe&i?, 'propitious, gracious', and cogn.
with L. soldri, 'to comfort', salvus, 'whole, safe',
OE. s&lig, gesxlig, 'happy, fortunate'. See silly
and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Hilary,
exhilarate.
Derivatives: hilarious-ly, adv., hilarious-ness, n.
hilarity, n., merriment, gaiety. — F. hilarite, fr.
L. hilaritatem, acc. of hilaritds, 'cheerfulness,
gaiety', fr. hilaris. See prec. word and -ity.
Hilary, masc. PN. — Late L. Hilarius, lit. 'cheer-
ful', fr. L. hilaris. See hilarious.
Hilda, fem. PN. — G., lit. 'battle maid', fr.
OHG. Midi, 'war, battle', which is rel. to OE.
hild, ON. hildr, of s.m., and prob. cogn. with
Mir. cellach (for *celdach), 'war'. Cp. the first
element in Hildebrand, Hildegard and the second
element in Clothilda, Matilda.
Hildebrand, masc. PN. — OHG. Hildibrand, lit.
'battle sword', fr. Midi, 'war, battle' and branda
'sword'. See Hilda and brand.
Hildegard(e), fem. PN. — OHG. Hildegard, lit.
'protecting battle maid', compounded of Midi,
'war, battle', and *gard, 'to enclose, protect'.
For the first element see Hilda, for the second
see yard, 'enclosure', and cp. garden.
hilding, n., a base wretch; adj. base (archaic). —
Formed with suff. -tag fr. OE. hyldan, heldan,
'to lean, incline, bend down'. See heel, 'to lean'.
hill, n. — ME. Ml, hul, hull, fr. OE. hyll, rel. to
MDu. Mile, LG. hull, 'hill', ON. hallr, 'stone',
Goth, hallus, 'rock', ON. holmr, OE. holm,
'rising land, island', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to rise,
be elevated', whence also OI. kufam (for kul-
tam), 'top, skull' (orig. 'elevation'), Gk. xoXawAi;,
xoX<iv7), L. collis, 'hill', columen, 'top', columna,
'column'. See column and cp. holm. Cp. also
hillock.
Derivatives: hill, tr. v., hill-y, adj., hill-i-ness, n.
hillebrandite, n., a hydrous calcium orthosilicate
(mineral.) — Named after the American chemist
William Frances Hillebrand (i 853-1 925). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Hfllel, masc. PN. — Heb. HUM, fr. MUM, 'he
praised', whence hallil, 'to praise'. See hallel.
hillock, n. — Formed fr. hill with dimin. suff.
-ock.
hilsa, hilsah, n., a fish (Clupea ilisha). — Hind.
hilsd, fr. OI. ilisah.
hilt, n. — ME., fr. OE. hilt, Mite, rel. to ON.
Malt, OHG. helza, 'hilt', OS. helta, 'oar handle'
731
hippalectryon
prob. also to OE. holt, 'wood'. See holt, 'small
wood'. Derivative: hilt, tr. v.
hilum, n., scar on a seed (bot.) — L. hilum, 'a
little thing, trifle'. The orig. meaning was per-
haps 'a little thread or fiber', in which case
hilum would be a var. of filum, 'thread'. See file,
'a collection of papers', and cp. nihil.
him, pers. pron. — ME., fr. OE. him, dat. of he.
See he.
Himalayas, n. pi. — OI. Mmdlayah, lit. 'abode of
snow', fr. himdh, 'snow', and dlayah, 'abode'.
See hibernate.
Derivative: Himalay-an, adj.
himation, n., Greek garment worn over the chiton
(Greek antiq.) — Gk. t(j.dcxtov, for sljxaxiov,
fr. stjia, 'a garment', which stands for *F£a-
u.a, and is rel. to £vvtivai (for *fea-vuvai), 'to
clothe', and cogn. with L. vestis, 'garment,
clothes'. See vest and cp. Anemia, 'a genus of
plants'.
himself, pron. — ME., fr. OE. Mm setfum, dat.
sing, of he self. See he and self,
hin, n., name of a liquid measure, the sixth part
of a bath (Bible). — Heb. hin, fr. Egypt, hart,
hsnw.
hind, n., female of the deer. — ME. hinde, fr.
OE. hind, rel. to ON. hind, Du. hinde, OHG.
hinta, MHG. hinde, G. Hinde, Hindin, 'hind',
fr. I.-E. base *kem-, 'hornless', whence also OI.
sdmah, 'hornless', Gk. xe|j.a;, 'young deer, ga-
zelle', Lith. smulas, of s.m. Cp. gemsbok.
hind, n., a farm servant. — ME. hine, fr. OE.
hina, gen. of Mwan (pi.), 'members of a family'.
See hide, 'measure of land'.
hind, adj., posterior. — ME., prob. back forma-
tion fr. hinder, adj., influenced in form by OE.
hindan, 'from behind'. Cp. behind.
hinder, adj., posterior. — ME. Mndere, fr. OE.
hinder (adv.), 'behind', rel. to OHG. Mntar,
MHG. hinter, hinder, G. hinter, Goth, hindar,
'behind' (prep.), ON. hindr- (in compounds, as
e.g. hindr-vitni, 'superstition'), orig. compara-
tives to OE. hine, 'hence'. See hence and -ther
and cp. hinder, v. Cp. also the first element in
hinterland.
hinder, tr. and intr. v., to prevent. — ME. hin-
deren, hindren, fr. OE. Mndrian, rel. to ON.
hindra, Du. hinderen, OHG. hintaron, MHG., G.
hindern, lit. 'to keep back', fr. OE. hinder, etc.,
'behind'. See hinder, adj.
Derivative: Mnder-er, n.
Hindi, n., the language of Northern India. —
Hind. Hindi, formed with suff. -i (expressing
relationship) fr. Hind, 'India'. See Hindu.
Hindoo, Hindooism, Hindoostani. — See Hindu,
Hinduism, Hindustani,
hindrance, n. — A hybrid coined fr. hinder, v.,
and -ance, a suff. of Latin origin.
Hindu, also Hindoo, n., one of the Hindu race. —
Pers. Hindu, fr. Hind, 'India', fr. OI. Sindhuh,
'the river Indus; the region of the river Indus'.
See India and cp. words there referred to.
Hinduism, also Hindooism, n., the religion of the
Hindus. — Formed fr. Hindu with suff. -ism.
Hindustani, also Hindoostani, n., the most im-
portant dialect of Western Hindi; adj., per-
taining to Hindustan or Hindustani. 7— Hind.
Hindustani, formed with suff. -i (expressing
relationship) fr, Pers. Hindustan, lit. 'the country
of the Hindus', fr. Hindu, 'Hindu', and stdn,
'place, country'. For the first element see Hindu.
The second element is rel. to Avestic stdna- (in
compounds), 'place', lit. 'a place where to
stand', from the stem of std-, 'to stand', fr. I.-E.
base *std-, 'to stand', whence also L. stare, 'to
stand'. See state and cp. stand. Cp. also Afgha-
nistan, Baluchistan, lit. 'place (i.e. land) of the
Afghans, resp. Baluchis'. Cp. also the second
element in bezesteen and in bostangi.
Derivative: Hindustani, n.
hing, n., asafetida. — Hind, hing, fr. OI. hinguh.
hinge, n. — ME. henge, lit. 'that on which the
door hangs', fr. hengen, 'to hang'. Cp. MLG.
henge, 'hinge', MDu. henge, 'hook, handle', Du.
hengsel, 'hinge', and see hang.
Derivatives: hinge, intr. and tr. v., hing-ed, adj.
ninny, n., offspring of a stallion and a she-ass. —
L. hinnus, fr. Gk. ivvoi; = yCvw;, which is of
uncertain origin.
hinny, intr. v., to neigh. — ME., fr. L. hinnire,
'to neigh', which is of imitative origin.
hint, n. — ME. henten, 'to seize, take', fr. OE.
hentan, which stands in gradational relationship
to OE. huntian, to hunt'. See hunt and cp. hent.
Derivatives: hint, v., hint-ing-ly, adv.
hinterland, n., land lying behind a coast district.
— G., compounded of hinter, 'behind', and
land, 'land'. See hinder, adj., and land.
hip, n., the haunch. — ME. hipe, hippe, hupe, fr.
OE. hype, rel. to Du. heup, OHG., MHG. huf
G. Hiifte, Goth, hups, 'hip', fr. I.-E. base
*qeu-b-, 'to bend', whence also Gk. y/^oq,
'hollow above the hip of cattle'. See cubicle and
cp. hive.
Derivative: hip, tr. v., to sprain the hip of.
hip, n., seed vessel of the dog rose. — ME. hepe,
hipe, fr. OE. heope, rel. to OE. hiopa, 'briar',
OS. hiopo, dial. Norw. hjupa, OHG. hiafo,hiufa,
MHG., G. hiefe, Du. joop, 'bramble', Dan.
hyben, 'hip', and cogn. with OPruss. kadubri,
'thorn'.
hip, n., melancholy. — For hyp, which is short for
hypochondria.
hip, interj. used in applauding (as in hip, hip,
hurrah). — Of imitative origin,
hipe, also hype, n., a kind of throw in wrestling.
— Of uncertain origin; perhaps rel. to hip,
'haunch'. Derivative: hipe or hype, tr. and
intr. v., to throw by means of a hipe.
hipp-, form of hippo- before a vowel.
hippalectryon, n., an imaginary animal com-
bining the forms of the horse and the cock
(Greek antiq.) — Gk. tTrrtaXexxpucov, compound-
ed of ittjtoi;, 'horse* and dXexxpotiv, 'cock'. See
hipped
732
hippo- and alectryomachy.
hipped, adj., having hips. — Formed with suff.
-ed fr. hip, 'haunch',
hipped, adj., depressed. — Formed with suff. -ed
fr. hip, 'melancholy'.
hippish, adj., somewhat depressed (colloq.) —
Formed with suff. -ish fr. hip, 'melancholy'.
hippo-, before a vowel hipp-, combining form
meaning 'horse'. — Gk. Ethto-, hen-, fr. tinto?,
'horse', rel. to dial. Gk. txxo?, for I.-E. *ekwos,
whence also OI. dsvah, L. equus, 'horse'. See
equine and cp. the second element in Eohippus,
ephippium, Philip, Xanthippe.
hippo, n. — Short for hippopotamus.
Hippoboscidae, n. pi., a family of parasitic blood-
sucking flies (entomol.) — ModL., formed with
suff. -idae fr. hippo- and Gk. (tacnceiv, 'to feed'.
See botany.
hippocampus, n., sea horse. — L., fr. Gk. imz6-
jta(j.7toi;, compounded of trow*;, 'horse' (see
hippo-), and xi£|mk><;, 'sea monster', which is
possibly rel. to x<£}jott), 'caterpillar'. Cp. the
first element in Campephagidae, Campephilus,
Campodea.
hippocras, n., a highly spiced wine. — ME. ypo-
cras, fr. OF. ipocras, ypocras (F. hypocras),
prop. fr. Hippocrates, the celebrated Greek
physician ; so called because the wine was strain-
ed through a woolen bag named Hippocrates
sleeve. The French spelling hypocras is due to
a confusion with the numerous words beginning
with hypo-, fr. Gk. 6x6, 'under, below'.
Hippocratic, adj., of, or pertaining to, the Greek
physician Hippocrates (460? — 357 B.C.E.) —
Late L. Hippocraticus, fr. L. Hippocrates, fr.
Gk. 'l7ciroKpdcT7)s. For the ending see suff. -ic.
Hippocrene, n., a fountain on Mt. Helicon sacred
to the Muses. — L., fr. Gk. 'l7t:toxp7)vyj, lit.
'horse's fountain', which is compounded of
I'mro?, 'horse', and xprjw), 'fountain'. See hippo-
and crenic. Derivative: Hippocren-ian, adj.
Hippodamia, n., daughter of Oenomaus, king of
Pisa, who offered her to the suitor who should
defeat him in a chariot race (Classical mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. 'ImroSineia, fr. l7nr6Sa(ioi;, 'tamer
of horses', which is formed fr. imco?, 'horse',
and the stem of Sau,5v, 'to tame'. See hippo- and
tame and cp. adamant
hippodrome, n., 1) in ancient Greece and Rome,
a course for horse races; 2) a circus for eques-
trian performances. — F., fr. L. hippodromos,
fr. Gk. E7rroS8po[i.o<;, 'race course', which is com-
pounded of linro?, 'horse', and 8p6u.oi;, 'course'.
See hippo- and dromedary. Derivatives: hippo-
drome, intr. v., hippodrom-ic, adj.
Hippoglossus, n., a genus of flatfishes, the halibut
(ichthyol.) — ModL., compounded of hippo-
and Gk. •fKStam, 'tongue'. See gloss, 'inter-
pretation'.
hippogriff, also hippogryph, n., an imaginary
monster combining the forms of the horse and
the fabulous griffin. — F. hippogriffe, fr. It.
ippogrifo, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. Imco^, 'horse'
(see hippo-), and grifo, 'griffin'. See griffin, 'a
mythical animal'.
hippoid, adj., resembling a horse (zoo/.) — Com-
pounded of hippo- and Gk. -osi8^?, 'like', fr.
elSoi;, 'form, shape'. See -oid and cp. equoid.
Hippolyte, n., an Amazon, daughter of Ares;
taken prisoner by Theseus (Greek mythol.) —
L., fr. Gk. 'l7T7TOXiiTiq, fem. of the name 'ItctciS-
Xuto;. See Hippolytus and cp. next word.
Hippolyte, n., a genus of prawns (zool.) — ModL.,
named after the Amazon Hippolyte. See prec.
word.
Hippolytidae, n. , pi . , a family of prawns . — ModL . ,
pi., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
Hippolytus, PN., a son of Theseus (Greek my-
thol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'ItctoSXutoi;, fr. Eot^Xutoi;,
lit. 'letting horses loose', formed fr. ihtzqc,,
'horse', and the stem of Xiktv, 'to loose, let
loose'. See hippo-, and -lysis.
hippophagous, adj., eating horseflesh. — Com-
pounded of hippo- and Gk. -ipayo?, 'eating',
from the stem of qnxyeiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
hippophagy, n., the practice of eating horseflesh.
— Compounded of hippo- and ^ayEa, fr. -epdtYoi;,
'eating'. See -phagy.
hippopotamic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
a hippopotamus. — See next word and -ic.
hippopotamus, n. — L., fr. Gk. Eroroi^Ta^oi;, lit.
'horse of the river', fr. Xtikoc,, 'horse' and 710-
Taf/.6i;, 'river'. See hippo- and potamo-.
Hipposelinum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. iTnroaiXTvov, 'coarse
parsley', lit. 'horse parsley', fr. Ikkoz, 'horse',
and <j£Xivov, 'parsley'. See hippo- and parsley
and cp. the second element in Petroselinum.
hippuric, adj., pertaining to the acid QHaNOs
(chem.) — Compounded of Gk. i-kkoq, 'horse',
and oSpov, 'urine' (see hippo-, urine and adj.
suff. -ic). This acid was so called because it was
first found (by Rouelle) in the urine of horses.
Hippuris, n., a genus of plants, the mare's tail
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'horse's tail', fr. hippo-
and Gk. oupdfc, 'tail'. See uro-, 'tail-'.
Hiram, masc. PN. — Phoen.-Heb. H'rdm, prob.
aphetic for Ahirdm, lit. 'brother of the lofty',
fr. dhf, construct state of ah, 'brother', and ram,
'high, lofty'. The first element is rel. to Aram.
ah, Ugar. 'h, Arab, dh, Ethiop. ahaw, Akkad.
ahu, 'brother', Heb. ah6th, Aram, dhdth, Syr.
hathd, Ugar. 'ht, Arab, uht, Ethiop. ahat, Ak-
kad. ahdtu, 'sister'. For the second element in
Ahirdm see Abram.
Hiramite, n. (applied to Freemasons). — Lit.
'descendant of Hiram (king of Tyre)'. Formed
fr. Hiram with subst. suff. -ite.
hircarra, n., a messenger; a spy (India). — Pers.
harkdrd, 'messenger, spy', compounded of har,
'every, all' (fr. OPers. haruva-), and kar, 'work,
business', fr. OPers. kar-, 'to make'. See corpus
and cp. Sanskrit and words there referred to.
hircine, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a he-
733
historify
goat; of a rank smell. — L. hirclnus, 'pertaining
to a he-goat', fr. hircus, 'he-goat', which is prob.
rel. to hirsutus, 'shaggy, prickly, bristly'. See
hirsute and adj. suff. -ine and cp. hearse.
hire, n. — ME., fr. OE. hyr, 'hire, wages, usury,
interest', rel. to OS. hura, huria, Dan. hyre,
Swed. hyra, 'hire, wages', OFris. here, MLG.,
MDu. hure, Du. huur, G. Heuer, 'hire, wages,
rent, lease'. The ulterior etymol. of these words
is unknown.
hire, tr. v. — ME. hiren, fr. OE. hyrian, rel. to
Dan. hyre, Swed. hyra, OFris. hera, MLG.,
MDu. huren, Du. huren, G. heuern, 'to hire,
rent'. These verbs are prob. denominated fr.
OE. hyr, resp. its equivalents in the other Teut.
languages. See hire, n.
Derivatives: hir-er, n., hire-ling, n.
hirple, intr. v., to walk lamely; to hobble (chiefly
Scot.) — Of unknown origin.
hirrient, adj., snarling; trilled. — L. hirriens, gen.
-entis, 'snarling,' pres. part, of hirrire, 'to snarl',
of imitative origin. Cp. hirundine. For the ending
see suff. -ent.
Derivative: hirrient, n., a trilled sound,
hirsute, adj., shaggy, bristly. — L. hir-sutus,
'shaggy, prickly, bristly', rel. to hir-tus, 'rough,
shaggy, hairy', and in gradational relationship
to horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle, shake,
shudder, shiver, tremble'. See horror and cp.
hearse, hispid.
Derivatives: hirsute-ness,n., hirsut-ism, n.
hirsuties, n., excessive growth of hair. — ModL.
hirsuties, lit. 'shagginess', fr. L. hirsutus. See
prec. word.
Hirtella, n., a genus of plants of the peach family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. L. hirtus, 'rough, hairy,
shaggy'. See prec. word and -ella.
Hirudo, n., a genus of leeches (zool.) — L. hirudd,
gen. hirudinis, 'leech', of uncertain origin.
hirundine, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a
swallow. — Contraction of *hirundin-ine (see
haplology), which is formed with adj. suff. -ine
fr. L. hirundd, gen. -Ms, 'swallow', fr. hirrire,
'to snarl'. See hirrient.
his, pron. — ME., fr. OE. his, 'of him, his', gen. of
masc. he, 'he', and of neut. hit, 'it'. See he and it.
hisingerite, n., a hydrous ferric silicate (mineral)
— G. Hisingerit, named after the Swedish chem-
ist Wilhelm Hisinger (1766-1852). The ending
-it goes back to Gk. -fr?)?; see subst. suff. -he.
Hispania, n., the Latin name of the country now
comprising Spain and Portugal. — L. Hispania,
'Spain', lit. 'the country of the Spaniards', fr.
Hispdnus, 'Spaniard', which is prob. of Iberian
origin. The 1 in (H)i-spdnia is prob. the Iberian
article. Cp. Spaniard, spaniel.
Hispanic, adj., Spanish. — L. Hispdnicus, fr.
Hispania. See prec. word and -ic.
hispid, adj., bristly. — L. hispidus, 'shaggy, prickly,
bristly', prob. rel. to hirsutus, of s.m. See hirsute.
Derivative: hispid-ity, n.
hiss, intr. v. and n. — ME. hissen, of imitative
origin. Derivatives: hiss-er, n., hiss-ing, n.,
hiss-ing-ly, adv.
hist, inter., hush. — Of imitative origin. Cp. hush,
whisht, whist, interj.
hist-, form of histo- before a vowel.
histamine, n., an amine, C 5 H 9 N 3 , occurring in ergot
and produced by the decomposition of histidine
(chem.) — Coined fr. histidine and amine.
histidine, histidin, n., an amino acid C 6 H s N 3 2
(chem.) — Coined fr. Gk. EotEov, dimin. of
Eot6i; (see histo-), and suff. -idine.
histo-, before a vowel hist-, combining form
meaning 'tissue'. — ■ Gk. E<jto-, Eot-, fr. Iax6?,
'ship's mast; loom; warp, web', which stands
for *aia-c6c and lit. means 'that which causes to
stand', fr. tarr^u (for *(j[-<jt)q-[xi), T make to
stand; I stand', fr. I.-E. base *std-, 'to stand',
whence also Gk. o-rijjjwov, 'the warp in the
loom', L. stare, 'to stand', stamen, 'the warp
in the loom'. See state and cp. anhistous, Actin-
istia. Cp. also stamen.
histogenesis, n., formation of organic tissue. —
Compounded of histo- and Gk. yhsaiQ, 'origin'.
See genesis.
histogenetic, adj., pertaining to histogenesis. —
See prec. word and genetic,
histology, n., the study of organic tissues. —
Compounded of histo- and -XoyEa, fr. -X6yo;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner); one
who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: histolog-ic, histolog-ic-al, adjs.,
histolog-ist, n.
histolysis, n., dissolution of organic tissue. —
Compounded of histo- and Gk. Xiiat<;, 'a loosing',
fr. Xiteiv, 'to loose'. See -lysis,
histolytic, adj., pertaining to histolysis. — See
prec. word and -lytic
histone, n., any of a group of basic proteins
(chem.) — Coined fr. Gk. Ectt6i; (see histo-) and
suff. -one.
historian, n. — F. historien, fr. L. historia. See
history and -an.
historiated, adj., illustrated with figures of flowers
or animals, etc. — Formed with suff. -ed fr. ML.
historidtus, pp. of historidre, 'to narrate, depict;
to paint', fr. L. historia, 'history'. See history
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. storiated. For sense
development cp. story, 'horizontal section of a
building'.
historic, adj. — L. historicus, fr. Gk. Ea-ropixoi;,
'historical', fr. Earopta, 'historical narrative'.
See history and -ic. Derivatives : historic-al, adj.,
historic-al-ly, adv., historic-ity, n.
historico-, combining form meaning 'historical'.
— Fr. Gk. EaTopo<6<;. See historic,
historied, adj., having a history. — See history
and -ed.
historiette, n., a short history, a short story. —
F., dimin. of histoire, 'history, story', fr. L.
historia. See history and -ette.
historify, tr. v., to treat in, or as in, history. —
Formed fr. history with suff. -fy.
historiographer
734
historiographer, n., historian. — Formed with
suft'. -er fr. earlier historiograph, fr. Late L. his-
toriographus, fr. Gk. EaTopioypacpoc;, 'history
writer', which is compounded of [a-ropia,
'history', and -ypatpo;;, fr. ypatpav, 'to write'.
See history and -graph.
historiography, n., the writing of history. — See
prec. word and -graphy.
Derivatives : historiograph-ic, historiograph-ic-al,
adjs., historiograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
history, n. — L. Iristoria, 'narrative, story, nar-
ration, account', fr. Gk. Ea-opia, 'learning by
inquiry, knowledge obtained by inquiry; ac-
count of one's inquiries; narration, historical
narrative; history', fr. tax-cop (Boeot. Fia-rap),
'knowing, learned', which stands for *fiSTcop
and is rel. to olSx (for *fotSa), 'I know', elSov
(for *eft8ov), 'I saw', tSelv (for *ftSetv), 'to
see', I8sa (prob. for *Fi8iati), 'look, semblance;
kind, nature, class, species', and cogn. with L.
videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp. idea and words
there referred to. Cp. also story, polyhistor.
histrionic, adj., pertaining to an actor. — Late L.
histridnicus, 'pertaining to an actor', fr. histrio,
gen. -onis, 'actor', fr. hister, 'actor', which is of
Etruscan origin.
Derivative: hi:,trionic-al-Iy, adv.
hit, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hitten, fr. ON. hitta,
'to hit upon, meet with', whence also Dan. hitte,
Swed. hitta, 'to hit, find'.
Derivatives: hit, n., hitt-er, n.
hitch, tr. and intr. v., to move by jerks. — ME.
hytchen, 'to move, remove', rel. to dial. E. hike,
'to move with a jerk', Scot, hitch, 'a motion by
jerks'. Cp. hike.
Derivatives: hitch, n., hitch-er, n., hitch-y, adj.,
hitch-i-ly, adv., hitch-i-ness, n.
hithe, n., landing place, port (archaic or in place
names). — ME. hythe, fr. OE. hyth, 'landing
place', rel. to OS. huth, of s.m.
hither, adv. — ME. hider, hither, fr. OE. hider,
rel. to ON. hedra (for *hidra), 'here', Goth.
hidre, 'hither'; formed from the Teut. demon-
strative base *hi- (whence also he, here) with
the comparative suff. -ther. Cp. thither. Cp. also
cis-, citra-.
Derivative : hither, adj.
hitherward, also hitherwards, adv. — OE. hider-
weard. See hither and -ward, resp. -wards.
Hittite, n. — Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr.
Heb. Hitti, 'Hittite' (pi. Hitttm), fr. Hitt. Haiti.
hive, n. — ME. hive, fr. OE. hyf, rel. to ON.
hufr, 'hull of a ship', and cogn. with Of. kdpah,
'hollow, pit, cave', Gk. v:i~ r t , 'a kind of ship',
xvttsaaov, 'cup', L. cupa, 'tub, cask, vat'. See
cup and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: hire, tr. and intr. v.
hives, n., any of various eruptive skin diseases. —
Of uncertain origin.
Hivite, n., one of an ancient tribe of Canaan dis-
possessed by the Israelites. — Formed with
subst. suff. -ite fr. Heb. Hiwwt, lit. 'villager', fr.
hawwd'', 'tent-village, village', which prob. de-
rives fr. base h-w-h, 'to gather', and is rel. to
Arab, hdwa, 'he collected, gathered', hiwd',
'circle of tents'.
ho, interj. — Imitative. Cp. whoa.
hoactzin, n. — See hoatzin.
hoar, adj. — ME. har, hor, fr. OE. hdr, 'gray,
gray-haired, old', rel. to ON. hdrr, of s.m., OS.,
OHG. her, 'distinguished, noble, glorious, ex-
cellent', MHG. her, 'distinguished, noble,
proud, gay, holy', G. hehr, 'exalted, august,
noble, sublime', Herr, 'lord, master', herrlich,
'glorious, excellent', fr. Teut. base *haira, cor-
responding to T.-E. *koiro-\ cp. Mir. ciar, 'dark',
fr. base *keiro-, a vowel-gradation form of
*koiro-. Cp. Herr, herring, and the second ele-
ment in mynheer, younker. Cp. also hue.
Derivatives: hoar, n., and intr. and tr. v., hoar-y,
adj., hoar-i-ness, n.
hoard, n. — ME. hord, fr. OE. hord, rel. to OS.
hord, ON. hodd, OHG., MHG., G. hort, Goth.
huzd, 'treasure', lit. 'hidden treasure', fr. I.-E.
*quz-dho-. The first element in this base means
'hidden'; see hide, 'to conceal', and cp. words
there referred to. The second element in *quz-
dho- means 'placed', fr. base *dhe-, *dho-, 'to
place', whence also Gk. -rtSivai, 'to place',
OE. don, 'to do'. See d*> and cp. theme. Cp. also
treasure.
hoard, tr. and intr. v. — ME. horden, fr. OE.
hordian, fr. hord. See hoard, n.
Derivatives: hoard-er, n., hoarding (q.v.)
hoarding, n., the act of one who hoards. —
Formed fr. hoard, v., with -ing, suff. forming
verbal nouns,
hoarding, n., a temporary fence. — Formed with
subst. suff. -ing fr. obsol. E. hoard, fr. OF.
hoard, hourt, hort, 'scaffold', which is of Teut.
origin. Cp. OHG. hurd, 'hurdle', and see
hurdle.
hoarhound, n. — See horehound.
hoarse, adj. — ME. hors, fr. earlier hos, fr. OE.
has, rel. to OS. hes, ON. hdss, Dan. hxs, Swed,
hes, Du. hees, OHG. heisi, heis, MHG. heise,
heiser, earlier G. heisch, G. heiser, 'hoarse'.
These words prob. meant orig. 'dried out;
rough', and are rel. to OE. hat, etc., 'hot'; see
hot. The insertion of the r in ME. hors is prob.
due to the influence of harsh.
Derivatives: hoarse-ly, adv., hoarse-ness, n.
hoatzin, hoactzin, n., a bird of S. America. — Sp.,
fr. Nahuatl uatzin.
hoax, n. and tr. v. — Fr. earlier hocus. See hocus-
pocus.
Derivative: hoax-er, n.
hob, n., i) a rustic; a clownish lout; 2) a fairy. —
Fr. Hob, a pet form of Robin. Cp. hobgoblin,
hob, n., projection at the side of a fireplace; peg.
— Of uncertain origin. Cp. hub.
hobble, intr. v., to go haltingly, to limp; tr. v.,
to cause to go haltingly. — ME. hobelen; rel.
to Du. hobbelen, 'to rock from side to side*,
735
hog
freq. of hobben, 'to toss, to rock'. Cp. hopple
and hobby, 'a small species of falcon'.
Derivatives: hobble, n., hobbler (q.v.), hobbl-
ing-ly, adv.
hobbledehoy, also hobbadehoy, hobbedehoy, n.,
a clumsy youth. — Of uncertain origin,
hobbler, n., one who, or that which, hobbles. —
Formed from the verb hobble with agential
suff. -er.
hobbler, n., a retainer who maintained a horse
for military service (Engl, hist.) — ME. hobler,
hobeler, a blend of OF. hobin, hobi, 'a small
horse' (see hobby, 'a nag'), and OF. hobeler,
'to skirmish', fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself;
shake, agitate', which is of Teut. origin. Cp.
Du. hobben, 'to toss', and see hobble.
hobby, n., a small species of falcon. — ME. hobi,
hoby, fr. OF. hobet, dimin. of hobe, 'falcon'
(whence also F. hobereau, 'hobby; squireen'),
fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself. See prec. word.
hobby, n., 1) a nag; 2) hobby horse; 3) favorite
occupation. — ME. hobin, 'nag', fr. OF. hobin,
hobi, 'a small horse', orig. 'the ambling animal',
fr. OF. hober, 'to bestir oneself. See hobby,
'a species of falcon', and cp. aubin.
hobgoblin, n., \)(cap.) Robin Goodfellow; 2) an
elf, goblin ; 3) a bogey. — Compounded of hob,
'a kind of fairy', and goblin.
hobnail, n. — Compounded of hob, 'fairy', and
nail.
Derivative: hobnail-ed, adj.
hobnob, intr. v., to be on intimate terms. — A
var. of early ModE. hab nab, fr. OE. habban,
'to have', and nabban, contraction of ne habban,
'not to have'. Hence hobnob orig. meant 'have
or have not'. See have.
hobo, n., a tramp (American Slang). — Of un-
known origin.
hobson-jobson, n., a festal excitement. — Cor-
ruption of Arab, ya Hasan ! ya Husayn ! 'O
Hasan! O Husain!', cry of the Mohammedans
at the procession of the Moharram. See Yule
and Burnell, Hobson-Jobson, p. 419.
Hobson's choice, n. — So called after Thomas
Hobson (died in 1631), who had livery stables at
Cambridge and let out horses to customers on
the condition that they had to take the animal
standing in the stable nearest to the stable door.
hock, n., the joint in the hind leg of a horse. —
ME. hough, hoch, fr. OE. hdh, 'heel', rel. to the
first element in ON. ha-sin, OE. hdh-sinu, 'hock
sinew', OHG. hahsa, MHG. hahse, G. Hachse,
'hock', ON. hsell, OE. hxla, 'heel', and cogn.
with OI. kdksah, kaksd, Avestic kasha, 'armpit',
L. coxa, 'hip', Lith. kinka, kenkle, 'knee joint',
cinksla, 'knee sinew', Olr. coss, 'foot'. Cp. bough.
Cp. also heel. Cp. also coxa. For the second
element in ON. hd-sin, OE. hdh-sinu, see sinew.
Derivative: hock, tr. v., to hamstring.
hock, n., white Rhenish wine. — Orig. 'wine of
Hochheim', abbreviation of obsol. hockamore,
'wine of Hochheim', fr. G. Hochheimer, fr.
Hochheim, a village near Mainz in Germany.
Hockday, n., the second Tuesday after Easter., —
The first element in this compound is of Un-
known origin. It is not related to G. hoch, 'high'.
hockey, n. — Prob. fr. OF. hoquet, 'bent club,
shepherd's crook', formed with suff. -e't fr. OF.
hoc, 'a hook', which is of Teut. origin (cp. OE.
hoc and see hook); prob. so called because
played with clubs hooked slightly at the end.
hocus, n. and tr. v. — Short for hocus-pocus.
hocus-pocus, n., a conjurer's trick. — Sham L.
Cp. hoax, hokey-pokey.
hod, n., a portable trough for carrying mortar.
— MDu. hodde, 'basket', rel. to Frankish
*hotta (whence F. hotte, 'basket for the back')
and to dial. G. Hotte, 'basket for the back'.
hodden, n., a coarse woolen cloth. — Perh. fr.
Northern E. dial, form of holden, pp. of held,
hence lit. 'cloth held (at home)*. See hold.
Hodge, n., the agricultural laborer. — A popular
form of the name Roger.
hodgepodge, n. — A var. of hotchpotch (q.v.)
hodgkinsonite, n., a hydrous zinc manganese sili-
cate (mineral.) — Named after H. H. Hodgkin-
son of Franklin Furnace, New Jersey. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hodiernal, adj., of this day. — Formed with adj.
suff. -al fr. L. hodiernus, 'of this day', fr. hodie,
'today', which stands for hoc die, 'on this day',
fr. abl. of hie, 'this', and dies, 'day'. L. hie prob.
stands for hi-ce or he-ce, which is compounded
of the emphatic particle hi-, resp. he-, and the
demonstrative particle -ce. Particle hi-, he- is
cogn. with the emphatic particles: OI. ghc,
'just, indeed, certainly', ha, 'of course, surely',
OI. hi, Avestic zi, 'for, because; surely, indeed',
Gk. (in ou-xi, \p\-X l > 'not', vai-yi, 'yea,
verily'), OSlav. -go-, -ze (after a negation), Lith.
-gu, -gi. For the demonstrative particle -ce cp.
the second element in L. istic, 'this', illic, 'that'.
See he and cp. haecceity, encore and langue
d'oc. For the second element in L. hodie see
dies non.
hodograph, hodometer. — See odograph, odo-
meter.
hoe, n. — ME. howe, fr. MF. (= F.) houe, fr.
Frankish *hauwa, which is rel. to OHG. houwa
(MHG. houwe, G. Haue), 'hoe, mattock, pickax',
fr. OHG. houwan, which is rel. to OE. heawan,
'to cut, hew'. See hew.
hoe, tr. v. — ME. howwen, fr. howe. See hoe, n.
Derivative: ho-er, n.
hoernesite, n., a hydrous magnesium arsenate
(mineral.) — G. Hoernesit, named after the
Austrian paleontologist Moritz Hoernes (1852-
19 1 7). The ending -it goes back to Gk. -f-njg;
see subst. suff. -ite.
hog, n. — ME. hog, hogge, fr. OE. hogg, of un-
certain origin.
Derivatives: hog, tr. and intr. v., hogg-ed, adj.,
hogg-ery, n., hogg-ish, adj., hogg-ish-ly, adv.,
hogg-ish-ness, n.
Hogarth ian
736
Hogarthlan, adj., in the satirical manner of the
English painter and caricaturist William Ho-
garth (1 697- 1 764). — For the ending see suff . -ist.
Hogen-Mogen, n., 1) 'Their High Mightinesses',
i.e. the States-General of the United Provinces
of the Netherlands (obsol.); 2) the Dutch; a
Dutchman (used contemptuously). — Fr. Du.
Hoogmogendheden,'High Mightinesses' (fr. hoog,
'high', and mogend, 'mighty'), title of the States-
General in the Netherlands. See high, and may,
mighty.
hoicks, hoick, interj., a call to incite hounds. —
Of unknown origin. Cp. yoicks.
hoiden, n. — See hoyden,
hoi polloi, the common people, the rabble. —
Gk. o[ ttoXXoi, 'the many', pi. of 710X6?. See
poly-.
hoise, tr. v., to hoist (obsol.) — Late ME. hoise,
alter, of earlier hyce, hysse, fr. MLG. hissen or
MDu. hischen (Du. hijsen), 'to hoist' (whence
also G. hissen, F. hisser, It. issare, Sp., Port.
izar) ; possibly of imitative origin. Cp. next word.
hoist, tr. v., to raise, lift. — Alter, of hoise, prob.
due to a confusion with hoised, hoist, pp. of
hoise.
Derivatives: hoist, n., hoist-er, n., hoist-ing, n.
and adj.
hoity-toity, adj., 1) giddy, flighty; 2) haughty,
arrogant; 3) petulant. — From the obsol. v.
hoit, 'to indulge in riotous gaiety', which is of
uncertain origin.
hokey-pokey, n., 1) hocus-pocus; 2) cheap ice-
cream sold in the streets. — Prob. altered fr.
hocus-pocus.
hokhmah, n., wisdom; (cap.), wisdom literature,
a division of ancient Hebrew writings. — Heb.
hokhmd", 'wisdom', from the stem of hakhdm,
'he was wise', whence also hakhdm, 'skillful,
learned, wise', rel. to Aram.-Syr. hakhdm, 'he
was wise', Arab, hdkuma, 'he was wise', hakim,
'wise'. See hakeem.
hoi-, form of holo- before a vowel.
holcad, n., a ship of burden (Greek antiq.) —
Gk. oXxa?, gen. 6Xxa8o?, 'ship of burden', lit.
'a ship that is towed', rel. to SXxetv, 'to draw'.
See Holcus and -ad and cp. hulk.
holcodont, adj., having the teeth set in a contin-
uous groove. — Compounded of Gk. SXxoi;,
'furrow', and the stem of 68cov, gen. 686vto?,
'tooth'. See next word and odonto-.
Holcus, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — L., a kind
of grass, fr. Gk. 6Xx6?, adj., 'attractive', which is
rel. to 6Xx6<;, n., 'that which draws; a track made
by drawing, a furrow', and to eXxeiv, 'to draw,
attract', fr. I.-E. base *selq-, 'to draw', whence
also L. sulcus, 'furrow, trench'. See sulcate and
cp. holcad, holcodont, hulk.
hold, tr. and intr. v. — ME. healden, halden, hoi-
den, fr. OE haldan, healdan, rel. to OS. haldan,
ON. halda, Dan. holde, Swed. hAlla, OFris.
halda, MLG. halden Du. houden, OHG. haltan,
MHG„ G. halten, 'to hold', Goth, haldan, 'to
tend' (orig. prob. 'to drive on'), fr. Teut. *hal-
dan, which is prob. a dental enlargement of
I.-E. base *quel-, 'to drive'. The phases of the
sense development of the above words prob.
were 'to drive on' (cattle, etc.); 'to tend' (cattle;
as in Goth, haldan) ; 'to hold' (cattle, etc.)'. For
other derivatives of I.-E. base *qel-, see celerity
and words there referred to. Cp. behold, halt,
'stoppage', hodden, holt, 'lair of an animal'.
Derivatives: hold, n., hold-er, n., hold-ing, a.
hold, n., space in a ship below the lower deck,
in which cargo is stowed (naut.) — ME. hott,
fr. MDu. hool, hoi, 'hole; hold'. See hole.
hoiden, archaic pp. of the verb hold.
holdenite, n., a basic manganese zinc arsenate
(mineral.) — Named after the American mineral
collector Albert Fairchild Hoiden (1866-1913)..
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hole, n. — ME., fr. OE. hoi, 'hollow place, hole'
(prop. neut. of the adj. hoi, 'hollow', used as a
noun), and OE. holh, 'hollow place, hole'; rel.
to OS., OFris., MDu., OHG., MHG. hoi, MDu.
hool, ON. holr, G. hohl, 'hollow', Goth, us-hulon,
'to hollow out', prob. fr. I.-E. base *qaul-, *qul-,
'hollow, a hollowed thing', whence also Gk.
xocuX6i;, 'stem', L. caulis, colis, 'stem, stalk'; see
cole.
Derivatives: hole, tr. and intr. v., hole-ly, adj.
Holi, Hoolee, Hooly, n., spring festival in honor
of Krishna (Hindu religion). — Hind, holi, fr.
OI. holdkd, which is prob. of imitative origin.
holiday, n. — ME. holidei, fr. OE. haligdxg, lit.
'a holy day'. See holy and day.
holily, adv. — ME., fr. OE. hdliglice. See holy
and adv. suff. -ly.
holiness, n. — ME. holynesse, fr. OE. hdlignes.
See holy and -ness.
holism, n., the theory that regards nature as con-
sisting of 'wholes' (philos.) — Coined with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. 8X0?, 'whole, entire'. See holo-.
Holland, n., the Netherlands. — Du. Holland, fr.
earlier Holtlant, lit. 'wood land' (in allusion to
the important district with the center Dor-
drecht). MDu. holt, hout (Du. hout), 'wood', is
rel. to ist E. holt (q.v.) For Du. land see land.
Cp. next word and Hollands.
hollandaise, n., a seasoned sauce made of yolk of
eggs and butter. — Short for F. sauce hollan-
daise, 'Dutch sauce' ; hollandaise is the feminine
of hollandais, 'Dutch', fr. Hollande, 'Holland'.
See prec. word.
holland ite, n., manganate of barium, manganese
and iron (mineral.) — Named after the English
geologist Sir Thomas Henry Holland (1868-
1947), director of the geological survey of India.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Hollands, n., gin made in Holland. — Du. Hol-
landsch genever (now spelled Hollands jenever),
'Holland gin'. See Holland. The suff. -sch in
Hollandsch corresponds to E. -ish (q.v.)
hollo, interj., n. and intr. and tr. v. — Imitative,
hollow, adj. — ME. holh, holwe, fr. holh, 'hole',
737
holt
fr. OE. holh, 'hollow, place, hole'. See hole.
Derivatives: hollow, adv., n., v., hollow-ly, adv.,
hollow-ness, n.
holly, n. — ME. holi, holin, fr. OE. holegn, holen,
rel. to OS., OHG. hulis, huls, ON., hulfr, MDu.,
MHG. huls, Du., G. hulst, 'holly', and cogn.
with Mir. cuilenn, W. celyn, Gael, cuilionn,
'holly'. These words lit. mean 'the pricking
tree'. They derive fr. I.-E. base *qet-, 'to prick',
whence also OSlav. koljq, klati, 'to prick',
OSlav. klasu, Russ. kdlos, 'ear of corn', lit. 'that
which pricks'. See Solmsen in Beitrage zur Ge-
schichte der Deutschen Sprache und Literatur,
27, 366. — F. houx, 'holly', is a loan word fr.
Frankish *huls, 'which is rel. to OHG. huls,
'holly'. Cp. holm oak, hulver.
hollyhock, n., a plant of the mallow family. —
ME. holihoc, lit. 'holy mallow' compounded of
ME. holi, 'holy (see holy), and OE. hoc,
'mallow', which is of unknown origin.
holm, n., an island situated in a lake or river. —
OE., 'sea, island, hill', rel. to ON. holmr, 'island,
rising land', fr. I.-E. base *qel-, 'to rise, be ele-
vated'. See hill.
holmia, n., holmium oxide (chem.) — ModL.,
named by its discoverer the Swedish chemist
Per Teodor Cleve (1840-1905) in 1879 after
Holmia, the Latin name of Stockholm, his
native city. For the ending see suff. -ia.
holmium, n., name of a metallic element (chem.)
— Coined by the French chemist Lecoq de Bois-
baudran (1838-1912) in 1886 fr. prec. word. For
the ending see suff. -ium.
holm oak, — ME. holm, fr. OE. holen, 'holly'. See
holly.
holo-, before a vowel hoi-, combining form mean-
ing 'whole, entire, complete'. — Gk. 6X0-, 6X-,
fr. 6X0?, 'whole, entire', which stands for
*6Xfoi;, fr. I.-E. *sol-wos, whence also L. sollus
(for *solwos), 'whole, entire'. See safe and words
there referred to and cp. esp. the second element
in catholic.
holocaust, n., 1) a burnt offering; 2) complete
destruction by fire; 3) a great destruction. —
F. holocauste, fr. L. holocaustum, fr. Gk. 6X6-
xauaxov, lit. 'a thing wholly burnt', neut. of the
adj. 6X6xau<jTo?, which is compounded of 8Xos,
'whole' (see holo-), and xou<jt6<;, verbal adj. of
xetteiv (for *xAFieiv), 'to burn'. See caustic.
Derivatives: holocaust-al, holocaust-ic, adjs.
holograph, n., a document written entirely by the
person from whom it proceeds. — Late L. holo-
graphs (whence also F. holographe), fr. Gk.
6x6ypacpoi;, 'written in full, written entirely by
the same hand', which is compounded of 6X0?,
'whole' (see holo-), and -Ypa90?, fr. fpifsi^, 'to
write'. See -graph.
Derivatives: holograph-ic, holograph-ic-al, adjs.
holohedral, adj., having the full number of faces
required by complete symmetry (said of crys-
tals). — Compounded of holo- and Gk. fSSpa,
'seat; base, side, face'. See -hedral.
holomorphic, adj., of symmetrical form. — • Com-
pounded of holo- and Gk. (AopcpTj, 'form, shape'.
See -morphic.
holophote, adj., an optical apparatus by which
all the light of a lighthouse lamp is utilized. —
Compounded of holo- and Gk. 901?, gen.''9<0T65,
'light'. See photo-.
holophrasis, n., the expression of a whole phrase
in a single word (as in some agglutinative lan-
guages). — Compounded of holo- and Gk.
9pdtai?, 'speech, expression, phrase'. See phrase.
holophrastic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized
by, holophrasis. — Compounded of holo- and
Gk. (ppa<xux6i;, 'expressive', fr. 9pa£ei.v, 'to
point out, show, tell', whence also 9paaic;. See
prec. word and -ic.
holophyte, n., a plant-capable of manufacturing
its own food. — Compounded of holo- and Gk.
9ut6v, 'plant'. See phyto-.
Holosteum, n., a genus of plants, the jagged
chickweed (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 6X6oTeov,
used by Dioscorides for a plant. The word lit.
means 'wholly of bones', fr. oXo?, 'whole', and
6or£ov, octtouv, 'bone'. See holo- and osteo-.
Holothuria, n., the genus of sea cucumbers (zool.)
— ModL., fr. L. holothuria (pi.), fr. Gk. 6X0-
doupiov, 'a kind of marine zoophyte'.
holpen, archaic pp. of help.
holster, n., leather case for a pistol. — Du., a col-
lateral form of holfter, rel. to OHG. huluft,
MHG. hulft, 'cover, case, sheath', MHG. hulf-
ter, 'quiver', G. Holfter, 'holster', OE. heolstor,
'that which covers, hiding place, concealment,
darkness', ON. hulstr, 'case, sheath*, Goth.
hulistr, 'covering, veil', and to OE. helan, 'to
conceal', fr. I.-E. base *kel-, 'to hide, conceal'.
See cell and cp. housing, 'covering'. The suff.
-tr, -str, in the above words is instrumental.
Derivatives: holster, tr. v., holster-ed, adj.
holt,n., small wood. — OE., rel. to OS., ON., Dan.,
Norw., OFris. holt, MDu. holt, hout, Du. hout,
OHG., MHG., G. holz, 'wood', and cogn. with
Gk. xXdcSo;, 'young branch or shoot', L. clddes,
'injury, mischief, disaster', Russ.-Church Slavic
klada, 'beam', kladivo, 'hammer', Mir. claidim,
'I dig', caill (for *caldet), 'forest', W. clawdd,
Co. claud, 'ditch', Olr. claid-eb, W. cleddyf,
'sword' (L. gladius, 'sword', is a Celtic loan
word). All these words derive fr. I.-E. *qeldd-,
*qoldd-, *qldd-, *q\do-, -^-enlargements of
base *qel(d)-, *qol(d)-, 'to strike, beat, break',
whence Gk. xXSv, 'to break', xXSjpo;, Dor.
xXapo;, prop, 'little piece of wood lopped off
(used for casting lots)', hence 'a casting of lots',
L. caldmitds, 'damage, injury, loss, misfortune'
(with the primary meaning 'blow'), in-columis,
'unimpaired, uninjured', Lith. kalitl, kdlti, 'to
strike, forge', Lett. ka\u, kalt, 'to forge', OSlav.
koljo, klati, 'to pierce, slaughter'. Cp. the second
element in clapholt and the first element in Hol-
land. Cp. also halt, 'lame', hilt. Cp. also calamity,
clastic, claymore, Clematis, clergy, cleric, clerk,
holt
738
colobium, coloboma, Colobus, coup, gladiator,
glaive, Procellaria. Cp. also the first element in
colure.
holt, n., retreat or lair of an animal. — A var. of
hold, n. See hold.
holus-bolus, adv., all at once. — Sham Latin
coined fr. whole and bolus.
holy, adj. — ME. hali, holi, fr. OE. hdlig, rel. to
OS. helag, ON. heilagr, Dan. hellig, Swed. helig,
OFris., MDu. helich, Du. heilig, OHG. heilag,
MHG. heilec, G. heilig, Goth, hailags, 'holy',
and to OE. hal, 'whole, healthy'. See whole and
cp. hale, 'sound, healthy'. Cp. also halibut,
halidom, hallow, hollyhock. Cp. also Olga.
horn-, form of homo- before a vowel.
homage, n. — ME., fr. OF. homage (F. hommage),
fr. ML. homindticum, 'vassal's service', fr. L.
homo, gen. hominis, 'man', which is rel. to
humdnus, 'human'. See human and -age and cp.
the second element in bonhomie.
homalo-, before a vowel homal-, combining form
meaning 'even'. — Gk. ojiaXo-, ojxixX-, fr. 6|iaX6?,
'even, level, of like degree', fr. 6(i6i;, 'one and
the same', which is cogn. with L. similis, 'like'.
See homo- and cp. anomalo-.
Homarus, n., a genus of crustaceans (zool.) —
ModL., fr. F. homard, fr. ON. humarr, which
is cogn. with Gk. xajijiapoi;, 'lobster'. See
Cambarus.
hombre, n., a man. — Sp., fr. L. hominem, acc.
of homo, 'man'. See homage.
home, n. — ME. home, hoom, fr. OE. ham, rel. to
OS. hem, 'home', OFris. hem, ham, 'home, vil-
lage', ON. heimr, 'residence, world', heima,
'home', Swed. hem, Dan. hjem, MDu. heem,
heim, OHG., MHG., G. heim, 'home', Goth.
haims, 'village', and cogn. with Gk. xd>u.T], 'vil-
lage', xoi.fj.av, 'to lull, put to sleep', Lith. kaimas,
OPruss. caymis, 'village', OSlav. semija, Lith.
seimyna, Lett, saime, OPruss. seimins, 'domestic
servants', Olr. coim, cdem, 'dear, beloved', OW.
cum, ModW. cu, of s.m., L. -haemum (a Teut.
loan word) in Boihaemum, 'Bohemia', lit. 'home
of the Boi' ; formed — with -m-formative element
— fr. I.-E. base *kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence
also Goth, heiwa-frauja, 'master of a house', OE.
hiwan ( pi.), 'members of a family', hiwen, 'family,
household', OHG. hiwo, 'husband', hiwa, 'wife',
hiun (pi.), 'married couple', ON. hiun, 'married
couple, household', OE. higid, hid, 'hide of
land', lit. 'land (sufficient) to support a family',
OE. hiw-rieden, hi-red, 'family, household',
OHG., MHG. hi-rat, G. Hei-rat, 'marriage',
orig. 'care of the house' (the second element of
these latter words means 'advice, counsel' ; see
rede, n.), and L. civis, 'citizen'. See civil and
cp. the first element in comedy. Cp. also ham,
'hamlet', hamesucken, hamlet, haunt, Henry,
hide, 'measure of land', hind, 'farm servant',
Bohemia. Cp. also erne, oom.
Derivatives: home, adj., adv. and tr. and intr.
v., home-less, adj., home-less-ly, adv., home-less-
ness, n., home-ly, adj., home-li-ly, adv., home-
li-ness, n.
homeo-, homoeo-, combining form meaning 'sim-
ilar to'. — Gk. 8(1010-, fr. o|xoio<; (also 6;ioto<;),
'like, resembling', rel. to ou.6;, 'one and the
same'. See homo- and cp. the second element
in Ipomoea.
homeomorphism, homoeomorphism, n., similarity
in form. — See next word and -ism.
homeomorphous, homoeomorphous, adj., of sim-
ilar form. — Compounded of homeo- and
-morphous.
homeopath, homoeopath, n., homeopathist. —
Back formation fr. homeopathy.
homeopathy, homoeopathy, n., a system of healing
based on the theory that a disease can be cured
by medicines which in a healthy person would,
produce symptoms similar to those of the dis-
ease treated. — G. Homdopathie, coined by the
German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-
1843), the founder of homeopathy, fr. Gk.
6u,otoTCa&Eitx, 'likeness in feeling, likeness in
suffering', fr. ojioio!;, 'like', and -TOtS-sta, 'feel-
ing, suffering'. See homeo- and -pathy and cp.
allopathy.
Derivatives: homeopath-ic, adj., homeopath-ic-
al-ly, adv.
homer, n., a Hebrew measure of capacity. —
Heb. hSmer, 'heap; measure', fr. h&mar, 'he
heaped, piled up', rel. to Akkad. imeru, 'a
measure'.
homer, n., a homing pigeon. — Formed with
agential suff. -er from the verb home, 'to send
homeward', fr. home, n. See home.
Homer, masc. PN. — L. Homerus, fr. Gk. "0(i7) e
po?, 'Homer', name of the alleged author of th,
Iliad and the Odyssey, fr. 6(j.7)po<;, 'hostage
(prop, 'companion'); 'blind' (prop, 'going with
a companion') (whence 6(i7)peuei.v, 'to accom-
pany, go together with'), which is prob. formed
fr. 6(xo-j, 'together', and the stem of itp-9-pov,
'joint', dp-ap-torxstv, 'to join'. See homo- and
arm, 'upper limb'.
Homeric, adj., pertaining to Homer or his poems.
— L. Homericus, fr. Gk. "0(iY)pi.x6(;, 'pertaining
to Homer', fr. "Ou.7)po<;. See Homer and -ic.
homesick, adj. — Back formation fr. next word.
Derivative : homesick-ly, adv.
homesickness, n. — Loan translation of G. Heim-
weh, fr. Heim, 'home', and Weh, 'woe, pain'.
homestead, n. — OE. hdmstede, 'residence', com-
pounded of ham, 'home', and stede, 'place'. See
home and stead.
homeward, adv. and adj. — ME. hamward, fr.
OE. hdmweard. See home and -ward.
homewards, adv. — OE. hdmweardes, formed fr.
hdmweard with adv. gen. suff. Cp. OHG. heim-
wartes, G. heimwarts, and see prec. word and
-wards.
homey, also homy, adj., homelike (colloq.) —
Formed fr. home with adj. suff. -y.
homicidal, adj., pertaining to homicide. — Late
739
homologate
L. homiciddlis, 'pertaining to manslaughter', fr.
L. homicida. See next word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative : homicidally, adv.
homicide, n., manslayer. — F., fr. L. homicida,
'manslayer, murderer', which is compounded of
homi- (shortened for homini-, stem of homo, gen.
-inis, 'man') and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere, 'to
kill'. See human and -cide, 'killer'.
homicide, n., manslaughter. — F., fr. L. homi-
cidium, 'manslaughter', which is compounded
of homi- (shortened fr. homini-, stem of homo,
gen. -inis, 'man') and -cidium, 'killing', fr. cae-
dere, 'to kill'. See human and -cide, 'killing'.
homiletic, adj., pertaining to sermons or homi-
letics. — Gk. 6(j.TX7)tix6i;, 'conversable', fr.
6[xTX7)t6<;, verbal adj. of 6[iD.£iv, 'to be together
with, converse with', fr. 6|xTX6i;, 'crowd, assem-
bly'. See homily.
Derivatives: homiletic, n., homiletic-al, adj.,
homiletical-ly, adv., homiletics (q.v.)
homiletics, n., the art of preaching. — See prec.
word and -ics.
homiliary, n., a book of homilies. — Eccles. L.
homilidrium, 'a book of homilies', fr. homilia.
See homily and -ary.
homilist, n., one who composes or preaches ho-
milies. — See homily and -ist.
homilite, n., an iron calcium borosilicate (min-
eral.) — G. or Swed. homilit, formed fr. Gk.
ofilXeiv, 'to be together with, converse with'
with subst. suff. -it, which goes back to Gk.
-t-n)Q (see homily and subst. suff. -ite); so called
in allusion to its association with erdmannite
and meliphanite.
homily, n., sermon. — OF. omelie (F. homelie),
fr. Eccles. L. homilia, fr. Gk. ojxIXta, 'converse,
meeting, assembly', fr. 01x1X05, 'crowd, throng,
assembly', which is prob. a contraction of
*6(i6-|i.IXoi;, lit. 'a gathering together' (see
haplology). For the first element see homo-. The
second element is cogn. with OI. mildti,
'meets', melah, 'assembly', L. miles, gen. -itis,
'soldier', lit., 'one who marches in a troop';
see militia. Cp. homilite.
Derivatives: homil-ist, n., homil-ist-ic, adj.,
homil-ize, intr. v. (rare).
homing, adj., bound for home (esp. used in the
term homing pigeon). — Formed with adj. suff.
-ing from the verb home, 'to send homeward',
fr. home, n. See home.
hominy, n., a meal made from maize. — Prob.
aphetic for Algonquian auhuminea, 'parched
corn'.
homo, n., man — L. homo. See human.
homo-, before a vowel horn-, combining form
meaning 'one and the same, jointly'. — Gk.
ou.0-, ou.-, fr. 6(i6? (for *somos), 'one and the
same, belonging to two or more jointly', rel. to
6[ioO, 'together', and cogn. with OI. samdh,
'even, the same', L. similis, 'like', Goth, sama,
'the same', samana, 'together'. See same and
words there referred to and cp. esp. homeo-,
homalo-, hama-, the first element in Homer and
the second element in schorlomite.
homoblastic, adj., developed from cells of the
same kind (biol.) — Compounded of homo- and
Gk. (iXacrrog, 'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blastic
and cp. heteroblastic.
homochromous, adj., of the same color. — Com-
pounded of homo- and Gk. xp5>(ia, 'color'. See
chrome and -ous and cp. heterochromous.
homodont, adj., having all the teeth of the same
form (zool.) — Compounded of hom- and the
stem of Gk. 68o>v, gen. oSovto?, 'tooth'. See
odonto- and cp. heterodont.
homoeo-, a var. spelling of homeo-.
homogamous, adj., bearing flowers that do not
differ sexually (bot.) — Gk. 6(i6yoc(io<;, 'married
together', compounded of 6(10- (see homo-) and
yctfio?, 'marriage'. See -gamous and cp. hetero-
gamous.
homogamy, n. (bot.) — See prec. word and -gamy
and cp. heterogamy.
homogeneal, adj., homogeneous. — See homo-
geneous and adj. suff. -al and cp. heterogeneal.
homogeneity, n., the quality of being homogene-
ous. — F. homogeneite, fr. ML. homogeneitdtem,
acc. of homogeneitds, fr. homogeneus. See next
word and -ity and cp. heterogeneity.
homogeneous, adj., of the same kind, uniform. —
ML. homogeneus, fr. Gk. oiioysvy]?, 'of the same
kind or race', which is compounded of 6jio- (see
homo-) and ~(ivoz, 'race, descent, gender, kind'.
See genus and -ous and cp. heterogeneous.
Derivatives: homogeneous-ly, adv., homogene-
ous-ness, n.
homogenesis, n., reproduction in which the suc-
cessive generations are alike. — Compounded
of homo- and genesis. Cp. heterogenesis.
homogenetic, adj., pertaining to homogenesis. —
Compounded of homo- and -genetic. Cp. hetero-
genetic.
homogenous, adj., having a common descent. —
Compounded of homo- and Gk. ysvo;, 'race,
descent'. See genus and -ous.
homogeny, n., structural resemblance due to a
common ancestor. — Compounded of homo-
and -geny. Cp. heterogeny.
homograph, n., a word of identical spelling with
another, but different from it in origin and
meaning. — Compounded of homo- and Gk.
-YP°«P°<;, fr. -ypd^pciv, 'to write'. See -graph.
Derivatives : homograph-ic, adj., homograph-y,n.
homoiousian, adj., of like essence. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. Gk.6(ioto'j<no<;, 'of like essence',
fr. 6(10101;, 'like' (see homeo-), and ouaia, 'es-
sence', substance', which derives fr. oica, fem.
of ojv, 'being', pres. part, of elvai, 'to be'. See
esse and cp. essence. Cp. also homoousian and
heteroousian.
Derivative : Homoiousian, n.
homologate, tr. v., to approve (law). — ML.
homologous, pp. of homologdre, fr. Gk. ojio-
Xoysiv, 'to agree, grant, concede', fr. 6u.6XoYoq,
homologation
740
'agreeing, of one mind'. See homologue.
homologation, n., approval (law). — See prec.
word and -ion.
homologize, tr. v., to make homologous; intr. v.,
to be homologous. — See next word and -ize.
homologous, adj., corresponding. — Gk. 6(x6-
Xoyo?, 'agreeing, of one mind', compounded of
6(xo- (see homo-) and X6fo<;, 'word, speech, dis-
course; proportion'. See logos. For E. -ous, as
equivalent to Gk. -o?, see -ous. Cp. heterologous.
homologue, n., a homologuous thing. — F., fr.
Gk. 6(x6Xoyov, neut. of 6u.6Xoyoi;, 'agreeing, of
one mind'. See prec. word.
homology, n., i) quality of being homologous;
2) (biol.) correspondence in the structure of
animal organs. — F. homologie, fr. Gk. ojao-
Xoyia, 'agreement', fr. 6u.6Xo-yo<;, 'agreeing'. See
prec. word and -y (representing Gk. -te). As a
biological term, F. homologie was prob. used
first by the French naturalist fitienne-Geoffroy
St. Hilaire (1772-1844).
homomorphic, adj., of the same form. — Com-
pounded of homo-, Gk. txop<pr), 'form, shape' (see
morpho-), and suff. -ic. Cp. heteromorphic.
homomorphism, n., resemblance of form. — See
prec. word and -ism and cp. heteromorphism.
homomorphous, adj., homomorphic. — See homo-
morphic and -ous and cp. heteromorphous.
homomorphy, n., similarity of form. — See prec.
word and -morphy.
homonym, n., a homonymous word. — F. homo-
nyme, fr. L. homdnymum, fr. Gk. 6(jlcovu[jiov, neut.
of 6u.<ovu[xo<;, 'having the same name'. See next
word.
Derivatives: homonym-ic, adj., homonymous
(q.v.)
homonymous, adj., like in sound, but different
in meaning. — F. homonyme, fr. L. homdnymus,
fr. Gk. 6[x<ivj(iO(;, 'having the same name',
which is compounded of o\j.6q, 'the same' (see
homo-), and ovou.a, dialectal form of 6vou.a,
'name'. See name and cp. onomato-.
Derivative : homonymous-ly, adv.
homoousian, homousian, adj., of the same essence
(Eccles. hist.) — Formed with suff. -ian fr. Gk.
6|jioouaio?, ofiouCTio;, 'of the same essence',
which is compounded of ojio- (see homo-) and
ouata, 'essence, substance'. See homoiousian and
cp. heteroousian.
Derivative: Homoousian, Homousian, n.
homophone, n., like in sound,. but differing in
origin and meaning. — F., fr. Gk. 6u.6<p(ovov,
neut. of ou-oqxovoc;, 'having the same sound',
which is compounded of 6|xo- (see homo-) and
<pfovv), 'sound, tone, voice'. See phone, 'speech
sound'.
Derivatives: homophon-ic, homophon-ous, adjs.,
homophony (q.v.)
homophony, n., quality of being homophonic. —
F. homophonie, fr. Gk. 6(iocp<ov{a, 'unison', fr.
6ti6(p<ovo?. See prec. word and -y (representing
Gk. -ta).
homoplast, n., a homoplastic part. — Compound-
ed of homo- and Gk. TzKaar6z, 'molded*, verbal
adj. of rrXdcaoeiv, 'to mold'. See plastic
homoplastic, adj., resembling in structure, but of
different origin. — Compounded of homo- and
Gk. rcXa<mx6?, 'fit for molding', fr. 7i:Xacj"ro<;.
See prec. word.
Homoptera, n. pi., an order of insects (entomol.)
— Compounded of homo- and Gk. Trrepa, pi. of
TtTcp6v, 'wing'. See ptero-.
Derivatives: homopter-an, n., homopter-ous, adj.
homorganic, adj., lit., pertaining to the same
organs. — Compounded of hom- and organic.
homosexual, adj., having sexual desire for those
of the same sex. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk.
6[x6?, 'one and the same', and L. sexus, 'sex'.
See homo- and sexual and cp. heterosexual.
Derivative: homosexual-ity, n.
homuncular, adj., pertaining to a homunculus. —
Formed with suff. -ar fr. L. homunculus. See
next word.
homunculus, n., a little man; a mannikin. — L.,
dimin. of homo, gen. hominis, 'man'. See homo
and -cuius.
homy, adj., homelike (colloq.) — Formed fr.
home with adj. suff. -y.
hone, n., a whetstone. — ME. hoone, 'hone', fr.
OE. han, 'stone', rel. to ON. hein, 'hone', and
cogn. with Ol. si-sd-ti, 'sharpens', sdnah, 'whet-
stone', sdtah, 'sharpened, sharp', sitdh, of s.m.,
Avestic saeni-, 'pointed ; point, top of a tree',
ModPers. sdyad, 'rubs'. Arm. sur (for *kd-ro-),
'sharp', sur (gen. sroy), 'sword, knife', srem,
'I sharpen', Gk. xuvoc, 'pine cone, fir cone',
L. cos, gen. cdtis, 'whetstone', catus, 'sharp',
Mir. cath, 'wise, sage'. All these words derive
fr. I.-E. base *kd(Q-, *ke(i)-, *k e (iy, 'sharp,
whet; to sharpen, whet', whence also possibly
OI. sikhd, 'top, point; tuft of hair', sikhardh,
'pointed; summit', sekharah, 'top, summit'. Cp.
cone and words there referred to. Cp. also sik-
hara. Base *kd(i)-, *ke(iy, *k l (i)-, prob. de-
veloped fr. base *ak-, 'sharp'. See acrid.
Derivative: hone, tr. v., to sharpen,
honest, adj. — ME., fr. OF. honeste (F. honnete),
fr. L. honestus, 'honorable, worthy', fr. honos,
honor. See honor.
Derivatives: honest-ly, adv., honest-ness, n.
honesty, n. — ME. honeste, fr. OF. honeste (F.
honnetete), fr. L. honestdtem, acc. of honestds,
'honor, honesty', fr. honestus. See prec. word
and -y (representing OF. -e, -ee).
honey, n. — ME. huni$, honi, fr. OE. hunig, rel.
to OS. huneg, honeg, ON. hunang, Dan. homing,
Swed. honung, OFris. hunig, MDu. honich, honinc,
Du. honig, honing, OHG. honang, honag, MHG.
honec, honic, G. Honig, 'honey', and prob.
cogn. with OI. kdncanam, 'gold', Dor. Gk.
xvax6?, Gk. xv^xo?, 'pale yellow', xvt]x6;,
'safflower', OPruss. cucan (= cuncan), 'brown',
W. canecon, 'gold'. Cp. Cnicus.
Derivative: honey-ed, honi-ed, adj.
741
hoolock
honeycomb, n. — ME. hunicomb, fr. OE. hunig-
camb. See honey and comb.
Derivative : honeycomb, tr. v.
honeysuckle, n. — ME. honisocle, hunisuccte,
formed with dimin. suff. -le fr. ME. honysouke,
fr. OE. hunig-suce, 'privet', lit. 'honey suck' (so
called because honey can be sucked from it).
See honey and suck.
hong, n., warehouse, factory. — Chin, hang,
'warehouse, factory', lit. 'a row (of houses)'.
honk, n., the cry of a wild goose; any sound re-
sembling the cry of the wild goose. — Imi-
tative.
Derivatives: honk, intr. and tr. v., honk-er, n.
honor, honour, n. — ME. honor, honour, fr. OF.
honor, honur (F. honneur), fr. L. hondrem, acc.
of honos, honor, 'honor, dignity, office; repu-
tation', which is of uncertain origin. Cp.
honesty, Honora.
honor, honour, tr. v. — ME. honouren, fr. OF.
honower (F. honorer), fr. L. hondrdre, 'to ho-
nor', fr. honos, honor. See honor, n.
Derivative: hono(u)r-er, n.
Honora, Honoria, fem. PN. — L. Hondria, fern,
of Hondrius, lit. 'a man of reputation', fr. honos,
honor. Cp. Nora.
honorable, honourable, adj. — OF. honorable,
honurable (F. honorable), fr. L. hondrdbilis,
'honorable', lit. 'that which procures honor', fr.
honos, honor. See honor, n., and -able.
Derivative : hono(u)rabl-y, adv.
honorarium, n., an honorary payment; gratuity.
— L. honorarium, short for honorarium ddnum,
'a present made on being admitted to an honor' ;
prop. neut. of the adjective hondrdrius. See
next word.
honorary, adj. — L. hondrdrius, 'pertaining to
honor, honorary', fr. honos, honor, 'honor'. See
honor, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
honorific, adj. — L. hondrificus, 'that which does
honor, honorable', compounded of bonds, honor,
'honor', and -ficus, 'making, doing', from the
stem of L. -ficere, unstressed form of facere. See
honor and -fic.
Derivative: honorific, n.
hooch, n., an alcoholic liquor. — Shortened fr.
Hoochinoo.
hoochinoo, n., an alcoholic liquor made by the
Hoochinoo Indians of Alaska.
hood, n. — ME. hod, hood, fr. OE. hod, rel. to
OS., OFris. hod, MDu. hoet, Du. hoed, 'hat',
OHG., MHG. huot, 'helmet, hat', G. Hut (masc),
'hat', OE. hsett, 'hat', ON. hattr, hour, 'hat,
hood'. These words lit. mean 'protection of
the head', and are rel. to OFris. hdde, 'guard,
protection', OHG. huota, MHG. huote, 'guard,
protection', G. Hut (fem.), of s.m. ; fr. I.-E. base
*kadh-, 'to guard, watch ; to cover', whence also
L. cassis (for *kadh-tis), 'helmet'. Cp. hat, heed,
hoodie. Cp. also Cassis.
Derivative: hood, tr. v.
-hood, suff. denoting state or condition. — ME.
-had, -hod, fr. OE. -had, fr. had, 'person, rank,
state, condition, nature'; rel. to OS., OFris.
-hed, MDu., OHG., MHG., G. -heit, Du. -heid,
suffixes denoting state or condition, and to
OHG., MHG. heit, 'person, rank, state, con-
dition', OS. hed, 'position, dignity', ON. heidr,
'honor, dignity', Goth, haidus, 'manner', and to
ON. heid, 'clear sky', OE. hddor, OHG. heitar,
MHG., G. heiter, 'clear, shining, cloudless', fr.
I.-E. base *(s)qait-, 'bright', whence also L.
caelum (for *caidslom, *caislom), 'sky, heaven'.
See celestial and cp. -head and the second ele-
ment in Adelaide. Cp. also cheetah, chintz, chit,
chitty, 'a short letter'.
hoodie, hoody, n., the hooded crow. — Lit. 'pro-
vided with a hood'. See hood and adj. suff. -y.
hoodlum, n., a young rowdy (colloq.) — Orig.
noodlum, coined by a newspaper reporter
through the inversion of Muldoon, name of the
leader of a gang of young ruffians in San Fran-
cisco. Owing to an error, the letter n was changed
by the compositor to h, whence arose the word
hoo'dlum. See Crowther's Encyclopedia of
Phrases and Origins, p. 56.
hoodoo, n. and tr. v. — A var. of voodoo.
hoodwink, tr. v. — Compounded of hood, and
wink.
Derivatives: hoodwink, n., hoodwink-er, n.
hoof, n. — ME. hoof, fr. OE. hdf, rel. to OS.,
OFris. hdf, ON. hdfr, Dan. hov, Swed. hof, Du.
hoef, OHG., MHG. huof, G. Huf, 'hoof, and
cogn. with OI. saphdh, 'hoof, Avestic safa-,
'hoof of the horse'.
Derivatives : hoof, tr. v., hoof-ed, adj.
hook, n. — ME. hok, fr. OE. hoc, rel. to OFris.,
MLG. hok, MDu. hoec, Du. hoek, 'angle, cor-
ner, hook', in gradational relationship to OE.
haca, 'bolt', OS. haco, 'hook', ON. haka, Dan.
hage, 'chin', Swed. hake, Du. haak, 'hook',
OHG. hdcko, hdko, hdggo, MHG. hake, hdgge,
G. Haken, 'hook', and prob. cogn. with Russ.
kdgot', 'claw'. Cp. hack, 'to chop', hake, hackle,
heckle, hatchel, hockey, hooker, 'fishing vessel',
and the first element in hackbut and in haken-
kreuz. Cp. also the first element in arquebus.
Derivatives: hook, tr. and intr. v., hook-ed, adj.,
hook-ed-ness, n., hooker (q.v.), hook-y, adj.
hookah, hooka, n., Oriental tobacco pipe with a
long flexible stem. — Arab. huqqa h , 'small to-
bacco box'.
booker, one who or that which hooks. — Formed
fr. hook with agential suff. -er.
hooker, n., a Dutch fishing vessel; an English or
Irish fishing boat. — Du. hoeker, fr. hoek,
'hook, fishhook'. See hook and agential suff.
-er.
hooligan, n., a young ruffian. — Prob. fr. Hooli-
han, Hooligan, name of an Irish family, whose
members were notorious hoodlums.
Derivative: hooligan-ism, n.
hoolock, n., the black gibbon (Hylobates hoo-
lock). — Fr. hulak, hulluk, native name in NE.
hoon
742
India, rel. to OI. ulukah, 'owl', from an imitative
base meaning 'to wail'. Both the gibbon and the
owl have the common feature that they are
'wailing animals'.
hoon, n., a gold pagoda (coin). — Hind, hun,
prob. fr. Canarese honnu, 'gold'.
hoondy, n. — A variant of hundi.
hoop, n., a circular band. — ME. hop, fr. OE.
hop, rel. to OFris. hop, MDu., Du. hoep, 'hoop',
ON. hop, 'a small bay', and cogn. with Lith.
kabi, 'hook'. Cp. hope, 'a small bay'.
Derivative: hoop, tr. v., to bind with a hoop.
hoop, intr. v., to shout, whoop. — ME. houpen,
fr. OF. houper, fr. interj. houp, call to dogs or
horses. Cp. whoop, which is a later spelling
of hoop.
hooped, adj., having hoops. — Formed with suff.
-ed fr. hoop, 'circular band',
hooper, n., one who makes hoops. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. hoop, 'circular band',
hooper, n., the common wide swan. — Lit. 'the
hooping bird'. See hoop, 'to shout', and agential
suff. -er.
hoopoe, n., an Old World bird with a long curved
bill and a large crest. — Fr. early E. houpe, fr.
F. huppe, fr. L. upupa, a word of imitative ori-
gin; cp. Gk. ETtoiji, 'hoopoe'. Cp. also dupe.
hoosegow, n., a jail (U.S. Slang). — Prob. fr. Sp.
juzgado, 'court of justice, tribunal', prop. pp.
of juzgar, 'to judge', used as a noun, fr. L. judi-
cdre, 'to judge'. See judge, v.
hoot, intr. and tr. v. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
ME. hoten, houten and Swed., Norw. hula, lit.
'to utter the sound hut\ Cp. also F. huer, 'to
shout", and see hue, 'an outcry'.
Derivatives: hoot, n., hoot-er, n.
hop, intr. and tr. v., to leap. — ME. hoppen, hap-
pen, fr. OE. hoppian, 'to hop, dance', rel. to ON.,
Swed. hoppa, Dan. hoppe, MLG., Du. huppen,
MHG., G. hupfen, 'to hop', and perh. cogn. with
Gk. x'j^Loxav/to tumble'. OI. kubhanyiih, 'dan-
cing'. Cp. Cybister. Cp. also hope, 'expectation'.
Derivative: hop, n., the act of hopping.
hop, n., plant of the hemp family. — Late ME.
hoppe, fr. MDu. hoppe (Du. hop), rel. to Late
OHG. hopfo (MHG. hopfe, G. Hop/en), pos-
sibly also to dial. Norw. hupp, 'tassel'.
Derivative: hop, tr. v., to flavor with hops;
intr. v., to gather hops.
ope, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hopen, fr. OE. hopian,
'to hope', rel. to OFris. hopia, MLG., MDu.,
Du. hopen, MHG., G. hoffen, 'to hope'. These
words are prob. related to OE. hoppian, ON.,
Swed. hoppa, etc., 'to hop', so that the orig.
meaning of OE. hopian, OFris. hopia, etc.,
would have been 'to leap with expectation'. See
hop, 'to leap',
hope, n., expectation. — ME. hope, fr. OE. hopa,
'hope', fr. hopian, 'to hope'. Cp. OFris., MLG.,
MDu. hope, Du. hoop, MHG. hoffe, 'hope',
which derive from the respective verbs. See
hope, v.
Derivatives: hope-ful, adj. and n., hope-ful-ly,
adv., hope-ful-ness, n., hope-less, adj., hope-less-
ly, adv., hope-less-ness, n.
hope, n., a small bay. — ME. hope, fr. OE. hop
(in compounds, as fenhop, 'a piece of land in a
fen', mdrhop, 'piece of land in a marsh'), rel. to
ON. hop, 'a small bay'. See hoop, 'circular band'.
hope, n., troop. — Only in forlorn hope (q.v.)
hopeite, n., a mineral; prob. a hydrous zinc phos-
phate (mineral.) — Named after Professor
Thomas C. Hope (1766- 1844) of Edinburgh.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hopl-, form of hoplo- before a vowel.
hoplite, n., a heavy-armed foot-soldier (Greek
antiq.) — Gk. 6ttX!ty)?, 'heavy armed', fr. ottXov,
'tool, weapon', fr. etceiv (for *as7tet.v), 'to be
about, busy oneself, which is cogn. with OI. ■
sdpati, 'applies himself to, caresses, fondles'.
The -X- in 07i-X-ov has instrumental force and
lit. means 'that with which one busies himself.
Cp. hoplo-, panoply, sepulcher. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
hoplo-, before a vowel hopl-, combining form
meaning 'armed, heavy-armed' (used esp. in
zoology). — Gk. 6tcXo-, otcX-, fr. o7tXov, 'weapon'.
See hoplite.
hopper, n., one who, or that which, hops. —
ME. hoppere. See hop, v., and agential suff. -er.
hopper, n., a hop picker. — Formed fr. hop, 'a
plant', with agential suff. -er.
hopple, tr. v., to hobble; to fetter. — Formed fr.
hop, 'to leap', with freq. suff. -le. Cp. hobble.
Derivative: hopple, n.
hopscotch, n., a children's game. — Compound-
ed of hop, 'to leap', and scotch, 'an incision,
line' (see scotch, 'to cut').
Horace, masc. PN. — F., fr. L. Hordtius, name
of a Roman gens. Cp. Horatio.
Horae, n. pi., the goddesses of the seasons in
Greek mythology. — L., fr. Gk. 'flpai, fr. wpai,
pi. of wpa, 'season; hour'. See hour.
horal, adj., pertaining to an hour or hours. —
L. hordlis, fr. hora, 'hour'. See hour and adj.
suff. -al.
horary, adj., pertaining to an hour or hours. —
ML. hdrdrius, fr. L. hora, 'hour'. See hour and
adj. suff. -ary.
Horatian, adj., pertaining to the Roman poet
Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65-8 B.C.E.) — L.
Hordtidnus, 'of, or pertaining to, Horatius', fr.
Hordtius, 'Horace'. See Horace.
Horatio, masc. PN. — L. Hordtius (see Horace);
influenced in form by It. Orazio, which is of
the same origin,
horde, n., 1) a wandering tribe; 2) a multitude. —
F., fr. Turk, ordu, 'camp, army', fr. Tatar urdu,
'camp' (lit. 'something pitched up'), fr. urmak,
'to strike'. Cp. Urdu.
Derivative: horde, intr. v.
hordeaceous, adj., pertaining to barley. — L.
hordedceus, 'pertaining to barley', fr. hordeum,
'barley'. See Hordeum and -aceous.
743
horribility
Hordeum, n., a genus of grasses, the barley (bot.)
— L. hordeum, 'barley', which prob. stands for
"horzdeyom (I.-E. *ghrzdeyom) and is cogn.
with OS., OHG. gersta, MDu. gherste, Du.
gerst, MHG., G. gerste (for pre-Teut. *gherz-
dd-), 'barley', Gk. xpi (for *xp»), 'barley',
xpT&rj, pi. 'barley', sing, 'barleycorn' (prob. for
ghfzdd), Alb. drift, dri&e (for ghxzd-), 'corn;
barley'. All these words prob. mean lit. 'the
bearded plant' and derive fr. I.-E. base *ghers-,
'to bristle', whence also L. horrere, 'to stand
on end, bristle', horror, 'bristling, roughness'.
See horror and cp. crith, orgeat. Cp. also gorse.
horehound, also hoarhound, n., name of a plant.
— ME. horehoune, fr. OE. hdrhune, which is
compounded of hdr, 'gray' (see hoar), and hune,
'horehound', a word of uncertain origin. The
d m horehound is excrescent. Cp. bound, 'ready',
and words there referred to.
horizon, n. — OF. orizon (F. horizon), fr. L. hori-
zon, fr. Gk. 6p£<ov (myXoo), lit. 'bounding
(circle)', pres. part, of optCeiv, 'to bound,
limit', fr. opog, 'boundary, limit, border', which
prob. stands for *f opfo; and lit. means 'furrow',
and is rel. to Att. opsui;, Homeric oupeu;,
'mule', lit. 'furrow drawer', and cogn. with L.
urvus, 'furrow, marking a boundary line', Oscan
uruvu, 'boundary', fr. I.-E. base *weru-, 'to
draw', whence also Gk. epuEiv (for *fepu£iv),
'to draw, drag'. Cp. aorist, aphorism, diorite,
Penthorum.
Derivative : horizon, tr. v.
horizontal, adj. — F. horizontal, fr. L. horizon,
gen. horizontis, 'horizon'. See horizon and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: horizontal, n., horizontal-ity, n.,
horizontal-ly, adv.
hormone, n„ endocrine gland secretion which
stimulates functional activity (physiol.) — Gk.
opuoW, 'that which urges or arouses', pres. part,
of opjxav, 'to set in motion, urge, stimulate', fr.
opu.7), 'onset, impulse', fr. I.-E. base *ser-, 'to
run, flow', whence also Gk. opo? (for *aopo<;),
L. serum, 'watery fluid, whey'. See serum and
cp. words there referred to. The word hormone
was used by Hippocrates to denote a vital
principle. In its modern sense it was first applied
by the English physiologist Ernest Henry Star-
ling (1866-1927) in 1903.
hora, n. — ME., fr. OE. horn, rel. to ON., OFris.,
OHG., MHG., G. horn, Du. horen, hoorn, Goth.
haurn, 'horn' and cogn. with Gk. xspoci;, Gala-
tian Gk. xapvov, L. cornii, OI. sfhgam, 'horn', fr.
I.-E. base leer-, 'the uppermost part of the body,
head, horn, top, summit', whence also L. cere-
brum (prob. for *ker f s-rom),'bmm\ See cerebrum
and cp. hornet. Cp. also hart, hurt and the sec-
ond element in krummhorn, waldhorn. Cp. also
cerato-, cervine, crio-, corn, 'hardened skin', the
first element in ginger and the second element
in Capricorn, unicorn.
Derivatives: horn, tr. v., horn-ed, adj., horn-er,
n., horn-ful, horn-less, horn-y, adjs., horn-i-
ness, n.
hornblende, n. (mineral.) — G. Hornblende. See
horn and blende.
hornet, n. — ME. harnette, hernet, fr. OE. hyrnet,
rel. to OS. hornut, OHG. horna^, hornuj, MHG.
hornus, horni^, G. Hornisse, MDu. huersel,
hursel, horsel, Du. horzel, 'hornet', and cogn.
with L. crdbrd (for *crdsrd), OSlav. sruseni,
'hornet', Lith. sirsuo, sirse, 'wasp', sirsuonas,
'hornet', Lett, sirsis, 'wasp', OPruss. sirsilis,
'hornet', fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'the uppermost
part of the body, horn'; see horn. E. hornet
was influenced in form by horn.
horning, n., the act of outlawing a person by
three blasts of horn (Scot. law). — Formed fr.
horn with subst. suff. -ing.
hornito, n., an oven-shaped mound in volcanic
regions emitting smoke and vapors (geol.) —
Sp., dimin. of homo, 'oven', fr. L. furnus. See
furnace.
horography, n., the art of constructing instru-
ments for marking the hours. — F. horographie,
compounded of Gk. copa, 'hour', and -YP K( P' S >
fr. Ypa?ew> 'to write'. See hour and -graphy.
horologe, n., a sundial; a clock, watch. — ME.,
fr. OF. (= F.) horloge, fr. L. hdrologium, fr.
Gk. upoXoyiov, lit. 'that which tells the hour', fr.
wpa, 'hour', and -Xoyo;, 'telling, saying'. See
hour and -logue.
Derivatives: horolog-er, n., horolog-ic, horolog-
ic-al, adjs., horolog-ist, n., horolog-y, n.
horopter, n., the aggregate of points that are seen
single when both eyes are directed on the same
point (optics). — Compounded of Gk. opo?,
'boundary, limit', and 07rri)p, 'one who looks'.
For the first element see horizon. The second
element is rel. to 6tct6;, 'seen; visible', whence
67tTix6?, 'pertaining to the eyes or sight'. See
optic, adj.
horoscope, n., a chart of the zodiacal signs used
by astrologers. — F., fr. L. horoscopus, fr. Gk.
cipocrxoTTO!;, 'nativity', lit. 'watcher of the hour';
compounded of &>pa, 'hour', and 0x07:6;,
'watcher'. See hour and scope.
Derivatives: horoscope, intr. and tr. v., horo-
scop-er, n., horoscop-ic, adj., horoscop-ist, n.,
horoscop-y, n.
horrendous, adj., dreadful. — L. horrendus, 'to
be regarded with horror', gerundive of horrere,
'to shudder, tremble'. See horror. For the ger-
undive suff. cp. agenda and words there refer-
red to. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see
-ous.
horrent, adj., bristling. — L. barrens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle,
shake, shudder, tremble'. See horror and -ent.
borrescent, adj., expressing horror; shuddering.
— L. horrescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of hor-
rescere, 'to shudder', inchoative of horrere. See
horror and -escent.
horribility, n. — ME. orriblete, horriblete, fr. OF.
horrible
744
horriblete, fr. horrible. See next word and -ity.
horrible, adj. — ME., fr. OF. orrible, horrible
(F. horrible), fr. L. horribilis, fr. horrere, 'to
shudder, tremble'. See horror and -ible.
Derivatives: horrible-ness, n., horribl-y, adv.
horrid, adj., repulsive, abominable. — L. horri-
dus, 'bristly, prickly, rough, horrid, frightful',
fr. horrere. See horror and cp. ordure.
Derivatives: horrid-ly, adv., horrid-ness, n.
horrific, adj., horrifying. — Formed fr. L. horri-
flcus, 'terrible, dreadful' (either directly or
through the medium of F. horrifique), lit.
'making the hair to stand on end', fr. horrere,
'to stand on end', and -ficus, from the stem of
-ficere, unstressed form of facere, 'to make, do'.
See horror and -fie.
horrification, n. — See next word and -ation.
horrify, tr. v. — Formed fr. L. horrificdre, lit. 'to
make the hair to stand on end' (on analogy of
E. verbs derived fr. L. verbs in -ficdre through
the medium of F. verbs in -fier). See horrific
and -fy.
horripilate, tr. v., to cause (the hair) to bristle;
intr. v., to bristle. — L. horripildt (-um) pp. stem
of horripildre, 'to bristle with hair, be shaggy',
compounded of horrere, 'to stand on end,
bristle', and pilus, 'hair'. See pile, 'hair', and
verbal suff. -ate.
horripilation, n., bristling of the hair. — L. horri-
pildtid, gen. -dnis, fr. horripildt (-um), pp. stem
of horripildre. See prec. word and -ion.
horror, n. — ME. honour, fr. OF. orror, horror,
horrour (F. horreur), fr. L. horrdrem, acc. of
horror, 'bristling, roughness, rudeness, shaking,
trembling', fr. horrere, 'to stand on end, bristle,
shake, shudder, shiver, tremble', fr. I.-E. base
*ghers-, 'to bristle', whence also L. hirsutus,
'shaggy, prickly, bristly', OI. hdrsate, hfsyati,
'bristles', Avestic zarshayamna-, 'ruffling one's
feathers'. Base *ghers- is an enlarged form of
base *gher-, which appears in Gk. xh9> gen.
X*)p6s, L. er (for *hers), gen. eris, 'hedgehog',
lit. 'the prickly creature'. See urchin and cp.
Chersonese, -choerus, hideous, hircine, hirsute,
hispid, Hordeum and the second element in
Hypochaeris. Cp. also hearse.
horror-stricken, horror-struck, adj. — Compound-
ed of horror and the pp. of strike.
hors de combat, out of the combat; disabled. —
F. , lit. 'out of fight'. F. hors, 'outside', is a var.
of fors, which derives fr. L. foris, 'outside' (see
door); F. de, 'of, from', comes fr. L. de, 'from,
away from' (see de-); for F. combat, 'combat,
fight', see combat.
hors d'oeuvre, an appetizer. — F. hors d'oeuvre,
'annexe, outwork, side-dish', lit. 'outside of the
work'. For hors see prec. word. F. d' in d'oeuvre
is the apostrophized form of de, 'of, from' (fr.
L. de, 'from, away from'); see de-. For the ety-
mology of F. aeuvre see oeuvre.
horse, n. — ME. hors, fr. OE. hors, rel. to OS.
hros, ON. hross, OFris. hors, bars, MLG. ros,
ors. MDu. ors, Du. ros, OHG. hros, ros, MHG.
ros, ors, G. Rofi, wich possibly meant orig. 'the
jumping animal', fr. Teut. *hrossa-, corre-
sponding to pre-Teut. *qru-td-s, participle of a
lost verb meaning 'to jump', from a dental en-
largement of I.-E. base *(s)qer-, 'to leap, jump,
bound', whence also OI. kardati, 'leaps, hops'.
See Scarus and cp. cardinal, adj., and words
there referred to. Cp. also the second element
in walrus. F. rosse, OProvenc. rosa, It. rozza,
'mare', are Teut. loan words. Derivatives:
horse, v. (q.v.), horse, adj., horsy (q.v.)
horse, tr. and intr. v. — ME. horsen, 'to provide
with a horse or with horses', fr. OE. horsian,
fr. hors. See horse, n.
horsfordite, n., a copper antimonide (mineral.) —
Named after the American chemist Eben Nor-
ton Horsford (1818-93). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
horsy, adj., fond of horses. — Formed fr. horse
with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: hors-i-ly, adv., hors-i-ness, n.
hortation, n., exhortation. — L. hortdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'encouragement, exhortation', fr. hor-
tdtus, pp. of hortdri, 'to urge, incite, instigate,
encourage, exhort', freq. of horior, gen. horiri,
'to urge, incite, encourage, exhort', fr. I.-E. base
*gher-, 'to desire', whence also OE. geornan,
giernan, 'to desire'. See yearn and -ation.
hortative, adj., pertaining to exhortation; ex-
hortative. — L. hortdtivus, fr. hortdtus, pp. of
hortdri. See prec. word and -ive.
hortatory, adj., hortative. — L. hortdtorius, 'en-
couraging*, fr. hortdtus, pp. of hortdri. See hor-
tation and adj. suff. -ory.
Derivative: hortatori-ly, adv.
Hortense, fem. PN. — F. See Hortensia.
hortensia, n., the plant Hydrangea L. — ModL.,
named by the French botanist Commerson after
Hortense, wife of the chronometer maker Le-
paute. Commerson, Lepaute and Hortense took
part in Bougainville's round-the-world voyage,
which lasted from 1766 to 1769, and it was in
the course of this voyage that Commerson found
this plant in China and gave it the above name.
For the etymology of the name Hortense see
next word.
Hortensia, fem. PN. — L. Hortensia, fem. of
Hortensius, the name of a Roman gens, rel. to
hortus, 'garden'. See next word.
horticulture, n., the cultivation of gardens. — L.
horti cultura, 'cultivation of a garden'. Hortus
(gen. horti), 'garden', lit. means 'an enclosed
place'. It derives fr. I.-E. *ghor-to-, whence also
Gk. x<5p™?, 'enclosed place'. I.-E. *ghor-to- is
a dental enlargement of base *gherdh-, 'to en-
close'. See yard, 'enclosure', and cp. cohort,
court, cortege, curtain, Hortensia, ortolan. Cp.
also garden and the first element in orchard.
For the second element see culture.
Derivatives: horticultur-al, adj., horticultur-al-
ly, adv., horticultur-ist, n.
745
hostility
hortus siccus, a collection of dried plants; a her-
barium. — L. 'dry garden', fr. hortus, 'garden',
and siccus, 'dry'. See prec. word and siccative.
Horus, n., name of the Egyptian hawk-headed
god. — L. Horus, fr. Egyptian Hdr, lit. 'the high-
flying one'.
Hosackia, n., a genus of plants of the family
Fabaceae (bot.) — ModL., named after
David Hosack (1769-1835), professor of botany
in Columbia College in New York City. For
the ending see suff. -ia.
hosanna, interj., an exclamation of praise to
God. — Gk. 'floavvdc, fr. Heb. hoshd' nd, 'save,
we pray'. Hoshd' is the Hiph'il imper. of stem
y-sh-' (this form of the imper. occurs Jer. 31 : 16
and Psalms 86:2); whence also the nouns
yhha', y e shii'd h , t e shu'd h , 'salvation, deliver-
ance, welfare'. This stem is rel. to Arab, wdsi'a,
'was capacious'. Heb. nd is a particle of imi-
tative origin, used esp. after the imper. to em-
phasize a request. Cp. hdsht'd h nnd Psalms
118:25, which is the lengthened form of hoshd'
nd. In the Talmud, hdsha'nd (written as one
word) occurs as a noun denoting the willow
twigs used on the Feast of Tabernacles, whence
yom hdsha'nd = 'the day of hdsha'nd', i.e. the
seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Cp.
also the first element in Isaiah, Hosea, and the
second element in Elisha.
Derivatives: hosanna, n. and tr. v.
hose, n., article of clothing for the legs; stock-
ing. — OE. hosa, rel. to OS., ON., OHG. hosa,
MHG. hose, 'covering for the leg', Dan. hose,
'stocking, hose', G. Hose, 'trousers', Du. hoos,
'waterspout'. These words lit. mean 'cover,
covering', and derive fr. I.-E. *qeus-, -s-enlarge-
ment of base *qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See hide,
v., and cp. house. OF. hose (whence F. houseau)
and It. uosa, 'gaiter', are Teut. loan words.
Derivatives, hose, tr. v., hosier (q.v.)
Hosea, 1) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, the first in
the order of the Twelve Prophets; the Book of
Hosea. — Heb. Hdshe™', lit. 'salvation', fr.
stem y-sh-', 'to save'. See hosanna.
hosier, n. — Formed fr. hose with suff. -ier.
Derivative: hosier-y, n.
hospice, n. — F., fr. L. hospitium, 'inn, hospi-
tality', fr. hospes, gen. hospitis, 'host; guest'. See
host, 'landlord'.
hospitable, adj. — Obsol. F. hospitable, fr. L.
hospitdre, 'to receive as a guest', fr. hospes, gen.
hospitis, 'host; guest'. See host, 'landlord', and
-able.
Derivatives : hospitable-ness, n., hospitabl-y, adv.
hospital, n. — ME., fr. OF. hospital (F. hdpital),
fr. Late L. hospitdle, 'apartment for guests',
prop. neut. of the Latin adjective hospitdlis,
'pertaining to a host or guest', fr. hospes, gen.
hospitis, 'host; guest'. See host, 'landlord' and
cp. hostel and hotel, which are doublets of
hospital.
hospitaler, hospitaller, n., member of a religious
order formed for the care of the sick. — ME.
hospitaler, fr. OF. hospitalier, fr. ML. hospi-
tdlidrius, 'one who cares for guests', fr. L. hos-
pitdlis. See hospital and -er (representing L.
-drius), and cp. hostler, which is a doublet of
hospitaler.
hospitality, n. — F. hospitalite, fr. L. hospitdli-
tdtem, acc. of hospitdlitds, 'hospitality', fr. hos-
pitdlis. See hospital and -ity.
hospodar, n., prince (hist.) — Rum., fr. OSlav.
gospodi, 'lord, master'. See host, 'landlord'.
host, n., army. — ME. host, ost, fr. OF. host, ost,
'army', fr. L. hostis, 'stranger; enemy', in ML.
'army'; which is cogn. with Goth, gasts, OE.
gxst, giest, 'guest', orig. 'stranger'. See guest
and cp. host, 'landlord', host, 'consecrated
bread', hostile.
host, n., landlord. — ME. hoste, host, fr. OF.
hoste (F. hole), 'host; guest', fr. L. hospitem
(whence also It. ospite, Rum. oaspete, OProvenc.,
Catal. oste, Sp. huesped, Port, hospede), acc.
of hospes, 'host; guest', which stands for *hosti-
pot(i)s and orig. meant 'lord of strangers'. Cp.
OSlav. gospodi, 'lord, master', which also means
lit. 'lord of strangers' and is the exact equivalent
of L. hospes. The first element in L. hospes and
in OSlav. gospodi is cogn. with Goth, gasts,
OE. gxst, giest, 'guest'. See guest and cp. hos-
podar, hospital, host, 'army', hostage, hostel. The
second element is cogn. with L. potis, 'able',
potens, 'powerful'. See potent and cp. despot.
host, n., consecrated bread. — ME. oist, ost,
host, fr. F. oiste, hoiste (F. hostie), fr. L. hostia,
'sacrificial victim', which is prob. related to L.
hostis, 'stranger; enemy'. See host, 'army'.
Hosta, n., a genus of plants of the lily family
(bot.) — ModL., named after the Austrian
physician and botanist Nicolaus Thomas Host
(1761-1834)-
hostage, n. — ME. ostage, hostage, fr. OF. os-
tage, hostage (F. otage), which is prob. a blend
of OF. ostage, hostage, 'lodging', fr. VL. *hos-
pitdticum (fr. L. hospes, gen. hospitis, 'host,
guest', see host, 'landlord') and OF. ostage,
'hostage', fr. VL. *obsiddticum, fr. Late L. ob-
siddtus, 'hostageship', which is formed with suff.
-dtus, fr. L. obses, gen. obsidis, 'hostage', fr. ob,
'at', and the stem of sedere, 'to sit'. See ob-,
sedentary and -age.
hostel, n., an inn. — ME. hostel, ostel, fr. OF.
hostel, ostel (F. hotel), fr. Late L. hospitdle. See
hospital and cp. hotel.
hosteler, n. — ME. See hostler.
hostelry, n., an inn. — ME. hostelrie, fr. OF.
hostelerie (F. hdtellerie), fr. hostel. See hostel
and -ry.
hostess, n. — OF. hostesse (F. hdtesse), fr. hoste.
See host, 'landlord', and -ess.
hostile, adj. — F., fr. L. hostilis, fr. hostis, 'enemy'.
See host, 'army', and -ile.
Derivatives: hostile-Iy, adv., hostile-ness, n.
hostility, n. — F. hostilite, it. L. hostilitatem, acc.
hostler
746
of hostilitas, 'enmity, hostility', fr. hostilis. See
prec. word and -ity.
hostler, n. ( one who takes care of horses at an
inn. — ME. hosteler, 'innkeeper', fr. OF. hos-
teller (F. hotelier), fr. hostel. See hostel and
agential suff. -er and cp. hosteler, ostler, which
are doublets of hostler.
hot, adj. — ME. hat, hoot, hot, fr. OE. hat, rel.
to OS., OFris. het, ON. heitr, Dan. hed, Swed.
het, MDu., Du. heet, OHG., MHG. hei^, G.
heifi, 'hot', Goth, heito, 'heat of the fever', fr.
I.-E. base *qai-, 'heat', whence also Lith. kaistu,
kaisti, 'to grow hot', kaitrd, 'heat, glow', kai-
trus, 'hot'. Cp. heat. Cp. also hoarse.
Derivatives: hot, adv. (q.v.), hot-ly, adv., hot-
ness, n.
hot, adv. — ME. hoote, fr. OE. hate, 'hotly', fr.
hat, 'hot'. See hot, adj.
Hotchkiss gun. — Named after its inventor B.B.
Hotchkiss (1826-85).
hotchpot, n., a blending of properties for equal
division (law). — ME., fr. F. hochepot, fr. F.
hocher, 'to shake', and pot, 'pot'. See pot. The
first element is of Teut. origin; cp. MHG. hot-
zen, Du. hotsen, 'to shake', LG. hotten, 'to
balance, rock'. For the second element see
pot.
hotchpotch, n., a stew of many ingredients. —
Formed fr. preceding word, with assimilation
of the second element of the word to the first.
Cp. hodgepodge.
hotel, n. — F. hotel, fr. OF. hostel, ostel, fr. Late
L. hospitdle. See hostel.
Hottentot, n. and adj. — S. Afr. Du. hot en tot,
lit. 'hot and tot'; so called from the clicks and
jerks in the native speech of the Cape of Good
Hope.
Hottonia, n., a genus of plants, the featherfoil
(hot.) — ModL., named after the Dutch bo-
tanist Peter Hot ton (1649- 1709). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
Houdan, n., a French breed of domestic poultry.
— Named after Houdan, a town in the depart-
ment Seine-et-Oise in France.
hough, n., the hock (chiefly Scot.) — The orig.
spelling of hock, 'joint in the hind leg of the
horse'.
houghite, n., a variety of hydrotalcite (mineral.)
— Named after Franklin B. Hough (1822-85)
of Somerville, New York. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
bound, n., dog. — ME. hound, hund, 'dog', fr.
OE. hund, rel. to OS., Dan., Swed., OFris., G.
hund, ON. hundr, Du. hond, OHG., MHG. hunt,
Goth, hunds. These words derive from a dental
enlargement of I.-E. base *kwon-, 'dog', whence
OI. svdn-, Vedic suvdn-, Avestic spa (gen. sund),
Medean spdka (whence Russ. sobdka), Toch. A
ku, 'dog', Arm. shun (gen. shan), Gk. xiiov, L.
canis, Lith. Sud (gen. tune's), Olr. cu (gen. con),
W. ci, Bret., Co. ki, 'dog', and perh. also Russ.
s&ka, 'bitch'. Cp. Gk. crmiSoocsc (Hesychius),
'dogs', which seems to be metathesized fr.
*<T7ta>ca8£i;, fr. Medean spdka. Cp. the second
element in dachshund, keeshond.Cp. also canaille,
Canidae, canine, Canis, chenille, kennel, 'shelter
for a dog', and the first element in cynanche,
Cynanchum, quinsy, squinancy, scybalum.
Derivatives: hound, tr. v., hound-er, n., hound-
ish, hound-y, adjs.
hound, n., projection at a masthead serving to
support trestletrees, etc. (naut.) — ME. hun,
prob. fr. ON. hunn, 'knob, knob at the mast-
end; bear's cub', which is prob. cogn. with
OI. sundh, 'swollen', L. cavus, 'hollow, concave'.
See cave, n.
hounds-tongue, n., name of a plant. — OE. hundes
tunge. See hound, 'dog', and tongue.
hour, n. — ME., fr. OF. ure, ore, hore (F. heure), .
fr. L. hdra, 'hour', fr. Gk. wpa, 'any limited
time, the time of day, hour, season spring, year',
which is cogn. with Avestic jar 1 , 'year', OSlav.
jaru, 'spring', L. hornus (fr. *hd-yorinos), 'of this
year', Goth, jer, OE. gear, 'year'. See year and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also Horae,
horal, horary, the first element in horography,
horologe, horoscope, and the second element in
encore.
Derivatives: hour-ly, adj. and adv.
houri, n., a nymph of the Moslem Paradise; (fig.)
a seductive woman. — F., fr. Pers. hurl, fr.
Arab, hur, pi. of dhwar, fern. haurd\ 'having
beautiful black eyes', fr. hdwira, 'had black
eyes', which is rel. to Heb. hawdr, Aram.-Syr.
hdwdr, 'was white', Heb. hur, 'white stuff', hori,
'white bread'. The -i in Pers. hurl is a formative
element serving to denote the singular.
house, n. — ME. hus, hous, fr. OE. hus, rel. to
OS., ON., OFris., OHG. MHG, hus, Du. huts, G.
Haus, Goth, -hus (in the compoundgudhus,'temp-
le', lit. 'the house of God'); orig. 'shelter', fr.
I.-E. *qeus-, -^-enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to
cover, hide'. See hide, v. and cp. hoard, hose,
hut. Cp. also husk, the first element in husband,
husting and the second element in caboose.
house, tr. and intr. v. — OE. husian, 'to take into
a house', fr. hus, 'house'. See house, n.
housecarl, n., member of the bodyguard of a
Danish or early English king or nobleman
(hist.) — OE. huscarl, fr. ON. huskarl, which is
compounded of ON. hus, 'house', and karl,
'man'. See house and churl.
housel, n., the Eucharist (obsol.) — ME. husel,
fr. OE. husel, 'the Eucharist', rel. to ON. husl,
of s.m., Goth, hunsl, 'sacrifice', and prob. cogn.
with Lith. sventas, OSlav. svetu, OPruss. swints,
'holy', Lett, svinet, 'to hallow, celebrate',
Avestic sp e nta-, 'holy'.
housel, tr. v., to administer the Eucharist to. —
ME. huslen, fr. OE. huslian, fr. husel, 'the
Eucharist'. Cp. ON. husla, 'to administer the
Eucharist', Goth, hunsljan, 'to sacrifice', which
also are denominatives, and see housel, n.
housewife, n. — ME. houswif, fr. hous, 'house',
747
huckster
and wif, 'woman, wife'. See house and wife and
cp. hussy.
Derivatives: housewife-ly, adj., housewife-ry, n.
housing, n., the act of taking into a house. —
Formed fr. house, v., with -ing, suff. forming
verbal nouns.
housing, n., an ornamental covering for a horse.
— Formed with subst. suff. -ing fr. obsol. house,
'housing', fr. OF. houce (F. housse), 'horse-
cloth, housing', fr. Frankish *hulftia (whence
also ML. hultia), which is related to OHG.
huluft, 'case, sheath'. See holster.
Houstonia, n., a genus of plants of the madder
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the English
botanist William Houston (1695-1733). For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Houyhnhnm, n., one of a race of noble horses (in
(Swift's Gulliver's Travels). — Coined by Swift
to suggest the whinnying sound made by
horses.
hovel, n., a small hut. — ME. hovel, hovyl, of
uncertain origin.
Derivative : hovel, tr. v.
hoveler, hoveller, n., coast boatman. — Of un-
certain origin.
hover, intr. v. — ME. hoveren, formed with freq.
suff. -er fr. hoven, 'to hover,' which is of un-
certain origin.
Derivatives: hover, n., hover-er, n., hover-ing,
n. and adj., hover-ing-ly, adv.
how, adv. — ME. hou, hu, fr. OE. hit, 'how', rel.
to OS. hwd, hu, OFris., MDu. hit, Du. hoe,
'how', OHG. hwio, wio, MHG., G. wie, Goth.
haiwa, 'how', and cogn. with Lith. kai, 'how',
fr. I.-E. pronominal base *q w o-, *q u 'e-. See who
and cp. words there referred to.
how, n., a mound; hillock. — ME., fr. ON.
haugr, 'mound', which is rel. to OE. heah,
'high'. See high.
howardite, n., a meteorite (petrogr.) — Named
after the English meteorologist Luke Howard
(1772-1864). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
howbeit, conj. — Compounded of how, be and it.
howdah, n., a seat for riding on an elephant. —
Hind, haudah, fr. Arab, haudaj, 'litter for riding
on a camel'.
howitzer, n., a kind of short cannon. — Du. hou-
witser, fr. G. Haubitze, fr. MHG. haufeniz, hauf-
niz, borrowed fr. Czech houfnice, 'catapult', fr.
Czech houf 'heap, crowd', which is a loan
word fr. MHG. hufe, 'heap'. See heap.
howl, intr. and tr. v. — ME. houlen, fr. MDu.
hulen, huylen (Du. huilen), which is rel. to Dan.
hyle, Norw. hyla, MHG. hiuweln, hiulen, G.
heulen, 'to howl', and to OHG. hiwiion, 'to re-
joice' (prop, 'to shout with joy'), huwila, 'owl'
(lit. 'the screeching bird'); of imitative origin.
Derivatives: howl, n., howl-er, n., howl-ing, adj.
and n., howl-ing-ly, adv.
howlet, n., owl; owlet. — A blend of F. hulotte,
'owlet', and E. owlet. F. hulotte itself is a blend
of Teut. *«/- 'owl* (cp. OE. wfe, 'owl', and see
owl), and OF. huer, 'to hoot' (said of an owl),
which is of imitative origin,
howlite, n., a calcium borosilicate (mineral.) —
Named after the Canadian mineralogist Henry
How(died in 1 879). Forthe ending see combining
form -lite.
hoy, interj., an exclamation to call attention. —
Imitative; cp. Du. and Dan. hui and E. ahoy.
Derivative: hoy, tr. and intr. v.
hoy, n., a small vessel or barge (naut.) — ME.,
fr. MDu. hoey (obsol. Du. heu), 'hoy'. Cp.
Flem. hui, 'hoy'.
Hoya, n., a genus of plants of the milkweed
family; the honey plant (bot.) — ModL., named
after the English horticulturist Thomas Hoy
(died in 1821).
hoyden, hoiden, n., a romping girl. — Prob. fr.
Du. heiden, 'a heathen; a rustic'. See heathen.
Derivative: hoyden-ish, hoiden-ish, adj.
hsien, n., subdivision of a department in China.
— Chin.
hub, n., the central part of a wheel. — Prob. a
var. of hob, 'projection',
hubba, n., a grain (used as a weight). — Arab.
hdbba h , 'a grain', noun of unity fr. habb, 'grain'.
Cp. the first element in Aoelmoschus.
hubble-bubble, n., a hookah in its primitive form.
— Imitative; formed through reduplication on
bubble.
hubbub, n., uproar; turmoil. — Of Irish, imita-
tive, origin. Cp. Olr. abu, a war cry, Gael, ubub,
an exclamation of contempt.
Hubert, masc. PN. — F., fr. OHG. Hugubert, lit.
'bright-minded', fr. hugu, 'mind', and beraht,
'bright'. See hug and bright and cp. Hugh.
hiibnerite, n., a manganese tungstate (mineral.) —
Named in 1865 after the German mineralogist
Adolph Hiibner, who analyzed it. For the end-
ing see subst. suff. -ite.
hubris, n., insolence, arrogance. — Irregular
(for hybris), fr. Gk. u3pi<;, 'wanton violence,
riotousness, insolence; outrage', which is prob.
a compound whose first element is identical
with the equivalent of OI. ut, 'up, out',
Goth., OE. ut, 'out'; see out. The second ele-
ment of this compound is of uncertain origin.
hubristic, adj., insolent, arrogant. — Irregular
form (for hybristic), fr. Gk. u(3pia-ix6s, 'insolent,
wantonly', fr. uppic. See prec. word and -istic.
Derivative: hubristic-al-ly, adv.
huckaback, n., a cotton fabric used esp. for
towels. — Of uncertain origin.
hubshi, hubshee, n., a Negro (India). — Pers.
Habshi, fr. Arab. Habashi, 'an Abyssinian',
formed with gentilic suff. -i fr. Hdbasha h ,
'Abyssinia', fr. Hdbash, 'Abyssinians'. Cp.
Abyssinia.
huckleberry, n. — Prob. altered fr. hurtleberry,
a dial, form of whortleberry (q.v.)
huckster, n. — ME. hokester, hukster, fr. MDu.
hokester, hoekster, fern, of hoeker (whence Du.
heuker), fr. hoken, hoeken, 'to bear on the back,
hud
748
squat', which is rel. to ON. hiika, 'to crouch,
squat', ON. hoka, hokra, MHG. huchen, G.
hocken, of s.m. These words derive fr. I.-E.
*qou-g-, *q&-g-, enlargement of base *qeu-, 'to
bend'. For the ending see suff. -ster. Cp. hawker,
hunker. Cp. also I.-E. *qeu-q-, whence Goth.
hauhs, OE. heah, 'high' (see high).
Derivatives: huckster, intr. v., huckster-ess,
huckstr-ess, n., huckster-y, n.
hud, n., the husk of nuts, etc. — ME. hudde,
of uncertain origin,
huddle, tr. and intr. v. — Prob. rel. to ME. huden,
hiden, 'to hide'. See hide, 'to conceal', and freq.
suff. -le.
Derivatives: huddle, n., huddl-er, n„ huddl-ing,
adv.
Hudibrastic, adj., resembling the style of Samuel
Butler's "Hudibras"; mock-heroic. — Formed
fr. Hudibras on analogy of fantastic, etc.
Hudsonia, n., a genus of plants of the rockrose
family (bot.) — ModL., named after the English
botanist William Hudson (l73°-93). For tne
ending see suff. -ia.
hue, n., color. — ME. hew, hewe, fr. OE. hiw,
hiew, 'form, shape, appearance; color', rel. to
ON. hp, 'bird's down', Swed. hy, 'skin, com-
plexion', Goth, him, 'form, appearance', OE.
hiewen, 'bluish gray, blue', prob. also to OE.
hdr, 'gray' (see hoar), and prob. cogn. with
OSlav. sivu, 'gray'. Lith. syvas, 'white', OPruss.
sywan, 'gray', OI. syavas, 'blackish brown'.
Derivatives: hue, tr. and intr. v., to color, hu-ed,
hue-less, adjs., hue-less-ness, n.
hue, n., an outcry. — ME., fr. OF. hu, fr. huer,
'to cry out, shout', which is of imitative origin.
Cp. hoot. Cp. also howlet.
Derivatives: hue, intr. v., to cry out, hu-er, n.
huff, tr. v., i) to hector, bully ; 2) to anger ; intr. v.,
1) to bluster; 2) to become angry. — The orig.
meaning was 'to puff, blow' ; of imitative origin.
Derivatives: huff, n., huff-ish, adj., huff-ish-ly,
adv., huff-ish-ness, n., huff-y, adj., huff-i-ly, adv.,
huff-i-ness, n.
hug, tr. v., to embrace closely. — Of uncertain
origin; perh. fr. ON. hugga, 'to soothe, com-
fort', which is rel. to ON. hyggja and huga, OE.
hycgan, OS. huggian, OFris. hugia, OHG. hug-
gen, hukken, Goth, hugjan, 'to think', and to
OE. hyge, ON. hugr, OS. hugi, OFris. hei, OHG.
hugu, Goth, hugs, 'mind, soul; thought'. Cp.
Hugh and the first element in Hubert.
Derivatives: hug, n., hugg-ing-ly, adv.
huge, adj. — ME. huge, hoge, shortened fr. OF.
ahoge, 'high', fr. a hoge, 'on high', fr. a, 'to, at,
on' (see a) and hoge, 'hill, high place', which
is of Teut. origin; cp. ON. haugr, 'mound',
OSwed. hugli, 'hill', and see high. Cp. also how,
'a mound'.
Derivatives: huge-ous, adj., huge-ous-ly, adv.,
huge-ous-ness, n., hug-y, adj.
huggermugger, adv., secretly. — Fr. earlier hucker
mucker; of unknown origin.
Derivatives: huggermugger, n., adj. and v.
Hugh, masc. PN. — ONF. Hugues (ace. Hugori),
rel. to OF. Hue (acc. Huori), of Teut. origin;
cp. OHG. Hugi, which is rel. to OHG. hugu,
'mind, soul, thought'. See hug and cp. next
word.
Hugo, masc. PN. — ONF. Hugon, acc. of Hugues.
See prec. word.
Huguenot, n., French protestant of the 16th and
17th centuries. — F., fr. earlier eiguenot, fr.
MHG. eitgendje (G. Eidgenosse), 'confederate',
which is compounded of eit (G. Eid), 'oath', and
genome (G. Genosse), 'comrade'. For the first
element see oath. The second element derives
fr. OHG. gind30, 'comrade', which is rel. to
OS. gindt, OE. geneat, OFris. nat, ON. nautr,
'companion, comrade', Goth, niutan, 'to reach,
attain', OE. neotan, 'to enjoy', neat, 'ox, cow'.
See neat, 'an animal of the ox family'. F. Hugue-
not was influenced in form by the name of Hugues
Besancon, a Genevan party leader.
Huldah, 1) fem. PN.; 2) in the Bible, name of a
prophetess. — Heb. Huldd", lit. 'weasel', rel.
to Heb. hdledh, Aram.-Syr. huldd, Arab, khuld,
'mole', from a base meaning 'to dig, to hollow
out' (cp. Heb. hdlddh, hehlidh, 'he dug, under-
mined').
hulk, n., a heavy ship. — ME. hulke, 'ship', fr.
OE. hulc, 'a light ship', fr. ML. holcas [whence
also OF. hulque, MLG. hoik, MDu. hulc (Du.
hulk), OHG. holcho (MHG. holche, hulk), G.
Hoik, Hulk)], fr. Gk. oXxa?, gen. oXxaSo?, 'a
ship of burden', lit. 'a ship that is towed'. See
Holcus and cp. holcad.
hulking, adj., unwieldy. — Formed with adj. suff.
-tag fr. dial. E. hulk, 'to be wieldy', fr. hulk,
'a heavy ship', taken in the sense of 'an un-
wieldy person'.
hull, n., husk, pod, shell. — ME. hul, hule, hole,
fr. OE. hulu, fr. Teut. base *hul-, 'to cover',
weak grade of base *hel-, of s.m., whence OE.
helan, 'to conceal'. Cp. Du. huls, OHG. hulsa,
MHG., G. hulse, 'hull', OHG. hulla, MHG., G.
hiille, 'a covering', which also derive from Teut.
*hul-. See cell and cp. hall, hell.
Derivative: hull, tr. v., to remove the husk of.
hull, n., the body of a ship. — Figurative use of
prec. word. Cp. L. carina, 'keel of a ship', orig.
'shell of a nut', F. coque, 'shell (of walnuts,
other fruits, eggs, etc.) ; hull of a ship'. Cp. ahull.
Derivative: hull, tr. v., to strike or pierce the
hull of a ship.
hullabaloo, n., uproar. — Of imitative origin,
hulled, adj., deprived of the husk. — Formed
with suff. -ed fr. hull, 'husk',
hulled, adj., having a hull (said of a ship). —
Formed with suff. -ed fr. hull, 'the body of a ship',
huller, n., a machine for hulling grain. — Formed
with agential suff. -er fr. hull, 'to remove the
husk of. See hull, husk,
hullo, interj. — Imitative.
hulsite, n„ a hydrous iron magnesium tin borate
749
humility
{mineral.) — Named after Alfred Hulse Brooks
of the U.S. Geological Survey (1871-1924). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hum, interj. — Imitative. Cp. hum, v.
hum, v., to utter an inarticulate sound. — ME.
hummen, of imitative origin. Cp. G. hummen,
of s.m. Cp. also hem, interj., humblebee, hum-
drum, hummingbird.
Derivatives: hum, n., humm-er, n., humm-ing,
adj. and n., humm-ing-ly, adv.
hum, n., a hoax; tr. v., to humbug (both colloq.)
— Short for humbug.
human, adj. — ME. humayne, fr. OF. (= F.)
humain, fr. L. humanus, 'human', fr. homo, gen.
-Ms, 'man', which is rel. to humus, 'earth', hence
prop, means 'earthly being', and is cogn. with
Toch. B faumo, OLith. zmuo (acc. zmun{), Lith.
zmogus (acc. zmogu), OPruss. smoy, 'man, male
person', smuni, 'person', smonenawino, 'man',
Goth., OE. guma, 'man'; see bridegroom. All
these words lit. mean 'earthly being'. For sense
development cp. Heb. dddm, 'man', which
derives fr. dddmd", 'ground' (see Adam). See
humus and cp. humane. Cp. also homage, hom-
bre, homo, homunculus, humble, omber, ombre,
and the first element in homicide. Cp. also the
first element in duniwassal.
Derivatives: human, a., humanist (q.v.), humani-
tarian (q.v.), humanity (q.v.), human-ize, tr. and
intr. v., human-iz-ation, n., human-ly, adv.,
human-ness, n.
humane, adj. — Prop, identical with, and re-
presenting an earlier spelling of, human (q.v.),
from which it was later differentiated in mean-
ing. For a similar differentiation in form and
meaning of orig. one and the same word cp.
german and germane, urban and urbane.
Derivatives: humane-ly, adv., humane-ness, n.
humanism, n. — Formed after humanist fr.
human and suff. -ism.
humanist, n. — F. humaniste, fr. It. umanista,
which was coined by the Italian poet Lodovico
Ariosto (1474-1533) fr. umano (fr. L. humanus;
see human) and suff. -isto (fr. Gk. -larfjs ; see -ist).
Derivatives: humanist-ic, humanist-ic-al, adjs.,
humanist-ic-al-ly, adv.
humanitarian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff.
-arian fr. L. humdnitds. See next word.
Derivative: humanitarian-ism, n.
humanity, n. — F. humanite, fr. L. humdnitatem,
acc. of humdnitds, 'human nature, humanity',
fr. humanus, 'human'. L. humdnitds is loan
translation of Gk. ipiXavS-pcoma, lit. 'love of
mankind'. See human and -ity.
humanize, tr. and intr. v. — F. humaniser, fr. L.
humanus, 'human'. See human and -ize.
Derivative : humaniz-ation, n.
humanoid, adj., of human character (anthropol.)
— A hybrid coined fr. L. humanus, 'human', and
Gk. -oeiSrn;, 'like', fr. elSo?, 'form, shape'. See
human and -old.
Derivative: humanoid, n.
humble, adj. — ME. humble, umble, fr. OF. (= F.)
humble, fr. L. humilem, acc. of humilis, 'low,
base, humble', lit. 'on the ground', fr. humus,
'earth, ground, soil'. See humus and words there
referred to and cp. esp. humiliate, humility.
Derivatives: humble, tr. v., humble-iiess, n.,
humbl-er, n., humbl-ing, n., humbl-y, adv.
humblebee, n., a bumblebee. — ME. humbyl-bee,
a compound whose first element is rel. to Dan.
humle, humlebi, Swed., Norw. humla, MDu.
hummel, homel, hommel, Du. hommel, OHG.
humbal, MHG. humbel, hummel, G. Hummel,
'humblebee', prop, 'the humming bee'. See hum,
'to utter an inarticulate sound', and freq. suff.
-le, and cp. Czech fmel, Pol. czmiel, OPruss.
camus, Lith. kamdne, 'humblebee', which are
also of imitative origin. For the second element
in ME. humbyl-bee see bee.
humble pie, pie made of the umbles of a deer. —
For umble pie, 'pie made of umbles'. Cp. umble
pie, umbles and see numbles. The h in humble
pie is due to a confusion of umble with humble,
'low'.
humbug, n., a hoax. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: humbug, tr. and intr. v., humbugg-
er, n., humbugg-er-y, n.
humdrum, adj. and n. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
hum, 'to utter an inarticulate sound',
humeral, adj., pertaining to the shoulder. — Late
L. humerdlis, fr. L. humerus. See humerus and
adj. suff. -al.
humero-, combining form meaning 'humeral;
humeral and' ianat.) — L. humero- , fr. humerus.
See humerus,
humerus, n., the bone of the upper arm (anat.) —
L. (h)umerus, 'shoulder', fr. I.-E. *omesos\ cogn.
with OI. dmsah, Toch. A es, B dntse, Arm. us
(gen. usoys), Gk. &\±oc, (for *6msos, less
probably for *omsos), 'shoulder', Umbr. uze,
onse, 'in the shoulder', ON. ass, Goth, ams,
amsa, 'shoulder'. Cp. omo-, 'shoulder-', and
words there referred to.
humid, adj. — F. humide, fr. L. (h)umidus, 'moist,
wet', fr. (h)umere, 'to be moist or wet'. See
humor.
Derivatives: humid-ly, adv., humid-ness, n.
humidify, tr. v., to render humid. — See humid
and -fy.
humidity, n. — F. humidite, fr. L. (h)umiditdtem,
acc. of (h)umiditds, 'moisture, wetness', fr.
(h)umidus. See humid and -ity.
humiliate, tr. v. — Fr. L. humiliatus, pp. of humi-
lidre, 'to humble', fr. humilis. See humble and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: humiliat-ing, adj., humiliat-ing-ly,
adv., humiliat-or, n., humiliat-ory, adj.
humiliation, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) humilia-
tion, fr. L. humilidtidnem, acc. of humilidtid,
'humbling, humiliation', fr. humiliatus, pp. of
humilidre. See prec. word and -ion.
humility, n. — ME. humilite, fr. F. humilite, fr.
L. humilitdtem, acc. of humilitds, 'lowness, in-
hummaul
750
significance' (in Eccles. L. 'lowness, meekness'),
fr. humilis, 'low'. See humble and -ity.
hummaul, n. — A var. of hamal.
hummingbird, n. — So called from its humming
sound.
hummock, n., i) a knoll, hillock; 2) pile of ice
in an icefield. — Dimin. of hump. See -ock and
cp. hillock, which is a dimin. of hill.
Derivative: hummock-y, adj.
humor, humour, n. — ME. humor, humour, umor,
umour, fr. OF. humor, umor (F. humeur), fr. L.
(h)umdrem, acc. oi(h)umor, 'fluid, moisture', rel.
to (h)umere, 'to be moist, wet', (h)itmidus, 'moist,
wet'. Hiimor stands for *ug"mdr-, fr. I.-E. base
*ugw-, *wegw-, 'wet, moist, to sprinkle', whence
also Gk. uypo?, 'wet, moist', Arm. oyc, 'fresh',
ON. vdkr, 'moist, damp', OI. uksati, 'sprinkles',
uksdn-, 'ox', Goth, auhsa, OE. oxa, 'ox', and
prob. also OXx.fual (for *wog w lo-), 'urine'. The
correct spelling of the above Latin words is
umor, umere, Cimidus. The spelling with initial
h is due to folk etymology, which associated
these words with L. humus, 'earth'. Cp. humid,
hygro-, ox, udograph, udometer, Ulex, uliginose,
uxorious, wake, 'track left by a moving ship'.
Derivatives: humo(u)r, tr. v., humo(u)r-less,
humo(u)r-some, adjs., humoral, humoresque, hu-
morist, humorous (qq.v.)
humoral, adj., pertaining to the humors of the
body (archaic). — See humor and adj. suff. -al.
humoralism, n., an obsolete doctrine which attri-
butes all diseases to the state of the humors
of the body. — See prec. word and -ism.
humoralist, n., an adherent of humoralism. —
See humoral and -ist.
humoresque, n., a humorous or fanciful com-
position. — G. Humoreske, 'humorous sketch'.
See humor and -esque.
humorist, humourist, n. — F. humoriste, fr. It.
umorista, 'capricious', fr. ML. humorista, which
prop, denoted an adherent of 'humorism', i.e.
the doctrine that diseases are due to the change
of 'humors' in the body. See humor and -ist.
Derivative: humo(u)rist-ic, adj.
humorous, adj. — L. (h)umdrdsus, 'moist', fr.
(h)umor. See humor and -ous.
Derivatives: humorous-ly, adv., humorous-
ness, n.
hump, n., a rounded protuberance. — Of LG.
origin. Cp. MLG. hump, 'bump, hunch', Du.
homp, 'lump, chunk', Norw. hump, 'knoll'.
These words derive fr. L-E. base *qumb-, 'to
bend, curve', whence also OI. kumbhdh, 'pot,
jar', Gk. y.-'y.Ar. 'the hollow of a vessel, cup.
boat'. See cymbal and cp. chime, 'set of bells'.
Derivatives: hump, tr.v., hump-ed, adj., hump-y,
adj., hump-i-ness, n.
humpback, n. — Compounded of hump and back.
Derivative: humpback-ed, adj.
humph, interj. expressing doubt or contempt.
— Imitative.
Derivatives : humph, intr. v. and n.
Humphrey, masc. PN. — OE. Hunfrid, prob.
formed fr. Teut. *hun, 'strength', and OE.fridu,
'peace' (see free); influenced in form by names
like Geoffrey, which, though also of Teut. origin,
came into English through the medium of
French.
humpty-dumpty, n., a short or dumpy figure. —
Fr. Humpty-Dumpty, hero of a nursery rhyme.
The name prob. arose through the reduplication
of Humpty, a pet form of Humphrey. Cp. Ernest
Weekley's Etymological Dictionary s.v.
Humulus, n., a genus of vines, the hop (bot.) —
ModL., fr. ML. humulus, 'hop', which, together
with ON. humli (OSwed. humbli, Dan., Swed.
humle), OE. hymele, Frankish *humilo (whence
F. houblon), ModGk. xoo^iXt, 'hop', is trace-
able to OSlav. *chumett (contracted into chmeli),
which itself seems to be of Finnish-Tatar origin.
Cp. Finnish humala, Vogul qumllx, 'hop'.
humus, n. — L., 'earth, ground, soil' (cp. Oscan
huntrus, 'those below' (acc.), Umbr. hutra,
hondra, 'below'), for *homos, fr. L-E. *ghom-,
whence also Gk. yxy-xi, 'on the ground', Lith.
zeme, Lett, ze me, OPruss. same, semme, OSlav.
zemlja, 'earth'. L. humilis, 'low', and homo,
'man', are rel. to humus. See chthonian and cp.
homage, human, humble, humiliate, exhume,
inhume.
Hun, n. — Late L. Hum, Hunrii, Chunni (pi.), rel.
to Gk. OSvvoi (pi.), 'the Huns', OS., OHG.
Huni, Hun, MHG. Hiune, 'Hun'. Cp. MHG.
hiune (whence G. Hiine), 'giant', orig. 'a Hun'.
Derivative ; Hunn-ish, adj.
hunch, n., 1) hump; 2) a thick piece. — Prob. al-
tered fr. hump. For a similar alteration cp. lunch,
which prob. derives fr. lump. Cp. hunk.
Derivative: hunch, tr. v.
hundi, n., a bill of exchange (India). — Hind.
hundi, hundavi, fr. OI. hundika, fr. hundate,
'collects'.
hundred, n. — ME. hondred, honderd, fr. Late
OE. hundred, prob. fr. ON. hundrad (whence
also Dan. hundrede, Swed. hundrade, hundra),
lit. 'the number of hundred', fr. Teu\.*hunda-,
'hundred' (seen also in OE., OS., Goth, hund,
OHG. hunt), and *-rad, 'reckoning, number',
(seen in Goth, rapjo, 'a reckoning, account,
number', ga-rapjan, 'to count', see reason); cp.
OS. hunderod (whence MLG., MHG., G. hun-
dert, MDu. hondert, honderd (Du. honderd).
Teut. *hunda-, 'hundred', corresponds to I.-E.
*kmto-, which appears in OI. satdm, Avestic
sat'm [OSlav. suto (Russ. sto), is prob. an
Iranian loan word], Toch. A kant, B kante,
kante, Gk. e-xitov, L. centum, Lith. simtas,
Lett, stmts, Olr. cet, W. cant, Bret, kant, Co.
kans, 'hundred'. I.-E. *kmto-, 'hundred', orig.
meant ten tens', fr. *kmt-, 'ten', which also
appears in the Latin ending -ginti, -gintd
(in viginti, 'twenty', trigintd, 'thirty', quadrd-
gintd, 'forty', etc.), in the Greek ending -xovtoc
(in Tpi«xovx<x, 'thirty', reaaap&xovTa, 'forty',
751
hurt
etc.), and in L. decern, 'ten', which stands for
*(d)kmtom); see decad, decimal, ten. Accord-
ingly hundred prop, means 'the great ten'. Cp.
cent, centenary, century, hecatomb, sotnia. Cp.
also the second element in thousand.
Derivatives: hundred, adj., hundreder (q.v.),
hundred-fold, adj., hundreth (q.v.)
hundreder, hundredor, n., the chief officer of a
hundred (hist.) — ML. hundreddrius. See hun-
dred and -er (representing L. -drius).
hundredth, adj. and n. — Formed fr. hundred with
numeral suff. -th.
hung. — Past tense and pp. of hang.
hunger, n. — ME., fr. OE. hungor, rel. to OS.,
OHG. hungar, ON. hungr, OFris., MHG., G.
hunger, Du. honger, Goth, huhrus (for *hurjhruz),
'hunger', and cogn. with Gk. xdcyxavo?, 'dry',
lit. 'burning', xeyxetv, 'to starve, to hunger',
Lith. kankd, 'suffering', kehkti, 'to pain, ache' ;
fr. I.-E. base *kenk-, knk-, 'to burn, be dry,
pain'.
hunger, intr. v. — ME. hungren, hingren, fr. OE.
hyngran; influenced in form by the noun. Cp.
OS. gi-hungrean, ON. hungra, OFris. hungeria,
OHG. hungerdn, hungiren, Goth, huggrjan, 'to
hunger', and see hunger, n.
hungry, adj. — ME., fr. OE. hungrig, fr. hungor,
'hunger'. See hunger, n., and -y (representing
OE. -ig).
Derivatives: hungri-ly, adv., hungri-ness, n.
hunk, n., a large lump (esp. of bread) — Cp.
Flem. hunke, which is prob. rel. to Du. homp,
'lump, chunk'. See hump and cp. hunk.
hunker, intr. v., to squat, crouch (dial., esp.
Scot.) — Perh. of Scand. origin. Cp. ON. hoka,
hokra, 'to crouch, squat', and see huckster.
hunks, n., a niggard, miser. — Of uncertain
origin.
hunt, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hunten, fr. OE. hun-
tian, in gradational relationship to OE. hentan,
'to try to seize, to attack, seize', Goth, -hinpan
(used only in compounds), 'to seize'. See hand
and cp. hent, hint.
Derivatives: hunt, n., hunt-er, n., hunt-ing, adj.
and n., huntress (q.v.)
huntress, n. — Formed fr. hunter with suff. -ess.
huppah, n., the bridal canopy (Jewish religion) —
Heb. huppd", 'canopy', orig. 'bridal chamber',
lit. 'that which encloses', from the stem of hd-
phdph, 'he enclosed, surrounded, covered', 'vhich
is rel. to Arab, hdffa, 'he surrounded', hifdf,
'side or border of something' (lit. 'that which
surrounds').
hurdle, n. — ME. hirdel, hurdel, fr. OE. hyrdel,
rel. to Du. horde, OHG. hurd, MHG. hurt,
hiirde, G. Hiirde, 'hurdle, fold pen', and to
ON. hurd, Goth, haiirds, 'door' (orig. 'door of
wickerwork'), and cogn. with L. crdtis, 'hurdle,
wickerwork', Gk. xap-aXoc, 'a kind of basket',
xupro<;, xtipT7), xup-rta, 'wickerwork', xpo-rcovr),
'excrescence on trees', OPruss. corto, 'enclo-
sure', Mir. ceirtle, 'clew', OI. kftfdtti, 'spins',
cftdti, 'binds'. All these words derive fr. I.-E.
base *qerdt-, *qert-, 'to twist together, werve,
plait'. See crate and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also grate, 'frame*, griddle, hoarding.
Derivatives : hurdle, tr. and intr. v., hurdl-er, n.
hurds, also hards, n. pi., refuse of flax or Kemp. —
ME. herdes, fr. OE. heordan (pi.), rel. to OE.
-heord (only in compounds), ON. haddr, 'hair
on a woman's head', Du., OFris., MLG., MDu.
hede, Du., G. hede, 'hurds', fr. I.-E. base *qes-,
'to scrape, scratch, comb', whence also Gk.
xsctxsov (for *xs<j-xea-ov), Russ. ceska, Czech
pa-ces, 'tow, oakum', OSlav. (esg, cesati, 'to
comb'.
hurdy-gurdy, n., an obsolete musical instrument.
— Of imitative origin.
hurl, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hurlen, horlen, hour-
len, prob. an -/-enlargement of the Teut. imi-
tative base *hurr-. Cp. LG. hurreln, 'to toss',
and see hurry. Cp. also hurly-burly.
Derivatives: hurl, n., hurl-er, n., hurley (q.v.)
hurley, n., 1) game of hurling; 2) stick used in the
game. — Formed fr. hurl with suff. -ey.
hurly, n., uproar, tumult. — Back formation fr.
hurly-burly.
hurly-burly, n., turmoil; uproar. — From earlier
hurling and burling, which was formed through
reduplication fr. hurling, verbal noun of hurl,
used in the now obsol. sense 'commotion'.
hurrah, interj. — Imitative. Cp. Dan., Swed.,
Norw., G. hurra, Du. hoera. Cp. also huzza.
Derivative: hurrah, n. and v.
hurricane, n. — Sp. huracdn, fr. Taino hurakdn,
fr. Maya hunraken, 'Charles's Wain', lit. 'ons-
legged (giant)'. Since the dangerous cyclonic
storms usually rose in the sign of Charles's
Wain, Maya hunraken became identical with
'evil spirit', and finally obtained the meaning
of hurricane. F. ouragan, It. uragano, Du. or-
kaan (whence G. Orkari), 'hurricane', are all
traceable to Taino hurakdn. E. hurricane (fr. Sp.
huracdn) was influenced in form by hurry.
hurry, tr. and intr. v. — Formed from the Teut.
imitative base *hurr-, 'to move with haste',
whence also OSwed. hurra, 'to whirl round',
dial. Swed. hurr, 'haste, hurry', MHG. hurren,
'to move with haste'. Cp. hurl. Cp. also flurry.
Derivatives: hurry, n., hurri-ed, adj., hurri-ed-ly,
adv., hurri-ed-ness, n.
hurry-scurry, hurry-skurry, n., intr., v., and adv.
— Compounded of hurry and scurry.
hurst, n., wood, copse (used esp. in Place-
Names). — ME. hurst, fr. OE. hyrst, 'wood,
copse', rel. to OS. hurst, 'thicket', MDu. horst,
hurst, 'underwood', Du. horst, 'thicket; eyrie',
OHG. hurst, 'thicket', MHG. hurst, hiirste,
'bushes, shrubbery', G. Horst, 'thicket, shrub-
bery; eyrie', dial. Norw. rust, 'thicket'.
hurt, tr. and intr. v. — ME. hurten, hirten, 'to
push, dash; to injure', fr. OF. hurter (F.heur-
ter), 'to strike against', OF. hurter, orig. meant
'to butt or toss like a ram'. It derives fr. Fran-
hurter
752
kish *hurt, 'ram', which is rel. to ON. hrutr,
'ram' ; see hart. OProvenc. urtar, It. urtare, 'to
strike against', are French loan words.
Derivatives: hurt, n„ hurter (q.v.), hurt-ful, adj.,
hurt-ful-ly, adv., hurt-ful-ness, n.
hurter, n., one who, or that which, hurts. —
Formed from the verb hurt with the agential
suff. -er.
hurter, n., shoulder on the axle of a wheel. —
OF. hurtoir, fr. hurter. See hurt and agential
suff. -er.
hurtle, intr. and tr. v. — ME. hurtlen, freq. of
hurten. See hurt and freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: hurtle, n.
hurtleberry, n. — See whortleberry.
husband, n. — ME. husbonde, 'master of a house,
husband', fr. OE. hiisbdnda, 'master of a house',
fr. ON. husbdndi, 'householder; husband',
which is shortened fr. husbuandi, a word lit.
meaning 'dwelling in the house', compounded
of ON. hiis, 'house', and buandi, 'dwelling', prop,
pres. part, of bua, 'to dwell'. See house and
bond, 'serf.
Derivatives: husband, tr. v., husband-age, a.,
husband-er, a., husband-less, adj., husband-ly,
adj. and adv., husband-li-ness, n., husband-ry, n.
hush, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation from the
obsolete adj. husht (fr. ME. husht), a word of
imitative origin, which, however, was regarded
as the past participle of a verb (i.e. husht was
misdivided into hush-t and identified with hush-
ed, whence arose the verb hush). Cp. whisht,
whist, interj., and hist.
Derivatives : hush, n. and interj., hush-ing-ly, adv.
hushaby, intr. v., imper. — Prob. a blend of hush
and lullaby.
. husk, n. — Late ME. huske, fr. MDu. huuskijn,
huusken, 'little house; husk of fruit', dimin. of
huus, 'house'. See house and -kin.
Derivatives: husk, tr. v., husk-ed, adj., husk-er,
n„ husky (q.v.)
husky, adj., i) abounding in, or resembling,
husks; 2) dry as husks; dry in the throat, hoarse.
— Formed fr. husk with adj. suff. -y.
Derivatives: husk-i-ly, adv., husk-i-ness, n.
Husky, n., i) an Eskimo; 2) an Eskimo dog;
3) the Eskimo language. — Prob. corruption
of Esky, a slang abbreviation of Eskimo.
huso, also huse, n., the great sturgeon. — ML.,
fr. OHG. huso (MHG. huse, husen, G. Hauseri),
which is rel. to ON. hauss, 'skull, cranium'
(whence dial. Norw. huse, 'skull of fish'); fr.
I.-E. base *(s)qeu-, 'to cover, hide'. See sky and
cp. hausen. Cp. also the first element in isin-
glass.
hussar, n. — G. Husar, fr. Hung, huszdr, fr.
Serbo-Croatian gusar, husar, 'pirate, bandit',
fr. It. corsaro, 'pirate', lit. 'runner', fr. ML. cur-
sdrius, fr. L. cursus, 'a running, course, voyage'.
See corsair.
hussif, n. — Contraction of ME. houswif. See
housewife.
Hussite, n., a follower of John Huss, the Bo-
hemian reformer (burnt in 1415)- — For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hussy, n. — Contracted fr. housewife (q.v.)
busting, n., usually in the pi. hustings, a court
held in London; a platform. — OE. husting, fr.
ON. husping, lit. 'house assembly', fr. hits,
'house, and ping, 'thing; assembly'. See house
and thing, 'assembly'.
hustle, tr. and intr. v. — Metathesized fr. Du.
hutselen, freq. of hutsen, 'to shake', which is
prob. of imitative origin. Cp. 2nd rustle, 'to act
energetically'.
Derivatives: hustle, n., hustle-ment, n., hustl-
er, n.
hut, n. — F. hutte, fr. MHG. hiitte or fr. OHG.
hutta [OS. hutta, Dan. hytte, Swed. hytta, Fris., •
MLG., MDu. hutte (Du. hut) and Sp. huta are
borrowed fr. HG.], which is rel. to OE. hydan,
'to hide'. See hide, 'to conceal', and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also cuddy, 'cabin'.
Derivative: hut, tr. and intr. v.
hutch, n., 1) a chest or box for storage; 2) a coop
or case for small animals; 3) a hut, hovel; 4) a
mining trough; 5) a truck; 6) a measure. —
ME. huche, fr. OF. (= F.) huche, 'bin, kneading
trough', fr. ML. hutica, which is of uncertain
origin.
Derivative: hutch, tr. v.
hutchinsonite, n., sulfarsenite of thallium, copper,
silver, etc. {mineral.) — Named after the Eng-
lish mineralogist Arthur Hutchinson(i866-ign).
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
hutment, n., 1) housing in huts; 2) a camp of
huts. — A hybrid coined fr. hut and -ment, a
suff. of French-Latin origin,
huzoor, n., a respectful title of address used by
natives (India). — Arab, hudttr (pronounced in
India huzBr), 'presence', prop, infin. of hddara,
'he was present',
huzza, interj. (archaic). — Of imitative origin.
Cp. G. hussa and E. hurrah.
Derivatives : huzza, intr. and tr. v. and n.
hyacinth, n., 1) a fabulous flower supposed to
have sprung from the blood of Hyacinthus
(Greek mythol); whence 2) among the ancients,
a precious stone of blue color; now, a red or
brownish variety of zircon. — F. hyacinthe, fr.
L. hyacinthus, a kind of flower, the jacinth', fr.
Gk. uaxivfto?, 'wild hyacinth, bluebell', fr. ear-
lier *faxtv$o?, a pre-Hellenic word. Cp. Hya-
cinthus. Cp. also jacinth, Vaccinium.
hyacinthine, adj., resembling the hyacinth in
color. — L. hyacinthinus, fr. Gk. uoodv&ivo?,
fr. uaxiv^o?. See hyacinth and -ine (representing
Gk. -Ivo;).
Hyacinthus, n„ a beautiful youth, beloved and
slain by Apollo (Greek mythology). — L. Hya-
cinthus, fr. Gk. "Taxiv^o?. See hyacinth.
Hyacinthus, n., a genus of plants of the lily family,
the hyacinth (bot.) — ModL., fr. hyacinthus.
See hyacinth.
753
Hydrastis
Hyades, n. pi., a group of stars near the Pleiades
(astron.) — L. Hyades, fr. Gk. 'TdcSe?, lit. 'the
rain-bringers', fr. Seiv, 'to rain' (see hyeto-); so
called because the wet weather begins when
they set.
Hyaena, n., the typical genus of the hyena family.
— L. hyaena. See hyena.
hyal-, form of hyalo- before a vowel.
hyalin, n. — See hyaline, n.
hyaline, adj., glassy; transparent. — L. hyalinus,
fr. Gk. udtXtvo;, 'glassy', fr. GaXo?, 'alabaster,
crystal, amber', prop, 'a transparent stone', later
'glass', which prob. stands for *sualo-. Cp. L.
suali-ternicum, 'a kind of reddish amber', which,
according to Pliny 37, 33. is of Scythian, i.e.
North European, origin. See Boisacq, DELG.,
p. 996, s.v. SaXo?, and Walde-Hofmann, LEW,
II, 611, s.v. sualiternicum. For the ending see
suff. -ine (representing Gk. -Ivor;).
hyaline, n., 1) something glassy, as the smooth
sea or the clear sky; 2) (in this sense spelled also
hyalin) a substance forming the walls of hydatid
cysts. — See hyaline, adj.
hyalite, n., a colorless variety of opal (mineral.)
— G. Hyalit, coined by the German geologist
and mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner
(1750-1817) in 1794 fr- Gk. (SaXo?, 'glass', and
suff. -it (representing Gk. -fxv);). See hyaline,
adj., and subst. suff. -ite.
hyalitis, n., inflammation of the vitreous humor
of the eye (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. Gk.
uaXoi; (see hyaline, adj.), with suff. -ids.
hyalo-, before a vowel hyal-, combining form
meaning 'glassy, transparent'. — Gk. uocXo-,
uaX-, fr. QaXos, 'glass'. See hyaline, adj.
hyaloid, adj., glassy, transparent; n., the hyaloid
membrane (anat.) — Gk. uaXociSTj;, 'resem-
bling glass, glassy, transparent', compounded
of oaXo;, 'crystal, glass', and -oei8r|?, 'like',
fr. sISos, 'form, shape'. See hyaline, adj., and
-oid.
Hybanthus, n., a genus of plants, the green violet
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. S$6q,
'humpbacked', which is of uncertain origin, and
iSv&o?, 'flower' (see anther); so called in allusion
to the dorsal gibbosity.
hybrid, n„ 1) a mongrel; anything of mixed ori-
gin; 2) in linguistics, a word compounded of
elements from different languages, as sociology.
— L. hybrida, hibrida, 'offspring of a tame sow
and a wild boar, mongrel', fr. Gk. *<jpipi<;, gen.
♦uppiSos, which is prob. of the same origin as
L. iber, 'mule' [cp. X$r,p, rendered by Hesychius
as yepaou6v ti $7)piov ('a land animal')], but
was assimilated in Greek to ufipi?, 'wanton
violence, insolence'. Cp. "Tflpi; as the name of
a dog (Xenophon, Cynegeticus 7,5). Gk. *u|3pi<;
in the above sense is not identical with upptq,
a night bird of prey. See Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, 665-666 s.v. hybrida.
Derivatives: hybrid, adj., hybrid-ism, n., hybrid-
ist, n., hybridize (q.v.)
hybridize, tr. and intr. v., to cause to produce
hybrids. — Formed from prec. word with suff.
-ize.
Derivatives: hybridiz-able, adj., hybridiz-ation,
n., hybridiz-er, n.
hydat-, form of hydato- before a vowel. ,■
hydatid, n., a cyst or sac in the body of man or
animals, containing a watery fluid (med. and
zool.) — Gk. uSarte, gen. uSa-u&o?, 'a watery
vesicle', fr. SS<ap, gen. (SSaTo;, 'water'. See
hydro- and -id.
hydato-, before a vowel hydat-, combining form
meaning 'water'. — Gk. uSaxo-, uSoct-, fr. tiSwp,
gen. (SSaTo;, 'water'. See hydro-.
hydr-, form of hydro- before a vowel.
Hydra, n., 1) a nine-headed water-serpent killed
by Hercules (Greek mythol); 2) (not cap.) a
manifold evil ; 3) a southern constellation ; 4) any
of fresh-water animals constituting the genus
Hydra (zool.) — L. hydra, fr. Gk. uSpa, 'water
serpent', fr. <3So>p, 'water', whence also (iSpo?, of
s.m., £vu8pk, 'otter', OI. udrah, 'an aquatic
animal', Avestic udra, 'otter', OE. ot tor, otor,
'otter'. See water and cp. Hydrus. Cp. also otter.
hydracid, n., an acid that contains hydrogen. —
A hybrid coined fr. hydr- and L. acidus, 'sour,
acid'. See acid and cp. oxyacid.
hydraemia, n. — See hydremia.
hydragogue, adj., having the property of re-
moving water or serum from the body (med.) —
F., fr. L. hydragogus, fr. Gk. u8paY"Y°S> 'leading
water', which is compounded of GSwp, 'water'
(see hydro-), and ayoiyo?, 'leading', fr. &fsv>,
'to lead'. See -agogue.
Hydrangea, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of hydr- and Gk. ayy^ov, 'vessel,
receptacle' (see angio-); so called in allusion to
the shape of the capsules.
Hydrangeaceae, n. pi., a family of plants (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. Hydrangea with suff. -aceae.
hydrangeaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
hydrant, n., a pipe with a spout for drawing
water. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. uScop, 'water'
(see hydro-), and -ant, a suff. of Latin origin.
hydranth, n., one of the zooids in colonial Hy-
drozoa (zool.) — Compounded of hydr- and
Gk. 4tv&o<;, 'flower'. See anther.
hydrargyriasis, hydrargyrism, hydrargyrosis, n„
chronic mercurial poisoning (med.) — Medical
L., formed fr. hydrargyrum with suff. -iasis, resp.
-ism or -osis.
hydrargyric, adj., pertaining to mercury. — See
hydrargyrum and -ic
hydrargyrum, n., mercury. — ModL., fr. L. hy-
drargyrus, fr. Gk. uSpApyupo? '(artificially pre-
pared) quicksilver', which is compounded of
58&>p, 'water', and &pyupoz, 'silver'. See hydr-
and argyro-.
Hydrastis, n., a genus of plants, the orangeroot
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. GSwp, 'water'. See
hydro-.
hydrate
754
hydrate, n., a compound formed by the union of
water with another substance (chem.) — A
hybrid coined by the French chemist Joseph-
Louis Proust (1754-1826) about 1800 fr. Gk.
fiScop, 'water' (see hydr-), and -ate, a chem. suff.
of Latin origin.
Derivatives: hydrate, tr. and intr. v., hydrat-
ion, n.
hydraulic, adj., 1) pertaining to, or operated by,
water; 2) pertaining to hydraulics. — L. hy-
draulicus, fr. Gk. viSpauXi?, 'water organ',
which is compounded of fiScop, 'water', and
axik6q, 'pipe, tube, flute'. For the first element
see hydro-. The second element is cogn. with L.
alveus, 'a hollow, cavity', alvus, 'belly'; see
alveolus and -ic.
Derivatives: hydraulic-al-ly, adv., hydraulics
(q.v.)
hydraulics, n., science dealing with liquids in
motion. — See prec. word and suff. -ics.
hydrazine, hydrazin, n., a colorless liquid base
N 2 H 4 (chem.) — Coined fr. hydr-, az- and chem.
suff. -ine, resp. -in.
hydremia, hydraemia, n., excessively watery state
of the blood (med.) — Medical L., compounded
of hydr- and Gk. aljxa, 'blood'. See lienial and -ia.
Derivative: hydrem-ic, hydraem-ic, adj.
hydria, n., a kind of water jar (Greek and Roman
antiq.) — L„ fr. Gk. 'jSptot, 'waterpot', fr. (iSojp,
'water'. See hydro-,
hydric, adj., containing hydrogen (chem.) —
Formed with suff. -ic fr. hydr- (short for
hydrogen).
hydride, n., a compound of hydrogen with another
element (chem.) — Formed with suff. -ide fr.
hydr- (short for hydrogen).
hydro-, before a vowel hydr-, combining form
meaning 'water', used to denote 1) water in
general; 2) a hydrophyte (hot.); 3) the presence
of hydrogen (chem.) ; 4) short for hydroid (zool.)
— Gk. vSpo-, uSp-, fr. uSfop, 'water'. See water
and words there referred to and cp. esp. hydria,
anhydrous, dropsy, Ephydra, klepsydra.
hydro, shortened form of 1) hydropathic; 2) hydro-
airplane; 3) hydraulic power. — See hydro-.
Hydrobates, n., a genus of birds, the true stormy
petrel (ornithol.) — ModL., compounded of
hydro- and Gk. fli-a;?, 'threading on', from the
stem of fJouveiv, 'to go, walk'. See -bates.
hydrobromic, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, HBr (chem.) — Coined by the French
chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac (1778-1850)
fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and bromic.
hydrocarbon, n., a compound of hydrogen and
carbon (chem.) — Compounded of hydro- (short
for hydrogen) and carbon.
hydrocele, n., an accumulation of serous fluid;
esp. dropsy of the scrotum (med.) — L., fr.
Gk. \>8poxr/.r„ which is compounded of 'jScop,
'water' (see hydro-), and xrjXvj, 'tumor'. See -cele.
hydrocephalic, adj., pertaining to hydrocephalus.
— See hydrocephalus and -ic.
hydrocephalus, adj., affected with hydrocepha-
lus. — See next word and -ous.
hydrocephalus, n., an accumulation of serous
fluid in the cranian cavity (med.) — Medical L.,
fr. Gk. 68pox£9aXov, 'water in the head', which
is compounded of uScop, 'water' (see hydro-),
and xE9aXrj, 'head'. See cephalic.
Hydrocharis, n., a genus of plants of the frogbit
family (hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uSpoxapT)?, 'de-
lighting in water', which is compounded of (JScop,
'water', and the stem of xatpeiv, 'to rejoice',
whence also x*P l ?> 'favor, grace'. See Charts.
Hydrocharitaceae, n. pi., the frogbit family (bot.)
— ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
hydrocharitaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
hydrochloric, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, HC1 (chem.) — F. hydrochlorique, coined
by the French chemist Louis- Joseph Gay-Lussac
(1778-1850) in 1814 fr. hydro- (short for hy-
drogen) and chlorique. See chloric.
Hydrochoerus, n., the genus consisting of the
capybara (zool.) — ModL., compounded of
hydro- and Gk. xo'po?, 'pig'- See -choerus.
Hydrocotyle, n., a genus of plants, the water
pennywort (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
hydro- and Gk. xo-njX7], 'a flat cup' (see cotula,
cotyledon); so called in allusion to the cup-
shaped leaves of some species.
hydrocyanic, adj., pertaining to, or designating, an
acid, HCN (also called prussic acid) (chem.) —
F. hydrocyanique, coined by the French chemist
Louis-Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778-1850) in 1 815
fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and cyanique.
See cyanic.
hydrodynamic, adj., pertaining to hydrodynamics.
— Compounded of hydro- and dynamic,
hydrodynamics, n., the dynamics of fluids. — See
prec. word and -ics.
hydrofluoric, adj., pertaining to, or designating,
an acid, a compound of hydrogen and fluorine,
HF or H 2 F 2 (chem.) — Coined by the English
chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) about
1814 fr. hydro- (short for hydrogen) and fluoric
and adopted by the French chemist Louis-Jo-
seph Gay-Lussac (1778- 1850).
hydrofoil, n., a kind of boat that travels through
the water on wings or 'foils'. — A hybrid coined
fr. hydro- and foil, a word of Latin origin.
hydrogen, n., name of a gaseous element (chem.)
— F. hydrogene, lit. 'producing water', coined
by the French chemist Antoine-Laurent de La-
voisier (1743-94), 'i 1787 fr. Gk. uScop, 'water',
and the stem of ysvviv, 'to beget, bring forth,
generate, produce'. See hydro- and -gen.
Derivatives: hydrogen-ate, tr. v., hydrogen-
ation, n., hydrogen-ator, n., hydrogenize, tr. v.,
hydrogen-ous, adj.
hydrograph, n., a hydrographic chart. — Com-
pounded of hydro- and Gk. -fpatpoi;, fr. Ypa9Eiv,
'to write'. See -graph.
755
hydrosphere
hydrographer, n., one versed in hydrography. —
See prec. word and agential suff. -er.
hydrography, n., description of the waters of the
earth. — F. hydrographie, compounded of
hydro- and Gk. --j-poecpta, fr. ypd^siv, 'to write'.
See -graphy.
Derivatives : hydrograph-ic, hydrographic-al,
adjs., hydrograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
hydroid, adj., resembling the hydra (zool.) —
Compounded of Gk. i>8pa, 'water serpent', and
-oeiSt)?, 'like', fr. e18o?, 'form, shape'. See hydra
and -oid.
Derivative: hydroid, n., an animal resembling
the hydra.
hydrokinetic, adj., pertaining to the motion of
fluids. — Compounded of hydro- and kinetic.
hydrokinetics, n., the kinetics of fluids. — Com-
pounded of hydro- and kinetics.
Hydrolea, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. hydro- and -ol (fr. L. oleum, 'oil').
hydrology, n., the study of water. — Compoun-
ded of hydro- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hydrolog-ic, hydrolog-ic-al, adjs.,
hydrolog-ist, n.
hydrolysis, n., decomposition of a compound
through the addition of water (chem.) — Com-
pounded of hydro- and Gk. X<j<jis, 'a loosing,
loosening, setting free; dissolution'. See -lysis.
hydrolytic, adj., pertaining to hydrolysis (chem.)
— Compounded of hydro- and Gk. -Xutixoi;,
'loosing'. See -lytic.
hydrolyze, tr. v., to subject to hydrolysis (chem.)
— Back formation fr. hydrolysis,
hydromancy, n., divination by means of water.
— F. hydromancie, fr. L. hydromantia, fr. Late
Gk. u8po(iavT£ia, 'divination by water', fr. Gk.
uScop, 'water', and jiavxEia, 'oracle, divination'.
See hydro- and -mancy.
hydromedusa, n., a coelenterate produced by bud-
ding from a hydroid (zool.) — ModL. hydro-
medusa. See hydro- and medusa.
Hydromedusae, n. pi., a subclass of Hydrozoa
(zool.) — ModL., pi. of hydromedusa. See prec.
word.
hydromel, n., a liquor consisting of honey and
water. — L. hydromeli, fr. Gk. uSpojieXi, which
is compounded of uScop, 'water', and jxsXt,
'honey'. See hydro- and melliferous.
hydrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
specific gravity of liquids. — Compounded of
hydro- and Gk. (XETpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: hydrometr-y, n., hydrometr-ic,
hydrometric-al, adjs.
hydropath, n., a hydropathist. — Back formation
fr. hydropathy,
hydropathy, n., water cure; hydrotherapy (med.)
— Coined by Vincenz Priessnitz (1799-1 851) in
1 825 fr. hydro- and -pathy on analogy of homeo-
pathy, allopathy.
Derivatives: hydropath-ic, hydropath-ic-al, adjs.,
hydropath-ist, n.
hydrophane, n., a variety of opal which becomes
transparent when immersed into water (min-
eral.) — Compounded of hydro- and Gk. -pavr)?,
from the stem of tpaivEiv, 'to show'. See -phane.
hydrophobia, n., rabies. — L., fr. Gk. uSpotpofita,
'horror of water', which is compounded of
uScop, 'water*, and -90(3101, 'fear of, fr. 96^01;,
'fear'; so called because aversion to water is
a symptom of this disease. See hydro- and
-phobia.
hydrophobic, adj. — L. hydrophobics, fr. Gk.
uSpotpoptxo?, 'of hydrophobia', fr. u8po9o[3ia.
See prec. word and -ic.
hydrophone, n., 1) an instrument used to detect
the sound of water flowing through a pipe ; 2) an
instrument for detecting the sound made by
submarines. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
9tow), 'sound, voice'. See phone, 'speech sound'.
Hydrophyllaceae, n. pi., the waterleaf family (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. Hydrophyllum with suff.
-aceae.
hydrophyllaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hydrophyllum, n., a genus of plants of the water-
leaf family (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'waterleaf, com-
pounded of hydro- and Gk. 9\iXXov, 'leaf. See
phyllo-.
hydrophyte, n., a plant that grows in water and
in wet soil. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
9ut6v, 'plant'. See -phyte.
Derivative: hydrophyt-ic, adj.
hydropic, adj., dropsical. — ME. ydropike, fr.
OF. idropique, fr. L. hydropicus, fr. Gk. uSpai-
mxot;, 'suffering from dropsy', fr. {iSpco^, gen.
OSpoiTco?, 'dropsy'. F. hydropique and E. hy-
dropic have been refashioned after L. hydropicus.
See dropsy and -ic.
Derivative: hydropic-al-ly, adv.
hydroplane, n. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. \i8cop,
'water' (see hydro-), and plane, 'airplane' (ult. fr.
L. planus, 'level, flat')
Hydropotes, n., a genus of deer (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. u8po7TOT7)(;, 'water drinker', which is
compounded of GSoip, 'water' (see hydro-) and
■kott^, 'drinker', fr. l.-E. base *po(i)-, 'to drink'.
See potion and cp. Poterium.
hydropsy, n., dropsy. — ME. idropisie, ydropisie,
fr. OF. idropisie. See dropsy.
hydroscope, n., an instrument for examining ob-
jects at considerable depths from the surface
of the sea. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
-oxomov, fr. (TXOTiEiv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: hydroscop-ic, hydroscop-ic-al, adjs.
hydrosome, also hydrosoma, n., the entire body
of a hydroid colony. — Compounded of hydro-
and Gk. acopioc, 'body'. See soma, 'the body of
an organism'.
hydrosphere, n., 1) the water on the surface of
the earth; 2) the aqueous vapor of the atmo-
hydrostat
756
sphere. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
a<patpa, 'ball, globe, sphere'. See sphere,
hydrostat, n., a device indicating the height of
water in a boiler or reservoir. — Compounded
of hydro- and Gk. axaxi?, 'placed, standing'.
See static and cp. aerostat and words there
referred to.
hydrostatic, hydrostarJcal, adj., pertaining to
hydrostatics. — Compounded of hydro- and
Gk. otoctix6<;, 'causing to stand', fr. cttixt6<;,
'placed, standing'. See static.
hydrostatics, n., that branch of physics which
deals with liquids in equilibrium. — See prec.
word and -ics.
hydrotherapeutic, adj., pertaining to hydro-
therapeutics. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
8-EpajrsuTtxo;, 'inclined to serve; able to cure'.
See therapeutic.
hydrotherapeutics, n., that part of therapeutics
which deals with water cure. — See prec. word
and -ics.
hydrotherapy, n., treatment of disease by means
of water. — Compounded of hydro- and Gk.
■Separata, 'a waiting on, service'. See therapy.
hydrothermal, adj., pertaining to heated water. —
Compounded of hydro- and thermal.
hydrotropic, adj., characterized by hydrotropism.
— See next word and -ic.
hydrotropism, n., tendency to grow organs either
toward or away from moisture (biol.) — Com-
pounded of hydro-, Gk. Tpomr), 'a turning', and
suff. -ism. See trope and tropism and cp. helio-
tropism and words there referred to.
hydrous, adj., containing water. — A hybrid
coined fr. Gk. GSop, 'water' (see hydro-), and
suff. -ous (fr. L. -dsus).
hydroxide, n., a compound containing bydroxyl
(chem.) — Compounded of hydr(ogen), ox(ygen)
and suff. -ide.
hydroxy-, combining form indicating the presence
of the hydroxyl radical (chem.) — Formed fr.
hydr(ogen) and oxy(gen).
hydroxyl, n., the univalent group or radical OH
containing hydrogen and oxygen (chem.) —
Formed fr. hydr(ogen), ox(ygen) and suff. -yl.
Hydrozoa, n. pi., a class of coelenterates (zool.)
— ModL., coined by the English zoologist and
biologist Sir Richard Owen (1804-92) in 1843
fr. hydro- and Gk. ££>a, pi. of ^ov, 'animal'.
See zoo-.
Derivatives: hydrozo-an, adj. and n.
Hydrus, n., 1) a fabulous water serpent; 2) a
southern constellation; the Water Snake (as-
tron.) — L., 'water serpent; the constellation of
the Water Serpent', fr. Gk. uSpoi^ 'water ser-
pent', which is rel. to (>8pa, of s.m. See Hydra.
hyena, hyaena, n. — L. hyaena, fr. Gk. uaiva,
'hyena', lit. 'sow' formed with the fern. suff.
-aivx, fr. S<;, gen. u6;, 'swine' ; see sow, 'female
pig'. The hyena was so called in allusion to its
bristly mane. For sense development cp. Hun-
garian series, 'hog, swine', lit. 'the bristly ani-
mal', fr. serte, sorte, 'bristle'. For the meaning
of the Gk. suff. -aiva cp. Gk. Xsaiva, 'lioness',
fern, of Xswv, 'lion', Xuxaiva, 'she-wolf, fern,
of Xuxoi;, 'wolf,
hyeto-, before a vowel hyet-, combining form
meaning 'rain'. — Gk. ueto-, uet-, fr. uetoi;,
'rain', for "suwetos, from the stem of oeiv (for
*suwein), 'to rain'; prob. cogn. with Toch. A
swase, B swese, 'rain', B suwam, 'they rain',
Alban. si, 'rain', OI. sundti, 'squeezes', somah,
'soma' (lit. 'a sappy plant'), Olr. suth, 'juice,
milk', OE. seaw, OHG. sou, 'sap', fr. I.-E. base
*seu-, 'sap, juice; to squeeze, press; to rain,
flow'. Cp. Hyades. Cp. also soma, 'a plant',
sura, 'fermented sap of plants', and the second
element in Dialister. For derivatives of bases
*seu-q-, *seu-g-, 'to suck; sap', enlargements of
base *seu-, see suck and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
hyetograph, n., a chart showing the annual rain-
fall. — Compounded of hyeto- and Gk. -ypacpoi;,
fr. Ypdypeiv, 'to write'. See -graph,
hyetography, n., that branch of meteorology
which deals with the distribution of rain. —
Compounded of hyeto- and Gk. -ypaipEa, fr.
ypdwrsiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives : hyetograph-ic, hyetograph-ic-al,
adjs., hyetograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
hyetology, n., that branch of meteorology which
deals with the precipitation of snow, rain, etc.
— Compounded of hyeto- and Gk. -XoytS, fr.
-Xifos, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: hyetolog-ical, adj.
Hygeia, Hygea, Hygia, n., the goddess of health
in Greek mythology. — L. Hygea, Hygia, fr.
Gk. 'Tytcia, 'Yyeta, 'personification of oyiEia,
uyeta, 'health', fr. uyirji;, 'healthy'. See next
word.
hygiene, n., the science of health. — F. hygiene,
fr. Gk. uyieivov, neut. of uyietvtS;, 'pertaining
to health, healthful', but used by Aristotle also
as a noun in the' sense of 'health', fr. uyir)?,
'healthy', which stands for *su-g w iyes and lit.
means 'living well', fr. I.-E. *su- (Gk. 6-), 'well',
whence also OI. su-, OPers. hu, Olr. su-, so-,
'well' (cp. sundari), and *g w iyes, 'living', enlarge-
ment of *g K i-, 'to live', whence also Gk. pio?,
'life'. See bio- and cp. words there referred to.
L. vegere, 'to be lively, vigorous, to thrive,
flourish', vegetus, 'lively, vigorous', are not
cognate with Gk. uynf)?. As a formative element,
6- was replaced later by eu- (see eu-).
Derivatives : hygien-ic, adj., hygien-ic-al-ly, adv.,
hygien-ics, n., hygien-ist, n.
hygro-, before a vowel hygr-, combining form
meaning 'moist, humid'. — Gk. uypo-, uyp-, fr.
uypo?, 'wet, moist, humid', rel. to L. (h)umor,
'fluid, moisture'. See humor and cp. words there
referred to.
hygrodeik, n., wet and dry bulb hygrometer. —
Lit., 'that which shows moisture', fr. hygro-
757
hymenopterous
and Gk. Ssixvtivai, 'to show', which is cogn.
with L. dlcere, 'to say'. See diction and cp.
deictic.
hygrograph, n., an instrument for recording auto-
matically the variations in atmospheric humi-
dity. — Compounded of hygro- and Gk. -ypa-
901;, fr. ypatpeiv, 'to write'. See -graph.
hygrology, n., the science that treats of humidity.
— Compounded of hygro- and Gk. -XoytS, fr.
-X6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
hygroma, n., a cystic tumor containing serum
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. Gk. uypo<;, 'wet,
moist', with suff. -w^a. See hygro- and -oma.
hygrometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
humidity of the atmosphere. — Compounded of
hygro- and Gk. [/.srpov, 'measure'. See meter,
'poetical rhythm'.
hygrometry, n„ that branch of physics which
deals with humidity (esp. with that of the at-
mosphere). — Compounded of hygro- and Gk.
-fjtsTpia, fr. [iETpov, 'measure'. See -metry.
Derivatives: hygrometr-ic, adj., hygrometr-ic-al-
ly, adv.
hygroscope, n., an instrument showing variations
in the humidity of the atmosphere. — Com-
pounded of hygro- and Gk. -ax6mov, fr. ctxotoiv,
'to look at, examine'. See -scope.
Derivative: hygroscop-ic, adj.
hygrotropism, n. — Coined by Theodore Horace
Savory on analogy of heliotropism, etc. See
hygro-, trope and -ism.
Hyksos, n. pi., a dynasty of Egyptian Kings
called the Shepherd Kings. — Gk. 'Txaco?, 'shep-
herd kings', fr. Egypt. Hiq shasu, 'ruler of
nomads'.
hyl-, form of hylo- before a vowel.
Hyla, n., a genus of amphibians, the tree frog
or tree toad (zool.) — ModL., fr. Gk. 6X7),
'wood, forest'. See hyle.
Hylas, n., a beautiful youth, companion of Her-
cules (Greek mythol.) — L. Hylas, fr. Gk. "TXa;,
prob. meaning 'of the woods', fr. Gk. uXi]. See
hyle.
hyle, n., matter, substance. — Gk. 6Xrj, 'wood,
forest, material, matter', of uncertain origin. Cp.
Hyla, Hylas, hylic, -yl, -ethyl, methylene, ylem.
hylic, adj., material, corporeal (philos.) — ML.
hylicus, fr. Gk. uXix6?, 'pertaining to matter,
material', fr. uXt]. See prec. word and -ic.
hylicism, n., materialism. — See hylic and -ism.
hylicist, n., a materialist. — See hylic and -ist.
hylo-, before a vowel hyl-, combining form mean-
ing 1) wood, forest; 2) matter. — Gk. 6X0-,
6X-, fr. 6X7). See hyle.
Hylobates, n., the genus of the gibbons (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. iSKa^arrf,, 'wood walker', which
is compounded of 6X7), 'wood' (see hylo-), and
PdcTT)?, 'treading on', from the stem of paiveiv,
'to go, walk'. See -bates.
hylophagous, adj., eating wood (zool.) — Gk.
OXotpdyoc, compounded of 6Xt], 'wood' (see
hylo-), and -tpayoi;, 'eater of, from the stem of
9ayeiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
hylotheism, n., the doctrine that the material uni-
verse is God. — Compounded of hylo- and
theism, 'belief in a personal God'.
hylozoic, adj., pertaining to hylozoism'. — See
next word and -ic.
hylozoism, n., the doctrine that all life is derived
from matter. — Compounded of hylo-, Gk. ^cotj,
'life' (see zoo-) and suff. -ism.
hylozoist, n., a believer in hylozoism. — See prec,
word and -ist.
Derivatives: hylozoist-ic, adj., hylozoist-ic-al-ly.
adv.
hymen, n., the virginal membrane. — Gk. u(jl7jv,
'skin, membrane', prob. fr. I.-E. *syu-men, lit.
'tie', hence cogn. with OI. syBman-, 'tie, band',
syutdh, 'sewed', L. sud, suere, 'to sew', fr. I.-E.
base *syu, *su-, *siw, 'to sow'; see sew and cp.
suture, surra. The word hymen orig. denoted
any membrane. In its present specific meaning
it was first used by Vesalius in 1550. Cp. hymn.
Derivative: hymen-al, adj., pertaining to the
hymen.
Hymen', n., the god of marriage in Greek mytho-
logy. — L. Hymen, fr. Gk. ' Y(xr)v, fr. "Yu.7jv u,
'Yptivai' &, etc., refrain of the song sung at the
marriages of the ancient Greeks. Cp. next word
and hymn.
hymen-, form of hymeno- before a vowel,
hymeneal, adj., pertaining to marriage. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. hymenaeus, fr. Gk.
uuivaio?, 'wedding or bridal song', fr. 'Y|x£-
vaio?, an enlarged f orm of ' Y}xr}v, the god Hymen .
See prec. word,
hymeno-, before a vowel hymen-, combining form
meaning 'membrane'. — Gk. uu.evo-, u;j.ev-, fr.
ufrqv, gen. u(i.£vo<;, 'membrane'. See hymen,
'membrane'.
Hymenocallis, n., a genus of plants of the ama-
ryllis family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of
Gk. uu/rjv, gen. ujaevo?, 'membrane' and xaXXo?,
'beauty'. See hymen, 'membrane', and calo- and
cp. the second element in Hemerocallis.
Hymenophyllaceae, n. pi., the filmy fern family
(bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Hymenophyllum
with suff. -aceae.
hymenophyllaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
Hymenophyllum, n., a genus of ferns (bot.) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. uf/.7)v, gen. uj/ivoi;,
'membrane' and 96XX0V, 'leaf. See hymen,
'membrane', and phyllo-.
Hymenoptera, n., the highest order of insects (en-
tomol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uu.ev67rrepo<;, 'mem-
brane-winged', which is compounded of u[A7)v,
gen. uuivo?, 'membrane', and 7rrep6v, 'wing'.
See hymen, 'membrane', and ptero-.
hymenopterous, adj., pertaining to the Hymen-
optera. — Gk. uucviirrepo?, 'membrane-
winged'. See prec. word. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to Gk. -oe, see -ous.
hymn
758
hymn, n. — ME. ymne, fr. OF. ymne (F. hymne),
fr. L. hymnus, fr. Gk. 6(xvo<;, 'a song in praise
of gods or heroes', orig. 'a wedding song', and
prob. rel. to 'T(j.y)v> ' tne 8°d of marriage'. See
Hymen and cp. Polyhymnia.
Derivatives : hymn, tr. and intr. v., hymn-al, adj.,
and n., hymn-ic, adj., hymn-ist, n.
hymnary, n., a hymnal. — ML. hymndrium, fr. L.
hymnus. See prec. word and subst. suff. -ary.
hymnody, n., i) singing of hymns; 2) hymns col-
lectively. — Gk. op/uSiot, 'singing of hymns',
fr. 'j|j.vcoS6?, 'singing hymns', which is com-
pounded of u[j.voc, 'hymn', and &8i\ , 'song'. See
hymn and ode.
Derivative: hymnod-ist, n.
hymnographer, n., 1) a writer of hymns; 2) one
who writes about hymns. — Formed with
agential suff. -er fr. Gk. ufivoypatpoi;, 'composer
of hymns', which is compounded of ujivoi;,
'hymn', and -ypdc<po!;, fr. ypacpEiv, 'to write'. See
hymn and -graph.
hymnography, n., 1) composition of hymrjs;
writing about hymns. — See prec. word and
-graphy.
hymnology, n., i)the study of hymns; 2) the com-
position of hymns; 3) hymns collectively. —
Gk. ujivoXoyta, 'the singing of hymns', com-
pounded of Gk. ufxvoi;, 'hymn' (see hymno-),
and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in
a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hymnolog-ic, hymnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
hymnolog-ist, n.
hyo-, combining form denoting the hyoid bone
(anal.) — Fr. Gk. 60-, short for uostSvj!;. See
hyoid.
hyoid, adj., designating a bone at the base of the
tongue (anal, and zool.) — F. hyoide, fr. Gk.
uoeiSt;;, 'shaped like the Greek letter T, which
stands for u-oeiSt;; and is compounded of the
letter 1' and -oEi&rjc, 'like', fr. etSo;, 'form,
shape': see -oid. The letter was called later u
psilon (lit. 'mere or simple y'). See ypsilon.
Derivative: hyoid, n., the hyoid bone.
hyoscine, hyoscin, n., a poisonous alkaloid (chem.)
— See Hyoscyamus and chem. suff. -in(e).
Hyoscyamus, n., a genus of plants, the henbane
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uo<rxua[jtoc, 'henbane',
compounded of 5;, gen. uo?, 'hog, pig', which
is cogn. with L. st'is (see sow, 'female pig'), and
of x-'jxugc, 'bean', a word of foreign origin. The
name prop, means 'poisonous to swine'. Cp.
hyoscine.
hyp-, form of hypo- before a vowel.
hypaethral, hypethral, adj., open to the sky (ar-
chil.) — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. hypae-
thrus, fr. Gk. (J:rai&poc, 'under the open sky',
which is formed fr. (see hypo) and xi!H;p,
'sky, ether'. See ether.
hypallage, n., a figure of speech which consists
in the reversion of the syntactic relation between
two words (rhet.) — L„ fr. Gk. OmxXXocYrj, 'inter-
change, exchange, substitute', from the stem of
uKaXXaouciv, 'to exchange', which is formed fr.
otto (see hypo-), and aXXoi;, 'other'. See else and
cp. alio-, alias. Cp. also diallage, allagite.
hyper-, pref. of Greek origin, generally equivalent
to super- and over-. It usually denotes excess;
abnormal excess (in terms of medicine); ab-
normally great power of sensation (in terms of
physiology and pathology); the highest in a
series of compounds (chem.) Hyper- is the op-
posite of hypo-. — Gk. U7rep-, fr. urcep, 'over,
above, beyond', cogn. with OI. updri, L. super,
'over, above, beyond', fr. I.-E. base *uper-,
*uperi-, 'over, above, beyond,' which is prop, a
comparative from base *upo-, 'from below;
turning upward, upward; up, over, beyond',
whence also Gk. utto, 'under'. See over and cp.
Hyperion, hypo-. Cp. also super-.
hyperacusis, n., an abnormally acute sense of
hearing (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. hyper-
and Gk. axouai<;, 'a hearing', fr. axoustv (for
*axou<netv), 'to hear'. See acoustic and cp.
words there referred to.
hyperalgesia, hyperalgesis, n., an abnormally ex-
cessive sensitiveness to pain. — Medical L.,
formed fr. hyper- and Gk. itXyrjati;, 'sense of
pain', fr. aXyeiv, 'to feel pain'. See -algia.
Derivative: hyperalges-ic, adj.
hyperbatic, adj., pertaining to hyperbaton. — Gk.
ureepflaTLzot;, fr. uTrlpPaxov. See hyperbaton and
-ic.
hyperbaton, n., an inversion of the natural order
of words for the sake of emphasis (rhet.) — L.,
fr. Gk. 'jTtepPafov, neut. of farep(3aTos, 'trans-
posed', verbal adj. of urappociveiv, 'to go over',
which is formed fr. u7rsp (see hyper-) and |3at-
velv, 'to go'. See base, n.
hyperbola, n., one of the three conic sections
(geom.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uTTEppoX-yj, 'a throw-
ing beyond, overshooting; excess', fr. u7rsp-
piXXsiv, 'to throw over or beyond, overshoot;
to exceed', fr. t>nip (see hyper-) and (3aXXELv,
'to throw, shoot'; see ballistic. The Pythago-
reans used the word 'jTtEppoXr; if the base of a
figure, that was to be constructed so that it
should be equal in area to a given figure of dif-
ferent shape, 'exceeded' the base of the original
figure. Apollonius of Perga, 'the Great Geo-
meter', who lived in the 3rd cent. B.C.E., ap-
plied the term uTTEpfloXT; for the first time to de-
note the hyperbola (in his Conica, I, 12), in
reference to the circumstance that the square
on the ordinate is equal to a rectangle whose
height is equal to the abscissa, applied to the
parameter, but overlapping (lit. 'exceeding') it;
see parabola and cp. ellipse.
hyperbole, n., exaggeration (rhet.) — L., fr. Gk.
uTTEpPoX-rj, 'excess, exaggeration'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: hyperbol-ism, n., hyperbol-ist, n.,
hyperbol-ize, tr. and intr. v.
hyperbolic, hyperbolical, adj. — L. hyperbolicus
759
hypnology
fr. Gk. UTrepfioXotoq, 'excessive', fr. uTteppoXTj.
See prec. word and -ic.
Derivative : hyperbolic-al-ly, adv.
Hyperborean, n., a fabulous people living beyond
the north wind (Greek mythol.) — Late L. hyper-
borednus, fr. L. hyperboreus, fr. Gk. u7repEJ6peo£,
'pertaining to the region far north', fr. unep,
'over, beyond' (see hyper-) and poplac;, 'north
wind'. See Boreas.
hypercatalectic, adj., having an additional syl-
lable at the end of the verse (pros.) — Late L.
hypercatalecticus, fr. Gk. u7rEpxaT<iXr|XTo<;, 'left
off beyond', which is formed fr. {msp (see hy-
per-), and xaxaXTjYEiv, 'to leave off, stop'. See
catalectic.
hypercritic, n. — Compounded of hyper- and
critic.
Derivatives: hypercritic-al, adj., hypercritic-al-
ly, adv., hypercritic-ism, n., hypercritic-ize, tr.
and intr. v.
hyperdimensional, adj., pertaining to a space of
more than three dimensions. — A hybrid coined
fr. Gk. wisp, 'over, beyond', L. dimensid, 'mea-
suring' and L. suff. -alls; see hyper-, dimension
and adj. suff. -al. The correct form would be
superdimensional, in which both elements and
the suff. are of the same (i.e. Latin) origin.
hyperemia, hyperaemia, n., increase of blood in
any part (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. hyper-
and Gk. otl^a, 'blood'. See hemal and -ia.
Hypericaceae, n. pi., the St.-John's-wort family
(bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Hypericus with suff.
-aceae.
hypericaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Hypericum, n., a genus of plants, the St.-John's-
wort (bot.) — L., fr. Gk. uTOpsixov, u7repixov,
'St.-John's-wort', which is compounded of {mo,
'under, among' and Epsixr;, eptxT), 'heath,
heather'. See hypo- and Erica.
Hyperion, n., a Titan, the son of Uranus and
Gaea; identified later with Apollo (Greek my-
thol.) — L. Hyperion, fr. Gk. 'Ymptcov, lit. 'he
who looks from above', fr. 'jTtsp, 'above'. See
hyper-.
hyperkinesia, hyperkinesis, n., abnormally exces-
sive muscular movement (med.) — ModL.,
formed fr. hyper- and y.tvr l mq, 'movement', fr.
xiveiv, 'to move'. See kinesis.
hypermeter, n., a hypercatalectic line (pros.) —
Gk. u7isp[ieTpo;, 'going beyond the meter,
beyond measure', fr. u7iEp, 'over, beyond', and
(jirpov, 'measure'. See hyper- and meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm', and cp. next word.
Derivatives: hypermetr-ic, hypermetr-ic-al, adjs.
hypermetropia, n., farsightedness, the opposite of
myopia. — Medical L., compounded of Gk.
u7r£p(XETpo?, 'beyond measure', and gen.
<07r6?, 'eye'. See prec. word and -opia.
Derivative: hypermetrop-ic, adj.
hyperopia, n., hypermetropia (med.) — Medical
L., formed fr. hyper- and Gk. &<]>, gen. coico?,
'eye'. See -opto and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: hyperop-ic, adj.
hyperosmia, n., an abnormally acute sense of
smell {psychoid) — ModL., formed fr. hyper-,
Gk. oajxY), 'smell, odor' (see osmium), and suff.
-ia. Cp. hyposmia.
Derivative: hyperosm-ic, adj.
hyperostosis, n., outgrowth of bony tissue (med.)
— Medical L., formed fr. hyper-, Gk. octteov,
ootouv, 'bone' (see osteo-), and suff. -osis. Cp.
ostosis and words there referred to.
hypersensitive, adj., excessively sensitive (med.)
— A hybrid coined fr. Gk. urtEp (see hyper) and
sensitive, a word of Latin origin. The correct
form would be supersensitive, in which both
elements are of Latin origin.
Derivative: hyper sensitive-ness, n.
hyperspace, n., a space of more than three di-
mensions. — A hybrid coined fr. Gk. unip (see
hyper-) and space (fr. L. spatium). The correct
form would be superspace, in which both ele-
ments are of Latin origin.
hypertrophy, n., excessive development of an
organ (med.) — Medical L. hypertrophia, formed
fr. hyper- and Gk. -xpcupta, fr. TpocpYj, 'food,
nourishment'. See trophic and cp. atrophy,
dystrophy.
Derivatives: hypertrophy, intr. v., hypertroph-ic,
hypertrophi-ed, adjs.
hypha, n., one of the threadlike elements in the
shallus of a fungus (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
ucprj, 'web', which is rel. to utpo;, 'web', uipodvEiv,
'to weave', fr. I.-E. base *webh-, 'to weave',
whence also OE. we fan, 'to weave'. See weave.
hypheme, n., a hyphened compound word. —
Coined fr. hyph(en) and (phon)eme.
hyphen, n., a short line (-) joining parts of a word.
— L., fr. Gk. ucpsv, 'together, in one, as a single
word', fr. utp' hi, which stands for xnzb hi, lit.,
'under one'. For the first element see hypo-;
for hi which is the neut. of eI?, 'one', see heno-.
Derivatives: hyphen, tr. v., hyphen-ate, tr. v.,
adj. and n., hyphen-at-ed, adj., hyphen-ic, adj.,
hyphen-ism, n., hyphen-ize, tr. v., hyphen-iz-
ation, n.
hypn-, form of hypno- before a vowel,
hypnagogic, adj., inducing sleep. — Compounded
of hypn-, Gk. txywyA;, 'leading' (see -agogue),
and suff. -ic.
bypnic, adj., inducing sleep. — Gk. uttvixo?, 'per-
taining to sleep', fr. 5irvo;. See hypno- and -ic.
Derivative: hypnic, n., a soporific.
hypno-, before a vowel hypn-, combining form
meaning 'sleep'. — Gk. utwo-, x>izv-, fr. "j-moq,
'sleep', which stands for *sup-no-s and is cogn.
with OI. svdpnah, 'sleep, dream', L. somnus (for
*swepnos or *swopnos), 'sleep'. See somnolent and
cp. Hypnos.
hypnoid, adj., resemblinghypnosis. — Compound-
ed of hypn- and Gk. -oeiSr)?, 'like', fr. eISo?,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
hypnology, n., the study of (hypnotic) sleep. —
Coined by James Braid (1795-1861) fr. hypno-
hypnophobia
760
and -XoytoE, fr. -X6yos, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: hypnolog-ic, hypnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
hypnolog-ist, n.
hypnophobia, n., a morbid fear of falling asleep.
— Compounded of hypno- and Gk. -<po(ita,
'fear of, fr. 96^01;, 'fear'. See -phobia.
Hypnos, Hypnus, n., the god of sleep in Greek
mythology; identified with Somnus. — Gk.
"Y7W0;, personification of Smio?, 'sleep'. See
hypno-.
hypnosis, n. — ModL., coined fr. Gk. wrvouv,
'to put to sleep', and suff. -osis. Gk. iIotvoOv
derives fr. Otcvos, 'sleep'. See hypno- and cp.
hypnotism.
hypnotic, adj. — L. hypnoticus, fr. Gk. 6irvomx6<;,
'inclined to sleep', fr. urrvoOv, 'to put to sleep',
fr. Gmioi;, 'sleep'. See hypno- and -otic.
Derivatives: hypnotic, n., hypnotic-al-ly, adv.
hypnotism, n. — Coined by James Braid of
Manchester (1795-1861) fr. hypnotic and suff.
-ism. Cp. hypnosis,
hypnotist, n. — Coined fr. hypnotic and suff. -ist.
Derivative: hypnotist-ic, adj.
hypnotize, tr. v. — Coined fr. hypnotic and suff.
-ize.
Derivatives: hypnotiz-ation, n., hypnotiz-er, n.
hypo, n., sodium hyposulfite. — Short for hypo-
sulfite.
hypo-, before a vowel hyp-, suff. of Greek origin
generally equivalent to sub- and under-. It
unites the following meanings: under, below,
in a lower position; in a lesser degree; slightly,
gradually, somewhat; secretly. In terms of medi-
cine it is used to denote an abnormal decrease;
in psychology it expresses a deficient power of
sensation; in chemistry it indicates the lowest of
a series of compounds. — Gk. uto>-, utc-, fr. xm6,
'under, below, from below', cogn. with OI. upa,
'near, under, up to, on', L. sub (for *sup-),
'under'. See sub- and cp. hyper-. Cp. also hyphen,
hypsi-, anthypophora.
hypocaust, n., space in the floor of a building in
an ancient Roman house filled with hot air
from the furnace. — L. hypocaustum, fr. Gk.
uTOxauaTov, lit. 'burnt below', which is formed
fr. U7t6 (see hypo-) and neut. of xauor6<;, 'burnt',
verbal adj. of xaisiv (for *xaf-ieiv), 'to burn'.
See caustic
Hypochaeris, n., a genus of plants, the cat's ear
{bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. ura>xoipt<;, 'swine's
succory', which is formed fr. uroS (see hypo-) and
XoTpoc, 'young pig'. See -choerus.
hypochondria, n., morbid depression of spirits,
melancholy (med.) — L. hypochondria, gen.
-drum, 'the soft part of the body from the ribs
to the groin, the abdomen', fr. Gk. U7rox6v8pia,
of s.m., prop. neut. pi. of the adjective uro-
X^vSpio?, 'that which is below the cartilage (of
the breastbone)', formed fr. uroS (see hypo-) and
/6v8poi;, 'granule, gristle, cartilage'. See grind,
gristle. The abdomen was thought to be the
seat of hypochondria, whence the name of this
morbid condition.
hypochondriac, adj., and n. — F. hypochondria-
que, fr. ML. hypochondriacus, fr. Gk. utcoxov-
8piax6?, 'pertaining to the abdomen', fr. utto-
X^vSpia. See prec. word.
Derivative: hypochondriac-al, adj.
hypocoristic, adj., pertaining to pet names; en-
dearing. — Gk. 67roxopumx6<;, 'pertaining to a
pet name, diminutive', fr. oroxopi^etrS-ai, 'to call
by a pet name', lit. 'to use childish language',
formed fr. {m6 (see hypo-) and xopt^ea&ai, 'to
caress', fr. x6po? (for *x6pf 0?), 'a child', which
derives fr. I.-E. base *ker-, 'to grow'. See create
and cp. Cora, Corinna.
hypocrisy, n. — ME. ipocrisie, fr. OF. ypocrisie,
fr. Eccles. L. hypocrisis, fr. Gk. ujrAxpwii?, 'an
acting on the stage; hypocrisy', from the stem
of U7roxp£vea&ai, 'to answer, pretend, play a
part', fr. \>tzo (see hypo-) and xpfveaS-oci, 'to dis-
pute', middle voice of xpfveiv, 'to judge'. F.
hypocrisie and E. hypocrisy have been refash-
ioned after the Latin form of the word. See
critic and cp. words there referred to.
hypocrite, n. — ME. ipocrite, ypocrite, fr. OF.
ipocrite, ypocrite (F. hypocrite), fr. Eccles. L.
hypocrita, fr. Gk. uttoxpittji;, 'an actor, pre-
tender, hypocrite', fr. uTOxptveaS-ai. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: hypocritic-al, adj., hypocritic-al-ly,
adv.
hypoderma, n., a tissue of cells beneath the epi-
dermis (bot.) — Medical L., formed fr. hypo-
and Gk. S£p^a, 'skin'. See derma.
hypodermic, adj., pertaining to the parts under
the skin. — See prec. word and -ic.
Derivatives: hypodermic, n., a hypodermic in-
jection, hypodermic-al-ly, adv.
hypodennis, n., the layer of tissue that lies be-
neath the cuticle of arthropods (zool.) —
Medical L. See hypoderma.
hypogastric, adj., pertaining to the lower part of
the abdomen (anat.) — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. Gk. u7TOYacrTpio<;, 'pertaining to the lower
belly', fr. uto5 (see hypo-) and yaaT/jp, gen.
Ya<jTp6;, 'belly'. See gastric and cp. epigastric,
mesogastric.
hypogastrium, n., the lower part of the abdomen
(anat.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. uTCoyaoTpiov, 'the
lower belly (from the navel downward)', prop,
neut. of the adjective uTroyaoTpioi;, 'pertaining
to the lower belly', used as a noun. See prec.
word and cp. epigastrium, mesogastrium.
hypogeal, hypogean, adj., subterranean. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al, resp. -an, fr. Gk. *pj,
'earth'. See geo-.
hypogene, adj., formed beneath the earth's sur-
face. — Formed fr. hypo- and -gene. Cp. epigene.
hypogeous, adj., subterranean. — L. hypogius,
fr. Gk. ujt6y«o<;, 'underground, subterranean*,
which is formed fr. uno- (see hypo-) and Gk.
761
hypothetical
vaTa, Y7), 'earth'. Cp. next word. For E. -ous,
as equivalent to Gk. -o?, see suff. -ous.
hypogeum, hypogaeum, n., the underground part
of a building (ancient archit.) — L., fr. Gk.
6tt6y£ioi;, OTtOYaio?, 'underground, subterra-
nean'. See prec. word.
hypoglossals, n., inflammation of parts under the
tongue (med.) — Medical L., formed fr. next
word with suff. -iris.
hypoglossus, n., the hypoglossal nerve (anat.) —
Medical L., lit. 'that which is under the tongue',
incorrect formation fr. hypo- and Gk. fXcoaaa,
'tongue' ; see gloss, 'interpretation'. The correct
form would have been hypoglotticus, fr. Gk.
YX&>ttix6?, 'pertaining to the tongue', fr. yXwx-
Tot, yXwaaa, 'tongue'.
Derivative: hypogloss-al, adj.
hypophosphate, n., a salt of hypophosphoric acid
(chem.) — Formed fr. hypo- and phosphate.
hypophosphite, n., a salt of hypophosphorous
acid (chem.) — Formed fr. hypo- and phosphite.
hypophosphoric, adj., pertaining to the acid
H 4 P 2 4 (chem.) — Formed fr. hypo- and
phosphoric.
hypophosphorous, adj., pertaining to the acid
H 3 P0 2 (chem.) — Formed fr. hypo- and phos-
phorous.
hypophyge, n., a hollow molding, esp. beneath
Doric capitals (archit.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uno-
(puyr], lit. 'refuge', from the stem of u7TO9£uy eiv >
'to withdraw', lit. 'to flee from under', fr. U7i6
(see hypo-) and yeuyeiv, 'to flee', which is cogn.
with L. fugere, 'to flee'. See fugitive.
hypophysis, n., 1) the pituitary body (anat.); 2) a
part of the embryo (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
671690(111;, 'offshoot, outgrowth', fr. un6 (see
hypo-) and 90011;, 'nature, natural growth'. See
physio- and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: hypophysi-al, adj.
hypopituitarism, n., diminished activity of the
pituitary body (med.) — Formed fr. hypo-,
pituitary and suff. -ism.
Hypopitys, n., a genus of parasitic plants of the
Indian-pipe family (bot.) — ModL., lit. '(grow-
ing) under pine trees', fr. hypo- and Gk. nlroi;,
'pine tree'. See pituitary.
hyposcope, n., a form of altiscope, attached to a
rifle or the like. — Formed fr. hypo- and Gk.
-cjx6mov, fr. <rxo7reiv, 'to look at, examine'. See
-scope.
hyposmia, n., a weakening of the sense of smell
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. hypo- and Gk.
6au,r|, 'smell, odor'. See osmium and cp. hyper-
osmia.
hypostasis, n., substance, reality (philos.) — L„
fr. Gk. iroSaTaai?, 'substance, subsistence,
underlying nature, essence', from the stem of
iKptarao&ai, 'to stand under, subsist', which is
formed fr. utt6 (see hypo-) and Ucrat<j*ai, 'middle
voice of tardcvai, 'to cause to stand'. See state
and cp. substance, subsistence.
hypostatic, hypostatical, adj., pertaining to a
hypostasis. — Gk. UTCoaxaTixd?, fr. {miazctait;.
See prec. word and static.
Derivatives: hypostatical-ly, adv., hypostat-ize,
tr. v., hypostat-iz-ation, n.
hypostyle, adj., having pillars to support.the roof
(archit.) — Gk. xmoavSkoc,, 'resting on pillars',
formed fr. utc6 (see hypo-) and cttOXo;, 'pillar'.
See style, 'gnomon',
hyposulfite, n., 1) a thiosulfate; 2) a salt of hypo-
sulfurous acid (chem.) — Formed fr. hypo-
and sulfite.
hyposulfurous, adj., pertaining to or designating
a dibasic acid, H 2 S 2 4 (chem.) — Formed fr.
hypo- and sulfurous.
hypotaxis, n., dependence (esp. of clauses) (gram.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. uroSTaSiii;, 'subjection',
lit. 'a placing under', from the stem of uno-
xdicaciv, 'to place under', which is formed fr. utc6
(see hypo-) and TdtcKjeiv, 'to arrange, array,
post, place, appoint'. See taxis and cp. para-
taxis.
hypotenuse, n., the side of a right-angled triangle
opposite the right angle. — F. hypotenuse, fr.
L. hypotenusa, fr. Gk. 6;TOTEivoiKja [short for
^ xf)v 6pfH)V Y" v '*v UTCOTSivouaa rcXsupd, 'the
side subtending (lit. 'stretching under') the
right angle'], fem. of uttoteIvcov, pres. part, of
uTTOxsiveiv, 'to stretch under, subtend', fr. utc6
(see hypo-) and -retvsiv, 'to stretch', which is
cogn. with L. tendere, 'to stretch'. See tend, 'to
move in a certain direction', and cp. words
there referred to.
hypothec, n., security given to a creditor over a
debtor's property without transfer of possession
or title (law). — F. hypothique, fr. Late L. hypo-
theca, fr. Gk. uico&y]xii), 'a deposit, pledge,
mortgage', from the stem of u7roTi&Evai, 'to put
under, lay down, pledge', which is formed fr.
utc6 (see hypo-) and ti&svoci, 'to put, place'.
See thesis.
hypothecary, adj., pertaining to a hypothec. —
Late L. hypothecdrius, 'pertaining to a hypo-
thec', fr. hypotheca. See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ary.
hypothecate, tr. v., to pledge as security without
transferring possession or title; to mortgage. —
ML. hypothecate, pp. of hypothecary 'to
pledge', fr. Late L. hypotheca. See hypothec and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: hypothecation (q.v.), hypothecat-
or, n.
hypothecation, n. — ML. hypothecatid, gen. -onis,
fr. hypothecate, pp. of hypothecare. See prec.
word and -ion.
hypothesis, n., a supposition. — ModL., fr. Gk.
uTt&teai;, 'foundation, supposition', lit. 'a
placing under', from the stem of u7toTi$£vat,
'to put under, lay down', fr. \m6 (see hypo-) and
xi&evai, 'to put, place'. See thesis.
hypothesize, intr. and tr. v. — Formed from prec.
word with suff. -ize.
hypothetical, hypothetic, adj. — L. hypotheticus,
Hypoxis
762
fr. Gk. u7ro$enx6;, 'hypothetical', fr. bno&ezot;,
verbal adj. of uiroTiSivai. See hypothesis and
-ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: hypothetical-ly, adv.
Hypoxis, n., a genus of plants, the star grass
(bot.) — ModL., coined fr. hyp- and Gk. 6Z,\i<;,
'sharp' (see oxy-); so called in allusion to the
base of the capsule.
hypsi-, before a vowel hyps-, combining form
meaning 'on high'. — Gk. utyi-, \>ty-, from utyi,
'alcft, on high', which stands for ftn-ai, is rel.
to OtC°? (f° r u7T-ao<;), 'height', and cogn. with
L. sus (for *sup-s) in the expression susque deque,
'both up and down', and with Olr. as, Has (for
*oup-su-), 'above, over', uasal (for *oup-selo-),
'high, noble', OSlav. vysoku (for *up-soko-\
'high'. All these words are ult. cogn. with Gk.
utt6,' under', L. sub, of s.m. See hypo- and cp.
hypso-. Cp. also the second element in duni-
wassal.
hypso-, combining form denoting height. — Gk.
ui]>o-, from 5<J;o;> 'height'. See hypsi-.
hypsography, n., a scientific description of the
form of the earth's surface. — Compounded of
hypso- and Gk. -ypa<pia, fr. Ypa<peiv, 'to write'.
See -graphy.
Derivatives: hypsograph-ic, hypsograph-ic-al,
adjs.
hypsometer, n., an instrument for measuring alti-
tudes. — Compounded of hypso- and Gk.
uixpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
hypsometry, n., the measuring of altitudes. —
See prec. word and -metry.
Derivatives: hypsometr-ic, hypsometr-ic-al,ad)S.,
hypsometr-ic-al-ly, adv., hypsometr-ist, n.
hypsophobia, n., a morbid fear of high places. —
Compounded of hypso- and Gk. -ipopita, 'fear
of, fr. <po(3o?, 'fear'. See -phobia.
hypsophyll, n., a leaf below the sphorophylls
(bot.) — ModL. hypsophyllum, lit. 'high leaf,
formed fr. hypso- and Gk. cpuXXov, 'leaf. See
phyllo- and cp. cataphyll, sporophyll. ModL.
hypsophyllum is prop, a loan translation of G.
Hochblatt, fr. hoch, 'high', and Blatt, 'leaf.
Derivative: hypsophyll-wy, adj.
Hyracoidea, n. pi., an order of ungulates (zool.)
— ModL., compounded of Gk. (ip a 5> 'shrew
mouse' and -oeiSttji;, 'like', fr. eISo?, 'form,
shape'. See next word and -oid.
hyrax, n., any animal of the genus Procavia. —
Gk. {jpa^, 'shrewmouse', for *surak-s, cogn.
with L. sorex (for *swdrak-s), of s.m. See Sorex.
hyson, n., a kind of China tea. — Chin, hsi-chun,
lit. 'blooming spring'.
hyssop, n., name of a plant. — ME. ysope, fr. OF.
(= F.) hysope, hyssope, fr. L. hysopus, hyssopus,
fr. Gk. u<j<t<o7toi;, an aromatic plant, fr. Heb.
ezSbh, 'hyssop', which is rel. to Akkad. zupu,
Syr. zuphd, Arab. zQfd, Ethiop. azobh, of s.m.
Hyssopus, n., a genus of plants of the mint family
(bot.) — L. See hyssop.
hyster-, form of bystero- before a vowel.
hysterectomy, n., excision of the uterus (surg.) —
Compounded of hyster- and Gk. -Ixxouia, 'a
cutting out of, fr. exxojj.7), 'a cutting out, ex-
cision'. See -ectomy.
hysteresis, n., the lagging in the magnetic force
behind the magnetizing force (magnetism). —
Gk. uaTspTjCTii;, 'shortcoming, deficiency', fr.
uCTTEpstv, 'to be behind, come late, lag', fr.
uaxspov, 'later'. See hysteron proteron.
hysteria, n. — Medical L., fr. Gk. uaxlpa, 'womb',
which is rel. to fiaxpoi; (Hesychius), 'belly,
womb', and cogn. with Maced. oSEpoi; (Hesy-
chius), of s.m., OI. uddram, 'belly', L. uterus,
'womb'; see uterus and -ia. Hysteric distur-
bances, which most frequently occur in women,
were ascribed erroneously to the influence of
the womb and were for this reason called hys-
teria, 'disease of the womb'.
hysteric, more frequently hysterica], adj. — L.
hystericus, fr. Gk. uaxspixo;, 'pertaining to the
womb', fr. uaxepa. See prec. word and -ic, resp.
also -al.
Derivatives: hysteric, n., hysterics, n. pi., hys-
teric-al-ly, adv.
hysteritis, n., inflammation of the womb (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
utJTEpa, 'womb'. See hysteria,
hystero-, before a vowel hyster-, combining form
denoting l) the womb; 2) hysteria. — See
hysteria.
hysteron proteron, a figure in which the order of
words, phrases, or clauses is reversed (rhet.) —
Late L., fr. Gk. (Jaxspov, TvpoxEpov, 'the latter
(is put) as the former'. Gk. CaxEpov is neut.
of (IcTEpo?, for I.-E. *ud-tero-s (whence also OI.
uttdrah, 'the higher, upper, latter, later'), which
is formed fr. base *ud-, 'up, out, away', with corn-
par, suff. *-ter. See out and -ther and cp. the first
element in Hystrix. For the etymology of pro-
teron see protero-.
hysteropexy, n., the operation of fixing the uterus
to the wall of the abdomen (surg.) — Medical
L. hysteropexia, compounded of hystero- and
Gk. -nrffac,, 'a making firm, fastening', which
derives from the stem of 7n)Yvuvai, 'to join,
make firm'. See -pexy.
hysterotomy, n. (surg.), 1) the Caesarian section;
2) the operation of cutting into the uterus. —
Compounded of hystero- and Gk. -xou.ioc, 'a
cutting of, fr. TOfiY), 'a cutting'. See -tomy.
Hystrix, n., a genus of porcupines (zool.) — L.,
fr. Gk. uaxpi^, 'porcupine', which is of un-
certain origin. It is perh. compounded of u<r-,
'upward, up to', fr. I.-E. *ud-, 'up' (whence also
Gk. Gct-tepo;, 'the latter', see hysteron proteron),
and #pi!;, gen. xpixos, 'hair' (see tricho-). Ac-
cordingly Gk. oaxpii; would lit. mean 'having the
hair turned upward'.
Hystrix, n., a genus of plants, the bottle brush
grass (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. uaxpi?, 'porcu-
pine' (see prec. word); so called in allusion to
the bristly spikes.
I
I, pers. pron. — ME. ich, i, fr. OE. ic, rel. to OS.,
OFris., Du. ik, ON. ek, Norw. eg, Dan. jeg,
Swed. jag, OHG. ih, MHG., G. ich, Goth, ik,
T, and cogn. with OI. ahdm, Avestic az e m,
OPers. adam, Hitt. uk, Arm. es, Gk. iyii>, dial.
Gk. eytov, L. ego, VL. eo (whence It. io, Rum.
eu, OF. /oh, F. ye, OProvenc., Catal., Port, eu,
Sp. yd), OSlav. azu, jazu, Russ., Pol., Czech,
Slovak ja, OLith. es, Lith. as, Lett, es, OPruss. as,
T. Cp. ego, egoism, egotism.
i-, pref. representing in-, 'not', before gn in
words of Latin origin, as in ignore.
-ia, suff. used to form 1) names of countries;
2) names of diseases; 3) names of alkaloids;
4) names of flowers from the name of the dis-
coverer or introducer. — L. -ia, or Gk. -ta,
usually forming abstract nouns of feminine
gender. L. -ia and Gk. -Ea are compounded of
a thematic or connective i, resp. l, and the fem.
suff. -a, resp. -a.
-ia, pi. suff. used to form names of classes and
orders in botany and zoology. — 1) L. -ia, pi.
suff. of nouns ending in the sing, in -ium or -e;
2) Gk. -10c, pi. suff. of nouns ending in the sing,
in -iov. L. -ia and Gk. -ia are compounded of a
thematic or connective /', resp. t, and the neut.
pi. suff. -a, resp. -x.
-ial, suff. forming English adjectives from Latin
adjectives in -is or ius. — L. -idlis (neut. -idle)
which consists of a thematic or connective (' and
suff. -dlis (see adj. suff. -al). Cp. e.g. E. celestial
formed fr. L. caelestis, 'heavenly', and E. sena-
torial, formed fr. L. sendtorius, etc.
iamb, n., a metrical foot consisting of a short
syllable followed by a long one (pros.) — F.
iambe, fr. L. iambus, fr. Gk. ioc^oq, which is a
loan word of pre-Hellenic origin. See Frisk,
GEW., I, p. 704 s.v. toc|i[3o!;. Cp. the second
element in choliamb, choriamb, galliambic. For
the form and meaning of the word cp.
8i*K>pa|ifio; and Spiot(jij5o; (see dithyramb,
triumph).
iambic, adj., pertaining to, or made up of, iambs;
n., 1) an iamb; 2) an iambic. — F. iambiuue, fr.
L. iambicus, fr. Gk. i3t(i.(3txo;, fr. ta^Poc. See
prec. word and -ic.
iambus, n., an iamb. — L. iambus. See iamb.
-ian, suff.; used to form adjectives from PN.'s
and — to a lesser degree — from common nouns.
— L. -idnus (directly, or through the medium
of F. -ien); it consists of the vowel 1 (which
may be thematic or connective) and suff. -anus.
See -an.
Iapetus, n., one of the Titans, son of Uranus and
Ge, and father of Atlas, Prometheus, Epi-
metheus and Menoetius (Greek mythol.) — L.,
fr. Gk. 'Ia:7rexo<;, which is perh. of Sem. origin
and rel. to Heb. Yepheth, name of the youngest
of the three sons of Noah; see Japheth. See
D. S. Margoliouth in Hastings, Dictionary of
the Bible, II, p. 549.
-iasis, suff., used to indicate 1) a process (as in
odontiasis); 2) a morbid condition (as in ele-
phantiasis). — Medical L., fr. Gk. -locoi;,
formed from the aorist of verbs ending in -idtco,
which often express bodily or mental disease.
Cp. e.g. Xapuyy^co, 'I have a sore throat',
oSovxiaco, 'I have toothache'.
iatric, also iatrical, adj., medical. — Gk. Eaxptx6<;,
'healing', fr. Eaxpo;, 'physician', fr. Eaofhxi, 'to
heal', which prob. stands for *Eadaea&ai and
is rel. to iaiveiv (for *Eaavisi.v), 'to refresh,
invigorate', fr. I.-E. base *eis-, 'to set in quick
motion', whence also Gk. Espo?, 'holy, sacred',
orig. 'filled with (divine) force', and prop, iden-
tical with Eep<k, 'strong, lively, active, quick,
swift'. See hiero- and -ic and cp. ire. Cp. also
Jasione, Jason, 'leader of the Argonauts', the
first element in Jatropha and the second element
in pediatric.
-iatrics, combining form denoting 'treatment of
disease', as in geriatrics, gyniatrics. — Gk.
iaxpixT) (scil. ziyyr,), 'surgery, medicine'. See
prec. word and -ics.
iatro-, combining form meaning 1) physician;
2) medicine. — Gk. Eaxpo-, fr. tarpon, 'physi-
cian'. See iatric.
iatrology, n., the study of medicine. — Com-
pounded of iatro- and Gk. -Xoytx, fr. -Xoyo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
-iatry, combining form meaning 'medical treat-
ment'. — F. -iatrie, fr. Gk. ExxpEia, 'healing,
medical treatment", fr. Eaxpo?, 'physician',
(whence also EaxpE-kiv, 'to treat medically').
See iatric.
Iberia, n., the ancient name of the Spanish pen-
insula. — L. Hiberia, Iberia, 'Spain', prop,
'country of the Hiberes or lheres\ fr. Gk.
"I37)pe£, 'the Spaniards', also name of an ancient
Asiatic people near the Caucasus. Cp. next
word.
Derivatives: Iberi-an, adj. and n.
Iberis, n., candytuft. — L. (quoted by Pliny), fr.
Gk. if^pE;, 'pepperwort', lit. 'the Iberian plant',
fr. ' I[ir;pEc. See prec. word,
ibex, n., the wild goat of the Alps. — L. ibex,
'a kind of goat, chamois', loan word fr. an
I.-E. language spoken in the Alps,
ibidem, adv., in the same place. — L., formed fr.
ibi, 'there', and the particle of identity -dem.
The adv. ibi is rel. to Umbr. ife, 'there, thither',
and cogn. withOI. i-ha, Avestic ida, 'here', Gk.
Eftaycvrji;, 'native, lawfully begotten, legitimate'
-ibility
764
(lit. 'here born'). All these words derive fr.
I.-E. *i-dha, *i-dhe, from the pronominal base
*/-; see idem and cp. the second element in alibi;
cp. also ubiety. The particle -dem in ibidem
derives fr. I.-E. *d$; see de- and cp. tandem,
-ibility, subst. suff. expressing ability, capacity,
fitness. — L. -tbilitds, forming nouns from ad-
jectives ending in -tbilis. See -ible and -ity and
cp. -ability.
ibis, n., a large wading bird. — L. ibis, fr. Gk.
TPt;, fr. Egypt, hib.
-ible, adj. suff. expressing ability, capacity, fit-
ness. — L. -ibilis or -ibilis (either directly or
through the medium of F. -ible), compounded
of i (stem vowel of the 4th conjugation), resp. i
(stem vowel of the 3rd conjugation) and -bilis.
See -ble and cp. -able.
-ic, adj. suff. meaning 'pertaining to; of the
nature of. It is still in use to form adjectives
1) from PN.'s (as in Slavonic, Napoleonic, etc.);
2) from nouns ending in -ist (see -istic). In chem-
istry, suff. -ic is used to denote a higher valence
of the element indicated in the adjective than is
expressed by suff. -ous. Cp. nitric acid (HN0 3
with nitrous acid (HN0 2 ). — 1) Gk. -1x65 : either
directly, or through the medium of L. -icus, or
through the medium of F. -ique and L. -icus. —
2) L. -icus, a native suff. (as in civicus, classicus):
either directly (as in civic) or through the me-
dium of F. -ique (as in classic). Cp. subst. suff.
-ic and suff. -atic.
-ic, subst. suff. used to form names of arts and
sciences (as music, logic, rhetoric). — Gk. -ixtj
(short for -uo) texvy), 'the art of), fern, of -1x6?.
Cp. e.g. E. music, fr. Gk. (xouatx'r) (scil. tsxvt;),
lit. 'musical art'. See adj. suff. -ic. Another way
of forming names of arts and sciences in Greek
was to use -ixi, the neut. pi. ending of adjec-
tives in -ixo?; see -ics.
-ical, adj. suff. compounded of the suffixes -ic
and -al.
Icarian, adj., pertaining to Icarus. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Icarius, fr. Gk. 'Ixapio;, 'of
Icarus', fr. "Ixapo?. See next word.
Icarus, n., the son of Daedalus {Greek mythol.) —
L. Icarus, fr. Gk. "Ixapo?, 'Icarus', a name of un-
certain origin.
ice, n. — ME. is, fr. OE. Is, rel. to ON. Us, OS.,
OFris., MLG., OHG., MHG. is, Dan., Swed.
is, Du. ijs, G. Eis. Outside Teut. cp. Avestic
isav-, 'frosty', aexa-, 'ice', Afghanic asai, 'frost'.
Cp. iceberg, icicle, Isold.
Derivatives: ice, adj. and tr. v.. ic-ing, n., icy
(q.v.)
-ice, suff. forming concrete and abstract nouns.
— ME. -ice, -ise, fr. OF. (F.) -ice fr. L. -itium (as
precipice, fr. OF. precipice, fr. L. praecipitium;
hospice, fr. OF. hospice, fr. L. hospitium). Cp.
the next two suffixes and subst. suff. -ise.
-ice, suff. forming nouns denoting dependence,
attachedness. — OF., F. -ice, fr. L. -icius, -itius (as
novice, fr. OF. novice, fr. L. novicius, novitius).
-ice, suff. forming abstract nouns denoting quali-
ty, condition or function. — OF., F. -ice, fr. L.
-itia (as avarice, fr. OF. avarice, fr. L. avdritia).
iceberg, n., a floating mass of ice. — Fr. Du. ijs-
berg (lit. 'mountain of ice'), with substitution
of E. ice for Du. ijs (see ice); cp. Dan. isbjerg,
Swed., Norw. isberg, G. Eisberg. For the ety-
mology of the second element of these words
see borough and cp. barrow, 'mound'.
icebone, n., the aitchbone. — Rel. to OS., MLG.
isben, Dan. isben, MDu. isebeen, Du. ijsbeen,
OHG. Ispein (G. Eisbeiri). The first element
in these compound words is borrowed fr. L.
ischia (pi.), fr. Gk. t4 Itr/ix, pi. of to icr/io\i,
'the hip joint'. See sciatic. For the second
element in icebone see bone.
Icerya, n., a genus of scale insects (entomol.)-
— ModL., of unknown origin.
ichneumon, n., 1) the mongoose; 2) the ichneu-
mon fly. — L., fr. Gk. Ixveu(x<ov, lit. 'tracker',
fr. iyysiisv), 'to track, trace, hunt', fr. txvoi;,
'track, footprint' (see ichno-); so called because
it digs up the eggs of the crocodile.
ichnite, n., a fossil footprint (paleontol.) —
Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. Xyyoc,,
'track, footprint'. See ichno-.
ichno-, combining form meaning 'track, trace,
footprint'. — Gk. iyyo-, fr. lyyoc,, 'trace, foot-
print', of uncertain origin. It derives perh. fr.
I.-E. *ei-gh, 'to go', whence also Gk. ofyofxai,
'I go away', ol/ysa, 'I go, I come', Arm. ijanem
(aor. 3rd person sing, ej), 'I go down, descend',
Lith. eigd, 'going, course', Olr. oegi, 'guest'.
I.-E. *ei-gh- is an enlarged form of base *ei-,
'to go', whence Gk. elj^t, L. ed (for *eio), 'I go'.
See itinerate.
iconography, n., the art of making ground plans.
— F. ichnographie, fr. Late L. ichnographia, fr.
Gk. Exvoyp<x<pEo£, which is formed fr. ichno- and
-ypotqiEa, fr. Ypa<peiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivatives : ichnograph-ic, ichnograph-ic-al,
adjs., ichnograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
ichnolite, n., a fossil footprint (paleontol.) —
Compounded of ichno- and Gk. XE-9-o;, 'stone'.
See -lite.
ichnology, n., the study of fossil footprints. —
Compounded of ichno- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr.
-Xoyos, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivative: ichnolog-ic-al, adj.
ichor, n., an ethereal fluid supposed to flow in
the veins of the gods {Greek mythol.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. tx&>p, 'ichor; watery fluid', of uncertain,
prob. foreign, origin.
ichthus, n. — See ichthys.
ichthyo-, before a vowel ichthy-, combining form
meaning 'fish'. — Gk. Ex*H>o-, Ex#u-, fr. Ex^S,
'fish', which is cogn. with Arm. jukn, 'fish',
Lith. zuvis, Lett, zuvs, OPruss. suckans (pi. acc.),
of s.m.
ichthyography, n., a treatise on fishes. — Lit. 'a
description of fishes', formed fr. ichthyo- and
765
-ics
Gk. -ypacpia, fr. ypatpeiv, 'to write'. See -graphy.
Derivative: ichthyograph-ic, adj.
ichthyoid, adj., resembling a fish. — Gk. Ex&u-
octSr];, compounded of Ex&us, 'fish' (see ichthy-)
and -oeiStj?, 'like', fr. elSo;, 'form, shape'. See
-oid.
ichthyolatry, n., the worship of fishes. — Com-
pounded of ichthyo- and Gk. -XocTpsES, -XaTpCa
fr. XaTpsia, 'worship'. See -latry.
ichthyolite, n., a fossil fish. — Compounded of
ichthyo- and Gk. Xt&o;, 'stone'. See -lite.
ichthyology, n., that branch of zoology which
deals with fishes. — Compounded of ichthyo-
and Gk. -XoyES, fr. -Xoyos, 'one who speaks (in
a certain manner) ; one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ichthy olog-ic, ichthyolog-ic-al,a.djs.,
ichthy olog-ic-al-ly, adv., ichthy olog-ist, n.
ichthyophagous, adj., eating fish. — Gk. Ex&uo-
fiyoq, compounded of Ex#6<;, 'fish' (see ichthy-),
and -<pdcyos, fr. 9<xyEiv, 'to eat'. See -phagous.
Ichthyornis, n., a genus of toothed birds {pa-
leontol.) — ModL., compounded of ichthy- and
Gk. Spvti;, 'bird'. See ornitho-.
Ichthyosauria, n. pi., an order of Mesozoic rep-
tiles (paleontol.) — ModL., formed from next
word with suff. -ia.
Ichthyosaurus, n., the chief genus of Ichthyo-
sauria (paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of
ichthyo- and Gk. <raupo<;, 'lizard'. See -saurus.
ichthyosis, n., a scaly disease of the skin (med.) —
Medical L., lit. 'fish disease', coined by the Eng-
lish physician Robert Willan (1757-1812) in 1801
fr. Gk. Ex&fk, 'fish' and suff. -toot?. See ichthyo-
and -osis.
ichthys, ichthus, n., early Christian symbol in the
form of a fish. — Gk. iy§vc„ 'fish'. See ichthyo-.
-ician, suff. denoting a person skilled in a specified
art or science, as in musician. — F. -icien, a suff.
compounded of -ique (whence E. -ic or -ics)
and -ien (whence E. -ian). Cp. e.g. E. logician,
fr. F. logicien, which is formed from the noun
logique (whence E. logic) and suff. -ien (E. -ian).
icicle, n. — ME. isikel, fr. OE. is, 'ice' (see ice)
and gicel, 'icicle', which is rel. to ON. jokutl,
'icicle', jaki, 'broken ice', and cogn. with Olr.
aig, 'ice'. Cp. jokull.
-icity, subst. suff. denoting quality. — F. -kite,
fr. L. -icitdtem, acc. of -icitds, which is nothing
but suff. -las added to adjectives ending in -icus
or in -ex, gen. -icis. (Cp. e.g. simplicity, fr. L.
simplicitds, fr. simplex, gen. simplicis.) Cp.
-acity. In many cases -icity is merely suff. -ity
a'ided to adjectives ending in -ic (cp. electric,
electriciTy).
icon, n., an image, esp. sacred portrait of a saint.
— L. icon, fr. Gk. eExwv, gen. sixovo?, 'likeness,
image, portrait, picture, statue', rel. to eoixcos,
Att. etxw?, "similar, like, reasonable', eoixe,
'is like, is fit', IxeXo?, 'like', and possibly cogn.
with Lith. i-vykti, 'to occur, come true', pa-
veikslas, 'example'. Cp. a ec idiom.
iconic, adj., 1) pertaining to an icon; 2) conven-
tional. — Late L. iconicus, fr. Gk. eExovixo?,
'pertaining to an image', fr. sExciv, gen. sExovoq,
'image'. See icon and adj. suff. -ic.
icono-, combining form denoting an image, an
icon. — Gk. eExovo-, fr. eExcov, gen. eixovos,
'likeness, image'. See icon.
iconoclasm, n., the destruction of images. —
Compounded of icono- and Gk. xXaafxa, 'a break-
ing', fr. xXav, 'to break', fr. I.-E. base *qel(a)-,
*qol(dy, 'to strike, beat'. See calamity and cp.
clastic and words there referred to.
iconoclast, n., a destroyer of images. — ML.
iconoclastes, compounded of icono- and Gk.
-xXdtaTY)?, 'breaker', fr. xXav. See prec. word.
Derivatives: iconoclast-ic, iconoclast-ic-al, adjs.,
iconoclast-ic-al-ly, adv., iconoclast-ic-ism, n.
iconography, n., the study of portraits. — ML. ico-
nographia, fr. Gk. elxovoypacpia, 'sketch, descrip-
tion', which is compounded of eExc!>v, gen.
sExovoi; (see icono-) and -ypa<pla, fr. ypacpsiv,
'to write'. See -graphy.
iconolatry, n., the worship of images. — Com-
pounded of icono- and Gk. -XaTpeEa, -XaxpEa,
fr. Xarpsta, 'worship'. See -latry.
iconology, n., the study of icons. — Compounded
of icono- and Gk. -XoyEa, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
iconomachy, n., hostility to icons as objects of
devotion. — Gk. eExovou,axEa, 'war against
images', compounded of eExcov, gen. eEx6vo<;,
'image' (see icono-), and y-iiyji, 'battle'. See
-machy.
iconostasis, n., in the Greek Church, a screen on
which the icons are placed, separating the sanc-
tuary from the rest of the church. — ModL., fr.
ModGk. EExov6axa(ji?, which is compounded
of Gk. eExwv, gen. sixovoq, 'image' (see icono-),
and CTTdtctti;, 'standing, position'. See state.
icosahedron, n., a polyhedron with twenty planes
(geom.) — Gk. sExooaeSpov, 'a body with twenty
surfaces', compounded of etxoai, 'twenty', and
sSSpa, 'seat; side, face, base'. See icosi- and
-hedron.
icosi-, before a vowel icos-, combining form
meaning 'twenty'. — Gk. elxooi,-, eExoct-, fr.
cfxoCTi, 'twenty', rel. to Dor. fExom and cogn.
with OI. vimsatih, L. viginti, 'twenty'. See
vicenary.
-ics, suff. used to form names of arts and scien-
ces. — Formally this suff. is nothing but the
plural of suff. -ic (= "ic-s"). It was formed in
imitation of Gk. -ixa (neut. pi. of the adj. suff.
-txoi;), used to form names of arts and sciences
in Greek. Cp. e.g. Gk. rot (ia&7][xaTtxa (neut. pi.
of u.a{h)tJ.<*Tix6i;, 'mathematical'), which was
Anglicized into 'mathematics' (meant as mathe-
matics, i.e. pi. of mathematic). Another way of
forming names of arts and sciences in Greek
was the subst. use of -oof) (fern, of -1x6?),
shortened fr. -ut}) xexvr), 'the art of; the cor-
icteric
766
responding English form is -ic. From the suffixes
-ic and -ics the former was used exclusively till
the end of the 15th cent. (Cp. arithmetic, logic,
magic, music, rhetoric, which all go back to the
time before 1 500.) Since the second half of the
1 6th century, the suff. -ics has been generally used
to form new names of sciences in English. Orig.
a plural, the suff. -ics is now usually construed
as a singular.
icteric, icterical, adj., affected with jaundice. —
L. ictericus, fr. Gk. ExTeptxo;, 'jaundiced', fr.
"iKTzpoq. See icterus and -ic, resp. also -al.
Icteridae, n. pi., a family of American oscine
birds, the oriole (ornithol.) — ModL., formed
from next word with suff. -idae.
icterus, n., jaundice (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk.
l'xtepo?, 'jaundice; oriole' (lit. 'a yellowish
bird'), which is prob. rel. to ixtivoc;, 'kite', and
is cogn. with Arm. cin, 'kite', possibly also with
OI. syendh, 'eagle, falcon'.
Icterus, n., a genus of American oscene birds,
the oriole (ornithol.) — ModL., fr. Gk. i'xTEpot;,
'jaundice; oriole'. See prec. word.
ictic, adj., 1) of the nature of a blow ; 2) pertaining
to the ictus. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. ictus,
'blow'. See ictus.
ictus, n., verse stress (pros.) — L. ictus, 'a blow,
stroke; metrical stress', fr. ictus, pp. of icere,
'to strike'; cogn. with Gk. aE^r;, 'point of a
spear, spear' (which stands for aiksmd), Lith.
iesmas, Lett, iesms, 'roasting spit', OPruss. ays-
mis (which prob. stand for aiksmos). Cp. the
first element in Aechmophorus.
icy, adj. — OE. isig, fr. is, 'ice'. See ice and -y
(representing OE. -ig).
Derivatives: ici-ly, adv., ici-ness, n.
id, n., inherited instinctive energies (psychoana-
lysis). — L. id, 'it', neut. of is, 'he' (see idem);
used as the translation of G. es, 'it', in Freud's
Das Ich und das Es.
id, n., a hypothetical unit of germ plasm (bioi.) —
Coined by the German biologist August Weis-
mann ( 1 834-1 9 1 4) from the first two letters of
Idioplasma. See idioplasm.
-id, adj. suff. denoting state or condition. — L.
-id(us), either directly or through the medium
of F. -ide.
-id, patronymic subst. suff. meaning 'daughter
of. — L. -is, gen. -idis, fr. Gk. -iz, gen. -180;,
fern, patronymic suff. (cp. Nereid, fr. Gk.
Nr.pr/E;, gen. -iSo;, 'daughter of Nereus'; see
Nereid). This suff. is used also in astronomy,
where it is added to names of constellations and
serves to name meteors that appear to radiate
in showers from the respective constellation. Cp.
e.g. Andromedid, i.e. the meteor which appears
to radiate from the constellation Andromeda.
Cp. next suff.
-id, subst. and adj. suff. used in zoology to in-
dicate members of a family, as in fetid. —
ModL. -idae, pi. of -ides, fr. Gk. -tS/)<;, masc.
patronymic suff. (lit. 'son or descendant of).
Cp. prec. suff. Cp. also -ida, -idae, Ido.
-id, suff. in nouns from Greek, as in chrysalid,
pyramid' in botany, denoting a member of a
family (as in orchid). — Gk. -iq, gen. -tSo?,
either 1) directly or 2) through the medium of
L. -is, gen. -idis; 3) through the medium of F.
-ide, fr. L. -is, gen. -idis.
-id, suff. used in chemistry. — A var. of -ide.
Ida, fern. PN. — ML., fr. OHG. Ida, which is
prob. related to ON. id, 'labor'.
-ida, pi. suff. used to form names of zoological
groups, classes, orders, as in Arachnida. —
ModL. neut. pi. suff. See zool. suff. -id and
-idae.
-idae, pi. subst. suff. used to form the names of
families in zoology. — L., pi. of -ides, fr. Gk.
-ESyji;, masc. patronymic suff. See zool. suff. -id.
Idalia, n., a surname of Aphrodite (Greek my-
thol.) — L. Idalia, fern, of Idalius, 'of, or per-
taining to', Idalium, fr. Idalium, name of an
ancient town in Cyprus, sacred to Aphrodite,
fr. Gk. -ISdcXtov.
-idan, suff. used to denote a member of the group
indicated by the suff. -ida (zool.) — Compoun-
ded of the suffixes -ida and -an.
idant, n., a hypothetical unit of germ plasm (biol.)
— G., arbitrarily coined by August Weismann
fr. id, 'unit of germ pldsm', and suff. -ant. Id-ant
is supposed to mean 'an aggregation of ids'.
ide, n., a freshwater fish. — Swed. id.
-ide, suff. used to form names of compounds of
two elements (chem.) — Back formation fr.
oxide, in which the ending -ide was taken for a
suffix.
idea, n. — Late L. idea, fr. Gk. ESIa, 'form,
kind, sort, nature, class, species, opinion, no-
tion, idea, ideal form'. The original, pre-
Platonic meaning is 'look, semblance'. 'I8ea
prob. stands for *riMni and derives fr. ESeTv
(for *."t(kiv), 'to see', which is rel. to oiSa (for
*fo!8x), 'I know', eTSov (for sfiSov), 'I saw',
sTSoc; (for *rzl8oc,), 'form, shape', lit. 'that
which is seen', eiSwXov, 'image, phantom',
taTcop, Boeot. .-i<TT<op (for *. r i8Tcop), 'knowing,
learned', iaTopEx, 'learning, knowledge', and
cogn. with L. videre, 'to see'. See vision and cp.
eido-, eidograph, eidolon, Hades, idol, idolatry,
idyll, iso-, kaleidophone, kaleidoscope, -oid.
Derivative: idea-ed, idae-'d, adj.
-idea, suff. used to form names of groups, classes
and orders (zool.) — ModL. Cp. suff. -ida.
ideal, adj. — F. ideal, fr. Late L. idedlis, fr. idea.
See idea and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: ideal, n., ideal-ism, n., ideal-ist, n.,
ideal-ist-ic, adj., ideal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv., ideal-ity,
n., ideal-ize, tr. and intr. v., ideal-iz-ation, n.,
idealiz-er, n., ideal-ly, adv., ideal-ness, n.
ideate, tr. and intr. v., to form an idea. — Formed
fr. idea with verbal suff. -ate.
idem, pron., the same. — L. idem (masc), eadem
(fern.), idem (neut.), 'the same'. This latter
stands for id-em, which is compounded of id,
767
idiotic
'it' (neut. of is, 'he') and the emphatic particle
-em. The first element derives fr. I.-E. pro-
nominal base */-, whence also L. i-ta, 'so', i-bi,
'there', i-terum, 'again', Umbr. itek, 'so', OI. i-ti,
'so, thus', itthd, 'here, there', itthdm, 'so, thus',
it, emphatic particle, aydm, 'he', iydm, 'she',
Goth, is, 'he', ita, 'it', OHG., MHG. er, 'he', es,
'it', G. er, 'he', es, 'it'. Through a misdivision of
L. id-em into i-dem, the fem. eadem (fr. ea-dem)
and the masc. idem(fr.is-dem) have been formed.
For the emphatic particle -em in id-em cp. it-em
'just so, in like manner' (fr. ita, 'so'), aut-em,
'however', quid-em, 'indeed, certainly' (fr. quid,
'what'). Cp. OI. iddm (neut.), 'this', which
corresponds exactly to L. idem. See Walde-
Hofmann, LEW., I, 671 s.v. idem. Cp. id, 'in-
stinctive energies', identic, identify, identity. Cp.
also item, iterate, the first element in ilk and
the second element in cestui and in interim,
identic, adj. — ML. identicus, formed from the
stem of Late L. identi-tds, 'identity'. See identity
and -ic.
Derivatives: identic-al, adj., identic-al-ly, adv.,
identic-al-ness, n.
identification, n. — See next word and -ation.
identify, tr. v. — Late L. identificdre, formed
from the stem of identitds, 'identity', and L.
-ficdre, fr. -ficus, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of
facere, 'to make, do'. See identity and -fy.
identity, n. — F. identite, fr. Late L. identitdtem,
acc. of identitds, 'identity', lit. 'sameness', fr. L.
idem, 'the same'; see idem and -ity. Late L.
identitds is prop, a loan translation of Gk. tooi-
t6tt]i;, 'identity', which is formed with suff. -tyjc;
(= L. -tds), fr. Ta-JTO, contraction of to auxo,
'the same' (= L. idem).
ideo-, combining form meaning 'idea'. — F.
ideo-, fr. Gk. ESIa, 'form, idea'. See idea,
ideogram, n., symbol used in writing. — Com-
pounded of ideo- and Gk. ypapina, 'that which
is written, a written character, letter. See -gram,
ideograph, n., an ideogram. — Compounded of
ideo- and Gk. -ypxtpoq, fr. ypa<peiv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivatives: ideograph-ic, ideograph-ic-al, adjs.,
ideographic-al-ly, adv., ideograph-y, n.
ideology, n. — F. ideologic, coined by the French
philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754- 1836) fr.
Gk. ESli, 'idea', and -XoyEi, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: ideolog-ic-al, adj., ideolog-ic-al-ly,
adv., ideolog-ist, n.
Ides, also ides, n. pi., the fifteenth day of March,
May, July, October; the thirteenth of the other
months (Roman calendar). — F., fr. L. idus,
which is prob. of Etruscan origin.
-idine, -idin, suff. used in chemistry to denote a
compound which is related to another com-
pound. — Compounded of the chemical suf-
fixes -ide and -ine, resp. -in.
idio-, combining form meaning 'one's own;
separate, distinct'. — Gk. E.810-, fr. 1S10?, 'one's
own, private, personal, separate, distinct', f or
*H8io<;, fr. earlier *Fh£$ioc, (cp. Argive *Fhe-
Siirrrxz, corresponding to Gk. ESu&tt]?, 'a pri-
vate person'), for I.-E. *swed-yos, fr. base
*swed-, 'separate, set apart', whence also L. sed,
'but', sed, se, 'without', ult. from I.-E. reflexive
base *swe-, *se-. See se- and cp. words there
referred to. Cp. also idiom, idiot.
idioblast, n., a cell that differs from the sur-
rounding cells in form or contents (bot.) —
Coined by the German embryologist Oskar
Hertwig (1849-1922) fr. idio- and Gk. pXaaTo?,
'bud, sprout, shoot'. See -blast.
idiocy, n. — Formed with suff. -cy fr. idiot. The
original spelling of the word was idiotcy. Later
the r was dropped on analogy of words like
prophecy (from prophet), etc.
idiom, n. — F. idiome, fr. L. ididma, fr. Gk.
ESttofxa, 'peculiarity', esp. 'peculiarity in a lan-
guage', fr. E8iouu.ai, 'I make my own*, fr. 1810?,
'one's own'. See idio- and -ma.
idiomatic, adj. — L. idiomdticus, fr. Gk. iSui>-
(jtaTixoc, fr. ESEcojia, gen. E8itifiaTo<;. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ic.
Derivatives: idiomatic-al-ly, adv., idiomatic-al-
ness, n.
idiomorphic, adj., having its proper form. —
Compounded of idio- and Gk. (J.0P97), 'form,
shape'. See -morphic.
idiomorphous, adj., having its own form. — Gk.
E8t6(xop<po?, compounded of iSiot;, 'one's own',
and (J.op9T), 'form, shape'. See idio- and
-morphous.
idiopathy, n., a primary disease i.e. a disease not
caused by another disease. — Gk. E8io7rdMte<.a,
'a disease having its own origin, compounded
of iSio?, 'one's own', and -7ta^Eta, fr. 7taOoc,
'suffering'. See idio- and -pathy.
Derivatives: idiopathic, adj., idiopathic-al-ly,
adv.
idioplasm, n., that kind of protoplasm which is
supposed to be the physical basis of inheritance
(biol.) — G. Idioplasma coined by the botanist
Karl Wilhelm von Nageli (1817-1901) in 1884
fr. idio- and Gk. 7tXaa(ia, 'something molded'.
See plasma and cp. id, 'unit of germ, plasm',
idant.
idiosyncrasy, n., 1) temperament peculiar to an
individuals) mannerism. — Gk. ESioauyxpaaEa,
'a peculiar temperament', lit. 'a proper blending
together', compounded of tSio?, 'one's own,
proper', cttjv, 'with', and xpSaiq, 'a blending'.
See idio-, syn- and crasis.
idiosyncratic, adj., pertaining to, or characterized
by, idiosyncrasy. — See prec. word and adj.
suff. -ic.
idiot, n. — F. idiot, fr. L. idiota, fr. Gk. ESicottji;,
'private person, one not holding office, layman,
an ignorant', fr. tSio;. See idio- and cp. idiocy,
idiom.
idiotic, adj. — L. idioticus, 'uneducated, ignor-
idiotism
768
ant', fr. Gk. t8icmx6<;, fr. i8uo-rr]<;. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -ic.
Derivatives: idiotic-al-ly, adv., idiotic-al-ness,
n.
idiotism, n., idiom (obsol.) — F. idiotisme, fr. L.
idiotismus, fr. Gk. t8ioro<J|i6<;, 'the way of a
private person', fr. ISitoT^etv, 'to use common
language', fr. iStu-n]?. See idiot and -ism.
-idium, dimin. suff. — ModL., fr. Gk. 48iov.
idle, adj. — ME. idel, 'empty; idle', fr. OE. Idel,
'empty, desolate, useless, vain, idle', rel. to OS.
idal, OFris. idel, 'emtpy, worthless', ODu. idil,
Du. ijdel, 'idle, vain', OHG. ital, 'empty, useless',
MHG. itel, G. eitel, 'vain, useless; mere, pure'.
The basic meaning of these words is 'empty' ;
they are not cogn. with Gk. atfrsiv, 'to burn', L.
aedes, 'a building, temple'.
Derivatives: idle, intr. and tr. v., idl-er, n., idle-
ship, n., idl-ing, n., idl-y, adv.
Ido, n., an artificial language, prop, a simplified
and improved form of Esperanto devised in
1907 by a committee under the leadership of the
Frenchman Baudouin de Courtenay. — Fr.
Esperantic -ido, 'offspring', a suff. representing
L. -ida, fr. Gk. -i8v)i; (as in IIpia[u8n]<;, 'son,
descendant, of Priam', etc.). Cp. -idae.
idol, n. — ME. idole, fr. OF. (= F.) idole, fr. L.
idolum, fr. Gk. e?8o>Xov, 'image, phantom;
idol', which is rel. to eTSo;, 'form, shape'. See
idea and cp. idolum, eidolon.
Derivatives: idol-ize, tr. v., idoliz-ation, n.,
idoliz-er, n.
idolater, n„ a worshiper of idols. — F. idoldtre,
fr. Late L. idololatres, fr. Gk. elStoXoXaTpY]?,
'idol-worshiper', compounded of etStoXov,
'idol', and -XATpv)?, 'worshiper', which is rel. to
XaTpctS, 'worship' ; see idol and -later. For the
contraction of Late L. idololatres into F. idoldtre
see haplology.
idolatress, n., a female idolater. — Formed fr.
prec. word with suff. -ess.
idolatrous, adj., pertaining to, or of the nature of,
idolatry. — Formed fr. idolater with suff. -ous.
Derivative : idolatrous-ly, adv.
idolatry, n., worship of idols. — OF. idolatrie
(F. idolatrie), fr. Late L. idololatria, fr. Gk.
elStoXoXarpta, 'worship of idols, idolatry',
which is compounded of etScoXov, 'idol', and
-XaTpeti, -Xarpia, fr. XxTpeia, 'worship'. See
idol and -latry. For the contraction of Late L.
idololatria into OF. idolatrie see idolater.
idolum, n., 1) an idea; 2) a fallacy. — Late L.
idolum, fr. Gk. etS<oXov, 'image, phantom, idea'.
See idol.
idoneous, adj., suitable, fit. — L. idoneus, 'fit, be-
coming, suitable', of uncertain origin. For E.
-ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivative: idoneous-ness, n.
idrialin, n., a crystalline compound (chem.) —
See next word and chem. suff. -in.
idrialite, n., a mineral whose main constituent
part is idrialin (mineral.) — Named after Idria,
a mining city in N. Italy. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
idyl, idyll, n. — L. idyllium, fr. Gk. etStiXXiov, 'a
little picture', whence 'a short descriptive poem',
dimin. of eTSo?, 'form, shape'. See idea and cp.
idol.
Derivatives: idyl(l)-er, n., idyl(l)-ist, n., idyl(l)-
ize, tr. v., idylifyic, adj., idyl(l)-ic-al-ly, adv.,
idyHfyic-ism, n.
-ie, dimin. suff., as in birdie, dearie; frequently
spelled -y.
-ier, suff. denoting occupation. — 1) OF. or F.
-ier, fr. L. -arius, as in cottier, financier, etc. ;
2) added to English words as in glazier, graizier,
hosier, etc. See -ary and -eer and cp. -yer. Sufif.
-ier is of the same origin and meaning as agential
suff. -er.
if, conj. — ME. gif, if, fr. OE. gif, rel. to OS. ef,
ON. ef, if, OFris. gef, ef ief 'if, OHG. ibu, uba,
oba, 'if, MHG. oba, ob, G. ob, Du. of, 'if,
whether', Goth, ibai (interrogative particle). All
these conjunctions are prob. traceable to the
dative of a noun meaning 'doubt', and orig.
meant 'on condition that'. (Cp. ON. if, 'doubt',
OHG. iba, 'doubt, condition'.)
igloo, iglu, n., a snowhut. — Eskimo igdlu,
'snowhouse'.
Ignatius, masc. PN. — L. Ignatius, a collateral
form of Egnatius. Gk. 'IyvaTioi; is borrowed
from Latin. Cp. Inigo.
igneous, adj., fiery. — L. igneus, 'of fire, fiery', fr.
ignis, 'fire', which is cogn. with OI. agnlh,
OSlav. ogni, Lith. ugnis, Lett, uguns, 'fire'. Cp.
Agni, gelignite. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L.
-us, see suff. -ous.
ignescent, adj., emitting sparks of fire. — L.
ignescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of ignescere,
'to take fire', formed with inchoative suff. -escere
fr. L. ignis, 'fire'. See igneous and -escent.
ignis fatuus, phosphorescent light seen hovering
over swamps, will-o'-the wisp; delusion. — L.,
lit. 'foolish fire'. See prec. word and fatuous.
ignite, tr. v., to set on fire; intr. v., to take fire. —
L. ignitus, pp. of ignire, 'to set on fire', fr. ignis.
See igneous.
Derivatives: ignit-able, adj., ignit-er, n., ignit-
ion, n.
ignivomous, adj., vomiting fire. — Late L. igni-
vomus, compounded of L. ignis, 'fire', and vo-
mer e, 'to vomit'. See igneous and vomit.
ignoble, adj., 1) of low birth; 2) base; 3) dis-
honorable. — F., fr. L. igndbilis, 'unknown, un-
distinguished, obscure', fr. i- and OL. gnobilis
(L. nobilis), 'known, famous, renowned, noble'.
See noble.
Derivatives: ignoble-ness, n., ignobl-y, adv.
ignominious, adj., disgraceful, dishonorable, con-
temptible. — F. ignominieux(fem. ignominieuse),
fr. L. igndminiosus, 'disgraceful, shameful', fr.
igndminia. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: ignominious-ly, adv., ignominious-
ness, n.
769
illation
ignominy, n., disgrace, dishonor. — F. ignominie,
fr. L. igndminia, 'disgrace, dishonor', lit. 'with-
out a name', fr. i- and ndmen, gen. ndminis,
'name'. See name and cp. nominal.
Derivative: ignominious (q.v.)
ignoramus, n., an ignorant person. — L. ig-
noramus, 'we do not know'. See ignore.
ignorance, n. — F., fr. L. igndrantia, 'want of
knowledge', fr. ignorans, gen. -antis, pres. part,
of ignordre. See ignore and -ance.
ignorant, adj. — F., fr. L. ignorantem, acc. of
ignorans, pres. part, of ignordre. See ignore
and -ant.
Derivatives: ignorant, n., ignorant-ly, adv.
ignoration, n., the act of ignoring. — L. igndrdtid,
gen. -dnis, fr. igndratus, pp. of ignordre. See
ignore and -ation.
ignore, tr. v. — F. ignorer, fr. L. ignordre, 'not
to know, to have no knowledge of, to be igno-
rant', fr. *in-gno-rus, 'not knowing' (cp. the
gradational variant igndrus, of s.m.); formed
fr. i- and I.-E. suff. *gnd-, 'to know', whence also
OL. gnoscere, L. noscere, 'to know', L. ndtus,
'known', Gk. Yiyvtoaxeiv, 'to know', yvwt6?,
'known'. See know and cp. noble, note. Cp. also
gnome, 'a maxim', gnosis, gnostic.
iguana, n., a large tropical American lizard. —
Sp., fr. Caribbean iwana, ihuana, iuana. Cp.
guana and leguan.
Iguanidae, n. pi., a family of lizards (zool.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -idae.
Iguanodon, n., a genus of dinosaurs (paleontol.)
— A hybrid coined fr. iguana and Gk. 68<ov,
gen. oSovto?, 'tooth'. See odonto-.
ihleite, n., a hydrous ferric sulfate (mineral.) — ■
Named in 1876 after Ihle, superintendent of
mines in Mugrau, Bohemia. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
ihram, n., the dress consisting of two white cloths
worn by Mohammedan pilgrims to Mecca. —
Arab, ihrdm, 'prohibition, interdiction', prop,
inf. of dhrama, 'he prohibited, interdicted', 4th
conjugation of hdrama, 'he prohibited'. See
harem.
il-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before /, as in
illumine.
il-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before /, as
in illegal.
-il, suff. — A var. of -ile.
ilang-ilang, n., also ylang-ylang, a tree of the
Philippines, Malaysia, etc. (Canagiumodoratum).
— Tagala, lit. 'flower of flowers'.
-ile, also -il, adj. suff. denoting ability or capac-
ity. — L. -His (either directly or through the
medium of OF. or F. -il, fern. -ile).
ile-, combining form. — See ileo-.
ileac, adj., pertaining to the ileus. — See iliac,
'pertaining to the ileus'.
ileitis, n., inflammation of the ileum (med.) —
Medical L., formed fr. ileum with suff. -iris.
ileo-, ile-, combining form denoting the ileum.
— See ileum.
ilesite, n., a hydrous manganese zinc iron sulfate
(mineral.) — Named after the metallurgist
M.W.Iles of Denver (died in 1890), who ana-
lyzed it. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
ileum, n., the lower part of the small intestine
(anat.) — L. ileum, 'groin, flank'. See ilium.
ileus, n., colic (med.) — L. ileos, ileus, 'a severe
kind of colic', fr. Gk. slXe6s, Ikeoc,, of s.m.,
orig. 'a winding, twisting', fr. el\iu>, 'I wind,
roll up tight', which stands for *FeX-veu, fr.
I.-E. base *wel-, 'to bend, turn, twist, roll'. See
volute and cp. words there referred to.
ilex, n., 1) the holm oak; 2) {cap.) a genus of
plants, the holly (bot.) — L. ilex, prob. a pre-
Indo-European word.
iliac, adj., pertaining to the ilium. — F. iliaque,
'pertaining to the ilium', fr. L. iliacus, fr. ilia,
pi. of ilium. See ilium.
iliac, also ileac, adj., pertaining to the ileus. —
F. iliaque, fr. L. ileus, 'colic'; confused with
iliaque, 'pertaining to the ilium'. See ileus and
cp. prec. word.
Iliad, n., Greek epic poem attributed to Homer
telling of the siege of Troy. — L. Ilias, gen.
lliadis, fr. Gk. ''IXiai;, gen. *IXt.aSo;, 'the Iliad',
short for ± Tkia.q iroiv)(jt?, lit. 'poem treating of
Ilium', fr. "IXio? "IXiov, 'Ilium, Troy', prop,
'city of Ilus', fr. T IXo<;, 'Ilus', founder of Ilium.
For the ending see suff. -ad.
ilio-, combining form meaning 1) 'of the ilium';
2) 'iliac and'. — Fr. L. ilium. See ilium.
-ility, a suff. denoting ability. — F. -ilite, fr. L.
-ilitdtem, acc. of -ilitds; formed from adjectives
ending in -ile, -il, -able, -ible, as in fragility,
civility, capability, sensibility.
ilium, n., one of the broad upper bones of the
pelvis (anat.) — L. ilium (also ile and ileum),
usually pi. ilia, 'groin, flank', prob. cogn. with
Gk. {Xta, explained by Hesychius as (j.6pia
ITjvaixela (female genitals), possibly also with
Pol. jelito, 'gut, sausage'; pi. 'intestines'. Cp.
ileum, iliac, 'pertaining to the ilium', jade,
'nephrite'.
ilk, adj., the same (obsol.); n., family, kind (col-
loq.) — ME. ilke, ilk, fr. OE. ilea, 'the same',
which prob. stands for *i-lica, fr. 1-, 'the same'
(from the pronominal base *;'-, whence also
Goth, is, 'he'), and OE. gelic, 'like'. See idem
and like, adj., and cp. each.
ill, adj. — ME. ille, ill, fr. ON. illr, 'ill, bad', of
uncertain origin.
illaqueate, tr. v., to ensnare. — L. illaquedtus,
pp. of illaquedre, 'to take in a snare, ensnare',
formed fr. in-, 'in', and laquedre, 'to ensnare',
fr. laqeus, 'noose, snare', which is rel. to lacere,
'to entice'. See lace and verbal suff. -ate and
cp. Olicium.
illation, n., inference; that which is inferred. —
L. illdtid, 'deduction', lit. 'a carrying or bring-
ing in', fr. Hiatus, 'brought in' (used as pp. of
inferre, 'to bring in'), fr. in-, 'in', and latus,
'born, carried' (used as pp. of ferre, 'to bear,
illative
770
carry'), which stands for *tldtos, fr. *t/-, zero
degree of I.-E. base *tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry',
whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to
bear, support'. See tolerate and cp. collate and
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ion.
illative, adj., pertaining to an illation, inferential.
— Late L. illdtivus, fr. L. Hiatus, 'brought in'.
See prec. word and -ive.
Derivative: illative-ly, adv.
Ulaudable, adj., not laudable. — L. illauddbilis,
fr. in-, 'not' and lauddbilis, 'praiseworthy,
laudable'. See laudable.
Derivatives : illaudabl-y, adv.
ille, pron., that one, he. — L., altered — prob.
under the influence of is, 'he', iste, 'this, that' —
fr. OL. ollus, olle, 'that one, he', which is rel.
to Oscan ulleis, 'his' (corresponding to L. ilttus,
gen. of ille), and to L. dl-im, 'formerly', ul-tra,
'on the other side, beyond', prob. also to al-ius,
'another', and cogn. with OSlav. lani, Czech
loni, Pol loni (for *olnei), 'last year' (lit. 'in
that year'), Olr. oil, 'large, wide, ample', lit.
'beyond (measure)'. The personal pronouns:
It. egli, ella, 'he, she', Rum. el, ea, Proven?, el,
Ha, F. il, elle, Catal. ell, ella, Sp. el, ella, Port.
elle, ella, 'he, she', and the defin. articles: It.
il, lo, la, Rum. -le, Provenc. lo, le, la, F. le, la,
Sp. el, lo, la, Port, o, a, 'the', all derive fr. L. ille,
'he', resp. ilia, 'she'. See else, ultra and cp. a la,
alarm, alfresco, Algernon, alligator, al segno,
dal segno, del credere, El Dorado, lagniappe,
langue d'oil, lierre, lingot, louver, postil.
illegal, adj. — F. illegal, fr. ML. illegalis, 'un-
lawful, illegal', which is formed fr. in-, 'not',
and L. legalis, 'pertaining to law, legal'. See
legal.
Derivatives illegal-ity, n., illegal-ly, adv., illegal-
ness, n.
illegible, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and legible.
Derivatives: illegibil-ity, n., illegible-ness, n.,
illegibl-y, adv.
illegitimacy, n. — Formed fr. illegitimate with
surf. -cy. Cp. legitimacy.
illegitimate, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
legitimate.
Derivatives: illegitimate, n. and tr. v., illegi-
timat-ion, n.
illiberal, adj. — F. illiberal, fr. L. illiberdlis, 'un-
worthy of a freeman, ungenerous', which is
formed fr. in-, 'not', and liberdlis, 'pertaining
to a freeman, pertaining to freedom'. See
liberal.
Derivatives: illiberal-ity, n., illiberal-ly, adv.,
illiberal-ness, n.
illicit, adj., not lawful. — F. illicite, fr. L. illi-
citus, 'not allowed, unlawful, illegal', which is
formed fr. in-, 'not', and licitus, 'allowed, law-
ful'. See licit.
Derivatives: illicit-ly, adv., itticit-ness, n.
Illicium, n., a genus of trees of the magnolia
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. L. illicium, 'allure-
ment', lit. 'that which entices or allures', fr. in-,
'in', and lacere, 'to entice'; see lace and cp.
illaqueate. For the change of Latin a (in lacere)
to I (in il-licere) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
illinition, n., a smearing in or on. — Formed
with suff. -ition fr. L. illinire, a later var. of illi-
nere, 'to besmear', fr. in-, 'in', and linire, a later
var. of linere, 'to smear, daub'. See liniment
and -ion.
illinium, n., an element of the rare-earth group,
now called promethium (chem.) — ModL.,
coined in 1926 by the American chemist B. Smith
Hopkins, of the University of Illinois, from the
name of the State of Illinois. For the ending see
suff. -ium.
illiteracy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
illiterate, adj. — L. illiterdtus, 'unlearned, igno-
rant', fr. in-, 'not', and literdtus, 'learned'. See
literate.
Derivatives: illiterate, n., illiterate-ly, adv., il-
literate-ness, n.
ill-starred, adj. — Coined fr. ill, star and -ed.
Cp. evil-starred.
illth, n. — Coined by the English author and art
critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) in i860 (see
Unto this Last, IV, 126) fr. ill and subst. suff. -th
on the analogy of wealth. Cp. coolth.
illude. tr. v. ; to mock (obsol.); tc trick. — L. il-
ludere, 'to play with, sport with, mock at; to
deceive', fr. in-, 'in', and ludere, 'to play'. See
ludicrous and cp. allude and words there re-
ferred to.
illume, tr. v. — Shortened fr. illumine,
illuminant, adj., illuminating. — L. illumindns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of illuminare. See next
word and -ant.
illuminate, tr. v. — L. illumindtus, pp. of illu-
minare, 'to make light, illuminate', fr. in-, 'in',
and lumen, gen. liiminis, 'light'. See luminous
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. allumette, limn.
Derivatives: illuminat-ed, adj., illuminat-ing,
adj., illuminat-ing-ly, adv., illumination (q.v.),
illuminat-ive, adj., illuminator (q.v.)
illuminatJ, n. pi., 1) persons professing to possess
superior enlightenment; 2) (cap.) name of
various sects. — L., lit. 'enlightened', pi. of illu-
mindtus, pp. of illuminare. See prec. word.
illuminarion, n. — F., fr. L. illumindtionem, acc.
of illuminatio, 'a lighting up; enlightening', fr.
illumindtus, pp. of illuminare. See illuminate and
-ion.
illuminator, n. — Eccles. L. illuminator, 'an en-
lightener' (in ML. also 'illuminator of books'),
fr. L. illumindtus, pp. of illuminare. See illuminate
and agential suff. -or.
illumine, tr. v., to illuminate. — F. illuminer, fr.
L. illuminare. See illuminate.
llluminism, n., the doctrines of the Illuminati. —
F. illuminisme, fr. L. illuminare. See Illuminati
and -Ism.
771
imbed
Illuminist, n., a believer in llluminism. — Formed
with suff. -ist fr. L. illuminare. See Illuminati.
illusion, n. — F., fr. L. illusionem, acc. of illusid,
'a mocking, jesting', in Eccles. L. 'deception,
illusion', fr. illusus, pp. of illudere, 'to play with,
sport with, mock at; to deceive'. See illude and
-ion and cp. allusion and words there referred to.
Derivatives: illusion-al, adj., illusion-ary, adj.,
illusion-ed, adj., illusion-ism, n., illusion-ist, n.
illusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. il-
lusus, pp. of illudere, 'to play with, sport with,
mock at; to deceive'. See illude, and cp. allusive
and words there referred to.
Derivatives: illusive-ly, adv., illusive-ness.
illusory, adj. — Late L. illusdrius, 'ironical', fr.
L. illusus, pp. of illudere. See illusion and adj.
suff. -ory and cp. elusory.
Derivatives: illusori-ly, adv., illusori-ness, n.
illustrate, tr. v. — L. illustrdtus, pp. of illustrdre,
'to make light, light up, enlighten, illustrate,
render illustrious', fr. in-, 'in', and lustrdre, 'to
illuminate'. See luster, 'brilliance', and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: illustration (q.v.), illustrat-ive, adj.,
illustrat-ive-ly, adv., illustrator (q.v.)
illustration, n. — F., fr. L. illustrdtionem, acc. of
illustrdtid, 'an en l; shtening', fr. illusirdtuj, pp.
of illustrdre. See illustrate and -ion.
Derivative: illustration-al, adj.
illustrator, n. — L. illustrator, 'an enlightener',
fr. illustrdtus, pp. of illustrdre. See illustrate and
agential suff. -or.
illustrious, adj. — L. illustris, 'light, bright, bril-
liant; clear; famous', prob. back formation fr.
illustrdre. See illustrate and -ous.
Derivatives :Wustrious-ly,a<i\.,Hlustrious-ness,ri.
Illyrian, adj., pertaining to Illyria, an ancient
country extending along the NE. shore of the
Adriatic. — Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Illyria,
fr. Gk. 'IXXupta, which is short for 7) x^P s ^
'IXXupia, 'the Illyrian country', 'IXXupia being
the fern, of 'IXXupto?, 'Illyrian'.
Derivative: Illyrian, n„ 1) an inhabitant of Il-
lyria ; 2) the language of the Illyrians.
ilmenite, n., a mineral compounded of iron,
titanium and oxygen (mineral.) — Named after
the Ilmen Mountains in the Ural. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
ilvaite, n., an iron calcium silicate (mineral.) —
Named after L. Ilva, name of the island now
called Elba, where it was found. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
Ilysanthes, n., a genus of plants, the false pim-
pernel (bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk.
tx6?, 'mud, mire', and <5ev$o<;, 'flower'. The first
element is cogn. with OSlav. Hit, 'mud, mire'.
For the second element see anther.
im-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before b, m,
p, as in imbibe, immanent, impart. In some Eng-
lish words im- alternates with em- (q.v.)
im-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before b, m,
p, as in imbecile, immature, impatient.
image, n. — F., fr. OF. imagene, fr. L. imdginem,
acc. of imago, 'representation, likeness, picture,
image, appearance, idea', from the stem of
imitdri, 'to copy, imitate'. See imitate.
Derivatives: image, tr. v., image-able, adj.,
imagery (q.v.)
imagery, n., use of figurative language. — ME.
imagerie, fr. OF. imagerie, fr. imagier, 'painter'
(whence obsol. E. imager), fr. image. See prec.
word and -ery.
imaginable, adj. — Late L. imdgindbilis, fr. L.
imdgindri. See imagine and -able.
Derivatives: imaginable-ness, n., imaginabl-y,
adv.
imaginal, adj., pertaining to the imago of an
insect. — Formed with suff. -al fr. L. imago,
gen. imdginis. See image,
imaginary, adj. — L. imdginarius, 'that which
exists only in appearance, imaginary', fr. imago,
gen. imdginis. See image and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives : imaginari-ly,adv., imaginari-ness,n.
imagination, n. — ME., fr. L. imdgindtidnem,
acc. of imagindtio, 'mental image, fancy', fr.
imdgindtus, pp. of imdgindri. See imagine and
•ation.
Derivative: imagination-al, adj.
imaginative, adj. — OF. imaginatif (tern, imagi-
native), fr. Late L. imdgindtivus, 'imaginative',
fr. L. imdgindtus, pp. of imdgindri. See next word
and -ive.
Derivatives: imaginative-ly, adv., imaginative-
ness, n.
imagine, tr. and intr. v. — ME., fr. MF. (=F.)
imaginer, fr. L. imdgindri, 'to picture to oneself,
imagine', fr. imago, gen. -inis; see image. L.
imdgindri is prop, a loan translation of Gk.
(pavTa^Etj&ou, 'to become visible, imagine'. See
image. Derivative: imagin-er, n.
imago, n., the final stage of an insect (entomol.) —
L. imago, 'picture'. See image,
imam, also imaum, n., 1) the leading priest in a
Moslem mosque ; 2) religious leader of Islam. —
Arab, imdm, 'leader', lit. 'one who precedes', fr.
dmma, 'he preceded',
imamah, n., the office or dignity of an imam. —
Arab. imdma h , fr. imdm. See prec. word,
imaret, n., in Turkey, an inn. — Turk., fr. Arab.
Hmdra h , 'pious institution, hospice', fr. 'dmara,
'he lived'.
imbecile, adj., mentally feeble; n., a mentally
feeble person. — F. imbecile, fr. L. imbecillus,
'weak, feeble', which prob. stands for *im-
baccillos and lit. means 'without a staff, without
support', fr. in-, 'not', and bacillum, 'a small
staff', dimin. of baculum, 'staff'. See bacillus
and cp. debacle.
Derivative : imbecile-ly, adv.
imbecility, n. — F. imbecillite, fr. L. imbecilli-
tdtem, acc. of imbecillitds, 'weakness, feeble-
ness', fr. imbecillus. See prec. word and -ity.
imbed, tr. v. — Formed fr. im-, 'in', and bed; var.
of embed.
imbibe
772
imbibe, tr. v., to drink in. — F. imbiber, fr. L. im-
bibere, 'to drink in', fr. in-, 'in', and bibere, 'to
drink', whence bibulus, 'drinking readily'. See
bibulous and cp. beverage. Cp. also imbrue.
Derivatives: imbib-er, n., imbibition (q.v.)
imbibition, n. — F., fr. L. imbibit-(um), pp. stem
of imbibere, 'to drink in'. See prec. word and
-ition.
imbitter, tr. v., obsol. var. of embitter,
imbrex, n., a roof tile (Roman antiq.) — L. See
next word.
imbricate, adj., overlapping like tiles (zool. and
bot.) — L. imbricdtus, 'covered with tiles', pp.
of imbricdre, 'to cover with tiles ; to form like
a tile', fr. imbrex, gen. imbricis, 'a hollow roof
tile to lead off the rain', fr. imber, gen. imbris,
'rain', which stands for *mbhros and is cogn.
with Gk. 8|x(3po?, 'rain', OI. abhrdm, 'cloud,
atmosphere', k\e.%l\cawr e m, 'cloud', OI. dmbhah,
'water', Arm. amb, amp, 'cloud', ump, 'drink',
and also with L. nebula, 'mist'. See nebula and
cp. ombro-. Gk. dccpp6?, 'foam', is not cognate
with L. imber, but with Arm. p'rp'ur, 'foam'.
imbricate tr. v., to lay so as to overlap; intr. v.,
to overlap. — L. imbricdtus, pp. of imbricdre.
See imbricate, adj.
Derivatives: imbricat-ed, adj., imbricat-ion, n.,
imbricat-ive, adj.
imbroglio, n., a confused situation; perplexity. —
It., fr. imbrogliare, 'to entangle, confuse, em-
broil', which prcb. derives fr. MF. (= F.) em-
brouiller. See embroil.
imbrue, tr. v., to stain, soil. — ME. embrowen,
embrewen, fr. OF. embevrer, embreuver, 'to give
to drink, to moisten', fr. VL. *imbiberdre, 'to
give to drink', which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and
L. bibere, 'to drink'. See bibulous and cp. imbibe.
imbrute, tr. v., to make like a brute; intr. v., to
sink to the level of a brute. — Formed fr. in-,
'in', and brute.
imbue, tr. v., to saturate. — L. imbuere, 'to wet,
moisten, stain, taint; to accustom, inure, ini-
tiate', of uncertain origin.
imburse, tr. v., to put into one's purse or a purse.
(rare). — VL. imbursdre (whence also F. em-
bourser), fr. in-, 'in', and Late L. bursa, 'leather
bag'. See burse and cp. bursar, reimburse.
imide, imid, n., a compound of the bivalent radi-
cal NH united to a bivalent acid radical (chem.)
— Coined through alteration of amide, amid.
imido-, combining form meaning 'containing the
bivalent radical NH united to a bivalent acid
radical' (chem.) — Fr. prec. word.
imidogen, n., the bivalent radical NH (chem.) —
Coined fr. imido- and -gen.
imine, imin, n., a compound containing the bi-
valent radical NH united to a bivalent hydro-
carbon radical (chem.) — Coined through alter-
ation of amine, amin.
imino-, combining form meaning 'containing the
bivalent radical NH united to nonacid radicals'
(chem.) — Fr. prec. word.
imitable, adj. — F., fr. L. imitdbilis, 'that which
may be imitated, imitable', fr. imitdri. See next
word and -able.
Derivatives: imitabil-ity, n., imitable-ness, n.
imitate, tr. v. — L. imitdtus, pp. of imitdri, 'to
represent, copy, imitate, counterfeit', rel. to
im-dgd, 'representation, likeness, picture, image,
appearance, idea', and in gradational relation-
ship to aemulus, 'striving to equal', aemuldri,
'to strive to equal'. See image and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. emulate. Cp. also even, adj.
imitation, n. — F., fr. L. imitdtidnem, acc. of imi-
tdtid, 'imitation', fr. imitdtus, pp. of imitdri. See
prec. word and -ion.
imitative, adj. — L. imitdtivus, fr. imitdtus, pp.
of imitdri. See imitate and -ive.
Derivatives: imitative-ly, adv., imitative-ness, n.
immaculacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
immaculate, adj., spotless; pure. — L. imma-
culdtus, 'unstained', fr. in-, 'not', and maculdtus,
'spotted, stained', pp. of maculdre, 'to make
spotted, to stain; to defile', fr. macula, 'spot,
mark'. See macula and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: immaculate-ly, adv., immaculate-
ness, n.
immane, adj. (archaic), i) monstrous, huge; 2) in-
human ; cruel. — L. immdnis, 'monstrous, enor-
mous, huge', lit. 'not good', fr. in-, 'not' and
OL. mdnus, 'good', which is rel. to manes, 'the
gods of the Lower World', lit. 'the good gods', a
euphemistic term. See manes.
Derivatives: immane-ly, adv., immane-ness, n.
immanence, immanency, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
immanent, adj., indwelling; inherent. — Late L.
immanens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of immanere,
'to dwell in, remain in', fr. in-, 'in', and L. ma-
nere, 'to remain, stay'. See remain and -ent.
Derivatives: immanent-al, adj., immanent-ly,
adv.
immanity, n., monstrosity, enormity. — L. im-
mdnitds, 'monstrous', fr. immdnis. See immane
and -ity.
Immanuel, masc. PN. — Heb. 'Immdnffil, lit.
'God (is) with us'. This name is compounded
of 'imminu, 'with us' (which is formed fr. 'im,
'with', with the pronominal suff. of the 1st
person pi.), and El, 'God'. Heb. Urn derives fr.
stem '-m-m, 'to join, be united', whence also
'am, 'people'. See Amhaarez. For the second
element in the name Immanuel see El. Cp. Em-
manuel, Manuel.
immarcessible, adj., unfading, imperishable. —
Late L. immarcescibilis, 'unfading', fr. in-, 'not',
and marcescibilis, 'withering', fr. L. marcescere,
'to wither, pine away'. See marcescent and -ible.
Derivatives: immarcessible-ness, n., immarces-
sibl-y, adv.
immaterial, adj. — ML. immaterialis, fr. in-,
'not', and Late L. materidlis, 'of matter;
material'. See material.
773
immoralism
Derivatives: immaterial-ism, n., immaterial-ist,
n., immaterial-ity, n., immaterial-ize, tr. v., im-
materially, adv., immaterial-ness, n.
immature, adj. — L. immaturus, 'unripe, un-
timely, immature', fr. in-, 'not', and maturus,
'ripe, mature'. See mature.
Derivatives: immatur-ity, n., immature-ly, adv.,
immature-ness, n.
immeasurable, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
measurable. Cp. immensurable.
Derivatives: immeasurabil-ity, n., immeasurable-
ness, n., immeasurabl-y, adv.
immediacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
immediate, adj. — ML. immedidtus, fr. in-, 'not',
and Late L. medidtus, pp. of medidre, 'to divide
in the middle, to halve'. See mediate, v., and cp.
intermediate.
Derivatives: immediate-ly, adv., immediate-
ness, n.
immedicable, adj., incurable. — L. immediedbilis,
'incurable', fr. in-, 'not', and mediedbilis,
'curable'. See medicable.
immemorable, adj., not memorable. — L. im-
memordbilis, fr. in-, 'not', and memordbilis,
'remarkable, memorable'. See memorable.
immemorial, adj., extending beyond memory. —
ML. immemoridlis, fr. in-, 'not', and L. memo-
ridlis, 'of memory'. See memorial.
Derivative : immemorial-ly, adv.
immense, adj. — F., fr. L. immensus, 'immeasur-
able, boundless, vast, immense', fr. in-, 'not',
and mensus, 'measured', pp. of metior, metiri,
'to measure'. See measure, mete.
Derivatives: immense, n., immense-ly, adv., im-
mense-ness, n., immensity (q.v.)
immensity, n. — F. immensite, fr. L. immensi-
tdtem, acc. of immensitds, 'immeasurableness,
immensity', fr. immensus. See prec. word and
-ity.
immensurable, adj. — F., fr. Late L. immensurd-
bilis, 'immeasurable', fr. in-, 'not', and men-
surdbilis, 'measurable'. See mensurable.
Derivatives: immensurabil-ity, n., immensurable-
ness, n.
immerge, tr. v., to immerse; intr. v., to plunge. —
L. immergere, 'to plunge into'. See next word.
immerse, tr. v., to plunge into. — L. immersus,
pp. of immergere, 'to plunge into', fr. in-, 'in',
and mergere, 'to dip, immerse, plunge'. See
merge and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: immers-ed, immers-ible, adjs., im-
mersion (q.v.)
immersion, n. — Late L. immersid, gen. -dnis, 'a
plunging into', fr. L. immersus, pp. of immergere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: immersion-ism, n., immersion-ist, n.
immigrant, adj. and n. — L. immigrdns, gen. -an-
tis, pres. part, of immigrdre. See next word and
-ant.
immigrate, intr. and tr. v. — L. immigrdt-(um),
pp. stem of immigrdre, 'to go or remove into',
fr. in-, 'in', and migrdre, 'to remove (from one
place to another)'. See migrate.
Derivatives: immigrat-ion, n., immigrat-ory, adj.
imminence, imminency, n. — Late L. imminentia,
fr. L. imminens, gen. -entis. See next word and
-ce, resp. -cy.
imminent, adj. — L. imminens, gen. imminentis,
pres. part, of imminere, 'to hang over, project
over; to threaten, be imminent', fr. in-, 'in', and
I.-E. base *men-, 'to stand out, project'. See
mount, 'hill, mountain', and -ent and cp. emin-
ent, prominent.
Derivatives: imminent-ly, adv., imminent-ness,a.
immission, n., injection. — L. immissid, gen.
-dnis, 'a sending in, introduction', fr. immissus,
pp. of immittere. See next word and -ion.
immit, tr. v., to send in; to inject. — L. immittere,
'to send in, introduce', fr. in-, 'in', and mittere,
'to send'. See mission.
immitigable, adj. — Late L. immitigdbilis, 'not
mitigable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. mitigdre, 'to
make soft, mitigate'. See mitigate and -able.
immobile, adj. — F., fr. L. immdbilis, 'immov-
able', fr. in-, 'not', and mdbilis, 'movable'. See
mobile.
immobility, n. — F. immobilite, fr. L. immdbili-
tdtem, acc. of immdbilitds, 'immovableness', fr.
immdbilis. See prec. word and -ity.
immobilize, tr. v. — F. immobiliser, fr. L. im-
mdbilis. See immobile and -ize.
Derivative: immobiliz-ation, n.
immoderate, adj. — L. immoderdtus, 'without
measure; intemperate, unrestrained', fr. in-,
'not', and moderdtus, pp. of moderdre, 'to mod-
erate'. See moderate, adj.
Derivatives: immoderate-ly, adv., immoderate-
ness, n.
immoderation, n. — L. immoderdtid, gen. -dnis,
'want of moderation, excess', fr. immoderdtus.
See prec. word and -ion.
immodest, adj. — L. immodestus, 'unrestrained,
immoderate', fr. in-, 'not', and modestus,
'measured, moderate; modest'. See modest.
Derivative: immodest-ly, adv.
immodesty, n. — L. immodestia, 'immoderate
conduct', fr. immodestus, 'immoderate'. See
prec. word and -y (representing L. -ia).
immolate, tr. v., to kill (a sacrificial victim), to
sacrifice. — L. immoldtus, pp. of immoldre, 'to
sacrifice', lit. 'to sprinkle (the sacrificial victim)
with meal', fr. in-, 'in', and mola, 'mealstone;
meal'. See molar, 'grinding' and verbal suff. -ate.
immolation, n. — L. immoldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
sacrificing', fr. immoldtus, pp. of immoldre. See
prec. word and -ion.
immoral, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and moral.
Derivatives: immoral-it y, n., immoral-ly, adv.
immoralism, n., moral indifference; immorality.
— G. Immoralismus, coined by the German
philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-
1900) fr. F. (= E.) immoral (see prec. word) and
suff. -ismus, fr. L. -ismus. See -ism.
immoral ist
774
immoralist, n., an advocate of immoralism. —
See prec. word and -ist.
Derivatives: immoralist, immoralist-ic, adjs.
immortal, adj. — L. immortdlis, 'deathless, un-
dying, immortal, everlasting', fr. in-, 'not', and
mortdlis, 'mortal'. See mortal and cp. immor-
telle.
Derivatives: immortal, n., immortality (q.v.),
immortalize (q.v.)
immortality, n. — F. immortalite, fr. L. immor-
tdlitdtem, acc. of immortdlitds, 'immortality', fr.
immortdlis. See prec. word and -ity.
immortalize, tr. v. — Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
immortdlis. See immortal.
Derivative: immortaliz-ation, n.
immortelle, n., any of various flowers which pre-
serve their shape and color even after being
dried. — F., fem. of immortel, 'immortal', used
as a noun. See immortal,
immovable, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
movable.
Derivatives: immovabit-ity, n., immovable-ness,
n., immovabl-y, adv.
immune, adj., i) free from obligation, exempt;
2) protected from a certain disease. — L. im-
mfmis, 'exempt from public service, free from
taxes; exempt, free', formed fr. in-, 'not', and
-munis, from the stem of munia (pi.), 'duties,
services', which is rel. to L. com-miinis, 'com-
mon'. See common, adj.
immunity, n. — F. immunite, fr. L. immunitdtem,
acc. of immiinitds, 'exemption from public
service', fr. immunis. See prec. word and -ity.
immunize, tr. v. — Formed with suff. -ize fr. L.
immiinis. See imune.
Derivative: immuniz-ation, n.
immuno-, combining form meaning 'immune, im-
munity'. — Fr. L. immunis. See immune.
immunology, n., that branch of science which
deals with immunity. — A hybrid coined fr.
immuno- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who
speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals
(with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: immunolog-ic, immunolog-ic-al,
adjs., immunolog-ist, n.
immure, tr. v., to shut up. — Lit. 'to shut up
within walls', fr. ML. immurdre, fr. in-, 'in', and
L. murus, 'wall'. See mural.
Derivatives: immur-ation, n., immure-ment, n.
immutability, n. — L. immutdbilitds, fr. immutd-
bilis. See next word and -ity.
immutable, adj. — L. immiltdbilis, 'unchangeable',
fr. in-, 'not', and miitdbilis, 'changeable', fr.
mutdre, 'to change'. See mutable.
Derivatives: immutable-ness, n., immutabl-y,
adv.
imp, n., a little devil. — ME. impe, fr. OE. impa,
'shoot, graft; young tree', fr. impian, 'to graft'.
See imp, v.
Derivatives: imp-ish, adj., imp-ish-ly, adv., imp-
ish-ness, n.
imp, tr. v., 1) to graft, engraft; 2) to repair (a
wing). — ME. impen, fr. OE. impian, 'to graft',
fr. VL. "imputdre [whence also OHG. impfon
(MHG., G. impferi), F. enter], fr. Late L. im-
potus, 'graft', a word occurring in the Salic
Law, fr. Gk. e^tpuTO?, 'implanted', verbal adj.
of c[i.<pueiv, 'to implant', which is formed fr. bj
(see 2nd en-) and ipikiv, 'to bring forth, pro-
duce'. See phyto-.
impact, tr. v., to press firmly. — L. impactus, pp.
of impingere, 'to strike against'. See impinge.
impact, n., a striking together; collision; the
force of a collision. — L. impactus, fr. impactus,
pp. of impingere. See impact, v.
impaction, n. — L. impactid, gen. -dnis, 'a striking
against', fr. impactus, pp. of impingere. See im-
pact, v., and -ion.
impair, tr. v., to make worse; to damage. — ME.
empeiren, fr. OF. empeirier, earlier form of em-
pirier (F. empirer), fr. VL. *impejdrare, 'to make
worse', fr. in-, 'in', and L. pejor, 'worse'. See
pejorative.
Derivatives: impair-er, n., impair-ment, n.
impale, tr. v., to fix on a stake. — F. empaler, fr.
ML. impdldre, 'to fix on a stake', fr. in-, 'in',
and L. pdlus, 'stake'. See pale and cp. empale,
impalement, n. — F. empalement, fr. empaler.
See prec. word and -ment.
impanate, adj., present in the consecrated bread
{Christian theol.) — Eccles. L. impdndtus, pp. of
impdndre, 'to embody in bread', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. pdnis, 'bread'. See pastor and cp. panification.
For the ending see adj. suff. -ate.
impanation, n. — ML. impdndtio, gen. -dnis, fr.
Eccles. L. impdndtus, pp. of impdndre. See prec.
word and -ion.
impanel, tr. v. — A var. of empanel.
impark, tr. v. — OF. emparquer, fr. pare. See
im-, 'in', and park.
Derivative: impark-ation, n.
impart, tr. v. — OF. empartir, fr. L. impartire, 'to
share with another, impart, communicate',
which is formed fr. in-, 'in', and partire, 'to
divide, distribute', fr. pars, gen. partis, 'part'.
See part, n.
Derivatives: impart-ation, n., impart-ment, n.
impartible, adj., indivisible (said of an estate). —
Late L. impartibilis, fr. im-, 'not', and partibilis,
'divisible'. See part, n., and -ible.
Derivatives : impartibil-ity, n., impartibl-y, adv.
impartible, adj., capable of being imparted. —
Formed fr. impart with suff. -ible.
Derivative: impartibil-ity, n.
impasse, n., blind alley. — F., formed fr. in-,
'not', and passer, 'to pass'. See pass, v,
impassibility, n. — Late L. impassibilitds, fr. im-
passibilis. See next word and -ity.
impassible, adj. — Late L. impassibilis, 'incap-
able of passion', fr. in-, 'not', and passibilis. See
passible.
Derivatives: impassible-ness, n., impassibl-y,
adv.
impassion, tr. v. — It. impassionare, 'to fill with
775
Imperfect
passion', fr. in (fr. L. in, see in-, 'in') and passione
(fr. L. passidnem, acc. of passid), 'passion'. See
passion.
Derivatives: impassion-ed, adj., impassion-ed-ly,
adv., impassion-ed-ness, n.
impassionate adj., free from passion. — Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and passionate.
impassive, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and pas-
sive.
Derivatives: impassive-ly, adv., impassiv-ity, n.
impaste, tr. v., to cover with paste. — It. im-
pastare, fr. in (fr. L. in, see in-, 'in'), and pasta,
'paste'. See paste,
impasto, n., laying on of colors thickly (painting).
— It., fr. impastare. See prec. word,
impatience, n. — ME. impacience, fr. OF. im-
patience, impatience (F. impatience), fr. L. im-
patientia, fr. impatiens, gen. -entis. See impa-
tient and -ce and cp. patience.
Impatiens, n., a genus of plants, the balsam (bot.)
— L., 'impatient' (see next word): so called in
allusion to the circumstance that the pods burst
when touched.
impatient, adj. — ME. impatient, fr. OF. im-
patient, impatient (F. impatient), fr. L. im-
patientem, acc. of impatiens, 'impatient', fr. in-,
'not', and patiens, 'suffering, patient', pres. part,
of pati, 'to suffer'. See patient.
Derivatives: impatient-ly, adv., impatient-ness,n.
impawn, tr. v., to put in pawn. — Formed fr.
in-, 'in', and pawn, 'pledge'.
impayable, adj., that cannot be paid. — F.,
formed fr. in-, 'not', and payable. See payable.
impeach, tr. v., to accuse. — ME. empechen, fr.
OF. empescher, empeechier (F. empicher), 'to
prevent, hinder, impede', fr. Late L. impedicdre,
'to entangle', fr. in-, 'in', and L. pedica, 'shackle,
fetter'. See impede and cp. depeche.
Derivative: impeach-able, adj., impeach-ment, n.
impearl, tr. v., to form into pearls or pearl-like
drops. — Formed on analogy of F. emperler fr.
in-, 'in', and pearl.
impeccable, adj., 1) not liable to sin; 2) faultless.
— Late L. impeccdbilis, 'impeccable', lit. 'not
liable to sin', fr. in-, 'not', and L. peccare, 'to
sin'. See peccant and -able.
Derivatives: impeccabil-ity, n., impeccabl-y, adv.
impeccant, adj., sinless. — See prec. word and
-ant
impecuniosity, n. — See next word and -ity.
impecunious, adj., habitually without money;
poor. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', L. pecunia,
'money', and suff. -ous. See pecuniary.
impedance, n., the apparent resistance in an alter-
nating electric current. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ance.
impede, tr. v., to obstruct. — L. impedire, 'to en-
tangle, ensnare, shackle, hinder, impede', lit.
'to put the feet into fetters', fr. im-, 'in', and
'pedis, 'fetter', prop, 'chain for the feet', which
is rel. to pedica, 'shackle, fetter', compes, 'fet-
ter', and cogn. with Gk. tUSti, 'fetter', fr. I.-E.
base *pid-, *p3d-, 'foot'. See foot and cp. fetter.
Cp. also pedal, expedient, impeach.
Derivatives: imped-er, n., imped-ible, adj., im-
ped-ibil-ity, n., impediment (q.v.)
impediment, n., hindrance. — L. impedimentum,
lit. 'that by which one is impeded', fr. 'impedire.
See impede and -ment.
Derivatives: impediment-al, adj., impediment-
ary, adj.
impedimenta, n. pi., traveling equipment. — L.,
'traveling equipage, luggage, baggage', lit. 'that
by which one is impeded (on a journey)', pi. of
impedimentum. See prec. word.
impel, tr. v. — L. impellere, 'to push, strike
against; to drive forward, urge on; incite, in-
stigate', fr. in-, 'in', and pellere, 'to drive'. See
appeal and pulse, 'throb', and cp. impulse.
Derivative: impell-ent, adj.
impend, intr. v., 1) to hang over; 2) to be about
to happen. — L. impendere, 'to hang over; to
impend, be imminent, threaten', fr. in-, 'in',
and pendere, 'to hang'. See pendant.
impendence, impendency, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
impendent, adj., impending. — L. impendens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of impendere, 'to hang over'.
See impend and -ent.
impenetrable, adj. — ME. impenetrabel, fr. MF.
(= F.) impenetrable, fr. L. impenetrabilis, 'that
cannot be penetrated; unyielding', fr. in-, 'not',
and penetrdbilis. See penetrable. -
Derivatives: impenetrabil-ity, n., impenetrable-
ness, n., impenetrabl-y, adv.
impenetrate, intr. v., to penetrate deeply. —
Formed fr. in-, 'in', and penetrate.
Derivative: impenetrat-ion, n.
impenitence, impenitency, n. — L. impaenitentia,
fr. impaenitens, gen. -entis. See next word and
suff. -ce, resp. -cy, and cp. penitence.
impenitent, adj. — L. impaenitens, gen. -entis, 'not
repenting', fr. in-, 'not', and paenitens, gen. -en-
tis, pres. part, of paenitere, 'to repent'. See
penitent
Derivatives: impenitent, n., impenitent-ly, adv.,
impenitent-ness, n.
imperative, adj. — L. imperdtivus, 'pertaining to,
or proceeding from, a command', fr. imperdtus,
pp. of imperdre, 'to command'. See emperor
and -ive.
Derivatives: imperative, n., imperativ-al, adj.,
imperative-ly, adv., imperative-ness, n.
imperator, n. — L., 'commander-in-chief, gen-
eral, commander; emperor', fr. imperdtus, pp.
of imperdre, 'to command'. See emperor.
Derivatives: imperator-ial, adj., imperator-iai-
ly, adv.
imperceptible, adj. — F., fr. ML. imperceptibilis,
fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. perceptibilis. See per-
ceptible.
Derivatives: imperceptibil-ity, n., imperceptible-
ness, n., imperceptibl-y, adv.
imperfect, adj. — ME. imperfit, imparfit, fr. MF.
imperfection
776
(= F.) imparfait, fr. L. imperfectus, 'unfinished,
incomplete', fr. in-, 'not', and perfectus, 'finish-
ed, completed' ; see perfect. E. imperfect was re-
modeled after L. imperfectus.
Derivatives: imperfect, n., imperfect-ly, adv.,
imperfect-ness, n.
imperfection, n. — F., fr. Late L. imperfectidnem,
acc. of imperfect id, 'imperfection', fr. L. imper-
fectus. See prec. word and -ion.
imperial, adj. — ME. emperial, imperial, fr. OF.
emperial, imperial (F. imperial), fr. L. imperidlis,
'pertaining to the empire; pertaining to the em-
peror', fr. imperium. See imperium and adj.
suff. -al.
Derivatives: imperial, n., imperial-ism, n., im-
perial-ist, n., imperial-ist-ic, adj., imperial-ize, tr.
v., imperial-ly, adv.
imperious, adj., commanding, dominating, domi-
neering; imperative. — L. imperidsus, 'possess-
ed of power, mighty, powerful; domineering,
tyrannical', fr. imperium. See imperium and -ous.
Derivatives: imperious-ly, adv., imperious-
ness, n.
imperium, n., supreme power; empire; right of
jurisdiction. — L., 'command, order; dominion,
empire', from the stem of imperdre, 'to com-
mand'. See imperator and cp. empire.
impermeable, adj. — F. impermeable, fr. Late L.
impermedbilis, fr. im-, 'not', and permedbilis.
See permeable.
Derivatives: impermeabil-ity, n., impermeable-
ness, n., impermeabl-y, adv.
impersonal, adj. — Late L. impersdnalis, formed
fr. in-, 'not', and personalis, 'personal'. See
personal.
Derivatives: impersonal-ity, n., impersonal-ly,
adv.
impertinence, n. — F. impertinence, fr. ML. im-
pertinentia, fr. Late L. impertinens, gen. -entis.
See next word and -ce.
impertinent, adj. — F., fr. Late L. impertinentem,
acc.of impertinens, 'not belonging, not pertinent',
fr. in-, 'not', and L. pertinens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of pertinere, 'to pertain'. See pertinent.
Derivatives: impertinent-ly, adv., impertinent-
ness, n.
imperturbable, adj. — Late L. imperturbdbilis,
'that cannot be disturbed', fr. in-, 'not', L. per-
turbdre, 'to confuse, disturb', and suff. -dbilis.
See perturb and -able.
Derivatives: imperturbabil-ity, n., imperturbable-
ness, n., imperturbabl-y, adv.
impervious, adj., not allowing passage. — L. im-
pervius, 'that cannot be passed through', fr. in-,
'not', and pervius. See pervious.
Derivatives: impervious-ly, adv., impervious-
ness, n.
impetiginous, adj., afflicted with impetigo. —
Formed with suff. -ous fr. L. impetigo, gen.
-iginis. See next word.
impetigo, n., a pustular disease of the skin (med.)
— L. impetigo, 'eruption of the skin', from im-
petere, 'to rush at, assail, attack; to seek', fr.
in-, 'in', and petere, 'to rush at, attack'. See
petition.
impetrate, tr. v., to obtain by entreaty. — L. im-
petrdtus, pp. of impetrdre, 'to accomplish, ob-
tain, procure', fr. in-, 'not', and patrdre, 'to
bring about', a verb formed fr. pater, gen. patris,
'father' ; see father and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
perpetrate. For the change of Latin d (in pdtrdre)
to <T (in im-petrdre) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
impetration, n. — L. impetrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'an
obtaining by entreaty', fr. impetrdtus, pp. of im-
petrdre. See prec. word and -ion.
impetrative, adj. — L. impetrdtivus, 'obtained by
entreaty', fr. impetrdtus, pp. of impetrdre. See
impetrate and -ive.
impetuosity, n. — F. impetuosite, fr. ML. impe-
tudsitdtem, acc. of impetudsitds, fr. Late L. im-
petudsus. See next word and -ity.
impetuous, adj., vehement, violent. — F. impe-
tueux (fem. impetueuse), fr. Late L. impetudsus,
'impetuous, violent', fr. L. impetus, 'attack'. See
next word and -ous.
Derivatives: impetuous-ly, adv., impetuous-
ness, n.
impetus, n., the force with which a body moves.
— L., 'attack, assault, onset, impulse, violence,
vigor, force, ardor, passion', fr. in-, 'in', and
petere, 'to rush at; to seek'. See petition.
Impeyan pheasant. — Named by the English or-
nithologist John Latham (1740-1837) in 1787
after Sir Elijah and Lady Impey, who tried to
naturalize this bird in England. For the ending
see suff. -an.
impi, n., an organized body of Kaffir warriors.
— Zulu.
impiety, n. — F. impiete, fr. L. impietdtem, acc. of
impietds, 'want of reverence', fr. impius, 'im-
pious'. See impious and -ty and cp. piety.
impinge, intr. v., to strike against; to infringe
upon. — L. impingere, 'to drive or strike a-
gainst', fr. in-, 'in', and pangere, 'to drive in,
fasten, fix; to settle, determine'; see pact. For
the change of L. a (in pangere) to 1" (in im-
pingere) see contingent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivative: impinge-ment, n.
impious, adj. — L. impius, 'irreverent, wicked,
impious', fr. in-, 'not', and pius, 'dutiful, pious*.
See pious.
Derivatives: impious-ly, adv., impious-ness, n.
implacaoility, n. — Late L. impldcdbilitds, fr.
L. implacabilis. See next word and -ity.
implacable, adj. — F., fr. L. implacabilis, 'un-
appeasable', fr. in-, 'not', and pldcdbilis, 'easily
appeased'. See placable.
Derivatives: implacable-ness,n., implacabl-y,a.dv.
implacental, adj., having no placenta (applied to
a group of mammals including the marsupials).
— Formed fr. in-, 'not', placenta and adj.
suff. -al.
777
impossibility
implant, tr. v. — F. implanter, fr. in-, 'not', and
planter, fr. L. plantdre, 'to plant'. See plant.
Derivatives: implantation (q.v.), implant-er, n.
implantation, n. — F., fr. implanter, 'to implant'.
See prec. word and -ation.
implead, tr. v., to sue at law. — OF. emplaidier,
fr. em- (fr. L. im-) and plaidier, 'to plead'. See
in-, 'in', and plead,
implement, n., a tool. — Late L. implementum, 'a
filling up', fr. L. implere, 'to fill up'. See next
word and -ment.
Derivatives: implement, tr.v., implement-ation,n.
impletion, n., a filling; the state of being full. —
Late L. impletid, gen. -onis, 'a filling up, fulfill-
ment', fr. L. impletus, pp. of implere, 'to fill up',
fr. in-, 'in', and OL. plere, 'to fill' (in classical
Latin the verb plere is used only in compounds).
See full, adj. and cp. plenum. For the ending
see -ion.
implicate, adj., intertwined, entangled. — L. im-
plicates, pp. of implicdre. See implicate, v.
Derivatives: implicate-ly, adv., implicate-ness, n.
implicate, n., something implied. — L. implicd-
tum, neut. pp. of implicdre, used as a noun. See
implicate, v.
implicate, tr. v., to envelop, infold; to imply. —
L. implicdtus, pp. of implicdre. See imply and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: implicat-ive, adj., implicat-ive-ly,
adv., implicat-ory, adj.
implication, n. — L. implicdtio, gen. -onis, 'inter-
weaving, entanglement', fr. implicdtus, pp. of
implicdre. See implicate v., and -ion.
Derivative: implication-al, adj.
implicit, adj., — F. implicite, fr. L. implicitus, pp.
of implicdre. See implicate, v.
Derivatives: implicit, n., implicit-ly, adv., im-
plicit-ness, n.
implode, intr. and tr. v., to burst inward. —
Formed fr. in-, 'in', and L. plaudere, plodere, 'to
clap'. See plaudit and cp. explode and words
there referred to.
imploration, n. — L. impldrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a be-
seeching for help', fr. impldrdtus, pp. of im-
pldrdre. See next word and -ation.
implore, tr. v. — L. impldrdre, 'to invoke with
tears, beseech, implore', fr. in-, 'in', and pldrdre,
'to cry out, wail, lament', which is of imitative
origin. Cp. deplore, explore.
Derivatives: implor-er, n., implor-ing, adj., im-
plor-ing-ly, adv., implor-ing-ness, n.
implosion, n. — Formed fr. implode on the ana-
logy of the ratio explode: explosion.
implosive, adj. — Formed fr. implode on the anal-
ogy of the ratio explode: explosive.
Derivative: implosive-Iy, adv.
impluvium, n., rainwater tank in the atrium of the
ancient Roman house. — L., fr. impluere, 'to
rain into', fr. in-, 'in', and pluere, 'to rain'. See
pluvial and cp. compluvium.
imply, tr. v. — OF. emptier, fr. L. implicdre, 'to
infold, involve, intangle', fr. in-, 'in', and pli-
cdre, 'to fold'. See ply, 'to bend', and cp. plicate.
Cp. also implicate, v., and employ, which are
doublets of imply.
Derivative: impli-able, adj.
impolite, adj. — L. impolitus, 'rough, unpolished,
inelegant', fr. in-, 'not', and politus, 'polished,
elegant'. See polite.
Derivatives: impolite-ly, adv., impolite-ness, n.
imponderable, adj., having no weight. — Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. ponderdbilis, 'that can
be weighed'. See ponderable.
Derivatives: imponderable, n., imponderabil-ity,
n., imponderable-ness, n., imponderabl-y,
adv.
impone, tr. v., to wager (obsol.) — L. impdnere,
'to place into, lay upon ; to impose*, fr. in-, 'in',
and pdnere, 'to put, place'. See position and cp.
words there referred to.
imponent, adj., that imposes; n., one who im-
poses. — L. imponens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of
impdnere. See prec. word and -ent.
import, tr. v. — L. importdre, 'to bring into; to
bring about, cause' (in Medieval Latin also 'to
be of importance'), fr. in-, 'in', and portdre, 'to
carry'. See port, 'to carry'.
Derivatives: import, n., import-able, adj., im-
port-abil-ity, n., import-ation, n., import-er,
n.
importance, n. — F., fr. important. See next word
and -ce.
important, adj. — F„ fr. ML. importantem, acc.
of importdns, pres. part, of importdre, 'to be of
importance'. See import and -ant.
Derivative : important-ly, adv.
importunate, adj., troublesomely urgent. — ML.
importundtus, pp. of importundri. See next word
and adj. suff. -ate.
importune, tr. v., to molest. — F. importuner, fr.
ML. importundri, 'to be troublesome', fr. L.
importunus, 'inconvenient, unsuitable', which
is formed fr. in-, 'not', and portus, 'port, harbor',
and orig. meant 'without a harbor', i.e. 'diffi-
cult of access'. See port, 'harbor', and cp.
opportune.
Derivative: importun-ate-ly, adv.
importunity, n. — L. importunitds, 'unsuitable-
ness, want of consideration', fr. importunus.
See importune, v., and -ity.
impose, tr. and intr. v. — F. imposer, fr. L. im-
pdnere (pp. impositus), 'to impose', which was
Gallicized after F. poser, 'to put, place'. See
impone and cp. compose and words there re-
ferred to. See also pose, 'to place'.
Derivatives: impos-er, n., impos-ing, adj., impos-
ing-ly, adv., impos-ing-ness, n.
imposition, n. — L. impositid, gen. -dnis, 'a laying
on, application (of a name to a thing)', fr. im-
positus, pp. of impdnere, 'to impose'. See impone.
Derivative: imposition-al, adj.
impossibility, n. — F. impossibilite, fr. L. im-
possibilitdtem, acc. of impossibility, 'impossi-
bility*, fr. impossibilis. See next word and -ity.
impossible
778
impossible, adj. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. impossibilis,
'impossible', fr. in-, 'not', and possibilis, 'pos-
sible'. See possible.
Derivative: impossibl-y, adv.
impost, n., tax, duty. — OF. impost (F. impdt),
fr. L. impositus, pp. of impdnere, 'to place upon',
fr. in-, 'in', and pdnere, 'to place'. See position.
impost, n., upper part of a pillar. — F. imposte,
fr. It. imposta, fr. L. imposita, fem. pp. of im-
pdnere. See prec. word.
impostor, n. — F. imposteur, fr. Late L. impos-
tdrem, acc. of impostor, fr. impostus, a collateral
form of L. impositus, pp. of impdnere, 'to impose
upon, deceive'. See imposition and agential
suff. -or.
impostume, imposthume, n., abscess. — OF. em-
postume, formed— with change of suff.— fr. L.
apostema, fr. Gk. Ait6<mri[Mt, lit. 'a standing
off'. See aposteme.
imposture, n. — F., fr. Late L. impostura, 'deceit,
imposture', fr. impostus. See impostor and -ure.
impotence, impotency, n. — L. impotentia, 'in-
ability', fr. impotens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce, resp. -cy.
impotent, adj. — L. impotens, gen. -entis, 'power-
less, impotent'. See in-, 'not', and potent.
Derivatives: impotent-ly, adv., impotent-ness, n.
impound, tr. v., to shut up in a pound. — Formed
fr. in-, 'not', and pound, 'enclosure'.
impoverish, tr. v. — OF. empoveriss-, pres. part,
stem of empoverir, 'to render poor', fr. em-,
'im-', and povre (F. pauvre), 'poor'. See in-, 'in',
poor and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: impoverish-er, n., impoverish-
ment, n.
imprecate, tr. v., to call down by prayer. — L.
imprecdtus, pp. of imprecdri, 'to invoke on, call
down upon, imprecate', fr. in-, 'in', and precdri,
'to ask, beg, pray, request'. See pray and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. deprecate.
Derivatives: imprecation (q.v.), imprecat-ory,
adj.
imprecation, n. — L. imprecdtid, gen. -dnis, fr.
imprecdtus, pp. of imprecdri. See prec. word
and -ion.
impregnability, n. — See next word and -ity.
impregnable, adj., that cannot be taken. — F.
imprenable, fr. prendre, 'to take', fr. L. pre-
hendere, prendere, 'to take'. See prehensile and
-able. The intrusive g in impregnable is prob.
due to next word.
Derivatives: impregnable-ness, n., impregnabl-y,
adv.
impregnate, adj., pregnant. — Late L. imprae-
gndtus, 'pregnant', pp. of impraegndre, 'to render
pregnant'. See im-, 'in', and pregnant, 'with
child', and adj. suff. -ate.
impregnate, tr. v., to make pregnant. — Late L.
impraegndtus, pp. of impraegndre. See impreg-
nate, adj.
Derivative: impregnat-ion, n.
inraresa. n., an emblem; the sentence accom-
panying an emblem. — It. impresa, 'under-
taking; device', prop. fem. pp. of imprendere,
fr. VL. *imprendere, 'to undertake', fr. L. in
(see in-, 'in') and prehendere, prendere, 'to take'.
See prehensile and cp. emprise, enterprise. Cp.
also next word.
impresario, n., the manager of an opera com-
pany, etc. — It., fr. impresa, 'undertaking'. See
prec. word.
imprescriptible, adj., inalienable. — Formed fr.
in-, 'not', and L. praescrlptus, pp. of praescribere,
'to write beforehand, order, appoint'. See
prescriptible.
impress, tr. v., to imprint. — ME. impressen, fr.
OF. empresser, fr. L. impressus, pp. of impri-
mere, 'to press into, impress, imprint', fr. in-,
'in', and premere, 'to press'. See press, v., and
cp. imprint.
Derivatives: impress-ed, adj., impress-ed-ly, adv.,
impress-er, n., impress-ible, adj., impressibil-
ity, n., impression (q.v.), impress-ive, adj., im-
press-ive-ly, adv., impress-ive-ness, n.
impress, tr. v., to compel to serve in the army or
navy. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and press, 'to
compel to serve'.
Derivative : impress-ment, n.
impression, n. — F., fr. L. impressidnem, acc. of
impressid, 'impression', lit. 'a pressing into', fr.
impressus, pp. of imprimere. See impress, 'to im-
print', and -ion.
Derivatives : impressionable (q.v.), impression-al,
adj., impression-al-ly, adv., impression-ary, adj.,
impressionism (q.v.), impressionist (q.v.)
impressionable, adj. — F. impressionnable, fr. im-
pressionner, 'to impress', fr. impression. See
prec. word and -able.
Derivatives: impressionabil-ity, n., impression-
able-ness, n., impressionabl-y, adv.
impressionism, n. — F. impressionnisme, formed
on the analogy of next word fr. F. impression
and suff. -isme. See impression and -ism.
impressionist, n. — F. impressionniste, from the
phrase icole impressionniste, coined by the
French critic Louis Leroy in 1874 to ridicule a
painting by Claude Monet, called Impression-
Sunrise. For the ending see suff. -ist.
Derivatives: impressionist-ic, adj., impressionist-
ic-al-ly, adv.
imprest, tr. v., to advance money. — Formed fr.
in-, 'in', and prest, 'an advance of money'. Cp.
It. imprestare, 'to advance money'.
imprest, n., advance of money. — Fr. prec. word.
Cp. It. impresto, of s.m.
imprimatur, n., license to print a book, etc. —
ModL. imprimatur, 'let it be printed', fr. L. im-
primere (pp. impressus), 'to press into, impress,
imprint'. See impress.
imprimis, adv., in the first place. — L., for in
prtmis, 'among the first', whence 'chiefly, es-
pecially', fr. in, 'in', and abi. pi. of primus, 'the
first'. See in-, 'in' and prime, adj.
imprint, tr. v. — ME. empreynten, fr. OF. em-
779
imputation
preinter, fr. empreinte, fem. pp. of empreindre,
'to impress, imprint', used as a noun. OF. em-
preindre derives fr. VL. *impremere (for L. im-
primere), 'to impress, imprint'. See impress,
'to imprint'.
Derivatives: imprint-ed, adj., imprint-er, n.
imprint, n. — ME. empreynte, fr. OF. empreinte.
See imprint, v.
imprison, tr. v. — OF. emprisoner (F. emprison-
ner), fr. em-, en-, 'in', and prison. See im-, 'in',
and prison.
imprisonment, n. — OF. emprisonement (F. em-
prisonnement), fr. emprisoner. See prec. word
and -ment.
improbability, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
improbdbilis. See next word.
improbable, adj. — L. improbdbilis, 'not deserving
of approbation; objectionable', fr. in-, 'not', and
probdbilis, 'that may be proved; likely, pro-
bable'. See probable.
Derivatives: improbable-ness, n., improbabl-y,
adv.
improbity, n., want of probity. — L. improbitds,
'wickedness, dishonesty', fr. improbus, 'wicked,
vile, base, dishonest', fr. in-, 'not', and probus,
'good, proper, serviceable'. See probity.
impromptu, adv. and adj., extempore, offhand. —
F., fr. L. in promptu, 'in readiness', fr. in, 'in',
and abl. of prdmptus, 'readiness', fr. prdmptus,
pp. of promere, 'to take or bring out or forth'.
See in-, 'in', and prompt.
improper, adj. — F. impropre, fr. L. improprius,
'unsuitable, improper', fr. in-, 'not', and pro-
prius, 'one's own, proper'. See proper.
Derivatives: improper-ly, adv., improper-ness, n.
impropriate, tr. v., to appropriate. — ML. im-
propriates, pp. of impropridre, 'to appropriate',
fr. in-, 'in', and L. proprius, 'one's own, proper'.
See proper and verbal suff. -ate and cp. ap-
propriate.
impropriate, adj., impropriated. — ML. im-
propriates, pp. of impropridre. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: impropriat-ion, n., impropriat-or, n.
impropriety, n. — L. improprietds (prob. through
the medium of F. impropriete), fr. improprius,
'improper'. See improper and subst. suff. -ty and
cp. propriety,
improve, tr. and intr. v. — AF. emprower, 'to
turn to profit', fr. OF. em, en, 'in, into', and
prou (n.), 'profit', ir.prou (adj.), 'valiant, brave'.
See in-, 'in', and prow, adj.
Derivatives: improve-ment, n., improv-er, n.,
improv-ing, adj., improv-ing-Iy, adv.
improvise, tr. and intr. v. — F. improviser, fr. It.
improvvisare, fr. improvviso, 'unforeseen', fr. L.
imprdvisus, 'unforeseen, unexpected', fr. in-,
'not', and prdvisus, 'foreseen', pp. of prdvidere,
'to see beforehand'. See provide, provision and
cp. proviso.
Derivative: improvis-er, n.
imprudence, n. — L. imprudentia, 'lack of fore-
sight', fr. imprudens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
imprudent, adj. — L. imprudens, gen. -entis,
'not foreseeing, imprudent', fr. in-, 'not', and
prudens, gen. -entis, 'foreseeing'. See prudent.
Derivatives: imprudent-ly, adv., imprudent-
ness, n.
impudence, impudency, n. — L. impudentia,
'shamelessness', fr. impudens, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
impudent, adj., shamelessly bold; insolent. — • L.
impudens, gen. -entis, 'shameless, impudent', fr.
in-, 'not', and pudens, gen. -entis, 'ashamed,
bashful, modest', pres. part, of pudere, 'to be
ashamed'. See pudency and -ent.
Derivatives: impudent-ly, adv., impudent-ness,n.
hnpudicity, n., immodesty; shamelessness. — F.
impudicite, fr. impudique, 'shameless', fr. L.
impudicus, of s.m., fr. in-, 'not', and pudicus,
'bashful, modest', which derives fr. pudere,
'to be ashamed'. See pudency and the suffixes
-ic and -ity and cp. prec. word.
impugn, tr. v., to attack by arguments. — ME.
impugnen, fr. MF. (= F.) impugner, fr. L. im-
pugnare, 'to attack, assail', lit. 'to fight with',
fr. in-, 'in', and pugndre, 'to fight', whence
pugna, 'fight'. See pugnacious and cp. expugn,
oppugn, repugnant. Derivatives: impugn-able,
adj., impugn-er, n., impugn-ment, n.
impuissance, n., weakness, want of power. — F.
See in-, 'not', and puissance.
impuissant, adj., weak, powerless. — F. See in-,
'not', and puissant.
impulse, n. — L. impulsus, 'pressure, shock; in-
citement, instigation', fr. impulsus, pp. of im-
pellere. See impel.
Derivative: impuls-ive, adj.
impulsion, n. — F., fr. L. impulsidnem, acc. oiim-
pulsid, 'a pushing against, external pressure', fr.
impulsus, pp. of impellere. See prec. word and
-ion.
impulsive, adj. — OF. (= F.) impulsif (fem. im-
pulsive) or ML. impulsivus, fr. L. impulsus, pp.
of impellere. See impel and -ive.
Derivatives: impulsive-ly, adv., impulsive-ness,n.
impunity, n. — F. impunite, fr. L. impunitdtem,
acc. of impunitds, 'freedom from punishment',
fr. impunis, 'without punishment', fr. in-, 'not',
and poena, 'punishment, penalty'. See penal
and -ity.
impure, adj. — L. impurus, 'unclean', fr. in-, 'not',
and pur us, 'clean, pure'. See pure.
Derivatives: impure-ly, adv., impure-ness, n.
impurity, n. — F. impurete, fr. earlier impurite,
fr. L. impuritdtem, acc. of impuritds, 'unclean-
ness, impurity', fr. impurus. See prec. word and
-ity.
imputable, adj. — ML. imputdbilis, fr. L. im-
putdre. See impute and -able.
Derivatives: imputabil-ity, n., imputable-ness, n.,
imputabl-y, adv.
imputation, n. — Late L. imputdtid, gen. -dnis,
imputative
780
'account, charge', fr. L. imputatus, pp. of im-
putdre. See impute and -ation.
imputative, adj. — L. imputdtivus, 'charging', fr.
imputatus, pp. of imputdre. See next word
and -ive. Derivatives: imputative-ly, adv.,
imputative-ness, n.
impute, tr. v. — F. imputer, fr. L. imputdre, 'to
reckon, account, charge, ascribe', fr. in-, 'in',
and putdre, 'to trim, prune, lop, clean, cleanse;
to think over, consider, reckon, count'. See
putative.
in, prep. — ME. in, fr. OE. in, rel. to OS., OFris.,
Du., OHG., MHG., G., Goth, in, ON. i, and
cogn. with Arm. i; y- and n- (before a vowel),
Gk. ev, dial, in, Homeric kvi, OL. en, L. in,
Oscan en, Osco-Umbrian -en (postposition),
an- (before consonants), OPruss. en, Lith. {,
Lett. I, Olr. in, ini-, en-, OW., OBret. en, in,
Co., Bret, en, ModW. yn-, 'in', OSlav. on-, vun-,
vu-, Russ. v, vo, vn-, Alb. ifi (for *eny), 'as far
as'; fr. I.-E. *en, *n, *eni, 'in'. Cp. in-, 'in', inn,
inning, inter-, interior, into, intro-, ben, 'within',
denizen. Cp. also indigene and words there re-
ferred to.
in, adj. — Fr. prec. word.
in, adv. — ME. in, fr. OE. in, inn, inne, rel. to
the adverbs: OS. in, inn, ON. inn, OHG. in and
to OE. in, prep. See in, prep.
in-, pref. meaning in, into, toward, up, against,
as in inborn, incline. — E. in or L. in; see in,
prep. In words of Latin origin, in- becomes il-
before /, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r (see
H-, 'in', im-, 'in', ir-, 'in'). Cp. em-, en-.
in-, privative pref., as in inadvertence. — L. in-,
'not', cogn. with Goth., OE. un, 'not'; see un-,
priv. pref. L. in-, 'not', becomes i- before gn,
il- before /, im- before b, m and p, ir- before r
(see i-, il-, 'not', im-, 'not', ir-, 'not').
in-, form of ino- before a vowel.
-in, suff. used in chemistry. — See -ine, suff. used
in chemistry.
-ina, a fern. suff. used to form titles (as czarina)
and names (as Georgina). — L. -ina, a fern, suff.,
as in reg-ina, 'queen' (fr. rex, gen. regis, 'king').
-ina, pi. suff. used to form names of groups of
animals (zool.) — ModL. use of L. -ina, neut.
pi. ending of adjectives in -inus; see adj. suff.
-ine. The neut. form is due to L. animalia, 'ani-
mals', a neut. noun in the pi., which is under-
stood. Cp. -inae.
inaccessible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. inaccessibilis,
'unapproachable', fr. in-, 'not', and accessibilis.
See accessible.
Derivatives: inaccessibii-ity, n., inaccessible-
ness, n., inaccessibl-y, adv.
inadvertence, inadvertency, n. — ML. inadver-
tentia, fr. in-, 'not', and Late L. advertentia. See
advertence.
inadvertent, adj. — Back formation fr. inadvert-
ence, inadvertency. For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivative: inadvertent-ly, adv.
-inae, pi. suff. used to form names of subfamilies
(zool.) — ModL. use of L. -inae, fem. pi. ending
of adjectives in -inus. The feminine form is due
to L. bestiae, 'beasts', a feminine noun, which
is understood. Cp. -ina, suff. used in zoology.
inamorata, n„ a female lover. — It. innamorata,
fem. of innamorato. See next word.
inamorato, n., a male lover. — It. innamorato,
pp. of innamorare, 'to fall in love', fr. in (fr. L.
in; see in-, 'in', and amore, 'love', fr. L. amdrem,
acc. of amor. See amorous and cp. enamor.
inane, adj., i) empty (rare); 2) foolish. — L. wa-
rns, 'empty, void; worthless, useless', of un-
certain origin. Cp. exinanite.
Derivatives: inane, n., inane-ly, adv.
inanimate, adj. — Late L. inanimdtus, 'lifeless', fr.
in-, 'not', and L. animdtus, 'animate'. See ani-
mate.
Derivatives: inanimate-ly, adv., inanimate-ness,
n., inanimat-ed, adj., inanimat-ion, n.
inanition, n., emptiness; exhaustion, starvation.
— L. indnitid, gen. -dnis, 'emptiness', fr. ind-
nitus, 'emptied', pp. of indnire, 'to empty', fr.
indnis. See inane and -ion.
inanity, n., emptiness; silliness; vanity. — L.
indnitds, 'emptiness; uselessness', fr. indnis. See
inane and -ity.
inapt, adj., not apt. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
apt. Cp. inept, unapt.
Derivatives: inapt-ly, adv., inapt-ness, n.
inarticulate, adj. — Late L. inarticuldtus, 'inarti-
culate, indistinct', fr. in-, 'not', and L. articuidtus,
pp. of articuldre. See articulate.
Derivatives: inarticulate-ly, adv., inarticulate-
ness, n.
inartificial, adj. — L. inartificidlis, 'inartificial',
fr. in-, 'not', and artificial, 'pertaining to art,
artificial' ; see artificial. L. inartificidlis is prop,
a loan translation of Gk. (Ste/voi; (which is
formed fr. priv. pref. d- and tk/yri, 'art').
Derivatives: inartificial-ity, n., inartificial-ly,
adv., inartificial-ness, n.
inaudible, adj. — L. inaudibilis, 'inaudible', fr.
in-, 'not', and audibilis, 'audible'. See audible.
Derivatives: inaudibil-ity, n., inaudible-ness, n.,
inaudibl-y, adv.
inaugural.adj . — F. See inaugurate and adj . suff. -aL
Derivative : inaugural, n.
inaugurate, tr. and intr. v. — L. inaugurate, pp.
of inaugurdre, 'to take omens from the flight
of birds; to consecrate, inaugurate; to install',
fr. in-, 'in', and augurdre, 'to examine omens,
to augur', fr. augur. See augur and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: inauguration (q.v.), inaugurat-ory,
adj.
inauguration, n. — L. inaugurdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
beginning', fr. inaugurdtus, pp. of inaugurdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
Inca, n., a king of ancient Peru; a member of the
royal family of ancient Peru. — Sp., fr. Quechua
inca, *a noble, a prince'.
Derivatives: Inc-an, adj. and n.
781
inchoate
incalescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
incalescent, adj., increasing in heat. — L. in-
calescens, gen. -entis, 'growing hot', pres. part,
of incalescere, 'to grow hot', fr. in-, and cale-
scere, 'to grow hot'. See calescent.
incandesce, tr. v., to cause to glow with heat;
intr. v., to glow with heat. — L. incandescere,
'to become hot, to glow', fr. in-, 'in', and can-
descere, 'to begin to glow'. See candescent.
incandescence, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
incandescent, adj. — L. incandescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of incandescere. See incandesce and
-ent.
incantation, n., magic formula; magic, spell. —
L. incantdtid, gen. -dnis, 'enchantment', fr. in-
cantdtus, pp. of incantdre, 'to chant a magic
formula, to bewitch, enchant', lit. 'to sing in',
fr. in-, 'in', and cantdre, 'to sing'. See cant,
'slang of beggars', and -ation and cp. enchant
Derivative: incantation-al, adj.
incapable, adj. — F., fr. Late L. incapdbilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and L. capdbilis, 'capable'. See capable.
Derivatives: incapabil-ity, n., incapable-ness, n.,
incapabl-y, adv.
incapacity, n. — F. incapacity, fr. ML. incapdci-
tdtem, acc. of incapdcitds, fr. Late L. incapdx,
gen. -dcis, 'incapable', fr. in-, 'not', and L.capdx,
gen. -dcis, 'capable'. See capacity.
incarcerate, tr. v., to imprison. — ML. incar-
cerdtus, pp. of incarcerdre, 'to imprison', fr. in-,
'in', and L. career, 'an enclosed place; prison',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. cancel, chancel,
career. For the ending see subst. suff. -ate.
incarceration, n. — ML. incarcerdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. incarcerdtus, pp. of incarcerdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
incarnadine, adj., flesh-colored. — F., fr. dial.
It. incarnadino, fr. It. incarnatino, 'flesh color',
fr. incarnato, 'incarnate'. See incarnate.
Derivative: incarnadine, tr. v.
incarnate, adj., invested with flesh. — L. incar-
ndtus, pp. of incarndre, 'to make flesh', fr. card,
gen. carnis, 'flesh'. See carnal and adj. suff. -ate.
incarnate, tr. v., to invest with flesh. — L. in-
carndtus, pp. of incarndre. See incarnate, adj.
incarnation, n. — F., fr. Late L. incarndtidnem,
acc. of incarndtid, fr. L. incarnatus, pp. of in-
carndre. See incarnate, adj.
incendiary, adj., pertaining to arson. — L. in-
cendidrius, 'causing a fr/e', fr. incendium, 'fire',
fr. incendere, 'to set fire to, kindle, burn', fr. in-,
'in', and candere, 'to shine, be white; to glow
with heat'. See candid and adj. suff. -ary and cp.
incense. For the change of Latin & (in cdndere)
to £ (in in-cendere) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
incense, n., smoke of burning spices. — - ME.
encens, fr. OF. (= F.) encens, fr. Late L. in-
cerisum, 'incense', lit. 'something burnt', neut.
pp. of L. incendere. See prec. word and cp. censer.
incense, tr. v., to offer incense; to perfume with
incense. — ME. encensen, fr. OF. (= F.) en-
censer, fr. encens. See incense, n.
incense, tr. v., to anger. — ME. encensen, fr. L.
incensus, pp. of incendere, 'to set fire to, kindle,
burn; to excite, irritate, anger'. See incense, n.
incensory, n., censer. — Eccles. L. incensdrium,
fr. L. incensus, pp. of incendere. See incense, n.,
and subst. suff. -ory.
incentive, adj., tending to incite. — L. incentivus,
'setting the tune; inciting', fr. incentus, pp. of
incinere, 'to sound, sing', fr. in-, 'in', and canere,
'to sing'. See cant, 'slang of beggars' and
-ive. For the change of Latin d (in canere) to e
(in in-centus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: incentive, n., incentive-ly, adv.
incept, tr. v., 1) to begin; 2) to take in, ingest. —
L. inceptus, pp. of incipere, 'to take in hand,
begin', fr. in-, 'in', and capere, 'to catch, seize,
take, hold'. See captive. For the change of Latin
d (in cdpere) to e (in in-ceptus) see accent and
cp. words there referred to.
inception, n. — L. inceptid, gen. -dnis, 'a begin-
ning, undertaking', fr. inceptus, pp. of incipere.
See prec. word and -ion.
inceptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L. in-
ceptus, pp. of incipere. See incept.
Derivative: inceptive, n., an inceptive verb.
incertitude, n. — F., fr. ML. incertitudinem, acc.
of incertitudd, fr. L. incertus, 'uncertain', fr. in-,
'not', and certus, 'sure, certain'. See certain and
-tude and cp. certitude.
incessancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
incessant, adj., uninterrupted. — F., fr. Late L.
incessantem, acc. of incessdns, 'unceasing', fr.
in-, 'not', and L. cessans, gen. -antis, pres. part,
of cessdre, 'to cease'. See cease and -ant.
Derivatives: incessant-ly, adv., incessant-ness,n.
incest, n. — L. incestus, 'unchastity, incest', fr. in-,
'not', and OL. castus (gen. castus), 'chastity',
which is rel. to L. castus, 'chaste'. See chaste.
For the change of Latin d (in cdstus) to e (in
in-ce~stus) see accent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
incestuous, adj. — L. incestudsus, 'incestuous', fr.
incestus, 'unchaste', fr. in-, 'not', and castus,
'chaste'. See prec. word and -ous.
Derivatives: incestuous-ly, adv., incestuous-
ness, n.
inch, n., the twelfth part of a foot. — ME. inche,
inch, fr. OE. ynce, fr. L. uncia, 'the twelfth part (of
anything); the twelfth part of a foot, an inch;
the twelfth part of a pound, an ounce'. See
uncia and cp. ounce, 'the twelfth part of a pound',
which is a doublet of inch.
Derivative: inch, v., to move by inches.
inch, n. v a small island (Scot.) — ME. inch, fr.
Gael, irmis, 'island*, rel. to Olr. inis, W. ynys,
Co. enys, Bret, enez, of s.m.
inchoate, adj., just begun. — L. inchodtus, pp. of
inchoate
782
inchodre, more correctly spelled incohdre, 'to
begin', orig. 'to harness', fr. in-, 'in', and cohum,
'a strap fastening the plowbeam to the yoke',
lit. 'that which holds or encloses', fr. I.-E. base
*qogh-, a gradational var. of *qagh-, 'to encom-
pass, enclose'. See hedge and cp. words there
referred to. For the ending see adj. suff. -ate.
inchoate, tr. v., to begin. — Fr. L. inchoatus, pp.
of inchodre. See inchoate, adj. Derivatives:
inchoation (q.v.), inchoat-ive, adj. and n.
inchoation, n., beginning. — L. inchodtid, gen.
-dnis, fr. inchoatus, pp. of inchodre. See inchoate
and -ion.
incidence, n. — F., formed fr. incident, adj. See
next word and suff. -ce.
incident, adj. — F. incident, fr. L. incidentem, acc.
of incidens, pres. part, of incidere, 'to fall
upon ; to happen, occur', fr. in-, 'in', and cadere,
'to fall'. See cadence and suff. -ent. For the
change of Latin d (in cadere) to i (in in-cidere)
see abigeat and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: incident, n. (q.v.), incident-al, adj.
and n., incident-al-ly, adv., incident-al-ness, n.
incident, n. — F. See incident, adj.
incinerate, tr. v., to reduce to ashes. — L. in-
cinerdtus, pp. of incinerdre, 'to reduce to ashes',
fr. in-, 'in', and cinis, gen. cineris, 'ashes'. See
cinerary and verbal suflf -ate.
Derivatives: incineration (q.v.), incinerat-or, n.
incineration, n. — F. incineration, fr. ML. in-
cineratidnem, acc. of incinerdtid, fr. L. incine-
rdtus, pp. of incinerdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
incipience, incipiency, n., beginning. — Formed
from next word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
incipient, adj., beginning, initial. — L. incipiens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of incipere, 'to begin'. See
inceptive and -ent.
Derivative : incipient-ly, adv.
incipit, n., the opening words of a book, etc. —
L., '(here) begins', 3rd pers. sing. pres. of in-
cipere. See prec. word.
incise, tr. v. — F. inciser, fr. L. incisus, pp. of in-
cidere, 'to cut into, cut through, carve, en-
grave', fr. in-, 'in', and caedere, 'to cut'. See
cement and cp. words there referred to. For the
change of Latin ae (in caedere) to i (in in-cidere,
in-cisus) see acquire and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
incision, n. — F., fr. L. incisidnem, acc. oiincisid-,
'a cutting into, incision', fr. incisus, pp. of in-
cidere, 'to cut into'. See prec. word and -km.
incisive, adj. — ML. incisivus, fr. L. incisus, pp.
of incidere, 'to cut into'. See incise and -ive.
Derivatives; incisive-ly, adv., incisive-ness, n.
incisor, n., a front tooth. — ML. incisor, 'a cut-
ting tooth', lit. 'that which cuts into', fr. L. in-
cisus, pp. of incidere. See incise and agential
suff. -or.
incitation, n. — F., fr. L. incitdtidnem, acc. of
incitdtid, 'an inciting', fr. incitdtus, pp. of in-
citdre. See next word and -ion.
incite, tr. v. — F. inciter, fr. L. incitdre, 'to put
into rapid motion, urge, encourage, stimulate,
rouse', fr. in-, 'in', and citdre, 'to set into quick
motion, excite, provoke, call urgently', freq. of
ciere (pp. citus), 'to set in motion'. See cite and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: incit-er, n., incite-ment, n., incit-
ing-ly, adv.
incivility, n. — F. incivilite, fr. Late L. incivili-
tdtem, acc. of incivilitds, fr. incivilis, 'not civil',
fr. in-, 'not', and L. civilis, 'pertaining to a
citizen, civil'. See civil and -ity.
incivism, n., neglect of civic duties. — F. in-
civisme, fr. in (fr. L. in-; see in-, 'not') and
civisme. See civism.
inclemency, n. — L. inclementia, 'rigor, harsh-
ness, roughness, severity', fr. inclemens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -cy and cp. clemency.
inclement, adj. — L. inclemens, gen. -entis, 'harsh,
rough, severe', fr. in-, 'not', and clemens, gen.
-entis, 'mild, calm'. See clement.
Derivatives : inclement-ly, adv., inclement-ness, n.
inclinable, adj. — OF. enclinable, fr. encliner, in-
cliner. See incline and -able.
inclination, n. — F., fr. L. inclindtidnem, acc. of
inclindtid, 'a leaning, bending, inclining, in-
clination', fr. inclindtus, pp. of inclindre. See
next word and -ation.
incline, tr. and intr. v. — ME. enclinen, fr. OF.
encliner, incliner (F. incliner), fr. L. inclindre,
'to cause to lean, to bend, bow, incline', fr. in-,
'in', and -clindre (found only in compounds), 'to
bend'. See clinic and cp. decline, v.
Derivatives: incline, n., inclin-ed, adj., inclin-er,
n., inclin-ing, n. and adj.
inclinometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
inclination or dip of the magnetic needle. — A
hybrid coined fr. L. inclindre, 'to incline', and
Gk. ui-rpov, 'measure'. See incline and meter,
'poetical rhythm', and cp. clinometer.
inclose, v. — See enclose.
include, tr. v. — L. includere, 'to shut in, shut up,
enclose, include, insert', fr. in-, 'in', and clau-
dere, 'to shut, close'. See close, adj., and cp. en-
close. For the change of Latin au (in claudere)
to w (in in-cludere) see accuse and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: includ-ed, adj., includ-ed-ness, n.
inclusion, n. — L. inclusid, gen. -dnis, 'a shutting
up, confinement', fr. inclusus, pp. of includere.
See prec. word and -ion.
inclusive, adj. — ML. inclusivus, fr. L. inclusus,
pp. of includere. See include and -ive.
Derivatives: inclusive-ly, adv., inclusive-ness, n.
incogitable, adj., unthinkable. — ML. incdgi-
tdbilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L. cdgitdbilis, 'con-
ceivable, imaginable, thinkable'. See cogitable.
incognito, adv., adj. and n. — It. incognito, 'un-
known', fr. L. incognitus, fr. in-, 'not', and co-
gnitus, 'known', pp. of cogndscere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand, know'.
See cognition and cp. mconnu.
783
incontinent
income, n. — Lit. 'that which comes in', formed
fr. in, adv. (see in) and come,
incommensurable, adj. — ML. incommensurdbilis,
fr. im-, 'not', and Late L. commensurdbilis. See
commensurable.
Derivatives: incommensurable, n., incommen-
surabil-ity, n., incommensurable-ness, n., incom-
mensurable, adv.
incommode, tr. v. — F. incommoder, fr. L. in-
commodare, 'to cause inconvenience, be in-
convenient, be troublesome', fr. incommodus,
'inconvenient, troublesome', fr. in-, 'not', and
commodus, 'suitable, convenient'. See commode.
incommodious, adj. — Formed on analogy of L.
incommodus (see prec. word) fr. in-, 'not', and
commodious.
Derivatives: incommodious-ly, adv., incommo-
dious-ness, n.
incommodity, n. — F. incommodite, fr. L. incom-
moditdtem, acc. of incommoditds, 'inconvenien-
ce, disadvantage', fr. incommodus. See incom-
mode and -ity.
incommutable, adj. — L. incommutdbilis, 'un-
changeable', fr. in-, "'not', and commutdbilis,
'changeable'. See commutable.
Derivatives: incommutabil-ity, n., incommutable-
ness, n., incommutabl-y, adv.
incomparable, adj. — F., fr. L. incompardbilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and L. compardbilis. See comparable.
Derivatives: incomparable, n., incomparabil-ity,
n., incomparable-ness, n., incomparabl-y, adv.
incompatible, adj. — ML. incompatibilis, fr. in-,
'not', and ML. compatibilis. See compatible.
Derivatives: incompatible, n., incompatibil-ity,
n., incompatible-ness, n., incompatibl-y, adv.
incompetence, n. — F. incompetence, fr. incom-
petent. See next word and -ce.
incompetent, adj. — F. incompetent, fr. Late L.
incompetentem, acc. of incompetens, 'insuffi-
cient', fr. in-, 'not', and L. competens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of competere, 'to strive together, be
suitable'. See competent.
Derivatives: incompetent, n., incompetent-ly,
adv., incompetent-ness, n.
incomplete, adj. — Late L. incompletus, 'incom-
plete', fr. in-, 'not', and L. completus, pp. of
complere, 'to fill up'. See complete.
Derivatives: incomplete-ly, adv., incomplete-
ness, n.
incomprehensible, adj. — L. incomprehensibilis,
'that cannot be seized; incomprehensible', fr.
in-, 'not', and comprehensibilis. See compre-
hensible.
Derivatives: incomprehensibil-ity, n., incompre-
hensible-ness, n., incomprehensibl-y, adv.
incondite, adj., badly constructed. — L. incon-
ditus, 'unformed, uncouth, rude', fr. in-, 'not',
and conditus, pp. of condere, 'to put together'.
See condiment
incongruence, n. — Late L. incongruentia, 'in-
congruity*, fr. L. incongrugns, gen. -entis. See
next word and -ce.
incongruent, adj. — L. incongruens, gen. -entis,
'incongruous, inconsistent', fr. in-, 'not', -jnd
congruens, gen. -entis, pp. of congruere," 'to
agree'. See congruent.
Derivative: incongruent-ly, adv. t
incongruity, n. — ML. incongruitds, fr. L. in-
congruus. See next word and -ity.
incongruous, adj. — L. incongruus, 'incongruous,
inconsistent', fr. in-, 'not', and congruus, 'fit,
suitable, congruous'. See congruous.
Derivatives: incongruous-ly, adv., incongruous-
ness, n.
inconnu, n., 1) an unknown person; 2) a large
food fish {Stenodus mackenzii). — F., 'unknown',
fr. in-, 'not', and connu, 'known', pp. of con-
naitre, 'to know', fr. L. cogndscere, 'to become
acquainted with, perceive, understand, know'.
F. connu goes back to OF. coneii, fr. VL. *co-
gneutus, which corresponds to L. cognitus, pp. of
cogndscere. See cognition and cp. incognito.
inconsequence, n. — L. incdnsequentia, fr. incdn-
sequens, gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
inconsequent, adj. — L. incdnsequens, gen. -entis,
'not logically connected', fr. in-, 'not', and cdn-
sequens, gen. -entis, pp. of cdnsequi, 'to follow'.
See consequent.
Derivatives: inconsequent-ly, adv., inconsequent-
ness, n., inconsequent-ial, adj., inconsequential-
ly, adv., inconsequent-ial-ness, n.
inconsiderate, adj. — L. inconsideratus, 'thought-
less, inconsiderate', fr. in-, 'not', and cdnslde-
rdtus, pp. of cdnsiderdre, 'to consider'. See
considerate.
Derivatives: incons : ierate-ly, adv., inconsid.r-
ate-ness, n.
inconsideration, n. — Late L. incdnsiderdtid, gen.
-dnis, 'inconsiderateness', fr. L. inconsideratus.
See prec. word and -ion.
inconsolable, adj. — L. incdnsdldbilis, 'incon-
solable', fr. in-, 'not', and cdnsdldbilis, 'conso-
lable'. See consolable.
Derivatives: inconsolabil-ity, n., inconsolable-
ness, n., inconsolabl-y, adv.
inconspicuous, adj. — L. incdnspicuus, fr. in-,
'not', and cdnspicuus. See conspicuous.
Derivatives: inconspicuous-ly, adv., inconspi-
cuous-ness, n.
inconstancy, n. — L. incdnstantia, fr. incdnstdns,
gen. -antis. See next word and -cy.
inconstant, adj. — F., fr. L. incdnstdns, gen. -an-
tis, 'inconstant, changeable, fickle', fr. in-, 'not',
and cdnstdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of cdnstdre,
'to stand firm'. See constant
Derivatives: inconstant-ly, adv., inconstant-
ness, n.
incontinence, incontinency, n. — F., fr. L. incon-
tinentia, fr. incontinens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ce, resp. -cy.
incontinent, adj., not continent, incapable of
restraint. — F., fr. L. incontinentem, acc. of in-
continens, 'incontinent', fr. in-, 'not', and con-
tinent, gen. -entis, pres. part, of continere, 'to
incontinent
784
hold together'. See continent, adj.
incontinent, also incontinently, adv. immediately
(archaic). — Fr. Late L. in continentl (scil. tem-
pore), 'in continuous time', fr. in-, 'in', and abl.
of continens. See prec. word.
incontrovertible, adj. — Coined by Sir Thomas
Browne (1605-82), fr. in-, 'not', controvert and
suff. -ible.
Derivatives: incontrovertibil-ity, n., incontro-
vertible-ness, n., incontrovertibl-y, adv.
inconvenience, inconveniency, n. — OF. incon-
venience (F. inconvenance), fr. Late L. incon-
venientia, 'lack of consistency, incongruity', fr.
L. inconveniens, gen. -entis. See next word and
-ce, resp. -cy.
inconvenient, adj. — F. inconvenient, 'unsuitable',
fr. L. inconvenientem, acc. of inconveniens, ^un-
suitable', fr. in-, 'not', and conveniens, gen.
-entis, 'suitable', pres. part, of convenire, 'to be
suitable'. See convenient.
Derivatives: inconvenient-ly, adv., inconvenient-
ness, n.
inconvertible, adj. — Late L. inconvertibilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and convertibilis. See convertible.
Derivatives: inconvertibil-ity, n., inconvertible-
ness, n., inconvertibl-y, adv.
incorporate, adj., incorporeal. — L. incorporate,
'not embodied', fr. in-, 'not', and corpordtus.
See corporate.
incorporate, adj., united in one body. — Late L.
incorporate, 'incorporated', pp. of incorpordre,
'to provide with a body, incorporate', fr. in-,
'in', and L. corporare, 'to make into a body', fr.
corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus and
adj. suff. -ate and cp. corporate.
incorporate, tr. v., to form into a body, to form
into a society; intr. v., to unite. — Late L. in-
corporate, pp. of incorpordre. See prec. word.
Derivatives: incorporat-ed, adj., incorporat-ing,
adj., incorporation (q.v.), incorporat-ive, adj.,
incorporat-or, n.
incorporation, n., the act of incorporating. —
ME. incorporacioun, fr. OF. incorporation, fr.
Late L. incorpordtidnem, acc. of incorpordtid,
fr. incorporate, pp. of incorpordre. See incor-
porate, 'united in one body', and -ion.
incorporeal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al
fr. L. incorporeus, 'incorporeal', fr. in-, 'not',
and corpus, gen. corporis, 'body'. See corpus.
Derivatives: incorporeal-ity, n., incorporeal-ly,
adv.
incorporeity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L. in-
corporeus. See prec. word.
incorrect, adj. — L. incorrectus, 'uncorrected',
fr. in-, 'not', and correctus, pp. of corrigere, 'to
make straight, set right, correct'. See correct, adj.
Derivatives: incorrect-ly, adv., incorrect-ness, n.
incorrigible, adj. — F. ( fr. L. incorrigibilis, 'not to
be corrected', fr. in-, 'not', and corrigibilis, 'cor-
rigible'. See corrigible.
Derivatives: incorrigible, n., incorrigibil-ity, n.,
incorrigible-ness, n., incorrigibl-y, n.
incorrupt, adj. — L. incorruptus, 'unspoiled, un-
corrupted', fr. in-, 'not', and corruptus, pp. of
con ampere, 'to destroy, corrupt'. See corrupt.
Derivative: incorrupt-ly, adv.
incorruptible, adj. — F., fr. Late L. incorrupti-
bilis, fr. in-, 'not', and corruptibilis. See cor-
ruptible.
Derivatives: incorruptibil-ity, n., incorruptible-
ness, n., incorruptibl-y, adv.
incorruption, n. — Late L. incorruptid, gen. -onis,
'incorruptibility', fr. in-, 'not', and L. corruptid,
gen. -onis, 'corruption'. See corruption,
incrassate, tr. and intr. v., to thicken. — L. in-
crassdtus, 'made thick', pp. of incrassdre, 'to
make thick', fr. in-, 'in', and crassus, 'thick'.
See crass and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: incrassat-ion, n.
incrassate, adj., thickened. — L. incrassdtus, pp.
of incrassdre. See incrassate, v.
increase, intr. and tr. v. — ME. encresen, in-
cresen, fr. AF. encress-, corresponding to OF.
encreis-, encreiss-, pres. part, stem of encreistre,
encroistre, fr. L. increscere, 'to grow in or upon',
fr. in-, 'in', and crescere, 'to grow'. See crescent
and cp. increment.
Derivatives: increase, n., increas-able, adj., in-
creas-ed-ly, adv., increase-ment, n., increas-er,
n„ increas-ing, adj., increas-ing-ly, adv.
incredibility, n. — L. incredibilitds, 'incredibility',
fr. incredibilis. See next word and -ity.
incredible, adj. — L. incredibilis, 'that cannot be
believed', fr. in-, 'not', and credibilis, 'worthy of
belief. See credible and cp. incroyable.
Derivatives: incredible-ness,n., incredibl-y, adv.
incredulity, n. — F. incredulite, fr. L. increduli-
tdtem, acc. of incredulitds, 'disbelief, fr. in-
credulus. See next word and -ity.
incredulous, adj. — L. incredulus, 'unbelieving',
fr. in-, 'not', and credulus, 'credulous'. See
credulous.
Derivatives: incredulous-ly, adv., increduloe-
ness, n.
increment, n., increase; growth. — L. incremen-
tum, 'growth, increase', fr. increscere, 'to grow
in or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and crescere, 'to grow'.
See increase and cp. decrement.
Derivatives: increment-al, adj., increment-
ation, n.
incriminate, tr. v. — ML. incriminate, pp. of in-
crimindre, 'to incriminate', fr. in-, 'not', and L.
crimindre, crimindri, 'to accuse one of a crime',
fr. crimen, gen. criminis, 'crime'. See criminate.
Derivatives: incriminat-ion, n., incriminat-or, n.,
incriminat-ory, adj.
incroach, intr. v. — See encroach.
incroyable, n., name of a French fop or dandy
in the period of the Directory (1795-99)- — F -
'incredible', fr. OF. increable, fr. in-, 'not', and
OF. creire (F. croire), 'to believe', fr. L. credere
(see creed and cp. incredible); so called in al-
lusion to their frequent use of the word in-
croyable.
785
incus
incrust, tr. v. — F. increter, fr. L. incretdre,
'to cover with a crust or coat, incrust', fr. in-, 'in',
and crustdre, 'to cover with a crust', fr. creta,
'crust'. See crust and cp. encrust,
incrustate, adj. — L. incrustdte, 'covered with
a crust', pp. of incretdre. See prec. word and
adj. suff. -ate.
incrustation, n. — Late L. incretatid, gen. -onis,
'a covering with a crust', fr. L. incrustdte, pp.
of incretdre. See incrust and -ion.
incubate, tr. and intr. v. — L. incubate, pp. of
incubdre, 'to lie in or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and
cubdre, 'to lie down'. See cubicle and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. incumbent.
Derivatives: incubation (q.v.), incubat-ive, adj.,
incubator (q.v.), incubat-ory, adj.
incubation, n. — L. incubdtid, gen. -onis, 'a lying
upon eggs', fr. incubate, pp. of incubdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
incubator, n. — Lit. 'one who or that which in-
cubates', fr. L. incubator, fr. incubate, pp. of
incubdre. See incubate and agential suff. -or.
incubus, n., 1) an evil spirit supposed to lie on
sleeping persons; 2) a nightmare. — Late L.,
'nightmare', lit. 'what lies upon one', fr. incubdre.
See incubate and cp. succubus.
incudal, incudate, adj., pertaining to the incus
(anat.) — Formed with adj. suff. -al, resp. -ate,
fr. L. incus, gen. incudis, 'anvil'. See incus.
incudo-, before a vowel incud-, combining form
denoting the incus (anat.) — Fr. L. incus, gen.
incudis, 'anvil'. See incus.
inculcate, tr. v., to impress on the mind. — L.
inculcate, pp. of inculcdre, 'to impress or urge
upon', lit. 'to tread in', fr. in-, 'in', and calcdre,
'to tread', fr. calx, gen. calcis, 'heel'. See Cal-
ceolaria and verbal suff. -ate and cp. recalcitrate.
For the change of Latin d (in cdlcdre) to u (in
in-culcdre) see desultory and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inculcation (q.v.), inculcat-ive, adj.,
inculcat-or, n., inculcat-ory, adj.
inculcation, n. — Late L. inculcdtid, gen. -onis, 'an
inculcating', fr. L. inculcate, pp. of inculcdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
inculpable, adj., not culpable. — Late L. incul-
pdbilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L. culpdbilis. See
culpable.
Derivatives : inculpabil-ity, n., inculpable-ness,n.,
inculpabl-y, adv.
inculpate, tr. v. — ML. inculpate, pp. of incul-
pdre, 'to reproach, blame', fr. in-, 'in', and L. cul-
pdre, 'to reproach, blame, censure', fr. culpa,
'blame, fault'. See culpable.
Derivatives: inculpat-ion, n., inculpat-ive, adj.,
inculpat-ory, adj.
incult, adj., uncultivated. — L. inculte, 'un-
titled, uncultivated, unpolished, rude, un-
adorned', fr. in-, 'not', and culte, 'tilled, culti-
vated', pp. of colere, 'to till, cultivate'. See cult.
incumbency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
incumbent, adj., obligatory. — L. incumbens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of incumbere, 'to lie upon,
apply oneself to', fr. in-, 'in', and -cumbere (found
only in compounds), 'to lie'. See cubicle and cp.
accumbent and words there referred to.
Derivatives: incumbent, n. (q.v.), incumbent-ly,
adv.
incumbent, n., one who holds an ecclesiastical
benefice or any other office. — Fr. prec. word.
incunabula, n. pi., 1) the first stages of anything;
2) books printed before the year 1500. — L.
incunabula (pi.), 'swaddling clothes; cradle;
childhood; origin, beginning', formed fr. in-,
'in', and ciinae, 'cradle', which stands for *koi-
nd, 'a place to lie down in', and is cogn. with
Gk. xotxT), 'place to lie down in, bed', xeia&ai,
'to lie, to lie asleep', xoijiav, 'to lull to sleep',
fr. I.-E. base *kei-, 'to lie, settle down', whence
also L. civis, 'member of a community, citizen'.
See civil and cp. words there referred to. Cp.also
cunabula.
incur, tr. v. — ■ L. incurrere, 'to run into, run to-
ward, rush at', fr. in-, 'in', and currere, 'to run'.
See current, adj., and cp. words there referred to.
incurable, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) incurable,
fr. Late L. incurdbilis, fr. in-, 'not', and L.
curdbilis. See curable.
Derivatives: incurable, n., incurabil-ity, n., in-
curable-ness, n., incurabl-y, adv.
incuriosity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
incuriose. See next word.
incurious, adj. — L. incuriose, 'careless, indif-
ferent, negligent', fr. in-, 'not', and curidsus,
'careful, diligent'. See curious.
Derivatives: incurioe-ly, adv., incurious-ness, n.
incurrent, adj., running in. — L. incurrens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of incurrere. 'to run into'. See
incur and -ent.
incursion, n. — L. incursid, gen. -onis, 'an assault,
inroad, attack', fr. incurse, pp. of incurrere.
See incur and -ion.
incursive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
incurse, pp. of incurrere. See incur and -ive.
incurvate, adj., bent or curved inward. — L. in-
curvdtus, pp. of incurvdre, 'to bend, crook,
curve', fr. in-, 'in', and curvdre, 'to bend, crook,
curve'. See curve, v., and adj. suff. -ate.
incurvate, tr. and intr. v., to bend or curve in-
ward. — L. incurvate, pp. of incurvdre. See
incurvate, adj.
incurvation, n. — L. incurvdtid, gen. -onis, 'a
bending, curving', fr. incurvate, pp. of incur-
vdre. See incurvate, adj., and -ion.
incurve, tr. v., to bend or curve inward. — L. in-
curvdre. See incurvate, adj.
incus, n., the middle of three small bones in the
ear (anat.) — L. incus, 'anvil', a name given to this
bone by the Belgian anatomist Andreas Ve-
salius (1514-64) because of its resemblance to
an anvil. L. incus derives from the stem of in-
cudere, 'to forge with a hammer', fr. in-, 'in',
and cudere, 'to strike, beat', which is cogn. with
incuse
786
ON. hoggva, OE. heawan, 'to hew'. See hew and
cp. caudex.
incuse, adj., stamped in, impressed (esp. used in
numismatics). — L. incusus, pp. of incudere, 'to
forge with a. hammer'. See incus.
Derivative: incuse, n., impression (esp. on a
coin)
incuse, tr. v., to stamp (esp. on a coin). — L. in-
cusus, pp. of incudere. See incuse, adj.
indaba, n., meeting, council (among S. African
tribes). — Zulu in-daba, fr. pref. in and daba,
'business, matter news'.
indagate, tr. v., to search out, investigate. — L.
indagatus, pp. of indagare, 'to trace out, track,
search, investigate', formed fr. ind(u)-, 'in', and
dg-, the lengthened form of the stem of agere,
'to drive' ; orig. a hunting term used in the sense
'to drive (the game) in'. For the first element
see indigene, for the second see agent, adj., and
cp. ambages. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
indagation, n. — L. inddgdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
tracing out, investigation', fr. indagatus, pp. of
indagare. See prec. word and -ion.
indagator, n. — L. inddgdtor, 'tracker, investi-
gator', fr. indagatus, pp. of indagare. See inda-
gate and agential suff. -or.
indamine, indamin, n., any of a series of organic
bases containing the NH group (chem.) — G.
Indamin, prob. coined from the abbreviation of
ind(igo) and amin.
indebted, adj. — ME. endetted, pp. of endetten,
'to indebt, oblige', fr. OF. endetter, fr. en, 'in',
and dette, 'debt'. In ModE. L. in- has been
substituted for ME. and OF. en-. See 1st en-,
in-, 'in', and debt.
Derivative : indebted-ness, n.
indecency, n. — L. indecentia, 'unseemliness, im-
propriety', fr. indecens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -cy.
indecent, adj. — L. indecens, gen. -entis, 'un-,
seemly, improper', fr. in-, 'not', and decens,
gen. -entis, 'becoming, fitting, seemly, proper'.
See decent.
Derivatives: indecent-ly, adv., indecent-ness, n.
indecision, n. — F. indecision, fr. in-, 'not', and
decision. See decision.
indeclinable, adj. — F. indeclinable, fr. L. inde-
clindbilis, fr. in-, 'not', and declindbilis. See
declinable.
Derivatives: indeclinable-ness, n., indeclinabl-y,
adv.
indecorous, adj. — L. indecorus, 'unbecoming,
unseemly, disgraceful, indecorous', fr. in-, 'not',
and decdrus, 'becoming, fitting, seemly, proper'.
See decorous.
Derivatives: indecorous-ly, adv., indecorous-
ness, n.
indecorum, n., lack of decorum. — L. indecorum,
'that which is not suitable', neut. of indecorus.
See indecorous and cp. decorum.
indeed, adv. — Formed fr. in and deed.
Derivative: indeed, interj.
indefatigable, adj. — Obsol. F. indefatigable, fr.
L. indefatigdbilis, 'that cannot be wearied', fr.
in-, 'not', and defatigdre, 'to tire, exhaust', fr.
de- and fatigdre, 'to weary'. See fatigue and
-able.
Derivatives: indefatigabil-ity, a., indefatigable-
ness, n., indefatigabl-y, adv.
indefinite, adj. — L. indefinitus, 'indefinite', fr.
in-, 'not', and definitus, pp. of definire, 'to limit,
define'. See definite.
Derivatives: indefinite-ly, adv., indefinite-ness, n.
indelible, adj. — L. indelebilis, 'indelible, im-
perishable', fr. in-, 'not', and delere, 'to efface,
abolish, obliterate, destroy'. See delete and -ible.
Derivatives: indelibil-ity, n., indelible-ness, n.,
indelibl-y, adv.
indemnification, n. — See next word and -ation.
indemnify, tr. v. — Formed with suff. -fy fr. L.
indemnis, 'unhurt, uninjured', fr. in-, 'not', and
damnum, 'loss, injury'. See damn. For the change
of Latin a (in damnum) to e (in in-demnis) see
accent and cp. words there referred to.
indemnity, n. — F. indemnite, fr. Late L. indem-
nitdtem, acc. of indemnitds, 'security from
damage or loss, indemnity', fr. L. indemnis. See
prec. word and -ity.
indene, n., a hydrocarbon, C 9 H 8 , obtained from
coal tar (chem.) — Coined from the abbreviation
of indole and suff. -ene.
indent, tr. v., to notch; intr. v., to make out an
order with a counterfoil. — ME. endenten, 'to
notch', fr. OF. (= F.) endenter, fr. ML. inden-
tdre, 'to furnish with teeth', fr. in-, 'in', and L.
dens, gen. dentis, 'tooth'. See tooth and cp.
denti-.
Derivatives: indent, n., a notch; indenture, n.,
indent-ation, n., indent-ion, n., indenture (q.v.)
indent, tr. v., to make a dent, impress. — Formed
fr. in-, 'in', and dent.
Derivative: indent, n., a dent, indent-ation, n.
indenture, n., i) an indented document; 2) any
deed or contract ; esp. 3) a contract of appren-
ticeship. — ME. endenture, fr. OF. endenteiire,
endenture, fr. endenter. See indent, v., and -lire.
Derivatives: indenture, tr. v., indentur-ed, adj.
independence, n. — Formed fr. independent with
suff. -ce. Cp. F. independance.
independency, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -cy.
independent, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
dependent Cp. F. independant.
Derivatives: independent, n., independent-ly,adv.
indeterminable, adj. — Late L. indetermindbilis,
'that cannot be defined', fr. in-, 'not', and deter-
mindbilis. See determinable.
Derivatives: indeterminable-ness, n., indeter-
minabl-y, adv.
indeterminate, adj. — Late L. indetermindtus,
'undefined', fr. in-, 'not', and L. determinate,
pp. of determinate. See determinate.
Derivatives: indeterminate-ly, adv., indetermin-
ate-ness, n., indeterminat-ion, n.
787
indign
indeterminism, n., the doctrine that human will is
free (philos.) — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and deter-
minism.
indeterminist, n., a believer in indeterminism. —
See prec. word and -ist.
index, n. — L. index, gen. indicis, 'a pointer, in-
dicator; the forefinger; sign, mark, indication;
guide, witness, informer', rel. to indicdre, 'to
point out, show'. See indicate.
Derivatives: index, tr. v., index-ed, adj., index-
er, n., index-ing, n.
India, n. — L., fr. Gk. 'IvSia, fr. "IvSo?, 'the river
Indus', fr. OPers. Hindu, fr. OI. slndhuh, 'river',
spec, 'the river Indus', whence 'the region of
the river Indus'. Cp. Hindu, indigo, indium,
sandia, sendal, sindon. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in Sapindus and in tamarind.
Derivatives: Indi-an, adj. and n.
Indie, adj., of, or pertaining to, India. — L. In-
dicus, fr. Gk. 'IvSixo?, fr. 'IvSta. See prec. word
and -ic and cp. indigo.
indicate, tr. v. — L. indiedtus, pp. of indicdre, 'to
point out, show, indicate, declare', fr. in-, 'in',
and dicdre, 'to proclaim, dedicate, consecrate',
which is rel. to dicere, 'to say, tell'. See diction
and verbal suff. -ate and cp. index, indicia,
indict.
Derivatives: indicat-ed, adj., indication (q.v.),
indicative (q.v.), indicator (q.v.), indicat-ory, adj.
indication, n. — F., fr. L. indiedtidnem, acc. of
indiedtid, 'an indicating', fr. indiedtus, pp. of
indicdre. See prec. word and -ion.
indicative, adj. — F. indicatif (fern, indicative), fr.
L. indiedtivus, fr. indiedtus, pp. of indicdre. See
indicate and -ive.
Derivative: indicative-ly, adv.
indicative, n. — F. indicatif. See indicative, adj.
indicator, n. — Late L., 'one that points out or
shows', fr. L. indiedtus, pp. of indicdre. See in-
dicate and agential suff. -or.
indicia, n. pi., indications. — L., pi. of indicium,
'information, discovery, disclosure; sign, mark',
fr. index, gen. indicis. See index.
indict, tr. v., to charge with a crime. — ME. en-
diten, 'to dictate, write down, accuse, indict',
fr. OF. enditer, 'to dictate, write down; to sug-
gest, teach; to prescribe', fr. VL. *indictdre, 'to
declare, proclaim in writing', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. dictdre, 'to say often, declare, prescribe, dic-
tate'. See dictate and cp. indite, which is a dou-
blet of indict. Cp. also indicate, indicia.
Derivatives: indict-able, adj., indict-ee, n., in-
dict-or, n., indict-ment, n.
indiction, n., 1) the edict of a Roman emperor
establishing the valuation of a property for pur-
poses of taxation at the beginning of every fif-
teen years ; 2) a recurring cycle of fifteen years.
— L. indictio, gen. -dnis, 'declaration, appoint-
ment', esp. 'appointment of tax', fr. indictus,
pp. of indicere, 'to declare, appoint', fr. in-, 'in',
and ^icerc, 'to say'. See diction and -ion and cp.
prec. word.
Indies, n. pi. — PI. of Indie, Indy, fr. L. India.
See India.
indifference, indifferency, n. — L. indifferentia,
'want of difference, similarity', fr. indifferens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce, resp. -cy.
indifferent, adj. — L. indifferens, gen. -entis, 'in-
different, similar; neither good nor evil', fr.
in-, 'not', and differens, pres. part, of differre,
'to differ'. See different.
Derivatives: indifferent, n., indifferent-ism, n.,
indifferent-ist, n., indifferent-ly, adv.
indigence, n. — L. indigentia, 'need, want, in-
satiable desire', fr. indigens, gen. -entis. See in-
digent and -ce.
indigene, n., a native. — F. indigene, fr. L. in-
digena, 'native', lit. 'born within (the tribe)',
fr. *indu-gena, fr. OL. indu, fr. earlier endo, 'in',
and the base of L. gignere, perf. genui, 'to be-
get'. OL. endo is formed fr. en, 'in', and -do,
'to'; it is cogn. with Hitt. anda, andan, 'in, into,
within', Gk. svStva, 'entrails', Olr. inne (for
*en-d-io-), 'within' (but Gk. evSov, 'within', is
formed fr. ev, 'in', and the base of Sojio?,
'house' ; see endo-). See in-, 'in', and to and cp.
the first element in indagate, indigent, industry.
For the second element in L. indigena see genus.
indigenous, adj., native. — Formed with suff.
-ous fr. L. indigena, 'native'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: indigenous-Iy, adv., indigenous-
ness, n.
indigent, adj., needy, poor. — F., fr. L. indi-
gentem, acc. of indigens, 'needy', pres. part, of
indigere, 'to need, want, require', which is com-
pounded ofOL. ind(u)-, 'in', and L. egere, 'to be
in need, be in want'. For the first element see in-
digene. The second element is prob. cogn. with
ON. ekla, 'want, lack', ekla, 'hardly', OHG.
eko-rodo, 'only', ekrodi, eccherode, 'thin, weak'.
For the change of Latin e (in egere) to i (in in-
digere) see abstinence and cp. words there re-
ferred to. L. egere is not cogn. with OE. acan,
'to ache', nor with the second element in L.
indi-gena, 'a native', and in ex-iguus, 'scanty,
small'.
indigested, adj. — Formed with suff. -ed fr. L.
indigestus, 'undigested; unarranged, confused',
fr. in-, 'not', and digestus, pp. of digerere, 'to
divide, distribute; to digest'. See digest, v.
indigestible, adj. — Late L. indigestibilis, 'in-
digestible', fr. in-, 'not', and digestibilis. See
digestible.
Derivatives: indigestibil-ity, n., indigestible-ness,
n., indigestibl-y, adv.
indigestion, n. — F., fr. Late L. indigestionem,
acc. of indigestio, 'indigestion', fr. L. indigestus.
See indigested.
indigestive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
indigestus. See indigested.
indign, adj., unworthy (obsol.) — ME. indigne,
fr. MF. (= F.) indigne, fr. L. indignus, 'un-
worthy, undeserving', fr. in-, 'not', and dignus,
'worthy'. See dignity.
indignant
788
indignant, adj. — L. indigndns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of indigndri, 'to be displeased at, to be
indignant', fr. in-, 'not', and dignus, 'worthy'.
See dignity and -ant.
Derivative : indignant-ly, adv.
indignation, n. — F., fr. L. indigndtidnem, acc. of
indigndtid, 'indignation, displeasure', fr. indig-
natus, pp. of indigndri. See indign and -ation.
indignity, n. — L. indignitds, gen. -dtis, 'unwor-
thiness, meanness, baseness', fr. indignus, 'un-
worthy'. See indign and -ity.
indigo, n., a blue dye. — F., fr. Du. indigo, bor-
rowed fr. Sp. indico, indigo, fr. L. indicum, 'in-
digo', fr. Gk. Iv8ix6v, 'indigo', (short for 'IvStxiv
(prftpiiazov, lit. 'Indian dye'), neut. of 'IvSixi?,
'Indian'. See Indie.
indigotic, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, in-
digo. — Irregularly formed fr. indigo with
suff. -ic.
indirect, adj. — Late L. indirectus (prob. through
the medium of F. indirect), fr. in-, 'not', and L.
directus. See direct, adj. and v.
Derivatives: indirect-ion, n., indirect-ly, adv.,
indirect-ness, n.
indiscreet, adj., not discreet; imprudent. — ME.
indiscrete, fr. F. indiscret (fern, indiscrete), fr. L.
indiscretus, 'unseparated, undivided, undistin-
guished; not distinguishing, indiscreet', fr. in-,
'not', and discretus, pp. of discernere. See
discreet and cp. next word.
Derivatives :indiscreet-ly, adv., indiscreet-ness,a.
indiscrete, adj., not consisting of distinct parts. —
L. indiscretus, 'unseparated'. See prec. word.
indiscretion, n. — F. indiscretion, fr. Late L. in-
discretidnem, acc. of indiscretio, 'lack of discern-
ment', fr. L. indiscretus. See prec. word and -ion
and cp. discretion.
indispensable, adj. — ML. indispensdbilis, fr. in-,
'not', and dispensdbilis. See dispensable.
Derivatives: indispensabil-ity, n., indispensable-
ness, n., indispensabl-y, adv.
indisputable, adj. — Late L. indisputdbilis, fr. in-,
'not', and L. disputdbilis. See disputable.
Derivatives: indisputabil-ity, n., indisputable-
ness, n., indisputabl-y, adv.
indissoluble, adj. — L. indissolubilis, 'that cannot
be dissolved', fr. in-, 'not', and dissolubilis. See
dissoluble.
Derivatives: indissolubil-ity, n., indissoluble-
ness, n., indissolubl-y, adv.
indistinct, adj. — L. indistinctus, 'not distinct;
confused', fr. in-, 'not', and distinctus. See
distinct.
Derivatives: indistinct-ion, n., indistinct-ive, adj.,
indistinct-ive-ly, adv., indistinct-ive-ness, n., in-
distinct-ly, adv., indistinct-ness, n.
indite, tr. v., to write, put down in writing. —
ME. enditen, 'to dictate, write down'. See indict.
indium, n., name of a rare metallic element (chem.)
— ModL., coined by its discoverers, the Ger-
man chemists Ferdinand Reich and Theodor
Richter, in 1863, fr. L. indicum, 'indigo' (see
indigo) ; so called by them in allusion to its color
in the spectrum.
individual, adj. — ML. individudlis, 'individual',
fr. L. individuus, 'undivided, indivisible', fr. in-,
'not', and dividuus, 'divisible', fr. dividere, 'to
divide'. See divide and adj. suff. -al and cp.
dividual. L. individuus was coined by Cicero to
translate Gk. Sxofxoi;, 'that cannot be cut, indivis-
ible'.
Derivatives: individual, n., individual-ism, n„
individual-ist, n., individual-ist-ic, adj., individual-
ist-ic-al-ly, adv., individual-ity, n., individual-ize,
tr. v., individual-iz-ation, n., individualiz-er, n.,
individual-ly, adv.
individuate, tr. v., to individualize. — ML. indi-
vidudtus, pp. of individudre, 'to individualize', fr.
L. individuus. See individual and verbal suff. -ate.
individuation, n. — ML. individudtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. individuals, pp. of individudre. See prec.
word and -ion.
indivisible, adj. — LateL. indivisibilis, 'indivisible',
fr. in-, 'not', and divisibilis. See divisible.
Derivatives: indivisible, n., indivisibil-ity, n., in-
divisible-ness, n., indivisibl-y, adv.
Indo-, combining form meaning 'Indian'. — Fr.
Gk. 'IvSiSq, 'Indian', fr. 'Iv86?, 'the river Indus'.
See India.
indocile, adj. — F., fr. L. indocilis, 'that cannot
be taught', fr. in-, 'not', and docilis, 'docile'.
See docile.
indocility, n. — F. indocilite, fr. L. indocilitdtem,
acc. of indocilitds, 'unteachableness', fr. indo-
cilis. See prec. word and -ity.
indoctrinate, tr. v. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', L. doc-
trina, 'teaching' (see doctrine), and verbal
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: indoctrinat-ion, n., indoctrinat-or,n.
Indo-European, adj. and n. — Coined by the phy-
sician, physicist and Egyptologist Thomas
Young (1773-1829).
indole, indol, n., a white crystalline compound,
C„H 7 N, obtained by reduction from indigo
derivatives (chem.) — Coined from the abbre-
viation of ind(igo) and suff. -ol (for alcoh-ol).
indolence, n. — L. indolentia, 'freedom from
pain, insensibility', fr. in-, 'not', and dolens, gen.
-entis; see next word and -ce. L. indolentia is
prop, a loan translation. It was formed by Cicero
to render the Greek philosophical term dmaS-eia,
lit. 'impassibility', which was coined by Aristotle
from roi&o?, 'suffering' (see apathy).
indolent, adj. — Late L. indolens, gen. -entis, fr.
priv. pref. in- and L. dolens, gen. -entis, pres. part,
of dolere 'to fee! pain'. See dole, 'grief, and
-ent.
Derivatives: indolent, n., indolent-ly, adv.
indomitable, adj. — Late L. indomitdbilis, 'indo-
mitable', fr. in-, 'not', domitdre, 'to tame', and
suff. -dbilis. See daunt, and -able.
Derivatives: indomitabil-ity, n., indomitable-
ness, n., indomitabl-y, adv.
Indonesia, n., the East Indian Archipelago. —
789
Compounded of Indo- and Gk. vrjaoc;, 'island',
which is prob. rel. to vr]-X etv > 'to swim', fr.
I.-E. base *snd-, 'to flow', whence also OI. sndti,
'bathes' (intr.), L. ndre, natdre, 'to swim'. See
natation and cp. the second element in Mela-
nesia, Micronesia, Polynesia.
Derivatives: Indonesi-an, adj. and n.
indorse, tr. v. — A var. of endorse (q.v.)
Derivatives: indors-ation, n„ indors-ee, n., in-
dors-er, n., indorse-ment, n.
indoxyl, n., a yellow crystalline compound,
CgttjNO (chem.) — Formed from the abbre-
viation of ind(igo) and (hydr)oxyl.
Indra, n., the god of the firmament in Hindu
mythology. — OI. Indraft, of uncertain origin.
indri, n., the short-tailed lemur (Jndris brevicau-
datus). — Malagasy; prop, an interjection
meaning 'behold!', but mistaken for the name
of the animal.
indubious, adj. — L. indubius, 'not doubtful, cer-
tain', fr. in-, 'not', and dubius, 'doubtful, du-
bious'. See dubious.
indubitable, adj. — L. indubitdbilis, 'that cannot
be doubted', fr. in-, 'not', and dubitdbilis. See
dubitable.
Derivatives: indubitable-ness, n., indubitabl-y,
adv.
induce, tr. v. — L. inducere, 'to lead in, bring in;
to introduce; to persuade', fr. in-, 'in', and du-
cere, 'to lead'. See duke and words there referred
to and cp. esp. andouille.
Derivatives: induc-ed, adj., induce-ment, n.,
induc-ible, adj.
induct, tr. v. — L. inductus, pp. of inducere. See
induce.
inductance, n., the property of a circuit by virtue
of which induction occurs (elect.) — See prec.
word and -ance.
inductile, adj., not ductile. — Formed fr. in-,
'not', and ductile.
induction, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. inductidnem,
acc. of inductid, 'a leading in, introduction; a
mode of reasoning from the particular to the
general', fr. inductus, pp. of inducere. See induce
and -ion. As a term of logic, L. inductid is a loan
translation of Gk. lizoi.-(<arh- ' a bringing on or
in; induction', fr. liti-yew, 'to bring on or in'.
inductive, adj. — Late L. inductivus, fr. L. in-
ductus, pp. of inducere. See induce and -ive.
Derivatives: inductive-ly, adv., inductive-ness, n.
inductor, n. — L., 'one who stirs up or rouses', fr.
inductus, pp. of inducere. See induce and agential
suff. -or.
indue, tr. v., to put on (a garment); to invest, en-
dow. — A var. of endue.
indulge, tr. and intr. v. — L. indulgere, 'to be
kind, yield, indulge in', orig. 'to be long-suffer-
ing, be bearing, be patient'; cogn. with OI.
dirghdh, 'long', Gk. SoXixo?, 'long'. See dolicno-
and cp. indult.
Derivatives: indulg-er, a., indulg-ing, adj., in-
dulg-ing-ly, adv.
indulgence, n. — Either fr. F. indulgence, or directly
fr. L. indulgentia, 'indulgence, gentleness, com-
plaisance', fr. indulgens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -ence.
Derivatives: indulgence, tr. v., indulgenc-ed, adj.
indulgent, adj. — L. indulgens, gen. -enfis, pres.
part, of indulgere. See indulge and -ent.
Derivatives: indulgent-ly, adv., indulgent-ness, n.
induline, indulin, n., any of a group of blue black
and grayish aniline dyes (chem.) — Formed
from the abbreviation of ind(igo) and the suf-
fixes -ule and -ine.
indult, n., an extraordinary dispensation granted
by the Pope. — L. indultum, 'indulgence, grace,
favor', prop. neut. pp. of indulgere. See indulge.
indurate, tr. and intr. v. — L. indurdtus, pp. of
indurdre, 'to make hard, harden', fr. in-, 'in',
and durare, 'to make hard, harden', fr. durus,
'hard'. See dure, adj., and verbal suff. -ate, and
cp. endure, obdurate.
Derivatives: indurat-ed, adj., induration (q.v.),
indur-at-ive, adj.
indurate, adj. — L. indurdtus, pp. of indurdre. See
indurate, v.
induration, n. — F., fr. ML. indurdtionem, acc. of
indurdtid, 'hardness (esp. of heart)'. See indurate,
v., and -ion.
indusium, n., 1) the covering of the sorus of a fern
(bot.); 2) a cuplike collection of hairs (bot.);
3) a case enclosing an insect larva (entomol.) —
L. indusium, 'a tunic', fr. induere, 'to put on (a
garment)'. See induviae.
Derivatives: indusi-al, indusi-ate, indusi-at-ed,
adjs.
industrial, adj. — ML. industrial (partly through
the medium of F. industriel), fr. L. industria. See
industry and adj. suff. -al.
Derivative: industrial-ly, adv.
industrialism, n. — F. industrialisme, coined by
the comte de Saint-Simon (1760- 1825) in his
work Catechisme des industriels, published in
1823 (pp. 163 ff.), fr. industriel, 'industrial', fr.
industrie, 'industry*. See industrial and -ism.
industrialist, n. — F. industrialiste, coined by the
comte de Saint-Simon in 1823 fr. industriel. See
prec. word and -ist.
industrialize, tr. v. — F. industrialiser, fr. ML. in-
'dustridlis. See industrial and -ize.
Derivative : industrialization, n.
industrious, adj. — L. industridsus, 'diligent', fr.
industrius. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: industrious-ly, adv., industrious-
ness, n.
industry, n. — F. industrie, fr. L. industria, 'dili-
gence, industry', orig. fern, of industrius, 'dili-
gent, industrious', used as a noun, fr. OL. in-
dostruus, lit. 'building into', fr. indu, 'in', and
struere, 'to build, erect'. See indigene and
structure.
induviae, n. pi., leaves that remain attached to
the stem after withering (bot.) — L. induviae,
'clothes, garments', from the stem of induere,
-ine
790
'to put on (a garment)', which is formed fr.
ind(u)-, 'in', and -uere, for *-overe, earlier
*-evere, fr. I.-E. base *ew-, 'to put on'. For the
first element see indigene, for the second see
exuviae. Cp. indusium.
-ine, adj. suff. meaning 'of, pertaining to; of the
nature of, like'. — L. -inus (masc), -ina (fem.),
-inum (neut.), either directly or through the
medium of OF., F. -in (masc.), -ine (fem.) Cp.
e.g. canine (fr. L. caninus), saline (fr. L. salinus).
Cp. also adj. suff. -en.
-ine, adj. suff. meaning 'of the nature of, like'. —
L. -inus (masc), -ina (fem.), -inum (neut.), fr.
Gk. -Ivo? (masc), -tvrj (fem.), -ivov (neut.) —
Cp. e.g. adamantine, fr. L. adamantinus, fr. Gk.
aSajjtdtvxivoi;.
-ine, suff. forming abstract nouns as in doctrine,
discipline, medicine. — F. -ine, fr. L. -ina.
-ine, suff. forming feminine common nouns. —
L. -ina, fr. Gk. -tvj). Cp. e.g. heroine, fr. F.
heroine, fr. L. herdina, fr. Gk. r]pcotvr). Cp. 2nd
adj. suff. -ine.
-ine, also -in, suff. used in chemistry to form
l) names of alkaloids and bases (as cocaine,
aniline, etc.); 2) names of elements (as bromine,
chlorine, etc.) — F. -ine, fr. Latin adj. suff. -ina,
fem. of -inus. See 1st adj. suff. -ine.
-ine, also -in, dimin. suff. — Fr. It. dimin. suff.
-ino, -ina, either directly or through the medium
of F. -ine. Cp. e.g. mandolin(e), fr. F. mandoline,
fr. It. mandolino.
-ineae, pi. suff. used to form names of subfamilies
of plants (hot.) — ModL., fr. L. -ineae, fem. pi.
of -ineus (as in gramineus, 'gramineous'). The
fem. form is due to L. plantae, 'plants', a fem.
noun in the pi., which is understood,
inebriant, adj., inebriating. — L. inebridns, gen.
-amis, pres. part, of inebridre. See next word
and -ant.
inebriate, tr. v., to make drunk, intoxicate. —
L. inebridtus, pp. of inebridre, 'to make drunk,
inebriate', fr. in-, 'not', and ebridre, 'to make
drunk', fr. ebrius, 'drunk'. See ebrious and
verbal suff. -ate.
inebriate, adj. — L, inebridtus, pp. of inebridre.
See inebriate, v.
inebriation, n. — Late L. inebriatio, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. inebridtus, pp. of inebridre. See inebriate,
v., and suff. -ion.
inebriety, n. — Prob. a blend of ebriety and
inebriation.
ineffable, adj. — F., fr. L. ineffdbilis, 'unutterable,
unpronounceable', fr. in-, 'not', and effdbilis,
fr. 1st ex- and fdri, 'to say, speak'. See fable.
Derivatives: ineffabil-ity, n., ineffable-ness, n.,
ineffabl-y, adv.
inefficacious, adj. — Formed with suff. -ousfr. L.
inefficdx, gen. -dcis, 'inefficacious', fr. in-, 'not',
and efficdx, gen. -dcis. See efficacious.
Derivatives: inefficacious-ly, adv., inefficacious-
ness, n.
inefficacy, n. — Late L. inefficdcia, fr. L. inefficdx,
gen. -dcis. See prec word and -y (representing
L. -ia).
inelegance, inelegancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
inelegant, adj. — F. inelegant, fr. L. inelegantem,
acc. of inelegdns, 'without taste, without judg-
ment', fr. in-, 'not', and elegdns, gen. -antis. See
elegant.
Derivative: inelegant-ly, adv.
ineluctable, adj., not to be avoided. — L. ineluc-
tabilis, 'unavoidable, inevitable', fr. in-, 'not',
and eluctdri, 'to struggle out of, to surmount',
fr. e- and luctdri, 'to struggle, wrestle', which is
cogn. with Gk. Xiiyo;, 'any pliant twig', Xuy££siv
'to twist, bend', OE. locc, 'lock'. See lock, 'tuft',
and cp. reluctance.
Derivatives: ineluctabil-ity, n., ineluctabl-y, adv.
inept, adj., 1) unfit; 2) foolish. — L. ineptus, 'un-
suitable, improper, tactless', fr. in-, 'not', and
aptus, 'fitted, suited'. See apt and cp. inapt, un-
apt. For the change of Latin d (in dptus) to e(in
in-eptus) see accent and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: inept-ly, adv., inept-ness, n.
ineptitude, n. — L. ineptitudd, fr. ineptus. See
prec word and -ude.
inequal, adj. — L. inaequdlis, fr. in-, 'not', and
aequdlis, 'equal'. See equal.
Derivatives: inequal-ly, adv., inequal-ness, n.
inequality, n. — Late L. inaequdlitds, 'unevenness,
inequality', fr. L. inaequdlis. See prec. word
and -ity.
inerm, adj., unarmed; destitute of thorns (hot.) —
L. inermis, inermus. 'unarmed', formed fr. in-,
'not', and arma, 'arms'. See arm, 'weapon'.
For the change of Latin d (in drma) to e (in in-
ermis, in-ermus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
inerrable, adj., not erring; infallible. — L. in-
errdbilis, 'unerring', fr. in-, 'not', and errdre,
'to err'. See err and -able.
Derivatives: inerrabil-ity, n., inerrable-ness, n.,
inerrabl-y, adv.
inerrancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inerrant, adj., not erring. — L. inerrdns, gen.
-antis, 'not wandering', fr. in-, 'not', and errdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of errdre, 'to err'. See
err and -ant.
Derivative: inerrant-ly, adv.
inert, adj., 1) without inherent power to move or
resist; 2) inactive. — L. iners, gen. -ertis, 'un-
skilled; inactive, idle', fr. in-, 'not', and ars, gen.
artis, 'skill ; art'. See art. For the change of Latin
a (in drs) to e (in in-ers) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: inert-ly, adv., inert-ness, n.
inertia, n., inertness; the tendency of matter to
remain at rest when at rest, and in motion when
moving. — L., 'unskillfulness; inactivity, idle-
ness', fr. iners, gen. -ertis. See prec. word. The
word inertia was introduced into physics by the
791
infarct
German astronomer and mathematician Johann
Kepler (1571-1630).
inerudite, adj. — L. ineruditus, 'unlearned, illi-
terate, ignorant', fr. in-, 'not', and eruditus. See
erudite.
Derivatives: inerudite-ly, adv., inerudit-ion, n.
inestimable, adj. — F., fr. L. inaestimdbilis, 'that
cannot be estimated; inestimable, invaluable',
fr. in-, 'not', and aestimdbilis. See estimable.
Derivatives : inestimabil-ity, n., inestimable-ness,
n., inestimabl-y, adv.
inevitable, adj. — L. inevitdbilis, 'unavoidable',
fr. in-, 'not', and evitdbilis. See evitable.
Derivatives: inevitabil-ity, n., inevitable-ness, n.,
inevitabl-y, adv.
inexorable, adj. — L. inexdrdbilis, 'that cannot
be moved by entreaty, inexorable', fr. in-, 'not',
and exdrdbilis. See exorable.
Derivatives: inexorabil-ity, n., inexorable-ness,
n., inexorabl-y, adv.
inexperience, n. — F. inexperience, fr. Late L.
inexperientia, fr. in-, 'not', and L. experientia.
See experience.
Derivative: inexperienc-ed, adj.
inexpert, adj. — OF., fr. L. inexpertus, 'unprac-
ticed, inexperienced*, fr. in-, 'not', and expertus.
See expert.
Derivatives: inexpert-ly, adv., inexpert-ness, n.
inexpiable, adj. — L. inexpidbilis, 'that cannot
be atoned for, implacable', fr. in-, 'not', and
expidre, 'to make amends or atonement for'.
See expiable.
Derivatives: inexpiable-ness, n., inexpiabl-y, adv.
inexplicable, adj. — F., fr. L. inexplicdbilis, fr.
in-, 'not', and explicdbilis. See explicable.
Derivatives: inexplicabil-ity, n., inexplicable-
ness, n., inexplicabl-y, adv.
inexplicit, adj. — L. inexplicitus, 'not to be un-
folded, unexplained', fr. in-, 'not', and explicitus.
See explicit, adj.
Derivatives: inexplicit-ly, adv., inexplicit-ness,n.
inexpugnable, adj. — F., fr. L. inexpugnabilis,
'not to be taken by assault', fr. in-, 'not', and
expugndbilis. See expugnable.
Derivatives: inexpugnabil-ity, n., inexpugnable-
ness, n., inexpugnabl-y, adv.
inextricable, adj. — L. inextricdbilis, 'that can-
not be disentangled', fr. in-, 'not', and extri-
cdbilis. See extricable.
Derivatives: inextricabil-ity, n., inextricable-
ness, n., inextricabl-y, adv.
Inez, fem. PN. — Sp., equivalent to Agnes (q.v.)
infallibilism, n., the doctrine of the infallibility of
the Pope. — Formed with suff. -ism fr. ML. in-
fallibilis. See infallible.
infallibilist, n., a believer in the infallibility of the
Pope. — Formed with suff. -ist fr. ML. infalli-
bilis. See infallible.
infallibility, n. — ML. infallibilitds, fr. Xnfallibilis.
See next word and -ity.
infallible, adj. — ML. Xnfallibilis, fr. to-, 'not', and
Late L. fallibilis. See fallible.
Derivatives: infallible-ness, n., infallibl-y, adv.
infamize, tr. v., to render infamous (archaic). —
Formed with suff. -ize fr. L. infdmis. See next
word.
infamous, adj. — ML. infdmosus, fr. L. infdmis,
'ill spoken of, disreputable, notorious", fr. in-,
'not', and fama, 'talk, report, rumor'. See
famous.
Derivatives: infamous-ly, adv., infamous-ness, n.
infamy, n. — F. infamie, fr. L. infamia, 'bad re-
pute, dishonor, infamy', fr. infdmis. See prec.
word and -y (representing F. -ie).
infancy, n. — L. infantia, 'early childhood', lit.
'inability to speak', fr. infdns, gen. -antis. See
infant and -cy.
infangthief, n., the right of a lord to try a thief
caught within his jurisdiction (Old English law).
— OE. infangenpeof, fr. in (see in), fangen,
'taken' (pp. of fan, 'to take'), and beof, 'thief.
See fang and thief and cp. outfangthief.
infant, n. — OF. (= F.) enfant, fr. L. infantem,
acc. of infdns, 'a young child, a babe', lit. 'that
cannot speak, not yet able to speak', fr. in-,
'not', and fans, gen. fantis, pres. part, of fdri,
'to speak'. See fame.
Derivative: infant, adj.
infanta, n., any daughter of a king of Spain or
Portugal. — Sp. and Port., fem. of infante. See
infante.
infante, n., any son of a king of Spain or Portu-
gal, except the heir to the throne. — Sp. and
Port., fr. L. infantem, acc. of infdns, 'a young
child'. See infant.
infanticidal, adj., pertaining to infanticide (in
either sense). — Formed fr. infanticide with adj.
suff. -al.
infanticide, n., one who kills an infant. — F., fr.
Late L. infanticida, compounded of L. infdns,
gen. -fantis, and -cida, 'killer', fr. caedere,'to kill'.
See prec. word and -cide, 'killer'.
infanticide, n., the killing of an infant; child
murder. — F., fr. Late L. infanticidium, com-
pounded of L. infdns, gen. -fantis, and -cidium,
'killing', fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See infant and
-cide, 'killing'.
infantile, adj., childish. — L. infantilis, 'pertaining
to an infant', fr. infdns, gen. -fantis. See infant
and -ile.
Derivatives: infantilism (q.v.), infantil-ity, n.
infantilism, n., abnormal persistence of childish
traits in an adult (med.) — See infantile and
-ism.
infantine, adj., childish. — F. infantin, fem. -ine,
var. of enfantin, fem. -ine, fr. enfant. See infant
and adj. suff. -ine (representing L. -inus).
infantry, n. — F. infanterie, fr. It. infanteria, fr.
infante, 'infant, youth; servant; foot soldier',
fr. L. infantem, acc. of infdns, 'a young child,
a babe'. See infant and -ry and cp. fantassin,
fantoccini. For sense development cp. uhlan.
infarct, n., a region of necrosis of tissue (med.) —
ML. infarct us, corresponding to L. infartus.
infatuate
792
pp. of infarcire, 'to stuff into', fr. in-, 'in', and
farcire, 'to stuff'. See farce, n.
Derivatives: infarct-ed, adj., infarct-ion, n.
infatuate, adj. — L. infatudtus, pp. of infatudre.
See infatuate, v.
infatuate, tr. v., to make foolish. — L. infatudtus,
pp. of infatudre, 'to make a fool of, infatuate',
fr. in-, 'in', and fatuus, 'foolish'. See fatuous
and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: infatuat-ed, adj., infatuat-ed-ly,
adv., infatuation (q.v.)
infatuation, n. — Late L. infatudtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. infatudtus, pp. of infatudre. See prec. word
and -ion.
infect, tr. v., to taint; to corrupt. — L. infectus,
pp. of inficere, 'to put into, dip into; to stain,
taint; to infect', fr. in-, 'in', and facere (pp. foe-
tus), 'to make, do'. See fact. For the change of
Latin d (in fdctus) to e (in in-fectus) see accent
and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: infect-ed, adj., infect-ed-ness, n.,
infection (q.v.), infect-ious, adj., infect-ious-ly,
adv., infect-ious-ness, n., infect-ive, adj., infect-
ive-ly, adv., infect-ive-ness, n.
infection, n. — F., fr. Late L. infectidnem, acc. of
infectid, fr. L. infectus, pp. of inficere. See prec.
word and -ion.
infelicific, adj., causing unhappiness. — Formed
fr. L. infelix, gen. -icis, 'unfortunate, unhappy'
with suff. -fic. See infelicity and cp. felicific.
infelicitous, adj., unhappy. — See next word
and -ous.
Derivatives: infelicitous-ly, adv., infelicitous-
ness, n.
infelicity, n. — L. infelicitds, gen. -dtis, 'ill luck,
misfortune', fr. infelix, gen. -icis, 'unfortunate,
unhappy', fr. in-, 'not', and felix, gen. -icis,
'fortunate, happy'. See felicity.
infer, tr. v., to imply. — L. inferre, 'to bring into,
carry in; to introduce; to deduce, infer', fr. in-,
'in', and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See bear.'to carry',
and cp. confer and words there referred to.
inference, n. — ML. inferentia, fr. L. inferens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of inferre. See infer and
suff. -ence.
inferential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
ML. inferentia. See prec. word.
Derivative: inferei tial-ly, adv.
inferior, adj., lower. — L., 'lower in place, under,
nether', compar. of inferus. See infra and corn-
par, suff. -ior.
Derivatives: inferior, n., inferior-ity, n., inferior-
ly, adv.
infernal, adj., pertaining to hell; devilish. — F.,
fr. L. inferndlis, 'pertaining to the lower regions',
fr. infernus, 'lying beneath, infernal', fr. inferus,
'lower'. See infra and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: infernal-ity, n., infernal-ly, adv.
inferno, n., hell. — It., fr. L. infernus, 'lying be-
neath, infernal'. See infernal.
infertile, adj. — Late L. infertilis, 'unfruitful', fr.
in-, 'not', and L. fertilis. See fertile.
Derivatives: infertile-ly, adv., infertile-ness, n.
infertility, n. — F. infertility fr. Late L. inferti-
litdtem, acc. of infertilitds, 'unfruitfulness', fr.
infertilis. See prec. word and -ity.
infest, tr. v., to harass. — F. infester, fr. L. in-
festdre, 'to trouble, disturb, molest', fr. infestus,
'disturbed, molested, infested, unquiet, hostile',
lit. 'seized', rel. to manifestus, 'evident', lit. 'that
which can be seized by the hand', and prob.
cogn. with OI. dhdrsati, 'dares', Gk. &dcp<jo<;,
O-paaos, 'courage, audacity', OE. ic dearr, 'I
dare'. See dare and words there referred to and
cp. esp. manifest.
infestation, n. — Late L. infestdtid, gen. -dnis,
'a troubling, disturbing, molesting', fr. L. in-
festdtus, pp. of infestdre. See infest and -ation.
infeudation, n., enfeoffment {Engl. law). — ML.
infeuddtid, gen. -dnis, fr. infeuddtus, pp. of in-
feuddre, 'to enfeoff'. See in-, 'in', feud, 'fief, and
-ation.
infibulate, tr. v., to fasten, buckle (esp. the sexual
organs). — L. infibuldtus, pp. of infibuldre, 'to
close with a clasp', fr. in-, 'in', and fibula, 'clasp,
buckle, brooch'. See fibula and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: infibulat-ion, n.
infidel, adj. — F. infidile, fr. L. infidelis, 'that
cannot be relied upon, faithless', fr. in-, 'not',
and fidelis, 'true, faithful'. See fidelity.
Derivative : infidel, n.
infidelity, n. — F. infidelite, fr. L. infidelitdtem,
acc. of infidelitds, 'faithlessness', fr. infidelis. See
prec. word and -ity.
infinite, adj. — L. infinitus, 'boundless, unlimited,
endless', fr. in-, 'not', and finitus, pp. of finire.
See finite. Derivatives: infinite, n., infinite-ly,
adv., infinite-ness, n.
infinitesimal, adj., immeasurably small. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. ModL. infinitesi-
mus, which was coined by the German philos-
opher and mathematician Baron Gottfried
Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) fr. L. infinitus
(see prec. word) on analogy of L. centesimus,
'the hundredth'.
Derivatives: infinitesimal, n., infinitesimal-ity,n.,
infinitesimal-ly, adv., infinitesimal-ness, n.
infinitive, adj. and n. — Late L. infinitivus, fr. L.
infinitus. See infinite and -ive.
Derivatives: infinitiv-al, adj., infinitiv-al-ly, in-
finitive-ly, advs.
infinitude, n., the state of being infinite. — Coined
by Milton fr. infinite and suff. -ude.
infinity, n. — ME. infinite, fr. OF. infinite (F. in-
finite), fr. L. infinitdtem, acc. of infinitds,
'boundlessness, endlessness'. See infinite and
-ity. L. infinitds is prop, a loan translation of Gk.
dbreipia, 'infinity', fr. Sraipoi;, 'endless, infinite'.
infirm, adj. — ME. infirme, fr. L. infirmus, 'weak,
feeble, infirm, sick', fr. in-, 'not', and firmus,
'strong, firm'. See firm, adj.
Derivatives: infirm-ly, adj., infirm-ness, n.
infirmary, n. — ML. infirmdria, 'hospital', lit. 'a
place for the infirm', fr. L. infirmus; cp. Sp. en-
793
infra
fermo (fr. L. infirmus), 'sick', enfermedad (fr. L.
infirmitdtem, acc. of infirmitds), 'sickness'. See
prec. word and subst. suff. -ary.
Derivative: infirmar-ian, n.
infirmity, n. — ME. infirmite, fr. MF. (= F.) in-
firmite, fr. L. infirmitdtem, acc. of infirmitds,
'weakness', fr. infirmus. See infirm and -ity.
infix, tr. v. — L. infixus, pp. of infigere, 'to fix in',
fr. in-, 'in', and figere, 'to fix, fasten'. See fix.
infix, n. — L. infixus, pp. of infigere. See infix, v.
inflame, tr. and intr. v. — ME. enflamen, fr. OF.
en/lamer, enflammer (F. enflammer), fr. L. in-
flammdre, 'to set on fire, kindle', fr. in-, 'in',
and fiammdre, 'to flame', fr. flamma, 'flame'.
See flame. Derivatives: inflam-ed, adj., inflam-
ed-ly, adv., inflam-ed-ness, n., inflam-ing, adj.,
inflam-ing-ly, adv.
inflammable, adj. — F., fr. L. inflammdre. See
inflame and -able.
Derivatives : inflammable, n., inflammabil-ity, n.,
inflammable-ness, n., inflammabl-y, adv.
inflammation, n. — F., fr. L. inflammdtidnem,
acc. of inflammatid, 'a setting on fire', fr. in-
flammdtus, pp. of inflammdre. See inflame and
-ation.
inflammatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. inflammdtus, pp. of inflammdre. See in-
flame and cp. F. inflammatoire.
Derivative : inflammatori-ly, adv.
inflate, tr. v. — L. infldtus, pp. of infldre, 'to blow
into, inflate; to pull up', fr. in-, 'in', and flare,
'to blow'. See flatus and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inflat-ed, adj., inflat-ed-ly, adv.,
inflat-ed-ness, n., inflat-er, n., inflation (q.v.),
inflat-or, n.
inflation, n. — L. infldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a blowing
or puffing up, inflation', fr. infldtus, pp. of in-
fldre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: infiation-ary, adj., inflation-ism, n. (
inflation-ist, n. and adj.
inflect, tr. v. — L. inflectere (pp. inflexus), 'to
bend, curve; to change, alter, modulate', fr.
in-, 'in', and flectere, 'to bend'. See flex and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: inflect-ed, adj., inflect-ed-ness, n.,
inflection (q.v.), inflect-ive, adj.
inflection, inflexion, n. — L. inflexid, gen. -dnis,
'a bending, inflection, modification', fr. in-
flectus, pp. of inflectere, 'to bend, curve'. See
inflect and -ion.
Derivatives: inflection-al, inflexion-al, adj., in-
flection-al-ly, inflexion-al-ly, adv., inflection-less,
inflexion-less, adj.
inflexible, adj. — L. inflexibilis, 'inflexible', fr.
inflexus, pp. of inflectere. See inflect and -ible.
Derivatives: inflexibil-ity, n., inflexible-ness, n.,
inflexibl-y, adv.
inflict, tr. v. — L. inflictus, pp. of infligere, 'to
strike or dash against', fr. in-, 'in', and fligere
(pp. flictus), 'to strike'. See afflict and cp. words
there referred to. Derivatives: inflict-er, n.,
infliction (q.v.), inflict-ive, adj.
infliction, n. ■ — Late L. inflictid, gen. -dnis, 'an
inflicting', fr. L. inflictus, pp. of infligere, 'to
strike or dash against'. See prec. word and -ion.
inflorescence, n., 1) a flowering; 2) arrangement
of flowers on an axis (bot.) — ModL. in-
fldrescentia, fr. Late L. infldrescens, gen' -entis.
pres. part, of infldrescere, 'to begin to blossom,
to put forth blossoms', fr. in-, 'in', and L. fldre-
scere, 'to begin to blossom'. See florescence.
inflorescent, adj., flowering. — Late L. infldre-
scens, gen. -entis. See prec. word.
inflow, n. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and flow.
Derivatives: inflow-ing, adj. and n.
influence, n. — F., fr. Late L. influentia, 'a flowing
in', fr. L. influens, gen. -entis. See influent and
-ce and cp. influenza. Derivative: influence, tr. v.
influent, adj., flowing in; n., a tributary stream,
— L. influens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of Xnfluere,
'to flow in', fr. in-, 'in', and fluere, 'to flow'.
See fluent.
influential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
Late L. influentia. See influence.
Derivative: influential-ly, adv.
influenza, n., an acute contagious disease. — It.,
lit. 'influence' (see influence). The disease was
so called because it was originally attributed to
the 'influence' of the stars.
Derivative: influenz-al, adj.
influx, n., a flowing in. — Late L. influxus, gen.
-iis, 'a flowing in', fr. L. influxium), pp. stem of
influere, 'to flow in', fr. in-, 'in', and fluere, 'to
flow'. See fluent
influxion, n. — Late L. influxio, gen. -dnis, 'a
flowing in', fr. L. influx-(um), pp. stem of in-
fluere. See prec. word and -ion.
inform, adj., without form, shapeless. — F. in-
forme, fr. L. informis, 'unformed, shapeless', fr.
in-, 'not', and forma, 'form, shape'. See form, n.
inform, tr. and intr. v., to apprise, notify. —
ME. enformen, fr. OF. enformer (F. informer),
fr. L. informdre, 'to give form to, to shape', fr.
in-, 'in', and formdre, 'to form, shape'. See
form, v.
Derivatives: inform-al, adj., informant (q.v.),
information (q.v.), inform-ed, adj., inform-ed-ly,
adv., inform-er, a.
informant, n. — L. informdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of informdre. See inform, v., and -ant
information, n. — ME. enformacion, fr. OF. en-
formacion (F. information), fr. L. informdtidnem,
acc. of informdtid, 'representation, outline,
sketch; idea, conception', fr. informdtus, pp. of
informdre. See inform, v., and -ation.
Derivatives: information-al, adj.
informative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
informdtus, pp. of informdre. See inform, v.
Derivative: informative-ly, adv.
informatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff.
-ory fr. L. informdtus, pp. of informdre. See
inform, v.
infra, adv., under, below. — L. infra, 'below
(adv.); below (prep.), under', fr. I.-E. *ndher-,
infra-
794
whence also OI. adhdh, 'below', ddharah, 'lower',
OE. under, 'under, among'. See under and cp.
inferior, infernal, inferno. Cp. also inter-, in-
terior, intra-. Cp. also fracas.
infra-, pref. meaning i) below; 2) within. — L.
Infra-, fr. Infra. See prec. word.
infract, tr. v., to break, infringe. — L. infrdctus,
pp. of infringere, 'to break'. See infringe.
infraction, n., infringement. — L. infrdctid, gen.
-onis, 'a breaking', fr. infrdctus, pp. of infringere.
See infringe and -ion.
infra dig, colloquial abbreviation of L. infra dig-
nitatem, 'beneath the dignity of.
infraspinatus, n., name of one of the muscles of
the shoulder (anat) — Medical L. (musculus)
infraspinatus, a name coined by J.Riolan (in
Anthropographia, Book 5, chapter 24, quoted
by Joseph Hyrtl, Onomatologia Anatomica, pp.
501-503). The correct form of the name should
be musculus infra spinam, lit. 'the muscle below
the backbone', fr. infra, 'below', and spina,
'spine, backbone'. See infra- and spine and cp.
supra spinatus.
infrequency, infrequence, n. — L. infrequentia,
'scantiness', fr. infrequens, gen. -entis. See next
word and -cy, resp. -ce.
infrequent, adj. — L. infrequens, gen. -entis, 'oc-
curring seldom, unusual, uncommon, not fre-
quent', fr. in-, 'not', and frequens, gen. -entis.
See frequent.
Derivative : infrequent-ly, adv.
infringe, tr. v. — L. infringere, 'to break off, im-
pair, destroy', fr. in-, 'in', and frangere, 'to
break'. See fraction and cp. words there referred
to. For the change of Latin d (in frangere) to 1
(in in-fringere) see contingent.
Derivative: infringe-ment, n.
infructuous, adj., fruitless. — L. infriictudsus,
'unfruitful, fruitless, useless', fr. in-, 'not', and
fructudsus, 'fruitful'. See fructuous.
Derivative: infructuous-ly, adv.
infundibulum, n., name of several funnel-shaped
organs (anat.) — L. infundibulum, 'funnel', fr.
infundd, -ere, 'to pour in', fr. in, 'in', and fun-
dere, 'to pour' (see infuse). In the sense of 'the
funnel-shaped hollow in the brain', infundibulum
is a loan translation of Gk. x°" V7 l> 'funnel,
funnel-shaped hollow in the brain', fr. xeiv, 'to
pour'.
Derivatives: infundibul-ar, infundibul-ate, adjs.
infuriate, adj., infuriated. — It. infuriato, fr. ML.
infuridtus, pp. of infuridre, 'to madden', fr. L.
in furid, 'in a fury', fr. in (see in-, 'in') and abl.
oifuria (see fury)- For the ending see adj. suff.
-ate.
Derivative: infuriate-ly, adv.
infuriate, tr. v. — ML. infuridtus, pp. of infuridre.
See infuriate, adj.
Derivative : infuriat-ion, n.
infuscate, adj., darkened with a brownish shade
(said of the wings of insects). — L. infuscatus,
'darkened', pp. of infuscare, 'to darken', fr. in-,
'in', and fuscdre, 'to make dark, to make swar-
thy', fr. fuscus. See fuscous and adj. suff. -ate.
infuse, tr. v. — L. infusus, pp. of infundere, 'to
pour into; to wet, moisten', fr. in-, 'in', and
fundere, 'to pour'. See fuse, 'to melt' and cp.
words there referred to.
Derivatives: infus-er, n., infus-ible, adj., infus-
ibil-ity, n., infusion (q.v.)
infusion, n. — L. infusid, gen. -onis, 'a pouring
into', fr. infusus, pp. of infundere. See prec. word
and -ion.
Infusoria, n. pi., a class of Protozoa (zoo/.) —
ModL., lit. 'found in infusions', coined by
Ledermuller in 1763 fr. L. infusus, pp. of in-
fundere, 'to pour into'. See infuse and the suf-
fixes -ory and -ia.
Derivatives: infusori-al, adj., lnfusori-an, adj.
and n.
-ing, suff. forming nouns from verbs (i.e. 'verbal
nouns'). — ME. -ing, fr. OE. -ing, -ung, rel. to
ON. -ing, Du. -ing, OHG., MHG., G. -ung.
-ing, suff. forming the present participle — ME.
-inge, -ing, altered fr. ME. -end, -and, -ind, fr.
OE. -ende, which is rel. to Du., G. -end, Goth.
-and, and cogn. with OI. -ant-, Gk. -cov (fem.
-oucra, neut. -ov), L. -arts, -ens, -iens (from verbs
of the I, II and III, resp. IV conjugation). Cp.
the suffixes -ant, -ent.
-ing, suff. meaning 'pertaining to, related to;
descended from; resembling'; used to form
patronymics (as in athel/«,?, king). — ME., fr.
OE. -ing, -ung, rel. to ON. -ingr, -ungr, OHG.
-ing, Goth. -iggs. Cp. adv. suff. -ling.
-ing, suff. occurring in place names. — Partly fr.
OE. ing, 'meadow' [rel. to ON. eng, engi, 'mea-
dow' (whence Dan., Norw. eng, of s.m.)], as
in Readme, partly patronymic as in Buckingham
(see -ing, suff. meaning 'pertaining to').
Inga, n., a genus of plants of the mimosa family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Port, ingd, fr. Tupi ingi.
ingeminate, tr. v., to repeat. — L. ingemindtus,
pp. of ingemindre, 'to redouble, repeat, reiter-
ate', fr. in-, 'in', and gemindre, 'to double', fr.
geminus, 'twin'. See Gemini.
ingenerate, adj., not generated. — Late L. in-
generdtus, fr. in-, 'not', and L. generdtus, 'en-
gendered, produced, generated', pp. of generdre.
See generate.
ingenerate, tr. v., to generate within, to engender.
— L. ingenerdtus, pp. of ingenerdre, 'to en-
gender, produce', fr. in-, 'in', and generdre. See
generate and cp. engender.
ingenious, adj., clever. — F. ingenieux (fem. in-
gem'euse), 'ingenious, clever', fr. L. ingem'dsus,
'intellectual, clever', fr. ingenium, 'nature; dis-
position', lit. 'that which is inborn', fr. in-, 'in',
and I.-E. base *gen-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth,
produce'. See genus and -ous and cp. engine.
Derivatives: ingenious-ly, adv., ingenious-ness,n.
ingenue, n., an artless, naive girl. — F., fem. of
inginu, 'ingenuous, artless, simple', fr. L. in-
genuus. See ingenuous.
795
inherence
ingenuity, n., ingeniousness. — L. ingenuitds (gen.
-tdtis), 'frankness, nobility', fr. ingenuus; see
next word and -ity. The English meaning of the
word is due to a confusion with ingenious.
ingenuous, adj. — L. ingenuus, 'native; freeborn,
noble; upright', fr. in-, 'in', and I.-E. base *gen-,
'to beget, bear, bring forth, produce'. See genus
and cp. ingenue. For E. -ous, as equivalent to
L. -us, see suff. -ous.
Derivatives: ingenuous-ly, adv., ingenuous-
ness, n.
ingest, tr. v., to take into the body. — L. in-
gestus, pp. of ingerere, 'to bring in, carry in',
fr. in-, 'in', and gerere, 'to carry'. See gerent and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: ingestion (q.v.), ingest-ive, adj.
ingestion, n. — L. ingestid, gen. -onis, 'a pouring
in', fr. ingestus, pp. of ingerere. See prec. word
and -ion.
ingle, n., fire ; fireplace. — Scot., fr. Gael, aingeal,
'fire', which is of uncertain origin,
inglorious, adj. — L. ingldridsus, 'inglorious', fr.
in-, 'not', and gldridsus. See glorious.
Derivatives : inglorious-ly, adv. , inglorious-ness, n.
ingluvies, n., the crop (zool.) — L. ingluvies, 'crop,
maw', which stands for in-gluv-ies, fr. in-, 'in',
and I.-E. base *glu-, 'to swallow', whence also
L. gluttire, 'to swallow, gulp down'. See glut
and cp. words there referred to.
ingot, n., a mass of unwrought metal. — ME.,
fr. OE. in (see in-, 'in') and goten, pp. of geotan,
'to pour'. See found, 'to cast', and cp. lingot.
ingrain, tr. v., 1) to dye in grain; 2) to work into
the texture. — See engrain.
Derivative: ingrain-ed, adj.
ingrain, adj., dyed in grain; n., ingrain yarn,
carpet, etc. — Fr. in grain. See in, prep., and
grain.
Ingram, masc. PN. — Prob. fr. Latinized OHG.
Angilramnus or Ingilramnus, lit. 'angel's raven',
fr. OHG. angil, 'angel', and hram, a collateral
form of hraban, 'raven'. See angel and raven
and cp. the second element in Bertram.
ingrate, adj., ungrateful. — OF. ingrat, fr. L. in-
gratus, 'unpleasant; ungrateful', fr. in-, 'not',
and grdtus, 'beloved, pleasing, dear, agreeable'.
See grace and cp. grateful.
ingratiate, tr. v., to commend to favor. — It. in-
graziare, 'to bring into favor', fr. It. in grazia,
fr. L. in grdtiam, 'into grace, into favor'. See
in-, 'in', grace, and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: ingratiat-ing, adj., ingratiat-ing-ly,
adv., ingratiat-ion, n., ingratiat-ory, adj.
ingratitude, n. — F., fr. L. ingrdtitudinem, acc. of
ingrdtitudd, 'ingratitude', fr. ingrdtus. See in-
grate and -ude.
ingravescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
ingravescent, adj., gradually increasing in gravity.
— L. ingravescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of in-
graviscere, 'to grow worse', fr. in-, 'in', and
gravescere, 'to become burdened, grow worse'.
an inchoative verb formed fr. gravis. See grave,
adj., and -escent.
ingredient, n., that which enters into a mixture;
component. — L. ingrediens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of ingredi, 'to go into, to enter', fr. in-,
'in', and gradi, 'to step, walk, go', fr. 'gradus,
'step'. See grade and -ent.
ingress, n., entrance. — L. ingressus, gen. -us,
'way in, entrance', fr. ingressus, pp. of ingredi.
See prec. word.
Derivatives: ingression (q.v.), ingress-ive, adj.,
ingress-ive-ness, n.
ingression, n., the act of entering. — L. ingressid,
gen. -onis, 'a going into', fr. ingressus, pp. of
ingredi. See prec. word and -ion.
inguen, n., the groin (anat.) — L., 'groin, ab-
domen', fr. I.-E. *ng w en, whence also Gk. <x8t)v,
'gland'; cogn. with ON. dkkr, 'a swelling', dk-
kvinn, 'swollen'. Cp. adeno-.
inguinal, adj. — Medical L. inguindlis, 'of the
groin', fr. L. inguen, gen. -inis. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -al.
inguino-, before a vowel inguin-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the groin'. — See in-
guen.
ingurgitate, tr. v., to swallow greedily. — L. in-
gurgitdtus, pp. of ingurgitdre, 'to pour in like a
flood; to flood, fill', fr. in-, 'in', and gurges, gen.
gurgitis, 'whirlpool, gulf. See gurgitation and
cp. words there referred to.
ingurgitation, n. — L. ingurgitdtid, gen. -onis,
'immoderate eating and drinking', fr. ingurgi-
tdtus, pp. of ingurgitdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
inhabit, tr. v. — ME. enhabiten, fr. OF. enhabiter,
fr. L. inhabitdre, 'to dwell in', fr. in-, 'in', and
habitdre, 'to dwell'. See habit, 'to dwell'.
Derivatives: inhabit-able, adj., inhabitancy, in-
habitant, inhabitation (qq.v.)
inhabitancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inhabitant, n. — ME. inhabitaunt, fr. AF. (= OF.)
enhabitant (= pres. part, of enhabiter), fr. L.
inhabitantem, acc. of inhabitdns, pres. part, of
inhabitdre. See inhabit and -ant and cp. habit-
ant.
inhabitation, n., the act of inhabiting; the state
of being inhabited. — Late L. inhabitdtid, gen.
-onis, 'a dwelling, habitation', fr. L. inhabitdtus,
pp. of inhabitdre. See inhabit and -ation.
inhalation, n. — Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. in-
hdldtus, pp. of inhdldre. See next word.
inhale, tr. v., to breathe in; intr. v., to inhale air.
— L. inhdldre, 'to breathe upon', fr. in-, 'in',
and hdldre, 'to breathe'. See exhale.
inhere, intr. v., to be an essential part; to be in-
nate. — L. inhaerere, 'to cling or cleave to, be
closely connected with, inhere in', fr. in-, 'in',
and haerere, 'to stick, cling, hang, adhere'. See
hesitate and cp. adhere, cohere.
inherence, inherency, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
inherent
796
inherent, adj., essential, innate. — L. inhaerens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of inhaerere. See inhere
and -ent.
Derivative : inherent-ly, adv.
inherit, tr. and intr. v. — ME. enheriten, fr. OF.
enheriter, fr. Late L. inhereditdre, 'to appoint
an heir*, fr. in-, 'in', and L. hereditare, 'to in-
herit', fr. heres, gen. heredis, 'heir'. See heir and
cp. heredity. Cp. also disinherit.
Derivatives: inherit-able, adj., inherit-abil-ity,
n., inherit-able-ness, n., inherit-abl-y, adv., in-
heritance (q.v.), inherit-or, n., inherit-ress, n.
inheritance, n. — OF. enheritance, fr. enheriter,
'to inherit'. See inherit and -ance.
inhesion, n., inherence. — Late L. inhaesid, gen.
-dnis, 'a clinging to', fr. L. inhaesus, pp. of in-
haerere. See inhere and -ion.
inhibit, tr. v., to prohibit; to check. — ME. in-
hibiten, fr. L. inhibitus, pp. of inhibere, 'to keep
back, curb, check, restrain', fr. in-, 'in', and
habere, 'to have, hold, possess'. See habit, n.
For the change of Latin & (in habere) to I (in
in-hibere) see abigeat and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: inhibition (q.v.), inhibit-ive, adj.,
inhibitory (q.v.)
inhibition, n. — OF. inibicion, inhibicion (F. in-
hibition), fr. L. inhibitidnem, acc. of inhibitid, 'a
restraining', fr. inhibitus, pp. of inhibere. See
prec. word and -ion.
inhibitory, adj. — ML. inhibitdrius, fr. L. in-
hibitus, pp. of inhibere. See inhibit and adj.
suff. -ory.
inhospitable, adj. — OF., fr. ML. inhospitdbilis
(corresponding to L. inhospitdlis), 'inhospi-
table', fr. in-, 'not', and ML. hospitdbilis. See
hospitable.
Derivatives: inhospitable-ness, n., inhospitabl-y,
adv.
inhospitality, n. — F. inhospitalite, fr. L. in-
hospitdlitdtem, acc. of inhospitdlitds, 'inhospi-
tality', fr. in-, 'not', and hospitdlis, 'hospitable'.
See hospitality.
inhuman, adj. — L. inhumdnus, 'inhuman, savage,
cruel', fr. in-, 'not', and humdnus. See human.
Derivatives: inhuman-ly, adv., inhuman-ness, n.
inhumane, adj. — L. inhumdnus. See prec. word
and humane.
Derivative : inhumane-iy, adv.
inhumanity, n, — F. inhumanite, fr. L. inhumd-
nitdtem, acc. of inhumdnitds, 'inhuman conduct,
savageness', fr. inhumdnus. See inhuman and -ity.
inhumation, n., burial. — Formed with suff. -km
fr. L. inhumdtus, pp. of inhumdre. See next word,
inhume, tr. v., to bury. — L. inhumdre, 'to bury',
lit. 'to put into the ground', fr. in-, 'in', and
humus, 'ground'. See humus and cp. exhume.
Derivative: inhum-er, n.
inial, adj., pertaining to the inion. — See inion
and adj. suff. -al.
Inigo, masc. PN. — Sp. Inigo, prob. altered fr. L.
Ignatius. See Ignatius.
inimical, adj. — Late L. inimlcdlis 'hostile', fr. L.
inimicus, 'enemy', fr. in- 'not' zndamicus, 'friend'.
See amicable and adj. suff. -al. and cp. enemy.
For the change of Latin d (in dmicus) to i (in
in-imicus) see abigeat and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inimical-ity, n., inimical-ly, adv.,
inimical-ness, n.
inimitability, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L.
inimitdbilis. See inimitable,
inimitable, adj. — L. inimitdbilis, 'that cannot be
imitated', fr. in-, 'not', and imitdbilis. See imi-
table.
Derivatives: inimitable-ness, n., inimitabl-y, adv.
Iniomi, n.pl., an order of teleost fishes (ichthyol.)
— ModL., formed fr. Gk. tviov, 'nape', and
&[j.os, 'shoulder'. See next word and omo-,
'shoulder-'.
inion, n., the nape. — ModL., fr. Gk. iviov,
'nape', a derivative of l? (gen. *tv6?), 'sinew,
tendon; muscle, fiber', which prob. stands for
*ff? (gen. *ftv6i;) and derives fr. I.-E. base
*wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also Gk. Mot,
zhla. (for *fei/r&x), 'willow'. See withy and
cp. too- and the first element in Inodes and in
Iphigenia.
iniquitous, adj. — See next word and -ous.
Derivatives : iniquitous-ly, adv., iniquitous-ness,n.
iniquity, n., wickedness. — Fr. OF. iniquite (F.
iniquite), it. L. iniquitdtem, acc. of iniquitds, 'ini-
quity', fr. iniquus, 'unequal, uneven, unfair,
unjust', fr. in-, 'not', and aequus, 'equal, even'.
See equal. For the change of Latin ae (in aequus)
to i (in in-iquus) see acquire and cp. words
there referred to.
initial, adj., pertaining to, or indicating, the be-
ginning. — L. initidlis, 'initial, incipient', fr.
initium, 'beginning, origin', fr. init-(um), pp.
stem of inire, 'to go into, enter; to enter upon,
begin', fr. fa-, 'in', and ed, ire, 'to go'. See iti-
nerate and adj. suff. -al and cp. initiate.
Derivatives: initial, n. and tr. v., initial-ly, adv.
initiate, tr. v., to begin. — L. initidtus, pp. of ini-
tidre, 'to begin, originate', fr. initium, 'begin-
ning'. See prec. word and verbal suff. -ate.
initiate, adj., initiated; begun. — L. initidtus, pp.
of initidre. See initiate, v.
Derivative : initiate, n.
initiation, n. — L. initidtid, gen. -dnis, 'partici-
pation in secret rites', fr. initidtus, pp. of initidre.
See initiate, v., and -ion.
initiative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
initidtus, pp. of initidre. See initiate, v.
Derivatives: initiative, n., initiative-ly, adv.
initiator, n. — Late L., 'an originator', fr. L. ini-
tidtus, pp. of initidre. See initiate, v., and agen-
tial suff. -or.
initiatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr.
L. initidtus, pp. of initidre. See initiate.
inject, tr. v. — L. injectus, pp. of inicere (less cor-
rectly injicere), 'to throw in, fling in; to in-
spire', formed fr. in-, 'in', and jactus, pp. of
797
innuendo
jacere, 'to throw, fling, cast'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth'. For the change of Latin d (in jdctus) to
e (in in-jSctus) see accent and cp. words there
referred to.
injection, n. — L. injectid, gen. -dnis, 'a throwing
in, an injection', fr. injectus, pp. of inicere. See
inject and -ion.
injector, n. — Formed with agential suff. -or fr.
L. injectus, pp. of inicere. See inject and agential
suff. -or.
injunction, n. — Late L. injunctio, 'command, in-
junction', gen. -dnis, fr. L. injunctus, pp. of in-
jungere, 'to join into, unite, attach to; to impose
upon, enjoin', fr. in-, 'in', and jungere, 'to join'.
See join and cp. junction, enjoin,
injunctive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
injunctus, pp. of injungere. See prec. word.
Derivatives: injunctive, n., injunctive-ly, adv.
injure, tr. v. — Back formation fr. injury.
Derivatives: injur-ed, adj., injur-ed-ness, n.
injurious, adj. — F. injurieux (fern, injurieuse), fr.
L. injuridsus, 'unlawful, wrongful, harmful,
noxious', fr. injuria. See next word and -ous.
Derivatives: injurious-ly, adv., injurious-ness, n.
injury, n. — L. injuria, 'injury, wrong, violence,
injustice; insult; harm, damage', fr. in-, 'not',
and jus, gen. juris, 'right'. See jus and -y (rep-
resenting L. -id).
injustice, n. — F., fr. L. injustitia, 'injustice', fr.
injustus, 'unjust, wrongful, unreasonable, op-
pressive, excessive', fr. in-, 'not', and justus,
'just'. See just and cp. justice, unjust,
ink, n. — ME. enke, inke, fr. OF. enque(F. encre),
lit. 'something burnt in', fr. Late L. encaustum,
fr. Gk. g-ptaucrrov, 'burnt in' (said of colors of
paintings, etc.), neut. verbal adj. of ^Y xa ' ELV >
'to burn in'. See encaustic.
Derivatives: ink, tr. v., ink-er, n., ink-ish, adj.,
ink-less, adj., ink-y, adj., ink-i-ness, n.
inkling, n., a hint. — ME. inkling, 'a hint', fr.
inklen, 'to hint at, hint', which is of uncertain
origin.
inlet, n., anything put in; an arm of the sea, etc.
— Formed fr. in, adv., and let, 'to leave'.
inly, adv., within, inwardly. — ME. inliche, inly,
fr. OE. inlice, 'internally; sincerely'. See in and
adv. suff. -ly.
inmost, adj. — ME. innemest, fr. OE. innemest,
which stands for *inne-ma-est and is a double
superlative of inne, 'in'. The change of e (in OE.
innemest) too (in E. inmost) is due to an erron-
eous association with most. See in, adv., and
-mof t and cp. words there referred to.
inn, n. — Orig. 'house, abode', fr. ME. inn, in,
fr. OE. inn, 'house, chamber', fr. inn, 'in', adv.
Cp. ON. inni, 'house, home', and see in, adv.
and prep.
innate, adj., inborn; natural. — ME. innat, fr.
L. inndtus, 'inborn', pp. of inndscor, inndsci, 'to
be born in; to arise, originate, in', fr. in-, 'in',
and" nascor, ndsci, 'to be born'. See natal and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives : innate-ly, adv., innate-ness, n.
innavigable, adj. — L. inndvigdbilis, fr. in-, 'not',
and ndvigdbilis. See navigable.
Derivatives : innavigabil-ity, n., innavigable-ness,
n., innavigabl-y, adv.
inner, adj. — ME., fr. OE. innera, compar. of
inne, 'within'; rel. to OHG. innaro, MHG. in-
nere, G. inner, 'inner'. See in, adv. and adj., and
compar. suff. -er.
Derivatives : inner, n., inner-ly, adv., inner-ness,n.
innerve, tr. v. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and nerve.
Derivatives: innervate, tr. v., innerv-at-ion, n.
inning, n., i) a taking in; 2) (baseball) a numbered
round of play. — ME. inninge, fr. OE. innung,
lit. 'a taking in', fr. innian, 'to take in, put in',
fr. inn, 'in'. Cp. obsol. in, 'to take in', and see
in, adv. and prep.
innocence, n. — L. innocentia, 'harmlessness,
blamelessness, uprightness', fr. innocens, gen.
-entis. See next word and -ce.
innocent, adj. — L. innocens, gen. -entis, 'harm-
less, blameless, upright', fr. in-, 'not', and pres.
part, of noced, nocere, 'to harm, hurt'. See
noxious and -ent and cp. nocuous, innocuous.
Derivative: innocent, n., innocent-ly, adv., in-
nocent-ness, n.
innocuity, n. — Prob. fr. F. innocuite, fr. L. in-
nocuus. See next word and -ity.
innocuous, adj., harmless. — L. innocu-us, 'harm-
less', fr. in-, 'not', and the stem of nocere, 'to
harm, hurt'. See innocent. For E. -ous, as equi-
valent to L. -us, see -ous.
Derivatives: innocuous-ly, adv., innocuous-
ness, n.
innominate, adj., "unnamed. — Late L. inndmi-
ndtus, 'unnamed*, fr. in-, 'not', and L. ndmindtus,
pp. of ndmindre, 'to name', fr. ndmen, gen.
ndminis, 'name'. See nominal and adj. suff. -ate.
innominatum, n., the innominate bone (anat.) —
Medical L. (short for ds innominatum, 'the un-
named bone'), neut. of inndmindtus (see prec.
word); so called by the Roman physician Clau-
dius Galen (131-201).
innovate, intr. v. — L. innovdtus, pp. of innovdre,
'to renew, alter', fr. in-, 'in', and novdre, 'to
make new', fr. novus, 'new'. See novel, adj., and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: innovation (q.v.), innovat-ive, in-
novatory, adjs.
innovation, n. — L. innovdtio, gen. -dnis, fr. in-
novdtus, pp. of innovdre. See prec. word and
-ion.
innoxious, adj., harmless. — L. innoxius, 'harm-
less; blameless, innocent', fr. in-, 'not', and
noxius, 'harmful'. See noxious and cp. innocent.
Derivatives : innoxious-ly, adv., innoxious-ness, n.
innuendo, n., an oblique hint. — L. innuendo, 'by
giving a nod, by intimating', abl. of the gerund
of innso, innuere, 'to give a nod, to intimate',
lit. 'to nod to', fr. in-, 'in', and nud, nuere, 'to
nod, wink'. See nutate.
Derivative: innuendo, intr. v.
Innuit
798
Innuit, n., an Eskimo of Alaska. — Native name,
lit. meaning 'men'. Cp. Yuit.
innumerability, n. — L. innumerabilitds, fr. in-
numerdbilis. See next word,
innumerable, adj. — ME., fr. L. innumerdbilis,
fr. in-, 'not', and numerdbilis. See numerable.
Derivatives : innumerable-ness, n., innumerabl-y,
adv.
ino-, before a vowel in-, combining form meaning
'fibrous'. — Gk. tvo-, tv-, fr. tc. (gen. tv6q),
'sinew, tendon; muscle, fiber'. See inion.
inobservance, n. — F., fr. L. inobservantia, 'in-
attention, negligence*, fr. inobservdns, gen. -an-
tis. See next word and cp. observance.
inobservant, adj. — L. inobservdns, gen. -antis,
'inattentive, negligent', fr. in-, 'not', and ob-
servdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of observdre. See
observant.
Derivatives: inobservant-ly, adv., inobservant-
ness, n.
Inoceramus, n., a genus of extinct bivalve mo-
lusks (paleontol.) — ModL., compounded of
ino- and Gk. xspajioi;, 'earthen vessel'. See
ceramic.
inoculate, tr. v. — L. inoculdtus, pp. of inoculdre,
'to engraft an eye or bud from one tree into
another, to implant', fr. in-, 'in', and oculdre,
'to furnish with eyes', fr. oculus, 'eye; bud'. See
ocular and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inoculation (q.v.), inoculat-ive, adj.,
inoculator (q.v.)
inoculation, n. — L. inoculdtid, gen. -onis, 'an en-
grafting', fr. inoculdtus, pp. of inoculdre. See
prec. word and -ion.
inoculator, n. — L., 'engrafter', fr. inoculdtus, pp.
of inoculdre. See inoculate and agential suff. -or.
Inodes, n., a genus of fan palms (bot.) — ModL.,
compounded of Gk. tq, gen. tvo;, 'fiber', and
-co87)<;, 'like', fr. elSo;, 'form, shape'. See ino-
and -ode, 'like'.
inodorous, adj., odorless. — L. inoddrus, 'with-
out smell', fr. in-, 'not', and oddrus. See odorous.
Derivatives: inodorous-ly, adv., inodorous-
ness, n.
inofficious, adj. — L. inofficidsus, 'undutiful', fr.
in-, 'not', and officidsus. See officious.
Derivatives: inofficious-ly, adv., inofficious-
ness, n.
inogen, n., a hypothetical substance supposed to
exist in the muscles (physiul.) — Formed fr.
ino- and -gen.
inopportune, adj. — L. inopportunus, fr. in-, 'not',
and opportunus. See opportune.
Derivatives', inopportune-ly, adv., inopportune-
ness, n., inopportun-ity, n.
inordinate, adj. — ME. inordinat, fr. L. indrdindtus,
'disordered, not arranged', fr. in-, 'not', and
drdindtus, pp. of drdindre, 'to set in order'. See
ordain and cp. ordinate.
Derivatives: inordinate-ly, adv., inordinate-
ness, n.
inornate, adj. — L. inorndtus, 'unadorned', fr.
in-, 'not', and drndtus, pp. of drndre, 'to adorn'.
See ornate.
inosite, n., inositol. — Coined fr. in- (form of
ino- before a vowel) and the subst. suffixes -ose
and -ite.
inositol, n., a white crystalline compound,
C 6 H 6 (OH) 6 (chem.) — Formed from prec. word
with suff. -ol (for alcohol).
inquest, n. — ME. enqueste, fr. OF. enqueste (F.
enquete), fr. VL. *inquaesita, fem. pp. of *in-
quaerere (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to seek'),
for L. inquirere. See inquire and cp. conquest,
request. Cp. also It. inchiesta and OProvenc.
enquesta, which also derive fr. VL. *inquaesita.
inquiet, adj. — L. inquietus, 'restless, unquiet',
fr. in-, 'not', and quietus. See quiet, adj.
Derivatives: inquiet-ly, adj., inquiet-ness, n.
inquietude, n. — F. inquietude, fr. Late L. in-
quietudinem, acc. of inquietudd, 'restlessness,
disquietude', fr. L. inquietus. See prec. word and
-ude and cp. quietude.
inquiline, n., an animal that lives in the abode of
another; a guest (zool.) — L. inquilinus, 'in-
habitant of a place which is not his own, lodger',
rel. to incola, 'inhabitant', colere, 'to till (the
ground), cultivate, inhabit'. See colony and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see suff.
-ine (representing L. -inus).
inquinate, tr. v., to defile. — L. inquindtus, pp. of
inquindre, 'to stain, pollute, defile', fr. in-, 'in',
and -quindre, which is prob. rel. to cunire, 'to
defecate', and possibly also to caenum, 'filth,
dirt, mud, mire'. See obscene and verbal suff.
-ate.
inquire, enquire, tr. and intr. v. — ME. enquerre,
fr. OF. enquerre (F. enquerir), fr. VL. *inquae-
rere (remodeled after L. quaerere, 'to search in-
to'), for L. inquirere, 'to seek after, search for,
inquire into', fr. in-, 'in', and quaerere (see query).
E. inquire represents the learned spelling of the
1 5th cent., showing the influence of L. inquirere.
For the change of Latin ae (in quaerere) to )
(in in-quirere) see acquire and cp. words there
referred to.
Derivatives: inquir-able, adj., inquir-er, n., in-
quir-y, n.
inquisite, inquisit, tr. and intr. v., to inquire into;
to investigate. — L. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere.
See prec. word,
inquisition, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. inquisitidnem,
acc. of inquisltid, 'a searching for, an inquiring
into', fr. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire
and cp. inquest.
Derivatives: inquisition, tr. and intr. v., inqui-
sition-al, adj., inquisition-ist, n.
inquisitive, adj. — OF. inquisitif (fem. inquisitive),
fr. Late L. inquisitivus, 'making inquiry', fr. L. in-
quisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire and -ive.
Derivatives: inquisitive-ly, adv., inquisitive-
ness, n.
inquisitor, n. — OF. (= F.) inquisiteur, fr. L. in-
quisitorem, acc. of inquisitor, 'searcher, exam-
799
inside
iner', fr. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere. See inquire
and agential suff. -tor.
Derivatives : inquisitor-ial, adj., inquisitor-ial-ly,
adv., inquisitor-ial-ness, n.
insalubrious, adj., unhealthy. — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. insalubris, 'unhealthy, unwhole-
some', fr. in-, 'not', and saliibris. See salubrious.
insalubrity, n. — F. insalubrite, fr. insalubre, 'un-
healthy, unwholesome', fr. L. insalubris. See
prec. word and -ity.
insane, adj. — L. insdnus, 'mad, insane, outra-
geous, excessive, extravagant', fr. in-, 'not', and
sdnus. See sane.
Derivatives: insane-ly, adv., insane-ness, n.
insanitary, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
sanitary.
Derivative: insanitari-ness, n.
insanity, n. — L. insdnitds, fr. insdnus. See insane
and -ity.
insatiability, n. — L. insatidbilitds, fr. insatidbilis.
See next word and -ity.
insatiable, adj. — F., fr. L. insatidbilis, fr. in-,
'not', and satidbilis. See satiable.
Derivatives: insatiable-ness, n., insatiabl-y, adv.
insatiate, adj. — L. insatidtus, 'unsatisfied', fr.
in-, 'not', and satidtus, 'satisfied', pp. of satidre,
'to satisfy'. See satiate.
Derivatives: insatiate-ly, adv., insatiate-ness, n.
inscribe, tr. v. — L. inscribere, 'to write in or on
anything, inscribe', fr. in-, 'in', and scribere, 'to
write'. See scribe.
Derivatives: inscrib-able, adj., inscrib-able-ness,
n., inscrib-ed, adj., inscrib-er, n.
inscription, n. — L. inscriptid, gen. -dnis, 'a writ-
ing upon, inscription', fr. inscriptus, pp. of in-
scribere. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: inscription-al, adj., inscription-ed,
adj.
inscriptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
inscriptus, pp. of inscribere. See inscribe.
Derivative: inscriptive-ly, adv.
inscrutable, adj. — Late L. inscrutdbilis, fr. in-,
'not', and L. scrutdri, 'to search, examine, inves-
tigate'. See scrutable.
Derivatives: inscrutabil-ity, n., inscrutable-ness,
n., inscrutabl-y, adv.
insect, n. — L. insectum (scil. animal), lit. '(ani-
mal) cut into', neut. pp. of insecdre, 'to cut into',
fr. in-, 'in', and secdre, 'to cut' (see section); first
used in this sense (in the plural insecta) by Pliny,
Hist, nat., II, I, I, as loan translation of Gk.
Ivrofiot, 'insects', lit. '(animals) cut in', from the
stem of £vT£(iveiv, 'to cut in' (see entomo-).
insectarium, n., a place for keeping living insects.
— ModL., formed with suff. -arium fr. L. in-
sectum, 'insect'. See prec. word.
insecticide, n., a substance for killing insects. —
Compounded of L. insectum and -cida, 'killer',
fr. caedere, 'to kill'. See insect and -cide, 'killer'.
Derivative: insecticid-al, adj.
Insectiyora, n. pi., an order of mammals living
on insects (zool.) — ModL., lit. 'insect-eaters',
fr. L. insectum, 'insect', and vordre, 'to devour'.
See insect and voracious,
insectivore, n., an insect-eating animal. — F. tee
prec. word.
insectivorous, adj., living on insects. — See
Insectivora and -ous. ''
insectology, n., the study of insects. — A hybrid
coined fr. L. insectum, 'insect', and Gk. -XoytS,
fr. -X6yoi;, 'one who speaks (in a certain man-
ner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See
insect and -logy. The correct form is entomology
(q.v.), in which both elements are of Greek origin.
insecure, adj., not safe. — ML. inseciirus, fr. in-,
'not', and L. seciirus. See secure.
Derivatives: insecure-ly, adv., insecure-ness, n.
insecurity, n. — ML. insecuritas, fr. inseciirus
(see prec. word and -ity); introduced by Sir
Thomas Browne (1605-82).
inseminate, tr. v., to implant; to impregnate. —
L. insemindtus, pp. of insemindre, 'to sow, im-
plant', fr. in-, 'in', and semen, gen. seminis,
'seed'. See semen and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inseminat-ion, n.
insensate, adj., without sensation, inanimate. —
Late L. insensdtus, 'irrational, foolish', fr. in-,
'not', and sensdtus. See sensate, adj., and adj.
suff. -ate.
Derivatives: insensate-ly, adv., insensate-ness, n.
insensibility, n. — Late L. insensibilitds, fr. L.
insensibilis. See next word and -ity.
insensible, adj. — L. insensibilis, 'that cannot be
felt, imperceptible, insensible', fr. in-, 'not',
and sensibilis. See sensible.
Derivatives: insensible-ness, n., insensibl-y, adv.
insensitive, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and sen-
sitive.
Derivative: insensitive-ness, n.
inseparability, n. — Late L. insepardbilitds, fr.
L. insepardbilis. See next word and -ity.
inseparable, adj. — L. insepardbilis, 'that cannot
be separated', fr. in-, 'not', and separdbilis. See
separable.
Derivatives: inseparable-ness, n., inseparabl-y,
adv.
insert, tr. v. — L. insertus, pp. of inserere, 'to put
in, bring in, graft, introduce, insert', fr. in-,
'in', and serere, 'to put in a row, join together,
connect, combine'. See series and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: insert-ed, adj., insert-er, n., insert-
ing, n., insertion (q.v.)
insertion, n. — Late L. insertid, gen. -onis, 'a
putting in, grafting', fr. L. insertus, pp. of
inserere. See prec. word and -ion.
Insessores, n. pi., in former terminology, an
order of birds, the Perchers (prnithol.) — ModL.,
fr. L. insessores, 'besetters', lit. 'sitters on', pi.
of insessor, fr. insessus, pp. of insidere. See
insidious.
inside, n., adj., prep, and adv. — Formed fr. in,
adj., and side.
Derivative: insid-er, n.
insidious
800
insidious, adj., cunning, crafty. — F. insidieux
(fem. insidieuse), fr. L. insididsus, 'cunning, art-
ful, deceitful, insidious', fr. insidiae (gen. -arum),
'ambush, stratagem, plot, snare', fr. insidere,
'to sit in or on', fr. in-, 'in', and sedere, 'to sit'.
See sedentary and cp. Insessores. For the change
of Latin e (in sedere) to 1 (in insidere) see ab-
stinent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insidious-ly, adv., insidious-ness, n.
insignia, n. pi., signs or badges of rank, office or
honor. — L., pi. of insigne, 'distinctive mark,
badge of office or honor', prop. neut. of the
adjective insignis, 'distinguished, noted, re-
markable', used as a noun; formed fr. in-, 'in',
and signum, 'a mark, token, sign'. See sign and
cp. ensign.
insincere, adj. — L. insincerus, 'not genuine, not
pure, adulterated', fr. in-, 'not', and sincerus.
See sincere.
Derivatives: insincere-ly, adv., insincere-ity, n.
insinuate, tr. v., to introduce indirectly. — L. in-
sinudtus, pp. of insinudre, 'to wind oneself into,
ingratiate oneself, fr. in-, 'in', and sinudre, 'to
wind, bend, curve', fr. sinus. See sine, n., and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. sinuate.
Derivative: insinuat-ing, adj., insinuat-ing-ly,
adv., insinuation (q.v.). insinuat-ive, adj., in-
sinuat-ive-ly, adv., insinuat-ive-ness, n.
insinuation, n. — L. insinudtid, gen. -dnis, 'en-
trance through a narrow way; ingratiating one-
self, fr. insinudtus, pp. of insinudre. See prec.
word and -ion.
insipid, adj., tasteless. — Late L. insipidus, 'taste-
less', fr. in-, 'not', and L. sapidus. See sapid. For
the change of Latin d (in sdpidus) to i (in in-
sipidus) see abigeat and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: insipid-ity, n., insipid-ly, adv., in-
sipid-ness, n.
insipient, adj., foolish. — L. insipiens, gen. -entis,
'unwise, foolish', fr. in-, 'not', and sapiens, gen.
-entis, 'wise'. See sapient. For the change of
Latin d (in sapiens) to i (in in-sipiens) see abigeat
and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: insipient-ly, adv.
insist, v. — L. insistere, 'to set foot on, stand,
tread on; to dwell upon; to begin', fr. in-, 'in',
and sistere, 'to cause to stand, put, place; to
stand still, stand', from the reduplicated base
of stare, 'to stand'. See state. See also assist and
cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insistence, insistency, insistent
(qq.v.)
insistence, insistency, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
insistent, adj. — L. insistens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of insistere. See insist and -ent.
Derivative: insistent-Iy, adv.
insolate, tr. v., to expose to the rays of the sun. —
L. insdldtus, pp. of insoldre, 'to place in the sun',
fr. in-, 'in*, and sol, gen. sdlis, 'sun'. See sol and
verbal suff. -ate.
insolation, n., exposure to the rays of the sun. —
L. insdldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a placing in the sun',
fr. insdldtus, pp. of insoldre. See prec. word
and -ion.
insolence, n. — L. insolentia, 'unusualness ;
haughtiness, arrogance, insolence', fr. insolens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce.
insolent, n. — L. insolens, gen. -entis, 'unusual;
haughty, arrogant, insolent', fr. in-, 'not', and
pres. part, of solere, 'to use, be accustomed',
which is of uncertain origin. For the ending see
suff. -ent.
Derivatives: insolent-ly, adv., insolent-ness, n.
insolubility, n. — Late L. insolubilitds, fr. L. in-
solubilis. See next word and -ity.
insoluble, adj. — L. insolubilis, 'that cannot be
loosed; incontestable', fr. in-, 'not', and solu-
bilis. See soluble.
Derivatives: insoluble-ness, n., insolubl-y, adv.
insomnia, n., sleeplessness. — L., 'want of sleep',
fr. insomnis, 'sleepless', fr. in-, 'not', and somnus,
'sleep'. See somnolent and -ia.
insouciance, n., indifference. — F., 'carelessness,
thoughtlessness, heedlessness', fr. insouciant.
See next word and -ce.
insouciant, adj., indifferent. — F., 'careless,
thoughtless, heedless', fr. in-, 'not', and pres.
part, of soucier, 'to care, be anxious', fr. VL.
*solIicitdre, 'to disquiet, trouble, disturb', al-
tered fr. classical L. sollicitdre, 'to stir, agitate,
move, excite', under the influence of excitus,
pp. of excire, 'to excite'. See solicit and -ant.
Derivative: insouciant-ly, adv.
inspan, tr. and intr. v., to harness. — Du. in-
spannen, fr. in-, 'in', and spannen, 'to span; to
join'. See span, v.
inspect, tr. v. — L. inspectus, pp. of inspicere, 'to
look into, look at, inspect, consider', fr. in-,
'in', and specere, spicere, 'to see, to look at,
behold'. See species and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
inspection, n. — L. inspectid, gen. -dnis, 'a looking
into, inspection', fr. inspectus, pp. of inspicere.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: inspection-al, adj.
inspective, adj. — Late L. inspectivus, 'consider-
ing, contemplative', fr. L. inspectus, pp. of in-
spicere. See inspect and -ive.
inspector, n. — L., 'inspector, examiner', fr. in-
spectus, pp. of inspicere. See inspect and agential
suff. -or.
Derivative: inspector-al, adj., inspector-ate, a.,
inspector-ial, adj.
inspectress, n. — See prec. word and -ess.
inspiration, n. — OF. (= F.) inspiration, fr. Late
L. inspirdtidnem, acc. of inspirdtid, fr. L. in-
spirdtus, pp. of inspirdre. See inspire and
-ion.
Derivatives: inspiration-al, adj., inspirationism,
inspirations! (qq.v.)
inspirationism, n., belief in divine inspiration. —
See prec. word and -ism.
801
instruct
inspirationist, n., one who believes in divine in-
spiration. — See inspiration and -ist.
inspirator, n. — LateL. inspirator, fr. L. inspirdtus.
See inspire and -ator.
inspiratory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. inspirdtus. See next word.
inspire, tr. v. — ME. enspiren, inspiren, fr. OF.
enspirer, inspirer (F. inspirer), fr. L. inspirdre,
'to breathe into, blow upon; to inflame, in-
spire', fr. in-, 'in', and spirdre, 'to breathe'. See
spirit.
Derivatives: inspir-ed, adj., inspir-ed-ly, adv.,
inspir-er, n., inspir-ing, adj., inspir-ing-ly, adv.
inspissate, tr. and intr. v., to thicken. — L. in-
spissdtus, pp. of inspissdre, 'to make thick,
thicken', fr. in-, 'in', and spissdre, 'to make thick
thicken', fr. spissus, 'thick, crowded, compact,
dense'. See spissated.
Derivative: inspissat-ion, n.
instability, n. — ME. instabilitee, fr. MF. (= F.)
instabilite, fr. L. instabilitdtem, acc. of instabi-
litds, 'unsteadiness', fr. instabilis. See next word
and -ity.
instable, adj. — F., fr. L. instabilis, 'unsteady',
fr. in-, 'not', and stabilis. See stable, adj., and
cp. unstable. Derivative: instable-ness, n.
install, instal, tr. v. — F. installer, fr. ML. in-
stalldre, 'to introduce formally', fr. in-, 'in', and
stallum, 'stall, seat', fr. OHG. stall, stal, 'stand,
place, stable; stall'. See stall.
installant, n., an installer. — ML. installdns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of installdre. See prec. word
and -ant.
installation, n. — ML. installdtid, gen. -dnis,
'formal introduction', fr. installdtus, pp. of in-
stalldre. See install and -ation.
installment, instalment, n. — Formed fr. install
with suff. -ment.
instance, n. — F., fr. L. instantia, 'constancy,
perseverance, earnestness, urgency', prop, 'a
standing near, presence', fr. instdns, gen. -antis.
See instant and -ce. Derivative: instance, tr. v.
instancy, n. — L. instantia. See prec. word and
-cy.
instant, adj. — L. instdns, gen. -antis, 'present;
pressing, urgent', lit. 'standing near', pres. part,
of instdre, 'to press upon, urge, insist', lit. 'to
stand in, stand upon, stand near', fr. in-, 'in',
and stare, 'to stand'. See state and -ant.
Derivatives: instant, n. (q.v.), instant-aneous,
adj., instant-aneous-ly, adv., instant-aneous-ness,
n., instant-ly, adv.
instant, n. — Fr. instant, adj. Cp. F. instant, n.,
in the same sense.
instanter, adv., immediately. — L., 'pressingly,
urgently', fr. instdns, gen. -antis. See instant, adj.
instar, n., stage of an arthropod between suc-
cessive molts (entomol.) — L., 'equivalent,
value; image, resemblance, form, figure', orig.
shortened form of the infinitive instdre, 'to
stand in' (said of the tongue of the balance when
it stands so that the balance is in the equi-
librium), whence instar came to denote 'equi-
valent, value', etc. See instant, adj. For the sense
development of L. instar cp. Gk. Eanr)u.t, 'I cause
to stand; I weigh' and cTa-rrjp, 'balance', which
is rel. to Jott)^'. (see stater).
instar, tr. v., to place as a star. — Formed fr. in-,
'in', and star.
instauration, n. — L. instaurdtid, gen. -dnis, 're-
newal, restoration', fr. instaurdtus, pp. of in-
stcurdre, 'to renew, repeat, restore', fr. in-, 'in',
and -staurdre (found only in compounds), which
is prob. cogn. with Gk, <jr«up6?, 'pale, stake,
pole', ON. staurr, of s.m., ON. styri, OE. steor-,
'rudder, helm', OE. stieran, 'to steer, guide'.
Accordingly the orig. meaning of I . instaurdre
prob. was 'to attach to a stake or post, to
fasten'. See steer, 'to direct', and cp. store, v.
and n., restaurant, restore.
instead, adv. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and stead.
instep, n. — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and step.
instigate, tr. v., to urge on. — L. instigdtus, pp.
of instigdre, 'to urge, stimulate, incite, goad,
instigate', fr. in-, 'in', and *stigdre, 'to prick,
goad', fr. I.-E. base *steig-, 'to prick, stick,
pierce', whence also OE. stician, 'to prick, goad,
stab'. See stick, v., and cp. instinct. For the
ending see verbal suff. -ate.
instigation, n. — L. instigdtid, gen. -dnis, 'an
urging, incitement', fr. instigdtus, pp. of in-
stigdre. See prec. word and -ion.
instill, instil, tr. v. — L. instilldre, 'to pour in by
drops, drop in', fr. in-, 'in', and stilldre, 'to drop,
trickle', fr. stilla, 'drop'. See still, 'to distill'.
Derivatives: instillation (q.v.), instill-er, n., in-
stil(t)-ment, n.
instillation, n. — L. instilldtid, gen. -dnis, 'a drop-
ping in', fr. instilldtus, pp. of instilldre. See prec.
word and -ation.
instinct, n. — L. instinctus, gen. -us, 'instigation,
impulse', fr. instinctus, pp. of instinguere, 'to
incite, impel', which is rel. to instigdre. See
instigate.
Derivatives: instinct-ive, adj., instinct-ive-ly, adv.
instinct, adj. — L. instinctus, pp. of instinguere.
See instinct, n.
institute, n. — L. institutum, 'purpose, design,
plan', prop. neut. pp. of instituere, 'to put, fix,
set, plant, erect, establish, appoint', used as a
noun; formed fr. in-, 'in', and statuere, 'to cause
to stand, set up, establish, constitute'. See
statute. For the change of Latin d (in statuere)
to i (in in-stituere) see abigeat and cp. words
there referred to.
institute, tr. v. — L. institutus, pp. of instituere.
See institute, n.
institution, n. — OF. (= F.) institution, fr. L. in-
stitutidnem, acc. of institutid, 'a disposition, ar-
rangement, instruction, appointment', fr. in-
stitutus, pp. of instituere. See institute, v. and n.,
and -km.
Derivative: institution-al, adj.
instruct, tr. v. — ME. instructen, fr. L. instruc-
instruction
802
tus, pp. of instruere, 'to build, erect, construct;
to prepare, provide, furnish; to teach, instruct',
fr. in-, 'in', and struere, 'to pile up, build, con-
struct'. See structure and words there referred
to and cp. esp. instrument.
Derivatives: instruction (q.v.), instruct-ive, adj.,
instruct-ive-ly, adv., instruct-ive-ness, n., in-
structor (q.v.).
instruction, n. — OF. (= F.) instruction, fr. L. in-
structidnem, acc. of instructid, 'building, erec-
tion, construction; arrangement, disposition,
teaching, instruction', fr. Instructus, pp. of in-
struere. See instruct and -ion.
Derivative : instruction-al, adj.
instructor, n. — L. instructor, 'preparer' (in
ML. also 'teacher, instructor'), fr. L. instructus,
pp. of instruere. See instruct and agential suff . -or.
instructress, n. — See prec. word and -ess.
instrument, n. — L. instrumentum, 'utensil, tool,
instrument, apparatus, furniture, provision,
supply', fr. instruere. See instruct and -ment.
Derivatives: instrument, tr. v., instrument-al, in-
strumentation (q.v.)
instrumental, adj. — F., fr. instrument, fr. L. in-
strumentum. See instrument and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: instrumental, n., instrumentalism
(q.v.), instrumentalist (q.v.), instrumental-ity, n.
instrumentalism, n., the doctrine that the value
of a thing depends on experience; pragmatism
(philos.) — See prec. word and -ism.
instrumentalist, n., i) one who plays on a musical
instrument; 2) a believer in instrumentalism
(philos.) — See instrumental and -ist.
instrumentation, n., 1) arrangement of music for
instruments; 2) the use of scientific instruments.
— F., fr. instrument, fr. L. instrumentum. See
instrument and -ation.
insufficiency, n. — Late L. insufficientia, fr. in-
sufficiens, gen. -entis. See next word and -cy.
insufficient, adj. — Late L. insufficiens, gen. -entis,
'insufficient', fr. in-, 'not', and L. sufficiens, gen.
-entis. See sufficient.
Derivative: insufficient-ly, adv.
insufflate, tr.v., to blow in. — Late L. insuffldtus,
pp. of insufflare, 'to blow into or upon, breathe
into or upon', fr. in-, 'in', and L. suffldre, 'to
blow', fr. sub- and flare, 'to blow'. See blow,
'to puff', and cp. inflate,
insufflation, n. — Late L. insuffldtid, gen. -dnis,
'a blowing into or upon', fr. insuffldtus, pp. of
insufflare. See prec. word and -ion.
insular, adj. — L. insuldris, 'of, or pertaining to,
an island, fr. insula, 'island'. See isle and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -ar.
Derivatives: insular-ism, n., insular-ity, n., in-
sular-ly, adv.
insulate, tr. v., 1) to make into an island; 2) to set
apart; to isolate. — L. insuldtus, pp. of insular e,
'to insulate', fr. insula, 'island'. See isle and
verbal suff. -ate and cp. isolate, which is a dou-
blet of insulate. Cp. also peninsula.
Derivatives: insulat-ed, adj., insulat-ing, adj.,
insulat-ion, n., insulat-or, n.
insulin, n., an extract containing the active prin-
ciple of the islets of Langerhans in the pan-
creas (med.) — Formed fr. L. insula, 'island'
(see insular and chem. suff. -in); introduced by
Banting, Best and Macleod in 1921. The name
was suggested by the English physiologist Sir
Edward Albert William Sharpey (1850- 1935).
insult, n. — Either fr. MF. insult (F. insulte), from
the verb insulter or directly fr. Late L. insultus,
'a scoffing, reviling', lit. 'a leaping upon', fr.
insilire, 'to leap upon'; influenced in meaning
by the verb insultare, 'to insult'. See insult, v.
insult, tr. v. — F. insulter, fr. L. insultare, 'to leap
upon, spring at', used already by Cicero in the
sense of 'to scoff, revile, insult', which stands
for *in-saltare and is freq. of insilire, 'to leap
upon, spring at', fr. in-, 'in', and salire, 'to leap,
spring, jump'. See salient and cp. saltant. For the
change of Latin a (in sdltdre) to u (in in-sultdre)
see desultory and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: insult-er, n., insult-ing, adj., insult-
ing-ly, adv.
insuperable, adj. — L. insuperdbilis, 'that cannot
be passed over, unconquerable', fr. in-, 'not',
and superdbilis. See superable.
Derivatives: insuperabil-ity, n., insuperable-ness,
n., insuperabl-y, adv.
insupportable, adj. — Late L. insupportdbilis. See
in-, 'not', and supportable.
Derivatives: insupportabil-ity, n., insupportable-
ness, n., insupportabl-y, adv.
insure, tr. v. — A var. of ensure.
Derivatives: insur-able, adj., insur-ance, ti., insur-
ant, n., insur-ed, adj., insur-er, n.
insurgency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
insurgent, adj. and n. — L. insurgSns, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of insurgere, 'to rise up; to rise
against, revolt', fr. in-, 'in', and surgere, 'to
rise'. See surge and -ent and cp. insurrection. Cp.
also assurgent.
insurmountable, adj. — Formed fr. in-, 'not', and
surmountable, on analogy of F. insurmontable.
Derivatives: insurmountable-ness, n., insurmoun-
tably, adv.
insurrection, n. — ME. insurrecioun, fr. MF.
(= F.) insurrection, fr. Late L. insurrectidnem,
acc. of insurrectid, 'a rising up, insurrection',
fr. L. insurrectus, pp. of insurgere. See insurgent
and -ion.
Derivatives: insurrection-al, adj., insurrection-
ary, adv., insurrection-ary, adj., insurrection-
ist, n.
intact, adj. — L. intdctus, 'untouched, uninjured,
intact', fr. in-, 'not', and tdctus, pp. of tangere,
'to touch'. See tact and cp. intangible.
Derivatives: intact-ly, adv., intact-ness, n.
intagliated, adj., carved in intaglio. — Formed
with suff. -ed fr. It. intagliato, pp. of intagliare.
See next word.
803
intendant
intaglio, n., incised carving. — It., back formation
fr. intagliare, 'to cut in, engrave', fr. in-, 'in',
and VL. *tdlidre, 'to cut', fr. L. tdlea, 'rod, stick,
bar'. See tailor and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: intaglio, tr. v.
intangible, adj. — ML. intangibilis, fr. in-, 'not',
and L. tangibilis. See tangible.
Derivatives: intangibil-ity, n., intangible-ness,
n., intangibl-y, adv.
intarsia, n., mosaic woodwork. — It. intarsio, fr.
intarsiare, 'to inlay', fr. in-, 'in', and tarsiare,
'to inlay', fr. tarsia, 'inlaid work, tarsia', fr. Arab.
tarsi', 'inlaid work', inf. of rdssa'a, 'he laid in'.
integer, adj. — L., 'undiminished, unhurt, un-
impaired, whole, complete', lit. 'untouched', fr.
*entag-ros, fr. in-, 'not', and *tag-, the stem of
tangere, 'to touch'. See tangent and cp. intact,
intangible, integrity. Cp. also entire. For the
change of Latin <J (in td-n-gere) to e (in in-Uger)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: integr-able, adj., integr-abil-ity, n.
integral, adj., 1) pertaining to a whole; 2) ne-
cessary to completeness; n., a whole. — • ME.,
fr. Late L. integrdlis, fr. L. integer. See prec.
word and adj. suff. -al. The word integral was
introduced into mathematics by Jacques Ber-
nouilli (1654-1705), professor of mathematics
at the University of Basel.
Derivatives: integral-ity, n., integral-ly, adv.
integrant, adj., forming a whole. — L. integrdns,
gen. -antis, pres. part, of integrare, 'to make
whole, renew', fr. integer. See integer and -ant
integrate, adj., composite; complete, whole. —
L. integrdtus, pp. of integrare. See next word.
integrate, tr. v., to form a whole. — L. integrdtus,
pp. of integrare, 'to make whole, renew', fr. in-
teger. See integer and verbal suff. -ate.
integration, n. — L. integrdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a re-
newing', fr. integrdtus, pp. of integrare. See in-
tegrate, v., and -ion.
integrity, n., wholeness, completeness; upright-
ness. — F. integrite, fr. L. integritdtem, acc. of
integritds, 'completeness, soundness, blameless-
ness', fr. integer. See integer and -ity.
integument, n., a covering. — L. integumentum,
'a covering', fr. integere, 'to cover', fr. in-, 'in',
and tegere, 'to cover'. See tegument.
Derivatives: integument, tr. v., integument-al,
integument-ary, adjs., integument-ation, n.
intellect, n. — L. intellects, gen. -us, 'perception,
discernment, understanding', fr. intellectus, pp.
of intellegere, intelligere, 'to understand, com-
prehend'. See intelligent
intellection, n. — L. intellectid, gen. -dnis, fr. in-
tellectus, pp. of intellegere, intelligere. See prec.
word and -km.
intellective, adj. — F. intellectif (fern, intellective),
fr. Late L. intellectivus, 'pertaining to discern-
ment', fr. L. intellectus, pp. of intellegere, intelli-
gere. See intellect and -we.
Derivative: intellective-ly, adv.
intellectual, adj. — L. intellect udlis, 'relating to
the understanding', fr. intellectus, pp. of intel-
legere, intelligere. See intellect and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: intellectual, n., intellectualism(q.v.)
intellectual-ist, n., intellectuality (q.v.), intellec-
tual-ize, v., intellectualiz-ation, n., intellectual-
ly, adv.
intellectualism, n. — G. Intellektualismus, coined
by the German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm
Joseph von Schelling (1775- 1854) in 1803 fr.
Late L. intellectudlis, 'relating to understanding',
and suff. -ismus. See intellectual and -ism.
intellectuality, n. — Late L. intellectudlitds, 'un-
derstanding', fr. L. intellectudlis. See intellectual
and -ity.
intelligence, n. — F., fr. L. intellegentia, intelli-
gentia, 'power of discerning, power of under-
standing, intelligence', fr. intellegens, intelligens,
gen. -entis. See next word and -ce and cp. in-
telligentsia.
Derivatives: intelligence, v., intelligenc-er, n.
intelligent, adj. — L. intellegens, intelligens, gen.
-entis, pres. part, of intellegere, intelligere, 'to
understand, comprehend', fr. inter- and legere,
'to gather, collect; to pick out, choose; to read*.
See lecture and cp. intellect.
Derivatives: intelligent, n., intelligent-ly, adv.
intelligential, adj. — Formed with adj. suff.
-al fr. L. intellegentia, intelligentia. See intel-
ligence.
intelligentsia, n., the intellectual classes taken
collectively. — Russ. intelligentsiya, fr. It. intel-
ligenzia, fr. L. intellegentia, intelligentia. See
intelligence.
intelligible, adj. — L. intellegibilis, intelligibilis,
'that can be understood', fr. intellegere, intelli-
gere, 'to understand, comprehend'. See intel-
ligent and -ible.
Derivatives: intelligibil-ity, n., intelligible-ness,
n., intelligibl-y, adv.
intemperance, n. — F. intemperance, fr. L. in-
temperentia, 'intemperateness, immoderation,
excess', fr. in-, 'not', and temperantia. See tem-
perance.
intemperate, adj. — L. intemperdtus, 'intemper-
ate, immoderate', fr. in-, 'not', and temperdtus.
See temperate.
Derivatives: intemperate-ly, adv., intemperate-
ness, n.
intend, tr. v. — ME. entenden, fr. MF. (= F.)
entendre, 'to direct one's attention' (now, 'to
hear'), fr. L. intendere, 'to stretch out, extend;
to direct, turn, bend, aim; to direct one's
attention, to apply oneself to, endeavor, intend',
fr. in-, 'in', and tendere, 'to stretch out'. See
tend, 'to move in a certain direction', and cp.
entente, superintend. Derivatives: intendant
(q.v.), intend-ed, adj., intendment (q.v.)
intendance, intendancy, n. — F. in tendance, fr.
intendant. See next word and -cy.
intendant, n. — F., back formation fr. sur inten-
dant, it. ML. superintendentem, acc. of \super-
interuUns. See superintendent
intendment
804
intendment, n., i) intention (archaic); 2) meaning
(law). — ME. entendement, fr. OF. (= F.) en-
tendement, 'understanding', fr. entendre. See in-
tend and -ment.
intense, adj. — F., fr. L. intensus, a collateral
form of intentus, 'stretched out, strained, bent,
tight', pp. of intendere, 'to stretch out, extend'.
See intend.
Derivatives: intense-ly, adv., intense-ness, n.
intensification, n. — See next word and -ation.
intensify, tr. v. — Formed with suff. -fy fr. L.
intensus, 'stretched out' (see intense) ; first used by
the English poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor
Coleridge (1772-1834).
Derivative: intensifi-er, n.
intension, n. — L. intensid, gen. -dnis, 'a stretch-
ing out, straining, effort', a collateral form of
intentio, gen. -dnis, fr. intentus, pp. of intendere.
See intention.
Derivatives: intension-al, adj., intension-al-ly,
adv.
intensity, n. — Coined by the English physicist
Robert Boyle (1627-91) fr. intense and suff. -ity.
intensive, adj. — F. intensif (fem. intensive), fr.
ML. intensivus, fr. L. intensus, a collateral form
of intentus, pp. of intendere. See intense and -ive.
Derivatives: intensive, n., intensive-ly, adv., in-
tensive-ness, n.
intent, n., an intending; intention; purpose. —
ME. entent, fr. OF. entent, fr. L. intentus, gen.
-us, 'a stretching out, extending', fr. intentus,
pp. of intendere. See intend.
intent, adj., firmly fixed. — L. intentus, 'stretched
out, extended', pp. of intendere. See intend.
Derivatives: intent-ly, adv., intent-ness, n.
intention, n. — OF. entention, intention (F. in-
tention), fr. L. intentidnem, acc. of intentio, 'a
stretching out, straining, exertion, effort, at-
tention', fr. intentus, pp. of intendere. See intend
and cp. intension, which is a doublet of intention.
intentional, adj. — ML. intentional is, fr. L. in-
tentio, gen. -dnis. See prec. word and -al.
Derivatives: intentional-it y, n., intentional-ly,
adv.
inter, prep., among, between, occurring in Latin
phrases occasionally used in English, as inter
alia, 'among other things'. — L. inter, fr. I.-E.
*enter or *nter, 'between, among', whence also
Oscan anter, Umbr. anter, ander-, OI. antdr,
Avestic antar 1 , OPers. antar, 'among, between',
OI. dntarah, 'inner, interior', dntrdm, 'intestine',
Toch. B etsar, 'within', Arm. l nder-k' (pi.), 'in-
testines', Gk. evxcpa (pi.), 'intestines', Alb.
nder, 'between, in', OSlav. qtru, 'between',
qtroba, 'entrails', jetro, 'liver', Olr. eter, etar,
etir, OW. ithr, Co. ynter, Bret, entre, 'among,
between', Goth, undar, OHG. untar, OE. under,
in the sense of 'among', ON. idrar (pi.), 'intes-
tines'. I.-E. *en-ter, *n-ter is compar. of *en, 'in'.
See in, prep., and -ther and cp. enteric and words
there referred to. Cp. also enter, enter-, entrails,
entr'acte, entre-, interior.
inter, tr. v., to bury. — ME. enterren, fr. MF.
(= F.) enterrer, fr. VL. *interrdre, 'to place in
the earth', fr. in-, 'in, into', and terra, 'earth';
see terra; influenced in form by VL. *interrdre.
Derivative: inter-ment, n.
inter-, pref. meaning 'among, between'. — L., fr.
inter. See inter, prep,
interact, n., interval between two acts. — Formed
fr. inter- and act, n. on analogy of F. entr'acte
(see entr'acte),
interact, intr. v., to act on each other. — Formed
fr. inter- and act, v.
Derivatives: interact-ion, n., interact-ive, adj.
intercalary, adj., inserted in the calendar. — L.
intercaldrius or intercaldris, fr. intercaldre. See
next word and adj. suff. -ary.
intercalate, tr. v., to insert (a day or a month)
in the calendar. — L. intercalatus, pp. of inter-
caldre, 'to proclaim the insertion of an inter-
calary day', etc., fr. inter- and caldre, 'to call
out, proclaim'. See calendar and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: intercalation (q.v.), intercalat-ive,
intercalat-ory, adjs.
intercalation, n. — L. intercaldtid, gen. -dnis, 'in-
sertion of an intercalary day', fr. intercalatus,
pp. of intercaldre. See prec. word and -ion.
intercede, intr. v., to plead on behalf of. — L.
intercedere, 'to go between, intervene, inter-
pose, interfere', fr. inter- and cedere, 'to go,
depart'. See cede.
intercept, tr. v. — L. interceptus, pp. of inter-
cipere, 'to seize while passing; to interrupt', fr.
inter- and capere (pp. captus), 'to catch, seize,
take hold of. See captive. For the change of
Latin d (in captus) to e (in inter-ceptus) see ac-
cent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: intercept-er, intercept-or, n., inter-
ception (q.v.), intercept-ive, adj.
interception, n. — L. interceptid, gen. -dnis, 'a
seizing, taking away', fr. interceptus, pp. of in-
tercipere. See prec. word and -ion.
intercession, n. — L. intercessid, gen. -dnis, 'a
going between, intervention', fr. intercess-(um),
pp. stem of intercedere. See intercede and -ion.
Derivative: intercession-al, adj.
intercessor, n. — L., 'one who intervenes', fr.
intercess-(um), pp. stem of intercedere. See inter-
cede and agential suff. -or.
Derivative: intercessor-ial, adj.
intercessory, adj, — ML. intercessdrius, fr. L.
intercess-(um), pp. stem of intercedere. See
intercede and adj. suff. -ory.
interchange, tr. and intr. v. — ME. entrechangen,
fr. OF. entechangier, fr. entre- (fr. L. inter-) and
changier, 'to change' (see inter- and change, v.),
remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interchange-able, adj., interchange-
abil-ity,n., interchange-able-ness, n., interchange-
abl-y, adv.
interchange, n. — OF. entrechange, fr. entre-
changier. See interchange, v.
805
interlocution
intercolumniation, n., the space between two
columns (archit.) — Formed with suff. -ation
fr. L. intercolumnium, 'the space between two
columns', fr. inter- and columna. See column.
intercourse, n. — ME. intercurse, fr. OF. entre-
cours, 'exchange, commerce', fr. Late L. inter-
cursus (gen. -us), 'a running between or amongst',
fr. L. intercursus, pp. of intercurrere, 'to run be-
tween or amongst', fr. inter- and currere, 'to
run' (see current, adj.); remodeled after L.
intercursus.
interdict, n. — ME. entredit, fr. OF. entredit, fr.
L. interdictum, 'prohibition, interdict', prop,
neut. pp. of interdicere, 'to forbid, prohibit,
interdict', fr. inter- and dicere, 'to say'; see
diction. F. interdit and E. interdict have been
remodeled after L. interdictum.
interdict, tr. v. — ME. entrediten, fr. entredit,
'interdict'. See interdict, n.
interdiction, n. — L. interdictid, gen. -dnis, 'pro-
hibition, interdiction', fr. interdictus, pp. of
interdicere. See interdict, v. and n., and -ion.
interdictory, adj. — ML. interdictdrius, 'pertai-
ning to an interdict', fr. L. interdictum. See
interdict, n., and adj. suff. -ory.
interdigitate, intr. v., to interlock like the fingers
of the two hands. — Formed fr. inter-, L. digi-
tus, 'finger' (see digit), and verbal suff. -ate.
interest, n. — ME., altered fr. earlier interess, fr.
AF. interesse, fr. ML. interesse, 'interest', prop,
subst. use of L. interesse, 'to be between, lie
between; to take part in; to import, be of in-
terest', fr. inter- and esse, 'to be'; see esse. The
alteration of earlier E. interess to interest is
prob. due to the influence of OF. interest
(whence F. interet), 'interest', a word derived fr.
L. interest, 'it imports, it is of interest', which
was, however, taken for a noun in the sense
of 'that which imports or is of interest'. Cp. G.
Interesse, 'interest', which also derives fr. ML.
interesse (see above).
interest, tr. v. — Fr. interess'd, pp. of earlier
English interess, 'interest'. See interest, n.
Derivatives: interest-ed, adj., interest-ed-ly, n.,
interest-ed-ness, n., interest-ing, adj., interest-
ingly, adv., interest-ing-ness, n.
interfere, intr. v. — OF. s'entreferir, 'to strike
each other', fr. entre, 'between', and ferir (F.
ferir), 'to strike', fr. L. ferire, 'to strike, smite',
which stands in gradational relationship to
fordre, 'to bore, piece', and is cogn. with OE.
borian, 'to bore' : see inter- and bore, v. E. inter-
fere was remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: inter fer-ence, n., interferent-ial,
adj., inter fer-er, n., inter fer-ing, adj., inter fer-
ing-ly, adv., interfer-ing-ness, n.
interferometer, n., an instrument for measuring
the interference of light waves. — A hybrid
coined from interfere, a word of Latin origin,
and Gk. uirpov, 'measure'. See meter, 'poet-
ical rhythm*,
interfuse, tr. and intr. v. — L. interfusus, pp. of
interfundere, 'to pour between, flow between',
fr. inter- and fundere, 'to pour'. See found, 'to
cast', and cp. words there referred to.
interfusion, n. — L. interfusid, gen. -dnis, 'a flow-
ing between', fr. interfusus, pp. of interfundere.
See prec. word and -ion. '
interglacial, adj., pertaining to, or occurring in,
a period between two glacial epochs. — Coined
by the Swiss naturalist Oswald Heer (1809-83)
in 1865 fr. inter- and glacial.
interim, n., meantime. — L. interim, adv., 'mean-
while', formed fr. inter, 'between' (see inter,
prep.), with adv. suff. -im, which derives from
the pronominal base *i- (whence also is, ea, id,
'he, she, it'). Cp. OL. im, em (= L. eum), 'him',
and see idem.
Derivative: interim, adj., temporary,
interior, adj. — L. interior, 'inner, within', com-
par, of *interus, 'on the inside, inward' (cp.
intra, 'within'), which itself is compar. of in,
'in'. See inter, prep., and -ior and cp. intra-,
intro-.
Derivatives: interior, n., interior-ly, adv.
interjacent, adj., lying between; intervening. —
L. interjacens, gen. -entis, 'lying between', pres.
part, of interjacere, 'to lie between', fr. inter-
and jacere, 'to lie', which orig. meant 'to cast
oneself down', fr. jacid, jacere, 'to throw, cast,
hurl'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ent and cp.
adjacent and words there referred to. Cp. also
next word.
interject, tr. v. — L. interjectus, pp. of intericere
(less correctly interjicere), 'to throw between,
insert; to intersect', fr. infer- and jacere (pp.
jactus), 'to throw'. See prec. word. For the
change of Latin d (in jdctus) to <f (in inter-jectus)
see accent and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: interjection (q.v.), inter ject-ory, adj.
interjection, n. — F., fr. L. interjectidnem, acc. of
interjectid, 'a throwing between, insertion ; inter-
jection', fr. interjectus, pp. of intericere. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: interjection-al, adj., interjection-al-
ly, adv., inter jection-ary, adj.
interlace, tr. and intr. v. — MB.entrelacen,fr. MF.
(= F.) entrelacer (see entre-, inter- and lace,
v.); remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interlace, n., interlac-ed, adj., inter-
lac-ed-ly, adv., interlace-ment, n., interlac-ery, n.
interlard, tr. v., to insert between, mix. — F.
entrelarder, 'to insert between' (see entre-, inter-
and lard); remodeled after L. inter-.
interline, tr. and intr. v. — ME. enterlinen, fr.
ML. interlinedre, 'to interline', fr. inter- and L.
tinea, 'line' (see line and cp. next word); re-
modeled after L. inter-.
interlinear, adj. — ML. interlinedris, 'that which
is between the lines'. See inter- and linear.
interlineation, n. — Formed with suff. -ation fr.
ML. interlinedtus, pp. of interlinedre. See
interline.
interlocution, n. — L. interlocutid, gen. -dnis, 'a
interlocutor
806
speaking between, interlocution', fr. interlocu-
tus, pp. of interloqui, 'to interrupt in speaking',
lit. 'to speak between', fr. inter- and loqui, 'to
speak'. See loquacious and cp. locution.
interlocutor, n. — Formed with agential suff. -or
fr. interlocutus, pp. of interloqui. See prec. word.
interlocutory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. interlocutus, pp. of interloqui. See inter-
locution.
interlocutress, n. — See interlocutor and -ess.
interlocutrix, n., an interlocutress. — See inter-
locutor and -trix.
interlope, intr. v. — Back formation fr. inter-
loper.
interloper, n., an intruder. — Fr. earlier enter-
loper, which is prob. a hybrid coined fr. enter-
(fr. L. inter-) and Du. loper, 'runner*, fr. lopen,
'to run'; see leap and cp. lope and words there
referred to. E. interloper was remodeled after
L. inter-.
interlude, n. — ME. enterlude, fr. ML. interlu-
dium, 'interlude', fr. inter- and L. ludus, 'play'
(see ludicrous); remodeled after L. inter-.
Derivatives: interlude, v., interlud-ial, adj.
intermediary, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ary
fr. L. intermedius. See next word.
Derivative: intermediary, n.
intermediate, adj. — ML. intermedidtus, 'lying
between, intermediate', fr. L. intermedius, 'that
which is between, intermediate', fr. inter- and
medius, 'middle'. See medium and adj. suff. -ate
and cp. mediate, immediate. Cp. also intermezzo.
Derivatives: intermediate, intr. v., intermediate-
ly, adv., intermediat-ion, n., intermediat-or, n.
intermedium, n., an intermediate agent; medium.
— ModL., neut. of intermedius. See prec. word.
intermezzo, n., a short dramatic performance
between the acts of a play or opera. — It., fr.
L. intermedius. See intermediate.
interminable, adj. — Late L. interminabilis (prob.
through the medium of F. interminable). See
in-, 'not', and terminable.
Derivatives: interminabil-ity, n., interminable-
ness, n., interminabl-y, adv.
intermission, n. — L. intermissid, gen. -dnis, 'a
breaking up, interruption', fr. intermissus, pp.
of intermittere. See next word and -ion.
intermit, tr. and intr. v., to interrupt. — L. inter-
mittere, 'to leave off, break up, omit, neglect;
to cease, pause', fr. inter- and mittere, 'to send'.
See mission.
Derivatives: intermitt-ed, adj., intermitt-ed-ly,
adv., intermittent (q.v.), intermitt-ing, adj.,
intermitt-ing-ly, adv.
intermittence, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -ce.
intermittent, adj. — L. intermittens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of intermittere. See intermit and -ent
Derivative : intermittent-ly, adv.
intermix, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation fr.
intermixt, which derives fr. L. inter mixt us,
'intermixed', but was mistaken for the pp. of
an English verb (i.e. intermixt was supposed to
have been formed from the verb intermix and
the pp. suff. -r). L. intermixtus is pp. of inter-
miscere, 'to intermix', lit. 'to mix among', fr.
inter-, and miscere, 'to mix'. See mixed and cp.
mix, admix, commix.
Derivative: intermix-ture, n.
intern, adj., internal (archaic). — F. interne, 'in-
ward, internal, resident within', fr. L. internus,
'inward, internal', fr. *interus, 'on the inside,
inward'. See interior and cp. internal. Cp. also
extern.
intern, also interne, n., a resident physician in a
hospital. — F. interne, fr. interne, adj. See in-
tern, adj.
intern, tr. v., to confine. — F. interner, fr. L. in-
ternus. See intern, adj.
Derivative: intern-ment, n.
internal, adj. — ML. interndlis, fr. L. internus.
See intern, adj., and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: internal, n., internal-ity, n., inter-
nal-ly, adv., internal-ness, n.
international, adj. — Coined by Jeremy Bentham
(1748-1832) in 1780 fr. inter- and national.
Derivatives: international-ism, n., international-
ist, n., international-ity, n., internationai-ize, tr.
v.,international-iz-ation, n., international-ly, adv.
International, n., any of several international
socialistic associations. — Orig. short for Inter-
national Working Men's Association, which was
founded in London on September 28, 1864. See
prec. word.
Internationale, n., 1) the same as International;
2) a socialist hymn written by Eugene Pottier
in 1 87 1. — F., fem. of international. See inter-
national.
internecine, adj., deadly. — L. internecinus, 'dead-
ly, murderous, destructive', fr. internecdre, 'to
kill, destroy', fr. inter- and necdre, 'to kill', which
is rel. to nex, gen. necis, 'murder', nocere, 'to
harm, hurt', noxius, 'harmful, injurious'. See
noxious and cp. words there referred to.
internist, n. — Formed from the abbreviation of
internfal, scil. medicine), and suff. -ist.
intemode, n., part between two nodes or joints.
— L. internddium, fr. inter- and nodus, 'knot'.
See node.
Derivative: internod-al, adj.
internuncial, adj., communicating between dif-
ferent organs of the body (said of nerves). —
Lit. 'acting as messenger between', formed fr.
L. internuntius, 'messenger' (see next word)
with adj. suff. -al. See Todd and Bowman, Phys.
Anat., 1845, 1, 205.
internuncio, n., a papal ambassador of lesser
rank than a nuncio. — It. inter nunzio, fr. L.
internuntius, 'messenger, mediator', fr. inter-
and nuntie, 'messenger'. See nuncio.
interosseous, adj., situated between bones (anat.)
— Formed fr. L. inter ossa, 'between bones'.
See inter, prep., and os. For the ending see suff.
-ous.
807
inters persi
interosseus, n., name of certain muscles situated
between the bones of the metacarpus or meta-
tarsus (anat.) — Medical L. See prec. word.
interpellate, tr. v. — L. interpellate, pp. of inter-
pelldre, 'to interrupt in speaking', fr. inter- and
-pellare (found only in compounds), fr. pellere,
'to drive'. See pulse, 'throb', and verbal suff.
-ate. The change from the 3rd conjugation (pel-
lere) to the first (interpellare) is due to the iter-
ative sense of the latter verb. Cp. appelldre, 'to
address, accost, call', which is formed fr. ad-
and -pellare and also has an iterative meaning
(see appeal, v.)
interpellation, n. — L. interpelldtid, gen. -dnis,
'an interruption in speaking', fr. interpelldtus,
pp. of interpellare. See prec. word and -ion.
interpolate, tr. v., to alter by inserting new or
false matter. — L. interpolate, pp. of inter-
poldre, 'to give a new form to, to polish, fur-
bish; to change, vary; to falsify; to insert, inter-
polate'. The verb was orig. a fuller's term with
the meaning 'to scrape or polish between', and
is formed fr. inter- and polire, 'to smooth,
polish, furbish'; see polish. The change of con-
jugation fr. polire to inter-poldre is due to the
iterative sense of the latter verb. See interpellate.
interpolation, n. — L. interpolate, gen. -dnis, fr.
interpolate, pp. of interpoldre. See prec. word
and -ion.
interpolator, n. — L. interpolator, 'one who gives
a new form to things, polisher, furbisher', fr.
interpolate, pp. of interpoldre. See interpolate
and agential suff. -or.
interpose, tr. v. — F. interposer, fr. inter- and
poser, 'to place'. See pose, 'to place', and cp.
words there referred to.
interposition, n. — L. interpositid, gen. -dnis, 'a
putting between, insertion', fr. interposite,
pp. of interpdnere, 'to put between, insert',
fr. inter- and pdnere, 'to put, place'. See
position.
interpret, tr. and intr. v. — OF. interpreter, fr.
L. interpretdri, 'to explain, expound', fr. inter-
pres, gen. -pretis, 'an agent between two parties,
explainer, expounder', lit. 'mediator'. For the
first element see inter-. The second is rel. to L.
pretium, 'price, value' ; see price and cp. words
there referred to.
interpretable, adj. — Late L. interpretdbilis, fr.
L. interpretdri. See prec. word and -able.
Derivatives: interpretabil-ity, n., interpretable-
ness, n., interpretabl-y, adv.
interpretation, n. — ME. interpretacioun, fr. MF.
(= F.) interpretation fr. L. interpretdtidnem,
acc. of interpretdtid, 'explanation, exposition',
fr. inter pre tat us, pp. of interpretdri. See interpret
and -ation.
Derivative: interpretation-al, adj.
interpretative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr.
L. inter pretdte, pp. of interpretdri. See interpret
Derivative: interpretative-ly, adv.
interpreter, n. — ME. interpretour, ft. OF. inter-
preter, fr. Late L. interpretdtdrem, acc. of
interpretdtor, 'explainer, interpreter', fr. L. inter-
pretdte, pp. of interpretdri, 'to explain, ex-
pound'. See interpret and agential suff. -er.
interpretive, adj., interpretative. — See internet
and -ive. '
Derivative: interpretive-ly, adv.
interpunction, n., punctuation. — L. interpunctid,
gen. -dnis, 'a putting of points between, punc-
tuation', fr. interpmcte, pp. of interpungere,
'to put points between', fr. inter- and pungere,
'to prick'. See pungent and cp. point, n. and v.
For the ending see suff. -ion.
interregnum, n., time between two reigns. — L.
interregnum, 'the time between the death of one
king and the election of another', fr. inter- and
regnum, 'reign'. See reign,
interrogate, tr. v., to question. — L. interrogate,
pp. of interrogdre, 'to ask, question, inquire',
fr. inter- and rogare, 'to ask, beg, entreat'. See
rogation and verbal suff. -ate.
interrogation, n. — L. interrogdtid, gen. -dnis,
'question, inquiry', fr. interrogate, pp. of inter-
rogdre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: interrogation-al, adj.
interrogative, adj. — L. interrogative, 'pertai-
ning to a question', fr. interrogate, pp. of inter-
rogdre. See interrogate and -ive.
Derivative: interrogative-ly, adv.
interrogatory, adj. — L. interrogdtdrie, 'consist-
ing of questions, interrogatory', fr. interrogate,
pp. of interrogdre. See interrogate and adj. sfflf.
-ory.
interrupt, tr. v. — L. interrupte, pp. of inter-
rumpere, 'to break up, break to pieces ; to break
off, interrupt', fr. inter- and rumpere, 'to break'.
See rapture and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives:- interrupt-ed, adj., interrupt-ed-ly,
adv., interrupt-ed-ness, n., interrupt-ing, adj.,
interrupt-ing-ly, adv., interruption (q.v.), inter-
rupt-ive, adj., interrupt-ive-ly, adv., interrupt-
ory, adj.
interruption, n. — L. interruptid, gen. -dnis, 'a
breaking off, interruption, interval', fr. inter-
rupte, pp. of interrumpere. See prec. word and
-ion.
intersect, tr. v., to cut across; intr. v., to cross
each other. — L. intersecte, pp. of intersecdre,
'to cut asunder, intersect', fr. inter- and secdre,
'to cut'. See section and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
intersection, n. — L. intersectid, gen. -dnis, 'a
cutting asunder, intersection', fr. intersecte,
pp. of intersecdre. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: intersection-al, adj.
intersperse, tr. v., to scatter. — L. intersperse,
'strewn, sprinkled upon', fr. inter- and sparse,
'scattered', pp. of spargere, 'to scatter'. See
sparse. For the change of Latin a (in sparse)
to £ (in inter-spirse) see accent and cp. words
there referred to.
Derivatives: interspers-al, n., interspers-ion, n.
interstice
80S
interstice, n., an intervening space, interval. —
F., fr. L. interstitium, 'interstice, interval', lit.
'space between', ft. inter- and the stem of stare,
'to stand'; rel. to intersistere, 'to stand between'.
See state and cp. solstice.
interstitial, adj., pertaining to an interstice. —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. interstitium.
See prec. word.
intertexture, n., the act of interweaving. —
Formed with suff. -ure fr. L. intertextus, 'inter-
woven', pp. of intertexere, 'to interweave', fr.
inter- and texere, 'to weave'. See text and cp.
texture.
intertrigo, n., inflammation of the skin caused
by the friction of adjacent parts (med.) — L.
intertrigo, lit. 'a rubbing between', fr. *inter-
terere, 'to rub between', fr. inter-, and terere, 'to
rub'. See throw and cp. terebra, trite, detriment.
interval, n. — F. intervalle, fr. L. intervallum, 'the
open space between two palisades; space be-
tween, interval', fr. inter- and vallum, 'a pali-
saded wall or rampart'. See vallum.
Derivative: intervall-ic, adj.
intervene, intr. v. — L. intervenire, 'to come be-
tween, come upon, intervene, interrupt', fr.
inter- and venire, 'to come'. See come and cp.
venue, 'arrival'.
Derivatives: interven-er, n., intervenient (q.v.)
intervenient, adj. — L. interveniens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of intervenire, 'to come between'. See
prec. word and -ent.
intervention, n. — Late L. interventid, gen. -dnis,
'an interposition', fr. L. intervent-ium), pp. stem
of intervenire. See intervene and -ion.
Derivatives: intervention-al, adj., intervention-
ist, n., one who favors intervention.
interview, n. — F. entrevue, fr. entrevoir, 'to see
imperfectly, to catch a glimpse of, s'entrevoir,
'to visit each other, to have a short interview',
fr. entre, 'between' (fr. L. inter) and voir, 'to
see' (fr. L. videre). See inter- and view.
Derivatives: interview, tr. v., interview-er, n.
intervolve, tr. v., to twist or coil (two things) to-
gether. — Formed fr. inter- and L. volvere, 'to
roll'. See volute.
interweave, tr. v. — A hybrid coined fr. inter-
and weave.
interwind, tr. v., to wind together. — A hybrid
coined fr. inter- and wind, 'to turn'.
intestacy, n., the fact or state of one's dying in-
testate. — Formed from next word with suff. -cy.
intestate, adj., having made no will. — L. intes-
tdtus, 'having made no will', fr. in-, 'not', and
testatum, pp. of testdri, 'to witness; to make a
will'. See testament and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: intestate, n., a person who has died
intestate.
intestine, adj., i) inward; 2) domestic. — L. in-
testinus, 'inward, internal, intestine', altered
from *intustinus, on analogy of clandesttnus,
'secret' (for which see clandestine), L. intestinus
prob. means lit. 'that which is within', and de-
rives fr. intus, 'on the inside, within', whence
also *interus, 'inward'. Cp. OI. antastyam, Gk.
evT6a{ka, 'bowels', and see interior.
Derivatives: intestine, n. (q.v.), intestin-al, adj.
intestine, n., bowel, gut (anat.) — L. intestinum,
'gut, intestine', prop. neut. of intestinus, 'in-
ward, internal'. See intestine, adj.
intima, n., the innermost coat of an organ {anat.)
— ModL., prop. fem. of L. intimus, 'inmost'.
See intimate, adj.
intimacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
intimate, adj. — Fr. earlier intime, fr. F. intime,
fr. L. intimus, earlier intumus, 'inmost', prop,
superl. of L. in, 'in'. The form intimate is due
to the influence of L. intimdtus, pp. of intimdre.
See in, prep, and adv., and cp. intimate, v. Cp.
also interior. For the superl. sufif. -tumus in in-
tumus see aftermost and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: intimate, n., intimate-ly, adv., inti-
mate-ness, n., intimate, v. (q.v.)
intimate, tr. v. — L. intimdtus, pp. of intimdre, 'to
put into, bring into, drive into, announce,
publish, make known', fr. intimus. See inti-
mate, adj.
intimation, n. — L. intimdtid, gen. -dnis, 'an-
nouncement, intimation', fr. intimdtus, pp. of
intimdre. See intimate, v., and -ion.
intimidate, tr. v. — ML. intimiddtus, pp. of inti-
middre, 'to frighten, intimidate', fr. in-, 'in', and
L. timidus, 'timid'. See timid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: intimidat-ion, n., intimidat-or, n.,
intimidat-ory, n.
intimity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. L. in-
timus, 'inmost'. See intimate, adj.
intinction, n., dipping of the eucharistic bread
in the wine. — Eccles. L. intinctid, gen. -dnis,
'a dipping in', fr. L. intinctus, pp. oiintingere, 'to
dip in', fr. in-, 'in', and tingere, 'to wet, moisten'.
See tinge and -ion.
intitule, tr. v., to give a title to. — OF. entituler,
intituler (F. intituler), fr. Late L. intituldre, 'to
give a name to', fr. in-, 'in', and tituldre, 'to give
a title to, entitle', fr. L. titulus, 'title'. See title
and cp. entitle, which is a doublet of intitule.
into, prep. — ME., fr. OE. into, which is com-
pounded of in, 'in', and to, 'to'. See in, prep,
and to.
intolerability, n. — Late L. intolerdbilitds, fr. L.
intolerdbilis. See next word and -ity.
intolerable, adj. — F. intolerable, fr. L. intolerd-
bilis, 'that cannot be borne, insupportable', fr.
in-, 'not', and tolerdbilis. See tolerable.
Derivatives: intolerable-ness,n., intolerabl-y,&&v.
intolerance, n. — L. intolerantia, 'impatience, in-
tolerance', fr. intolerdns, gen. -antis. See next
word and -ce.
intolerant, adj. — L. intolerdns, gen. -antis, 'im-
patient, intolerant', fr. in-, 'not', and tolerdns,
gen. -antis. See tolerant.
Derivatives : intolerant-ly, adv., intolerant-ness, n.
809
intromittent
intonate, tr. v., to intone. — ML. intondtus, pp.
of intondre, 'to intone'. See next word.
Derivatives: intonat-ion, n„ intonat-or, n.
intone, tr. and intr. v. — ML. intondre, 'to in-
tone', fr. L. intondre, 'to thunder, make a noise,
resound', fr. in-, 'in', and tondre, 'to thunder,
resound', fr. tonus, 'tone'. See tone,
intoxicant, adj., intoxicating; n., an intoxicating
agent; specif. 1) an intoxicating drug; 2) alco-
holic liquor. — ML. intoxicdns, gen. -antis,
pres. part, of intoxicdre. See next word and -ant.
intoxicate, tr. v., to make drunk. — ML. in-
toxiedtus, pp. of intoxicdre, 'to dip into poison',
fr. in-, 'in', and L. toxicdre, 'to poison', fr. toxi-
cum, 'poison', fr. Gk. to£ix6v (scil. ipapfiaxov),
'arrow poison'. See toxic and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: intoxicat-ed, adj., intoxicat-ed-ly,
adv., intoxicat-ed-ness, n., intoxicat-ing, adj.,
intoxicat-ing-ly, adv., intoxicat-ion, n., intoxi-
cat-ive, adj., intoxicat-or, n.
intra-, pref. meaning 'within, inside'. — L. intra-,
fr. intra, 'within, on the inside, inwardly', fr.
*interd (short for *interd parte, 'on the inside'),
abl. sing, of *intera, fem. of *interus, 'on the in-
side, inward'. See interior,
intractable, adj. — L. intractdbilis, 'not to be
handled, unmanageable, intractable', fr. in-,
'not' and tractdbilis. See tractable.
Derivatives: intractabil-ity, n., intractable-ness,
n., intractabl-y, adv.
intrados, n., the interior of an arch iarchit.) —
F., a hybrid formed fr. intra- and dos, 'back',
fr. L. dorsum. See dorsal and cp. extrados.
intramural, adj., within the walls. — Formed fr.
intra- and L. muralis, 'pertaining to a wall', fr.
miirus, 'wall . See mural,
intransigence, intransigency, n. — F. intransi-
geance, fr. intransigeant. See next word and -ce,
resp. -cy.
intransigent, adj., refusing to compromise; irre-
concilable. — F. intransigeant, fr. Sp. intransi-
gente, an adherent of the federalist republicans
in Spain (1873-74), who refused to compromise.
Sp. intransigente lit. means 'not coming to an
agreement'. It is formed fr. in-, 'not', and L.
trdnsigentem, acc. of trdnsigens, pres. part, of
trdnsigere, 'to carry through, bring to an end,
come to an agreement'. See transact and -ent.
Derivatives: intransigent, n., intransigent-ism,
n., intransigent-ist, n., intransigent-ly, adv.
intransitive, adj. — Late L. intrdnsitivus, 'in-
transitive', lit. 'that does not pass over (to an-
other person)', fr. in-, 'not' and trdnsitivus, 'that
may pass over'. See transitive.
Derivatives: intransitive, n., intransitive-ly,adv.,
intransitive-ness, n.
intrant, adj., entering; n., one who enters. — L.
intrdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of intrdre, 'to
enter'. See enter and -ant.
intrench, tr. and intr. v. — See entrench.
Derivatives: intrench-er, n., intrench-ment, n.
intrepid, adj., fearless. — L. intrepidus, 'unshaken,
undaunted', fr. in-, 'not', and trepidus, 'anxious,
alarmed'. See trepidation.
Derivatives: intrepid-ity, n., intrepid-ly, adv.,
intrepid-ness, n.
intricacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
intricate, adj. — L. intriedtus, pp. of intricdre, 'to
entangle, perplex, embarrass', fr. in-, 'in', and
tricae (gen. tricdrum), 'trifles, perplexities, tricks'.
See extricate.
Derivatives: intricate-ly, adv., intricate-ness, n.
intrigant, n., a man given to intrigue. — F., fr. It.
intrigante, pres. part, oi intrigare. See intrigue, v.
and -ant.
intrigante, n., a woman given to intrigue. — F.,
fem. of intrigant. See prec. word,
intrigue, intr. v., to plot underhandedly. — F.
intriguer, fr. It. intrigare, 'to intrigue', fr. L.
intricdre. See intricate.
intrigue, n., an underhand plotting; an under-
hand plot. — F., fr. It. intrigo, fr. intrigare. See
intrigue, v.
intrinsic, adj., pertaining to the real nature of a
thing; inherent; essential. — F. intrinseque, fr.
L. intrinsecus, 'on the inside, inwardly', fr. inter,
'in the midst of, between, among', and secus,
'beside, by, along'. For the first element see
inter, prep. L. secus orig. meant 'following';
and is rel. to sequl, 'to follow'. See sequel and
cp. second. Cp. also extrinsic.
Derivatives: intrinsic-al, adj., intrinsic-al-ly,
adv., intrinsic-al-ness, n.
intro-, pref. — L. Intro, 'into the inside, within',
for *intero-, fr. *interus, 'on the inside, inward'.
See interior.
introduce, tr. v. — L. intrdducere, 'to lead in,
bring in; to introduce; to bring forward; to
institute, originate', fr. intro- and ducere, 'to
lead, conduct, guide'. See duke and cp. words
there referred to.
introduction, n. — F., fr. L. intrdductidnem, acc.
of intrdductid, fr. intrdductus, pp. of intrd-
ducere. See prec. word and -ion.
introductive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
intrdductus, pp. of intrdducere. See introduce.
Derivative: introductive-ly, adv.
introductory, adj. — Late L. intrdductdrius, fr. L.
intrdductus, pp. of intrdducere. See introduce and
adj. suff. -ory.
introit, n. (eccles.) — F. intrott, lit. 'a going in',
fr. L. introitus (gen. -us), fr. introitus, pp. of in-
troire, 'to enter', formed fr. intro- and ire, 'to
go'. See itinerate.
intromission, n. — Formed with suff. -ion fr.
L. intrdmissus, pp. of intrdmittere, 'to let in'.
See next word.
intromit, tr. v., to cause to enter; to admit. —
L. intrdmittere, 'to send in, let in', fr. intro- and
mittere, 'to send'. See mission,
intromittent, adj. — L. intrdmittens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of intrdmittere. See prec. word and
-ent.
introrse
810
introrse, adj., turned inward (bot.) — L. intrdrsus,
'toward the inside, inward', contraction of in-
troversus, which is formed fr. intro- and versus,
pp. of vertere, 'to turn'. See version and cp. in-
troversion, introvert. Cp. also extrorse, retrorse,
prose.
introspect, intr. v. — L. intrdspectus, pp. of in-
trdspicere, 'to look into, look at', fr. intro- and
-spicere, fr. specere, spicere, 'to see, look at,
behold'. See species and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: introspect-ion, n., introspection-al,
adj., introspection-ism, n., introspection-ist, n.,
introspect-ive, adj., introspect-ive-ly, adv., in-
trospect-ive-ness, n.
introversible, adj., capable of being introverted.
— Formed with suff. -ible fr. intro- and L. ver-
sus, pp. of vertere, 'to turn'. See version.
introversion, n., i) the act of introverting; the
state of being introverted; 2) interest directed
inward; the opposite of extroversion (psychoid)
— Formed fr. intro- and version,
introversive, adj., pertaining or tending to intro-
version. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. intro- and
L. versus, pp. of vertere, 'to turn'. See version.
introvert, tr. v., 1) to turn inward; 2) intr. v., to
turn one's interest inward; the opposite of
extrovert (psychol.) — Formed fr. intro- and L.
vertere, 'to turn'. See version. The term in-
trovert was introduced into psychology by the
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-
1961). Cp. extrovert, v.
Derivatives: introvert, n., introvert-ive, adj.
introvert, n., one characterized by introversion;
the opposite of extrovert {psychol.) — Fr. in-
trovert, v.
intrude, tr. and intr. v. — L. intrudere, 'to thrust
in', fr. in-, 'in', and trudere, 'to thrust, push,
shove', which derives fr. I.-E. base *treud-, 'to
press, push', whence also Goth, us-priutan, 'to
vex', OE. preotan, 'to weary, vex, annoy'. See
threat and cp. thrust. Cp. also abstruse, detrude,
extrude, obtrude, protrude.
Derivatives: intrud-er, n., intrud-ing, adj., in-
trud-ing-ly, adv.
intrusion, n. — ME. intrusioun, fr. MF. (= F.)
intrusion, fr. ML. intrusionem, acc. of intrusio,
'a thrusting in', fr. L. intrusus, pp. of intrudere.
See prec. word and -ion and cp. detrusion, ex-
trusion, obtrusion, protrusion.
intrusive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
intrusus, pp. of intrudere. See intrude and cp.
extrusive, obtrusive, protrusive.
Derivatives: intrusive-ly, adv., intrusive-ness, n.
intubate, tr. v., to insert a tube into a hollow
organ {med.) — Formed fr. in-, 'in', and L.
tubus, 'tube'. See tube and verbal suff. -ate.
intubation, n., insertion of a tube into a hollow
organ (med.) — See prec. word and -ion.
intuit, tr. and intr. v. — Back formation fr. in-
tuition.
intuition, n. — ML. intuitid, gen. -dnis, fr. L. in-
tuit us, pp. of intueri, 'to look at, regard, con-
sider', fr. in-, 'in', and tueri, 'to look at, regard,
consider; to look after, preserve, defend'. See
tuition.
Derivatives: intuition-al, adj., intuition-al-ism,
n., intuition-al-ist, n., intuition-ism, n., intuition-
ist, n.
intuitive, adj. — ML. intuitivus, fr. L. intuitus,
pp. of intueri. See prec. word and -ive.
Derivatives: intuitive-ly, adv., intuitive-ness, n.,
and the hybrid nouns intuitiv-ism, intuitiv-ist.
intumesce, intr. v., to swell up. — L. intumescere,
'to swell up', fr. in-, 'in', and tumescere, 'to begin
to swell', inchoative of tumere, 'to swell'. See
tumid and -esce.
intumescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
intumescent, adj. — L. intumescens, gen. -entis,
pres. part, of intumescere. See intumesce and
-ent.
intussusception, n., the reception of one part
within another (med.) — Lit. 'a taking in';
coined by the English surgeon and anatomist
John Hunter (1728-93) fr. L. intus, 'within' (see
intro-), and susceptid, gen. -onis, 'a taking in
hand, acceptance', fr. susceptus, pp. of susci-
pere, 'to accept, undertake'. See susceptible
and -ion.
inula, n., elecampane; (cap.) a genus of plants of
the thistle family (bot.) — L. inula, formed with
metathesis fr. Gk. kXhiov, 'elecampane'; see
Helenium. L. inula was influenced in form by L.
inuleus, 'fawn'.
inulin, n., a starchlike substance (chem.) —
Formed with chem. suff. -in fr. L. inula, 'ele-
campana' (see prec. word); so called because
it is obtained esp. from the roots of the plants
of the genus Inula.
inunction, n., the act of anointing. — L. inunctio,
gen. -onis, 'an anointing', fr. inunctus, pp. of
inunguere, 'to anoint', fr. in-, 'in', and unguere,
'to anoint'. See unction and cp. ointment.
inundant, adj., inundating. — L. inunddns, gen.
-antis, pres. part, of inunddre. See next word
and -ant.
inundate, tr. v., to flood; to overflow. — L. in-
unddtus, pp. of inunddre, 'to overflow, run over,
inundate', fr. in-, 'in', and undo, 'wave'. See
undate.
inundation, n. — L. inunddtid, gen. -onis, 'an
overflowing, inundating', fr. inunddtus, pp. of
inunddre. See prec. word and -km.
inurbane, adj. — ■ L. inurbdnus, 'rustic, boorish,
unpolished', fr. in-, 'not', and urbdnus, 'polished,
refined', lit. 'of the city', fr. urbs, gen. urbis,
'city'. See urban, urbane.
Derivatives: inurbane-ly, adv., inurbane-ness, n.,
inurban-ity, n.
inure, tr. v., to accustom; intr. v., to take effect.
— Formed fr. in-, 'in', and obsol. E. ure, 'use,
work', fr. OF. uevre (F. auvre), fr. L. opera.
See opera and cp. hors d'oeuvre.
811
Invertebrata
Derivatives: inur-ed, adj., inur-ed-ness, n., inure-
ment, n.
inurn, tr. v., to place in an urn. — Formed fr. in-,
'in', and urn.
inutile, adj., useless. — L. iniitilis, 'useless, un-
profitable', fr. in-, 'not', and utilis, 'useful'. See
utility.
inutility, n. — F. inutilite, fr. L. inutilitatem, acc.
of inutilitds, 'uselessness', fr. iniitilis. See prec.
word and -ity.
invade, tr. v. — ME. invaden, fr. L. invddere, 'to
go into, enter upon; to assail, assault, attack,
invade', fr. in-, 'in', and vddere, 'to go, move',
which is cogn. with ON. vada, OE. wadan, 'to
wade'. See wade and cp. vade mecum and words
there referred to.
Derivative: invad-er, n,
invaginate, tr. v., to put into a sheath. — Lit. 'to
insheathe', fr. in-, 'in', and L. vagina, 'sheath'.
See vagina and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: invaginat-ion, n.
invalid, adj., not valid. — L. invalidus, 'not
strong, infirm, weak, feeble', fr. in-, 'not', and
validus, 'strong'. See valid.
Derivatives: invalid-ity, n., invalid-ly, adv.
invalid, adj., infirm, sick. — F. imalide, fr. L.
invalidus. See prec. word.
Derivatives: invalid, n. and tr. v., invalid-ate,
tr. v., invalid-ation, n., invalid-hood, n., invalid-
ism, n.
invar, n., an alloy of steel and nickel character-
ized by a very small coefficient of thermal ex-
pansion. — Short for invariable.
invasion, n. — F., fr. Late L. invdsidnem, acc. of
invdsid, 'assault, attack', fr. L. invds-(um), pp.
stem of invddere. See invade and -ion and cp.
evasion.
invasive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
invds-(um), pp. stem of invddere. See invade.
invecked, adj., invected. — Formed with suff. -ed
fr. inveck, alteration of invect (fr. L. invectus),
the t of which was mistaken for the pp. suff.
See next word.
invected, adj., bordered by a series of small con-
vex semicircles or arcs (her.) — Formed with
suff. -ed fr. L. invectus, 'carried in', pp. of in-
vehere. See inveigh.
invective, n., an abusive speech. — ML. invectiva
(sal. drdtio), 'abusive speech', fern, of invectivus,
'abusive', fr. L. invectus, pp. of invehere. See
next word and -ive.
inveigh, intr. v., to make a violent verbal attack.
— L. invehl, 'to be carried on against', passive
inf. of invehere, 'to carry in, bring in ; to enter,
penetrate; to attack, inveigh against', fr. in-,
'in', and vehere, 'to carry'. See vehicle and cp.
prec. word.
Derivative: inveigh-er, n.
inveigle, tr. v., to entice, delude, seduce. — Fr.
earlier envegle, aveugle, fr. F. aveugler, 'to
blind', fr. aveugle, 'blind', fr. ML. ab oculis, loan
translation of Gk. in o\L\i&s<av, 'without eyes',
lit. '(away) from the eyes'. See ab- and ocular.
Derivatives: inveigle-ment, n., inveigl-er, n.
invent, tr. v. — ME. inventen, fr. L. inventus, pp.
of invenlre, 'to find', prop, 'to come upon', fr.
in-, 'in', and venire, 'to come'. See come and cp.
venue, 'arrival'. For sense development 6p. Hitt.
wemiya-, 'to find', prop, 'to come upon', OSlav.
na-iti,' to find', fr. na, 'on, upon', and iti, 'to go',
OE. findan, 'to find out', fr. I.-E. base *pent-,
'to go' (see find).
Derivatives: invent-er, n., invent-ible, adj., in-
venti-bil-ity, n., invent-ible-ness, n., invention
(q.v.), inventor (q.v.), inventory (q.v.)
invention, n. — ME. invencioun, fr. MF. (= F.)
invention, fr. L. inventidnem, acc. of inventid,
'invention', fr. inventus, pp. of invenlre. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: invention-al, adj.
inventive, adj. — ME. inventif, fr. MF. (= F.)
inventif, fem. inventive, fr. L. inventus, pp. of
invenlre. See invent and -ive.
Derivatives: inventive-ly, adv., inventive-ness, n.
inventor, n. — L. inventor, 'one that finds out,
author, discoverer, inventor', fr. inventus, pp. of
invenlre. See invent and agential suff. -or.
inventory, n. — ML. inventdrium, for Late L.
inventdrium, 'list, inventory'. See invent and
subst. suff. -ory.
Derivative: inventory, tr. v.
inveracity, n., lack of veracity. — Formed fr. in-,
'not', and veracity.
Inverness, n., a kind of sleeveless cape, also In-
verness cape. — Named after Inverness, a town
in Scotland.
inverse, adj. — L. inversus, pp. of invertere. See
invert.
Derivatives: inverse, n. and tr. v., invers-ed, adj.,
invers-ed-ly, inverse-ly, advs., invers-ive, adj.
inversion, n. — L. inversid, gen. -onis, 'inversion',
fr. inversus, pp. of invertere. See next word
and -ion.
invert, tr. v. — L. invertere, 'to turn upside down,
turn about, upset ; to transpose, reverse', fr. in-,
'in', and vertere, 'to turn'. See version.
Derivatives: invert, n., invert-ed, adj., invert-ed-
ly, adv., invert-er, n., invert-ible, adj., invert-
ibil-ity, n., invert-ile, adj.
invertase, n., a ferment converting cane sugar
into fruit sugar (biochem.) — Coined by the
German chemist Emil Fischer (1852-1919) from
the stem of L. invertere, 'to turn about' (see
prec. word), and suff. -ase. The name invertase
was suggested by F. ferment inversif ('conver-
ting ferment'), a name given to this ferment by
the French physiologist Claude Bernard
(1813-78).
Invertebrata, n. pi., all animals excepting the
Vertebrata (zool.) — ModL. (short for animalia
invertebrata), neut. pi. of invertebrdtus, which
is formed fr. in-, 'not', and L. vertebrdtus, 'ver-
tebrate' ; see Vertebrata. The term goes back to
the French word invertfbri, which was coined
invertebrate
812
by the French naturalist Baron Georges-Leo-
pold-Chretien-Frederic-Dagobert Cuvier (1769-
1832) in 1805 (in Lecons d'anatomie comparee).
invertebrate, adj., having no backbone; pertain-
ing to the Invertebrata. — ModL. inverte-
brdtus. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: invertebrate, n.
invest, tr. v. — L. investire, 'to clothe, cover', fr.
in-, 'in', and vestire, 'to clothe'. See vest, v. and n.
Derivatives: invest-ment, n., invest-or, n.
investigate, v. — L. investigates, pp. of investi-
gare, 'to trace out, to search after, inquire into',
fr. in-, 'in', and vestigdre, 'to track out', fr. ves-
tigium. See vestige and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: investigat-ing, adj., investigat-ing-
ly, adv., investigation (q.v.), investigat-ive, adj.,
investigator (q.v.), investig-atory, adj.
investigation, n. — F., fr. L. investigdtidnem, acc.
of investigdtid, 'a searching into', fr. investigates,
pp. of investigare. See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: investigation-al, adj.
investigator, n. — L. investigator, 'he that sear-
ches into', fr. investigates, pp. of investigare. See
investigate and agential suff. -or.
investiture, n., the ceremony of investing a person
with an office, authority, etc. — ML. investi-
tura, fr. L. investitus, pp. of investire, 'to clothe'.
See invest and -ure.
inveteracy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inveterate, adj. — L. inveterdtus, 'kept for a long
time, of long standing, inveterate', pp. of in-
veterdre, 'to render old, give age to; to grow
old', fr. in-, 'in', and vetus, gen. veteris, 'old'.
See veteran and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: inveterate, tr. v., in\ctcrate-ly, adv.,
inveterate-ness, n.
invidious, adj., likely to cause ill will or envy. —
L. invididsus, 'full of envy, envious', fr. invidia,
'envy'. See envy, n., and -ous, and cp. envious,
which is a doublet of invidious.
Derivatives: invidious-ly, adv., invidious-ness, n.
invigilate, tr. v., to keep watch over. — L. invigi-
lates, pp. of invigildre, 'to be awake, be watch-
ful, watch over', fr. in-, 'in', and vigildre, 'to
watch, be awake', fr. vigil, 'awake, wakeful'.
See vigil and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: invigilat-ion, n., invigilat-or, n.
invigorate, tr. v., to make vigorous. — Formed
fr. in-, 'in', L. vigor, 'strength' (see vigor), and
verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: invigorat-ing, adj., invigorat-ing-ly,
adv., invigorat-ing-ness, n., ir igorat-ive, adj.,
invigorat-ive-ly, adv., invigorat-or, n.
invincible, adj. — F., fr. L. invincibilis, 'invin-
cible, unconquerable', fr. in-, 'not', and vinci-
bilis. See vincible.
Derivatives: invincibil-ity, n., invincible-ness, n.,
invincibl-y, adv.
inviolable, adj. — L. invioldbilis, 'invulnerable,
inviolable', fr. in-, 'not', and violdbilis. See
violaMe.
Derivatives: inviolabil-ity, n., inviolable-ness, n.,
inviolabl-y, adv.
inviolacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
inviolate, adj., not violated. — L. invioldtus, 'un-
hurt, inviolate', fr. in-, 'not', and violates, pp.
of violdre, 'to violate'. See violate.
Derivatives: inviolate-ly, adv., inviolate-ness, n.
invisible, adj. — F., fr. L. invisibilis, 'invisible,
unseen', fr. in-, 'not', and visibilis. See visible.
Derivatives: invisible, n., invisibil-ity, n., in-
visible-ness, n., invisibl-y, adv.
invitant, n., one who invites. — F., pres. part, of
inviter, 'to invite'. See invite and -ant.
invitation, n. — L. invitdtid, gen. -dnis, 'invi-
tation', fr. invitdtus, pp. of invitdre. See invite
and -ation.
invitatory, adj., containing an invitation. — Late
L. invitdtdrius, 'pertaining to invitation', fr. L.
invitdtus, pp. of invitdre. See invite and adj. suff.
-ory.
invitatory, n., invitation to take part in religious
worship. — ML. invitdtdrium, fr. Late L. in-
vitdtdrius. See invitatory, adj.
invite, tr. v. — F. inviter, fr. L. invitdre, 'to in-
vite, entertain, challenge', prob. formed fr. in-,
'in', and -vitdre, which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. envy.
Derivatives: invit-er, n., invit-ing, adj., invit-ing-
ly, adv., invit-ing-ness, n.
invocation, n. — ME. invocacioun, fr. MF. (= F.)
invocation, fr. L. invocdtidnem, fr. invocdtus, pp.
of invocdre, 'to invoke'. See invoke and -ation.
in vocative, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ive
fr. L. invocdtus, pp. of invocdre. See invoke,
invocatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. L. invocdtus, pp. of invocdre. See invoke,
invoice, n. — Fr. earlier invoyes, pi. of obsolete
invoy, 'anything sent', fr. F. envoy, now spelled
envoi, 'a sending', fr. envoyer, 'to send'. See
envoy.
Derivative : invoice, tr. v.
invoke, tr. v. — ME. invoken, fr. MF. (= F.) in-
voquer, fr. L. invocdre, 'to call upon, appeal to,
invoke, implore', fr. in-, 'in', and vocdre, 'to
call'. See voice and cp. convoke, provoke.
involucre, involucrum, n., 1) a covering (esp. a
membraneous one); 2) a group of bracts round
a cluster of flowers (bot.) — F. involucre, fr. L.
involucrum, 'wrapper, covering, envelope, case',
for *involu-clo-m, which is formed with instru-
mental suff. *-clo-m, *-cro-m, fr. involvere, 'to
wrap up, roll up'. See involve. The change of
suff. *-clo-m to *-cro-m is due to the dissimi-
latorial influence of the / in the preceding syl-
lable.
involuntary, adj. — Late L. involuntdrius, 'involun-
tary', fr. in-, 'not', and L. voluntdrius. See
voluntary.
Derivatives: involuntari-ly, adv., ^voluntari-
ness, n.
involute, adj., 1) involved, intricate; 2) rolled up
813
-ious
in a spiral. — L. involutus, 'rolled up', pp. of
involvere, 'to roll up'. See involve,
involute, n., anything involved; esp., in geom.,
a curve traced by any point of a flexible and
inextensible thread, which is wound upon or
unwound from a given curve (this latter being
called the evolute). — Fr. involute, adj. Cp.
evolute.
involution, n., the act of involving or the state
of being involved. — L. involiitid, gen. -dnis,
'a rolling up', fr. involutus, pp. of involvere, 'to
roll up'. See next word and -ion.
involve, tr. v. — L. involvere, 'to roll up, wrap
up; to cover, envelop; to surround, entangle',
fr. in-, 'in', and volvere, 'to roll'. See volute and
cp. involucre.
Derivatives: involv-ed, adj., involv-ed-ly, adv.,
involv-ed-ness, n., involve-ment, n., involv-er, n.
invulnerable, adj. — L. invulnerdbilis, 'invulner-
able', fr. in-, 'not', and vulnerdbilis. See vul-
nerable.
Derivatives: invulnerabil-ity, n., invulnerable-
ness, n., invulnerabl-y, adv.
inward, inwards, adv. — ME. inward, resp. in-
wardes, fr. OE. innanweard, inneweard, inweard,
fr. innan, inne, inn, 'in', adv., fr. in, 'in', prep.
See in-, prep., and -ward, resp. -wardes.
inward, adj. — OE. innanweard, inneweard, in-
weard. See inward, adv.
Derivatives: inward-Iy, adv., inward-ness, n.
inwardly, adv. — ME., fr. OE. inweardlice. See
inward, adv., and adv. suff. -ly.
inyala, n., an antelope of Central Africa (Tra-
gelaphus angasi). — A Bantu name.
Io, n., the daughter of Inachus, beloved by Zeus,
and changed by Hera into a cow (Greek mythol.)
— L., fr. Gk. 'ltd, which is of uncertain origin,
iod-, form of iodo- before a vowel,
iodic, adj., pertaining to iodine (chem!) — See
iodine and -ic.
iodide, also iodid, n., compound of iodine with
another element or radical (chem.) — See next
word and -ide.
iodine, n,, name of a nonmetallic element be-
longing to the halogen family (chem.) — Formed
by the English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy
(1778-1829) fr. F. iode, 'iodine' (to make the
name of this element equal in ending to chlorine
and fluorine), which was coined by its discov-
erer, the French chemist Bernard Courtois
(1777-1838), in 181 1 fr. Gk. EoeiStj?, 'like a
violet', fr. fov, 'violet', and -oetSrj?, 'like', fr.
tlSo$, 'form, shape'; so called by him from
the color of its vapor. See iolite and -oid. For
the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
iodism, n., iodine poisoning (med.) — See prec.
word and -ism.
iodize, tr. v., to treat or impregnate with iodine.
— See iodine and -ize.
iodo-, before a vowel iod-, combining form
meaning iodine. — Fr. ModL. iodum, ft. F.
iode. See iodine.
iodoform, n., a crystalline compound (chem.) —
A blend of iodine and chloroform.
iolite, n., a blue mineral. — G. Iolit, coined by
the German geologist and mineralogist Abra-
ham Gottlob Werner (1750-1817) in 1810 fr.
Gk. tov, 'violet', and X&o;, 'stone', dk. fov
is prob. a Mediterranean loan word. Cp. the
first element in Janthine and the second element
in Leucojum. Cp. also violet. For Gk. XiS-o?
see -lite, litho-.
;on, n., either of the two elements into which a
compound is decomposed through electrolysis.
— Gk. tov, neut. of ?cov, 'going', pres. part, of
tevai, 'to go', fr. I.-E. base */-, 'to go', whence
also L. ire, 'to go', iter (gen. itineris), 'a journey' ;
see itinerate. The word ion was introduced into
electricity by the English physicist and chemist
Michael Faraday (1791-1867); cp. anion, cation.
-ion, suff. forming nouns denoting state, con-
dition or action. — L. -id, gen. -idnis (either
directly or through the medium of OF. and F.
-ion). Cp. -ation, -ition.
Ionian, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -an fr.
L. Idnius, fr. Gk.'I<ivto?, 'Ionian', fr.ltov (gen.
"Iojvo?), contraction of 'I&cov (gen. 'Movo?),
'Ionian', fr. orig. "'I&Ftov, whence Heb. Ydwdn,
Akkad. Idmanu, Idvanu, Egypt. Y l v a na, Y>-
v a nna, 'Greek'. Cp. also OI. Yavanah, OPers.
Yaund, 'Greek', OI. yavanikd, 'Greek woman';
'curtain (in the theater)', lit. 'Greek (partition)'.
Ionic, adj. — L. Idnicus, fr. Gk. 'Icovi.x6<;, 'Ionic',
fr. "Iojv. See prec. word and -ic.
ionium, n., a radioactive element pertaining to
the uranium group (chem.) — ModL., formed
fr. ion with suff. -ium; so called in allusion to
its ionizing power.
ionize, tr. v., to separate into ions. — Formed fr.
ion with suff. -ize.
ionosphere, n., that part of the earth's atmosphere
which extends from the stratosphere to the
exosphere. — Compounded of ion and sphere.
-ior, suff. representing the Latin compar. ending
-ior, as in anterior, excelsior. — L. -ior, cogn.
with OI. -iyas, Gk. -tav, Goth, -iza, -oza, OE.
-ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs). See compar.
suff. -er.
-ior, suff. representing -or preceded by thematic
1", as in warrior.
iota, n., the 9th letter of the Greek alphabet. —
L., fr. Gk. toiTa, fr. Heb. yddh; see yodh and
cp. jot. The a was added because a Greek word
cannot end with a t; cp. alpha and words there
referred to.
iotacism. n., 1) excessive use of the Greek letter
iota; 2) Greek tendency to give the sound of
iota to other vowels. — Late L. idtacismus, fr.
Gk. t(o-raxiou.6q, 'doubling or repetition of the
letter Layra'. See prec. word and -ism and cp.
lambdacism, rhotacism.
-ious, suff. standing for -i-ous, i.e. suff. -ous pre-
ceded by thematic i. — 1) Fr. L. -idsus (either
directly or through the medium of OF. -ieus,
ipecac
814
F. -ieux); see e.g. delicious, religious. 2) Fr. L.
-ius; see e.g. conscious, dubious. See -ous.
ipecac, n. — Shortened fr. ipecacuanha,
ipecacuanha, n., the dried root of a S. American
plant (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) — Port., from a
Tupi compound lit. meaning 'a small emetic
tree .
Iphigenia, n., the daughter of Agamemnon and
Clytemnestra (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk.
^Lpiy^veia, lit. 'mightily born' (i.e. a mighty
princess), compounded of I91, instrumental of
tj, 'sinew, tendon; muscle, fiber', and ykvoc,,
'race, descent'. For the first element see inion,
for the second see genus and cp. words there
referred to.
Ipomoea, n., a genus of plants, the morning glory
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. ?tjj> gen.
t7t6<;, 'a kind of worm', which is possibly rel.
to E<{jokt&ou, 'to press hard, oppress', and 8(ioio?,
'like'. See homeo-.
ipse dixit, n., dictum. — L., 'he himself has said
it', originally translation of Gk. ocut6? gtpa,
used by the disciples of Pythagoras when quot-
ing their master. See next word and diction.
ipseity, n., selfhood. — Formed from L. ipse,
'himself, contraction of *is-pse, fr. is, 'he' (see
idem), and the emphatic particle -pse (= Gk.
-tyi). For the ending see suff. -ity. Cp. the second
element in solipsism.
ir-, assimilated form of in-, 'in', before r.
ir-, assimilated form of in-, 'not', before r.
Ira, masc. PN. (Bible) — Heb. 'Ird, lit. 'watch-
ful', from the stem of 'ur, 'to awake, to rouse
oneself, rel. to Aram.-Syr. 'fir, 'to be awake',
Aram, 'ir, 'awake', Bibl.-Aram. 'ir, 'angel',
Arab, 'dra (base 'a-y-r), 'was awake', ghdra
(stem gh-y-r), 'he was jealous', Akkad. eru, 'to
be awake, to watch'.
irade, n., written decree of a Mohammedan ruler
formerly, a written decree of the Sultan of
Turkey. — Turkish, fr. Arab. irdda h , 'will',
verbal noun of ardda, 'he wished, wanted to',
which is prop, causative of rdda (base r-w-d), 'he
sought'.
Iran, n., Persia. — Pers. Iran, fr. OPers. ariya,
'noble', which is rel. to OI. dryah, 'noble'. See
Aryan.
Derivatives : Iran-ian, adj. and n.
irascible, adj. — ME., fr. F. irascible, fr. L.
irdscibilis, fr. irdscl, 'to be ?ngry', fr. Ira. See
ire and -ible.
Derivatives: irascibil-ity, a., irascible-ness, a.,
irascibl-y, adv.
irate, adj. — L. irdtus, 'angry, enraged, violent,
furious', fr. ira. See ire and adj. suff. -ate.
ire, n., anger. — OF., fr. L. ira, 'anger', which
prob. stands for *eisd and is cogn. with Avestic
aeshma, 'anger', Gk. oljxa (for *ol(T(xa), 'im-
petus', oTarpoi;, 'gadfly', Lith. aistra, 'violent
passion', fir. I.-E. base *eis-, 'to set in quick
motion, drive on, incite', whence also OI. isati,
ifndli, isyati, 'sets in motion', isanydti, 'stirs up,
incites, urges on', isirdh, 'iively, strong', Gk.
EocEveiv (for *iadcvieiv), 'to warm, heat, cheer,
refresh', ON. eisa, 'to hasten forward'. Cp. hiero-,
iatric, oestrum, perineum. Cp. also iron.
Derivatives: ire-ful, adj., ire-ful-ly, adv., ire-
ful-ness, n.
Irene, fem. PN. — F. Irene, fr. L. Irene, fr. Gk.
EEp-qvi), lit. 'peace'. See next word,
irenic, irenical, adj., promoting peace. — Gk.
eEp7jvix6?, 'peaceful, peaceable', fr. eEpijvr),
'peace', a word of unknown etymology. Cp.
Irene.
Derivatives: irenical-ly, adv., irenic-ism, n.,
irenic-ist, n.
irenicon, n. — See eirenicon.
Iresine, n., a genus of plants of the amaranth
family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. eEpeaicovv), 'a
wreath of olive wound round with wool', fr.
slpo?, 'wool', which is rel. to gpiov, 'wool' (see
erio-); so called in allusion to the woolly calyx.
Iridaceae, n. pi., the iris family (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Iris with suff. -aceae.
iridaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
iridescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
iridescent, adj., showing rainbowlike colors. —
Lit. 'rainbow colored', formed with suff. -escent
fr. L. Iris, gen. iridis (fr. Gk. Tpis, gen. tpiSo?),
'rainbow' (see iris).
Derivative : iridescent-ly, adv.
iridium, n., name of a silverwhite metallic element
(chem.) — ModL., coined by its discoverer, the
English chemist Smithson Tennant (1761-1815),
fr. Gk. Tpu;, gen. tptSo?, 'rainbow' (see iris),
and suff. -ium; so called by him in allusion to
the varying color of its compounds.
Derivatives: irid-ate, n., irid-ious, adj., irid-ite,
n., irid-ize, tr. v., irid-iz-ation, n.
irido-, before a vowel irid-, combining form de-
noting the iris (of the eye). — Fr. Gk. Ipt?, gen.
tptSo?. See next word.
iris, n., 1) the rainbow; 2) the colored portion of
the eye. — L. iris, fr. Gk. Ipt?, 'the rainbow',
orig. form *FXpu;, lit. 'something bent or curved',
fr. I.-E. base *wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also
Gk. t-ru;, Aeol. *FEto<;, 'the edge or rim of any-
thing', t-ria, 'willow', L. viere, 'to bend, twist',
OE. widig, 'willow'. See withy and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also orris, 'the Florentine
iris'.
Iris, n., the goddess of the rainbow in Greek my-
thology. — L. Iris, fr. Gk. Hpi?, personification
of Ipi?, 'rainbow'. See prec. word.
Irish, adj. and n. — ME., fr. OE. *Irisc, fr. Iras,
'the Irish', which is rel. to OE. Eriu, 'Ireland'.
Cp. Erin, Erse. For the ending see adj. suff. -ish.
iritis, n., inflammation of the iris of the eye (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -Wis fr. Gk.
Tpu;. See iris.
irk, tr. v., to vex, annoy. — ME. irken, yrken,
rel. to MHG. erken, 'to disgust'; of uncertain
origin.
815
irreparable
Derivatives: irk-some, adj., irk-some-ness, n.
Irma, fem. PN. — A var. of Erma, which is a
shortened form of Ermentrud (q.v.) Cp. Emma.
iron, n. — ME. iren, iron, fr. OE. Ise(r)n, iren, rel.
to OS. isarn, ON. isarn, jam, OFris. iser(n),
MDu. iser, Du. ijzer, OHG. Isarn, Isan, MHG.
isern, iser, isen, G. Eisen, Goth, eisarn, isarn.
These words, as well as the Gaul. PN. Isarno- and
Olr. iarann, iarn, W. haiarn, OCo. hoern, 'iron',
are prob. Illyrian loan words, and orig. denoted
the 'strong' metal (in contradistinction to the
softer bronze). Cp. OI. isirdh, Vigorous, strong',
Gk. Eep6?, 'strong', and see ire.
Derivatives: iron, adj. and v., iron-er, n., iron-
ing, n., irony (q.v.)
Iron Curtain. — Coined by Winston Churchill in
1946 (in a speech at Fulton, Mo., U.S.A.)
ironic, also ironical, adj. — Late L. irdnicus, fr.
Gk. sEpomxAi;, 'dissembling', fr. etpwv, 'dis-
sembler'. See irony and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative : ironical-ly, adv.
ironmold, n. — Altered fr. iron mole by folk ety-
mology, which associated this word with mold.
See iron and mole, 'spot'.
Derivative: ironmold, tr. and intr. v.
irony, n. — L. Irdnia, fr. Gk. elpuveta, 'irony',
fr. eiptov, 'dissembler', for *Fep£<ov, lit. 'sayer'
(i.e. one who speaks in order to hide his
thoughts), fr. etpco (for *F£pito), 'I say, speak',
which is rel. to pT)Twp, Aeol. fprjTcop, 'public
speaker, orator; rhetor', and cogn. with L.
verbum, 'word', Goth, waurd, OE. word, 'word'.
See word and cp. rhetor. Cp. also verb.
irony, adj. — Formed fr. iron with adj. suff. -y.
irradiance, irradiancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
irradiant, adj. — L. irradidns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of irradidre. See next word and -ant.
irradiate, tr. and intr. v. — L. irradidtus, pp. of
irradidre, 'to illumine, cast forth rays, irradiate',
fr. m-, 'in*, and radidre, 'to shine with rays'. See
radiate.
Derivatives: irradiat-ed, adj., irradiat-ive, adj.,
irradiat-or, n.
irradiation, n. — F., fr. Late L. irradidtidnem,
acc. of irradiatid, fr. L. irradidtus, pp. of irra-
didre. See prec. word and -ion.
irrational, adj. — L. irratidndlis, 'without reason,
irrational', fr. in-, 'not', and rationdlis. See
rational.
Derivatives: irrational, n., irrational-ism, n., ir-
rational-ist, n., irrational-ist-ic, adj., irrational-
ity, n., irrational-ize, tr. v., irrational-ly, adv.
irrecusable, adj., not to be refused. — Late L.
irrecusdbilis, 'not to be refused', fr. in-, 'not*,
and L. recusdre, 'to object to, decline, refuse'.
See recusant and -able.
Derivative : irrecusabl-y, adv.
irredenta, adj., unredeemed. — It., used esp. as
abbreviation of Italia irredenta, 'unredeemed
Italy'. See Irredentist.
Irredentism, n., the policy of the Irredentists. —
A hybrid coined fr. It. irredenta (see next word)
and -ism, a suff. of Greek origin.
Irredentist, n., a member of an Italian political
party which demands the incorporation with
Italy of all Italian speaking regions neighboring
upon Italy. — It. Irredentista, a hybrid formed
with -ist, a suff. of Greek origin, fr. (Italia) irre-
denta, 'unredeemed (Italy)', fr. in-, 'not' (fr. L.
in-, see in-, 'not'), and redenta, 'redeemed', fr.
L. redempta, fem. of redemptus, pp. of redimere,
'to redeem'. See redeem.
irrefragable, adj., that cannot be refuted. — Late
L. irrefragdbilis, fr. in-, 'not' and L. refragdri,
'to oppose, resist', fr. re- and frag-, base of
frangere, 'to break'. See fraction and -able and
cp. next word.
Derivatives: irrefragabil-ity, n., irrefragable-
ness, n., irrefragabl-y, adv.
irrefrangible, adj., 1) that cannot be broken;
2) that cannot be refracted. — Formed fr. in-,
'not' and refrangible.
Derivatives: irrefrangibil-ity, n., irrefrangible-
ness, n., irrefrangibl-y, adv.
irrefutable, adj. — L. irrefutdbilis, 'irrefutable',
fr. in-, 'not' and L. refutdbilis. See refutable.
Derivatives: irrefutabil-ity, n., irrefutable-ness,
n., irrefutabl-y, adv.
irregular, adj. — ME. irreguler, fr. OF. irreguler
(F. irregulier), fr. ML. irregularis, fr. in-, 'not',
and L. reguldris. See regular.
Derivatives: irregular, n., irregularity (q.v.), ir-
regular-ly, adv., irregular-ness, n.
irregularity, n. — F. irregularite, fr. ML. irre-
guldritdtem, acc. of irreguldritds, fr. irregularis.
See prec. word and -ity.
irreligion, n., the lack of religion; the quality
of being irreligious. — Late L. irreligid, gen.
-onis, 'irreligion, impiety', fr. in-, 'not', and L.
religio, gen. -onis. See religion,
irreligious, adj. — Late L. irreligiosus, 'irreligious,
impious', fr. in-, 'not', and L. religidsus. See
religious.
Derivatives: irreligious-ly, adv., irreligious-
ness, n.
irremeable, adj., admitting of no return. — L.
irremedbilis, 'from which one cannot return',
fr. in-, 'not', remedre, 'to go back, return', fr.
re- and medre, 'to go, pass'. See meatus and cp.
permeate, conge.
irremediable, adj. — Late L. irremedidbilis, 'in-
curable, irremediable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. re-
medidbilis. See remediable.
Derivatives: irremediable-ness, n., irremediabl-y,
adv.
irremissible, adj. — Eccles. L. irremissibilis, 'un-
pardonable', fr. in-, 'not', and L. remissibilis.
See remissible.
Derivatives: irremissible-ness, n., irremissibl-y,
adv.
irreparable, adj. — F. irreparable, fr. L. irre-
pardbilis, 'irreparable, irrecoverable*, fr. in-,
'not', and repardbilis. See reparable.
irreverence
816
Derivatives: irreparabil-ity, n., irreparable-ness,
n., irreparabl-y, adv.
irreverence, n. — L. irreverentia, 'want of rever-
ence', fr. irreverens, gen. -entis. See next word
and -ce.
irreverent, adj. — L. irreverens, gen. -entis, 'dis-
respectful, irreverent', fr. in-, 'not', and reverens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of revereri, 'to stand in
awe of. See reverent.
Derivative: irreverent-ly, adv.
inferential, adj. — Formed with adj suff. -al
fr. L. irreverentia. See irreverence.
irrevocable, adj. — L. irrevocdbilis, 'that cannot
be recalled, irrevocable', fr. in-, 'not', and re-
vocdbilis. See revocable. Derivatives : irrevocabil-
ity, n., irrevocable-ness, n., irrevocabl-y, adv.
irrigate, tr. v., to water. — L. irrigatus, pp. of
irrigare, 'to conduct water to; to water, irri-
gate; to wet, moisten; to refresh, nourish'.fr.
it-, 'in', and rigdre, 'to wet, moisten', which is
cogn. with Goth, rign, OE. regn, 'rain'. See
rain, n., and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: irrigation (q.v.), irrigat-ive, adj.,
irrigat-or n.
irrigation, n. — L. irrigdtid, gen. -onis, 'a water-
ing, irrigating', fr. irrigatus, pp. of irrigare. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives: irrigation-al, adj., irrigation-ist, n.
irrigative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
irrigatus, pp. of irrigare. See irrigate,
irriguous, adj., moist, irrigated. — L. irriguus,
'watered, wet', from the stem of irrigare. See
irrigate. For E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us,
see suff. -ous.
irritable, adj. — L. irritdbilis, 'easily excited', fr.
irritare, 'to excite'. See irritate, 'to anger', and
-able. Derivatives : irritabl-y, adv., irritabil-ity, n.
irritancy, n., the state of being irritating. — Form-
ed fr. irritant, 'causing irritation', with suff. -cy.
irritancy, n., the act of rendering null and void
(law). — Formed fr. irritant, 'rendering null and
void', with suff. -cy.
irritant, adj., causing irritation. — L. irritdns,
gen. irritantis, pres. part, of irritare, 'to excite,
stimulate'. See irritate, 'to anger', and -ant.
Derivative : irritant, n.
irritant, adj., rendering null and void (law). —
L. irritdns, gen. -antis, pres. part, of irritare, 'to
make null and void'. See irritate, 'to make null
and void', and -ant.
irritate, tr. v., to anger. — L. irritdtus, pp. of
irritare, 'to excite, stimulate, stir up, provoke',
prob. freq. of *ir-rl-re, 'to stir up, excite', fr.
in-, 'in', and I.-E. base *erei-, 'to set in motion,
stir up', whence also Gk. Spfveiv, 'to raise,
stir, excite', 6pvuvai, 'to rise', L. orior, orirl,
'to rise'. See orient and cp. rivulet. Cp. also run.
Derivatives: irritat-ing, adj., irritat-ing-ly, adv.,
irritation (q.v.), irritat-ive, adj., irritat-ory, adj.
irritate, tr. v., to make null and void (law). —
L. irritdtus, pp. of irritare, 'to make void, in-
validate*, fr. irrltus, 'invalid, void*, formed fr.
ir-, 'not', and ratus, 'fixed', pp. of reor, rerl, 'to
think, count'. See rate, 'amount', and verbal
suff. -ate. For the change of Latin d (in rdtus)
to i (in in-ritus, ir-rltus) see abigeat and cp.
words there referred to.
irritation, n. — L. irritdtid, gen. -onis, 'incite-
ment, irritation', fr. irritdtus, pp. of irritare, 'to
excite, stimulate'. See irritate, 'to anger', and
-ion.
irrupt, intr. v. — Back formation fr. irruption,
irruption, n. — L. irruptid, gen. -onis, 'a breaking
in, bursting m, irruption, invasion , fr. irruptus,
pp. of irrumpere, 'to break in, burst in', fr. in-,
'in', and rumpere, 'to break'. See rupture and -ion. ;
irruptive, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr. L.
irruptus, pp. of irrumpere. See prec. word.
Derivative: irrupt ive-ly, adv.
is, v., 3rd sing. pres. indie, of be. — Rel. to OHG.,
MHG., G., Goth, is-t, ON. es, er, 'is', fr. I.-E.
*es-ti, whence also OI. dsti, Gk. la-d, L. est,
Oscan-Umbr. est, Lith. esti, OSlav. jesti, Olr.
is, 'is'. In English, the final t was lost. See esse
and cp. am, art, are and the 2nd element in yes.
is-, form of iso- before a vowel.
Isaac, 1) masc. PN; 2) in the Bible, one of the
patriarchs, son of Abraham and Sarah and
father of Jacob and Esau. — Late L., fr. Gk.
'Iuaax, fr. Heb. Yitzhdq, lit. 'he laughs', prop,
imperf. of tzdhdq, 'he laughed', which is rel. to
Aram.-Syr. g e hekh, Arab, ddhika, 'he laughed'.
Isabel, fem. PN. — Sp. See Isabella,
isabclita, n., an angelfish. — American Sp., lit.
'little Isabella', dimin. of Isabel, 'Isabel'. See
prec. and next word.
Isabella, fem. PN. — Sp. Isabel, altered fr. Eliza-
beth (q.v.) Cp. next word.
isabeUa, n., a brownish yellow color. — Fr. prec.
word. Derivative: isabella, adj.
isabelline, adj., of the color isabella. — Formed
fr. prec. word with adj. suff. -ine.
isagoge, n., an introduction. — L. isagoge, fr.
Gk. ef/jaytoYT), 'introduction', which is formed
fr. el;, 'into', and dtywrr). ' a leading, carrying',
fr. Syciv, 'to lead'. Gk. etc. stands for *ens and
is rel. to b>, 'in', and cogn. with L. in, 'in, into'.
See in, prep. Gk. Syeiv is cogn. with L. agere,
'to set in motion, drive, lead'. See agent, adj.,
and cp. -agogue.
isagogic, adj., introductory. — L. isagdgicus, fr.
Gk. elaaYtor 1 * 6 ^ 'introductory', fr. efoaYcoyr),
'introduction'. See prec. word and -ic.
isagogics, n., introduction; esp., introduction in-
to the exegesis of the Bible. — See isagoge and
-ics.
Isaiah, 1) masc. PN.; 2) name of the great He-
brew prophet whose activity extended from
about 738 to 701 B.C.E. ; the Book of Isaiah. —
Heb. Y'sha'ydh, shortened fr. Y'sha'yAhu, lit.
'salvation of the Lord'. The first element is rel.
to yisha', y'shffd", 'salvation, deliverance, wel-
fare'; see hosanna. For the second element in
Isaiah see Elijah and cp. words there referred to.
817
island
Derivatives: Isai-an, Isai-an-ic, adjs.
isanthous, adj., having regular flowers. — Formed
fr. Gk. too;, 'equal', and &v&oq, 'flower'. See
iso-, anther, and -ous.
Isanthus, n., a genus of plants, the false penny-
royal (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'having regular
flowers' (see prec. word); so called in allusion
to the almost regular corolla.
isatin, n., a yellowish or reddish crystalline com-
pound, CgHsC^N (chem.) — Formed with chem.
suff. -in fr. Gk. loA-rie, 'woad'. See next word.
Isatis, n., a genus of plants of the mustard family
(bot.) — L., fr. Gk. EoAtu;, 'woad', which prob.
stands for •fi-wi-ris and is cogn. with L. vitrum,
'woad; glass', OE. wad, 'woad'. See woad and
cp. vitreo-, vitriol.
isba, n., a hut. — Russian, fr. OSlav. istuba, a
Teut. loan word; cp. OHG. stuba, 'a heatable
room, bathroom', and see stove.
isch-, form of ischo- before a vowel.
ischemia, ischaemia, n., local diminution of blood
(med.) — Medical L. ischaemia, fr. ischaemus,
'stopping blood', fr. Gk. Xtrxa-nioq, which is
compounded of Itsytvi, 'to keep back', and
atxt^-a, 'blood'. See ischo- and -emia.
ischi-, form of ischio- before a vowel.
ischiadic, adj., ischial. — L. ischiadicus, fr. Gk.
EaxiaSixd?, 'pertaining to the hip', fr. iayiov.
See ischium and cp. sciatic.
ischial, adj., pertaining to the hip. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. ischium. See ischium.
ischialgia, n., sciatica. — ModL., lit. 'pains in
the hip', compounded of Gk. toxtov, 'hipjoint',
and fiXyo?, 'pain'. See ischium and -algia.
ischiatic, adj., ischial. — ML. ischiaticus, altered
fr. L. ischiadicus. See ischiadic.
ischio-, before a vowel ischi-, combining form
meaning 'pertaining to the hip'. — Gk. tax<-o-,
fr. tdxiov. See next word.
ischium, n., the seat bone (anat.) — L., fr. Gk.
lux'ov, 'hipjoint', in pi. 'the hips', prob. formed
fr. tax*. (Hesychius), 'loin', which is of uncertain
origin. It is prob. not cogn. with OI. sdkthi,
'thigh'; see Frisk, GEW., I, p. 741 s.v. toxtov.
Cp. ischiadic, sciatic, and the first element in
icebone.
ischo-, before a vowel isch-, combining form
meaning 'checking, suppression, deficiency'
(med.) — Gk. £0/0-, l<r/_-, fr. f<rxeiv, 'to keep
back, restrain, check, stop', reduplicated form
of Jxeiv, 'to have, hold, possess'. See hectic
and cp. words there referred to.
-ise, suff. forming nouns denoting quality, con-
dition or function. — OF. and F. -ise, fr. L.
-itia, -itia, -itium, -icium. Suff. -ise is the regular
form for the ending of nouns formed in French
itself (e.g. in franchise, merchandise). French
and English nouns borrowed directly from
Latin are usually spelled -ice (as justice, service).
See the suffixes -ice and cp. 2nd -ess.
-ise, verbal suff. — See -ize.
-ish, adj. suff. — ME. -iscA, -ish, -issh, fr. OE.
-isc, rel. to OS., OFris., OHG. isc, ON. -iskr,
Du., G. -isch, Goth, -isks, and cogn. with Gk.
-10x6;. Cp. -esque.
-ish, verbal suff. — ME. -ischen, -ishen, -issen, fr.
OF., F. -is, -iss-, occurring in the pres. part, and
some other forms of certain French verbs'in -ir,
and corresponding to the Latin inchoative suff.
-isc-. E.g. the E. verb finish derives fr. F. je finis,
'I finish', fr. VL. *finiscd, an inchoative verb
formed fr. L. finid, 'I finish'. Cp. the verbs
abolish, cherish, furnish, polish, punish, etc.
Ishmael, n., son of Abraham and Hagar (Bible);
used in a figurative sense to denote an outcast
(see Gen. 16:12) — Heb. YishnuVel, lit. 'God
hears'. Heb. yishmd', 'he will hear', is imperf.
of shdmd', 'he heard'. SeeShemaandcp. Simeon,
Simon. For the second element in the name
Ishmael see El and cp. words there referred to.
Derivative: Ishmael-ite, n.
Ishtar, n., the chief goddess of the Assyrians and
Babylonians, the counterpart of the Phoenician
Astarte. — Akkad. Ishtar. See Ashtoreth.
Ishvara, Isvara, n., a title given to Siva (Hindu
mythol.) — OI. isvdrah, 'ruler, lord', fr. isah,
'owner, lord', fr. is-, 'to have, possess', which
is rel. to Avestic is-, 'riches, fortune', isvan,
'well off, rich', fr. I.-E. base *aik-, 'to own',
whence Goth, digan, OE. dgan, 'to have, poss-
ess'. See owe and cp. Ixora.
Isiac, adj., pertaining to the Egyptian goddess
Isis or her cult. — L. Isiacus, fr. Gk. i I<jiax6?,
fr. T Iai?. See Isis.
Isidore, masc. PN. — F., fr. L. Isiddrus, fr. Gk.
*Ia£8copos, lit. 'gift of Isis', compounded of
Hm?, 'Isis', and Supov, 'gift'. See Isis and
donation.
isinglass, n., a gelatinous substance prepared
from the airbladders of certain fishes. — Cor-
ruption of obsol. Du. huizenblas, fr. MDu. huus-
blase, fr. huus, 'sturgeon', which is rel. to OHG.
huso, of s.m., and blase (= Du. blaas), 'blad-
der', which is rel. to OHG. bldsa, of s.m.,
bldsan, 'to blow'. For the first element see huso,
for the second see blast and cp. bladder.
Isis, n., an Egyptian goddess, sister and wife of
Osiris. — L. his, fr. Gk. T/ri?.
Islam, n. — Arab, islam, 'submitting oneself to
God, surrender, obedience', infin. of dslama,
'he surrendered, submitted', IV (= causative)
conjugation of sdlima, 'he was safe'. See salaam
and cp. selamlik, Moslem, Mussulman. Cp. also
shalom. Derivatives: Islam-ic, adj., Islam-ism,
n., Islam-ite, n.
island, n. — ME. Hand, fr. OE. egland, igland,
iegland, 'island', which is compounded of eg, ig,
ieg, 'island', and land, 'land', and rel. to ON.
eyland, OFris. eiland, 'island'. The first element
of these words is rel. to OE. ea, 'water, river',
ON. d, 'river', ey, 'island', Norw. ey, Swed. o,
Dan. 0, 'island', MLG. oge, dch, ouwe, ou, OHG.
aha, 'river*, OHG. auwia, ouwa, MHG. ouwe,
'island, damp meadow', G. Aue, Au, 'meadow
isle
818
watered by a brook, brook, a small island',
Goth, aha, 'water, river', and cogn. with L. aqua,
'water'. See aquatic and words there referred to
and cp. esp. eyot. For the second element in
island see land. The spelling of island was influ-
enced by a confusion with isle.
Derivatives: island, tr. v., island-er, n.
isle, n., an island. — OF. isle (F. He), fr. L. in-
sula, 'island', which is of uncertain origin. Fol-
lowing the ancients, some modern philologists
derive L. insula fr. in said, 'that which is in the
sea', fr. in, 'in', and abl. of solum, 'the open sea,
the high sea', which is cogn. with Mir. sal (gen.
saile), 'sea'; cp. Gk. Iv-ocXo?, ev-aXio?, 'in the
sea', fr. ev, 'in', and aX?, gen. olKoq (masc.),'salt';
(fern.), 'sea'. Cp. islet and insular, isolate, penin-
sula.
islet, n., a very small island. — MF. islette (F.
iletle), dimin. of isle, 'island'. See prec. word
and -et.
-ism, subst. suff. denoting i) action; 2) state,
condition; 3) usage, characteristic; 4) doctrine.
— F. -isme, fr. L. -isma, fr. Gk. -tajioc, which is
formed from the stem of verbs in -t£etv. See
-ize and -ma and cp. -ist.
ism, n., a doctrine or system (usually derisive). —
Back formation from words ending in -ism.
Derivative: ism-y, adj.
iso-, before a vowel is-, combining form meaning
'equal'. — Gk. Eao-, ia-, fr. Xgoq, 'equal', which
possibly stands for ♦ftTO-Fo-i; (cp. Cretan
HaFoc,, 'equal'), and is rel. to Gk. sT8o<; (for
*FeTSo?), 'form, shape', ESea (prob. for *fi8£aa),
'form, kind, nature'. See idea and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also aniso-.
isobar, n., a line connecting places on the earth's
surface having the same barometric pressure at
a given time or for a given period (meteorol.) —
Compounded of iso- and Gk. pipo?, 'weight'.
See baro-. Derivative: isobar-ic, adj.
isobath, adj., having the same depth. — Gk.
tcrofladyjq, 'of equal depth', compounded of
too?, 'equal', and pifto?, 'depth'. See iso- and
bathos. Derivative: isobath-ic, adj.
isocephalic, adj., having the heads of the prin-
cipal figures at about the same level (art). —
Gk. iaoxEtpocXoi;, 'like-headed', compounded of
too?, 'equal', xEtpaXy), 'head', and suff. -ic. Sec
iso- and cephalic.
Derivatives: isocephal-hm, n., isocephal-y, n.
isocheime, isochime, n., a line connecting places
on the earth's surface having the same mean
winter temperature (phys. geogr.) — Com-
pounded of iso- and Gk. yzX^a, 'winter'. See
chimera and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: isoch(e)im-al, isoch(e)im-ic, adjs.
isochromatic, adj., having the same color (optics).
— Compounded of iso- and Gk. xptofiocTixiq,
'relating to color'. See chromatic.
isochronal, isochronous, adj., equal in time. —
Gk. la6xpovo<;, 'equal in time, contemporary,
regular', compounded of too?, 'equal' (see iso-),
and xpovo?, 'time' (see chronic), and adj. suff.
-al, resp. -ous.
isoclinal, isoclinic, adj., having the same inclin-
ation (magnetism). — Compounded of iso-, Gk.
xXfvstv, 'to incline' (see clinic), and adj. suff.
-al, resp. -ic.
isocracy, n., equal power. — Gk. iaoxpa-rfa,
'equality of power', compounded of i'aos, 'equal',
and -xpa-ria, 'rule of, fr. xpa-roi;, 'strength,
power, rule'. See iso- and -cracy and cp. words
there referred to.
isocryme, n., a line connecting points on the
earth's surface at which the temperature is the
same during a specified coldest period of the
year. — Compounded of iso- and Gk. xpou/Sq
(for *xpua-u.6<;), 'frost', which is rel. to xpuot;
(for *xpiicro<;), 'frost', and cogn. with L. crusta,
'crust'. See crust and cp. cryo-.
Isoetaceae, n. pi., the quillwort family (bot.) —
ModL., formed from next word with suff.
-aceae.
Isoetes, n., a genus of plants, the quillwort (bot.)
— L. isoetes, name of a plant mentioned by
Pliny, prob. denoting the houseleek, fr. Gk.
Jsoetei;, name of an evergreen plant, prop,
neuter of iaoETr ; ?, 'that whose duration equals
a year', fr. taoq, 'equal', and sro?, 'year'. For
the first element see iso-, for the second see
veteran.
isogenous, adj., of the same origin (biol.) — Com-
pounded of iso- and Gk. yev-, the stem of
ysvvav, 'to beget, bring forth, generate, pro-
duce'. See -genous.
isogonic, adj., having, or pertaining to, equal
angles. — Compounded of iso- and Gk. yowia,
'angle, corner'. See -gon and -ic.
Derivative: isogonic, n.
isolate, tr. v., to insulate. — Back formation from
the participial adjective isolated, fr. F. isole, fr.
It. isolato, pp. of isolare, 'to isolate', fr. isola,
'island', fr. L. insula. See isle and verbal suff.
-ate and cp. insulate, which is a doublet of
isolate.
isolation, n. — F., fr. isoler, back formation fr.
isole, fr. It. isolato. See prec. word and -ion.
Isold, fern. PN. — OF. holt, Iseut; of OHG.
origin and lit. meaning 'ice rule', fr. OHG. &,
'ice', and waltan, 'to rule'. For the first element
see ice, for the second see wield and cp. words
there referred to.
Isoloma, n., a genus of plants of the gesneria
family (bot.) — ModL., compounded of iso-
and Gk. Xoi[xa, 'fringe, border'. See loma and
cp. words there referred to.
isomer, n., a compound isomeric with one or
more compounds (chem.) — See isomeric.
isomeric, adj., compounded of the same elements
in the same proportion by weight, but differing
in one or more properties (chem.) — Formed
after G. isotnerisch, a word coined by the Swed-
ish chemist J6ns Jakob Berzelius (1779- 1848)
fr. Gk. £<io(i.ep7)<;, 'composed of equal parts', fr.
1<soc„ 'equal', and [xepo?, 'part'. See iso-, mero-
and -ic.
isometric, adj., of the same measure; character-
ized by equality of measure. — Formed with
suff. -ic fr. Gk. UjousTpo?, 'of equal measure',
fr. fao?, 'equal' and uiTpov, 'measure'. See iso-
and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
Derivatives: isometric, n., isometric-al, adj.,
isometric-al-ly, adv.
■somorph, n. — See next word.
isomorphic, isomorphous, adj., equal in form;
crystallizing in the same form. — Formed with
suff. -ic, resp. -ous, fr. iso-, Gk. u-optpr), 'form,
shape' (see next word), and suff. -ic, resp. -ous.
isomorphism, n., the property of being isomor-
phic. — G. Isomorphismus, coined by its dis-
coverer, the German chemist Eilhardt Mitscher-
lich (1794-1863) in 1828 fr. iso-, Gk. u.op<pr),
'form, shape' (see morpho-), and suff. -ismus
(see -ism).
-ison, subst. suff. of OF. origin, as in comparison,
orison, venison. This suff. represents 1) OF.
-aison (fr. L. atidnem, fr. -dtus, pp. suff. of verbs
in -are); 2) OF. -eison (fr. L. -etionem, fr. -etus,
pp. suff. of verbs in -ere); 3) OF. -ison (fr. L.
-itidnem or -itidnem), fr. -iius or -itus, pp. suff.
of verbs in -Ire, resp. -ere, -ere). Cp. the suffixes
-ation (fr. L. -atidnem), and -ition (fr. L. itidnem
or -itidnem), which are learned doublets of -ison.
isopod, n„ one of the Isopoda. — See next word.
Isopoda, n„ an order of crustaceans with seven
pairs of usually similar legs (zool.) — ModL.,
lit. 'equal-footed', fr. iso- and -pod.
isopolity, n., equality of rights of citizenship. —
Gk. idOTtoXixeta, 'equality of civil rights', fr.
iacmoXt-rr]?, 'one having equal civil rights',
which is compounded of Eao?, 'equal' (see iso-),
and TToXfTT)?, 'citizen', fr. ir6Xiq, 'fortified city,
city'. See policy, 'method of governing'.
isoprene, n., a colorless volatile liquid compound,
C 5 H 8 , obtained by the dry distillation of raw
rubber (chem.) — Coined by the English chemist
Charles Hanson Greville (1829-1910) fr. propyl)
and suff. -ene. Cp. the second element in chlo-
roprene and in neoprene.
isosceles, adj., having two equal sides (said of a
triangle). — L., fr. Gk. iaomek-qz, 'equal-
legged', fr. tao?, 'equal', and ctxeXo?, 'leg'. For
the first element see iso-, for the second see
scalene and cp. triskelion.
isothere, isotheral, n., a line connecting places on
the earth's surface having the same mean sum-
mer temperature (phys. geogr.) — Compounded
of iso- and Gk. &spo<;, 'summer, harvest', which
is rel. to -&Ep[ji6<;, 'warm', »ig[Lr t , 'heat'. Sec
therm.
isotherm, n., a line connecting places on the
earth's surface having the same mean temper-
ature (phys. geogr.) — Compounded of iso- and
Gk. &epiiT), 'heat'. See therm and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: isotherm-al, ^adj., isotherm-al-ly,
adv., isotherm-ic, adj.
isotonic, adj., pertaining to, or having, equal
tones. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. Eo-otovo?,
'of level pitch', fr. faoq, 'equal' and tovo?,
'pitch of the voice, tone'. See iso- and tonic.
isotope, n., one of two or more forms of an ele-
ment having the same properties and the same
atomic number but different atomic weights. —
Lit. 'having the same place', compounded of
iso- and Gk. totco?, 'place' (see topic). The
term isotope was introduced into chemistry by
the English chemist Frederick Soddy (1 877- 1956)
in 1913 at the suggestion of Margaret Todd.
Derivatives: isotop-ic, adj., isotop-ism, n., iso-
top-y, n.
Israel, n. — L. Israel, fr. Gk. 'Iap^X, fr. Heb.
Yisra'el, lit. 'he contends with God', fr. sdrd h ,
'he fought, contended', and El, 'God'. The first
element is rel. to Arab, shard, 'he was angry',
in the III conj. 'he contended'. For the second
element see El.
Israelite, n. — L. Israelita, fr. Gk. 'Io-porrjXfT7)<;,
'Israelite', fr. 'Iapoa)X. See prec. word and subst.
suff. -ite.
Derivatives: Israelit-ic, adj., Israelit-ish, adj.,
Israelit-ism, n.
Issachar, n., son of Jacob by Leah; a tribe of
Israel (Bible). — Gk. "Iaaaxocp, fr. Heb. Yissa-
khdr, which prob. stands for yesh sdkhdr, 'there
is a reward'. See Gen. 30: 18.
issue, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) issue, 'way out,
exit', fr. OF. eissue, issue, prop. fern. pp. of
eissir, issir (MF. issir), 'to go out', fr. L. exire,
of s.m. (whence also It. uscire, Rum. iesi,
OProvenc. eissir, Catal. exir), fr. ist ex- and
ire, 'to go'. See itinerate.
issue, intr. and tr. v. — ME. issuen, fr. MF. issu,
pp. of issir. See issue, n.
Derivatives: issu-able, adj., issu-ance, n., issue-
less, adj., issu-er, n.
-ist, suff. forming a) agent nouns from verbs in
-ize (e.g. apologist, dramatist); b) nouns de-
noting the adherent of a certain doctrine, prin-
ciple or custom (e.g. socialist). — F. -iste, fr.
L. -ista, fr. Gk. -la-cr)?, which stands for -ict-ttq<;
and is formed fr. (ending of the stem of the
verbs in -t£eiv) and agential suff. -tt\q. Cp.
-ism, -ize. Cp. also -ast.
-ister, suff. — OF. -istre, formed fr. original -iste,
on the false analogy of the word ministre (see
minister). Cp. e.g. chorister, fr. choriste, fr.
Eccles. L. chorista.
isthmian, adj., pertaining to an isthmus; esp.
(cap) pertaining to the Isthmus of Corinth. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. isthmius, Isthmius,
fr. Gk. "a&[xio;, "Ier V-oq, 'Isthmian', fr. 'Ia»\x6c.
See isthmus and -ian.
isthmus, n., a narrow neck of land connecting
two larger portions of land. — L., fr. Gk.
ta&u.6?, 'neck of land, isthmus, any narrow pas-
sage' (as a proper name, 'the Isthmus of Co-
rinth'), which is of uncertain origin. It is perh.
formed with suff. -$|io, fr. eT(ii, Uvai, 'to go'
IStIC
820
(cp. Ela-i-&\rrj, 'entrance', l'-&fia, 'a step, move-
ment'). Cp. ON. eid, 'isthmus', and see itinerate.
-istic, adj. suff. — L. -isticus (often through the
medium of F. -istique), fr. Gk. -icttix6?, prop,
adj. suff. -uto? added to subst. suff. -kjttj?. See
-ist and adj. suff. -ic.
istle, n., fiber obtained from various tropical
plants. — Mexican Sp. ixtle, fr. Nahuatl ichtli.
Isurus, n., a genus of sharks (ichthyot.) — ModL.,
compounded of is- and Gk. oopil, 'tail'. See
uro-, 'tail-'.
it, pron. — ME. hit, it, fr. OE. hit, neut. of he,
'he'. Cp. OFris. hit, Du. het, Goth, hita, 'it', and
see he and words there referred to. Cp. also its.
Derivative: it, n.
itabirite, n., a kind of quartz (mineral.) — Named
after Itabira in Minas Geraes, Brazil. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
itacism, n., pronunciation of Gk. eta (i.e. the
letter rj) as i (as in Modern Greek), in contra-
distinction to etacism. — Formed with suff.
-ism fr. Gk. 9)toc, name of the letter e. See eta-
cism and cp. iotacism.
itacolumite, n., a kind of quartzite (mineral) —
Named after Itacolumi, a mountain in Brazil,
where it occurs. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
Italian, adj. and n. — It. italiano, fr. Italia, fr. L.
Italia, fr. Vitelia (cp. Oscan Viteliu, 'Italy'),
which prob. meant orig. 'Land of cattle', and
is rel. to L. vitulus, 'calf. See veal and -an.
Derivatives: Italianate, Italianated (qq.v.), Ita-
lian-ism, n., Italian-ity, n., Italianize (q.v.)
Italianate, adj., rendered Italian. — It. italianato,
fr. italiano. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
Italianate, tr. v., to render Italian. — Back for-
mation fr. Italianated.
Derivative: italianat-ion, n.
Italianated, pp. adj., rendered Italian. — Formed
fr. It. italianato (see Italianate, adj.) with pp.
suff. -ed.
Italianize, intr. v., to play the Italian; to become
Italian; tr. v., to render Italian. — F. italianiser,
fr. italien, 'Italian', fr. It. italiano. See Italian
and -ize.
Derivatives: Italianiz-ation, n., Italianiz-er, n.
Italic, adj. — L. Italicus, from Italia. See Italian
and adj. suff. -ic.
italic, n., Italic type of letters. — From prec.
word; so called because it was first used in an
Italian edition of Virgil, printed (in Venice)
by Aldus Manutius in 1501.
Italiot, Italiote, n., a Greek inhabitant of Italy.
— Gk. 'IraXico-rr,;, fr. 'iTotXia, fr. L. Italia. See
Italian.
Italo-, combining form meaning 'Italian and'. —
Fr. L. Italus, 'Italian'. See Italian,
itch, intr. v. — ME. yicchen, icchen, fr. OE.
giccan, rel. to MDu. jdken, Du. jeuken, OHG.
jucchen, MHG., G. jucken, 'to itch',
itch, n. — ME. jicche, icche, fr. OE. gicce, fr.
giccan, 'to itch*. See itch, v.
Derivatives: itch-y, adj., itch-i-ness, n.
-ite, subst. suff. denoting 'origin' or 'relationship'
(as in Israelite, Canaanite, etc.). It is used also
to form names of minerals and fossils (as in
ammonite, dolomite, trilobite), chemical com-
pounds (as in phosphite), explosives (as in
dynamite, lyddite), commercial products (as in
vulcanite). — F. -ite, fr. L. -ita, -ites, fr. Gk.
-fry); (fem. -Xtiq), 'pertaining to'. Cp. -itis.
-ite, suff. forming adjectives, nouns and verbs
and representing Latin -itus in past participles
of verbs ending in -ire and -ere. Cp. e.g. polite
(fr. L. politus, pp. of pottre) ; unite (fr. L. unitus,
pp. of unire); appetite (fr. L. appetltus, pp. of
appetere); composite (fr. L. compositus, pp. of
compdnere).
Itea, n., a genus of shrubs. — ModL., fr. Gk.
txsa (prob. for *feLTEa), 'willow', which is rel.
to Etui;, 'the edge or rim of anything round',
fr. I.-E. base *wei-, 'to bend, twist', whence also
OE. widig 'willow'. See withy and words there
referred to and cp. esp. the second element in
Stomoisia.
item, adv., likewise. — L., 'just so, in like man-
ner, likewise, also', rel. to ita, 'so', itaque, 'and
so, accordingly, in like manner', itidem, 'so, just,
in like manner', idem (masc), idem (neut.), 'the
same'. See idem and words there referred to and
cp. esp. iterate.
Derivatives: item, n. (q.v.), item, tr. v., item-
ize, tr. v.
item, n., detail; article. — L. item, 'likewise';
see prec. word. The sense of the English noun
arose from the circumstance that the word item
was generally used to introduce all the sections
of a bill, except the first.
iterance, iterancy, n., the quality of being iterant.
— Formed from next word with suff. -ce, resp.
-cy.
iterant, adj., iterating. — L. iterdns, gen. -ant is,
pres. part, of iterdre. See next word and -ant.
iterate, tr. v., to do again, repeat. — L. iteratus,
pp. of iterdre, 'to do over a second time, repeat,
say again', fr. iterum, 'again', which stands for
i-terum and prop, is the neuter of *i-teros, com-
parative formed from the pronominal base *;-
whence also OI. i-tarah, 'the other'. For other
derivatives of (he I.-E. pronominal base */'- see
idem, for the comparative suff. see -ther, for the
ending of iterate see verbal suff. -ate.
iteration, n. — L. iterdtid, gen. onis, 'repetition',
fr. iteratus, pp. of iterate, 'to repeat'. See iterate
and -ion.
iterative, adj. — F. iteratif (fem. iterative), fr.
Late L. iterdtivus, fr. L. iteratus, pp. of iterdre,
'to repeat'. See iterate and -ive.
Derivatives: iterative-ly, adv., iterative-ness, n.
ithyphallic, adj., pertaining to the phallus carried
in the Bacchic rites; obscene; pertaining to the
meter used in the Bacchic hymns. — L. ithy-
phallicus, fr. Gk. t&u<paXXix6i;, 'ithyphallic', fr.
t&iitpaXXoi;, 'phallus carried erect in the Bacchic
821
Ixia
rites', which is compounded of t&ui;, 'straight,
erect', and tpaXX6<;, 'phallus'. The first element
stands for *sidhus and is cogn. with OI. sddhuh,
'straight, direct, right', sidhyati, 'succeeds', Arm.
a] (for *sddhyo-), 'right, just'. For the second
element see phallus. Cp. next word.
Derivative: ithyphallic, n., an ithyphallic.
Ithyphallus, n., a genus of fungi of the family of
the true stinkhorns (bot.) — ModL. See prec.
word.
-itic, suff. forming adjectives from nouns ending
in -ite or -itis. — L. -iticus, fr. Gk. -iti>c6<;.
See the suffixes -ite, -itis and -ic.
itinerancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
itinerant, adj. — L. itinerdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of itinerdri, 'to travel'. See itinerate and
-ant.
itinerary, adj. — L. itinerarius, 'pertaining to a
journey', fr. iter, gen. itineris, 'journey'. See
itinerate and -ary.
itinerary, n. — L. itinerdrium, 'account of a jour-
ney', prop. neut. of the adjective itinerarius,
'pertaining to a journey', used as a noun. See
itinerary, adj.
itinerate, intr. v., to travel from place to place. —
L. itinerdtus, pp. of itinerdri, 'to travel', fr. iter,
gen. itineris, 'a journey', which is cogn. with
Toch. A ytdr, B ytdrye, 'way', Hitt. itar, 'going',
way', fr. I.-E. base *ei-, 'to go', whence also
OI. imi, Gk. etu,i, L. ed (for *eid), Lith. eimi,
eiti, OSlav. ido, iti, 'to go', Olr. ethaim, 'I go'
(corresponding in form to L. itd, freq. of ed,
'I go'), possibly also Gk. t-ftjioc, 'a step, move-
ment', eta-t-S-u.?), 'entrance', possibly, also
l-<i&[i.<i<;, 'neck of land, isthmus, any narrow
passage'. Cp. Abeona, abiturient, adit, ambit,
ambition, anion, cation, circuit, coeno-, coetus,
coition, coitus, comitia, commence, count, 'title
of nobility', dysprosium, errant, exeat, exeunt,
exit, eyre, ichno-, inevitable, initial, introit, ion,
issue, isthmus, jadoo, janitor, jaun, limit, obit,
obituary, perish, praetor, preterit, Rathayatra,
sedition, seditious, sudden, trance, transient,
transire, transit. Cp. also oath and the second
element in wide.
Derivative: itinerat-ion, n.
-ition, subst. suff. — F. -ition (or directly) fr. L.
-hidnem, acc. of -hid, a suff. forming nouns of
action fr. -itus, or -itus, pp. suff. of verbs of the
4th, resp. 3rd Latin conjugation. See adj. suff.
-ite and cp. suff. -ation.
-itious, adj. suff. representing L. -icius, which is
added usually to past participles ending in -tus.
Cp. e.g. factitious, fr. L. facticius, 'made by art',
fr. factus, 'made', pp. of facere, 'to make'. For
E. -ous, as equivalent to L. -us, see -ous.
-itious, adj. suff. representing L. -ttidsus, which is
formed fr. -hid, gen. -onis, fr. -hus, pp. suff.
Cp. dg. ambitious, fr. L. ambitidsus, fr. ambitid,
which is formed fr. ambitus, pp. of ambire, 'to
act round'. See the suffixes -ition and -ous.
-itis, subst. suff. denoting diseases characterized
by inflammation. — ModL., fr. Gk.-m<;, prop,
fem. of the adjectival suff. -brqc,, 'pertaining to'
(see subst. suff. -ite), used with the feminine
noun vocto?, 'disease', either expressed or under-
stood, as e.g. (v6cto<;) veippms, 'disease of the
kidneys'. The generalization of suff. -itis is due
to Sauvages.
-itish, adj. suff., compounded of subst. suff. -ite
and adj. suff. -ish. Cp. e.g. Israelitish, which is
formed fr. Israelite, fr. Israel.
-itol, a suff. used to form the names of certain
alcohols, as in inositol, mannitol (chem.) —
Compounded of subst. suff. -ite and suff. -ol
(for alcohol).
-itous, adj. suff. — F. -iteux (fem. -iteuse), fr. L.
-itdsus, contraction of *-itdtdsus, from nouns
in -Has (gen. -itdtis); see -ity and -ous. Cp. e.g.
calamitous, fr. L. caldmitdsus, contraction of
*caldmitdtdsus, fr. caldmitds, gen. -dtis (see
calamitous). The contraction of L. *-itdtdsus
to -itdsus is due to haplology. In many cases
suff. -itous is formed directly from nouns
ending in suff. -ity.
its, adj. — For earlier it's; formed from the pro-
noun it with s, the ending of the possessive case.
itself, pron. — Compounded of it and self.
-ity, suff. forming abstract nouns. — F. -ite, fr.
L. -itdtem, acc. of -itds, which prop, consists of
thematic -1 and suff. -tds (see -ity). Cp. e.g. sin-
cerity, fr. F. sincerite, fr. L. sinceritdtem, acc.
of sinceritds, fr. sincerus, 'sincere'.
-ium, suff. used to form ModL. scientific names.
— L. -ium, fr. Gk. -lov, frequently of diminu-
tive force. Cp. e.g. geranium.
-ium, modern suff. used to form names of metallic
elements (chem.) — See prec. word and cp. e.g.
radium, sodium.
Iva, n., a genus of plants, the marsh elder (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gaulish ivos, whence also F. //,
'yew'. See yew and cp. uva.
Ivan, masc. PN. — Russ., fr. Gk 'ItoavvTji;. See
John.
-ive, suff. meaning 'tending to; of the quality of.
— L. -ivus (mostly through the medium of F.
-if, fem. -ive).
ivory, n. — ME. ivorie, fr. OF. ivurie (F. ivoire),
fr. L. eboreus, 'of ivory', fr. ebur, 'ivory', bor-
rowed fr. Egyptian db, dbu, 'elephant, ivory',
prob. through the medium of the Phoenicians.
The same word appears in the second element
of Heb. shen-habbfm, 'ivory' (lit. 'tooth of the
elephant'), whence Yebu (= Heb. Yebh), ori-
ginal name of the island Elephantine; cp. also
OI. ibhah, 'elephant', and the second element
in Gk. iX-scpa?, 'elephant'. Cp. eburnuie,
elephant
ivy, n. — ME. ivi, fr. OE. ifig, rel. to MLG. if-lof,
iw-ldf, Du. ei-loof, OHG. ebah, eba-hewi, ebe-
hewi, MHG. ebe-hou, ep-hdu, G. Efeu.
Derivative: ivi-ed, adj.
Ixia. n.. a eenus of plants (bot.) — ModL,, fr.
Ixion
822
Gk. E£6s, 'mistletoe; birdlime', which stands
for *f i£6<; and is cogn. with L. viscum, of s.m.
See viscum.
Ixion, n., king of the Lapithae in Thessaly, who
was tied to an ever-revolving wheel in Hades
for having sought the love of Hera (Greek my-
thol.) — L. Ixion, fr. Gk. 'IJ;£uv.
Ixodidae, n. pi., name of a family of acarids
(zool.) — ModL., formed fr. Ixodes, name of
the typical genus, fr. Gk. E£a>87)<;, 'like bird-
lime', which is compounded of Vtpc,, 'mistletoe;
birdlime', and -toSr;;, 'like'. See Ixia, -ode, 'like',
and -idae.
Ixora, n., a genus of tropical plants of the
madder family (bot.) — ModL., fr. Isvara, a
title of Siva, fr. OI. isvardh, 'ruler, lord'. See
Ishvara.
Iyar, n., name of the second Jewish month. —
Heb. iyydr, a loan word fr. Akkad. aaru.
izar, n., i) the outer garment of Mohammedan
women covering the whole figure; 2) loincloth
(part of the ihram). — Arab, izdr, 'veil, cover-
ing', from the stem of dzara, dzzara, 'he girded,
encompassed', rel. to Heb. dzdr, 'he girded',
ezdr, 'waistcloth, girdle',
izard, n., chamois inhabiting the Pyrenees. — F.
isard, of Basque origin; cp. Basque izar, 'star;
white spot on the forehead'; cp. also Berber
ichri, of s.m., which is a Basque loan word. The
spelling with d is prob. due to a confusion with
suff. -ard.
-ization, a suff. forming nouns fr. verbs ending
in -ize. — L. -izdtid, gen. -dnis, fr. -izdtus, pp.
suff. of verbs in -izdre. See -ize and -ation.
-ize, -ise, suff. forming verbs in one of the fol-
lowing senses; 1) 'to act in a certain way' (as in
Attic-ize, philosoph-ize); 2) 'to treat in a cer-
tain way' (as in sympath-ize); 3) 'to make into'
(as in Christian-ize, civil-ize, Gallicize; 4) 'to
treat with' (as in chloral-ize). — F. -iser, fr.
Late L. izdre (whence also It. -izzare, Sp. -izar),
fr. Gk. -i£eiv, 'to act in a certain way'. Cp.
-ism, -ist.
J
jaal goat. — Heb. yd'il, 'wild goat', rel. to Aram.
y l 'eld, Syr. ya'ld, Arab, wa'al, wa'l, Ethiop.
we' la, 'wild goat'. Cp. Jael.
jab, tr. v., to strike. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
job, 'to stab'.
Derivative: jab, n.
jabber, intr. and tr. v., to chatter. — Of imitative
origin. Cp. gibber.
Derivatives : jabber, n., jabber-er, n., jabber-ing,
adj., jabber-ing-ly, adv.
jabiru, n., a large stork of South America. — Sp.
jabiru, fr. Tupi jabiru.
jaborandi, n., the dried leaflets of S. American
shrubs of the genus Pilocarpus. — Port., fr. Tupi
yaborandi.
jabot, n., frill of a shirt. — F., 'crop, maw; frill
of a shirt', prob. rel. to F. gaver, 'to cram,
gorge', OProvenc. gava, 'crop, maw'. See jaw.
jacamar, n., an insectivorous bird of tropical
America. — F., erroneously formed by the
French naturalist, Comte Georges-Louis Le-
clerc Buffon (1707-88) fr. Tupi jacamd-ciri.
jacana, n., a S. American wading bird resembling
the rail. — Port, jacana, fr. Tupi yasana.
jacaranda, n., a tropical American tree. — Port.
jacarandd, fr. Tupi yacarandd.
jacinth, n. — • ME. iacynth, iacinth, fr. OF. ia-
cinthe (F. jacinthe), fr. L. hyacinthus, fr. Gk.
udbuv#o<;. See hyacinth.
Jack, masc. PN. — Familiar form of John, but
derived fr. OF. Jaques (F. Jacques), fr. Late L.
Jacdbus, for earlier Jacobus, fr. Gk. fr. Heb.
YadqSbh, 'Jacob'. See Jacob and cp. next word.
jack, n., 1) fellow; 2) knave in playing-cards;
3) the male of certain animals; 4) a small flag;
5) the name of various machines, vessels and
devices. — Fr. prec. word. For the use of proper
names to form names of vessels cp. jeroboam,
toby.
jack, n., 1) a sleeveless coat ; 2) a vessel for liquor.
— OF. jaque, 'sleeveless coat', fr. Jacques,
'Jack', a nickname given to the French peasant
in the T4th century, for this kind of garment
was used especially by the peasants of that era.
See Jack and cp. Bloch-Wartburg, DELF.,
p. 333 s.v. jaquette. Cp. also jacket. For sense
development cp. jacquerie.
jack, n., an East Indian tree (Artocarpus inte-
ghfolia). — Port, jaca, fr. Malayalam chakka,
lit. 'something round', fr. OI. cakrdh, 'wheel,
circle', which is cogn. with Gk. x'jxXo;, 'ring,
circle'. See cycle and words there referred to
and cp. esp. chukker, hackery.
jackal, n. — Turk, chagdl, fr. Pers. shaghdl, fr.
OI. srgaldh, lit. 'the howler*.
jackanapes, n., 1) a monkey (archaic); 2) an im-
pertinent, conceited fellow, a coxcomb. — Fr.
Jack a Napes = Jack o' Napes, Jack of Napes, =
'a monkey from Naples (in Italy)',
jackaroo, n., a new apprentice on a sheep farm
in Australia (slang). — A blend of Jack and
(kang)aroo.
jackass, n., a male ass. — Compounded of jack,
'male of animals', and ass.
Derivative: jackass, intr. v., to ride a jackass.
jackass copal, Zanzibar copal. — Corruption of
chakazi copal, fr. Zanzibar chakdzi, chakazzi.
jackdaw, n. — Compounded of jack, 'male of
animals', and daw.
jacket, n. — OF. jaquet (F. jaquette), dimin. of
jaque. See jack, 'a sleeveless coat', and -et.
jack rabbit, a long eared American hare. —
Short for jackass rabbit; so called in allusion
to its long ears. Cp. its earlier names mule-eared
rabbit, mule rabbit.
Jacksonia, n., a genus of plants of the pea family
(bot.) — Named after the English botanist
George Jackson. For the ending see suff. -ia.
Jacob, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, one of the
patriarchs, son of Isaac and Rebecca and father
of the founders of the twelve tribes. — Late L.
Jacdbus, fr. Gk. 'Idtxtoflo?, fr. Heb. Ya'aqdbh,
lit. 'one that takes by the heel', a derivative of
'dqibh, 'heel', whence 'dqdbh, 'he followed nt
the heel, he overreached, circumvented', whi 1
is rel. to Aram, 'iqbd, Akkad. iqbu, 'heel; trace,
mark', Arab, 'dqib, 'heel', 'iqba h , 'mark, trace,
sign', 'dqaba, 'he followed (at the heel), suc-
ceeded'. Cp. Jack, jack, 'sleeveless coat', Jaco-
bin, jacobus, jacquery, jakes, James.
Jacobin, n., 1) a Dominican friar; 2) a member of
the political club of the Jacobins. — F., fr. ML.
Jacobinus, fr. L. Jacobus [see Jacob and -ine
(representing L. -inus)]. The Dominican friars
are so called because their first convent in Paris
was established in the rue St. Jacques (= St.
James Street). As a political term, the word
Jacobin refers to the fact that (after Oct. 6, 1 789)
the club of the Jacobins used to meet in the
monastery of the Jacobins in the rue St.
Honore.
Derivatives: Jacobin, Jacobin-ic, Jacobin-ic-al,
adjs., Jacobin-ic-al-ly, adv., Jacobin-ism, n., Ja-
cobin-ize, tr. v., Jacobin-iz-ation, n.
jacobin, n., a kind of pigeon. — F. jacobine, fem.
form of jacobin, 'Jacobin, Dominican'; so called
because the neck-feathers resemble a monk's
cowl.
Jacobite, n., an adherent of James II after his ab-
dication (English hist) — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Late L. Jacdbus, 'Jacob, James'. For
the etymology of the name see Jacob. Cp. next
word.
Derivatives: jacobit-ical, adj., Jacobit-ism, n.
jacobus
jacobus, n., an English gold coin. — From Latin
Jacobus, 'James' (see Jacob); so called because
struck during the reign of James I.
jaconet, n., a kind of soft white cotton fabric. —
Corruption of Jagannath, name of a town in
Bengal, where it was first manufactured. For
the meaning of the name see Juggernaut.
Jacquard, n. — Short for Jacquard apparatus,
Jacquard fabric, Jacquard loom, etc. Named
after the French inventor Joseph Jacquard
(1752-1834).
jacquerie, n., peasants' revolt, esp. revolt of the
French peasants in 1358. — F. jacquerie, prop,
'rising of peasants', fr. Jacques, a contemptuous
name given by the nobles to the French peasant.
See jack, 'sleeveless coat' and -ery.
jactitation, n., restlessness (med.); assertion of a
false claim (.law). — ML. jactitdtid, gen. -dnis,
fr. jactitatus, pp. of jactitdre, 'to toss about', fr.
L. jactus, pp. of jacere, 'to throw, cast, hurl'.
See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -ation.
jade, n., a kind of silicate. — F. lejade, fr. earlier
Vejade, fr. Sp. {piedra de) ijada, 'stone for curing
pains in the side', a derivative of L. ilia, 'the
flanks'. See iliac.
jade, n., a worn-out horse. — ME., fr. ON.jalda,
'mare', whence also dial. Swed. jdldd, 'mare'.
Derivatives', jade, tr. v., to make a jade of (a
horse); to make weary; intr. v., to become
weary; jad-ed, adj., jad-ed-ly, adv., jad-ed-ness,
n., jad-ish, adj., jad-ish-ly, adv., jad-ish-ness, n.
jadeite, n., a variety of jade (mineral.) — Formed
with subst. sun", -ite fr. jade, 'a kind of silicate'.
jadoo, jadu, n., conjuring, magic. — Pers.-Hind.
jddu, fr. OI. ydtuh, 'magic, sorcery', prob. mean-
ing lit. 'a going against', from the stem otydti,
ydte, 'goes, moves, proceeds ; advances, marches
against (the enemy)', fr. I.-E. base *yd-, en-
largement of base *ei-, 'to go'. See janitor and
cp. jaun and the second element in Rathayatra.
jaeger, n., a sharpshooter. — G. Jdger, 'hunter',
fr. jagen, 'to hunt', fr. MHG. jagen, fr. OHG.
jagdn, which is rel. to OFris. jagia, Du. jagen, 'to
hunt'. ON. jaga, *to drive; to move to and fro',
orig. 'to hunt', is a MLG. loan word. Cp. yager,
yacht, yaw.
jaeger, n., a flannel coat. — Named after Jdger,
professor at Stuttgart, who emphasized the
hygienic value of flannel clothing.
Jael, n., the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed
Sisera with a tent nail (Judges 4: 17-22). — Heb.
Yd'il, lit. 'wild goat'. See jaal goat,
jag, n., a tooth; a notch. — Prob. of imitative
origin.
Derivatives: jag, tr. v.,jagg-ed, adj., jagg-ed-ly,
adv., jagg-ed-ness, n.,jagg-y, adj., jagg-er, n.
Jagannath, n. — See Juggernaut.
jagat, n., moving beings (Hinduism). — OI. jdgat,
'moving', participial formation from the base
of OI. jlgdti, 'goes', Aor. dgat, 'went', which is
cogn. with Lett. gSju, Gk. g£i)v, Dor. £p<xv,
<t ,„.>„»• nt- a,(,.<-im •tn on' fr. I.-E. base
824
*g<°em-, 'to go, to come'. See come and cp. the
first element in Juggernaut.
jaggery, n., coarse dark brown sugar. — Angli-
cized fr. Hind, jdgri, fr. OI. sdrkard, sarkarah,
'sugar'. Accordingly jaggery is prop, a doublet
of sugar (q.v.)
jaghire, jagheer, jagir, n., an assignment of land
as an annuity (India). — Pers. jagir, lit. 'place-
holding', compounded of ja, 'place', and gir,
'holding'.
jaghiredar, jagheerdar, jagirdar, n., the holder
of a jaghire (India) — Formed fr. prec. word
and the Persian suff. -dar, 'holder, possessor'.
See aumildar and cp. words there referred to.
jaguar, n. — Tupi yaguara, a name denoting any
larger beast of prey. In its modern zoological
sense (= Felis onca) the name jaguar was first
used by the French naturalist Comte Georges-
Louis Leclerc Buffon (1707-88).
Jah, n., the Lord. — Heb. Yah, shortened form
of the Tetragrammaton. Cp. the second ele-
ment in halleluyah. Cp. also the second element
in Elijah and in words there referred to.
jail, gaol, n. — ME. jaile, gail, fr. OF. jaiole (F.
geole), fr. VL. caveola, dimin. of L. cavea, 'cage'.
See cage.
Derivatives : jail, gaol, tr. v., jail-er, gaol-er, n.
Jain, n., an adherent of a non-Brahmanic sect
in India. — Hind. Jaina, fr. OI. Jainah, 'of a
Buddha', fr. jinah, 'hero, saint', which is rel. to
jdyali, 'conquers', jaydh, 'victory', jindti, 'over-
comes, subdues', jydjid, 'superior force', jydydn,
'mightier', jyesfhdh, jyesthah, 'mightiest', and
cogn. with Gk. (1[5, 'force, might, violence'.
Cp. the second element in Zenobia.
Derivatives: Jain-ism, n., Jain-ist, n.
jakes, n., a privy (archaic). — Fr. F. Jacques,
'Jack'. See Jack.
jalop, n., root of a Mexican plant (Exogonium
jalapa), used as a purgative. — F., fr. Sp.jalapa,
fr. Jalapa for Xalapa, a town in Mexico.
jalousie, n., a window shutter made with slats. —
F., lit. 'jealousy'. See jealousy.
Derivative : jalousi-ed, adj .
jalpaite, n., a cupriferous argentite (mineral.) —
Named after Jalpa in Mexico. For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
jam, also jamb, tr. and intr. v., to press tightly.
— Prob. a variant of champ.
Derivative: jam, n., congestion; crush.
jam, n., conserved fruit. — Prob. fr. jam, 'to press
tightly', and orig. meaning 'fruit pressed to-
gether'.
Jamaica. — Short for Jamaica rum.
jamb, n., sidepost. — F.jambe, fr. Late L. gamba,
'leg'. See gamb and cp. words there referred to.
Cp. also enjambment.
jamb, v. — See jam, v.
jamboo, jambool, jambul, n., the Java plum; the
rose apple. — Hind, jambu, 'the rose apple', fr.
OI. jambuh, jamb&h, which is prob. of non-
Aryan origin.
825
jargon
jamboree, n., gathering (esp. of boyscouts). —
Of Hindu origin; introduced by Rudyard
Kipling (1865-1936).
James, masc. PN. — Late L. Jacdmus, altered
fr. Jacdbus. See Jacob and cp. jimmy.
jamesonite, n., a lead antimony sulfide (mineral.)
— Named after Professor Robert Jameson of
Edinburgh (1774-1854), who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
jampan, also jompon, n., a kind of sedan (India).
— Bengali jhapan, fr. Hind, japan, jhappan, fr.
jap, 'a cover'.
Jane, fem. PN. — F. Jeanne, fr. OF. Jehane, fr.
ML. Johanna, Joanna. See Joan and cp. Jean,
fem. PN. Cp. also demijohn, jenny.
Jane, n., a small Genoese coin. — OF. Jane, fr.
ML. Janua, 'Genoa'. Cp. L. Genua, whence It.
Genova, F. Genes.
Janet, fem. PN. — A dimin. of Jane (q.v.)
jangada, n., a kind of catamaran. — Port., fr.
Malayalam canndfam, fr. OI. samghatah, 'a
joining together of timber, union',
jangar, n., a raft. — Port, jangada. See prec. word,
jangle, intr. and tr. v. — ME.janglen, 'to chatter,
quarrel', fr. OF. jangler, 'to chatter', which is
of Teut. origin. Cp. MDu. jangelen, Du. jen-
gelen, 'to whine', dial. G. jangeln, 'to speak in
a whining manner', 'which are prob. imitative.
Cp. jingle.
Derivatives: jangl-er, n., jangl-ing, n.
jangle, n. — ME., fr. OF. jangle, fr. jangler. See
jangle, v.
Janissary, n. — See Janizary.
janitor, n., doorkeeper, porter. — L., formed
with suff. -tor fr. janus, 'a covered passage, ar-
cade', which is of uncertain origin. It is perh.
cogn. with OI. ydnah (masc), 'path', (neut.),
'a going', ydti, Avestic yditi, 'goes, travels',
Avestic yah-, 'crisis, decision', Toch. A yd, 'he
went', Hitt. i?a-, 'to walk, go', Lith. jdju, joti,
Lett, jdju, jdl, 'to ride', OSlav. jadg, *jati
(whence jachati), 'to travel'. The underlying base
*yd- represents an enlargement of base *ei-,
'to go', for which see itinerate. Cp. January,
Janus. Cp. also jadoo, jaun and the second ele-
ment in Rathayatra.
Derivatives: the nouns janitor-ess, janitr-ess,
janitr-ix (which all mean 'female janitor'),and
the adj. janitor-ial.
Janizary, also Janissary, n. — Fr. janissaire, fr.
It. giannizzero, fr. Turk, yehi-cheri, lit. 'new
troops', name of the troops formed in 1362 from
slaves and prisoners of war, fr. yehi, 'new', and
cheri, 'troops',
jannock, adj., genuine, candid, frank (dial.) —
Of uncertain origin.
Jansenism, n., the doctrine of Cornelis Jansen,
bishop of Ypres (1585-1638)- For the ending
see suff. -ism.
Jansenist, n., an adherent of Jansenism. — See
prec. word and -ist.
Derivative: jansenist-ic, adj.
Janthina, n., a genus of pelagic snails (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. ianthinus, 'violet blue', fr. Gk.
iav-Skvot;, which is compounded of Eov, 'violet',
and £vSx>?, 'flower'. See iolite, anther and -ine
(representing Gk. -Evo?).
January, n. — L. Jdnudrius (mensis), 'trie month
dedicated to Janus. See Janus and -ary.
Janus, n., ancient Italian god of doors and gates,
entrances and beginnings; represented with two
faces. — L. Janus, personification of janus,
'arched passage, arcade', whence janua, 'door'.
See janitor and cp. January.
Jap, adj. and n. — Colloquial abbreviation for
Japanese.
Japan, n. — Chinese Jih-pun (corresponding to
Jap. Ni-pon), 'sunrise', formed fr. jih (resp. Jap.
ni), 'sun', and pun (resp. Jap. pon), 'origin',
japan, n., a hard kind of varnish. — Fr. prec.
word; so called because this varnish was orig.
used in Japan.
Derivative: japan, tr. v., to lacquer with japan.
Japanese, adj. and n. — Formed fr. Japan with
suff. -ese.
Japanesque, adj., in the Japanese style. — A
hybrid formed fr. Japan with suff. -esque.
jape, intr. v., to joke, jest. — Prob. a blend of OF.
gaber, 'to mock', and OF. japer (F. japper), 'to
yelp'.
Derivatives: jape, n.,jap-er, n.,jap-ery, n.
Japheth, n., the youngest of the three sons of
Noah (Bible). — L Japheth, fr. Gk. 'lacpi^, fr.
Heb. Yepheth, lit. 'enlargement' (see Gen.
9:27), fr. Hiph'il (= causative) form of stem
p-t-h (prop, p-t-y), 'to be wide, spacious', and
rel. to Aram.-Syr. p'thd, pHhi, 'was wide,
spacious', Bibl.-Aram. pHhdy, Aram, puthyd,
Syr. pHhdyd, 'width'. Cp. Iaperus.
Derivatives: Japhet-ic, adj. and n., Japhet-ide,
adj. and n., Japheth-ite, adj. and n.
Japonic, adj., Japanese. — Formed with suff. -ic
fr. F. Japon, 'Japan'. See Japan,
japonica, n., the camelia; the Japanese quince. —
ModL., lit. 'Japanese', fr. Japonia, 'Japan'. See
Japan.
jar, intr. and tr. v., to make a harsh, creaking
noise. — Prob. of imitative origin. Cp. ajar,
'out of harmony', nightjar.
Derivatives: jar, n., a harsh noise, jarr-ing, adj.,
jarr-ing-ly, adv.
jar, n., a vessel of earthenware, glass or stone. —
F. jarre, fr. OProvenc. jarra, fr. Arab, jdrra",
'a large earthen vessel' (whence also Sp. jarra,
It. giarra).
Derivative: jar-ful, adj.
jardiniere, n., an ornamental flower stand. — F.,
prop. fem. oijardinier, 'of the garden', h.jardin,
'garden' (used as a noun, jardinier means 'gar-
dener'). See garden and cp. Jordan almond.
jargon, n., confused speech. — OF., 'chatter,
warbling', from the same base as E. gargle. This
base means lit. 'to make noise with the throat'.
See gargle, gurgle.
jargon
826
Derivative: jargon-ize, intr. and tr. v.
jargon, also jargoon, n., a variety of zircon. —
F., fr. Port, zarcao, fr. Arab, zarqttn, 'minium',
ult. fr. Pers. zargiin, 'gold-colored', compound of
zar, 'gold' (see arsenic), and gun- 'color', which
is rel. to Avestic gaona-, 'color'. Cp. zircon.
jargonelle, n., an early variety of pear. — F.,
dimin. of prec. word; so called from its color.
jarl, n., a Scandinavian chieftain. — ON. jarl,
'a man of noble birth, chief. See earl.
jarool, n., the tree Lager stroemia regime. —
Hind, jarul.
jarosite, n., a potassium iron sulfate (mineral.) —
Named after Barranco Jaroso, Almeria, Spain.
For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
jarrah, n., a eucalypt of Australia (Eucalyptus
marginata). — From Australian native name,
jarvey, n., a cabdriver. — From Jarvey or Jervis,
name of a Dublin driver who lived in the 18th
century.
jasey, also jazy, a wig, esp. a wig of worsted. —
Orig. the word meant a wig made of Jersey
yarn, jasey being a corruption of Jersey.
Jasione, n., a genus of plants, the sheep's bit
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. JSctkovt), 'bindweed', fr.
loiaiQ, 'healing', fr. taa&oci, 'to heal'. See iatric
and cp. 1st Jason.
jasmine, jasmin, n. — F. jasmin, fr. Arab, ydsa-
mtn, fr. Pers. yasemin. Cp. jessamine, Gelsemium.
Jason, n., son of Aeson and famous leader of the
Argonauts in Greek mythology. — L. Jason, fr.
Gk. 'Macov, which is prob. rel. to Iaa9m, 'to
heal'. See iatric and cp. Jasione.
Jason, masc. PN. — Gk. 'Ectowv, EEaacov, Gre-
cized forms of Heb. Y l hdshtia', Yeshtia'; see
Joshua. The name Jason was in frequent use
among Hellenistic Jews, and it occurs occasion-
ally in modern times; it should not be confused
with Jason, the equivalent of the Greek name
'Mctcov (see Jason, 'leader of the Argonauts'),
with which it is only connected inasmuch as the
latter influenced the Greek transliteration of
Hebrew Yeshtia'.
jasper, n., an opaque variety of quartz. — ME.
iaspre, fr. OF. jaspe,jaspre, fr. L. iaspis, fr. Gk.
iaamc,, 'jasper', which is of Sem. origin. Cp.
Heb. yash'ph c h , Akkad. yashupu, ashpit, 'jasper'.
Jasper, masc. PN. — A name of Persian origin.
Jas-per lit. means 'treasure holder'. The first
element of this compound name is traceable to
Pers.ganj, 'treasure'. See genizah and cp. Gaspar.
Jataka, n., a birth story of Gautama Buddha. —
OI. jdtakah, 'begotten by; birth', fr. jdtdh,
'born; son ? , which is cogn. with ~L.gna.tus, 'born',
Gk. -yvTjToi; (in compounds), 'born', fr. I.-E.
base gen-, 'to beget, bear, bring forth, produce',
whence also L. gignere, 'to beget, bear, bring
forth', genus, 'birth, descent, origin'. See genus
and cp. words there referred to.
Jatropha, n., a genus of plants of the spurge
family (bot.) — ModL., inaccurately formed by
the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1717-
83) fr. Gk. taTp6;, 'healer, physician' (see iatric),
and Tpocpy), 'food, nutrition' (see trophic),
jaun, n., a small palankin. — Bengali jan, ydn,
fr. OI. ydnafr (masc.), 'path', (neut.), 'a going'.
See janitor and cp. the second element in Ratha-
yatra.
jaundice, n. — Formed with intrusive d fr. OF.
jaunice, jaunisse (F. jaunisse), fr. jaune, 'yellow',
fr. L. galbinus, 'greenish yellow', which is rel.
to galbanus, 'yellow', prop, 'having the color of
galbanum', fr. galbanum, name of a yellowish
gum resin. See galbanum and suff. -ice (repre-
senting L. -itia). For the so-called inorganic d
in jaundice cp. gender, sound, 'noise', thunder.
Derivative : jaundice, tr. v.
jaunt, intr. v., to make a short pleasure journey;
n., a short pleasure journey. — Of uncertain
origin.
jaunty, adj., careless, sprightly. — Earlier jantee,
janty, fr. F. gentil. See gentle.
Derivatives: jaunti-ly, adv., jaunti-ness, n.
jaup, intr. and tr. v., to splash (Scot, and N. of
England). — Of imitative origin.
javali, n., the collared peccary. — Amer. Sp.
javali, fr. Sp.jabali, 'wild boar', fr. Arab, jabali,
'pertaining to the mountains, inhabitant of
mountains', adj., formed fr. jdbal, 'mountain',
which is rel. to Heb. g e bhul, 'frontier, bound-
ary', orig. 'earth wall or mountain serving as
boundary'. Cp. Bible and the first element in
Gibraltar.
javelin, n., a light spear. — F. javeline, of Gaul.
origin. Cp. Olr. gabul, W. gafl, 'fork', W. gaf-
lach, 'feathered spear', and see gable.
Derivative : javelin, tr. v.
jaw, n. — ME. jawe, jowe, fr. OF. (= F.) joue,
'cheek, jaw', fr. VL. *gauta, which is prob. a
contraction of *gavita, fr. *gabita, fr. pre-Latin
*gaba, 'gorge, jaw, goiter', whence also F. gaver,
'to cram, gorge', OProvenc. gava, 'crop, maw' ;
prob. influenced in form by jowl. Cp. jabot.
Derivative: jaw, intr. v., to talk (slang); tr. v.,
to scold (tr. v.)
jawab, n., an answer; a building corresponding
to, or imitating, another. — Hind, jawab, fr.
Arab, jawdb, 'answer', which is rel. to ajdba,
jdwaba, 'he answered'.
jay, n. — ME., fr. OF. iay, gay (F. geai), fr. Late
L. gaius, a word of imitative origin. The word
gaius arose from the attempt of rendering the
natural sound gau, gai made by this bird, but
was assimilated in form to the Latin PN. Gaius.
Cp. L. titus, 'blue rock', lucius, 'pike' (see luce),
which come from Latin PN"s. Cp. also the
French bird names martinet, sansonnet, pierrot,
which all derive from PN's. Cp. also E. martin,
a kind of swallow.
jazerant, n., armor made of small overlapping
metal plates. — ME. jesseraunt, fr. OF. jaseran,
jaserenc, jazerenc, fr. Sp. jacerina, fr. Arab.
Jazd'ir, 'Algerian', fr. al-Jazd'ir, 'Algiers', lit.
'(the) islands', pi. of jaztra h , 'island'.
827
jeremiad
jazz, n., 1) a kind of syncopated music; 2) dance
to this music. — An Amer. Negro word of W.
African origin. Derivatives : jazz, tr. and intr.
v., jazz-er, n., jazz-y, adj.
jealous, adj. — ME. jalous, gelus, fr. OF. gelos
(F. jaloux), fr. ML. zeldsus, fr. Late L. zelus,
'zeal'. See zeal and -ous and cp. zealous, which
is a doublet of jealous.
Derivatives: jealous-ly, adv., jealous-ness, n.
jealousy, n. — OF. gelosie (F. jalousie), fr. gelos,
'jealous'. See prec. word and -y (representing
OF. and F. -ie).
Jean, masc. PN. — The French equivalent of
John. Cp. jenneting.
Jean, fem. PN. — Equivalent of Jane,
jean, n., a strong cotton fabric. — OF. (= F.)
Genes, Genoa, city in Italy. Cp. Jane, 'a Genoese
coin'.
jeans, n. pi., trousers. — Fr. jean.
jecoral, adj., pertaining to the liver (anat.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. jecur, gen. je-
coris, 'liver', which is cogn. with OI. ydkft, Gk.
?]7rap, 'liver'. See hepatic.
jeep, n., a small rugged automobile. — Prob.
contraction of gee pee, i.e. GP, the initials of
General Purpose (Car).
jeer, intr. and tr. v., to mock. — Of uncertain
origin. Derivative: jeer,n., derision.
jeers, n. pi., a combination of tackles for hoisting
and lowering the lower yards (naut.) — Of un-
known origin.
JefTersonia, n., a genus of plants, the twinleaf
(bot.) — ModL., named after Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), third president of the United
States of America. For the ending see suff. -ia.
jeffersonite, n., a variety of pyroxene (mineral.)
— Named after Thomas Jefferson. See prec.
word and subst. suff. -ite.
jehad, n. — See jihad.
Jehovah, n., an erroneous transliteration of the
Tetragrammaton, first used in 151 8 by Peter
Gallatin, confessor of Pope Leo X; formed
through the addition of the vowel points of
Adondy, 'my Lord', to the consonants forming
the Tetragrammaton.
jehu, n., a fast, skillful driver. — Fr. Jehu, king
of Israel, with reference to II Kings 9: 20. "The
driving is like the driving of Jehu, the son of
Nimshi; for he driveth furiously".
jejune, adj., 1) barren; 2) dull, dry. — L. jejunus,
'fasting, hungry; barren, unproductive', of
obscure origin. Cp. next word. Cp. also de-
jeuner, dine.
Derivative: jejune-ly, adv., jejune-ness, n.
jejunum, n., the second part of the small intestine
(anat.) — Medical L., fr. L. jejunus, 'fasting'
(see prec. word), translation of Gk. v5j<rri(;, a
name given to the second part of the small in-
testine by the Greek physician Claudius Galen
(cca, 130-cca 200), because he thought it was
always found empty after death,
felly, n. — Fr. earlier gelly, fr. F. gelee, 'frost,
jelly', fr. L. geldta, fem. pp. oigeldre, 'to freeze,
stiffen', used as a noun, fr. gelu, 'frost'. See gelid
and cp. gelatin, galantine.
Derivatives: jelly, tr. \.,jelli-ed, adj.
jemadar, n., a native officer in the Indian army,
corresponding to the lieutenant in the English
army . _ Hind, jama'ddr, lit. 'the holder of a
body of men', fr. Pers. jamd'at, 'a body of
men', and -ddr, 'holder, possessor'. The first
element is borrowed fr. Arab. jamd'a h , 'a body
of men, troop', fr. jdma'a, 'he gathered together'
whence also jum'a", 'union; week', yaum al-
jiim'ati, 'Friday', lit. 'the day of gathering' ; cp.
jumma. For the second element see aumildar
and cp. words there referred to.
Jemima, 1) fem. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, one of Job's
daughters. — Heb. Y e mimd», lit. 'dove'; rel. to
Arab. yamdma h , 'dove',
jemmy, n„ burglar's short crowbar. — Formed
fr. Jimmy, Jemmy, popular variants of James,
jennet, n., a small Spanish horse. — F. genet, fr.
Sp. jinete, 'a light horseman', fr. Arab. Zandta"
(in vulgar pronunciation Zendta), name of a
Berber tribe famous for its horsemen,
jenneting, n., a kind of early apple. — Formed
with subst. suff. -ing fr. F. Jeannet, dimin. of
Jean (see Jean, masc. PN.); so called because
supposed to be ripe about St. John's Day,
June 24.
jenny, n., a locomotive crane. — Dimin. form
of the name Jane.
jeopard, tr. v., to put in jeopardy. — Back for-
mation fr. jeopardy.
Derivatives: jeopard-er, n„ jeopard-ous, adj.,
jeopard-ous-ly, adv., jeopard-ous-ness, n.
jeopardy, n., hazard, danger. — ME. jeparti, ju-
parti, fr. OF. jeu parti, 'split game, even game
or chance', fr. jeu, 'game' (fr. L. jocus, 'jest'),
and parti, pp. of partir, 'to divide' (fr. h.partire,
of s.m., fr. pars, gen. partis, 'part'). See joke
and part, v. and n.
Derivatives: jeopard (q.v.), jeopard-ize, tr. v.,
jeopardy, tr. v.
Jephthah, n„ a judge of Israel (Bible). — Gk.
'Iscp&ae, fr. Heb. Yiphtdh, lit. 'God opens', im-
perf. of pdthdh, 'he opened', whence pethah,
'opening, entrance, doorway', miphtdh, 'open-
ing', mapht^h, 'key' (lit. 'opening instrument'),
rel. to Aram.-Syr. p'thah, Arab, fdtaha, Ethiop.
fatdha, 'he opened', Akkad. pitu, patu, 'to
open'.
jequirity, n., 1) the Indian licorice plant; 2) its
seeds (Abrus abrus), used in medicine. — F. je-
quirity, fr. Port, jeqitiriti, which is of uncertain,
possibly Indian, origin.
jerboa, n., a mouselike jumping rodent. —
ModL., fr. Arab, yarbd'.
jereed, jerid, n., javelin used in Mohammedan
countries. — Arab, jartd, which orig. meant 'a
leafless palmbranch'.
jeremiad, n., lamentation, tale of woe. — F. jere-
miade, fr. Jeremie, fr. Late L. Jeremias (see Jere-
Jeremiah
828
miah and -ad); so called in allusion to the
Lamentations of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, i) masc. PN.; 2) the great Hebrew
prophet whose activity extended from 626 to
586 B.C.E.; the Book of Jeremiah. — Late L.
Jeremias, fr. Heb. Yirm e yd h , shortened fr.
Yirmfydhu, which is prob. compounded of
rdmd h , 'he cast, threw', and a shortened form
of the Tetragrammaton, and accordingly
means 'the Lord casts' or 'the Lord founds'.
For rdmd h = 'he founded', see S. Kraus, Pales-
tine Exploration Quarterly, 1945, p. 23. Several
scholars explain Yirm e yd h in the sense oiyarim-
yah, 'the Lord exalts', or of yarum-yah, 'the
Lord is exalted'. For the second element in the
name Jeremiah see Elijah and cp. words there
referred to.
Jeremy, n., a form of the name Jeremiah. — F.
Jeremie, fr. Late L. Jeremias. See Jeremiah,
jerk, tr. and intr. v., to move suddenly; n., a
sudden movement. — Prob. of imitative
origin.
Derivatives: jerk-y, adj., jerk-i-ly, adv., jerk-
i-ness, n.
jerk, tr. v., to dry meat. — Anglicized fr. S. Am.
Sp. charquear, 'to dry meat', fr. Peruv. charqui.
See charqui.
jerkin, n., a jacket. — Of uncertain origin.
Jeroboam, name of two kings in Israel (Bible) —
Heb. Ydrobh'dm, lit. meaning 'let the people in-
crease', fr. ydrSbh, 3rd person sing, imperf. of
base r-b-b, 'to become many, to increase', and
'am, 'people'. For the first element see rabbi,
for the second see Amhaarez. See Martin Noth,
Die israelitischen Personennamen im Rahmen
der gemeinsemitischen Namengebung, 206, and
G. Buchanan Gray, Studies in Hebrew Proper
Names, 59.
jeroboam, n., a large wine bottle (slang). — From
prec. word, in allusion to I Kings, 11:28 "a
mighty man in Israel", and 14:16 "who made
Israel to sin".
Jerome, masc. PN. — F. Jerome, fr. L. Hierd-
nymus, fr. Gk. 'Iep&)vuu.oi;, lit. 'holy name',
compounded of tep6?, 'holy', and 8vu(jlqc, dia-
lectal form of 6w\xa, 'name'. For the first ele-
ment see hiero-, for the second see name and
cp. onomato-.
Jerry, masc. PN. — A popular form of Jeremy.
jerry, n., 1) a machine for shearing cloth; 2)
chamber pot. — Fr. prec. word.
jerry-built, adj., built poorly; flim<=y. — The first
element of this word is prob. a blend of the
adjective jury, 'temporary' (cp. jury-mast, jury-
rigged), and of the name Jerry.
Derivative: jerry-build-er, n.
jersey, n., a kind of knitted or woven garment. —
Named from one of the Channel Islands. Cp.
jasey.
Jerusalem, n. — Gk. "IepouaaXifiu, fr. Heb. Y'rii-
shdldyim, lit. 'foundation of peace', fr. base of
ydrd h , 'he threw, cast*, and shaldm, 'peace'.
Heb. yard 11 in the above sense is rel. to Ethiop.
wardwa, 'he threw', ModArab. wdrra, of s.m.
For sense development cp. Akkad. nadu ushshe,
Gk. PaXXeufl-oa i«m>, L. fundamenta jacere, 'to
lay the foundations'. Cp. Shalom, the ancient
Heb. name of Jerusalem. Cp. also Aram. Y l ru-
shHim, Akkad. Ursalimmu .(in the Tell El-
Amarna Tablets: Urusalim), Arab. Orishalam,
Gk. 'Icpoa6Xu[Aa, 'Jerusalem' (see Hierosolyma).
For the second element in Heb. Y'rushaldyim
see shalom.
Jerusalem artichoke. — Folk etymological alter-
ation of It. girasole, 'sun flower'. See girasol.
Jeshurun, n., poetic name of Israel. — Heb.
Y e shurun, prop, 'the righteous people', deno-
minated fr. ydsh&r = ydshdr, 'straight, right,
upright', which derives fr. ydshdr, 'was smooth,
straight, right', whence also ySsher, 'straight-
ness, uprightness', meshdr, 'evenness, upright-
ness, equity', mishSr, 'uprightness, level place,
plains'; rel. to Aram, meshrd, 'level place',
Arab, ydsara, 'was gentle, tractable, easy',
ydsar, 'tractable, easy', Akkad. esheru, 'to be
straight or right,' mesharu, 'justice'; cp. Sharon.
The defective writing of the first u in Yeshurun
(with qubbutz inst. of with shureq) does not
affect its quantity, and is due to the tendency
to avoid the scriptio plena in two successive
syllables.
jess, n., a short strap fastened round the leg of
a hawk (falconry) — ME. ges, fr. OF. ges, gies,
pi. of get, giet (F. jet), 'a throwing', lit. 'that
which is thrown', fr. L. jactus, pp. of jacere, 'to
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth'.
Derivative: jess, tr. v.
jessamine, n., jasmine. — MF. jassemin; a var.
of jasmine (q.v.)
Jesse, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, father of
David. — L., fr. Gk. 'leaaxl, fr. Heb. Yishdy,
which is of uncertain etymology.
Jessica, fem. PN. — Late L. Jesca (Gen. 1 1 : 29),
fr. Gk. 'Isdxa (Septuagint I.e.), fr. Heb. Yiskd",
name of a daughter of Haran.
jest, n. — Lit. 'a deed, exploit', fr. ME. geste,
jeste, fr. OF. geste, 'a deed, exploit', fr. L. gesta,
'deeds, acts', neut. pi. of gestus, pp. of gerere,
'to bear, carry, produce, perform, do', used as a
noun. See gerent and cp. gest, gestation, gesti-
culate, gesture, register.
Derivatives: jest, intr. v.,jest-ee, n., jest-er, n.,
jest-ing, n. and adj., jest-ing-ly, adv.
Jesuit, n. — ModL. Jesuita, formed fr. Jesus
with suff. -ite.
Derivatives: Jesuit-ess, n., Jesuit-ic, adj., Jesuit-
ic-al-ly, adv., Jesuit-ish, adj., Jesuit-ism, n.,
Jesuit-ist, n., Jesuit-ize, v., Jesuit-ry, n.
Jesus, n. — L. Jesus, fr. Gk. 'It)<tou<;, fr. Heb.
Yeshua', later form of Y'hoshua'. See Joshua.
jet, n., a hard black mineral. — ME. jete, geet,
fr. OF. jayet (F. jatet, jais), fr. L. gagdtem, acc.
of gagates, fr. Gk. fa.f&Tt\<i (scil. Xt&oq), 'jet',
lit. 'stone of Gagas (a town and river in LvciaV.
629
jigger
The exact equivalent of L. gagdtem should have
been *jale. The form jalet is due to change of
suffix.
Derivative: jet, adj., of the color of jet.
jet, intr. and tr. v., to spirt forth. — F. jeter, 'to
throw', fr. VL. jectare, fr. L. jactdre, 'to throw,
toss, fling, hurl', freq. of jacere, 'to throw, cast',
which is rel. to jacere, 'to lie', orig. 'to cast one-
self down', and cogn. with Gk. tyy-i, ibmi (for
*yi-ye-mi, *yi-ye-nai), 'to send, throw', Hitt.
ijami, T make'. Cp. abject, adjective, adjacent,
amice, 'vestment', aphesis, aphetic, catheter, cir-
cumjacent, conjecture, deject, ejaculate, eject,
enema, ephetae, gist, inject, interject, interjection,
jactitation, jess, jetsam, jettison, jetty, joist, jut,
object, paresis, parget, project, reject, subjacent,
subject, superjacent, synesis, traghetto, trajectory.
Derivative: jet, n., stream, spirt.
Jethro, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, father of Zip-
porah, Moses' wife. — Heb. YithrS, collateral
form of Yether, lit. 'abundance', from base y-t-r,
'to be left over, remain', whence also ydthir,
'remainder, excess' (prop, partic. Qal), hothir
(Hiph'il), 'he left over', yether, 'cord' (lit. 'that
which hangs over'), Aram.-Syr. yathrd, Arab.
wdtar, Ethiop. weter, 'bowstring', Heb. yithrSn,
'advantage, profit', Aram, yuthrdnd, 'gain'. Cp.
Martin Noth, Die israelitischen Personennamen
im Rahmen der gemeinsemitischen Namen-
gebung, 193.
jetsam, n., goods thrown overboard to lighten a
ship. — AF. getteson, 'jetsam', corresponding
to OF. getaison, 'a throwing', fr. L. jactdtidnem,
acc. of jactdtid, of s.m., fr. jactdtus, pp. of jac-
tdre, freq. of jacgre, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth', and cp. next word. The ending of jetsam
was influenced by the Scand. suff. -sam. Cp.
flotsam.
jettison, n., the act of throwing goods overboard
to lighten a ship. — AF. getteson. See prec.
word.
jetton, n., a counter used in gambling. — F.jeton,
'mark, counter', fr. Jeter, 'to throw'. See jet, 'to
spirt forth'.
jetty, n., 1) projecting part of a building; 2) a
landing pier. — ME. jettey, fr. OF. getee, jetee,
prop. fem. pp. of geter, jeter (F. jeter), 'to
throw'. See jet, 'to spirt forth', and -y (rep-
resenting OF. -e, -ee).
Derivative : jetty, tr. v.
jeu, n., play, game. — F., fr. L.jocus, 'jest, joke'.
See joke.
Jew, n. — ME. Gui, Jui, Jewe, fr. OF. giu, juiu
(F. juif), fr. L. Judaeus, fr. Gk. 'IouSouo;, fr.
Aram. Y i hudhdy(a), fr. Heb. Y c hudhi, 'Jew'.
See Judaic and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: Jew-ess, n., Jew-ish, adj., Jewry
(q.v.)
jewel, n. — ME. jowel, juel, fr. OF. joiel, joel,
joueljuel (F.joyau), fr. VL. *jocdlis, 'that which
causes joy', fr. L. jocus, 'joy*. See joke and
cp. jeu.
Derivatives : jewel, tr. v., jeweler (q.v.), jewelry
(q.v.), jewel(l)-ing, n.
jeweler, jeweller, n. — ME. jueler, joweler, fr.
AV.jueler, corresponding to OF. juelier, fr. juel.
See prec. word and agential suff. -er and cp.
F. joaillier.
jewelry, jewellery, n. — ME. juelrie, jowelrie, fr.
OF. juelerie, fr. juelier. See prec. word and -ry,
resp. -ery, and cp. F. joaillerie.
Jewry, n. — OF. juierie (F. juiverie), fr. juiu,
'Jew'. See Jew and -ry.
jew's harp or jews' harp. — Cp. G. Judenharfe,
which is the exact equivalent of the English word .
Jew's harp is prob. a folk-etymological alteration
of the original name, which is unknown to us.
jezail, juzail, n., a big Afghan rifle. — Pers. ja-
zdil, prob. fr. Arab, jazd'il, broken plural of
jaztl, 'big', used as a noun.
Jezebel, n., daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre,
and wife of Ahab, king of Israel (Bible) ; used
to denote a vicious woman. — Heb. Izebhel, a
name of uncertain origin and meaning,
jeziah, jezia, n., poll tax imposed by Moham-
medan law on unbelievers. — Arab. jizya h , fr.
Syr. g e zithd, 'poll tax'. See Fraenkel, Die ara-
maischen Fremdworter im Arabischen, p. 283,
and cp. Arthur Jeffery, Ph. D., The Foreign
Vocabulary of the Qur'an, pp. 101-102.
jhow, jow, n., a tamarisk used for rough basket
making (India). — Hind, jltdu, fr. OI. jhdvuh,
jhdvukah, 'Tamarix Indica', which is of un-
certain origin.
jib, intr. v., to swing round (said of a sail, boom,
etc.) — Prob. a variant of jibe, 'to swing round'.
jib, n., a triangular sail. — Prob. fr. prec. word
and orig. meaning 'that which swings from
side to side'.
jib, intr. v., to move restively sideways or back-
ward. — Prob. from figurative use of jib, 'to
swing round'.
Derivative : jibb-er, n.
jib, n., projecting arm of a crane. — Prob. ab-
breviation of gibbet.
jibe, also gybe, intr. v., to swing round; tr. v., to
cause to swing round (said of a fore-and-aft
sail or its boom). — Obsol. Du. gijben, Du.
gijpen, rel. to Dan. gibbe, Swed. gippa. Cp. also
jib, 'to swing round'.
jibe, intr. v., to sneer. — See gibe.
jiffy, also jiff, n„ a moment; an instant (colloq.)
— Of unknown origin.
jig, intr. and tr. v., to dance. — OF. giguer, 'to
move the shanks, hop, dance', fr. gigue, 'shank;
fiddle', fr. ODu.^a, 'stringed instrument, a kind
of violin", which is rel. to ON. gigju, late OHG.
giga, MHG. gige, G. Geige, 'violin', and to
ON. geiga, 'to move across'. Cp. gigolo, gigot,
gigue.
Derivatives: jig, n., lively dance, jigg-er, n., jigg-
er, tr. v.,jigg-ish, adj., jiggle (q.v.), jigg-y, adj.,
jigg-i-ness, n.
jigger, n., a kind of mite. — A var. of chigger.
jiggered
830
jiggered, adj., a word used in oaths for the sake
of euphemism. — Of uncertain origin.
jiggle, intr. and tr. v. — Freq. of jig (q.v.) For the
ending see freq. suff. -le.
Derivative: jiggl-y, adj.
jihad, also jehad, n., religious war against un-
believers. — Arab, jihad, 'contest, war', prop,
inf. of jdhada, 'he waged war', 3rd conjugation
of jdhada, 'he applied himself to'.
Jill, fem. PN. — A variant of Gill.
jilt, n., a woman who casts off a lover after en-
couraging him. — Prob. fr. obsol. Gillot, dimin.
of Gill (q.v.)
Derivatives: jilt, tr. \„jilt-ee, n., jilt-er, n.
Jim Crow, 1) discrimination against Negroes
(colloq.) ; 2) a contemptuous name for a Negro
(slang). — From a Negro song with the refrain
"Wheel about and turn about and jump,
Jim Crow'.
jimmy, n., burglar's crowbar. — From a popular
form of the name James.
Derivative: jimmy, tr. v.
jimp, adj. (Scot, and dial. Engl), 1) slender;
2) scanty. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: jimp-ly, adv., jimp-ness, n.
Jimson weed, a poisonous weed (Datura stra-
monium). — For earlier jimson weed, Jimson
weed, refashioned from Jamestown weed, named
after Jamestown in Virginia.
jingal, also gingal, n., a musket of India, China,
etc. — Hind, janjdl.
jingle, intr. and tr. v. — ME. ginglen, of imitative
origin. Cp. jangle.
Derivatives: jingle, n., jingl-er, n., jingl-ing, n.,
jingl-ing, adj., jingl-ing-ly, adv., jingl-y, adj.
jingo, n., a chauvinist. — Possibly corruption of
Jainko, name of the supreme god of the Bas-
ques, from whom the word was brought into
England through the medium of the Basque
soldiers used by Edward I in his Welsh wars.
Derivatives: jingo, ady,jingo-ish, ad'}., jingo-ism,
n., jingo-ist, n., jingo-ist-ic, adj.
jinn, n. — PL of jinnee (q.v.)
jinnee, jinni, n., demon, spirit (Mohammedan
mythology). — Arab, jinni (pi. jinn), 'spirit,
genie'; in English often confused with genie
(Q.v.)
jinrikisha, jinricksha, n., a two-wheeled vehicle
drawn by a man, used in Japan and China. —
Jap., lit. 'manpower-vehicle', fr. jin, 'man', riki,
'power', and sha, 'vehicle'. The word is usually
shortened to ricksha(w).
jinx, n., hoodoo (slang). — See Jynx.
jirgah. n.. Afghan council of elders. — Pers. jarga,
'a ring of men'.
jitney, n., a five-cent piece, a nickel. — Of un-
certain origin.
jiu-jitsu. — See ju-jitsu.
jiva, n., life, the individual soul, vital energy
(Hinduism). — OI. jivdh, 'living, alive'; cogn.
with L. vivus, OE. cwicu, 'alive', Gk. {Mo?, 'life'.
See quick and cp. words there referred to.
jnana, n., knowledge (Hinduism). — OI. jndnah,
'knowledge', from the stem oijdndti, 'he knows',
which is rel. to Avestic zdnditi, of s.m. and cogn.
with Gk. Yiyvctxjxeiv, OL. gndscere, L. ndscere,
OE. cndwan, 'to know'. See can, aux. v., and cp.
words there referred to.
Joab, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, the chief cap-
tain of David's army. — Late L. Joab, fr. Gk.
'Icodip, fr. Heb. Yd'dbh, lit. 'the Lord is (his)
father'. For the first element cp. the PN's Joel,
John, Jonathan, Joshua, for the second see
Aboth and cp. words there referred to.
Joanna, fem. PN. — ML. Johanna, Joanna, fem.
form of ML. Johannes, Joannes. See John and
cp. Jean, fem. PN., Johanna.
job, n., piece of work. — Of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: job, intr. v., to do odd jobs, etc;
tr. v., to hire or to let out for hire (a horse or
carriage), jobb-er, n., jobb-ery, n., jobb-ing, adj.
job, tr. v., to stab, to prod. — ME. jobben, ap-
parently of imitative origin. Cp. jab.
Job, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible: a) a man who
endured much suffering with faith and patience;
b) the Book of Job. — Late L. Job, Jobus, fr. Gk.
'Icifl, fr. Heb. Iyydbh, which — according to
several scholars — lit. means 'treated as an
enemy, hated, persecuted', fr. dyydbh, 'he was
hostile to', rel. to ebhd h , 'enmity'. For the pas-
sive sense of the form of the word cp. yillSdh,
'born'. Cp. Niobe. Others explain the name
Iyydbh as rel. to Arab, dba, 'he returned', iydb,
'return', awwdb, 'repentant' ; accordingly Iyydbh
would mean 'the penitent one'. See J.Hastings,
A Dictionary of the Bible, II 660-661. Cp. the
first element in jobbernowl.
jobbernowl, n., a foolish person. — A compound
of F. jobard, 'fool', and ME. nol, 'head'. F.
jobard is a derivative of OF. jobe, 'patient fool',
fr. Job, the great sufferer of the Bible whose
afflictions were increased by the reproachful
'consolations' of his friends. See Job. For the
second element see noil.
Jocasta, n., the wife of Laius and mother of Oedi-
pus (Greek mythol.) — L., fr. Gk. 'Ioxaanr).
Jocelin, masc. PN. — A name with many variants
(cp. Joslin, Joselin, Gosling, etc.), fr. OHG.
Gautelen, Gauzelen, fr. Gauta, lit. 'Goth'; see
Goth. The name was introduced into England
by the Normans. See The Oxford Dictionary
of English Christian Names, 2nd ed., pp. 169-
170.
Joceline, fem. PN. — From prec. word.
Jocelyn, masc. and fem. PN. — See Jocelin.
jockey, n. — Dimin. of Scot. Jock, equivalent to
E. Jack (q.v.)
Derivatives: jockey, tr. and intr. v '., jockey-dom,
jockey-ship, n.
jocko, n., 1) a chimpanzee; 2) any monkey. —
F. , coined by the French naturalist, Count
Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon (1707-88) from
native West African ncheko.
jocose, adj., merry; humorous. — L.jocdsus, *jo-
831
joint
cose, humorous, facetious', iv. jocus, 'jest, joke'.
See joke and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: jocose-ly, adv., jocose-ness, n.,
jocos-ity, n.
jocular, adj., joking; humorous. — L. jocular is,
'jocular, facetious', fr. joculus, 'a little jest',
dimin. of jocus, 'jest, joke'. See joke, -ule
and -ar.
Derivatives: jocular-ity, n., jocular-ly, adv.,
jocular-ness, n.
jocund, adj., cheerful. — ME. jocunde, joconde,
fr. OF. jocond, fr. h.jdcundus, collateral form of
jucundus, 'pleasant, agreeable, delightful', orig.
'useful', contraction of *juvicondos, fr. juvdre,
'to help, aid, assist'. See aid and cp. words there
referred to. For the suff. cp. fecund. L. jocundus
(fr. jucundus) shows the influence of L. jocus,
'jest, joke'.
Derivatives: jocundity (q.v.), jocund-ly, adv.,
jocund-ness, n.
jocundity, n. — L. jocunditds, a collateral form
of jucunditds, 'pleasantness', fr. jucundus. See
prec. word and -ity.
jodhpurs, n. pi., riding breeches. — Shortened fr.
Jodhpur breeches, fr. Jodhpur, name of a state
in Rajputana (India).
Joe, masc. PN. — Dimin. of Joseph.
Joel, 1) masc. PN.; 2) a) the second in the order
of the Twelve Prophets; b) the Book of Joel
(Bible). — Late L. Joel, fr. Gk. 'Io^X, fr. Heb.
Yo'el, lit. 'the Lord is God'. See Elijah, in which
the same two elements are contained, but in an
inverted order.
Joe Miller, 1) a jestbook; 2) a stale joke. —
From Joseph Miller, name of a comedian (1684-
1738), whose name was connected with a jest-
book published in 1739.
Joey, n., masc. PN. — Dimin. of Joe.
joey, n., a young kangaroo. — Fr. native Aus-
tralian joe.
jog, tr. v., to push or shake slightly; to nudge;
intr. v., to move slowly. — Of imitative origin.
Cp. shock, 'to collide'.
Derivative: jog, n.
joggle, tr. and intr. v. Formed fr. jog with freq.
suff. -le.
jogee, n. — A var. of yogi.
Johanna, fem. PN. — See Joanna.
Johannean, adj., Johannine. — Formed fr. Jo-
hannes with suff. -an. Cp. Johannine.
Johannes, masc. PN. — ML., fr. Gk. 'Ioixw/jf;.
See John and cp. next word,
johannes, n., a Portuguese gold coin. — ModL.,
named after King John V of Portugal. See
Johannes and ip. half jut.
Johannine, adj., pertaining to John, esp. the
apostle John. — Formed with adj. suff. -ine fr.
ML. Johannes. See Johannes, John.
Johannisbergcr, n., a delicate white Rhine wine.
— G., prop, '(wine) of Johannisberg' in the
Rheingau in Germany. For the ending see
suff. -er.
johannite, n., a hydrous uranium copper sulfate
(mineral.) — G. Johannit, named after Arch-
duke Johann of Austria (1782-1859). Theent ng
-it goes back to Gk. iirf,; see subst. suff. -ite.
John, masc. PN. — ML. Johannes, fr. Late L.
Joannes, fr. Gk. 'IwavvT]i;, fr. Heb. YdhdnAn, lit.
'the Lord is gracious'. For the first element see
Joab and cp. words there referred to. The second
element derives fr. hdndn, 'he was gracious'. See
Hannah and cp. Ivan, Jane, Jean, masc. and
fem. PN., jenneting, Jenny, Joan, Joanna,
Johnny.
John Bull, the English nation personified. — Fr.
John Bull, a character representing the English
nation in Arbuthnot's satire The History of
John Bull (17 12).
Johnny, masc. PN. — Formed fr. John with
dimin. suff. -y.
Johnsonese, n., a pompous, inflated style. —
Prop, the style of Dr. Samuel Johnson ( i 709-84).
For the ending see suff. -ese.
Johnsonian, adj., pertaining to, or resembling,
Dr. Samuel Johnson or his style. — See prec.
word and -ian.
Derivative : Johnsonian-ism, n.
johnstrupite, n., a complex silicate of cerium
and other metals (mineral.) — G. Johnstrupit,
named after Professor Frederik Johnstrup of
Copenhagen (died in 1894). The ending -it goes
back to Gk. -Jtt]?; see subst. suff. -ite.
join, tr. and intr. v. — ME. joinen, fr. OF.
(= F.) join-, joign-, stem of joindre, 'to
join', fr. L. jungere, 'to join, unite', which is
cogn. with OI. yundkti, 'he harnesses', yuktdh,
'harnessed', Gk. ^euyvuvai, 'to yoke, har-
ness', Avestic yaoj-, yuj-, 'I harness', yuxta-,
'harnessed', Lith. jungiu, jungti, 'to yoke'. All
these words are dervatives of I.-E. base *yeug-,
'to join, unite', enlargement of base *yeu-, of
s.m., whence OI. yduti, yuvdti, 'he harnesses'.
See yoke and cp. adjoin, adjunct, conjoin, con-
joint, conjugal, conjugate, conjugation, conjunct,
disjoin, disjoint, disjunct, injunction, jostle, joust,
Jugatinus, jugular, jugulate, junction, juncture,
junta, junto, juxta-, rejoin, rejoinder, subjoin,
subjugate, subjunctive, and the second element
in quadriga. For a special f se of base *yeu- in
the sense 'to mix', see juice and cp. jube.
Derivatives: join-ing, verbal n., and adj., join-
ing-ly, adv.
joinder, n., the act of joining (law). — F. joindre,
'to join' (fr. L. jungere), used as a noun; see
join. For the subst. use of infinitives in law
terms see attainder. Cp. rejoinder.
joiner, n. ME. joy now, fr. OF. joigneor, fr.
joigner (F. joindre), 'to join'. See join and agen-
tial suff. -er.
Derivative : joiner-y, n.
joint, n. — OF. (= F.) joint, 'a joint', fr. joint,
pp. of joindre. See joint, adj .
Derivatives: joint, tr. v.,joint-ed, adj., joint-ed-
ly, adv., joint-ed-ness, n., joint-less, adj.
joint
joint, adj. — OF. (= F.), 'joined', fr. \.. junctus,
po. of jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. prec.
word.
Derivative: joint-ly, adv.
jointress, n., a woman who has a jointure. —
Formed with suff. -ess fr. obsol. jointer, 'one
who holds a jointure'. See joint and -ess.
jointure, n., an estate settled on a wife at her
marriage. — F., fr. L.junctiira, 'a joining, junc-
ture', fr. junctus, pp. of jungere, 'to join'. See
join and -ture.
Derivative: jointure, tr. v.
joist, n„ any of the small timbers supporting the
boards of a floor. — ME. giste, gyste, fr. OF.
giste (F. gite), 'stratum, bed (of mineral)', fr.
VL. jacita, 'lying place', prop. fem. pp. of L.
jacere, 'to lie', orig. 'to cast oneself down', rel.
to jacere, 'to throw, cast'. See jet, 'to spirt
forth', and cp. gist.
Derivative: joist, tr. v., to provide with joists,
joke, n. — L. jocus, 'jest, joke', fr. I.-E. base
*yek-, 'to speak', whence also Umbr. iuka, iuku,
'request, prayer', MW. ieith, Bret, iez, 'lan-
guage', OS. gehan, OHG. jehan, 'to say, de-
clare; to confess', Du. biechten, OHG. bi-jehan,
MHG. be-jehen, 'to confess', and the verbal
nouns OS. bi-gihto, Du. biecht, OHG., MHG.
bi-jiht, bi-giht, MHG. biht, G. Beichte, 'confes-
sion'. Cp. jeopardy, jeu, jewel, jocular, juggle,
ju-ju- J . , . ,
Derivatives: joke, intr. and tr. v.,jok-er, n.,jok-
ing-ly, adv., jok-y, adj.
jokull, jbkull, n., mountain covered with snow;
snow mountain. — Icel. jokull, 'icicle'. See icicle,
jollification, n. — See next word and -ation.
jollify, tr. v., to make jolly; intr. v., to become
jolly (colloq.) — Compounded of jolly and -fy.
jollity, n,, the quality or state of being jolly. —
ME. jolivete, jolite, fr. OF. jolivete, joliete, fr.
70/1/, joli, 'merry, gay'. See next word and -ty.
jolly, adj. — ME. jolif, joli, fr. OF. jolif, joli,
'merry, gay' (whence F. joli, 'pretty, fine, nice'),
lit. 'festive', fr. ON. jol, 'Christmas, yule'. See
yule. For the formation of the OF. adjective
jolif (fr. ON. jol) cp. OF. aisif, 'easy', fr. aise,
'ease'.
Derivatives: jolly, n„ tr. v. and &d\.,jolli-ly, adv.
jolly boat, a kind of boat. — Prob. fr. Dan.y'o/fe
or Du./o/ (see yawl); influenced in form by the
adj. jolly. The word boat, which is tautological,
was added to explain the foreign word.
jolt, tr. and intr. v., to jerk. — Prob. corruption
of jot, 'to jolt'.
Derivatives: jolt, n.,joh-er, n.,jv!l-y, ad)., jolt-
i-ness, n.
jolterhead, jolthead. — Compounded of jolt and
head; lit. 'one whose head has been jolted'.
jompon, n. — A var. of jampan.
Jonah, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, the fifth in
the order of the Twelve Prophets; whence 3)
often used in the sense 'bringer of bad luck'. —
Late L. Jdnos, fr. Gk. 'Iovo?, fr. Heb. Ydnd",
832
fr. ydnd h , 'dove, pigeon' (cp. Aram, yoni, Syr.
yaund, of s.m.); lit. 'the moaning one', rel. to
Heb. dnd h , 'he groaned, moaned, mourned'.
Jonathan, n„ 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, son of
Saul and friend of David. — Heb. Yonathdn,
shortened fr. Y e h6ndthAn, lit. 'the Lord has
given'. For the first element see Joab. For the
etymology of Heb. nathdn, 'he has given' see
Nathan and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
Brother Jonathan.
jongleur, n., a wandering minstrel. — F. jongleur,
'jongleur; juggler', fr. OF. jogleor, fr. L. jocu-
lator, 'jester, joker'. See juggler. The nasaliza-
tion of F. jongleur (fr. OF. jogleor) is prob. due
to the influence of the OF. verb jangler, 'to
chatter' (see jangle).
jonquil, n., 1) a variety of narcissus ; 2) its bulb. —
F. jonquille, fr. Sp. junquilla, dimin. of junco,
'rush', fr. L. juncus, 'rush'. See Jnncus.
joola, n., a rude suspension bridge in the Hima-
laya (India). — Hind, jhula, 'a swing'.
Jordan almond, n. — Transformation of ME.
jardyne almaunde, lit. 'garden almond', fr. OF.
jardin, 'garden', and almande, 'almond'; see
jardiniere and almond. The change of ME. jar-
dyne to Jordan is due to folk etymology.
jordanite, n., a lead arsenic sulfide (mineral.) —
G. Jordanit, named after Dr. Jordan of Saar-
briicken, Germany. The ending -it goes back to
Gk. -trtfi; see subst. suff. -ite.
jorum, n., a large drinking vessel or its contents
(colloq.) — Lit. 'the vessel of Joram', fr. Heb.
Ydrdm; so called in allusion to II Sam. 8 : 10,
where we read : "And Joram brought with him
vessels of silver ands vessels of gold and vessels
of brass".
joseite, n., a telluride of bismuth, containing
some sulfur and selenium (mineral.) — Named
after Sao Jose do Paraiso in Brazil. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Joseph, masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, the elder
son of Jacob by Rachel. — Late L. Joseph,
Josephus, fr. Gk. 'Ioiofa, fr. Heb. Ydseph (also
Y'hdsiph,V%. 81 ;6), lit. 'adds, increases', Hiph'il
(= causative form) oiydsdph, 'he added', which
is rel. to Aram, dsiph, Syr. ausiph, 'he added,
increased'. Cp. next word.
joseph, n., a woman's riding coat. — Prob. so
called fr. Joseph's 'coat of many colors'. See
Gen. 37:3-
Josepha, fem. PN. — ModL., fr. L. Josephus. See
Joseph and cp. next word.
Josephine, fem. PN. — F. Josephine, fr. Joseph.
See Joseph and -ine (representing L. -ina).
josephinite, n., a natural alloy of iron and nickel
(mineral.) — Named after Josephine County in
Oregon.
Joshua, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible, Moses
successor and the leader of the Israelites into the
Land of Canaan. — Heb. Y l h6sh0a\ lit. 'the
Lord is salvation'. For the first element see Joab,
for the second see hosanna.
833
jubilate
joss, n., an idol (Pidgin English). — Port, deos,
'a god', fr. L. deus. See deity,
josser, n., a fellow (slang). — Of uncertain origin,
jostle, tr. and intr. v., to push roughly. — Formed
fr. joust with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives : jostle, n., jostle-ment, n., jostl-er, n.
jot, n., the letter iota; a point. — L. idta, fr. Gk.
1&>t<x, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet,
fr. Heb. yddh, name of the 10th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. See yodh and cp. iota.
Derivatives: jot, tr. v., jott-er, n., jott-ing, n.,
jott-y, adj.
jot, tr. and intr. v., to jolt (now dial.) — Of imi-
tative origin. Cp. jolt.
Jotham, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible: a) the
youngest son of Gideon ; b) a king of Judah. —
Heb. Jothdm, lit. 'the Lord is perfect'. For the
first element of this name cp. Joab and words
there referred to. The second element derives
from the base of tarn, 'he was complete', whence
also torn, 'completeness, integrity', tarn, tamim,
'complete, sound', m'thdm, 'soundness'. Cp.
Aram, t'mimd, Syr. tammimd, 'complete, per-
fect', Arab, tdmma, 'he was complete'.
joule, n., unit of electrical energy (physics). —
Named after the English physicist James Prescott
Joule (1818-89).
jounce, tr. and intr. v., to jolt; n., a jolt. — Prob.
a blend of jump and bounce.
journal, adj., daily (archaic). — ME., fr. OF.
jornal, jurnal, journal (F. journal), 'daily', fr.
L. diurndlis, 'diurnal', fr. diurnus, 'daily'. See
diurnal, which is a doublet of journal and cp.
journey.
journal, n. — F., lit. 'a daily paper', fr. OF. jor-
nal, jurnal, journal, 'daily'. See journal, adj.
Derivatives: journal-ese, n., journal-ism, n.,
journal-ist, n., journal-ist-ic, adj., journal-ize,
tr. and intr. v.
journey, n. — OT.jorneeJurneeJournee (F. jour-
nee), 'day; day's work, day's journey', fr. VL.
*diurndta, 'day, day's work', fr. L. diurnus,
'daily'. Cp. It. giornata, OProvenc. jornada and
see diurnal, adj. Cp. also journal, adj. and n.,
adjourn, sojourn. The ending -dta in diurndta is
prop. fem. pp. suff. See adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: journey, intr. v., journey-er, n.,
journey-ing, n.
joust, just, intr. v., to tilt. — ME. justen, jousten,
fr. OF. josterjusterjouster (F.jouter), 'to joust,
tilt', fr. VL. "juxtdre, 'to approach', fr. h.juxtd,
'near, close'. See juxta- and cp. juxtaposition.
joust, just, n., combat of two knights on horse-
back. — ME. juste, jouste, fr. OF. joste, juste,
jouste (F. joute), 'joust, tilt', fr. joster, juster,
jouster. See joust, just, v.
Jove, n., Jupiter. — L. Jovis, fr. OL. Jovis, also
Diovis, used as the gen. (also nom.) of Jupiter.
See Jupiter and cp. next word. Cp. also the first
element in Juglans.
jovial, adj., cheery, merry. — F., fr. It. joviale,
lit. 'pertaining to Jupiter', whence arose the
meaning 'born under the planet Jupiter; joy-
ful' (this planet having been regarded as the
source of joy), fr. L. Jovialis, 'of Jupiter', fr.
Jovu^s, of s.m., fr. OL. Jovis, Diovis, 'Jupiter'.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: jovial-ity, jovial-ly, adv., jovial-
ness, n.
Jovian, adj., 1) pertaining to, or resembling,
Jupiter; 2) pertaining to the planet Jupiter. —
See Jove and -ian.
jow, n. — A var. of jhow.
jowar, jowari, jowarree, n., millet, durra (India).
— Hind, jawdr, joar, juar, prob. fr. OL ydva-
akara-, 'of the nature of barley'.
jowl, n., jaw. — ME. chawl, chavel, cholle, fr. OE.
ceafl, 'jaw', rel. to MHG. kiver, kivel, G. Kiefer,
ON. kjaptr, 'jaw', and cogn. with Olr. gop, Ir.
gob, 'beak, mouth', Avestic zafar 1 , 'mouth,
gullet'. Cp. chafer, 'beetle'.
joy, n. — ME. joye, fr. OF. joie, joye (F. joie), fr.
L. gaudia, pi. of gaudium, 'joy' (but mistaken
for a fem. singular noun), which is rel. to gau-
dere, 'to rejoice'. See gaud and cp. enjoy. Cp.
also feu de joie, rejoice.
Derivatives:;^, v. (q.v.),joy-ful, adj., joy-ful-ly,
adv., joy-ful-ness, n., joy-less, adj., joy-less-ly,
adv., joy-less-ness, n.
joy, intr. and tr. v., to rejoice. — OF. joir (F.
jouir), fr. VL. *gaudire (whence also OProvenc.
jauzir), corresponding to L. gaudere, 'to re-
joice' (whence It. godere, of s.m.) See joy, n.
Joyce, fem. PN. — Earlier Josse, Goce, etc., orig.
used both for men and women; of Celtic origin,
joyous, adj. — OF. joios, joious, joyous (F. joy-
eux), fr. joie, 'joy'. See joy and -ous.
Derivatives: joyous-ly, adv. , joyous-ness, n.
jube, n., rood loft in a church. — F. jube, fr. L.
jube, 'bid thou', imper. of jubere, 'to bid, com-
mand', fr. OL. joubere, of s.m., orig. 'to set
in motion, stir', fr. I.-E. base *yeudh-, whence
also OI. yodhdyati, 'involves in a fight', yitdh-,
'fight', yudhmdh, 'warlike, warrior', Avestic
yuidyeinti, 'they fight', yaoshti-, 'activity, agility',
Arm. yuzem, 'I stir up', Gk. uafxfvY] (for *yudh-
s-mine), 'battle' (prop, 'turmoil'), Lith. judu,
judeti, 'to move trembling, to quarrel', h.juba,
'mane', lit. 'that which waves, flutters'. All these
words derive fr. I.-E. base *yeu-dh-, 'to be
moved, to be shaken*, which seems to be a
dental enlargement of base *yeu-, 'to mix, stir'.
The rood loft is called from the first word of a
Latin prayer, which was said from the gallery
above the rood screen,
jubilance, jubilancy, n. — Formed from next
word with suff. -ce, resp. -cy.
jubilant, adj. — L. jiibildns, gen. -antis, pres. part,
of jubildre. See next word and -ant.
Derivative : jubilant-ly, adv.
jubilate, intr. v., to exult. — Fr. L. jubildt-(um),
pp. stem of jubildre, 'to shout for joy' (whence
prob.— through back formation— jubilum, 'wild
cry, shout of joy'), fr. I.-E. *yu-dhe-los, lit. 'one
jubilate
who makes yu\ compounded of the imitative
base *yd-, 'to shout for joy, shout', and base
*dhe-, 'to place, make, do'. The first element
appears also in Gk. iuyv), 'outcry', luf^o/;,
'shout of joy; cry of pain', Eu^eiv, 'to shout,
yell', Lith. yvas, 'owl', MHG. ju, juch, 'shout
of joy', juwen, juwezen, 'to jubilate', G. jauch-
zen, 'to shout for joy, exult'. Base *yi is rel. to
base *yo-, whence MHG. jddelnjdlen, 'to shout,
yodel'. See yodel, yowl and cp. jynx. For the
second element in jubilate see do and cp. fact,
theme. See also verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: jubilation (q.v.), jubilat-ory, adj.
Jubilate, n., name of the one hundredth psalm. —
L. jubilate, 'shout with joy', imper. pi. of jubi-
Idre, 'to shout with joy' (see prec. word); so
called from the introductory word of the Latin
rendering of the psalm.
jubilation, n. — L. jubildtio, gen. -dnis, 'a shout-
ing', fr. jubildtus, pp. of jubildre. See jubilate,
'to exult', and -ion.
jubilee, n. — F. jubile, fr. Late L. jubilaeus (scil.
annus), '(year of) jubilee', fr. Gk. Im^riKaXoc,,
'pertaining to a jubilee', fr. idi^ifkoq, 'jubilee',
fr. Heb. yobhil, 'ram; ram's horn; rejoicing;
jubilee' (so called because the inauguration of
every fiftieth year was proclaimed through the
sound of the ram's horn on the Day of Atone-
ment; see Lev. 25:9). Heb. ydbhel is prop, the
partic. of stem y-b-l, 'to bear, conduct, lead',
hence lit. means 'leader, leading animal'. Cp.
Heb. hobhtt, 'he lead, conducted', y l bhul, 'pro-
duce', yubhdl, 'stream', Aram, dbhil, Syr. aubhel,
'he lead, conducted'. L. jubilaeus (annus) was
influenced in form by a confusion of this word
with L. jubildre, 'to shout for joy'.
Judah, 1) masc. PN.; 2) in the Bible a) son of
Jacob by Leah; b) a tribe of Israel. — Heb.
Y e hudhd h , prop, imperfect Hoph'al (= passive
of the causative) of stem y-d-h (prop, y-d-y), lit.
'praised'; cp. the causative hddha h , 'he gave
thanks, praised, confessed', tddha h , 'thanks-
giving, thank-offering', Mishnaic Heb. hddhd'd",
'thanksgiving, confession', Aram, ddhi, Syr.
audht, 'he gave thanks, praised, confessed',
Arab, istaudd, 'he confessed'. For the expla-
nation of the name see Gen. 29:35 and cp.
49 : 8. Cp. next word and words there referred to.
Derivative: Judah-ite, n.
Judaic, adj., pertaining to the Jews; pertaining
to Judaism. — L. Judaicus, fr. Gk. 'Iou8aix6<;,
'Jewish', fr. 'Io'jSaioi;, fr. Aram. Y'hudhdy(d),
'Jew', fr. Heb. Y l hudh'i, 'Jew', orig. meaning 'of
the tribe of Judah', fr. Y'hudhd", 'Judah'. See
Judah and -ic and cp. Jew, Yiddish. Cp. also
Chueta.
Judaism, n. — Late L. judaismus, fr. Gk. touSa-
£<j[jt6?, fr. 'Io jSato;, 'Jew'. Cp. F. judaisme and
see prec. word and -ism.
Judaist, n. — See prec. word and -1st.
Derivative : Judaist-ic, adj.
judaize, tr. and intr. v. — Late L. judatzdre, fr.
834
Gk. EouSat^civ, fr. 'IouSato?, 'Jew'. See Judaic
and -ize and cp. Judaism.
Derivatives: judaiz-ation, n., judaiz-er, n.
Judas, n. — L., fr. Gk. 'I06SS?, fr. Heb. Y^hudhd".
See Judah.
Jude, masc. PN. — A variant of Judah.
judex, n., a judge. — L. See judge.
judge, n. — ME.juge, fr. OF. (= F.)juge, fr. L.
judicem, acc. of judex, 'judge', which stands for
*jous-dik-s and orig. meant 'one who shows
right', fr. jus, 'right', and the stem of dicere, 'to
show, tell, say'. See jus and diction and cp. pre-
judice. Cp. also the second element in preach.
judge, tr. and intr. v. — ME. jugen, fr. OF. jtigier,
juger (F.juger), 'to judge', fr. L. judicdre, of s.m.,
fr. judex, gen. judicis. See judge, n., and cp.
adjudicate. Cp. also hoosegow.
judgmatic, judgmatical, adj., showing good judg-
ment (colloq.) — A hybrid formed fr. judge, n.,
with the ending -matic (on analogy of dogmatic).
Derivative: judgmatic-al-ly, adv.
judgment, judgement, n. — ME. jugement, fr. OF.
(= F.) jugement, ft. juger, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and -ment.
judicatory, adj., pertaining to judgment. — Late
L. judicdtorius, 'pertaining to judgment', fr. L.
judicdtus, pp. of judicdre, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and adj. suff. -ory.
judicatory, n., a court of justice. — Late L. judi-
cdtorium, prop. neut. of judicdtorius, 'pertaining
to judgment', used as a noun. See prec. word.
judicature, n. — F., fr. ML. judicdtura, fr. L.
judicdtus, pp. of judicdre, 'to judge'. See judge,
v., and -lire.
judicial, adj. — L. judicidlis, 'judicial', fr. judi-
cium, 'judgment', fr. judex, gen. judicis, 'judge'.
See judge, n., and -ial.
Derivatives : judicial-ly, adv., judicial-ness, n.
judiciary, adj., pertaining to a court of justice. —
L. judicidrius, fr. judex, gen. judicis, 'judge'. See
judge, n., and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: judiciary, n., judges collectively,
judicious, adj., having sound judgment; wise. —
F. judicieux (fern, judicieuse), fr. L. judicium,
'judgment'. See judge, n., and -ous.
Derivatives: judicious-ly, adv., judicious-ness, n.
Judith, fem. PN. — L., fr. Gk. 'IouSiS, fr. Heb.
Y ( hudtth, prop. fem. of Y'hiidhf, 'Jewish ; Jew-
ess', fr. Y l hudhd", 'Judah'. See Judah.
judo, n., a modern form of jujitsu. — Jap. judo,
fr. ju, 'soft', and do, 'road, way',
jug, n., a vessel. — Fr. Jug, a pet form of Joan or
Judith; cp. juggins. For sense development cp.
jack, 'sleeveless coat'.
Derivatives: jug, tr. v.,jug-ful, adj.
jug, n., note of a nightingale. — Of imitative
origin.
jugate, adj., having the leaflets in pairs (hot.) —
L. jugdtus, 'connected', pp. of jugdre, 'to join,
connect', fr. jugum, 'yoke'. See yoke and cp.
next word and conjugate, subjugate.
.lugatinus, n., the god of marriage in Roman
835
jumper
mythology. — L. Jugdtlnus, fr. jugdtus, pp. of
jugdre, 'to join, connect*. See prec. word.
Juggernaut, also Jagannath, n., 1) a title of Vishnu
or of Krishna (Hindu mythol.); 2) anything that
demands blind devotion or merciless sacrifice.
— Hind. Jagannath, fr. OI. Jaganndthah, 'lord
of the world', fr. jdgat, 'world', and ndthah,
'lord'. The first element lit. means 'mobile', and
is a participial formation from the base of OI.
jigdti, 'goes'; see jagat. The second element is
rel. to ndthdm, 'help', and derives fr. I.-E. base
*nd-, 'to help, be useful', whence also Gk.
6vtvj)u.i, 'I help, profit, benefit'. Cp. jaconet,
juggins, n., a simple person (slang). — Dimin-
utive of Jug, which is a pet form of Joan. Cp.
jug, 'vessel', and muggins,
juggle, intr. and tr. v. — ME. jogelen, fr. OF.
jogler (F. jongler), fr. L. joculdri, 'to joke, jest',
fr. jocus, 'jest'. See joke and cp. jongleur.
Derivatives: juggle, n., juggler (q.v.), juggl-ery,
n., juggl-ing, n. and adj., juggl-ing-ly, adv.
juggler, n. — ME. jogelour, joglere, fr. OF. jog-
leor (nom. joglere), fr. L. joculdtorem, acc. of
joculdtor, 'jester', it. joculdri. See prec. word and
agential suff. -er.
Juglandaceae, n., the walnut family (bot.) —
Formed from next word with suff. -aceae.
Juglans, n., a genus of trees, the walnut. — L.
jugldns, 'walnut', contraction of Jovis gldns,
which is a loan translation of Gk. Ai&q piXavo?,
'chestnut', lit. 'acorn of Jupiter'. See Jove and
gland.
Jugoslav, n. — A var. of Yugoslav.
Jugoslavia, n. — A var. of Yugoslavia.
jugular, adj., 1) pertaining to the throat and neck
(anat.); 2) having the pelvic fins beneath the
throat under the pectoral (zooi); n., a jugular
vein. — ModL. juguldris, fr. L.jugulum, 'collar-
bone, throat', which is rel. to L. jugum, 'yoke'.
See jugate and -ar.
jugulate, tr. v., to cut the throat of, strangle. —
L. juguldtus, pp. of juguldre, 'to cut the throat
of, kill, destroy', ir.jugulum. See prec. word and
verbal suff. -ate.
juice, n. — ME. juce, juse, fr. MF. (= F.) jus,
fr. L. jus, 'broth, soup', fr. I.-E. base *yus-,
whence also OI. yus-, 'broth', OSlav., Pol., etc.,
jucha, 'broth, soup', OPruss. iuse, 'broth, soup'.
Lith. juSe, 'fish soup', Gk. 'leaven' (G.
Jauche, 'liquid manure', is a loan word fr. Pol.
jucha), ON. ostr, 'cheese'. Cp. verjuice. Cp. also
zyme. Base yus- is an enlargement of base *yeu-,
'to mix', which represents properly a special use
of base *yeu-, 'to join, unite': see join and cp.
jube.
Derivatives : juice-less, adj., juic-y, adj., juic-i-ly,
adv., juic-i-ness, n.
ju-jitsu, ju-jutsu, n. — Jap. ju-jutsu, fr. ju, 'ten',
and juts, 'trick'. See Lokotsch, EW., No. 963-
ju-ju, n., charm, spell; ban. — Prob. fr. F.joujou,
'toy', infantile reduplication of jouet, of s.m.,
fr. jouer, 'to play', fr. h.jocdre, 'to jest'. See joke.
jujube, n., the fruit of the tree called zizyphus. —
F., fr. Late L. zizyphum, 'jujube', which together
with Late L. zizyphus, 'jujube tree', derives fr.
Gk. Sit^cpov, 'jujube tree; jujube', which is of
unknown origin. Cp. Zizyphus.
julep, n., a sweet drink. — F., fr. OProven^. julep
or fr. Sp. julepe, fr. VAr. juleb, corresponding
to classical Arab, juldb, fr. Pers. guldb, 'rose
water, julep', which is compounded of gul, 'rose',
and db, 'water'. See rose and abdest.
Julia, fem. PN. — L. Julia, fem. of Julius. See
Julius.
Julian, masc. PN. — L. Julidnus, a derivative of
Julius. See Julius and -an.
Julian, adj., pertaining to Julius Caesar. — L.
Julidnus, 'of, or belonging to, Julius Caesar'.
See prec. word and cp. the PN. Gill.
Juliana, fem. PN. — L. Juliana, fem. of Julidnus,
lit. 'belonging to Julius". See Julius and cp.
Julian.
julienite, n., a hydrous cobalt chloronitrate
(mineral) — Named after the Belgian geologist
Henri Julien (died in 1920). For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
julienne, n., a kind of clear soup. — F., prop,
'soup made in the manner of Julien', an other-
wise unknown cook. For the origin of the PN
see Julian.
Juliet, fem. PN. — It. Giulietta, dimin. of Giulia.
Cp. F. Juliette and see Julia and -et.
Julius, masc. PN. — L. Julius, name of a Roman
gens (Caius Julius Caesar was a member of this
gens). The name Julius is prob. a contraction
of *Jovilios, lit. 'pertaining to, or descending
from, Jupiter'. See Jove, Jupiter.
July, n. — ME. Jule, fr. OF. Jule (F. juillet), fr.
L. Julius (mensis), lit. 'month of Julius Caesar';
see Julius. It was orig. the fifth month of the
year and was therefore called Quintilis (fr. quin-
tus, 'fifth'). It was renamed in honor of Julius
Caesar, who was born in this month.
jumble, tr. and intr. v., to mix up. — Prob. of
imitative origin.
Derivatives: jumble, n.,jumbl-er, n.,jumbl-y, adj.
jumble, n., a thin sweet cake. — Prob. fr. prec.
word.
jumbo, n., a large and clumsy animal or person.
— Fr. Jumbo, name of a very large elephant
exhibited by the American showman Phineas
Taylor Barnum (1810-91).
jumma, n., assessment (India). — Hind. prop.
'total assessment', fr. Arab, jam', 'assembly;
addition', fr. jdma'a, 'he gathered together'. See
jemadar.
jump, intr. and tr. v. — Of uncertain, possibly
imitative, origin. Cp. jounce,
jump, n„ a kind of jacket. — Corrupted— prob.
under the influence of jump, 'to leap'— fr. F.
juppe, variant of jupe, 'petticoat, skirt'. See jupon
and cp. jumper, 'blouse',
jumper, n., one who, or that which, jumps. —
Formed fr. jump, v., with agential suff. -er.
jumper
636
jumper, n., a loose blouse or jacket. — Formed
fr. jump, 'a kind of jacket', with agential surf. -er.
Juncaceae, n. pi. , the rush family {bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Juncus with suff. -aceae.
J unco, n., a genus of American finches (ornithol.)
— ModL., lit. 'rush bird', fr. Sp. junco, 'rush',
fr. L. juncus. See Juncus.
Juncoides, n., a genus of plants, the wood rushes
(bot.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. juncus, 'a
rush', and Greek suff. -oeiS^c, '-like', fr. sISo?,
'form, shape' ; see Juncus and -oid. The correct
form would be Thryoides (fr. Gk. S-ptiov, 'rush',
and -oei§7)i;).
junction, n., a joining. — L. junctid, gen. -dnis,
'a joining, uniting', fr. junctus, pp. of jungere,
'to join'. See join and -ion.
juncture, n., i) a joining; 2) a critical point of
time. — L.junctura, 'a joining, uniting; a joint',
fr. junctus, pp. of jungere, 'to join'. See join
and -ure.
Juncus, n., a genus of plants, the rush (bot.) —
L. juncus, 'rush, bulrush', which stands for
*yoini-kos and is cogn. with Mir. din, 'reed',
and prob. also with ON. einir, Swed. en, 'juni-
per'; see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 727^ Cp.
jonquil, Junco, junk, 'bulrush', junk, 'old cable',
junket, and the first element in juniper.
June, n. — L. Junius (mensis), lit. 'the month
(named in honor of) Juno', fr. Juno. See Juno.
jungle, n. — Hind, jangal, 'desert, forest', fr. OI.
jangalah, 'dry ground, waste land, desert', which
is of uncertain origin.
Derivatives : jungl-ed, jungl-y, adjs.
junior, adj., younger. — L. junior (prob. con-
tracted fr. *juvenids), compar. of juvenis, 'young
man'. See juvenile and cp. Juno.
Derivatives: junior, n., junior-ate, n., junior-
ity, n.
juniper, n., any shrub or tree of the genus Juni-
perus. — L. juniperus, 'juniper tree', a compound,
the first element of which is prob. rel. to juncus,
'rush'; see Juncus. The second element is of
uncertain origin.
Junius, masc. PN. — L. Junius, name of a Roman
gens.
junk, n., a bulrush (obsol.) — ME., fr. OF. jonc,
junc (F. jonc), fr. L. juncus. See Juncus and cp.
' words there referred to.
junk, n., 1) old cable; 2) old cordage. — Port.
junco, 'rush, cordage', fr. L. juncus. See Juncus
and cp. prec. word.
Derivative: junk, tr. v., to make into junk,
junk, n., a Chinese three-masted vessel. — Port.
junco, fr. Javanese jon, of s.m.
junker, n. — G. See younker.
junket, n., curd sweetened and flavored. — It.
giuncata, 'cream cheese', fr. VL. *juncdta, prop.
'something served in a rush basket', fr. L. juncus,
'rush'. See Juncus.
Derivatives : junket, intr. \.,junket-ing, verbal n.
Juno, n., wife of Jupiter and queen of the gods
in Greek mythology. — L. Juno, of uncertain
origin; possibly rel. to juvenis, 'young' (cp.
junior, 'younger', compar. of juvenis), and lit.
meaning 'the youthful one'. See juvenile and
cp. junior. Cp. also June,
junta, n., 1) Spanish legislative council ; 2) a junto.
— Sp., 'meeting, conference, assembly, council,
convention, union, fraternity', fr. L.jiincta, fern,
pp. of jungere, 'to join'. See join and cp. next
word.
junto, n., a political faction, cabal. — Sp. junto,
corruption of prec. word due to the influence
of Spanish nouns in -o.
Jupiter, n., the supreme god of heaven in Roman
mythology. — L. Juppiter, Jupiter, for Ju-piter,
which is orig. a vocative and stands for *d^eu
pHer (corresponding to Gk. ZeO rca-rep, voc. of
Zeu« rocTTjp, 'Father Zeus'). Cp. the nominative
Diespiter, 'Jupiter', and OI. Dyduspitd, 'heaven-
ly father', and see deity and father. Cp. also
Jove, Zeus.
jupon, n., skirt, petticoat. — F., fr. Arab, jubba",
'a long woolen garment' (whence also It. giubba,
OProvenc. jupa, Sp. aljuba). Cp. gyp, jump, 'a
kind of jacket', jumper, 'blouse'.
Jura, n., name of a mountain range between
France and Switzerland. — F., fr. L. Jura.
jural, adj., pertaining to law. — Formed with adj.
suff. -alfr. L.jiis, gen. juris, 'right, law'. See jus.
Derivative : jural-ly, adv.
juramentado, n., a Moro of Mohammedan faith
who has taken an oath to die while killing
Christians. — Sp., 'bound by an oath', pp. of
juramentar, 'to bind by an oath', fr. juramento,
'an oath', fr. L. jurdmentum, of s.m., fr. jurdre.
See jury and cp. jurat (in both senses).
Jurassic, adj., 1) of granular limestone (as are
the Jura Mountains); whence 2) pertaining to
the middle period of the Mesozoic era (geol.)
— Prop, 'of the character of the Jura Moun-
tains', formed fr. Jura on analogy of liassic
(from lias) and triassic (from trias).
jurat, n., one who has taken an oath. — F., fr.
ML. juratus, lit. 'a sworn man', and prop. pp.
of L. jurdre, 'to take an oath, swear'. See jury
and cp. juramentado.
jurat, n., memorandum on an affidavit (law). —
L. jurdtum, neut. pp. of jurdre. See prec. word.
jurel, n., any of several carangoid food fishes. —
Sp., fr. Gk. craupoi;, 'lizard'. Cp. OProvenc.
saurel (whence F. saurel), which is of the same
origin. See sauro- and cp. saurel.
juridical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
juridicus, 'judicial', which is compounded of jus,
gen. juris, 'right, law', and dicere, 'to say'. See
jus and diction and cp. jurisdiction.
jurisconsult, n., a jurist. — L. juriscdnsultus, 'one
skilled in the law, lawyer", compounded of jus,
gen. juris, 'right, law', and cdnsultus, 'skilled',
pp. of cdnsulere, 'to take counsel, consult'. See
consult.
jurisdiction, n. — OF. jurediction, juridiction (F.
juridictioh), fr. L. jurisdictidnem, acc. of juris-
837
juvenescence
dictio, 'administration of justice, jurisdiction',
which is compounded of jus, gen. juris, 'right,
law', and dictio, gen. -dnis, 'a saying', fr. dictus,
pp. of dicere, 'to say'. See jus and diction. In OF.
and F., the omission of the ,? is due to the in-
fluence of the adjective juridicus, 'judicial' (see
juridical).
Derivatives: jurisdiction-al, adj., jurisdiction-al-
ly, adv.
jurisprudence, n., the science of law. — L. juris-
priidentia (also prudentia juris, 'science of law,
jurisprudence', compounded of jus, gen. juris,
'right, law', and prudentia, 'a foreseeing'. See
jus and prudence,
jurisprudent, adj. and n. — Obsol. F. jurisprudent,
back formation fr. F. jurisprudence. See prec.
word and prudent,
jurisprudential, adj., pertaining to jurisprudence.
— Formed with adj . suff. -al fr. h.jurisprudentia.
See jurisprudence.
Derivative : jurisprudent ial-ly, adv.
jurist, n. — F. juriste, fr. ML. jurista, 'jurist', fr.
L. jus, gen. juris, 'right, law'. See jus and -ist.
Derivatives: jurist-ic, jurist-ic-al, adjs., jurist-
ic-al-ly, adv.
juror, n., a member of a jury. — ME. juroure, fr.
AF. jurour, corresponding to OF. jureor (F.
jureur), 'one who swears', fr. L. jurdtdrem, acc.
of jurdtor, fr. juratus, pp. of jurdre, 'to take an
oath, swear'. See jus and agential suff. -or.
jury, n., a body of persons sworn to give a true
answer or verdict on a matter submitted to
them. — OF. juree, 'oath, legal inquiry*, prop,
fem. pp. used as a noun, fr. OF. (= F.) jurer,
'to take an oath, swear', fr. I., jurdre, of s.m.,
fr. jits, gen. juris, 'right, law*. See jus and -y
(representing OF. -ee, F. -ee) and cp. jurat (in
both senses), juror, abjure, adjure, conjure,
perjure.
jury, adj., temporary (esp. in jury mast). —
Aphetic for ajury, fr. OF. ajurie, 'aid, help', fr.
L. adjutdre, 'to help'. See aid.
jus, n., right, law. — L. jus (OL. jous), gen. juris,
'right, justice, law', prob. cogn. with Ol.ydh,'sa(e-
ty'. Cp. judge, judgment, judicious, juramentado,
jurat (in both senses), juridical, jurisconsult,
jurisdiction, jurisprudence, juror, jury, n., just,
adjudge, adjudicate, injury.
Jussiaea, n., a genus of plants, the primrose wil-
low (bot.) — ModL., named after Bernard de
Jussieu (1699-1777), the founder of the Natural
System of Botany.
jussive, adj., expressing command. — Formed
with suff. -ive fr. L. juvsus. pp. of inhere, 'to bid.
command'. See jube.
Derivative: jussive, n., a word or form expres-
sing command,
just, adj. — ME. just, juste, fr. F. juste, fr. L.
justus, 'just, right, upright, fair, equitable', fr.
jus, 'right, law'. See jus and cp. justice. Cp. also
Justin, Justina, Justus, adjust and the first ele-
ment in juste-milieu.
Derivatives: just, adv., just-fy, zA\.,just-ness, n.
just, v. — See joust.
juste-milieu, n., the golden mean. — F., lit. 'the
just mean'. See just, adj., and milieu.
justice, n. — ME., fr. OF. justice, justise (F. jus-
tice), fr. L. justitia, 'justice, equity, uprightness',
fr. justus. See just and -ice.
justiciable, adj., subject to jurisdiction. — OF.
(= F.), fr. OF. justicier, 'to administer justice',
fr. ML. justitidre, fr. L. justitia. See prec. word
and -able.
Derivatives : justiciable, n., a person subject to
jurisdiction, justici-abil-ity, n.
justiciar, n., the highest judicial officer of the
kings of England from the reign of William I
to that of Henry III. — ML. justitiarius, 'officer
of justice', fr. L. justitia. See justice and subst.
suff. -ary (representing L. -drius).
justiciary, adj., pertaining to justice; n., an officer
of justice. — ML. justitiarius, 'officer of justice'.
See prec. word,
justifiable, adj. — F., fr. justifier, 'to justify'. See
justify and -able.
Derivatives: justifiabil-ity, n.,justifiable-ness, n.,
justifiabl-y, adv.
justification, n. — Late L. justificdtio, fr. justi-
ficdtus, pp. of justificdre. See justify and -ation.
justificative, adj. — Formed with suff. -ive fr.
Late L. justificdtus, pp. of justificdre. See justify
and -ive.
justificatory, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory
fr. ML. justificdtus, pp. of justificdre. See next
word.
justify, tr. v. — F. justifier, fr. Late L. justificdre,
'to justify', which is compounded of L. justus,
'just', and -ficdre, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of
facere, 'to make, do'. See just, adj., and -fy.
Justin, masc. PN. — L. Justinus, lit. 'just', a deriv-
ative of justus, 'just'. See just, adj., and -ine
(representing L. -inus) and cp. next word.
Justina, Justine, fem. PN. — L. Justina, fem. of
Justinus. See prec. word.
Justus, masc. PN. — Lit. 'just', fr. L. justus. See
just, adj., and cp. Justin, Justina.
jut, intr. v., to project. — Corruption of obsol.
jet, 'to project', which is derivatively identical
with jet, 'to spirt forth'. Cp. jetty.
Derivatives: jut, n.,jutt-ing, &i].,jutt-ing-ly, adv.
Jute, n., one of the ancient inhabitants of Jut-
land. — Fr. Jutae or Juti (as they are called by
Bede), 'Jutes', fr. ON. Idtar, 'Jute'.
Derivatives: Jut-ic, Jut-ish, adjs., Jut-land, n.,
Jut-land-er, n., Jut-land-ish, adj.
jute, n., a fiber of two East Indian plants, Cor-
chorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius. —
Bengali joto, ju(o, fr. OI. jutah, 'twisted hair',
which is rel. to jdtd, 'braid of hair'; of uncertain,
probably non-Aryan, origin.
Juruma, n., a water nymph (Roman mythol.) —
L., Juturna, a name of Etruscan origin.
juvenescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
juvenescent
838
juvenescent, adj., becoming young or youthful. —
L. juvenescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of juven-
escere, 'to grow up to youth', an inchoative verb
formed fr. juvenis. See next word and -escent
and cp. rejuvenesce.
juvenile, adj., young, youthful. — F, juvenile,
'youthful', fr. L. juvenilis, 'youthful', fr. juvenis,
'young man'. See young and -ile and cp. Juven-
tas, rejuvenate. Cp. also junior, Juno, Evan.
Derivatives: juvenile-ly, adv., juvenile-ness, n.,
juvenil-ity, n.
Juventas, n. {Roman mythol.), the goddess of
youth, identified with Greek Hebe. — L. Juven-
tas, prop, personification of juventas, 'youth',
fr. juvenis. See prec. word.
juxta-, pref. meaning 'near, close to'. — Fr. L.
juxta, 'near, next, close to, by the side of, con-
tracted fr. *jugista, adv. superl. formed from
the adjective *jugos, 'closely connected', from
the stem of jugum, 'yoke', jungere, 'to join'. See
join and cp. next word. Cp. also jostle, joust,
adjust.
juxtapose, tr. v., to place side by side. — Formed
fr. juxta- and pose, 'to place'.
juxtaposition, n. — F., formed fr. juxta- and
position.
juzail, n. — A var. of jezail.
jynx, n., i) the wryneck; 2) a charm (from the use
of this bird in witchcraft). — ModL. jynx (pi.
jynges), fr. L. iynx, fr. Gk. Euy£ (gen. tuyyo?),
'the wryneck'. Some philologists derive luyl fr.
to^eiv, 'to shout, yell', so that tuyS would lit.
mean 'the shouting bird' (see jubilate). Accord-
ing to others, tuyi; is a word of foreign origin,
but was assimilated in form to Eii^etv. See
Frisk, GEW., I 744 s.v. luyi
Jynx, n., a genus of birds, the wryneck (ornithol.)
— ModL., fr. L. iynx, 'the wryneck'. See prec.
word.
K
Kaaba, n., the cube-shaped building in the Great
Mosque of Mecca containing the Black Stone
of Mecca. — Arab. kd'ba h , 'square house', fr.
ka'b, 'cube'. Cp. cube.
kaama, n., a hartebeest. — S. African native name.
Kabyle, n., 1) a Berber of Algeria or Tunisia;
2) the langauge spoken by the Kabyles. — F.,
fr. Arab, qabd'il, pi. of qabila", 'tribe', rel. to
qdbila, 'was in front of. See cabal and cp.
kiblah.
kaddish, n., doxology of the Jewish ritual. — Fr.
Aram, qaddtsh, 'holy', from the stem of q'dhash,
'was holy', ithqadddsh, 'was sanctified', rel. to
Heb. qddhdsh, 'was holy', qadhSsh, 'holy'; see
Kedushshah. The kaddish prob. owes its name
to the second word of the text (v e yithqadddsh,
'and sanctified be').
Kaffir,Kaflr,n. , 1) a non-Mohammedan ; 2) a mem-
ber of the most intelligent group of S. African
Bantu races. — Fr. Arab, kdfir, 'infidel', prop,
part, of kdfara, 'he blotted out, covered, hid; he
denied'. See Yom Kippur and cp. cafard.
Derivative: Kaffir, Kafir, adj.
kaftan, n. — A var. of caftan.
kagu, n., a crested bird peculiar to Caledonia. —
Native name.
kaid, n., the chief of a tribe in N. Africa. — Arab.
qd'id, 'leader', part, of qdda, 'he led (the army)'.
Cp. alcaide,
kail, n. — See kale.
kaimakam, n., lieutenant colonel of the Turkish
army. — Turk, qdimaqdm, 'deputy', contraction
of Arab, qd'im maqdm, 'substitute, proxy', lit.
'standing in the place (of another)', fr. qd'im,
participle of qdma, 'he stood', and maqdm,
'place' (also from the base of qdma), rel. to Heb.
and Aram, qum, 'to arise, stand up', Heb.
maqdm, 'place', Ethiop. qdma, 'he stood', Ak-
kad. kummu, 'place, dwelling', kum, kemu, 'in
place of, and prob. also to Akkad. kaiamdnu,
'constant, enduring; the planet Saturn' (whence
Heb. kiyyDn, Syr. ke'wdn, Arab, and Pers.
kaiwdn, the planet Saturn').
kainite, n., a compound of sulfates of potassium
and magnesium (mineral.) — G. Kainit, coined
by C. F. Zincken in 1865 fr. Gk. xaiv6<;, 'new',
which is cogn. with L. re-cen-s, gen. recentis,
'fresh, new', and sufT. -it, which goes back to
to Gk. -t-m)?. See recent and subst. suff. -ite.
Kainozoic, adj. — See Cenozoic.
kairine, n., an alkaloid made from quinoline
(mineral.) — Prob. fr. Gk. xatp6i;, 'the right
season, the right time'. Cp. eucairite. For the
ending see chem. suff. -ine.
kaiser, n. p an emperor; esp. (cap.) a German em-
peror. — G. Kaiser, fr. MHG. keiser, fr. OHG.
keisar, fr. L. Caesar, whence also OE. cdsere,
OS. kesur, OFris. keiser (Goth, kaisar is bor-
rowed fr. Gk. Kataocp, which itself is a loan
word fr. L. Caesar). See Caesar and cp. czar.
kaka, n., any of certain New Zealand parrots. —
Maori kaka, 'parrot', imitative of its cry.
kakapo, n., the owl parrot. — Maori. Cp. prec.
word.
kakemono, n., a Japanese hanging picture usually
mounted on a roller. — Jap.
kakistocracy, n., government by the worst men.
— Formed on analogy of aristocracy fr. Gk.
xaxicros, 'worst' superl. of xax6?, 'bad', and
-xpoc-ria, 'rule of, fr. xpaTo?, 'strength, power,
rule'. See caco-, and -cracy. For the Greek
superl. suff. -ta-roi; in xixxictto? see -est and cp.
Callisto and words there referred to.
kala, n., a black bulbul. — Hind, kola, 'black',
fr. OI. kdlab, 'blue black, black', which is of
Dravidian origin (see Albert Thumb, Hand-
buch des Sanskrit, II, p. 202). Cp. kala azar,
Kali.
kala azar, an infectious tropical disease. — Hind.
kala azar, 'black sickness'. See kala.
kale, also kail, n. — Scot, variants of cole (q.v.)
Cp. sea kale.
kaleidophone, n., an instrument invented by the
English physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-
75) to make sound waves visible (physics). —
Lit. 'beautiful form of sound', coined fr. Ck.
xaX6?, 'beautiful', elSot;, 'form, shape', and
<pti>vr), 'sound, voice'. See calo-, eido- and phone,
'speech sound', and cp. next word.
kaleidoscope, n., an instrument showing various
patterns. — Lit. 'observer of beautiful forms' ;
coined by its inventor, Sir David Brewster
(1 781-1868) in 1817 fr. Gk. xaX6?, 'beautiful',
elSoq, 'form, shape', and -ax6mov, fr. oxotoiv,
'to look at, examine'. See calo-, eido- and -scope.
Derivative : kaleidoscop-ic, kaleidoscop-ic-al,
adjs. kaleidoscop-ic-al-ly, adv.
kaleyard, kailyard, n., a cabbage garden. — Com-
pounded of kale, resp. kail, and yard.
Kali, n., one of the seven tongues of the goddess
Agni (Vedic mythol.) — OI. Kali, lit. 'the black
one', fern, of kalah. See kala.
kali, n., glasswort. — Arab, qilt, 'charred ashes
of the saltwort'. See alkali and cp. kalium.
kalidium, n., a cystocarp (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk.
xotXiSiov, dimin. formed fr. xaXidt, 'hut, nest'.
See caliology and -idium.
kaligenous, adj., producing alkalis. — A hybrid
coined fr. kali and Gk. ysvvav, 'to beget, bring
forth, generate, produce'. See -genous.
kalium, n., potassium (chem.) — ModL., fr.
Arab. qilt. See kali and 2nd -ium.
kallilite, n., a nickel bismuth sulfide (mineral.) —
Compounded of Gk. xaXXo;, 'beauty' (fr. xaX6<;,
Kalmia
'beautiful') and Xi&o?, 'stone' (see calo- and
-lite); prop, translation of G. Schdnstein (lit.
'beautiful stone'), name of the place where it
was first found.
Kalmia, n., a genus of plants, the laurel of Ame-
rica (bot.) — ModL., named after Peter Kalm
(1715-79), a pupil of Linnaeus. For the ending
see suff. -ia.
kalmuek, n„ a member of any of a group of
Buddhist Mongol tribes. — Turk, kalmuk, prop,
'that part of a tribe which remains at home', pp.
of kalmak, 'to remain'.
kalong, n., a fruit-eating bat. — A Malay word.
Kama, n„ the god of love in Hindu mythology. —
OI. Kdmah, fr. kdmah, 'desire, love', rel. to
kdyamanah, 'loving', Avestic kd-, 'to desire',
kdma, 'desire', fr. I.-E. base *qd-, 'to desire',
whence also L. cams, 'dear, precious'. See
charity.
kamala, n., name of an East Indian tree. — OI.
kamalam, 'lotus', which is prob. of Dravidian
origin.
kame, n., a narrow hill, ridge; an eskar (geol.) —
Scot, variant of comb.
kamsin, n. — See khamsin.
Kanaka, n., a native of the South Sea Islands. —
Hawaiian kanaka, 'man'.
Kanarese,n., 1) a member of the people inhabiting
the districts of North and South Kanara in
India ; 2) the language spoken by this people. —
Formed fr. Kanara with suff. -ese.
kangaroo, n. — Australian native name.
kantar, n., an Egyptian weight corresponding
to the hundredweight. — Arab, qintdr, fr. Aram.
qintdr, qintdrd, short for qinflndrd, 'hundred
pounds', fr. Late Gk. xev-rrjvdcpio?, representing
L. centendrius, 'consisting of a hundred ; weighing
a hundred pounds'. (See S. Fraenkel, Die ara-
maischen Fremdworter im Arabischen, Leiden
1886, p. 203). See centenarian and cp. centner.
Cp. also quintal and kilderkin.
Kantian, adj., pertaining to Immanuel Kant
(1724-1804) or his philosophy; n., an adherent
of the teachings of Kant.
Kantianism, n., the philosophy of Immanuel
Kant. — See prec. word and -ism.
kaolin, n., china clay. — F., fr. Chinese kao-ling,
lit. 'high hill' ; so called from the name of the
place where it was first found.
kapellmeister, n., conductor. — G., lit. 'chapel
master', compounded of Kapelle, 'chapel', and
Meisler, 'master'. See chapel and master.
kapb, n., name of the nth letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. — Heb. kaph, lit. 'the hollow of the
hand' (rel. to kdphdph, 'he bent'); so called in
allusion to the ancient Hebrew form of this
letter. Cp. kappa.
kapok, n., silky fiber gained from the seed of the
cotton tree. — Malay kdpoq, 'cotton tree'.
kappa, n., the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet.
— Gk. xdbnra, fr. Heb. kaph; see kaph. The a
was added because a Greek word cannot end
840
with a t.; cp. alpha and words there referred to.
Karaism, n., doctrine of the Karaites, based ex-
clusively on the literal interpretation of the Holy
Scriptures.— A hybrid coined fr. Heb. qdrd', 'he
read', and suff. -ism (representing Gk. -ictjao?).
Karaism lit. means 'religion based on miqrd'
(i.e. the Bible text)'. See mikra and cp. kere,
Koran.
Karaite, n., an adherent of Karaism. — A hybrid
coined fr. Heb. qdrd, 'he read', and suff. -ite
(representing Gk. -trrfi). See prec. word,
kareeta, n., a silk bag for letters in the correspon-
dence of native nobles; letter (India). — Hind.
kharita, fr. Arab, kharita", 'bag, purse', which
is rel. to Heb. kharit, of s.m.
karma, n., act; fate (Buddhism). — OI. karma,
'action, work, deed; fate', rel. to kfndti, kardti,
Avestic k e r e naoiti, 'makes', fr. I.-E. base
*q w er-, 'to make, form'. See corpus and cp.
Sanskrit and words there referred to. Cp. also
the second element in Vishvakarma.
kaross, n., a cloak of skin worn by S. African
natives. — Prob. fr. Hottentot,
karroo, karoo, n., barren table land in S. Africa.
— From a Hottentot word meaning 'dry',
karyo-, before a vowel kary-, combining form
denoting the nucleus of a cell (biol.) — Gk.
xapuo-, xap-j-, fr. xap'jov, 'nut, kernel', which is
cogn. with L. carina, 'keel of a ship'. Sec careen,
karyoplasm, n., nuclear protoplasm. — Com-
pounded of karyo- and Gk. TrXaafxa, 'something
molded'. See -plasm and cp. cytoplasm.
Derivative: karyoplasm-ic, adj.
kasher, also kosher, adj., ritually fit or pure (said
esp. of food). — Heb. kasher, 'fit, suitable,
proper', in Mishnaic Heb. 'ritually fit, kasher',
from the base of kasher, 'was suitable, proper,
succeeded, prospered,' whence also hikhshir, 'he
made fit', in Mishnaic Heb. also 'he pronounced
ritually fit, he pronounced kasher', Heb. kishron,
'skill, success, advantage', in Modern Heb. also
'aptitude, talent', Mishnaic Heb. kSsher, 'fit-
ness' (whence sh'ath hakkdsher, 'opportunity'),
kashrath, 'fitness', esp. 'ritual fitness'; rel. to
Aram. -Syr. k'shar, 'was fit or suitable', akhshdr,
'made fit or suitable', ithkashshdr, 'was made
fit'. Mishnaic Heb. heksher, Mod. Heb. hakh-
shdrd", 'a making fit, preparation'.
Derivative : kasher, kosher, tr. v.
kasolite, n., a hydrous uranium lead silicate
(mineral.) — Named after Kasolo in Katanga,
Congo. For the ending see combining form
-lite.
kata-. combining form. — A var. of cata-.
katabolism, n. — See cata holism.
katha, n., story (Indian liter.) — OI. kathd, 'nar-
rative, story' (.whence kathdyati, 'tells, narrates ),
lit. 'how (scil. happened this)?', from the I.-E.
pronom. stem ka-, whence also OI. kdh, L. quis,
OE. hwd, 'who'. See who.
Katharine, Katherine, fem. PN. — See Catherine,
katydid, n., an insect of the locust family. — So
841
keepsake
called from the stridulous sound of the insect,
suggestive of the words katy did.
Derivative: katydid, intr. v.
kauri, n., a tall tree of New Zealand (Agathis
australis). — Maori.
kava, n., a Polynesian pepper shrub. — Native
name.
kavass, n., a Turkish policeman. — Turk, qawds,
fr. Arab, qawwds, 'bowman', fr. Arab, qaus,
'bow', which is rel. to Heb. qesheth, Aram.
qashtd, Syr. qeshtd, Akkad. qasthu, Ethiop.
qast, 'bow', Heb. qashshdth, Aram, qashshdthd,
Syr. qushshdthd, 'bowman'.
Kavi, Kawi, n., the ancient language of Java. —
Javanese kavi, 'poetic (scil. language)', fr. OI.
kavlh, 'wise, sage; seer, poet', which is rel. to
kavarih, 'stingy', d-kuvate, 'intends', and cogn.
with Gk. xo£g> (for *xof£o>), 'I mark, perceive,
hear', fr. I.-E. base *(s)qiu-, 'to look at, observe,
perceive', whence also OE. sceawian, 'to look,
see'. See show and cp. words there referred to.
kayak, n., an Eskimo canoe made of sealskin
stretched on a wooden frame. — Eskimo,
kea, n., a large New Zealand parrot. — Maori,
keck, intr. v., to retch. — Imitative.
Kedar, n., a tribe of northern Arabia. — Heb.
Qedhdr, fr. Qedhdr, son of Ishmael (see Gen.
25:3, IChr. 1:29), rel. to qadhdr, 'was black,
dark, swarthy', whence also qadhruth, 'dark-
ness, gloom', q e dhdrannith, 'gloomily,' Qidhrdn,
name of a wady and valley east of Jerusalem,
Mishnaic Heb. q s dherd", 'pot', qadddr, 'potter',
and to Aram, qidhrd, q e dherd, Syr. qedhrd, 'pot',
Arab, qddhura, qddhira, 'was dirty'.
Derivative: Kedar-ite, adj. and n.
keddah, n., an enclosure for entrapping ele-
phants (India). — Hind, khedd, rel. to khednd
'to chase, hunt', fr. OI. dkhetah, khetah, 'hun-
ting', which is of uncertain origin,
kedge, tr. v., to warp (a ship); intr. v., to move
a ship by kedging (naut.) — Of uncertain ori-
gin; perh. a var. of cadge,
kedgeree, n., a mixture of rice and lentils cooked
together (India) — Hind, khichri, fr. OI. khiccd,
which is of uncertain origin.
Kedushah, n., proclamation of holiness, inserted
before the third benediction of the Amidah; it
is recited during the repetition of the Amidah
by the Reader (Hebrew liturgy). — Mishnaic
Heb. q'dhushshd", 'holiness', from the stem of
Heb. qddhdsh, 'was holy', whence also Heb.
qddhdsh, 'holy', qddhesh, 'holiness', qddhesh
qodhdshim, 'the Holy of Holies', miqddsh, 'sanc-
tuary, temple' (lit. 'a sacred place'), qiddhh, 'he
hallowed, sanctified', Mishnaic Heb. qiddush,
'sanctification' ; rel. to Aram. -Syr. qaddish, 'he
hallowed, sanctified', qaddish, 'holy', Arab, qd-
dusa, 'was pure, was holy', qdddasd, 'he puri-
fied, hallowed, sanctified; he went to Jeru-
salem', quds, 'purity, holiness', al-Quds, 'Jeru-
salem' (lit. 'the Holy Place'), qiddts, 'holy', qad-
diis, 'very holy', Akkad. quddusuh, 'to cleanse,
hallow, sanctify'. Cp. kaddish, kiddush, kiddu-
shin, Kodashim.
keek, intr. v., to peep. — ME. kiken, fr. MDu.
kiken (whence Du. kijkeri).
Derivatives: keek, n., keek-er, n., keek-ing, n.
keel, n., the lowest longitudinal timber of a ship.
— ME. kele, fr. ON. kjblr, (whence Dan.,
Norw. kjel, Swed. kol). Cp. MDu. kel, kil, G.
Kiel, 'keel'.
Derivatives: keel, tr. v., to turn up the keel of ;
intr. v., to turn up the keel ; keel-age, n., keel-ed,
adj., keel-less, adj.
keel, n., ship, barge. — ME. kele, fr. MDu. kiel,
'ship', rel. to OE. ceol, OS., OHG. kiol, ON.
kjdll, MHG., G. Kiel, 'ship'; of uncertain ori-
gin. Gk. yauX6?, 'milkpail, waterbucket',
YaOXo?, 'round-built Phoenician merchant ves-
sel', with which the above words are usually
connected, are prob. Sem. loan words; cp. Heb.
guild", 'basin, bowl' (see gelilah).
keel, tr. v., to keep cool. — ME. kelen, fr. OE.
celan, 'to cool', fr. col, 'cool'. See cool.
keelhaul, tr. v., to drag under the keel of a ship.
— Du. kielhalen, compounded of keel, 'kiel',
and halen, 'to haul'. See keel, 'timber of a ship',
and haul.
keelson, kelson, n., a set of timbers or plates
above the keel. — Prob. of Scand. origin. Cp.
Dan., Norw. kjelsvin, Swed. kdlsvin, which are
compounded of kjal, resp. kol, 'keel', and svin
(fr. ON. svinn), 'pig'. Cp. also MDu. colzwijn,
Du. kolzwijn, G. Kielschvtein, and see keel,
'timber of ship', and swine.
keen, adj., sharp. — ME. kene, 'sharp, bold', fr.
OE. cene, 'brave, bold, wise', rel. to ON. kcenn,
'skillful, wise'. MDu. coene, Du. koen, 'bold',
OHG. kuoni, 'pugnacious, strong', MHG.
kiiene, G. kuhn, 'bold, daring'. These words
derive fr. Teut. *kdn-i and orig. denoted one
who knows. They are rel. to E. can, aux. v., and
to the first element in Conrad and in Kenelm
(qq.v.)
Derivatives: keen-ly, adv., keen-ness, n.
keen, n., lamentation, dirge. — Ir. caoine, 'wail,
dirge', fr. caoinim, T wail'. See keen, v.
Derivative: keen-er, n.
keen, intr. v., to wail; tr. v., to bewail. — Ir.
caoinim, fr. Olr. cdinim, coinim, 'I wail',
keep, tr. and intr. v. — ME. kepen, fr. OE. cepan,
'to observe, notice, attend to, seek, keep', rel.
to OE. capian, OS. kapdn, OHG. kapfen, 'to
look', ON. kopa, 'to stare, gaze' ; of uncertain
origin.
Derivatives: keep, n. (q.v.), keep-er, n., keep-er-
ship, n., keep-ing, n.
keep, n. — ME. kep, keep, fr. kepen, 'to keep';
see prec. word. All meanings of the noun keep
are traceable to the original sense 'that which
keeps'.
keepsake, n. — Compounded of keep and sake.
The literal meaning of the word is 'object kept
for the sake (of the giver)'.
keeshond
842
keeshond, n., a small kind of dog. — Du., fr.
Kees hond. Kees is dimin. of the PN. Cornells,
'Cornelius' (see Cornelius). Hond is rel. to E.
hound (q.v.)
keeve, n., a large tub. — ME. kive, keve, fr. OE.
cyf, which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
derives fr. VL. *cupia, fr. L. c«pa,'tub cask, tun,
vat'. See cup.
kef, kief, n., state of dreaminess caused by the
use of hemp or bhang. — Arab, kayf, in VArab.
pronounced kef, 'ease, well-being, pleasure'.
keg, n., a small cask. — Of Scand. origin; cp.
ON. kaggi, Swed. and Norw. kagge, 'cask'.
kehillah, n., Jewish community or congregation.
— Heb. q e hilld h , 'assembly, congregation', from
the stem oiqdhdl, of s.m., hiqhtl, 'he assembled',
whence also Qdheleth, 'Ecclesiastes', lit. 'assem-
bler, collector' ; rel. to qdl, 'sound, voice', and to
Arab, qaul, of s.m. See cowle and cp. Koheleth
and the second element in bathkol.
kelp, n., a large seaweed. — From earlier kilp,
fr. ME. culp; of unknown origin.
kelpie, kelpy, n., a water spirit resembling a horse
(Gaelic mythol.) — Prob. rel. to Gael, colpach,
'heifer, steer, colt', colpa, 'cow, horse'.
kelson, n. — See keelson.
Kelt, n. — See Celt.
kelt, n., salmon after spawning (Scot.) — Of
unknown origin.
kelyphite, n. (petrogr.) — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. Gk. xeXO^o?, 'sheath, case', which
stands in gradational relationship to xaXu7rretv,
'to cover, hide, conceal'. See calyptra.
kemb, tr. v., to comb (dial. Engl.) — ME. kemben,
fr. OE. cemban, rel. to OS. kembian, ON. kemba,
OHG. kemben, 'to comb'. These words are
denominated fr. OE. camb, 'comb', resp. its OS.,
ON., OHG. equivalents. See comb and cp.
kempt.
kemp, n. (esp. used in the pi. kemps), coarse hair.
— ME. kempe, fr. Scand. Cp. ON. kampr,
'mustache', which is rel. to OE. cenep, OFris.
kanep, of s.m.
kempt, partic, adj., combed (archaic). — Pp. of
kemb.
ken, tr. v., to know. — ME. kennen, fr. OE. cen-
nan, 'to make known, declare, attest', prop,
causative of cunnan, 'to know', rel. to ON.
kenna, 'to know, make known', Swed. kanna,
Dan. kjende, 'to know', OFris. kanna, kenna,
'to recognize, admit', OHG. chennan, OHG.,
MHG., 'to make known', G. kennen, 'to know',
Goth, kannjan, 'to make known'. See can, aux.
v., and cp. know.
ken, n., range of sight; range of knowledge. —
Fr. prec. word.
ken, n., a resort for thieves (slang). — Prob. short
for kennel, 'shelter for a dog'.
ken-, form of keno- before a vowel.
kendal, n., a green woolen cloth. — So called
from Kendal in Westmorland, England, where
this cloth was manufactured and dyed green.
Kenelm, masc. PN. — OE. Cenhelm, compounded
of cene, 'brave, bold', and helm, 'helmet'. See
keen, adj. and helmet.
Kennedya, n., a genus of herbs of the pea family
(hot.) — ModL., named after Lewis Kennedy,
a London gardener (1775-1818).
kennel, n„ shelter for a dog. — ME. kenel, fr.
OF. (= F.) chenil, fr. chen (F. chien), 'dog', fr.
L. canem, acc. of canis, 'dog'. See hound and
cp. canine. Derivative: kennel, tr. and intr. v.
kennel, n., a gutter. — A doublet of cannel.
Kenneth, masc. PN. — Scot., fr. Gael. Caioneach,
lit. 'handsome, comely'.
keno, n., a game of chance resembling lotto. —
Prob. fr. F. quine, 'five winning numbers in a
lottery', fr. L. qulni, 'five each', which is rel. to
quinque, 'five' (see quinque); so called because
in this game numbered balls are arranged in
rows of five; the player who first has a row of
five covered wins.
keno-, before a vowel ken-, combining form mea-
ning 'empty'. — Gk. xevo-, xev-, fr. xev6<;,
'empty', which stands for *xevF6i; and is cogn.
with Arm. sin, 'empty, vain'. Cp. the first ele-
ment in cenotaph.
kenosis, n. (Christian theol.) — Eccles. L., fr.
Gk. x^vtoCTi?, 'an emptying', fr. xevoov, 'to
empty', fr. xev6;, 'empty'. See keno- and -osis.
kent, n., a long staff or pole. — L. contus, fr. Gk.
xovt6<;, 'a pole', which stands in gradational
relationship to xevteiv, 'to prick, goad', x£v-
Tpov, 'point, prickle, ox goad'. See center and
cp. quant, 'pole'.
Kentish, adj., pertaining to the county of Kent. —
ME., fr. OE. Centisc, formed with suff. -isc fr.
Cent, 'Kent'. For the ending see adj. suff. -ish.
Cp. the first element in canterbury.
kentledge, n., pig iron used as ballast. — Of un-
certain origin.
kephalic, adj. — See cephalic.
kepi, n., a peaked cap worn by soldiers. — F.
kepi, fr. Swiss G. Kappi, dimin. of G. Kappe,
'cap', fr. Late L. cappa, 'hood, cap'. See cap.
kept, past tense and pp. of keep. — ME. kepte,
kept, past tense and pp. oikepen, 'to keep'. See
keep, v.
keramic, adj. — See ceramic.
keratin, n., the basic substance of horns, nails,
hair and feathers (biochem.) — Formed with
chem. suff. -in fr. Gk. x£pa?, gen. xEpa-ro?,
'horn'. See cerato-.
keratitis, n., inflammation of the cornea of the
eye (med.) — Medical L., formed with suff. -iris
fr. Gk. x£pa;, gen. xspxTo;, 'horn'. See cerato-.
kerato-, before a vowel kerat-, combining form
meaning 'horn, horny'. — See cerato-.
keratose, n., a horny substance forming part of
the skeleton in some sponges (biochem) —
Formed with subst. -ose fr. Gk. x£p<x<;, gen.
x£p5TO<;, 'horn*. See cerato-.
keratosis, n., an excess of the horny layer of the
skin (med.) — Medical L., formed with suff.
843
Ketubim
-osis fr. Gk. x£pocs, gen. xEpa-ros, 'horn'. See
cerato-.
kerauno-, combining form meaning 'thunderbolt'.
— Gk. xepauvo-, fr. xlpacuvo?, 'thunderbolt'.
See cerauno-.
keraunograph, n. — See ceraunograph.
kerb, n. — A variant spelling of curb.
kerchief, n. — ME. curchef, coverchef, fr. OF.
covrechief, lit. 'cover head', fr. covrir (F. cou-
vrir), and chief, 'head; chief. See cover and
chief and cp. the first element in curfew.
kere, less correctly, keri (term of the Masorah),
part, adj., indicating that the reading given
in the margin should be substituted for what is
written in the text; n., the reading to be sub-
stituted. — Lit. '(to be) read', fr. Aram, q're,
passive part, of q'rff, 'he read', which is rel. to
Heb. qdrd', of s.m. See mikra and cp. Karaism,
Koran.
kerf, n., 1) the act of cutting; 2) a cut made by
a saw; 3) a piece cut off. — ME. kirf, kerf, fr.
OE. cyrf, 'a cutting', rel. to OE. ceorfan, 'to
cut'. See carve.
Derivative: kerf, tr. v.
Kerite, n., a trademark for artificial cautchouc.
— Formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. Gk. xi)p6c,,
'wax'. See cere, n., and cp. kerosene.
kermes, n., the bodies of the females of an insect
found on the kermes oak. — F. kermis, fr.
Arab, qirmiz, ult. fr. OI. kfmi-dza-, 'produced
by a worm'. See crimson and cp. carmine.
kermess, kermis, n., 1) an annual outdoor fair
in the Low Countries; 2) in the United States,
an indoor fair. — Du. kermis, 'church-mass',
contraction of kerk mes, fr. kerk, 'church', and
mis, 'mass'. See church and Mass.
kern, kerne, n., a light-armed foot soldier in an-
cient Ireland. — Ir. ceatharn, 'a band of sol-
diers, a soldier'. Cp. cateran.
kernel, n. — ME., fr. OE. cyrnel, dimin. of corn.
See corn, 'grain', and dimin. suff. -el.
Derivatives: kernel, tr. v., kernel(t)-ed, adj.
kerosene, n., an illuminating oil. — Formed with
suff. -ene fr. Gk. X7)p6<;, 'wax'. See cere, n., and
cp. Kerite.
Kerria, n., a genus of plants of the rose family
(bot.) — ModL., named after the English gar-
dener William Kerr (died in 1 8 1 4). For the ending
see suff. -ia.
kerrite, n., a kind of vermiculite (mineral.) —
Named after the American geologist W. C. Kerr
(1827-85). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Kerry, n., an Irish breed of cattle. — Named after
County Kerry in the Irish Free State.
kersey, n., a kind of coarse cloth. — Named after
Kersey, a village in Suffolk, England.
kerseymere, n., cassimere. — A blend of cassi-
mere and kersey.
kerygma, n., preaching. — Gk. xr]puYl jta ' 'pro-
clamation', from the stem of xTjpucoew, 'to
proclaim (said of a herald)', which is denomi-
nated fr. x^pOf;, 'herald'. See caduceus and -ma.
kestrel, n., a kind of falcon (Falco tinnunculus). —
ME. castrel, fr. MF. cresserelle (F. crecerelle),
'kestrel', enlarged fr. cresselle, 'kestrel', fr. cres-
selle (F. crecelle), '(hand-)rattle', which prob.
derives fr. VL. *crepicella, 'a rattle', a word
related to L. crepitdculum, 'a rattle', crepita-
cillum, 'a small rattle', fr. crepitare, 'to rattle';
see crepitate. See Bloch-Wartburg, DELF.,
p. 160 s. w. crecelle and crecerelle.
ketch, n., a kind of small sailing vessel. — Fr.
earlier catch, from the verb catch, 'to seize' (q.v.)
ketchup, also catchup, catsup, n., a kind of
tomato sauce. — Chin, ke-tsiap, 'pickled fish
sauce'.
kethib, also spelled ketib (term of the Masorah),
part, adj., designating that which is written in
the text as opposed to the reading in the margin
called kere; n., that which is written in the text.
— Aram. kHMbh, 'written', passive part, of
k'thabh, 'he wrote' (whence also k'thabh, 'a
writing'), rel. to Heb. katdbh, 'he wrote'. See
ketubah.
kethubah, n. — See ketubah.
Kethubim, n. — See Ketubim.
ketone, n., a group of compounds containing
CH (chem.) — G. Keton, coined by the German
chemist Leopold Gmelin (1788- 1853) in 1848
fr. G. Aketon, fr. F. acetone. See acetone.
Derivatives: keton-ic, adj., keton-ize, tr. v.
kettle, n. — ME. ketel, fr. ON. ketill, fr. L. catil-
lus (dimin. of catinus," deep vessel for cooking,
or serving up food'), whence also OE. cetel, OS.
ketil, ON. ketill, OFris. zetel, zitel, MDu. (Du.)
ketel, OHG. ke 33 il (MHG. ke 33 el, G. Kessel),
Goth. *katils or *katilus (occurring only in gen.
pi. katile), 'kettle'. L. catinus is possibly cogn.
with Gk. xotuXt), 'anything hollow, cup, socket
of a joint'. OHG. ke 33 i (MHG. che 33 i) is bor-
rowed fr. L. catinus, OSlav. kotilii is a Teut. loan
word, Lith. k at Has, Lett, kdtls, OPruss. catils
are borrowed from Slavonic. Cp. cotula, coty-
ledon. OI. cdtvdlah (masc.), 'hole', is prob. not
cognate with L. catinus, but rel. to catvdrah,
'four' (see four) and orig. denoted a square
hole.
ketubah, also spelled kethubah, n., Jewish mar-
riage contract. — Mishnaic Heb. k e thubbd h , lit.
'writing, writ', from the stem of Heb. kathdbh, 'he
wrote' (whence also mikhtdbh, 'a writing, letter') ;
rel. to Aram.-Syr. k'thabh, 'he wrote' (whence
k'thabh, 'a writing'). Cp. Arab, kdtaba, 'he wrote',
kitdb, Ethiop. katdb, 'book', which are Heb. or
Aram, loan words. The original meaning of the
Semitic base k-t-b seems to have been 'to en-
grave'; cp. Heb. kHhdbeth, 'tattooing' (Lev.
19 : 28), Arab, kdtaba in its orig. sense 'he sewed
together', and S. Arab, miktab, 'awl'. Cp.
kethib, Ketubim, kitab. For sense development
cp. Gk. YP*<pew, ' to scratch, engrave, write'
(see -graph).
Ketubim, also spelled Kethubim, n. pi., the Hagio-
grapha (Bible). — Heb. k*thubhtm, lit. 'written
Keturah
things', pi . oikdthubh, '(something) written', pas-
sive partic. of kdtdbh, 'he wrote'. See prec. word.
Keturah, fern. PN. {Bible). — Heb. QHurd h , lit.
'incense', from the stem of qitter, hiqttr, 'he
made sacrifices, smoke', whence also qHoreth,
'sweet smoke of sacrifice, incense'. See nectar.
kevalin, n., a soul freed from matter (Jainism). —
OL, fr. kevalah, 'alone, belonging exclusively
to a single person', fr. I.-E. base *qail-, *qoil-,
'complete, sound, well, happy', whence also
Goth, hails, 'complete, whole, well, sound', OE.
hdl, 'whole, uninjured, healthy'. See whole and
cp. words there referred to.
kevel, n., a peg or bollard to which certain ropes
are fastened (naut.) — ONF. keville (correspond-
ing to F. cheville), 'peg, pin, bolt', fr. VL.
*cdvicula, dissimilated fr. Late L. cldvicula, 'a
little key'. See clavicle.
Kewpie, n., trademark for a doll. — Prob. altered
fr. Cupid.
kex, n., the dry stocks of hemlock or other
plants. — ME. kex, kyx, ult. fr. L. cicuta, 'hem-
lock'. See Cicuta.
key, n., an instrument for opening or closing a
door, box, etc. — ME. keye, keige, etc., fr. OE.
cieg, lit. 'tool to cleave with', fr. Teut. base *ki-,
'to cleave, split; to germinate, rise (said of
flowers)', whence also OHG., MHG. kil, G.
Keil, 'wedge', Goth, us-kijans (passive part.),
'come forth' (said of seeds), OS., OHG. kimo,
MHG. kirns, G. Keim, 'germ', G. keimen, 'to
germinate'-, OS. kin, MLG. kine, MDu. kene,
'germ', OS., OHG. kinan, Goth, keinan, 'to
germinate', OE. cinan, 'to gape, crack', OE.
cid, OS. kith, OHG. (frumi) kidi, MHG. kide,
'sprout'. Teut. base *ki- corresponds to I.-E.
*gei-, *gi-, whence Arm. cii, ciul, 'stalk, blade',
Lett, zeiju, ziet, 'to rise' (said of flowers; also
fig.) See chine, 'valley', and chink, 'crack'.
key, tr. and intr. v. — ME. keyen, fr. key, keye,
'key'. See key, n.
key, n. — A var. of quay.
Keziah, i) fern. PN.; 2) in the Bible, one of Job's
daughters. — Heb. Q f tzVd h , lit. 'cassia'. See
cassia.
khaki, adj., dust-colored ; n., a dust-colored cloth
used for military uniforms. — Hind, khaki,
'dusty, dust-colored', fr. Pers. khdk, 'dust'.
khalif, n. — A var. of caliph.
khalifate, n. — A var. of caliphate.
khalsa, n., the community of the Sikhs. — Hind.,
fr. Arab, khdlisa", 'pure', prop. fern. pp. of
khdlasa, 'he was pure, withdrew, retired', which
is rel. to Akkad. halsu, 'pure', Heb. hdldtz, 'he
drew off, withdrew', hilletz, 'he saved, delivered,
freed', Aram. -Syr. hdldtz, 'he drew off, with-
drew', Syr. halitzd, 'free'.
khamsin, also spelled kamsin, n., a hot wind
flowing from the Sahara for about fifty days
(in March, April and May). -- Arab, khamsin,
'fifty', short for rikh-al-khamsin, 'the wind of
fiftv (days)'. Khamsin is een. of khamsin, 'fifty'.
844
which is rel. to Heb. hdmishshfm, Aram.-Syr.
hamshtn, Akkad. hamshdti, 'fifty',
khan, n., a title of ruler in Mohammedan coun-
tries. — Pers. and Arab, khan, 'lord, prince', fr.
Turki khan, contraction of khdqdn, 'ruler,
sovereign', which is prob. of Mongolian origin,
khan, n., a caravanserai. — Pers. and Arab, khan,
'caravanserai, inn'. Cp. astrakhan,
khanate, n„ a district ruled by a khan. — A
hybrid coined fr. khan, 'title of ruler', and -ate,
a suffix of Latin origin,
khansamah, n., a butler {India). — Hind, khdn-
sdmdn, fr. Pers. khdnsdmdn, lit. 'lord of stores',
fr. khan, 'lord' (see khan, 'title of ruler'), and
sdmdn, 'stores, household',
khedive, n., title of the Turkish viceroy of Egypt
(hist.) — F. khedive, fr. Turk, khidiv, fr. Pers.
khidiw, 'prince', a derivative of khudd, 'master,
prince'.
Derivatives: khediv-al, khedivi-al, adjs., khe-
divi-ate, n.
khidmatgar, khidmutgar, n., a male waiter (In-
dia). — Hind, khidmatgar, fr. Pers. khidmatgar,
a hybrid formed fr. Arab. khidma h , 'service' (fr.
khddama, 'he served'), with Pers. suff. -gar,
'holder, owner'.
Khitan, adj. and n., Tatar. — Lit. 'of the king-
dom of the Khitans', fr. Khitai, name of a Tatar
kingdom. See Cathay.
khoja, khojah, n., a title of respect in Persia, In-
dia and Turkestan. — Turk, khojah, fr. Pers.
khwdjah.
kibbutz, n., a collective agricultural settlement in
Israel. — Heb. qibbittz, tit. 'gathering, assem-
blage', prop, verbal noun of qibbhz, 'he gather-
ed, gathered together', Pi'el of qdbhatz, 'he
gathered'; rel. to Arab, qdbada, 'he grasped,
seized'.
kibe, n., chillblain. — ME. kybe. Cp. W. cibi,
cibiost, 'chillblain'.
kibitzer, n., 1) looker-on at a card-game; 2) a
meddlesome person. — G. Kiebitzer (slang), 'a
looker-on (at cards)', fr. kiebitzen, 'to look on',
fr. Kiebitz, 'pewit, plover', whence arose the
meaning (used only in slang) 'a meddlesome
looker on'. The birdname Kiebitz derives fr.
MHG. gibis, giwi3, which is of imitative origin.
Cp. MLG. kivit, MDu., Du. kievit, 'plover', and
E. pewit, which all are imitative.
kiblah, n., the point toward which the Moham-
medans turn in prayer (i.e. the Kaaba in
Mecca). — Arab. qibla h , 'direction to which
Mohammedans turn in prayer', fr. qdbila, 'he
lay opposite, was in front of. See cabal and
cp. Kabyle.
kibosh, n.. in the phrase to put the kibosh on, 'to
put an end to'. — Of unknown origin,
kick, intr. and tr. v., to strike with the foot. —
ME. kiken, of unknown origin. Cp. kicksies.
Derivatives: kick, n., a blow with the foot,
kick-er, n.
kickshaw, kickshaws, n., fancy dish; delicacy. —
845
kin
Corrupted fr. F. quelque chose, 'something', fr.
quelque, 'some', and chose, 'thing'. F. quelque
is compounded of quel (fr. L. qudlis), 'of what
kind or nature', and que (fr. L. quod), 'what';
see quality and quod. F. chose derives fr. L.
causa; see cause, n.
kicksies, n. pi., trousers (slang). — Fr. kick, to
strike with the foot',
kid, n., 1) a young goat; 2) (slang) a child. — ME.
kid, kidde, fr. ON. kid (whence also Dan., Swed.
kid), 'a kid', rel. to OHG. kizzi, chizzl, MHG.,
G. kitze, 'kid'; of imitative origin. Cp. next
word and the first element in kidnap.
Derivative: kid, intr. v., to bring forth young
(said of goats).
kid, tr. v., to hoax, humbug. — Prob. fr. kid,
'a young goat', and lit. meaning, 'to make a
kid of.
Derivative: kid, n., a hoax.
kid, n., a small tub. — Prob. a var. of kit, 'tub'.
Kidderminster, n., a kind of carpet. — Prop, 'a
carpet made at Kidderminster'; so called after
the town Kidderminster in England.
kiddle, n., a barrier with nets, used for catching
fish. — ME. kydle, fr. OF. quidel, guidel (F.
guideau), of uncertain origin.
kiddush, n., proclamation of the holiness of the
sabbath or a festival, by saying the benediction
over wine (or over two loaves) and over the
sabbath, resp. the festival (Jewish ritual). —
Mishnaic Heb. qiddfish, 'sanctification', prop,
verbal noun of Heb. qiddish, 'he hallowed,
sanctified'. See Kedushah and cp. words there
referred to.
kiddushin, n. pi., 1) Jewish betrothal; 2) (cap.)
a Mishnaic and Talmudic treatise dealing with
betrothal and marriage. — Mishnaic Heb. Qid-
dushin, prop. pi. of qiddash, 'sanctification'. See
prec. word.
kiddy, n., 1) a young goat; 2) a little child (slang).
— Formed with suff. -y fr. kid, 'a young goat',
kidnap, tr. v. — Compounded of kid, 'a young
goat', used in the sense of 'child', and nap, dial.
form of nab, 'to seize, catch, steal'.
Derivatives: kidnapp-er, n., kidnapp-ing, n.
kidney, n. — ME. kidenei, which stands for
kiden-ei. The first element is unknown. The
second element is identical with ME. ei, 'egg'.
See egg.
kief, n. — See keg.
kieselguhr, n., a fine siliceous powder used as an
absorbent. — G. (now spelled Kieselgur), com-
pounded of Kiesel, 'flint' (see chesil) and Guhr
(Gur), 'earthy deposit', lit. 'fermentation', from
the stem of gdren, to ferment'. See chesil and
guhr.
kieserite, n., a hydrous magnesium sulfate (mi-
neral.) — G. Kieserit, named after Dietrich G.
Kieser, president of the Academy of Jena (died
in 1862). For the ending -it, which goes back to
Gk. -frnqs, see subst. suff. -ite.
kiki, n., the castor-oil plant. — Fr. Egypt.,
whence also Akkad. kukkdnita, Heb. qiqdydn.
kikumon, n., Japanese imperial emblem, rep-
resenting an open chrysanthemum. — Jap.,
compounded of kiku, 'chrysanthemum', and
man, 'crest'. Cp. the second element in kirimon.
kil-, the first element in many Celtic place names,
meaning 'cell, church, burial place'. — Gael,
and Ir. -cil, fr. cilt, a gradational variant of
ceall, 'cell, church, burial place', fr. L. cella.
See cell.
kilerg, a physical unit of work, equal to 1000
ergs. — See kilo- and erg.
kilderkin, n., 1) a cask; 2) an old English liquid
measure. — ME., dissimilated fr. MDu. kin-
derkin (also kindeken), a dimin. formed with
suff. -kin, fr. OF. quintal, 'quintal, hundred-
weight'. See quintal.
kill, tr. and intr. v. — ME. killen, fr. earlier
cullen, prob. rel. to ME. quellen, 'to kill, strike',
fr. OE. cwellan, of s.m., causative of cwelan, 'to
die'. See quell and cp. qualm.
Derivatives: kill, n., kill-er, a., kill-ing, adj.
and n.
killadar, n., commandant of a fortress (India). —
A hybrid coined fr. Arab, qdfa h , 'fortress', and
Pers. suff. -ddr, 'holder, possessor'. For the ety-
mology and force of this suff. see aumildar and
cp. words there referred to.
kiln, n., a large oven. — ME. kilne, kulne, fr. OE.
cylene, cylne, fr. L. culina, 'kitchen'. See
culinary.
kilo-, combining form meaning 'one thousand'.
— F. kilo-, fr. Gk. yp-*- 01 ( lon - X e ' Xtot ). ' a
thousand', which is of uncertain origin. It is
perh. cogn. with L. mille, 'a thousand'; see
mille.
kilo, n., a kilogram. — F., short for kilogramme.
See next word,
kilogram, kilogramme, n. — F. kilogramme, lit.
'one thousand grams', coined fr. kilo- and gram,
'the metric unit of weight',
kiloliter, kilolitre, n. — F. kilolitre, lit. 'one
thousand liters', coined fr. kilo- and liter,
kilometer, kilometre, n. — F. kilometre, lit. 'one
thousand meters', coined fr. kilo- and Gk.
(xsTpov, 'measure'. See -meter.
Derivatives: kilometr-ic, kilometr-ic-al, adjs.
kilowatt, n. (electr.) — Lit. 'one thousand watts',
coined fr. kilo- and watt.
kilt, tr. v., to tuck up. — Of Scand. origin; cp.
Dan. kilte, Swed. kilta, 'to tuck up', ON. kil-
ting, 'shirt'.
Derivatives: kilt, n., kilt-ed, adj., kill-ing, n.
kilter, kelter, n., good condition (colloq.) — Of
uncertain origin.
kimberlite, n., a peridotite often containing dia-
monds (petrogr.) — Named after Kimberley in
S. Africa, where it occurs. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
kimono, n., a long, loose Japanese garment. —
Jap., lit. a thing (mono) put on (ki).
kin, n., family, relationship. — ME. kin, kun, fr.
kin-
846
OE. cynn, 'kind, kin, race, species, family', rel.
to OE. cennan, 'to beget', to bear', ON. kyn,
OHG. chunni, MHG. kiinne, Goth, kuni, 'family,
race', ON. kundr, 'son', OS., OHG., MHG., G.
kind, 'child', fr. Teut. base "ken-, corresponding
to I.-E. *gen, 'to beget, bear, bring forth',
whence OI. jdnati, 'begets', jdnah, 'race', Gk.
yifveaScti (for yi-yvE-CTftai), 'to become, hap-
pen', ylvsmi;, 'origin, source, birth, race
descent', L. genus, 'birth, descent, origin, race,
sort, kind, class'. See genus and words there
referred to and cp. esp. kinchin, kind, n., kind,
adj., kindred, king. Cp. also the first element in
kindergarten.
Derivative: kin-ship, n.
kin-, form of kino- before a vowel.
-kin, dimin. suff. as in kilderkin, lambkin, manni-
kin. — ME. -kin, fr. MDu. -kin, -kijn, prop, a
double dimin. suff. formed from the dimin.
suffixes -k and dimin. -in; cp. OS. -kin, MHG.
-kin, G. -chen.
kinah, n., an elegy, a dirge (Hebrew poetry). —
Heb. qind h , 'elegy, dirge' (whence qinin, 'he
chanted a kinah'), rel. to Syr. qintd, 'elegy',
qdyna", 'slave girl who is a singer', Ethiop.
qene, 'song' (with reduplication, Syr. qanqen,
'he sang', Jewish-Aram, qunqannithd, 'musical
instrument'), fr. Sem. stem q-y-n, 'to fit to-
gether, fabricate', whence also Arab, qdna, 'he
fabricated, forged', qayn, 'craftsman, worker in
steel or another metal, smith', Aram, qend'd,
Syriac qendyd, Akkad. qinai, 'metal worker'.
For sense development cp. Gk. 7toit)tt)(;, 'poet',
lit. 'a maker', fr. ttoieiv, 'to make, produce'.
Cp. Cain, Elkanah.
kinchin, n., child. — Corrupted fr. G. Kindchen,
'little child', dimin. of Kind, 'child', which is rel.
to ON. kundr, 'son'. See kin and -kin.
kincob, n., a kind of East Indian brocade. —
Hind, kimkhdb, fr. Pers. kimkhdb.
kind, n. — ME. kinde, kund, kende, fr. OE. cynd,
ge-cynd, 'kind, nature, quality, manner, origin,
generation, offspring', rel. to OE. cyn, 'kind,
kin'. See kin and cp. kind, adj.
kind, adj. — ME. kinde, kynde, kunde, fr. OE.
cynde, ge-cynde, 'innate, natural', lit. 'according
to nature', fr. cynd, ge-cynd. See kind, n.
Derivatives: kindly, kindness (qq.v.)
kindergarten, n. — G. Kindergarten, lit. 'garden
of children', coined by the German educator
Friedrich Frobel (1782-1852) in 1840 fr. Kinder,
pi. of Kind, 'child', and Garten, 'garden'. For the
first element see kin, for the second see garden.
Derivatives: kindergarten-er. n. (cp. G. Kinder-
gar tner), kindergarten-ing, n.
kindhearted, adj. — Compounded of kind, adj.,
and -hearted (see heart and 3rd -ed); first used
by Miles Coverdale (1488-1569), English trans-
lator of the Bible, in 1535.
Derivatives: kindhearted-ly, adv., kindhearted-
ness, n.
kindle, tr. and intr. v. — ME. kindlen, formed fr.
ON. kynda, 'to light a fire', with freq. suff. -le.
Derivatives: kindl-er, n., kindl-ing, n.
kindly, adj. — ME., fr. OE. cyndelic, ge-cyndelic,
'natural', fr. cynd, ge-cynd, 'nature'. See kind,
n., and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivative: kindli-ness, n.
kindly, adv. — ME., fr. OE. cyndelice, ge-cynde-
lice, 'naturally', fr. ge-cynde, 'natural'. See kind,
adj., and adv. suff. -ly.
kindness, n. — ME. kindenesse, fr. kinde. See
kind, adj., and -ness.
kindred, n. — ME. kinrede, kinreden, compounded
of kin, fr. OE. cynn, 'kind, kin, race, species,
family', and -red, fr. OE. rxden, 'rule, condition'
(fr. rxdan, 'to advise, discuss, rule, guess, read'),
used as a noun. See kin and read and cp. the
second element in hatred. The first d in kindred
is epenthetic.
Derivatives: kindred, adj., kindred-ship, n.
kine, n., archaic and poetic pi. of cow. — OE.
cyna (gen. pi.), 'of cows', fr. cy, 'cows', pi. of
cu, 'cow'. See cow.
kinema, n. — See cinema,
kinematic, also kinematical, adj., pertaining to
kinematics. — See cinema and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: kinematic-al-ly, adv.
kinematics, n., that branch of science which deals
with motion. — Formed with suff. -ics fr. Gk.
xtvr)|jta, gen. xTvr}u,axo<;, 'motion', fr. xivelv. See
kinetic and cp. words there referred to.
kinematograph, n. — See cinematograph,
kinesis, n., physical movement. — Gk. ylUt^ic,,
'movement, motion', fr. xlveiv. See next word
and cp. akinesia, diadochokinesis, hyperkinesia,
telekinesis.
kinesthesia, kinesthesis, also kinaesthaesia, kin-
aesthesis, n., the muscle sense (psychoid) —
ModL., compounded of Gk. xiveiv, 'to move',
and ouaib^ati;, 'perception'. See kin- and esthetic.
kinesthetic, also kinaesthetic, adj., pertaining to
kinesthesia. — See prec. word and esthetic.
kinetic, adj., 1) pertaining to motion; 2) having
moving force. — Gk. xtvrjxixos, 'putting in
motion', fr. xivi;t6<;, 'moved', verbal adj. of
xTvetv, 'to move', which is rel. to xiciv, 'to go',
and cogn. with L. ciere, 'to put in motion',
citdre, 'to put into quick motion'. See cite and
cp. cinema, cinerama, kinematics, kino-, Acineta.
Derivatives: kinetic-al, adj., kinetic-al-ly, adv.
kinetics, n., that branch of science which deals
with the action of forces in causing or changing
the motion of bodies. — See prec. word and -ics.
kineto-, combining form denoting motion. — Gk.
xivtjto-, fr. xTvrxoc, 'moved', verbal adj. of
xtveiv, 'to move'. See kinetic.
kinetoscope, n., an instrument for producing mo-
tion pictures. — Compounded of kineto- and
Gk. -CTx6ntov, fr. oxoraTv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope.
Derivative: kinetoscop-ic, adj.
king, n. — ME. kynge, fr. OE. cyning, cyng,
'king', rel. to Du. koning, OS., OHG. kuning,
8*7
kunig, ON. konungr, Dan. konge, Swed. konung,
kung, MHG. kiinic, ktinec, G. Konig; fr. Teut.
•kuninga-z, 'king', which is formed fr. *kunya-,
'kind, kin, race, species, family' and suff. -ing,
-ung; see km and patronymic suff. -ing. OE.
cyning, etc., orig. denoted 'pertaining to a kin',
whence arose the meaning 'the first of his kin'.
Cp. the second element in erlking. Finn, kunin-
gas, 'king', and OSlav. kunegu, kunezi, 'prince',
Lith. kunigas, Lett, kungs, 'clergyman, priest',
are Teut. loan words. Cp. knez.
Derivatives: king, tr. and intr. v., king-less, adj.,
king-less-ness, n., king-like, adj. and adv., king-
ly, adj. and adv., king-li-ness, n.
kingdom, n. — ME., fr. OE. cyningdom, n., fr.
cyning, 'king'. See prec. word and -dom.
kinglet, n. — A hybrid coined fr. king and -let,
dimin. suff. of French origin,
kink, n., a twist in a rope. — Fr. Swed. or Du.
kink, 'a twist in a rope', which are rel. to ON.
kika, 'to bend at the knee', Norw. kank, 'a
twist'.
Derivatives: kink, intr. and tr. v., kink-y, adj.,
kink-i-ly, adv., kink-i-ness, n.
kinkajou, n., a racoonlike animal. — F., of Al-
gonquian origin.
kinkhost, n., whooping cough. — Rel. to Fris.
kinkhoast, MLG. kinkhdste, Du. kinkhoest,
'whooping cough', and to chincough (q.v.)
kinkle, n. — Formed fr. kink with dimin. suff. -le.
Derivatives: kinkle, tr. and intr. v., kinkl-ed, adj.
kinnikinnic, kinnikinic, n., mixture of dried leaves
and bark, used instead of tobacco. — A
N. American Indian word lit. meaning 'mixture'.
kino, n., gum of various tropical trees. — A
W. African native word.
kino-, before a vowel kin-, combining form de-
noting motion. — Gk. xlvo-, xTv-, fr. xlveiv,
'to move'. See kinetic.
kinoplasm, n., the active element of protoplasm.
— Compounded of kino- and Gk. nXia^a,
'something molded'. See -plasm.
kiosk, also kkwque, n., an open pavilion or sum-
merhouse; an open building used as a news-
stand. — F. kiosque, fr. Turk, kidshk, 'pavilion',
fr. Pers. kushk, 'palace*.
kip, n., the hide of a calf or another young beast.
— Of uncertain origin.
kip, n., a lodging; a bed (slang). — Rel. to Dan.
kippe, 'a miserable inn'.
kipper, n., the male salmon. — ME. kypre, fr.
OE. cypera, 'a kind of salmon', prob. rel. to OS.
cupiro, of s.m., and to OE. copor, 'copper' (see
copper), and so called in allusion to the copper-
colored spots of the male salmon.
Derivative: kipper, tr. v., to cure (fish) by salting
and drying.
kirimon, n., the Japanese Imperial emblem rep-
resenting three leaves and three buds of the
paulownia tree. — Jap., compounded of kiri,
'the paulownia tree', and man, 'crest'. Cp. the
second element in kikumon.
kirk, n., a church (Northern Engl, and Scot.). —
ON. kirkja, fr. OE. cirice, circe, 'church'. See
church and cp. kermis,
kirsch, n., kirschwasser. — See next word.
kirschwasser,n., an alcoholic liquor distilled from
the fermented juice of cherries. — G., lit. 'cherry
water', fr. Kirsche, 'cherry', and Wasser, 'water'.
The first element derives fr. MHG. kirse, fr.
OHG. kirsa, fr. VL. *ceresia, fr. Imperial L.
cerasium, 'cherry'; see cherry. For the second
element see water.
kirtle,n., 1) a man's tunic; 2) a woman's skirt
(archaic or dial.) — ME. kirtel, fr. OE. cyrtet,
rel. to ON. kyrtill, 'tunic'. Both the OE. and
the ON. word are prob. formed fr. L. curtus,
'short', and the dimin. suff. -el, resp. -ill, and
orig. denoted a short garment. See curt and cp.
words there referred to. For the ending see
suff. -el.
Kislev, also Kislew, n., name of the ninth Jewish
month. — Heb. kislew, fr. Akkad. kislimu, kis-
liwu. For the interchangibility of w and m in
Akkadian cp. Marheshvan.
kismet, n., fate. — Turk, qismet, fr. Arab, qisma",
'portion, lot, fate', fr. qdsama, 'he divided, dis-
tributed, apportioned', esp. 'he divided by draw-
ing lots at the sanctuary', whence dqsama, 'he
swore'; rel. to Ethiop. qasdma, Heb. qdsdm,
Aram. q e sam, Syr. qHzam, 'he practiced divi-
nation', Heb. qesem, Aram, qismd, 'divination'
kiss, tr. and intr. v. — ME. kissen, fr. OE. cyssan,
rel. to OS. kussian, ON. kyssa, OFris. kessa,
Du., OHG. kussen, MLG., MHG., G. kussen,
'to kiss', which are denominated fr. OE. coss,
ON., OFris. koss, resp. OS., MLG., Du., OHG.
kus, 'kiss'; prob. cogn. with Gk. xuveiv, 'to
kiss', Hitt, kuwash-anzi, 'they kiss', OI. cum-
bati, 'he kisses'. All these words are of imitative
origin.
kiss, n. — ME., alteration (due to the influence
of the verb kissen) of cos, fr. OE. coss. See
kiss, v.
kist, n., a chest (Northern Engl, and Scot.) —
ME. kiste, kist, fr. ON. kista, 'chest', fr. L.
cista. See chest and cp. cist,
kist, n. — The same as cist, 'a sepulchral stone
chest'.
kisrvaen, n., a stone coffin. — W. cistfaen, lit. 'a
stone chest'. See cisrvaen.
kit, n., a wooden tub, tankard. — MDu. kitte
(Du. kit), rel. to Norw. kitte, 'bin'. Cp. kid,
'a small tub', and caboodle,
kit, n., a small fiddle used formerly by dancing
teachers. — Abbreviation of OE. cythere, fr.
L. cithara, 'lute', fr. Gk. xiOipi. See cither,
kit, n. — Abbreviation of kitten,
kitab, n„ a book: esp. the Koran or the Bible
(Mohammedanism). — Arab, kitdb, 'book', lit.
'a writing', fr. Aram, k'thdbh, 'a writing', ft\
k'thabh, 'he wrote' (whence Arab, kdtaba, 'he
wrote'). See kerubah and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Kit-cat
848
Kit-cat, adj., i) designating a club founded by
Whig politicians in London in 1703; so called
from Christopher {Kit) Ca/(ling), keeper of the
tavern in which the club first met ; 2) designating
a particular size of portrait which is less than
half-length; said to have been so called because
the room in which the portraits of the members
of the Kit-cat Club were to be hung was too
low for half-length pictures.
Derivatives: Kit-cat, n. 1) the Kit-cat Club; 2) a
Kit-cat portrait.
kitchen, n. — ME. kuchene, kichene, kichen, fr.
OE. cycene, fr. L. cucina [whence also It. cucina,
OProvenc. cozina, F. cuisine, Sp. cocina, and
MDu. cokene (Du. keukeri), OHG. chuhhina
(MHG. kiichen, kiiche, G. Kiiche), Dan. kjok-
ken], dissimilated var. of L. coquina, 'kitchen',
fr. coquere, 'to cook'. See cook and cp. cuisine.
Derivatives: kitchen, tr. v., kitchen-er, n., kit-
chenette (q.v.)
kitchenette, n. — A hybrid coined fr. kitchen
with -ette, a suff. of French origin.
kitchen midden, refuse marking a primitive hu-
man settlement. — Dan. kjekken medding, lit.
'kitchen midden'. See kitchen and midden.
kichery, n. — A variant of kedgeree.
kite, n. — ME. kite, fr. OE. cyta, 'kite, bittern',
rel. to ciegan (for orig. *kaujan), 'to call', MHG.
(stein-)kuze, G. Kauz, 'screech owl', MLG.
kuten, 'to chatter, babble, prate', LG. kdter
(whence G. Kdter), 'cur, dog', fr. I.-E. base
*gou-, *gow-; 'to shout, cry', whence also OI.
gdvate, 'sounds, resounds', Gk. yoSv, 'to wail,
groan, weep', yooq, 'wailing, groaning, weeping',
OE. cyme, 'fine, beautiful, splendid', orig. 'frail,
delicate, tender'. See comely.
kith, n., now used only in the phrase kith and kin.
— ME. cuththe, kith, fr. OE. cydd(u)-, 'know-
ledge, acquaintance, relationship; native coun-
try', fr. cud, 'known', pp. of cunnan, 'to know'.
See can, aux. v., and cp. uncouth.
kitling, n., a small kitten. — ME., fr. ON. ket-
lingr, 'kitten; young of other animals', dimin.
of kottr, 'cat'. See cat and dimin. suff. -ling.
kittel, n., a white cotton robe which pious Jews
wear during the High Holiday services, and in
which they are buried. — Yiddish kite!, fr. G.
Kittel, 'frock, coat', fr. MHG. kittel, kitel, ult.
fr. Arab, qufn, 'cotton', whence also G. Kattun,
'cotton' ; see cotton. For the ending -el in kittel
see the suffixes -el and -le.
kitten, n. — ME. kitoun, a blend of kitling and
ONF. caton (corresponding to OF., F. chatori),
'little cat', dimin. of ONF. cat (corresponding
to OF., F. chat), 'cat'. See cat and cp. kittle, 'to
bring forth kittens', kitty, 'kitten'.
Derivatives: kitten, intr. v., kitten-ish, adj.,
kitten-ish-ly, adv., kitten-ish-ness, n.
kirtiwake, n., seagull of the genus Rissa. — Imi-
tative of its cry.
kittle, tr. v., to tickle. — ME. kytyllen, fr. MDu.
(= Du.) kietelen; rel. to ON. kitla, OHG. kiz-
zilon, kuzzilon, MHG., G. kitzeln, 'to tickle'.
Cp. tickle, which is a metathesis var. of kittle.
kittle, intr. v., to bring forth kittens {obsol.) —
Prob. back formation fr. kitling.
kitty, n., a pet name for a kitten. — Formed fr.
kit, 'kitten', with dimin. suff. -y.
kitty, n., a prison or jail {Northern Engl, or slang).
— Of uncertain origin.
kiwi, n., a flightless bird of New Zealand; ap-
teryx. — Maori, of imitative origin.
klaprothite, n., a synonym of lazulite {mineral.) —
Named after the German mineralogist Martin
Heinrich Klaproth (1743-1817). For the ending
see subt. suff. -ite.
klaprotholite, n., a copper bismuth sulfide
{mineral.) — See prec. word and -lite.
Klaxon, n., a trade mark for motor horns. —
Coined from the stem of Gk. xXa^co (fut.
xXdcy^co), 'I shout aloud, scream', which is cogn.
with L. clangere, 'to resound'. See clang.
kleeneboc, n., a small kind of antelope {Antilope
perpusilla). — S. African Du. kleinbok, lit.
'little buck', h.Du.klein, 'small', and bok, 'buck'.
See clean and buck.
kleisto-, combining form. — See cleisto-.
klepht, n., one of a group of Greeks who after
the conquest of Greece by the Turks formed
communities of partisans; a brigand. — Mod.
Gk. x>i<pT7)(;, corresponding to Gk. yl£inry]q,
'thief, robber', from the stem of xXsttteiv, 'to
steal', whence — with vowel gradation — xXottt),
'theft', xXo7t6<; and x\d><li, 'thief; cogn. with L.
clepere, 'to steal', Goth, hlifan, 'to steal', hliftus,
'thief, Mir. cluain, 'deception, flattery', cluai-
nech, 'deceptive'. Cp. klepto-, kleptomania,
clepsydra.
Derivatives: klepht-ic, adj., klepht-ism, n.
klepto-, combining form meaning 'theft' or
'thief. — Gk. xXe7tto-, fr. xX^ttttji;. See klepht.
kleptomania, n., an uncontrollable propensity to
steal {med.) — Medical L., coined fr. klepto-
and Gk. jjtavta, 'madness, frenzy'. See mania.
Derivative: kleptomani-ac, n. and adj.
klino-, combining form. — See clino-.
klippe, n., a thrust mass of strata, an outlier
(geol.) — G. Klippe, 'cliff, crag, steep rock', fr.
MHG. klippe, fr. MDu. klippe (Du. klip), which
is rel. to OHG. klep, OE. clif. See cliff,
klipspringer, n., a small African antelope. — S.
Afr. Du., lit. 'cliff-springer', fr. Du. klip, 'cliff,
rock' and springer, 'leaper, springer'. See cliff
and spring, v.
kloof, n., a deep gorge, ravine. — S. Afr. Du.,
fr. MDu. clove, 'cleft', which stands in gradatio-
nal relationship to OE. cleofian, clifian, 'to stick,
adhere'. See cleave, 'to stick, adhere',
knack, tr. v. and n. — Of imitative origin. Cp.
Dan. knage, Swed., Norw. knaka, MHG., G.
knacken, 'to crack', and E. knock, which all are
imitative.
knacker, n., one who buys or slaughters worn
out horses. — Of uncertain, possibly Scand.,
849
knife
origin. Cp. Icel. hnakkur, 'saddle', which is rel.
to ON. hnakki, hnakkr, 'nape of the neck', and
to OE. hnecca, 'nape of the neck'. See 1st neck
and agential suff. -er.
Derivative: knacker-y, n.
knag, n., a knot in wood. — ME. knagge; cp.
Swed. knagg, 'knot in wood', LG. knagge
(whence G. Knagge), of s.m., Dan. knag, 'hook
to hang clothes on'. These words prob. derive
fr. I.-E. *gnegh-, enlargement of base *gen-,
'pressed together'. Cp. knight.
Derivative: knagg-y, adj.
knap, n., the crest of a hill. — ME., fr. OE. cnsep,
cnsepp, top, mountain top, knob, button', rel.
to LG. knap, 'summit, top', ON. knappr, 'knob,
button', and to E. knob, knop.
knap, tr. v., to snap; to strike with a sharp sound
{obsol.) — Of imitative origin. Cp. MDu. cnap-
pen, Du. and G. knappen, 'to crack'.
Derivative: knapp-er, n.
knapsack, n. — Du. knapzak, compounded of
knappen, 'to crack, snap; to crunch, eat', and
zak, 'bag, sack'. See knap, v. and sack, 'bag'.
Derivatives: knapsack-ed, adj., knapsack-ing, n.
knapweed, n. — ME. knopwed, fr. knop, 'knop',
and wed, 'weed'. See knop and weed.
knar, n., a knot in wood. — ME. knarre; rel. to
MHG. gnarren, knarren, G. knarren, 'to creak,
rattle', and to E. gnarl (q.v.) Cp. knur, knurl.
knave, n., 1 ) a boy, a servant {archaic) ; 2) a rascal ;
3) a playing card; the jack. — ME. knaue
(= knave), 'boy, servant, knave', fr. OE. cnafa,
'boy, youth, servant', rel. to OHG. knabo, 'boy,
youth, servant', MHG., G. knabe, 'boy, lad',
and to OE. cnapa, 'boy, youth, servant', ON.
knapi, 'servant boy', MLG. knape, ODu. knapo,
MDu. knape, Du. knaap, 'a youth, servant',
OHG. knappo, MHG. knappe, 'a young squire',
G. Knappe, 'squire, shieldbearer, attendant'. The
orig. meaning of these words prob. was 'stick,
peg, piece of wood'; cp. dial. G. Knabe and dial.
Swed. knabb, knappe, 'peg', ON. knefi.il, 'cross-
bar', MLG. knevel, OHG. knebil, MHG., G.
knebel, 'peg, short piece of wood, crossbar'. See
Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., p. 379 s.v. Knabe.
Derivatives: knav-ery, n., knav-ish, adj., knav-
ish-ly, adv., knav-ish-ness, n.
knead, tr. v. — ME. kneden, fr. OE. cnedan, rel.
to OS. knedan, MDu. cneden, Du. kneden, OHG.
knetan, MHG., G. kneten, ON. knoda, Swed.
knada, 'to knead', and cogn. with OSlav. gnedQ,
gnesti, 'to crush, squeeze', OPruss. gnode, 'a
trough for kneading bread'.
Derivatives: knead-er, n., knead-ing, adj., knead-
ing-ly, adv.
knee, n. — ME. kne, knee, fr. OE. cneo, cneow,
rel. to OS. kneo, knio, ON. kne, OFris. km, kne,
MDu. cnie, Du. knie, OHG. kniu, MHG., G.
knie, Goth, kniu, and cogn. with Ol.jdnu, Avestic
znum (acc.), Toch. A kanwem (dual), B kenine,
Hitt. genu, 'knee', Arm. cun-r, pi. cunk-k', Gk.
Y6vu, gen. y6vaxoc, (for *y6vf atoc), 'knee', ywvta
(for *yoivF£a), 'corner, angle', yvdS,, 'on the
knees', yvi-neToq, 'falling on the knees', L.
genii, 'knee'. Cp. genual, genuflect, gonio-,
diagonal.
Derivatives: knee, tr. and intr. v., knee-d, adj.,
kneel (q.v.)
kneel, intr. v. — ME. knelen, fr. OE. cneowlian,
fr. cneo, 'knee'; rel. to MLG. knelen, MDu.
cnielen, Du. knielen, 'to kneel'. See knee.
Derivatives: kneel-er, n., kneel-ing, adj., kneel-
ing-ly, adv.
kneelet, n., a covering for the knee. — A hybrid
coined fr. knee and -let, a suff. of French origin,
kneippism, n., system of hydrotherapy introduced
by Sebastian Kneipp, a German priest (1821-97).
— G. Kneippismus. For the ending see suff.
-ism.
knell, intr. and tr. v. — ME. knyllen, knellen, fr.
OE. cnyllan, 'to sound the bell, to ring', of imi-
tative origin. Cp. MHG. erknellen, 'to resound',
whence, with back formation, G. Knall, 'sharp
report, detonation', knallen, 'to explode, de-
tonate'.
knell, n. — ME. knell, fr. OE. cnyll, fr. cnyllan.
See knell, v.
knelt, past tense and pp. of kneel.
Kneseth, n., the Israeli Parliament. — Mishnaic
Heb. k'neseth, 'gathering, assembly' (cp. beth
k'neseth, 'synagogue' lit. 'house of assembly'),
from the stem of Heb. kdnds, 'he gathered, as-
sembled, collected', which is rel. to Aram.
k e nash, 'he gathered, assembled, collected'
(whence be k'nishtd, 'synagogue', lit. 'house of
assembly').
knew, past tense of know. — ME. knew, fr. OE.
cneow, 'he knew', past tense of cndwan. See
know.
knez, kniaz, n., a Slavonic title. — Russ. knyaz',
'prince', fr. OSlav. kunegii, kiinezi, of s.m., of
Teut. origin. Cp. OHG., OS. kuning, kunig,
'king', and see king.
Knickerbocker, n., a descendant of the Dutch
settlers of New York; a New Yorker. — From
Diedrich Knickerbocker, the pretended author
of Washington Irving's History of New York.
The name Knickerbocker is formed fr. Du.
knikker, 'marble' (fr. imitative knikken, 'to
crack, click'), and bocker, 'baker', hence it lit.
means 'baker of marble'.
knickerbockers, n. pi., loose, short breeches. —
Fr. prec. word.
knickers, n. pi., bloomers {vulgar). — Abbrevia-
tion of prec. word.
knickknack, n., trifle, toy. — Antiphonic redu-
plication of knack.
Derivatives: knickknack-ed, adj., knickknack-
ery, n., knickknack-y, adj.
knife, n. — ME. knif, fr. OE. cnif, prob. fr. ON
knifr, which is rel. to MLG. knif, MDu. cngf,
Du. knijf G. Kneif, Kneip, 'knife', MLG.
knipen, G. kneifen, 'to pinch, to nip', and prob.
cogn. with Lith. gnybiu, 'I pinch, I nip", gnybis,
knight
850
'a pinching, nipping'. F. canif, 'penknife', is
borrowed fr. OE. or fr. ON.
Derivative : knife, tr. v.
knight, n. — ME., 'boy, youth, knight', fr. OE.
cniht, 'boy, youth, attendant, servant, retainer',
rel. to OFris. kniucht, MLG., MDu., Du. knecht,
OS., OHG., MHG. kneht, 'boy, youth, lad,
man, hero', G. Knecht, 'servant, bondman,
vassal'; of uncertain origin; perhaps rel. to
Swed. knagg, 'knot in wood', dialectally used
also in the sense of 'a thickset man'. Cp. E.
knag and see Kluge-Mitzka, EWDS., pp. 380-81
s.v. Knecht. Cp. also the second element in
lansquenet.
Derivatives: knight, tr. v., knight-hood, n.,
knight-ly, adj. and adv., knight-i-ness, n.
knit, tr. v. — ME. knitten, fr. OE. cnyttan, 'to
tie, knot', rel. to ON. knytja, MLG. knutten,
'to tie, knot', and to OE. cnotta, 'a knot'. Cp.
knot.
Derivatives: knit, n., knitt-er, n., knitt-ing, n.
knob, n. — ME., rel. to LG. knobbe, 'knob', and
to E. knap, 'crest of a hill', knop, knub, nub.
Derivatives: knobb-y, adj., knobb-i-ness, n.
knobkerrie, n., a short Kaffir club used as a weap-
on. — S. Afr. Du. knopkierie, a hybrid coined
fr. Du. knob(be), 'knob' (see knop), and Hot-
tentot kirrie, 'stick, club'.
knock, tr. and intr. v. — ME. knokken, fr. OE.
cnucian, cnocian, of imitative origin. Cp. ON.
knoka, 'to knock', which is also imitative.
Derivatives: knock, n., knock-er, n.
knoll, n., top of a small hill. — ME. knol, fr. OE.
cnoll, 'hill top, hill', rel. to ON. knoilr, 'hilltop',
MLG., MHG., G. knolle, 'clod, glebe, lump',
Du. knol, 'turnip', and to OHG. nollo, Du. not,
'a hill'.
Derivative: knoll-y, adj.
knoll, tr. and intr. v., to knell, ring. — A blend
of knell and toll.
Derivative: knoll, n., knell.
knop, n., a knob. — ME. knop, knoppe, fr. OE.
cnoppa, rel. to MLG. knoppe, MDu. cnoppe,
Du. knop, knoppe, 'knob, bud', OHG., MHG.
knopf, 'knotty excrescence, bud, knob, knot',
G. Knopf, 'button, knob, top, pommel', Swed.
knopp, Dan. knop, 'knob, bud', and to E. knap,
knob. Cp. the first element in knobkerrie.
knopite, n., a mineral intermediate between pe-
rovskite and dysanalyte. — G. Knopit, named
after Professor Adolf Knop of Karslruhe, Ger-
many (died in 1893). The ending -it goes back
to Gk. -£tt]<;; see subst. suff. -ite.
knot, n., bow, tie. — ME. knol, knotte, fr. OE.
cnotta, rel. to OE. cnyttan, 'to knit', and to Du.
knot, OHG. knoto, knodo, MHG. knote, knode,
G. Knoten, ON. knutr, Swed. knut, Dan. knude,
'knot'. Cp. knit, knout. Cp. also quenelle.
Derivatives: knot, tr. v., knott-ed, adj., knott-er,
n., knott-ing, n., knott-y, adj., knott-i-ness, n.
knot, n., a variety of the sandpiper. — Of un-
known origin.
knout, n., a leather whip. — Russ. knut, lit.
'knotted whip', of Scand. origin. Cp. ON.
knutr, Swed. knut, 'knot', and see knot, 'bow,
tie'.
know, tr. and intr. v. — ME. knawen, knowen,
fr. OE. cndwan, rel. to OHG. bi-chndan, ir-
chndan, 'to know', Goth, kannjan, 'to make
known', OE. cunnan, 'to know', cennan, 'to
make known, declare, attest', fr. I.-E. base
*gene-, *gend-, 'to know'. See can, aux. v., and
words there referred to and cp. esp. keen, adj.,
ken, 'to know', ken, 'range of sight'.
Derivatives: know, n., know-er, n., know-ing,
adj., know-ing-ly, adv., know-able, adj., know-
abil-ity, n., know-able-ness, n.
knowledge, n. — ME. knawleche, knoweleche,
knowlege, fr. knawlechen, knowlechen, 'to
acknowledge', fr. knawen, knowen, 'to know'
(see prec. word), and the suff. -ledge, which
prob. derives fr. Swed. -leek sl suff. rel. to E.
-lock in wedlock (q.v.) Cp. acknowledge.
Derivatives: knowledge-able, adj., knowledge-
abil-ity, n., knowledge-able-ness, n., knowledge-
abl-y, adv.
known, pp. of know.
knub, n., a protuberance. — Prob. fr. LG. knub-
be, 'knob, protuberance', fr. MLG. knubbe, of
s.m., which is rel. to E. knob, nub.
knuckle, n. — ME. knokel, knokil, knokyl, rel. to
MLG. knokel, MDu. cnockel, Du. kneukel,
MHG. knbehel, knuchel, G. Knochel, 'knuckle*.
All these words lit. mean 'little bone'; they are
formed fr. MLG. knoke, resp. MDu. cnoke, Du.
knok, MHG. knoche, G. Knochen, 'bone', with
the dimin. suff. -le.
Derivatives: knuckle, v., knuckl-ed, adj., knuckl-
y, adj.
knur, n., a knotty excrescence. — ME. knorre,
rel. to MLG., MHG. knorre, G. Knorren, 'a
knotty excrescence'. Cp. knar, knurl, gnarl.
knurl, n., a small knotty excrescence. — Related
to prec. word.
Derivatives: knurl, tr. v., knurl-ed, adj., knurl-
ing, n.
koa, n., the Hawaiian acacia (Acacia koa). —
Native name.
koala, n., a small Australian marsupial (Phasco-
larctus cinereus). — Native name.
kob, n., any of various African antelopes. —
Native name.
koban, kobang, n., an obsolete Japanese coin. —
Jap. ko-ban, fr. ko, 'small', and ban, 'division*.
kobellite, n., a lead bismuth antimony sulfide
(mineral.) — Named after the German miner-
alogist Franz von Kobell (1803-82). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
kobold, n. — MHG. kdbolt (also kobolt), fr. ML.
cobdlus, fr. Gk. x6p5Xo;, 'a malicious sprite'.
The ending of Gk. x6(3-5Xo(;, resp. ML. co-
bdlus was mistaken for a suff. and confused with
MHG. suff. -alt, -olt (cp. MHG. heralt, herolt
and see herald). See cobalt and goblin.
851
kraal
Kodak, n. — Trade name coined by the American
inventor George Eastman (1854-1932) about
1890.
Derivatives: kodak, tr. and intr. v., kodak-er, n.
Kodadiim, n. pi., the fifth order of the Mishnah.
— Heb. qoddshtm, 'holy things', pi. of qddesh,
'holiness*. See Kedushshah and cp. words there
referred to.
koeL n., a cuckoo of the genus Eudynamys orien-
tals . — Hind, koel, fr. OI. kokildh, 'the Indian
cuckoo', which is of imitative origin. See
cuckoo.
Koheleth, n., the book of Ecclesiastes. — Heb.
qdheleth, 'preacher', rel. to qdhdl, q e hilld h , 'as-
sembly, congregation'. See kehillah.
Kohen, also Cohen, a priest (Jewish religion). —
Heb. kohin, 'a priest', from the base of kihin,
'he acted as a priest', whence also k e hunnd",
'priesthood'; rel. to Aram, kahen, kdhdnd,
'priest', Arab, kdhana, 'he divined, prophesied',
kdhin (properly partic. of the prec. verb), 'seer'.
Cp. Cohen.
Koh-i-noor, n., a famous diamond, one of the
British crown jewels. — Pers. koh-i-nur, lit.
'mountain of light', prop, a hybrid coined fr.
Pers. koh, 'mountain', which is rel. to Pers.
kohe, 'hump', OPers. kaufa-, 'mountain', Aves-
tic kaofa-, 'mountain, hump', and fr. Arab.
nur, 'light' (see Menorah).
kohl, n., powder (esp. of antimony), used by East-
ern women to darken the eyelids. — Arab.
kuhl. See alcohol.
kohlrabi, n„ a kind of cabbage. — G. Kohlrabi,
fr. It. cavoli rape, pi. of cavolo rapa, lit. 'cole
rape' ; influenced in form by G. Kohl, 'cabbage'.
Cp. F. chou-rave and see cole and rape, 'a plant
allied to the turnip'.
kola, n., 1) the kola nut; 2) extract of the kola
nut. — See Cola, 'a genus of trees'.
kolach, n., a variety of cake. — Czech koldc (rel.
to Pol. kolacz, Serbo-Croatian kolac, Church
Slavonic kolaii, etc.), lit. 'a cake resembling a
wheel', fr. kolo, 'wheel'; so called from its ori-
ginal shape. See kolo.
kola nut, nut of the African tree called Cola acu-
minata. See kola.
kolinsky, n., fur of certain kinds of mink. —
Russ., lit. 'of Kola', fr. Kola, name of a district
in N.W. Russia.
Kol Nidre, declaration made in Aramaic at the
beginning of the evening service on the eve of
Yom Kippur. — Aramaic kol nidhri, 'all vows' ;
so called from the opening words of the de-
claration.
kolo, n., a popular round dance of the Slavonic
nations. — OSlav. kolo, 'circle, wheel', cogn.
with OI. cakrdh, Gk. xuxXo?, OE. hweogoi,
hweol, 'wheel'. See wheel, and cp. kolach.
konak, n., a large mansion or government house
in Turkey. — Turk, qdndq, 'inn, mansion, go-
vernmenthouse'.
kopeck, also copeck, kopek, n., one hundredth
part of a ruble. — Russ. kopeika, fr. kop'e,
'lance'; so called because orig. the coin repre-
sented the czar with a lance in his hand. Russ.
kopeika is rel. to Russ. kopat', 'to dig', Lett.
kapans, 'chopper, chopping knife', and cogn.
with Gk. xoTtL?, 'chopper, cleaver, billhook'.
See capon.
kopje, n., a small hill in S. Africa. — S. African
Du., dimin. of Du. kop, 'head ; hill'. See cop,
'mound, hill'.
koph, qoph, n., name of the 19th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. — Heb. qoph, lit. 'eye of a
needle'; so called in allusion to the ancient
Hebrew form of this letter. Cp. next word.
koppa, n., a letter of the early Greek alphabet,
corresponding to Hebrew qoph. — Gk. x.6nnoc,
fr. an Aramaized form of Heb. qoph. See
prec. word.
koppite, n., a cerium mineral. — G. Koppit,
named after Professor Hermann F. M. Kopp of
Heidelberg (1817-92). The ending -it goes back
to Gk. -ivT\q; see subst. suff. -ite.
kor, n., a Hebrew measure, also called homer. —
Heb. kor, lit. 'a round vessel', fr. base k-r-r,
'to be round'.
Koran, n., the sacred book of the Mohamme-
dans. — Arab. Qur'dn, lit. 'reading', fr. qdra'a,
'he recited, read aloud, read', which is prob. bor-
rowed fr. Aram. q e rd\ 'he called, recited, read".
See mikra and cp. karaism.
Derivative: Koran-ic, adj.
kos, n., a measure of distance in India. — Hind.
kos, fr. OI. krdsah, lit. 'a call, a shout' (i.e. 'the
distance within which a man's shout can be
heard'), from the I.-E. imitative base *qer-,
*qor-, *(?/•-, 'to shout'. See raven and cp. words
there referred to.
kosher, adj. — See kasher.
Kosteletzkya, n., a genus of plants of the family
Malvaceae (hot.) — ModL., named after the
Czech botanist Vincenz Franz Kosteletzky( 1 801-
87).
koto, n., a Japanese thirteen-stringed musical in-
strument. — Jap.
kotow. — See kowtow.
kotwal, n., a police officer (East-India). — Hind,
fr. Pers. kotwal, 'seneschal, commandant of a
castle', fr. Turk, kotdul, kotdwal, 'keeper of a
castle, chief of a garrison'.
koumiss, n. — See kumiss.
kourbash, n. — See kurbash.
kouskous, kuskus, n. — See cous-cous.
kovil, n., a Hindu temple (Anglo-Ind.) — Tamil
kd-v-il, 'house of God', fr. ko, 'lord, heaven',
and it, 'house'.
kowtow, kotow, n., the act of kneeling and knock-
ing the forehead on the ground : a Chinese form
of salutation to a superior. — Chin., compound-
ed of ko, 'knock', and tou, 'head'.
Derivative: kowtow, kotow, intr. v., to make a
kowtow.
kraal, n., a village of S. African natives. — S.
krait
852
African Du. kraal, 'village, pen, enclosure', fr.
Port, curral, 'pen for cattle', fr. correr, 'to run'.
See current, adj., and cp. corral, crawl, 'en-
closure'.
krait, n., a venomous Indian snake. — Hind.
karait.
kraken, n., a mythical seamonster of northern
seas. — Formed fr. dial. Norw. krake and the
definite article n.
kran, n., name of a gold and a silver coin in
Persia. — Pers. qrdn.
krantz, kranz, n., precipice. — S. African Du.,
fr. Du. krans, 'garland, wreath, cornice', which
is related to G. Kranz, of s.m.; of uncertain
origin.
krantzite, n., a fossil resin {mineral.) — G.
Krantzit, named after A. Krantz, a German
mineralogist of the 19th cent. The ending -it
goes back to Gk. -f-nr]?; see subst. suff. -ite.
krater, n., a large bowl used for mixing wine and
water (qrcheol.) — Gk. xpangp. See crater.
kraurosis, n., shriveling of the skin due to atrophy
(med.) — Medical L„ lit. 'brittle condition (of
the skin)', fr. Gk. xpocupo;, 'brittle, friable',
which is of unknown origin. For the ending see
suff. -osis.
kraurotic, adj. — See prec. word and -otic.
kremersite, n., a hydrous chloride of potassium,
ammonium and iron (mineral) — G. Kremersit,
named after the German chemist Peter Kremers
(born in 1827), who first analyzed it. The ending
-// goes back to Gk. -fn)?; see subst. suff. -ite.
Kremlin, kremiin, n„ the citadel of a Russian city,
esp. that of Moscow. — F., fr. Russ. kremV,
'citadel', which is of Tatar origin.
krennerite, n., a gold silver telluride (mineral.) —
G. Krennerit, named after the Hungarian mine-
ralogist Joseph S. Krenner (1839-1920). The end-
ing -it goes back to Gk. -f"r/)<;; see subst. suff.
-ite.
kreutzer, kreuzer, n., a former German and
Austrian coin. — G. Kreuzer, fr. MHG. kriuzer,
fr. kriuze, 'cross' ; so called from the figure of a
cross stamped upon it. See cross and -er.
kriegspiel, n., a war game. — G. Kriegsspiel, lit.
'war game', fr. Krieg, 'war', and Spiel, 'game'.
The first element is of uncertain origin. For the
second element see spiel and cp. the second ele-
ment in bonspiel, glockenspiel.
Krigia, n., a genus of plants, the dwarf dandelion
(bot.) — ModL., named after David Krieg or
Krig, an i8th cent. American plant collector.
For the ending see suff. -ia.
krimmer, a., also crimmer, krimma, a kind of fur
made from the fleeces of lambs. — G., prop,
'fur of lambs of Crimea', fr. Krim, a Russian
name of Tatar origin (whence Crimea, the
Latinized name of the peninsula).
kris, also creese, creas, n., a short Malay dagger
with a waved blade. — Malay kris.
Krishna, n., the eighth avatar of Vishnu (Hindu
mythol.) — OI. Krsndh, lit. 'the Black One',
cogn. with Church Slav, crunit, Russ. ioron
(cernyj), Serbo-Croatian cm, Czech cerny,
OPruss. kirsnas, 'black', Lith. kersas, 'black
and white, variegated'.
Krishnaism, n . , the worship of Krishna. — Formed
fr. prec. word with suff. -ism.
krona, n., the monetary unit of Sweden. — Swed.
See krone.
kroehnkite or krohnkite, n., a hydrous copper
sodium sulfate (mineral.) — Named after
B. Krbhnke, a German mineralogist of the 19th
cent., who analyzed it. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
krone, n., 1) the monetary unit of Denmark and
Norway. — Dan. and Norw. krone, rel. to Swed.
krona, G. Krone, fr. L. corona, 'crown'. See
crown.
krone, n., the former monetary unit of Austria-
Hungary. — G. Krone, fr. L. corona. See prec.
word.
krummhorn, n., a curved wind instrument. — G.,
lit. 'a crooked horn', fr. krumm, 'curved, crook-
ed', and Horn, 'horn'. See crumple and horn and
cp. cromorne.
krypto-, combining form. — The same as crypto-.
krypton, n., name of an inert gaseous element
(chem.) — ModL., lit. 'the hidden (element)', fr.
Gk. xpu7rr6v, neut. of xpujrrds, 'hidden' (see
crypto-); coined by the discoverers of this ele-
ment, the Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay
(1 852-191 6) and the English chemist Morris
William Travers (1872-1961) in 1898. The ele-
ment was long undiscovered, hence its name.
Cp. neon, xenon.
Kshatriya, n., a member of the Hindu military
caste. — OI. ksatriyah, fr. ksatrdm, 'rule, do-
minion'. See check, 'sudden stop'.
Kuba, also kuba, n., a kind of fine rug. — Short
for Kuba rug; so called after Kuba, a town in
Azerbaijan.
Kubera, n., the god of wealth (Hinduism), — OI.
Kuberah, prob. meaning lit. 'the humpbacked
one', and rel. to kubjdfi, kubhrdh, 'crooked,
humpbacked' ; prob. of Austroasiatic origin.
kuchen, n., a variety of German cake. — G.
Kuchen, fr. MHG. kuoche, fr. OHG. chuohho,
kuocho, rel. to MDu. koke, 'cake', and in gra-
dational relationship to ON. kaka. See cake
and cp. Cockayne. Cp. also Catal. coca and
OProvenc. coco, which are Teut. loan words.
kudos, n., fame, renown (colloq.) — Gk. xuSos,
'glory, fame', which stands for *qudos and lit.
means 'that which is heard of. It is cogn. with
OSlav. cudo, gen. -ese (for *qeudos), 'wonder',
lit. 'that which is heard of, fr. cujo, cuti, 'to
feel, perceive, hear'. Cp. Gk. xoeo>, 'I mark,
perceive, hear', and see show.
kudu, n., a large S. African antelope (Strepsiceros
kudu). — Hottentot.
Kuflc, Cufic, adj., 1) pertaining to the town Kufa ;
2) applied to a form of Arabic letters used at
Kufa by copyists of the Qoran. — Formed with
853
Kyrie eleison
suff. -fc fr. Kufa (fr. Arab. al-Kufa h ), name of a
town on the Euphrates.
Kuhnia, n., a genus of plants of the thistle family
(bot.) — ModL., named after the American
physician and botanist Adam Kuhn (died in 1 8 1 7),
who brought this plant to Linnaeus. For the
ending see suff. -ia.
Kuklux, Ku-klux, Ku-Klux Klan, n., name of a
secret organization in the U.S.A. — Said to be
a corruption of Gk. xtixXo.;, 'circle' (see cycle).
kukri, n., a knife with a broad curved blade. —
Hind, kukri.
kultur, n., culture, civilization. — G. Kultur, fr.
L. cultura. See culture.
Kulturkampf, n., the struggle between the Ger-
man government and the Roman Catholic
Church over the control of educational and
ecclesiastical appointments (1872-86). — G.,
lit. 'struggle for culture', compounded of Kultur
(see prec. word) and Kampf, 'combat, fight,
struggle', which is a loan word fr. L. campus,
'field, battlefield'. See camp.
kumiss, koumiss, n., fermented mare's or camel's
milk. — Russ. kumys, fr. Tatar kumiz.
kttmmel, n., liqueur flavored with carawai seeds.
— G. Kummel, 'cumin', fr. OHG. kumil, a dis-
simil. var. of kumin, fr. OF. cumin, comin (F.
cumin), fr. L. cuminum. See cumin.
kummerbund, n. — See cummerbund.
kumquat, also cumquat, n., a small orange (Citrus
Japonica). — Cantonese pronunciation of Chin.
kin-kii, lit. 'gold orange'.
kuomintang, n., the Chinese nationalist revolu-
tionary party. — Chin., compounded of kuo,
'nation, nationalist', min, 'people', and tang,
'party'.
kunkur, n., a coarse kind of limestone (India). —
Hind, kankar, 'gravel', fr. OI. karkarah, lit.
'raw'. See cancer.
kunzite, n., a variety of spodumene (mineral.) —
Named after the American mineralogist and
gem expert Dr. George Frederick Kunz (1856-
1932). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
kupfTerite, n., a variety of amphibole (mineral.) —
Named afther the Russian physicist Adolph T.
Kupffer (died in 1865). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
kurbash, kourbash, n„ a whip. — Turk, qyrbach
(whence also Hung, korbdcs, Czech karabdc,
G. Karbatsche), 'a whip'.
Kursaal, n., public hall at a health resort, casino.
— G. Kursdlon, compounded of Kur, 'cure,
medical treatment', and Salon, 'hall'. See cure,
n. and v., and salon,
kusa, n., a grass used in Hindu ceremonies. —
Hind, kusa, fr. OI. kusdh, 'grass; sacred grass',
which is of uncertain origin. It is possibly rel.
to OI. kusumam, 'flower', kusumbhah, 'saf-
flower'. Cp. next word,
kusum, n., the safflower (India). — Hind., fr. OI.
kusumbhah. See prec. word,
kvass, n., a Russian fermented drink made from
rye or barley. — Russ. kvas, fr. OSlav. kvasu,
'yeast', which is cogn. with L. caseus, 'cheese'.
See cheese, 'milk curd',
kyanize, tr. v., to preserve wood from decay by
impregnating it with corrosive sublimate. —
Formed with suff. -ize from the name of John
H. Kyan (1774-1850), who invented this process
in 1832.
kyle, n., a strait, a narrow channel. — Gael. caol.
kymatology, n., the science of waves. — Com-
pounded of Gk. xuu.oc, gen. xfya-ro?, 'wave', and
-XoYiS, fr. -X6yoc, 'one who speaks (in a certain
manner); one who deals (with a certain topic)'.
See cyma and -logy.
kymograph, n. — See cymograph.
Derivative: kymograph-ic, adj.
kyphosis, n., backward curvature of the spine
(med) — Medical L., formed fr. Gk. xucp6?,
'bent, crooked, hump-backed' (see cyphella),
with suff. -osis.
Kyrie eleison, a brief petition used in various
offices of the Eastern and Roman Churches. —
Gk. K6pie &4j)<jov, 'Lord, have mercy'. K6pie
is voc. of x6pio<;, 'lord, master'; see church.
Gk. &\h)csov is aorist imper. of eX£co, 'I have
pity on, show mercy to', fr. gXeo?, 'pity, mercy';
see alms.
A COMPREHENSIVE
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Dealing with the origin of words
and their sense development thus illustrating
the history of civilization and culture
BY
Dr. ERNEST KLEIN
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver
PROVERBS 25:11
VOLUME II L-Z
ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY
AMSTERDAM LONDON NEW YORK
1967
ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY
335 JAN VAN GALENSTRAAT, P.O. BOX 2 I I, AMSTERDAM
AMERICAN ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.
52 VANDERBILT AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. IOOI7
ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED
RIPPLESIDE COMMERCIAL ESTATE
BARKING, ESSEX
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 65-13*29
COPYRIGHT C 1967 ELSEVIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, AMSTERDAM
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
THIS BOOK OR ANY PART THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM,
INCLUDING PHOTOSTATIC OR MICROFILM FORM,
WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS
PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS
rnvmi AND BINDING SUSANNE HEYNEMANN
DEDICATED TO THE BLESSED MEMORY OF
ARTHUR MIND EN, Q.C.
THE DEAREST FRIEND I EVER HAD,
THE NOBLEST MAN THAT EVER LIVED,
WHO DIED IN TORONTO IN 1966
MAY HIS SOUL BE BOUND IN THE BOND OF LIFE
L
la, interj. — Imitative. Cp. the interjection law.
la, n., a syllable used in solmization to denote the
sixth tone of the diatonic scale (mus.)
laager, n., a temporary camp. — S. Afr. Du., rel.
to Du. leger, G. Lager, 'camp'. See lair and cp.
lager, leaguer, 'camp'.
Derivative: laager, intr. v.
labarum, n., the military standard of the late Ro-
man Empire. — Late L. (whence Byzant. Gk.
Xafiapov), of uncertain etymology; possibly a
Gaulish word cogn. with OS. lappa, OHG. lap-
pa, 'rag, shred', OE. Ixppa, 'tip, end, skirt, dis-
trict' ; see lap, 'flap of a garment', and cp. label.
See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 737.
labdanum, n., a fragrant, bitter resin. — ML. lab-
danum, fr. L. Iddanum, ledanum, fr. Gk. XaSocvov,
XT)8avov, fr. XrjSov, 'mastic', which is of Sem.
origin; cp. Akkad. ladunu, Arab, ladan, Heb.
lot, 'labdanum'. Pers. ladan is an Arabic loan
word. Cp. laudanum, lotus.
labefaction, n., the process of shaking; downfall.
— Formed with suff. -ion fr. L. labefactus, pp.
of labefacere, 'to cause to totter, shake, over-
throw', which is compounded of labi, 'to slip,
slide, glide', and facere, 'to make, do'. See labor
and fact and cp. next word.
label, n. — ME., fr. OF. label, lambel, 'a strip'
(whence F. lambeau, 'strip, rag, shred, tatter,
fragment, scrap'), prob. fr. Frankish *labba. Cp.
OHG. lappa, 'rag, shred', and see lap, 'flap of a
garment'. Cp. also labarum.
Derivatives: label, tr. v., label(l)-er, n.
labellum, n., one of the three parts forming the
corolla in orchidaceous plants (pot.) — L., 'a
little lip', dimin. of labrum. See lip and cp. la-
bium. Cp. also next word.
labia], adj., pertaining to, or formed by, the lips.
— ML. labidlis, fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See lip and
adj. suff. -al and cp. labrum.
Derivatives: labial, n., a labial sound, labial-ly,
adv., labialism, labialize (qq.v.)
labialism, n., 1) quality of being formed by the
lips; 2) tendency to labialize. — See labial and
-ism.
labialize, tr. v., to make labial. — See labial and
-ize.
Derivative: labializ-ation, n.
labiate, adj., 1) having a labium; 2) having one or
several liplike parts (bot. and zool.) — ModL.
labidtus, lit. 'lipped', fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See lip
and adj. suff. -ate and cp. labial.
Derivative: labiate, n., a labiate plant.
labile, adj., unstable. — ME. labyl, fr. MF. (=F.)
labile, fr. L. Idbilis, 'slipping, gliding', lit. 'prone
to slip', fr. labi, 'to slip, slide, glide'. See labor
and -ile and cp. lapse. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in thermolabile.
Derivative: labil-ity, n.
labio-, combining form denoting 1) the lips; 2) la-
bial and. — Fr. L. labium, 'lip'. See labial.
labiodental, adj., pertaining to, or formed with,
the lips and teeth. — Compounded of labio- and
dental.
Derivative : labiodental, n., a sound formed with
the lips and teeth.
labium, n., a lip or a liplike part (anat., zool., bot.
etc.) — L., 'lip'. See labial.
labor, labour, n. — ME. labour, fr. OF. labour (F.
labew), fr. L. labdrem, acc. of labor, 'labor, toil,
exertion, hardship, fatigue, distress, pain, work',
orig. prob. meaning 'a tottering under a burden',
and rel. to labdre, 'to totter', labi, 'to slide, slip,
glide', fr. I.-E. base *ldb-, *leb-, 'slack, loose; to
hang down', whence also OI. Idmbate, 'hangs
down', L. limbus (for *lembos), 'hem, border',
OS. lappa, OHG. lappa, 'rag, shred', OE. teeppa,
'tip, end, lappet; district', and perh. also Olr.
lobur, 'weak' (see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I,
739-40 s. vv. labd and labor). See lap, 'flap of a
garment', and cp. laboratory, belabor, collabo-
rate, elaborate. Cp. also labefaction, lapse, lava.
Cp. also limb, 'border', limp, v. and adj. For de-
rivatives of I.-E. *sldb-, *sleb-, -s-enlargement
of base *lab-, *leb-, see sleep, v.
labor, labour, intr. and tr. v. — ME. labouren, fr.
MF. (= F.) labourer, 'to labor, drudge, toil,
take pains', fr. OF. laborer, labourer, fr. L.
labdrdre, 'to labor, take pains, suffer, be afflict-
ed, be in difficulty; to work out, elaborate,
work', fr. labor. See labor, n.
Derivatives: labo(u)r-ed, adj., labo(u)r-ed-ly,
adv., labo(u)r-ed-ness, n., labo(u)r-ing, adj.,
labo(u)r-ing-ly, adv., Labo(u)r-ite, n.
laboratory, n. — ML. labdrdtdrium, 'workshop',
fr. L. labdrdtus, pp. of labdrdre, 'to work'. See
labor, v., and subst. suff. -ory.
laborer, labourer, n. — ME. labourer, laborer, fr.
MF. (= F.) laboureur, fr. OF. labor ear, fr. la-
borer, labourer, 'to labor'. See labor, v., and
agential suff. -er.
laborious, adj. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) laborieux,
fr. L. labdriosus, 'toilsome, wearisome, trouble-
some; industrious', fr. labor. See labor, n., and
-ous.
Derivatives: laborious-ly, adv., laborious-ness,n.
labradorite, n., a brilliant variety of feldspar
(mineral.) — Named after the peninsula on the
N.E. of North America. For the ending see
subst. suff. -ite.
Derivative: labradorit-ic, adj.
labret, n., an ornament of wood, shell or bone
worn in a hole pierced through the lip. — Form-
ed with dimin. suff. -et fr. L. labrum, 'lip'. See
next word.
laurum
030
labrum, n., a lip ; applied to liplike parts (zool.) —
L., 'a lip', rel. to labium, of s.m. See labial and
cp. prec. word.
Laburnum, n., a genus of poisonous plants of the
pea family (bot); (not cap.) any plant of this
genus. — L. laburnum, prob. an Etruscan loan
word. For the suff. cp. viburnum, 'the wayfaring
tree'.
labyrinth, n. — L. labyrinthus, ir. Gk. XaPtipiv&o?,
'maze; large building with intricate passages',
rel. to Xappu?, 'double hatchet', a word of
Carian origin. Accordingly XaPiipiv&o? origi-
nally denoted the 'palace of the double hatchet'.
In its anatomical sense ('the internal ear') the
word labyrinthus was first used by the Italian
anatomist Gabriello Fallopia (1523-62).
Derivatives: labyrinth, tr. v., labyrinth-al, adj.,
labyrinth-al-ly, adv., labyrinth-ian, adj., laby-
rinthic (q.v.), labyrinth-ine, adj.
labyrinthic, labyrinthical, adj. — L. labyrinthicus,
'pertaining to a labyrinth', fr. labyrinthus. See
prec. word and -ic, resp. also -al.
Derivative: labyrinthical-ly, adv.
labyrinthitis, n., inflammation of the labyrinth
(med.) — Medical L., formed fr. L. labyrinthus
(see labyrinth) with suff. -his.
lac, lakh, n., 1) one hundred thousand; 2) a great
number. — Pers. lak, fr. Hind, lakh, ult. fr. OI.
Idksd, 'one hundred thousand', prop, 'sign,
mark', rel. to Idksati, laksayati, 'marks, charac-
terizes, defines', and prob. also to rdksd, 'pro-
tection, deliverance, preservation, observation',
rdksati, 'protects, delivers, preserves, observes',
and cogn. with Gk. dXs^eiv, dXfxstv, 'to ward
off'. See Alexander and cp. Lakshmi.
lac, n., a red resinous substance. — Pers. lak, fr.
Hind, lakh, fr. OI. Idksd, lit. 'one hundred
thousand' (see prec. word), a name given to the
insects Cocca ilicis, in allusion to their great
number. Their name is used also to denote the
resin of the Quercus cocci/era, which flows from
this tree in consequence of the sting of these
insects. Cp. lacquer and the second element in
shellac. Cp. also the second element in Phyto-
lacca.
lace, n. — ME. las, lace, fr. OF. laz, las (F. lacs),
'noose, snare', fr. L. laqueus, of s.m. (whence
also It. laccio, Sp. lazo), fr. Italic base *laq-, 'to
ensnare', whence also L. lacere, 'to entice', deli-
cere, 'to entice, allure, delight'. Cp. F. lacet,
'lace, noose, snare', dimin. of lacs. Cp. also
lasso, which is a doublet of lace. Cp. also lash,
'to bind', latchet, delectation, delicate, delicious,
delight, elicit, enlace, Illicium, interlace.
Derivatives : lac- y, adj., laci-ly, adv., laci-ness, n.
lace, tr. and intr. v. — ME. lacen, fr. OF. lacier
(F. lacer), fr. OF. laz, las. See lace, n.
Derivatives: lac-ed, adj., lac-ing, n.
Lacedaemonian, also Lacedemonian, adj., of, or
pertaining to, Lacedaemon or Sparta; n., a
Lacedaemonian or Spartan. — Formed with suff.
-ian fr. L. Lacedaemonius, fr. Gk. AaxeSat-
(x6vio5, 'Lacedaemonian, Spartan', fr. Aoexs-
8<xtu.uv, 'Lacedaemon, Sparta'. Cp. Laconic,
lacerable, adj. — Late L. lacerdbilis, 'that can be
easily lacerated', fr. L. lacer, 'torn'. See lacerate
and -able.
Derivative: lacerabil-ity, n.
lacerate, adj. — L. lacerdtus, 'torn', pp. of lace-
rdre, 'to tear to pieces'. See lacerate, v.
Derivative: lacerate-ly, adv.
lacerate, tr. v., to tear. — L. lacerdtus, pp. of lace-
rdre, 'to tear to pieces, rend, lacerate', fr. lacer,
'torn', fr. I.-E. base *leq-, *fq-, 'to rend', whence
also Gk. Xaxtg, 'tatter, rag', Xaxi^siv, 'to tear
to pieces, lacerate', Alb. Vakur, 'naked', I'skure,
Vikure, 'hide, leather, rind'. Cp. Iacinia, Uncina-
te. For the ending see verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: lacerat-ed, adj., laceration (q.v.)
laceration, n. — L. lacerdtio, gen. -dnis, 'a tearing,
rending, laceration', fr. lacerdtus, pp. odacerdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
Lacerta, n., a genus of lizards (zool.) — L. lacerta,
'lizard'. See lizard.
lacertian, adj., pertaining to lizards. — Formed
with suff. -ian fr. L. lacertus, lacerta. See prec.
word.
Derivative: lacertian, n.
Lacertilia, n. pi., an order of reptiles comprising
the ordinary lizards, chameleons, etc. (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. lacertus, lacerta, 'lizard'. See
lizard and cp. Lacerta.
lacertilian, adj., pertaining to the Lacertilia. —
Formed from prec. word with suff. -an.
Derivative: lacertilian, n., one of the Lacertilia.
laches, n., remissness in asserting a right. — ME.
lachesse, fr. OF. laschesse, fr. lasche (F. Idche),
'loose, slack', fr. VL. *lascus (whence also O Prov-
en?, lasc), which was formed — through the
metathesis of i (= cs) into sc — fr. L. laxus,
'wide, loose, open'. See lax and cp. lash, 'soft
and watery'. The regular E. equivalent of the F.
suff. -esse is -ess (q.v.); laches (with a single -s)
forms an exception to this rule (cp. riches).
Lachesis, n., one of the Fates in Greek mythol-
ogy. — L., fr. Gk. Ad/eat?, lit. 'the appor-
tioned disposer of lots', fr. XxyEtv, aor. II inf. of
Xayy dveiv, 'to obtain by lot' ; of uncertain ori-
gin.
Lachnanthes, n., a genus of plants, the redroot
(bot.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. Xaxvir),
'woolly hair', and av&o?, 'flower'. The first ele-
ment prob. stands for *fX:xx-av-a, fr. I.-E.
*wolk-o-, whence also Avestic var e sa-, ModPers.
gurs, OSlav. vlasu, Russ. volos, 'hair'; for the
second element see anther. The genus was so
called in allusion to the woolly flowers.
lachrymal, also lacrimal, adj., 1) related to tears;
2) marked by tears. — ML. lacrimdlis, fr. L.
lacrima, a var. of lacruma, fr. OL. dacruma,
'tear from the eye', which is a loan word fr. Gk.
8tbcpuu.a, 'tear', fr. Socxpoeiv, 'to shed tears', fr.
8<4xpu, 'tear', which is cogn. with Goth, tagr,
OE. tear, 'tear'. See tear from the eye and cp.
857
lactase
larmoyant. The change of Latin d- to /- (the so
called 'Sabine' /) is prob. due to dialectal influ-
ence. Cp. L. lingua (fr. OL. dingua), 'tongue', L.
levir (for I.-E. *daiwer) 'husband's brother'. Cp.
also L. solium (for *sodium), 'chair of state,
throne', which is rel. to sedere, 'to sit', olere (for
*odere), 'to smell', which is rel. to odor, 'smell',
and malus (for *mazdos), 'mast of a ship', which
is cogn. with OHG. mast, OE. msst, of s.m., and
Ulixes, L. equivalent of Gk. 'OSoaaetii;, 'Odys-
seus'. Outside Indo-European cp. Malagasy,
'a native of Madagascar', which is rel. to Mada-
gascar. The spelling lachrymal, lachrymation,
etc. (with -y- instead of with -/-), is due to the in-
fluence of the Greek cognates Sdxpu, Sdxpuov,
SdxpCu,a, 'tear'.
Derivative: lachrymal, n.
lachrymation, also lacrimation, n., weeping. — L.
lacrimdtio, gen. -onis, fr. lacrimdt-(um), pp. stem
of lacrimdre, 'to shed tears, weep', fr. lacrima.
See prec. word and -ation
lachrymatory, also lacrimatory, adj., pertaining
to tears. — Formed with adj. suff. -ory fr. L.
lacrimdt-(um), pp. stem of lacrimdre. See lachry-
mal.
Derivative: lachrymatory, n.
lachrymose, adj., tearful. — L. lacrimdsus, fr. la-
crima, 'tear'. See lachrymal and adj. suff. -ose.
Derivatives: lachrymose-ly, adv., lachrymose-
ness, n., lachrymos-ity , n.
lachrymous, adj. — A rare var. of lachrymose. For
the ending see suff. -ous.
Iacinia, n. (bot. and zool.) — L., 'lappet, flap, or
edge of a garment', rel. to lacer, 'torn'. See lacer-
ate.
laciniate, laciniated, adj. — Formed from prec.
word with adj. suff. -ate, resp. also 1st -ed.
Derivative: laciniat-ion, n.
lacinula, n., a small Iacinia (bot. and zool.) —
ModL., dimin. of Iacinia. For the ending see
suff. -ule.
Derivatives: lacinul-ate, lacinul-ose, adjs.
lack, n. — ME. lac, prob. fr. MDu. lac, 'defi-
ciency, fault', which is rel. to ON. lakr, 'lacking',
and to E. slack (q.v.)
lack, tr. and intr. v. — Either fr. lack, n., or fr.
MDu. taken, 'to be wanting; to blame', which is
rel. to MDu. lac.
lackadaisical, adj., listless. — Formed from the
interj. lackadaisy, fr. lackaday; coined by the
English novelist Laurence Sterne (1713-68).
lackaday, interj. — Aphetic form of alack-a-day.
See alack and day.
lacker, n. — A var. of lacquer.
lackey, also lacquey, n. — MF. (= F.) laquais, fr.
Sp. lacayo, fr. It. lacche, fr. ModGk. ouXdbaji;
(read ulakis), ult. fr. Turkish ulak, 'runner, cou-
rier', from stem ul-, 'to go'.
Derivatives: lackey, intr. v., lackey-ed, adj.
Laconian, adj., pertainining to Laconia; n., a La-
conian or Lacedaemonian. — See Laconic and
suff. -an.
lacmus, n., litmus. — Du. lakmoes, fr. MDu.
leecmos, fr. leken (Du. lekkeri), 'to drip, leak',
and mos (= Du. moes), 'green vegetables ; pulp'.
The first element is rel. to OE. leccan, 'to mois-
ten, water' ; see leak. The second element is rel.
to OE., OS., OFris. mos, 'food', OE. mete,
'food' ; see meat.
Laconic, adj., pertaining to Laconia; (not cap.)
concise, abrupt (lit. 'resembling the style of the
Lacedaemonians or Spartans'). — L. Laconicus,
fr. Gk. Aaxcovixoc;, 'pertaining to, or character-
istic of, the Lacedaemonians', fr. Adxoiv, 'La-
conian, Lacedaemonian, Spartan', which is
prob. a hypocoristic form of Aaxs8aiu,6vio<;.
See Lacedaemonian.
Derivatives : laconic-al-ly, adv., laconic-al-ness, n.
laconicism, n., laconism. — Formed fr. laconic
with suff. -ism.
laconism, n., 1) laconic (i.e. brief) way of expres-
sion; 2) a laconic utterance. — MF (= F.) la-
conisme, fr. Gk. AaxoiviCTu.6?, 'imitation of the
Lacedaemonians, laconism', from the stem of
Agcxoivl^eiv. See next word and -ism.
laconize, tr. and intr. v., to imitate the Lacedae-
monians. — Gk. Aaxtovi^eiv, 'to imitate the
Lacedaemonians (in dress, manners etc.)', fr.
Adxcov, 'Laconian, Lacedaemonian, Spartan'.
See Laconic and -ize.
lacquer, lacker, n., a kind of varnish. — MF.
lacre, fr. Port, lacre, 'sealing wax', fr. laca, 'gum
lac', which derives fr. Hind, lakh, 'lac', fr. OI.
Idksd, See lac, 'a resinous substance'.
Derivatives: lacquer, tr. v., lacquer-er, n., lac-
quer-ing, n.
lacquey, n. — A var. of lackey.
lacrimal, adj. — See lachrymal.
lacrimatory, adj. — See lachrymatory.
lacroixite, n., a complex basic fluophosphate
(mineral.) — Named after the French mineralo-
gist Frangois-Antoine- Alfred Lacroix (1863-
1948). For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lacrosse, n., a game in which a ball is thrown by
means of a long-handled racket, the crosse. — F.
la crosse, 'the crozier, the racket used in certain
games', fr. fern. def. article la (fr. L. ilia, fern, of
Ule, 'that') and WTeut. *krukja, 'crutch'. See
ille and crutch and cp. crosse, crossette, crosier.
lactarene, also lactarine, n., material made from
casein of milk, used in calico printing. — Form-
ed with suff. -ene, resp. -ine, fr. L. lac, gen. lac-
tis, 'milk'. See lacteal.
Lactarius, n., a genus of agarics (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. L. lactarius, 'pertaining to, or containing,
milk; milky' (see next word); so called in allu-
sion to the milky juice it exudes when broken.
lactary, adj., pertaining to milk. — L. lactarius,
'pertaining to, or containing, milk; milky", fr.
lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and cp.
prec. word.
lactase, n., an enzyme capable of decomposing
lactose (biochem.) — Formed with suff. -ase fr.
L. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.
lactate
858
lactate, intr. v., to secrete milk (rare). — L. lac-
tates, pp. of lactdre, 'to contain milk; to suckle
young', fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal,
adj., and verbal suff. -ate.
lactate, n., a salt of lactic acid (chem.) — See lac-
tate, v.
lactation, n. — Late L. lactdtid, gen. -dnis,
'a suckling' [prob. through the medium of MF.
(= F.) lactation], fr. L. lactdtus, pp. of lactdre.
See lactate, v., and -ion.
Derivative: lactation-al, adj.
lacteal, adj., pertaining to milk. — Formed with
adj. suff. -al fr. L. lacteus, 'milky, full of milk',
fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk', which is cogn. with
Gk. yaXa, gen. ydcXax-ro?, 'milk'. The original
base was *glact- (cp. Gk. yXax-ccxpayos, 'eating
milk', Homeric yXayoi;, 'milk'). This base was
partly enlarged into Gk. yaXax-r-, partly dis-
similated into L. *lact-. Mir. lacht, W. llaeth,
'milk', are Latin loan words. See galactic, and
cp. lactate, v., lactation, lettuce.
lacteal, n., any one of the lymphatic vessels of the
small intestine that take up the chyle (anat.) —
Fr. prec. word.
lactesce, intr. v., to become milky. — L. lacte-
scere, 'to become milky', inchoative of lactere,
'to contain milk, be milky', fr. lac, gen. lactis.
See lacteal, adj., and -esce.
lactescence, n., the process of becoming milky. —
Formed from next word with suff. -ce.
lactescent, adj., becoming milky. — L. lactescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of lactescere, 'to become
milky'. See lactesce and -ent.
lacti-, combining form meaning 'milk, milky,
milklike'. — L. lacti-, fr. lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'.
See lacteal, adj.
lactic, adj., pertaining to milk (used in chemistry).
— Formed with suff. -ic fr. L. lac, gen. lactis,
'milk'. See lacteal, adj., and -ic and cp. galactic.
lactide, n., a compound formed from lactic acid
(chem.) — Formed with suff. -ide fr. L. lac, gen.
lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.
lactiferous, adj., yielding milk. — Compounded
of lacti- and L.ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See-ferous.
lacto-, combining form meaning 'milk'. — Fr. L.
lac, gen. lactis, 'milk'. See lacteal, adj.
lactometer, n., an instrument for measuring the
purity of milk. — A hybrid coined fr. L. lac,
gen. lactis, 'milk', and Gk. fjieTpov, 'measure'.
See lacteal, adj., and meter, 'poetical rhythm'.
The correct form is galactometer (q.v.), in
which both elements are of Greek origin.
lactose, n., sugar of milk (chem.) — Coined by
the French chemist Marcelin-Pierre-Eugene
Berthelot (1827-1907) fr. L. lac, gen. lactis,
'milk' (see lacteal, adj.), and subst. suff. -ose.
lacuna, n., a gap. — L. lacuna, 'ditch, pit, pool,
pond, hole, hollow, cavity', dimin. of lacus, 'ba-
sin, tank, tub, a large reservoir for water, lake'.
See lake, 'pool', and cp. lagoon.
Derivatives : lacun-al, lacun-ar, lacun-ary, adjs.
lacunar, n., 1) a caisson ; 2) a ceiling consisting of
caissons. — L. lacunar, 'a wainscoted and gilded
ceiling', prop. neut. of the adj. *lacundris, 'pro-
vided with cavities', fr. lacuna. See prec. word.
lacunose, adj., full of lacunae. — L. lacundsus,
'full of holes or pits', fr. lacuna. See lacuna and
adj. suff. -ose.
Derivative: lacunos-ity, n.
lacunule, n., a small lacuna. — Formed fr. lacuna
with dimin. suff. -ule.
Derivative: lacunul-ose, adj.
lacustrian, adj., lacustrine; n., a lake dweller. —
See next word and -ian.
lacustrine, adj., pertaining to a lake. — Prob. fr.
F. lacustre, which was formed fr. L. lacus, 'lake,'
on analogy of paluster, 'marshy, swampy' (fr.
palus, 'marsh, swamp'). See lake, 'pool', and
adj. suff. -ine.
lad, n. — ME. ladde, 'a youth, manservant'; of
unknown origin.
ladanum, n. — L. See labdanum.
ladder, n. — ME. laddre, fr. OE. hlteder, hliedder,
rel. to OFris. hledere, MDu. ledere, leder (Du.
leer), Du. ladder, OHG. leitara, MHG. leitere,
leiter, G. Leiter, 'ladder', fr. I.-E. base *kli-, 'to
slope, incline', whence also Goth, hleipra, 'tent'.
See lean, v., and cp. climax, clinical.
Derivatives: ladder, intr. v., ladder-y, adj.
laddie, n., a young lad (chiefly Scot.) — Dimin. of
lad.
lade, tr. v. — ME. laden, fr. OE. hladan, ladan, 'to
load, put as a load, pile; to draw (water)', rel.
to ON. hlada, Dan. lade, Swed. ladda, OFris.
hlada, MDu., Du. laden, OHG. hladan, ladan,
MHG., G. laden, Goth, -hlapan (in af-hlapari),
'to lade, load', fr. I.-E. base *qld-, 'to spread',
whence also Lith. kloju, kldti, Lett, kldju, kldt,
'to spread', OSIav. klado, klasti (for *klad-ti),
'to lay, set, place', Lith. paklddi, 'sheet'. Cp.
ladle, last, 'measure of weight', lathe, 'machine
for turning', and the first element in larboard.
Derivative: lad-ing, n.
laden, pp. of lade. — OE. hladen, fr. hladan, 'to
lade'. See lade.
ladida, n., an affected person, a fop ; adj., affected,
foppish (slang). — Orig. 'affected imitator of
fine speech'; prob. of imitative origin.
Ladin, n., a Rhaeto-Romanic dialect (esp. the
chief dialect) spoken in Switzerland andTyrol. —
Rhaeto-Romanic, fr. L. Latinus, 'Latin'. See
Latin and cp. next word.
Ladino, n., Spanish mixed with Hebrew, Arabic
and other elements, spoken by Sephardim in
Turkey, Greece and elsewhere. — Sp. ladino,
'sagacious, cunning, crafty', orig. 'Latin', fr. L.
Latinus. See Latin and cp. prec. word.
ladle, n. — ME. ladel, fr. OE. hlsedel, fr. hladan,
'to draw (water)'. See lade and instrumental suff.
-le.
Derivatives: ladle, tr. v., ladl-ed, adj., ladl-er, n.,
ladle-ful, adj.
lady, n. — ME. lafdi, lavede, ladi, fr. OE. hticf-
dfge, 'mistress of the house', lit. 'loaf-maker',
859
lake
compounded of hldf, 'loaf, and dsege, 'maid'.
For the first element see loaf, n. The second ele-
ment is rel. to Goth, deigan, 'to knead'. See
dough and cp. lord.
Derivatives: lady, adj., lady-hood, n., lady-like,
adj., lady-ship, n.
ladybird, n. — In this compound — as in many
others — lady refers to Virgin Mary. For sense
development cp. G. Marienkdfer, 'ladybird', lit.
'Mary's chafer'.
laeotropic, laeotropous, adj., sinistral. — Com-
pounded of Gk. Xai6?, 'left', and Tp67to;, 'a
turn'. The first element stands for *XaiF6s and
is cogn. with L. laevus, 'left' ; see levo-. For the
second element see -tropic.
Laertes, n., king of Ithace and father of Odysseus
(Greek mythol.) — L„ fr. Gk. AaepTrjc, lit.
'gatherer of the people', compounded of Xa6?,
'people', and eSpav, 'to fasten together, string
together'. For the first element cp. liturgy, for
the second see series.
laevo-, combining form. — See levo-.
laevulose, n. — See levulose.
lag, n., stave of a cask. — Prob. of Scand. origin.
Cp. ON. Idgg, 'rim of a barrel', Swed. lagg,
'stave of a barrel'.
Derivatives: lag, tr. v., to cover with lags, lag-
ging, n.
lag, adj., last, hindmost. — Of uncertain origin,
pern, a childish distortion of last, adj.
lag, intr. v., to walk behind. — Of uncertain
origin; perh. fr. lag, adj. Cp. graying.
Derivatives : lag, n., one who lags, laggard (q.v.),
lagg-er, n.
lag, n., retardation. — Fr. lag, 'last'.
lag (slang), tr. v., 1) to transport as a convict; 2)
to arrest; n., 1) a convict; 2) a term of transpor-
tation. — Of unknown origin.
lag-, form of lago- before a vowel.
lagan, n., cargo sunk in the sea. — OF. lagand,
lagan, of Teut. origin and lit. meaning 'that
which is lying'. See lay, 'to place', lie, 'to recline'.
lagena, n., flask, bottle. — L., fr. Gk. Xayuvoi;, a
loan word fr. Heb. logh, 'a liquid measure' (cp.
Copt, lok), to which the Syriac suff. -ena has
been added ; see Noldeke, Syrische Grammatik,
§ 132. See log, 'a liquid measure'.
lager (beer), n., a kind of beer which is kept on
store for some months before being drunk. —
G. Lager, 'camp; storehouse', rel. to OE. leger.
See lair and cp. laager, leaguer, 'camp'.
laggard, adj. and n. — Formed with suff. -ard fr.
lag, 'to walk behind'.
Derivatives : laggard-ly, adv., laggard-ness, n.
lagniappe, n., gift, gratuity. — Amer. F., fr. Amer.
Sp. la napa, 'the gift', fr. Sp. la, 'the', fem. of el,
fr. L. Ule, 'that' (see ille), and Amer. Sp. hapa,
yapa, 'lagniappe', fr. Quechua yapa, 'something
added, gift'.
lago-, before a vowel lag-, combining form
meaning 'hare'. — Gk. Xayo-, Xay-, fr. Xayioq,
'hare', which, stands for *Xay(o)-ti>[ua]-6<; and
lit. means 'the animal with the flapping ears'.
The first element of this compound is rel. to Gk.
Xayocpds, 'slack, hollow', and cogn. with L. lan-
guere, 'to faint, weary' ; see languid. The second
element is rel. to Gk. ofi<;, gen. &>t6i;, 'ear'; see
oto-.
lagomorph, n., an animal of the order Lago-
morpha. — From next word.
Lagomorpha, n.pl., an order of rodent mammals
including the hares, rabbits and pikas (zool.) —
ModL., compounded of lago- and Gk. jxopipr),
'form, shape'. See morpho-.
lagoon, n., a shallow pond connected with a lake
or sea. — F. lagune, fr. It. laguna, fr. L. lacuna,
'pool, pond'. See lacuna,
lagophthalmos, lagophthalmus, n., a morbid con-
dition in which the eyes cannot be entirely closed
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. Xay69&aXu,o?, lit.
'hare-eyed', fr. Xayco?, 'hare', and 6<p&aXfi.6;,
'eye' ; so called from the belief that hares cannot
close their eyes entirely. See lago- and opnthal-
mo- and cp. exophthalmos.
Lagopus, n., a genus of birds, the ptarmigan and
the red grouse (ornithol.) — ModL., lit. 'hare-
footed', compounded of Gk. Xayco?, 'hare', and
Ttoui;, gen. 7ro86i;, 'foot'. See lago- and -pod.
Lagurus, n., a genus of grasses, the hare's-tail
grass (bot.) — ModL., lit. 'hare's tail', com-
pounded of Gk. Xaya)?, 'hare', andoupa, 'tail'.
See lago- and uro-, 'tail-',
laic, adj. — F. laique, fr. Late L. Idicus, fr. Gk.
Xa.iy.6q, 'of, or belonging to, the people', fr.
Xa6?, 'people'. See lay, 'pertaining to the laity'.
Derivatives: laic, n., laic-al, adj., laic-al-ity, n.,
laic-al-ly, adv., laic-iz-ation, n., laic-ize, tr. v.
laid, past tense and pp. of lay, 'to place',
lain, pp. of lie. — ME. lein, fr. OE. (ge)legen, pp.
of licgan. See lie, 'to recline',
lair, n., resting place, den of wild beasts. — ME./ei>,
fr. OE. leger, rel. to ON. legr, OFris. leger, OS.,
OHG. legar, MHG. leger, G. Lager, Goth, ligrs,
'place of lying, lair, couch, bed', fr. I.-E. base
*legh-, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to recline', and cp. laager,
lager, leaguer, 'camp', beleaguer.
Derivative: lair, intr. and tr. v.
laird, n., a landed proprietor. — Scot, form of
lord.
laissez-faire, n., noninterference. — F., lit. 'let do'
(i.e. 'let people do what they like').
laity, n. — Formed with suff. -ity fr. lay, 'pertain-
ing to the laity'.
lake, n., a pool. — ME. lac, lake, fr. OF. (= F.)
lac, fr. L. lacus, 'basin, tank, pond, lake, cis-
tern', which is cogn. with Gk. Xdcxxoc (for
*Xaxfoi;), 'pond, cistern, pit', OSIav. loky,
'pool, puddle, cistern', ON. Ibgr, OS., OE. lagu,
'sea, flood, water', Olr. loch, 'lake, pond'. Cp.
lacuna, lacustrine, lagoon, loch.
Derivative: lak-y, adj.
lake, n., pigment prepared from lac. — F. laque,
fr. OProvenc. laca, fr. Pers. lak. See lac, 'resi-
nous substance'.
lakh
860
lakh, n. — See lac, 'one hundred thousand (ru-
pees)'.
Lakshmi, n., goddess of beauty (Hindu mythol.)
— OI. Laksmi, fr. laksmi, 'mark, fortune, riches,
beauty', rel. to laksati, laksayati, 'marks, char-
acterizes, defines'. See lac, 'one hundred thou-
sand rupees'.
Lalage, Roman fern. PN. — L., fr. Gk XaXayT],
'babble, prattle' (whence XaXayetv, 'to babble,
prattle'), fr. XccXew, 'to talk, chat, prattle', fr.
XaXoc, 'talkative, loquacious', fr. I.-E. imita-
tive base *Ial-, whence also OI. lalalld, imitation
of stammering, L. lalldre, 'to sing to sleep, to
lull', G. lallen, 'to stammer', Lith. laluoti, 'to
stammer'. Cp. Eulalia, paralalia. Cp. also lull,
lalique, n., a kind of decorative glassware. —
Short for Lalique glassware; named after its in-
ventor Rene Lalique (1860-1944).
lam, tr. v., to beat, thrash (slang). — The original
meaning was 'to make lame' ; rel. to lame,
lama, n., priest. — Tibetan blama, lama, 'priest'.
Cp. Dalai Lama.
Lamaism, n., the religious system of the lamas. —
Coined fr. lama with suff. -ism.
Lamaist, n., an adherent of Lamaism. — Formed
fr. lama with suff. -ist.
Derivative: Lamaist-ic, adj.
Lamarckian, adj., pertaining to, or based on, the
teachings of the French naturalist Lamarck
(1744-1829); n., a follower of Lamarck. — For
the ending see suff. -ian.
Lamarckism, n., the teachings of Lamarck. —
See prec. word and -ism.
lamasery, n., monastery of lamas. — F. lamaserie,
fr. lama. See lama.
Iamb, n. — ME. lamb, lomb, fr. OE. lamb, rel. to
OS., ON., OFris., OHG., Goth, lamb, MHG.
lamp, Dan., Du. lam, Swed. G. lamm, 'lamb',
for orig. *lon-bho-s; cogn. with Gk. sXacpoc.
(for *eln-bhos), 'hart', eXX6q (for *elnos), 'fawn'.
All these words are traceable to I.-E. base *el-,
'brown'. See eland, elk, and cp. the first element
in lammergeier.
Derivatives: lamb, intr. v., lamb-ing, n., lamb-
like, adj.
lambda, n., name of the 1 1th letter of the Greek
alphabet. — Gk. XdfiS*, Xafi<3S:x, fr. Heb.-
Phoen. Idmedh ; see lamed. The final a was added
because a Greek word cannot end with a S ; cp.
alpha and words there referred to.
lambdacism, lambdacismus, n., 1) too frequent use
of the letter / in speaking or writing; 2) confu-
sion of/ and r in pronunciation; 3) lallation. —
Late L. labdacismus, lambdacismus, fr. Gk. Xaj}-
Sax'.tjfioc, Xa(x3Say.tC(x6c, 'too frequent use of
the letter lambda', fr. XapSa, resp. Xajx^Sa, the
letter /. See prec. word and -ism.
lambdoid, adj., shaped like the Greek lambda
{A ) ; in anatomy, designating the suture that
connects the two parietal bones with the occi-
pital. — Gk. XapSoeiSifc, XanPSoeiS^i;, 'of
thfi shnne of a A'. comDOunded of XABSa, resp.
XdjiplSa, and -oeiS^?, 'like', fr sISo?, 'form,
shape'. See prec. word and -oid, and cp. hyoid.
Derivative: lambdoid-al, adj.
lambency, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
lambent, adj., moving about lightly ; flickering. —
The orig. meaning was 'licking', fr. L. lambens,
gen. lambentis, pres. part, of lambere, 'to lick',
which is cogn. with Gk. Xcbrrstv, 'to sip, lick',
OE. lapian, 'to lick, lap up, sup'. See lap, 'to
lick up', and -ent.
Lambert, masc. PN. — F., fr. G. Lambert, fr.
OHG. Lambreht, Landberht, which is com-
pounded of lant, 'land', and beraht, 'bright',
hence lit. meaning 'illustrious with land'. See
land and bright and cp. Albert.
lambkin, n. — Formed fr. lamb with dimin. suff.
-kin.
lambrequin, n., valance, hanging; mantling (her.)
— F., fr. MDu. *lamperkijn, dimin. of tamper,
'veil', lit. 'something hanging'. For the ending
see suff. -kin.
lame, adj. — ME. lame, fr. OE. lama, rel. to ON.
lami, OS. lamo, ON. lami, Dan., Swed., MDu.,
Du., OHG., MHG. lam, G. lahm, 'lame', lit.
'broken', fr. I.-E. base *lem-, 'to break', whence
also OSlav. lomiti, 'to break', lomiti se, 'to grow
lame', Russ. lomif, to break', lorn, 'fragment',
lomota, 'gout', Lith. luomas, 'lame', Vimt, 'to
break down', OPruss. limtwei, 'to break', Olr.
laime, 'ax', and prob. also Gk. vuXs^e?, 'un-
ceasingly', lit. 'unbroken' (fr. negative particle
*ve- and 6-Xs[ioi;, 'a breaking').
Derivatives: lame, tr. and intr. v.. lame-ly, adv.,
lame-ness, n.
lame, n., a thin plate. — F., fr. L. lamina, 'a thin
piece of metal'. See lamina and cp. lamella,
lamed, lamedh, n., name of the 12th letter of the
Hebrew alphabet. — Heb. Idmedh, lit. prob. 'the
rod of the teacher', from the stem of lamddh, 'he
exercised, learned', whence also malmadh, 'ox
goad', talmidh, 'scholar, pupil'. See Talmud and
cp. lambda.
lamella, n., a thin plate. — L. lamella, 'a small
thin plate', dimin. of lamina, 'a thin plate of met-
al or wood'. See lamina and -ella and cp. ome-
let.
lamellar, lamellary, lamellate, adjs., composed of
lamellae. — Formed fr. L. lamella (see prec.
word) with suff. -ar, resp. -ary, -ate.
Lamellibranchia, also Lamelhbranchiata, n. pi., a
class of mollusks (zool.) — ModL., lit. 'those
with lamellate gills'. See lamella and branchia,
resp. branchiate.
lamellibranchiate, adj., pertaining to the Lamelli-
branchia. — See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate.
lamelliform, adj., having the form of a lamella. —
See lamella and -form.
lament, intr. v. — MF. (= F.) lamenter, fr. L. Id-
mentdri, 'to wail, moan, weep, lament', fr. Id-
mentum, 'a wailing, moaning, weeping, lamen-
tation', which stands for *ld-men-tom, from the
861
lamprey
I.-E. imitative base *ld-, 'to shout, cry', whence
also L. Idtrdre (for Id-trdre), 'to bark', Arm. lam,
'I weep', Gk Xatsiv, Xa^evca (Hesychius), 'to
speak loud', Lith. loju, loti, Lett. Idt, 'to bark',
OSlav. lajo, lajati, 'to bark; to abuse'. Cp. Larus.
For the ending of lament see suff. -ment.
Derivatives: lament-at-ory, adj., lament-ed, adj.,
lament-ed-ly, adv., lament-er, n., lament-ing, n.
and adj., lament-ing-ly, adv., lament-ive, adj.
lament, n. — L. Idmentum. See lament, v.
lamentable, adj. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.), fr. L.
Idmentdbilis, 'full of sorrow, mournful, lamen-
table', fr. Idmentdri. See lament, v., and -able.
Derivatives: lamentable-ness, n., lamentabl-y,
adv.
lamentation, n. — ME. lamentacioun, fr. MF.
(= F.) lamentation, fr. L. lamentdtionem, acc. of
Idmentdtid, ' wailing, moaning, weeping, lament-
ing', fr. Idmentdtus, pp. of Idmentdri. See la-
ment, v., and -ation.
lamia, n., a devouring monster; vampire, witch.
— L., fr. Gk. Adtfxta (fem.), 'monster, specter',
which is rel. toXajxup6?, 'voracious, gluttonous',
Xdcfxia (neut. pi.), 'chasm', Xai(j.6g, 'throat, gul-
let', and cogn. with L. lemures, 'spirits of the
dead ; ghosts, specters', and prob. also with Lett.
lamdt, 'to scold', lamatas, 'mousetrap'. The idea
underlying all these words is 'jaws open wide'.
Cp. Lamium, Lamnidae. Cp. also lemur.
Lamiaceae, n. pi., a family of plants; synonym of
Menthaceae (bot.) — ModL., formed fr. Lami-
um with suff. -aceae.
lamiaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
lamina, n., a thin piece of metal. — L. lamina, 'a
thin piece of metal or wood, leaf, layer'; of un-
certain origin. Cp. lame, 'a thin plate', and la-
mella.
laminal, laminar, adj., arranged in laminae. —
Formed with suff. -al, resp. -ar, fr. L. lamina.
See prec. word.
laminate, tr. v., to cause to form laminae; intr. v.,
to split into thin layers. — Formed with verbal
suff. -ate fr. L. lamina. See lamina.
Derivatives: laminat-ed, adj., laminat-ion, n.
laminiferous, adj., having laminae. — Com-
pounded of L. lamina, 'a thin piece', and ferre,
'to bear, carry'. See lamina and -ferous.
laminitis, n., inflammation in the laminae of the
horse's foot (reter.) — A ModL. hybrid coined
fr. L. lamina (see lamina) and -iris, a suff. of
Greek origin.
Lamium, n., a genus of plants, the dead nettle
(bot.) — L., 'dead nettle', fr. Gk. *Xa(jiiov, which
is rel. to Ai(xii, 'monster' (see lamia); so called
from the labiate flower.
Lammas, n., the first day of August. — ME.
Lammasse, fr. OE. hldfmsesse, hidmmiesse, lit.
'loaf mass', a compound of hldf, 'loaf, and
mxsse, 'mess'. See loaf, n., and Mass.
lammergeier, the largest European bird of prey.
— G. Lammergeier, compounded of Lammer,
pi. of Lamm, 'lamb' (see lamb), and Geier, 'vul-
ture', fr. MHG. glr, fr. OHG. gir, a noun deriv-
ed from the OHG. adjective giri (whence
MHG. glre), 'greedy', which is formed with -re-
formative element fr. I.-E. base *ghi-, 'to open
the mouth wide'. Cp. Du. gier, 'vulture', and see
yearn. Cp. also the first element in gerfalcon.
Lamnidae, n. pi., a family of sharks (ichthyol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Gk. Xa(xva,
'a large fish of prey', which is rel. to Acedia,
'monster'. See lamia and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
lamp, n. — ME. lampe, lamp, fr. OF. (= F.)
lampe, fr. Late L. lampada (nom.), fr. L. lam-
pada, acc. of lampas, fr. Gk. Xau.7ra<;, acc.
Xau7taSa, 'torch', fr. XafATusiv, 'to shine, be
bright', whence also XctjjOTpoi;, 'bright, clear',
Xa[X7mf]p, 'light, torch, lantern', Xau-Ttupi;,
'glowworm', fr. I.-E. base *ldp-, *l i p-, 'to shine',
whence also Lith. 16pe, 'light', Lett. ISpa, 'torch',
OPruss. lopis, 'flame' ; fr. *lap-s, an -s-enlarge-
ment of base *ldp-, derive Olr. lassar, 'flame',
lassaim, 'I flame', W. llachar, 'shining, bright'.
Cp. lantern. Cp. also lampro-, Lampsilis, Lam-
pyridae, eclampsia.
Derivatives: lamp, tr. and intr. v., lamp-less,
adj., lamp-let, n.
lampadedromy, n., a torch race in honor of Pro-
metheus in which a lighting torch was handed
on from runner to runner (Greek antiq.) — Gk.
Xau.7ta87]8po{iia, 'torch race', compounded of
Xot(i.7ta<;, gen. XafiTCaSo?, 'torch', and 8p6[xo;,
'course, race'. See lamp and dromedary and cp.
next word.
lampadephore, n., a torchbearer (Greek antiq.) —
Gk. Xan7ca87]cp6po?, 'torchbearer', compound-
ed of XapiTra?, gen. XapmaScx;, 'torch', and
-cpopo?, 'bearer'. See lamp and -phore.
lampadephoria, n., torch race (Greek antiq.) —
Gk. Xa[X7ia8T)cpopta, 'torch bearing', fr. Xau.-
7taSr]cp6poi;. See prec. word and -ia.
lampas, n., a disease in horses. — F., fr. tamper,
'to guzzle'. See lampoon.
lampas, n., silk damask — F., of unknown origin.
lampern, n., the river lamprey. — ME. lamproun,
lampurn, fr. OF. lamprion, lampreon, dimin, of
lampreie, 'lamprey'. See lamprey.
lampoon, n., a virulent satire. — F. lampon,
'drinking song', from the cry of students in
coffeehouses lampons, 'let us drink', fr. lamper,
'to guzzle", a nasalized form of laper, 'to lap',
which is of imitative origin. Cp. lampas, 'a dis-
ease in horses'. Cp. also OE. lapian, 'to lap' (see
lap).
Derivatives: lampoon, tr. v., lampoon-er, n.,
lampoon-ery, n., lampoon-ist, n.
lampr-, form of lampro- before a vowel.
lamprey, n., any of a group of eellike aquatic ani-
mals. — ME. lampreie, fr. OF. lampreie (F.
lamproie), fr. ML. lampreda, a blend of L. nau-
preda, 'mud-lamprey, limpet', which is of Gaul-
ish origin, and L. lambere, 'to lick'. See lambent
and cp. limpet.
lampro-
862
lampro-, before a vowel lampr-, combining form
meaning 'bright'. — Gk. Xajjjrpo-. Xa[x7tp-, fr.
Xaji7rp6<;, 'bright', rel. to Xi(X7reiv, 'to shine, be
bright', Xa[i.7tai;, gen. XajxiraSoi;, 'torch'. See
lamp.
Lampsilis, n., a genus of N. American mussels
(zool.) — ModL., compounded of Gk. Xdc[XTC£iv,
'to shine, be bright', and i|nX6i;, 'naked, bare,
stripped of feathers, smooth'. See lamp and
psilo-.
Lampyridae, n. pi., a family of beetles including
many luminous insects (entomol.) — ModL.,
formed with suff. -idae fr. L. lampyris, fr. Gk.
Xa^TTupi?, 'glowworm', which derives fr.
X<i[j.7rEiv, 'to shine, be bright'. See lamp.
lanarkite, n., a basic lead sulfate (mineral.) —
Named after Leadhills, Lanarkshire, in Scot-
land. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lanate, adj., woolly; covered with wool. — L. la-
ndtus, 'woolly, downy', fr. lana, 'wool, soft hair,
down', fr. I.-E. *w e l e nd, *w\na, whence also
OE. wull, 'wool'. See wool and words there re-
ferred to and cp. esp. delaine, flannel, laniferous,
lanigerous, lanolin, lanose, lanugo. For the end-
ing see adj. suff. -ate.
lance, n. — ME. launce, lance, fr. OF. (= F.)
lance, fr. L. lancea, 'a light spear, lance', which
is a Celtic loan word. Cp. It. lancia, OProvenc.
lansa, Catal. llama, Sp. lanza, Port, langa, Du.,
Swed. lans, G. Lame, etc., which all are borrow-
ed from Latin. Cp. elan, launch, fer-de-lance.
lance, tr. v. — ME. launcen, fr. MF. lancier,
lancer (F. lancer), fr. Late L. lancedre, 'to wield a
lance' (whence also It. lanciare, Sp. lanzar), fr. L.
lancea. See lance, n.
lance-knight, n., a lansquenet (hist.) — Folk-ety-
mological alteration of G. Landsknecht, 'foot
soldier' (lit. 'land servant' ; see lansquenet), due
to a confusion of the first element of the word
with lance.
lancelet, n. — Formed fr. lance, n., with dimin.
suff. -let.
Lancelot, masc. PN. — F., formed with the double
dimin. suff. -el-ot fr. OHG. Lanzo, lit. 'landed',
fr. OHG. land, 'land'. See land, -el and -ot.
lanceolate, adj., lance-shaped (zoo/, and bot.) —
L. lanceoldtus, 'shaped like a small lance', fr.
lanceola, dimin. of lancea, 'lance'. See lance, n.,
-ole and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: Ianceolat-ed, adj.
lancer, n. — F. lancier, 'a soldier armed with a
lance', fr. lance. See lance, n., and agential suff.
-er.
lancet, n., a small surgical instrument. — F. lan-
cette, lit. 'a small lance', dimin, of lance. See
lance, n., and the suffixes -et and -ette.
unciform, adj., lance-shaped. — Compounded of
L. lancea, 'lance', and forma, 'form, shape'. See
lance, n., and form, n.
Uncinate, tr. v., to tear. — L. lancindtus, pp. of
lancindre, 'to tear to pieces, rend, lacerate',
which is rel. to lacerdre, of s.m. See lacerate.
Derivatives: lancinat-ing, adj., lancinat-ion, n.
land, n. — ME. land, lond, fr. OE. land, lond, rel.
to OS., ON., Dan., Swed., OFris., Du., G.,
Goth, land, MDu., OHG., MHG. lant, fr. I.-E.
base *lendh-, 'land, heath', whence also Olr.
land, MW. llan, 'an open space', Ir. lann, 'en-
closure', W. llan, 'enclosure, yard, churchyard',
Co. Ian, Bret, lann, 'heath' (F. lande, 'heath,
moor', is borrowed fr. Gaul. *landa), OPruss.
lindan (ace), 'valley', OSlav. ledina, ledo, 'waste
land, heath', Russ. Ijddd, 'land newly cleared',
Czech lada, 'fallow land'. Cp. lawn, 'stretch
of grass'. Cp. also Lancelot, the first element
in Lambert and the second element in Roland,
uitlander.
Derivatives: land, tr. and intr. v., land-ed, adj.,
land-er, n., land-ing, n., land-less, adj.
landau, n., a four-wheeled covered horse-car-
riage. — Usually connected with Landau, name
of a town in Bavaria, Germany, but in reality
derived fr. Sp. lando, orig. 'a light four-wheeled
carriage drawn by mules', fr. Arab, al-andul,
misread as a-landul. Arab, andul is traceable to
OI. an-dolah, hin-dolah, 'swing, seesaw, litter';
see Manfred Mayrhofer, A Concise Etymologi-
cal Sanskrit Dictionary, 1, 549 and Brockelmann
in ZDMG., vol. 51 (1897), p. 658; vol. 52, p.
282, "Nochmals Landauer". Cp. doolie.
landaulet, n., 1) a small landau; 2) a kind of auto-
mobile. — Formed fr. prec. word with dimin.
suff. -let.
landgrave, n., 1) formerly, a German count having
jurisdiction over a certain territory; 2) later, the
title of certain German princes. — ■ G. Landgraf,
lit. 'landcount', compounded of Land (fr. MHG.
lant, fr. OHG. lant), 'land', and Graf (ft. MHG.
grave, fr. OHG. grdvo), 'count, earl'. See land
and grave, 'count', and cp. margrave.
landgraviate, n., the office, jurisdiction or terri-
tory of a landgrave. — ML. landgravidtus, a hy-
brid coined fr. landgrave and L.- dtus (see 3rd
suff. -ate).
landgravine, n., wife of a landgrave. — G. Land-
grdfin, lit. 'landcountess'. See prec. word.
landloper, landlouper, n., a vagabond. — Du.
landloper, lit. 'landrunner', fr. land, 'land', and
lopen, 'to run'. See land, leap and cp. elope, in-
terloper.
landmark, n. — OE. landmearc. See land and
mark, n.
landscape, n. — Du. landschap, fr. MDu. land-
scap, 'region' (which is rel. to OE. landscipe,
ON. landskapr, OHG. lantscaf, G. Landschaft,
'region'), fr. land, 'land', and -scap, '-ship'. See
land and -ship.
Derivative : landscape, tr. and intr. v.
landsturm, n., a general levy. — G., compounded
of Land, 'country', and Sturm, 'storm'. See land
and storm.
landtag, n., the legislative assembly in German
states. — G., lit. 'day of the country'. See land
and day. For sense development cp. diet, 'par-
863
lank
liamentary assembly'. Cp. also the second ele-
ment in Reichstag, Rigsdag, Riksdag.
landwehr, n., military reserve of trained armed
forces in Germany and other countries (mil.) —
G., fr. MHG. lantwer, fr. OHG. lantweri, 'army
for the protection of the country', which is com-
pounded of lant, 'land', and weri, 'protection'.
See land and weir.
lane, n. — ME. lane, fr. OE. lane, rel. to OFris.
lana, lona, MDu. lane, Du. loan, 'lane', ON. Ion,
'row of houses'. The ultimate etymol. of these
Teut. words is unknown. Cp. the second ele-
ment in slalom.
langbanite, n., a manganese silicate with ferrous
antimonate (mineral.) — Swed. Idngbanit, named
after Ldngban in Varmland, Sweden. The end-
ing -if goes back to Gk. - iT7js ; see subst. suff. -ite.
langbeinite, n., double sulfate of potassium and
magnesium (mineral.) — G. Langbeinit, named
after the chemist A. Langbein of Dessau, Ger-
many. The ending -it goes back to Gk. -Itt)<; ;
see subst. suff. -ite.
Iangley, n., a unit of solar radiation, correspond-
ing to one gram calorie per square centimeter
per unit of time. — Named after the American
astronomer Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834-
1906).
Langobard, n., Lombard. — L. Langobardi (pi.),
name of a people of Northern Germany. See
Lombard.
langrage, n., a kind of shot. — Formed on anal-
ogy of cartridge fr. earlier langrel, a word of
unknown origin.
Derivative: langrag-ed, adj.
lang syne, adv., long since; n., the long ago, an-
cient times — Scot, form of long since.
language, n. — ME. langage, language, fr. OF.
(= F.) langage, fr. VL. *linguaticum, fr. L. lin-
gua, 'tongue; speech, language'. See tongue and
-age and cp. lingual. The spelling language
(with u) is due to the influence of F. langue,
'tongue; language'. Cp. next word and languet.
Iangued, adj., having the tongue of a tincture dif-
ferent from the rest (her.) — Formed with 3rd
suff. -ed fr. L. langue, 'tongue'. See prec. word.
langue d'oc, the Romance language of Southern
France; the Provencal language. — OF. langue
d'oc, 'language of oc\ lit. 'yes language' (i.e. the
language in which oc, fr. L. hoc, 'this thing', is
used for 'yes'). L. hoc is the neut. form of hie;
see hodiernal and cp. haecceity. Cp. next word.
langue d'oil, the Romance language spoken in the
center and north of France; the French lan-
guage. — OF. langue d'oil, 'language of oil, lit.
'yes language', i.e. the language in which oil (now
oui; derived fr. L. hoc ille, scil. fecit, 'he did it')
is used for 'yes'. See prec. word and ille.
languet, languette, n., a little tongue; used of vari-
ous tongue-shaped parts of objects. — ME. lan-
guet, languette, fr. MF. (= F.) languette, dimin.
of langue, 'tongue'. See tongue and -et, -ette,
and cp. language.
languid, adj., 1) drooping; weak; 2) dull. — ME.
languide, fr. L. languidus, 'faint, weak, dull,
sluggish, languid' (prob. through the medium of
F. languide), fr. languere, 'to faint, weary', rel.
to laxus, which stands for *(s)l e g-sos, 'wide,
loose, open', fr. I.-E. base *(s)leg-, *(s)l s g-,
*(s)leng-, 'to be slack', whence also Gk. X^yeiv,
'to leave off, stop', lit. 'to grow tired or weary',
Xayap6q, 'slack, hollow, sunken', Xayox;, 'hare'
[for *XaY(o)-o>(ud)6?, lit. 'the animal with the
flapping ears'], Olr. lace, 'slack, loose', Gael.,
Ir. lag, 'slack, weak', ON. slakr, OE. slsec, 'slow,
slack'. See slack and cp. lack, slake. Cp. also
languish, languor. Cp. also cat alec tic, delay,
laches, lago-, lash, adj., lax, laxative, leash, lush,
relay, release, relish, and the second element in
algolagnia.
Derivatives: languid-ly, adv., languid-ness, n.
languish, intr. v., 1) to become languid; 2) to be-
come dull. — ME. languishen, fr. OF. (= F.)
languiss-, pres. part, stem of languir, fr. VL.
*languire, corresponding to L. languere, 'to faint,
weary'. See languid and verbal suff. -ish.
Derivatives: languish, n., languish-ing, adj., lan-
guish-ing-ly, adv., languish-ment, n.
languor, n., 1) weakness; 2) dullness. — ME. lan-
gour, fr. OF. languor (F. longueur), fr. L. Ian-
gudrem, acc. of languor, 'faintness, feebleness,
weariness', fr. languere. See languid.
Derivatives: languor-ous, adj., languor-ous-ly,
adv.
langur, n., a long-tailed monkey of Asia (genus
Presbytis). — Hind, langur, fr. OI. Idhgulin,
'having a (long) tail'.
lani-, combining form meaning 'wool'. — L. lani-,
fr, lana, 'wool'. See lanate.
laniard, n. — A var. of lanyard.
laniary, adj., canine (anat.) — L. lanidrius, 'per-
taining to a butcher', fr. lanius, 'butcher', which
is of Etruscan origin and rel. to lanista, 'trainer
of gladiators'. See lanista and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivative: laniary, n., a laniary tooth.
laniferous, adj., wool-bearing. — L. lanifer,
'wool-bearing', compounded of lana, 'wool',
and ferre, 'to bear, carry'. See lanate and -ferous.
lanigerous, adj., wool-bearing. — L. Idniger,
'wool-bearing', compounded of lana, 'wool',
and gerere, 'to bear, carry'. See lanate and
gerent.
Laniidae, n. pi., a family of birds, the true shrikes
(ornithol.) — ModL., formed fr. Lanius with
suff. -idae.
lanista, n., a trainer of gladiators. — L., 'trainer
of gladiators, fencing master'; as shown by the
suff. -ista, a word of Etruscan origin; cp. fenes-
tra. Cp. laniary, Lanius, lanner, lanneret.
Lanius, n., a genus of birds, the shrike (ornithol.)
— L. lanius, 'butcher'. See laniary.
lank, adj., slender; lean. — ME. lank, fr. OE.
hlanc, 'lank, lean', rel. to OHG. (h)lanca, MHG.
lanke, 'hip, flank', and to OE. hlence, 'link of
a coat of mail, (pi.) armor*, MHG., G. lenken,
lanner
864
'to bend, turn, lead', MHG. gelenke, 'bending',
G. Gelenk, 'joint', fr. I.-E. base *qleng-, 'to
bend', whence also L. dingo, clingere, 'to girdle'.
Cp. the var. base *qlenq-, whence OSlav. kleco,
-ati, 'to kneel', Russ. kljacit, 'cudgel, crossbar',
Lith. lenkti, 'to bend'. See link, 'ring of chain',
and cp. flank.
Derivatives: lank-ly, adv., lank-ness, n., lank-y,
adj., lank-i-ly, adv., lank-i-ness, n.
lanner, n., a falcon. — ME. latter, fr. OF (= F.)
lanier, fr. L. lanidrius, 'butcher'. See laniary.
lanneret, n., the male lanner (falconry). — • F.
laneret, formed fr. lanier, ianner' (see prec.
word), with dimin. suff. -et (the male lanner is
smaller than the female).
lanolin, lanoline, n., wool fat. — Coined by the
German physician Mathias Eugenius Oscar
Liebreich (1838-1908) in 1886 fr. L. lana, 'wool',
oleum, 'oil, fat', and chem. suff. -in, -ine. See
lanate and -ole (fr. L. oleum).
lanose, adj., woolly. — L. Idndsus, 'woolly', fr.
lana, 'wool'. See lanate and adj. suff. -ose.
lansfordite, n., a hydrous basic magnesium car-
bonate (mineral?) — Named after Lansford in
Pennsylvania. For the ending seesubst. suff. -ite.
lansquenet, n., 1) a German mercenary in the 16th
and 17th centuries; 2) a card game. — F., fr. G.
Landsknecht, lit. 'servant of the country', fr.
Lands, gen. of Land, 'land, country', and Knecht,
'slave, servant'. See land and knight and cp.
lance-knight.
Lantana, n., a genus of plants of the vervain fam-
ily (bot.) — ModL., 'viburnum', altered fr.
lentana (form used by Gesner), of s.m., lit. 'the
pliant plant', fr. L. lentus, 'flexible, pliant'. See
lithe and cp. lcntiscus, lentitude.
lantern, n. — ME. lanterne, fr. OF. (= F.) lan-
terne, fr. L. lanterna, fr. Gk. \aL\XT.r'r)p (see
lamp), to which the Etruscan diminutive suff.
-na has been added. The same suff. appears in
L. persona (see person).
Derivatives: lantern, tr. v., lantern-ist, n.
lanthana, n., lanthanum oxide. — ModL., coined
by its discoverer, the Swedish chemist Carl Gus-
taf Mosander (1797-1858) in 1839 fr. Gk. Xav»a-
veiv, 'to escape notice, lie hid, be unseen', which
is cogn. with L. latere, 'to lie hid' (see latent); so
called by him, because it lay concealed in erbia.
lanthanum, n., name of a metallic element of the
rare-earth group (chem.) — ModL., from prec.
word.
lanthorn, n., lantern. — An old var. of lantern,
lanuginous, adj., covered with soft hair, downy.
L. Idnuginosus, fr. lanugo, gen. lanuginis. See
next word and -ous.
Derivative: lanuginous-ness, n.
lanugo, n., downy hair that covers the fetus (anat.)
— L. lanugo, gen. lanuginis, 'down', fr. lana,
'wool'. See lanate.
lanyard, laniard, n., a short, thick rope. — ME.
lanyer, fr. MF. (= F.) laniere, 'thong, lash', fr.
OF. lasniere, fr. lasne, 'strap, thong', a metathe-
sis form of nasle, 'lace', fr. Frankish "nastila,
which is related to OS., OHG. nestila, MHG.,
G. nestel, 'string, lace, strap'. These words de-
rive fr. I.-E. base *ned-, 'to knot'; see net. The
transposition of nasle to lasne was prob. made
under the influence of OF. laz, 'noose'. The
change of the French ending -iere (in laniere) to
-yard (in E. lanyard) is due to a confusion with
the noun yard; cp. halyard.
Laocoon, n., a priest of Apollo (Greek mythol.) —
L. Laocoon, fr. Gk. AaoxAov, compounded of
Xao?, 'people', and xoeco (for *xo/eca), 'I
mark, perceive', which is cogn. with OI. kavlh,
'wise, sage; seer, poet', L. cavere (for *covere),
'to be on one's guard, take care, beware'. For
the first element see lay, 'pertaining to the laity',
for the second see show and cp. cave, interj.
Laodicean, adj., 1) pertaining to Laodicea; luke-
warm in religion (in allusion to Revelations III,
14-16); 2) n., an inhabitant of Laodicea; one
lukewarm in religion. — Formed with suff. -an
fr. L. Laodicea, fr. Gk. AaoSbcsia, name of a
city in Phrygia (in Asia Minor). Cp. latakia.
lap, n., flap of a garment. — ME. lappe, fr. Ixppa,
'tip, end, skirt, district', rel. to OS. lappo, 'tip,
lappet', MDu, lappe, Du. lap, 'tip, end', OHG.
lappa, MHG. lappe, G. Lappen, 'rag, shred',
ON. leppr, Norw. lap, 'patch, rag', Norw. lapa'to
hang loosely', fr. I.-E. base *lab-, *leb-, 'loose;
to hang down", whence also L. Idbdre, 'to totter',
labi, 'to slide, slip, glide down' and prob. also
labor, 'labor'. See labor and cp. lapel, lappet.
Cp. also labarum.
Derivative : lap, tr. and intr. v., to wrap, enfold.
lap, tr. v., to lick up; intr. v., to lick up a liquid.
— ME. lapen, lappen, fr. OE. lapian, 'to lick,
lap up, sup', rel. to Swed. lapa, 'to drink, lap',
OHG. laffan, 'to lick', OS. lepil, MLG., Du.
lepel, OHG. leffil, MHG. leffel, G. Loffel,
'spoon', OE. Ixpeldre, 'pot', and cogn. withGk.
XinxEiv, 'to sip, lick', Xacpuaasiv, 'to swallow
greedily, gulp down', Arm. lap'el, L. lambere,
'to lick". All these words derive from the I.-E.
imitative base *iab-, *lap(h)-. Cp. lambent.
Derivatives: Zap, n., the act of lapping, lapp-er, n.
lapar-, form of laparo- before a vowel.
laparectomy, n., surgical removal of a part of the
abdominal wall. — Compounded of lapar- and
Gk. -EXToii'la, 'a cutting out of, fr. extort), 'a
cutting out". See -ectomy.
laparo-, before a vowel lapar-, combining form
denoting the flank or, less exactly, the abdominal
wall (anat.) — Fr. Gk. Xacrcap a, 'the flank, loins',
which is rel. to XaTtapo;, 'soft, flaccid, hollow',
Xoma^Eiv, Xocr;aaaetv, 'to empty", and in gra-
dational relationship to Xetcto?, 'fine, thin,
small'. See lepto.
laparotomy, n., incision into the abdominal wall
(surgery). — Coined by the English surgeon Sir
Thomas Bryant (1828-1914) fr. laparo- and Gk.
-to(x(5, 'cutting of, fr. to|a^, 'a cutting, sec-
tion'. See -tomy.
865
lares
lapel, n., part of a coat folded back. — Diminu-
tive of lap, 'flap of a garment'.
Derivatives: lapel-er, n., lapell-ed, adj.
lapidary, adj., 1) pertaining to stones; 2) per-
taining to, or suitable for, engraving on stone
monuments. — L. lapiddrius, 'pertaining to
stone', fr. lapis, gen. lapidis, 'stone', which is
cogn. with Gk. Xsreoei;, 'a bare rock, crag', and
prob. also with Xstteiv, 'to strip off, peel' ; see
leper and cp. Lepas. For the relationship be-
tween Gk. XETta? and Xetceiv cp. L. saxum,
'stone', which is rel. to secdre, 'to cut', and
rupes, 'rock', which is rel. to rumpere, 'to tear,
break, rend' (see saxatile and rupestrian).
lapidary, n., one who cuts or polishes precious
stones. — L. lapiddrius, 'a worker in stone',
prop, the adjective lapiddrius, 'pertaining to
stone', used as a noun. See prec. word.
lapidate, tr. v., to stone. — L. lapiddtus, pp. of
lapiddre, 'to pelt with stones, to stone', fr. lapis,
gen. lapidis. See lapidary, adj., and verbal suff.
-ate.
Derivatives: lapidat-ion, n., lapidat-or, n.
lapidification, n., the state of being converted into
stone. — See next word and -ation.
lapidify, tr. v., to convert into stone; intr. v., to be
converted into stone. — F. lapidifier, fr. ML.
lapidificdre, 'to convert into stone', which is
compounded of L. lapis, gen. lapidis, 'stone',
and -ficdre, fr. -ficere, unstressed form of facer e,
'to make, do'. See lapidary, adj., and -fy.
lapilli. n. pi., small stones; specif, small stones
erupted by volcanoes. — L., pi. of lapillus, 'a
little stone', dimin. of lapis, 'stone'. See lapidary,
adj.
lapis lazuli, an azure blue stone. — ML., fr. L.
lapis, 'stone', and gen. of ML. lazulum, 'lapis
lazuli', fr. Arab. Idzaward. See lapidary, adj.,
and azure.
Laportea, n., a genus of plants, the wood nettle
(bot.) — ModL., named after Francois L. de
Laporte, a 19th-century entomologist.
lappet, n., a small flap. — Formed with dimin.
suff. -et fr. lap, 'flap of a garment".
Derivatives : lappet, tr. v., lappet-ed, adj.
Lappula, n., a genus of plants, the stickseed (bot.)
— ModL., dimin. of L. lappa, a bur'; of uncer-
tain origin.
Lapsana, n., a genus of plants, the nipplewort
(bot.) — L. lapsana, lampsana, 'charlock", fr.
Gk. Xaijj<xv7j, XafitjjKvv;, of s.m.
lapse, n., 1) a slip; 2) an error. — L. lapsus, 'a
slipping, a fall', fr. lapsus, pp. of labi, 'to slide,
slip, glide down". See labor, n., and cp. words
there referred to.
lapse, intr. v., 1) to slip; 2) to fail. — L. lapsdre,
'to slide', fr. lapsus, pp. of labi. See lapse, n., and
cp. collapse, elapse, prolapse, relapse.
Derivatives: laps-able, adj., laps-ed, adj., laps-
er, n., laps-ing-Iy, adv.
lapsus calami, a slip of the pen. — L. See lapse,
n., and calamary.
lapsus linguae, a slip of the tongue. — L. See
lapse, n., and lingual.
lapwing, n., a bird of the plover family. — ME.
lappewinke, fr. OE. hleapewince, lit. 'leaper-
waverer', fr. hleapan, 'to leap', and wincian, 'to
blink, wink' (the original meaning of this latter
was 'to move rapidly, to waver') ; influenced in
form by a folk-etymological association with
wing. See leap and wink.
larboard, n., left-hand side of a ship to a person
on board looking from the stern toward the
bow. — ME. ladeborde, lit. 'the loading side'.
The first -r- in E. larboard is due to the analogy
of starboard. See lade and board of a ship.
Derivatives: larboard, adj. and adv.
larcener, n., one guilty of larceny. — See larceny
and agential suff. -er.
larcenist, n., a larcener. — See larceny and -ist.
larcenous, adj., of the nature of larceny. — See
next word and -ous.
Derivative: larcenous-ly, adv.
larceny, n., theft. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) larcin,
fr. OF. larrecin, fr. L. latrocinium, 'service of
mercenaries; freebooting, robbery', which is
compounded of latrd, 'a mercenary soldier;
robber', and suff. -cinium. L. latrd is prob. bor-
rowed fr. Gk. *Xaxpo)v, 'a mercenary soldier',
which is rel. toXdcrpov, 'pay, hire", XdcTpt.;, 'ser-
vant, worshiper', XaTpeiix, 'hired labor, service
paid to the gods, worship'. Several philologists
derive these Greek words fr. I.-E. base */«-,
*le(i)-, 'to grant; possession'. See -latry and cp.
lathe, 'administrative district'. Suff. -cinium is
prob. cogn. with Gk. -xovo? in Siaxovo;;, 'a
servant'. See deacon and cp. tirocinium.
larch, n., a tree of the genus Larix. — Introduced
by the English botanist W. Turner in 1548
through adaptation of G. Larehe, fr. MHG.
larche, lerche, fr. OHG. *larihha, *lerihha, bor-
rowed fr. L. larix, gen. laricis, 'larch', which is
prob. a Gaulish loan word from the Alpine re-
gion, ult. derived fr. I.-E. base *dere\(o)-, 'tree'
(see tree). See Walde-Hofmann LEW., I. p. 765.
For the change of d- to /- cp. L. lacrima, fr. OL.
dacruma, 'tear' (see lachrymal). It is also possi-
ble, however, that L. larix is a word of non-
Indo-European origin,
lard, n. — OF. (= F.), fr. L. laridum, Idrdum,
'bacon', which is cogn. with Gk. XapT-voc, 'fat'.
Derivatives: lard, tr. v., lard-aceous, adj., larder
(q.v.), lard-y, adj.
larder, n. — ME., fr. AF. larder, corresponding
to OF. lardier, 'a place where bacon is kept',
fr. lard, 'bacon'. See lard and suff. -er, in the
sense 'receptacle for".
Derivative: larder-er, n.
lardite, n., agalmatolite (mineral.) — Formed
with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. Idrdum, 'lard'. See
lard.
lardon, lardoon, n., a strip of bacon used in
larding. — See lard and -oon.
lares, n. pi., tutelary gods (Roman mythol.) —
large
866
L. lares, 'tutelary gods, household deities;
home', pi. of lar; prob. derived fir. I.-E. base
*las-, 'greedy', whence also L. lasclvus, 'wan-
ton'. See lascivious and cp. Lariidae, larva.
large, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) large, 'broad,
wide', fr. L. largus, 'abundant, copious,
plentiful; liberal', which is of uncertain origin.
Cp. largess, largo, enlarge.
Derivatives: large, adv. and n., large-ly, adv.,
large-ness, n., larg-ish, adj.
largess, largesse, n., a gift generously given. —
ME. largesse, fr. OF. (= F.) largesse, 'bounty,
munificence', fr. VL. *largitia, 'abundance', fr.
L. largus, 'abundant', See large and -ess.
larghetto, adj. and adv., rather slow (musical di-
rection). — It., dimin. of largo, 'slow'. See next
word.
largo, adj. and adv., very slow (musical direc-
tion). — It., 'broad, wide; slow", fr. L. largus,
'broad, wide'. See large.
lariat, n., a lasso. — Sp. la reata, 'the rope', from
the fern, article la and reata, 'rope'. Sp. la deri-
ves fr. L. ilia, fern, of ille, 'that' ; see ille. For Sp.
reata see reata.
Derivative : lariat, tr. v.
Laridae, n. pi., a family of birds including the
gulls and terns (ornithol.) — ModL., formed fr.
Larus with suff. -idae.
Lariidae, n. pi., a family of beetles (entomol.) —
ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr. Laria (name
of the type genus), fr. L. lar. See lares.
Larinae, n. pi., a subfamily of the Laridae ; the
typical gulls (ornithol.) — ModL., formed fr.
Larus with suff. -inae.
Larix, n., a genus of trees of the pine family (bot.)
— L. larix, 'larch'. See larch.
lark, n. — ME. larke, fr. OE. Idwerce, Ixwerce,
rel. to OS. lewerka, ON. Ixvirki, Dan. lerke,
OSwed. Ixrikia, Swed. larka, Norw. lerka, LG.
lewerke, Du. leeuwerik, OHG. lerahha, MHG.
lewreche, lereche, G. Lerche, 'lark' ; of uncertain
origin.
lark, intr. v., to make sport. — Of uncertain ori-
gin.
Derivatives: lark-er, n., lark-ing, adj., lark-ing-
ly, adv., lark-ish, lark-some, lark-y, adjs.
larkspur, n., the delphinium. — Compounded of
lark, n., and spur; so called in allusion to the
shape of its leaves.
larmoyant, adj., tearful. — F., pres. part, of lar-
moyer, 'to shed tears, whimper', fr. larme, 'tear',
fr. L. lacrima. See lachrymal and -ant.
larnax, n., a chest ; a coffin. — Gk. Xapva?, 'chest,
coffer, box', dissimilated fr. vdcpva; (Hesychius),
of s.m., which is of uncertain origin.
larrup, tr. v., to beat, thresh. — Of uncertain
origin; perh. borrowed fr. Du. larpen, 'to thresh'.
Larus, n., a genus of birds, the gull, the tern and
the jaeger (ornithol.) — Late L. larus, 'gull', fr.
Gk. XApos, which is prob. rel. to Mjpo<; : 'idle
talk', and lit. means the chattering bird', fr. the
I.-E. imitative base *la-, */«-, 'to shout, cry',
whence also L. Idmentdre, 'to wail, moan, weep,
lament'. See lament.
larva, n. — L. larva, 'ghost, specter, mask', for
*ldsowd-, lit. 'having the shape of a lar, resem-
bling a lar', fr. lar, 'a tutelary god'. See lares.
larval, adj. — L. larvdlis, 'pertaining to a ghost',
fr. larva. See larva and adj. suff. -al.
larvi-, combining form denoting a larva. — Fr. L.
larva. See larva.
laryng-, form of laryngo- before a vowel.
laryngeal, adj., pertaining to the larynx. — Form-
ed with adj. suff.-al fr. Gk. Xapuy£, gen. Xapuy-
yo?, 'throat'. See larynx.
laryngitis, n., inflammation of the larynx (med.)
— Medical L., formed with suff. -itis fr. Gk.
Xipuyi;, gen. Xdpuyyoi;, 'throat'. See larynx.
Derivative: laryngit-ic, adj.
laryngo-, combining form denoting 1) the larynx;
2) laryngeal and. — Gk. Xapuyyo-, fr. Xapuy£,
gen. Xdpoyyoc., 'throat'. See larynx.
laryngology, n., that branch of medicine which
deals with the diseases of the larynx. — Com-
pounded of laryngo- and Gk. -Xoyta, fr. -Xiyot;,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: laryngolog-ic, laryngolog-ic-al,
adjs., laryngolog-ist, n.
laryngoscope, n., an instrument for examining the
larynx. — Compounded of laryngo- and Gk.
-ax6:iwv, fr. axoTOiv, 'to look at, examine'.
See -scope.
Derivatives: laryngoscop-ic, laryngoscop-ic-al,
adjs., laryngoscop-ist, n., laryngoscop-y, n.
larynx, n., the upper part of the windpipe (anat.)
— Medical L., fr. Gk. Xapuy?, gen. Xapoyyo;,
'throat, upper part of the windpipe', which is
prob. a blend of <?apuy5, 'throat' (see pharynx),
and Xaifio;, 'throat, gullet'. See Frisk, GEW.,
II 87 s.v. Xapuy^ It is also possible, however,
that Gk. XapuyS derives from the I.-E imitative
base *(s)lrg- 'to sip', whence also MHG. slurc,
'gullet, gorge', slurken, 'to sip', Swed. slurca, 'to
sip in big quaffs', and possibly also L. lured, lur-
cdre (also lurcor, lurcdrl), 'to devour' (fr. *lurgi-
cos, 'devouring'); see Walde-Hofmann, LEW.,
I, 837 s.v. lured. If this latter etymology is
correct, the form of Xipux£ is prob. due to the
influence of cpdp'jy^, 'throat',
lascar, n., an East Indian sailor. — Pers. lashkar,
'army', fr. Arab. aVdskar, 'the army', fr. al-,
'the', and 'dskar, 'army', which prob. derives fr.
Late Gk. s5£pxr,Tov, fr. L. exercitus, 'army', fr.
exercere, 'to train, drill'. See exercise and cp.
askari and the second clement in seraskier. E.
lascar was influenced in meaning by Pers. lash-
kari, 'soldier', lit. 'of the army', fr. lashkar.
lascivious, adj., wanton, lustful. — Late L. lasci-
vidsus, fr. L. lascivia, 'wantonness, playfulness,
lustfulness', fr. lasclvus, 'wanton, playful, lust-
ful', fr. I.-E. base *las-, 'greedy, desirous',
whence also OI. -tasati (dissimilated fr. 'lalsati),
'yearns', Idsati, 'plays, frolics' (also 'flashes,
867
late
glitters'), Hitt. ilaliya-, 'to desire, covet', Gk.
Xi-Xaiojjtav (for *Xi-Xaaioncu ) , 'I desire',
Xxa-r/j, 'harlot', Xaa#Tj, 'mockery, insult', O-
Slav. laska, 'flattery', laskajo, laskati, 'to outwit,
flatter', laskanije, 'flattery', laskrudu, 'loving
dainties', Czech and Slovak laska, 'love', Pol.
laska, 'favor', Olr. lainn (for *las-nis), 'greedy',
Goth, lustus, OE. lust, 'lust'. Cp. list, 'to please',
lust. Cp. also lares, larva.
Derivatives: lascivious-ly, adv., lascivious-ness,
n.
laser, n. — Coined from the initials of Light Am-
plification (by) Stimulated Emission (of) .Radia-
tion.
lash, tr. v., to bind. — ME. lasshen, 'to lace', fr.
MF. lachier, lacier, fr. OF. See lace, v.
lash, adj., soft and watery. — OF. lasche (F.
Idche), 'loose', fr. L. laxus, of s.m. See lax and
cp. laches, lush.
lash, tr. and intr. v., to strike with, or as with, a
whip. — ME. lashen, 'to strike', prob. of imita-
tive origin.
Derivatives: lash, n., a stroke with a whip, lash-
er, n., lash-ing, n.
lashkar, n., a body of soldiers (India). — Pers.
lashkar, 'army'. See lascar.
lasio-, before a vowel lasi-, combining form
meaning 'shaggy'. — Gk. Xacuo-, Xaat.-, fr. Xa-
aio?, 'shaggy', for *FXAt-io<;, fr. I.-E. *wltios,
'hairy, woolly, shaggy', whence also Lith. vdltis,
'panicle of oats', Little Russian voloti, 'panicle',
ON. folt, 'hair'. The above base is prob. a -t-
enlargement of base *wel-, 'to break, tear,
pluck', whence also Gk. Vrpoq, Dor. Xavo? (for
*fXT)Vo;, resp. *fXavoq), 'wool', L. vellere, 'to
pluck, twitch', vellus, 'wool shorn off, fleece'.
See vellicate and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also next word.
Lasius, n., a genus of ants (entomol.) — ModL.,
fr.Gk. Xamoq, 'hairy, woolly, shaggy'. See lasio-.
laspring, n., a young salmon (dial. English). —
Perh. altered fr. laxpink, a compound of OE.
lax, 'salmon', and dial. E. pink, 'a young sal-
mon'. See lax, 'salmon',
lass, n., a girl. — ME. lasse, of uncertain origin,
lassie, n., a young girl. — Dimin. of lass,
lassitude, n., weariness, exhaustion. — MF. ( =
F.), fr. L. lassitudinem, acc. of lassitudd, 'faint-
ness, weariness, languor, exhaustion', fr. lassus,
'faint, weary, languid, exhausted', which stands
for *lad-to-s, and is cogn. with OE. Ixt, 'slug-
gish, slow'. See late and -tude and cp. alas,
lasso, n., a long rope with noose for catching
cattle and horses. — Sp. lazo. fr. L. laqueus,
'noose, snare'. See lace, n., which is a doublet of
lasso.
Derivatives: lasso, tr. v., lasso-er, n.
last, adj. — ME. last, dissimilated fr. latst, con-
traction of latest, fr. OE. latost, superl. of laet,
adj., late, adv.; rel. to the superlatives OFris.
lest, MDu. latest, laest, lest, Du. laatst, OHG.
legist, la33dst, MHG. Ie33'st, lest, G. letzt,
'last', ON. latastr, 'slowest'. See late. For the
dissimilation of ME. latst to last cp. best.
Derivatives: last, n. and adv., last-ly, adv.
last, n., a model of foot. — ME. laste, fr. OE.
Ixste, 'last', fr, OE. last, 'sole of foot, footprint,
track', rel. to ON. leistr, 'the foot below the
ankle, sock', Dan. Ixst, Du. leest, 'last', OHG.
leist, 'track, footprint, last', MHG. leist, G.
Leisten, 'last', Goth, laists, 'footprint, track',
laistjan, 'to follow', laisjan, 'to teach', lais, 'I
know', OE. Ixran (for *ldr-jan), 'to teach'. See
learn and cp. last, 'to continue'.
Derivative: last, tr. v., to shape with a last,
last, intr. v., to continue, endure. — ME. iasten,
fr. OE. Ixstan, 'to follow, carry out, perform; to
continue, last, endure'. The orig. meaning was
'to follow a track', fr. OE. last, 'sole of foot,
footprint, track'. Cp. Goth, laistjan, 'to follow',
OHG. leistan, MHG., G. leisten, 'to perform,
achieve, afford', and see last, 'model of foot'.
Derivatives : last, n., staying power, last-ing, adj.,
last-ing-ly, adv., last-ing-ness, n.
last, n., 1) load (obsol.) ; 2) unit of weight. — ME.
last, 'load; unit of weight', fr. OE. hlxst, 'bur-
den', rel. to OFris. hlest, MDu., Du. last, OHG.
Mast, last, MHG., G. last, 'load', and to OE.,
OHG. hladan, 'to load'. E. last prop, means
'that which is laden'. See lade and cp. the second
element in ballast. Cp. also alastrim.
lat, n., the unit of currency in Latvia. — Lett, lats
(pi. far/), formed from the first syllable of Lat-
vija, the Lett name of the country,
latakia, n., a kind of Syrian tobacco. — Prop,
'tobacco grown in Latakia 1 , a town in N.W. Sy-
ria. The name Latakia is traceable to Gk. Aao-
SUEi.a, name of a city in Phrygia. See Laodice-
an.
latch, tr. v., to fasten. — ME. lacchen, 'to seize,
catch, take hold of, fr. OE. Ixccan, prob. cogn.
with Gk. Xa^ouai, 'I take, grasp', which stands
for *Xay-iou.ai or *Xayy-iouoa and is rel. to
Xa^flAvto, of s.m. See lemma.
latch, n., a fastening; a device for fastening. —
ME. lacche, 'catch, fastening', fr. lacchen. See
latch, v.
latchet, n. — ME. lachet, fr. OF. lachet, a dial,
var. of lacet, 'a thong', dimin. of laz, 'noose'.
See lace, n.
late, adj. — ME. far, fr. OE. Ixt, 'sluggish, slow;
late', rel. to OFris. let, 'late', OS. lat, ON. latr,
Dan. lad, 'sluggish, lazy', MDu. lat, of s.m.
(whence Du. laat, 'late', laatst, 'last'), OE.
latost, OHG., MHG. la 3 , G. lafi, 'idle, weary',
Goth, lats, 'weary, sluggish, lazy', OHG. leg-
ist, 'last', lit. 'slowest, tardiest', Goth, latjan, 'to
hinder', OHG. lezzen, MHG. letzen, 'to stop,
check' (whence MHG., G. ver-letzen, 'to hurt,
injure'), fr. Teut. base 'lata-, corresponding to
I.-E. base *le(i)d-, *fd-, 'to leave behind, leave,
yield', whence L. lassus (for *lad-to-s), 'faint,
weary, languid, exhausted', Gk. XtjSsiv (He-
sychius), 'to be weary'. See let, 'to leave', and
lateen
868
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also latter, last,
adj.
Derivatives: late-ly, adv., lat-en, tr. and intr. v.,
late-ness, n., lat-ish, adj.
lateen, adj., 1) designating a triangular sail sus-
pended from a short mast at an angle of 45" ; 2)
having such a sail. — F. (voile) latine, lit. 'Latin
(sail)' ; so called because used on Mediterranean
vessels. See Latin.
Derivative: lateen, n., a vessel having such a sail.
latence, latency, n. — Formed from next word
with sufif. -ce, resp. -cy.
latent, adj., hidden, concealed. — L. latins, -entis,
pres. part, of latere, 'to lie hid or concealed, to
lurk', which is cogn. with Gk. >7]&t], 'forgetful-
ness, oblivion', d-X-rjftr;?, 'true', lit. 'not con-
cealing anything' (fr. priv. pref. a- and X^-Sh) , 'for-
getfulness'), Xav&dvsiv, 'to escape notice, lie
hid, be unseen', and with OSlav. lajati, 'to lie in
wait for'. Cp. lanthanum, Lethe, lethargy, Ale-
thea, alethiology.
-later, combining form meaning 'worshiper', as
in bardolater, idolater. — Fr. Gk. -Aaxprjc,,
'worshiper of, which is rel. to AtxxpEia, 'wor-
ship'. See -latry.
lateral, adj., pertaining to the side; sideways. —
L. lateralis, 'pertaining to the side', fr. latus,
gen. lateris, 'side', which is prob. rel. to latus,
'broad'. See latitude and adj. suff. -al and cp.
collateral.
Derivatives: lateral, n., lateral-ly, adv., and the
hybrids lateral-ize, tr. v., lateral-iz-ation, n.
Latcran, n., 1) the church of St. John Lateran in
Rome; 2) the palace adjoining it ; adj., pertaining
to this church or palace; specif., designating a
number of general councils held there. — L.
Laterdnus, name of a Roman family whose
palace stood on the site of the present basilica.
lateri-, combining form meaning 'lateral'. See
latero-.
laterite, n., a reddish soil formed by the decom-
position of rocks (geol.) — Formed with subst.
suff. -ite fr. L. later, gen. lateris, 'brick, tile',
which is of uncertain etymology.
latero-, combining form meaning 'lateral'. — Fr.
L. latus, gen. lateris, 'side". See lateral.
latescence, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -ce.
latescent, adj., becoming latent. — L. latescens,
gen. -entis, pres. part, of latescere, 'to hide one-
self, inchoative of latere. See latent.
latex, n., a milky juice in plants (hot.) — L., 'a
liquid, fluid', prob. borrowed fr. Gk. AaxaE;,
"drop of wine', which has been connected by
several philologists with Gaul. Are-late, lit. 'city
east of the swamp', Mir. laith (for *lati-), 'beer;
swamp', Co. lad, OW. Hat, 'liquor', W. Ilaid,
Mir. lathach, 'mud, mire', Lith. latakas, 'pool,
puddle', ON. lepja, 'filth', OHG. letto, G. Let-
ten, 'potter's clay, loam' ; see Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, 770 s.v. 1. latex. Cp. the first element in
laticiferous.
lath, n. — ME. laththe, fr. OE. Lett, rel. to OS.,
ON., OHG. latta, MDu., MHG., G. latte,
Du. lat, 'lath', MHG. lade, 'plank', G. Laden,
'shop', and cogn. with Olr. (= Ir.) slat, W.
llath, Bret, iaz, 'rod, pole'. Cp. lattice.
Derivatives: lath, tr. v., lath-en, adj., lather, one
who puts up laths (q.v.), lath-ing, n.
lathe, n., a machine for turning. — Prob. of
Scand. origin; cp. Dan. -lad in dreje-lad, 'turn-
ing lathe', which is rel. to ON. hlada, 'to lade,
load'. See lade.
Derivatives: lathe, tr. v., lath-er, n.
lathe, n., one of the five (orig. six) districts of the
county of Kent in England. — ME., fr. OE. Ixd,
'landed property, district', rel. to ON. lad, of
s.m., OE. un-iad, un-lxde, 'poor, miserable',
Goth, un-leds, 'poor', orig. 'without property',
and prob. cogn. with Gk. Xdxpov, 'pay, hire'.
See -latry.
lathee, n. — See lathi.
lather, n., froth, foam. — ME., fr. OE. leaj>or, rel.
toON./aH<5/-,'washingsoap,foam',andcogn.with
Gaul, laulron, Olr. loathar, lothar, 'bathing tub',
Gk. aoueiv, 'to bathe', Xouxpov, 'bath, water for
bathing', L. lavdre, 'to wash, bathe". See lave and
cp. Iye.
Derivatives: lather, intr. and tr. v., to cover with
lather, lather-er, n., lather-y, adj.
lather, n., one who puts up laths. — Formed fr.
lath with agential suff. -er.
lathi, also lathee, n., a heavy wooden staff bound
with iron {India). — Hind, lathi, fr. Prakrit lat-
thi, 'staff, stick, rod, club', which is rel. to OI.
yastih of s.m., Avestic yaxshti-, 'branch',
lathyrism, n., a morbid condition caused by the
use of meal from the seeds of certain species of
Lathyrus (med.) — Formed from next word with
suff. -ism.
Lathyrus, n., a genus of plants, the \etchling (£<>?.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. AdWkipoc. "a kind of pulse'.
See lentil.
laticiferous, adj., containing latex. — Com-
pounded of L. latex, gen. laticis, 'a liquid, fluid',
and ferre, 'to bear, carry". See latex and -ferous.
laticlave, n., one of two broad purple stripes on
the front of the tunic, worn by senators, etc., as
a badge of their rank (Roman antiq.) — L. Idti-
cldvus, 'a broad purple stripe (on the tunic)'. See
latitude and clavicle,
latifundium, n., a large landed estate. — L., com-
pounded of latus, 'broad', and fundus, "bottom,
foundation, estate'. See latitude and fund.
Latin, adj. — ME., fr. L. Latinus, 'Latin', prop,
'pertaining to Latium', fr. Latium, name of a
district of Italy in which Rome was situated. Ac-
cording to P.P. Persson Latium stands for *stl e -
t-iorH and lit. means 'the flat or plain land' (in
contradistinction to the mountainous country
inhabited by the Sabines) fr. I.-E. base *steld-,
'to spread, extend', whence also latus (for *stld-
tos), 'broad, wide/; see latitude. It is also pos-
sible, however, that the name Latium is of non-
869
laugh
Indo-European origin. See Walde-Hofmann,
LEW., I, 770-71 s.v. Latium.
Derivatives: Latin, n. and tr. v., Latin-ate, adj.,
Latin-ic, adj., Latin-ism, n., Latin-ist, n., Latin-
is t-ic, adj., Latinity (q.v.), Latinize (q.v.)
Latine, adv., in Latin. — L. Latine, fr. Latinus,
'Latin'. See Latin.
Latinity, n. — L. latinitds, fr. Latinus. See Latin
and -ity.
Latinize, tr. and intr. v. — Late L. latinizdre, fr.
L. Latinus. See Latin and -ize.
Derivatives: Latiniz-ation, n., Latiniz-er, n.
latitude, n., breadth. — ME., fr. L. latitude,
'breadth', fr. latus, 'broad' .which stands for *stla-
tos and is rel. to stlatta, 'a kind of broad ship',
and prob. also to latus, gen. lateris, 'side', fr.
l.-E. base *steld-, 'to spread', whence also OSlav.
steljo, stilati, 'to spread out', po-stelja, 'bed',
Arm. lain, 'broad'. Cp. lateral, laticlave, lati-
fundium, Latin. For the ending see suff. -tude.
Derivatives: latitudin-al (q.v.), latitudin-ous, adj.
latitudinal, adj., pertaining to latitude. — Formed
with adj. suff. -al fr. L. latitudo, gen. Idtitudinis,
'breadth'. See prec. word.
Derivative: latitudinal-ly, adv.
latitudinarian, adj., characterized by latitude in
opinion or behavior. — Formed with suff. -arian
fr. L. latitudo, gen. Idtitudinis, 'breadth'. See lat-
itude.
Derivatives : latitudinarian, n., latitudinarian-ism,
n.
Latona, n., the mother of Apollo and Diana in
Roman mythology; equivalent to the Greek
Leto. — L. Latona, Latinized form of Gk.
Ayjtoi, Dor. Aa-rw. See Leto and cp. Leda. For
the suff. -na in Latona cp. L. Belld-na, the Ro-
man goddess of war (fr. bellum, 'war'), and L.
mdtro-na, 'matron' (fr. mater, 'mother'); see
Bellona, matron.
latria, n., the highest kind of worship, which may
be offered to God only. — Eccles L., fr. Gk.
>.aTp£ix. 'service, worship'. See -latry.
latrine, n., a privy. — F. latrines (pi.), fr. L. Id-
trina, 'a privy", contraction of early lavdtrina,
'bath', fr. lavdtus, pp. of lavdre, "to wash'. See
lave. For sense development cp. lavatory.
latrobite, n., a variety of anorthite (mineral.) —
Named after its discoverer, the Reverend C. J.
Latrobe. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
latrocinium, n.. robbery ; brigandage (Roman law).
— L. See larceny.
-latry, combining form meaning 'worship'. It oc-
curs not only in original Greek words, but also
in new coinage.-, tcp. e.g. bibliuluiry). — Gk.
-AaxpEta. -AJtTpia. fr. Xaxpeva, 'hired labor,
service, service paid to the gods, worship', which
is rel. to Aaxpov, "pay, hire', Aaxpic. 'servant,
worshiper', Aixps'jEiv, 'to serve, worship'. Sever-
al philologists derive these words fr. I.-E. base
*ta-, *le(i)-, 'to grant; possession', whence also
ON. lad, OE. 1x5, 'landed property, district',
Goth, un-leds, 'poor', OE. un-lxd, un-lxde, 'poor,
miserable', orig. 'without property' (for I.-E.
*n-leto-s). Cp. -later, latria, larceny. Cp. also
lathe, 'administrative district'.
latten, n. 1) an alloy of copper and zinc; 2) a thin
sheet of metal. — ME. latoun, laton, fr. OF. la-
ton (F. laiton), fr. Arab, latin, 'copper' [whence
also Sp. laton, Port, latdo, OProvenc. laton, le-
ton, It. ottone (in which the / of the Arabic word
was mistaken for the It. article and consequently
dropped)]; ult. fr. dial. Turk, altan, 'gold'.
latter, adj. — ME. later, Ixter, 'later', fr. OE. te-
rra, 'slower; later', compar. of Ixt. Cp. the com-
paratives ON. latari, MHG. lasser, 'slower',
OFris. letora, lettera, 'latter', Du. later, 'later',
and see late.
Derivative: latter-ly, adv.
lattice, n. — ME. latis, fr. OF. lattis, fr. latte,
'lath', which is of Teut. origin. See lath.
Derivatives: lattice, tr. v., lattic-ed, adj., lattic-
ing, n.
Latvia, n. — Lit. 'the country of the Letts'. See
Lett and cp. lat.
Derivatives: Latvi-an, adj. and n.
laubanite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (miner-
al.) — Named after Lauban in Silesia. For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
laud, n., praise. — ME. laudes (pi.), fr. MF. laudes
(pi.), fr. L. laudes, pi. of laus, 'praise', which is
prob. cogn. with OE. leod, 'song, poem', ON.
Ijod, 'strophe' (in the pi., 'song'), OHG. Hod,
MHG. liet, G. Lied, 'song", Goth, liupdn, 'to
praise', awiliup, 'thanksgiving'. Cp. allow, 'to
permit'. Cp. also lied.
laud, tr. v. — L. lauddre, 'to praise', fr. laus, gen.
laudis. See laud, n.
Derivative: laud-er, n.
laudability, n. — Late L. lauddbilitds, fr. L. laudd-
bilis. See next word and -ity.
laudable, adj. — ME., fr. L. lauddbilis, 'praise-
worthy, laudable', fr. lauddre, 'to praise'. See
laud, v., and -able.
Derivatives: laudable-ness, n., laudabl-y, adv.
laudanine, n., a poisonous alkaloid (chem.) —
Formed from next word with subst. suff. -ine.
laudanum, n., a tincture of opium. — A ModL.
word used by the Swiss alchemist and physician
Paracelsus ; prob. a var. of L. Iddanum. See lada-
num, labdanum.
laudation, n., praise. — L. lauddtio, 'a praising,
commendation', fr. lauddtus, pp. of lauddre. See
laud, v., and -ation.
laudative, adj., laudatory. — L. laudativus, 'relat-
ing to praise, laudatory', fr. lauddtus, pp. of
lauddre. See laud, v., -ive.
laudatory, adj., expressing praise. — Late L. lau-
datorius, 'relating to praise, laudatory', fr. L.
lauddtus, pp. of lauddre. See laud, v., and adj.
suff. -ory.
Derivative : laudatori-ly, adv.
Laudian, adj., pertaining to Archbishop Laud
(1573-1645) or his principles,
laugh, intr. and tr. v. — ME. lahen, laughen, fr. OE.
laughable
870
Meahhan, hliehhan, rel. to ON. hlseja, Dan. lee,
Swed. le, Du., MHG., G. lachen, OUG.(h)lahhen,
hlahhan, Goth.hlahjan, 'to laugh'. Cp. Gk. xXocy-
yrj, 'a sharp, quick sound, twang', xXat^siv (for
*xXayy-iEiv), 'to make a sharp, quick sound',
L. clangere, 'to resound, clang', Lith. klageti,
Lett, kladzet, 'to cackle', OSlav. klokotati, 'to
clack, cackle'. All these words derive from the
bases *qleg-, *qlog- ; cp. clang.
Derivatives: laugh, n., laugh-er, n., laugh-ing, n.
and adj., laugh-ing-ly, adv., laughable (q.v.),
laughter (q.v.)
laughable, adj. — A hybrid coined from the verb
laugh and suff. -able; first used by Shakespeare.
Derivatives: laughable-ness, n., laughabl-y,
adv.
laughing jackass, a bird of the kingfisher family in
Australia. — So named from its laughlike call
suggesting the braying of an ass.
laughter, n. — ME. lahter, fr. OE. hleahtor, fr.
Meahhan, 'to laugh'. Cp. ON. hldtr, Dan. latter,
Norw. laatt, OHG. hlahtar, MHG. lahter, ge-
lehter, G. Gelachter, 'laughter', and see laugh.
laumontite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (min-
eral.) — Named after the French mineralogist
Gillet Laumont (1747-1834), its discoverer. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
launch, tr. and intr. v., to hurl, cast. — ME. lan-
chen, launchen, fr. ONF. lanchier, which corre-
sponds to OF. lander (F. lancer), 'to fling, hurl,
throw, cast, launch', fr. Late L. lancedre, 'to
wield a lance', fr. L. lancea. See lance, n. and v.
Derivatives: launch, n., the sliding of a boat
from the land into the water, launch-er, n.
launch, n., a large boat carried by a warship. —
Sp. and Port, lancha, fr. Malay lancharan, 'a
kind of boat', fr. lanchar, 'swift, speedy'.
launder, n., a conduit or trough for conveying
water. — The orig. meaning was 'one who wash-
es', fr. ME. lander, launder, contraction of la-
vender, fr. OF. lavandier, 'washerman', fern, la-
vandiere (F. lavandiere), 'washerwoman', fr. Late
L. lavandaria (pi.), 'things to be washed', fr. L.
lavandus, 'to be washed', gerundive of lavdre, 'to
wash'. See lave. For Latin gerundives or their
derivatives used in English see agenda and cp.
words there referred to.
launder, tr. v., to wash (clothes, etc.); intr. v., to
wash clothes, etc. — Obsol. launder, 'launderer,
laundress', fr. ME. launder. See launder, n.
Derivative: launder-er, n.
laundress, n. — Formed fr. launder, n., with suff.
-ess.
laundry, n. — ME. lavenderie, lavendrie, fr. OF.
lavanderie, fr. Late L. lavandaria (pi.), 'things to
be washed'. See launder and -y (representing OF.
-ie).
Laura, fem. PN. — It., prob. pet form of L. Lau-
rentia, fem. of Laurentius, 'of Laurentum'. See
Laurence.
Lauraceae, n. pi., the laurel family (bot.) — Form-
ed fr. Lanrus with suff. -aceae.
laureate, adj. and n. — L. lauredtus, 'crowned
with laurel, laureate', fr. laureus, 'laurel'. See
laurel and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: laureate-ship, n.
laureate, tr. v., to crown with laurel. — L. laurea-
tus. See laureate, adj.
Derivative: laureat-ion, n.
laurel, n. — ME. laurer, lorer, lore!, fr. OF. lau-
rier, lorier (F. laurier), 'laurel', fr. OF. lor, fr. L.
laurus, 'bay tree, laurel ; laurel crown', which is
prob. borrowed from a Mediterranean language,
whence prob. also Gk. Satpvi], 'laurel' (cp.
the variants Sxuxov, Thessal., Cypr. Saiiyva,
SauxfJ-o?! Pergamene Xacpvyj ) . Cp. Daphne. Cp.
also Laurus, Laura, Laurence.
Derivative : laurel, tr. v.
Laurence, Lawrence, masc. PN. — OF. Lorenz
(F. Laurent), fr. L. Laurentius, prop, 'of Lauren-
turn', fr. Laurentum, name of a maritime town in
Latium, lit. 'town of bay trees', fr. laurus, 'bay
tree'. It. Lorenzo is of the same origin. See laurel
and cp. Laura.
Laurentian, laurentian, n., a kind of granite and
granitic gneiss in Canada (geol.) — Named from
the Laurentian Mountains in Canada, them-
selves called after the Si.Lawrence River. For the
ending see suff. -ian.
laurite, n., an osmium ruthenium sulfide (miner-
al.) — Named by the German chemist Friedrich
Wohler (1800-82) in 1866 after Mrs. Laura Joy,
the wife of a friend. — For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
Laurus, n., a genus of plants of the laurel family
(bot.) — L. laurus, 'laurel'. See laurel.
laurustine, n., a shrub with evergreen leaves (bot.)
— ML. laurustinus, compounded of L. laurus,
'laurel', and tinus, 'laurustine'. For the first ele-
ment see laurel. The second element is prob.
cogn.withGk.TiXoi;, 'a purging', W. tail, 'dung',
OSlav. tina, timenije, 'mud, mire', OE. pinan, 'to
become moist', pawian, 'to thaw' (see thaw); so
called in allusion to its purging qualities.
laurustinus, n., the laurustine. — See prec. word.
lautarite, n., calcium iodate (mineral) — G. Lau-
/aWr.named aftertheOficinai.awto-oinChile.The
ending -it goes back to Gk. -I'-qc; see subst.
suff. -ite.
lava, n. — It., orig. 'torrent, stream', fr. Neapoli-
tan lave, fr. L. Idbes, 'a fall, falling down', which
is rel. to labi, 'to slide, slip, glide' (see labor) ; not
connected with L. lavdre, 'to wash'.
lavabo, n. (eccles.) — L. lavdbd, 'I will wash', fut.
of lavdre, 'to wash' (see lave); so called from the
first word of Ps. 26 : 6 in the Vulgate text recited
by the priest in the Mass while washing his
hands.
lavage, n., washing; specif., in med., the washing
out of an organ. — F., 'a washing', fr. laver, 'to
wash'. See lave and -age.
lavalliere, n., an ornament. — F. lavalliere, 'neck-
tie', named after La Valliere (1644-1710), mis-
tress of Louis XIV.
871
lax
Lavandula, n., a genus of plants of the mint fam-
ily (bot) — ModL., fr. ML. lavandula, laven-
dula, 'lavender'. See lavender.
lavation, n., washing. — L. lavdtio, gen. -onis, 'a
washing, bathing', fr. lavdtus, pp. of lavdre. See
lave and -ation.
lavatory, n. — ME. lavatorie, fr. Late L. lavatd-
rium, 'place for washing', prop. neut. of the adj.
lavatorius, 'pertaining to washing', used as a
noun, fr. L. lavdtus, pp. of lavdre. See lave and
subst. suff. -ory and cp. laver, 'vessel for wash-
ing'.
lave, tr. and intr. v., to wash, bathe. — ME. laven,
prob. a blend of OF. (= F.) laver, 'to wash' (fr.
L. lavdre, 'to wash, bathe'), and OE. lafian, 'to
wash' (which is prob. also a derivative of L. la-
vdre). L. lavdre is prob. assimilated fr. *lovdre
and is rel. to L. luere, 'to wash', and cogn. with
Gk. Xoiieiv, Homeric X6eiv (for *X6Few), 'to
wash, bathe', Arm. loganam, 'I bathe, take a
bath', Olr. Idathar, lothar, 'basin', MBret. lo-
vazr, Bret, laouer, 'trough', luaith, W. lludw,
Bret, ludu, 'ashes', OE. leah, 'lye, ashes and wa-
ter for washing', leapor, 'lather'. See lye, lather
and cp. ablution, alluvion, alluvium, delubrum,
deluge, dilute, diluvium, latrine, launder, lavabo,
lavage, lavatory, lavender, lavish, lament, lotion,
and the second element in aurilave, pyrolusite.
laveer, intr. v., to beat against the wind (naut. ; ar-
chaic). — Du. laveren, fr. MDu. loveren, laveren,
fr. MF. louvier (F. louvoyer), fr. MF. (= F.) lof,
'windward side of a ship', which is a loan word
fr. MDu. /o/(Du. loef), 'luff'. See luff.
lavement, n., a washing. — F., fr. laver, 'to wash'.
See lave and -ment.
lavender, n., a fragrant plant of the mint family.
— ME. lavendre, fr. AF. lavendre, fr. ML. lavan-
dula, fr. It. lavandula, dimin. of lavande (whence
F. lavande), fr. lavare, 'to wash', fr. L. lavdre; so
called from the use of this plant to perfume the
water for bathing. See lave, 'to wash'.
lavenite, n., a complex zirconium mineral. —
Named after the Island of Ldven, Langesund
Fiord, in Norway. For the ending see subst. suff.
-ite.
laver, n., a vessel for washing. — ME. lavour, fr.
MF. (= F.) lavoir, fr. Late L. lavdtdrium, 'place
for washing'. See lavatory,
laver, n., a seaweed. — L. laver, 'a water plant',
of uncertain origin,
laverock, n., an archaic var. of lark,
lavish, adj., profuse, prodigal. — Fr. earlier lavish,
n., 'profusion', fr. ME. lavas, fr. OF. lavasse, la-
vache, 'deluge of rain', fr. laver, 'to wash'. See
lave, 'to wash'.
Derivatives: lavish, tr. v., lavish-er, n., lavish-ly,
adv., lavish-ness, n.
lavrovite, also lavroffite, n., pyroxene colored
green by vanadium (mineral.) — Russ. lavrovit,
named after N. von Lavrov. The ending -it goes
back to Gk. -iti]i;; see subst. suff. -Ite.
law, n. — ME. laghe, lawe, fr. OE. lagu, 'law', of
Scand. origin; cp. ON. log, 'law', prop. pi. of lag,
'something laid down, a layer', fr. Teut. base
*lag-, 'to lay' ; see lay, 'to place', lie, 'to recline'
and cp. outlaw. Hence law lit. means 'something
laid down, something fixed'. For sense develop-
ment cp. statute, lit. 'something made to stand'
(fr. L. statuere), G. Gesetz, 'law', and Satzung,
'statute', lit. 'something set' (fr. setzen, 'to set').
Cp. also Gk. xeiToa v6u.oc, 'the law is laid
(down), fr. xeT|xai, 'I lie'.
Derivatives: law-ful, adj., law-ful-ly, adv., law-
fulness, n., law-less, adj., law-less-ly, adv., law-
lessness, n., lawyer (q.v.).
law, interj. — Imitative. Cp. the interjection la.
law, n., a hill. — OE. hldw, hlxw. See low, 'a
hill'.
lawn, n., a kind of fine linen. — Formerly called
laune lynen, 'linen from Laon', fr. Laon, a town
in France, where it was originally manufactured.
F. Laon comes from OF. Lan, fr. L. Laudunum,
a name of Celtic origin.
lawn, n., a stretch of grass. — ME. launde, laund,
fr. OF. launde, lande (F. lande), 'heath, moor',
which is borrowed fr. Gaul. *landa. See land.
The omission of the d in lawn (for *lawn-d) is
prob. due to its having been confused with the
suff. -ed. For a similar omission of the final -dep.
scan.
lawn tennis. Lit. 'tennis played in the lawn',
lawny, adj., made of, or resembling, lawn (cloth).
— Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. lawn, 'a kind of
fine linen'.
lawny, adj., 1) like a lawn; containing lawns. —
Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. lawn, 'a stretch of
grass'.
Lawrence, masc. PN. — See Laurence.
lawrencite, n., ferrous chloride (mineral) — F.,
named after the American chemist and miner-
alogist J. Lawrence Smith (died in 1 883). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lawsonite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate [miner-
alogy). — Named after the American geologist
Andrew Cowper Lawson (1861-1952). For the
ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lawyer, n. — ME. lawyere. See law and -yer. Cp.
bowyer, sawyer.
Derivatives: lawyer-ess, n., lawyer-ly, adj.,
lawyer-y, n.
lax, adj., 1) loose; 2) slack. — ME., fr. L. laxus,
for *(s)l e g-sos, 'wide, loose, open', rel. to lan-
guere, 'to faint, weary', whence languidus, 'faint,
weak, dull, sluggish, languid' . See languid and cp.
words there referred to. Cp. also laxate, taxa-
tion, laxative, laxity, relax.
Derivatives: lax, n. (q.v.), lax-ly, adv., lax-ness,
n.
lax, n., looseness of the intestines. — Fr. prec.
word.
lax, n., a salmon. — Norw. laks, fr. ON. lax, rel.
to OE. leax, OS., OHG., MHG. lahs, G. Lachs,
LG. las, 'salmon', and cogn. with Lith. ISSis,
Lett, lasis, OPruss. lasasso, Russ. Idsos, 'salmon'.
laxate
872
and with Toch. B laks, 'fish'. Cp. the first element
in laspring.
laxate, tr. v., to loosen. — L. laxdtus, pp. of laxa-
re, 'to open, unloose, relax', fr. laxus. See lax,
adj., and verbal sufF. -ate.
taxation, n. — ME., fr. L. laxdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a
widening, mitigation', fr. laxdtus, pp. of laxare.
See prec. word and -ion.
laxative, adj., loosening; mildly purgative. —
ME. laxatif, fr. ML. laxdtivus, fr. L. laxdtus, pp.
of laxare, 'to open, relax', fr. laxus, 'wide'. See
lax, adj., and -ative.
Derivatives: laxative, n., a purgative medicine,
laxative-ly, adv., laxative-ness, n.
laxity, n., the quality or state of being lax. — F.
laxite, fr. L. laxitdtem, acc. of laxitds, 'spacious-
ness, roominess; languor, laxity', fr. laxus. See
lax, adj., and -ity.
lay, tr. and intr. v., to place. — ME. leggen, leyen,
leien, fr. OE. lecgan, 'to lay, put, place', rel. to
OS. leggian, ON. leggja, OFris. ledza, MDu.
legghan, leghan, Du. leggen, OHG., MHG. lec-
ken, legen, G. legen, Goth, lagjan, 'to lay, put,
place'. These verbs lit. mean 'to cause to lie', and
are causatives of OE. licgan, 'to lie', resp. its
equivalents in the other Teut. languages. See lie,
'to recline', and words there referred to and cp.
esp. lagan, law, ledge, ledger and the second ele-
ment in fellow. Cp. also layer, allay, underlay.
Derivatives : lay, n., the way in which something
lies, layer (q.v.), lay-ing, n.
lay, past tense of lie.
lay, n., a short song. — ME. laye, lay, fr. OF. ( =
F. ) lai, a word of Celtic origin; cp. Olr. Idid, Ir.
laid, Gael, laoidh, 'poem, verse, play'. These
words are not connected with L. ludus, 'play'.
Cp. roundelay.
lay, adj., pertaining to the laity, secular. — ME.,
fr. OF. lai, fr. Late L. Idicus, 'pertaining to the
people', fr. Gk. X5tx6<;, of s.m., fr. Xao; (Att.
Xecix;). 'people', which is of unknown origin.
Cp. laic, laity, the first element in Laertes, Lao-
coon, liturgy and the second element in Mene-
laus, Nicholas. Cp. also lewd.
layer, n. — ME. legger, leyer, fr. leggen, leyen, 'to
lay'. See lay, v., and subst. suff. -er. Accordingly
layer lit. means 'that which is laid".
Derivatives: layer, tr. v., layer-ed, adj.
layette, n., baby's outfit. — F., 'baby's outfit',
dimin. of MF. laie, 'drawer, case', fr. MDu.
laeye, which is rel. to G. Lade, of s.m., and to E.
lade, load (qq. v.) For the ending see suff.
-ette.
lay figure, n., a jointed model of the human form.
— Fr. earlier layman, fr. Du. leeman, lit. 'jointed
man', fr. MDu. led, lit, ghelit (Du. lid, gelid),
'limb, joint', and man, 'man'. MDu. led, lit, ghe-
lit is rel. to OE. lip, OS., OFris. lith, ON. lidr,
Dan., Swed. led, OHG. gilid, MHG. gelit, gelid,
G. died, Goth, lipus, 'limb, joint', fr. Teut. base
*/f-, corresponding to I.-E. base *let-, 'to bend,
be movable, be nimble'. See limb.
Iazar, n., a filthy beggar; esp. a leper. — ME., fr.
ML. lazarus, named after Lazarus mentioned
Luke 16:20. See Lazarus and cp. lazaretto, laz-
zarone.
lazaret, n., lazaretto. — F„ fr. It. lazzaretto. See
next word.
lazaretto, n., a hospital for lepers; place in a ship
used as storehouse. — Venetian lazareto (whence
It. lazzaretto), a blend of Lazaro (It. Lazzaro),
name of the Venetian hospital for lepers (so
called after Luke 16:20) and Nazaret, the name
of another hospital in Venice, which was so
called because it was established after the decay
of the former, in the neighborhood of the church
Santa Maria di Nazaret. See Lazarus and cp.
Iazar.
Lazarus, masc. PN. — L. Lazarus, fr. Gk. Ad£a-
poc,, aphetic for 'EXsdCapo.;, fr. Heb. ETdzar, lit.
'God has helped'. See Eleazar.
laze, intr. v. — Back formation fr. lazy.
lazy, adj. — Fr. earlier laysy; of uncertain origin.
Derivatives: lazi-ly, adv., lazi-ness, n.
lazzarone, n., one belonging to a very low class of
people in Naples, living by odd jobs or by beg-
ging. — It., augment, of lazzaro, fr. Lazzaro,
'Lazarus'. See Iazar. For the suff. -one see -oon.
-le, suff. forming diminutive nouns. — 1) ME. -el,
-ele, -elle, fr. OE. -el, -ela, -ele; cp. e.g. knuckle;
2) ME. -el, -elle, fr. OF. -el, fr. L. -ellum; cp. e.g.
castle, fr. OF. chastel (F. chateau), fr. L. castel-
lum; 3) ME. -el, fr. OF. -eille, fr. L. -icula; cp.
e.g. bottle, fr. OF. botele (F. bouteille), fr. VL.
butticula.
-le, agential suff. — ME. -le, fr. Teut. -el (often
through the medium of French). Cp. e.g. beadel,
fr. ME. bedel, fr. OF. bedel (F. bedeau).
-le, suff. denoting an instrument. — ME. -el, fr.
OE. -el. Cp. e.g. ladle, fr. ME. ladel, fr. OE.
hlsedel, fr. hladan, 'to draw (water)'.
-le, suff. forming adjectives from verbs. This suff.
indicates tendency toward the action or process
expressed by the verb. — ME. -el, -il, -le, fr. OE.
-ol. Cp. e.g. brittle, fr. ME. britel, fr. OE. breo-
tan, 'to break'.
-le, suff. forming verbs with freq. or dimin.
meaning. — ME. -elen, -ten, fr. OE. -lian. Cp. e.g.
wrestle, fr. ME. urestlen, fr. OE. wriestlian, 'to
wrestle', freq. of wrxstan, 'to twist, wrest'.
lea, n., a tract of open country. — ME. tee, leye,
fr. OE. leah, 'open field, meadow', rel. to OHG.
loh, 'cluster of bushes' (whence the PN. Hohen-
lohe), Flem. loo, of s.m. (whence the place name
Water-loo), and cogn. with OI. Idkdh, 'open
space', L. litcus, 'grove', Lith. laukas, Lett. lauks,
'open field', Toch. A lok, B lauke, 'far away',
and with L. lucere, 'to shine' ; see light, 'bright-
ness'. For sense development cp. E. clearing (fr.
clear).
tea, n., a measure of yarn (varying in different
places). — ME. lee, prob. fr. F. Her, 'to bind',
fr. L. ligdre. See ligament.
leach, tr. v., to moisten; intr. v., to melt. — A
873
Leander
blend of OE. leccan, 'to moisten', and ON. leka,
'to leak' (whence E. leak, q.v.)
Derivative : leach, n.
lead, n., a heavy, bluish grey metal. — ME. lede,
fr. OE. lead, rel. to OFris. lad, MDu. loot, lood,
Du. lood, MHG. lot, 'lead', G. Lot, 'weight,
plummet' ; of Celt, origin. Cp. Olr. luaide (for
*loudid, fr. *ploudid), fr. I.-E. base *plou(d)-,
*pleu(d)-, 'to flow', for which see fleet, 'to pass
swiftly'.
Derivatives: lead, adj. and tr. v., leaden (q.v.),
lead-y, adj., leading (q.v.)
lead, tr. and intr. v., to guide. — ME. leden, fr.
OE. l&dan, 'to lead, guide', rel. to OS. ledian,
ON. leida, OFris. leda, Du. leiden, OHG. leittan,
leiten, MHG., G. leiten, fr. Teut. *laidian, 'to
lead', lit. 'to make go', causative formed fr. *li-
pan, 'to go', which appears in OE. lidan, 'to go,
travel, sail', OS. lithan, ON. lida, 'to go', OHG.
ga-lidan, 'to travel', Goth, ga-leipan, 'to go'. Cp.
Teut. *laido-, 'way, guidance', appearing in OE.
lad, 'path, track, way, course', OS. leda, ON.
leid, 'guidance'. Cp. also load, lode, and the first
element in leitmotiv.
Derivatives: lead, n., lead-er, n., lead-er-ship, n.,
leading (q.v.)
leaden, adj., made of lead. — ME. leden, fr. OE.
leaden, fr. lead. See lead, 'a metal', and adj. suff.
-en.
Derivative: leaden-ness, n.
leaderette, n., a short editorial paragraph. — Lit.
'a short leading article', a hybrid formed fr.
leader and -ette, a suff. of French origin.
leading, n., leadwork. — Formed fr. lead, 'a
metal', with subst. suff. -ing.
leading, n., guidance. — Formed from the verb
lead with -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
leading, adj., directing, guiding. — Formed from
the verb lead with part. suff. -ing.
leaf, n. — ME. leef, lef, fr. OE. leaf, rel. to OS.
lof, ON. lauf Dan. lev, Swed. lof, OFris. Idf, Du.
loof, OHG. hub, MHG. loup, hub, G. Laub,
'foliage', Goth, lauf, 'foliage', laufs, 'leaf, and
cogn. with Lith. lupii, lupti, 'to shell, peel', Lett.
lupt, 'to peel; to rob,' Russ. luplju, lupit', 'to
peel', OSlav. lubit, 'bark, rind', Lith. luba,
OPruss. lubbo, 'board', Lith. luobas, 'bark, rind'.
All these words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base
*leub(h)-, *leup-, 'to strip, to peel', whence prob.
also L. liber (fr. *luber), 'bast, book'; see library
and cp. alypin. I.-E. base *Ieub(h)-, *leup- is rel.
to base *lep-, 'to peel', whence Gk. Aer.tv/, 'to
strip off the rind, peel, bark'; see leper and cp.
lodge.
Derivatives: leaf, intr. v., leaf-less, adj., leaf-less-
ness, n., leaf-y, adj., leaf-i-ness, n.
leafit, n., leaflet (archaic). — Coined by the Eng-
lish poet John Keats (1795-1821) fr. leaf and di-
minutive suff. -it = -et.
leaflet, n. — A hybrid coined fr. leaf and -let, a
dimin. suff. of French origin.
league, n., alliance. — OF (= F.) ligue, 'confeder-
acy, league', fr. Olt. liga, fr. L. ligdre, 'to bind'.
See ligament (It. lega is a back formation fr. It.
legare, 'to bind', fr. L. ligdre).
Derivative: leaguer (q.v.)
league, tr. v., to form into a league; intr. v., to
form a league. — Fr. prec. word. Cp. F. se
liguer, 'to form a league',
league, n., an old measure of distance varying in
different times and countries. — OF. legue (F.
lieu), fr. Late L. leuga, leuca (whence alsoOProv-
eng. lega, Sp. legua), which is of Gaulish origin,
leaguer, n., member of a league. — Formed with
agential suff. -er fr. league, 'alliance',
leaguer, n., camp. — Du. leger, 'camp'. See lair
and cp. laager, lager.
Derivative: leaguer, intr. and tr. v.
Leah, 1) fem. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, the elder daugh-
ter of Laban and wife of Jacob. — Lit. 'wild-
cow'; cp. Arab, loan, 'wildcow'. See Friedrich
Delitzsch, Prolegomena einesneuenhebr.-aram.
Worterbuchs zum Alten Testament p. 80, G.
Buchanan, Studies in Hebrew Proper Names,
p. 96, and Martin Noth, Die israelitischen Per-
sonennamen im Rahmen der gemeinsemitischen
Namengebung, p. 10.
leak, intr. v. — ME. leken, fr. ON. leka, 'to leak,
drip', which is rel. to OE. leccan, 'to moisten,
water', MDu. lecken, Du. lekken, 'to leak',
OHG. lecchen, MHG. lechen, 'to become dry',
MHG. lechezen, lechzen, G. lechzen, 'to be
parched with thirst', ON. lekr, OE. hlec. MDu.
leek, Du. lek, G. leek, 'leaky'. Outside Teut. cp.
Olr. legaim, '1 melt, dissolve' (intr.), ModW.
llaith (for *lekto-), 'moist'. Cp. leach and the
first element in lacmus.
leak, n. — ON. leki, fr. leka, 'to leak, drip'. See
leak, v.
Derivatives: leak-y, adj., leak-i-ness, n., and the
hybrid noun leak-age.
leal, adj., loyal (dial, or poet). — ME. leel, lei, fr.
OF. leial, leal, loial (F. loyal) ; a doublet of legal
and loyal.
lean, intr. and tr. v., to incline, bend. — ME.
lenen, fr. OE. hleonian, hlinian, 'to lean; to re-
cline, lie', rel. to OS. hlinon, OFris. lena, MDu.
lenen, Du. leunen, OHG. hlinen, linen, MHG.
linen, lenen, G. lehnen, 'to lean'; fr. I.-E. base
*klei-, 'to incline, lean', whence also Gk. xXT-
veiv, 'to cause to slope, slant, incline'. See clin-
ical and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
lean, 'thin', ladder, lid, linch, linchet, links, 'sand
hills', low, 'hill'.
Derivatives: lean, n., a slope, lean-ing, n.
lean, adj., thin. — ME. lene, fr. OE. hlsen, 'lean,
thin', which is of uncertain origin. It possibly
meant orig. 'bending, drooping', and is rel. to
OE. hleonian, 'to lean'. See lean, v.
Derivatives: lean, n., lean-ish, adj., lean-ly, adv.,
lean-ness, n.
Leander, 1 ) masc. PN. ; 2) in Greek mythology, a
young man of Abydos, lover of Hero. He swam
nightly across the Hellespont to visit Hero in
leap
874
Sestos. — L. Leander, fr. Gk. AetavSpoc., Aeav-
Spo?, lit. 'lion man', compounded of Xlwv, 'lion',
and avrjp, gen. devSpos, 'man'. See lion and an-
dro-.
leap, intr. and tr. v. — ME. lepen, fr. OE. hleapan,
'to jump, dance; to run', rel. to OS. hldpan, ON.
hlaupa, Dan. lebe, Swed. lopa, OFris. hldpa,
MDu. lopen, Du. lopen, OHG. hlouffan, louffan,
MHG. loufen, G. laufen, 'to run', Goth, us-
Maupan, 'to jump up'. The ult. etymol. of these
words is uncertain. Cp. elope, gallop, gantlet, in-
terloper, landloper, lapwing, lope, loup, orlop,
wallop.
Derivatives: leap, n., leap-er, n., leap-ing, n.
and adj.
learn, tr. and intr. v. — ME. lernen, fr. OE. leor-
nian, rel. to OS. linon (for *lizndri), OFris. lernia,
lirnia, OHG. lernen, lirnen, MHG., G. lernen,
'to learn', Goth, lais, 'I know', laisjan, OE. l&ran
(whence ON. lira), OS. lerian, OFris. lira, MDu.
leeren, Du. leren, OHG. lerran, leren, MHG.
leren, G. lehren, 'to teach', lit. 'to make known'.
All these words orig. meant 'to follow or find the
track, to follow, go after', resp. 'to cause to find
the track, to cause to follow'. They are related to
OHG. leisa (in wagenleisa), 'track of carriage
wheels', MHG. leise, geleis, G. Geleise, Gleis,
'track', OE. ISest, 'sole of foot, track, footprint,
last', OHG. leist, 'track, footprint, last', MHG.
leist, G. Leisten, 'last', ON. leistr, 'foot, sock',
Goth. laists, 'track', laistjan, 'to follow'. Cognates
outside Teut. are L. lira (for *leisd), 'the earth
thrown up between two furrows, furrow',
OSlav. lecha, 'ridge (in a field)', OPruss. lyso, of
s.m., Lith. lyse, 'garden bed'. Cp. last, 'model of
foot', last, 'to endure', lore. Cp. also delirium.
Derivatives: learn-ed, adj., learn-ed-ly, adv.,
learn-ed-ness, n., learning (q.v.)
learning, n. — ME. lerning, fr. OE. leornung,
'learning, study', fr. leornian, 'to learn'. See learn
and subst. suff. -ing.
lease, tr. v. — AF. lesser, fr. OF. laissier, lessier,
lesser (F. laisser), 'to let, leave', fr. L. laxdre, 'to
open, make wide, slacken, relax, relieve', fr.
laxus, 'wide, loose, open'. See lax, adj., and cp.
lessee.
lease, n. — ME. les. fr. AF., fr. OF. lais, 'a let-
ting, leaving', verbal n. of laissier (see lease, v.).
The F. equivalent of OF. lais is legs, whose
spelling is due to the erroneous derivation of
this word fr. L. legdtum, 'bequest, legacy' (see
legacy).
leash, n., a thong for holding a dog. — ME. lese,
lees, fr. OF. lesse, laisse (F. laisse), fr. L. laxa,
fem. of laxus, 'wide, loose, open'. See lax, adj.,
and cp. lease.
Derivative: leash, tr. v.
leasing, n., a lie, falsehood (archaic). — ME. le-
sing, fr. OE. leasung, 'falsehood, deception', fr.
leas, 'devoid of, without; false, feigned', rel. to
leosan, 'to lose'. See lose and -tag, suflf. forming
verbal nouns, and cp. -less.
least, adj. — ME. teste, lest, fr. OE. ISst, contrac-
tion of IBsast, Isesest, 'smallest', superl. of Iwssa,
'less'. See less.
Derivatives: least, n., least-ways, adv. (colloq.),
least-wise, adv.
leat, n., an open water trench. — ME. leet, fr.
OE. gelset, gelSte, 'junction of roads, outlet',
from pref. ge- (see y-) and the stem of Ix tan, 'to
leave'. See let, 'to leave',
leather, n. — ME. lether, fr. OE. leder, rel. to OS.
lethar, ON. ledr, Dan. Isder, Swed. lader, OFris.
lether, MDu. leder, Du. leder, leer, OHG. ledar,
MHG., G. leder, and cogn. with Olr. lethar, W.
lledr, Bret, lezr, 'leather'.
Derivatives: leather, adj. and tr. v., leather-ing,
n., leathern (q.v.), leather-y, adj., leather-i-ness,
n.
leatherette, n. — A hybrid coined fr. leather and
-ette, a suff. of French origin,
leathern, adj. — Formed fr. leather with suff. -en.
leatheroid, n., material used instead of leather;
artificial leather. — A hybrid coined fr. leather
and Gk. -oeiSr]?, 'like', fr. eISo;, 'form, shape'.
See -oid.
leave, tr. and intr. v. — ME. leven, fr. OE. Isefan,
'not to take away, to leave, bequeath', rel. to
OE. Idf, 'what remains, remnant', OE. belifan,
OS. bilihan, OHG. billban, MHG. bellben, G.
bleiben, Goth, bileiban, 'to remain', and prob.
also to OE. lif, 'life', libban, lifian, 'to live', orig.
'to remain' ; cogn. with Gk. Xinoq, 'grease, fat',
Xltcocp6<;, 'oily, fat, greasy', XiTtocpr)?, 'persist-
ing, persevering', lit. 'sticky', XTmxpsiv, 'to per-
sist, persevere', lit. 'to stick', OI. limpdti,'sme&Ts',
liptdh, 'sticking together', lepah, 'unguent', L.
lippus, 'blear-eyed', Lith. limpu, lipti, 'to stick,
adhere', OSlav. pri-lingti, of s.m., lepu, 'bird-
lime', Alb. Vaparos, 'I soil', gVep, geVepe, skleps,
'mucus secreted by the glands of the eyelid', and
possibly also Hitt. lippanzi, 'they smear, paint'
(but Gk. Xet7ru>, L. linqud, 'I leave', are not cog-
nate). All these words derive fr. I.-E. base *leip-,
'to anoint; to stick, adhere; to remain, perse-
vere, continue, live'. Cp. life, live, liver and the
second element in Olaf. Cp. also adipose, Lipa-
ris, lipase, lipo-, 'fat', lipoma, the first element
in liparoid and the second element in celibate.
Derivative: leav-ing, n.
leave, n. — ME. leve, fr. OE. leaf, rel. to OE. leof,
'dear', ON. leyfi, MHG. loube, 'permission', OS.
orlof, OFris. orlof, orlef, OHG., MHG. urloup,
G. Urlaub, 'leave of absence', OE. liefan, ON.
leyfa, 'to permit, allow', OE. dliefan, dlyfan,
OHG. irlouben, MHG. erloubcn, G. erlauben,
Goth, uslaubjan, of s.m., OE. geleafa, OS. gild-
to, OHG. giloubo, MHG. geloube, gloube, G.
Glaube, Goth, galaubeins, 'belief, OE. geliefan,
gelefan, OS. gildbian, MHG. gelouben, glduben,
G. glauben, Goth, galaubjan, 'to believe', fr.I.-E.
base *leubh-, 'to love, approve, praise'. See lief
and love and cp. words there referred to. Cp. also
the second element in furlough.
875
ledger
leave, intr. v., to put forth leaves, to leaf. — ME.
leven, fr. lef, 'leaf. See leaf.
leaved, adj., having leaves. — Formed fr. prec.
word with suff. -ed.
leaven, n. — ME. levain, levein, fr. F. levain, fr.
VL. *levdmen, 'something that raises' (classical
L. levdmen, means 'alleviation, mitigation'), fr.
levdre, 'to lift, raise; to lighten, alleviate, miti-
gate', fr. levis, 'light'. See level and cp. relieve.
Derivatives : leaven, tr. v., leaven-ing, n.
leban, lebban, also leben, n., coagulated sour milk
(an Arab beverage). — VArab. Idban, leben,
'sour milk', fr. Arab. Idban, 'milk', which is rel.
to Heb. Idbhdn, 'white', l e bhdnd h , poetic name
for the moon (lit. 'the white one'), l e bhona h ,
Aram.-Syr. fbhuntd, Arab, lubdn, 'frankincense'
(Gk. Xtpavo?, XifiavcaToi;, 'frankincense', are
Sem. loan words), Heb. Ifbhdnon, Akkad. Lab-
ndnu, Aram. Libhndn, Arab. Lubndn, 'Mount
Lebanon', lit. 'the white one'; so called from
the whiteness of its cliffs. Cp. olibanum and the
first element in benzoin.
Lecanium, n., a genus of scale insects (entomolo-
gy). — ModL., fr. Gk. Xsxdtviov, dimin. of
Xsxdcv7], 'dish, pan'. See lekane and cp. Lecidea.
lecanomancy, n., divination by the inspection of
water in a basin. — Compounded of Gk. Xe-
xivrj, 'dish, pan', and [xauxEia, 'oracle, divina-
tion'. See lekane and -mancy.
Lechea, n., a genus of plants, the pinweed (bot.)
— ModL., named after the Swedish botanist
Johan Leche (1704-64).
lecher, n., lecherous, lewd. — ME. lechour. fr.
OF. lecheur (F. lecheur), 'libertine', lit. 'licker',
fr. lechier (F. lecher), 'to lick', fr. Frankish *lik-
kon, which is rel. to OHG. leckon, 'to lick". See
lick.
lecherous, adj., lustful. — ME., fr. MF. leche-
reus, fr. OF., fr. lecheur, 'libertine'. See prec.
word and -ous and cp. lickerish.
Derivatives : lecherous-ly, adv., lecherous-ness, n.
lechery, n., lust, lewdness. — ME. lecherie, fr. OF.
lecherie, fr. lecheur, 'libertine'. See lecher and -y
(representing OF. -ie).
Lecidea, n., a genus of crustacean lichens (bot.) —
ModL., fr. Gk. Xsxi?, gen. XsxtSoi;, dimin. of
Xexo;, 'dish'. See lekane and cp. Lecanium.
lecithin, n., a waxy substance found in tissues of
the brain and the nerves (biochem.) — Coined by
Gobley fr. Gk. Xexiftoc, 'the yolk of an egg',
which is of uncertain, prob. foreign, origin, and
chem. suff. -in.
lecontite, n., a hydrous sodium ammonium po-
tassium sulfate (mineral.) — Named after the
American scientist John L. Le Conte, its dis-
coverer. For the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lectern, n., a reading desk in a church. • — ME.
lectorne, refashioned (after ML. lectdrlnum, lec-
tnnum) fr. ME. lettorne, lettron, fr. OF. letrin,
fr. ML. lectdrlnum, lectrlnum, fr. Late L. lectrum,
'reading desk, pulpit', fr. L. lectus, pp. of legere,
'to read'. See lecture.
lection, n., a reading, a lesson. — L. lectio, gen.
-onis, 'a reading', fr. lectus, pp. of legere, 'to
read'. See lecture and -ion and cp. lesson, which
is a doublet of lection.
lectionary, n., a list of lections. — Ecclesiastic L.
lectidndrium, fr. L. lectio, gen.-on/i, 'a reading'.
See prec. word and subst. suff. -ary.
lector, n., a reader, esp. in a church or in a uni-
versity. — Late L. lector, 'reader', fr. L. lectus,
pp. of legere. See lecture and agential suff. -or.
lectorate, n., the office of a lector. — ML. lecto-
rdtus, fr. Late L. lector. See prec. word and subst.
suff. -ate.
lecture, n. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) lecture, fr.
ML. lectura, fr. L. lectus, pp. of legere, 'to gath-
er, collect; to pick out, choose; to read, recite'
(prop, 'to choose words'), fr. I.-E. base *leg-, 'to
pick together, gather, collect', whence also Gk.
XeyEiv, 'to pick out, choose; to say, tell, speak,
declare' (prop, 'to choose words'), Xs^t; (for
*Xey-<jk;), 'speech, diction', Xoyoi;, 'word,
speech, discourse, account, thought, reason',
Alb. mb-Ve®, 'I gather, collect, harvest'. Cp.
alexia, Alogians, analects, analogue, analogy,
apologetic, apologize, apologue, apology, coil,
colleague, collect, college, curiologic, Decalog,
dialect, dialogue, diligent, duologue, dyslogy,
eclectic, eclogue, elect, election, elegant, eligible,
elite, epilogue, eulogy, florilegium, intellect, in-
telligent, lectern, lection, legal, legation, legend,
legible, legion, legislation, legitimate, legume,
lesson, lexicon, ligneous, logic, logos, monologue,
neglect, negligee, paralogy, predilection, prole-
gomena, prologue, recollect, religion, sacrilege,
select, sortilege, syllogism, tetralogy, trilogy. For
the ending of lecture see suff. -ure.
Derivatives: lecture, intr. and tr. v., lectur-er, n.,
lecture-ship, n.
lecythus, n., a tall, slender vase with a single
handle (Greek antiq.) — Late L., fr. Gk. Xy]Xu-
&o<;, 'oil flask', which is of unknown origin,
led, past tense and pp. of lead. — ME. ledde, fr.
OE. Istdde, fr. OE. Wdan, 'to lead'. See lead, v.
Leda, n., mother of Castor and Pollux, Helen,
and Clytemnestra (Greek mythol.) — L. Leda,
fr. Gk. A-yjSa, which prob. derives fr. Lycian
Lada, and lit. means 'wife, woman'. She is identi-
cal with Latona and Leto (qq.v.)
lederite, n., a variety of sphene (mineral.) —
Named after Baron Louis von Lederer, Austri-
an Consul at New York, in recognition of his
interest in mineralogy. For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
ledge, n., a shelf projecting from a wall; a ridge of
rocks. — ME. legge, 'support, bar', prob. relat-
ed to ME. leggen, 'to lay'. See lay, 'to place',
and cp. next word.
Derivative: ledg-y, adj.
ledger, n., an account book. — ME. legger, fr.
leggen, 'to lay'; cp. the ME. var. lidger, which
prob. derives fr. liggen, 'to lie'. ME. legger, lid-
ger orig. meant 'a book that lies permanently in
ledger
876
the same place'. See lay, 'to place', lie, 'to re-
cline', and cp. prec. word.
ledger, adj., stationery — From the stem of ME.
leggen, 'to lay', fr. OE. lecgan. See ledger, n.
Ledum, n., a genus of plants, the Labrador tea
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. XrjSov, the plant Cistus
Cyprius. See ladanum.
lee, n., 1) shelter; 2) the side of a ship turned
away from the wind. — ME. lee, 'shelter', fr.
OE. hleo (gen. hleowes), 'shelter, protection', rel.
to OS. hleo, ON. Me, Dan. /a?, Swed. la, Du. lij,
'lee', and to ON. hly, 'shelter, warmth', hlyr,
hlser, 'warm, mild', MLG., Du. lauw, MDu. laeu,
OHG. Ido (inflected Idwer), MHG. Id, lawes, G.
lau, 'tepid'; prob. fr. I.-E. *kleu-, enlargement
of base *kel-, 'warm', whence L. calete, 'to be
warm'. See caldron and cp. lew, hike, 'lukewarm' .
Derivative: lee, adj.
leech, n., 1) physician (archaic); 2) a blood suck-
ing worm. — ME. leche, fr. OE. leece, 'physi-
cian ; leech', rel. to ON. Ixknit, OS. Idki, OFris.
letza, OHG. Idhhi, lachi, Goth, lekeis, 'physi-
cian', prob. meaning orig. 'magician', and cogn.
with Olr. liaig, 'charmer, exorcist, physician'.
leech, n., either edge of a square sail (naut.) —
Rel. to MLG. lik, Du. lijk, G. Leik, ON. Ilk,
'boltrope, leechrope'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *leig-,
'to bind', whence also L. ligdre, 'to bind, tie'.
See ligament and cp. words there referred to.
leechcraft, n., medical science (archaic). — ME.
lechectaft, fr. OE. lsecect&ft. See leech, 'physi-
cian', and craft.
leechdom, n., medicine, remedy (obsol.) — ME.
lechedom, fr. OE. Ixcedom, 'medicine, remedy'.
See leech, 'physician', and -dom.
leek, n. — ME. lek, lik, fr. OE. leac, lie, ieek,
onion, garlic', rel. to OS. lok, 'leek', ON. laukr,
'leek, garlic', Dan. leg, Swed. lok, 'onion', Du.
look, 'leek, garlic', OHG. huh, louhh, MHG.
louch, G. Lauch, ieek', fr. I.-E. base *leug-,
*Iug-, 'to bend, twist', whence also OE. locc,
'lock of hair'. Finn, lauka, Lith. lukai, Lett, lu-
oks and OSlav. luku are Teut. loan words.
See lock, 'tuft of hair', and cp. Lygodium,
reluct.
leer, n., cheek, face (obsol.) — ME. ler, fr. OE.
hleor, 'cheek, face', rel. to ON. hlyr, OS. hleor,
hlior; of uncertain origin,
leer, intr. v., to look askance. — Prob. fr. prec.
word.
Derivatives: leer, n., a side glance, leer-ing, adj.,
leer-ing-ly, adv., leer-y, adj.
Leersia, n., a genus of grasses, the cut grass (bot.)
— ModL., named after the German botanist
Johann Daniel Leers (1727-74). For the ending
see 1st suff. -ia.
lees, n. pi. — ME. lie, fr. OF. (= F.) lie, 'lees', fr.
Gallo-L. lia (for *liga), 'sediment' (cp. Olr.
lige, 'a lying'); fr. I.-E. base *legh-, 'to lie'. See
lie, 'to recline'.
leet, n., a courtleet; its jurisdiction. — Cp. AF.
lete, AL. leta; of uncertain origin.
leeward, adv., adj. and n. — Compounded of lee,
'shelter', and -ward.
Derivative: leeward-ly, adv.
leeway, n. — Compounded of lee,'shelter', and way.
left, past tense and pp. of leave. — ME. lafte,
lefte, past tense and pp. of leven, 'to leave'. See
leave, v.
left, adj., adv. and n. — ME. luft, lift, left, orig.
'weak, infirm', fr. OE. lyft, 'weak' (whence OE.
lyftddl, 'paralysis'), rel. to MLG. lucht, MDu.
lucht, luft, 'left', prob. not connected with Gk.
X£7ip6;, 'scaly', Xeicpa, 'leprosy' (see leper). See
Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 786 s.v. lepidus.
leg, n. — ME. legge, leg, fr. ON. leggr, 'leg'
(which is rel. to ON. armleggr, 'arm'), which is
prob. rel. to OE. lira (for Higizd), 'fleshy part of
the body, flesh', ON. Ixr, Swed. lar, 'thigh', and
prob. cogn. with OI. rksdld, 'foot joint of a
hoofed animal', L. lacertus, 'upper arm, arm',
lacerta, 'lizard', locusta, 'grasshopper, locust',
lit. 'the jumper', Gk. Xa$, XaySr^, 'kicking
with the foot', Acom^etv, 'to kick with the foot',
Xay.Tiq, 'pestle', Xutep-fi^eiv (Hesychius), 'to
spring, leap', Lith. lekiu, lekti, 'to fly', lakstyti,
'to hop', Lett, lezu, lekt, 'to jump'. All these
words prob. derive fr. I.-E. base *leq-, *fq-, 'to
bend, twist'. See Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I,
743-44, s.v. lacertus. Cp. Lacerta, lacertian, liz-
ard, lobster, locust. Cp. also polatouche.
Derivatives: leg, intr. v., legg-ed, adj., legg-ing,
n., legg-y, adj., legg-i-ness, n.
legacy, n. — ME. legacie, fr. OF. legacie, 'legate's
, office', fr. ML. legdtia, fr. L. legdtus, 'ambassa-
dor, envoy'. See legate and -cy.
legal, adj. — ME., fr. MF. (= F.) legal, fr. L.
legdlis, 'pertaining to the law, legal', fr. lex, gen.
legis, 'law', which is prob. rel. to legere, in the
sense of 'to gather', and orig. meant 'collection' ;
see lecture, collection and cp. the second element
in privilege. For the lengthening of the e in lex
cp. the noun rex, 'king', which is rel. to regere,
'to guide, direct'. Cp. leal and loyal, which are
doublets of legal.
Derivatives: legal-ism, n., legal-ist, n., legalist-
ic, adj., legal-ist-ic-al-ly, adv., legality (q.v.),
legal-ize, tr. v., legal-iz-ation, n., legal-ly, adv.
legality, n. — ME. legalite, fr. MF. (== F.) lega-
lite, fr. ML. legdlitdtem, acc. of legdlitds, fr. L.
legdlis, 'pertaining to the law'. See prec. word
and -ity.
.igate, n., envoy. — ME., fr. OE. legat, fr. OF.,
fr. L. legdtus, 'ambassador, envoy', prop. pp. of
legdre, 'to send with a commission, to send as
ambassador', rel. to lex, gen. legis. 'law'. See
legal and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: legate-ship, n.
legate, tr. v., to bequeath by will. — L. legdtus, pp.
of legdre, 'to send with a commission; to ap-
point by a last will'. See legate, n.
legatee, n., one to whom a legacy is bequeathed.
— L. legdtus, pp. of legdre. See prec. word and
-ee.
01/
Iegatine, adj., pertaining to a legate. — See prec.
word and -ine (corresponding to L. -inus).
legation, n. — ME. legacioun, fr. OF. (= F.) lega-
tion, fr. L. legdtidnem, acc. of legdtid, 'embassy',
fr. legdtus, pp. of legdre, See legate, n., and -ion.
legato, adv., to be played smoothly, i.e. without
intervals (mus.) — It. legato, 'tied, bound', pp.
of legare, fr. L. ligdre, 'to bind'. See ligament.
legator, n., one who bequeaths. — L. legator, fr.
legdtus, pp. of legdre, 'to appoint by a last will'.
See legate, 'to bequeath', and agential suff. -or.
legend, n. — ME. legende, fr. OF. legende (= F.
legende), fr. ML. legenda, 'a thing to be read', fr.
L. legendus, 'to be read', gerundive of legere, 'to
read'. See lecture. For other Latin gerundives
used in English cp. agenda and words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: legendary (q.v.), legend-ry, n.
legendary, adj. — ME. legenddrius, fr. legenda,
'legend'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
legerdemain, n., conjuring tricks, jugglery. — F.
leger de main, 'light of hand'. F. leger, 'light',
derives fr. VL. *levidrius, fr. L. levis, 'light in
weight' ; see lever and cp. legerity. F. de, 'from,
of, comes fr. L. de, 'from, away from' ; see de-.
F. main, 'hand', derives fr. L. manum, acc. of
manus, of s.m ; see manual.
Derivative: legerdemain-ist, n.
legerity, n., lightness, nimbleness. — F. Ugerete,
fr. Uger, fr. VL. *levidrius, fr. L. levis, 'light in
weight'. See legerdemain and -ity.
Leghorn., 1) Leghorn straw; 2) a hat made from
this straw; 3) a Leghorn breed of fowl. —
Named fr. Leghorn (Livorno) in Italy,
legible, adj. — Late L. legibilis, 'readable', fr. L.
legere, 'to read'. See lecture and -ible.
Derivatives : legibil-ity, n., legible-ness, n., legibl-
y, adv.
legion, n. — ME. legioun, fr. OF. legiun, legion
(F. legion), fr. L. legidnem, acc. of legid, 'a le-
gion', fr. L. legere, 'to gather, collect; to read'.
See lecture and -ion.
legionary, adj. and n. — L. legidndrius, 'pertain-
ing to a legion', fr. legid, gen. -dnis, 'a legion'.
See prec. word and -ary.
legislate, intr. v. — Back formation fr. legislation.
legislation, n., the making of laws. — L. legisldtid,
prop, two words : legis /a/i'o,'proposing'(lit.'bear-
ing) of a law', fr. legis, gen. of lex, 'law', and
latid, 'a bringing (forward)', fr. Idtus, 'borne,
brought, carried' (used as pp. oiferre, 'to bear,
carry'), which stands for *tldtos, fr. *//-, zero
degree of I.-E. base *tel-, *tol-, 'to bear, carry',
whence L. tollere, 'to lift up, raise', tolerdre, 'to
bear, support'. See legal and tolerate.
legislative, adj. and n. — See prec. word and -ive.
legislator, n. — L. legis ldtor, 'proposer' (lit.
'bearer') of a law', fr. legis, gen. of lex, 'law', and
ldtor, 'proposer', fr. Idtus, 'borne, brought, car-
ried'. See legislation and agential suflf. -or.
legislature, n., a law-making body. — See legisla-
tion and -ure.
legist, n., one versed in the law. — MF. (= F.)
legiste, fr. ML. legista, fr. L. lex, gen. legis, 'law'.
See legal and -ist.
legitimacy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
legitimate, adj. — ML. legitimatus, pp. of legiti-
mate, 'to legitimate', fr. L. legitimus, 'lawful', fr.
lex, gen. legis, 'law'. See legal.
Derivatives: legitimate-ly, adv., legitimate-ness,
n., legitimation (q.v.), legitimat-ize, tr. v.
legitimate, tr. v. — ML. legitimatus, pp. of legiti-
mate. See legitimate, adj.
legitimation, n., the action of making legitimate.
— ME. legitimacioun, fr. MF. (= F) legitima-
tion, fr. ML. legitimdtidnem, acc. of legimdtid,
fr. legitimatus, pp. of legitimdre. See legitimate,
adj., and -ion.
legitimism, n., the principles of a legitimist. — F.
legitimisme, fr. L. legitimus, 'lawful'. See legiti-
mate, adj., and -ism.
legitimist, n., a supporter of legitimate authority.
— F. legitimiste, fr. L. legitimus, 'lawful'. See
legitimate, adj., and -ist.
Derivatives: legitimist, legitimist-ic, adjs.
legitimize, tr. v., to legitimate. — Formed with
suff. -ize fr. L. legitimus. See legitimate, adj.
Derivative : legitimiz-ation, n.
leguan, n., a large lizard. — Formed by the agglu-
tination of the Sp. def. article la, fr. Veguan,
Viguan, fr. Sp. Viguana, lit. 'the iguana'. See
iguana, guana. Sp. la derives fr. L. ilia, fem. of
ille, 'that' ; see ille. For the agglutination of the
article cp. lierre and words there referred to.
legume, n., 1) a plant of the group of the pulse
family; 2) pod. — F. legume, fr. L. legumen,
'pulse or other leguminous plants', lit. 'that
which is gathered', fr. legere, 'to gather, collect'.
See lecture.
legumen, n., the same as legume.
legumin, n., a proteid obtained from the seeds of
leguminous plants (biochem.) — Formed with
suff. -in fr. L. legumen, gen. legiiminis, 'pulse'.
See legume.
Leguminosae, n. pi., the pulse family (bot.) —
ModL. See leguminous and adj. suff. -ose.
leguminous, adj., 1) pulselike; 2) pertaining to the
Leguminosae. — Formed with suff. -ous fr. L.
legumen, 'pulse'. See legume.
Leibnizian, also Leibnitzian, adj., pertaining to
the German philosopher, Baron Gottfried Wil-
helm von Leibniz (less correctly spelled Leib-
nitz) (1646-1716) or to his doctrines.
Leibnizianism, n., the doctrines of Leibniz. — See
prec. word and -ism.
Leicester, n., a breed of sheep. — Named fr.
Leicester, a county in Leicestershire, England.
Leila, Leilah, fem. PN. — Arab. Ldyla h , prop,
'dark as night', fr. Idyla h , 'night', which is rel. to
Heb. Idyil, ldyld h , Aram, leld, lelya, Syr. lelya,
Ethiop. lelit, 'night', Akkad. lildtu, 'evening'.
Cp. LUith.
leio-, combining form meaning 'smooth'. — Gk.
leiomyoma
878
Xeio-, fr. Xsio?, 'smooth', which stands for *Xsi-
foq, and is cogn. with L. levis (for *lei-wis),
'smooth*, fr. I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slime, slimy,
sticky, dauby, slippery'. See slime and cp. words
there referred to.
leiomyoma, n., a tumor of smooth muscles (med.)
Medical L., coined fr. Gk. Xeio;, 'smooth',
jxu?, 'muscle', and suff. -u[i.a. See leio-, myo-
and -oma.
Leiophyllum, n., a genus of plants, the sand myrtle
(hot.) — ModL., compounded of leio- and cpiiX-
Xov, 'leaf. See phyllo-.
leister, n., a spear with prongs for striking fish. —
ON. Ijostr, 'spear with prongs', fr. Ijdsta, 'to
strike', which is of uncertain origin. It is possi-
bly cogn. with Russ. lusta, 'cut, slice'.
Derivative: leister, tr. v.
leisure, n. — ME. leyser, fr. OF. leisir (F. loisir),
'leisure, spare time', orig. an inf. meaning 'to be
permitted', fr. L. licere. See license. For the use
of the inf. as a noun and for the change of F.
suff. -ir to E. -ure cp. pleasure.
Derivatives: leisure, leisur-ed, leisure-less, leis-
ure-ly, adjs., leisure-li-ness, n.
leitmotiv, also leitmotif, n., a short musical phrase
recurring with a given personage or situation. —
G. Leitmotiv, lit. 'leading motive', fr. leiten, 'to
lead', and Motiv, 'motive'. See lead, 'to guide',
and motive, n.
Leitneria, n., a genus of plants {bot.) — ModL.,
named after the German naturalist Edward F.
Leitner. For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Leitneriaceae, n. pi., the cork wood family (bot.)
— ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
leitneriaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
lekane, n., a large dish or bowl (Greek antiq.) —
Gk. Xexocvt), 'dish, pot, pan', fr. Xsxoc, of s.m..
prob. meaning lit. 'something bent', and cogn.
with L. lanx, gen. lands, 'plate, dish; scale of
weighing machine'. See balance and cp. words
there referred to.
Lelia, fern. PN. — L. Laelia, fern, of Laelius, name
of a Roman gens.
leman, n., sweetheart; usually in the sense of par-
amour. — ME. leofman, lefman, lemman, fr.
OE. leaf, 'dear', and man, 'man'. See lief and
man.
lemma, n., an assumption taken for granted. —
L., fr. Gk. XrjjjLuoc, 'something received; some-
thing taken for granted, assumption, premise',
rel. to el-XT] ixjjloci, perf. pass, of XajxSavo, 'I
take, grasp, seize; I receive', which derives partly
fr. I.-E. base *(s)lag K -, 'to take, seize', whence
also Xi<ou.at (for *XaY-io[i.xi or *X6v T -io|iai),
'I take, grasp, (see latch), and partly fr. base
*labh-, 'to take, seize', whence Gk. X£<pupov,
'spoil, prey', a(jL<pi-Xo«pT)<;, 'wide-spreading' (lit.
♦taking in on both sides'), OI. Idbhate, lambhate,
rdbhate, 'seizes', Lith. Idbis, 'possession, riches',
labas, 'good'. Cp. analemma, dilemma, trilemma,
astrolabe, catalcosv. epilepsy, narcolepsy, nym-
pholepsy, prolepsis, syllable. For base *rabh-, as
a probable secondary form of base *labh-, see
rabid. For the ending of lemma see suff. -ma.
lemming, n., a small, ratlike animal. — Norw., fr.
Lapp, luomek.
Lemna, n., a genus of plants, the duckweed (bot.)
ModL., fr. Gk. Xsfxva, 'a kind of marsh
plant'.
Lemnaceae, n. pi., the duckweed family (bot.) —
Formed fr. Lemna with suff. -aceae.
lemnaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
lemniscatc, n. (geom.) — Late L. lemniscatus,
'adorned with ribbons', fr. lemniscus, 'ribbon',
fr. Gk. Xr)[AvtCTX0?, of s.m. See next word and
adj. suff. -ate.
Derivative: lemniscat-ic, adj.
lemniscus, n„ 1) the form ■¥ used in annotations;
2) a band of fibers (anat.) — Late L. lemniscus,
fr. Gk. XrnxvLOXoe, 'ribbon', which is prob. rel.
to A5j[ivo<;, 'Lemnos' (name of an island in the
Aegean Sea), hence orig. meant 'of Lemnos'.
Cp. lemniscate.
lemon, n. — ME. lymon, fr. MF. (= F.) limon, fr.
Turk, limon, fr. Pers. limun, 'limon, citron'. Cp.
lime, 'a fruit', limonene.
Derivatives: lemon, adj. and tr. v., lemonade
(q.v.), lemon-y, adj.
lemonade, n. — F. limonade, fr. limon, 'lemon'.
See prec. word and -ade.
lemur, n., any of a group of nocturnal mammals
related to the monkeys. — ModL., fr. L. lemu-
res, 'spirits of the dead, ghosts, specters', cogn.
with Gk. Xocfiupo?, 'voracious, gluttonous', Ad-
(wa, 'spirits of the dead, ghosts, specters'. See
lamia and cp. words there referred to. The ani-
mal was called lemur in allusion to its nocturnal
habits.
lemures, n. pi., the spirits of the dead (Roman re-
ligion). — L. lemures. See prec. word.
lemuroid, adj., resembling, or pertaining to, the
lemurs or the Lemuroidea. — A hybrid coined
fr. lemur and Gk. -oei8t)c, 'like', fr. eTSo?,
'form, shape'. See -oid.
Lemuroidea, n. pi., a suborder of Primates, the
lemur (zool.) — ModL. See prec. word.
Lena, fem. PN. — Shortened fr. Helena or Mag-
dalena.
lend, tr. and intr. v. — ME. lenen, fr. OE. Iznan,
'to lend, grant', fr. Isn, 'loan', rel. to Du.
lenen, OHG. lehanon, MHG. lehenen, G. lehnen,
'to lend'. See loan.
Derivative : lend-er, n.
length, n. — ME. lengthe, fr. OE. lengdu, for
*langida, fr. OE. long, 'long', rel. to ON. lengd,
Dan. Isngde, Swed. Idngd, OFris. lengethe,
MLG. lengede, Du. lengte, 'length'. See long
adj., and subst. suff. -th and cp. Lent.
Derivatives: length-en, tr. and intr. v., length-y,
adj., length-i-ly, adv., length-i-ness, n.
leniency, lenience, n. — Formed from next word
with suff. -cy» res^. -ce.
lenient, adj., mild. — L. leniens, gen. -entis, pres.
part, of lenire, 'to soften, alleviate, mitigate,
allay, soothe, calm', fr. lenis, 'soft, smooth,
mild, gentle, calm', which prob. derives fr. I.-E.
base *le(i)-, 'to leave behind, leave, yield',
whence also Lith. Unas, 'quiet, tranquil; tame;
slow', Lett. lens, 'slow, lazy', OSlav. lenu, 'lazy'.
Fr.base *le(i)d-, a -^-enlargement of base *le(i)-,
derive L. lassus (for *lad-to-s), 'faint, weary,
languid', OE. lout, 'sluggish, slow', IStan, 'to
leave behind'.See let, 'to leave', and cp. lassitude,
late. For the ending see suff. -ent.
Derivative : lenient-ly, adv.
lenify, tr. v., to soften, mitigate. — Compounded
of L. lenis (see lenient) and suff. -fy.
lenitive, adj., softening, mitigating. — ML. leni-
tivus, fr. L. lenitus, pp. of lenire, 'to soften'. See
lenient and -ive.
Derivatives: lenitive, n., lenitive-ly, adv., leni-
tive-ness, n.
lenity, n., leniency. — OF. lenite, fr. L. lenitatem,
acc. of lenitas, 'softness, smoothness, mildness',
fr. lenis. See lenient and -ity.
leno, n., a soft cotton fabric. — Prob. fr. F. linon,
'lawn' (= a fine linen fabric), fr. lin, 'linen'. See
linen.
lens, n., 1) a piece of glass resembling a lentil ; 2) a
lens-shaped transparent body in the eye (anat.)
— L. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil' ; see lentil.
Lent, n. — Fr. earlier Lenten, fr. ME. lenten, lente,
fr. OE. lengten, lencten, 'spring, Lent', rel. to OS.
lentin, MLG., MDu. lenten, OHG. lengizin, len-
zin, fr. Teut. *langat-tin, lit. 'long days'. For the
first element of this compound see long, adj. The
second element appears also in Goth, -teins (in
the compound sin-teins, 'daily') and is cogn.
with OI. dina-, OSlav. dim, Lith. diend, Lett.
diena, OPruss. deinam (acc), 'day', L. -dinae (in
nun-dinae, 'the ninth day, the market day'); and
with L. dies, 'day', deus, 'god'; see dies non,
deity. Accordingly OE. lengten, etc., prop,
meant 'the season of long days'. Cp. MDu., Du.
lente, OHG. lenzo, MHG. lenze, G. Lenz,
'spring', which arose from short dialectal forms,
lent, past tense and pp. of lend,
lentamente, adv., slowly (musical direction). — It.,
'slowly', formed fr. lenta, fem. of lento, 'slow',
and adverbial suff. -mente, fr. L. mente, abl.
of mens, 'mind'. See lento and mental, 'relating
to the mind', and cp. tardamente, tostamente.
lentando, adv., getting slower (musical direction).
It., gerund of lentare, 'to render slow, slack-
en', fr. lento. See lento and cp. rallentando.
Lenten, adj. — Formed fr. Lent with suff. -en; not
to be confused with the noun Lenten, which de-
rives fr. OE. lencten (see Lent).
Lentibulariaceae, n. pi., the bladderwort family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Lentibularia, name of the
genus (synonymous with Utricularia), shortened
from L. *Lenti-tubularia (see haplology), which
is compounded of lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil', and
tubulus, dimin. of tubus, 'tube'. See lentil, tubule
and the suffixes -ary and -aceae.
Ientibulariaceous, adj. — See prec. word and
-aceous.
lenticel, n., a lenticular spot in the bark of a tree
(bot.) — F. lenticelle, dimin. of L. lens, gen.
lentis, 'lentil'. See lentil.
lenticula, n., 1) a freckle (med.) ; 2) a lenticel (bot.) ;
3) a small lens (optics). — L., 'a small lentil', di-
min. of lens, gen. lentis. See lentil.
Derivatives: lenticul-ar, adj., lenticul-ate, adj.
and tr. v.
lentiginous, adj., pertaining to lentigo; freckly. —
L. lentiginosus, fr. lentigo, gen. lentiginis, 'a len-
til-shaped spot'. See next word and -ous.
lentigo, n., freckles. — L. lentigo, lit. 'a lentil-
shaped spot', fr. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil'. See
lens, lentil.
lentU, n. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) lentille, fr. L.
lenticula, 'a small lentil', fr. lens, gen. lentis, 'len-
til'. Cp. Gk. Xdc&upos, 'a kind of pulse, OSlav.
leSta, 'lentil', OHG. linsi, MHG., G. linse, of
s.m. Cp. lens, Lentibularia, lenticel, lenticula,
Lentigo, lentiginous. Cp. also Lathyrus.
lentiscus, also lentisc, lentisk, n., the mastic tree;
mastic. — L. lentiscus, fr. lentus, 'flexible; slow'.
See next word.
lentitude, n., slowness (rare). — L. lentitudo, gen.
-tudinis, 'slowness, sluggishness', fr. lentus, 'flex-
ible, pliant; tenacious; slow, sluggish, immova-
ble', which is cogn. with OS. lithi, OE. lide, 'soft,
mild, gentle'. See lithe and Lantana, lentamente,
lentando, lentiscus, lento, relent. For the ending
see suff. -tude.
lento, adj., slow; adv., slowly (musical direction).
— It. lento, 'slow', fr. L. lentus. See lentitude.
lentoid, adj. lens-shaped. — A hybrid coined fr.
L. lens, gen. lentis, 'lentil', and Gk. -oslStj?,
'like', fr. elSoc, 'form, shape'. See lens and -oid.
Leo, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) name of a northern constel-
lation. — L. Led, iion'. See lion and cp. Lean-
der, Leonard, Leonid, Leonine.
Leonard, masc. PN. — F. Leonard, fr. OF. Leo-
nard, fr. G. Leonhard, fr. OHG. *Lewenhart, lit.
'strong as a lion', compounded of levio, lewo (fr.
L. led), 'lion', and hart, 'hard'. See lion and hard
and cp. Leo.
Leonid, n., any of a shower of shooting stars. —
Formed fr. Leo with patronymic suff. -id; cp.
F. Leonides (pi.); so called because they appear
to radiate from the constellation Leo.
Leonidas, masc. PN. — L. Leonidas, fr. Gk. Aeto-
leonine, adj., pertaining to, or resembling, a lion.
— L. ledninus (whence also F. leonin), fr. led,
gen. leonis, 'lion'. See lion and suff. -ine (rep-
resenting L. -inus).
Leonine, adj., pertaining to one called Leo; esp.
pertaining to one of the thirteen popes called
Leo. See Leo and prec. word.
Leonora, fem. PN. — It. Leonora, of the same
origin as Eleanor (q.v.)
Leontodon, n., a genus of plants, the hawkbit
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'lion's tooth', fr. Gk. Xsuv,
Leonurus
880
gen. XeovTos, 'lion', and 68<ov, gen. oSov-roq,
'tooth'. See lion and odonto- and cp. dandelion.
Leonurus, n., a genus of plants, the motherwort
((, ot .) — ModL., lit. 'lion's tail', fr. Gk. Xetov,
'lion', and oupa, 'tail'. See lion and uro-, 'tail-'.
leopard, n. — ME. leopard, lepard, fr. OF. leo-
pard (F. leopard), fr. L. leopardus, lit. 'lionpard',
fr. led, 'lion', and pardus, 'pard'. See lion and
pard.
Derivative : leopard-ess, n.
leopardite, n., a quartz porphyry spotted with
stains of manganese {mineral) — Formed fr.
leopard with subst. suff. -ite ; so called in allusion
to its spotted appearance.
Leopold, masc. PN. — F. Leopold, of Teut. ori-
gin. Cp. OHG. Leutpald, Liutbalt, lit. 'bold in
the people', fr. leudi, 'people' and bald, 'bold'.
For the first element see liberal and cp. Lett,
liege, for the second see hard.
Lepadidae, n. pi., a family of birds, the goose bar-
nacles (ornithol.) — Formed with suff. -idae fr.
Gk. Xsniq, gen. Istz&Soc,. See Lepas.
Lepas, n., a genus of birds, the goose barnacle
(ornithol.) — L., lepas, 'limpet', from Gk. XsTtas,
gen. XeTtiiSo;, of s.m., which is rel. to XETta?,
gen. XettixSo?, 'a bare rock, crag', and prob. also
to Xstciv, 'to peel'. See next word and lapidary,
adj.
leper, n. — The word orig. meant 'leprosy' ; ME.,
fr. OF. lepre (F. lepre), fr. L. lepra, fr. Gk, Xercp a,
'leprosy', lit. 'that which scales off', fr. Xsrcpoi;,
'scaly', which is rel. to Xeirtc, Xs7ras, 'scale',
Xsiteiv, to strip off the rind or husks, peel, bark',
fr. I.-E. base *lep-, 'to peel, scale', whence pos-
sibly also L. lepas (lepor), gen. -oris, 'pleasant-
ness, charm', lepidus, 'pleasant, charming, neat',
and OE. Ixfer, 'rush, bulrush, thin plate of
metal', OHG. leber, 'rush'; cp. Lepas, Lepi-
dium, lepido-, lepto-, lapidary, adj. Base *lep- is
rel. to base *leub(h)-, *leup-, 'to peel'; see leaf.
Cp. lobe. Gk Xibrpx, 'leprosy', is prob. not cogn.
with OE. left, 'weak' (see left).
Derivative: leper-ed, adj.
Lepidium, n., a genus of plants, the pepperwort
(hot.) — L., 'pepperwort', fr. Gk. XsmSiov, fr.
Xetui;, 'scale', which is rel. to Xettew, 'to peel,
strip'. See leper and cp. lepido-. For the ending
see 1st suff. -ium.
lepido-, combining form meaning 'scale or flake'.
— Gk. Xstu8(o)-, stem of tests, gen. XerctSos,
'scale'. See leper and -id.
Lepidoptera, n. pi., insects with four scaly wings.
ModL., lit. 'scale-winged animals', coined by
the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl
von Linne) (1707-78) in 1735 fr. Gk. Xerct;,
'scale', and irrepov, 'wing'. See lepido- and
ptero-.
Derivatives: lepidopter-al, adj., lepidopter-an,
adj. and n., lepidopter-ous, adj.
leporid, n., one of the Leporidae; adj., pertaining
to the Leporidae. — See next word.
Leporidae, n. pi., the family of the hares and rab-
bits (zoo/.) — ModL., formed with suff. -idae fr.
L. lepus, gen. leporis, 'hare'. See next word.
leporine, adj., pertaining to a hare. — Formed
with suff. -hie (representing L.-inus) fr. L. lepus,
gen. leporis, 'hare', which is of non-Indo-Euro-
pean, prob. Iberian origin. Cp. leveret.
lepra, n., leprosy. — L., fr. Gk. XsTtpa, 'leprosy'.
See leper.
leprechaun, n., a pygmy sprite (Irish folklore). —
Ir. lupracan, metathesized fr. Mir. luchrupdn, lit.
'a very little body', fr. lu, 'little', and corpdn,
dimin. of corp, 'body', fr. L. corpus. See corpus,
leprology, n., the study of leprosy. — Coined fr.
Gk. Xe7ipS, 'leprosy', and -Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See leper and -logy,
leprosery, n., leper hospital. — F. leproserie, fr.
lepreux, 'leprous', fr. lepre. See leper and -ery.
leprosy, n. — Formed fr. leprous with suff. -y
(corresponding to L. -id).
Derivative: leprosi-ed, adj.
leprous, adj. — ME. leprous, lepras, fr. Late L.
leprdsus, fr. L. lepra. See leper and -ous.
Derivatives: leprosy (q.v.), leprous-ly, adv., lep-
rous-ness, n.
-lepsia. — The same as -lepsy.
-lepsy, combining form meaning 'a violent at-
tack' as in catalepsy, epilepsy (med.) — Medical
L. -lepsia, fr. Gk. -Xr]i|Aa, lit. 'a seizing', fr.
X7j(jj-, the future stem of X<x(j.pavEiv, 'to take,
grasp, seize'. See lemma,
lepto-, before a vowel lept-, combining form
meaning 'thin,small,fme, delicate'.— Gk. Xetito-,
Xetit-, fr. Xe7it6?, 'cleaned of the husks; thin,
fine, slender, delicate, slight, small; pleasant,
elegant', lit. 'peeled', verbal adj. of Xsrceiv, 'to
peel'. See leper,
leptodactyl, n., a bird or another animal having
slender toes. — Compounded of lepto- and Gk.
SaxTuXoq, 'finger, toe'. See dactyl,
leptomeninges, n. pi., the pia mater and the arach-
noid (anat.) — Medical L., prop, 'the delicate
membranes', fr. lepto- and Gk. (rr,vi-n'£s, pi. of
jiijviY^, "membrane' (see meninxj.The term
viy£ Xettt-t) was used orig. by Galen in its literal
sense to denote 'delicate membranes',
leptomeningitis, n., inflammation of the pia mater
and the arachnoid (med.) — Medical L., prop,
meaning 'inflammation of the delicate mem-
branes'. See prec. word and -iris,
lepton, n., 1) a small coin in ancient Greece; 2) the
smallest coin of modern Greece, equivalent to
1/100 of a drachma. — Gk. aetttov, neut. of
y.zr-oc, 'thin, small'. See lepto-.
Leptothrix, n., 1) a genus of filamentous organ-
isms first observed by Leeuwenhoek (bacteriol.)
— ModL., coined by the English physician Sir
William James Erasmus Wilson (1809-84) fr.
Gk. te7rr6c., 'fine, delicate', and &pt£, 'hair'.
See lepto- and -thrix.
lerot, n., a kind of dormouse. ■ — F. lerot, orig.
written leyrot, dimin. of loir, 'dormouse'. See loir.
881
lethargy
Lesbian, adj., 1) pertaining to Lesbos; 2) erotic;
n., 1) an inhabitant of Lesbos; 2) a homosexual
woman; so called from the homosexuality at-
tributed to Sappho, who lived in Lesbos. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Lesbius, fr. Gk.
Asopio?, fr. Atapoq, name of the island now
called Mytilene.
Lesbianism, n., homosexuality between women.
— See prec. word and -ism.
lese majesty, high treason. — F. lese-majeste, fr.
L. laesa majestas, lit. 'hurt majesty', fr. fern. pp.
of laedere, 'to hurt, injure', and majestas, 'ma-
jesty'. See lesion and maiesty.
lesion, n., an injury. — ME. lesioun fr. MF. (=
F.) lesion, fr. OF., fr. L. laesionem, acc. oilaesid,
'injury, attack', fr. laesus, pp. of laedere, 'to
hurt, injure, damage, offend, insult, violate',
which is of uncertain origin. Cp. collide, colli-
sion, elide, elision.
Lespedeza, n., a genus of plants, the bush clover
(bot.) — ModL., named by the French botanist
and traveler Andre Michaux (1746-1802) after
Vincente Manuel de Cdspedez (misspelled Les-
pedes), the Spanish governor of East Florida, a
contemporary of Michaux.
Lesquerella, n., a genus of plants, the bladderpod
(bot.) — ModL., named after the Swiss-Ameri-
can bryplogist and paleobotanist Leo Lesque-
reux (l6jB]6-89). For the ending see suff. -ella.
less, adj. — ME. lesse, partly fr. OE. lies, 'less',
partly fr. OE. ISssa, compar. of lies; rel. to OS.,
OFris. les, 'less', and prob. cogn. with Lith.
liesas, 'thin' ; used as compar. of little, but not
rel. to it. Cp. least, lest, unless.
Derivatives: less, adv. and n., lessen, lesser
(qq. v.)
-less, suff. — ME. -less, -lesse, fr. OE. -leas, fr.
leas, 'devoid of; false, feigned; incorrect,
worthless', rel. to Du. -loos, G. -los, '-less', ON.
lauss, 'loose, free, vacant, dissolute' (whence E.
loose), MDu., Du. los, OS., OHG., MHG. Ids,
G. los, 'loose, free', Goth, laus, 'empty, vain'.
See lose.
lessee, n., one to whom a lease is given. — ME., fr.
AF. lessee, 'one to whom a lease is given', cor-
responding to OF. lesse, pp. of OF. laissier, Us-
sier, lesser (F. laisser), 'to let, leave'. See lease
and -ee.
lessen, intr. and tr. v. — Formed fr. less with ver-
bal suff. -en.
lesser, adj. — A double compar. ; formed fr. less
with compar. suff. -er.
lesson, n. — ME. lessoun, fr. OF. (= F.) lecon, fr.
L. lectidnem. acc. of lectio, 'a reading', fr. lectus,
pp. of legere, 'to read'. See lecture and cp. lec-
tion, which is a doublet of lesson.
Derivative: lesson, tr. v.
lessor, n., one who grants a lease. — See lessee
and agential suff. -or.
lest, conj. — ME. leste, fr. OE. py lis pe, 'lest',
lit. 'by that the less that' ; py is the instrumental
case of the def. article pe, 'the'; for lies see less,
pe is the indeclinable relative (see the). After the
dropping of py, lies pe was contracted into lest
(in the sense of the rule, according to which p
after s becomes f).
-lestes, combining form meaning 'robber'; used
to form generic names (zool. and paleontol.)
— Fr. Ion., Att. Gk. X^-z^q, 'robber', contrac-
tion of Xyj'toTT)? , of s.m., from the stem of X7]t£s-
o*ai, 'to win, plunder', fr. Xnt?, 'prey, booty',
which is rel. to Ion. Xtjit,, Att. Xsta, Dor. Xata,
of s.m., auoXaaietv, 'to enjoy', and prob. cogn.
with OI. Idtam, lotram, 'booty', L. lucrum, 'gain'.
See lucre and cp. apolaustic.
let, tr. v., to leave. — ME. Izten, leten, fr. OE.
Ixtan, 'to leave behind, bequeath, leave', rel. to
OS. Idtan, ON. lata, Dan. lade, Swed. lata,
Norw. lata, OFris. leta, MLG., MDu., Du. la-
ten, OHG. Ids3an, MHG. la^en, G. lassen, Goth.
letan, 'to leave, let', fr. I.-E. base *le(i)d-, *l d-,
'to leave behind, leave, yield', whence L. lassus
(for *lad-to-s), 'faint, weary, languid, exhausted',
Gk. XtjSeiv (Hesychius), 'to be weary*, Alb. Voft,
'I tire, weary', I'odem, 'I grow tired', Gheg l'q,
Tosk /'£, 'I let, leave', Lith. Uidiiu, leisti, 'to let,
to let loose'. Cp. let, 'to hinder', late, leat, inlet,
outlet. Cp. also alas, lassitude. I.-E. *le(i)d- is a
-^-enlargement of base *le(i)-, whence L. lenis,
'smooth, soft, gentle'. See lenient.
Derivatives: let, n., a letting of a house etc.,
lett-er, n.
let, tr. v., to hinder (archaic). — ME. letten, fr.
OE. lettan, 'to delay, hinder, procrastinate', rel.
to OS. lettian, 'to hinder', ON. letja, 'to hold
back', OHG. lezzen, MHG. letzen, 'to stop,
check' (whence MHG., G. ver-Ietzen, 'to hurt,
injure'), Goth, latjan, 'to hinder, make late,
tarry', and to OE. Izt, 'sluggish, slow; late'. See
late and cp. let, 'to leave'.
Derivative: let, n., hindrance,
-let, dimin. suff. — Not a contraction of the two
dimin. suffixes -el and -et (as most lexicographers
suggest), but the dimin. suff. -et, to which the
letter / was prefixed. The addition of the / is due
to a misdivision of words that had an organic /
before the suff., as e.g. in circlet, islet, etc. (which
were misdivided into circ-let, is-let, etc. ; in re-
ality they stand for circl-et, isl-et as diminutives
of circle, resp. isle). From the generalization of
the ending -l-et in the above and similar words
with organic / arose the new dimin. suff. -let.
lethal, adj., deadly, mortal. — L. letdlis (less cor-
rectly lethdlis), 'deadly, fatal', fr. letum (lethum),
'death', which is of uncertain etymology. The
spelling with -h- (in lethum, lethdlis) is due to a
confusion with Gk. Xvjdr,, 'forgctfulness, obli-
vion'. For the ending see adj. suff. -al.
lethargic, lethargical, adj. — MF. (= F.) le'tkar-
gique, fr. Late L. lethargicus, fr. Gk. Xy)9apyix<Ss,
'lethargic', fr. XYj&apyta. See lethargy and -ic,
resp. also -al.
lethargy, n., morbid drowsiness; torpidity. — F.
lethargic, fr. Late L. lethargia, fr. Gk. XKi&apyta,
Lethe
882
'forgetfulness', fr. X-rj&apyoi;, 'forgetful', which
is compounded of Xt]St], 'forgetfulness', and
apyoc, 'idle, lazy', contraction of *i-Fspyoq,
lit. 'not working'. See Lethe, argon and -y (rep-
resenting Gk. 45).
Lethe, n., 1) a river of Hades, whose water when
drunk caused forgetfulness of the past; 2) for-
getfulness, oblivion. — L. Lethe, fr. Gk. Xtj&y),
'forgetfulness, oblivion', which is rel. to X^$ap-
yoQ, 'forgetful', Xa&pir], 'secretly, by stealth',
Xdt&pioc, 'stealthy', Xav&avetv, 'to be hidden' ;
cogn. with L. latere, 'to lie hid'. See latent and
cp. lethargy, lanthanum, Alethea, alethlology.
Lethean, adj., pertaining to Lethe. — Formed
with suff. -an fr. L. Letheus, fr. Gk. Avj^ato?,
'of Lethe' (fr. Xrftcaoq, 'causing forgetfulness'),
fr. Atj&y), 'Lethe'. See prec. word.
Letitia, fem. PN. — Lit. 'gladness', fr. L. laetitia,
fr. laetus, 'glad', which is of uncertain etymol-
ogy. Cp. Lettice.
Leto, n., daughter of the Titan Coeus and mother
of Artemis and Apollo by Zeus (Greek mythol.)
— Gk. At)T(o, Dor. AS™, prob. fr. Lycian
Lada, a word lit. meaning 'wife, woman'. Cp.
Leda, Latona.
Lett, n., an inhabitant of Latvia. — The word
orig. meant 'people'. It comes fr. OHG. liuti
(whence MHG. liute, G. Leute), 'people', which
is possibly cogn. with Gk. sXEu&spo?, L. liber,
'free'. See liberal and cp. eleuthero-. Cp. also
Latvia. For sense development cp. Dutch.
Derivatives: Lett-ic, Lett-ish, adjs. and n.'s.
letter, n., graphic symbol, character. — ME.
lettre, fr. OF. ( = F.) lettre, fr. L. littera, 'letter
of the alphabet' (in pi. 'epistle, document'),
which is of uncertain origin. Ernout and Meillet
(in DELL., p. 363) point out that since the Latin
alphabet was borrowed from the Greeks
(through the medium of the Etruscans), it is not
improbable that littera itself would be of Greek
origin. According to Breal (quoted by Ernout-
Meillet I.e.) littera would derive fr. Gk. 8icp&£pa,
'tablet', a word glossed by Hesychius; for the
change of d- to /- see lachrymal. Cp. literal, liter-
ary, literate, literature, alliteration, belles-lettres,
obliterate.
Derivatives: letter, tr. v., letter-ed, adj., letter-er,
n., letter-ing, n.
Lettice, fem. PN. — A var. of Letitia (q.v.)
Letto-, combining form meaning 'Lettish and'. —
See Lett.
lettuce, n. — ME. letuse, fr. OF. laitues, pi. of
laitue, fr. L. lactuca, 'lettuce', fr. lac. gen. lactis,
'milk' (see lacteal, adj.); so called'in allusion to
the milky juice of this plant. For the suff. -uca
cp. L. er-uca, 'a kind of colewort', alb-ucus, 'the
plant asphodel'.
leu, also ley, n., monetary unit of Rumania. —
Rum. lea (pi. lei), lit. *lion\ fr. L. ted. See lion
and cp. lev.
leuc-, form of leoco- before a vowel.
leucaemia, leucemia, n. — See leukemia.
leucaemic, leucemic, adj. — See leukemic.
leucine, also leucin, n., a white amino acid (bio-
chem.) — Coined by the French chemist Henry
Braconnot (1781-1855) in 1820 fr. Gk. Xeuxos,
'white' (see leuco-), and chem. suff. -ine, -in; so
called by him because of its color.
leucite, n., a crystalline mineral found in volcanic
lava (mineral.) — G. Leucit (now spelled Leuzit),
coined by the German mineralogist Abraham
Gottlob Werner (1750-1817) in 1791 fr. Gk.
Xeux6c, 'white', and suff. -it, which goes back
to Gk. -ittji; (see leuco- and subst. suff. -ite); so
called by him in allusion to its glassy appear-
ance.
leuco-, before a vowel leuc-, combining form
meaning 'white'. —Gk. Xsuxo- , Xsux-, fr. Xeuxo.;,
'white', which is cogn. with Goth, liuhap, OE.
leoht, 'light'. See light, n., and cp. words there
referred to.
leucocyte, n., a white blood corpuscle (anat.) —
Coined by Littre and Robin fr. Gk. Xeuxo?,
'white', and xiixoi;, 'a hollow vessel'. See leuco-
and -cyte.
Derivative: leucocyt-ic, adj.
leucocythemia, leucocythaemia, n., leukemia. —
Compounded of leuco-, Gk. xikot;, 'a hollow
vessel', and aljxa, 'blood'. See -cyte and -emia
and cp. leukemia.
leucocytosis, n., an increase in the number of
white blood corpuscles (med.) — Medical L.,
coined by the German pathologist Rudolf Vir-
chow (1821-1902) about 1865 fr. leucocyte and
suff. -osis.
leucoderma, n., abnormal whiteness of the skin
(med.) — Medical L., compounded of leuco-
and Gk. Sspjxa, 'skin'. See derma.
Leucojum, n., a genus of plants, the snowflake
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Xeuxoi'ov, 'snowflake',
fr. Xedxov tov, lit. 'white violet'. See leuco- and
iolite.
leucoma, n., disease of the eye characterized by
white opacity of the cornea (med.) — Medical
L., fr. Gk. Xeiix(0[i.a, 'whiteness, anything whit-
ened; a white spot in the eye; a white tablet for
notices', fr. Xeuxo;. See leuco- and -oma.
leucomaine, n., any basic substance normally
produced in the living animal body through met-
abolism (biochem.) — Coined by the French
chemist Armand Gautier (1837-1920) fr. Gk.
Xe'jxufjLoc, 'anything whitened' (see prec. word),
on analogy of ptomaine. See William Bulloch,
The history of bacteriology, Oxford University
Press, 1938, p. 135.
leucopenia, n., a diminution in the number of
white blood corpuscles (med.) — Compounded
of leuco-, abbrev. of leucocyte, and Gk. -nevla,
'poverty', fr. it^vTjq, gen. itevrjToi;, "poor',
which stands in gradational relationship to n6-
voc,, 'toil, labor', iroveiv, 'to toil, work hard',
7rov»]p6?, 'painful, distressed; bad, worthless'.
Cp. Ponera and thi second element in geoponic,
Melipona.
883
levin
leucoplakia, n., a disease characterized by the for-
mation of white patches on a surface (med.) —
Medical L., coined ft. leuco-, Gk. 7tXa5, 'any-
thing flat' (see placenta), and suff. -ia; intro-
duced by Schwimmer as a term for white pat-
ches seen on the tongue, lips or cheeks.
leucoplast, n., one of the colorless bodies found
in the cytoplasm of plants (bot.) — Compound-
ed of leuco- and Gk. -7rXatJTo?, fr. jtXaaT6<;,
'molded, formed', verbal adj. of 7tXa<j<7Eiv. See
-plast.
leucorrhea, leucorrhoea, n., white discharge from
the vagina (med.) — Medical L., compounded
of leuco- and Gk. -ppota, 'a flow, flowing',
from the stem of pew, 'to flow'. See -rrhea.
Leucothoe, n., the daughter of Orchamus, king of
Babylon; said to have been changed by Apollo
into a shrub (Greek and Soman mythol.) — L.
Leucothoe, n., a genus of plants, the fetter bush
(bot.) — ModL., fr. prec. word.
leukemia, leukaemia, n. (med.) — Medical L., lit.
'whitebloodedness', fr. Xeuxo?, 'white', and
aljjux, 'blood'. See leuco- and -emia.
lev, n., the monetary unit of Bulgaria. — Bulg.
lev, 'lion', fr. OSlav. livO, which prob. derives
through the medium of Goth. *liwa- ft. Gk.
Xeov. See lion and cp. leu.
Levana, n., the goddess of childbirth in Roman
mythol. — L. Levana, fr. levare, 'to lift up, raise'
(see lever) ; so called because she was supposed
to raise newborn infants from the ground.
Levant, n., the countries of the Mediterranean
East of Italy. — ME. levaunt, orig. 'the East', ft.
F. levant, lit. 'the rising (of the sun'), fr. (se)
levant, pres. pari, of (se) lever, 'to rise', fr. lever,
'to raise', ft. L. levare, 'to lift up, raise'. See
lever and -ant. For sense development cp. Bac-
trian.
levant, intr. v., to run away without paying one's
gambling debts. — Fr. Sp. levantar el campo, 'to
break up camp', fr. L. levdns, gen. levantis, pres.
part, of levare, 'to lift up. raise'. See prec. word.
levanter, n., one who levants. — Formed fr.
levant, 'to run away', with agential suff. -er.
levanter, n., a strong eastern wind blowing in the
Mediterranean. — Formed fr. Levant with agen-
tial suff. -er.
Levantine, adj., related to, or connected with, the
Levant. — Formed ft. Levant with adj. suff. -ine.
Derivative: Levantine, n., a native of the Levant.
levator, n., a muscle serving to raise a part of the
body (anat.) — Medical L. levator, lit. 'a lifter',
ft. L. levdtus, pp. of levare. See lever and agen-
tial suff. -or.
levee, n., a reception held by a sovereign or his
representative. — F. /eve, for lever, 'a rising',
prop, the inf. lever, 'to raise', se lever, 'to rise",
used as a noun. See lever and cp. Levant. The
word levee was applied orig. to the morning re-
ception held by the French king immediately
after rising from bed.
levee, n., a natural or artificial embankment. —
F. levee, 'raising, lifting; embankment', prop,
fem. pp. of lever, 'to raise', used as a noun. See
lever and cp. prec. word,
level, n. — ME. livel, level, fr. OF. livel, level
(whence, with dissimilation, F. niveau), fr. VL.
*libellus, fr. L. llbella, dimin. of libra, 'pound,
measure for liquids, balance, level'; cp. It. li-
vello, OProvenc. livel (whence Sp. nivel), 'level',
which all derive fr. VL. *libellus. See libra and
cp. deliberate.
Derivatives : level, adj., adv. and tr. v., level(l)-er,
n., level(l)-ing, n., level-ness, n.
lever, n. — ME. levere, levour, fr. OF. leveor (F.
leveur), lit. 'a lifter', fr. lever, 'to lift, raise', fr. L.
levare, of s.m., fr. levis, 'light in weight', which
stands for *legwis or *le%wis, fr. I.-E. base
*le(n)g w h-, 'light, easy, agile, nimble', whence
also OI. laghuh, Vedic raghuh, 'quick; small',
Toch. 3. lykacke, A. lykaly, 'fine, mince', Gk.
eXaxii? (prob. for *l e ghiis), 'small', EXa9p6?
(prob. for *lng w hrds), 'light', OSlav. llgUku,
'light', Lith. lehgvas, lengvus, Lett, liegs, 'light',
Olr. laigiu (compar.), 'smaller; worse', Goth.
leihts, OE. leoht, 'light', OE. lungun, 'the lungs',
lit. 'the light organs'. See light, adj., and cp.
lights, lung. Cp. also Levant, levator, levee (in
both senses), levitate, levity, levy, v., alevin, alle-
viate, elevate, elevator, leaven, legerdemain, Le-
vana, relief, relieve, and the second element in
cantilever, champleve, pontlevis.
Derivatives : lever, tr. v., lever-age, n.
leveret, n., a hare in its first year. — MF.
*levrete, *levrette (F. levrette), dimin. of levre
(F. lievre), 'hare', fr. OF., fr. L. leporem, acc. of
lepus, 'hare'. See leporine and -et.
Levi, 1) masc. PN. ; 2) in the Bible, son of Jacob
by Leah. — Heb. Levi, lit. 'joining', from the
stem of Heb. lawd h , 'he joined', rel. to Aram.-
Syr. l e wa, 'he accompanied', Mishnaic Heb.
l e wiyyd h , l l wdyd h , 'accompaniment, escort,
caravan'. Cp. Levite, Leviticus.
leviable, adj. — Formed with suff. -able fr. levy,
v. See levy, n.
Leviathan, n. — Late L. Leviathan, fr. Heb. liwy-
dthdn, 'serpent, dragon, leviathan', prop, 'tor-
tuous', which is rel. to liwyd h , 'wreath', fr. base
l-w-h, 'to wind, turn, twist', whence also Arab.
Idwd, 'the wound, turned, twisted', Akkad. lamu,
'to surround, encircle'.
levigate, tr. v., to grind to a fine powder. — L.
levigdtus, pp. of levigare, 'to make smooth; to
pulverize', compounded of levis, 'smooth', and
agere, 'to drive, lead, do, make'. The first ele-
ment is cogn. with Gk. XeToc, 'smooth, flat' ; see
leio-. For the second element see agent, adj.,
and cp. the second element in castigate and
in words there referred to.
levigation, n. — L. levigdtio, gen. -dnis, 'a smooth-
ing; a pulverizing', fr. levigdtus, pp. of levigare.
See prec. word and -ion.
levin, n., lightning. — ME. levene, leven, levin
(revived by Walter Scott), rel. to ON. Ifvna, OE.
levirate
leoma (whence obsol.E. learn, 'flash'), OS. Homo,
'brightness, light', Goth, lauhmuni, 'lightning',
and cogn. with L. lumen, 'light', fr. I.-E. base
*leuq-, 'to shine', whence also L. Ulcere, 'to be
light, to shine', OE. leoht, 'light'. See light,
'brightness'.
levirate, n., the ancient Jewish law according to
which a man was obligated to marry his broth-
er's widow if his brother had died childless. —
Formed with subst. suff. -ate fr. L. levir, 'hus-
band's brother, brother-in-law', which stands
for I.-E. *daiwer and is cogn. with OI. devdr-,
Homeric Gk. Sarjp (for *8aiFvjp), Arm. taigr,
Russ.-Church Slav, divert, Lith. dieveris, OE.
tdcor, OHG. zeihhur, 'brother-in-law'. For the
change of initial d- to /- see lachrymal.
Levisticum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage (bot.)
— VL. levisticum, fr. L. ligusticum, lit. 'belong-
ing to Liguria'. See lovage and cp. words there
referred to.
levitate, intr. v., to tend to rise, to rise; tr. v., to
raise. — Formed on analogy of gravitate fr. L.
le vitas. See levity and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivative: levitat-ion, n.
Levite, n., any member of the tribe of Levi —
ME., fr. Late L. Levltes, fr. Gk. Asot-riK, fr.
Heb. Lewi, 'Levi, a Levite'. See Levi and subst.
suff. -He.
Derivatives: Levit-ic, Levit-ic-al (qq. v.).
Levitical, also Levitic, adj. — Late L. Leviticus,
fr. Gk. AeulTtxo?, 'pertaining to a Levite or
Levites', fr. AsuItt,;. See prec. word and -ic,
resp. also -al.
Leviticus, n., the third book of the Pentateuch. —
Late L. Leviticus (scil. liber), 'Book of the Le-
vites', fr. Gk. to Aeomxov [iifJXfov, of s.m.,
prop, the part of the Pentateuch dealing with
the function of the priests who were of the tribe
of Levi. Accordingly the name to AeuTxixov
(3i(iXiov corresponds to the orig. Hebrew name
of the Book, i.e. Tordth Kdhdm'm lit. 'the Law
of the Priests'. Gk. Ae'jmx6v is neut. of AeoT-
hy.oc. See prec. word.
levity, n., lightness; frivolity. — OF. levite, fr. L.
ievitdtem, acc. of levitas, 'lightness; fickleness,
inconstancy', fr. levis, "light in weight'. See
lever and -ity.
levo-, laevo-, combining form meaning 'left, to
the left' — L. laevus, 'left', cognate with Gk.
XaLoc (for *Xaif6;), OSlav. leva, 'left'. Cp. le-
vulose.
levorotatory, laevorotatory, adj.,* turning the
plane of polarization to the left. — Compound-
ed of levo- and rotatory.
levulose, laevulose, n., fruit sugar (chem.) —
Coined by the French chemist Pierre-Eugene-
Marcelin Berthelot (1827-1907) fr. L. laevus,
'left' (see levo-), dimin. suff. -ule and subst. suff.
-ose; so called by him because it is levo-rotatory
(q.v.) Cp. dextrose.
levy, n., the act of raising or collecting. — F. le-
vee, 'a raising, lifting, levying*, prop. fern. pp. of
884
lever, 'to raise', used as a noun. See lever and cp.
levee (in both senses).
Derivative: levy, tr. and intr. v.
levynite, n., a calcium aluminum silicate (mineral.)
— Named after the French mineralogist Ar-
mand Levy (died in 1841).
lew, adj., lukewarm (dial. E.) — ME. lew, lewe,
fr. OE. Meow, 'warm', rel. to hleo, 'shelter'. See
lee.
lewd, adj., 1) ignorant (obsol.); 2) indecent; 3)
base. — ME. lewed, 'lay, ignorant', fr. OE. Ix-
wede, 'lay, layman', of uncertain origin; perhaps
borrowed fr. L. Idicus, fr. Gk. Xaixo?. See lay,
'pertaining to the laity'.
Derivatives: lewd-ly, adv., lewd-ness, n.
Lewis, masc. PN. — Anglicized form of Louis
(q.v.)
lewis, n., a dovetailed tenon. — Prob. from the
PN. Lewis.
lewis, also Lewis gun. — Named after its inventor
Isaac Newton Lewis (1858-1931).
lewisite, n., a calcium titano-antimonate (mine-
ral,) _ Named after the English mineralogist
William J. Lewis (1847-1926). For the ending
see subst. suff. -ite.
lewisite, n., a vesicant used in chemical warfare.
— Named after the American chemist Winford
Lee Lewis (1878-1943). For the ending see subst.
suff. -ite.
lex, n., law. — L. lex, gen. legis. See legal,
lexical, also lexic, adj. — See lexicon and adj.
suff. -al.
lexico-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
dictionaries, lexical'. — See lexicon.
lexicographer, n., writer of a dictionary. — Form-
ed with agential suff. -er fr. Gk. Xs^.xoypacpot;,
'lexicographer', which is compounded of Xd;ix6v
(see lexico-) and -ypacpo;, 'writer', fr. YP«? Etv >
'to write'. See -graph.
lexicography, n., the act or process of making a
dictionary. — Formed fr. Gk. Xe^ixoypacpoG,
'lexicographer' (see prec. word), with suff. -y
(representing Gk. -ia).
Derivatives : lexicograph-ic, lexicograph-ic-al,
adjs., lexicograph-ic-al-ly, adv.
lexicology, n., the study of words. — Compound-
ed of lexico- and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. ->.6voq, ' one
who speaks (in a certain manner); one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: lexicolog-ic, lexicolog-ic-al, adjs.,
lexicolog-ist, n.
lexicon, n., a dictionary. — Gk. Xe£ix6v (scil.
ptpxtov), 'dictionary', lit. 'book of words',
neut. of XeEixoc. 'pertaining to words'. fr.X^tc,
'word, phrase, speech, diction', from the stem
of Xeyeiv, 'to speak', which is cogn. with L.
legere, 'to read'. See lecture and cp. alexia.
lexigraphy, n., mode of writing in which each
character represents a word. — Compounded of
Gk. Xe^u;, 'word', and -Ypoupti, fr. ip&yeiv, 'to
write'. See lexicon and -graptay.
leV, n. — See leu.
885
libidinous
Leyden jar, a jar used for accumulating and stor-
ing static electricity. — Named after Leyden
(now spelled Leiden) in Holland, because it was
first described by the physicist Pieter van Mus-
schenbroek of Leyden (1692-1761) in 1746.
li, n., a Chinese measure of distance correspond-
ing to about one third of a mile. — Chin.
liable, adj. — Fr. F. tier, 'to bind', fr. OF., fr. L.
ligare. See ligament and -able.
Derivatives: liabil-ity, n., liable-ness, n.
liaison, n., relation, link. — F., fr. MF., fr. Late
L. ligdtidnem, acc. of ligdtid, 'a binding', fr. L.
ligdtus, pp. of ligare, 'to bind'. Cp. OProvenc.
liazon, which is of the same origin and meaning,
and see ligament.
liana, n., any climbing woody tropical plant. —
F. liane, fr. dial. F. Hone, Home, fr. F. viorne, fr.
L. viburna, pi. of viburnum, 'wayfaring-tree' (in
VL. the L. neut. pi. became fem. sing.) ; initial
li- for vj- is due to the influence of L. ligare, 'to
bind'. See Viburnum.
liar, n. — ME. lie r, liar, fr. OE. leogere, fr. leogan,
'to lie'. See lie, 'to tell an untruth'.
Lias, n., the oldest division of the European Ju-
rassic (geol.) — OF. Hois (F. liais), 'calcareous
limestone' ; of uncertain origin. F. lias, 'lias',
has been reborrowed from English.
liassic, adj., pertaining to Lias. — Formed fr.
Lias with suff. -ic.
Liatris, n., a genus of plants, the button snake-
root (bot.) — ModL., of uncertain origin,
libation, n., the pouring out of a wine in honor of
a deity. — L. libdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a drink offering',
fr. libdtus, pp. of libdre, 'to pour out, make a li-
bation', cogn. with Gk. Xz[(3eiv, 'to pour, pour
forth, make a libation', XoiPy), 'drink offering',
Xtijj, gen. Xip6? (masc), 'the southwest wind',
*X£<)>, gen. Xt.(M<; (fem.), 'drop, stream, libation',
fr. I.-E. *(s)leib-, 'to pour, drop', enlargement
of base *lei-, 'to pour, drop', whence Lith. lieju,
lleti, 'to pour', Ipja, lyti, 'to rain', lytiis, 'rain'.
Cp. also with — /-formative element — Goth.
leipu, OE. lip, 'strong drink'. For the ending
of libation see -ation. Cp. next word. Cp. also
littoral, Lithuanian.
libeccio, n., the southwest wind. — It., fr. Gk.
Xii]j, gen. Xi[36<; (masc), 'the southwest wind'.
See prec. word.
libel, n. — ME., fr. OF. libel (F. libelle), fr. L.
libellus, 'a little book, pamphlet, lampoon', di-
min. of liber, 'book'. See library.
Derivatives: libel([)-ant,n., libel([)-ee, n., libell-
er, n., libel(l)-ous, adj., libel(l)-ous-ly, adv.
liberal, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) liberal, fr. L.
liberalis, 'pertainng to freedom, befitting a free
man, honorable, noble, gracious, generous', fr.
liber, 'free", fr. I.-E. base "leudhero-s, whence
also Gk. eXeu&Epo?, 'free'. This base prob.
meant orig. 'belonging to the people', hence 'of
legal descent', and derives fr. base *leudho-,
*leudhi-, 'people', whence also OSlav. ljudu,
'people, nation', ljudije, 'people', ORuss. ljudini,
'free men', Lith. lidudis, 'people, nation', Lett.
laudis, 'men', OPruss. ludis, 'man', ON. lydr,
Ijddr, 'people, nation', OE. leod, pi. llede, liode,
ME. lede, OS. liud, OFris. liod(e), MDu. liede,
OHG. liuti, MHG. liute, G. Leute, WGoth.
leodes, 'people'. I.-E. base *leudho-, *leudhi-,
'people', is a derivative of base *leudh-, 'to grow,
rise'. This latter appears in OI. rddhati, 'grows,
rises, climbs', Avestic raoda-, 'growth, author-
ity', Toch. A lut-k, 'to cause to grow'. Cp. liber-
ate, liberty, liege, livery, 'allowance of food',
deliver, eleuthero-. Cp. also Lett. For the ending
see adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: liberal, n., liberal-ly, adv., the hy-
brids liberal-ism, n., liberal-ist, n., Hberal-ist-ic,
adj., liberal-ize, tr. and intr. v., Hberal-iz-ation,
n., liberal-iz-er, n., and liberality, liberty, liber-
tine (qq. v.)
liberality, n. — ME. liberalite, fr. OF. (= F.)
liberalite, fr. L. liberdlitatem, acc. of liberdlitds,
'way of thinking or acting befitting a freeman',
fr. liberalis. See prec. word and -ity.
liberate, tr. v. — L. liberdtus, pp. of liberdre, 'to
set free', fr. liber, 'free'. See liberal and verbal
suff. -ate.
liberation, n. — ME. liberacion, fr. L. liberdtid-
nem, acc. of liberdtid, 'a setting or becoming
free', fr. liberdtus, pp. of liberdre, fr. liber. See
prec. word and -ion.
Derivatives : liberation-ism, n., liberation-ist, n.
liberator, n. — L. liberator, 'one who sets free, a
deliverer', fr. liberdtus, pp. of liberdre. See liber-
ate and agential suff. -or.
libertarian, adj., believing in the doctrine of the
freedom of the will. • — Formed fr. liberty with
suff. -arian.
Derivatives: libertarian, n., libertarian-ism, n.
liberticide, n., a destroyer of liberty. — Formed
from L. libertds, 'liberty', and -cida, 'killer', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See liberty and -cide, 'killer'.
Derivative: liberticid-al, adj.
liberticide, n., destruction of liberty. — Formed
fr. L. libertds, 'liberty', and -cidium, 'killing', fr.
caedere, 'to kill'. See liberty and -cide, 'killing'.
Derivative: liberticid-al, adj.
libertine, n., a licentious man. — Fr. L. libertinus,
'a freedman', fr. libertus, 'a manumitted slave, a
freedman', fr. liber. See liberal and -ine (repre-
senting L.'-inus).
Derivatives: libertin-age, n., libertin-ism, n.
liberty, n. — ME. liberie, fr. MF. (= F.) liber-
te, fr. L. libertatem, acc. of libertds, 'freedom,
condition of a free man', fr. liber. See liberal and
-ty.
libidinous, adj., lustful; lascivious. — ME. lyby-
dynous, fr. OF. libidineus (F. libidineux), fr. L.
Hbidinosus, 'full of desire, lustful', fr. libido, gen.
libidinis, 'pleasure, desire, sensual passion, lust',
fr. libet, earlier lubet, 'it pleases, it is agreeable',
which is cogn. with OI. lubhyati, 'desires', OE.
lufu, 'love'. See love, n., and -ous and cp. quod-
libet. Cp. also quillet.
libido
886
Derivatives: libidinous-ly, ad\.,libidinous-ness,n.
libido, n., the sexual instinct. — L. libido. See
prec. word.
libra, n., a pound. — L. libra, 'balance; Roman
pound', fr. earlier *lipra, whence also Gk. Xfxpa
(Dor. Xixpa is a later form), of s.m. Cp. librate,
deliberate, equilibrium. Cp. also litra, litre, livre.
Derivative: libr-al, adj.
library, n. — ME. librarie, fr. OF. librairie, 'li-
brary' (F. 'bookshop'), fr. livraire, since the 13th
cent, libraire, 'copyist' (F. 'bookseller'), fr. L.
librdrius, 'copyist, bookseller', fr. liber, gen.
libri, 'book', orig. 'the inner bark of a tree',
whence 'the text written on this', 'collection of
leaves for writing', and finally 'book'. L. liber
prob. stands for *luber and is a derivative of
I.-E. base *leu-b(h)-, *leu-p-, 'to strip, to peel'.
See leaf and subst. suff. -ary and cp. leper, lepi-
do-. Cp. also libel, libretto, ex-libris.
Derivatives: librari-an, n., librari-an-ess, n.,
librari-an-ship, n.
librate, n., land worth a pound a year (English
hist.) — ML. llbrata (scil. terra), fr. L. libra. See
libra and adj. suff. -ate.
librate, intr. v., to be balanced or poised — L.
libratus, pp. of librare, 'to balance, level, make
even', fr. libra, 'balance; pound'. See libra and
verbal suff. -ate.
libration, n., a librating. — L. llbrdtio, gen. -dnis,
'a balancing, leveling', fr. libratus, pp. of librare.
See librate, v., and suff. -ion.
librettist, n., the writer of the libretto of an opera.
— A hybrid coined fr. libretto, and -ist, a suff. of
Greek origin,
libretto, n., the words of an opera. — It., 'a little
book', dimin. of libro, 'book', fr. L. liber. See
library.
license, licence, n. — ME. licence, fr. OF. (= F.),
fr. L. licentia, 'freedom, liberty, license', fr. li-
cens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of licere, 'to be law-
ful, be permitted', which is prob. cogn. with
Lett, likstu, likstu, 'I come to terms'. Cp. licit,
illicit, scilicet, videlicet, leisure.
Derivatives: license, licence, tr. v., licens-ed, li-
cenced, adj., licens-ee, licenc-ee, n., licens-er,
licenc-er, n.
licentiate, n., a person licensed to exercise a pro-
fession. — ML. licentidtus, pp. of licentidre, 'to
permit, license', fr. L. licentia. See prec. word
and -ous.
licentious, adj., 1) lawless; 2) lewd. — L. licentio-
sus, 'unrestrained, wanton, licentious', fr. licen-
tua. See license and -ous.
Derivatives : licentious-ly, adv., licentious-ness.
n.
lich, lych, n., body; corpse (obsol. and dial. Eng-
lish). — ME. Hche, lyche, fr. OE. lie, 'body'. See
like, adj., and cp. lich-gate. Cp. also adj. and
adv. suff. -ly.
lichen, n. — L. lichen, fr. Gk. X«X^, 'lichen',
fr. Xetxeiv, 'to lick', hence lit. meaning 'the
licker'. See lick.
Derivatives: lichen, tr. v., lichen-ed, lichen-ic,
lichen-oid, lichen-ose, lichen-ous, adjs., licheni-
fication, n.
lichenology, adj., the study of lichens. — Com-
pounded of Gk. XeixV (see prec. word) and
-Xoyta, fr. -Xoyo?, 'one who speaks (in a cer-
tain manner); one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: lichenolog-ic, lichenolog-ic-al, adjs.,
lichenolog-ist, n.
lich-gate, lych-gate, n., gate to a churchyard un-
der which a bier is placed to await the coming of
the clergyman. — Lit. 'body gate'. See lich.
lichi, n. — A var. spelling of litchi.
licit, adj., permitted, lawful. — F. licite, fr. L.
licitus, 'permitted, allowed, lawful', pp. of
licere. See license and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: licit-ly, adv., licit-ness, n.
lick, tr. and intr. v. — ME. licken, fr. OE. liccian,
rel. to OS. likkon, Du. likken, OHG. lecchon,
MHG., G. lecken, 'to lick', Goth, bi-laigon, 'to
lick at' (F. lecher, 'to lick', is a Teut. loan word),
from the I.-E. imitative base *leigh-, whence also
OI. ledhi, redhi, also (a later form) lihati, 'he
licks', Avestic raez-, 'to lick', Arm. lizum,
lizem, lizanem, 'I lick', lakem, of s.m., Gk. Xei-
XEiv, 'to lick', XsixV. 'lichen'flit. 'licker'), Xi/veu-
eiv, 'to lick at', Xt/avo? (scil. SaxTuXo?), 'fore-
finger' (lit. 'licker'), L. lingere, 'to lick', Lith.
lieiiu, liezti, OSlav. Hio, lizati, 'to lick', Olr. li-
gim, 'I lick', MBret. leat, 'to lick', W. llyfu, llyv,
'to lick', Mir. liag, W. llwy, 'spoon'. Cp. — with
initial s — ON. sleikja, MHG. sleeken, G.
schlecken, 'to lick'. Cp. electuary, lecher, lichen,
ligule, linctus, lingula.
Derivatives: lick, n., lick-ing, n.
lickerish, liquorish, adj., 1) eager; 2) lecherous. —
Formed, with change of suff. -ous to -ish, fr.
ME. likerous, 'lecherous', fr. AF. *likerous,
which corresponds to OF. licherous, lecherous.
See lecherous.
Derivatives: lickerish-ly, adv., lickerish-ness, n.
licorice, liquorice, n., 1) a plant of the pea family;
2) its root. — ME. licoris, fr. AF. lycoryce, cor-
responding to OF. licorece, licorice (whence, by
metathesis, OF. ricolice, F. reglisse), fr. Late L.
liquiritia, fr. Gk. yXuxuppi^a 'licorice', lit.
'sweet root', fr. yXuxii;, 'sweet', and £i£a,
'root' ; cp. It. legorizia (whence, by metathesis,
regolizia). See glyco- and rhizo- and cp. Glycor-
rhiza.
lictor, n., an officer attending a magistrate in an-
cient Rome. — L. lictor, lit. 'binder', fr. *llctus,
pp. of *ligere, 'to bind', a collateral form of
ligare, of s.m. (see ligament); so called from the
bound rods, which he bore.
lid, n. — ME. lid, fr. OE. Mid, 'lid, cover, aper-
ture, gate', rel. to hlldan, OFris. hllda, 'to cover',
ON. Mid, 'gate, gap', Swed. lid, Dan. led, 'gate',
OFris. Mid, MLG., MDu. lit. Du. lid, OHG.
• Mit, lit, MHG. lit, 'lid, cover', MHG. ougelit,
887
life
G. Augenlid, 'eyelid'; prob. fr. I.-E. base *klei-,
'to incline, lean', whence also OE. hlienan, 'to
cause to lean'. See lean, 'to incline'.
Derivatives : lidd-ed, lid-less, adjs.
lie, intr. v., to tell an untruth. — ME. ligen, leyen,
lien, fr. OE. leogan, rel. to ON. ljuga, Dan. lyve,
OFris. lidga, Du. liegen, OS., OHG. liogan,
MHG., G. liigen, Goth, liugan, 'to lie', and cogn.
with OSlav. Ittzo, liigati, 'to lie', Uia, 'a lie'. Cp.
next word and the second element in warlock.
lie, n., an untruth. — ME. lige, leye, lie, fr. OE.
lyge, fr. leogan, 'to lie', rel. to ON. lygi, Dan.
legn, Swed. Idgn, OS., OHG. lugina, OFris.
leyne, Du. leugen, MHG. lugen(e), liigen(e), G.
Luge, Goth, liugn, 'a lie'. See prec. word.
lie, intr. v., to recline. — ME. liggen, lien, fr. OE.
licgan, rel. to OS. liggian, ON. liggja, Swed.
ligga, Dan. ligge, OFris. lidzia, lidza, MDu.
ligghen, Du. liggen, OHG., MHG. ligen, licken,
G. liegen, Goth, ligan, 'to lie', fr. I.-E. base
*legh-, 'to lie', whence also Toch. A lake, B leke,
'couch, bed', Hitt. laggari, 'falls, lies', Gk. Xs/e-
a&ai, 'to lie down', Xe/o?, 'couch, bed, marriage
bed', Xoxo;, 'place for lying in wait, ambush;
company of soldiers; childbirth', Xsxxpov,
'couch, bed', L. lectus, 'bed', OSlav. lego, lezti,
'to lie down', leio, lezati, 'to lie', loze, 'couch,
bed', za-logti, 'pledge', Lith. at-lagai, 'fallow
land', Lett, par-lags, 'piece of ground left uncul-
tivated", Olr. laigim, 'I lie down', lige, 'bed;
grave', W. lie, Co. le, MBret. lech, ModBret.
leac'h, 'place', Bret, gwele, 'bed', Modlr. luighe,
'couch, grave'. Cp. lay, v., lagan, lair, law,
ledge, ledger, lees, litter, log, 'piece of wood',
low, adj., lochia, lochio-, and the second element
in Aristolochia, Gelechia, coverlet. Cp. also rely.
Derivative: lie, n., position, direction.
liebigite, n., a hydrous uranium calcium carbo-
nate (mineral.) — Named after the German
chemist Baron Justus von Liebig (1803-73). For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
lied, n., a German song. — G. Lied, fr. MHG.
liet, fr. OHG. Hod, rel. to ON. Ijod, 'strophe', in
the pi., 'song', OE. Hod, 'song, poem', Goth.
liupon, 'to praise', awiliup, 'thanksgiving', and
cogn. with L. lauddre, 'to praise". See laud and
cp. Nibelungenlied, Volkslied.
lief, adj. (archaic), 1) dear, beloved; 2) glad. —
ME. leef, lef, lif, fr. OE. leof, 'dear, beloved', rel.
to OS. liof, ON. ljufr, OFris. liaf, Du. lief, OHG.
Hob, MHG. Hep, G. Heb, Goth, liufs, 'dear, be-
loved', and to OE. lufu, 'love". See love, n., and
words there referred to and cp. esp. belief, be-
lieve. Cp. also the first element in leman, livelong.
Derivative: lief, adv. (rare).
liege, adj. land n. — ME. lege, lige, liege, fr. OF.
liege, 'liege; free', fr. Late L. */i7/c«.s (correspond-
ing to Late L. laeticus), 'belonging to a serf,
formed with suff. -icus (see -ic) fr. litus, letus,
'serf, which occur in the Salic law and are collat-
eral forms of Late L. laetus, which is of Teut.
origin. OE. freolSta, Goth, fralets, 'freedman',
OFris. lethar, 'freedmen'; prob. not related to
G. ledig, 'free',
lien, n., the right to hold the property of another
till a debt is paid. — F., fr. L. ligdmen, 'band,
tie', fr. ligare, 'to bind, tie'. See ligament,
lien, obsol. pp. of lie, 'to recline'. — ME. lien,
formed directly from ME. inf. Hen, 'to lie'. See
lie, 'to recline',
lienal, adj., pertaining to the spleen (anat.) —
Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. lien, 'the spleen'.
See spleen.
lienculus, n., an accessory spleen (anat.) —
ModL., dimin. of L. lien, 'spleen'. See prec.
word and -cule.
lienee, n., owner of a property that is subject to a
lien (law). — Formed from the noun lien with
suff. -ee.
lienitis, n., inflammation of the spleen (med.) —
A Medical L. hybrid coined fr. L. lien, 'the
spleen' (see spleen), and -iris, a suff. of Greek
origin. The correct form is splenitis, in which
both elements are of Greek origin.
lieno-, combining form denoting the spleen (anat.)
— Fr. L. lien, 'spleen'. See spleen.
lienor, n., the holder of a lien (law). — Formed
from the noun lien with agential suff. -or.
lienteric, adj., pertaining to lientery. — Either
directly fr. L. lientericus or through the medium
of F. lienterique fr. Gk. Xetsvxepixo;;, fr. XeiEvxe-
ptoc. See next word and -ic.
lientery, n., a form of diarrhea (med.) — Either
directly fr. ML. llenteria or through the medium
of F. lienterie, fr. Gk. Xsisvxepia, which is com-
pounded of Xsio?, 'smooth', and evxepov, 'intes-
tine'. See leio- and entero-.
lierne, n., a short connecting rib in Gothic vault-
ing (archaic). — F., prob. fr. Her, 'to bind', fr.
L. ligare. See ligament and cp. liaison, liana,
lien.
lierre, n., the color of ivy green. — F. lierre, 'ivy',
formed through the agglutination of the definite
article from I'ierre, lit. 'the ivy', from the article
la and OF. iere, ierre, earlier edre, 'ivy', fr. L.
hedera. F. la derives fr. L. ilia, fern, of/7/e, 'that';
see ille. For the etymology of L. hedera see He-
dera. For the agglutination of the article cp.
leguan, lingot, loriot, louver.
lieu, n., place. — ME. Hue (in in Hue of), fr. OF.
(= F.) lieu, fr. L. locum, acc. of locus, 'place'.
See locus.
lieutenancy, n. — Formed from next word with
suff. -cy.
lieutenant, n. — Lit. 'holding the place of some-
body'. See lieu and tenant. The British pronun-
ciation of the word a& 'leftenant' is due to a
confusion of v with v and f[u and v were repre-
sented origi::u! : ; ,;■< one and the same letter (v)].
Cp. locum >.cnen c „
lieve. — The same as lief.
life, n. — MF. lif, fr. OE. lif, rel. to ON. lif, 'life,
body', Du. Hjf, 'body', OHG. lib, 'life', MHG.
lip, lib, 'life, body', G. Leib, 'body', prop, 'con-
lifer
888
tinuance, perseverance', fr. I.-E. base *lip-, 'to
remain, persevere, continue, live'. See leave, v.,
and cp. live, liver, alive,
lifer, n., one sentenced to imprisonment for
life, — Formed fr. life with agential suff.
-er.
lift, tr. and intr. v. — ME. liften, leften, fr. ON.
lypta (whence Dan. lefte, Swed. lyfta), 'to lift',
rel. to MLG. liichten, Du. lichten, MHG., G.
luften, 'to lift'. These verbs are rel. to OS. luft,
ON. lopt, OE. lyft, Du. lucht, OHG., MHG.,
G. luft, Goth, luftus, 'air', and lit. mean 'to
raise into the air'. Cp. loft.
Derivatives: lift, n., lift-er, n.
ligament, n., 1) a tie, band; 2) a band of tissue
(anat.) — L, ligdmentum, 'band, bandage', fr.
ligare, 'to bind, tie', prob. cogn. with Alb. Vi®,
'I bind', Fide Vide, 'band, fetter', MLG. Ilk,
'band', ON. lik, 'boltrope', MHG. geleich,
'joint, limb'. All these words derive fr. I.-E. base
*leig-, 'to bind'. Cp. ligature. Cp. also alligation,
alloy, ally, colligate, league, 'alliance', leech,
'edge of a sail', liable, liaison, lictor, lien, n.,
lierne, ligation, obligate, obligate, oblige, rally,
'to gather together', religion. Cp. also rely. For
the ending see suff. -ment.
Derivatives : ligament-al, ligament-ary, ligament-
ous, adjs.
ligate, tr. v., to bandage. — L. ligatus, pp. of li-
gare. See ligament and verbal suff. -ate and cp.
religate.
ligation, n., 1) that act of binding; 2) bond, liga-
ture. — MF., fr. Late L. ligdtionem, acc. of ligd-
tid, 'a binding', fr. L. ligatus, pp. of ligare. See
prec. word and -ion.
ligature, n., anything that serves for binding; a
cord used for tying up an artery (surg.) — F., fr.
Late L. ligdtura, 'a band', fr. L. ligatus, pp. of
ligare. See ligament and -we.
light, n., brightness. — ME. liht, light, fr. OE.
leoht, rel. to OS. lioht, OFris. liacht, MDu. lucht,
liecht, licht, Du. licht, OHG. lioht, MHG. lieht,
G. Licht, Goth, liuhap, 'light', ON. Ijomi, OE. le-
oma, 'ray of light, radiance', ON. Ijos, 'light', ON.
lysa, OE. liexan, 'to shine', fr. I.-E. base *leuq-,
'to emit light, to shine; bright', whence also OI.
rocate, 'shines', rokdh, 'light', rocandh, Avestic
raocant-, 'shining', raoxshna-, 'shining, bright",
Arm. lois, 'light', lusin, 'moon', Gk. Xeux6;,
'bright, shining, white', Xu/vo;, 'lamp', XoOc-
oov, 'the white pith of the fir tree', a(j.cpi-Xti>a],
'twilight', L. lucere, 'to shine', lux, gen. lucis,
'light', lucidus, 'full of light, clear, bright', lu-
cemu, 'light, lamp', lucubrdre, 'to work by
lamplight', lucus, 'grove, thicket' (orig. 'an open
place in the wood'), lumen (for *leuqs-men or
*louqs-meri), 'light', luna (for *louqs-nd), 'moon',
lustrum, 'a purificatory sacrifice; a period of
five years', lustrdre, 'to purify by an offering',
Gaul. Leucetius, surname of Mars, L. Lucetius,
surname of Jupiter, Lucetia, surname of Juno,
OSlav. ludf, 'light', luta, 'ray', Lith. laukas,
'pale',OPruss. fauxnoj(pl.)'stars',W. Hug, 'gleam,
glimmer', Olr. luach, 'white', loche, 'lightning',
luchair, 'brightness, luster', Mir. luan, Ion,
'moon', Toch. A luk-, 'to shine', A lok, B lauke
'far away', Hitt. lukezi, lukzi, 'is bright'. Base
*leuq-, 'to be light, to shine', is identical with
base *leuq-, 'to see, behold', whence OI. Ideate,
lokate, 'sees, perceives', locdyati, lokdyati, 're-
gards, looks at', Toch. A lak-, B lyk-, 'to see',
Gk. Xeucoeiv (for *Xsuxieiv), 'to look at, see',
W. am-lwg, 'conspicuous', Lith. Idukti, 'to wait'.
Cp. lea, 'a track of open country', leuco-, levin,
link, 'torch', loka, low, 'blaze', luce, lucent, lucid,
Lucifer, Lucius, lucubrate, luculent, lucule, lucus
a non lucendo, lucern, Lucy, luminous, lunar,
lunation, lune, luster, 'gloss', lustrum, lux, Luzu-
la, Lychnis, lynx,
light, tr. v., to illuminate; intr. v., to light up
(said of the face). — ME. lihten, lighten, fr. OE.
lihtan, 'to shine, give light', rel. to OS. liohtian,
OHG. liuhtan, MHG. liuhten, G. leuchten, Goth.
liuhtjan, 'to light', and to OE. leoht, 'light' (n.)
See light, 'brightness',
light, adj., not dark, bright. — ME. liht, light, fr.
OE. leoht, rel. to OS., OHG. lioht, OFris. liacht,
MHG. lieht, G. licht, 'bright', and to OE. leoht,
'light' (n.). See light, 'brightness'.
Derivatives: tight-ish, adj., light-ly, adv., light-
ness, n.
light, adj., not heavy. — ME. liht, light, fr. OE.
leoht, liht, rel. to OS. liht-, ON. lettr, Dan. let,
Swed. latt. OFris., MLG., MDu., Du. licht,
OHG. lihti, liht, MHG. lihte.liht, G. leicht, Goth.
leihts, 'light', fr. I.-E. base *le{n)g w h-, 'light,
easy, agile, nimble', whence also L. levis, 'light'.
See lever and cp. words there referred to. Cp.
also lighter, 'a fiat-bottomed boat'.
Derivatives: light-ly, adv., light-ness, n.
light, adv., lightly, easily. — ME. lihte, lighte, fr.
OE. leohte, lihte, fr. leoht, liht, 'light'. See
light, 'not heavy',
light, intr. v., to dismount, get off. — ME. lihten,
lighten, fr. OE. lihtan, 'to alight', lit. 'to make
light', fr. leoht, liht, 'light'; orig. used in the
sense 'to relieve a horse of the rider's burden'.
See light, 'not heavy', and cp. alight and lighten,
'to make less heavy',
lighten, tr. v., to illuminate; intr. v., to shine. —
ME. lihtenen, lightenen, fr. liht, 'light'. See light,
'bright'.
Derivative: lighten-er, a.
lighten, tr. v., to make less heavy; intr. v., to be-
come less heavy. — ME. lihtenen, lightenen, fr.
liht, light, 'light'. See light, 'not heavy', and ver-
bal suff. -en.
Derivative: lighten-er, n.
lighter, n., one who lights. — Formed fr. light, 'to
illumine', with agential suff. -er.
lighter, n., a flat-bottomed boat. — Du. lichter,
fr. lichten, 'to lighten, unload', fr. licht, 'light'.
See light, 'not heavy', and agential suff. -er. For
' the sense development of Du. lichter cp. F. allege,
889
lilac
'lighter', fr. alleger, 'to lighten', fr. L. allevidre,
of s.m., fr. levis, 'light'.
Derivatives: lighter, tr. v., to convey in, or as in,
a lighter, lighter-age, n.
lightning, n. — ME. lightening, lightning, fr. light-
enen, 'to lighten'. See lighten, 'to illuminate',
and -ing, suff. forming verbal nouns.
lights, n. pi., the lungs, — Lit. 'the light organs';
cp. Flemish lichte, 'lights', and see light, 'not
heavy'. Cp. also lung.
lightsome, adj., bright. — Formed fr. light, 'bright',
with 1st. suff. -some.
lightsome, adj., agile, nimble. — Formed fr. light,
'not heavy', with 1st suff. -some.
lignaloes, n., 1) aloes wood; 2) the drug aloes. —
OF., fr. Late L. lignum aloes, 'the wood of
aloe'. See ligneous and aloe.
ligneous, adj., of the nature of wood; woody. —
L. ligneus, 'woody', formed with suff. -eous fr.
lignum, 'wood', which stands for *leg-nom and
lit. means 'that which is collected', fr. legere, 'to
gather, collect; to read'. See lecture and cp.
lignaloes, lignum vitae, pyroligneous.
ligni-, combining form meaning 'wood'. — Fr. L.
lignum, 'wood'. See prec. word.
lignification, n. — See next word and -ation.
lignify, tr. v., to make into wood; intr. v., to be-
come wood. — Lit. 'to make into wood', com-
pounded of ligni- and -fy.
lignite, n., an imperfectly formed coal (mineral.)
— F., formed with subst. suff. -ite fr. L. lignum,
'wood'; see ligneous. F. lignite seems to have
been derived prop, from Lithanthrax Lignius, a
name given to woody coal by Wallerius (in Sys-
tema Mineralogicum, vol. II. p. 98, 1775). See
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1947 edition, vol. 14,
p. 118a.
lignivorous, adj., eating wood (the same as xylo-
phagous). — Compounded of ligni- and L.
-vorus, from the stem of vordre, 'to devour'. See
-vorous.
lignum vitae, a S. American tree (Guaiacum offi-
cinale). — ModL., fr. L. lignum vitae, 'wood of
life'. See ligneous and vital.
ligroine, ligroin, n., a volatile, inflammable liquid.
— Of unknown origin.
ligula, n., a ligule. — L. See next word.
Derivatives: ligul-ar, adj., ligul-ate, adj.
ligule, n., a thin appendage at the base of the
blade of a leaf (hot.) — ModL. ligula, fr. L. li-
gula, 'spoon', fr. I.-E. base *leigh-, 'to lick',
whence also L. lingere, 'to lick', Mir. liag, W.
llwy, 'spoon'. For sense development cp. OHG.
leffil, 'spoon', fr. laffan, 'to lick'. See lick and -ule
and cp. lingula.
Ligurian, adj., pertaining to Liguria, an ancient
country in northwestern Italy and southeastern
France; n., one of the inhabitants of Liguria. —
Formed with suff. -an fr. L. Liguria, fr. Ligures,
'the Ligurians', pi. of Ligus, 'a Ligurian',
whence Ligusticus, 'Ligurian'. Cp. lovage and
words there referred to.
ligusticum, n., a genus of plants, the lovage (hot.)
— L., 'lovage', lit. 'of Liguria'. See lovage and
cp. words there referred to.
Ligustrum, n., a genus of plants, the privet (bot.)
— L., lit. 'of Liguria'. See prec. word.
like, adj. — ME. lik, ilik, fr. OE. ge-lic, 'similar,
equal, like', rel. to OS. gilik, ON. glikr, likr,
Dan. lig, Swed. lik, OFris. lik, MDu. ghelijc, Du.
gelijk, OHG. gilih, MHG. gelich, G. gleich,
Goth, galeiks, 'equal, like'. For the pref. ge- in
OE. ge-lic, etc., see y- ; lie in OE. ge-lic is identi-
al with OE. lie, 'body, form'. Accordingly OE.
ge-lic and its equivalents in the other Teut. lan-
guages lit. mean 'having the same body or form'.
OE. lie, 'body, form', is rel. to ON., OS., OFris.,
ON. lik, Dan. lig, Swed. lik, MDu. lijc, Du. lijk,
OHG. lih, MHG. lich, Goth, leik, 'body,
corpse', G. Leiche, 'corpse', and cogn. with Lith.
lygus. Lett, lidzigs, OPruss. poligu, 'equal',
Lith. lygstu, lygti, 'to equal'. Cp. lich, lich-gate.
Cp. also alike, -ly, gleek and the second element
in each, ilk, such, which and in barley.
Derivatives: like, adv. (q.v.), like, n., prep, and
conj.
like, adv. — ME. lik, like, ilik, Hike, fr. lik, ilik,
adj. See like, adj.
like, a) intr. v., to be pleasing (pbsol.) ; b) tr. v., to
be pleased with, enjoy. — ME. liken, fr. OE.
lician, 'to please', rel. to OS. likon, ON. lika,
OFris. likia, OHG. lihhen, Goth, leikan, 'to
please'. The orig. meaning of these verbs was 'to
be like, be suitable to, be pleasing to ; they derive
fr. OE. -lie in gelic, resp. from its equivalents in
OS. gilik, ON. glikr, OHG. gilih, Goth, galeiks,
'equal, like'. See like, adj.
Derivatives: lik(e)-ab!e, adj., lik(e)-abil-ity, n.,
lik(e)-able-ness, n.
-like, adj. and adv. suff. — See like, adj. and like,
adv.
likely, adj. — ME. likli, fr. ON. glikligr, likligr,
'likely', fr. likr, 'like'. Cp. OE. geliclic and see
like, adj., and adj. suff. -ly.
Derivatives: likeli-hood, n., likeli-ness, n.
likely, adv. — ME. likli, adv., fr. likli, adj. — See
likely, adj.
liken, tr. v. — ME. liknen, fr. lik, 'like'. See like,
adj. and verbal suff. -en.
likeness, n. — ME. liknesse, fr. OE. licnes, short
for gelicnes, fr. gelic, 'like'. See like, adj., and
-ness.
likewise, adj. — Compounded of like, adj., and
-wise.
likin, n., a Chinese tax imposed on articles in
transit. — Chin., lit. 'ready money'.
liking, n. — ME., fr. OE. licung, 'pleasure', fr.
lician, 'to please'. See like, 'to be pleased with',
and subst. suff. -ing.
Lila, fem. PN. — See Leila.
lilac, n. — MF., fr. Sp. lilac, fr. Arab. Idylak, lilak,
fr. Pers. lilak, var. of nilak, 'bluish', fr. nil, 'blue,
indigo', fr. OI. ntlah, 'dark blue', which is of un-
certain etymology. It possibly derives fr. I.-E.
Liliaceae
890
base *«?-, 'to shine'. See neat, adj., and cp. anil
and the first element in nilgai and in nainsook.
Derivative: lilac, adj.
Liliaceae, n. pi., the lily family (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Lilium with suff. -aceae.
liliaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
Lilith, n., a female evil spirit. — Heb. Lilith, fr.
Akkad. Lilitu (whence also Syr. Lelitha), not re-
lated to , but folk-etymologically connected with,
Heb. ldyla h , 'night', and explained accordingly
as 'night demon'.
Lilium, n., a genus of plants, the lily (bot.) — L.
lilium. See lily.
Lilliputian, adj., diminutive, tiny. — Prop, 'per-
taining to Lilliput', a fabulous island with inhab-
itants 6 inches high. The name was coined by
Swift in Gulliver's Travels (1726). For the ending
see suff. -ian.
Derivative: Lilliputian, n.
lilt, intr. and tr. v., to sing rhythmically. — ME.
lulten, of uncertain, perhaps imitative, origin.
Derivative: lilt, n.
lily, n. — ME. lilie, fr. OE. lilie, fr. L. lilium, 'lily',
which, together with Gk. Xetpiov, of s.m., is
prob. borrowed fr. Egypt, hrr-t (pronounced in
Coptic hreri, hleli). Cp. fleur-de-lis, gigliato and
the second element in Chamaelirium, Dasylirion.
limaceous, adj., limacine (zool.) — Formed with
suff. -ous fr. L. Umax, gen. -acts, 'snail, slug'.
See Umax.
limacine, adj., pertaining to the slugs or to the
genus Limax (zool.) — Formed fr. L. Umax, gen.
-dcis, 'snail, slug' (see next word), with suff. -ine
(representing L. -inus).
Limax, n., the genus containing the slugs (zool.)
— L. Umax, gen. -dcis, 'slug, snail', fr. Gk. Xsi-
[jia^, which is cogn. with Russ. slimdk, 'snail', lit.
'the slimy animal', OPruss. slayx, Lith. sliekas,
Lett, slieka, 'earth worm', OE. sldw-wyrm, 'slow-
worm' (see slowworm). All these words are deriv-
atives of I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slimy', whence
also OE. sliw, 'tench', slim, 'mud'. See slime
and cp. lime, 'birdlime'.
limb, n., member. — ME. Urn. fr. OE. lim, rel. to
ON. limr, 'limb', lim, 'small branch of a tree',
Norw. lim, Dan., Swed. lem, 'member'; formed
with -m-formative element fr. Teut. base */(-,
which corresponds to I.-E. base *lei-, 'to bend,
be movable, be nimble'. With -rf-formative ele-
ment, the same base appears in Goth, lithus,
OE. lip, 'joint, limb', and possibly also in L. li-
tuus, "the crooked staff borne by the augurs'.
From base *ili- prob. derive also L. limus,
'aslant, sidelong', limen, 'threshold', and the first
element in times, 'boundary, limit'. See limit and
cp. lituus. Cp. also lay figure.
Derivatives: limb-ed, limb-y, limb-less, adjs.
limb, n., edge, border. — L. limbus, 'hem, border',
for *lembos, cogn. with OI. lambate, 'hangs
down', lambah, 'hanging down, long, big',
MHG. limp/en, 'to limp', and to E. limp (q.v.)
lim bate, adj., edged, bordered. — Late L. limbti-
tus, fr. L. limbus, 'hem, border'. See prec. word
and adj. suff. -ate.
limbec, n., alembic (archaic). — Aphetic for alem-
bic.
limber, n., the detachable fore part of a gun car-
riage. — Prob. rel. to F. limoniere, 'wagon with
two shafts', fr. limon, 'shaft', which is rel. to Sp.
limon, 'shaft', Sp. and Port, leme, 'helm', Sp.
leman, 'helmsman' ; prob. of Celtic origin.
Derivative: limber, tr. and intr. v.
limber, adj., pliant, flexible. — According to
W. W. Skeat, related to limp, 'flaccid'.
Derivatives: limber, tr. v., limber-ly, adv., lim-
ber-ness, n.
limbers, n. pi. (naut.) — F. lumiere, 'light; lim-
bers', fr. L. lumindria, which is the plural of
luminare, 'a light, lamp, torch', but was mistaken
in Vulgar Latin for a fern. sing. noun. L. lumi-
nare is prop. neut. of the adjective lumindris,
'giving light', used as a noun. See luminary.
limbo, n., a region between heaven and hell. —
Prop. abl. of L. limbus, 'border' (see limb, 'bor-
der'). The abl. form was taken from the phrase
in limbo patrum ("in the border of hell, reserved
for the fathers or saints'), a phrase used by the
church fathers.
Limburger, n., a kind of cheese. — Short for
Limburger cheese, prop, 'cheese made in the
province Limburg in Belgium'.
lime, n., 1) birdlime (rare); 2) calcium oxide. —
ME. lim, fr. OE. lim, 'birdlime; calcium oxide',
rel. to OS., ON., MLG., OHG., MHG. lim,
Dan. lim. Du. lijm, G. Leim, 'birdlime', and
cogn. with L. limus, 'slime, mud, mire', Cp.,
with other formative elements, ON. leir, 'clay,
loam', OPruss. layso, 'clay', laydis, ioam', Alb.
Vefr, 'watery clay'. All these words derive fr.
I.-E. base *lei-, 'slime, slimy, sticky'. See slime
and cp. loam. Cp. also limno-, and words there
referred to. Cp. also oblivion.
Derivative: lime, tr. v., 1) to smear with bird-
lime; 2) to mix with lime.
lime, n., a fruit allied to lemon. — F., fr. Proven?.
limo, fr. Arab. ltma H (whence also Sp. lima),
noun of unity, formed from the collective noun
lim, which derives fr. Pers. limun. See lemon and
cp. limonene.
lime, n., the linden tree. — Fr. earlier line, fr. lind;
see linden. The change of line to lime prob. oc-
curred first in compounds whose second element
began with a labial (as in line-bark, line-bast,
etc.)
limehouse, n., defamation of one's political op-
ponents. — Named after the borough Lime-
house, near London, where David Lloyd George
(1863-1944) delivered a speech July 30, 1909.
limejuicer, n. (slang), 1) a British ship; 2) an Eng-
lish sailor; 3) an Englishman. — Formed fr.
lime, the fruit, juice, and suff. -er; so called from
the limejuice served on British ships to prevent
scurvy.
limen, n., the threshold of consciousness (psy-
891
Limonium
chol.) — L. limen, gen. liminis, 'threshold', prob.
rel. to limes, gen. limitis, 'boundary, limit'. See
limit and -men and cp. lintel, eliminate, prelimi-
nary, postliminy, sublime, subliminal.
Limerick, n., a nonsense verse of five lines, usu-
ally rhyming aabba. — So called after the Irish
place name Limerick, which is mentioned in the
refrain of a similar verse. (The refrain runs:
"Will you come up to LimerickT')
limes, n., boundary. — L. times. See limit.
lime tree, the linden tree. — See lime, 'the linden
tree'.
limey, n. (slang), 1) an English sailor; 2) an
Englishman. — Shortened fr. limejuicer. For the
ending see adj. suff. -y.
Limicolae, n. pi., a group of wading birds (orni-
thol.) — ModL., lit. 'mud dwellers', compound-
ed of L. limus, 'slime, mud, mire', and colere, 'to
till (the ground), inhabit'. For the first element
see limno-, for the second see colony.
liminal, adj., pertaining to, or situated at, the li-
men. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L. limen,
gen. liminis. See limen.
limit, n. — ME. limite, fr. MF. (= F.) limite, fr.
L. limitem, acc. of limes, 'boundary, limit',
which prob. stands for *lim-it, lit. 'crossway',
and is compounded of limus, 'aslant, sidelong',
and */'»-, 'going', from the stem of eo, ire, 'to go'.
L. limus is prob. rel. to L. limen, 'threshold',
both these words being prob. derived fr. I.-E.
base *lei-, 'to bend, be movable', whence also
ON. limr, OE. lim, 'member'. See limb, 'mem-
ber', and cp. Limulus, lituus, oblique. For the
second element in limit see itinerate. Cp. also
delimit, delimitate.
limit, tr. v. — ME. limiten, fr. MF. (= F.) limiter,
fr. L. limitdre, 'to bound, limit, fix', fr. limes,
gen. limitis. See limit, n.
Derivatives: limit-able, adj., limit-ed, adj., limit-
ed-ly, adv., limit-ed-ness, n., limit-er, n., timit-
-ing, adj.
limitary, adj., serving as a limit, limited. — L.
Umitdris, fr. limes, gen. limitis. See limit, n., and
-ary.
Derivative: limitar-ian, n., one who limits.
limitation, n. — ME. limitacioun, fr. L. limitdtio,
gen. -onis, 'a fixing', fr. limitdtus, pp. of limitdre.
See limit, v. and n., and -ation.
limitative, adj. — F. limitatif (km. limitative), fr.
ML. limitdtivus, 'limiting', fr. L. limitdtus, pp.
of limitdre. See limit, v. and n., and -ive.
limitless, adj. — Formed fr. limit, n., and suff.
-less; first used by the English poet, statesman
and soldier Sir Philip Sidney (1554-86) in 1581.
Derivatives: limit less-ly, adv., limitless-ness, n.
limitrophe, adj., bordering, adjacent. — F. limi-
trophe, fr. Late L. limitrophus, 'set apart for the
support of troups', a hybrid coined fr. L. limes,
gen. limitis, 'boundary, limit', and Gk. TP096?,
'feeder', fr. xp^eiv, 'to feed, nourish'. See limit,
n., and tropbic.Late L. limitrophus is shortened
fr. *limitotrophus (see haplology).
limma, n., a semitone (pros.) — Late L., fr. Gk.
XsT^ijxa, 'a semitone', lit. 'a remainder', from
the stem of Xeircco, 'I leave', which stands for
*leiq w 6, and is cogn. with L. linquo (for *li-n-
q w d), 'I leave, abandon', both deriving fr. I.-E.
base *liq w -, 'to let, leave', whence also OE. Ian,
'loan', Isenan, 'to lend'. See loan and cp. words
there referred to. For the ending see suff. -ma.
limn, tr. v., to illuminate. — ME. limnen, fr. lu-
minen, which is aphetic for enluminen, fr. MF.
enluminer, 'to illuminate', fr. OF. enluminer, 'to
light up, make brilliant', fr. en, 'in' (see 1st en-),
and L. luminare, 'to illuminate'. See illuminate.
Derivatives: limn-er, n., limn-ery, n.
limn-, form of limno- before a vowel.
Limnanthaceae, n. pi., the false-mermaid family
(bot.) — ModL., lit. 'marsh flower family', com-
pounded of limno-, Gk. av-9-oi;, 'flower' (see
anther), and suff. -aceae.
limnanthaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -ace-
ous.
limnetic, adj., pertaining to, or inhabiting, fresh
water. — Formed with suff. -ic fr. Gk. Xtu.v7)T7]<;,
'living in marshes', fr. Xiu,v7). See limno- and cp.
next word.
Limnetis, n. a genus of crustaceans (zool.) —
ModL., fr. Gk.XijxvyjTic;, fern, of Xiuv/jTir):;, 'liv-
ing in marshes'. See prec. word.
limno-, before a vowel limn-, combining form
meaning 'marsh, marshy lake'. — Gk. Xt,u.vo-,
Xiuv-, fr. XtjjLVT), 'marsh, pool, lake', which is
rel. to Xi;at)V, 'harbor, haven', Xetuxov, 'a moist,
grassy meadow', and prob. cogn. with L. limus,
'slime, mud, mire'. See slime and words there re-
ferred to and cp. esp. lime, 'birdlime'. Cp. also
limnetic, limonite, Limonium, Lymnaea, and the
first element in Limicolae and in Limosella.
Limnobium, n., a genus of plants, the American
frogbit (bot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. XtV[xo[3ioi;, 'liv-
ing in lakes', which is compounded of Xtu.vi],
'pool, lake', and $'wc„ 'life'. See limno- and bio-.
limnology, n., the study of fresh waters, esp. of
ponds and lakes. — Compounded of limno- and
Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -Xoyoi;, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner) ; one who deals (with a certain
topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: limnolog-ic, limnolog-ic-al, adjs.,
limnolog-ic-al-ly, adv., limnolog-ist, n.
limonene, n., a terpene of lemonlike odor (chem.)
— Formed with suff. -ene fr. ModL. limdnum,
'lemon', fr. F. limon. See lemon and cp. lime, 'a
fruit'.
limonite, n., hydrous ferric oxide (mineral.) — G.
Limonit, lit. 'meadow ore', coined by Hausmann
in 1813 fr. Gk. Xsi^eov, 'meadow', and suff. -it.
Gk. Xeijjicov is rel. to aiu.v)v> 'harbor', X'lu,v7],
'marsh, pool, lake'; suff. -/( goes back to Gk.
-itt)<;. See limno- and subst. suff. -ite. For sense
development cp. its former German name Wie-
senerz, lit. 'meadow ore'.
Derivative: limonit-ic, adj.
Limonium, n., a genus of plants, the sea lavender
Limosella
892
(hot.) — ModL., fr. Gk. Xsificiviov, 'the sea
lavender', fr. XEi[xcii>v, 'meadow'. See prec.
word and 1st -ium.
Limosella, n., a genus of plants, the mudwort
(6 0/ .) _ ModL., compounded of L. limus,
'slime, mud, mire', and sella, 'seat', which
stands for *sed-ld, from the stem of sedere, 'to
sit'. For the first element see limno-, for the
second see sedentary and cp. subsellium.
limousine, n., a large automobile, orig. with a
closed compartment. — F., prop. fern, of the
adjective limousin, 'of Limousin', used as a
noun, fr. Limousin, name of an old province in
Central France.
limp, adj., flaccid, drooping. — Related to MHG.
lampen, 'to hang down', and to limp, v. Cp.
blimp.
Derivatives : limp-ly, adv., limp-ness, n.
limp, intr. v., to walk lamely. — Related to OE.
lemp-healt, 'halting', MHG. limpfen, 'to limp',
lampen, 'to hang down', and cogn. with OI. lam-
bate, 'hangs down', lambah, 'hanging down', L.
limbus (for *lembos), 'hem, border', Du. lamp,
'piece, mass', fr. I.-E. base *(s)lab-, *(s)leb-,
'slack, loose; to hang down', whence also OE.
slxpan, 'to sleep'. See sleep and cp. limp, 'flaccid'.
Cp. also limb, 'edge, border', lumber, 'to move
clumsily', lump, 'mass'.
Derivatives: limp, n., limp-er, n., limp-ing, adj.,
limp-ing-ly, adv., limp-ing-ness, n.
limpet, n., a marine gastropod mollusk. — ME.
lempet, fr. OE. lempedu, fr. ML. lampreda, 'lim-
pet, lamprey'. See lamprey.
limpid, adj., clear; transparent. — F. limpide, fr.
L. limpidus, 'clear', fr. limpa, lumpa, 'water god-
dess; water' (see lymph). L. limpidus orig. meant
'as clear as water'. It was influenced in form by
liquidus, 'flowing, fluid'.
Derivatives: limpid-ly, adv., limpid-ness, n.
limpidity, n. — F. limpidite, fr. Late L. limpidita-
tem, acc. of limpiditds, 'clarity', fr. L. limpidus.
See prec. word and -ity.
Limulus, n., the genus of the king crab (zool.) —
ModL., fr. L. limulus, 'somewhat askance', di-
min. of limus, 'askance', which is prob. rel. to
limen, 'threshold', limes, 'boundary'. See limit,
n.
limy, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -y fr. lime,
'birdlime'.
Linaceae, n. pi., the flax family (bot.) — ModL.,
formed fr. Linum with suff. -aceae.
linaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
linage, lineage, n., number of printed lines on a
page. — Formed fr. line, 'string, cord', with
suff. -age.
Linaria, n., a genus of plants, the toadflax (bot.)
— ModL., fr. linum, 'flax' (see Linum) ; so called
from the resemblance of the foliage to flax. For
the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
linen, linchet, n., a strip of unplowed land. — OE.
Mine, 'slope, hill', rel. to hlinian, 'to lean'. Sec
lean, 'to incline', and -et and cp. links.
linchpin, n., a pin passing through the end of an
axletree. — Fr. earlier linspin, lit. 'axle pin'. The
first element of this compound derives fr. OE.
lynis, 'axletree', which is rel. to OS. lunisa, MLG.
lunse (whence G. Lunse), MDu. lunse, Ions
(whence Du. luns), 'axletree', and cogn. with
OI. anib (for *6lni), 'part of the leg above the
knee' ; see ell. For the second element see pin.
linctus, n., a sirupy medicine. — L. linctus, 'a lick-
ing', fr. linctus, pp. of lingere, 'to lick'. See lick,
lindackerite, n., a complex nickel copper arsenate
(mineral.) — G. Lindackerit, named after the
19th-cent. Austrian chemist Joseph Lindacker,
who analyzed it. The ending -it goes back to
Gk. -iTT)?; see subst. suff. -ite.
linden, n., the lime tree. — Prop, subst. use of the
obsol. adjective linden, 'of linden wood', fr. ob-
sol. lind, 'linden tree', fr. OE. lind, which is rel.
to OS. linda, lindia, ON. lind, OHG. linta,
MHG., G. linde, 'the lime tree'. These words
prob. mean lit. 'the tree with pliant bast', and
derive fr. I.-E. base *lent-, 'flexible', whence also
dial. Russ. lut, 'lindenbast', Russ lutijo, 'a forest
of lime trees', Fol.iet, 'switch, twig', Lith. lenta,
'board, plank', L. lentus, 'flexible', OE. lide,
'soft, mild, gentle'. See lentitude and cp. the
second element in Ethelinda. Cp. also lime,
'linden'.
line, n., flax (obsol.) — ME., fr. OE. lin, 'flax'. See
linen.
line, n., a string, cord. — ME. ; partly fr. F. ligne,
fr. L. linea, 'a linen thread, string, cord, line',
prop. fern, of the adj. lineus, 'of linen', fr. linum,
'flax, linen' ; partly fr. OE. line, 'cord, rope, line',
which prob. derives fr. OE. lin, 'flax'. See linen
and cp. line, 'flax'. Cp. also allineate, collimate,
curvilinear, interline, interlineage, lineament,
linear, lingerie, rectilinear.
Derivatives: lined, liner (qq.v.)
line, tr. v., to mark with lines; intr. v., to form a
line — ME. linen, fr. line. See prec. word,
line, tr. v., to cover the inner side of. — Orig. 'to
cover with linen'. See line, 'flax'.
Derivatives: lined (q.v.), lin-er, n., lining (q.v.)
lineage, n., lineal descent, pedigree. — ME. lig-
nage, linage, fr. OF. lignage, fr. VL. *linedticum,
fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line, 'string, cord', and
-age.
lineage, n. — A var. spelling of linage,
lineal, adj. — ME., fr. Late L. linedlis, 'pertaining
to a line', fr. L. linea, 'line'. See line, 'string,
cord', and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: lineal, n., lineal-ity, n., lineal-ly,
adv.
lineament, n. .feature ; contour— M B.liniament, tr.
L. linedmentum, 'stroke made with a pen ; a fea-
ture, lineament', {r.JineareSto reduce to a straight
line', fr. linea. See line, 'string, cord', and -ment.
linear, adj. — L. linearis, 'pertaining to a line or
lines, consisting of a line or lines', fr. linea. See
line, 'string, cord', and -ar and cp. collinear.
•Derivative: linear-ly, adv.
893
liniment
lineate, adj., marked with lines. — L. lineatus, pp.
of linedre, 'to make into a straight line', fr. linea,
'line'. See line, 'string, cord', and adj. suff.
-ate.
lineation, n. — ME. lineacion, fr. L. linedtid, gen.
-onis, 'the making into a straight line, the draw-
ing of lines', fr. lineatus, pp. of linedre. See prec.
word and -ion.
lined, adj., marked with lines. — Formed with
3rd suff. -ed fr. line, 'string, cord'.
lined, adj., provided with a lining. — Pp. of line,
'to cover'.
linen, n. and adj. — Orig. an adjective in the
sense of 'made of flax' ; ME., fr. OE. linen, fr.
lin, 'flax', which is rel. to OS., ON., OHG. lin,
'flax, linen', MHG. linin, linen, 'linen' (adj.), G.
Leinen and Linnen, 'linen' (n.), Goth, lein, 'lin-
en cloth'. These words are prob. borrowed fr.
L. linum, 'flax, linen', which, together with Gk.
Xtvov, of s.m., prob. derives from a non-Indo-
European source. Cp. Lith. linai(p\.), 'flax, linen',
Russ. I en (gen. Una), of s.m., which are prob.
borrowed fr. Gk. XTvov. Alb l'i-ri, Gheg V[-ni,
and possibly also Corn., Bret, lin, W. llin, 'flax'
are Latin loan words. See line, 'string, cord', and
cp. words there referred to. Cp. also crinoline,
gridelin, linon, linnet, linoleum, linseed, lint,
Linum.
Derivatives : linen-ette, n., linen-ize, tr. v., linen-
iz-er, n.
liner, n., a ship belonging to a line of steamships.
— Formed fr. line, 'string, cord', with agential
suff. -er.
ling, n., a seafish allied to the cod. — ME. lenge,
rel. to ON. langa, Du. leng, G. Ldnge, 'ling', lit.
'the long fish', and to OE. long, 'long'. See long,
adj.
ling, n., the common heather. — ME. lyng, fr.
ON. lyng (whence Dan. lyng, Swed. ljung),
'heather', rel. to (JN.slyngva, 'to throw,sling',and
to OE. slingen, 'to creep'. See sling, 'to throw'.
Derivative: ling-y, adj.
-ling, subst. suff. meaning belonging to or having
the quality of (as in earthling, darling), or having
diminutive of depreciatory force (as in duckling,
gosling, resp. in lordting, underling). — ME., fr.
OE. -ling, rel. to ON. -lingr, OHG., MHG.,
G. -ling, Goth, -liggs. Cp. -tag, 'pertaining to'.
-ling, -lings, adv. suff. expressing direction as in
back-lings. — ME. -ling, -linges, fr. OE. -linge,
-tinges (the -.r in -linges is the adv. genitive suff.) ;
prob. rel. to OE. long, 'long', hence derivatively
identical with suff. -long, by which it has now
been replaced.
linga, lingam, n., the phallic emblem under which
Siva is worshiped. — OI. linga, nom. lingam,
'mark, token, sign, emblem', lit. 'something at-
taching to an object'; of uncertain origin.
linger, intr. v. — Northern ME. lengeren, freq. of
lengen, 'to tarry', fr. OE. lengan, 'to prolong,
delay', fr. lang, 'long'. Cp. Du. lengen, 'to leng-
then', and see long, adj.
Derivatives : linger-er, n., linger-ing, adj., linger-
ing-ly, adv.
lingerie, n., linen goods. — F., fr. linge, 'linen', fr.
OF. linge, 'linen', fr. linge (adj.), 'of linen', fr. L.
lineus, of s.m., fr. linum, 'linen'. See linen and
-ery.
lingo, n., language; dialect, jargon. — Provencal
lingo, lengo, 'tongue, language', fr. L. lingua. See
lingual.
lingot, n., an ingot (archaic). — F., formed by the
agglutination of the definite article le, /', from
Vingot, lit. 'the ingot'. F. le derives fr. L. ille,
'that'. See ille and ingot. For the agglutination
of the article cp. lierre and words there referred
to.
lingua franca, a hybrid language consisting esp.
of Italian, Spanish, French and Greek elements.
— It., prop, 'the language of the Franks'. See
lingual and Frank.
lingual, adj. — ML. lingudlis, 'pertaining to the
tongue', fr. L. lingua, 'tongue, speech, language',
fr. OL. dingua, which is cogn. with OE. tunge,
Goth, tuggo, 'tongue'. See tongue and cp. lan-
guage, langued, languet, langue d'oc, langue d'oil,
lingo, lingula, dentilingual, bilingual, trilingual.
The change of d (in OL. dingua) to / (in L. lingua)
was prob. due to dialectal influence (the so-
called 'Sabine /'); see lachrymal. It was facilitat-
ed by a folk-etymological association with
lingere, 'to lick', the tongue having been con-
ceived as 'the licking organ'.
Derivatives : lingual, n., a lingual sound, lingual-
ity, n., lingual-ly, adv.
linguiform, adj., tongue-shaped. — Compounded
of L. lingua, 'tongue', and forma, 'form, shape'.
See lingual and form, n.
linguist, n. — A hybrid coined fr. L. lingua (see
lingual) and -ist, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivatives: linguist-ic, adj., linguist-ic-al-ly,
adv., linguistics (q.v.)
linguistics, n., the science of language. — See
prec. word and -ics.
lingula, n., a tonguelike part (anat. and zool.) —
L., 'a little tongue', dimin, of lingua, 'tongue'.
See lingual and -ule and cp. ligule.
Ungulate, adj., tongue-shaped. — L. linguldtus,
'tongue-shaped, lingulate', fr. lingula, 'little
tongue'. See prec. word and adj. suff. -ate and
cp ligulate.
linguo-, combining form meaning lingual, lin-
gually. — Fr. L. lingua, 'tongue'. See lingual.
liniment, n., an oily liquid for applying to the
skin. — ME. lynyment, fr. Late L. linimentum, fr.
L. linire, a secondary form of linere, 'to daub,
besmear, anoint', which stands for *li-nere and
is cogn. with OI. lindti, layate, Ifyate, ityati,
'adheres to; slips into; disappears', Gk. aXi-
veiv, 'to anoint, besmear', Olr. as-leinamm,
'I soil', leinam, 'I follow' (lit. 'I stick to'); fr.
I.-E. base *(s)lei-, 'slime, slimy, sticky', whence
also OE. slim, 'slime'. See slime and -ment and
cp. lime, 'birdlime'. Cp. also delete. The change
linin
894
of L. linire (3rd conj.) to linlre (4th conj.) is
prob. due to the influence of pollre, 'to polish'.
linin, n., a bitter white substance obtained from
the purging flax (chem.) — Formed with chem.
suff. -in fr. L. linum, 'flax, linen'. See Linum.
lining, n. — Formed fr. line, 'to cover', with -tag,
suff. forming verbal nouns.
link, n., ring of a chain. — ME. linke, of Scand.
origin; cp. Swed. lank, 'ring', and ON. hlekkr,
'chain, link', which are rel. to OE. hlence, 'link,
(pi.) armor', MHG. linken, G. lenken, 'to bend,
turn, lead', fr. I.-E. base *qleng-, 'to bend'. See
lank.
Derivatives: link, tr. v., to join together with or
as with a link; intr. v., to join, link-age, n.
link, n., a torch. — Prob. fr. ML. linchinus, sec-
ondary form of lichinus, 'wick', fr. Gk. Xtix™?,
'portable light, lamp', which stands for *luqs-
nos and derives fr. I.-E. base *leuq-, 'to emit
light, shine'. See light, 'brightness', and cp. lune.
links, n. pi., sand hills; a golf course. — OE.
Mine, 'slope, hill', rel. to OE. hlinian, 'to lean'.
See lean, 'to incline', and cp. linen, linchet.
linn, n., a waterfall. — Prob. a blend of OE.
hlynn, 'torrent', and W. llyn, 'pool, pond'.
Linnaea, n., a genus of plants, the twinflower
(to/.) — ModL., named after Linnaeus. See next
word.
Ltanaean, Linnean, adj., pertaining to the system
or method of Linnaeus. — Formed fr. Linnaeus,
Latinized form of Li nne, name of the great Swe-
dish botanist (1707-78). For the ending see suff.
-ean.
linnet, n., a small singing bird of the finch family.
OF. (F. linot, linotte), fr. tin, 'flax', fr. L.
linum, of s.m. (see Linum, line, 'string, cord');
so called because it feeds on the seeds of flax,
linoleum, n. — Orig. 'solidified oil' ; coined by the
English inventor Frederick Walton in 1863, fr.
L. linum, 'flax', and oleum, 'oil'. See Linum and
oleo-.
linotype, n. — Contraction of line o' type. See
line, 'string, cord', and type.
Linsang, n., a genus of long-tailed catlike mam-
mals of S. Asia (zool.) — ModL., fr. Javanese
native word.
linseed, n., seeds of flax. — ME. linsed, fr. OE.
linsxd. See line, 'flax', and seed.
linsey-woolsey, n., a coarse cloth made of wool or
cotton. — The first element derives fr. Lindsey,
a village in Suffolk (England). The second ele-
ment is formed fr. wool, on analogy of linsey,
which was supposed to be formed fr. lin(en)
with the alleged suff. -sey.
linstock, n., formerly, a staff used for firing can-
non, — Du. lontstok, compounded of lont,
'match', and stok, 'stick'. See lunt and stock.
lint, n., soft linen used for dressing wounds.—
ME. lynt, linnet, fr. L. linteum, 'linen cloth',
prop. neut. of the adjective linteus, 'of linen', fr.
linum, 'flax'. See linen and cp. words there re-
ferred to.
Derivatives: lint-en, llnt-y, adjs.
lintel, n. — ME., fr. OF. lintel (F. linteau), var. of
lintier, fr. VL. *limitaris, which is a blend of L.
ttmindris, 'pertaining to the threshold', and
limes, gen. limitis, 'boundary'. See limen, limit,
lintonite, n., a variety of thomsonite (mineral) —
Named after the American scientist Miss Laura
A. Linton (died in 1915), who analyzed it. For
the ending see subst. suff. -ite.
Linum, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — L. linum,
'flax'. See linen and cp. line, 'string, cord', and
words there referred to.
liny, adj., marked with lines. — Formed fr. line,
'string, cord', with adj. suff. -y.
lio-, a var. of leio-.
lion, n. — ME. lion, leon, fr. OF. (= F.) lion, fr.
L. leonem, acc. of leo, fr. Gk. Xscov, 'lion', which
is of uncertain, possibly Semitic, origin; cp.
Heb. labhi', Akkad. labbu, 'lion'. Cp. also Ho-
meric XT;, 'lion', which is prob. a loan word fr.
Heb. Idyish, 'lion'. OE. leo, OHG. lewo, lewo
(whence MHG. leu, lewe, G. Lowe), Goth. *liwa
(whence OSlav. IhH), Olr. leon (gen. pi.), Mir.
leo, OCo. leu, W. Hew, 'lion', are Latin loan
words. Cp. Lionel, chameleon, codling, Lyon, 'a
variant of apple', dandelion, Leander, Leonard,
Leontodon, Leonurus, leopard, leu, lev, panta-
loon.
lioncel, n., a young lion. — OF. lioncel (F. lion-
ceau), dimin. of lion. See lion.
Lionel, masc. PN. — F., lit. 'young lion'. See lion,
lionesque, adj., resembling a lion. — A hybrid
formed fr. lion with -esque, a suff. of Italian, ult.
Teut. origin,
lioness, n., a female lion. — Formed fr. lion with
suff. -ess.
lionism, n., the practise of lionizing. — A hybrid
coined fr. lion with -ism, a suff. of Greek origin,
lionize, tr. v., to treat as a lion; intr. v., to visit
the sights (lit. 'the lions') of a place. — A hybrid
coined fr. lion with -ize, a suff. of Greek origin.
Derivative: lioniz-ation, n.
lip, n. — ME. lippe, fr. OE. lippa, rel. to OFris.
lippa, MDu. lippe (whence F. lippe, 'thick lower
lip'), Du. lip, OHG. lefs, MHG. lefs, lefse, dial.
G. Lefze (G. Lippe is borrowed fr. LG.), Swed.
lapp, Dan. Ixbe, 'lip', and prob. cogn. with L.
labium, labrum, 'lip', and prob. also with Toch. A
lym-, 'lip'. Cp. labial, labrum.
Derivatives: lip, v. (q.v.), lip-less, adj.
lip, tr. v., to touch with the lips, to kiss. — Fr.
lip, n. ; first used by Shakespeare.
Derivative: lipp-ed, adj.
lipar-, form of liparo- before a vowel.
Liparis, n., a genus of plants, the twayblade (bot.)
— ModL., fr. Gk. Xtraxpo.;, 'oily, fat, greasy'.
See liparo-,
liparo-, before a vowel lipar-, combining form
meaning 'oily'. — Gk. Xmapo-, XiTrap-, fr.
XiTtapAi;, 'oily, fat, greasy', fr. Xtiros, 'fat,
grease'. See lipo-, 'fat'.
Uparoid, adj., fatty. — Compounded of lipar- and
07J
Linoaenaron
Gk. -oeiSyj;, 'like', fr. eTSoi;, 'form, shape'. See
-oid.
lipase, n., a class of enzymes (biochem.) — Form-
ed with suff. -ase fr. Gk. 7J.koc, 'fat, grease'.
See lipo-, 'fat'.
lipide, lipid, n., any of a group of organic sub-
stances comprising the fats. — F. lipide, coined
fr. Gk. Xbra;, 'fat' (see lipo-, 'fat'), and chem.
suff. -ide.
lipo-, combining form meaning 'fat', as in lipo-
lysis. — ■ Gk. aoto-, fr. Xforo?, 'fat, grease',
which is cogn. with L. lippus, 'blear-eyed', OE,
be-lifan, 'to remain'. See leave, v., and cp. Li-
paris, lipoma.
lipo-, combining form meaning 'lacking', as in
lipography. ■ — From the stem of Gk. XsiTrsa^-ai,
'to be lacking', passive of Xei7r£iv, 'to leave'.
See loan.
lipography, n., omission of a letter or syllable in
writing. — Compounded of lipo-, 'lacking', and
Gk. -ypx<pta, fr. ypo^etv, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
lipoid, n., a fatlike substance. — Coined fr. Gk.
AtTroc, 'fat', and -osiStji;, 'like', fr. elSoi; 'form,
shape'. See lipo-, 'fat', and -oid.
Iipolysis, n., decomposition of fat. — Compound-
ed of lipo-, 'fat', and Gk. Xuai?, 'a loosing,
loosening, setting free; dissolution'. See -lysis.
lipolytic, adj., pertaining to, or causing, Iipolysis.
— Compounded of lipo-, 'fat', and -lytic.
lipoma, n., a fatty tumor (med.) — Medical L.,
coined by the French physician Alexis Littre
(1658-1726), fr. Gk. Xbroq, 'fat, grease'. See
lipo-, 'fat', and -oma.
ipothymia, n., a fainting (med) — Medical L., fr.
Gk. Xi-o$\3|ii5i, 'swoon', fr. Xi7to&u|j.sTv, 'to
fall into a swoon, to faint', which is compound-
ed of the base of XEi7T£tj&ai, 'to be lacking',
and &U[jt6c 'spirit, mind, soul'. For the first
element see lipo-, 'lacking', for the second see
thio-.
Upper, n., a slight ruffling of the sea. — Prob. rel.
to ON. hleypa, 'to cause to leap', and to E. leap
(q.v.)
Lippia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Italian naturalist Agostino
Lippi. For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
liquate, ir. v., to separate the more fusible sub-
stance from the less fusible. — Orig. 'to melt',
fr. L. liqudtus, pp. oiliqudre, 'to make liquid, to
melt', from the stem of liquere, 'to be liquid'.
See liquid and verbal suff. -ate.
liquation, n., the process of liquating. — Late L.
liqudtid, gen. -dnis, fr. L. liqudtus, pp. of liqudre.
See prec. word and -ion.
liquefacient, adj., making liquid. — L. liquefa-
ciens, gen. -enlis, pres. part, of liquefacere. See
liquefy and -facient.
Derivative : liquefacient, n.
liquefaction, n. — Late L. liquef actio, gen. -dnis,
fr. L. liquefactus, pp. of liquefacere. See next
word and -ation.
liquefy, tr. and intr. v., to change into a liquid. —
MF. (= F.) liquifier, fr. L. liquefacere, 'to make
liquid, to melt', which is compounded of liquere,
'to be liquid', and facere, 'to make, do' (but as-
similated in form to the numerous French verbs
ending in -fier). See liquid and fact and cp. -fy.
Derivatives: liquefi-able, adj., liquefi-er, n.
liquescent, adj., tending to become liquid. — L.
liquescens, gen. -entis, pres. part, of liquescere,
'to become liquid, to melt', inchoative of liquere,
'to be liquid'. See liquid and -escent and cp. de-
liquesce, deliquescent.
liqueur, n., any of certain alcoholic liquors sweet-
ened and flavored. — F., fr. L. liquorem, acc. of
liquor, 'a fluid, liquid' . See liquor.
Derivative: liqueur, tr. v.
liquid, adj. — ME., fr. OF. (= F.) liquide, fr. L.
liquidus, 'flowing, fluid, liquid, clear', fr. liquere,
'to be fluid, be liquid', which is rel. to lix, gen.
licis, 'ashes', lixa, 'water; lye' , prdlixus, 'extend-
ed', orig. 'flowing forward', and prob. cogn.
with Olr. fliuch, 'moist, wet', OW. gulip, ModW.
gwlyb, of s.m., W. glwith, 'dew', MBret. gloeb,
ModBret. gleb, 'moist, wet'. Cp. lixiviate, prolix.
Derivatives: liquid, n., liquidate (q.v.), liquid-ly,
adv., liquid-ness, n.
Liquidambar, n., a genus of trees, the sweet gum
tree (bot.) — A ModL. hybrid coined fr. L. li-
quidus, 'fluid', and Arab, dnbar, 'amber'. See
liquid and amber.
liquidate, tr. and intr. v. — ML. liquiddtus, pp. of
liquiddre, 'to liquidate', fr. L. liquidus. See
liquid and verbal suff. -ate.
Derivatives: liquidat-ion, n., liquidat-or, n.
liquiditiy, n. — L. liquiditds, fr. liquidus. See
liquid and -ity.
liquor, n., 1) any liquid substance; 2) any bever-
age; specif, an alcoholic beverage. — ME. li-
kour, licur, fr. OF. licour, licur (F. liqueur), fr.
L. liquorem, acc. of liquor, 'a fluid, liquid', which
is rel. to liquere. See liquid and -or and cp. li-
queur, which is a doublet of liquor.
Derivatives : liquor, tr. and intr. v., liquorish
(q.v.)
liquorice, n. — See licorice,
liquorish, adj., fond of liquor. — Formed fr. li-
quor with suff. -ish.
Derivatives: liquorish-ly, adv., liquorish-ness, n.
liquorish, adj. — A var. of lickerish.
lira, n., an Italian silver coin and monetary unit.
— It., 'pound', fr. L. libra. See libra and cp.
words there referred to.
lirella, n., in lichens, the narrow shield with a
furrow along the middle (bot.) — ModL., di-
min. ofL. lira, 'the earth thrown up between two
furrows, furrow', whence delirdre, 'to turn aside
from the furrow; to deviate, become deranged,
crazy, delirious'. See delirium and -ella.
Derivatives: lirell-ate, lirell-ous, adjs.
Liriodendron, n., a genus of trees, the tulip tree
(bot.) ■ — ModL., compounded of Gk. Xeipiov,
'lily', and SevSpov, 'tree'. See lily and dendro-.
liripipe
liripipe,liripoop, n., the tail at the back of a hood
(hist.) — ML. liripipium, of uncertain origin,
lisbon, n., a kind of sweet wine. — Prop, 'wine
shipped from Lisbon', the capital of Portugal,
lisle thread. — From Lisle, original spelling of
Lille, town in France, where it was first made.
The town derived its name fr. OF. I'isle (F.
Vile), 'the island', in allusion to its geographical
situation.
lisp, intr. and tr. v. — ME. lispen, fr. OE. -wlis-
pian, 'to stammer, lisp' Jr. wlisp, 'lisping', which
is of imitative origin. Cp. MDu., Du., OHG.,
MHG. lispen (whence the dimin. lispeln), Dan.
tespe, Swed. Idspa, dial. Norw. leispa, which
all are imitative.
Derivatives: lisp, n. (q.v.), lisp-er, n., lisp-ing, n.
lisp, n. — OE. wlisp. See lisp, v.
lissome, adj. — For lithesome.
list, n., border of cloth, selvage. — ME. liste, fr.
OE. liste, rel. to ON. lista, MLG. liste, Du. lijst,
OHG. lista, MHG. liste, G. Leiste, 'border, sel-
vage'; prob. cogn. with Alb. reft, 'raised bor-
der'.
list, n. (usually in the pi.), enclosed ground;
ground for holding tournaments. — A blend of
list, 'border of cloth', and OF. lice, 'barrier,
lists', which itself is prob. borrowed fr. Teut. ;
cp. OHG. lista, 'border, selvage', and see prec.
word.
list, n., a catalog. — F. liste, 'list, roll, catalog',
orig. 'strip of paper', fr. It. lista, which is a
Teut. loan word. Cp. OHG. lista, 'border, sel-
vage', and see list, 'border of cloth'.
Derivatives: list, tr. v., to make a list of, list-er,
n., list-ing, n.
list, n., inclination {naut.) — Of uncertain origin;
perh. fr. list, 'to be pleased', taken in the sense
'to incline to'.
Derivative: list, tr. and intr. v.
list, intr. v., to be pleased; to desire {obsol.) —
ME. lusten, listen, 'to please, desire', fr. OE.
lystan, of s.m., fr. lust, 'pleasure, desire'. See
lust.
list, intr. and tr. v., to listen {archaic). — ME.
listen, fr. OE. hlystan. See listen,
listen, intr. v. — ME. listnen, a blend of ME. listen
(fr. OE. hlystan, 'to hear, listen', fr. hlyst, 'a
hearing'), and OE. hlysnan, 'to listen'.which isrel.
to OE. hlosnian, 'to listen in suspense', OHG.
Mosen, 'to listen', *hlusken (whence MHG.
luschen, G. lauschen), 'to listen' (cp. also ON.
Must, 'hearing; ear', hlusta, 'to listen', Swed.
lystra, Du. luisteren, OHG. lustren, 'to listen'),
and cogn. with OSlav. slysati, slusati, 'to hear',
Lith. klausau, klausyti, 'to hear', Olr. cluas,
'ear', OI. srdsati, 'hears, obeys', fr. I.-E.
*'kleu-s-, an -s-enlargement of base *kleu-, 'to
hear', whence Gk. x>ios, 'rumor, fame', OE.
Mud, 'loud'. See loud and cp. prec. word.
Derivatives: listen, n., listen-er, n., listen-ing,
adj. and n.
Listera, n., a genus of plants, the twayblade (bot.)
— ModL., named after the English naturalist
Martin Lister (1638-171 1).
listerine, n., an antiseptic. — Named after the
English surgeon Lord Joseph Lister (1827-
1912). For the ending see chem. suff. -ine.
listerize, tr. v., to use an antiseptic during opera-
tions. — Named after Lord Lister. See prec.
word and -ize.
listless, adj., languidly indifferent. — Formed fr.
list, 'to be pleased', with suff. -less.
Derivatives: listless-ly, adv., listless-ness, n.
lit, past tense and pp. of the verb light.
litany, n., form of prayer, — ME. letanie, fr. ML.
litania, fr. Gk.Xixavsla, 'prayer, entreaty, sup-
plication', fr. XiTaveusiv, 'to pray, entreat, sup-
plicate', fr. Xixavo?, 'praying, entreating, sup-
pliant', fr. Xittj, 'prayer, supplication', which is
of uncertain origin. L. litdre, 'to sacrifice under
auspicious signs', is prob. a denominative verb
fr. *lita, fr. Gk. Xinf].
litchi, n., the fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinen-
sis). — Chinese,
-lite, combining form meaning 'stone', used esp.
in geology, mineralogy and paleontology (cp.
e.g. foralite, chrysolite, graptolite). — F. -lite, a
var. of -lithe, fr. Gk. \l&o$, 'stone'. See litho-
and cp. -lith.
liter, litre, n., a measure of capacity. - F. litre,
fr. earlier litron, 'an old measure for grain', fr.
ML. litra, 'a liquid measure', fr. Gk. Xixpa, 'a
pound'. See litra.
literacy, n. — Formed fr. literate with suff. -cy.
literal, adj. — ME., fr. MF. literal (F. late-
ral), fr. L. litterdlis (literdlis), 'pertaining to a
letter*, fr. littera {litera), 'letter'. See letter and
adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: literal-ism, n., literal-ist, n. and adj.,
literal-ist-ic, adj., literal-ity, n., literal-ize, tr. v.,
literal-iz-ation, n., literal-ly, adv., literal-ness, n.
literary, adj. — L. litterdrius (literdrius), 'per-
taining to reading and writing', fr. littera, 'letter'.
See prec. word and adj. suff. -ary.
Derivatives: literari-ly, adv., literari-ness, n.
literate, adj., learned, educated; n., an educated
person. — L. Utterdtus {literatus), 'learned, edu-
cated', lit. 'one who knows the letters', fr. littera
{litera), 'letter'. See letter and adj. suff. -ate and
cp. literatus.
literati, n. pi., men of letters. — L. Htterati {lite-
rati), pi. of Utterdtus {literatus). See literatus.
literatim, adv., letter by letter; literally. — L. lit-
terdtim {literatim), formed fr. littera {litera),
'letter*, with adv. suff. -dtim. See letter. For suff.
-atim see gradatim and cp. words there referred
to.
literature, n. — ME. litterature, fr. L. litterdtura
(literdtura), 'writing; grammar; learning, schol-
arship', fr. littera {litera), -letter'. See letter and
-ure.
literatus, n., a learned person. — L. Utterdtus {li-
terdtus), 'learned, educated'. See literate andcp.
literati.
897
lithotnty
lith, n., a limb, a joint. — ME., fr. OE. lid. See
limb, 'member', and cp. lay figure.
lith-, form of litho- before a vowel.
-lith, combining form meaning 'stone', used esp.
in archaelogy, biology and medicine (as in eolith,
chololith);in geology, mineralogy, and paleontol-
ogy, -lite is the regular combining form. — F.
-lithe, fr. Gk. Xi&oz, 'stone'. See litho- and cp. -lite.
litharge, n., lead monoxide. — ME. litarge, fr.
OF. litarge (F. litharge), fr. L. lithargyrus, fr.
Gk. Xi&dtpyupoi;, 'vitrified lead, lead monoxide',
lit. 'stone silver', fr. XtSoq, 'stone', and &pyupo<;,
'silver'. See litho- and argent.
lithe, adj., flexible, supple. — ME. lithe, lith, fr.
OE. lide, 'soft, mild, gentle', rel. to OS. lithi,
OHG. lindi, MHG. linde, G. lind, ON. linr, fr.
I.-E. base *lent-, 'flexible', whence also L. len-
tus, 'flexible, pliant; slow', and prob. also ON.,
OE. lind, 'linden tree', lit. 'the tree with pliant
bast'. See lentitude, and cp. linden.
Derivatives: lithe-ly, adv., lithe-ness, n., lithe-
some (q.v.)
lither, adj., bad, wicked {obsol.); lazy {dial.) ; flex-
ible, pliant {archaic). — ME., 'bad, wicked', fr.
OE. lydre, 'base, bad, wicked', rel. to MLG.
luder, 'a lewd fellow', G. liederlich, 'lewd', OE.
loddere, 'beggar'. See loiter.
Derivatives : lither-ly, adv., lither-ness, n.
lithesome, adj. — Formed fr. lithe with suff.
-some. Cp. lissom.
lithia, n., the oxide of lithium {chem.) — ModL.,
changed fr. lithion (an earlier name for lithia),
which was formed fr. Gk. XUt-eiov, neut. of
Xi&eio;, 'stony', fr. XlS-oi;, 'stone'; see litho-.
The name was suggested by the Swedish chem-
ist, Baron Jons Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848)
for the fixed alkali discovered by his pupil Johan
August Arfvedson (1792-1841) in 1817, owing
to the former's belief that this oxide occurred
only in minerals.
lithiasis, n., the formation of calculi in the body
(med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. Xi&taaic, lit.
'disease of the stone', formed fr. XtS-oq, 'stone'
(see litho-), and suff. -ame. (see -asis).
lithic, adj., of, or pertaining to, stone. — Gk.
ai&ixoc, 'of, or pertaining to, stone', fr. Xt&oc,
'stone'. See litho- and -ic.
lithium, n., name of a silver-white metallic ele-
ment {chem.) — ModL., fr. lithia.
Derivatives: lithi-ate, tr. v., lith-ic, adj.
litho-, before a vowel lith-, combining form
meaning 'stone'. — Gk. Xtdo-, Xi$-, fr. Xi^o;,
'stone', of unknown origin. Cp. -lite, -lith.
I ithobius, n., a genus of myriapods {zool.) —
ModL., compounded of litho- and Gk. piio;,
'life'. See bio-.
Lithodes, n., a genus of crabs {zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. AiS&Srfi, 'stonelike', which is com-
pounded of Xt&os, 'stone', and -coSyjs, 'like'.
See litho- and -ode, 'like'.
lithodid, n., any of the crabs of the family Litho-
didae. — See next word.
Lithodidae, n., a family of crabs {zool.) — ModL.
See Lithodes and -idae.
lithograph, n., a print made by lithography; intr.
v., to make prints by lithography; tr. v., to rep-
roduce by lithography. — Back formation fr.
lithography. See -graph.
Derivative: lithograph-er, n.
lithography, n., the art or process of printing
from a prepared stone or metal plate. — Lit.
'writing on stone', compounded of litho- and
Gk. -ypa<pta, fr. ypiqsw, 'to write'. See
-graphy.
Derivatives: lithograph-ic, adj., lithograph-ic-al-
ly, adv.
lithoid, adj., stonelike. — Gk. Xi&oeiSyji;, 'like a
stone', compounded of XiS-o?, 'stone', and
-oslSt/ji;, 'like', fr. sTSoc., 'form, shape'. See
litho- and -oid.
lithology, n., the study of the formation of rocks.
— Compounded of litho- and Gk. -Xo-fia, fr.
-X6yo<;, 'one who speaks (in a certain manner);
one who deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives: litholog-ic, litholog-ic-al, adjs.,
litholog-ic-al-ly, adv.
lithomancy, n., divination by stones. — Com-
pounded of litho- and Gk. [/.avTsta, 'oracle, div-
ination'. See -mancy.
lithomarge, n., a variety of kaolin. — ModL.
lithomarga, a hybrid coined fr. Gk. Xi&o;,
'stone', and L. marga, 'marl'. See litho- and marl.
lithontriptic, adj., destroying the calculi in the
bladder {med.) — Medical L. lithontripticus, for
lithonthrypticus, fr. Gk. Xt&cov S-pu7tTiy.de,
'(drugs) crushing stones'. Gk. Xi&cov is gen. pi.
of XiSo?, 'stone' ; see litho-. Gk. S-poTmy.a is
neut. pi. of ftpuTCTixoi;, 'able to crush', fr. &po-
7ct6<;, 'crushed', verbal adj. of SpuTtxeiv, 'to
crush' ; see drop, n. The spelling lithontriptic (for
lithonthryptic), arose from a confusion of Gk.
S-pimxi?, 'crushed', with xpmxi?, 'rubbed,
ground, pounded', verbal adj. of xpf(kiv (see
trite).
Lithospermum, n., a genus of plants, the grom-
well and the puccoon (bot.) — ModL., com-
pounded of litho- and Gk. <nr£p|xa, 'seed' (see
sperm) ; so called in allusion to the hard nutlets.
lithosphere, n., the solid part of the earth. —
Compounded of litho- and Gk. c^aipa, 'ball,
globe, sphere'. See sphere and cp. words there
referred to.
lithotomy, n., the operation of cutting for stone
in the bladder {surg.) — Late L. lithotomia, fr.
Gk. Xi&oTofAia, 'cutting for the stone', which is
compounded of X£&o?, 'stone' (see litho-), and
-TO[iia, 'a cutting of, fr. xou.7), 'a cutting'.
See -tomy.
Derivatives: lithotom-ic, adj., lithotom-ist, n.
lirhorrite, n., an instrument for performing litho-
trity. — Back formation fr. lithotrity.
lirhotrity, n., operation of crushing a stone in the
bladder into very small pieces capable of being
voided naturally {surg.) — A hybrid coined fr.
Lithuania
898
Gk. \i&oq, 'stone', and L. tritus, pp. of terere,
'to rub, bruise, crush'. See litho- and throw and
cp. trite.
Derivatives: lithotrit-ic, adj., lithotrit-y, n.
Lithuania, n. — Lith. Lietuva, 'Lithuania', of un-
certain origin; perh. rel. to Lith. *lei-, 'to pour,
drop', fr. I.-E. base *lei-, 'to flow', whence pos-
sibly also L. litus, 'shore' ; see littoral. Accord-
ingly Lietuva would lit. mean 'shoreland'. For
sense development cp. ML. Ripudrii, lit. 'people
living on the banks of a river' (see Ripuarians).
Derivatives: Lithuani-an, adj. andn.
litigant, adj., engaged in a lawsuit; n., a party in a
lawsuit. — F., fr. L. litigdns, gen. -antis, pres.
part, of lltigdre. See next word and -ant.
litigate, intr. v., to go to law; tr. v., to contest in a
lawsuit. — L. litigdt-(um), pp. stem of litigdre,
'to dispute, quarrel, strive', formed from the
term litem agere, lit. 'to lead a dispute or strife'.
Litem is the acc. of lis, 'dispute, quarrel, strife,
lawsuit' ,for earlier j?fe, which stands ior* stl-i-t-s,
lit. 'that which is placed', fr. I.-E. base *stel-,
'to place', whence also OL. stlocus, locus, 'place',
lit. 'where something is placed' . See locus and cp.
allege. For the etymology of L. agere see agent.
For the formation of L. litigdre, fr. litem agere,
cp. L.jurigdre, 'to quarrel, scold, chide', fr. jure
agere (see objurgate).
Derivatives: litigation (q.v.), litigator (q.v.), liti-
gatory, adj.
litigation, n., the act of litigating; a lawsuit. —
Late L. litigdtio, gen. -dnis, 'a dispute, quarrel',
fr. L. litigat-(um), pp. stem of litigdre. See prec.
word and -ion.
litigator, n., one who litigates. — L. litigator, 'a
disputant', fr. litigdt-(um), pp. stem of litigdre.
See litigate and agential suff. -or.
litigious, adj., quarrelsome. • — ME., fr. MF (=F.)
litigieux (fern, iitigieuse), fr. L. litigiosus, 'full of
disputes; fond of disputes, quarrelsome', fr. li-
tigium, 'dispute, litigation', fr. litigdre. See liti-
gate and -ous.
Derivatives: litigious-ly, adv., litigious-ness, n.
litmus, n., a dyestuff obtained from lichens. —
ON. litmose, lit. 'lichen for dyeing', fr. litr, 'col-
or', and mosi, 'moss'. The first element is rel. to
OE. wlite, 'splendor, appearance, face, form',
OS. wliti, of s.m., OFris. wlite, 'exterior, form',
Goth, wlits, 'face, form', and to the second ele-
ment in OE. and-wlita, ON. and-lit, OFris. and-
lete, OHG. ant-lizzi, MHG. ant-litze, ant-lutze,
G. Ant-litz,'face, countenance' (the first element
of these words is cogn. with L. ante, 'before', see
ante-), and to OE. wlitan, 'to look', wlatiart, 'to
gaze', ON. lita, 'to look', leita, 'to seek, search',
Goth, wlaitdn, 'to spy, look'. These words are
prob. rel. to Goth, wulpus, 'splendor', and cogn.
with L. voltus, vultus, 'expression of the face,
countenance, look*, W. gweled, 'to see' and ult.
derive fr. I.-E. base *wel-, 'to gee*.
litotes, n., a figure of rhetoric in which an affirma-
tive is expressed by the negative of its opposite.
— Gk. Xi-rd-nic, 'plainness, simplicity', fr.
Xit6c, 'plain, simple', fr. I.-E. base *(s)le(i)-,
'slimy, sticky, dauby, slippery*, whence also Gk
Xeio? (for •Xsifos), 'smooth'. See leio-.
litra, n., name of a Greek weight and coin. — Gk.
Xfxpa (Dor. XiTpa), 'pound', fr. earlier *lipra,
whence also. L. libra, 'Roman pound'. Cp. libra,
liter.
litre, n. — See liter.
Litsea, n., a genus of plants of the laurel family
(bot.) — ModL., fr. F. litse, fr. Chin. // tsai,
'cherry'.
litter, n., a portable bed. — ME. litere, liter, fr.
AF. litere, fr. OF. litiere (F. litiere), fr. VL. *lec-
tdria, fr. L. lectus, 'bed'. See lie, 'to recline'.
Derivatives: litter, tr. and intr. v., litter-y, adj.
little, adj. - ME. lutel, litel, fr. OE. lytel, which
is prob. orig. a dimin. of OE. lyt, 'little, few' ;
rel. to OS. luttil, Du. luttel, OHG. luzzil, MHG.
and dial. G. lutzel, Goth, leitils, 'little', fr. Teut.
base *leut-, 'to bow, bend, stoop', whence also
OE. lutan, 'to bow, bend, turn, fall', ON. lata,
'to stoop, fall'. Teut. base *leut- corresponds to
I.-E. base *leud-, 'to bow, bend, stoop', whence
OSlav. ludu, 'foolish', Russ. ludit', 'to deceive',
Czech ludaf, 'deceiver', Mir. luta, 'the little
finger'. Cp. lout, 'to bow, stoop'.
Derivative: little-ness, n.
littoral, adj., pertaining to the seashore. — F., fr.
L. littordlis, prop, litordlis, fr. litus, gen. litoris,
'seashore', which is of uncertain origin. It meant
perh. orig. ' a place where water flows', and de-
rives fr. I.-E. base *lei-, 'to pour, flow', whence
also L. libdre, 'to pour out, make a libation'
(see Walde-Hofmann, LEW., I, 815 s.v. litus).
See libation and adj. suff. -al and cp. Lithuanian.
Cp. also next word.
Derivative: littoral, n.
Littorella, n., a genus of plants of the plantain
family (bot.) — ModL., prop, meaning 'growing
on the shore', fr. L. litus, gen. litoris. See prec.
word and -ella.
liturgies, n., the study of public worship. — Form-
ed fr. liturgy with suff. -ics.
liturgiology, n., the study of liturgy. — Com-
pounded of liturgy and Gk. -Xoyia, fr. -X6yoc,
'one who speaks (in a certain manner) ; one who
deals (with a certain topic)'. See -logy.
Derivatives :liturgiolog-ical,ai'i.,liturgiolog-ist,n.
liturgy, n., public worship. — F. liturgie, fr.
Late L. liturgia, fr. Gk. Xirj'CTO'jpyta, XeiTOUpyia,
'public duty, public worship', fr. X-rji'-roupYos,
XeiToupyoi;, 'public servant", which is com-
pounded of XtjItoc, Xeixoc. 'of the people', and
a contracted form of gpyov, 'work'. The first
element derives fr. X56?, Att. Xetoc, 'people'.
See lay, 'pertaining to the laity'. For the second
element see work and cp. ergon and words there
referred to.
Derivatives: liturg-ic, liturg-ic-al, adjs., liturg-
ic-al-ly, adv., liturg-ist, n.
Utaos, n., the crooked staffborne by the augurs. —
899
loam
L., of uncertain etymology; possibly a deriv. of
I.-E. base *lei-, 'to bend; to be movable, be
nimble', whence also OE. lip, 'joint, limb', OE.
Urn, 'member'. See limb, 'member', and cp. words
there referred to.
live, intr. and tr. v. — ME. liven, livien, fr. OE.
libban, lifian, rel. to OS. libbian, ON. Ufa, OFris.
tibba, liva, OHG. leben. MHG., G. leben,
Goth, liban, 'to live', fr. I.-E. base *leip-, 'to
remain, persevere, continue, live', whence also
Gk. Xi7rapeiv, 'to persist, persevere'. See leave,
v., and words there referred to and cp. esp. life,
liver and the second element in celibate.
Derivatives: liv-able, adj., live, adj., liv-ing, adj.
and n.
live, adv. — Aphetic for alive.
livelihood, n. — Altered fr. ME. livelode, lit.
'course of life', fr. OE. lif-ldd, 'life way'. See life
and lode.
livelong, adj. — ME. lef long; see lief and long,
adj. The first element was confused later with
live.
lively, adj. — Partly fr. ME., fr. OE. liflic, 'living,
life-giving', lit. 'lifelike', fr. lif, 'life', and -lie,
'-ly' ; partly newly formed fr. life and adj. suff.
-iy-
Derivative: liveli-ness, n.
liven, tr. and intr. v. — Formed fr. life with suff.
-en. Cp. enliven.
liver, n., one who, or that which, lives. — Formed
from the verb live with agential suff. -er.
liver, n., secreting organ of the body. — ME., fr.
OE. lifer, rel. to ON. lifr, Dan., Swed. lever,
OFris. livere, MDu. levere, lever, Du. lever,
OHG. lebara, MHG. lebere, leber, G. Leber,
'liver', and-cogn. with Arm. leard (fr. *lepard),
'liver', and possibly also withGk. Xi7tap6; 'oily,
fat, greasy'. See leave, v., and cp. life, live.
livery, n., 1) allowance of food; 2) distinctive uni-
form of servants. — ME. livere, fr. OF. livree
(F. livree), orig. 'clothes delivered by the master
to his servants', prop. fem. pp. of livrer, 'to
deliver, hand over', which is a doublet of liberer,
'to set free', fr. L. liberdre, 'to set free', fr. liber,
'free'. See liberal and words there referred to.
For sense development cp. delivery.
Derivative: liveri-ed, adj.
livery, adj., resembling liver. — Formed fr. liver,
'secreting organ of the body', with -y (corre-
sponding to OE. -ig).
livid, adj., of a bluish color. — F. livide, fr. L.
lividus (for *slividus), 'bluish, livid', fr. livere,
for *slivere, 'to be of a bluish color', which is
cogn. witn OSlav. sliva, 'plum' (prop, 'the fruit
of blue color ), Olr. //, W. iliw, 'color, splendor',
OE. sld, sldh, 'sloe'. See sloe and -id (represent-
ing L. -idus).
Derivatives: livid-ity, n., livid-ly, adv., livid-ness,
n.
livor, n., bluish discoloration of the surface of the
body. — L. livor, 'bluish color', fr. livere, 'to be
of a bluish color'. See livid and -or.
livre, n., ancient French money of account. — F.,
lit. 'a pound', fr. L. libra. See libra and cp. lira,
liter, litra.
lixiviate, tr. v., to leach. — Formed with verbal
suff. -ate fr. L. lixivius, 'made into lye', fr. lix,
'ashes, lye', which is rel. to liquere, 'to be fluid,
be liquid'. See liquid and cp. prolix.
Derivative : lixiviat-ion, n.
lizard, n. • — ME. lesard, fr. OF. laisard, lesard,
fem. laisarde (F. lezard, fem. Uzarde), formed —
with change of suffix — fr. L. lacertus (masc),
resp. lacerta (fem.), 'lizard', which stand for
*lacer-tos, *lacro-tos, resp. *lacer-ta, *lacro-td,
and derive fr. I.-E. base *leq-, *fq-, 'to bend,
twist', whence prob. also L. locusta, 'grass-
hopper, locust', lit. 'thejumper', ON. leggr, 'leg'.
See leg and cp. Lacerta, lacertian, lobster, locust.
Cp. also It. lucerta, OProvenc. lazert, lauzert,
Sp. lagarto, 'lizard', which all derive fr. L. lacer-
ta, resp. lacertus. Cp. also alligator.
llama, n., a S. American ruminant animal. — Sp.,
fr. Peruv. native name.
llanero, n., a cowboy. — Sp., lit. 'plainsman', fr.
llano, 'plain'. See next word.
llano, n., one of the extensive plains of S. Ameri-
ca. — Sp., 'plain, even, level, smooth', fr. L.
planus, See plain, adj.
Lloyd, masc. PN. — W. Llwyd, lit. 'gray'.
Lloyd's, n., an association of marine underwrit-
ers. — So called from Lloyd's Coffee House^m
Tower St., London, opened by Edward Lloydjn
1688.
lo, interj. — A blend of ME. lo, fr. OE. Id, with
ME. lo, prob. a short form of loke, imper. of
loken, 'to look'. See look and cp. the second
element in wellaway.
loach, n., a small edible fish. — ME., fr. F. loche,
which is of unknown origin.
load, n., a burden. — ME. lode, 'way, course;
load', fr. OE. lad, 'way, journey, course; carry-
ing of goods ; sustenance' ; rel. to lead, 'to guide',
and to lode; influenced in meaning by the verb
lade, to which, however, it is not related.
Derivatives: load, tr. and intr. v., load-ed, adj.,
load-er, n.
loadstar, n. — See lodestar.
loadstone, lodestone, n., magnetite; magnet. —
Compounded of load, lode (fr. OE. lad), and
stone.
loaf, n. — ME. laf, lof, fr. OE. hldf, 'bread, loaf,
rel. to ON. hleifr. Swed. lev, Norw. leiv, OFris.
hlef, OHG. hleib, leib, MHG. leip, leib, G. Laib,
Goth, hlaifs, 'bread, loaf. OSlav. chlebu, Lett.
kldips and Finn, leipd, 'bread, loaf, are very
probably Teut. loan words. L. libum, cake", is
not cognate with the above Teut. words. Cp.
lady, lord, Lammas.
loaf, intr. v., to loiter about. — Of uncertain ori-
gin.
Derivatives: loaf-er, n., loaf-ing, adj., loaf-ing-ly,
adv.
loam, n. • — ME. lam, lome, fr. OE. lam, rel. to OS.
loan
900
lemo, Du. leem, OHG. leimo, MHG. leime,
leim, G. Lehm, 'loam', and to OE. llm, 'lime'.
See lime, 'birdlime', and cp. words there referred
to.
Derivatives: loam, tr. v., loam-y, adj., loam-i-ly,
adv., loam-i-ness, n.
loan, n. — ME. Ian, Ion, fr. ON. Ian, which is rel.
to OE. lien, 'lending, thing lent, loan', ISnan, 'to
lend', OS., OHG. lehan, OFris. len, 'thing lent,
loan', Du. leen, 'loan, fief, MHG. lehen, G.
Lehen, Lehn, 'fief, OE. leon, ON. Ijd, OFris.
lia, 'to lend', OHG. lihan, 'to borrow', MHG.
lihen, 'to borrow; to lend', G. leihen, 'to lend',
rarely, 'to borrow', Goth, lei/van, 'to lend'. The
orig. meaning of these verbs was 'to let have,
leave'. They derive fr. I.-E. base *liq w -, 'to let,
leave', whence also OI. rindkti, 'leaves', riktdh,
'empty', reknah, 'possession, property', atire-
kah, 'remainder', Arm. Ik'anem, T leave', e-lik\
'he left', Gk. Xewmv, 'to leave', XotTtd?, 're-
maining, surviving'. L. linquere (perf. llqui), 'to
leave', Lith. liekii, likti, 'to leave behind', liktas,
Lett, likts, 'left, left over', Lith. lekas, 'left be-
hind', palaikas, 'remainder', the second element
in OSlav. oti-llku, of s.m., OPruss. polinka, 'he
remains', Olr. leicim, 'I leave', and the second
element in Lith. vieniio-lika, 'eleven', dvy-lika,
'twelve'. Cp. lend and the second element in
eleven, twelve. Cp. also relinquish and delict, de-
linquent, derelict, eclipse, ellipse, ellipsis, elliptic,
limma, lipo-, 'lacking', paraleipsis.
Derivatives: loan, tr. and intr. v., loan-able, adj.,
loan-er, n.
loan word, — Loan translation of G. Lehnwort,
which is compounded of lehnen, 'to borrow',
and Wort, 'word'. See loan and word.
Loasa, n., a genus of American plants (bot.) —
ModL., from a S. American Indian native word.
Loasaceae, n. pi., the loasa family (bot.) —
ModL., formed fr. prec. word with suff. -aceae.
loasaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
loath, loth, adj. — ME. lath, loth, fr. OE. lad,
'hateful, hostile', rel. to OS., OFris. leth, ON.
leidr, of s.m., Dan., Swed. led, 'odious', OHG.
hid, MHG. hit, 'offensive, grievous', G. leid,
'painful", OHG. leid, MHG. leit, G. Leid, 'sor-
row', Du. leed, 'sorrow', and prob. cogn. with
Toch . A a-litk, 'to be averse', Gk. tiXixs iv, 'to sin',
aXet-r^c, dXoi-ro?, 'sinner', Ir. liuss (for *litu-s),
'horror, disgust'. F. laid, 'ugly', is borrowed fr.
Frankish *laid, which corresponds to OHG.
leid, 'offensive, grievous'.
Derivatives: loath-ful, adj., loath-ful-ly, adv.,
loath-ful-ness. n., loath-some, adj., loath-some-ly,
adv., loath- some-ness, n.
loathe, tr. v. — ME. tothen, fr. OE. Iddian, fr. lad,
'hateful, hostile'. See prec. word.
Derivatives: loath-ing, a., loath-ing-ly, adv.
loathly, adj. — ME. lothly, fr. OE. Iddlic, 'hate-
ful, horrible, unpleasant', fr. lad, 'hateful, hos-
tile'. See loath.
Derivative: loathli-ness, n.
lob, n., a clumsy person. — Orig. prob. imitative
and suggesting 'something clumsy; a thick mass
of flesh or fat'. Cp. lop, 'to hang down'. Cp. also
looby, lubber.
Derivative: lob, intr. v., to move clumsily,
lobar, adj., pertaining to a lobe or lobes. — ModL.
lobdris, fr. Late L. lobus. See lobe and -ar.
lobate, adj., having lobes. — ModL. lobdtus, fr.
Late L. lobus. See lobe and adj. suff. -ate.
Derivatives: lobat-ed, adj., lobate-ly, adv., lobat-
ion, n.
lobby, n., a hall; a vestibule. — ML. laubia,
lobia, fr. OHG. *laubja. See lodge, which is a
doublet of lobby.
Derivatives: lobby, tr. and intr. v., lobby-er, n.,
lobby-ism, n., lobby-ist, n.
lobe, n. — MF. (= F.), fr. Late L. lobus, fr. Gk.
Xopo?, 'lobe of the ear; lobe of the liver; lobe of
the lung; seed, pod', prob. rel. to Gk. X^iv-S-ot.,
'peas', Xep7)pt<;, 'husk of fruits'; fr. I.-E. base
*leb-, which is rel. to base *lep-, 'to peel',
whence Gk. X£rceiv, 'to peel'. See leper and cp.
lobule and the second element in bilobate, trilo-
bate, antilobium, Gonolobus.
Derivative: lob-ed, adj.
Lobelia, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after the Flemish botanist Matthias de
Lobel (1538-1616). For the ending see 1st suff.
-ia.
Lobeliaceae, n. pi., the lobelia family (bot.) —
ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
lobeliaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
loblolly, n., 1) a thick gruel; 2) a mudhole. — Of
uncertain origin; perh. compounded of dial. E.
lob, 'to bubble in boiling', and dial. E. lolly,
'broth'.
lobscouse, n., stewed dish of meat, vegetables,
etc. — Of uncertain origin; cp. prec. word and
scouse.
lobster, n., an edible marine shellfish. — ME., fr.
OE. lopustre, loppestre, prob. corruption of L.
locusta, 'lobster ; locust'. See locust.
Lobularia, n., a genus of plants, the sweet alyssum
(bot.) — ModL., fr. Late L. lobulus, 'lobule', fr.
F. lobule. See next word and adj. suff. -ary.
lobule, n., a small lobe. — F. lobule, dimin. of
lobe. See lobe and -ule.
Derivative: lobul-ar, adj.
lobworm, n., a lugworm — Compounded of lob
and worm.
local, adj. — ME. localle, fr. MF. (= F). local, fr.
Late L. localis, 'pertaining to a place', fr. L.
locus, 'place'. See locus and adj. suff. -al.
Derivatives: local, n., local-ism, n., locality
(q.v.), local-ize, tr. v., local-iz-ation, n., local-ly,
adv., locat-ness, n.
locale, n., a place or locality. — F. local, fr. Late
L. localis, 'pertaining to a place'. See prec. word,
locality, n. — F. localiti, fr. Late L. locdlitdtem,
acc. of locdlitds, 'locality*, fr. locdlis. See local
. and -ity.
901
locate, tr. v., to find the place of. — L. locdtus,
pp. of locate, 'to place, put, set, dispose, ar-
range', fr. locus, 'place'. See locus and verbal
suff. -ate and cp. allocate, collocate, dislocate,
couch, accouchement.
location, n. — L. locdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a placing,
location, disposition', fr. locdtus, pp. of locdre.
See prec. word and -ion.
Derivative: location-al, adj.
locative, adj., pertaining to a case indicating
place; n., the locative case. — Incorrectly form-
ed fr. L. locus, 'place', on analogy of L. vocdti-
vus, 'vocative' (fr. vocdtus, pp. of vocdre, 'to call,
summon'). See locus and -ive.
loch, n., a lake. — Gael, loch, 'lake', rel. to Olr.
loch, OCo., Bret, lagen, 'lake', and cogn. with
L. lacus, 'lake'. See lake, 'a pool', and cp. lough.
lochia, n., the discharge from the uterus after
childbirth (med.) — Medical L., fr. Gk. Xoxia,
neut. pi. of \6xioq, 'pertaining to childbirth', fr.
Xoxos, 'childbirth', which stands in gradational
relationship to Xsxo?> 'bed'. See lie, 'to recline',
and cp. the second element in Aristolochia,
Gelechia.
Derivative: lochi-al, adj.
lochio-, pertaining to childbirth. — Fr. Gk. Xo-
Xio?, 'pertaining to childbirth'. See prec. word.
lock, n., tuft of hair. — ME. lokk, lokke, fr. OE.
locc, rel. to ON. lokkr, OS., OFris., Du. lok,
OHG., MHG. loc, G. Locke, 'lock of hair', fr.
I.-E. base*/e«g-,*/Hg-,'tobend,twist',whencealso
Gk. Xuyl^eiv, 'to bend, twist', Xuyo?, 'any pli-
ant twig, withe', OL. luctdre, L. luctari, 'to
wrestle, struggle, strive, contend', lit. 'to twist,
intertwine', Lith. lugnas, Lett, lugt, 'flexible',
OE, leac, lec, 'leek, garlic'. Cp. leek, luck. Cp.
also ineluctable, luxate, luxe, reluct, Lygodium.
lock, n., a contrivance for closing doors. — ME.
lok, fr. OE. loc, 'lock, bolt', rel. to OE. lucan,
OS. lukan, ON., OFris. luka, OHG. luhhan,
Goth, ga-lukan, 'to close, shut up', ON. lok
(neut.), luka (fern.), 'fastening, lock', Goth, us-
luks, 'opening', OHG. loh, MHG. loch, 'dun-
geon, cavern, hole', G. Loch, 'hole, opening',
Du. luik, 'shutter; trapdoor', G. Luke, 'dormer
window', and cogn. with OI. rujdti, 'breaks',
Lith. luzti, 'to break' (intr.), Iduzyti, 'to break'
(tr.); see KJuge-Mitzka, EWDS., p. 443 s.v.
Loch. See lugubrious and cp. locket and the
second element in padlock. Cp. also lucarne.
Derivatives: lock, tr. and intr. v., lock-ed, adj.,
lock-er, n., locket (q.v.), lock-ful, n., lock-ing,
adj. and verbal n., lock-less, adj., lock-let, n.
locket, n., a small hinged case worn on a neck-
lace. — OF. (= F.) loquet, 'latch of door',
dimin. of OF. loc, 'lock, latch', fr. ON. lok,
'lock'. See 2nd lock and -et.
Lockian, adj., pertaining to John Lock (1632-
1704) or to his philosophy.
lockram, n., also lockeram, a cheap kind of linen
cloth. — ME. tokerham, fr. MF. (= F.) locre-
nan, locronan, fr. Locronan, name of a place in
Lower Brittany where it was first made. The
name Locronan lit. means 'Ronan's cell' (fr.
Bret, lok, 'cell' and the PN. Ronari). Cp. St. Re-
nan, the modern name of the same place,
loco-, combining form meaning 'from place to
place', as in locomotive. — Fr. L. locus, 'place'.
See locus.
locomote, intr. v. — Back formation fr. locomo-
tion. Cp. donate, orate.
locomotion, n. — Compounded of L. loco, abl. of
locus, 'place' and mdtid, gen. -dnis, 'a moving'.
See locus and motion,
locomotive, adj. — Compounded of L. loco, abl.
of locus, 'place', and Late L. motivus, 'moving'.
See locus and motive.
Derivatives: locomotive, n., locomotiv-ity, n.
locomotor, adj. and n. — Compounded of L. loco,
abl. of locus, 'place', and motor, 'mover'. See
locus and motor.
locular, adj., having loculi. — Formed fr. loculus
with suff. -ar.
loculus, n., a cell (bot. and zool.) — L., 'a little
place', dimin. of locus, 'place'. See locus and -ule.
locumtenens, n., a deputy. — L., 'holding the
place', fr. locum, acc. of locus, 'place', and te-
nens, pres. part, of tenere, 'to hold'. See tenant
and cp. lieutenant.
locus, n. — L., 'place', fr. OL. stlocus, lit. 'where
something is placed', fr. I.-E. base *st(h)el-, 'to
cause to stand, to place'. See stall and cp. words
there referred to. Cp. also lieu and the second
element in milieu.
locust, n. — ME., fr. L. locusta, 'grasshopper,
locust', prob. fr. *lokos-td, lit. 'the jumper', and
rel. to lacertus (masc), lacerta (fern.), 'lizard';
see lizard and cp. lobster. For the form of L.
locusta cp. rdbustus, 'strong', onustus, 'laded,
loaden'. For the sense development of locusta
cp. F. sauterelle, 'grasshoper, locust', fr. sauter,
'to leap, hop', G. Heuschrecke, 'grasshopper,
locust', lit. 'hay-jumper', fr. Heu, 'hay', and
schrecken, in the orig. meaning of this verb, 'to
jump'.
locusta, n., 1) a spikelet (bot.) ; 2) (cap.) a genus of
grasshoppers (zool.) — ModL., fr. L. locusta,
'locust'. See locust.
locution, n., style of speech. — L. locutid, gen.
-dnis, 'a speaking, speech, discourse', fr. locutus,
pp. of loqui, 'to speak'. See loquacious and -ion
and cp. allocution, elocution.
lode, n., 1) way, course; 2) vein of ore. — ME.
lod, lode, fr. OE. lad, 'way, journey, course;
carrying of goods; sustenance', rel. to OE. lidan,
'to go, travel', ISedan, 'to lead, guide'. See lead
and cp. load and the second clement in liveli-
hood.
lodestar, also loadstar, n. — Compounded of
lode and star; lit. 'a leading star'.
lodestone, n. — See loadstone.
lodge, n. — ME. loge, logge, fr. OF. loge, 'arbor,
hut' (whence F. loge, 'hut, cabin, lodge, box at
a theater*), fr. OHG. "laubja, louba, 'porch,
lodge
902
gallery', whence MHG. loube, of s.m. (whence
G. Laube, 'bower, arbor', which was influenced
in meaning by Laub, 'foliage'; see leaf). OHG.
louba is rel. to ON. lopt, 'upper room'. See loft
and cp. lobby, loge, loggia. Cp. also logistics,
lodge, intr. and tr. v. — ME. loggen, fr. OF. logier
(F. loger), 'to lodge', fr. loge, 'lodge'. See lodge,
n.
Derivatives: lodg-er, n., lodg-ing, n., lodge-
ment (q.v.)
lodgment, lodgement, n. — MF. (= F.) logement,
fr. OF., fr. loger. See lodge, v., and -ment.
loess, n., an unstratified deposit of loam. — G.
Loss, coined by K.C. von Leonhard in 1823
through the alteration of Ldsch, 'soil inter-
spersed with snail-shells', fr. dial. Swiss Idsch,
'loose', the equivalent of G. los, of s.m. See
loose.
loft, n. — ME., fr. Late OE. loft, fr. ON. lopt, 'air,
sky, upper room', which is rel. to OE. lyft (dial.
E. lift), Du. lucht, OHG., MHG., G. luft, Goth.
luftus, 'air'. Cp. aloft, lift. Cp. also lodge, n.
Derivatives: loft, tr. v., loft-er, n., loft-i-ly, adv.,
loft-i-ness, n., loft-ing, n.
log, n., a heavy piece of wood. — ME. logge, of
Scand. origin. Cp. ON. lag (whence Dan. laag,
Norw. log), 'felled tree', orig. 'that which lies',
from the stem of ON. liggja, 'to lie'. See lie, 'to
recline', and cp. the first element in loggerhead.
Derivatives: log, tr. v., to cut into logs; intr. v.,
to fell trees and transport the logs to a sawmill,
adj., logged (q.v.), logg-er, n., logg-ing, n.
log, n., a liquid measure, the 12th part of a hin.
— Heb. logh, rel. to Syr. lagga, lagg l thd, 'a (des-
sert) dish', and prob. also to Arab. Idjja, 'was
deep', lajj, 'depth, abyss', Akkad. lignu, 'vase,
vessel'. Cp. also Copt, lok, 'a liquid measure',
and see lagena.
log, n. — Abbrev. of logarithm.
log-, form of logo- before a vowel.
loganberry, n., a kind of dewberry. — So called
after the American jurist James Harvey Logan
(1841-1928), who first cultivated it.
Logania, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
named after James Logan (1614-1751), an Irish
botanist, secretary to William Penn. For the
ending see 1st suff. -ia.
Loganiaceae, n. p]., the logania family (bot.) —
ModL., formed from prec. word with suff.
-aceae.
loganiaceous, adj. — See prec. word and -aceous.
logan stone, rocking stone. — For logging stone,
lit. 'rocking stone', fr. dial. E. log, 'to rock'.
logarithm, n. — Lit. 'ratio-number', fr. L. loga-
rithmus, a word coined by the Scottish mathema-
tician John Napier (1550-1617) in 1614 fr. Gk.
Xoyoc, 'word, ratio', and apid-j^o?, 'number'.
See logos and arithmetic.
Derivatives: logarithm-ic, adj., logarithmic-al-ly,
adv.
loge, n., box in a theater. — F. See lodge, n.
logged, adj., made heavy. — Formed with surf.
-ed fr. log, 'to cut into logs'. See log, 'a piece of
wood'.
loggerhead, n., a blockhead. — Fr. obsol. log
head, compounded of log, 'a piece of wood', and
head. For sense development cp. blockhead.
Derivative: loggerhead-ed, adj.
loggia, n., a roofed gallery used as an open-air
room. — It., fr. F. loge. See lodge, n., and cp.
lobby.
logic, n. — ME. logike, fr. OF. (= F.) logique,
fr. L. logica, fr. Gk. Xoyixir), which is short for
XoytKT) tsx^tj, 'logic art', i.e. 'the art of speaking
and reasoning' ; Xoyix^ is fern, of Xoyixd?, 'per-
taining to speaking or reasoning, logical', fr.
Xoyo;, 'word, speech ; reason'. See logos and -ic.
logical, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr. L.
logicus, fr. Gk. Xoymo?, 'logical'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives: logical-ly, adv., logical-ity, n.
logician, n., one skilled in logic. — F. logicien, fr.
logique, 'logic'. See logic and -ian.
logie, n., a piece of sham jewellery. — Named
after the English inventor David Logie, who
invented it about 1860.
logion, pi. logia, saying of Jesus not recorded in
the Gospels. — Gk. Xiyiov, 'a saying', fr. X6yo<;,
'word, speech'. See logos,
logistic, adj., skilled in logic. — ML. logisticus
(prob. through the medium of F. logistique), 'of
calculation; of reasoning', fr. Gk. Xoyiarixo;,
'skilled in calculation, skilled in reasoning', fr.
Xoyt^ea&at, 'to calculate, reason', fr. Xoyo?,
'word, speech, reason; calculation'. See logos
and -istic.
logistic, n., the art of calculation, arithmetic. —
See prec. word.
logistics, n., the art of transporting, quartering
and supplying troops. — F. logistique (short for
I'art logistique), a hybrid coined fr. F. logis, 'a
lodging' (fr. loger, 'to lodge', loger des soldats,
'to quarter soldiers', fr. loge, 'hut, cabin, lodge'),
and the Greek suff.-iaxixoi;. See lodge and -istic.
For the ending of logistics see suff. -ics.
logo-, before a vowel log-, combining form
meaning 'word, speech', as in logogram, logo-
griph. — Fr. Gk. Xoyoq, 'word, speech'. See logos.
Iogodaedaly, n., a playing with words. — Gk.
XoyoSatSaXti. See logo-, daedal and -y (repre-
senting Gk. -ia.).
logogram, n., a letter or sign representing a word.
— Compounded of logo- and Gk. ypa[i.u.a, gen.
YpijijAaToi;, 'letter', lit. 'that which is written'.
See -gram and cp. grammalogue.
Derivative: togogrammat-ic, adj.
logograph, n., a logogram. — Compounded of
logo- and Gk. -ypocqpo?, fr. ypapeiv, 'to write'.
See -graph.
Derivative: logograph, tr. v.
logographic, adj., pertaining to logography. —
Gk. Xoyoypaq>ix6(;, 'of writing speeches', fr.
Xoyoypaipta. See next word and -Ic.
•Derivative: logographic-al-ly, adv.
903
Lollard
logography, n., a method of reporting speeches in
longhand, each of several reporters taking down
a few words in succession. — Gk. Xoyoypatpiix,
'a writing of speeches', fr.Xoyoypd«poi;, 'a speech
writer', compounded of Gk. Xoyo?, 'word,
speech', and -ypatpta, fr. ypatpsiv, 'to write'.
See logo-, -graph and -y (representing Gk. 4a).
logogriph, n., word puzzle. — Compounded of
logo- and Gk. yptipos, 'fishing net; something
intricate; a riddle', which prob. stands for *gri-
bhos and is cogn. witn MHG. krebe, 'basket',
ON. kiarf, kerfi, 'bundle', OI. grapsah, 'bundle'.
logomachy, n., a fight in, or about, words. — Gk.
Xoyo(xa)cia, 'war about words', compounded of
Xoyo?, 'word, speech', and [J.ax'1, 'battle'. See
logo- and -machy.
logometric, adj., serving to represent graphically
chemical elements (chem.) — Compounded of
logo- and Gk. uixpov, 'measure'. See metric.
logos, n., the divine Word. — Gk. X6yo<;, 'word,
speech; word which expresses the inward
thought; the thought itself; tale, story; maxim,
proverb, narrative; prose; ratio, reason ; rela-
tion, proportion, analogy, calculation, reckon-
ing, account; discussion, deliberation, dia-
logue', fr. Xsysiv, 'to pick out, choose; to speak,
declare", and cogn. with L. legere, 'to gather,
collect; to pick out, choose; to read, recite'. See
lecture and cp. logic, logistic, adj., -logue, -logy,
Alogians, apologue, curiologic, Decalog, dialect.
Cp. also paralogism, syllogism.
logothete, n., name of various officers of the By-
zantine empire. — ML. logotheta, orig. 'an au-
ditor of accounts', fr. Gk. Xoyo-S-E-rr)?, which is
compounded of Xoyo;, 'word, speech; account',
and -'&st7^c, a derivative of #r r , the stem of
~i9ivai, 'to place, set, lay down'. See logo- and
theme.
logotype, n., two or more letters cast in a single
type (print.) — Compounded of logo- and type.
Derivative: logotyp-y, n.
-logue, combining form denoting a kind of dis-
course as in dialogue, epilogue. — F. -logue, fr.
Gk. -Xoyoc. See -logy.
-logy, combining form denoting a 'speaking, dis-
course, treatise, doctrine, theory, science', as in
biology, geology. — Gk. -Xoyia (either directly
or through the medium of OF. or F. -logie or
ML. -logia), fr. -Xoyos, 'one who speaks (in a
certain manner): one who deals (with a certain
topic)', fr. a£-,-;'.v, 'to pick up, choose; to speak,
declare', whence also Xoyo?, 'word, speech; ac-
count'. In some cases — as e.g. in -rpiXoyta, 'tri-
logy'. TSTcaXoy'a. 'tetralogy' — XcmS derives
directly from Xoyo;. See logos and cp. -ology.
lohoch, lohock, n., linctus. — MF. (= F.)
looch, fr. Arab, la'uq, in vulgar pronunciation
la'oq, lit. 'anything licked', fr. Id'iqa, 'he licked'.
Cp. L. linctus, fr. lingere, 'to lick'.
loimic, adj., pertaining to plague. — Gk. Xoi(i.i-
x<5<;, 'pertaining to pestilence or plague', fr. Xot-
[aos, 'pestilence, plague', which is prob. rel. to
XT[i6s, 'hunger', Xoiy<5<;, 'ruin, destruction, dis-
ease, death', and possibly to oXtyot;, 'small, little,
few'. See oligo- and -ic and cp. the second ele-
ment in bulimia.
loimo-, combining form meaning 'pertaining to
plague, pestilential'. — Gk. Xoifj.o-, fr. Xotfj.6;,
'pestilence, plague'. See prec. word.
loin, n. — ME. loyne, fr. loigne, logne, var. of
OF. (F.) longe, 'loin', fr. ML. *lumbea, fem. of
*lumbeus, adj. used as a noun, fr. L. lumbus,
'loin'. See lumbar and cp. the second element in
sirloin.
loir, n., a species of dormouse. — F., fr. VL. gli-
rem, corresponding to L. gllrem, acc. of glis,
'dormouse', which is cogn. with OI. girilf, girikd,
'mouse', Gk. yaXsY), 'weasel, polecat, marten'.
See galea and cp. lerot.
Loiseleuria, n., a genus of plants, the Alpine aza-
lea (bot.) — ModL., named after the French bo-
tanist J. L. A. io/se/ewr-Delongchamps (1774-
1849). For the ending see 1st suff. -ia.
loiter, intr. and tr. v. — ME. loitren, fr. MDu.
loteren, 'to be loose' (whence Du. leuteren, 'to
delay, linger, loiter'), which is rel. to OE. lod-
dere, 'beggar', ME. lodder, 'good-for-nothing',
OHG. lotar, 'empty, vain', MHG. loter, 'loose,
vain, frivolous', G. Lotterbube, 'vagabond, ras-
cal', OE. lydre, 'base, bad, wicked'. Seelither.
Derivative : loiter-er, n.
loka, n., open space, universe, world (Hinduism).
— OI. lokdh, lit. 'a clear place, clearing', rel. to
lokdyati, locdyati, 'regards, looks at', fr. I.-E.
base *leuq-, 'to see, behold', which is identical
with base *leuq-, 'to emit light, shine; bright'.
See light, 'brightness', and cp. the first element
in lokapala.
lokapala, n., a guardian of the world, prop, one
of the eight deities who guard the eight cardinal
points (Hindu mythol.) — OI. lokapdldh, com-
pounded of lokdh, 'open space, universe, world',
and pdldh, 'guardian'. For the first element see
loka. The second element derives fr. I.-E. base
*po-, 'to keep, guard, protect', whence also OI.
pdti, 'he guards, protects", go-pah, 'shepherd'.
This base is rel., and equivalent in meaning, to
base *pd-, whence pd-scere, 'to feed, nourish",
pd-stor, 'shepherd'. See food.
Lola, fem. PN. — Dimin. of Sp. Dolores (q.v.)
Loligo, n., a genus of squids (zool.) — L. lolligo,
loligd, 'cuttlefish', of uncertain origin.
Lolium, n., a genus of plants, the darnel (bot.) —
L. lolium, 'darnel', of uncertain etymology.
OHG. lolli (whence MHG. lullich, lulche, G.
Lolch), 'darnel', is a Latin loan word.
loll, intr. v., to lounge; tr. v., to let hang. — ME.
lollen, Mien 'to lounge', of imitative origin. See
lull and cp. words there referred to.
Derivatives: loll, n., loll-er, n.
Lollard, n., member of a sect of reformers, follow-
ers of John Wycliffe. — MDu. Lollaerd, lit.
'mutterer (scil. of psalms)', formed fr. lollen, 'to
hum, mumble'. See lull and -ard and cp. loll.
lollipop
904
Derivatives: lollard-ism, n., Lollard-y, adj.
lollipop, n., a sweetmeat. — Of uncertain origin,
lollop, intr. v., to loll. — Enlarged fr. loll.
Derivative : lollop, n.
loll shraub, loll shrob, claret (India). — Hind. Idl
shardb, 'red, wine', fr. Pers. Idl, 'red', and Arab.
shardb, 'drink, wine' (see sirup),
loma, n., a membranous fringe (zool.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. Xiou.a, 'hem, fringe, border', which prob.
stands for "fXtojjia and is cogn. with L. Idrum
(for *wldrum), 'strap, thong'. See lore, 'space
between the eyes and beak of birds', and cp.
next word and the second element in Cycloloma,
Isoloma, Tricholoma.
Lomatium, n., a genus of plants (bot.) — ModL.,
fr. Gk. X(o[xdcTiov, 'small border', dimin. of
Xo>[/.a. See prec. word.
Lombard, n., 1) an inhabitant of Lombardy ; 2) a
banker or moneylender. — F., fr. Late L. Lango-
bardus, Longobardus (= G. Langbart, lit., 'Long
Beard'), one of a Teut. tribe which invaded Italy
in 568. See long, adj., and beard and cp. Lango-
bard. The Lombards were generally known as
pawnbrokers, hence the sense development of
the word Lombard in English. Cp. also OF.
lombart, 'usurer', and see lumber, n.
Derivatives: Lombard, Lombard-esque, Lom-
bard-ic, adjs.
loment, n., a legume which breaks at maturity
into one-seeded indehiscent joints (bot.) — L.
Idmentum, 'bean meal (used as a wash)', con-
tracted fr. lovimentum, which derives fr. lavdre
(for *lovdre), 'to wash'. See lave and -ment.
lomentaceous, adj., bearing loments (bot.) —
Formed with suff. -aceous fr. L. Idmentum. See
prec. word.
loncho-, before a vowel lonch-, combining form
meaning 'lance'. — Fr. Gk. X6yxi), 'lance',
which is of uncertain, possibly Sem., origin; cp.
Heb. rdmah, Aram, rumhd, Arab, rumh, 'lance'.
lone, adj. — Aphetic form of alone (q.v.)
Derivatives: lone-ly, adj., lone-li-ness, n., lone-
some, adj., lone-some-ly, adv., lone-some-ness, n.
long, adj. — ME. long, lang, fr. OE. long, lang,
rel. to OS., Dan., Du., OHG., MHG., G.
lang, ON. langr, Swed. lang, MDu., MHG.
lane, Goth, laggs, 'long', and cogn. with L. lon-
gus, 'long', fr. I.-E. base *dlonghos, whence also
MPers. drang, Pers. dirang, 'long'. Base "dlongh-
os is prob. a nasalized derivative of base *de-
legh-, which appears in OI. dirghdh, 'long', Gk.
SoXiyoc, 'long', ev-8eXe-/7)<;, 'constant, contin-
ual', L. in-dulgere, 'to be kind', lit. 'to be long-
suffering'. See dolicho- and cp. indulge. Cp. also
length, Lent, ling, 'a fish', linger, long, v., longer-
on, longitude, lunge, allonge, belong, oblong,
prolong.
Derivatives: long, adv., long-ish, adj.
long, n., a long note (mus.); a long sound (proso-
dy). — Fr. long, adj.
long, intr. v., to desire. — ME. longen, fr. OE.
langian, 'to grow long; to desire, crave, long
after' (impers.), rel. to OS. langdn (impers.), ON.
langa (pers. and impers.), MDu. langhen, ver-
langhen (impers. and pers.), OHG. langen (im-
pers.), bilangen, gilangen (impers. and pers.),
MHG. belangen, also (rarely) verlangen, G. ver-
langen, 'to desire', and to E. long, adj.
Derivative: long-ing, n.
-long, adverbial suff. expressing direction. — ON.
-langr (in endlangr, 'endlong'), from langr, 'long'
(see long, adj.) This suff. has now displaced adv.
suff. -ling.
longan, n., the tree Euphoria longan or its fruit. —
Chin, lung-yen, lit. 'dragon's eye'.
longanimity, n., patience. ■ — Late L. longanimitds,
'long-suffering, patience, forbearance', fr. L.
longanimis, 'long-suffering, patient', which is
compounded of longus, 'long', and animus, 'soul,
spirit, mind'. See long, adj., animus and -ity.
longeron, n., a longitudinal member of an air-
plane fuselage. — F., fr. longer, 'to skirt, extend
along', shortened fr. allonger, 'to lengthen'. See
allonge.
longevity, n., long duration of life. — Late L.
longaevitds, 'great age, long life', fr. L. longae-
vus, 'of great age', which is compounded of
longus, 'long', and aevum, 'age'. See long, adj.,
age and -ity and cp. aeon and the second element
in coeval, primeval.
longi-, combining form meaning 'long'. — L.
longi-, fr. longus, 'long'. See long, adj.
longicorn, adj., having long antennae (zool.) —
Compounded of longi- and L. cornu, 'horn'. See
horn and cp. corn, 'horny induration'.
longinquity, n., remoteness. — L. longuinquitds,
gen. -dtis, 'length, extent, long duration', fr.
longinquus, 'long, extensive, remote, distant',
which is formed fr. longus, 'long', with suff. -in-
quits. See long, adj. For the suff. -inquus cp. L.
propinquus, 'near' (see propinquity).
Iongipennate, adj., having long wings. — Com-
pounded of longi- and pennate.
longirostral, adj., having a long beak (ornithol.)
— Compounded of longi- and Late L. rdstrdlis.
See rostral.
longitude, n., length (geogr. and astron.) — L.
longitudd, 'length', fr. longus, 'long'. See long,
adj., and -tude.
longitudinal, adj. — Formed with adj. suff. -al fr.
L. longitudd, gen. longitudinis, 'length'. See prec.
word.
Derivatives : longitudinal, n., longitudinal-ly, adv.
longshoreman, n. — Aphetic for along-shore-man.
long-suffering, n. — First used by Tyndale.
Lonicera, n., a genus of plants, the honeysuckle
(bot.) — ModL. ; so called after the German bo-
tanist Adam Lonitzer (Latinized into Lonicerus)
(1526-86).
loo, n., a card game. — Short for earlier lanterloo,
fr. F. lanturelu, orig. the refrain of a song.
Derivative: loo, tr. v.
looby, n., a clumsy fellow. — ME. loby, possibly
derived fr. lob (q.v.), or from the French PN.
905
loquacity
Lubin, which was an abusive name for the monk
in the Middle Ages. The former sense of looby
1 was 'loafer',
oof, n. — A variant of luff.
loofah, n. — Fr. Arab. lufa h . See luffa.
look, intr. v. — ME. loken, fr. OE. Idcian, rel. to
OS. lokon, MDu. toeken, 'to look', OHG. lu-
ogen, MHG. luogen, G. lugen, 'to look out',
and perh. cogn. with Toch. A lak-, 'to see',
and with OCorn. lagat, Bret, lagad, 'eye'. Cp. lo.
Derivatives: look, n., look-er, n., look-ing, adj.
loom, n., a machine for weaving. — ME. tome,
'tool', fr. OE. geldma, 'tool, utensil', rel. to OE.
andldman (pi.), 'utensils' ; of uncertain origin.
Cp. heirloom.
Derivative: loom, tr. v., to weave on a loom,
loom, intr. v., to appear, to come into view. —
Of uncertain origin; perhaps orig. meaning 'to
come slowly toward', and rel. to EFris. lomen,
dial. Swed. loma, 'to move slowly'.
Derivatives: loom, n., loom-ing, adj.
loom, n., a puffin, loon. — Of Scand. origin. Cp.
ON. Idmr, Dan., Swed., Norw. lorn. Cp. also
loon, 'a water bird'.
loon, n., a lout, rascal. — ME. lowen, 
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